USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 81
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On July 27, 1910, occurred the death of Harriet ( Robinson) 'Clark, the faithful wife of Cranson Clark in the days of his youth and poverty. She it was who endured with him the early trials and privations, when, as a
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struggling young man, he was making every effort to make a home in a new and undeveloped country; she it was who gave to him every assistance and cheered him in his efforts; she it was who gave him new life and new hope, when all looked dark and dreary. She was a member of the Baptist church and was always active in religious work, taking much interest in all that had to do with the success of the local society. She was the mother of two sons and one daughter, William D., Ernest B. and Minnie. William was born on September 6, 1866, and Ernest B., on September 6, 1869, their birthdays being the same month and day as that of their father. William is a resi- dent of Flint, where he is a member of the city council. In early life he married Isadora Coleman, who later died, leaving one child, Clara Belle. After the death of his first wife, William Clark married Aggie Lang and to this union has been born one child, Howard. Ernest married Gertrude Davison and they have one child, Alton. They live on a farm, near Grand Blanc, where Ernest Clark is engaged in general farming and stock raising. Minnie L. was first married to Jason Summers, who later died, leaving the widow and three children. Alice, Ernest and Bertha. After the death of Mr. Summers, the widow married William Fiebekorn, of Grand Blanc village.
In addition to his many duties as a farmer and business man, as well as a public official. Cranson Clark has always taken much interest in the activities of the Baptist church, of which he is a member and in which he has been a deacon, for the past forty years. For many years he was super- intendent of the Sunday school and took much interest in the young people of the community. In church and Sunday school work he put the same effort and system into his efforts that he employed in his private life.
On September 3, 1912, Cranson Clark was united in marriage to Susan McFarlen, a native of Genesee county and the daughter of John and Marg- ery (Hadley) McFarlen, well known and prominent people of the county. John McFarlen was born on July 2, 1825, in the village of Rush, New York, being the son of Joseph and Eveline ( Perry) McFarlen. Eveline Perry was a daughter of Edmund and Mercy Perry, the second family to settle in Genesee county. (A more extended record of the Perry family will be found on another page of this volume, under the caption of Joseph Hobart.) Eveline Perry was united in marriage to Joseph McFarlen, in the state of New York. Mr. McFarlen was of Scotch ancestry and Mrs. Embury has a piece of plaid that was woven, with the peculiar pattern of Clan McFarlen, in Scotland. In 1828 Joseph McFarlen and his wife came to Genesee county, there being but two houses in the county at the time.
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Here he obtained one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, one mile east of the present location of the village of Grand Blanc, the land now being owned by Henry M. Graff. The family came here from Pontiac, having had to cut their way through the heavy timber and brush. Arriving at their destination, they prepared to settle on their new farm in the wild country. Their nearest neighbors were the Indians, who at that time were camped on a part of their farm, just west of the location of the McFarlen cemetery. Here they remained for many years. They of course did not remain there all the time, but, as is their practice, they would leave and then return at some future date. These Indians and Mr. and Mrs. McFarlen became great friends and never had any trouble at all. When the little son of the chief lay dying, they sent for Mrs. McFarlen to come to them and try to save him. After the child's death, they had Mr. McFarlen at the camp to comfort them before they took the body to Port Huron for burial. It was on this farm that Mr. and Mrs. McFarlen lived until they had reached advanced ages. They then retired to Fenton, where he died on July 13, 1893, and she on February 10, 1896. Their daughter, Harriett, who became the wife of A. W. Davis, was the second white child born in the county. Mr. McFarlen was a most public-spirited man and took an active interest in the development of the county, yet he was no politician and no office seeker.
Margery Hadley McFarlen was a native of the state of New York, having been born at Clyde, and was the daughter of John and Margery (Fenwick) Hadley, both of whom came from England. The parents came to Michigan and settled in Groveland township, Oakland county, where the family lived until her marriage, and here the daughter Margery was born. After the marriage of Margery Hadley and John McFarlen, they pur- chased a farm in section 21, Grand Blanc township, Genesee county, the farm being the one where Mrs. Embury now lives. The tract was only partly cleared at the time, but later was considered one of the best improved and developed farms in the township. They owned land on both sides of the road, and in time built a large barn, that was painted yellow and was for years known as the Yellow Barn farm. About 1866 he moved to the old homestead where his father had first settled. In addition to the original one hundred and sixty acres in the place, he purchased another one hundred and sixty that adjoined it on the west. In addition to this farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres, Mr. McFarlen owned two hundred and thirty-seven acres southwest of Grand Blanc. He moved to Fenton late in life and there lived until his death, on September 4. 1898. After the death of her hus-
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band, Mrs. McFarlen lived with her daughter until her death in 1906. They were the parents of the following children: Margery, the widow of George M. Embury, who lives on a part of the old home place southwest of Grand Blanc: Harriett is the wife of Clark Layman, of Grand Blanc; William H. lives in Grand Blanc; Ethel is the wife of Sumner Rust, Flint City, and Susan is the wife of Cranson Clark.
In early days, during pioneer times, Joseph McFarlen and wife were known for their hospitality and were known for miles around as "Uncle Joe" and "Aunt Eveline." It was at their home that the young people delighted to gather for a frolic and a good time. They had the freedom of the place and nothing was spared to make their stay a happy one. Many were these happy scenes and, despite the fact that there were many wild animals in the woods, such as bear, deer and wolves, they could not dampen the ardor of the young people to visit at the home of "Uncle Joe" and "Aunt Eveline."
EUGENE FLEMING.
Eugene Fleming, a prominent farmer of Mt. Morris township and the son of Porter and Emily (French) Fleming, was born on November 17, 1858, in Mt. Morris township. Porter Fleming was born at Leroy, New York, on November 3, 1825, and Emily French Fleming was born at Batavia, New York, on March 28, 1830. The two came to Genesee county separately, were later married and made their home here until their death. For twenty years before his death, Porter Fleming lived a retired life. He was a staunch Republican and held several important offices. He and his wife were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Fleming died on February 20, 1885. To Porter and Emily Fleming were born six children, Udora, Della, Isona, Eugene, Elmer and Cora. Udora is the widow of Simon Car- penter, who died some years ago: Della, who was the wife of J. B. Margeson, died on August 1, 1912; Isona is the widow of Thomas Benjamin; Cora. deceased, was the wife of Rome Gear.
Eugene Fleming received his education in the common schools and the high school of Flint. When but thirteen years of age, he went to work for a Mr. Hitchcock, with whom he remained for five years. On his return home he purchased eighty acres of land in section 26 and began farming for himself. Some time later he purchased an adjoining eighty of his brother and a forty of his father. He also has twenty acres near
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Flint, where he makes his home. In time he accumulated three hundred acres, all of which he made himself. The land is under good cultivation and is well improved.
On December 16, 1885, Eugene Fleming was married to Libby Blight, who was born in Mundy township in 1863. To this union was born one child, Nina E., who graduated from Columbus University in 1916. Mrs. Libby Fleming died in 1895, and on September 25, 1898, Mr. Fleming was united in marriage to Sada Blight, a sister of Libby Blight Fleming. She was born on June 5, 1871, and is a native of Mundy township. To this union four children have been born, Clifford, Gordon, Austin and Dora Geraldine. Clifford is now in high school and the others are all attending school.
In 1911 Eugene Fleming built his present home, which is most pre- tentious and modern throughout, and is located on the Pearson and Flem- ing road. The barns are of the latest type, with cement floors and all conveniences. He does general farming and raises much stock in connec- tion with his large dairy. He also owns rental property at Flint and a cottage at Long Lake.
Fraternally, Mr. Fleming is a Free and Accepted Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery at Flint, and the Shrine at Detroit. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active part in all church work.
ROBERT O. HART.
Robert O. Hart was born in Flushing, Genesee county, Michigan, Feb- ruary 21, 1871. He was educated in the Flushing high school and attended the commercial schools at Flint and Fenton.
He is a son of Orin and Margaret E. (Ashbaugh) Hart, the latter having been born in Boone county, New York, February 23, 1825, near Triangle. In 1836 Orin Hart came to Michigan with his father and mother, Marcus E. and Pollie (Clark) Hart. Marcus E. Hart was born near Hart- ford, Connecticut, in 1797, a son of Marcus, Sr., and Rhoda (Clark) Hart. When ten years old Marcus Hart, Sr., moved from Connecticut to New York state, near Triangle, living there until his death, in 1832, at the age of sixty- four years. Rhoda, his wife, was born in Connecticut and spent the early years of her life there. She came to Triangle, New York, where she was married. She was the mother of four children: Laura, who married Z.
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Case; Rhoda, who married Darius Butler; Alice, who married George Coril, and Marcus E., grandfather of the subject, who married Pollie Clark.
Marcus E. Hart was born near Hartford, Connecticut, in 1797, and lived to be forty years old. He was a farmer and lumberman. In early life, after marriage, he came to Michigan and settled in Genesee county, three miles east of Flint. He then moved to a farm near Marshall, Calhoun county, and lived there until his death, in 1837. He followed farming while living in Michigan, and lumbering while in New York state. His wife, Pollie, was born in 1806, either in Canada or in New York state. She was married in Triangle, New York, and was the mother of three children : Orin, father of the subject; Lucinda, deceased, who married Smith Barnes; Clark, deceased, who was a farmer in Genesee county. Pollie, mother of the subject, lived to be ninety-six years old. She died in 1902, at Oak Grove, Livingston county, Michigan.
In July, 1836, Orin Hart, father of the subject, came to Flint and locat- ed on a farm three miles east of the town. He lived there for a few years and then moved to Marshall, where he lived for one year. When only twelve years old he drove a four ox-team and had a hard time for a boy. Coming to Flushing, he lived with Ogden Clark until he was twenty-eight years old. He attended school at the Pearson school house, Genesee county, and at Pontiac, Oakland county. He was married when twenty-eight years old, on January 1, 1853, to Henrietta Catant, who was born in New York; she was a daughter of Latin Catant, a native of New York state, and her death occurred on March 16, 1862.
ยท After his first marriage, Orin Hart bought a farm of eighty-one acres near Flushing, and afterward bought an additional thirty acres. He farmed this for ten years, then sold his farm and, moving to Flushing, embarked in the milling business in partnership with Oscar F. Clark, a cousin. The mill was operated by water power, the machinery being driven by two paddle wheels. He continued to operate this mill until he retired from active business, in 1891. In 1868 he married Margaret E. Ashbaugh, who was born in Mansfield, Ohio, July 26, 1838, and came to Michigan when about thirty years old. She was a milliner and had a millinery store in Flushing in 1866 and 1867. She died, December 21, 1915, at the age of seventy- seven years. Her father and mother, Harvey and Eliza (Elliott) Ash- baugh, were of Irish ancestry, the original family coming to this country from Ireland in the latter part of the eighteenth century. They were both natives of Pennsylvania and came to Ohio in early days, engaging in farm- ing. Mrs. Hart was the mother of two children, Robert O., subject of this sketch, and Renie E.
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After Robert O. Hart finished school, in 1889, he went to work in his father's mill to learn the milling trade. He continued in this employment until 1892, when he and John K. Clark, son of his father's partner, took over the management of the mill and operated the same for about a year. In 1893 the father of the subject bought his partner's (Clark) interest in the mill and turned over the management to his two sons, Robert O. and Renie. In that same year the dam across the stream went out again. A new dam was built, constructed of wood, which lasted until 1898, when it went out. This dam was replaced by a concrete structure, twelve feet high, and this is still holding. The partnership of the two brothers continued until 1905, when Robert O. bought his brother's interest and incorporated the concern, under the name of the Hart Milling and Power Company, Incorporated, Robert O. Hart, manager. In 1893 a steam plant was put in for use in emergency. In 1913 a contract was made with the village council to furnish light and power for the village and the milling plant was equipped for this service and is still operating under that contract. Mr. Hart gives his whole time to the management of the milling and light plant.
Robert O. Hart was married, August 28, 1893, to Lulla E. Tubbs, who was born near Oil City, Pennsylvania, December 5, 1870. She is a daughter of Philander and Rachael ( Davie) Tubbs, both natives of Ohio. Her father died in 1891 ; her mother, who was born on March 5, 1846, died in 1913, at the age of sixty-seven years. Her father was a shoemaker by trade, who, after moving with his family to Flushing, opened a shoe shop here and con- tinued to work at his trade until about ten years before his death. He then removed to Saginaw and remained there for a few years and then returned to Flushing, where he died. He had two children, Lulla, wife of the subject, and Flora, who married Harry Dawe and is living in New York.
Mrs. Robert O. Hart was educated in the graded and high schools of Flushing, and afterward learned the milliner trade and worked for some time in this business. She is the mother of two children, Oren C., born March 28, 1897, and Sybil M., born May 12, 1903. The son is employed in a broker's office in Rochester, New York, and the daughter is attending school.
Mr. Hart is a Republican in politics. He served as village clerk for one year, village trustee for ten years and president of the village of Flushing for three years. He is a Mason, being junior warden of Lodge No. 223, at Flushing, and junior warden of Chapter No. 176. He is a member of the Elks lodge No. 222, at Flint. Both he and his wife are members of the East- ern Star, at Flushing.
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REV. JOEL B. GOSS.
One of the best known Methodist ministers in the state of Michigan is the Rev. Joel B. Goss, now living retired at Flint. He was born in Owosso, Shiawassee county, Michigan, in 1843, and did his first work as a local preacher in Gaines and Vernon in 1866 and 1867. Twenty-seven years of the thirty-seven years that he was in active ministerial work were spent in Genesee county and Shiawassee county. His residence in Genesee county began in September, 1869, when he was appointed by the bishop of the Detroit conference of the Methodist Episcopal church to the Hazelton cir- cuit. He was married the month before at Bay City, Michigan. The cir- cuit included all of the township of Hazelton, in Shiawassee county, and part of the town of Flushing, in Genesee. The place of residence for the pastor was in the English settlement in Flushing township, at which point the only church building on the circuit was located. The young clergyman and his wife began housekeeping in a building on the farm of Henry Bow- den, now owned by Ernest Bailey.
After two years spent there the Rev. Joel B. Goss, in 1871, was assigned to Swartz Creek, which place was then known as the Miller settlement. There was no railroad there at the time. The next year ( 1872) he built the Bristol church on that charge, situated four and one-half miles southwest of Flint. After serving three years there he was sent to Laingsburg, Shia- wassee county. In September, 1876, he was appointed to Mt. Morris and preached there and at the Pailthorp school house in southwest Vienna and at Mt. Morris Center. In 1878 he was again appointed to Swartz Creek. After serving that charge three years, as long as the law of the church then permitted, he was appointed to the village of Flushing in 1881. The old church edifice burned during his first year there and he erected the present building. The congregation held services for about a year in a hall until the new building was completed. After holding services in the new build- ing for three months, Reverend Goss was sent to Grand Blanc. At the end of two years his health was broken and he retired for a year to a little farm in Flushing township. After a year's rest he was assigned to Corunna, Shiawassee county. His next experience in Genesee county was being returned, in 1891, to Mt. Morris, where he remained two years, his next charge being at Gaines and Duffield, where he remained one year.
Since his retirement from active service, the Rev. Joel B. Goss has been a resident of Flint for about eight years, making his residence in the county
REV. JOEL B. GOSS.
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a total of twenty-nine years. He has served more years as a pastor in Genesee county than any other minister here and has as wide an acquaintance in this section of the state as probably any other person. He is now enjoy- ing a rest from active labor and, to use his own language, his work now is "chiefly attending the funerals of long-time friends." He has a splendid family, one son being Arnold H. Goss, a capitalist of Detroit, who is one of the most successful business men and financiers in the state.
WILLIAM GRANT.
One of the most careful and studious of the younger generation of farmers in Genesee county is William Grant, of Montrose township, who realizes the fact that the successful agriculturalist of today must be some- thing of a business man, must solve his problems in a manner quite different from the methods used in the days of his grandfather, for times and condi- tions have changed. Mr. Grant was born in the above named township and county on August 25, 1889, and is a son of James and Mary (Swart) Grant. The father was born in Ontario, Canada, July 17, 1850, and when fourteen years old came with his parents to Michigan, the family locating on a farm in Saginaw county. There young Grant lived until coming to Genesee county, upon reaching maturity, and here he bought forty acres in Montrose township. After remaining there for twelve years, he sold out and bought eighty acres in Saginaw county, but a year later sold out there and came back to Genesee county, buying eighty acres in Madison township, where he spent the rest of his life, dying on October 1, 1915, at the age of sixty-five years. He was a Republican, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic order and the Methodist Episcopal church. He served two terms as township treasurer, also as justice of the peace, and was moderator of the school board for a number of years. He was one of the influential men of his community. His wife, Nancy Swart, was born in the state of New York on January 16, 1850, and when three years old came with her parents to Genesee county, Michigan, locating in Montrose township, where she grew up and attended school, including the high school at Flushing. She taught school a number of years prior to her marriage. She is still living and is the mother of six children, named as follows : Mary is at home; Nellie is the wife of Perry Richards and they live on a farm in Vienna township; Julia and Jennie are twins, the former being
(52a)
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the wife of Arthur Dake, a railroader of Durand, and the latter the wife of Howard Pound, who is engaged in the wholesale grocery business in Flint; William, of this sketch, and Sadie, who is teaching in Montrose village.
William Grant grew to manhood on the farm and received a public school education, including the Montrose high school, later attending Ferris Institute at Big Rapids. In 1908 he left school and helped to carry on the home farm. In 1913 he began operating it for himself and has remained on the home- stead, which he has kept well cultivated and well improved. He is making a success as a general farmer and stock raiser, specializing in Jersey cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. He bought forty acres in section 26, in 1914, which he is farming in connection with the eighty acres at home.
Mr. Grant is unmarried. He is a Republican, and belongs to the Masonic lodge at Montrose, of which he is junior warden.
IRA D. LUCE.
Ira D. Luce, one of the prominent younger farmers of Mt. Morris town- ship, was born in Flushing township on June 29, 1871, being the son of Calvin and Florence A. (Sutton) Luce. (See history of their lives on another page of this work.) He grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the schools of Flushing township and at the Flushing high school. After completing his education, he worked on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He then rented a farm one mile east of Flushing and remained here for three years. He then rented the Warner farm in Flint township for four years, after which he was on a farm in Mt. Morris township for two years, before he purchased ninety-six acres of his present one hundred and thirty-six acre farm.
On October 26, 1893, Ira D. Luce was united in marriage to Hellen (Parmeter) who was born in Mt. Morris township on February 12, 1872, and is the daughter of Aaron and Emeline (Baker) Parmeter. Aaron Parmeter was born in the state of New York on August 31, 1829, and died at his home in Mt. Morris township in 1909. He came to Mt. Morris township in early manhood and here married Emeline Baker, who was born in the state of New York in 1839 and is still living at her home in Mt. Morris township. To Mr. and Mrs. Parmeter were born the following children : Fred, Lucy, Earl, Hellen, Hawley and Grace.
To Ira D. Luce and wife have been born the following children: Her- man, born on October 31, 1895; Charles, born on December 31, 1898, and
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Earl, born on January 19, 1903. Charles and Earl are still in school, Her- man having completed the high school at Flushing.
Mr. Luce is the owner of a splendid farm which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. In 1908 he built a large barn, with cement floor and modern improvements. He is interested in the dairy business, and is making a success of delivering milk to the residents of Flushing. He keeps Holstein and Durham cattle.
Politically, Mr. Luce is a Republican and believes in party organization. He has served for a number of years on the school board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Flushing. He and his family are active members of the Flushing Methodist Episcopal church.
CASH H. DAKE.
One of the careful farmers of Montrose township, Genesee county, is Cash H. Dake, who has succeeded in agricultural affairs partly because he has been willing to apply himself assiduously to his vocation and partly because he has adopted modern methods of husbandry. He was born in Thetford township, Genesee county, December 8, 1874, and is a son of Nelson and Mary (Hammond) Dake. The father was born on February 23, 1854. After his marriage he moved to Genesee county and lived on a farm in Thetford township for twenty years, then sold out and moved to Montrose township, buying eighty acres in section 26 and later forty acres in section 35. He has since carried on general farming here, but is now living retired. He is a Democrat and belongs to the Masonic order and the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, Mary Hammond, was born in Wayne county on February 24, 1855. To these parents seven children have been born, namely: William, Cash H., Minnie is the wife of Bert Chase; Inna is the wife of Arthur Bailey; Arthur; Earl; Elizabeth is the wife of Harlie McDowell.
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