USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 68
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Mrs. Huston recalls the fact that her father gave the land for the site of the first school building erected in that neighbor- hood. Mrs. Putnam grew to womanhood in Stockbridge township and has a good fund of genuine pioneer remembrances that came into her experience in early life. Mrs. Hus- ton was twice married. Her first husband, William M. Putnam, to whom she was united in marriage March 12, 1854, lived but ten years after this and died June 30,
1864. Three children were born of this union, all living : Alice A., born April 19, 1855, now the wife of Charles A. Smith of Leroy; Lester R., a successful farmer re- siding near Pine Lake; Emma J., wife of A. L. Rose, of Mason. editor and proprietor of the Ingham county News.
Alden Smith was present at the organiza- tion of the Republican party at Jackson, and was ever after a firm advocate of its prin- ciples and always voted the Republican ticket.
Since 1898 Mrs. Huston has made her home in the Village of Williamston. She is one of the oldest settlers now living in the county. She is an interesting conversation- alist and a lady of refinement. The Baptist society is her church home. Ripe in years and faith she is enjoying to a good measure the closing years of an active life.
H. D. FELTON.
It is one of the plain duties of the citizen of today to leave to posterity in as permanent form as possible his personal biography and family genealogy.
Fabulous sums are being offered for data to perfect the family records. In no form could the same amount of money be invested so as to give to posterity the pleasure and satisfaction as that invested in this volume. Next to the sacred book, it becomes a house- hold treasure. In a volume of this character. are to be found the names and faces of the men and women who came from comfort- able homes in the far east to endure the hardships and privations incident to a life on the front line of civilization. Only a little more than half a century ago Ingham county was a wilderness, the hardy pioneer occupied his time for the most part clearing away the forest, and burning in huge heaps logs,
MAJ. JOHN S. HUSTON
MRS. MARTHA F. HUSTON
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- which, if standing today, would exceed in value the cleared land with all improve- ments. One unfamiliar with the facts could scarcely appreciate the transition through which the county has passed within the last half century.
H. D. Felton was a pioneer, the son of a pioneer. Mr. Felton was born in the Town- ship of Stockbridge, Ingham county, July 23, 1849. He was one of two children born to Daniel and Margaret ( Hay) Felton. The parents were natives of the Empire State, came to Michigan in the early forties and settled upon a tract of land in the Township of Stockbridge.
In the year 1850, when the California gold fever was raging throughout the coun- try, Daniel Felton, with thousands of others, made the overland trip to that land of prom- ise, where he remained for thirty-seven years. He returned to his family in the year 1883, he died in the year 1899, aged eighty- three years. Chester, the only brother of our subject, was born June, 1847, at Stock- bridge, now a resident of the State of Idaho. The mother lived to the age of sixty-four years, died in 1896, loved and revered for her many virtues. Her father, John Hay, lived to the advanced age of one hundred and seven years. He was a resident of the State of Wisconsin at the time of his death. He lived in Ingham county until after he crossed the century line. Mr. Felton received his primary education in Stockbridge, later at- tended school at Lansing, and wound up with a course in a commercial college in the same city.
H. D. Felton enlisted in Co. D, of the 28th Mich. Infantry, Sept. 1, 1864. at the organization of the regiment. While the 28th Infantry was among the later regiments called into service its experiences under fire of the enemy was sufficient to "fully estab- lish its reputation as a gallant fighting regi-
ment, and reached the uniform high stand- ard of Michigan troops." He was mustered out with his command at Raleigh, N. C .. June 5, 1866, by reason of the close of the war, and under Col. Shaffer, took up its march for Detroit, where it was paid off and disbanded.
Returning to civil life Mr. Felton attended school, as above stated, after which he was variously occupied. On the roth of October, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Guile of Alaiedon township. In the year 1876 he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, section 8, of Alaiedon. The location is fine, the buildings are neat, commodious and attractive. He carries on general and mixed farming, and makes a success of it. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Felton, six of whom are living. Their names and other data of interest is here given : Orah, born May, 24. 1875, wife of Joseph Beaumont of Alaiedon township; Stella, born February 8, 1877. the wife of William Neibling; Ariel, born April 18, 1879, married Chas. Folar, Jr., died July 13, 1899; Effie, born January 22, 1881, wife of George Beaumont. The Beau- mont brothers married Felton sisters. Ben, the only son, born June 29, 1883, now at home. Goldie, born November 3, 1885, is the second wife of Chas. Folar, Jr. Hope, born June 29, 1888, the junior member of the family, is still under the paternal roof with her parents. Mr. Felton's first wife died Feb. 17, 1891. She was the mother of his children. The memory of her unselfish life and devotion to her family lingers as a benediction to them all. June 13, 1894, Mr. Felton was married to Miss Frances Yaus, daughter of Wm. Yaus, a native of Wur- temberg, Germany, who emigrated to Amer- ica when a lad, and was for several years a respected citizen of Alaiedon township, now
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deceased. The mother was the daughter of E. D. Colbath.
In politics Mr. Felton is enthusiastically Republican, takes a lively interest in local politics, and cheers when his party wins out. Was at one time elected Supervisor of his township, as he put it, but "was counted out by the opposition." His friends, the enemy, will do well to remember that this is not a "closed issue." He was for five years an engineer on the railroad. His father was one of the gang that surveyed the land where the city of Mason now stands. The years of the life of H. D. Felton have been years of activity. His name will be recorded among the number of those who have given honest toil to help "to make the wilderness blossom as the rose," and will go down to posterity as one who in time of his country's need stood by her in defense of civil liberty.
HON. JOHN THOMAS (DECEASED).
The subject of this review figured con- spicuously in the pioneer history of Lansing and Ingham county, and also in the early history of the State. A native of Pennsyl- vania, he was born in 1810, and was a son of Griffith Thomas, who was a farmer by occupation, which he followed until his death, which occurred at the age of ninety years.
When a young man he went to Yates county, N. Y., where he found employment as a clerk in a dry goods store owned by a Mr. Eben Smith. Being ambitious and showing a marked capability for the busi- ness, he was eventually taken into partner- ship with Mr. Smith, and there remained for six years. In the meantime he was uni- ted in marriage to Miss Ann Lawrence, daughter of Samuel Lawrence of Yates county, N. Y. This union was blessed with ten children. In 1836 they removed to
Michigan and settled twenty miles west of Detroit in Oakland county.
Our subject was a man of strong person- ality, kind and hospitable in manner and made friends readily, and became quite prominent and successful.
In 1846 he represented his locality in the Legislature at Detroit. He was one of those that voted for the removal of the capitol to Lansing. In later years he became iden- tified in business in the capital city, in which he continued for six years. He also be- came interested in this city in extensive pur- chases of land, and built one of the earlier hotels in the capital city, which was called the Benton House. He died in Lansing, at the Hudson House, and there passed away one of the old pioneer citizens, who left the impress of his individuality upon the com- munity where he resided. Having spent al- most his entire life in Michigan, he had a wide acquaintance within its borders, and his strength of character, his honorable con- duct and his fidelity to manly principles made him one of the representative and val- ued citizens.
GILBERT H. GAY.
The gentleman whose name graces the top of this page is a product of the Wolver- ine State, having been born at Summerset, Hillsdale county, September 1, 1858. His father, Edward A. Gay, was born in the cultured city of Boston in the old Bay State. April 19, 1829, and his mother, whose maid- en name was Almira I. Root, was born at Auburn, N. Y., September 29, the same year.
The grandfather of our subject, Timothy Gay, was a native of Boston, where he was born October 27, 1801. He died September 3. 1882. His wife's maiden name was Nancy Green. Timothy Gay and his wife came to Hillsdale county, Michigan, in 1833,
JOHN THOMAS (Deceased)
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and took up land from the government. When the time came to prove up on his land he made the trip to the government land office at Detroit on foot.
In an early day our subject's father en- gaged in farming. This did not prove ex- actly to his liking. He sold out and engaged in the manufacture of machinery at Hudson, Michigan. This he continued for a time when he disposed of the business and en- tered upon the practice of medicine, having in the meantime fitted himself for the prac- tice of the profession. About the year 1870 he abandoned his practice and was ordained as a minister of the gospel in the Baptist denomination and entered upon the work of the ministry. He served several important charges, among them Bronson, Branch coun- ty, Plymouth, Chelsea for ten years, Allegan and Otsego, where he died in October, 1891. He was a man of fine personal presence, a good speaker, and by his kindly manner won many friends and accomplished good work for Him whom he served. His devoted wife preceded him to the land beyond, hav- ing passed away August 19, 1876.
The Rev. Gay was educated in his native city of Boston. The Rev. and Mrs. Gay were the parents of three children, as follows: Clement A., born October 16, 1854, he mar- ried Alma Haight, they have had three chil- dren born to them: Grace, deceased; Ger- trude, and John G. ; they reside at Zion City. 111. Gilbert H., born September 1. 1858. and Edward M., born January 24, 1866. He married Lulu Cook, they have one child. Cecil ; their home is in Muskegon, Michigan.
Our subject's father was twice married. the second time to Amy L. Winans. Of this union one child, Carroll W .. was born August 17, 1878. Young Carroll Gay met a premature death at Allegan by the burst- ing of a grindstone.
Gilbert H. Gay received his education in
the graded schools of Hudson and Chelsea. He began life for himself at the age of fif- teen years. He first found employment as a farm hand and was later employed in a gen- eral store at Chelsea. For four years he served as clerk in the postoffice in that vil- lage.
February 15, 1886, he went into the em- ploy of George P. Glazier of Chelsea and took charge of the Commercial Bank of Stockbridge, since which time he has man- aged its affairs in a careful and business- like manner.
In 1891 he was admitted to partnership in the business, a merited compliment to his integrity and industry.
Mr. Gay was happily married March 24, 1886, to Miss Helen, daughter of Jay and Susan Ann (Smith) Everett of Chelsea. The family were natives of Washtenaw county, Michigan, and Rochester, N. Y., re- respectively.
Four children have come to bless the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Gay, and all are still under the parental roof: Jesse, born at Chelsea, October 13, 1887 ; Lindsley, born at Stock- bridge, July 6. 1890: Gilbert Maurice, born at Stockbridge, March 19, 1894: Welland. born at Stockbridge, January 17. 1896.
Mrs. Gay's parents were married in Washtenaw county, September 25. 1850. The father was born October 2, 1827, and the mother, November 21, 1828. Mrs. Gay dates her birth from November 12, 1859. Mr. Everett was a farmer by occupation. He began his farming operations on the old homestead in Washtenaw county. This land his father, John Everett, took up from the government. The premises are now in the possession of Howard Everett, a brother of Mrs. Gay. Mr. Jay Everett is still a land holder in Washtenaw county, though he has made Chelsea the family home for the past twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Everett have
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had born to them eight children, seven of whom are still living. The following data concerning the family is given :
Howard, born in California, October I, 1854: Carrie, born in California, March 8, 1855, she married Dr. F. H. Coe, who died in 1904: Henry, born February 28, 1857, in Washtenaw county; John J., died in in- fancy; Helen, born November 12, 1859: Jessie, born October 9, 1861, lives with her parents in Chelsea; Irene, born July 24, 1863, now the wife of Rev. R. C. Fenner, pastor of the Baptist church at Cadillac, Mich .; Fred, born December 23, 1865, a resident of Seattle, Wash.
In the year 1900, Mrs. Gay's parents cele- brated their golden wedding. They are highly respected people, active in religious work and are connected with the Baptist church.
In the year 1851 Mr. Jay Everett went to California, making the trip around Cape Horn. Mrs. Everett followed the next year, crossing the Isthmus. They remained for several years when Mr. Everett was em- ployed in mining and fruit growing, making a success of both. Since his residence in Stockbridge, Mr. Gay has steadily grown in popular favor as a man of affairs and as a Christian gentleman. For many years he has been identified with church and Sunday school work, having been for years officially connected with both. As a man of business he is courteous and painstaking. As a citi- zen his influence is always on the right side of every moral question. As the years have gone by he has steadily grown in public con- fidence and esteem. For four years he was Township Treasurer ; for the past two years Village President, elected by a popular vote on the temperance ticket. In the social and religious circle of Stockbridge, Mr. and Mrs. Gay are among the most highly appreciated.
Mr. Gay has great reason for personal
congratulation at the success he has attained in his business affairs, and his many friends wish for him the realization of his fondest ambitions.
JOSEPH B. MOORE, M.A., LL.D.
Joseph B. Moore, M.A .. LL.D., who has gained a high reputation as a politician, legislator, and judge, was born in the Vil- lage of Commerce. Oakland county, Mich- igan, November 3, 1845. His father was Jacob J. Moore, a furniture manufacturer, farmer, and lumberman, and his mother, Hapsabeth Gillett Moore. His father's fami- ly came from Wales at an early period in the history of the country and settled in New Jersey. His grandfather Moore was a sol- dier in the War of 1812. His father moved to Michigan in 1833 and settled near Utica, in Macomb county, afterward lived in La- peer county for a short time, and later at Walled Lake, Oakland county, and was near- ly eighty-eight years old when he died. The son received his education in the district schools with four terms at Hillsdale Col- lege and one year in the Law Department of Michigan University. From the age of four- teen to nineteen, he worked in his father's saw mill, doing the work of a mill hand and in the evenings read a copy of Blackstone, loaned him by the late James D. Bateman, a county lawyer, then living at Walled Lake. For three succeeding winters he taught district school at Moscow Plains, Hillsdale county, Rough and Ready Corners, Wayne county, and Walled Lake, Oakland county, attending school at Hillsdale during the spring and fall terms. The college after- ward conferred upon him the honorary de- gree of M.A. In 1903 it conferred upon him the degree of LL.D.
Mr. Moore tried to be soldier but didn't succeed. When the war broke out an older
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brother enlisted. The two boys who were left at home, wanted to go to the front also. The family could spare but one of them, however, and Joseph was the one to take the chance. He went at once to Detroit, where he enlisted in the 30th Michigan Infantry. He was in barracks but ten days, when to his great disappointment, the surgeon re- fused to accept him and sent him back home. The next day after the surgeon's edict, the other brother went to Detroit, enlisted in the 22nd Michigan Infantry and served faithfully until the close of the war. Judge Moore is popular with the old soldiers and has made many Memorial Day addresses.
Mr. Moore was admitted to the practice of law at Lapeer in the Fall of 1869, and at once obtained a lucrative business. In 1878 he was elected a member of the State Senate, and was a colleague of Senators McElroy of St. Clair, Stephenson of Menominee, Farr of Ottawa, J. Webster Childs of Washtenaw. and T. W. Palmer of Detroit. He declined, because of professional work, a renomina- tion to the Senate. He was elected Mayor of Lapeer in the spring of 1874. In the fall of 1872 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney and was reelected in 1874. In 1884 he was a Republican presidential elector-at-large. Though not an active candidate, he came within five votes of being nominated for con- gress in 1886. In the spring of 1887 he was elected Circuit Judge, and was reelected six years later. In 1891, he with Hon. Albert K. Smiley, of New York, and Prof. C. C. Painter of Great Barrington, Mass., was ap- pointed a commission to select lands for permanent reservations for the Mission In- dians of California. This work had the ap- proval of Congress and of President Har- rison. In 1895 he was elected Judge of the Supreme Court by a very large majority.
Mr. Moore has been a Republican ever since he became a voter, his first vote being
for General Grant. Until he became a Su- preme Court Justice, for more than twenty years he attended as a delegate, every State Republican convention. He was an intimate friend of Hon. John T. Rich and presented his name in nomination at the Jackson con- vention in 1880, at Detroit in 1890, and again at Saginaw in 1892, when Mr. Rich was nominated.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore have done consider- able traveling, having visited nearly every city of prominence in the United States and the Canadas. In 1890. they spent several months in Great Britian and on the conti- nent and repeated the visit in 1895.
Mr. Moore is a member of the Michigan Club, Michigan State Bar Association, American Social Science Association, A. K. P. Society of Hillsdale College, Grand River Boat Club of Lansing, and President of the U. and I. Club of. Lansing. December 3, 1872, he married Miss Ella L. Bentley, but has no children.
Although attaining distinction as a poli- tician and legislator, Judge Moore's chief and most enduring fame will be upon his career on the bench. Of his work as a lawyer and afterwards as Circuit Judge, the leading paper in his county said in 1895 : "He was a diligent and successful trial lawyer, appear- ing as the attorney of record in upwards of six hundred cases in courts of record, and assisted in the trial of many more, a num- ber of them of more than local importance. In his seven years' experience as Judge, he has heard and disposed of four hundred and seventy criminal and fifteen hundred civil cases, among them the Young murder case and the celebrated election case of Reynolds vs. May. This work has been so well done that but two criminal cases and thirteen civil cases have been reversed by the Su- preme Court." Commenting on these facts. "Bench and Bar" of Michigan, a book which
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has passed discriminating judgment upon many of the leading attorneys and judges of the State, said : "It proves that Judge Moore is possessed of an analytical mind and acute discrimination ; that he is thoroughly versed in the law and has a keen sense of justice ; that his judicial investigations are pursued with the purpose of arriving at truth and justice ; that he is guided and determined by an integrity of mind and character, which cannot be swerved from a line of rectitude. His worthiness for promotion, both as to legal qualifications and personal qualities caused his nomination in the spring of 1895, as the Republican candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court, and he was elected by the largest majority ever given a candidate for that office. His record as a Judge of the highest nisi prius court forms a substantial basis for the prediction that his career upon the Supreme Bench will be entirely honor- able to himself and useful to the State." The prediction has been amply fulfilled. His written opinions while upon the Supreme Court Bench, have been clear in statement, and have shown a comprehensive grasp of legal principles while he has been one of the most industrious members of the most in- dustrious Supreme Court in the country.
JOHN OKEMOS.
The writer, in his boyhood days often saw "Old Okemos," as he was always called, and his two sons, Johnny and Jim. He was respected and well treated by every one; by even the boys who did not, as boys some- times do, sacrifice respectful conduct to curi- osity. I will not attempt a description of him, as it is accurately given in a paper that I intend to copy in this connection, as I think it highly proper that as good a history as can be obtained of him should be perpetuated in all annals of Ingham county, where he
made his home a great part of the time of his life after his fighting days were over. It has been claimed that his name was "O-ge-mah," but he was always known as and called himself "Okemos," and the vil- lage of Okemos in this county was named for him as he was known, that locality hav- ing been his favorite camping ground.
The writer thinks all of the following worthy of preservation, consisting of a sketch of O. A. Jenison, an early settler in Lansing, published in the State Republican in its issue of February II, 1879. and an account by Freeman Bray, a citizen and early settler in Okemos, taken from Durant's his- tory. Mr. Jenison secured a picture of the chief. probably the only one ever taken. He writes :
"Okemos sat for this picture, to my cer- tain knowledge, in 1857, and it has never been out of my possession from that day to this. The date of the birth of Okemos is shrouded in mystery, but the research dis- closes the fact that he was born at or near Knagg's Station, on the Shiawassee river, where the Chicago and Northeastern (now Chicago and Grand Trunk ) railroad crosses that stream.
"At the time of his death he was said to be a centenarian, but that is a period few persons are permitted to reach. In a sketch of his life, given in the Lansing Republican in 1871, it is said he probably took the war- path in 1796. This is the earliest I find of him in any written history. Judge Little- john, in his 'Legends of the Northwest,' introduces him to the reader in 1803.
"The battle of Sandusky, in which Oke- mos took an active part, was the great event of his life; and this it was that gave him his chieftainship, and caused him to be re- vered by his tribe. For a detailed descrip- tion of that memorable and bloody fight I am indebted to B. O. Williams, of Owosso,
CHIEF JOHN OKEMOS
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who was for many years an Indian trader, spoke the Indian language, and received the story direct from the lips of the old chief. In relating the story Okemos said :
"'Myself and cousin, Man-e-to-corb-way, with sixteen other braves, enlisted under the British flag, formed a scouting, or war- party, and, leaving the upper Raisin, made our rendezvous at Sandusky.
"'One morning, while lying in ambush near a road lately cut for the passage of the American army and supply wagons, we saw twenty cavalrymen approaching us. Our ambush was located on a slight ridge, with brush directly in our front. We immediate- ly decided to attack the Americans, although they outnumbered us. Our plan was to first fire and cripple them, and then make a dash with the tomahawk. We waited until they approached so near that we could count the buttons on their coats, when firing com- m'enced.'
"'The cavalrymen, with drawn sabres, im- mediately charged upon the Indians. Oke- mos and his cousin fought side by side, load- ing and firing while dodging from one cover to another. In less than ten minutes after the firing began, the sound of a bugle was heard, and. casting their eyes in the direc- tion of the sound. they saw the road and woods filled with cavalry. Okemos, in his descriptions, says :
" "The plumes on their hats looked like a flock of a thousand pigeons just hovering for flight.'
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