Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan, Part 40

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 40
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 40
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 40

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).

A half-century has passed, some of it in shadow and some of it in sunshine, since Mr. Bontwell brought to his home a bride, and it may be truly said of her that she has divided his sorrows and doubled his joys. Mrs. Boutwell was known in her maidenhood as Miss Eliza Hurd, and was born January 6, 1821, in New York. , The nine children who blessed this happy union all survive, namely: Helen, Russell, Franklin, Eugene, Herbert, Ellie, Florence, Dora and Rebecca. They have scattered from the old fireside and have established homes of their own in various localities, but wherever they have gone, the habits of integrity and upright- uess early instilled into their minds by careful pa- rental instruction, have made them foremost in all good works and promment in business and social circles.

Since coming to Michigan Mr. Boutwell has, with the exception of a brief period spent in lum- bering, devoted himself to farming and stock- raising and still continues thus engaged. He has ·

witnessed great changes and have seen many

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

improvements made throughout the State. Could he fifty years age have had the power to look for- ward into the future, and discover not only what he himself would accomplish, but also what would be done by his brother pioneers, he would have labored with greater conrage than he has already done, for no one can dispute that the first settling of this part of the country was necessarily an exper- iment. Few, it is true. stood in doubt as to the final result, but fewer still would have prophesied the achievements which have really been accom- plished. As one who contributed to this result, the name of Mr. Boutwell will be held in loving remem- brance long years after he shall have entered into rest.

HOMAS DOYLE. Our subject has the cream of the trade of extreme seasons, for during the panting days of summer he furnishes the people of Flint with ice, and during the winter season with coal and wood. Mr. Doyle is a native of this city where he was born October 12, 1852. He is a son of Christopher and Alice (Gillespie) Doyle, both natives of Ireland. The father caine to America with his parents when a boy and settled in New York State, later coming to Flint, where his father died in the early days of the town. Chris- topher Doyle worked in the woods and finally established a huuber business on the Flint River. He died in 1866, being at the time the owner of a farm in Flint Township. Our subject's mother has again married and is now Mrs. Ryan, a resident of Flint.

Of the four sons of which our subjeet is one, he is also the elilest. . James died in this city; John is a resident here and Christopher was drowned when four years of age. Thomas was reared and edu- cated here and the cares of the farm were carly shifted to his young shoulders, but when sixteen years of age he began working at the lumber trade in which he continued for several years. In 1875 he became Superintendent of the Flint River Boom company. the boom extending down the river one hundred miles and our subject was Superintendent

of eight camps and had from two hundred to three hundred men under his employ until 1881.

Mr. Doyle purchased the old farm comprising one hundred and eighty avres on sections 5 und 6, and loented on the Flint River. It is well improved and he operated it himself. In fast he bought out the ice business from Alanson Poursal, and Inter added coal and wood taking in as partner P. .. O'Hare. Their office and yards are located ou North Saginaw Street, und they have side tracts from the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad. They Irive ice houses both on the Flint and Thread Lakes that have a capacity of over three thousand tons. Aside from this lucrative business our sub- ject has some valuable real estate in the city.

Mr. Doyle was married in Ann Arbor December 8, 1878, to Miss Ellen Ganson, who was born in this city and reared and educated in Ann Arbor. Two children have graced this union, Ambrosia and Nellie. Our subject has been Alderman for the First Ward for four years and during that time he was on various committees and proved himself an alle adjunct of the City Fathers. He has a pleasant residence located on Fourth Street. Aside from his business he devotes himself to general farming and stock raising. He was reared in the Catholic faith and is a firm adherent to the Democratic party,

A lithographie portrait of Mr. Doyle is presented in connection with this sketch.

F6 RANCIS H. RANKIN. Jut. is the present Mayor of Flint; he is also a member of the firm of F. H. Rankin & Son, editors and proprietors of the Wolverine Citizen. He was born in this city. December 28, 1851, and is a son of the lon. Francis Il. Rankin, a native of County Down, Ireland, as was also his grandfather, Joseph Rankin.

Ont subject's father was reared and educated in his native land and came to America in 1818. He at once located in Pontiac, Mich., where he learned the printer's trade. He came to Flint in 1850 and established the paper known as the Wolverine ('il-

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izen und has been its editor ever since. He is the oldest editor in the county and also the editor who has longest had control of one paper in Michigan. He was City Clerk for a number of years and was member of the School Board for some time. He also served as Postmaster from 1879 to 1887. He was in the State Legislature two terms, from 1800 to 1865, and was a Senator one term, from 1877 to 1879. During that time he was appointed one of three inspectors of the Michigan prisons by Gov. Crapo. Socially he was Grand Master of the In. dependent Order of Odd Fellows and was Grand Representative of the Sovereign Lodge in 1873, holding a prominent place in that order. He is also a very prominent Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree. He is a Republican in politics.

Our Subject's mother before her marriage was Miss Arabella Hearn, who was born in County Longford, Ireland. She is a daughter of the Rev. Richard S. Hearn, an Episcopal clergyman. She was reared in her native land and is a well-educated and cultured lady. She has taken an active part in educational matters in this city and was one of the founders of the Ladies' Library, later merged into the School Library and Scientific Institute. She was one of the delegates to the Soldiers Sani- tary Fair at Chicago, as representative from the State of Michigan, during the war. She is the mother of six children, all of whom are living. Our subject is the fourth in order of birth.

Francis Rankin, Ir. was reared in Flint and was educated in the ward schools. When thirteen year's of age he began to learn the printer's trade and was obliged to stand on a chair to reach the cases. Ever since he has devoted himself to this work he has gradually advanced in the business until he now manages it, having taken one-half interest in the paper in 1881, so it is run under the firm name: of F. 11. Rankin & Son. The Wolverine Citizen was founded in 1850 as a weekly, then known as the Genesce Il'hig. It was a six-column folio but has since enlarged its scope until it is now a six-colum quarto. For eighteen months during the war they also conducted a daily. The Citizen is a Republi. can sheet that is bright and newsy and is devoted for the interests of the county. Aside from their

journalistic work they do a large amount of job printing, employing eight men besides giving their own work. They use steam-power in running their

Our subject was married to Miss Caroline Pierce. October 21, 1881. The lady was born in Grand Blanc, Girne-se County, and is a daughter of Silas Pierce, one of the old New England settlers of this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin have one child whose name is Caroline A. Our subject was City Treasurer in 1881 and was elected Mayor in April, 1891, both offices being pressed upon him unsought. He has been Secretary of the Republican County Committee for six years and is very active in poli- ties. He is also Secretary of the Genesee County AAgricultural Society. Ile is also Vice President of the Flint Gentlemen's Driving Club and is the owner of some very line horses. Socially he is a Mason and a Knight of Maccabees. He and his family are members of the Episcopal Church.

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APT. GEORGE E. NEWALL, who was the commanding officer of Company 1, in the old Eighth Michigan Infantry, is now the Postmaster of Flint, and engaged in the real-estate and insurance business. He is a thorough Inisiness man and most accommodating and genial, and has horts of friends. He was born in Flushing Town- Ship, Gender County, September 18, 1812. His father, Thomas Newall, was born in Manchester, England, in November, 1819, and his grandfather, John, was of Welsh descent and a sailor on the high seas, being in the English navy during the War of 1812 and participating in the campaign of Lake Erie. After his return to England he made several trips to this country and died in 1885 at the age of ninety-four years.

The father of our subject learned the trade of : cotton spinner, which he pursued in England. Soon after his marriage, when he was about twenty- two years old, he came to America in May, 1×12, by way of New York. Having acquaintances at Flushing, he came, hither and located on a farm, but in 1818 cold his property and engaged in work

أيد السى

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

at Flint. In 1832 he formed a partnership with Isaac Merriman, with whom he built and operated n planing mill, and after Mr. Merriman's death he continued the same business with J. W. Arm- strong, with whom he continued and afterward look in other partners, but finally the firm became Newall & Co. and thus continued until 1881, when he retired from business, and now resides in Flint.

The mother of our subject was known in her maid- enhood as Sarah Bowden and was born in Stock- port, England, a daughter of Richard Bowden, who came to America and died in 1861 in Flushing. Ilis daughter Sarah died in Flint October 1, 1888. Of her two children only one grew to maturity. Our subject was reared and educated in Flint, has- ing the advantages of the city schools. At the age of fourteen he went into the planing mill and remained there until 1861, when he enlisted in Company E, Seventh Michigan Infantry and later was transferred to Company A, Eighth Mich- igan Infantry. For his services in helping to raise the company he was made First Lieutenant, with Fenton as Colonel and S. C. Guile as Captain. They were sent to Washington and thence to South Carolina under tien. Sherman.

This young soldier saw the smoke of battle at Coosaw River, Ft. Pulaski, Wilmington Isle, James Island, and in all was in twenty skirmishes and battles, including the second battle of Bull Run. At James Island our subject was made captain temporarily in place of Capt. Guile, who was there killed. He was also in the battles of Chan- tilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg. and Chancellorsville. In April, 1868, he resigned his command and came home. His first serious wound was received at the battle of James Island, the second at Bull Run and the third at Antie- tam. Failing health compelled him to withdraw from the service, and on reaching home he weighed only one hundred and eight pounds.

Capt. Nowall resumed his interest in the planing mill and remained therein until the Ist of .lan- mary 1881. when he sold out his share in the husi- ness. In 1880 he was elected county Registrar of Deeds on the Republican ticket and was re-elected to the same position, so that be held it until 1885, Since that time he bas built up a business in in-

surance and pensions and in 1888 was admitted to practice before the Interior Department. Upon the 11th of February, 1891, he was appointed Postmaster of Flint and he has proven a model official, faithful in the discharge of his duties and courteous to all. He has a farm of eighty aeres in Burton Township, which is in the hands of a tenant.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah 11. Freeman took place in Flint in May, 1863. This lady is a native of Flint and daughter of Daniel S. Freeman, who came from New Jersey in 1833 and settled in Pontiac, but the following year removed to Flint. Two children have blessed this union, Winnie J., who died May 17, 1887, at the age of twenty-three years; and John W., now foreman for the Monarch and Meyrs Cigar Factory at Flint. Capt. Newall was Mayor of Flint mn 1883 and has held the offices of School Director and Supervisor of the First Ward. He had command of Company A, Third Regiment State Militia for three years. Ile is connected with the Masonic order and with the Knights of the Maccabees and is commander of the Gov. Crapo Post No. 115. G. A. R. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and a sturdy Republican, being often delegate to county and State conventions, and has been a member of the city and county Republican committees,

EVT FAILING. One of the most beautiful rural homes in Flushing Township, Genesce County. is owned by the gentleman whose name is quoted above. It is an encouraging ex- ample to ambitious young men of small means and unpromising prospects, that the owner of so beau- tiful a place and such a successful man in com- mercinl life and one who has made himself a posi- tion in the community should have begun most humbly and have won by his perseverance and energy every foot of ground which he now holds. His place is located on section &, Flushing Town- ship, and comprises two hundred and forty-four acres of land,

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Mr. Failing was born in Genesee County, N. Y., January 30, 1819, and is a son of Henry and Nancy ( ellis) Failing, both natives of the Empire State. Our subject lost his father when very young and when only six years old, was bound out on a farm to Mr. Chaney Bird. He was with him for eight years and then began working for himself at black- -mithing in the town of Byron, N. Y. He was engaged as a journeyman for some time. Our sub- jeet came to Michigan in the fall of 1811 and settled in Gaines Township, Genesee County. Ile employed himself at his trade and had a small piece of land upon which he lived for two years. Ile then went to Bloomfield, Oakland County, and there hved for four years, working at his trade. lle later purchased eighty acres of land near Davi- sonville, Genesee County, and while improving the place was engaged also at his trade. He then moved to Flint and started in business with Mr. Wicks and continued the partnership for one year.

After the dissolution of the partnership our sub- ject started for California and was gone three years. While there be secured a gold mine, which he had worked by others while be devoted himself to his trade. On returning to Flint he built a shop and conducted the blacksmithing work. Ile sold out and in 1880 be purchased the place whereon he now lives.

Mr. Failing was married in 1836 to Miss Jane Kesler, a native of Orleans County, N. Y., and a daughter of John and Polly ( Eveson) Kesler. natives of the Mohawk Valley. They moved to Michigan in 1817 and settled in the township of Davison, this county, and were there employed in farming until the dercase of the father. They had a family of four children, who are: Mrs. Failing, Beers, Jerome and Elsie, (Mrs. Taylor.) Our subject's father's family comprises only two living children-Maria, now Mrs. Rogers, and he of whom we write.

Mr. and Mrs. Failing have had six children- Polly, Nancy, Orcelia and Rosetta. Polly, now Mrs. Wright, has one child-Levi C., who is the father of one child-Cland; Nancy, Mrs. II. Crow, has two children-Henry E. and Winnie May; Orvelia, Mrs. Johnson, has one child-Fern F .; Rosetta is at home; two children died in 1.

fancy-Julia Ann and Mice Locadie; they are all finely educated and are exceptionally good mu- sicians. Our subject is a Republican. He and his family are Christian people, who are generous in their support of churches and schools. Mr. Failing breeds tine Clydesdale horses. He also breeds Durham cattle and has a line flock of Saxon Down sheep. His bonne is a model of neatness and artistic arrangement and his barns are capacious and well built.

G NORGE M. DART, who has spent most of his life in Genesee County, has his fine farm in Gaines Township, on section 1. He was about three years old when his parents enme hither. They were the late George M. Part, n native of Connecticut and Mrs. Lucy A. (Chapel) Dart, natives of the same State. On coming to Genesee County, they settled in the Fletcher neigh- borhood, which is in the township of Gaines and here the father died in 1813 about four years after their coming here. His devoted companion sur- vived him some years, and died in Clayton Town- ship, when about sixty-five years old. They had two children, Mary A., now the wife of Morgan Chapman, and George M.

Our subject was born in the State of Connecti- eut, July 11. 1836, and since he was old enough to undertake farm labor he has devoted himself throughout life to agricultural pursuits. In con- sequence of the necessities of pioneer life he re- ceived but a hmited edneation and has found it necessary to supplement his schooling by inde- pendent reading and observation.

George M. Dart was married in Grand Blanc Township, December 30, 1856, to Esther Alien, who was born in New York, May 21, 1811. Her father was Ellsworth Allen and her mother was known in her maidenhood as Ruth Remington. They were old settlers of Genesee County and had come to Grand Blane Township when it was almost an unbroken forest, They died in Munds Town- ship, lenving nine children, of whom Mrs. Dart is the fourth in order of age,

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Mr. and Mrs. Dart are the parents of two chil- dren, Ellsworth, who died at the age of sixteen months, and Matic, who is now Mrs. Arthur Salisbury. In boxal affairs Mr. Dart takes an active part and bis judgment endorses the principles of the Republican party, yet he is not in any sense a politician, but is intelligent in regard to both Mate and national politics. Mr. and Mrs. Dart have for many years been members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, in which our subject has held the offices of Steward and Trustee. They are highly respected in the community and have the good will of all. His beautiful farm of more than sixty- eight acres is in fine condition and very productive and not only the house but the barns and out- buildings bespeak a thrifty and systematic farmer.

G BORGE S. HEMMINGWAY is a farmer of Hadley Township, Lapeer County. He was born in this township where he still resides, his natal day being December 29, 1813. lle was third in order of birth in a family of six children born to George F. and Sarah .A. (Flint) Hemmingway, who were natives of Steuben County, N. Y. The former was one of a sturdy long-lived race and his father, James Hemming- way, who was a native of New York, come to Michigan in the year 1837, and located in the township s herein our subject now lives. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and preached the first sermon ever delivered in what is now Hadley Township. The editice in which the sermon was preached is now an old barn on the farm owned by Frank Hadley on section 11.

James Hemmingway was engaged in ministerial work from the time he was thirty years of age until he was ninety, preaching his last sermon on his ninetieth birthday. Our subject's father was a wagon-maker by trade, although he afterward became a carpenter. He then took up the study of law and began to practice his profession. He was sent to the legislature from Midland County, this State, and was afterward elected Presenting VI- torney of the same county where he now resides. 1

Jorge Hemingway grew to manhood in the county where he now lives and on the breaking out of the war, in May, 1861, he enlisted in Bat- tery A, First Michigan Light Artillery, and served for three years. He first went to West Virginia and took part in many battles. He was present at the engagement at Elk Water, at Rich Mountain and in numerous encounters. He was then trans- ferred to the Army of the Cumberland und in that. division participated in the battles of Stone River, Perryville. Chickamauga. Resaca, besides various minor engagements. After a service which was prolonged three years, he returned home and has been actively engaged in farming ever since. He is the owner of one hundred and forty acres of land which yields him a good income.

Our subject was married December 25, 1866. to Mary E., daughter of Robert Davenport. Of this marriage five children were born, namely: Delia. Earl, Ada, Mabel and Ella. Politically Mr. Hem- mingway is a Prohibitionist, while in their relig- ions preference the family are members of the Baptist Church.

ASON CAMPBELL. Although retired from the active pursuits of the work in which he has for the greater portion of his life been engaged-that of a farmer-our subject is one of the most honored and respected citizens of Grand Blanc. He is a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., and was born August 31, 1×22. He is a son of Dexter and Betsey ( Evans) Campbell, na- tives of New York State. On the paternal side he is of Scotch ancestry.

Mr. Campbell was reared to manhood in his na- tive State, his youth being spent on a farm. Ile unfortunately received but limited educational advantages, but has made up to a great extent by his individual efforts for early deficiencies. He is a well-posted man who converses intelligently upon the greatest issues of the day. While still a resident of New York, he was married December 1. 1818, to Miss Harriet Pierre, who was born March 6, 1829, in Niagara County, N. Y. She isa

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daughter of Suffivan (deceased ) and Adelia Pierce. Her mother is still living in Genere County, this State, being eighty-seven years of age. Mrs. Campbell was reared to maturity in his native State and received good educational advantages there. To our subject and his wife have been born one son, Fred ti., who came to his parents February 18, 1851. He married Ida Curtiss, and by her has become the father of two children- Grace and Ethel.

In the year 1851 our subject with his family re- moved to Genesee County, this State, and settled down to farming in Grand Blanc Township. Here he remained until 1879 when he removed to the village of Grand Blanc, and here became the proprietor of a meat market, for which he did his own butchering a number of years, In 1889 he retired from this business and now acts merciy as overseer of the work of his farm. Mr. Camp- bell came here a poor man. He now owns a good farm of forty acres of land, besides valuable vil- lage property. He and his wife, who has been his life helpmate and wise and loving counselor, have by their prudence and industry, accumulated all the property of which they are now possessed. Both are in their religious association united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and he of whom we write has served as Trustee of the same. Mrs. Campbell is a member of the Home Missionary Society and also of the Ladies' Aid Society. They are both interested and active workers in all local matters. Mr. Campbell is a Democrat in politics and although not ambitious to hold party offive. he is that most desirable of citizens-an honest, consistent man loyal to the best interests of his locality.

R USSELL BISHOP. The gentlemanly and scholarly President of the Genesee County Savings Bank is one of the men of the D'city of Flint who has used his wealth in bringing into his home the choicest productions of literature and art and these chef d'euvres are

brought together with such charming taste as to please the most fastidious. Mr. Bishop is a native of Leroy, Genesce County, N. Y., and was born April 29, 1815. He isa son of Giles and Phebre Van Warring Bishop, both natives of Connecticut. The former was reared on the farm between Hart- ford and New Haven, but at an early day settled as a pioneer in Leroy and there became owner of a large tract of land. He served in the War of 1812 and in 1830 came to Oakland County. Mich., and took up a large tract of land.

The following year Mr. Bishop brought his fam- ily by way of the lakes to Detroit and thence by team to Oakland County and located on the old military road. We purchased several large tracts of land, their first home in the State being a log house. He was a Justice of the Peace and also Postmaster at Springfield, Oakland County. His decease occurred in Flint when sixty-six years of age. Ile was a man of great activity and large ambitions. Our subject's mother died in Oakland County. Both she and her husband were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of four children: Griswold, Russell, Giles, and Lucia, deceased.

Mr. Bishop was reared and educated on the farm in Leroy. He attended the village school until sixteen years of age. On coming to Michigan he assisted his father in clearing the land and in build- ing the log house. He much enjoyed the hunting, which was very fine at that time. He remained at home until mneteen years of age, and in 1835 went to Green Bay, Wis., thence to Milwaukee which was a small village. Thener he proceeded to Chi- cago by stage, going by way of Ft. Dearborn and the old Lake House. Thence he went to doliet and returned to Chicago and purchased some property with the expectation of settling there, but being taken sick sold his land and came back to Oakland County.

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Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan, Part 40

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