USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 31
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LEWIS E. IMES, LANSING.
Lewis E. Imes, the Lansing photographer, has one of the most completely and equipped and tastefully arranged studios in the State. He is a native of Illinois, and the son of William L. and Anna Imes, and was born in Macomb, McDonough county. There he acquired his early education, and at the age of eighteen removed to Chicago. In that city he mastered his profession under the well known Edward Hartley, one of the most artistic photographers of the west. He remained with him for three years, after which, working and experimenting as a pro- gressive photographer, he resided in several western cities within the succeeding few years. He located for a short time succes- sively in Davenport, Ia., Deadwood, S. Dak., Denver, Col., and various places in Cali- fornia.
Mr. Imes returned to Chicago, spent a season in Omaha, Neb., and then started for the west. In New York city he entered . publican party, with which he now lines up. the employ of the American Aristotype Co. During the eight years he was connected with this company he made his headquarters in various cities throughout the west, com- ing to Lansing from Kansas City in No- vember, 1899, and establishing the business, which has since developed so rapidly and substantially. He was married in December, 1860, to Ema- line Garber, whose parents came to Michi- gan about the year 1850 and settled in Eaton county, south of Charlotte, on eighty acres of raw land. The father of Mrs. Cooley died about fifteen years ago, and the mother about thirty-five. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooley have been born seven children, of whom five are living.
Our subject joined the Knights of Pythias when he was only twenty-one years of age. He has become a member of the Elks since coming to Lansing, and has been identified with the Boat Club for five years. He is, in fact, one of the most popular of
Lansing's citizens, and his studio is the cen- ter of much social and artistic activity.
NATHAN L. COOLEY.
Nathan L. Cooley, one of the most prom- inent agriculturists of Lansing township was born January 6, 1840, in Lansing township. He is the son of Jacob F. and Lucy (Barnes) Cooley, an extensive history of whose lives is given in connection with the historical portion of this volume, also with the sketch of the life of Lansing J. Cooley.
Nathan Cooley was the third in order of birth in the Cooley family and began attend- ing the district school in Lansing township when he was fourteen years of age. At that time there were only two school houses in four townships. At the age of eighteen he worked the father's farm on shares, and con- tinued at this until he was twenty-one. When he was quite young the father gave him forty acres, and here on section 30 he built a house and made his first home. The land was all timber and he cleared it and added to it, as he prospered, and now owns seventy acres.
For many years our subject was a Demo- crat, but four years ago changed to the Re-
Our subject was elected to the office of Justice of Peace for two terms by the Demo- cratic party and for twenty years was a mem- ber of the School Board. He is a member of the G. A. R. and Patrons of Industry.
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
It is a fact worth noting, that Nathan L. Cooley was the first white child born in Lan- sing township and never wore a pair of shoes until twelve years of age. His uncle Elija Barnes, who was a shoemaker, made him a pair of shoes out of the tops of his father's old ones, and our subject was so proud of them that whenever he would go across a creek, where he could not jump, would take them off and wade across. Once the father found a bee tree and went with the boys to cut it down, and, coming to a stream our subject took off his shoes, as it was warm and put them on the stump of a tree for safe keeping and after cutting the tree re- turned home and forgot the shoes, as he was not used to wearing them. The next morn- ing it was cold and he wanted the shoes but had forgotten where he left them. Our sub- ject and his mother hunted all the day for them, but to no avail, and about a week af- ter, when going through the woods, our sub- ject found the lost shoes and was more pleased than he would be now with a farm.
Nathan Cooley often accompanied his father at night deer hunting in a boat on Grand river. He would put a candle behind a board and point the gun by it and he could see the sights on the gun and not be seen by the deer. He often stayed out until twelve or one o'clock, steering the boat for the fath- er. The father was obliged to go to Eaton Rapids for provisions and once upon going there he had to work after reaching the place to get the necessary money for the provis- ions and after they were bought, made a boat and started down the river with them, and night came on before he reached home and he ran into a rock which split the boat open and everything was dumped into the river. The father waded in and saved the most of the provisions, but the weather was so cold that he was obliged to run up and down the bank to get warm and keep from freezing.
While doing this he heard the bark of a dog and following the sound, came to an Indian camp, when he was invited in and given a place in front of the fire in order to dry himself. Here at this camp the father made warm friends of the Indians and they were closely associated for many years, as is re- corded in the historical part of this volume in the history of the early pioneers.
Our subject was well acquainted with the Indian Chief "Okemos," whose history is given in a pleasing manner elsewhere in the book.
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In 1864 Nathan Cooley enlisted in Co. F. 8th Michigan Cavalry and went into camp at Jackson, Michigan, and from there to the front. They were provided with horses and saddles at Fredericksburg, and from there went to Franklin, Tenn., thence to Pulaski, and from there to Shuel Creek and there engaged in a skirmish with Forest's Cavalry and Hood's army, then fell back to Mt. Pleasant and built a barricade across the road, only parts of three regiments being there. They then stampeded them back across a bridge in the rear. Here they were hemmed in by high stone walls and our sub- ject and about twenty-five others were cap- tured. They then were taken to Anderson- ville Prison, where they were confined from November, 1864, until the close of the war.
After the hardships of the war, in which so many brave men suffered and died. our subject returned to home life.
To our subject and first wife were born the following children : Allen E., born De- cember 31, 1861, married and lives in Lan- sing township; Nathan, died in infancy : Riland G., June 5. 1866, married and lives in Lansing : Stella, May 3. 1868. widow of Jay Parker, lives in Lansing: Ruben Lee, born April 4. 1870, married and lives in Lansing : Della, February 9. 1872, married and lives in Lansing township, and Dora Emaline,
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died in infancy. The mother of this family died March 28, 1875, and July 20, 1876, our subject married Mrs. Adaliza Cadwell at Lansing. Her people were natives of Massa- chusetts where she lived until fifteen years of age, then with the family moved to Ohio, then to Michigan about 1854, and settled in Clinton county. The father of Mrs. Cooley died in August of 1860 and the mother in 1897.
It is undoubtedly a great satisfaction to our subject, who has reached years of maturity, that he can look back over a life spent in struggles to do well for his family and fel- lowmen and feel that those efforts have been recognized by his friends and children and that the world is better for his having lived in it.
GEORGE WEBB (DECEASED).
George B. Webb, now deceased, was for fifty-three years a resident of Aurelius town- ship and was at the time of his death the - oldest settler in this locality. He was a na- tive of England, was born at Summerset Shire on the 14th day of April, 1803, and at the time of his death, March 7, 1890, had arrived at the advanced aged of eight-six years. His early education was acquired in the schools of his native country, but be- lieving that America offered better oppor- tunities for an enterprising and ambitious young man he emigrated, at the age of twenty-two, to the new country and landed in New York, when he proceeded to Syra- cuse, where he engaged in the butcher and dairy business.
At the age of twenty-eight years he was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Cately of Syracuse and to this union were born five children, of whom three are now living, namely : William M., Lucy M., and Martha A., the wife of Jacob Nichols, deceased.
'The wife and mother of these children died at the age of forty-two. It was in 1836 that George B. Webb came to Michigan and settled in Aurelius township and is therefore justly entitled to be classed among the earli- est of pioneer settlers of the county and among the earliest in the State. Here he bought eighty acres of government land and from time to time added to his possessions, as he prospered, until he owned three hur- dred and forty acres of fine farming land. All this he improved, cleared and placed under cultivation, built a good home and comfortable barns and out buildings and be- came known as one of the land marks of the county, famous for his hospitality. In- chians were plenty, and happily, they were kindly disposed. For some time they main- tained a camp upon Mr. Webb's premises. In the earlier years they were the nearest neighbors and most frequent callers.
George B., or "Uncle George," as he was called, was a man of genial and kind dis- position and was known by everybody for miles around. After the death of the first wife, he was again united in marriage, the second union being with Mrs. Lucy Harty of Bunker Hill township of this county, and to this marriage was born one child, L. C. Webb of Mason. Before his death, George Webb gave to his two boys, J. H. and W. M., eighty acres of land each and also gave two grandsons twenty and forty acres re- spectively and to Lucy, now Mrs. Jennings, the old homestead of eighty acres. Of this she later sold forty acres to her brother, William M. Webb. Mrs. Lucy Webb died April 5, 1882, at the age of sixty-six years.
George B. Webb had lived through many scenes and incidents of pioneer times, identi- cal to the early history of this State and even at an early age. While a boy at the time in England he witnessed scenes of carnage by the return of the troops from the famous
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Battle of Waterloo, where he, as a boy of thirteen, was compelled to take his father's team and convey wounded French prisoners who had been captured in this battle and carry them part of the way across England.
An incident worthy of mention, for the benefit of future generations, occurred to George Webb shortly after his arrival in Ingham county. Selecting a tract of land, upon which he desired to make his home, he started out on an Indian trail for Ionia. Reaching Grand river he expected to find some friendly Indian to carry him across, but none being in sight, he began building a raft, doing the work with a pocket knife and using what flood wood he could reach. Hav- ing constructed this frail craft he embarked upon it for the other side. The water was very deep and the current swift, consequent- ly the raft fell to pieces, leaving him in deep water and unable to swim, and his life was only saved by the timely appearance of a friendly Indian. This was but one of the stirring incidents that fell to his lot as a pioneer and if we were to attempt to give in detail a history of these scenes and times, which tell of the lot of these worthy people, it would fill a volume of itself : however, a general description of these features have been arranged to appear in a separate por- tion of this work.
George B. Webb cast his first vote in Aurelius township for the Democracy and continued to affiliate with that party throughout his life. The first township elec- tion was notable in that fifteen votes were cast, one of which was for Mr. Webb. He was a man of exceptional character, strong in purpose, broad-minded and liberal in views and had a high sense of honor, and, added to these qualities, he was a loving hus- band and a kind and indulgent father, gen- erous and hospitable and a liberal supporter of charitable work. His death occasioned the
deepest regret throughout the community of Ingham county, as it had lost one of its most valued citizens.
It is to Mrs. Jennings, the daughter, that the publishers owe these facts pertaining to the history of Mr. Webb. She now resides upon the old home farm, where she is as- sisted by her nephew, Burton E. Webb. Mrs. Jennings is a member of the M. E. church and is a woman highly respected for her many qualities of heart and mind.
MASON J. CARTER.
Many of the native sons of the Wolverine State are now active enterprising business men and farmers, and in their various lines of business have met with success, as has our subject, Mason J. Carter, who was born in Stockbridge township. September 24. 1850. His father, Silas Carter, was born near Summerset, in New York, about July II, 1820, and his mother, Mary Ann Fitz, was born November 28, 1826. The parents of our subject were married in New York and came to Michigan about the year 1846, and located in Stockbridge on eighty acres of wild land, which they cleared and later added one hundred and twenty. They cleared nearly all of the two hundred acres. Silas Carter was killed at Petersburg at forty years of age. He enlisted in 1864 in the 2d Volunteer Michigan Infantry and was shot in July. 1864. The father was a Republican and a member of the M. E. church.
Mason J. Carter was the third of eleven children : Jerome (dead), Harrison (dead), our subject, Martha (dead). George, Silas (dead) Adelbert, Frank (dead). William. Herbert, and a child who died in infancy.
Our subject was educated in the district school and started for himself in 1867 and worked by the month until 1879 when he
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rented a farm and in 1881 bought eighty acres where he now lives. All this was wild land, with no buildings or fences, but our subject has brought it to a fine state of im- provement, built a frame house and good barns. In 1894 he bought ten acres more of timber land, which he has since improved. He now owns ninety acres, and a half inter- est in seventy-three acres.
After the death of Silas Carter, the moth- er was married to Nelson Lewis, and they had one child, Norman. Nelson Lewis de- ceased.
January, 1871, Mr. Carter was married to Emma J. Haughton, and they were the parents of four children, all living: Silas, September 7, 1872; Sara Jane, September 18, 1874; Maude, July 16, 1876, and Millie M., May 19, 1881. The mother of this fam- ily died August 20, 1897, and our subject again married, the woman of his choice be- ing Ella Dewey, who was born December 16, 1860. Our subject's second wife was the widow of Samuel Dewey, who died July 19, 1897. To the Deweys were born six children, all living: Solomon T., January 2, 1885; James H., November 18, 1887; Maggie E., July 30, 1889; Ralph D., Sep- tember 6, 1891; Ruth E., November 7, 1893; Gladys L., January 20, 1895. Our subject and wife were married December 25, 1898.
Harrison S., a brother of our subject, en- listed in the 20th Michigan Volunteer In- fantry, Co. H, September 7, 1864, at Ann Arbor, and was mustered out June, 1865. January, 1867, he reenlisted in the 8th In- fantry Regulars, and died of typhoid fever at Sumner, S. C., in October of 1867.
Mrs. Carter's parents were married at Ypsilanti, Michigan, November 29, 18-, and the father died April 21, 1864, while the mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Hooker, born March 6, 1814, lives with
Mrs. Carter and is in her ninety-first year. The father, Henry Clements, was born at Steuben county, N. Y., July, 1800. He was a mason and worked at his trade the most of the time. He died at Meadville. Mrs. Carter's mother bought seventy-three acres of land in Stockbridge township after the father's death, which she sold in 1901. One brother of our subject's wife, Clarence, born May 8, 1859, died August 17, 1902, while a brother Henry was killed in the civil war.
Mason J. Carter is a Republican, though he never devoted much time to politics, as he prefers the quiet avocations of home and business life to the excitement and uncer- tainties of the political arena.
JAMES S. COON.
A good citizen is ready to serve his coun- try, both in peace and war, and does serve it alike whether upon the battlefield or in pursuing his usual avocation, and by a life of industry helping to build up the social and industrial interests of the vicinity in which he lives. The reflection of a life thus spent makes the path straighter before the feet of the young, and in return brings its reward in every walk of life. Mr. J. S. Coon endured the hardships of war in de- fense of his country, likewise the trials of the pioneer, in clearing up his new land, and today is reaping his reward, enjoying the fruits of his early struggles.
Our subject was born in Genesee county, Michigan, in 1846, and was the son of Wil- lis S. and Patience (Nichols) Coon. The father was born in Genesee county, N. Y., and in 1845 came to Michigan, first locating in Genesee county, and in 1847 came to Jackson county. To the parents eight chil- dren were born, four of whom are now liv- ing, our subject being the second. Willis Coon, the father, enlisted in Company E,
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First Regiment of Michigan Sharpshooters, February 1, 1863; was taken prisoner at Spottsylvania, Va., and was confined in An- dersonville prison, where he died in August, 1864. Our subject, with his brother Amasa, also enlisted with the father in the same regiment, and served until the close of the war. This regiment was organized by Col. C. V. DeLand of Jackson, and rendezvoused at Dearborn. When only partially organ- ized, having but six companies in camp, the command was mustered into service July 7, 1863, and immediately ordered to In- dianapolis, Ind., and from thence proceeded by rail to Seymour the same state, and with- in a week from the date of leaving the State had met the notorious raider, Morgan, at North Vernon and Pierceville, capturing a number of his followers. Morgan had en- tered Indiana and was creating havoc with the inhabitants in the smaller towns on his route. DeLand, with his small, but deter- mined force, headed him off, and by the use of stategy was enabled to rid the country of him.
Following the brief service, the regiment returned to Dearborn, and completed its organization. August 16 it proceded to Chi- cago, and went on duty guarding rebel pris- oners at Camp Douglass. February 14. 1864. it was assigned to the 2d Brigade, 3d Division of (Willcox) G Army Corps, and joined the command at Annapolis, Md.
A year of service had already passed, but "trouble" for the regiment had only begun.
The old Army of the Potomac was just entering upon the ever memorable campaign of 1864, upon the line on which Gen. Grant proposed to fight it out if it took all sum- mer. Crossing the Rapidan at Ely's Ford, May 5, and two days later came the awful slaughter of the "Wilderness," the regiment being engaged on both the 6th and 7th. Its losses footed up seven killed and fourteen
wounded. Keeping in line May 9, 10, 12, the regiment did valiant service at Spottsyl- vania, when thirty-four brave men of this command yielded up their lives, and one hundred and seventeen were wounded. The gallant Major, John Piper, was among the slain.
Col. DeLand was twice struck during the fearful, bloody conflict of the 12th, but re- mained at his post bravely encouraging his men by his personal heroism, until the close of the battle.
North Anna, Bethesda Church, Cold Har- bor and other engagements followed in rapid succession, and in each of which the First Sharpshooters took an active part, deplet- ing their ranks in each engagement. Cross- ing the James river with the army during the night of the 15th of June, the morning of the 16th found the forces in front of Peters- burg, the beginning of the seige which last- ed till April 2 following. During the term frequent reconnoitering parties were sent out. Firing along the line was almost continu- ous day and night. On the 16th, the day of arrival before Petersburg, the regiment, under command of Major Rhines, became hotly engaged charging and holding the enemy's works, repelling frequent and per- sistent efforts to retake them: two officers and eighty-six men were captured by the regiment, also the colors of the 35th North Carolina. During the conflict the command became almost completely surrounded,-but two alternatives were left-it must surrend- er or cut its way out. The latter was quick- ly decided upon. The colors were destroyed to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. It finally succeeded in rejoining the army, not however, without severe loss. Maj. Rhines fell gallantly leading his com- mand. The casualties in this engagement figured up. killed 31. wounded 46 and 84 missing.
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This was the darkest day in the history of this regiment, and one never to be forgot- ten by the subject of this sketch. From this date to July 30 the regiment lay in the ad- vanced line of entrenchments.
Col. Deland had resumed his command and led in a gallant charge of the brigade ·on the rebel works simultaneously with the "Mine Explosion." Mr. Coon, with several comrades, entered the rebel fort and re- mained nearly all day. The main body of troops, however, retired. The regiment suf- fered a loss of three men killed and thirteen wounded; Col. DeLand being among the wounded. Captain Dicey and thirty-two men were captured. Mr. Coon inclines to the opinion, that had the advantage gained been quickly followed up, a decided victory might have resulted. August 19 the com- mand was at Weldon R. R., and a few days later at Reams Station, where it remained until the latter part of September. At Pop- lar Spring Church the regiment became en- gaged September 30, losing two men killed and Col. DeLand, and sixteen men wounded, all of whom were left on the field, and fell into the hands of the enemy, including the wounded and brave DeLand. In this en- gagement our subject was wounded in the left hand and back ; the shoulder strap of his knapsack was severed by a minnie ball-he lost his haversack and cap, and his gun was put out of commission while in his hands.
The regiment did effective service for Gen. Hartranfts' brigade, October 2, at Pe- gram's Farm, and again on the 8th at Boyd- ton Road. October 27 it took part in the movement at South Side Railroad, it skir- mished during the day with the enemy at Hatcher's Run, losing five men wounded.
Returning to its old camp it remained quietly in quarters till March 25, 1865, when a portion of the regiment became en- gaged in repelling an assault on Fort Stead-
man. In this engagement James S. Coon received a severe shell wound in his right hand, crippling him for life, and was also wounded in the head by a small scale off from an exploded shell. This bit of iron he carried in his head for something like fif- teen years, when it worked out. He was sent to the hospital, but only remained over night, when he joined his regiment, and re- mained with it till the final muster out.
Mr. Coon has to his credit participation in twenty-one battles and skirmishes in ad- dition to the long, weary months in the trenches before Petersburg.
The colors of the First Michigan Sharp- shooters were the first to flutter from the court house after the City of Petersburg fell into the hands of the union forces. By order of Gen. Ralph Ely, commanding the brigade, at precisely four o'clock and twen- ty-eight minutes p. m., April 3, the old ban- ner was thrown to the breeze.
To add that the fortunes of the First Michigan Sharpshooters were the fortunes of our subject-that its experiences were his experiences -- that its battles and victo- ries were his, is certainly a record of which any man might feel a sense of pride, and a most worthy legacy to hand down to poster- ity.
Our subject's brother, Amasa, who was a member of the same company and regiment, and up to September, 1864, had gone through the same campaigns, received a severe wound September 30 from a piece of shell, suffering the dislocation of his knee, and the same day fell into the hands of the enemy, as a prisoner of war. He was taken to Saulsbury, where he was confined for a time; was finally paroled and came home with his regiment. He never fully recovered his health, and died about six years later. At the time of enlistment, Amasa Coon was but fifteen years of age.
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"We give him honor all the same As those who fell amid the rain Of shot and shell."
Mr. Coon's brother, Lewis, was a mem- ber of the 147th N. Y. Volunteers. His command was assigned to the fifth corps. He enlisted in August, 1863, and joined his regiment at Brandy Station, Va., in the fall of 1863. He was with his regiment at the "Wilderness" and "Spottsylvania," "Cold Harbor," and all through the campaign of 1864, until June; he was wounded in the left side by a minnie ball, near "Cold Har- bor;" was sent to the hospital for a month, when he returned to duty, and from that date was with his regiment till the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged and mustered out with his command.
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