USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 9
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Edmund A. Branch received his primary education in the district schools, then went to Aun Arbor and took a preparatory course, and when only seven- teen years of age he began his career as teacher. He taught three terms"in
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the district schools of Forest township, then taught in the Otisville high school two years, after which he was superintendent of the schools at Otter Lake for five years; then he was for five years superintendent of the schools at Hadley, and nine years superintendent at Otisville; then returned to Had- ley as superintendent for three years. He came back to Otisville in 1914 and has since been a superintendent of the schools here. He has done much to encourage a better system of schools in Genesee county and has kept well abreast of the times in educational work. His services have been eminently satisfactory from the first.
Mr. Branch was married on August 25, 1891, to Mabel J. Merriam, a daughter of Susan M. Merriam, a widow. To this union four children have been born, namely: Charles Andrew was graduated from the Flint high school and attended the engineering department of Northern University at Ada, Ohio; Ralph was graduated from the Hadley high school and from the creamery department of the Michigan Agricultural College; Marian and Hira are attending school.
Mr. Branch owns a good farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres in Forest township. Politically, he is a Republican and takes an active interest in party affairs. He was county school examiner for four years, township clerk of Forest township for four years, and has also been a mem- ber of the village council. For the past year lie has been president of the Genesee County Athletic Association.
HERMAN HUGHES.
Herman Hughes, secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Her- man Hughes Lumber Company at Flint, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Mt. Morris township, August 5, 1888, son of Frank and Margaret (Daly) Hughes, both of whom were born in that same township, members of pioneer families in that part of the county and the latter of whom is still living, making her home in the town of Mt. Morris.
Frank Hughes was the elder of the two sons born to his parents, John Hughes and wife, early settlers in Mt. Morris township, he having had a brother, William. The mother of these sons died at a comparatively early age and John Hughes married again, four children being born to this second union, Thomas, Edward, Margaret and Mary. Frank Hughes was reared
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to the life of a farmer and became the owner of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in his home township, where he spent the rest of his life. He married Margaret Daly, who was also born in Mt. Morris township, daugh- ter of Christopher and Julia (Gahan) Daly, early settlers of that township, where they still live, at ripe old ages, and to whom eleven children were born, of whom Mrs. Hughes was the seventh in order of birth, the others being Thomas, Lawrence, Edward, Linus, Mary, Elizabeth, Jeannette, Julia, James and Francis. Frank Hughes died at his home on the Stanley road in 1897, he then being about forty-six years of age, and his widow, who still survives, is now making her home in the village of Mt. Morris. She is a member of the Catholic church, as was her husband, and their children were reared in that faith. There were seven of these children, of whom the sub- ject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth, the others being as fol- low: John, Charles, Julia, who married Edward Curran, of Genesee town- ship, this county : Mary, wife of William Beach, of the village of Mt. Morris; Rose, wife of Patrick Callahan. of Flint, and Raymond, who died at Mt. Morris on May 8, 1916.
Herman Hughes was reared on the paternal farm in Mt. Morris town- ship, receiving his elementary education in the district school in the neigh- borhood of his home, and supplemented the same by a course in the high school at Mt. Morris, upon the completion of which he entered Assumption College at Sandwich, Ontario, from which he was graduated in 1905. Upon his return from college he entered the employ of the Randall Lumber Com- pany at Flint and remained with that concern for about ten years, becoming thoroughly familiar with the details of the lumber business as related to this section of the state. On December 21, 1914, he organized the Herman Hughes Lumber Company, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, C. A. Houran, president, and Herman Hughes, secretary-treasurer and general manager, and has ever since been engaged in business on his own account.
On September 21, 1909, Herman Hughes was united in marriage to Catherine Doherty, who was born in the city of Flint, December 11, 1886, daughter of Cornelius and Johanna (Ryan) Doherty, the latter of whom died in 1899 and the former of whom is still living at Flint, being now employed in the Buick factory. Cornelius Doherty and his wife had five children, who grew to maturity, Francis, Patrick, John, Catherine and Pauline. To Mr. and Mrs. Hughes three children have been born, Mary, Elizabeth, Thomas John and Paul Cornelius. Mr. Hughes is a Democrat in his poli- tical allegiance and he and his wife are members of the St. Michael's Catholic church at Flint. Mr. Hughes is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
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COL. EDWARD H. THOMSON.
Edward Hughes Thomas was born at Kendal, in the lake county, Westmoreland. England, June 15, 1810. His parents were Edward Hughes and Mary Thomson, his wife. His mother died while he was quite young and his name was transposed to Edward Hughes Thomson. His father, who was English born, moved to Boston, Massachusetts, while the subject of this sketch was a small boy. When he had reached the proper age, he was sent to school at the academy at White Plains, New York, for several years. Later he sailed before the mast for two years, but then, deciding to educate himself for the law, he entered the law office of Millard Fillmore at Buffalo. When he was twenty-two years old, having been duly admitted to the bar. he located at Buffalo, but soon removed to Cleveland, Ohio. In 1836-37 Michigan received a large number of immigrants from other states and among them was Colonel Thomson, who reached this state in the spring of 1837 and located in Atlas, which was then a part of Lapeer county.
Governor Stevens G. Mason, Michigan's first governor, appointed Mr. Thomson prosecuting attorney of Lapeer county. He remained there but one vear, however, when he removed to Flint and entered into a law partnership with John Bartow, who was then registrar of the United States land office at Flint.
Among the first lawyers who came to the little town of Flint were Mr. Rugg and John Bartow, experienced, able lawyers, coming from different localities, but with a kindred purpose, to escape the influence of conviviality, which at that time permeated all classes in older settlements. Men of liberal education, with culture and refinement ; gracious and urbane in manner, they gave a tone and trend to legal practice quite unusual in small towns, where generally the pettifogger, with little knowledge of law and less of general culture, thought the man who could use the most abusive language to his opponent in the case was the best lawyer. A little later came William Fenton and Levi Walker, men with profound knowledge of the law and gentle, dignified manner ; so that it happened early Flint escaped the blatant lawyers.
In 1845-46 Mr. Thomson was prosecuting attorney for Genesee county. In 1847 he was elected to the state Senate, his district embracing Genesee. Oakland, Lapeer, Shiawassee and Tuscola counties and the entire upper peninsula. Hle was the father of the bill which provided for the location of the institution for the deaf, dumb and blind in Flint and the insane asylum at Kalamazoo. By his activity in the advocacy of a foreign emigration bill he attracted the favorable notice of Governor Ransom and was appointed
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state immigration agent. with headquarters at New York city. Subsequently Iris headquarters were changed to Stuttgart, Germany, and by his indefati- gable efforts he was directly responsible for the removal of over twenty thou- sand hard-working Germans to the state. When the War of the Rebellion broke out, Governor Blair appointed him a member of the state military board and, later, Colonel Thomson was made president of the board.
With all his busy life, Colonel Thomson always found ample time to cultivate the graces of life and, as a social, genial gentleman, was beloved by a host of friends. He was a ripe Shakespearean scholar and his magnificent Shakespearean library, which now, through the munificence of the late James McMillan, graces the University of Michigan, is one of the finest private collections ever made in the Central states. In 1878-9 Colonel Thomson served the city of Flint as its mayor. He died on February 2, 1886. He was twice married. His first wife was Mary Bemis, of Buffalo, New York, by whom he had one daughter, Mary, afterwards Mrs. A. B. Witherbee, and one son, John R. Thomson. In 1840 he married Sarah Teresa Bush, of Flint, and to this union one son, Edward H. Thomson, Jr .. was born, and who died November 1, 1889. John R. Thomson having died some years before.
MRS. SARAH TERESA THOMSON.
Mrs. Sarah Teresa Thomson, wife of Col. E. H. Thomson, was born July 10, 1818, at Brighton (near Rochester), New York state. Her par- eints, David and Laura A. Bush, were of stanch, sturdy New England stock. She inherited from her father a character almost rugged in its straightfor- ward uprightness. She enjoyed a course of study in Leroy (New York) Female Seminary under the tutelage of Mrs. Ingham Stouton, an eminent instructress of young women. This was one of the early schools affording advanced education for women. In 1836 her father removed with his family from Rochester to Shiawassee county, Michigan, and from thence Mrs. Thomson made her way to Flint, where she opened a school for young ladies.
For nearly fifty years Mrs. Thomson lived in Flint and all this time she was more or less a teacher in Biblical and historical studies,. continually diffusing an atmosphere of intelligence, culture and devout religious thoughts. In 1840 she was married to Edward H. Thomson and at once her home be- came the center of the social life of the growing city. Without question, no person exerted more beneficent and wide-felt influence upon the community.
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She was foremost in every effort of education and uplift to others; foremost in every good word and work for benevolence and helpfulness. Her grand native intelligence, enriched by broad culture and extended travel, together with a home filled with rare books and treasures of art, was ever freely and readily used for the pleasure and profit of all who sought.
Perhaps Mrs. Thomson's most distinguishing characteristic was her sympathetic nature-possessing a heart large enough to feel for all suffer- ing; far-reaching in its tenderness, even like the divine pity. Thus, as a necessity, she became a shelter, a support, a defender to the sick, the helpless. the friendless. In full measure she had the large heartedness that could weep with those that wept and rejoice with those that rejoiced.
When the ear heard her then it blessed her : When the eye saw her it gave witness to her. Because she delivered the poor that cried : The fatherless, also, that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon her : And she caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
She put on righteousness and it clothed her ; Iler justice was as a robe and diadem. She was eyes to the blind and feet was she to the lame. She was a mother to the needy ; And the course she knew not she searched not.
Mrs. Thomson died on Easter day, April 10, 1887. She was survived by a son, Edward H. Thomson, Jr., who died the following year.
ROBERT J. WHALEY.
Robert J. Whaley, president of the Citizens Commercial and Savings Bank of Flint, has been a resident of that city for nearly fifty years and during that time has exerted a wide influence upon the financial and indus- trial life of this community. In 1880 he was elected president of the Citizens National Bank of Flint, which later was re-incorporated as the Citizens Commercial and Savings Bank, and has been president of that strong finan- cial institution ever since, a period of thirty-six years, probably a record for continuous tenure in such an office in this state. He has not only been suc- cessful in his own business affairs, but has contributed largely of his time and talents to the public welfare and in that connection has rendered a val- table service, long having been recognized as one of the ablest financiers in Michigan. He formerly was a member of the board of trustees of the state
Rywhaley
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charitable schools, including the school for the deaf at Flint, the school for the blind at Lansing and the state public school at Coldwater. For the two years of his administration he returned to the state twenty-eight thousand dollars of the appropriation for the charitable institutions, although the maintenance of the schools during these years was as good if not better than ever before. This act was so unique in political history and so wholly unex- pected that it attracted considerable attention and comment at the time. As a result of this action, Mr. Whaley was singled out as a target and it long afforded him cause for merriment to reflect that as a reward for his economy in the state's behalf he was legislated out of office. For many years Mr. Whaley was the keeper of finance for the Knights of the Maccabees, an organization that has disbursed more than twenty millions of dollars among its beneficiaries, and so efficiently did he discharge the duties of that office that his re-election from year to year was always taken for granted, there being no opposing candidate for the place until he finally declined to serve further. In the "tents" of the Maccabees, far and wide, he became known as "the man who never talks." Mr. Whaley's services also have been con- tinually in demand by various civic and corporate factors in the community life and he is or has been a director in numerous important concerns in and about Flint. Beginning his service in this community as an associate of his father-in-law, the senior Alexander McFarlan, in the lumber business at a time when lumbering and its allied industries formed the chief industry hereabout, Mr. Whaley has been a witness to the wonderful development that has marked the affairs of this region within the past generation, a de- velopment that has lifted Flint from a straggling village, such as it was at the time of his arrival there nearly a half century ago, to the compact, well- built city it is today-one of the most important manufacturing centers in the state --- and he has been one of the most vital factors in that development, a fact gratefully recognized throughout this entire community.
Robert J. Whaley was born in Castile township, Wyoming county, New York, December 8, 1840, the son of Jeremiah M. and Parmelia Ann (Flint) Whaley, both natives of that same county, the former born in Cas- tile township and the latter in Pike township. They were the parents of two children, the subject of this sketch having had a sister, Janet, now deceased, who was the wife of Stephen J. Clewell. Jeremiah M. Whaley was born in a country tavern kept by his parents, Robert and Janet (Mckay) Whaley, the former of whom was born in Rhode Island and the latter in Scotland, she having come to this country with her parents when a child. Robert.
(7a)
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Whaley, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, built the first saw-mill in the town of Castile, New York. He also engaged in farming and conducted a wayside tavern. To him and his wife two sons were born, Mordecai and Jeremiah. The latter, the father of Robert J. Whaley, continued to conduct the old Whaley tavern until the death of his wife, when he moved to Wis- consin and located at Hudson, where he engaged in the mercantile business and where he died at the age of seventy years, in 1884, a few days after the election of Grover Cleveland to the Presidency. He was an ardent Democrat and a great admirer of Mr. Cleveland and the excitement incident to the announcement of his favorite's election brought on a fatal stroke of paralysis. During the Pierce administration Jeremiah Whaley served as postmaster of Hudson, Wisconsin, and was at one time a candidate for the Legislature from a district that comprised the west side of Wisconsin up to Lake Superior. He was married twice after going West and to each of these latter unions two children were born, as there were to his first union. His first wife, mother of Robert J. Whaley, was a daughter of Samuel and Samantha (Ellis) Flint, both natives of New York state, whose lives were spent in Wyoming county, that state. Samuel Flint was born on Bowman's creek, Canajoharie, Montgomery county, New York, about 1778. He became the owner of a thousand acres of land in Wyoming county and was regarded as one of the wealthiest men in that section of the state. He died in 1858, at the age of eighty years, and his widow, who was born about 1806. died in 1861. They were the parents of eleven children, Deborah. Smith and David (twins), James, Daniel, Emmeline, Samuel, Parmelia Ann, Jerome B., Eugene N. and Marie Louise.
Robert J. Whaley was but eight years old when his mother died and he was taken care of by his maternal grandparents when his father went West. Two years later his father returned to New York after his children and they accompanied him to Hudson, Wisconsin, where Robert J. Whaley grew to manhood among the Indians, who formed the greater part of the population of that section at that time. Upon the death of his uncle, Mor- decai, he was called back to New York by his grandmother to take charge of the extensive farming interests of the family, and he remained with his grandmother until her death, four years later, after which he returned to Wisconsin and was there engaged in farming for a couple of years. While in New York, Mr. Whaley had become acquainted with Mary McFarlan. of Flint, Michigan, who was visiting kinsfolk in the neighborhood of his grand- mother's home, and on January 24. 1867, he married Miss McFarlan. On the Ist of October, following, he took up his residence at Flint, entering the
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employ of his father-in-law, Alexander. McFarlan, which close and intimate association continued until the latter's death, in 1881. Alexander McFarlan was for years one of the most conspicuous figures in the financial and indus- trial life of Genesee county and one of the most active factors in the early growth and development of the city of Flint. He was born at Amsterdam, New York, and was married at Caledonia, in that state, to Margaret Ann Simpson, who was born at Caledonia. In 1850 he came to Michigan and engaged in the lumber business at Flint, quickly taking a prominent part in that then flourishing industry in this part of the state. He prospered and became connected with various enterprises, including the banking business, and was for years one of Flint's most useful and influential citizens. Alex- ander McFarlan and wife were the parents of four children, Jennie, Mary, Alexander and Anna, the two first of whom were born in Caledonia. Mrs. Whaley's birth occurred in March, 1846, she therefore having been but a child when she came to this state with her parents. Mrs. McFarlan died at Jacksonville, Florida, whither she had gone seeking restoration of health, in 1881, and Mr. McFarlan died at his home in Flint three months later, April 22, 1881.
Alexander McFarlan was one of the leading stockholders in the old Citizens National Bank at Flint at the time Mr. Whaley became associated with the McFarlan interests in that city and he encouraged his son-in-law to acquire a thorough knowledge of the banking business. Beginning as a bookkeeper and collector in the bank, Mr. Whaley became thoroughly con- versant with the business of the bank and in 1880 was elected president of the concern. Upon the reorganization of the old Citizens National Bank and the organization of the Citizens Commercial and Savings Bank, Mr. Whaley was elected president of the latter concern and has thus been presi- dent of the bank continuously for the past thirty-six years. In addition to his other extensive interests, Mr. Whaley also is actively interested in real estate affairs and has done a large business in that line in and about Flint.
To Robert J. and Mary ( McFarlan) Whaley one child has been born, a son, Donald McFarlan, who died at the age of ten years. Mrs. Whaley is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church at Flint and Mr. Whaley is an attendant on the services of that church. Both have for many years been looked upon as among the leaders in the social and cultural activities of their home town and earnest promoters of all movements having to do with the betterment of general conditions hereabout. Mr. Whaley is a Democrat and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local political affairs. In 1912 he was his party's candidate for treasurer of state. He is a thirty-
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second-degree Mason, affiliated with the consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Detroit, and is a noble of Moslem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in that same city. His local Masonic affiliations are with Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons; Wash- ington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, and Genesee Valley Com- mandery No. 15, Knights Templar. He also is a member of Flint Lodge No. 222, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in the affairs of all these organizations takes a warm interest.
CHARLES E. TAYLOR.
Charles E. Taylor, who for nearly two decades has been connected with the banking business at Clio, was born in Thetford township, Genesee county, February 24, 1874, the son of Henry J. and Elvira (Sweet) Taylor. Henry J. Taylor was born in the same township and county on May 24, 1847, and his death occurred on November 26, 1904. He was a farmer and lived prac- tically his whole life in Genesee county. Elvira Sweet was born in Russell, Ohio, on November 19, 1856, but from her ninth year lived in Thetford township, Genesee county. On January 12, 1916, she became the wife of Frank A. Wheeler, a prosperous farmer, and they are living at Clio. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Taylor were born eight children, as follow: Charles E., subject of this sketch; Elmer H., a farmer of Thetford township; Ben- jamin R., a farmer living near Mayville, Michigan; Jesse R., a farmer living at Flint; Mrs. Viste M. DeCamp, whose husband is a farmer in Muskegon county, this state; Gladys A. Park, of Mayville, Michigan; Mrs. Clara B. Mitcheltree, whose husband is a jobber and carpenter at Flint, and Florence M., who is living with her mother.
The subject's paternal grandfather, John Taylor, was born in England and came to the United States when young. Here, his time was divided be- tween music, farming and politics. He married after coming to this country and became the father of six children, namely: Almina, Adeline, George, Henry J., Myron and James A. The maternal grandparents of the subject were Harmon C. and Rebecca (Woodberry) Sweet, both of whom are deceased. Harmon C. Sweet came from a family of fourteen children, the parental home being in Ashtabula, Ohio. The origin of the family dated back to the early English settlers. Rebecca Woodberry was a native of Ohio, but spent the greater part of her life in Genesee county. To Harmon
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and Rebecca Sweet were born seven children, namely : Alva C., Elvira, Cora A., Emma, Laura, Emeline and Angeline, twins.
Charles E. Taylor was educated in the district schools of Thetford township and in the Clio high school. His first occupation was that of teach- ing school, in which he was engaged for several years. In 1899 he entered the employ of Charles H. May & Company, bankers, at Clio, with whom he has been associated continuously since, though the business is now conducted under the name of the Clio State Bank, of which he is cashier. Mr. Taylor has always taken a live interest in the welfare of the community, though he has assumed an independent attitude in politics. He has served as village treasurer for three years and is at present a member of the village council. He is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters and of the Royal Arcanum, filling chairs in both orders.
Mr. Taylor was married to Esther Ella Brown, who was born in Thet- ford township, Genesee county, February 22, 1873, the daughter of Charles and Georgia (Woodman) Brown. Her parents originally came from Niag- ara Falls, New York, and here followed the occupation of general farming. They are both now deceased, the father having died in 1904.
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