USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 63
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In 1880, Herbert A. Stewart was married to Hattie H. Fillmore, who was born in Macomb county, this state, October 29, 1862, the daughter of Lemuel and Hattie (Cudworth) Fillmore, early settlers of Michigan, having come here from the state of New York. Lemuel Fillmore's father was a cousin of President Fillmore. To Lemuel and Hattie Fillmore were born two children Mrs. Stewart having a brother, James Fillmore, who is a Canadian luniberman in the northwest and is known as an expert in his line. The mother died in 1862 at the birth of the daughter Hattie. After the death of his wife, Mr. Fillmore joined the Union army for service during the Civil War and while in service contracted a fever and died in a hospital at Nashville, Tennessee. Hattie Fillmore was reared by her grandmother Fillmore and completed her schooling in the high school at Romeo, Michigan.
Politically, Mr. Stewart is a Republican and has served on the council, both in Romeo and Flushing. Fraternally, he is a Mason and a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Flushing. Mr. Stewart is a successful and progressive business man, and takes much pride and interest in the development of his town and community. He was one of the most active promoters of the Business Men's Association of Flushing, and has been president of the organization for the past two years.
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GEORGE J. BACHMANN.
George J. Bachmann, well-known architect and builder at Flint, with offices at 302 South Saginaw street, is a native of Michigan and has lived in this state all his life. He was born at Muskegon on July 22, 1878, son of John Frederick and Agnes (Tascher) Bachmann, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of the republic of Switzerland, who were the parents of eight children, namely: William F., of Muskegon; Marie Eleanor, wife of F. C. Schliess, of Detroit; Christie, wife of William Collins, of Lisbon, Ohio; George J. the subject of this biographical sketch; Frederick G., of Muskegon; Mildred, wife of Thomas How, Jr., of Detroit; Charles, who was drowned when six years of age, and a daughter who died in infancy.
John Frederick Bachmann was born at Cleveland, Ohio, eldest of the seven children born to his parents, John Frederick Bachmann and wife, natives of Germany, the others being Charles, Mary, Caroline, Minnie, Clara and Millie. When he was but a lad his parents moved to Columbus, Wis- consin. His father, who had come to this country from Bavaria when twenty-four years of age and had married in Cleveland, was an expert blacksmith and wagon-maker and he grew up an adept at those trades. He finally settled at Muskegon, this state, where he engaged in the business of erecting and running saw-mills, and was thus engaged until his death in 1897, from the effect of injuries received in a fall in Barker brothers mill at Traverse City, he then being forty-seven years of age. His widow, who still survives, continues to maintain her home at Muskegon, but resides with her son, George J. Bachmann, at Flint. She was born in the village of Suss, Switzerland, daughter of Jacob and Anthorette (Rest) Tascher, natives of that country, the latter a daughter of John and Katherine von Meldenberg Rest, and both of whom spent all their lives in that country, and who were the parents of seven children, Helsbeth, Katherine, Agnes, John, Thomas, Conrad and Jacob. Mrs. Bachmann was reared a Lutheran, as was her husband, but both afterward became identified with the Congre- gationalists.
Upon completing the course in the public schools at Muskegon, George J. Bachmann took a course in an architectural school at Grand Rapids and since then has devoted his time and talents to building and architecture. For some time he was located at Grand Rapids and during that time designed numerous large buildings in that city. Early in the year 1914 Mr. Bach- mann moved to Flint, where he has since been engaged in business and where
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he has established a high reputation as an architect. Among the numerous buildings he has designed since locating at Flint may be mentioned the build- ings of Baker University, the Strand theater, Bush Brothers' store building, the Carpenter apartment building on Church street, the Goldberger building on St. John street, the Strand theater at Owosso, and many others. Mr. Bachmann's heart is in his work and he takes the pride of the true artist in his productions. Mr. Bachmann is a Democrat and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs.
On May 7, 1901, George J. Bachmann was united in marriage to Anna Belle Smith, who was born at Muskegon, this state, February 23, 1883, daughter of William H. and Anna ( Mckenzie) Smith, natives of Canada, the former of whom died on October 25, 1914, and the latter of whom is still living, who were the parents of five children, James, Anna Belle, Harry, Vesta and Henry. To Mr. and Mrs. Bachmann three children were born, Marjorie, born on April 18, 1902, who died at the age of ten months; Francis G., born on July 28, 1903, and Harold L., March 22, 1908. The mother of these children died on October 5, 1915. Mr. Bachmann is a member of the Congregational church, as was his wife, and takes an earnest interest in local good works.
JOHN H. CAREY.
John H. Carey, one of the best-known farmers of Flint township, this county, and for many years an office holder in that township, an honored veteran of the Civil War and proprietor of "Carey Home Farm," a well- kept place situated six miles west of Flint, on rural route No. 5, out of that city, is a native son of Michigan and has lived in this state all his life. He was born on a pioneer farm in the neighboring county of Oakland, November 18, 1838, son of Henry and Hannah (Kemp) Carey, natives of England, who came to this country in 1838 and located in this section of Michigan, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
Henry Carey and his wife were born in Sussex, were married there and lived there until after their two eldest children were born, when, in 1838, they left England and came to the United States, proceeding directly to Michigan, having determined in advance of their coming over to settle in the new state that had just been admitted to statehood the year before. They arrived in Detroit on October 28 of that same year, proceeding thence
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up into Oakland county, where, on November 18, following, the subject of this sketch was born. Henry Carey began farming in Oakland county and after a residence of nine years there bought a farm of his own and proceeded to clear and improve the same, continuing to make his home there until in December, 1883, when he and his wife came over into Genesee county and spent their last days in the home of their son, the subject of this sketch, Mrs. Carey dying on March 28, 1888, and Mr. Carey, July 11, 1891. They were members of the Christian church and their children were reared in that faith. There were nine of these children, seven of whom are still living, namely : Henry W., born in June, 1833, who served in a Michigan cavalry regiment during the Civil War, participating in forty-two battles and engagements, and is now living at Oxford, this state; Hannah, born in 1835, widow of Wilson Armstrong; John H., the subject of this biographical sketch; Fannie, widow of John Maitrott, of Oakland county; Lydia, wife of Nehemiah Lawrence, of Charlotte, this state, and Jane and Frank. The two deceased were Mary and William.
John H. Carey grew to manhood on the paternal home in Oakland county, receiving his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home and proving a valuable help to his father in the work of improving and developing the home farm. Before he was quite twenty-one years old, in 1859, he, with a party of five or six others, started for California, driv- ing overland by ox-team. They left here on April II and arrived at their destination on September I of that same year. For a little more than two years Mr. Carey remained in California and then he began the long journey back, this time taking the water route, and reached his home in Michigan late in 1861, after which he married and bought the farm west of Flint on which he is still living and where he ever since has made his home. On October 28, 1863, Mr. Carey enlisted for service during the continuance of the Civil War as a private in Company D, Twenty-seventh Regiment, Mich- igan Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command until he received his honorable discharge on October 24, 1864, being discharged on account of a gunshot wound which incapacitated him from further service and on account of which, twelve years later, he was compelled to undergo a second serious operation. Mr. Carey never wholly recovered from the effects of that wound and the government is now paying him a pension of forty dollars a month. Mr. Carey is a Republican and ever since making his home in Flint township has taken an active and a useful part in local political affairs. for twenty-nine years having been in public office, having served as treasurer of the township, as justice of the peace and as health officer. He is an active
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member of the Grand Army of the Republic and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that patriotic organization.
Mr. Carey has been thrice married. His first wife, who was Helen Eaton, died leaving three children, two of whom, Elmer G., of Harbor Springs, and Cora J., of Flint, are still living. Mr. Carey then married Hannah Jackson, who died when her only son, John H. Carey, Jr., was six weeks old. Mr. Carey then married, May 24, 1882, Delora Eggleston, which union has been without issue. Mr. and Mrs. Carey are members of the Baptist church at Flint and take an earnest interest in the various bene- ficences of the same, as well as in all neighborhood good works.
RALPH N. GILLETT.
Ralph N. Gillett, secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Gillett Manufacturing Company at Clio, was born in Vienna township, this county, - July 11, 1887, a son of Isaac D. and Annetta (Fields) Gillett, and grandson of Nelson and Samantha Gillett.
Nelson Gillett was born in New York state, as was also his wife. They came to Michigan in the early days and settled in the center of Vienna town- ship, in Genesee county. He took up government land and made improve- ments thereon and made his home there until his death, which came to him in middle age as the result of an accident, caused by a tree falling on him. His widow, Samantha, died at the home of Isaac Gillett, in this county, in May, 1916. She was born on August 1, 1818. To Nelson Gillett and wife were born four children, William, who is living in Mt. Morris; Isaac D., Nelson and Melissa ( deceased), who was the wife of John White.
Isaac D. Gillett was born in New York state and was about twelve years of age when his parents located a home in Vienna township. He grew up as a farmer and in early life became interested in the lumber business. In partnership with John White, his brother-in-law, he purchased a portable saw- and shingle-mill, which. they operated through all this part of the state, discontinuing the business when timber became scarce. Then Isaac D. Gil- lett returned to farming, which he continued until 1909, when he retired from active farm work. Living in Clio he continued to have an oversight of his farm, which now comprises one hundred and eighty acres. In poli- tics Mr. Gillett is a Republican, though inclined to be independent in the exer- cise of his franchise. He has been school officer for many years, and has
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served as township treasurer several terms. He is president of the Gillett Manufacturing Company, president of the State Road Cheese Company, and is interested in other industries. His church relationship is with the Meth- odist Episcopal church. His wife was born in St. Catherine, Ontario, Can- ada, and came to Michigan with her parents, who settled in Vienna town- ship, this county, where she made her home until she was married. Her parents, Ralph and Hannah (Johnson) Fields, natives of Canada, who were among the early settlers of Vienna township, are both dead. To Mr. and Mrs. Gillett five children have been born, Ralph N., Leslie D., Earl, Evelyn and Murray.
Ralph N. Gillett was educated in the district schools of his home town- ship and in the Mt. Morris high school, from which latter he was graduated in 1906. He then took a course in a commercial college at Saginaw and after completing his studies in that institution took employment with the Pere Marquette Railroad Company, as clerk in the supply store of the com- pany at Saginaw. After four months in that employment he returned to Clio and accepted a position as assistant cashier in the bank of the Charles H. May Company, bankers, of Clio. He held that position for a year and a half, at the end of which time he formed a partnership with W. H. Stout, under the firm name of Stout & Gillett, located at Clio. This firm continued for two. years, at the end of which time Mr. Gillett sold his interest to his partner and purchased an interest in the Clio Manufacturing Company, manu- facturers of furniture, sash and doors. He was made secretary of that company and continued with it for a year and three months. At that time, in 1914, the Gillett Manufacturing Company was organized, with I. D. Gillett, president; L. D. Gillett, vice-president, and Ralph N. Gillett, secre- tary and treasurer. This company has since engaged in the business of manufacturing furniture, making a specialty of library and kitchen tables, and employs about twenty-five men. Ralph N. Gillett is a stockholder in the company and is the manager of the manufacturing plant.
On June 22, 1910, Ralph N. Gillett was united in marriage to Mabel Haas, who was born on October 9. 1886, a. daughter of Frederick and Louisa Haas, both natives of Germany, who emigrated to Canada and settled in Ontario, later coming to Michigan and settling on a farm in Thetford township, this county, where they remained until they retired and moved to Clio. Mr. and Mrs. Gillett have one child, a son, Gilbert Frederick, who was born on August 10, 1912.
Mr. Gillett is a member of and an official in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is independent in political affairs, exercising his personal judg-
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11tent as to the fitness and qualifications of candidates for the offices to which they aspire. He is a Mason, a member of Lodge No. 205, at Clio, and a past senior warden of that lodge.
The board of directors of the Gillett Manufacturing Company, to which reference has been made, is composed of the following: Isaac D. Gillett. William Gillett, Ralph N. Gillett, of Clio; James D. Stewart, of Saginaw. and M. E. Smith, of Clio.
ERNEST THEODORE ELWOOD.
Ernest Theodore Elwood, of the firm of Elwood & Baker, prominent and successful flour, feed and seed merchants, of Flint, was born in Birch Run township, Saginaw county, this state, December 4, 1862, the son of George Nelson and Caroline M. (King) Elwood, natives of the state of New York and early settlers in Saginaw county. To George and Caroline Elwood were born three children, Allison Augustus, Inez, wife of Charles Baker, of Grand Blanc township, and Ernest Theodore.
George Nelson Elwood came to Michigan as a young man and attended the Clarkston Academy, after which he taught school for some years. For a time he was engaged in farming and later conducted a general store at Farrenville. on the old plank road, a part of which road he had helped to construct as a young man. That was long before the village of Clio was established. Mr. Elwood was for a time deputy sheriff of his county and served a term as village assessor. He died in 1906. The wife and mother died in 1879, after living an active and Christian life. She was for many years a member of the methodist Episcopal church. George N. Elwood's parents, Abraham Elwood and wife, were natives of the state of New York and were the parents of two children, George Nelson and Elihu. After the death of Abraham Elwood his widow married John Howe and to that union three children were born, Harman, Phineas and Esther. Mrs. Caroline M. Elwood's parents, William and Eliza (Cross) King, were also natives of New York state and early settlers in Oakland county, Michigan. William King was a cooper and was foreman of a large shop at Port Byron, New York, but after coming to Michigan he engaged in farming. Here he and his wife died at an advanced age. To their union seven children were born, George, William, Mary Phillips, Jane Adams and Caroline M. The
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junior William King died from wounds received while a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War.
Ernest Theodore Elwood grew to manhood in Clio where he attended the public schools. He was later engaged in teaming and in the handling of horses, after which he learned the wagon-maker's trade and went to Montana, where he was engaged by a live-stock company. . After remaining there for some two years he returned to Michigan and established himself in a wagon shop at Clare, where he remained for two years before locating at Flint, where he was engaged by W. F. Stewart to assist in the making of buggies. Mr. Elwood remained there for one year and then became engaged with the Grand Trunk railroad and remained thus engaged for thirteen years, at the end of which time he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Davison town- ship. He remained on the farm until 1908, when he sold the farm and engaged in the flour, feed, grain and seed business with Mr. Evat at Flint. Later Mr. Evat sold his interest to Mr. Baker and the firm name is now Elwood & Baker, the firm doing a large and successful business.
On May 1, 1887, Ernest Theodore Elwood was united in marriage to Adelaide Forshee, daughter of Norman and Margaret (Grierson) Forshee, and to this union two children have been born, Eva May, who married Rob- ert McCook, of Flint, and has two sons, Robert Elwood and James Wait, and Hazel Caroline, who is at home with her parents. Mrs. Elwood is one of a family of four children, she having three brothers, Harman Z .; Harrison H. and Elmer Forshee. Fraternally, Mr. Elwood is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Foresters. Mrs. Elwood is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
FRANK DOAN PERKINS.
Frank Doan Perkins, postmaster at Flushing, was born in Clayton town- ship, Genesee county, September 15, 1860, a son of Lewis and Rebecca (Doan) Perkins, the former of whom was born in Steuben county, New York, in 1836. Lewis Perkins was only four or five years old when his parents came to this county, settling in Clayton township, and he spent his youthful years among the early settlers of that township. He became a noted hunter and found abundant opportunity for the exercise of this pro- clivity, together with satisfaction of his ambition, in hunting the game with which this wild country was so plentifully filled at that time. About 1857
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Lewis Perkins married Rebecca Doan, who came to Michigan: when- very young, or, it is probable, she was born in this state. At least she was reared and educated here and was married here. :
Lewis Perkins was one of ten children born to his parents and is the only one of these now living. He is living at Colorado Springs, Colorado. The names of his brothers and sisters were: Lyman, George, Loran, Lucinda, who married Benjamin Rall, who lived to be one hundred years old, lacking forty-four days; Louisa, who married Barrett Dickinson and moved to Indiana; Rebecca, who married a man by the name of Bennedict, of Rochester, New York; Roxie Ann, who married Lester Dutcher, a· noted New York tobacco raiser; Alzina, who married Wilham Rall, a pioneer of Genesee county, and died about 1905, and Elmira, who married M. D. Goo- hich, of Flint, and died about 1906.
The father of Lewis Perkins was Peter Perkins, born in Vermont in 1786, who was married in that state and came to Michigan about 1837 and settled in Clayton township, this county. He was a veteran of the War of 1812, having served as a soldier in the United States army for about one year. He died in 1876. His wife, who was Mary Preston, born in Ver- mont in 1792, died in 1870.
Frank D. Perkins was reared in Clayton township and was educated in the schools of that township. He also attended the Flushing and Vernon high schools. He taught school for about one year and for three years was employed in the mercantile business. In 1882 he entered the service of the Grand Trunk railroad and continued in that employment for a period of thirty-three years, at the end of which time, in 1914, he resigned to accept the appointment of postmaster at Flushing and is now serving in that capacity.
On August 15, 1884, Frank D. Perkins married Della Gannon, who was born in Michigan in 1869 and who graduated from the Bancroft high school. She is a daughter of James Gannon, who was born in Ireland and who immigrated to Canada with his parents when quite young, the family settling in Toronto. Later he came to Michigan, where he married Sarah Walworth, who was born in this state and to this union were born two chil- dren, Mrs. Perkins having a brother, Jay Gannon, who is now engaged in the telephone and real-estate business in New York. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins have one child, a son, Lavern, born in Cass county, this state, May 27. 1887, who was for some years in the railroad service, but resigned on account of his health and went to Florida. Lavern Perkins was educated in the public schools, graduating from the Flushing high school in 1905. He then attended the Michigan Agricultural College and was graduated from
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that institution in 1909. In May, 1913, he married Marie Wisenberg, of Saginaw county, who was born in 1892, a daughter of John Wisenberg, a native of Germany, who came to America in middle life with his family of six children, and became a prosperous farmer in Saginaw county, making that county his home until his death, which occurred in 1914.
. Frank Doan Perkins is a Democrat. He has served as a member of the council and also as a member of the school board, and, as noted above, is now serving as postmaster of Flushing. He has a farm and is interested in farming and stock raising. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He has been through all the chairs of the chapter except that of high priest.
WILL A. GALE.
Will A. Gale, a well-known and substantial farmer living on his fine farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres on the southern edge of the village of Atlas, this county, former deputy sheriff of Genesee county and for years prominently identified with the affairs of his community, is a native son of this county and has lived all his life on the farm where he now makes his home, a tract of land entered from the government by his grandfather, Dr. Elbridge G. Gale, in pioneer days, descending from him to his son, Adrian P. Gale and now in the possession of the original owner's grandson, the subject of this sketch. Will A. Gale was born there on March 15, 1865. son of Adrian P. and Helen T. Wilder, prominent residents of that vicinity, additional details regarding whose history and genealogy, together with further information regarding the pioneer, Dr. Elbridge G. Gale, are set ont elsewhere in this volume.
The farm on which Mr. Gale makes his home was originally a prac- tically unbroken woodland and much of it has been cleared within the days of his recollection. He grew to manhood there, receiving his schooling in the schools of Atlas and in the high school at Flint, and after his marriage in 1888 established his home there and has ever since lived on the old home place. He has about one hundred and fifty-six acres there, owning all but about fifty acres of the old Gale homestead, and has done very well in his farming operations, long having been regarded as among the most sub- stantial farmers in that vicinity. Mr. Gale is a Republican and has given considerable attention to local political affairs, having served as deputy
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sheriff and in several township offices. He is a member of the local "tent" of the Knights of the Maccabees and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization.
It was in 1888 that Will A. Gale was united in marriage to Louise A. Jordan, who also was born in Atlas township, daughter of Stephen and Emily ( Perry) Jordan, the former a native of England and the latter of this county, whose last days were spent in Atlas township. Stephen Jordan was born in Surrey, England, February 24, 1829, son of John and Ani (Brooker) Jordan, the latter of whom died in England when her son, Stephen, was a child, after which, in 1837, John Jordan came to the United States with his children and after two years spent in New York, proceeded on out to Michigan, which had just been admitted to statehood a couple of years before, and settled in Grand Blanc township, this county. Later John Jordan moved up into Davison township and there spent the rest of his life. Stephen Jordan was eight years of age when he came to this country with his father and when twelve years old went to live in the house- hold of Charles Bates, in Grand Blanc township, where he remained until he was twenty-two years old. He then went to California and spent four years in the gold fields of that state, after which he returned to this county and bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres two miles northwest of Atlas and there established his home. He later bought an adjoining tract of land and at the time of his death was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of fine land.
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