USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 66
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Our subject's father followed the occupa- tion of farming while in New York. His parents were married there and came to Michigan and settled in the city of Decatur in 1854, where the father died. The mother was living in Dowagiac at the time of her death.
Augustus L. was one of a family of six children : Sarepta, was the wife of Eli Rich of Kansas City. She was the mother of four children, Ellen, Bessie and Jessie living, and Fanny, deceased; Mary, born in 1826, died in 1891. She was the wife of Geo. McClel- land of Kansas City and the mother of one child. William; Elmira, born in 1828, mar- ried Horace Bigelow at Batavia, N. Y., and came to Meridian township in 1849 and set- tled on a farm. They have four children : Helen, Jennie, Lewis and James: Eveline. born in 1831. married a Mr. Cornell, and they had one child. Frankie: Alonzo died in 1900 at La Porte, Ind.
The early education of our subject was
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acquired in the district schools of New York in Genesee county and later he spent one term at Bethany Academy. At the age of nineteen he started out for himself. He came to Michigan in 1849, bought eighty acres of land on section 17. Meridian town- ship, and this he cleared and made his home for ten years. Here he built a small frame house and a log stable.
Nov. II, 1852, Mr. Sturges joined the ranks of the Benedicts, as he was at that time married to Sarah E., daughter of Daniel and Betsey (Jewett) Chatterton, the father, born Feb. 12, 1809. and the mother born in Vermont in 1805. Daniel Chatter- ton was always proud of the fact that he and the martyred Lincoln were born on the same day. Mrs. Sturges was born Sept. 4. 1833.
Daniel Chatterton came to Michigan in 1851 and settled on a farm one mile east of the M. A. C., where he lived until death came to him. There were four children in the Chatterton family: George, lives at Mt. Pleasant ; Judge Chatterton, of Lansing, deceased; our subject's wife, and Jewett, who lives in Mt. Pleasant.
Our subject traded his first farm for four hundred and twenty acres in Livingston county, which was partly improved. There he lived for four years and when his father- in-law died they moved to Meridian town- ship, bought seventy acres and lived there sixteen years. About the year 1881 they sold this place and went to Virginia, bought three hundred and seventy-five acres and lived there ten years. Since then, about fifteen years ago, the Sturges family have lived in the village of Okemos.
Three children blessed the home of . Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Sturges: Eva, born Nov. 21, 1853, married F. E. Watson of Lansing, and they have one daughter, Blanche, aged twenty-four; Wallace A., born Jan. II, 1855, married Daisy Costin,
and they live in Okemos: Clara died at the age of twenty-seven, was the wife of Charles Hewitt and the mother of one daughter, Mabel.
The principles of the Democrat party re- ceive the support of this public spirited man and by them he has been elected to the posi- tion of Justice of Peace for sixteen years ; Supervisor, two terms, 1866 and 1868; Township Treasurer, Highway Commis- sioner and Drain Commissioner, and these positions of trust speak well for the man who was chosen from among his fellow men to fill them. Mr. and Mrs. Sturges are rep- resentative members of the M. E. church. he holding the office of Sunday School Su- perintendent for twenty-one years.
At the time of the war Mr. Sturges was offered a commission by Governor Blair if he could raise a company, which he did, com- prising fifty men, went to Lansing, but Gov- ernor Blair had received orders not to com- mission any more men, as they needed no more, so our subject was not called upon to sacrifice his life upon the altar of our coun- try.
Mr. and Mrs. Sturges are highly respect- ed people of Okemos, both in church and social circles.
T. ROGERS LYONS.
Mr. Lyons is among the most versatile of the residents of Lansing. He is an able commercial and corporation lawyer and, al- though a young man, numbers among his clients not only many of Lansing's largest corporations, but also is Michigan attorney for several foreign corporations.
He has also achieved some success as a literary worker and his promise is even greater than his performance. His enviable record in these several departments has been
A. L. STURGES
MRS. A. L. STURGES
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earned by sheer application and determina- tion, his legal education being obtained en- tirely by studying alone, at night, and at the time of the financial depression of '93 to '95, when his earnings as a machinist were scarcely sufficient to pay expenses, and each new book in the self-prescribed course was bought only at the sacrifice of its pre- decessor.
Our subject was born in Franklin Grove, Ill., February 15, 1875, being the only son of Daniel O. and Helen E. ( Rogers) Lyons. His father was by profession a druggist and physician, and now resides at Mont- gomery, Ala. The boy received his early education in Downers Grove, Ill., while liv- ing there with his maternal grandmother, and finished a high school course, graduat- ing with honor. He then commenced his business career in Chicago; starting in with the panic of '93, he was batted from pillar to post in search of a living, having the un- pleasant experience of having eleven institu- tions, where he was at different times em- ployed, fail under him, the most notable being the Jas. H. Walker Co., then the second largest dry goods house in Chicago.
He was admitted to the bar, March 8, 1896, the year he reached his majority, and removed to Lansing in September of the same year. When he located in the capital city, he at once commenced his professional work with Wood & Wood, as manager of their collection department, and subsequent- ly gave his attention to the business of gen- eral collections. He resumed his law prac- tice in January, 1903, making his specialty commercial and corporation law, and he en- joys the reputation of being a commercial adjuster of more than average ability.
Mr. Lyons is the author of many poems, songs, and satires of unusual literary merit. Among the periodicals to whose columns he has contributed are the Dramatic News
(N. Y.), Cadenza (N. Y.), Whist (Wis.). and Columbian (Chicago). His satires have appeared in many of the leading papers, New York World, Brooklyn Eagle, Baltimore American, Chicago Herald. De- troit Evening News, and local papers.
In 1896 he wrote a poem, "Our Flag," which was accepted by the American Flag Association of Chicago as the association poem, and was pronounced by Dr. B. J. Cigrand, LL. D., president of the associa- tion, to be equal in merit to Drake's "Ameri- can Flag." This piece has been widely copied and was published in June, 1903, in the Sunday Record Herald, under head of "Poems Worth Keeping," and notices of his work have been of such a flattering nature that he expects to devote much of his future to literature.
On September 14, 1898, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Alice S. Perry, daughter of Norton M. Perry of Lansing. To them three children have been born : Hugh and Theodore (twins now five years old), and Frank, the baby.
LANSING.
PAST.
What tongue can tell the secrets of the days agone ?
Before thy grandsire's hand hewed out his home ;
Ere falling timber startled wolf and fawn. When beasts and Red Men held thy lands alone.
The printed page will tell thy founder's name,
Who dwelt in thy domains, supreme, con- . tent,
Who cut the brush and broke the virgin soil. To establish here the Sovereign Government.
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PRESENT.
Till now, by steady growth in sons, and lands, and gain,
Thy fathers view with ever conscious pride Their handiwork, which shows 'twas not in vain,
They on the stubborn land their muscles tried.
They gave their best in muscle, blood and brain,
Unique invention, and commercial power,
- They died that the living might obtain
His sons an heritage, his maids a dower.
FUTURE.
'Tis withheld from us, the gift of prophecy ; We cannot forward look beyond the veil, Our heirs will know thy grandeur and thy strength,
Will wear the sackcloth or the gilded mail ; To us, to do, each day our daily task,
Life is Labor, Luck a fairy wand,
Thus we in passing may have earned "Well Done,"
From the Master Builder in the Great Be- yond.
THEODORE R. LYONS.
February 20. 1905.
H. E. BROWN, M. D.
One of the prominent citizens who has made himself a name in the Village of Stock- bridge, where he has practiced his profes- sion for the past thirty-four years is H. E. Brown, the subject of our sketch. He was born near Pinckney, Livingston county, June 24, 1845, and is the son of Erasmus and Re- becca (Walker) Brown. The father was born in New York in 1819, and died June II, 1894, while the mother was a native of Massachusetts, having been born there in 1821, and died at the age of thirty-five years. The father took for his second wife a cousin
of his first wife who was a Miss Walker. The father was one of six children and the mother one of a family of eight.
For a time the father of our subject was located in Dexter, and there worked at the trade of a miller. afterward moving to Liv- ingston county where he was engaged in farming.
Our subject was the only child of the fath- er's first marriage, and was educated in the Village of Dexter, and graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan in 1870. To the second marriage were born five children : Mrs. Walter Nichols of Stockbridge; Florence Rice of Hamburg, Michigan: William E. of Stockbridge; Charles, on the home farm, and Allie, Mrs. Schonals of Hamburg, Michigan.
Dr. Brown was united in marriage Octo- ber 16, 1872, to Augusta, daughter of Isaac Coleman, and was born in New York, Octo- ber 16, 1847. Her father was born June I, 1805, and died August 17, 1884, while the mother was born January 31, 1810, and died July 7, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman came to Michigan in 1855 and always lived on a farm near Pinckney.
Mrs. Brown is one of seven children : Adelaide, wife of a Mr. Figuet of Alabama; Fanele, wife of Charles Lowe, living on the old homestead; Albert, a railroad conductor, killed in an accident just as he was going to enlist in the Civil War; Charles, living at Crestone, Colorado: Isaac N. Jr., dead, was a doctor at Cadillac ; Robert W., a doctor at Cadillac, and the seventh, Jonathan, died September, 1863, at Nashville, Tenn., in the employ of the government. Mrs. Brown's brother, Charles D., was a member of the 9th Michigan Infantry, Co. H., was its Cap- tain and served throughout the war and sus- tained wounds which he received in battle.
To Dr. Brown and wife have been born two sons: H. Dwain, February 9, 1878, a
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graduate of the Medical College at Detroit, practicing with his father in Stockbridge. H. Dwain married Ruth Noyes, born in Jackson. September 6, 1878, and the second, Robert C., born June 26, 1884. is still at home.
Mrs. Brown's father is a very highly esteemed man of his community and has held many offices of trust and honor. Dr. Brown and his father are active members of the Republican party and to it give their hearty support.
Dr. and Mrs. Brown are valuable mem- bers of the Baptist church and are numbered among the prominent people of Stockbridge. Dr. Brown is fraternally connected with the I. O. O. F., the Maccabees and the Masons, and is counted as a reliable member of each organization.
JOHN B. COOK.
The subject of this review is a native son of this county, as he was born upon the farm where he now resides on the 22nd day of October, 1847. His father, William Cook, was a native of Lannarkshire, Scotland, his birthday being February 20, 1818. In the country of his nativity the father spent his boyhood and youth and upon reaching man's estate was then married to Jeannette King, a native of Les Magago, Scotland, her birth occurred in November 28, 1814. In the year 1844 they emigrated to the new world, com- ing direct to Michigan, and located in Delhi township. Here he made his first purchase of forty acres of marsh land. Being a man of more than ordinary capability and energy, he at once began the improvement of this property by erecting thereon a log house. In this home of pioneer times dwelt the family, meeting with characteristic fortitude the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life. As the years passed, he prospered in his
undertakings, adding from time to time to the original purchase until he owned at the time of his death three hundred sixty acres of highly improved and valuable land. He departed this life on April 12, 1900, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a man of many sterling traits of character, ruggedly honest and energetic.
Unto William Cook and his wife were born nine children, of whom five are now living, namely: Margaret, now deceased. wife of C. Newton Smith; Sarah, died at about seven years of age; John B., the sub- ject of this review ; William G., now a resi- dent of Texarkana, Ark., James D., also a resident of same place ; Matthew J., now de- ceased; Anna, wife of John G. Gunn of Delhi township; Nettie, who died when a child, and George W., now a resident of Michigan.
William Cook was an old time Democrat, believing firmly in the principles of the Democratic party. William Cook and his wife were both active members of the Pres- byterian church.
In reviewing the history of the Cook fami- ly, we find one pardonable characteristic pre- dominating to a degre of prominence, while bred to the surrounding and influence of farm life, there has predominated a desire to the practice of law, as several members have successfully became identified with the profession, and are successfully practicing. Of that number, John B. Cook, the subject of this review, is an able representative. Reared upon the old homestead farm and acquiring his early education in the common schools of his township, attending during the winter months, and then through the sum- mer months assisted his father upon the home farm. Being endowed with a spirit of independence and a desire to study law, he became identified with Judge Jason E. . Nichols of Lansing, studying with the judge
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for about two years, and in 1888 was ad- mitted to the bar. Opening up his office in Lansing, he then successfully conducted his general practice until about three years ago, when on account of ill health he returned to his farm, comprising fifty-seven acres, de- lightfully located about one mile from the village of Holt, Delhi township. On the 29th day of February in 1869, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Celestia M. Skin- ner, a daughter of George W. and Melissa Skinner, natives of Connecticut and Ohio, respectively. Mr. Skinner dates his residence in the county from 1860, as it was in that year that he came to Ingham county and settled in Delhi township, where he pur- chased a forty acre farm. This land he placed under cultivation, living thereon un- til 1902, when on account of old age, he rented the property, and now with his good wife make their home with our subject.
The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with two children, the eldest Bernard, was born in this township in 1890, on July Ist, and died at the age of fourteen years ; while the youngest, William C., born in 1875. April II, now a resident attorney of prominence of Omer, Mich. Although a young man in years he has attained a degree of promise, and is now acting as Prosecu- ting Attorney for his county. He first be- gan reading law with his father, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1897. After his admis- sion to the bar he remained with our subject for a short time, and then located in Arenac county.
vice until July, 1865, being honorably dis- charged at Nashville, Tenn. He saw con- siderable service and was always found at his post in the faithful discharge of his duty. In 1878, he in connection with his brother Matthew, began farming on his own account in the operation of the old homestead, and this partnership was conducted for about four years. In 1882 he bought eighty acres in this township, which he later sold, and now owns a good well improved farm of fifty-seven acres which is a part of the old homestead, located in section 23, Delhi town- ship. Here he is engaged in general farm- ing and stockraising in connection with the practice of law. He effectually served this township as Supervisor for five years to the utmost satisfaction of all concerned. Hon- ored and respected by all who knew him, he can take a just pride in the accomplish- ments of the Cook family in early pioneer affairs, because unto such men who have given the best years of their manhood in the improvement and development of their com- munity, Ingham county owes not only its history, but also its present prosperous con- dition.
PERRY HENDERSON (DECEASED).
For half a century the name of Henderson has been prominently identified with the . financial and political development of Mason and Ingham county. Mason city was little more than a country hamlet when Perry Henderson first became a factor in the politi- during the years of his activities he con- tributed his full share towards the upbuild- ing of his adopted county, and especially the county seat of Mason.
Our subject affiliates with the Democratic ; cal and business arena of the county, and party, but not in the sense of a politician. He has taken an active interest in politics. He is also a member of Charles T. Foster Post, G. A. R., as he, in answer to his coun- try's call, enlisted in 1864, on the 28th day Perry Henderson was born in a rural home in Tully, Onondaga county, in the Empire State, October 1, 1815. Having the of September, in the 28th Michigan Volun- teer Infantry, Co. F., remaining in the ser-
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misfortune of losing his parents by death while yet in his infancy, he found a home through the years of his boyhood with an elder brother. He was the youngest of a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters. His father, Phineas Henderson, was a man of sterling qualities, and was known as an industrious and public spirited citizen.
Our subject was given the advantages of the district schools of his time, and while yet a young man had made such use of his opportunities that he was enabled to pass a satisfactory examination in the primary branches, and for several winters taught school.
The important event in his history was his marriage in the year 1838 to Miss Hulda Christian, who, through the sunshine and shadows of life was a sharer of his joys and sorrow, his trials and triumphs. To them were born five children, four sons and a daughter, all growing to man and woman's estate. Calvin and Albert died while in the prime of life. Judge Henry P. Henderson, an attorney of national reputation, has been a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah, for sev- eral years. He first went to that territory as Territorial Judge under the administration of Grover Cleveland, where he has since re- sided. He has built up a large and lucrative practice and is a leading factor in the camp of the Democracy, with which he has always been aligned. While yet a young man, Judge Henderson served Ingham county as County Clerk, and later represented his dis- trict in the State Legislature. For many years the co-partnership existing between himself and the late Judge George M. Huntington, known as Huntington & Hen- derson, was one of the strong legal firnis of the State. The other two children of Perry Henderson are Ward J., and Catherine. Miss Catherine occupies the old home at Mason.
It was in the year 1845 that Perry Hen- derson came from New York and settled with his family in the Township of Leroy. He was the first postmaster in that section. His sons, Calvin and Henry carried the mail on foot from their home to Williamston in a common grain sack, the mail pouch fur- nished by the government being too cumber- some for the boys to carry.
Mr. Henderson served as Supervisor of Leroy for several years. In 1856 was elected Sheriff of Ingham county, when he removed to Mason, which was ever after his home. He served for a term as County Superintend- ent of the poor, and during the following years as Supervisor, Alderman and Mayor.
In 1858 Mr. Henderson erected the old city flouring mill known as the "Phoenix." He was also for several years successively engaged in the hardware trade in the city.
For a quarter of a century he had a "cor- ner" on the auctioneer business in the town- ships adjoining Mason city, and was much in demand. He was a busy man, and ener- getic in any enterprise in which he engaged. Warm hearted, genial, he early won for him- self friends of the helpful sort.
Mr. Henderson and wife were for many years highly esteemed members of the Bap- tist church society to which they contributed liberally of their substance.
He died February 5. 1904. his wife pre- ceeding about four years. They have left their impress for good, and their memory is revered.
CHARLES L. HULETT.
Among the successful farmers of Meridi- an township we find the name of Charles L. Hulett, who was born August 26, 1860. His parents, Jesse, born in England in 1829, and Harriett ( Crossman) Hulett, born in New York, July 25, 1830, were married in New
1
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York, October 12, 1853, and soon after their marriage came to Michigan and first settled in Lansing, where they lived three or four years and then bought one hundred and forty acres of wild land on section 31, Me- ridian township, cleared up the farm and made their home on this place until death. The father died June 10, 1899, and the mother, June 14, 1870. Jesse Hulett was one of eight children, four of them living : James lives in Gratiot county; Carrie, the wife of Noah Porter; Mrs. G. W. Stevens, of Greenville, Michigan, and Mrs. Martha Bailey, also of Greenville.
To Jesse and Harriett Hulett were born four children : Marian, born in 1856, Charles L., our subject ; James, marrier Ethel Dem- orest and lives on the old farm in Meridian township, and Alma, married to Ed. Bur- traw, also on the old home farm.
Charles L. Hulett acquired a district school education in Meridian township and Okemos and lived on the farm with his parents until twenty-four years of age.
April 16, 1885, our subject was married to Calista Box, who was born in Ohio, Octo- ber 5, 1864, and died April 21, 1892. To them were born three children: Heber J., born February 18, 1887, at home; Edwin B., November 12, 1887, and Howard, Janu- ary 27, 1890, died March 7, 1892. Mr. Hulett was again married June 28, 1899 to Carrie Kerton, born in Oakland county, November 7, 1865. Mrs. Hulett is the daughter of Joseph, born in England, August 2, 1837, and Hanna Urch Kerton, born July 5, 1841, in England, and is still living at the age of sixty-three. Mrs. Hulett is one of six children, all of whom are living.
To our subject and wife have been born two children: Lloyd, June 28, 1900, and Helen, November 21, 1903, died March 12, 1905.
In the year of 1884 our subject bought
eighty acres of land known as the McCurdy farm. At that time the place was run down, buildings were old and now the farm is in good condition, buildings are all re- built and it presents a pleasing appearance to the passers-by.
In politics, Mr. Hulett has been a Green- backer, Populist and now is a strong Repub- lican. He has several times been candidate for township offices, but never elected, and cares nothing for office. The family are active members of the Baptist church. Mr. Hulett is engaged in general farming, mak- ing a specialty of sheep raising and dairy farming. He is a progressive farmer and a good citizen of Meridian township.
JAMES J. DANA (DECEASED).
Since the first echo of the woodsman's axe resounded through the dense forests of Le- roy township, the name of Dana has been familiar to the inhabitants of that section of the country.
The parents of J. J. Dana were both born at Batavia, N. Y. The father, Orren, in 1807, and the mother, Adaline Goodwill, in 1814. They were married in the year 1829, and emigrated to Michigan in the year 1837 and settled on sections 8 and 9 in Leroy township. The land was all in a state of nature. One hundred and sixty acres was taken up from the government. For the first few years the family not only had to endure the privations common to the lot of pioneers in a new country, but at times suffered from want and hunger. This was not on account of any lack of industry or energy but rather from unforseen and unavoidable causes. In the fall of the year of 1838, six acres, the entire crop of corn was destroyed by forest fires. The year following, the entire crop of wheat and corn upon which the family de-
.. .
JAMES J. DANA (Deceased)
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
pended for their winter supply, was trampled down and destroyed by wild deer and black bears. A log enclosure was a necessity to keep the cows from being killed by roving bands of wolves. For the first six months after locating here, Detroit was the nearest postoffice. Then one was established at Ma- son. In the year 1840, what is now the township of Leroy, was set off by itself and named by Orren Dana after a township in his native state. For over twenty years there was no place of business within the limits of the township. For thirty-two years Orren Dana was Justice of the Peace for Leroy. He died in 1879. Of a family of eight chil- dren, but one is now living, E. L. Dana, of Leroy.
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