USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
more." After an uneventful voyage of five weeks and three days upon the ocean, they landed at Quebec, and from that point they proceeded to Lewiston, at Niagara county, N. Y., which was then the head of naviga- tion, and there made their first home.
Martin Price was a mason by trade, and at first found work in that capacity, but finally drifted into agricultural pursuits. In 1867 he emigrated still further westward to Michigan, and located in Lansing township, Ingham county, where he bought a farm of eighty acres of unimproved land, adjoining the M. A. C. The mother of our subject was also a native of the same locality, as was his father, and she bore the maiden name of Ann Egan, being a daughter of Lawrence Egan. To the union of Martin Price and his faithful wife were born nine children, of whom our subject is the third, being six years of age upon the family's ar- rival in America. The early education of Lawrence Price was acquired in the com- mon school of Niagara county, N. Y., being later supplemented by a course in the acad- emy at Lewiston. He remained at home, however, until after the breaking out of the Civil war, when being imbued with the patriotic spirit of the times, he enlisted in August of 1862, becoming a member of Bat- tery M. of the First N. Y. Light Artillery. From Buffalo he proceeded to Albany, and from there was sent to the South, this bat- tery being assigned to the Army of the Poto- mac. He was in the memorable battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellors- ville. At the last named battle, Mr. Price was wounded by a shell which exploded very near him. For a short time he was confined to the field hospital. Finding that he was improving rapidly, he joined his comrades in camp, preferring this to the permanent hospital. At Gettysburg, he was again slightly wounded in the arm, and after that
123
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
battle his battery followed the rebels on their retreat into Virginia, as far as Racoon Ford, on the Rapadan river. His battery was now ordered back to Washington and was then sent west to reinforce Gen. Rosecrans at Chattanooga. He, with his battery, saw active service at Wahatchie valley, and also at Missionary ridge and wintered at Bridge- port, Alabama. In the spring following they joined Sherman at Georgia, being with him at Resaca, Dallas, Ringgold, Pumpkin Vine creek, Culp's farm and Kenesaw mountain. He was among the first troops which en- tered Atlanta, and then went on with Sher- man to the sea, entering the Savannah on the 21st day of December, 1864. After that campaign they proceeded northward, pass- ing through the old North State touching Raleigh, Averysboro and Bentonville. At this point, Mr. Price was slightly wounded in the face and had the great misfortune to be taken prisoner by the rebels and was sent for confinement to Libby prison. The war was now nearly to an end. Richmond soon surrendered, being evacuated by the Con- federate forces, and the prisoners were re- leased. Mr. Price then entered the parole camp in Maryland and was granted a thirty days' furlough, but his intense desire to be near at the end prevented him taking ad- vantage of this leave of absence, and after six days he was again with his regiment and took part in the grand review. Pro- ceeding to Rochester, N. Y., he was mus- tered out on the 29th day of June, 1865. After a short sojourn at home, he desired to go into the oil regions of Pennsylvania, and there continued until the spring of 1866, which year witnessed his arrival in Lansing, reaching this city on the 26th day of April. He found employment here on a farm within the city limits, and afterwards purchased the unimproved property in Bath township. Clinton county, a tract of one hundred sixty
acres of wild land, which he improved and placed under cultivation. Erecting good buildings upon this place, he gave attention to general farming, until about 1880, when his attention was attracted to the grocery and produce business, in which he was iden- tified in the town of Flint. He continued in this for the following three years, when he disposed of this business and purchased property in Lansing. Taking up his resi- dence here, he became interested in the buy- ing and shipping of stock, and also became identified with the lumber business, coming into possession of a North Lansing con- cern, formerly conducted by Mr. F. I. Moore. He became an important factor in the lumber business, and a few years later became the prime factor in the organization of the Capital Lumber Co., in which he ef- ficiently served as its vice president and manager. Later, this company was reorgan- ized, and in the spring of 1891, after the death of J. S. Ayers, he withdrew his stock. He is also a director of the Rikerd Lumber Co. The hardware business has also claimed his attention, having been engaged in this business under the firm name of Price and Smith, which interest he disposed of in 1902. Within the list of his numerous business in- terests, that of dry goods has claimed his attention, being extensively interested in the firm of Rork & Price.
Among the numerous enterprises which have added to the material development and growth of Lansing, is that of the Lansing Brewing Co., which owes organization and its general prosperous condition to our sub- ject, who has, since its incorporation in 1898, been its efficient president and man- ager. He is likewise the president of the Auto Body Works, which is extensively en- gaged in the manufacture of bodies for auto- mobiles and high grade carriage beds. The Hildreth Motor & Pump Co., largely owes
124
PAST AND PRESENT
its organization to the energy of Lawrence Price, and is now serving as president and general manager. Other extensive interests have also claimed his time and attention, as his genius for organizing is in evi- dence in other important manufacturing in- terests in Lansing, such as the Peerless Motor Co., in which he is serving as presi- dent, also has interests in the Hammell Cracker Co., being one of the board of direc- tors, likewise the Transfer Co., of which J. J. Baird is president. He is also a stock- holder in the Reo Automobile Co.
A Democrat in his political views, Mr. Price has taken an active and helpful inter- est in the advancement of the party, and in the spring of 1890 he was complimented by his townsmen by the appointment of Chief of Police and Marshal of the City of Lans- ing. He has also been the Superintendent of Public Works for one term, and has served four years as a member of the City Council from the fourth ward, which had heretofore been given a large Republican majority.
The office of Chief of Police he entered with characteristic energy and zeal, which throughout his incumbency, he conducted for the good of the law abiding part of the citizens of the city. He has been a frequent delegate to county and State conventions and city committees. He is also a member of the Charles T. Foster Post No. 42 G. A. R. of Lansing. He likewise bore the distinc- tion of being the first chairman of the Board of Supervisors ever elected in Lansing, re- ceiving the cooperation of both Republicans and Democrats.
In 1867 Mr. Price was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Ann Ryan, who de- parted this life in 1883. He was again mar- ried in 1888 to Miss Julia Bradford. Law- rence Price is a man endowed by nature with a vigorous mind, retentive memory and
resistless determination, and would have succeeded in any walk in life.
Starting out in life empty-handed, our subject has by perseverance and determina- tion of purpose carved out his own fortune. Planting his feet firmly at the beginning, he has succeeded in every successive step, and while advancing his own interests has probably done more to advance the commer- cial and manufacturing interests of Lansing and Ingham county than any man of his time. A genius for organization, he may well and rightfully be termed a captain of industry. The strong traits of his character have been the foundation of his successful career. He has been a man of honor and integrity in his business and private life, and also been possessed of broad humani- tarian principles. He gives generously for the public good. Faithful in friendship, de- voted to the interests of those with whom he is associated, he stands as a high type of our successful American manhood.
F. P. VAN BUREN (MERCHANT).
Michigan is well known among the sister- hood of states as having among her sons many citizens of noble character and high repute, whose public spirited services and aggressive and far seeing enterprise have raised her to her proud position as one of the most highly cultivated and prosperous commonwealths in the Northwest. To such sons the State owes a debt of gratitude and all who love her delight in reading the record of their lives. The man of whom we write in this sketch has made his mark as a noble son of Michigan and has helped largely in the development of this part of the State. He is a capitalist of no mean standing and is a power in commercial circles, not only in the immediate vicinity of Williamston, but in the whole county.
-
..
125
INGHAM COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
F. P. Van Buren was born in St. Joe ยท county, Michigan, in 1853 and was the son of Freeman C. Van Buren, a native of Long Island, N. Y., who came to Michigan with his parents in 1834, settling in St. Joe coun- ty. This county was the home of the Van Buren family, and only one of them ever took up their residence in Ingham, this be- ing our honored subject.
Reared a farmer, F. P. Van Buren did not enjoy many of the benefits of advanced education. He attended the common schools and acquired there what was necessary to a practical business education. He remained at home assisting the father until about six- teen years age, when he started as a sales- man in a dry goods store, working at this about thirteen years, after which he worked in a store in Grand Rapids for three years.
In 1882 our subject came to Williamston and having only eight hundred and fifty dollars, which sum would not allow him to start in dry goods business, he started in a grocery store and kept this business until the year 1897. In the meantime he branched out into the produce business and was at- tended by success in this line. His pros- perity allowed him to erect a splendid brick building which he now occupies and in which he carries on a large department store, containing about seventy-five thou- sand dollars worth of stock. This store is in every way an up-to-date place of busi- ness. It is built after Mr. Van Buren's own ideas and is one of the best arranged stores in the State, the shelves being built from the floor up, and although every bit of space is utilized for stock, still the aisles are wide for the convenience of the clerks and customers. In this store are found fourteen clerks, ready with their willing. hands to show the public their full line of dress goods, furs, silks, domestic goods of all kinds and shoes and rubbers, bought in
carload lots from the mill. On the second floor of this store is a complete line of car- pets and surplus stock.
Another place of business demands Mr. Van Buren's attention, as he also owns and operates a large warehous filled with sugar, coffee, tea, etc., and in addition to this the Cold Storage, plant, where he handles eggs. butter, cheese, etc. Mr. Van Buren is a large operator in produce and the the larg- est operator in eggs in the State, as he handles one-half million dozen of eggs every year, buying them from all over the State. Our subject believes in employing the best clerks that can be found and in this Cold Storage plant also has fourteen people tak- ing care of his business. Mr. Van Buren does two hundred thousand dollars worth of business every year and from this income has erected for the comfort and enjoyment of his family, a fine residence in William- ston, where he enjoys the luxuries he so well deserves. Besides this residence, our subject owns other property, the care of which demands a portion of his time, which is so fully occupied in his business pursuits.
When a child of but nine years, Miss Mary Kline emigrated from Germany, her native land, to the new country and located with her parents in St. Joe county and in 1882 became the wife of Mr. F. P. Van Buren. This union was blessed by the birth of five children, four of whom are living : Martin C., Leona, Frank P. Jr., and Lou, all of whom are under the parental roof.
In politics our subject is independent and votes for the best man, irrespective of party. He is an interested citizen, in the political welfare of his country, but devotes his time to his extensive interests. He has been in business for the last twenty-four years and for his labors has received his just reward.
Mr. Van Buren is truly the architect of his own fortunes, and is a self-made man,
126
PAST AND PRESENT
both in education and in financial standing. Beginning at the foot of the ladder, he is now the most prominent, popular and enter- prising man in Williamston. Mr. Van Buren is an upright man and a good citi- zen, who began life with no pecuniary ad- vantages, has had no assistance of any kind, but with a pair of willing hands and by his industrious and persevering energy has at- tained to the possession of a handsome prop- erty.
.
M. L. CAMPBELL.
M. L. Campbell, a prominent pharmacist of Leslie, was born in 1858 in Onondaga township, and was the son of Marshal and Mariah Campbell. The father was born in eastern Pennsylvania where he spent his early boyhood and in 1825 moved to Erie county, New York. After the marriage of our subject's parents they came in 1850 to Ingham county, Michigan, and settled on land in Onondaga, where they built a log house and cleared up a good home. Twelve children were born to them, whose names in order of birth, are as follows: Boyer H., Catherine, married to H. Gibbs ; Sarah, mar- ried J. B. Noble: Daniel, Matthew, William, Homer H., at Albion; Angeline, Charlotte, Job T., Maria, the deceased wife of B. A. Davis, and our subject. Eight of this family are living. After the family came to Mich- igan they dwelt happily and prosperously at the homestead until the death of the mother in October, 1862, whose cares, augmented by the enlistment of her three eldest sons in the Rebellion, bore her to her grave and de- prived the family of her whom they most needed. He died at the home of his oldest daughter. Marshall Campbell was a loyal Republican and at one time served his town as Justice of Peace.
M. L. Campbell, our subject, was raised in
Onondaga township, living with a sister after he was five years of age. He acquired his education in the district schools of the home locality and when reaching his ma- jority came to Leslie and clerked for a short time in a dry goods and then in a drug store for about three years. In 1883 he engaged in the drug business for himself, but dis- posed of this property and followed the for- tunes of a commercial traveler for a time. After a time he came back to Leslie and en- gaged in the clothing business, having formed a partnership with A. O. DuBois and here remained until 1897 when he dis- posed of his interest and again went on the road as a shoe salesman. In January, 1901, Mr. Campbell returned to Leslie and bought the drug store owned by R. H. Shotwell in which business he has since been engaged. He carries a fine line of drugs, stationery, etc. In connection with this business, our subject owns and has under his supervision two farms in the vicinity of Leslie, consist- ing of two hundred and twenty acres, and on one of these places resides, having improved the premises until he has one of the most modern country homes of the day. Is also a director in Peoples' Bank of Leslie, and in Leslie Telephone Exchange.
In August of the year 1885, M. L. Camp- bell was united in marriage with Miss Luna A. Weeks, daughter of Wm. H. and Mary C. Weeks of Leslie township, old settlers of this locality. One child has been born to M. L. Campbell and wife, Catherene, October 12, 1891.
Our subject is a member of a number of social orders, being identified with the Ma- sons, belonging to the Knight Templars of Jackson, the Mystic Shriners of Detroit, to the K. of P.'s and Maccabees at Leslie, the Elks at Jackson and to the Grange. In 1896 Mr. Campbell ran for sheriff of Ing- ham county but was defeated in the race.
HON. CHARLES CARROLL FITCH (Deceased)
127
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
He is sincerely interested in political matters and an intelligent observer of the public movements of the day, being a staunch Re- publican and warmly devoted to the pros- perity of that party. . Mr. Campbell is an "all 'round good man" with whom every- body likes to associate.
HON. CHARLES CARROLL FITCH
(DECEASED).
In the death of this honorable and upright citizen, Mason and Ingham county sustained an irreparable loss. He was a man of the highest respectability and those who were most intimately associated with him, speak in unqualified terms of his sterling integrity, his honor in business and his fidelity to all the duties of public and private life.
The father, Hon. Ferris S. Fitch, was a native of Vermont and was a stone mason by trade. Realizing the possibilities in this, what was then termed the West, he came with his family from New York to Bunker Hill township of this county, where he bought a large tract of land. This was in 1849, when the son, Charles Carroll Fitch, named after one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was six years of age. The father became extensively interested in farm- ing property in Bunker Hill township and was in all probability, the largest land owner of that locality at the time of his death. He was a man of more than ordinary capability, shrewd, yet honest, being possessed of an abundance of energy and determination. He was a man of sterling traits of character and his name is inseparably interwoven with the pioneer agricultural, social and political his- tory of Ingham county.
The early education of Charles Carroll Fitch was acquired in the district schools of Bunker Hill township, which was later sup-
plemented by attendance at the Michigan Agricultural College. After the completion of his collegiate course, he came to Mason and was identified for fifteen years with the abstract office and from 1884 to 1888 he conscientiously and acceptably filled the office of register of deeds, and as an evidence of the high estimation in which he was held by his friends and associates, he was elected a member of the State Legislature from his district for two successive terms, beginning in 1889 and continuing until 1893. He was likewise a prominent and influential member of the Board of Education for twelve years and was also the president and one of the prime promoters of the Water and Electric Light Company of Mason. He was likewise successfully engaged in the hardware busi- ness in Mason for a number of years, or until his death, which occurred suddenly June 28, 1899, of organic heart disease. He became a member of the Masonic order at the age of twenty-one years and attained membership to the Knight Templar degree of the Lansing Commandery and the K. P. of Mason, also Moslem Temple Shrine. De- troit.
In 1876, Mr. Fitch was united in mariage to. Mary Kate Clark, a daughter of Peter and Ellen Clark, natives of Ireland and New York, respectively, and they moved from the latter place to Michigan when Mrs. Fitch was four years of age. Settling in Lansing at that date, they became pioneers of that city. The father was a machinist by trade and followed that occupation throughout life. He eventually moved to Mason where he died in 1884 and the mother in 1903. In this family were nine children. the eldest, George, was killed in the battle of Gettys- burg. Four are now living: Peter, a resi- dent of the State of Washington : Louis K., resides in Detroit : Mrs. G. W. Sackrider of Owosso, and Mrs. Fitch.
128
PAST AND PRESENT
One child was born to Charles C. Fitch and wife, named Fannie E., who is married to A. M. Cummins, a prominent attorney of Lansing. They have one son, named Charles Fitch Cummins.
In our subject's political views, he was a staunch Democrat, and had a wide acquaint- ance with men of political prominence throughout the State. In dealing with the personality and delightful and charming character of Charles Fitch, we have been re- quested by his numerous friends to include the following eulogy, so ably and capably rendered by the Hon. Lawton T. Hemans at his funeral :
Friends : A sad service calls us here today. Our friend has taken his departure; he pur- sues his journey. To us who knew him his stay has been a sweet incense; to him it has not been without profit. I am bidden today by propriety, by the love I bore our friend and by his express request, a thing I shall ever treasure as one of the dearest testimon- ials of his love, to say a few words simple and unadorned to the honor of his life and character and to our good. Man searches the constellations of the heavens and learns the story of the stars. The secrets of the deep and of the furthermost parts of the earth are unfolded as a scroll before him, but still he finds that the greatest study of mankind is man.
From the morning dawn of the world's consciousness to this hour he has been the being of special favor; holding the lamp of history and furnishing the pathos of song. The elements of nature may crush out his life but he is greater than they for he knows whereof he dies. Forces may conspire to his undoing but in the breast of heroic man- hood they wake no responsive fear for he looks beyond the ills of time to the unspeak- able peace to come. Some see in death an appalling disaster : the end of earthly things.
to others amongst whom was our friend, it comes as a benediction, the well done of the Father after many a hard-fought battle, if not after many victories won.
Our friend could say with the pagan Lu- cretius long centuries ago: "Life is given to no one for a lasting possession ; to all for use." If this precept be true, and both phil- osophy and religion proclaim it so, then of a verity life not death becomes the problem of greater concern and a worthy life in clos- ing may well join in the exultation : "Grave, where is thy victory; death, where is thy sting?" In the life of our friend as we knew him there was much that was worthy. Shall it not by its helpful influence redound to our betterment as it did to his greater joy?
Charles Carrol Fitch was born at Cuyler- ville, Livingston county, in the State of New York, on the 19th day of July A. D. 1842. He was born to a goodly heritage, to the worthy example of a noble father and the helpful precepts of a likewise noble mother. With these parents in June, six years later, he came to the Township of Bunker Hill in this county, and early knew the life of the pioneers of advancing civilization. It was here amid the country scenes and the purity of rural life that he grew to man's estate. Here he learned the lesson that has been the basis of all that he is best in our Ameri- can life, that labor is honorable to all and indolence dishonorable to any. From the common school he entered the Agricultural College in 1858, and soon thereafter became a teacher in the country school where so lately he had been a pupil. Added years ever widened the horizon of his acquaint- ances and the sunshine of his nature left each new found acquaintance his friend. An experience in the Abstract Office in the early 60's made him an excellent candidate for the, office of Register of Deeds to which of-
129
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
fice he was elected in 1884. to be re-elected in 1886. A reluctant candidate for the House of Representatives in 1889, his serv- ices were such as to make certain his re- election to the House of '91-always elec- ted by majorities whose largeness bespoke the confidence of the people.
How in later years he has served the peo- , ple of this city in responsible positions is a story I will not tell. So read the inscrip- tions on the milestones of his existence ; but how short and almost heartless reads the chronicle of any man's life. He was born, he lived, he died. To all but a coterie of closer friends, silence alone tells the story of the grandeur of its hopes, the purity of its purposes and the mighty struggles of the soul as it labors toward the attainment of the ideal.
As one may look upon a wild and rugged mountain side and know nothing of the jewels that lie hidden below: so from the biography of a human life we may learn little of the hidden influences that made it what it was. To outward appearances both may be rough and forbidding, but we may always be sure that in the one we shall find jewels and in the other virtues. There is an element of hero worship still latent in the human mind. We love to dilate on the virtues of men in high places, especially if his creed and practice fits our own. Let us never forget that the most of the heroes of the world are the heroes of obscurity. Such a hero in some measure was our friend. His was "the genius of childhood taken up and matured in the powers of mankind." He loved young men and the child never went from him in fear. His heart and mind drank in the sunshine of youth, while sor- row and disease silvered the hairs of his head. Have we not watched his lamp burn- ing until the hours of the morning that obligations of another's contracting might
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.