Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan, Part 38

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 38
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 38
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 38

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 the time the family removed to Michigan. Hiram was a sturdy youth of fourteen years and was of great assistance to his father. He helped to harvest six hundred bushels of corn a few months after coming here, and also aided in rais- ing wheat, which was stored in a barn built for the purpose. His father having taken a contract to carry the mail from Flint to Saginaw, Hiram carried it four years on horseback and on foot. The first time that be carried the mail to Saginaw he was rowed across the Saginaw River by the sister of Grovenor Vinton, one of the oldest pioneers of the county. He would often go on foot and carry the mail, while renting his horse for Si to some party who was traveling. This enter- prise proved a most successful one financially, as he earned $2,800 during the four years he had charge of the mail.

When sixteen years old Hiram Hurd took a con- tract with the Indian agents to carry from Flint to Saginaw the goods that the Government had given the Indians in payment for land purchased from them. He received as remuneration $78. From the money received for carrying mail he and his father purchased about seven hundred acres of fine land where Clio now stands. They built on this land the first gristmill between Flint and Midland Counties, also operated a sawmill, and manufactured twenty million feet of lumber from the timber on the place. Our subject rented an ashery, which his father had built some time before, and operated it for six years, making $6,000 worth of pearlach which he sold to a New York firm.

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Mr. Hurd purchased his present farm when he was nineteen years old and had it entirely paid for before he was twenty-one. It was then in a primitive condition, from which he has redeemed it, clearing the land and placing upon it all needed buildings. He has also built several stores in the village of Pine Run, which originally wa- meluided in his estate. He was married March 6, 1870, to Miss Lata Beden, and one child has been born to them-William W., born December 16, 1871. This son was graduated from the Flint High School in the Class of '90, after completing the classical and scientific courses. Besides being valedictorian of this class, he was also class port. He entered the literary department of the Univer- sity of Michigan, October 1. 1890, and expects to graduate with the Class of '94. Mr. Hurd is a member of the Congregational Church, while Mrs. Hurd and their son are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In polities he is a stanch Republican, to which party his family strongly adheres. His father was the first Supervisor in the township and was a prominent Republican.

The grandfather of our subject was Robert 1. Hurd, a Captain in the Revolutionary War and a member of the New Hampshire Legislature for several years. He was a man of great ability and honorable character. He came West to this State about 1×50, and here died at the age of ninety- three years, a short time before the Civil War.

Mrs. Hiram third was the eighth child in the family of Smithfield Boden, who was born August 1, 1789, in the town of Smithfield. Vt. As he was the first white child born in the township, he was named after the township and presented with fifty acres of land within its limits. When about twenty-one years old he accompanied his father. William Beden, to the State of New York. Grand- father Beden was a Revolutionary soldier, enter- ing the service at the commencement of the war and remaining in defense of the colonies until its close. Smithfield Boden was married June 2. 1X16, to Miss Rebecca Melvin, a native of New Hampshire. Ten children were born to the family in New York, five of whom are still living. Mr. Beden became a physician, first studying the botanient system of medicine and later the allo-

pathie system. He was a mechanical genins, and followed the trades of a wheelwright, blacksmith, tanner and currier. He made his wife's wedding shoes and she presented him with his wedding rat. Although Dr. Beden attended school alto- gether only three months, be acquired by self study a good education and was a teacher at the time of his marriage. As a musician he was very proficient and composed several pieces of music which are still in the possession of the family. Mrs. Beden was well educated and a teacher of great success.

In April. 1836. Dr. and Mrs. Beden started for Michigan and arriving in Lapeer County, July J, 1836, settled on section 21, Hadley Township. where they were numbered among the earliest set- tlers. There were only fourteen voters in Metamora and Hadley Township at that time, and Dr. Beden had to cut a read three miles to get to his farm. Reaching that place at night, he made a shanty with boards and blankets, and kept up a fire in front of the place to keep the wolves and bears from molesting them. In a short time a log house was built, and with the aid of a turning lathe and tools, Dr. Beden constructed chairs and bedsteads, not only for himself, but also for his neighbors.

While living in their shanty, 12x11 feet, with a family including nine persons, another family of six members arrived, and until they had a house constructed. remained in Dr. Beden's shanty. Although Mrs. Hurd was only six years old at that time, she distinctly remembers all the pioneer experiences through which the family passed. . Is Dr. Beden was the only physician of any promi- Hence in that section, he had a large ride and was very successful. He died February 26, 1853, and his wife February 10, 1874. Mrs. Hurd was edu- cated principally by her parents, her father being a fine mathematician and her mother proficient in other studies. After progressing to a point be- youd which the district schools could not instruct her, she attended the school taught by her brother, Seth N. Beden, and later spent one term in the State Normal at Ypsilanti. She has taught thirty- two terms in various places, among them Clarkston, Canton, Mt. Morris, Clio, Dryden, Davison, Atlas

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and Hadley. She was a very successful teacher and some of the ablest men in Genesee County refer to the time when they prolited by her instruc- tions. She continued engaged in teaching until the time of her marriage in 1870.

2 W. MANN, who isengaged in general mer- chandise in Clio, was born in Port Dover, Ontario, Canada, July 15, 1815. His father, William 1. Mann, a native of Canada, was born almont 1812 and died in 1871 in Mt. Morris, Mich. He came to this State in 1851 and bought a farm on both sides of the line separating Mt. Morris and Geneser Townships. When the railroad came through he platted the village and built a block of wooden buildings, which were destroyed by fire shortly after their erection, and at the same time nis grocery stock was also consumed. Resuming business he carried it on for two years and then on account of ill health transferred the stock to his son, I. G. Mann, who continued the business. The mother, Laura d. Mekane, was a native of New York, who went to Canada with her parents when a young lady and there met and married Mr. Man.

The grandfather, Nathan W. Mann, was a New York farmer, who made his home at Port Dover, Canada, and died about the year 1818. Our sub- ; place June 3. 1888. She is now her husband's a- jeet had his education in the schools at Mt. Morris sistant in the store. and learned the carpenter's trade before reaching his majority. He then went to Flint and learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and a year later opened a furniture store in Mt. Morris. A year and a half later this store was burned and as there was no in- surance it was a total loss. The young man then came to Clio and entered the employ of J. B. Gar- land, with whom he remained six years, serving him faithfully and continuously without losing a day's time. At that time the business was sold to J. K. Frost of Clio, and Mr. Mann remained with him for a year and a half, and then bought out a hardware stock, which he carried on for a year. until it was consumed by fire.

After that disaster Mr. Mann removed into the

landing where he now carries on business and for three years dealt in hardware and then sold to his son, (. 1. Manu, and purchased a stock of general merchandise. He had been married in 1862 to Miss Elizabeth Knapp, of Mt. Morris, daughter of O. G. Kanpp. Their only child, Charles H., who was born April 1, 1868, married Mary E. Hughes of Flint, and is conducting a fine business in hardware in ('liv.

Our subject is a member of the Masonic frater- nity and also of the Odd Fellow's order. In pol- ities he is a Democrat and he has been on the Village Board for two terms, besides holding other town- ship offices. The wife of his youth was taken from hi- side by death in 1868, and subsequent to that he married Carrie 1. Burbridge, who died in 1887. leaving one son-William H. Mann, who was born November 11, 1875.

The present Mrs. Mann bore in her maidenbrood the name of Mis- Georgina Wiekes, whose parents, George and Elizabeth, were natives of Lancaster- shire, England. Mr. Wickes was an engineer all his life and operated an engine on a passenger train on the Great Western Railroad. He died some years ago and his widow has since married T. W. Smithsom of the Clio Mar. Mrs. Mann was born in Hamilton, Ontario, March 12. 1865, and had her education in the public schools of London. Canada. When fourteen years old she came to Michigan and her marriage with Mr. Mann took

ANDREW MACGREGOR. In spite of the striking Scotch name that our subject bears, be is an American by birth as well as by bringing up and thoroughly loyal to the institutions of his native country. He is a son of James and Agne- Mettregor, both natives of Glasgow, Scotland, the former born in 1816 and the latter in 1826. They were married in their native land and came to America in 1811, proceed- ing at onee to Michigan, where they settled on a

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rented farm in Macomb County and there resided for six years. Thence they came to lapeer County and settled upon his present farm in Metamora Town-hp, in 1850. While in his native land James McGregor served in the militia and he was reared upon a farm.

On coming to Metamora Township, our subject's father found himself the first settler in that town- ship east of the Lapeer road. He was obliged to out his way through the woods in order to reach the land which he had pre-empted. His farm was all timber and being at the time in straightened circumstances he built a log house, which served as # home for some time. The farm comprised eighty acres of land, which is now all improved and upon which are excellent buildings. Upon their advent into the locality the Indians were still there and there was plenty of wild game, Our subject's mother died in 1878. The father still survives, at the age of seventy-five years, and although he has been a hard worker all his life is still a rugged and strong man. He is the father of six children, of whom our subject is the only survivor. Brought up under the teachings of the Presbyter- ian Church, the old gentleman still continues his interest in that denomination. He has taken an active interest in school work and has been Dirce- tor on the Board. Politically he is a Democrat. lle was once elected to the office of Supervisor., but did not accept.

Andrew McGregor was born December 17, 1842, in Macomb County, this State, and was eight years old when he came to this county. There was at the time no school here, the nearest one being two and one-half miles away, so that he had but few advantages until sixteen or seventeen years of age. He used to rise very early and yoke up his oxen, working upon the farm until schoot time, and then again on coming home. The near- est market was at Pontiac, which was twenty-eight miles distant. He remained at home until twenty- one years of age and began for himself at twenty- three.

On June 21, 1861, Mr. MeGregor was united in marriage to Anua Eliza Fricke, a daughter of John Fricke, an old settler of Metamora Township, who still survives, at the age of eighty-four years.

Mrs. Melinegor was born December 18, 1811, and received a good education in her native township. After marriage our subject settled upon his present farm, which was partially cleared. He now has one hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is under cultivation. He has done considerable draining and has built his residence and all the other buildings on the farm, except the big barn. Hle here devotes himself to general farming, mak- ing a specialty of raising sheep. He has a fine flock of Spanish Merinoes, of which he is justly proud. Mrs. McGregor died in 1881, leaving two children-Frank Il. and James. Frank married Jessie Lucas and lives in Metamora Township.

April 18. 1885, our subject was again married to Ellen Perkins, a daughter of Calvin Perkins, an old settler in Lapeer Township. Mrs. MeGregor is a native of this township and was born in 1XIX. She is well reared and educated, and is an estima- woman. They are the parents of one child, a son, . whose name is Roy. Our subject is a member of the Kmghts of the Maccabees and has been Finance Keeper ever since he has been so con- nected. He has been a Director of the local school for ten years. He is a Democrat in politics and an fulvoente of temperance, both in theory and prac- tice.

AMES B. VODDEN. This model farmer and sturdy pioneer of Burton Township, Genesee County, has a record of which both he and his posterity may well feel proud and it is with pleasure that we here bring it before our readers. He was born in Stafford, Ontario County, N. Y., February 17, 1810. His father, Henry Vodden, came from England to America at the age of nineteen, and migrated from Stafford to Michigan in 1815, taking up a farm on section 14, Burton Township. This property, comprising eighty acres, cost him $1 an acre and on it he erected a house, 12×16 feet, and when he settled his family of a wife and four children in this new domicile he had three cents left in his pocket. The Indians occupied the land directly in front of his

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home, and deer and other wild game abounded. Few white people were then m the township, and Flint was a mere luamlet.

Henry Vodden cleared a few acres of land and put it under cultivation. His taxes the first year amounted to ten shillings, and even that small amount was hard to obtain, as money was scarce and labor cheap. He ditched in the township of Mandy for one week for fifty cents, and there were few opportunities for gaining even as much ready cash as that. He passed from earth May 26, 1862, at the age of fifty years, and his good wife, Mary Delbridge by name, who had been his companion through many hardships, lived until December 15, 1889, when she died at the age of seventy seven. Seven of their thirteen children are now living.

Our subject lind his early training upon the farm where he now resides and being the eldest son was. greatly depended upon for help in the heavy pio- neer work, and had few opportunities for attending school. After his father's death he took charge of the farm and since the death of the mother he has purchased the interests of the other heirs in this county. He was married February 22, 1871. 10 Lucy A. Johnson, who was born near Syracuse, N. Y., and is the daughter of Henry and Lucy Johnson, natives of New York, who came to Mich- igan in 1876. Mr. Johnson died in 1881, but his wife is still living.

The six children who have brightened the home of Mr. and Mrs. Vodden are: Edith B., Ahna, Fred, Lillie, Gracie and Ethel 1 .. The latter died Novem- ber 2, 1801, aged four months. The house upon the farm is a pleasant and desirable one, and the barna and outbuildings are in an excellent condition and well accommodate the work of the farm and the stock which is there raised. Mr. Vodden makes a specialty of Durham cattle and of Shropshire sheep and has his farm under excellent cultivation, its vighty-nine acres bwing all rich and arable soil. The political convictions of our subject ally him with the Republican party, and he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Among the pleasing and interesting incidents of pioneer life which Mr. Vodden is able to relate we give the following: When the father of the family was away from home, as he often was, the mother

and James in making maple sugar met with ditlicul- ties, as in going from tree to tree collecting the sap they were occasionally chased to the house by wolves and once by a panther. For several years an Indian camp of some fifty braves was located directly in front of this pioneer home, and these friendly red men always remembered their pale faced friends by a gift of version when they killed a deer. Although this home was four miles from Flint, the mother of our subject thought nothing of walking to and from the town as she was accustomed to these long walks through the woods and was sturdy and vigorous in her habit of life.

RCTHE MCLACHLAN. Our subject is of sturdy Scotch stock, as his name would in- dieate, and has brought to his agricultural work in Ginfford Township, Tuscola County, the admirable methods and traits that in- variably lead to success with his nationality. Hle is a farmer and resides on section 31, where he owns one hundred and twenty two and a quarter acres of line land, which is well improved, having good barns, a pleasant and comfortable residence and other features of a well-regulated agricultural establishment.

Our subject is a son of John and Eliza (Droop) Mclachlan, natives of Argyleshire, Scotland, where the subject of this sketch was born November 15, 1816. He was only about three years of age when his parents came to Canada and located at King- -ton. His father was a sailor, but after he settled in Canada he followed the trade of a cooper, con- ducting the busines on a large scale, and young Archibald was set to learn the trade at the age of about fourteen. He devoted himself to that until eighteen years of age and then went into the stave and lumber business in Tu-cola County, working first for the Dutton Company, of Buffalo, with whom he remained for three years. He then he- came associated with Henry H. MeCarty and they engaged in busines for themselves, Like many young men, and especially young Scotchmen, he had but few pecuniary advantages, being thrown

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D. Schram

MRS. MARY SCHRAM.

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upon his own resources at a very early age, but followed his chosen line throughout with the best results to himself. He engaged in the stave busi- ness until 1881, when he had accumulated enough to buy the farm on which he now resides. He made the purchase in October, 1889, and at once took possession of the place.

In November, 1888,our subject was married to Mrs. Clementine Hill, a daughter of Frederick Elbers, a native of Prussia, although Mrs. MeLachlan was born in America. She was the widow of George Hill. Our subject and his wife became the parents of one daughter, named Mabel. She was born September 22, 1889. Mrs. Mclachlan was thrice a mother by her first marriage, her children being named Agnes, ficorge and Elsie. They all live at home. In politics the original of this sketch is a Democrat. He is a man who will commend him- self favorably to the good graces of the business public. While in Saginaw County our subject served both on the Drainage and Highway commis- sions. His family belongs to the Presbyterian Church, his wife's family to the German Lutheran Church. Mrs. Mclachlan's parents are still liv- ing. Our subject devotes himself to mixed farm- ing; socially he is a member of Lodge No. 71. 1. 0. 0. F., and belongs to Tent No. 183, K. O. T. M. of Reese. He is also a member of the Farmers' Alliance.

AVID SCHRAM is an old settler and dealer in agricultural implements and all classes of farm machinery, his place of business being located at No. 120 Third Street, East Flint. Here he has been engaged in his present business for seventeen years and during that time has handled all kinds of agricultural machinery. Mr. Schram was born in Adams Town- ship, Jefferson County, N. Y., October 31, 1831. He is a son of John and Mary E. Schram, the for- mer being a farmer. He had been reared on the Mohawk River and was a descendant of the old Dutch stock that had settled in the early days in that valley. He came to tienere County. and

settled in what is now Burton Township in 1836. locating five miles from what is now Flint.

The farm that our subject's father purchased on coming into the State was a wild tract of Govern- ment land, and he settled in the usual log cabin in heavy timbered land. He cleared the place and made it his home until one year prior to his death when he removed to Flint and lived with our sub- ject until his decease, which occurred in March 1875, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Our subject's mother had passed away ten years prev- iously. She also was of German descent. She left a family of eight children, all of whom grew to years of maturity in this county. They are Henry, Isaac, Truman, William, James, Mary J., (Mrs. An- drew Harrison), George and David.

Jolin Schram was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in the carly day of his set- tlement here his home was the stopping place for . all the itinerant ministers of the old cirenit and frequently was the serne of impressive, if informal religious meetings. Our subject acquired his edu- cation in the country schools and in the schools of Flint. He remained at home until reaching his majority, when he went to Saginaw and remained for four years. Coming back from that place he took charge of his father's farm until the spring of 1874, when he moved to Flint in order to engage in huis present business.

At the present time David Schram is the oldest business man who has been interested in his special branch of work in this loentity. He has been very successful as he is thoroughly practical in his know- ledge of the best classes of machinery and also of what there is most demand for in his locality. He has served as Justice of the Peace and Township Treasurer and has also held various school offices. He was Supervisor for seven years and Superinten- dent of buildings at the time of the erection of the county buildings. For two years much of his time and attention was occupied in this way. Although interested in politics, he has not been actively en- gaged therein since coming to this city.

On June 11, 1856, Mr. Schram was mited in marriage with Miss Mary Mason, of Mundy Town- ship, the daughter of Daniel Mason, farmer and hotel-keeper of Mundy. Mrs. Selvam died June

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19, 1879, leaving two daughters-Am E., now a teacher in the city schools, and Mary E., who has charge of the district school. The oldest child, a son, died at the age of six yours and six months. Mr. Schram is a self-made man, and his affability makes him a genial com- panion. A> a citizen he is honorable and trust- worthy, and as a business man reliable. Few men occupy a more pleasant niche in the esteem of their fellow citizen- than he, and it is therefore with pleasure that we invite the reader's attention to his portrait presented on another page.

...

AMES DAVIS. It is with sincere gratifica- tion that the biographer takes up his pen to chronicle the life of any man, who, although of foreign birth. learned to love the in-ti- titions of Amerien and gave his services for the honor of the old fag during the days of the Civil War. Such an one we have in Mr. Davis, who has proved himself a true American both in peace and war. He is now carrying on general farming on # beautiful tract of one hundred and sixty arres. situated on section 16. Mt. Morris Township. tien- este County.

Mr. Davis was born in Dorsetshire, England. November 10, 1836, and is a son of dames Davis. a native of the same place, who was born in 1801 and died in 1889. The father became a sailor at the age of thirteen and sailed on the high seas, he- coming chief mate, following this vocation until he came to America, in 1875. His voyaging was mostly in the English Channel, touching French, German and Russian seaports and being engaged in trading expeditions. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Beal, was a native of the same shire and died when her son James was a little boy of eleven years.

When our subject was thirteen years old he came across the ocean with his undle. Robert Davis, and settled in Nova Scotia. He became cabin boy and started out on the ship "Southampton," running between New York and London, but two years later he gave up the sea and came to Michigan

with his uncle, and located on the farm where he now lives when it was all a wilderness and they had to ent the road three miles through the dense forest in order to reach the farin. Previous to the unele's death, which took place in 1879, they Ind cleared the entire farm and made substantial im- provements thereon.

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Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan, Part 38

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