USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 37
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 37
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 37
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
1858; Theodore, born July 5, 1860, died Angust 6, 1860, and one son who died in infancy. Our subject is a Republican in politics and he and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church. His daughters Lucy and Effle are both line mins- icians. The former is now teaching and has been so engaged for the past fifteen years.
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℮ LARK SIMPSON has retired from the active labor of proprietorship of his farm although he still resides upon his place which com- prises seventy-eight acres on section 21, Flushing Township, Genesce County. He is a native of Rensselaer County, N. Y., and was born March 21, 1821. He is a son of John and Phurbe (Card) Simpson, natives of St. John's, Canada, and of Vermont respectively. The father was a farmer in Rensselaer County. He was a man of wealth and position, the owner of five farms, and continued to be interested in agriculture throughout his life. He was a Democrat in politics. Our subject's ma. ternal grandparents were Abel and Electa El- dridge, natives of Vermont, and farmers. They also were Democrats.
Clark Simpson is one of a family of nine chil- dren born to his parents, live of whom are now living-John R., Clark, Milo, Emeline and Har- riet. Our subject was educated in the district schools in the town of Hoosick, Rensselaer County, N. Y. His boyhood days were spent on the farm and he lived at home until twenty years of age. He then married Miss Eliza S. Davis, their nuptials being solemnized October 23, 1811. She was a native of Windham County, Vt., and a daughter of William and Mary (Sargeant) Davis, natives of New Hampshire. The former was a farmer and had a large tract of land upon which he remained until his decease. They had nine children, seven of whom are yet living. They are-William, Mary. Eliza, ( Mrs. Simpson,) Gilman, Hannah, Alfredand Merrill. Mr. Davis was a Democrat in politics and a prominent man in that county. His parents were natives of New Hampshire, the grandfather being
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n soldier in the Revolutionary War and serving all through, coming out with an honorable wound.
After his marriage our subject continued farm- ing for several years on one of his father's places, then he and his father purchased four hundred and Afty acres upon which he removed and lived there for eighteen years. He then sold it and came to the place where he now lives. He purchased one hun- dred and forty neres in two different pieces and built a tine house where he still lives. He has de- voted himself to general farming.
Our subject has four children-Deroy, May, Merritt E., and Dehes C. Muy is JMrs. W. 7 .. Hutchison and is the mother of three children. Mr. Hutchison is an apiarist and editor of the Bee-Keepers' Review; Merritt married Nettie Wil- cox and is the father of three children; Deloss ('. married Hattie Beckwith-his first wife, now de- veused, was Mary Duff. Mr. Simpson is a stanch Democrat and has held the office of School Di- rector. He is a practical bee-keeper and has often lectured on the nature and physiology of the honey bee. He has imported these from Italy and Syria and has paid as high as $20 for a queen, at one time having five hundred swarms,
ACOB D. CARPENTER, a prominent and able man residing in Burton Township, Genesee County, is a son of William and Lorania (Pierce) Carpenter, New Yorkers by birth, who came to Michigan in 1837, settling in Atlas Township, this county, where the father is still living at the age of eighty-seven. He took up Government land and having built a log house cleared and improved his one hundred and sixty neres. His father, George Carpenter, who lived to be one hundred and three years old, belonged to a Quaker family. He was a little boy at the time of the Revolutionary War, and loved to recount that he had the privilege of holding Gen. Wash- ington's hope on one occasion. He was aftheted with a trouble of the eyes which made him nearly blind when he was twenty years of age, but
when he reached the age of ninety be received his second sight and his eyes were greatly improved. The family is of English descent, and the mother of our subject was of Welsh descent. She lived to reach the age of eighty years and was the mother of four sons and three daughters, all but one of whom are living.
Jacob Carpenter is the eldest of his father's fam- ily and was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., June 28, 1834. He was three years old when his par- ents came to Michigan, They traveled by ox-team and as the road was bad the mother walked most of the way carrying this child. It was sometimes necessary to hitch four yoke of oxen to one wagon in order to cross bad places. The Indians were friendly in those days and often came to sleep on the floor in front of the old fashioned fire-place and kept the family supplied with venison.
The log schoolhouse, and afterward a temporary - board building, supplied the opportunities for edu- cation in the youth of our subject, and until he was twenty-two years of age he worked with his father, helping to improve the farm. For nearly three years he worked at blacksmithing, but in 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, joining the First Regiment of Michigan Engineers and Mechan- - I ics, under Col. William B. Innes. This regiment was an independent one and was in three different 1 battalions. The battles in which Mr. Carpenter en- .| gaged were Stone River, Chattanooga, and Savan- nah, where he was for several days engaged in the siege of that city and Bentonville, N. C. He was in a hospital for six weeks and received his final discharge. September 22, 1865, having served for nearly three years.
After the war this young man engaged in farm- ing in Davison Township, Genesee County, buying a farm there which he found partly improved. although only seven acres of the one hundred and sixty had seen any cultivation. In 1878 he sold this property and removed to Burton Township, where he purchased one hundred and thirty four acres and upon this he has since built an attractive brick house.
The married life of Jacob Carpenter began in 1856, when he married Mary Hosler, a native of Atlas Township, this county, and a daughter of
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George and Electa S. Hader, both New Yorkers. who were early pioneers in this section of the State and have now passed to the other life. Six children came to bless this home, namely: George W .. Charles F., Alsie (deceased), Denton .I., Elizabeth M. and Loren D. Elizabeth has taught several terms of school and is considered one of the lead- ing teachers of this town-hip.
The Republican party represents the political views which receive the endorsement of Mr. Car- penter, and he is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic and also the order of Odd Fellows. He has devoted himself largely for sey- eral years to breeding Holstein cattle and has always taken considerable interest in sheep. He helped to organize the creamery at Flint, and is one of the stock-holders. While a resident in Davison Township he helped to organize the Ball Cheese Factory which has been in operation for several years. He began life with almost nothing and his fine success has been the result of his own endeavors, for which he deserves and receives great credit.
ALTER J. COLE. In the early days of the State of Michigan there came hither one who, attracted by the fine soil and splendid opportunities for a poor man, resolved to here cast his let and seek his fortune. Since that long ago time he has labored earnestly and energetically, and not in vain, to become indepen- dent in finances and he now has one of the finest estates of Giovese County. This farm. which comprises one hundred and twenty acres, is finely located in Forest Township, and contains all the improve ments in the way of farm buildings and machinery which may be found on the estate of the thrifty farmer. In the community he is recog- nized as one of the representative citizens and sue- cessful agriculturists of this county, who have been such important factors in its development.
The native place of Mr. Cole was in the State of New York and he was born in Monroe County, June 1, 1×27. His father, Nathaniel W., was born
in Watertown, Jefferson County. N. Y., while the mother, where maiden name was Mary Peters, was bình in Wayne County, the same State, Nathaniel W. C'ole followed the calling of a farmer, and was a man of uprightness and industry. The early life of the subject of this notice was unmarked by any event of especial importance, except that sad- dest of misfortunes which can befall a little child, the death of his mother when he was only live years old. After that bereavement he was taken into the home of his aunt, Mrs. Lydin Johnson, who gave to him a mother's care and not only sent him to school but trained him at home to become an honorable and successful citizen and business
At the age of eighteen, Mr. Cole began life on his own account. He worked for some time on the Eric Canal, and then in 1811 he came to Michigan and located in tieneve County, which has been his home for the past forty-seven years. His early efforts here in the way of establishing a home and cultivating a farm met not with sudden, but with sure, -necess and after April 9, 1851, he had the cheerful co-operation and active assistance of his wife. Mrs. Cole was known in maidenhood as Marion W. Hastings, and resided prior to her mar- riage in Davison Township, Genesee County. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cole, Surette C., Roma E. and Thankful; Rena still re- mains under the parental roof and isan accomplished young lady. The others are married. Sucette being Mrs. M. Middleton and Thankful becoming the wife of Wallace South. all of Forest Township.
Vter his marriage Mr. Cole engaged as a farmer and also followed lumbering for a few years. He improved a place in Davison Township, where he made his home fourteen years. Next be removed to Richfield Township, and there resided another fourteen year -. In 1882 he made his last removal, coming to Forest Township and locating on his present place. He has improved three farms from an almost primeval condition. and not only did be clear the land of its forest growth, but on each farm he planted an orchard and erected substantial buildings. At an early day he was a Whig in his political sentiments but he is now a stanch Repub- lean, He held the office of Treasurer of Davison
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Township two years and served the people faith fully in that capacity. His wife belongs to the Baptist Church, to the support of which he con. tributes liberally, and he also gives of his means to any benevolent enterprise worthy of his nid. He has been a witness of many great changes in this region, coming here when settlers were few and surviving to witness the evolution of large cities and splendid fanns from a dense wilderness.
B ELA COGSHALL, M. D., a prominent physi- cian and surgeon of Flint, where he has practiced since 1871, was born in Grove- land, Oakland County. this State, March 31, 1812. He is the son of Hon. Bela Cogshall: Sr., who was born in Schenectady County. N. Y .. in 1816, and was a farmer by occupation. The father was no carly settler of this county, where he beenme very prominent in public affairs, He mar- ried Miss Susan J. Hunt, who like himself was a native of Schenectady County. and after that im- portant event, emme to this State in 1836. Having decided to become a lawyer, he began to study Blackstone, and in due time was admitted to prar- tice at the bar of the State of Michigan.
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Bela Cogshall, Sr., commenced the practice of his profession in Holly. and while residing there was elected to the State Legislature. Prior to that he had served as Sergeant-at-Arms. In educa- tional affairs he was considerably interested, serv- ing ao Director of the schools at Holly, and being President of the School Board for some time. He uso filled the position of Justice of the Face. In the Masonic order he became very prominent, and the transactions of the Grand Chapter of 1882, for Michigan, give a full account of his Masonie history. He was made Knight Templar at Pontiac March 21, 1851, and held the highest offices in all the lodges of which he was a member, From 1851 until 1856 he was Grand Instructor of the Blue Lodge of Michigan and visited all the lodges, with one exception. in this State, correcting them in their work. He died October 21, 1881. IlIs wife had passed from carth in 1860,
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Our subject received his education at Clarkston Academy and in the schools of Flint, to which city he came in 1860 and remained for some time attending school. After completing his literary education be entered the office of William E. Fen- wick, M. D., of Davisburg, Oakland County, and after reading medicine with lom two or three yours, he studied with Dr. M. In Green, of Poutine. Later, in 1861, be entered the medical department of the I'niver-ity of Michigan, where he took u course of lectures. He was graduated from the medical college of Philadelphia in March, 1866. After his graduation he came to this county and located in the village of Gaines, where he practiced for right years. Since that time he has resided in Flint, where he has gained an enviable reputation as a thorough physician and skillful surgeon. While he has a general practice he makes a special- ity of diseases of the eye, being considered one of the best oculiste of the country.
The Doctor has always been greatly interested in sanitary measures, and for many years was sani- tary editor of the Flint Denorrut, and late of the Globe. He is a member of the American Public Health Association, and at the tenth annual session of this association held in Indianapolis October 17. 1882, he had a very interesting paper entitled, "Is consumption a contagious and parasitic dis. case?" This article was widely copied by the medical press of the country, and received very favorable comment. not only in the United States, but also in France. Dr. Cogshall is the author of a pamphlet entitled, "Consumption: Is it a contagi- ons discre? What can be done to prevent its ravages?", which was published and distributed by the State Board of Health. His sanitary work has not been of a local nature only, but has a world- wide reputation.
Dr. Comshall is President of the Flint Academy of Medicine, a member of the State Medical Society, the Saginaw Valley Medical Club and the American Medical Association. He has served as Health Officer of the city, County Physician and member and Secretary of the United States Examin- ing Surgeons, Socially he is a member of the Genesee Lodge, Washington Chapter and tienesse Valley Commandery. In the Odd Fellowsi fraternity
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he has held all the Chairs, and has held most of the offices in the Masonic order. He has been an extensive traveler all through our country and takes advantage of all he sees. He was married October 17, 1866, to Miss Martha E. Pepper, of Davisburg, Oakland County, the daughter of Rolwert Pepper. The three sons who were born of this union died in infancy.
In his church relations the Doctor is a member of the Garland Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and President of the Board of Trustees. For fifteen years he has been choir leader, and it is conceded that this church has the best choir in the vity. The Cogshall family has a coat of arms and traces their ancestry back to John Cogshall, who came to Massachusetts in 1632. They have a known history which covers a period of seven Innlred years. A reunion was held of the various branches of the original family in Text, and was attended by a large number of descendants of John Cogshall.
The portrait of Dr. Cogshall isshown on another page of this volume.
OIN HUNTER. We are pleased to name another of the brave men who in both times of peace and war have proved their hearty allegiance to their country and whose lives are worthy of being made prominent as an example to the young. Mr. Hunter was born in Otsego County. N. Y., December 17, 1821, and was but nine years old when his mother removed to Oak- land County, Mich., where he grew to manhood and lived until he reached the age of twenty-five. and now has his home in Montrose Township, Genesee County.
Our subject followed farming until he was twenty-two years old and then for some four or five years found employment in a sawmill. He was married in Oakland County. March 1, 1816, bring then wedded to Miss Matilda Stone, a native of Dansville, Steuben County, N. Y., where she was born October 28, 1829. Two years after their mar- riage they removed to Flushing Township, Henever
County, and for three years Mr. Hunter was em- ployed in a sawmill, after which he built a water sawmill, which he carried on for some three years, after which he sold and bought a tract of wild land in Maple Grove Township, Saginaw County. upon which he made his home for twenty-seven years. While in this county he was elected for one term County Drainage Commissioner. He was Postmaster at Elk, Saginaw County, fourteen years.
When he sold that farm Mr. Hunter became a resident of Montrose Township, Genesee County, which he has called home ever since March, 1881, and since he left Flashing he has devoted himself entirely to farming upon his beautiful tract of seventy -six neres. He and his good wife have laid one child to rest-Ida M., who died at the age of sixteen years, and four are still living, viz: Albert W., Mary E., John S. and Newton B. Our subject held the office of Supervisor for some six or seven terms while living in Maple Grove Township and he has been Supervisor for one term in Montrose. For sixteen years he has been Jus- tive of the Peace and Notary Public since 1889. Political affairs have ever interested him and he has taken an active part therein, having been formerly attached to the Republican party and being now an carnest Prohibitionist. Mrs. Hunter is a member of the Protestant Methodist Church.
This gentleman enlisted AAugust 27, 1864, in the Thirteenth Michigan Light Artillery, and served for ten months. He was greatly injured by a fall while in the service of his country and since that time has suffered from deafness and now draws a pension of $1. He is an enthusiastic member of the Ransom Post, No. 89, G. A. R., of Flushing.
HARLES H. TURNER. We here represent one of the solid men of Fenton whose prom- inence and social worth give him an excep- tional position. He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., July 2, 1827, and is a sou of William and Mary E. (Miller) Turner, both natives of New York Se. His father was a boot and shoe mer.
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chant, and died in 1883 at the advanced age of eighty-two years, and the mother died in 1868. Our subject was their only child and after attend- ing the public schools he was sent to the Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y., and afterward to the Canandaigua Academy in Ontario County, N. Y.
In 1850 Mr. Turner came to Michigan and estab- lished a boot and show busines in Fenton which then contained a population of about two hun- dred, so that he is now the pioneer business man of this village. His marriage with Caroline Van Den Burg took place in 1850, and their five chil- dren are Will C., who graduated from the Michigan University in the Class of '75 and is now in busi- ness in New York City; J. Edward is married and lives in Detroit and is an undergraduate of Michi- gan University and now holds a prominent posi tion in an extensive tobacco house; Charles L ... who is also married, is in partnership with his father in business; Ida 1., wife of Chester B. Hamil- ton, lives in Fenton; she was a teacher in the pub- lie schools for several years; (the three last named are all graduates of Fenton High School), and one child who died in infancy.
For ten years Mr. Turner was President of the village: was Postmaster for eight years under Presidents Folk and Buchanan, and township Clerk for twelve years. Since the origin of the Oakwood Cemetery Association he has been its President, and for thirty years has been a member of the Board of Education, and its secretary most of that time. He is special agent and adjustor for the Poems Fire Insurance Company, of Hartford, and represents several other prominent companies. Mrs. Turner has been a prominent member of the Episcopal Church since the formation of that body here. She was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y .. in 1832, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1818. She attended Mrs. Willard's Seminary in Trov, N. Y., and, as a student, became very proli- vient in vocal music and the French language.
During the war Mr. Turner employed about twenty-five men as he was then carrying on a boot and show factory, but as his men gradually dropped out to enlist in the army he finally gave np manufacturing.
Will (', Tarner, the eldest son, after graduating
turned his attention to newspaper work, purchas- ing the Western Home Journal at Columbus, Ohio, which he enlarged and renamed the City and Coun-
1 fry. During the ten years in which he was carry- ing on that paper he made a study of electricity and established the Edison system at Columbus, Ohio. He then sold his journal and went to New York and now holds a prominent position in one of the largest publishing houses there.
C HARLES II. W. CONOVER. The gentle- man whose name is above has been con- neeted with the firm of Beard-Ice, Gillies & Co., prominent lumber dealers and manufacturers of sith and doors, for the past twenty-four years. Mr. Conover was born in Freehold, Monmouth County, N. J., July 31, 1810. He is a son of Will- iam E. and Charlotte ( Baker) Conover, the former being one of the oldest residents of that historie town. Our subject's great-grandfather, Lewis Covenhoven, lived within a few miles of his grandson's birthplace and served in the War of the Revolution. Ths son, Ebenezer, changed his name to Conover and remained in that locality as a farmer. The father of our subject was also a farmer and died August 21. 1891, at the age of seventy-six years. During his life he held many positions of trust and was on the township com- mittee many years. He reared a family of nine children to maturity and of these our subject was the only one away from home. The mother died some years ago.
Charles Conover received his education in his native town. In October, 1861, he enlisted in the regular engineer corps of the army, and served in that capacity for one year. After being discharged for disability he went to New York City and was there engaged as clerk in a ship-yard. From there he went to Ontario and engaged in the oil busi- ness for one and a half years, being Superintend- ent of an Eastern oil company. Coming to Mich- igan and settling in Flint in 1×66, he entered the employ of the firm of which he one year later be- came a member Of the working of this business
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house we would refer the reader to the sketch of Mr. Gillies in another portion of this volume.
Mr. Conover has been a member of the School Board for three years and Treasurer of said Board for two years of the three, He has never given much time or attention to politics, but is a believer in the policy of the Republican party. Our subject was married to Miss Cordelia Vaughan of Monmouth County, N. J., November 22, 1865. She is a daughter of Samuel Vaughan, an old resi- dent of the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Conover are the parents of three living children-Charlotte, Estelle and Charles. The family are members of Uw Congregational Church and our subject has Iwen Deacon in the summe for about ten or twelve years. Mr. Conover is a man who is held in the high- est esteem by all who know him and the fact that he has maintained this position for so many years and has been identified with so important an in- dustry, speaks more for his integrity of character than any words we can add.
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IRAM HURD. The farmers of Genesce County have no better representative than this gentleman, who owns and operates a tine estate of one hundred and ten acres on section 11, Vienna Township. Mr. Hurd was born in Wyoming County, N. Y., May 28, 1823. Ilis father, Russell C., was born July 3, 1789, in New Hampshire, whence in 1815 be removed to New York. He was the founder of the village of like Hollow, where he engaged in business as a mer- chant. hotel-keeper, and also operated the first. gristmill in what was then Allegany County. He was the first Pustmaster at Pike Hollow, having been appointed to that position in 1816, and carried the mail to Genesto in a handkerchief before mail bags were furnished him. A very sue- cessful man. he became the owner of two farms in New York, where he remamed until he was lifts years old.
In 1836 Russell G. Hurd came to Michigan, and took up Government land in Tuscola Counts ; afterward he came into tieneste County and pre-
empted land in Vienna Township, near the village of I'ne Ron. Upon this place the commonved the erection of a log house and then returned to New York on the last boat that went down the lake, that season. In February, 18:17, he returned with his family the having married Miss Rebecca San- Jer, a native of Vermont) and made the journey with sleighs and wagons through Canada. Their destination was reached during the last work in February. The first night of their arrival, they placed green boards on the ground within the log house and built a fire near the side of the cabin. No chimney was needed, some boards being placed so as to turn the smoke out of a hole in the roof.
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