USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 30
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The oldest Diamond was a most genial, companionable man, was a mechanic by trade and many substantial structures, houses and barns in the vicinity are evidences of his handiwork. He, after marriage, settled upon the farm now owned by his son. The improvements having their beginning with the father have been carried steadily for- ward by the son, until today the Diamond farm consists of one hundred and sixty broad acres under a fine state of cultiva- tion, with improved breeds of cattle, sheep
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and hogs, with neat and commodious frame buildings overlooking the entire estate, mak- ing it one of the most desirable country homes of the county. At the age of twenty years, with his mother and sister as home keepers, William Diamond started farming for himself, and being to the manor born, has made a success of it.
He was married Sept. 25, 1895, to Miss Selora Dunsmore. To them one child, a son was born September 29, 1898.
His home is still the home of his mother, who knows the blessedness of having a duti- ful son to lean upon in her declining years.
In politics Mr. Diamond has always been an enthusiastic Republican, believing in what his party advocated, having unbounded faith in it to manage the affairs of the state and nation for the best interests of the peo- ple.
He has served as Town Treasurer most acceptably, and will doubtless, if he con- sents, honor the ticket with his name for more important positions yet many times in the years to come.
He is identified with the F. & A. M. of Mason Lodge No. 70. As all intelligent, progressive farmers should do, he takes commendable pride in the fact that he is "lined up" with the organization of the Grange, believing it to be the one national order whose fundamental principle is the ele- vation of the farmer, intellectually, morally and financially. Although not united with any church society, Mr. Diamond by the up- rightness of his life and character teaches the lessons of morality and virtue to the limit of his influence.
This brief outline of the life and character of William A. Diamond would be incom- plete without a record of the fact that he was the grandson of Henry A. Hawley, one of the early pioneers of the county. All old residents are familiar with the location
of the Hawley farm about three miles east of the City of Mason. Mr. Hawley was a man of marked energy, well informed upon the general topics of the day and bearing al- ways a character above reproach. He cleared away the forest, improved the land and erec- ted substantial farm buildings. He kept "open house" always and many a weary land looker has found here a comfortable lodging for the night. He contributed gen- erously, both in money and labor, to any enterprise that he deemed helpful to the community. A brief autobiography of him published in a History of Ingham County, a book that also contains a portrait of Mr. Hawley and a bird's eye view of his farm and buildings, says of him, "Where the pub- lic welfare seemed to demand it, he has con- sulted neither comfort nor convenience, but has worked a strong and willing hand. Since attaining his majority, he has never failed to present himself at the pools on elec- tion day. always casting his vote with the same party-old line-Whig and Republi- can. His religious faith has always been of the truly liberal type. He died some years since honored and respected by a large circle of acquaintances."
JOHNSON W. HAGADORN, M. D.
Dr. Johnson W. Hagadorn, a well-known physician of Lansing, prominent not only as a private practitioner, but for his long official connection with the School for the Blind and the Industrial School, is the second in a family of five children, his younger brother being Dr. Alex. D. Haga- dorn, whose biography also appears in this volume. His parents were William and Nancy Hagadorn, both natives of New York. His father, who was a farmer, loca- ted at South Lyons in 1833, being a young man of twenty-five, and taking up one hun-
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dred acres of Government land, founded the homestead where he and his wife lived and died and where our subject himself was born. The mother died in 1883, November 15 ; the father, June 13, 1879.
Dr. Hagadorn was born at South Lyons, Oakland county, Michigan, September 9, 1839. He acquired his early education in its district schools, afterward taking a three years' course at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. During his senior year at the lat- ter institution he commenced the study of medicine. His schooling was by no means continuous, as he lacked the means to pur- sue uninterrupted courses and was too inde- pendent to borrow of relatives or friends. His plan, which he persistently followed, was to teach for one year and spend the next as a student. Even then, he was often obliged to practice the strictest economy, as well as take any kind of work which he could find to do. A portion of the time, while at Ypsilanti, he sub-rented a room and did his own cook- ing. Jobs of wood sawing were always wel- come at this period of his life. He has ever been an enthusiastic friend of athletics and while at the State Normal, his slender income was slightly increased by his director- ship of the athletic department.
After a three years' course in the medical department of the State University, Dr. Hagadorn graduated with the class of 1870, many years afterward taking post-graduate work at the Eye and Ear Infirmary and Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1889. Although he practiced some before gradua- tion, his regular work did not commence un- til his location, after he had received his de- gree, at Ovid, Clinton county, Michigan. In the fall of 1873 he removed to Lansing, and established in that city a substantial and se- lect practice, having been physician to the School for the Blind for seven years and
the Industrial School for eleven years.
The doctor is identified with the Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge No. 33, and is also a member of the Elks. He is a Republican in politics and although he is connected with no special church, is a Protestant in belief and an upholder of strict morality. In the fall of 1866 Dr. Hagadorn was married to Miss Dora Raymond, daughter of Stephen Raymond of Adrian, Michigan.
ALEXANDER D. HAGADORN, M. D.
Dr. Hagadorn, who enjoys a lucrative practice among some of the best people of Lansing, was born in Oakland county, Mich- igan, on the 28th day of February, 1843. His father, William, was a native of Steu- ben county, N. Y., the date of his birth be- ing March 4, 1809. In 1833 (he was then a vigorous young farmer of twenty-four) he mounted his horse and started from his New York home for some friends who had settled at Northville, Oakland county, Mich- igan. He completed the long, tedious trip on horseback, remained there with his friends for a short time and returned to the East. But, like thousands of others, when he had once breathed the large freedom of the West, he was irresistibly attracted to the country ; so, during the following year, he again started for Oakland county, and final- ly took up one hundred acres of Government land at South Lyons. He cleared and im- proved the tract, continuing to engage in farming there until his death, June 13, 1879.
Of the five children in the family, the old- est was Wesley, who was born April 7, 1838, and died June 9, 1888. A sketch of John- son W. Hagadorn, the second child, appears elsewhere in this volume. Mary, the third, was born July 18, 1841, and, as the wife
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of Lucien Lovewell, a stockbuyer, is liv- ing a Royal Arch, Blue Lodge No. 33 and ing at South Lyons. Dr. Hagadorn was the Lansing Commandery No. 25. He is also a leader in the Methodist church, being a trus- tee in the local organization. fourth, and Albert, the fifth child, who was born July 31, 1845, is a farmer in Lansing township.
The mother of our subject, Nancy, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., November 9, 1814, and died in South Lyons, Michi- gan, November 15, 1883. The grand- mother of our subject was a cousin of P. T. Barnum, the showman.
As the name implies, the Hagadorns were of German extraction, the founders of the New York branch of the family being three brothers, who emigrated from the Father- land in 1700, and settled in the Empire state. John Hagadorn, a son of this trio, was born in 1785, came to Michigan with his son, the father of our subject, and died in 1851.
Dr. Hagadorn acquired his early educa- tion at the district schools of Oakland coun- ty, taking a higher course at the State Nor- mal School, Ypsilanti. He entered the in- stitution in 1861, remaining three years. For two years he was principal of the schools in Armada, Macomb county, and also held the same position in the schools of Algonac, St. Clair county, Michigan.
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Having by this means obtained sufficient means to insure a medical education, he en- tered Michigan University, and in 1871 graduated with his degree, M. D. He be- gan the practice of his profession at Mil- ford, Oakland county, where he remained busily and profitably engaged for ten years. In 1881 he removed to Lansing and his practice and his reputation have steadily in- creased.
Dr. Hagadorn is a Republican, and his popularity and his skill as a physician are evidenced by the fact that he has already served as Health Officer for two years. He is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, be-
On May 20, 1874, Dr. Hagadorn was uni- ted in marriage to Theodosia Rowe of Oak- land county, the daughter of Squire and Dolly Rowe. The mother, at the age of eighty-seven, is making her home with the doctor and his wife. The latter is a native of Highland, Oakland county, where she was born in 1849.
To Doctor and Mrs. Hagadorn have been born three children: Grace R., who was born October 31, 1875, is the wife of Harry Reed, teacher of chemistry in the State Agri- cultural College. She is a graduate of Lan- sing high school, also of Albion College. The second child, Herbert A. Hagadorn, was born June 17, 1877, graduated from the Agricultural College, and is an electrical engineer at the works of the General Elec- tric Company, Schenectady, N. Y. Dana, born May 10, 1889, is a student at the Lan- sing high school.
E. F. HOUSE.
The subject of this sketch was born July 17, 1859, in New York. He was the son of Jacob and Emma (Gates) House. His par- ents were natives of the Empire state, where his father was born December 6, 1824, and the mother, July 26, 1821. His parents were married in New York, March 30, 1847, and came to Michigan in 1860, settling in Clinton county, where the father is still liv- ing. He bought eighty acres of wild land which he improved and has since sold and at present owns no land at all. He later purchased land in Ingham county, which is now owned by his son, E. F. House.
There were seven children in this family
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and all but one are living : Wm. Miles, børn February 24, 1848, a resident of North Dakota; Truman Marian, born May 5, 1849, resides at Avon, N. Y .; Sarah L., March 29, 1852, died February 24, 1874; she was the wife of Perry Landon of New York; Emma B., born November 18, 1853, lives with her family in Clinton county, Michigan ; Francis Wisner, born March 24, 1856, now a resident of North Dakota; Mary Elizabeth. born March 24, 1861, mar- ried Hugh Moulton of Bannister, Michigan, and E. F. House, subject of this sketch.
Mr. House was but eighteen years of age when he started in life for himself. March 5, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Nettie, daughter of G. W. and Mrs. Gulick, a sketch of whose lives is given elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. House has greatly improved the premises where he now resides, having erec- ted buildings, cleared up the land and made it one of the pleasant homes and productive farms of the county. But one child has come to bless the lives of Mr. and Mrs. House, Edna, born February II, 1885, now a student of the high school at Williamston. Mr. House makes quite a remarkable state- ment of fact in asserting that he belongs to no fraternal or other society, that he never held any office and is not identified with any church. He seems to carve out for himself a path, socially, morally and intellectually to his own liking.
HON. MARTIN HANLON.
Martin Hanlon was born in the Empire State, August 7, 1853. He was the son of Felix and Catherine ( Blake) Hanlon, both natives of Ireland. They came to this coun- try and settled first in New York. The father was a shoemaker by trade and has fol- lowed this occupation through life.
In 1863 Mr. Felix Hanlon moved with his family to Huron county, Canada, where he is still living at the advanced age of sev- enty-seven years.
Our subject was the oldest of a family of eleven children. He remained at home with his parents until sixteen years of age, when he came to Lapeer county, Michigan, his first occupation being that of night boy in a livery barn, after which he learned the black- smith's trade, at which he spent six and a half years.
At the age of twenty-three our subject was deeply impressed with the importance of an education, and while the way seemed practically hedged up, yet he resolved to make a start. For seven years he pursued his studies, working his way through with- out asking favors of anyone. In this was clearly manifested the spirit of his ancestry. Graduating from the Almont high school, he immediately proceeded to take a course in the State Normal, from which he grad- uated with honor in the class of 1882. Feel- ing himself fairly well equipped for teach- ing, he came to Williamston and was en- gaged as superintendent of the high school, which position he occupied with most grati- fying results to himself and to the patrons of the school. Here he remained for three years.
In 1884 our subject was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary, daughter of W. H. Webb of Manchester, Washtenaw county. To them were born four children, only one of whom is living. Mrs. Hanlon departed this life in 1895. Mr. Hanlon's son, Harold WV., is now taking a literary course at the U. of M. combined with law, both of which he completes within six years.
Mr. Hanlon's social standing can be judged largely by the confidence he has re- ceived from his fellow citizens since he be- came a resident of Williamston. In the year
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HON. MARTIN HANLON
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1886 Mr. Hanlon engaged in the drug trade and has been in this business ever since. His stock consists of a complete line of drugs, wall paper, books and stationery. In this business he has met with satisfactory success. He has filled the offices of School Trustee, Councilman of the Village and Jus- tice of the Peace. He filled the position of Commissioner of Schools of Ingham county from 1897 to 1901.
Mr. Hanlon is a progressive spirit of the Republican party and always takes an active interest in politics. At the last general elec- tion he was chosen Representative from the second district of Ingham county to the State Legislature, taking his seat January I, 1905.
Mr. Hanlon is in every respect a self made man, and he may justly be proud of the fact that he, secured a good, classical education by his own energy and persever- ance. He is a member of the fraternal or- ganization of Masons. He is an all round, first-class citizen-a man whom the people delight to honor, and one in whom they have never been disappointed.
CHARLES C. HALE.
Charles C. Hale, who is the fortunate owner of one hundred and two and a half acres of fine land in Wheatfield township, is actively engaged in the pursuit of the varied duties which fall to him as an agricul- turist. Not only has he been successful fi- nancially, but in the better sense of that word, he has been successful in gaining the esteem of all his acquaintances and it is the universal testimony that he enjoys the high- est respect of his fellow citizens.
Several years ago there resided in the State of New York, Justice and Miss ( El- liott) Hale, the former being born there March 16, 1816, and the latter in 1821.
These estimable people were the parents of three children, the first being Charles C., the subject of this sketch, whose birth oc- curred in 1841 on the 8th day of April; the second, Smith, born November 12, 1842, and the third, Luther, born October 2, 1847.
When our subject was but one year old, the parents moved from New York to Ohio, where they bought one hundred and twenty acres of wild land from the government for ten shillings per acre. Justice L. Hale was a Whig, but never sought office.
The spirit of patriotism was evident in the family as our subject's two brothers, Smith and Luther, enlisted in the Ohio regiment at the opening of the civil war and died of sickness before the war was ended.
The early education of our subject was acquired in the district schools of Ohio, but was somewhat limited, as he was obliged to leave school at the age of ten years. He came to Michigan and settled on the farm on which he still resides, in the year 1864. This farm was in a raw state when he came into possession of it, and he cleared this, built good buildings and made all the im- provements, which now adorn the place.
On the 4th of June, 1865, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hale to Betsey Kent, daughter of Jeremiah Kent, a native of New York. Mrs. Hale was born December 22, 1835, and was one of six children, four of whom are still living. Mrs. Hale's father, Jeremiah Kent, was born in 1801 and died in 1865, while her mother passed away at the age of sixty years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hale were born two children, but both died while they were yet infants.
Politically, the origin of this sketch is a Democrat. Mr. Hale has taken care of lıim- self since a young lad and in his younger days he was denied educational facilities, but he has had the pluck to make amends
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for such deficiencies and as a result of his good business ability has prospered finan- cially. Progressive in every respect, he is esteemed by all who know him.
DIGBY V. BELL.
The name of Bell is inseparably inter- woven with the pioneer history of not only Ingham county, but also the great State of Michigan. The father of our subject, Digby V. Bell, Sr., came to Ingham county at an early date or about the time that the capitol was built and served in the official capacity of Auditor General of the State. He was a native of the British West Indies, where his boyhood and youth were spent until he was twelve years of age. At this time he was ap- prenticed to a captain of a sailing vessel, and he followed the sea for the next six years. He then embarked for New York and was married to a Miss Sarah Hamm. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, six sons and three daughters.
After the termination of his office as Audi- tor General he took up his residence in the city of Detroit and there engaged in the flour and feed business for two years, at the expiration of which time he went to Chicago and established a commercial college for young men. He continued in the manage- ment of this institution for some years, when he finally sold out and returned to New York city and there remained until 1867, being en- gaged with a son in the brokerage business. It was in this year that he again returned to Michigan, removing to Battle Creek, where he was made Postmaster, which office he held until his death.
General, as a clerk, and he remained in that capacity for several years. In 1851 he was united in marriage to Miss Eugenia Thomas, a daughter of John Thomas, an old pioneer resident of Lansing. Mrs. Bell was a native of the Empire State and was a child of but three years when she accompanied her par- ents to this State. At the age of fourteen she became a resident of Lansing and there be- came a student in the young ladies' school, an educational institution which was capably conducted by a Miss Jones.
Unto our subject and his wife were born three children, all are deceased, the eldest, Louis E., a young man of more than ordi- nary accomplishments, possessing a splendid voice, died in 1884 in Italy ; the second, J. W., died in 1900 in the City of Detroit ; the third, Digby V., departed this life in the City of Lansing, in 1896. He had married Miss Rose K. McKensey, and unto them were born two children, Louis Eugene and Law- rence V.
At the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. Bell offered his services to his country, by enlisting in the 24th Michigan Volunteer In- fantry, in which he was made Quartermaster with the rank of First Lieutenant. He saw three years' active service, being engaged in a number of important battles, chief among them being that of Gettysburg, where he showed great bravery by carrying provisions to his comrades in arms during that memor- able engagement. Serving three years, he resigned his commission, was honorably dis- charged and returned home.
Mr. Bell took an active interest in' politics, using his vote and influence towards the pro- motion of the Republican party. For four years he served as Deputy Collector of Cus- toms and then for ten years was at the head of this office. He was an efficient and faith-
The early boyhood and youth of our sub- ject was spent in Michigan and he received his education in the schools of Detroit. At a very early age, he became identified in his . ful officer, both in his civil and soldier duties. father's office at the time he was Auditor
This worthy man departed this life at his
DIGBY V. BELL
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
home in Detroit in 1891, honored and re- spected by all who knew him. The strong traits of his character were such as to en- dear him to all with whom he came in con- tact. He was a man of broad humanitarian principles and the deserving poor always found in him a friend. He gave generously for the public good, was faithful in friend- ship, devoted to his family and stood as a representative of the highest type of Ameri- can manhood.
EDWIN R. HAWLEY.
A history of Ingham county without the record of the life of the Hawley family would be very incomplete, as much of the improvement and settlement of Bunker Hill township is due to their energy and activity.
In 1842 Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Elizabeth (Bracken) Hawley with their family came from England to Michigan, when the State was a wilderness. They settled on a farm of forty acres in Lindon township, Washte- naw county, near Waterloo village. Four years later they removed to Waterloo, Jack- son county, where they lived until the death of the mother, thirty-three years later. The father then lived with his sons until 1887, when he was married to Mrs. Sarah Adams. From this time he lived at Stockbridge un- till his death, January 18, 1890. In his early life Mr. Hawley was a good Whig, but later he changed to the Republican party.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hawley. Three were born in Eng- land : Joseph, November 11, 1832; Emanuel, August 30, 1837, and Mary, December 31, 1840. One child was born at sea. The sub- ject of this sketch, Mr. E. R. Hawley, was born in Washtenaw county, October 21, 1845.
The early education of Mr. E. R. Hawley was received in a district school and com-
pleted at the close of the war in 1864. He remained at home helping his father on the farm until twenty-eight years of age. At this time he was married to Miss Mary A., daughter of Solomon and Mary Ann (Blake) Dewey, of Waterloo, Michigan, who were both natives of New York. Miss Mary A. was born September 12, 1848.
After his marriage, Mr. Hawley came to live at his present home in Bunker Hill, on section thirty-four; at that time a farm of two hundred acres to which he has since added enough from time to time to make him a farm of five hundred and twenty acres. The houses, barns and all the im- provements are due to the energy and char- acteristic ability of our subject. Today he is the possessor of one of the finest farms in the county, and one of which he may justly feel proud.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hawley have been born two children : Joseph S., February 28, 1874, who is married and lives near the home place and is the father of one child, Edna E., born October II, 1904; and Rob- ert J., born November 15, 1877, who is mar- ried and lives on section twenty-seven in Bunker Hill. He is the father of one child. Mary R., born March 13, 1904.
Mr. Hawley, from his earthly possessions, has provided for his sons, having furnished them each with land, of which they are now in possession. The fact that he was able to start his sons in life and on the road to success must indeed be a comfort to him.
As an evidence of the high esteem in which he is held, Mr. Hawley, although af- filiated with the political party which is about fifty voters in the minority in his town, has served his town seven terms as Supervisor. His name, with all his fellowmen, is a synonym for honesty and integrity. Here in Bunker Hill township his energy and per- severance have made a beautiful home.
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where, surrounded by the comforts and lux- uries which their own hands have won, Mr. and Mrs. Hawley will pass the evening of their days and live in the high esteem of their fellowmen.
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