USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 79
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and is now engaged in the automobile business at Detroit; Viva, who died at the age of two years, and Lillian G., who married Ernest Carey, of Flint. The mother of these children died on January 24, 1893, and on October 21 of that same year Mr. Kendrick married Effie A. Groves, who was born at Addison, Oakland county. this state, July 29, 1854, daughter of Archibald and Martha (Schanck) Groves, natives of the state of New York, the former born in Jefferson county and the latter in Monroe county. Mr. and Mrs. Groves became early settlers in Macomb county, this state, later moving to Oakland county and thence to Genesee county, settling on a farm in Davison township, where both spent their last days, Archibald Groves dying in 1903, at the age of seventy-seven, and his widow, March 25, 1913, she then being past eighty-one years of age. Archibald Groves was a son of Jacob and Eliza (Anderson) Groves, the former a native of England and the latter of Orange county, New York, and his wife was a daughter of David and Ellen (Sutphen) Schanck, natives of New Jersey, of Dutch descent. The Schancks are an old family in America, the first of that name in this country having come over from Holland more than four hundred years ago.
GEORGE W. HACKNEY.
Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along which others may follow with like success. George W. Hackney, who for the past eleven years has been principal of the Gaines school, Genesee county, is a man who not only tries to do his work well, but also endeavors to encourage the youth to aspire to lives of usefulness and honor; therefore he is accomplishing much good in his chosen field of endeavor.
Mr. Hackney was born in East Retford, Nottinghamshire, England, on December 30, 1875, and is a son of George and Emma (Paulson) Hackney. The father devoted his life to railroad service.
George W. Hackney, when thirteen years of age, began working in the Sheffield-Rotheram Iron and Steel Works, where he spent thirteen months. then worked as a coal miner in Burnley colliery for thirteen months. In 1891 he accompanied his parents to the United States, the family locating in Genesee county, Michigan. The subject of this sketch found work as a
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farm hand near Mt. Morris, continuing as such until 1898, during which period he attended the district schools in the winter time. In 1898 and 1890 he took a business course in Valparaiso College, Valparaiso, Indiana, after which he taught in the Caldwell district school, then in the Flushing school, being in charge of the grammar department for two years and was prin- cipal one year. In 1905 he came to Gaines as superintendent of the school, which position he has since filled in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of patrons and pupils. He has greatly strengthened the local schools, introducing many advanced and approved methods and carrying the work forward under a superb system. During this period he spent one year as superintendent of the school at Vernon. He has frequently attended the Big Rapids Normal School and has kept fully abreast of the times in his chosen vocation.
Mr. Hackney was married, on November 15, 1899, to Eliza Mae Pail- thorp, a daughter of William and Ellen Pailthorp and of English descent. To this union one child has been born, Leone P. Hackney, who is now attend- ing school at Gaines. Politically, Mr. Hackney is a Democrat. He is a member of Flushing Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
CLAUDE M. STODDARD.
Claude M. Stoddard, a prominent merchant of Ritchfield Center, was born where his store now stands, on June 6, 1875, being the son of F. E. and Alma (Smith) Stoddard. (For early history of the Stoddard family, the reader is referred to the sketch of F. E. Stoddard on another page of this work.) F. E. Stoddard and wife were the parents of the following children : Pearl T., who conducts a grocery store at No. 923 Liberty street, Flint; Maud, who is a resident of Flint, and Claud M.
Claude M. Stoddard received his education in the district schools of Davison township and at the Flint Normal School. After completing his education, he engaged in teaching for several years, serving in the schools of Davison and Benton townships. After his few years of experience in teaching, he decided to engage in business. His desire being toward the mercantile business, he purchased and reopened the George Porter store. This store had been conducted by Mr. Porter for eight or ten years, but had originally been established by F. E. Stoddard. The store purchased at that time by Claude M. Stoddard has grown to be one of importance.
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Here Mr. Stoddard has continued for the past twenty years in a successful and growing business, under the name of C. M. Stoddard and carries a com- plete and up-to-date line of general merchandise.
On June 6, 1907, Claude M. Stoddard was united in marriage to Agnes Good, the daughter of E. F. Good and wife, of Ritchfield township. To this union have been born the following children: Aubrey Claude, Myrtle M., Maynard Good and Geraldine Agnes. Aubrey and Myrtle are attending school, while Maynard and Geraldine are at home.
Fraternally, Mr. Stoddard is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Gleaners. Politically, he is a Republican and takes an active interest in all local affairs. Besides being an active busi- ness man, Mr. Stoddard is interested in all that tends to the improvement and advancement of the community in which he lives, being active in all social and civic activities.
THOMAS MEARS.
Thomas Mears, a well-to-do farmer of Flushing township, was born in Devonshire, England, on May 19, 1854, being the son of George and Edith (Hooper) Mears. George Mears was born in England on February 14, 1822, came to the United States in 1876 and located on the farm where Thomas Mears is now living. He later purchased forty acres in section IO, where he lived for ten years before locating on a farın in section 8, where the wife and mother died on May 22, 1894. George Mears survived his wife until February 21, 1904.
George Mears was united in marriage to Edith Hooper, who was born in England on September 19, 1831. To this union were born two children, William and Thomas. William was born in England on January 21, 1851, and came to the United States in 1882, settling in section 8, Flushing town- ship, where he resided for a time. Before locating on his present farm, near Byron, Michigan, he had lived in section 17, Flushing township, and for a short time on a farm near Juddville.
John and Ann (Penny) Mears, the paternal grandparents of Thomas Mears, were natives of England and were the parents of five children, John, George, James, Dina and William. James, on leaving England, lived for a time in Canada. In 1860 he came to Flushing township and purchased the farm on which Thomas Mears is now living. He cleared and improved the place and made this his home until his death, on October 13, 1903. James
THOMAS MEARS AND FAMILY.
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Mears married Mary Rice, a native of England, born on August 14, 1829. She died at her home in Flushing township on October 9, 1903.
Thomas Mears came to the United States with his father on April 18, 1876, and located on the farm of his Uncle James, with whom he remained for nine years. At this time Mr. Mears returned to England to claim his bride, Martha Sanders, who had been waiting for him all these years. Soon after the marriage on September 16, 1885, Mr. Mears returned to America with his bride and came to the farm of his uncle, where he made his home for nine years. They then moved to the home of Mr. Mears' parents, where they remained and cared for the old people until their death. They then returned to the uncle's farm, where, they have since resided. On the death of the father and uncle, Thomas Mears came into possession of both the farms and now has one hundred and twenty acres of well improved land. Here he is engaged in general farming and the raising of cattle and sheep.
To Thomas and Martha (Sanders) Mears were born two children, Bert and one that died in infancy. Bert J. was born on December 18, 1892, and is now living on the farm with his father. He is much inter- ested in the raising of blooded sheep, with which he has had much success. He is secretary of Brent Creek Arbor No. 74, of the Gleaners, and is a teacher in the Methodist Protestant Sunday school. He was married on July 5, 1915, to Edna Broughton, who was born in Isabelle county on June 13, 1896.
Politically, Thomas Mears is an independent voter and in 1902 was elected highway commissioner on the independent ticket and served for four years. He is chaplain of the Gleaners and a trustee and was super- intendent of the Sunday school of the Methodist Protestant church for about eighteen years.
GEORGE JUDSON.
Genesee county has been a good enough place for George Judson to spend his life in, for the wanderlust spirit, which took so many of his early companions to the cities and to other states, was never able to lure him away. Probably he has been wiser by staying in his own locality, where he is familiar with the conditions of farming, custonis, climate and other things which one must observe to be happy and successful.
Mr. Judson, who is the present postmaster at Gaines and who owns a good farm in Argentine township, was born in Gaines township, July 13.
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1862, and is a son of David and Marion (Fletcher) Judson. The father was born in Oakland county, Michigan, March 29, 1834, and was a son of George Judson, who came as a pioneer settler to Genesee county, locating in what is now Mundy township, clearing the first land in that township. He became an influential man in this locality and for many years was post- master, miller, merchant and a well-known Indian trader. He learned the language of the Indians in this part of the state and could talk it fluently. Marion Fletcher was a daughter of Ephraim Fletcher, who was one of the earliest pioneers of Gaines township, having located in the wilderness here in the early thirties, taken up land from the government in sections 14 and 15, which place is now owned by his grandson, Ephraim Judson, his name- sake. After his marriage David Judson settled on his farm in Saginaw county, Michigan, but later sold out and came to Gaines township, Genesee county, locating on the place where George Judson was born. There the family resided until 1864, when they moved to Argentine township, where David Judson spent the rest of his life, dying in 1894. His widow survives, being now advanced in years, and makes her home in Linden. To these parents five children were born, three of whom are living at this writing, namely: George, of this sketch; Ephraim is operating the elevator at Gaines village; Fred is also engaged in the elevator business at Gaines, in partnership with his brother.
George Judson was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools and the Flint high school. He began life for himself as a teacher in the district schools of Argentine township, where he taught for seven years. On April 9, 1884, he married Genevieve Dodder, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Mann) Dodder. She was born, reared and educated in Argen- tine township. To this union eight children have been born, all of whom are living.
After his marriage, Mr. Judson located on a farm of eighty acres in Argentine township, where he lived until he purchased his present farm, in 1902. The place consists of two hundred acres of land, which is productive and well improved, and he has been successful as a general farmer and stock raiser.
Mr. Judson is a Democrat and one of the local leaders of his party. He served as supervisor of Argentine township for five years and was chair- man of the county board at the time the present court house was built. He is one of the prominent Masons in this part of the state, being a member of Linden Lodge No. 132, Free and Accepted Masons; Genesee Chapter No. 29, Royal Arch Masons, at Fenton; the council of Royal and Select
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Masters at Fenton ; Fenton Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar, at Fen- ton. He was master at the time the Masonic lodge home was built in Linden, continuing in this office three years. He is one of the influential and public- spirited men of his community.
ELMER G. WHEELER.
Farming has been considered a game of chance too long and the uncer- tainties of the elements have been overcome to such an extent by intelligent study and use of fertilizers, irrigation and drainage, and intensive cultiva- tion, that, day by day, agriculture is becoming more and more an exact sci- ence. One of the successful farmers of Ritchfield township, Genesee county, is Elmer G. Wheeler, who was born in Oakland county, Michigan, October 5, 1859. He is a son of James P. and Mary Ann (Car- ter) Wheeler. The father was born on a farm in the state of New York, where he remained until twenty-one years old. His father was killed when he was nine years old, James P. Wheeler being the only child. He came with his mother to Oakland county, Michigan, where he bought a farm of two hundred acres, in Springfield township, which place he cleared and developed into a good farm. Mary Ann Carter was born in Cayuga county, New York, and when about eighteen years old she came with her parents to Springfield township, Oakland county, Michigan, where she and James P. Wheeler met and were married. They continued to live on his farm there until 1866, when he traded his place for a hotel in Ritchfield, on the Irish road, among the lumber camps, and ran the same for a period of twenty-two years; then he sold out and came to make his home with his son, Elmer G., of this sketch. His death occurred April 22, 1907, his wife having preceded him to the grave August 8, 1896. They were parents of five children, three of whom survive, namely: Two died in early life ; Joseph lives in Flint; Jane is the wife of Newman Wilson, of Corona, Michigan, and Elmer G., of this sketch.
The subject of this review lived at home until reaching maturity and received a common school education. On April 6, 1880, he married Nona A. Alexander, a daughter of Benjamin and Esther Alexander, early settlers of Genesee county who moved here from the state of New York. They settled on a farm of seventy-nine acres in Ritchfield township, which is now owned by the subject of this sketch. Mr. Alexander lived on this place until
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1908, when he moved to Ritchfield Center. The death of Mrs. Wheeler occurred in September, 1906, leaving five children, all still living, namely: Clifton O. lives in Flint; Mabel is the wife of Harry Toub, of Kansas City, Missouri; Edith is the wife of James Matthews, of Flint; Vivian mar- ried Harry Kennedy, of Otter Lake, Michigan; Ruth, a graduate of Flint high school, is now teaching in Flint township. On November 26, 1908, Mr. Wheeler married for his second wife Lestie Beck, a native of Huron county, Michigan.
Mr. Wheeler owns in all one hundred and forty-four acres and is a successful general farmer. He also owns property in Flint. Politically, he is a Republican. He was formerly a member of the township board and was a justice of the peace for about seven years; township treasurer for two years; township supervisor eleven years, and then was elected representa- tive to the Legislature, in which he served two terms, under the Warner and Osborne administrations. He served in all these capacities with fidelity and ability and to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents. Fraternally, he belongs to Vernon Lodge No. 400, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Davison, the Richfield Gleaners and is a charter member of South Forest Arbor, now the Rogerville Arbor.
HENRY G. NIMPHIE.
One of Genesee county's prosperous farmers is Henry G. Nimphie, of Gaines township. He is contented to be a tiller of the soil, knowing that it is in many ways the best life of all, consequently the busy city has few allurements for him. He was born near Hamburg, Germany, July 26, 1856, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Lanshow) Nimphie, also natives of Germany. The father served his required time in the German army, later devoting his active life to farming until 1861, when he brought his family to America, locating in Oakland county, Michigan, where he continued farm work. In 1863 he enlisted for service in the Union army, in the Twenty- second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, serving faithfully and well until the close of the war, then returned to his family in Oakland county. In Decem- ber, 1865, he moved to Clayton township, Genesee county, and bought eighty acres, where John Nimphie now lives, and there he continued to reside until his death. His wife also is deceased. Mr. Nimphie came to this county without means, but, through his own efforts, became well fixed, owning a
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good farm of one hundred and twenty acres. His family consisted of three children, namely: Mary, the wife of Michael Neier, of Byron, Michigan; John, who lives on the homestead, and Henry G., of this sketch.
Henry G. Nimphie was five years old when his parents brought him to America. He grew up on the home farm and he received his education in the district schools, remaining at home until he was twenty-four years of age. He has devoted his life to general farming and stock raising and is the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and two acres in Gaines township, Genesee county, where he moved in 1915. After his marriage he lived on an eighty-acre farm in Gaines township, but sold out in 1915.
Mr. Nimphie was married, on May 8, 1880, to Ella Wendt, a daughter of John and Fredericka Wendt. His family consists of seven children, namely: Walter lives in Owosso, Michigan; Ralph died when thirteen years of age; Clarence lives in Lansing, this state; Harlow is assisting with the work on the home farm; H. G. is also at home; Clara and Clinton are at home.
Mr. Nimphie is a member of the Lennon Arbor Gleaners, also of Lennon Lodge No. 537, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been treasurer of this lodge for the past seven years. Politically, he is a Repub- lican. He has been highway commissioner of his township for three years, has also been a member of the board of review for a number of years, and for the past two years has been on the township board as a justice of Gaines township. He has been treasurer of school district No. 10 of Gaines town- ship for the past eighteen years. In all these positions he has discharged his duties faithfully, ably and acceptably and is one of the most influential men in his township.
FRED G. BURLESON.
Fred G. Burleson, well-known farmer and stockman of this county, owner of a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres in Clayton township, with a pleasant home on the Lennon road in section 20 of that township, field man for the Owosso Sugar Company and otherwise interested in the general development of his home community, is a native son of Michigan and has lived in this state all his life. He was born on a farm in Allegan county on August 8, 1872, and is a son of George and Mary (Carmichael) Burleson, the former a native of this state and the latter of Canada, who became prominent residents of Clayton township, this county.
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GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
George Burleson was born in Macomb county, this state, son of Will- iam Burleson and wife, and, when a young man, went to Canada, where he married Mary Carmichael. Later he returned to Michigan, settling in Alle- gan county, where he bought a small farm and where he lived for five years. At the end of that time he sold his holdings there and moved to Muskegon county, buying there a quarter of a section of land, on which he lived until 1874, when he came to Genesee county with his family and settled in Clay- ton township, where he became the owner of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, the farm on which his son, the subject of this sketch, now lives. In his old age George Burleson retired from the active labors of the farm and moved to Flint, but was straightway taken ill and died there two weeks after his removal to the town. He and his wife were the par- ents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being as follows: Emma, who married Joseph Braden and now lives in Detroit ; Albert, of Perry, this state: Katie, deceased, and Violet, who married Christie Henning and now lives in Detroit.
Fred G. Burleson was reared on the farm and received his schooling in the district schools, remaining at home until after his marriage in the fall of 1889. In 1891 he and his wife went to Perry and in that vicinity he bought a forty-acre farm and there made his home until 1893, when he returned to Clayton township, where he bought an eighty-acre farm. He lived there until 1900, when he went to the neighboring village of Lennon and there was engaged in the business of selling agricultural implements for about eighteen months, at the end of which time he returned to the farm, but two years later went to Swartz Creek, where he bought the hotel and conducted the same for two years. He then moved to Flint, but eight months later returned to the home place, which he bought and on which he has made his home ever since, having sold his former farm. During all this time Mr. Burleson has been quite extensively engaged in dealing in farm lands in this and neighboring counties and has done very well in that line, in addition to his successful work as a farmer and stock raiser. He also for some time past has been acting as local field man for the Owosso Sugar Company and in that capacity has done much to promote the cause of sugar-beet culture hereabout. Mr. Burleson is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office. On October 31, 1889, Fred G. Burleson was united in marriage to May White, who was born in the neighborhoring county of Oakland, daughter of Harry White and wife, both now deceased. To this union two children have been born, Katie, who married Oscar Diehl, a
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chemist in the service of the Dow Chemical Company, and Gladys, who died when one year old. Mr. Burleson is a member of the Order of the Loyal Guard, being captain general of the lodge of that order at Lennon, and is a member of the Elks lodge at Flint.
EUGENE H. ALEXANDER.
One of the well-known and respected citizens of Forest township, Gen- esee county, is Eugene H. Alexander, the present postmaster at Otisville, who has spent his life in this locality. His birth occurred in Genesee town- ship, September 6, 1857, and he is a son of R. B. and Wealthy A. (Brown) Alexander. The father was born, September 5, 1818, in Glasgow, Scotland, and when about three years old his parents brought him to Orleans county, New York. His father, Hugh Alexander, who was a carpenter and joiner by trade, spent the rest of his life in New York, where R. B. grew to man- hood and, after his marriage, settled at Orchard Creek, Orleans county, where his wife, Wealthy Brown, was born on October 18, 1818. Her par- ents came from Scotland. After living on their farm five years, R. B. Alexander and wife sold out and moved to Genesee county, Michigan, locat- ing in Genesee township, where they bought eighty acres. The country was a wilderness and there was but one store in Flint. He cleared his land and lived there about eleven years, then sold part of the place, which was still covered with pine, and bought the hotel at Wheelers Corners in Genesee township. A year later he located in Otisville, where they lived three years, then bought two hundred and fifty acres west of the village, on which they lived five years ; then they moved to Flint, residing there for eighteen months, owning twenty acres at that time. Their next move was to Vassar, where lie handled agricultural implements for about four years, also handling pro- duice and grain later. He built the first elevator there, then moved to Otis- ville and bought seventy-two acres near there, on which he died, January 1, 1890. His widow continued to reside there about five years after his death, then sold out and lived with her daughter in Otisville, dying in 1897. They were parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom three are now living, namely: R. B., Jr., of Otisville; Selina is the wife of Frank Lossingin, of Orange township, Lapeer county, Michigan, and Eugene H., of this sketch.
The subject of this review received a common school education. When
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