USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 21
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 21
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 21
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
H
SAAC D. GILLETT. Prominent in agricultural and church circles is the gentleman where name we have just written. He carries on general farming on his fract of one hundred and eighty aeres in Vienna Township and is a prom- inent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Vienna, where he is serving as Trustee and Steward. He was born July 9, 181, in the town-
المكافحة يه
£
ـلورد
697
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ship of Southport. Cheming County, N. Y. His father, Nelson I. Billett, was born in Cartland County, N. Y., in 1816, and died in 1855.
The father was a carpenter and joiner as well as farmer and was educated in the public schools of New York. In his twenty-fourth year he married Mis Sarah M., daughter of Henry and Lucy (Simons) Misner. This marriage resulted in the birth of four children. The oldest, Melissa ., was born in 18:39, and became a successful teacher be- fore her marriage with John White, now Register of Deeds of Otsego County, this State. She died in 18tis, leaving one daughter. Melissa (., who me- ried Martin Field. The second son, William II., was born in 1811, and is farming in Vienna Town- ship, and hesides our subject there was another son. Nelson B., who was born in 1855, and has been a successful teacher besides farming in Vienna, receive the highest esteem of all with whom they Township.
The father, Nelson P. Gillett, settled upon a farm in Vienna Township in 1818. There was no road leading to the farm and he had to ent a road from the town line to the spot where he wished to build. He created a board house. Iix21 feet and having cleared a small spot planted corn, potatoes, etc. and made a garden the first year. On the Ith of May, 1855, only eighteen months after his coming into the townelup, he was killed by a falling tree which he was chopping. His eldest sou was but fourteen years old at the time and the subject of this sketch was only twelve, but the family went on with the work. hiring what they could not possibly do, and together they cleared the land and made their home in common until 1867, at which time a division of property was mmade and Isaac took eighty acres of the old farm and added to it one hundred acres a few years later. Upon this property he has placed numerous improvements and for a number of years was engaged in the Iumber business in which he was quite successful.
The marriage of our subject, m 1886, united him with Miss Annetta, daughter of Ralph Field. Ile was a native of Canada and there Mrs. Gillett was born near Smithville, September 11, 1863. She came to Michigan with her father in 1880, and completed her education in the Flint High School. I'revious to roming here she had studied in the St.
Catherine School in Canada and after completing les stindies she beenne a shecessful teacher. Two children have been born to this couple-Ralph N., . born July 11, 1887, and leslie D., June 10, 1889. Mrs. Gillett like her husband, is prominently identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The doctrines of the Republican party have for many years been endorsed by Mr. Gidlett, but he is now in affiliation with the Prohibitionists and is a member of the Alliance of Vienna Town- ship. He was Towaship Treasurer in 1890 and has been a -necessful farmer throughout life. Sarah M. Gillett, the grandmother of our subject, is now seventy-three years old and in vet active and use- ful. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also her husband during his lifetime, and this family and all its members deserve and are associated. During all of his business career he has never sued a man nor has he ever been sued.
NDREW SLAGHT. M. D. A follower of Esculapins, Dr. Slaght is one of the most promment and popular practitioners in Grand Blane Township, Genesce County, He is a native of Seneca County, N. Y., and was born December 1, 1832. He is a son of John and Phebe Slaght, natives of New Jersey. As his name would indicate, he is on the paternal side of Hol- land extraction. his maternal progenitors being Scotch. Dr. Slaght's father served in the War of 1812.
When fourteen years old our subject with his parents emigrated to Genesee County, this State. The family first settled in Mundy Township, and there he of whom we write was reared to man's estate in the wholesome atmosphere of rural life. lis mental training was received in the district schools of the vicinity. after which heattended the High School at Flint, and at different periods for some live years thereafter engaged in teaching school.
In the fall of 1865 Mr. Slight entered the medi- cal department of AAnn Arbor University, and was
0
698
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
graduated in 1868 when he took his degree. He located in the township of Mundy, and there prac- tieed for one year, after which be removed to Grand Blanc, and has been in constant and active practice of his profession ever since. Our subject was married in 1857, to Miss Adelia Hoff, a daugh- ler of Jonathan and Mary Huff, natives of New York Mate. The moon of our subject and his estimable wife has been blessed by the advent of two children: William M., who has also become a physician; and Frances, the wife of Dr. J. Mclaren of Saginaw, this State.
Our subject is a member of the Congregational Church. He is a Republican in his political. prefer- once. He is a generous supporter by word and means of every advancement that promises to be for the good of the town. The Doctor is a grad- wate from the Regular School of medicine. . MI- though he has enjoyed many advantages, he has attained them by his own perseverance and energy. The Doctor was formerly a member of the County Medical Association, and was also a member of the American Medical Association.
OUN HOUTSLANDER. This venerable. yet active farmer whose property lies in Clayton Township, Genere County, is a native of Mt. Morris, Livingston County. N. Y., where he was born August 29. 1809. He is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Seicia) Holtslander. both of whom were natives of Orange County. N. Y. The father was a farmer and came to Mich- igan about the year 1811, settling in Mt. Morris Township, this county, and here engaged in farm- ing. He bought land which was then entirely un- touched and after clearing it and putting it in condition for cultivation, he sold and bought again in Mundy Township, this county, and there re- mained until he was called heure by death. .
Twelve children gathered about this pioneer home and six of them are now living, namely : Henry, Adam, James, John, Elizabeth and Aun. Both parents were earnestly active in Christian work, being members of the Methodet Chinch,
and Ada Holt-lander was in his political views a Democrat. 'The subject of this sketch received his education in M1. Morris, N. Y., and had the usual training of a farmer's boy, remaining at home until he was twenty-four years of age, after which be engaged extensively in farming in Mt. Morris. He came to Michigan about the year 186u, settling on the Coldwater Road in Mt. Morris Township, this county, where he carried on farming on a large scale. He kept a flock of one thousand sheep nud a large number of cattle, selling sometimes i> much as $1,300 worth of cattle at a time.
John Holt-lander came to the place where he now resides in 1880, and for the last thirty years has engaged extensively in buying and selling rattle. He is well known throughont all this reg- jon. and has always been a business man, closely associated with business men. His home, a view of which appen- in this volume, is beautiful and well furnished, and the best live stock is to be found upon his farm. He is called one of the best farm- ers in Clayton Township; and his home farm con- sists of one hendred and twenty acres while he has other valuable land in Saginaw County. He always deposits what money he does not need for immediate use in the banks and has assisted a num- ber of Eastern banks to start.
Our subject was married in 183.1 10 Miss Adeline, daughter of Nicholas Holt-lander. She was born in Orange County, N. Y., and lived with her husband in harmony and domestic happiness for lifty-seven years. Her death proved in this home an irrepar- able loss. Two children now survive. Sarah and James, The latter married Gertrude Mirtenis, daughter of the Rev. Stephen and Mary (Holt- -lander) Mirt nis, and four children have gathered about the liveside, namely: Lillie, Lula, May, and Nellie.
The subject of this sketch is a Democrat in his political views and has held the office of Super- intendent of the Four as well as other positions of trust and responsibility. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church as are also all his family. He mited with the church in 1833 and has ever since been a consistent member, serving as Class-leader and holding other official positions. Social life is his delight and no one is turned un-
.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN HOLTSLANDER, SEC. 22., CLAYTON TP., GENESEE CO., MICH.
RESIDENCE OF HENRY H. STIFF, SEC 1., ARGENTINE TP. , GENESEE CO.,MICH.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
graciously from his door, while for the poor he feels a brotherly interest and ever holds toward them a helping hand. In matters, social, religious and business, he is one of the most prominent men in the township.
b ENRY H. STIFF. Among the successful citizens of Genesve County is this gentle- man, who makes his home in Argentine Township. A native of Warren County, N. l., he was born May 1, 18:2. His father, John Stiff, also a native of New Jersey, was a weaver by trade throughout life, and died here about the year 1876. Ile had been a member of the Methodi-l Episcopal Church for many years. The mother, who died several years prior to the deccase of her husband, was formerly Mary Kutzler, a native of New Jersey and of German extraction. Five of her six children are now living.
The oldest son and third child in his parents household, Henry 1. Stift received the best advan- tages which could be secured in the village schools up to the age of twelve years. Then he became an employe in a large woolen factory at Wallen, N. Y., his first work being the feeding of a picking ma- chine, and be continued in that position until he was promoted to be the feeder of a spinning machine. Subsequently he worked for about two years in the city of New York and during most of that time operated a scouring machine.
The coming of this good citizen to the State of Michigan was in 1852, and he located with his pa- rent in the township of Independence, Oakland County. There he worked by the month for sex- erat years, after which he rented land for live years. Somewhat later he came to Genere County. and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of property on section 1, Argentine Township. I'mon the land the improvements consisted of a little clearing where stood a log house with neither windows nor doors, while the remainder of the land was covered with heavy timber. Mr. Stiff has brought it to a high state of cultivation and ha- made several additions from time to time until he now has two hundred acres upon section 1.
Mr. Stiff has been twice married. His first wife, Condelia South, to whom he was united in 1855, died, in 1856, leaving eight children-Gilbert, Andrew. Mary, Thomas, John, Jeanette, Henry and Ada. To all of these Mr. Stiff has given good opportunities of education and Thomas is now a teacher. The second marriage of our subject, which took place in 1887, united him with Sally White- head, a native of this township, whose three chil- dren are, Clyde, Blanch and Lola May.
The doctrines of the Republican party have ever commended themselves to the understanding of this intelligent gentleman, and, while he is not a politician, he has been placed in a number of local offices of trust and responsibility. He has been a member of the Masonic order for nearly twenty- five years and he and his good wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is Steward. He started in life empty banded and has attained the possession of a handsome farm where he carries on mixed farming and raises all kinds of stock. A view of this homestead is pre- rented elsewhere in this Kurven ..
+
RS. ETNICE BUCKINGHAM HAYNES, widow of the late Dr. Haynes. is one of the prominent ladies of the city of Flint, and a woman whose intelligence is evi- dent in every good work that is undertaken in this place. She is a daughter of Lewis Bucking- ham, who was born in New Jersey and was reared at Mt. Morris, Livingston County, N. Y., becoming a farmer. He became quite a well-known poli- tician and was Sheriff at one time of Livingston County. Almut 1831 he came to tieneste County, and purchased some Government land.
Mr. Buckingham located in the woods that were overawing in their grandenr and darkness. They were not unaccustomed to the howl of the wolf at night and gruesome call of the screech owl Batter be located in Flint and became landlord of the Red Tavern, on the banks of the Flint River, where the Wolverine Citizen is
.
.
702
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
now located. He was the first Sherif of Cionesce County, holding the office for three terms. He located on a farm of eighty neres in Fhint Town- ship. This be improved and lived upon until he retired from active business, making his home in Flint, where he died at the age of eighty-three year -. He was an ardent Republican and with his wife, whose maiden name was Anna Berry, was a devoted member of the Methodist Church.
Mr. Hayne's mother was a native of Salem, Mass,, and a daughter of William Berry, who was a shoemaker by trade, and who in early days re- moved to New York, and from there to Flint, dy- ing here. Mrs. Haynes' mother died in 1881, at at the age of eighty years. She reared eight chil- dren, of whom the two youngest were born in Flint. The lady of whom we write was educated in the I'nion Schools of this city, and in 1861 she entered Oberlin College, Ohio, and there remained two years. At the age of eighteen she began teaching, and continued her work in both district and city schools for a period of nine years.
August 25. 1861. our subject was married to Dr. C. H. Haynes, a native of Ohio and a son of Elisha Haynes, a farmer of the Buckeye State. He was a graduate of Oberlin College, where he pur- sued the classical course and took the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. In 1861, after their marriage, the young couple went to To- peka, Kan,, which at that time had one thousand inhabitants. He there became Superintendent of the public schools. In 1871 he resigned his posi- tion and came to Flint, in order to follow out the long-desired project of his life.
Dr. Haynes entered and graduated from the Chicago Medical College, taking his degree as Doctor of Medicine in 1877. He began practice immediately after coming to Flint, and continued here until his decease, October 3, 1881. He was a prominent member of the Homeopathic State Medical Society and in political matters was a pro- nonneed Republican. Mrs. Haynes still resides in this city; she is the mother of three children, where names are Anna, Harry and Helen. The ehlest daughter is a teacher in the city High School; Harry is in the Bay City Telephone of- lice, und Helen will graduate from the Flint High
School in the Class of 'Di. Mrs. Haynes belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps, being united with Crapo Lodge, No. 23, and is Senior Vice Presi- dent. She is a strong believer in woman suffrage and looks forward to the day when she whom God made to be man's helpmate and companion in every sense of the word shall not be denied the privileges that he enjoys.
R EMOS DISBROW. In mentioning the prom- inont farmers of Tuscola County, the at- tention is directed to Mr. Disbrow, who owns and occupies a fine estate on section 10, Vassar Township. He is a large landholder, owning about five hundred acres, a considerable portion of which has been cleared and brought to a high state of cultivation. A resident of this county for more than twenty years, he has become closely connected with its growth, and especially with the development of Vasar Township. of Inte years he has dealt quite extensively in lumber, and in 1871 erected a saw mill which was burned in 1881, causing a loss of over $1,10. He rebuilt the mill in company with A. F. Cline in 1883, and it was again burnt in 1890.
Before giving the important events in the life of Mr. Disbrow the reader will doubtless be inter- ested in learning of his ancestry. He is descended from Thomas Disbrow, one of two brothers who emigrated to this country from England, and located in Fairfield County, Conn. The other brother, John, settled in Rye. N. Y. From Thomas was descended Jabez, who married Abigail Mecker, and Nathan, who chose for his wife Watie Seritmer. After Jabez came his son, Asabel, who was born March 23, 1716, and died in 1813 at Windham, N. Y. November 20, 1775, he married Abigail Di- brow, his cousin, the daughter of Nathan Dishrow, and after they resided in Connecticut twenty-four years, they removed to Windham, Greene County, N. Y., where they died.
In the Revolutionary War Asabel Disbrow served as a Minute Man. ready at a moment's noti. . : go in defence of the coast when a ship.
1
703
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of-war hove in sight. He was a slaveholder in the Empire State, but his slaves all secured their freedom in some way except one desirable female body servant of his wife's, who was urged to give the slave her freedom but refused because she wanted a slave to wait upon her as long as she lived. However she survived the slave. There were ten children in the family of Asaholand Abi- gail Disbrow, namely: Mecker, who was born in 1777; Thomas Scribner, in 1778; Watie, in 1779; Abigail, in 1780; Asahel in 1782; George, mn 1781; Ezra, in 1785; AAnna and Deborah (twins). in 1787; and Polly, m 1789.
Mecker married, became the father of eleven children, removed to Erie County, Ohio, and died aged seventy-two. Thomas, who also married. had a family of eleven children, and died in Prattsville. N. Y., in 1850. Watic, who became the wife of Mr. Beers, was left a widow with eight children and died at the residence of her son Asahel in Indiana, aged seventy-tive. Abigail married Mr. Albot, settled in Ohio near Sciola mad died leaving eight children. Isabel, who married and became the father of twelve children. died in Allen. Ill., in 1851. George died in Fair- field, Conn., in 1796, and Ezra passed away in Prattsville, N. Y., August 25, 1855. Deborah married and settled in Durham, N. Y .; Anna. with her husband. located in Prattsville, N. Y .; and Polly, who became Mrs. Benjamin West, emigrated to Canada, where she died when comparatively young.
The father of our subject was Asahel Dishow, who was born in Connecticut, June 17, 1782, and there passed his youth. In Connecticut he married Miss Esther Bates, likewise a native of that Sale, and born April 1, 1787. To them were born twelve children, as follows: lamela, born Dovem. ber 11, 1806; Ehas, January, 9. 1808; Sarah, Sep- tember 27. 1809; Ezra, May 12, 1811; William. February 1. 1813; Esther, April15, 1811; Nathan. February 21, 1816; Julia, December 25, 1817; Orrin, December 2, 1819; Remos. August 1, 1822; Sidney. February 20. 1825; and Lucas, November 16, 1827.
From this record it will be seen that our -nhjert was among the younger children. He was born in Prattsville. Greene County. S. Y. whither luis
parents had removed from Connectiont. He re- mained in that county with his parents until 18:18, when he accompanied them to Mellenry County, Ill., and there remained until 1870. Meantime his . parents died in 1851. They were both Methodist- in their religious persuasion and were highly esteemed among their neighbors in Mellenry County. Their son Remus stayed at home until he was of age, when he purchased a farm in Me- Henry County and commenced to improve the one hundred and sixty acres of which it consisted.
Prior to his removal to Michigan Mr. Fishrow was married in 1819 to Miss Esther, a daughter of Stephen G. and Sarah (Atwater) Virgil. Mr. Virgil was both September 6, 1781, in Otsego County. N. Y., while his wife was a native of Massachusetts, He died in 1830, and Mrs. Virgil survived him six years, passing away November 30, 1836. Vinto our subject and his wife were . born seven children-Phila A. Byron M., Harriet A., Armista. Mary A. George B. and Jane Eliza- beth. Only two of these are now living, Harriet and Jane Elizabeth. After a residence of many years in Mellemy County. Il. our subject sold his place in Jsou, and came to Tusola County, where he has since resided. His first location was upon section 11. Vassar Township, but he now makes his home on section 10.
Politically. Mr. Disbrow is a Republican and invariably cast his fallet for the candidates of that party. He has been Justice of the Peace and filled other positions of a load nature. I'mon his estate may be noticed live stock. to which he devotes considerable attention and he makes a spec- ialty of Jersey cattle. He raises the various cere- als, and has his tarm divided into fields and past- ures as suits his convenience. A good ches of out buildings has been created, and a neat residence, whose interior indicates the relived tastes of the inmates. Mr. Disbrow is a pleasant conversation- alist, and having added to his fund of knowledge gained in the common schools of New York and at Rock River Summary in Mt. Morris, Ill, by systematic reading and careful study of the public issues of the day, he is a well-informed man and an influential citizen. While at Rock River Semi- mary be addressed the young men's lyceum in his
1
-
701
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
maiden speech, which reflected credit upon the institution and himself. Since then he has delis- ered quite a number of addresses and lectures. is an able debater, and has done considerable plead- mg in the lower courts of Illinois and Michigan as well as in the higher courts. In public meeting, he is often called upon for a speech and responds with evident pleasure. He attended the first Northwestern Anti-slavery Convention held in Chicago, and always labored zealously in the anti- slavery cause.
Le YMAN J. HITCHCOCK. This prominent old settler who is now filling the office of Superintendent of the Poor of tienere County, has been on the Board for five terms of three years each. He makes his home at Flint and is one of the directors of the First National Bank. He owns a fine property in Genere Township. comprising three hundred and forty acres in all.
Mr. Hitchcock was born at Henrietta, Genere County, N. Y., then known as Monroe County, August 23, 1832. His father was Lyman and his grandfather Bethuel Hitchcock and the latter was a soldier in the War of 1812. Four of his sons joined him in the army, leaving at home to carry on the farm only two small lads of eight and ten years. The father never returned but the sons came back.
The father of our subject farmed on the old place in Henrietta and in 1833 removed to Chan- lauqua County. N. Y .. where he engaged in tarm- ing. In 1850 be sold his property and went lack 10 Alabama, Genesce County, where he carried on farming until his death, which occurred in Novem- ber 1890. In his politics be was first a Whig and later a Republican.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarah Cabot and she was born in Fairfieldl, N. Y. Her father was from Connecticut and al an early day removed to Herkimer and then to Mon- roe County, N. Y. This family traces its descent from one of the famous brothers old and Solar- tian Cabot, the explorers. The mother of Lyman
.
Hitchcock died in New York, in 18x1, at the age of eighty wars. She lead ten children, eight of " hom gres to maturity and four of them are now living.
Lyne . Hit boock was posted upon his native farm in Chautauqua County until he reached the age of Figliteen years and attended the district schools with regularity until he was fourteen years old, after which he had their benefit only in the winters. At the age of eighteen he returned to Geneve County and helped his father during two winter- in clearing fifty acres of new land, and in the smutter's he worked out for neighboring farm- ers, receiving from $11 to $16a month. the highest wages then paid.
After reaching his majority this young man ilt- dertook various jobs, one of which netted him Si00 in the course of the year. He put one-half of this sam in the bank and the other half into his pocket and in 1851 started on a western trip. He visited Dubuque, lowa, which was as far as the railroad went in those days, and then started out on foot, and walked about a thousand miles through Minnesota and Wisconsin. At LaCrosse he found his pocket-book empty and began work as a stage driver and afterward as a dealer in horses but returned home in December of the same year. The young man now rented some land and began dealing in stock and lands, and shipped cattle and how- by shiploads to the New York market, and in seven years he had accumulated 3.300. with which he bought a house and lot in Smithville. N. Y.
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.