Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan, Part 32

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 32
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 32
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 32

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).

At that early day it was not easy 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 obtamed 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 parchased. Mr. Willis, however, wa- 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 Michigan and located at Thetford Township, Genesee County.

Although not one of the earliest settlers of Genesee County, Mr. Willis has fairly carned the title of a pioneer, for when he came here there was no other resident within a half mile of his farmi and the surrounding country was a wilderness. untouched by the hand of man. I'ndaunted 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 winging 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 fann building -. 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 Phebe 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 Bontwell; Flora became the wife of Winfield Renold; Willard chose as his wife Mis dosje 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 us a capable official, and has served as Constable of this township, and Sheriff of Genesce County four years, tilling 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 EORGE I. HINCHEY. We are gratified 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, Genesee 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 und thoroughly 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 J. and Nancy JJ. (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, 1886, 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 ( Rennix) Archer. The mother died in Mou- roe County, N. Y.

Mrs. Matilda Hinchey was born in Monroe County, N. Y .. July 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, tieneser County, of which they have since been residents. Their two children are George E. and Franklin W.

Among his neighbors Mr. Hinchey hasn high standing and is known as a thorough-going and

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE 1. HINCHEY, SEC.30., FLINT TP., GENESEE CO., MICH.

RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL SMITH. SEC. 12., ARGENTINE TP, GEHESEE CO., MICH

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORL.

progressive farmer, having followed that line of work with snecess throughout life with the excep- tion of one year. I pon his farm of one hundred and twenty acres he has an excellent set of farm buildings, and a pleasant home which is a true ten- ter of social life. The reader will be pleased to notice a view of this fine place on another page. Mr. Hinchey has filled the offices of School Dirre- tor and School Moderator, and although he is not an office seeker, he is deeply interested in political movements, and is affiliated with the Republican party. He is a member of the Knights of the Mac enbres, and in that order is considered a prominent and valued member.

AMUEL SMITH, who owns four hundred acres of improved land on sections 2, 11 and 12, AArgentine Township, Genesee County, is a native of Ireland and was born in the year 1822. There he was reared a farmer and received the ordinary education to be found in the National schools. After arriving at his ma jority he concluded that the New World offered better inducementa for effort than did his native land. and in 1813 he boarded a sailing vessel for New York City at which port he arrived after a voyage of nearly six weeks.

Making his way to Oswego, N. Y., Mr. Smith there obtained an opportunity to work as a farm band and continued thus engaged several years. So well was he pleased with his home that heevent- ually purchased a farm and settled upon it. Ile finally disposed of this property and in 1853 re moved to Whichigan, locating near Grand Blane where he remained for about three years. He, how- ever, decided that it would be best for him to take up new land and devote himself to its develop- ment, and in 1836 he purchased a piece of prop- erty on section 12, AArgentine Township, and there he built a log house and settled down to the work of a pioneer. The forest about him abounded in deer and other wild game, and all the surroundings were those of a new country.

December 27. 1818. Mr. Smith look as a life collis

panion Miss Margaret Robinson, who is also A na- tive of Ireland, and she has faithfully shared life's joys and sorrows with him from that day to this. Of the union of this worthy couple the following children survive: Philip, Jane, James, Edward, Archie, Albert and Eliza. Catherine, the fourth child, is deceased. In polities Mr. Smith has ever put himself in line with the Democratic party and both he and his wife were members of the Episco- pal Church in their native land. They began life without a cent excepting what Mr. Smith earned for himself, and it is by their combined in lustry and hard work that they have succeeding in nequir- ing a competeney which will enable them to spend the remainder of their day's in comparative cast.

On another page of this volume maybe found a view of the neat residence where Mr. Smith is com- fortaldly domiciled, also of the pleasant surround- ings which indicate the thrift of the proprietor.

8 AAMU'EL J. ASHLEY. No man among the pioneers of Davison Township, Genesee County, has been more thoroughly re- spected and esteemed than both our sub- jeet and his father, Dr. Ashley, who was so useful in the early days. The former was born in Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., February 13, 1811, and his parents, Dr. Robert and Mary (Jones) AAshley, were born in Massachusetts and New York respect- ively. The Doctor came to Western New York from Fowlerville, Mass .. in 1801. making his . home in Lyons, where he practiced his profes- sion for several years and where he died when about seventy years old. He had been bereaved of his faithful and loving companion many years In- fore, as she died at the age of forty-five years. Two of their tive children are now living, and our sub- jeet is the second in order of age.

The common district schools at Lyons supplied the carly education of this young man, and he left home the fall he was twenty and hired himself to chop wood in Oswego County, where it was all n wilderness, and three years later in 1831 he set out for Michigan, traveling by canal to Buffalo and

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thenee to Detroit by lake. He located in St. Clair County, for some two years, and then for the same length of time lived in Saginaw County, and in both of these homes worked at various occupations.

It was in 18:16 when Mr. Ashley came to tiene- see County, and bought from the Government the land which now constitutes his farm on section 11, Davison Township. A dense forest covered all this region and there were then no actual settlers in the township, and after spending one night in the woods he returned to Saginaw County. On March 27, 1811, he was united in marriage with Miss Helen Wiley, who is of Scottish birth and came to America in 1837, her parents having died in the old home. Upon December 6. 1811, the young couple located upon land which Mr. Ashley had purchased and took up their abode in a log shanty, 16x18 feet. This primitive residence was constructed by the young man himself and was buih with a shake roof, a split bass-wood floor and only one door and one window. Herds of deer often passed their door and wolves made night hideous, while Indians were frequent visitors.

The only team which Mr. Ashley had in those days consisted of a yoke of oxen. and by ex- changing work with neighbors he was able to se- cure belp in clearing his land and doing the heavy work which required more than one man. Ppon this place he has lived more than fifty years and when he came here Flint wasn mere hamlet. His four children are Naney, wife of Simon Billings, of Richtield Township: Robert W.,who has established his own home at Davison Station; Rivingston is also married and lives on the old homestead; and Annie E. is now Mrs. Byron Moss of Davison Sta- tion.

The Democratic ticket has always commanded the vote of Mr. Ashley, and he cast his first ballot for Gen. Jackson in 1832. He has helped in the organization and management of the township from the first, and has held the offices of Treasurer and Justice of the Peace. At the first election here there were but fourteen votes and they all went in one way, Mr. Ashley now lives in a line large frame house, the third one he has built since com- ing to the farm and his property of eighty neres is in a highly improved condition. He is proud to be

able to say that he has never hired a day's logging or chopping on it, for he has cleared it all himself. He and his good wife have lived together in har- mony and mutual helpfulness for fifty years undl she has been for thirty years an active and earnest member of the Baptist Church.

NDREW J. WARD, a contractor and build- er of Flint, was born in Hinckley, Medina County, Ohio, February 16, 1813, and is a son of Alexander and Thirza (Harris) Ward. The father was born in Northamptonshire, England, and came to Ohio at the age of sixteen, and there engaged in farming. He moved to Dav- ison. Genesce County, in 1816 and the following year came to Fiint and here engaged in the man- ufacture of brick, establishing the first brick kiln in this town. I'p to the year 1860 he manufac- tured all the brick made here and was a prominent business man. He died in 1881, leaving a family of three son- and four daughters.

The brothers and sisters of our subject are: Angelina, now Mrs. Ransom Jones; Thirza II., Mrs. Stephen Arbury; Dora, Mrs. F. Bort; Minnie, wife of Alexander MeLean; Charles A. and Ben- jamin A., Superintendent of the Michigan City Gas Works, The mother died in 1871. Andrew had taken a course in the High School after study- ing in the district school and in 1862 enlisted in Company F, Fourth Michigan Cavalry. This body of troops was placed in the Western Department under Sherman and took part in the Atlanta cam- paign and the battle of Selma. He was not away from this regiment excepting once when disabled by a wound.

Returning home in 1865 the young man went into the brick business with his father and a year later sold out and entered upon the same work at Frankfort, Benzie County, this State. After a year he returned to Flint and went into partnership with Stephen Arbury and somewhat later bought out his partner's interest and continued in the brick unking business to which he added contract. u: ::: d' nilding.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In the fall of 1878. Mr. Ward sold out his brick- yard to Deen Stone, and since that time has de- voted himself solely to contracting and build- ing. He las erected half of the brick buildings in Flint, including the Patterson factory. He also put up a $55,000 Catholic Cathedral at Chatham, Ontario, and three of the buildings of the Agricultural College at Lansing. also a dormitory at the Soldiers' Home in Grand Rapids and is at present working upon the Courthouse at Gaylord, Otsego County, this State, and the Daly Block at Flint, besides an Armory for the State troops, known as the Flint I'nion Blues.

Mr. Ward erected the Bryant House, the Occi. dental, the Judd Block. the Daly Block and the Y. M. C. A. building besides thirty-seven stores in this city. He owns two stores on Saginaw Street and a beautiful home in which he resides. Ilis wife to whom he was united. December 21. 1865. hore the maiden name of Louise P. Dewstoe. They have two children, Bertha Louise, who is now Mrs. Andrew .. Bagley, and Arthur (. Mr. Ward is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of the Masonic order. of the Knights of l'ythias and the Giraud Army of the Republic.

LBERT E. HU'RD, the leading merchant of Davison Station, stands very high as a citizen and business man. and has been successful in seeming not only the conti- dence of the community, but a good share of the hade of both village and country since he began business here, September 1, 1871. He keeps a full line of groceries and drugs, and some dry goods, and his medical knowledge gives him prestige among the people, as they feel safe in ordering drugs of one who understands his busines so thoroughly. He had taken a medical education and lacked only six months of completing his course in the Department of Medicine at the Mich- igan University. He was born in Crawford County, Pa .. May 18, 1812.

James Hurd, the father of our subject, a Pennsyl- rama by birth, eume West in 186G, and being now

viglity-two yems ohl, he lives a retired life in Clay Township, near Flashing. The grand- father, George Hard was of New Jersey birth, and became a pioneer in Crawford Coun- Is, Pa .. taking up land upon which our sub- jest was born and related. According to fam- ily tradition, Timothy Hurd, emne from Wales to America, and is the one who introduced Timo- thy grass, which is sometimes known as Hurd's Girass in America. The ancestry on the mother's side is also from: Wales, and the grandparents on both sides were Revolutionary soldiers.

Emily A. Hills, a New Yorker by birth, who was born in Onondaga County, became the wife of James Find and mother of our subject, and left a family of live sons and two daughters, all of whom still survive. She died in 1886 at the age of sixty- live. Albert Hard entered an academy at King -- ville, Ashtabula County, Ohio, at the age of six teen having had his previous schooling in the dis- triet schools. After four months there he entered the State Normal School at Edinburg, Erie County. Pa., where he spent several terms, after which he taught during the winters for several years. In 1867 he entered the Michigan State I'mversity in the Medical Department, and only lacked means to carry him through, as be almost completed his course. At Flushing, this county, he found en- ployment with D. B. Lvan & Co. with whom he clerked for three years, after which he served James A. Button & Bro, for about three years in a general store. He then removed to Midland where he was head check in a grocery store for a short time and then removed to Flushing, where he spent about three months in a drug store, after which he came to Davison and established his present busi- ness, Six months later he was appointed Post- master, which office he held for eleven years, and has also been for four years a Magistrate, and also for some time a Notary Public.

Mr. Hurd began business in a rented store room, and three years later purchased the building, and in 1885 created the two-story brick building 21x60 feet with plate-glass Front, which he now occupies. He has practiced medicine some, but does not make a specialty of it, going only when especially requested. He was married in 1867 to Miss Flor-

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enee E. Todd, who was born at Portland on the east side of Chautauqua Lake, N. Y. and came West with her parents who were settlers in Clay- ton Township, this county.

Mr. and Mrs. Hurd have had five children, namely: Winifred 1 ... wife of John 11. Bradshaw. a native of this county; Albert E., Jr .; Leroy .1 .; Harry, deceased; and Claude E. Mr. Hurd has over expoused the principles of the Republican party, and has been active in local polities, attend- ing as a delegate to several conventions. He has been a member of the Masonic order for several years, and for some time has been Secretary and Treasurer of the order. He began life without a dollar, and has now built up a good business, and has some excellent village property besides his business place. Mrs. Hurd is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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LEXANDER LOBBAN. It is a delight to a traveler to visit such farms as will be found in the property of Mr. Lobban, in Davison Township, Gemere County, a man who is a native of the county, having been born in Atlas Township, March 31. 1813. His parentage is British, and his father, William, was a Seoteloman and his mother, Mary Jordan, was born in England. They emigrated to America many years ago, the mother coming in 1835 and the fi- ther in 1839. The father died September 8, 1871, at the age of sixty-two years. He had been brought up in the Presbyterian Church in Scotland and was a man of character and integrity. After coming to this country he still pursued his trade as a baker, working in Detroit to earn money to pay for the land which he bought in Davison Town- ship in 1839. The mother, who is still livi g. at the age of seventy, came to Michigan with her par- ent- in 1835. She is the mother of six children and all but one of these is still in this life, and of them our subject is the oldest.

The district-school education of Alexander Lob- bau was supplemented by attendance upon the

schools of Flint and he had the enjoyment of pio- weer sports and experiences, and remembers kill- ing a deer at the age of thirteen, having quite a local fame as a huntsman. Indian tribes in large numbers were all about his home. His two brothers and be farmed together for several years, hut in 1883 he started out for himself. March 11, 1878, was his wedding day and his bride was Mary 1. Torrey, who was born in New York and came to Michigan m 1865, with her parents, Gilbert O. and Emily S. (Rumps) Torrey, the latter being a na- tive of New York and the former of Connecticut, and both being now residents of Flint. The two children born to our subject and his wife are Will- iam A. and Frederick S.

The doctrines of the Democratic party are thor- oughly endorsed by Mr. Lobbau, and he is often n delegate to county conventions and other political gatherings. He has been School Superintendent of Davison Township for two years. Upon his line farm he has placed over seven and one-half miles of tile drainage, and here he keeps registered Holstein cattle, which he raises and sells for breed- ing purposes, and he also raises sheep extensively. He began life with very limited means and his suc- ress would be considered remarkable if one did not take into consideration the character of the man and the wonderful resources of Michigan.

ORENZO I. LOGY. M. D., one of the best known professional men of Davison Station, was born February 19, 1855. at Troy Cor- nets, Oakland County. Mich. He is a son of Lorenzo D. and Sarah (Kingsbury) Locy, natives of New York. The father of our subject was left an orphan in his childhood and drifted out into the world when a mere lad. and as a waif was kicked abont in Detroit and saw many hardships and privations. His school life was limited to about two weeks, but he became a student and de- voloped , noble manhood within himself. When yet quite young be learned the lacksmith's trade and subsequently located at Troy, where for a num- ber of years he worked at his trade and also eye

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPINCAL RECORD.

tered upon the manufacture of wagons and carriages in the old-fashioned way, and for a nium- ber of years did a thriving business.

In 1859 Lorenzo D. Locy removed from Troy to Detroit and there studied dentistry, and in 1861 be located at Flint, where he practiced his profes- sion with marked success, until he reached the age of fifty-live, when he died, in 1883. While a Macksmith at the little town of Troy Corners he was a hard student and read books of value, devel- oping a fine literary taste and becoming a genuine scholar. He also became noteworthy as a musician. was a fine singer and could perform with skill on both clarionet and organ. He frequently arranged music for bands and edited the musical columns of the Flint Journal for some years. Artistic talent was also his and there are a number of live landscape- in existenes which were painted by him. He was religiously inclined and for many years wasa zeal- ous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The father of our subject was twice married and by the first union there were three sous and one daughter, the latter being now deceased. The ser- ond marriage united him with Harriet Chase, who is now living with our subject at Davison. The eldest of the three sons is Dr. Frank M. Locy, who is a dentist at Flint and was associated with his father at the time of the latter's death. The youngest son, Prof. William A. Locy, i-a graduate of the U'niversity of Michigan and was awarded a Harvard scholarship, and spent some time in that institution. He is now Professor of Biology in the Lake Forest l'niversity mar Chicago, and is al- Professor of Physiology at the Rush Medical Col- lege at Chicago. In the summer of 1891 he vis- ited Berlin, Germany, and spent some time in the grent universities of that city.

Our subject graduated from the Flint High School and in 1875 entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1879. receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science. Hle then took a course in the medical department, re- eciving lis diploma in 1881, after which he took a general course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. His first location for practice was at Swartz' Creek, in this county, but within a short time be removed to Goodrich, where

he remained some eighteen months and then came to Davison, in 1887, and has here developed a line practice, and has secured by his character and talents a large circle of friends. He is still unmar- ried, but his true culture and modest, massuming character make him a general favorite in social cir-

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AMES W. GOODENOUGH. A strong politi- cal and social influence is exerted by this gentleman who has for some years resided in Davison Township, Genesce County, and he is looked upon as one wise in counsel and judj- cions in leadership. He was born in Niagara County, N. Y., October 10, 1813, and is a son of George W. Goodenough, who was born in Ver- mont, and in boyhood removed to the Black River country of New York, but at the age of twenty- three made his home in Niagara County, where he carried on a farm.

It was in 1818 that George W. Goodenough came to Michigan buying land in Davison Town- ship. This he had secured several years before, and he now built a shanty and proceeded to clear the land and prepare it for tillage. There was about eight acres cleared, and one house created on the site where Davison now stands. the lived here until his death, which took place in February, 1891. He was born August 2, 1811. He served in the Patrio! War, and was Justice of the Peace for twenty year- For many years he was a Deacon in the Christian Church, of which he had been a lifelong member, and was affectionately termed by his neighbors "I'nele George." His wife, whose maiden name was Phoebe Brown, was born in New York, and is still living at the age of seventy-one. She too has been a decided and earnest Christian for many years.

The eldest child of George and Phabe Good- enough, was Elizabeth, who became the wife of Russell Eastwood, and died in 1886. The brother of our subject, George M., enlisted in the Twenty- third Michigan Regiment and died in Anderson- ville prison in 1861. Our subject who is the young-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

est of this family, received a fair common-school education in the old-fashioned log schoolhouse, and remained at home taking care of the farm, and has had charge of it since his marriage, which took place in February, 1867. His wife bore the maiden name of Eliza Gifford, and was born January 20. 1x11. in Whitby, Canada, but came here with her parents during her girlhood.

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Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan, Part 32

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