USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 56
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 56
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 56
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lady was the daughter of Col. Lauren and Roxana (Rexford) Billings, and became the mother of two children: Elbert la, and Calvin D. The first named married Ada Penoyer. Mrs. Loverna Boccher died September 21, 1874. The second marriage of our subject took place December 1, 1875, his bride being Miss Colin A. Wood, dangh- ter of Julius and AAmanda (Billings) Wood, of Smyrna, N. Y. Of this union two children were born-Nellie A. and Fannie A. Mrs. Beecher's father was the son of Noah Wood, whose father, Noah, Sr., was a resident of Connecticut and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Noah Wood. .Ir., married Asenath Calkins, at Somers, Conn., and thence they removed to Smyrna, N. Y., on a farm previously purchased, December 17, 1798. In that place they passed their remaining years, he dying at the age of forty-six, July 1, 1812, and she when eighty-four years old. His occupation was that of a tanner.
Inlius Wood, the father of Mrs. Bercher, was born on the old homestead, August 8, 1799, and there spent his entire life until he passed away at the age of seventy-three, November 7, 1873. Ile was an earnest Christian, a liberal giver, a member of the Congregational Church of Smyrna, N. Y., and a Dencon up to the day of his death. He early adopted anti-slavery views and assisted in organizing an Abolition party in his native town. William Lloyd Garrison and Gerritt Smith being his admirers. He married Amanda Billings, May 15, 18:31, whose father, Joseph, was a son of John Billings, of Connecticut. Ten children were born seven of whom survive.
Prof. DeValson Wood, the eldest son, occupies the Clutir of Engineering at Stevens' Institute of Technology, Hoboken, N. J., and i- honored with being among the first mathematicians of this com- try; also as author of several text books on higher mathematics. 11. A. is connected with the sune in- stitution as an honored Profesor. Two sons are farmers. Three daughters are married, Mrs. Bercher being one of them. The maternal grandmother of both Mrs. Beee iers, Abi ( Pomeroy) Billing-, of Somers, Conn., was born March 17, 1767. The family name (formerly spelled Billing) is derived from a village in Northamptonshire, England.
located about four miles from Nottinghamshire. The word is Saxon and means "a dwelling by the meadow" and was originally spelled "de Billing." The first mention of the family was in 1221 in the reign of Henry III, and for about two hundred years no trace can be found of them until mention is made of the death of John Billing, in 1526.
Both Mi. and Mrs. Bercher belong to the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and are among the most highly respected and popular members of the social circles of tienesce County. He has proved him- -elf a good financier, and is a stanch upholder of any measure tending to promote the interests of the community.
G EORGE KLINE. of the firm of Kline, Goodenough & Co .. general dealers in pro- duce, who are doing a heavy business and occupying a double block in Flint, has been in this line of business for sixteen years. He was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, N. Y., Novem- ber 10, 1827, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth ( Kreisler) Kline. The father was a farmer and came to Michigan when George was still a small boy. They located upon a farm in Grand Blanc Township, this county, and this the father im- proved and lived on until his death, leaving a family of seven children.
The brothers and sisters of our subject nre: Adam, James, John (deceased), Joseph, Henry (who died in the army) and Sarah, Mrs. Milton Bradley, of Eldorado, Kan. The mother survived the father for some twenty years. Om subject re- ceived a good practical education in the common schools and helped upon the farm, remaining there until he was married.
While still quite a young man Mr. Kline learned the carpenter's trade and worked at that for some time, and subsequently went into the business of a drover, gathering up here and shipping to De- troit and Buffalo such stock as he could purchase. This he carried on quite extensively, and after having been in the city for some time he bought a. farm at Burton. He was at first connected in business with Mr. Goodenough alone, but now has added to the firm Mr. Richard Bailey, and they are doing an extensive busines to the amount of fully $200,0000 a year. They buy and ship grain, hay, oats, and all kinds of produce,
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The marriage of our subject which took place July 3, 1858 united hun with the woman of his choice in Owe person of Miss AArtemesia Shaw, of tirand Blanc Township. She has always made her home in this county and is a daughter of Abiel and Mary A. (Gibson) Shaw, natives of Genesco, N. Y.
G NORGE W. PARMELEE is the proprietor and owner of the Star Custom Mill at Flushing, Genesve County. He came to this town in 1858 and has since been closely identified with its progress and business life. Mr. Parmelee was born May 30, 1839, at Sylvania, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas J. and Chloe (Atwell) Parmelee, natives of New York. The former was a farmer and came to Ohio at an early day. There he followed his calling until he came to Michigan and purchased a farm in Maple Grove Township, Saginaw County. He there remained until coming to Flushing, where he resided until his death, which occurred April 25, 1881, being at the time eighty-three years of age. Our subject's mother died in Maple Grove Township in 1879.
Thomas Parmelee was a Republican in politics and held several township offices. He was Justice of the Peace, Township Treasurer and Commis- soner of Highways besides holding various minor offices. He was the father of ten children, of whom three now live. They are Mrs. Thena James, Oliver and our subject. The last named was educated nt Palmyra, Leunwee County, this State. He was reared a farmer, but learned the baker's trade in Flushing and was employed in that way for twelve years. He built a brick store on Main Street of this town, the first door east of the First National Bank.
Mr. Parmelee enlisted in Company C, Seventh Michigan Cavalry and was in Custer's Brigade. He served for four years and was captured October 7, 1863 at Robinson River and was held a prisoner for fourteen months, being incarcerated in Libby Prison at Belle Isle, Pemberton No. 2. and Ander- sonville. He was also at Savannah and Camp Loton. At the time of entering the prison he was
a man who weighed one hundred eighty pounds and when he was exchanged he weighed only ninety pounds. On the 23rd of November, 1861, he was granted a furlough of sixty days during which time he came home. He returned to the army and then was sent across the plains to Salt Lake City to fight the Indians. He there received hi- discharge.
On returning to Flushing our subject purchased a farm in 1865. It was four miles west of the town and comprised seventy-two acres. He re- mamed on this for five years. He purchased his mill in 1888 and has run the sune ever since. Mr. Parmelee held the office of Commissioner of Highways while stationed at Montrose and has been Marshal for two years at Flushing. He has a fine home located on Cherry street.
Mr. Parmelee married Miss Elinor Smith, n daughter of Simeon Smith, one of the carly set- tens of tieneste County. They have had a family of live children, where natues are as follows: Sarah who is Mrs. Perry; Ever G., Daisy, Harry und Clara. The 15th of November, 1888, Mr. Par- melee went out hunting with a friend and was accidentally shot in his left arm, head and face, losing his left eye by the accident. He has always lien a great lover of hunting and fishing. He is a Republican in his political sentiments and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. Ile is one of the prominent business men of this vil- lage.
G P. CHAPMAN. It is frequently remarked that the finest residence in Lapeer County is the large brick dwelling owned and or- enpied by this gentleman, and charmingly located on section 1. Lapeer Township. This beautiful home is not only attractive in its exterior, but is elegantly furnished within and contains all modern improvements, bemg heated with hot water and lighted with gas. The large barns and farm buildings are models of convenience, while fine stock may be seen in the pastures. A man of large business interests, Mr. Chapman has attained
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to his present high standing through his unaided exertions and justly is numbered among the most influential and representative farmers of the county.
Simeoe Chapran, father of our subject, was a untive of Bucks County, l'a., and followed the calling of a farmer. Plbe (Park) Chapman, mother of our subject, was a native of Canada, born near Niagara Falls. The father was a man of great mechanical genius, and his sou retains in his possession some tine specimens of his work. His death was caused by cholera, in 1851, while the mother survived until 1863. Five of their fourteen children are now living. Our subject was born June 13, 1881, in the township of P'el- ham, Canada, and began for himself at the age of seventeen years, having prior to that time re- ceived a good common-school education. His first employment was secured on a farm, and he afterward worked in a sawmill for three years.
For two years Mr. Chapman sojourned in York, Canada, and for seven years in Walsingham. In 1861 he came to Michigan and worked on his present farm, then the property of his wife's fa- ther. In 1862 he went to Saginaw and Bay Coun- ties, where he engaged in lumbering until 1867. Thence he returned to his former home in Lapeer County, although he still retains large lumber in- terests. He was married in July, 1865, to Julia E. Higley, whose parents were natives of Shore- ham, Vt., and came to Michigan as early as 1832, settling in this county. Mr. Higley located where Thgley's old mill now stands and built a four, grist and saw mill, the latter being one of the first in the county. Mrs. Chapman was born Septem- ber 15, 1816, and was the recipient of a good com- mon-school education.
After his marriage our subject removed to what is now Arenae County, where he cleared one hundred acres of land in connection with himber- ing. He made his permanent location on his pres- ent estate in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are now living, as follows: Paul P., L. IL., Jane May, F. S. Jay, George D. Susie and Edith J. The home farm comprises three hundred acres, and besides that Mr. Chapman owns about live hmm-
dred acres of farming land in Arenae County, and has about five thousand acres of yellow pine land in Tuscaloosa and Hate Counties, Ata., where he also has a planing mill and private railroad. Un hi- homestead he makes a specialty of Jerry cows, Berkshire swine and Hambletonian horses. In his politics he is a Republican and has served as Su- pervisor and Treasurer of Lapeer Township, Highway Commissioner and Pathimaster. So- cally he is a member of the Masonic order, Blue Lodge Chapter and Council, and Knights Templar.
ILLIAM EVELAND, of Burlington Town- ship, Lapeer County, is one of the adopted sons of this country, whose birthplace was across the line in the British possessions, but who, during the dark days of the Civil War, shouldered his musket and fell into line with other patriots to tight for the glory of the old dag. He was born in the township of Yarmouth, London District, Can- ada, in 1826, and remained there until at the age of twenty he came to the States and made his home in Racine, Wis., where he remained for four years. There be found a bride in the person of Miss Anna Connelly, after which he returned to the old home in Canada, where he remained for five years. In 1855 he came to Michigan and settled in Macomb County.
It was in 1864 that the subject of this sketch re- moved to Lapeer County, locating on section 17, Burlington Township, and that same fall he proved his allegiance to hi- adopted home by enlisting in Company G, Fourth Michigan Infantry, being in the engagement at Decatur, Ala., with Hood, and also taking part actively in the battle at Murfrees- boro. At the close of the war he came home and followed farming, developing and cultivating a fine property of one hundred and sixty acres, eighty acres of which he still owns, besides having a nice little residence property in Clifford.
To Mr. and Mrs. Eveland were granted four children: William D., who is a resident of St. Agnes, Mich .; Betsey A., who has married William Lemmerman; Mary J., who is the wife of derone
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Calkins; and Charles, who resides in this county. The worthy parents of our subject were Frederick und Sarah A. (DeCaw) Eveland, both of whom had their nativity in New Jersey, and the father was nt participant in the War of 1812.
The political views held by Mr. Eveland, are such as bring him into sympathy and work with the Republican party, and he has held the offices of Township Treasurer and Highway Commissioner and the former for four years and the latter for seven years, and he is now President of the village and also Justice of the Peace. For character and probity, for intelligence and sincerity, he stands unchallenged, and his influence and worth are al- way's for good in the community.
ILLIAM H. WERKHEISER & SONS. These gentlemen are the proprietors and publishers of the tienesce Drawerat and the Flint Evening News, of which the son George is the editor in chief, and Frank F., Intsiness man- ager. The father was born in Pennsylvania, April' 26, 1832, and is a son of Henry and Susan (Sher- rer) Werkheiser. The former was a blacksmith by trade, and a farmer by occupation. William 11., at the age of thirteen removed with his father to Easton, Pa., in 1811, and became an apprentice to the printer's trade, in the office of what is now the .lygus, which was then called the Democrat wall .lyus. Six years later he worked for a time in Pike County, Pa., as a journeyman and in 1867 started a Democratic paper at Phillipsburg, N. J .. giving it the name of the Democrat, but the next year began the publication of the Evening Mail. After three years Mr. Werkheiser sold out these papers and bought an interest in the Saltsburg Press, and four years later disposed of his interest there, coming to Flint in March, 1887.
In this city Mr. Werkheiser purchased the estah. lishment with which he is now connected from A. 1. Eddy, and has brought the circulation of the daily issue from four hundred and fifty to fifteen | hundred, and of the weekly from eight hundred to 1
over two thousand. He also runs a large job estab- lishment in connection with the paper, and em- ploys thirteen hands.
The head of this lirm was married November 1, 1856, to Kiturah Trumbour, of Easton, Pa., and they have three children -- Frank F., William 11., .r., and George. The oldest and youngest sonsure associated with their father in business, and Will- iam 11., Jr., is at South Bethlehem, Pa. Mr. Werk- heiser is a member of the Masonic order, and is connected with the Lutheran Church at Easton.
George Werkheiser was born at Easton, J'a., No- vember 6, 1861, and was educated in the public schools where he was graduated from the High School in 1882, and immediately after graduation went to work ou the Saltsburg Press, which was then owned and edited by his father and brother. F. F. Werkheiser being business manager. After remaining there for one year, he went on the Sun- dug Call at Easton, and in February 1886 he began his duties as editor of the South Bethlehem Stor, remaining there until he removed to Flint in May, 1887. He was married November 20, 1890, to Miss Sue C. Roesch, daughter of Louis and Anna M. Roesch, of Easton, Pa. The father has been Judge of Elections of Easton, and at the last Dem- ocratie State Convention he was a delegate and helped to nominate Gov. Winans,
NDREW IL. GILLIES, who is a member of the firm of Beardslee, Gillies & Co., is en- gaged in the planing mili and lumber business on West Kearsley Street. The firm consists of Mr. Beardslee, our subject and Mr. Charles 11. W. Conover. They have been in this Insiness since 1865 and have carried it on in Flint since 1870, the firm name having been the same since 1867, and they are now the oldest dealers in Flint, continuing under the same name and deal- ing extensively in lumber.
Mr. Gillies was born in the city of New York. November 2, 1835, and is a son of William and Aun ( Werks) Gillies. When this son was quite young the family moved to Sandusky, Ohio, and
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
thener to tieneve County, when he was four years old. The father had thed in Ohio, and the family settled in what is now Flint Township. The country school and the farm provided the educa- tion and training for this youth and he remained at home until the breaking out of the Civil War.
Andrew Gillies enlisted in the fall of 1861 in Company A, Eighth Michigan Infantry, nud was at once sent South with Sherman and was with him at the battle of Coosaw River, and at the capture of Ft. Pulaski, Wilmington Island and James Island. His regiment was then sent North to join M. Clellan and was under Burnside at Fredericksburg, the second Bull Run, Chantilly. South Mountain, and Antietam. They then went to Kentucky and were present at Vicksburg with Grant and also at Jackson, Miss .. and then returned to Kentucky and East Tennessee, being present at the siege of Knoxville. He then re-enlisted and became a part of the Army of the Potomac, under Grant, and went with through the campaign of 1861 as far as Weldon Road and was sent to the hospital at Washington, D. (. He joined his regi- ment in April, 1865, and was mustered out with them with the rank of First Lieutenant. His ser- vice extended over four years, lacking seven days.
Upon his return to Flint Mr. Gillies located in the city and engaged in business with Mr. Boards- Ive. buying out another partner, who had been with that gentleman. At that time the outfit con- sisted of only a small mill which had just been titted up with one planer. During the quarter of a century since this partnership began, great im- provement- have been made in planets and they now run several of these machines of a laughly im- proved character nud keep in their employ twenty- live men. doing a large business in their line.
Our subject was one of the organizers of the People's Electric Light Company, of Flut, of which he is the Vice-President and he was one of the early promoters of the building of the Music Hall. generously taking stock when others hesitated as to the advisaluhty of doing this, and he is deeply interested in city real estate.
Mr. Gillies was married February 22, 1861, to Marcia, daughter of Morgan B. Persons, of Flint Township, and they have three children: their
son, Marvin P., who is now in the Upper Peninsula; und two daughters, Annn and Lulu, who are at home. They are members of the Presbyterian Church in which they are highly esteemed for their character and work, and Mr. Gillies is a prominent member of the Maxmie order.
R OLDON STIMSON. This former prominent citizen of Atlas Township, Genesce County. was born November 12. 1811, at Mendon, N. Y .. and departed this life July 11, 1886. His parents, Joel and Betsey Stimson, brought him with them at the age of six years to Oakland County. this State, where his father died. A few years later be removed with his mother to Lapeer County, where he grew to maturity. This educa- tion was received in the publicschools of Michigan and he carly became a farmer.
Mr. Stimson was married November 12, 1861, to Roxana Stocker, and to them were born four sons and two daughters. Mrs. Stimson was born in Cun- ada, March 29, 1812, and is a daughter of Dennis and Laura A. (Barnum) Stocker. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stimson are Grant, Ida, Lois, Joel, Milo and Alberto, lda is now the wife of Herbert Pierson. It was in 1871 when he removed to see- tion 1, Atlas Township. At his death he left a line estate of one hundred and seventy acres, the result of his life labor. His first purchase was lifty-six arres when he was in his eighteenth year, and to this be added from time to time until he had ne- cumulated the handsome property which he has left to his family.
We copy the following from an obituary notice published at the time of Mr. Stimson's demise: " Brother and Sister Stimson were both converted to God nine years ago, and both united with the Free Methodist Church at that time. In his death the church will feel a great loss. Brother Stimson has been a great sufferer for over a year. He was confined to his bed the last six months of his life. and was wholly unable to help himself. He was much blessed during his entire illness, and with all his suffering he seemed to bask in immortal sun-
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shine. His room was continually thronged by the ! unsaved; neighbors, pilgrims and strangers re- ceived words of exportation or warning as the Lord seemed to direct him. He especially urged his unsaved brothers to flee to Christ. Frequently during the paroxysme of pain he would pray the Lord to give him rest and immediately rest would come to hi- suffering body."
"During the last visit of his physician he ques- tioned him, desiring to know just what he thought of his case, and said, .Doctor, I am ready to go or stay.' The Doctor, although somewhat skeptical, replied, 'I have no doubt of it.' Before his de- parture he called the family to his bedside, talked to them as only a dying husband and father could talk. commending them to God, and seated the last farewell with an impressive kiss. His last prayer was 'Father, let Thy blessings rest upon my family when I am gone.' His last audible utterance was 'I am going home'"
"Brother Stimson is dead and yet he lives, not only in the hearts of the community and his be- leaved sorrowing family, but in the heaven pro- pared for the redeemed of earth. Services were held in his own house. He had chosen his pall bearers, and requested the writer to officiate at his funeral. A large concourse of neighbors, relatives and friends gathered, and fifty carriages followed his remains to the village cemetery, where they quietly laid him to rest."
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P HIILIP P. H.1. This worthy son of a worthy father, was born in Genesee County, N. Y .. November 1, 1815. His parents, Jo- seph und Sarah (Smith) Hill, were both Ver- monters, and the father was born July 17, 1811. and removed to Genesce County, N. Y., soon after his marriage. There he engaged in farming until ! his emigration in 1816, to Davison Township, Gen- see County, this State, where he purchased eighty acres of land, and moved into a log house and added to his acreage from year to year as he found himself able. His was one of the three families liv-
ing in las school district when it was organized. and he is still living, and bas been efficient in township affairs, having tilled the office of Trva- urer and other minor offices. He has been a mem- ber of the Baptist Church since its organization here and has been a Deacon nearly all his years of maturity. His good wife passed from this life. July 24, 1872, being then fifty-six years old. she was an earnest and active member of the Baptist Church.
Our subject is one of eight surviving members of his parents' family of ten. Up to the age of nine years he attended school, but after that age he could go only in the winters as in the summer there was plenty of work for the little boy to do on the farm. After he was twenty-one year- old he began farming the old homestead, and re- mamed there until his marriage, May 19, 1872, with Eliza Mann, who was a Canadian by birth. and whose lather was George Mann, a native of England, born April 13, 1809, who came to Amer- iva in 1839. He followed farming, first in Canada and then in Michigan, coming to this county in 1851. Ile is now living in Richfield Township, and his faithful wife, Keziah Lasam, who was of English birth, died in 1875.
Our subject has given to his three children good school advantages. Their names are George I'. William E. and Sarah E. He is attached to the doctrines of the Republican party, but votes the Temperance ticket when he feels that that question is uppermost. School oflices and the position of Highway Commissioner have been his, and he is now Guardian of Minors, and as an agriculturist he is deeply interested in the work of the Patrons of Industry, and both be and his estimable wife belong to the Baptist Church, where he is both Deacon and Treasurer.
Mr. Hill's one hundred and sixty-two and one- half acres of choice land may well be called a model farm, and this property has been gained a little at a time. In 1881 he erected a large frame house which is truly an ornament to the township, while the splendid condition of the farm reflects great credit upon the hand that manages it. Here all kinds of live stock are raised, and Mr. Hill in- troduces progressive methods into all his work. Ile
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