USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 65
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his little family is enjoying the fruits of his active life. It is well there are those who appreciate the fact that life is not summed up by the number of hard days' work one has performed, but rather by the real enjoy- ments one is able to get out of it and the satisfaction that comes to those who have performed well their part in life's great struggle.
ORSON D. WRIGHT.
Orson D. Wright, a highly respected and successful farmer of Delhi township, has spent almost his entire life in this county, and has therefore witnessed the many changes that have taken place, during the last forty years of its history.
The birth of our subject occurred in the Empire State, on the 26th day of October, in the year 1853, and five years later he ac- companied his parents to Michigan. He is one of a family of five children of Lewis and Eunice (Olmstead) Wright, both were of New York. The former born in 1816, and the latter in 1815. The other children were also born in New York State, and their names are: Julia Ellen, the eldest, died at the age of one year ; William L. Wright, the second in order of birth, was born in 1850, and is a resident farmer of Delhi township; our subject is next in order of birth. The fourth child of this family was named Mary, and died at the age of eight years. The last child of this family is Lucy, who resides in Delhi township, being born in 1859.
In the month of July of 1858, Lewis Wright and his little family, settled in Delhi township, on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, of which fifty acres was partially cleared and improved. With char- acteristic energy he began the improvement
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of the property, but was not long permitted to enjoy his Michigan home, as he departed from this life in 1860, after two years' resi- dence in the county. He was a man of ex- cellent traits of character, possessed of that steady determination so characteristically es- sential to our pioneer settlers. After the father's death, the responsibility of the im- provement and clearing of the land naturally fell upon the male members of the family. With energy and determination, they began this arduous task, and were thus employed, until the mother's death, which occurred in 1877. After the mother's death the property was divided between the children, and still remains intact in their possession. Our sub- ject now owns forty acres of this land, which he has improved and developed, until it is one of the good farms of the county.
In the year of 1893, in May, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to a Miss Mary Stone, who was born on the 22d day of March of 1868. She is the daughter of Ad- dison and Annie (Slee) Stone, of Delhi township, who came to this county at an early date.
Mr. Wright exercises his right of fran- chise by supporting the Republican party, be- lieving it best adapted to serve the needs of the country. As an interested citizen he has taken his part in all measures pertaining to the moral and intellectual development of his township and county, and unto such men and families Ingham county now owes its prosperous conditions.
J. E. ROE.
The safe and conservative conduct of a financial institution plays an important part in the healthy and substantial development of a city and the community. The part which the Lansing State Savings Bank has con- tributed in this direction has been inestimable
as a financial factor to Lansing's rapid com- mercial development. The organization of this institution took place in 1892, with a capitalization of one hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars and has by the able management of its executive officers, a surplus and un- divided profits of thirty thousand dollars to its credit. To the development and growth of this institution, J. E. Roe, its efficient cashier since its organization, has con- tributed his best efforts with gratifying suc- cess. Born in the Empire State in 1862, he is the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Green) Roe, both natives of New York. Nathaniel Roe, a man of eminent respecta- bility, became a resident of Ingham county in 1874 and for twenty years was considered one of Lansing's substantial merchants. Be- ing a man of more than ordinary ability, he, by well directed efforts, succeeded in his undertakings. He became possessed of con- siderable property, both in farm and real es- tate, and to the supervision of these interests he gives his attention, although living prac- tically retired.
The early boyhood and youth of J. E. Roe was spent, in common with other farm lads of that period. in his native State. He re- ceived his early education in the common schools of that locality, completing his studies in Lansing after the family's removal here. In 1878 he was fortunate enough to secure a position in the old Lansing National Bank, remaining until 1885, when he em- barked in the manufacturing business, in which he continued until 1892.
In 1888 Mr. Roe was united in marriage to Miss Rosa L. Sage, daughter of Lewis and Amelia Sage of Ohio, and unto this union one child. named Clarence, was born. Mrs. Roe is a woman of culture and refine- ment, being an active member of the Congre- gational church, and contributing generously towards it support.
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J. E. Roe has not only figured as the engaged in the grocery trade for about four capable financier of the Lansing State Sav- ings Bank, but has also been conspicuously identified in the promotion of the manufac- turing and business interests of the Capitol City, and he is now serving as treasurer of the Bates & Edmonds Motor Co., also as treasurer of the Lansing Business Men's As- sociation, and was one of the organizers and promoters of this institution, which has done so much for the city, in locating and increas- ing its manufacturing interests. He is like- wise treasurer of the Manufacturer's Club of Lansing. In his political views he is a Democrat and is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter and Commandery.
Bearing an unassailable reputation, he en- joys the highest confidence and esteem of not only his associates, but also of the numerous depositors of this institution. Modest and unassuming in manner, he is especially well fitted for the responsible po- sition he now holds and enjoys a reputation of being one of the conservative, successful business factors of his adopted city.
CHARLES C. WILLIS.
Charles C. Willis, a resident of the village of Onondaga, was born December 23, 1847, at Oakfield, in New York, of which state his parents were also natives. His father, . Henry S. Willis, was born June 30, 1822, and died August 31, 1903. His mother, Jane Goodfellow, was born May 4. 1820. and died September 22, 1881. They were married in New York state and came to Michigan in 1856. Mr. Willis, the father, was a carpenter and joiner by trade. He located in Onondaga and went into the hotel business, which he continued for about ten years. Closing out the business, he moved his family to Eaton Rapids and was
years. Closing out his business there, he brought his family back to Onondaga. He went west and spent one year in the State of Nevada. Returning to his family, he en- gaged in the lumber trade, and afterwards bought grain, and also conducted a grocery store, the latter business, being his work un- til the year before his death. He was recog- nized as one of the influential citizens of the place. Lining up with the Democrat party he was honored with the office of Justice of the Peace for seven years. He belonged to the fraternal organizations of the Masons. He was not connected with the church, but lived an upright Christian life. Mrs. Wil- lis, the mother, was one of a family of seven children born to her parents, who were na- tives of the Empire State, originally from the Mohawk Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Willis were the parents of five children, as follows : our subject; Martha, wife of Jay- Baldwin of Onondaga township; Frank, ticket agent at Onondaga; Mary, wife of George Nelson, proprietor of a hotel in On- ondaga and Jennie, the wife of Edward Boucher of this township.
Charles C. received his early education af- ter coming to Michigan, and for a time at- tended the Eaton Rapids High School. At twenty-two years of age he began business for himself, learning telegraphy, and he was for two and a half years employed as an operator at Hastings, Michigan. He later learned the butcher trade, which he followed for a time. Two years and a half of his life were spent in the mountains in the State of Arkansas, mining and prospecting. Return- ing to Michigan in 1881 he engaged in the lumber trade and builders' supplies at Onon- daga.
August 10, 1870, Mr. Willis was united in marriage to Loretta Wilson (nee Bald- win). Mrs. Willis was a native of New
W. H. HUNTLEY
MRS. W. H. HUNTLEY
485
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
York, where she was born. She was the daughter of T. K. Baldwin and a sister of Grove and Mosely Baldwin. Mr. Willis al- ways takes an active interest in political af- fairs and has served as Deputy Town Clerk under the Democrat administration. He is a member of the fraternal order of Masons, Eastern Star and Jackson order of Elks.
Mr. and Mrs. Willis are highly respected people of their locality and their friends are only numbered by those who know them.
W. H. HUNTLEY.
Among the hustling and progressive farmers of Alaiedon township, the name of Wilton H. Huntley stands out prominent. He was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1855. His parents, Lee and Martha Huntley, were natives of the Empire State and emigrated to Michigan in 1864, and located upon a farm of eighty acres in Alaie- don township. Lee Huntley died July 2, 1904, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. For the last months of his life he made his home with his son Wilton. The mother is still living and resides with her daughter. Mrs. Post, of Vevay. She has attained the age of eighty-three years. They well earned for themselves the name of pio- neers, as by their industry and perseverence they contributed to the making of the history of Ingham county. There were seven chil- dren in the family, of which Wilton was the sixth. Date with reference to the others is as follows : Wellington B. : Willis J. : Sarah N. : Alice M. ; Wandah A., and Wilton H., twins ; and Nellie M.
Our subject was not yet eleven years of age when his parents settled in this county. He lived at home, gathering up such educa- tion as was to be obtained at the district school and at the age of twenty-one started out for himself. He purchased eighty acres
of timbered land. From this he cut the tim- ber, improved the land and made other im- provements, and as he says, "did more hard days' work of this kind than any other man of his age in the county." Later, for eight years he was engaged in trade at St. Johns. In 1892 he sold out and returned to the old homestead.
Our subject was united in marriage Sep- tember 27, 1877 to Eliza, eldest daughter of Davis and Harriett (Traver) Fitzsimmons of Alaiedon township. Mr. Fitzsimmons was a pioneer, a successful farmer and a man of integrity of life and character. He died March 12, 1899.
Mrs. Huntley was the eldest of three daughters born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis Fitz- simmons. The next younger, Jennie L., born October 25, 1859, now the wife of D. E. Goodrich of Lansing city. The youngest, Emma B., born April 27, 1864, wife of Wal- ter M. Pratt of Alaiedon township, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume.
Mrs. Fitzsimmons, who was a native of New York city, was born September 25, 1830. She resides with her daughter, Mrs. Pratt, on the old homestead. She is still in the enjoyment of a comfortable degree of health, and a blessing and a benediction in the home.
Mrs. Huntley is able to trace her gene- alogy back to the signing of the Declaration of Independence by one James Fitzsimmons. The family had a coat of arms in England. Her great grandfather. George Fitzsimmons was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was several times engaged in battle with the Indians.
In the Civil War, an uncle. Lathrop Fitz- simmons was one of the first volunteers to enlist in the three months service, and par- ticipated in the first battle of Bull Run. fought July 21, 1861. Three uncles on her mother's side served three years each in the
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Union army in defense of the flag and the nation's honor. They were named respec- tively : George, Alonzo, and Richard Traver. Her mother is a Quakeress. having been reared in that faith.
A great uncle of Mrs. Huntley. George Fitzsimmons, was for many years a promi- nent politician of Hillsdale county. Mich- igan, and at one time a member of the State Legislature.
Mr. and Mrs. Huntley are the parents of five dutiful children, respectively : Vesta A., born April 9, 1880, Miss Vesta is a gradu- ate of the Mason High School, finishing the course in June, 1898, she also graduated from the Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, in the Kindergarten Department, in 1904; for the past year she has been engaged in teach- ing at Edmore, Mecosta county, where she is still employed : D. Oakley, born April 10. 1882: Wellington B., born April 29. 1886: Nelson H., born January 23. 1891 ; S. Doro- thy. born September 14, 1900.
Mr. Huntley has cultivated the social side of his nature by identifying himself with the fraternal organization of the F. & A. M., Masonic lodge. Royal Arcanum and Mason Chapter, and Mason Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, and Modern Woodmen.
In politics, Mr. Huntley is an independent voter, casting his ballot for men and meas- ures, rather than for party. He is a citizen of the best type, industrious, frugal, perse- vering. No community has ever been over- stocked with men of his class and character.
WILLIAM O. WILSON.
Prominent among agricultural, social and political circles is he whose name introduces this sketch. He is the son of John H. and Joanna (Lamphere) Wilson and was born in Cayuga county. New York, Novem- ber 18, 1850. John Wilson was born
in New York in 1823, and died in 1883. The birth of the mother occurred in 1827 and her death in 1880. In the fall of 1856 our subject's father came to Lansing. Michi- gan, and was foreman in the first blacksmith shop in Lansing. Here he remained through the winter, and in the spring of 1857 went to Kosciusko county, Indiana, where he engaged in the wagon manufactur- ing business with his brother for two and a half years. In the fall of 1859 he re- turned to Michigan and located on a farm of eighty acres, mostly wild, in Meridian township and moved into a log house. He improved half of the eighty acres and added forty acres to it and before selling the place cleared six acres of the forest, which was upon it. In 1869 our subject's father bought one hundred acres, where William O. now lives, which was half improved. The son has cleared sixty-five acres since the death of his father. John Wilson was a Republi- can and a member of the Baptist church, to which our subject and wife give their influ- ence and support.
William O. Wilson started for himself when twenty-five years of age. He bought a house and a half acre of land across the road from where he now lives. Here he lived for five years, when his mother died, and he moved into the father's house. While living in the first place, our subject bought forty acres of wild land and has cleared thir- ty-five of it. He now owns two hundred and twenty-five acres of well-improved prop- erty.
December 1. 1875. our subject was united in marriage with Miss Elsie, daughter of Daniel and Mary J. (Glassbrook) Felton of Alaiedon township. Mrs. Wilson was there born Jan. 22, 1853, and her father was born in Vermont in 1817, while the mother was a native of New York, and was born in 1828. Mr. Felton came to Lenawee county,
LINCOLN MORSE (Deceased)
MRS. HARRIET A. MORSE
487
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Michigan, about the year 1844, where he worked land on shares for about three years, and was there married.
It was about the year 1847 that the family of Feltons came to Alaiedon and took up one hundred and twenty acres from the gov- ernment, all of which was wild. This land the father cleared up and there lived until his death in 1881. Mrs. Felton married the second time, Thomas Williams, who is now dead, and she resides where our subject and wife first started housekeeping.
Our subject is the second of three chil- dren : Ellen (dead), our subject, and Fran- cis, who married Frank Hewitt. They have had four children, two of whom are living: Nina and Margaret. Mrs. Wilson is the third of three children, two living: Helen, born in 1847 (dead) ; Adelbert, born in 1849, owns the old farm, lives at College- ville, married Eva Collins, and they have four children : Raymond, who married Clara Pickford, and lives at Collegeville: Alfred (dead) ; Floyd, married Jessie Wilcox, lives on the old farm, and Winifred, who lives with her parents. In political views Mr. Felton was a Democrat.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living : Charles, born March 1, 1877, married Goldie Hancock; Don, born June 25, 1879, mar- ried Mable Lester, and lives in Oregon ; Ila, born Jan. 24, 1881, died Oct. 14, 1900; Mary B., born June 17, 1882 ; Clarence, born July 17, 1884; James, born Feb. 27. 1887; Otto, born March 7, 1889, and Earl, born . Aug. 18, 1893.
Our subject is a Republican, and one of a very few who have ever been elected to office from Meridian township. He was Supervisor for one term.
A fine grade of dairy cattle, and thorough- bred Chester White hogs and Holstein cat- tle are to be found on the Wilson farm,
and its proprietor is considered one of the most prominent and reliable farmers in Ing- ham county.
LINCOLN MORSE (DECEASED).
The maintaining of a single home by the brothers, Lincoln and Lewis Morse, during all the years of their active life, is a worthy and commendable example of brotherly love and affection. The attractive home of the Morse brothers of Bunker Hill township is well known for miles around. Only one of the brothers was ever married, but through- out their lives they held their property in common, an arrangement that seemed per- fectly harmonious and satisfactory to all concerned. The kindly regard manifested by these men one for the other is worthy of emulation.
Lewis Morse was born August 28, 1831, and died September 16, 1904. He remained a single man through life. Lincoln was born August 6, 1833, and died August 20, 1901. Both Lincoln and Lewis were born in Fitchburg, Mass., and both were buried in the Bunker Hill cemetery. They were the sons of Lewis L. and Mary Morse, who were natives of Massachusetts, where they continued to live after marriage for about twenty-seven years. The father followed the occupation of dyeing cloth. It was in 1857 that the parents came to Michigan with their family, first settling in the Town- ship of Waterloo, Jackson county, where they purchased forty acres of land, built a log house and improved the land. Later ten acres were added to the place, and this was the family home for about fifteen years, when the father died October 30, 1871. The year following the death of Lewis Morse, Sr., the mother disposed of this place, and the family moved to their present home, where the brothers bought one hundred and
1
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PAST AND PRESENT
thirty-five acres of land, to which has since been added eighty acres. Mixed farming has been the order with the Morse brothers, in which they have met with reasonable suc- cess. They were known as men of upright character and firm integrity, and always ranked among the most respected citizens of the township. A sister, Louisa, the youngest of the family, died at the age of two and one-half years.
Lincoln Morse was educated in his native town in Massachusetts, after which he learned the butcher trade, which occupation he followed until the family came West, af- ter which he remained at home, assisting his father in the management and care of the farm. He was united in marriage, April 8, 1863, to Miss Harriet A., daughter of Ben- jamin and Hannah (Robinson) Stick of Waterloo. The Sticks were natives of Cheshire, N. Y. Mr. Morse brought his wife to the paternal home, where they re- sided during the life of the parents. The mother died in 1873, and was buried at Waterloo.
Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Lin- coln Morse has lived at Bunker Hill Center, her son, Justus L., residing on the farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Morse were born four children : Louisa, March 31, 1864, now the wife of Elmer E. Wood, who is managing a farm of Jehial Rayner's, situated in this township, and they have two children; El- len, April 3, 1866, is the wife of Clemont Magoon, who resides in Jackson county, and they have three children; Abbie Ann, De- cember 19, 1870, the wife of J. E. Blake, also a resident of Jackson county, and Jus- tus L., December 21, 1875, married Miss Edna Macinder, and they have one child.
Politically the Morse brothers were stanch Republicans, as were their ancestors. Lewis was a Royal Arch Mason and firmly believed in the principles of the order.
Among the heirlooms in the family, which are greatly prized, is a powder flask, carried by Mrs. Morse's grandfather, and elaborate- ly engraved by him. She had another, car- ried by her great grandfather bearing the date "1797," and still another, carried by her great great grandfather in the war against the Indians, on which is inscribed "Lunen- burg, Mass., October 27, 1747." They have also many other relics of an early date.
The influence of the Morse family in the community in which they have lived has been for industry, honesty and sobriety. They were citizens of the class of which no community can have too many.
FRANK YOUNGLOVE.
This progressive, intelligent and thrifty agriculturist, who enjoys the confidence of the business community, resides on section 23, of Onondaga township, Ingham county. He is a native of Monroe county, Michigan, and was born Dec. 8, 1853. His parents were George and Gertrude (Turner) Young- love; the father being born April 9, 1822, in Massachusetts, and who next April will be eighty-three years old, now resides in Monroe, Michigan. The mother was born in Michigan, and died thirty five years ago at the age of forty years. George Young- love is one of a family of six children, only two of whom are living at the present day. The mother belonged to a family of five chil- dren, only one of whom is living.
Frank Younglove grew up among the scenes of pioneer life, and early took up the . work of a farm. His early education was acquired in the common schools of his native community, Monroe. He began for him- self at the age of eighteen by working on the farm for three years by the month.
The wedding day of Mr. Younglove was Nov. 3, 1875, and he was then married to
LEWIS MORSE (Deceased)
489
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Miss Nellie Laycock, who was born in Jack- son, Nov. 16, 1857. Mrs. Younglove was the daughter of Christopher Laycock, born in Seneca, N. Y., April 1, 1825, being one of a family of nine children.
Mr. Laycock was one of the early settlers of Jackson county and suffered the hardships common to the life of the pioneer. Moving to Onondaga in 1855, where he resided with his family on the farm until he died Feb. 23, 1901, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife was Martha Stone, born in New York, Nov. 6, 1843, and she was spared to aid him in his life work until three years ago, when she passed away, one year after her husband, at the age of 68 years.
Unto Christopher and Mrs. Laycock were born three children: Don Adolphus, who died when seven months old; Harriet Elsie, born Dec. 19, 1852, is the wife of H. D. Baldwin, a farmer of Onondaga, and our subject's wife, Nellie Augusta.
The political convictions of Mr. Laycock led him to cast his vote and influence with the Republican party.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frank Younglove have been born two children: George C., born June 8, 1884, died when three months old; Fannie Chase, born Feb. 12, 1886, re- sides at home under the parental roof.
Our subject first bought a farm of six- ty-nine acres, one-half mile north and two and one-half miles east of Onondaga, and there lived for twenty-four years, mov- ing from this place one year ago to the farm upon which he now resides, formerly owned by Christopher Laycock. Mr. Younglove is a Democrat in his political convictions. and is earnestly devoted to the progress of that party, but has never been an office seek- er. His popularity among his fellow citizens won for him the office of Township Clerk for one term. Socially our subject is a mem- ber of the Masonic order at Onondaga No.
197, also with his wife and daughter belong to the order of Eastern Star of Leslie No. 155, in which organization he takes a great interest.
Mr. and Mrs. Younglove are highly es- teemed among their neighbors, and his repu- tation for fair dealing and integrity is known throughout the county.
AUGUSTUS L. STURGES.
In the thriving little village of Okemos we find many influential men and among them the name of Augustus L. Sturges, who was born at Cataraugus county, N. Y., Dec. 3. 1829. He was the son of Lewis N. and Polly ( McLeas) Sturges, the father a native of New York and the mother of New Jersey. The father died at the age of sixty-three and the mother three years ago, at the age of ninety-six.
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