USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
Being pronounced in his Republican views, he entered actively into campaign work with his party, and was elected County Treasurer and reelected, holding the office for four years, or for the limit of the law. Retiring from office, he went on the road as traveling salesman for a drug house.
Our subject came to Mason in 1893, and bought the well-established drug business of H. M. Williams, which he has since con- ducted. He has built up a large trade, and numbers his customers by the score. His place of business is the headquarters of the local politicians of the city. He is a member of the School Board of the Mason High School, the duties of which office have been discharged in very satisfactory manner to its constituents. Mr. McCrossen has taken six degrees in Masonry, and has filled the Master's chair in the Blue Lodge for two years ; he also fraternizes with the Elks and K. P's.
In the year 1894 Mr. McCrossen was uni- ted in marriage to Miss Emma Bertch, and unto them has been born one daughter, Mur- ryne, born February 19, 1895.
Mr. McCrossen is held in high esteem by the citizens of his city, and by his character- istic energy and thrift has prospered in his business affairs, and unto such men who give their all to the welfare of the people Ing- ham county owes its present prosperous con- dition.
SEYMOUR FOSTER.
The gentleman whom the government has seen fit and proper to place at the head of postal affairs in the city of Lansing, Ing- ham county, is he whose name is at the head of this sketch. Besides being personally a man whose integrity, intelligence and fit- ness for the office rendered him eligible to such a position, he has the additional advant- age of having served the country in its hour of need, and during the late Rebellion haz- arded his life in the chances of war.
Seymour Foster was born July 1, 1845, at Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Theo. and Frances (Seymour) Foster. The father was born in Foster, Rhode Island, and came to Michigan in 1833 and became the editor of the "Signal of Liberty" at Ann Arbor and the "Free Democrat" at Detroit. In 1855 he moved to Lansing and accepted the position of superintendent of what was then the House of Correction, now known as the Industrial School for Boys. Here he remained in this capacity until 1860 and then became the editor of the "Lansing Re -- publican." The father of our subject was a man of progressive ideas, an important fac- tor in the newspaper world and a man of splendid attainments. He died in 1865 and the mother passed away in 1873.
Seymour Foster was one of three chil-
275
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
dren, the oldest, Charles T., was killed at the Battle of Fair Oaks. He was the first man to enlist and the first one killed from Lansing, having enlisted in Co. G, 3rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry on April 12, 1862. The second, Fannie, the deceased wife of Judge A. E. Cowles; the third mem- ber of the family was our subject who ac- quired a common school education, which was quite limited, as the father's health failed him and it was necessary for the son to assist him and at the age of thirteen years he started out for himself.
In November of the year 1863, our sub- ject enlisted in Co. B, 2nd U. S. Sharp . Shooters, known as Berdan's Sharp Shoot- ers, and saw considerable service, while fol- lowing the fortunes of his command. He was discharged July 15, 1865. In 1869-'70, he was engaged in the feed business with a Mr. W. C. Kyle and in 1878 purchased the abstract books of the county which he owned and conducted for four years and then dis- posed of them.
May 25, 1871, Seymour Foster was united in marriage to Miss Mary L., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George R. Woodworth of Lansing, who was one of the early pioneer residents, having come here in 1857. Unto this marriage four children were born: Charles W., a prominent at- torney of Lansing and a graduate of the law department of the University of Michigan. He is associated with his brother, Walter S., also a graduate of the University of Michi- gan ; the third, Miss Gertrude, is a graduate cf the Lansing High School, also spent a year at Smith College; Theodore G., is a student in the High School.
Our subject has filled every chair in the Chas. T. Foster G. A. R. Post, No. 42, of which he is an active member. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, Modern Woodmen and National Union. He has
taken an active part in political affairs and in 1873 was elected to the office of City Clerk, succeeding himself in 1874. In 1876 he was elected to the office of City Treasurer and re-elected in 1877. The First District of Ingham county, recognizing his abilities, in 1895, elected him as their representative in the State Legislature.
Under the Harrison administration in 1888, Mr. Foster was appointed Postmaster of the city and served until 1892 and was reappointed by President Mckinley in 1897 and again by President Roosevelt, in which position he efficiently serves the people to- day. At various times he has been Chair- man of the County Committees and has acted as delegate to many conventions.
In 1896, on the 13th day of July, our sub- ject was appointed receiver of the Peoples' Savings Bank of Lansing, which duties he discharged with credit to himself and all in- volved.
Seymour Foster has ever been an active business man, is one of the widely known men of the State and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.
WILLIAM T. WEBB, WILLIAMSTON.
Among the most prominent and influential citizens of Williamston, we find the name of William T. Webb, who was born in Wash- tenaw county, Michigan, in 1865, and is the son of an early pioneer of Michigan, Charles Webb, who was born December 1, 1828, in Kent county, England, and died April 2, 1901, while the mother whose maiden name was Marie Margaretha Hochstadt was born in Windecken, Germany, January 31, 1838, and came to this country in the year 1860.
Charles Webb came with his parents to this country when but a child, and located in the State of New York in Seneca county.
276
PAST AND PRESENT
He was the fifth child of a family of four- teen children, of whom four are still living : Mrs. Susan Winslow, Mrs. Caroline Kin- ney, James and George E. He came to Michigan with his parents when nineteen years of age, or in the year 1847. From his boyhood Charles Webb was a hard worker and gave his earnings to his par- ents as long as they lived. After this he worked by the month until he could buy a forty acre farm, to which after a time, he added ten acres. Shortly after this he sold this farm in Washtenaw county, and came to the Township of Williamston in 1866, where he bought eighty acres, which was then a solid piece of timber, and it was the result of his own hands' work and energy that this farm was cleared up.
The parents of our subject were married in the year 1863, and to them one son, our subject was born. The father was a mem- ber of the order of Masons and was baptised in the Church of England. Thirty-five years' residence in the Township of Wil- liamston gained for Charles Webb the high esteem of a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. He was a man who had the interests of his place and residence at heart, and always commanded the respect of every right-minded person.
William T. Webb was raised in Williams- ton township, his parents moving here from Washtenaw county when William was but one year old. Here he received his early education, and later was a student at the Ypsilanti Normal for a short time, and also at the Cleary Business College. Early in life the profession of law held a fascination for him, and in 1890 he went to Ann Arbor and attended the University of Michigan, where he took up the study of law, grad- uating in line in 1893, after which he took a post-graduate course and received a second diploma in 1894. His first adventure in his
chosen profession was in Detroit, where he was in partnership with E. A. Fink, but sickness soon overtook him, and he was ob- liged to give up his work for about two years. Upon locating again, Mr. Webb chose Williamston, and here begun what has proven a successful practice in 1897. He is a man of fine intellect, keen perceptions and a facile power in expressing himself -- he seems particularly adapted to legal work.
October 26, 1898, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Mattie B., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Leasia of Williams- ton, whose life history may be found else- where in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Webb one child has been born, Bernice Cath- erina, November 10, 1900.
William Webb has had a membership in the Grange for over twenty years, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. He is a Republi- can in political affiliations, and has always been actively identified with the political af- fairs of his party. During the silver cam- paign, our subject was one of the prominent speakers of the county, and visited nearly all the towns in his locality. Since coming to Williamston he has met with success on every hand.
Our subject is very proud of the fact that he helped to clear up the father's farm and worked thereon every summer until he was twenty-six years of age, assisting his father at this work. He is now the owner of the place, which comprises one hundred acres, of which is in every way an up-to-date farm property. This, Mr. Webb finds time to oversee, and takes a great deal of interest in its management. He also owns some of the most valuable real estate in the Village of Williamston.
The Webb family were early settlers in this part of the county, and have always been among the highly respected and influ- ential citizens of the community.
CAPT. FRANK C. IVES
277
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
CAPT. FRANK C. IVES.
Capt. Frank C. Ives is a product of Ing- ham county. The bright light at Sunnyside first shone on his infant features on the morning of September 24, 1873. There was nothing remarkable about his birth; he started in life with an avoirdupois of 12 pounds, and was well born. His early boy- hood was spent upon the old home-farm, Sunnyside, Vevay Twp. In addition to his primary school advantages, he was for some time a student at the Mason high school and later at Albion College; the alma mater of his mother and from which his father went to serve his country as an officer in the great civil war. A course at the Lansing Business University, and his school days were over. Always a lover of books, he early acquired a desire for travel which he was fortunate in being able to gratify, first by an extended trip in the West, covering a period of one and a half years, visiting the states of Kan- sas, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wy- oming, Nebraska and the Black Hills, S. D.
During the entire period of the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893 he found employ- ment on the grounds of the exhibition, giv- ing a most excellent opportunity of studying the exhibits from all points of the globe : and by association with the representatives from the different nations, familiarized him- self with their customs and characteristics. The important thing is not how we came to obtain knowledge, the important thing is to obtain it. In 1894 he visited California, spending some time at Oakland, Riverside, Lake Elsimore and Los Angeles.
In the winter of 1896 he spent five months in the City of St. Louis, Mo. During his stay in the city he experienced the most thrilling event of his life, he was caught in a cyclone that wrought terrible havoc, over three hundred people losing their lives and
millions of dollars worth of property having been destroyed within the space of a few minutes. This event occurred just prior to the assembling of the National Republican Convention in that city, which nominated Major Wm. Mckinley for President of the United States for the first term.
During the summer of 1896 Mr. Ives, who had gained quite a local reputation as a solo singer, engaged with Evangelist H. O. Wills of Detroit, and made a tour of the lower peninsula and Canada. He recalls with pleasure the time spent with "Bro. Wills.'
February 15, 1898, occurred the blowing up of the United States man-of-war, the "Maine," while lying in the harbor of Ha- vana, in which two hundred and fifty-eight brave sailors and marines and two officers lost their lives. A little more than two months had passed, when, on April 26, 1898, Pres. Mckinley issued a general order calling out the entire force of the Michigan National Guard. Mr. Ives had familiarized himself with the unequal con- test that had been waging between the Span- ish government and the little band of liberty loving Cuban patriots, and his patriotism was at fever heat. On the same day the call for troops was issued. he enlisted as a pri- vate soldier in Co. F. First Regiment Michi- gan N. G .. Capt. John G. Snook, command- ing. May 9th following the company was mustered into the United States service and designated Co. F. 31st Michigan Volunteer Infantry. Under the command of Col. Cor- nelius L. Gardner of the regular army. the regiment proceeded with little delay to camp Geo. H. Thomas, Chickamauga Park. Ga .. where a vigorous drill was maintained for some time. August 21st the regiment broke camp and proceeded by rail to Camp Poland. Knoxville, Tenn., where regular drill exer- cises were continued. While at this point the
278
PAST AND PRESENT
regiment was ordered out by Gen'l McKee to suppress a riot going on in the ranks of the Sixth Va. Colored Troops. This service was successfully performed without loss of life or bloodshed.
January 10, 1899, the regiment proceeded under orders to Camp "Onward," Savannah, Ga., where it remained until January 25, when it boarded the United States Transport "Chester" and embarked under orders for Cienfuegos, Cuba. The transport encoun- tered a heavy sea, and in order to lighten the vessel it became necessary to throw over- board much valuable property, among which was a full outfit of cots presented the com- mand by Miss Helen Gould. The point of destination was however safely reached Feb- ruary Ist, and the day following the troops disembarked and were transported by rail to Rodrigo, a point on the island about sixty miles inland. A few days later the regi- ment marched to Amaro, five miles distant, and went into permanent camp.
March 4th Co. F was detached from the regiment and ordered to Remedios, Santa Clara Province, to apprehend Cuban Bandits who were at the time committing serious depredations on cane and tobacco planta- tions in the vicinity. Here the company re- mained for nearly six weeks. The purpose of the expedition to the island having been accomplished, the Secretary of War issued an order for the return of the regiment to American soil, and in obedience thereto, April 12, 1899, the command assembled at Cienfuegos and embarked on the government transport "Thomas" enroute for the United States.
After the usual time spent in detention camp, the regiment was mustered out and disbanded from their former camp "Onward" at Savannah, Ga., May 17, 1899, having to their credit nearly thirteen months gov-
ernment service, three of which had been spent in Cuba.
During his term of service Frank C. Ives had been promoted to Corporal. On the reverse side of his discharge it reads "Serv- ice honest and faithful, character excellent."
As a compliment to his personal appear- ance and soldierly bearing, Corporal Ives was regularly detailed as orderly at regi- mental headquarters. He twice served upon special detail. He was once sent to Macon, Georgia, from Knoxville, Tennessee, a dis- tance of several hundred miles, for a deserter who was held in that city, and again during the stay of the regiment at Savannah he enjoyed the distinguished honor of being the only corporal from his company detailed for duty at provost head- quarters.
Returning home the company was reor- ganized and designated Co. "B," Ist Inde- pendent Battalion, M. N. G. Mr. Ives was made duty sergeant. May 30, 1901, he was promoted by Capt. E. E. Hartwick, then commanding the company, to Ist sergeant, in which capacity he served until June 20, 1902, when he was elected by the company to the rank of first lieutenant, and after pass- ing a satisfactory examination was commis- sioned by Governor Aaron T. Bliss. He served faithfully with the rank of first lieu- tenant to April 26, 1904, when he was elected by the company and commissioned by Gov. Bliss captain, which rank he still holds. Physically, Capt. Ives is the type of the American soldier. Standing a trifle over six feet and carrying about 200 pounds, well distributed, on duty, he is every inch a sol- dier, and exceptionally popular with his command. At the last State encampment his company was one of the largest of the encampment and one of the best disciplined. Capt. Ives is a member of the Order of
279
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
United Spanish War Veterans, also of the Knights of Pythias and Sons of Veterans.
He has held the office of Township Clerk. He also served as assistant Supervisor of Census for the sixth congressional district in 1900.
He served as deputy sheriff and turnkey for Ingham county under Sheriff Wm. H. Porter. Capt. Ives is justly proud of the military record of his antecedents. His father, Col. L. H. Ives, did valiant service for his country in the War of the Rebellion, entering the army with the rank of second lieutenant, he passed through several grades of promotion, and during his three years' service he participated in several of the hard- est fought battles of the war, notably the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, having to his credit, all told, about thirty battles and skirmishes.
His grandfather, Hon. Samuel G. Ives, in the early military organizations of Michigan was commissioned by Governor Epaphrodi- tus Ransom in 1848, "Captain of Livingston Troops," a horse company. "Training days" were general holidays for the whole popu- lace. Capt. Ives has in his possession his grandfather's military coat and captain's commission.
Two great-grandfathers and one great- great-grandfather did service in the war of 1812. His great-grandfather, Orin Ives, participated in the battle of Lundy's Lane. The other great-grandfather, Hon. Josiah Hedden, data is not given of his special service. The record states that Capt. Aaron Hedden, Capt. Ives' ยท great-great-grand- father, raised a company and took part in the war of 1812.
An uncle (name unknown) of Josiah Ives, great-grand-grandfather of Capt. Frank C. Ives, was a captain in the Revo- lutionary War. It will thus be seen that
for generations his ancestors have been noted for their patriotism and public spirit.
Capt. Ives' ancestors, on his father's side, came from England in the 16th century, first settling in the Green Mountain State, and as far as known, were well-to-do, thrifty and enterprising people.
COL. L. H. IVES.
The cold material facts of a man's life are not his history, the world cannot know the master motives which prompt him. A man's life is what he is, and his biography is the grouping together the incidents of the spirit that moved him. Back of that which you see lies the motive,-and the motive is the man. A life of activity along the lines of virtue, morality, religion and public spirit establishes 'for the individual a reputation, and in him a character which always has, and will continue to develop, the highest type of American Christian citizenship, than which there is no better. Such is the repu- tation and character of Col. L. H. Ives.
For four decades his life has been as an open book before the people of Ingham coun- ty, and it is safe to say that few men enjoy the respect, confidence and esteem of his fellowmen in fuller measure than Col. Ives. His parents and more remote ancestors were noted for their public spirit. To be well born one must possess an inbred sense of honor, justice, right and reverence for the good, all of which have been marked char- acteristics of him of whom we write. Col. Ives was well born. Having been officially connected with various county and State or- ganizations, almost continuously since his location in the county in 1865. probably no man of his occupation has enjoyed a wider acquaintance with men of all avocations and
280
PAST AND PRESENT
profession than Col. Ives. He is what might correctly be termed an all round man. Fit- ted by natural and acquired ability, by ex- perience and education, his fellow citizens have many times honored him with posi- tions of trust and responsibility. No office in any organization that is worth maintain- ing is considered by him as beneath his dig- nity. The best there is in him has all through the years of his activities been given for the public good, without hope of com- pensation other than public approval and a good conscience. The trend of thought with him has been along the line of the public good.
In educational matters he has always taken an active interest. He has often been invited to address the children upon occa- sions of hoisting the flag over the school buildings, and other public doings, and his talks to the little people are always of a help- ful character. He is well known as a Sun- day school worker, having practically been actively engaged in the work since child- hood: and he recalls with pleasure that his first superintendency was with his little home society at Unadilla, where he was born and grew to manhood. There are those liv- ing in his community who cheerfully give credit to his efforts for the complete revolu- tion of the society along the line of temper- ance and morality resulting in the establish- ment of the M. E. church society at Eden. His official connection with the Methodist Episcopal church society extends from the years of his majority to the present, having served in every capacity from steward to class leader, and on several occasions he has conducted funeral services for his neighbors and friends without the assistance of a min- ister of the gospel. A friend who has been in close touch with him for several years wrote of him : "For many years he has never forgotten the men in prison, and nearly
every Sabbath he has read the scriptures to them in the county jail, and sung and prayed with them, and left them with an inspiring talk to lift them toward a better life. As a private citizen, Col. Ives excels. He is public spirited to a fault. Brain, heart, hand and purse are open to every good cause, and his voice can be had for the asking, to pro- mote the welfare of any enterprise that has for its object the uplift of his race. He fears nobody, and he never compromises with a thing he thinks wrong. On the other hand, a tale of want or suffering, or sorrow or wrong, will move him to tears and call forth his immediate help."
In the earlier years, Mr. Ives was an en- thusiastic worker and active in the councils of the Republican party, and was for several years Supervisor of his township. Active work along temperance lines led him out- side the camp, and he found himself in full accord with the principles of the Prohibition party, with which he has been affiliated for the past fifteen years. He has been recog- nized as one of the leading factors in the party in local and State politics, nearly al- ways a delegate to the State conventions. He has served on the State central commit- tee, and has been several times a delegate to the national conventions.
In the year 1890 he was nominated for the office of Auditor General, making the second best run on the ticket, receiving a total of 28,427 votes.
As a temperance speaker his utterances are clear, fearless and logical, yet without offense or vituperation. He firmly believes that the legalized, licensed saloon is the one great enemy of the home, the school, and the church; and as a natural sequence, the enemy of man. He views the liquor busi- ness as conducted in this country, as the great destroyer of human happiness, and the greatest curse and danger to the permanence
faithfully Your nota 1 Trace of war L. H. So 1
-*
281
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of our American institutions, and our Christian civilization.
As a friend of humanity he is a sworn enemy of this monster vice of the twentieth century-this father of crime-this engine of the devil, for the imbruting and destruc- tion of the race. The modern idea of loyalty to principle or party, "for revenue only" finds no response in his nature.
As an intelligent and progressive farmer, enthused with a spirit of public enterprise, Col. Ives' ability early found recognition among his fellow farmers. Soon after tak- ing up his residence in the county, he was elected president of the Ingham County Agricultural Society, and reelected the year following; and later served the organization at different times as secretary and treasurer, and was nearly always officially connected with the society during the years of its exist- ence. He was the prime mover in the or- ganization of the Ingham County Farmers' Club in 1872, one of the earliest organiza- tions of its kind in the State, and today the oldest and generally recognized as best. For nearly a quarter of a century Col. Ives was its secretary, and the reports of the club as published in the county papers have had much to do with formulating the methods of farming carried on in the county. As an expression of appreciation for services rendered the club. Col. Ives a few years since, was made the recipient of a beautiful gold watch and chain. Following the re- tirement of Amos S. Wood from the presi- dency by reason of advanced years, Col. Ives was elected president, which position he still holds. He took a prominent part in the organization of the State Association of Farmers' Clubs at Lansing, February I. 1894, and was elected a member of the board of directors, and in 1901 he was chosen president for the term of one year. He has several times been honored with a place on
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.