USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 21
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GEORGE L. CARTER.
Among the old settlers now become the re- tired farmers of White Oak township, Ing- ham county, we find a number of men whose abilities and character have given them an exceptional standing in the community. Their migration to Michigan in the early days developed through hardship and strug- gle, all that is best in man, and by their per- severance and sturdy adherence to the prin- ciples which are essential to success have made Ingham county what it is today. Such a man is George L. Carter, who resides on section 28 in White Oak township.
George L. Carter was born August 17, 1818, in Genesee county of the State of New
York, and was the son of Brazilla and Polly (Crary) Carter, the father living to be eighty years old and the mother but a few years younger. The parents were natives of Connecticut and came to New York in 181 I locating in Genesee county on a farm, where he spent the remainder of his life.
Eight children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brazilla Carter, our subject being the youngest and the only living one today. The brothers and sisters were Nor- man B., Joseph T., William H., Cinderella, born in Connecticut, Lorenzo, Russell, Mary and our subject, born in New York.
Our subject received his education in the district schools of his locality, this being of a meager sort. In 1839 Mr. Carter came to Michigan and cleared three acres of land near Lapeer, Michigan, but went back to New York, where he stayed until 1850, when he again came to Michigan and bought one hundred and sixty acres in White Oak, now owned by his son, Grant. Since that time he has bought more land, and today is the owner of several hundred acres of well improved farming property.
In 1851 Mr. Carter was united in mar- riage to Abigail Harris, born in Pontiac, September 17, 1831. and died May 3. 1882. when he was again married. November 29, 1887, to Emeline, daughter of James and Eliza (Tooker) Smith. Mrs. Carter was born May 16, 1842, and was one of eleven children, three of whom are living; Mrs. Jacob Estey, of Bath. Michigan, deceased : Stephen. of Bath; Mrs. Robert Rose, of Bath. Michigan, deceased : James, deceased : Mrs. A. P. Smith, of Bath, deceased : Hiram, of Bath : Mrs. George Van Netter, of Haz- lett; Mrs. Nancy Pultz, married, in Mis- souri ; Mrs. Caroline Parse, of Lansing. now deceased; Benzel S. Smith, deceased, and our subject's wife. a twin sister of Caroline.
To Mr. Carter and his first wife were
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born two children : Ella Adelaide, born April 30, 1857, wife of Thomas J. Gillam, a farm- er of White Oak, and they have one daugh- ter, Beryl Abagail, born February 7, 1892; and Grant G., born February 28, 1864, liv- ing in Mason.
Our subject's parents were members of the Baptist church and his wife is an active member of the M. E. church.
George L. Carter is a staunch Republican as was also his father, though not an office seeker. Mr. Carter is a genial and whole- souled man and is well informed on the events of the day and has many friends in all classes of society.
Mrs. Carter was first married to William Hicok, and two children were born to this union, named Lillie and Steven.
HUGH LYONS .- MAYOR OF LANSING.
Our subject, the son of John Lyons, is a native of Canada, being born in the year 1847. His parents were both born in the Emerald Isle, coming to this country about 1820 and settling in the Dominion. There the father, who was a substantial farmer, lived and died, his death occurring in 1852.
Hugh lived in Canada until he was ten years of age, after which he spent four years in Western Illinois. Then, on account of an accident, he was forced to return to Canada, where he remained two years prior to his removal to New York. The Civil War was well under way when he thus became a permanent resident of the states, and, not- withstanding his youth, he promptly offered his services to the Government. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. E. 90th New Yory Infantry, participating in the battle of Cedar Creek, as well as in a number of minor engagements. He was mustered out of the service in 1865.
At the conclusion of the war Mr. Lyons settled at Howell, Mich., working at the
carpenter's trade for some four years, when (in 1870) he became a resident of Lansing. He obtained a position as Superintendent of the Mineral Wells Bath House and Bottle Works and later was a salesman and com- mercial traveler.
In 1890 our subject established the firm of Hugh Lyons & Company, manufacturers of nickel and brass display fixtures, mirrors, show cases and similar furnishings. Their present commodious headquarters consist of the buildings purchased of the Potter Manu- facturing Company, with a considerable ad- dition which they themselves erected. The establishment is a business feature of Lan- sing, and represents largely the ably directed energies of the founder, a typical, self-made man.
Mr. Lyons was elected to the Mayoralty of Lansing in April, 1904. He is a consis- tent Republican, and, as would naturally be inferred from his army record, a member of the G. A. R. His wife, to whom he was married in 1879, was formerly Miss Laura P. Brooks. She was born in Grand Rapids, but at the time of her marriage was living in Lansing. They have one child, Arthur, who is living at home.
LIEUT. STEPHEN P. LEIGHTON.
For more than half a century the name of Leighton has been prominently associated with the township and village of Willian- ston.
Nathan and Abigal (Carl) Leighton were natives of the Pine Tree State, but in early life emigrated to Huron, Wayne Co., N. Y .. where the subject of this sketch, Stephen P. Leighton, was born in 1837. Nathan Leigh- ton came to Michigan with his family in 1854 and settled upon a farm in Williamston township, which was his home until the death of his wife, which occurred March,
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MRS. GEO. L. CARTER (Deceased)
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1875, when he retired to the Village of Wil- liamston, when he served as Justice of Peace for several years. He died in August of 1883. There were eleven children in the family, five of whom are now living. Stephen always remained at home with his father upon the farm, with the exception of three years in the service of his country in the war of the great rebellion. He enlisted on the 12th day of August, 1862, in Co. H., 26th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Capt. John H. Sayers commanding, was mustered in as duty sergeant, promoted to first sergeant, Dec. 7, 1864, and near the close of his service was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. He easily won his "straps" by meritorious service on several hotly con- tested fields of battle. Even before being commissioned, he was the ranking officer in his company and for several months its con- mander. The 26th Michigan Volunteers was recognized as the best drilled skirmish regiment in the old 2nd ( Hancock's) Corps, and was consequently oftenest in front when the army was moving in the enemy's coun- try. It was therefore often under fire when the rest of the command was not.
Gen. Francis C. Barlow, in whose divis- ion the regiment served in the campaign of 1864 and 1865, subsequently wrote among other very complimentary things: "I have the strongest regard and admiration for the 26th Michigan. It is a difficult thing to pick out one regiment from all those I served with, as the very best, but I can say this, that I never saw one superior in the whole army." Lieut. Leighton was every inch a soldier-for him to know duty was to do it. By his untiring efforts in looking after the interests and comforts of the men of his company he greatly endeared himself to all. After having followed the fortunes of his regiment for nearly two years, he received a severe gun shot wound through the foot on
May 12, 1864, on that awful field of carnage at Spottsylvania, Va. In this engagement alone his regiment lost in killed, wounded and missing, nearly one-half of the number engaged ; seven out of the nine color guards were killed or wounded. It was directly in front of this regiment that a tree twenty- two inches in diameter was literally hewn down by bullets. A correspondent later passing over the field, wrote : "A grasshopper could not have lived through the pelting of that leaden storm and but for the fact that our troops were protected by breastworks, they would have been swept away, to a man." A few months in the hospital at Baltimore and Lieut. Leighton returned to his regiment and with it participated in the closing campaign of the war. Mr. Leighton takes special pride in the fact that it was through the lines of the 26th Michigan, that Grant operated with his flags of truce, dictating terms of surrender to the conquered leader of the Confederate forces at Appomattox, April 9, 1865. The regiment returned to the State under command of Col. L. H. Ives and went into camp at Jackson. from which city it had left the State for the seat of war. It was paid off and discharged June 16, 1865.
Lieut. Leighton is and has been for many years an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic, his membership with Eli P. Alexander . Post of Williamston, named in honor of Lieut. Alexander of his own company.
Returning from the war, Mr. Leightoit took up the occupation he had temporarily abandoned and energetically set to work to secure for himself a home. December 30. 1866, he was united in marriage to Rosella. daughter of Nelson and Mary Loranger of Williamston.
Mr. Loranger came in an early day and for many years was engaged in buying fur
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of the Indians, trading notions and such ar- ticles as the Indians fancied. Mr. Loranger later was engaged in business at Williamston and his was one of the very first places of business established in the village. Mrs. Leighton has in her possession the certificate made to her grandfather, J. B. Berard, by the government in 1832. He had settled upon the land and when he went for his deed to the land office, another man was going for the same tract and in the end it became simply a question of endurance and Mr. Berard won out and secured the prize. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Loranger were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are still living.
To Lieut. and Mrs. Leighton, seven chil- dren have been born, three only of whom are living : Rose L., now the wife of James A. Dana, residing on and owning the old Leigh- ton homestead in Williamston township; Anna, a public school teacher, and Isidore R., at home.
Some years since, Mr. Leighton retired from the farm to the village and is enjoy- ing the declining years of life in quiet. He fraternizes with the Masons. Mrs. Leighton is active in both the Eastern Star organiza- tion and the W. R. C.
Politically, Mr. Leighton has always been an uncompromising Democrat. His friends are numbered by his acquaintance. Every- body has a good word for "Steve."
CHARLES A. PENDLETON.
Perhaps no man in this locality bears a wider acquaintance than Charles A Pendle- ton, the subject of this review. Born in 1840, on the 12th day of June, near Bangor. Maine, he is a son of Henry and Mary D. Pendleton, who were both natives of that locality and were of that good old New England stock who gave to the west those
sons and daughters who have been the prin- cipal factors in its remarkable growth and development.
William Henry Pendleton was a man of considerable business ability, being ex- tensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber and as a general contractor and builder, shipping the products of his mills to both the home and foreign markets. In 1844, however, he removed with his family to St. Johns, New Brunswick, where he fol- lowed the same business and there resided until his death, which occurred in 1851, at the age of fifty-one years. The mother long surviving her husband, departed this life in Chicago, while residing with their son, Charles, at the age of seventy-three years. In this family were twelve children, six sons and six daughters, of whom five are now living, namely : John, Israel, Amelia, Elmira and Charles, the subject of this review.
The early education of Charles A. Pendle- ton, which was extremely limited, was ac- quired in the schools of New Brunswick. The greater portion of his time, however, was given in assisting his father. He re- mained at home until 1860, when he shipped aboard a sailing vessel, as ship's carpenter for a two years' cruise, which in later years proved of inestimable value, as it enabled him to acquire an extensive experience in general commercial conditions of different parts of the world. Prior to this time, or in 1860, he spent eighteen months mining and prospecting in the gold fields of Nova Scotia. Returning home from an extensive cruise of almost two years, and being imbued with the patriotic spirit of the times, and believing his services were needed in behalf of his native land, he immediately embarked for Chicago and there enlisted and was detailed to active service in the engineering corps at Nashville. His natural ability in that direc- tion soon placed him under the notice of his
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superior officers, who recognized his me- woven with his nature to permit him to live chanical ability, placed him in charge of a body of men, to engage in the construction of bridges and general engineering work.
With success which entitled him to the highest commendation of his superiors, he continued his service until 1865, when he was honorably discharged and returned to Chicago. Through capable management and frugality, he was enabled to save his salary, which means enabled him to engage in the general contracting and building business in Chicago, which he successfully followed for twenty-two consecutive years, and many old landmarks of that great and growing city still show an evidence of his handicraft. .
Other interests in the meantime also claimed his attention, as he was engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds and builders' material and likewise efficiently served as the chief of Hyde Park Fire De- partment for seven years, being also engaged in the employ of Cook county for a number of years.
After twenty-one years of strenuous and energetic life in two of the busiest cities of the world, his health began to fail him and he decided to remove to a locality beyond the scenes of his activity. Consequently, twenty years ago, or in 1885, he bought eighty acres of farm land in Leslie township, this county, where he soon after moved his family. Upon this property he made many valuable improvements and has since built upon it a commodious dwelling, good barns and has extensively tiled his place until it is now one of the good properties of this locality. He has also added an additional tract of forty- five acres upon which he has also made many valuable improvements. While Mr. Pendle- ton moved to this county with the main object of living in retirement and for the pur- pose of recuperating his health, the habits of his lifetime industry were too strongly inter-
a life of idleness, consequently many enter- prises of importance have felt the benefit of his cooperation and owe their success in a great measure to his individual efforts, as he now owns a third interest and is serving as Vice President of the Charlotte Brewing Co., an enterprise devoted to the brewing of ale and porter, beverages that have few equals in either purity or quality. He is also an extensive stockholder in the Leslie Electric Light plant and this enterprise prob- ably owes its continued existence to Mr. Pendleton's moral and financial support. He is likewise a stockholder and has served as the President of the Leslie and Onondaga Telephone Co., and also owns valuable prop- erty in the City of Chicago.
On the 12th day of June of 1867 there occurred an important event in the life of Mr. Pendleton, as it was upon this date that he was united in marriage to Miss Mary D. Appleton, a daughter of Benjamin Appleton, and unto them have been born seven chil- dren, of whom five are now living: the eldest Thaddeus A., was born November 6th, 1869; the second, Theo. A., and third. Frank, are twins, the latter died at the age of seventeen ; the fourth, Percy D., born . . . ...
, was a volunteer in the recent Spanish War, having enlisted in .... com- pany ; the fifth is George, the sixth Myrtle, married Oscar Ohlinger, and resides upon the home farm, while the seventh, Charles A., died in infancy. In politics, our subject affiliates with the Republican party, believ- ing that its men and principles are best adapted for good government, and while not a politician in the sense of office seeking. he has taken a citizen's part in the success of his party.
In 1875 Charles A. Pendleton became a member of the Masonic order and through- out the intervening years has lived in har-
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mony with its beneficent teachings and he has the distinction of being a Knight Temp- lar of the Jackson Commandry.
It is but just to say that the life history of Charles A. Pendleton is a review of one who has been the architect of his own fortunes. Beginning in life empty-handed, without any particular pecuniary advantages, he has arisen from the ranks of the many to a posi- tion of success and influence in his com- munity. A genial, kindly man by nature, many have benefited by his generosity in their hour of need. A kind husband and loving father, he is devoted to the welfare of his family, and there is no one man in this community that stands higher in the estima- tion of his acquaintances than Charles A. Pendleton.
SOLON D. NEELEY.
Solon D. Neeley was the only son of J. H. Neeley, was born at Naples, Ontario county, N. Y., November 18, 1839. His father, born in 1826, died at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His mother passed away at the age of forty-seven. He had one sister only, who at the tender age of seven years, died, and was buried in Belfast, Alle- gany county, N. Y. In the year 1844 J. H. Neeley moved from Naples to Belfast, Alle- gany county, N. Y., where he lived until the time of his death.
In 1852 Solon D. Neeley came to Grass Lake, Michigan, where he received his early education, but while yet a mere lad of fifteen years he found employment with the Michi- gan Central R. R. Co., handling freight. He was afterwards employed as brakeman and fireman, and also worked in the roundhouse in Detroit. In the year 1858 he came to . Ingham county, purchased eighty acres of land in the Township of Alaiedon. After clearing up about fifty acres and making
other improvements, he sold the place, and moved to Mason, which has been his home for the past thirty-nine years. Any man who in the time of his country's need shoul- dered his musket and went forth to fight her battles, enduring the hardship and privations incident to life in the army, is certainly en- titled to a place in history. Our subject was one of the the "brave boys in blue" who pushed aside the activities of civil life, to do and dare that the nation might live. His was one of the best known regiments in the service of the State of Michigan, and did valiant service on many hotly contested fields of battle. August 2, 1862, Solon D. Neeley enlisted for "three years, or during the war," and was assigned to Company A, 20th Michigan Infantry, commanded by Captain Huntington W. Smith, later Lieu- tenant Colonel, who was killed in action at Campbell Station, Tenn., November 16, 1863. Mr. Neeley participated in some of the hardest fought battles of the war, notably the Wilderness, May 5, 7, 1864, and Spottsylvania, May 12, the same year. Dur- ing the latter battle while actively engaged with his comrades, he received a severe gun shot through the thigh and groin. He was taken to Fredericksburg, placed in a tempo- rary hospital, and later sent to Washington, D. C., and after a time removed to Chestnut Hill Hospital at Philadelphia, where suffi- ciently recovered to travel, he was given a furlough and returned to his home in time to cast his ballot for Lincoln as president.
At the expiration of his furlough he was ordered to Detroit, and entered Harper Hos- pital, where he remained until mustered out of service, April 7, 1865, being incapacitated by reason of his wounds from further service in the field. Mr. Neeley was taken prisoner several times, but managed to escape each time. At the time of receiving his wound he was carried from the field by comrade
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Emery Hawn of Leslie, to a place of safety, an act of comradeship he has never forgot- ten.
December, 1859, Mr. Neeley was married to Mary E. Templer of Alaiedon. To them five children have been born, as follows : Elbert, the eldest, died at the age of six years, while his parents were upon a visit to Ohio, and was buried there. Lee, the third son, died in infancy; Cora, the eldest daughter, lives with her parents, and is at present engaged as head trimmer in a mili- nery establishment in the city. James, the second son, aged thirty-three years, was married to Cora Hunter, to them was born one son, Donald. James was second mate for Captain Sayers on the "Andasta." He fell from this boat and was drowned Novem- ber 17, 1904. Clair, the youngest son, is twenty-one years of age, unmarried, lives at home. He is a member of Co. F, M. N. G., Captain Frank C. Ives, commanding. He has the position of bugler.
In politics Mr. Neeley is a Republican, and has held several positions of trust and re- sponsibility at the hands of his fellow towns- men. For fifteen years he served as Cons- table, and for twelve years Deputy Sheriff, was also City Marshal for one year. Mr. Neeley is an active Grand Army man, being a member of Steel Bros. Post, and at the present time Treasurer of that organization. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and holds the office of Chaplain.
Mr. and Mrs. Neeley are members of the M. E. church, Mrs. Neeley having been very active in Sunday School work as a teacher almost continuously for the past quarter of a century. She is a most estimable lady, and has exerted a helpful influence over the young people who have been under her in- struction. For several years she served the church officially as steward, always faithful in the discharge of every duty imposed.
This is indeed but a brief outline of the activities of these lives. Much that is left unwritten must be read between the lines.
JUDGE EDWARD CAHILL. /
Judge Edward Cahill is one of the promi- nent and foremost members of Michigan's bar. His life has been devoted to labors wherein wealth and influence availeth little. the measure of success depending upon men- tality, ability, both natural and acquired and the broad culture of the individual. Posses- sing the requisite qualities of the able lawyer, Judge Cahill has advanced to a position of prominence and his reputation has not been limited by the confines of this locality., as he ranks with the ablest lawyers and jurists of the State. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on the 3rd day of August, 1843, and is the son of Abraham and Frances Maria Cahill.
The early education of Judge Cahill was acquired in the common schools of his native city, which was later supplemented by a partial collegiate course in the Kalamazoo College. At the youthful age of thirteen, he practically started out in life for himself, be- coming a page or messenger boy in the State legislature during the sessions of 1857, '58 and '59. The intervening vacations found him employed in various occupations. In 1860 he went into the office of the "Kalama- zoo Gazette," where he spent the following two years, learning the trade of a printer.
In 1862, shortly after the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted in Co. A, 89th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but served only about six months. He was discharged for disability early in 1863. In the fall of the same year he reentered the service as First Lieutenant in the 102nd U. S. Colored troops, Co. C, and became Captain of Co. D. He saw considerable active service and
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made and sustained a reputation as a brave and efficient officer. After the close of the war he received an honorable discharge after a service of more than two years in this regiment. He returned to St. Johns, Michigan, which was then the home of his mother, and was there admitted to the bar in 1866. In the fall of 1866 he removed to Hubbardston, in Ionia county, where he remained for four years, but. be- lieving that greater possibilities were exist- ing in the rapidly growing city of Chicago, he removed to that city in June, 1871. Here he engaged in practice, which was seri- ously interrupted by the disastrous Chicago fire, occurring October 9, 1871, in which he lost his entire library. He remained in Chi- cago until August, 1873, when he removed to Lansing. He formed a partnership with Judge Albert E. Cowles in 1875, which was pleasantly and profitably continued until 1881, when our subjet practiced alone for the following three years, or until January I, 1884, when a partnership was formed with Russell C. Ostrander and J. J. Baird. Mr. Baird, however, retired from the firm after a brief period. The association of Ca- hill and Ostrander was continued until 1898, when the Judge formed a partnership with Clark C. Wood, which relationship he still maintains.
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