USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 31
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 31
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 31
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Our subject's mother was born in Hudson .S. Y., and is a daughter of John 1. Traver, an early set- der and merchant at Mt. Clemens, this State. He was the agent of Robert Livingston, one of the signer- of the Declaration of Independence. Our subject is the oldest of five children. He was reared at Mt. Clemens, and was graduated at the High School in Isi8. Soon afterward he began the study of law for which he had an ambition from earliest childhood. He pursued his course under T. M. Crocker, a prominent attorney of M. Clemens. In 1881 he entered the literary depart- ment of the University of Michigan, where he re- mained for one year. He then resumed his studies in Mt. Clemens. In 1883 he came to Flint and en- tored the law office of Howard & Thayer, and in May, 1885, was admitted to the Michigan har.
Ile was first associated with Mr. Lovejoy, and the partnership continued until the last-named gen- tleman went to Seattle, Wash., and then our sul- jeet continued his practice alone. Mr. Brennan was married in Flint, in December, 1890, to Miss Verna Beecher. a native of New York. In 1838 Mr. Brennan was elected Circuit Court Commis- sioner on the Republican ticket, and January 1. 1889, he was re-elected, being the only one who was elected on the Republican ticket. He is anen. thusiastic believer in the advantages to be attained under the measures as advanced by his party. So- cally he is a Mason. His pleasant residence is located in the Second Ward, on East Street.
ALTER WEST. Lapeer County has a line representative of her native-born citizens in this gentleman, who, born within her borders and educated within her . public-schools, is now one of the foremost among her farmers, and in his business ability is surpassed by none. He devotes himself to a general agricultural business and successfully conducts the fine and mable tract of two hundred and twenty acres owned by Daniel West, on which he lives, also the one hundred and ten neres on sections 28 and 33, Attica Township,
which he himself owns. A successful stock-raiser he makes a specialty of registered Durham cattle, merino sheep, Yorkshire hogs and Clydesdale horses. For fifteen years he has been dealing in and raising blooded stock and has captured blue ribbons in many contest ..
Upon the old homestead which he now operates, Mr. West was born October 31, 1850, and is the son of Daniel and Martha .I. ( Henderson) West. The mother died February 20, 1866, while the father still survives. As a lad our subjeet enjoyed the advantages of a common-school education and pur- sued his school course long enough to acquire n cer- tilicate to teach. He taught one term in Oxford district. No. I and although he was very youthful, being only twenty years of age, he was entirely successful as a teacher. His father's advanced age requiring his services at home, he gave up his work as a teacher and assumed charge of the farm.
The father moved to the village of Attica when Walter was twenty-two years of age and the young man with the assistance of three younger sisters, conducted the farm until the year of his marriage which took place August 8, 1876. His bride was Miss Ellen C. Payne, of Imlay City, who had been a teacher from the age of seventeen until her mar. riage. Mrs. West is the daughter of Richard and Rachel Payne, who lived in this township and were prominent people in its social and business life. Mr. Payne was a native of England, and at an early day emigrated to Canada; there Mrs. West was born in Isso and when four months old was brought by her parents to Michigan.
Mr. West is a member of Attica Lodge, No. 295, .A. F. d. A. M. of which he was Worshipful Master when only twenty-five years of age. He is also a member of Lapeer Chapter. No. 51, R. A. M., and is identified with the Grange and the Patrons of Industry. In politics he is a Democrat of the most pronounced type and has very decided opinions on the tariff question. He has been honored by his party by appointment to several official positions. among them that of School Assessor. For six terms he has held the office of Treasurer of the South Attica Cemetery Association. A well-posted and well-read man, he keeps thoroughly abreast with the news of the day.
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On another page of this volume the reader will find a view of the pleasant homestead, where Mr. West may usually be found engaged in the pursuit of his calling.
Le YMAN E. IL, who is a representative of one of the finest families of Davison Township, Genesee County, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., July 17, 1813. He is a son of Joseph Hill, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume and a brother of Philip and Grad Hill, of whom our readers will also learn more upon another page. He has hewn his farm out of the dense forest and deserves great credit for its development, and at the same time has not neglected the higher interests of the com- munity and has stood shoulder to shoulder with the men who have been working for the progress of the township.
Mr. Hill was three years old when his parents came to this county and his education was in the log schoolhouse. He enlisted December 20, 1864, in Company K, Thirtieth Michigan Infantry under Col. Wermer, of Detroit. The regiment was raised for State duty, as a raid from Canada was at that time expected, and the different companies were stationed at Detroit, Port Huron and Jackson, Com- pany K being on garrison duty at Jackson. On June 16, 1865. the young man was mustered out of service at Jackson, Mich., and returning home engaged in farming. He purchased his farm on section 21, and began chopping and clearing away the timber and later added further land to his Tarm. He was married in June, 1866, to Harriet A. Knapp, of New York. Her parents had removed to Oakland County, this Male from New York many years before, and both have since died. She passed from earth in June 1881, leaving tive chil dren, namely: May. Newell. Sarah, Alma and Orin.
and devoted members of the Free Will Baptist Church. The political views which are endorsed by the judgment of our subject are those which are expressed by the declarations of the Republican party, and he is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On his line farm of one hundred neres, which he has mostly cleared himself, he raises all kinds of live stock. He started with limited means and has now gained a handsome property and has built for his family a pleasant home.
AMES BENDLE, a farmer on section 3, Clay- ton Township. Geneste County, where he cultivates two hundred and fifty acres of tine land, was born in Devonshire, England, January 20, 1838, and is a son of John and Betsey (Isaac) Bendle, who came from England to Amer- iva in 185t. and settled at Flint. Some ten years later they came to Clayton Township, where they spent the remainder of their days. He was a prom- ment man in his town in England and after com- ing here became a Democrat. They were always Connected with the Episcopal Church. His father. James Bendle, was a large land owner and a geu- tleman of wealth who lived and died in his native land, England.
Our subject was twelve years old when he omne to AAmerien and here he received his more advanced education. Five of his father's fannly now live, namely: Elizabeth, Mrs. Wright; John; Mary, Mrs. Thomas Lake; our subject; and Catherine, Mrs. John Marshall. It was in Grand Blanc Township, that James Bondle began his independent life as a wage worker, earning at first $1 a month and working out for some six years. He led and rode the first horse that was taken through from Flint to haddington, now the terminus of the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad, going through in that way in 1857 with a surveying party. For six weeks they did not find a settler and in that wilderness this youth assisted in the survey
The present Mis. Hill was united with our subject in marriage in 1883. Her name was Mary . Clark ner Elsworth, and she was born in Ashtabula, Ohio. Both she and Mr. Hill are earnest ) for three months, traveling on horseback.
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The Best land owned by James Bondle was in Clayton Township, and he cleared some sixty neres of it and lived on the place for six years. and when he sold it he purchased the farm where he now lives, part of which was cleared. He has. more- over, since purchasing it cleared one hundred acres and has built five barns and set out excellent or- chards. He keeps fine blooded stock of which he makes a specialty.
Our subject was married in 1853 to Miss Jane, daughter of Barthomel and Betsey Class, both untives of England, and came to America in 1812 and settled in Clayton Township. Nine children have been born to this home, namely: Arthur, who married Ella Penoyer; Alice, Mrs. Lauren Clann; Albert ... Robert W. Raymond. Lewis T. John, Floyd and Clarence. Mr. and Mrs. Glans have three bright and interesting children. namely: Levi .J., Ethel und ( land. Our subject has a farm of one hundred acres on section 26. Clayton Town- ship, where his son Arthur resides. He is one of the originators of the First National Bank of Flushing and is one of the prominent men of the township. He has been School Assessor for thirteen years and is looked upon as a leader among the men of the Democracy.
AMES HODGES. This representative far- mer of Dryden Township. Lapeer County, had his birth and education near Owego in Tioga County, N. Y., on the banks of the beautiful Susquehanna River and was born April 6, 1826. llis father, Simon Hodges, was born in the Black River Country of New York and there married Martha How, one of his early companions who became the mother of our subject. He worked a farm on shares for some time but about the year 1835 went to Owego, where he bought and operated a farm until 1843, when he came to Michigan spending one year in Oakland County, before locating in Dryden Township, this county. Here be operated eighty neres, which he had taken up in 1837 from the Government, and built a frame house where he lived until his death at the age of
fifty-two years. His father, Abram Hodges, was also a New Yorker by birth and his wife's father, James Blow, was an Irishman who came to America in Colonial times and was engaged in the Revolu- tionary War. The mother of our subject, who died at the age of Ifty-five years had fifteen children, nine of whom grew to man's and woman's estate and of that mmuber one daughter and five sons still survive, namely: James, George. Chester, bi- mon, Charles and Adelaide.
It was in 1813 when our subject enme with his father to Michigan and after that time he had to do a man's work on the farm so that he took no schooling in addition to that he had received in New York, and when he had an opportunity to work by the month for wages, this money was turned in to the family support. He started out for himself at the age of twenty-two. at the time of his father's death, and then took charge of the farm and family. as he was the oldest. and assumed all responsibility. This he continued until his marriage at the age of twenty-seven in 1851, to Elizabeth Varnum. This lady was born in 1833 in Canada, and was a little girl of eight years of age when she came with her parents to Michigan.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hodges located in a shanty 12x 16 feet in dimensions upon the place where they now live. The young man then owned one hundred and twenty acres of land which he had gained by hard work, eighty of which he had taken up from the Government, and it was all then finely improved. He now owns five hundred and ten acres of good land in Dryden Township and two hundred and twenty -six avres in Attica Town ship, and all is the result of his own cforts and the reward of his faithfulness to duty and the exercise of his excellent judgment. He also has a flour- mill in the village of Atties, which he built in 1×73 at a cost of $11.000, and he also owns eighty acres of land in Huron County. It takes some five men to do the work upon his farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Hodges are the parent- of eleven children. namely: Varnum, who runs the mill at Attiva; Zephaniale R., who has charge of the south farm of one hundred and sixty neres; Clair: Jabez; Austin; Illa, the wife of William Weaver, a far- mer in Attica Town Jup; ; Addie, the wife of Henry
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Eoff a farmer in Dryden Township; Libbie and Julia. The sons who died were James and Prescott. Mr. Hodges' first Presidential vote was for Taylor, and he is now a Republican in his political belief, und was a Highway Commissioner at one time Mrs. Hodges' parents were Prescott and Bebey (Clemons) Varnum, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Michigan in 1813, and here completed their days, dying in Metamora Township, Lapeer County.
R ANSOM HALLECK. The gentleman whose mune is above was, for many years, a prom- inent and much esteemed citizen of Burton Township, Gene-ce County, and when death claimed him as its own his loss to the community as a citizen of enterprise and one to whom the best interests of this portion of the county were para- mount was keenly felt. Mr. Halleck was born at Bethany, Genesce County, N. Y., September 11, 1838. He died April 11, 1889. His parents were John D. and Sarah Halleck. The former was a na- tive of the Empire State and descended from a long line of New England ancestry, extending back to the landing of the Pilgrims.
Our subject's father was a farmer and always lived in Ins native State. His mother was a native of Pennsylvania and of German extraction. The decease of both occurred in New York. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom our subject was the youngest. He was reared on a farm and received a district-school education. It the age of twenty-four he took charge of the old homestead, farming it for three years.
· In the year 1861, after our subject's marriage, he determined to come West with a view of better- ing his financial condition. He finally decided to locate in Genesee County and purchased land in Burton Township. The country then was quite new and the land he bought was only slightly im- proved. While a great amount of hard work was required to transform his farm into a well-eulti. vated place, he proved equal to the task.
January 1, 1863, Mr. Halleck was united in
marriage to Mary J. Hunt, a native of Devonshire, England, who came to the New World with her parents, James and Sophin Hunt, when only ten years of age. They settled in Genere County, N. Y., and were there engaged in farming. Mr. Hunt died in 1880, Mrs. Halleck's mother is still living at the old homestead in New York. Our subject's family comprises four children: Jessie, Florence E., George W. and May. The first named is the wife of Charles Nash, a young farmer of Burton Township; Florence is a teacher; George W .; who is only fourteen years of age. has been blind from his youth and is now a student in the Michigan Institute for the Blind, and he is n line musician. May resides at home. AH have re- ceived good educational advantages.
Mr. Halleck was a Republican in his party creed but took no active part in politics and never a-pired to office. Both our subject and his wife were formerly members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Since her husband's death Mrs. Halleck has had entire charge of the farm which comprises eighty acres. It is in excellent condition, having a line residence and substantial barns and other improvements, Mr. Halleck came to Michigan without means and acquired a comfortable compe- toney by his diligent efforts. He was a man who attended strictly to his own affairs, giving his at- tention exclusively to his farming interests, and was consequently fairly successful.
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G I FORGE M. CURTIS. The head of one of the representative and intelligent families in Burton Township, Genesee County, is he whose name appears above. They have a delight- ful home that has a flavor of old times about it that is exceedingly pleasant. Their house, which is comfortable, is surrounded by immense pine and maple tree that afford a most grateful shade in the summer and protect the house from the keen sweep of the winds in winter. Mr. Curtis, who is the Supervisor of Burton Township, was born in this locality January 1, 1813. He is a son of
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Astfel Curtis, who was born November 21. 1798. in Belleville, Jefferson County. N. Y. He emi- grated to Michigan in 1837 and located in Flint where he purchased forty acres of unimproved land. The township had been settled about two years previously.
On the coming of our subject's father into this locality it was wild indeed. There were many more Indians than white men and plenty of wild game, but in 1856 the city of Flint was incorpor ated, and this side of the township was given the name of Burton. He presided at the first organ- ization meeting of this place and held numerous local offices. He was a Congregationalist in his religions sentiments, His wife and our subject's mother was in her maidenhood Miss Julia Edwards. Hler decease occurred August 25, 1878. They were the parents of two children, of whom our subject alone is now living. His brother, Leveret E. died at Dallas, Tex., in June, 1885. Mr. Curtis has, however, a half brother, who was born of a pre- vious marriage of his father to Clarissa Pratt.
Our subject was born in the log house built by his father in the woods. He received a common- school education and later attended the I'nion Schools of Flint, completing his studies in the State Normal School of Ypsilanti. When seven- teen years of age he began traching and continued that work for ten terms, giving his attention in that direction in the winter and working in the summer. He began farming for himself carly in the 'Gus, but remained at home and cared for his parents until their decease.
The original of our sketch was united in mar- riage November 1. 1876, to Miss Alvira M. Harris, who was born in Lapeer County, this State. She is a daughter of Alanson and Polly ( Hallock) Harris, of New York and Vermont respectively. Our subject is a Republican in politics and has taken a representative stand in his portion of the State in legislative affairs. He was first elected to various township offices and served as School In- spector, Township Clerk, and is now serving his fifth term a Supervisor. He was the candidate for State Representative from the Second District In the fall of 1890 and was defeated by only live votes, fle made a very strong can vass aud was
exceedingly popular. His own township gave him a majority of one hundred and five. Mr. Curtis is a Director of the Agricultural Society here. He is the proprietor of ninety-two and one- half acres of good land. He began life with al- most nothing, but had an honorable ambition to get along in the world, and by downright hard work has achieved independence. He lives on a farm that he has made and paid for himself. It is exceptionally fine and is well stocked and is operated by the best of farm implements. It is managed by great intelligence as well as brawn power, and he has a most commendable ambition to do well whatever he undertake -.
R ANDOLPH W. WILLIS, Perhaps no thril- ling events have transpired in the life of this steady-going and reliable citizen, but O he is one of those forming the bone and sinew of this community, and one who has assisted in establishing its financial prosperity, and up- holding the standard of morality. His life occupa- tion has been that of a farmer, in which he has been very successful, accumulating a good property, and fortifying himself against the days when he perhaps may be unfitted for labor. His farm is one of the best in tienesce County, and is pleasantly located in Thetford Township, on section 9. With its well-tilled fields, substantial buildings and general air of plenty and comfort, the place forms a most delightful picture in the landscape of the region.
The parents of our subject were Ephraim and Mahala ( Wilder) Willis; the father was born near Hartford. Cons., and the mother near Mont- pelier, Vi. Ephraim Willis was a rooper and farmer by occupation and was an industrious, persevering man and a public-spirited citizen, and was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His experiences as a pioneer were many and varied. and he possessed the rugged thrift and the persever- mg patienter which have conquered whole states from n wild and useless condition to the abode of extensive farmers and large business interests. The
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parents of our subject removed to New York State at an early day and there in Offer Township, Erie County, Randolph W. Willis was born October 22. 1827.
At that carly day it was not ary to obtain a good education, as the " temples of learning " were few and far between, and the teachers often illy prepared to instruct and discipline. It is therefore not surprising that Mr. Willis only received a meager education, and this was partly obtained in the Empire State and partly in Ohio, whither his parents removed when he was eleven years old. They made a home near Cleveland, where the various members of the family contributed their quota toward the development of the place which the father parcha-ed. Mr. Willi-, however, was not satisfied to make that his permanent home, and at the age of twenty-seven, in the vigor of a stal- wart manhood, he proceeded West to Mielagan and located at Thetford Township. Conosce County.
Although not one of the carliest settlers of Genesee County, Mr. Willis has fairly carued the title of a pioneer, for when he came here there was no other resident within a half mile of his farm and the surrounding country was a wilderness. untouched by the hand of man. l'undaunted by obstacles which seemed to oppose his success, he be- gan to clear his place, remove the forest growth, and as the seasons came and went he was busily employ- ed in sowing and reaping, each year bringing to him increasing harvests as a compensation for his toil. He now has one hundred and sixty acres, all in a high state of cultivation, and the estate is embellished with a complete set of farm buildings, such as will be found only on the homestead of a successful and practical farmer.
On September 12, 1852, Mr. Willis was married to Miss Phobe A. Carpenter, who was born in Ohio and reared to womanhood in that State. Four children are comprised in their family -one, Almeda, having died in infancy. Those who survive are: Frederick E., Flora A .. Willard L. and Helen E. All are well established in homes of their own and are people of note in their various localities. Frederick married Florence Bout well; Flora became the wife of Winfield Renold; Willard chose as his wife Miss Jessie Mercer, and Helen married Chester
Cornwell. Although he does not take a very great interest in politics, he usually votes for the best man independent of party ties. Mr. Willis has been recognized by his fellow-citizens as a capable official. and has served as Constable of this township, and Sheriff of Gender County four years, filling the positions to the entire satisfaction of the people. The Patrons of Industry find in him a worthy and active member, and he also be- longs to the Farmers' Alliance.
G FORGE 1. HINCHEY. We are gratitied to to be able to place before our readers, a sketch of the life story of so enterprising and prosperous a farmer, whose worth in Flint Township, Genesce County, has been such as to increase his own property and benefit the whole community. His beautiful farm buildings are an ornament to the township, and the orderly and thoroughdy cultivated condition of his land speaks volumes in his praise.
Mr. Hinchey was born in Wayne County, this State, October 7, 1858, and is a son of John .I. and Nancy .. (Gilman) Hinchey, who were the parents of four children. In his native country he was reared to manhood receiving his education in the common schools. The lady who on the 16th of March, 1880, became Mrs. George 1. Hinchey in Monroe County. N. Y., bore the maiden name of Matilda Archer and is a daughter of William and Mary ( Reunix) Archer. The mother died in Mon- roc County, N. Y.
Mrs. Matilla Hinchey was born in Monroe County, N. Y .. . Inly 11, 1857. and after her marriage with our subject they settled first in Erie County, but two years later returned to Monroe County and there remained for one year. They then de- cided to remove to the West and coming to Mich- igan settled in Flint Township. Genesce County, of which they have since been residents. Their two children are George E. and Franklin W.
Among his neighbors Mr. Hinchey has a high Standing and is known ir a thorough-going and
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parents of our subject removed to New York State at an early day and there in Otter Township, Erie County, Randolph W. Willis was born October 22. 1827.
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