USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 52
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In political relations, the father was a Democrat. He belonged to that class of brave men who offered their lives in defense of the nation during the late Civil War. His war record is one of which his ancestors may well feel proud. He was a member of Co. D, 6th Michigan Cavalry, and met his death in 1863 from gun-shot wounds at Raccoons Ford.
Unto this couple were born five children, three of whom are living. Our subject is first in order of birth; Ella B. Chandler, married F. H. Fusher and now resides in Locke township; Jennie M., married William H. Smith and resides in Locke township; Fred, died June, 1894; Elmer, died Decem- ber 31, 1899. The mother of these children died April 5, 1890.
Charles H. Chandler was educated at Belle Oak and later at Hamburg, Livingston county. He started out in life for himself in 1875 buying twenty acres of land from his mother, half of which was improved, and immediately set to work to improve the bal-
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ance of it. After this, from time to time as prosperity attended him, he added to his possessions and now has a fine and well im- proved piece of property.
December 25, 1877, Mr. Chandler was united in marriage to Miss Hattie A. Smith, daughter of D. A. and Lydia ( Batchelor) Smith. Mrs. Chandler's father was born in Michigan in 1839 and is still living in Belle Oak. He worked at the mason's trade for a time and thirty-seven years ago came to Locke township and bought eighty acres of land, which he sold to his son.
Mrs. Chandler is the eldest of a family of four children, the others being Lawrence, married Emma Kelley; Charles, who mar- ried Nettie Riddle and William H. who mar- ried Jennie Chandler.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are highly respected people and are closely identified with the M. E. church. Mr. Smith casts his vote and influence for the Republican party.
Mr. and Mrs. Chandler have been blessed by the birth of four children, three of whom are now living: G. D., born August 31, 1879. deceased : Ruby E., born November 4. 1882, married Ray Cassady, a farmer ; Pearl G., born February 3. 1887, married Lloyd D. Liverence, an electrician, and they reside in Lansing; Bertha, born November II, 1897.
Mr. and Mrs. Chandler are members of the M. E. church and their influence will always be found on the side of right in questions of morality and religion. Socially, Mr. Chandler is a member of the Maccabees, and politically, casts his vote for Prohibi- tion principles. He has been somewhat ac- tive in the political affairs of his locality and has been Justice of the Peace and also a candidate for Supervisor twice. Mr. Chand- ler always takes an interest in the enterprise of the community and is well and favorably known both far and near.
WILLIAM L. CLARK.
William L. Clark was born in Wilming- ton, Will county, Ill., January 1, 1859. His father, Capt. William H. Clark, was born February 25. 1831, and died at Mason, Jan- uary 5. 1902. His mother, whose maiden name was Julia A. Mead, died when Wil- liam was but four years of age. His only sister, Lillian P., was about two years his senior.
Prior to the Civil war his father con- ducted local papers at Wilmington and York- ville, Ill. Later, for many years, he con- ducted a hotel with livery attached. Dur- ing the War of the Rebellion, Captain Clark enlisted in the 36th Illinois Regiment of In- fantry as second lieutenant and was after- wards made adjutant of the regiment. He had nearly three years of field service to his credit. He received a gun-shot wound at Perryville, Ky., and was honorably dis- charged from the hospital. During the later years of life he drew a pension of thirty dollars per month. His remains were laid to rest in the Felt cemetery in Bunker Hill.
Mr. Clark received his early education at Yorkville, Ill., and in the district school in the Township of Bunker Hill, Ingham coun- ty, at that time the residence of his grand- parents on his father's side. He finished his schooling while in the second year's course, in the Mason high school. At the age of eleven years he chose his life's work. Oc- cupations or professions chosen in early years are seldom changed for the better in the more mature years of life. He started in as "devil" in the office of the Ingham County News, under the management of Kendell Kittredge, where he remained two years. He was also employed for two years by Col. Geo. P. Sanford. editor of the Lan- sing Journal. At Charlotte and Eaton Rap- ids he was again in the employ of Mr. Kit-
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tredge. After this he returned to Mason and entered the office where he first began sticking type, as foreman, retaining the posi- tion for nine years.
September 23, 1880, Mr. Clark was uni- ted in marriage to Miss Millie Brosseau of Charlotte. One short year and four months and his young wife passed out of this life to the realms of the great beyond. Four years later, December 3, 1885, he married Miss Della A., eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. I. Barber of Mason. Mrs. Clark is a lady of exceptionally pleasing presence, of fine social qualities, and mistress of one of the pleasantest homes in the city of Mason.
In the year 1889, Mr. Clark purchased D. P. Whitmore's interest, and formed a co- partnership with A. L. Rose, now of the Ingham County News, in the publication of the Ingham County Democrat, which they conducted successfully for nearly four years, when Mr. Rose retired from the firm, since which time Mr. Clark has been sole proprietor. The paper was founded June 2, 1876, by J. V. Johnson, formerly of Char- lotte. The times were ripe for a party or- gan for the Democracy at the county seat, and the paper met with good support from the outset. When well established, Mr. Johnson sold out to D. P. Whitmore, who conducted it for about twelve years, making it a valuable party organ and a good paying plant. Mr. Clark is a newspaper man, his father having been engaged in the business before him, he seems to have been to the manor born. The Democrat is counted one of the solid institutions of the county, and Mr. Clark is making a success of it.
A few years since he erected the brick office on Ash street west. Starting out empty handed, he has very distinct recollec- tions of how he came in possession of his valuable holdings. In brief, stick-to-it-ive-
ness, frugality and industry have done the business for him. Mr. Clark is a member of the Masonic Order and was formerly a member of the fraternal order of the K. of P.'s and served the lodge officially in sev- eral capacities.
Mr. Clark is not identified with any church organization, but contributes sub- stantial aid to all good causes when called upon. He believes in the Golden Rule of doing unto others as you would that they should do to you. Any man who in the transactions of life is actuated by this rule, will not deviate far from the path of recti- tude. His fellow citizens will assign him a place in this class, without debate.
WILLIAM B. CRAIG (DECEASED).
There is always a greater interest in a history, where one finds written "finis" at the end, than one in which the reader is left to wonder what will come next. Our sub- ject has finished the story of life and the seal of approval of the great librarian has been set upon it. Belonging to a class of men, who from earliest youth were bread- winners, our subject faced the problem sturdily and accepted the result with con- tent.
William B. Craig was born in Unadilla township, Livingston county, in 1842 and died October 31, 1885. He was the son of William, born at Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1803, and Christina ( Piper) Craig, also a native of Scotland, the date of her birth be- ing 1811. The parents were married in Scotland in 1830, and two years later came to the new world and located in Connecticut, where the father worked at the trade of a Weaver, until he came to Michigan a few years later, when he located at Unadilla on a farm, where he remained a short time, and then moved to Stockbridge township, Ing-
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ham county, in 1849, and settled on one hun- dred and twenty acres, partly improved. He moved into a log house and there was a log stable upon the place. The father cleared the balance of the land and lived there until his death in 1875. The mother died in 1891. William Craig was a Republican, and in religious views was a Presbyterian and helped to organize the first Presbyterian church in Stockbridge.
Our subject was the fourth of four chil- dren, one of whom is living: Agnes, 1831, dead : Jane, 1833, now deceased; Christina, 1835 and our subject. He was educated in the district school and also attended school in Detroit. He lived on the farm until his death, when he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land. He bought out the bal- ance of the heirs at the time of the father's death and before this had purchased forty acres of the home place. He was a member of the Baptist church.
October 5, 1868, Mr. Craig was united in marriage with Jane Field, who was born in New York, November 13, 1848. Her par- ents were married in New York in 1840. The father, Chester Field, was born in 1818 and died in 1886, while the mother, whose . an office and was highly esteemed by all who maiden name was Martha Clark, was born knew him. in 1823 and died in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Field came to Michigan in 1855 and located at Waterloo, Jackson county, on forty acres JOHN C. CHASE. of unimproved land, which he improved and John C. Chase, whose home is on section 27. Bunker Hill township, belongs to that class of men, whom the world terms, self- made, for, commencing life empty-handed he has conquered the obstacles in the path to success. He has not only secured for himself a good home and competence, but by his ef- forts has materially advanced the interests of the community in which he lives. sold and moved to Stockbridge, Ingham Co., and purchased eighty acres of improved land, where they lived until their death. Mrs. Craig was the sixth of ten children : Loretta, dead; Chester and Chauncey, twins, died at three months of age; Irwin, dead ; Loretta, dead; Jane: Alice: Delia; Eugene and Carrie. Mr. Field was a staunch Re- publican and took an active interest in pol- itics.
Mr. and Mrs. Craig have been blessed by
the birth of six children, three of whom are living: Lillie J., born February 28, 1870, died in 1896. She was a musician and had a large class in Stockbridge and the sur- rounding country. Mattie C., born May 5, 1872, died February 16, 1904; William, born July 23, 1874; Agnes B., born June 26, 1878, married Willard H. Wing. Octo- ber 15, 1903, and resides at Saginaw. Agnes is a fine pianist and taught music in the Mountain Home College in Arkansas and also at Houghton, Michigan, for three years. James A., born March 3, 1880, and Rose, born September 19, 1883, and died October 6, 1884. William and James re- side with the mother and conduct the home farm.
The many positions of trust which our deceased subject has held speak of the con- fidence and esteem which he merited among his fellowmen. He held some elective office almost continuously from the time he reached his majority. He has been School Inspector, Justice of the Peace, and at the time of his death was Supervisor, which position he had been elected to four times. He efficiently served his people when given
Mr. Chase was born in New York in Jan- uary, 1824, and was the son of Charles C. and Eva (Schram) Chase, the former be-
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ing a native of New Hampshire, born in 1785 and died in 1863, while the latter was a native of New York, and was born in 1788 and died in 1837. Our subject was one of seven children, only one of whom is now living. He attended school until fourteen years of age, and in 1850 came to Bunker Hill and took up eighty acres of Government land, where he now resides. The same year, he returned to New York, and was married to Miss Louisa Flander, who was born at St. Catherine, Canada, in 1832, being the daughter of Jacob Flander, a native of New York state. After the mar- riage, they came to Michigan and settled on their present farm, where they built a log house, cleared the land, added many im- provements from time to time and made the farm what it is today.
Unto this union were born three children : Chester, born in Bunker Hill, is now forty- eight years old, and lives one mile west of home, is married and has four children ; William L., died at the age of four years ; Homer J., born in Bunker Hill, May 2, 1862, is married and lives at Jackson.
Mr. Chase was once a Democrat, but is now independent in politics, and was Justice of Peace for one year, during the Civil war. Our subject had one brother in the war, also one who served as machinist during the war. Mr. and Mrs. Chase are widely and favor- ably known in the county, which has so long been their home, and those who know them best are numbered among their warmest friends.
ELLERY T. ROYSTON.
The written biographies of men may read much alike, while the characters of the indi- viduals may differ greatly. It is but plain justice to him, a brief sketch of whose life this chronicle records, to say that Ellery T.
Royston is a just and upright citizen. Born and reared to manhood in the primitive sur- roundings of a newly settled country the sim- ple habits of his early training have clung to him through life. Industry, frugality and temperance are inbred characteristics of the man.
Ellery T. Royston was born in the Town- ship of Vevay, August 31, 1844, upon the same farm where he has since had a contin- uous residence. He was the eldest son of John W. and Jane E. (Long) Royston, who were pioneer settlers, coming from Seneca county, N. Y., in the year 1842. Purchas- ing a tract of one hundred sixty acres of wild land situated upon section 27, they carved out for themselves and family a com- fortable home upon a part of which is located the pleasant country residence of our sub- ject. It is recorded of the elder Royston that he "spotted" the road for some miles by "blazing" the trees when he first emi- grated to this section of the country. John W. Royston was born November 9, 1815, at Elizabethtown, N. J.
He was united in marriage March 24, 1841, to Jane E. Long. Mrs. Royston died June 9, 1888, aged sixty-six years. Mr. Royston passed away at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. Their remains rest side by side in Maple Grove cemetery at Mason.
Ellery T. Royston received his early edu- cation in the district school, later, however, attending an academy at Lansing for one term-a private school conducted by Prof. C. G. Olds. Mr. Royston recalls the fact that he was among the first pupils who at- tended the Hubbard school after the com- pletion of the building, which is still doing service and in good repair. Though never a seeker of public position, he has at times been honored with a place on the School Board, and was for several years Justice of the Peace. A widowed sister, Charlotte
MR. AND MRS. ELLERY T. ROYSTON
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Booth, born 1848, a resident of Jackson, Michigan, and a brother, Frank L. Royston, of Vevay, comprise the family.
Mr. Royston was happily married Decem- ber 23, 1869, to Mary E., daughter of Joseph and Dorothy Chase, residents of the same township. Mr. Chase was a highly re- spected citizen and pioneer ; he died January I, 1875, aged 61 years. Mrs. Chase passed away January 3, 1905, aged 75 years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Chase were born six children; their names and other data with reference to them is as follows : George, born October, 1849; Mary E., born November 16, 1851; Elliott S., born December 23, 1853, died October, 1865 : Effie J., born December 24, 1855, now the wife of A. A. Opdyke, they were united in marriage July, 3, 1875; Minnie B., born September 27, 1862, died October, 1865; Della, born April 13, 1868, married L. E. Olds, November 18, 1888, died June 4, 1892 ; Myrtie A., born August 15, 1869, married A. T. Smith, February 22, 1888. They have three children named re- spectively : Leon, Edith and Lester. They reside in Williamston township.
Mr. Royston remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age. With his father they were very suc- cessful in their farming operations. During the years of the Civil war they were en- abled in a single year to clean up $2,000, which was wisely invested in government bonds. In politics, Mr. Royston is lined up with the Prohibition party, believing as he does that the liquor traffic is the curse of our American civilization.
Mr. Royston carries on mixed farming and succeeds in adding something to his ex- chequer year by year. Mr. and Mrs. Roys- ton are consistent members of the Baptist church. By patient toil and frugality Mr. and Mrs. Royston have secured for them- selves a comfortable competence, and though
active in the business affairs of life they are enjoying the fruits of their mutual efforts.
MYRON F. CHILDS.
Myron F., was the second of a family of seven children, born to Nahum M. and Mar- ianne (Thomas) Childs. Nahum M. was born in the Empire State in the town of Stafford, in the year 1817. His wife was born in Bethany, N. Y., the same year. They were united in marriage at Bethany, N. Y., on the 11th day of September. In the year 1839 Mr. Childs came to Michigan with his family and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in the township of Vevay, one mile south of the city limits of Mason ; here the family resided for twen- ty-three years, when he disposed of his farm and located upon the farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the Township of Onon- daga, now owned by the son, Myron F. The father died June 23, 1897. The farm at the time of the purchase was but partially im- proved. The land has been cleared of the stumps, improvements made upon the build- ings, so that today it is recognized as one of the productive farms of the township; and most pleasantly situated. Nahum Childs was one of a family of fourteen children, now all deceased. The family of Mrs. Childs consisted of ten children, they too have all passed away. The following are the names of the children born to them with other data of interest : Frances Maurian, October 29. 1840, a resident of Vevay township. Ing- ham county; Myron F., born January 2, 1843, at Bethany, N. Y .. Anna Marianne, born June 8, 1845. wife of Eugene Griffith of Grand Ledge, mother of two children ; Emily Louise, born February 1, 1847, first husband George Doan, now the wife of Theodore H. Lyan of Aurelius township: Edna Roanne, born January 25, 1849, wife
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of George Hulbert, lives on the farm assist- ing in its management ; Alice M., born De- cember 14, 1853, wife of Forester White of Aurelius township; N. M., Jr., February 19. 1863, a resident of Aurelius township.
Myron F. Childs was united in marriage May 5, 1870, to Mary E., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Totter, natives of Ger- many. Mrs. Childs was born September 25, 1852, in the State of New York. For nearly nineteen years they had shared together the joys and sorrows of life. She was a faith- ful, devoted wife and mother, and departed from this life January 17 1889. Four chil- dren were born to them: Myrtle Anna, the first, born May 2, 1871, died June 27, 1872, aged thirteen months: Sadie Joy, born Au- gust 14, 1875, wife of Frank Bartholf of Rochester, N. Y. ; Earl T., born August 13. 1877, still with his father at home; Walter Allen, born November 20, 1880, resident of Oceana county, Mich.
Democracy is a birthmark with the Childs family. They seem to grow up to it natur- ally as a boy to manhood. They can always be relied upon for increasing the Democratic vote to the number of the family names re- corded upon the polling list. Mr. Childs was never an aspirant for office, always having business of his own to occupy his time and attention. He has, however, served his town- ship as Drain. Commissioner in a manner creditable to himself. He is a member of T. N. P. A. Mr. Childs cheerfully accords to his brother-in-law, Mr. George W. Hul- bert, who has since his marriage into the family, had an interest in operations of the home farm. Mr. Hulbert was born in the Wolverine State, February 5, 1853. His parents, Nehemial and Amanda (Bristol) Hulbert, were natives of the State of New York.
George W. was united in marriage No- vember 5, 1873. to Edna Roanine Childs.
Three children have been born to them. The first died in infancy ; Edna Alice, born July 27. 1879, wife of Homer Stone, a progres- sive farmer of Onondaga township; Mer- rick Clarence, June 10, 1881, married Lina Hull, September 23. 1903, their home is blessed by the advent of a sweet babe born October 24, 1904. Mr. Hulbert with a regu- larity that is commendable deposits a Demo- cratic ticket in the ballot box whenever the opportunity is presented. In brief, he be- lieves in the principles of government as set forth in the platforms of the Democratic party. He enjoys a membership in the fra- ternal organization of the Maccabees and the Odd Fellows.
Mrs. Hulbert is a member of the Baptist society to which she contributes toward its maintenance. The Good Book says: "It is well for brethren to dwell together in unity." It is complimentary to both Messrs. Childs and Hulbert that for more than three dec- ades they have unitedly and successfully carried forward a copartnership in their farming operations.
ADDISON DENSMORE (DECEASED).
Among the marked examples of what strict attention to business coupled with good judgment and backed up by habits of fru- gality and economy will do for a man, is the degree of success met with by Mr. Addison Densmore of Dansville, in his chosen avoca- tion of farming. Mr. Densmore is an Ing- ham county product, born January 12, 1846. His parents, John and Sally Densmore, emi- grated from the State of Vermont, where his father was born in the year 1839 and settled in the Township of Ingham, which, at that date was practically an unbroken forest. He bought a claim, cleared up the farm, and lived here until the date of his death in 1853, at which time his real estate holdings were
ADDISON DENSMORE
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
about two hundred acres of good land. His mother was a native of Connecticut.
Addison Densmore was the youngest of fourteen children, four of whom are living. His early education in book knowledge was somewhat limited, as in a new country with so many mouths to feed, it became necessary for him while yet in his teens to work out by the month as a farm hand. This he did until he was twenty-one years of age. He was united in marriage in 1866 to Miss Emma Collar, daughter of Stephen Collar of Alaie- don township. Two children, a son and a daughter have been born to them, the eldest, Ernest, born December 15, 1867, who was given the advantages of the Dansville higli school, which he improved, being from early childhood a most exemplary youth. He grew to manhood in the native village, and was regarded with high esteem by every one. He was united in marriage to Ella, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Egbert Rice, for many years highly respected people of Dansville, where Mr. Rice was engaged in the dry goods trade. Mrs. Densmore graduated from the Dansville high school, and was later, for some time, a student of Albion college. After his marriage and the death of his father-in- law. Ernest bought out the business and conducted it successfully for several years. Having a desire for legal knowledge, he closed out the store, moved with his family to Ann Arbor and took a course in the law department, graduating with honors, after which he located in Mason. In addition to this Mr. Ernest Densmore has engaged in the hardware business with an old-time friend as a partner. He is a Christian gen- tleman. His family are members of the M. E. church and he is superintendent of the Sunday school. Two children have been born to Ernest and Mrs. Densmore : Merle, born September 1I, 1890, and Gail. born February 18, 1894.
Alma, the second child of our subject, re- ceived the advantages of the village school at Dansville, from which she graduated ; she later graduated from the school of music at the University at Ann Arbor. She is now the wife of Eber F. Thompson, who is in the employ of the United States as rural mail carrier. Mrs. Thompson is a member of the M. E. church at Dansville, and has been interested in church work from early childhood.
Our subject, soon after marriage, moved on a farm and for about fifteen years worked rented land, after which he expended his ac- cumulations for one hundred and sixty acres which he farmed for ten years. Our sub- ject has occupied his present premises for about twenty-five years, has made many im- provements and kept pace with the develop- ment of the country. Mr. Densmore has never been a seeker for office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his private af- fairs, deeming them to be more profitable and more in harmony with his feelings. He has, however, served as Supervisor of his township, and has been Treasurer of the cor- poration of Dansville, and for many years a member of the village council. Mr. Dens- more has given more attention to stock rais- . ing than to farming proper. He has a repu- tation, second to none in Ingham county, as a cattle feeder, and buys and sells stock, and always at Christmas time has a carload or two of choice steers for the Christmas market. He keeps a fine flock of thorough- bred Shropshire sheep. . His present farm consists of one hundred and forty acres of valuable lands.
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