USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 62
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 62
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
In 1872 young Cartwright was married to Miss Nancy, daughter of Nathaniel Cole, of New York, who had been an early settler of Michigan and who died August 10, 1891. One child has blessed this union, namely, Charles 1., who was born March 23, 1877. Mr. Cartwright is a Republican in his polit- ical views and has been Treasurer, Clerk and Su- pervisor of the township, and a frequent delegate to county and State conventions. He is a mem. ber of the Masonic order.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Cartwright removed to Davison Station and continued there for three years in the mercantile business and opened a grist and sawmill. He then took a trip west and spent two summers at Great Bend, Kan., where he bought , a quarter section of land. In 1889 he began oper- ations with his father in the grain and produce business, being with him for three years and was in an independent business for three years. He linally took into partnership Edgar d. Seelye, and in 1886 he also started a bank which he has since carried on prosperously. It has now been merged into the Davison Baking Company, with Mr. Cartwright as President and was so re-organ- ized in 1889.
-
D AVID C. WATTLES. We here present a life narrative of one of the prominent citi- zens of North Branch, who was born in Troy, Bradford County, Pa., February 9, 1821, and has now reached the age of a septuaganarian. Wattles Ferry, Conn., was the native place of his parents, John and Ehza ( Cash) Wattles.
The father was by occupation a stone-layer and brickmason and the early home of the family was in the county where our subject was brought up. His was not a happy childhood and youth as he became an orphan by the death of his mother at the tender age of three years and when he was
-
...
C
١
1023
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
twelve years old he was bound out to a man who proved to be addicted to the use of liquor and the unhappy and abused boy ran away and found refuge in Cheung County, N. Y., where at the age of fourteen years he found employment.
.Vier spending a year or so there the youth de- termined to come West, but as he had no money he could not secure passage on a boat. With more than ordinary pluck and determination he made up his mind to go on board the vessel and take his chances and as he fell into kind hands he was brought actors to Detroit and having made his way on foot through the wilderness he came to lapeer County in 1837.
This ly had received but slight schooling in the East and after coming to Michigan was able to attend school but thirty-three days when he was sixteen years old. For about seven years he continued working on farms and in 1811 par- chased a piece of land. He enlisted in Detroit May 28. 1817 for the term of the War with Mexico, receiving his honorable discharge at Governor's Island, New York harbor, August 13, 1818, after which he returned to Michigan.
Mr. Wattles was married February 5, 1831, to Mrs. Susan M. Rood of Lapeer. After carrying on farming in what is now Lapeer City until 1851 he came to North Branch Township, where there were two bands of Indians living at the time. From 1869 to 1873 he lived in Lapeer and now has a fine place of four hundred acres on sections 9, 10, 15 and 16. It was in the fall of 1889 when he re- moved to the village of North Branch. Here he now makes his home although he still carries on farming. In politics he is a Democrat and has been Supervisor of the township for a number of years, besides filling at one time the office of Township ('Itk.
R
ICHARD WILLS. The farming community of Tu-cola County ranks well with that of any part of Michigan, and Arbela Town- G ship, does not stand behind the rest. We give here a sketch of one of its prominent agricul- turists, who was born in Ireland, November 25,
1833. He is a son of Michael Wills, a native of Ireland, who at an early day come to Canada, where he established himself in 1817, and spent the remainder of his days. Being a thorough agri- culturist he carried on a large farm there until his death which took place m 1846. His wife, Mary Carver, was a native of Ireland and to them were born three sons and three daughters. The mother is still living in Genesce County, and is now in her seventy-ninth year.
Dur subject was thirteen years of age when he came with his parents to Canada, and was there reared and educated. In due time he took to him- self a wife in the person of Jane MeNane, a native of Ireland and who also came with her parents to Canada when a child. To this couple were born six children, namely: James, Ellen, Pressie J., Eliza- beth, Charles, and Richard E.
Mr. Wills was a farmer in Canada and owned one hundred and fifty acres of fine land which he had put in a splendid state of cultivation. This he sold before coming to Michigan in 1879, and upon first coming here he purchased a farm of eighty aeres in Huron County, where he lived for some years, making it highly productive. He then re- moved to Tuscola County, and located upon one hundred and sixty-eight acres in Arbela Township. Here he has cleared fifty neres and put up excellent farm buildings. While living in Canada our subject was afflicted by the death of his wife who passed away in 1875.
Mr. Wills is a Democrat in his political prefer- ences now, although he was a Republican until about six years ago. He has never aspired to office for he prefers to devote himself entirely to the care and culture of his farm and the duties of his home and church. The present Mrs. Wills was a native of Canada and was born February 17, 1817. She is Jane, the daughter of Holm Elliott who died when this daughter was but a little child. There were six children in the family, in which Mis. Wills grew to maturity, three boys and three girls. To our subject and his wife no children have been born. They are possessed of true Christian char- actors and are earnestly devoted to the interestsof the Presbyterian Church. To the children of his first marriage this faithful father has given an ex-
0
·
٠
1
1021
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
cellent education and they are all living and doing hovor to the training which they have received. Upon his excellent farm he carries on general farming and everything about the place shows the hand of a thorough and systematic farmer.
M ORTIMER CARTER. The gentleman whose name is quoted above is a resident upon a pleasant rural place, which com- prises five hundred acres of agricultural land. located on Smith's Reservation, of Flint Township. tiene-ce County. He was here born January 21, 1813, and is the son of Janes and Sabra (Maltby) Carter, the former a native of England and the latter of New York State. They settled in Flint Township about 1811. Later they removed to Fluit City and there resided for the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of eight sons and four daughters and our subject was the fifth child in order of birth.
Mr. Carter was reared to manhood on the home farm in his native place. September, 1861, he en- listed in Company A, Eighth Michigan Infantry, and served for a period of forty-one months, hav- ing re-enlisted in the same company and regiment. He took part in the engagement- of James Island, S. C., second battle of Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antictam, Fredericksburg and in many minor engagements. He was also in the siege of Knoxville, at the Wilderness, at Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor. At the last-named battle he was shot through the left shoulder and was seriously in- jured, having seventeen pieces of bone extracted from his shoulder. It is not surprising that after so extended and loyal a service, our subject should delight in the re-unions of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of Crapo Post.
After the war our subject returned to Funt and has ever since been engaged in farming. For the past fifteen years he has devoted funself expec- ially to the produce business, finding his market in Flint and Bay City. He was first married in Flint Township to Miss Ellen Malty and by but
he became the father of one daughter, whose name is Avies. Mrs. Ellen Carter died in 1870 and our subject was ngain married in Bay City to Miss Maria Stowe, who is an English lady by birth and ancestry and who came to America, brought hither by her parents when two years old. By this union our subject has become the father of tive sons, whose names are Frank, Fred, William, Georgeand. Charles. They have also lost two children; Lewis was drowned when twelve years of age and Ellen died when an infant. Our subject has held the office of Township Treasurer and has also been School Director. In politics he is a Republican first and always. He and his wife are both de- voted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
OSES MIDDLETON, Supervisor of Forest Township, Genesve County, is one of the prominent agriculturists of this section of country. He owns an excellent farm of eighty acres, under a high state of cultivation, which yields him a golden tribute for the care and labor he bestows upon it. As a farmer his dealings have been marked by integrity and shrewdness. and these traits have made him an invaluable aid in the upbuilding of Ins township, and give him high rank among its citizens. He is interested in promoting the prosperity of the township and county, as well as the welfare of the country at large, and in regard to political questions we find him a Republican, stanch and true.
A native of the State of New York, Mr. Middle- ton was born m Sodus Township, Wayne County, April 16, 1851 and is therefore at the present writ- ing ( 1891) in the prime of life. His parents, John and Charlotte (Miller) Middleton, were natives respectively of England, and the vicinity of Albany, N. Y. The father was reared in England, and thence emigrated to America when he was about thirty years old. He devoted his attention lo farming in his native land and was thus engaged m the New World. He was married in England, and became the father of two children by that
1
William Lucas
1025
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
union. After his wife died he married again and two children were also born of that union. Some years after coming to America his wife died and later he was married to Mrs. Charlotte Drumto, the widow of James Drumm. Our subjeet was the only child born of that union.
In mingled work and play, in the usual manner of farmer lads, the subject of this biographical no- tive passed his boyhood. At the age of ten years his father died and he then removed with his mother to Phelps, Outario County, N. Y., where her children by her first marriage lived. The edu- ention which our subject received was a limited one, and most of it was acquired after he was old enough to study alone and do for himself. At the age of sixteen he left his home in Phelps and coming to Michigan, located in Genesee County. He had lost his father by death when he was a lad of only ten years and consequently he has had his own way to make in the world from childhood. When he came to this State he worked in mills, and afterward learned the carpenter's trade, at which he found employment during the summer months; the win- ter seasons were employed in teaching. In 1878 be removed to Forest Township, and began to labor as n farmer.
About the time of bis location in Forest Town- ship Mr. Middleton was married April 16, 1878, his bride being Miss Suzette C. Coie, of Richtich Township, this county. Mrs. Middleton was the daughter of Walter J. Cole, a farmer of Richfield Township, and Marian (Hastings) Cole, his wife. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Middle- ton, a son Wallace Bay, whose birth occurred Jan- unry 11, 1881. Although Mr. Middleton has devoted his time principally to general farming he has yet found time for other work. Since he came to this place he has taught several terms in the district school during the winter seasons and about 1886 he began surveying. During that year he was elected County Surveyor, which position he held and tilled efficiently for four years. At present he is serving his sixth term as Supervisor of Forest Township, and in that position he is advancing the interest of the township.
In other positions beside those above named Mr. Middleton has also served and always efficiently.
As Highway Commissioner, he improved the con- dition of the roads of the community; as School Inspector he raised the standard of education; as School Director for fourteen years he did all in his power to secure efficient teachers and offer the best educational advantages to the children of the neighborhood. Upon his farm may be seen in their proper season the various grains which he linds adapted to the soil and climate, while scattered through the meadows are the various breeds of live stock which he raises.
ILLIAM LUCAS. Among the British- American citizens of North Branch Town- ship, Lapeer County, who for many years have been thoroughly Americanized and who, dur- ing the Civil War, cast in their lot with other pat- riots and fought for the honor of the old Hag, we are pleased to give the name of William Lucas. He was born in Oxfordshire, England, about seventy- five miles west of London, April 5, 1821. His parents, John and Mary (Manning) Lucas, were both natives of Northampton and his father, the son of a rich man, who had lost his estate, was n' day laborer and unable to give his son a good edu- cation. This parent died when our subject was but fourtren years old and the boy after that worked out for a living.
When Mr. Lucas had reached the age of twenty- six he was married to Elizalesey, of Hardick, and they became the parents of four children, Eliza- beth 1., Robert F., Harriet M. and Janey. These children have all established families of their own and their mother was called from earth December 9, 1882. It was in 1853 when our subject brought huis family to America, locating in Detroit through the winter. He first worked for John S. Bagg as gardener. He then entered the employ of John Hall on his stock farm on the river Rouge and there had the oversight of the hired men. He was a trained gardener in England on the estate of Land Bute.
Somewhat later Mr. Lucas removed to Oakland County, where he farmed for two years and com-
50
0
1120
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ing to lapees County in August, 1856, he bought the place where he now resides. It was then all un unbroken forest and he has made every improve- ment which is to be seen upon it today, besides doing much useful work upon the road.
le of whom we write enlisted December 11. 1861 in Company F, Tenth Michigan Infantry. He was under Sherman in what was then known as the Army of the West and took part in the various marches of that body, through Kentucky, Tennessee, North and South Carolina and Georgia and although he served until July 19, 1865 he was not in any general engagements and did not see much fighting. At the expiration of the war he returned to Michigan with his health much im- paired so he has been unable to do active work since that time. In his political views he is in earnest sympathy with the Republican party and he says that the party which sustained the ad- ministration during the war is good enough for him now.
ONEPH WALSH. We have here a life sketch of the efficient and active Supervisor of Flint Township. tienere County, who was born in County Westmeath, Ireland. March 31. 1815. When he was three years old his parents emigrated to America and settled in Detroit, where the boy loved until he was sixteen years old. Ile then went with his father to Lapeer County, and having assisted in a new farm remained there until he was twenty-three years old working upon the farm in the summer and during the winters chopping in the woods.
Latter the young man was employed by the W. W. Crapo lumber firm to work in the woods m the winter months and in Flint during the stu- mers and was with them for six years, after which he settled on the farm which he had purchased in Lapeer County and remained there for some three years. In the spring of 1881 be removed to the l'pper l'eninsala and was employed in Schoolcraft
County by 1. 1. Thompson, who is now President of the Della Lumber Company of Detroit. He was at that time a stockholder in the company and was very efficient in securing a large tract of choire timber land in Schoolcraft County, and continued there until 1886 when on account of ill health he returned to Flint, to which place lus family had removed in October, 1881. le hun- since continued in the lumber business and is one of the stockholders and directors of the Della lamber Company.
In the spring of 1887 Mr. Walsh removed to his farm which he had owned since 1885 and there he now lives. He has a finely-improved estate of more than one hundred neres and an excellent set of farm buildings, and he makes lumbering and farming his double voention. He was married in Flint, May 21. 1870. to Miss Ellen Donovan who was born in Ontario in October, 1818. They have live living children, Joseph L., F. Spiridian, Ernest V., Agnes and Edmund D.
Mr. Walsh has held the office of Supervisor of Flint for two years and is the present incumbent. Winle living in the Upper Peninsula he also held the office of Supervisor for some years, as he is universally recognized as one who is active and interested in forwarding the matters pertaining to the community. He also takes an active interest in political affairs and is a member of the Demo- cratic party. He and his family are devout mem- ber- of the Roman Catholic Church.
HOUS .. CARTON. This prominent attorney of Flint, belongs to the firm of Durand & Carton, and has practiced here for seven years. He was born in Clayton Town- ship. this county. November 18, 1856, and is a son of John and Ann (Maguire) Carton, the father being one of the pioneer farmers of this county who came to Flint when the city had only three houses and was in the wild woods.
The father was born in Ireland and came to the I'mited States when a young man. His first seattle- ment was in Brooklyn. S. Y., with his two broth-
::
1027
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ers, William and Peter, and then he removed to 'and his city home is on Margaret Street. When Batavia, where they purchased a form of one hun- dred and sixty acres, and in 1870 came West and made a home at Flint. Peter died soon and Will- iam went to California in 1879, and here John Carton was married and settled in Clayton Town- ship, in the house which he made his home until the spring of 1891. when he came to Flint. His good wife, who became the mother of thirteen children, reared nine of them and she still lives to cheer the home of her husband in his declining years. The children are Peter, Anna, John, Mac, Luke, Belle, Frank, Augustus and James, none of whom are married, and all of whom are members of St. Michael's Catholic Church.
Our subject attended school first in the country and then studied in Flushing High School, and afterward spent two years in the High School at Flint. He taught for three terms and in the mean- time read law, much of it by himself. For three years be kept the books of Niles & Cotcher, flour- ishing merchants of Flushing. In the fall of 1880 he was elected County Clerk on the Republican ticket, and so well did he serve the people that he was re-elected in 1882. During all this time he was reading law under the guidance of C. D. Long, now of the Supreme Court, and was admitted to the bar in August, 1881. He had already formed a partnership with Hon. George H. Durand which has continued until the present time.
Mr. Carton is the present City AAttorney, ap- pointed by the council in the spring of 1890, but during the session of the Legislature of 1891 the city charter was so muended as to make that office elective, and he was elected on the Republican ticket. He has not been an aspirant for any other political office but is an active worker and for six years has been a member of the County Committee, and for four years on the Executive of that com- mittee. He has also been a member of the Ward Committee and n delegate to various conventions, and in 1891, was the Chairman of the City Con- vention.
1
This gentleman has been quite a traveler, having been in California and all through the West. The old homestead which he still owns, comprises our hundred acres and is devoted to general farming,
thirteen years of nge he left home and since that time has made his own way in the world and is now called a rising man and one of the most pros- perous citizens of Flint, He is a stock-holder of the First National Bank and is interested in various enterprises. He is considered a versatile and fore- ible speaker and is always sought for as a stump speaker during campaigns. He is Worshipful Mas- ter in the Masonic lodge and Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge of the State, besides belonging to the Flint Council, the Genesee Valley Commandery and the Order of the Maccabees, in which body he is the Great Financier, and Auditor of the Great Camp.
F6 RANK A. TINKER, M. D. This prominent physician and surgeon of Lapeer, Mich., was born in Monroe Township. Ashtabula County, Ohio, April 26, 1859. He is a son of William and Schna (Fox) Tinker, and the family is proud to look back over the genealogie record and lind the origin of the family in America upon Plymouth Rock, where the "Mayflower" came to port in 1620.
William Tinker. Jr., the father of our subject, was the son of William Tinker, Sr., and is a cousin of Elizabeth M. (Tanker) Sibley, the widow of Hiram Sibley, the founder of the great seed com- pany which bears his name. The grandfather of our subject was the son of Sylvester Tinker whose father Silas, was descended in a direct line from three who hore in succession the name of Amos. The first of these was the fourth child of John Tinker, who settled in New London, Conn., in 1658, and who was the son of one of the Pilgrim fathers, who journeyed to this country in the "Mayflower". The name is deprived from the River Tyne, on the banks of which stands a castle which has been in the Tinker family since the four- teenth century.
The parents of our subject moved to Pine Run, Cionesce County, when he was about six years of age and the father who is a machinist still re-
=
1
1112X
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
sides there. The som received only a common school education in his early days and afterwards entered the High School from which he graduated in 1880. He then taught one year at line Rom and entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in the fall of tsat taking the medical course and graduating in 1881 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
The young Doctor after his graduation located in lapeer where he has built up a good practice and has met with a satisfactory degree of success. He was married June 28, 1883 to Miss Etlie MI., daughter of John and Mary (Smith) Scoutten of Ann Arbor. He is the oldest in a family of live. four of whom are still living; his sister Edith married Samuel Cates, a farmer of Pine Ran; Har- ry who is also a farmer in the sumne vicinity, took to wife Miss Jennie Miller; Lena united herself in marriage with Charles Scoutten, a brother of Mrs. Dr. Tinker, who is carrying on a drug business at Pinconning, and the sister Flora died in childhood. Dr. Tinker is a Democrat in his political views and is a member of the Board of Education now serv- ing his second term. The interest in educational matters has also made him a member of the Board of County School Examiners. He is the Surgeon for the Mielagan Central Railroad at this place and is also the County Physician.
ON. HEZEKIAH R. DEWEY i- a prominent and progressive gentleman who enjoys the pleasures of a rural life in Grand Blanc Township, Genove County. He is a man. however, who has opinion- and thoughts of his own outside of the fertile acres which he tills so successfully, and the sleek kine that stand knee deep in the luscious grass of his meadows, Mr. Dewey has been selected by his townsmen and neighbors in the Legislative district as State Repre- sentalive from the First District of Genere County, and while so serving discharged the duties of his public trust, both circumspectly and wisely.
Our subject is a native of Monroe County, S. Y., and was born April 1, 1839. His parents, Jo-
seph and Maria (Ranney) Dewey, were natives of Connecticut, his ancestors on both sides being mixed English and Scotch. He was the fifth son in order of birth in his father's family, and was ruefully reused by a wise and prudent mother. From carly boy hood he engaged in farming with Ow exception of a short time spent in the merenn. tile business in Nevada, lowa. He received his education in his native county, and later attended Eastman's Commercial College at Rochester. N. Y., Inally spending one year at Lima Seminary, also in New York. Mr. Dewey has always been an omnivorous reader, and one of keen and true judg- ment, both as regards literary style and matter. After his school course he was engaged for several terms in teaching in New York. When eighteen years of age he went West to lowa, and spent one year in visiting different parts of the State.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.