USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 50
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 50
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 50
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
State.
ILLIAM 11. SWIFT. Flint Township, Tienesve County, is one of the richest por- tions of that favored section of a favored It is sufficiently watered and is crossed by railroads and highways which lead to live market, where the products of the country are sure to find their way and, best of all. the land is in the hands of men who are anxious to do perfect agricultural work. One of these agriculturiste is he whose Monroe County, N. Y. January 19, 1830. He was a little over a year old when his parents removed to Orleans County, and lived there until the spring of 1816. when they removed to Niagara, N. Y., where our subject remained until he came to Michigan.
William 11. Swift was reared on a farm and has always followed agricultural pursuits. He owns a tract of eighty geres which, although not consid- crable is highly productive, made so by his indus-
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try and enterprise. He came to Oakland County, Mich., in the fall of 1871, and lived there for two and a half years, thener coming to fixneste County. and purchased the farm on which he now resides.
Our subject was married in Pontiac, Oakland County, January 19, 1861, to Miss Lawy French, a daughter of Joseph and Maria (Swift) French, both now deceased. Mrs. Luey Swift was born in Grand Blane Township, Genesce County, January 11, 1811. She grew to womanhood in the town of Atlas, having been adopted into the family of the late Dr. E. G. Dale, who died in Vermont. He was an old practitioner in Atlas Township and a man who stood high in the estrem of all. He was elected to the legislature and served for two terms. Mr. and Mr. Swift are the parents of two children: Mary 1 .. , who is the wife of John 11. Farley, and Hattie E., who died in childhood. Mr. Swift is a Demuerat in his political views. Both he and his wife are liberal in their religious views. They have adopted a son into their family, who is by name Clarence 11 .; he has been with them since he was three years of age. Mr. Swift's farm is made attractive by a good class of buildings and everything about the place is neat and bespeaks the thorough management of its owner, who is a public-spirited, frank, open-hearted man.
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AMES H. HERRICK. The gentleman who resides on section 13, Flint Township, Gen- este County, is one of the older native-born residents of this vicinity. His present home was also his birthplace, it being the place of resi- dence of his parents, the Rev. A. and Lydia (Van Steenburgh) Herrick. His natal day was January 9, 1813. His father, who was a native of Ashta- bula County, thio, there born about 1822, was en- gaged in the ministry, having been ordained about 1816. He was of the Presbyterian persuasion. Our subject's mother was a native of I'lster County, N. Y., being there born about 1826.
The original of our sketch was reared to man- hood in his native place with the exception of five years, during which his parents made their home
in Oakland County. He was educated in the com- mon school- and has always followed agricultural pursuits, He is the owner of eighty neres of land upon which he has created a first-class set of build- ings. He was married in Mundy Township, Genesee County, January 1, 1862, to Miss Marietta Williams, a daughter of the late Jeremiah T. Will- ins, of the same place. Her mother's maiden name was Louise M. Rix. They both passed away from this life from Gaines Township, this county. Mrs. Marietta Herrick was born in Rochester, N. Y., July 9, 1811. They have one living child, a daughter, Amy L. E., who is at home with her par- ents. One son, Freddie J., who was born to this estimable couple passed away in infancy.
Mr. Herrick has held the office of Justice of the Prace for one term. He has taken a fairly active part in political affairs and crosses the lines of two original parties by voting with the Prohibitionists, who receive his hearty sympathy and co-opera- tion. He was formerly a member of the Republi- can party. He takes an active part in church matters and, with his wife, is connected with the Methodist Episcopal body. For the past thirty years he has filled the office of Steward in his church, and has been the Superintendent of the Sunday school the greater part of the time for twenty-five years. He is one of the Trustees of the church and is frequently sent to conference as a lay delegate. Mr. Herrick has a very pleasant home, the house having been recently erected, and he and his wife have taken the greatest pleasure in its building, they having furnished their own plans. Mr. Hernick has been and is now one of the School Board, in which he takes great interest.
2 HOMAS JEFFREY. The agricultural inter- este of Tuscola County lind a worthy rep- resentative in this gentleman, who is the owner and resident upon the well-cultivated farm on section 11. Koylton Township. He was born in Ayrshire, Western Scotland, in 1827, and is n son of William and Margaret Jeffrey. His pm-
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ternal grandparents were David and Jane (til- more) Jeffrey, and he traces his lineage to Rich. ard Cammerion, a minister, who was his great- grandfather on his Grandmother Cammerion's side, and who was martyred in Scotland. Another great-grandfather, John Shields, was beheaded in Kilmarnoch, and was likewise a martyr for the cause of Christ. Both these ancestors were at the head of the church at the time of the perse- cution in Scotland.
Wilham Jeffrey, was born in 1802, in the same place as our subject, and after receiving a common- school education served an apprenticeship to the baker's trade, which he followed during the re- mainder of his life. He married Margaret Shields. a daughter of Thomas and Jean (Cammerion) Shields, and dying while still in the prime of life. our subject was left as the sole comfort of his mother. Thomas Jeffrey received his education at the Commercial Academy, finishing his course at the age of fourteen years. He then served seven years at an apprenticeship to the trade of uphol- stering furniture, and while in his native land pa- tiently and faithfully pursued his trade.
In 1855 our subject emigrated to Canada, and was there employed as he was at home for a pe- riod of one year. He then came to the United States and located in Sanilac County. Mich., re- maining there for nine years, and although lo- cated on a farm, tach winter was spent in teach- ing school. He also devoted one winter to teaching after coming to Tuscola County, but since 1865 has turned his attention strictly to his farming.
lus helped to organize all the school districts of the township and located buildings. He taught the first school organized in Marlette Township and had an enrollment of twenty-five pupils.
E DWARD CUMMINGS. We are gratified to be able to present to our readers the life narrative of another member of this valued family, whose record in the county has placed them in the fore rank. He is a farmer and stock- raiser and a native of the county, being born here January 3, 1815. His parents, Lewis and Elsie Cummings, were natives of New York and came here in the Territorial days, making their home in Atlas Township, Genesee County, and settling in the woods, where they encountered and bravely overcame the ordinary difficulties of pioneer life.
Lewis Cummings was thrice married and of the children born to him the following are now living: Rachel, Orlando, Loretta, Stephen and Edward. These are by the first marriage and George H. and Nellie Cummings are of the third. His death, in 1883, deprived the county of one of its most carnest and useful pioneers and a vigorous and progressive citizen. In the youth of our subject he took part in the labor of his pioneer father and was netive in the farm work. Many an aere of virgin soil has he broken with ox-teams and his schooling was taken in the district schools of this township. His advantages were not extensive and he has found it necessary to supplement the learning thus acquired by a thorough and persistent course of reading.
Mr. Jeffrey took unto himself a wife in 1851, when he was married to JJanet A., daughter of John and Ann (Cunningham) Howie. To our Ile of whom we write, like his brothers, did his share in defending our Nation's flag during the days of the Civil War and enlisted under President Lincoln's last call for volunteers as a private in Company 1, Thirtieth Michigan Infantry. The regiment went to Detroit and was there under drill doing guard duty, but as the war soon closed this young man was never called upon to go onto the battie-field. After his return from this short ex- perience of military life he settled upon the farm subject and his wife have been born live chil- dren, whose names are: Maggie S., John 11., Thomas S., Margaret S. and Anna C. Thomas Jeffrey and his wife are both members of the Church of Scotland. Our subject has held vari- ous township offices since his residence in Michi- gan. He was Town Clerk for nine years m Mar- lette Township, Sanilac County, and held the same office for two years in Koylton. He has also served as School Inspector for several years, and , which is now his home and was married in 1800,
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to Susan Dalby, a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah C. (Paxson) Dalby, natives of Pennsylvania and New York respectively. They are both deceased, and were the parents of ten children, of whom eight are living. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings have six children, namely: Willie 1 ..; Everett, and Eva, twins; Elsie, Oscar and Trent.
The beautiful farm of our subject comprises two hundred and twenty deres of excellent land, which is well cultivated and most productive. His sie- cess in life has been largely due to his own system, thoroughness and perseverance, and while he is n Republican in his political affiliations he is ever ready to join with any of his neighbors in move- ments which are calculated to enhance the pro- perity of the township and elevate the social at- mosphere of the neighborhood.
.D REW RIES is a worthy representative of a family, the members of which are dis- tingnished for their sterling traits of char- noter, business foresight, tact and talent. He owns a line farm on section &M. Ada- Town- ship, where he was born in 18H, September 26. He is a son of Andrew and Mary (Laveomb) Rie. the former a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., and the latter likewise born in the Empire State. They came to Michigan in 1836, settling in Atlas Township, Geneve County, when there were few white neighbors and the country was wild and uu- cultivated. Ou coming to this State Andrew Ries took the route through Canada, making the entire distance with a joke of cattle. His goods were shipped to Detroit but on arriving in that city, they were burned, entailing a severe loss upon Mr. Ries, as he carried no insurance.
Seven children were born to Andrew and Mary Ries, of whom four are living at the present time, namely: Perry, Henry, Myron and Drew. Their first home here was a log cabin built in the woods and they experienced all the dradvantages and drawbacks to pioneer life. Our subject was reared to the political faith of a Republican as that was his father's politics, Andrew Rigs died June 9,
1890, the event being the sad result of an acciden- tal shot from a Winchester ride in the hands of n grandson. His wife had died in 1876. Their decrease was greatly deployed as they were promi- Hent member- among the old settlers.
Our subject recived his early education in the district school of this vicinity and was here reared to manhood's estate. An intelligent and thought- ful man, he has made much of the small advanta- ges in acquiring knowledge that have been exten- ded to him. He learned the blacksmith's trade and has set up a forge and aned upon his own farm, doing his own blacksmithing and odd jobs for his neighbors. He is a natural mechanic and evidences of his skill are apparent on his place. The eighty acres of land which he owns are under thoroughly good cultivation, and the comfortable fortune of which he is now the posesor has been acquired by steady and constant labor. In 1883 he made a trip West, going as far as San Francisco, and after making a tour through twenty-four dif- ferent States and Territories, he returned home in 1885. One of the thrifty, intelligent and progres- sive agricultorists of tieneser County, he is a public-spirited man to whom the public good is very dear.
Un another page is presented a view of the pleasant homestead belonging to Mr. Ries, and where almost his entire life has been passed in active labor.
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n ORMAN D. M. NEIL .. This vohune would be incomplete did it not include life sketches of representative men of Scotch descent who have taken so prominent a part in the early development of this country; and there is not one of these families more worthy of our consideration than that of the MeNeit. The present representa- tive is at prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Grand Blane Township and is a native of this, Geneer County, Being born here April 8, 1818. llis parents. David and Jane (Davison) MeNeil, .
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RESIDENCE OF CHARLES WALTON, SEC. 27. GRAND BLANC TP., GENESEE CO., MICH
188G.
RESIDENCE OF DREW RIES, SEC.33., ATLAS TP., GENESEE CO., MICH.
RESIDENCE OF NORMAN D. MC NEIL, SEC.25., GRAND BLANC TP., GENESEE CO., MICH
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were born, the father in Vermont and the mother in New York.
It was in the 'Jus when the father emigrated to Michigan by way of the Eric Canal and Lake Erie, and after one year in Lapeer County they came to Genere County and settled upon section 16, of Grand Blanc Township, on the farm now owned by Arthur G. MeNeil, the brother of our subject. The first home was in a shanty, but after marriage the young man built a more comfortable log house. His bride was Jane Davison, daughter of Judge Norman Davison, an early settler of Atlas Town- ship. Their live children were Ellen ( wife of Sher- man Townsend) Norman D., Arthur C., George D. and one who died in childhood.
David MeNeil was a Democrat in his political preferences and a public spirited and useful man in the community. He died several years ago, and some time previous to his demise his good wife preceded him to the spirit land. Their loss was greatly felt in the community as they had done their full share in pioneering, and had the esteem of all who had been brought into social and Luisi- ness relations with them.
The hard work of a primitive farm and the drill of the district school tilled up the routine of life of our subject during his boyhood. He had the lon- elit of but one term at the Flint High School, and is in a measure self-educated, having been an exten- sive reader. Miss Linda Wilton became his bride April 8, 1879. She is a native of Michigan and a daughter of Robert and Belinda Wilton. of Flat Rock, Mich. By this union there were born three children, Vernon W., Mabel L .. and Malcolm N.
One hundred and sixty acres of richly cultivated land forms the home farm of Mr. MeNeil. Here he raises Merino sheep and Chester-white hogs and makes a specialty of raising driving horses. In 1870 he went to Neosho County, Kan., and settled on a farm there where he did genuine pioncer work. He spent one winter in California as his health seemed to require such a change of climate, but the remainder of his life time he has made tienesce County his home. He is now serving as School Moderator of his district and is a public spirited member of the community. As an agricultureist he feels a deep interest in every organization which
is formed to promote the interests of this class and has for some time been an active member of the Patrons of Industry.
In another portion of this volume appears a view of the attractive residence which is the home of Mr. and Mrs. McNeil.
C HARLES WALTON is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser residing upon section 27, Girand Blane Township, Genesce Conty. Ile is a native of Brooklyn. Long Island, N. Y., and was born June 11, 1826. to Peter and Maria Walton. His father was a native of Switzerland, and enjoyed the splendid military drill as a cay- alryman under the great French General, Napo- leon. Our subject's parent- emigrated to America and settled in Livingston County. N. Y. After . making a residence there for eighteen years, they removed to Genesve County, N. Y., where the de- case of both took place.
Our subject was reared to manhood's estate in his native place. He received his education in the district schools which ranked well among the edu- rational institutions of that day, and although the advantages were somewhat limited compared with those the children of the present day enjoy, he made the most of every opportunity, and to-day ranks among his fellow as an intelligent, well-in- formed man. After becoming a resident of this State our subject was married July 3, 1866, to Miss Mary J. Hurd. a native of Connecticut.
By this mion our subject has become the father of four children: Elva. wife of Willie Butts; Bradley 11 .; Leila B., wife of Henry Cameron; and Ernest C. After their marriage our subject and his wife made their home for several years in New York, and then came to Oakland County. Mich., making their residence there for five years. From that place they proceeded to Grand Blanc Town- ship, However County, in late, and have here re- sided ever since. Mr. Walton owns a line farm comprising one hundred and twenty acres of good and arable land. A view of this place is shown on another page. He is a self-made man in the
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triest sense of the word and by his high sense of honor and his appreciation of the rights of others, holds a high place in the regard of his fellow- townsmen. He has been accorded several local offices, having served as School Director, Assessor and Moderator of his school district. During the late war when the money was being raised to pay bounties, he gave very liberally, and never failed to contribute his share of the necessary amount.
Our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are both pey- ple of advanced idea, who are not content to al- low the progress of events to leave them in the rear. Politically he gives the weight of his vote and influence to the Prohibition party, and in all his political relations favors purity of the individ- ual rather than party power. He ranks among the influential, thrifty and successful agriculturists of Grand Blane Towuslup, and his family is one of the representative ones of this portion of the county,
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ef NDREW JOHNSON. This prominent far- mer of Metamora Township. Lapeer Conn- ty, where home is on section 35, is a sont of Inmes H. and Clarisa (Crippen) John- son, the former a native of Vermont and the latter a New Yorker, He was a farmer and a soldier in the War of 1812, in which he received a wound und was taken prisoner, but was exchanged at the time pence was declared. He lived until 18th, and his wife survived him three years. Of their nine children seven are now living. They were both Close Communion Baptists.
Ile of whom we write was born March 1, 1820, in Cayuga County, N. Y., and there grew to man- bood, receiving a common-school education and living at home until he was twenty-four years of age, at which time he came to Michigan, and set- tling in Lapeer County in 1818 made this his home for a short time. He found vations means of employment, such as farm work and chopping in the woods, and was for some time in Wachte- naw County, Beginning in 1818 he was for three
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winters employed in the district schools asa teacher, working on the farm during the summer time in Livingston County. He taught ten terms of school in the early days in this vicinity, and is thus looked upon as a veteran in the educational field,
Sophia Jane Jenkins became the wife of Mr. Johnson, March 2, 1818. Her parents, James and Polly (Dole) Jenkins, were New Yorkers by birth, though of foreign parentage, his parents being Welsh and her's Scotch-Irish. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and later became a farmer, He came to Michigan from New York in 1838, and made his home upon the place which is now the family residence, but which was then in an uncul- tivated condition, with plenty of Indians Init no white neighbors. In a log house on this two hun- dred acres of oak openings, they made their home until lus death.
The widow of James Jenkins had hard work to keep her family of three children together, (the youngest died six weeks after its father's death) but she was earnest and ambitious, and by means of hier loom she earned what was necessary to sup- plement the support of the farm. She was a fine manager, and had the assistance of her oldest son, who was then twelve years of age, She lived to see all her children grow to maturity and he well- established in the world, and died in 1853. Her two children who are now living are: Lester E., who lives in lowa, and Mrs. Johnson. Our son, James O. Jenkins, was a soldier in the Seventh Illi- nois Volunteers, and died from disease during the first year of his service, leaving a wife and two children. Mr. Jenkins was a l'uiversalist in his religious belief, and in politics he was in line with the Whig party. He was a School Inspector and Highway Commissioner.
Mrs. Johnson was born, February 21, 1831, in Erie County, N. Y., and received a common-school education, being a member of the first school which was established in this district. Her father was a great friend of education, and a promoter of all movements in that direction. Since marriage she has always lived upon the farm, which is now her home. Three of her five children still live: James II., who married Ada Williams, and with her and their fees children lives in Metamora Village; Ju-
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liet, who lives in this township, and is the wife of Adam Laidlaw, and the mother of two children; Jennie A., now Mrs. Byron Mahaffy, and the mother of two children.
Mrs. Johnson has a farm of two hundred aeres, one hundred and twenty-five of which are under cultivation, and all this has been cleared off by him, and the buildings which are now there are of his erection. Stumps and stones in large quanti- tics have had to be removed from the land, but he now has it in an excellent state, and is carrying on general farming most prosperously. Some good Durlans, Poland-China bogs, registered, and very nearly full-blooded Percherons may be found upon this beautiful estate. To the children were granted the best advantages for education that were to be found in the common schools, and two of them have been teachers. The office of School Inspector has been his, and for forty years he has been kept on the School Board. His politics are of the Dem- ocratie persuasion, and he has been Road Overseer here a long time, also a member of the Grange.
There were many hard times experienced in the early days by this pioneer family, and it was with difficulty that Mr. Johnson gathered together the money needed to pay for his land, and he doubts what the result would have been were it not for the generous help of Richard Morse and Deborah Brown, who believed in and trusted him. Pontiac was then their nearest market, and ox-teams their only mode of conveyance. Many a time he yoked up his oxen at 2 s. v., so that he might finish the trip to the market town in two nights and a day, and the first breaking of the virgin soil which he saw done was with eight yoke of axen and one pair of horses, by Spencer & Williams, of the town- ship of Webster, Washtenaw County, and this magnificent outfit succeeded in plowing two acres a day. The most rigid economy was practiced by these brave people, but notwithstanding they suf- fered for many of the necessities of life. While in Livingston County he came very near being drowned in the Yellow River, which is a branch of the Shinwassee River.
The first death in this part of the township was that of the father of Mrs. Johnson, who was killed by an accidental fall from a load of wheat. He
was a very prominent man here in his day, and one who is well remembered by the older citizens. When Mr. Johnson was teaching, an epidemic of smallpox broke out in the neighborhood, and the authorities had to act in regard to the safety of the school children. Dr. Constock, of whom our readers will find an interesting sketch under the name of his daughter, was called in to vaccinate the whole school.
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YIVANU'S H. DWELLEY, an enterprising and prosperous farmer of Tuscola County, has a good piece of land in Watertown Township, on section 21, where many coll- venientes may be seen. He was born in East Macias, Me., March 26. 1811, and is a son of Stephen and Phabe (Hauscom) Dwelley, the father . a native of Maine, where he lived and died. The mother was also a native of Maine and to her and her husband were born seven sons and one daugh- ter. Mr. Dwelley wasa farmer by occupation, which calling he found to be very remunerative.
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