USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 28
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 28
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 28
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In January, 1813 both flour and money were ex- hausted and in order to tide them over the cual- geney, Mr. Calkins purchased a load of lumber giv- ing his note for the same, and then hired a man to draw it to Milford, where it was traded for two barrels of flour of a very poor quality. AAfter the next harvest he gave forty bushels of wheat to set- the this note. In 1848 he sent his eldest son to Pontiac with a load of wheat and he returned with a load of apples which were the first brought into this township. Mr. Calkins was fond of hunting, and supplied his own and his neighbors' tables with venison. He built the first frame barn in the township, and also the first schoolhouse, and to its raising came every man in Clayton Township, and many from the adjoining townships of Flushing and Flint. He also set out the first orchard in Clayton Township when our subject was only seven years old.
Caleb Calkins varied the monotony of farm life, and filled up every moment of time by working among his neighbors at show-making, coopering and carpentering. He was honored by his fellow- citizens in being called to fill the offices of School Inspector and Justier of the peace. He and his estimable wife were worthy members of the Moth- odist Episcopal Church, and of their truly religions faith, their daily life spoke more eloquently than words. They passed from earth in full hope of a resurrection, and blessed by the loving regards of their friends and acquaintances. His death occurred August 5. 1860, and that of his wife Novender 12, 1863. Six of their thirteen children are now liv- ing, namely: Edmund, Daniel, Elijah, Elisha, Mrs. A. M. Felt, of Mt. Morris, and James II . of Owoce. Of those who passed from earth, Edmund, Rosma and Matilda, died in their early years in New York, and Edwin and Caroline (wife of William Morris), died in Clayton, while Dimmis (wife of Thomas Morris), died in Flint, and John 1. was 37
a soldier in Company 11, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and died a soldier's death, in August, 1864, at Car- terville, Gal.
Our subject was educated in common schools of his township in the frame schoolhouse, which was built by his father and his younger days was spent upon the farm with his parents. He has cleared as many as four hundred neres of land, and now has five hundred acres upon which he makes his home. On another page appears a view of his resi- dence, which is a beautiful one, built six years ago; his barn covers about twice as much space as any in the county, and the two buddings together cost over $15,000, V'pon his other farm on section 11. he has three barns and two dwelling houses. He was formerly a heavy cattle feeder, and is now a a sheep ferder. He has a fine herd of Short-horns and Durhams, and keeps also five roadsters and draft teant -.
Daniel Calkins was married in 1866 to Eunice, daughter of Doty and Ernest A. (Persons) Newell. Her parents were New Yorkers by birth, but early became settlers in this county, and lived in Clay- ton Township until their death. One child has been born of this union, a daughter, Nellie. Mr. Calkins is neutral in politie. He belongs to the Masonic order, and is a member of Genesee Valley Commandery. No. 15, K. T. He is interested in the best development of the township, and has helped to build churches and schoolhouses. He has seen this beautiful and thickly populated coun- try grow up from an unbroken wilderness, and throughout his life has been prominent in every enterprise and project for the betterment of the comunmity.
ILL.LAM SCHRAM. One of the pioneers of Flushing Township, Genesce County. who has witnessed the various stages of its development and growth, and has been an active participant in all its enterprises, is he whose name appears above. He is a farmer, owning eighty arres on section 36, Flushing Township, and ninety acres on section &1, Mt. Morris Township. He was
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born in Jefferson County, N. Y., April 12, 1822, and is a son of John and Mary (Edick) Schram, natives of New York. They came to Michigan in 18:36 and settled in Burton Township. Genesee County, where the father took up one hundred and twenty acres of timber land from the Government. He built upon it a log house, 20x26 feet in dimen- sions, and commenced clearing his land. He later built a fine farm house and lived in it some forty- five years. He then moved into the city of Flint, retiring from active agricultural life, and there lived until his decease. Our subject's mother died on the farm. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There was a family of eight children, six now living-Isaac. Truman. William, JJames, David and Mary J.
At an early day our subject went to Detroit to to market, and there paid $25 per barrel for pork and $11 for flour. They did their own grinding. inventing mill wheels that were at least original. They cut off a black oak and burnt out the center of the stump, and at a distance of ton feet from that was set up a crotched stick similar to an old- fashioned well sweep, and to the place where the bucket would naturally hang they fixed a block that mashed or pulverized the corn. Our subject graduated from a log schoolhouse in Burton Town- ship, Genesee County, and spent three months at Grand Blanc. He remained at home until twenty . one years of age, and then worked out by the month and by the contract for twelve years. He then purchased a tract of land on section 16, Grand Blanc Township, all being oak openings. He built thereon a frame house and lived in it for three years. He then sold his place and brought where he now lives, in 1856.
The farm whereon our subject lives was some- what improved. He has finished the work that was begun, and has made of it a beautiful farm. He was married, December 15, 1852, to Miss Harriet Harrison, of Flint. She was born in Wayne County, N. Y., in 1828, and is the daugh- ter of Rufus and Sarah Harrison, natives of Con- nectient and Canada respectively. They came to Michigan in 1836 and settled in Flushing Town- ship. Mrs. Schram's father died in 1856; the mother still lives and unkes her home with her
daughter. She is now ninety years of age. Our subject had one son George, who died at the age of twenty-nine years. Mr. Schram is n Republi- can in politics. His wife belongs to the Presby- terian Church. They are respected by all classes of people. Mrs. Schram's father built the first house in the town of Flushing.
G FORGE RAAB. The popular Supervisor of the Fourth Ward of Flint, whose claim to public consideration is well founded upon his bravery and loyalty as a soldier, who served his country faithfully in the late war, and who was in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, is he whose name appears above. As a supplementary work he handles at the present time Stanley's remarkable book. Mr. Raab was born at Wetzlar, Germany, in the Province of Nassan. March 17, 1846. He is a son of Eberhardt and Catherine E. (Zimmerman) Raab.
Our subject's father was a tailor by trade and his father was a farmer by calling; he was also a soldier in the Napoleonic wars. Late in life he -
came to America and spent his last days in Flint; he was seventy-nine years of age at the time of his decease. Eberhardt Raab brought his family to America in the spring of 1855, making the voyage on the sailing vessel "Republic," in which they were confined for forty-two days, being overtaken by a adm that lasted three weeks. The family located in Wyoming County, N. Y., in the town of Strykersville, where the father was employed as a tanner. In 1858 they removed to Flint, Genesee County. Mich., and here Mr. Raab was employed at his own trade, that of a merchant tailor, and bved mmtil 1890, when he removed to Caro, which is now his place of residence. Hle is sixty-eight years old.
Catherine Raab ched in 1876 leaving two children, of whom our subject is the elder; the younger, .Jacob, is in the furniture business in Flint. Our subject's family was one of the pioneers in the Fourth Ward, which was then all woods. George attended private school at first then the ward
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school and Inter the union schools. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to learn the enbinetmakers' trade under William Miller, with whom he remained until the fall of 1×63, when he enlisted in Company F, Fourth Michigan Cavalry. He was mustered in at Detroit and joined his regiment at Nashville. In the spring of 1861 the regiment joined Sherman's army at Chattanooga. He was in many skirmishes and the cavalry he was with participated in many battles. He was taken sick after the engagement of Kene- saw Mountain, in July, 1861, and was sent to the hospital at Chattanooga, thener to Columbia, and on being sent back to his regiment, was with a mounted squad that did scout duty throughout that fall. In the spring of 1865, under Col. P. Pritchard, they were at the engagement at Selma. Ala., Double Bridge and Macon, Ga., and parti- cipated in the capture of Jefferson Davis, May 10, of the same year. Our subject was one of the one hundred and twenty-eight picked men selected for that important duty. He brought back with him from the war a hand mirror, taken from the ward- robe of Jefferson Davis, and he wore the Con- federate ex-President's felt hat until the close of the war. Mr. Raab was mustered out of service at Nashville, AAugust 15, 1865. From injuries re- ceived in the army he now draws a pension of $21 per month.
Returning to Flint after the war. our subject again resumed his trade and in 1867 removed to Lawrence, Van Buren County, where he started a furniture store and conducted it for four years. While there, May 9, 1869, he was married to Miss Hattie . Tomlinson, who was born in Branch County. She is a daughter of Alex. E. Tomlinson, an English gentleman, who was one of the early pioneers of that portion of the State.
In 1871 Mr. Raab sold out his effects and inter- esta in Lawrence and returned to Flint. He re suned his trade and helped finish the State School for the Deaf. In 1872 he went to Holly and for four years was engaged in the furniture trade there, but was again attracted back to Flint and this time opened a grocery store at the foot of Helton Street, in partnership with John Zimmerman. They were burned out two years later and then our sub-
jeet, in partnership with his brother Jacob, started n cabinet-making shop, running it until 1881, then opened a grocery at the corner of Asylum and Glenwood Avenues, and with Richard Hughes ns partner. They continued in this business for two years, when our subject sold out and hassince been engaged in handling sewing machines. For the past five years he has been on the road constantly. The open air exercise was beneficial to his health, which has never been robust since his army service. Hle now handles Stanley's book in this county.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of six children-M. Bertha, a teacher in the county; Myrthis A., a teacher in the city schools; Alice C .; Irving; Ethel E. and Arthur. He has been Super- visor of the Fourth Ward since 1883. Socially he belongs to the Odd Fellows and also to the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a Mason and in his political liking is a true Republican.
Fo REDERICK W. DECKER. This prominent business man of Clio, carries a fine line of general merchandise, consisting of boots and shoes, gentleman's furnishing goods, clothing and groceries. He was born in Antwerp, Jefferson County, N. Y., May 26, 1859, and is the son of the Rev. William P. Decker, a native of Fayetteville, Onondaga County, N. Y., who is still living in East Gaines, N. Y., and is a graduate of Madison University. He commenced the work of the min- istry at the age of twenty-two and has been preach- ing ever since, carrying on the work in connection with the Baptist Church. His wife, Julia S. John- son, is a native of Vermont, and was born about 18:30. The brothers of our subject are C. II. Decker, proprietor of the C. H. Decker Electrical works of Detroit; Henry J .. a clerk in the Depart- ment of Vital Statistics at the National Capital; and George S. foreman for his brother in the che- trical works at Detroit.
Our subject studied in the graded schools of Cas- tile, N. Y., and at the age of sixteen began elerking in a general store there. 'Two years later he went to
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Silver Creek, N. Y., and was in a drug and grocery Store two you- as a clerk, after which he was for nine years in the eniploy of F.d. Dougall of Wind- sor, Ont. In 1888 he came to Clo and opened up the business in which he is now engaged, which is coll- standby increasing in reputation and extent. Hle was married October 3. 1888, to Helen 1. daughter of A. P. and Catherine Hender of Leroy. . V. 1.
Mr. Hendee was a farmer and be and his good wife met a sad death by being run over by a train on the Lackawana Railroad. June 13. 1886. The Leroy Times spoke of the estimable couple in the highest terms. They were cultured Christian pro- ple and were known and esteemed in their charac- ter and social standing throughout Geneve County, where Mr. Hender had lived on the same farm" from his birth. July 15. 1829. His father, John Hendee, was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Mrs. Decker is a consistent member of the Pre- byterian Church of Leroy. N. Y. She is the mother of two children-Howard W. born September 15. 1889; and Merwin H. November 12. 1891. The political views of our subject lead him to affiliate with the Republican party and he is a member of the Village Board, a position he has held for two terms. The Knights of the Maccabe- count him as one of their most prominent members. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Follow- and an influential citizen of Clio.
HLAS HUBBARD. Our subject is one of the Professors who has longest been con- neeted with the deaf-mute school of Flint. Although he is entirely deprived of his hearing. he has not lost the ability to articulate distinctly and understandably. He is a diligent reader, and is well informed on all subjects. Mr. Hubbard was born March 8, 1815, at Cropsyville, near Troy, N. Y. He is the son of Franci- E. and Jericha (Howe) Hubbard. The former was a native of South Had- ley. Mass., and a lineal descendant of John Hub- bard, of England, who was one of the earliest I'mi- tan settlers in Massachusetts. The family finally drifted to Hadley.
man and became a leather manufacturer in Crop- seyville, later removing to Oswego, N. Y., where he died in 1876, at the age of sixty-one years. His wife was born at Grafton. N. Y .. and was a dangh- ter of Daniel Howe, a native of Massachusetts but a manufacturer in Grafton. Mrs. Jerusha Hubbard died in Oswego, N. Y., in 1883. at the age of sixty- right years. She was a devout Christian woman, and the mother of tive children: Charles, a well- known wholesale drug merchant of Syracuse. N. Y .; Josiah, who died in 1868; Willis, our subject; Monzo, also a drugget of New York; and Maria, who resides with her brother Charles.
Willis Hubbard attended the common schools near his home until ten years of age, when a long and nearly fatal attack of brain fever deprived him of his hearing, he retaining, however, the power of speech. In the fall of 1856 he entered the New York Institute for the deaf and dumb in New York City'. under the able management of the Poets, father and son. This school stood at the head of all institutions of the kind in the country. and probably in the world. A high class had been formed which enabled those students who were qualified, to pursue advanced studies. Mr. 1lub- hard graduated with honors, and was valedictorian of the ('las of '63.
In the fall of the same year, on the recommenda- tion of Dr. Peet to Prof. Fay, he was appointed a teacher in this institution, and he has filled the po- sition acceptably and successfully ever since, with the exception of the years, 1867-68, when he was engaged in similar work in New York. Soon after losing his hearing, our subject's grandfather, seck- ing to console the boy's mother, who naturally felt very sad over her child's affliction, said to her, "probably your son will yet live to doa great deal of good in this world for his fellow-men." And this is indeed true, for many years he has been bringing light into the lives of those whose senses have been deficient.
Prof. Hubbard was married in Flint, in 1865, to Mis Emma S. Wesson. a daughter of the late Leon- and Wesson, of this city. She was born in Clark- ston, this State. They have two children: Edward. who is a business man in Denver. Col .; and Fred,
Our subject's father came West when a young ( who is at home with his parents. In their religious
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belief our subject and his wife worship with the Congregational denomination. Socially he is a member of the Ancient Order of U'nited Workmen. He and Prof. Thomas L. Brown were the first deaf mutes, with one exception, who have been admit- ted to the order. He has a comfortable and well arranged home. located at No, Jos Court Street. His chief pleasure there, outside of the inmates, is his library, which is indeed tine.
W ILLIAM MCGREGOR, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is a retired lun .- berman, residing in a beautiful home on the corner of Grand Travers and Second Street. in Flint. Mr. MeGregor was born in Leroy, N. Y .. January 1, 1836, and is a son of John and Anna (Willis) MeGregor, the father being a farmer. Our subject's parents having both died he canie to this county when fourteen years of age with Mevander MeHarlan with whom he remained until tatis, being employed by him in various capacities. He then launched out for himself forming a partnership with William Hamilton when in the lumber business. the firm name being Hamilton & MetGregor. This connection lasted for ten years, the firm owning pine lands and a regular lumber plant.
The firm of which our subject was the junior member had their mill located on Mill Street and did an extensive business, employing as many as one hundred men. The lumber in Flint being ex- lausted, they went to Bay City and were engaged in manufacturing lumber and salt from 1880 to 1881, at which date the mill was destroyed by fire. The firm then abandoned the manufacture of hui- ber and began dealing heavily in lands, on ning land- in Wisconsin, Washington and Missouri. as well as in this State most of which is timbered prop- erty. This venture has netted them large return- and they are now stock-holder- in the First National Bank.
Our subject is connected with the Missouri Land & Cattle Company, being one of the heaviest -lock- 1 holders. A. W. Wright. of Saginaw, is President of this company and our subject General Manager; }
they have one hundred thousand acres of timber and grazing land, the business of which is managed so as to be exceeding profitable. Mr. Mettregor has never been an office-seeker, but the esteem in which he is held is shown in the fact that he has been nominated several times for the position of Mayor when away from home, but has always it- fused to enter the race.
Mr. Mettregor and Miss Maria Brousseau were married February 9, 1858. She is a daughter of Juhus Brousseau, of Flint. They are the happy parents of one child, a daughter Maude, who is liv- ing at home and has been given every possible ad- vantage for a good education.
. Our subject has one of the very finest farms in Genesee County, taking the improvements into consideration. It is located six miles northwest of Flint in Mt. Morris Township and contains two hundred and forty acres. The land he devotes especially to the raising of cattle and horses, of which he has some fine specimens. He superintends the work of the farm himself and derives much pleasure from so doing. Mr. Metiregor improved bis beautiful residence himself in 1879 and it is one of the most pleasant homes in Flint. In addition to his other valuable property. he owns a store in the down town district.
G EORGE D. NEWELL i> a farmer residing in Flushing, Genesee County. His line and arable tract of land derives addi- tional value from the fact that it immediately ad- joins the corporate limits of the village. His tract comprises fifty acres that are located on all elevated piece of land. He here has a beautiful home and every thing to make rural life delightful. Mr. Newell was born in Wyoming County N. Y., May 1. 1829. He is a son of John and Chloe ( Haskin-) Newell. natives of Greene County. N. Y .. and Vermont respectively. Mr. Nowell. Sr. was a large farmer and also proprietor of an hotel in Wyoming County. where he and his wife ended their day -. He is interred on his home place.
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Our subject's father was one of the first set- ters in Wyoming County. N. Y. He was the hend of a family which comprised four children, only two of whom are now living: Eunice, Mrs. Paine, and George D. Our subject's paternal grand- stre was dosiah Newell, a native of the Nutmeg State and of Scotch-Frish ancestry.
The original of this sketch was educated in Genesee County, N. Y. He was reared a mechanic and commeneed the trade of a blacksmith for him- self when seventeen years of age. He served an apprenticeship of three years in Greene County, N. Y., and was employed in his trade in his native State until 1875, when he sold out his property there and came to Flushing, working for a time at hi- trade as a journeyman. Later he purchased a blacksmith shop of which he was proprietor nutil 1885, when he sold out his interest and purchased the property upon which he resides at the present time. Mr. Nowell has already sold four lots from his place which are being rapidly improved by a good class of dwellings. He has held varions offices in the village, having been Trustee, etc. He was married on November 8, 1851. to Miss Louisa Phelps. of Genesce County. N. Y .. a daughter of Cyrus and Sarah (Bailey) Phelps, na- tives of Connecticut. Mrs. Newell is one of nine children, six of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Newell are the parents of five children. They are Eva, Alida, Mmor. Cyrus and Clara. Our subject is a Republican in politics and always taken a prominent position in the local and mun- icipal interests of the place.
RTHUR C. ANDRU'S is a Justier of the Peace and Notary Public, of Flushing, Genesee County. He was born in Spring- field, Mass. November 5, 1815, and is a son of Arthur and Mary ( Ingraham) Andrus, na- tives of the Nutmeg State. The former was a builder and contractor. He learned the gun- smith's trade and worked at it in Springfield for seven years, making guns for the Government. He then moved to New York and settled in Gel
esce County, thence went to Niagara County where he served as Justice for about twenty-five years. In 18:17 he came to Michigan and settled in Oakland County where he owned a large tract of land. Ile removed from this, in 1817. 10 Saginaw County where he retired from active life and died in 1818 at the age of sixty-nine years. He was a deeply pious man and was frequently called upon in the alrenee of the minister to officiate in his place. In polities he was a Whig. His wife died in 1819 in Saginaw County.
Of a family of six children who were born to our subject's father and mother, three are now living. They are Arthur C., Elizur who is a min- ister of the Presbyterian Church and located at Augusta, this State, and Burton, who is a mechanic by trade, and by profession an attorney at law. He is now at Bridgeport. Saginaw County. Our subject's grandfather was Elizur Andrus, a me- chanie by trade. He was a Revolutionary soldier and a descendant of a Welsh family who came to Amerien some time in the sixteenth century .
The original of this sketch is one of six child- ren born to his parents. He was educated in Nin- gara County, N. Y. and was engaged in teaching in the same county. He learned the carpenter and joiner's trade of his father and when his parents came to Michigan accompanied them and was en- gayed for ten or twelve years in farming. In 1850 he came to Flushing and purchased a farm of vighty arres. He has been extensively interested in buying and selling real estate and farming therein. He purchased considerable property in the city and now resides on Main Street, near the station of the Cincinnati & Saginaw Railroad. Mr. Andrus has been in office for twenty years or more and has held various township offers. During that time he has tied the knot uniting many happy couples. He himself was married April 7, 1839, to Miss Eliza H. Wood, of Macomb County, Mich. She is a daughter of Andrew Wood who came to Michigan in 1835 and died in 1851.
Our subject has ouly one child living, a son, Charles A., where home is in Grand Rapids. He is married to Nancy 1. Haney. They have two sons. Charles A. studied mecheine at the medi- at college of Toledo, Ohio and received a diploma
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