Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan, Part 25

Author: Chapman bros., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 948

USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 25
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 25
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 25

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One hundred and forty acres constitute the es- late of Mr. Lauderbangh, one hundred aeres of it

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being in the home farm, and all this line pop- erty is the result of earnest and persevering labor. as he had no wealth when he came here. His po- litical views incline him to work with the Demo- cratic party, but he co-operates cordially with all who are working for the best good of the commu- nity. Both he and his wife are identified with the German Lutheran Church. His son, John R., resides at home with his parents, and like his fa- ther is a Democrat in politics. He ow 's lifty acres of land.

M ILTON B. STAGE. This intelligent and prominent gentleman, whose residence is at Clio, Genere County, is now the County Surveyor. He was born May 1, 1×21, in Stafford. Genesee County, N. Y., and his father, James Stage, was born August 3, 1791, in Sussex County, N. J. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and owned a beautiful estate of one hundred neres in Genesee County, N. Y .. where his life closed June 3, 1860. He served for two years in the War of 1812, entering the army as a private and being promoted to a Lieutenancy. He took part in the engagement of Ft. Erie and Lundy's Lane and when Gen. Scott was wounded he was one of the twelve who helped to carry him off the field and take him to Batavia. He was a large and powerful man, six feet in height and weighed two hundred and ten pounds. He drew bounty land and a pension from the Government, on account of disability incurred in the service. His political connection was with the Democratic party.

The mother of our subject was Mary, daugh- ter of doel Butler, a Revolutionary patriot, who commanded a privateer during that war, which vesel was captured by the British, and he and his erew were taken to England and suffered untold agonies in prison. He was so disabled by the treatment he received that he lived only a few years after his release. His daughter, Mrs. Stage, died December 10, 1856.

In the days when PeterStage, the grandfather of

onr subject, began pioneering in Genesce County, N. Y., m 1880, he took up enough land to give each of his children one hundred acres. Indians and wild beasts then abounded and the Indian language was commonly spoken. The family had some narrow escapes from wolves and bears, who were so bold as to steal hoge out of the pen near the house.

Our subject is the oldest child in a family of three and spent his early days upon his father's farm. He took a three years' course of study in the seminary at Lima, N. Y., making a specialty of civil engineering and surveying, under that emi- nent mathematician, George C. Whitlock. After graduating he was for two years assistant engineer on what is now called the Pennsylvania North- ern Contrat Railroad. In this work be acquired . a good reputation for skill and received quite a recommendation from the chief engineer of the road.

In 1851, when Milton Stage was thirty years old, he came to Michigan and settled upon a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of land, which his father located in 1836 and which the son had vis- ited in 1812. This is now one of the best farms in Vienna Township. The marriage of this young man had taken place October 30, 1815. his bride being Rosabelle Dorothy, daughter of John Cooper, an English physician and surgeon. Mrs. Stage was born in Devonshire. England, and came to the I'nited States when she was twelve years old. Her first child died in infancy unnamed. Mary E., who was born December 28, 1819, is now Mrs. Charles B. Mann: Sarah 1 ... born March 6, 1852. has married William A. Humphrey; Rosabella M., born July 6, 1857, is now Mrs. Lucius W. Stewart; Frank F., born March 12. 1859, died in his twentieth year; James, born January 15, 1867, died in early child- bood. The parents of this family are devoted members of the Congregational Church at Clio.

Our subject is a member of the Masonic frater- nity and also of the Independent Order of Odd Follow- and in political matters is a Democrat. Since 1861 he has been County Surveyor several times and his repeated re-elections speak well for las personal popularity in a strongly Republican county. He has collected a vast amount of Indian

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relies and curios from all over the world, consti- tuting a museum of no small merit. He has done a vast amount of surveying in this section of the State, having done considerable work for Beers & Co., when they made a map of Genesee County in 1873, and also for the last county atlas that was brought out in 1889, besides making surveys for Heil & Jones, who made a wall map of tien ce County in 1859.

OSHUA VOSE, a farmer of Burton Town- ship, who for many years was an active pioneer of the county but has now retired from the burdens of life, was born in Bed- ford Township, Hillsboro County, N. Il. This native home was on the Merrimane River. opposite the city of Manchester, which was then a mere hamlet situated at the Amoskeag Falls, but now is a place of fifty thousand inhabitants. His birth took place March 2, 1815. His father, Joshua Vose, was a native of the same town, and his grandfather, James, was a Massachusetts man who onme at an early day to New Hampshire.

The Vose family descended from Robert, one of two brothers who came in 1638, from Lancashire, England, and in 1610 settled in Milton. Mass. The origin of the family was in Germany and the name has been changed from Vosieus to Vose. The genealogie line is from Robert Vose through Thomas, Heury, Robert, Samuel, James and Joshna to our subject. The grandfather was Lieutenant in the State Mihtia for many years and died at the age of sixty-live.

Joshua Vose had a farm of nearly four hundred acres on the Merrimae River, and was a straight- forward, honorable man, highly respected in the community, prominent in political movements being first a Whig and then a Republican, and stanch in his religious faith as a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1862 at the age of eighty-one years. His wife, whose maiden name was Naney Shirley, was born in Goffstown, N. 11., and her father, James Shirley, was a man of prominence there, and lived to ninety-six years of

age. The mother of our subject died at the age of thirty-four years. She had four children-Daniel, James, Nancy and Joshua, of whom our subject is the only one surviving.

The banks of the Merrimac River were the scenes of the early life of our subject and after taking a good common school education he attended Fran- cestown Academy but was never very studious, as he would rather work than study. In 1835 he left home and went to the South setting mail from Bos- ton and landing in New Orleans. He then passed up the Mississippi River to the Yazoo, where his brother had started a store. He clerked for one season and was then taken sick and returned North, as far as Pittsburg, Pa. Somewhat later he returned to Louisville, where he bought a keel boat to use on the Yazoo and Big Black Rivers. This vessel was sunk in the river and the young man thus lost over $1,000. He then invested in a llat boat in which he went to Vicksburg and was having success in business but the ague again attacked him and drove him back to New England. In the fall he once more sought the Yazoo and during the winter carried on business there, but in the spring returned to New Hampshire.

After this Mr. Vose began lumbering and farm- ing and in twelve years made $7,500. In 1853 he came to Michigan and bought pine lunds in Lapeer County, and building a mill at Bay City engaged in manufacturing with Moore & Smith. A year later he sold his interest there and came to Flint, keep- ing his timber, however, until 1865. Since com- ing here he has purchased a pleasant farm which he has improved and thoroughly cultivated until it is now one of the finest in the county, having upon it a beautiful home, excellent barns and all the appurtenances of a first-class farm. It is known far and wide as the Vose Stork Farm. Since 1870 Mr. Vose bas retired from his farm and made his home in the city.

In 1811, April 19, Joshua Vose and Maria Alex- ander were united in marriage in New Hampshire. This lady was born in Dunbarton that State, and to her was born one daughter. Mary, who died at the age of nineteen years in 1861. In 1812 Mr. Vose became a member of an Independent Military Company which was known as the Bedford High-

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landers and for three years be served as First Lieutenant and for two years ns Captain. In 1831 he joined the Presbyterian Church in company with ninety others who at that time made their profession of faith in Christ and from that time to this he has been active in church work. Until he felt that he must resign he was for years an Elder. and useful in that capacity. He had long been a member of the Republican party and in the day's before it> organization a Whig, and voted for William Henry Harrison in 1810.

G FORGE M. DEWEY. who is the largest land owner in Genesee County, and one of its early settlers, began life here as a merchant. trading with the Chippewa Indians, with whom he became so great a favorite that they adopted him into their trilw and named him Awanaga-hick. Hlv talked with them famiharly in their language, and they had such confidence in him as to accept his commercial paper in lieu of money. Later be sold his merchandise business to his brothers, Charles F. and D. D. Dewey, and began handling lands, which he has since made the business of his life.

The home of our subject is on the Dewey Farm in Mt. Morris Township, and embraces over a see- tion of finely improved land. He was the projector of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, and gave to its promotion such close attention that he broke down in health and had to resign his position as President of the road, since which time he has de- voted himself entirely to his own individual affairs which occupy ali bis tinwe. His genial face and venerable form are known throughout the county; and his portrait presented on the opposite page, perpetuate- the features of one who enjoys the re- spect of all.

andaigua, and in 1818 came to Flint; he bought a farm in Mt. Morris Township, and made it his home until his death at the age of ninety-four. He was a pillar in the Presbyterian Church, and served that body as an Elder. This wife, Harriet Mecker by name, was born in Hubbardton, Vt., and died in the Green Mountain State at the age of fifty years. The father married for his second wife Miss Gil- bert, who died in Mt. Morris Township.

Our subject was the oldest child in the family, and had his training in Canandaigua, but later re- moved to Huldardton, where he attended the Roy- alton Academy. At the age of sixteen be entered his father's employ, and remained thus employed until 1836, when he determined to go to Missouri. Stop- jung in Detroit. he was persuaded by friends to re- main in Michigan, and coming to Cornna by stage he traveled on foot to Flint, which then had a saw- mill, two groceries and a few log houses. In the fall of 1838, he inaugurated in Flint one of its first mercantile establishments, and carly built up an extensive lasiness with the Indians, having ac- counts on his books with them, and receiving and showing confidence. Three years after commencing in business here. he began dealing in lands, buying all that he could at fifty cents an acre, and paying rash for it. and afterward bought from the Govern- ment at SI an avre. At one time he had sixty or seventy thousand acres.

From 1818 to 1852 Mr. Dewey was recriver of Public Money- at the General Land Office in Flint and had to give bonds to the amount of $150,000. Much of his property was improved by him and he has cleared thousands of arres, In 1815 he began raising line stock bringing the first sheep into the county, and later introduced Merino and French Merino sheep from Vermont. Upon January 1. 1857, he organized the stock company for the Flint " Pere Marquette Railroad, and by his push and persistence he was able to place this enterprise upon its feet, so that he could obtain the franchise. He made out the survey and paid for it himself. He bought the right of way to Saginaw and then let the contracts for the building of the road of which he remained President until 1861. The city uf Flint and its vicinity may thank his enterprise

Mr. Dewey was born in Canandaigua, N. Y .. Canary 1. 1817. His father, Ebenezer B. Dewey. who was born in Royalton, Vt .. was a man of large business ability, owning and controling about these hundred miles of stage route between Albany and Montreal, Canada. In 1895 be removed to Can- for their being favored with this road, as it would

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have had another terminus bad it not been for his shrew dues and farsighted enterprise.

In 1856 Mr. Dewey built the Awanaga Block. and ato laid out the Dewey Addition to Flint. He was married here in Lots to Miss Ellen Cum- mings, daughter of Judge Simcon Cummings, of Batavia, N. Y. She came to Flint in 1812 with her brothers, and has spent most of her life here. Mr. Dewey was influential in securing a charter for the city, and was a member of the First Board of All- ermen. He is now a demitted member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows in which he was the Second Noble Grand. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and was for forty-six years a Vestryman. In his old Whig days be voted for Tippecanoe, and has been a Republican since 1851. For some years he was a member of the State Con- tral Committee.

C HARLES D. WESSON is a son of Leonard Weson, who came to this city in June, 1811, and was a native of Millbury, Wor- cester County, Mass., where he was born July 11, 1818. Leonard Wesson, when a boy of twelve came, May 30, 1830, to Pontiac, this State, with an uncle, Mr. Sewell Wesson, as he was then an orphan, and in 1831 he went to work for a firm. In 1836 his firm sold a bill of goods to Avery & Co., of Saginaw, and he was sent with teams to deliver them, and at that time passed through Flint which was but a hamlet. The only white man then in Saginaw was a Frenchuman who had a squaw wife. In 1837 he took a stock of goods up in the country and at Flint found a one-story shanty, and staid there for four months and sold out all his goods.

I'pon nttaining his majority the father of our subject made a visit to Massachusetts, and soon after his return bought out the firm of Leroy d. Munson, giving his notes for $6,000. The follow- ing year be came to Fenton and bought a gene- ral stock of merchandise and several pieces of real estate. May 31. 1812, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Sherwood, a native of Detroit, and in 1813, removed to Clarkson, Oakland County.

and carried on a milling and merchandising business for Mr. Morris, whom he also served a little later in Flint. About this time he went into partner- ship with Hijab Witherber and established the second drug store worth of Detroit, besides currying a stock of groceries withit. Mr. Werson's partner died and. about the beginning of 1818, he took hold of the business alone.

Mr. Weson's marriage with Anna Dayton, sister of John Dayton, of Flint, brought to his home a helpmate worthy of his affection and confidence. She was born in Avon, Livingston County, N. Y., April 12. 1829, and is a daugh- ter of Jonathan and Polly (Smith) Dayton., both of Connecticut birth. Mr. Vesson Sr., con tinued in business for some time with Austin B. Witherbec, and after that was in the drug business alone until about 1868, when he sold out and in- vested his money in lands.

Our subject was born June 12, 1856, and was here educated, remaining in the city until he reached his majority, after which he spent six years in New Lothrop in the dry-goods, drugs, and groe- ery business, and then was with Partridge Bros. in the line of groceries, and four years ngo was employed as Secretary of the Custree-Mallory Co., which position he still holds. He is a member of the Masonic order, tienesee Lodge No. 171. Ili- marriage, September 19, 1885, brought to bis home a bride in the person of Hattie D., a daughter of James M. Johnson of Algonac, Mich. This lady was born in New York September 8. 1861, and with her parents came to this State when quite young. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wesson are devout members of the Episcopal Church.

Y ONATHAN LONSBERRY. Genesce County has within its limits many line farms and sheep-ful farmers, but perhaps none at- front more admiring attention than the well-improved place on section 9, Thetford Town- ship, and the owner thereof, who is the genial Mr. Lansberry. This gentleman is known as one of

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the valiant defenders of the stars and stripes in times of peril, and the sacrifices which he made in behalf of his country form a part of his life re- cord, of which his children have every reason to be proud. In his chosen calling of farming he has prospered, and on his eighty-acre traet of land may be found comfortable improvements which modern agriculture calls for. Since the time of purchasing it, in 1881, Mr. Lonsberry has devoted his time assiduously to its development, and the majority of the embellishments now visible upon it are the work of his hands.

The parents of Mr. Lonsherry were Jacob and Sarah (Coverly) Lonsberry, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Canada. Jacob Lonsberry followed the avocation of a farmer in Canada, where in Wentworth County his son on- athan was born March 7, 1813. The latter passed his boyhood days in a manner not unusual with farmers' boys, going to school in the winter sta- son and aiding his father at home during the sum- mer. At the age of sixteen be commeneed to learn the trade of a cooper, and was thus en- gaged for some time. When he left Canada he made his way first to New York State, where he worked at his trade in Lockport and Buffalo, and by careful ceonomy saved his carnings.

In 1868 Mr. bonsberry came to Michigan. working at his trade first in Flint and later m Saginaw until 1881, when he purchased his pres ent property in Thetford Township. Prior to coming to this State he was married. December 21. Ista, to Miss Jane Bennett, of Lockport, N. Y. Their happy wedded life has been blessed by the birth of nine living children. viz: Edward .1 .. Eugene W., Alice M., Clara A., Sarah Jane, Cora B., Emma 1 .. , Archie and Edna. Two children are deceased-Flossie M., and one who died in infancy.

But we would be doing great injustice to Mr. Lansberry were we to omit mention of his career as a soldier during the late war. He enlisted in December, 1863, in Company B, Eighth New York Heavy Artillery, and with his regiment be- came a part of the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Lansberry participated in all the engagements in which his regiment took part, among the most

important being Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, in front of Petersburg, June 16-22, inclusive, Ream's Station. on the Weldon Railroad, first and second battle of Hatchie's Run, Chapin Hill, ete. There were many other engagements of minor impor- tance but just as dangerous to the participants. After an honorable record as a soldier and when peace was declared our subject was honorably dis- charged July 11, 1865, and returned at once to his home. As a partial compensation for his ser- vices, and for injuries received, he is granted a pension. In his political attihations he is a Demo- erat, but has never sought office of any kind, pre- ferring the pleasures of domestic life to the ex- citement of public position. Socially he is quite prominent in the ranks of the Odd Fellows and the Patrons of Industry.

P ROF. THOMAS LEWIS BROWN. The gen- Uleman whose name is given above is the oldest professor now connected with the Mate School for the Deaf. He is a remark- ably well informed man one whose learning has a sparkle and effervescence that makes it most agree- alde to the one with whom he is conversing. He and his cultured wife, who is a lady possessed of all the faculties and gifted with great fluency of speech. me the center of an admiring host of friends. Prof. Brown is keenly alive to the ker- net of a good joke. His scholastic work is coll- nected with the historical department of the Mich- igan School for the Deaf and in this institution he has made himself a high reputation as a man whose methods are unparalleled in his line.

Prof. Brown was born in West Henniker, N. II., July 8. 1839. lle is a son of Thomas and Mary (Smitt) Brown, both deaf mutes like himself. Our subject was reared in New Hampshire until 185 1 and his home life was very beautiful. His only sister, now deceased, was endowed with speech and our subject attributes his affliction to the fact that when but a week or so old, a careless nurse let him fall upon the floor and to this his mother as- signed the cause of his deafness. In 1851 our

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subject entered the school for the deaf at Haut- ! Ford, Conn. While there he showed marked abil- ity and was the foremost in hos class and in 1857 graduated with high bonos.

Two years later Prof. Brown determined to fol- low Greeley's advice and came West. He oh- tained a position in the Michigan School for the Beef and has been connected with that institution ever since. his professorshipextending over a terum of thirty two years. Formerly our subject taught in all the English branches, but in 1890 was given the Chair of History exclusively, and now bend- his whole attention to that interesting subject.

In 1876. Prof. Brown was married to Miss Sarah Hoagland, who was born m Scipin, Cayuga Coun- IF. N. ). She was a graduate of Elhmira Female College of New York and for nine years was in charge of the intellectual department of the blind school, which has since been removed to Lansing. Mich. She was well liked by everyone and at her death, which occurred January 18, 1885, was great- ly mourned. tOur subjeet was again married. August 7, Fax, to Miss Grace E. Judd, who was born in Devonshire. England, and is a daughter of John Judd. a farmer of the same locality, who brought the family to Aurica in the fall of 18.6. coming hither on the vessel. "forse." which landed in Quebec. Theme he came to Flint, but the fol- lowing year was accidentally killed by the fall of

Mas. Brown's mother was in her maidenhood a Miss Inn Brooke, born in Morchard Bishop. Eng- land. After her husband's deeease. the peared a family of three child with Mr. and Mrs. Brown, being seventy -five years of age. Mr -. Brown is the second cluld in order of birth. She was educated in the union school- of Flint and later learned dressmaking and had charge of that department at the mute school for some years. The second year after the location of the State Blind School at Lauring She became a teacher there. being in charge of the girl- fancy work department for several years.

The subject of om sketch has a very pleasant home located ad No. sini Grand Traverse Sheet. He has besides other investments that ling him a comfortable income. Both he and his amiable

wife are menders of the Congregational Church and he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

It will not be out of place to bere add a few interesting facts regarding the family to which our subject belongs. His father. Thomas Brown, was born in the village of Henniker. N. 11., Feb- ruary 25. 1801. His father, Nahan Brown, was a deaf mute like himself. but never had opportun- ity for an education. Ining far advanced in life when the art of deaf-mute instruction was intro- duved into America. He married Miss Abialı Fastman. a hearing neighbor who was of much as- sistance to him, and just such a helpmate as a farmer need -.

Thomas Brown, Sr., entered the American Asy- hum for the deal and dumb at Hartford, Conn. May 22. 1822. The native town annually made an appropriation to assist him in paying his edu- cational expenses until legislative action rendered it unnecessary ly appropriating a sum to be ex- pended "in educating such deaf mutes from this State (N. U. ) as might desire an education." The town never had occasion to regret its outlay in helping Mr. Brown for he was thus enabled to be- come a thrifty, intelligent citizen and repaid the investment many times over.

Mr. Brown was a time looking man and the fol- lowing description also suits his son, our subject : He was tall. rather lender though of powerful build. He had a fine large head with gray eye-, high forehead, slightly receding, brown hair and a full board of a reddish color. He was a practi- cal, deliberate, methodical and farseeing man. low in making op is mind and correspondingly firm after arriving at a conclusion. He took great interest and an active part in politics and often wrote speeches to be read at political gatherings. Of religion he made no public profession until late in life. He lant a keen sense of humor and a peculiarly dry wit of his own. He was always ready to do his share to forward any plan which promised to promote the welfare of his class. It was under his root that the constitution of the New England Gallandet Association of Deaf Mutes was framod by a committee of deat mutes ap- pointed for the purpose. \M the second conven-

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Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan, Part 25

Author: Chapman bros., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 948

Author: Chapman bros., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 948