USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 28
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way a prosperous farmer. In politics, he votes the Republican ticket and gives his hearty support to the principles of his party. He has served his town as School Director and Path Master. Socially, Mr. Beeman is connected with the order of Modern Wood- men.
GEORGE P. BAILEY.
The subject of this sketch for more than half a century has been one of the promi- nent and highly respected citizens of Bunker Hill township. George Bailey was born in Orange county, Vermont, January 24, 1835, and was the son of James S. and Betsey (Bonfield) Bailey. His parents were natives of England, where the father was born in 1807. Three Bailey brothers came from England before the Revolutionary War and settled in the State of Vermont. James S. Bailey was the son of one of these brothers. .
George Bailey was one of a family of seven children. His parents came to Mich- igan when he was but three years of age and settled at Union City. He grew to man- hood amidst rural surroundings and early adopted agriculture as his avocation in life. Leaving school when but a lad, he found em- ployment as a farm hand and although re- ceiving but nominal wages for his services, by the practice of economy, he was enabled each year to lay by something for future in- vestment. It was in 1852 that he made his first purchase of land and this was in the Township of Bunker Hill. The land was practically in a state of nature, but upon this he built a log cabin and for one year lived alone.
On November 14, 1854 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Harriet L., daughter of Daniel H. and Delia S. Beers of Bunker Hill. The Beers were natives of the Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey im-
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GEO. W. ARCHER
MRS. GEO. W. ARCHER
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
mediately began housekeeping in the log house, in which they lived for three years, then sold and bought where they now live, and in 1887 built the residence in which they now reside. Mr. Bailey being a man of strong constitution, cleared away with his own trusty axe the forests, and today his is one of the pleasant and attractive rural homes of his township.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born nine children : Lizzie, June 1, 1857, married Alfred Atherton, died February 27, 1884; Della, March 8, 1859, lives at home; Orris Alonzo, November 30, 1860, died August 23, 1863; Anna Francellia, July 29, 1864, died March 10, 1866; Amy Ellen, April 17, 1866, married in 1888 to Ethan DeCamp and has three children, Winnona, Leola and Norris; George Wesley, April II, 1868, lives at Battle Creek, where he is taking a thorough medical course; Hattie Elmina, April 5, 1870, died June 15, 1870; Vina Zella, born August II, 1871, married Arthur DeCamp, who lives three-quarters of a mile away on the home farm; Elton J., April II, 1874, married Lulu Williams and is successfully engaged in running a store at Bunker Hill Center.
In the year 1864, Mr. Bailey recognizing the need of religion to a successful and happy life, joined the Seventh Day Adventists at Felts school house. Today this church has on its roll forty members, while at its organ- ization only the following were its followers : James DuBois, Lovina Fuller, Chauncey Smith and wife, Sarah Philo, Joshua Philo and wife, David Hodges (Elder), Oliver Janes and wife, Welcome Landfair and wife, Jacob DeCamp. Delia S. Beers, Amy Curry, Charles Briggs and wife, David Freeland and wife, Hollis Clark and wife, David Briggs and Emma Talmadge.
Mr. George Bailey was a leader and the treasurer for sixteen years and in 1883 was
ordained elder of the church, which position he still holds. Our subject's life has ever been guided by the teachings of his church and he lives in the high esteem of his fellow men.
GEORGE W. ARCHER.
Known throughout the length and breadth of Ingham county, George W. Archer stands today for sixty years' residence in this locality. He was born on the 25th day of July, in 1838, in the Empire State and when three months old, his father, Bezaleel Archer, emigrated to Michigan, ar- riving in 1840 in Bunker Hill township. Bezaleel Archer was a native of New York, his natal day being April 1, 1811, and there married Ann Grant, also a native of that state, whose birth occurred on February I, 1819. The father here secured a tract of land, which contained one hundred and forty acres of timber land, and erecting his pio- neer home, a log house, twenty by twenty- four feet in dimensions, he began the de- velopment of his property. This was the seventh house erected in this township. He was not long permitted to enjoy the fruits of his labors, as he departed from this life in 1843, after three years residence. At the time of his location here, this was indeed a pioneer settlement; the Indians were still numerous and wild game were in abundance : during his residence here he killed sixty- three deer. After the father's death, the mother was again married, the second union being with Mr. Orson O. Janes, a native of New York state, who was born in the year 1822 and emigrated to Michigan in 1836. being one of the early pioneer settlers of this locality, dating his residence here from 1840. Upon his arrival here he located in Bunker Hill township. His father had pur- chased eighty acres of land and this the son
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took in charge, completing its developments. In 1861 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Leslie, which was entirely devoid of improvements. This land he developed and placed under cultivation, erecting thereon a log house, twelve by eighteen feet in dimen- sion. Here he lived with his family for eight or ten years, and then erected a larger dwelling of planks with board floors and windows. To this union were born three children, as follows: Eleanor Marion, now deceased : Orson N. and Orrin O. Mr. Janes died in September of 1887, having long sur- vived his wife who died in 1861. In the year of 1861, our subject began farming on his own behalf on the old home place, which now comprises one hundred and ten acres of well improved productive land. This prop- erty has been greatly improved since it came into his possession, as all of the substantial buildings upon the place are evidences of his own efforts.
Great trees now spread their shading branches, planted by his own hand years ago. A commodious dwelling and good barns add a neat, thrifty appearance, where once stood the pioneer dwelling of rough logs hewn out as a shelter from winter storms of pioneer times.
On the first of June in 1865 our subject was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to Miss Melvina Peak, daughter of Philander and Lydia Parmalee Peak, natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively. The year of 1843 witnessed their arrival in Bunker Hill township and they occupied the first house built in the township. This house was built by Abraham Bunker, after whom the town of Bunker Hill was named. The story of the naming is somewhat interest- ing: Mr. Bunker, David Hodg and Noah Clark met one day on a prominent rise of ground and proceeded to discuss a name for the town. About this time Mr. Jonathan
Shearrer appeared on the scene and took part in the discussion. As Mr. Bunker built the first house and the conference was held upon the "mountain" of this locality, Mr. Shearrer suggested the name Bunker Hill, and from that time it has been a reality. Here in Bunker Hill township, Philander Peak purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild and unimproved land. Here he also built his pioneer log house and opened up his land to cultivation and im- provement.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Peak were six children, two of whom are now living :' the eldest, Alfred, is now deceased, also Phylena, the second in order of birth ; Mrs. Archer is the third; while the fourth, Dan- forth, met death in the Battle of Bentonville, having enlisted in the 13th Michigan Volun- teer Infantry ; Alfreda, now the wife of John Whallon of Bunker Hill ; while Phylena, the last, is dead.
To our subject and wife have been born three children : Elma, deceased; Elton P., a resident of Bunker Hill, and Erma, de- ceased. In connection with general farm- ing, our subject has been extensively en- gaged in buying and selling wool, and has probably handled more of this commodity than any other man in this portion of this State. Having spent long years in this capacity his acquaintance has naturally been extensive and by no means confined to the borders of his adopted county.
Mr. Archer has shown an independent in- terest in the advancement of education and has effectually served his township as School Director. In politics he is independent, vot- ing for the man and measures best qualified for good substantial government. Pleasing in manner, he is well known and well liked, and no man stands higher in the estimation of his numerous acquaintances than George W. Archer.
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
FREDERICK M. ALSDORF.
One of the most prominent citizens of Lansing is Frederick M. Alsdorf, who has been actively connected with its business af- fairs for over twenty years. He belongs to that class of representative men, who while promoting individual interests also ad- vanced the general welfare. Energetic and progressive in business life, he has at the same time represented activity in pub- lic interests and has represented his ward as Alderman, being elected on the Demo- cratic ticket, in the face of an ordinarily Republican majority.
Frederick M. Alsdorf is a native of this State, his birth having occurred in Pontiac on the 23d day of May, 1854. He is a son of Cyrus and Loretta E. Alsdorf, of whom extensive mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Accompanying his parents to Lan- sing at the early age of five, his education was acquired at the Townsend Street school of the capital city. Under the guidance of his worthy father, he eventually became pos- sessed of a thorough knowledge of the drug business, becoming identified in this at the early age of sixteen years.
The firm of Cyrus Alsdorf & Son was too well known to require any particular mention in this volume and it is sufficient to say that Frederick M. is a worthy successor of a worthy father.
In 1876 our subject was united in mar- riage to Miss Ella Darrin, a daughter of Dr. Knapp Darrin. This union has been blessed with three children, the eldest Grace, now the wife of H. L. Stanton ; the second, Louise, who became the wife of George H. Beach of Detroit, died May 24, 1904 ; tlie last, Richard, is at home.
Mr. Alsdorf occupies a prominent position in Lansing, socially, commercially and polit- ically, and in addition to having served his
city as Alderman he was also a member of the School Board for two years. He is all active and influential member of the Masonic order of Lansing, having attained the Knights Templar degree and is also a member of the Elks and several other orders. He is a man possessed of many warm friends and, it is possible, some enemies, as what man has not who possesses any force of character? As a citizen he is ever ready to assist in any and everything that will tend to the advancement of his adopted county and city, and evidence of that interest is shown on every hand.
CHARLES HENRY CARPENTER.
Charles Henry Carpenter is a prosperous farmer of White Oak township, and was born in Herkimer, N. Y., April 8, 1847. He was the son of Artemus and Hanna (Monk) Carpenter. The father was born in New York and the mother June 7, 1818, at New York, and died September 24, 1886.
Our subject's mother and step-father, Thomas Gillam, came to Michigan in 1852 and bought eighty acres of land in White Oak, where our subject now lives. About thirty acres of this piece of property were improved and upon it were a log house and barn. Here they made their home until their death. Our subject is one of ten chil- dren, seven of whom are now living : Salathiel B. Gillam, born March 6, 1839. and died at the age of thirty years. He served in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry dur- ing the latter part of the war, where he con- tracted a disease which caused his death. His wife was Sarah Ellen Karney, and both are deceased; Rebecca Amanda, born De- cember 10, 1841, was the wife of Reuben French, she now lives in California ; Betsey Amelia, born December 22. 1843, the wife of John Pulling of White Oak; Theresa
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Maria, born April 27, 1845, the wife of Augustus Jastopher, lives in Unadilla, Michigan ; Charles H. Carpenter, our sub- ject ; Malon Van Ransæller, born July 12, 1850, married Lena Austin who is deceased and he still lives in Grand Ledge: Martha Ann Gillam, born March 5, 1852; Thomas J., born February 22, 1854, married to Ella Carter of White Oak; Wallace Adelbert, born November 9. 1857, died at the age of two years; Edgar Milton, born September 9, 1859, died November 15, 1904. His wife was Ida M. Burgess.
At the age of nineteen years our subject left home and started our for himself in the world. He was educated in the district schools of White Oak, receiving just what advantages were to be had in the coun- try schools of those days. He drove a team and worked by the month on a farm and also worked in a mill for seven years, and during this time purchased eighty acres of wild land in White Oak.
May 18, 1875, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Victoria, daughter of Daniel and Maria (Bullock) Dutcher, na- tives of New York. Mrs. Carpenter was born November 3, 1847. The mother was born January 2. 1809 while the father's birth occurred September 1, 1805. The parents were married at Yates, New York, April 13, 1826, and were first settlers of White Oak.
Mr. and Mrs. Dutcher were the parents of eleven children : Elizabeth, born January 15, 1828, died January 15, 1892. She was the wife of Reuben Young of Williamston, and the mother of four children; Benonia, born November 22, 1829, dies in infancy ; Daniel T., born October 17, 1831, lives near the old homestead in White Oak; Joseph Atwood, born January 3. 1834, died Sep- tember 6, 1902, married Matilda Townsend ; Abagail, born December 19. 1835, the wife
of George Wilson, who died in the civil war. Her second husband was Elias Clark ; Stephen, born November 8, 1837, died March 23, 1866, married Martha Clickner. Stephen served in the civil war and there contracted diseases which caused his death ; Israel, born October 19, 1839, died Decem- ber 27, 1862, married Cynthia Dix; Mary Maria, born' October 3, 1841, married Wal- ter Van Buren, and was the mother of two children. Her second husband was William Z. Secord; Patience, born June 2, 1843, married Edgar Van Buren of White Oak; Olive born May 30, 1845, was the wife of Myron Van Buren of Stockbridge; and our subject's wife.
After the marriage of our subject and wife they moved on their eighty acre farm in White Oak, built a frame house and barn, cleared up the land, and otherwise improved the farm and lived there until 1889, when they moved to their present farm of seventy-eight acres, formerly owned by his parents. Here our subject has built a large frame house and barns and otherwise improved the place. To our subject and wife were born four children: Abbie Anna, February 25, 1877, married to William Gauss and they live in White Oak, and are the parents of two children, Leota Naomi, October 4, 1898, and Charles Cecil, August 17, 1902. Lettie Naomi, born August 21, 1879, is the wife of James D. Kitchen of Stockbridge township; Olive Ida, August 31, 1882, the wife of Earle C. Walker, and they have' two children: Clifton H., April 8, 1903, and Bernice Mattie, April 23, 1904. Mattie Victoria, born July 23, 1888, at home.
Our subject is very active in the interests of the Republican party and for three terms has served as Justice of the Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter attend the M. P. church and are active in the interests of all work that
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tend to the upbuilding of the community. Mr. Carpenter is fraternally connected with the I. O. O. F. and a valued member of the order.
CYRUS ALSDORF (DECEASED).
The subject of this review was one of the earlier pioneer settlers of this county, hav- ing become a resident here in 1856. He is a descendant of the Alsdorfs who were among the original patentees of what was known as the Holland Land Purchase. He was a native of the Empire state, being born in Ulster county on the 14th day of October of 1825. When at the age of eight years, his parents, Levi and Mary A. Alsdorf, re- moved to Genesee county, N. Y., and it was in this locality that he acquired his early . education and here he attained manhood and was united in marriage, in Wyoming coun- ty, N. Y., to Loretta Melcher, daughter of Samuel Melcher, who was a pioneer of this State from Vermont. Mrs. Alsdorf was born in 1829, and their marriage was cele- brated on the 6th day of June, 1847. In 1853 they emigrated to Michigan and set- tled in Pontiac. He was there employed in the freight office of the Detroit and Pon- tiac railroads. Two years later he came to Ingham county.
On taking up his residence in Lansing in 1858, he accepted a position as foreman in the Reform School. In this capacity he con- tinued until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he became a member of the 14th Michigan Infantry, as a musician in the regimental band. After serving two years in that capacity, he was returned home on account of disability. Having in a measure recovered his good health, he re-enlisted in 1864 and served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged and mustered out, when he came home and organized a
band in the Reform School, which became one of the best known in the State. He was also assistant superintendent of this school under the Rev. Charles Johnson. The Board of Control of that time consisted of George W. Lee, James I. Mead and D. L. Crossman. Mrs. F. J. Sargent was matron ; Mrs. M. J. Hoag, assistant matron and I. H. Bartholomew, physician.
In 1870 Mr. Alsdorf resigned his posi- tion and opened up his drug store. This business was a success from the start, and in 1882, Frederick M., the son, was taken in as an active partner and the firm became known as "C. Alsdorf and Son."
In February, 1885, a disastrous fire con- sumed this block, but this firm never stopped business for a moment. On the following morning they rented another store and be- fore the day was over they were continuing their business, and on the following July they were back in the old location, occupy- ing their new headquarters, where the busi- ness was carried on under the firm of the name of "C. Alsdorf and Son" until the fall of 1894, when Cyrus Alsdorf announced his retirement from the business. He had felt for some time that his declining years should be relieved from active cares. For twenty-two years he had been successfully engaged in the drug business on the same site, and through his close application to his business interests he was able to acquire a comfortable competence. He was not per- mitted, however, to long enjoy the fruits of his former toil, as he departed this life the 10th of May. 1895, his death being the result of a disease contracted in the army.
The deceased was known to all as an up- right man of strict integrity, who had lead a blameless life. Mr. Alsdorf had always been deeply interested in the city's growth and development, and was an open-hearted citizen and an earnest advocate of the
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county's advancement, and in all the rela- tions of life he was found true and faithful to every trust imposed in him. He was pro- moted while at Tuscumbia, Ala. to the leadership of a band of the First Brigade, Second Division of the 14th Army Corps. which was commanded by Gen. James D. Morgan. He served through the battles of Corinth and the campaigns of 1862 and 1863. while participating in the battles of Stony River and Chicamaugua. The second en- listment, which occurred in the spring of 1864, was under the command of Gen. Schofield. He was affiliated with the Re- publican party, believing its men and meas- ures best adapted for good government. In local politics he took an active and helpful part and was a member of the Council for two years.
Mr. Alsdorf is survived by a widow and three children, namely: Frank, of Minne- sota ; Frederick, a resident of Lansing, and Mrs. Charles L. Seeley, of Lansing.
Cyrus Alsdorf was a public spirited. pro- gressive citizen, and one of the substantial business men of Lansing. In all the rela- tions of life he was found true to every trust imposed in him.
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JAMES APPLEYARD (DECEASED).
James Appleyard figured so conspicuously in connection with the public building inter- ests, business activity and substantial de- velopment of the capital city for many years, that no history of the locality would be com- plete without the record of his career.
To say of him -that he arose from com- parative obscurity to rank among the most successful engineers and contractors of the country, is a statement that seems trite to those familiar with his life.
Beginning at the bottom of the ladder, he steadily rose step by step until he occu-
pied a position of trust and prominence in his chosen profession, reached by few.
A native of England, James Appleyard was born in Yorkshire, February 24, 1834. At the age of seventeen he accompanied his parents, George Thomas and Ann Apple- yard, on their emigration to America. Their first location in this country was at Roches- ter. N. Y., where the son James followed his business of master builder, which he had begun in England.
In 1856 he became identified with N. Osborn & Co. as superintendent of construc- tion of the Milwaukee and Chicago post- offices. Becoming a member of the firm in 1860, he took charge in the years following of building the postoffice and custom house at Baltimore, the city hall in Detroit, and the State capitol at Lansing. At the com- pletion of the capitol, the firm of Osborn & Co. was dissolved.
Besides many smaller enterprises, he superintended the construction of the Hoyt library at Saginaw, the library of the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and the union depot at Detroit.
Mr. Appleyard was married in 1856 to Miss Johanna Lysaght of Canandaigua, N. Y., who became the mother of three chil- dren: William P. Appleyard of Chicago, George T. Appleyard of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Elizabeth, who died at the age of fifteen. Mrs. Appleyard died at Lansing in 1873.
Mr. Appleyard's second wife was Miss Augusta Sanborn, of Appleton. Wis., who bore him three children : Johanna, Mrs. Ed- win Malloy of Lansing. Mich .; Frances, who died in infancy, and Louis L. Apple- yard of Schenectady, N. Y.
The subject of this sketch began life for himself when but a very young man, and throughout his business career he was looked upon as a man of the highest integ-
JAMES APPLEYARD
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rity. He stood for all that was fair to his fellowmen, and faithfully executed every trust reposed in him.
He was an example of the highest skill in his profession, combined with the great- est degree of business integrity, capacity and strength of character. He gave generously to the public good, was faithful in friend- ship, devoted to his family, and stood high as a type of chivalrous American manhood.
After an illness of three years, his death occurred on the 29th day of June, 1896, and his remains were interred in St. Mary's cemetery at Lansing. A man of genuine worth, he was honored and respected by all who knew him.
ROBERT BELL (DECEASED).
The quiet, unostentatious work of the modest citizens and sturdy industrious work- ers of any community, is more fully prized no doubt after they have gone hence, and these very qualities which made them es- teemed and beloved should be kept in mind and presented for the emulation of the young, for such character is of more worth than many traits which shine with greater brilliancy.
Robert Bell was a native of Scotland, hav- ing been there born in 1834, and came with his parents to this country in his third year. They settled in Ohio, where our subject re- ceived his early education in the common schools. The father was a farmer and this vocation our subject followed during his life- time. Robert Bell enlisted in the 2nd Ohio Regiment for three years and at the expira- tion of this term, which began in 1861, he re-enlisted and served until the close of the war. He saw much hard service and en- dured the hardships common to the soldier's life and suffered a great deal from exposure and hard service. The government event-
ually recognizing his valiant work granted him a pension of two dollars per month, which was afterward raised to twelve dol- lars a short time before his death, which occurred April 13, 1894.
Mrs. Bell now receives a pension of eight dollars per month. Mr. Bell enlisted Aug. 28, 1861, re-enlisted Feb. 13, 1864, at War- ren, in the 52nd Ohio, and was discharged and mustered out Sept. 4, 1864, at Tod Bar- racks, Columbus. Mr. Bell bravely followed the fortunes of his regiment and was en- gaged in several hard fought battles and was never in a hospital.
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