USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 53
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By economy and close application to his personal affairs, Mr. Densmore has been en- abled to lay by a comfortable competence for his declining years, and his many friends throughout the country wish for him a pleas- ant journey down the western slope. .
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P. S .- Just before going to press comes the report that Mr. Densmore passed away after a painful illness extending over sev- eral months. His bereaved family and friends are greatly comforted by his perfect resignation to the Divine will. He was a just and upright citizen, and will be remem- bered for his many acts of love and service. To those akin to him he has left the memory of a useful and honorable life, to his friends the memory of a kind-hearted and sympa- thetic companion and the community the ex- ample of a public-spirited citizen. "After life's fitful fever he sleeps well."
FRED DENSMORE.
Mr. Densmore was an adopted son, and the only child of his adopted parents. His father, Ransom Densmore, was a man of probity of life and much respected for his amiable qualities of head and heart. He was one of the most active in the erection of the Methodist Protestant church building at Dansville, having always at heart the best interests of the church and society at large. In all the activities of life and in every good enterprise, he had the assistance and sym- pathy of his devoted wife.
Mr. Ransom Densmore was born March 26, 1829. His wife was born December 29, 1828. They were united in marriage Octo- ber 25, 1847. After their marriage they settled at Lodi. Plains, Washtenaw county, and from there moved to Ingham county, settling on what was known as the Root farm, now owned by Wm. Hanna, and set- tled on the farm now occupied by his son Fred.
Fred Densmore was united in marriage December 28, 1879, to Miss Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hines of the Township of Bunker Hill. Two children have been born to them, Mabel, born Janu-
ary 25, 1888; Berney, born August 7, 1892. Mr. Densmore conducts his farming opera- tion similar to most farmers in this section- being rotation of crops, mixed farming of grain and stock. He owns 160 acres of choice land, with good substantial farm buildings, located on section 27 in the Town- ship of Ingham. He has a fine apple orchard on his premises and manufactures cider in the season. Mr. Densmore and his father have made all the improvements on the place.
His father purchased the land in the year 1875 in a comparatively wild state. Politi- cally, Mr. Densmore gives his support to- ward the promulgation of the principles of the Democratic party. He is a member of the fraternal organizations of the I. O. O. F. and the Modern Woodmen.
There are names in every community that give to it a reputation for virtue, character, uprightness of life and stability. In and about the vicinity of Dansville, the name Densmore is a synonym for morality, in- dustry and integrity. When Ransom Dens- more passed out of this life. Ingham town- ship lost one of its best and most highy re- spected citizens.
JACOB DAKIN.
Among the early settlers of Ingham town- ship, there are a number of men whose abili- ties and character have given to them an ex- ceptional standing in the community. Their pioneer experiences in the early days de- veloped through hardships and struggles all that is best in man and by their perseverence and adherence to the principles which are necessary to success, they have attained a reputation which is permanent. Such a man is Jacob Dakin who resides in Dansville. He was born in Michigan August 3, 1838. His parents, Judson and Polly (Hotlin) Dakin, were natives of New York. The
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father died at the age of sixty-five and the mother at the age of fifty.
Judson Dakin came to. Michigan in 1841, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in Ingham township which he cleared, improved and made his home until his death. Twelve children blessed this union, of whom three are now living: Wil- liam and Hiram, residents of California, and the subject of this sketch, who has retired from the activities of farm life. The father cast his vote for the Democratic party. He and his estimable wife are both members of the M. E. church.
Our subject acquired his early education in the district schools of his township and always remained at home with his father on the farm, assisting in its management and caring for his parents during the latter years of their lives. After their death he took charge of the younger children and came into possession of the homestead, where he has lived until about three years since, when he moved to Dansville. The old homestead, Mr. Dakin gave to his son Frank, who re- sides on the place. He has also bought and distributed among his children about seven hundred acres of land in the vicinity. At the age of twenty-two years our subject en- tered the benedicts' ranks, being united to Miss Mariette Payne, who died three years after their marriage. Mrs. Dakin was the daughter of Lanson Payne, a native of New York, where he always lived. One child was born of this union, Wort, aged forty years, a farmer of the township. Mr. Dakin was married to Addie Woods in 1865, and to them were born five children, as follows : Charles, a farmer of Wheatfield; Orilla, the wife of Thomas Hanna of Ing- ham township; Clara, single, at home, and Maggie, wife of Clyde Otis of this township. The mother of these children died at the age of fifty-seven years.
Mr. Dakin was again married October 19, 1904, to Olive, daughter of Richard and Cynthia Aseltine Bygraves, who settled in Stockbridge township in 1841, and they are now residents of the Village of Dansville. Mrs. Dakin was born September 25, 1855. She has one brother, Alvin, who resides at Mason and a sister, Mrs. Clarence Freder- ick of this village. Mrs. Dakin's first mar- riage was with Robert P. Thompson of this village. Of this union two sons were born, Elmer, in 1877. Eber B., 1879. Mr. Thomp- son died in 1882. She was married to Chauncey R. Backus in 1890. Mr. Backus died in 1893.
The Democracy has in our subject a strong advocate. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, No. 160, at Dansville. Mr. Dakin is in prosperous circumstances. He has been very generous and thoughtful in his provisions for his children, placing each in possession of a good farm home. He has many friends, possessing as he does, a genial, warm hearted nature. He is recog- nized as one of the substantial men of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Dakin having at easy command a competence sufficient for their every need, are enjoying life to a full measure.
DANIEL T. DUTCHER.
One of the early settlers of White Oak township and a man of inestimable worth in his community is Daniel T. Dutcher who was born in New York, October 17, 1831. His father, Daniel Dutcher, also a native of New York, was born in 1806, while the mother, Maria Bullock, was born in New York.
The spring of 1835 witnessed the arrival of the Dutcher family in Michigan. They located in White Oak, where they took from the government two hundred and ninety-
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two acres of wild land. Here they built a log house and cleared two hundred acres. In 1853 they built a frame house, the same roof being still on the house. He also built a good barn and at various times has owned several other pieces of property. At the time of the father's death he had sold all of his land and lived with a daughter, Mrs. Charles H. Carpenter of White Oak. Daniel Dutch- er. Sr., died June 16. 1891, and Mrs. Dutcher, in 1873.
Our subject is the third of eleven chil- dren, seven of whom are living : Elizabeth, born in New York, married Reuben Young, deceased : Ray, born in New York, died at the age of one year ; our subject ; Joseph At- wood, born in New York, married Matilda Townsend. deceased ; Abigail, married George Wilson, who died in the army. Her second marriage was to Elias Clark, who is also dead: Stephen died from disease con- tracted in the army, married Martha Click- ner : Mary, married Walter Van Buren : Pa- tience, married Edgar Van Buren: Israel, married Cynthia Palmer; Olive, married Myron Van Buren, who is dead; and Vic- toria married Charles Carpenter.
Daniel Dutcher stayed with his father one year after he became of age and then went onto a place of forty acres, where he has since lived. The land was all wild and he has improved all except four acres. When he first moved onto the place there was a log house. but he has since built a frame house, part of which he moved from another place he had bought. He is now the owner of one hundred acres of well improved land.
February 16, 1854, Mr. Dutcher was united in marriage with Abigail Howell, who was born December 18, 1833, and is the daughter of John and Marietta (Decker) Howell, she having been born in the State of New Jersey. Mrs. Dutcher's father came to Michigan in 1837 and located in Stockbridge
township on eighty acres of wild land, which he took up from the Government. He moved into a log house and cleared all the land. When he moved onto the place he had to cut down the trees to make a place for his log cabin. The parents of our subject and wife used to go to Dexter to trade. Mr. Howell used to take cranberries and trade them for provisions. He later bought forty acres more of wild land in Unadilla town- ship. Livingston county, and this improved. At the time of his death he owned one hun- dred and twenty acres.
Mrs. Dutcher was the first in a family of nine children, the other members of the family being: Parshall, who married Sara Torrey: Emily (dead), married Stephen Hayner, who is also dead: William, single; Atheline (dead) : Sara married Edward Kitchen : James (dead ). married Alice Proc- tor (dead) : Westbrook (dead). married Allie Laubaugh, and Zella, married William Ramsdell. The mother of this family died in 1892 and the father in 1900. Both died on the place which they early took from the Government. Mr. Howell was a staunch Democrat.
To Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Dutcher have been born the following: John D., born July 18, 1861. married Ina Soules, January 23. 1886. They live on a farm in Stock- bridge, forty acres of which is in White Oak. He owns one hundred acres of land and is the father of one child, Myra ; Maggie, born November 30, 1865. married Fred Fisher, lives in Tuscola county and owns a half in- terest with a brother in a two hundred acre farm. They have one child, Jessie. born November, 1894.
Our subject's father was Justice of Peace for years and was also Poormaster. Daniel T., the son, our subject. is not a member of any church, yet he is a Christian man and lives up to his convictions. He is highly
REV. J. A. SLY
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esteemed by his fellowmen. Mr. Dutcher and wife celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary February 16, 1904.
REV. JOHN ALBERT SLY.
J. A. Sly is a product of Ingham county, Michigan, having been born in the Township of White Oak, October 1, 1838. He was the oldest of a family of eleven children born to George J. and Samantha (Riggs) Sly, who were both natives of the "Land of Steady Habits," where the father was born in 1808. He died at Elm Hall, Gratiot county, Michi- gan, in 1882. The mother was born at Hart- ford in 1811 and passed away at Elm Hall in 1892, a woman of blessed memory, who was for many years a consistent member of the M. E. church.
In the year 1837 George J. Sly came to Grass Lake, Michigan, and soon after was married and engaged in "Keeping Tavern," and in the meantime entered into land specu- lations, at which early date Michigan offered great opportunities. The year following he purchased a considerable tract of land in the Township of White Oak and brought his young wife into the then almost unbroken forests of that township. Inquirers were directed by blazed trees and Indian trails. A public highway meant little more than the cutting of the underbrush, making it possi- ble for the ox team to haul the worldly ef- fects of its owner to a quarterpost of a cer- tain section, in some instances the family occupying the wagon until a log hut or shanty could be rolled up. The elder Sly, though enjoying but limited school advan- tages, was a man of quick wit and a ready command of common English, and this he turned to a good account. His neighbors appreciating his abilities, secured his services in adjusting their differences-this was the beginning of a practice he maintained
through the active years of his life. Many a motley crowd have been wonderfully enter- tained by the trial of a case before a Justice of the Peace in the schoolhouse of black- smith shop, or other convenient place of meeting. The writer recalls with consider- able distinctness the impressions made upon his mind when but a mere lad. His father was Justice of the Peace-the family living room was the Court room-Mr. Sly and Judge Paddock the attorneys. He was much impressed as the case proceeded with the repartee and wranglings of the lawyers; it seemed to him they could never be good friends again, and he was greatly surprised . when the affair was over, to see the two gen- tlemen, who lived in the same neighborhood, get into the same rig and drive away, chat- ting as easily as though nothing had tran- spired. He has noticed the same peculiarities in later years, and as a result his confidence in the sincerity of the whole fraternity has been somewhat shaken, and as a result he has never employed an attorney.
J. A. Sly acquired his early education in the common schools and later attended a se- lect school at Lansing for some time. He has always been a student and a great lover of history, and by his own efforts has stored his mind with useful knowledge. The one purpose of his life has been to make the world better, and his influence in the com- munities where he has preached the gospel has always been of a wholesome and helpful nature. He entered the ministry in the Methodist Protestant church at the age of eighteen years, and traveled as an itinerant for several years. On account of the failing health of his wife he was obliged to retire from regular work in the ministry. He lo- cated upon an eighty acre tract of unim- proved land in the Township of Stockbridge. He built a log house and barn, and with characteristic industry and perseverance he
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cleared away the forest, improved the land, and made for himself and family a comfort- able living-busy all the week with manual labor upon the farm, while the Sabbath usually found him in some back district preaching the gospel to the poor. His efforts in the community where he lives resulted in the erection of a substantial brick church, he having purchased and given all the brick in the entire building and the land on which it stands and money besides. In the year 1868 he again entered regularly into the work of the ministry, and continued for the following nine years filling appointments at Shelby, Monroe, Owosso, West Conway and Flemings, which pastorate he now holds.
In the year 1884 he exchanged his farm in Stockbridge township for one hundred and six acres situated on section four of the Township of White Oak, which has since been his residence. A Methodist church build- ing is situated upon the premises, largely due to his and his devoted wife's timely zeal in the cause of religion. Although liv- ing on the farm, and much of the time in- volved with business cares, Mr. Sly always found time to give the full weight of his in- fluence for every enterprise tending to the betterment of society and the advancement of the cause of morality, virtue and religion. His services are still in demand, and he has supplied several pastorates, and is at the pres- ent time serving the people at Fleming, Liv- ingston county, in a very acceptable manner. Rev. Sly was instrumental in the erection of Gleaners Hall, which is located upon his farm. The land was presented by him for this building, with the condition that the hall should be devoted to the upbuilding of so- ciety. Mrs. Sly organized the first Aid So- ciety in that locality ; and in memory of her zeal and devotion to the Master's cause, the members of the Ladies' Aid Society, and church, caused the church, erected on the
corner of the home farm, to be named Me- morial, as seen in the stone tablet in the front of the church, by the passerby, as a tribute to her memory. She departed this life April 7, 1892, and during all the intervening years her afflicted companion has not ceased to
"Long for the touch of a vanished hand And the sound of a voice that is still."
To Mr. and Mrs. Sly have been born three children : Addie C., born December 15, 1862, in White Oak, now the wife of E. E. Granger of White Oak, and they have two sons, Bruce and Raymond. Mr. Granger is a teacher in the public schools of this county. William C., born September 22, 1864, married May I. Grimes. William's farm joins that of his father, and he is known as one of the prosperous young farm- ers of his township. Mattie Ursula,, born November 14, 1869, now the wife of Jas. H. Runciman of Wheatfield, and they have one child, Roy.
Politically, Rev. Sly is a pronounced Pro- hibitionist, believing that the great enemy of the school, the home and the church, is the legalized liquor traffic, and he never fails to give the monster a thrust whenever oppor- tunity offers. He firmly believes that the only solution possible of the liquor problem is the absolute prohibition of the whole ne- farious business, and further, he maintains this an essential to the perpetuation of our American institutions. The nation cannot long exist, half drunk and half sober.
Rev. J. A. Sly and Miss Corinna Post were united in the holy bonds of matrimony in the year 1859. . Mrs. Sly was the daugh- ter of William C. and Ursula Post, and was born October 20, 1841, in Livingston county. Her father was one of the early settlers in White Oak township and settled there in 1844. He came to Livingston in about 1839, and his name appears frequently among thie
GEORGE J. SLY
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early officers of the township. He was foi several years a Supervisor, and held other offices of trust and responsibility-a man of honor.
Rev. J. A. Sly cheerfully awards this space for the brief outline of deeds of valor and virtue of his trio of patriotic brothers, who did meritorious service for their country's honor in the time of her great peril. Three brothers did valiant service for their country during the War of the Rebellion; all were members of Co. B, 26th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Captain L. H. Ives commanding. The following data with reference to the service of each is here given place, that at least a brief record may be preserved to the honor of these brave men.
Seneca Sly enlisted at the age of twenty years in the Township of White Oak, Octo- ber 18, 1862. It is recorded in the original company description book, opposite his name, that "He was a good soldier when able for duty." His health failed him and for several months prior to his discharge he was con- fined to the hospital. He was mustered out at Carver Hospital, Washington, D. C., and honorably discharged August 4, 1864.
Orlando H. Sly entered the service at the age of eighteen years, enlisting at White Oak, October 18, 1862. He was with his command and participated in several engage- ments, notably the Siege of Suffolk, Va., from April 22 to May 14, 1863 ; Mine Run, Va., Nov. 29, 1863; Windsor, Va., May 22, 1863 : Wilderness, Va., May 5-6-7, 1864. The loss in this battle alone was about fifteen thousand, in killed, wounded and missing, on each side. Corbin Ridge, May 8, 1864; N. Y. River, Va., May 9-10, 1864; Po River, May 11, 1864. While his regiment was hotly engaged with the enemy. he re- ceived a severe gun shot wound from a mus- ket ball, through the left arm, fortunately no bones were broken, but he was immediately
sent to the hospital. He was mustered out and honorably discharged January 9, 1865.
George M. Sly enlisted as a recruit Febru- ary 13, 1864, at the age of twenty-three years. He was credited to White Oak town- ship. He has to his credit the active partici- pation in several of the hardest fought battles of the war, including the Wilderness. Spott- sylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. He was wounded by a Minnie ball in the left arm at Amelia Springs, Va., April 6, 1865, only three days before the final surrender of the Army of Virginia under Gen. R. E. Lee to Gen. Grant at Appamattox, Va., a total of 26,115 men. He was mustered out and hon- orably discharged in 1865. The 26th Michigan was recognized as among the very best regiments of the old 2d Corps, com- manded by the gallant Gen. W. S. Hancock. who wrote : "I have great respect and esteem for the officers and men of a regiment as dis- tinguished in the field as the 26th Michigan Infantry and feel bound to them in ties of friendship derived from a common serv- ice."
The regiment returned to the State under command of Col. L. H. Ives, and was mus- tered out by reason of the close of the war, at Jackson, Michigan, June 17, 1865.
In addition to the brief record given above, Mr. Sly gives space for the genealogy of his father's family, the names and order of birth as follows : John Albert ; George M .; Mary A .: Seneca ; Orlando; Charles ; Mor- gan : Ruben; Parmer, who died in infancy ; James H., and Losell. Mr. Sly states that the first Methodist meeting held in his sec- tion of the country, was in a shanty on his farm then owned by Alfred Howard, who took up the land from the government. He relates that Mrs. Howard was for two years deprived of church privileges by reason of not having any foot gear. A blanket served as a door for the humble home of the
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Howards, and during the absence of Mr. Howard one evening, a panther sprang against the blanket, but seeing the light on the open hearth, he beat a hasty retreat. -
As an evidence of the wanton recklessness of the early pioneer in the treatment of val- uable timber, Mr. Sly has many black walnut rails upon his farm, that have done contin- uous service for more than half a century, and are still in fair condition.
Mr. Sly is a true friend, a genial Christian gentleman and living with the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. He is going towards the setting of the sun with the assur- ance of having acted well his part in life.
S. H. SANFORD.
One of the successful and enterprising agriculturists of Onondaga township is Mr. S. H. Sanford, who is a native son of this State, having been born in Jackson Co. on the 25th day of May, 1855. He is the son of T. M. and Helen (Snyder) Sanford. The father was born in Green county, N. Y., in 1813, and died in 1876 at the age of sixty- three, while the mother is also a native of the Empire State and was born in New York City in 1823 and died in 1900.
S. H. Sanford was one of a family of nine children, whose names are as follows : Mary, born 1850, now resides in Chicago; Frank, born in 1852, resides on the old homestead in Jackson county ; Lyman D., born 1854, is a resident of Oil City, Pa .; the fourth is our subject, Nellie, the fifth, became the wife of Richard Peck and resides in New York; Truman M., died in Birmingham, Ala., aged thirty-two years ; Edward B., is a resident of Oil City, Pa., while Harry T., the eighth, died in Jefferson Barracks, Mo., while in the regular army. The father of this family came to Michigan in 1849 and located in
Jackson county and thus became one of the pioneers of that section of the State. At this place he made his home for a number of years and eventually moved to Parma, Mich., and lived there four years. Moving back to the farm, where he lived a number of years before he died.
The early education of S. H. Sanford was acquired at the district schools, attend- ing until the age of twelve and he then re- mained under the parental roof until about the age of twenty-four years of age, going to Dakota, where he obtained a position as fireman, where he remained for two years. Returning to Onondaga, he engaged in the hardware business for one year.
In 1882 occurred an important event in the life of Mr. Sanford, when he was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Baldwin, who was born in 1861 and who died in 1889. To this marriage were born two children, namely: Nellie, now aged seventeen, a stu- dent at Ypsilanti, and Fannie, fifteen years of age, at home attending school. Mr. San- ford was again married, the second union being with Miss Mattie Gordon of Tomp- kins Center, Jackson county, which occurred in 1892, and to this marriage two children were also born, the eldest, Florence, now eleven years of age, and the younger, Mabel, nine years of age.
S. H. Sanford handles a farm of one hun- dred and sixty-five acres of well improved and valuable land and upon this he has de- voted his energies to general farming and stock raising. He has taken an active part in politics, casting his vote for the Democ- racy ; was nominated for Highway Commis- sioner, and was appointed chief janitor at the State capitol for two years. He is a Mason and has lived according to the teach- ings of this order, honored and respected by all who know him.
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