USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 80
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a young man he started to learn the drug business and spent three years with E. S. Swayzee, druggist at Otisville. In 1884, he was appointed postmaster, under Cleveland's administration. In 1889 he entered the employ of the Pere Marquette railroad, as agent at Silverwood and was there one year, then came to Otisville and has been agent here ever since. He was again appointed postmaster in 1892, serving until 1896, and in 1914 was appointed a third time and is still discharging the duties of this office in a manner highly acceptable to the people and the department. He owns an eighty- acre farm in Forest township.
Mr. Alexander was married, on November 26, 1885, to Marie Murry, a daughter of Patrick and Ellen (Murry) Murry, both of whom were born in Ireland. They came to America when young, and met and were married in New York city, where he worked as a teamster until moving to Ohio, then to Genesee county, Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Alexander one daugh- ter has been born, Eula G., who is telegraph operator in Pontiac, Michigan.
Politically, Mr. Alexander is a Democrat and has long taken an active part in party affairs. He has been chairman of the Democratic county com- mittee for many years, also has served as village clerk and village assessor several times. He is a member of the Maccabees.
GEORGE LESTER SIMMONS.
George Lester Simmons, general superintendent of the manufacturing plant of the Dort Motor Car Company at Flint, is a native of the dominion of Canada, but has been a resident of the United States since early man- hood and of Flint since he was twenty-four years of age. He was born on a farm in Camden township, Lenox county, Ontario, February 7, 1868, son of Miles and Anna (Craig) Simmons, both natives of Canada. Miles spent his last days on their farm there, his wife coming to Flint in 1899, where she died.
Miles Simmons was a farmer in Lenox and Addington counties, Ontario, where he owned a productive farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres. He was a son of Philip and Lucetta (Ben) Simmons, also natives of Canada, well-to-do farming people, the former of whom died at the age of sixty- six years and the latter, at the age of fifty-two. They were the parents of four children, Lavina, Miles, John and Elizabeth. Miles Simmons married Anna Craig, daughter of Robert Craig and wife, natives of Ireland, who
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had emigrated to Canada and established their home on a farm in the neigh- borhood of the Simmons home. Robert Craig and wife were the parents of eight children, Ellen, Anna, Henry, John, Andrew, Elizabeth, Sarah and Robert. Miles Simmons died at the age of forty-five years and his widow survived him until 1902, she being fifty-five years of age at the time of her death. They were members of the Methodist church and their children were reared in that faith. There were four of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first-born, the others being Delia, wife of William McMullen, of Los Angeles, California; Everton, of Detroit, this state, and Pearl, wife of George Bradford, of Los Angeles.
George L. Simmons was reared on the paternal farm in Ontario, receiv- ing his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home, and when a young man went to Watertown, New York, where he learned the painter's trade. After working there a few years, he went to Syracuse, same state, where he worked until 1892, in which year he came to Michigan, locating at Flint, where he entered the employ of the Durant-Dort Carriage Company as a painter. In 1896 he was given charge of the paint depart- ment of the Diamond Buggy Company at Flint and in 1900 was promoted to the position of superintendent of that company's extensive plant, which position he occupied until his appointment, in 1915, as general superintendent of the Dort Motor Car Company, which responsible and important position he now occupies. Mr. Simmons is a Republican and, fraternally, is affiliated with the Masons, the Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America at Flint. He is a Roval Arch Mason and a Knight Templar and is also a member of the council, Royal and Select Masters, taking a warm interest in Masonic affairs at Flint.
On October 2, 1901, at Flint, George L. Simmons was united in mar- riage to Alice Mary Green, who was born in that city on September 21, 1876, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Winkley) Green, natives of England, who had come to this country with their respective parents many years ago, both families locating in Flint. Christopher Green was the son of George and Jane (Marchant) Green, natives of England, whose last days were spent in Flint, the former dying at the age of forty-nine and the latter, at the age of sixty-five. They were the parents of seven children, Anna, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, Christopher and two who died young. Christopher Green died in 1906, at the age of sixty-three years. His widow still sur- vives and makes her home in Flint. She has been a member of the church for fifty-six years. They had two children, Mrs. Simmons having a brother,
(51a)
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George C. Green. Mrs. Green is the last-born of the five children born to her parents, William and Elizabeth (Holland) Winkley, natives of Eng- land and early settlers in Flint, whose last days were spent in that city, their other children being, Henry, Sarah, Mary and Alice. To Mr. and Mrs. Simmons two children have been born, Ralph Lester, who died at the age of ten years, and Ruth Allison. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons are members of the Court Street Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Simmons is a member of the board of stewards of the same. The Simmonses have a very pleasant home at No. 416 West Second street.
W. J. BROWN.
One of the farmers of Thetford township, Genesee county, who has evidently put greater stress on industry and vigilance than on the vicissitudes of luck, is W. J. Brown, who has been content to spend his life in his native community, which he has helped to develop into what it is today-a prosper- ous and desirable farming locality. He was born on the farm he now owns, on August 28, 1870, and is a son of Charles and Georgiana (Woodman) Brown. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, and when fourteen years old came with his parents to the United States, the family locating in Niagara county, New York, where Charles Brown grew to manhood. His father, William Brown, finally brought his family to Thetford township, Genesee county, Michigan, where he located on a farm and spent the rest of his life. The parents of the subject of this sketch met and married in Niagara county, New York. Georgiana Woodman was of English descent and her parents probably came to America direct from England. Shortly after their marriage, Charles Brown and wife came to Genesee county, Mich- igan, buying eighty acres in Thetford township. It was wooded and he cleared and developed a farm here through his industry and here spent the rest of his life, being highly respected by his neighbors and acquaintances, for he was in every respect a good citizen. His wife died in 1876; he out- lived her nearly thirty years, his death occurring on July 6, 1905. To Charles Brown and wife six children were born, namely: Annie is the wife of George Gaskill, of Richfield township; Frances is the wife of Ed Wooljut, of Mt. Morris township; W. J., of this sketch; Esther is the wife of Charles Taylor, of Clio, Michigan.
W. J. Brown grew up on the home farm and attended the district
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schools. He started out in life for himself by renting a place two years. He now owns part of the homestead, forty acres, known as the "Maple Ridge Farm", which he keeps well improved and highly cultivated.
Mr. Brown was married on September 23, 1908, to Dora Stafford, a daughter of Erwin and Mina Stafford. Mrs. Brown was born in Montrose township, Genesee county, where she grew up and attended school. Her parents were early settlers there, her father clearing and developing the home farm. Politically, Mr. Brown is a Democrat.
L. E. PHIPPS.
L. E. Phipps, of Otisville, Forest township, Genesee county, with thrift and foresight characteristic of those of English extraction wherever they are found, has by his own efforts become one of the best tillers of the soil in his locality. He was born in Groveland, Oakland county, Michigan, October 19, 1863. and is a son of Thomas and Esther (Robbins) Phipps. The father was born in London, England, and when twelve years old came with his parents to America. The family located at Groveland, Oakland county, Michigan, taking up eighty acres near there, on which the parents resided many years, finally moving to Holly, this state. where they died. Thomas Phipps spent his young manhood at Groveland and there met and married Esther Robbins, a native of New York, who came as a girl with her parents to Oakland county, Michigan, locating two and one-half miles from Pontiac, and there she grew up on the farm. After his marriage Thomas Phipps entered eighty acres from the government, on which he built a log house, later clearing his land and planting various crops, and there he spent the rest of his life. He was active in Democratic politics and held a num- ber of minor offices.
L. E. Phipps grew up on the home farm and received a common school education, remaining at home until he was twenty-two years old. He was then married to Ida Seeley, a daughter of Norris and Betsey (Sundell) Seeley, after which he worked Mr. Seeley's farm for two years, then moved to Otisville, where he engaged in the livery, hay and produce business for sixteen years. In the meantime he had purchased his present farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Forest township, near Otisville, but lived there only one year. Since 1910 he has resided in Otisville. His wife died, leaving one son, Zorra L. Phipps, who lives on his father's farm. For his
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second wife, L. E. Phipps married May Tibbles, a daughter of Henry and Sarah Tibbles.
Politically, Mr. Phipps is a Republican. He has served as village president of Otisville for about fifteen years at different times in the past, and has done much for the general upbuilding of the town. Fraternally, he belongs to Otisville Lodge No. 401, Free and Accepted Masons; the Mod- ern Woodmen of America there, and of the Forest Arbor of Gleaners and the Order of the Eastern Star at Otisville. His wife also belongs to the two last named orders.
ALBERT E. RANSOM.
Albert E. Ransom, one of the prominent and influential citizens of Genesee county, was born in Flushing township on April 23, 1858, being the son of Robert C. and Angeline (Smith) Ransom. Robert C. Ransom was born in the state of New York in June, 1831. When but a lad, he came to Genesee county with his parents, who settled on a farm two miles east of the village of Flushing. It was here that he lived until he was married, after which he bought a farm west of Flushing, where he lived until his death.
Angeline Smith Ransom was born in the state of New York in 1825. her birthplace being at Hamilton, Madison county. She lived the greater part of her life in Genesee county, where she was married and reared her family. She and Robert C. Ransom were the parents of the following children : Ransler B., deceased; William R., Simon M., Marvin P., Albert E., John P., and one that died in infancy. Angeline Ransom died in 1901.
Benjamin and Hannah (Persons) Ransom, the parents of Robert C., were early settlers of Genesee county, having settled in Flushing township in 1836. Their home was on a farm east of Flushing and it was there that two of Robert's younger brothers were born. Benjamin and Hannah Ran- som were the parents of five children; Robert, Hiram, Randolph, Marvin and Deborah. Randolph served in the Civil War and was captain of Company H, Sixteenth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry.
Albert E. Ransom grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the district schools of the township and at the Flushing high school. Having completed his education, he was a teacher for some years and taught in various parts of the county. In 1882 he purchased the Flushing Observer, which, under his able management, has grown in cir-
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culation and has exerted a broad influence. In 1891, Mr. Ransom laid aside his editorial duties and became county commissioner of schools, which position he held for six 'years, after which he returned to his newspaper. As county superintendent he was a decided success and the schools were raised to a high standard.
In 1880 Albert E. Ransom was united in marriage to Elizabeth Grimmell, the daughter of William and Jane Grimmell, of Genesee county. To this union one daughter, Agnes, was born. Jane Ransom was born in 1858 and died in 1909.
Albert E. Ransom has lived a busy and useful life. His efforts have ever been for the betterment uplifting of the people of the community in which he has lived. As teacher, school commissioner, editor and director in the People's State Bank, his opportunity has been great and he has used his energies to advantage. Politically, Mr. Ransom is a Republican and has served his town in every official capacity. Fraternally, he is a Free and Accepted Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree.
HUGH W. GRAHAM, M. D.
Dr. Hugh W. Graham, president of the village of Mt. Morris, for many years one of the best-known physicians in Genesee county, the owner of ex- tensive elevator and farming interests in and about Mt. Morris and otherwise actively identified with the development of the northern part of the county, is a native of the dominion of Canada, but has been a resident of Michigan since he was six years of age and of Mt. Morris ever since entering upon the practice of his profession in the summer of 1892. He was born on a farm in the vicinity of the city of Toronto, March 29, 1868, son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Graham, both natives of Canada, who came to Michi- gan in 1874, settling in the vicinity of Mt. Pleasant, in Isabella county, where the latter spent her last days and where the former is still living.
Hugh Graham was born on a farm near Brampton, Ontario, March 15, 1844, son of Hugh and Catherine (Cook) Graham, the former of whom was born in the city of New York, son of Hugh Graham, a native of the north of Ireland, of Scottish descent. His ancestors, members of the Montrose clan, settled in Ireland in Cromwell's day. Hugh Graham, Sr., came to the United States in 1810, residing in New York City until 1818, when he moved to Can- ada, took a claim to a tract of government land in the Toronto neighborhood and there spent the rest of his life. The second Hugh Graham was but a child
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when his parents moved from New York to Canada and he grew up on the homestead farm near Toronto, in turn becoming a farmer on his own account. He married Catherine Cook, a native of Connecticut, whose parents had moved with their family to Canada, and to that union eight children were born, all but one of whom lived to maturity, as follows: Joseph, the eldest; Mary Ann, who married Joseph Graham; Hugh, father of Doctor Graham; Elizabeth, who married William James Neelands; Thomas; James, who died in 1909, and William. The father of these children was killed in a runaway accident and the widow kept her family together and continued to manage the farm. Her last days were spent in the home of her son, Hugh, in this state, she being seventy-five years of age at the time of her death.
Hugh Graham was reared on the old homestead farm that his grand- father entered from the government and, on December 6, 1866, was united in marriage to Elizabeth Baldwin, who was born in Peel county, Ontario, January 6, 1846. She was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Rich) Baldwin, natives of Yorkshire, England, the former born in 1800 and the latter in 1810, who sailed for Canada immediately after their marriage and settled on a farm in Vought township, Peel county, where they established their home. William Baldwin and wife were the parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Graham was the fifth in order of birth, the others being Henry, William, Mary (who married Samuel Troyer), John, George, Emily and Sarah, the latter of whom married Thomas Graham. After his mar- riage, Hugh Graham continued to make his home in Canada until 1874, when he moved with his family to Michigan, homesteading a tract of land seven miles north of Mt. Pleasant, in Isabella county, and there established his home. He cleared the land and quickly became recognized as one of the most sub- stantial farmers in that section. In addition to his general farming, he has long given much attention to the raising of fine horses and is one of the best- known horsemen in that part of the state. He is still living on his farm in Isa- bella county, where he is very comfortably situated. His wife died there on January 4, 1902, being then fifty-six years of age. They were the parents of five children, of whom Doctor Graham was the first-born, the others being as follow: Laura Isabel, born on April 30, 1870, who died in November, 1881 ; Emily Catherine, born in 1878, who married J. H. Hingman and is living at Mt. Pleasant, this state; Victor Elmo and Elmo Victor, twins, born in 1884, the latter of whom died in infancy.
Dr. Hugh Graham received excellent educational training for the prac- tice of his exacting profession. He was graduated from the high school at
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Mt. Pleasant in 1889 and immediately thereafter entered the medical de- partment of Michigan University at Ann Arbor, from which he was grad- uated on June 30, 1892. Two days before that date he was married and on the day of his graduation located at Mt. Morris and has ever since been engaged in practice there, long having been one of the best-known physi- cians in Genesee county. In addition to caring for his extensive practice, Doctor Graham is extensively interested in farming and in the grain busi- ness. He is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and seventy-three acres in the vicinity of Mt. Morris, which he maintains as a stock farm, long having been deeply interested in good live stock. He also is a partner in the ownership of the local elevator at Mt. Morris and has considerable real-estate investment in and about the village. Doctor Graham is a Demo- crat and is now serving his third term as president of the village. He also has served many terms as a member of the village council and for some time was treasurer of the same. For twenty years he had been health officer for his home township and for eighteen years has been a member of the village school board, seventeen years of which time he has been secretary of the same. Doctor Graham is a Mason, being a member of the blue lodge at Mt. Morris and of the chapter and commandery at Flint. He also is affiliated with several other fraternal organizations and takes a warm interest in the affairs of all.
On June 28, 1892, Dr. Hugh W. Graham was united in marriage to Cath- erine McKnight, who was born in Isabella county, this state, June 22, 1872, daughter of James and Mary (Swendelhurst) McKnight. The former, a native of Ireland, was about three years old when his parents came across and settled in Canada, where he grew to manhood, married and lived until about 1872, when he moved with his family to Michigan and settled on a farm in Isabella county, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in March, 1913, he then being seventy-two years of age; his widow is still living in Isabella county. James McKnight and wife were the parents of eight chil- dren, two of whom died in infancy, the others being, Ada, who married Calvin Cameron; Wesley, Catherine, William, George and Minnie, the latter of whom married Wayne Arnold. To Doctor and Mrs. Graham one child was born, a daughter, Kathleen, born on May 15, 1898. She was graduated from the Mt. Morris high school and from the high school at Flint and is now bookkeeper in the office at her father's elevator, for the advantage of the business experience thus to be gained, and expects to continue her edu- cation.
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CRANSON CLARK.
Cranson Clark, a well-known and prominent retired farmer, of Grand Blanc, Genesee county, Michigan, was born in Mundy township, on Sep- tember 6, 1844, being the son of William and Julia (Cranson) Clark.
William Clark, a native of the state of New York, was living in Seneca county, that state, at the time he was married to Julia Cranson. For one year after marriage, Mr. Clark was engaged in general farming in his native state. In 1843, he and his wife decided that they would leave their native state and locate in Michigan, as they had an opportunity to trade their team, wagon, plow and drag for eighty acres of land in section 13, Mundy town- ship, Genesee county, Michigan. Mr. Clark was too poor to make a trip to see the land, yet he traded and in September of that year he and his wife came to their new home in Michigan. After their arrival, they located in the woods on their farm in Mundy township and here they built a log house and began to make a clearing, so that they might be in shape to plant some crops. Being without means, they suffered many privations and hardships. It required much determination and will power for the young couple to con- tinue with the work. It was in their first log house that their son, Cranson Clark, was born. The little family began to prosper and they had bright hope of a substantial home in the near future. In 1856, William Clark was taken sick and died, thirteen years after coming to the new country, Mrs. Clark being left a widow with two children, Cranson, aged eleven, and Lois, aged seven years.
Some years after the death of William Clark, Mrs. Clark married Ephraim Fletcher, who was one of the very first settlers in Gaines township, Cranson Clark was nineteen years of age at the time his mother was married to Mr. Fletcher, and he took charge of the home farm, his mother removing to Gaines township, the home of Mr. Fletcher. At the age of twenty-one, Cranson Clark purchased the interest of his sister in the farm.
On October 16, 1865, Cranson Clark was united in marriage to Hattie Robinson, a native of the state of New York. She came to Michigan as a little girl with her grandparents, Asel Watkins and wife, who settled in sec- tion 18, of Grand Blanc township. For five years after his marriage, Cran- son Clark remained on the old homestead, where he was born and where he grew to manhood. He then traded the farm for one hundred and sixty acres in section 18. Grand Blanc township, and here he made his home for twenty-eight years. He later purchased one hundred and sixty acres that
CRANSON CLARK.
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adjoined the farm. The farm was developed and improved under the care- ful management of Mr. Clark, who took much pride in his home. He was engaged in general farming and stock raising, and was most successful. In 1900, he retired from active work on the farm and moved to the village of Grand Blanc, where he had purchased a residence. He lived here until the fall of 1915, at which time he sold the place and moved to his present home, a neat and substantial brick residence, with all modern conveniences. He takes pride in the fact that he has lived to see so many wonderful develop- ments in the world. He was born and lived in a log house, and later lived in a frame structure and is now living in a brick house. In early life he rode behind the oxen, then the horse and is now driving his automobile. He well remembers when the stage coach was the only means of travel from Pontiac to Flint. In those days the early life of the pioneer and his family was not filled with the many pleasures of the people of today. There was no telephone and the letters that were received were very few. Neighbors were far apart and there was no means of communication other than by a long journey, which was often made on foot.
In July. 1901, Mr. Clark was appointed postmaster of Grand Blanc, which position he held for seven years. In 1904 he was appointed superin- tendent of the poor and held that position for twelve years. From 1898 to 1904 he was a director of the Genesee County Farmers Mutual Insurance Company and for a number of years he served as a justice of the peace for Grand Blanc township. In all his official positions he served the people well and retired with credit to himself and honor to his friends. He has long been affiliated with the Republican party and has always taken an active interest in local affairs. He has done much for the betterment of the com- munity in which he has lived so many years. While in active life on the farm he devoted his entire attention to the work, both intellectually and physically. By good management and close application to his duties, he succeeded in making his tract of land one of the best farms in the township. Situated as it is, with many fine improvements the upkeep and the evidences of thorough cultivation would attract the attention of the most casual observer. Here we find a beautiful home, substantial barns and other out- buildings, all of which are well cared for; the magnificent groves, the broad fields of golden grain, the stock, and all that tends to make the beautiful and ideal farm and country home.
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