USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 59
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 59
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 59
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ONEPH B. DENEEN is a farmer located on section 21. Imlay Township, Lapeer County. where he has one hundred and forty-two acres of land. He was born in Liberty Township. Trumbull County, Ohio. September 20. 1×13. He is the son of Samuel and Phebe ( Nixon) Deneen, the former a native of New Jersey and of Irish descent. His great-grandfather was brought from Ireland when two years of age. Our sul- jeet's father served in the War of 1812 and his uneks fought in the Revolutionary War. When about. ten years old Samuel Deneen stood guard over some Hesians who had been captured. As he grew to manhood he learned the miller's trade, which he followed in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Mr. Deneen was reared on a farm in Milton Township, Ohio, where he lived until he was vigh- teen years of age. He had but little education but as the years have passed has picked up a great deal of value to him. He is a fur reader and an intel ligent thinker. Mr. Deneen came to Michigan when eighteen years of age and bought a tract of forty acres of land in Almont Township, Lapeer County. He staid here one year and then returned to Ohio, remaining there two years when he re- turned and purchased forty acres more of land.
He was married December 21, 1838, to Amy Sophronia Edgerton. She was born in New York but was reared in Canada. They were married in Michigan and immediately settled on the place which is at present their home. It was almost en- tirely uncultivated at that time, having but three arres which had been broken. Our subject has
been the father of fifteen children, six of whom grew to manhood and womanhood and four of whom are still living. His oldest son was a soldier in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry. The second son, Willard W., became the head of a family and died in Dakota.
Our subject's father was a Democrat and he of whom we write followed in his footsteps for a time, but after cutting loose from home influences be adopted the principles of the Republican party. lle has held several local offices, having been Highway Commissioner and School Inspector. He has a good farm and a line sugar grove and in the early spring months the most delicious maple sugar is made in abundance on the place. His son, Clarence E., is at the present time Treasurer of the township. Mr. Deneen and his wife celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, and besides the numerous congratulations tendered them they were the recipients of many substantial remem- brances,
E LISTA P. RANDALL. When contemplat- ing the present condition of this State and noting the wonderful development of its resources, due credit should be given to those pio- neers who stood in the vanguard and bore many privations which we of the present generation find it hard to realize. Among those who belong to that grand class-the old settlers of Tuscola County-perhaps no one is more prominent than Mr. Randall, who is engaged in farming pursuits on section 10, Aimer Township. The biographical writer finds pleasure in giving an outline of his career. but the details of the hardships, trials and constant toil which fell to his lot in early years must be left to the imagination of the reader.
Many years ago in the Kast, occurred the mai riage of Elisha Randall and Amy Brown, the former born in Rutland County, Vt .. in 1791, and the latter a native of Brookfield, Madison Conty, N. Y., where her birth took place in 1795. That worthy couple devoted their lives to training to useful manhood and womanhood their children,
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who were eleven in number, and gave them the careful home example and advice which to no small degree fitted them for obtaining and honor- ing responsible positions in the world. The father, whose calling was that of a farmer, was unable to his children many educational opportunities, as the temples of learning in these days were inferior in every respect to the excellent schools of the present.
Elisha P'. Randall, the subject of this sketch, was born October 15, 1820, in Brookfield, Madison County, N. Y., and passed the first ten years of his life in the home of his birth. He attended the district school near his home, and while stated on an old slab bench conned his lessons from a prim- itive text book. The extensive information which he now possesses has been mainly gained by read- ing and observation for he makes constant use of every opportunity for self-culture. At the age of ten years be accompanied the other members of the family to Per-in, Cattaraugus County, N. Y .. where he resided twenty seven yours, or until about the time of his mother's death in 1857. His father passed away in 1861.
November 6, 1851, Mr. Randall was united in marriage with Miss Lucy A. Parsell, who was born in September, 1827, in Dayton, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and is the daughter of John Parsell. Mr. and Mrs. Randall are the parents of seven children, namely: John, Clara, Ernest, Lottie, Her- man, James and Alice. In October. 1857. Mr. Ran -. dall came to what is now the thriving town of Caro, but which at that time existed only in the imagination of a few. Settling in Almer Town- ship, he commeneed to operate as a farmer, in which he still continues successfully engaged. In May, 1871, le purchased eighty acres on section 10, Almer Township, where he now resides. In the various duties associated with agricultural life he linds abundant exercise for his energy and judg- ment, while his farm bears evidence of the thrift of the husbandman. The farm buildings ate first- class and conveniently located, while the residence is comfortable and tastefully furnished.
While the Civil War was in progress, Mr. Han- dall enlisted August 13. 1861, in Company .1. Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry, and served until
the close of the war, when he was discharged August 6, 1865. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and popular among the veterans. In his political views he is a Republi- can, and has held many of the township offices, at present serving as Drain Commissioner, In advance- ing the status, moral and social, of the community he is greatly interested and has contributed his quota to gain that result.
UNIE'S T. SANFORD, whose home is in Richfield Township. Lapeer County, was born in Atlas Township, Geneste County, August 1, 1818, and is a son of James S. and Caroline A. (Gray) Sanford. His father was born in New York and is of English and Scotch descent, while his mother's family came of Holland stock and are also New Yorkers. The father was by occupation a farmer and the boy received with his common-school education, thorough training in farm work. While in infancy, he was removed to the State of New York, where he was brought up and educated. At the age of twelve he entered the Academy at Perry. N. Y., and after leaving school he came West.
At the age of twenty-one Junius Sanford began life for himself at Bay City, Mich., engaging in the milling business with his uncle Junius Sanford, Sr .. and remaining with huum for for some eighteen months after which he taught for a number of Years alternating it with farming. He returned to New York and spent some thirteen years there, following these two vocations.
The young man was married February 26, 1873, to Matilda Hamilton, of Atlas Township, Genesce County, and they have three children: Hattie B .. who is now seventeen years old and is following in her father's footsteps in the matter of teaching; Floyd J., eleven years old, and Annie E., seven years old.
It was in January, 1884 that Mr. Sanford re- turned to Michigan and engaged in farming in la- prer County. The following year be purchased the place where be now resides on section 8, Rich-
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field Town-hip, and he has a fine place of one him- dred and twenty acres about half of which is in a high state of cultivation and upon which he has made substantial improvements. He built his large two-story frick residence in 1885 and is engaged in mixed farming and stock-raising. He is now filling his second term as Supervisor of the Town- ship and is an active worker for all progressive movements. His wife and eldest daughter are with himself members of the Methodist Episcopal
b ENRY UPDEGRAFF. He whose name appears above was for years numbered among the most enterprising citizens of Atlas Township, Genesve County. A man of simple habits and unassuming in his prétentions, he had sterling worth and ability that has in n quiet way made itself felt throughout the com- munity. Mr. Updegraff was a native of Erie County, N. Y., and was born October, 12, 1828. Hle was a son of William and Mary Updegraff and when but twelve years of age he was brought with his brother to Michigan.
Mr. U'pdegraff received a good common-school education, but the main features and special ad- 1 vantages in farming were carly inculcated in his youthful mad. On reaching manhood our sub- jeet was married to Miss Harriet Vantine, their marriage being celebrated detoler 30, 1851. She was born August 9, 1837, and was a daughter of Peter and Lucinda Vantine. Her parents were early settlers in Atlas Township. By this union there were three children, two of whom are still living. They are Monroe and Mary. (Mrs. Henry lxpard). One child died in infancy.
Our subject settled on a farm whereon his widow now resides, about 1851. It is located on section 11, Atlas Township, and was at the time of his ad- vent a timbered wilderness. He cleared the farm by himself and made it what it is to-day. Hi- struggles to accumulate a competency for his
family and his encountering of the difficulties of pioneer life brought out the sturdy and sterling qualities of his character. He was ally assisted in this, however, by his wife, in whom be found a most perfect helpmate and wise counselor. Ho served in several local offices. He departed this life October 7, 1889. He was greatly respected by all who knew him and in his decease Atlas Town- ship lost one of her best citizens.
Mr. U'plegraff was a Republican in politics. He Church and active workers in social and religious | was a kind and loving father and husband and an obliging neighbor as the large circle of friends that followed him to his Inst resting-place testified. He was known widely for his integrity and honesty. His widow resides on the homestead comprising one hundred and twenty acres of good land. Their first home was a log cabin in which they lived for a number of years and later Mr. Updegraff built the residence in which the widow now resides. Hle was very limited in means when beginning his career here and used an ox-team for a number of years when first farming. He was practically n self-made man. Mrs. L'pdegraff takes a prominent position in the social life of the community. A sketch of Peter Vantine, father of Mrs. Updegraff, and a representative pioneer of Michigan, appears in another part of this work.
M ISS ALTA L. BROTHERTON, teacher of English Literature in the Flint High School. has been connected with the schools of this city since 1876, and since 1881 has been a teacher in the High School. She i- a native of this county, born in Clayton Town- ship, and the daughter of old settlers of Genere County. Her father, Francis Brotherton, was born in Connecticut in 1819, and her grandfather, David Brotherton, likewise a native of Conneticut, was a farmer, who in 1835 located in Avon Town- ship, Oakland County, this State. He was of French descent.
Francis Brotherton by occupation was a farmer. He was married in Pontiac, in June, 1811, and in October of the following year, located in Clayton
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Township, Geneser County, this State. He eut his way through the woods and opened up an eighty- nere farm, which he improved with good build ings. The year 1866 witnessed his arrival in this city, and during the ensuing year be located on eighty neres adjoining the corporate limits of the city. There he resided until 1882. Upon retiring from active labor he settled in Flint, where his death took place February 5, 1890. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican, while in religions matters he was in sympathy with the doctrines of the Baptist Church, with which he identified himself.
Ellen (Hilton) Brotherton was born in 1827 in Pontiac and was the daughter of Roswell Hilton, native of New York. In 1826 Mr. Hilton came to Michigan, settling in Pontiac, Oakland County, where he added in erecting the first house in the place. The most of las active life was devoted to farming in Pontiac Township, whence in 1819 he removed to Flint and here died. Ihs wife, Susan (Voorhees) Hilton, was descended from ancestors who originally came from Holland. She passed the closing years of her life with a son in Grand Rapids, and there died. Of her six children, three sons enlisted in the late war and fought in defense of the Union.
Miss Brotherton is an only daughter, and her brother, W. Irving, is in the wholesale grocery and produce business in Bay City. Our subject attended the High School until the fall of 1872, when she was in the junior year. The family then removed to Ann Arbor, where they sojourned three years, and she in the meantime graduated from the High School in 1871. Afterward she spent one year in the classical department of the I'niversty of Michigan. Returning to Flint. in the fall of 1876 she engaged as a teacher in the Wood School. Afterward she was in the grammar department until 1881, when she became a teacher in the High School, and later was appointed Principal of English Literature and English rend- ing. One of the most successful teachers in Flint, she is known throughout the State as a prominent educator. Her connection with the High School extends over a longer period than that of any other teacher. Notwithstanding her other arduous
duties, she Iluds time for religious work. An ne- tive member of the Baptist Church, she is especially interested in Sunday-school work and is now the teacher of the Young People's Bible Class, com- prising forty schohus. She is a strong Repubhean in political sentiments. Her mother owns a fine farm of viglity avres, with good improvement-, and from this receives a good rental.
Le YMAN T. CURTIS. This resident of Mundy Township, Genesce County, and son of the late Joseph A. Curtis is the sub- ject of our sketch. His mother's maiden name was Martha A. Thompson and they were carly set- tlers in this township, coming here from New York about the year 1811. The father died here in May. 1811 leaving three children, Lyman T., Julin . M. and Silas E. JJulia is now the wife of Mallory U'ttey.
Lyman T. Curtis was born in this township, December 16, 1813 and here he had his early train- ing and education in the common schools. He has followed farming chiefly although he has a taste and ability in the line of mechanics and has patented two machines for making fences, one for slat fence and one for wire tence. He manufac- tured these machines in Flint for some two years but besides that has devoted himself to agriculture giving special attention to raising fruit trees and carrying on a nursery. One' hundred and sixty acres of land are comprised in his farm and upon it he has excellent improvements. About thirty Here's are planted to fruit.
The marriage of our subject with Florence Bige- low, daughter of the Inte Alva Bigelow took place in Flint in 1861 and to them have been born four children: Elfie M., Wallace, Martha S. and Alva J. Ellie is now the widow of Frederick Wilson and Wallace died at the age of fourteen.
Mrs. Florence A. Curtis died in Mundy Town- ship, in March, 1882 and Mr. Curtis was n second time married in Flint to Celina George, daughter of Eugene George, a sketch of whose life will be found elsewhere in this Recoup, She is a native
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of Mundy Township and is now the mother of three children, They (,, George la and Arthur F.
Our subject has taken an active part in local affairs and has been a candidate for Supervisor on the Democratic ticket. Mrs. Curtis is a devoted member of the Roman Catholic Church. Our sub- jeet belongs to the Farmers' Alliance and is deeply interested in everything which concerns the social and industrial progress of the farming community. The buildings upon his place are comfortable and well equipped and his standing both as a farmer and as a man is most excellent in the community.
TRISTIAN KIST. The attention of our readers has doubtless been attracted to the views of fine estates which appear in various portions of this volume, and among them they will doubtless notice with especial interest the view of the well-improved place where Mr. Kist carras on general farming. It is located on section 9, Mill- ington Township, Tuscola County, and is embull- ished with buildings of a first class. Possessing those qualities of thrift and industry which charme- terizes his countrymen. Mr. Kist has been success- ful in his endeavor to found a home for himself and family and now in his dechning years is trou- bled by no fears of poverty or want.
A nativeof Germany Mr. Kist was born in Baden December 16. 1822 and is the son of Names and Mary (Macklin) Kist. Namos Kist served for a number of years under Napoleon, and after passing his entire life in Germany died at the early age of thirty-eight years. He and his good wife were the parents of two sons and one daughter, one of the the sons being Christian, the subject of this sketch, He was reared in his native land and worked in a vineyard during his youth. Having been drafted into the army he served as a soldier six years and fought against the Prussians in 1818. Two years later he came to America and settled in Wisconsin, whence after a sojourn of six months he returned to New York and was engaged in a sawmill. In 1852 he came to Detroit, this State, and for some time was employed m a sawmill; from that city he
removed to Macomb County and worked at gar- dening. While there he learned to make brooms and followed that business for a number of years. Later he located in Troy, Oakland County, and then worked on a farm in Groveland Township, the same county.
In 1861 Mr. Kist enlisted in behalf of his coun- try of his adoption and served through our late war with all the loyalty of a native-born son of America. August 17, 1865, he was discharged, re- eviving his credentials at Little Rock, Ark. He was on provost and detatched duty most of the time of his service. He was married in Troy, Oakland County to Mis Calista Hunt, and ten children have been born to them, live of whom are living at the present time, namely: John, Mary. Charles, Christian and Harmon. John married Jessie Parker and lives near Birmingham, this State; Mary be- vame the wife of Peter Holbach and lives in Lapeer County; Charles, now a resident of Bay City, mar- ried Della Nichols, who died in 1890, and their two children are also deceased.
From Oakland County Mr. Kist removed to La- peer County, where he took up one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land. I'pon coming to Tus- cola County be settled on forty-one acres which he still owns, having cleared the most of this tract and placed upon it good buildings. A hard-work- ing, persevering man, he has never been discour- aged by the slow advent of fortune's favors. In religious sentiment he and his wife are Methodists. In politics he is a Republican and socially a mem her of William Richardson Post, No. 211, G. A. R.
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G FORGE PAILTHORP, who carries on gen- eral farming on a beautiful tract of one hundred and thirty-five aeres in Vienna Township, tieneste County, is one of the most successful agrientturists and most intelligent men in the township. He has an excellent library and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. His services to the country during the war marked Jum as a man of patriotism and bravery and he has the respect and esteem of his neighbors.
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RESIDENCE OF GEORGE G. MARSHALL, SEC. 24., GENESEE TP., GENESEE CO., MICH.
RESIDENCE OF CHRISTIAN KIST, SEC.9., MILLINGTON TP., TUSCOLA CO., MICH.
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Mr. Pailthorp was born April 12, 1811, in Lin- colnshire, England, and his father, William Pail- throp, was a native of Nottinghamshire, and was born in 1811. His marriage, in 1810, to Frauces, daughter of William Sissins of Lincolnshire, began his domestic life, which was carried on in England for two years. The young couple came to the United States in 1812 and after farming for a your new Albany they came to Mt. Morris, Gene- see County, this State, and bought forty-four acres of land. He was a Democrat in politics and a man who was shecessful in life and left a fine pro. perty at his death, which occurred in 1872. Ili- good wife is still living, at the advanced age of seventy-eight, and live of their ten children still survive. With the exception of Judge C. J. Pail- thorp, of Petoskey, all of the family are living in this vicinity.
Our subject remained at home until he was twenty-one years old, studying in the common schools and in the Flint High School. In 1861 he bought the farm which he now occupies and had just begun to get into shape for cultivating it when the Civil War called him from the pursuits of peace, and he enlisted in August, 1862, in Com- pany C, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, and was in active service until the chose of the war. On account of sickness he was in the hospital at Know- ville for six weeks and was wounded by a ball at the siege of Atlanta. He took part in the follow- ing named battles: Campbell Station, Konaw Mountain, Rome. Columbia. Spring Hill. Franklin and Nashville and the Morgan raid and the sieges of Knowville and Manta. When Fort Anderson was taken, Corporal l'ailthorp was the one who captured the old garri on dag, being with the first offthe assaulting party to enter the fort.
After the close of the war Mr. Failthorp re- turned to the farm and was married in 1866 to Sarah, daughter of Sammel Nichols of Niagara County, N. Y. Mr. Nichols and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Charles, were of Eng- lish birth. and were married m their native home in 1831, some three years before coming to this country. Mr. and Mrs. Pailthorp are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which organ- ization he is a Trustee and he was Superintendent
of the Sunday-school for fifteen years. Ever since the war he has been a Republican in his political views and has served his township us School In- spretor and Highway Commissioner. The pleasant home in winch he now resides was built in 1876. Mrs. Pailthorp is exceedingly useful in the com- munity in various directions, and has been n teacher in the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school for twenty-four years. He is a member of Fred- erick Walker Post, No. 131, G. A. R., of M. Morris and has filled nearly all the offices in the organiza- tion with the exception of commander. They have one child, a daughter, May (,
HOMAS WARREN. Among the Anglo- American citizens who have helped to build up trade and enliven commercial life in Flint, is he whose name appears above. He is a foundryman and machinist whose place of business is located at the corner of North First and Garland Streets, His residence occupies a pleasant north- east corner and the machine shop the southeast corner. Here he has been engaged in business since 1853. Mr. Warren was born in England. July 1. 1809. He is a son of Henry and Grace Warren, and when twenty years of age came to Genova, N. Y.
Our subject lived in Geneva three years and spent two years in Rochester. While there be married Miss Jane M. Hubbard, of the same city. Soon afterward they came to Ypsilanti and later to this city, where he was engaged as a pattern-maker and in such other work of the kind, as he was most skillful. Ile started a little shop here in 1853. carrying it on for three years, when he built where he now is, having. on first arriving in the town, fixed upon that as the most desirable location.
Our subject's business continued to grow until he was finally enabled to put in steam power and he now has one of the best shops of its size to be found in the locality. It is a brick structure, hay- ing two stories and a basement, all of which is occupied; it is 33x75 feet in dimensions and all
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Decessible to the motor power. They are now in need of extra room for the business. They do n line live of brass work, and although he has seen many other firms go under in the tide of adversity. Mr. Warten has managed to weather all these stories. He purchased the corner upon which his residence is built in 1853. It is 8 x10 rods in size and upon it bw has built a very line home, in which he has lived for a quarter of a century.
Of the seven children that have been given to the care and parental affection of our subject and his wife, Your are now living. They are Charles, who is a machinist; Miles, who is with his father in the shop: Helena, Mrs. Charles H. Werner; Eva. wife of Charles Johnson. After the decease of his first wife. Mi. Warren married Miss Hannah Mor- ley, formerly of England. Mr. Warren has never been actively interested in politics, having given his whole attention to his business and to that fact
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