USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 77
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
To John and Elizabeth Turner have been born the following children : Thomas J., Guy C., Edith, Sadie and two who died in infancy. Thomas J., who was born on May 5. 1882, is an electrician and followed that work for twelve years at Flint and at Lansing. He is now farming. Fraternally,
(49a)
770
CENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
he is a Free and Accepted Mason. Guy C., who was born on July 19, 1883, and is living at home, is a Free and Accepted Mason and has filled all the chairs of his lodge. Edith, born on November 1I, 1885, is the wife of William D. Pratt, a farmer and mechanic of Flushing. Sadie was born on June 9, 1900, and died on January 22, 1913.
For three years after his marriage, John Turner lived on his father's farm. He then purchased forty acres of timber land in sections 16 and 21. In 1891 he purchased eighty acres additional and at the death of his par- ents he came into possession of their one-hundred-and-ten-acre farm, mak- ing a total in his present farm of two hundred and thirty acres. The farm is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. The son is now looking after the farm, as Mr. Turner lives a semi-retired life. In early life he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Flushing.
FRANK DULLAM.
Frank Dullam, veteran druggist, head of the firm of Frank Dullanı & Son, Flint, and for years one of the best-known merchants in that city, is a native of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Flint township on December 29, 1853, son of Robert W. and Mary Ann (Crocker) Dullam, natives of Devonshire, England, and early settlers in this county, who were the parents of six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follow : William, deceased; Angeline, deceased, who was the wife of James H. Fail- ing; Lydia, widow of Richard H. Hughes; Julia A., deceased, who was the wife of William S. Pierson, and John C.
Robert W. Dullam was the elder of the two sons born to his parents and he was reared and educated in England, where he married Mary Am Crocker, who was the sixth in order of birth of the eight children born to her parents. Both Robert W. Dullam and Mary Ann Crocker were singers in the Episcopal church choir in their home town and there was a differ- ence of but six weeks in the dates of their birth. Six weeks after their marriage they came to the United States, in 1844, and proceeded directly to Michigan, locating in Flint township. this county. That was before the day of the railroad in this region and they drove into Genesee county behind
771
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
an ox-team. Robert W. Dullam bought a quarter of a section of timber land in Flint township and there he established his home. He cleared and improved that farm, bought other lands and early became recognized as one of the leading residents of that community. In 1868 he sold his farm to John H. Gotschall and moved with his family into Flint, where he spent the rest of his life retired, though for years thereafter active in the public service, for some years acting as township supervisor and for eighteen years superintendent of the poor. He was a Democrat and paid considerable attention to local political affairs. He also gave considerable attention to business affairs and upon the organization of the First National Bank of Flint was one of the stockholders in the same. While both he and his wife were reared in the Episcopal church, after coming to this county they identi- fied themselves with the Methodist church and Mr. Dullam for years was a member of the official board of the same. He died at the age of seventy- five and his widow survived him until she was eighty-one years of age.
Frank Dullam was about seventeen years old when his parents moved from the farm into Flint and his schooling was continued in the city. He spent his first summer vacation in the city as a clerk in a grocery store and the second summer, in July, 1870, began clerking in the drug store of W. C. Cummings & Company and was thus engaged for about five years, at the end of which time he bought Mr. Cummings's interest in the store and has been in the drug business ever since, a period of something more than forty- six years. In addition to his drug store, he is the owner of a general store at the corner of Lapeer and Eighth streets, Flint, and has for many years been regarded as among the leading merchants of the city. For some years past he has had associated with him as a partner in the business his son, Arthur P. Dullam. Mr. Dullam is a Republican and served as alderman from his home ward in 1884-85. He also was a member of the board of education for nine years. He has ever taken an active interest in the gen- eral business affairs of the city and is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Flint.
On April 21, 1874, Frank Dullam was united in marriage to Mattie A. Phillipson, who was born near Murray, New York, daughter of John C. and Mary L. (Hurd) Phillipson, the former a native of England and the latter of the state of New York, for many years residents of Flint. John C. Phillipson died in 1886 and his widow is still living, being now past eighty years of age. He was a son of John Phillipson and wife, who emigrated from England and settled in New York state. To Frank and Mattie A. (Phillipson) Dullam one child was born, a son, Arthur P. Dullam, who mar- ried Nina B. Thompson and is a partner in his father's business. Mrs.
772
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Mattie A. Dullam died in 1901, at the age of forty-five years, and in 1903 Mr. Dullam married, secondly, Mrs. Lillian (Burren) McGlinchey, widow of William McGlinchey. She died in 1908 and in 1910 he married Ida M. Zimmerman, daughter of Louis B. and Mary (Ackley) Zimmerman. They attend the Presbyterian church. Mr. Dullam is a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight Templar and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the ,Mystic Shrine, attached to Elf Kharufeh Temple at Saginaw.
WALTER W. BEEBE.
Comparatively few young men remain on the home farm. They drift away to the cities or some farming community in another part of the coun- try. Some better their conditions, others do not, and as a rule most of them had better remained on their native soil. Walter W. Beebe, a farmer of Mundy township, Genesee county, has been wise enough to remain at home. He was born on the farm where he now lives, June 6, 1867, and is a son of Zola and Phoebe Jane (Slaght) Beebe. The father was born in Ohio and when a young man, came with his parents to Genesee county, Michigan, the family locating in Grand Blanc township. The father died when his son, Zola, was a baby, and at a tender age the latter was thrown upon his own resources; but he courageously set about his way in the world and, by grit and perseverance, succeeded. The mother of the subject of this sketch was a native of the state of New York, being a child when her parents removed to Michigan, locating in Oakland county, where she grew to womanhood and attended school. The family were among the very first settlers in that locality.
Zola Beebe and wife first located in section 21, Mundy township, Gene- see county, where they spent a few years, then moved to section 15 in this township, buying the farm on which Walter W. now lives. There they con- tinued to make their home until in August, 1893, when they removed to Flint retiring from active life. Six children were born to them, four of whom grew to maturity and are still living, namely: Libbie is the wife of Adelbert Storer and they live near Flint; Ella is the wife of Wallace Storer and they make their home in Mundy township; Walter W., of this sketch; Julia is the wife of Herbert Bigelow and they reside in Flint.
Walter W. Beebe grew up on the farm, where he worked hard during
773
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the summer months, attending the district schools in the winter time; he also attended the Flint schools. He has remained on the homestead, which he has kept well improved and well cultivated. He raises a great deal of live stock of all kinds. The place contains seventy-eight acres.
Mr. Beebe was married, on July 31, 1893, to Mary De Etta Page, a daughter of John and Luthera (Gerow) Page, the latter being of French descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Page one child was born-the wife of the sub- ject of this sketch.
To Mr. and Mrs. Beebe five children have been born, namely: Aerle died in infancy ; De Etta May is the wife of Frank Marl, of Flint, and they haveone child, Lyle; Walter H. is attending school; Dorris A. R. is at home, and Donna Marie is the baby.
Politically, Mr. Beebe is a Republican and has been active in party affairs for some time. He was township clerk for three years, highway commis- sioner one term, and for the past four years has been supervisor of Mundy township, having been elected in 1912. He has filled all positions of public trust ably and acceptably. Fraternally, he belongs to Mundy Lodge No. 504, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the grand lodge. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
AARON B. CREGO.
Aaron B. Crego, under-sheriff for the county of Genesee, is a native son of Flint and has lived in that city all his life. He was born on November II, 1880, son of Aaron and Eliza Jane (Davidson) Crego, natives of the state of New York, the former of whom, now deceased, was for forty years deputy sheriff of Genesee county and the latter of whom is still living in Flint, making her home with her son, the subject of this biographical sketch.
The senior Aaron Crego was born at Clarence, New York, the son of Aaron and Catherine (Diefendorf) Crego, natives of the state of New York, who spent all their lives there, both living to advanced years. They were the parents of four children, Aaron, John, Dolly and Jane. When a young man, Aaron Crego came to Michigan and settled at Jackson, whence, after awhile, he came to Genesee county and located at Atlas, where he fol- lowed the trade of carpenter. He presently was appointed deputy sheriff and some time afterward moved to Flint, where he spent the rest of his life, serving for forty years in the capacity of deputy sheriff. His death
774
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
occurred on April 3, 1906, he then being eighty-four years of age. During the Civil War, Aaron Crego served as provost marshal for this military dis- trict and for many years was one of the most influential men in the com- munity. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, as is his widow, and their children were reared in that faith. Aaron Crego was thrice mar- ried, by his first marriage having had one child, a son, Abraham, now deceased, and by his second marriage, two children, George, of Detroit, and Emma, who married Fred Parker, also of Detroit. By his union with Eliza Jane Davidson he was the father of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the last-born, the others being as follow: John, deceased; Agnes, who died in childhood; Charity, who married Grant J. Fermo and died in Florida; Fred, an engineer on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois rail- road, with headquarters in Chicago; Frank, of Delray, Florida and William a cigar maker, living at Flint. The mother of these children is still living at Flint, in the seventy-sixth year of her age. She was born in New York state, daughter of Samuel and Jane Davidson, the former of whom was a cooper, and was but a child when her parents came to Michigan, settling in the village of Oakwood, in Oakland county, where they spent the remainder of their lives, both living to advanced ages. Samuel Davidson and his wife were the parents of nine children, of whom Mrs. Crego was the first-born, the others being Harriet, Alma, Agnes, Armina, John Wesley, George, Edward and William.
Aaron B. Crego grew to manhood in Flint, the city of his birth, attend- ing the public schools there and early learned the trade of cigar-maker, at which he worked for a few years, later working in the Paterson carriage factory, the Durant-Dort factory and the Buick factory. On January I, 1909, he was appointed deputy sheriff of Genesee county, a position he held for four years, at the end of which time he was appointed under-sheriff, which position he now occupies. Mr. Crego is a Republican. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
On November 6, 1906, Aaron B. Crego was united in marriage to Jose- phine Carroll, who also was born at Flint, daughter of Daniel and Jane Carroll, the latter of whom was born in England and both of whom are now deceased, who were the parents of five children, of whom Mrs. Crego was the fourth in order of birth, the others being Mrs. Catherine Drowley, Mrs. Chester H. Rood, Mrs. C. C. Chappell and Daniel T. Carroll. To Mr. and Mrs. Crego two children have been born, Kathryn Jane and Aaron Carroll. Mr. Crego is a member of the Catholic church.
775
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
JAMES D. BAKER.
James D. Baker, a prominent farmer and stockman of Flint township, was born in Burton township, on October 21, 1856, being the son of Charles and Eliza (Dymond) Baker. Charles Baker was born in Devonshire, Eng- land, and grew to manhood on the farm. Some years after completing his education he married Eliza Dymond, and to this union six children were born before the family came to the United States in 1856. On leaving their native country, they came direct to Flint, where they arrived with very little money, but with the determination to win. For a time Mr. Baker worked on a farm for his brother. He later bought the farm in Burton township that he had farmed for fifteen years. At his death, in 1911, he owned one hundred and ninety acres of well improved land. Mrs. Baker died in 1909. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baker were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and took much interest in all church work.
Charles Baker and wife were the parents of the following children : Ann, the widow of John Ackerman, resides in Flint; Charles is a farmer in Grand Blanc; Thomas lives in Flint; George is an attorney in Chicago; Frank D. is the postmaster at Flint; Robert, deceased; James D .; Rose, the wife of Walter Harris of Grand Blanc; William, deceased; Mary, the widow of Goerge Gundry ; Harry, on the home place in Burton township; Fred, in the postal service at Flint, and Louis, in the grocery business at Alma.
James D. Baker grew to manhood on the home farm in Burton town- ship and received his education in the district schools. When twenty-six years of age he went to Clayton, Michigan, where he worked on a farm. On April 7, 1884, he was united in marriage to Hattie Le Valley, the daughter of Columbus and Harriet (Derby) Le Valley.
Columbus Le Valley was a native of the state of New York and came to Genesee county at a very early date. He cleared the farm of two hun- dred and forty acres, that his brother John had entered. He then returned to New York, where he married Harriet Derby and brought her to the farm he had made ready for a home. It was here that he died, on July 3, 1893. Mrs. Le Valley died on March 2, 1904. Columbus Le Valley and wife were the parents of three children: John, who died in infancy; Addie Jane, who resides in Flint and is the widow of Arthur Nicholas, and Harriet, who is the wife of James D. Baker.
James D. Baker, for one year after his marriage, rented the farm of his brother, after which he came to Flint township and rented the Le Valley farm for eight years. He then bought sixty acres, on which he lived until
776
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1902, at which time he purchased the farm of one hundred and sixteen acres where he now lives.
James D. Baker and wife are the parents of nine children: Walter H., who resides on the home place, married Ava Ormiston and they are the parents of three children, Pauline D., Cletus E. and Frances M .; J. C. Baker, who also lives on a part of the home place, married Mable White and they are the parents of one child, Evelyn; Hattie is the wife of Maurice White, of Flint, and they are the parents of two children, Marion and Luetta May ; Horace P. married Gladys Warner and they have two children, Warner and Kenneth Lloyd; LeValley died at the age of fourteen months; Addie Jane, Louie D., Robert S. and James are at home. James D. Baker is a Republican in politics.
THOMAS R. MAXWELL.
Thomas R. Maxwell, one of the pioneer farmers and stock raisers of Thetford township, Genesee county, was successful in his chosen vocation. He was born in Hastings county, Ontario, June 26, 1843, and was a son of James and Mary (Hagerman) Maxwell. The father was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, and when a young man came alone to America, locat- ing in Quebec, Canada, where he followed his trade as shoemaker, which he had learned in his native land. He was married in Canada and finally located in Kingston, Ontario, continuing at his trade. In 1851, when his son, Thomas R., was eight years old, he removed with his family to Mich- igan, locating in Thetford township, Genesee county, where he bought forty acres, woodland. This he cleared and built a home, with the help of his sons, and here he spent the rest of his life, continuing to work as a shoe- maker in connection with farming. His family consisted of three children, namely: Mary M., wife of John Buttars, lives in St. Austin, Huron county, Michigan; Thomas R., of this sketch, and John W., who is living in the West. The father of these children married, for his second wife, Clarissa Ann Diamond, and to their union one child was born, Julia Ann, who is the wife of Wesley Grover, of Vienna township, Genesee county.
Thomas R. Maxwell worked on the home farm as a boy and attended the district schools, remaining at home to take care of his parents. On March 23, 1876, he was married to Delila Shannon. Her parents, George Isaac and Betsy E. (Lapish) Shannon, were born in Canada, of English parents ; grew up and were married in Ontario, later moving to Forest town-
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS R. MAXWELL.
777
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ship, Genesee county, Michigan, and spending the rest of their lives on a farm here.
To Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell the following children were born: Alpha E. is the wife of Herman Geiger, of Flint; Gala R. lives in Clio; George lives in Detroit; Vida is the wife of Roy Wymer, of Clio, and Blanche, who was graduated from Mt. Morris high school, has taught in the common schools for five years, principally in Flint township.
Politically, Mr. Maxwell was an independent voter. He served as a member of the township board and as a justice of the peace. He was school director in district No. 5, Thetford township, for twenty years and served on the board of review in his township. As a public servant he discharged his duties most faithfully. He was a member of the Evangelical Associa- tion in Thetford township. He died on May 23, 1916, and was buried at Thetford Center.
HARLEY L. HILLS.
Harley L. Hills, purchasing agent for the Flint public schools, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was born in the village of Flushing, May 30, 1881, son and only child of Nelson and Kitty (Sanford) Hills, both natives of Michigan, the former of whom died in Flint in 1910 and the latter of whom is still living in that city.
Nelson Hills was born in Macomb county, this state, son of Harley and Elizabeth Hills, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in Michigan. Harley Hills was the first blacksmith on the Grand Trunk line between Detroit and Port Huron. Upon coming to this state he located in Oakland county and later came to Genesee county and located at Flushing, where he kept a blacksmith shop for years. He and his wife now live at New Lathrop. They had four children, Nelson, William, Charlotte and Rosa. Nelson Hills was but a boy when his parents settled at Flushing and he grew to man- hood there. He married Kitty Sanford, who was born in Macomb county, her parents, natives of New York state, having been early settlers in that county. Her father was a harness-maker and a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War. Both he and his wife died in Macomb county, well along in years. They were the parents of five children, Henry, Charles, John, Kitty and Lewis. Nelson Hills engaged in the produce business in Flushing and was thus engaged until his removal to Flint in 1906. For a time after moving to Flint he worked in the Buick automobile factory and
778
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
then again engaged in the produce business and was thus engaged at the time of his death in 1910, he then being fifty-two years of age. His widow continues to reside in Flint. She is a member of the Methodist church, as was her husband, and their only son was reared in that faith.
Harvey L. Hills received his education in the public schools of Flushing and upon finishing the course began clerking in a drug store there and studied pharmacy. In 1902 he was employed as a clerk in the clothing store of W. C. Lewis & Company at Flint and has ever since made his home in that city. He retained his connection with the Lewis store for about eight years, or until 1911, when he was engaged by the school board as purchasing agent for the city schools at Flint and has ever since been thus engaged, being also the purchasing agent for the Flint public library. Mr. Hills is a Republican and a member of the Masonic fraternity, affiliated with Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons, and he and his wife are members of the Meth- odist church.
On October 6, 1914, Harley L. Hills was united in marriage to Ethel M. Ferguson, who was born at Dryden, this state, December 20, 1882, whose parents, natives of Canada, both died when she was a child and she was reared by her aunt, Harriet Vail. Mrs. Hills has a brother, Bruce Ferguson.
PATRICK HENRY CALLAHAN.
Patrick Henry Callahan, assistant cashier of the Industrial Savings Bank of Flint, is a native son of Flint, having been born in that city on March 13, 1876, son of Daniel and Catherine (Melvin) Callahan, natives of Ireland, the former being born in Connaught and the latter in County Mayo, who were the parents of twelve children, namely: James, deceased; Edwin, deceased; Daniel, Jr .; Cecelia, widow of Harry Gould, of Flint; William, a farmer, of Mt. Morris township, this county; John, unmarried, who also lives in Mt. Morris township; Catherine, wife of Robert Celly, also of Mt. Morris township; Patrick H., the subject of this biographical sketch ; Joseph, of Flint; Mary Ellen, wife of Alfred Smith, of Detroit, and two who died in youth.
The senior Daniel Callahan was the last-born of the five children born to his parents, the others having been Patrick, Thomas, Winifred and "Beezie." When a boy he came to the United States and was located at Pen Yan, New York, until he was about twenty years of age, when he came
779
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
to Michigan and located at Flint, where he obtained employment in the Crapo lumber-nill and was there engaged for sixteen years. Not long after his arrival in Flint, Daniel Callahan married Catherine Melvin, who had come to Michigan from Ireland as a young woman and had settled in Flint. She was the eldest of a good-sized family born to her parents, the latter of whom spent all their lives in Ireland, the other children having been Celia. Dollie, Patrick, Bridget and one or two others. In 1877 Daniel Callahan bought a farm of forty acres in Mt. Morris township and moved with his family from Flint to that farm, where he spent the rest of his life. He cleared his farm and as he prospered in his farming operations bought an adjoining tract of one hundred and twenty acres and thus became the owner of a full quarter of a section of land. He died there in 1896, he then being sixty-seven years of age, and his widow survived him for about seventeen years, her death occurring on March 10, 1913, she then being seventy-eight years of age. They were members of the Catholic church and their children were reared in that faith.
Patrick H. Callalian was about one year old when his parents moved from Flint to the farm in Mt. Morris township and he grew to manhood on the home farm, a valuable assistant to his father in the work of clearing and cultivating the same. He supplemented the schooling he received in the district school in the neighborhood of his home by a short course in the business college at Flint and then went to Chicago, where he took a further course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College, after which for three years he was in the employ of the Western News Company. When his father died in 1896, he returned home and made his home with his mother until her death, she having moved to Flint after her husband's death. Upon return- ing to Flint, Patrick H. Callahan began working in the shops there and for three years was employed in the Paterson shop and for seven years in the wagon works, after which he engaged in the retail and wholesale cigar busi- ness and was thus engaged for four years, at the end of which time he sold his establishment and went to work in the Industrial Savings Bank, with a view to learning the banking business. So closely did he apply himself to the business in hand that he was gradually promoted from one post in the bank to another until, in January, 1915. he was elected assistant cashier of the bank, which position he now occupies. Mr. Callahan is an independent Democrat and for four years served in the city council as alderman from the first ward.
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.