USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 10
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 10
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 10
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Our subject lived in a board shanty for a num- ber of years, building his present house and barns almut ten or twelve years ago. His marriage took place October 5, 1862, at which time he was united for better or worse to Miss Ellen Chick, of Ontario, Canada. This union has been blessed by the ad- vem of ten children, seven of whom are living. They are Mimic. Clara, Bertha, Edward. Ernest. George and Laura. Minnie, a successful teacher, married Robert Lucas, of North Branch Town- ship; Clara married Alvin Aris, of the same town- ship. The deceased ones are Walter, Robert and John.
Mr. Horton has made farming his business since coming to Michigan, and although his interests in this direction have been general, like the majority of Michigan agriculturists, he has made a specialty of stock-raising. Our subject is a Republican in polities, and is one of the able men who can truth- fully say he has never been ambitious to hold office. Mrs. Horton and three of her daughters are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are interested workers in the spread of the Gospel.
G EORGE M. CAMPBELL. The gentleman who at the present time has charge of the exchequer of Atlas Township, Genesce County, and who is personally a man who inspires one with the greatest confidence in his integrity and honesty, is he whose name appears above. He is a native of Columbia County. N. Y., and was born December 25, 1818, bring a son of John and Barbara (Russell) Campbell. He lost his mother, an irreparable los to a child, when only fourteen
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months old. His father was a native of Scotland and the mother of Scotch ancestry.
In 1858, in company with his father and the other members of the family, our subject migrated to Michigan, first making his home in Oakland County, where he staid until 1861, in which year they removed to Geneser County, the family set- tling in Davison Township, where the mother died in 1868. They were the parents of tive children, all of whom are surviving. They are John, Alex- ander, Alleu, George M. and James, John resides in Davison Township, this county, and was at one time Treasurer of the county. Alexander also restles in Davison Township and has served as Supervisor. Allen lives in Osceola County. this State. James lives in Atas Township. Four of the sons served as soldiers in the Civil War; Alex- ander and Allen entered the army in the fall of 1861 and remained until 1865.
The subject of this sketch was reared to man- hood's estate on a farm and with the exception of a short time spent in the mercantile Inviness in Atlas, he has engaged almost exclusively in the agricultural business. He received his education in the district school of Davison Township. He was married September 26, 1871, to Miss Inez Harding, a daughter of Daniel and Amary lli- (Swift) Harding. He enlisted December 21, 1861. in Company 1, Thirtieth Michigan Infantry, but "did not go outside of Michigan, doing guard duty at Detroit. He received his honorable discharge .Inne 21, 1865.
On returning from the army, our subject went to Davisomu Township and remained there until 1871, when he settled on a farm on section 18. Atlas Township, and there remained until he re- moved to the village of Atlas in the spring of 1886. Mr. Campbell was first elected Treasurer of Atlas Township in the spring of 1887 and was re-elected in 1888 and agam re-elected in 1891. He has also served as Highway Commissioner of Atlas Township for several terms, He is a Repub- lican in his political creed.
Our subject and his wife are both interested and interesting members of society. Mrs. Campbell, who is a very intelligent and prepossessing lady. was born in this State and vicinity, April 1, 1851.
She is a daughter of Daniel and Amaryllis (Swift) Harding. Her father was a native of New York as was also the mother, They came to Michigan in 1836 and resided in Grand Blane Township, Gen- cre County. until 1×12, and thener moved to the farm now owned by our subject on section 18, At- las Township. Her father died August 9, 1883, and the mother passed away April 1, 1888. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are liv- ing-Lewis, Marion. (Mrs. Francis Colwell), Delos and Mrs. Campbell. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are both greatly beloved in their community and are the center of a pleasing society of the choicest people of the place.
IRAM B. GH.BERT, a well-known resident of Mundy Township, Genesce County, was born in Worthington, Hampshire County, Ma -... August 8,. 1831. There he grew to manhood upon a farm and came to Giruesce County, this State, in 1851, and here he followed the trade of a carpenter until about the year 1881. He made his home in Grand Blane Township for one year and then returned to Massachusetts, but three years later again settled in thand Blanc and two years later came to Mundy Township for five years, and then after five years residence in Grand Blanc removed to Independence, Oakland County, which was his home for seven years and then. after a short stay in Fenton, be returned to Mundy Township, where he has since been a resident.
Since giving up his trade Mr. Gilbert has been engaged extensively in farming and has good im- provement- on his farm of eighty acres. He was married in Grand Blane Township, April 11. 1858, to Miss Pamelia Remington, a native of Grand Blanc Township, where she was born June 6, 1837. Six children came to bless this union, namely: Alma P., now the wife of Wiliam Shaw; William Edward, who married Hattie Raymond: Hettie A., who married Alva A. Alger; Frank 1 .; Parna, now Mr. Lewis Bigalow; and Charles B.
Our subject ha- filled the offices of Township
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Treasurer. Instive of the Peace, Drainage Commi -- sioner and School Assessor and has over taken an active part in political affairs, being quite a leader in the Republican ranks. He and Ins good wife are both members of the Baptist Church.
The father of our subject was Domer Gilbert, a native of Albany, N. Y., and his good wife, Polly Goldthwaite, was born in Peru, Berkshire County, Mass, Both died in Worthington, Hampshire County, Mas. John Remington, the father of Mr -. Gilbert, was a native of the Land of Steady Habits, and her mother, Julian Goff, was born in Rush. N. Y. While Mr. Remington survives at an ad- vanced age and is one of the oldest settlers in Grand Blanc Town-has hi- faithful companion departed this life at the age of seventy-six. in Mundy Township. This family is one of the best known and most highly esteemed in the township, being people of character and ability and their home is one of comfort and happiness.
E THENE GEORGE, whose pleasant home is situated upon section 12. Mandy Township. Genere County, was born in Switzerland. Deumber 19, 1829. His father, ficorge George. was a batter by trade, and a soldier under Bona- parte and was present at the burning of Moscow. le came to America in 1819, and his wife, Angeline. came the year following. They made their home in Mundy Township. In 1853, she was taken sick and died while on a visit to her daughter in Can- nda, and her husband lived until 1877, when he passed from earth in Mundy Township.
The six children of this family were all brought up in their native home and came to this comitry with their parents. Our subject was the third in order of age and was given the opportunity to learn in Switzerland the baker's trade from his father who kept a bake shop for a while. This young man was one who had a great desire to see world and understand the different ways of differ- ent people, and he spent some time traveling through Switzerland to see the country and learn the habits of the people.
In April. 1×19. young George left Switzerland
for America, and landed in New York in July of that year, having been fifty-seven days on the ocean, traveling in a sailing vessel. Siuve coming to this country he has been a resident of Mundy Township, with the exception of one season which he spent in Grand Rapids.
May 31. 1851. Mr. George married Harriet Gan- son, of Mundy Township, a native of New York State. Mr. George has been engaged in farming since coming to Mundy Township, and he now has seventy acres of land upon which he has erected excellent buildings. He formerly owned two hundred and twenty arres, but he has divided much of his property with his sons. His four children
are They J. Victor. Celina and Florence. The elder daughter is now the wife of Ly man T. Curtis.
Our subject finds himself in sympathy with the leaders of the Democratic party, and religiously he is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Since. coming to this country he has ever cherished an interest in the affairs of his old home and in 1879 he revisited Switzerland, going by the way of France, and made a six months' trip for health and pleasure. His pleasant home and excellent farm buildings are an ornament to the township. and his whole property bears the marks of a sys- tematic and thorough farmer.
AMES C. DECKER, the oldest merchant How in business in Flint. who opened his grocery business here on the list of November, 1851. las kept hi- doors open every day since that time with the exception of Sundays and holidays. Besides being a Bist- class business man, he is a skilled mechanic and a line practical engineer. His father. Andrew A. Decker, was born in 1808, near Port Jarvis. N. Y., as was also his grandfather. Joseph, who was a mechanic. The great-grandfather. Peter Decker. built the first house created in Deckertown, Sussex Connty, N. J., and was of Holland descent.
The subject was born in that town July 28, 1828. and his father who had byep n farmer in his early days and also a blacksmith was at that time cop.
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nected with the Delaware and Hudson Canal. In 1816 the father came to Detroit, thener to Ypsi- lanti, where he located with his family, and car- ried on the trade of a blacksmith for six years. after which he came to fieneste County, and lo- cated first in Flint, and afterward upon a farm in tienere Township, where he died at the age of sixty-four. He was first a Methodist and after- ward a member of the Christian Church. Hi- political opinions were in accord with the doe- trines of the Democratic party.
The mother of our subject was Maria, daughter of Joseph Cole, also a native of Sussex County. where his farm adjoined that of tien. Vansickles. Our subject lost his mother by death in 1870, and of her eleven children, only three are now living. mimely: J. C., Dr. C. C. Decker, of Cincinnati; and Ann, Mr-, Gardner, of Garfield, Mich. A. C. was nine years of age when he left New Jersey for Ly- ons, Wayne County, N. Y .. and he received a dis- triet-school education and became a practical Macksmith at the age of seventeen. L'pon first coming West, he spent some time in Ypsilanti and then in Detroit, but soon returned fast, and in New York took up practical engineering, so that he did not return to Ypsilanti until about 1850. at which time he went to Saginaw and worked as an engineer in a mill. Previous to this he wasen- gaged for some time as an engineer on the Mich- igan Central Railroad between Detroit and Jack- soll.
In the fall of 1851 Mr. Decker came to Flint and worked no a black smith here until November, 1851. at which time he began his grocery business on Sagnew Street, where the Wolverine Citizen's office now is. After the first in which his place of lisi- ness was destroyed, be bought the lot which he now occupies, and erected this brick block which measure . 20x110 feet. and is two stories high. Mr. Decker has the largest and first stock of goods in his line in Flint.
Miss Mary Rutherford who became Mrs. .. (. Decker at Northville, Wayne County, in 1851. was born in Rochester, N. Y., and is descended from an old Quaker family of Philadelphia. Her oldest daughter. Ida W., is now Mrs. Holdridge. of Me- dina. N. Y .: Ella is an invalid at home: and Mar-
garet Pearl is acting as her father's book-keeper. Our subject has passed through all the degrees of the Order of Odd Fellows. He also belongs to Flint Lodge, No. 23. F. & A. M. and to Lodge No. 1 .. R. A. M., besides Aring a member of Genesee Valley Commandery Lodge, No. 15, K. T. He is one of the Trustees of the Masonic Aid Association of the State, and helped to organize the Fire De- partment of Flint, being foreman of a company for seven years, and one of the workers therein for thirty-two years. He was also a Chief Engineer for fourteen years and has done more for its sue- cess than any other man in the city.
In his business he has ever been foremost in in- producing new methods and lines of stock, and was the first one to start a livery wagon in Flint, and brought here the list chest of Japan tea over sold in the county, and possibly in the State as it cume from the first cargo of this fea that landed in New York City. He was the first to roast coffee, and he has a large coffee roaster which operates by steam. Both in lociness lines and in mechanical ingenuity he is a decided genius. His political views are in accord with the doctrine of the Democratic party, and he has long been a member of the Baptist Church and was one of its Trustees for several years.
IL.L.LAM 11. LONG is a prominent and inthiential man in Genesce County who is active in business matters and well known throughout this locality. He is Secretary of the Flint Cabinet Creamery Company, of the Genesee County Co-operative Creamery Company, and also of the Farmers' Home Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany. He was born in Lancaster, Erie County, N. Y., October 5. 1839, and is a son of David and Ann (Sha- fer) Long. The former wasa farmer who was married in Pennsylvania and located in Lancaster County. In the fall of 1851 he came to Genesce County, this State, with a family which comprised his wife and four children. He came by boat to Detroit, thener by rail to Pontiac and from there by team to Thetford. abert he new resides at the age of seventyseven years, He is the owner of seventy
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acres of good land there and is active in the Christian Church of which he is a member.
Our subjeet's mother was a native of Germany. When a child she was brought to America by her parents who located in Pennsylvania. Her father was a weaver. He finally settled in Michigan where he died. Mr -. Long, om subject's mother, still survives at the age of seventy-four years; she is the mother of six children. all of whom are living and of these W. H. Long is the oldest.
The original of our sketch was reared in Thet ford from the time he was twelve years old. The place was very new and wild. He there attended school for two winters, in the first log schoolhouse which was built in that district and when the log house was replaced he attended a few years in the new frame schoolhouse and then one winter in Flint. When twenty-one years of age he began teaching in Thetford and followed it for nineteen winters in Genesee County. He was married in Thetford, June 20, 1867, to Miss Persis A. Wilson, who was born in Thetford and is a daughter of Nahum N. Wilson, of Vermont, who was one of the first settlers in the township of Thetford. hay- ing helped to build the first frame house in Flint. He was a surveyor by profesion and died in 1887. Our subject bought a farm on section 36, which he improved, adding valuable buildings, an orchard, ete. He now has eighty-eight and a half aeres which he rents on shares.
In the fall of 1883 Mr. Long came to Flint and became book-keeper for the Creamery Company. when it became a stock company and in 1887 he became a stock-holder, a Director and was it- Secretary, meantime keeping his old position as book-keeper. He was one of the organizers of the Genere County Co-operative Creamery Company and is one of the stockholders, having been its Secretary from almost the first. It is the largest in the State and sends out butter to many portions of the union. Both these establishments are dong a large business.
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Mr. and Mrs. Long are the parents of three chil- dren -Nahum W .. who is on a ranch in Montana ; Ralph und Carl, who are both at home, Mr. Long was Township Clerk for several year-, also School Inspector and Highway Commissioner, Socially | Me, Walsh purchased the interest of his partner
he belonges the Free and Accepted Masons, also to the National I'nion. Himself possessing no formal creed, his wife is a Baptist. He is a whole-souled Republican in politics.
6 HOMAS PAGE is a grocer in Flint and Supervisor of the First Ward. He is now serving his eleventh term as Supervisor. The general grocery business which he carries ou is run under the firm name of Thomas Page & Co., his partner being Joseph Walsh, Supervisor of Flint Township.
Our subject was born in Avon, Livingston County, N. Y., July 14, 1810. Hle is n son of Abraham and Bridget (Carroll ) Page. The former was born at Hitchin, Herefordshire, England. He was a shoemaker by trade and when seventeen years of age entered the English army. His term of service was for the most time in Canada. After his time had expired he located at Avon, N. Y., where he carried on his trade. In 1851 he came to Flint. His decease occurred in 1867. Our subject's mother was born in County Sligo, Ire- land, and died in Flint in 1882, at the age of seventy - five years.
Thomas Page is the second oldest of six children born to his parents. He had the advantage of common-school training in Avon, N. Y., natil the time he was fourteen years old. when he began to learn the shoemaker's trade with his father. Ile came to Flint with his parents. August 19, 1851. After his father's death he continued to run the shoe shop on its present site and was engaged in the manufacture of shoes made to order and also in the retail boot and shoe business, continuing thus until 1876, when he was appointed to teach the shoe business in the Michigan School for the Deaf. He held this position for eleven years. After leaving it he served as clerk for two years und in May. 1×90, started in the grocery busi- Hess, which was conducted under the firm name of Martin & Page, until November 11, 1890,
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and our subject became the senior member of the firm. They carry on a retail grocery business and are located at No. 393 Detroit and Saginaw Streets, and are very successful in business.
Mr. Page was married in this city, in 1877 10 Miss Susan A. Welch, a native of Long Island. They are the parents of four children, where names are Mary E., Edward M., Thomas C. and Ellen M. Our subject has been Alderman here, representing the First Ward for four years. In his religious principles he is a Catholic, He is Treasurer of the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association. He has always been a Republican in politics. He is one of the oldest members of the Board of Supervisors.
G EORGE HOVEY, This hberal and progres- ave citizen of Gender Township, Tienesce County, whose line farm is situated on see- tion 2, was born in the village of Owego on the Susquehanna River, in New York. on the 1th of January, 1811. Lorenzo Hovey was a New Eng- lauder by birth and a miller by trade. He went to Pennsylvania when about twenty years old and worked on the farm, remaining there for a few years and being there united in marriage with Anna Hanman, who was born in Connectiont and brought up there until she reached the age of eighteen.
Owego, N. Y., now became the home of this couple and there the father drove a team of seven horse- for many years. Somewhat later they moved to Dundee, N. Y., and from there to Mt. Morris, Liv- ing-ton County in the same State, which proved the final earthly home of Lorenzo Hovey, as he died there when sixty-eight years old. His faith- ful wife survived him and came to Genere County, Mich., where she passed away at the age of seventy-eight. They were the parents of right children that grew to manhood and womanhood.
Our subject has only one sister living, as far as he is able to find out, and she is Emily, the widow of Mr. Terry, of Milwaukee, Wis. One of his brothers now survives. He remained with his father until he reached the age of nineteen and started
out to make his way in the world with nothing in his hand and being $70 in debt to his father. He worked upon farms by the month, receiving nt first only $9 a month by agreement. although the man for whom he worked was so well satisfied that he gave him sto when they came to settlement. He thus continued for some two years farming in the summer and chopping wood in the winter, receiving two and sixpence per cord for fire wood.
Mr. Hovey purchased a farm in New York com- prising tive arres, and having partly cleared the same remained on it for five years and then came to Genesee County, Mich., in 1813, and located where he now resides, trading a span of horses and a wagon and harnes for eighty acres of land and giving 880 in cash in difference. After he had his deed recorded he had thirty-live cents left in his pocket and no improvements made upon his farm but he had plenty of pluck, and he proceeded to build a board house into which he moved and where he lived for nine years.
At the end of that time Mr. Hovey erected the residence in which his fannly now lives, and hav- ing cleared the timber from his land and put the place under cultivation he was ready to enjoy his beautiful home. Every stick of timber in this house was grown upon the place and was saved in a mill which our subject built on the farm, and this same way he said of the other buildings and the fences upon this estate. He was married in 1810 in the State of New York to Lucinda Snyder, who was born and educated in Mt. Morris, N. Y. She died in 1886. having been the mother of the following children: William (deceased); Martha, the wife of David Flinn, of Indiana; Charles, who resides in Detroit; Emily, who is now the wife of N. Richardson, of Tuscola County; Fred, who makes his home with his father.
The original of this life sketch cultivates a finely improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres of which he has a life lease. He cast his first Presidential vote for Harrison in 1810 and again le voted for another Harrison at the last Presi- dential election and he never has cast his vote for any other principles than those of the Republican party, and says he never will. He is a liberal con- tributor to all good causes and as an incident of
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his generosity we may mention that he recently gave $100 to the Congregational Church. Our subject wishes the statement made that he has never borrowed a cent, nor a dollar in money, in his life.
R S. LEWIS, The growth of a community is the result of individual industry, energy and uprightness, for any section of country is only the aggregate of individual conditions. When. therefore. we contemplate the life of an upright man, we realize that his influence is far- reaching and is not bounded by imaginary lines separating counties or States. It is with pleasure that we invite the reader's attention to the follow- ing record of the life of Mr. Lewis, and also to his portrait which is presented on the opposite page. For almost thirty years he has resided in Tuscola County, with the progress of which he has been identified, and with the development of which he has always been closely connected.
The father of our subject, Benjamin S. Lewis by name, was a native of Rhode Island, where he was reared to man's estate. In his carly manhood he removed to New York, where he was married to Miss Betsey Whiting, a native of Vermont. This worthy couple became the parents of four sous and three daughters, of whom six are now living -two daughters and one son in Huron County, Ohio, and three in Michigan. In an early day the parents removed from New York to Ohio, where they located first in Trumbull County, but finally moved to Huron County. The father engaged in farming pursuits and during all his active career, and died in Huron County, Ohio, at the age of eighty-two years.
The subject of this biographical notice was born September 17, 1822, in Auburn, N. Y .. and passed his youth in his native place. Until he was of age he remained at home, learning the trade of a mason, and also working upon his father's farm. When ready to establish a home of his own, ha was married in 1816, in Trumbull County, Ohio, to Miss blive M. Bartlett, and with his bride settled
in Trumbull County, where in partnership with his father be owned a farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis leave been born nine children, there being five sons and four daughters. Of these four are now liv. ing, viz .: Mary 1., Jesie M., Freeborn, a phs - sician, who resides in Washington, and William T .. the station agent at Mayville.
In 1862 Mr. Lewis came to Tuscola County and settled on the farm of seventy -six arres on section 6, Vassar Township, which he still owns. One- half of this he has cleared and greatly im- proved, and has moreover created a neat residence and other building, upon the place, which add greatly to its value. He here devotes himself to general farming, and having been familiar with agricultural pursuits from youth, it is not strange that he has become a practical, successful farmer, familiar with the best methods of improving and cultivating the land. Although coming here Bol . so many years ago, he was in fact a pioneer, and has done much of the work familiar to early set- there of the State. In political affairs he has been a Republican since the outset of his career, but has never been an aspirant for office. preferring to leave that to others who can afford to give it more time and careful attention than it would be in his power to devote to it. By hard labor and applied judgment he has earned the comfortable compe- teney which he now enjoys, and his indefatigable labors have contributed to render him among the most prosperous farmers of Navar Township.
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