USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 17
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 17
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 17
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for the past twelve summers has been engaged in paving, grading, graveling, etc. He employs in this work nhont eighteen men and live teams and now gives his whole attention to it.
Mr. Ingalls was elected Alderman for the term of 1880-90, representing the second ward on the Democratic ticket. He was elected to the position with a majorny of one hundred and seventy against humm and has been the only Democrat on the muni- cipal force for some time, with one exception. Six years previous to that election he served as Street Commissioner for six years in succession. Socially our subject belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Knightsof Pythias. He is the father of four children-Horace 1., Nettie, (Mrs. Charles Stewart ) Blanche D. and Harry 1 .. Freddie A., their eldest son, was accidentally killed by the di-charge of a gun at the age of nine years, ten months and twenty-eight days.
ARRY F. DOWKER. The genial agent for the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad and he who attends to all the business of the road at Flint, is the gentleman whose name ap- pears above. He was born at Park Hill, Middlesex County, Canada, June 2, 1856, and is a son of William and Nancy ( Fairbanks) Dowker, the . former a native of Yorkshire, England, and the latter of New York State. William Dowker came to America when young, his parents making the change and settling at Kingston, Canada, where they were farmers. In 1876 he came to Tuscola County and located at Fair Grove and is now a prominent farmer of that locality.
Mr. Dowker is one of a family of nine children, seven of these are living at the present time and our subject is the youngest. He was reared in Canada until fourteen years of age. He learned telegraphy at that time. While in Park Hill he was a clerk in the post-office and when sixteen years of age was appointed night operator for the Grand Trunk Road in Smith's Creek, Mich., and the next year became the agent at Emmet, for the
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Chicago & Lake Huron, but now the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad. He held this position for three and a half years and afterward became station agent at Copack and then went to Stillwell, Ind., after which he was train dispatcher at Battle Creek for one year, thener went to Valparaiso as agent for four year -.
In 1886 our subject came to Flint, there being a large business doing here between Port Huron and Chicago. Twenty-three men are in the employ under him. He was married in London, Canada, September 17, 1878, to Miss Amy Tremaine, who was born in Quebec, Canada, and is a daughter of J. E. Tremaine, of Cornwall, England, and who was an employee of the Grand Trunk Road. Mr. Dowker is a Mason, belonging to the Valparaiso Lodge; he is also a Forester. Both he and his wife belong to the Episcopal Church, while polit- ically he is a Republican of the most pronounced type.
n2 ELSON GOODRICH. Among the promi- nent and representative pioneer families of Tieneste County, none are more worthy to be presented to the notice of our readers than the Goodrich family. Nelson Goodrich, who is the present head of the family, resides on section 29, Atlas Township. He is a native of this county and was born July 23, 1811. He is a son of Moses and Hannah ( Anderson) Goodrich, both natives of New York. Moses tioodrick, father of our subject. was born in the Empire State in 1802 and was there reared to manhood. He had rather a limited edu- cation which be acquired by home training, his father having been a school teacher of fine repu- lation.
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rich settled on section 29. Atlas Township, on the farm now owned by his son and our subject.
The place was very new at the time of the carly settlement of the family here and their home was made in the woods. Moses Goodrich was twice married and of the children born to him the follow- ing survive: tieorge, Eugene and Nelson. He held some of the minor offices of his township during his life here, his decease occurring September 10, 1887. His second wife died March 31, 1885. He has been sheeessful in life and was one of the representative pioneers of the township. He was a Democrat in polities and smetioned all measures that promised to be to the advantage of the district in which he lived.
The original of this sketch was reared to man- hood in this county and knows what it is to get up in the morning and after taking care of the oxen, follow the plow from morning till night, and in the winter make the woods resound with the swinging blows of his ax. He used the first pair of horses, and broke them too, that his father ever owned. He received his education in the district schools of the township. He was first married De- cember 1, 1866, his bride being Miss Emeline Swart, a native of Lapeer County, and a daughter of Ja- vob and Nancy Swart, early settlers of that county. By this union there was born one daughter-Mary A. Mrs. Emeline Goodrich died December 23, 1881.
Mr. Goodrich was again married December 29, 1883. the lady of his choice being Mrs. Emily Goodrich, widow of the Inte Joseph Goodrich, and daughter of Jonathan and Olive (Cobb) Frost, the parents having been carly settlers in Genesce County and coming to Atlas Township in 1836. She was born June 23, 1817. Her parents are both deceased. Her father by his first marriage had six children, of whom four are living. They are Ettie, now the widow of C. I. Horton; Rhoda. Mrs. W. 1. Putnam; the wife of our subject, and Jenny, Mrs. Dr. J. B. Bradley.
The first wife of Moses Goodrich died in her native State and in 1836 our subject's father with his brother, Levi Goodrich, emigrated to tienesve County, Mich., coming the entire distance with two yoke of oxen through Canada; they were In his politient atliliation Mr. Goodrich is a Democrat. He is now serving as the Deputy Oil Inspector of the Eleventh District. He is a mom- ber of the Knights of the Maccabees. His form seventeen days en route. All surviving members of his family were brought with him. There were six Goodrich brothers and among them they par- chased one thousand acres of land. Moses fiord- comprises two hundred and eighty acres of well-
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tilled and productive land. He makes a specialty of breeding good hope. The thriving village of Goodrich was appropriately named in honor of the Family to which our subject Inlongs, they having been among the earliest and most enterprising -el- tler -. Ili- fine farm and comfortable rural home are among the best in Atas Township and com- mand the admiring attention of the most casual observer.
D WID S. FOX. One of the strongest men financially of the city of Flint, i- he of whom we write. Our subject is also personally es- teemed for his numerous excellent qualities, which have besides led to his success in various directions. He is well known as a man of sterling integrity and worth. He is President of the First National Bank, also of the Flint Wagon Works and of the Glenwood Cemetery Association, which position has been accorder him willingly by his co-workers in recognition of his enterprise and ability.
Mr. Fox was born in Broken Straw, Warren County, now Sugar Grove, Pa .. November 28, 1817. He is a son of David and Matilda ( French) Fox. His father was a New Englander, born in Connec- tient, as was his grandfather, who was a soldier in Revolutionary War. The latter died at a very ad- vanced age, and his wife survived until 1831. he. ng then ninety-seven years of age. They were of English descent. Our subject's father was the youngest of seven brothers. After serving in the War of 1812. he was married at Otisco, Onondaga County, N. Y .. in 1816. Subsequently he became a pioneer in Warren County, Pa., being one of the first of three or fom families to locate there. Ile . cleared one hundred and sixty acres of heavy tim- ber land, rearing a family of children in the log home. He died when over eighty years of age. lle was a Whig in his political predeliction. and in his religious creed a Presbyterian. Our subject's mother was a native of Northampton, Mas, and a daughter of an old Revolutionary soulier. She
lived to be eighty years of age, her decrase well- ring in Pommes Ivania.
David'S. Fox was next to the youngest of five chil- dren. He was reared to the pioneer duties of fait- ing and made that his business for some time. Ile then worked at manufacturing shingles, and was engaged or lumbering, rafting, and sending his lumber down the Ohio to Cincinnati. He received limited school advantages, but acquired enough to start him in the right intellectual direction, and has siner acquired by observation and reading what he now knows. On leaving bis home farm at the age of seventeen, he went to New York and be- caume an apprentice to learn the trade of n carpen- ter and joiner.
Ile was married in Barre, Orleans County, N. Y., February 17, 1810, to Miss Phebe A. Randall, a daughter of William Randall. In the spring of 18 16 the young couple came West to Michigan. Mr. Fox rented a shop in Birmingham, Oakland County, and engaged in the manufacture of the Roger's Patent Steel-Tooth Cultivators. He con- tinued in this for three or four years, and then en- gaged in general merchandise. In the fall of 1856 he came to Flint and purchasing a store put in a new stock of goods. In the fall of 1865 be started in the lumber business with Messrs. Walker & Be- gole as partners. They purchased and improved a mill. and were extensively engaged in the manu- facture of lumber and shingles. They also speen- lated in timber lands. They purchased large tracts of pine lands in Lapeer County, and getting the lumber out themselves, floated it down the river. During the last three years of their lumber bi- ness their lumber supply was brought by mail chielly from Claire Coumy, and the company which carries on the business is that of Regole, Fox & Co., one of the largest manufacturing firms here. These timber lands, however, have been cleared away and are now settled by farmers.
Mr. Fox was one of the organizers of the First National Bank in this city, and for the last twelve years has been its President. The Flint Wagon Works, of which he is also presiding officer, has greatly increased in size and importance, and now has n capital stock of $100,000 being one of the largest and most important factories here. Our
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
subject has a very lovely home on Grand Travis Street, No. 606. His success in life has been due to the cuergy and hard work he has brought to bear. He has also made it a rule to lay by some money every year.
By his first marriage he has been the father of three children: Charles ., who is engaged in the merchandise business in Oxford, Ohio; Mary M., Mrs. John M. Hall, of Flint; and Herman D., who died in his ninth year. Mr. Fox has held various positions in the municipal government of Flint. He has been Alderman for four years and was Mayor two terms, and School Director of the First Ward for many years. Mrs. Phobe Fox died March 1887, and two years later, October 16, 1889, our subject was united in marriage to Mis Fiorence S. Tracy, a daughter of Fitch R. and Charlotte W. Tracy. Mrs. Fox's father was one of the pioneers of Vieneser County, and was killed while engaged in milling at Goodrich. He served as Registrar of Deeds in this county. In his political career our subject was a Whig, and since 1851 he has been a Republican, and has frequently served as delegate to county and State conventions.
E DWARD B. SKINNER, who is engaged as a carriage manufacturer and blacksmith at No. 813-15 5, Saginaw Street, is one of the most influential business men of Flint. He occu- pies a fine two-story brick building devoted to his business, in which, until 1889, he made a specialty of the trade of a blacksmith, but since then has de- voted his attention almost exclusively to the man- ofacture of carriages. He turns out custom work principally and keeps in his employ during theen- tire year an average of ten men. Mr. Skinner is a native of England and was born in Devonshire, December 19, 1857. He spent his boyhood amid the scenes of Devonshire and in 1872 accompanied his parents to the United States. After landing they proceeded directly to Michigan, locating in Flint Township, Genesce County, where the father operated as a farmer. After residing there two
year's be removed to Thetford Township, this county, where he now makes hi- home.
About two weeks after his arrival in this county Mr. Skinner engaged to work on a farm, nt which he continued employed for some time. In 1877 be located permanently in this city, whither he rame with the intention of learning the trade of a blacksmith. He first established himself alone in business in 1883, the scene of his activity being a rude and small wooden building upon the site of his present establishment. His success was such as to warrant the erection of a double-brick, two-story structure, 80x60 feet in dimensions, which was put up in 1887. His business has been growing con- stantly and he now has one of the largest custom manufactories in this section of the country. This splendid result has been attained by his unaided exertions and furnishes a good example to those just starting out in life with no capital . save willing hands and energetic disposition. Dur- ing the past fourteen years he has worked to the front in his business and now the name "Skinner" on work is a guarantee of its superiority.
On August 25, 1886, Mr. Skinner was married to Miss Margaret Radzs, a resident of Flint. Mrs. Skinner was born in Canada and is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Radzs, Socinlly she occupies a prominent position in Flint and is a lady of many benevolent and kindly impulses. Mr. Skin- Her is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Follows and the Order of Maccabees. During the past ten years he has been foreman and assistant chief of the Flint Fire Department, having been fifteen years altogether in the department.
A man of marked ability, Mr. Skinner would make a success of anything to which he devoted his attention. For two years he worked as a mill- wright and at bridge building, assisting to vreet the bridges on the Chicago & Grand Trunk Rail- way. He also worked for six months as a butcher in Flint, for one year in lumbering, in n sawmill, besides engaging in log driving on the river, etc. After be started out in business he was sick for about eight months, and during that time not only expended all his carnings but at the time of his recovery was $900 in debt. As soon as he regained ' his health be started out with renewed energy and
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determination, and during the past four years has not only paid off his entire indebtedness, but has gained a solid reputation as a reliable foriness man, in the possession of a comfortable competency it- quired by his own efforts.
On an accompanying page will be found n lith- ographie portrait of Mr. Skinner.
TEPHEN MATHEWSON. Supervisor of the Second Ward of the city of Flint, and a land surveyor and civil engineer by pro- fession, was born in Franklinville. Cattar- augus County, N. Y. February 28, 18:1. Ili- father, John C., was a native of Sherburne, Che- mango County, N. Y., whener he removed at an early day to Cuttaraugus County and operated a- a farmer. There he was married to Miss Caroline MeClare, and the young couple settled on a farm in that county. In [8]S they came to Michigan, settling in Mundy. Genesee County, on a new farm which bore few improvements Our subject was a youth of seventeen years when he accompanied his parents to this State and he remained under the parental roof until 1853.
The parents had a family of eight children, viz: our subject; Grice, who still remains on the old homestead; Harriet 1 .. , deceased; Viola, the wife of Myron Bunuel; Angeline, deceased, who became Mrs. Arthur Johnson, and lived in Chiesaning, Sag- inaw County; Caroline, deceased; John, a resi- dent of Mundy, and Orion, deceased. The father remained on the farm which be improved in this county until his death which occurred in the win- ter of 1885-86. The mother passed from carth in 1×56. They are remembered with affection not only by their immediate descendants but by those who knew of their noble characters and worthy lives. As one of the pioneers of this section of country the name of John C. Mathewson will In held in reverence so long as patriotism burns within the hearts of our countrymen.
The education which our subject gleaned from .the old fashioned text books, was partly gained in a little red school house in Cattaraugus County,
N. Y., and completed in the High School of Flint. After leaving home in 1853 he engaged in survey- ing and vivd engineering, which he had learned by observation and study. For some time he con- tinned this engaged during the summer, and in the winter season followed the profesion of a teacher. He taught three winters after his mar- ringe which was solemnized in March, 1858. The bride on this important occasion was Miss Louisa Bishop, of Grand Blanc, Genesee County, and the daughter of Julian Bishop, now deceased.
After his marriage Mr. Mathewson made his home on a farm in Mundy Township, which he owned and operated, but in 1872 be removed to Flint to engage in surveying county land. In that line of business he has remained since engaged, not only doing all the city work, but surveying for private parties. As a dealer in and contractor for sewer pipe and drain tile he does an extensive business, having been occupied in this way for many years. In the spring of 1875 he was first elected Supervi- -or, and has emer served with credit to himself and acceptably to the people. During a portion of his term of service he has been Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. Between 1860 and 1870 be served as County Surveyor, and was Drain Com- missioner for the county two years. While he re- sided in Mundy Township he served in various official capacities, among them being School In- spector and Township Clerk.
In his social relations Mr. Mathewson is a men- ber of the Masonic fraternity, to which he has be- longed since 1855, and is identified with Flint Lodge, No. 23; Washington Chapter, No. 15; Flint Council and Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15. He owns and resides in a pleasant home at No. 521 Harrison Street, where the visitor is sure of a cor- dial reception from the host and hostess. Mr. and Mrs. Mathewson have a family of four children, viz: Fred G., now with a firm of contractors at Duluth, Minn .; John J., who married Miss Margaret Rhodes, and has by that union one child, Louisa; he lives on a farm belonging to his father in Mundy Townslup; Edward (,, who is in the employ of the Duluth Tribune Company, at Duluth, Minn .; and Emma May, who remains under the parental roof. These children received the advantages of
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the Flut schools and are occupying responsible positions as members of the business and social world. Mr. Mathewson, with his estimable wite and their children bold membership in the Congre- gational Church, and contribute liberally to the various benevolent enterprises which appeal to them for aid.
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ESSE IL. DYSINGER is a farmer on section 27. Flushing Township, tienesce County. where he has a tract comprising one han- dred and seven acres of tine land. He came to the Wolverine State in 1883 and settled on the place where he now lives. He was born in Royalton Township. Ningara County, N. Y., Fch- ruary 1. 1810, and is a son of John D. and Mai- garet (Robinson) Dysinger, natives of Pennsylva- nia. The father was a farmer and removed to Ni- agara County, where he pursued his calling. Ile came West with his son and died in 1885; the mother still survives and makes her home with her son, our subject, who is the only child born to his parents.
Our subject's grandparents on the paternal side were David and Catherine ( Ernest) Dysinger, na- tives of Pennsylvania. The father was in his younger days a distiller and they removed to Ni- agara County where he died in 1852. The wife survived unid February 10. 1871. David was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was born August 3, 1791. His father and our subject's great-grand- father was Nicholas Dysinger, a native of Holland. He with his wife. Eve. settled in Pennsylvania near Harrisburg.
Our subject's mother, Margaret Robinson, is a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Carson) Robin- son, natives of Ponsylvania. Her father was a weaver by trade, and she has in her pos- session some fine towels, the linen thread for which she spain and the father wove. They are still as strong. apparently, as when new and good for another generation, She is now eighty-seven years old and has all ber faculties and is a bright and interesting woman. The original of this
sketch was educated in Gasport Academy and in the Lockport I'nion schools. He was engaged as a farmer until twenty-one years old, then spent two years on a railroad in Pennsylvania, and then went into the threshing and clover huller business, running duse machines for twenty-one year in succession.
Mr. Dysinger was married February 15, 1866, to Mis Mary Long, of Clarence, Erie County, N. Y. She was a daughter of William and Kabel (Calvin) Long, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father was a native of Ireland and came to this country when young. Our subject has a family of four children -Elmer, Belle, Seymour and Mattie. Like his father, Mr. Dysinger is a Democrat. He is a mem- ber of the Farmers' Alliance and is Vice-Presi- dent of the association here. Socially he is a Ma- son and belongs to the Ancient Order of United Winkmen. He is one of the prominent men of the township.
AMES W. AVERILL. The farming inter- esta of tienese County are well represented by the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, and who operates and owns a fine farm of two hundred and nine aeres in Forest Township. He is a go-ahead, pushing man. in fact a fair type of the American farmer, quick to turn every feature of nature to its own advantage. His steves in business has been attained by his close application to his calling, of where minutin he is a complete master. As a citizen he is reliable, in social life he is agreeable, and in his own home he i- thoughtful and considerate. His farm is well supplied with a commodion- residence, as well as goud buildings for the shelter of his stock. The fields are well tilled and the place presents an np- pearance which indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner.
A native of Orange County. Vt., Mr. Averill was bom July 7. 1814, and is the son of Weston Averill. a farmer whose native place was in Vermont and Mercy (Wilson) Averill, who was born in New . Hampshire. Om subject has no recollection of the
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home of his birth. for when he was only one year old he was taken by his parents to Washington County. Vi., and there be grew to a sturdy, stal- wart manhood amid the picturesque scenery of the Green Mountains. The educational facilities which were offered him were good, and after he had com- pleted the course of study in the common school of his district he attended the academy at Barre, 1%
At the age of twenty-six, in 1867, Mr. Averill came West to Michigan and located in Genesce County, where he purchased a farm off sections 18 and 19, Forest Township. Prior to this, however, he enlisted in December, 1863, in Company E. Eighth Vermont Infantry, and was with the Army of the Gulf under Gen. Banks. In July, 1861, he was ordered to Washington, D. C., and was under Cien. Sheridan. In the battle of Opoquen Creek on September 19. 1861, he was wounded and the injury was so severe that his right limb had to be amputated. I'mable to continue with the regiment he was sent to Baltimore, whence one month later he went to the State Hospital at Montpelier. Vi. After remaining there one year he was discharged and returned home.
When Mr. Averill came West to locate in Mich- The original of this sketch was reared on the home farm and attended the district school. He later went to select school for three or four winter -. working upon the farm during the sum- Her seasons. Like many ambitious young men he began his career as a teacher, commencing that work when sixteen years of age and pursuing it live successive terms during the winters. igan he was accompanied by his Inide, with whom he was united in marriage March 1. 1867. She bore the maiden name of Emma Trow, and was a native of Washington County. Vi. having been born in the city of Barre. She is the daughter of Dexter and Mary ( handler) Trow. both natives of the Green Mountain State. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Averill. viz .: Mary M. Weston H., Nellie J. Bertha B. Morton E. and Gracie 1 .. Milton T. died in infancy. The two youngest children still remain under the par- ental roof but the others have gone forth into the world. to responsible positions for which they have been fitted by the wise counsel and good example- of their parents. At the time of the purchase of the farm. Mr. Averill found only seventeen acres improved, and he has now about one-half of the two hundred and nine acres in splendid cultiva- tion. He raises a variety of crops, and also has considerable live stock, although he does not make n specialty of raising them. His political sympa- groceries, crockery and general merchandise. He
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