USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 54
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 54
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 54
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This line tract of one hundred and twenty acres has all been put under cultivation by our subject, and in 1880 he built his beautiful and commodious home at a cost of $16,000. His political convic- tions bring him into line with the Republican party and some years ago he served as Highway Commissioner. His interest in the progress of the agricultural community has led him to number himself with the members of the Farmers' Alliance in whose work he is warmly concerned. He is a member of the Free Will Baptist Church in which he serves as Deacon and in its work he is active and energetic.
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R 1 EV. WILLIAM WRIGHT is a prominent local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, located at the present time in Grand Blane Township, Genesee County. Hle resides on section 27, where he has a pleasant and well cultivated farm. The Rev. Mr. Wright is a native of Greene County, N. Y., and was there horn March 23, 1816. He is a son of James and Cynthia (Clark) Wright, the former being a na- tive of New York and the latter of Connectiont. His grandfather, William Wright, served as a sol- dier in the Revolutionary War.
In 1836 our subject emigrated to Michigan with his parents, coming by way of Lake Erie and De- troit. He accompanied the household goods by the water way and his parents came hither by the overland route, coming along the Canadian border and across to Detroit and arriving in Michigan about one week after their son. The family first located in Livingston County and there lived for several years. They then moved to Shiawassee County where they made their home also for seven years. Mr. Wright's parents passed
away from this world im Livingston County, this State.
The original of our sketch took upon himself the obligations of married life while n resident of Livingston County. His marriage with Miss Lucy Osborn was solemnized September 7, 1837. The lady was born in Greene County, N. Y. She was a daughter of Ard and Caroline Osborn. When eighteen years of age she emigrated to Michigan with her parents and settled in Livingston County, where the family was known as among the most prominent pioneer settlers. The Rev. Mr. Wright and his wife were the first couple married in losco Townslup, Livingston County.
By the union of our subject and his wife there have been nine children, six of whom are still liv- ing. They are Hirmm, Ard, Jane, now Mrs. Had- ley; Sarah, now Mrs. Peter Davis; Emma, wife of John Babcock, and Ella, wife of Fred Lawson. For many years after their marriage the family re- sided in Livingston County, and are entitled to the distinction and regard paid to pioneer settlers, for they made their home in the woods and com- batted the usnal hardships of pioneer life.
In 1812 Mr. Wright came to Genesce County and settled on his present farm having ever since made this his home. He is the owner of eighty acres of land in a good state of cultivation. He has served in various township offices, and has been School Inspector. He favors the Prohibition party in politics. The original of this sketch received but a common school education, but is a shrewd, keen reasoner. For forty years he has been a minister of the Gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been licensed to exhort when only eighteen years old and in 1810-41 he was licensed to preach. He now occasionally acts as local preacher and always embraces every opportunity to raise his voice in favor of tem- perance. In fact every good and pure cause tinds in him a stanch supporter.
Our subject and his wife are just at the age when they thoroughly enjoy the comfortable home which their financial position enables them to maintain and also the friends that gather about thein. They have always led useful lives and are still engaged in various benevolent enterprises.
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For years they have been leaders of the most ster- ling class of society in their locality. Our subject is a genial and venerable gentleman who is well informed on all current topies. He is a typical representative pioneer of Michigan. His life has been characterized for the many kind deeds that he has done and for its noble aims. It is truly worthy of admiration and imitation of future gen- erations.
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ROF. JOHN J. BUCHANAN is professor of the different branches as taught in the fifth und sixth grades of the Michigan school for the deaf. He was born in White Pigen, St. Joseph County, this State, June 29, 1819. He is a deaf mate, though born of speak- ing and hearing parents. He is, however, a highly educated and interesting gentleman, thoroughly well informed on all topics of interest of the day. He is, morcover, a skilled mechanic and one of the highly-esteemed citizens of Flint.
Our subject's father, James Buchanan, was a native of Waterloo, Seneca County, N. Y., and his grandsire, Samuel Buchanan, a farmer in Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y. The family belong to the same branch as did ex-President James Bu- chanan. Our subject's father, who was a merchant tailor, in early days settled in St. Joseph County, Mieli., cutting his way into the woods. There he located and followed his trade. In 1832 he enlisted in the Black Hawk War and served as a private. He held many offices in White Pigeon, and was Township Treasurer for many years, He died at his home, November 28, 1878, being then seventy- two years of age.
Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Jane Masterman, was born in Fedon, Yorkshire, England, April 28, 1813. Her father, John, brought his family to America in 1831 and located in White Pigeon, where he engaged in wagon-making and made for himself the reputation of being the first wid tinest wagon-maker ever in that county. Our subject's mother still resides at her home. She had live children, all of whom are living and of these Prof. JJohn Buchanan is the third eldest child. He
was reared at his home until 1862. In 1861, when the soldiers were eneamped at White Pigeon, he haunted the camp and was ready to do any service, such as washing the dishes, for which the soldiers gladly paid him. In 1862 be entered the Michigan school for the deaf at Flint and continued his studies until graduating in 1869, developing marked ability in the classics. He also spent some time in learning cabinet-making and became a skilled workman.
After graduation Prof. Buchanan was immediately employed as a teacher and has for the past twenty- three years been so engaged, being in charge of the fifth and sixth grades of the school. His pres- ent home is located at No. 501 West Court Street and is presided over by his intelligent wife. They were married in Fenton, July 30, 1871, the lady being Miss Clarisa A. Penn, the youngest daughter of Morris W. Penn, who was born in Maryland but who came as an carly settler to Corunna, Shiawas- see County. The Penns are lineal descendants of the Quaker lawmaker and first Governor of Penn- sylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan are the parents of three children whose names are Arthur Percy, Bertrand Penn and Alda Hoagland, all of whom can hear, and are bright and intelligent and speak fluently. Our subject is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Republican.
NSON A. BIGELOW. The beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow, which is situated on section 11, Mundy Township, Genesee County, may justly be called one of the ornaments of the county. It is the result of the intelligent and tasteful planning and super- vision of this excellent and cultured couple, and in conveniences and beauty ranks high. The other buildings upon this line farm are also worthy of note and second to none in the county.
Iliram and Lavantia (Gordon) Bigelow, the parents of our subject, came from New York to
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Grand Blanc Township, Genesee County, upon their first coming to Michigan at a very early day, and there they lived for several years, after which they removed to Mundy Township, which became their final home. They had a family of seven children, and our subject is next to the youngest in order of age. He was born in Grand Blane Township, January 18, 1812, and was a child of seven years when his parents came to this town- ship, where he grew te manhood.
Mr. Bigelow worked at the carpenters' trade for several years and on the 6th of December, 1861 he enlisted in Company , Michigan Light Artil- lery and served until July 30, 1865, when he was mustered out of the service at Jackson, Mich. He took part in the battles of Mill springs, Shiloh, Nashville and many smaller engagements and skirmishes, four months of hisservice being on the gun boat "Newsboy," and returning to Mundy Township, has since engaged in farming.
Forty acres of land constituted the first purchase which Mr. Bigelow made and he now owns two hundred and twenty-seven acres, upon which he has erected a line and complete set of farm build- ings as commodious and well adapted to agricult- ural business as any in this county.
Our subject was married in Grand Blane Town- ship, March 5, 1861, to Miss Mary Hallock, daughter of the late Harmon Hallock and of Mrs. Hannah (Straw) Hallock, who were very early settlers in that township. Hannah Straw was but eleven years old when she came to this county and walked all the way from Detroit to the new home. She died near New Lothrop, Shiawassee County, and her husband passed from carth in Grand Blanc Township. They have four children, of whom Mrs. Bigelow is the oldest. She was born in Grand Blane Township, July 8, 1812.
To our subject and his estimable wife have been born sis sons, Garrett 11., who married Alma Hall; Lewis 11., who took to wife Parna Gilbert; John (., who married Maud Ely; Herbert G .. Orville T. and Charlie E., who died in infancy. In politics Mr. Bigelow is a member of the Republican party and he takes an intelligent interest in all public move- ments. He is deeply interested in the old soldier-' reunions, bring a member of Giov. Crape Post,
No. 115. G. A. R. In business and social circles this family stands in the forefront of the citizens of Mundy Township, and their induence is ever exerted for the good of the community and the prosperity of the township.
ARRY 1. ENDERS. The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch is a prosperous and substantial farmer and stock-raiser residing on seetion 28, Atlas Township, Genesee County. He is a native of New York and was born April 1, 1811, being a son of Philip and Anna (Hummel) Enders, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. The ancestors on both sides of the house were of German extraction. Our subject's father was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was for many years a pensioner of that war. His paternal great-grandfather, who was born in Germany in 1710, served in the German army and came to the United States in 1761, be- came a pioneer of Dauphin County, Pa.
Our subject was reared to manhood in his native county and State and from carly youth has been engaged in farming. He was educated in the public schools of Erie County and also attended school for two years at Withamsville, N. Y., his course there being an academic one. Ile enlisted m the War of the Rebellion July 21, 1862, and became one of Company C, One Hundred and Six- teenth New York Infantry, which was incorporated with the Nineteenth Corps. He spent some two years in Louisiana and there participated in the siege of Ft. Hudson, Pleasant Hill, Sabine Cross Roads and other engagements of minor importance with the Nineteenth Corps. He was subsequently detailed to duty in the Shenandoah Valley under Gen. Sheridan and fought at Winchester, Fish- er's Hill, Cedar Creek and was wounded in the siege of Ft. Hudson in the right arm, above the elbow. He received his honorable discharge June 8, 1865, and participated in the Grand Review at Washington.
On his return from the war our subject was married, July 23, 1865, to Miss Marin Hoil, a
RESIDENCE OF HARRY H. ENDERS , SEC 28 , ATLAS TP., GENESEE CO., MICH.
RESIDENCE OF J A. WILSON, SEC.7., ATLAS TP., GENESEE CO , MICH.
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native of Erie County, N. Y., and born February 21, 1811. She was a daughter of Jolm and Fanny (Reid) Hoil. Here parents were natives of l'eun- sylvania and on both sides are said to be of ther- man ancestry. The paternal great-grandfather, Christian Enders, was one of the first settlers in Dauphin County, Pa., and taught one of the first schools in that county. On her mother's side the great-grandfather of Mrs. Enders was a Revolu tionary soldier. There were twelve children in the family of our subject's parents, six of whom are now living, and ten children in the family of which Mrs. Enders is one.
To our subject and his wife have been born nine children, of whom four survive: Edwin, Melvin, Willie and George. In faus Mr. Enders with his family came to Geneve County and set- tled on the land which he now occupies. He has built up the farm and by the improvements that he has placed upon it has added greatly to its value. He has served as Drain Commissioner for two years. De isa Democrat in politics and a pro- gressive and honorable gentleman. A view of his pleasant home will be noticed elsewhere in this volume.
G FORGE W. SHEAR is a well-known dealer. wholesale and retail. in peddlers supplies. old iron, rage and metals, in which business he has been engaged for the past seven years. Hle succeeded B. D. Newman, who had carried on a business for many years here, and now has about fifteen teams on the road. covering the country for one hundred miles around Flint which is his headquarters. Mr. George Shear was for some time here alone, but his brother .I. (., was associated with him July 9, 1890. Our sub- jeet was born May 18, 1861, in Macedon Centre. Monroe County, N. Y. and is a son of Charles and Beberes (Crosby ) Shear. The father was killed at the battle of the Wilderness. When our subject was seven years old the mother who had married Erastus Bortle, came from New York to Giran
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Blane Township, and at the age of twelve George started out for himself, receiving at first $12 a month for his work, and working for his board and attending school in the winter. He was with Mr. Thomas Sandford for two years and at the age of fifteen he took the money which he had saved and returning to Macedon attended the academy.
The youth now returned to Michigan and began work in South Lyon, Oakland County, and in 1878 was employed by Mr. Newman, driving a team for him on the peddler's cart. This he continued. through the winter and in the summer he returned to South Lyons and in the following spring rented a farm with his stepfather and together they worked it for two years. They then were employed upon different farms for some time. our subject finally going to work for Mr. Newman, being employed in the store.
After six years in Mr. Newman's employ the young man bought out that gentleman's interest May 27, 1887. At that time George Flanders was a partner in the business and six months later Mr. Shear bought that gentleman's interest also He is now running the business on a capital of $1,000, carrying a good lucrative trade and is cou- sidered the largest peddler's supply house in Northern Michigan. April 20, 1885 was the wed- ding day of George W. Shear and Mary E. Warren daughter of Mrs. Julia Warren, of Flint. They had one son who has passed from carth. This gentleman has been too busy in getting a start in life to take any part in political matters, but he is a member of the National I'nion Lodge of Flint.
W. ROBINSON. Our subject is a genial man who munbers his friends by the score. lle has done much toward im- proving and building up this township and has contributed generously toward all in- stitutions that promise to be of real benefit to the locality. He is now a retired farmer and a resi- dent of Flushing. He was born in the township of Farmington, Hartford County, Conn., July 211, Is21, and received his education in Farmington
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with the exception of one winter when he attended school in Ohio. He then returned loune and was engaged in farming, owning at the time a small place.
Our subject's parents were Amos and Pattie (Clark) Robinson. natives of Connecticut. The former was a mason by trade and served during the War of 1812, when he was shot in the back of the head. the ball taking it- course and coming ont through the left eye. Amos Robinson's father lost his life in the French and Indian War. Our subject's maternal grandsire was also a Revolu- tionary soldier and lived and died in his native State, Connecticut.
When thirteen years of age our subject was be- reft of his father. He then began to work for ha Hadsall and continued for nine years, working by the month on the farm. He then spent three summers with Thomas Young. In 1850 Mr. Robin- son started West, taking all his worldly possessions with him in clothes and cash. He visited Penn- sylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin on a prospecting tour. He then came to Michigan, traveling some by rail, some by water and also on foot, paying his way by work as he could. In 185l he came to Flushing and in a short time purchased eighty Heres of land on section 28. I'mon this he lived until a short time ago and then retired to Flush- ing where he now has a fine residence on Elm Street.
Mr. Robinson was married in Clayton Township, Genere County, in 1853, his bride being Miss Electa St. dolar, the daughter of Alanson and Maria (Robbins) St. John, natives of New York. They came West in 1837 and settled in Clayton Township and subjected themselves to the incon- veniences of the carly pioneers. Mrs. Robinson's father was engaged in making brick and tile with his son Amos and furnished the brick for some of the finest buildings in Flushing. Our subject and his wife are the parents of three children-Amos, Arminda and Frank. Amos married Miss Nettie Baldwin and is the father of two children-tiny and Ruth; he lives in Flushing and does a jobbing business in masonary and tilling. Arminda mar- ried Sammel Maxwell who died July 31, 1891. Our subject was Treasures of Flushing Township
for two years. He is a Republican in politics and in his church associations affiliates with the Press by terians, of which body he is an Elder.
TEPHEN CUMMINGS, who is a representu- tive farmer and stock-raiser of Atlas Town- ship, Genesce County, was born within the hounds of this county, August 22, 1812. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812 and his parents, Lewis and Eksie Cummings, migrated from New York, their native State, to this county in the old Territorial days settling in 1836 upon the farm where our subject now resides. In a log cabin they made their home for several years and then built a better residence. and here tlw. father remained until his death October 1, 1883. He was three times married and had cleven children. of whom the following survive: Rachel 1 .. now the widow of Mr. Baxter, Orlando; Stephen M., Edward, George. Nellie. now Mrs. Rockefeller, and Loretta, the widow of Adison Mactite of Bay ('it).
The father of our subject who left a good estate to his children was pre-eminently successful as a farmer and was highly esteemed by all who came within the sphere of his influence. He was a Republican in politics and in his religious connect- ion a Congregationalist. Stephen Cummings has passed his entire life in this county and carly took part in the labors of pioneering. His advantages for education were seanty indeed, and he has had to supplement what he then gained by observation und rendling.
Mr. Cummings was married April 14, 1870, to Adelia Miner, a native of New York, and they have one adopted son, Herbert. During the Civil War our subject was a watchman on a Government transport boat, plying on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers with headquarters at Cairo, Ill., and his brother, Oscar Cummings, a soldier of the Tenth Michigan Infantry, was killed in the battle of Chattanooga. This gentleman is a Republican in his political views and one of the most public-spirited men in this township. He is deeply interested in
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educational progress and has served for several years as Director of schools. His farm comprises one hundred and forty acres of land and its splen- did condition clases him among the thrifty and prosperous citizens of tienesce County.
BNER C. FOLSOM, M. D., who was be in Alden, Erie County, N. Y., August 21, 1823, is now a prominent citizen of Deer- field Township, Lapeer County. Now Hampshire was the native home of his father, the Rev. G. W. Folsom, M. D., and his mother, Mary Colby, was born in Vermont. The paternal grand- father was English by birth and training. Our subject is one of a family of eight children, only three of whom are now living, his surviving >is- ters lwing Caroline Grace, wife of Theodore Clark a Kansas farmer, and Sophronia W., the widow of Ephraim Vanorman of Hillsdale County, Mich.
The youth of our subject was spent in Buffalo, N. Y .. and he there attended school, after which he returned to Alden and at the age of twenty- one came to Michigan and located in Hillsdale County. During the twelve years which he spent there he studied medicine and began the practice of the same, and after coming to Lapeer County. he located in Goodland Township and resumed the practice of medicine and also bought land and improved it. Having sold this farm in Goodland Township be bought in Arcadia Township and having remained upon that property for three years and improving it be removed thener to la- per where he practiced medicine for two years.
Removing to Deerfield Township Dr. Folsom purchased eighty acres of land on section 6, to which he has added one hundred and twenty acres. This was all mild land in these days but he now has most of it in a finely-cultivated condition. This gentleman was married October 2, 1850. to Olive D. Cole a native of Michigan who was born January 20, 1831, and is the daughter of Reuben and Ruth ( Bullock) Cole. Mr. Cole was a farmer by occupation.
Dr. and Mrs. Folsom have had six children. five
of whom are still living to cheer the hearts of the parent. The two older sons, Mmvin E. and Abner 1 .. are farmers in this county, the former in Deer- field Township and the Intter in Marathon. The third son, Manly E., was drowned in the Flint River in 1875. Mary R. is the wife of W. W. Landon, a farmer of Millville. George C. farms in Deerfield Township and Olive M. is the wife of ('. Whiting, of Deerfield Township.
Dr. Folsom has done much toward the improve- ment of the township and at various times he has held almost every one of the townshipoffices. He has been a Notary Public for sixteen years and has been Postmaster of Drake since 1878. Heisat the present Clerk of the Township. He is a gen- eral farmer and stock grower and has done much toward the general improvement of the roads and the prosperity of the township.
2 HOMAS II. BAKER is a thrifty and go- ahead young farmer whose physical powers are guided and made effective by his intel- ligent management. He has a pleasant home and all that makes life worth living for. He was born in Devonshire, England, November 30, 1818, and is the son of Charles and Eliza (Dymond) Baker. The father. an English farmer, came to America in the spring of 1856 and proceeded to Michigan, locating in Burton Township, Genesee County. He was engaged for several years in farming on shares, but in 1871 he purchased a place in this township which was only partially improved. He still survives and is active and interested in his agricultural work.
Our subject's mother is still living. She as well as her husband is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. She has had thirteen children and what is somewhat remarkable is that all her chil- dren are living, the youngest being twenty-three years old at the time of this writing ( 1891).
Thomas Baker is the third in order of birth of his parents' family and was seven years old when they came to America. He received the rudiments
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of his education in the district school and after- ward attended the Union School in Flint. Ile Inter taught six terms. He began working out by the month, continuing this for six months and then spent a year in school. He then went to work by the day or job and in the spring of 1871 he and his father purchased eighty acres of land. He purchased his present farm in 1879. It is a fertile tract located on section 30.
September 26, 1876, our subject was married to Helen E. Knowles, who was born in tienesee Connty, Mich. She is the daughter of William Knowles and a native of New York who came here at an early day. Our subject and his wife have had three Fluidren-Morrison C., Fand 'T. and one who died in infancy. Mr. Baker is a Republican in politics. He has been School Inspector for the last fifteen years and Township Treasurer for one term. Socially he is a Maxon. He is the owner of the hundred and ten acres of choice land and here devotes himself to general farming, taking partie. ular interest in the raising of fine stock. He began with very limited means and his prospects are now of the brightest.
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