USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 66
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 66
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 66
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Leaving British Columbia Mr. Bray returned to San Francisco and took a pleasure trip to England and to the Eastern and Southern States. At Bir- mingham, Ma., he visited the hon Mines and from there went to Cleveland, where he was married December .5, 1883 to Miss Eliza J., daughter of Robert Vial, of that city. This lady was born in England in 1865. They look a trip to Mabana remaining there until June 1. 1881 at which time they made a visit to Michigan and about this time he was solicited to go both to Birmingham and to Canada and accepted the latter proposition. Ile now built several tunnels for the Canadian Pacific Railroad, clearing $10,000 and although he was liberal with his employes as will be seen by the fact that he paid his bookkeeper a bonus of $250 in addition to his salary.
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During that season Mr. Bray and his men were showed in all winter butt carried their work on without cessation. He was urged to take contracts in both Australia and Peru, but declined both propositions. For some three years be carried on y besed, that he received the n
a hotel busmess at Millington, Tuscola County, and began business in the Jewell House in 1888 and as "mme host" is a very popular man, no one in the place being more thoroughly liked that he.
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ON. CHARLES RICH. Although this gen- tleman has passed from the scenes of earth, he has left the memorial of a world made better by his life. The hardships of pio- Hver existence he bravely endured, conquering what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles and attaining prosperity by almost superhuman efforts. The record of his labors may well serve as an In- centive to the young and as an chcouragement to those who start out in the world with no capital save a willing disposition and a hopeful spirit. Referring to his family history we find that in 1785 Thomas Rich, grandfather of our subject, rr- moved from Warwick, Mass, to the town of Shore- ham, Addison County, Vt., and settled on the farm which has ever since been the home of some of his descendants. In his removal he was accompanied by Charles Rich, Sr., father of our subject. then a lad of fourteen years, afterward a member of Con- gress and a man of wide influence.
It was in Shoreham that our subject was born July 30, 1802, and there be passed his youth. The best opportunities for obtaining an education were given to him, and he was graduated from the mil- itary school of tapt. Partridge, of Norwich, Vt., in 1823. His marriage was celebrated in 1827, when Betsey Treadway, of Shoreham, became his wife. Buying a farm, Mr. Rich began to work for him- self and devoted considerable attention to the breeding of merino sheep, receiving one-half of the flock left by his father. In 1836 he became desirous of trying his fortune in the newer portion of the country, and selling his farm and sheep, he removed with his wife and two children to Con- meantville. Crawford County, Pa. There he en- gaged in merchandising which did not prove a financial success; he was so well and favorably known among the Whigs, to which party he nel- mination as member
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of Congress, but was defeated at the polls with the other candidatesof his party.
In 1817 Mr. Rich removed with his family to Ella, Lapeer County, this State, and commenced life anew in what was then an unbroken forest. It was at that time that the courage and sterling character of Mr. Rich and his estimable wife were put to the most severe test of their lives. Having moved West for the purpose of repairing their for- tunes, they remained in Lapeer until a log house could be erected on the new farm. While still in Lapeer the whole family was taken violently ill with a fever then prevalent, and Mr. and Mrs. Rich were so low that their lives wore despaired of, but both recovered to find themselves childless, their daughter of eighteen years, and son of six- teen, having succumbed to the terrible disease. Childless and greatly discouraged, they removed to their farm as soon as the house was completed, which was carly in January, 1818. In 1851 a daughter was born to them and her bright face blessed their home until 1861 when her death, at the age of thirteen, again left them childless and well-nigh heart-broken.
During his first years here, there was at times, as in all other new countries, a senreity of food, but although Mr. Rich was poor, no one was ever turned away by him when it was possible for him to nid them. While living in Elba, Mr. Rich held the other of Supervisor for three years. In 1856 he was elected County Clerk and Register of Deeds, removing upon his election to Lapeer where he remained until his death. Previous to his re- moval to Lapeer he was elected County Judge and held that position until it was abolished. In 1861 he was appointed a member of the State Board of Agriculture and proved a valuable aid to the in- fant Agricultural College. He afterward beld the office of Probate Judge for two terms. His death occurred at his home July 16, 1872, his widow survived him twelve years.
In all his business relations Mir. Rich bad the re- speet of those with whom he beenme acquainted. While he was a member of the Board of Super- visors the present town of Rich was organized and was named after him by the request of the people of the new town and the unanimous vole of his
follow members of the Board. In his social rela- tions he was especially happy; while never demon- strative he made everyone feel welcome and there was no place where people found a more hearty welcome or unostentatious hospitality than with Uncle Charles or Aunt Betsey, as they were affect- ionately called by their many friends, regardless of relationship.
G ILBERT BATES, deceased. This former resident of Hadley Township, Lapeer Coun- ty, was born June 28, 1830, in Genesee County, N. Y., and came with his parents to Ma- comb County, Mich., when about ten years old. lle there grew to mature years in New Haven Township and after studying in the common schools gained for himself a thorough and liberal educa- tion. When about twenty-one years old he came to Farmer's Creek and engaged in teaching which calling he followed successfully more or less during the next ten years.
It was in 1860 that this young man was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of Robert Davenport. About the year 1864 Mr. Bates was appointed to fill a vacancy as County Surveyor on account of the death of Mr. Hall, and this office he held until near the time of his death. In the meantime he was elected by the people of Hadkey to till the office of Supervisor und was the incumbent of that position for several terms. During the same period he served his township as School Inspector and his high intelli- gence and thorough education combined with his interest in the progress of the township, made him a most efficient and praiseworthy official.
Mr. Bates was universally esteemed as a man of publie spirit and one whose integrity and probity were undoubted. He was public-spirited and one upon whom reliance could be placed at all times. le and his wife became the parents of four chil- dren, the eldest, Jennie E., is now the wife of ('harles Johnson, and the three younger children ure Margaretla, Elmer D., und Leroy.
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Dur subject was the son of Bara and Margaret (Green) Bates, both natives of New York. He was an earnest and stanch Republican and it was upon that ticket that he had his election to all the offices which he held. He died in Isay and his fuss brought a sense of deep bereavement not only to his wife and children, but also to the whole com- munity.
B ENJAMIN F. JUDSON, a well-to do farmer residing on section 35, Mundy Township, Genesee County, is a son of the late George Judson, who was born in Butternuts, Ot- sego County, N. Y., November 7, 1810, His father, the grandfather of our subject, by name Silas B. Judson, was a native of Connecticut and born of English parents.
The parents of our subject were married in tien- esee County, this State, and located in Mundy Township, where they cultivated an excellent farm and resided until their death, the father dying in 1874 and the mother March 29, of the same year. The maiden name of Mrs. Judson was Emily Skin- ner and her birth occurred June 11, 1812. in De- troit. The parental family included seven children, six sons and one daughter, of whom Benjamin F. was the fourth in order of birth.
Benjamin F. Judson was born in Mundy Town- ship, Genesee County, April 2, 1815, and was reared to farm pursuits on the old homestead where he now makes his home. His parents were among the earliest settlers of Cionesen County, the father having taken up land from the Government as early as 1834. He was a candidate for the Legis- lature but was defeated by the Republicans. He was Supervisor of his township for many years and all in all was a progressive and public-spirited
Our subject was married in Mundy Township, January 23, 1869, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Cyrus and Julia Ann ( McGowan) Hewitt, the fa- ther born in New York State, March 27, 1808, and the mother in Jerusalem, N. Y., Detober 18, 1812. They were early settlers of Mundy Township, hay-
ing come here as early as 1836. They made this their abiding place until their death, the mother passing away December 18, 1871, when in her fifty- ninth year, and the father dying December 11, 1890, aged eighty-three years. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Hewett consisted of four sons and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Judson was the fourth in order of birth, having been born in Mundy Town- ship. March 11, 1817.
After the marriage of our subject he located upon the old homestead where he has since lived. lle has become the parent of three children, Burton S., who was married September 29, 1891, to Miss Lottie F. Charters; Hewitt C. and JJobn R. Mr. Judson has always followed farming pursuits, but has combined with that occupation the running of a gristmill, and in both has been very successful. His farm now numbers two hundred and live neres. In politics he is a stanch Denoerat, although he reserves the right to vote for the candidate whom he considers will best fill the position. Our sub- jeet is a half-brother of William Ray, whose biog- raphy will be found elsewhere in this volume.
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RS. ELVIRA C. CHAPMAN. We here present a sketch of one of the prominent women of Millington Township, Tuscola County, who is active in all good works and who, with her sons, is carrying on an exten- sive and prosperous farm. She is a daughter of William Rice, who was born in Massachusetts, and curly emigrated from the East to Ohio where he spent the remainder of his days, and where he carried on a prosperous farm. He was married after coming to Ohio, in Hicksville, to Ruth Edg- erton, who, like himself, was a native of the old Bay State, and to them were granted six children, four daughters and two sons. These children were early left fatherless and their mother was a second time married. By her marriage with Mr. Thomas Rowan she was the mother of one daugh- ter.
Elvira Rice was married in Ohio on the 30th of November, 1819, to Willinm Richardson, and to
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them were born the following children: Hiram, Elln M., George L., Sarah M., Cora A. and Chester V. Mr. Richardson, who was a man of excep- tional character and proved a most kind and gen- crons husband and father, was born March 20, 1821. Ile was reared in Ohio but as he lost his mother when quite young he was obliged to make his own way in the world. Mr. and Mrs. Richard- con came to Toscola County and settled on a farin of eighty acres, which is now in possession of our subject.
This noble lady made an offering upon her country's attar such as was made by many during the dark days of the Civil War. She sent her husband to the front, and he, like many of the best and bravest men of that day never returned to brighten his home. It was in 1862 that he en- listed in Company D, Twenty-third Michigan In- fantry, and he died in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn., in 1861. Mrs. Richardson was subse- quently married to Mr. Simson Chapman, and to them was born one child to whom has been given the name of Inez E. The sons of this lady are truly helpful to her in the management of the farm and they work together in a harmonious family, their home being one of the pleasantest in Milling- ton Township.
OUIN D. EGGLESTON. The prominent farmer whom we now present to our readers is residing on section 17. Flint Township, tienesce County. He was born in Cham- pion, Jefferson County, N. Y., September 14, 1810. At the age of seven years he accompanied his par- ents to Yates, Orleans County, N. Y., where he grew to manhood and remained until the fall of 1836, at which time he came to Genesce County, Mich. Upon locating in the Wolverine State he made Flint Township his home and has been a res- ident here since that time.
January 10, 1836, John D. Eggleston was united in marriage to Miss Merilda Brecher, a native of Yates, Orleans County, N. Y., her birth having vecurred there October 17, 1819. Our subject and
his wife have been blessed with a family of eleven children, viz: Lyman, Martha, Mary, Channey, Sarah, Jasper, Merilda, Delora, Clarence, Anna and Etta. Merilda died when six years of age; Clar- ener passed away in infancy.
In politics the gentleman of whom this sketch is written is a stanch Democrat. In religious matters, he is liberal, giving both of his time and means in forwarding the good work in his community. The early experiences of our subject's family in their first years in this State are full of incidents of in- terest, and he might recount many tales of hard- ship and deprivation, but in their prosperity they do not forget their early struggles and deeply sympathize with those who are situated as they were and are ever ready to give a helping hand. Ilis farm is embellished with all the buildings nec- essary for the carrying on of a first-class farm and is one of the most thoroughly cultivated tracts in Flint Township.
LMON AND PHILIP SCHOCK, now resi- dents of Metamora Township, Lapeer County, are the sons of Joseph and Ma- linda (Pearson) Schock, both natives of Pennsylvania in which State they were united in marriage and in which the father followed the occupation of a tiller of the soil, his home being at that time in Northampton County. His wife died in 1878 and he was again married. There were ten children born to the first wife, nine of whom are now living. In 1870 the family removed to Michigan and settled on two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 20 and 21, in Metamora Township. The following year they built an addition to their house having at that time two hundred acres under splendid cultivation. In 1884 Mr. Schock removed to Kansas and took up land in Butler County, which is now finely im- proved and consists of one hundred and sixty aeres.
Almon Schock has had entire supervision of the hon : 3rd farm since his father removed to Kan-
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sas. The home property, however, is still undivided. Almon and his brother carry on a general farming business equally divided between grain and stock, which yields a liberal return for the labor ex- pended upon it. Almuon was born in Pennsylva- nia, January 13, 1853, where he received a limited district school education. He is fond of home and has always remained there. At the age of twenty- four he was married to Miss Ann E. Jones, who is a daughter of John Jones, of this township. She is a native of England, having been born there in 1852. She came to Michigan with her parents at an early age. Their hearthstone has not been cheered by the bright faces and happy voices of childhood as they have no children.
Philip Schock was born December 21, 1865, and his marriage to Miss Ledessie Etnire was celebrated in February, 1890. The bride is a daughter of Samuel Etnire, who is a resident of Butler County. Kan. Mrs. Schock was born December 1, 1871, in Indiana. Their home has been blessed by the ad- vent of one child whom they have named Floyd. They are both consistent members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church.
The Schock brothers are both good Republicans in their political views, following the footsteps of their father, although not aspiring to political honors held many offices in the county, having been County Surveyor of Lapeer County for many years and is now holding the 'responsible position of Postmaster at Lorena, Kan. He is a well-edu- cated man and began teaching school at the early age of nineteen years. He is a devoted and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church where he resides. The two sons of this worthy parent possess a good deal of their father's push and energy and work harmoniously together and are bound to make a success of life.
ILLIAM C. CAULTON, M. D., was born in County of Sahara, England, in 1823. lle is a son of William and Sarah Caulton, the former of whom was born in Lincolnshire, England. The father was reared to farm pursuits
and at the age of sixteen years emigrated to Amer- ien in company with his parents. His father, grandfather of our subject, was a miller by trade, and a landowner.
After remaining in the United States a short time our subject's father returned to England with his family and engaged in the mercantile business in london and afterward in Hampshire. At the latter place he had met nud married our subject's mother, Miss Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Jemima C'aston, and later located at Egham where many years before the Magna Charta had been signed. He continued in business at that place until 1830 when two years later he decided to again come to America, and located at Guelph, Wellington County, Canada. He engaged in farm- ing pursuits on coming to the New World, and died m Canada in 1812.
Our subject was the second in order of birth of the six children born to his parents, and with his brother Frederick G., who isa physician in Canada, is the only one living. Our subject started out to do for himself at the age of twenty-one years, but for several years previous to that time he and his older brother had had the care of the family and their invalid father. When leaving home our subject engaged in teaching school, at the same time im- proving a small farm. He followed the combined occupations of pedagogue and farmer for ten years, and in 1856 began the study of medicine, still being engaged in teaching, until 1861, when he Was graduated from the New York Homeopathic Medical College.
After receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine our subject began the practice of medicine at St. Mary's, Ontario, Canada, where he remained for three years when he removed to Guelph and in 1866 gave up his practice to take the position of Prin- cipal of the Woodstock School of Canada. He did not again resume his practive until his removal to MI chigan, in 1872, and since that time has resided in Fremont Township, Tuscola County, the same spot on which he first made his home. He was a successful practitioner for ten years in Michigan, but is now living a retired life, enjoying the rest which he has so well earned.
Dr. Caulton was married in 1845, to Mary
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Schermerhorn, and to them have been born three daughters-Ann who is the wife of the Hon. E. G. Fox; Mary A., wife of A. 11. Badwell of Cannda and Emma who died when twenty-two months old. Dr. Caulton is well known throughout Tus- rola County and is highly esteemed by all who come in contact with low as being a thorough and cultured gentleman.
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OHN KINNEY. There is probably no man more truly and justly respected by the community in general in Watertown Town- ship, Tuscola County, than he whose name we have just given. He has always stood for the right in every line of thought and his kindly in- terest in his neighborhood has deservedly gained the good will of all, and his upright dealings has commanded their respect. He is at present resid- ing on hi- pleasant farm on section 16.
Our subject is a native of Canada, having been born there January 17, 1839. His parents were Amos S. and Matilda ( Waddell) Kinney, of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Kinney was reated in Canada and when seven- teen years of age he accompanied his parents to Michigan and has since made Watertown Township his home. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-eight years of age and when leaving home was given forty acres of land by his father.
John Kinney established a domestic hearthstone of his own April 5, 1866, at which time he was married to Mary. C. Fiatick, also a native of Can- ada, where her birth occurred September 21, 1819. Her parents were Barney and Rebecca (Finch) Fratrick, natives of Canada. Their family in- cluded one son and three daughters. The mother died when Mrs. Kinney was but four years of age and her father was again married to Esther Hosted by whom he became the father of eleven children, three sous and right daughters. Mr. Fratick came to the Wolverine State in 1860 and is now resid- ing on a farm in Watertown Township. Tuscola County.
To our subject and his wife have come a family
of cigle children, namely: William A., Arthur [1., Orpha O., JJohn. Ernest R., Milo E., Ray, who is deceased; and Elinor M. Mr. Kinney is the pos- sessor of a beautiful tract of two hundred and forty neres which is under most thorough cultiva- tion. He has been n hard worker and hus aided in clearing the most of his property. It is made more valuable by the erection thereon of suitable and substantial farm buildings and everything about the place is in first-class condition, thus showing the enterprise and industry of its owner.
Mr. and Mrs. Kinney are active and influential members of the Methodist Church. In politics our subject is and always has been a stanch Repub- lican. He has been honored by his fellowtowns- men with the office of Township Clerk which he held acceptably for six years. His interest in ed- ucational matters placed him on the School Board where he did efficient work for many years. Ile has been Class-Leader and Steward of his Church and is interested in all measures that tend toward the upbuilding of the community.
R OBERT DAVENPORT, deerased, was born in Monroe, Orange County , N. Y., Febru- ury 28, Ixus, where he grew to manhood. At the age of sixteen years he was ap- prenticed to learn the Jacksmith's trade at Corn- wall on the Hudson, working at that occupation for three years when he became his own master and followed blacksmithing until 18315.
Our subject was married in the year above-men- tioned to Miss Margaret, daughter of William and Betsey (Grady ) Earl, and the succeeding year came to Michigan and "took up" quite a tract of land for himself and brothers. The country was then in a wild state and be was compelled to employ Indian guides to locate his land. He returned to New York in the spring of 18:17 and brought his wife and daughter, Elizabeth .. , who is now the widow of Gilbert Bates, to Lapeer County and to- cated on his farm in the wilderness.
The nearest market for our subject after coming to Laperr County, was Auburn, at least twenty-five
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miles distant, and thither he Imuled his grain and brought back with him provisions for the family. He carried on blacksmithing together with has farm operations and was very successful in all his under- takings. Mr. Davenport was one of the voters at the first town meeting held at Hadley, being one of fourteen who voted on that occasion. In poli- ties he was an okl-line Whig, but upon the organ- ization of the Republican party joined its ranks and was always ready to vote for any measure that would be for the best interests of the community in which he resided.
The parents of our subject were lesse and Elinor (Sluyter) Davenport. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Daven- port became the parents of six children, of whom we record the following: Elizabeth J., Louisa, Hannah, who became the wife of Joseph W. Pier- son, of Hadley; Sarah M., who became the wife of James B. Clark, of Ella Township; Ella, who mar- ried G. S. Hemingway; Permelia who died in in- fancy. The gentleman of whom we write pased from this life in 1885 in Hadley and his good wife followed him to the better land in January of the summe year.
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E I'GENE GOODRICH. We have here one of the representative citizens belonging to one of the enterprising pioneer families of Goodrich, His native home was in Atlas Town- ship, Genesee County, and he was born January 26, 1812. His parents, Moses and Hannah (Anderson) Goodrich, were natives of New York, and of Eng- lish origin. The Goodrich family can be traced back to the " May flower" and Plymouth Rock, The father of our subject was born in 1802 and in the fall of 18:15, left his native State, New York, and accompanied by his brother. the Hon. Enos Good- rich, came to Genesce County, Mich., and became purchasers of one thousand acres of land which they obtained of the Goverment and which they subsequently apportioned among the members of the family.
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