USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 63
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M. A. DENNIS.
Among the busy business men of the hust- ling Village of Williamston is M. A. Dennis, proprietor of the elevator of that place. Mr. Dennis is a product of the Wolverine state and was born at Bath, Clinton county, in 1855. He was the son of L. M. and Clarissa ( Horton ) Dennis. The father was born and grew to manhood in New York and coming to Michigan in 1856, he settled upon a quar- ter section of land in Wheatfield township. At this time his available assets consisted of a team of horses, one of which he exchanged for the land, going into debt for the balance. The tract was in the state of nature, heavily timbered. He was a typical pioneer, making the most of his circumstances, improving op-
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portunities as they came to him, industrious and frugal and within a quarter of a century of his first investment he found himself a well to do citizen. He raised a family of four boys and two girls, the boys all remain- ing at home with the father until his death, which occurred October 1, 1887. At that time he was in possession of eight hundred and fifty acres of land, comprising several farms with good buildings and modern im- provements.
Our subject received his early education in the district schools and remained on the farm until 1902 when he moved to Williamston. About the year 1895 he became interested in the elevator business, running this in con- nection with his farm.
Mr. Dennis was united in marriage De- cember 30, 1878, to Miss Helen, daughter of James and Eleanor Smith of Wheatfield township. To them were born two children : Lilian and Ethel, and both are at home with the father. In 1891 the elevator was erected by Mr. Dennis and business was engaged therein under the firm name of "Corbin and Dennis" and continued until 1899 when Mr. Dennis bought out his partner and has since conducted the business alone. In equipment. the plant is said to be one of the finest of its kind in the State. He handles all kinds of produce.
Mr. Dennis is a director in the State Bank at Williamston. He is a Democrat of the pronounced sort. Mr. Dennis belongs to the Masonic Order, Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council. He is also a Knight Templar and Elk, holding his membership in the last two organizations at Lansing.
The names of his brothers and sisters in order of birth are: William E .. Joseph H., Marenus A., Sarah L., Stephen D .. and Cor- la N. Carl. Mr. Dennis' mother is still liv- ing. making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Frank Swan.
The degree of success that has attended Mr. Dennis in his business operations has come by reason of the fact that he has given strict attention to business and his sound judgment and foresight have been evident on every hand.
W. H. COLISTER.
Locke township is made up of industrious and energetic farmers, who have met with success by reason of their strict attention to business and the man of whom we write may be found among this class of citizens. He was born December 15, 1868, on the place where he now resides and is the son of Thomas and Celestine ( Freeman ) Colister. The father was born in New York, March 22. 1826, and the mother October 28, 1828. The father came to Michigan in 1836 and settled on section 28 in Locke township, his first home in the wilds of Michigan. The parents were married December 3. 1849 and came to Locke township and cleared up the ยท new farm of forty acres .. The mother died January 1, 1900. Father and son are both followers of the Democrat party in which they have unbounded faith.
IV. H. Colister is one of a family of five children, three of whom are living and also is the youngest of this family. He was edu- cated in the district schools of the home lo- cality and started out for himself by locating on and taking charge of the old home place, consisting of eighty acres, which he held un- til the year 1905 when he sold out and bought forty acres in Wheatfield near the town of Williamston, where he now resides.
February 8. 1899, WV. H. Colister was united in marriage to Florence Shay, whose parents were old settlers of Williamston. They followed the vocation of farming and bought forty acres of land, which they later improved and there lived until their death,
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(FOUR GENERATIONS)
JAMES DOOLITTLE
REUEL R. DOOLITTLE
CLARK H. DOOLITTLE BERTHA MAY DOOLITTLE
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the father's occurring in 1895 and the moth- er's in 1902. Mrs. Colister's father was also a Democrat.
To our subject and wife have been born three children : one died in infancy, Oscar, aged three, and Cyrus, aged two years. Mr. Colister belongs to a pioneer family and has seen many changes take place in the county and helped to clear a great deal of land. He is engaged in general farming and stock- raising.
LOUIS W. TOLES, M. D.
Dr. Louis W. Toles, one of Lansing's most prominent surgeons and professional citizens, is a native of the Wolverine State, being born in Aurelius township, Ingham county on January 6, 1863. He is the son of Wallace M. and Elizabeth S. Toles, both his parents now living in the State of Washington, where his father is engaged in the lumber business, as a manufacturer and retail dealer. In 1864 the latter enlisted and served until until the close of the Civil war, as private of the roth Michigan Cavalry. While a resident of this State, he lived most of the time in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, leav- ing that place in the spring of 1889, for the State of Washington, where he has since resided.
It was in Eaton Rapids that our subject acquired his early and high school educa- tion, assisting his father in the lumber busi- ness until he had reached his majority. Under the firm name of Wilcox and Toles, he then became partner in a drug store, con- tinuing in this business at Eaton Rapids for five years. The venture was financially profitable, but was but a means toward real- izing his ambition of entering a medical and surgical career.
In 1893 Dr. Toles disposed of his drug business at Eaton Rapids, and entered Rush
Medical College, from which he graduated in the class of 1897. While pursuing his four years' course, he was vice president, in his senior year, of that class. After his graduation he located for practice at Bel- laire, Michigan, his seven years of profes- sional work there earning for him a fine reputation as a surgeon.
Dr. Toles located in Lansing in 1904, and, as his reputation had preceded him, at once assumed rank with the leaders of his profes- sion in the capital city. As a foundation for his success, he possessed great natural abil- ity and this has been remarkably developed by a thorough medical education in one of the oldest and most noted colleges in the West, and by two subsequent courses in the Post-Graduate School of Chicago. The substantial position which he has earned is also largely attributed to the fact that he has earned every dollar spent on his profes- sional education and has won every advance in his worldly position by unaided strength and independence of action. Such success is founded upon rock and cannot be shaken.
Dr. Toles is a Republican and his popu- larity as a man is well illustrated by his elec- tion as City Recorder of Eaton Rapids. In Masonry he has attained to the degree of Mystic Shrine, is a member of Lansing Blue Lodge No. 33. Lansing Chapter No. 9, and Lansing Commandery No. 25. He is also a member of the Elks No. 196. The doc- tor's wife was formerly Miss Marie S. Myers, his marriage to her occurring in 1890.
REUEL R. DOOLITTLE.
For nearly half a century Mr. Doolittle has been identified with the growth and de- velopment of Ingham county. Born in On- tario county. N. Y., in 1846, he came with liis parents, James and Lucy ( Rogers) Doo- little, who were natives of the Empire State,
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to the wilds of Michigan, first settling in the Township of Vevay, on the farm now owned by A. I. Barber. At this time Mason was but little more than a four corners. He cleared away the heavy timbered land, erected substantial buildings and otherwise improved the premises, remaining there for a number of years. He afterward sold the farm and located in the Township of Aurel- ius, where he resided until the date of his death, May 30, 1896. Up to the date of the death of James Doolittle there had not been a death in the family in four generations. Mr. Doolittle was a man of recognized abil- ity. prominently identified with local affairs and active in church work ; was a member of the Methodist Society and for years one of the pillars of the church.
Reuel remained at home until twenty-one years of age, assisting his father in the farm- ing operations. His school advantages were common to the boys of his time, attending school in the winter season and assisting about the farm in the summer months. At- taining to the years of his majority he began for himself upon a farm and has followed this occupation continuously since. In the year 1870 he took possession of the farm upon which he still resides, consisting of one hundred and nine acres of good, tillable land. He erected all the buildings and prac- tically made all the improvements upon the place.
In 1869 our subject was united in mar- riage to a Miss Mary Doolittle, a daughter of C. Doolittle, a resident of New York State. Two children have been born to them : Clark H., born July 2, 1870, he mar- ried Leola M. Bell. To them two children were born, Bertha M., the oldest of the fourth generation, and Frona B. Clark, who now re- sides in Pennsylvania. Bert C., born Dec. 18. 1875, is a farmer by occupation, owns a well improved farm, with all the up-to-date
improvements, located near his father. He married Miss S. Edna Cross and they have three children : E. Ross, Hugh J. and May L. Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle are members of the M. E. church at Mason, of which they are liberal supporters. Politically Mr. Doolittle is a conservative Republican. He carries on general farming and stock raising. Any community would be better for having with- in its borders people of the character of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle.
HENRY HALE (DECEASED).
Germany has furnished many worthy citi- zens to the new world. Its sons are men of ready adaptability, progressive and versatile and they have become useful factors in var- ious walks of life. Mr. Hale was a represen- tative of this class. Born in Germany, Au- gust 29, 1834, Mr. Hale lived in his native country until the death of his mother, when he came with his father to America. The father and son first stopped in New York and there lived for two years, when they came to Williamston township, where they bought a farm of forty acres, partly cleared, of a man named Hurd, who took it from the government.
In June, 1863, Mr. Hale was united in marriage to Margaret Karn, who was born in Germany. July 18, 1843, and unto this union were born eight children : George D., Charles Henry, William F., Alfred L., An- drew J., Mae Elizabeth and Mrs. F. H. Horstmann, all of Williamston township, and Mrs. G. W. Rodman of Locke. The wife and mother of this family died Febru- ary 25, 1904.
Our subject was a Democrat, although he never held any political offices. Both he and his wife were loyal members of the German Lutheran church and contributed liberally to its support.
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Mr. Hale was a poor boy when he came to America and almost continually since has been dependent upon his own labors for what he had and enjoyed. His force of character had enabled him to. overcome obstacles and difficulties until at his death, which occurred August 25, 1896, he worked his way upward from a humble position to one of affluence. His friends . were only numbered by those who knew him.
CHARLES A. HAYNER.
Mr. Charles A. Hayner was born, grew to manhood and still lives in the Township of White Oak. His birth occurred April 5, 1853. He is the son of Abram and Julia (Martin) Hayner, the father born in Graf- ton, New York, August 23, 1814, and the mother in Colorain, Massachusetts, March 5, 1817.
In the month of June, in the year 1846, Abram Hayner emigrated from Saratoga county, New York, with his wife and three children to Michigan, and settled in White Oak, where he bought eighty acres on sec- tion 34 and made some improvements and built the pioneer log house. He taught school the next winter after coming into the wilds of Michigan and in payment received partial pay in cash and the balance in work from the people of the district, upon his farm in clearing and logging. His wife also taught the children of their neighbor- hood in their own home, receiving as a com- pensation whatever the neighbors had to spare in provisions and clothing.
Mr. Abram Hayner has served his town and county in several capacities ; he was Highway Commissioner, Supervisor, Town- ship Clerk and helped secure the mail route from Howell to Williamston. He was Post- master for twenty years and on the board to secure the appropriation for the court house.
was elected County Treasurer in 1862 and reelected for the next term and after this re- turned to the farm. These positions of trust and responsibility speak volumes of the high esteem and confidence in which Mr. Abram Hayner was held by his fellow men. The two hundred and seventy-five acres of well improved land of which he was in possession was his reward for his many hard days of labor and an example of what agricultural life may be in the fertile lands of the Wol- verine State.
Mr. and Mrs. Abram Hayner were the parents of five children: Steven M., born August 1, 1837, married to Emily Howell, a farmer, and lived in Leroy township and died about fifteen years ago; James H., born October 16, 1838, died April 22, 1867; John W., born August 31, 1843, died January 18, 1905, married to Mary J. Oakley ; our sub- ject ; Walter, born September 20, 1862. The mother of these children died June 12, 1877. In November. 1878, Mr. Hayner was again married to Elizabeth B. Ackerson, and lived until the year 1891, when his death was mourned by a large circle of friends.
Charles A. Hayner, the subject of this sketch, acquired his early education in the district schools of White Oak, and when he reached his majority, he and his brother Wesley, worked a part of the father's land on shares. At twenty-five he bought eighty acres on section 10 and has since made this his home, having on his place substantial and up-to-date buildings.
December 11, 1878, Charles Hayner was united in marriage to Miss Clara, daughter of Jay Cady. of Leroy township, and Sep- tember 16, 1892, was again married to Grace Fernald, who was born July 10, 1868. and was the daughter of Charles F. and Sarah (Kyte) Fernald. the father having been born in New Hampshire, March 25. 1836, and the mother in New Jersey. June 28.
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1839. Mrs. Hayner is one of five children, two of whom are now living: Udora, born October 19, 1866, died in infancy; Mrs. Hayner: Frank, born March I, 1870, de- ceased : J. Elmer, born March 14, 1872, lives in Lansing and is married to a Miss Liver- more : the fifth died in infancy.
To our subject and wife have been born two children : Ralph, who is eleven years old and Matta, born February 18, 1895.
Mr. Hayner is engaged in general farm- ing and makes a specialty of Spanish Merino Black Top Sheep. As he has prospered he has added to his possessions, and today owns one hundred and seventeen acres of land.
Mr. Hayner casts his vote for the men and measures of the Democrat party, and socially is a member of the Elks and Masons, in both of which orders he takes an active interest.
H. N. FELLOWS.
The subject of this interview is one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of the thriving Village of Williamston. He was born in the State of Ohio in the year of 1840, in Fulton county. He is a son of Nathan J. and Ann Meach Fellows, both natives of New York, who moved from that state to Ohio in 1840. The father was a farmer by occupation and there resided un- til his death, after which the mother re- moved to and departed this life in the County of Hillsdale. In this family were seven chil- dren, of whom five grew to maturity, and four are now living, but of this number our subject and N. J. are the only ones who re- side in Ingham county. The boyhood and youth of H. N. Fellows was spent in the manner of other farm lads of that period, attending school during the winter months and assisting his father on the home farm during the summer season. Here he re- mained until the breaking out of the civil
war, when in response to his country's call he joined the boys in blue by enlisting on the first day of September of 1861 in Company K, 38th-Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Here he saw considerable active service, being in a number of important engagements, promi- nent among them were the battles of Mell Springs, Pittsburgh Landing, Siege of Cor- inth, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and all the engagements during raid to the Atlantic up to the Battle of Jones- borough. He was always found faithful in the discharge of his duties, and was honor- ably discharged on the 5th day of June of 1865. He was severely wounded at Jones- borough in the shoulder. After the close of the hostilities he returned to the old home in Ohio, and there remained until 1868, when he emigrated northward to Lenawee county, Michigan, and there resided until 1873, which year witnessed his arrival in Ingham county. Locating here he settled in Leroy township and bought eighty acres of wild timber land. This land he cleared and placed under cultivation, and made all the improve- ments thereon, erecting good buildings, fences, etc. Here he resided continuously for 31 years or until 1904 when he rented this place and took up residence in William- ston. In the year of 1865, during the month of October, our subject was united in mar- riage to a Miss Joella Harrow, a native of Kentucky, but then a resident of Lenawee county, Michigan. She departed this life in 1887. To this marriage was born one son, Bert H., who married Hattie B. Bunker, and now resides at Bay City, Mich., where he holds the responsible position as manager in a music store. In 1890 Mr. Fellows was again married, this union being with Helen M. Austin, who was a native of Pennsyl- vania. One child blessed this union, L. J. Fellows.
Mr. Fellows is an honored member of the
JUDGE RICHARD FERRIS (Deceased)
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G. A. R., also of the I. O. O. F., of Wil- liamston. In his political views he is a staunch Republican, and has served on the School Board for fifteen years. Honored and respected by all who know him he is now living in retirement enjoying the fruits of former toil.
EDWARD FERRIS.
In the history of the men of the past and present who have figured prominently in On- ondaga township in connection with farm- ing interests, will be found the name of Ed- ward Ferris, who was born May 3, 1847, in Onondaga township, Ingham county. He was the son of Richard and Christian (Cook) Ferris, the father being born in New York City in 1805, and the mother in the same place on the 13th day of October, 1816. Our subject's parents were educated in New York and were married there July 17, 1843, after which event they came to Michigan and bought a farm, consisting of three hun- dred and twenty acres, mostly timber land, located in Onondaga township, section eight, upon which place they settled, cleared and improved.
Unto Richard Ferris and wife were born eight children : first, Floyd, born April 9, 1844, died August 20, 1847 ; Virginia, born October 15, 1845, died September 17, 1858; Edward F., born May 3, 1847, the subject of our sketch; Georgette, born March 15, 1849, is the wife of John H. Magee, a farmi- er living at Dansville, Livingston Co., N. Y .; Lilias, born January 18, 1851, is the wife of George Jones, living at Rochester, N. Y .; Richard, Jr., born December 15, 1852, died December 4, 1862 ; Warren, born May 3, 1854, is the Superintendent of Pub- lic Works in New York City, and James, who was born October 29. 1856, died No- vember 21, 1862.
Richard Ferris, the father of our subject, was recognized as a leader of public affairs, and his loyalty in citizenship and his pro- gressive ideas well qualified him to take prominent places in public life. He cast his vote for the measures of the Democrat party, and was the fourth Probate Judge of Ing- ham county, this being during the time when the State capitol was located in Detroit. He also served as Judge for a term of two years, during which time he resided in the City of Mason. After successfully serving the peo- ple of his county for a time, he went back to the farm and lived there until 1863, when he returned to the City of New York, where he died November 29, 1866. Our subject's mother passed away May 6, 1858, at the age of forty-one years.
Edward Ferris was educated in the dis- trict schools of his locality and also in the New York schools. He moved back to New York with his parents in 1863, where he lived for thirteen years, when he returned to Ingham county and resided on the father's farm.
On the 23d day of May in the year 1878 occurred our subject's marriage to Miss Marietta, daughter of William and Amanda (Dakin) Longley, both natives of New York state. Mrs. Ferris' birth occurred on the 14th day of August in 1854 in Mt. Morris, N. Y., in which year William Longley emi- grated to Michigan with his family of four children and settled in Ingham county, near Leslie.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ferris have been born three children: Harry L., born April 1, 1879, was married in 1901 to Ora Sherd of Onondaga township and lives on a farm in the before mentioned township, and they have one child : Fanny, born January 29, 1881, is attending school at Ypsilanti, where she is engaged in the study of kindergarten ; she has also attended the U. of M. at Ann
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Arbor; Mollie, born August 6, 1884, also attended school at Ann Arbor, but is now at home.
Our subject, Edward Ferris, following in the footsteps of his father, is a supporter of the Democrat party. He takes great pride in the fact that he can trace the Ferris fam- ily back to 1680. At that time three fam- ilies came over from England, one settling in New York City, another in Connecticut, and the third in Renssalear Co., N. Y.
Our subject and wife are widely known and highly esteemed in the county which has so long been their home. Mr. Ferris has taken an active interest in public advance- ment along agricultural lines and while win- ning a success for himself, his efforts have also been of value in promoting the general welfare.
VALANCOURT HUDSON.
Many of the native sons of the Wolverine State are now active, enterprising business men and farmers. This fact coupled with the wonderful prosperity and advances made in every department of living, emphasizes the truth that Michigan is becoming one of the mature states of the Union, and that it can no longer be classed with the younger of the numbers. Among the sons who are thus honoring the home of their birth, we are pleased to mention Mr. Hudson, whose birth occurred in Washtenaw county, July 30, 1844.
Alva Hudson, the father, was born in Canandaigua county, N. Y., in 1810, and died in 1898, and the mother, whose maiden name was Harriet Mathewson, was also born in New York, in 1818 and died in 1895.
Mr. Alva Hudson came to Ann Arbor when there were only three houses in the place, this being in 1836. He was a farmer and located on forty acres of wild land in
Lyndon township, Washtenaw county, and this he improved and sold, after which he bought forty acres more, partly inmproved, and in 1854 sold this second purchase, and bought one hundred and twenty acres, the most of this being improved, and at the time of his death was in possession of this prop- erty.
Valancourt Hudson was the fifth of nine children, six of whom are living today ; John L., born September I, 1834, died Sep- tember 6, 1904. lived at Unadilla; Diantha Ann, born in 1836, died in 1870, she lived near Pleasant Lake; Sarah Ann, born in 1839 and lives at Dansville; Mary Jane, born March 24, 1843, and died January 11, 1904; our subject ; William, born in 1850, living in Dexter township, Washtenaw county ; Henry, born in 1855, living in Lima township, Washtenaw county; Herman, born in 1857. lives on the old homestead, and Lottie, born February 3, 1864, died in 1882.
Our subject's father affiliated with the Democratic party and Methodist Episcopal church. The son started out in life for him- self at the age of twenty-six years, and in 1869 bought eighty acres of wild land on section 22, where he now lives. Mr. Hud- son cleared sixty-five acres and built a sub- stantial frame house.
January 18, 1871, Mr. Hudson was united in marriage to Miss Priscilla, daughter of William and Phoebe ( Holmes) Ozman. Mrs. Hudson was born August 24, 1845 and died June 9, 1903. Her father died March 17, 1855. The mother was born February 23, 1814. Mr. and Mrs. Ozman were mar- ried October 16, 1836, and to them four chil- dren were born, all of whom are dead. Their names were Arvilla Ann, born May 18, 1848: Cornelia, born November 17, 1851; Ida L., born June 8. 1855, and our subject's wife. Mr. Ozman was a Democrat.
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