yl:I aI am fsi,, I I: I I 0 I A a V I GENESEE COUNTY iiil; A;I: f x ~~._-,; ___Ci; ~~;;~:. I I ISOIC MICH~IGAN LAND OF THE GREAT LAKES Its life, resources, industries, people, politics, government, wars, institutions., achievements., the press, schools and churches, legendary and prehistoric lore IN TWO VOLUMES Edited by GEORGE N. FULLER, A.M. (Harvard), Ph.D. (Univ. of Mich.) Also In Volume Three An Account of Flint and Genesee County from Their Organization Edited by WILLIA M V. SMITH VOLUME THREE Published by National Historical Association, Inc., and dedicated to the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society in commemoration of its fiftieth anniversay I I 11 -i_ e -:~:~:i i -:~..~ I: -;. —..... —I,..; —. r~~ rr t ~ " ~; 'r ~I :.~~ r:i i' ~..:I ~~:;.~ -~ ~id:~-" -F:~~-::-, Y;: 1 ) Table of Contents CHAPTER I-THE INDIANS OF GENESEE COUNTY (By W. V. Smith) THE SAGINAW OCCUPANCY-ETYMOLOGY OF THE NAME "SAGINAW"-PROOF THAT SAGINAW INDIANS WERE OF IIURON-IROQUOIS RACE-BURIAL MOUNDS -EXODUS OF THE SAGINAWS FROM THE VALLEYS OF THE FLINT AND SAGINAW RIVERS-SAGINAW, THE NAME -------------- ------------------- ---- 17-23 CHAPTER II-EARLY SETTLEMENT 'EARLY SETTLEMENT RETARDED BY UNFAVORABLE REPORTS OF TIE TERRITORY -TOPOGRAPHY -ELEVATIONS -FIRST LAND ENTRIES SETTLEMENT OF SOUTHEASTERN PART OF COUNTY-JACOB STEVENS-FIRST SETTLERS IN GRAND BLANC, FLINT, MUNDY, MOUNT MORRIS, VIENNA, FENTON, BURTON, THETFORD, CLAYTON, GAINES, ARGENTINE, ATLAS, RICHFIELD, FOREST, DAVISON AND MONTROSE TOWNSHIPS, WITH ACCOUNTS OF FOUNDING OF EARLY VILLAGES ---------------------------------- 24-36 CHAPTER III-COUNTY ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT TERRITORY OF GENESEE COUNTY UNDER FOUR FLAGS-ERECTION OF THE COUNTY-LOCATION OF SEAT OF JUSTICE-FIRST ELECTION-WORK OF THE FIRST BOARD OF SUPERVISORS —ORGANIZATION, FIRST ELECTIONS, EARLY SCHOOLS OF EACH TOWNSHIP IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER-COUNTY BUILDINGS, OLD AND NEW-LISTS OF COUNTY OFFICERS --—.... ---. --- —--— 37-50 CHAPTER IV-TRANSPORTATION EARLY DIFFICULTIES OF PIONEERS-THE FAMOUS SAGINAW TRAIL-OTHER INDIAN TRAILS-FIRST DEFINITE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT-PROGRESS BETWEEN YEARS 1835 AND 1848-DESCRIPTION OF MANY EARLY ROADSPLANK ROAD PROJECTS-BUILDING OF GRAVEL ROADS-PRESENT HIGHWAY SYSTEM-EXPENDITURES AND MILEAGE-WORK OF THE STATE-ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT-EQUIPMENT AND EMPLOYEESRIVER NAVIGATION-THE FLINT RIVER DECLARED NAVIGABLE-GENESEE & SAGINAW NAVIGATION COMPANY-FLINT & SAGINAW NAVIGATION COMPANY"FIRST SCOW FOR FLUSHING"-THE "KATE HAYES"-RAILROADS-PONTIAC & DETROIT RAILROAD, THE FIRST IN THE COUNTY-HOW IT WAS BUILTFINANCING THE WORK-OAKLAND & OTTAWA RAILROAD CHARTERED IN 1848 -FAILURE AND REORGANIZATION-PURCHASE BY GREAT WESTERN SYSTEM, WHICH REORGANIZED IT AS DETROIT. GRAND HAVEN & MILWAUKEE-NOW PART OF GRAND TRUNK WESTERN SYSTEM-FLINT & HOLLY RAILROAD INCORPORATED IN 1863 —BUILT AND VERY PROFITABLE-SOLD TO PERE MARQUETT.E-PORT HURON AND LAKE MICHIGAN RAILROAD-NOW PART OF THE GRAND TRUNK WESTERN —ELECTRIC RAILROADS — _ -- -... 51-61 vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER V-BANKS AND BANKING WILDCAT DAYS-FREE BANKING ACT-GENESEE COUNTY BANK UNDER THIS ACT-OTHER WILDCAT BANKS-ANDREW JACKSON'S SPECIE CIRCULAR-A. W. BROCKWAY, AN HONEST BANKER-EXCHANGE BANK, OF FLINT-LATER BECAME FIRST NATIONAL BANK, FLINT NATIONAL BANK, NATIONAL BANK OF FLINT, AND WAS CONSOLIDATED WITH GENESEE COUNTY SAVINGS BANK IN 1916 ---GENESEE COUNTY SAVINGS BANK ORGANIZED IN 1872-ITS SUBSEQUENT CAREER-FIRST NATIONAL BANK-CITIZENS' NATIONAL BANK OF FLINT-UNION TRUST & SAVINGS BANK OF FLINT-INDUSTRIAL SAVINGS BANK OF FLINT-OTHER BANKS IN THE COUNTY-RESOURCES, LIABILITIES AND OFFICERS OF ALL BANKS IN COUNTY --- —---------—. --- —- 62-70 CHAPTER VI-PHYSICIANS AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH HARDSHIPS OF THE PIONEER DOCTOR-BRIEF SKETCHES OF MOST OF THE PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE PRESENT CENTURY -THE GENESEE COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION-FLINT ACADEMY OF MEDICINE-OAK GROVE HOSPITAL-HURLEY HOSPITAL-WOMEN'S HOSPITALST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL-WORK OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF THE DUTIES OF DIVISIONS OF SANITATION AND PLUMBING, DAIRY AND FOOD INSPECTION-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, ETC. -------—..-71-80 CHAPTER VII-EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES FIRST SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY-CHRONOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF DEVELOPMENT OF FLINT SCHOOLS FROM FIRST SCHOOL DOWN TO THE PRESENTMODERN EQUIPMENT AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS-MICHIGAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF-LIBRARIES ------------------------------------------------—. -81-93 CHAPTER VIII-BENCH AND BAR FIRST COURT OF THE COUNTY AND THE FIRST CASE-THE CAREERS OF MANY LAWYERS AND JUDGES FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE PRESENT-GENESEE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION ----------------------------—. 94-99 CHAPTER IX-THE PRESS AN ACCOUNT OF MOST OF THE NEWSPAPERS, THEIR OWNERS AND EDITORS DOWN TO THE PRESENT ----------------------------—. --- —-------- 100-103 CHAPTER X-CITIES AND VILLAGES TWO CATHOLIC PRIESTS AND A FRENCH TRADER WERE EARLIEST WHITE VISITORS TO THIS REGION-JACOB SMITH THE FIRST SETTLER HERE-FLINT RIVER VILLAGE, LATER CALLED FLINT-IMPETUS GIVEN ITS GROWTH BY LUMBERING —INCORPORATED AS A CITY IN 1855-FIRST CITY ELECTION-NAMES AND TERMS OF ALL MAYORS-FLINT'S FIRST TELEGRAPH-POPULATION AND AREA STATISTICS-STREET RAILWAY AUTHORIZED IN 1900-CITY WATERWORKS IN 1910 —SEWER SYSTEM-CITY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND ITS EQUIPMENT-FLINT POLICE DEPARTMENT-FIRE DEPARTMENT-. 1. 04-109 Ii TABLE OF CONTENTS vii CHAPTER XI-INDUSTRY AND MANUFACTURING EARLY INDUSTRIES-THE LUMBER BOOM-THE VEHICLE INDUSTRY AND ALLIED BUSINESSES-CONVERSION OF VEHICLE PLANTS TO AUTOMOBIIZ FACTORIES-GROWTH OF AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY-THE PLACE OF W. C. DURANT IN HISTORY-GENERAL MOTORS CO.-BUICK-CHEVROLET-FLINT MOTORW. E. STEWART MANUFACTURING Co.-A. C. SPARK PLUG CO.-FISHER BODY CORP.-E. I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS & CO.-FLINT MOTOR AXLE CO. -GENESEE IRON -WORKS —HARDY BAKING COMPANY-FLINT BEDDING Co.FREEMAN DAIRY CO.-J. P. BURROUGHS & SON-FLINT CINDER BLOCK AND PRODUCTS CO.-CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-LIST OF ALL MANUFACTURERS OF FLINT AND THEIR ADDRESSES ------- --- ---- 110-129 CHAPTER XII-MILITARY HISTORY FIRST MILITARY ACTION IN 1763-MEXICAN WAR-CIVIL WAR-LIST OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE CIVIL WAR-WORLD WAR-HONOR ROLL-THIRTY-SECOND DIVISION, ITS CAREER-RECORD OF EIGHTY-FIFTH DIVISION-35 1ST AMBULANCE COMPANY-KNIGHTS TEMPLAR AMBULANCE COMPANY-THE WAR AT HOME -— 130-151 I I vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Index to Personal Records PAGE A Abbey, Raymond C. --- —--- --------- 153 Aitken, David D.I — 1 —3 --- —------- 153 Aldrich, Dr. L. E. --- —-------------- 156 Algoe, George M. --- —--------------- 156 Ames, William S.-157 --- —---------- 157 Anderson, Cooley C. --- —------------- 157 Andrews, Amos F. --- —----------- 158 Andrews, J. Elwood --- —----------- 158 Annis, Dr. F. M. --- —-------------- 159 Armstrong, Robert T. --- —-------- - 159 Atwood, William A. --- —-------- 160 B Baird, James, M.D. --- —---------- -- 160 Baker, John F. --- —------------- 161 Ballenger, William S. --- —--------- 161 Barnes, George A. --- —-------------- 162 Barth, Charles F. --- —------------ 163 Bartlett, Charles L. --- —------------ 164 Bassett, Harry H. --- —-------- - 165 Bayer, Andrew --------------------- 167 Begole, Gov. J. W. --- —-------- ----- 167 Berston, Neil J. --- —------------------ 169 Berston, Neil J. --- —----------- ------ 171 Bishop, Arthur G. --- —------------- 171 Bishop, Clifford A. --- —------------- 172 Bishop, Russell -------------------- 173 Bishop, Russell S. --- —------------- 175 Blackney, William W. --- —-------- 176 Blakely, Arthur C. --- —-------------- 176 Bonbright, Charles H. --- —--------- 177 Boswell, Forrest W. --- —------ ----- 179 Bowles, Bunnell G. --- —------------- 180 Boyer, R. Eugene ------------------- 181 Brand, Keller A. --- —--------- ---- 181 Brandt, William J. --- —------------ 182 Bray, E. L. --- —-------------- 182 Briggs, Guy D., M.D. ---------- --- 184 Buckingham, Capt. F. D. --- —---- 185 Buckingham, Major G. W. --- —----- 185 Buckingham, Lewis ------------ ----- 186 Buckingham, Lewis ------------ ----- 187 Burbank, Rex Y. --- —---------- 188 Burgess, Frank E. ---------------- 189 C Cameron, Clarence --- - - 190 Campbell, Charles J. --- —------ ----- 191 Carton, Hon. John J. - ----------- 192 Catsman, Philip -------------- ----- 194 Champion, Albert ---------- ------ 195 PAGE Chapell, Carl D., M.D.-.. --- —---- 196 Chapin, F. A.-.... --- —------- --- 197 Church, Leander..... --- —------- 197 Church, Leo M. --------------------- 198 Clifford, Rev. H. J. --- —-—..... --- —-. 199 Cole, Frederick W...... ---- ------------ 200 Comins, Harry M. ------------------ 202 Cook, George W. --- —-------------- -- 203 Cornwall, John --------------------- 204 Crampton, Charles B. ----- - 205 Crapo, Henry H.... --- —..-........ 207 Crawford, Joseph H. --- —---.. --- —-. 209 Crugher, Charles C. —. ---. --- —-- 210 Cumings, William C.. -------------- 212 Cusic, James A. --- —--------------- 213 D Dailey, Edward C. --- —------------ 213 Davison, Arthur M. --- —----------- 213 Davison, Hon. Mathew-. --- —-------- 214 Davison, Matthew..... ----------- 215 Demorest, Harry -...... --- —---------- 216 DeWaters, Enos A.. --- —------------- 217 Dort, J. Dallas --- —----------------- 217 Dougherty, N. F. --- —--------------- 219 Ducker, Wallace S. --------- - 220 Duesberry, F. J.. --- —--------------- 221 Dunigan, Rt. Rev. P. R.. --- —------- 221 Durant, William C. --- —---------- 376 Durham, Cady B. --- —-------------- 223 Dusenbery, Charles M.. --- —--------- 225 Dykema, Thomas.. --- —--- ---- 225 Dysart, Rev. John ------------------ 225 E Eddy, Arthur J. --- —------- ------- 227 Eddy, Fred G. --- —---------------- 232 Edgerton, A. E. --- —-------- ------- 233 Edmonds, Mrs. Alta B. --- —------- 234 Eisaman, Earl C. --- —----- ---------- 235 F Fenton, Joseph B. --- —------------- 236 Fenton, Col. Wm. M. --- —---- ---- 238 Finster, Chester G.. --- —---------- 239 Flanders, George D. —... --- -- '240 Flint Motor Co. --- —- ----------- 241 Francis, J. Richard --- —------------- 242 G Gault, Harry G.- --------------------- 244 Gault, Ralph E. ---------------------- 245 George, Albert E. --- —--------------- 246 'TABLE OF CONTENTS ix PAGE Gilbert, I. B. --- —--------------------- 246 Goering, George R. ----------------- 247 Good, E. F.. --- —------------------ 248 Good, Jesse C. --- —----- ------------ 248 Goodes, Ray I- I.-249 --- —---------- 249 Gould, Richard J. ------------------- 250 Graves, John C. --- —-250 --- —--------- 250 Green, Benjamin -------— 2 --- —_ 251 Griffis, Roy E. --- —------------------ 252 Gutman, George J..... —. —3 ---- 253 H Hamilton, William --------- 253 --- —- 253 Hardy, Jessel ------------ 256 --- —---- 256 Harper, Alex W. --- —---------------- 257 HIengesbaugh, L. -M.... --- —---- 257 257 Ifill, Archie ------------- 258 --- —---- 258 Hodges, Leonard M -............. 259 HIodgins, James S........ ---..- 260 Ihorner, Robert K..-26 --- —--------- 261 Horton, William HI.. --- —---.- 261 Ioward, Judge Sumner ------------ 262 HIowes, Percy ---------— _2..64..... 264 I Igram, Henry S. --- —------ --------- 264 J Jackson, Glenn R. --------- 265 --- —- 265 Johnston, Arthur C. ---. --- — ------- 265 Jolly, Mrs. L. C. —26 ---- ---- 266 K Kellar, George C.. --- —---------- ----- 267 Kelly, George A. ----. --- —---------- 268 Kirkpatrick. Willard O... --- —---- 268 Knapp, Herbert D., M.D. --- ——.-26 269 Knapp, Harry W., M.D. --- —-------- 270 Knickerbocker, Edwin L. --- —----- 271 L Leach, Enard J.-2 --- —------- -------- 272 Lee, James J. ------------ 272 --- —----- 272,eland, Charles B. --- —------- 273 --- 273 Lippincott, Charles L..... --- —---- 274 274 Locy, Frank M. --------— 274 --- —--- 274 Long, Judge Charles D.. --- —--— 2 — 276 Long, Floyd B.. — -------------- 277 Loss, Howard A. --- —-------------- 277 Lovejoy, Carl D. —....... —.......... 278 Ludwig, Emanuel ---------- 279 --- —- 279 Lunt, Edwin S. ----2 ----79 --- —---- 279 IM Macduff, R. Bruce -280 --- —-------- 280 McClure, Harry C. --- —------------- 282 McCorkell, William E. --- —-------—. 283 McCreery, Fenton R. --- —-----— 2 — 281 McDonnell, Owen ---------- 283 --- —- 283 McGarry, B. G., M.D. -------------- 284 McGarry, Roy A., M.D ---—.285 --- — 285 McGinnis, M. J. —......... --- —---- 285 PAGE McKay, Archibald -----. 286 --- —----- 286 McKee, Rowland F.-..-287 --- —-—..- 287 McKinley, George E.-287 --- —-------- 287 McLogan, Edwin C.. --- —----------- 288 McVannell, George H. — _ --- —--- 28 289 M Malfroid, Byron W., M.D.. --- —---- 290 Manwaring, J. G. R., M.D. --- —. --- 290 Marshall, William H.. --------------- 291 Marvel Carburetor (See J. R. Francis) Mason, Edwin L. --- —--— 2 --- —- 91 — 291 MIatt, I,ester E. --- —--— 2 --- — 92 ---- 292 Miller, Otho S. --- —------------ ----—. 294 Milner, Er --—.. ---- ---------------- 294 Miner, Frederick B., M.D. —______ — 295 AMoll, Carl F., M.D. ----2 --- —------- 297 Monahan, Arthur J. --- —---------.. 298 Moore, Hlira C.. --- —--------------. 299 Mossop, Thomas A.- ------------— _ 300 Mott, Charles S. --------------------- 300 Mueller, Gus. --- —------------------ 302 Murphy, Edward A. --- —------------- 302 IMurphy, Thomas D. -303 N Newton, Judge William ------------ 303 Noyle, William A. ------------------ 304 0 Odle, Ira D., M.D. ------- ---------- 305 Olofson, G. Alexander -- ---------- 305 O'Neill, Michael J. --- —--- -. --- —-- 306 Otto, Carl W. --- —------------------- 307 P Parker, James S. ------------------- 308 Parsell, Eugene --------------------- 308 Paterson, William A. --- — --------—. 309 Paterson, William S.. ------------ 313 Paull, Arthur T., M.D. --- —------—. 313 Pengelly, J. Bradford --- —-3 --- —--- 314 Pierce, Franklin H.- - _ --- —------- 316 Pierce, John Lamond -------------- 317 Polanowski, Rev. A. F. --- —--------- 318 Pomeroy, George E. --- —— 319 --- —-- 319 Pond, Elwyn -.. --- — ---------------- 320 Powell, Robert D. --- —-------—. --- 321 R Ramoth, Charles P., M.D. --- —--- 322 Randall, Herbert E., M.D. --- —--- 322 Randall, Samuel C. --- —------------ 323 Reeder, Franklin E., M.D.. —3 --- —- 324 Reid, Alfred H. --- —---------------- 325 Reid, Mrs. Josephine A. ---. --- 326 Ritchie, Alexander M. --- —---------- 326 Roach, John L. --------------- ----- 326 Roberts, Clinton --------------- 327 Roberts, Russell C. --- —------------- 327 TABLE OF CONTENTS x PAGE Roberts, William R. --- —-—. ----. 328 Rogers, Peter D. --- —- _ 328 Rosenthal, Bernard ----------------- 329 Rosenthal, Moses -------------------- 329 Rothwell, William E. --- —--------- 330 Rowley, James Arthur, M.D.-3 --- — 330 S Sager, George J. ----------— _ ----_ 331 Samons, Silas G. --- —--- ----------- 331 Sarvis, Arthur H. ------ _. --- —— _- 332 Schumacher, William --- 333 Scott, Adelbert E. --- —------------ 333 Scott, Robert D., M.D. --- —-— 3 ---- 334 Seeley, D. Leland ---— 3 --- —------- 334 Shaw, Edward C.......... --- ------ 335 Sherff, Fred 0. --- —-— 3 --- —-- 335 Siegel, Frederick W. --- —— 3 ---- 336 Smith, William V. ----... --- ----- 337 Sohlinger, W. J. --- —------— 3 --- 338 Spaeth, Carl F.-.._ --- —---- -3 --- —-- 339 Spencer, Horace C. ---3 --- —------- 3 339 Sterner, Edwin M. --- —--------- 340 Stevens, Henry H. --- —-------------- 341 Stevenson, Robert B._ -...... --- —.- 341 Stevenson, William W., M.D...... 342 Stewart, William F. ------------- -- 343 Strong, E. T. --- —------------------ 345 Summerfield, William H. --- —------- 347 T Taylor, George E. --- —------------ 347 Taylor, James H. --- —-------- 348 Tracy, Harry H.. --- —--------------- 348 Tracy, William F. —349 --- —-—. --- 349 PAGE Transue, Judson L. ------.. --- —---— _ 350 Travis, DeHull N. ------------- -—.. — 351 U Uptegraff, Charles A., Jr. --- —--- 351 V Van DeWalter, Edward C., M.D. 352 Van Dyke, Frederick J. ---------— _ 353 Vogt, Anton H ------—. --- —----—. 353 W Warrick, William A., Jr. --------- 354 Watson, Harry W. --- —— 3 --- —----- 354 Watters, Don D.. -----------------—. 355 Wehling, Otto E. --- —- ----..356 ---- 356 Weiss, Fred J. --- —---— 357 --- —----- 357 Welch, James A —. ---- --.. --- —--—. 358 Westman, Alamar ------------------ 359 Wetherald, Charles E. --- ---------- 360 Whaley, Robert J. --- —------------ 361 Wheelock, Amos S., M.D. --- —----- 364 White. Maurice J. --- —---------- 365 Whitaker, Perry V. --- —------------- 365 Wigle, Harry W. --- —--------- --- 365 Wildanger, Albert J. -------------- 366 Willson, James C., M.D. ----------- 367 Wilson, Guy M. ---------- ---- ---- 369 Wisner, Judge Charles H. --------- 373 Wood, E. Frank.. --- —------------- 374 Zimmerman, Henry W. --- —------ 374 Zimmerman, William A. --- —------ 375 CHAPTER I THE INDIANS OF GENESEE COUNTY By W. V. Smith FOR purposes of classification I will divide the duration of time to be considered in our county's history as follows: First, that pre-historic period prior to the advent of the Saginaw Indians. Of this we know nothing as to any human occupancy, and I may go further by saying that we have no data upon which to found any hypothesis of pre-Saginaw occupancy, the "mound-builders" myth that figured so extensively in earlier local histories having been long discarded by ethnologists. Second, the period of Saginaw occupancy, which closed about the middle of the Seventeenth Century. While the termination of this period is practically known, its beginning is less determinable. It is certain from the many artifacts left by the tribe, scattered over the Eastern two-thirds of the Southern two-thirds of this peninsula, that they were here many generations. Practically all chert and other artifacts found on every farm in this immense region are the work of the Saginaws. The places of communal inhumation are all of this period. The extent and frequency of their finding shows that these people in their various activities had visited every acre of their great domain. I think it should be assumed from these visible evidences that they held undisputed sway over this region at least three hundred years. Third, a period of about seventy-five years from I650 to 1725, during which this region was unoccupied by any tribe, but was a hunting 'and trapping ground for adventurous bands of Indians, who came and went. It was during this time that one French authority refers to it as "a trapping ground for Indians, friends of France." Fourth, the period of Ottawa-Chippewa occupancy from about 1725 for about one hundred years down to its settlement by English speaking people, and, lastly, the past hundred years of English speaking people. From the above it will be noted that the Sagilnaws held this region for about half of the period of which there is any evidence of human occupancy. It is my desire and purpose to give to that people, as far as is in my power, the place in our history that this long period of occupancy would seem to call for. A careful examination of other local histories discloses the briefness of space given to the Saginaws, which is perhaps a happy fact, inasmuch as the notice of them, almost without exception, was taken from statements of the Chippewas who were and are utterly unreliable as historical intelligencers. One of the most discreet and reliable of our local historians I will quote. In the "History of Saginaw County, Michigan, Historical, Commercial, Biographical," by James Cooke Mills, a resident of that 18 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY county, published in I918, the author on pages 23 and 29, in "The Sauks and Onottawas" says: "Along the Saginaw the Sauks made their homes, built their campfires, held their councils, and smoked their calumet. They roamed the forests which abounded with game; they paddled their light bark canoes on its clear, smooth waters, and fished the quiet pools. Their largest village was at the confluence of the rivers which formed the main stream, or Green Point, as the place has been known for years. * * * The Sauks were indeed so imperishably identified with our early history, traditional though it is, that their name has become indissolubly linked with our own. From their dialect the name, Saginaw, is unquestionably derived. It is a perversion of 'Sa-gin-a-we,' 'Sa-gin-a-gi,' or 'Saug-e-nah,' which, freely translated, means 'land or place of the Sauks.' According to tradition the total number of Sauks living in this Valley at the beginning of the Seventeenth Century was about sixteen hundred, a considerable population for a small section." Mr. Mills then goes on to tell of the Onottawas living along the Cass and Flint Rivers. He also refers to a "place of mortal strife" within limits of the present city of Flint. These statements by the eminent historian of Saginaw county are of great interest and general authority. The inference, however, from the above excerpt that the Sauks and Onottawas (Ottawas) lived contemporaneously at the places is not justified, nor do I think the author so intended. As a matter of fact, the Ottawas came in long after the Sauks had left for the Green Bay country. Mr. Mills' etymology of the name "Saginaw" is very just but subject to some modification, which I am glad to speak of at this place, as it will supplement my own derivation given on page 119 of Vol. I of the Federal Publishing Company's History of Genesee County, Michigan, of I916, also to answer the friendly questionings and mild criticism of some of my interested friends, as to the reasons upon which I based my claim, there made, that the Saginaws (Sauks) were of Huron-Iroquois race, this having been the first time such racial status had been given them, as I believe. In explanation I would say: I had for many years lived near the most typical branch of that great race that has survived to our day; had acted for them in certain legal matters; had been adopted into their nation according to the sacred ritual preserved by the Keeper-of-the-Faith, and had learned much of their lore and traditions, and obtained a slight knowledge of their language. From their old men whom I diligently questioned, I learned that this part of Michigan was once peopled by a branch of their race. This is also corroborated by the fact that the territory of Canada lying across the St. Clair Lake and River, and Detroit River was occupied by people of that race, and also the Canadian shore of Lake Huron. It is an invariable rule that a river never was a boundry line between any Algonquin and Huron-Iroquois tribes. The waters of such river or a lake would furnish easy access for the canoes of an enemy to land an invading expedition. It was the settled policy of Indians to hold both sides of such waters for strategic HISTORY OF GENIeSEE COUNTY 19 reasons. By this canon of American ethnology, even in the absence of any other proof, it would be assumed that the Western side of this present water boundary between Ontario and Michigan would be occupied by a people racially similar and friendly to those on the other side. The artifacts left in such profusion by these early inhabitants of Michigan are identical with those found numerously across the line in Ontario. Many of these are peculiar to these regions and other regions of known Huron-Iroquois occupancy, and so of ethnic value, pointing indubitably to common racial occupancy. The "Bird Amulet" is an example. Our part of Michigan has furnished these in great abundance. Mr. Hira Moore, of Flint, has one of the finest and most extensive collections of this type of artifacts extant, all collected from Genesee and other counties that were once the home of the Saginaws. In Mr. Boyle's Annual Archaeological Report as Curator of the Museum of Archaeology of Ontario, for I905, at page 49 it is stated: "It has more than once been pointed out in our reports that by far the greatest number of the 'bird amulets' found in Ontario came from the peninsula lying west and south of a line drawn from Kingston to Goderich, or Kincardine." This makes this type a product of the people who anciently lived on this peninsula, who from the prevalence of the type in Southeastern Michigan must have also held that country at one time. This bird amulet was of use with this people. As the people who held the designated territory in Ontario and who made the bird amulet were known to have been Huron-Iroquois, and as a contemporaneous people, the Saginaws, also making the bird amulet, lived in Michigan in amity with them, it leads irrefutably to the conclusion that this Michigan people were also of the Huron-Iroquois stock. In addition to the above I would add that the mortuary customs of the Michigan Indians of our region were similar, and sucti customs, having a religious sanction, are of greatest value in determining racial identity. The Saginaws in common with the Indians of the Huron-Iroquois race brought the bones of their dead together and deposited them in a common place, which we know now by the name of "ossuary." These ossuaries were of frequent occurrence throughout the region along the Saginaw River and its vicinity. Mr. W. R. McCormick of Bay City has left interesting data as to the evidences of this occupancy that existed a hundred years ago. He said these showed that the Saginaws and tributary valleys had been densely populated. On a bluff just below Flint there were eight mounds that he saw opened. All were full of bones. These mounds were twenty to forty feet in diameter and about five feet high. Down the river on a high bluff one mile above Flushing were about twenty mounds, great and small, some forty or more feet in diameter and six feet high with large pines growing upon them. These were, on opening, found to be full of bones, not arranged in order but thrown in promiscuously. Other mounds were found down the river, similar. Ten miles down were a few and nearby four. Near Green Point 20 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY were four, and this does not complete the list. Mr. McCormick obviously believed that the promiscuity of the deposit of these bones and the fact that they were deposited in a common grave proved that the persons had all died at the same time, and that the probable cause was a great battle. He did not know the habit of the Huron people of making temporary interment of the remains of their dead, and afterward at certain periods bringing the remains together and depositing them in a common grave, which from the fact that these remains so re-interred were naturally only the bones, is now called an ossuary. To the above might be added the fact that the Saginaws by the early French writers were said to have a harsh and barbarous language as distinguished from the more liquid tongue of the Chippewas and other Algonquins. The Huron-Iroquois was guttural and had no labial sounds, and rather unpleasant to refined ears. Long after the Saginaws had gone to Wisconsin and thence southward, General Pike says that they had a "primitive language," while from other sources we learn that they had acquired a mixed language made up from Chippewa, Ottawa and Pottawattamie, with whom they were so closely associated. Evidently they had become bilingual. I desire to avoid unnecessary repetition of the various facts given in my account of the Saginaws in the Federal Company's History of Genesee County, Vol. I, pages 124 et seq., but would add the following quotation from Colden's History of the Five Nations of Canada, Edition of I747, page 28: "The Five Nations defeated the Quatogies (Hurons) in a dreadful battle fought within two leagues of Quebec. * * * This defeat, in sight of the French settlements, struck terror into all their allies who were then very numerous because of French trade. * * * The Niteceriniens who then lived on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, fled upon this to the northward, believing that the extreme coldness of the climate, and the barren soil, would be the securest defense against the Five Nations. The remainder of the Quatogies fled with the Utawawas southwestward; and for greater security settled on an island, which further than the name of the Five Nations had then reached, they trusted to the distance of the place and the advantage of its situation." Colden then goes on to relate the destruction next year of the Adirondacks by the Five Nations and how the Hurons and Ottawas becoming in need of European goods entered into trade with Quebec which discovered their places of retreat to the Five Nations, who sent an expedition against them and they again fled to the country of the Pottawattamies. In another place he also records the destruction of those Huron-Iroquois races that lived across the water boundary between the Saginaws and the Huron-Iroquois of Ottawa. The result of these various victories of the Five Nations made them even more dreaded than before, and caused a general Western movement by all the tribes of this region. This supplements my more detailed review of the frenzied exodus of the Saginaws from their ancient and long occupied homes in the Valleys of the Saginaw and Flint to the Green Bay country of Wis HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 21 consin, where we find them strong, warlike and dominant: among the surrounding Algonquit tribes. Their history from that time on is better known, and the fact of their ability to take a new home accord-. ing to their pleasure, is attested by the fact that the country where they located was one of the most desirable from the Indian viewpoint, because it was the home of the wild rice, which, in the Indian economy, came nearest being to the red man what wheat is to the white. Many battles had been fought for its possession. Briefly, the Saginaws maintained their reputation as a brave, warlike people in keeping with their Huron-Iroquois character. Though their conflicts with the Illinois, their warfare with the Sioux, Chippewas, with the Americans on the side of the British, with the United States in the time of the Black Hawk War, during which the attrition of war gradually wore down their fighting force, to the last they were typical of the true Indians. John Treat Irving in his "Indian Sketches," being an account of an expedition through the Indian country in 1833, pays this tribute to one of that race. "On the following day we strolled through the forest that skirted the fort (Independence) and overhung the Missouri. * * * On our return * * * we caught sight of a single Indian standing beneath a tree; just then a little red-nosed soldier came up. He informed us that the Indian was a Sac, one of those who had fought against the Whites under Black Hawk. * * * I had formed but a poor opinion of the race from those whom I had already seen, but this was a princely fellow. He stood unmoved as we came up, viewing us with a calm, cold but unwavering gaze. A large blanket here and there streaked with vermilion, and ornamented with hawk's bells, was so disposed around his folded arms that it left bare his finely formed shoulders and half of his high sinewy chest. "A bright steel tomahawk peeped from its folds and a quiver of arrows hung at its back. His legs were cased in leggins of dressed deer skin, with the edges cut into a rough fringe. He wore a pair of moccasins of dressed buffalo hide. The top of his head was closely shaven and covered with vermilion, but his face was free from any coloring with the exception of a ring of black paint which was drawn carefully around each eye. As we approached, he drew himself up and threw his head slightly backward with an air of haughtiness which well became his high, stern features. * * * For some time he stood in front of us, returning gaze for gaze, and for a moment a smile played over his features, then drawing up his tinkling blanket closely around him, he walked off." From the above picture we may form a judgment as to the Saginaws when in the full strength of their organization; they held for three hundred years dominion over our country and vicinity. As to the Chippewa's claim that their forefathers utterly destroyed the Saginaws, or Saukies, as they call them, I would add a few paragraphs. Mr. Harlan I. Smith of Saginaw in an article entitled, "The Invasion of the Saginaw Valley," in the American Antiquarian, of 1895, 22 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY tells of "an interesting tradition prevailing among the Indians and pioneers of Northern Michigan, which may furnish a clue to the origin of some of the primitive monuments found in the Saginaw Valley." Mr. Smith disclaims the authenticity of the tradition but gives it,for what it is worth. The tradition given by an old Indian is to the effect that the Saginaw Valley and its confluent river valleys were inhabited by a powerful race named the Sauks. This occupancy, according to the old Indian, covered the greater part of the Southern peninsula, and the other parts were held by the Ottawas in the Southwest, the Pottawattamies and Chippewas in the Lake Superior region; that neither of these tribes was able singly to cope with the Sauks and so they formed a coalition and organized a campaign against them. Coming down the shore of Lake Huron close to the Michigan line they reached Saginaw Bay undiscovered and hid themselves on its shore a few miles from the mouth of the river. Dividing into two parties, they attacked successively the various villages of the Sauks with the unvarying result that all the inhabitants of all these villages were killed, with the exception of twelve women, thus exterminating the entire nation. W. R. McCormick, of Bay City, also gives a version of the same under title of "Battle of Skull Island," which he got from Put-ta-quasi-mine, an old Chippewa. The writer was seeking an explanation for the existence of the mounds above described, and applying to the old Indian was told by him substantially the same story as above, but with the addition that the combination against the Sauks included the Six Nations of -New York. He fakes the invaders on a route with a battle of extermination at the site of each of these mounds, until as in the other version, only twelve squaws were spared. The author naively adds that he has no doubt that it is a correct narrative, "as much so as if it had been written down at the time and handed down to us as matter of history." It is to be regretted that credence has been given to such palpable falsehoods-as silly as it would be to assert that the American Colonists were exterminated at Bunker Hill. I can add to this Chippewa story the following: When looking up material for my ethnographical article in the former county history, I interviewed an old Indian to whom I was referred as an oracle, and she, after detailing this same story of the extermination of the Sauks by her Chippewa ancestors, added that only one was left alive, a lad whose toes and fingers were all cut off at the first joints, ears trimmed and cheeks slashed, who was so saved to be a warning of the vengeance of the Chippewas. SAGINAW, THE NAME The Iroquois had a word "swageh," an Onomatopoetic word like our "Swash," meaning "flowing water." As the Indians in migration went in a file through fields and forests, by an easy metaphor, this word, "swageh" came to be applied to this streamlike movement of people. "Swageh-ono," pronounced gutturally, so deeply guttural that its expression in English letters is difficult, is the word Saginaw, and means in the original, "The people who went away." "The migrant HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY:2f people." "The people who went away as a stream." The variant forms of this word are, "Sagonay," "Sagana," "Saganah," "Sagena," "Sagina," "Saquina," "Saganong," and others, all of which forms appear in the early writers. The Iroquois terminal "ga," pronounced hard and gutturally, meant place, and when added to the name "Swageh-ono" gave us "Swageh-ono-ga," meaning the place of the Saginaws, or Sauks. I am aware of the statement of Schoolcraft in Vol. 6, "Indian Antiquities," page 484, but would suggest with all respect that, had he said that Sauk-i-nong was an Algonquin equivalent to Saginaw, it would have been correct, but to derive the earlier and older name, Saginaw, from the later Sauk-i-nong, is, in my judgment, an error. Mr. Schoolcraft was an adept in the Algonquin, or Algic tongue, but unacquainted with the Iroquois, as is manifestly apparent from his mistranslation of the Iroquois word "Nundowaga" in his "Notes on the Iroquois." A further suggestion may also be of value in this connection. The Sauks, or Saginaws, after their departure from Michigan and after their first southward migration from the Green Bay country, had a village near the mouth of the Rock River, Wisconsin, called "Saukenauk," and this village on the more southern movement of the Sacs was occupied by the Pottawattamies as their chief town, and is, in an article entitled, "William Bennett," by Edward S. Kelley, in Vol. 30, Mich. Pioneer and Historical Reports, page 85, called "Saginong," and a treaty at that place by certain tribes in I815 is by the writer cited as the Treaty of Saginaw. Query: What has this name of the Wisconsin "Sauke-nauk," later "Saginong," and sometimes "Saginaw," had to do in determining the origin of Saginaw, Michigan? As Mr. Mills says, the eponym of Saginaw must be found in the dialect of the Sauks, and not in any variant used by later occupants of a different race. The space allotted having been consumed in the rather diffuse discussion of the Saginaws, I would refer any interested reader to Federal History of Genesee County for later occupancy of our county by the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. 'p CHAPTER II EARLY SETTLEMENT T HE settlement of Genesee county, in common with that of the other counties of Michigan, was materially retarded by the distinctly unfavorable impressions held of the territory by the people residing in other parts of the country. Some time after the close of the revolution and the erection of the Northwest Territory, the Federal government undertook a survey of the newly acquired lands in order that parcels; of land might be awarded to soldiers of the Colonial army who fought in the war for independence. A commission, headed by the surveyor, Tiffin, was sent into the Michigan territory, and its report of findings worked actively against the country it was sent to inspect. It did not damn with faint praise-there was no praise whatever held out by it. So difficult was transportation northward from Detroit on account of the almost impenetrable swamps and forests in the neighborhood of Royal Oak, that the commission preferred accepting the reports of trappers and couriers de bois to making an investigation for itself. The result of the whole affair was that the commission reported to Washington that there was not more than one in a thousand acres, if that, that was fit for human residence, and the government consequently decided not to award any of the Michigan lands as military bounties. There is no doubt that the trappers and fur traders sought to discourage settlement of the territory because they foresaw in an influx of pioneers the disappearance of the fur-bearing animals upon which they depended for their livelihood, and their unfavorable opinions, expressed to the commission, were colored by their desire to hinder such settlement. That they were partially successful was evidenced by the extreme slowness of settlement in this region. But contradictory reports, telling the true conditions, inevitably seeped out, people in doubt investigated for themselves, and the territory gradually began to assume favor in the eyes of prospective pioneers. Genesee county was a few years behind Oakland county in receiving its first settlers, but once a start was made the tide of immigrants never ceased flowing, the county before many years boasting a population which, while not large, was at least enthusiastic enough to attract still others. A contemporary view of the county is embodied in the "Blois Gazetteer of Michigan, in three parts, containing a general view of the state, a description of the face of the country, soil, productions, public lands, internal improvements, commerce, government, climate, education, religious denominations, population, antiquities, etc., with a succinct History of the State from the earliest period to the present time, also a particular description of the Counties, Towns, Villages, HISTORY OF GENEISEE COUNTY 25 Post Offices, Water courses, Lakes, Prairies, etc. * * * And a directory for emigrants, etc., by John Blois, Detroit, 1838." From this we quote as follows: "Genesee County is bounded on the north by Saginaw and Lapeer,.east by Lapeer and Oakland, south by Oakland and Livingston and west by Shiawassee and Saginaw. It was organized in I836 with an area of 504 square miles. Seat of Justice, Flint. Water courses: Flint River is the principal; Pine, Coal, Swartz, Kearsley Creeks, Thread River and Shiawassee east branch. Lakes: The principal are Long and Grand Blanc. Organized townships: Flint, LeRoy, Mundy and Vienna. Villages: Flint, LeRoy, Grand Blanc and Fentonville." The writer says that the surface is generally rolling, dry sandy loam, and a sufficient supply of stone for farming purposes only. On Flint River are tracts of excellent pine timber, and the county is generally timbered, except certain tracts of "hazle brush." That the county has been settled principally within the then past two years, and that many were then coming in. That except the two southern townships, which were within the Detroit district, the county was within the Saginaw Land District. He gives the population as 2,754. LeRoy was a village on Thread River, about one and one-half miles from Flint, with fifteen families, a flour mill, a saw mill, turning factory and a grocery. The writer also says that the streams of the county provide abundant water power. Flint, a village with post office and seat of justice, on Flint river, had a banking institution, an edge tool manufactory, saw mill, two dry goods stores, two groceries, two physicians, a lawyer and the land office for the Saginaw district. Estimated population three hundred families, and many coming in, distance from Detroit, 58 miles and from Washington, 584 miles. Genesee, by the tabulation, had in 1838, i grist mill, 13 saw mills and I6 merchants. Interesting data on the elevation of various parts of the county are taken from the Dictionary of Altitudes in the U. S. Bulletin 274; Ser. F. Geography, 47. H. R. Doc. 207, Fifty-Ninth Congress, 4th ed. I9o6. This work gives the various altitudes of places in the U. S., principally the railroad stations, which were obtained from R. R. surveys. In Genesee County the following place altitudes are given: Crapo Farm, 774 feet above the level of the sea; Duffield, 780 feet; Fenton, 907 feet; Flint, Grand Trunk depot, 712, P. M. depot, 711 feet; Weather Bureau, 726 feet; Gaines, 857 feet; Goodrich, 733 feet; Grand Blanc, 839 feet; Davison, Grand Trunk depot, 788 feet; Mt. Morris, 693 feet; Otisville, 812 feet; and Otterburn, 771 feet. The first land entries in Genesee county were made in 1824 by settlers from Livingston and Ontario counties, New York, William Thompson and Charles Little, coming from the former county, and Samuel B. Perkins from the latter. The ensuing years witnessed a steady, though not rapid, settlement in the southeastern section of what was to become Genesee county, but it was not until the year 1833 that the tide of immigration was to assume such proportions as to forecast the early formation of a county. In that year land entries were 26 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY made in the present townships of Flint, Mundy, Genesee, Vienna and Mount Morris. From this year forward settlement of the county was so rapid that by 1837 virtually all its lands had been occupied. Jacob Stevens and his family, consisting of two sons and five daughters, settled in Grand Blanc township in the spring of 1823; Coming from New York to Detroit in August, 1822, the family first settled in Oakland county on the Saginaw trail, but discovering, after a short time, that their titles were defective, they moved to the above township. In a letter to his parents written in July, I825, Stevens told of his advent to his new home in part, as follows: "It is an old Indian settlement, situated about twenty miles from our first place, and about the same distance from the farthest white settlement northwest of Detroit. There are some French families seven miles northwest of us, and ho more until we reach Saginaw. Rufus and I flung up a small log house, and on the 23rd of May, I823, Eunice, myself, two youngest children, Rufus and Sherman, with a good team, and as many goods as would make us comfortable, arrived here. We cleared, plowed and sowed with wheat and oats about ten acres, completing the same June Ioth. "Mrs. Stevens and the children then returned, and one of the girls kept house, and so through the season. At this time we felt morally certain of having neighbors the next spring; but here, sir, I must inform you that the government saw fit the winter following to evacuate the post at Saginaw, which measure has, so far, completely paralyzed all settlements to the northwest, turning the tide of immigration which has been very great, to the south and west. * * * "The winters are surprisingly mild. Last winter, in fact, was no winter at all. We did not spend three tons of hay with all our stock. A large portion of the country is openings, and the cattle get their living in old fog [second growth grass] and basswood sprouts in the swales. The greatest country for wild feed and hay I ever saw. We can summer and winter any number of cattle if we had them. Blue joint is the principal grass in the low meadows. On the higher parts is found considerable red-top and foul meadow grass." Jacob Stevens, who was sixty years of age at the time of his arrival in the territory, returned to New York in about 1831 with a majority of his family. His son, Rufus W. Stevens, traded with the Indians in a log house situated on the site of the Grand Blanc hotel, later erected. He built a sawmill in I830 and later a grist mill on the old Thread Mill tract. For years a great many of the people between Pontiac and Saginaw were supplied by these mills. Rufus Stevens was the first postmaster of Grand Blanc, he having held that office as early as I826, and he also owned the first tavern at that place. In the early Thirties he moved to Flint, becoming identified with the milling interests there. Edmund and Rowland B. Perry entered lands in sections II and 14, Grand Blanc township, in October, I825. Edmund, a native of Rhode Island and an educated Quaker, brought some of his family to his new home the following February from Avon, Livingston county, PRESIV'I'ERIAN CHURCH 1BI-1LT 1848-CORNER SAGINAW ANI) SECONI) SA\WYER HOME AT GRAND BLANC, (;GENESEF C()UNTY1I' 1 1' IN EARl,\' 40's HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY 27 New York, the rest of the family following later in the same year. It was a granddaughter of Edmund Perry, Isabella Perry, who was the first white child born in Genesee county. Listed among the settlers it this township prior to the winter of 1830-3I are: William Roberts, Judge Jeremiah Riggs and his sons, George E. Perry, Joseph McFarlen, Edward H. Spencer, Jeremiah Ketchum, Jonathan Dayton, Ezekial R. Ewing, Caleb S. Thompson, Caleb Embury, Washington Thompson, Phineas Thompson, Silas Smith, Pearson Farrar, Judge Jeremiah R. Smith, R. T. Winchell, Clark Dibble, Jonathan Davison. Three men, Nathan M. Miles, Levi Gilkey and Nathaniel Nelson, entered land in 1833 in Flint township, but to the families of Elijah Carmen and Jesse Torrey is due the honor of first establishing homes in the township. In I835, Carmen settled on Section 25, where he died in I840, and Torrey with his wife, daughter and four sons, settled on section 24 in 1836. At this settlement were cut the first logs to be floated down the Flint river, a drive of about one thousand for which a price of fifty cents a log was received. William M. Stannard and his sois, from Genesee county, New York, settled on section 35 in 1836, and James W. Cronk established the Cronk settlement on sections 7 and 8 in 1837. Among the leading settlers in the township were: Daniel O'Sullivan, Andrew Hyslop, George Crocker, Lysander Phillips, Jeremiah Kelsey, Dewitt C. Curtis, Captain Benjamin Boomer, Horace Bristol, William Van Slyke, Marvin B. Persons, Phillip Beltsworth, J. D. Eggleston, Jabez Blackinton, John Thorne, F. A. Begole, Anson Gilbert, A. Herrick, Morgan Chapman, Edward Tupper, Robert P. Aitken, Alfred Gifford, Thomas Daley, Robert Dullam, Stephen Crocker and Cornelius Lane. In 1833 the first permanent settlements in Mundy township were made by Daniel Williams, Eli Gilbert and Jason L. Austin, all of whom took up land in section 13. They were followed soon after by Volney Stiles, who settled on section ii, and the following year by Morgan Baldwin and George Judson. All of these pioneers were iatives of New York state. Previous to Michigan's admission to the Union in 1837 the following men had made their homes in Mundy township: Thomas Glover, Seth Kitchen, David Gibson, Ebenezer Bishop, Joseph Alger with his family of ten children, a Mr. Barnum, William Odell, Jeshurum Leach, Asa Pierce and Jonathan G. Firman. Henry Glover, the son of Thomas Glover, was the first white male child born in the township, and Hannah Baldwin, the daughter of Morgan Baldwin, born March 30, I835, was the first white female child born in the township. The township took its name from Edward S. Mundy, lieutenant-governor of Michigan at the time of organization of the township, March I, I837. While the land comprising Mount Morris township was a part of Flushing and Genesee townships until I855, it was, nevertheless, one of the first to receive white settlers. From I833 to 1836 it was a part of Grand Blanc township, and in May of the first year Benjamin Pearson, of Avon, New York, bought lands in sections 25 and 36. Pearson made his headquarters at Todd's tavern on Flint river, and it 28 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY ' was there, soon after he had purchased his land, that he met Lewis Buckingham, John Pratt, Isaac N. Robinson and Richard Marvin, all of whom had come from Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York, in search of new lands. Seeing in them-neighbors to his liking, Pearson guided them to the location of his claim, about four miles north of Flint on the Saginaw road, where all except Marvin entered land and later made their homes. Pearson's home on the northeast slope of section 36 was the first dwelling erected in the settlement. What was then known as the Coldwater settlement was settled largely during the years I834-36, prominent among the arrivals of those years having been: Lyman G. Buckingham, Ashel Beach, Alanson and Luther Dickinson, Daniel Curtis, Ezekiel R. Ewing, Frederick Walker, Edwin Cornwell, Charles N. Beecher and Henry Parker. An even larger number of settlers had taken up lands in the eastern part of the township prior to 1840. The first settlement on the site of what was to become the village of Mount Morris was made by Frederick Walker in October, 1836. Walker was an Englishman who had lived for some time in Dutchess county, New York. His land was entered in section 12, Mount Morris township, and when the postoffice was established in the village he became the first postmaster. In Vienna township, the pioneer settler was Charles McLean, who immigrated in July, i833, from Saginaw county. He was a native of New York state, came to Saginaw in 1826, and resided there until coming to Genesee county. His house, built on the Saginaw turnpike, became one of the earliest taverns in Vienna township, where he also built the first frame school house, and where, in I836 or 1837, the postoffice was established for all the region lying between Flint and Saginaw. In this tavern, which housed the postoffice, was also held the first township election. The first white child to be born in the new settlement was a daughter of Hiram Benjamin, born in the year 1836. The township's first sawmill was erected in 1838 by Theodore P. Green on the site of the present Clio. Some of the prominent early settlers of the township were: Joseph C. Winters, Hiram Benjamin, Humphrey McLean, Sylvester Vibbard, George Sparks, Waterman W. Neff, Clark Abbey, George Huyck, Theodore P. Dean, Reuben and Daniel Warner, Russell G. Hurd, William Hotchkiss, Isaiah Merriman, Edward Maybee, William Sissins, Christopher Hughes, Joshua Pattee, George T. Bingham, Samuel Rone, John R. Whittemore, Ormond and Joel Booth, Lemuel Johnson, Nahum N. Wilson, John Jackson, Marcus Goodrich, Justin S. W. Porter, Charles Montle, Nicholas Sigsby, Daniel N. Montague, Captain Robert L. Hurd, Grovener Vinton and Seth N. Beden. To Fenton township came Clark Dibble in March, 1834, to settle on land in section 34. He was followed in April of that year by Dustin Cheney and family, who came from Grand Blanc township to settle near what is now the village of Fenton. The rapid influx of settlers during the next few years resulted in the settlement at Fenton and the establishment of Linden in 1836, a few miles northwest of Fenton. By the end of that year very few township lands remained HISTORY OF GENBESEE COUNTY 29 in the hands of the government, and settlement of the northern sections was made the following year. Following the two original settlers came R. A. Carman and A. S. Donaldson in 1834, and Jonathan Shepard, Joseph Thorp, William Remington and Elisha Larned in 1835. Lamed, coming from Yates county, New York, settled on section 32, but removed in I837 to Fenton. He was accompanied on his trip to Michigan by William Remington, a native of Rhode Island and later a resident of New Bedford, Massachusetts and of Dutchess and Ulster counties, New York. Joseph Thorp came from Genesee county, New York, to settle finally on section 36 at the site of Fenton. Alonzo and Murzah Chapin came originally from Riondequoit, Monroe county, New York, to settle in Wayne county, Michigan, in 1832. The latter removed with his family to Fenton in 1836, Alonzo and his wife following the year afterward. They first settled near Mud Lake, and later near Linden. Others who settled in the township before 1840 were Theophilus Stone, Oliver Warren, Walter Sluyter, A. Kirby, H. N. Thompson, H. Lee, M. Walton, J. Van Winkle and S. P. Thompson. The village of Fenton used to be called Fentonville and was originally Dibbleville. At the urging of Judge Daniel LeRoy, Robert LeRoy, his son, and William M. Fenton, then engaged in selling goods in Pontiac, turned their attention toward this township, for it was at this point, Judge LeRoy said, would be the principal thoroughfare among the railroads to the western part of the state. LeRoy and Fenton, with the choice of buying either that part of Flint west of Saginaw street or the land now occupied by Fenton, chose the latter, and in December, 1836, established themselves there. Though the small settlement at that point was known as Dibbleville, they renamed the village Fentonville when they platted the town in the spring of I837. A small, uncovered sawmill with a single saw was the first attraction held out to other settlers. As aids to immigration a road to Flint and another to White Lake were projected, and thereafter another sawmill, a gristmill, tavern, store and dwellings rapidly appeared. Benjamin Rockwell purchased a third interest in the enterprise, and lent his energetic support to the development of the village. The first building they erected was built of plank and located at the comer of Adelaide street and Shiawassee avenue. It was occupied at once by Mr. and Mrs. Fenton, the residence serving as a boarding house for from fifteen to thirty mechanics during the erection of the hotel. On the opposite corner was erected the Riggs house, a combination store and hotel, and according to letters of those days no better hostelry existed north of Detroit. One of the treasured possessions of the community was a piano brought to Fentonville in 1837 by Mrs. Benjamin Rockwell, a sister of W. M. Fenton, and not only did it do much to alleviate the dullness of passing idle hours in the Riggs house where it was placed, but it also proved to be a great attraction to the native Indians, the chief of whom, King Fisher, used to make an elaborate ceremony of his visits to the village to hear Mrs. Rockwell play. The first regular landlord of the Riggs house was Thomas Irish, who was likewise a 30 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY carpenter. The first mail received at the village was via a mail route from Pontiac through White Lake, a route secured only after much effort, and the semi-weekly arrivals of the post were awaited with great eagerness by the citizens, particularly at times when events of national importance were transpiring. Dustin Cheney, the second settler of the township and of the village of Fentonville was a veteran of the war of 1812, and his son, Harrison, born in I835, was the first white child born in the township. The village of Linden, also in Fenton township, and but a few miles northwest of Fentonville, was, during this time, the rival of Fentonville for village honors. Richard and Perry Lamb settled there on section 20 in 1835, and for a long time the house of the latter furnished accommodations for travelers. The following year Zenas Fairbank came to that 'neighborhood and began the practice of medicine. The village was not officially platted, however, until 1840, and for this reason Consider Warner and Eben Harris are numbered among the original proprietors. Warner built a saw mill in 1837 which he augmented with a gristmill the following year, and in I839 Warner and Harris opened a general store. They also opened a drug store in 1840. Among the other early settlers in the Linden vicinity were: Charles and Joseph Bryam, Asahel Ticknor, Seth C. Sadler, Jonathan Shephard and Beniah Sanborn. When Rufus Harrison settled in the southwestern corner of Flushing township on the north side of the river in 1835 he became the first settler of that township, and the same fall saw the arrival of Henry French, who located on section 36. Ebenezer French, his brother, came the following year. John Evans, of Manchester, England, came to Michigan after a brief residence in New York, settling in Flushing township in I835. David and James Penoyer, Ezra Smith, Thomas L. Brent, Origin Packard and Alexander Barber all settled in the township before 1840. One of the most prominent of the early settlers was Thomas Brent, who, before his advent to the Michigan territory, had acquired a large fortune and a national reputation as a government servant. A Virginian by birth, he married a Spanish woman while on a mission to that country for the United States government. At one time during his life in Michigan he paid taxes on 70,000 acres of land. Before his death, however, he had sunk his fortune and become land poor. He erected a sawmill on section 3 in 1836 near his home, but it was destroyed in the spring of i837 by a freshet. As much of the land was largely covered by pine, a second mill was soon built, and it is said that nearly every man who settled in the township in the early days worked at one time or another for Mr. Brent, clearing land and earning enough money to pay for their own homes. Although John Patton, a native of Blackford, Perthshire, Scotland, and later a resident of Paterson, New Jersey, purchased land on sections 22 and 27 in 1834, he did not occupy them until 1837. The "English settlement" began to form in the horthwest part of the township in 1840, where John Reed and James Bailey settled in the fall of that year to be followed soon by Samuel and HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 31 James Wood, of Lancashire, and Mary Vernon who became the wife of Samuel Wood. Her father, John Bailey, who was also the father of James Bailey, came at the same time. Five other Englishmen, Thomas Hough, Sr., and Jr., Richard Bowden, William Bailey and Thomas Newell settled here later. Beginning of Flushing village is reckoned from the purchase of the water power in I836 by Horace Jerome from St. Clair, Michigan, who worked in co-operation with Charles Seymour, of Litchfield county, Connecticut. The frame of the mill building was erected in 1837, and by 1838 one saw was in operation. Seymour, in company with Benjamin Bowers, in I840 erected the first gristmill, which stood on the site of what was later known as the Flushing mills. The village on both sides of the river was platted that same year by Seymour. The original settlers of Burton township came principally from the towns of Adams and Henderson in Jefferson county, New York, and for many years their location was designated among the inhabitants of the county as the Atherton settlement, after Shubael and Perus Atherton, who settled on the Thread river in 1835 with Pliny A. Skinner. They came from Oakland county in the fall of that year and passed the winter alone in the wilderness with their three families, little realizing that before the lapse of twelve months they would be in the midst of a thriving settlement of thirty families. The first permanent white settler in the district, however, was Reuben Tupper, who came from Grand Blanc in 1834 to locate on the Saginaw road on the site of the later Atherton settlement. He had been preceded by Levi Gilkey, one of the earliest pioneers in the vicinity of Flint, who purchased land in section 7, Burton township, on May I, 1831, near the mouth of the small stream which still bears his name. Little is known of this first settler, for he remained but a few years, and thus it is that Reuben Tupper is given the name of the first permanent settler in the township. With the spring of 1836 settlement in the township became rapid, the first families settling principally in the vicinity of the Athertons, from whom the community derived its name. The first years of their residence in their new home were trying ones to these pioneers for the removal from New York to Michigan and the purchase of land had, in most instances, dissipated their small savings. For a year or two many of them worked for Captain Curtis, Pliny A. Skinner and the Atherton brothers, but poor crops soon depleted the resources of their employers to the common level of poverty, and destitution and privation stalked abroad. The heavily timbered land embraced in the limits of Thetford township was untouched by the axe of white men until 1835, and even from that year until I840 only scattered settlements wrought openings in the forest. Grovener Vinton, who came from Avon, New York, bought land in January, 1835, after a four years' residence in the Saginaw valley. On section 31 in Thetford township he made his home, and here his second daughter, Roxy Ann,, was born, the first white child in the township. Until the fall of 1836 this was the 32 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY only family in the township, but at that time Isaac and Nelson Van Tuyl came with their families from Oakland county to settle on section 29. The fall of 1837 witnessed the advent of Corydon E. Fay, who came from Avon, New York, to establish his home on section 30, about a quarter of a mile north of Vinton. He was a blacksmith by trade, and built a small shop on the section corner, the only shop of its kind in the region for some years. It is related that his first blacksmithing job consisted of making a plow clevis out of the poles of two old axes for Grovener Vinton. Since the travel on the Saginaw Turnpike had increased to such large proportions by I850, Corydon Fay opened the first inn in the township, and this was the beginning of Fayville. Several other buildings were put up, and quite a settlement came into existence, but its life was short. With the establishment of a postoffice in 1842, called Thetford, Corydon Fay became postmaster. Besides those already named, Thetford township boasted the following settlers by 1840; Benoni and Quartus W. Clapp, Crawford Barkley, Charles M. Bouttell, Richard Buell, Ezra H. Martin, Thomas Alpin, Leonard Beckwith, William W. Boughton, William Rice, Reuben J. Dye and Nahum N. Wilson. The first settler of Clayton township was Adam Miller, a resident of Livingston county, New York, a German. In 1836 he settled on section 35 with his family, coming by way of Flint to his new home by way of a well-worn Indian trail which ran north to an Indian sugar camp in Gaines township. It was this trail, closely approximating the line of what later became Miller road, that was the first highway in the township. During 1837 seven men took land in the vicinity. of the Miller settlement, namely: John and Thomas Nash, John Hartsock, Seth Silsby, Emir Woodin, Seth Hathaway, Sedgwick P. Stedman. Isaac Lyons settled in the northwest part of the township in I839 in company with his brothers-in-law, Jacob Coddington and John Clement, all of whom had come from Flint where they had resided since 1836, the year in which they had left Tompkins county, New York. A log blacksmith shop erected on the corer of his lands by Lyons was the only one within a radius of many miles for a long time. On another corner of his land in 1844 was built a log school house, one of the first in the township. In 1845 Michael Donahoo came from the north of Ireland to settle in Clayton township, and the small settlement in that locality was called Donahoo in his honor. The Donahoo settlement received its first residents sometime before I840 when Robert Lennon and Patrick Conlen cleared farms for themselves. These two men and Bernard Trayor, who came with Donahoo, married sisters of Donahoo. William, Peter and John Carton settled in the northern part of the township in 1842; Patrick Bradley located four miles east of Lyons cor-ners; and James E. Brown, a near neighbor, settled in the township in 1840. Joseph Burbridge came from England and settled near the center of the township in 1837, and four brothers, James, Stephen, George and John Ottawa, also natives of England, settled in the township in 1840. Albert, Granger, William and Richard Goyer took HISTORY OF GENISEE COUNTY 33 up land some time between 1840 and i842. Other early settlers were: James W. Cronk, E. W. Fenner, James Glass and Peter Lannon, Sr. The official tax payers' list of the township in 1844 numbered seventyfour names. Due to the large acreage of heavy timber, the settlement of Gaines township began later and progressed more slowly than most of the other townships of the county. Hartford Cargill moved in from Bloomfield, Oakland county, in 1836 to settle on section 36, and in the same year Ephraim Fletcher, from New York, settled in the locality known as Fletcher's corners. Joshua Dart made his home a little to the east of Fletcher in 1839. Philander McLain came from Oakland county to this township in December, 1838, and although he stated that the only settlers in the town at that time were the Cargills, the Fletchers and the Darts, the facts do not seem to bear out his statement that the Darts had yet settled in the township. It was not until twenty years after the first settlement of the township that the first settlement was made on the site of the village of Gaines. On July 4, 1856, the first passenger train of the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee railroad, now a part of the Grand Trunk Western system passed through the site of the village. Thurston Simmons built a dwelling on the site in that year, and George B. Runyan was appointed postmaster of the Gaines Station postoffice. Lands in sections 19 and 27 of Argentine township were entered in 1825 by Samuel Dexter, of New York, for purposes of speculation, rather than for settlement. Eighty acres of land in section 26 were entered two years later by Elijah Crane. James H. Murray preempted land in 1835, and Sally Murray in I836. Despite these early entries of land the settlement of the township did not begin in earnest until 1836, but so rapid was the influx of settlers that by the end of that year nearly all the township lands had been taken up. James H. Murray, who was of Cayuga county, New York, and had settled in Washtenaw county, and William Lobdell were the first white settlers in the township. Murray's land was located in section 35 and was chosen with view toward acquiring water privileges, and when, in March, 1836, he had moved his family to their new home, he built a dam and began the erection of a sawmill. Two or three years later he built a gristmill, opposite which he built the first store in the village of Argentine. He also built the second hotel, the first having been erected by Abram Middlesworth. Connected with the early growth of the township were William Alger, William Jennings, William and Henry Pratt, Ira Murray, Israel Crow, Calvin W. Ellis, Benjamin Taylor, Amos Sturgis, David Brooks, Solomon Sutherland, Halsey Whitehead and Asa Atherton. At an early date a postoffice was established and called Booton, but the name was later changed to Argentine when it was found that there was another postoffice in the state by the name of Booton. James H. Murray was the first postmaster, and the honor of naming the township was attributed to him. The village mail was brought on horseback from Pontiac and Tonia, William Hubbard and John Hyatt being two of 34 HISTOIY OF GENESEE COUNTY the early mail carriers. Though Argentine was platted in I844, its prospect for growth as a village was destroyed when the Detroit & Milwaukee railway was put through Fenton instead of Argentine. Originally a part of Lapeer county, Atlas township was added to Genesee county in I843. Asa Farrar, the first settler, purchased land in section i8 in that township in September, I830, building a log house upon it in the same year. He was a brother of Pearson Farrar who settled that same year in Grand Blanc on an adjacent section. In Asa Farrar's family occurred the first birth and the first marriage, in I833 and 1834 respectively. Judge Norman Davison made the second land purchase in the township, buying a tract in section 8 on the banks of Kearsley creek in I831. He built a two-story frame house soon after his arrival, and in this neighborhood were situated the first postoffice, known as Atlas, mills, workshops and schools which formed the nucleus of Davisonville. A sawmill was built in 1833, a gristmill in 1836, a blacksmith ship in 1837 by Elias Rockafellow, and the first store in 1838 by Fitch R. Track. A tavern was opened by William Thomas in I840, and in the following year wool carding and stock dressing was begun by Oliver Palmer. Judge Davison was a member of the first constitutional convention of 1835, the first supervisor of the town of Grand Blanc in I833, and a judge of Lapeer county when Atlas township was still a part of that county. Two brothers, John and Aaron Brigham, came from Lewis county, New York, in 1833 to settle on section 5, moving to Hadley three years later. Nehemiah S. Burpee and Samuel Lason settled in the township in 1834, and in the following year took up their residence in Atlas township. In the following year Alexander and James Lobban, James McCraith and two sons, James G. Horton, Talford and Daniel Powell and Lewis Mentor joined the first settlers. The nucleus of the village of Goodrich was founded in September, 1835, when Moses and Enos Goodrich, of Clarence, Erie county, New York, purchased a thousand acres of land near the center of the township. They built a log house on section 20 and then returned to New York, but in 1836 came back to their new home with a number of relatives. Shortly after the arrival of their father, Levi H. Goodrich, in the fall of the next year, a frame house was built on the corner of what was later Mai'n and Clarence streets, directly east of what became the Bushaw hotel. Here the Goodriches conducted a general store and the Goodrich bank. In April, I837, they put into operation a saw mill, built and equipped at a cost of $8,500oo. During the year 1836 many families took up their residence in the township, swelling the population to such a point that organization was deemed necessary, and at the first town meeting held in the Davison mills April 4, 1836, twenty-four voters were present. Richfield township was also originally a part of Lapeer county, not having became a part of Genesee until 1843. In 1836, a year previous to the organization of the township, nearly all the land in the township was bought up, Thomas L. Brent, a Virginian, buying HISTORY OF GENEISEE COUNTY 35 extensively, in order that the lands might be kept out of the hands of speculators, so he said. Ryal Irish, of Pontiac, settled on section 19 in 1836, in the midst of the pine forest, and in 1837 began the construction of a mill on Belden brook to make lumber. The mill property was later sold to David L. Belden for $Io,ooo. The latter began operations in 1839, but owing to his inexperience and the low prices of lumber then prevailing, his venture was unsuccessful. Shortly after the arrival of Irish, George Oliver and his family settled on section 21. His daughter was the first white child born in the township. Thomas Clark, a native of Rutland county, Vermont, became the third permanent settler of the township, locating on section 22. In rapid succession came Orsimus Cooley from Oakland county to settle on section 20; William Teachout in 1837 to settle on section 30; Elias Van Schaick in the spring of I839, and a few weeks later Jeremiah R. Stanard and Argalus Matthews to settle on section 6. William Draper and E. B. Witherbee completed a sawmill in 1838 on section 17, and it was the largest and best mill in the township for twenty years, the Belden mill, built by Ryal Irish was the second one completed, but the first to be started. Not until 1855, when V. Maxfield and E. R. Goodrich built a sawmill at the place where the state road crosses the Flint river, did the village of Richfield Center begin to develop. A tavern and a store soon followed the mill, and though the first postoffice had been established in the early Forties with Phinias J. Tucker as postmaster, the community did not assume the appearance of a village until much later. Tradition has it that the first town meeting was held in a small shack at the mill of Draper & Witherbee with less than a dozen voters present. With approximately three-fourths of the land of Forest township covered with timber, and most of that land in the hands of speculators, development of the township was comparatively slow. The first land in the township to be entered was on section 36 on March I, 1836, by James Seymour, and on Nevember 9 of that same year Henry Heister (or Hiester) entered land, section 19, to become the first actual settler in the township. In the spring of 1837 Heister brought his family from Livingston county, New York, to be followed in two months by Nathaniel Smith and his family. The next family, who also came in 1837, was that of Stephen Begel, who came from Howard, Steuben county, New York. The site of their village became later the village of Otisville in section 21. Recorded among the early settlers of the township were Matthew McCormick, who came in I839 from Washtenaw county; Stephen J. Seeley, who came in 1841; John Nixon; John Crawford, who came from Antrim, Ireland, in 1842; James Crawford, father of John, who arrived in 1844; and Jeremiah Olds, William H. Diamond, John H. Fry and John Darling. During the first fifteen years the township was settled slowly, but about I845 to I850 the trade in Michigan pine lumber opened, resulting in the construction of the Hayes sawmill near the Begel settlement in I85I. A boarding house, a store and several dwellings for the use of the mill hands were built, forming the 36 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY nucleus of the future village of Otisville. In April, I843, the first town meeting was held at the home of Stephen Begel, thirteen voters being present. The township was detached from Lapeer county and added to Genesee on March 31, I843. Davison township was added to Genesee county March 9, I843, having been taken from Lapeer. The settlement of the township began in 1837 when Andrew and Alson Seelye and their sister Debby settled on section 3I. They came from Charleston, New York, and were followed in September, 1837, by their father, Abel Seelye and his wife and four sons. Debby Seelye married Seth J. Wicker, by whom was erected the first hotel in the township in 1852. Christopher Miller located on land about a mile distant from the Seelyes on section 35 in I837. Miller claimed to be the first settler in the township, to which he and his sons came from Chautauqua county, New York. The first frame house was erected in the township by Miller in 1839. In 1838 Ira Potter brought his family from Port Huron, Michigan, to Davidson township and settled on section I. Following close on the heels of the Potters came Justice Henry and William Sheldon, from Erie county, New York; Abelino Babcock, from Oakland county, this state; Jacob Teachout, Harrison G. Conger, Samuel Crandall and Goodenough Townsend. The last named became the first supervisor of Davidson township, and later held many other township offices. He was the first postmaster, serving from I849-52. It is interesting to note that one of the earliest game laws of Michigan was enacted in the annual township meeting of this township in 1841, when it was decreed that a fine of $5.00 would be imposed for every deer killed between the Ioth of January to the loth of July each year. The name of Montrose township was changed from that of Pewanagowin in I848 by the state legislature. The township itself was organized in 1836, and the first assessor and constable was Seymour W. Ensign, who came originally from Stafford, Genesee county, New York, in 1832, to first settle in Grand Blanc, then in Saginaw county, and in the spring of I843 on section 22 of Montrose township, of which he was the first settler. George Wilcox and Richard Travis settled in the township in that same year. Perhaps the most prominent man in the township during his lifetime Was John Farquharson, who came from Scotland to Albany, New York, in I830, then to Saginaw county, and finally to Montrose township in 1845, where he was elected the first supervisor. To his influence is attributed the change from the Indian name of the township to the Scottish name of Montrose. If his object was to attract other Scotch families to the township by such a move, he attained his ends, for in I847 John McKenzie came from Aberdeen to this section, to be followed later by a number of Scotch families. The interior locacation of the township, coupled with the retarding effects of lumbering, worked against the rapid development of the township. James Sisco, a colored man, erected the first mill on Woodruff's creek in I849, and a few months later another mill was erected on Brent's Run by Russell Wells. CHAPTER III COUNTY ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT T HE territory now included in Genesee county has been under the flags of four nations. The first vague claims of white men to this region were those of the then powerful Spanish nation, and dated from I540 to I7I0. However, since the Spaniards made no effort to maintain their claims by exploration or colonization, the French looked upon it as free territory, explored and colonized and French officers claimed it for the King of France in 1671-a formal claim. But the English nation was likewise eager to gain control of the region, and also explored and colonized. On July 13, I701, the sachems of the Five Nations (Indians) ceded the land west of Lake Erie to the English under William III, and the conflicting claims of France and England resulted in the French and Indian war in 1756. From the close of that war until the end of the American Revolution, the territory was indisputably British, but by the Treaty of Paris, in 1783, it became a possession of the United States. In 1787, the Northwest Territory was erected with Gen. Arthur St. Clair as governor, and of this the present state of Michigan was a part. In I805 Michigan was created a separate territory. The lands now embraced by Genesee county were at one time included within the boundaries of Wayne, Oakland, Lapeer, Saginaw, Macomb and Shiawassee counties at different times. The rapid influx of settlers into the Genesee territory in the early Thirties soon impressed upon the members of the territorial legislature that the erection of a new county was imminent and the feasibility of the creation of a new unit was advanced, sponsored by the people in that section itself. On March 28, I835, the legislature approved an act which provided "that townships 5, 6, 7 and 8 north of ranges 5 and 6 east, being the eastern tier of townships in the county of Shiawassee; also townships 6, 7, 8 and 9 north of range 7 east, being the western tier of townships of the county of Lapeer; also township 9, ranges 5 and 6 east, being the southeast corner of the county of Saginaw, shall form a county by the name of Genesee, which shall remain for the present, for judicial purposes, attached to the county of Oakland." Matters remained in this condition for nearly a year, and on March 8, I836, the legislature approved an act which declared "that the county of Genesee shall be organized and the inhabitants thereof entitled to all the rights and privileges to which, by law, the inhabitants of the other counties of the state are entitled." This same act stated that Shiawassee county would be attached for judicial purposes to the county of Genesee. Previous to the approval of the act organizing the county, the county seat had been located in an act passed August 25, 1835, in which 38 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY the seat of justice of Genesee county was located "on the west side of the Saginaw turnpike on lands recently deeded by John Todd and wife to one Wait Beach, known as the Todd farm, at Flint river, at a point commencing at or within twenty rods of the center of said described land on said turnpike. The act stipulated, however, that the owner of the land must deed to the county two acres of land to be used for a public park and the site for the courthouse, an acre tract for a burial ground, and two church and two school lots of the customary size. The necessary provisions of the act were complied with by the owners, and what was later the village of Flint became the county seat of the newly erected county. To begin the operations of the machinery of county government, the first election was set for August 22, 1836, Lyman Stow, Alonzo Ferris and Clark Dibble being appointed election canvassers. On August 25 of that year, these three men met in the hall of Stage & Wright, where after the votes were counted, they announced the names of those elected. Thus the following men became the first officers of Genesee county: Jeremiah R. Smith and Asa Bishop, associate judges; Samuel Rice, probate judge; Lewis Buchingham, sheriff; Robert F. Stage, clerk; Charles D. W. Gibson, treasurer; Oliver Wesson, register of deeds; Chauncey Chapin and Rufus W. Stevens, coroners; and Ogden Clarke, county surveyor. The first county supervisors elected were Samuel Rice, of Grand Blanc; Lyman Stow, of Flint, and Samuel W. Pattison, of Argentine. The records of the board of county supervisors show the first meeting of that body to have been held October 4, 1836, in the tailor shop of Daniel H. Seeley. Samuel Rice was chosen chairman of the board and Robert F. Stage, county clerk, was appointed clerk. It was found when the board met that no writing materials had been provided with which to record the proceedings and the meeting was adjourned until October 17. When the board met on that day, however, Samuel W. Pattison had the meeting adjourned to the following day. Pattison was appointed clerk of the board at the meeting on October I8. At this first meeting, the important work of the board was the adoption of a resolution to raise $2,000 by taxation, the amount to be assessed and apportioned among the various townships. Argentine township, for that assessment, was included with Grand Blanc township. The Flint township assessment was $203,973 and the township was taxed $1,267.43 for the county and $231.52 for the town, John Todd being appointed tax collector for the township. Grand Blanc was assessed at $II7,896 (including the Argentine assessment) and its taxes were set at $732.57 for the county and $146.20 for the town, Caleb S. Thompson being appointed collector for that township. Several small bills were allowed by the supervisors, including eleven dollars to Samuel Rice for a blank record book and other articles and three dollars to him for the purchase of a trunk in which to keep the county records, one dollar to David H. Seeley for rental of his shop and for fuel for that session. The supervisors I July4, 1848 u-E -.;.- II --.-....-...-... At a meeting of the eitiztns ofrATLAS, on the 9th day of Jlune inst., hehl at Davisonville, for the purpose of taking steps to celebrate the cominng Anniversary of our.Wational htd*pen. denee JONATHAN DAYTON, Esq. was chosen President, of the day, and the following gentlemen Vice Presidents: Hon. E. GOODRIC, i P. G. DAlVISO, D.. DAVISON, G. KIPP, J.,MILLS, JR.:; MA.iSHAL OF THIlE DAY, Col. E. SAWYER. Assistant Marshals, SR. M. Orosby, I. Q. Atkn. QORATOR OF THRY DAY. Hon* E.H. Thom son.. Reer of the Decltaratio of 4epende ce, The citizens of the eountles ene dLainl i, and Oakland, are respectfully invited to attend., The MILFOR BRASS BAND, are expected to he present. will be provite, aid every exertion uade tomauke thbe d p Olrat.offt 'h appiy a.d Glorimsly!4 Ebher Adan, Autin Mc er Jon* J<~ayu Joh~Sack Ji IINell, Wni JfehVgwa:,: Daniel Dayton, e G loi IMsc rt, Levi F ali;n, eh.A i ovaa Ulen, J:*- ER. - | -_ C:: IN itb _chb * i, '':00 0 0 ' i;:! * -*00 2.-tt ^^^^ 0 0; -- 8 — I 'I 1, 11.0 Ill I[~~rrrslsr ~ HISTORY OF GENE;SEE COUNTY 39 ordered that a report of the tax levy be made and forwarded by Lyman Stow to the auditor general. The business of the first regular session of Genesee county's board of supervisors ended with that work. The eastern tier of townships of Genesee county, Forest, Richfield, Davison and Atlas, were originally a part of Lapeer county, but for convenience to the settlers of those townships and expeditious handling of the governmental administration of that territory, they were added to Genesee county by an act of the legislature passed March 9, 1843, eight years after the organization of the county. Argentine township, the third to be erected in the county, was organized July 26, 1836, and included the land now comprising Fenton township. The records of the township prior to the year 1850 have been lost and who were the first township officers is not known. Atlas township, one of the four added to Genesee county on March 9, I843, was one of the first settled, and was, as a result, early organized, its erection taking place in 1836. The first town meeting was held on April 4 of that year in what was then known as the Davison mills. Twenty-two voters were present at the meeting at which were elected the following officers: Ezra K. Parshall, supervisor; Norman Davison, township clerk; John Brigham, Asa Farrar and James G. Horton, assessors; James Lobban, collector; Moses Goodrich and Aaron Brigham, directors of the poor; Moses Goodrich, Paul G. Davison and Asa Farrar, commissioners of highways; James Lobban, constable; Oliver P. Davidson, Levi W. Goodrich and Ezra K. Parshall, school commissioners for three years; Norman Davison, Ezra K. Parshall, Alexander Lobban and Moses Goodrich, justices of the peace; Moses Goodrich, Oliver P. Davison, Alexander Lobban and Samuel Lason, fence viewers; Norman Davison, pound keeper; road supervisors, Oliver P. Davison of district No. I, John Brigham of district No. 2, Samuel Lason of district No. 3, and Moses Goodrich of district No. 4; and Ezra K. Parshall, Oliver P. Davison, James G. Horton, Paul G. Davison and Levi W. Goodrich, school inspectors. The nucleus of the village of Goodrich was founded by two brothers of that name who built a sawmill there at an approximate cost of $8,500. Burton township. Until 1855, Burton township was a part of Flint township, but on October 12 of that year, the new township of Burton was organized, but not until the following year was the first town meeting held. On April 7, I856, the voters assembled at the Atherton school house and at that time the following officers were elected: Harlow Whittlesey, supervisor; Daniel E. Salisbury, township clerk; Robert Chambers, treasurer; Henry D. Frost, school inspector; Jacob N. Eldridge, Talman Frost, Nelson Norton and Joel Bardwell, justices of the peace; Enoch M. Chambers, Abalino Babcock and Harrison G. Conger, highway commissioners; Ira Chase and Salmon Stone, directors of the poor; Edward Eldridge, Lorenzo T. Frost, Charles Pettis and Perry Judd, constables; and overseers of 40 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY highways, William Van Buren, district No. I; Francis Hitchcock, district No. 2; James Bigelow, district No. 3; Jacob Plass, district No. 4; Richard Bush, district No. 5; Joseph W. Metcalf, district No. 6; Salmon Stone, district No. 7; John F. Alexander, district No. 8; Caleb Gillett, district No. 9; Daniel Jeffers, district No. o1; Ambrose Jones, district No. ii; William L. Van Tuyle, district No. I2; Perus Atherton, district No. 13; Henry F. Franklin, district No. 14; John O'Conner, district No. 15; David Smith, district No. i6; Joel Wardwell, district No. 17; Asa Wolverton, district No. I8; Ira Chase, district No. I9; Wallace W. Gorton, district No. 20; Rufus Chase, district No. 21; and Henry F. Hill, district No. 22. The first school of the county was started in 1836 at the old Atherton settlement where a schoolhouse was built for the purpose. This first school was taught by Betsy Atherton. From that time until the township was organized, the history of the schools was so bound up in the Flint township schools that to separate the material from the reports of the Flint schools is well nigh impossible. Clayton toumship was organized March 25, 1846, by the same act which erected Pewanagowin, later Montrose township. The first election was held at the school house in district No. 6, and at that time, the following officers were elected, fifty-one votes being cast although two years previous the resident taxpayers had numbered seventy-four; Alfred Pond, supervisor; Francis Brotherton, town clerk; Theron Wallace, treasurer; Seth Newell, Isaac Lyons and Caleb Calkins, justices of the peace; Harry Brotherton and Seth Silsby, assessors; Richard C. Goyer, John C. Clement and John M. Nash, commissioners of highways; Alanson Niles and Alfred Pond, inspectors of schools; Alexander H. Fenner and Barnard Carpenter, directors of the poor; John M. Nash, Silas Henry and Elhanan W. Fenner, constables; and overseers of highways, Alfred Richardson, Wright N. Clement, Albert Granger, Alexander H. Fenner, William Piper, Bernard Lennon, John M. Nash, Morgan D. Chapman, Abraham Knight and David Felt. The village of Swartz Creek grew up around the settlement of Adam Miller who settled there with his family. In 1842, a postoffice was established there, the mail route extending from Flint north to the Grand river road by way of Vernon and Shiawasseetown, and one of the first postmasters was Peter Miller, a son of Adam Miller. Although the village grew steadily, it was not platted until 1877, the year after the one in which the railroad was built through the village. It was probably at this settlement that the children of the township first attended school which was taught by Miss Watkins, of Mundy, in a log cabin built across the line in Gaines in the spring of 1838. The following year, a frame school building was erected north of the line where the Miller store later stood. A Methodist Episcopal congregation was organized in, the fall of 1837, the first minister being Rev. Luther D. Whitney, of Flint. A frame church was constructed by the congregation in 1856 on land taken from the Miller property. The first school was kept at the Lyons' settlement in a log house erected on a corner of Lyons' land in 1844 and was taught by Miss Angeline Smith. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 41 Davison township, named in honor of Norman Davison, mentioned in the preceding chapter, was organized in I840, three years before it was detached from Lapeer county and added to Genesee, which occurred on March 9, I843. On April 6, i840, the first town meeting was held at the house of Goodenough Townsend where fourteen legal votes were cast. The first township officers to be elected were: Goodenough Townsend, supervisor; Jacob Teachout, township clerk; Justin Sheldon, treasurer; Abel Seeley, Jr., collector; Jacob Teachout, Robert E. Potter and Goodenough Townsend, school inspectors; Jacon Teachout, Robert E. Potter and Alson Seeley, assessors; Justin Sheldon and Abel Seeley, directors of the poor; Abelino Babcock, Goodenough Townsend and Harrison G. Conger, highway commissioners; Jacob Teachout, Goodenough Townsend, Abel Seeley and Justin Sheldon, justices of the peace; Ira W. Potter and Abel Seeley, Jr., constables; Samuel Crandall, poundmaster; Harrison G. Conger, Jacob Teachout, Justin Sheldon, John C. Miller and Abel Seeley, Jr., overseers of highways. Fenton township was originally a part of the large area embraced by Grand Blanc township but with the creation of Argentine township on July 26, I836, it was included in the territory of the new township. Fenton township was organized as a separate unit March 6, 1838, by the same act that erected Genesee and Flushing townships. On April 2, I838, the qualified voters met at the Fentonville hotel and elected the first township officers, who were: Walter Dibble, supervisor; Lauren P. Riggs, township clerk; Ashael Ticknor, Thomas Irish, John Cook and Elisha Lamed, justices of the peace; Ashael Ticknor, Charles J. Birdsall and R. J. Gage, school inspectors; P. H. McOmber, Herman Lamb and Jacob Knapp, assessors; James Thorp, Seth C. Sadler and H. Garfield, commissioners of highways; Elisha W. Postal, collector; James Thorp and E. A. Byram, directors of the poor; John Nichols and Morris Thorp, constables; William Nichols, Seth C. Sadler, Elisha Bailey, Perry Lamb, Charles Tupper, William Remington, Philip H. McOmber, John Cook and Hiram Lamb, pathmasters. The year 1838 witnessed the building of the first schoolhouse at the village of Fenton. It was the usual structure built of logs, and the first master of the little school was a Mr. Nottingham, a man who was as able a pedagogue as he was a disciplinarian. The first religious body to be organized at the village was the First Presbyterian church, which was begun February 28, 1840, with a membership of seventeen, but the first preacher to establish himself in Fentonville, as it was then known, was Elder Jones, a Baptist, who conducted services at the home of Doctor Patterson. The first school at the village of Linden was taught in 1839 by a daughter of Abel D. Hunt, a shanty that stood in front of the grist mill being converted into a schoolhouse. During that same winter, Walter Brown conducted a school located about three-quarters of a mile east of Linden, and the following year he taught the school at Linden. The first building to be erected for a school within what are now the corporate limits of the village of Linden was a log struc 42 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY ture built in 184o and located on the street running south from the Union block. Louisa Hillman and John Morris were among the early teachers, and after a period of two years a frame building was erected for school purposes. The Free-Will Baptists organized the first church congregation of this section, establishing the church sometime before I838. The second religious organization was established in 1838-39 by the Methodist Episcopal adherents in the section. Flint township was the second to be organized in the county, being erected by an act of March 2, 1836, and comprising in addition to the present township the land now forming Burton, Clayton, Flushing, Motnt Morris, Genesee, Thetford, Vienna and Montrose townships. As the population of the county increased and the township developed, it has been decreased in size from time to time until it now embraces its present area a'nd that of the city of Flint. The first schoolhouse in the township was a log affair constructed in 1838 and located on the corner of section 23 on Swartz creek, the first teacher in charge being Miss Louisa Kimball. Miss Jane Watkins became the second teacher but the schoolhouse burned down and another school was started by Mrs. Alonzo Torrey in her home, where she taught during the three months before the frame school building was built on the corner of section 24 opposite the old building. In 1836, Rev. James McAlester conducted religious services in the house of Alonzo Torrey where the Methodists of that section gathered regularly. Rev. Luther D. Whitney, the first circuit preacher, conducted the services during the years 1838 and I839. The first meeting of the school inspectors was held at the town clerk's office April 11,I837, Ephraim Walker being elected chairman. Ten school districts were created at this time, the first comprising the territory of the present city of Flint south of the river, and No. 2 north of the river. The amount of $9o.oo was raised for a school building for the first district and $499 for current expenses. Although the regu-!ar school term was set at nine months the pupils of district No. 5 attended for only six months and for seven months in district No. 7. In the Sixth district $I90 was raised for expenses, of which $1oo was spent in the construction of a schoolhouse, and $70.00 was raised for school purposes in district No. 5. A total of sixty pupils was reported from all districts in 1838, and in the following year the first five districts, which then had schools, reported a total enrollment of 147. Flushing township, originally a part of Flint township, was organized March 6, 1838, the early records, however, being lost and consequently no definite historical information left for subsequent generations. The first township school was taught by Marshall' Talbot, and was located across the present boundary of Mount Morris township, which was then included in the area of Flushing. In 1845 a schoolhouse was built in what was then known as the English settlement. Forest township, one of the four added to Genesee county in I843, and in April, a few days after the act took effect, the first town HISTORY OF GENE:SEE COUNTY 43 meeting 'was held at the house of Stephen Begel. Thirteen votes were cast at the election, at which were chosen, the following officers; Nathaniel Smith, supervisor; Chauncey W. Seeley, town clerk; William R. Smith, treasurer; John Crawford, Nathaniel Smith, William R. Smith and Amos Begel, justices of the peace; John Crawford, Nathaniel Smith and Amos Smith, commissioners of highways; and Amos Begel and Nathaniel Smith, overseers of the poor. Gaines township, originally a part of Grand Blanc township and later of Mundy township, was organized by an act passed February i6, 1842. The township was named in honor of Gen. Enos Gaines, a name chosen by the oldest voter at the first town meeting. Soon after the erection of the township, twenty-one voters assembled at the first town meeting at the house of Ephriam Fletcher and elected the following officers: William B. Young, supervisor; Martin Dart, township clerk; Ephraim Fletcher, treasurer; Martin Dart, Marvin Williams and Walter B. Beers, school inspectors: M\artin Dart and Ephraim Fletcher, directors of the poor; James P. Allen, Lyman Perkins and William Gazlay, commissioners of highways; James P. Allen, Philander McLain, Walter B. Beers and Frederick Wilcox, justices of the peace; Elisha Martin and Lanman Davis, constables; William B. Young, Jonathan Yerkes, Marvin Williams, William Gazlay, Walter B. Beers, John Rood, Hartford Cargill, Fred Wilcox and Elijah Lyman, overseers of highways. The development of Gaines township was slow, and not until 1842 did the number of children warrant the formation of a school district. About 1845, the settlers living in the neighborhood of Van Fleet and Cargill hired a teacher who kept school in the Cargill house. She was probably the daughter of Hartford Cargill. In 1856, the Gaines Station postoffice was established with George B. Runyan as the first postmaster. Genesee township was first a part of Grand Blanc township and then of Flint township. It was organized as a separate unit March 6, 1838, taking its name from Genesee county, New York, from which came many of its early settlers. The first town meeting was held in the house of Juba Barrows in the Coldwater settlement. The first officers elected were: John Pratt, supervisor; Charles N. Beecher, town clerk; Addison Stewart, Daniel Curtis and A. H. Hart, assessors; Addison Stewart, Juba Barrows and I. N. Robinson, school inspectors; Sherman Stanley, Bushnell Andrews and Alanson Dickinson, commissioners of highways; A. H. Hart, Jeremy Hitchcock, C. N. Beecher and Asa Spencer, justices of the peace; L. G. Buckingham, collector; L. G. Buckingham, Frederick Walker, Albert T. Stephens and G. L. Jones, constables; John Martin and Peabody Pratt, directors of the poor; and overseers of highways —B. Piersons, No. I; N. Cone, No. 2; William Thayer, No. 3; Sherman Stanley, No. 4; J. Hitchcock, No. 5; William Tillori, No. 6, and Samuel Clark Jr., No. 7. The first school of the township was established by the progressive inhabitants of the Coldwater settlement, where, in 1835-36, some eight or ten pupils attended school at the house of Lewis Buckingham, taught by Sarah 44 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Curtis. In 1836-37 a schoolhouse was built on section 31 and placed in charge of Harriet Hoyes. It was at this same community that the first religious society in the county was organized, the Methodists holding meetings in the house of Lewis Buckingham in 1836 where preached Rev. William Brockway, a missionary and Indian agent who thereafter made stops on his journeys between Detroit and Saginaw. Prior to this, probably in 1834-35, Elder Gambell, a Baptist minister of Grand Blanc, held services at irregular intervals in the home of John Pratt. A Presbyterian society was organized in May, 1834, by Rev. McEwin, of Detroit, services being held either at the home of John Pratt or Isaac N. Robinson. Either in that year or in 1835, a frame church was built by this society. Grand Blanc township was the first township organized in the county, the date of its erection having been March 9, I833. It originally comprised the present townships of Fenton, Mundy, Flint, Mount Morris, Genesee, Atlas, Burton and Davison. At the home of Rufus W. Stevens was held the first township election, and at that time the following township officers were chosen: Norman Davison, supervisor; Jeremiah R. Smith, clerk; Rufus W. Stevens, Lyman Stowe and Charles Butler, assessors; Norman Davison, Lyman Stowe and Jeremiah R. Smith, justices of the peace; Augustus C. Riggs, constable and collector; John Todd, Edmund Perry and Jonathan Dayton, highway commissioners; Elijah N. Davenport, constable; Loren P. Riggs, Clark Dibble and James W. Cronk, trustees of school lands; Jeremiah Riggs, Jeremiah R. Smith and Norman Davison, commissioners of schools; David Mather, Paul G. Davison and Caleb S. Thompson, school inspectors; Edmund Perry, director of the poor; and overseers of highways-George Oliver, district No. I; Jonathan Davison, No. 2; Norman Davison, No. 3, and Iran Dayton, No. 4. The first school was a small frame building erected about 1830 by Edmund Perry, Sr., and was taught by Miss Sarah Dayton. The year 1835 witnessed the organization of three churches, Congregational, Methodist and Baptist. The postoffice was established in the village of Grand Blanc in 1826, and Rufus W. Stevens was postmaster. Montrose touwship was originally a part of Flint township, then of Vienna. On March 25, I846, it was erected into a township under the name of Pewanagowit, a name which it took from the reservation of the Saginaw Chippewas,. of which a portion of its lands had once been a part. By an act of January 15, 1848, it was given the name of Montrose by the state legislature. It was not until April 5, 1847, that the first township meeting was held, and on that day the qualified voters assembled at the house of George Wilcox where they elected the following officers: John Farquharson, supervisor; John R. Farquharson, town clerk; John McKenzie, treasurer; George Wilcox, Charles Hartshorn, Benjamin H. Morse, Asahel Townsend, justices of the peace; Seymour W. Ensign and Archibald Morse, assessors; John Farquharson, Benjamin H. Morse and Seymour W. Ensign, Jr., highway commissioners; George Wilcox, school itspec HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY 45 tor; John McKenzie and Benjamin H. Morse, directors of the poor; William Wilcox and Seymour W. Ensign, Sr., constables; and Charles Hartshorn and John McKenzie, overseers of highways. Mount Morris township before its erection as a separate unit on February 12, 1855, was a part of four other townships, Grand Blanc, Flint, Genesee and Flushing. After 1838 it was divided between the townships of Flushing and Genesee, continuing so until I855. The township takes its name from Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York, and the first meeting for the election of officers, in 1855, was held in an abandoned log house on the northwest quarter of section 34. Seventy-four votes were polled at this election, at which were named the following officers: Ezekiel R. Ewing, supervisor; Bradford P. Foster, town clerk; Samuel R. Farnham, treasurer; Frederick Walker, H. S. Root and Daniel Pettengill, justices of the peace; Alanson Payson, Rodman W. Albro and H. S. Rott, highway commissioners; G. L. Ewing and J. L. Deland, school inspectors; Alanson Payson and William S. Pierson, overseers of the poor; and E. L. Johnson, constable. The first school in the township was kept in the winter of 1835-36 at the home of Lewis Buckingham by Miss Sarah Curtis, and was then in Genesee township. The first school house in Mount Morris township proper was not built until about 1848. A church was built in the township in 1836, the first pastor having been Elder Cobb, and services were held irregularly during the ensuing twenty years. When the first postoffice was established, it was kept at the house of Frederick Walker, who was the first settler on the site of the present village of Mount Morris. Mundy township was the third organized in the county, it being taken from the territory of Grand Blanc township and made a separate unit oh March ii, I837. It took its name from the LieutenantGovernor of Michigan at that time, Edwin S. Mundy. On April 3, 1837, the first township meeting was called at the house of Josiah Alger, at which eighteen votes were cast to elect the following officers: John Alger, supervisor; Morgan Baldwin, town clerk; Jonathan G. Firman, Morgan Baldwin, Benjamin Simmons and Seth Kitchen, assessors; George Judson, collector; J. G. Firman, George Judson and Jeshurum Leach, commissioners of highways; Jonathan G. Firman, Ira Dunning and Dudley Brainard, school inspectors; Benjamin Simmons, justice of the peace for one year; Josiah Alger, two years; Morgan Baldwin, for three years; and Henry M. Thompson, for four years; and George Judson and Volney Stiles, constables. The first school district was organized in the spring of 1837 in the Baldwin territory, and a school was taught the following summer by Miss Mary Gazlay in a log house which stood on a corner of the farm later owned by Lafayette Odell. During the summer of I836 before the schoolhouse was built a Mrs. Conant kept school temporarily in her own house, and the winter term was taught by a Scotchman named either McClergan or McClagan. For a number of terms afterwards DeWitt C. Leach was the schoolmaster. The Methodists formed a class in 1837 near the Odell schoolhouse, but it was short 4ft HISTORY OF GENESEE CTOUNTY lived. In I844, a Presbyterian society was organized where services were held by Rev. P. H. Burghardt. The church received aid from the home missionary society for many years. The Baptists near Mundy Center organized there in 1845. Richfield township was also added to Genesee county from Lapeer on March 9, I843, and though the township was organized in I837 as a part of the latter county, no records of proceedings of town meetings before 1857 can be found. Tradition has it, however, that the first town meeting, held in a small shanty at the sawmill of Draper & Witherbee was attended by less than a dozen voters, and near as can be determined the following officers were thereupon elected: William Draper, supervisor; E. B. Witherbee, town clerk; George Oliver, collector; Orsimus Cooley, Thomas Clark, George Oliver and Nathaniel Smith, justices of the peace; George Oliver and Thomas Clark, assessors and school inspectors; George Oliver, William Draper and Thomas Clark, commissioners of highways; and William Rettan, constable. The first school was built in the southwest part of the township in 1838, and the second was built on the school section the following year, and the third was erected in 1833 on section 6. The Methodists were the first denomination to establish a church, and services were held in Richfield in 1839 or I840. Though the first postoffice was established at Richfield Center in the early Forties with Phineas J. Tucker as postmaster, the village itself did not begin to develop until 1855, when V. Maxfield and E. R. Goodrich built their sawmill near where the Saginaw turnpike crossed the Flint. Thetford township was originally a part of Flint township, later of Vienna, and on February i6, 1842, was erected into a political unit by itself. On April 4 of that year, the first township meeting was held in the Fay schoolhouse, the following officers being elected: Isaac Van Tuyl, supervisor; Corydon E. Fay, town clerk; Simeon Simmons, treasurer; Isaac Van Tuyl, justice of the peace for one year; Richard Buell, for two years; William Rice, for three years, and Ezra H. Martin, for four years; Benoni Clapp, Crawford Barkley and Thomas Aplin, highway commissioners; Albert Castle and Nelson S. Van Tuyl, assessors; Richard Buell and Isaac and Nelson S. Van Tuyl, school inspectors; Benoni Clapp and Grovener Vinton, overseers of the poor; and William W. Boughton, Quartus W. Clapp and Uzial Boutwell, constables. The Fay schoolhouse, erected in 1838, was a frame building and was the first schoolhouse in the township, Miss Calista Hurd, of Pine Run, being the first teacher. It is believed that the first school was conducted in a private house by Josiah W. Begole. The postoffice was established at the village of Fayville, a mushroom settlement which quickly died, in i842, Corydon Fay acting as postmaster. Vienna township was organized from the northern part of Flint township on March 11, 1837, its original territory comprising that of Montrose and Thetford. At the house of Charles McLean was held the first township meeting on April 3 of that year. The first officers elected were: William Hotchkiss, moderator; Hiram Benjamin, HIISTORY O r GENE3SEE COUNTY 47 Grovener Vinton, Josiah C. Winters, inspectors of election; Thomas J. Drake, clerk; William Hotchkiss, supervisor; Hiram Benjamin, town clerk; Isaac Van Tuyl, Clark Abbey and George Sparks, assessors; Edward Maybee, collector; Charles McLean and Theodore P. Dean, directors of the poor; Grovener Vinton, Hiram Benjamin and Waterman W. Neff, highway commissioners; Edward Maybee and Charles McLean, constables; Russell G. Hurd, William Hotchkiss and I. Merriman, school inspectors; Russell G. Hurd, Hiram Benjamin, George Sparks and Isaiah Merriman, justices of the peace; Grovener Vinton, Hiram Benjamin, Russell G. Hurd, fence viewers; Russell G. Hurd, overseer of highways; and Charles McLean, pound master. A frame building situated in the Pine Run settlement was the first school house in Vienna township, and during the winter of 1837-38 the schoolmaster was Josiah W. Begole, later governor of Michigan and prominent resident of Flint. Religious meetings were first held in the township by the Methodists, who formed a class in 1837 or 1838 under the leadership of Isaiah Merriman, but circuit preachers came to Pine Run as early as 1836. Rev. Orson Parker, an evangelist, organized a Congregational body at Pine Run in I845. County Buildings. Although the county was organized in 1836, it was not until two years had elapsed that agitation for a courthouse began. The circuit court of Genesee county had, during this time, been meeting in various places, but by 1838 the need for a regular courtroom became imperative. Accordingly in that year, the county supervisors authorized the erection of a log building, the lower floor of which was to be used for a jail and the upper floor as a court room. The building was begun that same year and completed in the fall of 1839, serving as the seat of justice of Genesee county for the next twelve years. Charles Seymour, Robert F. Stage and John Pratt served as the building committee and superintendents of construction of this first county building. A movement was begun in a meeting of the board of supervisors in I847 for the erection of a fireproof courthouse, but at that time, the idea was not favorably entertained by the members of the board. In i85I, however, the matter was revived, and in that year, the board appointed D. N. Montague, of Vienna; Julian Bishop, of Grand Blanc, and William Patterson, of Flint, as a building committee to receive proposed plans and to superintend the erection of a substantial fireproof county building. One thousand five hundred dollars was appropriated for the new courthouse which was completed the same year at a cost of nine hundred dollars by Enos and Reuben Goodrich. This courthouse was one of the first brick buildings erected in the village of Flint. The brick courthouse built in I851 was used during the ensuing fifty years, but at that time, the need for larger quarters for the county officers and increased vault space for the keeping of the county records demanded the erection of a new county building. Little or no opposition to the move was experienced either in board meetings or from the people of the county. with the result that the construction 48 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY of a new courthouse and jail was authorized, the monetary limit being placed at $Ioo,ooo. Plans were submitted for the approval of the supervisors, and the board advertised for bids as soot as the plans had been adopted. The contract was awarded to Reed Brothers who began work in I904. The courthouse and the jail building in the rear were completed by April, 1905, and the informal opening of the new courthouse took place Monday, April 24, 1905, when the Genesee county court opened its summer session in the new courtrooms built at the north end of the second floor. In addition to the courtroom on the second floor, the same story contained a supervisors' room at the south end and also a judges' room, stenographers' and clerks' rooms. A marble staircase led from the rotunda beneath the cupola to the second floor and was flanked by burnished brass railings. The interior of the brick and stone building, was finished in marble from New England and Tennessee. The courthouse and jail were supplied with water from a well bored through rock to a depth of I8o feet, and the buildings were aired by a forced ventilation system of the most modern design. A disastrous fire almost totally destroyed the building in I920 after it had been occupied but fifteen years, and since that time the county offices have occupied the seventh floor of the Industrial Savings Bank building, at the corner of North Saginaw street and Second avenue. Plans and specifications for a new courthouse, of which Frederick D. Madison, of Royal Oak, is the architect, were approved by the board of supervisors on August 7, I925. The building, it is estimated, will cost about $650,000 while the furnishings will cost $Ioo,ooo. The proposed courthouse, which will be 79x171 feet in size, will, according to predictions of county officers, take care of the present county needs and provide room for expansion of the several offices for many years to come. The present plans call for a stone building finished on the interior with marble. The courthouse will be erected on the site of the previous one and due to the fact that comparatively little excavation will be necessary, county officers believe that the building will be ready for occupancy by January I, 1927. According to present plans, the financing of the construction will be made through the medium of a bond issue of $550,000 and $Ioo,ooo raised each year for the first two years. The levy for the county's tax for the winter of 1925 will be approximately 50 cents per $I,ooo. From 1928 to 1931, $25,000 of the bonds will be retired annually. The county will pay off $75,000 in I932, and $125,000 will be paid off each year for the last three years of the bond term. The other bonded indebtedness necessitated the variations from the maximum payment of $125,000 to the minimum of $25,000oo. The board planned to equalize as much as possible the yearly tax for bonds and interest, and the bond issues now outstanding against the county had to be considered to secure this equalization. As a result of the plan, the taxpayers will be taxed approximately $I per $x,ooo during the next ten years. The members of the board pointed out that to absorb the bond issue in equal amounts of $75,000 each year would cause the HISTORY OF GENFBSEE COUNTY 4 49 taxpayers to suffer during the years when other bcind issues were due. County Officers. The prosecuting attorneys of Genesee county since its erection have been: P. H. McOmber, 1839-40; W. F. Mosley, i84I; M. L. Drake, i842-44; E. H. Thompson, i845-46; Joseph K. Rugg, i847-50; A. P. Davis, i852-56; Sumner Howard, 1858; C. W. Wisner, i86o; A. P. Davis, 1862; Sumner Howard, i864-68; H. R. Lovell, i870-72;Charles D. Long, i874-78; C. H. Wisner, 188i-84; E. S. Lee, i885-86; C. H. Johnson, 1887-90; J. M. Russell, i891-92; G. F. Brown, i893-96; F. W. Brennan, i897-i900; G W. Williams, i901-04; H. P. Martin, 1905-08; J. S. Parker, i909-i2; C. A. Bishop, I913-16; Roy B. Brownell, I9I7-20; Harry G. Gault, 1921-. The sheriffs have been: Lewis Buckingham, 1836; Reuben McCreery, 1840; William Clifford, 1842; Reuben McCreery, i844-46; William Blades, 1848; George S. Hopkins, 1850-52; Lyman G. Buckingham, 1854-56; Lewis Buckingham, 1858; Claudius T. Thompson, 186o-62; John A. Kline, i864-66; George W. Buckingham, i868-70; John A. Kline, 1872; Eugene Parcel, 1874; Philo D. Phillips, 1876 -78; Peter Gordon, Jr., 1881-82; Eugenie Parcel, 1883-84; A. C. McCall, i885-88;.B. S. Jennings, 1889-90; F. D. Baker, I89I-92; W. A. Garner, 1893-96; A. C. McCall, i897-98; E. G. Rust, 1899-04; J. C. Zimmerman, I905-08; W. 0. Parkhurst, 1909-12; F. A. Green, 191I3-i6; John S Chestnut, 19I7-20; Homer Bette, I921-22; Peter D. Rogers, 1923-. The county clerks have been: Robert F. Stage, 1836; W. A. Morrison, 1839; Thomas R. Cummings, 1842; Charles E. Dewey, 1844; George R. Cummings, 1846; Anderson Bump, i848-52; Mark D. Seeley, 1854-56; George B. Merriman, i858; George R. Gold, i86o-62; Charles D. Long, 1864-70; Lorenzo Cook, i872-74; David P. Halsey, i876-78; J. J. Cartoni, 1881-84; J. L. Spencer, i885-88; G. S. Crane,.1889-9o; B. A. Murphy, i891-92; G. W. Cook, i893-96; J. C. Graves, 1'897-I900; T. J. Allen, i901-04; W. W. Blackney, 1905-10; F. A. Workman, i911-16; Jesse C. Good, 1917-. The registers of deeds have been: Oliver Wesson, 1836; Benjamin Rockwell, i84o-4:2; Lewis G. Bickford, i844-48; George R. Cummings, i85o; Charles Seymour, 1852; Fitch R. Tracy, 18-54-56;. William H. C. Lyon, 1858; George F. Hood, i860-62; Benjamin J. Lewis, 1864; John Algoe, i866-72; George E. Taylor, 1874-76; Charles C. Bingham, i878; G. E. Newell, 1 881-84; C. A. Numa, i885-88; J. A. Button, 1889-90; H. A. Day, i891-92; J. A. Button, 1893-94; G. C. Paine, i895-98; 5. Mathewson, i899-1902; J. Ballanty-ne, I903-05; Moses Middleton, I905-i6; Moses Middleton, 1917-. The county treasurers have been: C. D. W. Gibson, i836-38; Orin Stafford, i840-44; Augustus St. Amand, i846-50; John L. Gage, i85I; Reuben McCreery, 1852-54; Josiah W. Begole, 1856&65; Harlow Whittlesey, 1864-66; James Van Vleet, i868-7o; William W. Barnes, 1872; Charles C. Bingham, I874; Samuel R. Atherton, 1876-78; C. H. Rockwell, 188-84; John Campbell, i885-88; D. 50 HISTORY OF GENE3SEE COUNTY Richards, i889-9o; A. J. Cox, i891-92; D. Richards, i893-94; JBallantyne, i895-98; E. F. Johnson, i899-I9o2; E. J. Curts, 1903-04; -C. 0. Hetchler., 1905-10; 0. P. Graff, 1911-14; A. C. Proper, 1915-18; Trent Bowl es, 1919-22; Bunnell G Bowles, 1923-. Judges of probate have been: Samuel Rice, 1836; Ogden Clark, x844,; Charles D. Little, 1848; R. J. S. Page, 1850; Henry I. Higgins, i850; Warner Lake, 1852; Samuel B. Wicks, i86o; L. G. Bickford, i866; George R. Gold, i868; Thaddeus G. Smith, 1876 -84; H. R. Lovell, i885-92; G. E. Taylor, i893-I9oo; D. S. Frackleton, i901-08; C. 0. Swayze, 19o9-20; and John C. Graves, I921-. Circuit court iudges have been: John C. Goodrich, i85I-52; Sanford N. Green,' i852-57; Josiah Turner, i857-82; William Newton, 1882-94; Charles H. Wisner, 1894-1915; 'Mark. W. Stevens, 1915-i6; Edward D. Black, i9i8; Fred W. Brennan, 1919; James S. Parker, 1925-. CHAPTER IV TRANSPORTATION THE pioneers of Genesee county found the surface of this region largely covered with dense growths of timber which formed natural barriers to communication with the outside world. The very conditions which made it difficult for the first settlers to penetrate into the depths of what was then a wilderness operated against the quick development of the territory, and it.was to alleviate the deterrent effects upon commerce that they quickly turned their attention to the construction of highways. Good roads were the arteries of commerce, and without them life in the new county could not long have existed. It is true that the pioneers found several Indian trails already worn through the forest fastnesses, but since these were not only little better than bridle paths and generally did not lead in the direction demanded by civilized communication, they were of little pracfical use to the settlers. The most outstanding exception to this rule was the old Saginaw trail, a well-used Indian highway reaching from Saginaw to Detroit. It had been used for many years by the Indians of northeastern Michigan for at least 300 years, and was probably as old as any Indian trail now known within the confines of the United States. In later years it was used by the Indians on their trips to Detroit to receive the English bounties, and ran in a fairly direct way clear to the city of Detroit. Its effect on white settlement was marked, such present cities as Royal Oak, Pontiac, Birmingham, Waterford, Grand Blanc, Flint and Mount Morris being situated on it. This trail became one of the first highway projects in the state. In the early part of the century, the commandant of the fort at Detroit had directed its improvement for a few miles northwest of the city, and when this work ended, the local citizenry along its path receiving encouragement from the state took steps to make it an arterial highway, the old Saginaw Turnpike bringing thousands of settlers into the counties of Oakland, Genesee and Saginaw. The Saginaw trail entered Genesee county on section 35, Grand Blanc township, passed through the village of Grand Blanc and on to Flint in a northwesterly direction. After crossing the Flint river at the Grand Traverse, as it was called, it divided into two trails, one of which clung to the eastern bank of the river going to Saginaw and the other staying on higher ground which carried it through Mount Morris, Pine Run and Farrandville. It left the county at section 3, Vienna township, which was a highway by virtue of the declaration in the ordinance of;187 admitting the N. W. Territory, in which it was provided that the waters of all streams whose waters finally reached the sea through the St. Lawrence river, and which were navigable by boats and batteau, should be of public use, etc. It was the crossing of this trail and this river that decided the building of a 52 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY city here and not mere chance as said by a writer in the Jubilee Book. This old trail deserves especial notice. When the English came they found it in use by the Chippewas, Ottawas and others, but it was even then an ancient route of travel. Its name denotes its use by the Saginaws long before the others had come into possession of the land. It is probably as old, perhaps, the oldest Indian trail in the United States now known by its original name. It was the great land route of the long vanished Saginaws, from north to south, kept clean by the feet of runners; in the Huron-Iroquois tongue, the "Swageh-o-no Wa-a-guen-eh-ah." It wound about, following the high ridges made by the receding glacier, so avoiding the swamps and lakes. It may be asserted that it was the Saginaw trail five hundred years ago. Another highway, the first made by legal enactment of the whites, was the Pewanico Sipu, afterwards the Flint River, a translation of the Chippewa name. Another trail followed the high ground which acted as a watershed between two small streams that join the Flint river in Flushing township and followed this watershed through Flushing, Clayton and Gaines townships. After crossing the Shiawassee river, it skirted Lobdell's lake, entered Argentine township, and thence to the corner of section 30, Fenton township. A third Indian trail which was of some importance to the early settlers was one which began approximately at the site of the later village of Geneseeville and took a generally southern course along the watershed between Kearsley creek and another stream which enters the river at section I8, Richfield township. A subsidiary Indian trail which had influence in the settlement of Clayton township was one which led from the vicinity of Flint to a sugar camp in Gaines township. It was this trail which Adam Miller, founder of the Miller settlement, followed in.1836, and so practical was this route that later a portion of it was converted into a civilized highway known as the Miller road. There were doubtless subsidiary Indian trails in the county the location of which has been lost owing to the fact that they were not employed as highways by the white population. The first definite road improvement in the county began in 1831 with the subscription of one hundred dollars to be used in cutting a road along the Saginaw trail from Flint to the Cass river. Work was begun on November I5 of that year by Albert Miller, a school teacher of Grand Blanc; John Todd, who kept tavern at Flint, and Phineas Thompson who, taking their axes and two weeks' supplies, cut the timber along the projected route. South from Flint as far as Grand Blanc the road was inferior to the section just mentioned, for, while it was fairly passable during the winter, it was not wide enough or well enough made to permit the passage of wagons during the summer months. Between the years I835-48, the Michigan legislature, fully understanding the urgent need for roads, authorized the establishment of a great number of state roads. In Genesee county, the following roads were laid out: From Flint to Mount Clemens through Lapeer HISTORY OF GENERSEE COUNTY 63 and Romeo; from Flint to Ann Arbor; from Flint to Pontiac through the towns of Atlas, Groveland, Brandon and Independence; from Flint to Michigan Village, in Ingham county, through the Miller settlement, Shiawassee Town and Hartwellville; from Flint to Byron through the town of Gaines; from Flint to Lansing, via Corunna; from Grand Blanc to the mouth of the Black river in St. Clair county, through the county seat of Lapeer county; from a point on the Saginaw turnpike, about fourteen miles above Flint, to Ann Arbor through Flushing, Murray Mills and Brighton; from Fentonville to Brighton; from Fentonville to Byron, in Shiawassee county; and from Fentonville to Springfield, in Oakland county. Private road enterprises also existed in considerable numbers notable among which were: the two roads from Fentonville, one to Pontiac and the other to Flint, roads which boomed that village to no inconsiderable extent. Although this system of authorized roads looked well on paper and would have unquestionably done much toward speeding up the development of the county, there were no immediate funds on hand with which to build roads. It was some years before many of these roads were completed, and by the time they were ready to build others, the need for them had disappeared, and such roads were never constructed. County activities toward the building of roads began when James W. Cronk and R. J. Gilman, road commissioners of Flint township, met and laid out ten roads on June 15, I836. It is to be remembered that Flint township then included the present townships of Clayton, Flushing, Montrose, Vienna, Mount Morris, Thetford, Flint, Genesee and Burton, and the activities of these two commissioners, consequently, affected a large part of the county. Road No. I was what is now known as the Frances road and extends across from the Lapeer line to the Shiawassee line. Road No. 2 was what is now the Potter road from Flushing to Clayton. Road No. 3 is now the Beecher road through the town of Clayton. Road No. 4, the first mile of which is now the Beecher road, is otherwise discontinued as a highway. Road No. 5 is now the northern part of the Linden road, in Flint township, five miles in length. Road No. 6 now forms three miles of the Stanley road in Genesee township. Road No. 7 is now the Mount Morris road which runs from the village of Mount Morris across Genesee township, six miles in length. Road No. 8 is the present Bristol road across Burton township. Road No. 9 was laid out as a part of the Center road and extended from the Frances road to a point half a mile south of the Stanley road in Genesee township, now passing through the village of Geneseeville. Road No. 10, slightly over a mile long, lies just north of the county farm and is at present called the Hemphill road. On July 25, 1836, James W. Cronk and Charles McLean, road commissioners of Flint township, laid out four more roads. On August 3, two commissioners laid out a fifteenth road and on September 20, three additional roads were laid out. A nineteenth road was projected but apparently abandoned, for the record is erased, and on September 5, 1837, another road was given that number. 54 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Besides the three roads already mentioned as having been laid out on September 2o, 1836, there were seventeen others mapped bringing the total number to 36. On October 10, four more were added; on October 29, road No. 41 followed. By 1845 well over one hundred roads had been laid out by the commissioners of Flint township, and in the meantime the commissioners of Grand Blanc and other townships had been similarly active with the result that the county was systematically intersected by roads. With the establishment of effective lines of communication, the people sought further improvements in their highways, one of the most notable being the building of plank roads. To this end the Pontiac & Corrunna Plank-Road Company was incorporated March 17, 1847, a portion of this road crossing the southwestern corner of Genesee county. On April 3, 1848, articles of incorporation of the Genesee County Plank-Road Company were ratified. With. a capitalization of $25,000, the company was organized for the purpose of constructing a plank road on the Saginaw road from Flint to Grand Blanc. The following men were at that time appointed to receive stock: Jonathan Dayton, Charles D. W. Gibson, Charles C. Hascall, George H. Hazelton and Henry M. Henderson. For some reason this company was never operative, but a plank road was later constructed to connect Flint with the railroad at Holly, Oakland county, this highway passing through Grand Blanc. The second company organized in Genesee county for plank road construction was the Flint & Fentonville Plank-Road Company, incorporated April 3, 1848, with an authorized capitalization of $25,000. The company was granted a six-year charter on a plank road to be constructed on the line of the existing state road from Flint to Fentonville. Subscriptions came slowly, and were not completed until 1851, but work was started immediately thereafter and pushed rapidly to completion. The road filled a long-felt need of the county and was operated successfully until 187I, when by act of legislature the charter repealed, toll collections being stopped the following year by the same body. The last company of this kind, of which we have record, to be organized in the county was the Saginaw & Genesee Plank-Road Company which was incorporated March 8, I850. The company received its charter to build a plank road from Flint to the Saginaw river and branches from that point to each ferry over that river. It also was granted the privilege of constructing another branch to intersect the Cass river in Tuscola county. The entire project was completed in 1852 and operated with great success during the ensuing ten years, when it was superceded by the Flint & Pere Marquette railroad. With the increase in use to which the roads of the county were subjected, a gradual improvement in road building was effected, but while there were a few plank road projects and a certain amount of corduroying it eventually became apparent that graveled roads were much the most practical for wagon use. However, with the advent of the automobile and the later development of the motor truck for transportation, an entirely new and revolutionary system of road building became necessary. Not only does the great weight of motor HISTORY OF GENEBSEE COUNTY 55 vehicles alone impair a graveled road, but the speed coupled with this weight subjects the road to terrific impacts, and the old-style wagon road is torn to pieces in a single season thereby. There is also a much greater number of vehicles on the roads nowadays than in years gone by. Widening of the roads as well as the hard surfacing of the principal highways has been an exigency of progress in transportation, and the phenomenal development in highway construction, now a scientific engineering business, is one of the wonders of American development in the present century. Genesee county has at present between sixteen and seventeen hundred miles of roads, about two-thirds of which are township roads, built and maintained by the individual townships. County and state roads aggregated on January i, 1925, a mileage of 587X2, and sixtynine miles were paved roads and the remainder improved gravel or macadam highways. Prior to the year 1921 this county had a low mileage of hard-surfaced roads compared with some of the other counties of the state, and the reason for this was that the county built many of its more important highways of gravel several years ago when that type of road amply cared for the traffic imposed upon them. In many other counties the public contented itself with unimproved roads until the traffic was heavy enough to warrant a pavement, and this was especially true in such counties as Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair, which during the past few years have built a considerable mileage of paved roads. A very small percentage of this work was on formerly improved roads, there having been practically no intermediate roads built between the lowest type dirt roads and the highest type of pavement. In Genesee county, however, there was a considerable mileage of good gravel roads built as the demand for them grew, and it was not until' I92I that the people came to a full realization of the fact that the principal highways would have to be paved. The increased traffic was more than the roads could withstand, with the result that they broke up under unfavorable weather conditions. Consequently, at the spring election of 1921 the people of the county voted a bond issue of $3,4oo,ooo to be used for the rebuilding of some of its more important roads. An impetus was given to good road building in 1905 when the state legislature appropriated money to be used in rewards for good roads built by townships or counties. By the provisions of that act a township was awarded $500 for every mile of gravel road built according to state specifications, $I,ooo for every mile of macadam, $2,000 for every mile of concrete road and $2,000 for every mile of brick, all to be built so as to comply at least to the state requirements. This schedule of state rewards was in force until 1913 and resulted in the building of much good road throughout the state. In 1913, however, desiring to encourage the construction of through highways connecting the various cities of the state, the legislature adopted a new highway law. A system of state trunk lines was laid out, and to encourage the building of these roads along improved lines the rewards for work on these particular roads were doubled, the original 56 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY rewards as outlined above still obtaining for the other roads of the county. This law was in force until 1917, when the legislature trebled the original rewards for construction on state trunk highways, and also increased the reward for the highest type of gravel roads built by the county or townships. Beginning in about 9I15, approximately 3 per cent of the amount of the rewards was paid by the state for maintenance annually, and this percentage was later increased to 6 per cent. In I919 the legislature decreed that the state would pay 25 per cent of the cost of ordinary county and township reward roads and 50 per cent of the cost of construction on trunk lines. This law was in force until 192I, when the law was changed to make the state bear 75 per cent of construction costs and 50 per cent of maintenance costs on trunk lines, while the county and township rewards were held the same as before-25 per cent of construction cost. In 1923 the legislature reduced the ordinary road rewards from 25 per cent to Io per cent, the law to become operative on January I, 1925, but in 1925 the legislature abandoned even the Io per cent, assuming all construction and maintenance costs on state trunk highways, beginning January I, 1926. The Genesee county highway department is the only one in the state completely organized on automotive equipment for maintenance, and this county also now has more miles of improved roads than any other county in the state. The Genesee county road commissioners are: John R. McDonald, chairman; Jay R. Clark and Peter F. O'Hare, while John H. Dennis is the engineer. The department employs between twenty-five and thirty men the year around, but this number is greatly increased by temporary labor at certain times. In the summer when the road work is particularly heavy many men are given employment in road work, and in the winter, in case of heavy snows which must be cleared from the highways, the number of employes often is from one to two hundred. The equipment of the department comprises eight heavy duty trucks (from three to five tons), eleven Ford trucks, eleven passenger and delivery cars, four Io-ton tractors, thirty-four Fordson tractors with grader attachments, and all necessary equipment such as steam shovels, gravel screens, snow plows, graders, scarifiers and all manner of tools. A repair shop is maintained, and is so completely equipped with lathes and other machinery that the department almost never has to go outside of its own resources for repair work, no matter how involved or difficult. A new two-story brick garage building, 60XI40 feet, is now being built for use of the department in back of the Lincoln school on South Saginaw street. River Navigation. American pioneers have always looked to rivers as easy and rapid avenues of transportation, and with the Flint river flowing through Genesee county the early settlers of this section cherished hopes of making it an important artery of commerce and communication with other sections of the state. As early as 1839, the attention of the people was directed toward the development of their river, for on April 20 of that year the governor of Michigan HISTORY OF GENEBSEE COUNTY 57 approved an act for the incorporation of the Genesee & Saginaw Navigation company with an authorized capitalization of $Ioo,ooo. The company was given the right to construct any dams or locks necessary to the navigation of the river by boats of commerce, and was empowered to build a canal from a point on the Flint river in section 35 or 36 of township 1 north, range 4 east, thence by the most practicable route to Cass river. The terms of the charter stipulated that the work must be started within three years and finished within five years after the passage of the act. However, the promulgators of the enterprise failed to begin the necessary work, and their charter was revoked. On May 15, I846, articles of incorporation were ratified for the Flint & Saginaw Navigation Company. The operations of this company were to extend down the Flint river to the confluence of that stream with the Shiawassee river. From the meagre records left of that company it apparently did a more or less flourishing business for the next five or ten years. An act of the legislature, passed April 2, 1850, regulated freight rates of this navigation company. For example, the tariff on flour, salted beef and pork, butter 'and cheese, whisky, beer and cider per thousand pounds per mile was set at eight mills. An entry in the Genesee Whig on March 26, 1850, editorializes on the future of Flint village in the light of river development, carrying the editorial under the heading, "First Scow for Flushing." Again on March 27, I852, the newspaper recorded the clearance of the scow "Kate Hayes," Captain Charles Mather, under the important heading of "Port of FlintArrivals and Departures." The optimism of the Genesee Whig seems to have ended there, for records of river traffic on the Flint ceased with that article. With the coming of the railroads the slow and rather hazardous transportation of goods came to an end, and the decline of inland waterways was commensurate with the growth of steam roads. Railroads. The first railroad completed to any point in Genesee county was the old Pontiac & Detroit railroad. On July 31, I830, Governor Lewis Cass approved the incorporation of the company which built this railway, but so great were the difficulties encountered in the construction of this road that the original company failed in their project. In 1834, reorganization took place, the new company also receiving a charter with the stipulation that its construction was to begin within two years and be completed within six, or in 1840. The capital stock of the company was now $50,000, that of the original company having been $Ioo,ooo. The first expenditure was made for timberland at Royal Oak and for the construction of a steam saw mill in which were made oak rails 5x7 inches. Large trees along the right of way were felled and placed in two continuous lines. These logs bore the ties and on the ties were laid the oak rails. Wooden wedges secured the whole. Ditches were dug on each side for drainage, the dirt being thrown between the rails. As soon as the first few miles were built out of Detroit, immigrants began employing it, and the receipts from transporting these people and their goods very 58 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY nearly met the expenses of building the road onward, as high as $Ioo a day being received. For some time, these wooden rails were used without a covering of iron, but they wore so rapidly that it soon became apparent they must either be covered or would become unfit for further service. Since it was estimated that it would cost $Ioo,ooo to put down strap iron rails from Detroit to Pontiac and since this money was not in hand, the legislature was applied to for authorization of the issuance of $Ioo,ooo worth of six per cent twenty-year bonds, and this was allowed after a committee of the legislature was given a ride on the road for inspection purposes. The first cars were horse drawn, but after the strap iron rails were laid, two small locomotives were purchased, one named the Pontiac and the other the Detroit. In 1848, the Oakland and Ottawa was chartered, its purpose being to connect the mouth of the Grand river with the western terminus of the Detroit & Pontiac road, passing through Fentonville in Genesee county. Capital stock was $2,500,000 and work was begun in 1852. The iron rails were purchased in England, and in 1855, the road was consolidated with the Detroit & Pontiac under the name of the Detroit & Milwaukee. The road reached Holly in 1855, Fentonville in 1856, Ionia in 1857, and was completed to Grand Haven in 1858. During the construction of the road, a million dollar loan had been placed in Europe, secured by mortgages on the railroad itself. Failure to meet the mortgages, threw the company into a receivership in I860, and it then came under the management of the Great Western, a Canadian railroad, which had for some time been acquiring an interest in its management. Reorganization took place, and for about fifteen years, the company continued under the same lame, but again its affairs fell upon evil days, and in 1875 C. C. Trowbridge, its president, was appointed receiver. The Great Western railroad bought it in 1878, the consideration having been $I,850,ooo. It was reorganized as the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad company, and since 1883, when the Great Western and the Grand Trunk railways, both Canadian, were merged, it has been a part of the Grand Trunk Western system. This road serves the towns of Gaines, Linden and Fenton in Genesee county. The Flint & Pere Marquette was the first railroad in Flint. The company was organized in 1857 with a capital stock of $5,500,000, the road originally having been projected from Flint to Ludington, the latter town then having been called Pere Marquette, The original subscribers to the capital stock were the following prominent men: George M. Dewey, Benjamin Pearson, Alvin T. Crosman, Daniel D. Dewey, Josiah Pratt, Theodore G. Mills, C. Roosevelt, Artemas Thayer, H. W. Wood, James Henderson, R. D. Lamond, Alexander McFarlan, F. N. Pettee, E. H. McQuigg, Charles B. Higgins, R. Bishop, E. F. Frary, M.!Miles, Giles Bishop, A. B. Witherbee, George W. Fish, H. C. Walker, H. M. Henderson, T. C. Meiggs, Chauncey K. Williams, Charles F. Dewey, William Patterson, G. R. Cummings. A great aid to the construction of this road were the congressional land grants authorized in i856 which granted every alternate sec HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 659 ' tion of land for six sections in width on each side of proposed roads between certain specified points, to the railroad companies building such roads. The state legislature accepted the conditions attached to these grants in 1857, and gave the Flint & Pere Marquette company title to the congressional lands granted along the proposed route. The conditions imposed upon the railroad were that the proceeds from these lines were to be used exclusively in the construction of the road, that only the T-rail could be used and that after the completion of twenty miles the company might sell sixty sections of land included within any continuous twenty miles of the line; the road had to be surveyed and located by December I, 1857; at least twenty miles of the road must be built each year; and the whole must be completed within seven years. The land grants amounted to 662,400 acres to this company, and by the first arrangement only half of this could be sold before the completion of the road. However, this last condition was changed in I859 to allow the sale of the entire amount of land due upon the completion of each section of twenty miles, and the time of completion of the first twenty miles was extended one year to December I, I859. The route was surveyed and accepted by August, 1857, and extended from Flint through the counties of Genesee, Saginaw, Midland, Isabella, Mecosta, Clare, Osceola, Lake and Mason, its terminus being at Ludington on Lake Michigan. Later, the survey was changed so as to pass to the north of the counties of Isabella and Mecosta through Gladwin. Although work was retarded by the monetary panic of 1857 which necessitated the bonding of the road in March, 1859, to the extent of $5,500,000, the construction was pushed energetically to eventual completion. The road was opened for traffic southward from Saginaw to Mount Morris on January 20, 1862, and on December 8, of that year, the first train entered Flint. A large celebration was held at the Carlton House in Flint on this occasion. Although several attempts had been made to connect Flint and Pontiac by rail, no definite steps were taken in this direction until 1863 when the Flint & Holly Railroad company was incorporated, under the guidance of Henry H. Crapo, later governor of Michigan. He was president of the company and with him were men of means of Genesee county and New Bedford, Massachusetts. Fentonville was first considered as a junction point with the Detroit & Milwaukee but Holly was later selected as a more advantageous spot. Work was commenced at once and cars were running from Flint to Holly by November i, 1864. So profitable was this road that the company's ledger showed a credit balance of nearly $40,000 at the end of the first year. After four years, during which the success of the undertaking was demonstrated beyond all doubt, it was sold in April, I868, to the Flint & Pere Marquette for about $550,000, almost $I20,ooo more than the cost of construction. The Flint & Pere Marquette company turned its attention to the construction of its road from East Saginaw to Ludington, and com 60 HISTORY. OF GENESEE COUNTY pleted it by December I, 1874. In 1874 the Pere Marquette road absorbed the Holly, Wayne & Monroe railway, and in 1872 it took over the Bay City & East Saginaw railroad, the latter of which extended from the junction four miles north of Flint to Otter lake. The struggle to obtain rail communication between Flint and Port Huron covered a period of thirty-four years, a period fraught with many disappointments and financial losses. In 1837, the state commissioners of internal improvement adopted a broad and comprehensive plan for the construction of railroads throughout the state. The route from Flint to Port Huron was part of one of the three projected roads which were to cross the southern peninsula. The road through Flint was to have run from Palmer, in St. Clair county, to the navigable waters of the Grand river, in Kent county, or to a point in Ottawa county on Lake Michigan. Of the $550,ooo appropriated for these three roads, but $50,000 were to be spent on the Northern road, as it was named. The survey was made at once, a total distance of 20I miles. Contracts were let, and among them was one to General Charles C. Hascall, of Flint, for $20,000 for constructing a road in Genesee county, work which was done in I838-39 Further apropriations to the amount of $I30,000 were now made, the last of which was $40,000. However, the finances of the state were in a sorry condition due primarily to over-indulgence in public improvements. Retrenchment became instantly necessary, and after 1839, no further appropriations were made for the Northern road. In 1843 it was abandoned as a state project by act of legislature which authorized its conversion to a wagon road. In 1847, the abandoned railroad project was taken up by a corporation known as the Port Huron & Lake Michigan Railroad company. A capital stock of $2,000,000 was authorized, but stock subscriptions met with a small sale, and the plan fell through. Other companies from time to time tried their hands at inducing the people to buy stock in such a road, but a like fate attended their efforts. The road was finally completed from Port Huron to Flint, November 12, I87I. In 1874, the Chicago & Northeastern Railroad company incorporated for the purpose of building what was practically a continuation of the Port Huron road from Flint to Lansing, and this road was opened for traffic February I, 1877. This opened a through line from Port Huron to Chicago through Flint. It is now a part of the Grand Trunk Western system. Thus within a period of twenty-five years, Genesee county was given, through the unremitting toil of its prominent citizens, access to the outside world in practically every direction, and the advantageous position in which Flint now found itself as regards transportation became an active agent in the industrial success which has attended the growth of the city. Electric Railroads. An important feature of the transportation facilties of the county is the electric railroads. With the discovery of the uses to which electric power could be put, the electric pro HISTORY OF GENI]SEE COUNTY 61 pelled cars began to come into favor as public carriers. It had its origin in the German tramcar, used for street railway purposes in cities, but with the development of the propelling motors and the more effective production of power current, interurban electric lines began to be built. March 26, I9oo, an ordinance was approved permitting the Detroit, Lake Orion & Flint railroad, which intended carrying passengers, freight and express from Oxford to Flint, to lay tracks in the city of Flint. In I902 the Detroit United Railways acquired the property, and electric communication is now had with Detroit through Oxford, Oakland county. Besides this road, there is the Detroit, Flint & Saginaw electric railway which gained the consent of the city council on Nevember 20, I906, to lay any necessary tracks within the city limits of Flint, such work to be completed before July I, I908. This line operates cars between Flint and Saginaw. The electric railways hold forth the advantage of frequent schedules, hourly cars being run over both lines during the day and into the evening. Another attraction for shoppers and traveling men is that the cars make stops in the hearts of cities, avoiding delay in many instances for persons having business to be attended to in a short time. Although the Detroit, Flint River & Saginaw Valley Railway Company on March 28, i906, secured permission of the city council to use the tracks of the Detroit United Railway in the city of Flint, in order that a line might be built from Flint to Fenton, this electric road was never built. CHAPTER V BANKS AND BANKING N THE early days of Genesee county there was but little currency used in trade and commerce for the reason that there was almost no money brought into the territory by the pioneers. What little cash they had was usually dissipated in the purchase of government lands, and thereafter their trades were usually consummated by barter-the trading of one commodity of known value for another. Indeed, so scarce was cash that one pioneer wrote that although the livestock he had disposed of was worth about $200 he had great difficulty in getting as much as $6 in money. It was apparent that some steps had to be taken to supply the people of the state with money, for without it commerce was greatly handicapped, and since there was but little real capital anywhere to be found the state sought to compromise with an unfortunate condition by passing the banking act of March, 1837. By this law any person could engage in the banking business, and so lax were the provisions of this enactment that practically no security was given to the public in its dealings with bankers. The result was that many unscrupulous persons immediately set themselves up as bankers. The general idea was that the banker should have a reserve in cash equal to the amount of notes issued, but the faulty bank inspection system then in force made this all-important provision easy to obviate. It was no uncommon thing for one supply of silver or gold to do duty for a great many banks. News of the visit of the bank inspectors always preceded them and the banker would suddenly make shift to supply himself with the necessary cash reserve by borrowing it from another. With this cash in his vault on the day of the inspection he was given a clean bill of health, and as soon as the inspector left he would rush the cash on to the next bank to be inspected, making a point to have it there in advance of the slowmoving inspectors. Thus it was that the bank notes issued by many of the bankers were hardly worth the paper they were printed on, and in many cases would not pass at all except in localities far removed from the site of the bank. Bankers made efforts to distribute their currency far from home in the belief that with the poor transportation facilities of the time his chickens would not be very apt to come home to roost. Those were the days of wild-cat currency, so worthless that reputable business men of the east would have nothing to do with it. It was also a season of unparalleled enthusiasm for investment in public improvement schemes. People saw vast fortunes awaiting them if only they could by some means buy stock in such enterprises, and consequently money was in great demand. This demand was obligingly met by the bankers who printed large quantities of unsecured bank Cf. i"1 trv crr ^: t *S c, | j ~: i J & NA it^ t Ij I:f -t I HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 63 notes for distribution to investors while they at the same time exacted heavy toll in securities of land. The entire monetary system of the state was so bad that eastern capitalists would have nothing to do with Michigan enterprises. They had no mind to see their fortunes swept away at the whim of some unscrupulous and hare-brained banker or speculator. Under this free banking act the first banks of Genesee county came into existence. The Genesee County Bank, located at the corner of Saginaw and Fourth streets in the village of Flint, was the first bank in the county. Of this institution A. A. Haskell was president, and Robert F. Stage was cashier, the latter of whom had been elected first county clerk. This bank began operation in the winter of I837-38, but within a short time its credit reached such a point that its script was worth only ten cents on the dollar in gold and silver, with the result that when it was forced to suspend operations in April, I839, a large amount of script remained unredeemed. The county's second bank was also a dismal failure. It was the Farmers Bank of Flint River Rapids, located in Flushing township, and was organized in 1838. Horace Jerome, who was instrumental in the organization of this institution, disappeared from this locality after the collapse of the enterprise, which was attended with much unsavory notoriety. The third wild-cat bank was located in Atlas township, and was organized by members of the Goodrich family, who were the first and most prominent settlers of that locality. A feature of this bank's operations was the issuance of irregular currency in such denominations as $I.50, $1.75 and $2.50. This bank was housed in a frame building at the corner of Main and Clarence streets in the town of Goodrich until it was forced to suspend operations in the spring of 1838. Russell Bishop, who had come to Genesee county in 1836, held the position of receiver of the United States land office. He frequently made the two days' trip to Detroit with as much as $Ioo,ooo in gold hidden in the wagon box. The issuing of paper currency by wild-cat banks came to an abrupt stand-still when President Andrew Jackson issued his famous specie circular in 1836. Public opinion aroused by Jackson's denunciation of the wild-cat methods refused to sanction the operation of such banks any longer, and though the immediate result was the panic of 1837, the ultimate establishment of a solid and healthy banking system well repaid the people for their stand against wild-cat currency. With the reaction of the people against promiscuous banking, only honest bankers could stay in business, and this county was blessed with at least one such man, A. W. Brockway, who conducted a private bank at Flint on Saginaw street. Although the period of its existence is not definitely known, certain it is that its career was an honorable one. The Exchange Bank, of Flint, was established in 1858 to become the first really successful bank of the county. It was opened by the firm of Meigs, Stone & Witherbee, the first of whom came from Boston, 64 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Massachusetts and the second from Sandy Hill, New Jersey. Austin B. Witherbee had come from the east to settle in Flint in 1841, and became the manager of the bank through the confidence which he had inspired with the directors of the institution. He became known throughout the state of Michigan as a banker of integrity and judgment. The Exchange Bank was a great financial success from the time of its inception, and in the spring of 1864 Witherbee purchased the interests of Meigs and Stone to become the sole proprietor of the organization. The following year the institution was organized as the First National Bank, of which Witherbee became the cashier, H. M. Henderson the president, and 0. F. Forsyth vice-president. Henry M. Henderson came to Michigan in 1836 from Livingston county, New York, and engaged in the drygoods business in partnership with his brother James. The Henderson block in Flint was built by them in I842. 0. F. Forsyth, vice-president of the bank, came from New York state, and, in partnership with James H. Whiting, engaged in the hardware business in a store at the northeast corner of Saginaw and East Kersley streets now occupied by the United Cigar store. In later years he removed to Bay City and then to Detroit where he conducted a wholesale hardware establishment. The First National Bank was organized with a paid-in capital of $Ioo,ooo, the following men being directors: H. M. Henderson, 0. F. Forsyth, A. B. Witherbee, George Crocker, William M. Fenton, William B. McCreery, Benjamin Pearson, E. H. McQuigg and E. C. Turner. Finding the capitalization insufficient for the increasing needs of the city and county, the amount was raised to $200,000 in June, 1872, and three years later the bank was moved into the building of Walker brothers, on the northwest corner of Kearsley and Saginaw streets. McQuigg was succeeded in 1875 as president by Ferris F. Hyatt who held that office until I880 when David S. Fox became president, Charles S. Brown becoming cashier in that year. In 1885, after twenty years successful operation the bank was rechartered as the Flint National Bank, and two additional directors were placed on the board at that time. At the expiration of another twenty-year period, the bank was again rechartered, this time in I905, as the National Bank of Flint. In that year John J. Carton was elected president succeeding William Hamilton. Bruce J. MacDonald became cashier in I904 after the death of Charles S. Brown, continuing in that position until I916. In that year the National Bank of Flint consolidated with the Genesee County Savings Bank, the charter of the former being surrendered at that time. The Genesee County Savings Bank was organized in 1872 with a capital of $50,000. It was opened for business on May I, of that year, with the following officers and directors: J. B. Walker, president; G. L. Benham, vice-president; Ira H. Wilder, cashier; and James B. Walker, Giles L. Benham, John Orrell, W. W. Crapo, Russell Bishop, W. F. Browning, George C. Kimball, C. C. Pierson and Henry Brown, directors. James B. Walker, first president of the bank, was one of the HISTORY OF GENBEEE COUNTY 66 earliest settlers of Flint, having come here in 1836 from Locke, Cayuga county, New York. He first entered business as a drygoods clerk, later engaging in that business for himself until 1858. He was appointed state resident trustee by the governor to have charge of the construction of the asylum for the deaf, dumb and blind, and devoted his energies to that institution from x858 to I873. The first pavement was laid on Saginaw street during his term as mayor of Flint. Giles L. Benham came from New Bradford, Massachusetts, to Detroit in the interest of the Pere Marquette railroad, shortly afterward coming to Flint where he engaged in business. Ira H. Wilder, a 'native of Canandaigua, New York, was born there in 1839, and served in the Army of the Potomac during the Civil war as captain. He then came to Flint where he engaged in the milling business until 1871, becoming a bookkeeper in the First National bank in that year, and cashier of the Genesee County Savings Bank in I872. Russell Bishop succeeded James B. Walker as president, and was in turn succeeded by William A. Atwood, vice-president of the institution at that time. Dr. James C. Willson became president following Atwood's death in 90o8. Arthur G. Bishop, the son of Russell Bishop, and who had become cashier of the bank in 1892, succeeded Dr. Willso'n as president of the bank, and holds that important position today. He had succeeded Ira H. Wilder in the office of cashier, and his association with the bank has done much toward placing it in its present important position in the financial affairs of the county. When the National Bank of Flint and the Genesee County Savings Bank were consolidated in 1916 the following officers and directors took office: Arthur G. Bishop, president; H. C. Spencer, vicepresident; James Martin, cashier; and W. W. Crapo, H. C. Spencer, J. Dallas Dort, G. C. Willson, E. W. Atwood, F. A. Aldrich, J. H. Crawford, C. S. Mott, Arthur G. Bishop, J. J. Carton, W. O'. Smith, William McGregor, W. C. Wells, W. R. Hubbard, C. B. Burr, C. M. Begole, C. W. Nash and B. J. McDonald, directors. At that time the capital was $500,000 and the surplus was $500,000. A branch of the Genesee County Savings Bank was opened in 1915 at the corner of Asylum and Kearsley streets, and branches are also maintained at the Durant hotel and on South Saginaw street opposite the Flint Six automobile factory. The present officers of the bank are as follows: Arthur G. Bishop, president; H. C. Spencer, vicepresident; James Martin, vice-president and cashier; Russell Spencer Bishop, vice-president; G. E. Merrill, accountant; I. L. Young, accountant; T. S. Cowings, savings cashier; and E. P. Hopkins, auditor. According to the last American bank directory, liabilities of the bank are: Capital, $500,000; surplus, $500,000; undivided profits, $26,000; deposits, $9,206,ooo. T-he resources are: Loans and discounts, $4,708,000; United States bonds, $250,000; other bonds and securities, $3,955,000; and cash and exchange, $I,I22,000. The First National Bank of Flint maintains the identity of the old National Bank of Flint, although that institution was merged with t6 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY the Genesee County Savings Bank in I9I6. Its handsome bank building at the corner of Saginaw and First streets is located just one block south of the Genesee Bank. Its officers are: A. G. Bishop, president; James Martin, vice-president; C. F. Spaeth, vice-president and cashier; M. F. Vincent and George Middlemiss, accountants; and H. F. Pelham, trust officer. Liabilities of the bank are: Capital, $200,ooo; surplus, $400,000; undivided profits, $47,000; circulation, $Ioo,ooo; individual deposits, $4,933,000oo state deposits, $50,000oo; and other liabilities, $21,000o. Resources are: Loans and discounts, $2,457,000; United States bonds, $228,000; other bonds and securities, $2,281,000; cash and exchange, $540,000; and other resources, $605,000. In 1871, the Citizens National Bank of Flint was organized, the following officers and directors having been elected at that time: William M. Fenton, president; William Hamilton, vice-president; W. L. Gibson, cashier; and William M. Fenton, Alexander McFarlan, J. B. Atwood, Henry Stanley, Colonel William B. McCreery, William Hamilton and J. W. Begole, directors. The bank was capitalized at $50,000, and it was a success from the start due to the probity and integrity of the men directing its affairs. Colonel William M. Fenton was a native of Norwich, New York. He was educated at Hamilton college, from which he was graduated in 1826 at the head of his class. He then followed the sea for a few years, after which he cast his lot with the early settlers in Genesee county. He founded the town of Fentonville, now Fenton, was elected to several state offices, notably to the lieutenant-governship of the state, served as colonel of the Eighth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, was mayor of Flint, was first chief engineer of the Flint fire department and as such met with a fatal accident, his death occurring on November 12, 1871, shortly after the organization of the Citizens National Bank. William Hamilton, first vice-president of the bank came to Flint with his parents iln 843. He conducted a flour mill for many years, and later became extensively engaged in the lumbering business in partnership with William McGregor, a partnership which lasted more than thirty years. He built what is known as the Bryant Hotel block, which at that time was the only first class hotel in the county. He at one time owned a 340-acre tract of land which is now a part of the factory district of Flint. He died in I899. William L. Gibson, first cashier of the Citizens National Bank, was born in Murray, New York, in 1846. He came to Michigan in his youth with his parents and attained to a position of prominence in Flint. Within three months after the Citizens National Bank opened for business, the capital was increased to $Ioo,ooo, and to $125,000 the following year. Following the death of Colonel Fenton in 1871, William Hamilton became president; Alexander McFarlan, vicepresident; and James Van Vleet was added to the board of directors. In January, 1876, at the annual meeting, Alexander McFarlan was raised to the presidency, and Colonel William B. McCreery became ()1,1 t I)MME ()f (;OVERNOR CRAPO HISTORY OF GENBDSEE COUNTY 67 vice-president, the latter becoming cashier in place of W. L. Gibson. The national charter of the bank was surrendered in I890, when it was organized as the Citizens Commercial and Savings Bank, Robert J. Whaley becoming president, and Horace C. Spencer, cashier. The bank has continued to expand with the city until at the present time it is one of the important banks of the region. The officers now are: G. W. Hubbard, president; C. L. Bartlett, vice-president; W. E. Martin, vice-president; H. E. Potter, cashier; R. W. Schumacher, accountant, and E. W. Potter, accountant. Liabilities of the bank are: Capital, $450,000; surplus, $350,000; undivided profits, $217,oo0; deposits, $5,800,000. The resources are: Loans and discounts, $6,600,ooo; cash and exchange, $450,000; and other resources, $23,000. The Union Trust and Savings Bank was organized in I893 by Ira H. Wilder, who resigned his position as national bank examiner to become associated with several financiers of Flint. The first officers and directors of this bank were: Charles T. Bridgman, president; Ira H. Wilder, cashier; and C. T. Bridgman, W. A. Paterson, W. H. Edwards, M. Davison, Sr., Romain Putnam, C. H. Wisner, James J. Hurley, Ira H. Wilder and Flint P. Smith, directors. Mr. Wilder was later succeeded by Matthew Davison as cashier, who was after many years followed in that office by L. H. Bridgman. Charles T. Bridgman was born in Huntsburg, Ohio, in I845. He came to Flint in I864 and entered the employ of the William L. Smith Company, in which he became a partner in I87I, the firm name being then changed to Smith-Bridgman & Company. Matthew Davison was born in County Antrim, Ireland, came to the United States early in life, became a man of large affairs in Flint, was elected mayor of the city, and acquired much Flint business property and Genesee county farm lands. The present officers of this bank are: F. H. Rankin, chairman of the board; Arthur M. Davison, president; R. W. Selleck, vice-president; G. W. Cook, vice-president; C. H. Bonbright, vice-president; J. E. Storer, cashier; E. F. Johnson, W. E. McInnes, accountants. Liabilities of the bank are: Capital, $400,000; surplus, $270,000; undivided profits, $104,000; deposits, $5,679,000; and other liabilities, $150,000. The resources are: Loans and discounts, $5,301,000; United States bonds, $556,ooo; other bonds and securities, $20,000; cash and exchange, $667,000; and other resources, $59,000. The Industrial Savings Bank, of Flint, was organized in I909, and Charles S. Mott was elected president, a position he has since retained. The original capitalization was placed at $250,000, but the rapid increase in the bank's business necessitated an increase in that amount from time to time. In I9I3 it became necessary to move the main banking quarters to the Flint P. Smith building on Saginaw street, and in 1924 the bank moved into its splendid building on North Saginaw and Second avenue. The rapid expansion of the bank's business has made the installation of branches in various parts of the city advisable, these branches being located on St. Johns street, one at Saginaw and Union, one at Industrial avenue near Leath, one at 68 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Lewis and Broadway, and another at Eddington and South Saginaw. The present officers of the bank are: C. S. Mott, president; W. E. Fellow, vice-president; F. D. Baker, vice-president; Grant J. Brown, vice-president and cashier; H. C. Moore, vice-president; J. S. DeCamp, vice-president; F. M. Buffum and E. D. Graham, accountants; and M. Pollock, auditor. The liabilities of the company are: Capital, $I,ooo,ooo; surplus, $300,000; undivided profits, $IOO,ooo; individual deposits, $425,000; bank deposits, $io6,ooo; state deposits, $300,000; and other liabilities, $300,000. The resources are: Loans and discounts, $4,420,000; United States bonds, $452,000; other bonds and securities, $3,758,000; due from banks, $544,000; cash on hand, $633,000; state and municipal bonds, $1,746,000; and other resources, $532,ooo. The First National Bank of Fenton was organized in 1863 with David L. Latourette as president and manager. The bank failed in 1871, causing heavy losses to the stockholders and resulting in the closing down of the woolen mills. The business of the defunct bank was transferred to the State Bank of Fenton which had been started in January, I871, with the following officers and directors: Josiah Buckbee, president; Edwin Trump, cashier; and Josiah Buckbee, Andrew Cornwall, John F. Walton, Harvey Fannington and Erastus T. Tefft, directors. A private bank was started in Fenton in 1876 by Job Cranson and continued to operate successfully for a time. The Commercial State Savings Bank of Fenton was organized in I898. Its present officers are: F. A. Chapin, president; E. H. Stiles, vice-president; J. H. Jadwin, vice-president; and R. B. Renwick, cashier. The liabilities are: Capital, $50,000; surplus, $31,000; undivided profits, $5,000; and deposits, $540,000. The resources are: Loans and discounts, $530,000; and United States bonds, $62,000. The Fenton State Savings bank was organized in I908, its present officers being: C. J. Campbell, president; E. M. Campbell, vice-president; E. A. Phillips, vice-president; Sanford R. O'Brien, vice-president; F. H. Hitchcock, cashier; and Vadah M. Goodrich, accountant. The Clio State bank was organized in I912, and the present officers are: Charles G. Matzen, president; Thomas Oliff, vice-president; Charles E. Taylor, cashier; and Lyle D. Brown, accountant. Liabilities are: Capital, $25,000; surplus and profits, $7,000; deposits, $542,000; and other liabilities, $76,000. The resources are: Loans and discounts, $458,000; United States bonds, $Io9,ooo; and cash and exchange, $78,000. Organized in 1895, the Davison State bank is one of the thriving institutions of that section of the county. The officers are: J. H. Baxter, president; I. J. Berry, vice-president; C. E. Leach, cashier; and C. S. Strombaugh and J. H. Harlan, accountants. The bank's liabilities are: Capital, $50,000; surplus, $I6,ooo; and deposits, $423,ooo. The resources are: Loans and discounts, $467,000; due from banks, $23,000; and cash on hand, $Io,ooo. The Farmers State bank was organized at Davison in 1920, and the preselt officers of the company are: Harry Potter, president; HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 69 M. Hill, vice-president; M. A. McBratney, cashier; and H. Rice, accountant. The bank liabilities are: Capital, $40,000; surplus and profits, $2,o00; deposits, $I79,000; and other liabilities, $14,000. The resources are: Loans and discounts, $I63,000; United States bonds, $i i,oo0; other bonds and securities, $I8,ooo; cash and exchange, $14,000; and other resources, $29,ooo. The Workmen's Mutual Bank of Flint was organized in 1920 and is capitalized for $50,0oo. Fred J. Weiss, president of Flint Motor Axle company, is president of the bank; William F. Proper is vicepresident; Harry T. Glezen holds the position of cashier; and B. L. Odle is accountant. One of the older banks of the county is the First State and Savings bank which was organized at Flushing in I88i. The present officers of that institution are: G. Packard, president; E. L. Cornwell, vice-president; and C. P. Rowe, cashier. The bank's liabilities are: Capital, $25,500; surplus, $28,000; undivided profits, $Io,ooo; individual deposits, $534,000; and state deposits, $5I,ooo. The resources of the bank are: Loans and discounts, $II6,000; United States bonds, $IOI,0oo; other bonds and securities, $417,000; and cash and exchange, $I6,ooo. The Peoples State Bank of Flushing is one of the successful financial institutions of that locality. It was organized in 900o, and the present officers are: G. J. Browne, president; John H. Rowe, vicepresident; C. N. Talbot, vice-president; H. L. Mann, cashier; and Mary Ann Rowe and Lena M. McNully, accountants. The liabilities of the bank are: Capital, $25,000; surplus, $25,000; individual deposits, $302,000; and state deposits, $Io,ooo. The resources of the company are: Loans and discounts, $311,0o0; United States bonds, $33,000; cash and exchange, $27,000. The Citizens Bank of Gaines is one of the thriving private banks of the county. It was organized in 1907 and the present officers are: H. Freitches, president; W. B. Cozad, vice-president; J. Luce, cashier; John K. Smith, accountant; and George Bloss, secretary. The liabilities of the bank are: Capital, $7,600; and deposits, $I80,000. The resources are: Loans and discounts, $120,000; United States bonds, $I,ooo; and cash and exchange, $I9,000. The bank of Goodrich was organized in I908. A private institution, its present officers are: A. S. Wheelock, president; W. Green, vice-president; C. W. Major, cashier; and G. F. Putman, accountant. The bank's liabilities are: Capital, $5,000; and deposits, $153,000. The resources of the band are:.Due from banks, $5,000; loans and discounts, $I44,000; and cash in hand, $9,ooo. The Farmers Exchange Bank of Grand Blanc, since its organization in I908, has become one of the substantial banks of the county. Its officers are: F. J. Sawyer, president; F. M. Perry, vice-president; A. D. Gundry, cashier; and A. F. Pinkston, accountant. Its liabilities are: Capital, $5,000; surplus, $7,000; deposits, $220,000; and other liabilities, $II,ooo. The resources are: Loans and discounts, $172, 7e 7,HIST'ORiY OP! GENESEE COtXNTY ooo; bonds and securities, $56,ooo; cash and exchange, $I6,ooo; and tflitr resources, $6,0oo. The Bank of Linden, a private bank, was organized in I899. J. L. Spenser is now president and F. F. Glerum is cashier. In 1899 was organized the Montrose State Bank. The present officers are: F. P. Sayer, president; A. B. Wood, vice-president, and M. S. Russell, cashier. The liabilities of the bank are: Capital, $2o,ooo; surplus and profits, $8,ooo; individual deposits, $273,000; state deposits, $5,000; and other liabilities, $I8,ooo. The resources are: Loans and discounts, $I57,000; United States bonds, $16,000; state and municipal bonds, $16,000; other bonds and securities, $103,000; and cash and exchange, $28,ooo. The Bank of Mount Morris, a private institution, was organized in that town in 1903 by D. H. Power, of Pontiac, with a capital stock of $,ooo0. In I9o5, Charles G. Stanley, of Mount Morris, bought the bank which he operated until I91 when he sold a half-interest to Edward C. Van DeWalker, who at that time assumed the active management of the bank. The present officers of the bank are: E. C. Van DeWalker, president, and B. H. Hammond, cashier. The Otisville State bank was organized in 1907, and the present officers are: C. D. Parker, president; Charles Moon, vice-president; C. D. Doane, vice-president; W. H. Parker, vice-president; and A. Prosser, cashier. The liabilities of the bank are: Capital, $20,000; surplus and profits, $15,000; deposits, $2I6,000; and other liabilities, $io,ooo. The resources are: Loans and discounts, $72,ooo; United States bonds, $22,000; other bonds and securities, $127,000; cash and exchange, $8,ooo; and other resources, $I9,000. The private institution, Bank of Swartz Creek, was organized in 19o6. The present officers are: C. J. Miller, president; M. D. Davison, vice-president; F. Larobadiere, cashier; and W. L. Miller, accountant. The liabilities of the bank are: Capital, $25,000; surplus and profits, $12,000; and deposits, $350,ooo. The bank's resources are: Loans and discounts, $390,ooo; cash and exchange, $70,ooo; and other resources, $6,000. CHAPTER VI PHYSICIANS AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH BEFORE the days of the telephone, the motor car, good roads, and modern hospital facilities, the practice of medicine entailed considerably more physical exertion than at present. Working in comparative darkness, for the science of medicine and surgery was then but slightly developed, the early practitioner was handicapped not only by lack of proper communication but also by lack of knowledge. In many cases, communications were so slow, that the patient was beyond mortal aid before the doctor could be summoned to his bedside. So scattered was the population and so poor were the roads that the physicians of the pioneer days were wont to make their rounds on horseback, swimming swollen streams or crashing through underbrush and forest assailed by hordes of insects. The first physician to come to Genesee county was Cyrus Baldwin, who came from Onandaga county, New York, to Grand Blanc in the spring of I833. There he remained until 1837, in which year he made removal to Atlas township where he was likewise the first physician. Following Doctor Baldwin in 1834, came Doctor John W. King who settled in the vicinity of Grand Blanc, remaining the only physician in that community after the departure of Baldwin until 1848 when Dr. H. C. Fairbank became his partner. Within a year or so, Doctor King gave up the practice of medicine and engaged in the foundry business at Flint. In the meantime, Dr. Samuel W. Pattison had come to Fentonville in I836 and in 1838 another member of the profession, Thomas Steere, located in that village. The latter continuing to make Fentonville his home until the time of his death in I86o. He had associated with him during his later years Dr. John C. Gallup. One of the best known early physicians of the county was Dr. Isaac Wixom, a native of Hector, New York, where he was born in 1803. He was graduated at Fairfield, Herkimer county, New York, at such a tender age that he could not be granted a diploma. However, in 1824, he received his diploma from the Medical Society of Penn Yan, Yates county, New York. In the spring of I829, he joined his father in Farmington township, Oakland county, where he practiced and also kept tavern for fifteen years. He came to Argentine township, Genesee county, in I844, engaging in the mercantile and milling businesses, but since there was no physician in the community and the demand for one was acute, he was almost forced back into the practice of his profession. In I845, he bought land in, and brought his family to Argentine township, enjoyed a large practice in the vicinity for fifteen years, and built up a large part of the village of Argentine. He was a man of political prominence in the state, 72 HISTORY OF GBENSEE COUNTY having been elected to the lower house of the legislature in 1838. He was on the house committee on education and did much toward the founding of the University of Michigan. In I841, the voters elected him a member of the state senate. For two years he was surgeon of the Sixteenth Michigan Infantry, and served in twentytwo engagements. In I836, George W. Fish settled in Genesee township where he practiced medicine for a short time, later going to Flint where he practiced until 1846. Ill health forced him to retire from active practice, and he went to Central America with a railroad company, and later spent seven years in China, a part of which time he was United States consul at Hong Kong. He was a brigade surgeon during the Civil war, at the close of which he returned to Flint to resume the practice of medicine. He was later appointed United States consul at Tunis, Africa, his death occurring in 187I. Fenton received an acquisition to its medical fraternity in I846 when Dr. James W. Graham came from Owosse. He practiced in that village until 185I when he removed to Flint, remaining in the latter village two years. Another of Fenton's early doctors was William B. Cole, who practiced there for a few years and later held several township offices. Dr. Eldridge G. Gale, a graduate of the medical college of Castleton, Vermont, established himself at Davisonville, this county, in I844, continuing in the profession until 1851. He became interested in politics, was elected to the state legislature several terms and was a delegate to the constitutional convention of I85o. He was succeeded in practice by Dr. R. N. 'Murray, of Atlas. In I846, Dr. Joseph Eastman came to Goodrich, practiced for a time, and afterwards removed to a farm in Davison township still later going to the city of Flint. The first physician to make his home at Flushing came in 1842 in the person of Doctor Miller who remained in that community many years. Dr. H. C. Fairbank, who has been mentioned as the third physician at Grand Blanc, practiced in that community from 1848 until I864 when he moved to Flint, where he had been for a short time in 1847. It is stated that all of the physicians above mentioned were allopathic practitioners, the homeopathists coming somewhat later. The first of this latter school of medicine to come to Genesee county was Dr. I. N. Eldridge. He was one of the oldest homeopathists in the state, and was one of the eight physicians present at the formation of the first Michigan Institute of Homeopathy it I847. In that year, he had located at Anh Arbor, coming from Livingston county, New York. He came to Flint in I850 and for a short time had as a partner Dr. E. F. Olds. Dr. William S. Cornelius practiced at Flint for a short time also, and at about the same time, Dr. Lewis Taylor es-. tablished himself at Flushing. In I864, Dr. Charles M. Putman came to Flint, and in the following year, Dr. C. S. Eldridge practiced here. For a number of years commencing in I866, Dr. J. G. Malcolm practiced in this city; and Dr; A. J. Adams joined the medical HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 73 - faculty of the county's metropolis in I873. In I878, according to the "Annual (Homeopathic) Directory,' Genesee county boasted the following members of the profession: I. N. Eldridge, C. M. Putman, A. J. Adams, C. A. Hughes and M. E. Hughes, all of Flint; Lewis Taylor, Flushing; R. E. Knapp, Fenton; A. Austin, Argentine; and J. Parks, Gaines. One of the outstanding physicians of the old days was Robert D. Lamond, who came to Flint from Pontiac in I838. He became active in local affairs and was a member from this county of the state legislature in 1844. Another of the early physicians who, however, remained but a few years, was Doctor Richardson, who came to Flint in i837. Dr. S. M. Axford came to Flint from Detroit in 1858, residing here until his death in I873. He became almost a town character, and it was once said of him that he visited every home in the town, which his rivals in practice at first resented. He built what was originally intended to be a private hospital known as the Axford House, a pretentious structure, but when it was completed, the doctor decided to-employ it as his private residence. In 1857, Dr. James C. Willson was graduated from the University of Michigan and in that year formed a partnership with Dr. R. D. Lamond at Flint. In I86I, he received appointment as surgeon of the Tenth Michigan Infantry, and in I862, he was transferred to the Eighth Michigan Regiment, of which Col. William M. Fenton was commanding officer. Of a naturally delicate constitution, the rigors of the many campaigns in which this regiment participated so undermined Doctor Willson's health that he was forced to resign from the army, but his military service received proper recognition in 1864, after the resumption of his private practice in Flint when he was appointed by the governor of Michigan as state military representative at Washington. In 1865, he married Rhoda M. Crapo, daughter of the then governor of Michigan, and took a conspicuous part in the life of Flint. He was one of the organizers and a president of the Genesee County Savings bank. After his death, his home and grounds were acquired as a public park by the city. This home was formerly the old Crapo homestead. The Genesee County Medical Association was organized May 26, 1856. At a meeting on that day of a number of physicians, a committee was chosen to draw up a constitution and by-laws and delegates to the state medical convention, held at Detroit on June 5, were appointed. The meeting was then adjourned to July 14, and at that time the constitution was adopted and signed by the following physicians: R. D. Lamond, H. C. Fairbank, A. B. Chapin, S. M. Axford, James D. F. Curtis, Flint; S. Lathrop, Pine Run; M. F. Baldwin, Genesee; Lewis S. Pilcher, Clayton; and the purposes of the association were described as being "to promote medical and general science, and in every way to advance the interests of the medical profession." R. D. Lamond was elected president; H. C. Fairbank, vice-president; J. B. J. Curtis, secretary; and A. B. Chapin, treasurer. In subsequent 74 HISTOtRY OF GENESEME COUNTY years, additional physicians were admitted to membership, but frictiot finally broke up the organization in 1873. The Flint Academy of Medicine was organized August i8, I871, at a meeting of physicians and surgeons of Genesee county held in the rooms ot the Scientific Institute in Flint. To draft a constitution and by-laws of the new society, a committee was appointed by the chairman, Dr. Daniel Clarke, of Flint, which included Drs. A. B. Chapin and Henry P. Seymour, of Flint, and Dr. Adelbert F. Coupe, of Flushing. The first article of this constitution, when reported to the members of the society, gave as the name of the organization, "The Society of Physicians and Surgeons of Genesee County," but upon the motion of Dr. J. C. Willson, the name was changed to that of the Flint Academy of Medicine. Any physician of good standing who was a graduate of a regular school of medicine recognized by the American Medical association was eligible to membership in the academy. The charter members of the academy were: Daniel Clarke, H. C. Fairbank, George W. Fish, James C. Willson, Thomas R. Buckham, A. B. Chapin, William Bullock, Orson Millard, Henry P. Seymour, Adelbert F. Coupe, P. G. Wartman, Newcomb S. Smith, Hiram H. Bardwell and C. W. Pengra. The first officers elected were: Daniel Clarke, president; Adelbert F. Coupe, vice-president; Orson Millard, secretary; James C. Willson, treasurer; and Newcomb S. Smith, George W. Fish and James C. Willson, board of censors. Flint is indebted for many of its beautiful trees to Dr. Daniel Clarke, a native of Boston and a graduate of Harvard, who was long a medical practitioner in Flint. He was especially interested in botany and planted a great many of the beautiful Boston elms along East Kearsley street and other principal streets, importing the saplings from the East. He was the founder of the Flint Scientific Institute, which later became a part of the high school museum. Another of the best known physicians of Flint in the early Seventies was Doctor Bullock, who invented "sweet quinine." Dr. Thomas R. Buckham, a contemporary of Bullock, was the author of a work on insanity. Some of those who practiced in the county in the Nineties and in the first decade of the present century were: Drs. Orson Millard, Mabel B. King (the wife of Dr. Robert L. King), Noah Bates, of Flint; Orson W. Tock, of Flushing; Henry R. Case, Grand Blanc; L. N. Beagle, Pine Run, Clio and Flint; Hiram H. Bardwell, Mount Morris and Flint; Bela Cogshall, Gaines and Flint; Andrew Slaght, Grand Blanc; L. E. Knapp, Linden and Fenton; C. L. Howell, Goodrich and Flint; Rachael J. Davidson, Grand Blanc; O. V. Chamberlait, of Flint; G. W. Howland and George C. Palmer, of Flint; Colonel B. Burr, of Flint, at one time president of the State Medical society and of the American Medico-Psychological association; E. R. Campbell, son-in-law of W. C. Durant, Flint. The biographies of a great number of those physicians and surgeons now practicing in the county, and who have been so engaged for the past several years are incorporated in the biographical section HISTORY OF GENNStE COUNTY 76 of this volume, where their careers are set forth in a detailed manner. Hospitals. In the early Nineties, a number of the leading citizens of Flint, thoroughly alive to the necessity of providing a hospital for the. city, purchased "Crapo Grove" and incorporated Oak Grove hospital as a private sanitarium. Dr. George C. Palmer, who had come tO6 Plint in 189i, became the first medical director of this institution, retaining that office until his death in I894. The objects of the Oak Grove Sanitarium, as it was originally called, were the treatment of nervous and mental diseases, and alcohol and drug addicts. Instrumental in the organization of this hospital were: James A. Remick and W. G. Vinton, of Detroit; Charles T. Mitchell, of Hillsdale, Michigan; and Dr. George C. Palmer, then superintendent of the Michigan Hospital for the Insane at Kalamazoo. The sixty-five acre grove of oak trees near the eastern outskirts of Flint was selected as a site, and the buildings were erected by the W. G. Vinton company, of Detroit. This hospital continued in service for many years, going out of business when the property on which it was located was purchased by the city as a site for the high school building, which was completed in 1923. The Hurley Hospital, maintained and operated by the city of Flint, was named in honor of James J. Hurley, who bequeathed the hospital site, and the sum of $25,000 for the erection of the buildings to the city at the time of his death in 1905. This was accepted at a meeting of the common council held July i8, 1905, and an ordinance creating a board of hospital managers was adopted by that body July 24. At that time ~Mayor Aitken appointed the following citizens to serve on the first board of hospital managers: George L. Walker, to serve until May I, I906; William E. Martin, to serve until May I, I907; Edward D. Black, to serve until May I, I908; J. Dallas Dort, May i, I9o9; and Dr. Charles A. Lippincott, until May I, r19o. The first meeting of the hospital board was held September 23, I905, when Dr. Lippincott was elected president; William E. Martin, treasurer; and Edward D. Black, secretary. It was not until June, I907, that bids for building the hospital were advertised. By that time the board realized that with the rate of the city's growth a much larger hospital would be necessary, and appointed a committee of which Mrs. Flint P. Smith was the head to raise additional funds, and through this agency over five thousand dollars were added to the hospital treasury. On October 10, I907, just two weeks before the laying of the cornerstone of the building, the treasurer of the hospital board received from Miss Frances O'Hare, executrix of the will of Mr. Hurley, the following cash and property: Cash, $44,26I.05; land contracts, $2,380; real estate (including the hospital site at a valuation of $5,000), $6,970; a total of $53,6I.05, which was later increased by interest payments and profits on sale of real estate to $54,974.92. To complete payments on buildings and equipment J. D. Dort gave $14,500, of which a portion was subsequently repaid him, and other donations brought the total by I916 up to $I33,888.76. Of this amount, $46,852.03 was realized from the Stockdale estate. The 76 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY hospital was opened for reception of patients on December 19, I908, and in the following year a training school for nurses was opened in conjunction with it. A nurses' home was later built, and in February, 19I3, an association of women was formed for the purpose of building a Maternity Hospital and Children's Home. After conferring with the board of the Hurley Hospital, it was decided to build such a hospital as a unit of Hurley, and the funds from the Stockdale estate were employed in the erection of the building, the women's association furnishing the equipment. Additions have been made to the hospital to meet the growing demands of the city's ever increasing population, and the major portion of the support is borne by the city through taxation. In the summer of this year (I925) the hospital has 135 beds, but an addition which is now building will increase this number to I75 by the fall of 1925. The present board of trustees are: Reinhard Kleinpell, James Martin, Hiram C. Moore, Dr. J. C. McGregor and Merliss Brown. The internes are: Drs. James J. Curhan, Isadore Gustov and Frank Johnson, while the medical staff includes all the leading physicians and surgeons of the city. The Women's Hospital, of Flint, was begun in 1917 by Dr. Elliott, and was first known as the Elliott-Girard Hospital. In July, I919, it was taken over by the Women's Hospital association, which has conducted it since that time. The first location of this hospital was in a small building on Harrison street, but in I923 removal was made to the present large and inviting site in the nineteen hundred block on Lapeer avenue. This hospital has thirty beds, of which twenty are used for obstetrical cases, and ten surgeons are on its staff. Although it gets some aid from the Flint Community Fund, the association is largely self-supporting, and is doing a noble work along obstetrical, gynecological and children's disease lines. The present board of trustees is made up of Charles S. Mott, C. A. Cummings, W. S. Ballenger, George Simmons, Forrest Boswell, Sam Morgan, A. A. Rabb, J. G. Blackington and Grant J. Brown. Of this board A. A. R'abb is chairman, C. A. Cummings is secretary and J. G. Blackington is treasurer. Flint's most recent hospital is the St. Joseph Hospital, a Roman Catholic institution situated in the seven hundred block on Anh Arbor street. It was opened for patients on April 5, 1921, and the major part of its service has been devoted to maternity cases. It is not yet equipped for the handling of much surgical work, but it is hoped that in time its facilities will warrant the handling of all cases brought to it. It is under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Detroit, and is in charge of Mother Superior Felicitas. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH The Board of Health consists of three physicians including the health officer, who is president. The health officer is appointed annually by the city council, and the other two members are nominated by the mayor and approved by the council, serving two years with overlapping terms. The functions of the board are to advise the health officer regarding general policies, to approve-the budget and HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 77 expenditures, and to recommend public health regulations to the common council. The general administration of the department is conducted by the health officer with the assistance of a chief clerk and two other clerks. The clerks handle the purely routine office business of the department. The officers of the health department, located in the Health Center building on Beach street, between Second and Third streets, provides office space, clinic rooms, a general assembly room, a laboratory, a dental room, a City Poor Commission's room, Bureau of Social Service room, and rooms for the Genesee County branch of the Michigan Tuberculosis Association and the various health department divisions. The increasingly important phase of public health work, which is concerned with the education of the public in the principles of healthy living, is under the direct supervision of the health officer, and includes the publication of bulletins, the preparation of an annual report, the preparation of hnews stories, the giving of lectures and the preparation of exhibits. Division of Sanitation and Plumbing. Following the current tendencies in municipal health practices, the bureau of sanitation includes: General nuisance inspection, housing supervision and plumbing inspections. The duties of this bureau comprise the prompt and efficient handling of complaints and regular and systematic inspections. The aim of the bureau is to secure voluntary compliance with its orders, and it conducts as few prosecutions as possible. Particular attention is paid to the rapid elimination of privy vaults. While sewerage and sewerage disposal, refuse collection and refuse disposal are handled by other city departments, the bureau keeps in close cooperation with them. Dairy and Food Division. The dairy and food inspection division of the Health Department was organized in I912 at the instigation of interested citizens, and, especially women's organizations. At that time, ordinances were passed and one technically trained man engaged as inspector. At first no means of transportation were provided, but later a bicycle, then a motorcycle, and later an automobile. Then the dairy farms producing milk for Flint consumption numbered about two hundred, while now they number eleven hundred and the number is constantly increasing. There are employed at present four fulltime men inspectors and one full-time woman clerk, of whom the chief inspector is technically trained. During the last few years, the annual budget has approximated $Io,ooo, or about eight cents per capita. The passage of a new food ordinance in July, 1922, created the means of partially supporting the department by means of license fees from all public food establishments, the amount of money thus collected nearly paying for the food inspection service. License fees of milk stores and milk wagons bring in less than one-fourth of the cost of milk inspection service. The inspection and sealing of weights and measures is a duty which has been combined with the dairy and food inspection duties. 78 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Soda fountains and candy stores are scored by the inspectors and the methods used in sterilizing dishes are ascertained. Places where candy is manufactured come in for their share of regular inspections. The quality of the ingredients used in the manufacture is carefully investigated and all unwholesome materials disposed of. Formerly candy factories were often found in dark, damp, poorly ventilated basements but at present every such establishment but one in this city is located at least on the ground level in clean and airy quarters. Restaurant inspection occupies a considerable amount of the inspectors' time. The score card method is used, and clean methods are demanded and insisted upon. The sanitation of these establishments has materially improved with the posting of scores to the public view. Pop bottling establishments are visited regularly to note the methods used in the cleaning of bottles, and the materials used are made to conform to the state law governing the same. Itinerant vendors of vegetables and fish are stopped on frequent occasions and inspected. All such must hold the proper licenses and display license plates in a prominent place. The vending of meat by licensed hucksters on the streets is prohibited by ordinance, but no authority is found for prohibiting meat peddling by producers. Other establishments such as potato chip factories, wholesale fruit and grocery stands, pop corn stands, temporary circus stands, amusetnent park stands and the like are visited at frequent intervals and food protection insisted upon. An inspector is present at the city market on all busy market days to see that the producers maintain their respective booths in a clean and sanitary manner. About six to eight complaints are received at. the office of the health department each month concerning sanitation of food establishments and wholesomeness of dairy and food products. About one-half of these complaints are entirely unjustified in which case the inspectors act just as much for the protection of the merchants as in other cases for the protection of the consumer. There are about four thousand miscellaneous calls made by this department annually in addition to the work already outlined. The per capita cost of eight cents per year, for the above mentioned service, is believed to be reasonable, for at the present time the inspectors are just about able to keep even with their work. Division of Communicable Diseases. This division is divided into seven subsidiary as follows: Epidemiology, tuberculosis, venereal diseases, child hygiene, public health nursing, laboratory, and vital statistics. The first of these includes the control of tuberculosis and venereal diseases as well as the more acute communicable diseases. The routine control of the acute communicable types includes such activities as: An effective system of reporting ordinary communicable disease; systematic investigation by a nurse of each case and verification by the health officer in the more serious cases; the taking of cultures for laboratory diagnosis; the enforcement of isolation and quar HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY antine regulations; the carrying out of personal cleansing of premises occupied by a case; the hospitalization of certain cases; systematic supervision on contacts and the detection and control of carriers, a work which is closely related to the work of the school physician; ample free supply of the important sera and vaccines; and the following of all communicable disease on spot maps and daily and weekly charts. The division of tuberculosis follows these essential practices in the control of this disease: Effective reporting and systematic registration of all cases; early detection through expert consultation service maintained under Dr. W. H. Marshall; affording opportunities for proper nursing and medical care, either at home or in an institution; control of the spread of infection through concurrent disinfection and terminal cleansing; the maintenance of clinical facilities; the taking of X-ray pictures in doubtful cases at cost; organized nursing and supervision of home treatment; and co-operation with the Bureau of Social Service for the finding of suitable employment and living conditions for arrested cases. The program for combating venereal diseases has included the following elements: The law requires the reporting of all such cases to the health authorities; ample laboratory diagnostic facilities are available; the health officer has the power to examine all presumably infected persons, and the segregation under compulsion of all infected persons whose conduct constitutes a menace to the public health; the operation of clinics for those unable to pay private physicians; cooperation with schools and other agencies in educational work; and co-operation with the police department in examination and detection of infected persons, especially women, all women under arrest being examined for venereal disease. The nursing work of the division is carried on by a full-time, especially trained nurse who does nothing but venereal disease control work. The total number of calls in 1924 at the venereal disease clinic was 2,030. The division of child hygiene, providing for the protection of the health of mothers and young children, is perhaps one of the most important of the functions of the health department. This work includes: Registration of all births within five days; pre-natal clinic for the medical examination and hygiene instruction of expectant mothers; provision for care at confinement through hospitalization of cases which for many reasons cannot be handled in the home; supervision and checking up on midwives; free distribution and routine administration of silver nitrate; the maintenance of infant welfare stations; nursing service which provides for assistance at clinics and for extensive home visitation; and continual educational efforts in the essentials of infant welfare. The public health nursing campaign of the present day is becoming more and more clearly an educational movement, dominated by the motive of improving the hygienic conduct of the individual life with the aid of preventive advisory medical service. In teaching the individual the principles of healthy living and in bringing the indi so HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY vidual into timely contact with the medical resources of the community, the public health nurse has proved herself the most useful agent at the disposal of the public. The program of modem public health work in a given community may be measured very accurately by the extent to which the public health nursing service has been developed. The public health nurse works along the fundamental lines: Home visitation of cases of acute contagious disease for the instruction of attendants in the technique of isolation and disinfection, and for the taking of cultures and preliminary examination of contacts, as well as for the dissemination of knowledge in regard to the value of vaccine and serum treatment; the assistance of physicians at tuberculosis clinics and home visiting for the discovery of suspicious cases; the assistance of physicians at venereal disease clinics; assistance at infant welfare and pre-natal clinics and home visitation for the instruction of mothers and expectant mothers; and the assistance of physicians in the examination of school children and home visiting to give instructions in child birth. The nursing division is in charge of a supervising nurse who is directly responsible to the health officer, and her duties are many. The division is divided into six distinct sections in order to simplify the work, these being clinic, district, school (parochial), contagious, bedside nursing, and educational. The laboratory of the department of health renders the following services: The examination of cultures for diagnosis and release in diphtheria (including virulence tests), tuberculosis, typhoid fever, malaria, syphilis and gonorrhoea; the examination of milk samples by chemical and bacteriological methods; and other special and miscellaneous tests. The division of vital statistics performs the following functions: Registration of births and deaths; scrutinization, verification, and correction of death certificates; the tabulation and analysis at intervals of data obtained from the birth and death registration and also from the cases of reportable disease sent into the state department; and the preparation of standard form and procedure for record keeping in the department, and the statistical analysis of accumulated data as required. GOVERNOR IIEN It 11. (CRAIO AND) FA:MIIY Standing in back row left to right —IMarvy (. Mrs. Orrell), William, Rebecca (Mrs. Durant), Sarah (Mrs. Ross). Front row-Henrietta (.MIrs. IIyatt), Rhoda (.rs. Willson), Wilhelmina (Mrs. Clifford), Gov. Crapo,.Mrs. Crapo, Emma, Iucy ( lrs. Smith), Lydia. GENESEE COINTY COURTHOUSE,ATELY BURNED L~OOK;ING NORTHT ACROSS THEI' OLD, BRIDGEE CHAPTER VII EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES T WAS the wisdom of the founders of our country to take measures for the encouragement and promotion of public education, for they realized that in the dissemination of knowledge lay the future greatness of the democracy. People that rule themselves through their government must first be educated, and to this end the congress of the United States enacted a law on education applicable to the Northwest territory, of which Michigan Territory was then a part. By the provisions of the law, the sixteenth section in every township was set aside for public school purposes, and a system of schools was outlined from the primary grades to the university. This law was a part of the territorial law, and was strengthened by territorial and state laws relative to the education of the children of Michigan. But.even the drafters of this law probably envisioned no such gigantic system of public education as has grown up in the counties of the state from crude beginnings. The rude and scattered log school houses of the pioneers have been supplanted through gradual transition by large brick and stone structures; the elementary courses of study chosen by the township trustees and country school instructors, have given way to highly specialized curricula; and the birch rod of the early schoolmaster, then considered an indispensable part of a teacher's equipment, finds its present counterpart in intelligent psychological studies of the adolescent mind. Twelve pupils assembled in 1834 in a little cabin near Thread creek in the Flint River settlement where Daniel O'Sullivan for the consideration of ten cents a week per student taught them their "Three R's." With this as the first school in the county provision was made by the settlers in various localities for the education of their children, and as soon as the number of children in each section warranted its establishment, a school was opened. Aaron Hoyes succeeded O'Sullivan as the teacher of the first school, where he remained until a small school building was erected on the site of the present Fenton Block, Flint. For a time his place was temporarily filled by Lucy Riggs, and later Miss Overton taught the school at a weekly salary of one dollar. The first schools in each township are recorded in the chapter on County Organization and Government, records which are readily referred to. Flint Schools. The first record pertaining to the public schools of Flint is relative to the organization of school district No. I at a meeting of the school inspectors held April II, 1837. Of this meeting Ephraim L. Walker was chairman and Orin Safford was clerk. The following year the first official report of the school inspectors was made, they reporting October 20, I838, a total of sixty pupils 82 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY then attending the public school. The school term at that time was stated as being six months in length, and of the $586 raised by taxation, $499 was for building a schoolhouse and $87 for its support. This first schoolhouse was located at the corner of Clifford and First streets. Because of the increasing difficulty of raising money under the rate-bill system then prevailing, a change to the union school system was effected after the lapse of several years. At that time the portion of the district lying north of Flint river was organized into a separate one, while the inhabitants whose children attended the school from the remainder of the district purchased an entire block, which became the site of the Walker school. The school building -which they erected on that property did service until I9o0, when it was superseded by the present fine Walker school. N. W. Butts, with an ample force of teachers, was placed in charge of the Union school in I846, and though his work was good, the attendance was very irregular, as shown in a report for the term ending in August, 1853, which stated that the average attendance was only eighteen, although the total enrollment was sixty-four. In I856, Professor William Travis, a man of the highest ability and energy, was placed in charge of the school, and so successful was his work that the real life of the Flint public schools may be said to have begun during his three years of service. At the annual meeting in 1859 of the school board, the organization of a graded school under the act of the legislature on February I6 of that year was unanimously voted, and the following board of school trustees was elected: Levi Walker and Dr. Daniel Clarke, for three years; S. N. Warren and Grant Decker, ex-mayor of the city, for two years; and John Delbridge and C. N. Beecher, for one year. Captain Simeon C. Gould then assumed charge of the schools, and ably discharged the duties of that office until his enlistment in the Union army for service in the Civil war. During the administration of Zelotes Truesdell, from i865 to 1874, the schools of the city were unionized into one union school district, bringing the schools into a unit which has remained unbroken until the present day. With the abolition of rate-bills by the act of the state legislature of April 3, I869, the free public schools were really established. At that time the city schools were divided into four districts, and graded schools were established in all. Succeeding Truesdell was S. Montgomery, who in i875 was in turn succeeded by T. W. Crissey. Marshall T. Glass took charge of the schools in I880, continuing until 1883, when he was succeeded by Irving W. Barnhart, who remained until 1886. During the subsequent two years Wesley Sears was superintendent of schools, and was succeeded by David McKenzie, who had been principal of the high school for some years previous. During McKenzie's four years as superintendent he brought the schools to a high state of efficiency. George W. Fiske was the next to take charge of the schools, and was succeeded in one year, in I893, by W. H. Honey, a rigid disciplinarian, who likewise remained but one year. From that time until i898, F. R. Hathaway directed the des HiSTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY 83 tinies of the schools in the city, and in that year W. C. Hull began a period of three years as superintendent. R. H. Kirkland followed him in 19oI, and in I904 A. N. Cody was appointed to the position, after two years of excellent work in his office as principal of the high school. In I902 he received his Masters degree from the University of Michigan, and came immediately to Flint to assume the principalship of the high school. For nineteen years he labored unremittingly for the betterment of the Flint schools, and many of the innovations of the modern system were instituted under his guidance. During his regime an extensive building program to meet the rapidly increasing needs of the city was put into effect, and at the time of his retirement in 1923 no educator in Michigan held a higher place in the esteem of the public than did he. Succeeding Mr. Cody came E. E. Lewis, Ph. D., the present superintendent of schools. Virtually his entire training and experience have been in the field of teachers' training. For one year he taught in rural schools, for three years was instructor in psychology and manual training at the San Jose Normal School, held a research scholar and fellowship at Columbia University for three years, was instructor in the University of Indiana summer school in I9I1 and I912, was principal of the training school of the State Normal at Charleston, Illinois, I912-I3, and during the next seven years was associate professor of education and director of training schools of the University of Iowa. In I920, Dr. Lewis was appointed superintendent of schools at Rockford, Illinois, where he remained until I923, during which time he taught in two summer schools at the University of Chicago. He has also served as professor in the school of education at the University of Michigan in two summer sessions. He is the author of several text books and works on problems in teaching and school administration. In September, I925, there will be put into effect in Flint the 6-3-3 plan of education, superseding the old 8-4 plan which has for so many years been the standard or public school grade division throughout the United States. The 8-4 plan calls for the first eight elementary grades grouped in one building and the four high school grades in another. But the 6-3-3 plan provides for the grouping in different buildings of the first six elementary grades, the seventh, eighth and ninth grades (which constitute the junior high school), and the three final years of high school which, under this plan, become known as the senior high.school. When the Junior College, which provides for instruction in the first two years of college work, is taken into consideration, the plan may be said to be the 6-3-3-2 system. The 6-3-3 plan of education was first submitted to the board of education of Flint December I, I920, when Superintendent A. N. Cody made this suggestion: "After making a careful study of the various plans of school organization, your superintendent would recommend that the 6-3-3 plan be adopted for the Flint public schools and that the location and character of the school buildings to be erected in the future be in conformity with this plan." The board 84 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY of education gave its hearty support to the proposed reorganization of the public school system, and November 27, 1922, a special election was called to decide on the bonding of the school district. The tax payers at the polls approved the bond issue making possible the erection of two junior high schools, one to be erected on the north side of the river at a cost of $750,000, and one on the south side of the river to cost an equal amount. Early the following year, a committee was appointed known as the Intermediate Schools Committee, which was composed of: W. S. Ballenger, Miss Jane Payne and W. S. Carpenter. An eleven-acre tract, located on Pasadena avenue, was purchased in I923 for the location of the new north side junior high school, and at that time sketches for this building and the other proposed junior high school were requested by the board. The plans for both the Emerson junior high school, on the north side, and the Whittier junior high school were submitted September II, 1923, but because they called for larger buildings than could be constructed for the money they were halted January 2, I924, and an additional $250,000 was appropriated to the Emerson fund. The plans were finally accepted and construction authorized on March 6, 1924, and it is expected that they will be ready for occupancy on the opening of the fall term in September, 1925. The Emerson junior high school, located on Pasadena avenue aproximately half way between Detroit and Saginaw streets, will have a capacity of two thousand pupils, while the Whittier junior high school, located at Oak Grove directly south of the senior high school, will have a capacity of one thousand seven hundred pupils. It was originally thought that the two new junior high schools would be sufficient to care for the entire seventh, eighth and ninth grade enrollment of the city, but it soon became apparent that they could not do so, and unless the 6-6-3 plan were to be inaugurated for only a portion of the city, the junior high school facilities would be inadequate. However, the board of education decided to make the plan city wide, and to provide adequate housing for the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, the old high school building on Beach street is being remodeled to give additional junior high school space until such time as a new building can be erected. The pupils of these grades from the Civic Park, Cook, Dewey, Dort, Fairview, Roosevelt, Martin and Parkland districts will be accommodated at the Emerson school; and those of the Clark, Elm, Park, Doyle, Homedale, Kearsley, Lewis, Oak, Walker and Washington districts will attend the Whittier school. The South junior high school, on Beach street, will accommodate the pupils of the Cody, Durant, Hazelton, Lincoln, Rankin and Stevenson districts. The housing advantages of the junior high school system may be briefly stated as follows: Additional kindergarten and elementary grade facilities through the removal of the seventh and eighth grade pupils, making a total of seventy-three rooms gained in grade school buildings, and forty by the removal of manual training and home economics equipment; the obviating of enlargement of the senior HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 86 high school; the ability to offer more economical shop and laboratory instruction to seventh, eighth and ninth grade pupils; and the decreased number of teachers necessary to instruct these grades. The educational advantages of the junior high school are many. The gap between the eighth and ninth grades is bridged to some extent, and a greater number of pupils are thus held from dropping out of school at the conclusion of the eighth grade work. Much worthwhile school subject matter is introduced earlier by the ability to reorganize the courses in mathematics, political science, English and language. By having a teacher confine herself to a few subjects, better teaching results are obtained and more complete departmentalization is made possible. It is possible to secure a larger percentage of men teachers for boys in these grades, and the junior high school provides a longer day, more extensive equipment, wider variety of subject matter, a better teaching staff and other facilities by means of which the pupil's ability, interests and capacities may be explored and developed. The desirability of forming special classes to provide more rapid progress for over age, backward, foreign and mentally defective pupils, as well as for those physically handicapped is keenly felt in Flint, and such cases may be more readily formed under the 6-3-3 system. Homogeneous grouping of pupils in such classes forwards their own work, and the transfer of students from one group to another will be made as evidence indicates a poor adjustment. The basis for this classification will be: Accumulative record of subject achievement in grades one to six; the records of standard achievement tests; mental tests; records indicating attitudes, that is, interest, behavior and effort; and health records. The Flint senior high school was authorized by the board of education as the first unit in the reorganization of the school system on the 6-3-3 plan. A site of 58 acres in Oak Grove was selected, and the new building was first occupied in September, I923. C. V. Courter is principal of the senior high school and the junior college, and an able corps of teachers working under his direction give instruction in the following curricula: No. I, designed to prepare students for entrance to a college of literature, science and arts; No. 2, designed to prepare students for entrance into a college of engineering and architecture; No. 3, metaphysics or dentistry; No. 4, a general curriculum; commercial course No I. is designed to prepare students for stenographic and clerical work; commercial curriculum No. 2 is designed to prepare them for accounting and bookkeeping; home economics curriculum for girls; industrial arts curriculum, designed as a preparation for practical participation in industrial activities and make them more intelligent workmen; and a music curriculum. A room for crippled children was opened at the Eighth street fresh air building on November II, 1924. Miss Matie Carter, formerly a kindergarten teacher at the Durant school, was placed in charge of the instruction, while a nurse, Miss Sophie Meyer, was also IAISTOAY OF QGWSEE COUNTY 't tnd.ce. Foit ern chldre were transpoted daily to <4d ffry tids buildin during the school year of 19a4-25. The inahility of the crippled children to get around the buildings easily, the needs of some for special rest periods, and the constant need of medical attention Qo the pait of others, made the establishment of the cripple room imperative. School children are asked to report to their teachers any cases of crippled children who may need special attention. Following the passage in 1919 of a bill providing for the establishment of part-time schools throughout the state of Michigan, Flint organized a continuation school, the objects of which are as follows: To increase the efficiency of the boys and girls in their present jobs; to help them get into jobs for which they are fitted; to help them obtain from their employment all it has to offer in. the way of development; to assist them in physical changes due to environment; to help them interpret in terms of their jobs some elementary economic principles; to help them see and assume the growing responsibility due to their employment; to direct them in the formation of the correct habits of work; to help them to assume correct attitudes toward their work, their employers and their fellow workers; to increase their civic and vocational intelligence and, thereby, make of them better citizens; to fix in the minds of young workers the fact that education does not end when work begins; and to instill sound ideas of our economic organization. According to the provisions of the law those unmarried minor children under seventeen years of age who have failed to complete two years of their four year high school course are required to attend continuation school at least eight hours per week. The needs of the pupils in this school vary to a great extent, and they must be dealt with as individuals. The work of the principal of this school, A. B. Lightfoot, has been most commendable, and has been the saving medium through which many boys and girls have been led to higher lives. The Flint schools have shown a steady growth in enrollment, and though there was a loss of population due to business causes in the school year I923-24, school enrollment increased during that time. The number of students in the senior high school and the junior college in September, I923, was I,467, and in September, I924, had increased by 404 to make a total of I,871. The South junior high school enrollment was I,Io2 in September, 1924, an increase of 165 of the previous year. The elementary schools, from the kindergarten through the eighth grade, including all special rooms, showed a net increase of 525 children from September, I923, to September, 1924, making a total in the latter year of I7,099. Thus it is that the high school and junior college enjoyed an increase of 27.5 per cent, and the elementary grades increased by 3 per cent. In September, I924, the total membership was 76.8 per cent of the children between five and nineteen years of age recorded as living in the city by the census. Adding to this the i,744 children attending the parochial schools, the percetage is raised to 83.4 per cent-a commendable showing when the industrial and economic trends of the city are considered. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 87: The probem of organizing effective machinery for the promotion of the health of children of school age is greatly complicated by the fact that there are strong logical reasons for allying such work with the Department of Health on the one hand and with the Board of Education on the other. Since the work is concerned with the school child, the Department of Education contends, and with much reason, that it is in its province; but since the work consists of health promotion, the health officer claims the task is his. In Flint, the Board of Education has assumed the supervision of the public schools, and for this purpose has a staff of one physician, ten nurses and several dentists. Close co-operation exists between the Board of Health and the schools in all respects, and each has access to the other's records. Except for times when assistance is given by the school department, the only school work done by the board of health is in the parochial schools, Catholic and Lutheran. The work consists of the emergency examination by a nurse of children who are referred to her by teachers who suspect contagious disease or physical handicap; the physical examination of all children for the detection of physical defects, especially eyes, ears, nose and throat, heart, lungs, weight and general nutrition, of which careful records are kept each year; vaccination and immunization against diphtheria, by toxin-anti-toxin; careful follow-up work by nurses in the home to assure the correction of physical defects and the promotion of correct health habits; and caring for children at the health clinic who are not able to pay private physicians. Dental examinations form a large part of the health work in the schools. Through the interest of Dr. E. E. Lewis, a new item has been added to the monthly report card of each school child, an item which has already shown gratifying results. Teeth are now examined and reported on as regularly as reading, writing and arithmetic. The program of dental examinations and reports has been in effect for more than a year. The improved condition of children's teeth and the increased interest of pupils, teachers and parents well justifies the recommendation that other cities adopt the plan. The objective is to bring to the minds of the parents, teachers and pupils the need of dental attention, not once a year, but every month. A mark of sixty per cent or seventy per cent on teeth indicates the number of defective teeth needing filling or extracting. In summarizing the dental report for each child ten per cent is taken off for each defective tooth and need of cleaning. To develop further interest in the dental program, each class has a chart showing the dental per cent of each child, and also the room average. Each month the dental reports are collected from the various schools, prepared and tabulated. This arouses the competitive spirit of the children, causing them to strive for Ioo per cent as individuals and in room groups. It also clearly indicates the schools and rooms with the lowest percentage, enabling nurses and doctors to give dental attention where it is most needed. An invaluable agency in promoting co-operation and understanding 88 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY between the parents of school children and the teachers is the ParentTeachers club, and Flint is fortunate in the possession of eighteen of these clubs. 'A Mother's club was organized in the spring of 1921, at the Walker school, and a similar organization was formed the following fall at the Clark school. In February, I922, the latter club was reorganized as the Parent-Teacher association, the first in Flint. Reorganization of the Walker club soon followed, and in June, I924, there were eighteen flourishing Parent-Teacher associations in the city. There are associations at the following schools: Clark, Civic Park, Cook, Dewey, Doyle, Dort, Durant, High, Hazelton, Homedale, Lewis, Fenton Road, Martin, Oak, Ratkin, Washington, Walker and Stevenson. The names, principals and locations of the Flint public schools are as follows: Senior high school, C. V. Courter, corner E. Second and Crapo streets; South Junior high school, L. D. Lundberg, corner W. Second and Beach streets; Whittier Junior high school, Grace C. Pierce, Crapo street; Emerson Junior high school, 0. F. Norwalk, Pasadena avenue; Civic Park school, fMrs. Ora Sweet, W. Dayton at Forest Hill avenue; Cody school, Miss Florence Robertson, Fenton road; Clark school, Miss Lena McLeod, comer Harrison and E. Tenth streets; Cook school, Miss Isabelle Jones, Stockdale road, two blocks west of Detroit street; Dewey school, Miss Wyla Waterman, N. Saginaw road at Stewart avenue; Doyle school, Miss Rena Strickland, corner N. Saginaw and McFarlane streets; Fairview school, Miss Elizabeth Welch, Central avenue, one block east of St. John; Hazelton school, Mrs. Anna Dechyshire, comer West Second and Hazelton streets; Homedale school, Miss Elizabeth Coates, corner Richfield road and Olive streets; Kearsley school, Miss Helen Moss, on Kearsley street, one block east of Crapo street; Lewis school, Miss Jennie Anderson, Richfield road, one block north of Leith; Lincoln school, Miss Leah Unrich, S. Saginaw between Oakley and Eddington streets; Martin school, Mrs. Clara Hilbor, Lorado, one block east of Saginaw; Oak street school, Mrs. Emma Hopkins, Oak street at end of W. Fifth street; Parkland school, Miss Hazel Minore, corner North and Durant streets; Rankin school, Miss Margaret Jones, corner W. Second avenue and Lyons street; Roosevelt school, Mrs. Mina Helmer, Stewart avenue and Lewis street; Stevenson school, Miss Mary Kelly, comer Sixth avenue and Smith street; Walker school, Miss Nina Bushnell, E. Second street at Stevens; Washington school, Miss Mabelle Stambaugh, Arlington avenue between Missouri and Ohio avenues; Zimmerman school, Miss Ella Guild, Corunna road; Dort school, Miss Eva Curtis, one block west of Saginaw between Newall and Witherbee; and Durant school, Mrs. Lillian Pickett, Mathewson street and Third avenue. Prior to 1916 there were but eight school buildings in Flint, but HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 89 in that year began the extensive building program which has added nineteen splendid schoolhouses, as follows: Seating Built Capacity Cost Fairview.............. 915-I6 600 $ 68,000.00 Cook................. 196-17 6oo 96,ooo.oo Hazelton Addition...... 916-I7 280 58,000.00 Dort No. 2............ 196-17 700 102,000.00 Lewis.................19I7-18 700 170,000.00 Lincoln............... I917-I 8 6oo 123,000.00 Dewey................ I920-2 650 256,000.00 Civic Park............1 92I-22 700 243,000.00 Washington........... 921-22 700 235,000.00 Durant................ 192I-22 700 234,000.00 Homedale Addition.... 1922-23 600 178,000.00 High School.......... 1922-23 i8oo 1,160,000.00 Martin................ 923-24 8io 282,000.00 - Emerson.............. 924-25 2000 822,000.00 Whittier.............. 1924-25 I8oo 860,000.00 Zimmerman........... 924-25 650 251,000.00 Roosevelt............. 1924-25 8io 284,000.00 Cody................. I924-25 8io 283,ooo0.00 Jefferson............. I925 8Io I97,ooo.00 Parochial Schools. There are five parochial schools in Flint, St. Michael's, All Saints and St. Matthew's Catholic schools, a Lutheran school and an Adventist school. A small one-room building, erected on the south side of old St. Michael's church served as the first parochial school building of that parish. School was started that year with Miss Fawcett as teacher in 1856. This served for school purposes until 1871, when, under the pastorate of Father Gilloetise, the present building was erected. The curriculum of the school is in thorough accord with the requirements of the state and city educational laws. The large brick building at the corner of Church and Third streets was opened in 1914 by Father Michael John Comerford and houses St. Matthew's Catholic school. It is a thoroughly modern building, and like the other Catholic schools meets every requirement of educational law. All Saints Catholic school was founded by Father John B. Hewelt, and it now has an enrollment of more than five hundred pupils, among whom are a great number who are of foreign parentage. Their studies are directed along lines of Americanization. The Adventist parochial school on Oak street now has an enrollment of forty-two, while the Lutheran school is attended by thirty-two children. The total enrollment of parochial schools of the city is approximately two thousand. County Schools. The beginning of the schools in each township are recorded in the chapter on County Government and Organization, where, listed under each township, is given an account of the pioneer school in each. Since the pioneer days in the county the country schools and village institutions have progressed with the times. From HISTORY OP GENEBSE COUNTY log houses they became brick, new buildings were erected, and many of them, to care for the needs of the growing population which poured into the county as the forest trees fell before the axes of the woodsmen and the steel of the axe was beaten into the plowshare of agriculture. The development in the county schools has been parallel with that of the city schools, and the rural districts are now completely organized to give excellent instruction to the children. There are 117 one-room schoolhouses in Genesee county, seven two-room buildings, fourteen having more than two rooms, one township unit school, four rural agricultural schools and twenty-two standard rural schools. The county is divided into 126 districts, and careful supervision and direction is given by the county school commissioner, Miss F. H. Nichols, who was elected to that office two years ago, and her deputy, Belle C. Jordan. The school children of the rural districts numbered 8,ooo in 1925, and of these 200 passed the state eighth grade examinations at the close of the year 1924-25, and 467 passed the seventh grade examinations. The Genesee county schools rate very high among the county schools of the state, and much credit is due Miss Nichols and her predecessors in office for the excellent condition of the institutions under their care and the high average of teaching talent employed. Michigan School for the Deaf, one of the largest institutions of its kind in the United States, was established in 1848 by an act introduced into the legislature by E. H. Thomson, and the first board of trustees chose Flint as the location of the school, where a site of twenty acres was donated by Col. T. B. W. Stockton. For the construction of the first buildings, three thousand dollars was subscribed by the citizens, and Charles H. Palmer was appointed principal in December, I950. In 1857 the original act was so amended that the School for the Deaf was made independent of the Kalamazoo Insane Asylum, in 1853 Rev. Barnabas Maynard, an instructor in an Indiana institution for the blind, was offered the position of principal, which he accepted, and on February I, i854, the school was opened to receive pupils. Five days later, James Bradley, who had for many years been a prosperous farmer of Lawton, Michigan, applied for entrance, and by the close of the first year seventeen pupils were in attendance. The history of the school from then on has been one of steady development, and one who has been largely instrumental in building it up was Dr. Francis D. Clark, who served as principal from 1892 until the time of his death in 1913. That the institution is one of the largest and most progressive of its kind in the United States is due to the progressive policy pursued by Dr. Clark. He it was who laid the cornerstone of the main building in 1913 a few days before his death, at which he officiated as Grand Master of Free & Accepted Masons. He was succeeded by Luther L. Wright, who died in January, I922, and since that time I. B. Gilbert has been superintendent of the school. The present main building was erected in 1913 at a cost of $200,ooo, and besides the offices it contains dormitories for the older boys and girls and play and study rooms.. A $Ioo,ooo HISTORY OF GENIBEE COUNTY gl fwifiwul. thqrughly modern in every respect, will be completed t the fall of 19a5. The growth of the institution has necessitated several changes in housing, one of which has been the conversion of one entire building into a hospital, completely equipped for any kind of an operation. It has thirty beds, and is in charge of Dr. Carl Moll who is assisted by two nurses. Another building has been turned into a dormitory for the younger children, and has been named Clark Dormitory in honor of the former superintendent. Many new courses have been instituted during the past few years. Domestic science and arts courses with the best equipment for their study have been inaugurated, while a complete machine shop, in conjunction with which courses in machine design and mechanical drawing are taught. In 1913, a bakery was built at the school equipped with the best of baking machinery, and one of the recent innovations in the courses of study at the school has been a baking course for boys, who get their practical experience at the school. Two automatic printing presses and two linotype machines have been installed at the school to be used in the teaching of printing. In 1924 a large greenhouse was constructed, and at that time courses in gardening and greenhouse work were opened, superceding the old general agricultural course. A herd of 53 Holstein cattle is maintained, and those students who wish to learn the care, feeding and breeding of cattle gain their practical experience at the school farm. Poultry raising is also carried on in connection with this work. In addition to the vocational training offered at the school, students are prepared for entrance to Gallaudet College at Washington, D. C., an institution maintained for deaf students largely by the United States government. Three hundred and fifty pupils are now enrolled at the school, these ranging from the ages of seven to twenty-one years, any difference in these ages being passed upon by the board of trustees. From the original site of twenty acres, the land of the institution has been increased to four hundred acres, all of which is within the city limits of Flint. The operating cost of this school, including salaries, is approximately $I50,ooo a year. LIBRARIES The cultivation of learning is not alone stimulated in the schools of a community, food for the mind is stored in books that never find their way into the school room, and in the maintenance of public libraries the people of a nation offer the means of self-improvement to the masses of its population. At Flint the first attempt at organizing a library was made in conjunction with a public school-so closely are schools and libraries affiliated in the public thought. On July 26, 1843, a shelf of books was purchased for the library from Jonathan Lamb, of Ann Arbor, and was placed under the control of the school inspectors of Flint. By I844, the library contained seventy-one volumes, but in that year it was augmented by the acquisition of fourteen volumes. By the winter of 1845-46 the library had grown to 250 volumes, showing a wide range of subject matter. By I847, 350 books were catalogued. 92 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Between the years 1849 and 1858 the books seem to have been actively circulated, and purchases of additional books from time to time swelled the total to about five hundred volumes. In 1851 was formed the Ladies' Library Association, which was incorporated in 1853. By the following year it had acquired 500 books, but in I86I it was nearly destroyed by fire. The sympathies of the community were thus aroused, but the insurance was paid to the association and it was able to replace the books which had been destroyed through buying from a failing publishing house at reduced prices. Subscriptions were received in July, I866, for the purpose of providing a library building for the association, and a lot was purchased on the corner of Beach and Kearsley streets. Within the year the cornerstone was laid at ceremonies presided over by William M. Fenton. On June 30, I868, the $6,ooo library building was dedicated, Governor Henry H. Crapo delivered the principal address. Upon several occasions the question of making it a free public library had arisen at meetings of the Ladies' Library Association, and finally at a special meeting on June 28, 1884, it was unanimously decided to present the library to the city, with the provision that it be kept open every day and evening for the use of the public. At that time the library numbered about 4,000 books, and from that date until 1905 the public library occupied the same building in Flint. With a constantly increasing number of books, the need of enlarged library space became almost acute. Accordingly, in 1905, Andrew Carnegie was asked to finance the construction of a new library building. The request was granted, and on the corner of Clifford and East Kearsley streets the present fine structure was erected. On Thursday, June 8, 1905, the building was formally dedicated as a part of the Golden Jubilee celebration. The museum of the Genesee County Historical Society was at that time placed on the second floor of the library, but a few years ago it was removed to one of the buildings on the high school campus, where it is snow in charge of Byron E. Dodge, who is an authority on the antiquities of the county. Mrs. Lena Caldwell was librarian in the new building until October, 1920, when William V. Smith took the position for two years. L. J. Bailey ic the present librarian. The Flint Scientific Institute was organized at a meeting held in February, 1913, in the office of F. H. Rankin. The purpose of the organization was the increase of the scientific knowledge of its members. In March, I854, a lecture course was planned, and weekly meetings for the discussion of stated subjects. At first, geographic subjects were largely treated, but in I855, history, literature and art were included. During these years the institute had been acquiring a museum, which had grown to such proportions that on October 24, [855, curators of the different branches were chosen. The membership of the society was so decreased during the Civil war that it became almost inoperative, but it was revived after considerable effort and continued until I877. On January 5th, of that year, the museum HISTORY OF GENEDSEE COUNTY 98 and the library were turned over to the Union school district, and the society was disbanded. Other libraries of the county are the Phillips Public Library, of Fenton, which contains 2,507 volumes and is in charge of Mrs. Cora Pettis; Clio school library of 1,256 volumes, is in charge of Miss Beatrice Woolson; Sadie Greenfield is librarian of the Flushing public library, which has I,I69 volumes; and a reference library is maintained at the Michigan School for the Deaf. CHAPTER VIII BENCH AND BAR IN THE beginning, Genesee county was attached for judicial purposes to the county of Oakland, where the seat of justice was at Pontiac. This condition endured from March 28, I835, which was the date of the organization of Genesee, to March 8, of the following year when a legislative act was approved conferring all rights and privileges of other counties upon this. From that date onward, this county has been entitled to have its own courts located within its boundaries. Since the seat of justice of Genesee county was at Flint, the first court held here was in the store of Stage & Wright located directly across the street from John Todd's tavern, where the Pere Marquette railroad now intersects Saginaw street. The presiding justice was Judge George Morrell of the Supreme Court, and was held in the summer of 1837. The judicial system of the state at that time provided for the holding of courts in the several circuit courts of the state by the justices of the supreme court. Business in this first term of court was not rushing, since there were but four cases tried before it. In all of these, Thomas J. Drake appeared as attorney, while George Wisner was attorney in one, P. H. McOmber in another and Bartow & Wilson in yet another. The original case before this court was an attachment cause begun on February 24, I837, by Thomas J. Drake for the plaintiff in Chauncey Bogue vs. Timothy J. Walling. This case was dismissed by order of Judge Mark W. Stevens, presiding in the circuit court, in April, 1916. The first lawyer to make his home in Genesee county was Philip H. McOmber, a native of Saratoga county, New York, who came to Michigan in 1832. He kept tavern for two years in Groveland county and in 1834 made removal to Fenton. He attained distinction as the first prosecuting attorney. Perhaps the most outstanding figure among the early attorneys of this county was Thomas J. Drake who achieved eminence in his profession both in Genesee and in Oakland counties. He came to Flint from Pontiac, took a prominent part in nearly all the important litigation before the early courts of this county, returned to Oakland county, where he was the leading lawyer and at one time president of the Bar association of that county, and received appointment at the hands of President Lincoln as chief justice of the United States court in Utah. He passed away at Pontiac in 1875. In 1838, a combined court room and jail was built of logs on the site of the present county courthouse, the upper story being employed for the sessions of the county court. Two valuable acquisitions were made to the embryo legal fraternity at Flint about this time in the persons of John Bartow and Attorney Rugg, both men of culture, HISTORY OF GENISEE COUNTY learning and legal ability, and both of whom had come to this frontier settlement with the same purpose-to escape the conviviality of their former homes. Their presence brought the tone of legal practice in this village to an unusually high standard, and the courts were consequently exceptionally free from pettifogging practices, which so marred the sessions of pioneer courts. In a great many communities an insignificant knowledge of the law combined with leather lungs and a capacity for vitriolic abuse, which marked the pettifogger, was all that was necessary to the practice of the profession. John Bartow, who located here in I836, was later associated with Edward H. Thomson, but it would seem that he had an earlier partner since the firm of Bartow & Wilson appeared as attorneys at the first term of court held in the county in I837. Thomson was a native of Westmoreland county, England, was brought to this country at an early age by his parents, and located at Boston. He received the principal part of his legal training under the preceptorship of Millard Fillmore in Buffalo, New York, he having previously been given an academic education at White Plains, that state. Thus fortified beyond the average of attorneys of that day, he came to Michigan in 1837 after having some preliminary experience as an attorney at Cleveland, Ohio. Men of his attainments were a welcome addition to the population of the new state, and he instantly attracted favorable attention. He was appointed prosecuting attorney of Lapeer county by Governor Stevens G. Mason, Michigan's famous boy governor. He acted as prosecuting attorney for Genesee county in I845-46, and in the following year was sent to the state senate from the large district embracing the counties of Genesee, Oakland, Lapeer, Shiawassee, Saginaw, Tuscola, and the entire upper peninsula. He attracted the attention of Governor Epaphroditus Ransom through his championing of a foreign immigration bill and he was subsequently appointed state immigration agent with headquarters at New York city. Later, his headquarters were moved to Stuttgart, Germany, and his efforts brought 20,000 German laborers to Michigan. Another interesting appointment awarded him was that of deputy United States commissioner to the World's Fair in London in I85I, where he received favorable mention for his assiduous attention to American business. He later resumed legal practice in Flint, but when the Civil war clouds broke upon the nation, he was appointed a member of the state military board by Governor Blair, later becoming its president. He was a man of scholarly attainments and was particularly devoted to the study of Shakespeare. His fine collection of the works of the "Immortal Bard" now graces the library of the University of Michigan. Among the other early practitioners before the Genesee bar may be numbered James Birdsall, who made his bow before the local courts in I839, bringing with him an enviable reputation as a banker from his native state of New York, from which he had gone to Washington at one time as a member of the House of Representatives. He practiced law at Flint until the time of his death in I856. Perhlaps one of the first residents of the county to be admitted to the bar g96 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY here was James S. Goodrich, of the well-known Goodrich family for whom the village of Goodrich is named. He was admitted to practice in I840, and history says of him that he combined with ability as a lawyer a remarkably retentive memory. So popular did he become that he was elected judge of the county in I851, but death cut short his career before he could assume the dignities of that office. The early annals of the legal profession record two members of the profession by the name of Drake, for during a brief period, the brother of Thomas J. Drake, Morgan L., was also engaged in professional practice at Flint. He came here in the late Thirties, and that his legal attainments were of high order is evident from his having been chosen prosecuting attorney of Genesee county for the term 1840-42, at the conclusion of which he returned to the city whence he had come, Pontiac. But Flint was not alone in its enjoyment of first-class legal talent. We have already mentioned Philip H. McOmber, the county's first prosecutor, and there was another pioneer attorney of the Fentonville community, William F. Mosely. He had had prior legal training as a member of the Oakland county bar, and that he was a man of natural abilities as a lawyer was demonstrated by his election to the office of prosecuting attorney. From Genesee county he removed to Shiawassee where he died in I86o. Robert J. S. Page, second mayor of Flint and at one time probate judge, located in Flint in 1838 to 'take up the practice of law. Alexander P. Davis, a native of New York, came to Flint in 1842 from Livingston county, Michigan, for a time was a partner of John Bartow, and later removed to Fenton. George R. Cummings was admitted to practice in 1842 and served as county clerk in 1846. Chauncey K. Williams first practiced in Fentonville but came to Flint some time prior to I850 where he took a prominent part in Masonic activities. One of the esteemed members of the local bar in the late Forties and early Fifties was Moses Wisner, of Pontiac, father of Charles H. Wisner, for many years circuit judge of Genesee county. He was elected governor of Michigan in I858 and was a colonel of infantry in the Civil war. Another man who was prominent as an attorney at Flint and also took a leading part in many other lines of endeavor was Col. William M. Fenton, a sketch of whom is incorporated in the chapter on banks and banking. He was admitted to the bar in 1842 and was twice elected lieutenant-governor of Michigan, in I848 and I850. He was appointed registrar of the United States land office at Flint by President Pierce and served with distinction throughout the Civil war as colonel of the Eighth Michigan Infantry. He deeded the site for Flint's first city hall with the proviso that it never be used for any other purpose, and the present fine municipal building stands on that site today. Levi Walker, a native of New York, was well fitted by education for his life work as a lawyer. He was associated with William H. Seward as counsel in the defense of the insane negro murderer Freeman, and was the editor of the first anti-slavery paper in New York. In I847, he came to Flint where he became a well-known figure in HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY oI the social, business and educational affairs of the town, and his name is perpetuated in the Walker school which was built near his residence. William Newton, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, came to Genesee county in the early Fifties and became associated in practice with Col. Fenton, a partnership which lasted until the death of the latter in i87I. Newton continued his legal labors and was twice elected judge of the seventh judicial circuit, in x88i and in I887. He was a candidate for election to the supreme court in the fall of 1892 and was a leader of the community until he died in i903. An attorney who owed much of his success to Colonel Fenton was Sumner Howard, who attracted the favorable notice of Fenton and was by him afforded the opportunity for the study of law. From 1864 to I868, he was prosecuting attorney of the county and was elected to the state legislature for the term beginning 1883. He was made speaker of the house in that term and was appointed sometime later United States district attorney of the district of Utah. Through his prosecution in the Mountain Meadow massacre case, he gained nation-wide notice as a criminal lawyer, and was appointed United States district judge of Arizona. It has been written of him that he was one of the best examples of the pioneer lawyer of Michigan, one of those men whose energies were a potent influence in its formative period. In the constitutional convention of 1867, Sumner Howard, Henry R. Lovell and Thaddeus G. Smith, all members of the Genesee bar, represented this district. Henry R. Lovell was an Easterner and a graduate of Union college. After teaching school for some time, he came to Michigan, arriving here in April, i86i. He studied in the law office of Colonel Fenton, was admitted to the bar, served as a member of the constitutional convention of 1867, once was prosecuting attorney of Genesee county, and for a number of years was judge of probate. Another attorney who became judge of probate was George R. Gold, a Connecticut yankee and a graduate of Yale. Coming to Pine Run, Genesee county, he taught school for about a year and then moved to Flint to take up the practice of law. He was county clerk, for fifteen consecutive terms was city attorney, and later was elected. probate judge. At various times he had for partners Charles D. Long, Sumner Howard and William Newton. Charles D. Long, who had lost an arm in the Civil war, was admitted to the Genesee bar after that great struggle, and developed into one of the outstanding legal lights of the state. In i888, he was elected to the supreme court of Michigan and continued as a member of that august body until 1902 when death removed him from the stage of mortal activities. John H. Hicok, a graduate of Hamilton, Clinton, New York, engaged in the banking business in Homer, that state, until I879, but in that year he came to Genesee county and was admitted to the bar. He was a contributor to a number of magazines and was appointed postmaster of Flint in 1897, a term which was cut short by death in 1898. Other attorneys who practiced during the Seventies were Clark Johnson, a native of this county, and his sons Ransom and Charles H., the latter of whom held the office of prosecuting attorney 98 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY for several terms and was once a partner of C. H. Wisner. Judge Josiah Turner, of the old Seventh Judicial Circuit, which comprised Shiawassee, Livingston, Genesee and Tuscola counties, was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1833 and in 1837 came to Michigan. He began the practice of his profession at Livingston Center where he was located until he succeeded Judge Sanford M. Green, of the seventh circuit, in 1857, and became a familiar figure to the residents of Genesee county during his twenty-four years in that office. He spent the later years of his life at Owosso, Michigan, where death overtook him in I907. George E. Taylor, who was born at Walled Lake, Michigan, in I838, came to Flint in 1872 where he was soon admitted to the bar. For eight years he was judge of probate and then returned to active practice which he continued until his death in!89m. fi b 3 A luminary of the Genesee bar who shed a benignant light upon the profession for many years was Judge George H. Durand. He was born at Scobelskill, New York, in 1838 and came to Michigan when he was twenty years of age. For many years he was a member of the Genesee bar and was prominent in state and national politics. He was elected to the house of representatives in I874, serving one term, and was named by President Cleveland as special government counsel in the prosecution of smugglers at Portland, Oregon. In October, I892, he was appointed to the supreme bench of the state to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Justice Morse, and in I902, he was Democratic nominee for election to the governorship of the state. George M. Walker succeeded his father, Levi Walker, as justice of the peace, holding that office more than twenty-five years. His death occurred in I905. Charles H. Wisher, long an able attoney, was elected circuit judge in I893, took up the duties of his office in I894, and served until his death in I915. He was a man of broad accomplishment and versatile ability. He superintended the building of the county courthouse which was formally dedicated in 1905 and also the construction of the Masonic Temple in Flint. Judge Wisner was succeeded by Mark W. Stevens who was appointed by Governor Ferris to fill the vacancy. He was born in Linden and for many years was a practicing attorney at Flint before his appointment as judge. At the regular election of judges held in April, 1917, Edward D. Black was elected judge of the seventh judicial district, an office which he still holds, and at the regular fall election of I918, Fred W. Brennan was likewise raised to the bench in this circuit. Both Judges Black and Brennan are lawyers of wide experience and lend distinction to the bench of Genesee county. Genesee County Bar Association was inaugurated at a meeting of attorneys in November, 1897. On that day, a tentative organization was made and the meeting adjourned to a later date in order to give time for the perfection of the constitution and by-laws, a duty which was entrusted to a committee. This permanent organization was effected on November I9, a constitution was adopted and Honorable George H. Durand was elected first president. Those who have held the office of president of the Genesee County Bar association since HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 99 Judge Durand are: Everett L. Bray, Clinton Roberts, Mark W. Stevens, Fred W. Brennan, Edward S. Lee, George F. Brown, E. D. Black, George W. Cook, John J. Carton, James S. Parker, Thomas Stockton, William V. Smith, Guy W. Selby. The objects of the association are to promote social intercourse among the members of the profession and to advance the best interests of the commonwealth by improving the administration of justice, worthy objects well fulfilled. CHAPTER IX THE PRESS THE pioneer journalist may be considered a pioneer in the true sense of the word, for on the heels of the first settlers came the editors who established the newspapers that were such a material aid in the development of the locality in which they were located. All movements for the benefit of the citizenry were widely advertised through the little sheets, and perhaps more to the newspapers than to any other source did the scattered settlers turn for their knowledge not only of local but also of state and national affairs. Any forward step of the community was heralded in news columns and editorials of the papers; any measure likely to subvert the public interests were dragged before the public eye that the people might fairly judge of its merits or demerits. It might be truly said that in the newspapers of the times can be seen the true state of a community; the newspaper is an accurate barometer of the community's welfare. Within three years after the organization of the county, a newspaper was established in Genesee county. Printing presses, fonts of type, and cases and stones were laboriously transported by team, canal and lake boats from a small New York town to Detroit by Joseph Averill who then brought them overland from Detroit to Flint, where he began the publication of the Flint River Gazette. The life of this first paper was only two years long. The population and interest was apparently insufficient at that time to support a newspaper, for during the next decade several newspaper enterprises were born, only to die within a brief time. The Northern Advocate, begun in 1840, was soon discontinued, to be followed by the Genesee Gazette, which was published for a time in I842; by W. S. Denton & Company. J. Dowd Coleman published the Genesee Herald in 1843, a paper which was soon followed by the Genesee County Democrat. The year 1845 witnessed the establishment of Genesee county's first successful newspaper. Daniel S. 'Merritt, whose terms were $I.50 in cash or two dollars in produce in advance, continued the publication of the Flint Republican, as it was named, until I848, when Royal W. Jenny bought him out, changing the name to the Genesee Democrat. The Wolverine Citizen, founded in I850 by Francis H. Rankin, and the Flint Globe, established in I866 by Charles F. Smith, Henry S. Hilton and Robert Smith, were two of the county's three newspapers which maintained long and useful existences. Royal W. Jenny continued at the head of the Genesee Democrat until the time of his death in 1876, and for some weeks thereafter his wife carried on the editorial work of that sheet, selling it to H. N. Mather, who came from New York state in that year. Mather was an alert and progressive newspaper man, and not only largely im HIiTORY OF' GF1NMSSIE CbtJI(4**iii 1Mf proved the paper, but added a Sunday edition as well. He -oiidttted it als the name implies, from a Democratic standpoint, but in I8' sold it to Jerome Eddy, then mayor of Flint, of whom exteftded rif'tion is made in the biographical section of this work. After a eshort time the editorship of the sheet was transferred to Arthur J. Eddy, a son of the owner, who had graduated from Harvard U-nivetsity some years before. The Daily News was established in 1884 by the Eddys, and was conducted in conjunction with the Genesee Democrat, both of which were sold to W. H. Werkheiser & Sons, of Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1887. Werkheiser brought to Flint some twenty years previous newspaper experience, for he had been editor of the Evening Mail, a Democratic paper of Philipsburg, New Jersey, and was also financially interested in the Saltsburg Press, of Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. Of his two sons, George and Frank F., associated with him in the business, the former became city editor of the Daily News, and as such earned an enviable reputation as a news gatherer. On November I6, 1905, the Werkheisers sold both the Genesee Democrat and the Daily News to William V. Smith, of Olean, New York, and J. Frank Woods, of Forest Grove, Oregon. These gentlemen retained possession of the two sheets for a short time, and then sold their interests to H. H. Fitzgerald, of St. Johns, Michigan. In 1850, the Genesee Whig was started by F. H. Rankin, and in about six years the name was changed to that of the Wolverine Citizen and Genesee Whig. In December, I856, the name was again changed to just the Wolverine Citizen, under which name it was published as a weekly newspaper for over half a century. Mr. Rankin continued its publication until the time of his death on August 11, 900o, at which time his son, F. H. Ranking, Jr., assumed control, who published it until I915 when it was finally discontinued. During its long existence it had served as a training school for many of Michigan's prominent newspaper men, notable among whom were Hon. W. R. Bates, formerly of the Lumberman's Gazette; C. B. Turner, who became associated with the Pontiac Gazette; R. L. Warren, formerly with the Lawrence Advertiser; Morgan Bates, Jr., who was connected with the Marshall Statesman; E. D. Cowles, of the Saginaw Daily Courier; W. A. Smith, of the Charlevoix Sentinel; Harry Hall, of the Stewart Locomotive; Charles Fellows, formerly of the Flint Journal; Orlando White, of the Linden Record; and A. M. Woodin, of the Lansing Sentinel. The Flint Globe began a long period of useful service in August, I866, Charles F. Smith & Company instituting the venture. It continued under this management until August, 1869, when Almon L. Aldrich became the publisher, a position he retained for thirty years, and in September, 1899, James Slocum, who had been editor of the Holly Advertiser for twelve years, bought the sheet from Aldrich. In September, I9oo, Slocum established the Daily Globe in conjunction with the Weekly Globe, publishing them until March, I902; when he sold both to E. J. Ottaway, of Port Huron, Michigan, who sold 102.. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY them on July. 12 of that same year to H. H. Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald purchased the Daily Journal two months later, consolidating that paper with the others as the Weekly Globe and Daily Journal. The Flint Journal was first established as a Democratic weekly newspaper in 1875 by Charles Fellows, who continued as publisher until it was sold to Dr. Carmen, who in turn sold it to George McConnolly in December, 1882. On March 3, 1883, McConnolly converted the Journal into a daily paper, and though during the following years six different attempts were made to start a daily newspaper, they all met with disaster save the Journal. McConnolly sold his interest in the Journal in October, I888, to John W. Stout, of Indiana, and a few months later John J. Coon, of Illinois, became the owner. Mrs. Coon later became the managing owner, but after a time sold an interest to George H. Gardner, of Saginaw. Under this management the paper continued until September 12, I902, when H. H. Fitzgerald purchased it, as above described. Under the management of Fitzgerald the Journal became one of the leading dailies of Michigan. In I9II he disposed of his interests to the Booth Publishing company, and at that time Charles M. Greenway became editor-in-chief, and Myles F. Bradley took the post of managing editor. One of the striking examples of architecture in the city of Flint is the new building of the Journal at the corner of Brush and First streets, which was occupied in September, I924. It is a beautiful structure and so designed as to give the maximum of convenience in the conduct of the paper, and the equipment of presses and other machinery is of the most modern type. Its circulation is now about 33,000. In January, I923, the Flint Herald was started as an evening daily by the Herald Publishing company, which had the following officers: W. H. McKeighan, president; Henry L. Freiking, vice-president and general manager; J. C. Kane, treasurer; and L. L. Latchaw, secretary. The newspaper was continued under this management until June 20, I925, when the M. & L. Publishing company, of which R. J. Land is the head, purchased it. Thereafter, until August I, 1925, the Herald was continued as an evening daily paper, but believing that the city of Flint needed a morning paper, it was converted into such a sheet. Its first issue as a morning daily was Monday, August 3, I925, and it has since become a semi-weekly. The plant is located on Fourth avenue between Saginaw and Chippewa streets. The Fenton Observer was organized in I854 by W. W. Booth and Perry Joslin. That the field warranted such a venture was demonstrated by the succeeding years of successful operation. The publication passed through several managements, and was until recently published in that city, filling the needs of local advertisers and recording the local news in an engaging fashion. The Fenton Independent came to share the newspaper field at Fenton with the Observer in i868, H. N. Jennings having been the entrepeneur of this journal. It was likewise a highly successful undertaking from its inception. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 10M At Flint, in the year 1914, there was an unsuccessful attempt made to place another paper in the field. This was the Flint Press, started by Arthur C. Pound and William Thompson, but before the end of the year publication was suspended. The Fenton Courier, an independent Republicant.paper established in 1883, now has a circulation of approximately I,5oo, and Thad H. and Paul D. Halsted are the editors and publishers. The Fenton Journal, the other paper occupying that field at the present time, has a circulation of 1,250. The Clio Messenger, a weekly published on Friday, is Republican in politics and was established in I907. Charles H. Reed, editor and publisher, has built up the newspaper until it now has a circulation of 960. The Davison Index, published by George Purvis, has been well liked by the citizens of that village since it was first started in I889. It is independent in politics and enjoys a circulation of 700. A. E. Ransom is the present owner and publisher of a weekly newspaper, the Flushing Observer, which was started in 1878. The Linden Leader, an independent weekly newspaper published by J. E. McMullen, has figured in the life of that village since I897, and it now has a circulation of more than 500. The Montrose Record is one of the oldest newspapers published in the county outside of Flint. It was established in 1875, and as a weekly newspaper independent in politics its circulation has increased to nearly 2,000 since the present owner, Ralph C. Gillett, has directed its affairs. CHAPTER X CITIES AND VILLAGES THE early settlement of Flint and the villages of the county are described in the chapter on Early Settlement, and in the chapters on County Organization and Government, Transportation, Banks and Banking, Physicians and the Public Health, Education and Libraries, Bench and Bar, The Press, and Industry and Manufacturing, the development along these lines in the various communities of the county is recorded. It will be the aim of this chapter to describe the civic advancement of cities and villages, and primarily of Flint, together with a description of the relationship of agriculture to them. Although it is known that two Catholic priests and a French trader named Bolieu, had visited the site of the city of Flint prior to the coming of Jacob Smith, he was the first permanent white settler here. Smith was a German, born in the city of Quebec, the husband of a Chippewa squaw and the father of half a dozen halfbreed children. Prior to the war of i812 he had made several trips from Detroit into the Saginaw country, and during that war was sent as an agent of the American army into this territory to ascertain the intentions of the Indians as to joining forces with the British. The nature of his mission was discovered, and he barely escaped to Detroit with his life. He later became a captain in the American army. In I819 he aided Governor Cass in consummating his treaty with the Indians, known as the Saginaw Treaty, and secured for himself about seven thousand acres of land at the Grand Traverse of the Flint river, now the site of Flint. He lived here until his death in I825, and subsequently there was much litigation as to the title of the land, suits that were not quieted until 1860. Flint River Village, as Flint was first called, struggled along through the pioneer days, growing slowly until the lumbering interests discovered it was a splendid center for that industry. The village began to boom, and in 1855 the city of Flint was incorporated. Although there was a general agreement that Flint should have its own charter so that it might govern itself, there was considerable difference of opinion as to which would be better, a village or a city charter. A meeting of citizens was called at the courthouse in January, I855, and after much debating a committee composed of Gen. C. C. Ha all, Levi Walker, Charles N. Beecher, F. H. Rankin, James Birdsall, George M. Dewey and C. S. Payne was appointed to draft a city charter. This charter was later adopted by the citizens at another meeting, a petition was presented to the state legislature, and that body incorporated the city by special act which became a law when signed by Governor Bingham on February 13, 1855. ()I-' ~:J~~~~~~.:1~:,::: ~: -.::~: ~~: ~~~'' i':~.f~:: ~:::`;P:: `:-~'~:~~~r~ 1 i,, I I. 1 ))OR'' MO'I(OR COMPANY HIST'ORY OP' GENEMSEF COUNTY10 100' The first election unider the new charter was held on April 2,, x83S? when a mayor, recorder, supervisor, treasurer, marshal, directors of the poor, school inspector, justices of the peace and ward officers for the three wards of the city were chosen. Grant Decker., then a man of forty-one years, was elected mayor, the term having been then, as now, one year, and he has been followed in that office by a great many men of the highest ability and honor, a list of whom is here given. Elected Elected -.1-1855 —Grant Decker. 37-i891 —F. H-. Rankin, Jr. 2-i856-Robert J. S. Page. 38-1892 —George E. Taylor. 3-1857-Henry M. Henderson. 39-1I893-Andrew J. Ward. 4-1858-William M. Fenton. 40-1894-Arthur C. McCall. 5-1859-Porter Hazelton. 41-i895-John Zimmerman. 6-i86:o —Henry H. Crapo. 42-i896 —Samuel C. Randall. 7-186i-Ephriam S. Williams. 43-i897-Milton C. Pettibone. 8-i862-WilliaM Paterson. 44-1898-George R. Gold. 9-i863-William Hamilton. 45-1899 —H. Alex Crawford. bo-i864-William Hamilton. 46-I9oo0 —Chas. A. Cummings. x1-z865-William B. McCreery. 47-i901-C. B. Dibble. iz —i86&6-William B. McCreery. 48-I902 —~A. D. Alvord. I3-1867-Austin B. Witherbee. 49-190o3-A. D. Alvord. 14-i868-Samuel M. Axford. 50-190o4-B. J. MacDonald. 15-i869 —William S. Patrick. 5I-1905-D. D. Aitken. i6-i87o —James B. Walkers. 52-I1906-George E. McKinley. 17-i871-David S. Fox. 53-1907-George E. McKinley. i8-1i872-David S. Fox. 54-1908 —Horace C. Spencer. 19-1873-George H. Durand. 55-1909 —Guy W. Selby. 2o —i874-George H. Durand. 56-1910-Guy W. Selby. 21-i875-Alexander McFarlan. 57-I91 i-John A. C. Mentoni. 22-1876-William Hamilton. 58-1912-Charles S. Mott. 23-1877-Edward, H. Thompson. 59-1913 —Charles S. Mott.. 24-i878-jerome Eddy. 60-1914-John R. MacDonald. 25-i879-James C. Willson. 61-1915-William H. McKeighan. 26-188o-Zacheus Chase. 62-I916-Earl F. Johnson. 27-1881-Charles A. Mason. 63-I1917-GeOrge C. Kellar. 28-i882-Willam A. Atwood. 64-i918-Charles S. Mott. 29-1883-George E. Newall. 65-19i9-George C. Kellar. 30-1884-William W. Joyner. 66-1920-E. W. A-twood. 3'1-I885-Mathew Davison. 67-i92i-E. W. Atwood. 32-1886 —George T. Warren. 68-1922-Win. H. McKeighan. 33-I887-John C. Dayton. 69~-1923-David R. Cuthbertson. 34-I888-Oren Stonie. 70-1924-David R. Cuthbertson. 35-1889 —Frank D. Baker. 71-1924-Judson L. Transue. 36-i890 —William A. Patersont. 72-I925-Judson L. Transue. Flint's first telegraph was opened for operation in December, i858, from this city to Fentonville, where connection was made with the line of the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad. William W. True ran the line, and the first operator was Miles D. McAlester, a West Point 106 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY graduate, who gained distinction and promotion to brevet brigadiergeneral in the Civil war. The population of Flint increased slowly until about 19oo. In i855 the population was 2,000, in I890 it had increased to 9,830, and by I9oo had grown to 13,103. Then came the period of expansion due to the automobile industries, and by I9Io the census stood at. 38,550. In the decade following the city increased in size by leaps and bounds, and the United States census of i920 showed the city to have a population of 91,599. The expansion of the city since that' time has continued at the same great rate of speed, and in 1925 the population is estimated at being about I35,ooo. Flint is now one of the great manufacturing cities of the country. The area of Flint has also naturally increased. In 1835 the area of Flint village was 60.4 acres, and in I855, when the city charter was granted, it was I,I38.6 acres. In 1871 the city limits were increased to make the total area 3,354.6 acres, and the city remained stationary at that size until I907, when additions taken into the corporate limits increased it to 3,861.8 acres. Then began the rapid expansion of the city-it spread out into new territory, and in I9IC the limits were extended to give the city an area of 8,123.4. In I920 the area was more than doubled, additions in that year bringing the total acreage up to 19,114.6 acres. A full realization of civic consciousness came to Flint with the opening of the present century. At that time, the people became aware of the fact that their paramount needs were for those public utilities that insure municipal development along the best lines. The first few years of the Twentieth Century witnessed the establishment of gas and electric companies in Flint, the construction of street railways, and the formation of a municipal water system in keeping with the rapid growth of the city that began at that time. The year I9oo witnessed the authorization by the city council of the construction of a street railway and the establishment of a gas works. On March 26, 19o0, the council granted permission to the Detroit, Lake Orion & Flint Railway to build through the streets of the city trackage to be used by that company as a public carrier. This road was built from Oxford, Oakland county, to Flint, and in conjunction with its freight and passenger service between these cities was to operate the public service within the city limits of Flint. The ordinance was approved March 3, 1903, but by that time, the company had been bought by the Detroit United Railways, a company which still operates the street car service in the city. From time to time, the company has extended its tracks into other sections of the city to keep pace in the service offered with the growth of the city. The present equipment used within the city limits of Flint would be a credit to a city several times larger than Flint, and the service is all that could be asked. In the same year that permission was granted for the building of the street railway, the city council took up the matter of installing a gas works to supply the city with light and heat by this means. On April 21, 1900, the council passed an ordinance recommending that HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY steps be taken at once to supply Flint with such a plant. The City of Flint Gas Light company was at that time formed, and the installation of gas mains began. By the year 1905, 24.6 miles of mains had been laid. The ensuing years marked a steady growth of the company to supply the various sections of the city as they developed, and at the present time, in addition to the increased equipment at the plant, the company has more than II7 miles of mains underground. Authorization for the establishment of the Flint Electric company was granted by the city council in an ordinance approved July I5, I903. As was usual in the early days of electric power development, Flint was slow to patronize the company, but once the real value of electric light and power was shown to the people, the development of the company was rapid. In I916, the company had in use 365 miles of power and light wire lines. By the year I921 this amount had increased to 603 miles, the latest figures available on this phase of the company's equipment. By 1910, the city felt acutely the need of an improved method of supplying the city with water. On July 15, 1903, the council approved an ordinance for the establishment of a muncipally owned water system. At that time, the amount of $400,000 was appropriated for the construction of a water pumping and filtration plant. Work on the plant was begun as soon as possible, and it was opened in 1912. The original plant had a pumping capacity of 23,000,000 gallons per day. Within four years, nearly ninety miles of water mains had been laid, but this was considered insufficient to supply those sections of the town which were rapidly building up at that time. Accordingly, the council was asked to appropriate an additional $400,000 for the construction of an addition to the plant and service lines which would reach all sections of the city. By the year I92I, nearly I60 miles of water mains had been laid. At the present time, the city is considering the building of a dam on the Flint river at Geneseeville which will create a reservoir sufficiently large to give the city an adequate supply of water for many years to come. Such a dam was first considered some years ago when, as the result of a dry summer, the city experienced a water shortage. To guard against a repetition of such a condition, the city fathers are considering the measures necessary to guard against it. Less than a decade ago, the city undertook a comprehensive system of sewer installation. Street sewers in 1913 were only I2 miles in extent, but at the present time, the city has 73.6 miles of street sewers. Sanitary sewers, which were only 28 miles in extent in I909, now total I99.25 miles in length. The problem of sewage disposal is now confronting the city, and with the construction of a sewage disposal plant in mind, experiments are now being conducted by the Engineering Department to secure data as to the most suitable type of plant for this locality. These experiments are now being conducted with Imhoof and Dortmund tanks on the banks of the Flint river a short distance below the city, but the type of plant to be chosen has not yet been determined. 108 HISTORY OP GNBSEE COtUNTt The city of Flint includes 46i miles of street within its bouftdaries. Of this amount, nearly one-fourth is paved, the various types of asphalt, concrete and brick pavefents having been laid. The total amount of the paved streets in Flint up to January I, I925, was 104.08 miles. The street paving work is carried on under the supervision of the City Engineering Department. The city maintains a thoroughly complete plant for street work, the principal equipment being as follows: 25 box truck bodies; 2 passenger cars; I8 heavy trucks; 3 flushers; I motor sweeper; i thirteen-ton trailer; 13 motor pumps; 2 steam mixers; I yeard; 6 gasoline concrete mixers; 2 gasoline asphalt rollers; i steam grade roller; 3 steam shovels; 3 trench machines; 2 back-fillers; I locomotive crane; i clam shell; 3 derricks; 4 Fordson tractors; I five-ton tractor; I ten-ton tractor; 3 Avery tractors; 10 graders; 13 wheel scrapers; I air compressor with auxiliary tools; 3 boilers for steam guns; 4 steam hammers; 6 road drags; 2 mowing machines; 8 tank wagons; 25 two-horse dump wagons; 6 one-horse dump wagons; 2 farm wagons; 28 one-horse snow plows; 2 tractor snow plows; i asphalt plant, which includes: I surface heater, 2 fire wagons and 2 hot patch pans. A complete machine shop is maintained by the city for the repairs of this equipment. The Flint Police department has a force of 125 men in its various departments, including the chief, the office force, the traffic department, the detective force, patrolmen, policewomen, and the bureau of identification. The traffic department is under the supervision of Inspector McDonald. There are two signal towers, one at Saginaw and Kearsley street, the other at Saginaw and Detroit streets, and from these towers the traffic of the business district is regulated by electric signals. The patrol force is under the supervision of seven sergeants having equal authority, and there are two policewomen regularly employed. The bureau of identification is doing pioneer work in the use of radio for police purposes. Under Frank D. Fallain, the engineer, a complete radio equipment has been installed at police headquarters, and at the recent convention of American police chiefs at Indianapolis, a demonstration of the effectiveness of radio was given. Complete finger print cards can be transferred from one station to another in fifteen minutes, and the inter-departmental communication value will be increased when the police bandit cars are equipped with receiving sets. The police departments of Chicago and Milwaukee asked the assistance of the Flint department in August, 1925, in the establishment of radio facilities in their respective cities, and when more cities take up this branch of police work, its value will be greatly enhanced. The police department works on a budget, as do the other city departments, and the appropriation for 1925 was $307,106 which covers salaries, uniforms, purchase of equipment, and maintenance. The equipment of the force is five motorcycles, eleven automobiles and two ambulances. When the city of Flint was chartered in 1855 it came into possession of its first fire engine when the township movable properties HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 109 were divided with the city. This first fire fighting apparatus was of the old hand pump variety, and was described as being a sort of long covered trough with pump handles over it. In that same year, the council appropriated $400, one-half of which was to be used for the purchase of two steam fire engines and one-half for the establishment of a fire department. A fire company was organized and named the Phoenix Fire Company. With this start, two more companies were soon organized, they being the Eagle Company No. 2 and the Protection Company No. 3. Col. William H. Fenton was appointed the first chief, or engineer, as he was then known. At the first fire which he attended, however, he sustained injuries from which he died within a few days. Two fire wardens were appointed for each ward of the city, but neither the various officers of the department nor the other men comprising the personnel received pay for their services. The members of the council realized that the department ih order to operate in the most efficient manner must be reorganized, and in 1876, a paid fire department was created. At that time, seventeen men were on the payroll and the equipment included two steam fire engines, two hose carts, one hand engine, one hook and ladder, and 2,700 feet of hose. The department at that time was located in a building at the corner of Saginaw and Detroit streets. The first fire bell was bought in Detroit for $37.50 where it had been secured from a dismantled steamboat. It was hung in the store of H. M. Henderson, between Kearsley and Beach streets. The bell rope was hung in a box, the keys for the lock on the lower part being distributed among the merchants in the neighborhood. This first department furnishes a remarkable contrast with the present motorized equipment, and now the equipment for fire fighting consists of eleven modern automobile truck pieces. There are now seven fire houses with another under construction at this time. Edward H. Price, the present fire chief, first became a member of the department in 1894 as call man. He rose steadily through the various departments until he was appointed chief in I9IO by Mayor Guy Selby. The assistant fire chief, Victor L. Watson, became an employe of the department in 1899. He invented a life net, which is used throughout Michigan and is considered one of the best of its kind. CHAPTER XI INDUSTRY AND MANUFACTURING IN THE beginning, of course, the only industries at or near the hamlet of Flint were those designed to meet the needs of the pioneer population-necessities, not luxuries. Since the building of homes was the primary consideration of the newcomers, it was but natural that the earliest industrial enterprise in the vicinity of Flint should have been a sawmill for the conversion of forest pine into boards and siding. A pioneer mill thus came into being in I828, and while it was a little nearer Grand Blanc than it was to Flint, having been situated on the Thread river, it had so marked effect on the early development of the village that mention of it must here be made. It is true that this first mill merely supplied local needs, but it was the forerunner of a great industry which was destined to make Flint a busy city-one of the lumbering centers of the country. The proprietors of this mill were Rowland Perry and Harvey Spencer, men who were in reality bent upon clearing farms and operated the mill as a side issue. Very few were the settlers at Flint village until the year 1836. Then a government land office was opened here, and the growth of the community took on new life. To meet the demands of the settlers who now began coming in, a gristmill was put into operation on the Thread river where it intersected the Saginaw turnpike. The effect of this mill on the village of Flint was too marked to be overlooked. It must be remembered that prior to 1837, the time this mill began grinding, that the nearest mill to Flint was in the neighborhood of Pontiac, and that the long hauls to and from mill were bound to act as an impediment to the settlement of the town so far removed from what was almost a necessary convenience. With the building of this mill, however, affairs in the little community took on a more pleasing aspect. People coming to the land office at Flint were not only charmed by the prospect of the embryo village but they knew that ready to hand were sawed boards for homes and flour for bread. Their hastily sown crops had a nearby market, and altogether here was now as likely a place to make a start as any in the new territory. Supplying milling facilities to a large area, the success of the gristmill was assured. It passed through several ownerships doing an ever increasing volume of trade which reached its peak under the efficient management of Burroughs & Pierson during the years I875 to 1885. This mill has its successor in the large plant of J. P. Burroughs & Son at Flint, a plant which receives special mention farther on in this chapter. The gristmill passed the sawmill in importance as an industry early in the history of Flint, the lumbering industry not having come into its enormous stride until well along in the Fifties. A second sawmill was erected on the Flint river near I: +i-: r " ::::: ViIF\\ 1)F1 THIII. 18,'I-K V81O OiI ACTORV I11 RI S-V1 VIEW 01' I,'INT'S BUSINESS SECTION HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 111 the present site of the Grand Trunk Western depot and was operated by water power. Its scope was also purely local at first, but with the gradual development of the lumbering business it became one of the important industries of Flint. Brick making was another of Flint's early industries. Chimneys and foundations were much better when constructed of brick, and in i844 Alexander Ward came to the village to supply bricks to the settlers. He first used brick clay from the banks of Thread river at the head of Church street, but later took his clay from the Saginaw. An apprentice of Ward, John Zimmerman, who was engaged later for himself for a great many years, furnished the brick for a number of Flint's dwellings and business blocks, as well as churches and schools. Brick making has been augmented in recent years by the manufacture of cement blocks, and within the present year a new factory which is engaged in the manufacture of building blocks from cement and cinders has entered the field. The making of boots, also, was one of the vocations which the young village of Flint boasted. Among the early shoe-makers were: Reuben McCreery, Augustus Knight, Abram Barker, Royal C. Ripley, John Quigley and John Delbridge. Shoe making was then distinctly a custom business-shoes were made to the measure of the individual and to his specific order. However, other localities began specializing in the wholesale manufacture of boots and shoes, the industry became centralized in other cities, retail shoe stores to market the product of large factories were installed in Flint, and the shoemaker faded out of the picture. At the height of the industry in Flint there were five or six shops with a total number of employes of about seventy-five men. A large tannery, backed by Flint capital, was installed in the heart of the hemlock woods at Vassar, and this tannery supplied most of the leather for Flint's boots, shoes and harnesses. In the early Forties, Messrs. Goff and Smith started what was to become and remain one of the chief industries of Flint-the Genesee Iron Works. In the beginning this plant produced chiefly agricultural tools and implements, although they did a considerable repair business for the sawmills of the region, this latter type of business amounting to large proportions when the lumbering business was at its height. When this factory passed into the hands of Hakes & Hawley, which happened at an early date in its history, the manufacture of mowing machines became an outstanding feature of its trade, and it was indeed a blessing to the pioneer farmer to have so ready a source of supply and repair for this all important agricultural labor saver. One of the great achievements of this factory was the manufacture of a steam engine for its own use. Prior to that time there had been but one steam engine in the village, a small affair used by Elias Williams in his pail and tub factory on the river bank. After the lumbering died down, the Genesee Iron Works fell upon a period of activity, because it had largely allied itself with that industry, and after a few years it came into the hands of Hurd II? HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY & McCorkell. General iron working was done, and the concern entered upon a prosperous career which endures to the present. William E. McCorkell bought out the Hurd interests in I916, and its present activities are given attention elsewhere in this chapter. Another early shop which turned its attention to the manufacture of agricultural implements was that of A. Culver. He produced plows, cultivators, rollers and other tools, and did much toward making the village a marketing center for the surrounding territory. The first wagon shop was that of Rev. John McAlister, and furniture shops were operated by David Foote and George W. Hill. A small wool carding machine was operated by water power nor far from the Thread gristmill, and for many years spun into yarn the wool for the pioneer housewives. Machine manufactured cloth merchandised in the stores of the village eventually put this wool-carding business out of action, and for many years there was no ready market for the wool growers of the county. At last Oren Stone, with whom W. A. Atwood became associated, began the operation of a woolen mill, and while the prospects of this venture were not at first always rosy, it finally became so well established and did so large a business that it had to seek wool in the markets of the world and market its product throughout the length and breadth of the land, carrying the name of Flint wherever men bought woolen goods. As long as the virgin forests covered the surface of the county, the fur bearing animals lurked in the shadows of the pine and hemlock. These the wily Indian and the crafty white trappers sought, setting their traps all during the winter months wherever there was a chance of securing fox, otter, beaver or mink, and to Flint these pelts were brought for dressing. Until trapping was no longer a profitable pursuit, the fur business annually brought round sums of money into Flint, money which was employed in the further development of the country-side, a development which of itself destroyed the fur-bearing animals or drove them farther north and west. When the citizens of the village began building their homes of boards rather than of logs, a market for dressed finishing lumber, doors, sash and kindred wood products was created, and in a small room above the Genesee Iron Works the first planing mill was established. Merriman & Abernathy were the founders of this enterprise, and the year of starting the venture was 1846. When the iron works built its engine and harnessed up steam power, the planing mill bought power, conducting it to the planing machines by a system of belts and pulleys through the floor, and became one of the attention attracting industries of the town. Thomas Newell became interested in the business, and became the connecting link between Merriman & Abernathy and the Randall Lumber and Coal company. Newell was for many years a partner of Randall, and together they brought the planing mill business to a high standard of efficiency and accomplishment. Thomas Warren inaugurated a machine shop in the late Forties or early Fifties, did a good business, and was the inventor of an ad HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY 113 vanced type of steam engine governor, the manufacture of which taxed his shop to capacity production. In the Fifties the lumbering trade began to assume proportions that were to "boom" the town of Flint. Surveys had shown vast tracts of magnificent white pine in Lapeer and Tuscola counties and in the northwestern part of Genesee. The Flint river and its branches made natural avenues into this rich domain, and the capitalists of Flint began buying up acreage of timber. Among those who owned the thousands of acres of land thus held were: A. McFarlan, William Hamilton, H. H. Crapo, Begole-Fox and Company, and J. B. Atwood and Company. Although the primary idea of lumbering was to float the logs to Saginaw for milling, it soon became apparent that it was more feasible to transport them to Flint, for here were both money and market, and the sawmills could expand to better advantage under such conditions. The plank roads did for a time, but railroads were an imperative need, and the men of Flint saw to it that by 1862 rail connection to the outside world was had. Then the lumbering business began to come into its own. After the close of the Civil war the business world began to improve because thoughts and capital could be directed toward private enterprise. Eight or ten mills had come into existence at points on the river near Flint, and the whole atmosphere of the town began to pulsate to the scream of saws and the cries of teamsters. In order to bring order out of the chaos that came from the floating of millions of logs down the river by various concerns without co-operation, the Flint River Boom company was organized to take charge of the running of the logs. The army of lumber jacks working swiftly in the woods sent an enormous footage of timber to the mills, and another army of men was employed at Flint in the sawmills and lumber yards, shipping yards and accounting offices. As a result of this rapid influx of new inhabitants building flourished. Homes were flung up almost overnight, stores with merchandise were increased in number, the traffic bustle on the streets increased by leaps and bounds, and lo! Flint was a city. Lumbering began to decline in the Eighties, but for some years logs were brought from the north by train to supply the still hungry mills at Flint. The city had earned a name throughout the country as a lumbering center, and this name was not to be denied even after the practicability of dressing lumber here had disappeared. In the Nineties the industry died out, but it left a rich legacy of able men and large capital, a combination which was to carry the city in its second phase of development even farther than it had gone in the first. For a time after the sawmills ceased their busy hum, subsidiary industries in lumbering continued-stave and barrel factories. As the timber had been cut off, the agricultural resources of the county had been greatly improved. The amount of tillable soil in the county had been augmented, and the surplus products of the farms now found their way to Flint for market. What could not be consumed was transported to cities farther removed and it was then that lit 414 HISTORY OF G1gNESHE COUINTY the gristing mills began to do an ihwreasing business. ThN Thread grist mill was now a thoroughly up-to-date-~concern and 'was bu-ying.4ptl grain offp~d it. Asc~apptiqrs tt~ he, 9ecsee F~lQuring ils prtdby the aImito, th4 C fity %1. With ~;e in4s z,riulFral productn the shipmns' fromj Flint of jlkin'ds pf prpducts hincre'ased in spite of the #9 hgp4q upbrn.The ipu gyen tQ agrcutpre played a agF parr dn v ~lpM -nt oft~ctyi fh N*eties, anid indgstrics p~im~raly 4Fppnet lp the farmner Mi~nd hiores in t~ 'city'. A4uiwra mphinery' 4 long aepmd ee nd now that type of manu~actliring wqs~ gre.4tly plafAd factory for the- manufacture of creamneries was j~unde.4, and this f actqry did muc to ercuae h amrsi as ~gd~iry cattle. Pump fatre n ro ato a er tait~d here akput $s time,~ as w, 1l 4$ some transiory ntrrises such4 thp mnignpActure of shops, clothing, ta1 es and other waries. A'f te r the 1jggpjlp-Fo:Z & Company Iu rml su q~ the water power Site. of the mill was sold to F. R. Lewis, hqog ed, pae mill which manafactured straw loard and wrapping paper. Later thi plant wenit into the egg-crate business to a considerable extent. The Mamacturqf ias, -an indutr whc as continued tp the present with unabated vigor, had its inception in I,7 whnMyer ~praim opfned a shop for that ptlrppse in Flint. The city gradually ecame acenter for this class of industry, a dozen larg factories at onetm qpper~qtng here, and sending out thousaq1s of dollars of their product throughout the country However, it was to the manufacturers of vehicles that the city was indebted for its second industrial phase-a phase whichi made this the greatest manufacturing center of buggies and wagons in the United States and founded fortunes which have carried the development of Flin't on to the last and presenit phase-the automotive industry. Flint's renown as Ohe "Vehicle City"~ had its inception in i86.9 when W. A. Paterson came to open a small arri age shop, from which grew a business of large proportions, and one that brought great credit to the city of Mr. Paterson's adoption. Some years later,' the Flint Wagoun Works came into being Iunder the guidance of J. H. Whiting, for many years its general maniager, on the site of the Begole-Fox & Company lumber yand. In i886 William Crapo Durant became the owner of a patent on a road cart, and securing the association of the late J. Dallas Dort, embarked upon the 'manufacture of.this road cart under the name of the Durant-Dort Carriage Companiy. The extreme popularity of road carts during the ensuing ten years involve'd the company, as well as the other two large carriage factories of'Flint, the Paterson company and the Flint Wagon Works, in he-avy 'production. The Durant-Dort company was destined to becom ' the largest of the three, but all did so great a volume of business thiat the city became known throughout the country as the center of buggy manufactu're. Allied industries came to Flint to be near the center of the trade, such' as axle companies, body works and the like, and the' efforts of a large part of the inhabitants were directed toward HISTORY OF GECNESEE COUJNTY 11 115 the production of high-class carriages. From the manufacture of carriages to the making of automobiles was a gradual transition and the romance of it is embodied in the career of a single man, w. C. purant. A vivid account of his ascent of the ladder of success to the uppermost rung is embodied in an article appearing in the Flint Journal Progress edition, published on August 31, I924, excerpts from which are here quoted: "One day an acquaintance hailed him as he was driving down one of Flint's streets, and gave him a lift in a two-wheeled road cart. The cart was of patented Construction and it was being built in the city of (Cotdwater. T he future builder of Flint's industrial great.ess boarded a train for that city. Within twenty-four hours he had contracted to purchase the entire business, patents and all, and was on his way back to Flint to raise the money he had agreed to paysome $2,000. Hardly had he taken off his hat in his office when in came his good friend, J. Dallas Dort, then clerking in the town's leading hardware store across the street. Dort inquired as to his whereabouts for the past few days. Durant explained what he had done in Coldwater, and announced that he was going into the business of building road carts. Immediately sensing the possibilities of the venture-for he had ridden the cart himself-Dort suggested that they become partners. And the upshot was that Dort received a half interest in the company for $I,ooo. And with that $2,000 the IPurant-Dort Carriage Company commenced operations in I866, the senior partner, aged 25, in charge of sales and finances, the junior partner, one year younger, responsible for production. "For a few months small numbers of carts were tediously built by hand labor. Then came the rush of orders that swelled into a flood tide. In a few years the company, having built up a complete line of vehicles with amazing rapidity, became the largest builders in the world, operating I4 plants in the United States and Canada and marketing I50,ooo vehicles in a year. Back of that characteristic success was characteristically broad vision in financing, sales, manufacture, selection of men and characteristic adherence to the Durant precept of success: That increased production and production facilities would, while reducing costs, give a better product and permit a greater number of people to enjoy it-and at the same time pay increased profits. "In I903 the Flint Wagon Works had taken up as a side line venture the manufacture of gasoline engines, gradually veering into the production of an automobile. That automobile was the Buick. Sixteen had been built. A succession of mistakes in judgment had not only thrown the affairs of the company into a deplorable state, but had involved three of Flint's financial institutions. Not to mince the words, the situation was grave; the prosperity of Flint was tottering. It was to Mr. Durant that the head of the company turned -turned for assistance in re-organizing, stabilizing and reclaiming what had been dissipated. After two conferences Durant agreed to re-organize the company, and in 48 hours he had, by personal solici .116 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY tation, raised in the village of Flint, no less than $500,000 cashraised it simply because the people of that city had abiding faith in his integrity and ability. "With this money in hand he went to the officers of the company and said: 'You may retain all titles and offices-all directorates. But before this money is placed in the business I must have absolute control. This fortune comes from my friends-men and women who trust me-who gave it because I asked for it. If the venture fails I will be responsible. If it succeeds, the credit must be mine. Unless I have absolute control I cannot turn over the money for any purpose.' He was given absolute authority over every phase and detail of the business. "In the re-organization, $303,000 worth of common stock had been set aside for promotion purposes, the investors having purchased seven per cent preferred stock with a 25 per cent bonus for common stock. Of the $303,ooo, $202,oo0 was transferred to Durant for his work, and Durant, instead of keeping it as he was legally and morally entitled to, immediately transferred it to the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, for which he was working as president for a salary of $25 a week. That stock, utterly worthless unless W. C. Durant gave it value, grew to be worth millions, and every man participating in the earnings of Durant-Dort benefited thereby in proportion. "Becoming the chief executive of Buick, Durant's first step was to cut away the tangled skeins of mismanagement. When the banks were extricated and all obligations settled, only $75,000 of the $500,ooo remained. And it was from this specific picayune that the whole of General Motors, with its countless millions, sprang." After systematically building up the Buick, Mr. Durant secured control of the Cadillac, the Oakland and the Oldsmobile, and organized the great General Motors Company in I9o8 with a capital of $Io,ooo. After severing his connection with this company, Mr. Durant organized and incorporated Durant Motors, of which the Flint Six is a unit. Incorporation of Durant Motors took place on January 12, 192I, and its meteoric success is common knowledge throughout the country. Who is not familiar with the Flint Six, the Durant, Star, or the Locomobile-all products of this corporation? Industries allied to the vehicle factories in the nature of their products, in many instances accomplished conversion of their plants to the manufacture of automobile parts or accessories. W. F. Stewart began the manufacture of buggy bodies early in the history of the industry, and W. F. Stewart Company is now a large automobile body building plant. The Armstrong Spring Works originally made carriage springs, and the manufacture of automobile springs is now a large feature of Flint's manufacturing life. The Imperial Wheel Company was once known as the largest and best wagon and carriage wheel company in the world, and the production of automobile wheels now adds a goodly sum toward the aggregate payroll of the city. The Flint Axle Works, which built wagon and buggy axles, has its successor in the Flint Motor Axle Company, and the Flint Varniish CIVIC PARK- NIKW\\ INIMlSTIRIAILRK!IINI SIFCTION CHEVROLET AUTlOMl()I;ILE FACTORV HISTORY OF GENIESEE COUNTY 117 Works, attracted hither by the large vehicle factories, is reflected in the Duco paint plant of the Dupont de Nemours company. The story of this conversion of industry into automotive lines could be carried. farther, but a description of the history of some of the leading industrial plants of the city and the enumeration of others will serve to give a comprehensive view of the industrial situation at Flint. Buick. The leading manufacturing business of the city is the Buick Automobile Company. Its outgrowth from the Flint Wagon Works, initial struggles and its reorganization have been sketched above. Beginning in I903 with the production of sixteen cars, production was gradually increased. In April, 1905, the assembling plant of the company at Jackson was moved to Flint, this operation being completed by the end of the year. There were at that time 120 employes in the plant at Flint and 230 in the one at Jackson, and this consolidation marked the beginning of Buick's importance to Flint. By I908, when it became one of the units of General Motors, it was already one of the leading automobiles of the country, and its growth has been in full accord with the growth of the entire industry. The automobile is now classed as a necessity of American life, and Buick is supplying this need with thousands upon thousands of high-grade motor cars annually. The company employs more labor than any other in Flint, the payroll is enormous, and the plant, which covers many acres, is one of the largest in the world. In I916, already owning and operating its own foundries, motor plants and body plants, Buick purchased the Weston-Mott Company, the largest manufacturers of automobile axles in the world. Late in I907 the WestonMott Company, of which Mr. Charles S. Mott was president, concentrated its building efforts in Flint, abandoning the original plant in Utica, New York. In 1913, after six years of phenomenal development as an industry, Harry H. Bassett was made general manager of Weston-Mott, and three years later was made vice-president as well. In that same year the company was acquired by General Motors as a part of Buick, the Buick at that time already building I20,ooo motor cars a year. Upon the resignation of Walter P. Chrysler as head of Buick in April, I919, Mr. Bassett was made general manager of Buick, a position which he has since held. Upon the acquisition of the Weston-Mott Company by General Motors, Charles S. Mott became an important official of that organization, and is now vice-president. Chevrolet Motor Company, organized in 1912 by W. C. Durant as a branch of the General Motors Corporation, first occupied the old plant of the Flint Wagon Works. It was so successful from its very inception that subsidiary plants were soon built in New York, Tarrytown, St. Louis, Oakland, Calif.; Bay City, Toledo, Fort Worth, Oshawa (Ontario), and Detroit. At Flint the expansion was so rapid, finding instant favor with the buying public, that the Mason Motor Company plant was soon bought. It was soon apparent, however, that further expansion would be necessary, and an extensive building program was begun. For some years the II$ 115HIIWTQRY OF QENE1SEN COUNTY 0144Y nmanti ~.eturtd to -sixes of. caft, the, lUrr car tniployiTig the fanifus M Aason motor, but the mnattufacturO of this larger tfpb has bee~n discontinuied for aeteral, tear~, the entire eher'g,9 of. the organization b-eing devoted t'd the quantity prodtictiozl of a small, low priced car combiigwihequomy oif operkticdn and original w~st various desirable features of the more txpensive car~ such as selective grear transmission. Chevrolet is no h eond l~g~eiiPd 6 f. labhd ifln: thi. Cityr, ~nit~ is' e'sAinted thbij Weore 1''athe dirtput wifi riech a ~iiiflori' tar~ a ~r Afttac'tiv' bdaies' i~ eVel dier'et modl - - ni0de Id shese ~a~by the ord renowned m a~ter bd bid er s', the iEh~h's, whd hi'ntIn a Tdiufatthfiihg iac~ft in Flint. Mr. Erhi~ fiow geeral manige dt te pant, a.hd to him i s dte mu'ch of theidit of the rec en-tg geait increase in Productfion. Flint Motor Company. One of the leading 'Industries of Flint, and, indeed one of the leading automobile manufactories of the world, i the new Flifit Motor Company. it is not only a model factory, building excellent cars, but is one that has achieved sticcess quickly through the bugines~ perspicuity of its president, William Crapo. Durant, wizard of the automobile industry. As one of the units of Durant Motors, Incorporated, it has won and merited a high place in the field of Autbmotive manufacturing. Its beauttiful factory, located at thie soUth end of Saginaw street, represenits an investment of fifteen millioh dollars, with necither bonded indebtedness nor mortgage. The plant includes an attractive administration building flanked by two factory buildings equal in size, a power plant aind a new testing track, or proving ground. This factory has i2opooo windows, giving ideal working conditions, and the floor space -aggregates 1,250,ooo square feqt. At present, two models of Flint Sixes are mannafa'ctured, the B-46' and the E-55. Recently a great many changes iae been made in the lining up of production to take tcare Of -anticipated increases in the present Flint line, and to meet the large production of the new Flint junior, which goes into production in September, this car being a six-cylinder coach in the lower priced field. The. Flint Road King, a motor truck which has in the past been called theMsnRa King, is now built at the new Flint Six pl~ant 'Instead of at the old Masqn. plant. This truc~k is built on two chassis, 130 an0~-inch wheel. bases. This transfer has been made in order to meet an Increased demand for these trucks. With the present equipment a production of 400 passenger cars and ioo trucks in a normal n1jfe-hbu-r day cati b~e r'eacheA. Th'e Aew 'proving groud has ahalftulle track d',er which ~ill Mlint cars' are6 tested Tis track ~resentts v~a`ions runnilng~ p'ofdfition- rough, sotsand, sftrightaWays a'Od sftcuvs. The6 prisent 6flcalt personnel in addition to Mr. I1i~iarnt -A. 'Pesid'erit, in'hludes W. R. W111lett vice-president ani giene't'al ttan1'A —r; T. H. 8tan'ibagh sit 6t eieral mlaha r;.0 Ctbret, geutile.,ales ma He;1. 'C. Newell, C iitrolle'r; Jay Eilerg6f, putchasing ag~ent. W. E. Stewart Manufacturing Co. Flint can bootst the oldest as HISTORY OF GIw!BEE COUNTY i 1.19 well,as the largest qoxnpaoly in the state t~f Michigatt manufa*Iritm',Yyboden seasor o torage" battivies, for which. ptitpose JeW E. ~tear Mnacuring comipany Was organized in i ~byti riian whose name ig, -now.bbrne by the onay.At tkat 'tie;WlNam- 'tewa rt 'was the so". Oroprietor and ip~nag'er of this busines until hig death in, ~i9i8. The enterprise had.beceome' sueh a i mvorti~nt factor in the business life not olily of Flint but also of the.MAth0,i that. it waks determined to carry it on lundtr the naime of the W. E.Stewart. Estate. Four years of increasing prosperity ttnder this form of management, brought to the maagtthat intoprtin.a nkeesgsary if the6 steadily grclwing business wats tt be efficiently, andled. A~Ccordingly; in. 1922, the articles of.incorporation, were drawn up and ratfified on July i of that year. The original officers of the. corpqrafion. were; and still are, Mrs. Gknevieve StOewart, president; Philip H. Stewart, vice-president and treasurer; and Fred W. Springer, secretary anid manager. The authorized capitalization is plated at $5o,qcpo of which amount $32,Ioci is' paid in. Fred W. Spriffger enter~ed the employ of the company in January, I914, becoming njA~tiager of the btisiness in Octobert, iqi8, following the death of Mr. SteWart. Twe!nty-five cmployes are listed on the rolls of the company, A. C. Spiark Plug Company. Abotit the inventive genius, the etnginee~ring ability, and perserverance of Albert Champion has grown a manufacturing enterprise which, as the A. C.- Spark Plug Companiy, hag become one of the foremost concerns of its kind in Flint. A full appreciation of the company can only be secured through a brief glimpse of the life of Albert Champion before he became one of the nation's leading manufacturers. Born in Paris, France, he entered thie employ of a prominent bicycle manufacturer at the age of thirteen years. The bicycle was then at thq pea~k of itg popularity,, even in Anierica, the national game of baseball being threatened by the' increas'ing favor in which cycling was held, At the age of sixteen, Albert Champion; by winning the Paris to Roubaix road race, earned the title of middle distance cycling champion. Cycling enthusiasts.brought him to the United States where he entered the autonmi6bile' iacing game after winning additional honors in cycling. Within a short tifre,, he became known as one of the most daring. drivers. on the American tracks. He soon realized that the' prevailing ignition sygtems' were as ine fficient ag they were cqtfmberso'me, and with the realization of the shortcomings of interna4 combustion motors, he applied himself to the solution of the problem, the result being the improved spark plugs yhich has formed the basis for subsequent developmri i park Plug tnanufacture. With some thes he orgariiz'ed the Albert Chdrnpion company in Boston, Massaetusetts, ain io905. He dife~ted the afffairs of the company until i96O yhen'. hp came to Flintf to found tht platwihhsmd h city the.sr plug center of the *~btjd. But a single contract, that' of- sitp ''ing piltgs fr one alftbmobile company, supplied, the business,of the neweonrpany, and the dozbn ~employes we're kept busy. Tfie 4e imyinfatiotr with hiew types of plugs, the developme-nt of new machinery, 120 HISTORY OF GEN]SEE COUNTY keeping in touch with all forward steps in automotive engineering, kept Albert Champion more than busy. Daily production at that time ranged from Ioo to 300 plugs, while at the present time the plant can maintain a daily output of Ioo,ooo plugs. The original factory space of 3,500 square feet has been increased to 314,320 square feet that comprises the present modern, up-to-the-minute plant. The employes of the company now number more than 1,500, many of whom are skilled technicians trained in ceramics and metallurgy. Albert Champion has shown his ability in the selection of his lieutenants for he has gathered about him an efficient and loyal corps of workers. Yet he never completely delegates to another the control of a single phase of his business, such as, production, engineering, buying, selling, advertising or finance. The superiority of the American spark plug as manufactured by Albert Champion was admitted by the engineering experts of the Sphinx Spark Plug company, of Birmingham, England, and the Oleo Spark Plug company, of LevalloisPerret, France. Two years ago, Mr. Champion traveled to Europe where he purchased the controlling interest in these two leading manufacturing concerns, the initials "AC" being prefixed to the names of the companies so that they are now the AC-Sphinx Sparking Plug company and the AC-Oleo company. Both overseas companies manufacture AC spark plugs by the same methods and to the same standards and designs as perfected by Albert Champion at Flint, Michigan. Convinced that the automobile manufacturers needed a speedometer manufactured to the same high standards as the AC spark plugs, Champion, after exhaustive experimentation and tests, offered to the trade and the public such an instrument. The success of the speedometer was instantaneous and has gained steadily in favor. The instrument is manufactured in the Flint shops of the company under the same exacting methods of workmanship as the spark plugs. The speedometer is standard equipment on the Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Gray, Haynes, Lexington, Maxwell, Oakland and GMC trucks. More than 200 manufacturers use AC spark plugs as standard equipment, while in garages and retail supply stores throughout the United States, Canada and foreign countries, AC spark plugs are carried in stock. Fisher Body Corporation. Upon the success of the Flint Division of the Fisher Body Corporation hinged the ability of the corporation to efficiently handle the contract to build automobile bodies for the Chevrolet Motors company. The Flint plant construction was begun in November, 1922, and installation of equipment was begun the following January. Leigh Lynch became manager of the plant and March 14, 1923, marked the beginning of a production which has been signally successful. On August 13, of the same year, L. B. Kinner was made manager of the Flint Division and has continued in that post to the present time. Under his managership, the plant production was increased from 50o bodies daily to approximately 200, an output that the company now maintains. The establishment of the Flint plant adjoining the factory of the Chevrolet, proved so successful that the officials of the corporation decided to expand the HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 121 number of plants manuacturing Chevrolet bodies with the result that today, seven of the fifty-eight plants of the Fisher Body Corporation are devoted to the manufacture of bodies for the Chevrolet Motors company. Though the Flint factory of the corporation was established as a result of the Chevrolet plant being located there, the company has been a material asset to the city and has been a potent factor in promoting the industrial prestige of the city. The Flint Division remains the largest one manufacturing Chevrolet bodies, and during the peak of production more than 700 men are employed by the company. The plant itself, located on Wilcox street opposite the Chevrolet factory, is exceptionally well equipped for the purposes to which it is put, and as the success of the enterprise demonstrated the effectiveness of establishing a body plant at the doors of the motor company, so it is the largest of the seven plants given over to the making of bodies for this one company. E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc. On December 7, I909, the old paint factory of the Durant-Dort Carriage Company became the Flint Varnish Works, Incorporated, of which J. Dallas Dort, C. W. Nash, Charles H. Bonbright, John J. Carton and F. A. Aldrich were the incorporators. On December 14, of that year, the directors met for organization and elected the following officers; J. D. Dort, president; C. W. Nash, vice-president; F. A. Aldrich, secretary and treasurer; and W. W. Mountain, general manager. The company manufactured paints and varnishes, and soon expanded to manufacture for the automobile trade, meeting with great success. On November 15, 1913, Mr. Dort resigned as president, and W. W. Mountain was elected to succeed him. The name was later changed to the Flint Varnish and Color Works, and in October, I918, was sold to the DuPont Company, of Wilmington, Delaware. It continued to be owned and operated as a separate unit by the DuPont company until November I, 1924, when the Flint Varnish and Color Works was dissolved and the business consolidated with the E. I. DuPont de Nemours Chemical Products Division, of Parlin, New Jersey. In May, 1920, the Flint Varnish and Color Works had bought the Chicago Varnish Works, located at 2Ioo Elston avenue, that city, and this was also taken over by the DuPoit interests on November I, 1924. The local plant manufactures Duco, color varnishes, enamels and under coaters, and the product is shipped over the eni're United States and to France, England, Belgium, Australia, Mexico, Canada and South America. Since the industry has been acquired by the DuPont company, an additional building for the manufacture of Duco has been erected, and also a drum cleaning house, where the metal drums in which the products are shipped, are cleaned when returned. The company employs about 175 men, has its own railroad sidings and trucks, and those in charge are: W. J. Schlinger, manager of automotive sales, and C. R. E. Merkle, plant manager. Flint Motor Axle Company. The chronicle of the development of the automotive industry is many instances the story of a gradual transition from carriage to automobile manufacture, and in the Flint Motor Axle company is found an excellent example of such transition 12-2 12tHISTORY OF O BI5SEI COUNTY ttb keep pace with the ibr*ard trend of traniportation deve~opmthts. Or'ganized In i9oo ag the Durant —Dort Carriage cdmpany, the concent ~*as taken oiver by other inteists ift 1912 for,.the ninufatituy of motor axles,- being lncorporated Under the firm sityle. of..the. Wdtlker-Weihs Axle,comp~aty. Thb first.officers became C. Ht Bxdnbrights presidirt; Mr. Walkerf vice-president- and general manager and Fred Wtiss, secre'tary and treasurer. This arrangemedt continded until 1918 when the -company was reorganized as the F~ifti Motor Axle compatny with Mr. Bonibright as pItesident, and Fted Weiiss ini the positiofi of vice-pre~ideht and genital manager... The first factory wats Egtablished in the' Oak Park addition to avoid possible Interfetence that might result f rom the concussion causeid by the blowg of th6 steam hammers. In that location the company has continued to expand, and when' the finge rpost. of progress indicated to the officers of the company that the r'oad of motor axle manufactute shojuld be followved, the' plant was not moved. The principal outtpuit of the plant was absorbed at first by the Dort, Gardener and Mason Motor Truck companies, but at the presetnit time the larger part of the production is sold to Mason Motor Tr uck company, Commerce Truick company, and Gray Automobile. The ax-le's used on the Frewhoff, Lapeer, Wolverine, Whitehead and Cahill trailers are also a product of the, Flint Motor Axle company'. An average of 450 men are employed throughout the year at the plant, which comprisies a floor space of approximately 47;000 square feet. The daily production of the plant is 175 axles. In the midst of the industrial ar~ea of Flint, the company stands as one bulkhig large in commercial prestige in the city of Flint. Genesee Iron~ Works. Everything in the way of general iron working is done in. the plant of the Genesee Iron Works at Flint. The company -was founded in 1892 by Daniel and Emmet Hurd and William E. 'McCorkell, the first plant being located in a small buildin'g' in the 700 block cOn North Saginaw street. Daniel Hurd died in ig895, and at that time the busines's interests of that partner were taken' over by Emmet Hurd and by William McCorkell. Growth o4 the business Which filled a long felt need in -the community, necessitated removal to larger quarters, and in I897 the prese~nt plant, situated at the colner of Garland street and First avenue, was purchased by the parthfers from Thomas. Warren and. Son. Here the company prospered, ahid ifi 19i6, Mr. McCorkell bought out the interests of his partner tb become the sole proprietor of one ofi the leading metal workinig' plants of Fli~nt. Beginning ~with the sm'all shop on North Sagindiw strebt, the company now has f our buildings, one a two-story affair with basemn 570 feet in size, a secon. 5fe qae n the third and foitrth30x70 feet in size each. An averageoftiyme are employed by the comipany, Which does general machine and f ou n'dry work, structural work atid boiler repairing. It, is 'the only company of its kind in Flint where anything in the way of steel a'nd iron woI-k is dotie; and to thi-s reason it owes its place as one of the leadi~nk induitries of thle city. HISITORY or. GENVOS COUN~TYI 4j" Kime BLhe ody- Corkorativi. Upon the succeiss of the Flint Division of the Fisher Body Corporaitioni hinged the undtktaklilk of the l*ody ndanufttturini. eonbern to supply for the Chevrolet Motors Lomolny the bQdie~.whic~hthey woUld iis-& The Flint Division plant wa~ stdrted in Noveinber, 19.22. I-hi hiy 6i` Coh.pa06y. Indkcati'E of 'h&Pog ssive Apirit i"i Fl1iit 'comtetaladindutial lieithpaito B1akiii cdtmiiny which withhi th~ spate di lf-SS than d&yeria dv' 6"d fria m1 r etdi bagm yshdo to 6n of th ~r~t b~akihg'k coiipanies in this section of Mithig-an. At, the' n'r'th~egt co' nta of Saginaw and Court streets, a bake 'shop Was established iii~ igSS by. Jessell Hardy. His d sire to give to the people of the city baked gpdsct the highs qality brought him a trade that grew wt l most astonishing rapidity, so that it became necessary to move into larger quarters. Sometime in the early years of the present century, teHr'dy' Ijaking' company was estabised on Saginaw str'eet between the Strand and the new Orpheum theaters. The eleven years, spent in this location marked the real foundation of the company as one of the substantial enterprises of Flint, and in 1922, the present plant at -the foot of Clifford street was occupied. The bakery, co~mprising some 30,000 square feet of floor space, represents a de'cidled contrast with 'the original one of approxkimately 1oo square feet. The equipment of the plant is complete to the smallest detail. An 'ice plant for the manufacture of the ice used by the compaln is incorporated in the bakery; the' goods are delivered by means a fleet o0 gasoline and electrically driven trucks. Cleanliness 'is stressed by the management, guaranteeing to the consumers the cleanest bake'l goods that can be purchased. Everything produced by a large bakery 'I's made at the plant of the Hardy Baking compat'y, and that the Comnpany is one of the most substantial of its kind in this part of t~ state i's an asset to the commiercial life of Flint. jessell Hardy stil1 heads his own business, but he is now' assisted by his two sons, Cecil and Walter. Flint Beddin~g Company. Though it has been 'in existence but five years, the Flint Bedding company has become one of the leading manufacturing concerns of the city. At "the tiune of ItS inception, and it still 'is, the company was a partnership between Oscar M. Banfield and Ellis H. Warren upon whose knowledge of be-ddinig manitfticturing, ability in marketing their products, is founded this th:-iving business. The first plant was a small building, 40x40 feet and one story 'in height, located oh Eighth street, and in this plant; the paftfiers with the Aiid of three meh begah matiufacturing bedding. Opposite the Grand Truiik station today stanids i~ five-story brick building wihich is the present home- of the' Flint Bedding company, comprising afloor space of sm 5400quare feet and supplyling employment fot apprcixithately fifty mneh. The development of thb comfptiny since itS htiteption inl May, i92o-, to the Oresent time, ig as substahtial as it ha's been -rapid atid that the firm i's regairded as 6ne of the flourishing enterprises of Flint speaks in the highest terms of the' men who 124. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY' have labored to make it a success and a figure in the industrial life of the city. More than 25,000 pounds of cotton are prepared daily in the plant and 150 mattresses are manufactured daily. Although the entire state buys mattresses in Flint, the principal territory supplied by the company is the northern section of Michigan. The jobbing of springs and pillows also occupies a considerable portion of the company's business. The Standard Auto Batt company, the products for which are manufactured in the same plant, is also owned and operated by the partners. Batts and pads for the automobile trade are manufactured and this phase of the business is rapidly growing into one of large proportions. Freeman Dairy Company. In the year I9I3 there was organized at Flint the Freeman Dairy Company by Leonard Freeman, Bruce Freeman and associates. Incorporation came in the same year, and the enterprise embarked on a career of praiseworthy accomplishment. The original building of the concern was a two-story brick and concrete structure 40x65 feet, located at No. 116 First avenue, and milk, cream, ice cream, butter and buttermilk were handled. So rapid has been the increase in the volume of business that numerous additions have been made to the plant, the floor space now being many times that of the first building. These additions include, besides a large general purpose building, a boiler house, ice factory, barn, garage and the only cold storage plant for perishables in the city of Flint. New lines have also been added, such as condensed milk, the company having its own condensory, ice cream mix and soda fountain supplies. Ice Cream Mix is a product which contains all the essentials of ice cream, and all that is necessary to be done to manufacture ice cream from it is to add the desired flavoring and freeze it. The company has eight branches throughout the state to which this Mix is shipped, these branches being located at Kalamazoo, Lansing, Bay City, Mount Pleasant, Cadillac, Traverse City, Petoskey and Cheboygan. All the Mix is shipped from the Flint plant to these branches. There are about 250 employes at all plants, of whom about 165 are employed at the Flint plant. All the milk sold is pasteurized, and is bought from about five hundred dairy farmers within a radius of twenty miles, all these farms being inspected by the milk inspection department of the Flint Department of Public Health. Fortyone retail milk routes are maintained in the city, all horse-drawn, and ten motor trucks deliver ice cream and special orders. A special milk for babies is procured from D. D. Aitkin's farm for local distribution, and this milk is sold in sealed bottles, the date of bottling being stamped on each bottle. Forty-three cream stations are placed in other localities through which cream is bought for the manufacture of butter, the butter capacity of the plant being one million pounds a year. Hospitals, hotels, restaurants and the general public are supplied with milk and cream, the bottling capacity of the plant being about 12,000 pounds per hour. Between twenty and twentyfive thousand bottles of milk and cream are bottled daily, and ice cream to the amount of four hundred thousand gallons per year is HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY '125 sold. A patent, cream-top bottle is employed, making it impossible for other producers to use the bottles of the Freeman Dairy Company. Mr. Leonard Freeman is president and his son, Mr. Bruce Freeman, is general manager of the company, and they are the only two of the original official personnel still remaining with the concern. J. P. Burroughs & Son, Merchant Millers of Flint, is one of the old and well-established industries of the city. Organized over fifty years ago by J. P. Burroughs,, the original mills were at Thread Mills. At first there were both a flour and a saw mill, but with the passing of the timber, the saw mill went out of existence. These first mills employed both water and steam power, the latter being used when the water power was insufficient to the needs. About thirty-five years ago the mill was moved to the present location at the foot of Grand Traverse street, and additions have been made to the plant from time to time since then. Wheat and buckwheat flour are milled, beans are prepared for market and many kinds of feed are handled. Masons' supplies of all kinds are also merchandised. There are about 200 employes in the Flint plant, and in the branches located at Otisville, Rogersville and Otter Lake there are about 50 more, these branches being elevators and coal yards. The entire United States is the sales area for this concern, of which J. E. Burroughs has been the head for twenty-two years, his period of association with it having covered it for thirty-two years. The officers of the company are: J. E. Burroughs, president; H. E. Martin, vice-president; J. L. Green, treasurer; F. J. Shepner, assistant treasurer; and W. H. Sturgis, secretary. The directors are the above named five officers and H. F. Nye. Flint Cinder Block and Products Company is a new arrival in the industrial field at Flint, and one that is rapidly assuming an important place among the manufacturing establishments of the city. Organized in the spring of 1925 and incorporated on May 6, 1925, its original and present officers are: G. A. Kelly, president; G. F. Healy, vice-president; Matthew Carey, secretary; Guy M. Wilson, treasurer; and L. J. Healy, general manager. The company produces all sorts and sizes of building blocks made of cinders, cement and water under the Straub patents which are controlled by CrozierStraub, Inc., of New York city. Manufacturing rights for this territory are owned by the Flint Company, its nearest competitor being at Detroit. Cinders are procured from Flint industrial plants and transferred in carload lots to the company's own siding of I,ooo feet on the Belt Line railroad at Davison road. At the plant they are crushed to an even fineness, mixed with cement and water, compressed in forms, dried by steam and then air cured. A three-story building, 50x75 feet, houses the machinery for the manufacture of the blocks. The ground floor contains the machinery for crushing the cinders, and when the cinders are prepared they are conveyed to the top floor, which has a capacity of six carloads. From the top floor the cinders are admitted through chutes to the second floor where they are mixed with cement, this floor having a storage ca HIETQRY OF GENESIE COUNTY parity of seven carloads of cement. The mixture is then conveyed to the ground floor or to one of the kilns, wherever thp movable moulding machines are, water having been added, and the blocks are then compressed into shape. Curing is done in itree kilns, each 75xI4 feet. The average production of the plant is about It;o0 blocks per day, and the blocks have been s9ld as faqr a ClarlFton or the south and Otisville on the north. The blocks are use for the conStfuctipn of all types of buildings, even the fines kinds of residenpes. The crushing strength of these blocks has been tested by W. O. Ki;rkpatrick, chief building inspector of Flint, and has been found to be as high as 946 pounds per square inch, the building code demanding a minimum of 700 pounds. From twenty to thirty employes are required to produce the blocks, and the demand for tiem is on the ripid increase. The practicability of these blocks is demonstrated by their having an exceptionally high fire resistance, re stronger after consecutive freezes and thaws, do not sweat, and never chip or crack. It is unnecessary to lath over them for plastering or stucco work and they hold nails. The many good points in favor of the cinder blocks are daily being demonstrated to local builders, and the position of the Flint Cinder Block and Products Company in the industrial field at Flint is assured. Chamber of Commerce. An agency which has done a great deal toward the development of Flint industries through the creation of ideal factory sites, the encouragement of new industries, the adjustment of traffic difficulties with public carriers, and similar activities. At the call of the Flint Business Men's Association a meeting was held in the city council room at 8:30 p. m., Jute 25, 1906. The meeting was called to order by Mayor George McKinley, and Joseph Crawford was elected temporary chairman, and William W. Blackney, temporary secretary. The objects of this meeting were to form an organization which would promote the best business interests of the city, and the name Flint Improvement League was adopted. At the first regular meeting, held July 17, I906, J. H. Crawford was elected president, and William W. Blackney, secretary. Various committees were appointed, they being Finance and Auditing, Legislative and Government, Industry, Mercantile Interests, Streets and Roads, Conventions and Hospitality, Educational Interests, Membership, Architecture-Sanitation-Engineering, and Parks-Lawns -Gardens-Playgrounds. Fred Aldrich became president in 1907, C. A. Lippincott in I908, J. D. Dort in I9IO, in which year Frank D. Buckingham was vice-president and Dwight Stone was secretary. Apparently, by this time, there was some confusion in the minds of the people of the city as to the purposes of the organization due to its name, and in I9I0 a meeting was called to select another name. At that time Board of Trade, Chamber of Commerce, and Board of Commerce were suggested as more suitable titles, the last name being selected. E. D. Black was president of the Board of Commerce in 191g, E. W. Atwood in I912, and Leonard Freeman was the last president of the old Board of Commerce, remaining in office until HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY lS7 May, I916, when the present Chamber of Commerce began operations. y the year 1916 the nmmher of the prganiztitp, Ksing the gucs which the National ph-anbt pf Co mter: }ad attained thrpugh its prganizations in many of the lasger A ricni cities, they established cpnimunication with the New Cork Cham~rh rergarding the rrgaizatiop of the Board qf Cqmerce along he lioes of the various units of the National Chamqer of.Cppnrce. Panpiael A. Reed came to Flint to assist in starting the new prganization. At that time dues were increased from one dollar a year to twenty-five dollars a year. On July 5, 1916, the following officers were elected for the Chamber of Commerce: Leonard Freeman, president; J. Dallas Dort, first vice-president; Walter P. Chrysler, second vice-president; and Grant J. Brown, treasurer. W. W. Mountain was elected president in February, of the following year; F. A. Aldrich became president for two years beginning in 1918; Floyd A. Allen was elected in 1920; C. H. Bonbright in 1921; Roy E. Brownell in 1923; C. H. Bonbright in 1923; and in 1924 Grant J. Brown was elected president, a position which he now holds (i925). Daniel A. Reed continued as manager of the Chamber until 1919, when he was succeeded by W. E. Holler, who continued until 1922. In that year the prese'nt manager, C. W. Otto, began his duties. The Chamber of Commerce functions through its various departments in the following ways: The traffic department adjusts loss and damage, freight overcharge and reparation claims against the carriers. The publicity department sends books and pamphlets of Flint to nearly every part of the globe. The charity and survey committee issues permits to the public in order that they may solicit money and goods for charitable purposes. The convention bureau, brought to the city of Flint during the past year seven major conventions and several smaller conventions and meetings. More than a thousand residents of 450 different cities throughout the country wrote to the Flint Chamber of Commerce asking information about the city. An industrial committee of the Chamber decides upon certain promotions in regard to industrial activities in Flint, and through their efforts many substantial concerns have been influenced to locate in this city, undesirable concerns being discouraged from establishing themselves here. A free room listing service is maintained throughout the year, and an employment bureau is conducted. Special investigations of propositions in distant cities are carried on for Flint citizens, and special promotion cases are handled. The value of the Chamber of Commerce can hardly be overestimated. It has influenced the establishment of many of the city's leading industrials to locate here, aird through its almost altruistic efforts in behalf of the citizenry at large has saved the people many thousands of dollars by protecting them from investment in schemes promoted by unscrupulous persons. A. A. Ambos Co., dairy, 753 McFarlan street; A. F. Andrews Co., awnings, 4I62 Harrison street; Armstrong Spring Co., springs, Stewart & Neuman; Arnold Grinding Attachment Co., gauges, 2032 128 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Beach street; Buick Motor Co., automobiles, Hamilton avenue; J. P. Burroughs & Co., flour, Ft. Grand Traverse street; Balkin Baking Co., baking, 2715 St. John street; Barker Baking Co., baking, 423 Detroit street; Barney Granite & Marble Works, marble works, 124 W. Water street; Chevrolet Motor Co., automobiles, W. Kearsley street; Coca-Cola Bottling Works, coca-cola, 3016 N. Saginaw street; Commercial Blue Print Co., blue prints, 211 Walsh building; Consumers Power Co., power company and utilities, E. First street; Cook Car Journal Cooler Co., coolers, I906 Beach street; Copeland Products Co., refrigerating systems, 202 Walsh building; Cream Fry Cake Co., fried cakes, 608 Richfield road; Dawn Donuts, doughnuts, 608 Richfield road; The Doyle Press, printing, i80o N. Saginaw street; B. I. DuPont De Nemours, paints and varnish, St. Johns street; J. B. Farber Co., screw machines, 92I Paterson street; Fisher Body Co., bodies, Chevrolet avenue; Flint Bedding Co., mattresses, 9o2 Chippewa street; Flint Beverage Co., soft drinks, 1521 St. John street; Flint Blue Print Co., blue prints, 512 Bush building; Flint Brass Foundry, bushings and castings, I I9 Stewart avenue; Flint Cinder Block Co., cinder blocks, Davison road; Flint Enameling Co., baked finishing enamel, 121 E. Third street; Flint Foundry, castings, 702 W. Kearsley street; Flint Lumber Co., lumber, 102 Smith street; Flint Motor Axle Co., axles, St. John street; Flint Motor Co., automobiles, S. Saginaw street; Flint Paint & Varnish Co., paint and varnish, 425 Detroit street; Flint Photo Engraving Co., photo engravers, Third avenue and Detroit street; Flint Printing Co., printing, Third avenue and Detroit street; Flint Sandstone Brick Co., bricks, Deming and P. M.; Flint Sausage Works, sausage, 12IO Avenue A; Flint Spring & Bumper Co., springs and bumpers, o08 E. I5th street; Flint Spring Water Ice Co., ice, 2125 S. Saginaw street; Flint Structural Steel Co., steel structure, Davison road; Flint Tent & Awning Co., tents and awnings, St. John street; Freeman Dairy, dairy and ice cream, I 6 W. First street; Genesee Bottling Works, soft drinks, I I W. Seventh street; Genesee Iron Works, castings, W. First avenue; Genesee Products Co., cleaning compounds, I555 Detroit street; Gracelawn Marble & Granite Works, marble works, N. Saginaw street; Greissell Bread Co., baking, 216 Stevens street; Hardy Baking Co., baking, 313 Clifford street; Home Dairy Co., dairy products, I 6 E. Kearsley street; Independent Bottling Works, soft drinks, 2307 S. Saginaw street; Iroquois Cigar Co., cigars, 6i6 S. Saginaw street; J. Jellis & Co., flour, 500 Ann Arbor street; Karrer & Son, sheet metal works, 520 Buckham street; A. Kogle & Co., sausage, Ii6 W. Kearsley; John M. McInnes, harnesses, III E. Second street; Marvel Carburetor, carburetors, St. Johns street; Metal Products Co., all metal products, I906 Beach street; Michigan Lumber & Coal Co., lumber, I919 Pine street; Mason Motor Truck Co., motor trucks, Fenton and Ossington streets; Martin Parry Co., auto bodies, I8 W. Kearsley; Michigan Baking Co., baking, 4038 Industrial avenue; Norwood & Trump, ice cream, 627 Harrison street; O-Jib-Wa Medicine, medicine, 2701 S. Saginaw street; Powers Ice Cream Co., ice HISTORY OF GENEDSEE COUNTY 129 cream, I025 N. Saginaw street; Peninsular Milling Co., flour, 115 Water street; Rendall Lumber Co., lumber, Second avenue; Shank Coupland Long Co., sheet metal company, 520 Buckham street; Edwin Sterner Co., sheet metal, Crapo and G. T. R. R.; Standard Electro Plating Works, electro plating, 223 W. Kearsley; A. C. Spark Plug, spark plugs, Harriet and Industrial; Snook Jackson Co., printing, 418 Harrison street; Smith Printing Co., printing, 424 Buckham street; W. E. Stewart Estate, wood battery separators, Elm and i4th street; Square Deal Soap Co., soap, Belle avenue, S.; Standard Rug Co., rugs, I813 Beach street; W. F. Stewart Body Co., bodies, 1023 Harriett street; Standard Auto Batt Co., auto batts, 626 Richfield road; Veit & Davison Lumber Co., lumber, 218 Avon street; Vehicle City Broom Co., brooms, I605 Jane street; Wright Battery CQ., storage batteries, 9o8 Leith street; Herbert L. Walrath, harnesses, 3$0 Garland street; Whistle Bottling Works, soft drinks, IooI Stone street; White Ice Cream Co., ice cream, 703 E. Eighth street. CHAPTER XII MILITARY HISTORY THE first military action of this region, of which we have record, dates back to the seige of Detroit. On June 5, 1763, Pontiac spoke here, and, moved by his fiery eloquence, about 200 Saginaw Indians left for the siege under Chief Wasso. Much has already been written about the early military history of Genesee County, especially in reference to the Mexican and Civil wars and new manuscript must from necessity, due to the passage of time, be but a re-write of the many accounts now in print. Here then only a limited space will be used in recounting the facts as pertaining to this County, thus allowing the pursuit of more recent developments at greater length in these pages. The first public exigency which required the calling out of Genesee County manhood to do military service as an organized unit under the direction of the Federal Government was the Mexican War of 1846 to 1848. At that time the population of the County was small, the people for most parts living on small clearings which no more than provided for their wants. There were but few who could be spared, but nevertheless there were some who heard the call to duty and followed their country's flag to Mexico. The First Regiment of Michigan Volunteers was commanded by Colonel T. B. W. Stockton, of Flint, and among the companies which composed it was that of Captain Hanscom, of Pontiac, which though made up largely of Oakland County boys, contained a few from Genesee. The Fifteenth United States Regiment also contained Michigan companies and one of these was commanded by Captain Eugene Van de Venter, of Genesee County. In that company were: Alexander W. Davis, of Grand Blanc, severely wounded at Churubusco; William R. Russell, who died from disease in the City of Mexico, October 29, I847; Claudius H. Riggs, of Grand Blanc, who died at Vera Cruz, July 12, 1847; Robert Handy, reported as dead in Mexico; Henry L. Brannock, who survived his term in service and perhaps others whose names cannot be given due to the lack of official reports. The regiment of which Captain Van de Venter's company was a part was one of the divisions under the command of General G. J. Pillow, of Tennessee. Of Genesee County men who served in Captain Hanscom's company only two are named, James W. and Norton Cronk, of Clayton, the former dying in Mexico while on duty. CIVIL WAR No part of the North responded more freely than the men, women and children of Genesee County, when at the fall of Fort Sumter, HISTORY OF GENISEE COUNTY 131 President Lincoln called for volunteers. There was never a time when the men were not eager to endure the hardships, privations and dangers of the camp, the march, the bivouac and the battle. When money was wanting it was free, for hundreds of men who, through physical defects could not serve in a military capacity, time after time, gave financial aid to the government as well as direct to those organizations which were mustered from their communities. Another war, the greatest of history, has come and gone, yet the people of Genesee County today can look back with undiminished pride to the record established by the manhood of this County in the Rebellion. From the birth to the death of the Rebellion, Genesee gave more than two thousand men, whose tames are recorded on the rolls of one rifle, one engineer, ten cavalry, twenty-three infantry regiments and nine batteries of Michigan as well as several infantry, cavalry and artillery organizations of other states and one regiment of United States Volunteers. When news of the actual war reached Michigan Governor Blair issued a proclamation for twenty companies of the uniformed volunteer. force of the state to be placed at the disposal of the President if required. These companies with field and staff officers were to compose two, regiments, although the War Department had only asked Michigan to furnish one full regiment. Three days after the Governor's call April 19, the state's quota was filled and her first regiment ready for muster into the service of the United States. Fully equipped with arms, ammunition, clothing, awaiting only the orders of the War Department, on May 13, it left Detroit for Washington, being the first regiment to arrive at the Capitol from any point west of the Allegheny mountains. Following the composition of the Ist Michigan Regiment there were ten companies remaining which had been unable to obtain places in the Ist. At once plans were developed to organize the Second Michigan Regiment. Among the ten companies remaining was the "Flint Union Grays" which had existed in the City of Flint from the year 1857, although actual drill and instruction did not begin until the opening of the armory October 2, 1858. When it became known that the Second Michigan regiment was to be organized, members of the Flint organization immediately signified their intention of volunteering in a body and in the organization of the regiment the company from Flint was designated as "F" company. On June 6, I86I, the Second Regiment, one thousand and twenty strong, aboard three steamers left Detroit for Cleveland and thence by way of Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Baltimore to Washington, arriving at the Capitol on the Ioth. After a short stay in the District of Columbia the 2nd with the 3rd Michigan, ist Massachusetts and I2th New York regiments, with Colonel Richardson of the 2nd, as brigade commander, moved south and engaged in the fight at Blackburn's Ford, July I8, and the Battle of Bull Run, Sunday, July 2I. In the panic and disorder which ended that disastrous day the 2nd 132 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY regiment behaved with great steadiness covering the retreat of the brigade toward Washington, thereby covering itself with glory. Following engagements during 1862 included Williamsburg, Stone River, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Rappahannock and subsequent campaigns, with General Pope's Army. In I863, February I3, the 2nd moved to Newport News, Va., thence by river to Baltimore to Louisville, Ky., and on to Vicksburg where it reinforced General Grant's Army. During the latter part of the year it was actively engaged against General Longstreet's Army and was besieged on the hill below Fort Saunders. In 1864 the 2nd regiment became a portion of the Army of the Wilderness. On March 25, it fought at Fort Steadman and sustained severe losses. On May 27, it was detached for duty at Washington, D. C., and remained there about two months, being mustered out July 28. The following day the members left by rail for Detroit, where pay was received and final discharge papers delivered. The Eighth Infantry regiment was organized in the summer and fall of 186i under the command of Colonel William M. Fenton, of Flint and the nucleus of the organization was a Genesee company called the "Fenton Light Guard." Another Genesee County unit which became a part of the 8th was the Excelsior, while representatives of the county were found in all eight other companies of the regiment. On August 12, I86I, the several companies were ordered to rendezvous at Grand Rapids, where regimental camp was pitched in the Fair-grounds. Here the Fenton Light Guard became Company A and the Excelsior Guard Company G. After four weeks' training at Grand Rapids, the regiment moved to Detroit and on September 26 orders were received to report the regiment in Washington. The regiment remained in Washington until October I9, at which time it was ordered with the 79th New York regiment aboard the steamship "Vanderbilt" bound on a secret mission, which later proved to be participation in the naval battle of Port Royal and the subsequent occupation of the enemy forts on both sides of the channel. Throughout its service this regiment was at all times in the thick of the fighting which gained for it great glory and commendations from high military officials. On August 3, I864, the regiment returned to Detroit and was mustered out. Among other regiments which contained Flint and Genesee County men were the Tenth Infantry, Sixteenth Infantry, Twenty-third Infantry, Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth Infantry, First Engineers and Mechanics, First, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Cavalry, and Thirtegnth Battery and several other units organized elsewhere in the state, but containing a few local boys, whose names are not credited to this County. Following is given a list of boys who made the supreme sacrifice while in the line of duty: James Bradley, died of wounds, Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1864. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY i3n James Farrand, killed in action, Spottsylvania Court House, May t1, 1864. Nelson Fletcher, killed in action, Oxford, Va., May 24, I864. George Bisby, died at Camp Winfield Scott, Md., July I1, I86I. William L. Bishop, killed in action, Yorktown, Va., April i6, x862. James Benson, killed in action, Wilderness, May 6, 1864. GeCrge Beemer, died in action, Knoxville, Tenn., November 24, 1863. George Carmer, killed in action, Williamsburg, Va., May 5, i862. Daniel L. Ensign, died of wounds, June 3, I862. Charles L. Gardner, died of disease, Camp Lyons, Va., October, I86r. Frederick Holtz, killed, Knoxville, Tenn., December 12, 1863. Francis Haven, killed in action, Petersburg, Va., June 17, I864. Virgil Hadstalt, killed in action, Knoxville, Tenn., November 24, I863. Sheldon B. Kelly, killed in action, Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, I862. Charles D. Moore, died June 6, I862, Fair Oaks, Va. Dellion McConnell, killed in action, Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, I862. John B. Miller, killed in action, Chantilly, Va., July I, 1862. Samuel L. Bloss, died of disease, Washington, D. C., August 29, i86i. Hamilton Bloss, died of disease, Washington, D. C., August 29, i861. Jacob C. Sackrier, died June 24, I862, of wounds. Charles H. Stone, died of disease, Alexandria, Va., October 6, I864. John J. Sanford, died of disease, Alexandria, Va., October 20, 1864. Ward Berry, died of wounds, June I9, 1864. Byron Green, died of wounds, June 17, 1864. James H. Hill, missing in action, July 30, 1864. Robert F. Meddleworth, killed in action, Petersburg, Va., June 19, I864. Abram D. Perry, died of wounds, Washington, D. C., July 17, 1864. Orion D. Putman, died, Washington, D. C., June 2, I864. Charles H. Snook, died of wounds, July 6, 1864. Simon C. Guild, killed in action, James Island, Va., June I6, I862. Thomas Campbell, killed in action, Petersburg, Va., June 17, I864. James H. Atchinson, died at Hilton Head, S. C., December 25, i86I. Henry Cline, died July 12, I864, Petersburg, Va. David D. Foote, killed on Coosaw river, S. C., December I8, I86I. Milton Barrows, died at sea, on steamboat Argo, of wounds, July 3, I862. John Q. Adams, killed in action, Port Royal, S. C., January I, 1863. Redman I. Babcock, killed in action, Chantilly, Va., September I, 1862. Elias Parks, died January II, I863. Charles Howard Gardner, "Drummer Boy of the Eighth,' killed Knoxville, December 2, I863. Edward Brooks, killed in action, Port Royal, S. C., January I, 1862. James H. Burt, died of wounds, May 9, 1864. Abel S. Bennett, killed in action, James Island, S. C., June I6, I862. Timothy Condon, killed in action, April I6, 1862. Oliver Cone, died of disease, December 24, I862. Gustavus Chapel, died of disease, July 8, 1863. Ira Delling, killed in action, James Island, S. C., June I6, I862. 134 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY William Delbridge, died of disease, August 24, 1863. James Drumond, died of wounds, Petersburg, Va., June 17, i864. Peter A. Fritz, died of disease, Washington, D. C., November 23, i86i. Thomas Heather, died of disease, Beaufort, S. C., January Io, 1862. Harrison S. Hayne, died of disease, Grand Rapids, Mich., September 20, I86i. Theodore Jennings, died of disease, Hilton Head, S. C., November 14, I86I. Thomas Kipp, died of disease, January 6, 1862. Monte Moss, killed in action, Bull Run, Va., August 29, 1862. Albert S. Newman, died of disease, November 26, 1862. Henry Odell, died of disease, Annapolis, Md., October 2, 1862. Fred Shillinger, died of wounds, Wilmington Island, Ga., April 24, i862. David B. Took, died in action, Cossaw River, December I8, I86I. George Wallace, died of disease, May 24, 1862. Warren Wilcox, killed at Washington, D. C., October 7, 1864. William F. Metcalf, died of disease, Beverly N. J., October, 1864. Sampson Daughty, died in action, Wilderness, May, 1864. Harrison P. Payne, died of disease, Salisbury, N. C., December 25, I864. William H. Shepherd, killed in action, May 6, 1864. Daniel Shank, died of wounds, Washington, D. C., June 30, 1864. Hiram Sturgis, killed in action, Petersburg, Va., June i8, 1864. Silas E. Van Schiack, died of disease, Petersburg, Va., July I8, 1864. Joseph Davis, died March 26, I862. Cassander Ackley, died of wounds, December 3, I862. Joseph E. Armstrong, died December 5, I864. Daniel S. Boyer, died in action, James Island, S. C., June, 1862. Albert M. Brannick, died in action, James Island, S. C., June I6, 1862. Alfred Benton, killed in action, Wilderness, May 6, I862. Emory R. Curtis, killed in action, James Island, S. C., June I6, 1862. William Capron, killed in action, James Island, S. C., June i6, I862. Sidney B. Castle, died of disease, June 27, 1864. Marcus Curtis, died of disease, September 17, 1864. Edson Conrad, died of disease, May 12, 1864. George B. Carnes, killed in action, Petersburg, Va., June 8, 1864. Robert Dickson, killed in action, Wilderness, May 6, 1864. William Hamilton, died June 23, 1862. Franklin B. Howland, killed in action, James Island, S. C., June i6, i862. Ansel L. Hamilton, died of disease, Newport News, Va., February 24, I863. Miles P. Hall, died of disease, Detroit, IMich., November 17, I864. Alvin Y. Jones, died in action, James Island, S. C., I862. John Kinsman, killed in action, James Island, S. C., June i6, 1862. Isaac R. Kidney, died of wounds, September 30, I864. George Morse, died of disease, Lebanon, Ky., April 15, I863. Albert V. Overton, died in action, James Island, S. C., June i6, 1862. HISTORY OF GENWSEE COUNTY S13 George Phillips, died of wounds, Washington, D. C., June I3, I864. John Rump, died Coldwater, Va., June 13, 1864. Walter S. Savage, died at Bull Run, August 30, 1862. Peter B. Simonson, killed in action, James Island, S. C., June I6, 1862. James M. Wright, killed in action, James Island, June I6, 1862. Byron Wright, died of wounds, Washington, D. C., June II, I864. Caleb B. Wright, died of wounds, Washington, D. C., July 5, 1864. William A. Wright, died of disease, March 4, I865. Gilbert C. Hinckley, died of disease, October 22, i86i. Lyman F. Knapp, died of disease, April 5, 1864. William Miller, died of disease, May I, 1864. William M. Perkins, died of disease, April 2, 1864. Daniel Shank, died of wounds, received at Grove Church, Va., June 3, 1864. Joseph D. Thomas, died of disease, City Point, Va., February 6, I865. Seth B. Watson, died of disease, Flint, Mich., February 28, 1864. Henry S. Burnett, killed in action, Jonesboro, Ga., September I, I864. Charles Migglesworth, died of disease, Cincinnati, O., July 2, 1862. Allen Norris, died of disease, Flint, Mich., March 9, I862. Phillip Richardson, died of disease, Nashville, Tenn., March I3, 1863. Elbert Hawley, died of disease, Deerfield, Mich., March 20, 1863. John E. Beach, died of disease, July 23, I862. Erastus Corwin, killed in action, Dalton, Ga., February, 1864. Thomas Downer, died of disease, Camp Dennison, O., August 2, 1862. Oscar Cummings, killed in action, Jonesboro, Ga., September I, I864. Stephen Hustead, killed in action, Dalton, Ga., February 25, 1864. Charles W. Johnson, died of disease, Nashville, Tenn., December 24, i862. Omer Pratt, died of disease, June IO, I862. Henry Pennell, drowned, date unknown. John W. Saunders, died of disease, Atlanta, Ga., October 31, I86I. Nelson Swears, died of disease, Louisville, Ky., April 6, 1862. Ira Wood, died of disease, Keokuk, Ia., August 21, I862. Arba Smith, died of disease, Nashville, Tenn., March 24, I862. Theodore Armstrong, died of disease, Farmington, Miss., June 17, I862. David L. J. Andrews, killed in action, Bentonville, N. C., March I9, I865. Charles W. Brewer, died of disease, Camp Dennison, O., June 20, 1862. Thomas E. Brabason, died of wounds, December 3, I864. John Chadborn, died of disease, Camp Dennison, O., August I, 1862. Franklin B. Hopkins, died of disease, Farmington, Miss., June 29, I862. John Shalto, died of disease, St. Louis, June 14, I862.. Henry C. Webster, died of disease, Henderson, Ky., May 30, I862. Ira E. Payson, killed in action, Dalton, Ga., February 25, I864. Roswell Pettingill, died of disease, Nashville, Tenn., September 9, 1864. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Rkhard Stewart, killed at Jonesboro, September I, 1864. Henry Shipman, died of wounds, Nashville, Tenn., September t2, 1864. WORLD WAR Words are futile to tell the real story of the part that the United States and Genesee County played in the Great World War and its successful consummation. The best can but give a meager glossary of the great sacrifices both individual and collective, the tremendous breadth and depth of unfaltering faith of purpose which marked the struggle from 1914 to I918. However, in these succeeding pages will be attempted the narration of the more important events of the i8 months of the war, during which time Genesee County gave unstintingly of its young men and women, skill and labor, power and the unceasing enthusiasm which marked each forward step in the cause of humanity. There have been many men and women of Flint and Genesee County who have given untold assistance in the preparation of this work and to them the editors wish to offer their sincere thanks as well as to the publishers of the "Honor Roll and History of Genesee County In the Great World War." Although all departments, following the entrance of the United States into the war attempted to keep complete records, soon the rush of preparations and fulfillment of projects made this impossible and today many of the facts and figures are not available. On the other hand some so-called written reports are merely conclusions arrived at after considering many verbal suppositions, and it is admitted that there may be some differences in this account from what the readers have seen elsewhere. Nevertheless every effort has been made to bring this account up-to-date and make it a true story of Genesee County's part in the great conflict. Great pride can be felt by the entire County for the part its 'men and women played both at home and over-seas. Figures never will be available to distinguish the number of persons who took part from this County, for it was one task for every man, woman and child and all gave their best in a great united effort. Tribute enough can never be paid to those sons who, on the battlefields of Belleau Wood, Chateau Thierry, Cierges, Jomblet Wood and Juvigny made the supreme sacrifice, but likewise who can measure the tribute to pay to those who at home did their bit. Unofficial reports give Genesee County credit with having at least 4,500 men in all branches of service during the war but these figures cannot be taken for a grand total for there were many who enlisted outside of the County as well as in other state organizations and under those conditions their identity as residents of this County Was lost. Following is the list of boys from Genesee County who made the supreme sacrifice and their names should be held in grateful memory by this County, State and Nation: HISTORY OF GENFSEE COUNTY 137 Raymond L. Allen, Mike Ahgligiere, Edward G. Applebee, Arthur Auten, Lynn Bagnall, John F. Bahn, Burt Bailey, Harry Ray Baker, Frederick Balcon, Michael Bayer, Arthur G. Beechley, Martin Bele, Harry Bennetts, Arthur B. Bendle, Alfred G. Besnett, Stephen Biedas, Raymond L. Bieck, William Bierschbach, T. S. Bird, John Bogoski, Ellsworth M. Bonnell, Dalla Booth, Elmer A. Brabtn, Leslie Brabon, Gordon Brewster, Clarence A. Briggs, Elmer J. Bundy, Elmer William Bush, Arthur Chapman, John F. Chase, Johannes Christenson, Clare Cooper, Elza J. Cooper, James Crawford, Lewis Cronin, Leal Curtis, Russell R. Davis, Edgar J. Deming, Howard J. Demund, Erwin W. DeView, Frank J. Dibble, Alexander Dimossa, Everett C. Dressel, Frank Eastman, John Elmer Eggelston, Lewis D. Eggelston, Ernest Eldenburg, John A. Eldridge, Harry W. Elkey, Norman J. Elliott, Lester R. Emery, Edward Fink, A. L. France, Herbert C. Franklin, Joseph M. Gillespie, F. T. Granger, F. H. Green, James Grimes, Patrick Hale, Floyd DeWaine Hall, Alfred J. Harding, Arthur Henry Hardy, Emery M. Hawks, Harrison G. Haynes, Cyril J. Henry, Earl C. Hills, Charles Hinton, Frederick Karl Hirth, Frank Hodge, Hoyt M. Hollanshead, Charles H. Hubbard, L. W. Hunt, Richard Hunt, Alden Hunter, Audie John Johnson, Fay Keegan, George F. Ketchum, Rupert Krull, Emory Hugh Krebs, Lester LaClair, Jack Lohyn, Robert Lauthers, John D. LaPointe, Arthur LaRue, L. Dee Lash, Harry J. Leonard, Harry Lewis, Roy A. Linaberry, Henry B. Lindsey, Arthur T. Loaring, Phillip Losey, James McCrudden, George T. McFarling, B. L. McNamara, William McNett, Clare Marshall, Arthur Maschino, Max Merrill Mason, Burton Mathews, Harry A. Miller, George Miller, George H. Miller, Clyde Muchler, Roy Mundy, T. J. Murphy, Harry A. Myers, Elmer L. Neeley, Hugh Nygreen, Claude O'Day, Levi A. Ostrander, Oscar Orberg, Harry Olrich, Peter Ostrowski, Herman Pardee, Morocco Pelagalee, Alfred Penny, Joseph Polovina, George Franklin Potter, Elias Pratt, Omar E. Pratt, Frank Reinstadler, Earl E. Renfrew, Benjamin Ricman, John Roszkoski, William Rust, John F. Rutledge, Burt Ryan, William H. Schramm, Earl James Schryer, Frank Scott, Clinton Sedgman, John Glen Selden, Leo Leslie Selesky, Arthur Seymour, George F. Shanon, Lyman Shauger, Harry W. Shaw, Herbert E. Sherman, Burrell L. Smith, Ezra A. Smith, Frank B. Smith, Roy Dudley Smith, Henry Subora, Harold L. Sweet, Vernon C. Swihart, Harold B. Taylor, Walter Taylor, Homer Catlin Thorsby, William Chase Tirrell, Oakley Orville Traynor, Phillip Trevorrow, Jerome Trombley, Raymond N. Tunningley, Simeon Van Voorhees, Melvin John Walker, Earl J. Westfall, Howard C. Wolverton, Arba Clyde Worden, Lloyd Yorton and Thomas Zumwalt. THE THIRTY-SECOND DIVISION Just pride is taken by Michigan, Genesee County and Flint in the excellent showing of the Thirty-Second Division, more commonly known as the "Red Arrow Division," for it was a Michigan-Wisconsin unit. Of this unit the I25th Infantry was made up of Mich 138 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY igan men, while Machine Gun and E companies of the I25th were composed of Flint and Genesee County manhood. Test after test which called for every atom of real American manhood from the time of organization until the final discharge never found the members of the Thirty-Second shirking and especially was this demonstrated by the boys from Genesee County. Much credit for the unalloyed success of the 2nd Battalion of the 125th is due to the unfailing leadership and personal friendship of its beloved commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Guy M. Wilson, of Flint, a personal sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in these pages. These citizen soldiers, untried in the stern methods of modern warfare, knowing that they perhaps sacrificed their all, never faltered in the line of duty and having overcome the veteran troops of Germany and her allies, taught the world the greatest lesson of the centuries that for Humanity's sake there must be an international code of freedom and liberty. In the following brief outline is given the high lights of the career of the Thirty-Second Division: Organized under orders of July I8, I917, at Camp MacArthur, Waco, Texas, of Michigan and Wisconsin National Guard troops, Michigan furnishing approximately I2,ooo and Wisconsin 15,000 men. Commanded by Major-General William G. Haan and MajorGeneral William Lassiter. Served six months under fire, May to November, I9I8, with but ten days in rest area. Fought on five fronts and in three major offensives, Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne. Losses: I4,ooo casualties from all causes. Gained 38 kilometers in four attacks and repulsed every enemy counter-attack. Met and vanquished 23 German Divisions, capturing 2,I53 prisoners, 2,000 rifles, 200 machine guns, Ioo pieces artillery, besides thousands of rounds of ammunition. First American troops to set foot on German soil, captured Fismes in the Marne offensive and was the only American unit in General Mangin's famous Tenth French Army. Was in action when armistice was signed and marched to the Rhine as part of the Army of Occupation, taking up a position in the sector of the Coblentz bridgehead. Given the name of "Les Terribles" by the French and had for its insignia, a barred red arrow, descriptive of the fact that the Division pierced every German line it fought against. Necessarily, due to the lack of space it is an impossibility to give a full detailed account of all departments of the Thirty-Second Division in the war, but herewith is described the salient points of its service. Among the National Guard companies which lost their identities with the organization of the Division under the command of MajorGeneral James Parker were: 3Ist, 3znd and 33rd Michigan infantry HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 139 regiments, First Michigan Cavalry regiment, First Battalion Michigan Engineers, First Michigan Field Signal Battalion, Michigan Field Hospital No. i and Michigan Ambulance Company No. 2. Major-General Parker left for France in September, 1918, and William G. Haan, then a brigadier, took command. The Division was reorganized and although it was the policy to preserve original company organizations, this was not followed for it was necessary to bring the companies from the formerly prescribed strength of 150 men to the organization strength of 250 men. General military tactics, under the direction of United States as well as French and British officers, soon placed the Division in fighting "trim" and during the latter part of November and first of December artillery and infantry inspectors placed it as the most completely equipped, trained unit in the United States. In view of these facts orders were received in December for transfer to the port of embarkation at Hoboken, New Jersey, and on January 2nd, 1918, the first troops left Waco, the advance party arriving at Brest, France, January 24th. The first war casualties were suffered by the Division on February 5th when 13 members of the Io7th Sanitary Train went down with the "Tuscania." The advance section of the Division headquarters was established at Prauthoy, Haute Marne, 20 kilometers south of Langres, February 24th, the Thirty-Second becoming a replacement organization for the First Army Corps. At this time the I25th, with the I26th and I27th infantry regiments were assigned as temporary labor troops in the S. 0. S. The Division functioned as a replacement organization for four weeks. Upon recommendation of the Division Commander, the I25th, I26th and I27th Infantry Regiments were relieved from labor and sent to the Divisional Area arriving there about April IO, I918. However, detachments from the ThirtySecond were held on duty in the S. 0. S. so that approximately 7,000 men had been transferred from the unit. Short 2,000 men when it arrived in France, this transfer cut the infantry companies to about Ioo men each. In March, 1918, the enemy offensive brought a decision to make a temporary combat division of the Thirty-Second and replacements arrived bringing the strength of each rifle company up to I60 men. Four weeks' prescribed training was taken in the Ioth Training Area. On May I8, I918, four battalions of the Division were assigned front-line duty in Haute Alsace, relieving elements of the Ninth and Tenth Divisions, and by June 15 there were eight battalions in the front-line trenches, four battalions being held in reserve. At this time the Division was holding a front of 27 kilometers from Aspachle-Bas to the Swiss border. Throughout this period training was continued with French officers and non-commissioned officers as instructors. On July 15, orders were received to withdraw the ThirtySecond from Alsace and prepare it for transportation to the active front in the west. Withdrawal began July I9 and was completed two days later. Traveling by rail the Division joined the Tenth HIS4TORY Or OrJMSM CIOIUN7I French Army near Verberie in the region of Soissons as a general reserve. July 26 brought orders which sent the Division to ChateauThierry as a reserve to the 28th French Corps, 6th French Army. Up until its arrival at Chateau-Thierry the Division had casualties numbering 4I9 from all causes. They were: Killed, one officer and 39 men; severely wounded, three officers and 105 men; slightly wounded, five officers and I95 men; gassed, seven officers and 67 men; died of wounds, one officer and 17 men. Harrison Garfield Hayes, corporal, of Flint, who fell in the Alsace sector, June 30, I918, was the first American soldier to die on German soil. On the night of July 29-30 a portion of the Division, including the 64th Infantry Brigade, relieved the Third American Division on the Ourcq, near Roncheres, the 28th Division lying to the left and the Fourth French Division to the right, and it was here that the members of the 32nd were to receive their first real test in a major operation. At II o'clock, July 30, the command of the sector passed to Major-General Haan and he at once executed plans to carry a strong German position in the Bois des Grimpettes, the boys of the 3znd being ordered to make the attack with the assistance of heavy artillery fire from the 28th Division. The Infantry of the latter Division was to move forward into Grimpettes woods as soon as it had been captured. Success of the movement meant much, not only to the members of the 32nd but to the entire sector, for it would break the last strong Boche position south of the Vesle. July 31, saw this accomplished with the taking of the village of Cierges and Hill 212. Twenty-six members of E company made the supreme sacrifice in these attacks. The drive continued throughout August I, ending only after Bellevue Farm, Hill 230 and other strong German positions were captured. The Commander of the 6th French Army, deeming it likely a consolidated advance could break through, ordered an advance to begin on the morning of August 2. In this operation the 32nd Division encountered little opposition and advanced to its objective a little south of Chamery, then on further orders advanced to a line north of Dravegny, reaching there about nightfall, after advancing about six kilometers. On August 3, pursuit pressed on and the Corps Commander ordered the 32nd to press on to the Vesle river and provide means of crossing. During seven days of fighting the 32nd Division, gained 19 kilometers, captured I8 villages or fortified farms, broke through the strong line of the Ourcq, stormed and captured the strongly held city of Fismes and completely occupied the south bank of the Vesle. The casualties through this period were: Killed, 77 officers and 645 men; severely wounded, 58 officers and I,079 men; slightly wounded, 82 officers and 9Io men; gassed, 21 officers and 597 men; missing, 46 men; died of wounds, I2 officers and 63 men; captured, two officers and six men. Total losses from all causes, 3,547. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 141 The Division captured one German officer and 96 men, four pieces of heavy artillery, five pieces light artillery, ten trench mortars, 28 machine guns, 400 rifles and many trainloads of ammunition and war supplies. After being relieved from the front line trenches the Division took up a position in the rear between the Ourcq and Vesle as a support unit in the reserve of the Third Army Corps. The personnel immediately began a special course of training in infantry and maneuver problems, covering a period of ten days, when orders were received which sent the Division into the Soissons sector, reporting to the Commanding General of the Tenth French Army, General Mangin. It took up a position on the Aisne in the rear of the I27th French Infantry Division. Throughout its stay in this sector and the many terrific engagements it participated in, the Division continued to live up to the wonderful record it had established. Time after time the members covered themselves with glory and never faltering or giving way an inch pushed the German lines back. While in the Oise-Aisne sectors the Division took part in every major operation and when the key-position of the Boche line had been broken it was found that it had suffered casualties numbering 2,848 men from all causes. On September 5, orders were received to re-assemble the 32nd south of the Aisne and turn it back to the First American Army then preparing for the St. Mihiel and Argonne offensive. The troops moved to the rest area at Joinville, near Chaumont The rest period proved short and after eight days intensive drill to equip the replacements, the Division was transported by motor bus from the Joinville area to the Verdun front and assigned to the Fifth Army Corps as a reserve. September 26 orders were received to move forward and occupy the original front of the Fifth Corps, which that morning had attacked the enemy in the Argonne. September 29, the Division was ordered to relieve the 37th Division, then occupying the center of the Fifth Corps sector and orders were fulfilled by the close of October I. The 63rd Infantry Brigade went into the front lines, supported by the 64th Infantry Brigade, the Division being organized in considerable depth. Rapidly extending their lines the troops by October 7-8 had occupied a position about 200 meters north of Gesnes, which was directly in front of what was known to be the strongest point of the whole Hindenburg Line in the Argonne sector. During two days' fighting in which 26 members of E company of the I25th Infantry met death, the front lines were again extended to the wire on the Kriemhilde Stellung. During the 20 days in which the 32nd was in the line of battle in the Argonne sector the troops were constantly in action on the most difficult terrain the Division had ever been called upon to conquer. In the approach and penetration of the Kriemhilde line the $3nd Division met and vanquished I German Divisions, while the greatest number of prisoners were captured in the Argonne, including 28 officers and I,067 men. 342 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY When word that the armistice had been signed reached the headquarters of the 32nd, which again was on the frout, orders were issued that under no circumstances was there to be any let-down in vigilance and although a few miles back a great celebration was in progress the front lines remained practically the same, without the continual firing. On November 17, as one of the leading elements of the Third Army, the Division crossed what had been its front line on November ii and started for the Rhine. In ten days the Franco-Belgian border was reached and after one day's rest the Division entered Luxembourg. While at Longway, Major-General William G. Haan, who had commanded the Division throughout its active service in the war was relieved and succeeded by Major-General William Lassiter, formerly Chief of the First Army Artillery. On November 23 the German border was reached. By December i, the advance guard had reached the Rhine and on December 13 the Division crossed into the Coblenz bridgehead and with the First Division on its right occupied a frontline sector marking the furthermost advance of American troops in German territory. In February the Division was designated for return to the United States and about the middle of April troop movements for the port of embarkation in France began. On Monday, May I9, Michigan welcomed home the "Red Arrow Division" with a mammoth demonstration in Detroit and on Thursday, May 21, the unit was demobilized at Camp Custer. Citizens of Genesee County and Flint, not only took a great part in the demonstration at Detroit but also tributed Lieutenant-Colonel Guy M. Wilson and her Red Arrow veterans with a reception at the Masonic temple, where the late J. D. Dort, Chairman of the Genesee County War Board, in simple but expressive language thanked the boys for their services. THE 85TH DIVISION Much of the history of the 85th Division centers around Camp Custer at Battle Creek, Michigan, that here briefly are given the facts which led to the establishment of the camp. Following the passage of the National Army Bill by Congress in the second month of the war, many Michigan towns and cities began completing plans to obtain a cantonment, for it was a foregone conclusion, that one would be established in this state by the government. Of the sites selected throughout the state for government inspection that of Battle Creek proved the best and on Monday, May 26, 1917, Lieutenant-Colonel E. N. Jones, chairman of the selection committee announced that if proper and final plans could be consummated the site would be utilized. A few days later he returned accompanied by Major F. W. Alstetter, engineer corps; Major F. J. Wells, infantry; Major G. V. Reukke, medical corps, and Captain B. C. Dooley, quartermaster corps. The site occupied heights along the Kalamazoo river five miles west of Battle Creek and in dimension it was five and one-half miles HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 143 from north to south and four and one-half miles from east to west, containing nearly 25 square miles. By the middle of July more than 8,000 men were at work on the cantonment site for Porter Brothers', contractors. The work rapidly progressed and the cantonment was officially dedicated October 23 and turned over to the government as complete December 5, 1917. Major-General J. P. Dickman became the first commanding officer. The 85th Division was the army designation chosen for the unit in which the selected men from Michigan and Wisconsin were trained for service. The organization included three brigades, four regiments of infantry, the 337th, 338th, 339th and 340th; three artillery regiments, the 328th, 329th and 330th; 328th and 329th machine gun battalions; motor supply train No. 409; auxiliary remount depot No. 320; the quartermasters' depot; the i6oth depot brigade; the following units of the 3Ioth trains regiments, 3ioth engineers, 3Ioth field signal battalion, 3ioth motorized trench mortar battery, 3Ioth ammunition train and the 3ioth sanitary train. On September 5, 1917, the first group of selected men from Michigan, numbering 1,700, were received at the camp. Two weeks later 14,000 more arrived. A third increment, thirty-five per cent of the total quota, arrived December IO and by March IO, 1918, the 85th Division was full with a total of 35,996 men. Of this number Michigan furnished 30,291 and Wisconsin 5,695, while Genesee contributed 1,o36 men to the Division. The training of the 85th followed the usual lines under the direction of United States and foreign commissioned and non-commissioned officers and by March I, 1918, the unit having arrived at full war strength it was considered ready for over-seas service. However, orders to proceed to the port of embarkation did not reach Camp Custer until the latter part of May and on June I, the Supply Train, the first to leave the Camp for "over-there" dispersed to various manufacturing centers to drive the Division's trucks through to Baltimore, from thence to Camp Mills, L. I. Here during the rest of June and a portion of July the entire Division personnel assembled and by July 31 all units were on the water. Debarking at Liverpool the troops entrained at once for Southampton. It left that port for France minus the 339th Infantry, three Companies of Engineers and some of the officers of the 340th Infantry, these units being detailed to the Archangel front as the American Northern Russian Expeditionary Force. Arriving at Cherbourg, August 15, the Division went at once to Pouilly-sur-Loire for training. As a replacement Division it was certain that a great many of the members wood soon see active service and rigid training was accorded the personnel. On September 15, the Division moved to Cosne, remaining there until October I and by the I2th the Custer Division had arrived at Toul, general headquarters for the Second Army. Rapidly the men were transferred as replacements to divisions whose ranks had been depleted by heavy losses. The largest number HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY went to the First Division, while other groups became parts of the Third, Fourth and 35th Divisions and immediately they were thrown into action. The Divisional Artillery also was detached, the 328th and 329th going into action near Pont-a-Mousson toward the close of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. The 330th was ready to enter the lines when the armistice halted all hostilities. From the base at Toul, the Supply Train operated for a month before the signing of the armistice, carrying supplies to the Meuse-Argonne front. The 31oth Field Signal Corps also did wonderful work in completing plans for the great proposed drive against Metz which was cancelled due to the armistice. In November, I918, but 4,ooo of the original number of the 8sth remained in the Division, the rest having been transferred as replacements and this shows that although the Division did not participate in the World War as a complete unit, its members did play a great part in the hard won victory in France. In January, I919, orders were received to return to the United States and in the same month the Division moved into the Le Mans area homeward bound. By April ii, minus a great many of its original personnel, the unit was again at Camp Custer and work of demobilization began. Early in July, also arrived the 339th Infantry and Companies A, B and C of the 3Ioth Engineers, after a nine-month stay in the Archangel sector in Russia. Thus ends the active history of the 85th Division and without a doubt this unit, although broken up as it was from the time it reached French soil until its return to the United States, served its Country and State in the most competent manner, equal to that of any other unit of the National Army. THE 35IST AMBULANCE COMPANY In May, 1917, the Flint and Genesee County Manufacturers' Association, realizing that the United States government needed as much assistance as possible announced that it would sponsor the organization of a motor ambulance for immediate over-seas service, providing that the company could be mustered locally. Dr. Walter H. Winchester, prominent physician, volunteered to become commanding officer and his offer was accepted. He immediately issued a call for Ioo Flint and Genesee County men, the quota being filled without delay. Full equipment was provided at once and the company soon assumed a satisfactory military appearance. Every succeeding day showing marked improvement, application was made to have the Company mustered into the National Army, and Dr. Winchester was commissioned Captain and authorized to serve as recruiting officer for mustering purposes. Details of this work being completed the Company officially became the zIst Red Cross Ambulance Company. Four additional officers, all Flint physicians who had applied for enlistment in the Medical Corps, were ignzed to complete the quota of officers. They were: M. R. Sutton, L. R. Phillips, A. V. Murtha and R. B. Madcuff. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY IUf The roster of the company at this time included the following in addition to the officers just named: Louis E. Albertson, Waldo E. Alexander, Albert E. Atherton, Guy H. Baldwin, Edwin F. Bauman, Clyde Barden, Joseph A. Bezenah, Steven W. Beidas, Robert J. Blackington, Willard G. Barton, Harley M. Bradshaw, Henry M. Brady, Vere Byus, Ward A. Cameron, Ira L. Campbell, J. S. Campbell, Chris Christensei, Johannes Christensen, Wade C. Conklin, Donald Cook, Willis G. Coon, C. Beattie Crawford, Nathan Crites, Thomas S. Crites, Victor R. Daley, Hugh H. Dean, Howard W. Dubbs, John F. Dunn, Frank M. Eames, Ambrose J. Earl, Gerald Eckhardt, Howard J. Eddy, John T. Edgerly, Russell L. Everts, Raymond F. Flick, Charles L. Frye, Lloyd H. Garey, Mark B. Garner, John W. Garrett, Herbert Giffin, Hoyt Glaspie, M. W. Gordon, Nelson C. Green, Howard H. Gregory, Harry A. Dressner, Frederick Griffith, Howard R. Gundry, Howard S. Hamline, Harold E. Hamilton, Hans E. Hansen, Clyde E. Hazlett, Carl W. Herre, Howard Hoadley, Fred B. Hodge, Ray M. Hodge, Lucian O. Holman, Carlton G. Horton, Willard S. Hoskins, S. S. Howard, H. N. Howe, F. B. Hoyt, R. R. Hufstader, L. D. Jarvis, C. Jeffery, William B. Jones, Edgar F.. Kelly, Otho F. Keyport, John Koepke, C. C. Kurtzrock, Arthur W. Larsen, John H. Lauthers, Howard W. Lee, Paige A. Leonard, Stanley Leczko, Fred J. Linder, Clarence A. Lindsey, D. A. Lintz, Norman J. McGillvary, Horace McMichael, John Mahoney, John A. Maitrott, Walter F. Metzger, Claude Miller, Hugh F. Mohr, Ralph F. Moringstar, Harold M. Morse, L. M. Morse, Claude R. Myers, William Neighbor, Carl H. Neilson, John R. O'Riley, Hugh M. Parker, George O. Pemberton, James W. Perkins, Robert T. Perry, Max M. Pettibone, Meade W. Pincombe, John S. Pinney, Curtis W. Piper, John J. Poplewski, Hollis E. Porter, Paul S. Procissi, Maurice J. Quick, Van Cleve Reid, Richard J. Rigby, Allen Robinson, Fred W. Robinson, Ernest R. Rumble, Charles M. Rumsey, Conrad J. Schaffer, Earl E. Seyfried, Henry J. Sheltraw, Clarence J. Sherff, Zerah C. Smith, Robert M. Snyder, Edward J. Sova, Earl W. Swain, James N. Tinlin, Raymond W. Webb, Thomas A. Williams, George F. Wilson, Ray E. Yakes and Glenn E. Zuver. Orders were received by Captain Winchester September I7th, I917, to proceed with his command to Camp Dodge, Iowa, for further training, arriving there on the evening of the I9th. It was here that the first fatality among the local boys occured. Steven W. Beidas, who with comrades was swimming in the Des Moines river, drowned before aid reached him. When troops of the cantonment were organized into a division, the 2Ist was renamed the 35ist Ambulance Company and was assigned to the 3I3th Sanitary Train, which was composed of four ambulance companies and four field hospitals each of the groups being under the command of a major. The 3I3th Sanitary Train then became a part of the 88th Division. On August Ioth, I9i8, after twelve months training the 88th 146 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Division was ordered over-seas and several weeks later found them landing at Liverpool. After three days rest the 351st crossed from Southampton to Le Harve, thence to the Division's headquarters which had been established at the little town of Semur, Cote de'Or, not far from Paris, where final preparations were made for field service at the front. The next move was to the Haute-Alsace sector near the Swiss border where the Company was billeted in Desandans and Abre. The first active service on the war front these Flint and Genesee County men received was in the hospital at the French village of Herricourt. Throughout their service over-there the boys of the 351st conducted themselves as only the trained determined American youth can when righting wrongs and for their unceasing efforts in line of duty they were cited officially by the Commanding General of the American Expeditionary Force. During the month of October the 35Ist was ordered to move to Chevanne-Sur-l-'Etang in Alsace, within a very short distance of the front lines where headquarters were maintained for several weeks, keeping a line of ambulances moving from the front to the hospitals in the rear. The personnel not detailed to ambulance driving served in the nearby hospitals. It was during this period that Captain Winchester received his Majority and was placed in command of a field hospital and Captain Frank D. Ryder became commanding officer of the 35Ist. Orders to move north into the Meuse-Argonne sector were received October 31st, 1918. The Company stopped at Lagny to repair ambulances and replenish equipment and before taking up its new position the armistice agreement was signed at Senlis. Three weeks later the Company left Lagny for Hevillers with orders to remain there for several months as a portion of the reserve to the Army of Occupation. Orders for the return to the United States were received May 7th, I919. The 35Ist embarked from St. Nazaire, landing at Newport News, Va., June 4th. From there it moved to Camp Custer where June I2th it was discharged. KNIGHTS TEMPLAR AMBULANCE COMPANY Through the suggestion of F. A. Aldrich, of Flint, Past Grand Commander of Michigan, Order of Knights Templar, in session at Kalamazoo in June, 1917, the state fraternal body sponsored the equipment and organization of the Michigan Knights Templar Ambulance Company with Dr. Floyd A. Roberts, of Flint, a member of the fraternal body, in command. To accomplish this organization, the state body appointed a special committee which voted to assess each member of the commanderies of Michigan $1.50 which would have produced approximately $I5,000. But upon investigation, the committee found that to equip and train an ambulance company had increased approximately one hundred per cent and to meet this cost the assessment was made $3.00 per member. Dr. Roberts, who besides being a capable physician, also had previous military experience, on July loth was commissioned a Captain of Ambulance Company No. 42 and on August 3rd was ap HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 147 pointed a recruiting officer for his own Company to complete details of mustering the personnel into the National Army. He also obtained as barracks the dormitories of the Michigan School for Deaf, vacant during the summer. Army rations for xoo men were served at the Masonic temple. On the campus of the school full military training was given the Company and it was not long before it was ready to entrain for one of the government concentration camps for final instructions. Failing to receive moving orders Captain Roberts went to Chicago interviewed his superiors and returned to Flint with authority to move his command to Camp Taylor, Ky. Twenty-seven cities and towns of Michigan were represented on the Company's roster when on September 3rd, it entrained for Camp Taylor. Full equipment consisting of twelve U. S. Red Cross ambulances, three motorcycles, three regulation lorries and two officers' cars were ordered shipped to the southern camp for assembly there. In July, I918, a year after its mobilization in Flint, Ambulance Company 333 was ordered from Camp Taylor to Camp Sherman, Ohio, the original equipment furnished by the state fraternal body being left behind as unfit for over-seas service, the government providing new. Moving from Camp Sherman to Camp Mills, L. I., the Company embarked September 9th on the British ship Melita landing at Liverpool on the 2ist. Following a short stop-over at Romsey, on September 25 it crossed from Southampton to LeHarve arriving at Chateau la Rouche two days later. The Company immediately entered upon its work, being assigned to a hospital there for wounded soldiers in transit from the front. In November the commanding officer detailed Ioo members to Base Hospital No. 3 at Vou Claire and during the latter part of the month the remaining 21 members joined their comrades, the Company remaining at this base until ordered back to the United States. George Stevens, of Grand Rapids, died of influenza November 15 and three days later was buried with Masonic rites, participated in by practically the entire Company personnel. From the time of its mobilization until arriving home for discharge the 333rd had four commanders. Captain Roberts received his Majority at Camp Taylor and was given charge of four base hospitals, which with the 333rd and three other ambulance companies made up the 309th Sanitary Train of the 84th Division. The command of the Company then passed to Captain John G. McKinnon, of Calumet. Captain Childs, of Chicago, commanded for four months in France and Captain L. D. Maybee, of Kansas City, was in command when the Company returned to the United States. The company left Base Hospital No. 3 April 13, I9I9, for the port of Genicourt, sailing for home on the U. S. S. Otsego and arriving in New York 15 days later. After a week's stay at Camp Merritt, N. Y., the Company arrived at Camp Custer June 2 and June 5 was discharged. The roster of the Company upon its arrival home was as follows: 148 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Captain Maybee, Lieutenant Jolly and Lieutenant Mills. Ora Abernathy, Arthur Almstedt, Howard Andrew, Leslie Angus, Arthur Asmus, Fenner Ball, Harold R. Barber, Byron I. Barber, Erwin C. Barie, Russell K. Bennetts, Albert Binford, Theodore Bright, Harry C. Britton, Albert H. Buck, Charles Buck, Russell R. Burbridge, Henry Cadwell, Robert Cain, George Campbell, Robert Campbell, Sydnia R. Carr, Hugh Carter, Francis Cerny, Horace Cummings, George P. Curnow, Earl Daily, James H. Davison, Charles E. Dickinson, Earl Donovan, Fred M. Evans, Joseph H. Farmer, William E. Foulks, Earl F. Fowler, Charles W. French, Henry Geller, Frank C. Gilman, Hugh Glover, Charles Grierson, M. C. Hagerman, Roy F. Hagerman, John Hannan, Harvey R. Hansen, Paul Harding, Robert Harper, Fred N. Harris, George Hinte, Clarence Holcombe, Donald Huston, William Hults, Harry Irvin, Fred W. Johnston, Charles Kelly, Clair Kelly, Norman Kern, Medrad Klevorn, Victor Kurhummel, William Kulow, Sam Larsen, Carl Lehman, Charles Lenthal, Clinton Lunt, John G. MacDonald, Charles H. Manness, Fred Mativa, Clayton Mattice, Clarence Medland, George Menzie, Bradley R. Miller, Earl Mitchell, Wayne A. Mitchell, Lawrence Montigel, John F. Mooney, Dwight Morgan, Charles O. Moyer, Everett S. Mulholland, Gilbert Parks, Fred Powell, Marion L. Pratt, Harold P. Rausch, William H. Reed, Chester Robinson, Paul Roehm, Edward G. Schafer, John Schwer, D'Leeland Seeley, Walter Shuler, William Stack, Ernest Stevens, Roy J. Stevenson, Harold Stewart, Calvin A. Stiff, Orin Stone, Irvin K. Stough, Frank B. Stover, William L. Strobel, Harry P. Sutphen, John Roy Symons, Arthur Talsma, Edward C. Tefs, Ray Timmons, Harry B. Tinkham, Harry Towle, Max P. Unger, Charles Wahl, Ray E. Walker, George Wareham, Van M. Weaver, Frank Weston, Earl Whalin, Alexandria Wiggins, Archie J. Willis, Walter Windiate, Ray Zimmerman and Harold A. Sulz. THE WAR AT HOME Through the preceding pages facts and figures regarding the activities of Michigan and Genesee County manhood in the Great War have been taken into consideration and in the following pages will be undertaken the story of the War at home. There can be no doubt in the minds of any, that the people at home did their utmost in bringing victory to the Allies. Their's was a different part to play, from the men who were in active service, but when the facts are weighed it will be found that their tasks were just as important. It will be impossible in this limited space to take up every phase of the "home" work and therefore it will have to be of a general nature. However, so great was the scope of the Liberty and Victory Loan campaigns that a full account as far as possible will be given. Under the plans adopted by the Treasury department of the Federal Government in May, 1917, for the sale of Liberty bonds, Michigan, which is one of the states of the Seventh Federal Reserve system, HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY 140 la. came under the management of Frederick R. Fenton, of Detroit, who was appointed Federal Director of Sales for this state. Immediately following his appointment State Director Fenton appointed Arthur G. Bishop, president of the Genesee County Savings bank, Chairman for Genesee County and Mr. Bishop promptly called a meeting of all the bankers of the county. These men without hesitation pledged every effort for the successful consummation of the First Liberty Loan and further agreed to have the banks underwrite all the expenses of the campaign, which they continued to do through each successful campaign, until the Genesee County War Board was organized. J. D. Dort, now deceased, was appointed Executive Manager for the first campaign when word was received in Flint that the County's quota was $I,716,ooo. This figure, at that time seemed tremendous, but was small as compared to later quotas and sales. Among others who were appointed with Mr. Dort were: L. H. Bridgman, John L. Pierce, Roy Brownell, C. S. Mott, H. J. Clifford, J. H. Crawford, C. M. Greenway, Hugh Drummond, J. E. Burroughs, F. A. Aldrich and E. W. Atwood in Flint and E. L. Cornwell, E. L. Beeman, C. J. Campbell and Claude Stoddard in the County. Following several preparatory meetings at the Masonic temple, on June 4 the campaign was opened in general, while the factory canvas was scheduled to begin two days later. Teams worked throughout the city until June 9, when the general committee conceded that the sales campaign was a failure. But not giving up the fight, after another enthusiastic meeting in the Masonic temple the entire staff of workers turned in an over-subscription amounting to $1,925,970 as against the quota of $I,7I6,000. Of this figure 24,268 citizens of Flint subscribed $I,579,300 and 2,222 citizens of townships subscribed $346,670. Of the total number of persons subscribing in Flint more than 20,000 were from the wageearning class and the City today thanks her workingmen and women for their willingness in supporting the Government not only in the First campaign but in them all. Experience gained by the workers in the First campaign stood them well when Genesee County received a quota of $3,540,550 in the Second Liberty Loan campaign. One hundred and one teams working as a unit rapidly carried the campaign to a successful close the citizens of the County making an over-subscription of more than $7oo,000. This campaign marked a distinct advance in the formation of the close organization which was to carry through following campaigns. Among the townships to over-subscribe their quotas were, Richfield, Davison, Fenton and Flushing. It is conceded that April, 9Ig8, was the crucial month of the war for one year had elapsed since the declaration of war by the United States and as yet the strength of the Nation had not been felt on the battlefields. It also marked the opening of the great German offensive for the channel ports, with the object of separating the British HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY and French armies and winning the war before American troops could be utilized to any great. extent. Considering these facts, the German high command, felt that the situation was one that would not encourage bond buying in America. But as was proven by the Third Liberty Loan campaign, Germany's militaristic leaders failed to rightly reckon the true spirit of American citizenry. From the very start in the Genesee County campaign there never was a moment of doubt but that an over-subscription would be forthcoming. With a quota of $2,I49,913 the campaign opened early in April and on April i6 it was announced that the quota had been over-subscribed. The final tabulation of figures showed that $3,764,350 had been pledged by the County. Following this campaign the Liberty Loan sales organization was perpetuated as the Genesee County War Board which continued to function as such until the close of the war. As in the preceding campaigns Genesee County greatly over-subscribed its quota in the Fourth Liberty Loan. The County's quota was $4,I27,500 and it subscribed $5,546,250. This success is largely due to the wonderful manner in which the entire County was prepared for the campaign by the War Board organization and to the fact that a "volunteer" plan was used in making the subscriptions. During this campaign Daniel A. Reed, of Flint, who for some time previous had served on the Food Administration Board and as a member had visited the European battlefields in the interest of the Board, served as City Sales Manager. Results of the Victory Loan campaign, considered now in the time of peace show that the citizens of Genesee County are not only patriotic in the time of war but are ready at any time to help the Federal Government to the utmost of their abilities, regardless of the cost to themselves. The Victory Loan carried a new problem to the leaders of war finance in the County. The armistice had been signed four months, the United States was at peace with the world, industries which had been working day and night to fulfill government war contracts had their contracts cancelled and were attempting to return to a pre-war industrial basis. When the quota of $3,156,981 was announced it was considered a large figure under existing conditions. Without hesitation, men, women and children came forward with pledges and when the final figure was announced the quota was over-subscribed by $I,036,419. Fifteen out of the I8 townships surpassed their quotas while the County led Muskegon County, the runner-up in the state, by seven per cent. If it were possible the names of every person who worked during the campaigns throughout the County should be published, but in view of the fact that only the more important details can be given here, let it be known that great credit is due every man, woman and child who participated in any manner. As it is, among those who HISTORY OF GENSEE COUNTY 161 were outstanding in all campaigns were: J. D. Dort, C. C. Kagey, Mrs. Lorenzo J. Locy, Mrs. Carrie E. Berston, Charles M. Greenway, George C. Willson, Hon. D. D. Aitken, A. Brown Batterson, Arthur G. Bishop, Frank B. Streat, O. R. Largent, Roy E. Brownell, F. A. Chapin, Herbert Frutchey, Frank P. Wildman, C. S. Mott, Daniel A. Reed, Hon. P. H. Kelley, Hon. G. C. Kellar, Mrs. A. J. Reed and Harry C. Haight More than expected response also met all financial campaigns conducted by the American Red Cross, the Knights of Columbus, Young Men's Christian Association, War Savings Stamps and other individual efforts. Of most worthy note is that of the first financial campaign conducted by the American Red Cross, which followed closely the First Liberty Loan campaign. On April x8, one day after the close of the First Liberty Loan campaign, four teams representing the Genesee County chapter of the American Red Cross began a canvass to raise a quota of $85,000. The workers continued until June 21 and at the final meeting it was announced that the General Motors Corporation had subscribed $125,000 or about $io per employe in the City of Flint, making a grand total subscription of $295,169.61, of which figure the citizens of Flint alone donated $231,188.58, more than 400 per cent of its quota. Englewood, N. J., a suburban city containing the homes of many wealthy New York business men was the only community to surpass Flint's record. During June, 1917, Flint Council No. 695, Knights of Columbus, also conducted a campaign by popular subscription raising $10,723.35 or 50 per cent over its quota. Another campaign during the early part of I917 was conducted by the Y. M. C. A. in which a total of $Io,ooo was raised. However, it was not alone in financial campaigns that these organizations served. The American Red Cross, through its surgical department under the direction of Mrs. Scott Kendrick, with Mrs. Katherine S. Throop as head of the inspection department. Among other departments which did wonderful work for both the needy at home and the boys in the service were: Knitting department, under direction of Mrs. Truman H. Medbury; Machine Knitting department, chairman, Mrs. Dwight T. Stone; Surgical Dressing Committee, under direction of Mrs. Kendrick, Mrs. W. E. Stewart and Mrs. W. B. Hanaford; Shipping department, chairman, Mrs. J. E. Burroughs, and Garment department, Mrs. D. K. Moore. Genesee County also purchased through the Post Office department $1,830,831 worth of War Savings Stamps as compared to a quota of $I,783,000. This figure more than ever shows the patriotic response to all financial campaigns, as it was not solicited and came as voluntary sales. Thus ends a general story of Genesee County's part in the Great World War and although there are many facts not covered the writing of a general story has been attempted here. - _.,..., I,- I.1 - _ I t~^6 c~c-a Personal Records Raym0ond C. Abbey. Mr. Abbey is a member of the real estate and insurance firm of Abbey & Dykema, 413 Industrial Bank building, Flint, Michigan, and was born in Jefferson county, New York. His natal day was July i8, 1871. Mr. Abbey is a son of Shadrak and Louisa C. Abbey. The family came to Flint in 1877 and Raymond received his early education in this city. There are two children, Raymond C. and Daniel A. The latter resides in Detroit. The elder Abbey worked for the McFarlen Lumber company, of Flint. He is dead and his widow lives in Flint. Raymond, at the age of fourteen, went to work in a retail grocery, later purchased by George Merritt. For six years he remained with Mr. Merritt and at the end of this term became associated with the Home Laundry company. In 1915 Mr. Abbey and his family moved to Minneapolis but returned to Flint in I916. Upon his return he purchased a half interest in the Cooper real estate agency which he directed until I921 when the firm was enlarged by the entrance of Mr. Dykema. Mr. Abbey on July I, I891, married Miss Clara L. Tibbitts, of Rochester, New York. Three children have entered the family circle, Fayette L., Mrs. Margaret Lucille Holt, of 115 Thachtery street, Flint, and Marjorie E. Mr. Abbey, a Republican, has for the past twenty-eight years been a member of the Flint election board. He is an Elk and for nine years was the secretary of Genesee lodge of Odd Fellows. David Demorest Aitkea is a man to whom can be made no application of the scriptural aphorism that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country." In his native county and state Mr. Aitken has gained the highest of honor, with large influence as a representative member of the bar and with much of leadership in public affairs, as shown in his having formerly been a Michigan member of the United States congress, as representative of the Sixth congressional district of the state. Mr. Aitken, who is still engaged in the active practice of his profession in the city of Flint, was born in Flint township, Genesee county, Michigan, September 5, 1853, and is a son of the late Robert P. and Sarah J. (Johnston) Aitken. The father was born in the town of Mt. Guernsey, now Perth, Fulton county, N. Y., of Scotch parentage. The mother was born in New York in I823. Robert P. Aitken was born February I8, I819, and was reared and educated under the conditions marking the pioneer period in the history of Fulton county, New York, where he gained training that admirably qualified him for the pioneer activities and service that were later to be his in the new state of Michigan. From his native county he finally went to New York city, where he became a clerk in a mili 154 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY tary store and where he remained until 1842. In 1843 was solemnized his marriage to Miss Sarah J. Johnston, daughter of William and Hannah (McCartney) Johnston, who were then residents of New York city. In 1842 Robert P. Aitken came to Genesee county, Michigan, and his first venture here was in the sale of a stock of merchandise. He soon sold this stock, and in section 8 of Flint township he purchased a tract of wild land, to the reclamation and development of which the continued to give his attention until he had transformed the property into one of the best farms in the county, this fine old homestead having continued his place of residence until his death. His loved and devoted wife passed to eternal rest May 4, I886, and he survived her by fifteen years, his death occurring April 3, 1905, after he had been a resident of the county during a period of sixty-three years. Robert P. Aitken was a man of superior intellectuality and of distinctive ability, so that, with his secure hold upon popular confidence and good will, he soon assumed much of leadership in public affairs in the pioneer community. He gave twenty-six years of service as supervisor of Flint township and was representative of Genesee county in the state legislature during the sessions of I865-6 and 1867-8. Mr. Aitken was originally a Whig in politics, and he cast his first vote in support of General William Henry Harrison for president of the United States. In 1854 he transferred his allegiance to the newly formed Republican party, with Which he continued his alignment during the remainder of his life. He was the leader in the organization of the Genesee County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he served not only as a director but also as secretary. Both he and his wife were earnest and zealous members of the St. Paul's Episcopal church. They became the parents of five sons and five daughters, and of the number one son and three daughters are now living (1925). Reared to the sturdy discipline of the pioneer farm, David D. Aitken supplemented the advantages of the district schools by completing a course in the Flint high school, and thereafter he carried forward his study of law, under effective preceptorship, until he proved himself eligible for -and was duly admitted to the bar of his native state, in I879. He has made Flint the central stage of his professional activities during the long intervening years, and through his specializing in insurance law he was eventually called to the office of supreme counsel and attorney for the fraternal order known as Maccabees of the World, a position of which he continued the incumbent several years. He has long controlled a large and important law business that marks him as one of the leaders of the bar of his native county, and he has been active and influential in the councils of the Republican party in this section of the state. He was elected representative of the Sixth Michigan district in the Fifty-third United States congress, and was re-elected at the close of his first term. He proved a valued and constructive working member of the national legislature, and in the house of representatives was assigned to various important committees, including the committee on mines and mining, of which he was HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY 166 made the chairman. Since the expiration of his second term in congress, Mr. Aitken has continued to give his close attention to his large and important law practice, and in his home city and county he has other interests that have marked his as a loyal supporter of measures and enterprises that have conserved civic and material progress. He has served as president of the Flint Chamber of Commerce, was one of the founders and served as a director of each the Citizens Commercial & Savings Bank and the Industrial Savings Bank, and he is now president of the Marvel Carburetor Company, one of the important -industrial concerns of Flint. He was at one time president of the Imperial Wheel Company of this city and of the Pine Bluff Spoke Company, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Mr. Aitken has never abated his deep interest in the great basic industries of agriculture and stock-growing, and he has a large landed estate in Genesee county. He has been especially prominent in connection with the breeding and raising of fine dairy cattle, and formerly served as president of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America. He was made the recipient of a gratifying recognition on the part of the University of Wisconsin, which presented him with a special tribute the text of which is as follows: "University of Wisconsin, recognizing the eminent services of David Demorest Aitken in his community, state and nation as a positive influence for the betterment of dairying, presents this testimonial, upon the recommendation of the faculty of the college of agriculture, with the approval of the regents of the university. In witness whereof, it is sealed and signed by the president of the regents, the president of the university, and the dean of the college of agriculture." In the time-honored Masonic fraternity Mr. Aitken has received the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a noble of the Mystic Shrine, his maximum York Rite affiliation being with Flint Commandery of Knights Templar. He and his wife are communicants of St. Paul's church, Protestant Episcopal, and he has served as treasurer of the Flint Y. M. C. A., and as a trustee of the local Y. W. C. A. On the 20th of November, 1878, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Aitken to Miss Ada Elizabeth Long, who was born at Milbur, New Jersey, a daughter of William Henry and Sarah Jane (McChesney) Long, both likewise natives of New Jersey, where the former died when but thirty years of age, being survived by two children-William Henry, Jr., and Ada Elizabeth (Mrs. Aitken). The widowed mother later became the wife of Wesley R. Ayres, and their one child, Grace, became the wife of William E. Fellows, of Flint, Michigan. Joseph and Elizabeth (Wilkinson) Long, paternal grandparents of Mrs. Aitken, passed their entire lives in New Jersey, their three children having been Harriet, Mary and William Henry. Robert and Esther (Tiohenor) McChesney, maternal grandparents of Mrs. Aitken, likewise were natives of New Jersey, and their four children were Aaron, Andrew Jackson, HISTORY OF GENBFSEE COUNTY Martha and Sarah Jane. Caleb Tichenor, a great-grandfather of Mrs. Aitken in the maternal line, was a patriot soldier in the Revolution, as were others of her kinfolk. Mrs. Aitken has served as viceregent o. Genesee Chapter of the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and has otherwise been a gracious figure in the social and cultural, as well as church, activities in her home city. Dr. Lawrence E. Aldrich, dental practitioner, 707 First National Bank building, Flint, was born in Albion, Michigan, November I9, I893, a son of Ernest and Ellen (Finley) Aldrich. Both parents came of old and respected pioneer families who settled before Michigan became a state. Ernest Aldrich was a carpenter and died in I916 at the age of 63. His widow is living, aged 70. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Aldridh, Edna, Clayton, Maude and Lawrence E. The last was graduated from high school in 19I2, entered the University of Michigan and in 1915 was graduated with the dental degree and came to Flint to practice. Dr. Aldrich was the first dentist employed by the board of education to supply clinical service. He functioned with credit as school dental clinician from 1915 to 1917 and in the latter year volunteered for service in the World war. iHe was the first dentist of Genesee county to be taken by Uncle Sam, was commissioned first lieutenant, spent ten months in Camp Custer, was promoted to captain and in July, I918, went overseas. In the early part of 19I9 he was advanced to major and was placed in charge of all dental work in the city of Paris. In I919, Dr. Aldrich was discharged and returned to Flint. He was united in marriage to Miss Ora M. McKim, May 19, 1917. Twin sons have come to brighten the Aldrich hearth, Douglas and Donald. The doctor is a member of the Presbyterian church and of the Masonic fraternity. He is also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite member. In I916 Dr. Aldrich was secretary of the Genesee County Dental society and is active in the affairs of the profession maintaining a high ethical standard in the conduct of his daily work. George M. Algoe is treasurer of the Algoe-Gundry company funeral directors of Flint, Michigan. He is also secretary of this well-known establishment which was founded more than a half century ago and is the oldest in the county. The funeral home is one of the best equipped in the state with high-grade service featuring it. Mr. Algoe was born in Flint, March 26, I898, the son of J. Frank and Ella Lissett Algoe, both living. Mr. Algoe was born January 3, 1863, his wife exactly one week later. The paternal great-grandfather and great-grandmother, John and Margaret Algoe, were from New Brunswick and settled in Oakland county, Michigan, in 1837 on government land. The grandfather, John Algoe, born in 1832, was five years old when his parents came to Michigan. At twenty-four he organized the Tenth Michigan Infantry, was commissioned a captain, served throughout the Civil war and was wounded at Jonesboro in 1864. Coming back to Flint he served as register of deeds, I867 to 1872. After that he was in the insurance business and served a term as postmaster. June 2, 1858, he HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 167 was married to Emily Tracy, born in Geneva, New York, December 23, I835, and came to Genesee county in I836. Mrs. Algoe is yet living. Her father, Fitch R. Tracy, took up government land, farmed, was a register of deeds from I854 to I858 and died in 1859. He and family had moved to Flint in I854. Captain John and Emily Tracy Algoe had two children, J. Frank and Margaret. The latter died in I920. The former, father of George M. Algoe, learned the tinner's trade and was in the hardware business many years and is now living in retirement. He was city treasurer three years. Mr. and Mrs. Algoe had three children, John F., George M. and a daughter, Mrs. W. J. Blanchard. William,S& Ames. Mr. Ames is the owner and director of the Ames Plumbing company, iI Armory building, Flint. He was born. October 26, 1873, in Peterboro, Ontario, a son of J. W. and Latitia (Hoag) Ames. The father was a building contractor and came to Bay City in I875 and resides in that city. He is 78 years of age. The mother died at the age of 72 in 192I. William S. Ames comes of a family of eight children but only one other, a brother, Ernest E., who came to this city two years ago, resides in Flint. William S. attended common school and at I5 -applied himself to plumbing. He worked three years then came to Flint to work for George W. Hubbard whom he served fifteen years. Leaving the employ of Mr. Hubbard, Mr. Ames started in business in association with Mr. Church under the firm designation of Ames & Church. This continued three years when Mr. Ames went 'to California and remained in that state three years. In 1915 he returned to Flint and established his present business. August 19, I893, Mr. Ames was married to Olive S. Inch, daughter of William J. Inch, of an old and respected Flint family. Two daughters have come into the Ames family circle, Violet, now Mrs. Draper of Flint. and Irma, who is Mrs. Schaarar, also of Flint. Mr. Ames is president of the Flint Master Plumbers' association and active in trade matters. He is a member of the First Baptist church. In the promotion of civic and municipal welfare improvements Mr. Ames renders cordial and helpful support. Cooley C. Anderson. Mr. Anderson is general manager of the Anderson company, wholesalers and jobbers of plumbing and heating supplies, located at 521 Detroit street, Flint. Mr. Anderson, who is one of the best known citizens of Genesee county, was born in Midland, Michigan, November I5, 1872, a son of Milton P. and Marion Jane (Stanford) Anderson. Both parents were born in Genesee county near Fenton. Milton Anderson died in 1906, aged 62 years, his widow in I92I at the age of 75. The elder Anderson was a banker and from 1871 lived in Midland. He was president of the Midland County Savings bank and for several years was president of the state fair. He was very active in church work and was the first man to begin efforts in the building of the Presbyterian church at Midland. In civic and philanthropic activities he was a leader and in the social life of the community was active and useful. Four children entered the family, Grace, Clarence, Donald and Cooley 158 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY C. The latter availed himself of the advantages that a grade and high school education offered, then entered Olivet college, taking a literary course. Then entered the University of Michigan. Leaving college he entered the service of the Midland County Savings bank and for eight years was assistant cashier. He then became associated with J. H. Anderson in the firm of J. H. Anderson and Company, wholesale produce at Midland for three and a half years. For seven years he was engaged in the hardware business, then traveled twelve years out of Detroit for plumbing and heating concerns and in 19I8 came to Flint and established the Anderson-Brown company which continued until January I, 1925. Then was organized the Anderson company. On April 8, 1896, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Marie Hart and of the union six children have been born, Hy Hart, Louise, now Mrs. Taylor of Flint, Milton, Mary, Josephine, Dorothy Jean and Elizabeth Grace. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Masonic order and has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite. He is a communicant of the Presbyterian church. Amos F. Andrews. Mr. Andrews has long been identified with the business life of Flint as a prominent figure in the awning and tent business. Mr. Andrews received his early education in Berlin Heights, Ohio, and at Valparaiso university. In 190o he came to Flint and until I905 was owner of the New York Racket store. In 1907 he bought out William Charles Awning Co., manufacturers of awnings and tents, and organized the Flint Tent and Awning company with location on Buckham street. In 1917 Mr. Andrews was associated with his brother, Roy J. until I922, and he then organized the A. F. Andrews company which is located at 416 Harrison street. Mr. Andrews was born July 5, 1872, in Norwalk, Ohio, a son of Franklin and Alice (Weed) Andrews. There were four children, three of whom, Frederick, Ray J. and Chas. Slade, are deceased; his sister, Mrs. Lettie M. Patrick, of Collins, Ohio, and Amos F. On February 17, I896, Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Keller of Milan, Ohio. There is one daughter, Thelma, an instructor on the staff of the Flint Junior high school. Mr. Andrews is an Elk, a member of the Chamber of Commerce. His nickname around Flint is "Sunny Jim." J. Elwood Andrews, widely known real estate dealer of Flint and member of the firm of Keller & Andrews, is a Wolverine, born in Bad Axe, October 2, i888. He is a son of George N. and Ida E. (Ferris) Andrews. The father was born in Canada in August i860, the mother in 1862. The father was a stock drover and engaged in the meat business. For a short period J. Elwood worked as a railway mail clerk and in search of better opportunities came to Flint at the age of eighteen years. Here he began work for the Buick company, serving six months as a machinist. Then he decided to sell real estate and held connections with Dwight Stone. the Industrial Realty company, Windiate-Pierce Davison company and R. J. Gillespie. For nine years he was salesmanager for James A. Welsh, having an interest in Woodlawn Park allotment and in June, 1922, the present HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 159 organization was formed. He is a Republican, a devoted Rotarian, a charter member, and former officer of the Flint club. He is an Elk and a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Shrine, Consistory and Knights Templar. He is treasurer of the White Ice Cream company. In the affairs of the real estate associations, Mr. Andrews has been especially active and useful and is president of Michigan Real Estate association. In the promotion of community betterment movements his co-operation is dependable. Dr. Floyd M. Annis. Dr. Annis is one of the best known dental practitioners of Genesee county and has developed a large practice. His offices are in the F. P. Smith building. Dr. Annis was born in Libonia, New York, November 24, I887: He is the son of Myron N. and Fannie Hoyt Annis, both natives of the Empire state. Mr. Annis is engaged in farming and at this time is 63 years of age. Mrs. Annis died when the subject of this sketch was but five years old. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Annis, Floyd M., Alnon and Victor. Floyd M. attended grade and high school and in 1912 was graduated from the University of Michigan with the dental degree. He came to Flint and in 1914, June 24, was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Stevenson, of New York state. Dr. and Mrs. Annis have one son, Larry Hoyt. Dr. Annis is a Lion and a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Elks. Intensely interested in professional development and in modern light cast upon dental science and technique, Dr. Annis is a loyal member of the local, state and national dental organizations. Robert T. Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong is general manager of the Armstrong Spring company, a division of the General Motors company, with headquarters in Flint, and has been identified with the automotive industry in various capacities for thirty years. He was born July 26, I871, at Guelph, Ontario, a son of John B. Armstrong, a prominent and successful manufacturer of carriages in Guelph. The mother was, before her marriage, Margaret Dryden. Both parents are of Canadian ancestry. Robert T. Armstrong received a public school education in Guelph, later attending Upper Canada college in Toronto. After completing his school work he entered the service of his father with the J. B. Armstrong Manufacturing company in Guelph, mastered the machinist's trade and remained at the plant until 1894 at which time he was factory manager. In 1894 Mr. Armstrong went to Flint and became associated with the J. B. Armstrong Manufacturing company in that city, makers of axles and springs, and in I9Io the Western Spring and Axle company took over and controlled the corporation as a subsidiary and later the Western Spring and Axle company was absorbed by the Standard Parts company of Cleveland. This was in I918. The Standard Parts company then built a complete and modern spring plant in Flint which was purchased and transferred to Mr. Armstrong in the spring of 1920 in which year a company was formed, known as the Armstrong Spring company. Mr. Armstrong was president and general manager, holding the office until January, I924, when the General 160 HISTORY OOP GENESEE COUNTY Motors company took it over and Mr. Armstrong retained his title as general manager, devoting his exclusive time and attention to the business. Mr. Armstrong is fond of outdoor sports and recreational activities. He is a member of the Detroit club, of the Detroit Athletic club, Flint Country club, Caledon Mountain club of Canada, of the Masonic fraternity and the Shrine.,He is a Scottish Rite member. In the matter of politics, Mr. Armstrong is Republican. On September 19, 900o, he was united in marriage to Miss Maude L. O'Neil, of London, Ontario. There are three children in the family, Margaret L., Robert T., Jr., and Lawrence B. Armstrong. William A. Atwood whose death occurred April ii, I908, was for the forty-two years preceding, a resident of Flint, coming here from Lockport, New York, in i866. Mr. Atwood was.bor in the town of Newfane, Niagara county, New York, on April 11, I835. When about fifteen years of age he went to Lockport, the county seat of Niagara county, and there attended school with the exception of one year which he spent at Wilson Academy in the nearby town of Wilson. When finished with what opportunity he had for schooling, he hired out as an apprentice to a jeweler in Lockport and for a few years followed that trade. His older brother, J. B. Atwood, had several small saw and stave mills in Niagara county, and about 1855 Mr. Atwood became associated with him. They operated these mills and also started other similar enterprises across the river in Ontario. The two brothers conducted this business until I866 when they moved to Flint, being attracted there by the pine forests of that general vicinity. They bought the island in Flint river at the mouth of Thread creek in the city limits. of Flint and thereon erected a saw mill. This mill was in active operation for about fifteen years when the scarcity of timber brought the business to an end. After retiring from the lumber business Mr. Atwood became actively interested in the Flint Woolen Mills and in the retail hardware firm of Wood & Atwood. He was also interested in the Flint Water Works company and the Flint Gas company. For many years Mr. Atwood was a director of the Genesee County Savings bank and for ten years preceding his death was its president. In religious matters he was a membr of the Episcopal church and was for thirty years a vestryman of St. Paul's church. In politics Mr. Atwood was a staunch Republican and active in the affairs of that party in the community. He was an alderman of the city and in 1883 its mayor. In I886 he was elected to the state senate. In 1871 he was married to Helen C. Wood, daughter of Henry W. Wood, of Flint. They had three children, two daughters who died in infancy and one son, Edwin W. Atwood, now living and residing in Flint. James Baird, M. D. Dr. Baird was born January ii, x872; in Watford, Ontario, Canada, a son of Adam and Letitia Baird, nee Brandon. The mother was born in Tyrone county (Dublin) Ireland, and died in I914 at the age of seventy-two. Adam Baird, a farmer throughout his active life, was born in Canada, reached the age of 65 and died in 1904. Six children formed the links of'the w^~s HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 161 Baird family chain. James Baird attended public school in Canada and entered Strathroy college but left in I892 to enter the Detroit College of Medicine from which he was graduated with the coveted uegree in I896. Leaving college, Dr. Baird went to Evanston, Illinois, then to Dowagiac, Michigan, and in I917 came to Flint where he is engaged successfully in the general practice of medicine. On June I8, go90, Dr. Baird was married to Miss Anna E. Courtis, of Strathroy, and four sons are the issue of the union. Courtis Bayer Baird is attending the Academy of Arts in Chicago; Everett J. is attending junior college and the other two sons are Rayburne and Claire. Dr. Baird is a member of Oak Park Methodist church. He holds membership in the various medical societies, county, state and national. John F. Baker. Mr. Baker, well known in legal, fraternal and social circles of Flint, is a son of Thomas and Jemima Baker and was born at Howe Island, Ontario, March 5, I874. In 1885 the family removed to Flint township. There were six children in the family, but one is dead, Susan R., who was the wife of Charles E. Rich, of Mundy township. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Baker are Smith H., George K., Elizabeth A., wife of John F. Sheldon; Eva G., wife of Samuel A. Herrick, all of Flint township; and John F., subject of this sketch. The father, a farmer, died in 1919. His wife preceded him in death by two years. John F. Baker attended township schools and in 1903 was graduated from the Detroit College of Law. The same year he moved to Flint and established an office in that city. On June 30, 1909, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Nettie E. Stewart, of Clio, Michigan. Five children were born, three of whom are living, Frances Edna, John Walton and Thomas Newton. Mr. Baker was alderman representing the Sixth ward in I913-I4. He is a member of the Elks and of the Masonic fraternity and is past president of the Equitable Fraternal Union and past worthy patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is vitally interested in civic development and the improvement of the city, is a Democrat and a communicant of the Congregational church. William S. Ballenger. Tried and true and an unfailing aid is William S. Ballenger, one of the outstanding citizens of Flint. He is treasurer of the Chevrolet Motor company but has other interests, displaying a well-rounded nature. In the promotion of community betterment projects Mr. Ballenger's aid and co-operation are dependable. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Shrine; a Rotarian and on the board. of directors and a past eminent commander of the comimandery of the Knights Templar. Mr. Ballenger is a director of the Better Business Bureau; a director of the Flint Savings Association; director of the Citizens Commnercial Savings bank and a trustee of the Women's Hospital association. He is a trustee of the Y. M. C. A. and for six years was a member of the board of education. He is a trustee of the Presbyterian church and holds identification, official and otherwise, with other organiza 162 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY tions and interests. He has ever been regarded a "stand-by" of the community and Flint is happy in his citizenship. Mr. Ballenger was born December 5, I866, in Cambridge City, Indiana, son of William S. and Frances S. Seamans Ballenger. The mother was born in Lafayette, Indiana, and the father near Cambridge City. He was a lawyer and died in 1872 at the age of 36. The mother died in 1915 at the age of 80. Grandfather Charles Blane Ballenger came from Kentucky to Indiana, was a farmer, and died at Williamsport, Indiana. He had four sons, all of whom are now dead. William S. Ballenger was a member of the state legislature at the time of his demise. There were five children and William S. attended grade and high schools. At eleven he began work in a grocery store, alternated work and study and was graduated from high school at eighteen. After leaving school he kept books two years then went to Oswego, New York, took shorthand and a full business course and in February, 1888, started in with the Flint Wagon Works as bookkeeper and stenographer. This company was merged with the Little Motor company and Mr. Ballenger became secretary and treasurer and when the Chevrolet company absorbed the Little company, Mr. Ballenger became treasurer. On December x6, I89I, Mr. Ballenger was united in marriage to Minnie I. Wheeler, of Cambridge City. Two children were the issue of the marriage, Mrs. Francis L. Wright and William S. Ballenger, Jr. Mr. Ballenger was one of the original organizers of the Buick Motor company, serving as treasurer. George A. Barnes. Mr. Barnes is one of Flint's leading business men and a conspicuous success commercially, a likeable man and personally popular in Flint's social and club life. He is president and general manager of the Barnes Michigan corporation, but identified with many interests outside. He was born in Howell, Michigan, February I, 1885, the son of George and Augusta D. Barnes, nee Johnson. George Barnes, his father, alumnus of the University of Michigan, was superintendent of schools at Howell and bought the Livingston Republican paper and has edited it thirty-five years. Mrs. George Barnes was born April 23, 1846, in Lenawee county. George A. Barnes graduated from school at Howell and the University of Michigan, aided his father in the work of The Republican for two years then bought and edited a paper in Bellevue, Michigan, and became postmaster. In 1912 he came to Flint and with Arthur Pound purchased the Flint Printing company. In two years he acquired the controlling interest. It was incorporated in I9II, reincorporated in I9I5 and again in I922-1923-I925 to care for increasing business. Mr. Barnes in 1915, as a Republican, was elected to the state senate. On February 14, I918, he was united in marriage to Geneva L. Newton, of Los Angeles, California, and they have one son, George A. Barnes, Jr., born April 24, I925. His diversified interests are disclosed by the fact that Mr. Barnes is a member of the Masonic fraternity, an Elk and Kiwanian; was active in the formation of the latter, and was president of the Michigan Typothetae, -^W %O7 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY 1-68 in 1923. Besides being actively, engaged as president of the newly formed Barnes-Michigan corporation, contracting several large printing plants, he is president of the Woodin & Barnes Company, Cadillac distributors; is treasurer of the M. E. Carlton company, vicepresident of the State Trucking Service, Inc., on the board of directors of the Genesee County Savings Bank, and a trustee of the Y. M. C. A. He is a communicant of the Presbyterian church. Charles F. Barth, vice-president of the Chevrolet Motor company, was born in Mount Savage, Maryland, October 15, I866, the son of John W. and Martha Baurer Barth, both of German extraction. The father was a shoe merchant in Mount Savage, started a retail business in a small way and evolved into manufacturing. John Barth was prominent in the community life of Mount Savage where he went to live in 1848, was a counselor and a magistrate and for more than twenty years was a warden of the Episcopal church. There was a family of eleven children. Charles F. Barth attended public schools but enriched himself with a thorough mechanical training which proved of great value in his subsequent life. He attended night school in his eagerness. to acquire an education, first worked for his father and then learned the machinist's trade. His apprenticeship extended until he was 20 years old when he went to Pittsburg for the Westinghouse company, working six years as a mechanic. Then he became a foreman and his connection with the company covered a span of 12 years, marked by the development of the steam turbine and the electric engine. Next, Mr. Barth formed connection with the great Allis-Chalmers company, manufacturers of steam turbine pumps and was superintendent, in charge of 6,000 employes. He constructed the first gas engine for the Allis-Chalmers company and later became plant manager. He was with this company nine years, from 1904 to 1913, then went to Detroit and for four years was manager of the Murphy Chain company, then went to the Wilson Body company as works manager, I913-1917. In the latter year he came to Flint as manager of the Mason Motor company, later absorbed by the Chevrolet. In the latter part of I918 he was made manager of the Chevrolet company and so served until 1924 when he became vice-president and was placed in charge of manufacturing for all Chevrolet plants. On April 25, 1894, Mr. Barth was united at the hymeneal altar, to Miss Anna C. Miller, of Pittsburgh. There is one son, Charles F., Jr. Mr. Barth is vestryman of the Episcopal church, is a Mason and Shriner and has taken the 32nd degree of the Scottish Rite. He is a director of the Chamber of Commerce, active in the Y. M. C. A. and Shrine club, is a member of the Country club and the Rotary club, a director of the Industrial Savings bank. In the formulation of social welfare and civic movements Mr. Barth is and has been generous. His counsel and aid are indispensable. He is intensely loyal to Flint and its diversified interests. Mr. Barth was living at Johnstown, Pa., at the time of the great flood. May 31, 1889, having gone in March of that year as 1,64 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY an employe of the Johnson company, manufacturers of steel rails, working in the repair department. On the day of the great disaster they were compelled to leave the plant about o1 a. m. and had taken refuge in the Pennsylvania Railroad depot. About 4 p. m. when the dam broke and that great body of water was released it carried death and destruction before its wild run down the valley. Over 3,ooo persons perished in the flood. Mr. Barth was with the first rescue party to offer assistance to the afflicted ones. remaining at Johnstown for four days and then went to Pittsburgh and worked in the hospital there for a time doing everything within his power to alleviate the suffering of those unfortunate victims who were engulfed in the mad rush of that mighty flood. He is now one of the few who were eye-witnesses that are still living. Charles L. Bartlett. It was well within the compass of the character and powers of Mr. Bartlett to mark the passing years with large and worthy achievement, and the city of Flint was fortunate in having become the stage of his constructive services as a loyal and public-spirited citizen and as a business man of large interests and much influence. He was one of the pioneer bankers of Flint at the time of his death, which occurred March 31, 1925, and a tribute to his memory properly finds place in this history. Mr. Bartlett was born in Laona, Chautauqua county, New York, November 4, 1851, and was a son of John and Juliette Bartlett, he having been an infant at the time of the death of his father, who was a farmer by vocation. The Bartlett family was founded in America in the early colonial era, one of its representatives was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and it was from Maine that members of the family removed in an early day to the state of New York, within whose borders the parents of the subject of this memoir resided until their death. Charles L. Bartlett was the only member of the immediate family to come to Michigan, and it may incidentally be recorded that his brother, James, was a member of the ill-fated Arctic expedition of Captain DeLong and was one of the seven survivors who lived to tell the story of that memorable voyage into the Arctic regions. The schools of the old Empire state afforded Charles L. Bartlett his early education, graduating from State Normal, at Fredonia, and he was a youth of about twenty years when he came to Michigan and established his residence in Flint-more than half a: century ago. Here he first became associated with the lumbering operations of the late Alexander McFarlan, and after two years had passed he here engaged in the general merchandise business. Later he entered the drug and grocery business, in which he conducted for many years a store on South Saginaw street, near the corer of Kearsley street. He retired from this business about I903, when he sold his establishment to the firm of Zimmerman & Ottaway. Mr. Bartlett was one of the influential stockholders of the Citizens Commercial and Savings bank, to which he gave largely of his time and attention after his retirement from mercantile business and of which he was It I7 HISTORY OF GENIDSEE COUNTY 165 the. first vice-president at the time of his death, besides which he was retained seven consecutive years as president of the Flint Clearing House Association, he having resigned this office a few days prior to his death, when his continued illness prompted his resignation. For 25 years he was associated with H. N. Bush in the dry goods business. Mr. Bartlett was essentially and vitally the loyal and public-spirited citizen, and was unwavering in his advocacy of the principles of the Democratic party. In 1912-13 he represented the Second ward as a member of the board of aldermen, and gave characteristically able and effective service, he having been made chairman of the finance committee and his work in this connection having been specially valuable by reason of his long association with banking enterprise. Later he served as a member of the city park board. In the York Rite of the Masonic fraternity his maximum affiliation was with Genesee Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar, and he was a member also of Flint Lodge No. 222, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was many years a director on the board of trustees for the Flint Y. M. C. A., was a member of the board of directors for Glenwood Cemetery association. 'He was an earnest communicant of St. Paul's church, Protestant Episcopal, as is also his widow, and the rector of this parish officiated at his funeral, which was held under the auspices of Genesee Valley Commandery of Knights Templar. During the war he was one of the fuel commissioners for the city of Flint. January 15, I880, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bartlett to Miss Alfretta de Goyer, who was born and reared in Genesee county and who is a daughter of the late Alfred de Goyer. Mr. Bartlett is survived by his wife and by one daughter, Jessie, who is the wife of William Barie Hanford, of Saginaw. The deceased daughter, Grace, was the wife of W. S. Tanner, and her children, Margery and Paul, have been reared in the home of their grandparents. Alfred de Goyer, father of Mrs. Bartlett, was born and reared in the state of New York, while his wife whose maiden name was Caroline Ottaway, was born in England; the father was French and the latter of English ancestry. Mr. de Goyer was one of the California argonauts of I849, and thereafter became one of the substantial citizens of Flint, Michigan, where he and his wife remained until the time of their death. Harry H. Bassett. A genuinely big man measured from the civic as well as industrial standpoint and by the rule of accomplishment is Harry H. Bassett, vice-president of the great General Motors Corporation and president and general manager of the Buick Motor company, Flint. His training in industry is foundational, covering a long period at the bench, the lathe and in the office, and his rise with the mammoth corporation has been definite and substantial. Mr. Bassett since January, I920, has functioned specifically as president of the Buick Motor company. Harry H. Bassett was born in the Empire state but has been a resident of Flint since I907. He was born in Utica September ii, I875, the son of William L. and Mary Babcock Bassett, also natives of New York state. The father 1U HISTORY OF GaNESEE COUNTY spent his last days in Flint and the mother is yet residing in that city. The Western Press association notes the fact that William L Bassett was born on a farm the son of Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Bassett, natives of New York state and spending their entire lives in that state. P. H. Bassett lived to be 92, his helpmate 86. They had nine children-George, William, Lucy, John, Dwight, Evelyn, Harriet, Elizabeth and one who died when very young. William L. Bassett married Mary Babcock, who was born in Unidilla Forks, Otsego county, New York, daughter of Henry H. and Tammison Babcock, natives of the same state,; the former of whom was a merchant in that town. They were the parents of six children, Lee, Herbert, Mary, Julia, Ella and Laura. William L. Bassett early turned his attention to manufacturing and was engaged as superintendent of plants for the manufacture of agricultural implements in Ilion and Utica practically all his active life. In I90o, upon retiring from active business cares, Mr. Bassett and wife located in Flint where he died in 1914 at the age of 78. Mr. Bassett was a Baptist, his wife Universalist. To Mr. and Mrs. Bassett were born three children, Harry H., Tammison, who married F. P. Mann, of Flint, and Cornelia, who became the wife of E. R. Kapp, also of Flint. Harry H. Bassett received his schooling in Utica and in Ilion, New York, and was graduated from the high school of the latter city with a state academic certificate. He then began work for the Remington Arms company at Ilion, serving 14 years and 6 months in factory and office and quitting the concern as assistant to the general manager. He then transferred his services to the Weston-Mott company as assistant superintendent of the company in Utica, and' when the company transferred to Flint in 1907 came with it and became general manager of the new plant. In 1913 Mr. Bassett was promoted to general manager of the company and in I916 was elected vice-president, continuing his duties as general manager. In December, I916, he became assistant general manager of the Buick Motor company (including the Weston-Mott plants consolidated with Buick) and in' April, I919, Was made general manager of Buick. The following month he became a director and vice-president of the General Motors corporation and made a member of the operating committee of this industrial giant. In January, I920, Mr. Bassett was created president of the Buick Motor company and since then has been elected to the Executive Committee of the General Motors Corporation. He is also a director in the Genesee County Savings Bank of Flint and during I924 was appointed as a director of the Detroit branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Mr. Bassett is a member of the Detroit Athletic club, the Question club and the Society of Automotive Engineers. Mr. Bassett has twice been married. His first wife, who was Nina Cole, daughter of Fred and Rose Cole, of Flint, died August I7, 19II. To that union a child was born, a daughter, dying in infancy. On October 30, 1913, Mr. Bassett was united in marriage to Jessie M. Hood, born in Jackson, Michigan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney HISTORY OF GENDSEE COUNTY 167 Hood, natives of Michigan. Rodney Hood for many years has been engaged in the lumber business. Mrs. Bassett's mother died in I886. To. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett two children have been born, Harry Hood Bassett, May 6, 1917, and William L. Bassett, born August 23, 1920. The younger son, William Lewis, died in infancy. The Bassett home at 514 East Kearsley street, is a true home in the highest sense. Naturally, Mr. Bassett is viewed as a leader in community movements and civic enterprises and his co-operation and support have been helpful. Mrs. Bassett takes an earnest interest in the general social and cultural activities of the community. Andrew Bayer, well known and successful real estate dealer of Flint, is a native of Australia, born in I895. His parents were John and Susannah Bayer and there were five children in the family, one of whom is deceased. This was Michael Bayer, killed while a member of the First division, overseas, during the World war giving his life to the overthrow of autocracy. The other children are: John, Jr., of Flint; Martin and Mrs. Susannah Rether, both living in Austria, and Andrew. The latter came to the United States in 1912 and located in Cleveland where for seven years he operated a laundry business. In I919 Mr. Bayer came to Flint. He is senior partner of the firm of Bayer and Brice Gravel company and is president of the West Flint Development company and president of the Flint City Development company. In 1921 Mr. Bayer became an American citizen. His parents are living in Austria. By religious faith, Mr. Bayer is Lutheran. In matters of politics he inclines toward Republicanism. He has made a success of his business ventures and manifests a keen interest in the development of Flint and vicinity. Governor J. W. Begole. Josiah W. Begole, governor of Michigan, I883-I884, was born in Livingston county, New York, January 20, 1815. His ancestors were French Huguenots, who were driven from France through religious persecutions and sought liberty of conscience by emigrating to the United States in the last quarter of the eighteenth century. This particular family settled at Hagerstown. Maryland. William, the father of Josiah W., was born there in 1786. In 1802 the family removed to the wilderness of Livingston county, New York, being opposed to the institution of slavery, although they themselves were slave owners. However. they purchased slaves solely for the purpose of giving them their freedom. William Begole was a soldier, serving during the war of 1812. In 1814 he married the daughter of Captain Thomas Boles, a revolutionary soldier who had served under Washington. This family was also from Hagerstown, Maryland, having come north for the same reason as the Begoles. William Begole and wife became the parents of ten children. Of this family three sons came west and settled in Genesee county. William Begole died in 1862, at the age of seventy-six. Josiah was educated in Temple Hill Academy in Genesee county, New York. Being the eldest of the family and of an ambitious 168 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY turn of mind; young Begole in August, 1836, with but $Ioo in his pocket,.resolved to seek better opportunities. He came west to the territory of Michigan when this section was still an unbroken wilderness. He taught one or two terms of school later, "boarding around," as it was called, among the patrons. He was clerk of the first election in the place where he was located, there being but four or five shanties in the town. Later he helped to build the land office. In 1839 he was married to Miss Harriet A. Miles, daughter of Manly and Mary Miles, and a native of Connecticut. The groom was attired in a handsome blue suit, ornaments, and large brass buttons, while the bride was arrayed in white. The ceremony was held in the log cabin of his wife's father, located on the Saginaw road, two miles north of Flint. His wife proved to be a most judicious selection, and it was to her constancy, advice, and co-operation in every emergency in-life that much of her husband's subsequent social, business and political success can be attributed. They began housekeeping in a primitive home in the woods in Genesee township. Mr. Begole's energies were devoted to the development of a farm out of the surrounding wilderness. Eighteen years of arduous labor and sacrifice followed, resulting, however, in the making of a fine 500-acre farm and the placing of them in comfortable circumstances. He was called upon repeatedly to serve his fellow townsmen in local offices and in 1856 was elected county treasurer, continuing for eight years, covering the period of the rebellion, at which time his services were continually in demand in recruiting and equipping soldiers for the front, and in attending to the needy widows and families at home. The greatest sorrow of his life was brought by the death of his son, William, who died in the Atlanta campaign in 1864. When in congress a few years later, Mr. Begole voted and championed the soldiers' equalization bill, an act purporting to do justice to the soldiers who bore the heat and burden of the day, and who should share equally with him who came in at the eleventh hour. In 1870 he was elected to the state senate, where he served on the committee of finance and railroads, and was chairman of the cotmmittee of the institute for the deaf, dumb and blind. Realizing the need of a new capitol building he assisted in drafting a bill for the same. Being a delegate to the national Republican convention, held at Philadelphia in 1872, he was chosen a member of the delegation to go to Washington to apprise General Grant and Senator Wilson of their nomination. He was induced to becoime a candidate for membership in the forty-fifth congress, his election resulting in a handsome majority. He was a valued member of the committee on agriculture and public expenditures. Being one of but seventeen farmers in congress, he was chosen to draft the most important report of the agricultural committee covering the only subject mentioned in the President's message. He voted for the currency bill, the remonetization of silver, and the financial measures that have since become the settled policy of the government. His position on these questions made I HISTORY OF GENIESEE COUNTY 169 him a "Greenbacker," and in 1882 he was the gubernatorial candidate for the Greenback and Democratic parties, being elected by a vote of over I54,000 defeating the Republican candidate by over 7,000 votes. In I881 a great calamity overtook the people of northwestern Michigan, whole counties being devastated by fires, thousands being left destitute and forlorn. While relief committees were quarreling over the distribution of funds, Governor Begole wrote an agent in the unfortunate district a letter, from which we make the following extract: "Until the differences between the two committees are adjusted and you receive regular supplies from them, draw on me. Let no one suffer while I have money." This incident displays his true character. He made an enviable record as chief executive of the state, leaving the office with hosts of warm friends throughout the state. Governor Begole took an active part in the various lines of business that have made Flint so well known, notably the Flint Wagon Works as one. Others were the water and gas works, and the Citizens Coimnercial and Savings bank, he being vice-president of the latter. He was an extensive lumberman for many years, his enterprise affording employment to a host of men. Their family consisted of five children, four reaching maturity. One of these is Mrs. C. W. Cummings; William died at Lookout Mountain and his body was interred at Flint with military honors; another son, Frank, died in Florida in I877; Charles is a resident of Flint. Full of years and honors, Governor Begole passed peacefully from among the scenes of a busy life on the 5th of June, 1896. The widow survives at the old home on Beach street, which for half a century was the center of the social and intellectual life of Flint. Neil J. Berston. Neil J. Berston, deceased, was born in Cumberland, Maryland, November Io, 1857, the son of Neil J. and Mary M. (Rabold) Berston. The father was born in Scotland and came to the United States when a young boy with his mother, four brothers and step-father, his own father having died in Scotland. He proceeded first to Rochester, New York, thence to Maryland settling in Cumberland. The mother and stepfather died in Rochester, New York, and are buried there leaving five sons. Neil J. Berston, Sr., was the second of the five. In his time he had charge of the division of waterway at Cumberland, was a ship carpenter by trade, made many trips to Scotland in the interest of ship building and died in the prime of life, aged 41 years. The son, Neil J. Berston, being the eldest of seven children, passed through the usual boyhood up to the thirteenth year. At that tender age he was obliged to relinquish school and assume place as head of the family and as chief bread winner. He kept the family together until all had reached maturity. Then he came to Evanston, Illinois, I tw HISTORY OF GFANBEE COUNTY as a salesman and later a principal in the nursery business. He also organized and conducted a private bank at Britton, South Dakota, and while there, on June 5, 1888, was married to Carrie E. C. McKenna, born in Vermont, a daughter of Charles and Anna Catherine (McGowan) McKenna, also born in Vermont and of Scotch ancestry. In I897 he located in Flint as traveling representative for D. Appleton & Sons company, meeting with the same success that characterized his previous business experience. It was shortly after this that his genius for foresight led him to commence acquiring large tracts of land north of the city, in which he centered his business activities. He, however, retained extensive holdings in South Dakota and other western sections. Mr. Berston was an active and strong member of the directorate of the Industrial Savings bank and a member of the board of water commissioners of Flint and in both positions gave freely of ripe judgment and logical, co-ordinated thinking. He was very generous to all helpful institutions, giving the site for, and much help to, Parkland Presbyterian church, and school of same name. It was through his generosity that Hurley hospital has operating room equipment and facilities for eye, ear and throat treatment equal to any in the country, a memorial to his son, McClellan, who met an untimely death in an automobile accident September 9, I91I, at the age of seventeen. He rests in Glenwood cemetery. Many a person in many a place is the beneficiary of Mr. Berston's unostentatious generosity and thoughtfulness and his geniality will remain a pleasant memory to countless persons throughout his wide acquaintanceship. The life of Neil J. Berston was not extraordinary. It was that of a sincere, honest, sympathetic, earnest, just man. It was in all general essentials like that of thousands of men and yet it had in it an inspiration for thousands of boys, for it started humbly and achieved honor. Mr. Berston was of a temperament that would appreciate more than anything else the fact that his life had been a pattern by which others had been influenced to more forward positions of integrity and honor. To Mr. and Mrs. Neil T. Berston two sons were born, Neil and McClellan. Neil Berston, Third. is engaged in the real estate business which his father had built to the largest in the city of Flint. He married Lucy Abbott Aldrich and they are the parents of a daughter and a son. Elizabeth Berston and Neil J. Berston, Fourth. The other son. McClellan, promised to develop the same characteristics of his father had not sudden death by accident claimed him early in life. A crowning virtue possessed by this big-hearted, self-made man was his devotion to home and family, a devotion that manifested itself in many ways now fondly recalled. His tragic death, at the hands of bandits intent on robbery at any cost, cast a cloud of gloom over the entire city. All men respected Mr. Berston and all deplored his tragic and untimely death. Mrs. Berston during the World war period, 1917-18. was appointed by Governor Sleeper, chairman of the Genesee County War Board. and also served as president of HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 17-1 the Woman's Council of the City of Flint, which position she most ably filled. She is known in Flint as always ready to aid in any good, uplifting cause and her efforts are of the most helpful character. Besides the widow and her son, there is a surviving brother, J. J. Berston, and a sister, Mrs. J. P. Radcliffe, of Yonkers. New York, and a son, Charles, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, by a former marriage. Neil J. Berston. Inheritng a taste for real estate and carrying out scruplously the high ideals of his father, now deceased, Neil J. Berston has met with deserved success in that business. He is a member of the Berston-Harris company, Flint, Michigan, with offices in the First National bank building. Mr. Berston is young and energetic. He was born December I, I889, in Britton, South Dakota, the son of Neil J. and Carrie E. C. Berston, nee McKenna, (see sketch of N. J. Berston, deceased). The elder Berston was born in Cumberland, Maryland, the mother in Vermont. The father died in 1916 at the age of 59 years. He homesteaded in South Dakota, developed banking relations but the bank had reverses and failed and Mr. Berston undismayed, moved to Flint in I897 and traveled for a publishing house, selling books. In I909 he purchased the Hillcrest division and established a real estate business. Later he took over the Parker addition and Parker addition No. 2. He sold land on what is now the site of the great Buick plant. A Republican, Mr. Berston was a member of the water board until his death. The son, Neil J.. had a brother, McClellan, who lost his life in an automobile accident in September. I9II. Neil attended grade and high schools and Philip Exeter Academy. He returned to Flint to work for the Weston-Mott company until February, I916, when he took active part in the management of his father's business. In May, 1917, the Berston-Harris organization was formed. Mr. Berston was married in October, 1913, to Lucy Abbot Aldrich, daughter of Fred A. Aldrich. They have three children, Elizabeth. born January 13, 1915; Neil J., Jr., born November I, 1917, and McClellan, born April 13, I925. Mr. Berston is also a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons. Scottish Rite, Shriners and Knights Templar, also the Elks. He is one of the organizers and the secretary of the Flint Mortgage company. He is on the directorate of the Country club, which he was active in helping organize. For four years he has been chairman of the Grange committee. Arthur Giles Bishop, president of the Genesee County Savings bank and of the First National bank, of Flint, is a native son of this city, and a member of a family that was founded in Michigan in the territorial days. To his father, the late Russell Bishop, a memoir is dedicated on other pages of this volume, containing an extended account of the Bishop family. Arthur G. Bishop was born at Flint, April 12, 1851, and attended the public schools of that city, completing the high school course in I869. He then entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the de 172 HISTORY OF GENBISEE COUNTY gree of Bachelor of Arts in 1873. Upon leaving college, he immediately became associated with the Genesee County Savings bank as teller and collector. After efficient service in this capacity he was promoted to the office of cashier, and later was made vicepresident. In I912 he succeeded his father as president of the bank, a position he has since administered in a manner that has brought added success to the institution and credit to himself. In addition to officiating as president of the two banks above referred to, he is vice-president of the General Motors company, is a director of the Union Trust company, of Detroit, and is associated, as director or executive, with various leading industrial and business corporations in Flint. His career has been marked by a ready support of measures and enterprises that have tended to advance the city of Flint, both civicly and materially. He and his family are members of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church, in which he is one of the vestry. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, and he is a member of the Flint Country club, the Detroit Athletic club, the Detroit club, the Grosse Pointe club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Delta Kappa Epsilon college fraternity. On September 24, 1879, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bishop to Miss Carrie E. Spencer, who was born in Springville, Erie county, New York, May 8, I855, the only child of Horace C. and Catherine (Morris) Spencer. Mr. Spencer came with his family to Michigan in 1871 and he was for many years engaged in the hardware business at Flint, where he was also vice-president of Genesee County Savings bank, a brief review of his career being entered elsewhere in this publication. Russell S., elder of the two children of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, is elsewhere mentioned. Katherine, their other child, is the wife of Fred B. Miner, M. D., of Flint, and they' have one child, Carrie Jane. Clifford A. Bishop. Among the men prominently identified with the legal profession of Flint, none is more worthy of mention in the history of Genesee county than Clifford A. Bishop, senior member of the law firm of Bishop, Blackney & Church. He has been an active practitioner of this city for twenty-two years, holds prestige in his profession by reason of ability and thorough training, and is well upholding the honors of his profession. As an advocate his ability has repeatedly been demonstrated, and in the practice of his profession his course has been marked by inflexible integrity and honor. Mr. Bishop was born at Argentine, Michigan, August 3, 1877, a son of Henry L. and Charlotte Bishop, pioneers of that community. His educational advantages were those afforded by the grammar and high schools of Genesee county and the University of Michigan, graduating from the high school, and from the University of Michigan in I902. 3He was admitted to the bar in I902 and the following year came to Flint, where he established himself in the practice of law and has since been a potent factor in the legal profession of this city. In I912 he became associated in practice with William W. Blackney and this alliance continued until May, I919, when Leo M. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 173 Church was admitted and the firm became Bishop, Blackney & Church. Besides the practice of his profession, Mr. Bishop also finds time and opportunity to give effective co-operation in movements for social and material betterment of the community and has ever stood as an exponent of the best type of civic loyalty and progressiveness. He served as prosecuting attorney of Genesee county from January I, 1913, to January I, 1917, and in various ways has rendered efficient service to the city, county and state. He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and an Elk and is prominent in both social and professional circles. Mr. Bishop was married July I9, I902, to Miss Agnes Sears, of Saline, Michigan, a daughter of John and Mary Sears, and their home at 16 Josephine street is a hospitable one, where their friends are always welcome. Russell Bishop, whose death occurred on the 5th of August, I896, was an honored pioneer citizen of Genesee county, a man who did much to advance the normal business and civic interests of Flint and who played a large part in the early development and progress of the county, he having come to this territory at the time Michigan was admitted to statehood in I837. He was a man of fine personality and high ideals, and while he gained large financial success and wielded much influence, he never yielded to opportunism but held his course straight to the line of integrity and fairness, so that he merited and received the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellowmen. To such a man a publication of this order justly pays tribute. Russell Bishop, who was president of the Genesee County Savings bank at the time of his death, was born in Leroy, Genesee county, New York, April 29, 1815, and was a son of Giles and Phoebe (Van Warring) Bishop, his parents having been born in Connecticut, as representatives of early colonial families in New England, that gracious cradle of much of our national history. Giles Bishop became one of the pioneer settlers in Genesee county, New York, where he acquired and carried forward the development of a large tract of land in Leroy township and whence he went forth as a patriot soldier in the War of I812. Giles Bishop became also the founder of the family in Oakland county, Michigan, where, in 1830, he obtained a large area of government land, in several tracts. In the following year he brought his family to the new home in the wilds of Michigan Territory, and the house first occupied was a primitive log structure of the true pioneer type. Mr. Bishop was one of the leaders in community affairs, served as justice of the peace, and was one of the first to hold the office of postmaster at Springfield, Oakland county. His death occurred at Flint, Genesee county, when he was sixty-six years of age, his wife having died in Oakland county, and both having been zealous members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bishop was a man of indomitable energy and ambition, one well equipped for leadership in the development of a pioneer country. The four children of the family, Griswold, Russell, Giles, Jr., and Lucia, are now all deceased, so that there remains in Michigan no representatives of either the first or second generations of this honored family. Russell 174 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Bishop was reared on the old home farm in Genesee county, New York, and attended the village school of Leroy until he was sixteen years of age, when he came with the other members of the family to Michigan and gained his youthful experience in the great adventure of pioneer service and activities. He assisted in building the log house that was the first habitation of the family, and did his full part in cutting timber, clearing the land, initiating productive agricultural industry, the while he found pleasure and recreation in the hunting of the varied kinds of wild game then plentiful in this section. He remained at the parental home until he had attained the age of nineteen years, and in 1835 he made a tour through other pioneer sections of the west. He thus visited Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which latter place was a mere village, and he then continued his journey to old Fort Dearborn, (Chicago). He purchased land in what is now the great metropolis of the west, with the expectation of making settlement there, but an attack of illness caused him to sell his land and return to the family home in Oakland county. There he served as deputy to his father in the postoffice at 'Springfield, and there also he held the office of justice of the peace. In the spring of I837, the year that marked the admission of Michigan to statehood, Mr. Bishop established himself in the grocery and general merchandise business in the village of Flint. He built a store on Saginaw street, where he conducted business until the building was destroyed by fire, and he then purchased a lot at the corner of Kearsley and Saginaw streets, where the Fenton block now stands, and erected the building in which he conducted his mercantile business until I850, when he sold the business to one of his brothers and, on account of impaired health, set forth on a trip down the Mississippi river to the Gulf of Mexico. From Galveston, Texas, he made a trip into the interior on horseback, and also visited Mexico. In I851 Mr. Bishop returned to Flint, much improved in health, and in the same year he attended the great world exposition in London, England, the voyage across the Atlantic having required seventeen days. After remaining abroad five months he returned to Flint, and here, on the fourth of April, 1853, he was appointed, by President Franklin Pierce, to the office of receiver of public moneys at the general land office, the Flint land office having been one of the three at that time established in Michigan. In assuming this office Mr. Bishop furnished bond for $200,000, and he served also as government disbursing agent, in which connection he frequently paid out at one time fully $ioo,ooo in gold. In 1854 the government made grants of lands in this district, at prices ranging from 21/2 cents to $1.25 an acre, and much of the land was bought up at the minimum price. At this juncture Mr. Bishop turned his attention to the handling of real estate, and through his well-ordered activities in this field of enterprise he did much to advance the civic and material development of this now favored section of the state. His activities continued to be largely centered in real estate operations until he identified himself with banking enterprise, of which he be HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 175 tame one of the most influential representatives in Genesee county. He was one of the founders of the Genesee County Savings bank, the history of which constitutes a splendid chapter in the annals of financial affairs in Michigan, and of this bank he was the president at the time of his death. Mr. Bishop was essentially a business man, and thus had no desire to enter the arena of practical politics, though he was a staunch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church. The first marriage of Mr. Bishop was with Miss Mary Thomson, who was born in historic old Kendall Green, England, and who was a resident of Flint at the time of her marriage, she having been a sister of Colonel Edward H. Thomson, whose name was prominet in the early history of Michigan. Russell H., eldest of the children of this union, was graduated in the law department of the University of Michigan, and is, now deceased; Elizabeth became the wife of Judge Herman W. Stevens, of Port Huron, both now deceased; and Arthur G., who is now president of the Genesee County Savings bank, is the subject of individual mention elsewhere in this volume. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Bishop wedded Miss Mary Franks, who was born in Detroit, and after she too passed to the life eternal, Mr. Bishop married Miss M. Frances Green, of Bay City, her father having been one of the distinguished early judges of the Michigan supreme court. Of the third marriage was born one daughter, Florence Russell, who is now the wife of Arthur Haynes, of Kenilworth, a suburb of the city of Chicago, Illinois. Russell Bishop was a man of broad intellectual ken and mature judgment, and his home showed his appreciation of the finer ideals and phases of life, his select and comprehensive library having been to him a medium of great satisfaction and service. He was true and loyal in all of the relations of life, and this tribute to his memory is eminently worthy of publication in this history of Michigan. Russell Spencer Bishop. A representative of the fourth generation of the Bishop family in Michigan, Russell Spencer Bishop is of the third generation of that family to be identified in an executive way with the Genesee County Savings bank, of Flint, of which he is vice-president. He is also office manager of the Genesee County Savings bank building and the First National bank building. Born in Flint, April 22, i886, Russell Spencer Bishop received his preliminary education in the public schools of this city, and then entered the Detroit University School, from which he was graduated in 1904. He then matriculated at the University of Michigan, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 19o8. While in college he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. From the time of his graduation at Ann Arbor until 1915 he was associated with the Weston-Mott Manufacturing company, of Flint, and since then has been connected with the Genesee County Savings bank. He became assistant to the president in 1916, and since 1923 has been vice-president. He also holds executive offices in several other local corporations. In politics he is a Republican. He is a 176 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY member of the Kiwanis club of Flint, Flint Country club, and Elks club. He is also-a member of the Detroit club, the Detroit University club, the Detroit Athletic club, and Deke club, of New York. He is a communicant of the parish of St. Paul's church, Protestant Episcopal, and he and his wife are popular figures in the social activities of their home city. Mr. Bishop was married March 29, I9IO, to Miss Mary Beasom, daughter of Hon. and Mrs. William H. Beasom, of Nashua, New Hampshire. They have three children, Arthur William, Russell Spencer, Jr., and Mary Elizabeth. William W. Blackney, attorney of Flint, was born August 28, 1876, a son of W. W. Blackney and Frances M. Blackney. He was born in Clio, Michigan, in a family of eight children, one of whom is dead. The living children are: Williaml W., Charles, of Salispolo, California; Elmer T., commissioner of schools, Port Huron; John, cigar wholesaler of Saginaw; Mrs. Nellie Lecure, of Clio; Mrs. Alice Russell, of Mt. Rose, Genesee county, and Mabel Blackney, a teacher in Clio. William W. attended public school in Clio and three summer sessions at Olivet college and four sumimer sessions at Ferris Institute, Big Rapids. He was graduated from the University of Michigan law department in I912. In the winters Mr. Blackney taught school, studying in the summer. For ten years he was a member of the Genesee county school board and for three terms served efficiently as county clerk. In June, I912, he formed a partnership with C. L. Bishop. From 1913 to 1916 Mr. Blackney Was assistant prosecuting attorney of Genesee county so it is apparent his experience in public life has been fruitful. Active in politics, too, Mr. Blackney is a member of the Republican state central committee. He is a member of the Masons and of the Elks. Mr. Blackney was married to Miss Cassie F. Miller, of Swartz Creek, Michigan, and of the union three children have been born. They are: Shirley Mae, William W., Jr., and Jack Arnold. The parents of Mr. Blackney are dead. Arthur C. Blakely, M. D. Coming to Flint, September I, 1916, Dr. Arthur C. Blakely in 1919 began specializing in surgery. Dr. Blakely maintains his offices in the Industrial Bank building. He is genuinely and wholesomely interested in all movements and activities that have as their objective the improvement of the community. The Doctor is a Rotarian and in his daily ministry endeavors to carry into execution the ennobling principles underlying Rotary. He is also an Odd Fellow and holds membership in all the medical societies. He was formerly treasurer of the Genesee County Medical society and secretary of the surgical section of the Michigan State Medical society. Dr. Blakely was born in Almont, Michigan, January 15, 1884, a son of Loren and Hannah Belden Blakely. The father was born in Michigan December io, 1855, and died in July, I924. He was born five miles from where the son first saw the light of day and he farmed throughout his life. Mrs. Blakely is living. Arthur C. attended grade and high schools I C H A FR L E E N H R Y B C N B R G H --- HISTORY OF GENBESEE COUNTY 177 and pursued a pharmaceutical course in Big Rapids. In I9II he was graduated from the Detroit College of Medicine, became an interne at Harper hospital and for five years practiced medicine in Detroit, coming to Flint on September I, 1916. Dr. Blakely was married to Miss Mary Liddle, who died in I920, leaving two children, Margaret and Loren. Charles Henry Bonbright became a leader in civic and industrial enterprises in the city of Flint and was one of the forceful, steadfast, upright and loyal citizens who did much to forward the development of the important industrial city that is the greater Flint of the present day. This influential and honored citizen was sixty-six years of age at the time of his death, December 30, I924. Charles H. Bonbright was born at Beaver, Pennsylvania, August I, 1858, a son of John S. and Eliza S. (Stone) Bonbright, likewise natives of the old Keystone state, where the respective families were founded in the pioneer days, the parents of both John S. and Eliza S. Bonbright having passed their entire lives in Pennsylvania. John S. Bonbright was reared and educated in Westmoreland county, and his early business activities in Pennsylvania were largely along mercantile lines. In 1864 he removed with his family to Des Moines, Iowa, where he passed the remainder of his life and where he developed a large and prosperous business as a wholesale and retail dealer in agricultural implements and machinery. He was eighty-one years of age at the time of his death, in I9oo, and was one of the honored pioneer citizens of the Hawkeye state. Upon her death, his first wife was survived by two sons, Alexander N. and Daniel, the former of whom died in I886. Mrs. Eliza S. (Stone) Bonbright was fifty-three years of age at the time of her death, in I88I, the children of the second marriage being five in number: Stephen S. is a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio; Miss Mary J. died when a young woman; Charles H., of this memoir, was the next in order of birth; Anna Myrtle became the wife of John B. Given and is now deceased; and Letta E. is the wife of Frederick B. Wenger, of Los Angeles, California. Charles H. Bonbright was about six years of age at the time of the family removal to Des Moines, and he supplemented the discipline of the public schools by attending Des Moines University and the Iowa Agricultural College. Following this he completed a course in Princeton University, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1883. Thereafter he was for some time associated with his father's business in Des Moines, and later he became sales manager for the Common Sense Engine company, of Muncie, Indiana, his next alliance having been with Wardder, Bushnell & Glessner company, in Chicago, where he remained a short time. Upon coming to Flint, Mr. Bonbright took a position with the Durant-Dort Carriage company, with which he continued his connection sixteen years. He then effected the organization of the Imperial Wheel company and the WalkerWeiss Axle company, which became important industrial concerns of Flint, the latter having later become known as the Flint Motor Axle company. He devloped these corporations as he did also the 178 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Imperial Drop Forge company of Indianapolis, Indiana. He became president of the Walker-Weiss Axle company and continued the chief executive after the reorganization as the Flint Motor Axle company. He was vice-president and general manager of the Imperial Wheel company, the plant and business of which were eventually sold to the Hayes Wheel company, and he was president of the Imperial Drop Forge company. He retired from active business about two years prior to his death-upon the sale of the business of the wheel company, as just noted. Mr. Bonbright was associated with George E. Pomeroy in platting three additions to the city of Flint, and in the developing of -these properties as valuable residential districts. He had financial interest in various automobile industries in his home city, and was a director of the Union Trust & Savings bank. Another of his splendid contributions to the material advancement of Flint was in his platting and developing of the addition known as Indian Village. After his retirement from active business Mr. Bonbright gave the major part of his time and attention to civic and philanthropic work, and within this period he was chosen president of the local Chamber of Commerce. He was a trustee and was active and liberal in advancing the work and service of the local Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A., and shortly before his death he had been a leader in the Genesee county drive for new members in the Red Cross, as chairman of the committee in charge. He was one of the organizers of the Flint Country club, and had served as its president. He had much of the leadership in local patriotic activities in the World war period. He was a Republican in politics, and while he was ever loyal and progressive as a citizen he had no desire for public office, though he gave characteristically effective service when made a member of the Flint board of police commissioners. Ile was a most zealous and honored member of the First Presbyterian church, as is also his widow, and he was an elder in the same at the time of his death. He was a trustee of Alma College, to which institution he made a substantial bequest at the time of his death. In the Masonic fraternity Mr. Bonbright received the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, besides having been a noble of the Mystic Shrine and a member of the Flint Lodge, No. 222, B. P. O. E. May 15, I89o, was marked by the marriage of Mr. Bonbright to Miss Della M. Windus, who was born at Wilton, Iowa, a daughter of Stephen B. and Sarah (Miller) Windus, and whose culture and gracious personality have made her a popular factor in the representative social activities of her home city of Flint. Her father was born in England and was a youth when he came to the United States, his marriage to Miss Sarah Miller having been solemnized in Pennsylvania, where the latter was born and reared. Mr. and Mrs. Windus passed the closing period of their lives at Des Moines, Iowa, the former having attained to the patriarchal age of ninety-two years, and the latter having passed away at the age of eight-one years. They became the parents of five children, all daughters, namely: Eva (deceased), Viola, Della M., Catherine ard Dorothy. The subject of this memoir is HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 179 survived by one son, Carl Windus Bonbright, who was graduated from Princeton university, as a member of the class of I918, and who is now successfully engaged in business at Flint, as a dealer in bonds. Charles H. Bonbright ordered his life on the highest plane of integrity and honor, and made it count worthily in its every relation, so that his name and memory shall long be held in high honor in the community in which he lived and wrought with success and to the advancement of which he gave much. Forrest W. Boswell. Forrest W. Boswell, director of personal service of the Buick Motor company, was born in Salesville, Ohio, October 24, 1872, a son of Samuel and Mary Elizabeth Boswell, nee Brill. Mrs. Boswell's parents came from South Carolina. Mr. Boswell's ancestry was traced to Col. Shreeves, an officer of the Continental army, and to Lord and Lady Fairfax of England. Samuel Boswell was born January I6, 1848, Mrs. Boswell on May 20, 1850. Both are living. The elder Boswell has always taken an active interest in church and Sunday school work, and is a member of the official board of the Central Methodist Episcopal church of Detroit. In early life he was a farmer but turned to mechanical lines. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Boswell: Ruth, who is Mrs. Willis; Claude L.; Alice H. Knapp; Pearl; Lulu Manning; George C.; Forrest W., and Dent D. Three have died, George C., Lulu Manning and Dent D. Forrest W. Boswell received his early education in the grade and high schools of Cambridge, Ohio, pursued an elective course at the Ohio State University and followed this with correspondence and home study courses in salesmanship, business management and cognate subjects. His first work was filling an apprenticeship in steel mills and as a heater in a tin plate mill at Cambridge. He left Cambridge in I896 and went to Columbus to become assistant secretary of the Y. M. C. A., for while yet in Cambridge, Mr. Boswell asserted a strong interest in men and boys and their problems. It was this outstanding trait that called him to the Y. M. C. A. and while engaged in association work in Columbus, he attended Ohio State university. Mr. Boswell remained in Columbus until I905, then served as general secretary at Bowling Green, Ohio, and Adrian, Michigan. A similar service was performed one year in Saginaw and then Mr. Boswell decided to leave association work for business. Moving to Detroit, he engaged in life insurance. However, while in Columbus, Mr. Boswell left his "Y" work for a year to engage in newspaper work, having charge of the foreign circulation of The Columbus Citizen, a daily paper. While in Detroit, Mr. Boswell was chosen superintendent of the Trumble Avenue Presbyterian Sunday school. He entered a national essay contest, conducted by the National Association of Life Underwriters, the theme under treatment being "Life Insurance, the Institution for Systematic Thrift." In this national contest Mr. Boswell won second place. This national competition brought him considerable attention and he became custodian of the Ben Williams vase for the ensuing year. In April, I916, Mr. Boswell came to Flint as manager of the Flint Vehicle Factories 180 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Mutual Benefit association and club, and tactfully guided that institution from 1916 to 1919, when H. H. Bassett, president and general manager of the Buick Motor company, called him to his present position. Mr. Boswell was married October i8, 1908, to Mary Winifred Skelton, of Muskegon, Michigan. They have one daughter, Jean Marie. Mr. Boswell is a Mason, a past master of Fellowship Lodge, No 490, belongs to the consistory, Elf Khurafeh Temple, Flint Shrine club, Chamber of Commerce and Flint Country club. He is an elder of the First Presbyterian church and a charter member of the first Kiwanis club; also its first secretary when it was organized in Detroit. He was a delegate to four international conventions of the Kiwanis club, at Detroit, Providence, R. I., Birmingham, Ala., and Toronto, Can. At present he is Lieutenant Governor of Sub. District No. 4, Michigan. Mr. Boswell is a trustee of the Woman's Hospital, is a member of the Michigan Athletic Board of Control and a representative of the Industrial Mutual Association. He is a member of the Flint school board and was president of that body, I922-I924. His interest in educational life and problems has always been thoroughly sustained. Mr. Boswell was on the executive committee of the Boy Scouts when the organization was formed in Flint. He is very active and helpful in support of the various educational, religious and social welfare movements and enterprises in Flint. Bunnell G. Bowles. Four years after his father was elected county treasurer, Bunnell G. Bowles was also elected keeper of the exchequer of Genesee county, Michigan, a distinction that comes to comparatively few families. The co-incidence is undoubtedly indicative of one salient fact-the ability of members of a family to attend faithfully and effectively to certain public duties. Bunnell G. Bowles was born October 30, I897, in Linden, Michigan, the son of Trent and Della Bowles, nee Ferguson. Both parents were born in Michigan, the father in Linden, the mother in Lyons. Trent Bowles was an undertaker in Linden twenty years and from I908 to I916 was register of probate court. He was defeated for the probate judgeship by John C. Graves but in I918 was elected county treasurer, serving four years and being followed by his son. Trent Bowles and wife were the parents of two children, Forest E. and Bunnell B., when the latter was Ii years old his parents moved to Flint and after being graduated from Central high school. the son went to work for the Randall Lumber and Coal company. From that he went to the Ford Sales Company. Bunnell enlisted in the navy and was a quartermaster, first class. At the close of the war he returned to the Ford Sales company and when the McVaunel Gravel company was organized, Mr. Bowles was made manager. In 1922 he was nominated for county treasurer and in November of that year was elected, assuming the office held by his father, in January, 1923. On September 20, 1922, Mr. Bowles and Miss Leona M. Froehlich exchanged the vows that united them as man and wife. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 181 To the union one son has come, Robert B. Mr. Bowles is an adherent of the Presbyterian church. R. Eugene Boyer. Previous to his entrance into the plumbing business in Flint, Mr. Boyer was engaged in working for the Buick company at Jackson. A man of high ideals and conscientious in the discharge of all business obligations, Mr. Boyer has achieved enviable success in the field of plumbing and sanitation. His business is located at Io0o Stone street. He is widely known and esteemed. Mr. Boyer was born in Hancock, Ohio, June I, 1882, a son of ISilas S. and Jennie (Clotz) Boyer. The father, a farmer, was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, while Mrs. Boyer was born in Sugar Grove, Lancaster, Ohio, in 1858. The other members of the family; additional to R. Eugene, are Clarence K.; Rachael May, who is Mrs. Martz, of Jackson, Michigan; Fay Edith, who is Mrs. Dore, of Jackson. R. Eugene attended public school and came to Flint in I9o8 from Jackson, where he had been working for the Buick Motor company. He was a painter for the Buick company and his attachment with the company covered altogether a period of eight years. He next went to work for the E. Sterner company, serving six years and entered the plumbing business with a partner under the name of Boyer & Pegan, later with another member of the firm the name of which was changed to Boyer, Pegan & Kelley. Now the business is owned solely by Mr. Boyer who gives personal attention to every detail. On May 3, I909, he was united in marriage to Miss Bertha L. Jordon, of Jackson, and two children have been born to them, Ralph and Elwood. Mr. Boyer is an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias and a Woodman. His prosperity has not "turned his head" but has served to increase his friends' interest in his success. Keller A. Brand is engaged in the real estate business in an independent way and is one of the prominent representatives of this important line of enterprise in Genesee county. his office being at 805-6 Flint P. Smith building in the city of Flint. Mt. Brand reverts to the historic old Bluegrass state as the place of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Harrison county, Kentucky, on the 8th of November, I869. He is a son of Richard and Frances (Hendricks) Brand, each of whom was born in that same county, in the year 1832, and they passed their entire lives in Kentucky. Richard Brand was reared to the discipline of the farm, received the advantages of the common schools of the locality and period, afterwards finishing in a private school. He passed virtually his entire life on the old homestead farm which was the birthplace of his son, Keller A.. of this sketch, and in his farm enterprise he gave special attention. during nearly a quarter of a century, to the raising and handling of live stock, he having been one of the venerable and honored citizens of his native county at the time of his death, in I9o8. Richard Brand was inflexible in his advocacy of the principles of the Democratic party, and he and his wife were earnest members of the Methodist church. In well ordered private schools in his native county, Keller A. Brand continued his studies until he had com 182 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY pleted the equivalent of a high school course, and he then entered the University of Kentucky, at Lexington, when he was seventeen years of age. In I889 he assumed the management of his father's farm, and he continued, his farm operations, in connection with the buying and shipping of live stock until I9o8. He remained on the old home farm until I9IO. In April, 1913, Mr. Brand was married to Miss Mary Gault, of Detroit, Mich., and came to Michigan and established his residence in the city of Detroit, where he was engaged in the real estate business one year. Then he came to Flint, where he has since continued as a vital and resourceful exponent of the real estate business. It was through his discernment and progressiveness that he came to a realization of the value of newspaper advertising in the exploiting of real estate, and he undoubtedly was the first in real estate in Flint to enter into yearly contracts with local newspapers in thus calling public attention to the real estate which he had for sale or exchange. This policy resulted in the rapid expansion of his business, and his competitors soon found it expedient to follow his example. Mr. Brand is equally loyal and progressive in his civic attitutde, and though he was reared in the faith of the Democratic party, his well fortified convictions have led him to give his allegiance to the Republican party. In their home city he and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Brand have one child, Frances Mary, who was born in July, I914. Mr. Brand is a scion of a sterling Scottish family that was founded in Virginia in the early colonial period of our national history and that gave patriot soldiers to the war of the Revolution, on which score he is eligible for affiliation with the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. William Jackson Brandt. Mr. Brandt is a member of the firm of C. E. Brandt and Company, Flint, Michigan. He was born March 31, I882, in Milwaukee, a son of Christopher and Christine Brandt, to whom eight children were born. Of the eight, however, but five are living. They are Mrs. Henrietta Wolford, of Milwaukee; Christopher E., of Flint; Frederick H., of Milwaukee; Mrs. Hattie Patterson, of Washington, and William Jackson Brandt. The latter attended public school in Milwaukee and Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, Michigan, and after leaving the institute became associated with the National Enameling and Stamping company, of Milwaukee. Later he went to Douglass, Arizona, where he was associated with the Bisbee Consolidated Mining ompany in its laboratory. In I9II he came to Flint and entered business with his brother, Christopher E. On November 24, I923, Mr. Brandt was married to Miss Elizabeth Gudith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gudith, of Flint. The Brandt home is at 210 Stockdale street. Mr. Brandt is a zealous member of the Lions club. He also holds membership in the Elks and in the Masonic fraternity and is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite member. Everett Lewis Bray. As a lawyer, Everett Lewis Bray has for many years stood at the front in the ranks of his profession at the HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 183 Genesee county bar, his career being noted for strength, fidelity and honor. The relations between him and his clients are ever loyal and genuine. He is noted for his thorough knowledge of the law not only of its great underlying principles, but also for its niceties and its exacting details, and for his faculty of clearly presenting to court and jury the law and fact of the case under consideration. Mr. Bray, who is a member of the law firm of Carton, Bray & Stewart, of Flint, was born in Genesee township, this county, May I8, I864. He is a son of Alexander and Bertha (Seeley) Bray. When but a lad Alexander Bray came to Genesee county from Springfield, Ohio, with his mother, his father having died in that city. The mother settled on a farm in Genesee township, where the son grew to manhood and there he engaged in farming and the live stock business for many years. He shipped the first carload of stock from Chicago to the Saginaw valley. In fact, he made the live stock business his principal life work. He and his brother, Benjamin, at one time owned over five hundred acres of good land, which they finally divided, late in the seventies, Alexander retaining as his last piece of land one hundred acres which he sold about I885. His wife died in 1878 when about forty-eight years of age. In r885 he moved to Mt. Morris. During the panic of 1878 he met with reverses, some of his customers failing him for about $20,000. However, one hundred acres of his land was saved and put in his wife's name. His family consisted of four children, namely, Irving S., deceased; Lucia G., who married Charles Montague, died in the early nineties; Everett L. of this sketch and Archie A., of Mt. Morris. The father of these children is still living, now about eighty years of age, making his home in Mt. Morris. His mother, Marilla Chittenden, was a great-granddaughter of Thomas Chittenden, the first governor of Vermont, of which state both parents of Alexander Bray were natives. The father was a physician and surgeon and for two years practiced in the City of Mexico. Afterward he settled in Springfield, Ohio, where he was residing during the great cholera epidemic that swept the country in the early days, during which all the doctors, but four, left Springfield, he being one of the number that remained, but he contracted the disease and died there. Soon thereafter his widow moved to Genesee county, Michigan, locating on a farm near her brother, Nelson Chittenden, who induced her to come here. She lived to an advanced age. She had been twice married, first to a Mr. Mitchell, by whom she had one son, Ossian, long since deceased. Three children were born of her second marriage, Alexander, Benjamin and Caroline. It is believed that the founder of the Bray family in America lived in Maine and was a descendant of Sir Thomas Bray, an English divine. Daniel Hawley Seeley, the maternal grandfather of the subject of the sketch, was a native of Connecticut, where his wife, Julia, was also born. They came to Michigan from the state of New York and settled in Flint, Genesee county, in a very early day, there being ati the time only nine families and seven houses in this place. Mr. Seeley was a tailor, using the earnings from this trade to develop the land 184 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY in Genesee township, which he obtained from the government. He finally moved onto his farm and cleared and improved three hundred acres, which under his able management became one of the finest farms in the county, and he took the prize on it several years. Here he and his wife spent their last days, his death occurring at the age of eighty-four and hers at about eighty. They were parents of five children, Marvin L., Frank, Theron, Bertha J. and Frances. Everett L. Bray was reared on the home farm, on which he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. He attended the district schools and was graduated from the Flint high school in 1885; then he studied law in the office of Judge Oscar Adams in Cheboygan and later with Durand & Carton in Flint. He was admitted to the bar on August 17, 1887. After spending a few years in search of a proper location, he returned to Flint in I891 and formed a partnership with John M. Russell, at that time prosecuting attorney of Genesee county, Mr. Bray becoming assistant in this office. This partnership lasted until in 1893, after which Mr. Bray practiced his profession alone for a period of ten years. Upon the death of Judge Durand he formed a partnership with John J. Carton under the firm name of Carton & Bray, which existed for some years, when they took William C. Stewart into the firm, which has since been Carton, Bray & Stewart, one of the best known and most successful in the city of Flint. Mr. Bray was married on January 8, I9o2, to Viola E. Swart, a daughter of Menzo and Sallie (Wiggins) Swart. She was born in Flushing, Genesee county, March 5, I873. Her parents were natives of New York state and both are now deceased. Three children were born to them. Viola E., wife of Mr. Bray; Arzie, who died when about fourteen years of age, and Jennie, who died in early childhood. Mr. Swart engaged in lumbering for a number of years in his earlier career; then for many years was trespass agent for the state land office and devoted the last few years of his active life to farming. He served in the Civil war in the Sixteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was a gallant soldier and for his ability and bravery was commissioned a first lieutenant, being for a time acting captain of his company. To Mr. and Mrs. Bray one child, a daughter, Bertha Beatrice Bray, has been born. Mrs. Bray is a member of the St. Paul's Episcopal church. He is a stockholder in the General Motors company, the Chevrolet company, the Copeman Electric Stove Works and the Genesee County Savings bank. Mr. Bray is independent in politics and, fraternally, belongs to Genesee Lodge, No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons, and Flint Lodge, No. 222, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The first meeting of the board of supervisors after its organization of the state was held in a building owned by Mr. Bray's grandfather Daniel H. Seeley in Flint. Guy D. Briggs, M. D. was born in Detroit, Michigan, January 7, 1887, a son of Rodney Davis and Ada Warner Briggs. He graduated from Detroit College of Medicine in I909 and has practiced in Flint since 1912. !r l-, ""* ----^. IPA - 1.......... -- - -- HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 185 Capt. Frank D. Buckingham. Capt. Frank D. Buckingham, member of the Buckinham firm, also is a native of Flint. He was born on June 30, I868, and upon completing the course in the local high school, entered his father's store and was engaged there until the breaking out of the Spanish-American war in I898, when he enlisted for service in the Thirty-fifth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and, as captain of Company B of that regiment, went to the "front" which in the case of the Thirty-fifth Michigan happened to be Augusta, Georgia. Upon the conclusion of that term of enlistment, Captain Buckingham enlisted in the regular army and was sent to the Philippine Islands, where he served for two yeas as captain of Company D, Thirtieth Regiment, United States Infantry. Upon receipt of news, of his father's tragic death, he resigned his commission, returned to Flint and, in association with his brother, Lewis, has ever since been engaged in the affairs of the old Buckingham store. This was sold January I, I924. Captain Buckingham is an energetic business man and is one of the directors of the Citizens bank, of Flint. He is a Republican, but is not active in political affairs. On September 21, I904, Capt. Frank D. Buckingham was united in marriage to Nancy Hascall, who also was born at Flint, daughter of Henry and Isabella (Decker) Hascall, natives of Flint. The father was a well-known lumberman of that city, who died at the age of sixty and whose widow is still living. Mrs. Hascall is a daughter of Grant Decker, a well remembered pioneer of Genesee county. To her and her husband five children were born, Harry G., Gertrude, Genevieve, Nancy and Carlton. To Captain and Mrs. Buckingham two children have been born, George Waite and Nancy Isabella. Mrs. Buckingham is a member of the Episcopal church and both she and her husband are warmly interested in local good works. Captain Buckingham is a member of Flint Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons; Flint Chapter, No. 12, Royal Arch Masons; Flint Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar, and is a noble of Moslem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Detroit. Major George W. Buckingham. The late Major George W. Buckingham had been a witness to the development of the city of Flint from the days when it was but a straggling hamlet. He was born on a homestead farm, land now covered by the city of Flint, on October 28, I839, son of Lewis and Anna (Beach) Buckingham, natives of the state of New York, who came to Michigan in I837. They entered a homestead claim on a tract of land now within the city limits of Flint and there established their home, being thus among the earliest settlers of that section. Michigan was admitted as a state in that year and the destinies of Flint seemed assured from the very first. Grandfather Buckingham became one of the prominent pioneers of this section and was a witness to its development for many years. He was the first sheriff of Genesee county. He lived to the great old age of ninety-three years and his widow survived but a few weeks. A more complete sketch of him appears 186 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY elsewhere. On that pioneer farm George W. Buckingham grew to manhood, familiar with every detail of the early growth of his home town. As a young man his inclinations turned to merchandising and he secured employment in the general store of D. S. Fox & Company, where he was engaged as a clerk for some time. He later was elected sheriff of Genesee county and for eight years served in that important public capacity. Upon the completion of his official service he engaged in the milling business at Mullett Lake and was doing well in that enterprise when his mill was destroyed by fire, entailing upon him a considerable loss with no insurance. He then returned to Flint and again entered commercial pursuits as an employe of Smith, Bridgman & Company, who later financed him in the establishment of a clothing store at Flint, under the firm name of Buckingham, Smith & Company, which arrangement continued for about ten years. At the end of that time Mr. Buckingham bought the interests of his partners in the store and continued the business alone until his death, on June 14, I90o, victim of a railway accident, since which time the business has been continued by his sons. Major Buckingham was for years one of Flint's leading merchants and built up a prosperous business. He was an honored veteran of the Civil war, having gone to the front as a lieutenant in the Twentythird Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and being mustered out as captain and brevetted major at the conclusion of his military service. He was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, was its first commander and ever took a warm interest in the affairs of the local post of that patriotic organization. As a Republican he took a prominent part in the early politics of Genesee county and was a man of much influence hereabout all his life. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and ever took a warm interest in the affairs of that order. He and his wife were devoted members of the Presbyterian church and for years were looked upon.as among leaders in the good works of their home town. Mrs. Buckingham preceded her husband to the grave about four years, her death having occurred on April 17, I897, at the age of fifty-six years. She was born at Dexter, this state, her parents having been pioneers of that section. Her father died when she was a young girl and her mother, Abigail (Cranson) Dibble, married, secondly, a Mr. Litchfield and moved to Corunna and thence to Flint. To Major Buckingham and wife five children were born. They are as follows: Capt. Frank D. Buckingham, partner in the Buckingham store; Florence, who married Stanley E. Parkhill and lives at Venice, California; Anna, who died in her young womanhood; Abigail, who lives at Los Angeles, California, and Lewis Buckingham. Lewis Buckingham. Lewis Buckingham, former president and former vice-president of the Flint Board of Commerce and one of the leading merchants of that city, is one of Flint's most energetic native sons. He was born in that city January 26, 1877, son of Major George W. and Jeannette (Dibble) Buckingham, both natives of Michigan, the former also a native son of Flint and the latter HISTORY OF GENIESEE COUNTY 187 born at Dexter. Following his graduation from the Ffint high school, Lewis Buckingham went to Columbus, Ohio, where he was engaged with the American Machine Company for a year, at the end of which time he was transferred back to Flint in the same employ. He was thus engaged until about a year before his father's death, when he entered the latter's store, in preparation for taking general charge of the same, pending his father's ultimate retirement from business. At the time of his father's tragic death, his brother, Capt. Frank D. Buckingham, was in the army, but he resigned his commission and returned home and the two brothers since then have continued the business at the old stand, though still operating under the name of George W. Buckingham. Lewis Buckingham is regarded as one of Flint's most active merchants and takes an active part in the commercial life of the city. 'He was for some time president of the Flint Board of Commerce, his term of service expiring November 23, 1915, since which time he has been serving as vice-president of the board. He is a Republican, but does not take a particularly active part in politics. On September 12, 1905, he was united in marriage to Emma Farnum, who was born at Owosso, in the neighboring county of Shiawassee, daughter of the Rev. W. L. and Harriet A. (Isham) Farnum, who came to Michigan from Delevan, Wisconsin. The Rev. W. L. Farnum was for many years pastor of the First Baptist church at Flint. He died at Tecumseh, this state, and his widow died November 5, I920. They were the parents of two children, Mrs. Buckingham having had a brother who died in childhood. To Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham three children have been born, Lee Farnum, Lewis, Jr., and Harriet Jeannette. Mrs. Buckingham is a member of the Baptist church and both she and Mr. Buckingham take a warm interest in local good works. Lewis Buckingham, so long a conspicuous resident of Flint, will appear upon its streets no more. He died on Sunday, December 6, I880, at his residence in the third ward, at the ripe age of eighty-three years and three months. While Michigan was still a territory, Mr. Buckingham came here with his family from his native state of New York, arrivinig in Flint on the first of May, I830. Uniting with others, he formed a settlement on the line between the present townships of Mount Morris and Genesee, which, from the strict temperance principles of its founders, was known in those days as "The Coldwater Settlement." These settlers brought with them advanced ideas on the subjects of education and religion; and among the first cares of the little colony was the provision for schools and for worship in such primitive fashion as the circumstances admitted-religious observance being regarded as a necessity, equally with food, raiment and shelter. Amongst such a class of people Mr. Buckingham was a conspicuous figure; a leader in every good work. On the 28th of September, 1835, we find the name of Lewis Buckingham appended to a memorial of "citizens of the Territory of Michigan" addressed to the senate of the United States, asking the passage of a bill then pending in congress, for the confirmation to the heirs of Jacob Smith, 188 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY of the lands at the Grand Traverse of the Flint river, reserved to him by the Indian treaty at Saginaw in I819. In I836, this state and county were organized as such, and Mr. Buckingham was the first sheriff of Genesee county. He was elected to the office on August 22, 1836, and re-elected in I838. In 1858 he was a third time elected sheriff. Upon his first election, he removed with his family into the village. For some time he occupied the River House tavern, and there, on May 7, 1837, he and his wife were two of seventeen persons organized into a Congregational church. This society was afterwards taken under care of the Presbytery of Detroit, and formed the nucleus of the present strong Presbyterian church of this city. In I84I it assumed the Presbyterian form of government, at which time Mr. Buckingham was chosen one of the three elders who constituted its first board. Later in life he affiliated with the Court Street M. E. church; but in all his relations maintained the same consistent, Christian character. Mr. Buckingham's political principles were intensely anti-slavery; and he was an active member of the Freesoil party which kept up its organization in this county, when the dominant parties were Whigs and Democrats. Upon the organization of the Republican party to resist the enroachments of the slave power, Mr. Buckingham's sentiments made him naturally a zealous Republican. He was a man of strong convictions, and free to express them, whether palatable to his hearers or not. Walking and talking in the straight line of duty, he made no attempt to disguise his hatred of sham, nor his contempt for those who made it a cloak. Outspoken, earnest, and uncompromising in asserting what he believed to be right, if he did not make all men love him, he forced them to respect him. After the close of his official duties, Mr. Buckingham resided upon and cultivated a farm in the township of Flint, not far from the city limits on the Fenton road. Subsequently he made his permanent home in the city. He reared a family of six children; two sons died before him; he is survived by his widow, two sons and two daughters: H. W. Buckingham, Major G. W. Buckingham, Mrs. M. E. Clarkson, now matron of the Detroit House of Correction, and Mrs. Dr. C. H. Haynes of this city. The funeral services, which were largely attended, took place at the Court Street M. E. church. The sermon was preached by the Rev. L. Lee. Rex Y. Burbank has been engaged in the contracting and building business nearly thirty years and in the city of Flint he controls a substantial and prosperous business along this line, with headquarters at 1816 West Court street. Effective service in the ordering of all details of contracts into which he enters, and fair and honorable policies in the directing of all his operations, have given to Mr. Burbank both success and high repute in his chosen vocation. He is a native of Michigan and is a representative of families that were founded in this state in the pioneer period of its history. Mr. Burbank was born at Howell, Livingston county, Michigan, November 10, 1875, and is a son of George Eugene and Eliza (Marken) Burbank, the former of whom was born at Ithaca, New York, June 2, HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 189 i835, and the latter of whom was born at Bury St. Edmund's, England, January i8, I845, she having been seven years of age when her parents established the family home in Michigan, in 1852, and having been reared neared Ann Arbor, where her father engaged in farm enterprise. George Eugene Burbank was a boy at the time of his parents' removal from the old Empire state to Michigan, where he passed the remainder of his life, he having long followed the contracting and building business and having been sixty-nine years of age at the time of his death, which occurred in Geneseeville, December 28, I904, his widow having there passed away December i, go99. The marriage of the parents was solemnized September 21, I865, and of this union were born five children: Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis, Rex Y., William G., Mrs. Lucy E. Welsh and Lee E. The youthful education of Rex Y. Burbank was obtained in the public schools of Michigan, and he early became associated with his father's contracting business. In this line of constructive enterprise he has been independently engaged for a period of twenty-eight years, he being now one of the prominent contractors in the vital city of Flint, where he controls a large and important business. He is loyal and liberal as a citizen and his political support is given to the Republican party. September 8, i897, recorded the marriage of Mr. Burbank to Miss Edyth May Allen, of Arbela township, Tuscola county. Mrs. Burbank is a daughter of Lee and Sarah (Taylor) Allen, the former of whom was born at Lockport, New York, July o1, I846, he having served as a gallant soldier of the Union in the Civil war and after its close having come to Michigan and established himself as a farmer in Arbela township, Tuscola county, where his marriage occurred and where his five children were born, namely: Charles, Mrs. Minnie L. York, Nathan, Mrs. Edyth M. Burbank and Mrs. May Havick. To Mr. and Mrs. Burbank were born nine children, namely: Gordon Charles, Harold Laverne, Mildred B. (deceased), Helen M., Rex Allen, Donna D. (deceased), Eileen G., Eleanor, Marjorie Grace (deceased). Frank E. Burgess. A highly trained accountant, capable in financial matters, Frank E. Burgess, secretary and treasurer of the Flint Savings association and of the Burgess Realty, Incorporated, is a man of much counsel. His advice and judgment in business and financial matters are frequently sought and freely given. In the promotion of community advancement aims, Mr. Burgess gives whole-hearted support. Mr. Burgess was born in Columbiaville, Michigan, May 24, I886, the son of Alfred W. and Elizabeth Ellsworth Burgess. The father was born in Tuscola county and died in I92I at the age of 62 years. Alfred Burgess, grandfather, was born in England but came to Michigan in I848 and became established as a 'squire in Tuscola county. Mr. Alfred Burgess practiced law and at the same time served as a preacher of the Methodist church and Alfred W. Burgess was also an ordained minister and a justice of the peace in Lapeer county. The Ellsworths were of New York state and came to Michigan when Elizabeth was a young 190 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY girl, locating first in Pontiac, then in Oxford. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred.W. Burgess-Claude H., Benjamin E., Mrs. Maude Treadway, Mrs. Edna Parent and Frank E. The latter left school when fourteen and worked six years in a woolen mill, in every department. At one time Alfred W. Burgess ran a newspaper in Columbiaville and the son helped him. When the woolen mill closed, Frank E. went to Fostoria, Michigan, ran a country newspaper and came to Flint in I915, going first to the Buick Motor company, then to the Weston-Mott company. Leaving the latter he went with the Chevrolet Motor company, in the accounting and production departments. In I918 he was put in charge of the Civic Building company, which concern was consolidated with the Flint Savings association in I920, Mr. Burgess becoming secretary and treasurer. In 1922 he was instrumental in forming Burgess & Ludwig, Incorporated, a corporation organized to build homes and sell subdivisions. This concern later changed its name to Burgess Realty, Incorporated. Mr. Burgess' training in accountancy and business system clothes him with peculiarly valuable power. On September 12, I9IO, Mr. Burgess and Edna M. Leach were united in matrimony and four children have been born, Maxine, Roscoe C., Nedra and George O. Mr. Burgess is a Republican, Kiwanian, Elk, and trustee of the Methodist church. He is highly esteemed. Clarence Cameron has been engaged in the practice of law in the city of Flint since the year 1912 and has gained rank among the leading members of the bar of Genesee county. He has built up a large and important general law business, and in the handling of the same he now has a valued assistant in the person of his elder son. Of staunch Scotch ancestry, Mr. Cameron was born in Middlesex county, province of Ontario, Canada, January 2, I867, and is a son of G. Henry and Sophia (Lane) Cameron, both likewise natives of that province, where the former was born June 24, 1840, and the latter March 21, I844. G. Henry Cameron gained his youthful education in the schools of his native province, and as a young man he was there associated with his father in farm industry, besides which he there taught school for a time. By intervals of service in his father's shop he also learned the blacksmith trade, in which he became a skilled artisan. He finally accompanied his parents to Michigan, and the family home was established in the rural community known as Judds Comers, Shiawassee county, where his father, the late Alexander Cameron, engaged in the work of his trade, that of blacksmith, the parents having passed the remainder of their lives in Michigan. G. Henry Cameron engaged in farm enterprise in Hazleton township, near Judds Corners, and also worked at the carpenter's trade in that district for a number of years. He became one of the influential citizens of his community and was there called upon to serve in various local offices of public trust, including the principal township offices. From 1882 to 1887 he conducted a general store at Judds Comers, and upon selling this business he removed to Alaska, Montmorency county, where he engaged in the HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 191 same line of enterprise and also owned and conducted a hotel, his connection with these two lines of business having there continued until his death, January I4, I904, his wife having passed away March 13, I9I7, and their six surviving children being James, Edward, Clarence, Reuben, Mrs. Mary Cole and Foster. G. Henry Cameron was a Republican in politics, was well fortified in his convictions concerning governmental policies, and was a man of strong mentality and mature judgment. He was a Knight Templar, Mason and was affiliated also with the Grange. Clarence Cameron was a child at the time of the family removal from Canada to Michigan, and his early education was acquired by attending the district school at Judds Corners and the high school at Corunna. Later he attended the normal school at Fenton, and after teaching one year of district school he brought all of his educational credits to bear and was graduated in the high school at Flushing, Genesee county. In the period of g9o6-o8 he was a student in the law department of the University of Michigan, and he thereafter continued his study of law until 1912, when, upon examination, he proved himself eligible for and was admitted to the Michigan bar. He was engaged in the practice of law at Flushing about one year, and then, in 1912, removed to Flint, the county seat, where he has continued in the successful work of his profession during the intervening years. Mr. Cameron has appeared in connection with much important litigation in the courts of this section of the state and has a substantial and representative law business. He maintained his office on the seventh floor of the Flint P. Smith building until October, I923, when he removed to his present well-appointed offices in the new building of the Flint Industrial bank. Mr. Cameron has preferred to give undivided attention to the work of his profession rather than to harbor ambition for political, office. He is, however, a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and has given yeoman service in advancing the party cause. In the time-honored Masonic fraternity he has received the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, his maximum York Rite affiliation being the Flint Rapids chapter at Flushing. He holds membership in the Genesee County Bar association and the Flint Automobile club. On the 25th of June, I8qo, Mr. Cameron wedded Miss Emma White. of Flushing township, this county. and they have three children: Eulla Myrine, born April 26, 1892; Donald W.. born February 6, I894; and Ward A., born April 17, I898. As previously stated, the elder son, Donald W., is now associated with his father in the practice of law. Charles J. Campbell, president of the State Savings bank at Fenton, has been a loyal and resourceful factor in advancing the civic and material progress and prosperity of this attractive village of Genesee county, and his character and the benignant influence that he has here exerted, mark him as one of the essentially representative citizens and men of affairs in his home community. Additional interest attaches to his career by reason of the fact that he is a native son of Genesee county. He was born at Gaines, this county, June 5, 1862, 192 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY and is a son of Daniel and Bridget (Carmody) Campbell, the former of whom was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, October 26, 1838, and the latter of whom was born in i844 at Hazelton, Shiawassee county, Michigan, a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of that county. Daniel Campbell was a boy at the time of the family removal to Michigan, and here his father, John Campbell, became a pioneer settler, with farming as his vocation. Daniel Campbell was reared under the conditions and influences of the pioneer days and gained youthful experience in connection with the work of the home farm. He soon, however, entered railroad service, and with this line of activity he continued to be identified during the remainder of his life. In 1867 he established the family home at Fenton, and in 1885 he went to the city of Grand Rapids, where he gave able administration as construction manager of the street railway lines until the time of his death in 191o, his widow, being still a resident of Grand Rapids, where also reside her other' two children, Uffie, the wife of W. H. Sprague, and Frank, identified with business interests in that city. In the public schools of Fenton, Charles J. Campbell continued his studies until he had profited by the curriculum of the high school, and thereafter he here advanced his education by attending the normal school. During the long period of twenty-seven years Mr. Campbell was here actively identified with the machine and foundry business, and he then became superintendent of the Egyptian Cement company, with which important local industry he continued his service in this capacity until 19I3, when he became one of the organizers of the banking institution of which he is now the president and the affairs of which he is directing with distinctive discrimination and success. Mr. Campbell is one of the most progressive and loyal citizens of Fenton, has served five terms as president of the village board of trustees, or common council, and has been for fifteen years a valued member of the village board of education. His civic liberality is on a parity with his progressiveness, and it is to be noted that he is a member of the directorate of the Walker Manufacturing company, one of the important industrial concerns of the village and county. He is a Republican in his political adherency and is affiliated with both York and Scottish Rite bodies of the Masonic fraternity. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Thorp, was likewise born and reared in Genesee county, where her father was an honored pioneer citizen of Fenton. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have one daughter, Clara. Hon. John Jay Carton. Hon. John Jay Carton, senior member of the law firm of Carton & Stewart, former county clerk of Genesee county from 1881-85, former speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, president of the Michigan state constitutional convention in 1907 and for many years an active factor in the civic and business life of this part of the state, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was one of the founders of the First National Bank of Flint, of which he is a director, and which was consolidated with the Genesee County Savings Bank in HISTORY OF GENISEE COUNTY 193 1916. He was born on a farm in Clayton township, November 8, 1856, son of John and Ann (Maguire) Carton, natives of Ireland, the former born in County Wexford and the latter in County Monaghan, early and influential residents of Clayton township and whose last days were spent in the city of Flint. John Carton grew to manhood in Ireland and then, in company with his two brothers, William and Peter Carton, came to the United States. locating in New York city, about 1840, where they worked for a short time, after which they went to Batavia, New York, as wood choppers in the employ of a Mr. Pendill, who had a contract to furnish wood for the locomotives of the New York Central railroad. In 1837 Mr. Pendill made considerable investments in Michigan timber land, among the tracts which he bought being the northwest quarter of section 9, in the township of Clayton, in Genesee county. The Carton brothers bought the same, chopping cordwood at about thirty cents a cord to pay for it. After paying for this land, they came here from Batavia and settled on it, built a log shanty and began to clear it for cultivation. Peter Carton died not long afterward and when William Carton caught the "gold fever" and went to California shortly after the opening of the gold fields there in 1849, John Carton came into full possession of the place. On June 2, 1851, he married Ann Maguire, who had come from Ireland and settled in Flint not long before. She went to live with him on the farm where he had established his home and which he continued to improve, eventually bringing it to a high state of cultivation, and there he and his wife lived, rearing their famliy, until the spring of 1891, when they retired from the active labors of the farm and moved to Flint, where they spent the rest of their lives, John Carton dying in 1892, at the age of eighty-five years. His widow survived him a little less than three years, her death occurring on September 30, 1895, she then being seventy-three years of age. John Carton and his wife were members of the Catholic church and their children were reared in that faith. There were thirteen of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follows: William, deceased; Peter, of Flint; Anna L., who died unmarried at Dallas, Texas; Mae, who died unmarried in 1915; Luke, of Omanwa, this state; Frank R., of Santiago, Cal., Isabelle. wife of James L. Daly, of Flint; Augustus C.. of Lansing; James C., of Flint, and two who died in childhood. John Jay Carton was reared on the old home farm in Clayton township, receiving his schooling in the district school in the neighborhood of his home and in the high school at Flushing, and during the winters from 1873 to 1877 taught school in that vicinity. In the latter year he began clerking in a store at Flushing and was thus engaged until his election to the office of county.clerk in I880. Mr. Carton served as clerk of the court of Genesee county for four years, 1881-85, meanwhile devoting his leisure to the study of law, and in 1884 was admitted to the bar. Upon the completion of his term of public service 'he formed a partnership for the practice of 194 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY law with Judge George H. Durand, at Flint, under the firm name of Durand & Carton, and this mutually agreeable association continued until the death of Judge Durand in 1903, after which Mr. Carton associated with himself in practice Everett L. Bray, under the firm name of Carton & Bray, which continued until 19I3, when William C. Stewart was admitted to the firm, since which time the firm has been Carton, Bray & Stewart. Mr. Carton is a Republican and, in addition to the public service as clerk of the court, above referred to, he has served in several other important capacities. During 1890 and 1891 he was city attorney of Flint and in I898 was elected representative from this district to the Michigan state legislature and was re-elected in I9oo and 1902 thus serving during the sessions of 1899, 1901 and 1903, during the latter two of which sessions he was speaker of the House. He was elected delegate from this district to the state constitutional convention in I907 and was honored by his confreres in that distinguished body by election as president of the convention. Mr. Carton is a member of the American Bar association, of the Michigan State Bar association and of the Genesee County Bar association and has served as president of the two latter organizations. In I899 he was elected president of the First National Bank of Flint, was continued as president of that concern's successor, The National Bank of Flint, and he was formerly vicepresident of the Weston-Mott company, Mr. Carton is a thirtythird degree Mason;,was grand master of the grand lodge of Michigan, Free and Accepted Masons, in 1896, and is an active member of the supreme council of soveign grand inspectors-general, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and deputy for Michigan. On November 22, 1898, John J. Carton was united in marriage in Oakland county, this state, to Mrs. Addie C. Pierson, daughter of Charles and Cornelia Wager, natives of New York state. Mrs. Carton is a member of the Presbyterian church. Philip Catsman. With no opportunity in sight in his native land, Russia, Philip Catsman emigrated to the United States, battled with poverty and a strange tongue, attained mastery of both and became one of the best known and most respected business men of Flint. Mr. Catsman's life story is largely that of so many immigrants who have sought opportunity and the benefits of a larger self-expression in the United States. He is the proprietor of the Catsman Coal company, 1542 Industrial avenue, was born in Mienk, Russia, May 28, I879, and left school at the age of nine to aid his father in the wood business. At fourteen he received private instruction, returned to the service of his pater, married at nineteen, arrived in New York, March 28, I907, and with wife and three children arrived in Flint in I9IO. Conditions at the time throughout the country were shaky and gloomy and Mr. Catsman was face to face with seemingly insurmountable barriers. Coming on to Detroit, he took up peddling, conducting an itinerant merchandising throughout Michigan and at the same time acquiring a working knowledge of English. In July, I909, HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY he came to Flint, established a waste material business but discarded this in I9IO for the coal business. He owns and directs an unusually large and complete coal yard with exellent facilities for handling the fuel. There are in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Catsman six children, Pearl, Ethel, Samuel, David, Bessie and Raymond. Mr. Catsman is very helpful in the promotion of civic and community affairs. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Exchange club, Elks, Odd Fellows and Chamber of Commerce and is a trustee of the Jewish congregation. Albert Champion is another of the vital and progressive captains of industry who have made large and valuable contribution to the industrial and comimercial development of the city of Flint, where he is president of the AC Spark Plug company, which likewise operates factories in both England and France. There is a distinct element of "speed romance" in the career of Mr. Champion, for the same spirit that gained him international fame as a bicycle racer in his youth has marked his progressive and constructive activities in the industrial world. Mr. Champion was born in Paris, France, April 2, 1878, and there he received his early education. At the age of thirteen years he became office and errand boy for M. Clement, then a leading manufacturer of bicycles in France, and at the age of sixteen years he began to exploit the Clement bicycles in racing events, in which he became middle-distance champion of France, later of America, and finally of the world. As the first representative of France to compete with bicycle riders in the United States, Mr. Champion came to this country in 1899, and his speed honors further rest on his having been the first representative of France to drive a racing motor car, besides which he was the first to import French motors to America. He now has standing as a pioneer figure in connection with the automobile industry, and he has passed effectively the endurance test in th domain of productive industry, even as he had previously in many bicycle and motor-car contests. In 1905 Mr. Champion organized a company in the city of Boston for the manufacture of spark plugs and in I908 became associated with William C. Durant, of Flint, in the organizing of what is now the AC Spark Plug company. This company in its incipiency had a contract for supplying a few hundred plugs a day to one leading manufacturer, and the splendid development of the enterprise is indicated in the statement that the company's spark plugs are now used by more than 200 manufacturers of automobiles, and that the production capacity is in excess of 200,000 plugs daily. The company figures also as the world's largest manufacturer of speedometers, with an output of more than 7,000 complete instruments a day, these speedometers constituting a part of the criginal equipment of such famed motor cars as the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Gray, Maxwell, Oakland and Oldsmobile, as well as the GMC trucks. The company has developed also a substantial business in the manufacturing of the AC Air Cleaners. The company gained control, by purchase, of one of the oldest estab 196 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY lished spark-plug manufactories operating in England and France, and in England the business of the corporation is conducted under the title of the AC-Sphinx Sparking Plug company, while in France the manufacturing and sale are carried on under the title of the AC-Oleo company, with well-equipped factory at Levallois-Perret. In each of these foreign factories are manufactured by the same methods the AC spark plugs of the same design as those produced in the great factory at Flint, Michigan. This company initiated its manufacturing with a force of about fifteen employes, and today there is retained in the Flint factory alone a force of more than 1,500 employes. The floor space of the original factory at Flint had an aggregate of 3,500 square feet. The area of floor space in the large and modern factory of the present time aggregates 540,000 square feet. The English factory is established in the fine old industrial city of Birnmingham, Mr. Champion being a director of the companies in both England and France, besides being president and directing spirit of the important headquarters corporation at Flint, where he is honored and valued for the admirable service he has given in advancing both industrial and civic progress and prosperity in the community. He is a director of the First National Bank of Flint, and is intrinsically loyal and public-spirited as a citizen. He is democratic in thought and4 action, is ever ready to listen to suggestions on the part of employes, and is the head of a corporate organization whose esprit du corps is emphatically that of loyalty. It is a record of splendid achievement that Mr. Champion has made, but he is appreciative of the loyal and effective co-operation of those who have been his associates, both principals and employes. In an interview incidental to the publication of an article in the July, 19i9, issue of the periodical entitled System, Mr. Champion reverted to his early racing days and showed how the spirit of contest makes for advancement in business also. In} this connection he said: "We are constantly trying to outdo ourselves, and to keep the track open not only for the company but also for all departments and all individuals," so that "the racing spirit has come to be pretty general throughout the organization." Mr. Champion thus gave evidence of his appreciation of the organic spirit that has played so large a part in the upbuilding of the.great industrial corporation of which he is the executive head. Carl D. Chapell, M. D., of Flint, specializes in X-ray and radium therapy, and is the chief of the staff and consultant to Hurley Hospital, in this department. He was born in Mt. Morris, March 3, 1878, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Chapell. He attended common and high school at Chesaning, Michigan, after which he took up pharmacy, was registered, and followed that profession until I9oo, when he began the study of medicine in the old Michigan School of Medicine, in Detroit. After graduation, he entered general practice in flint, and in I916 started the department of radiology at Hurley Hospital, with which institution he has been connected ever since. In i9Io, Dr. Chapell was married to Elizabeth Carroll, the daughter of HISTORY OF GEN1DSEE COUNTY 197 Daniel and Jane Carroll. Two children have been born, William Francis, I914, and Betty Ann, 1918. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Elks, Rotary club, Chamber of Commerce, American Radiological society and American Congress of Medicine; also, of the Genesee County and Michigan State Medical societies, and the American Medical association. F. A. Chapin. F. A. Chapin, president of the Commercial State Savings bank at Fenton, Michigan, was born in Fenton May 9, I870, a son of Addison P. and Mina G. Hamper Chapin. The father was born in Fenton. His father was Alonzo J. Chapin, farmer and pioneer of the county, and Addisonl P. also farmed. He died at the age of 68, in 1922. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Addison P. Chapin. F. A. Chapin attended public school and was graduated from high school in i888, then pursued a two years' literary course at the University of Michigan. He next taught school in Genesee, Gheboygan and Owosso counties for ten years and served principalships in a number of places. Because of the state of his health, Mr. Chapin relinquished school work. For eight years he was the supervisor of the town of Fenton, then took charge of the Aetna Portland Cement company, a very large plant in Fenton. He was in charge of the office work. Subsequently Mr. Chapin became postmaster and then he entered the bank. This financial institution was organized by H. B. Latourette more than a half-century ago. It was first a private bank but became a state bank in August, I899. In 1910, Mr. Chapin was united in marriage to Miss Olive Robinson, of Fenton, daughter of Octavus Robinson, well known in Pontiac and Fenton. Mr. Chapin is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is a Shriner. For a number of years he was worshipful master of Fenton lodge. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. In matters of politics. Mr. Chapin is Democratic. He is a director and past president of the Chamber of Commerce. is treasurer of St. Judes Episcopal church and is the president of the village. He was chairman of the building committee that had in charge the erection of the court house. The Commercial State Savings bank has a capitalization of $50,000 and is a strong factor in the prosperity and development of Fenton. Leander Church. Leander Church was born June 13. 1836. in Portage, New York, a son of Lyman and Lydia Church. He received his early education at the place of his birth, in the common schools. and next in an academy near his home. There was a sister, Lucy, born February 20, 1840, died May 23, 1874; and four brothers. Lyman, born December 5, I831, died January 21, I873, at Flint; Bradford C., born April 28, 1834, died Astoria, Illinois, September 20, 1883; Philip, born October 28, I824, died December 3, 1859, at Marengo, Illinois; and Simeon, born January 9, 1829, died March 25, I850; all of whom died under fifty years of age. Lyman came to Michigan and because of his favorable reports of the new country and its prospects, Leander followed several years later, coming to Flint in I860. He joined his brother, Lyman, in the tannery 198 HISTORY OF GENEFSEE COUNTY business, which prior to his coming was established on West Court street. In I868 the business was sold to Basset and White and Mr. Church went to Morris, Illinois, where he engaged in the hardware business with his brother, Bradford C. During the course of the next 14 years several business changes were made but in 1882 he returned to Flint and having become proficient in bookkeeping was employed in the freight office of the railroad. There he served a year. The next ten years he spent in the office of the Flint Wagon Works. He then went to the Flint Gas company which at that time was a private concern. Later the control and name were changed and it beame the Consumers Light and Power company and for several years Mr. Church was in charge of the books of the corpora-,tion. He resigned to go with the Flint city water works where he remained until stricken with heat, July 5, I9II. He died as the result of the heat stroke on August 27. On September 20, i866, Mr. Church married Achsah Wyckoff, daughter of William and Clarissa Wyckoff, who came to Grass Lake, Jackson county, Michigan, in 1845 from New York state, and were among the very early settlers of that section. Mr. and Mrs. Church had three children, Ella, W. Lee and Lora D. Ella married George Gordon. In I898 she was left a widow with two children, Cyril L. and Gertrude L., but has since married S. D. Davenport. Cyril L. married Grace Marshall and they have two children, George D. and Jack Marshall. Gertrude L. married Walker B. Johnson. They have a daughter, Madelon June. Lora D. Church resides with the mother at 413 West Fifth street. She inherited her father's predilection and talent for office and clerical work and is now in the employ of the Union Trust and Savings bank as bookkeeper. Mr. Church was a Republican. He was high in Masonic circles and for ten years was secretary of Washington chapter, Flint. He never confessed in any church but attended Congregational church services. He was very scrupulous and upright, a man of high ideals and unblemished character. Mrs. Achsah (Wyckoff) Church is a descendant of William Clark, whose record supplied by the War department shows that he was a first lieutenant in 1775 and that on May 4, 1776, he was captain of the eighth company of the Berkshire regiment and that in July, I78I, he was lieutenant-colonel. Fine old Revolutionary blood, it is obvious, courses her veins. The Church family has always occupied a place of highest esteem in the community. Leo M. Church, lawyer of Flint, was born March 8, 1887, a son of Frank S. and Rose E. Church, at Caro, Michigan. There were five children in the family four of whom are living, Margaret C., Pauline J. and Lyle S., of 830 Page street, Flint, and Leo M., the last attended grade schools in Caro and was graduated from high school in 1907. He taught school a year in Tuscola county and in I9o8 entered the University of Michigan and was graduated in 1912. The same year he came to Flint and began practice with George Brown, continuing the association one year. From I913 to I916 he practiced alone and in I916 became associated with the firm of I ^ 9^ rmu_. ^^^y ^- '^^ - HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 199 Bishop & Blackney, the firm name changing to Bishop, Blackney & Church. From I916 to I922 Mr. Church served as circuit court commissioner during which his law partner, Mr. Bishop, was prosecuting attorney. From 1920 to 1922 Mr. Church was county supervisor and is a member of the board of supervisors. In I913 Mr. Church and Miss Mabel Davenport were united in marriage. Mrs. Church died in 1917. There are two sons, Richard D. and Robert H. Mr. Church in politics is Republican. He is a member of the Oak Park Methodist church. Rev. Howard J. Clifford, state manager of the Durant corporation, was born at Charlbury, Oxford, England, October 15, I875, the son of Edward and Mary Clifford, whose family for many generations had lived in that community. His father and four brothers were preachers in the Methodist faith. Two of them are still living and one, Henry, is still pastor of a church in Oxford although nearly eighty years of age. Grandfather David Clifford was also a preacher in the Methodist church. In fact quite a number of men of this family are today holding prominent pulpits in England and in the United States of America. A brother of Howard J., Dr. John Clifford, of New York, made a brilliant record during the World war with the Fifth Marines and is still serving with the Marine Corps, United States. Edward Clifford, father of Howard J., constructed an iron-bound trunk in anticipation of coming to America in I860 but the Civil war prevented that trip and when the son came here at the age of twenty-four, he used this same trunk. In coming to the United States, Howard J. first located in Youngstown, Ohio, afterwards going to Chicago and in I904 to Michigan, coming to Flint in I907. During his stay in the city of Flint he has built two churches, opening them and dedicating them free of debt, building up the church membership and coanmunity during the building of the churches. In 1917, Mr. W. C. Durant placed Mr. Clifford in charge of the Personal Service as director of that department, directing the activities of Employment, Insurance, Compensation, Safety First and Welfare Work of the Buick company. After the war Mr. Clifford was called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church, of Saginaw, having a very successful pastorate in that city, when Mr. Durant once more asked him to re-enter the Personal Relation department of the General Motors corporation as his personal representative. When Mr. Durant left the General Motors, Mr. Clifford went with him as state manager of the Durant corporation. In I902 Mr. Clifford was united in marriage to Marion Dorothy King, at Watford, England, daughter of William King, a well-known building contractor of that city. They have three children, Conn Louis, age nineteen; Dorothy Louise, age seventeen, and William George, age twelve. Mr. Clifford is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church of America, a thirty-second degree Mason, Knight Templar, Shrine, I. O. O. F., Elks, Knights of Pythias and a Rotarian. During the past fourteen years Mr. Clifford has occupied several positions such as a member of board of trustees of the city 200 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY hospitals, member of the board of trustees of the public schools and chairman of Charter Commission. His versatility, zeal and inherent ability constitute primary elements of great usefulness and command the respect and esteem of all who know him. Frederick W. Cole was a young man when he came to Michigan, and here he eventually became a figure of prominence in connection with the great automobile industries centered in the city of Flint. He was long and actively identified with the manufacturing of vehicles, and in this line kept pace with the march of progress, as evidenced in the admirable service which he gave in advancing the automobile industry, with which he continued his alliance until his death. Mr. Cole was born in West Winfield, Herkimer county, New York, February 15, 1859, of Puritan stock which came to America in 1635 from England, and were among the founders of Springfield, Massachusetts; his death occurred at Oakland, California, September I8, 1916. Mr. Cole was a son of Seth and Nirenia (Bliss) Cole, whose marriage was solemnized in 1858 and who early established their home at West Winfield. From the old Empire state Seth Cole went forth as a patriot soldier of the Union in the Civil war, in which he sacrificed his life on the field of battle, leaving his widow to care for their two young children, Frederick W. and Minnie A. The widowed mother, in 187I, became the wife of John Lackey, and in 1884 they came to Michigan, where they passed the remainder of their lives, one of their two children having died in infancy and the other, William D. Lackey, being now engaged in the electrical supply business at Vermrontville, Michigan. Frederick W. Cole received his early education through the medium of the public schools of his native state, and he was twenty-three years of age when he came to Michigan and entered the employ of the Spiral Spring Buggy company, in the city of Grand Rapids, where he later became associated with the Arthur Wood Carriage company, of which he eventually beame the vice-president and his alliance with which continued many years. In I896 Mr. Cole came to Flint and became associated with the Durant-Dort Carriage company. Later he gave five years of characteristically efficient administration as superintendent of the Buick Motor company, and he then identified himself with the Chevrolet Motor company, by which he was sent as systematizer of its new branch establishments at Tarrytown, New York, and Oakland, California. With this company he continued his association until his death, and while he had been ill about three weeks, he had not failed to give regular attention to business affairs and remained "in the harness" until the final summons came and brought to a close his earnest and useful life, he having passed away at the age of fifty-seven years. His mortal remains were brought back from California and were laid to rest in beautiful Glenwood cemetery at Flint, under the gracious auspices and direction of Genesee Valley Commandery No. I5, Knights Templar. of which organization he was an honored member, as was he also of other Masonic bodies. The political allegiance of Mr. Cole was given to the Repub ~~>^^)',0, I I HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 201 lican party, and he was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church, as are also his widow and their only surviving child, Pansy Lee, who was born at Grand Rapids, Michigan, in I885, who resides at 916 Garland street, Flint, the daughter being the wife of Dr. Franklin E. Reeder, of whom individual mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Cole was devoted to home and family, was loyal as friend and citizen, and was true and steadfast in all of the relations of life, so that he ever had inviolable place in the confidence and good will of his fellowmen. On the 24th of March, 1883, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Cole to Miss Rose Lee Baine, who was born March 22, 1865, and brought up in Barry county, Michigan, a daughter of William M. and Eliza (March) Baine, of whom more specific record will be found in an appended paragraph of this memoir. Of the two children of Mr. and Mrs..Cole the elder is Pansy Lee, wife of Dr. Reeder, and the younger, Nina Pearl, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, February 12, I888, who became the wife of Hary H. Bassett September 27, I909, and died in the full flowrer of her gracious young womanhood September 17, I9I1, her gentle personality having won to her the friendship of all with whom she came in contact. She was a graduate of Flint high school and National Park Seminary, of Forest Glenn, Indiana. They had a daughter who died in infancy. William Martin Baine, father of Mrs. Cole, was born at Kinderhook, New York, April 8, 1830, and was one of the honored and influential pioneer citizens of Barry county, Michigan, at the time of his death, April 23, I906, his widow having passed to the life eternal September I7, I912. Mr. Baine was a son of John and Catherine (Cooper) Baine, the former having passed his entire life in the old Empire state, where he was a farmer by vocation, and the mother having been a cousin of James Fenimore Cooper, the distinguished American author. Mrs. Baine passed the closing years of her life in the home of her only son, William Martin, in Barry county, Michigan, there having been four daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, married and reared children of their own. William Martin Baine was reared and educated in his native state, and there he continued his alliance with farm industry until about i860, when he came with his family to Michigan and gained a goodly measure of pioneer precedence in Barry county. In 185I had been solemnized his marriage at Checkered Tavern, near Buffalo, New York, to Miss Eliza March, who was born at Londonderry, New Hampshire, December 15, 1833, a daughter of John and Cynthia (Sargent) March. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Baine established their home on a farm near Waterport, New York, and about I86o they took passage on a Lake Erie vessel that transported them to Detroit, Michigan, whence they proceeded by the Michigan Central railroad to Battle Creek, from which point they journeyed with wagon and ox team to Carleton township and later to what was then known as Coats Grove, Barry county. There Mr. Baine obtained Ioo acres of heavily timbered land and initiated the reclamation and develop 202 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY ment of a farm, the original family domicile having been a log house of the primitive pioneer type. Mr. Baine became one of the primitive pioneer type. Mr. Baine became one of the large landowners and influential citizens of that county, and was a stalwart in the local ranks of the Republican party. Both' he and his wife were zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their nine children all but once attained to years of maturity, and of the number only three are now living: Mrs. Frederick W. Cole, of Flint; Nellie, the wife of John Grotemnat, of Grand Rapids; and Royce B., who still remains on the fine old homestead farm in Barry county. The other children who attained maturity and are now deceased were: John Henry, George Franklin, Eleanor (Mrs. Leslie Collins), Sarah (Mrs. Charles Drake), and Marion. Harry M. Comins, General Agent of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance company, Nos. 516-518 Industrial Bank building, was born in Saginaw, Michigan, January 24, 1882, the youngest son of Albert K. and Julia A. Small-Comins. The father was born in Maine, December 28, 1828, and died in Saginaw, April 9, i884. Mrs. Comins died in Saginaw in 1915. An ancestor of Albert Cormins came from Scotland and settled in Massachusetts about I630, and the family was active in Colonial and Revolutionary history. Mr. Comins was a lumber scaler, and worked up and down this section of Michigan. He was a thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite Mason and a Knight Templar. After the death of the senior Comins the family moved to Buena Vista, Saginaw county, where Harry M. received his early education in the district school. He graduated from the Saginaw E. S. high school in I899, and then matriculated at the University of Michigan, pursued a literary course, and graduated in I903. Mr. Comins then engaged in public school teaching in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, where he was high school teacher and principal until 19Io. From I90o to I916 he was superintendent of schools in Ripon. After a year as superintendent at Beaver Dam, Wisdonsin, Mr. Comins entered the life insurance field, beginning as a district agent of the Northwestern Mutual Life with headquarters at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In June, I920, he moved from Wisonsin to Flint, Michigan, as district agent of the Northwestern Mutual. In 1923 he affiliated with the Massachusetts Mutual Life as General Agent in charge of the northeastern portion of the state. In I907 Mr. Comins was united in marriage with Amy Train Calkins, of Detroit, daughter of Frank M. and Josephine Train Calkins. Mr. and Mrs. Comins have five children, Dorothy J., Franklin C., Albert K., Harry Train and Philip Noel. Mr. Comins is active in the civic progress of Flint, and retains a strong interest in educational development, as is evidenced by his membership on the Flint Board of Education and his position as a state officer of the Parent-Teacher association. He is a member of the Session of the First Presbyterian church, and superintendent of the Sunday school of that church. He is a member of the Masonic HISTORY OF GENEISEE COUNTY 203 fraternity of the Odd Fellows, and also of the Flint Kiwanis club and the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Comins is a member of the Flint and of the National Life Underwriters' associations, and is at present National Committeeman of the local association. He served as president of the Flint association in 1922-23. George W. Cook. There is a distinct element of interest in connection with the prestige that Mr. Cook has won as a representative member of the bar of Genesee county, and this element finds expression not only in the achievement that his ability and character have here made possible but; also in his standing as a native son of the county and a scion of a family that was here founded in the early pioneer days, shortly before Michigan Territory gained the distinction of statehood. Further than this, it is to be recorded also that Mr. Cook is a representative of a family whose worthy association with American history had inception in the colonial era, the original members of he Cook family having come from England and settled in New England, representatives having served as patriot soldiers of the Continental Line in the war of the Revolution. George W. Cook was born on the old homestead farm of his parents, in Grand Blanc township, Genesee county, Michigan, and the date of his nativity was October 24, 1862. He is a son of Joseph P. and Julia H. (Slaght) Cook, the father having been born at Avon, the mother near Geneva, New York. Joseph P. Cook was a son of Gilbert G. and Wealthy (Pierson) Cook, who came from the old Empire state and established their home in Genesee county, Michigan, in I836, the year prior to the admission of this state to the Union. Gilbert G. Cook obtained a tract of government land in Grand Blanc township and there initiated the reclamation of a productive farm in the midst of the forest wilds, he and his wife having here passed the remainder of their lives and their names meriting high place on the roll of the sterling pioneers of Genesee county. Joseph P. Cook was a youth at the time of the family removal to Michigan and in Genesee county he continued as a sturdy and substantial exponent of farm industry during the remainder of his active life, having been one of the honored pioneer citizens of the county at the time of his death, January 17, 1902, aged 74 years, and his wife died March 17, I918, aged 90 years. Of the frontier conditions that were in evidence at the time when the Cook family came to Genesee county an idea is conveyed in the statement that a wagon and ox team figured as the means of transportation from Detroit to the new home in Grand Blanc township, the family having made the journey from New York by the way of the Erie canal and by boat from Buffalo to Detroit. The childhood and early youth of George W. Cook were compassed by the environment and discipline of the home farm, and he supplemented the curriculum of the district school by attending the public schools of Flint. That he made good use of these advantages is evidenced in the success that he won as a teacher in the schools of his native county, where his activities in the pedagogic profession were continued during the 204 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY period of I882-I892. As candidate on the Republican ticket, he was elected county clerk in I892, and of this office he continued the incumbent from 1893 to 1896, inclusive. In the meanwhile he had applied himself with characteristic diligence and receptiveness to the study of law, and in I897 was admitted to the bar. He has since continued to be actively engaged in the practice of law at Flint, and his large and important law business is now confined mostly to corporation affairs, he being one of the foremost corporation lawyers in this section of the state. Mr. Cook is an influential member of the Genesee County Bar association and the Michigan State Bar association, of the latter of which he was the president from September, 1923, to September, I924. He has been a leader in the councils and campaign activities of the Republican party in this part of Michigan, and was a delegate to the Republican national convention of I916, when Hon. Charles E. Hughes was nominated for the presidency. His interest in all that concerns the well being of his home city and native county has been marked by utmost loyalty and appreciation, and it is to be recorded that for twenty years he served as a member of the Flint board of education, having been president of the board during fourteen years of this period. Mr. Cook is a Mason and Elk. There are three children: Lawrence L., George Leland and Wendell, J. John Cornwall John Cornwall, esteemed business man of Flint, who died August 5, I92I, was an Englishman by birth. He was born in Bristol, November ii, 1855, and received his early education in England. In 1871 he came to the United States to join his father who had preceded him by one year. The parents were William R. and Mary Madge Cornwall. The mother died in England and the father married Mary Bendan for his second wife, and the former located in Flint, Michigan, and upon deciding to remain in this country sent for the remainder of the family, his wife, son, John, and a daughter, Clara Louise. John Cornwall decided to locate in Flint and made his first business connection as a clerk in the office of Smith-Bridgeman. Then he became cashier for the Pere Marquette railroad, then took charge of the office of the Durant-Dort Carriage company. which later became the Dort Motor company. Resigning his connection with the company, which covered a long term, he became associated with the W. A. Paterson company, of which he rose to the vice-presidency. He continued this connetion until the decision was reached to open a business of his own. This decision was materialized in the Flint Specialty company, the only manufacturing establishment of the kind in the country. Whip sockets only were manufactured. For more than twenty years Mr. Cornwall was owner and manager of the concern but in 1921 he sold the building and disposed of the machinery. As a manager and conservative business man Mr. Cornwall had few equals. Being in ill health and unable personally to give the attention required, he relinquished business cares and retired from the field. Retirement preceded death by but a short time and all earthly cares were surrendered orr August 1~,ro - n / HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 206 5, I92I. Mr. Cornwall made a trip abroad, accompanied by his sister, Clara L., endowed with a beautiful contralto, and he studied music in London five years training a deep, rich baritone voice. Both often entertained their friends by their appearance together. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church, of the choir of which he was the director i6 years. His voice was especially adapted to sacred music. Flint boasts of no musician who enjoyed a greater popularity than Mr. Cornwall. He was also a member of the Gardner's Flint City band which played at the centennial exposition in Philadelphia. Mrs. Cornwall, knowing his passionate love of music, gave him the first Victrola brought into Flint. Mr. Cornwall was a member of no secret society but did hold allegiance to the Chamber of Commerce and to the principles enunciated by the Republican party. On November 27, I895, he exchanged with Jennie M. Milner the vows that made them husband and wife. Mrs. Cornwall is a daughter of Er and Lucy Jane (Barber) Milner. Mr. Milner was one of Michigan's successful lumbermen who retired from active business in I880, (see sketch in this volume). The widow, Jennie M. Cornwall, resides at the old home of her father, 624 Grand Traverse, in which she was married and where her life has been spent. Mr. Cornwall was thoroughly a home man, with a great attachment for the family fireside. Of unimpeachable habits and character, his private beneficences will never be known to the public. His stepmother is living, aged 93, in Flint. The venerable woman declares that the outstanding feature of her unfailing memory of her stepson lies in the fact that she can never recall a single incident in his life suggesting neglect of her. His memory will remain ineffaceable. His own mother died when he was about nine years of age. His father married Mary Bendan'who lovingly and tenderly nurtured the children so long as they were unable to care for themselves. For some time Mr. Cornwall was secretary of the Imperial Wheel company, and also a stockholder and president of the Flint Lumber company. Charles B. Crampton was actively and successfully established in the retail drug business in the city of Flint for nearly half a century, and he still continues as one of the honored and influential citizens of Flint, where he-has lived virtually retired from active business since 1922. Mr. Crampton is not only one of the veteran business men of Flint but is also a native son of Michigan and a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of this commonwealth. He was born at Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 29, I850, when that university city was but a village. He is a son of the late Adam and Ann (Beal) Crampton, both natives of Spaulding, Lincolnshire, England, where the former was born in i818 and the latter in 1825. The parents were reared and educated in their native land, and there their marriage was solemnized, both having been communicants of the established Church of England, so that upon coming to the United States, in I840, they retained the same faith and became communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church. They became early settlers at Ann Arbor. Michigan, and in that locality the 206 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY father engaged in farm enterprise, this line of industry having held his attention during the major part of his active career. He was a resident of Flat Rock, Wayne county, at the time of his death, in 1861, when he was 43 years of age, and there, in I9OI, his widow died at the age of 76 years, the names of both meriting high place on the roll of the honored pioneers of Michigan. They became the parents of eight children, of whom four are living at the time of this writing. The names and respective years of birth of the children are here recorded: Mary, 1846; JOhnson Thomas, 1847; Charles Beal, 1850; George, 1852; Sarah Ellen, 1855; Ann, 1856; William Henry, I858, and Otis Adam, I860. In the public schools of Ann Arbor Charles B. Crampton continued his studies until he had duly availed himself of the advantages of the high school, and thereafter he was for two years a student in the University of Michigan. He then took a position in a drug store at Ann Arbor, in the year 1871. shortly after his graduation in the university as a pharmaceutical chemist, June 25th of that year. It is interesting to record in this connection that the old homestead in which he was born was eventually sold to the state of Michigan as a site for the hospital of the University of Michigan. Mr. Crampton has the distinction of being the first student to receive at the University of Michigan a diploma from its late and venerated president, Dr. James B. Angell, who long presided over the destinies of that great institution. Well worthy of perpetuation in this volume are the following extracts taken from the Flint Daily Journal of April 29, I922, such local estimate of the career of Mr. Crampton being of special significance. In the reproduction minor elimination and paraphrase are indulged: "The passing into history of the Milner block, at the northeast corer of Saginaw and First streets, one of the oldest structures in the business district, marks the retiring of Charles B. Crampton from the drug business after nearly half a century. Mr. Crampton has resided in Flint forty-seven years, coming here in March, I876. being connected with the drug business the entire time. With the first sixteen years of his residence here he was connected with the firm of Giles, Bishop, Miller & Baker, located where the Siegel store now is. Mr. Crampton then engaged in business for himself, locating in the corner drug store where he has been for the last thirty-one years. During these years Mr. Crampton has come in contact with thousands of persons, and he has as large an acquaintance in Flint and the surrounding territory as any business man in the city. In local history he has the distinction of being the first Elk to be initiated into Flint lodge No. 222 as a charter member. Although Mr. Crampton is retiring frown the drug business, he will still continue to make his home in Flint, where he has a large circle of intimate friends. Here he is the owner of South Park, the plat of which he purchased thirteen years ago, and he has developed this property into one of the most attractive residential districts of the city. He will devote much of his time to looking after this property. The Milner block, which has withstood the storms I /,. 4 - HISTORY OF GENDSEE COUNTY 207 of many years, will be replaced by a three-story modern structure, for stores and office purposes, and the building will be ready for occupancy September I, I922." (This has since been completed.) Mr. Crampton is a life member of the Michigan Union, and takes deep interest in the history of his native state, as well as in all things touching its civic and material progress. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, and his wife is a zealous communicant of St. Paul's church, Protestant Episcopal, in which Mrs. Crampton has given ten years of service as soprano soloist of the church choir. Mr. Crampton has been long and actively identified with the time-honored Masonic fraternity, in which he has affiliations with both the York and.Scottish Rite bodies. Mr. Crampton's home is the old home of Judge Henry R. Lovell, an historic spot In Flint at the corner of Clifford and Fourth streets. In the year I892 he wedded Lavinia Peaslee, the widow of Edward H. Thompson. She died in 1907 and she is survived by one son, Horace Peaslee Martin, who is now one of the representative younger members of the bar of Genesee county and who is engaged in the general practice of his profession in the city of Flint. His mother was married three times, Mr. Martin being the first husband. In I908 was solemnized the marriage of Charles B. Crampton to Miss Emma Seymour Wing, who was born at Hudson Falls, New York, and whose musical talent and gracious personality make her a figure of prominence in the social and cultural life of her hotme city. She is a non-resident member of the Rubenstein club, of New York city, this being an exclusive musical organization of one hundred members, all women who are vocal soloists of marked talent. Mrs. Crampton is an active member of the Carremo club, of St. Petersburg, Florida, where she and her husband customarily pass the winter seasons and where both have membership in the St. Petersburg Yacht club, she being likewise a member of the Hollywood Woman's club, at Hollywood. California, and of the St. Cecelia club, of Flint, where also she has membership in the Art class.. Henry H. Crapo became a distinguished figure in Michigan history and served as governor of this state from 1865 to I869. His was a life of self-reliant energy and of large and worthy achievement both as a business man and as a loyal and public-spirited citizen. Great were the youthful handicaps that Governor Crapo overcame by sheer force of determination, courage and ambition, and none had a deeper appreciation of the dignity and value of honest toil or of the essential strength and worth of his fellowmen. To him Genesee county and the city of Flint owe great honor, and it is a privilege to offer in this publication a tribute to his memory. Henry Howland Crapo was a descendant from one "Pierre," who was cast ashore somewhere on the coast of Cape Cod, the only survivor of a French vessel from Bordeaux. He was born in Dartmouth, Bristol county, Massachusetts, May 24, 1804, and his death occurred at Flint, Michigan, July 23, I869. He was the eldest son of Jesse and Phoebe (Howland) Crapo, who lived on their rugged 208 HISTORY OF GEINBSEE COUNTY New England farm that rendered but a mere livelihood to the family. His early childhood and years were filled with toil and hardships with slight educational advantages save those of his own making, but his ambition for advancement was not to be daunted by adverse influences. He was determined to obtain an education, and of his early efforts along this line the following record has been written: "His struggles to secure this end necessitated sacrifices and hardships that would have discouraged any but the most courageous. and persevering. He was an ardent student and worker from his boyhood, though the means for carrying on his studies were exceedingly limited. He sorely felt the need for a dictionary, and as he was unable to procure one in his neighborhood, besides having no money to purchase such a volume, he set out to compile one for himself. He copied into a book every word whose meaning he did not understand, and later would determine from books and newspapers the practical definitions of these words, whereupon he would insert in his book the definitions also. He frequently made the seven-mile journey on foot from Dartmouth to New Bradford, where he was able to refer to books in the library and gain definitions of words that had theretofore baffled him. Under these conditions he compiled a rather comprehensive dictionary in manuscript, and it is believed that this interesting compilation is still in existence." By a similar medium of self-application Governor Crapo gained skill in practical and technical surveying, and to provide the requisite compass for this work, he manufactured a primitive compass by using the tools and materials in a neighboring blacksmith shop. He continued his studies and, eventually took charge of the village school at Dartmouth. He later was made principal of the newly established high school at that place, after passing a successful examination. In I832, at the age of twenty-eight years, Mr. Crapo established his residence in New Bedford where he followed the occupation of land surveyor and occasionally acting as auctioneer. He was elected town clerk, treasurer and tax collector, and this triune office he retained about fifteen years. He also served as justice of the peace, alderman, and chairman of the council committee on education, in which last named connection he prepared the report that resulted in the establishing of a free public library at New Bedford-the first in the United States, if not in the world. Mr. Crapo was one of the first trustees of this now historic library. At New Bedford he reclaimed several acres of rocky and swampy land and started a nursery. In this field of horticultural enterprise he was very successful, and he was a regular contributor to the New England Horticultural Journal. After his death recognition of his service in this field of industry was given in the eulogy delivered, at Philadelphia, by the president of the National Horticultural society. While residing at New Bedford, Mr. Crapo became identified also with the whaling business, and he was part owner of the barque that was named in his honor and used in the whaling trade. He received a eotrrmission as colonel in the state militia of Massachusetts, was HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 209 president of the Bristol County Mutual Fire Insurance company and was secretary of the Bedford Commercial Insurance company. He compiled and published the first five numbers of the New Bedford city directory. In 1837, the year that marked the admission of Michigan to statehood, Mr. Crapo made investment in pine lands in the new state, but it was not until I856 that he moved his family west, taking up his residence in the cityi of Flint where he engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber on an extensive scale and became one of the most successful and influential business men of the state. He was instrumental in the construction of the Flint & Holly railroad, and continued president of the operating company until the line was consolidated with that of the Flint & Pere Marquette railroad. Mr. Crapo gave an efficient administration as mayor of Flint in the earlier period of his residence here, and in I862 he was elected to the state senate. In the fall of 1864 he was made Republican nominee for governor of Michigan, and was elected by a large majority. The popular estimate placed upon his resourceful and loyal administration was shown by his re-election in I866, and he ably directed the affairs of this commonwealth in the.trying period following the close of the Civil war. He performed hisf services as governor during the latter part of his administration, under conditions of intense physical suffering from the disease that caused his death on July 23rd, I869. Governor Crapo was an earnest member of the Christian, or Disciples, church, and in politics he was originally a Whig, but transferred his allegiance to the Republican party at the time of its organization On the 9th of June, 1825, Mr. Crapo married Mary A. Slocum, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, a woman possessing a strong character and a devoted helpmate in his earlier struggles toward the goal of success and independence. To them were born one son and nine daughters. Their son, Hon. William W. Crapo, of New Bedford, became a member of the United States congress, as representative of the First congressional district of Massachusetts. Their daughter, Rhoda M. married the late James C. Willson, M. D., who is the subject of a memoir on other pages of this work; Rebecca Crapo, another daughter, became the mother of William C. Durant, who is a leader in the industrial world and has done much towards the growth and development of Flint. Joseph H. Crawford. One of the best appointed clothing stores in the city of Flint is the one under the name of Crawford & Zimmerman. Their facilities for handling suits are the very latest kind. Mr. Joseph H. Crawford, of the above firm, was born in Otisville, Genesee county, Michigan, on November 7, I86o. His parents were David and Cornelia (Murray) Crawford, his father having emigrated with his parents to the United States from his birthplace in northern Ireland in an early day, he being at that time about twelve years of age. They settled first at Ypsilanti, coming later to Otisville. 210 HISTORY OF GNEBSEE COUNTY His paternal grandparents were James and Mary Crawford while those on his mother's side were Barney and Ruth Murray. Joseph's father operated a sawmill near Otisville, did some farming and in later years came to Flint, where he died February 7, I892, aged sixty-six years, after having farmed so successfully as to acquire three hundred acres of good, well-improved land. Joseph's mother died in I918. Out of a family of nine children, three died when young. One son, James M., died in I907. He was proprietor of a leading bazaar store at Oxford. One daughter, Melissa, is living; Isabel died in I92I; Anna, formerly a teacher in Flint, became the wife of Mr. F. G. Mathewson; Alexander is a successful manufacturer of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Joseph remained on the farm until eighteen years of age acquiring a high school diploma from the Flint schools in the meantime. He then went into office work, becoming bookkeeper for a reputable local business house, and followed this work for a number of years. All this time he was acquiring valuable training, and was shaping in his own mind a broad and fundamental estimate of the principles of business success. In 1890 he opened up business at the present stand in company with Frank D. Wright, now deceased. Under the name of Crawford & Wright they conducted a lucrative trade until 1903, when the changes were made in the firm as indicated by the present. Mr. Crawford's associations have been long continued and pleasant. He was elected grand commander of the Knights Templar of Michigan in June, I9o6, having previously served for nine years in various positions in the Grand Conmnandery, and has also been eminent commander of Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar, besides having at different times served in various capacities in the local lodge. He is an A. A. O. N. M. S.; also a Scottish Rite Mason of the Detroit consistory, having reached the climax of being a thirty-third degree Mason. Mr. Crawford was married October Io, I9oo, to Miss Blanche Palmer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Palmer, of Imlay City. She has borne him two children, Charles David and Joseph Palmer. Mr. Crawford has taken an aggressive stand for civic improvement, and has been closely identified with such movements as those that had for their aim the welding together of the forces of progress, so that by united effort, effective work for the advancement of the city's best interests might be accomplished. He is a director of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Crawford was also president of the Masonic Temple association, which erected a magnificent temple in the city. His work in this capacity has without a doubt proved as effective and satisfactory as have his achievements of the past. Charles C. Crugher has shown splendid initiative and administrative ability in connection with the upbuilding of a large and moder wholesale bakery industry in the city of Flint, where the service of the Crugher Bakery represents a virtual public utility of the community. In the modern and thoroughly metropolitan baking HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 211 plant recently completed by Mr. Crugher at the corner of Kearsley boulevard and Poplar street, is to be found the most approved mechanical equipment, with all requisite accessories for the handling of a large volume of production under the most perfect scientific and sanitary conditions. Employment is here given to fifteen persons, the-daily output of bread aggregates 8,ooo loaves, and five motor trucks are in commission for the delivering of products to the retail trade. Mr. Crugher's father is financially interested in the business and is a valued counselor in the direction of the same. Our subject remained at this location until May I, 1925, and then established the Modem Bakery at Davison, Michigan, because he believed better oportunities were there afforded in that line. Charles C. Crugher was born at Dearborn, Wayne county, Michigan, July 28, i890, and is a son of Frederick and Anna Crugher, the former of whom likewise was born at Dearborn, and the latter of whom was born in Ontario, Canada, she having been a girl at the time of her parents' removal to Owosso, Michigan. Frederick Crugher was reared on a farm in Wayne county, and received the advantages of the public schools of the village of Dearborn. In his native county he continued his association with farm enterprise until the removal of the family to Shiawassee county, where, near Owosso, he was actively engaged in farming until 1916, since which year he and his wife have maintained their home in the city of Flint, their four children being Charles C., Levi George, Eva and Lavina. Frederick Crugher is a Republican in politics, and he and his family hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. The public school discipline of Charles C. Crugher included that of the high school in the city of Owosso, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1908. During the ensuing period of two and one-half years he was employed in a grocery store at Owosso, and thereafter he held a position in the leading and old established Detroit shoe store of R. H. Fyfe about one year. He then returned to Owosso, and in I912 he came to Flint and took a position in the Hixon grocery store. Later he was similarily employed three years in the store of J. J. Lee, and in 1915 he determined to engage in the bakery business, in which he initiated operations with the stupendous capital of fifty cents but with a reputation that was a distinct business asset. His first bakery products were issued from the kitchen of the house at 42ol/ West Second street, and he made personal delivery of his bread, which he carried in a basket. Soon the kitchen stove proved inadequate, and he comstructed a small oven in the basement of the same building, this provision serving as a base of operations only three months, for the increasing business soon taxed its capacity, with the result that a building was rented at I403 North street, and there was installed, in I9I6, the requisite equipment for continuing the enterprise on a larger scale. A horse and wagon served as a medium for the delivery of goods until it was supplanted by a Ford motor car, and the business was continued, with ever increasing success, at this location until the first of January, 1924, when removal was made to the new plant 212 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY erected and equipped for the purpose. Great credit is due to Mr. Crugher for the courage, ambition, determination and progressiventess that have marked his upbuilding of a substantial and prosperous business enterprise of important order, and he is one of the vital and popular figures in the civic and business life of Flint. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. March 2, 191I, marked the marriage of Mr. Crugher to Miss Gladys Kathryn Rust, and the three children of this union are Vivian Cecelia, Charles C., Jr., and James Arthur. William Chauncey Cumings was born in Flint, Michigan, August 28, I840, the oldest son of John and Elizabeth (Rounds) Cumings, and received his early education in that city. His business career was begun as a clerk for A. B. Witherbee in his drug store and of which establishment he became half-owner at the age of 21 years. Later he became the sole owner of the store and personally conducted the business with marked success until his fatherin-law, Josiah Begole, was elected governor of the state of Michigan when he relinquished the drug business to take charge of the extensive lumber possessions in Otter Lake. On June 12, I866, Mr. Cumings was united in marriage to Miss Mary Eleanor Begole. Mr. Cumings remained a period at Otter Lake, then returned to Flint where the last six years of his life were spent. During this period he was a member of the Flint Board of Commerce with a record of having missed but one meeting of the board. He was considered an authority on the early history and progress of this section of the state. He possessed a capacious mind and well-organized memory. Many illuminating contributions of his mind, dealing with historical and with general development matters, appeared in type through the columns of the press. Mr. Cumings was a member of the school board when the old high school was on Beach street and was a captain; in the old volunteer fire company. He moved to Otter county in 1876, operated a saw mill, and cleared a 6oo-acre farm, later built and operated for several years a sash, door and blind factory and also made finishing for interior work such as stairs,, etc., and was widely known throughout the state. Politically, Mr. Cumings was a staunch Republican. He was a high Mason and treasurer of the Presbyterian church of which he was a strong supporter and a regular attendant. Mr. and Mrs. Cumings have four children living and one dead. Wiliam's home is near Otter lake; Harriet, the wife of A. M. Davison; Charles A., Edward M., reside in Flint; Josiah, deceased. Mr. Cumings passed from this life in Flint, March Io, x924. He was stricken with heart trouble while talking with his daughter and died instantly. In his death Flint and Genesee county lost a stalwart citizen and supporter and civic interests a stout proponent. Mr. Cumings was a grandson of Nathaniel and Lubina Whipple and a descendant of Isaac and Mary Cumings, who came from Scotland to settle in Essex county, Massachusetts, in I634. ,-I k, ^ —;;-, - -, - - j -. -, "; r,, I IL HISTORY OF GENSSEE COUNTY 213 Mrs. Cumings lives in the old Begole home at 906 Beach street. She is the only living child of; Governor Begole. Carefully preserved records in the possession of Mrs. Cumings trace the family back to Robert Cushman and Miles Standish. James A. Cusic is one of the substantial and progressive exponents of the real estate business in the city of Flint, and through his well-ordered operations is doing much to advance the general civic interests of the community, his office being established at I22Y2 Kearsley street. Mr. Cusic was born at Marion, Ohio, October 8, I888, and is a son of Michael Cusic, his mother having been born in Canada. He is a member of a family of four sons and five daughters, and all of his sisters are deceased, while his three brothers are living. Mr. Cusic is indebted to the public schools of the old Buckeye state for his early education, and as a youth he initiated his association with the practical affairs of life. In 1908 he came to Flint and engaged in the plumbing business. He continued in this line of enterprise until March I, I9I7, since which time he has been actively and successfully engaged in the real estate business, in which his operations have been wide and varied and involved the handling of both city and farm properties. He is a Democrat in political alignment and is affiliated with the Flint lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His wife, whose maiden name was Iva Powers, is a daughter of Peter Powers, who was the original purveyor of banquet-ice cream service in Flint. Mr. and Mrs. Cusic have three children, Helen, Dorothy and Catharine. Edward C. Dailey. Mr. Dailey is the founder, owner and directing spirit of the E. C. Dailey Bottling Works, located at 1521 St. John street, Flint. He was born in Saginaw, May 2, I888, a son of George W. and Mary Dailey. The father was born in Troy, New York, and went to Saginaw as a young man and followed the trade of painting and sign-writing in which he was quite adept. There were six children in the Dailey family. Edward C. started to work in a flour mill. He operated a park in Saginaw and came to Flint in 1911 and for a short period worked for the Buick Motor company. He then conducted the Olympic bowling alleys. He also operated a taxicab business but entered the manufacture of soft drinks first in Mt. Morris. The business was moved to Flint and is eminently successful. Mr. Dailey has installed all the latest and most approved machinery for the operation of the plant. On September II, 1909, Mr. Dailey was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lang. Arthur M. Davison, widely known clothing merchant of Flint, is a son of Mathew Davison and was born in Flint, June 19, 1870. After grade and high school, he became associated in the clothing business with McHenry & Jones, then with Crawford & Wright five years and later went to Alpina, Michigan, to work for an uncle, W. H. Davison. He was with the latter five years and then decided to open an establishment of his own in Fenton. This he maintained one year and came to Flint in the spring of 1899. A clothing business was started in the present location which has come to be one HISTORY OF GENRSEE COUNTY of the best known in this section of the state. On July 7, 1900, Mr. Davison was married to Harriett Cumings, daughter of Chauncey Cumings. The Davisons have three children, Mary, Virginia and Elizabeth. Mr. Davison is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a past grand commander of the Knights Templar. He is president of the Union Trust and Savings bank, is president of the Windiate, Pierce & Davison Real Estate company, and director of the Cumings Brothers' company. He was formerly president of the Country club and was active in its organization. Mr. Davison is a member of the trustee board of the Presbyterian church. Matthew Davison, former mayor of Flint, and chairman of the board of directors of the Union Trust and Savings bank, of which for years he was cashier and general manager, was born in Antrim county, Ireland, January 4, I839, and came to Genesee county when a baby. His parents were James and Jennie (Austin) Davison, both of Ireland but of Scotch descent. James Davison homesteaded 80 acres in Forest township and died at the age of 53. His wife reached the age of 86 years. As there were only three white families in Forest township, Mathew's playmates were Indians. He came to Flint when twenty-five, clerked in a general store five years, then entered the mercantile business on his own account. In 1873 he erected a store on the west side of Saginaw, near First street. Because of failing health he closed his business and entered real estate. In I894 the elder Mr. Davison (Mathew) took charge of the Union Trust and Savings bank and for twenty-one years served as manager. He resigned on January I, 1915, and was placed at the head of the directorate. Mr. Davison served as mayor of the city on the Democratic side. On February 9, I868, he was united in marriage to Helen M. Richmond, who was born in White Lake, Oakland county, Michigan, daughter of John and Ann Loop Richmond. Mr. Davison died in 1917, his wife in 1913. There were four children, Arthur, Mathew, Nellie (deceased) and William H. Mr. Davison was a Methodist and belonged to the Masonic fraternity, Shrine, Scottish Rite and Knights Templar. Hon. Mathew Davison (deceased). About twelve miles from the city of Belfast, in Ireland, James Davison, the father of the subject of this biography, owned and operated a small farm, and in conjunction with this occupation, was also a weaver of that fine quality of linen for which Ireland has been famous for many years. He was born in Ireland, October I, I8oI, and died in Genesee county, Michigan, February o1, I854. His wife, Jeanette Davison, Was born in December, 1814, and died in April, I9oo. On this farm, January 4, 1839, Mathew Davison was born, but when he was only one year old his parents came to America, and settled near Adrian, Michigan. The following year they moved into the township of Forest, Genesee county, being the third family to locate in that section, which was then thickly wooded. The farm had to be made out of the wilderness, and the pioneers lived an extremely primitive life, burning pine-knots instead of candles. No 1-1.41, HISTORY -OF GENESEE COUNTY 216 school was established until Mathew reached his tenth year, and when the district school was inaugurated, he took advantage of a few winter terms until he became fifteen years of age, when his father died, and as Mathew was the eldest in a family of seven children the heavy responsibilities of the family support fell upon his youthful shoulders. He worked the little farm until his brothers were able to handle it, and then at the age of twenty-two he left home to work as a farm hand and in the lumbering camps. He secured one more term at school in Royal Oak, Michigan, when he was twenty-two years old, and the following year became a clerk in, a general store operated by Benjamin Cothrain, in Flint, Michigan, where he was paid $22 a month and his board. He next engaged himself to Henry Brown, clothier. Four years' experience in the clothing business gave him sufficient insight into its workings and he decided to start out in it for himself. Taking his savings, which amounted to about $664, Mr. Davison went to Rochester, New York, to see if he could get credit and a stock of goods from some of the firms in that city. The firm of Stetheimer, McDonald & Co., was impressed favorably with the young man's straightforward application and gave him a credit of $3,000 so returning to Flint, Mr. Davison took half of a small store. When his stock of goods arrived he did not have money enough to pay the freight, but the fortunate sale of a new trunk for $18 enabled him to pay the railroad company. The business was successful from the beginning, he enlarged his store and stock yearly and continued in the clothing business for thirteen years, investing his savings in desirable Flint city business property. He retired from the clothing business in 1883 on account of failing health, and for ten years farmed and handled real estate. In I893 he was one of the organizers of the Union Trust and Savings Bank of Flint, and he was connected with the same as cashier and manager after I894. He was also one of the organizers of the Alpena County Savings Bank of Alpena, Michigan; the Citizens Commercial and Savings bank, Flint, Michigan, and for twenty years a director in the Genesee County Savings, bank, also of Flint. Mr. Davison was mayor of the city of Flint in I886-87. He married Miss Helen M., daughter of John Richmond, at White Lake, Oakland county, Michigan, in I869, where she was born August 20, I844. He had four children, Arthur M., in clothing business at Flint, and president of the Union Trust and Savings bank; Nellie, who was born at Flint, September 13, 1873, and died April 28, I908, was the wife of H. L. Bridgeman; Matthew, automobile dealer, Flint; and William H., engaged in the retail lumber business at Flint. Mr. Davison was a Mason and Knight Templar, also a member of Detroit consistory. His death occurred in April, I9oo, and his wife passed away April 28, I913. Matthew Davison. Mr. Davison is the successful distributor, for the eastern half of Michigan, of the Maxwell and Chrysler cars, his business location being at 602 North Saginaw street. Mr. Davison is a native of Flint, was born May 2, 1878, and is a son ~~ 216 HISTORY OF GABSEE COUNTY of Mathew Davison and a brother of A. M. Davison. The subject of this sketch was graduated from high school in I898 and matriculated in the University of Michigan, taking a literary course. He then entered the employ of the Durant-Dort carriage works, was in the office seven years, then went to Marshall, Michigan, in which city, in 1905-o6, he conducted the B. and B. Buggy company. Returning to Flint, Mr. Davison became associated with the Imperial Wheel works, was with the company one year, finally connecting with the Buick company. In I9II he became associated with the garage, then became salesman, then dealer and with E. S. Lunt operated the branch agency in Flint until 1922. In August, I923, Mr. Davison took over the distribution of the Chrysler and Maxwell cars and has achieved outstanding success. On June 5, 1905, Mr. Davison was united in marriage to Katherine McCreery, daughter of Colonel William B. McCreery, a prominent figure of Genesee county. There are three children in the Davison family, Matthew, Genevieve and Fenton. Mr. Davison is a member of the various bodies of the York and Scottish rites of Masonary and is a Shriner and Elk. He is also a director of the Cumings Brothers company, wholesale dealers in automobile accessories, and a director in the Union Trust and Savings bank. Harry Demorest. Mr. Demorest since January, 900o has been a resident of Flint, having been appointed court reporter of the seventh judicial ciruit court of Michigan by Governor H. S. Pingree, on recommendation of Judge C. H. Wisner. The position is one that requires consummate patience and calls for the most exacting detail. A slight error in the reportorial work or in transcribing notes might easily become a storm center or become provocative of bitter clashes between opposing counsel. The court reporter must be exactly right and not approximately correct. Mr. Demorest, whose ability is widely recognized, was born on April I4, 1877, in Lapeer, Michigan, the son of George F. and Susie (Harrion) Demorest. A splendid legacy of character and fidelity to public trust was transmitted. George Demorest was born in New York state and came to Michigan with an uncle upon the death of his father and mother. He was fourteen years old when he reached Genesee county and, notwithstanding his youth, enlisted for action in the Civil war in a Michigan regiment. He enlisted in Oakland county and fought throughout the war, returned to Lapeer and established a marble and granite business, first in a partnership, then conducting the business alone. The establishment was known as the Lapeer Marble & Granite Works. In this he remained until his demise, October Io, 1904. Mr. Demorest was active in political affairs and in 1893 became sheriff of Lapeer county, serving two terms. He also held several minor offices, such as supervisor, and was chairman of the Republican county committee. Harry Demorest is the only child. Upon leaving high school, he entered the law office of Geer & Williams, read law, and in January, I9oo, came to Flint. On June 27, I9oo, Mr. Demorest was united in marriage to Mabel Slayton of Lapeer county. Three HISTORY OF GENIESEE COUNTY 217 children have come to brighten the family hearth, George, Jack and Max. Mr. Demorest is a loyal Republican. He is a Rotarian, Elk and Mason and holds membership in the Shrine and commandery of Knights Templar. Enos A. DeWaters. Enos A. DeWaters, chief engineer of the Buick Motor company, was born in Kalamazoo, this state, a son of Irwin H. and Mary Sheldon DeWaters. Enos A. attended public school and was graduated from high school in 1894; Bachelor of Science, Kalamazoo College, I899; Bachelor of Science, University of Chicago, I9OI. Upon leaving school, Mr. DeWaters, to gain experience and enhance his qualifications, worked in a machine shop and for three sessions taught school. He then entered the University of Michigan, taking mechanical engineering, and was graduated in 1903. Mr. DeWaters then went to Detroit as assistant engineer of the Cadillac plant, served one year, and in 1905 came to the Buick organization as assistant chief, becoming chief engineer. Mr. DeWaters is a trustee of Kalamazoo College. He is sincerely interested in the success of all movements having as objectives the social, moral, cultural and material well-being of Flint and is held in genuine esteem by all who know him. In I905, Mr. DeWaters was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Allis, of Adrian. J. Dallas Dort. For all time to come must the city of Flint pay a tribute of honor and appreciation to J. Dallas Dort, the man of intensive thought and construction achievement, the citizen of exalted loyalty and public spirit, the worker, the builder, the genial, generous and unassuming personality. What Flint is today and what it shall be in the future reflect in high light the character and the service of this man, who was a native son of Michigan and who signally honored this commonwealth by his character and achievement. He was one of the foremost pioneers in the vehicle industry, but his achievement in this line represents but a small part of the influence that was his in connection with human welfare and human advancement. From an article published in the periodical "Motor" of May, I922, is taken the following extract: "No better characterization of the head of the Dort Motor Car company could be devised than that by Charles W. Nash who received his early automotive training under Mr. Dort: 'Mark my words, he will try to wriggle out of any imputation that he, J. Dallas Dort, is a person in whom the public could possibly be interested for any reason whatever, but the history of Flint is largely a history of J. Dallas Dort and his vision and work.'" Flint lost much in the death of J. Dallas Dort, who passed away May 17, I925. He was engaged in a game of golf at the Flint Country club when heart disease brought abrupt termination to his life. Josiah Dallas Dort was born at Inkster, Wayne county, Michigan, February 2, I86i, a son of Josiah and Marcy (Jones-Straight) Dort, natives respectively of Vermont and New Hampshire. In the late Thirties Josiah Dort and his brother, Titus, became pioneer brick manufacturers at Dearborn, Wayne county, and furnished the brick for the construction of the United States arsenal there. At Dearborn, Josiah 218 HISTORY O GOENSEE COUNTY Dort also served as postmaster and as agent for the newly completed Michigan Central railroad. He finally removed with his family to MouIin Rouge, now known as Inkster, and lived there until his death in 871. ' In I897 his widow died in Flint at a venerable age. Concerning the father of J. Dallas Dort, the following estimate has been written: "Josiah Dort was a notable man in many ways, a typical country squire, a prominent Mason, a life-long member of the Methodist church, active in politics as a Democrat and Whig, and among the leaders of his party in the state." J. Dallas Dort's mother was a woman of education who had taught school in New Hampshire and New York state, and was a woman of both gracious and forceful personality. Josiah Dallas Dort, the only child of his parents, attended district school, the Wayne high school and the Michigan State Normal school at Ypsilanti. After leaving school he aided his mother in carrying on the mercantile business that had been established by his father. As a youth Mr. Dort was employed in mercantile establishments at Ypsilanti and Jackson, and in I88I he became a clerk in the hardware store of Whiting & Richardson at Flint. Finally he formed a partnership with James E. Bussy and engaged independently in the hardware business in that city. In September, i886, Mr. Dort with William C. Durant organized the Flint Road Cart company, which later became the Durant-Dort Carriage company, one of the largest carriage concerns in the country. Coincident with the development of that main industry, there came into being under Mr. Dort's guidance the accessory institutions of the Imperial Wheel company, Flint Axle Works, Flint Varnish Works, Dominion Carriage company of Canada, Blount Carriage company of Georgia, and the Pine Bluff Spoke company of Arkansas. The Durant-Dort Carriage company was succeeded by the Dort Motor Car company, of which Mr. Dort was president until it discontinued its manufacture of automobiles about a year prior to his death. Mr. Dort not only developed great industrial concerns but great industrial executives and many of the leaders in the automotive world of the present gained their training under his effective and kindly direction. Well justified, therefore, is the following statement which has been applied to him: "He has molded men, and in so doing he has molded his own monument." He was the staunch friend of the laboring men, and the thousands who worked under his direction repaid his interest by their unbounded loyalty and affection. Mr. Dort was the founder of the Flint Vehicle Factories Mutual Benefit association, whose membership comprised practically every worker in Flint, and which has since expanded into the Industrial Mutual association, with assets in the millions and membership in the thousands, a merchandising, banking, club, playground and personal service organization of remarkable usefulness to its members. Mr. Dort was always identified with civic activites, and although steadfastly refusing public office as well as honorary positions on various state boards, served his people well in the line of public utility. He was always active in charitable work and gave liberally of his time and income to pub HISTORY OF GENfSEE COUNTY 219 lic institutions. Mr, Dort served on the City Planning Board from its inception until the time of his death. One of his greatest contributions to Flint is the public park system, which when completed will cover eight miles of parkway and completely surround the city. For this notable improvement Mr. Dort had the plans drawn at his own expense and gave them to the city. During the period of the World war Mr. Dort was chairman of the Genesee County War Board, and for two years gave the greatest part of his time and attention to directing the patriotc and valuable service of this organization. He served as chairman of the Flint Community Music association, was a leader in the promotion of the Flint Country club. He was a member of the Flint Rotary club, Detroit club, Detroit Athletic club and Detroit Golf club. In the Masonie fraternity he received the ultimate and honorary thirty-third degree of the Scottish Rite, and he was also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was a devout attendant of the Protestant Episcopal church and served for many years as a member of the parish vestry of St. Paul's church in Flint. Here was a man whose course was guided and governed by the highest principles, whose character was the positive expression of a noble and loyal nature, and whose influence was benign ill all the relations of life. Mr. Dort was twice married. His first wife was Nellie M. Bates, daughter of Dr. Noah Bates of Flint. She died in I9oo leaving two children, Ralph Bates and Dorothy, who is now the wife of Gorton Fauntleroy of Geneva, Illinois. On the 8th of May, 1907; Mr. Dort was married to Miss Marcia Webb of Mackinac Island, Michigan, her father, Major Charles A. Webb, having at one time been commandant of the historic old Fort Mackinac. Mrs. Dort continues her residence in Flint with her three children, Dallas Webb, Margery and David Truscott. Norbert F. Dougherty, vice-president of the Modern Housing Corporation, was for twenty-five years engaged in railroad work in various capacities from messenger boy to editor of a railroad magazine. He was born in Tyrone, Blair county, Pennsylvania, May I3, 1878, a son of Roger and Bridget (Haney) Dougherty. Both parents came from Donegal, Ireland. Roger Dougherty was born in I832 and in 1833 his father emigrated from Ireland to St. John's, New Brunswick, then passed on to Maine and finally settled in Pennsylvania. Roger Dougherty was a railroad conductor on the Pennsylvania and died in 1892. His wife, when a girl of twelve, came with her parents to the United States. She was born in 1840 and died in I915. Norbert F. received a common school education, then started in as messenger boy with the Pennsylvania railroad and was with the railroad company a quarter of, a century as yardmaster, editor of an employes' magazine and assistant trainmaster. On August 15, 1919, Mr. Dougherty went to Detroit as assistant to the vice-president of the Modern Housing Corporation, which is allied to General Motors corporation. He remained in Detroit a year, then came to Flint and on December I, 1920, was made vice-president of the Housing Corporation. On September 2, I903, Mr. Dougherty and Miss Nell 220 HISTORY OF GANENSE COUNTY Weller of Tiffin, Ohio, were united in marriage. Two children have come of the union, Charles Rogers, born Feburary 28, I905, and Burton Weller, born January 26, I908. Mr. Dougherty is a Rotarian and a Mason. In national politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the board of county supervisors. The Housing Corporation is an extensive project, the magnitude of which can best be appreciated by the fact of its relationship with the General Motors Corporation. In the aiding of community betterment movements, Mr. Dougherty has ever manifested a consistent interest. Wallace S. Ducker is the active executive partner in the firm of Ducker & Teague, which conducts in the village of Davison, Genesee county, a specially well equipped garage, service station and repair shop and which has the local sales agency for the Ford automobile. The business is well established on the basis of effective service and is carried on under the title of Ducker & Teague Motor company. Mr. Ducker was born at Columbiaville, Lapeer county, Michigan, March 24, I888, a son of George and Florence (Miller) Ducker, his father having been born in Canada and his mother at Columbiaville, Michigan, where both were reared and educated and where their marriage was solemnized, the father having been two years of age at the time his parents established their residence in Lapeer county. He became one of the substantial farmers of that county and also was associated with railroad service at Columbiaville for a long term of years, the while his political convictions placed him loyally in the ranks of the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Ducker are still on the farm at Columbiaville. To the public schools of Columbiaville, Wallace S. Ducker is indebted for his early educational discipline, and as a youth of sixteen years, in I904, he was employed in a woolen mill, in which he learned the weaving of cloth. He thus followed the trade of weaver during a period of five years, at Columbiaville, and from I909 until 1915 he was engaged in independent business enterprise in his native town. In the latter year he established his residence in the city of Flint, where he was associated with the Ford Sales company until I921, when he engaged in the same line of business at Davison, where, as senior member of the firm of Ducker & Simth, he opened a Ford garage and agency. Later Mr. Smith sold his interest in the business to Mr. Teague of Flint, who is still one of the interested principals, though Mr. Ducker has the active management of the substantial and well ordered business. IHis political support is given to the Republican party, he and his wife hold memberships in the Baptist church in their home village, and he is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, including the Mystic Shrine, and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Order of American Yeomen. Mrs. Ducker has membership in the Order of the Eastern Star, the White Shrine and the Daughters of Rebekah, and is a popular figure in the social circles of her home community. In October, 1911, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ducker to Miss Eva Harris, of Bay City, Michigan, and she presides most graciously over their pleasant home at Davison. ,r -sr II.0 HISTORY OF- GENFSEE COUNTY F. J. Duesberry is one of the interested principals in the Flint Tool and Die Works, and as a partner in this business he is contributing a large share to its effective management and service. Mr. Duesberry was born in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, September 9, 1887, and is a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Cole) Duesberry, who became the parents of a fine family of ten children. The subject of this sketch passed the period of his childhood and early youth in Cleveland, and meanwhile he duly profited by the advantages of the public schools. After leaving school he was variously employed two years, and was a lad of sixteen years when he entered upon an apprenticeship in a sheet-4metal establishment in the Ohio metropolis. He became a skilled workman, and as a journeyman at his trade, worked at various places in Ohio, where he continued his activities nine years. He then, in I9I6, came to Flint, Michigan, and took a position in the shops of the Buick Automobile company, where he worked at his trade, in the turning out of dies and sheetmetal products. He continued in the employ of this company until I9I9, and thereafter devoted a comparatively brief interval to association with the real estate business. He then obtained a financial and working interest in the Flint Tool and Die Works, to the affairs of which he has since continued to give his close attention, the establishment of the concern being modern in equipment and service and giving employment to an average corps of fifteen operatives. Mr. Duesberry has had no desire for active participation in politics, but gives a loyal support 1to the Republican party, and he is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. April 21, 1915, recorded the marriage of Mr. Duesberry to Miss Bessie Agnes Barrow, of Detroit, and they have two children, Eugene F. and Betty Margaret. The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Patrick RL Dunigan, D. D., distinguished as a priest, courageous and valorous as a soldier, stands out prominently and pre-eminently as a man, generous, tolerant, possessing the highest ideals, and who, without ever flinching or hesitating, transforms those ideals into actual facts from day to day, thus making brighter and happier the lives of all with whom he comes in contact. Monsignor Dunigan had as many honors conferred upon him as any soldier in the recent World war, in which he served as one of America's army chaplains. He was cited for bravery in action. He received the Croix de Guerre with the bronze star, the Croix de Guerre with the silver star from France and was made a Cavalier of the Legion of Honor by that nation. Monsignor Dunigan was awarded the distinguished service cross by the United States government. But despite all this and numerous promotions in the church to which he has devoted and consecrated his life, Monsignor Dunigan is the same big-hearted, cheerful man-a man with the heart and soul of a child. In fact, it is very apparent that the more honors come to him, just that much more does he devote himself to aiding his fellowmen materially and spiritually. This distinguished priest and man. who is called Father Dunigan by all who know him well, despite the fact that Pope Pius XI has conferred upon him the title of 222 HISTORY OF GAENLSEE COUNTY monsignor and a priest of the Pope's household, was born in Emmett, St. Clair county, Michigan, July 15. 1871. His grandfather, Patrick Dunigan, was one of the first two settlers in this village, coming there in 1834. His father, Michael Dunigan, was the first white child born there and is still living on the old farm at the age of 86. Father Dunigan attended the district school, his recreation and sports were those of the frontier. He just belongs to "the big out doors," loves the companionship of lonely places, has hunted big game and fished in the northwest and in Canada, likes horses and men, is fearless, direct; no one has ever doubted his purpose or his word. From I888 to 1893 Father Dunigan attended Assumption College, at Sandwich, Ontario. From I893 to I894 he took an academic course at St. Jerome's College, Kitchener, Ontario, and entered St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1894, where in I898, he completed his studies for ordination to the priesthood. Father Dunigan was ordained by the Rt. Rev. John S. Foley, then Bishop of Detroit, at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral on March 25, I898. He first served as assistant pastor at St. Vincent's Parish, Detroit. He was soon made pastor of the Catholic church at Argyle, Michigan, and was later pastor at Croswell. In February, 1907, Father Dunigan was made pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Lapeer and in September, I919, he was made pastor of St. Michael's church, Flint, the largest Catholic parish in central Michigan. During his Lapeer pastorate that village suffered an epidemic of smallpox in the dread malady's most virulent form in. IgIo. Never in Michigan had there been so many sufferers from this disease in any one community. It was during this epidemic that Father Dunigan displayed the same valor, fortitude and bravery that later distinguished his work as a chaplain in France. The disease was especially virulent at the Michigan Home and Training school, a state institution at Lapeer established for the care of feeble-minded persons. More than 60 died with the disease in this institution, and Father Dunigan conducted the burial service for them and previously attended them and other inmates while they were ill, with no thought at all of possible and even probable contagion. He merely did his duty as he saw it, and for having done it, was. awarded a medal for bravery by the state of Michigan. Father Dunigan's military connections date from 1907, when he was made chaplain of the Second Infantry, Michigan National Guard. In I912 he was on duty during the labor strike at the northern Michigan copper mines. The chaplain next saw service on the Mexican border during the trouble there in I916 and I917. In the autumn of 1917 Father Dunigan went to Camp McArthur, Texas, as chaplain of the One Hundred Twenty-Sixth Infantry, ThirtySecond Division, and in I918 he went to France. The distinguished priest and chaplain was soon made division chaplain and later became senior chaplain of the Third Army Corps. When the forces went to Germany in I919, Father Dunigan was senior chaplain of the army of occupation. The eminent chaplain is decidedly reticent when asked to discuss his World war experiences, and it is only when some 9 0 ~Z HISTORY OF, GENESEE COUNTY 223 doughboy, with whom Father Dunigan came in contact in France, some wounded lad who recovered to tell the real story of this priest's bravery, that one becomes thoroughly cognizant of the fact that in the World war, as in the Catholic church, Father Dunigan displayed every God-given attribute of service it is possible to possess. On numerous occasions he risked his own life in ministering to unfortunate boys who lay bleeding to death on battle fields, often carrying them himself to points of comparative safety under shell and machine gun fire. Father Dunigan served in France on the Alsace defensive, at the Aisne and Marne, the Oise-Aisne and in the MeuseArgonne. In May, I923, at Flint, the late Major General William C. Haan, who was commander of the Red Arrow Division, was sent to Flint by the war department to decorate Father Dunigan with the United States Distinguished Service Cross. During the same week, Father Dunigan was made a monsignor by Pope Pius XI. The work of Monsignor Dunigan since he became pastor of St. Michael's at Flint, has been real work. iHe has accomplished a great deal. Moreover his service has not been confined to the people of his own parish, nor to Catholics in particular. Monsignor Dunigan is the friend of all, regardless of creed or color, the friend of the unfortunate, the "down-and-outer," whom he raises from the "down" class and keeps from being counted "out" by getting him work, and providing funds for himself and family during the interim. The noted churchman is also the close personal friend of the business men of Flint and many of the country's most distinguished.business and industrial leaders. He is at home with the prince or pauper and makes both feel thoroughly at home in his presence. Father Dunigan believes in people because he believes in himself and God. In 1922 the late President Warren G. Harding appointed Monsignor Dunigan a member of the board of visitors of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Monsignor Dunigan is a member of the Flint lodge of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Flint Country club, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Cady B. Durham. A long and unusual training in the world of manufacture, including all phases of shop work, office administration and supervisory service, marks the splendid equipment of Cady B. Durham, assistant general manager of the Buick Motor company, of Flint. His rise in the business world has been steady and definite, his present status reached by close application to work; rigid attention to detail, careful preparation and the capacity and willingness to work. He is strictly and thoroughly a self-made man. Mr. Durham, by reason of his long association with men and with industry, is keenly alive to the industrial possibilities of the day and he gives cheerfully and unsparingly of his time and ability to the promotion of all measures and movements seeking to advance the material, social and cultural interests of the city, in which he resides. Besides his official connection with the great Buick establishment, he is interested in other ventures, is active in the Chamber of Commerce and a devoted supporter of its work, and especially ?24 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY helpful in the Y. M. C. A. All social welfare movements claim his earnest attention and command his co-operation. Mr. Durham was born in Seneca Falls, New York, December 31, 1872, a son of Thomas M. and Rachael Lovejoy Durham, both of whom were born and tied in the Empire state. As a young man, Thomas M. Durham shipped on a whaler and was an able seaman. He was shipwrecked off the coast of Valparaiso but survived and when the Civil war broke out, he became a petty officer. After the war he shipped on the Great Lakes for two years, then returned to his original trade of blacksmithing which he pursued until his death. The elder Durham was a man of great strength of character as well as physical prowess. He was a strong temperance advocate. Mr. Durham was intensely interested in the work of the Grand Army of the Republic and was comnnander of the post at Seneca Falls. There were thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Durham. Cady B. attended school until thirteen in which year he began a course that involved stern application to work but which led to a high and secure plane. He began service with the Silby Fire Engine company and worked for the company a year and eight months and since then has been engrossed principally in mechanical problems and work. Leaving the Silby Fire Engine company he went to work for the B. W. Payne Engine company, then for the Ball and Wood Works, during which time he was in Hornell, Elmira, Tarrytown and Elizabethport, New York. His next connection was with the Pond Tool Works, later with the Cameron Steam Pump company, then with the Gould Pump Works at Seneca Falls. Later he was with the McIntosh & Seamer plant at Albany, New York, then with the Straight Line Engine works at Syracuse. Returning to Seneca Falls, Mr. Durham was married, left Seneca Falls in I903 and was with the Ingersoll-Rand company until 1909. With this concern he was speed boss and had charge of the shop. In I909 he entered the service of the Buick Motor company as assistant superintendent of factory No. I and in 1912 was made superintendent under Walter P. Chrysler and in 1919 became master mechanic of the plant. During the World war Mr. Durham was placed in charge of Liberty motors and after the war became works manager and in 1920 became the assistant general manager, a post of great responsibility and calling for the daily exercise of knowledge of every detail of the mechanical processes involved. On February 7, 1897, Mr. Durham was united in marriage to Miss Ella Pearl Martin, of Seneca Falls. The Durhams have two children, Dorothy and Louise. Mr. Durhan is distinctly a "live wire" in all the term implies. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to commandery of the Knights Templar, Consistory of the Scottish Rite and to the Shrine. By religious attachments he is Episcopalian. Mr. Durham is a director of the Flint Structural Steel company. He is a director of the Y. M. C. A. and of the Chamber of Commerce. In May, I925, was made a member of board of works' managers, whose duties are to pass an appropriation and assist in general management of the business. HISTORY OF GENIDSEE COUNTY 226 Charles M. Dusembery. Mr. Dusenbery, proprietor of a hlgnclass funeral home and undertaking business in Flint, located at 504 Garland, taught school and was interested in real estate before entering his present line. He was born in Utica, Michigan, March 5, 1874, a son of Charles and Adeline (Kingsbury) Dusenbery. The Kingsburys are of old Genesee and Lapeer county pioneer stock. Mrs. Dusenbery was born in 1843 and died in I894. Her husband died in I874. In the early days Charles Dusenbery and his brother drove stage coach to Troy, Michigan, and the former conducted a tavern at Union Corners and after marrying moved to Utica. There were six children, Fred, Belle, James P., Jettora, Jennie and Charles M. The last, on leaving high school, taught school two years in the upper peninsula and for seven years was in the real estate and insurance business in Crystal Falls. In I9go, in West Branch, he engaged in the undertaking business, remained there eleven years and in I913 came to Flint. On December 20, i899, Mr. Dusenbery and Daisy M. Henry were made one. A son, Charles, and a daughter, Dorothy Adeline, have come to add joy to the family circle. Mr. Dusenbery is a member of the Masonic blue lodge, chapter, council, commandery, shrine and grotto. He is also an Odd Fellow and member of the Shrine club. He is a Republican. Thomas Dykema. Mr. Dykema is a member of the firm of Abbey & Dykema, insurance, Flint, Michigan, is widely known and respected in business and social life. He was born on Christmas day, 1889, the son of Nicholas and Anna Dykema, of Muskegon, Michigan. There were nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Dykema-Mrs. Jennie Parish and Andrew Dykema, of Chicago; Mrs. Bessie Vandermeeden, of Kalamazoo; Mrs. Ellen Fredericks and Henry Dykema and John Dykema, of Muskegon, and Thomas, of Flint. Two daughters are dead. The father died in I899 and his widow resides in Muskegon. Thomas left Muskegon in I912 as secretary to Congressman James C. McLaughlin. Previous to 1912 he had been employed by George L. Erwin for five years and ShawWalker company for two years. In I9I3 he was appointed traveling investigator of the state fire marshal's office, serving capably two years. In 1914 Mr. Dykema married Miss Bessie Warren, daughter of Miles D. and Martie Warren, of Flint. Mr. ' Warren for many years operated the Warren Foundry company, now a part of the Flint Iron Works. Mr. and Mrs. Dykema have one son. Warren Thomas. Mr. Dykema is not a "club man" in the general sense of the term and he prefers his own means of diversion. He is a tireless worker and is much interested in the upbuilding of Flint. Politically, he is unbiased-thoroughly independent. Rev. John Dysart, D. D., is the able and honored rector of St. Paul's church, Protestant Episcopal, in the city of Flint, and along both spiritual and temporal lines he is doing a great service in upholding the fine traditions, the ecclesiastical and civic prestige, and the communal importance of this parish, the history of which constitutes a gracious chapter in the history of the Protestant Episco 226 HISTORY OF GENISEE COUNTY pal church in the state of Michigan. Dr. Dysart assumed the position of spiritual and executive head of this parish in May, 1923, and as'rector he succeeded Rev. J. Bradford Pengelly, a representative Flint citizen of whom individual mention is made on other pages of this volume. Dr. Dysart was born in Warren county, Iowa, and is a son of Rev. Thomas and Louisa (Tannehill) Dysart, the former of whom was born in Belmont county, and the latter in Harrison county, Ohio. Rev. Thomas Dysart gave long and earnest service as a clergyman of the United Presbyterian church, and his principal fields of pastoral care were in Ohio, Indiana, Iowa and Kansas, his death having occurred in Kansas in 1883 and his wife having passed away in I873. The Dysart family was founded in America in the early colonial period, and representatives of the family served as patriotic soldiers in the war of the Revolution, on which score Dr. Dysart of this review is eligible for and is actively affiliated with the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. The earlier education of Dr. Dysart was received largely in private schools, while his was also the fortifying influence of a home of distinctive culture. After attending Olatha Academy at Olatha, Kansas, he continued his studies for a time in Wooster University, Ohio, and in I892 he was graduated in Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Thereafter he served as a reporter and special writer on the old St. Paul Dispatch, St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was thus engaged four years and where he gained an experience that greatly broadened his intellectual horizon. He next became editor of the Owatonna Journal at Owatonna, Minnesota, and this journalistic position he retained until he was chosen private secretary to the late Hon. James A. Tawney, of Minnesota, who was at that time a member of the United States congress. After eighteen months of service in this capacity Dr. Dysart entered the historic Virginia Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal church, and in this institution he was graduated in I9OI, with virtually coincident ordination to the priesthood. He later received from University of Dubuque, Idwa, the degree of Doctor of Divinity. After his receiving holy orders Dr. Dysart's first service was as a member of the ecclesiastical staff of the Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, D. C. He remained two years in the national capital, where for one year he was assistant to Rev. Dr. Bratenahl, rector of St. Alban's parish, and where during the other year he was there in service in the Church of the Good Shepherd, in which connection he had the privilege of being associated with Rev. Philip M. Rhinelander and Rev. C. R. Stetson, the former of whom is now Bishop of Pennsylvania, while the latter is rector of historic old Trinity parish in the city of New York. In November, I9II, Dr. Dysart accepted the position of rector of St. John's church at Dubuque, Iowa, where! he remained eleven years and was an influential figure in the work of the Diocese of Iowa, of thestanding committee of which he was the president five years, besides which he represented the diocese as a delegate to the general convention of the church in 1922 at Portland, A t~N AV B + f h h o HISTORY OF GENISEE COUNTY 227 Oregon. In May, 1923, he accepted the rectorship of St. Paul's church in Flint, as previously noted, and here he has continued his earnest service of consecration, with marked influence in advancing the spiritual and material progress of the parish and making the work of the church fruitful in community service of general order. The doctor has received the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite of the Masonic fraternity, and is affiliated with the local commandery of Knights Templar. He is also an influential and popular member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and has served since I907 as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of this great national fraternal organization, his original appointment having been made by Grand Exalted Ruler Tenner, former governor of Pennsylvania. In the World war period Dr. Dysart was instant and unwavering in patriotic service, and this service included his making many speeches through Iowa in advancing the campaigns in support of the government war bonds, as well as Red Cross work, etc. Dr. Dysart has unqualified popularity in religious, cultural, civic and business circles in his home city, and this popularity has no abridgment by reason of his being still in the ranks of bachelors. Arthur Jerome Eddy. Some years ago I encountered the subject of this sketch in a gymnasiutm whither he had betaken himself for exercise in the graceful art of fencing. Wishing to consult him about a matter in which I was at the moment especially interested, I awaited the completion of the bout. In this as in every undertaking in life, he was masterful. Alert, poised, eager, as confident in the defensive as intense in the aggressive, considerate of his opponent, pausing from time to time to offer to him some suggestion as to his guard or attack, he gave an excellent illustration of refined muscular manhood. Although the subject engaging my attention was not in his professional line, I suspected from knowledge of his wide acquaintance with literature that he could give helpful hints and was not disappointed. It had to do with an address in preparation which involved not a little reading and research. He cited several books all of which contained valuable material and among which, in particular, was one to me utterly unfamiliar. This proved to be exceptionally useful and important. In the above episodes may be discovered an index to the qualities of Arthur Jerome Eddy. Educated in the law at Harvard, admitted to the bar in Michigan, practicing there for a year or more, admitted to the Illinois bar in I888 and the American Bar association in I890, conspicuously successful in the specialties of constitutional and corporation law, he early showed resourcefulness in this and other fields of activity. He grew to be a connoisseur and discriminating critic in art. a savant in literature and an author of distinction. He was widely travelled and enjoyed a world-wide acquaintance with interesting people. aam HISTORY OF GBENESEE COUNTY The unanimity of opinion as to his character and qualifications appearing in the numerous resolutions of sympathy in his untimely death, July 2Ist, i920, is most striking. Reference is made repeatedly to staunch courage, dependability, reliability, tact, winning personality and integrity. Tributes and memorials from no less than twenty-one corporations for which he was legal advisor are in existence along with countless appreciative notices from individuals, societies and well-wishers the world over. They speak of his "masterly leadership," refer to him as a "luminous human force" and assert that "his approval was a source of confidence" because of "unique economic and business judgments." No other evidence than the foregoing is necessary to demonstrate that his was a highly rare combination of intellectual aptitudes, prompt and generous emotional response, and ready decision which imnmediately found expression in action. His early schooling was received in the city of his birth, Flint, Michigan, at the Patterson school in Detroit, and St. Paul's at Concord, New Hampshire. After the Harvard course and admission to the Michigan bar, he did not immediately take on the work of his profession, but devoted himself to journalism and published the Genesee Democrat from I879 to 1887 achieving success and influence in this field. He was born in Flint November 5th, 1859, and as will be inferred by the student of psychology owes much to heredity and home training. Those familiar with the forceful personality of his father, the high intellectual and emotional endowment and untiring energy of his mother, will recognize the natural equipment for a useful life. On the paternal, side his ancestors came from England to America in I630. They settled in Rhode Island, later in New York, and still later in Michigan. Among the maternal ancestors who resided in New England there appears the name of a great-grandfather, a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war. Jerome Eddy, the father, was brought to Michigan in early infancy. Both parents, it will be observed, were of that sturdy pioneer stock to which Flint and its environs owe their reputable traditions of high-class citizenship. Jerome Eddy, by occupation a lumberman, was a prominent figure in the politics of his day, was sometime mayor of Flint and chairman of the Democratic State Central committee. Under the presidency of Cleveland he represented the United States in a consular position in Canada. Though never identifying himself with political matters to the same extent as did his father, Arthur Eddy received speaking assignments and took an active part in early campaigns. At the age of nineteen (I878) he was booked for a speech in an Indiana town. The old party war-horses noticed with disapproval his youthfulness and grumbled unflattering comments to the effect that a boy had been handed over to them to rattle 'round in a place adapted to one of mature years. Like many another scoffer, however, these bridle-wise individuals suspicious of the inco-ordinate antics of a HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY colt, were destined to remain to pray. At the close of the meeting the speaker was given an exalted position on the shoulders of the scoffers and in triumph returned to his hotel. He was a delegate to the National Convention in I884 at which Grover Cleveland was nominated. A close friendship was established between them which continued throughout the remaining years. From the platform he was eloquent and convincing. I remember an address on the general topic of art. His contention was that art appreciation was individualistic and that art indeed was for th6 individual, that which as an onlooker he enjoyed or as an actor he experienced satisfaction in doing; that ironing a collar well and with enjoyment was no less an expression of art in the laundress than was to the sculptor, the chiselled product of his brain and hand. "Perhaps," writes one, "his most remarkable quality was versatility." He was, so to speak, athletic mentally and physicallymentally as his brilliant career in law and literature and his devotion to the game of chess indicate; physically, as shown by the aptitude in fencing and in the still, more unusual broad-sword exercise. His membership in clubs included the Metropolitan, the Recess, and the Athletic, of New York; the Chicago, the Saddle and Cycle, and the Cliff Dwellers, of Chicago; the Los Angeles Athletic, the Valley Hunt club and the Tuna club, of California. He was the founder and first president of the California Light Tackle club, was the first to fish with light tackle for large game seafish, and for long held the record for the largest tuna fish caught with this type of equipment. He practiced law in Michigan in 1887. Moving to Chicago, he formed a partnership with Edwin Walker, Esq., of that city. The firm of Walker & Eddy were counsel for the World's Columbian Exposition; also for a number of railroads and large corporations. His corporation law activities necessitated his spending much time in New York, indeed one-half of every month for many years. He was chairman of the comnittee which arranged for the entertainment of Prince Henry in Chicago; was the recipient of a decoration-that of Knight of the Red Eagle-from the German emperor. To the jurist, the art student, the man of letters, and the general reader the products of his pen are delightful. Of extraordinary interest is his conception of those inscrutable problems of existence and no-existence which have been the subject of speculation and for which solutions have from the earliest times been vainly sought-the baffling questions of beginnings and finalities. The following is an extract from a letter to a friend indicating his philosophy of life: "We all know we live in a world of appearances, that we are creatures of our senses, and we know how limited those senses are, how at best they grasp but a few of the phases of reality, a few 230 HISTORY OF GENIEE COUNTY sounds, a few colors, and so on. Now what we call life is the almost infinitesimal- fraction of the universe that falls within our few and crude senses. I say you are 'alive' because for the time being my limited senses grasp a few aspects which I call 'you.' One day you cease to move and act 'alive', so I call you dead. As a matter of fact you have probably just begun to live. The life in you-the one great fundamental life that is in you and me and in all people and things-all manifestations-has dropped its physical environment, its separation-so to speak-and again flows about me and in me just as it did before you were born. A flower 'dies', that is it fades away from our senses, and returns to earth, but the life in it never dies, never fades away, rather does it become free to enter into us. It served its purpose when it moved us as a flower and responded to its environment as a flower, then it goes on to move us in other ways." His name will live in general literature as well as in that pertaining to his profession. On his "Law of Combinations," a recognized standard work on the subject, a legal friend, Judge Gold, of Flint, wrote quaintly and characteristically as follows: "Flint, Michigan, January 23rd, I901. My Dear Arthur J. Eddy: While I know nothing of 'Eddy on Combinations', I supposed 1 did know him 'On' most everything else. The first thought upon tearing away the wrapping was: The author was a wonder and a wizard: What can he not do? There was Chess, Archery, Bicycling, Art, Poetry, Law, Song(?), Politics, Oratory, Money-Making, Courtesy-all the graces that are worth anything: He is' like Saul among the children of Isreal, 'head and shoulders above them all." * * * But in all seriousness: I do think from the brief glances I have made of your work, that it is a wonderful thing for any one to have wrought out-and for one with such a multiplicity of other affairs-I cannot imagine how it could have been accomplished. * * * Most sincerely, GEORGE R. GOLD" To his lecture on "Delight-the Soul of Art," reference has already been made. "Ten Thousand Miles In an Automobile" as a description of the first long journey by automobile in America and the first book on the subject of automobiling in this country. His "Recollections and Impressions of James McNeill Whistler" is a record of a delightful acquaintance with this unique personality. Whistler painted his portrait in I894 and close friendship then established endured until the artist's death nearly a decade later. HISTORY OP GENeSEE COUNTY '231 "Ganton and Company" was a novel so readable as to merit dramatization. It was successfully staged and produced by a company headed by George Fawcett. "Tales of a Small Town" are impressions of his birthplace, Flint, written in the vein of Cape Cod Folks. "The New Competition" deals with competitive conditions along radical and revolutionary lines and has already passed through eight editions. "Cubists and Post-Impressionism" is a sympathetic study of this, to many, somewhat trying and difficult interpretable art. "Property," for the serious reader an illuminating and satisfying book, was published posthumously. It is a sincere, painstaking production and replete with that fast-disappearing commodity, common sense. It well repays diligent reading. In phrasing, it is direct, trenchant and convincing and should give pause to the shallow propagandist of a revolutionary doctrine concerning the acquisition and uses of wealth. It is particularly valuable to the serious and fair-minded student of economics who will find therein much to equip for successful contention with impracticable theorists or subtleminded radicals. In the foreword to the book, Horace J. Bridges has written, "His finest insight is 'his clear perception that the evils which afflict society are after all, due not to external conditions, but to unpurged defects in human nature itself." Invaluable in the discussion of present-day tendencies in the direction of state ownership are reflections such as these. "The only great objections to abolishing private ownership and control of landed property in any or all of its forms in favor of the state, is the poor and inefficient use the state makes of its opportunities." "State ownership is so wasteful, so inefficient and often so corrupt that most thinking-and instinctively many unthinking men are opposed to it. "In short the evils of private ownership are believed to be less than those of the state. The individual may make a poor landlord, but it is notorious that the state or city makes a worse so far as getting real value out of the property for the community. The state either does nothing or is badly victimized in trying to utilize its properties." As to "luxuries," the inability to enjoy alone what one possesses and the dependence for approbation and appreciation one upon another, is cogently set forth thus: "Men owning luxuries do not, as a matter of fact, hold them to the exclusion of others. In a profound sense a luxury ceases to be a luxury if others do not view it as such." As to the much stressed "equality," it is written "exact equality in the distribution of comforts and luxuries is absolutely unattainable, either practically or theoretically," but the obvious fact is plainly set forth that a much higher average of comfort fails of t~ 332 HISTORY OF "MLSSEE COUNTY realization because of conditions "not due to poverty but to indifference." "The pernicious side of extravagance is not its cost in time, labor, money or resources, but its example. It accentuates and magnifies the gulf that divides the masses who cannot afford those things from the individual who can." "The number of wholly vicious extravagances are comparatively few-so few they are startlingly conspicuous even.in our largest cities. Outside of our largest cities there is almost none." "To eliminate-theoretically-all luxuries, we are forced to the conclusion that a theoretically pure communionism which demands absolute equality of enjoyment and opportunity would be obliged to forbid the production of any kind of food, clothing, shelter, amusement that cannot be enjoyed by all on a footing of equality." The foregoing are a few paragraphs or sentences culled at random from this fascinating book. Is it not true, as Mr. Bridges declares, that "The appreciation of Mr. Eddy's teachings and his fame as a constructive thinker will continue to increase as his thoughtso far in advance of his time-conquers the attention to which its worth entitles it." Mr. Eddy was married June 3rd, I890, to Lucy (Crapo) Orrell, granddaughter of former Governor Crapo, of Flint. She, like Mr. Eddy, was of literary and artistic tastes as evidenced by numerous poetic contributions to various publications. Their son, Jerome Orrell Eddy, married in 1916 Mabel Kennedy, of Grafton, West Virginia, and of their union was born a son, Jerome Arthur Eddy. The above was written by Dr. Burr, an old and valued friend. Jerome Eddy was born at Stafford, New York. His parents were Willard and Eliza (Case) Eddy. Willard Eddy was a carpenter by trade, came to Michigan with his family while the state was a wilderness, coming to Genesee county and entered land on which a part of the city of Flint now stands. The present public library stands on the site of their old home. Both parents died in Flint, reaching a ripe old age. Jerome Eddy was one of three sons and two daughters, born to his parents. He grew to manhood here and attended the pioneer schools. He began life as a clerk in a general store and later became a member of the firm of Morrison & Eddy, pioneer merchants. Later engaged in lumbering and continued until his death. He was married in Flint to Ellen M. Curtis, a daughter of Samuel and Fanny (Walker) Curtis, natives of New York state and pioneers of Michigan, coming here while it was a territory, settling on a tract of land about five miles from Flint in Grand Blanc. The mother walked from Detroit to Grand Blanc and carried her baby on her back. Both parents died in this county. Fred G. Eddy. Fred G. Eddy, secretary of the Randall Lumber company, reflects the transmission of an unusual circumstance or condition. He represents, with much credit, a business that has been dominant in the family for 150 years-lumber. Members of HISTORY OF GENI)SEE COUNTY 233 the Eddy family for a century and a half have been engaged in lumbering or mill operation and this predilection is strongly manifested in the subject of this sketch. On the first day of I917, Mr. Eddy came to Flint as secretary and manager of the Randall Lumber company. His interests are diverse, but chiefly centering about the lumber industry. He is treasurer of Eddy Brothers & Company, of Bay City; vice-president of Mershon, Eddy & Parker company, of Saginaw; secretary of the Lake Transit company, of Bay City; director of the Genesee County Savings bank; director of the Rubedew Lumber company, Post Falls, Idaho; president of the Ormand Mining company, of West Virginia; and member of the Michigan State Lumber Dealers' association, of which for three years he was a director. Mr. Eddy is also an Elk and a loyal bearer of the escutcheon of Rotary. Fred G. Eddy was born March 12, 1876, in Buckport, Maine, a son of Charles and Elizabeth Eddy. Charles Eddy was a lumber operator. In 1877 the Eddy family moved to Michigan, the father having preceded the other members of the family by one year. Fred G. attended public school in Bay City and Andover College, Andover, Massachusetts. Upon leaving college, Mr. Eddy entered the traditional field and directed logging for Eddy Brothers & Company in extensive Canadian timber lands. On November 1, 1899, Mr. Eddy was united in marriage to Miss Sara Carrington, daughter of E. T. Carrington, of Bay City. There are two children, Edwin C. Eddy and Priscilla. The father of Mrs. Eddy, now deceased, was long in the lumber business. Her mother is living. The parents of Mr. Eddy are dead. Andrew E. Edgerton, M. D., is one of the representative physicians and surgeons of Genesee county, where he has been established in the successful general practice of his profession since the winter of i919, with residence and headquarters in the attractive village of Clio. The doctor was born at Allegan, Michigan, and the date of his nativity was July II, 189o. Hq is a son of Andrew C. and Celia (Goodman) Edgerton, both of whom likewise were born and reared in Michigan, where the respective families were founded in the pioneer days. Andrew C. Edgerton was a farmer in Allegan county until his removal to Cass county, where he acquired a good farm and where he continued his alliance with agricultural and livestock industry until his death in 1914, at the age of sixty-one years, his widow being still a resident of Cass county and being now (I924) seventy years of age. The public schools of Michigan afforded Dr. Edgerton his preliminary education, and in I909 he was graduated in the high school at St. Clair. He advanced his academic education by a course in Alma College, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1913, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science. Thereafter he gave two years to successful service as a teacher in the public schools of Cass county and he then followed the line of his ambition by entering the Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery. In this admirable institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1919, and after receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine 234 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY he further fortified himself by the valuable clinical experience gained in about one year of service as an interne in Harper Hospital, Detroit. Late in I919 he came to Clio, and here he has built up a substantial general practice of representative order. He is a member of the Genesee County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. May 3, I920, recorded the marriage of Dr. Edgerton to Miss Ruth Fritz, and their one child is a fine son, Andrew C., III. Mrs. Alta Beach 'Edmonds, whose metropolitan and finely appointed art studio in the city of Flint is eligibly located at 504 East Court street, corer of Liberty street, has played a large and important part in advancing musical art in the United States, where she has been associated with various musical schools of major influence, and she is a leader in the cultural activities of the city of Flint, where her circle of friends is coincident with that of her acquaintances. Mrs. Edmonds was born at Hartland, Livingston county, Michigan, August 13, 1877, and is the only child of John Elmer and Adell (Bussey) Beach. She was three years of age at the time of the family removal to Fowlerville, in the same county, and there she was reared under the gracious environment and influences of a village in which clean and sterling atmosphere was distinctly in evidence. She profited by the advantages of the public schools, and her parents, both keenly appreciative of music and its benignant influence, were liberal and zealous in giving to their only child the best of musical training, Mrs. Edmonds having begun the study of the piano at the age of six years. Her exceptional talent early manifested itself, as is evident, when it is recorded that when she was thirteen years of age she not only had the dignified distinction of proving a successful teacher of music but was also chosen organist of the First Baptist church in her home village. She was sixteen years old when the family removed to Ann Arbor, primarily for the purpose of giving to her the advantages of the school of music of the great University of Michigan. In this school she completed in three years the prescribed four years' course, and was duly graduated. At Ann Arbor she became director of music in the Christian church, and there, also, she served as soloist in the First Congregational church and St. Joseph's Catholic church, besides amplifying her professional work by becoming a teacher of both voice and piano. In 1897 she opened, at 213 Woodward avenue, in the city of Detroit, the Michigan School of Expression, and while in the Michigan metropolis she served also as contralto soloist of Westminster Presbyterian church. The year I9oo recorded her marriage to J. Donald Edmonds, of Chicago, and in that city they established their home. In Chicago Mrs. Edmonds was for ten years the soprano soloist and the director of music in the Church of the Messiah, a position that' had previously been held by the late and loved Jessie Bartlett Davis, whose noble personality and great talent made her a national favorite in American musical circles. In HISTORY OF GENIESEE COUNTY 236 Chicago Mrs. Edmonds likewise held a similar position in the Woodlawn Methodist Episcopal church, besides which she extended her professional activities to include service as director of the Chicago School of Opera and the Chicago-Kenwood Musical College. In the passing years she continued her own studies and was favored in receiving coaching under the best musical teachers of both America and Europe, her ambition being to give the maximum of service and artistic interpretation in the art to which she was devoting her life. She is not only one of the most successful of teachers, but has gained high reputation and become a favorite in the field of concert and oratorio work. Owing to the illness of her loved mother, who passed to the life eternal in January, I920, it became a matter of filial expediency for Mrs. Edmonds to establish her residence in Flint, Michigan, where she has since maintained her home and where she finds opportunity for most effective service in her profession and in connection with the general social and cultural life of the community. Besides being an artist of national reputation Mrs. Edmonds is also the adopted mother of four homeless children. She is here the director of the Alta Beach Edmonds Musical Art Studio, and is making the same one of the splendid institutions of her native state of Michigan. As one of the prominent figures in Michigan musical circles, Mrs. Edmonds is particularly entitled to representation in this history of her native state and home county. Earl Claude Eisman Mr. Eisaman founded the Dental Supply depot in 1922 in the Bush building, now located in the Genesee Bank building. He came to Flint in I920, has put energy into his business and has prosecuted a policy of service that conduces to the growth of the business. Mr. Eisaman was born March i8, 1884, in St. Mary's, Ohio, a son of Obediah and Elnora Eisaman. To the latter were born six children, two, twins, dying in infancy. The living children are: Mrs. Alice Binder, of Columbia City, Indiana; Mrs. Ethel Garling, of Akron, Ohio; Clarence Adrian, of Columbia City, and Earl Claude. Earl C. attended public school in Columbia City and the International Business college, of Fort Wayne, being graduated with the class of I902. From I902 to 1907 he was associated with the Fort Wayne Dental Depot and from I907 to I918 with the Consolidated Dental Manufacturing company, of Detroit. From I918 to I922 he was identified with the Ransom & Randolph company, of Toledo, widely known concern which also publishes The Dental Summary. In 1922 he established a dental supply business which is developing profitably. On December 25, 1905, Mr. Eisaman was united in marriage to Miss Claire Keyes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Keyes, of Fort Wayne. One son is the issue of the union, Harold Keyes Eisaman. Mr. Eisaman is a Rotarian, and a Mason, a member of the York Rite Chapter, a Knights Templar, Shrine and deputy commissioner of the Boy Scouts in Flint. He is interested in all measures and movements set forth 336 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY to advance the civic and material interests of the city and helpful therein. In politics, he is Republican. Joseph Brush Fenton. Joseph Brush Fenton, son of Colonel William M. Fenton, was born in Fenton, Michigan, June 28, I843. His boyhood days from the age of five years were spent in Flint. He was educated at the Casianonia Seminary, of Casianonia, New York, and at the Madison University of Hamilton, New York. He read law with his father, but although he acquired considerable knowledge of the subject, he never asked for admission to the bar. When the Civil war was under way he enlisted in his father's regiment, the Eighth Michigan, going in at its organization, being connected with Company G, and in due time was made quartermaster sergeant. Later he became second lieutenant, generally acting as aide to his father, who was in command of the division. He was attached for a time to General Poe's staff, becoming first lieutenant and continued to serve on staff duty throughout the war. He was severely wounded at Chantilly, Virginia, and lay for nine weeks in the hospital at Washington, being placed in what later became the home of Mrs. Surratt, 541 Eighth street, west, at which place the conspiracy was formed for the assassination of Lincoln. During the war this building was kept as a private boarding house by a Mr. Treadway, from Pontiac, Michigan. On recovering from his wounds he rejoined the Eighth Michigan in the service and accompanied it in its wanderings. He saw much of the warfare in South Carolina, was at Port Royal, Hilton Head and James Island, coming later to Virginia. He was holding the rank of first lieutenant when discharged from the service being disabled by many serious wounds. An extract from a paper called the Camp Kettle, published at Beaufort, South Carolina, May I, I862, gives the following concerning Mr. Fenton at the battle of Chantilly, Virginia. "Quartermaster-sergeant J. B. Fenton, son of Colonel Fenton, and only about eighteen years of age, was with the troops in citizen's clothes and seized upon the musket and ammunition of one of the slain. He deliberately spotted his man and fired away very coolly, blowing the smoke out of his gun each time she was discharged to keep her cool. This is an old hunter's fashion and young Fenton was reckoned quite a nimrod among the game in the wilds of Michigan. We are told that he would stop his deer at one or two hundred paces every time he drew a bead, and we have no doubt but that 'secesh' today mourns the aim of the young hunter by more than one stricken hearth." Returning to Flint after the close of the war he entered into business with Mr. Caldwell, dealing in groceries and queensware. He then went west, and from 1867 to I869 was in New Mexico. After his marriage he located at Wichita, Kansas, where he invested in city and country property, buying up government land in the Osage Indian area at $1.25 per acre. He made quite a success in HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 237 his ventures, and for a time operated a model stock ranch. In I876 he returned to Flint. The death of his father took place in I87I and in 1876 Joseph took charge of his share of the estate, including the present Fenton block, built in the sixties. This is a four-story structure and in it Mr. Fenton though first of all a patriot, was a Democrat, and served efficiently as a member of the state board of land commissioners. Mr. Fenton had a brother, Henry Fenton, an attorney at Bay City, who died three years since. His life was almost wholly spent there, being engaged chiefly in the mercantile trade. Of the two sisters one, Sarah R., died when still young. She was one of the most popular young ladies of Flint, having received a broad education in the east. She had traveled extensively in Europe. The other sister, Adelaide, was married to Colonel William B. McCreery, whose son, Fenton McCreery, is the present minister and consul-general of the Dominican republic at the city of Santo Domingo. He was secretary of the legation at Santiago, Chile, under Minister Eagan, at the time his father was United States consul at Valparaiso, Chile. He has seen much diplomatic service, having been the first secretary of the embassy at Mexico City, his last appointment there having been given by President Roosevelt in I906. Mr. Fenton's wife was the only daughter of Artimus and Louise Thayer. Mr. Thayer was one of the most prominent builders in Flint having constructed such buildings as the Crystal House and the Dayton House; also the Bryant and Armory blocks. The latter structure was burned to the ground, but before the coals had all died out Mr. Thayer had teams at work clearing away the debris, and his energy and push soon resulted in a new structure where the former one had stood. The Thayers camne from New York state and were prominent in the social, industrial and educational life, having made a wide impression in both public and private life. The son, Edward Thayer, was one of the ablest lawyers of Flint, standing high in his profession. He was married to Miss Imogine Stanley, who is now proprietor of the home of Americans in Paris, France; Edward is deceased. Mrs. Fenton is the only survivor of the Thayer family, as Joseph B. Fenton is of the Fentons. Mrs. Fenton was an active worker in the Presbyterian church. She died in 19I5. The family is made up of three children and one adopted child. Mamie is the wife of James Martin, assistant cashier of the Genesee County Savings bank. Mazie is the wife of Dr. Donald McCall, of Muskegon, Michigan. Virginia is still at home. Louise is a graduate in the class of 1907 of the Bradford Academy, of Bradford, Massachusetts, the oldest female academy in the United States. Mr. Fenton was a lover of the chase and secured many trophies in his time. Among these are deer, moose, buffalo, etc. He enjoyed out-of-door life and spent many happy hours living close to the heart of nature. His death occurred in January, 1920. 238 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Colonel William Matthew Fenton. Colonel William M. Fenton, father of Joseph Brush Fenton was born in Norwich, Chenango county, New York, December 19, I808. He was graduated from Hamilton College, Clinton, New York state, in 1826, and then spent four years upon the sea. He rose from the rank of common sailor to the office of first mate of a merchantman, and was then profered the captaincy, but declined. He was married in April, 1835, to the daughter of Judge James Birdsall, of Norwich, New York, and in July of that year settled in Pontiac, Michigan, engaging in the mercantile business with Robert LeRoy. In April, I837, he settled in Dibbleville, Genesee county, a village that later changed its name in his honor. He engaged in business as a merchant and real estate broker. He was admitted to the bar in I842. In i844 he was defeated as a Democratic candidate for the state legislature, but in I846 he was elected to the senate of that body from the Genesee district. He took an active part in the state school for the deaf, dumb and blind. In 1848 he was elected lieutenant-governor and re-elected in I850. Upon removing to Flint he was appointed by President Pierce as registrar of the land office there, and continued his official duties in that capacity until the removal of the office to Saginaw. In 1856 he visited Europe with his family. In 1858 he was elected mayor of Flint and gave efficient service. When the war cloud broke over the country there was no more loyal supporter of the Union cause than William M. Fenton. He wired Governor Blair to draw on him for $5,000 to equip the first company of troops called into service. Early in I86I he was made major of the Seventh Michigan Infantry, but before mustering he was commissioned by Governor Blair as colonel of the Eighth Michigan Infantry. He saw to it that the regiment was drilled and ready for service in a remarkably short time. After some weeks spent in Camp Anderson at Grand Rapids, the regiment was mustered into the United States service at Fort Wayne and departed for Washington. This regiment with the Seventy-ninth New York, was carried by the ocean steamer "Vanderbilt" on the expedition to Hilton Head, North Carolina, under General Sherman, the brigade commander being Brigadier-General Isaac I. Stevens. The introduction to actual warfare was the attack and capture of the Confederate forts. Walker and Beauregard, in South Carolina, the former being taken possession of by the Eighth Michigan Regiment. The first battle in which the regiment participated was at Coosaw river on New Year's day, 1862. At the battle of James Island the Eighth lost heavily, being in the advance attack on a formidable fort, and not receiving adequate support. The loss to the regiment in killed, wounded and missing was one-third of their entire number. One of those killed in the conflict was Captain S. C. Guild, of Flint, commanding Company A. During these operations Colonel Fenton had been in command of the brigade, and upon his own request was released and assumed the direct command of his regiment. Being HISTORY OF GENDSEE COUNTY 23S returned to Fortress Monroe the regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac and fought at the second battle of Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain and Antietam, at the latter place twentyseven men out of two hundred in actual engagement were lost outright. Colonel Fenton resigned his command while at Newport News, his health being greatly impaired. Upon his return to Michigan he was Democratic candidate for governor and later devoted his attention to his business, including the building of the brick block on Saginaw street, erected in I865, and which, after forty years of the city's growth and improvement, is a credit to the architecture of Flint. He was made chief of the fire department upon the organization of a city government, his death, on May 12, I87I, being the result of his zeal in the performance of his duty. His loss was a blow to the community and was keenly felt throughout the city. At the time of his funeral, business houses closed and many were draped in mourning. He was a ripe scholar and had attained to the fullest confidence of his townsmen. His wife had preceded him three years before, and he was survived by his four children. Chester Gamaliel Finster is engaged in the work of his profession in the city of Flint, where, as a civil engineer and architect, duly licensed under the provision of the state laws, he maintains his offices at II2 Paterson building. Mr. Finster was born at Port Huron, St. Clair county, Michigan, April I9, 1878, and is a son of Dr. Frederick Ellis Finster, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and who first settled in Canada upon coming to America, he having at first looked upon the United States as governmentally unregenerate, because of the nation's lack of a monarch, but he eventually came to fully appreciate the democratic form of government. He was one of the early physicians of the Homeopathic school, and he practiced his profession successfully from I86I until his death, which occurred when he was well advanced in years. The subject of this review has two living sisters, Alice and Edith Nan, and one surviving brother, Arthur R., who resides at Highland Park, Michigan. The eldest brother, a lake pilot, is deceased, and the next younger brother likewise has passed away, his death having occurred in I912 and he being survived by one child, Ellis. Arthur R. Finster has two children. Andrew and Georgiana. Chester G. Finster acquired his early education in the public schools of Michigan, and as a young 'man he was for seven years a sailor on the Great Lakes. It was after this experience that he eventually prepared himself for the profession which he is now successfully following, having established himself in business at Flint in March, I919, and having previously followed his profession from the year 900o in Detroit. Mr. Finster was initiated in the Masonic fraternity as an entered apprentice in Friendship lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., in the city of Detroit, and later he became a charter member of Highland Park lodge No. 468, in the Highland Park suburb of the Michigan metropolis. Of the latter lodge he served as secretary. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY His present ancient-craft affiliation is with Davison lodge No. 236, at Flint. In Detroit he retains membership in Damascus Com. mandery No. 42, Knights Templar, and at Saginaw he is a noble of Elf Khurafeh Temple of the Mystic Shrine, the while both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Their religious faith is that of the Christian Science church. Mr. Finster wedded Miss Miranda T. Armitage, of Port Huron, this state, and they have three children, Chester Harold, Julia Dorothy and Adah Lydia. George Dallas Flanders. Mr. Flanders was born in Clermont, New Hampshire, August 30, I844, a son of Charles B. Flanders, who was born in Warner, New Hampshire, in I820, and of Sophia A. (Williams) Flanders, also a native of New Hampshire, born in 1823. After Mr. Flanders and Miss Williams were married they went to live in Clermont where their only child, George D., was born. The parents came to Adrian, Michigan, in 1853, and were in St. Joseph, Missouri, two years but returned to Michigan and settled in Flint where the father engaged in mercantile business, also farming. He was quite successful and active, to the very close of his life, in 1895. Mrs. Flanders died December 9, 1896. George D. received a good education and an excellent home training as the foundation of a worthy future. He spent a short time in St. Joe, next to Denver, where he offered his services to Ed Rollins, and subsequently was placed in charge of all field work undertaken by Mr. Rollins who had a contract to furnish hay to all government posts in that vicinity. He was in Denver during the Sand Creek massacre. Returning to St. Joe, Mr. Flanders became assistant bookkeeper for Hartling, Sloop & Company, large mercantile establishment, but remained only a year as his parents had bought tfwo lots and a frame store building at Third avenue and North Saginaw street, in Flint, and desired him to assist them, so on coming to Flint, he entered mercantile business with his father and remained at such until the death of the father. When Detroit street was opened a lot was donated Charles B. Flanders provided he build and open a store. To this he readily assented and carried out his end of the agreement with success. He was a man of sound judgment and forethought and it required no little degree of bravery to build out so far from the then established business district. But he had supreme faith in the thrift and growth of the "Vehicle City." George Dallas Flanders was married to Anna C. Rankin, daughter of Francis H. and Arabella (Hearn) Rankin and three sons were born, Charles B., Francis H. and John L. Francis H. Flanders married Jessie Cotharin, born June 30, 1879, and is the father of two children, Francis George, born November 9, 1908, and Elizabeth Ann, born March 6, I9II. Mr. Flanders was a Democrat but not active, being a firm believer in subordinating party interest to public welfare. He was a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and an Elk and president of the board of Hurley hospital. He attended and substantially supported the St. Paul Episcopal church. Eliza GEORGE D. FLANDERS IISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 241. beth Ann Flanders, daughter of Francis Hearn and Jessie Cotharin Flanders, is a granddaughter of George D. and Anna Rankin Flanders and a great-granddaughter of Charles Bernard and Sophia Williams Flanders, and a great-great-granddaughter of Jonathan Flanders (born, 1798; died, I877) and Sarah B. Lowell (born, I797; died, 1858). Jonathan Flanders and Sarah B. Lowell were married in I8I6. Sarah B. Lowell was a daughter of Bernard Lowell, who married Sarah Merrill. Bernard Lowell was born in 1769 and died in 80o7. Sarah Merrill was born in I797 and died in 1858. Thus, George D. Flanders and his granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Flanders, became direct descendants of a Revolutionary forebear, Bernard Lowell. He lived in Amesbury, Massachusetts, and was a private in the Continental army. The Lowell genealogy is amply supplied and authenticated, pages 339 and 708, History of Warner, New Hampshire; page 479, volume III, page 238 of New Hampshire state war records. Helen Tappan Sanborn, being descended of the same Lowell family, is a Daughter of the American Revolution, National No. 72,184. George D. Flanders died April 23, 1917, and was mourned by a large circle of friends. Flint Motor Company. Mere figures are generally uninteresting and yet they serve to illumine, and to state that the Flint Motor company represents an investment of $15,000,000, with no bonded indebtedness or mortgage, conveys a great deal of information of the most helpful and encouraging character. The Flint Motor company has contributed immeasurably to the making of Flint and Flint is felicitous in having this great corporation in its midst and so a recital of pure facts and figures speak convincingly of an industry and an enterprise of which Flint is justly proud. The growth of the company and the importance of its attractive product justify the recital of fact for they are of general importance and interest. The plant contains more than a quarter of a million dollars worth of material, bought and paid for, for current production. The company discounts all bills as material is purchased. Two thousand men are employed at the plant which means that Io,ooo persons are directly dependent upon the operation of the company. The majority of employes are men who have been residents of Flint many years. The retail value of the first eight months' production of Flint Sixes exceeds $I8,000,000 and the first Flint Six cars are all in the hands of the original purchasers with the exception of one touring car that was exchanged for a Flint sedan. The first production car was built at Long Island City, June Io, 1923, and the first Flint-built Flint was produced October I, 1923, and more than 32,000 Flint Sixes have beeno built and sold. The product is handled by sales establishments in more than one thousand cities. Sixes are built to dealers' advance orders and no production is scheduled except against cars already sold. As to the physical property, the Flint Motor company plant is built on a hundred acre tract of land owned by the corporation. and each main building is 900 feet long and has three wings 450 by 30 feet in dimensions. The plant contains 242 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY I,186,920 square feet of floor space and 1,600,000 feet, or approximately 300 miles of timber was used in making the forms for the concrete work, while 25,000 cubic yards of concrete were poured to fill these forms in the construction of the solid walls. This concrete would make a column one foot square and 131 miles in length. The plant's water tank has a capacity of Ioo,ooo gallons. There are 130,000 square feet of window space, requiring 115,000 panes of window glass and forty tons of putty to hold them in place. The equipment includes 30,000 automatic sprinklers for fire protection. The plant utilizes seven miles of private railroad trackage with special sidings to each material and loading dock. This serves the transportation needs of the Flint Six, all of which, in view of the infancy of the company, presages a tremendously prolific future. And Flint has ample justification in her pride at being the home of Flint Six; the prosperity of the one stamps the success of the other. J. Richard Francis is consistently to be designated as one of those who have been leaders in the development of the great automotive industry, and he is today the executive head of an important enterprise that has intimate bearing on the most advanced scientific and practical principle! involved in the construction and operation of motor vehicles. In the city of Flint he is secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Marvel Carburetor company, a concern that had contributed much to the precedence of this city and that of the state of Michigan as to the stage of motor car manufacturing. Prior to coming to Michigan, Mr. Francis had been president of the Francis Pharmacy company at Indianapolis, Indiana, besides serving as official chemist for the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad company, he having won high reputation as a chemist and his original activities having been largely of professional order. J. Richard Francis was born at Fountaintown, Shelby county, Indiana, December 31, 1870, and is a scion of a sterling family that was founded in America in the colonial period of our national history. The original American representatives of the Francis family were three brothers who came from Wales and who settled respectively in New York, New Jersey and Virginia, the brother who settled in New Jersey having been the ancestor of J. Richard Francis, and the latter's great-grandfather in this line having been a patriot soldier in the war of the Revolution. Richard Francis, grandfather of the subject of this review, was a large land owner and an honored and influential citizen in New Jersey, and his wife whose maiden name was Anna Carr, was a member of a prominent New Jersey family that had kinship with Napoleon Boneparte. Dr. Joseph Francis, son of Richard and Anna (Carr) Francis, was born and reared in Monmouth county, New Jersey. He was eighteen years of age when he and his brother, Edward T., came west and established their residence in Indiana, where both attended the Hartsville Classical School, a famous institution of that period, and both prepared themselves for the medical profession. Dr. Joseph Francis was graduated from the Ohio Medical College in the city of Cincinnati, and A - M -we -.- -02 I HISTORY OF GENEISEE COUNTY 243 thereafter he continued in the active practice of his profession at Fountaintown, Indiana, until his death, which occurred March I4, I893. He was a man of fine character and high professional attainments. Though he refused to leave the community in which he initiated his professional career, he gained high repute and marked success as a physician and surgeon and as one of the really representative members of his profession in his native state. The doctor wedded Miss Catherine Mutz, and their only child is he whose name begins this review. Hon. Jacob Mutz, maternal grandfather of J. Richard Francis, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, of German and Swiss ancestry, was a child when his parents became pioneer settlers in Miami county, Ohio, and as a young man he became an early settler in Shelby county, Indiana, where was solemnized his marriage to Anna Maria Snepp, their children having been ten in number. Hon. Jacob Mutz was one of the leaders in the Indiana councils of the Democratic party, was thrice elected to the state legislature, was for fourteen years a member of the state board of agriculture, and gave many years of service as a trustee of Purdue University. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and his was an earnest and fruitful service as a communicant of the Lutheran church. J. Richard Francis gained his early education by attending the public schools of his native place, and March I4, 1893, he was graduated from Purdue University. It had been the wish of his father that he should enter the medical profession, but from this he was diverted. After his graduation he became assistant in the analytical laboratory of Purdue University, under Dr. J. N. Hurty, who later served many years as secretary of the Indiana state board of health. Subsequently Mr. Francis became a partner with Dr. Hurty in the J. N. Hurty Pharmacy company, Indianapolis, and in this connection he gained high reputation as a skilled chemist. He was identified with the upbuilding of the substantial and important business of that company, besides having become the executive head of the most completely equipped analytical laboratory in the state of Indiana. On the fourth of November, I908, Mr. Francis became one of the incorporators of the Marvel Carburetor company, and his professional and technical skill came into play effectively during the four years that he and his associates carried on their experimental work and research. The personnel of the organization has changed somewhat, but Mr. Francis has remained identified with the enterprise from its inception to the present time. It has been said that the earlier history of the company was made up largely of many trying experiences, especially because there were many unknown factors to be contended with in the art and science of producing an efficient carburetor. During the autumn and winter of 1911-I2 experimental work was carried on by the company at the manufacturing plant of the Buick Motor company in Flint, Michigan, and the results obtained were so satisfactory that several of Flint's leading automobile manufacturers, together with D. D. Aitken, decided that the logical and expedient action to be taken was for the Marvel Carburetor com 244 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY pany to establish its factory and general headquarters in this city. This action was taken by the company in August, 1912, and under the vigorous and resourceful management of Mr. Francis the company has here built up one of the foremost industrial enterprises of its kind in the United States, Mr. Francis having had executive charge of the business since November, I912. After the company's removal to Flint its first order for carburetors was given by Charles W. Nash, who was then general manager of the Buick Motor company. In taking this action, Mr. Nash, in order that he might be assured of the company's ability to produce the instruments, insisted that he wished to see 500 carburetors built up and placed on the table. This was promptly done, and thereupon Mr. Nash gave to the company its first order. From that time to the present the Marvel Carburetor company has supplied the Buick Motor company with its carburetors, a part of the standard equipment of the Buick cars. This is a commission of no insignificant importance and is coupled with large responsibility, since the motor on which the carburetor is used must function properly under all sorts of weather, road and altitude conditions in all parts of the world. Besides being used by the Buick Motor company, several others of the foremost automobile manufacturers of the United States have the Marvel carburetors as a part of their standard equipment, and the business of the Marvel Carburetor company has thus become one of broad scope. D. D. Aitken is president of the company, and Mr. Francis is its secretary, treasurer and general manager. Mr. Francis was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, and continues an active communicant of the same, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Francis has received the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite of the Masonic fraternity, besides being a noble of the Mystic Shrine, and he is affiliated with the Kappa Sigma and Xi Psi Phi college fraternities. In August, I899, Mr. Francis was united in marriage to Miss Helen Dalrymple, who was born at Morristown, Indiana, and who is the only child of John M. and Mary Ellen (Hargrove) Dalrymple, the Dalrymple family, of Scotch lineage, having been founded in Virginia in the colonial epoch of American history. John M. Dalrymple has long been a representative business man in the city of Indianapolis, and has been influential in public affairs, especially in his service as a member of the Indiana state board of charities. Mrs. Francis was a popular figure in musical, church and cultural circles of Indiana's capital city, and has similar precedence in her present home city of Flint. She attended DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, and there became a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Harry G. Gault. Mr. Gault was prosecuting attorney of Genesee county, Michigan, which office he held from January, I92I, to December 31, I924. He is now a member of Gault & Parker, lawyers, Flint, Michigan. He is a member of the Kiwanis club, Elks, Masons and Republican party and favorably known as a lawyer and public servant. Mr. Gault was born in Genesee county, HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 245 Mt. Morris township, January 25, 1892, the son of William H. and Nora Ryan Gault. The father was born October 29, 1863, the mother on December 17, i866. William H. Gault was born a halfmile from the birthplace of the son, in a log cabin built by his father, Isaac Gault, who came from Canada and settled in Genesee county in the first half of the nineteenth century. Isaac and William H. Gault farmed all their lives and the latter is yet giving his time to farm management. A Republican, he has been active in township politics. Mrs. Gault was born in Mt. Morris township. Her parents came with the Irish immigrants in I840. Her father, Martin Ryan, was also devoted to the peaceful but toilsome art of agriculture. There;re four of five children of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Gault living —Ralph E., a lawyer; Mrs. Alma Schnock, of Flint; Mabel, who is Mrs. Alvin Maulbetsch, of Ypsilanti, and Harry G. The last attended district and high school, was graduated in 1909, worked a year on the farm, taught school in Mt. Morris township one year, then entered the University of Michigan, pursuing a literary course, and was graduated from its literary department in I9I5. He was graduated from the law department in 1917, came to Flint to enter the' prosecutor's office, passed the bar examination and enlisted for service in the World war. He was first lieutenant in the sanitary corps and was assigned for a time to watch liquor violations and conditions of social vice. He asked and was granted transfer to the field artillery and was in judge advocate-general's department. He was discharged and returned to the prosecutor's office in which he served capably as assistant from January, I9I9, to January, 1921. On June 30, 1917, Mr. Gault was married to Alice Wiard, daughter of Frederick and Grace (Andrus) Wiard, formerly of New York state, now of Detroit, Michigan. They have a daughter, Barbara. Ralph E. Gault. Mr. Gault, attorney, is a son of William H. and Nora Gault, of Mt. Morris township. Ralph Everett Gault is of a family of four children, the others being Harry, prosecuting attorney of Genesee county; Mrs. Mabel Maulbetsch and Mrs. Alma N. Schnock. Ralph Everett Gault attended public school in Flint and was graduated from Flint high school in I913. He was graduated from the University of Michigan in 1919, with the Bachelor of Arts degree and two years later was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan with the degree of Juris Doctor. In association with Roy E. Brownell. he began the practice of his profession in Flint in i921. On September 21, I920, Mr. Gault was wedded to Aileen Pierson, daughter of Enos and Jennie Pierson, of Flint. A son, William David, was born March 17, I924. Mr. Gault is a rising member of the bar and of the community. He is the public administrator of Genesee county, a post entailing considerable responsibility. Mr. Gault is active in Republican party affairs and is president and the past vice-president and secretary of the Genesee County Republican club. He is a member 246 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY of the county and state bar associations and is helpful in the promotion of civic movements. Albert E. George. Mr. George is engaged in the real estate business in Flint and combined with real estate is insurance. He entered business upon his discharge from World war service. Mr. George was born in Marion, Michigan, March i, I89o, and attended public school and was graduated from high school. He then left that section of the state and came to Flint working at the Buick plant between four and five years. Later he purchased the sheet metal business known as the Hubbard & Henderson company and changed the name to the A. E. George Metal works. This was operated for eight years and then Mr. George entered the service of his country. He served about one year in Co. H, Fifty-sixth infantry, American Expeditionary Force, in France, and participated in two stirring engagements, along the St. Mihiel sector and in the capture of Hill 337. A shrapnel shell wounded him in the leg and twice the soldier was gassed. Mr. George was honorably discharged at Camp Custer on July 5, I919. On November 26, I92I, Mr. George was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Hunter, of Cleveland. The father of Mr. George was Martin V. George, of Gallipolis, Gallia county, Ohio, a farmer throughout his life. His wife was, before marriage, Mary Elizabeth Hall, a native of Isabel county, Michigan. They had four children, the oldest being Eva, Who married Lee Robinson, sheriff of Osceola county. The other children are: Thomas George, married and has two children; Lillian George married J. Hulliberger, of Flint, who is superintendent at the Chevrolet plant; and the fourth is Albert E., subject of this sketch. Mr. George is a member of Genesee lodge of Masons No. 74, and was sent a medal by the lodge while in France indicative of honorary membership. He is also a Shriner, a member of the Y. M. C. A., American Legion and American Red Cross. Mr. George is a Protestant as are all the members of his family, and is descended from a most desirable Scotch-Irish strain. Isaac Burton Gilbert had to his credit a record of notably successful service in the pedagogic profession prior to his assumption of his present responsible office, that of superintendent of the Michigan State School for the Deaf, at Flint, Genesee county, this noble institution having been founded nearly three-fourths of a century ago, the year I930 representing the seventy-fifth anniversary of its establishment. Along both academic and executive lines Mr. Gilbert is giving a most efficient and loyal administration, the success of which is heightened by his abiding human sympathy and tolerance, which touch and brighten the lives of the students in this splendid Michigan institution. Mr. Gilbert was born at Memphis, Macomb county, Michigan, July 5, I870, and is a son of Charles C. and Matilda (Pierce) Gilbert, the former of whom was born near Memphis, Michigan, as a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of Macomb county, and the latter of whom was born in England, the year of the nativity of each having been I840. Charles C. Gil HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 247 bert was reared on the pioneer farm which his father obtained from the government in the early period of Michigan history, and he passed his entire life in Macomb county, where he eventually became the owner of the old homestead farm on which he was born and to the management of which he gave his attention many years. This ancestral farmstead still remains in the possession of the Gilbert family. Judge Charles C. Gilbert was a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Republican party, was influential in public affairs in Macomb county and there held for sixteen years the office of judge of the probate court. He was for fifty years an active member of the First Congregational church, at Memphis, and in the same his wife likewise was a devoted member. Of the family of two sons and five daughters all are living except one daughter, and four of the number still reside in Michigan. In the public schools of Memphis, Isaac B. Gilbert continued his studies until he had profited by the advantages of the high school, and in I895 he was graduated in Olivet College, at Olivet, Michigan. Thereafter he took effective post-graduate work both in historic old Harvard University and the great University of Chicago. He served one year as principal of the high school in the city of St. Johns, judicial center of Clinton county, and during the ensuing two years he was in similar service at Imlay City, Lapeer county. Thereafter he held for three years the superintendency of schools of St. Johns and for nine years the position of superintendent of the public schools of Traverse City, and next had the distinction of giving eleven years of successful administration as assistant-superintendent of the public schools of Grand Rapids, from which city he came in 1921 to his present position, that of superintendent of the Michigan State School for the Deaf. This institution, for the training of deaf pupils under the age of twenty-one years, has a curriculum similar to that of the public schools, including the high-school department, and the school likewise has the best of facilities for giving to its students vocational training. The year I924 shows an enrollment of 350 pupils, and of the corps of ninety employes at the institution thirty-five are teachers. Here the state owns a fine farm of 300 acres, devoted to diversified agriculture and stock-raising, the farm largely supplying the food provisions of the institution. This school was established in the year 1855, the corer-stone of the school building was laid in I857; and it was the first school of its kind to be established by any western state. The school now has fifteen large, modern buildings, well-equipped in all departments, and the surrounding grounds, with fine old trees and attractive lawns and shrubbery, make the place one of the most beautiful and picturesque in this section of Michigan. The cost to the state for the education of pupils in this school is $400 a year, and all expense is met by the state, no charge being made for the tuition and general living expenses of the pupils. George R. Goering, M. D. Dr. Goering, ranking among the capable medical practitioners of Genesee county and held in the ~ 248 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY highest esteem by profession and laity, was born in Utica, New York, February 23, I883,, a son of Gustav and Christina Goering, nee Dishler. The father emigrated from Germany in 1848 at the age of nineteen. The mother was born in Utica, the daughter of Andrew and Barbara Dishler. Andrew Dishler was a volunteer in the Civil war and fought under Colonel Christian, of Company A, of the Twenty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry and died of wounds received in action. Gustav Goering, a leader in church activities, was especially fond of children and was a generous companion to them. Mr. and Mrs. Goering had four children, Gustav, Charles, Albert M. and George R. The last named received his elementary education in Utica, was graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1902 and from Albany Medical College in I9o6. For three years he practiced in Florence, New York, and in June, gog9, came to Flint to engage in general practice. He was the first physician to be ordered to active duty from the city of Flint in the World war and was in the service two years, the entire time in this country as first lieutenant of the medical corps, promoted to a captaincy. He was in training at Camp Benjamin Harrison and later was sent to Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois, as assistant camp surgeon. He is now a major in the medical reserve corps. In I916 Dr. Goering married Emma Hazel Gentry, born in Cambridge, New York, daughter of Reuben and Olivet Gentry. A son, George Bosworth Goering, was born January 6, I920. Mr. Goering is a member of Flint lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons; Washington chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons; Bay City consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Genesee Valley commandery No. 15, Knights Templar; the Shrine at Saginaw; of the Genesee County Medical society; Michigan State Medical society; American Medical association; Treudeau society, Michigan, and Lions club. Elias F. Good. Mr. Good was born in Erie county, New York, September I6, I858, a son of John and Esther A. (Hummel) Good, also of New York. The ancestors were Hollanders. Elias F. Good was of a family of ten children. At the age of fifteen he came to Genesee county, Michigan, grew up on a farm and attended district and high school. For a while he taught school during the winter months and farmed in the sutnmer. In October, I880, Mr. Good married Ada M. Wadsworth, of Lapeer county. They had seven children, Jesse C., who married Nora Langley; Mabel, who became the wife of Frank Cottrell; Agnes, who married C. M. Stoddard; Hazel, who became the wife of Alger Traver; Blanche, the wife of Ivan Coon; Eunice, who married Roy Baxter; and Clinton C. Mr. Good became the owner of a well-known farm, Maple Ridge Stock farm, and was widely known as a stock breeder. A Republican in politics he was township clerk six years. He also served as treasurer and as school inspector. Jesse C. Good, county clerk of Genesee county, Michigan, was born in Richfield township, Genesee county, September 13, 188I. the son of Elias F. and Ada M. Good, nee Wadsworth. The father HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 249 was born September i6, 1858, in Erie county, near Buffalo, New York, and the mother was born December 28, I859, in Lapeer county, Michigan. Both are living. The grandfather, John Good, moved to Genesee county in 1873 and was a farmer. Elias F. Good was also a farmer. For twelve years, in different periods he was township clerk, the son holding the same office for five years. Jesse C. is the oldest of seven children, the others being Mabel, Agnes, Hazel, Blanche, Eunice and Clinton. Jesse C. attended district school and Bliss Business College in Flint. He came to Flint intending to attend high school but being the oldest child, his father required his help on the farm. After a period of farm work, Mr. Good traveled in Virginia for nine months, then returned to the farm and aided his father until December, I9I6, in which year he was elected county clerk. He took office January I, I917. Elected on the Republican ticket, Mr. Good secured, in I916, a total of 10,346 votes against 520 for his opponent. In I9I8 he had 6,640 as against 2,97I for his rival. In 1920 the vote was 24,921 as against 7,656 for his opponent, while in I922 Mr. Good secured 10,912 votes against his rival's 5,867. On August 26, I908, Mr. Good was united in wedlock to Nora B. Langley, of St. Claire county. They have two children, Helen and Maxine. Mr. Good is a Kiwanian, a Mason and Odd Fellow and a director of the Industrial Center. His public service is characterized by scrupulous attention to the multitudinous duties of the office, the importance of which increases with virtually each session of the state legislature. Ray H. Goodes has not found it necessary to go outside the borders of his native county to find a field for successful business enterprise, and in the city of Flint he is now junior member of the firm of Goodes & Son, which here conducts a substantial and prosperous hardware and farm implement establishment, the large and well-equipped store being situated at 6x9 South Saginaw street, and the subject of this review being the general manager of the business. Mr. Goodes was born on the old homestead farm of the family, in Clayton township, Genesee county, and the date of his nativity was November 20, 1882, he is the elder of the two children cf William H. and Belle Goodes, and he was an infant at the time of his mother's death, the other child being Claude C. Mr. Goodes was about two years old at the time the family removed to the city of Flint, in 1884, and here his father engaged in the hardware and implement business, as senior member of the firm of Goodes & Hall, the present title of Goodes & Son having been adopted when Ray H. Goodes became his father's partner in the business and the honored father being still the senior member of the firm, with standing as one of the veteran business men and representative citizens of Flint. Ray H. Goodes continued his studies in the public schools of Flint until he had profited by the advantages of the high school, and his entire business experience has virtually been in association with the hardware and implement business that was founded by his father fully forty 250 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY years ago and that represents one of the leading enterprises of this order in Genesee county. Mr. Goodes believes in and loyally supports the principles of the Republican party, he is an active member of the Flint Rotary club, is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church, as does also his father. Mr. Goodes chose as his wife Miss Caroline Glendenning, of Flint, and their two children are: William (II), and Ray H., Jr. Richard Jay Gould is president of the Citizens Fuel company, which represents in a sense an important public utility in the city of Flint, and he is one of the prominent exponents of this line of enterprise in Genesee county, the while he is an authority orh technical and practical details of the coal industry, owing to his previous broad and varied experience. Mr. Gould was born in the city of Parkersburg, West Virginia, February 7, I888, and is the only son of Stephen L. and Amanda (Worley) Gould, the former of whom was born in 1842, at Caldwell, Union county, New Jersey, and the latter of whom was born in 1858, in that part of Virginia that now comprises the state of West Virginia, their marriage having been solemnized at Parkersburg in the year 1876. Of the other three children the eldest is Clara, who is the wife of Waitman Barbe; Mary is the wife of Thomas C. Walden, and Lotta is the wife of E. C. Gerwig. The public schools of his native state and city afforded Richard J. Gould his early education. He was graduated in the Parkersburg high school in I906, and in I9II he was graduated in the University of West Virginia, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in the Engineering of Mines (B.S.E.M.), having specialized in coal mining. Within a short time after his graduation in the university, Mr. Gould assumed the responsible position of superintendent and chief engineer of the mines of the Brothers Valley Coal company, in Pennsylvania. He retained this dual office three years, and during the ensuing three years he was chief engineer for the Louisville Coal and Coke company. He next became superintendent and manager of the Elkhorn Seam Colleries company and after two years of service in this connection he came to Michigan and established his present wholesale and retail coal business in the city of Flint, the substantial and wellordered enterprise being conducted under the title of the Citizens Coal company. He is secretary of the local Kiwanis club, is affiliated with the Flint lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a charter member of Charles A. Durant lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, in the faith of which he was reared. Mr. Gould wedded Miss Eleanor Groff, of Berlin, Pennsylvania, June 21, I9i6, and the one child of this union is Richard Jay, Jr. John C. Graves, judge of the probate court of Genesee county, Michigan, was born October 22, I86o, in Monroe county, New York, the son of Joel and. Adeline Graves, nee Root. He attended common school, taught thirteen years, read law and was elected county clerk HISTORY OF GEN]SEE COUNTY 251 in 1896, served until 900o and in 190o was appointed probate clerk, serving eight years. While serving as such he was admitted to the bar in I902, practiced law until 1917, in which year he took office as probate judge. Judge Graves has had but two cases out of 7,ooo appealed. Politically, he is a Republican. On August 21, i886, he was married to Miss Hattie M. Leach, of Genesee county. There are no children. The father of Judge Graves was born April 12, 1823, near Troy, New York, and died in i908. The mother, who was born near Troy May 5, 1828, passed away in I912. Joel Graves was a saw mill man and farmer. In 1865 moved to Flint and in 1873 bought a farm and tilled the soil until his retirement in 1905. The elder Graves was a Democrat. There were nine children in the family, two dying in infancy and one in later life. The six living children of Joel and Adeline Graves are: Joel, Willard, Bert, John C., Addie Hiller and Adella Jerome. Benjamin Greeni has distinctly proved his versatility during the years of his residence in Flint, where he has been identified with varied lines of business enterprise, including the purveying of popular amusements, and where he is now a leading representative of the real estate business to which he has here given his attention during the past fifteen years. Mr. Green has erected houses in every ward of the city, and in this and other ways has made valuable contribution to both the material and civic advancement of Flint. His extensive real estate operations have involved his ownership of property in nearly all counties in Michigan, and he has made a record of large achievement in this important field of business, the while he has gained a reputation that is in itself one of the best of business assets. Mr. Green controls a large and important real estate and loan business, retains a corps of efficient salesmen, and in his offices, at o09 Armory building, he employs a competent bookkeeper and stenographer. Mr. Green was born at Attica, Lapeer county, Michigan, April i8, I891, and is a son of Julius C. and Euphemia (McKay) Green, both likewise natives of Michigan. Mrs. Euphemia Green's father was the first white settler at Attica, Lapeer county, and his father, William McKay, who was left an orphan at the age of ten years, was reared by the Indians, he having at one time owned all the land around Attica. The father of Mrs. Green was the first lawyer at Attica, and there continued in the practice of his profession until his death. Julius C. Green was for six years employed in connection with lumbering operations in Marquette county, and thereafter he was engaged in lumbering and farming enterprise in Missaukee county until his death, May 12, 1908. Benjamin Green gained his early education by attending the public schools, and his subsequent career has been one of intensive application. He came to Flint in I909, and here his first work was for the Flint Axle Works, he having assisted in the construction of the first motor truck built by this concern-a car said to be the best ever turned out in the establishment. Thereafter Mr. Green was employed in turn in the Buick and Mason automobile plants, the latter being now owned by the 262 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Chevrolet company. He opened a pool room on the site of the present Industrial Bank, near the corner of Leith and Industrial streets, later he opened a restaurant at 202 South- Saginaw street, next he opened another pool room at the corner of Dayton and North Saginaw streets, and he became the owner of two of the most popular and successful dance halls of the city, one being called the Jenny Wren and the other the Bobolink, located respectively at the corner of Saginaw and Russell streets and the corner of Richfield and Utah streets. With these he controlled for some time the biggest dance business in Flint. Mr. Green has shown most loyal and vital interest in all things tending to advance the civic and material welfare of Flint, and is essentially liberal and progressive as a citizen and business man. He is the owner of his attractive home property, at IIO9 Mathews street. The political support of Mr. Green is given to the Republican party, and he is affiliated with Flint Lodge, No. 23, A. F. & A. M. He is one of the well known and unreservedly popular young bachelors of Flint. Roy E. Griffis is a progressive and popular representative of the real estate business in the city of Flint, where he maintains his office headquarters in the Union Trust building, his operations including not only the handling of city property but also farm lands in Genesee and adjoining counties. Mr. Griffis was born on the old homestead farm which is still the abiding place of his parents, near Pentwater, Oceana county, Michigan, and the date of his nativity was February 24, 1884. He is a son of Erastus and Julia (Daggett) Griffis, both of whom have passed the psalmist's span of three score and ten. They have resided on their present farmstead during the past fortyfive years, both being active in the directing of the affairs of the farm, the father, aged seventy-one years, manifesting no inclination to retire from the active management of the fine old farm, and the mother still supervising the making of butter derived from the milk of sixteen cows. This sterling and honored Oceana county couple will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in the spring of I926. Concerning the other children of the family the following brief record is given: Earl, who is a machinist by trade, is at the present time established on his farm near Pentwater; Arlo, next younger than Roy E. of this review, likewise is a progressive farmer near Pentwater; Leo, the youngest son, remains at the parental home and is associated with his father in the work and management of the farm; Edna, eldest of the daughters, is the wife of Cornelius Orlando Beals, a farmer near Millington, Tuscola county, and they have one child; Laura Belle is the wife of Arthur Squires, a mail carrier in the city of Pentwater, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom one is deceased. The earlier education of Roy E. Griffis was obtained in the district schools of his native county. and he also attended the graded schools of Pentwater. Thereafter he was for three years a student in the Michigan State Normal school at Mount Pleasant, and upon completing his course in this institution he resumed his active association with farm enterprise in I WILLIAM HAMILTON HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 263 his native county. He thus continued operations until 1914, when he established his residence in the city of Flint. Here he was in the employ of the Buick Motor company until I919, since which year he has been engaged in the real estate business, a line of enterprise in which he has won substantial success and prestige. He is popular in the business and social circles of his adopted city and is a Republican in his political adherency. January 3, I9Io, recorded his marriage to Miss Lauraetta Fry, of Chicago, Illinois, and they have three children: Lowell E., George H. and Clara Belle. George J. Gutman. The Flint Brass works at I I9 Stewart avenue, Flint, is one of the worth-while industrial establishments of the flourishing city of Flint. It has done much to enhance the prosperity and well-being of the city, supplies employment to many, brings money and life to the city and has spread to far distant quarters the manufacturing fame and prestige of Flint. The Flint Brass works is the inspiration and creation of two brothers, Sylvester A. and George J. Gutman. George J. was born in Cleveland, Ohio, July 29, I88I, a son of Joseph and Kathryn Gutman, nee Burke. The father was born in Albany, New York, and the mother in distant Austria. The grandfather of the Messrs. Gutman operated the first foundry in Milwaukee, to which city he moved shortly after Joseph Gutman was born. The latter was a moulder by trade, also, and moved to Cleveland when a young man. Later he entered the grocery business and is living, aged 79, while Mrs. Gutman is 78. There were nine children born to the Gutmans and George J. attended public school and then applied himself to a trade. He learned pattern making and his brother, Sylvester, did likewise. He went to Jackson to work for the Buick company and then came to Flint with his brother to take charge of the pattern shop of the Buick company. In I908 the brothers opened a business of their own as a pattern shop but gradually expanded into foundry operation and now do a large business in brass and aluminum castings. The plant is a very complete one and ably managed. On September 17, I919, Mr. Gutman was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Crego, of Flint, daughter of William and Margaret Crego. Mr. Gutman is a member of the Elks. In matters of politics he is rated Republican. He manifests a wholesome attitude toward civic and community undertakings, the objective of which is the improvement of Flint. William Hamilton. William Hamilton, late of Flint, was born at Birmingham, Oakland county, Michigan, on January II, I824. When a boy he carried the mails from Michigan City to Chicago, the contract for this work having been taken by his father. In 1843 he came with his parents to Flint, where he was destined to act a prominent and effective part in shaping the city's future growth and development. He joined his father in operating a flour mill, continuing to do so until the latter's death in 1856, after which William became the sole owner. Following this he engaged extensively in the lumbering business in company with John Cameron, 254 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY of the Hudson River company, of New York. Mr. Cameron never lived in Flint, but entrusted his affairs here to the care of Mr. Hamilton. The latter next associated himself with Mr. William McGregor, and this partnership lasted for over thirty-one years. Mr. Hamilton became closely identified with the growing interests of the rapidly developing country, especially in matters pertaining to transportation and the development of the natural resources of the state. In the '7os he was one of the directors and secured the land grant for the railroad running from Lansing to Port Huron, which later became the present Grand Trunk railway. Its track was laid across Saginaw street in Flint on Sunday before the new council, which was to come into office on Monday, could take steps to prevent the work. The following taken from "Headlight Flashes," August, I896: "The first saw-mill built on the Flint, but the third within the present city limits, was that of Stage, Wright & Company, above alluded to. Compared with the mammoth mills which have followed it, and given the city its leading industry, this pioneer mill was a small concern, driven by water and having but a small capacity. It was sold about I840 to Stevens & Pearson, who ran it a few years, when Mr. Stevens was succeeded in the firm by John Hamilton, and later still Mr. Hamilton bought out the interest of his partner, Mr. Pearson, and became sole proprietor. About I844, he added a grist-mill, and three years later sold both to his sons, William and Oliver Hamilton, and his son-in-law, Cornelius Roosevelt. The latter soon after sold out to the two brothers and Oliver dying in 1856, William became sole proprietor and has since remained so. We have taken pains to trace out the history of this pioneer mill partly because it has been a subject of controversy and partly to show the bewildering changes in ownership to which that kind of property in a growing town is subject. The mill has, of course, been greatly changed since first it polluted the clear waters of the Flint with its fish-killing sawdust, but it is still courteously regarded as the same old mill." Mr. Hamilton was one of the stockholders in the original water company of the city, and also of the gas company, when first organized. He was a prime mover in promoting and setting upon a good business basis these and other public utilities. He built the City Mills in I856. In company with J. B. Atwood he built the Byrant Hotel block, which at that time figured as the only first-class hotel in Flint. They also built the postojffice building, which is still occupied as such. The armory for the Union Blues was another product of his hands, as was also the erection of the Oak Grove sanitarium, of which he was treasurer until the time of his demise. Furthermore, he was one of the founders of the Citizens National bank, which later became the Citizens Commercial bank. When establishing the Citizens National bank he and Colonel Fenton went to Washington to secure the charter. Colonel Fenton was made the first president of this bank, Mr. Hamilton acting as first vice-pres HISTORY OF GENIeSEE COUNTY 256 ident. Later he was made president and held that office for several years. As stated above, he was one of the organizers of the gas company and was its president at the time of his death, and also president of the water works. His services were in constant demand by the public, to which he gave seventeen years of his time, holding such places of trust as mayor, alderman, etc. With all these manifold activities it would seem that his time would have been completely monopolized, but his field of operations extended even farther, reaching out also into the agricultural resources of the region. He controlled a two hundred-acre farm in Burton township, and owned the three hundred and forty-acre tract, a part of which became the new sub-division of Flint. When the water works located in this section of the city he foresaw that the town would grow in this direction, and his prediction has since been verified, Hamilton avenue having taken its name from this source. He visited his farms daily, giving his personal attention and supervision. He gave much attention to fine stock and imported the first Hereford cattle brought to Genesee county. He also bred Shorthorn stock and exhibited regularly at the local fairs, of which association he was president, which embraced all the northeastern counties of Michigan. His death was a matter of more than local concern. The funeral was one of the most largely attended of any in the history of the city. Upon Mayor Gold's proclamation all business in the city was suspended. The postoffice was closed under orders from Washington. Resolutions poured in upon the relatives from various sources, and the members of the city council attended in a body, headed by the mayor. The pall-bearers were all directors of his own bank, and consisted of S. C. Randall, B. Frank Cotherine, Frank Dullam, Hon. J. J. Carton, General C. S. Brown and Joseph H. Rankin. Of these six distinguished citizens three have since crossed the border to join their comrade. Mr. Hamilton was a Republican, but a man of most liberal and sane views, never antagonistic to progress, and one whose influence and counsel were much sought for in matters public and private. His business policy was that of a conservative, advocating the maxim of never going into debt. When the matter of public improvements came up he took the stand that only such expenditures should be made as could be paid for. This was the rule laid down for himself and he advocated the same policy for the transaction of public affairs. Mr. Hamilton was married on September 23, I850, to Miss Frances Marum, of Flint, who was born in Ireland. She received her education in the Sacred Heart Convent in Killarney county, and came to the United States when twenty-one years of age, and was married the following year. She was a woman of rare musical talent and taught the art with great success. Of the seven children born to this union three died in infancy. Those reaching maturity were Mrs. Mary Peltier; Elizabeth, who died at the age of twenty 256 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY years of tuberculosis; Oliver J., who died of heart failure six months before the death of his father, aged thirty-nine years, his death being a great blow to his father, with whom he was associated in business; another daughter, Minnine, is the wife of Arthur Loranger, a lumberman doing a prosperous business in Hammond, Louisiana. Mrs. Hamilton died July 5, I904, at the age of seventy-seven years having been an active member of the Roman Catholic church, of which her husband was also an attendant and communicant. Mary Frances (Hamilton) Peltier was married to Philip B. Peltier January 28, I874. Mr. Peltier was born at Monroe, Michigan, in August, 1845, of French ancestry. His father was Ezekiel A. Peltier, and his mother's maiden name was Mary V. La Duc, both of French ancestry, and both born in Detroit, he in I799, and she in 1804. Mr. Philip Peltier still owns the original farm, which has been in the family since 1842. It is just south of Monroe and close to the old battle scene of the war of I812. Since Mr. Peltier has been associated with the Hamilton and McGregor interests, and since Mr. Hamilton's death, he has handled the Burton township farm, spoken of before, and also controlled the Bryant hotel and other properties belonging to his wife. He settled up the Hamilton estate. In I890 he entered the flouring mills, and in connection with Oliver J. Hamilton operated them until the latter's death. The Peltier family consisted of five children, three of whom are still living. They are: William H., who is auditor for a manufacturing company in Chicago; Frank M. is with the Concrete Construction company, of Chicago; Adelaide is at home with her parents. She was educated in the Sacred Heart school, where the three generations of this family have received such able training. The Peltier home, recently erected, is on Detroit street, and here many warm friends find a genuinely social and inviting atmosphere. Jessel Hardy. Mr. Hardy is president of the widely known Hardy Baking company, of Flint. In business and fraternal circles Mr. Hardy is much esteemed. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He belongs to the Shrine, is an Elk and a member of the Flint Country club. Mr. Hardy is a member, also, of the Episcopal church. While not active in politics to the extent of seeking office, he is interested in the performance of his duties as a citizen and in national politics favors the Democratic party. Mr. Hardy was born near London, England, in I866, a son of William and Mary Hardy. Jessel Hardy received his early education in the public schools of Canada and in 1884 opened a baking business in Alpena, Michigan, remaining there two years. In i887 he came to Flint and established a bakery on Court street and after five years moved the store to 8Ii North Saginaw, in which location he remained five years. In I897 he moved to 51I South Saginaw where he conducted business fifteen years and in 1913 the Hardy Baking company erected on Union street one of the most complete and up-to-date baking plants in Michigan.. He has two sons. Walter and Cecil, both of whom were edu HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 257 cated in the Flint schools and during the past eight years they have been associated with their father in the baking business. Alex W. Harper, M. D., was born in Forest, Ontario, September 12, 1877, a son of George and Lovica Harper. Mr. Harper was born in Belfast, Ireland and Mrs. Harper was born in Canada, of Scotch descent. Mr. Harper became a resident of Lampton county, Ontario, and died on December 13, I905, at the age of 57. His widow, aged 68, resides in Lampton county. To the Harpers were born seven children the father of whom was quite active in church work, being a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Alex W. Harper attended school in Forest and at Ferris Institute in Big Rapids. He took a pedagogic course and medical preparatory work, taught school a year and attended Michigan College of Medicine from which he was graduated in 1903. Dr. Harper practiced in Manton, Michigan, seventeen years and in 1920 came to Flint to practice medicine and surgery. On July 3, I907, the Doctor and Miss Adelia Campbell, of Ontario, were joined in wedlock and one son, Robert Homer, and a daughter, Margaret Evangeline, are the issue of the union. Dr. Harper is a Mason, Pythian, Woodman and Maccabee and is a member of the trustee board of the Garland Street Methodist Episcopal church. He is identified with county, state and national medical organizations. Lewis M. Hengesbaugh, widely known business man of Flint, located at IIIo South Saginaw street, was born in Isabella county, October 25, I89o. He is a son of Theodore and Anna (Schaeffer) Hengesbaugh, both of whom were born in Clinton county, Michigan. The father was a shoemaker but the greater portion of his life was given to farming. In 1879 he settled on a tract of land in the wilderness, assiduously cultivated the soil and made his home on the farm until I920. He died in Jackson, this state, in March, I923, at the age of 79. He was active in township politics and was a highway commissioner of Isabella county. Mrs. Hengesbaugh is living with her son, Leo J. There were eight sons and four daughters born to Mr. and Mrs. Hengesbaugh. Lewis M. received his early education in public and parochial schools, worked on the farm and at fifteen was employed in shops. For three years he was engaged as a machinist. For two years he rented his father's farm but turned to other pursuits and in I9IO established a tire and accessory shop first in Lansing. He sold a half-interest to a brother and opened a similar establishment at Owosso. In 1916 he came to Flint and established The Flint Vulcanizing Works. selling retail, tires and auto accessories, etc. He also organized L. M. Hengesbaugh & Co., doing an exclusive wholesale automobile and garage equipment business. In 1917 Mr. Hengesbaugh purchased the site and built the Hengesbaugh block, at 905 South Saginaw street, called the Hengesbaugh building, and in I920 L. M. Hengesbaugh & Co. engaged in the wholesale auto accessory business with garage equipment. Representatives of the concern cover the major portion of the state of Michigan. The Hengesbaugh establish 258 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY ment is said to be the fourteenth in size in the United States, handling, at wholesale, automobile accessories and equipment. Mr. Hengesbaugh is, in the vernacular of the present day, a "go-getter," energetic and able, of pleasing personality and the ability to make and cement friendships. The concern he founded is very successful and in a state of constant expansion. On November 26, I912, Mr. Hengesbaugh was united in marriage to Burna E. Dillon, of Isabella county. They have five children: Frank, Dillon, Bernard, Anna Jean and Eleanor Agnes. Mr. Hengesbaugh is a communicant of St. Michael's Catholic church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks, Exchange club and the Country club. Archie Hill. Mr. Hill is, by vocation and business, a jeweler, located at 122 East Kearsley street, Flint. His activities and his usefulness, however, transcend the service of his business for Mr. Hill is, primarily, a citizen of great usefulness. He is extremely active in the civic life of the community and is much interested in lodge and fraternal work. His acquaintance is extensive and his friends are innumerable, contributing to a popularity equalled by few, if any, men in the community. Mr. Hill was born May 5, 1870, in Jackson county, Pennsylvania, a son of Chapel D. and Lillie Hill, nee Hollis. The father and mother were born in Pennsylvania, the former in Lennox. Deprived by death of the tender ministry of his mother when he was very young, Archie Hill went to live with his grandparents, who were farmers and folks of stern morals and rigid Baptist fealty. Chapel D. Hill was a millwright by occupation, also a stone cutter and during the Civil war he served with a Pennsylvania regiment. The senior Hill was born September 27, 1839, and passed awayin May, I923. The son, Archie, entered the game of life as a wage earner at the tender age of ten, picking slate while he was yet attending school three months of the year. By hard work and considerable sacrifice unknown to the school children of today, he was able to attain the eighth grade, and then he went to work on a farm for the munificent wage of $7 a month. His early life was a series of struggles which had to be met and which were overcome by courage, faithfulness to ideals and hard work until the time he saw fit to go to Elgin, Illinois, to work in a great watch factory. That was in May, I888, and since that changing point in his life Mr. Hill has been actively and zealously engaged in jewelry and its ramifications. His connections have been with factory and with the wholesale and retail ends of the industry. In Elgin, he was made a final inspector. Later he established a retail jewelry store jn Nunda, Illinois, conducted it for two years, then went to Chicago and from I895 to I9o6 was engaged in the jewelry and optical business. For three years he was on the road for a wholesale house but he established a store of his own in Saginaw, conducted it for five years and in I9II came to Flint to work for John P. Ryan, the jeweler. In I9I5 a stock company was formed to buy Mr. Ryan's business and in 1917 Mr. Hill was put in charge of the same, and in I918 Mr. Hill and W. S. Ballenger purchased HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 265 the interests of the other stockholders. Subsequently Mr. Hill sold his own interest in the business and started his present store at 122 East Kearsley street. On October 20, 1914, Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Wright, of Bay City. Mr. Hill, as before indicated, has a glowing interest in matters other than those directly associated with his retail business. He is a police commissioner. He is an exemplar of Rotary and an energetic member of the Flint Rotary club. A member of the Masonic fraternity, Mr. Hill belongs to the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Elks. radiates friendship and fellowship and is well liked by all. Leonard M. Hodges, manager of the Flint, Michigan, branch agency of the Sun Life Insurance Company of Canada, is making a record of successful achievement in his chosen vocation, and has developed for his company a substantial and representative business in Genesee county. He was born at Pentwater, Oceana county, Michigan, during the year I895, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Hodges, the former of whom was born in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1859, and the latter of whom was born at Argyle, Ontario, Canada, in I86I, she having been nineteen years of age when she came from her native province to Michigan, where her marriage was later solemnized. Walter E. Hodges was a boy at the time of his parents' removal from Boston to Pentwater, Michigan, where he was reared to adult age and received the advantages of the public schools. As a youth he became a railroad fireman and later he won advancement to the position of locomotive engineer. In 1913 he was appointed postmaster of Pentwater, under the administration of President Wilson, he being virtually the only Democrat in the city to prove eligible for this office, which he retained until I924, when he was retired, under the provision calling for the retirement of an incumbent who had attained the age of sixty-five years. He and his wife still maintain their home at Pentwater. The public school discipline of Leonard M. Hodges included that of the high school of his native city of Pentwater, in 1913 he was a student in Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, and in 1914 he attended the Western State. Normal college in the city of Kalamazoo. In 19I5 he became teacher in the public schools of the village of Mears, Oceana county, and there he continued his effective pedagogic service until the United States entered the World war. Early in 1917 he enlisted for service in the United States army, but was rejected on account of the condition of his eyes. He was sent to Ann Arbor for treatment of his eyes at the University Hospital, and there he remained for some time after the armistice brought the war to a close. In December, I918, Mr. Hodges came to Flint, where for somewhat more than a year he was employed by the Buick and later the Chevrolet Motor companies. He had been an active member of the Pentwater organization of Boy Scouts, and in Flint he was elected scout master of the local troop. In I919 he was made educational director of the local organization of Boy Scouts, and in the following year he was chosen director of the Boy Scouts at Vinton, Iowa, where he remained one 260 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY year. -He then returned to Flint, where he has since continued as manager of the branch agency of the Sun Life Insurance company, and where he has shown marked initiative and executive ability in developing for his company a substantial business in his field of jurisdiction. He is a Republican in political adherency, and he and his wife are zealous members of the First Baptist church of Flint. In December, 1922, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hodges to Miss Margaret Pomeroy, and both are popular factors in the social life of their home city. James Scott Hodgins. Foresight and courage and an indomitable will elevated James Scott Hodgins from an inconspicuous position to a high place in the business world of Flint. He established, in a small way, a cigar store which he owned and managed for twenty-six years, and when he retired the establishment was doing a business of threequarters of a million dollars a year, a most unusual situation considering the size of the city. Mr.:Hodgins since leaving the cigar business, has given his time and attention to diversified real estate interests. He was born in London, Ontario, March o0, 1871, a son of Thomas C. and Ann Walker Hodgins, both natives of Canada, whose ancestors came from Ireland, settling in the new country first settled by the French and later taken by the British. Up to the age of sixteen James Scott Hodgins attended public school in London. Four years were given to learning the trade of carriage trimming. He came to the United States and immediately applied for citizenship papers and in I897 settled in Flint, connecting with the DortDurant company. Being a young man of capability and foresight, Mr. Hodgins saw a brilliant future for Flint. The obscurity of a shop job offered little opportunity and he preferred to be in business for himself so he started in a cigar store and called it the Electric Cigar company. This business he carefully nurtured and it grew gradually and substantially. The business continues under the old name. Since leaving the Electric Cigar company, Mr. Hodgins has not engaged actively in any business but looks after extensive real estate holdings. On December 26, I904, he was united in marriage to Cora Belle Vickery, daughter of Emerson and Mary Ann (Ivory) Vickery, of Hadley, Michigan. No children were born to the union but on the death of Mr. Hodgins' sister, Margaret Hodgins McNabb, Mr. and Mrs. Hodgins adopted her four-day-old son, William, who was born August 17, I909. A short time later Mr. and Mrs. Hodgins displayed their great love for children and opened their hearts and their home to another, a little baby girl whose parents were unfortunate and unable to care for her. Mary Virginia Hodgins, born August 4, 19II, while unfortunate in the loss of her own parents, has been blessed in the love and affection her adopted parents have given her. The Hodgins family is characterized by a high sense of honor, uprightness and cleanness of thinking. Mr. Hodgins has a brother, David Gilbert Hodfgins, living iri Flint and employed by the Electric Cigar company. There is also a sister, Ida H., wife of Fred Jones, and Miss Nellie Hodgins, of Los Angeles. Mr. Hodgins is a Republican. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 261 He attends the First Baptist church. He has been affiliated with many fraternal bodies but at present is confining his activities to the Knights Templar, the Shrine and the Elks. He is very popular. Robert K. Homer. Mr. Horner is the manager of the Flint Spring Water Ice company, a corporation with which he became associated in February, 1913, and for which he started to work as a clerk. A year later he took charge of the business. When Mr. Homer connected with the company it had a capacity of 8,ooo tons which has been increased to 8o,ooo tons. The original capitalization was $25,ooo and the total investment today stands at one million dollars. Mr. Horner was born March 13, I89I, in Grand Rapids, the son of Joseph and Sarah E. Horner, nee Knowlson. The elder Horner was born in England on November I9, i86I, and his wife in New York state February ii, i860. Joseph Horner came to Grand Rapids with his father, John Horner, when thirteen years old. John Horner was a Methodist minister and so officiated in Grand Rapids. Joseph Horner entered the service of a bank in that city as a messenger boy and when he left in I894 was cashier. He conceived' the plan of consolidating all the ice companies of that city under one management and of the merger he is the operating head. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Horner were born seven children, all living in Michigan but one, who resides in Wisconsin. Robert K. attended grade and high school, was on the road a year and came to Flint in February, 1913, and entered the service of the Flint Spring Water Ice company, his rise in which was rapid though substantial. On October 6, I915, Mr. Horner was united in marriage to Frances Spencer Willson, daughter of George C. Willson. The Horners have one son, Jack Willson Horner. Mr. Horner is a Rotarian, Mason, Elk, member of the Chamber of Commerce, a Republican, a director of the Genesee County Savings bank, a director of the Flint Country club, president of the Powers Ice Cream company, vice-president of the Copeland Products company and is interested in other enterprises, manifesting a diversity of interest that attests to his power and judgment. During the World war he was in the service a year and a half, entering as a private and emerging a second lieutenant. He was in charge of refrigeration service in which, logically, he is expert. William H. Horton. Occupying a high and secure place in the business life of Flint, Willia=m H. Horton bears an enviable reputation, so far as personal traits are concerned, and for the excellence of the retail jewelry establishment he owns and directs. He has had a long and intensive training in jewelry and his store, at 403 South Saginaw street, is a continuation of the old jewelry business of R. E. Farnum, established sixty years ago. Mr. Horton, too, is a son of Genesee county and was born in Goodrich, March 29, I869. His parents were Carlton and Mary Etta Horton. Carlton Horton and his wife were both born in Goodrich. He died in I886 at the age of 46 years and she died in I909 at the age of 69 years. Ira J. Horton, grandfather of William H., came from New York state and in 1834 settled near Goodrich. He was an agri w2 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY culturist and this vocation was followed by his son, Carlton. The father of Mrs. Carlton Horton also came from New York state and settled in the early period of Michigan's development near Goodrich. William H. Horton attended grade and high school and business college. Then he returned to the farm and in 1887 came to Flint to learn the jewelry business. He was in Flint a year, next going to South Carolina for a year. In I89o he established retail jewelry store in Clarkston, Michigan, maintained it six and a half years and from i896 to I909 was on the road for a wholesale concern and in the latter year with several others he formed the Standard Rule company and was chosen president and general manager. The company in the course of three years went out of existence and so in I9I2 Mr. Horton bought his present store from J. A. Reese. In i890, Mr. Horton took as his wife, Miss Pearl Smith, of Goodrich. She died, leaving a daughter, Beatrice, and on December 31, 9gog, Mr. Horton was united in marriage to Mrs. Alice Swinler, of Flint, member of a pioneer family. Mr. Horton much esteemed throughout the community, is a zealous Mason and is past commander of Genesee Valley commandery, Knights Templar, and belongs to the Scottish Rite and to the Elks. He is chief rabban of the Shrine temple at Saginaw. Mr. Horton has been a Mason more than thirty years. He is also a Kiwanian and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and was president of the Michigan State Retail Jewelers' association in I923. He was the first monarch of the Kishma Grotto in Flint. Judge Sumner Howard. The death of Judge Howard, which occurred September 6, I89o, has caused universal regret among the people of Flint, where he grew to manhood, and where his career was watched with interest and pride. Hon. Sumner Howard was born May 7, 1835, at Brockport, New York, and was a son of Waldo and Lucy Howard. When one-year-old he was brought by his parents to Flint. On reaching the age of fifteen or sixteen he entered the Genesee Democrat office, then conducted by Royal W. Jenny, and later was an employe at the office of the Wolverine Citizen. At the age of about nineteen entered the law office of Fenton & Newton. He later attended the law school of Hon. John W. Fowler, at Poughkeepsie, New York, and in 1855 or 1856, graduated therefrom with the highest distinction, returning to Flint to practice his profession. His career as a great criminal lawyer began with the defense of Joshual Solomon Johnson, who was charged with the killing of George Caldwell and his own two children in Fenton township on October 13, I857, and whose acquittal he secured on the grounds of insanity. In 1858 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Genesee county on the Republican ticket, defeating Chauncey W. Wisner, who was a student with him in the law office of Fenton & Newton. He served the people with ability, and at once took a leading place as a criminal lawyer. Judge Newton is of the opinion that no man has ever surpassed Judge Howard in this state as a criminal lawyer. Judge Howard was subsequently elected prosecuting HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 268 attorney on the Republican ticket in 1864, serving three consecutive terms with no less distinction than before. On the breaking out of the rebellion Judge Howard enlisted in Co. F., Second Michigan Infantry, under Captain Morse. Colonel William B. McCreery was a soldier in the same company. Judge Howard was shortly after made a lieutenant in the Seventeenth United States Infantry and was engaged in the recruiting service until near the close of the rebellion, when he resigned from the army. He raised a company of Ioo men, of which he was to have had the captaincy, but was taken sick at New York while the company was en route to the front and was unable to take command. The company was in the battle of Gettysburg and suffered severely, but five of the Ioo escaping wounds or death. From I866 to 1870 Judge Howard represented the Third ward of, the city of Flint in the common council, and the flag on City Hall was at half mast in respect to his memory. In I867 he was a member of the constitutional convention from Genesee county, with Judge Lovell and the late Thaddeus G. Smith. He took a firm stand for prohibition in the new. constitution, which was defeated by the people, Hon. G. V. N. Lothrop and the brightest men in the state were delegates to the convention. In I876 President Grant appointed him district attorney of Utah. He set the machinery of the law in motion against John D. Lee, one of the pillars of the Mormon church, for his part in the Mountain Meadow massacre twenty years before. Lee was tried, convicted and shot on March 24, 1877. Further proceedings against the heads of the Mormon church were cut short by the death of Brigham Young, whom Judge Howard intended to presecute next. That this was Judge Howard's intention is shown by a letter received by his brother, Wheaton W., after Young's death, in which Judge Howard spoke of his mission to Utah as being ended. Judge Howard resigned the district attorneyship during President Hayes' administration and returning to Flint entered into partnership with Judge Newton. In 1882 he was elected to the legislature and was chosen speaker of the house. He took a prominent part in the Ferry-Palmer fight at the sessionl of 1883, and to him, in a great measure, was due the election of Palmer to the United States senate. At the close of the session President Arthur appointed Judge Howard chief justice of Arizona, a position which he resigned in I886. Two years later he returned to Flint and entered into partnership with Judge Gold in the practice of law. During his career as a lawyer he was also associated with Hon. Levi Walker and Hon. Charles D. Long. Judge Howard represented Arizona in the Republican national convention in i888, and was a delegate from Michigan to the convention of his party in I880. He was chosen to second, on behalf of Michigan, the presentation of James G. Blaine's name to the convention of the party in I884, but for some reason was unable to attend the gathering. Since his return to Flint Judge Howard had 264 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY been engaged not only in the practice of law, but had given much attention to the raising of blooded cattle at his farm in Burton, one of the finest in this section. Besides his wife, the dead lawyer, jurist and politican, is survived by a brother, Wheaton W. Howard, of this city; and J. Earle and Miss Hattie Howard, half-brother and half-sister respectively, both of Detroit. Judge Howard's wife is a daughter of the late Jared Mason, and they were married in I857. The union was blessed with one child, May Howard Foote, wife of Albert Foote, who died January 27, i890. There is also an adopted son, Frank, Those at Judge Howard's bedside when dissolution occurred were his beloved wife, Lucy; his adopted son, Frank; and son-in-law, Albert Foote; and Mrs. Howard's aunt, Mrs. Carrie Mason; Charles B. Mason and wife, the former a brother of Mrs. Howard; Mrs. John Donlan, a sister of Mrs. Howard, and her two daughters; Rev. and Mrs. John McEldowney, the former a missionary in Utah during Judge Howard's district attorneyship and who was an inmate of his household during that time; and Miss Hattie Howard, of Detroit. Percy Howes, proprietor of Howes' Dairy, 5 6 Merrill Place, Flint, was born at Swartz Creek, Genesee county, December I6, I896, a son of William Wheeler and Annie R. O'Rourke Howe. The father was born in Mundy township, Genesee county, the mother in Flint. Percy Howes was educated in the grade and high schools and in I915 was graduated from high school. In I9I9 he started the present business, the Howes' Dairy company, which has prospered under his direction. The establishment is covering a growing field. During the World war Mr. Howes served six months in the navy of the United States. He is a Mason, Kiwanian and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Henry S. Igram. Mr. Igram, member of the grocery firm of Igram Brothers, 2413 Detroit street, Flint, while a native of Mt. Lebanon, is exceedingly proud of the fact that he is an American citizen. Mr. Igram, aside from the duties and responsibilities of business life, is deeply concerned with the problems of those of foreign birth, especially boys, and his work among boys has been of the most wholesome and helpful character. He is also an enthusiastic suporter of all movements in any way promotional of the city and the advancement of its welfare and is a member of the commercial organization. Mr. Igram was born August 9, I898, at Bakline, Mt. Lebanon, and came to this country when thirteen years old to an uncle who farmed in Tuscola county. His education was begun in his native land and continued in this country and in early youth Mr. Igram showed an aptitude and liking for the grocery business. At nineteen he became the manager of one of Hamady's stores and at the age of twenty established a grocery business of his own under the name of Igram Brothers, of which he is the sole proprietor. He is also connected with the dryl goods and shoe business. In I918. Mr. Igram was united in marriage to Miss Bessie E. Butler, of HISTORY OF GENIeSEE COUNTY 265 Flint. They have two children, Evelyn Marie, aged five; and Robert H., aged two. Mr. Igram holds membership in Genesee lodge, F. & A. M. Glenn R. Jackson, widely known business man of Flint, is president and general manager of the Smith-Bridgman company and secretary and general manager of the 0. M. Smith company, 417 South iSaginaw street. He was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, September 26, 1873, the son of Alfred and Elizabeth Fuller Jackson, both of whom were born in Michigan. Their people came from New York state, Cayuga county. Alfred Jackson was a farmer and was born June I6, x842, and is living. His wife died in I918 at the age of seventy-three. Three children were born, Mrs. James Woodward, of Clinton, Michigan; Mrs. H. L. Barrett, of Holly, Michigan, and Glenn R. The latter attended county grade and high schools and worked during vacation periods. It was the height of his ambition to get into salesmanship and during the summer he worked in a clothing store. His ambition has been realized, for ever since Mr. Jackson was obliged to earn his own living he has been engaged in selling merchandise. He traveled for the John V. Farwell Wholesale Dry Goods company out of Chicago while making Flint his home and in I908 bought a partnership with O. M. Smith company. Mr. Jackson on August Io, I9OI, was united in marriage to Josephine C. Power, of Elkhart, Indiana. In I903 he made Flint his home. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, Caroline, Glenn Robert and Margaret. Mr. Jackson is an Elk and a charter member of the Rotary club in the organization of which he took a leading part. He is a director of the Industrial Savings bank. During the World war he was active in conservation and preparations work, was vice chairman of the Red Cross organization and had charge of food conservation work in Genesee county. He is vice chairman of the Social Service Bureau and maintains a strong interest in the support of the social agencies of the city. The SmithBridgman company is an old, reputable concern that has been in business mord than a half century. The company has the largest and finest store in Flint and reflects great credit upon the city. The establishment is widely known throughout the state and Glenn Jackson has been a dominant force in the development of the business to its present proportions. The company operates a department store which in size, equipment and service would be a credit to a city much larger than Flint. Arthur C. Johnston. Although he started with the intention of becoming a lawyer, and indeed, read law, Arthur C. Johnston turned from law to other fields and has achieved success as a distributor of automobiles in Flint, Michigan. He is a member of the Johnston Sales company, distributor of Chevrolet cars with three establishments, at 711 North Saginaw and 913-15 South Saginaw and associated with him is his brother, Romaine. Mr. Johnston is a son of Flint, born in I888, on October 8. His parents were Eugene L. and Alice D. (Short) Johnston, the mother born east of Grand Blanc, 266 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY Genesee county in I86I and dying in 1911. The father was born August o1, 1855, and died February II, 1923. Eugene L. Johnston was born in Corunna, Michigan, and in early life was a teacher and later became a commercial traveler, moving to Flint when Arthur C. was, fifteen years old. Robert D. Johnston, father of Eugene L. and grandfather of Arthur C., was a lawyer who also functioned as an agriculturist. A daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene L. Johnston is Pentalope, now Mrs. Floyd Crandall; Eva, another daughter, died in i9Io; Romaine is another child. Arthur C. attended grade and high school and at seventeen set out to work for the M. E. Carlton company of Flint. He had intended to be a lawyer but plans were changed. For a period Mr. Johnston was on the road representing different lines, returned to Michigan to sell acetylene gas plants, in I916 went on the road as a special representative of the Dort Motor company and in April, I918, became salesman for the Chevrolet, attached to the Flint branch. In the course of seven months he was made manager and in July, I92I, Eugene L. Johnston and sons, Arthur C. and Romaine, established an organization of their own. When the father died on February II, I923, Arthur C. and Romaine purchased his interest and they now operate three places. On July 22, 191o, Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Alma B. Cole, of Flint. There are two children, McClellan L. and Arthur C., Jr. Mr. Johnston is a Republican by subscription to national policies but is strictly an independent voter. He belongs to the Masonic order, Scottish Rite, Knights Templar, Shrine, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Flint Auto Dealers' association and is a director of the Flint Automobile club and Flint Country club. Mrs. Lucile C. Jolly is putting to practical use her exceptional musical talent and is doing much to advance the standard of musical art in Genesee county, where she is the efficient and popular director of the piano department of the Baker Conservatory of Music, at 619 Garland street, in the city of Flint. Mrs. Jolly has all the gracious charm that is so customarily attributed to the daughters of the historic old Blue Grass state, which she is able to claim as the place of her nativity. She was born at Hardensburg, Breckenridge county, Kentucky, on the g9th of April, I889, and is a daughter of James Owen and Adelle Cunningham, both likewise natives of Breckenridge county, where the former was born in the year 1853 and the latter in I868. James Owen Cunningham became an influential figure in public affairs in his native county, and there served a number of years as county clerk, besides which he made a record of effective service as a teacher in the schools of Breckenridge county, where both he and his wife continued to maintain their home until their death. Mrs. Jolly received her earlier education in her native town, and thereafter became a student in Logan College, at Russellville, Kentucky, in which she was graduated when she was sixteen years of age. In the meanwhile she had given evidence of marked musical ability and had received preliminary instruction along the line of the profession in which she has since gained suc HISTORY OF GEN'ESEE COUNTY 267 tess and prestige. In pursuance of her advanced study of pianoforte music, Mrs. Jolly entered the celebrated Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and there she continued her studies two years, with characteristic enthusiasm and receptiveness. Thereafter she was for two years a private student under the preceptorship of Corneille Overstreet, a leading musical instructor in Louisville, Kentucky. She then returned to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, where she was a student under Marcien Thalbert. After completing her studies at this conservatory, Mrs. Jolly returned to the parental home, but in the summer of 1921 went to Chicago, Illinois, where she pursued advanced musical studies under the direction of Joseph Lhevinne, the celebrated concert pianist and distinguished instructor. During that summer she was a member of the "artist class" of this talented instructor, and since that time Mrs. Jolly has passed the summers of I922, I923 and 1924 in attending the American Conservatory of Music in the city of Fontainebleau, France. There, in the summer of 1924, she won two professional diplomas-one for pianoforte interpretation and one for teaching. In Paris she studied under Isodore Philipp and Paul Sylva Howard. Mrs. Jolly has been a resident of Flint since 1920, and is distinctly a gracious and popular factor in the representative social and cultural circles of her home community. George C. Kellar, realtor, of the firm of Kellar & Andrews, 314Y2 South Saginaw street, Flint, Michigan, was born July 31, 1879, a son of Frank M. and Julia M. Kellar of West Virginia. There were six children in the family, one of whom is dead. The others are: George C., Frank M., Jr., of Flint; Ulysses S., Elgin, of Kansas; J. Howard, of Columbus, Ohio, and Mrs. Paul Foreman, of Buckhannon, West Virginia. Frank M. Kellar is an attorney and with his wife is living in West Virginia. The son, George C., was educated in West Virginia public schools, attended Wesleyan college, was graduated in 1895 and took a post-graduatq course at Harvard in 1905 and 1906. In 1907 he entered the real estate business spending a year in various parts of Ohio including Hamilton, Marion, Ashtabula and Elyria and in May, I908, came to Flint, where he opened a real estate office. In September, 1922, he became associated with J. Elwood Andrews. In 1909 Mr. Kellar married Miss Elinor Ritzinger, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and three daughters have been born: Elizabeth, Marianne and Martha D. Mr. Kellar votes the Republican ticket. He is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Elks and of the Kiwanis club. During the period, 1913-1917, Mr. Kellar served as alderman from the Fourth ward, and in 1917-1918 was mayor of Flint and in April, I918, was re-elected to the office, serving until April, 1920. His tenure was eminently successful and attested to the wisdom of the electorate in choosing him chief executive of the city. During the World war, Mr. Kellar was fuel administrator for Genesee county and organized all draft boards beside being a member of Draft Board No. I. He is very high in the councils of the organized realtors and is a past 268 HISTORY OF GENEFSEE COUNTY president of the Michigan Real Estate association and is a past vice president of the National Association of Real Estate Boards. During 1920 he was president of the Flint Real Estate Board. He is assiduous and tireless in efforts in behalf of the advancement of Flint, materially and from the civic standpoint, being at present a member of the Flint Park Board. George A. Kelly, head of the G. A. Kelly Realty company, of Flint, set out to practice medicine. In fact he completed a medical course at the University of Michigan, but diverted to another field. The real estate company which he heads is among the largest and most important in Flint. Mr. Kelly was born February 15, 1891, in Enterprise, Ontario. His parents are James and Bridget (Whalen) Kelly, both of whom were born in Canada. The father was a farmer and is now living, retired, in Watertown, New York. George A. Kelly attended public schools at Enterprise but the remainder of his education was obtained by rather sporadic efforts in a number of places where he worked, stirred on by the ambition to acquire knowledge. He toiled hard and saved his money, was graduated from high school and went to St. Lawrence university, 1914-1915, to take a pre-medical course. He then entered McGill University and spent a year studying medicine, came to Flint to work and for three years drove a tea and coffee wagon for Kelly Brothers. During this period Mr. Kelly bought and sold real estate, continued to save his money and in the fall of 1918 enrolled in the University of Michigan and completed his medical education. In December, 1919, the G. A. Kelly Realty company was started. Its career was checkered at times by reverses, but through all Mr. Kelly maintained an attitude of optimism and the company has become one of the largest in this section, operating in real estate here and also in Detroit. The company builds a house a day. The National Real Estate Journal used one of Mr. Kelly's "ads" for their front cover, and he is nationally known. Mr. Kelly was married twice, his present wife having been Elizabeth Dollochan. Their marriage was solemnized August 30, 1920. Mr. Kelly is fond of athletics and himself is a wrestler. In college he was the collegiate championship wrestler, and was star football player at both colleges. He defeated Parady, the French wrestler, and for awhile held a world title. He is identified with a number of commercial ventures and fraternal bodies and is director and president of the Kelly Construction company; of the G. A. Kelly company, real estate; of the Flint Cinder Block company, and of the Arcadian company; president of the Kelly Development company, and Kelly Woodlawn company. Mr. Kelly is an Elk and Knight of Columbus and belongs to the Fourth Degree Assembly of the latter. Willard 0. Kirkpatrick, the efficient city inspector of buildings at Flint, has had broad and varied experience as a construction engineer, including service for the government in the period of the World war. He has made an excellent reputation in his chosen profession, and the city of Flint is fortunate in being able to retain his services in his present official position as a municipal executive. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 269 Mr. Kirkpatrick was born at Edgeville, Missouri, March I, I89I, and is a son of Joseph M. and Margaret (Trollinger) Kirkpatrick, the latter of whom was reared near Ironton, in the Ozark mountain district of Missouri. Joseph M. Kirkpatrick was a gallant soldier of the Union in the Civil war and in later years found great satisfaction in his affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he continued his association with his old comrades. He was long numbered among the substantial farmers in the vicinity of Bonneterre, Missouri, and there his death occurred in 1904. Willard O. Kirkpatrick was but fifteen years old at the time of his graduation in the high school at Bonneterre, Missouri, and he soon afterward entered service with a mining engineer, under whom he gained practical experience while also obtaining technical training. Later he completed a two-years' course in the Missouri School of Mines, at Rolla. For two years he was associated with others in operating a zinc mine at Joplin, that state, and when the mine failed to produce ore in paying quantity, he went to St. Louis and entered the employ of the Unit Construction company, in the capacity of construction engineer. In this connection he had charge of building saw mills throughout the south, and when the nation entered the World war he assisted in the construction of the Belleville aviation field, now known as the Scott field, in the state of Illinois. He was then sent by the government to the great Muscle Shoal project, where he served as equipment engineer and superintendent. His next assignment was to the position of assistant area engineer at the Old Hickory powder plant, Jacksonville, Tennessee, where he continued in service until the armistice brought the war to a close. It was from Jacksonville that Mr. Kirkpatrick came to Flint, where he established himself as a construction engineer, with the Buick Motor company, until he was appointed to the office of city inspector of buildings. In this position he is given a most able administration, in connection with which he gave valuable aid in the instituting of the new building code of the city, a code of such excellence that its provisions have been adopted by many other cities throughout the United States. Mr. Kirkpatrick gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, and he is a charter member of the newly organized Charles A. Durant lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Flint. By his first marriage he has two sons, Kenneth and Richard, aged respectively (1924) fourteen and eleven years. On the 1st of April, 1924, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Kirkpatrick to Miss Marian Young, of Flint, and they are popular figures in the social life of their home city. Herbert D. Knapp, M. D. Dr. Knapp was born in Salem, Michigan, July I7, I866, and is a son of Henry and Lucretia Helen (Wilder) Knapp. The former was a cooper and a farmer, born September 19, i829, and died in January, 1918. Mrs. Knapp, nee Helen Wilder, was born December 22, 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp moved to Attica, Lapeer county, in 1879, when the son was thirteen years old. They lived there until their death. Mr. Knapp was active in Methodist 270 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY church work and this interest was shared by his faithful wife. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Knapp two of whom are dead. The others are: Alonzo S., who resides on the old homestead; John D., of Chicago, and Herbert D. The deceased are William and Nettie J. Herbert D. Knapp attended public school at Attica and Fenton Normal school and for six years taught school, largely in Lapeer county. In I89o he matriculated at George Washington University, Washington, D. C., and was graduated in 1893 and practiced in Washington until I897. He went to Chicago and remained in that city until I9OI. Impaired health brought about his return to Michigan. Dr. Knapp went to Hartland, Livingston county, thence to Linden and in I9o9 came to Flint. On October I9, I891, Dr. Knapp and Miss Margaret Roe, daughter of Captain David Roe, of Washington, were united in marriage. Four children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Knapp: John H., Ada L., Henry R. and Byron S. Dr. Knapp is a Mason and Elk and a member of the Exchange club. Harry W. Knapp, M. D. Dr. Knapp, specializing in obstetrics and diseases of women and children, among the foremost practitioners of Genesee county and active in the civic and fraternal life of the city, was born in South Lyon, Oakland county, Michigan, August 9, 1872, a son of Dr. Alonzo Simmons and Anna M. Bentley Knapp. Both were born in New York state, the mother near Canandaigua, the father in Ontario county. Dr. Alonzo Simmons Knapp, who was 49 when he died, was a Republican of note and was closely associated with Mark Brewer and Governor Bagley, of Michigan, and attended the laying of the corner-stone of the present state capitol. Dr. Knapp was widely known as a physician and was much in the public eye. He incorporated the village of South Lyon, was in the house of representatives in 1872-1873 and was a political power of state-wide influence. The doctor was also associated with Sam Smith, was a strong supporter of lodges and fraternal bodies and an energetic church worker. His father, Harry Knapp, was a cooper by trade and died at the age of fifty. Alonzo Simmons Knapp moved to Salem, Michigan, when a young man, was graduated from the University of Michigan and from Cleveland Homeopathic Medical college, but always retained a keen interest in the University of Michigan. He became an outstanding character of his day, both in politics and medicine and died on March 3I, I88I. His widow passed away in 1913. Harry W. Knapp was of a family of two sons. the other being Alonzo Newton Knapp. The former attended high school in St. Clair, Michigan, was graduated in I890, then worked his way through college, the Detroit College of Medicine. He left the institution in I894 and became purser of a steamer to earn sufficient means to complete his medical education. The work he continued until 19oo and in 1903 the coveted medical degree was awarded him by the Detroit College of Medicine. Dr. Knapp then went to Johannesburg. Otsego county. Michigan, for a short time and later to Gaylord and in I9I8 enlisted for service in the World war as cap HISTORY OF GENIDSEE COUNTY 271 tain in the medical corps. Upon his discharge he came to Flint, Dr. Knapp, on December 9, I896, was united in marriage to Pearl Cornell, daughter of Dr. George R. Cornell, of an early pioneer family of St. Clair county. Two children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Knapp, Eunice Hill, September i8, I898, and Helen, April 6, i9oo. Dr. Knapp, who inside and outside the profession is held in the highest esteem, is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He belongs to the Knights Templar, the Knights of Pythias, Modem Woodmen of America, Odd Fellows, Independent Order of Foresters and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a charter member and past president of the Exchange club and a director of the Automobile club. Edwin L. Knickerbocker passed his entire life in Michigan and in all of the relations of that life he accounted well for himself. He was long numbered among the representative business men and honored and influential citizens of Flint, and in this city his death occurred July II, I916. Mr. Knickerbocker was born at Groveland, Oakland county, Michigan, July 24, 1843, and was a son of Benner and Lucy (Capron) Knickerbocker. Benner Knickerbocker was born at Red Hook, New York, October 14, 1814, and was a scion of one of the old and honored Holland Dutch families that was early founded in the Empire state. As a young man he came to Michigan and became a pioneer settler in Oakland county, whence, in I849, he came with his family to Flint, where he continued his residence during the ensuing twenty years. Thereafter he passed a few years in Bay City, and he then returned to Flint, where he continued to maintain his home until his death, February 6, I9oo, his wife having passed away about two years previously. They became the parents of three children: Mrs. J. H. Plum, of Indianapolis, Indiana; John H., of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Edwin L., subject of this memoir. Edwin L. Knickerbocker passed the period of his boyhood and youth in Flint and here received the advantages of the common schools of the period. During the long period of sixty-seven years he was actively identified with business enterprises in Flint, with a record of large, worthy and successful achievement. He was largely instrumental in the upbuilding of the substantial business of the 0. M. Smith company, he having been identified with the same during numerous changes in control and management, and he having continued his active service in the large mercantile establishment of this company until six years prior to his death. An organic weakness of his heart finally led him to retire, but he continued to give his supervision to his real estate and other interests and was in fairly good health until two weeks prior to his death. The heart trouble was the immediate cause of his death, and the community lost in his passing one of its best-known and most honored citizens. Mr. Knickerbocker never manifested any ambition for political office, but was a supporter of the cause of the Republican party and was loyal and public-spirited in his civic attitude. He took deep interest in all things pertaining to the communal welfare, his cooperation having been assured in the furtherance of all worthy 272 HISTORY OF GENEISEE COUNTY movements for the general good of his home city. He was a most zealous member of the First Presbyterian church, as is also his widow, and he served long and faithfully as an elder of this church. On the Ist of January, I868, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Knickerbocker to Miss Ellen H. Witherbee, daughter of the late William W. and Elizabeth G. Witherbee, of Marlborough, Massachusetts. Mrs. Knickerbocker continues to maintain her home at Flint, has long been a gracious and popular figure in the representative social, church and cultural circles of the city, and in the loss of her husband she has been sustained and comforted by the solicitous loyalty of her many friends. She has no children. Enard J. Leach. Mr. Leach is manager of the Packard Motor Car company, Flint branch, and has attained a secure place in the business life of Flint. He was born in St. Charles, Michigan, June I3, I895, a son of Edward and Alma Leach, to whom were born five children-Fendon, Hugh, Edward Jr., Dale and Enard J. As early as thirteen years of age Enard J. Leach started on his own resources in the automobile business with the Hubbell Auto Sales, at Saginaw, then service manager, Buick garage, Flint, then operated a garage in Mt. Morris, Michigan. During the World war, Mr. Leach served two years, enlisting as a private, was commissioned sergeant first class, then second lieutenant and was later commissioned a first lieutenant. He was stationed in Baltimore and upon the close of the war, came to Flint and became manager of the Flint branch of the Packard Motor Car company. On May 13, 1917, Mr. Leach and Miss Beatrice Palmer, daughter of Mr. George Palmer, of Clio, were united in wedlock and one son, Jack, has come to bless the union. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Leach are living but Mr. Leach is retired. The parents of Mrs. Leach are also living. Enard J. Leach is a member of the Masonic order, Elks, and of the American Legion. He is a Methodist and in matters political is Republican. James J. Lee. James J. Lee is the owner of a retail grocery at 615 South Saginaw street which has been operated many years with success. Mr. Lee is a native/ of Flint and is: of a family of nine children born to Thomas and Mary Lee. Of their children, two are dead and the living children are: James J., Mrs. Margaret Holmes and Mrs. Ballis Piker, both of Toledo; Mrs. George Wolcott, of Flint; E. H., of Saginaw; John, of California. William and Thomas are the decedents. James J. Lee attended public and parochial schools in Flint and entered the world of business at the age of twenty-one with the F. H. and E. O. Pierce company and in the course of several years established his own business at 615 South Saginaw street. Mr. Lee was married to Miss Mary Stafford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Stafford, on April 30, I895. There are two children, R. Stafford Lee and Bernice Lee. Mr. Lee is a communicant of the Catholic church and a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Elks. In matters of politics he is' not hide-bound and disregards HISTORY OF GENEISEE COUNTY 273 party lines. Mr. Lee's grocery is one of the best-known retail establishments of Flint. Charles Bradford Leland was born February 15, 1842, in Bloomfield, New York, and died February 3, I92I. He was a son of Charles B. and Charlotte (Beers) Leland. The early education of the son was received at home and in Rochester and he was graduated from a Rochester business school. At the age of titheteen he took his first position with the American Express company in Rochester as money clerk. Then he became a messenger on the Great Western road, working as such a short period. He was then appointed agent of the American Express company at Flint and as such remained more than forty years, a remarkable tenure. On December I, I868, Mr. Leland was united in marriage to Effie Dean Coville, at Watertdwn, Massachusetts. Miss Coville was the daughter of Henry and Mary Coville, of Buffalo. They came to Detroit. Henry Coville enlisted in the Ninth Michigan Cavalry, Co. G., and served in many important battles, was wounded on the field and was able to get home but died as a result of the wounds and the hardships of war shortly after his return. He was accorded a full tmilitary funeral. Mr. Coville, who died January 20, I865, lies in Elmwood cemetery, Detroit. Charles Bradford Leland was a loyal Republican. He was a devout attendant and supporter of St. Paul's Episcopal church. He was extremely active in Masonry and belonged to the Knights Templar and to the Scottish Rite, being a Thirty-second degree member, or sublime prince of the royal secret. For seventeen years he was treasurer of his commandery. He held other offices and posts in the Masonic bodies. Mr. and Mrs. Leland had three sons and two daughters. Frederick Stearns Leland, living in Detroit, married Alice Howe. They had three children, George, Effegene and Edgar Howe Leland, who was killed July 31, I918, on the battlefield in France, east of Sergy. He was a member of Co. L, One Hundred Twenty-fifth Infantry of Michigan. A letter from his grandmother was found on the battlefield and returned to her, The body was buried in France where the parents wished it to remain. The second son of the Lelands is Leonard Whitney Leland. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Leland are the parents of two children, Mary and Leonard. The third son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bradford Leland is Edward Foster Leland, of Saginaw. He and his wife, who was Emma Nixon, have three children, Mary Charlotte, William Ward and Helen Louise. The two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Leland are dead. Helen Louise was the wife of Frederick M. Coates and to her two children were born, Marjorie and Frederick. Mary Charlotte Leland, first daughter of the subject of this sketch, was for many years a teacher of articulation in the school for the deaf at Flint. She was a brilliant pupil and a successful teacher. She loved her profession intensely. Her physicians and friends believed that her death was due to the fact that she was of such a sympathetic nature, and being such a conscientious worker, the inroads upon her constitution were too severe. Her death occasioned genuine grief among her 274 HISTORY OF GENEBSEE COUNTY pupils who apotheosized her. Effie Dean Coville Leland, widow of Charles Bradford Leland, is a granddaughter of Peter Coville, who served in the War of 1812. Peter Coville's father served in the Revolutionary war. These records have been carefully traced and co-ordinated and render the grandchildren of Mrs. Leland eligible to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. Charles L. Lippincott Mr. Lippincott is associated with the C. H. Miller Hardware company, in Flint, and is among the better known and estimable business men of the city. Mr. Lippincott was born in Baltimore, Maryland, March 7, I887, a son of William Henry and Rachael (Dunn) Lippincott. William Henry Lippincott has been in the railway mail service his entire life and is now past sixty years of age. Mrs. Lippincott died in I904. Two sons were born, Charles L. and Harry W., of Chicago. The former attended Michigan Agricultural College after leaving high school and in I906 was graduated in civil engineering. He went to Cincinnati and entered the railway mail service but in I907 came to Flint and for five years worked for the Weston-Mott company in the cost department and in I912 became associated with the C. H. Miller hardware establishment. In I9II, Mr. Lippincott was married, Blanche Miller becoming his bride. Miss Miller, rather Mrs. Lippincott, is a daughter of C. H. Miller. To them two sons have been born, Charles H. and Harry L. Mr. Lippincott is a Mason and Elk and a member of the Kiwanis club and of the Country club. During the war with the Central Powers, Mr. Lippincott was with the Ohio division as a second lieutenant. He was in the service a year and sustained seven wounds. Frank M. Locy, D. D. S., brought to the work of his profession the best of technical skill and a fine sense of stewardship. He was long and successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry in the city of Flint and there held secure place in popular confidence and esteem. He was one of the representative members of his profession in Genesee county at the time of his death, which occurred October I8, I920, and was a sterling and honored citizen to whom a tribute is due in this publication. Dr. Locy was born at Troy, Oakland county, Michigan, September 14, 1852, and was a son of Dr. Lorenzo D. and Sarah (Kingsbury) Locy, his father having had the distinction of being the first practitioner of dentistry in Flint. The Locy family has a goodly measure of pioneer distinction in Michigan and its representatives have proved citizens of ability and worth, as one generation has followed another. Lorenzo J. Locy, M. D., next younger of the two brothers of the subject of this memoir, was born at Troy, this state, in 1855, and was long engaged in the practice of medicine at Davison, Genesee county, where his death occurred August I6, I920, his funeral services having been held under the auspices of the Masonic blue lodge of which he had been an honored member. He was graduated in the Flint high school and also in both the literary and medical departments of the University of Michigan, besides which he took a post-graduate course HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 275 in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city. He was engaged in the practice of his profession at Davison during a period of thirty-four years, and there he will long be remembered as a kindly and helpful personality. William A. Locy, youngest of the three brothers, was graduated in the University of Michigan, continued his studies several years in Germany, and for the past quarter of a century he has been a member of the faculty of the Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, he having previously taught a few years at Lake Forest University, that state. He was the author of a valuable scientific work entitled "Biology and Its Makers." He died in October, I924, and is buried in Flint in Glenwood cemetery. Dr. Frank M. Locy profited duly by the advantages of the public schools and as a youth he served an apprenticeship to the trade of machinist, which he followed as a vocation a few years. He then began the study of dentistry under the able preceptorship of his father, and in the passing years he kept always in touch with the advances made in both operative and laboratory departments of his profession. He continued to be associated in practice with his father until the death of the latter, and thereafter he continued in charge of his large and representative professional business at Flint until within a few months prior to his death. He was a man of genial and gracious individuality, tolerant, considerate and intrinsically loyal, and his circle of friends was limited only by that of his acquaintances. The Doctor was an honored and veteran member of the Genesee County Dental society at the time of his death, and he held membership also in the Michigan State Dental society and the National Dental association. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party, but in local affairs he supported men and measures meeting his approval, rather than being insistently partisan. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, his funeral obsequies being directed by Flint lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M. The maiden name of the first wife of Dr. Locy was Emma A. Watson, and they became the parents of three sons, Lorenzo, who is deceased; Frank, Jr., and William both of whom reside in Detroit. On January 5, I897, Dr. Locy wedded Miss Luella M. Williams, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Kingsbury) Williams, both families having been established early in Michigan. The original home of the Williams family was in Virginia and representatives of the family were soldiers in the Revolutionary and Civil wars. The lineage of the Kingsbury family traces to Ensign Ephraim Kingsbury, who served with valor in the war of the Revolution and who was killed by the Indians at the time of the burning of Haverhill, Massachusetts. The Kingsbury family was founded in Michigan Territory in 1832, about five years prior to the admission of the state to the Union, and the pioneer settler of the name took up a half-section of government land, for the purpose of reclaiming a farm from the forest wilderness. Mrs. Mary (Kingsbury) Williams was a daughter of Andrew L. Kingsbury, who served as the first 276 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY sheriff of Lapeer county, which was then a part of Oakland county. Mr. Kingsbury came to Michigan from New York state, and by the Indians his wife became known as the "Good white squaw," she having taught the first school for the white children of her community and having also taught the Indian children, so that she won the high regard of the Indians, one of whom was always left to guard her home when the men of the family were absent. The kindness of Mrs. Kingsbury won the gratitude of the Indians, and the story of their friendliness reads far differently than many tales of the pioneer days, where little consideration was manifested for the red men. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Locy continued her residence in Flint, and here, on the 9th of June, 1923, was solemnized her marriage to William S. Smith. Mr. Smith was born in Genesee county and is a son of William H. and Azuba (Swick) Smith, who came to Michigan from the state of New York, the father having served as a gallant soldier of the Union throughout the Civil war and having participated in many of the important battles in which the Army of the Potomac was involved, including the historic battle of Gettysburg. The first wife of William S. Smith bore the maiden name of Nettie A. Wordon, and her death occurred in May, 1922. Of this union were born four children: Catherine is the wife of Raymond C. Canada, and they have two children, 'Howard and Josie; Leon married Neva Knapp and they have one son, Arthur; Gerald married Beatrice LaNoiue, and their two children are Sharon and Gerald, Jr.; Alice is the wife of Clarence Cheney and they have two children, Lucile and Nettie. Judge Charles Dean Long. Charles Dean Long lived in Michigan all his life. He was born in Grand Blanc, Genesee county, June 14, 1841, and at the time of his death (about 1902) was a resident of Lansing, Michigan. His parents were farmers, and came from New England families. His father's family were from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and his mother's family from Connecticut. His grandfather's mother was a Chandler, and related to the Chandler family of New Hampshire, the ancestors of the late Zachariah Chandler. Until he was thirteen years of age, Charles D. Long worked at farming, and when he started out from a district school to get an advanced education he went to Flint, Michigan, where he did chores for his board, and took care of the school building for his tuition for three years. His mother made his clothes for him, and in four years' time he graduated from the high school in Flint, fitted to enter the university. In order to get the money to attend college he taught school in Flint township, and other places. He was very much' interested in geography, and in teaching it he had a hobby. He commenced by putting rivers, mountains, and the different data connected with them, such as capitols of states, area, etc., into crude rhyme, set to some familiar tune, and this method proved most successful. The breaking out of the war stopped his idea of a university education. August, I86I, he enlisted in Company A, Eighth Michigan Infantry. At the battle of Wilmington HISTORY OF GENDSEE COUNTY 277 Island, in Georgia, April I6, I862, he lost an arm, and was otherwise severely wounded. As soon as he was able to travel he returned home and commenced to study law in the office of Oscar Adams, now circuit judge of the Cheboygan district, when, in 1864, he was elected county clerk and while in that position was admitted to the bar. From this time on his advance was rapid. He was county clerk of Genesee county from I865 to I873; prosecuting attorney from 1875 until I88I; a supervisor of the national census for Michigan in I880; judge advocate and major on the staff of Governor Jerome from I88I until 1883; member of the state military board and colonel on the staff of Governor Alger, 1883 to 1885; commissioner for Michigan to -the Centennial celebration of the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, held in Philadelphia in I887, and justice of the supreme court, January I, 1883, re-elected in I897. He has been president of the Detroit College of Law since its first organization. His law practice was conducted in partnership with George R. Gold. Judge Long married Alma A. Franklin in December, I863. His three children live in Detroit. Jessie is the wife of John M. Barton, with Wright, Kty & Company, Detroit; Burt E. is a member of the metropolitan police force of Detroit; and May is the wife of Edward Schremser, the well-known musical director of that city. The G. A. R. numbers Judge Long in its ranks, of which he was department commander for one term ending in 1885. He is a member of the K. O. T. M., the K. P. and A. O. U. W. Floyd B. Long. Floyd B. Long, president of the Shank-Coupland-Long company, plumbing and heating contractors of Flint, is to the forefront in civic activities conceived and carried out for the general advancement of the city and enjoys a large personal popularity. He was born in Lexington, Michigan, January 19, I892, a son of James W. and Mary E. Long, nee Cumming. James W. Long came to Michigan from Canada when a young boy and tilled the soil. He died in I916 atl the age of 57. Mrs. Long, member of an old and respected Michigan family, is living, aged 63. Floyd B. is the only son but there are half-brothers and sisters. After leaving high school, he worked in the Buick plant five years. In I912 he started in the plumbing business with Messrs. Shank and Coupland, the firm being a continuation of the old F. J. Alge establishment, which handled hardware and did plumbing. In January, 1913, Mr. Long was united in marriage to Anne Marie Koutz, of Saginaw. They have three children: Dallas J., Rosalie and Betty. Mr. Long is a member of the Elks, Knights of Pythias and Chamber of Commerce and has been president and vice-president of the Flint Master Plumbers' association. Howard A. Loss. While yet attending school and working for a Flint newspaper, Mr. Loss, applied himself diligently to the undertaking business, studied embalming in the University of Michigan and established himself in a business of his own. He located at 103I North Saginaw street, then moved to his present location, 278 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Garland street and Third avenue, the old McFarlan homestead. The funeral establishment is one of the best equipped in this section of the state. Mr. Loss bending his efforts in the direction of high-grade service. The growth of his business the past few years has been extraordinary. Mr. Loss was born in Vassar, Michigan, August 27, I899, a son of Charlotte A. (Dean) Loss. The mother was born in Canada. Mr. Loss' father was a blacksmith by trade and so operated until I9I1 when he entered the undertaking business. He came to Flint, however, in I908. Howard A. Loss from the time he came to Flint was connected with the Flint Daily Journal. He carried papers from I9o8 until 19I7 and when he left the employ of the paper was in the collection department. His connection with the paper secured for him a large acquaintance. Every hour of his time was profitably employed in combining work and study. Success has crowned his efforts. Mr. Loss was married June 24, 1925, to Miss Helen G. Freeman, of Flint. Carl D. Lovejoy, who is engaged in the plumbing and heating business in Flint, is one who stresses the professional side of the craft. He is a firm believer in the maintenance of the plumbing trade on the highest possible plane and in the intellectual and technical qualification of those who would follow the very important calling upon which depends in large degree the health and happiness of the individual home and the health and well-being of the- community. Mr. Lovejoy, who is held in the highest esteem throughout the city, started and himself taught a night school in Flint for plumbers, adding to their efficiency and skill and acquainting the students with foundational knowledge of the trade and of plumbing technique. His conception of plumbing apparently is that of the sanitary engineer for the plumber is, if properly qualified, one who conceives and executes the sanitation of home, store, shop, school or whatever the building may be. Mr. Lovejoy is also active in the civic life of the community and is an alderman, representing the Third ward. He is a son of Flint, born at 1I46 Ann Arbor avenue, corer of Fenton street, on April 8, I889. His parents are John R. and Gertrude Cotrell Lovejoy. The father, born in Mundy township, Genesee county, is living, aged 71. The grandfather, David Lovejoy, was a farmer and died at the age of seventy-nine. John R. Lovejoy was in the grocery and real estate business and enjoyed a wide acquaintance throughout his life. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John R. Lovejoy: Florence, Viola, Mae and Carl D. The last attended grade and high school, including the old Oak street'school, and on leaving school applied himself to plumbing as his life work. During I916-17-18 he was plumbing inspector. For a year he operated, having established the C. and L. Dry Cleaning company, which is yet operating but Mr. Lovejoy has no connection with it. In 9II8 he was elected alderman and continues in office with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents and the city at large. In 1920 he established the Lovejoy Heating and Plumbing company. On June 28,.I9II, Mr. Lovejoy became the husband of Carrie Jeffers, HISTORY OF GENIESEE COUNTY 279 daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred E. Jeffers, old residents of Flint. Of the union has come one daughter, Gertrude, now twelve years of age. Mr. Lovejoy is a member of the Masonic order and of the Knights of Pythias. By political persuasion he is Republican. Emanuel J. Ludwig. Mr. Ludwig, prosperous and well thought of in business circles, is engaged in the insurance business in Flint. He is president of the Flint Fire and Casualty board. Mr. Ludwig was born in Germany and when five years old accompanied his parents to Chicago. He was born in I896. Leaving high school, Mr. Ludwig went with the London and Lancashire Insurance company when only fourteen years old and was with the company five years. In 19I5 he decided to come to Flint and for four years worked for the Buick company. While in the employ of the Buick company Mr. Ludwig sold real estate on the side and gradually drifted into the business in association with F. E. Burgess. In I923 he decided to specialize in insurance. Mr. Ludwig was married December 25, I917, to Leda Chambers, representative of an old and respected Flint family. There is one child, Harriet Evelyn. Mr. Ludwig served in the United States navy. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Central Christian church and is secretary of the Men's Bible class. He is helpfully interested in supporting all movements and enterprises that have for their goal the advancement of the community. Edwin S. Lunt, manager of the Buick Motor company, sales, Flint branch, was born in Essex Junction, Vermont, September 30, 187I, a son of Fairfield A. and Augustine Lunt, nee Piper. The father and mother were born in Maine, Fairfield A. Lunt operating a flour and grist mill. They went to Vermont many years before the advent of Edwin S., where Mr. Lunt died in I902 at the age of 66 years. Mrs. Lunt passed away in I899, aged 58 years. Fairfield Lunt was a deacon in the Methodist church and was active in church work. Four children came into the family, Etta, Clara, Isaac and Edwin S. After a short schooling, the latter started to work for his father and continued in his service eleven years. He then established himself in the meat business. Mr. H. Sharland was sales manager of the Buick company in Flint and while on a trip that carried him to Vermont, visited Mr. Lunt and gave him his first automobile ride. Mr. Lunt then decided to come to Flint and in I906 became connected with the Buick company, and to obtain mechanical experience worked in different departments of the factory. In I907 he entered the sales department through the service end and drove William C. Durant around when Mr. Durant was forming the General Motors corporation. From 1914 to 1922, Mr. Lunt and Mathew Davison conducted this sales agency and in the latter year the Buick company bought the agency and it became a branch of the big corporation and in July, 1922, Mr. Lunt became a branch manager. On September 30, I892, Mr. Lunt was united in marriage to Martha Haselton, of Vermont. The Lunts have three children: Clinton E., David H. and Beatrice L. Mr. Lunt is a Mason 280. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY holding the various degrees of the York and Scottish Rites. He is also a Shriner, Rotarian and Elk. He is also a director of the Citizens' Commercial bank. R. Bruce Macduff, M. D. Dr. Macduff, specializing in X-ray diagnosis and treatment, was born in Flint, January 17, 1892, a son of Rev. Ralph E. and Elizabeth Nelson (Ferris) Macduff. Rev. Mr. Macduff was born in Kentucky, his wife in New York state. The father came to Flint in I887 from Cleveland, Ohio, where he had been rector of St. Paul's Episcopal church, and from 1887 to 1902 served as rector of St. Paul's church, this city. He then went to Jackson for eight years of pastoral duty, was three years in Ypsilanti and two years in West Branch, then retired from the ministry and came to Flint in which city he died in 19i5 at the age of 73 years. Mrs. Macduff passed away in 1922, aged 68. Rev. Mr. Macduff was also a doctor of medicine receiving the medical degree at Bellevue College, New Yoirk. He was graduated from Kenyon Theological Seminary. In Flint, he was very active in civic and social welfare movements and in the developments of the cultural life of the community. In I888 he organized the Shakespeare club, which is yet in existence. Rev. Mr. Macduff was a consistent Mason, belonging to the various bodies of the York Rite and having taken the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He was also a Shriner. Six children formed links of the fatmily chain. They are: Douglas, an attorney at Peekskill, New York; Ralph E., who is sales manager of the eastern branch of the Packard Motor company; Nelson F., supervisor of government forests, at Eugene, Oregon; Ellen Gray, now Mrs. Van Patten, of Pelham, New York; R. Bruce, and Norman W., of Bellingham, Washington. R. Bruce Macduff attended public school in Flint and was graduated from high school in Jackson in I9Io, then pursued an academic course at the University of Chicago three years and entered the University of Michigan, medical department, from which he was graduated. Returning to Flint, Dr. Macduff became house surgeon at Oak Grove hospital. In August, 1917, he was commissioned first lieutenant in the medical corps, spent a year at Camp Dodge, Iowa, and eleven months in France. Returning to Flint, the Doctor became surgeon of the Buick emergency hospital and engaged in general practice and in September, I923, took post-graduate work in roentgmology at the University of Michian, re-enforced his studies with service at Shirley hospital, Detroit, and returning to Flint began specialization in X-ray diagnosis. Dr. Macduff on May 28, 1920, was married to Miss Ellen J. Hawkins, of Jonesville, Michigan. He is a member of the county and state medical societies and the American Medical association; the Radiological Society of North America; Phi Gamnma Delta and Nu, Sigma Nu fraternities; is a member of the medical staff of Hurley hospital and of the medical advisory board of the Woman's hospital. For his professional strength and personal ability, Dr. Macduff is much respected and esteemed. HISTORY OF GENDSEE COUNTY 281 Fenton Reuben McCreery. Fenton R. McCreery, of Flint, Michigan, for many years actively connected with the United States consular and diplomatic service, is a native son of Flint, his birth having occurred there on April 21, 1866. He is a son of Colonel William Barker and Ada B. (Fenton) McCreery, the former of whom was born at Mt. Morris, New York, and the latter at Fenton, this county, and who for years were numbered among the prominent and influential residents of Flint, where their last days were spent. They were the parents of four children, of whom Fenton R. was the first born,, the other being Adelaide Fenton, who became the wife of Jerome H. Remick, and is now living in Detroit; Catherine, the wife of Matthew Davison, of Flint, and Howard, who died in infancy. Fenton R. McCreery was reared at Flint and upon the completion of the course in the public schools of that city entered the Michigan Military Academy, at Orchard Lake, and afterwards entered the University of Michigan, in the class of I888. On account of failing health, he then went to New Mexico, where he spent some time in a mining district, seventy miles from a railroad. While there he acquired a knowledge of the Spanish language, which afterwards became valuable to him in the diplomatic service. When his father was sent as consul to Valparaiso in I89o, Fenton McCreery accompanied him and served as clerk in the consulate there, later being appointed by President Harrison as secretary of the United States legation at Santiago, Chile. Part of the time he was acting minister (charge d' affaires) during the Balmaceda administration, the revolution of I89I and the difficulties with the United States growing out of the "Baltimore" affair. In I897 he was appointed by President McKinley -as secretary of the embassy at Mexico and served there for ten years, during three years of which, time he was acting ambassador of the United States government. In I907 he was appointed by President Roosevelt minister resident and consul general to the Dominican republic and was stationed at Santa Doiningo when the government of the United States took over the collection of the customs of that revolutionridden government. Upon his return to the United States he received the personal congratulations of the President for his service in that connection. In I909 Mr. McCreery was appointed by President Taft envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Honduras and he served in that capacity during a time of revolution in that republic, several revolutions occurring during his term of service, the last one of which he was instrumental in composing, for which service he received a vote of thanks from both contending parties. In I9I1 Mr. McCreery resigned from the diplomatic service, after nearly twenty years of continuous work in that line and returned to his home in Flint. where he has since given his attention chiefly to his farming interests, being the owner of a fine farm in Mt. Morris township. Upon retiring from the diplomatic service, Mr. McCreery ranked third in the list and is recognized as 282 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY an expert in matters affecting this nation's foreign affairs. In 1912, he was employed in an advisory capacity by the committee on foreign relations of the United States senate which held sessions in Washington, New Orleans, Louisiana, El Paso, Texas, and Los Angeles, California, then investigating Mexican affairs. In 1913 Mr. McCreery traveled in Greece, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey and the Balkan states. In addition to being a master of the Spanish language, Mr. McCreery also speaks French, the language of diplomacy. He has visited all the countries in this hemisphere and has made five trips to Europe. Since his return home, Mr. McCreery has often been called to the lecture platform and his addresses on subjects relating to the Latin-American republics are considered authority on the politics and history of these countries and the relations of the United States to them. He was honorary vice-chairman-at-large of the American peace centenary committee, which was appointed to organize celebrations, in both America and England, to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the peace treaty between Engand and America. Mr. McCreery is a Repubican in politics and a member, of St. Paul's Episcopal church at Flint. In 1913 Mr. McCreery lectured on "Mexico and Ancient American Races;" I915-I6, captain American Red Cross attached to office American commission (Paris); I918, January-May, speaker in Ohio and Michigan in Second Red Cross drive. May, I918, commanding major N. A. June, 1918, detailed as military attache to American embassy Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Served on general staff military intellgance division. In Washington, September and October, 1918, honorably discharged. Member Exct. Council of American Society of International Law, 1923-26. Member of International Association of Rotary clubs (chairman of committee on foreign extentions). Is a member of American Legion. Military Order of Foreign Wars. Alpha-Delta-Phi New York; Metropolitan club, Washington, D. C.; Country club, Flint. Harry Clifford McClure, civil engineer, was born August 15, r884, in Mansfield, Ohio, a son of Robert and Sarah Elizabeth McClure. Two children; were born to Mr. and Mrs. McClure, Harry Clifford and a daughter, who became Mrs. G. E. Tucker, of Lawrence, Kansas. The former attended public school in Cawker City, Kansas, and in 1904 entered the University of Kansas and was graduated in 1909. During I908 Mr. McClure was associated with the Frisco railroad engineering division in Oklahoma and Texas. In the fall of 1909, he became identified with the the Riggs & Sherman company, of Toledo and vas with this concern two years directing the construction of the Toledo Shipbuilding company's dry dock. He also served as designer and; engineer of two high schools and several ward schools in Toledo, the cost of which aggregated $5,ooo,ooo. In I916 he became engineering commissioner of Toledo, serving five years. During this period he was granted a one-year leave of absence to serve in the ordnance department of the United States army, on the occasion of the World war and was commissioned a HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 283 captain. Mr. McClure directed the construction of explosive manufacturing base supply depots for the government. While in Toledo he designed and constructed the present intercepting sewer system costing $3,000,000. He was for several years connected with the Toledo Scale company and came to Flint in May, 1923, as city engineer and as consulting engineer. In 1914, Mr. McClure was united in marriage to Miss Hazel Carter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. J. Carter, of Toledo. They have one daughter, Elizabeth Suzanne. Mr. McClure is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and has interests beyond the pale of his profession. He is a member of the Engineering societies of Sigma Xi and Tau Beta Pi. He is a Mason and has atttained the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Politically he is a Republican in subscription to national policy. By religious conviction he is a Methodist. William E. McCorkell. William E. McCorkell is the proprietor of the Genesee Iron Works, of Flint, an organization formed in I892 by himsef and the Messrs. Daniel and Emmet Hurd. In I9I6 Mr. McCorkell became sole owner of the business. Mr. McCorkell was born May 25, I866, his parents being Andrew and Elizabeth (Wilson) McCorkell, of Ritchfield. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. McCorkell, three of whom are living, Mrs. (Dr.) Herbert S. Christie, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Mrs. W. A. Stowe, of Jacksonville, Florida, and William E. The son received his early education in the public schools of Flint for his parents moved to this city shortly after his birth. It was in this city that he early laid the foundation of his future fortune winning his way, by thrift and capacity, to a secure place in the business world. In April, I895, Mr. McCorkell was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Welch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Welch, of Flint. Four children were born: Mrs. Joseph Valentine, of Rogers City, Michigan; W. A., Frank C. and Dorothy E., all of Flint. Mr. McCorkell manifests a strong interest in the Republican party and its principles. He is a member of the Elks and of the Columbian Circle. Owen McDonnell. Owen McDonnell, a native of Ireland, born in I829, came to the United States as a very young man after having received an education in Ireland and learned the trade of masonry. For some time he lived in Pennsylvania and in that state met Mary Welsh, also a native of Ireland, and in 1855 they were married. Five children were the issue of this union: Julia, wife of William Hawkstraw; Mary Ann, wife of Michael Francis Malloy; Michael (whose wife was Ellen Mulcahy); Catherine Bernadine, wife of John Funch, formerly spelled Funsch; and James. Mr. McDonnell came to Michigan not long after his marriage and took up farming to which he devoted the greater part of his life. He was known for his uprightness and dependability. He had a great desire to visit the land of his birth, in his later days, but his family realizing his health would not permit such a long trip persuaded him not to make the journey. However, he did insist upon leaving Flint 284 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY for Chicago for a short visit with his son, James, and while there suffered a paralytic stroke, falling dead on the street, February 21, I914. He was buried in Flint. Mr. McDonnell was a faithful communicant of the Catholic church. He belonged to no fraternal organizations. By political faith he was a staunch Democrat. Michael Francis Malloy, who married Mary Ann McDonnell on October 24, i888, was a son of Patrick and Jane Daly Malloy, both natives of Ireland who came to the United States in their youth. He was born February 6, I868, in Flint township and received his education in Mt. Morris center, in the vicinity of which his life was spent as a farmer. To the union two children were born: Owen, died a victim of appendicitis, leaving his wife and two children, Roberta and Owen Joseph, who was born after his father's death. Jennie May married Paul Herman and they have two children, Reta Pauline and Mary Louise. Michael Francis Malloy met an untimely death, succumbing to tuberculosis on May 13, I894. He was a devout Catholic. In politics, he was a strong supporter of Demociacy but belonged to no orders. His widow kept the family together and through her splendid management and strength of character, brought up the members of the family in a way that reflects credit upon her. Her son, Owen Malloy, for service in the World war, enlisted in Co. C., Michigan infantry, but was transferred to Co. A, Seventy-third regular engineers. He was not sent overseas. B. G. McGarry, M. D. Dr. MoGarry, physician and surgeon oi Fenton, Michigan, was born in Detroit, March I, I877, a son of Robert S. McGarry. Samuel McGarry the grandfather, came from Ireland and settled in Livingston county, Deerfield township, and there B. G. McGarry was reared. Robert McGarry was a steward on boats plying the Great Lakes. His wife was, before the union, Kathryn Cook, coming from Canton, New York. Dr. McGarry was reared by his grandfather and attended grade and high school in Howell, was graduated from the latter, attended Fenton Normal school a year, then entered Detroit College of Medicine and was graduated in 1902. In September of that year, the young physician came back to Fenton and purchased the old Dr. Knapp property and has specialized in eye, ear, nose and throat practice. Dr. McGarry has done post-graduate work at the New York Post-Graduate school and at Harvard Medical school. He served in the World war as a captain in the medical corps and while in the army took post-graduate work in X-ray at Camp Greenleaf. In I909, Dr. McGarry was united in marriage to Hazel Jennie Brown, of Howell, and to them three children have been born, Harriet Elizabeth, Barbara June and Burton George. Dr. McGarry is a Mason, Knight Templar and an Odd Fellow. -He is a member of county and state medical societies and of the American Medical association. He is a member of the Congress of Internal Medicine, of the American Electropedics association and of the American College of Radiography. In religious conviction the doctor is a Methodist. Politically he casts his fortunes with the Republican party. Dr. McGarry is widely known as a medical HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 285 man of capability and careful preparation and long training. He is establishing a clinic in Fenton which will attract persons seeking diagnosis and advice, from all over the state and from neighboring states. He is greatly esteemed by both medical profession and laity. Roy A. McGarry, M. D., is one of the representative physicians and surgeons of the younger generation in Genesee county and is established in successful practice in the city of Flint. The Doctor was born at Traverse City, judicial center of Grand Traverse county, Michigan, December 28, 1887, and is a son of Odie and Etta McGarry, he being the oldest of the four children. The brothers, Ray and Guy, still reside in Traverse City, and the one sister, Miss Flossie, is now a resident of New York city. In the public schools of his native city the earlyl educational discipline of Dr. McGarry included that of the high school, and in preparation for the exacting profession of his choice, he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, in which institution he was graduated as a member of the class of I912 and with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. That his had been an exceptional record in his under-graduate work is indicated in his having been retained in 19I3-I4 as an instructor in anatomy in the medical department of the university, and of indubitable fortifying value was the clinical experience which he thereafter gained while serving as house physician at the University hospital in I9I5, and as an interne in the Barnard Skin and Cancer hospital, at St. Louis, Missouri, in 1916. In the same year he became instructor in dermatology and syphilolgy in the medical department of the University of Michigan, and in 1917-18, in connection with the nation's participation in the World war, he entered the medical corps of the United States army and was made chief of the genito-urinary service at Camp Sheridan, Alabama, where he was given a commission as captain in the medical corps. In 1919, under the auspices of the United States governiment, Dr. McGarry made an extensive tour throughout the different states of the Union, in the delivering of public-health lectures, and after receiving his honorable discharge from the national service he established his residence in. Flint, in August, I919. Here he has built up a substantial and representative practice, in which he specializes in genitourinary and skin diseases. The Doctor is a valued member of the Genesee County Medical society and the Michigan State Medical society, besides having membership in the American Medical association. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. M. J. McGinnis. Mr. McGinnis, real estate dealer, of Flint, and among the better known and more progressive of the business men of that city, was born in 1894 in Mt. Morris, Michigan, of a family of seven children. The parents are Edward and Mary McGinnis. M. J. attended public school at Mt. Morris and the Ferris Institute, and in I915 became a member of the staff of the Genesee County Savings bank. After one year, he entered the service of the government, called by the World war, and upon his discharge became' 286 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY associated with the Dime Savings bank at Detroit, and six months later came to Flint and became associated with the real estate firm of Goodrich & Eldridge. He was with this firm three years and then became a member of the firm of Edwards, McGinnis & Powell. In the course of a year Messrs. McGinnis and Powell purchased the interest of Mr. Edwards and the firm name was changed to that of McGinnis & Powell. The concern maintains its offices in the Dryden building and maintains a high standard of service for a growing clientele. Mr. McGinnis is unmarried. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of the Real Estate board and of the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is inclined toward Republican policies and doctrines. The six brothers and sisters of Mr. McGinnis are Mrs. Gertrude Mulkins, of Flushing; Mrs. Elizabeth Sturdivant, Valetta, Kathryn and George, all of Flint, and Mrs. Berdella Ferguson, of Mt. Morris. Archibald McKay, who is junior member of the firm of Baker & McKay, which is successfully established in business in the city of Flint, in the handling of oils and greases, especially those utilized for motor vehicles, is not only of sterling Scotch ancestry, but is also able to revert to the fine old land of hills and heather as the place of his nativity. He was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, February 12, 1863, and is a son of Archibald and Jeanette (McNaughton) McKay. Mr. McKay acquired in his native land his rudimentary education and was a lad of about thirteen years when, in 1875, he accompanied his parents to America, the home being first established in the Dominion of Canada, where he continued to attend school at intervals, and the year 1884 having recorded the removal of the family to West Branch, Ogemaw county, Michigan. After coming to Michigan, Mr. McKay became actively associated with lumbering operations, and with this line of industrial enterprise he continued his alliance more than twenty years-until his removal to Flint, in 191o. He came to this city to enter the employ of the Standard Oil company, and he familiarized himself with all matters pertaining to the handling of petroleum products, so that he was well fortified when, in I919, he engaged in business in an independent way. He saw that in Flint was an excellent opportunity for the building up of a prosperous business in the handling of the products of the Sinclair Oil company, and his conviction was one of action, as shown by his forming a partnership with Paul Baker and establishing the now substantial and prosperous business conducted by the progressive firm of Baker & McKay. It has been given to Mr. McKay to gain place as one of the enterprising and successful business men of the capital city and metropolis of Genesee county, and here his circle of friends is limited only by that of his acquaintances. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political alignment is with the Republican party. and he is a communicant of Christ church, Protestant Episcopal, in which he has served as president of the HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 287 Men's club. For his wife Mr. McKay chose Miss Edith A. Woodfield, and they have five children: Marion Jeanette, Margaret, Martin, Ernest and Donald. His wife died July 14, 1925. During life she was a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church. Rowland Fletcher McKee, realtor of Flint, is a Canadian by birth. He had a long and honorable experience in business to his credit. For a number of years he has been very active in real estate operations and has contributed much to the up-building and development of Flint. Mr. McKee was born in Petersbourough, Ontario, February 25, I880, a son of John and Regina McKee. His grade and high school education was obtained in Canada and at the age of twenty Mr. McKee entered the service of Marshall Field & Company, Chicago, remaining with this immense concern five years. During the next five years he represented several furniture concerns in Canada. In I9IO he entered the real estate field, engaging in business in Winnipeg, where he was located seven years. In 1917 he went with the Oliver Streeter company, of Detroit, and until 1920 represented that concern in Flint and Detroit. Mr. McKee established and became president of the Rowland F. McKee Real Estate company. He is also secretary of the Northgate Heights Land company and is interested in the North Flint Land company. John McKee, the father, is living, retired, in Flint. His wife is dead. There were three children in the family, Mrs. James A. Size, of St. Thomas, Ontario, and John Reginald and Rowland Fletcher McKee, of Flint. In August, 1907, Mr. Rowland Fletcher McKee was united in marriage to Miss Ray Eastwood, of Nova Scotia. One son was born, Gordon, but he died July I6, 1923. In political preferment, Mr. McKee is Republican. By religious conviction he is Episcopalian. He is a Mason and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a noble of the Mystic Shrine. George E. McKinley, former mayor and alderman of Flint, Michigan, for years district organizer for the American Federation of Labor, at one time state factory inspector, and the present superintendent of parks, is a native of Flint, Michigan, and has lived there most of his life. He was born on August 12, 1872, the son of Margaret (White) McKinley and James McKinley, natives of Belfast, Ireland, whose last days were spent in Flint, and who were the parents of the following children: Alexander, who died in I876; William, who died in 1917; James, of Lapeer, Michigan; George E., the subject of this sketch; Jennie, wife of A. L. Gladwin of Boston, Mass.; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Hovey; Fannie, wife of Charles Maddern and Mary, wife of William Wilson, all deceased. James McKinley was reared in Ireland, and after coming to America, married Margaret White, daughter of George and Mary White, the former of whom died in Ireland, after which his widow joined her daughter in this country, and spent her last days in her home. After marriage, James McKinley and his wife were located for a short time at Rahway, New Jersey, moving thence to Detroit, Michigan, where Mr. McKinley was for a number of years engaged in railroad shop work. In the early Sixties, he 288 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY and his family moved into Genesee county and located in Flint, where he died at the age of seventy-six. His widow survived him until August 3, 1898, having married her second husband, Thomas Cochran. She was eighty-six years of age at the time of her death. Mr. Cochran died in 1912. She was a member of the Episcopal church and Mr. Cochran of the Methodist Episcopal. George E. McKinley's schooling was obtained in the public schools of Flint, and at an early age he began making his own way. His first employment was cash boy in the dry goods store of F. H. and E. O. Pierce. He later learned the cigar trade, and in 900o established a cigar factory in Flint which he operated for twelve years. For a number of years Mr. McKinley has taken an active and prominent part in the affairs of organized labor, not only in Flint, but throughout the state, and for three years served as district organizer for the American Federation of Labor. He has also shown an active interest in local political affairs, and in 900o was elected alderman from his ward, serving in that capacity until his election in I906 to the office of mayor of the city as nominee of the Democratic party. So well did he perform his administrative duties that he was re-elected and served two terms as mayor. Under the administration of Governor Ferris, he was appointed state factory inspector, and in I914, upon the creation of the State Free Employment Bureau for this section, with offices in the city hall at Flint, he was appointed superintendent of that important bureau for this section. In 1912, Mr. McKinley was the candidate of the Democratic party for a seat in the lower house of the Michigan state legislature, but was unable to overcome the strong Republican majority in this district. On November 26, I891, George E. McKinley was united in marriage to Ellen H. Lane, daughter of Henry and Elleh (O'Brien) Lane of Detroit, Michigan. Mr. McKinley is at present engaged in park work, being the superintendent of the department of parks and boulevards, and has been connected with said department since 1915. Edwin C. McLogan has made the name of.his business establishment in the city of Flint one representative of high-grade and effective service, and his place, known as The China Closet, is one of the attractive and metropolitan retail places, that add to the precedence of the Genesee county metropolis. Mr. McLogan was born in the city of Chicago, March 31, I889, and was nine years of age at the time the family home was established at Calumet, in the great mining district of the upper peninsula of Michigan. 1He is a) son of John C. and Nellie (Harmer) McLogan, the latter of whom is still living. The father was for many years prominently engaged in the general music business, as a member of the firm of McLogan & Pierce, 'which conducted music stores at Calumet, Hancock and Iron Mountain, all prominent towns of the upper peninsila of the Wolverine state. The other surviving child is Mrs. Pauline Barenstacher, and she now maintains her home in the city 6f Portland, Oregon. The public schools of Calumet afforded to Edwin C. McLogan the major part of his early educational dis HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 289 cipline, and there also he gained his initial experience of practical order-largely in connection with his father's music business. He continued his residence in the northern part of Michigan until the nation became involved in the World war, when he held in obeyance all personal interests and tendered his services to the government. He enlisted in the United States army soon after America entered the war, and in overseas service, he made a record that shall ever reflect honor and distinction upon his name. His ability won him promotion through various grades to the office of major in the Tenth United States infantry, and in this command he took part in many of the important campaign activities in France, his regiment having been on the front lines in various sectors and having borne the full tension of the great conflict. After the armistice brought the war to a close Major McLogan remained for some time in France, his return voyage to the United States having been made in the summer of I9I9 and he having in due course received his honorable discharge. In the autumn of that year he came to Flint and became associated with Edward D. Austin in the equipping and opening of The China Closet, on South, Saginaw street. Abundant success has attended this enterprise, as the firm carries a large and select line of fine china and other table decorative wares, the while the artistic appointments of the establishment lend notably to its appeal to a discriminating and appreciative patronage. Major McLogan is found loyally aligned in the ranks of the Republican party, is an active member of the local Rotary club, he and his wife are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church, and he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the timehonored Masonic fraternity, in the latter of which he has received the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, besides being a noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the American Legion. The year I9I9 marked the marriage of Major McLogan to Miss Helen Austin, daughter of Edwin D. Austin, of Flint, and the two children of this union are Edward and Donald. Major and Mrs. McLogan are popular factors in the representative social activities of their home city. George H. McVannel, president of the Genesee Motor Sales company, 2510-18 North Saginaw street, Flint, was born January 5, I883, at Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is a son of Samuel and Janet (Craig) McVannel. Samuel McVannel was born in Scotland, came to Canada, then to Indiana, and farmed, but in I892 he moved to Flint and went into the trucking and draying business. He was born in 1845 and died in 900o. Mrs. McVannel was born in I848 and died in I9i6. George H., the son, attended public school, including high school, in Flint, and in x9oo started to work for the W. S. Paterson Buggy company in whose employ he remained two years. For a similar length of time he was with the Diamond Buggy company. Unflagging desire for professional training inspired him to enter the Michigan Agricultural College and in I908 he received from that institution the civil engineering degree. He then 290 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY spent a year in the office of the city engineer and for two years served Charlotte, Michigan, as drain engineer. Returning to Flint, he became the county engineer for the Genesee county road commission, serving ten years, from 1912 to 1922. From 1914 to I924 he was vicepresident of the Ford Sales company and he took active management of the Genesee Motor Sales company, which was organized in 1924. He was one of the organizers of the company and has been president since its establishment. On June II, I912, Mr. McVannel was united in! marriage to Clara Louise Paterson, daughter of Dr. Philo Paterson, of Charlotte. The McVannels have four children: Robert, Edward, Margaret and Donald. Mr. McVannel is a member of the Masonic fraternity and in I9I9 was master of his lodge. He occupies a place of affection and esteemn in the hearts of hundreds of Flint and Genesee county residents for his ability and scruples. Byron W. Malfroid, M. D., is one of the better known of the younger physicians of Flint. His office is located in the Industrial Bank building. Byron W. Malfroid was born in Menominee, Michigan, March 30, I894, the son of S. A. and Catherine Malfroid. The father was born in France, the mother in Wisconsin. The elder Malfroid came to Wisconsin with his parents when he was twelve years old and later moved to Michigan. He was engaged in the wholesale grocery business in Calumet and Houghton, Michigan, as the Malfroid Trading company, and died in I923 at the age of 6I. Byron W. was the only child and when a boy, his parents moved to Calumet and then to Houghton, in which city he was graduated from high school. In 1912 he matriculated at the University of Michigan and was graduated in I916. The young doctor entered war service and was assistant surgeon in the navy with grade of lieutenant, junior grade, and was stationed on the Great lakes, advanced to rank of lieutenant, senior grade, in December, I918. In February, I919, he was discharged, went to St. Joseph, Michigan, took post-graduate work and located in Flint. On June 15, I918, Dr. Malfroid was united in marriage to Miss Ida Mae Lewis, of Coldwater, Michigan. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Shrine and consistory of the Scottish Rite, and of the Elks. He is a subscriber to the policies of the Republican party. Joshua G. R. Manwaring, M. D. Dr. Manwaring, widely known and much esteemed physician of Flint and member of the William V. Smith advisory board, was born October 17, 1877, at Imlay City, Michigan, a son of George R. and Amy (Kinnee) Manwaring. Three of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Manwaring are living: E. G. R., of Oakland, California; Mrs. Veva I. Lowes, of Owosso; Mrs. Ethel I. Connor, of Bogata, N. J., deceased; and Joshua G. R. T'he latter received his early education in Imlay City and Lapeer and attended the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 190o. For two years he did hospital service in Ann Arbor and in 1903 came to Flint. He first established an office in the Dryden building but later moved to the First National Bank building. On August 24, x904, Dr. Manwaring was united in marriage to Miss HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 291 Fleda G. Dowell, of Hicksville, Ohio. There are three children in the Manwaring family: Joshua G., J. Thomas and Frances Amy. George R. Manwaring, a retired merchant, resides in Salt Lake city but his wife is dead. The parents of Mrs. Manwaring are dead. Dr. Manwaring is prominently identified with the civic life of the city as well as professional. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, an Elk and Kiwanian; a member of the Michigan State Medical society and of the American College of Surgeons. William H. Marshall, M. D. Richly endowed by nature with a studious disposition, broad sympathy and a superb complaisance, Dr. William H. Marshall has ingratiated himself into the hearts and minds of hundreds of residents of Flint and Genesee county, Michigan. He is an outstanding professional success, featuring as his specialization internal medicine. Dr. Marhall is located in the Industrial Bank building in Flint. He was born March 24, 1874, in Brampton, Ontario, the son of David H. and Hannah Jane (Henderson) Marshall, of Scotch origin. The father was a stock breeder and active in provincial politics being attached to the Liberal party. William H. attended grade and high school, Trinity College and the University of Toronto, being graduated in I90o with the medical degree. For several years he practiced in Boyne City and in 1906 studied at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh, Scotland, and in I9II took postgraduate work in London. In I9I1 he was united in marriage to Sophia Prohle, of Chicago. In I916, Dr. Marshall enlisted in the British medical service and in 1917 when the United States entered the World war, the Doctor joined the United States forces and was attached to Ft. Riley, Camp Grant. He was a major when discharged from service in I918 and proceeded to Flint applying his training to internal medicine. Dr. Marshall is a member of the American Congress on Internal Medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He is secretary of Hurley hospital. He is a member of the Masonic order. Politically, Dr. Marshall is Republican. Dr. and Mrs. Marshall are the parents of one daughter, Martha Jane..The capability of Dr. Marshall is widely recognized, emphasized by and reflected in his growing practice. Edwin L. Mason is the efficient and popular scout executive of the Flint troop of the Boy Scouts of America, and is an enthusiast in the service of this fine patriotic and character-building organization, his administrative ability has been advanced by the discipline which he himself received during his service in the United States army in the World war period. Mr. Mason takes a due measure of pride in reverting to Michigan as the place of his nativity, his birth having occurred at L'Anse, Baraga county, this state, October 13, [890. He is the elder of the two children of William L. and Alica Mason, and his sister, Mrs. O.. Holmes, resides at Bronson, Branch county. Mr. Mason gained the major part of his earlier education in the public schools of the city of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and in 1915 he was graduated in the Detroit College of Law, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of LaWs, with virtually coincident 292 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY admission to the Michigan bar. In the practice of his profession -he was associated with the Detroit law firm of Moore & Smith until the nation's entrance into the World war brought to him the higher duty of patriotic service. He made prompt enlistment, and while it was not given him to take part in the activities on the great stage of conflict, he was at all times ready to respond to whatever demands were made for his service, was stationed at Fort Sheridan during the greater part of his term,, his honorable discharge having been received in the early part of' the year g919. He soon afterward became assistant scout executive of the Detroit Council of Boy Scouts, and on the 31st of March, 1923, came to Flint as executive of the local Council of Boy Scouts. He has the admiration and affectionate regard of the members of his council and has brought the service of the organization up to a high standard of efficiency and loyalty. Mr. Mason is a Republican in political alignment, is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church, is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and is a valued member of the Kiwanis club, of Flint. Lester E. Matt. A record of remarkable achievement has been that of this well-known and popular citizen of Flint, where he has been a distinct leader in modern motion picture enterprise and in progressive business accomplishment. The metropolis of Genesee county can point to few, if any, representative business men of greater initiative ability, or with a finer spirit of self-reliance, determination and capacity for consecutive applicaton, even in the face of greatly discouraging conditions. Mr. Matt has given to Flint the metropolitan Strand theater, of which he is still the owner, and the summer of I924 initiated his erection of a modern, fire-proof theater, store and office building of six stories, his theater in which, the maximum in metropolitan equipment and appointments, is to be known as the State theater. Lester E. Matt was born at Huron, Ohio, June 4, I88o, and is a son of John Guy Matt and Sarah Elizabeth Matt, both likewise natives of Hfuron, where the former was born January 24, 1853, and the latter August 24, I857. both having passed their entire lives in the old Buckeye state. John G. Matt received limited educational advantages in his boyhood, as he was called upon to assist his mother in the management of the home farm while his father was in service as a soldier of the Union in the Civil war. After the close of the war he worked for a time in the fish market conducted by his paternal father-in-law at Huron, and by this means provided the funds that enabled him to attend the college at Ada, Ohio, during a period of three winters. After his marriage he purchased the fish-market business of his father-in-law, and for a long period of years he continued as one of the representative business men and influential citizens of Huron, having served four different times as mayor of that city. He was a stalwart Republican, and he and his wife were earnest communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church at Huron. Of the two children, Albert H. is the elder, and the younger is Lester E., of this review. Lester E. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 293 Matt attended the public schools of Huron until he had completed the work of his sophomore year in the high school, and he then, at the age of sixteen years, found employment as driver for a local lumber concern. After being thus engaged four months he entered upon a practical apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, to which he gave his attention two years. Thereafter he was employed as a fireman and hoist engineer at the Huron docks, and at the age of twenty years he became a structural-steel worker at Shelby, Ohio. He next served as foreman ind a bicycle shop, and finally he returned to Huron and engaged in the contracting business in an independent way. In I908 Mr. Matt drove two race-horses overland from Huron to Flint, Michigan, and brought with him two boxes of tools. As his available cash was very limited, he made his horses serve as security for, a loan of $75, and with this; additional financial leinforcement he proceeded to build a moving-picture theater at 721 South Saginaw' street. By I9IO, with the able assistance of his wife, he had so prospered in the operation of this theater, known as the Little Della, that he was enabled to erect another theater, at 521 South Saginaw street, this being named the Greenland. Within a short time after the opening of the Greenland, Flint suffered a period of great financial and industrial depression, and Mr. Matt was compelled to close his theater. When the city later experienced a decided boom, Mr. Matt again caime to the front, by building a new theater, at 113 South Saginaw street, on' the present site of the New Orleans Fruit House. After conducting this theater, the Lyric, six months, owing to' poor business, disaster overtook him in a financial way. He continued to operate the Della, his first theater, until 1913, when he sold the same to Ira Wright. Thereafter he was practically retired from active business until the following year, when, in order to obtain a lease of the land at 509 South Saginaw street, he purchased the leather-goods store that was there established, and by a special sale of the stock he realized an appreciable profit. He obtained a lease of the properties at 507 and 509 on the street mentioned, and in at period of I20 days thereafter the Strand theater was erected and opened, this being one of the best in the city. He built this theater without entering into a contract, and his former experience in contracting and building stood him well in hand, George Backman having been architect of the structure. Mr. Matt organized the Strand Photo Play company, and three years later he purchased the interests of the other stockholders, at prices ranging from $I50 to $300 a share, the concern having netted to these stockholders $425 on every $ioo invested. In March, 1923, Mr. Matt bought the Orpheum theater, adjoining the Strand, and May I4, 1924, he razed this building to make way for the modem, fireproof building of which mentionr is made in the initial part of this review, it being anticipated that this new State theater will be ready for formal opening early in January, 1925. These brief statements bear significance as showing the mettle of the pro-liberal and loyal Flintonian to whom this review is dedicated, and who has a host of friends in his home city. Mr. Matt has been affiliated with the HISTORY OF GENF4SEE COUNTY Masonic fraternity since he was a youth of twenty-one years, and in addition to having become a Knight Templar of the York Rite he is. also affiliated with Scottish Rite bodies and with the Mystic Shrine, as is he also with the Elks and the Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church. October II, I908, recorded the marriage of Mr. Matt to Miss Della Leser, of Sandusky, Erie county, Ohio, the wedding ceremony having been performed by the pastor of the First Congregational church of Flint. Mr. and Mrs. Matt are popular figures in representative social circles in their home community. Otho S. Miller, secretary and treasurer of the Commercial Truck company, of Flint, was born August 8, 1884, a son of Van Darm and Jannie (Collins) Miller, in Fenshaw parish, Louisiana. There were seven children in the family, five of whom are living, namely, Earl, of Tampa; Marshall, of Greenville, Mississippi; John, of Jackson, Mississippi; Mrs. Myrtle Alford, of the same city, and Otho S. William and Annie are the decedents. Otho S. Miller received his education in the public schools of Raymond, Mississippi, and at Jefferson Military academy. In April, I9I6, Mr. Miller became associated with the claim department of the Grand Trunk railroad and two years later organized the Commercial Truck company, of Flint, and of which he is the secretary and treasurer. Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Edna Tanner, of Charlotte, Michigan, in August, 192I. Mr. Miller is a communicant of the Methodist church. He is a supporter of the platform and principles of the Republican party. He holds membership in the Brotherhood of Yeomen. Er Milner not only gained precedence and substantial prosperity as one of the pioneers in lumbering operations in Michigan, but also wielded, in an unostentatious way, a large and constructive influence in civic affairs. For a term of years prior to his death Mr. Milner lived virtually retired in his beautiful home in the city of Flint, and here his death occurred June 12, I898. He was a man whose sterling character and worthy life-work definitely justify in this publication a tribute to his memory. Mr. Milner was born at Elvington, near the city of York, in Yorkshire, England, October 21, 1833, and in that same fine old county were born his parents, Charles and Hannah (Price) Milner, the latter of whom there passed her entire life and died when the subject of this memoir was a child of about two years. Charles Milner, a tradesman in his native land, came with his family to the United States in the year 1850 and after residing for a time at Sodus, New York, he came to the west and established his home on a farm adjoining the village of Huntertown, Allen county, Indiana, where he passed the remainder of his life, which was prolonged to old age. The closing years of his life were passed in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Edward Preston, at Huntertown. He was born at Baltby, Yorkshire, England, January 30, 1787, and died July I, 1865. In the school of his native land Er Milner gained his early edu %: U`a;k` 4C';i ER MILNER HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY JH. cation, and he was about sixteen years of age when he came with his father to the United States. Through self-application to study and reading, and through long and active association with men and affairs, Mr. Milner rounded out a liberal education that marked him as a mant of fine intellectual ken and mature judgment. As a youth he learned the trade of cabinetmaker, and this he followed, as a skilled artisan, for a term of years. In 1856 Mr. Milner came to Genesee county, Michigan, where he engaged in farm enterprise and likewise followed the carpenter's trade. Later he engaged in the general merchandise business at Bay City, this state, and after his store was destroyed by fire he returned to Genesee county and erected a saw mill in Vienna township, this county. Later he placed other saw mills in operation, and he developed a large and prosperous lumber business that marked him a leader in this line of enterprise in this section of the state, he having maintained headquarters at both Forest and Fairwell, Genesee county. In i880 Mr. Milner retired from active business, and he was one of the substantial and honored citizens of Flint until the close of his life. He was one of the founders of the Flint waterworks, and was a director and heavy stockholder of the corporation owning and operating the water plant. Mr. Milner was a man of broad views and was staunchly fortified in his political convictions, which placed him loyally in the ranks of the Democratic party. He was reared in the faith of the Church of England, and thus in the faith of the Protestant Episcopal church, his wife having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In the year I859, October I9, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Milner to Miss Lucy Jane Barber, who was born and reared in Genesee county, where her parents, Henry H. and Phoebe Barber, natives of Ireland, established their home in the pioneer period of the county's history. Mrs. Milner preceded her husband to the life eternal, her death having occurred January 4, I880. Of the three children the one son died in infancy. The two surviving children are Jennie M., who is the widow of John Cornwall (see sketch), of Flint; and Winnie E., who is the wife of Frank R. Beecher, of Canandaigua, New York. Through the gracious courtesy of Mrs. Cornwall were gained the data for this brief memoir of her father. Mr. Milner was deeply appreciative of the finer ideals and amenities of life, and found pleasure and profit in travel and in procuring for his home the art objects and other accessories representative of refined taste. With his two daughters he made a tour of Europe, and incidentally found special satisfaction in visiting his native land. In Italy he obtained the service of a talented sculptor in the production of a fine marble bust of himself. Frederick Bingham Miner, M.D., specializes in pediatrics. Dr. Miner ranks among the leading physicians of Genesee county, Michigan. He has been and is yet active in hospital work and has taken a prominent place in the councils of the several medical organizations to which he belongs. Since 1907, Dr. Miner has been a resident of 296 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Flint. Professionally and personally he is held in the highest esteem. Dr. Miner was born June 2, 1876, in Bridport, Vermont, the son of E. L. and Jennie (Bingham) Miner, both natives of Vermont. The father was a farmer. The Miners and Binghams are old Verfmont families, descended from settlers who established their homes around I630. E. L. Miner was born March I, 1849, and died in 1922. His wife was born December 3I, I849, and died in 1924. Mr. Miner farmed his entire life and lived on a homestead that has been in the possession of the family since 1786. There were two children born, Frederick B. and a daughter, Mrs. William McCoy, of Vermont. Dr. Miner's schooling consisted, after the elementary courses, of three years in Vermont Academy at Saxton's River, graduating from the classical course in the class of I898, and of four years study in Middlebury College at Middlebury, Vermont, attaining the degree of Bachelor of Science in the class of I902. He prepared for medicine in Michigan, completing the first two years at the University and the last two at the Detroit College of Medicine and Surgery, receiving the degree of M. D. from the latter institution in the class of I9o6; the next year was spent as interne and resident physician at the Children's Free Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. The following three years he was a member of the resident staff of physicians at Oak Grove Hospital, Flint, Michigan. From 191o to I918 the doctor was in general practice and from September, 1918 to June I, 1919, was in military service of the United States army with rank of captain and stationed at Camp Greenleaf in Chickamauga park and at the United States Army General Hospital No. 9, in Lakewood, New Jersey. Returing to Flint he specialized in internal medicine and pediatrics until April, 1923, and now gives his professional attention exclusively to diseases of children. On November 8, I916, Dr. Miner was united in marriage to Miss Kathrine Bishop, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur G. Bishop, of Flint. There is one child, Carrie Jane. Dr. Miner is a member of county, state and American medical organizations and of the Central States Pediatric society, American Congress of Internal Medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He is an active member of the Medical Advisory Staff of the Woman's Hospital and of the medical board of Hurley hospital. In 1922 he was president of the Genesee County Medical society and has been at one time its treasurer for seven years. Dr. Miner organized the Pediatric section of the Michigan State Medical society and the advisory committee of that section which introduced and brought out iodized salt as a preventive of simple goiter. He is also physician in charge of the foundling home of the King's Daughters. Dr. Miner is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to both the Scottish and York Rites and is also a member of the Shrine.: He is a Kiwanian, an Elk, and a member of the Congregational church. In college he was a member of the Greek letter societies of Delta Kappa Epsilon and Phi Rho Sigma. In community welfare movements, the counsel and aid of Dr. Miner are invariably sought. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 297 Carl F. Moll, M. D., has been established in the practice of his profession in the city of Flint since the spring of I9I7, has gained specially high reputation as a skilled surgeon, and is consistently 1o be designated as one of the representative physicians and surgeons of Genesee county. Dr. Moll claims the Badger state as the place of his nativity, his birth having occurred at Tomah, Wisconsin, April 5, 1872. He is a son of Alexander H. and Fannie (Vidal) Moll, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While a student in one of the great German universities Alexander H. Moll had trouble with other students, incidental to the political revolutionary movement in 1848, and, like many other patriotic young men who were identified with this movement, he finally found it expedient to leave his fatherland. He first went to England, thence went to Scotland, and finally he came to New York city, where he was in the employ of the W. H. Sheflin Chemical company. From the national metropolis he made his way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it is worthy of record that he found employment in connection with the construction of a railroad line that is now a, part of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul system. In his native land he had received technical training along the line of chemistry and its practical application. In Milwaukee he eventually engaged in the general merchandise business, and later he became associated with a similar enterprise at Tomah. He served as a member of the first state fish commission of Wisconsin, and was zealous in this service for the protection of the game fish of the state. He was one of the sterling and honored pioneer citizens of Wisconsinr at the time of his death, in I899, when he was seventy-one years of age, and his widow is now (I925) seventy-five years of age, she having been one of the first women in Wisconsin to serve as a member of a board of education. Alexander H. Moll was a man of fine intellectual ken, was a loyal and public-spirited citizen, who was deeply apprecative of the land of his youthful adoption, and he was a stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party, the while he was long and actively affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Dr. Carl F. Moll was the first in order of birth in a family of five children; Alexander B. is now engaged in the mercantile business at South Bend, Washington, he having served several terms as a member of the legislature of that state and having been a member of the governmental commission sent to investigate conditions in Alaska; Mrs. Theresa L. V. Clark is the surviving sister, and the other two children are deceased. In the public sdhools of Wisconsin, Dr. Moll continued his studies until his graduation in the high school, in 1889, and thereafter he took a course in pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin. He finally began the study of medidine, and in 1898 he was graduated in the Milwaukee College of Medicine. After thus receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine he passed three years in the mining districts of the upper peninsula of Michigan, where he did much HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY surgical work. He then removed to Kenton, Houghton county, where he continued his professional activities until I916, and where he served as official surgeon for various mining companies and other important industrial corporations. On the Ist of March, 1916, Dr. Moll established his residence in Flint, and here he has built up a large and important practice, in which he specializes in industrial surgery. In the World war period he received a commission as captain in the medical reserve corps of the United States army, and he also served on the draft board of Genesee county. He is a member of the staff of surgeons for the Pere Marquette railroad, and also an influential member of the Genesee County Medical society and the Michigan State Medical society, of which latter he is official speaker, a position he has filled for the past two years. The Doctor has active membership in the American Medical association and (has been a Michigan delegate to its conventions. He was formerly president of a bank in the northern part of the state, and he has been a director in mining companies and other corporations. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, and he is affiliated with York and Scottish Rite bodies of the Masonic fraternity, as is he also with the Mystic Shrine. The Doctor has been twice married, first in I894 to Katherine MacKenzie, of Michigan, upper peninsula; two sons were born to them, Arthur M. and Reginald A.; the mother died some years later. The second marriage was in I916 to Florence Davis, a native of Flint. Arthur J. Monahan, secretary and treasurer of the May Lumber company, of Flint, located at 11I8 Industrial avenue, was born in LeRoy, Michigan, April 8, I886, a son of Bryan and Anna McLean Monahan. The father was born in Ireland and emigrated to the United States when nine years old and died in 19I3 at the age of seventy-one. He went with his father and mother to the upper part of Michigan, the father being attracted to the saw mill business. Arthur J. attended grade and high school and at the first opportunity started in the lumber business for which he showed a strong liking and aptitude. As a child the saw mill and lumber yard possessed a peculiar fascination and he played in them, dreamed of operating them and these infantile phantasies became realizations in later years. Mr. Monahan began work in the lumber camps for the Sawyer-Goodman company and when he left to come to Flint in February, 1922, was office manager. The May Lumber company was started in 1917 but was practically defunct when Mr. Monahan acquired it. He is the secretary and treasurer of the rejuvenated concern. Overcoming many obstacles the business has been completely gone over and the establishment placed on a sound basis under his wise management. In the conduct of the business Mr. Monahan is ably assisted by his brother, Roy. Mr. Monahan is a Mason belonging to blue lodge, chapter and commandery. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and while he has been a resident of Flint only three and a half years he takes a keen interest in the affairs of the city and contributes whenever occasion arises HISTORY OF GENE)SEE COUNTY 89U: to the promotion of any movement that seeks the advancement of the community. Hira C. Moore has been prominently identified with the banking business in his native state of Michigan, has served as an official bank examiner of the state, and is now vice-president of the Industrial Savings bank, one of the important and substantial banking institutions in the city of Flint, and one that has wide influence in connection with the civic and industrial prosperity of Genesee county. Mr. Moore was born at Port Hope, Huron county, Michigan, February 17, I874, and is a son of William J. and Elsa (Smith) Moore, the former of whom was born in Scotland, in the year 1829, and the latter of whom was born in the western part of the province of Ontario, Canada, where their marriage was solemnized in I849. Concerning the other children of the family the following brief data are available: Elizabeth became the wife of Henry Yake and both are deceased; Margaret, who became the wife of Hiram Calkins, likewise is deceased; Agnes, the wife of August Holstein, is deceased; Elsie became the wife of Clark J. Bisbee and her death occurred in I919; and Frank, the only other son, died in 1921. In the public schools of his native place Hira C. Moore continued his studies until his graduation in the high school, as a member of the class of I8go, and thereafter he put his scholastic acquirements to practical test and use by giving one year of effective service as teacher in a district school in his native county, the school at Redtnan, Huron county. He then took a position in the private bank of William Peter, at Columbiaville, Lapeer county, and with this institution he continued this executive alliance for the prolonged period of seventeen years and five months, his retirement coming when he assumed the office of state bank examiner, a position which he retained two years and four months. Thereafter he was for a short time associated with the Security Trust company in the city of Detroit, and he then accepted the position of cashier' of the Alma State Savings bank, at Alma, Gratiot county, where he continued his service six years and two months. At the expiration of this period he became assistant cashier of the Industrial Savings bank, at Flint, and he has done much to advance the success and influence of this well-ordered institution, of which he is now the vice-president, an office which he has held since I9I7. Mr. Moore is one of the loyal, progressive and liberal citizens of Flint, is here president of the Board of Social Service, a member of the board of trustees of Hurley hospital, besides being president of the Genesee county organization of the Young Men's Christian association, and treasurer of the Michigan Mutual Savings association. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, he is affiliated with Genesee lodge No. 174, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and also with the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, besides being a member of the Exchange club in his home city. At Columbia*ille. Michigan, in the year I894, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Moore to Miss Matie Burnell, of Otisville, Genesee county, and 300 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY the two children of this union are Margaret and Kenneth. Mr. Moore is an adherent and member of the Presbyterian church. Thomas A. Mossop. Thonmas A. Mossop, treasurer of the Hubbard Hardware company, has had a long and valuable identification with the hardware business and for the past seven years has been associated with the Hubbard company as treasurer. Mr. Mossop was born August I, i868, near Long Sutton, England, a son of T. R. W. and Sarah Walker Mossop, in a family of eight children, six of whom are living in England and Australia. Mr. Mossop attended school in his native land and came to the United States in I89I, locating in Middlesboro, Kentucky, where he entered the hardware business. Later he was engaged in retail hardware in Marion, Indiana, and was located in that city approximately twenty years. For twelve years Mr. Mossop was associated with the George Worthington company, wholesale hardware dealers of Cleveland. On November 28, I9o6, Mr. Mossop was married to Miss Mary Jane Winslow, of Fairmount, Indiana. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Mossop are deceased. The Mossop residence is at Ioo6 Grand Traverse street. Mr. Mossop is active in the civic life of the community and in matters of politics' shares the principles and viewpoint of the Republican party. He is a member of the Kiwanis club and member of the board of governors of the Country club. He is a communicant of St. Paul Episcopal church. Charles S. Mott. Charles Stewart Mott, president of the Weston-Mott company, of Flint, president of the Industrial Savings bank, of that city; former mayor of Flint, and for some years past one of the most conspicuous figures in the commercial and industrial life of that city, isl a native of New Jersey, born in the city of Newark. that state, June 2, I875. He is a son of John C. and Isabella Turnbull (Stewart) Mott, the former a native of New York and the latter of New Jersey. John C. Mott and wife were the parents of two children, Charles S. and Edith Stewart, who became the wife of Herbert E. Davis and is now living at Glen Ridge, New Jersey. John C. Mott died in I899, at the age of forty-nine years, and his widow is now living at Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Until he reached the age of thirteen years, Charles S. Mott attended the public sdhools and then entered Stevens' school, at Hoboken, New Jersey; at the age of seventeen he entered the Stevens' Institute of Technology. After finishing his sophomore year, in August, I894, at the age of nineteen years, he went abroad and for a year pursued the study of zymotechnology and chemistry at Copenhagen and Munich, with a view to taking an active part in his father's business, the latter having been an extensive maker of cider and vinegar. Upon his return to America he re-entered the Stevens' Institute of Technology, at Hoboken, from which he was graduated in I897. The next year, upon the breaking out of the SpanishAmerican war, he entered in the naval arm of his country's defense, receiving rating as gunner's mate, and served throughout that brief but decisive conflict on board the U. S. S. Yankee, being honorably HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 301 discharged at the end4 of the war. In I894 he entered the naval militia of New York and received his discharge as chief gunner's mate in I9OO. Amply equipped by reason of his technical training, Mr. Mott, in I897, engaged in business with his father, under the firm name of C. S. Mott & Company, in the manufacture of carbonators. In I9oo, the year following the death of the elder Mott, the plant was moved to Utica, New York, and there was merged with that of the Weston-Mott company, which had been organized in I896 and of which Mr. Mott was even then a director, the chief output of that concern having been axles, hubs and rims. In 1907, the present great plant of the Weston-Mott company was established at Flint. Not long after locating in Flint, Mr. Mott became one of the organizers of the Industrial Savings Bank of Flint and was elected president of the same, a position he has since occupied. The bank has a capital of $250,000, with a surplus of over that sum. Mr. Mott is also a member of the board of directors of the Genesee County Savings bank; is a director of the Flint Sandstone Brick company, of which concern he is secretary and treasurer; is vice-president and director of the Buick Motor company, and is also connected with the directorates of the Copeman Stove company, the Sterling Motor company, of Detroit, the General Motors company, being a member of its executive committee, and the Brown-Lipe-Chapin company, of Syracuse, New York. In the spring of 1912 as an independent business man and without any particular party support, Mr. Mott was elected mayor of Flint, serving, two terms, and while in office did much for the advancement of the city's interests in the way of better public improvement, better streets and better community life generally. He has taken a prominent part in the local work of the Ytoung Men's Christian association, of which he is president, and was chairman of the executive committee and a leader in the recent "Whirlwind" campaign for the raising of one hundred and twelve thousand dollars for the erection of a new building for the association ins Flint. He is a member of the Country club at Flint, of the Detroit club and of the Detroit Athletic club, as well as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Automobile Engineers. He is a Sottish-Rite Mason, a Knight Templar, a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose and the United Spanish War Veterans. He is a member of the Episcopal church, being a vestryman at St. Paul's church in Flint. On June I4, 90oo, at New York city, Charles S. Mott was married to Ethel C. Harding, daughter of Herbert and Aimee (Culbert) Harding, of New York, and to this union three children have been born: Aimee, born April 15, 1902; Elza Beatrice, November 14, 1904, and Charles Stewart Harding, November 4, I906, all born in Utica, New York. The Motts have one of the most beautiful homes in Flint. ~02 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Gus Mueller. Mr. Mueller is superintendent of the free employment bureau, of Flint, a part of the department of labor and industry. The post is one to which he is peculiarly adapted by reason of his long industrial experience and his contact with wage earners and employers. Mr. Mueller has done much to promote the efficiency of the bureau and is desirous of extending its sphere of usefulness. For many years he has been usefully active in labor organization work and for the past nine years has been secretary and treasurer of the Flint Federation of Labor, the city central delegate body representing the unions of the various crafts and industries. Impartiality has characterized his service as superintendent of the public employment bureau. Mr. Mueller is an Ohioan by birth, and first greeted the world in Cincinnati, March 8, 1859. He acquired his early education in the schools of Hamilton county and at the age of twelve clerked in a country store. He farmed for a number of years, then went to Kansas and applied himself to machinery and machine shop practice. After traveling several years he went to Canton and entered the insurance business. From there he went to Massillon, Ohio, engaged in the same business. He next went to Battle Creek and was attached to the Kellogg factory, then went to Lansing, engaged in the making of wheel barrows. From Lansing Mr. Mueller came to Flint, to work for the Buick company and next entered the department of labor and industry as superintendent of the free employment bureau in Flint. The father of Mr. Mueller was Frederick A. Mueller, of Cincinnati, and his mother was, before her marriage, Maria Manne, also of the Queen City. One brother lives in Bolivar, Ohio. Frederick A. Mueller was a captain in the Civil war, with the Thirty-second Indiana infantry, and lost his life in defense of his country in the memorable and sanguinary battle of Shiloh. Edward A. Murphy. Mr. Murphy has been a practicing attorney since I893, the year of his admission to the bar. His father and mother, Patrick and Mary Murphy, were the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living: Edward A., Thomas, James, Mary, Margaret, Richard, William and John. Edward was born May 2, 1858, in Grand Blanc, Michigan, attended public school at Flint and for several years taught school in Grand Blanc and in Vienna and Mundy townships and for two years served as a township school inspector. In the fall of I890 he was elected clerk of Genesee county on the Democratic ticket and in 1893 Circuit Judge William Newton admitted him to practice. In I894 Mr. Murphy opened a law office in the Fenton block, his present location. He was appointed by Governor Ferris to be a deputy state oil inspector, serving for six years in that capacity. From 1897 to I908 Mr. Murphy was secretary of the Genesee County Farmers' Mutual Insurance company, an eight million dollar corporation of great influence in the county. Mr. Murphy in I886 was joined at the hymeneal altar by Miss Mary Alice O'Brien, daughter of Patrick and Ann O'Brien, the former of whom died in 1902. To Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have been born two HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY 303 daughters, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (Joseph) McMullen, of Hemlock, Michigan, and Mildred E. Murphy, who is associated with the Flint Daily Journal. Mr. Murphy and family are communicants of St. Michael's Catholic church. He is a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus and bears the good will and esteem of the community in which he has lived many years. Throughout his life, Mr. Murphy has been interested in farming and at the present time is the owner of several large farms, on which he devotes his spare time, chiefly in raising Holstein cattle, with which he operates a large dairy. Thomas D. Murphy. Mr. Murphy is engaged in the real estate business in Flint, having formed with George E. Hurley on the first of January, I924, the Murphy-Hurley Real Estate company. Offices are maintained in the Genesee Bank building. Mr. Murphy was born October Io, I887, a son of Dennis and Margaret Murphy, in Kingston, Ontario. He comes of a family of seven children comprising William J., Mrs. Minnie Flemming, Edward W., Mrs. A. Polia, Dennis J., Anna and Thomas 0. The last named went through the eighth grade in the Dominion schools and applied himself assiduously to farm work, assisting his father. At the age of twentyone, Mr. Murphy decided to come to Flint and to engage in the real estate business. For six years he was associated with the G. A. Kelly company, persevered and succeeded and the new firm, the Murphy-Hurley Real Estate company, began life under most auspicious circumstances. On June 20, I917, Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Bolton, daughter of Richard Bolton, of Flint. Mr. Bolton is a large coal operator. Mr. Murphy is a communicant of the Catholic church and a member of the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. Judge William Newton. William Newton was born in Soldiers' Delight, Baltimore county, Maryland, September, I829. Until he was fourteen years of age his education was conducted by a private tutor, and then he was sent to Boise au Academy, Baltimore. He came to Michigan in 1848 and engaged in the saddlery business at Byron, Shiawassee county, when earning enough money to pay his way through law school, he went to Ralston Spa, Saratoga county, New York, and attended a law school at Ralston for a year and a half. He then returned to Michigan and entered the law office of Lothrop & Duffield, at Detroit. He was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Michigan, held in the old state house in Detroit in the fall of I85i, receiving his papers from Chief Justice Whipple, of the Supreme Court. Immediately going to Flint, Mr. Newton formed a partnership with Lieutenant-Governor Fenton. Impaired in health, with small practice and very little money, Mr. Newton remarked one day to his partner that if he could raise $500 he would go to California and seek health and fortune, the gold excitement being then at its height. Fenton loaned the money and soon afterwards Mr. Newton purchased transportation to the coast from Commodore Vanderbilt and made the trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He was delayed four weeks at Panama, 304 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY waiting for the steamer, "Old Tennessee." and as he had very little money those were anxious days for the young man. The hotel was a tent, kept by an American, who charged $I for the privilege of sleeping on the ground under its walls. Young Newton slept under the blue sky and made the best of the worst. California realized all the young man hoped for. He found good health and a little wealth there. There, for the first time, he met with Edwin B. Winans, engaged in placer mining at Honcutt-in later years governor of Michigan. Later he met a man named Jesse Daly, a practical miner, with whoms Newton formed a partnership. With Mr. Daly, they discovered "Gold Hill," in Yuba county, and in 1853 he returned to Michigan, not a wealthy man, but with compensation for his venture. Once more starting in the law business with Fenton, which lasted until the latter's death in I87I. Judge Newton is a Democrat. He was circuit court commissioner in Genesee county in I858-59; elected circuit judge in i88i, by a plurality of 1,300 over Judge Adasms, now of Cheboyagan; re-elected in 1887 by 6,000 plurality, when counties gave 4,000 plurality for Garfield. He has been twice married. His present wife was Miss Grace T. Hughes, of Cheatham, New Ybrk. He has one dhild, William Fenton, now four years4 of age. Judge Newton has been interested in many important cases and met with great success as a practitioner. His cases may be found all through the Michigan reports from volumes o1 up to 50, the present date. As circuit judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, his decisions usually stood the test of the higher courts, in which respect he has very few superiors among the circuit judges in this state. He was defeated for the supreme bench by Frank A. Hooker by a very narrow margin-I66 votes-in the fall of 1892. He gives much of his spare time to two farms, from which he says) he makes enough to pay the expenses incident to that occupation, and is also the owner and raiser of standard-bred horses and Durham cattle. The dam of the famous young pacer, Sphinx, was bred and raised by him on his farrm in the township of Benton, Genesee county, Michigan. He enjoys excellent health, and attributes his good health and strength to the mining adventure in California for over a year. William Arthur Noyle. Mr. Noyle has followed the trade of plasterer all his life, since leaving school, and for the past fifteen years has with great success followed this business in Flint. He learned the trade forty-five years ago in Petrola where he was bound out, according to old custom, for a period of four years and finished his apprenticeship working on the university buildings in Toronto. Sir Alexander McKinsey was premier of Canada at the time. Mr. Noyle was born in London, England, March 30, I862, and received partial education in London, completing his school work in Canada. He became the husband of Mary Jeffery, who was the daughter of William Jeffery, staff commander of the Royal navy and who was retired on half pay. Jeffery died when his daughter, Mary, was but twelve years old and her education was finished in Richmond, HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 305 Kent. The place of her birth was Milford Haven, South Wales. To Mr. and Mrs. William Arthur Noyle were born seven children: Arthur L. Noyle, who married Miss Fredie Bruhn, of Elyria, Ohio; Charles William Noyle, who died when he was three years old; Florence May Noyle, who became the wife of Ralph R. McBurney, of Muskegon, Michigan; Frederick William Noyle, who married Rose Loring, of Flint, where he now resides; William F. Noyle, who is at home; Beatrice Mary Noyle, who died at the age of three, and Mabel Noyle, the wife of C. W. Johnson, of Shaffer, California, but who now resides in Flint. The father of William Arthur Noyle was Charles F. Noyle, who was born and reared in London. He left England a half century ago and settled in Mooretown, Canada, where William Arthur was reared. The wife of Charles F. Noyle was Emily Hacker, of London, and to the union fourteen children were the issue, five of whom are living. Arthur Frederick, of Mooretown, is a brother of William Arthur. He is a farmer. The three daughters of the family, sisters of the subject of this sketch, are Anna Brown, of Buffalo, New York; Florence Hay, of Wallaceburg, Canada, and Roselle Hay, of Buffalo, now widowed. Ira D. Odle, M. D., physician and surgeon, 905 Genesee Bank building, Flint, was born in Pine Village, Indiana, Warren county, April 19, i888, the son of Richard G. and Susan E. Eberly Odle. The father was born in Warren county and died in I9o6 at the age of 66 years. He was a veteran of the Seventy-second Indiana regiment in the Civil war; a stock raiser and banker and served two terms in the state legislature, beginning in 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Odle were born four children, Bertha, James C., Chester D. and Ira D. The latter attended grade and high school, entered Purdue University and was graduated in I90o with the Bachelor of Science degree. For five succeeding years he taught public school in Wisconsin, then went to the University of Florida as teacher of bacteriology and botany. In 1915 he entered the University of Michigan and was graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in I919. Dr. Odle came to Flint to serve an interneship at Hurley hospital and has since practiced general medicine in which he is meeting success. On June 6, 1914, Dr. Odle was united in marriage to Cordia Garrett, of Birmingham, Alabama. There are two sons, Donald, born in 1915, and Thomas, born in 192I. The Doctor is a memlber of the Republican party. He is an Elk and member of the Masonic order. G. Alexander Olofson is one of the four executive principals concerned in the operation of the Fenton Machine, Tool & Die Works, an important and well-ordered industrial concern in the village of Fenton. He is production manager for this enterprise and was one of those identified with the establishing of the business. Mr. Olofson was born in Sweden, December iS, I890, and is a son of John A. and Maria (Gustafson) Olofson, who still maintain their home in their native land, the father, who is now living virtually retired, being a skilled mechanic and having formerly been engaged for some time in the building of bridges. The excellent schools of Sweden afforded 306 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY G. Alexander Olofson his early education, and there also he learned the trade of draftsman. He was for a short time associated with his father in business and he then found employment at mechanical work in a factory. At the age of nineteen years he gave rein to his ambition and self-reliance by severing home ties and coming to the United States, in company with a man named Westman. He passed three months in Vancouver, British Columbia, and it was then that he made his way to Rockford, Illinois, where he was employed two years. Thereafter he passed similar periods of time in Moline, that state, and Detroit, Michigan, his service having been along mechanical lines and in different capacities. In 1916 Mr. Olofson came to Fenton and became associated with five other men in founding the Fenton Machine, Tool & Die Works, one of his coadjutors having been Alamar Westman, whom he had accompanied to America and of whom individual mention is made on other pages of this work. The six men each put eighty dollars into commission in establishing the new industry, but two of the number soon dropped out of the organization. Those who remained at the helm encountered all manner of obstacles and discouragements in bringing the enterprise to the status of a paying proposition, but determination and good management finally brought success, with the result that the concern is now one of much industrial and commercial importance and progressive civic influence in Fenton and the county. At the establishment an average force of I45 men is now employed, and the concern is incorporated with a capital stock of $200,000. Mr. Westman continues as one of the principals and, like Mr. Olofson, has had the satisfaction of seeing the business venture advance to the point of substantial industrial and economic prosperity. Mr. Olofson is one of the loyal, enterprising and popular business men of the younger generation at Fenton, and'commands unqualified confidence and esteem in the community. In the Masonic fraternity he is affiliated with various bodies in both the York and Scottish Rites. Mr. Olofson wedded Miss Margaret Harris, of Fenton, and they have three children, Thelma, Margaret and Kathleen. Michael J. O'Neill. Dr. O'Neill is one of Flint's best known dental practitioners and is located in the First National bank building, his residence being at 55I Mary street. Dr. O'Neill was born in I884 in Midland, Michigan, a son of James and Mary O'Neill. There were eight children, three of whom are deceased. The children, in addition to Michael J., are: Mrs. E. Maloney, of Detroit; Mrs. Byron Burch, of Midland; Mrs. C. T. Smith, of Oklahoma, and John O'Neill, of Oklahoma. Michael J. attended school in Midland and was graduated from the University of Michigan, class of 1907. In July of that year he came to Flint and opened an office at 317 South Saginaw street remaining in that location three years. Iri 19II he moved to the Flint P., Smith building and remained there until 1924 when the offices were transferred to the First National Bank building. Dr. O'Neill and Lillian E. O'Brien were married on June 30th, 1924. Mrs. O'Neill is a daughter of Mrs. C. J. O'Brien, HISTORY OF GENESSEE COUNTY 307 who resides at 3Io Stockdale avenue, Flint. Dr. O'Neill enjoys a large and lucrative practice and the confidence and esteem of the community. He is a member of the County, State and American Dental associations, a communicant of the Catholic church and an adherent of the Republican party. Carl William Otto has had wide and varied experience in formulating the policies and directing the affairs of chambers of commerce and similar organizations representative of civic and material progress, and thus the Flint Chamber of Commerce was signally fortunate in gaining him as its manager, an office of which he has been the incumbent since November, I922. He has given a fine element of vitality and progressiveness to this well-ordered and influential body of representative business and professional men of the city of Flint, and has done much to expand the practical usefulness and general service of the organization. Concerning the Flint Chamber of Commerce an adequate record is given in the general historical department of this publication. Mr. Otto was born at Hebron, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, on the 7th of October, I885, and is a sor of Julius and Martha E. Otto, who were born and reared in Germany, where their marriage was solemnized, their wedding tour having been their voyage to the United States. They first established their residence in Detroit, Michigan, later removed to Ann Arbor, this state, and from that university city they eventually removed to Hebron, Wisconsin, where Mr. Otto engaged in the milling business. Both were earnest communicants of the Lutheran church. Of the six children three are living-Eliza, Martha and Carl William. After his graduation from Albion Academy of Wisconsin, Carl W. Otto entered Lawrence College, at Appleton, Wisconsin, and in this institution he was in due course graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During a period of three years, that of I907-o1, he was instructor in history and economics, and athletic director, in the high school at Marshfield, Wisconsin, and thereafter he was the superintendent of the public schools there until I915. He then went to New York city and, under the auspices of the American City bureau, he became organizer of many chambers of commerce in the United States and Canada, his association with which continued until I919, in which year he came to, Michigan and assumed the position of manager of the chamber of commerce in the city of Pontiac. He made a record of splendid achievement in that connection, and this attracted the attention of the members of the Flint Chamber of Commerce, with the result that he was elected to be manager of this organization in November, 1922. His administration here has been characteristically vigorous and progressive, and has given to the chamber of comnmerce a much broader sphere of service in advaning community interests in general. Mr. Otto is a valued member also of the local Rotary club, and honorary member of the Flint Exchange club, and in addition to serving two years as president of the Michigan Comnmercial Secretaries' association, he was for a similar period the secretary of this organization, in the councils of 308 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY which he is still active and influential. He holds membership in the National Association of Commercial Secretaries. Mr. Otto is a Knight Templar, Shriner and 32nd degree Mason and is affiliated also with the Knights of Pythias. In the year I9Io was recorded the marriage of Mr. Otto to Miss Helen L. Brandl, of Appleton, Wisconsin, and the two children of this union are Helen and Charles William, Jr. James Sheldon Parker. Prominent in the social, professional and fraternal life of Flint is James Sheldon Parker, attorney of that thriving Michigan city. Mr. Parker was born January 15, 1872, in Corunna, Michigan, a son of Hugh and Janet Fleming Parker. Five children were in the family, all of whom are living: Anna M. Smith, wife of Rev. Lewis Smith, of Indianapolis; Ada M. Parker and Dr. Walter T. Parker, of Owosso; Edna M. Stoddard, of Tuscon, Arizona, and James Sheldon Parker. The latter attended school in Corunna and was graduated from Hillsdale college in the class of I892 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He was admitted to the bar at Flint, August I, 1894, and on that day opened an office with Edward S. Lee, which partnership continued until January I, I917. That year Mr. Parker became associated with Clay W. Wilber, the firm continuing until the death of Mr. Wilber, August 28, 1923, since which time Mr. Parker has been associated with his son, Hugh N. Parker. The subject of this sketch served two terms from I902 to I904, as city attorney of Flint. From I903 to 1905 he was circuit court commissioner and was prosecuting attorney of Genesee county from I909 to 1912. In September, I896, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Myrtle A. Young, daughter of Charles B. and Mary V. Young, of Corunna. Five children are the issue of the union: Allan Lee, of Adrian; Hugh Neilson, of Flint; Lieut. Harold Earl, U. S. N., stationed in New York, and Madeline and James, who are at home. Mr. Parker is past master of Genesee Lodge No. 74, Free and Accepted Masons, and is past exalted ruler of Genesee Lodge of Elks. He served in the Michigan National Guard from I894 to I909, enlisted as a private and left the service as colonel. During the SpanishAmerican war he commanded Company A, Thirty-third Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served in Cuba. Mr. Parker, in addition to his membership in the Masons and Elks, is an Odd Fellow, a member of the Exchange club, Chamber of Commerce and Flint Auto club. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In matters of politics he is a Republican. Eugene Parsell. Eugene Parsell was born October 13, 1836, in Clarence, Erie county, New York. He came to Genesee county, Michigan, September Io, 1837, living with his parents on a farm in Flushing until 23 years of age. He prepared himself for teaching by attending high school at Flint and later worked on a farm in the sumner and taught in the various district schools in the winter. His father, Robert Parsell, and mother, Elizabeth (Crook) Parsell, were the parents of seven children-Jennie, Laura, Mary, Ernest, Eugene, Robert and Puella. Coming to Michigan in the early, v HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 309 struggling days, the family took an active part in the development and progress of the community. In 1861 Eugene Parsell married Roxanna Brockway, wlhose parents also were early settlers in the same community. He enlisted in the Union army and was with the quartermaster's department at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1864, returned to Michigan, operated the stage and carried the mails between Flint and Flushing for seven years. The next three years he was a partner of C. A. Mason in the drug and grocery business in) Flint. In 1874 Mr. Parsell was elected sheriff, scoring an exceptional record as an efficient officer and recognized throughout the' state as a detective of unusual ability. He was elected alderman in 1882 and while serving this office was re-elected sheriff, a popular and successful officer. In February, I886, Mr. Parsell received appointment as United States postoffice inspector, served four years, tendered his resignation and in 1891 was appointed warden of the State House of Correction at Ionia. Then he was re-appointed postoffice inspector and held the post for twelve consecutive years. Many times he was assigned to take charge of important cases involving violation of the postal laws and regulations and his duties called him to many states. He spent an entire year in Chicago in departmental work. Mr. Parsell was recognized in federal court by the United States district attorneys and by United States marshals as a faithful and especially efficient and conscientious officer, at all times conservative and trustworthy, truthful and commanding the respect of all. While he was resourceful, persistent and unrelenting in hunting criminals, in obtaining evidence and in handling prisoners, yet he was by nature a most genial and companionable man. Mr. Parsell was always an active fraternalist, a member of Flint lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons; Washington chapter No. I5, Royal Arch Masons; Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar; Michigan Sovereign consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite (32nd degree). He was an honorary member of the Knights of the Loyal Guard; a member, of the Knights of Pythias; also of Flint lodge No. 222, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Modem Maccabees. Politically, he was a Democrat. He attended St. Paul's Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Parsell were the parents of three children, Charles, Agnes and J. H. Mrs. Parsell died September I8, 1907, and Mr. Parsell passed away in I917. Agnes Parsell married Harry W. Watson, of Flint, who established a growing wholesale cigar business, and of whom a sketch may be found in this history. William A. Paterson. It is not necessary to define parallels or make comparisons in determining and appreciating the loyal and really great contribution that the late William A. Paterson made to the civic and material development and advancement of Flint, and there is consistency in the appellation that was applied to him several years prior to his death, that of "the Grandfather of Flint Industry." He was emphatically a man of thought and action, and he made his thought and action work for the benefit of his home HISTORY OF GENISEE COUNTY city, where his name and memory are certain to be held in enduring honor. The story of his long and useful life is prolific in inspiration, even in the briefest of recital of its phases and incidents. Mr. Paterson was in his eighty-third year at the time of his death, September 8, 1921, and what more fitting than here to reproduce the editorial that appeared in the Flint Journal at the time he was thus called from the stage of life's mortal endeavors? This appreciative editorial estimate is as follows: "'To live long and abundantly is well,' said one of the French philosophers, 'but to live justly is better.' The late W. A. Paterson did all three with a completeness given to few. His life-long span covered eighty-three years, and his work span seventy, so early did he begin his labors and so late lay them down. On the natural endowments of physical and mental vigor he built, little by little, through leadership and forethought, a solid fortune-the fruit of good workmanship, thrift and management. All this he did, morever, so openly and fairly, in the sight of all, that his steady-going success roused no envy, and his employes took even more pride in his prosperity than he did himself. Last Christmas one of his former employes sent him a card inscribed: 'To the fairest employer and fairest man I ever met.' His own humble beginnings, in working for others, and his joy in honest craftsmanship in toil with his men. The Paterson shop was always a place where men worked together in mutual respect and confidence, sure of the square deal. When 'W. A.' threw away his sledge and moved into the front office, he took with him a full appreciation of the dignity of labor, and one of his last requests was that those who had worked with him to the end should carry him to his grave. "W. A. Paterson leaves many monuments in brick and stone, since in his more active years he was one of the city's most progressive builders. And to him belongs also the credit for beginning definitely Flint's career as a city of industrial opportunity, since his was the first carriage factory here, and the automobile business flowed naturally from Flint's earlier experience in the manufacture of horse-drawn vehicles. His services to this community in its formative period were valuable beyond calculation, and all of us are in a very real sense his heirs. But equally to be appreciated is the inspiration that W. A. Paterson's fellow citizens have drawn all these years from his sturdy courage and serene faith, his steadfast labors, and his unfailing good will toward all men. These shall be remembered, let us hope, as long as the community exists." William A. Paterson was born at Fergus, Wellington county, Ontario, Canada, October 3, 1838, and was a scion of "that sturdy Scotch stock which lives long and works long." He was a son of Archibald and Jane (Inglis) Paterson, whose marriage was solemn HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 311 ized at Guelph, Ontario, in I830, the subject of this memoir having been the second son in a family of seven children. Archibald Paterson came to Canada from the immediate vicinity of Oban, Argyleshire, Scotland, and the native place of his wife was near the historic old Scotch textile center of Paisley. William A. Paterson was reared under the conditions marking the pioneer period in the history of his native county, and his early education was iimited to the discipline he was able to obtain in the common schools of the locality. As a boy he entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of carriage-blacksmith, and it is worthy of note that R. D. Scott, one of the firm of Scott & Watson, in the shop of which he served his apprenticeship, later came to Pontiac, Michigan, and built up a substantial industry as a manufacturer of wagons. After completing his apprenticeship Mr. Paterson worked as a journeyman at his trade in Vermont and Massachusetts, and within a short time prior to the Civil war he made his way to Ohio, and thence into Kentucky, in which latter state he became boss blacksmith on a plantation. His sympathy with the cause of the Uiiion made him "persona non grata" in the south, and his freely expressed opinions led to an attempt to kill him. Under these conditions he found it best to return to the north, and for a timne he and his brothers were associated in the manufacturing of carriages and buggies at Kincardine, Ontario. He remained in his native province for some time after the closeO of the Civil war, and in I869 Flint, Michigan, was fortunate in gaining him as a citizen. Here he bought a lot at 6II Saginaw street, where he erected a modest building to serve as his 'carriage shop. He loved his sturdy trade and gloried in his constructive and progressive alliance therewith. His business, with effective service and fair and honorable policies, gradually expanded in scope and importance, and under contract provisions he manufactured the once famous Durant-Dort road cart, which first demonstrated the possibilities of quantity manufacture in vehicles. Concerning this period in the career of Mr. Paterson the following record has been written: "From that he went on to a full line and big production. There was money in the game-several golden years during which the country cried for carriages and looked to Flint as the center of the trade. With the profits Mr. Paterson helped to build Flint. For years he has been building worth-while structures-factories, office and store buildings, residences, even a hotel. And not a jerry-built structure among them. In real estate, as in business, from the forge up to the presidency of the W. A. Paterson company, the principle of the man has been never to skimp a job. Among the buildings which Mr. Paterson has erected in Flint are: The Dryden building (named after his wife, Mary Dryden Paterson), the Inglis block (named after his mother), the Paterson block, the Paterson factory group, the warehouse at the comer of Union and Harrison streets, the Dresden hotel, the Chevrolet garage across from the courthouse, about twelve handsome residences. W. A. Paterson has lived his faith in 312 HISTORY OF GENEFSEE COUNTY Flint, invested his earnings here, and helped to develop the city in which he made his fortune." The foregoing quotations are from an article published in the Flint Saturday Night, of March 13, I920, several months prior to the death of Mr. Paterson, and from the sanme article are drawn these further excerpts: "Ten years ago, when it became apparent that the automobile was chasing the horse-drawn carriage off the streets, the W. A. Paterson company began to manufacture motor cars. And ever since its president, Mr. Paterson, has been at work pushing the Paterson automobile production, until the car has attained a reputation for worth and reliability equal to that earned for the Paterson carriages in the oild days. W. A. Paterson stands out in this community like a granite pillar-tall, straight, clean-cut. No man delights more in making those around him happy, and his quiet benefices reach a wide circle. With a keen memory for and a just pride in his own humble beginnings, he is ever ready to lend aid and comfort to aspiring youth, and many are the men he has helped to independence. * * * His has been a Godly life as well as a busy one, and the name and fame of W. A. Paterson, grandfather of Flint industry, will remain an inspiration to young manhood in these parts for many generations to come." Here was a man who made every stage of his life count for good, and more than this can be said for nor man. He built up one of the first and great industries, of Flint, and he continued as, president of the W. A. Paterson company from the time of its incorporation, in I896, until his death-in the very fullness of years and honors. He was one of the founders of the Union Trust and Savings bank, and was one of the original stockholders and directors of the Buick Motor company. Mr. Paterson had an innate modesty that held him aloof from so-called practical politics, but he was a well-fortified advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and in I890, he was prevailed upon to, become a candidate for mayor of Flint. His inviolable place in popular confidence and respect caused him to register a distinct victory at the polls, nothwithstanding that has opponent for mayor was Hon. Josiah Begole, a former governor of Michigan. His civic loyalty prompted him to accept this office, and his adiministration of municipal affairs was characteristically business-like and progressive. Mr. Paterson and his wife were zealous members of the Presbyterian church, were instant in human sympathy and helpfulness, and were always ready to give liberal support to organized charities and philanthropies, the while their private benefactions, large and constant, were known only to them and to their recipients. Mr. Paterson was long affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, in which he was a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. In the year I874 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Paterson to Miss Mary Dryden, of Eramosa, Ontario, and she was fifty-five years of age at the tinme of her death, May 27, I9oo. Of the one surviving son, William S., individual mention is made elsewhere in HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 313 this volume. Madeline, elder of the two daughters, is the wife of Arthur C. Pond, of Albany, New York, and Maude was the wife of William R. Hubbard, of Flint. She died in I9go, leaving one daughter, Mary Paterson Hubbard, of Flint. William S. Paterson is effectively upholding the prestige and honors of a' family name that has been one of large and worthy association with the civic, industrial and social affairs of the city of Flint for more than half a century. On other pages of this work appears a tribute to the memory of his father, the late William A. Paterson, who was at the time of his death one of the most honored and revered, even as he was one of the most venerable, citizens of Flint, and as that memoir gives adequate record concerning the family history and the prominence of William A. Paterson in the industrial development and progress of Flint, it is not necessary to repeat the data in the sketch here presented. William S. Paterson was born in Flint, June 6, I880, and here he attended the public schools, including the high school, further educational discipline having been received by him in the now defunct Michigan Military Academy, at Orchard Lake, a splendid institution that should not have been permitted to pass out of existence. After his school days Mr. Paterson became actively associated with the vehicle manufacturing industry that had here been founded and developed by his father, who was here the pioneer in the manufacturing of carriages and who built up one of the largest and most important industries of this order to be found in the entire United States. The memoir of William A. Paterson gives sufficient information concerning the important enterprise now conducted by the W. A. Paterson company, which is engaged in the manufacturing of the Paterson automobiles, the product having gained as high reputation as that formerly held by the celebrated Paterson carriages and wagons. William A. Paterson continued as president of this company until his death, in 1921, and was succeeded by his only son, William S., of this review, the company being now a virtually closed corporation, and its extensive business having William S. Paterson as its resourceful and progressive executive head. William S. Paterson has secure vantage-ground as one of the representative figures in the industrial circles of his native city, and, like his honored father, is a liberal and public-spirited citizen. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, he and his wife are active members of the Episcopal church, and he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and with both York and Scottish Rite bodies of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is likewise a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. On the 6th of June, I906, was solemnnized the marriage of Mr. Paterson to Miss Mary Leonard, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the one child of this union is a son, Wiliam Leonard Paterson. Arthur T. Paull, M. D., physician and surgeon, whose offices are located at 1291 North Park boulevard, Flint. one of the best-known medical men of this section of the state, was born in Calumet, March 314 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY 6, I877, a son of Stephen and Caroline Phillips Paull. Both parents were born in Plymouth, England. Stephen Paull was 84 years old when he died in I920; Mrs. Paull died in I92I. She was born in 1847. Stephen Paull was a banker the last 49 years of his life and was with the Merchants and Miners' bank, at Calumet. He left England when nineteen years of age, emigrating to Pennsylvania to work in coal mines. He was well thought of in Calumet and enjoyed the confidence and respect of all. He was president of the bank to which reference has been made. There were eight sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Paull-Stephen, Arthur T., John, William, Fred, Henry H., Alfred and Frank. Arthur T. attended public school, was graduated from high school in 1895 and then attended the University of Michigan, taking a literary course. He matriculated at the Detroit College of Medicine and was graduated with the medical degree in I909. Going to the great mining district of Michigan, Dr. Paull became attached to the medical staffs of many mining companies and saw active service in that section. In I916 he came to Flint and engaged in general practice and has achieved outstanding success. On December 29, I9I5, Dr. Paull and Miss Bertha Robert, of Pontiac, daughter of Philip R. and Etta Petrie Robert, well-known residents, were united in marriage. Dr. Paull is a member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to the Scottish Rite. He is a communicant of St. Andrew's Episcopal church and a vestryman of the church. He is also a member of the Exchange club and holds membership in the various medical societies, local, state and national. During the World war he cheerfully gave his services and was a first lieutenant in the medical corps and was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas. In civic and community activities Dr. Paull is genuinely interested and helpful. J. Bradford Pengelly is what may well be called a "practical idealist." He likes' to vision big things and then try to accomplish them. As rector of St. Paul's Episcopal parish for ten years and as a business man and civic leader he has achieved success along constructive lines. As a clergyman he succeeded in building St. Paul's into one of the three largest Episcopal parishes in Michigan. As a business man he shows initiative and resourcefulness in his efforts to help build Flint into a well-ordered and beautiful city. There is no smallness in Mr. Pengelly's make-up nor in his social relations. His contact with men in many different countries and his long course of studies in one British and two American universities gives him a broad and tolerant outlook on life and a sympathetic attitude towards all men. Although having resigned the above ministry, Mr. Pengelly frequently preaches and lectures, being anxious to keep the intellectual and spiritual side of his life in form. However, his time is now really devoted to business. He is president of the Flint Capitol Building company and the Pengelly Realty corporation, both of which companies are interested in downtown properties and their development. He is also president of the Pengelly-Atwood company, which was successful with a subdivision on the south side 1 g.~ —e:-:~..: ~ t I,, HISTORY OF GQNESEE COUNTY;15 of Flint. As vice-chairman of the Flint city planning board, and in other civic offices he has devoted a great deal of time and study to city work, for he believes strongly in the future development of Flint in the best political, economic, social and aesthetic ways. Of him it has well been said: "Conspicuous for his interest in social service and community welfare he has done much to build the citizenship of Flint and to bring about a wholesome development in this community." Rev. J. Bradford Pengelly was born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, May 12, 1882, and is the son of Rev. John Henry and Elizabeth Anne (Bradford) Pengelly, who were born in Cornwall, England, the former in I854 and the latter in 1852. Rev. John Henry Pengelly gained through Oxford University his higher education, and as a clergyman he came to America and entered service in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, in the year I880. He and his wife are now living in Leamington, Ontario. In the family of five children the subject of this review is the only son, the daughters being Mabel, Alvena, Ada and Emma. In the last two years of his course in Woodstock college, Woodstock, Ontario, Mr. Pengelly won the honors of his class and was awarded "The Hiram Calvin" scholarship. In McMaster university, Toronto, he was graduated in I9o6 with the degree of B3achelor of Arts. In I907 he took post-graduate work in Harvard university, and in the following year he entered the University of Chicago, from which he received the degrees of Master of Arts and Bachelor of Divinity. In I9IO he was ordained to the priesthood of the Episcopal church. While a student in the University of Chicago he had charge of St. Edmund's Mission, a small church near the university. In I9I3 he accepted the position of rector of St. Paul's church in Flint, assuming this incumbency September first of that year. In this brief sketch it is impossible to enter details of the great services rendered by Mr. Pengelly in vitalizing and expanding the influence and work of this parish, along both spiritual and material lines. It may be said, however, that he brought about a wonderful improvement in the church property and made St. Paul's a model edifice in both its fine Gothic architecture and its beautiful interior appointments. During his rectorship the new parish house was erected, the Five Sisters Chapel built, St. Paul's church remodeled and St. Andrew's Mission built. All this was secondary to the vitality he infused into all departments of the church work, which was made to include civic service of a constructive character. In this connection may well be used the following quotation: "If Mr. Pengelly were to leave behind him nothing more than the physical equipment of St. Paul's, he would have done enough to deserve the lasting gratitude of the community. But his achievements in establishing civic agencies testify that his ability to plan is not limited to the field of architecture." Mr. Pengelly was the first secretary of the Flint City Planning commission, of which he is now vice-chairman. He was the organizer of the Flint Bureau of Social Service, and was its president two years. He served two terms as vice-president of the Flint Chamber of Commerce. He was one of the organ 316 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY izers and was the first president of the local Kiwanis club, and in I9I9 -1920 he was district governor of the Michigan Kiwanis clubs. During 1924 he was president of the Genesee county branch of the Michigan Tuberculosis association. Before coming to Flint, Mr. Pengelly had achieved high reputation as a traveler and lecturer. He has been a leader in sociological service in Flint, with an abiding human sympathy and tolerance resulting from fine intellectual insight and broad and varied experience among "all sorts and conditions of men." He represented the Y. M. C. A. as a special lecturer and instructor with the American Expeditionary Force in the World war, and while he was thus abroad he "visited ten different countries, and met important leaders of thought in most of the countries visited." His observations and experiences in this service were embodied in able lectures that he delivered thereafter in nearly all the leading cities of Michigan. Mr. Pengelly was a leader in the organization of the Genesee county chapter of the Red Cross, in the World war period and also in the establishing of the Aviators' club at Selfridge Field, near Mount Clemens, Michigan, he being at the time chairman of the social service commission of the Diocese of Michigan. He spent several weeks at the first officers' training camp at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and was much in demand as a speaker. In Flint, Mr. Pengelly is a charter member of Fellowship Lodge, No. 490, A. F. & A. M. He served as chaplain of Flint Lodge, No. 222, B. P. 0. E., and in March, 1925, he was elected exalted ruler of this splendid organization. He was for three years dictator of Flint Lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose, his interest in this great fraternal order having arisen from the remarkable work it has done for orphan children. In September, I913, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Pengelly to Miss Edith Maude Campbell, of Woodstock, Ontario, daughter of Captain Robert Colin Campbell, a member of an old and influential family of the province of Ontario, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Pengelly have one child, J. Bradford, Jr., who was born in 1914. Mrs. Pengelly has co-operated loyally and effectively in the church and civic services of her husband, and is prominent and loved in the representative social and cultural circles of her home city. As touching the activities of Mr. Pengelly in the field of real estate operations, it may be noted in concluding this brief tribute that at the recent (I925) International Convention of Real Estate Boards, in Detroit, he, as president of the Flint Real Estate Board, was awarded the national prize for delivering the best five-minute home town speech, the best speakers from nineteen other states and from Canada likewise having participated in this competition and the speeches having received radio broadcasting. Franklin H. Pierce. Franklin H. Pierce was born in Bethlehem, Grafton county, New Hampshire, on October 24, 1841, of sterling old Yankee stock, and the sound qualities of character which distinguished him in his mature business career were but typical of the staunch New England blood which he inherited. His father was John Pierce also a native of New Hampshire who lived to the advanced age of ninety-seven years. He was the father of six chil IC I HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY ' 317 ' dren, namely, Franklin H., John, Mrs. Mary Sinclair, Mrs. Eliza Woodward, Mrs. Sarah Sawyer and Edward. After completing his common school education, Franklin H. Pierce at the age of nineteen years, came to Coldwater, Michigan, where, for two years, he was in the employ of Wood & Barbour. In 1865 he came to Flint and engaged in the clothing business, in partnership with his brother, Edward 0., under the firm name of F. H. & E. O. Pierce. They were successful in this enterprise and through the years this firm was continually numbered among the sound and substantial mercantile firms of Flint. The only serious setback experienced by this firm during all these years was the destruction of the store by fire about three years after its opening. The store and stock were increased from time to time to meet the increase in demands of their business, until now the house is numbered among the leading commercial institutions of Flint. About I897, desiring to retire, from active business life, Mr. Pierce sold his interest in the business to his brother, the firm being now known as E. O. Pierce & Son. During all the years in which Mr. Pierce was actively occupied in advancing his business interests, he maintained a good citizen's interest in the general welfare of his city and took an active part in efforts for its advancement. For some years during his early residence here he served as alderman, in which position he rendered efficient service to his city. He also served on the board of public works, where his sound judgement and keen business ability were put to the best use. He was one of the originators of the present splendid water-works system, but which in his day was criticized as being a useless expenditure of money. In many other ways his kind foresight was exhibited in his direction of public affairs and he was recognized as a man of unusual astuteness and sagacity. Politically, Mr. Pierce was a Republican, but he entertained no ambition for public office, his chief interest lying along commercial lines. His fraternal relations were with the Free and Accepted Masons and Knights of the Maccabees and the Loyal Guards. He was an earnest member of St. Paul's Episcopal church, of which he was senior warden at the time of his death. On November 29, I87O, Franklin H. Pierce was married to Mary E. Lamond, a native of Flint and the daughter of Robert D. Lamond and wife, early settlers of Flint. The Lamonds had three children. Mary, Robert and Jennie. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were born three children: Sarah, who died, at the age of nine years; John L., who is represented elsewhere in this work; and Frances, the wife of H. H. Hills, of Detroit. John Lamond Pierce. In both a direct and collateral way has Mr. Pierce been able to make definite contribution to the civic and material advancement of his native city of Flint, which can claim no citizen of greater loyalty and appreciation. Here he is a prominent and influential exponent of the real estate and insurance busi 318 HISTORY OF GENeSEE COUNTY Fess, besides having other local interests of important order. Mr. Pierce was born in Flint on the eleventh of November, 1878, and is a son of Franklin H. and Mary E. (Lamond) Pierce. He duly profited by the advantages of the Flint public schools,.and in I90o he was graduated in the University of Michigan, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In that same year he entered the employ of the Durant-Dort Carriage company, with which representative Flint concern he continued his association six years. He then identified himself actively with the real estate business, when, on April 7, I909, he became an associate principal in the WindiatePierce-Davison company; the real estate operations have been of broad scope and importance and the well-ordered activities of which have been an integral part of civic and material progress in the fair metropolis and judicial center of Genesee county. Of this company Mr. Pierce is the secretary, and his prominence in the business interests of his native city is further indicated by his being president of the Flint Mortgage company; president of the Armstrong-Pierce company, engaged in retailing Ford products, and secretary of the Flint Capitol Building company, besides which he is a director of the First National bank and also the Genesee County Savings bank. He is secretary and treasurer of the Graceland cemetery, also vice president of Woodcroft Estates, which is developing an extensive high grade residential subdivision in the western part of the city; is a trustee of the local Young Men's Christian Association; is president of the Flint board of education; is a trustee of the Masonic Temple Association, and is a director of the Glenwood Cemetery Association. The political allegiance of Mr. Pierce is given to the Republican party, and he and his wife are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church. In the Masonic fraternity he has received the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, his maximum York Rite affiliation being with the Genesee Valley Commandery of Knights Templar and his Masonic alliances including also his membership in Elf Khurafeh Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and the local grotto of the Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm. He is a member of Flint Lodge, B. P. 0. E., the Flint Country club, the Flint Automobile club, Masonic Country club, as well as the Detroit Athletic club, and he is affiliated with the Michigan chapter of the Zeta Psi college fraternity. In the midst of his manifold business activities, Mr. Pierce finds time and opportunity to give service of civic order, to enjoy the advantages of the various fraternal and social organizations with which he is identified, and finds maximum satisfaction in the attractions of his ideal home circle. On the seventeenth of May, 1905, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Pierce to Miss Hazel Waldo Tracy, daughter of Frederick Tracy, of Grand Rapids, this state, and the children of this union are four daughters: Mary Agnes, Katharine Sarah, Frances, and Florence Tracy. Rev. Athanasius P. Polanowski. Father Polanowski is the faithful pastor of All Saints' Catholic church, 3714 Industrial avenue, Flint, is widely known and well liked throughout the community es HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 319 pecially by the Polish residents to whom he serves as advisor and mentor as well as spiritual leader. The parish was formed in I9IO by Rev. B. Stefanski, who was its first pastor. Father Stefanski was succeeded by Rev. John B. Hewelt, who served the charge until 1920. In addition to the multitudious duties of the pastorage, Father Polanowski supervises the parochial school work. Father Polanowski was born in Detroit, April 12, I890, a son of Peter and Kathryn (Konicka) Polanowski. The father was a blacksmith and died in 1922 at the age of 72 years and the mother is living. There are three daughters of the family two of whom are sisters in vows as well as by the ties of blood. The two sons of Peter Polanowski are priests of the Roman Catholic church, so four members of the family have given themselves to the service of God. One daughter is Mrs. Casimira Matuzak and the two others are Sisters Cajetana and Mary Juvencia, both members of the Order of St. Joseph. Brother Frank Polanowski is a priest of the Jesuit order. Father Athanasius F. Polanowski was educated at St. Francis parochial school and Polish Seminary in Detroit and Orchard Lake, Michigan, and was ordained in I914. For three years he was assistant pastor of the Church of the Assumption at Detroit, then became assistant pastor of St. Joseph church in Jackson, serving this charge a year. He then went to St. Floren church at Hamtramck, then returned to Detroit as assistant pastor of the church of the Sacred Heart of Mary. Next he became pastor of St. Joseph church in Jackson and in I920 was assigned by the bishop to Flint. Father Polanowski's primary concern, naturally, is with his flock and for its spiritual and moral interest, but he is keenly alive to the needs of the community and to the constantly enlarging field of social service. In all matters affecting the general welfare of the community and its civic and moral interests, he gives his co-operation and support. George E. Pomeroy is another of the sterling business men who have done much to advance the civic and industrial precedence of the city of Flint, where his interests are of broad scope. Here his real estate operations have been of significant importance; here he has been one of the most influential forces in the development of the city's system of parks; and he has been prominently indentified with the great motor-car industries of the city. He is now the sole owner of the business conducted under the title of the Pomeroy Motor company, he having founded this business in I923, in the sale of Durant motor cars. Mr. Pomeroy was born at Holly, Oakland county, Michigan, June 3, 1873, and is a son of George E. and Elizabeth (Beebe) Pomeroy. George E. Pomeroy, Sr., was born and reared in the state of Vermont and came to Michigan in the early '50s. At Flint he became foreman in the lumber yards of the late Hon. Henry H. Crapo, who served as governor of Michigan after the close of the Civil war. Mr. Pomeroy later engaged in the lumber business at Holly, and there he passed the remainder of his life. To the public schools of Holly the subject of this review is indebted for his early edu 320 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY cation, and after leaving school he was for a time employed in the postoffice of his native town. In I895 he entered the employ of William C. Durant, and with this honored and influential citizenone foremost in the upbuilding of the modern industrial city of Flint, he was associated in important and varied development service, largely incidental to the enterprises that made Flint a center of the automobile industry. For several years Mr. Pomeroy had supervision of the real estate interests and development work of the General Motors company, and with this industry he continued to be allied until recently. In I908 he initiated the platting and development of the three Pomeroy-Bonbright additions to the city of Flint, which have since become the center of the best residential district of North Flint. In I922 he organized the Pomeroy-Day Land company, for the development of residential and business properties in Flint. Through these two mediums he has done much to advance the civic and material progress of his home city, and it is a matter of satisfaction tot him that he has had part also in the beautifying of the city through his close association with the development of its fine park system. This improvement was instituted by J. Dallas Dort, and of the park board or commission Mr. Pomneroy has been a loyal and valued member from the time of its organization, in I9o6. Mr. Pomeroy is found staunchly arrayed in the ranks of the Republicand party, and in his home city he is affiliated with the various York Rite bodies of the Masonic fraternity, including the commandery of Knights Templar, besides which he is affiliated with the Scottish Rite of the fraternity, and also the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Flint Chamber of Commerce and a meanber and liberal supporter of the local Y. M. C. A., is affiliated with Flint lodge No. 222, B. P. 0. E., was one of the organizers and is an influential member of the Flint Automobile club, and of the Flint Country club as well, of which he was formerly the secretary. Mr. Pomeroy was a vital worker in the advancing of local patriotic service inr the World war period, and was one of the organizers of the Genesee county chapter of the Red Cross, of which he was chosen the secretary. He and his wife are zealous communicants of St. Paul's church, Protestant Episcopal, and he has given fifteen years of service as a member of the vestry of this parish. In April, I923, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Pomeroy to Miss Susan M. Rix, of Holly, and they have two daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Louise. Mr. Pomeroy is one of the loyal and appreciative citizens to whom Flint owes much, and here he has an impregnable place in popular confidence and esteem. Elwyn Pond. Active in philanthropic and fraternal movements as well as in the more restricted operations of his own trade, Elwyn Pond is one of the best-known and most useful citizens of Flint. He is a deacon of the First Baptist church, a past grand patron of the grand chapter of Michigan, Order of the Eastern Star, and was twice the patron of Flint chapter No. 38. Mr. Pond is a Shriner, a charter member and past president of the Rotary club which he HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 321 helped establish. He is a past director of the Junior Chamber of Commerce; a member of the board of control of the Eastern Star Villa at Adrian for Masonic orphans; a past president of the Michigan Retail Shoe Dealers' association and is a director of the Michigan Retail Shoe Dealers' Mutual Fire Insurance company. In the promotion of civic betterment and community welfare projects, Mr. Pond is a consistent and helpful supporter, being treasurer of the Flint water board. He is very active in community enterprises and is held in the highest esteem. Mr. Pond is proprietor and manager of the Hub shoe store at 410 South Saginaw street, Flint, one of the best known establishments in the city. He was born June 8, 1883, in Corunna, Shiawassee county, Michigan, the son of Frank and Louella (Campbell) Pond. Father and mother were born in New York state, the father June 2, 1849, the mother February 28, 1851. Grandfather Curtis C. Pond came to Michigan, took up land from the government and moved to Corunna. He became county treasurer, then went into the drug business but subsequently became county poor commissioner and assumed charge of the poor farm which position he retained until his death. He was conspicuous for his support of the Universalist church. Frank, Pond, his son, operated a monument business in Corunna, then moved to Owosso where Elwyn attended grade and high school. The latter, upon leaving school, came to Flint in I9OI and for five years worked for Fred B. Elliott in the retail shoe business. Then Mr. Pond went on the road for a shoe house until 1909 and in I9Io established a business of his own, retail shoes. He has operated stores in different locations on Saginaw street and at one time conducted three establishments, but now confines his time and attention to one. This was established in 1919, a thoroughly up-to-date store with the best possible service in connection therewith. On June 17, I908, Mr. Pond was united in marriage to Dona Edwards, daughter of W. H. Edwards, old resident of this section of the state; she died August, I917. Mr. Pond remarried October I8, 1921 to Mrs. Pearl Hendricks Ellis, of Flint. The Ponds have three sons, William Edwards, Elwyn Jr., and Frederick A. Robert D. Powell. Realtor of Flint, energetic and progressive in business, Mr. Powell is a member of the well known firm of McGinnis & Powell. He was born in Mt. Rose, January 26, 1891, a son of Amos and Matilda Powell, to whom six children were born. Those comprising the family chain are: George, Lovern and Robert D., of Flint; Mrs. Mabel Swoop, of Toledo; Mrs. Mildred Eicher and Clark Powell, of Durant, Michigan. Robert D. attended public school in Flint and his first business adventure was in the meat and packing business, set about in I9oo. For several years he was associated with Baxter Brothers, of Flint, Pontiac, Detroit and Lansing. In 1920, he formed a real estate partnership with R. S. Torrey and during 1921 served as an executive of the B. V. Motor Sales company, of Flint; later he became a member of the firm of McGinnis & Powell. Mr. Powell has been for a long time one of the leading 322 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY farm land specialists of Genesee county. He knows intimately and accurately the various conditions of business and agriculture within Genesee county. In 1913, Mr. Powell was united in marriage to Ruth A. Burleson, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Burleson, formerly of Clayton township. They have one daughter, Beatrice V. Mr. Powell is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Real Estate Board and of the Automobile club. He is a communicant of the Methodist church and in politics is rated a Republican. Charles Peter Ramoth, M. D. Dr. Ramoth, physician of Flint, was born August 8, 1873, in Sarnia, Ontario, a son of Carl and Thesla (Provbencher) Ramoth. The senior Ramoth was a native of Germany, his wife of France. Both have passed to "the land from which bourne no traveler returns." Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ramoth. One, a daughter, is now Sister M. Silverius, for twenty-seven years a member of the Order of the Holy Name. The other daughter is Mrs. Frank Dandler, of Detroit, while Charles Peter is the only son. He attended the public schools at Windsor and was graduated from the Detroit College of Medicine. For five years he served as house physician at St. Mary's House, Saginaw, also practicing in that city ten years. In Flint, Dr. Ramoth located in I9Io and opened an office at Cornelius and Saginaw streets and remained in that location eight years, thence transferring to 529 North Saginaw street. He enjoys an expanding and lucrative practice. Dr. Ramnoth and Margaret Brown, daughter of Mrs. J. M. Brown, of Monroe, were united in the sacred bonds of marriage on June 25, 1923. Dr. Ramoth is thoroughly independent in matters of politics. He is a devout communicant of the Roiman Catholic church. The Doctor holds membership in the Michigan State Medical society. Herbert E. Randall, M. D. Of oustanding reputation and prestige as a surgeon, Dr. Herbert E. Randall ranks high in the citizenship of Genesee county, Michigan. The doctor was born February I8, 1876, in Birmingham, Michigan, the son of Lucius A. and Emma E. (Anscomb) Randall. The father was born in 1845, the mother the same year, both near Birmingham. The parents were of English descent and members of the family settled in Rhode Island. Grandfather John Randall came from New York and farmed in Michigan. Lucius Randall was a teacher and a commercial traveler and for twenty-five years represented Daniel Scotten & Company in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. Mrs. Emma Randall died in June, 1924. Lucius Randall moved to Detroit in I886, when Herbert was ten. The latter attended common school, worked in a tea store on Cadillac square and as a clerk in the Methodist Book Publishing company and then attended the Detroit College of Medicine. While in college, which he entered in I894, he worked for Dr. H. O. Walker, a noted pioneer surgeon, and gained valuable practical training. After graduation he served a year as surgeon at St. Mary's hospital, Detroit, and on borrowing five dollars, located in Dryden, Michigan, a town of 350 SAMUEL C. RANDALL HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 323 inhabitants. He was there two years and eight years in Lapeer, devoting his time chiefly to surgery and came to Flint in I9o9, giving his time entirely to surgery. During the World war the doctor was with Detroit College of Medicine Base Hospital No. 36, A. E. F., and across the water he had charge of the Knights Templar hospital. He was a major in the service and was discharged in April, I919. On May 25, I898, Dr. Randall was married to Louise Jourdain, of Stillwater, Minnesota. They have one daughter, Margaret. The professional and fraternal interests of Dr. Randall are discerned in the fact that he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Shrine, Elks, Rotary club, Chamber of Commerce, county, state and national medical societies; is chairman of the staff of Early hospital; on the council of the State Medical society; is ex-president of the Genesee County Medical society; was first vice president of the state society and was organizer of the medical society in the county in which Lapeer is located. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and consulting surgeon of the Michigan Training School for Epileptics and Feeble Minded. Samuel C. Randall. Samuel C. Randall was born October 20, 1837, in Vestal, Broome county, New York. What education it was his privilege to obtain was received in the public schools before he was sixteen years of age and he left school to take up an apprenticeship in carpentry and joining, which he served three years. In 1856 he came west to grow up with the country, settled in Flint and for six years worked at his trade. In July, 1862, Mr. Randall enlisted as a private soldier in Co. K, Twenty-third Michigan infantry, and rose to the rank of captain, his service lasting until December T, I865. After being mustered out of service, Mr. Randall returned to Flint engaging in the sash,, door and lujmber business which he successfully managed for many years. He was honored by his fellow citizens with positions of trust and responsibility, having been mayor of Flint, an alderman and a member of the board of education. In every position he occupied he won the respect and confidence of his constituents. On September 8, 1862, just after he enlisted in the Union army, Mr. Randall married Ellen N. Clark, a daughter of Eliza (Bisby) and Arthur Clark, who died before the daughter was six years old. Mr. Randall was a staunch Democrat, and an able defender of the party's principles and course of action. He was not affiliated with any church but his devotion to Freemasonry constituted a religious conviction. His Masonic life, begun at an early age, was active and honored. Mr. Randall was initiated in Flint lodge No. 23 on November 31, 1857, advanced to a Fellowcraft and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason Tanuary 24, 1858, and at once took an active interest in lodge work. In I866 he was worshipful master, serving four years, and in 1877 he was re-elected master of the lodge serving another four-year term. On January I9, I860, he became a member of Washingrton chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons, and in I880 was elected high priest of the chapter serving three years. In January 1882 he was 324 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY elected grand master of the first veil in the grand chapter, advancing step by step until in I891 when he was elected grand high priest and governed the royal craft in Michigan for years. He received the orders of knighthood in De Molay commandery No. 5 at Grand Rapids, in 1864. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, member of the sovereign consistory in Detroit, and on September I8, I906, received the thirty-third and last degree of Scottish Rite Masonry in Boston. He was buried with Templar honors, officers of the grand commandery and grand chapter participating in the obsequies. Samuel C. Randall was the youngest of four boys, the others being Henry, Walter C. and Seneca. Walter C. and wife, nee Amelia Carnochan, had two children, Tuie E. and Jessie W. Randall. Henry Randall had three girls and three boys. All live in Owego, New York. Samuel C. Randall died in Flint, March 5, 90o9, after a short illness, anc is greatly missed by the community. For many years he had been active in the business life of the city and a participant in all its social welfare manifestations. Many sought his counsel in matters of business guidance. The widow resides in Flint at 627 Garland street. Franklin Elmer Reeder, Ph. B., M. D., has been engaged in the general practice of his profession in the city of Flint since 1912 and has gained secure vantage-ground as one of the representative physicians and surgeons of Genesee county. The Doctor was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, April 9, I883, and is a son of Jacob and Jemima Catherine (Fry) Reeder, both likewise natives of the old Keystone state. Jacob Reeder made farm industry his life vocation, and he was a valiant soldier of the Union in the Civil war, as a member of a regiment of Pennsylvania volunteer infantry. While in such military service he contracted typhoid fever, and from the effects of this and of the hardships and exposure he endured, he never fully recovered, he having been about fifty-four years of age at the time of his death, and his widow continued her, residence in Pennsylvania until her death, which occurred in 1918. Four sons survive the honored father, and of the number Dr. Reeder of this review is the only one residing in Michigan. At New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania, Dr. Reeder attended the public schools until he had completed the curriculum of the high school, and thereafter he attended Mercersburg Academy, at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania; Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, in which latter institution he was graduated as a member of the class of I906 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. In preparation for his chosen profession, he completed a course in the medical department of the University of Michigan, in which he was graduated in 191o and from which he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine. His initial work in his profession was done at Calumet,. on the upper peninsula of Michigan, where he was in hospital service and retained as a medical and surgical representative of a leading copper-mining company. Thereafter he was for a time a member of the medical staff of the National Soldiers' Home, at Dayton, Ohio, and he next engaged in -HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 325 private practice at Steubenville, Ohio, where he remained until 1912, since which year he has been engaged in practice at Flint, Michigan, where he has developed a substantial and representative practice that stands an evidence of his ability and also his personal popularity. The Doctor is an active member of the Genesee County Medical society, the Michigan State Medical society and the American Medical association. In the Masonic fraternity he is a Knight Templar, a Shriner, Royal Arch Mason, Blue lodge and charter member of Kishma Grotto. His, political alignment is with the Republican party, and he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church. November 28, I912, was marked by the marriage of Dr. Reeder to Miss Pansy Lee Cole, daughter of the late Frederick W. Cole, to whom a memoir is dedicated on other pages of this volume. Dr. and Mrs. Reeder are popular factors in the social circles of their home city, and the Doctor is known and honored for his fine professional stewardship as shown in able and faithful service. Alfred H. Reid is a native son of Genesee county and a representative of a sterling family that gained a due measure of pioneer honors in this section of Michigan. He was here reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm, here received the advantages of the public schools, and here he has continued his active alliance with productive farm industry during the long intervening years. He is the owner of a good farm property on which he resides, the same being situated in Mundy township, on rural mail route No. I from the city of Flint. Mr. Reid has been influential in public affairs in his native county, and he has served continuously since 1907 as county ditch commissioner, an office in which he has done splendid service in the advancing of agricultural industry in the county. His political allegiance is given unreservedly to the Republican party. Mr. Reid was born in Burton township, Genesee county, September 3, I860, and his wife, whose maiden name was Isabelle Heddon and whose death occurred January I6, I922, was born in Grand Blanc township, this county, August 25, I86I. Of the three children the eldest is Wells C.; Genevieve F. is the wife of Alonzo Torray, and Bernida F. is the widow of Rev. William Benn, who died while in service at the Great Lakes Naval station, near Chicago, in the World war period, he having been one of the many victims of the epidemic of influenza. He whose name initiates this review is a son of John and Almira (Halleck) Reid, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Vermont. The parents were honored pioneer citizens of Genesee county, Michigan, at the time of their death, and the father was long numbered among the substantial farmers of this county. He was born in the year 1822. There were three children: George W.; his sister, Adelaide, became the wife of Albert Armstrong, and the younger sister, Susan, became the wife of Miles P. Cook. George W. Reid and the two sisters are dead. John Reid, father of Alfred H., came to Michigan in 1834 from New York state and settled in Genesee county, the mother came in 1836, and also settled in Genesee 826 HISTORY OF GENEISEE COUNTY county. John Reid purchased a farm in Mundy township, lived there until I86o, when he rented the Webster house in Burton township, section thirty-one, and here was the birthplace of our subject. In i86i he returned to the farm, built a hotel on Fenton road, which he conducted until 1871, when he sold it and retired from active work. He died January Io, 1876; the mother lived but a few years afterward. Alfred H. Reid was married December 20, 1883, and the names of his children are listed above in this sketch. Mr. Reid is a member of the Maccabees. Mrs. Josephine A. Reid. Josephine Adelaide Reid, well known in the floral business, was born May 31, I897, the daughter of Bernard and Josephine Groll, nee Nothelfer. She was born in Saginaw, in a family of seven children, five of whom are living. The others are Bernard, Jr., of Flint; Albert, of Cleveland; Mrs. Tillie Jeanicke, of Saginaw; Miss Annie, of Detroit. The deceased are Charles Groll and Mrs. Gertrude Redd. In November, I923, Mrs. Reid became associated with her brother Bernard, Jr., in the floral business, an enterprise that has met with deserved success. Mrs. Reid has two daughters, Dorothy and Adelaide. In business she is energetic and reflects the modem service standards of business. She is interested in civic and community betterment service. In politics she inclines toward Republicanism. Dr. Alexander Monteith Ritchie, well known dental practitioner of Flint, Michigan, is a native of Scotland. He was born June 9, 1868, a son of Alexander M. and Katherine Ritchie. His early education was obtained in Scotland and in I88I he came to the United States with his parents, the family settling on a farm in Oakland county, Michigan. Alexander Monteith Ritchie entered the department of dentistry of Detroit College of Medicine and was graduated in 900o. In 1905, he opened an office in Flint. In I904 his mother died and in I908 the father passed to eternal rest. There were six children in the Ritchie family, three of whom are living: Alexander; John, of Colorado, and Dr. George P. Ritchie, a dentist of Sault Ste. Marie. Dr. Alexander M. Ritchie was married in 1898 to Rebecca A. Richardson. There are no children. Dr. Ritchie votes the Republican ticket, but is disinclined to exalt politics above public interest. He has never aspired to public position. He is held in high esteem within and without the profession. John L. Roach, attorney of Flint, came to this city in 1922 and since has been associated with the well-known law firm of Cameron & Cameron, Industrial Bank building. Mr. Roach was born in Rich township, Lapeer county, Michigan, June 5, 1891, a son of Joseph and Sarah A. Roach. There are two boys in the family, John L. and Frank, the latter living in Mt. Morris, Michigan. John L. Roach attended public school in his township and North Branch high school. He entered the Detroit College of Law in I9II and was graduated in 1914 and admitted to the bar of Michigan the same year. The next two years saw him practicing his profession in Lapeer but in 1917 Mr. Roach went into farming and followed agri HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 327 culture five years. He came to Flint in 1922 and associated with. Messrs. Cameron and Cameron. Mr. Roach became the husband of Miss Clara Milbocker, of North Branch, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Milbocker, and to Mr. and Mrs. Roach have been born four children, Joe, Katherine, Robert and James. Mr. Roach inclines politically to Republicanism. He is genuinely interested in the civic advancement of the city and is a faithful communicant of the Catholic church. He holds membership in the Knights of Columbus. Clinton Roberts. Clinton Roberts was born in Argentine, Genesee county, Michigan, June 21, I864, a son of David N. and Martha Owen Roberts. He was graduated from high school in Fenton and then taught school, studying law in spare hours. Later he studied under James H. McFarlan at Flint and in I886 was admitted to the bar. He first practiced law in partnership with Mr. McFarlan and later formed a partnership with George 0. Crane, which was maintained until the death of Mr. Crane, after which Mr. Roberts became associated with Edward D. Black, the firm name being Black & Roberts. Upon Mr. Black's appointment as circuit judge, Mr. Roberts became a member of the firm of Carlton, Roberts & Stewart and continued as a member until his death. On May 25, I897, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Lulu Gillies, daughter of Andrew and Marcia (Persons) Gillies. Three children were the issue of the union, Russell C., David G. and Francis L. The mother died in I9IO and on June 14, I912, Mr. Roberts married Mrs. Louisa A. Burns, who was born in Alpena, Michigan. Politically, Mr. Roberts was a Democrat. He was a member of Flint lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons; of the chapter of the Royal Arch and of the commandery of the Knights Templar. He died October II, I923. Russell C. Roberts, attorney, Genesee Bank building, Flint, Michigan, was born in Flint, January 13, 1900, the son of Clinton and Lulu Roberts, nee Gillies. He was the oldest of three children, the others being David and Francis. Mr. Roberts was graduated from high school in 1918 and entered the Detroit College of Law, being graduated in 1922 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He began practice at once. Mr. Roberts was married on September 22, 1923, to Reo B. Brownell, daughter of Ray A. and Daisy (Dunbar) Brownell. The Dunbars are old residents. Mr. Roberts is an Elk, secretary of the Genesee County Bar association and president of the Coolidge-for-President club. Clinton Roberts, of the law firm of Black & Roberts, was born June 2I, I864, in the village of Argentine in the southwestern part of Genesee county, the son of David N. and Martha (Owens) Roberts. David N. Roberts was reared in Chemung county, New York, on a farm, and at the age of twenty-one went to Livingston county, Michigan, where he built a flour mill. Later he moved to Deer Creek and built the first flour mill in that place. He later operated a mill in Argentine and died in I892 at the age of seventy-two. Clinton Roberts was admitted to the bar in I886 and started the practice of law in Flint with Mr. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY McFarlan, later forming a partnership with George 0. Crane. After the demise of Mr. Crane, Mr. Roberts became associated with Edward D. Black. He was married to Lulu Gillies, daughter of Andrew and Marcia (Persons) Gillies on May 25, 1897. There were three children, Russell C., David G. and Francis. The wife died in I19I and on June 14, I912, Mr. Roberts married Mrs. Louisa A. Burns. Clinton Roberts was a Mason and a Knight Templar. William Richard Roberts, well-known attorney of Flint and member of the firm of Roberts, Beagle & Stipes, is also prosecuting attorney of Genesee county, his term expiring January I, 1927. Mr. Roberts is a member of the Masonic fraternity; the Elks, Lions club and Michigan State Bar association. In political faith he is Republican, by religious conviction, Presbyterian. Mr. Roberts was born August ii, 1890, in Calumet, Michigan, a son of Joseph and Martha Roberts. Four of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are living, Joseph S., of Indianapolis; Mollie, of Calumet; Mrs. Mabel Trebilcock, of Calumet; and William Richard. The latter received his early education in Calumet, was graduated from high school in 1909, and is a graduate of the University of Michigan, I9I5, with LL. B. degree. During the World war Mr. Roberts saw service in the ordnance supply division at Camp Hancock, Georgia, and was commissioned a second lieutenant. In 1919 he came to Flint and became associated with D. L. McTaggert and on January I, I92I, became associated with Messrs. Gault & Gadola, the firm name thereupon being changed to Gault, Roberts & Gadola. January I, I925, he changed to the present firm after being elected prosecuting attorney. Joseph Roberts is dead and his widow is living in Calumet. Mr. Roberts' deceased sister is Rena. Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Marguerite Grandon, daughter of David W. and Elizabeth Grandon, of Sterling, Illinois. Mr. Grandon is editor and owner of the Sterling Daily Gazette. The date of the marriage was October 25, 1921. Mr. Roberts enjoys a deserved popularity throughout the community. Peter D. Rogers. Elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket by more than 2,400 majority, is no small honor which befell Peter D. Rogers, who functions acceptably as chief officer of Genesee county, Michigan. Mr. Rogers was born in Rogersville, Richfield township, Genesee county, November I6, I870, the son of Ransom D. and Harriett (Burnett) Rogers. The father came to Genesee county from Genesee county, New York, when twelve and the mother also hailed from the Empire state. Ransom Rogers was born in I842 and died in I9I4. His father, William Rogers, settled in what is now Rogersville, named after him. Ransom built the first hotel there and was in that community when the Pere Marquette railroad was being built to Fostoria. Ransom Rogers had three brothers, all farmers in this section of the state and the former died on a farm a half mile from the old homestead for which the four boys all joined to clear the land. Grandfather Burnett came from New York state and settled three miles east of Mt. Morris, Michigan, in 1859 and farmed. There were HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 329 four boys and one girl in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ransom Rogers: Addie Newcomb, Eugene, Wallace, Earl A. and Peter D. Rogers. The latter after leaving high school worked in a general store in Mt. Morris from the age of seventeen to twenty-four years, then was with a department store in Lansing until he was thirty. For two years he traveled for Crowley Brothers of Detroit, returned to Flint and operated a business of his own and was elected sheriff. On May 6, 1896, he was united in marriage to Mary G. Reed, daughter of William Reed. Two children have been born, Lucille and Marjorie. Sheriff Rogers is a member of the Masonic order and the Elks. He is highly esteemed and is adjudged a capable official, serving without fear or favor. Bernard Rosenthal. Mr. Rosenthal is president of the Bensom Jewelry company, of Flint, is a graduate of the University of Michigan and ranks high in the business life of Flint. Mr. Rosenthal was born December 29, I895, in Petoskey, Michigan, a son of Samuel and Sophie Rosenthal. The nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rosenthal are Alexander, of Petoskey; Moses, Mrs. Samuel Weinstein, Zelma, Laura and Bernard, of Flint; Mrs. Jennie Rosenblum Dr. Jacob Rosenthal and Louis of Detroit. Bernard obtained his early education in the public schools of Petoskey and Detroit and was graduated from the University of Michigan in 1919. The same year he left college he entered the jewelry business, entering the well-known Freiberg establishment in Detroit. In 1920 Mr. Rosenthal came to Flint and opened a store at the present location of the Bensom Jewelry company. On June 26, I923, Mr. Rosenthal was united in marriage to Miss Lee F. Rosenbleum, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Rosenbleum, of Flint. Mr. Rosenthal is a member of Congregation Beth Israel, of the Masonic fraternity, the Elks, Chamber of Commerce and of the Auto club. Moses Rosenthal. Usefully active in the business, social, civic and fraternal life of Flint, Moses Rosenthal has contributed much to the citizenship of the community. In a business way he is the secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Rosenthal company, 60i-605 South Saginaw street, Flint, Michigan. But his interest transcends the operation of a retail store in many other places. Mr. Rosenthal has proven his helpfulness to the interest in the city of his adoption. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Elks, Kiwanis club and the Chamber of Commerce. He is vicepresident of the Kiwanis club, and president of the Retail Dry Goods association. During the war he was chairman of the Red Cross, and vice-chairman of the War Board of Emmet county, prior to that he was president of the Board of Trade, at Petoskey, Michigan. Mr. Rosenthal was born April 12, i872, at Alpena, Michigan, a son of Samuel and Rachael (Reinhartz) Rosenthal, both parents being born in Souvolk, Russia. Samuel Rosenthal was born in I843, came to Michigan in 1863, died January 19, 1923. The wife and mother was born in 1843 and died in I893. The elder Mr. Rosenthal located in Alpena and established the S. Rosenthal dry goods business, moved 330 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY to Petoskey in 1878 and established the firm known as the S. Rosenthal & Sons, which is still in existence. The elder Mr. Rosenthal moved to Detroit in I906. Nine children came into the Rosenthal home, of whom four are still living: Alec., Louis, Doctor Jacob, Benjamin, Jennie, Helen, Zelma, Laura and Moses. The latter received his early schooling in Petoskey then entered Notre Dame University pursuing a literary course. He became associated with his father in business, inspired by the latter's strength of character, acumen and foresight. The firm became known as S. Rosenthal & Sons, and in I918 Mr. Rosenthal came to Flint. On June 25th, I896, Mr. Rosenthal and Miss Kate Steinberg, of Traverse City, were united in marriage. Two daughters and one son are the issue of the union: Freda M.; Rachael M., a teacher at the senior high school; Freda M. as national dean of Alpha Epsilon Phi; the son, Casper Louis, a student at Ann Arbor, Michigan. In addition to the other attachments mentioned, Mr. Rosenthal is president of the Congregation of Beth Israel, and a leader in the Jewish community life. William E. Rothwell, vice-president of the National Land and Construction company, Industrial Bank building, Flint, is a native of Ontario. He was born in Galt, April 5, 1887, a son of William Edward and Mary A. (Mitchell) Rothwell. Both were born in Ontario. William Edward Rothwell was in the real estate business many years. He is seventy-five and his wife sixty. Five children were born to them. William E. was educated at Toronto university, left in I9o7, and started in the real estate business first as a personal enterprise, then as the Toronto & Winnipeg Realty company. This company was formed in I916, but in 1915 Mr. Rothwell had come to Flint. On September 28, 1917, he was wedded to Miss Edith Rogers, of Toronto, and two children have entered the family circle, Ann and Jane. Mr. Rothwell is an Elk and a Mason, and belongs to the Shrine and Consistory of the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Flint Country club and of the Chamber of Commerce and is very active in the Real Estate Board. He is thoroughly interested in the development of Flint and has aided all movements set forth in that direction. James Arthur Rowley, M. D., specializing in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, with offices in the First National bank building, Flint, was born in Orland, Steuben county, Indiana, March 14, 1875, a son of Charles and Alice (Bierce) Rowley. The elder Rowley was born in Utica, New York, while Mrs. Rowley's people, the Bierces, were of Vermont. Charles Rowley was seven years old when his parents went from New York state to Indiana. He was a farmer and died at the age of seventy in 1920. Mrs. Rowley survives and is seventy years of age. Mr. Rowley was active in Republican politics but never aspiredc to public office. James Arthur is of a family of four sons. Frank Rowley is the postmaster at Angola; Leon is farming and lives in the old homestead, and Vete is an engineer on the New York Central railroad. James Arthur received HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 331 a grade and high school training in Indiana, then entered Tri-State Normal and taught school a year which was followed by preparatory work at Olivet College covering a year and a half. He was graduated from the University of Michigan and began practice in Durand, Michigan, with Dr. Robert C. Fair, which association lasted eighteen years. A year post-graduate work was done at the University of Michigan and special work in eye, ear, nose and throat was taken in Chicago and New York and in February, 1923, Dr. Rowley came to Flint. On September 12, I906, the Doctor and Miss Florence Dalleywater, of Flint, were united in marriage. She is a daughter of Charles DalleyMwater who came to the United States from England more than twenty-five years ago. Dr. Rowley by political preferment is a Republican. He is a member of the Congregational church at Durand. He holds membership in the various Masonic bodies from blue lodge to chapter and commandery and is a Shriner. He is also a member of the Exchange club and is vicepresident of the Y. M. C. A. at Durand. The Doctor is also a member of the various medical societies, county, state and national, and keeps abreast of the best medical and surgical thought and developments of the day. George J. Sager, furniture merchant of Flint, was born November 23, I869, a son of Edward R. and Henrietta Sager, in Flint. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sager-Mrs. Amelia Pidd, Mrs. Edith Tomashek and George J. Sager, all of Flint; Mrs. Minnie Johnson and Edward J., deceased. George J. Sager received his early education in Flint. For many years he bore the distinction of being one of the finest penmen in Flint and has assisted in the training of one of the national champions. Mr. Sager entered the furniture business with his father, the association continuing until the death of the latter in I912 when the son assumed sole control of the business. Mr. Sager's mother is also dead. On November 25, I891, Mr. Sager was joined at the marriage altar by Zaidee Hancock, daughter of James and Frances Hancock, of Richfield, Michigan. One son has been born, L. Glenn Sager, of Detroit. The parents of Mrs. Sager are deceased. Mr. Sager, progressive in business methods, is an independent thinker and holds allegiance to no political party or group. Silas G. Samons, widely known real estate dealer of Flint and a resident of that city since I903, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, July 5, I851, his parents being Gilbert and Margaret (Herron) Samons. Mrs. Samons was born in Scotland, her husband in New York state, a son of a true Connecticut Yankee. Gilbert Samons was born July 18, I820, and died in 1907. As a young man he followed river work but after marriage turned to agriculture and farmed until his death. Silas G. Samons farmed during the days of youth and then turned to trading horses, a business of considerable consequence in those days. In 1903 he cast his lot in Flint, but in the insurance field, and went to work for the Home Life Insurance company. In 1904 he bought the half block ex 332 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY tending south from First avenue to the river on Garland street, at that time virtually a wilderness. He put up some frame buildings on the place and conducted a feed and boarding barn and dealt in horses. Incidentally, he operated in real estate. Mr. Samons bought a farm in Genesee county and raised hay and grain. This farm lay in what is now Glen Haven plat. As the horse passed out, the present brick buildings were erected. The Samons block was built in 1921 at First avenue and Garland street and the following year other wooden structures were razed, cement floors were laid, an oil station was erected and Mr. Samons took on automobile storage. Forty-nine years ago Mr. Samons was united in marriage to Mary M. Billings, of New York. Four children were born: Mary, who is the wife of Rev. M. G. Powley, pastor of the First Ward Congregational church; Mrs. C. F. Richard, Anna and Mildred. Mr. Samons is much interested in church work and in Republican politics. He donated the land and approach to the bridge that spans the river on Garland street, in that way giving a through street running north and south, just as Saginaw street runs. He had a lively controversy with the city council over the project but succeeded in convincing the city lawmakers of the necessity of the bridge and of the wisdom of erecting it. The land which Mr. Samons donated for the purpose is estimated to be worth fully $Io,ooo. In other civic matters, Mr. Samons manifests a lively interest and a spirit of co-operation. Arthur H. Sarvis. Long training in newspaper work with the opportunities for judgment and discipline it offers, enters extensively and concretely into the preparation of Arthur H. Sarvis, service manager of the Buick Motor company, Flint. Mr. Sarvis has breathed deeply the tempting odor of printer's ink for his induction into the world of labor was through the medium of the printery. Mr. Sarvis was born December I8, I889, in Stratford, Ontario, a son of Lewis J. and Fannie Sarvis. The mother was born in New York state, the father in Canada. The elder Sarvis was a painter and decorator by trade and died at the age of forty-seven years, in I899. The son, Arthur H., attended public school and in early youth learned printing and the mechanical side of printshop operation in Ontario, later connecting with the editorial department of the Stratford Herald. His business-professional career began in reality when he was but twelve years old and from I9OI to I905, Mr. Sarvis worked at the printing trade. Reportorial and editorial service claimed his efforts from 1905 to I909 and for a period he operated a weekly newspaper, the Walkerton Telescope. Coming to Flint, Mr. Sarvis served as a reporter on the Flint Journal until 1913. From 1913 to 1917 he was associated with the Detroit United Railways, in Detroit, but returned to Flint for a short while and then went to the Willys-Overland company in Toledo. In 1919 he returned to Flint to be aligned with the Buick organization, was made director of industrial relations and so served until I922 when he became service manager, a post of much responsibility. Mr. Sarvis, on September 12, I9I1, became the husband of Miss Mabel HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 333 A. Jean, of Flint, and to them three children have been born, Jean, Arthur, Jr., and Jack. Mr. Sarvis, whose identification with public life is well sustained in membership for four years on the park board, is an Elk and member of the Country club. William H. Schumacher. William H. Schumacher, of Schumacher Brothers, real estate, insurance and investments, well-known business man of Flint, was born in Port Colborne, Ontario, son of John W. and Mary L. Schumacher. The father was born in Canada, when twenty-one came to Michigan, farmed, married in this state and returned to Canada where the son was born. Two years later Mr. John W. Schumacher returned to Michigan, came to Flint and spent virtually the remainder of his life in Genesee county. He was a mill man and farmer and died in Flint, Genesee county, October 26, 1910, at the age of forty-seven years. His widow, the mother of the subject of this sketch, is living, aged fifty-five. William H. is the oldest of three children, the other two being Roy W. and Clayton J. William H. Schumacher attended school in Flint and Davison and was graduated from high school in 1905 and taught school for two years, one term in Thetford township and a year at Richfield Center and for eight months he was with E. W. Reed & Company, contractors. For a short time he was with the Buick company and for three and a half years worked as a clerk in the postoffice and for a similar length of tine was with the Weston-Mott company, in the cost department. Because of impaired health, Mr. Schumacher was obliged to give up office work and with his one brother, Roy W., established the real estate, insurance and investment business. Under Mr. Schumacher's guidance the business has prospered and the concern is recognized as one of the largest and most successful in the field. On December 3, I919, WMr. Schlmacher was united in marriage to Miss Marion E. Ottaway, of Flushing, Michigan, daughter of Fred R. Ottaway, chairman of the road commission of Genesee county. The Schumachers have three children, Helen Eloise, John 0. and Mary Joan. Mr. Schumacher is a 32nd degree Mason, member Bay City consistory, at Bay City; Elf Khurafeh Temple, of Saginaw; an Elk, member of the Chamber of Commerce and former secretary and treasurer, now vice-president, of the Real Estate board. The Messrs. Schumacher started with extremely little capital other than brains and pluck, and have won outstanding success. They command the respect of the entire community. Dr. Adelbert E. Scott Subscribing to a high ethical standard, Dr. Scott, osteopath and proctologist, has developed a large and lucrative practice in Flint and surrounding territory. He located in Flint in I9I6. Adelbert E. Scott was born in Crystal Falls, Michigan, April 25, I890, a son of Edwin F. and Ida May Scott, nee Webb. Edwin Scott was born in Canada, June 21, 1854, and his wife was born near Hillsdale, Michigan, August 4, I857. Mr. Scott was a lumberman and at the age of twenty-three came to Michigan and was engaged in business with A. N. Webb under the firm name of Scott & Webb 334 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Lumber company, at Crystal Falls. Then he operated the Bay Shore Lumber company at Menominee, Michigan, and earned retirement from the active cares of business. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott were born six children and Adelbert attended rural school near Fremont, then went to Marinette, Wisconsin, and was graduated from high school in I908. Upon leaving high school he became assistant superintendent of the Drake & Stratton Mining company. In I9II entered D. M. S. College. Dr. Scott received the coveted degree in 1915 and in 1916 came to Flint. Post-graduate work in proctology was taken and a considerable portion of the Doctor's professional efforts is given to rectal diseases. He is regarded as a high grade practitioner and his services are in heavy demand. Dr. Scott is an Elk. In politics he inclines toward Republicanism. His wife was Emilie Cecile Madeau, of Marinette, Wisconsin, to whom he was married July 14, I914. The Scotts have one daughter, Mary Emily. Robert D. Scott, M. D., successful practicing physician of Flint, with offices in the First National Bank building, is serving as coroner, a post to which he was elected in 1921. At the last election he was chosen for another term, a substantial tribute to his ability and zeal. Dr. Scott is a son of Flint, born in this city March II, 1889. His father and mother were Robert and Maria (McKinney) Scott. The father was born in Scotland, the mother in Canada. Robert Scott located in Springfield, Ontario, engaged in mercantile lines, married, and in I880 moved to Flint where he became connected with the Grand Trunk Railway. He was with the railroad company until his death in I894 at the age of 63 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott were born nine children, five of whom reside in Flint. Robert D. was graduated from high school in 1907 and from Detroit College of Medicine in I9II. For three years he practiced in Rudyard, Michigan, and then entering the service of the government during the World war becoming a first lieutenant in the medical corps, air service, stationed at Kelly Field. He returned to Flint in 1919 and later was elected coroner. In I9I5, Dr. Scott was married to Winifred Bryers, of Flint. Dr. Scott is a Mason and Elk and belongs to the Scottish Rite. He was secretary of the county medical society. D. Leland Seeley. Members of the Seeley family have been identified with the cleaning and dyeing business for three generations and D. Leland Seeley is manager of the widely known establishment that bears the name, at 128 East First street, Flint. Mr. Seeley was born July 8, 1893, a son of Clayton A. and Millie (Andrews) Seeley. The grandfather, Robert Seeley, conducted a cleaning and pressing establishment in Hillsdale, Michigan, more than a half century ago, and Clayton A. Seeley, born February 12, 1864, grew up in the business. Mr. Seeley conducted this type of business in various places in Michigan, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Hillsdale, and came to Flint twenty-eight years ago. D. Leland attended grade and high schools in Flint, then began work for his father and operated a plant in Cadillac, Michigan. He served in the World HISTORY OF GENEDSEE COUNTY 336 war in the ambulance corps. On March 31, 1917, Mr. Seeley was married to Marjorie Fulford, daughter of William Fulford. Three children have been born, Cherille, Drusilla and Joyce. Mr. Seeley is a Mason and belongs to the Scottish Rite and to the Shrine. He is also an Elk and a Kiwanian. Politically, he is Republican. He is of a family of three children, the others being Dorothy, of Port Huron, and Robert, of Detroit. A sister, Ethel, is dead. The mother is living. Edward C. Shaw is one of the efficient and popular executives in connection with the automobile industry in the city of Flint, where he is general superintendent of the assembly division of the Chevrolet Motor company. He was born at Rosebush, Isabella county, Michigan, on the 23rd of November, I892, and is a son of Dr. Bowman C. and Martha Shaw, both of whom were born in the province of Ontario, Canada. The father consistently prepared himself for the practice of medicine, and he was one of the able and honored physicians and surgeons of Isabella county, Michigan, at the time of his death, in the autumn of 1917, when he was sixtytwo years of age. In the public schools Edward C. Shaw continued his studies until his graduation in the high school at Clare, Michigan, as a member of the class of I909. Thereafter he was employed for a short period in a drug store, and in I911 he took a position in the paint department of the Buick Motor company, at Flint. He continued his alliance with this company until 1915, when he joined the organizations of the Chevrolet Motor company, by which he was sent to New York city and later to historic old Tarrytown, that state, his assignment being to the position of material supervisor. In January, 1917, he was made assistant manager of the company's plant in Texas, but in 1918 he returned to Flint and assumed the post of material supervisor at the home factory of the company. In the following years he was advanced to his present responsible position, that of general superintendent of the assembly divison. Mr.Shaw is an active and valued member of the Flint Chamber of Commerce, and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, his political support being given to the Republican party. July 14, 1917, marked the marriage of Mr. Shaw to Miss Eunice McMahon and their two children are Betty and Geraldine. Fred O. Sherff is numbered among the influential and popular business men of his native city of Flint. Mr. Sherff was born in Flint on the 3ist day of July, i874( and is a son of John, H. and Anna L. Sherff, the former of whom was born in Cassel, Germany, in 1838, and the latter of whom was born at Holly, Oakland county, Michigan, in I850. John H. Sherff was but a boy when he severed the ties that bound him to home and native land, and, with all of self-reliance, set forth alone to seek his fortunes in the United States, his previous educational discipline having been supplemented by his attending school in the land of his adoption. He first settled in the state of New Jersey, and he was a young man when he came to Michigan and established his residence in Flint, his marriage to 336 HISTORY OF GENEISEE COUNTY Miss Anna L. McHenry having been solemnized in the year 1872. John H. Sherff followed the trade of carpenter and in due course became one of the successful builders in Flint, where he ever commanded high place in popular confidence and respect and where he continued to reside until his death, in the earlier part of the year 1924. He was a man of mature judgment and broad views, was a staunch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and at the time of his death was the oldest member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in his home city. His widow is still a resident of Flint. Fred O. Sherff, eldest in a family of eight children, continued his studies in the Flint public schools until he had completed the work of his sophomore year in the high school. He then entered the employ of the Beardslee & Gillies company, manufacturers of sash and doors, and he continued his association with this concern seven years, or until the company went out of business, in I896. Mr. Sherff then entered the employ of the Stuart Body company, but shortly afterward, before the close of the year I896, he assumed the position of letter carrier for the Flint postoffice, this having been at the time of the administration of Hon. Grover Cleveland as president of the United States. Mr. Sherff thus continued his services as one of the popular mail carriers of Flint for the long period of twenty-four, years, and in 1920, he resigned his position and engaged in the general insurance business as district manager for the New Era association, of Grand Rapids. In I923 he became the incumbent of his present responsible and dual office, that of secretary and treasurer of the Genesee County Savings and Loan association. Mr. Sherff has been an active member of the Flint Chamber of Commerce, and he and his family are members of the Central Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is serving as trustee. The year I896 was marked by the marriage of Mr. Sherff to Miss Winnie L. Raber, of! Flint, and they have three children, Loren, Kathryn Louise and Carl Raber. Few citizens of Flint are better known in the community than the native son to whom this review is dedicated, and certain it is that here his circle of friends is coincident with that of his acquaintances. Frederick William Siegel. Successful in business and active in the civic, fraternal and commercial life of the city, Mr.. Siegel has won an enviable place in the citizenry of Flint. Coming to this city at the age of twenty-one, Mr. Siegel entered the field of life insurance but in I904 became associated with the A. M. Davison company as a salesman. In the course of three years he became a member of the widely known firm. Genuinely interested in commercial problems and the progress of the city, Mr. Siegel gladly gives of his time and ability to numerous organized activities that have for their objectives the improvement of the community from the standpoint of industry and material expansion and from the viewpoint of social progress. Four years he served on the Flint township school trustee board. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is past commander of Genesee Valley commandery No. 5, :1- ` ~I ` -; I x:' p.I,^^T * 1% It -M. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 337 Knights Templar, and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He is an Elk and Rotarian and is president of the Retail Clothiers' association, of Flint, and a member of the board of directors of the Flint council of the Boy Scouts of America. Although a loyal Republican, Mr. Siegel does not aspire to public office. He is a member of the First Baptist church. Frederick William Siegel was born March 27, 1876, in Flint township, Genesee county, a son of Christopher and Augustus Siegel. There were nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Siegel, seven of whom are living: Charles, of Flint township; Otto, Edward and William, of Flint; Lewis, of St. John, Michigan; Mrs. Ida M. McGlinchey and Frederick William. The latter attended public school in Flint township and at the age of twenty-one engaged in life insurance in this city. In I898, Mr. Siegel was united in marriage to Miss Hannah McGlinchey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles McGlinchey. Two children were born, the first, a son, dying in infancy in 1915. The second child, Frederick William, Jr., was born in December, I923. William Vernon Smith was born on a farm in the town of Yorkshire, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., on August 6, I857. Received the above two Christian names on or about August 8, 1857, thus making his name an anti-climax. He spent his early days on the farm. Early days are common on the farm, every morning bringing one. He did not spend them in solitude, five sisters and two brothers accompanied him. His parents were intelligent, industrious and ambitious married people, devoted to their children, and also it would appear, to each other. His father, Buel Goodsell Smith, was named for a minister, but it didn't work. His mother, Lucy E. Thornton, was named for no one in particular and it worked out all right. He grew in stature and also in expletives. Farm life enriches one's vocabulary in that line. He went to school with the family platoon, where he acquired more vocabulary and facility in its use. In winter he wore striped woolen mittens that his mother knit for him. He learned things in school that the teacher did not teach him, for which he is ever thankful. He lived and grew up on a beautiful oasis of Universalism in a dreary desert of orthodoxy. Winters brought those epidemic brain storms known as revivals, at which the desert folk 1prayed for the oasis dwellers, but without noticeable results. That preverse people continued to go to bed unafraid and to sleep the sleep of the righteous just as though it were their own. The subject of this sketch went to the Tenbroeck Free Academy, which wasn't free, at Franklinville, named for Ben Franklin who loved truth. He also taught country schools during the greater part of the time he was supposed to be in attendance at the Academy. In June, 1877, he received a mendacious diploma in which certain of the faculty and officials of the school falsely certified that he had diligently pursued the prescribed course, which he hadn't. That diploma was ever after an inspiration to the grantee; it taught him that nothing is beyond reach of the long bow. Afterward he 338 HISTORY OF GENEBSEE COUNTY studied law at Arcade, N. Y., in the office of Henry M. Hill, Lawyer. In I88I he was admitted to the bar and matrimony. His success in both these achievements was due to the inspiration of that diploma. He married Dora E. Allen of Machias, N. Y., and has two children, Elizabeth A. Smith, now a teacher at Oakland, California; Allen Thornton Smith, of Flint, Michigan; and two grandsons, Allen Thornton Smith, second, and Richard Walton Smith; a daughter-in-law Vida Swarthout Smith, an adopted daughter Esther, but his hopes and longing for step-children are fading. He practiced law in New York twenty-five years with no alarming success. A kind and beneficent Providence has worked overtime to protect him from the corrupting influences of wealth. He was many years ago adopted into the Seneca Nation of Indians, who gave him the euphonious name "Gar-ay-gar-yo"; the Keeper-of-the-Faith, informing him that such was the efficacy of the ancient rites of adoption that they had removed from him all white man's blood and substituted the blood of the red man. This was not believed implicitly at the time, but since then there are times when it would almost seem that there was something in it. Mr. Smith came to Flint in the year 1905 and has since lived here, during which time he has done nothing so remarkable as to be of special interest, and now in his old age has retired from the practice of law and enjoys those happy reflections that cheered Gil Blas in the days of his retirement. Mr. Smith is wealthy, if you accept the definition of Plato, confirmed by Descartes, that wealth consists in the limitation of one's desires. And in ending this sketch, it might be said that Mr. Smith is the editor of this history. W. J. Sohlinger. Beginning as an office boy with the SherwinWilliams company at $I6 a month and gradually ascending to positions of responsibility and importance, W. J. Sohlinger in 1920 became the general manager of the Flint Varnish & Color company, of Flint, Michigan. It is a combination of high grade company and high grade executive, the relations always reciprocal. The Flint Varnish & Color company is a three million dollar concern with a reputation established upon the ground of high grade quality and dependable service. Mr. Sohlinger, who is also the vice-president of the company, is a thoroughly trained paint and varnish man. After serving the Sherwin-Williams company fifteen years, having charge of the industrial sales department, Mr. Sohlinger in I912 went to Dayton, Ohio, to manage the industrial sales department of the Lowe Brothers' company, which place he filled five years. He then came to Flint as sales manager of the Flint Varnish & Color company and in 1920 became general manager. On October 2, 1918, Mr. Sohlinger was united in mariage to Miss Elliott, of Laporte, Indiana. Mr. Sohlinger is a director of the Industrial Savings bank, a director of the Y. M. C. A. and a member of the board of governors of the Country club. He is an Elk and; by way of political persuasion, Republican. Mr. Sohlinger was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, November 10, 1879, the son of John and Mary Sohlinger, Ohioans. John Soh HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 339 linger, now retired, long a railroad man with the Lake Shore, is now sixty-seven years of age. The mother died in I9I4 at the age of fifty-two. There are three children: Mrs. Parson, H. W. and W. J. Sohlinger, and when the latter was a year old his parents moved to Cleveland, and it was in that city that he obtained his early education. Upon leaving high school he attended Shaw Academy and then entered zealously the field in which he has achieved outstanding success. Carl Frederick Spaeth. Mr. Spaeth is vice-president and cashier of the First National Bank of Flint. He was born June 26, I889, in Ann Arbor, a son of Christian and Mary Spaeth. Mr. Spaeth and a brother, Edward, of Ann Arbor, constitute the family. Carl Frederick attended grade and high school in Ann Arbor and was graduated from a business course in I907. He immediately entered practical service and became a messenger for the Farmers and Mechanics' bank at Ann Arbor so serving until the fall of I913 when he became bank examiner of the state of Michigan. In I9I9 he came to Flint as cashier of the First National bank and advanced to the cashiership and vice-presidency of this well-known, solid institution. On October 14, I914, Mr. Spaeth was united in marriage to Bertha Fischer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Fischer, of Ann Arbor, both of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Spaeth have three children, Rose, Mary Elizabeth and Carl Frederick, Jr. Mr. Spaeth is a Mason and Elk. He is a member of the Kiwanis club, the Detroit Bankers' club and Flint Country club. By political leaning he is Republican. His religious affiliation is Episcopalian. Horace C. Spencer who is now living virtually retired as one of the venerable and honored citizens of Flint, has been a resident of this city nearly sixty years and was long and prominently identified with local mercantile and banking enterprises, besides which he has served as mayor of Flint, as a member of the city park commission, and as representative of Shiwassee and Genesee counties in the Michigan state senate. Mr. Spencer, now the only surviving member of a family of five children, was born on the parental homestead farm near Cortland, judicial center of tie New York county of that name, and the date of his nativity was July 27, I832. He is a son of Chester and Abigail (Badgley) Spencer, and: his early educational advantages were those offered by the schools of his home community. When he was ten years old the family home was established at Springville, Erie county, New York, and there he attended school, besides gaining practical experience in the general merchandise store owned and conducted-by his father. He was nineteen years of age when he purchased this store and business, owing to the impaired health of his father, and he there continued the enterprise until 1865, when he came to the west and located at Quincy, Illinois, near which city he and his brother-in-law, William Morris, were for two years associated in the operation of a coal mine from which they supplied coal to the city of Quincy and to boats operating on the Mississippi river. In August, 1867, Mr. Spen 340 HISTORY OF GENEFSEE COUNTY cer came to Michigan and established his residence at Flint, which then had a population of about 6,000. Here he was successfully engaged in the hardware and farm-implement business during a period of twenty years, and; after the reorganization of the Commercial Savings bank he served twelve years as its cashier. He eventually became one of the substantial stockholders in the Genesee County Savings bank, with which old and influential institution he still continues his close association, he being at the time of this writing, in 1925, vice-president and chairman of its board of directors. Mr. Spencer has ever been a loyal and liberal citizens, has contributed his.quota to the civic and material development and progress of the city that has so long represented his home, and here he has inviolable place in popular confidence and esteem. His well fortified political convictions have made him a stalwart advocate and supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor, and he served as a member of the state senate during the administration of General Russell A. Alger as governor of Michigan. He was active and influential in the deliberations of the senate and those of the various committees to which he was assigned, and he gave characteristically effective service in the advancing of wise and constructive legislation during his four years' term. He was chairman of the senate committee on the state reform schools and the state insane hospitals at Kalamazoo and Pontiac, besides having been a member of the committee on public lands, the committee on rules and joint rules, and the committee in charge of the redistricting of the state. In I907 Mr. Spencer was elected mayor of Flint, and his administration was characteristically sane, loyal and progressive. He gave five years of effective service as a member of the city park commission, and within this period were laid out all of the city parks of Flint. Mr. Spencer is an earnest communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church, as a member of the parish of St. Paul's church, and of the same his loved and devoted wife was likewise a zealous communicant for many years prior to her death, in I919, at the venerable age of eighty-six years, her memory being revered by all who came within the sphere of her gentle and gracious influence. In the year 1853 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Spencer to Miss Catherine C. Morris, of Buffalo, New York, and the one surviving child of this union is Carrie Elizabeth, who is the wife of Arthur G. Bishop, president of the Genesee County Savings bank, and the subject of an individual sketch on other pages of this volume. In the gracious evening of a long and useful life, Mr. Spencer finds that his "lines are cast in pleasant places," and that each successive year brings its compensation. Edwin M. Sterner, president of the Edwin M. Sterner company. wholesale plumbing and heating supplies, 412-22 Buckham street, Flint, Michigan, is a son of Edwin Sterner, long identified with the plumbing business. The elder Sterner was born in New York state and died in Flint at the age of sixty-four years. He came to Flint HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 341 in 1873 after he had worked for an uncle who was a tinner in the southern part of the state. His first connection in Flint was with IHubbard & Wood, who were in the hardware business but operating a tin ship in connection therewith. Mr. Sterner bought the tin shop and gradually took on plumbing and heating. The business grew substantially. Quite recently a copper bath tub was found which Mr. Sterner had installed in I888. Mr. Sterner was a Democrat and, with George W. Cook, a member of the water commission when the first water plant was started. There were four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sterner, who before marriage, was Charlotte B. Bean, and Edwin M. is the only living child. He was born in Flint October 14, i886, attended grade and high school and spent four years in Ann Arbor studying mechanical engineering. Returning to Flint he became associated with the plumbing business. On October I, 1911, Mr. Sterner was united in marriage to Miss Kittie M. Riker, of Flint, daughter of Dr. E. V. Riker. They have four children, Edwin E., Olive Windiate, Anne Jeanette and John Monroe. Mr. Sterner is a Kiwanian, a member of the Masonic order and an Elk. The Sterner family is much esteemed. Henry H. Stevens. Moving and storage service and the name of Stevens are synonymous in Flint and Genesee county, for Mr. Stevens has built upon the rock of dependable service, a large and profitable business. He operates three storage places in Flint, at 1273 Broadway, 1272 East Hamilton avenue and I232 Stever avenue, all fine, new buildings, and seven large vans are used to move household goods to and from the warehouses. Many loads are transported from a distance of several hundred miles. He has been engaged in business in Flint since I9I9. Mr. Stevens is a member of the Lyons club, the First Presbyterian church, the National Furniture Warehousemen's association, and ex-president of the Michigan Furniture Warehousemen's association. On August Io, 1913, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Miss Anita Dever, of Saginaw, and to them three children have been born: George, William and Margaret Ann. Henry H. Stevens was born in Merrill, Michigan, May 21, 1889, the son of Frederick H. and Mariah Emma Louisa (Hall) Stevens. Both parents were born in England. but came to Michigan in 1882 and settled at Merrill. Frederick H. Stevens was a florist, but turned to agriculture, and later to the science of optometry, and has been practicing optometry in Saginaw for the last twenty-six years. He is seventy-two years of age and his wife seventy-three. To them seven children were born, Henry H. being the sole Flintite. Upon leaving school, the latter engaged in different kinds of work, and with a brother started in the moving and storage business in Saginaw, the firm name being Stevens Bros. In 1919, Henry H. Stevens came to Flint, and neither he nor Flint have had occasion to regret the choice. Robert B. Stevenson, D. D. S., whose professional skill and gracious personality are combining to further his success in his chosen field of endeavor, is one of the representative dental practitioners of 342 HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY the younger generation in Genesee county, and in the city of Flint he maintains his well appointed and equipped office in the Winegarden building, at the corner of Saginaw and Water streets. Dr. Stevenson claims the Gopher state as the place of his nativity, his birth having occurred at Eyota, Minnesota, January 7, I894. He is a son of William and Clara (Hagen) Stevenson, and the one other child is a daughter, Virginia. The parents now maintain their residence in Aylmer, Ontario, the father being a designer by trade and vocation. In the public schools of the various places where the family home was established for varying intervals during the period of his boyhood and early youth, Dr. Stevenson received training that culminated in his graduation in the high school at Aylmer, Ontario, Canada, in I912. He thereafter pursued a course of electrical engineering in St. Catherine college, likewise in the province of Ontario, but after there continuing his studies one year he made radical change in his plans for a future career, as shown in his having proceeded to the great western metropolis and entering the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. In this institution he continued his studies two years, and he completed his technical course in the dental department of the University of Southern California, in which California institution he was graduated as a member of the class of I918 and with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. In connection with the World war he was thereafter able to give a period of service in the dental corps of the United States army, from which he received his honorable discharge in the spring of I919. He next devoted one year to the practice of his profession in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and he then, in I920, came to Michigan and established himself in practice at Flint. Here he has developed a substantial and representative professional business, and his ability and personal popularity are conserving the continuous expansion of his practice. The doctor is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. June 3, I918, recorded his marriage to Miss Ruth Booker, and they have two children, Donald and Mary. Dr. and Mrs. Stevenson are thoroughly appreciative of the attractions and advantages of their home city and are popular figures in the social life of the community. The ancestral line of the doctor traces back to sterling Scotch origin. William W. Stevenson, M. D. Following his discharge from military service in 1919, Dr. Stevenson located in Flint and has developed a growing and lucrative practice in this city. He is located in the First National bank building. Dr. Stevenson, of a family of eight children, was born in Henry, South Dakota, his parents being Henry A. and Lulu M. (Davis) Stevenson. The father is a farmer and active in church and lodge work. In the Vermillion grade and high schools William W. Stevenson received his early education and from the latter he was graduated in 1909. He then entered the University of South Dakota, taking a pre-medical course and receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree. Then he entered Rush Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1916. For a year t (;~ r- B;!i~ ~ a. `".1 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 343 Dr. Stevenson was on the staff of the Ionia State Hospital for the Criminal Insane, then went to Passadent hospital, Chicago, for eight months and for a similar period was with the Children's Memorial hospital. For a year he practiced in Chicago and during I918-19 was in the service of Uncle Sam, was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant. On June 12, I918, Dr. Stevenson was married to Caroline Pratzloff, of Sibley, Illinois. Three children have come of the union, Edith C., Helen Elizabeth and Ruth Louise. Dr. Stevenson is a Mason. He is treasurer of the Genesee County Medical society and holds membership in the Michigan State Medical society and the American Medical association. Dr. Stevenson is well thought of in and outside the medical profession. William Francis Stewart. The sterling qualities that made the late William F. Stewart so eminently entitled to the confidence and respect in which he was uniformly held, found expression also in his capacity for large achievement in connection with the practical utilities of life, and he was one of the pioneer figures in the industrial activities of the city of Flint at the time of his death, which occurred May 20, I9II. His was large and benignant influence in furthering the industrial advancement of his home city, and the normal widening of the angle of this influence was made potent also in the furthering of the general civic welfare of the community. This publicspirited citizen and representative manufacturer of Flint, was president of the W. F. Stewart company at the time of his death, and his splendid guidance had made this concern one of major importance in the manufacturing industry of the judicial center and metropolis of Genesee county. A scion of the historic old Stewart clan of Scotland, William Francis Stewart was born on the small homestead farm of his father, near London, Ontario, Canada, and the date of his nativity was July 22, 1846. His father came from Scotland and established a home in that section of the province of Ontario in the year 1828. Owifig to the conditions of time and place, the subject of this memoir received but meager educational advantages in his early youth, but his alert and receptive mind enabled him in the passing years to overcome this handicap, with the result that he became a man of broad intellectual ken and mature judgment. When he was but twelve years old he was virtually indentured to a neighboring farmer, with whom he remained three years, with compensation represented in board and clothing only. He never lost his love f(r the country, and this was signalized in his retention until his death of the fine demesne of 265 acres lying to the east of his home in Flint, he having developed this into one of the most beautiful park districts of the city. At the age of fifteen years Mr. Stewart was apprenticed to John Campbell, of London, Ontario, to learn the trade of carriage wood-working. During the first year he received twenty-five dollars and his board, and his salary thereafter was increased five dollars in each succeeding year of his term of apprenticeship. He became a skilled artisan at his trade, and after completing his apprenticeship he went to New York City, where he arrived 344 HISTORY OF GENEiSEE COUNTY with a capital of two dollars, but with a full panoply of ambition and self-reliance. In the national metropolis he continued to work at his trade until I868, when he came to Michigan and entered the employ of Parsons & Page, carriage manufacturers at Pontiac. A year later he took a position in the carriage factory of Roosevelt & 'Stewart, the junior member of this firm having been his elder brother. A year later he returned to Pontiac, where he was in the employ of Charles Parsons until 1871, when he came again to Flint, where he took a position in the carriage factory of W. A. Paterson, with whom he continued to be associated ten years, as an expert in the production of carriage bodies of high grade. In I88I, he rented the upper floor of a small factory and engaged independently in the making of carriage bodies, his one assistant being a small boy, and most of the products having been taken by his former employer, Mr. Paterson. The excellence of the work in the little factory caused the business to expand in scope, with trade in Saginaw and Bay City, as well as other points, and in 1883 Mr. Stewart removed his business to Pontiac, where the enterprise prospered and where the year I886 was marked by his retaining a force of twenty-four employes. In the autumn of that year Mr. Stewart returned to Flint and rented a factory that had equipment for the building of carriage bodies. In 1893 he erected a more modern factory, and this was destroyed by fire the next year. He immediately rebuilt the factory, and in I897 he purchased also the buildings he had previously rented, remodeled the same and increased the output capacity of his plant by fully fifty-two per cent. In I898, as a matter of commercial expediency, he incorporated the business under the title of The W. F. Stewart company, and of this substantial and important corporation he continued the executive head until his death. The output was increased to Ioo,ooo bodies by the close of I899, and 200 men were employed. Plant No. 4 of the Stewart company was eventually sold to the Buick Motor company, and the original Stewart company plant was divided, the two factories being thereafter operated under the respective titles of The W. F. Stewart company and the Flint Body company. In consonance with modern trend, The W. F. Stewart company plant engaged in the production of automobile bodies, and the factory has continued in successful operation since the death of Mr. Stewart. Through his own ability and well ordered activities Mr. Stewart won large financial success, was in the truest sense the architect of his own fortunes, and so ordered his course as to merit and receive unqualified popular confidence and good will. He was a director of the Union Trust & Savings bank and a stockholder in the Citizens Commercial & Savings bank. He was influential in the affairs of the Genesee County Agricultural Society, of which he was president for some time, and on his splendid farm near Flint he took pride in the raising of fine cattle and sheep. From an appreciative estimate that appeared in a Flint newspaper at the time of the death of Mr. Stewart is taken the following extract: "Mr. Stewart was one of the men who have contributed to the upbuilding HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 345 of Flint, and in his death the city suffers a distinct loss. He was a substantial and progressive citizen whose activities were not confined alone to the large industrial enterprise which he created and developed, and there was no movement in behalf of the general public interest that did not enlist his cordial support and hearty co-operation. He was a genial, companionable gentleman whose name was a synonym for integrity, and there will be none among those who knew him who will not regard his passing with feelings of sincerest regret." In consonance with a proclamation made by the mayor of the city, the business places of Flint were closed during the funeral of Mr. Stewart, and all classes of citizens assembled to pay a final tribute of respect to an honored and influential citizen whose life had counted for good in its every relation. In the year 1872 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Stewart to Miss Olive Wyrick, of Flint, and she still maintains her home in this city, as does also the surviving son, S. Sidney, who is president and treasurer of The W. F. Stewart company. E. T. Strong. This story is told about Ed T. Strong, general sales manager of the Buick Motor company. It illumines his character and reveals a trait that has made Mr. Strong a conspicuous success. "Stick around six months or a year and we'll give you a job," said R. H. Collins to Mr. Strong, then a farm implement salesman. "I don't propose to loaf for six months or a year for two reasons," retorted Strong, "First, because I have a wife and children to take care of, and second, because life's too short." "You're hired," said "Dick" Collins. Strong is one of Flint's outstanding characters, a man of commanding personality, a human dynamo; yet in spite of his ability to "sell" himself and his products, he is modest and retiring and dislikes talking for publication. Mr. Strong was born in 1877 in Imlay City and lived the life of the average boy, going to school, playing, working on the farm. He quickly learned the mechanism of farm machinery for his father owned a combined blacksmith, wagon repairing and implement selling establishment. Strong soon became expert in farm machinery and one summer obtained a job from W. F. Cowham, state agent of the McCormick Harvesting Machine company, setting up mowers and binders. Cowham, the first binder man in Michigan, secured Strong by correspondence. He had never seen him. This was an opportunity, transcending a mere job, and he availed himself. Quoting Mr. Strong, as reported by W. Harold Kingsley, Mr. Strong said once that he "realized that every expert I knew did some one thing better than he did anything else. It struck me that if I could take for myself the best ideas of all these experts, if I could do all the work connected with my job as well as most of these experts did one part of it well, I'd be the best expert in the bunch. * * * And I have tried ever since to do the same thing." Mr. Strong too, takes the position that we ought to learn more from our successes than from our failures and that lessons learned from failures are negative. At the age of twenty Mr. 346 HISTORY OF GENEiSEE COUNTY Strong was a tall, gawky, country youth. Strong's expertness was recognized and Cowham next sent him to the Red River valley to set up binders and mowers. But Mr. Strong wished to sell and so he asked for a job in the selling end but was met with rebuffs. Finally, after hard persuasion, he was assigned to territory around Lapeer county beginning his work in January, I899, the hardest month of the year in which to sell agricultural implements and machinery. He succeeded, building upon the philosophy that everyone isi a salesman of some kind. Knowledge of human nature buttressed him. He never used strong arm methods or high pressure. Selling was as easy as mechanical adjustment. In I9OI, Mr. Strong left the McCormick company and went to Cleveland to take a course in practical engineering. He started as a stoker and became a stationary engineer. While working in a boiler room in Cleveland, the International Harvester company was formed and in I903 Mr. Strong accepted a position with the company as canvasser out of the general agency in Detroit. While so engaged he became interested in the "horseless carriage" and was one of the first to cover his territory in an old curved dash Oldsmobile, steered tiller fashion with crank at the side. He studied the mechanism of the car, saw limitless possibilities in the automobile and in the course of time the company put Mr. Strong in charge of the sales of gasoline engines in his territory. He made a special study of internal combustion and one day was called upon to explain to a group of salesmen the principle of the gas engine and associated mechanical principles. He was soon afterward placed in charge of gas engine sales, a new development of the International Harvester company. And so, Mr. Strong has added, "A fellow can never tell what information will be useful to him. The more things he knows about, the more things he knows, the more opportunities he will have to better himself." Impressed by the performance of a new white Model IO Buick car in which he rode to a fire one day in Lapeer in I908 with William Leisaw, Mr. Strong later sought attachment with the Buick company. It was there he asked Mr. Collins for a job and it was there he received the job and was sent to Buffalo where the Buick branch was not successful. In two, years he had placed the branch on a paying business. Similarly he was called to resuscitate the Indianapolis branch and in 1915 was sent to Chicago to take charge of the branch there and was given charge of the Milwaukee branch. In I917, at the age of forty, Mr. Strong was made general sales manager of the great Buick corporation, the contact point between the company and the outside world. And in attaining his great success Mr. Strong adheres to the moral and economic value of hard work and to the policy of aiding and encouraging the other fellow, the subordinate. "When a fellow goes so far that he can't get something worth while from the men working under him, he's at the end of his rope." This illumines the splendid character of Edward T. Strong. Over 1,5oo,ooo Buick cars have been built to date, and of this vast number hk6- " 6-,, HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 347 over 85 per cent have been sold during his reign as general sales manager, a record of which he is justly proud. William H. Summerfield, president of the Federal Land and Mortgage corporation, was born in Bay City, Michigan, October 22, 1876, a son of Andrew P. and Augusta (Heidebreight) Summerfield. The mother was born in Germany and at the age of two years was brought by her parents to Michigan. The father was born in Marine City, Michigan, and died in 1914 at the age of sixty-seven. Mrs. Summerfield died in I92I, aged seventy-two. The elder Summerfield served in the Civil war, later sailed the Great Lakes and afterward became a milwright and later, with his son, operated a general store. There was another child in the family, Della, who died in I893 at the age of nineteen. William H. Summerfield received most of his school instruction in Zilwakie, Saginaw county, attained the twelfth grade and started in with his father in the general merchandise store, the firm name being designated A. P. Summerfield & Son. In I9o8 Mr. Summerfield came to Flint to the Buick Motor company, sales department, but in I919 entered the real estate business. In September, I92I, he established the present business, the Federal Land and Mortgage corporation. On March 4, 1896, Mr. Summerfield became the husband of Cora Ellsworth, of Michigan. There are two sons, William A. and Arthur E. Mr. Summerfield is a Mason and has affiliation with the York and Scottish Rite bodies and is a Shriner. He is a Republican and much interested in civic and political questions. His father was active in politics. Mr. Summerfield, by virtue of ability and high plane marking the conduct of his business, enjoys the confidence and esteem of the public. George E. Taylor was born in Oakland county, Michigan, March 21, 1838, his family moving to Genesee county when he was twelve years old. His father, Isaac S. Taylor, was from Pennsylvania, and his mother, Margaret Davis, from Belfast, Ireland. Mr. Taylor, the eldest of four children, helped clear the land where most of his boyhood was spent and went to school at a log school house nearby. When eighteen he commenced teaching school, and at twenty-one started to study law, being admitted to the bar a few years later. Mr. Taylor was a lifelong Republican and first entered the political field as an aspirant for honors in I865, when he was elected supervisor, which office he held for eight consecutive years. In I873, -he was elected register of deeds, holding that office for six years, and in 1882 was elected state senator. In I888, Mr. Taylor was elected alderman of the second ward, holding that office for two terms, and in 1892 was elected mayor. In the fall of that same year he was elected Judge of Probate, which office he held until January, 1901. He was a hard worker in the Republican party, entering actively into all its campaigns and for many years, up to the time of his death, was a member of the state central committee. In February, 1867, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Sarah E. Beardslee, who died in April, I868, leaving an infant son. In 1871 he was married to 348 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Miss Euphemia A. Freeman, by whom he had one son and one daughter. Mr. Taylor died suddenly of heart trouble at his home on Court street, on March 8, I903. He is survived by his widow and sons, Hamilton B. Taylor, of Detroit, and Howard E. Taylor, of Flint, and daughter, Mrs. Edwin W. Atwood, of Flint. Dr. James H. Taylor, dentist and orthodontist in Flint, is a native of Scotland, born in Dou'ne, April 14, I88I, the son of Robert and Christine (Hume) Taylor. Both parents were born in Scotland but emigrated to the United States and located in Flint in 1890. Robert Taylor pursued the vocation of merchant tailoring, which he had acquired in Scotland, in Flint to the time of his death in I9II. He was fifty-seven years of age. Mrs. Taylor survives, aged 70 years. There were ten children in the Taylor family, two of whom are dead. The living are Jessie, Murray, Margaret, Robert, John, Elizabeth, Walter and James H. Margaret is Mrs. Roy Jennings, of Flint. James H. Taylor attended grade and high school and was graduated from the University of 'Michigan in I906 with the dental degree. For two years he practiced in Coldwater, Michigan, and came to Flint in 1909. On September I, I9Io, Dr. Taylor was united in marriage to Nora Jane Carroll, of Coldwater, and three children have come to add joy and benison to the Taylor home, Robert C., Jean Bethany and Elizabeth Jane. Dr. Taylor, who is among the best known and most efficient practitioners in Michigan, was president of the state dental society in 1923 and has held all the offices of the state body. He is also past president of the Eighth district of the state dental society. Dr. Taylor is an Elk, Mason, Shriner, Rotarian and Thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. Dr. Taylor's office is at 805-806 Getesee Bank building. Harry Howard Tracy. In the conducting of one of the wellordered wholesale enterprises in the city of Flint, Harry H. Tracy is associated with his brother, William F., under the title of Tracy Brothers. In the handling of standard and high-grade confectionery they have built up a wholesale business that contributes materially to the commercial importance of Flint. and they are numbered among the forthright and progressive business men of this vital industrial city. The older brother, William F., is represented in a personal sketch in this volume. Harry H. Tracy was born in Flint and the date of his nativity was December 31, 1879. He is the younger of the two children of William and Jennie L. Tracy, the former of whom died in 1907 and the latter of whom still resides at Flint. Of the parents further mention is made in the sketch of William F. Tracy, and it may consistently be said that the father was long one of the representative citizens of Flint, where he served as postmaster and also held the office of mayor. After duly profiting by the advantages of the public schools of his native city Harry H. Tracy entered upon an apprenticeship in a local machine shop owned by Judge Charles Wisner. He thus continued his service one year, and during the ensuing eight years he was here in the employ of the M. E. Carlton company. He next passed a year in HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 349 the employ of Thorpe, Hawley & Company, of Detroit, a large concern engaged in the manufacturing of confectionery, and one which both the father and the brother of Harry H. Tracy had represented as traveling commercial salesmen. In December, I907, Mr. Tracy and his only brother purchased the wholesale confectionery business of James B. Lane, and under the firm name of Tracy Brothers they have since continued the business with unequivocal success. Mr. Tracy has had no desire for special political activity but is unswerving in his allegiance to the Republican party. He is an active member of the Flint Chamber of Commerce, is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church. Mr. Tracy married Miss Marian Colerick, of London, Ontario, Canada, and their two children are James and Jane. Mr. Tracy has gained advancement and success in connection with business enterprise in his home city, and has so ordered his course as to retain at all times the most secure vantage-ground in popular confidence and good will. William Forrest Tracy is senior member of the firm of Tracy Brothers, which is engaged in the wholesale confectionery business in the city of Flint, with a substantial and constantly expanding trade throughout the territory tributary to this city as a distributing center. The family name has been long and prominently identified with this line of business enterprise and in the conducting of the present important commercial business in their native city the two Tracy brothers are making a splendid record, the junior member of the firm being Harry H. Tracy, and he likewise being individually represented in this volume. William F. Tracy was born in Flint on the 27th of November, I873, and is the elder of the two children of William and Jennie L. Tracy, the former of whom died February I8, I896, and the latter of whom still maintains her home in Flint. The father was for twelve years a successful and popular traveling salesman for the Detroit concern of Thorp, Hawley & Company, manufacturing confectioners, and he was long numbered among the honored and influential citizens of Flint, where he served several years as postmaster. The public schools of Flint were the medium through which William F. Tracy acquired his early education, and at the age of twenty-three years, in I896, he succeeded his father, whose death occurred in the same year, in the position of traveling representative and salesman for Thorp, Hawley & Company, of Detroit, with which concern he continued his alliance in this capacity for twelve years. He then became associated with his only brother in purchasing, in December, I907, the established wholesale confectionery and ice cream business of James B. Lane, of Flint, and the firm of Tracy Brothers has since continued the enterprise most successfully, with the enterprise directed along progressive lines and showing a constantly cumulative tendency. The large and well-equipped establishment of Tracy Brothers is located on Harrison street and represents one of the important commercial enterprises of the metropolis and judicial center of Genesee county. Mr. 350 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Tracy naturally takes deep interest in all things touching the welfare and advancement of his home city, and is liberal and publicspirited as a citizen. His political alignment is with the Republican party, he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church, he is a valued member of the local Rotary club, and in the Masonic fraternity he has advanced through the York and Scottish Rites and received in the latter the thirty-second degree, besides being affiliated with the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. September 5, I9oo, recorded the marriage of Mr. Tracy to Miss Grace M. Jenks, daughter of Henrietta Jenks, who still resides in Flint. The death of Mrs. Tracy occurred in 1907, and she is survived by no children. On the 25th of September, 19II, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Tracy to Miss Sarah M. Wright, of Flint, and they have four children: Mary Elizabeth, William Scott, Margaret Lucile and George Frederick. Judson L. Transue. Very active in the religious life of the city, especially in the Methodist church and allied bodies, and energetic in business and politics, Judson L. Transue is unquestionably one of the best known residents of Flint. He is a member of the Garland Street M. E. church, is president of the Methodist Union of Flint, and has been president of the county Sunday School association. He is an ardent temperance advocate. Three times has Mr. Transue been a delegate to general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church and is now a member of the board of directors of the Methodist Publishing House, representing Michigan and Indiana. He is also a member of the Detroit Conference association which makes provision for superannuated ministers. Politically, Mr. Transue is a virile Republican and is to seek the mayoralty of Flint on that ticket. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Elks. Mr. Transue was born in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1865, a son of Rev. George S. and Mary J. Transue, nee Ney, the mother a distant relative of Marshall Ney, entwined, historically, with Napoleon Bonaparte. Rev. George S. Transue in 1878 moved from Pennsylvania to New York state, where he remained thirtyeight years and died in Syracuse, in I916, at the age of seventyeight years. His death occurred an hour after preaching a sermon. He was widely known as a minister of character and forcefulness. There were seven children born to Rev. and Mrs. George S. Transue, four boys and three girls-Mrs. Kelsey; Mrs. F. D. Young, who died in I918; Seward N., of Hall, New York; George S., of Hall; Hobart F., chief electrician of the Baldwin Locomotive works, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Desmond, of New York state; and Judson L. After leaving common school, the latter attended preparatory school at Genesee Wesleyan seminary, Lima, New York, took a literary course and was graduated in I882. He finished at Syracuse University in I889. Mr. Transue was an athlete and took active part in college athletics and field events. For seven years he taught school, then entered the banking business under the firm name of Dane & Transue. In I923 the title became simply "J. L. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 351 rransue." On April 9, 1896, Mr. Transue took as his wife Myrtle L. Gage. Three sons have been born, Judson L., Jr., Harley R. and Gage S. In the field of real estate Mr. Transue has achieved outstanding success. De Hull Norman Travis. Prison reform, to which he has given much attention and serious thought, is the outstanding humanitarian channel to which De Hull Travis, prominent Flint attorney, gives a flow of patient but irresistible energy. Mr. Travis is nationally known in this special field of endeavor and has illumined the dismal confines of prisons with many addresses and literary contributions. Mr. Travis was born in Kalamazoo, November ii, 1882, the son of John E. and Calista T. Travis. In I9o8 he was graduated from the University of Michigan with the Bachelor of Laws degree and since that year has practiced his profession in Flint. In I9II Mr. Travis was appointed military secretary with rank of major on the staff of Governor Chase S. Osborn. He was a member of the Michigan state board of pardons, 1912-14, and delegate to the National Prison Congress, I912-I3. In I918-I9, Mr. Travis was director of publicity of the theater division, War Department Commission on Training Camp Activities, stationed in Washington and New York city. Mr. Travis has delivered numerous addresses on prison reform, one, "The Man Without a Smile," being a favorite on chautauqua platforms. Politically, Mr. Travis is Republican. By religious persuasion and attachment he is Episcopalian. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is a Rotarian and member of the Country club, the celebrated Lambs club, Beta Theta Phi and Phi Delta Phi. Several times he served as secretary of the Republican club, was vice-president of the county bar association and is a member' of the executive committee of the Michigan State Bar association. He was especially vigorous and helpful during the Liberty Loan drives. Mr. Travis is the author of a one-act play, "The Junior Partner," and of magazine articles on prison reform, among them being: "The Indeterminate Sentence Law," "Executive Clemency" and "Birds of a Feather." Mr. Travis' parents were New Yorkers and there are two children, the other, a daughter, being Mrs. Arthur S. Aiton. Charles A. Uptegraff, Jr., owns and conducts in the village of Davison, Genesee county, a most excellently equipped garage, and in the same he specializes in the handling of the popular Chevrolet automobiles and a full line of accessories,therefor. Mr. Uptegraff was born at Davison, his present home town, and the date of his nativity was October 7, I894. He is a member of a family of ten children, and is a son of Charles A. and Phoebe Ann (McKay) Uptegraff, the former of whom was born in Richfield township, Genesee county, in I860, and the latter of whom was born in the village of Attica, Lapeer county, in 1871, both families having been founded in Michigan in the pioneer period of its history. Charles A. Uptegraff, Sr., followed the trade of blacksmith throughout the entire 352 HISTORY OF GENFSEE COUNTY period of his active career and was a sterling and highly esteemed citizen of Davison at the time of his death, his widow being still a resident of this village. The public schools of Davison, including the high school, afforded Charles A. Uptegraff, Jr., his early education, and thereafter he completed a six months' course in the Michigan State Automobile School, in the city of Detroit. In 1914 he rented a small building in his home village of Davison, and after conducting in the same a garage business for a time he removed to Flint, where he was employed by the Buick Motor company until 1917. He then returned to Davison, where he continued in the garage business until the following year, when he responded to the call of higher duty in connection with the nation's participation in the World war. He enlisted for service in the aviation section and became a member of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Aero Squadron, with which he was stationed three months at Kelly Field, Texas. He next passed two months at an aviation field in Georgia, and the next three months found him on duty in a government radio station at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was then sent with a radio detachment to Garden City, Long Island, preparatory for overseas' service, but the signing of the armistice brought the war to a close before he was called to service abroad. December II, I918, he received his honorable discharge, returned home, and has since been successfully established in the garage business at Davison. His first establishment here was a small repair shop, and from this modest inception he has built up one of the leading enterprises in his native village. He takes lively interest ih all matters tending to advance the civic and material prosperity of his home community, and while he has had no desire to enter the arena of practical politics he is found aligned as a staunch supporter of the cause of the Republican party. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is one of the progressive young business men of his native village and county. January 21, 1922, recorded the marriage of Mr. Uptegraff to Miss Ann Beecher, who was born and reared in Caro, Michigan, and the one child of this union is a fine little son, Charles Andrew, III, born November 26, 1922. Edward C. Van DeWalter, M. D. Dr. Van DeWalter was born in Chadwicks, New York, October 28, I859. His father was William Van DeWalter, now deceased. The mother, also dead, was Susan Wolfe before her marriage. She was born and reared near Utica, New York. Edward.L. received his early education in the public schools of Utica, completing his studies at the University of Michigan from which he was graduated with the medical degree in 1899. He practiced in Sutton's Bay for seven years, then went to Kingsley, Michigan, and for the past thirteen years has owned interests in the village of Mt. Morris, Michigan. The doctor was married to Margaret M. Fermer, of Mt. Morris, Michigan, and they are the parents of two children, Margaret J. and Edward C., Jr. The doctor has one sister, Mrs. Mildred Addington. Dr. Van DeWalter is widely HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 353 known throughout Genesee county and held in high esteem within and without the medical profession, and by the laity. Frederick J. Van Dyke. Mr. Van Dyke is the proprietor of Van's Shoppe, Io9 East First street, Flint, specializing in young men's and children's clothing. The Van Shoppe is one of the distinctive business establishments of Flint and its owner a substantial citizen, active not only in commercial matters, but in the civic life of the city. Mr. Van Dyke was born September I9, 1887, in Bristol, England, a son of Henry Joseph and Elizabeth Morgan Van Dyke. Henry Joseph Van Dyke was a coach painter, was a Liberal and very active in politics. He was the father of three sons, Frederick J. surviving. The latter attended common school and at the age of thirteen set out to sea as a cabin boy. Reaching Sydney, Australia, he applied himself to tailoring and returned to Bristol where he worked at the tailoring trade three years and at nineteen came to Hamilton, Ontario. From there he went to London, Ontario, thence to Sydney, Nova Scotia, next to Buffalo and then to Detroit. In the latter city he worked in the E. J. Hickey establishment and had charge Of the boys' department. Five years ago Mr. Van Dyke went to Flint, Michigan, to work for the Buckingham Clothing company, with which he was associated two and a half years, and in September, I922, established his own business under the nanie of The Van Shoppe, and specialized in young men's and children's clothes. In I925 he went to Dayton, Ohio, where he is manager of the Buckingham company. October 1, 1915, Mr. Van Dyke was united in marriage to Elsie Hanley, of Hamilton, Ontario. Mr. Van Dyke was keenly alive to the improvement possibilities of Flint and helpfully active in his support of all measures calculated to advance the interests of the city. He was especially active in St. Michael's church. He was a director of the Exchange club and the organizer of the Go Getters' club, an organization for boys under fifteen years of age. This club has progressed and has a large membership built under his supervision. He was an executive of the Boy Scouts, is past president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and is a national director of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Van Dyke works hard in anything that enlists his attention. He was asked to run for mayor on a recall election but declined. Pre-eminently he is adapted for service to boys, and manifests a broad sympathy and an intelligent understanding of boys, their needs, aims and ambitions. Anton H. Vogt. Anton 'H. Vogt, florist of Flint, was born March 3, 1887, and is a son of David and Jennie Vogt, of Coldwater, Michigan. Five children were born in the Vogt family, John, Ernest, Paul, Bertha and Anton H. The latter received his school instruction in Coldwater and attended Pratt Institute, in Brooklyn, New York, and was graduated from that well-known institution in I9IO. From 1915 until I920, when he came to Flint and opened an establishment of his own at 728 Garland street, Mr. Vogt was first associated with his father in the floral business in Coldwater and later formed business connections with his brothers. On September 4, 354 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 1915, Mr. Vogt was married to Miss Lela Harris. A daughter, Jean Elizabeth, has come to brighten the home. Mr. Vogt is usefully active in professional affairs and is a stalwart supporter of the Society of American Florists of which he is a life member.. He is also secretary of the Michigan State Florists' association and a member of the Florists' Telegraph Delivery association. Mr. Vogt is a member of the Flint Rotary club and Chamber of Commerce, a noble of Elf Khurafeh temple of Shriners, of Saginaw. He is a member of Genesee lodge of Odd Fellows and is an Elk, Knight of Pythias and member of the Loyal Order of Moose. Mr. Vogt is a member of the First Presbyterian church. William A. Warrick, Jr. Mr. Warrick is a part owner and the secretary and treasurer of the Warrick Brothers' department store on South Saginaw street, in Flint, one of the best-known mercantile establishments of the city. In I903 he came to Flint and with his brother and Charles H. Berger, established the department store which has grown in importance and volume of trade. Mr. Warrick was born August I6, 1873, in DeKalb county, Missouri, a son of William A. Warrick, Sr., and Anna Warrick. There were just two children, the subject of this sketch and a brother, J. Gerard Warrick, who relinquished earthly cares and worries in 1919. William A. obtained his early education in the public and high school in Orangeville, Ontario. Came to Rudyard, Michigan, in 1895 and worked in a general store for three years, then entered business in a general store at Trout Lake, Michigan, which he operated for seven years, and was also ini business in Newberry, Michigan, for three years. In 1903 he sought the larger field in Flint and by reason of business ability and adherence to progressive standards has prospered and built a large and creditable business. Mr. Warrick on February I5, 1911, married Miss Anna Cameron, daughter of Allen G. Cameron. of Cheboygan, and two children were born, Kathryn and Elizabeth. Mr. Warrick is a Mason, Elk, Methodist and Republican. He belongs also to the Flint Auto club and the Chamber of Commerce. Harry W. Watson. No history of the commercial life of the city of Flint would be complete without mention of the part played in the business activities of that city for many years by the late Harry W. Watson, whom death cut off in the prime of life. He built from a small beginning one of the greatest wholesale cigar establishments in the state of Michigan, an enterprise which is being carried on by his son, Eugene H. Watson, officially the president of the Harry W. Watson company. Harry W. Watson, beloved and esteemed by the entire community in which he functioned as citizen and man of affairs, was a native of Illinois, born in Pittsfield, November 22, 1864, the only child of Henry and Phoebe (Campbell) Watson, the former of whom, a merchant of Pittsfield, died in that city when his son was a mere child. The widow later married Ferris Hyatt, who lived in Flint and of that union five children were the issue, Marion, Clark, Anna, Jane and Ferris. Harry W. Watson was about six years old when his mother moved n r-~ A 3 ~ HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 355. to Flint and he grew to manhood in that city and there spent the remainder of his busy life. He received his education in the public schools of Flint and in a military and business college in the east and for two years after completing his college course was engaged as a commercial traveler. He then entered business for himself, in the wholesale cigar line and from the inception was successful, gradually building up a large business which he incorporated with a capitalization of $Ioo,ooo under the name of the Harry W. Watson company. He remained at the head of the enterprising and aggressive concern until his death, April 7, I913. At the time of his demise he was but forty-eight years old. In addition to his extensive business interests, Mr. Watson was a member of the board of directors of the Commercial and Citizens Savings bank, of Flint. He was a Democrat and fraternally was affiliated with the Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In the latter he took an especially active and zealous part having been the first exalted ruler of Flint lodge No. 222. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason as is his son, Eugene. On November 26, 1884, Mr. Watson was united in marriage to Agnes Parsell, who was born in Flushing, Genesee county, Michigan, a daughter of Eugene and Roxanna (Brockway) Parsell. The former was born in Clarence, New York, the latter in Maine. To Harry W. and Agnes Parsell Watson were born three children, Eugene, Henry, Lucille and Pauline, two of whom with their widowed mother continue to make their home in Flint. Eugene H. Watson, who succeeded his father in the wholesale cigar business, which stands as a lasting memorial to the father's ability and acumen, married Loretta Kingsley. They have one child, Jean Campbell Watson. Lucille Watson, who is a graduate of the Flint high school and of Harcourt Place school, Gambier, Ohio, is the wife of Lloyd Slayton Kenworthy, of Flint. They have two children, Watson and Martha Louise. Pauline Watson, also a graduate of Flint high school, took a course at Briar Cliff school on the Hudson, near Ossining. She is now Mrs. Courtner Johnson, of Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two children, Barbara and Courtney, Jr. Don D. Watters. Although he studied and trained to be a mechanical engineer and expected to follow that profession as his life's work, Mr. Watters found the confinement of factory service distasteful and so entered the real estate business in Flint and has been very successful. Mr. Watters is owner and manager of a real estate business that has come to be one of the best known in this section of the state, with a large and constantly growing clientele, and deals principally in the sale of good residence properties, subdivision property, business leases and property management in Michigan cities. The home office of his company is located at 219%2 South Saginaw street, and is known as the Don D. Watters company. Don D. Watters was born May 22, I892, the son of Charles S. and Sidney S. (Weese) Watters. The mother was born in Pennsylvania, 35-6 HISTORY OF GENeSEE COUNTY and the father in West Virginia. Charles S. Watters was superintendent of the Canton Art Metal company, of Canton, Ohio, until about twenty-five years ago when he moved to Lansing, Michigan, as western representative of this company, and has now been connected with this firm for more than forty years. Mr. Watters is now sixtytwo and Mrs. Watters sixty years old, both in excellent health and reside in Lansing. To them were born three boys: Don, Glenn and Thad. The first named attended grade school and was graduated from Lansing high school in I908, then studied mechanical engineering at the Michigan State college. Late in I9II, Don D. Wafters came to Flint to work at the Buick Motor company and continued there a little more than a year, and then decided to enter the real estate business in Flint, which, while being an entirely new line of endeavor, has proven so interesting that Mr. Watters has built up one of the largest business of its kind in Flint and his brother, Thad, is soon to become the active manager of this business. On July 6, 1915, Mr. Watters was united in marriage to Esther Helen Bryans, of Detroit, Michigan, and they have two children living, Don D., Jr., and Roderick Sheridan. Mr. Watters is a Republican, a Rotarian, a Shriner, a member of Flint B. P. O. E. and a Scottish Rite Mason, belongs to the Flint Country club, is a golf enthusiast, and says his favorite sports are swimming, riding horses and golf. Otto E. Wehling has had broad and varied experience in connection with the interior-decorating art and business, has been associated with leading concerns in Chicago and Boston, and as an authority in all that pertains to high grade decorating of home interiors, he has built up a substantial and representative business in this line within the period of his residence in the city of Flint. Here his attractive and well equipped establishment is situated at I514 Lapeer street. Mr. Wehling was born in historic old Leipsig, Germany, September 24, 1874, and is a son of Carl and Mary Wehling, the latter of French ancestry. Carl Wehling served as an officer in the German army during the greater part of the Franco-Prussian war, and thereafter he was prominently identified with the sugar beet industry in his native land for a term of years, he having served as overseer of the beet fields and also of a factory in which the beet sugar was produced. His dislike of the military domination in his fatherland finally led him to leave Germany and come with his family to the United States, in May, 1882. He established the family home at Glen Ellyn, a suburb of the city of Chicago, Illinois. and he and his wife are now at 1514 Lapeer street. Otto E. Wehling, second of the two sons in a family of six children, was a lad of seven years at the time when the family came to the United States, and he was reared in DuPage county, Illinois, where he attended the public schools until his graduation in the grammar school at Wheaton. In I890 he entered the employ of Marshall Field & Company, the great Chicago mercantile concern, and in I892 he initiated his service with the W. P. Nelson company, a leading concern engaged in the interior-decorating business in that city. He continued his alliance o I:'I HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 357 with this company until I908, and in the meanwhile familiarized himself with all details of the business. From I9o8 to I915, Mr. Wehling was a traveling representative for the Thomas Strahan company, of Boston, in the selling of high grade decorative wallhangings, throughout his assigned trade territory in the middle west. From 1915 to 1920 he was the incumbent of a responsible position in the interior-decorating department of the great Chicago establishment of Mandel Brothers, and in the latter year he came to Flint and established his present independent business. His technical knowledge, artistic talent, pleasing personality and effective service have gained for his establishment a large and appreciative supporting patronage of representative order, and he is known and valued as one of the progressive business men and loyal citizens of the fair city that is the judicial center of Genesee county. In I906 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Wehling to Miss Edna Browing Beard, at Wheaton, Illinois, and the one child of this union is a son, L. Harold. Fred J. Weiss. Among Flint industries, the Flint Motor Axle company has been a productive and valuable concern since it was established here a few years ago, by two very enterprising and energetic young business men. The career of Fred J. Weiss of this firm is a record of rise from a position as workman and mechanic to owner of a leading industry. His record is one that would be credible in any group of men who have reached success in the world. His career is also proof of the fact that early circumstances are never a permanent handicap to the large and useful achievements. His birth occurred in December 22, 1872, in Allegheny, a city that in recent years has been incorporated into the larger city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His parents were Fred J. and Caroline (Knuse) Weiss. His father was born in Germany and his mother in Buffalo, New York. When four years of age the father was brought to this country by his parents, was reared and educated here, and spent most of his active career in tobacco manufacture. For a number of years he was superintendent of the well-known Block Brothers Tobacco Works in Wheeling, West Virginia, and remained in their trusted employ until death in July, I913, at the age of sixty-four. The mother, who was married in Pittsburgh, and died in Wheeling in I893, at the age of forty-four. Fred Weiss was the second of their eight children. As a boy he attended the public schools in Pittsburgh, but the necessities of a large household and inadequate provision of funds by the chief money-maker in the family, made it necessary for him to begin earning his own support at an early age. Thus at the age of eight years, he gave up school and started to work. His boyhood labor was first employed in a glass factory, and soon afterwards his parents moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he found work in an axle factory. With unimportant exceptions, Mr. Weiss has been identified with axle manufacture since boyhood. In I895 he left Wheeling and went to Chicago to take charge of an axle factory there, having 358 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY in the meantime acquired a thorough knowledge of the business. From Chicago in I898 he moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where for two and one-half years he was with the Higgins Spring and Axle company. In June, I9oo, the Durant-Dort company having planned the establishment of a plant in Flint, sent Mr. Weiss to this city to install the necessary machinery and supervise the opening of the plant. Having started the business he remained in active charge for that company until 1911, and then withdrew to go into business for himself. His partner in his new venture was Mr. William T. Walker and they bought out the old establishment, conducting the enterprise as the Walker-Weiss Axle company, which company was changed to the Flint Motor Axle company in I9I9, with Mr. Weiss and Mr. Bonbright as the principal owners, and has been conducted on the highest plane of industrial effort. This plant is one of the leading axle factories in Michigan, is thoroughly equipped with machinery, has ample capital, and from ninety to six hundred expert mechanics are constantly employed. Its output averages every day about twenty-five light and the same number of heavy truck axles, at one time producing 175 sets of auto axles per day. The company has made a specialty of furnishing axles for automobile trucks. Mr. Weiss is a director of the Industrial Savings bank. Outside of his position perhaps his most important accomplishment has been the important part he took in the organizing of the Workman's Benefit association, of which he is a director. This organization recently received special attention from Secretary of Commerce Redfield, on the trip of that cabinet officer to Flint in October, I9I3. Secretary Redfield used some of the data attained from his personal observation of the institution in a special talk at Boston, and in other places. Mr. Weiss having come up from the ranks, and though now an independent manufacturer, still feels that he is a laboring man in every sense of the word, and has an intimate knowledge of and sympathy with all efforts for improvement of labor conditions. Until he was twenty-one years of age he contributed the greater part of his income as a wage earner to the support of his parents, and this is the part of his personal record of which he will never have cause to be ashamed. Mr. Weiss was a member of the police commission in Flint, and in politics is a Republican. Fraternally is affiliated with the Masonic order, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. At Wheeling, West Virginia, August 28, 1895, Mr. Weiss married May O'Keefe, a daughter of Michael O'Keefe, now deceased. To their marriage have been born nine children, two of whom are deceased: Ralph, born in 1896 in Chicago, and Anton, born in 19o1 in Flint. The living are: Roy, born in I898 at Racine, Wisconsin; Robert, born in 1902 at Flint; Harry, born in 1904 at Flint; Geraldine, born in 19o6 in Flint; Mary Louise, born in 1908 in Flint; Joseph O'Keefe, born in 1912 in Flint; and Ellen Thresa, born in 1914 in Flint. James A. Welch. A dynamic force in the community and an outstanding success is James A. Welch, real estate operator of HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 369 Flint. Mr. Welch was born near Davisburg, Oakland county, this state, January 20, 1882, son of Anson E. and Clara J. Welch, nee Irwin. Both were born in New York state, coming to Michigan in I88o. Anson Welch, a farmer, was born in 1839 and died in 1909. Mrs. Welch passed away in I913, attaining the age of sixtynine. Mr. Welch was a strong fraternalist and in politics was loyal to the Democracy. He was the father of seven children. James A. received his early education in grade and high school, then went to Ann Arbor and while in the latter city he was selected by his teacher as the logical pupil to take a position open at that time in a bank at Mendon, Michigan. Mr. Welch had previously, and between school periods, worked in a wholesale house in Chicago. Mr. Welch acquired banking fundamentals and became assistant cashier and teller at the bank in Mendon and was with the institution four years. His creative genius and ability were soon recognized and he formed a connection with the S. W. Straus company, investments, bonds, etc. Although yet a young man, Mr. Welch saw the limitless possibilities in real estate, and in I908 formed the Farm Realty company. This company had holdings in several states but chiefly in Michigan and was the second largest land company in Michigan with branches in several states and office headquarters in Danville, Illinois. This was transferred to Flint in 1913 and Mr.; Welch was keen to see the possibilities of Flint development through the growth of the automotive industry. He has divided and subdivided outlying places and with others started the East Side Industrial company. Through his vision and alacrity and the co-operation of his business associates, the eastern section of the city has been extensively developed, precluding a scarcity of homes for persons of moderate means. Other sections of the city have been developed under the guidance of Mr. Welch who has brought forth what is known as Thrift City, an ideal and advantageous section for wage earners. The expansion of Flint is due in large measure to his aggressiveness and seizure of legitimate opportunities. Mr. Welch on June 29, I9Io, was united in marriage to Elizabeth Dawson. He is a member of the Masonic order, is a director of the Guarantee Title and Mortgage company and an active participant in the various movements which have as their objective the material, civic and social betterment of Flint and environs. Alamar Westman has shown marked energy and resourcefulness in connection with the development of the prosperous industrial enterprise conducted under the title of the Fenton Machine, Tool & Die company, and the success achieved by the concern has been won in the face of many discouragements and adverse conditions, so that the greater credit is due to the determined and undaunted men who have thus built up this prosperous enterprise in the village of Fenton. Of G. Alexander Olofson, another of the principals in the business, individual mention is made on other pages of this volume, he and Mr. Westman having come together from 360 HISTORY OF GENBESE COUNTY Sweden and their friendship and business alliance having been of the closest order. Mr. Westman, who is president and manager of the Fenton Machine, Tool & Die company, was born in Sweden, and the date of his nativity was January 9, 1883. The schools of his native land were the medium through which he acquired his early education, and there also he served his apprenticeship to the trade of machinist, his service in this connection having been initiated when he was a lad of but twelve years. He came to the Inited States in 1909, and obtained employment in the shops of the Rockford Machine & Tool company of Rockford, Illinois, where he was advanced in 1912 to the position of foreman. In that same year he began a course of study along the line of mechanical engineering, and it may readily be understood that this was no minor task, as his knowledge of the English language was limited and his regular work placed exacting demands upon his time and energies. His persistency enabled him to gain an excellent fund of technical and practical knowledge and thus to fortify himself for independent business enterprise. He remained at Rockford until 1916, in which year he came to Fenton and became associated with others in founding the Fenton Machine, Tool & Die company. The concern now represents one of the substantial and important industrial enterprises of Genesee county, and its growth is shown in the statement that while the business the first year aggregated $22,000, its volume for the year 1923 was $397,000, and the growth still continues. The direct and incidental value of the business to Fenton is indicated in the notation that the pay roll of the concern in 1923 showed an aggregate of $213,ooo. The corporation, with a modern plant of the best equipment, produces varied types of tools, dies, sheet metal stamping and other specialties, and its products are shipped to all parts of Michigan, besides which an appreciable trade has been developed in neighboring states. Mr. Westman and his associates are known and valued as loyal, liberal and progressive citizens and business men, and to them much honor is due for the splendid work they have achieved in the upbuilding of the Fenton Machine, Tool & Die company. Mr. Westman is chairman of the board of directors of the Exchange club of Fenton, in the Masonic fraternity he has affiliations in both the York and Scottish Rites; his political support is given to the Republican party, and he and his family hold the faith of the Lutheran church. On the ninth of November, 19o4, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Westman to Miss Signe Olofson, a sister of G. Alexander Olofson, who is another of the principals in the Fenton Machine, Tool & Die company. Mr. and Mrs. Westman have one son, Elmer, who was graduated in the Fenton high school in 1923, and who is now (1924) a student in Albion college, where he is taking a literary course, the same to be supplemented later by a technical course along mechanical lines. Charles E. Wetherald, factory manager of the Chevrolet Motor company, is a native of the Empire state, born in Wilson, New York, November 26, 1884. He is a son of William and Ida Wetherald, HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 361 nee Bigelow. William Wetherald was born five miles west of Clio., Genesee county, Michigan, and when he was ten years of age moved with his parents to New York state and remained there until I888 when he moved back to Clio and bought a farm. He was born March 8, I859, and his wife was born in I865. To Mr. and Mrs. Wetherald were born seven children, Charles being the oldest. The others are Harry, Grace, Roy, Winnie, Goldie and Mildred, who were born in Genesee county. Charles attended grade and high school in Clio, left school and for a year and a half worked on a farm, then became associated with the Imperial Wheel works for a half-year and in 1903 went to the Buick company. In I906 he had charge of the inspection, later becoming assistant superintendent of one of the assembly plants. He was superintendent of inspection of the plant until I9II when he left the service of the Buick company and went to the Mason Motor company, which was organized at that time. He was placed in charge of road work, inspection, etc, for four years and for two years was superintendent of the plant. In October, 1922, he became factory manager. Mr. Wetherald ranks high in the automobile industry by reason of his personal qualifications and fine experience. On October 27, 1904, he was united in marriage to Miss Stella M. Albro, of Flint, daughter of William and Helen (Pettingill) Albro, representatives of fine old families of Michigan. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wetherald, Helen, Blanche, Bernice, Margaret and Charlotte. Mr. Wetherald is a Mason and an Elk. He is quite active in the congregational life of the First Baptist church and is a trustee of that body. Interested in the civic and material prosperity of Flint and environs, Mr. Wetherald loyally supports the Chamber of Commerce in its diversified activities and is a member of the industrial committee. Although not a narrow partisan, Mr. Wetherald subscribes to the principles and policies of the Republican party. Robert J. Whaley. -Robert J. Whaley, president of the Citizens Commercial and Saving Bank of Flint, was a resident of that city for nearly fifty years and during that time exerted a wide influence upon the financial and industrial life of this community. In I880 he was elected president of the Citizens National Bank of Flint, which later was re-incorporated as the Citizens Commercial and Savings bank, and was president of that strong financial institution a period of forty-two years, probably a record for continuous tenure in such an office in this state. He formerly was a member of the board of trustees of the state charitable schools, including the school for the deaf at Flint, the school for the blind at Lansing and the State public school at Coldwater. For the two years of his administration he returned to the state twenty-eight thousand dollars of the appropriation for the charitable institutions, although the maintenance of the schools during these years was as good if not better than ever before. This act was so unique in political history and so wholly unexpected that it attracted considerable attention and comment at the time. As a result of this action, Mr. Whaley was 362. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY singled out as a target, and it long afforded him cause for merriment to reflect that as a reward for his economy in the state's behalf he was legislated out of office. For many years Mr. Whaley was the keeper of finance for the Knights of the Maccabees, an organization that has disbursed more than twenty millions of dollars among its beneficaries, and so efficiently did he discharge the duties of that office that his re-election from year to year was always taken for granted, there being no opposing candidate for the place until he finally declined to serve further. In the "tents" of the Maccabees, far and wide, he became known as "the man who never talks." Mr. Whaley's services were continually in demand by various civic and corporate factors in the community life and he was a director in numerous important concerns in and about Flint. Beginning his service in this community as an associate of his father-in-law, the senior Alexander McFarlan, in the lumber business at a time when lumbering and its allied industries formed the chief industry hereabout, Mr. Whaley was a witness to the wonderful development that has marked the affairs of the region within the past generation. Robert J. Whaley was born in Castile township, Wyoming county, New York, December 8, I840, the son of Jeremiah M. and Parmelia Ann (Flint) Whaley, both natives of that same county, the former born in Castile township and the latter in Pike township. They were the parents of two children, the subject of this sketch having had a sister, Janet, now deceased, who was the wife of Stephen J. Clewell. Jeremiah M. Whaley was born in a country tavern kept by his parents, Robert and Janet (McKay) Whaley, the former of whom was born in Rhode Island and the latter in Scotland, she having come to this country with her parents when a child. Robert Whaley who was a soldier in the War of 1812, built the first sawmill in the town of Castile, New York, and also engaged in farming and conducted a wayside tavern. To him and his wife two sons were born, Mordecai and Jeremiah. The latter, the father of Robert J. Whaley, continued to conduct the old Whaley tavern until the death of his wife, when he moved to Wisconsin and located at Hudson, where he engaged in the mercantile business and where he died at the age of seventy years, in 1884, a few days after the election of Grover Cleveland to the Presidency. He was an ardent Democrat and a great admirer of Mr. Cleveland and the excitement incident to the announcement of his favorite's election brought on a fatal stroke of paralysis. During the Pierce administration Jeremiah Whaley served as postmaster of Hudson, Wisconsin, and was at one time a candidate for the legislature from a district that comprised the west side of Wisconsin up to Lake Superior. He was married twice after going West and to each of these latter unions two children were born, as there were to his first union. His first wife, mother of Robert J. Whaley, was a daughter of Samuel and Samantha (Ellis) Flint, both natives of New York state, whose lives were spent in Wyoming county, that state. Robert J. Whaley was but eight years old when his mother died and he was taken care of by his maternal grandparents when his HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 363 father went West. Two years later his father returned to New York after his children and they accompanied him to Hudson, Wisconsin, where Robert J. Whaley grew to manhood among the Indians, who formed the greater part of the population of that section at that time. Upon the death of his uncle Mordecai, he was called back to New York by his grandmother to take charge of the extensive farming interests of the family, and he remained with his grandmother until her death, four years later, after which he returned to Wisconsin and was there engaged in farming for a couple of years. While in New York Mr. Whaley had become acquainted with Mary McFarlan, of Flint, Michigan, who was visiting kinsfolk in the neighborhood of his grandmother's home and on January 24, 1867, he married Miss McFarlan. On the Ist of October, following, he took up his residence at Flint, entering the employ of his father-in-law, Alexander McFarlan, which close and intimate association continued until the latter's death, in I88I. Alexander McFarlan was for years one of the most conspicuous figures in the financial and industrial life of Genesee county and one of the most active factors in the early growth and development of the city of Flint. Alexander McFarlan was one of the leading stockholders in the old Citizens National bank at Flint at the time Mr. Whaley became associated with the McFarlan interests in that city and he encouraged his son-in-law to acquire a thorough knowledge of the banking business. Beginning as a bookkeeper and collector in the bank, Mr. Whaley became thoroughly conversant with the business of the bank and in I880 was elected president of the concern. Upon the reorganization of the old Citizens National bank and the organization of the Citizens Commercial and Savings bank, Mr. Whaley was elected president of the latter concern and was thus president of the bank continuously until his death February 12, 1922. In addition to his other extensive interests, Mr. Whaley was also actively interested in real estate affairs and did a large business in that line in and about Flint. To Robert J. and Mary (McFarlan) Whaley one child was born, a son, Donald McFarlan, who died at the age of ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Whaley havd an adopted daughter, now Mrs. William Orrel, of 253 Frederick avenue, Detroit. She is a daughter of Frank and Bella (Bates) Bickford, natives of New York and pioneers of Genesee county. Her grandfather was Judge Bickford, a pioneer justice of this state in Flint. Mrs. Whaley was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church at Flint and Mr. Whaley was an attendant of the services of that church and was senior warden for years and active. Both were for many years looked upon as among the leaders in the social and cultural activities of their home town and earnest promoters of all movements having to do with the betterment of general conditions hereabout. Mr. Whaley was a Democrat and ever gave a good citizen's attention to local political affairs. In I912 he was his party's candidate for treasurer of state. He was a 32nd degree Mason affiliated with the consistory of the 364 HISTORY OF GENNSEE COUNTY Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Detroit, and was a noble of Moslem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in that same city. His local Masonic affiliations were with Flint lodge No. 123, Free and Accepted Masons; Washington chapter No. I5, Knights Templar. He was also a member of Flint lodge No. 222, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in the affairs of all these organizations took a warm interest. Mrs. Whaley passed to the life beyond January 9, I925. Mrs. Whaley founded the fund for the Donald McFarlan Whaley Home for Dependent Children, to be built, giving over one-half million dollars, in memory of his son. Amos S. Wheelock, M. D., well-known and highly esteemed medical practitioner of Flint, maintains offices at I003 Genesee Bank building. Dr. Wheelock was born in Bridgewater, Michigan, December 7, I86I, the son of Emwons H. and Polly (Wilson) Wheelock. The father came to Michigan from Alexandria, New York, in I832. There were eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Emmons H. Wheelock, ten of whom are living. They are Elsia, Arthur and Marion, of Ann Arbor; Mrs. Olive Cook, wife of E. J. Cook, of Saline, Michigan; Ada, of Colorado; Martin, of Saline; George, of Cedar Rapids, Michigan; Warren, of Lansing; Seldon and Amos S. The latter received his early education in the public schools of Manchester and was graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan in I888. He opened an office in Goodrich, Michigan, where he continues practice through a hospital erected under his direction in I9I5. In I914 Dr. Wheelock was elected a member of the American College of Surgeons. The membership covers the United States, Mexico and Canada, a life-long honor. In 1887 Mr. Wheelock was united in marriage to Miss Etta Baker, of Saline, Michigan, daughter of Hiram Baker, of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Her father was a sea captain lost at sea during the Civil war. To the union have been born two daughters, Mrs. Stewart Cheney, of Grand Blanc, Michigan, and Miss Ruth Wheelock, a nurse at Ann Arbor. Dr. Wheelock is a life member of the Genesee County Medical society and of the American Medical association. In politics he is Republican. Of great breadth, studious and liberal in his thinking, Dr. Wheelock is a member of the Unitarian church. He is a Kiwanian and a Mason and belongs to the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also an Elk. The hospital at Goodrich, conducted under the care of Mr. Wheelock, has a capacity for thirty patients, also a nurses' training school and home; has all-modern equipment, X-ray, etc., and all cases of surgery are treated by latest and most approved methods and many avail themselves of the privileges offered. Dr. Wheelock has two assistants besides employing about eighteen nurses, but himself performs most of the major operations and is surgeon-inchief. The Wheelock family came in the early settlement from Vermont to New York, the founders having come to America in I640. HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 366 Dr. Wheelock's grandfather served in the War of 1812, and others served in the Revolutionary war. The grandfather entered government land at Bridgewater which he developed into a farm. His father was also a farmer and school teacher. Maurice J. White, vice-president of the Hubbard Hardware company, is a native of Flint township, Genesee county, and was born March 12, I888, a son of William C. and Melinda E. (Dancinburg) White. Three of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. White are living, Miss Maude E. White and Maurice J., of Flint; and Mrs. Mabel Baker, of Flint township. One son died in infancy. The elder White, a farmer, died in 1918. His widow resides on Oak street, Flint. Maurice J. White attended the public schools of Flint township and the city of Flint and entered business in 1905 as a salesman for the Hubbard Hardware company and since has become vice-president and purchasing agent of the company. On June 30, I909, Mr. White and Miss Hattie L. Baker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James D. Baker, of Flint, were united in marriage and to them two children have been born, Marion C. and Lunetta M. Mr. White attends the Court Street Methodist Episcopal church. The White home is at 837 East 9th street. Dr. Perry V. Whitaker, dentist, First National bank building Flint, Michigan, was born in Ann Arbor, December 25, 1895, a son of William I. and Alma L. (Perry) Whitaker. Both parents were born in Lima, Michigan, Mr. Whitaker on July 28, 1863. He died August 2, 1923. Mrs. Whitaker was born March 13, I868. William Whitaker during his early life farmed and later worked for the McCormick company, makers of harvesters and other agricultural machinery. Mr. Whitaker aspired to a professional life and at the age of thirty matriculated at the University of Michigan, in which institution he spent three years. He then entered the Detroit College of Medicine, being graduated in I898. He practiced in Durand, Michigan, eleven years and in I908 moved to Flint where he established a large practice and his professional service was in much demand. He was considered one of the most capable physicians in this section. The son, Perry V., attended grade and high schools in Flint, entered the University of Michigan and in I9r8 received the dental degree. He returned to Flint for a short period and then entered the service in connection with the World war. He resumed practice in January, I919, and now specializes in X-ray diagnostic service and exodontia, or extraction work, in both of which he is acceptedly very proficient. On April 28, 1919, Dr. Whitaker was united in marriage to Mary Pauline Collier, daughter of Dr. Ewing L. Collier, of Flint. Dr. Whitaker is a member of county, state and national dental societies; of the Masonic fraternity, Elks and the Lions club. Harry W. Wigle. Harry W. Wigle, vice-president of the Flint Printing company, was born July 13, 1877, at Leamington, Ontario, a son of Joe C. and Theresa Wigle. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wigle, namely, Minnie, of Crossfield, Alberta; 366 HISTORY OF GENIDSEE COUNTY Florence Kennedy, of Windsor, Ontario; Emma, Mable Stella, Mina, Edith and Harry W. This only son attended the public schools of Kingsville, Ontario, and at the age of thirteen entered the field of printing. For four years he worked as apprentice on the Kingsville Reporter and then became associated with the Record, of Windsor, serving a few months before entering the Canadian army at the age of seventeen. For three years he served as a trumpeter in the cavalry and while in the service was appointed a member of the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee contingent going to London, England, in 1897. While in England he was appointed staff trumpeter to Lord Roberts. Mr. Wigle came to Michigan in I899, associated with printing firms in Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, Lansing and Flint. The great grandfather of Mr. Wigle was Peter Kratz, the first settler on Hog island, now known as Belle Island, near Detroit. The family later went to Ontario and at present twenty acres of the original land grant of the English government to the family continues in family ownership. On June 5, I9go, Mr. Wigle was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude F. Frisosky, daughter of Martin and Marie Frisosky, of Lansing. There is one daughter, Maxine. Mr. Wigle is quite active in the fraternal and civic as well as business life of Flint and manifests at all times a wholesome interest in the philanthropic and civic efforts set forth to improve community interests. He is a communicant of the Catholic church and holds membership in the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, the Kiwanis club, Flint Auto club and the Chamber of Commerce In matters political, he is Republican. Dr. Albert J. Wildanger, dentist, located in the F. P. Smith building in Flint, was born in Flint, at 317 East Second street, April I, 1875, and is a son of John and Mary Elizabeth (Stockle) Wildanger. Both parents were born in Germany. John Wildanger, on emigrating to the United States, located first in New York city, then proceded west to Detroit and came to Flint in 1853 and worked on the stage coach line that ran from Flint to Saginaw. Later he was engaged in the trucking and drayage business in Flint and bore the distinction of having moved the first piano to Flint. The elder Wildanger died in February, I918. He was born in 1832. His widow, the mother of Dr. Wildanger, was born August 2I, 1836, and died December 23, I924. There were seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. John Wildanger-Carrie, who is the wife of J. S. Todd, of Detroit; Nellie, now Mrs. T. Miller, also of Detroit; Fred was a physician at Elk Grove, California, now deceased; William, deceased; John; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. C. A. Brown; and Albert J. The latter attended grade and high school and was graduated in 1897 from the University of Michigan with the dental degree and has practiced his profession since. On June 28, I905, Dr. Wildanger was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Horton Brabyn, daughter of Thomas P. and Lou Horton Brabyn. Two children have come into the home of Dr. and Mrs. Wildanger, William Brabyn and Margaret Louise. Dr. Wildanger, who occupies a high plane in citizenship I -11 i i HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 367 as well as professional ability, is a member of the Masonic order and is a Shriner. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Congregational church. For fifteen years he was a member of the school board and for ten years was secretary of that body. During the Doctor's membership in the school board all the schools of Flint with the exception of two were built or rebuilt. James C. Willson, M. D. A life of noble significance in all its phases and relations was that of Dr. Willson, who was widely known and honored as "the grand old man of Flint." He was in his eightieth year, at the time of his death, August 29, 1912. Here was a man who summoned and used for the purpose of human helpfulness all the powers of a fine intellectuality, exceptional professional skill and discernment, and a spirit of sympathy and tolerance that never failed. Dr. Willson was a dignified, courtly gentleman of the fine old school; to the work of his profession he gave more than half a century; and along other diversified channels of service he directed his course with an equally high sense of personal stewardship. Dr. Willson was born in Fitzroy township, county of Carlton, province of Ontario, Canada, on April 28, I833. He was a son of John R. and Eliza (Riddell) Willson, who were born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage, and whose marriage, in 1827, was the first to be solemnized in the township of Fitzroy by white people. The racial strain of the honored subject of this memoir was that to which consistent reference has been made as being "the most vigorous physically, the most alert mentally, and the most robust morally of all those that have mingled in the shaping of American character." Dr. Willson early gained full experience in connection with the arduous work of the home farm, and in the local school he continued his studies until he had attained the age of fifteen. During the one year that he attended the village school at Pakenham he walked the distance of three miles to and from the little log house that was the family home. It was shortly prior to his seventeenth birthday that he set forth, with his eldest brother, George, for the newly discovered gold fields of California. Illness attacked him while traveling through New York state and he was compelled to abandon this adventure and return home. His brother, however, continued the overland journey to California. After teaching one year in the district school which he himself had attended, he returned to Olean, New York, where he became greatly interested in the making of daguerrotypes and which interest he referred to in after years as the turning point in his life as it provided him with means by which he was enabled to continue his education at the University of Michigan where he entered the medical department in the fall of 1855. He atended two courses at the university, received credit for practical work and studies under the private preceptorship of leading physicians, served as an interne in St. Mary's hospital, Detroit, began the practice of his profession at Flint, in 1857, in the office of the late Dr. R. D. Laxmond, and returned to the university in 1858 when he graduated with his class in I859% 368 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY receiving a degree of Doctor of Medicine. Concerning his earlier experience as a physician and surgeon at Flint the following estimate has been written: "In spite of the fact that Dr. Willson at the age of twenty-four years, when he began his labors in Flint, was a siclk man and required to live in the open, the work that he did in those early years in this rough country was of such character and quantity as might discourage a man of greater physique. A quotation from a tribute delivered by one of his fellow physicians gives an interesting glimpse of the life he led at this time: 'Riding long distances on horseback, through mud and mire, over corduroy roads, both summer and winter, he developed a robust constitution that carried him through long years of usefulness and helpfulness to mankind.'" After graduating he returned to Flint and opened an office with his cousin, Dr. George B. Willson, on the east side of South Saginaw street, near Second street. The following appreciative estimate is worthy of preservation in this connection: "Dr. Willson lived to enjoy the fruits of his labors, and also to enjoy the proud distinction of practicing his noble profession in this city more than fifty years. In him what is called the 'old school' had a shining exemplar. He soon became the 'family doctor' throughout a wide circle of homes, which he entered not only to alleviate pain and suffering but also to advise, counsel and cheer. To his patients he became an ever-present help in time of trouble, often acting as legal, moral and even political adviser. Endowed with a sunny nature that fairly brimmed with love for his fellow man, Dr. Willson exercised a surpassing influence for good upon this community. For over half a century he was guide, philosopher and friend to all who sought his aid." When his adopted country became involved in civil war and the integrity of the nation was thereby placed in jeopardy, Dr. Willson subordinated all personal interests to tender his aid in defense of the Union. In i86i Governor Blain commissioned him surgeon of the Tenth Michigan Volunteer infantry; in 1862 he was transferred to the Eighth Michigan infantry, which was called the Flint regiment, and thereafter he was on the field in every battle in which this gallant command took part, its record indicating the high and arduous service that he gave. Up to the time of his honorable discharge, which he received, owing to ill health, in March, 1863. He was present at the battle and siege of Fort Pulaski, the battle of Wilmington Island, the burning of Pokotaligo bridge, the engagement at Secessionville, and the battles of White Sulphur Springs, Culpepper Court House, Warrenton Junction, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg. In January, 1865, Governor Crapo appointed him military agent for Michigan in the city of Washington. The Doctor was at the time of his death one of the most venerable and honored comrades of Governor Crapo post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he was affiliated with the Michigan conmmandery of the Loyal Legion. Dr. Willson's interests and services touched all phases of community life; he stood exponent of the most loyal, liberal and public HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 369 spirited citizenship. Thoroughly fortified in his convictions concerning matters of governmental and economic order, the Doctor was a stalwart advocate and supporter of the cause of the Republican party, and was influential in its councils in this section of Michigan. In I879 he was mayor of Flint, in the following year he was chairman of the Republican county committee of Genesee county; he was a member of the Flint board of education from 1881-4, and in I884 Governor Jerome appointed him a member of the board of trustees of the Michigan State School for the Deaf, a position which he retained six years. In I884 he was the Republican candidate for representative of the Sixth Michigan district in the United States congress, but he met defeat in the general Democratic landslide that in that year carried Grover Cleveland to the presidency. Dr. Willson served as president of the Genesee County Savings bank and also of the Flint Gas company. He took a very deep interest in the work and service of Hurley hospital, and served as chairman of the conmmission in charge of free admissions to this institution. He was one of the most honored members of the Genesee County Medical society at the time of his death, and maintained active affiliation also with the Michigan State Medical society and the American Medical association. He was actively identified with the affairs of the Genesee County Agricultural society and the Flint Conservatory of Music; both he and his wife were zealous and beloved members of the First Presbyterian church, of Flint, the Doctor acting as president of its board of trustees during a period of more than forty years. He was charter member of the local Shakespeare club and was loyally active in other cultural and social organizations in his home city. On the I8th of May, I865, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Willson to Miss Rhoda M. Crapo, daughter of Hon. Henry H. Crapo, then governor of Michigan to whom a memoir is dedicated on other pages of this volume. The supreme loss and bereavement in the life of Dr. Willson came when his loved and devoted companion, during a period of more than forty years, was called to eternal rest. The death of Mrs. Willson which occurred on May 8, 1907, caused deep sorrow in the city that had long regarded her as one of its most gracious and cultured women. Dr. and Mrs. Willson are survived by one son, George Crapo Willson, who still resides in Flint. There were no subtilities or obverse complexes in the life of Dr. Willson. He had a sound perception of the springs of human thought, motive and action, and therefore imbued with a spirit of tolerance, sympathy and loyal helpfulness. His fine mind and great heart made him worthy of the unqualified and affectionate regard in which he was uniformly held in the community that long profited by his service and inspired by his presence. Guy M. Wilson. Guy Merrill Wilson was born November 29, 1876, in Forest township, Genesee county, to Samuel J. Wilson and Elizabeth Perry. When Guy was eight years old his parents moved 370 HISTORY 'OF GENIESEE COUNTY to Flint, since which Flint has been his residence. In I893 he was graduated from Flint high school. He studied law at the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1896, returning to Flint to take up the practice of law. He always has been interested in civic affairs and served the city of Flint as police commissioner and secretary of the school board. On July 24, 1900, Guy Wilson enlisted as a private in Co. A, Third Michigan infantry, mobilized at Orchard Lake. On the 20th of November in the same year he received his first promotion and donned the chevrons of a corporal. War and the study of war became his hobby. He received a sergeant's warrant on July 3, 19o0, and was made first sergeant of his company in the same year. There followed two years of careful study which was rewarded on July 17, 1902, when Guy Wilson received the silver bar of a first lieutenant. It was then that Guy Wilson, now commissioned officer, began seriously his study of field tactics. The National Guard in those days received various war problems from the War College at Washington. Night after night Lieutenant Wilson sat in the old armory of the Flint Blues playing the game of war and building up a foundation in the knowledge of tactics which stood the United States and Flint soldiers iri such good stead when the great test came in I9i8. In I904 this man with a hobby for the study of war again was,romoted. July 24, 1904, saw him a captain, leading a company of Flint National Guardsmen. War, tactics, field maneuvers continued to be the pet studies of "Boy" Wilson. A born soldier, he continued to fit himself for the service of his country when the call for leaders came. In 191I, twelve years after he had enlisted as a private, "Boy" Wilson became a field officer with a commission as major. There followed several years devoted to the practice of lawbut never a week without more study of war. On June I9, I916, President Wilson called out the National Guard of the country for service on the Mexican border. Major Wilson went to El Paso in command of a battalion. From the date of this call he was in active service of the United States until his discharge on July 8, 1919. At Camp Cotton, near El Paso, Guy Wilson found a propitious opportunity to put into practice and operation" the theories which he had been studying for years. There is no doubt that the training on the Mexican border, irksome as it sometimes seemed to the men there, served in a vast measure to fit the National Guard, the Flint companies and their major to take their important part in the comming struggle against Germany. Major Wilson was in command when the troops came north to Fort Brady, near Sault Ste. Marie, where Michigan guardsmen stood watch of the great locks. In October, 1917, Maior Wilson took his battalion to Waco to become a part of the Thirty-second division. He sailed with his outfit for France on February Io, I918. Major Wilson took command of the Second battalion of the One Hundred Twenty-fifth infantry. Arriving in France, the division was slated as a replacement tfnit, much to the distress of the men and greatly to the disappointment of Major Wilson. Through the efforts of Major-General Haan, G. H. Q. was HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 871 persuaded to use the division as a combat unit. Immediately the use of every available combat soldier was called into play against the Germans. So in those trying days in May, I918, the Thirty-second Division left the Tenth Training Area, left the tiresome work of road building, and moved into the Alsatian sector on May I8. Here for the first time Guy Wilson, in command of a unit of combat troops, saw the game of war at first hand. Here he found the realization of all his ideals of excellent soldiery. Here came the first stern test of leadership. There was no severe action on this Alsatian front. But there was a frequency of raids and a sufficiency of shell fire to round out the training of the men and to inspire them with a confidence in those leaders who proved themselves under fire. Here Guy Wilson came into his own. The division evacuated this Alsatian sector in the glorious days of July, after the superb stand of the Second and Third American Divisions northwest of and near! Chateau-Thierry, after the battles of Vaux, Belleau Wood and the ster strife for the retention of the Marne bridgeheads, those battles which proved the mettle of the American soldier, electrified the world and set a standard of battlefield conduct for the entire A. E. F. Guy Wilson's training days were over. He found himself confronted with that none too facile task of leading a battalion of over-courageous young Americans in the difficult test of war of movement. But war of movement was what Guy Wilson had studied for years. Major Wilson led his batallion into the Aisne-Marne counter-offensive on July 29. The Second batallion, One Hundred Twenty-fifth infantry, Major Guy M. Wilson, commanding, covered itself with glory. In action until August 7, it was relieved for a few days, only to be hurled back into the fray on August 26 in that bitter struggle officially designated as the Oise-Aisne offensive, which lasted from August 26 to September 6. In these two major operations Guy M. Wilson established himself as an officer of judgment, courage and unfaltering bravery. It has been said of him that he never asked his men to go anywhere he would not go himself. Always in the heat of the fight, he inspired his military subordinates and looked personally to the care of his men. On August 29, when he was leading his battalion in action, Guy Wilson was seriously wounded. Buried by a high-explosive shell north of Soissons in the battle of Juvigny, this beloved leader hovered for days near death with a severe fracture of the skull. Only an adamant determination not to die brought Guy Wilson back to Flint. On November I he returned to his old outfit. Perhaps Guy Wilson was physically fit again for the battlefield. His men never will believe it, nor will Flint; but the intense love for his men, the call of leadership, the strong heart of the man bade him go. He rejoined the old battalion on November i, during the last few days of the war when the American First Field Army was hurling the foe over the Meuse. On, November I9 Major Wilson was transferred to the One Hundred Twenty-sixth infantry and placed in command. He commanded this regiment on the hike from Longwy to the Rhine. He was then given his choice-promotion or return to his old regiment. There was 372 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY no choice with Wilson. He went back to the outfit. On March i6, 1919, Major Wilson received his commission as lieutenant-colonel and became division inspector of the Thirty-second Division. The Second battalion of the One Hundred Twenty-fifth and Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson landed in New York May i8. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson led the battalion in a great parade of welcome in Detroit. Flint, in the most spontaneous enthusiasm ever accorded anyone, held out arms of welcome to Lieutenant-Colotel Wilson and the men with whom he had gone through the war. Once more a plain citizen, Colonel Wilson has re-opened his residence at Ioo7 Garland street. His devoted wife, formerly Miss Archer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Archer, of Smith street, was one of the most devoted Red Cross workers in Flint throughout the entire war, and their pleasant home is a Mecca for the boys Colonel Wilson led to France and back again. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson is a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. He has the Croix de Guerre and the Distinguished Service Cross. Military citations are terse and to the point. Much might be added to them but nothing can be taken away. Genesee county reads between the lines of the official orders and knows that those well-deserved words of commendation crown a record of courage, devotion and clean manhood. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson's citations follow: Awarded Distinguished Service Cross (General Orders I17, December 2, 1918) in the following citation. Guy M. Wilson, Major, I25th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action while commanding the leading battalion in the successful advance from Courmont to Mont St. Martin, France, from July 31, to August 5, 1918, including the forced crossing of the Ourcq river and several engagements, and especially at Les, Joimblet, where he personally led the successful charge of his battalion. Order No. I2335 "D" (Extract). Major Guy M. Wilson, I25th Infantry Regiment. During the advance from Courmont to Mont St. Martin, from 3ISt July to the 4th of August, 1918, he inspired confidence to all his men by the splendid judgment shown in the attacks. I7th February, I9I9. MARSHALL OF FRANCE DAUVIN. By command of Brigadier-General Winans. R. M. Beck, Jr., Col. General Staff. Chief of Staff. ISt Indst. HQ, 32nd Div. American E. F., March 28th, 1919. To Lieut. Col. Guy M. Wilson: i. The commander-in-chief has expressed his pleasure at this recognition by the French government and the Division HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 373 Commander wishes to add his appreciation of the services which have merited it. By command of Major-General Lassiter. EDWARD D. ARNOLD, Major, A. G. D., U. S. A., Division Adjutant. Order No. I6047 "D" (Extract). Major Guy Wilson, i25th American Infantry Regiment. Officer of splendid bravery and self-sacrifice, who, during five days led victoriously his battalion to the assault of the enemy's positions very strongly held between the Marne and the Vesle April I3th, 1919. -THE MARSHALL OF FRANCE, PETAIN. Judge Charles H. Wisner was born in Pontiac in I85o and received his early education in the city of his birth. He was graduated from high school and4 the University of Michigan, from which institution his mother was graduated, and came to Flint a young man to practice law. He was elected a judge and sat on the bench for twenty-six years. Judge Wisner was considered a man of wonderful brain power, of great perspiccacity, yet quiet and reserved in demeanor. He had a natural talent for art and many excellent pieces of his own creation hang on the walls of his home today. Judge Wisner was an ardent lover of outdoor sport, principally fishing, and from fishing excursions painted many scenes from memory. Often while hearing an important case in court he appeared to be uninterested and would be found to be sketching some scene during the trial but at the close without notes or other preparation would immediately begin instructing the jury. Clean of mind and character Judge Wisner was held in the highest esteem by the entire community. He was a son of Governor Moses and Angeline (Haskel) Wisner. Governor Wisner in 1862 raised the Twenty-second Michigan infantry, of which he was made colonel. In September, 1862, he took his regiment to Kentucky but before a year contracted typhoid from which he died in Lexington on July 5, I863. He was able as a lawyer and fair and impartial as chief executive and a thorough patriot. Judge Wisner's mother was a daughter of Colonel C. C. Haskel. The Judge was a high Mason, a Knight Templar, a member of the bar association, a loyal supporter of the Republican party and a regular attendant at the First Presbyterian church but had never made confession in any church. Judge Wisner was married twice, the first wife, formerly Flora Culver, living but a short time after her marriage. On December 15, 1884, Judge Wisner was united to Miss Lena G. Warren, who survives him and who lives in the old Wisner home at 5I6 East Court street, Flint. One child was born to each union but both died in infancy. The birth place and old home of Governor Moses Wisner was inherited by his niece, Mrs. Florence Wallace, residing in Detroit. The old homestead is in Pontiac. Judge Wisner was in failing health about six years and fought with bravery, discharging his duty on the bench until almost the very end. Death came on July 6, I915. 374 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY Dr. E. Frank Wood, widely known osteopathic practitioner, was born in Dryden, Michigan, November I8, 1879, the son of Martin and Josephine (Huntley) Wood. The father came to Michigan when twelve years old before the Civil war with his parents and died in 1896 at the age of forty-eight. His widow died in 1923, aged sixty-three. The elder Wood was a stationary engineer and was the father of two children, J. M. and E. Frank. The latter attended public school, was graduated from high school in 1897 and came to Flint in 1899 and worked for a number of business establishments. His first job of importance was as circulation manager of the old Flint Daily News. He was with the paper a year and for seven years worked for F. R. Streat & Son, cigar factory, and was with the Buick company from I909 to 1912 and in 1913-14 was in charge of the office of the Freeman Dairy company. Mr. Wood then entered the Still School of Osteopathy, in Des Moines, Iowa, and was graduated in 1918 and began practice at once. On November 27, I901, Dr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Lena Ganswig, of Flint. He is an Elk and was master of Flint lodge of Masons when the Masonic temple was built. He is also a member of the chapter of Royal Arch Masons, of the council of Royal and Select Masters, of the commandery, of the Knights Templar and of the Rotary club. He is conspicuous in osteopathic activities and was national president of an osteopathic fraternity. Henry W. Zimmerman. Mr. Zimmerman, member of a wellknown mercantile concern of Flint, generally esteemed for his ability and personal qualities and a successful member of the community, was born October 31, 1865, a son of John and Elizabeth Zimmerman. He was born in Flint, hence is familiar with every angle of the community. There were nine children in the family of John Zimmerman, seven of whom are living. They are Mrs. Katherine Fanning, of Walla Walla, Washington; John C.; Jacob P., died in 1925; Mrs. Rose Pontius and Henry W., of Flint; Mrs. S. O. Burgdorf, of Milford, Michigan; and Mrs. Emma Fisher, of Flint. The deceased members of the Zimmerman family are Elizabeth and Edward. Henry W. Zimmerman was educated in the public schools of Flint. His father was a contracting engineer and brick manufacturer and among some of the structures erected by John Zimmerman are the Bryant Hotel building, Woolworth building, of Flint, and St. Michael Catholic church and schools. John Zimmerman and wife are dead. While Henry W. was yet a boy he was associated during the summers with the Charles L. Bartlett Drug company and in 1883 became associated with Albert Myers who owned a clothing store on the present location of Crawford & Zimmerman. In I889 Mr. Meyers' business was purchased by the firm of Crawford & Wright and in I905 Mr. Zimmerman became a partner of the firm of Crawford & Wright, which afterward was changed to Crawford & Zimmerman. For eighteen years Mr. Zimmerman has been a member of the Flint school board and in other ways has demonstrated a genuine interest in the coimunity HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY. 376& and has been helpful in the stimulation of civic and cultural interests. On February II, 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Winifred Becker, daughter of Christopher and Sarah Becker, of Flint. Six children, five of whom are living, were born in Flint. They are. Ray H., Guy W., Lee B., Ruth W., and Max J., deceased. Ray H. and Guy W. served their country faithfully during the World war. Mr. Zimmerman is a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, Knight Templar and a Shriner. He is a member of the Court Street Methodist church. In politi.s he favors the Republican party in national issues. William A. Zimmerman is a native son of the metropolis and judicial center of Genesee county and here he is successfully established in business as a public accountant, with office in the Paterson block. Mr. Zimmerman was born at Flint on the 20th of May, I875, and is a son of Elijah and Minerva (Mason) Zimmerman, both of whom were born in the state of New York, whence they came to Michigan in the early '50s, the father having become one of the representative pioneer merchants at Flint, where he engaged in the grocery business and where he continued to reside, an honored and influential citizen, until his death, in I888, at the age of fifty-six years, his widow passed away in I920, at a venerable age and secure in the affectionate regard of all who had come within the sphere of her gracious influence. The subject of this sketch is the only son in a family of three children, one sister, Clara, having died on May Io, I925, and the other sister, Nellie, having died when about fourteen years of age. The public schools of Flint afforded Mr. Zimmerman his youthful education, and in I895, when twenty years of age, he went to the city of Chicago, where he became associated with the live-stock and banking business. There he took up the study of accountancy, and from I908 until 1917 he was engaged in public-accounting work in Chicago, Cleveland, Ohio, and Buffalo, New York. In the latter year he returned to Flint, and here he now controls a substantial and representative business as a public accountant, with many of the large and important corporations and firms of the city on his list of appreciative clients. Mr. Zimmerman has received the chivalric honors in the Masonic fraternity, as a member of the local commandery of Knights Templar, and he is affiliated also with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the while he is one of the loyal and valued members of the Kiwanis club in his home city. In the World war period he served as assistant-treasurer of the Genesee county war board, and he is now a captain in the finance department of the Officers Reserve Corps of the United States army. He is one of the active and popular members of the Flint Country club and is serving as its auditor at the time of this writing. He is a downright and loyal advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and he naturally has lively interest in all that concerns the civic and material welfare and advancement of his native city. He was married to Jessie Eldridge, of Flint, in July, I897. 376 HISTORY OF GENFSEE COUNTY Williia Crapo Durant. An attempt to compile a comprehensive sketch of the life of William C. Durant and his forebears necessarily entails the writing of a rather complete history of the industrial growth and development of the thriving city of Flint, Michigan, as the two are so closely allied that it is impossible to separate one from the other. Mr. Durant's maternal grandfather, the late Governor Henry Howland Crapo, fourteenth governor of the state of Michigan, brought his family to Flint when it was but a straggling frontier settlement. He at once erected saw mills along the Flint river and began the manufacture of lumber on a large scale. The governor was a man who did things in a big way and the settlement soon began to feel the stimulus of his presence. He was a "trail blazer" in the fullest sense of the term and left the imprint of his personality on everything he did. He soon became a recognized leader in the affairs of both county and state. He was a natural leader of men and some years later, when he decided to seek political preferment, the people of Michigan gladly bestowed upon him the greatest honor within their power to give, by making him governor of their state. (See sketch of Governor Crapo). It has often been said that Governor Crapo laid the foundation for Flint and it remained for his grandson, William Crapo Durant, to complete the structure. The late J. Dallas Dort, who was a business associate of Mr. Durant's for many years and knew him as few men are ever permitted to know him, in speaking of Mr. Durant, said "It will never be necessary to erect a monument to commemorate the life work of Billy Durant. The city of Flint stands as a monument to his energy and foresight. He was the Moses who led us out of the wilderness. We were asleep and it was his hand that awoke us and his energy and wonderful foresight that made us what we are. No matter how great Flint may becomq in future years, it will always be indebted to 'Billy' Durant for its growth and prosperity." It was at Flint that he initiated and brought to gigantic proportions industrial enterprises of the most important order and became one of the world's leaders in the production of motor vehicles. For himself, he won a large fortune, justly and honorably. His activity and broad vision came into play in envolving Flint from a small and obscure county seat to the status of one of the important industrial centers of the country. 'Here he made success not only for himself but for others and manifold are the incidents that are locally to be noted, where residents of Flint have gained substantial prosperity solely as a direct result of the great constructive enterprises initiated and carried forward by Mr. Durant. Some years before Mr. Durant and his associates began the erection of the Buick factory, a thrifty German had purchased a few acres of land on the outskirts of the city, where he was engaged in truck farming. His land was so situated as to be in great demand for factory purposes. He was besieged by real estate dealers desirous of purchasing it and the price offered raised daily until it reached ,-fI 1,,Y~lL~ I HISTORY OF GENBSEE COUNTY 877 $Ioo,oo0, which he accepted. When he deposited his check in a local bank, the banker remarked, "Well, Jake, you did pretty well with your truck farm." Much to his surprise, the German replied, "Naw, I did nuddings, 'Billy' Durant he do it all." Thus there is much consistency in the statement so frequently heard that "Durant made Flint." Here is a man whose intensive loyalty has bred loyalty and who has accomplished wonders, yet his great successes have never changed him in the least. To the people of Flint, and we may also add the entire state, he is still "Billy" Durant. He is one of them and they all feel free to approach him, no matter how humble their station in life may be. It may be that he has at times been too loyal to those who failed to return loyalty but he has ever stood "four square to every wind that blows" and sacrificed a great fortune, rather than bring loss and sacrifice to his friends and associates. The splendid industrial prestige of the city of Flint, Michigan, is due in a far greater measure to Mr. Durant than to any other one man and in his home city he has staged much of his great productive enterprise. William Crapo Durant was born in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, December 8, i86i, and is a son of William Clark Durant and Rebecca (Crapo) Durant, the latter a daughter of Governor Henry Howland Crapo. Mr. Durant was nine years of age at the time the family home was established in Flint, Michigan, where he was reared to manhood and where he received his youthful education. His early life was passed much the same as other boys at that period of Michigan's history-by attending school during the winter months and finding such employment as he could, in vacation periods. The only difference, as one of the old timers of Flint expresses it, between him and the other boys was "he was never idle; if he did not have something to do at home, he went out and found a job of some kind." He was reared in an atmosphere of intense activity. The home environment was ideal. His mother was a most remarkable woman and her influence was a dominating influence during the formative period of his life, when a man's real character is made and his ideals of life founded. Mr. Durant can truthfully say, like the immortal Lincoln, "Whatever I am or whatever I hope to be, I owe to my mother." She possessed a most gracious personality and her influence for good was not confined to her own home but extended throughout the entire community. Mr. Durant was engaged in various enterprises during his young manhood and developed one of the largest fire insurance agencies in central Michigan. He was also a director of one of the leading banks in Flint. At the time of the panic in I893, he organized the Flint Clearing House Association, of which he served as secretary for three years and gave an administration that attracted the favorable attention of bankers throughout the state. In i886, in company with J. Dallas Dort, he organized the Durant-Dort Carriage company. This company engaged in the manufacture of road carts and carriages on an extensive scale. Their annual output at one time grew to more than one hundred and fifty thousand vehicles. The first location of.1 378 HISTORY OF GESE COUNTY their factory was in what was then known as the "old cotton mill" which failed in a few years and left their building vacant. In the meantime the same conditions overtook the Castree-Mallery company, who were then engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements at Flint and Messrs. Dort and Durant soon converted their large plant into a modern carriage factory which was operated under the name of the Webster Vehicle company, a unit of the Durant-Dort Carriage company. A third unit was later established by the acquisition of the plant and equipment of the Pellett Table company and this was placed in commission under the title of the Diamond Buggy company. These different units were engaged in the manufacture of three distinct types of vehicles, a road cart, a light type of road wagon and also a platform spring wagon, besides a modern carriage of that day and age. These products proved popular from the start and found a ready sale throughout the entire United States. The Durant-Dort Carriage company with its three large manufactories and various accessory factories, including axles, wheels, etc., together with the W. A. Paterson company and the Flint Wagon Works, gained for Flint the title of the "Vehicle City" by which it became known in every state in the Union. It was about this time when the automobile was being talked about and Mr. Durant's name will ever stand in the forefront in the history of the automobile industry, as he was a pioneer in the development and manufacture of the now omnipresent motor vehicles. The Flint Wagon Works initiated the manufacture of a gasoline engine brought out by a man named Buick. They hoped to market this farm engine through the regular distributors who handled their farm wagons and their carriages. In the meantime, Mr. Buick was working to perfect a motor vehicle, with utilization of the motor originally devised as a stationary engine. Mr. Durant had for some time been quietly investigating motors and making ready to engage in the manufacture of motor cars, and he was solicited to take over the motor department of the business of the Flint Wagon Works. The result was that, in 1904, he effected the organization of the Buick Motor company and laid the foundation for what became, in I9o8, the largest automobile factory in the world. Concerning this important venture the following record has been made: "The industry was entirely new. Capital was timid. It required a very large amount of money to handle a business of such magnitude. Everything entering into the building of a car had to be purchased in enormous quantities. Special tools and machinery had to be made, new buildings erected, and, last but not least, there must be provided a sales organization with branches and distributors covering the entire American continent. It was a task for an empire builder. With keen vision, in larger measure than that of any other man, Mr. Durant had foreseen the enormous demand that would come for the motor car when it should have displaced the horse-drawn vehicle-a situation which he was the first to predict. The sales organization and distributing units brought into being by Mr. Durant's personal activities and directing HISTORY OP GBM-SBE COUNTY 379 genius, stand as a monument to his generalship. But, given the means to absorb the large volume, there remained the Herculean task of making certain that the manufacturing branch of the business could provide for the deliveries. In I907, against the great odds of one of the worst financial panics the country has ever known, Mr. Durant built the mammoth buildings making up the plant of the Buick Motor company. In i908 he organized the General Motors company, of which the Buick Motor company was the nucleus. He purchased the Cadillac Motor Car company of Detroit, the Olds Motor Works of Lansing, and the Oakland Motor Car company of Pontiac, and added them to the General Motors company, as did he also the Northway Motor company of Detroit, the Jackson-Church-Wilcox company of Saginaw, and the General Motors Truck company of Pontiac. By I909 he had created a corporation that showed net earnings for that year of $9,721,973.9I, and the year I9Io recorded a net profit of $II,090,753.72. At the end of the latter year, the volume of the annual business exceeded $50,000,000.00. The General Motors company fulfilled in volume and earnings every forecast made by its founder. In 1915 Mr. Durant acquired complete control of the company, and in I916 he became the president of the great industrial corporation that he had created. While thus concerned with the directing of industrial affairs of stupendous scope and importance, Mr. Durant also organized the Chevrolet Motor company. He placed this enterprise on a sound basis, established at Flint a group of the most modern factories in the country, with complete axle and motor plants; factories in Tarrytown, New York, and New York City; a transmission plant at Toledo, Ohio; an accessory plant at Bay City, Michigan; assembling plants at Oakland, California, and Fort Worth, Texas; and allied factories in St. Louis, Missouri, and Oshawa, Ontario. As touching the great industrial achievement of Mr. Durant and its direct and collateral influences, the following quotations are specially worthy of reproduction at this point: "The volume of the business of the General Motors company and the Chevrolet Motor company reached nearly $200,000,000.00 per annum, and the name of William C. Durant was linked with those of Andrew Carnegie, Thomas A. Edison, Charles M. Schwab and other giants of the industrial world. In the meantime the erection of the Chevrolet plant and the units of the General Motors company in Flint, such as the Buick Motor Car company, the Champion Ignition company, and the Michigan Malleable Castings company, had transformed the city from a population of less than fourteen thousand, as shown by the United States census of I9Io, to approximately eighty-five thousand at the close of 1916, and, at this time, 1925, has a population of over one hundred thousand. Property values advanced in some cases six to eight fold, and fortunes were made by those who had been associated with Mr. Durant in his various companies. In I916 the Chevrolet Motor company acquired a large block of the stock of the General Motors company, and a mutuality of interests obtained, prin 880 HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY cipally because Mr. Durant and his friends owned a majority of the stock of both companies. In I916 Mr. Durant organized the Perlman Rim company, and later he effected the organization of the United Motors company, comprising seven of the strongest motor car accessory companies, and in the same year he brought about the consolidation of the Sterling Motor company with the Scripps-Booth company, besides being influential in the formation of the Motor Products company." The foregoing record, brief though it is, marks Mr. Durant as one of the greatest of the leaders in the development of the great motor car industry, and also as a resourceful financier and sales director. To no one citizen does the city of Flint owe more than to this broad-gauged, loyal and progressive man of affairs, and none other has done so much to extend the fame and augment the growth and prosperity of this important industrial and commercial city of Michigan. Not here is it demanded that specific details be given of the unjust and unnecessary financial operations that eventually led to the retirement of Mr. Durant from the presidency of the General Motors company, after he had made a, sacrifice of his great personal fortune in his efforts to protect the interests of those who had reposed confidence in him. He brought the full force of his gigantic powers to bear in his attempt to overcome adverse conditions that followed in the wake of the great World war, but such a man will not down, as has been shown in the splendid success that has attended his activities since his organization and incorporation of the Durant Motors, which has Flint as the central stage of his extensive operations, with subsidiary factories in various other states of the Union. Mr. Durant has had much of leadership in the progressive service and activities of the Flint Board of Commerce, of which he has served as a director, and it was largely through his efforts that Flint obtained its present fine government or postoffice building. He has proved himself a practical philanthropist and a generous contributor to those things that make for the safeguarding and advancement of community welfare. His is the simple strength of conscious rectitude, and his is a fine sense of loyalty and personal stewardship as touching all of the relations of life. He remains one of the big men, the loved and honored citizens of Flint, and he merits much, for he has helped much. Mr. Durant is a Republican, his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, he is a life member of Flint Lodge, No. 222, B. P. O. E., and has membership in the Detroit club, the Detroit Athletic club, the Calumet, and Lotos clubs of New York City, and the Flint Country club. His only daughter is the wife of Edwin R. Campbell, M. D., of New York City, and his one son, R. Clifford, resides in San Francisco, California. In conclusion it may be added that the great things which Mr. Durant did for Flint, he also accomplished for many other towns and cities throughout the United States. The city of Oakland, California, dates her prosperity from the time General Motors established their HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY 81 branch at that point. Likewise, Pontiac and various other places are indebted to him for their growth and prosperity. To enumerate all of these various stages through which he has brought his industries would require volumes but suffice to say that today he is recognized throughout the United States as one of her greatest captains of industry. I _I_ ^_ ___1__ _ __ _Ir*__ __ _ _rl______~ _;r_ _____~__il____n _i~__lr__ _~____~C ~_1__ _I___ I I .iri. 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