USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 47
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social and intellectual lever that is calculated to lift the farming communities to higher plains along all needed lines of reform.
Mrs. Priest has been for many years a consistent member of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Mason. Possessed of a suf- ficiency of the good things of this life to keep the wolf from their door, living in the enjoyment of the esteem and good will of their neighbors and with love in their hearts each for the other, together hand in hand they are walking the pathway of life, having crossed the meridian, they have turned their faces toward the golden setting sun.
CHAS. E. PADDOCK.
To have the esteem of one's fellowmen and especially of those who know you most intimately in the every-day relation of neigh- bors is worth much, and to gain it is a worthy ambition in the breast of any honor- able man. We may truly say, that the gen- tleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch has attained this position, as he is well spoken of by all who know him and is a man who has honorably attained to a broad and true friendship with many.
Mr. Paddock first saw the light of day in 1845, in the State of New York, and was the son of Chas. M. and Sarah Paddock. The father was also a native of New York and was raised there. He came to Michigan in 1849, and settled in Livingston county, and in 1855 came to Ingham county and settled in Williamston township on a farm, where he resided until his death, which oc- curred in 1871 in the month of March. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Pad- dock, the father and mother of our subject. only three are living: George L., Lucretia Strong and our subject.
Charles Paddock, the subject of this re- view, was raised in Williamston township.
and remained on the farm with his father until eighteen years old, when at the break- ing out of the Civil war, he left home and took up arms to maintain the honor of the old flag. Our young hero enlisted in Co. H, 26th Michigan Infantry, in 1864, and bravely endured the hardships of war until in the battle of Deep Bottom, he was wounded and shortly after, in 1865, was dis- charged for disability in Detroit.
After Mr. Paddock's short, but eventful career in the defense of his country, he came back to Williamston township and moved into the village, where he has since spent the most of his life. For a short time, however, he lived in Leroy township, where he now owns a farm of eighty acres of high- ly cultivated land.
Mr. Paddock has been engaged in various lines of business, in all of which he has met with success. He clerked in a grocery store for a time, ran a sawmill, and worked at different things until he went into the groc- ery business for himself for four years.
In 1870, in the month of August, oc- curred the event of Mr. Paddock's life, it being his marriage to Miss Emily Rouse, daughter of Lewis S. Rouse, who was born in Rhode Island. He came to New York and then to Michigan in 1839 and settled in Leroy township, where Mrs. Paddock was born. Mr. Rouse lived there until his death, April 6, 1878. His wife died in February, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Rouse were among the earliest settlers of the county and well understood the hardships and trials of pio- neer life. The country was in the wildest state and it was a common thing to have to chop their road through the timber. If they wished to go to mill, Dexter was the nearest place and Detroit was the market, and ox- team the means of travel. Mrs. Paddock is one of eight children, only five of whom are living.
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Unto our subject and wife have been born two children : Allie M., married to T. W. Herron of Lansing, and Ollie, married to S. P. Morrison of Lansing.
Mr. and Mrs. Paddock have cultivated the social side of their lives, the former be- ing a Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F., and both of the Eastern Star. The political views of Mr. Paddock have brought him into affiliation with the Democratic party and he takes an intelligent interest in all that pertains to the welfare of our coun- try. He has served his party in the capacity of Town Clerk of Leroy and has been Treas- urer and Supervisor of Williamston town- ship. In 1888, knowing that he would ef- ficiently fill the position and serve the peo- ple to the best of his ability, he was elected to the prominent position of Sheriff of Ing- ham county, which place he held for four years or the limit of the law.
Mr. Paddock made a most able and pains- taking officer and retired from public life with the highest esteem of all his fellow citizens. He is a man to whom right prin- ciple is paramount and it is said of him that his word is as good as his note. He has hosts of friends who wish him a continua- tion of the success that has attended him in this life.
G. S. PENNOCK.
G. S. Pennock, of the leading firm of "Pennock & Porter" of Williamston, is a good example of what may be attained by an industrious young man, thrown upon his own resources in early life. He was born in Michigan, at Tecumseh, in 1856, his parents being George and Hepsibiah Pennock. His father, a native of Vermont, emigrated to Michigan at an early date, locating at Te- cumseh, which was his home at the time of his death.
When but a lad of twelve years, our sub- ject left the parental home and came to Wil- liamston to live with a sister, Mrs. J. W. Waldo, who now resides in the Capitol city. Soon after taking up his residence in Wil- liamston, he began clerking in the general store, which he followed up for several years.
In 1876, Mr. Pennock was united in mar- riage to Miss D. M., daughter of Rev. Al- fred Allen. Three years later Mr. Pennock was taken in as a partner with his father-in- law, under the firm name of Allen & Com- pany. This partnership ran for a term of sixteen years, when Mr. Allen retired, after which the firmi was known as "Pennock & Williams." After a partnership of three years, Mr. Pennock retired for one year, then resumed business with Mr. Porter under the firm name of "Pennock & Porter." This hardware store is one of the old established houses of the town.
While Mr. Pennock has given close atten- tion to his personal business affairs, he has always taken a lively interest in the progress and development of the village. He has acted as President of the village council, Treasurer and Village Clerk and Township Treasurer. He was also for several years a member of the common council.
Starting at the foot of the ladder, having to make his own way in life, Mr. Pennock may justly be congratulated upon the suc- cess with which he has met in a business way and also in a social line. To our subject and wife have been born four children : Grace, aged twenty-seven, the wife of William Maher; George, twenty-five years of age, a resident of Chicago; Belle, aged twenty-one, and Bessie, thirteen, at home with their parents.
Mrs. Pennock is a consistent member of the M. E. church, a denomination of which her father was for many years a successful
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and efficient pastor. He was born in Penn- sylvania and educated at the U. of M., com- ing to Williamston in 1873, having a con- tinuous residence until the date of his death in 1903. Mrs. Pennock was an only child.
GEORGE PORTER.
The ranks of the pioneers of Ingham county are becoming smaller with each pass- ing year, for although they have subdued forests and converted vast tracts of uncul- tivated land into fields of waving grain and blushing fruits, yet death is a foe against whom they have no weapon of defense. Among the few who still survive to enjoy the fruits of former years of toil, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was born in Macomb county, of this State, January 14, 1841, the son of Walter and Sophia Porter, both natives of New York, being born in Livingston and Monroe county, respectively.
The father of our subject went to Ma- comb county in 1836 and was chosen by his fellowmen to represent them in the capacity of Sheriff of that county. It was in the year 1876 that he emigrated to Williamston and bought a farm, and shortly after moved into town and was engaged in running a board- ing house. There were six children born to this union, five of whom are now living : George, our subject : Nelson of Grand Rap- ids; Caroline Towler of Owosso; Joseph; Mary Wescott of Monroe, Michigan. The mother of this family died in 1888 and the father preceded her by four years, having passed away in 1884.
Our subject. George Porter, is the eldest living child, and was raised at Utica. Shelby township, and spent the early part of his life on the home farm. He came to Ingham coun- ty in 1866 and bought eighty acres of wild land, for which he paid ten dollars per acre.
This he cleared up, built fences and buildings and made a good farm of it. After a term of fourteen years upon this place. he sold it and bought sixty-six acres, one and one-half miles east of Williamston, where his son now lives. This property, Mr. Porter also improved, but never lived upon it, as he moved to Williamston twenty-three years ago, where he has since made his home.
In 1861 Mr. Porter was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Gulick, daughter of Peter Gulick, whose sketch appears else- where in this volume. To this worthy couple have been born two children : Frank S., born at Utica, attended school there and then went to the Ypsilanti Normal for one year, then taught school for a while, after which he went to Lansing and was engaged in the office of Judge Smith, and in 1896 was hon- ored by his election to the position of Pro- bate Judge: Edward, born in Utica, where he was raised. is on the father's farm.
Mr. Porter is what may be termed a self- made man, having had but few advantages and the characteristic energy with which he labored has brought to him his just reward. He is familiar with the hardships endured by the early pioneers of this county, and well remembers the time when he and his esti- mable wife had to move into a log house before there was a roof on it.
Politically, Mr. Porter is a Democrat, and by that party has been elected to most of the township offices, and served his fel- lowmen in the capacity of Supervisor in 1879, 1880 and 1881. Socially, our sub- ject is identified with the Masonic order. He is a public spirited man. and has always taken an active interest in public affairs.
Success has attended Mr. Porter on every hand. and it is a pleasure to see a hard work- ing, industrious and enterprising man reach the point where he can lay aside the anxieties of life, and the arduous details of a farmer's
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career and spend his later years in quiet and comfort, and such is the fortunate lot of Mr. George Porter.
GEORGE OHLINGER.
There are few men in the Township of Aurelius who enjoy the confidence and es- teem of their fellow citizens in larger meas- ure, than George Ohlinger. He was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., July 18, 1832. He was the son of David and Hannah ( Miller) Ohlinger, both natives of the Keystone State, where his father was born in the year 1805, and died in 1871. The mother's birth occurred in 1809 and her death August 31, 1889. They were the parents of 13 children, five only of whom are now living. The father came to Michigan with his family im- mediately following the close of the great Civil War, and settled in the Township of Delhi. Our subject came the same year, but not with the family.
George Ohlinger received his early edu- cation in the district school in Butler county. Ohio. He early formed studious habits, and while employed on the farm during the day, he studied evenings and by dint of persever- ance and close application, he fitted himself for teaching, which occupation he followed for seventeen terms. He was given his first school on account of his uprightness of life and character. He early won and easily re- tained the confidence of those with whom he had to do. At the age of twenty-one he in- vested his savings in real estate.
The important event in the life of our sub- ject was his marriage to Miss Hannah Bowersox, April 2, 1857. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Bowersox of Sandusky Co., Ohio. Mrs. Ohlinger was born in Pennsylvania, October 19, 1831. Ten children were born to our subject and wife, six of whom are living. The eldest,
Jefferson, is a physician, he married Miss Louise Artz, and three children were born to them, his wife died in 1897. His present wife was Emma Stoddard of Manchester, Mich. They reside at Toledo, Ohio, where Dr. Ohlinger has a lucrative practice ; Han- nah, born July 10, 1864, wife of Jacob Birk- ett of Gratiot county, Mich., they have six children ; Emma L., born February 19, 1866, now the wife of Ananias Hansberger, they reside with Mr. Ohlinger at the old home, have no children : Sarah E., born February 5. 1868, is the wife of Julius Matthew of Detroit, they have four children, three of whom are living; Hattie, born January 24, 1871, united in marriage to Henry Matthew of Delhi township, five children having been born to them; Cora, the youngest living, is still under the parental roof. The names of those deceased are, Caroline, who died at the age of three years ; Catherine, in infancy ; Amos died at 13 years of age : Mary Artz died after marriage and left one child, Ruth Marie, who now lives with her father at Marion, Ohio.
After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ohlinger settled on a farm and our subject taught school for a time during the winter months, worked the farm in the summer. Imbued with the spirit of patriotism, under the call. of President Lincoln for men to defend the nation's honor, George Ohlinger was en- rolled as a volunteer soldier of Co. K, 169th Ohio Regiment, on the second day of May, 1864. His enlistment was for one hundred days but he served one hundred twenty-five days, and was mustered out September 4th of the same year. During the term of his enlistment his regiment was on duty at Fort Ethan Allen, about four miles out from Ar- lington Heights, the old home of General Robert E. Lee, now a beautiful national cem- etery.
Mr. Ohlinger recalls with pleasure, the
GEO. OHLINGER
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MRS. GEO. OHLINGER
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fact that he saw President Lincoln and Secy. Edwin M. Stanton as they passed through the fort occupied by his regiment, making an inspection of the defenses of the capital city.
Mr. Ohlinger takes pride in giving space in this brief biography to record the fact, that his father at the age of 57 years en- listed to defend the flag and nation's honor, serving II months, when he was honorably discharged. He was a member of the 57th Ohio Infantry and participated in the battle of Shiloh. Benjamin Ohlinger, a brother, also served in defense of his country. He was a member of the 72d Ohio Infantry, and served four years, participating in most of the great battles in the west under. Sherman. He gets a pension of six dollars per month.
Our subject, returning to his home, re- sumed his farming operations, which has since been the business of his life, and in which he has met with more than average success. Mr. Ohlinger was first placed upon the pension rolls at $4 per month, this amount has been increased by reason of age to $12 per month.
The great sorrow of our subject's life came to him in the loss of his beloved wife and mother of his children, she passed away April II, 1903, at the age of 71 years. Her remains were laid to rest in the Maple Ridge Cemetery of Delhi township. Mr. and Mrs. Ohlinger were for many years highly re- spected members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Ohlinger is a member of Steel Bros. Post, G. A. R., Department of Michigan, at Mason. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party. He has held several offices in the township, and was elected to the responsible position of Treasurer of his township when his party was largely in the minority. This mark of confidence spoke volumes for the character of the man. Mr. Ohlinger has made several important shifts in a business way, first coming to Ingham
county in '65, when he bought 40 acres, after living upon it four years, he moved back to Ohio, where he resided for fifteen years, when he returned and bought the eighty upon which he still lives. The farm is under a good state of cultivation, the buildings are neat, commodious and attrac- tive. Mr. Ohlinger attends to his own af- fairs in a business-like manner, and it may be truthfully said of him, that he is a self made man.
AMOS F. WOOD (DECEASED).
For nearly forty years the subject of this brief biographical sketch was one of the most conspicuous figures in Ingham county in con- nection with the breeding of short horn cat- tle. He was also well known as a grower of Leicester sheep and Essex swine.
Amos F. Wood was a born farmer and stock raiser, and seemed always in love with his avocation. His thought, study and con- versation in the main was along the line of improvement in breeding and better methods in farming. He was a strong advocate of a thorough system of tile drainage and demonstrated the value of his theory by the laying of several miles upon his own prem- ises, and noting the improvement in the pro- duction of crops. From uncertain results varying with the season, crop growing ap- proximated uniformity and became more universally profitable.
It was in the month of October in the year 1866, Mr. Wood came with his family from the Empire State and settled upon the farm of two hundred and forty acres, one mile west of the City of Mason on the Columbia road. Mr. Wood brought with him the Yankee push and enterprise and he at once began a general overhauling and reconstruc- tion of the premises. The farm was cleared of stumps, swamp holes removed by drainage
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and the barns put in shape for the proper care of stock. The nucleus for a fine herd of short horn cattle was brought to the farm. His introduction of a herd of short horns at that early date was an innovation. The old pioneer farmer looked askance and shook his head. There were, however, progressive farmers in the county who visited his farm, looked over the stock and in various ways gave evidence of their faith in the man and his business enterprises. Pure bred Leicester sheep and Essex swine took the place of the native mongrel so common in this section at that time. A fine flock of pure bred light Brahma fowls and bronze turkeys were always an attractive feature about the prem- ises. With new methods and new and im- proved machinery and a strong force of men and teams, object lessons were given daily in up-to-date farming. In short, there were "doings" at "Maple Ridge" right along all through the years of Mr. Wood's activities.
Mr. Wood was an exceptionally good herdsman and a liberal advertiser, and within a few years he was one of the best known herdsmen in Central Michigan.
The following from the obituary notice of Mr. Wood, published in the Ingham County Democrat, gives much data of interest :
Every business transaction being based upon honor, he soon established a reputation for fair dealing, that served him a good pur- pose in the years that followed.
Mr. Wood never united with any society of any kind whose objective purpose was not for the improvement and development of stock and agriculture. For sixteen years he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan State Agricultural Society and a liberal exhibitor at its annual exhibitions. For twenty-one years he was officially con- nected with the Central Michigan Agricul- tural Society, located at Lansing, and for several years President of the Ingham Coun-
ty Agricultural Society and otherwise offi- cially connected with it during the years of its existence. He was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Ingham County Farmers' Club, and for nearly a quarter of a century served as its President. To his judicious counsel and faithful administration the latter organization owes much of its use- fulness and success. For long continued and meritorious service he was made President emeritus during his natural life. A few years since, Mr. Wood, by reason of advancing years, sold out his stock and farm to his son- in-law, J. E. Tanswell, and retired from business activities.
In his first auction sale of shorthorn cattle in the year 1874, in which about fifty head were disposed of, seventeen brought the snug sum of $5,000. The sale was an educator for Central Michigan and an inspiration to the farmers in this section. Several years later another sale was held and about the same number of cattle were sold.
The two prominent characteristics in the life of Mr. Wood were honesty and cor- diality. His word once given was as good as a bond. Hospitality has always been dis- pensed with an open hand from Maple Ridge home. Mr. Wood is among the last of his generation to pass away. Those active with him in the development of the country have largely preceded him to the great beyond. He is gone, but the fruits of his years of toil will remain to bless the generations which follow.
Commenting upon the passing of Mr. Wood, the Michigan Farm and Live Stock Journal, said :
It is with sincere regret that we announce the death of Amos F. Wood, of Maple Ridge farm, near Mason. To his old friends, and they are many, it will be a shock to learn that the veteran breeder and farmer has passed away. Although his advanved age and in-
MRS. AMOS F. WOOD
AMOS F. WOOD
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firmities should lead to the supposition that his days were nearly numbered, his wonder- ful vitality, his genial manner, and the inter- est he took in the discussion of topics, made one forget his age. He passed away April 8, 1905, and lacking only a few weeks of eighty-one years of age.
Mr. Wood was born in Woodville, Jeffer- son county, N. Y., May II, 1834. His boy- hood days were spent among the privations incident to a pioneer life on the farm when hard labor was the great motive factor in accomplishing the various enterprises in which the people engaged. Clearing land. breaking steers for farm work, driving oxen and performing all sorts of manual labor that was the accompaniment of farm life, developed for him his strong physical system that stood him in good stead during the long period of active life on the farm. Like many other successful men, the spirit of enterprise and rivalry developed early in life, and he became an exhibitor of the fruits of his ef- forts at the fairs in his native state.
Desiring a larger field for operation than the small farm on which he lived afforded. he sold his belongings in the State of New York and bought the Maple Ridge farm, near Mason, Ingham county, Michigan, in 1866. Having formed a love for improved live stock he brought with him the founda- tion for a herd of shorthorns, and Maple Ridge has since been a home of this breed of cattle. He has been a breeder since 1852. He also bred Leicester sheep and Essex hogs, and maintained them at a high stand- ard.
He was one of the organizers of the Mich- igan Shorthorn Breeders' Association, and also of the State Association of Breeders of Improved Live Stock.
While his private business was extensive and the public duties to which he devoted himself were numerous and constant, his
social affairs at home and in the community were not neglected. For twenty-five con- secutive years he was president of the Ing- ham County Farmers' Club, one of the first organizations of the kind in the State.
In all the relations of life Mr. Wood was a man to be admired. Honest to the core, sincere, with a sympathetic nature that made him a warm friend, he was a man to be re- spected and liked by all who knew him. He did good, not evil, all the days of his life, and his memory will long be cherished by a wide circle of friends. To his family his loss is irreparable.
One who knew Mr. Wood well in life, wrote of him: "He was a man who never wished harm to any ; he always desired and labored for the betterment of the community. He was a thorough agriculturist in deep sympathy with the dumb animals upon his premises, and the sight of their grazing in the pastures was always a source of delight to him. Though denied the advantages of a higher education, he was always a friend, and in later years a liberal supporter of the graded and more advanced schools.
His loyal support of special education for the farmer is worthy of emulation by his brother farmers. Through the years of his life as a pioneer, he always labored with perennial hopefulness. He never lost faith in his fellow men, and ever kept an abiding trust in a beneficent Providence who shapeth the destinies of men."
Mr. Wood was the son of Amos Eastman and Hannah ( Dean) Wood, natives of Ver- mont, the former born December. 1787, while the latter's birth occurred March 26, 1790. The father died February 25, 1863. while the mother passed away September 11. 1889, lacking only a few months of the cen- tury mark.
Amos F. Wood was one of a family of six children, all of whom grew to man and
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