USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 60
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Three children brightened the model American home of the Thorburns: Rose, born October 6, 1875, still under the parental roof : Nettie M., born May 22, 1880, married October 6, 1903 to Rev. C. E. Pollok, and John Royal Emerson, born Dec. 2, 1887. All have been given good school advantages and a Christian training to mould their lives for helpfulness and happiness.
Politically, Mr. Thorburn is a Republican of the best type, standing only for those prin- ciples calculated to develop the best class of American citizens.
The family are energetic workers and warm supporters of the Presbyterian church at Holt. Mr. Thorburn is known through- out Ingham county as an enthusiast in Sun- day School work. To him more than to any other individual the Sunday Schools of the county are indebted for the advanced position taken by the worker and for the thorough organization of the County Asso- ciation, as he effectually served as Secretary for the term of five years and as President
for three years. He originated the "Sunday School Union," since changed to the "Sun- day School Worker," published in the inter- ests of the work and conducted this for three years. It is now the property of the association and a power for good among the workers.
The world will never be overstocked with men possessing the characteristics of Mr. Thorburn. He is a true home maker, a so- ciety builder of the best type, teaching by example and precept the principles of right living, equity and justice. There may be greater men, but there are few better citizens.
JOHN THORBURN.
Among those that are classed as pioneer settlers of Ingham county, is numbered John Thorburn, a native of Scotland. He was born at Lesmahago, Lanarkshire, March 29, 1824. He is a son of James and Christina (Boe) Thorburn, born at Douglas and Glen- buck, Scotland, respectively.
The early years of Mr. Thorburn's life were spent in the common schools and herd- ing cattle. At the age of twenty-three he had served four years as an apprentice to the blacksmiths trade and worked six years as a journeyman. He came to America in 1848 in company with his younger brother, Robert ; his father and mother following the next year. He first worked a short time in Pittsburg, Pa., coming to Michigan the same year and located one hundred and twenty acres of government land on sections 23 and 24, Delhi, which is part of the pres- ent farm. He and his brother chopped five or six acres of wood land the winter of 1848-1849, and built a log house, which his father and mother occupied the spring fol- lowing. His father, James Thorburn, was a Democrat of the old school, believing firmly in the principles of the party. Both he and
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JOHN THORBURN
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his wife were active, earnest Christians, and were members of the Free Presbyterian church, he was also a member of the Ma- sonic order, and lived in harmony with the beneficent spirit of the craft. He was a man of exceptional character, strong in pur- pose and honest to the heart-core.
Mr. Thorburn spent about four years working at his trade in Ypsilanti, and work- ing for a short time in Mason. He located in Lansing in 1852 and built a brick shop on the south side of Franklin street, opposite the Olds Hotel, at the beginning of the old plank road. He run this shop for five years and did a successful business. His health failing, he moved to the farm in Delhi, and turned his attention to general farming and stock raising, in which he was unusually successful.
January 26, 1854, he was married to Miss Hannah Jane Olds, daughter of Alanson Olds. Her mother bore the maiden name of Jane Lamb. They came to Michigan at an early day and for years conducted the Olds Hotel in North Lansing. Mrs. Thor- burn was born in Prattsburg, N. Y., March 31, 1829, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1832. She was the oldest of eleven children. She died March 16, 1889. It is worthy to note that she was a descend- ant of the last martyr, who was burned at the stake in England. Edward Whiteman, a Baptist of Burton-upon-Trent, who was con- demned by the Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry, and burned at Litchfield. April II, 1812.
To this union were born three sons : James Boe, a resident of Delhi, whose his- tory appears elsewhere, in this volume ; Wil- liam Warren, a veterinary surgeon of prom- inence, in Lansing: Robert Clark, now de- ceased.
Robert C. Thorburn became a member of Co. F, 31st Michigan Volunteer Infantry,
rank as sergeant, and served in Cuba dur- ing the Spanish-American war. He un- fortunately contracted a fever during his services, which resulted in his death, which occurred at his home on the 30th day of October, 1903. He is survived by his wife and one child, John Russell Thorburn, born March 18, 1900.
John Thorburn is a man of more than ordinary energy and force of character, and has by frugality and honesty of purpose be- come the possessor of considerable property. Now owning nine hundred and forty acres of the best land in Ingham county. In the accumulation of this property, he has not only displayed sound judgment, but a marked degree of energy. He is in every sense a self-made man. Much of the land has been cleared and placed under cultiva- tion by his individual effort, and improve- ments without number have been made, add- ing to its attractive appearance and valua- tion.
John Thorburn casts his vote with the Republican party, believing it best suited to govern in the interests of the people. He is a respected member of the Presbyterian church at Holt. A hale and hearty man of eighty-one years, he is honored and re- spected by all who know him, and unto such men and families Ingham county now owes its present prosperous condition.
JAMES P. EDMONDS. LANSING.
Mr. Edmonds, who since 1899 has been associated with M. F. Bates in the manu- facture of automobiles and gas and gasoline engines, is a native of Lansing, and both his father and his father-in-law were for many years prominent in its business and public affairs. Our subject was born in that city on the 13th day of January, 1866, his parents being John W. and Marilla J. (Pel-
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ton) Edmonds. The father's birth occurred in New York City in 1832, but when he was one year old the family moved to Rochester, N. Y., where the boy remained until he was of age. Until he was twenty- one he followed his trade as a harness and trunk maker, coming to Lansing in 1854.
Soon after the elder Mr. Edmonds located in Lansing, he associated himself with E. W. Coolidge, and after two years, formed a partnership with Charles Cannell, which remained unbroken for a period of thirty-six years. At the time of Mr. Edmonds' death, August 15, 1894, the business was one of the largest in the city.
The deceased was very prominent in local affairs. He and George K. Grove were the organizers of the first volunteer fire depart- ment in Lansing, he himself being its fore- man for twenty years, and afterwards chief of the city fire department. He served as Alderman and Supervisor of the Second Ward during the Civil war, and was Treas- urer of the School Board for twelve years. In a word, both in business and as a public character, he was one of the prominent men of Lansing.
James P. Edmonds, the son, has during his entire life been identified with the busi- ness, manufacturing and public interests of his native city. He received a common school, academic and collegiate education, and served as City Treasurer of Lansing, 1892-93-94-96. He then traveled for one year as special agent and adjuster for the American Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia. In 1899, in association with M. F. Bates, he organized the Bates & Ed- monds Motor Company, and later the Bates Automobile Company. Of the former, which manufacture gas and gasoline en- gines, Mr. Edmonds is secretary and man- ager, also being the secretary for the Bates Automobile Company. The enterprises,
which started five years ago, without an or- der ahead, now employ one hundred men -- are working night and day, and manufac- ture two thousand engines annually and a large number of first-class family automo- biles. This remarkable growth is largely due to the sound business and executive abil- ity of Mr. Edmonds.
On November 28, 1894, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Neenah E. Jones, daughter of N. B. Jones, an old and promi- nent settler of Lansing. It is interesting to note that in his youth Mr. Jones was a mes- senger boy in the first Michigan State Legis- lature, which met in Lansing, and that as a young man he served as Clerk of the House for nine sessions. Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds have one child, Amy. The wife is a mem- ber of the First Congregational church. Politically, Mr. Edmonds is a Republican and is identified with the Masonic fraternity.
WILLIAM FANSON.
It is refreshing to know that there are those even in these times of degeneracy who believe that Old Solomon was right, when he said, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." He who by the upright- ness of life and character has made his name a synonym or virtue, sobriety and morality in the community in which he has lived, has given to posterity a valued heritage. How- ever good may have been the family name of Fanson in the mother country, it has lost no prestige by being Americanized.
William Fanson, a resident of Mason, was born in Devonshire, England, January 9, 1841. His parents were natives of the Merry Island. The father, Richard Fanson, followed the occupation known as carrier in that country, conveying goods from the sea shore to inland towns. He died while yet a young man, aged forty years, leaving a
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widow with a family of six children in mod- erate circumstances. Two years after the death of her husband, greatly appreciating the advantages offered in America for get- ting on the world, the mother with her six children, gathered together her worldly pos- sessions and set sail for "the land of the free and the home of the brave." The fam- ily landed in New York in August, 1849. The home was set up at Bergen in Genesee county, New York, where the mother spent the last half decade of her active life, passing to the great beyond in the month of April, 1854.
Mr. Fanson has here recorded for the benefit of those who come after the names of his brothers and sisters and other data of interest : Thomas, born July 3, 1832, a resi- dent of Rochester, N. Y .; Margaret, born July 1, 1834, died in Canada; John, born February 2, 1836, is a successful and pros- perous farmer at Assumption, Ill. ; Richard, born July 16, 1837, a resident of Blooming- ton, Ill. ; Mary Ann, born December 9, 1843. widow of Mr. W. Craft, resides in North Dakota.
Mr. Fanson attended school before leaving England and later in this country. He has, however, gleaned much of his practical edu- cation by experience. At the age of fifteen years, he found himself entirely dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood. En- gaging himself to a farmer, he toiled early and late as a farm hand, the stipulated wages being ten dollars per month. At the end of five years, he had his wages advanced to the munificent sum of fifteen dollars per month. He had been well schooled in the important virtues of economy and industry, so he made good use of his income and kept busy. An important step in the life of Mr. Fanson was his early marriage, not having reached the years of his majority. Jan. 15. 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss
Marietta, daughter of Moses and Jane Barr Berry of Genesee, N. Y. Mrs. Fanson's parents were natives of England and Amer- ica. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fanson, all grown to man and woman- hood, and all leading useful and upright lives, giving cheer and comfort to their parents in the declining years of life: Frank W., born May 20, 1862, near Bloomington, Ill .. now married and a resident of the Empire State in Genesee county ; Mary Jane, born October 17, 1863, the wife of Prof. Glenn C. Lawrence, now in the employ of the gov- ernment as a teacher in Utah ; Edith L., born August 5, 1865, now the wife of Menzo Cady of Vevay township; Ollie E., born April 14, 1871, at Bergen, Genesee county, N. Y., now in the Harper Hospital, Detroit, preparing herself for the responsible position of trained nurse; Frederick R., born March 28, 1874, now conducting the farm upon which he was born in Aurelius township; . and Bertha C., born December 25, 1876, a graduate of the Mason High School, and the State Normal at Ypsilanti, formerly a teach- er in the public schools of various places. She was married to George N. Shafer, March 8, 1905, and they are now living on a farm just north of Mason owned by Mr. Shafer's father.
For some three years after his marriage, Mr. Fanson worked a rented farm in Bloom- ington, Ill., in copartnership with his brother, Richard. He returned to New York for one year, then moved with his family to Michi- gan, bought a tract of forty acres of unim- proved land and set himself to work to carve out for himself and his family an ideal American home. He was successful beyond his expectations, bought more land, made improvements upon the lands and erected good, commodious farm buildings. This property is located in Aurelius township. He kept the debts every good citizen owes to
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society and the community in which he lives all squared up. In brief the prosperity that is almost certain to follow intelligent effort has been theirs to enjoy. Finding himself in the possession of a competency, sufficient for the demands of old age, Mr. Fanson re- tired with his family from the farm to the city life of Mason, where he is very com- fortably located. Here the demands of the family for intellectual, social and religious culture are fully met. A Republican in poli- tics, Mr. Fanson has never been an aspirant for office ; he has, however, acceptably served his township as Drain Commissioner and also Highway Commissioner and Township Treasurer.
The whole family are devoted members of the Baptist Church and allied with the Bap- tist Society. Mr. Fanson has been a member of the church choir at Mason for several years. Mr. Fanson may with a sense of just pride that comes with a consciousness of having well performed his part in the battle of life, looking back over the years of his experience, be cheered with the thought that by honest toil and industry he has won for himself a name and a place in this world of activities.
FRANK E. THOMAS, M. D.
It is said that "circumstances make men what they are," but unless to be born in Michigan and to receive that early inspira- tion for success which our public schools in- still in the youth of the State, is a circum- stance that makes for success, then the sub- ject of this sketch is no exception.
Frank E. Thomas was born in the Vil- lage of Allegan, Allegan Co., Mich., on the 19th day of Nov., 1867, of sturdy pioneer stock. His father, Samuel Mason Thomas, being one of the early pioneers who came to Michigan from Ohio and during the Civil
War was Captain of Co. E., 28th Michigan Infantry. His mother, Helen F., who now resides with the doctor, is a native of New York state. Dr. Thomas comes honestly by his strong characteristics of tentative perse- verance, fighting inch by inch for the goal, as his maternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812 and his maternal great grandfather was a patriot in the Revolution- ary army.
The early life of Dr. Thomas was much the same as thousands of school boys of his time. He attended the Allegan . public schools and at the age of nineteen he deter- mined on the medical profession for his life's work, entering the office of the late Dr. F. M. Calkins where he remained under the preceptorship of that eminent physician and surgeon for two years, when he obtained a position in the drug department of the Mich- igan Asylum for the Insane at Kalamazoo, where he remained a little less than two years, when he entered the Detroit College of Medicine from which he graduated in 1894. While attending the college he was appointed medical interne on the house staff of Harper Hospital of Detroit, during 1891 and 1892. During the summer of 1893 he was appointed under-graduate medical in- terne on the medical staff at the Michigan Asylum for the Insane at Kalamazoo. After completing his studies at the Detroit College of Medicine in the spring of 1894 Dr. Thomas took up his residence at Mason, where he has since followed the practice of his chosen profession.
The first few years of his practice would have discouraged a less determined charac- ter, starting without money or influence, having to overcome the obstacles so common to the new practitioner. His success has been all that could be desired, as attested by his large and lucrative practice. ยท
In November, 1894, Dr. Thomas was
FRANK E. THOMAS, M. D.
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united in marriage to Miss Rose, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Allen of Birming- ham, Michigan. The union proved to be a happy one, she presiding over the home, with that delicate tact so necessary in the peculiar and ofttimes trying position of a physician's wife. April 8, 1898, a son, Em- mett, was born to Dr. and Mrs. Thomas, who is now starting on his way through the Mason schools. He in every way gives promise of having inherited many of the characteristics of his father, short, thick set and muscular in person and strong in in- tellect.
Dr. Thomas is a member of the Ingham County, the Michigan State, and the Ameri- can Medical Societies, and is also active as a member of the Foresters, Maccabees and Knights of Pythias and medical examiner for a number of fraternal and old line life insurance companies.
The doctor, while firm in his political be- liefs, seldom, even with his closest friends, discusses any political issue and has never aspired to any political office, prefering his family and his home, his books and pro- fession, rather than to feed on the dangerous fruit of political ambition.
JOHN C. FINGERLE.
John C. Fingerle was born in the Buck- eye state, August 1, 1865. His parents, John and Rose Fingerle, were natives of Germany, emigrated to the United States in the year of 1859, and settled at Perisburg. in the State of Ohio. His father was a tailor by trade, acquiring a knowledge of the business in his mother country, he fol- lowed it through life. In the year 1867, when John was but two years of age, his father moved with his family to Lansing, and this became the resident city of the fam- ily until the death of the father, which oc-
curred in the year 1890. The mother is still living, and makes her home with friends in California. Mr. Fingerle grew to manhood' in the capital city, where he learned the trade of tinner, with W. L. Rice. He re- ceived his education in the city schools. He followed his trade in Lansing for three years, then for three years at Utica, Michi- gan, later for six months at Leslie Village, and finally located in the City of Mason. For eight years he was in the employ of Du- Bois and Earl, hardware merchants. For the past nine years has been in business for himself. He purchased the foundry plant, where he moulds castings for local trade. Manufactures hot air furnaces, known as the Diamondale Furnace. He has installed something like four hundred of these fur- naces in the homes of this county. Has in recent years added plumbing to his business ; anything in his line can be had at correct prices on short notice. Mr. Fingerle is an exceptionally pleasant gentleman to do busi- ness with, courteous and accommodating. He is building up a fine trade, and his many friends are pleased to note his prosperity in business.
February 25, 1891, Mr. Fingerle was uni- ted in marriage to Miss Dora E., daughter of Myron A. Randall of this city. One beautiful little daughter has come to bless their lives, and brighten their home : Elaine R., born August 26, 1893, attending the city schools.
Politically, Mr. Fingerle lines up with the Democracy. He has held the office of City Clerk two years, and served his ward as Alderman for two years. Is at present a member of the Electric Light Board. In all public positions he has discharged the duties imposed with conscientious fidelity. In con- sideration of the fact that he started out empty handed, with his parents, in a meas- ure, dependent upon him, a trade to learn,
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he is to be congratulated upon the measure of success that has come to him. Yet on ' the sunny side of life, and being well estab- lished in business, the outlook for him must be very gratifying indeed.
Mr. Fingerle is a Maccabee, and also a K. P., and lives the cardinal principle of both organizations in his daily life. Mr. and Mrs. Fingerle are supporters of the Presbyterian society, of which Mrs. Fingerle is a respected member. Mr. Fingerle feels himself entitled to a name and place among the pioneers of Ingham county, having like the old Indian "ben here all the time there was" and in no way censurable for not com- ing sooner. Mason City has few indeed of better or more worthy citizens than John C. Fingerle.
JACKSON K. ELMER.
The history of the past and present of Ingham county, either military or civil, would not be complete without the biogra- phy of Jackson K. Elmer of Mason. Like a large per cent of the pioneers of Michigan, Mr. Elmer's people were natives of New York, Jackson K., being born in Orleans county, May 12, 1840. He was the son of Philo and Susan B. Elmer. His father died in 1842. His family came to Michigan in 1853 and settled in Rome. Jackson received his early education at the district schools of Rome. While yet a young man he learned the carpenter's trade and later was a con- tractor and builder.
September 7, 1861, he enlisted as sergeant of Co. M, 3d Michigan Cavalry, and fol- lowed the fortunes of his command to the close of the war. He was promoted to second lieutenant on February 1, 1864; to first lieutenant and adjutant, October 24, 1864. He was mustered out and honorably
discharged June 6, 1865. His regiment rendezvoused at Grand Rapids and left the State under command of Col. F. W. Kel- logg, having on its rolls of muster, the names of eleven hundred and sixty-three of- ficers and men. It participated in several hard fought battles, notably Battles of Is- land Number . Ten, New Madrid, Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson, Miss., Mobile and many other lesser engagements. This regiment has to its credit in prisoners taken from November 1, 1862 to November I, 1863, eleven hundred, about fifty of whom were commissioned officers, making up to this time, all told in prisoners captured since the' regiment entered service twenty-one hun- dred taken from the enemy. It marched during its term of service, approximately eleven thousand miles. The total loss of the regiment during the term of service was four hundred and fourteen. The regiment was reorganized after three years of service, returned to the State and rendezvoused at Kalamazoo and at the expiration of its fur- lough of thirty days was joined by a large number of recruits. During its entire term of service, it had borne upon its rolls a mus- ter of twenty-five hundred and sixty officers and men. To have followed the fortunes of this command in its marches and fatigues for three years and eight months is glory enough for any man. That Mr. Elmer was a good soldier is testified by the promotions he received. He never asked for or received a pension until placed on the rolls by reason of the age limit in 1904.
Immediately after the war, Mr. Elmer was engaged in general mercantile trade at Holt with his half-brother, Mr. L. W. Baker. This partnership existed for some- thing like nine years, and proved a satis- factory venture to both parties. In the year 1874 they both retired from the business and Mr. Elmer moved his family to Mason and
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engaged in the coal and produce business, forming a partnership with Theron Van Ostrand, which partnership continued until the winter of 1905, when both gentlemen re- tired. While never having engaged in prac- tical farming, he owns a fine farm of eighty acres in the Township of Aurelius and is known as a successful manager and feeder of stock for the market. He is and has been for some years a stockholder in the Farmers' Bank at Mason, and is a director of the or- ganization.
In 1866 Mr. Elmer was united in mar- riage to Mary E. Bond. To them has been born one daughter, Dora D., who is a lady of learning and letters. She is a graduate of the Mason high school and holds the de- gree of A. B. from the University of Michi- gan. Miss Elmer is recognized as one of the best educated ladies of the city. She is also one of the charter members of the Tourist Club, a literary society of several years' standing. Miss Elmer, when not en- gaged in teaching, resides at home with her parents.
Mr. Elmer is a Republican and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln for Presi- dent in 1860. He has served the city as Alderman and has made the subject of Masonry something of a study. He is a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Mason, of the Lansing Commandery No. 25, the Mystic Shriners at Grand Rapids and the Saladian Temple.
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