USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 48
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womanhood. His early boyhood days were spent as other farmer lads of that period, at- tending school during the winter months and assisting his father on the farm during the busy season.
On the sixth day of June of 1849, Amos Wood was united in marriage to a Miss Eunice E. Brewster, who was born July 26, 1829. She was a daughter of Elisha and Eunice Brewster, natives of Vermont. She was the youngest of four sisters. The mother of Mrs. Wood died when she was but ten days old. She has the rare distinction of be- ing a direct descendant of Elder William Brewster, who came over in the "May- flower."
To Mr. and Mrs. Wood were born five children, as follows : Flora, April 17, 1850, married George W. Sprout, and they have two children; George Amos, born January 5, 1881, a bookkeeper by profession, and Pearl B., born July 3, 1886. Miss Pearl de- veloped into a beautiful and talented girl and died April 10, 1901. Flora, the mother, died February 25, 1898, and is laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery.
Alta E., the next in order of birth, was born March 16, 1854, married Prof. W. C. Latta of Purdue University of LaFayette, Indiana. Their marriage occurred July 10. 1879, and unto this union four children have been born : Bertha, born July 6, 1884, a stu- dent of the University ; Robert Wood Latta, born May 3, 1886, graduated at the high school, and is now taking an agricultural course at the University ; Pauline Eunice, born August 4. 1890, is a student of the high school, and Mary, born November 19, 1894. is also at school.
The third in order of birth is Antoinette, who was born June 4, 1858, married John E. Tanswell, November 29, 1895. Amos F. Wood, Jr., was born October 5, 1867, and died December 21, 1869. Myra L., the
youngest member of the family was born August 25, 1872. Miss Myra is a graduate of the Mason high school, a young lady high- ly esteemed for her many good qualities of heart.
This brief biography records but the out- line of a long life of activity and helpful- ness. A good neighbor, and indulgent hus- band and father, an upright citizen, a just man has gone to his reward.
ELIJAH POTTER.
The subject of this review is one of the oldest and most highly honored pioneers of Ingham county, as he dates his residence here from 1838 and has therefore witnessed the greater portion of its development and improvement. A native of the Empire State, he was born the 23rd day of August, 1827, and was the son of Abner and Nancy ( Cur- tis) Potter, who were also both natives of the same state and were there married. In the fall of 1836 the father, Abner Potter left New York state and started westward by the overland route, eventually arriving in Ing- ham county where he bought the forty acres of timber land. There he built a log house and returned to New York for his family, which consisted of nine children, six of whom came with their parents to Michigan at this time. They were about six weeks upon the road, the trip being made with many hardships and trials, as the children slept under the wagons, while the father and mother occupied the wagon themselves. The family arrived here in 1838, in the month of September. The land that Abner Potter had bought was timber and no improvements had been made upon it. He at once began the improvement of this place and partially cleared it and there resided until 1842, which was the year of his death, while the mother passed away in 1847.
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The early education of Elijah Potter was extremely limited, as he was but fifteen years of age when his father died and what little he did secure was acquired at the primitive log school house of pioneer times. In 1850 Mr. Potter bought his first land, which con- sisted of eighty acres which now forms a part of the old home place. All of this was timber and has been cleared by himself and as he has prospered he has added to his origi- nal possession from time to time, until he now owns six hundred acres in that locality.
On May 3, 1852, Mr. Potter was united in marriage to Miss Abaigal Dewey, who was a native of Smithfield, Madison county New York, her birth having occurred on February 14, 1827. She is the daughter of Thomas and Dorcas ( Austin) Dewey. Her father and mother were natives of New York and there the father died when Mrs. Potter was about three years of age, while the mother also died in New York state.
Unto this union were born six children, all of whom are living: the first is Martin A., born February 3, 1853, and resides at home ; the second, Dorcas, born February 20, 1855, married to D. Holmes and lives in Wexford county; the third, Nancy, born Apri! 17, 1856, is the wife of Harvey Curry and lives in Ingham county ; the fourth, Al- bert, born July 10, 1865 ; the fifth, Curtis A., born October 23, 1866; sixth, Mary, born August 15, 1871.
Mr. Potter is a man, though well advanced in years, who is hale and hearty and is in full possession of his mental faculties. His mind is richly stored with many scenes and incidents of pioneer times. He can well re- member when the Indians were still numer- ous and all sorts of game, such as deer, bear and wolves were in abundance, and has a thorough knowledge of the settlement and growth of the county in general. Known through the entire length and breadth of the
county, not only as one of the oldest pioneer settlers but as one of its successful and en- terprising men, he is highly honored and re- spected. It is by his close attention to busi- ness combined with sound judgment and good executive ability that he has met with success that has crowned his efforts and made him one of the leading agriculturists of his adopted county and unto such men and fam- ilies, Ingham county now owes its present prosperous condition.
JOHN E. TANSWELL.
John E. Tanswell of Vevay township was born in Niles, Berrien county, Michigan, July 12, 1858. He was the only son of James and Harriet Tanswell, both born in England, and who emigrated to this country about the year 1856 and settled upon a farm near Niles, Michigan. James Tans- well died in 1869 and was buried at Niles.
John E. Tanswell attended the district schools when a lad and later spent some time at Notre Dame College. In early life he took up farming, which he followed for a time, and later went to Grass Lake, Michi- gan, and engaged in the livery business, in which he continued for about ten years. It was during these years that he served in the capacity of Deputy Sheriff of Jackson county, and was also City Marshal and Con- stable for some time.
November 29. 1895. he was united in marriage to Miss Antoinette, daughter of Amos F. and Eunice Brewster Wood of Maple Ridge Farm, located one and one-half miles west of Mason City. Owing to the advanced age of Mr. Wood and his physical inability to look after his extensive stock- raising and farming operations, Mr. Tans- well purchased the estate, consisting of two hundred acres, with all the stock, tools, etc. on the premises. He has since conducted
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this farm in keeping with the reputation for fair dealing enjoyed by Mr. Wood in his extensive sales of registered short-horn cattle, thoroughbred Essex swine, Leicester sheep. Mr. Tanswell started in to increase the farm products along these lines, and in this has met with very gratifying success. He has studiously sought to keep pace with the demands of the times.
There is no farm in this section of the country under higher or more advanced state of cultivation. His stock of all kinds are the pride of the community. His large stock-barn is one of the finest in Central Michigan, the arrangements of the build- ings on the premises are such that approach from any direction gives one the impression, of the thrift and industry of the owner. Mr. Tanswell keeps on hand about fifty head of short-horned cattle. A stroll through the buildings and about the premises viewing horses, cattle, sheep. hogs, poultry, tools, etc. is equal to a day at a county fair. Indeed more practical suggestions could be gather- ed in the same space of time upon this farm than at the ordinary local fair.
Mr. Tanswell is a member of the Short- horn Breeders' Association of this State. For many years Mrs. Tanswell was her father's counsel and private secretary, and locally for years she has been considered authority on short-horn breeding.
Mr. Tanswell affiliates with the Re- publican party, and, as he put it, he used to work at it by the year. Since com- ing to Ingham county, however, the care of stock and farm have so absorbed his at- tention that he has found no time for poli- tics, beyond that of a citizen, interested in good government and in voting his party ticket.
Mr. Tanswell is something of a joiner, having a membership in the Maccabees, Grange, and in the Ingham County Farm-
ers' Club. The latter organization is one in which the entire family are much inter- ested and contribute to its maintenance and growth. The family are attendants of the Presbyterian church to which they contrib- ute liberally. The community at large have more than a passing interest in Mr. Tans- well's stock and farming operations, recog- nizing that an enterprising undertaking, such as he is conducting, gives to Ingham county a name and a reputation in which all may feel a degree of just pride.
GEORGE TAYLOR.
Among the old and honored residents of Ingham county none stands higher in public esteem than the gentleman whose name in- troduces this sketch. For over sixty-five years he has been a resident of this State and the name is inseparably connected with agri- cultural interests, as his father and mother. James and Mary Taylor emigrated westward from New York to Michigan in 1839 and settled in Oakland county. He was a lumber- man by profession and became one of the early pioneers of Michigan. After a resi- dence of two years in Oakland county, he moved to Wayne county of this State, near Bellville and lived in that vicinity until 1855, when they moved to Jackson county where he passed to his reward.
George Taylor was one of a family of nine children, of whom three are now living, the other two are Amanda Clark and James Tay- lor of Jackson county. The birth of Mr. Taylor occurred in Niagara county, New York, in 1834, and there he lived until two years of age, when the family moved to Ohio, residing there five years. His early educa- tion was acquired in the common schools of Wayne county of this State and when twen- ty-one years of age he started out in life for himself, working a farm in connection with
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
his father. This was the old home place lo- cated in Rives, Jackson county. This prop- erty he eventually traded in 1861, for the farm upon which he subsequently resided. This land was only partially improved, but with characteristic energy he began its de- velopment, placing it under cultivation and making it one of the model farms of this county. As the years went by he eventually added one hundred and twenty acres to the original purchase and now owns two hundred acres of as valuable and highly improved farm property as there is in Ingham county. Here he is engaged in general farming and stock raising and the neat and thrifty appear- ance of the place is an indication of the pro- gressiveness of the owner.
In 1861 he was united in marriage to Miss Celestia Norton, daughter of Nelson Norton. and this union has been blessed with four children, of whom three are now living. the eldest, Flavius, born September 10, 1862, re- sides in Leslie township; another, Homer, born August 11, 1867, who also resides in Leslie township: a third, Florence, born Oc- tober 5, 1865, is now the wife of George Leach. The wife and mother of these chil- dren died in 1873 and in 1875 he was again united in marriage to a Miss Alma Norton, daughter of Harlow Norton of Leslie town- ship. This union has been blessed with three children of whom two are now living, Leon, who now resides at home and Roy, a resident of Onondaga township.
Both our subject and wife are active mem- bers of the M. E. church of Leslie. In poli- tics, Mr. Taylor affiliates with the Prohibi- tion party, having the courage to vote his convictions. Great changes have taken place since Mr. Taylor first became a resident of Ingham county and where dense forests once grew and wild game abounded may be found productive fields and thriving farms and vil- lages, and in all this marvelous development
of the last half century Mr. Taylor has borne his part and is well worthy of representation in this volume of history of Ingham county's pioneers, who have given the best years of their manhood to the opening up of this which was once a wilderness, for the benefit of posterity.
DR. GEORGE D. SPENCER.
Dr. George D. Spencer was a lad of but four years when his father, Truman Spencer, left the State of New York and came with his family to Ingham county and located in the Township of Locke. Truman Spencer was a man of good presence, genial, cordial and possessing in more than an average de- gree the elements that make friends and help to win success. He was always recognized as a man of affairs. Soon after locating in the county, he built a saw mill which he con- ducted with very satisfactory results for sev- eral years. He represented his township on the Board of Supervisors. In the year 1860 he was elected Sheriff of the county on the Republican ticket with which party he al- ways affiliated. In 1862 he ran again and was defeated and again in 1864. In 1866 he was renominated for the fourth time and was elected : renominated, 1868, but two days prior to the day of election, November 2. 1868. he was suddenly stricken down in death. At the time of his death Mr. Spencer owned a farm of one hundred twenty acres in the Township of Locke.
Truman Spencer was united in marriage July 11. 1844. to Susan Ann Fisher. Mrs. Spencer was born in New York state, Sep- tember 28. 1826. Mr. Spencer was born in New York state, July 24, 1824. To Tru- man and Mrs. Spencer three sons were born : Charles, born 1846. died 1893 : the subject of this sketch, George D .. born February 24, 1852 : James H., born
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Mrs. Spencer still lives, at the advanced age of eighty-two years and makes her home with her youngest son, James H. Spencer, in Locke township.
Dr. Spencer was favored with a good com- mon school education and supplemented this with high school training at Lansing and also at Howell. Attended the University of Michigan for a time and later graduated from the Detroit Medical College, March 4, 1879.
He immediately hung out his shingle and began the practice of medicine in his home town, where by his studious habits, attention to the duties of his profession, he has built up a good business ; and by his conscientious Christian life has won and enjoys the con- fidence of his fellow townsmen to a degree that might be envied.
July 13, 1879, Dr. Spencer was united in marriage to Miss Rose E. Kline, daughter of a highly respected citizen of the village of Bell Oak. Mrs. Spencer was born December II, 1854. Her parents were natives of the Keystone State and came to Michigan in the year 1855. Her father, Robert Kline, died September 7, 1885. Her mother, whose maiden name was Mariah Morgan, died June 22, 1894. Mrs. Spencer has two brothers living. Warren Kline married Libbie Brown and they reside in Mecosta county. Charles Kline married Carrie Horton ; their home is in California. Her brother, Elisha, died in 1888, at the age of 35.
Two children have come to bless the lives of Dr. and Mrs. Spencer: Gertrude, born April 27, 1883, and Charles Truman, bearing the name of his uncle and grandfather Spen- cer, was born September 13, 1887. Both bright, promising children and with the ad- vantages accorded them, they will grow to lead lives of helpfulness and service.
At the age of twenty-one years Dr. Spen- cer was elected Township Clerk. For sev-
eral years he has been lined up with the Pro- hibition party-the party that stands for the home, the church, and the school, believing, as he does, the legalized saloon of America is a destroyer of each and all of these. . He believes, as many others are coming to feel, that this government cannot exist half drunk and half sober; one must give way to the other. The one great curse of our Christian civilization is the legalized liquor traffic of the country.
Dr. and Mrs. Spencer are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church to which the family give loyal support. The doctor fraternalizes with the Maccabees, No. 791 of Bell Oak, also the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Counting by years, the hand on the dial plate is only slightly past the meridian with the doctor. His numerous friends wish for him and his good wife yet many years of love and service for his fellow men.
A. C. TITUS.
A. C. Titus is one of the representative farmers in White Oak township, the tract of land which he operates being located in sec- tions 21 and 16. He is a native of the Wol- verine State, his birth having occurred in Sharon township, Washtenaw county, Au- gust 20, 1855. He is the son of M. J. and Martha ( Hopkins ) Titus, the former having been born February 9, 1825, in New York, and the latter in 1833, in Canada. From earliest boyhood our subject has been en- gaged in farming, so that in later years, when he was thrown on his own resources he had but to strike out for himself, the ex- perience being already his. He received the educational advantages common to boys of his time, in the rural districts of White Oak, and at the age of twenty was ready to enter upon a life of activity for himself.
GEORGE W. JEWETT
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Our subject's father came to Livingston county, Michigan, with his parents, in 1836. From 1840 until 1854 they lived in Washte- naw county and from '54 to '60 they lived in Unadilla, Livingston county, and finally in 1860, bought a farm in Stockbridge town- ship and moved onto it. His first wife, the mother of our subject, died December 21, 1859. The father was again married in 1860 to Mrs. Samantha Hopkins, widow of his first wife's brother. To this second marriage four children were born : Lina, January 24, 1868, is a dressmaker in Mason; Winnie, a teacher in the Mason City schools ; Clyde M., married Ada Clark and lives on a farm in White Oak; Manley, married May Taylor, and lives in Mason. M. J. Titus was a Re- publican, and both he and his wife belonged to the M. E. church.
April 21, 1886, Mr. A. C. Titus was mar- ried to Miss Kate, daughter of William and Sarah (Squires) Lake, both natives of Eng- land, born December 24, 1826, and April 3, 1828, respectively. Mrs. Titus was one of four children, living, one being deceased, lier birth having occurred June 24, 1859. The other members of the family are Elinor, born April 17, 1855, married William Bird, a resident of Ann Arbor; Mary E., born March 24, 1857, died at the age of six years ; our subject's wife, and William G., were twins, and William who lives in Henrietta, Jackson county.
To Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Titus were born three children: Ethel, Jan. 21, 1888; Ern- est, February 27, 1892, and Robert, Decem- ber 16, 1894. After marriage, our subject and wife lived on his father's place in Stock- bridge for four years, and while living here bought eighty acres of wild, marshy land, which he partly cleared. Later he bought eighty acres, partly improved, being a part of the farm upon which he now lives. The buildings were on the place when he came
into possession of it, but he has greatly im- proved them, and as he prospered added an- other eighty, and today has a fine piece of property.
Our subject casts his vote for the prin- ciples of the Republican party-is active in political affairs, but not an office holder. He is a member of the M. E. church and his wife of the Episcopal society.
Mr. Titus engages in general farming, and makes a specialty of high grade Merino sheep and grade Durham cattle. He has met with success in his chosen vocation, and is in a position to enjoy all of the necessities and many of the luxuries of life, and he and his good wife dwell at peace with all the world.
GEORGE W. JEWETT.
Prominent among the rising young men of Ingham county stands the present efficient and popular Clerk of Ingham county, George W. Jewett. By close application and perseverance in the early years of life, and this in the face of privations and adverse conditions he made the most of his oppor- tunities, indeed making the opportunity, has won for himself a name and a place to be attained only by those who possess the stay- ing qualities so essential to success. Many a young man who fails to measure up to the possibilities within him defends himself with a plea that environments were against him, forgetting that environments are not conducive to growth and development, as it is the privilege and the duty of the in- dividual to make them what they should be to best fit him for life's work. Mr. Jewett early recognizing the force of this argument and shaping his environments for the bet- ter development of his faculties, has today by his own efforts found himself well quali- fied for the satisfactory performance of any public trust or duty his fellow citizens may
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place upon him. It is an easy thing to at- tain confidence, but another to maintain it. Some are so constituted that they readily secure the confidence of their fellowmen, but for the lack of the essential element in character it is soon lost. Mr. Jewett has found himself possessed of those qualities of heart and mind all through the years of his unusually active life, that have held with increasing force the respect, confidence and esteem of his fellowmen.
George W. Jewett was born Aug. 30, 1866, at Lima, Washtenaw county, Michi- gan. His parents, Lester E. and Caroline Jewett, were natives of New York and Eng- land, respectively, and were united in mar- riage in 1865, and three children were born to them. When the son, George, was but one year of age the father moved to Ingham county and settled in the Township of Aure- lius, where they still reside. At the tender age of nine years it became necessary for George W. to leave the paternal home. He went to live with his grandmother, and be- gan working for his board and clothing, with the privilege of attending school during the winter months. At the age of fourteen years he completed the district school course. Most boys who complete a district school education at the age of fourteen years are satisfied with their attainments, young George, however, was not of that number. He had gathered up a few crumbs and they but whetted his appetite for a square meal. Being without means or influential friends and desirous of obtaining a better education, he arranged to work for a farmer at the rate of about two and one-half days for one dol- lar. On this limited income and by close economy he was enable to set aside sufficient funds to complete a course in the Mason High School, from which he graduated in June, 1885. Experience is a valuable as well as a good teacher, and he has had it
good and plenty. Upon the completion of his schooling he engaged in teaching, and followed that profession for twelve years with marked success. At first he taught in the district schools, later was principal of the graded schools of Onondaga village and there remained two years. Energy, thor- oughness and progressiveness were the ele- ments that characterized his daily work. His efficiency was attested by school officers generally and by the County School Com- missioners under whom he served.
He had just retired to his farm in Aurelius, when he was appointed Deputy County Clerk at Lansing, and the varied duties of this position he performed to the entire satis- faction of all those concerned for a term of four years. Two years later he was elected to the office of County Clerk by a majority of eight hundred and sixty. running ahead of his ticket about one hundred and fifty votes. He was reelected in 1904 by an over -. whelming majority. He has an established reputation of being faithful in the discharge of his duties. Courteous, methodical and ac- curate, have been the characteristics of his official service.
Mr. Jewett was united in marriage to Miss Etta, daughter of John and Frances Eckhart, of Aurelius township, Sept. 22, 1886. Three children have been born to this union, their names and ages are respec- tively as follows : Blanche, age sixteen years, born May 31, 1888, now a student of the Mason High School; Francis Lester, age eleven years, born May 29, 1893, and Car- rie, age ten years, born Dec. 23, 1894, all at home.
Mr. Jewett is a member of Capital Lodge No. 66 of the Masonic fraternity, and is the efficient Master of the Mason Grange. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans, his father having done valiant service in the Civil War. Having imbibed somewhat of
A. J. STEPHENS
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
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