USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 42
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 42
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 42
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Twenty-five years after he left England to seek a home in this country, Mr. Pothury returned to his old home, being accompanied thither by his
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RESIDENCE OF JAMES SHANAHAN, SEC. 10. MONTROSE TP., GENESEE CO., MICH.
RESIDENCE OF HENRY SIPLE, SEC.2. , DAVISON TP., GENESEE CO., MICH.
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RESIDENCE OF ROBERT POTBURY , SEC. 25., FLINT TP.,GENESEE CO.,MICH.
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wife and starting on the trip after their marriage in 1878. They visited Mr. Potbury's brother and sister at the old homestead. and spent two weeks is London, and visited many places famous in the world's history. After a pleasant trip they re- turned to the United States, feeling that they were contented to live and die in Michigan.
AMES SHANAHAN. Michigan has For many years received a most valuable addi- tion to her citizenship from across the Canadian boundary, and almost without es- ception those who have just come from that pros- inre have been men of sterling integrity and have bought with them habits of industry and thrift which are greatly promotive to the prosperity of the Wolverine State. Among these is Mr. Shana- han, who was born in Huron County, Ontario, June 18, 1819. and is a son of William and Aun (Hymne) Shanahan. The first seventeen years of he life were spent in Huron County, Ontario, upon a farm and he there received his training in agri- cultural pursuits and his rudimentary education.
Port Austin, Huron County, was his first home in Michigan and he was there employed in the woods, passing one season in the limber camps, af- ter which he returned to Huron County, Ontario, and the following fall came again to Michigan and resumed lumbering on the Rifle River. in Arenae County. After another sojourn in Canada he made his final settlement, in the fall of 1869. in Saginaw County, this State, where he entered the employ of Williams Bros, and was with them in the lumber trade for five years. In 1871 he pur- chased eighty aeres in Montrose Township, which he proceeded to improve during the summer, while he continued in the lumber business during the winter until 1881. At that time he made a permanent settlement ou his farm, although he has never entirely cared to take an active interest in lumbering, being at present engaged in purchasing lumber for quebec parties.
The farm of Mr. Shanahan has been increased from time to time by purchase, until it now com-
prises one hundred and sixty aeres, and upon it has been created a handsome brick residence, besides bares and outhouses of a good grade. A view of the farm, which is now second to none in the township, appears on another page. Political af- fairs have ever attracted his attention and in the spring of 1885 he was elected Township Super- visor, which position he occupied for six comeen- tive terms and was chairman of the board during his last incumbency of the office. He has also feld the office of Highway Commissioner for two years and was one of the most active men in securing the election of Mark S. Brewer to Congress in 1888, Up to the time of that campaign he had been active as a Democrat, but since that he has soled and worked with the Republican party. Educational affairs and all matters that pertain to the general prosperity of the community find in him an active worker and he is a devoted member of the Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Shanahan, was married in Mt. Morris, Gru- Ger County, on October 2. 1878, to Miss Eliza- beth Green. daughter of James and Ellen ( Mackin) Green, who was born in Flint Township, Genesce County, January 25. 1858, To this union have been granted six children, viz .: Mary E., Annie E .. Margaret, William J., Edward S, and Gertrude. Our subject is a thoroughly practical man and has been obliged to gain for himself much which many have received through their school education. By perseverance and observation he has risen to rank with men of intelligence and education. and by in- dustry and economy has attained a handsome property. For about three years he was Postmas- ter of Navan, Montrose Township, but in the sum- mer of 1891 resigned this office.
ENRY SIPLE an intelligent and progressive farmer, is one of the most popular citizens of Davison Township, Conoce County. and is now serving as its Supervisor. He has recently (1891) rented his farm and will beme- forth reside in Davison, where he will In engaged in the manufacture of road carts. Mr. Siple was
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born in Sussex County, N. J., February 16, 1811, ner has been his three years, and it was in the and is the son of, Isaac and Margaret (Coursen) I spring of 18: that he was elected Supervisor of Siple, natives of New Jersey. His father who has always carried on his trade as a wheelwright, came to Michigan in 1856 and located in Macomb County. In that be removed to Orion Township, Oakland County, where he is still living at the age of seventy -seven.
The mother of our subject, who was descended from a long line of New England ancestry, died in July, 1889, at the age of sixty-eight years. In her religious convictions she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. All of her eleven children are still living, the youngest having now renched the age of twenty -one. Our subject is the elest son and the fourth child in order of age. He received limited education at the district school, and had the advantage of log walls and slab seats in his institution of learning. Until he reached the age of fourteen he remained under the parental roof and after that he worked out .by the month until he was married. When he was twenty-three years old he began farming in Independence Township, and there bought forty acres of land. In 1871 be removed to Davison Township, Genesee County, where he carried on a rented farm for six years, In 1880 he bought his present farm on section 2. Davison Township, and here he carries on farming extensively.
Mr. Siple was married in 1868 to Miss Mary Da- vis, who was born in Richfield Township, this county, and is the daughter of Francis and Gert- rude Davis, This family were New Yorkers by farth and came to the country at an early date when it was all a wilderness. Mr. Davis died in December, 1881, and his good wife is still living. I aur also two of her six children. Mr -. Siple was called from earth November 23. 1891.
Frank siple, the only son of our subject has taken auto himself a wife and has made his home in Richfield Township, while Ettie. the only daughter. is the wife of Edward Callahan a farmer in Davison Township. Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and from that day to this he has been a stanch Republican and i- often sent as a delegate to the county and district conventions. The office of Highway Commi-in-
his township. On his beautiful farm of seventy aeres, most of which he has himself cleared from timber be raises varied crops and all kinds of stock. A view of this place is presented on another page. The Order of Odd Fellows claims him as one of its prominent members and he is highly estermed in every department of social and business life.
C HARLES B. FLANDERS, This venerable and intelligent gentleman, who is still in bus- iness and is connected with his son, (i. D. Flanders, was born in Warner, N. II., January 21, 1820. His father, Jonathan, was also a native of the old Granite State who later removed to Brad- ford, N. H .. where he died after completing four- score years of life. The grandfather, Zebulon, was a native of Newburyport. Mas,, and one of the pioneers in Warner, N. H. He also lived to pass the limit of forescure and his wife completed ninety-five years. He was of English birth and his wife, whose name was Miss Frinch, was born in France.
The mother of our subject was Sarah Lowell, daughter of Capt. Lowell, a scalaring man, who had many and varied experience- upon the high was The mother died in Bradford. N. I., at about the age of fifty-five years, and of her four sons and ten daughters only four are now living. Charles Flanders removed from his native home to Claremont, N. H., at the age of twelve and was there educated in the district schools, and when eighteen he went to Lowell, Mass,, and for eight years worked at the cotton mills there, after which he removed to Newbery. N. Y., and thence to Manchester, where he worked in the mills and somewhat later entered upon the mercantile busi- ness at Claremont.
The year 1817 marked the engration of this young man to Michigan and be here engaged in general merchandising. For two years he was a mem- ber of the Board of Aldermen and in 1862 he weut 1
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to St. Joseph, Mo., where he remained until 1865. During this time he undertook to drive a four- horse team to benver, transporting a load of sugar and at Ft. Kearney was taken seriously ill and sold out his cargo and returned to St. Joseph with $130. In 1865 he came to Flint and bought the store of D. S. Fox, and here carried on an extensive trade, somewhat later building a brick store on South Saginaw Street and afterward another on Detroit Street. Besides this line of business he has at var- ious times carried on farming. To a stock of groceries be added dry-goods, boots and shoes, and built the store which they now use m 1890. This handsome two-story building stands at the corner of Saginaw and Third Streets and the main build- ing measures 22x70 feet and has two wings each measuring 20x30 feet. He has two brick stores in south Saginaw and owns the Sherman House and the House Block, besides seventeen acres of land in- side the corporation.
The marriage of our subject took place in Man- chester, N. I., in 1813 and his bride. Mass Sophia A. Williams, daughter of John Williams, was burn in Alstead. N. 1. One child was born to them, George D., who is now a partner with his father and a man who is prominent in the Masonic order. These gentlemen are Democratic in their political views but are not radical on the subject, preferring to be good citizens rather than rabid politicians.
OHN M. RUSSELL, Presenting Attorney of Genesee County, who reside in the city 1 of Flint, is one of the most prominent of the younger members of the legal fraternity in this vicinity, and a man whose rive in hiscalling and popularity are substantial. Mr. Russell was born in Clyde, N. Y. April 1. 1857. He is a son of 1 .. P. and Martha II. (Cornell) Russell, the former a native of Herkimer County, N. Y .. and the latter of Marietta, Ohio. Our subject's father went to Wayne County, N. Y., in 1816, and located in Clhde. where he was engaged in farming one hundred and twenty-ix acres of land. He was a
Captain in the State militia, and served in the In- dian War. His derease occurred in 1865. He was commonly known as Deacon Russell, having been prominently connected with the Baptist Church.
Mr. Russell's mother was of Scottish descent, Her laterual gedfather was one of two brothers who went to the Island of Borneo, but becoming inpli- cated in an insurrection were obliged to leave, com- ing thenee to Charleston, S. t'., where they separa- ter, Mrs. Russell's grandfather locating in Marietta, Ohio. He was an athlete and was killed by being thrown in a wrestling match. Our subject's pater- ual great-grandtather was the owner of some min- ing property in Fishkill, on the Hudson, but by mi-management lost the property. and then went to Wayne County. Mrs. Russell now resides in Clyde on the old farm, and is eighty-three years of age.
Of the five children of whom our subject is one, the following are the names: C. A., who served in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and who is now a practicing physician in Owosso; (i. l., who was a Sergeant in Company 1. of the Seventy-lifth New York Infantry, and is now a retired farmer living in Owosso; Nathan B. was killed at Baton Rouge, La .; W. I. lives on the old homestead; and holm M., is he of whom we write.
The original of this sketch was reared on the home farm and educated at tiyde, graduating at the age of eighteen years le then entered the law office of Judge Cowles, of Clyde, pursuing his studies under him for two years. In the fall of 1878 Mr. Russell entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan, and was graduated in I xxl with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He first located at Farwell, Mich., and engaged in the prac- tice of his profession for a short period.
From Farwell he removed to Harrison, county seat of Clare County, and there became one of the firm of fireen & Russell. the partnership lasting until 1883. when he located at Otisville. Besides the practice of his profession. Mr. Russell engaged in the merchandise business, and also operated a farm of forty acres. In March of 1886, he removed to F'lint. and engaged in the practice of law. Later he beeatme interested in the pine regions of the Northern Peninsula on the Marquette, Houghton,
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Ontonagon & Brule River Railroad. These were forfeited land grants. In the meantime he retained his law practice here.
In 1890 Mr. Russell was elected City Clerk, and wasalso elected Prosecuting Attorney on the Dem- ocratie ticket, assuming the duties of the office .Jan- mary 1, 1891. Mr. Russell was nuited in marriage, at Harrison, Mich., to Miss Emuma T. Wilson, a daughter of W. 11. and Amelia B. Wilson, na- tives of this county, whose parents came here at a very early day. Mrs. Russell's grandfather built the lir-1 bridge crossing the Flint River, and her father held a prominent position in the community as a business man. He was one of the firm of W. I. d. F. A. Wilson's lumber company. He was also interested in the firm of Wilson, Stone & Wilson, | of Harrison, Clare County, and has been a very stressful merchant. Our subject and his wife are the parents of two children, Donald W. and Jessie M. Socially he belongs to the Masonic Lodge, the Ells. Knights of Pythias, and also to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. In his political predilection he is a Democrat, and in 1890 he was elected by a majority of three hundred and eighty- one votes, and was the only one elected on the straight Democratie ticket.
ILLIAM F. STEWART. The business in- forests of the city of Flint find an excel- lent representative in Mr. Stewart, who is engaged as a carriage and woodwork manufac- turer at No. 529 West Kearsley Street. Here for the past five years (since 1886) he has operated a steam power manufactory, doing a general jobbing trade and supplying manufacturers at wholesale. He may property be called a self-made man, as what he has and what he is the result of earnest and unaided exertions on his own part. From an humble position as a journeyman he has risen to the head of an extensive establishment, having in his employ sixty-live men, the majority of whom ure skilled workmen and making a large pay roll.
London. Ontario, July 22, 1816. The educational advantages as offered by the city of London were enjoyed by our subject in his youth, and as he grew toward manhood he learned the trade of carriage-making and woodwork manufacturing. He became very proficient in these lines, and after being thus engaged in London, Ontario, until 1865, he crossed the border into the United States, and going to New York City, continued in busi- ness in the same line. The year 1868 marked his arrival in Michigan, where he located in Pontine and engaged in the same business. He worked first as a journeyman, and by his careful attention to the various details of business he was enabled to save money, while at the same time by his re- liable and honest dealings with all he became known as trustworthy and pamstaking.
In 1881 Mr. Stewart established himself in the manufacturing business in this city, but shortly after returned to Pontiac, whence in 1886 he finally returned to this rity and has here since re- mained, actively engaged in his business. He does business on a very extensive scale at pres- ent, manuitacturing thousands of buggy bodies of all kind-, and frequently sending out an order for ten thousand buggy boxes or bodies for one customer. He still has his carriage factory in Pou- time, and these two establishments are the largest of their kind in this section of country, if not in the entire State of Michigan. He gives his whole attention to his business, and to this devotion may be attributed his success, ' His customers lind him genial and painstaking and his reputation as an honorable laursiness man extends as far as his name is known.
NDREW J. COX. This gentleman, who is the County Treasurer of Genesee County, was elected to that office in No- vember, 1890, and has so far conducted it with credit and good judgment. Previous to his nomination he had not been active in politics, but after his nomination on two tickets he did
A native of Canada, Mr. Stewart was born in telling campaign work. Mr. Cos was born in Erie
Jours truly Las Ekumen WAS
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County, N. Y., May 19, 1817, and is a son of Jacob and Susan (Good) Cox, who were farmers, tOur subject grew to maturity. completing his educa- tion at the Clarence (assical Inion School, after which he taught during the winters for seven years. The father remained on the farm until his death in 1885, and there the mother still lives. The former had held various township offices.
Our subject came to this county in the fall of 1865, and hought sixty acres of land in Vienesee l'ownship, and taught during the following win- ter. To this acreage he has added until he now has one hundred and fifty three acres, all improved, and a house worth $1,600, which was built in 1887. His farm is in excellent condition, and there be is breeding Percheron and Clydesdale horses, good, substantial draft animal-, and a sil- perior grade of cattle and sheep.
A happy home was established by the marriage. April 18, 1868 of Mr. Cox and Miss Minerva Roce. This lady s a daughter of Peter Reese. an old settler of Genesee County. This couple have been blessed by the birth of two children-Howard. who is now twelve years old. and Eva, who is only two. Our subject belongs to the Farmers' Alliance and to the Patrons of Industry. He is a man of much ability and is greatly valued in the community.
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AMES F. RE MER. M. D .. a popular physician at Davison Station, where he enjoys a lucra- tive practice, was born December 12. 1852. at Rushsylvania, Logan County, Ohio. Il is the son of a Virginian, James Rumer, why emi- grated to Logan County, Ohio where he engaged in the mercantile business. remaining there until his death in 1851. The mother, Elizabeth Shrum, was of GGerman extraction and was born in Ohio; she died in the fall of 1890. Right of her nine children are still living.
Dr. Rumer attended the district school in his boyhood days and afterward entered the North- wood Academy, giaduating therefrom in t87o. Subsequent to this be taught school for a series of
yesus, both in the country and in the graded schools, and doring the time when he pursued teaching he also undertook the study of medicine, devoting all his spare time to hi- professional renting.
In 1882 the young man came to Michigan, and several years later located at Mt. Morris and began practicing with Dr. Bardwell, while he con- tinued his reading. Afterward he practiced there by himself for two years. In the winter of 1880 he took up his residence in Richfield, where he practiced until 1887. He then went to Chicago in order to take a course of lectures in Rush Medical College and in 188X entered the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, where he took his diploma in 1889; during the same -carson he located at Davison. He was married in 1882 to Miss Clara Golden of this county. The live children who have come to cheer their home are: Eddie, James. Blanch. Jose and Margarete. The last named died in infancy.
The political principles which are endorsed by Dr. Rumer are those which are found expresed in the declarations and platform of the Republican party, and while he is not a politician, he is truly interested in the succes of the policy thus marked out. He is identified with both the Masonic order and the Kmghts of the Maccabees, and is one of the stockholders and the Treasurer of the Davison Road Cant Company. His business and professional talent- Ind fair to make him one of the most sie- cessful men in this part of the country and he is highly esteemed for his social qualities.
Accompanying this biographical notice will be found a portrait of the Doctor.
OSEPH P. COOK, of the firm of Cook & Pierson, proprietors of the Grand Blanc Flouring Mills. resides in the village of Grand Blane and is an old settler in the county. He is a native of livingston County, N. Y., and was there born October 9, 1828. He is a sum of Gordon C. and Wealthy (Pierson) Cook. The former was a native of Connecticut and the
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latter of New York State. On the paternal side our subject's ancestors are traced back to the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock and it is said that his maternal ancestors were also English.
In 1836 our subject with his parents emigrated to Genere County, this State, coming by team from Avon, N. Y., to the place where they located. They stopped on their way luther wherever night overtook them. The family settled in Grand Blanc Township on section 20, and were among the earliest settlers of this locality, their home being made in the dense woods. His father purchased three eighty -acre tracts of land from the Govern- ment and remained in the township until his death, which occurred when he was fifty -nine years of age; his wife survived him until 1881, when she too died.
Gordon and Wealthy Cook were the parents of four children who are named as follows: Joseph 1., Sarah ML., now the widow of the Rev. O. Whit- more, Henry H. and Ellen A., wife of A. J. Cronk. The father of our subject for years previous to his decease had served as Highway Commissioner of Grand Blanc Township and was one of the repre- sentative men of the county. Our subject was reared to manhood amid scenes of pioneer life and has accomplished his share of preparing this beau- tiful land for the present generation. The first team that he used in breaking the land were oxen. lle received his education in the district school of Grand Blanc Township, but his mental growth only began in that institution, for he has since at- tained manhood's stature in inteliect. He is an intelligent and well-read gentleman whose options in regard to the issues of the day are characterized by depth and balance of thought.
Mr. Cook was married October 20, 1852, to Miss Julia 11. Slaght, a sister of Dr. Andrew Slaght, of Grand Blanc. By this union seven children have been born, four of whom are still living and where names are John G., Edwin II., George W. and Willis G. George W. is now engaged as a teacher in the State school for the deaf and dumb at Flint; Willis G. is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Principal of the High School at Flint.
For years our subject resided on his farm on see- tion 20, but in 1887 removed to thand Blanc,
which has since been the place of his residence. In Jest les formed a partnership with George 1. Pierson in the milling business, which has continued up to the present time, he of whom we write Wwing senior partner. He owns a good farm of one hun- dred and forty-four acres of land, which is well improved and a one-half interest in the milling property. Mr. Cook is a Republican in politics and has served as Justice of the Peace and Highway Commissioner. He has also been one of the Drain- age Commissioners of the Township. In his church relations he is a Congregationalist. Our subject has been successful in life and is now among the leading and representative Isiness men of Grand Blanc.
HOMAS G. MOCELLA. This true son of Scotland who was born across the seas, July 12, 1819, is now a farmer upon section 19, Millington Township. Tuscola County. His fa- ther, Jolm. and his mother, Sarah (Perry) Medulla, were born in Scotland and were there reared and married. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Perry was a native of England, and his wife. Sarah For- sythe, was of Scotch birth. To Mr. and Mrs. M .- Culla were born seven sons and four daughter -.
John MeCulla, was a machinist by trade and carried on his avocation in his native land, and died there, as did also his wife: Our subject was twenty-one years of age when he left Scotland and came to Alpena, Mich., and for one year was in the lumber woods, following sailing during the sum- mers and himbering during the winter. The farm which he now owns was purchased by him with the means he had accumulated in this work, and it became his in 1878. This beautiful tract of eighty aeres is considered one of the choicest farms of Millington Township. He has made his own prop- erty and cleared his farm and has seventy acres of improved land. I'mon this he is now building a handsome residence.
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