USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 72
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organization in Lansing in 1900. He also became a member of the B. P. O. E. of Lan- sing in July of 1902, and in November of that year assisted in the organizing of Har- mony Circle No. 22 of the Modern Circle and was elected its first president, which position he still holds.
To say of Mr. Starmont that he is a self- made man, seems but trite to those that are familar with his life, as he stands today, as a living example of what may be accom- plished by honest endeavor and honorable purpose.
FLOYD G. ANNIS (DECEASED).
Floyd G. Annis was a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Ingham county. His father, Elon G., and the mother, An- geline (Wisnor) Annis, came to this coun- try and settled on a farm in Onondaga town- ship in 1836, and are thus entitled to be classed among the history makers of this section of the State. The father was a na- tive of New York, as was also the mother. A great deal of credit should be given to this class of hardy pioneers, who, leaving the comforts and advantages of the east, emigrated westward into an almost uncivil- ized country. and gave the best years of their lives towards preparing a home for their prosperity. Few of this present gen- eration can realize the hardships they en- dured in the development of a wilderness into a civilized community. They both passed away during the winter of 1881, the mother preceding the father but two days ; they were buried in the same grave.
Floyd G. Annis' mother was the daughter of an honored pioneer of the State, Mr. Sam- uel Wisnor, who died some years since. Mr. and Mrs. Elon G. Annis were the parents of two children: our subject, and sister, Marriette, who married Aaron T. Ingalls of
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Leslie. Mrs. Ingalls was a worthy woman and died in 1897.
Our subject received his early education in the common schools of his locality, sup- plemented by attendance at the high school of Jackson city. At the death of his father he came into possession of the old home farm; this he eventually sold and purchased additional land near where the family have since resided, while recognized as one of the leading farmers in his township. For many years Mr. Annis has been extensively en- gaged in purchasing horses for the eastern market. For the past ten years much of his time has been employed in this business for Mr. Edgar Snow of Boston. The classes handled have been carriage and driving horses. Twice he visited England in the employ of Mr. Snow, at one time remaining for ten months, disposing of shipments of horses. Upon this occasion Mrs. Annis and daughter, Lena B., accompanied him and spent the time in and about London, sight- seeing. This was in 1897. It was during their visit abroad that Mr. Annis' only sis- ter died and was buried.
November 11, 1866, Mr. Annis was uni- ted in marriage to Emma J., daughter of Adam L. Smith, a native of New York, who was born in 1812 and diied in 1880. The mother of Mrs. Annis departed this life while the daughter was a child. Mrs. Annis is one of a family of eight, of whom one sister, Mrs. Dwight is living at Eden, Ing- ham county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Annis were born four children : Pearl, April 29, 1869, is the wife of M. R. Layton of Leslie; Merton E., born February 26, 1873, married Jessie Black- more and resided in Leslie, having two chil- dren, Marshall E., and an infant born May 7. 1905 ; Burton A., born March 1, 1874, is married to Grace, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. V. Tuttle; he is a farmer of Leslie town-
ship. The fourth, Lena B., born March 18, 1879, is the wife of Fred E. Sayers, residing in Leslie, and they have one child, Garth, born November 26, 1901.
For fifty-eight years Mr. Annis resided upon this property, and therefore witnessed many scenes and changes in the marvelous growth and development of Ingham county. On December 29, 1904, Mr. Annis died at his home in Onondaga township. Two days later, on December 31, his son, Merton E., also died, and father and son were buried in one grave, January 1, 1905, in the cemetery at the Village of Leslie.
ROBERT B. SHANK (DECEASED).
Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. It carries a man onward and upward, brings out his in- dividual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The great- est results in life are usually obtained by the simple means and the exercise of the ordi- nary qualities of common sense and judg- ment. The every day life and its cares and necessities and duties afford ample oppor- tunity for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and self-improvement. It was along such lines that Robert B. Shank won a place, prominent in business circles in the city of Lansing. He was here engaged in mer- chandizing since the age of sixteen years, covering a period of over a quarter of a century.
Our subject was a native son of this county, his birth having occurred in 1856 in the capital city, where he spent his en- tire life. His parents, Hulbert and Frances Shank, were natives of the Empire state, and came to Lansing when the capitol was first located. He was one of the earliest
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doctors of the city and lived to be seventy years of age.
The early education of Robert Shank was acquired in the Townsend Street school of Lansing, attending until the age of sixteen, when he embarked in the grocery business. which he so successfully conducted until three years prior to his death, which oc- curred April 17, 1900. In 1881 he became identified with the cold storage business, which continued for three years, and then returned to the wholesale and retail grocery business. He met with splendid success and added to the general prosperity of the city by the establishment of a large and thriving enterprise.
Our subject affiliated with the Republican party, and although not a politician in the sense of office seeking, he took an active and influential interest in local politics, and was an Alderman at one time for the second ward. He was exceedingly prominent in both social and business circles, and al- though not a member of any individual church, he liberally contributed to all of them towards their maintenance and sup- port. He held a membership in the K. P. lodge and was first Knight Commander of the Uniform Rank at Lansing.
In the year 1881, on the 25th day of Jan- uary, Mr. Shank was united in marriage to Miss Ella Edwards, daughter of B. F. Edwards of Lansing, who was born in Litchfield, Hillsdale county. Mrs. Shank came to Lansing when a young girl and was here educated and afterward taught for some time in the Lansing high school. Unto this union three children were born, of whom two are living: Eva and Jessie, both at home; Robert, the third child, died at the age of one year.
The life of Robert B. Shank has been one of industry and perseverance and the sys- tematic and honorable business methods he
followed won for him the confidence and respect of all. Everything pertaining to the welfare of his native city and country re- ceived his endorsement and co-operation and he was justly numbered among the leading citizens of the city where he so long made his home.
THEODORE WESTON.
Theodore Weston is a progressive, in- dustrious and successful farmer of Leroy township. His farm of eighty acres is situ- ated on section 32 and is highly improved, being brought to this stage from the time it was covered with stumps, by the hand of Mr. Weston. He was born August 18th, 1850, at Montezuma, Cayuga county, New York, and is the son of James M. and Har- riett (Dresser) Weston, both natives of Cayuga county, the father having been born in August of the year 1824 and the mother in 1826. The parents were married in April, 1848 in the Empire State and came to Mich- igan in the year 1866. He first located in Chelsea and afterwards bought a farm in Henrietta, Jackson county. This land was partly cleared and had upon it a log house and log barn. James Weston was rather in- dependent in politics and gave but little time to it, as he was busily engaged in his farm work and devoted the most of his time to its activities. He died March 31, 1887.
Theodore Weston is one of four children. He acquired his education in various places -in New York until fifteen years of age and after that at Grass Lake, Michigan. He worked in the summer and went to school in the winter until at the age of twenty he commenced to teach school, which work he continued until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he located in Leroy township. having bought eighty acres of land, with the money he had saved from his earnings.
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
March 8, 1879, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mina Wade at Tomp- kins, Jackson county. She is the daughter of an old settler, who located at Tompkins, Jackson county, in 1837, and lived on one place for fifty-five years. Their first pur- chase of land in Tompkins was forty acres,
which increased to one hundred and eighty acres, which he owned at the time of death. The mother lives with Mrs. Weston, and the father died December 9, 1893. The parents of Mrs. Weston were members of the M. E. church and the father was a Whig and later a Republican.
To Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Weston have been born four children, three living : Gertrude, November 11, 1881, married True Martin and lives in Williamston; Hattie, born July 16th, 1885, teaches school in her home district, and Wade, born November 27, 1887, lives at home.
Our subject has been honored by several public positions : he was Superintendent of Schools for two years, a member of the Board of Review, Justice of Peace two terms, Notary Public, and still holds the office of Justice of Peace. Fraternally, Mr. Weston is allied with the Grange and Modern Wood- men, and is a member of the County Farm- ers' Institute. He was one of the original promoters of the Farmers' Telephone Com- pany from Dansville to Williamston, called the Vantown and Dansville Telephone Com- pany, which was established in 1901.
Mrs. Weston has in her possession several relics which she prizes very highly, among them being a pillow slip that was made by her grandmother when she was fourteen years old; she carded the flax, spun it and wove the cloth ; the relic is over one hundred years old. She also has an hourglass that belonged to her great great grandmother. She can trace it back over two hundred and fifty years; a hymnbook of the period of
1809 which her grandfather bought in 1819: a quilt that her great great grandmother made : she made all the cloth, colored it from herbs grown in her garden, and quilted it. The figures on it are flowers and no two are alike. She also has a number of Indian relics, such as skimming stones and Indian implements which were picked up on the farm.
OSWALD C. WILLIAMS (DECEASED ).
Oswald C. Williams will long be remem- bered as a genial gentleman with many good qualities of heart and mind, a man who in his life-time was held in high esteem and enjoyed to a marked degree, the confidence of his fellow citizens. He was born May I, 1864, in Williamston on the old Williams homestead. He was the son of J. M. Wil- liams, an old, prominent and highly respec- ted settler of the town, whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this volume.
Oswald Williams attended the William- ston high school and then took a business course at Lansing and soon afterward went into the bank of D. L. Crossman, as assistant cashier, and shortly afterwards, as a partner. The name of this organization was "Cross- man & Williams," and the business is still retained although both men are dead. It being now carried on, with increased capital. under the name of "Crossman & Williams Exchange Bank," by Mrs. Shumway, a daughter of Mr. Crossman, Mrs. Williams. Mrs. Crossman, E. N. Crossman and Dr. F. W. Shumway with E. N. Crossman as cashier.
Our subject was united in marriage May 2, 1890, to Miss Florence, daughter of J. G. and E. R. Baldwin, natives of Michigan and New York, respectively. They were among the early settlers of Oakland county. Michigan, where Mrs. Williams was born
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Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin well understood the hardships of pioneer life and to them belongs the honor of assisting to build up the now prosperous condition of their county.
Mr. Williams was a Republican in his political views and was a stanch supporter of his party. During his later years he suf- fered from consumption and travelled a great deal in search of relief for his con- dition.
A man, who grows up in a town, as did our subject in Williamston, takes an inter- est in everything that tends to the good of the community and lends a helping hand to every one, lives in the confidence and love of his fellowmen. Mr. Williams settled a good many large estates around Williams- ton and was a man of exceptional good busi- ness ability, which he no doubt inherited from his highly respected father.
- Respected by all and loved by all-Wil- liamston deeply mourned the loss of Oswald Williams on January 15, 1904, and the im- press which his life made upon the com- munity is one which will ever live in the hearts of his associates.
ALVY H. GRINNELL.
Among the reliable and well-to-do farmers of Aurelius township stands the name Alvy H. Grinnell. Mr. Grinnell was born in Len- awee county, Michigan, in 1837. He was the son of Spencer and Charity ( Maloney) Grinnell, who were natives of the Empire State. Nine children were born to the Grin- nells, five of whom are still living ; Alvy was the fifth. His father emigrated to the Wol- verine State at an early day and took up eighty acres of land from the government in Lenawee county. This he improved and made one of the productive farms of the locality. He was a millwright carpenter and
joiner, cabinet maker and machinist, com- bined, being a ready workman with tools of this character. After locating upon this farm he spent the remaining years of his life here and passed away in 1880. His remains were laid to rest in the Fairfield cemetery, beside those of his devoted wife, who died in 1876. They were both members of the Christian church and emplified the doctrines of that organization by the uprightness of their lives.
Alvy received his early education in the district schools in his native county. At the age of twenty-two years he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Hedden of Delhi township, Ingham county. Mr. Hedden was among the very earliest, if not the earliest, settlers in the county. During the remaining resi- dence in this county, and while yet active with the affairs of life, Mr. Hedden was counted as among the best and up-to-date farmers of his time, his farm premises were a model of neatness and order. He was a man of strong character, living his convic- tions day by day.
To Mr. and Mrs. Alvy Grinnell were born two children, Theron L., a successful farmer residing near the home place, is married and has two children, Emma, the only daughter, is a gradute of the Eaton Rapids high school and lives at home with her parents. The family are all devoted members of the Bap- tist church at Aurelius Center, interested in every enterprise looking to the well being of society. Mr. Grinnell is a Prohibitionist all the year around, and votes as he prays. He is in no sense a seeker of office, prefer- ring to occupy his time with his own pri- vate affairs. He is a farmer and is in love with his calling. His farm is one of the many substantial, homelike places in the county.
The farm embraces one hundred acres of choice land under a high state of cultivation,
John W Edmonds
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INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
thoroughly tilled and well fenced. Mr. Grin- nell follows mixed farming and stock rais- ing. He has resided where he now lives for the past thirty-eight years. During that time he recalls many of the modern improve- ments that have taken place from the old time methods. He remembers of having cut wheat by hand with the old fashioned cradle and help thrash the same with a flail.
Mr. Grinnell is and always has been as clean in his personal habits as he is in his farm operations. He never smoked or drank. He stands for temperance through and through and has instilled this principle into his children and grandchildren. Among the relics which have come down to him from his father's estate is an old secretary, made from black walnut stumps.
If it be true that good deeds of men do live after them, the name of Alvy Grinnell will be revered in the community in which he has lived, long years after the grass has grown green on his grave.
COL. GEORGE W. SHAFER.
Col. George W. Shafer, the pioneer mer- chant of Mason, and whose name is so prominently connected with many of the initial events in its history, was born in the Township of Colchester, Delaware county, New York, September 1, 1816. His father, Deacon Henry Shafer, was a native of Duchess county, from whence he removed to Colchester a short time previous to the birth of our subject. He was a farmer of some prominence in that locality, and wherever known was highly esteemed for his integrity of character. He was a Deacon in the Bap- tist church and an exemplary man in all re- spects. George remained at home until he attained his twenty-first year. He received such advantages of education as were af- forded by the primitive schools of that day,
but what he failed to obtain from books was more than compensated for in the possession of a robust constitution and a strong pair of hands inured to habits of industry.
In the spring of 1839, in company with his partner, Freeman Wilson, he came to Mason and established the first store in that place. The goods were brought from New York and were a general assortment of everything needed in the new country. They continued in trade about two years ; during this time they built a hotel, which was un- doubtedly the first house of entertainment in the county. They took possession in Decem- ber 1839 and the opening was celebrated by a grand New Year's ball, which was the first event of this kind in the county. The Colonel was a success as a landlord and he continued in the business until about 1852, when he commenced the improvement of his farm, which was located by his father in 1836. The Colonel always took an interest in military and political matters, although he never sought for prominence in either direction. He was commissioned Colonel of militia by Governor Barry, and took an active part in the formation of "Curtenius Guards."
In July, 1842, he was married to Deborah Horton, of Colchester, Delaware Co., N. Y., where she was born in March, 1813; she came to Michigan in 1837. Both were prominent members of the Baptist church and in every way worthy of the prominent position they held among the early settlers of Mason.
JOHN W. EDMONDS (DECEASED).
John W. Edmonds was numbered among the progressive citizens of Lansing and Ing- ham county, where he was successfully en- gaged in the saddlery business for forty- four years. Mr. Edmonds was a native of
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New York state, his birth having occurred in New York city in 1833. His boyhood and youth, however, were spent in Roches- ter, of that state, where he remained until the age of twenty, or until 1853, when he became a resident of Lansing. Here he in company with a Mr. Cannell engaged in the saddlery business, which relationship continued until his death, which occurred the 15th day of August. 1894, his remains being interred in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Mr. Edmonds was united in marriage on the 2nd day of January of 1865 to Miss Marilla J. Pelton, daughter of Thomas and Jane Pelton. Mrs. Edmonds was born in LaGrange county, Indiana. The family eventually moved to Ohio, where her father, who was a farmer by occupation, died at the age of ninety-one years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds were born four children, namely : James P., Robert G., Perry H., and John W., who died in infancy.
John W. Edmonds was a man of great determination of purpose and took an active and helpful interest in the commercial, in- tellectual and moral advancement of his adopted city. He was an important and active factor in local politics and represented his ward as Alderman in 1861 and '62 and also served as the efficient Chief of the Fire Department for nine years and was likewise the Treasurer of the School Board for sev- eral years and at the time of his death was a member of the Police and Fire Commis- sion. He was an active member of the I. O. O. F. order and efficiently filled several chairs in this lodge.
In his business Mr. Edmonds won success, but he gained it so honorably that the most envious could not grudge it to him. He was exceedingly kind-hearted and generous and he used his success worthily so that many a needy one profited by his benevolent spirit and kindly sympathy. Of excellent judg-
ment, enterprise, conscientious and charit- able, he proved himself a valuable citizen and earned the right to the esteem and re- spect which has been accorded him.
DAN A. TAYLOR.
Dan A. Taylor is a native of Stockbridge township, having been born there Jan. 15, 1848. His father, Abram Taylor, was born in England June 3, 1819, and died July 20, 1883, while the mother, Elizabeth Asquith, also a native of England, died about forty years ago.
Abram Taylor came to Michigan in an early day and located on eighteen acres of land in Unadilla township, Livingston coun- ty, all being improved land, and there lived until his death. The father was an adherent of the Democrat party.
Our subject started out for himself thirty- one years ago, or in 1874, when he bought forty acres of partly improved land and here made his first home. He has improved the balance of the forty acres and added forty more in the year 1887. He was the first of nine children: Zack, Elizabeth, Harriett, James, Zylpha, and four others that died in infancy. Zack and our subject are the only members of the family living.
Jan. 1. 1874, Dan A. Taylor was united in marriage with Amanda, daughter of Wil- liam and Sara (Morehouse) Barrett, the father having been born Nov. 3, 1822, and the mother, Dec. 16, 1837. Mrs. Taylor was born Jan. 24, 1854. Her parents were mar- ried in 1853, and to them were born four children : Mrs. Taylor ; Perry, born Oct. 18, 1856 (dead) ; Jane, Dec. 9, 1858, and Charles, July 30, 1860. Mr. Barrett came to Michigan from New York and worked on the lakes for a time, and later was a farmer and owned two or three different places. At the time of his death in 1885 he owned forty-
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MR. AND MRS. DAN A. TAYLOR
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six acres. The father was a Democrat and the mother, whose death occurred in 1900. was an active member of the Baptist church.
Mr. Taylor represented his town as Path- master for several terms. He is a prosper- ous farmer, and his home may be found on section 17 of Stockbridge township.
E. A. BARNES.
For more than thirty years Mr. Edward A. Barnes has been one of Mason's reliable and trustworthy business men. By strict at- tention to business with judicious and pru- dent management, he has secured a comfort- able competence. He has also made for himself a name for equity and fair dealing. Mr. Barnes holdings in and about the city consisting of houses, business buildings, bank, and telephone stock are good paying property, and evince a business acumen.
Mr. Barnes was born in Chatham, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, February 16, 1822. His parents, Avery and Fanny (Burch) Barnes, were natives of Randolph county, in the Green Mountain State. Our subject was the oldest of a family of five children. A brief review of his life and varied experiences clearly indicates the in- bred characteristics of the man. He received his education in the common schools of Que- bec. At the age of eighteen years, he turned his back upon his paternal home and found employment in a general store in Belleville, Canada. His entire wages for the first year were $28.00. An income of nearly eight cents per day. The second year he received the munificent sum of $48.00. He engaged in various occupations for a time, and finally went into the lumber regions of Canada, as clerk, receiving for his first year's work $160.00. He kept at it for three years, the last year cleaned up $300.00. Having established something of a reputation as a
lumberman, he was engaged by a lumber company, as overseer of a gang of men, get- ting out logs. The timber was located about twenty miles west of Montreal; here he re- mained one year and again embarked in bus- iness for himself. Forming a partnership with two others, they established a general store at Ottawa, Canada, and engaged in rafting logs for the Quebec market. Clos- ing out his interest after one year he boarded the sailing vessel, the "William Frothing- ham," bound for Australia, and after an eventful voyage of nine weeks, he landed at Cape Town in Africa. This was in the fall of 1852. Here the vessel received supplies of water, meats and other necessaries, and after four days in port set sail for Mel- bourne, Australia. After reaching Mel- bourne, Mr. Barnes and companions, went into the diggings and lived in a tent eight feet square, while prospecting for gold, in this they were not very successful. There seemed to be a good opening for a general store, Mr. Barnes and companions supplied the need. Their place of business consisted of a frame work of poles twenty by thirty feet, covered with canvas; owing to the unsettled condition of the country it was necessary for all good law-abiding citizens to go heavily armed for self-protection. The enterprise proved a success, and Mr. Barnes in the space of three years cleaned up several thousands dollars. Closing out the business he engaged in farming in Australia, and continued with varying results until the fall of 1859, when he embarked for London, England, from there took shipping for New York, where he arrived in October. That fall he came to Port Huron, Michigan, formed a partnership with one John John- son, and engaged in the lumber business again. This proved too tame for restless nature, and after six months he sold out, returned to Canada. formed a company,
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