USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 75
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
750
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Oakland county, where the former died about 1891, his widow surviving until the spring of 1908.
In 1876 Ida Middleton married William Allen, who was born on a farm near Goodrich, in Atlas township, this county, in 1848, a son of Joseph and Catherine ( Ellison) Allen, who came to this county from New York state and spent the rest of their lives here, Joseph Allen having been for years an active carpenter and builder in and about Goodrich. For eight years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Allen lived in Rose township, Oakland county, and then moved to Goodrich, where Mr. Allen spent the rest of his life. To him and his wife nine children were born, as follow: Bertha, who died when ten years old; Cora, who became the wife of Guy Hendricks, now living in California, and has one son, Russell Allen; Mary, the wife of Claude Noe, of Detroit, has three children, George, Esther and Harold; Hiram, of Oxford, who married Hattie Lortz, and has two daugh- ters, Aileen and Stella; Mina, the wife of Harley Delt, died on April 3, 19II, leaving three children, Beatrice, Ariel and Bertha, the second named of whom has since died; Guydon, of Flint, who married Anna Belle Carey, and has one daughter, Earnadeen; Charles, of Detroit, who married Ethel McAllister, and has two sons, William and Charles; Julia, at home with her mother, and Lillian, also at home. Mr. Allen was a member of the Loyal Guard. Mrs. Lauderbaugh is a member of the Baptist church, and also a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.
CLARENCE O. HETCHLER.
Clarence O. Hetchler, former county treasurer, now engaged in the gen- eral real-estate and insurance business at Flint, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was born at Linden on April 17, 1872, son of Robert F. and Jane E. (Stevens) Hetchler, natives of New York state, both of whom are still living at Linden and who are the parents of three children, the subject of this sketch having a brother, Albert J. Hetch- ler, now of Detroit, and a sister, Adah, wife of William B. Howe, of Lin- den, this county.
Robert F. Hetchler is a son of Peter and Frances Hetchler, natives of New York, both of German descent, who came to this county at an early day in the settlement of this section of the state and bought a small farm in Fen- ton township, where they reared their family. Peter Hetchler died when not long past middle age and his widow lived to a ripe old age, her death
751
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
occurring at Linden. They were the parents of five children, Daniel, Fred- erick, Robert, Theodore and Elizabeth, the latter of whom married Theo- dore Stevens. Robert F. Hetchler was but a small boy when he came to this county with his parents back in pioneer days and he grew to manhood on the paternal farm. He became a brick-mason, which trade he followed for some years and then became a horse trainer, which vocation he still fol- lows, making his home at Linden, where he has lived for many years. He and his wife are members of the Congregationalist church. Mrs. Hetchler also was reared in this county, she having been but a girl when her parents moved here from New York state. Her father died in middle life, but her mother, Julia (Thorpe) Stevens, lived to be ninety years old. She was the mother of ten children, of whom Mrs. Hetchler is the ninth in order of birth, the others being James, Frank, Ezra, George, Adolphus, Charles, Alvin, Theodore and Stephen.
Clarence O. Hetchler was reared at Linden and was graduated from the high school there, after which he took a course in the normal school at Fen- ton. He then for two years served as a clerk in the Linden postoffice and for four years as a clerk in a drug store, after which he and his brother, Albert J. Hetchler, engaged in the general merchandise business at Linden, under the firm name of Hetchler Brothers, and were thus associated for thirteen years, or until Clarence O. Hetchler's election to the office of county treasurer. Mr. Hetchler was re-elected to that office and upon the completion of his second term was appointed deputy state oil inspector for this dis- trict. After two years of that forni of service he was engaged to act as general manager of the Genesee County Abstract Company and was thus employed until 1915, in which year he engaged in the general real-estate and insurance business on his own account at Flint and is now thus engaged. Mr. Hetchler has other interests outside his office and is the president of the Ford Sales Company at Flint. He is a Republican and for years has been regarded as one of the leaders of that party in this county, being at present a member of the state Republican central committee. Mr. Hetchler is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, an Elk, a member of the Loyal Guards and of the Modern Woodmen and takes a warm interest in the affairs of all these organizations.
On February 13, 1899, Clarence O. Hetchler was united in marriage to Emily Middlesworth, daughter of Frederick and Carrie E. (Brown) Mid- dlesworth. She died in 1906 and in August, 1908, he married Mrs. Nellie Sadler, widow of James Sadler and daughter of Aaron T. and Adelaide Scranton, to which union one son has been born, Robert S. Mrs. Hetchler
752
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
was born at Vernon, in the neighboring county of Shiawassee, and is the fourth in order of birth of the five children born to her parents, the others being William, Vine K., Ernest and Ward. Mrs. Scranton died in 1908 and Mr. Scranton is still living, at the age of eighty-three, making his home in the Hetchler household. By her former marriage Mrs. Hetchler has a daugh- ter, Helen A. Sadler, who is at home with her.
GEORGE H. COON.
There are people who are not satisfied away from the country, and these not only enjoy existence there, but also make a comfortable living, being satisfied without the large earnings denied so many city dwellers. One such is George H. Coon, farmer of Richfield township, Genesee county. He was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, November 22, 1855, and is a son of Hiram C. and Elizabeth (Cartwright) Coon. The father was born in the Green mountains in Vermont, and was the son of Charles Coon, also a native of New England, of English descent. His family, like many others of that section, sympathized with the British dur- ing the Revolutionary War. Charles Coon and wife both died in Vermont. Elizabeth Cartwright was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, and was a daugh- ter of George Cartwright, a descendant of a wealthy Southern family. After his marriage he went back South to claim part of the estate and never returned; his widow later went back to Jefferson county, New York, where she died. His daughter, Elizabeth Cartwright, there married Hiram C. Coon. Soon after the close of the war, Hiram C. Coon brought his family to Genesee county, Michigan, buying twenty-five acres of woodland in Rich- field township, which he cleared and lived there until his son, George, bought the place, whereupon the father moved to a forty-acre farm in the same township, on which he spent the rest of his life. His family consisted of ten children, nine of whom grew to maturity and eight are still living, namely: Lavina is the wife of I.en Worden, of Davison, Genesee county ; George H., of this sketch; Emnia died at the age of twenty years; Henry lives in Davison; Della is the wife of Dana Amundson, of Flint; Edwin lives in Forest township: Nettie is the wife of Dan Roberts; Jacob lives in Otisville, and Hiram, of Atlas township.
George H. Coon grew up on the farm and was educated in the com- mon schools. He remained at home until his marriage, on September 18,
GEORGE H. COON AND FAMILY.
E
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE H. COON.
753
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1901, to Alma Dunston, a daughter of Elwin and Mariva (Kingsley) Duns- ton. She was born in Oakland county, Michigan, and when a small girl her parents brought her to Forest township, Genesee county. Upon reaching maturity, Mr. Coon purchased the homestead, known as "The Riverside Farm," which he increased to its present acreage-one hundred and sixty- five-where he is carrying on general farming and stock raising, and is a breeder of a good grade of live stock, specializing in Durham cattle. He is a stockholder in the State Bank of Otisville.
Mr. Coon and wife have two children, Leona D., who is attending the local schools, and Hilton G., also in school.
Politically, Mr. Coon is a Democrat. He is a member of the Flint River Grange, in Richfield, also belonging to the Rogerville Arbor Gleaners. He is now overseer in the Grange, in which organization he has always taken an active part. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
ANTHONY J. DAUNER.
The soil is the limited factor in crop production. Persistent and thor- ough cultivation depletes the soil more and more in proportion to the size of the crop removed. Feeding some plant food back into it is necessary to sustain next year's production. The best cultivation is advisable for each year's immediate crop. Anthony J. Dauner, a farmer of Fenton township, Genesee county, seems to understand how to keep the soil of his place pro- ductive. He was born on the homestead place, August 8, 1861, and is a son of Philip P. and Marie E. (Hens) Dauner, and a grandson of Anthony Dauner, a native of Ulm, Germany, where he spent his life. The father was born in Germany, August 8, 1828, and came to America when a young man, locating in West Bloomfield, Michigan, but not long thereafter removed to Fenton, this county. When a young man he learned the brewery busi- ness, which occupation he followed, more or less, all his life. He pur- chased the farm now owned by his son, Anthony, not long after coming to this country. He was engaged in business at the corner of Roberts and River streets, Fenton, from 1859 to 1866, and it was through his efforts that the postoffice was located on the north side of the river. His death occurred in 1866. His family consisted of the following children: Kate (deceased), Mary, Barbara, Anthony, Julia and Clara. After his death his widow mar- ried Nicholas Thiel, to which union one child was born, Anna.
(48a)
754
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Anthony J. Dauner received his education in the public schools of Fen- ton. After his marriage he located on the farm owned by his father, and there he has since been engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He has lived on that farm since he was fourteen years of age, and has made many and various improvements. He has his land well drained, having in all, seven miles of ditching on the farm. He erected a new and commodious barn a few years ago, and is well equipped for modern and up-to-date farming. He has a fine herd of Durham cattle and operates a dairy in connection with his other farm work.
On October 26, 1892, Anthony J. Dauner was married to Thressa Slicker, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, November 15, 1863, a daughter of Ludwig and Thressa (Trollman) Slicker, the former of whom was engaged in the tailoring business in Detroit many years. To Mr. and Mrs. Dauner four children have been born, namely, Colette, who passed through the public schools, then attended the University of Michigan two years and is now teaching German, Latin and algebra in the high school at Fowler- ville; Hortense, who is attending Fenton high school, and Austin and Wals- ton, deceased.
In politics Mr. Dauner is an independent voter, taking an active interest in all public matters of local importance. He and his family are members of the Catholic church, in which faith they were reared.
GEORGE A. WEBBER.
George A. Webber, former alderman, a well-known and successful real- estate dealer at Flint, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Burton township, July 10, 1869, son of George and Mary (Webber) Webber, both natives of Devonshire, Eng- land, who were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follow: Emma, wife of Gilbert Boland, of Flint; John, of Flint; Louise, who died at the age of twenty-one months, and Edwin S., of Burton town- ship, this county.
The senior George Webber was the second in order of birth of the four children born to his parents, the others being John, Mrs. Anna Rice and Mrs. Elizabeth Boundy. When a young man he came to the United States and located in Genesee county, New York. Presently he returned to his native Devon and married the girl who had awaited his coming and then
755
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
with his bride returned to the United States. After living a few years in Genesee county, New York, they came to Michigan and settled in Burton township, this county. There George Webber bought a small farm of thirty- seven and one-half acres, on which he established his home and spent the rest of his life, long being one of the best-known residents of that part of the county. He and his wife were members of the Episcopal church and were active and influential in local good works. George Webber died on July 16, 1904, at the age of seventy-eight years. His widow survived him until February 15, 1909, she being seventy-five years of age at the time of her death.
Upon completing the course in the district school in the neighborhood of his home in Burton township, George A. Webber took a course in a busi- ness college at Flint and when twenty-two years old left the home farm to accept the position of clerk in the Dayton House at Flint. After six months of that employment he was appointed supervisor of the school for the deaf at Flint and served in that capacity for five years, at the end of which time he was employed as circulation manager in the office of the Flint Journal, at the same time becoming local agent for the Detroit News and the Detroit Tribune. While thus employed Mr. Webber began to give considerable attention to the local real-estate field and in time developed a growing real-estate business, to which he for some time has devoted his entire attention and is doing very well. He owns a modern residence at 132 West Court street, where he and his family are very pleasantly situated, and is also the owner of nine houses in Flint and a fifty-acre farm in the township of Grand Blanc. Mr. Webber is vice-president of the Cook Gooler Company, manufacturers of a device for the cooling of "hot-boxes" on raifroad trains. He is a Republican and for two years served the city as alderman from the third ward.
On June 20, 1894, George A. Webber was united in marriage to Catherine Cook, who was born in Grand Blanc township, this county, Feb- ruary 3, 1872, daughter of Miles P. and Susan (Reid) Cook, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Michigan. Miles P. Cook, who is still living in this county, is an honored veteran of the Civil War, having served for four years as a member of the Twentieth Ohio Battery, during which service he several times was wounded; quite seriously at the battle of Lookout Mountain. Upon the completion of his military service he entered the railroad service and was for many years traveling passenger agent for the Mobile & Ohio Railroad. His wife died on May 19, 1915, and he is now living at Flint. To him and his wife four daughters were born, Mrs. Web-
756
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ber having three sisters, Mabel, Maud and Grace, besides an adopted sister, Almira. Mrs. Webber's paternal grandparents were Pherris Wells and Amanda (Case) Cook, natives of Ohio, who were the parents of nine chil- dren, of whom her father was the eldest, the others being Lewis, who was killed while serving as a soldier of the Union during the Civil War; Lor- raine, Mary, Lucy, Charles, Wells, Julia and Cornelia. Her maternal grand- parents, John and Almira (Hallock) Reid, the former a native of Rush county, New York, and the latter of Vermont, were pioneers of this county, having first settled in Grand Blanc township and later moving to Mundy township, where John Reid conducted a hotel. He died at the age of fifty and his widow lived to be seventy-five years of age. They were the parents of four children, Mrs. Cook having had a sister, Adelaide, and two brothers, George and Alfred. To Mr. and Mrs. Webber four children have been born, Irene V., George Leslie, David Pherris and Mary Catherine. They are members of the Court Street Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Webber being a member of the auditing board of the same. Mr. Webber is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Loyal Guard.
WILLIAM GOODES.
William Goodes, one of the best-known merchants of the city of Flint, head of the firm of Goodes & Son, dealers in general hardware and agri- cultural implements, 619 South Saginaw street, is a native of England, but has been a resident of the United States since he was two years old and of Genesee county since he was eighteen. He was born in Lincolnshire on June 10, 1851, son of William and Ann (Larter) Goodes, both natives of England, the latter of whom was the daughter of an Episcopal clergyman.
The elder William Goodes was reared a farmer in his native Lincoln- shire and was thus engaged for some years after his marriage there, or until 1852, in which year he came to America with his family and located in the near vicinity of the city of Rochester, New York, where he engaged in farming until 1868, when he came to Michigan with his family, settling in Clayton township, this county. There he bought a farm, which he pro- ceeded to improve and upon which he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring when he was sixty-eight years of age. His widow survived him some years and was seventy-eight years of age at the time of her death. They were members of the Episcopal church and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, namely: Mary
757
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Ann, deceased, who was the wife of W. H. Wilbur; Elizabeth, widow of Leverett Tupper, of Flushing, this county; Samuel, deceased; William, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Ellen, wife of W. C. Col- breth, of Gaines township, this county; Martha, deceased, who was the wife of Macolm Carmichael, and Frances, wife of Charles Harding, of Flint.
The junior William Goodes was but a babe in arms when his parents came to this country in 1852 and he was about eighteen years old when they came to this county in 1868. He had been reared on a farm in New York and upon coming to this county proved a valuable assistant to his father in the labors of developing the home farm in Clayton township, where he remained until after his marriage in 1873, when he rented a farm in the neighborhood of his father's place and began farming on his own account, being thus engaged for several years, at the end of which time he bought an eighty-acre farm in that same neighborhood and there made his home until 1887, in which year he moved to Flint, where he began clerking in a hard- ware store. He thoroughly familiarized himself with the details of that business and in 1893 opened a hardware store of his own. The next year, 1894, he moved to his present location in South Saginaw street and has ever since been engaged in business there, being one of the best-known merchants in the city. For some years past he has had associated with him as a partner in the business his younger son, Raymond H. Goodes, an enter- prising and progressive young business.man. :
It was on January 6, 1873, that William Goodes was united in mar- riage to Isabel McGlinchey, daughter of Hugh and Emeline McGlinchey, and to this union two sons were born, Dr. Claude C. Goodes, a dentist, now engaged in the real-estate business at Detroit, who married Nellie Beecher and has one child, a daughter, Frances, and Rayomnd H. Goodes, partner with his father in the hardware business at Flint, who married Carrie Glen- denning and has one child, a son, William G., Mrs. Isabel Goodes died in 1887, at the age of thirty-three years, and in 1888 Mr. Goodes married, sec- ondly, Anna Eggleston, who was born at Flint on October 1, 1857, daughter of John and Marilda (Beecher) Eggleston, the former a son of John Eggles- ton and the latter a daughter of Chauncey and Arilla (Stewart) Beecher, which union has been without issue. Mrs. Goodes is'a member of the Presbyterian church and she and Mr. Goodes take a proper interest in all movements having to do with the advancement of the best interests of their home city.
Mr. Goodes is a Democrat and for a number of years served as high-
758
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
way commissioner for Clayton township, during which term of service he erected the first stone-abutment and steel bridges in that township. He also served as township treasurer for two years and after moving to Flint con- tinued his interests in public affairs and for one term served as police com- missioner. Mr. Goodes is a thirty-second degree Mason, affiliated with the consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Detroit, and with Moslem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in that city. His local connection with Masonry is through membership in Flint Lodge No. 23; Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons; Flint Council, Royal and Select Masters, and Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar, while both he and his wife are members of the Flint chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.
GEORGE H. McVANNEL.
George H. McVannel, county surveyor and highway engineer of Gene- see county and one of the best-known civil engineers in this part of the state, is a native of Indiana, born in the city of Ft. Wayne, that state, January 5, 1883, son of Samuel and Janet (Craig) McVannel, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Indiana, who were the parents of eight children, namely: James F., of London, Ontario; Anna, widow of Gurdon Wilcox, of Flint; Nettie Jane, of Flint; Lillian, wife of Claud Ferris, of Flint; Law- rence, deceased, twin brother of Lillian; George H., the subject of this sketch, and Agnes B., wife of Thomas Glendon, of Chicago.
Samuel McVannel was about five years old when his parents, Duncan and Mary McVannel, emigrated from Scotland to Canada, settling at Shelburn, where he grew to manhood, later moving to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where he married Janet Craig, who was born on a farm in the neighborhood of that city, daughter of James and Janet Craig, both of whom were born near Glasgow, Scotland, and who had come to America with their respective parents, the two families settling in Ohio. James Craig married in Ohio and later settled in Allen county, near Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where he died at the age of seventy-six years. His widow after that made her home with her daugh- ter, Mrs. McVannel, at Flint, where she died in 1912, at the age of eighty- four years. James Craig and wife were the parents of five children, John, Janet, Andrew, Maggie and Thomas.
In 1892 Samuel McVannel and his family moved from Ft. Wayne to Flint. At that time George H. McVannel was about nine years old and after
759
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
completing the course in the public schools of that city he entered the Michi- gan Agricultural College, from the civil engineer department of which he was graduated in 1908. Thus equipped for the practice of his difficult pro- fession he returned to Flint and for a year thereafter was engaged in the office of the city civil engineer, after which he formed a partnership with Robert B. McFarlan in surveying and civil engineering. After two years of this connection Mr. McVannel was engaged by the commissioners of Eaton county to serve as drainage engineer for that county and was thus engaged for three years, at the end of which time he was appointed county highway engineer by the Genesee county highway commissioners, which office he still holds, as well as that of county surveyor and civil engineer, to which latter office he was elected in 1914 on the Republican ticket.
On June II, 1913, George H. McVannel was united in marriage to Clara Louise Patterson, who was born at Charlotte, this state, February 20, 1884, daughter of Dr. Philo D. and Augusta (Bickford) Patterson, both natives of Michigan. Doctor Paterson died in 1906 and his widow is still living. They were the parents of two children, Mrs. McVannel having an elder sis- ter, Mabel. To Mr. and Mrs. McVannel one child has been born, a son, Robert Paterson. Mrs. McVannel is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. McVannel is a Royal Arch Mason and is senior deacon of Genesee Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons. He is affiliated with Charlotte Chapter No. 82 and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs.
WILLIAM W. BLACKNEY.
William W. Blackney, former county clerk, a member of the Flint city school board and a well-known practicing attorney of Flint, member of the law firm of Bishop & Blackney, with offices in the Dryden building, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was born in the village of Clio, in the northern part of the county, August 28, 1876, youngest of the eight children born to William W. and Frances M. (Bell) Blackney, the others being as follow: Charles W., of Sebastopol, Cali- fornia; Elmer T. of Port Huron, this state; Nellie F., wife of George A. Lacure, of Clio, this county ; Alice A., wife of Lee H. Russell, of Standish, this state; John L., of Saginaw; Mabel E., of Clio, and Agnes, who died in early childhood.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.