USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 67
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
J. J. Dana was a lad of but three years when the family arrived at Detroit, and this was just before the territory was admitted into the Union as a state. The first settle- ment by the family was made on the prop- erty now owned by the heirs of H. J. Dana, eldest son of Orren.
J. J. Dana enlisted as private in Co. H, of the 26th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Au- gust 12, 1862. For nearly two years he fol- lowed the fortunes of his regiment, partici- pating in several of the hardest fought bat- tles of the Civil War, and was severely wounded in the right arm at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. With thousands of others, more or less seriously wounded, he marched during the next few days about fifty miles to a steamboat landing and from there was taken in a transport to Washington. Arriv- ing at the hospital, amputation was found necessary and he ever afterward carried an empty sleeve. A few months later he was mustered out of service with the rank of - Corporal and honorably discharged by rea- son of disability. Mr. Dana has to his credit in which he took part, the ever memorable battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, where
the losses footed up in killed, wounded and missing, about fifteen thousand on a side. Other engagements in which he took part were Suffolk, Va., Windsor, Va., May 22, Mine Run, Va., November 29, all in '63, Corbin's Bridge, Va., May 8, Ny River. May 9. Po River, May 11, '64. Returning to civil life, he a few months later was united in marriage to Miss Frances Keys. Of this union two children were born, Wil- liam J. and James A.
Mrs. Dana died September 5, 1869, and a few weeks later, October 14, the eldest son, William, died.
Mr. Dana was again married March 3, in the year 1870, To Mrs. Mary Thurston, daughter of Lawrence VanAlstyne of Oak- land county, a native of New York state.
In the year 1872 Mr. VanAlstyne came to Williamston, which was ever after his home. He died in July, 1876.
Mr. Dana was a charter member of Wil- liamston Lodge, I. O. O. F., and always loyal to its principles. For several years he was a member of Eli P. Alexander Post of the G. A. R., named in honor of a gallant young lieutenant of his own company.
Mr. Dana by frugality and business tact secured a comfortable competence for him- self and family. He died February 16, 1898, and is survived by a widow and one son, James A.
GEORGE HARWOOD.
Among the biographies to be included in this volume, few subjects are more worthy than he whose name is at the head of this sketch. George Harwood was born Feb- rvary 5. 1836, in New York State. His parents. Thomas and Elizabeth (French) Harwood, were natives of England. They came to this country and settled in New York, where they remained until 1838, when
32
498
PAST AND PRESENT
they emigrated to Michigan, locating in the township of Onondaga, where the father took up one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. He was among the earliest settlers of the township. They were tlie parents of ten children, of which the fol- lowing brief data is given: Cornelius re- mained in England ; Thomas was for many years a resident of Onondaga, township and died at Kinneyville; Manuel lived in Onon- daga, now deceased and his widow lives in Eaton Rapids; John is a resident of Onon- daga township; William resides in Leslie; Edward was a resident of Tompkins Center, Jackson county, now deceased; Becky, the wife of Levi Chapin, resided in Chicago, de- ceased; Elizabeth, the wife of J. Joles of this township, deceased.
Thomas Harwood never became natural- ized. He was an upright and honest man and although never a member of a church, was a great student of the Bible. Our sub- ject was but fourteen years old when his father died. The property was placed in the hands of the oldest brother, John, until the youngest came of age. At the time of the division. George Harwood came into possession of one hundred and twenty acres where he now resides. He has since added ninety acres, across the line in Jackson county. He was united in marriage in 1859 to Miss Lovan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Baldwin of Onondaga Township. To this union two children were born : Clara, now the wife of George Strong of Onondaga and they have one child, Mollie, while the second, a babe died in infancy. The wife and mother of these children died in 1872.
Mr. Harwood was remarried, to Miss Mary Baldwin, a sister of his first wife and of M. C. Baldwin. The outcome of this union was three children, as follows : Beecher, an industrious farmer of Onondaga
township, married a Miss Conklin; Luvan, now the wife of Melcom Clay, also a resi- dent of Onondaga township and a successful farmer, and a child named George, that died at the age of eighteen months.
Mr. George Harwood is a representative citizen of his township. His views harmon- ize with the principles of the Republican party to which he gives his loyal support. He has never been a seeker for office, pre- fering rather to devote his time to his per- sonal matters. Mr. Harwood has made good use of the legacy left him by his father, adding thereto, until he finds himself, in the decline of life, in very comfortable circum- stances.
While neither Mr. or Mrs. Harwood are members of a church still they are living ex- emplary Christian lives.
JOHN R. TERRY.
The subject of this review. John R. Terry, is a native of the South, his birth having occurred in the State of Mississippi on the 27th day of Nov., 1875. He is the son of George W. and Clara (Leech) Terry, and both were natives of the Empire State. of whom more extensive mention is made in the sketch of Geo. WV. Terry.
The early education of John R. Terry was „acquired in the common schools of Winfield, Onondaga township, and he was married May 28, 1900, to Jessie F. Harwood, daugh- ter of John and Emeline (Walworth) Har- wood, whose sketches appear elsewhere in this work.
Our subject has followed farming con- tinuously throughout his active business career, having resided one year in Jackson county upon the Tompkins farm and for the last two years upon the Harwood place. Mr. Terry is progressive and industrious and although a young man, has shown re-
DR. CHARLES H. DARROW
499
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
markable adaptability towards the comple- tion of his chosen profession. .
Unto our subject and wife have been born one child, named Harwood. Mr. Terry af- filiates with the Republican party, believing that its men and measures are best adapted for the government of the people, and though representing a younger generation of agriculturists, he maintains the high regard of all who know him.
CHARLES H. DARROW (DECEASED).
Charles H. Darrow was born April 16, 1830, near Schenectady, N. Y., where he grew to manhood and acquired his educa- tion. Desiring to enter upon a professional career, he entered the Albany Medical Col- lege, receiving his diploma from this insti- tution at the age of twenty-three years. In 1855 he moved to Okemos, Ingham county, and there gave his undivided attention to the practice of his profession for the following nine years, being the only physician in that locality. Here he built up a large and lucra- tive practice.
In 1858, Dr. Darrow was united in marriage to Caroline, daughter of Wheeler and Margaret Rose of Bath, Clin- ton county, and to them were born three children : Minnie, Mamie and Nettie. The death of two lovely little girls occurring near the same time threw a shadow upon the lives of Dr. and Mrs. Darrow, which was never fully lifted during the remaining years of his life.
In 1866 Dr. Darrow was elected Register of Deeds for Ingham county, and moved with his family to Mason, which has since been the family home. He most acceptably filled this office for four years. Later on he was engaged in the mercantile business, and here he erected a substantial brick block, standing on the corner of Oak and Main
streets, known as the Darrow Block. He also purchased a wild section of land, being the entire body of section 21 of Vevay township, and here erected a saw mill, and cut the lum- ber, and today this section embraces several good farms, well improved, eighty acres of which are among Mrs. Darrow's holdings.
Dr. Darrow represented the Township of Meridian on the Board of Supervisors, and always took an active interest in local poli- tics. For quite a number of years he was the trusted leader of the Republican party in this locality, and served as Chairman of the County Committee. He was a safe coun- sellor, possessing good judgment, and his opinion carried great weight. Deliberate in action, moderate in expression, his conclu- sions were generally correct. He was one of the Knights Templars of Lansing. Dr. Darrow, for many years, was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, contrib- uting generously of his means towards its maintenance. He served several years as a member on the Board of Pension Examiners. Dr. Darrow was an all around useful man. In matters of business his word was as good as a bond, and the place made vacant by his death has never been filled.
Mrs. Darrow's parents were pioneers of Clinton county, and her father is credited with giving the town of Bath its name. He also built the first saw-mill in Okemos. He died while Mrs. Darrow was a child of three years. Her youngest brother the Hon. W. H. Rose, now owns the old homestead. He served his district in the State Legislature some years since, and was for four years treasurer of Clinton county. In November. 1904. he was elected commissioner of the State Land Office.
The doctor by frugality and strict atten- tion to business was enabled to accumulate a comfortable competence so that his widow is now able to enjoy all the comforts and
1
500
PAST AND PRESENT
luxuries of life. He lies buried in the family lot in Maple Grove cemetery, and a beauti- ful stone marks his last resting place.
"To slumber in that dreamless bed Freed from all life's toil."
RICHARD B. HUNTOON.
A goodly number of veterans of the late war that were drawn from Ingham County still survive and offer a bright example to the young men who are coming up today, of the disinterested loyalty that prompted them to throw all into the balance with the chances of war, for at that time there was no assurance or remuneration for services and it was certain that many would sacrifice their lives. Our subject was one of the most valiant and faithful of the regiment that went out from the State.
Richard B. Huntoon was born in Orleans County, N. Y., October 20, 1826, the son of Isaac F. and Mary Ann Huntoon, the father having been born in Vermont and the mother in New Hampshire. Soon after their mar- riage Isaac Huntoon and wife went to New York, where he was for a time captain of a schooner and later a farmer. Hearing the glowing accounts of opportunities offered in the west, they emigrated to Michigan in 1841 and settled in Leslie township, where Huntoon Lake is situated, the lake having been named after these early settlers. Mr. Huntoon with his wife and nine children, came up Lake Erie, then to Ann Arbor on the cars, completing their journey to Leslie township by ox team. The land was com- pletely covered with woods and in a wild state and by many hard days' labor was finally cleared up and made ready for use. Here on this farm the father and mother lived until their death, which occurred in 1869 and 1848 respectively. Isaac Huntoon
was a staunch supporter of the Democracy.
Our subject, R. B. Huntoon, was the sev- enth son in succession and so was always called "Doctor." He went to school and acquired his early education in a building which he helped to construct. At the first election in which Mr. Huntoon was inter- ested, there were three tickets in the field, Whig, Democrat and Abolitionist and thirty votes were cast, some one from each ticket being elected.
Richard B. Huntoon started out for him- self by working by the month on a farm and from this enlisted in the service in 1862, in Co. D, 27th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He saw active service at the siege of Vicks- burg, Jackson, Miss., siege of Knoxville, Fort Saunders, Wilderness, Petersburg, Fort Steadman, Ox Ford and Cold Harbor were the principal battles in which he was engaged. Our subject was never wounded but took the typhoid fever and was in the hospital sixty days at Baltimore, from which sickness he lost his eyesight. He was dis- charged in 1865 and came home, when he worked on a farm four years and then came to Leslie and worked by the day until his health failed him, since which time he has been unable to work. He at present draws as large a pension as any one in his town.
R. B. Huntoon was married July 5, 1868, to Jane M. Jefferds, born April 4, 1840, and the daughter of Luther Jefferds of Les- lie. He was born in Monroe county, New York, was a farmer, and came to Washte- naw county at an early day. He came to Ingham county in 1865 and died at Leslie in 1878. Mrs. Huntoon was the youngest of four children and she suffered the loss of her mother when but six years of age.
To our subject and wife were born two children, Myron J., born December 29, 1869, and died October 2, 1870, and Grace G., born July 21, 1871, died at birth. They have
.
RICHARD B. HUNTOON
MRS. RICHARD B. HUNTOON
501
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
an adopted son, Merton J., born February 4, 1872, who was married February 23, 1896, to Miss Mabel A., daughter of George Laberteaux of Bunker Hill township, and they have two children : Harold Richard, born August 26, 1899, and Mahlon Roose- velt, born April 30 of the year 1903.
R. B. Huntoon is a member of the Con- gregational church and his wife of the Bap- tist. Our subject is a member of the G. A. R. of Leslie and since 1864 has been a Re- publican and has always taken an active in- terest in the political welfare of the com- munity.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Huntoon are very proud of the record made by their ancestors in the wars of the country. Mr. Huntoon is from the Revolutionary stock and had one brother in the Civil War and his father and two uncles fought in the War of 1812, as did also the father and uncles of Mrs. Hun- toon.
A long residence in the town of Leslie and many acts of kindness and charity have won for Mr. and Mrs. Huntoon many warm friends, who wish for them many years of happiness.
HARLAN P. TOWNER.
Harlan P. Towner was born at Byron, Michigan, in Shiawassee county. April 1, 1841. He is the son of Isaac B., a native of New York, and Julia ( Epley ) Towner, whose mother was a native of Germany. Our subject's father came to Michigan with his parents in the early days, where he learned the trade of carpenter and mill- wright. Our subject's grandfather, Daniel Towner, served in the Revolutionary War. A brother of Daniel Towner bought Long Island from the Government and owned it for several years.
Our subject's parents were married in
Pinckney, and for several years his father was engaged in his trade at that place. He built the mill at DeWitt, Clinton county. Isaac Towner bought forty acres of wild Government land in Bath township, and af- terwards sold this and bought one hundred and eleven acres near Pine Lake in Meridian township, where he lived until his death at the age of sixty-nine years. He was a Democrat, though never an office holder. He was a member of the U. B. church, while his wife was a Methodist.
Harlan Towner was the second of a fam- ily of eleven children : William D., left home at nineteen and became a minister in the U. B. church, and died in 1862; our subject ; Alonzo, lives in Locke township, Ingham county. His first wife was Frances Abel, and the second, Eva Gundman. There was one child by the first marriage and four by the second: Frances E., died at the age of fifteen years; Olive, married first, William Troop, who was killed in the war, and after- ward Richard Reynolds. She has one child by the first marriage and three by the second: Etta, the wife of George Bisbee, a Baptist minister in Georgia: Charles Towner lives in Bath township, married Nora Smith, and has four children: Rose, the wife of Charles Peterson, lives in Merid- ian on a farm and had eight children ; James I., a Baptist minister at Mayville, Tuscola county.
Our subject lived with his parents until twenty-one years old, working on the farm in the summer and attending school in the winter. He bought forty acres of wild land in Bath township. Clinton county. March 28. 1864, he enlisted in Co. D. 4th Michigan Infantry, and served sixteen months and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., discharged at Detroit. and was in the battles of Jones- boro, seige of Atlanta. Bentonville and Goldsberg. N. C. After the war he sold the
502
PAST AND PRESENT
forty acres and bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in Meridian town- ship. Eighty acres of this he sold, and with the money built and improved the remain- ing part of his property. Here he lived un- til three years ago, when he moved to Haz- lett Park, where he and his wife now reside.
Harlan P. Towner was married May 3. 1869, to Emeline Haulman, born in Ohio, March 27, 1843. She was an only child and her mother died when she was nine years old, when she went to live with an aunt.
To our subject and wife was born three children : Jessie L., born Sept. 7. 1871, mar- ried Isaac Thatcher, and they are the parents of nine children, six of whom are living: Daisy, married James Kaiser; Kirk, aged twenty-seven married Ruby Calkin, and lives on the old homestead.
Our subject was for twenty years a Re- publican. then became a Prohibitionist, be- lieving in the principles of that party. He has many times been a candidate for office. but never elected. Mr. and Mrs. Towner are members of the Baptist church and are highly esteemed in their community. As a reward for his services in defense of the Union, Mr. Towner draws a good pension from the Government.
Was sun struck July 4. 1864, in Geor- gia, and lay between life and death for sev- eral days. Came near being buried alive when found unconscious after stroke.
ALBERT J. HALL.
Albert J. Hall has figured conspicuously and honorably in connection with the public interests and substantial development of the City of Mason and Ingham county. No his- tory of this locality would be complete with- out a record of his career. To say of him that he arose from comparative obscurity to rank among the successful men of this part
of the state is a statement that seems trite to those familiar with his life. It is but just to say in a history that would descend. to future generations that his business record is one that any man might be proud to possess. Beginning at the bottom round of the ladder he has steadily advanced step by step until he now occupies his present position of trust and confidence. Born in Mason on the 8th day of February. 1862, he is the son of Robert Hall, who was a native of Pennsyl- vania, as was also his mother. They were married in that state and emigrated west- ward and settled in Ingham county in the year 1854. The father followed the occupa- tion of carpenter and cabinet maker and was the first undertaker in the village of Mason. The father learned his trade in Georgia, where he resided for some years, but was obliged to leave the state on account of at- tempting to teach a colored boy to read, as it was considered a great crime at that time to advance the educational interests of the col- ored race. especially so by the southern peo- ple.
Robert Hall died when his son Albert was but eight months old. In response to his country's call he enlisted in Co. A, 9th Mich- igan Cavalry, in which he saw eight months of active service when he was stricken down and died at the Nashville hospital, and so it was that our subject found it necessary to depend upon his own resources at an early age of childhood.
Albert J. Hall is the youngest of a family of five children: The oldest, Benjamin Franklin, died in infancy; the second, Emma, deceased wife of H. H. Terwilliger, of Montague, Muskegon county, who died February 25, 1905; the third, C. H., born January 13. 1858, and died September 16, 1901. All the deceased are buried in Maple Grove cemetery, excepting the father, he is buried in National cemetery at Nashville.
1
ISAAC HUNTOON
LUTHER JEFFERDS, Born 1837
503
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Tennessee. The fourth, Louisa, born 1860, died November 25, 1874, and the fifth, our subject, whose early education was ac- quired at the common schools in Mason and also the Mason high school. When thir- teen years of age he found employment in a grocery store, where he worked for eleven consecutive years. On the seventh day of June, 1887, he found employment in the Farmers' Bank, gaining a practical knowl- edge of general bookkeeping and general business. In 1895 he became its cashier and soon afterwards a stockholder and director in this institution.
On the 12th day of June, 1883, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Katherine E. Smith, who died January 23, 1892, and is also buried in Maple Grove cemetery. Unto this union was born one child, Winifred, a graduate of the Mason high school. On the 18th day of April, 1894, Mr. Hall was again married, to Mrs. Adah Rackham Cook. This union has been blessed with one child, Horace A., now at home and a student in the Mason high school.
Mr. Hall is a Mason and belongs to the Blue Lodge, No. 70, of Mason ; also of the Royal Arcanum, Maccabees and of the For- esters. He affiliates with the Republican party and has taken an active interest in politics, and as an evidence of the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens has been honored with the office of City Treasurer for two terms. He has also been treasurer and chairman of the finance . committee of the Baptist church for 15 years. Mr. Hall has taken a deep and active inter- est in church and sunday school work in his native city, having been an active member of the church for the last twenty-two years. and during that time has served eighteen years as superintendent of Sunday school. The strong traits of his character are such as have endeared him to all with whom he
has come in contact. He is a soul of honor and integrity in business and private life and a man of broad humanitarian principles and gives generously for the public good. Faithful in friendship and devoted to his family he stands as a high type of our chiv- alrous American manhood.
Member of the School Board for past 12 years, and is now an incumbent of that office.
MAJOR JOHN S. HUSTON (DECEASED).
John S. Huston was born in Geneva coun- ty, New York, October 19, 1823, and died in Leroy township, Ingham county, July 30, 1893. Major John Huston was of Scotch- Irish descent-his father having emigrated from the Emeral Isle when a young man and settled in the State of New York. His mother descended from Scotch ancestors. The father, James Huston, came to Mich- igan at an early day and settled upon a farm. The mother's maiden name was Amanda Springstead. Both parents have been dead several years and little is known of the ac- tivities of their lives.
Major John S. Huston was a man of strong personality-was well educated, and for nearly half a century was associated with school work as teacher, officer and school commissioner of Ingham county. He was for a time engaged in the drug trade in the Village of Williamston and also practiced medicine for some years. For eleven years he was a member of the Board of Supervis- ors and chairman of the board for nine years. His very unusual majorities when a candi- date for office were very complimentary to his ability and faithfulness as a public serv- ant.
October 14. 1862, he was mustered in as Major of the 7th Michigan Cavalry and served under the gallant Custer in the Mich- igan brigade. It is recorded of him that
504
PAST AND PRESENT
with his command he participated in twenty- one battles and skirmishes. He was for a time confined to a hospital by reason of sick- ness and was finally mustered out of service and honorably discharged February 13, 1864.
Major Huston was twice married-his first wife, Miss Kate Springstead, lived but a few years after their marriage and died May 14, 1866. His second marriage occurred May 14, 1866, to Mrs. Martha Putnam of Leroy township. She was the daughter of Alden and Penelope Cooper Smith, highly re- spected pioneers of Ingham county. Of this union three children were born : Grace E., unmarried, born March 21, 1867, lives at Colorado Springs, Colo .; Frederick W .. born February 6, 1870, died January 6, 1893 : Frank J., born October 3, 1875, now' a resident of New Mexico.
Mrs. Huston's father, Alden Smith, was born in the State of New York and moved to Michigan with his family in the year 1836, and settled in the township of Stockbridge. He took up one hundred and sixty acres of wild timbered land-this he improved and made it the family home for many years. His health failing, he disposed of his farm and with his wife spent the declining years of their life with their daughter, Mrs. Hus- ton. The father died December 24, 1895, and the mother died February II. 1885; both rest in the cemetery at Dansville.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.