USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 71
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
In 1881 our subject was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary L. Calkins, a native of Chelsea, Michigan. This union has been blessed with three children, namely: Nellie M., Charles R. and Ralph K. Mrs. French is a woman of culture and refinement, and is a member of the Central M. E. church of which her husband's brother, the Rev. W. P. French, is pastor.
John C. French affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of Lodge No.
33 of Lansing. Also a member of Chapter No. 9.
Although not as old a resident of Lansing as some, there are few men in the capital city who have wielded a greater influence in its development and advancement, and there are none who command a wider respect for their unassuming, but inherent worth than the subject of this brief review.
JOHN S. COY.
There are few men who enjoy the respect and confidence of their fellow men to a more marked degree than John S. Coy of Vevay township.
Mr. Coy is the happy possessor of one of the best farms and pleasing, sightly homes in the township and he knows just how it all came about. Application, industry, economy reaching over a term of thirty years have brought to him a comfortable competence, while yet in middle life. Mr. Coy was the son of John S. and Ann Jessop Coy. His. parents were born in England, and came to this country in 1835, and settled in Living- ston county, Michigan, where they remained several years, improving the farm. He later sold out and removed to Washtenaw county, and settled on a farm in the Township of Lima, a few miles from the village of Dex- ter. Here John was born May 22, 1855. and was the youngest of a family of ten children, whose names were respectively as follows : Sarah, Mariah, Elizabeth, Thomas, Phebe, Edwin, William, John, Charles and John S. His parents died and were buried at Phelps cemetery, Washtenaw county, Michigan. His father's death occurred in 1876, and the mother's, November 14, 1888.
Soon after reaching the years of his ma- jority he left the paternal home, with little else than pluck and ambition. He was, how- ever, "full of days work." and not afraid
526
PAST AND PRESENT
to spend them. He began as a month hand on a farm, and each year added something to the value of his worldly effects.
February 22, 1877, he was united in mar- riage to Sarah Warner, who bore him two children : Myrtle, born February 23, 1880, the wife of Wm. H. Dunsmore; Charles E., born May 27, 1884, is still at home with his father, assisting in the operation of the farm. Both children received a good practical edu- cation and both graduated from the Mason High School. After his marriage, Mr. Coy worked a rented farm for several years, until his accumulations were sufficient to make a good payment, when in 1889 he purchased the farm, where he still resides. Upon this he has made improvements from year to year, until today the farm is known as one of the best in the township, ranking in class A. Mixed farming and high grade stock have been the order with Mr. Coy.
September 2, 1892, Mr. Coy met with a great loss in the death of his wife, leaving him with two children, and at the age when they greatly needed a mother's care. No- vember 29, 1893, he was married to Mary, daughter of L. L. and Amy Irish, a neigh- bor, and well-to-do farmer. This union has been a happy one, and a son was born to them, March 17. 1900, Howard now the light and joy of the home. Mr. and Mrs. Coy are active members of the Baptist church in the City of Mason, and are interested in every movement for the good of society in general.
In politics, Mr. Coy, is an old Jacksonian Democrat, as was his father before. He is not a modern politician in acceptance of the term. He has, however, accepted the office of Supervisor for several terms, and has served his township most satisfactorily. Without a thought or consultation his name was placed before the county convention for the office of County Treasurer at the recent
county convention. He had no opportunity to decline the nomination, which was given him by acclamation. He made a very com- mendable showing, but as his party was greatly in the minority, he failed of an elec- tion.
Mr. Coy is a member of several fraternal organizations, including that of Royal Arch Masons, Modern Woodmen and the Grange, in all of which he is held in high esteem. He has served the Ingham County Mutual Insurance Company, as a director for several years, and still holds this position.
A. A. LUMBARD, ESQ.
During the dark days of the Civil War, Michigan did her full share in supplying troops to defend the honor of the old flag and maintain that union of states which has proved to be the strength and glory of our nation. The record of those sons whom she sent forth forms a story of hardships nobly borne and of battles bravely fought. Among these heroes we find the name of our subject. A. A. Lumbard. He was born in the town of Stafford, Genesee county, N. Y., Decen- ber 20, 1841, and was the son of Erastus and Eliza (Armstrong) Lumbard. The father was born in Madison county, New York, and the mother in Genesee county, in the years 1821 and 1819 respectively.
Our subject's father was engaged in farm- ing in New York and came to Michigan when the country was all woods and in June, 1843, settled in Leslie township on a farm which he obtained from the Government. The family came from Detroit to Jackson on the old strap railway and from there by ox team. He improved this new land and here resided until his death July 2, 1860. Seven children came to bless this home, Orvil, George and Albert A., being the living and Elizabeth, Julia, William and Melvina being
527
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the deceased. The wife and mother of this family died in 1884.
A. A. Lumbard was raised in the town of Leslie and acquired his education in a log school house in the woods, which has been greatly added to by reading and observation in later years. He started out to work by the month on a farm and when eighteen years old enlisted in 1861, in Co. B, 7th Michigan Infantry, and followed his com- mand through their hardships until at Fair Oaks under Richmond he was wounded and was in the hospital at Yorktown. He was engaged in the siege of Yorktown and many other skirmishes. He was discharged Sep- tember 2, 1862, came back to Leslie and went recruiting soldiers until the war closed, when he worked in a saw mill for some time.
Our subject is an active Republican and served as Constable for twenty-one consecu- tive years and six years of this time was Marshal of the village, was Deputy Sheriff twelve years, has been Justice of Peace twenty-one years and has held office con- tinuously in the town of Leslie since he was twenty-one years of age.
Mr. Lumbard was admitted to practice in the Pension Department as an attorney in 1888 and is still interested in this work, hav- ing been to Washington a great many times in the interest of the old soldiers and helped to push their claims through. He has also been Notary Public for twenty-one years.
A. A. Lumbard was married March 20, 1872, to Miss Sarah Woodworth, daughter of Solomon Woodworth. Her grandfather was the first settler in the township. Fra- ternally, Mr. Lumbard is connected with several orders : G. A. R., K. P., I. O. O. F .. Masons, Blue Lodge at Leslie, Chapter and Council and Eastern Star. He is at present the secretary of the Blue Lodge and Chapter and Council, which position he has held for fourteen years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lum-
bard are members in good standing of the First Baptist church.
Our subject well remembers when the country was all woods and when Martin Sweet of Mason carried the mail through Leslie on horseback. Great credit should be given these early settlers who so well laid the foundation for the prosperous condition of Ingham county today.
Solomon Woodworth, the father of Mrs. Lumbard, was an old settler of the township, having come here in 1842 and settled on a farm adjoining our subject's present farm, where he remained until his death in 1888, the mother having died in the spring before him. Solomon Woodworth was born in Auburn, N. Y., and his wife, Betsey Blake, in Vermont, and unto this union were born seven children, of whom five are living: Louretta, of Eaton Rapids; Esther, de- ceased; Mrs. Lumbard, Byron, Hattie, de- ceased; Herman and Burdett. The family of our subject and wife on both sides were staunch Republicans and were actively inter- ested in the welfare of that party.
Mr. Lumbard has lived in Leslie since 1872 and in that time has won many friends who hold him in high esteem.
LOVEWELL L. IRISH.
L. L. Irish is the son of Talcott and . Sarah ( Madison) Irish, who were natives of the Buckeye State, where Lovewell was born June 9, 1845. in Summit county. His parents moved to Michigan and located in Alaiedon township in April, 1852. At that time wild game was plenty in the forest, and the Indians were frequent visitors.
Mr. Trish was the fourth in a family of ten children, seven of whom are living. His recollections of his early school days were of a log schoolhouse in Alaiedon township. He remained at home assisting his father in im-
528
PAST AND PRESENT
proving the land, until the breaking out of the Civil War. He entered the service of his country on the first day of March, 1862, at Mason, as a private in Co. G, commanded by Capt. Isaac M. Cravath of Lansing, and as- signed to the 12th Michigan Volunteer In- fantry, commanded by Col. Francis Quinn. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Corinth and other important en- gagements. He returned home and was mustered out March 5, 1866, having to his credit four years of active service in the field. Mr. Irish was taken prisoner at the Battle of Shiloh, April 16, 1862, and with other prisoners was in the hospital, and the day following the rebels were driven back, and he had the good fortune to be recaptured.
In some respects Mr. Irish's is quite a re- markable family; the patriotic sentiment seems to have been fully developed. His father, Talcott B., enlisted in the same com- pany with his son, and served three years. His brother, Ambrose, was a member of the U. S. . 3d Regular Cavalry in '61, and killed in the Battle of New Kent Court House, Va., during the campaign of '62 ; his brother, James H., was a member of the 8th Michi- gan Cavalry, and participated in several en- gagements, was captured near Iuka and con- fined in Andersonville prison for several months.
Three sons of our subject have also done valiant service for their country, two of which, Albert (born Nov. 4, 1869) and Clayton (born Sept. 5, 1874,) served Co. C in the 19th U. S. Regiment for three years, and both were sent to Porto Rico, and the other son, Lorenzo (born June 26, 1880,) belonged to the 14th U. S. Regulars, and for nearly a year was on detached service, guarding the grave of our martyred presi- dent, Mckinley. Our subject's grandfather, Abel Irish, who was born in Vermont, was a soldier in the War of 1812. A brother-
in-law, Chas. D. Clough, was a member of Co. B, 7th Michigan Infantry, and was with his command, when it made the memorable crossing of Fredericksburg. Few regiments in the service became better known or made a better record for valiant service than the "Fighting 7th of Michigan."
Mr. L. L. Irish was united in marriage to Amy, daughter of William and Amy Hutchinson of Ingham township, March 3, 1867. Mrs. Irish was born in New York City, July 19, 1849. They began housekeep- ing in the Township of Wheatfield, upon the eighty acres of new land, which Mr. Irish purchased after his return from the war. This was their home for about twenty years, When Mr. Irish sold the place and moved with his family to Arkansas, where he bought a farm of one hundred and eight acres. He remained there, however, but four months, when he returned to Michigan and bought the farm of ninety-one acres in Vevay township, where he has since resided. The land was partially cleared at the time of purchase, but Mr. Irish has built a com- fortable brick residence, and otherwise im- proved the land. He follows general farm- ing and stock raising, and the whole place has the appearance of thrift and prosperity. Six children have been born to them. Mary, born January 18, 1868, the wife of John S. Coy, a prominent citizen of Vevay township, and they have one child, a son, Howard, and besides those above mentioned are : Stephen A., born August 13, 1871, and Miles, the junior member of the family, born July 20, 1886, who is a graduate of the Mason High School, and a young man of promise. He is still under the parental roof, engaged in teaching.
Mr. Irish is in full sympathy with the principles of the Republican party. He is in no sense a seeker for position, and he has held the office of Justice of the Peace, while
529
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
a resident of Wheatfield township. He is a member of the order of the Elks at Lan- sing, Masonic Order No. 161 of Dansville.
By habits of industry and application to business, Mr. Irish finds himself today in comfortable financial circumstances, and hosts of friends wish for him a full enjoy- ment of his well-earned rest from the fa- tiguing cares of life.
FRANK W. HEWITT.
An extensive farmer and stock raiser of Meridian township is Frank H. Hewitt, who was born September 28, 1850. He is the son of Jeptha and Mary (Fox) Hewitt, na- tives of Vermont. The father was born October 14, 1807, and the mother in 1803.
Jeptha Hewitt was a shoemaker by trade, and he and his wife were married in New York, where they lived for a number of years, and came to Michigan in 1840; bought two hundred acres of wild govern- ment land, lived there a short time, sold the farm and moved to Jackson county, where they bought one hundred and sixty acres near Leoni village. Here they lived for fifteen years, then came to Ingham coun- ty and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Meridian township, two miles southeast of the M. A. C. Here they lived until the father died November 24, 1893. The mother died April, 1900. About four years before he died, the father sold all but about forty acres where he built a beautiful farm home and lived in retirement. Jeptha Hewitt was a Republican, took an active part in politics, was a great reader, well posted on all sub- jects and possessed a wonderful memory. He was capable of holding any office, but would never allow his name to be used as a candidate. In religious views Mr. Hewitt was inclined towards the Universalist faith.
Our subject was the sixth in a family of
nine children, as follows : Emily, the wife of Dr. Huil of Lansing, now a widow, resides in Owosso, but is spending the winter with a daughter in Hancock in the Upper Penin- sula. She has three children: Harriett, Jesse, Graduate of U. of M. Medical Col- lege, practiced a few years, is a great musi- cian, and now lives in Mississippi, where he is connected with a large Piano firm. Laura, lives at Hancock; John, died in Alaiedon two years ago. His wife was Charlotte Boag, and they have three chil- dren; Robert, lived in Meridian, died last spring; Harriett, died in infancy; Harriet, died at the age of twenty years ; our subject ; Lucinda, the wife of Wm. Tinson, lives in Canada; Martha, the wife of Fred C. Bar- ber, a telegraph operator on the Michigan Central in Jackson county, and they have one child, Grace; Charles Hewitt lives in Williamston, is a rural mail carrier, owns a farm. He married Mabel Parks and they have two children, Mary and Levi.
Our subject was educated in the district schools and at the M. A. C., where he spent one year, and also graduated from the Lan- sing Business College. He taught two years, and was for eight years associated with the Iowa Reform School at Eldora, Iowa. For six years he was principal of this school and had charge of the music. He was assistant superintendent of the Min- nesota Reform School at St. Paul for eight years. Mr. Hewitt came to Michigan and was connected with the Reform School at Lansing for four years, and during his con- nection with this school he purchased eighty acres of land, where he now lives. This farm was in an improved state and had nearly all of the present buildings, though they have been remodelled. Since that time he has added ninety acres, which at the time he bought it, was all woods.
November 15, 1876, Mr. Hewitt was tini-
34
530
PAST AND PRESENT
ted in marriage to Frances A., daughter of John H. and Joanna ( Samphare) Wilson, whose early history is elsewhere in this vol- ume. Mrs. Hewitt was born in New York, June 8, 1853, while the father's birth occur- red March 30, 1823, and the mother's, April 29, 1827. John Wilson died April 2, 1883, and his estimable wife, April 28, 1881.
To our subject and wife four children have been born: Mary, January 26, 1885, died April 8, 1885; Ellen Marie, October 15, 1888, died May 28, 1889; Nina Dell, February II, 1890, at school in Okemos, and Margarite Mildred, born April 21, 1897.
Mr. Hewitt has always been a supporter of the Republicans, active in political affairs, though he would never allow his name to be used for office. He is extensively en- gaged in dairy farming, keeps a large num- ber of cows, is an extensive patron of the Condensed Milk Factory and a breeder and raiser of Duroc Jersey swine. Mr. Hewitt has done much for the educational interests of whatever community he has been a resi- dent, and is a prominent citizen of Meridian township.
EDWIN C. RUSSELL.
The subject of this sketch is a representa- tive of one of the old pioneer families of Michigan, as his father, James, and the mother, Electa, who were both natives of New York, emigrated westward and settled in Washtenaw county, Michigan, in 1837, and thus became one of the early pioneers, who laid deep and broad the foundation of Michigan's prosperity.
Arriving in that locality, James Russell bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and with characteristic energy and perseverance at once began its improvement and development. On coming to Michigan they traveled the overland route through
Canada and came in covered wagons. The father by trade was a shoemaker, which oc- cupation he followed for a time after his ar- rival here. making, however, farming his principal occupation, and upon this old home place in Washtenaw county, he lived con- tinuously, until he was called to his final home beyond, October 17, 1856. The moth- er passed away Feb. 23, 1867.
Our subject was but a little lad of five years when his father emigrated westward, as he was born in Seneca county, N. Y., Jan. 3, 1832. His early education was ac- quired in the district schools of Washtenaw county. Here he remained at home until twenty-six years of age, giving his time and energies to his father in the improvement of the old home place. It was at about this time that he started out for himself, by farm- ing the old homestead for one year, and then rented another farm, which he conducted for a year, and at the expiration of that time purchased eighty acres near the same local- ity. Here he remained until he had attained the age of thirty-seven years, then came to Ingham county, and bought one hundred and ninety-five acres in Vevay township. He has made most of the improvements on this place, and now has one of the finest residences and farming properties in this section of the country. Here he is engaged in general farming and in raising a good grade of stock. He is in every sense a self- made man, as it has been by the united ef- forts of himself and wife, that they have succeeded in life, and are now able in their later years to enjoy the fruits of their form- er toil.
It was in 1857 that our subject was uni- ted in marriage to Elizabeth N. Tripp. the daughter of Thomas and Nancy Tripp, who were natives of New York and Ireland, re- spectively. They emigrated to Michigan in 1849, and were thus classed among the pio-
.
531
INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
neers of this State. This union has been blessed with two children : Minnie, born Oct. 28, 1857, a graduate of the high school of Mason, is the wife of D. P. Whitmore : the second, Anna, born Oct. 18, 1863. died at the age of six years. Her remains were laid to rest in Maple Grove cemetery. Mr. Rus- sell is a member of the Grange, and has taken an active and helpful interest in that organization. He is one of the substantial members of the Ingham County Farmers' Club, and has been treasurer of the organ- ization for a quarter of a century. Mr. Rus- sell greatly appreciates the fact, that he has always enjoyed the best of health, was never seriously ill. For several years he was one of the cemetery trustees. It was during these years most of the beautifying the grounds was accomplished. He is a Repub- lican in his political views, and has been chosen by his fellow townsmen as Alderman of the first ward for two terms.
For more than thirty-seven years Mr. Russell has been a resident of Ingham coun- ty, and has therefore witnessed many of its scenes and changes in its growth and de- velopment. He has aided materially in all and every movement towards the general good. Honored and respected by all who knew them, they are now surrounded by hosts of friends who wish them long con- tinuous years on the downward path of life's journey.
ADOLPH M. STARMONT.
The subject of this sketch, who is now serving as the efficient Chief of Police of Lansing, was born in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 17, 1858. He is the son of Adolph M. Star- mont, a bookkeeper by profession. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Mary E. Kingsley, who in early child- hood was adopted by a family named Blos-
som, whose name she bore until her mar- riage. The father of our subject was of French and German descent, as his (the father's) family were for political reasons banished from France. Leaving their native country, they crossed into Germany, and lo- cated at Hamburg, where a brother of his still resides. Adolph Starmont was a man of superior educational advantages, as he fluently spoke four or five different lan- guages.
The early education of our subject was somewhat limited, being acquired in the common schools of Illinois, during the win- ter months, while he worked on the farm during the summer. This continued until he was sixteen years of age, when he came to Michigan, and attended school in the old frame high school building, and also in the present building, when it was first opened. In 1876 he gave up his schooling until 1891, when, being desirous of extending his knowl- edge, he took a complete course. attending at night.
In reviewing the history of Mr. Starmont, we find that his life has been comprised of varied experiences. His father he never saw, as he died before the son was born. His death occurring while on the voyage to America, as he was lost on the steamer Aus- tria, and was buried at sea. in October of 1858. The father had been a bookkeeper for a large importing silk firm of Chicago until the spring of 1858, when he was taken into partnership, and in June of that year, went to Europe to buy goods and also to visit his mother, who resides in Germany. After the father's death the mother returned to Chi- cago with her two daughters and found homes for them, where they were educated. One still resides in that city, while the other lives in Greater New York.
Our subject resided with his mother un- til her death, which occurred July 6, 1870.
532
PAST AND PRESENT
when he started out for himself, finding honest employment and a home where best he could, until having reached more mature years he found better employment, and in 1882 on the 20th day of March, he was uni- ted in marriage to Miss Irene L. Lewis at DeWitt, Michigan, and at once went to keep- ing house. Various occupations occupied his time for several years, giving some time to painting and paper hanging, which in a measure he found profitable.
In the political campaign of 1884 he took an active interest, and when the change was made in 1885 he received the appointment of Postmaster at DeWitt, which office he held for four years. In connection with this office he also became identified with various business interests which proved successful. Mr. Starmont has held an important clerk- ship in the Auditor General's office at Lan- sing from March 1, 1891, to Jan. 1, 1893. was also Constable of the fifth and sixth wards of Lansing from May 1, 1896, to May I, 1899, also Justice of the Peace from same wards from May I. 1899, to July 1, 1902, when he resigned to accept the position of Chief of Police of the City of Lansing. The appointment was made May 8, 1902. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Starmont was chairman of the city committee in 1901 and 1902, in that capacity successfully car- ried the party through two campaigns. The chairmanship he resigned when appointed Chief of Police.
Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the DeWitt Lodge No. 272, F. & A. M., and in February of 1890 was elected secretary of the same, was made member of Lansing Lodge No. 33 in 1897. He was also charter mem- ber of the DeWitt Camp of the Modern . Woodmen, and occupied the position of its first venerable consul and from this lodge was transferred to the Capitol Camp on its
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.