USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 16
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be paid and no dishonor rest upon his name? Have we not seen him going with willing heart and anxious will to dispel a heartache that some thoughtless word of his had caused ? Have we not seen the unostenta- tiousness of his charity and the cheerfulness of his liberality? Shall we not all attest that for the years of our friendship from his lips have come no words of unkind criti- cism of any man? Has he not been found in the home of sickness and of suffering? Has he not given to those who were athirst and to those who were ahunger? Shall not a just judge then say : "Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my breth- ren, ye have done it unto me." His was a self depending soul. He took neither the cut of his coat or the tenets of his religion from the prevailing fashion; but both fitted to his personality.
We all knew the sportive playfulness of his humor, but few knew that deep spirit of reverence which characterized his sterner moods, the reflex of profound convictions upon the great central problems of life and eternity, of the finite and the infinite. Upon the lesser controversial questions he spent little thought. The largeness of his charity and the greatness of his tolerance told him that there was unity despite diversity. He drew the inspiration for his own virtue from action rather than from beliefs. He lived for the day he knew and for the future for which he hoped with the firm belief in that mighty power whose charity, judgment and mercy endureth forever and who according to the wisdom of his plan showeth all things in the slow history of their ripening.
But think not that our friend lived with- out fault : yet were they defects rather than active faults. He had less aggressiveness than his - merits warranted. He was led thereby to presume too little and take even less than his friends would have gladly
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given, and lest his sorrows should increase the burdens of another, he cast them back upon his own heart, there to smolder and at times to cast a tinge of melancholy over his usually genial nature; and perhaps a stranger who did not know may have passed him by and said: "It is strange!" But they did not understand. And whatever were his faults and defects let us throw over them all the mantle of charity for they were the badge of his humanity. Would that I could say some word of perfect consolation to those he has left behind. To an aged mother who has gone close to the valley of the shadow of death that a man may live, what greater consolation can I bring than the fact that in living he was an honor and an in- spiration to his kind. This and this only is the consolation I bring likewise, to wife and daughter, to brother and to sister. A noble life well-lived upon which one may look and claim in part. We shall not even wish his vain return to toil again over life's weary way.
He sleeps in peace. Let us rather say :
Sleep until the shadows take Their endless flight. Until the morning break- Good night! Good night!
For hope asks, and from the tranquil depths of the stars, from the immeasurable past and from the inconceiveable future, from the mysteries of our own souls an answer comes : "We shall meet again."
GEORGE S. CHAMBERLAIN.
There are some men, who by their uni- form good nature and genial kindly ways, it is ever a pleasure to meet. Such a man is George S. Chamberlain of the Township of Locke. Open hearted frankness is one of the strong characteristics of the man.
Mr. Chamberlain first opened his eyes to the light of this old world February 2, 1838, and has had them open at the proper time ever since. His parents, Orson and Betsey (Underwood) Chamberlain, were natives of the Empire State, where the father was born in the year 1807, and the mother in 181I. They were married at Middlebury, Wyom- ing county, N. Y. In the the year 1843 they moved to Michigan and settled in Locke township. Settlements were scarce in that locality at the time and farm im- provements meager indeed. Mr. Chamber- lain, however, brought with him into this wilderness country pluck and energy, and so each succeeding year saw the forest re- cede, and in its place the growing crop for the maintenance of the family and the fur- ther development of the premises. In time the primitive log house gave way to the more modern and commodious frame struc- ture.
Mrs. Chamberlain died January 20, 1850, while yet under forty years of age, though the mother of six children. She was the first white woman to die in Locke township. The father died February 18, 1886. Two only of the family are now living. Their names and order of birth is as follows : George S., Lucy, Edward, Henry, Orson, Mary.
Our subject, by characteristic perse- verance, managed even under the adverse circumstances of his time, to secure a good practical education from the district school, and after the fashion of Abraham Lincoln, studied before the log fire place. Mr: Cham- berlain is blessed with a most excellent memory, which serves him a good purpose in reviewing the experiences of the years agone. He began for himself as a work hand on the farm in the year 1857 and fol- lowed that occupation until after the break- ing out of the great Civil war. He enlisted
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August 12, 1862, and was mustered in as a private of Co. H, 26th Mich. Vol. In- fantry. His regiment, under command of Col. Judson S. Farrar, left the city of Jack- son for the seat of war December 13, 1862, having upon its muster rolls the names of nine hundred three officers and men. His was one of the active Michigan regiments and saw much service. Private Chamber- lain was with his command all during the year 1863 to August, 1864. He participated in Gen. Grant's grand flanking movement, upon which line he proposed to fight it out if it took all summer. In that ever memor- able campaign was fought the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5; Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864, in which the 26th Michigan lost in killed, wounded and missing nearly half of its number engaged.
We'll never forget the 12th of May, That fearful bloody battle day,
When scores of brave men fought and bled, And fell, the living with the dead,
"Till ranks were thinned to half and more And all the field was wet with gore,
Then followed in rapid succession: North Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Peters- burg, Welden R. R., Deep Bottom, Straw- berry Plains, White Oak, Swamp, Reams' Station and the long weary months in the trenches before Petersburg. After this date our subject was detailed on hospital duty at City Point, Va. Many a sick and wounded comrade owes much for the alleviation of his suffering to the thoughtful care of George S. Chamberlain. He was mustered out of service and honorably discharged June 4, 1865, by reason of close of war.
Mr. Chamberlain was united in marriage February 8, 1862, only a few months prior to entering the service, to Miss Millicent Clark, whose parents came to Michigan in 1854 from Yates county, N. Y., and settled
in Locke township. The father died in 1856 and the mother in 1874.
To our subject and his devoted wife have been born nine children, seven of whom are living. Data respecting them is given as follows : Edward, born April 2, 1863; Clark S., born July 28, 1867 ; Zady, born Novem- ber 2, 1869, died December 12, 1891; Lotta A., born March 24, 1872; Clara L., born November 9, 1874, died April 22, 1890; Grace E., born April 21, 1877 ; Orson, born February 9, 1879; Archibald, born Febru- ary 9, 1881 ; George W., born March 29, 1883.
Mrs. Chamberlain was of a family of six children, and for convenient reference data respecting them is here given as follows: John Henry born 1837, died 1846; Jane Ann, born 1839; Archibald, born 1841 ; Alida C., born 1846, died 1852; Charlotte A., born 1849.
Mr. Chamberlain is one of the foremost and successful farmers in his locality, hav- ing in his possession one hundred fifty-six acres of well-improved land with up-to-date modern buildings. He affiliates with the Republican party-the party with a history, a history of which he is proud and which he helped to make.
Mr. Chamberlain is a zealous worker along the line of experimental religion. The family are members of the Free Methodist church and exemplify its teachings by the uprightness of their lives. A record such as made George S. Chamberlain during the dark days of the Rebellion coupled with that of the intervening years as a citizen, a price- less legacy for the inheritance of his children and grandchildren, and those who come after them-a brave conscientious soldier, a just and upright man.
Among the prized trophies of the war still in Mr. Chamberlain's possession is the regu- lation forage cap worn by him at the Battle
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of Spottsylvania, when it was pierced by a rebel bullet, the ball just grazing the scalp. Mr. Chamberlain has reason to thank his stars that he stopped growing in height just. when he did.
One of the regrets of Mr. Chamberlain connected with his army life is the fact that at the Battle of Spottsylvania, amid the booming of cannon, the rattle and roar of musketry and the confusion of the moment, he stepped over the flag of the 13th Va. Infantry, which had been left on the field of action ; a brief moment's thoughtfulness, and he might have had ever after to his credit the honor of capturing a rebel flag. How- ever, he consoles himself with the thought that there is a providence which rules over the destinies of men, and a moment's delay might have cost him his life .- The record is made and he stands by it.
JAMES V. BARRY.
STATE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE, LAN- SING.
Commissioner Barry is of pure Irish descent, his parents, James Richard and Elizabeth (Cotter) Barry, both emigrating from Ireland and locating at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1846. His father was a dry goods merchant and removed to Michigan about 1850. He first resided in Detroit, af- terward locating in Monroe, where he con- tinued the dry goods business until his death in 1869. He left seven children, all of whom are living : James V., being born in Monroe . in 1861. The latter's brother, David S., for seventeen years was the Washington corre- spondent of the New York Sun and is now editor-in-chief of the Providence Journal.
James V. Barry passed through all the de- veloping stages of boyhood and youth in Monroe, graduating from its high school and
seeing his first experience there as a news- paper reporter. He removed to Lansing in 1882, serving as chief clerk in the office of the Secretary of State, and subsequently en- gaging in newspaper work for eight years as city editor of the Lansing Journal. While filling the latter position, he became the correspondent of several metropolitan 'dailies, and is still continued in that capacity by Chicago, New York, Detroit and Grand Rapids papers.
Mr. Barry was appointed State Commis- sioner of Insurance in 1901, and has held the office continuously, his term expiring July I, 1907. In this capacity he is required to make frequent examinations of the condition of insurance companies, to see that they are legally organized and incorporated, and, in fact, to keep them within the bounds of the State laws in every detail. It is a position which requires broad business judgment, keen financial ability and no small knowledge of the law ; and that Mr. Barry has so fully met these requirements indicates the sound- ness of his mental constitution. He is a Re- publican. He is President of the Electric Light and Water Commissioners, and, all in all, energetic, able, public-spirited citizen.
The Commissioner is a member of Capital Lodge No. 66, F. & A. M., Modern Woodmen and I. O. F. He was married on January 26, 1887, to Miss Gertrude Beamer of Lansing. The two children re- sulting from this union are James B. and Louise Barry.
SHUBAEL HAMMOND.
Shubael Hammond was born in the Town- ship of Junius, Seneca Co., State of New York, July 29, 1851. He was one of seven children born to Morris and Lydia ( Wad- ham) Hammond, who were natives of the Empire State. Morris Hammond was born
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March 14th, 1821, and grew to manhood near the town of Geneva, where he received his early education. Horse racing was a popular sport in that locality when he was a boy, and he used often to ride at races horses owned by his father. He was brought up on a farm and when he attained to man- hood, took up the occupation, which he fol- lowed through life. In the year 1849 he married Miss Lydia, daughter of Joseph Wadham of Seneca county, N. Y., who was born in 1826. Her father was a native of New York and her mother of Rhode Island. In the year 1856 Mr. Hammond gathered together his temporal belongings and emi- grated to the Wolverine State, locating first in Grass Lake township, Jackson county, where he remained for about ten years, when he removed his family to the Township of Meridian, near Okemos, where he resided until his death, which occurred May 28, 1900.
The old Hammond estate, lying just across the highway from the County Poor Farm, is one of the well known farms of the township, now owned by the subject of this sketch and to which he will return Jan- uary 1, 1905, at the close of his official duties as Sheriff of Ingham county, a position he has held for the past four years. Mr. Ham- mond has made a most efficient and pains- taking officer, and will retire from public life with the good will and confidence of all.
Shubael Hammond was united in mar- riage October 29, 1879, to Miss Celia Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Luther A. Smith, formerly residents of White Oak township, where Mrs. Hammond was born January 3, 1858. Her parents were na- tives of New York, coming into Ingham county at an early date. Mr. Smith departed this life in the year 1902, and Mrs. Smith in 1887.
Two children have been born to the Ham-
monds, as follows : Starr, May, 1886, Hun- ter, Sept. 18, 1891. Both are at home with their parents and attending the Mason High School. Starr has served as Deputy Sheriff for the past four years, and is a young man of good principles and promise.
Mr. Hammond has held several positions of trust and responsibility prior to his elec- tion to the office of Sheriff. He was for three years Keeper of the County Poor Farm, a position for which he was well adapted, being of a kindly and sympathetic disposition. He was also a member of the Board of Supervisors for several years. His good judgment and executive ability were recognized, and he was given a place upon several important committees, also Chairman of the Board for two terms.
Our subject is a member of several fra- ternal organizations, including the Masons and I. O. O. F. of Okemos, the K. P. at Mason and the Elks at Lansing.
Politically Mr. Hammond has always af- filiated with the Democracy, however, al- ways conservative, consistent and fair. Mr. Hammond's warm-hearted, genial manner makes for him friends among all with whom he has to do.
ALFRED BEAMER, LANSING.
Mr. Beamer is a resident of Lansing of forty years standing, one of its pioneers in the railroad, express and telephone business, and has always been a large factor in all its public enterprises and movements. He was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1841, being the son of George and Rebecca Beamer. The father of our subject was a Canadian farm- er, a native of St. Catherine, removing to Michigan and settling in Lansing in 1870. There he lived until his death.
Alfred passed his boyhood and youthful days in Canada, receiving his early educa-
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tion in the Dominion schools, as well as his first training and experience as a telegraphic operator in the offices of the Dominion. Coming to Lansing in 1864 he continued that line of work in connection with the railroad and express business. When he first became a resident of the place, he and old Sam Milemore transacted all the rail- road business with the utmost ease. In those days one or two freights came through Lansing, constituting what was known as the Ram's Horn line.
Mr. Beamer continued to be identified with the railroad and express business until 1878, being connected with the American and National express companies. Subse- quently, he built the first telephone exchange in Lansing, and managed that enterprise in connection with his express business until 1898. Since that year, his service has been monopolized by the express companies named, whose office is on the same corner now that it was when, forty years ago, as a young telegraphic operator, he joined his fortunes with the business, then in its weak infancy.
Mr. Beamer's prominence as a business man was further emphasized by his conduct of a prosperous produce trade for a number of years. His substantial standing in this regard was not earned at the expense of neglecting the public affairs of the commun- ity; for he has always taken a deep and active interest in the welfare of Lansing, es- pecially in that which concerns the educa- tion of the young. He has served on the Board of Education, and, unofficially, has also been of great practical service to that cause. In politics he is a sound Republican, his religious affiliations being with the Con- gregational church. His connection with secret societies is confined to his membership in the Modern Woodmen.
In 1862 Miss Louise J. Adjit of Ontario, Canada, became Mr. Beamer's first wife. Five children were born to them, of whom three are living : Mrs. J. V. Barry of Lans- ing; Miss Mabel Beamer, San Diego, Cal., and H. Bruce Beamer, Los Angeles, Cal. Mrs. Beamer died in 1894. our subject being a second time united in marriage to Mrs. Eliza Bush Hinman, in 1895.
CHARLES E. LOCKWOOD.
Charles E. Lockwood was born in Orleans county, New York, December 15, 1838. His parents, Ebenezer and Eunice Lock- wood, were natives of Connecticut, the "Land of Steady Habits." His father was a wagon maker by trade. Being in poor health he closed his affairs in Connecticut and went to New York, where he farmed it for a time. He afterwards came to Michi- gan and made his home with our subject until he died in 1881. The family consisted of four children, of which our subject was the third.
Mr. Charles E. Lockwood enlisted in de- fense of his country in September, 1862, in Company D of the 15Ist N. Y. Infantry. He was in active service during the entire term of his enlistment. He followed the fortunes of his `command, which belonged to the Army of the Potomac and was with Grant in his flanking movement in 1864, and participated in the Battle of the Wilder- ness. He was detailed as orderly at the Bri- gade Headquarters, 3rd Brigade of the 6th Army Corps, from 1863 until just before he was taken prisoner, which was on the second day of April, 1865, in front of Petersburg. He was with the Confederate army, they being on the retreat, closely fol- lowed by the forces of General Grant and was kept under guard with the moving col-
CHAS. E. LOCKWOOD
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umn. He saw the flag of truce which was sent out by General Lee to meet General Grant between the lines of the opposing for- ces. The result of this interview meant much to him and no one without similar experiences can appreciate his feelings dur- ing the last hours of the Confederate Army of the Potomac. After the surrender of the forces under General Lee at Appomattox, he was released, and returned to his regi- ment, and was mustered out and honorably discharged on the 25th day of June, 1865, by reason of the close of the war.
Following his discharge from service, he returned to New York and engaged with his brother in farming. They also bought and sold live stock. In 1869, Mr. Lockwood came to Michigan and bought ninety acres of land in the Township of Williamston. He remained here but a short time, when he removed to Lansing and was engaged in buying grain with J. M. Pitts of New York. After a year and a half in this work, he returned to Williamston and conducted a grain elevator for several years, later ex- changing it for a stock of hardware in the village, which he conducted for one and one- half years. Later, Mr. Lockwood formed a partnership with his brother, S. B., and en- gaged in the furniture business, but trade not being sufficient to warrant a copartner- ship, Mr. Lockwood retired from the busi- ness and bought a general store of Mr. H. H. Spaulding, which he conducted very suc- cessfully for fifteen years, after which he again engaged in the produce business, which was always to his liking. He was known as the "pioneer bean buyer" of Williamston, giving the village the reputation of being one of the best markets along the line of the road. After a time he disposed of the eleva- tor, since which he has been living a retired life. He owns a farm near the village which
he manages and also assists his son in the management of the elevator at Laings- burg, which Mr. Lockwood considers one of the finest elevators in Michigan.
Charles Lockwood was united in marriage September 19, 1876, to Miss Nettie, daugh- ter of John B. Lobdell, who was a native of the Empire state and one of the early pio- neers of Ingham county, having settled in Dansville at an early date. It is recorded of the proceedings of the first town meeting held in the Township of Ingham in 1838, that among the other officers elected that John B. Lobdell received fifteen votes for the of- fice of Town Treasurer and was duly elec- ted. May I, 1844, license was granted to John Lobdell to "keep and entertain travel- lers, to retail rum, brandy, gin and other spirituous liquors, also ale, cider, beer and other fermented liquors and to have and to use all the privileges granted by the laws of the State of Michigan to keepers of pub- lic houses."
To Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood have been born five children: Fred S., married Miss Marie, daughter of Captain S. T. Lyon, de- ceased, formerly of Howell. He conducts the elevator at Laingsburg : J. B. owns and is running a tin and plumbing establishment at Perry; Oda G. is the wife of Harry H. Watson, a doctor in Williamston: Effie G. is a graduate of the Williamston high school and Neita is a student at the high school.
Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood have for many years been esteemed members of the M. E. church ; Mr. Lockwood having been a trus- tee of the society for twenty-five years. He contributed substantial help in the erection of the church and has been its warm sup- porter during the interim. He is a member of the Alexander Post, G. A. R., of William- ston. He was always a hearty supporter of the Republican party, having confidence in
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its ability to work out the problems which are before the American people, and has fre- quently been elected to office.
Mr. Lockwood's business operations have been extensive, a hundred thousand dollars worth of business having been transacted by him in a single year. For a number of years he was the leading wool buyer of William- ston. He has property in the village and a farm outside. His accumulations are suf- ficient to warrant his retiring from the sterner activities of life and enjoying his well-earned competence.
Mr. Lockwood's record and achievements are such that in contemplating them, the sense of just pride may well be his to en- joy.
JAMES N. LEASIA.
James N. Leasia was born in the village of Williamston in 1859. He was the son of Dr. James A. and Martha (Shaft) Leasia, the father, a Canadian by birth, and when twelve or fourteen years of age crossed the river and located in Detroit. He followed various avocations for a time, attended school and engaged in teaching for a number of years. The practice of medicine having for him an attraction, he began its study with Dr. Shep- herd of Grand Rapids and later graduated with honors from the Oberlin medical col- lege, after which he located at Williamston about the year 1840 and began the practice of his profession. He was the first regular physician to locate here. He built up a large and lucrative practice and won more than average success in his chosen profession. He accumulated a comfortable fortune, erecting one of the finest residences in the town. He also invested in lands and at the time of his death in October of 1888, he was one of the well to do citizens of the town.
Dr. and Mrs. Leasia had born to them four
children, two of whom are living, our sub- ject, James N., and his sister, Mrs. W. T. Webb of Williamston.
James Leasia acquired his early education in the Williamston high school and at the age of fifteen entered his father's drug store as a clerk and has been continuously engaged in the drug business since. In 1897 Mr. Leasia erected a fine brick store, which he now occupies and in 1901 formed a partner- ship, the firm name being "Leasia & Headly."
The important event of his life was his marriage in 1892 to Miss Jennie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Davis of Leslie. In politics Mr. Leasia lines up with the Demo- crats. The firm of "Leasia & Headly" handle a fine line of drugs, paints, oils and wall paper. Mr. Leasia being on the sunny side of life and well established in business, the outlook for a successful future is first- class and must indeed be gratifying to him.
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