USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 49
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 49
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 49
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RS. SARAIF E. BROCKWAY, at present a resident upon a time farm located on section 6, Flint Township. Genere County. is a daughter of Baronet and Derinda ( Wood ) Wister. The former died in Peun Yan. N. Y. Her mother was born in Seneca County, N. Y .. and died in Ontario County, the same State. They had but one child, who is she of whom we write.
1. the only child of the household, Mrs. Brock- way was reared tenderly and carefully in New York, where she was born March 1, 1832. She was carefully educated and when eighteen years of age attended school at Albion, Orleans County. After she had finished her course she was engaged in teaching for a period of six years prior to her marriage. She was married to Horace 1. Brock- way, their nuptials being solemnized in Athion. Orleans County, November 22, 1855.
Mr. Brockway was born in Orleans County. March 5. 1827. As a young man he was noted for his sterling integrity and strength of purpose, and all who knew him anticipated for him success in life. They came to Genesce County, Mich., im- mediately after their marriage and settled on see- tion 6, Flint Township, where Mr. Brockway died November 1. 1887. He took an active interest in local political affair- and was posted in regard to national politics and events. He favored the policy of the Republican party, with which he al- ways voted. He and his wife were attendants of the Presbyterian Church. At the time of his death he was the owner of two hundred and forty
Mr. Dawson is a member of Welcome Tent. No. 31, K. O. T. M., at Fostoria, and in his political connections he is a Republican. For twelve years in succession he has been Township ; acres of land, upon which he had made good im-
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provements. The home is commodious and co- fortable, and is beautified in every way in which taste and good judgment can make a rural place attractive.
Mes, Brockway is the mother of six children, three of whom are living. They are Traverse M., Frederick L .. and Howell E. The eldest Son married Imogene Carey. The three other children of the family died when young. Since her hus- hand's deeease hs. Brockway has had charge of the fanu, and one can see no diminution of care or productiveness in her broad and well-cul- tivated aeres.
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EFFERSON CONRAD. We are gratilied to be able to present a sketch of this prominent and prosperous tarmer whose beautiful property presents so fine an appearance to the eye of the passerby. His success has been hased not upon any inherited property of the work of others, but upon his own pluck, ; ush and persever- ance, which have brought him to the point where we see him to-day. He was born in Lansing. Topkins County. N. Y., August 18, 182:t. His father. George Courad, born in 1799, and a New York farmer, came to Michigan in 1856, spending some ten years in Genesee County, and then re- turning to New York where he died in 1865, at the age of sixty-six years. His mother, inn Terter, who was born in New York, in 1500. died in Michigan in 1870.
(Our subject is second in a family of seven chil- dren, four of whom are still living. He received an ordinary district-school education. When twenty -one years of age he beeme self supporting. working for three years by the month, at $12 pper month, At the end of that time he purchased a farm in Greenwood Towinship, Steuben County, and making what jayment he could, went in dest for the balance and paid it by the prolits of his farm. In 1852 he was married to Mary E. Farrell, of Lansing, N. Y. In 1858 he cmigrated to Mich- igan, coming to Genesee County, and buying his farm on section 12, of Fenton Township. It was
already partially improved, having on it a small house, and a few trees had been felled. He has added to it from time to time until he now has one hundred and sixty acres.
Mr. Courad is the father of six children, lve of shom are living: Georgie, who in 1882, married Bloomfield Clement, of Canisteo. N. Y .; Ella, who married Z. W. Reeman in 1879, and died in 1889, leaving one child, Newell C .; Jay, who married Mattic Richmond in 1886, and has settled on a farm near bis father; Wilbur, who married Lizzie Berryman in 1888, and lives on the farm with his father, and Laura and Lola, who are at home.
The Democratie party receives the endorsement of Mr. Comad, although he is not an active poli- tician. Mr -. Conradis a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The excellent property which its been attained by Mr. Conrad has been gained by his earuest and unwearied efforts, as he began without means. His house is an excellent one and the out-buildings correspond, and on the estate are raised all kinds of stock of good grades.
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ANIEL. C. PROPER. This public-spirited and highly esteemed citizen of Gaines Township, Genesee County, carries on business as a farmer and stock dealer on seetion 18. His father was the late Nelson Proper and died in this township in 1880, but the mother still survives. They were both natives of New York, and came to enesee County about the year 1815, and settled in Gaines Township. Nine sons and two daughters blessed their home, and of that number our subject is the fourth, and was born in New York, February 1, 1837, and was thus about eight years old when his parents removed to Genesee County.
Most of the life of our subjeet has been passed in Caines Township, as he here grew to manhood, and has made it his home. Tyrone Township, Liv- ingston County, was the scene of his marriage. May 6, 1859, and the bride was Miss Mary Bates, She' Dbecame the mother of three children, as fol- lows: Zilpha ahella, Mary Addie and Carlton A.
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yours truly D.W. Richards
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The former is now Mrs. R. Shepard; and the second daughter is the wife of 11. Dann, while the son married Miss Frances Wilson. Mrs. Mary Proper died in Gaines Township, October 11, 1871, and Mr. Proper was again married in Linden, Mich., to Miss Abigail J. Preston, a native of Tyroue Town- ship, Livingston County. Two children have been born to them, Ollie M. and Clair .A.
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Mr. Proper has created upon his farm of eighty acres excellent buildings, and here he carries on quite an extensive business in raising and band ling stock, making Detroit his chief shipping market. Chester and Mary ( Coy) Preston, the par- ents of Mr. Proper represented one of the oldest familie- in Livingston County. They came hither from New York, and spent the remainder of their lives upon the property where they first settled upon coming West. They had tive children. of whom theh daughter Abigail was the third. She was born in Livingstou County. Mich .. March 1. 1856.
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ANIEL W. RICHARDS. A prominent, intelligent and energetic farmer, who make a specialty of manufacturing cheese. Mr. Richards has a model farm of three hundred and ten acres on section 1. Burton Town- ship, Genere County. He was born in Amberst. Mass, July 11, 1829, and is a son of Willard and Dolly (Thayer) Richards, both natives of the old Bay State. Our subject's father emigrated to () -- wego County, N. Y., at an carly day and there fol- lowed the trade of cloth dressing for some time. Hle afterward worked on a farm and remained there about sixteen years. He emigrated to Mich- igan in I81 and located first in Sciota Township, Shinwassee County, remaining there three years. From there he went to Clinton County, where he remained two years. He next removed to Oakland County, where he purchased forty acres of land.
For ten years Willard Richards resided in Oak- land County, and then removed to tienere County, locating in Burton Township. He removed some jours later to Holly, Oakland County, this State,
and after a residence of several years finally came to tieneste County and made his home with his children in Burton Township where he died at the age of seventy -five years. For many years he was a member of the Christian Church.
Our subject's mother was a pioneer in the new work for women. Although she had very limited educational advantages she was a great reader and her naturally reverential nature found its greatest comfort in the study of the Bible. While still a res- ident of Massachusetts her reputation as anexhor- ter and preacher became extended and after remov- ing to New York she engaged in the work quite extensively. She traveled a great deal on the cir- euit and found her way about on horseback or on foot as circumstances demanded. On coming to Michigan she found a still wider field for her work and divided the honors of her calling with her brother preacher on the circuit. She died when eighty-live years of age.
There were right children in the family of whom six are still living. After coming to Michigan our subject attended school during the winters, the in- stitution being crude indeed although the ideas which it awakened were as intrinsically grand as now. Our subject remained with his parents un. til about twenty years of age and then was em- ployed as a farm laborer by the month, giving four Years to the work. About 1851 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 11, Burton Township. He built a log house and supplemented his fait work by the results of his hunting expe- ditions, for he had become quite widely known as as a trapper and for some years made a handsome profit from the pelts that he sold of the deer, mink and coon. He continued the improvement on his farm and in 1853 took unto himself a wife, his bride being Mis- Sarah J. Vodden, who was born in Batavia, N. Y., April 19, 1837. She was a daughter of Henry and Mary Vodden, who were English by birth. Her father came to Michigan about 18H and took up some Government land in Burton Township.
Nine children have come to our subject and his wife. Those living are Ellie, wife of C. F. Jerome; Cora, wife of Edgar Richmond, now in Oregon; Susan, who died at the age of twenty-three yours;
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Phobe, wife of James Morrish, of Burton Township: En lives in Burton Township, this County ; Bertha lives at home, and Dick. Our subject was originally a Republican. Later he became an In- dependent, but is now a Prohibitionist. He helped organize the party in this State. Both he and his wife are deeply religious but are not united with any church, although they were baptized under the Christian order. Mr. Richards is the owner of three hundred and ten acres of land in this town- ship and has six hundred and forty aeres near Bis- marek, N. Dak. He has a fine house and barns upon the place where he lives, and altogether an exceed- ingly pleasant home. He began making cheese about 1865 and his annual product is from seven- ty-live to ninety tons. He takes the milk from a large scope of country, and owns thirty cows. His place is known as Richards Factory.
A lithographie portrait of Mr. Richards appears in connection with this biographical notice.
C HAARLES F. GEE. The Imlay City Tunes enjoys the largest circulation of any paper ever published in that place, and is a wel- come guest in many homes. It was started by Mr. Gee in November. 1888, a> a seven-rohuman folio. Init is now a six-column quarto, and a bright, newsy paper, reflecting the opinions of its able edi- for and publisher, and of a corps of writers where names are well known in the literary world. Hav- ing had considerable journalistic experience prior to embarking as an editor, Mr. Nice is familiar with the best methods of conducting a paper, and is recognized as one of the leading members of his profession in Lapeer County.
Alexander Gre, father of our subject, was born in the township of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Conty', this State, and upon reaching mature years was married to Ann Artley, a native of Canton, Wayne County, Mich. Being a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a member of the Detroit Annual Conference, he never remained long in any place, and heper our subject and few educational
advantages in las youth. Four children comprised the parental family: Charles F. was born Devem- ber 11, 1857. at Lakeport, St. Clair County, this State, and claims that the reason for his great love of the water is to be found in the fact that he was born within sight of it. He gained his education in a desultory fashion in the different places where he resided, Int after he was eighteen years old he attended a good graded school two years, also had the advantage of one term at the State Normal at Ypsilanti, and a course in Cleary's Business Col- lege at the latter place.
January 6, 1880, our subject, accompanied by his brother E. F., who is four years his junior, came to Imlay City, and started the Heruht. Mr. Gee was quite alde to assume such responsibilities, as he had thoroughly learned the printing business and worked in several offices at odd times until he em- lacked in business for himself. After managing the Herald for one year, with his brother, he bought the latter's interest. and three and one-half years later sold to Il. I. Lyous. He then removed to Port Huron and canvassed for the Port Huron Tri- bune; worked in the offices at Ypsilanti; leased the , Centreville (St. Joseph County), Republican, and in July. 1888. came back to Inday City, where he has -ince resided.
Mr. Give was married, January 1, 1881, to Miss Etta C .. daughter of William S. and Delila Weir. In his social relations he is identified with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Daughters of Rebecca, and the Knights of the Marcalives. Every human being is said to have a manin for collecting, and Mr. Give is particularly interested in making a collection of postage stamps, having nearly fifteen hundred different specimens at the present time.
OBERT CRAIG. One of the most valuable and highly improved farms of Millington Township. Tuscola County, is owned and Cultivated by the gentleman whose name we have just given, and he is one of the thrifty and intelligent farmers of this section of Michi- gan why being and reared on the other side of
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the Atlantic, and was born in Ireland March 5, 1x19. His parents, Saumiel and Margaret Craig, lived and died in the old country, and they reared four children. a son and three daughter -.
The father of our subject carried on the double vocation of a weaver and distiller, and did not live to attain an old age, as he died when our subject was only five years of age. The mother did not long survive the loss of her companion. In his native land our subject made his home until after he had grown to manhood, and there he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits for some time and also acquired the trade of a mason, serving an apprenticeship for five years; and after this he followed that line of work through- out his residence in his native land.
Robert Craig finally decided that he must emt- grate to the New World, where he could have bet- ter opportunities for progress and for making his way in life, and he came to America in 1871. In Tuscola County he made a settlement, purchasing forty acres of land which he now owns. In 1879 he was united in marriage at Millington with Lois Farnum, a native of Tuscola County and a daugh- ter of Moses and Ellen Farnum, residents of Mich- igan for a number of years and carly settlers of Millington Township. Mr. Farnum is thoroughly representative of one of the best elements of the citizens of Michigan and is one of those who many years ago took up Goverment land and has brought the wilderness into a state of prosperity and thorough cultivation. His land comprised three Inndied and twenty acres, and it is now one of the finest farms in the township.
Our subject and his wife have adopted a daugh- ter, Lulu El-more Craig, in whose companionship they hope to have great comfort and delight m their declining years, when that period of life Shall come. Most of the land which Mr. Craig took upon coming here he has himself cleared of trees, and he has been active in pioncer work. He is a Master Mason and a member of Vassar Lodge, No. 163, and is independent in politics. The office of School Treasurer has been tilled by him for ten years, and he is deeply interested in school affairs, as his desite is that the young people of Tuvola County, and especially of Millington
Township, shall have every opportunity and ad- vantage that can be obtained for them. His edu- cation was received in this country; he attended the district school six months and the High School at Bay City four months, and in complet- ing his studie- he took four months in Parson's Business College at Bay City.
D ANIEL. ORR. This prominent and in- telligent gentleman, who was born August 25, 1819, in Lotthinger County, New Ar- magh Township, Canada, is a son of An- drew and Mary Ann (Summerville) Orr, who were both uatives of Ireland and emigrated to Canada in their childhood. The father was by occupation a farmer and upon his farm this youth spent most of his days until he reached the age of sixteen. His education was but a limited one, as most of his time was passed in work, and after coming to North Branch, Lapeer County, he worked for his board during two winters, while attending school. He was next employed in the market business and in 1871 he entered the hardware trade in partner- ship with John Appleman, with whom he remained for two years and then pursued the business alone. Besides the general hardware business he has en- gaged in dealing in lumber, hides and old iron.
In addition to this line of business Mr. Orr has been extensively engaged in handling live stock, such as horse and cattle. Housebuilding has largely engaged his attention and he has had many contracts of this kind, besides being deeply inter- ested in the flouring industries in this county.
Ont the 19th of January, 1875. Damel thr and Martha Hugill, of North Branch, were united in marriage and they are now the happy parents of five children. all of whom are living, namely: Octie Lloyd, Addison Clair, Mabel Lula, Mary Mildred and De Witt Preston. The political con- victions of Mr. Orr kept him for many years in line with the rank and file of the Republican party, but quite recently he has decided to vote with the Prohibitionists, as he believes that the demolition of the saloon power is the next great problem to
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be solved in the political history of this country. While intelligently interested in all matters of public import he is not at all an office-seeker al- though he as bed de position of Concilman. Both he and his excellent wife are members of the Methodist Episcopat Church, and be is also prom- inently identified with the Knights of Honor and the Cional Templars. He takes an active interest in educational matters, and aids with his influence and efforts to advance the prosperity of the schools of North Branch.
D ENTER HORTON, of Fenton. is a man whose fine personal qualities and charac- ter no less than his public services make him a worthy subject for the pen of the biographer. He was born at Groveland, Oakland County. this State, June 21, 18:16, and his father. Henry Wisner Horton, was born at Owego, N. Y., May 31, 1797. The grandfather, Joseph Lee Ilor- ton. took to wife Hannah Todd, and he was of the seventh generation from Barnaba- Horton. who came over in the ship "Swallow," from Leicester. England, and landed at Hampton, Mas. In 1618 he built the first frame house in the eastern part of Long Island. He was a warm adyorate of religious freedom and a man of deep and genuine piety.
Henry W. Horton was married at Canfield S. .... January #1, 1818, to kat dennings, who died January 20, 1856. She was the mother of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. two of whom died in early childhood, and one son. Emer- son t', died at Richmond, Mo. It was in 18:10 when the parents of our subject removed with three children from Royalton, Niagara County, N. Y., to Michigan, intending to settle in Vienesee County, but on account of the terrible condition of the roads and the slow pace of his ox-team, he was greatly delayed and upon reaching Flint he learned that the land he had selected had been taken by John Todd, and he consequently located upon three hundred and sixty acres in what was then known as Pleasant Valley, Groveland Township,
Oakland County. There la resided during the re- mainder of his life, and died fifty-four years after coming to Michigan. The township was organized in peril, taas, and he was its first C'hak und after- ward Supervisor, and was Justice of the PPeace for twenty-two years.
On the 20th of September, 1856, the father of our subject was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary E. Losee, widow of Isane J. Losee, who proved to him a faithtul and devoted wife, who died in line, 1890. Ile died in 1886. at the age of eighty-eight and with him passed away the last of the carly set- tlers of the township. He was one of the original stockholders who owned the Oakland Chronicle, one of the first newspapers in Michigan. He was an active Abolitionist before the war, and a Re- publican to the core, and ever took a firm stand against the use of and traffic in intoxicating liquors The Methodist Episcopal Church of Groveland ever found in him an active worker, and he do- nated to it- the a liberal portion of land for the erection of the church. The poor and the wayfarer ever found in his home a welcome, and every needy one was welcome to food and lodging. His way "the ministers' home" for all itinerant preachers.
Maj. Horton wa, born in the log house built by his father, and was reared upon the farm, taking his early education in the district schools and at- forward being sent at the age of fourteen to il- bion College, but there his reputation for a mischief maker was so proyouneed that' his course was cut short. He wasacknowledged to be a good student, and besides eveelling in his studies, was well liked by teachers and pupils, but hi- irrepressible love for fun led to hisexpulsion from the school. When he left college he was President of the Eelectic So- ciety. Farming summers and teaching winters oo- cupied his time until he reached his majority, and he then took up hi- residence in Fenton.
During the Presidential campaign of 1860, this young man took an active part in promoting the election of Abraham Lincoln, and after Lincoln's inauguration. be applied for the office of Postuma- ter of this village, which he received, although his opponent had the endorsement of the member of Congress from this District.
From boyhood this young man was an netive
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and shrewd worker in politics, voting first with the Whig party, but becoming a Republican upon the organization of that pirty. During the war he was one of the most interested workers in holding 1 meeting- and recruiting men throughout this re- giun, and in 1863 joined the Light Horse Artillery of the Army of the Potomac, and in 1861 received 1 : an appointment from President Lincoln a Cap- tin of the United States Volunteers, in which 1 capacity he was with the armies of Tennessee and Georgia until the close of the war. He participa- ted in the Atlanta campaign, marched with Sher- man to the sea and took part in his subsequent campaigns in the Carolinas, being promoted for efficient and meritorious service to the rink of a Major. At the close of the war he was re-appointed Postmaster, but for political reason- was removed from this office by President Johnson. He was a delegate to the Soldier' Convention at Chicago that nominated Gen. Grant for the Presidency.
In 1867 Maj. Horton was appointed Assistant Sergeant-at Arms of the State Senate, and two years later he was the Representative in the State Legislature from this district and two years after received the nomination again, and came within thirty-one votes of being elected. When he list located at Fenton his capital consisted of two colt- and fifteen lags of corn; he has been successful from your to year in business and for more than twenty years has successfully conducted a busines in the line of agricultural implements and is now
1 one of the largest retail dealers in this part of the State, and since IST5 has been more or less inter- ested in farming.
Maj. Horton was married in Istit, to Mis Lavi- nia Lasce, a native of New York, who came with her parents to Michigan at an early day, and it- tled in Springfield. Oakland County. The live children who have blessed this union are: Glen. who died at the age of five months: Mary A, who is now the wife of I. H. Ruekham, an attorney of Detroit; Mabel F., who is the wife of %. D. Patter- son, an attorney and clerk in the Pension Depart- ment at Washington, D. C., Bryson D. and Myra. who are at home with their parents.
With various important interests of Gonear County Maj, Horton is closely identified. At the
I present time he is President of the Fenton Agri- cultural Society, Fenton Electric and Power Com- 1 pany, Bieneser County Pioneer Society, Chief of the Fire Department, and Foreman in the Ancient Order of United Workmen. For fifteen years he was a member of the School Board and its Prest- dent twelve years. As President of the village he was the first man to issue a proclamation, calling the people together to take the necessary steps to observe Memorial Day. He was also the only Pre- ident of the village who has ever vetoed measures and ordinances passed by the Council, giving his reason, in writing, and in each case his veto was sustained. He was the first Commander of Col. Fenton Post, G. A. R., holding the position seven years. A camp of Sons of Veterans has been or- ganized in Fenton bowring his name. He was a delegate to the G. A. R. National Encampment at San Francisco, Cal., in 1886, and ulsu at Boston in 1890, and is one of the most energetic and hard- working Grand Army men in this section of the State, talking for it, believing in it and working for it.
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