Genesee-Washtenaw County MI Archives Biographies.....Fairbank, Jerome Z. 1827 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 5:48 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) JEROME Z.FAIRBANK. A man who is descended from parents of character and ability, and who has also become prominent and successful by virtue of his own business talents and personal reputation deserves, more than ordinary mention in such a volume as this. This son of Zenus Fairbank was born in Wayne County, N. Y., December 10, 1827 and his father was a native of Keene, Cheshire County, N. H., whence he removed at the age of seventeen to Madison County, N. Y., and was there united in marriage with Lucy Wade, a native of Connecticut. The parents of our subject removed to Wayne County, N. Y. and in December, 1835 came to Michigan and made their home in Washtenaw County till the following year, and in June, 1836, took up Government land in Fenton Township, Genesee County, and there resided until their death, that of the father occurring December 28, 1852, and the mother passing away October 84, 1855. When they came to this township there were less than a dozen voters within its bounds. Here Zenus Fairbank built a log house and during that first year he manufactured brick which was the first made in this part of the State and people came to him from far and near to be supplied with this important commodity. It was difficult to raise young lambs and pigs in that day on account of wolves and other wild animals. This prominent pioneer was well informed and an extensive reader, and by his own studies prepared himself for practicing medicine which made him doubly useful in this pioneer community as he was called to see the sick for many miles about. He was very attentive to them sparing no pains, and his death resulted from exposure upon a very cold night when called to visit one of his patients. On one occasion when this pioneer doctor was returning from a visit, as he passed through an opening in the woods near Silver Lake he saw a large wolf in the act of springing upon him and it was only after repeated repulses that he succeeded in driving away this hungry beast. He was one of the founders of the Free Will Baptist Church which has now ceased to exist in that vicinity. Six of his eight children are still living. He was one of the organizers of Argentine Township, which has since been divided into Argentine and Fenton Townships. After studying in the log schoolhouse Jerome Fairbank attended the Linden schools and taught some besides helping his father to clear the old homestead. At the age of nineteen he became self-supporting and with two younger brothers, undertook to purchase a piece of land, so that at the age of twenty-one he was the happy possessor of forty acres of land to which he has added from time to time as his means would permit. In the spring of 1853 he crossed the plains to California, traveling with ox-team and being more than six months on the way. During part of the fourteen months that he spent in the West he engaged in mining and brick making and returned by way of the Isthmus. Among the experiences of this Western trip was witnessing a lynching at Council Bluffs of a man who was tried and convicted for murder. While they were near Salt Lake City two of their cattle were missing and Mr. Fairbank and an Englishman started in pursuit of them, while the train with which they were traveling moved on a few miles, to a better camping place. While searching for the missing steers, the Englishman found his mother who had joined the Mormons and married a wealthy Elder. A visit of a few hours with her delayed them so that they were given up as lost by the people with whom they had been traveling, and as it was believed that they had been murdered by the Indians, the travelers were stirring up all Salt Lake City about them and organizing bands to exterminate the red men, when the two lost ones appeared safe and sound. The marriage of our subject with Amelia Clark, a New Yorker by birth took place in 1857 and she was called away by death on the 19th of October, 1880, leaving three children, Belle, Emma and Grace. Belle became the wife of Eugene Weber and died in 1885, and Grace is Mrs. F. D. Ralson, of Peoria, Ill., and Emma is at home. Mr. Fairbank has been active and influential in local Republican movements and for four years was Justice of the Peace. For quite a series of years was a member of the village Council, over which he presided for one year. The School Board counted him as one of its members for a considerable length of time and he has been a Mason for thirty years. All charitable causes receive his liberal support and he is a friend to the poor and an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/genesee/bios/fairbank737gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 5.5 Kb

Lapeer County MI Archives Biographies.....Woodruff, Edward T. 1853 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 5:43 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) EDWARD T. WOODRUFF. We are pleased to incorporate within our RECORD the following brief account of the life of Mr. Woodruff, of Lapeer, which is furnished by him self: Being asked to briefly sketch my life, and realizing what an addition it will be to the work, here goes: June 30, 1853, in Olean, N. Y., about 3 A. M. I raised my first hiccough and the village doctor. For my existence and subsequent life I am largely indebted to the Rev. and Mrs. J. A. Woodruff, and dear Mrs. Winslow's soothing syrup. My birth in the East was among my earliest indiscretions, as by being born in Michigan, whither I soon removed, I might have saved traveling expenses. Being the child of a clergyman, I was of course expected to demonstrate the truth of that trite saying, "Ministers' sons are the worst in the world." In this I am compelled to admit that I have always been a signal disappointment. Like other illustrious characters my boyhood was spent in the "pursuit of knowledge and wood-chucks," principally the latter. In my father's ministerial work and pioneer labors at Burnside, Goodland and other parts of Lapeer County, I was of valuable assistance, as may be understood by the fact that I often strided the pony behind him as he rode to his appointments. As the years passed, my brilliant achievements at the various schools, colleges and institutions of learning were only equalled by later triumphs in administering scientific "sproutings" to the youth of literary inclination in the locality where I taught. Through the kindness of the dear people I was permitted to inscribe beautiful specimens of my Spencerian penmanship upon the county records in the office of the Register of Deeds, which position I held for four successive years. After this I drifted into the newspaper habit, and am at present writing, still a-drifting. As editor of The Clarion I take pride in the growth and prosperity of the paper, its surprisingly large circulation as compared with other weeklies in this and adjoining counties, its moral tone, its newsy columns, the value in which it is held by advertisers and the regard and eagerness with which it is welcomed in every Republican as well as many other households through out Lapeer County, and vicinity. In closing I may say that I am striving to develop the true editorial spirit of cannibalistic regard for brother publishers. That I am making progress in this is evidenced in that I can now look forward with a degree of satisfaction to inscribing upon the tombstone of a contemporary the following fraternal epitaph: "Here lies my good 'cotemp', the man who swore to circulation, Although deceased he has increased his worldly occupation. In life he lied ten times a day, a petty little crime, But since in death he's lost his breath, he now lies all the time." Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/lapeer/bios/woodruff736gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.7 Kb

Tuscola-Sanilac County MI Archives Biographies.....McIntyre, Douglad 1840 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 5:40 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) DOUGALD McINTYRE. This genuine Scotch cognomen belongs to one who is a native of Argyleshire, Scotland, where he was born July 15, 1840, and is now a resident of Cass City. His parents, Dougald and Jane (McDougal) McIntyre, were natives of that country and his father being by occupation a farmer, the boy spent his younger days upon the farm. As his father died when he was quite young, the son at the age of eleven came to America with his mother and located in Monroe County, N. Y., where he had very ordinary advantages in schooling, for a limited period only, for he began his own support at the age of twelve years by working for neighboring farmers. When sixteen years old the youth went to Canada where he began lumbering, which he followed until he came to Michigan in 1860. He located first in Sanilac County, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of wild land which he proceeded to clear and to cultivate. He was married March 10, 1869, to Lucy F. McKinzie, of Oxford, Ontario, daughter of Robert McKinzie, a Canadian farmer. By this marriage they had eight children, Jennie C, John H., Nellie A., Robert K., Mina M., William H., Loren D., and Nellie A. Nellie A., the first, having died at the age of five years the last child was also named Nellie A. He of whom we write came to Cass City in the summer of 1882 and here engaged in lumbering, but soon entered in the mercantile business although he still owns his farm in Sanilac County which he manages by the aid of hired help. For one term he filled the office of Representative in the Legislature from Sanilac County, to which he was elected on the Republican ticket. He was a member of the Board of Supervisors for three years and during the last two years was Chairman of that body, and after the terrible fire of 1881 he Was appointed distributing agent of the Relief Committee, which difficult work he did with discrimination and satisfaction to others. He was at various times in offices of his township, and while he never sought them they were repeatedly thrust upon him, but he has not allowed his name to go before the people since he came to Cass City, although he still takes an active interest in politics. Mr. McIntyre formerly superintended the lumbering interests of Fuller, Avery & Co., the firm now having gone out of business. He has quite recently bought out the grocery business which he will now carry on. He has traveled extensively in Michigan, Wisconsin and nearly all the Western States from Missouri to Minnesota, and also in nearly all of the Southern States of the Union, and his experience and judgment are esteemed most highly. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/tuscola/bios/mcintyre735gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.5 Kb

Tuscola-Sanilac County MI Archives Biographies.....Roy, William H. 1833 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 5:35 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) WILLIAM H. ROY, whose home is in Koylton Township, Tuscola County, and who is the senior member of the hardware firm of W. H. Roy & Son, of Kingston, was born in 1833 in York County, Canada, and is a son of John and Permelia Roy. The father was born in 1798 at Whitehall, N. Y., and was left an orphan at the age of seven years after which he was bound out to his uncle to learn to be a sailor, and for five years he sailed upon Lake Champlain. When he was twelve years old his uncle died and he then ran away from his aunt and went to Canada where he soon undertook to learn the carpenter's trade which he followed until he was about thirty years of age. About this time John Roy was united in marriage with Permelia Carley, daughter of Abraham and Nancy Carley, and they decided to locate upon a farm in York County, Canada, which they made their home until his death, which occurred in 1875. To him and his good wife were born six children, namely: William H., Benjamin W., of Toronto, Canada; Maria, deceased; John J., of Toronto; Martha, deceased; and Permelia, now Mrs. John Cool, of Canada. These parents were both earnest and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Besides the other useful vocations which Mr. Roy took up and mastered he learned at the age of nineteen years the blacksmith's trade and followed it for fifteen years while living in Canada. He then came to Sanilac County, Mich., in 1865, and there he located upon a farm, remaining upon it for four years, and in 1869 he came to Tuscola County, and settled upon land in Kingston Township. It was in 1887 that he came to the village of Kingston and established his present business. Mr. Roy had been married in 1857 to Sarah Northey, a daughter of William and Margaret (Jordan) Northey, and unto them were born five children: John, who is married and living at Kingston; William, who lives in Kingston and has married Rettie Balcy and is the father of one son, William G.; Daniel, who is a partner with his father and has married Anna Crocker, and by her has four children: Hattie, Lottie, Vina and Ella; James S., who makes his home, in Kingston and Cynthia, who was the second child in age and died when only twelve years old. Both Mr. and Mrs. Roy are conscientious members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are people of influence both in church and social life. Our subject has held almost every one of the local offices of his township, and in the discharge of those public duties has done credit to himself. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/tuscola/bios/roy734gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.4 Kb

Tuscola County MI Archives Biographies.....Lyman, Mial R. 1856 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 5:33 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) MIAL R. LYMAN, M. D. Devoting himself to the alleviation of the ills that flesh is heir to, our subject finds in Gagetown, a good field for his profession. He is here one of the most popular and successful physicians, his practice not being confined to the town alone, but also having a large circuit in the neighboring country. Dr. Lyman was born in Jefferson County, Wis., February 27, 1856. He is a son of R. A. and Celestia (Nicols) Lyman. His father was born and brought up in Kent County, Ohio, and his mother in Buffalo, N. Y. The former was a farmer by calling, to which life our subject was reared until sixteen years of age. Dr. Lyman's educational advantages were unhappily limited in his youth. He was obliged to work in the daytime and his knowledge of books was mostly acquired after night, when the day's work was done and free of mind, he could pursue his favorite studies as long as his strength and inclination dictated. He began teaching school in Tuscola County when he was seventeen years of age and was quite successful as a pedagogue. His advent into the State had been made when at the age of seven years, coming here with his parents. He continued teaching until twenty-five years of age, attending school during a portion of the time. At the age above mentioned our subject began the study of medicine under Dr. Wood of Unionville, this State. With him as preceptor he gained a considerable knowledge of the healing art and then went to the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, and finished his course at this institution in 1883 and secured the degree of M. D. On returning to Michigan, our subject located at Gagetown and at once began the practice of his profession, and has ever since followed it here. He was married April 23, 1884, to Marguerite Crawford of Ailsa Craig. She is the daughter of Hector Crawford, a farmer by occupation. By this union our subject has become the father of two children -Pearl and Iva. Our subject follows the political lead of the Democratic party and although he has ever been interested in the aspect of political affairs, both local and national, has never been an aspirant for office. Socially he belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees. He takes a great deal of interest in educational matters, and is now a member of the School Board. In connection with his practice he conducts a drug store where may be found and compounded all the drugs known to the pharmacopoeia. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/tuscola/bios/lyman733gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.4 Kb

Genesee-Livingston County MI Archives Biographies.....Welch, John E. 1834 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 4:41 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) JOHN E. WELCH, a prominent and prosperous farmer of Fenton Township, Genesee County, is a native of Yorkshire, England, and was born March 14, 1834. He is a son of Edmond and Ellen (Johnson) Welch, both natives of England, where the father was a farmer in his early life, but was occupied for many years as a tax collector for a prominent London land company, owning large estates in England, Scotland and Ireland. Our subject was brought up on a farm, and received but limited school advantages, and in 1854, at the age of nineteen he decided to come to America. The ocean voyage occupied twenty-six days and after landing in Quebec, the young man came to Niagara, and crossing over to Youngstown, N. Y., spent two years in attending school while he worked for his board. He afterward spent one term at Wilson Academy, working for wages during the summers. In the fall of 1856 he came Michigan and undertook work on a sawmill at Pine Run in the Northern part of Genesee County, and during this time entering forty acres of Government land, and preempted forty acres. His intention was to improve his land, but as he was without necessary means he went to Kalamazoo, and attended college for awhile, doing chores for one of the professors for his board and tuition. He then began work on a farm in Hartland Township, Livingston County for the Rev. John Cosart, for whom he had previously worked. This connection with the Rev. Mr. Cosart, proved mutually satisfactory, and the young man became quite one of the family, and three years later was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Cosart, a daughter of the minister, and he at once prepared to locate on his land near Pine Run. After two years of hard work, clearing and improving the land, he exchanged it for a farm near Milford, where he lived for about two years, and then sold that property and purchased land in Gaines Township, Genesee County, upon which he lived for ten years, and then purchased his present farm, to which he has added much in the way of general improvement, and now has as fine a farm as can be found in the township. The Rev. John Cosart, the father of Mrs. Welch, was a native of New York, and became a pioneer Methodist preacher in Michigan, to which he came in the old Territorial days. He traveled over a great portion of the State on horseback, preaching and ministering to the pioneers in many localities, and when he died, in 1878, he owned a farm in Shiawasssee County. His daughter, who is now Mrs. Welch, began teaching at the age of fourteen, and taught for several terms. She is a lady of unusual culture and refinement. Lawrence Welch, the oldest son of our subject, is married, and is now engaged in a flourishing lumber business near the Straits of Mackinaw. Edmund and Ellen arc deceased; and Emma, who is still at home, is highly appreciated for her work as a teacher, which career she began at the age of seventeen, and in which she has had genuine success. Mr. Welch is a stanch Republican in his political views, and has been a Mason for thirty years. He has a pleasant home, and his farm of one hundred acres is situated on section 18. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was a Trustee and prominently useful. He visited his native land, England, in 1883, and this trip was a source of great pleasure to him, as he thus renewed old associations. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/genesee/bios/welch732gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.3 Kb

Tuscola County MI Archives Biographies.....Zeigler, George 1844 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 4:36 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) GEORGE ZEIGLER. We take pleasure in naming another of the well-known German-American citizens of Columbia Township, Tuscola County, who was born February 29, 1844, in Wurtemberg, Germany. His mother's maiden name was Barbara Mupsler, and his father was John Zeigler, a blacksmith by trade. They were both natives of Germany, and were the parents of nine children. Five of them, Mary (Mrs. Miller), Andrew, Christina (Mrs. Fisher), George and Mathew, live in the United States. Mrs. Fisher makes her home in Findlay, Ohio. The trade of a shoemaker was the calling chosen by George Zeigler in his early days, and having mastered that line of work, he came with his sister Christina to America in 1861, landing in New York City in June, having passed thirty-eight days on the ocean. They settled in Arcadia, Hancock County, Ohio, where he worked at his trade for about two years. At that time he became deeply interested in the War of the Rebellion and decided to take his part in helping to sustain the honor of the stars and stripes. This young man enlisted June 20, 1863, in Company L, First Ohio Heavy Artilley, and served, until July 25, 1865, when he received his honorable discharge at Knoxville, Tenn. His war experiences had been varied, and he had suffered many hardships. Returning to Arcadia, he again resumed his trade, and in January, 1867, came to Unionville, Tuscola County, and located on sixty-live acres, which are situated on section 17, Columbia Township. This timber land he partially cleared, and lived for one year in Unionville. In April, 1883, he located on forty acres of land on section 10, and most of this he has now put under cultivation, having removed from it the timber. The marriage of our subject with Catherine Semmer took place April 8, 1873. Mrs. Zeigler was born in Prussia, and is a daughter of Conrad Semmer. No children have been granted to this marriage, but Mr. Zeigler and his wife, who are earnest and devoted members of the Lutheran Church, feel that it is their privilege to care for some motherless child. They have, therefore, taken a little girl, Laura Armbruster, whom they bringing up to habits of industry, and giving to her a good education. This respected citizen landed in New York without means, and all that he has gained has been the result of his own enterprise and industry. His political views have brought him into sympathy with the Republican party, and in its interests he is ever active. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/tuscola/bios/zeigler731gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.4 Kb

Lapeer County MI Archives Biographies.....Wallace, William 1809 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 4:34 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) WILLIAM WALLACE. Our subject is a farmer and stock-raiser, located on section 36, Almont Township, Lapeer County. Bearing the illustrious name which he does, it is not surprising to learn that he comes from Scotland, where he was born July 10, 1809, He is a son of William and Jean Donald Wallace, In the early days at home he received but a modicum of education, but like most of the Highland Scots, having learned to read, his thoughtful and earnest mind was ever eager for literary food of the best class. His father died when he was about eight years old, and our subject was obliged to go to work in the cotton mills, continuing in that employment until just previous to his departure for America. Even with the small wages that the workmen in the factory cities of Scotland received, our subject was enabled to lay up a small amount of money, for he was prudent and economical, and was moral in every way, being temperate in his habits, neither smoking nor drinking. He was married July 5, 1844, when he was about thirty-five years of age. His bride was Miss Janet Bowes, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Stark) Bowes. Five days after the solemnization of their nuptials they took vessel for America. On the way over Mrs. Wallace took the fever, and they were quarantined at Staten Island for one month after their arrival. On her recovery the couple started for Michigan and came to Romeo. Soon after locating here our subject procured eighty acres of land in Metamora Township, Lapeer County. He here built a log house, which served them as home for about three years, at the end of which time they exchanged farms with another man and got the eighty acres upon which they now live. Since that time they have added to it from time to time until they now possess two hundred and sixty acres. They have recently sold forty acres to a son. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are the parents of ten children: William B., Margaret, Thomas, James, Jean, Janet and Agnes, who are twins, John, Alexander and Isabel. William was born in Lapeer County, September 8, 1845; he served in the army for two years and eight months; his home is now in Tacoma, Wash. Margaret, whose natal day was May 10, 1847, married Hugh Glover, a farmer of North Branch; Thomas, who was born March 13, 1849, married Janet Thomson, and lives near Barr City, Col., where he is engaged in farming; James, who was born in July, 1851, resides in Colorado, and is the owner of a large herd of cattle and horses; he is still unmarried. Jean married A. Bolton; her home is now in Colorado. Janet married John Balhoff and lives in Sanilac County; Agnes is the wife of James Clubine and lives in Almont; John lives in St. Clair County; Alexander rents his father's place and lives at home; Isabel is still unmarried. The original of our sketch has spent much hard labor upon his farm. The products have been so bountiful, however, that he has been enabled to lay enough aside to keep himself and wife comfortable in their declining years. He is a Republican in politics, and has always been interested in both national and local Government, but has never been ambitious to be an officeholder. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/lapeer/bios/wallace730gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.0 Kb

Tuscola County MI Archives Biographies.....Murdick, Henry 1831 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 4:28 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) HENRY MURDICK is a resident on section 26, Koylton Township, Tuscola County. He was born in County Middlesex, Canada, December 29, 1831, but is now counted as one of the veteran pioneers of Tuscola County, having been the fourth man to settle in Koylton Township. He came to his present home in 1858 and the place and vicinity was then totally unimproved. He was obliged to make his own roads and he cleared up his own farm. On coining to the new country he was the owner of a team of horses but soon traded them for oxen, as these patient beasts of burden were better adapted to the hardships of clearing the new and stumpy-ground. Mr. Murdick is a son of Isaac and Sophia Murdick. The former was born in Orange County, N. Y., in 1792. He had been reared on a farm in his native State and county and on arriving at manhood continued the same mode of life. During the War of 1812 he served as a fifer, and at the age of twenty-two he married Sophia Eichenberg, of Canada, to which place our subject had previously removed and had settled his family. His wife, like himself, was a native of New York but had emigrated to Canada with her parents, John and Hannah Eichenberg. The original of our sketch is one of a large family born to his parents but only three are living at the present time. They are Henry, Isaac and Catherine. Our subject's father spent the remainder of his life in the Dominion and there met his death. His wife passed away a few years before him. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject began to be self-supporting on reaching his majority. He then married Emeline Page, a daughter of Peter and Mary M. Page and to them were born eight children-William, George N., Birtie, David E., Albert Tryphena, Otis J., Levi. Mrs. Emeline Murdick died October 4, 1874, and after some time our subject was again united in marriage with Mrs. Jane Fellows, a daughter of William Smith. Socially our subject is a member of Lodge No. 271, I. O. O. F., of Marlette. In his church affiliations he is a Universalist. His optimistic and sunny temperament find most consolation in that creed. He stands exceptionally well in the regard and esteem of his fellow-townsmen, and is the head of a family of whom it is a pleasure to be able to speak in the laudatory terms which they fully deserve. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/tuscola/bios/murdick729gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.2 Kb

Tuscola-Oakland-Huron County MI Archives Biographies.....Hennessy, Thomas G. 1862 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 4:26 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) REV. FATHER THOMAS G. HENNESSY. The pastor of the flock of the Catholic fold in Denmark Township, Tuscola County, although young in years has acquired a dignity that well befits his position. He has charge of quite a following that belongs to the Church of St. Elizabeth, located at Reese. Father Hennessy, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is the son of Michael and Anna (Ashe) Hennessy, natives of County Kerry, Ireland. His parents emigrated to America in 1848, and located in Auburn, N. Y., where our subject was born November 1, 1862. In 1863 Michael and Anna Hennnessy removed to Holly, Oakland County, this State, where they still reside, the father being a farmer. Their family comprises five children, namely: John, Joana, Mary (Mrs. A. F. Knutt), Michael and our subject. The last named acquired the rudiments of his education in the district schools of Holly Township. At an early age he became inclined to ministerial work and with that aim and idea before him he laid his plans for preparation for the work. He attended school at Fenton, and after a course of two years there he became a student at Assumption College, Sandwich, Ontario. He remained there for six years during which time he applied himself to the full classical and philosophical courses. He graduated in 1834, and in the fall of that same year entered St. Mary's Theological Seminary, where he pursued the regular course, receiving his sheepskin in 1887. He was ordained to the priesthood July 24, of the year in which he graduated. He was engaged as assistant pastor at Marshall, this State, until November 25, 1887, and was then transferred to the pastorate of St. Elizabeth's at Reese. Besides his parochial and pastoral work in this place Father Hennessy has a charge in Sebewaing, Huron County, and neighboring missions, also of St. Patrick's Church at Clifford, Lapeer County. He has, altogether, ecclesiastical jurisdiction over two hundred and fifteen families. His churches are all rapidly growing. His sermons are thoughtful and carefully prepared and feed the mental as well as the moral sides of the natures of his parishioners. Father Hennessy is full of enthusiasm in his work and allows no scattering of his mental forces, bringing all the powers of his nature to bear upon his chosen vocation in life. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/tuscola/bios/hennessy728gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.2 Kb

Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Eames, Charles H. 1836 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 4:22 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) CHARLES H. EAMES, a representative citizen of Grand Blanc Township, Genesee County, and a native of Monroe County, N. Y., was born November 8, 1836, and is a son of William and Abigail Eames, the former being a New Yorker and the latter (now deceased) being a native of New Jersey. The father emigrated to Genesee County in 1842 and settled in the southern part of Grand Blanc Township, where he bought land from the Government. His first home was a small frame house in which he continued to live until the summer of 1853, when he erected a better residence and to it transferred his family. Two of his four children are still living, Charles H. and Joseph. The father served as Commissioner of Highways of Grand Blanc Township and is now in his ninety-fifth year and one of the oldest pioneers of this section. The hardships which he endured in those I early days seem to have made him hardy and long lived, instead of shortening his days, hi his early life he was a Whig and later a Republican and is now an earnest Prohibitionist. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which has been gained by his own efforts as he became an orphan when an infant and was early thrown upon his own resources. Our subject was reared to manhood in this county mid scenes of pioneer life and had his education in the district school. He has been an extensive reader and has kept himself informed on subjects of public interest. He did much toward clearing away the forests in his day and much breaking of land. The marriage of Mr. Eames with Mrs. Martha Ryan, widow of John Ryan, of Grand Blanc Township, took place August 28, 1867. She is a daughter of Zera and Oxey Curtis, formerly of Grand Blanc and now deceased. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Eames there are born three children: Walter, Bertie and Merritt. Our subject has a fine farm of eighty acres, where he carries on general farming. He has served one year as School Director of his district, also as School Treasurer, and is a man of public spirit and enterprise. Mrs. Eames is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and both Mr. Eames and his wife take an active interest in all social matters, and are earnest workers in the temperance cause. In his political views he is attached to the Prohibition party. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/genesee/bios/eames727gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.2 Kb

Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Thompson, Frank M. 1859 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 4:19 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) FRANK M. THOMPSON was born in Mundy Township, Genesee County, September 11, 1859. He is a son of Maxwell and Jane (Winget) Thompson, of Rushville, N. Y., and his grandfather was James Thompson, also of New York. The latter owned a farm in Cayuga County, N. Y., and operated a plaster quarry. The family is of Scotch extraction. Maxwell Thompson was reared on a farm in Cayuga County, and was there engaged in the mercantile business till alout 1830. Three years later he came to Michigan and took up Government land in Genesee County, He here spent his summers and returned to his business in Rushville, N. Y., during the winter, continuing this for three years. Maxwell Thompson was of a speculative nature and was largely engaged on first coming here in buying and selling new land. In 1836 he returned to this State and purchased a large tract located in various portions of the State, and finally, in 1839, settling in Mundy Township, but not remaining permanently until 1842. He kept bachelor's hall in a log house on the Baldwin Road. He there lived for several years, marketing his wheat in Detroit and selling it for twenty-five cents a bushel. He followed an Indian trail from his place for a number of years, there being no roads laid out. In 1850 our subject's father was married to Miss Jane Winget, a native of Ontario County, N. Y. Their marriage was solemnized in Detroit. They continued to live in the log house until about 1858 and then moved on the Flint and Fen-ton Road. In 1861 he moved into the Lee Hotel on land he purchased in Fen ton Township and there lived until 1869, when he removed to Fenton. His decease occurred January 15, 1888, when at the age of eighty-three years. He was a hard worker and a persistent student, becoming quite a lawyer although he was never admitted to the bar. He often, however, tried cases in the petty courts and was consulted by more than one prominent attorney. He owned about twelve hundred acres of land at the time of his decease. He was particularly interested in the raising of sheep and had one thousand head at the time of his death. Our subject is one of two children born to his parents, he being the elder. He received his education for the most part in Fen ton, attending the Fenton High School until he had finished his junior year. He then spent one year in Detroit in attendance at the Goldsmith Commercial College and also spent one term at the Orchard Lake Military Academy. He then read law for about three months and was variously engaged in clerking and buying wool and was also in the hardware business for four years, paying attention to farming for seven years. In March, 1891, he moved to Fenton. On the 28th of December, 1882, our subject was married to Miss Belle Adams, who was born in Oregon. She is a daughter of J. Charles and Helen (Ellis) Adams, both of New York. They were married in San Francisco and lived on the coast for about eight years, thence came to Michigan and settled in Grand Blanc Township, where they reside at the present time. Our subject and his wife have two children-Charles M. and Nina B. Mr. Thompson is a Republican in politics. He owns three hundred acres of land in this township besides three other farms. He has five hundred and sixty acres in Mundy Township and one hundred and forty acres in Fenton Township. He pays particular attention to the raising of sheep and has now six hundred head. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/genesee/bios/thompson726gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.3 Kb

Tuscola County MI Archives Biographies.....McCallum, James 1852 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 4:15 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) JAMES McCALLUM. We have here again the story of the poor boy, who found in America the place in which he might rise to a position of comfort and where he might acquire a handsome property, for the father of our subject had but a half crown in his pocket when he came across the seas from Scotland to Canada at the age of thirteen. His son James was born in 1852 in Ontario, Canada, he himself, Finley McCallum, in 1813. The father had acquired a good education for a boy of his age before coming to America, and soon after his arrival in Canada he undertook teaching, which he followed for a period of over twenty years, after which he was chosen as Assistant Recorder of Halton County, Canada, in which office he served for a full decade, and was then appointed Treasurer of the same county and filled that honorable position with judgment and integrity until his death, which took place December 1, 1881, making nearly twenty years in which he had served as Treasurer. Jane Laidlaw was the maiden name of the young woman who in 1850 was united in marriage with the father of our subject. She is a daughter of Andrew and Agnes Laidlaw and became the mother of nine children, eight of whom are still in this life, These children are by name, James, our subject; Agnes, wife of John Creighton, of Manitoba; Christina J., Mrs. John Summerville, of Manitoba; Elizabeth, who makes her home in Ontario, Canada; John F., of the same place; Margaret who is the wife of Dr. McClanihen, of Toronto; Andrew, who lives in the State of Washington and Mary E. of Ontario, Canada. It was at the age of seventeen that our subject began to make his own living in the world and decided to come to Michigan while still quite a young man, and he located in various counties from time to time and finally made his home upon a farm in Tuscola County, in 1885. Two years later he bought out the firm of H. R. Brown, of Wilmot, which business he continued to carry on, and handles a full line of goods such as are found in a general store. On the 22nd of March, 1882, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Kelley, daughter of Dennis and Mary A. Kelley, of Bloomfield, Oakland County, Mich. The three children who have blessed this home are Maud, Claud and Benjamin Harrison. It is hardly necessary after mentioning the name of Mr. McCallum's youngest child to state that his political preferences agree with the teachings of the Republican party and that he is a warm admirer of the man who fills the Presidential chair. He has filled the office of Postmaster at Wilmot and also express agent, and at present is Highway Commissioner. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/tuscola/bios/mccallum725gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.5 Kb

Lapeer County MI Archives Biographies.....Schuneman, Martin G. 1835 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 3:56 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) MARTIN G. SCHUNEMAN. The owner of a farm located on section 33, Lapeer Township, Lapeer County, is a son of John R. Schuneman, of Geneva, N. Y., a farmer and hotel-keeper in that portion of the country, and who also served as a soldier in the War of 18i2. Our subject's mother was Mary (Garrett) Schuneman, a native of Geneva, N. Y., where she met and married her husband and came to Michigan in 1836, settling upon the farm which our subject now occupies. Their first home here was a temporary shanty, which was soon replaced by a substantial log house. The only neighbors at that early day were the Clark family, and there was only one little house in Lapeer Township at the time, but plenty of Indians, wolves, bears and deer, and their oversight of their domestic animals and fowls was necessarily very close to keep them from the hungry fangs of the wolves. Our subject's parents were fairly successful and in comfortable circumstances, but they were in no wise exempt from the hardships incident to pioneer life. They had to go to Detroit with an ox-team for provisions, each trip consuming n week. Their tract comprised three hundred and twenty acres of land, which was partially timbered and all perfectly new. Our subject's father died in 1856; his widow survived him until 1881. John Schuneman cleared a goodly portion of the homestead and built one of the first frame barns in the township, his death occurring immediately after its completion, so that the funeral services were held in the new barn. They were the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom are now living. They were active and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, which they helped to organize and build. He was a Democrat in politics and held some township offices. Our subject was born December 14, 1835, in Geneva, N. Y. His education was acquired for the most part in the schools of Lapeer Township, Lapeer County, and he was reared on the home farm. Unlike many others of of the early settlers, he never' was obliged to work out for others. When forty-one years of age our subject was married to Libby Hurd, a daughter of Warren Hurd, a farmer in McComb County, Mich. She was born in this State in 1847, and received a common-school education. Our subject and his wife are the parents of two children-Blanche and Jay. The first-named was born September 11, 1878, and the latter November 18, 1880. They are in attendance at the local school. Since six months of age our subject has lived upon the old homestead and his interests are naturally centered in this vicinity. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church in the village of Metamora, having been so connected for over thirty years; they are also interested in Sunday-school work. Socially he of whom we write is a member of the Grange and has also taken an interest in the local school. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. Schuneman is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which one hundred and twenty acres are under cultivation. Since coming into possession of the place he has cleared off twenty-three acres and made an attractive addition to the residence and added other improvements. He here carries on general farming and owns a large quantity of graded stock. Mrs. Schuneman's paternal grandfather was David Hurd, a soldier in the War of 1812. Her mother was Mary Jane (Eveland) Hurd, a native of Canada. Her parents came to Michigan in 1824, having cut their way through the wilds from Detroit. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are now living. Of these Mrs. Schuneman was the third child and was born November 8, 1847, in Macomb County. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/lapeer/bios/schunema724gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.5 Kb

Tuscola-Oakland County MI Archives Biographies.....Kirk, James 1834 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 3:51 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) JAMES KIRK. No better citizens have come to the Wolverine State than those whose birth and parentage were in the North of Ireland, for the noble characters and sterling qualities which make up that honest and industrious people, are of untold value. Our subject was born in Glenwherry, County Antrim, Ireland, September, 1834, and is a son of Robert and Sarah (Reid) Kirk, natives of the same county. The father of our subject was a farmer in his native home, and came to the United States in 1862, settling in Fairgrove Township, Tuscola County, this State, where he purchased eighty acres of timber land. His faithful wife was called from his side by death in August, 1865, and he died some ten years later. His father was of Scotch birth, and the family was connected with the Presbyterian Church. Robert and Sarah Kirk reared to maturity ten children, namely: Bell, who died in Ireland leaving eight children; Eliza, who died leaving a little family of four children; Sallie, James, Jennie, Ellen, Andrew, Ann, William and John. Our subject was brought up on the farm and was largely self-educated. After eight weeks voyage upon the Atlantic, he landed in New York City, August 1, 1851. Here he worked for four years in a starch factory, and it was the 1st of May, 1855, when he landed in Oakland County. Mich., where he worked for five years on a farm for Mr. John Ewing. In October, 1855, he came to Tuscola County, and bought eighty acres of land on section 31, Fairgrove Township, this county. He did not at once take up his residence here, but during the winter of 1860 chopped wood upon his farm, and in 1861 he came to the county to live permanently. This property Mr. Kirk has now improved with fine buildings, and added to its acreage from time to time until he owns one hundred and forty acres, all of which he has cleared. His first house was a log cabin 18x26 feet, in which he made his home for eighteen years. For the past four years he has been a breeder of Durham cattle, and is progressive in his methods of farming. He served as Highway Commissioner for four years, and also as Supervisor, and was School Director for eighteen years. In the fall of 1890 he was elected to represent his county in the State Legislature, and is considered a leader among the Republicans. The marriage of our subject with Nancy Miller took place in January, 1868. This lady was born in the same county with our subject, and is a daughter of John and Martha (Smith) Miller. Mr. Miller was a farmer and died in Ireland leaving a widow and four children, as follows William, Mary, Matilda and Nancy. The son died in the old country, and the widow came with her daughters to the United States about thirty years ago. Our subject and his wife have ever been earnest and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, in which they find a broad field of work and influence. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/tuscola/bios/kirk723gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb

Genesee-Oakland County MI Archives Biographies.....Curtis, George W. 1840 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 3:49 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) GEORGE W. CURTIS a representative farmer Fenton Township, Genesee County, and a brother of D. D. Curtis, whose biographical sketch will be found elsewhere in this RECORD, has upon his well-improved place a beautiful home and all the surroundings of a successful farmer. He was born in Addison Township, Oakland County, Mich., January 27, 1840. His father, Zimri Curtis, migrated to Michigan in 1825 settling in Ray Township, Macomb County, where he took up Government land. A few years later he removed to Addison Township, Oakland County, which remained his home for many years and where he built the first log house within an area of several miles. He died in 1884 at the age of sixty-nine, leaving behind him an excellent reputation as a man of integrity and true Christian character, being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and having served his township faithfully as Clerk and Highway Commissioner. He was exceedingly useful in the early days in assisting settlers to find land and secure its location, etc. His wife, Amanda Lockwood, a New Yorker, was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in 1886 leaving seven children. Upon the slab seats of the log school house, Mr. Curtis took his elementary education, and all that he has attained since leaving that primitive instutution [sic] of learning, has been by his own unaided efforts. He remained at home until he attained his majority and in 1861 he engaged in farming in Fenton Township, and purchased his present farm in 1869. It was already somewhat improved and he has since placed upon it excellent buildings, fences and other improvements. The lady who in 1869 became the wife of George W. Curtis, bore the maiden name of Mary Chamberlain, and was born in Addison Township, Oakland County. Her parents, Milton and Nancy (Smith) Chamberlain, had their birth and training in Massachusetts and in New York respectively, but came to Michigan in the early days and became early settlers in Addison Township. He died in 1859 and Mrs. Chamberlain in 1882, and they left a family of ten children all of whom still survive. The three born to our subject and his amiable wife are: Milton, Fred and Mabel. Milton is now married and lives near his father upon an adjacent farm. The principles of Democracy comprise the political views which receive the endorsement of Mr. Curtis and he has taken an active part in local politics. He has been twice raised to the office of Highway Commissioner, and has served for one term as Justice of the Peace. His two hundred and forty acres of land, lie upon sections 10, 15 and 16, and this property is all in first class condition and in most systematic order. Here he raises all kinds of stock of best grades and everything about the place voices the praises of this vigorous and enterprising farmer. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/genesee/bios/curtis722gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.7 Kb

Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Brainerd, Ambrose 1853 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 3:45 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) AMBROSE BRAINERD,a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 3,Grand Blanc Township, Genesee County, is a native of this State and county, and was born August 5, 1853. He is a son of Eli and Elmira (Straw) Brainerd, who were natives of New York State. Eli Brainerd, the immediate progenitor of him of whom we write, with his father, emigrated to Genesee County at an early day. The family settled in Grand Blanc Township, being among the first pioneer families of that locality. Eli Brainerd was reared to manhood in this county, becoming early familiar with all phases of pioneer life. He was among the many who did the hard work of hewing out roads and preparing the ground for the present fertile and fruitful farms with which Genesee County abounds. He attended school in the institutions in the vicinity of his home, but, like most men whose early advantages are limited, he has pieced out what he has acquired in the schoolroom with practical experience and observation, by which he has learned more than in any other way. Our subject's father married Elmira Straw, in July 1840, and as the years passed thejr became the parents of several children, four of whom are living at the present time. They are Mary, wife of Henry Fuller; Edna, wife of A. Van Vleet; Ira and Ambrose. Our subject's father still resides in this township and is one of the old and highly respected pioneer settlers of the vicinity. He is a Prohibitionist in politics and has always been a public-spirited and enterprising man. He was one of the supporters of the Baptist Church at Gibsonville at an early day and is still regarded as a cornerstone of religious advancement in this locality. Ambrose Brainerd was reared to manhood in this county, here receiving a common-school education. He was married September 14, 1876, to Miss Mary De Marshall, a native of France. By her he has become the father of one son, Alfred who was born September 10, 1889. Our subject is the owner of one hundred and seventeen acres of good land, all of which is well improved. He is a Republican in his political belief and is well informed as to the issues of the day in political life. The Brainerd family are among the thrifty and prominent pioneers of Genesee County and we take pleasure in representing them among the prominent citizens that are presented to our readers in this RECORD. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/genesee/bios/brainerd721gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.3 Kb

Lapeer County MI Archives Biographies.....Davenport, George ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 2:43 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) HON. GEORGE DAVENPORT. One of the most enterprising and successful farmers of Hadley Township, Lapeer County, has by virtue of his ability and position been made the representative of the people in the local government. He is a farmer and stock-raiser, owning a fine place on sections 22 and 23. He was born in New York City March 23, 1833, and in 1837 came with his parents and located on the farm where he now resides. He was the fourth in order of birth of a family of six children born to Oliver and Catherine (Crossen) Davenport. The names of the children were as follows: Catherine, Susan, Jesse, George, William H. and Theodore. Oliver Davenport was a native of Orange County, N. Y., and was born May 8, 1804. His decease took place in the old homestead in Hadley Township, November 6, 1869. His wife was a native of the same county as was her husband and was born in 1808. She died in this place January 4, 1846. Our subject's father was one of a family of fourteen children, all of whom lived to be men and women and who were named as follows: Jesse, Betsey, Hannah, Oliver, Walter, Robert, Clarissa, Samuel, Sally, Isaiah, Mary J., Michael, Susan and Margaret. Our subject's grandfather on the paternal side was a participant in the War of 1812 and was of Revolutionary stock, the family having originally come from Holland. George Davenport grew to maturity on the farm and received the advantages of a common school education. He was married December 10, 1857, to Mary, daughter of Job and Ann Eliza (Tourtillett) Hall. She was a native of Ohio. From this marriage five children were born, two of whom are still living. The little brood were named as follows: Eva, Permelia, Cassie, George and Oliver. On the breaking out of the war our subject with two brothers, Jesse and Theodore, responded to the call for volunteers and joined Company K, Fourth Michigan Calvary. They enlisted August 9, 1862, and served until the close of the war. Mr. Davenport was assigned to duty in the Army of the Cumberland. His company served in ninety-six engagements, among which were the noted battles of Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Buzzard Roost, Atlanta, Selma, Franklin, LaVergne, Murfreesboro, and Nashville. At the close of the war our subject returned to his home and became engaged in farming. He is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of fine land which is thoroughly well improved. In 1871 Mr. Davenport was elected to the legislature and in 1883 was re-elected, serving two regular sessions and at one extra session. At the close of this time he refused re-election. He has held the office of Supervisor of Hadley Township and being well known in the county has been given the prominence which his ability and recognized worth as a man entitle him to. His election to various positions have been made on the Republican ticket. Socially he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/lapeer/bios/davenpor720gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb

Lapeer County MI Archives Biographies.....Davenport, George 1818 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 2:42 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) HON. GEORGE DAVENPORT. One of the most enterprising and successful farmers of Hadley Township, Lapeer County, has by virtue of his ability and position been made the representative of the people in the local government. He is a farmer and stock-raiser, owning a fine place on sections 22 and 23. He was born in New York City March 23, 1833, and in 1837 came with his parents and located on the farm where he now resides. He was the fourth in order of birth of a family of six children born to Oliver and Catherine (Crossen) Davenport. The names of the children were as follows: Catherine, Susan, Jesse, George, William H. and Theodore. Oliver Davenport was a native of Orange County, N. Y., and was born May 8, 1804. His decease took place in the old homestead in Hadley Township, November 6, 1869. His wife was a native of the same county as was her husband and was born in 1808. She died in this place January 4, 1846. Our subject's father was one of a family of fourteen children, all of whom lived to be men and women and who were named as follows: Jesse, Betsey, Hannah, Oliver, Walter, Robert, Clarissa, Samuel, Sally, Isaiah, Mary J., Michael, Susan and Margaret. Our subject's grandfather on the paternal side was a participant in the War of 1812 and was of Revolutionary stock, the family having originally come from Holland. George Davenport grew to maturity on the farm and received the advantages of a common school education. He was married December 10, 1857, to Mary, daughter of Job and Ann Eliza (Tourtillett) Hall. She was a native of Ohio. From this marriage five children were born, two of whom are still living. The little brood were named as follows: Eva, Permelia, Cassie, George and Oliver. On the breaking out of the war our subject with two brothers, Jesse and Theodore, responded to the call for volunteers and joined Company K, Fourth Michigan Calvary. They enlisted August 9, 1862, and served until the close of the war. Mr. Davenport was assigned to duty in the Army of the Cumberland. His company served in ninety-six engagements, among which were the noted battles of Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Buzzard Roost, Atlanta, Selma, Franklin, LaVergne, Murfreesboro, and Nashville. At the close of the war our subject returned to his home and became engaged in farming. He is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of fine land which is thoroughly well improved. In 1871 Mr. Davenport was elected to the legislature and in 1883 was re-elected, serving two regular sessions and at one extra session. At the close of this time he refused re-election. He has held the office of Supervisor of Hadley Township and being well known in the county has been given the prominence which his ability and recognized worth as a man entitle him to. His election to various positions have been made on the Republican ticket. Socially he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/lapeer/bios/davenpor719gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb

Genesee-Macomb County MI Archives Biographies.....Stone, Samuel 1818 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher [email protected] June 2, 2007, 2:39 pm Author: Chapman Bros. (1892) SAMUEL STONE. The hardships of pioneer life have been endured by this well-known resident of Fenton Township, Genesee County, and he did a great deal of the work which falls to the lot of the early settler, as his father, Theophilus Stone, came hither about the year 1832 and as his son, who was born in Genesee County, N. Y., November 6, 1818, was then a lad of fourteen years he had abundant opportunities to exercise all his young strength and ingenuity in helping to develop the new country. The father was a shoemaker by trade and he settled in Macomb County, where he took up Government land which had been partly cleared, but in course of time sold that property and came to Genesee County, about the year 1839 and here he bought land on section 10, which is now owned by our subject. Upon this unbroken and uncultivated land they built a log house and having cleared a portion of the farm began to improve it. Our subject remembers when deer and wild game were plentiful. The father, who died during the '50s, was a man of character and integrity, who was highly respected wherever known, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His good wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Graves, was a native of New York and survived him for eight years. Six of their children are now living. The log schoolhouse in which our subject took his elementary education was two miles distant from his home and thither the sturdy little fellow made his way regularly, determined to gain an education. He was the eldest of the family and therefore his time was somewhat broken in upon by family needs, much of it being given to labor. At the age of twenty-one he bought apiece of land in Fenton Township and began to work it. He subsequently sold this and returned to the old homestead where he undertook the care of his parents and has since made his home here. Sarah Britton, a New Yorker by birth, became the wife of our subject in 1855, and to them were granted six children, three of whom are still living, namely: Ciara, the wife of John Orr a farmer of Franklin Township; Fannie, Mrs. Alvin Buck, lives upon an adjacent farm and William is still with his father. Mr. Stone was trained a Whig in his youth but became a Republican after the formation of that party. In 1852 he made a journey across the plains to California and was absent about two and one-half years, consuming some six months in his journey across the continent. He engaged in gold mining, in which he was fairly successful and upon his return came by way of the Isthmus. This experience in the West satisfied him for a time only, and in 1859 he went accompanied by his wife to Pike's Peak, Col., and there spent eight months. These experiences in the wilder parts of our country were of great interest to Mr. Stone but he now feels satisfied to remain in the beautiful State of Michigan. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/genesee/bios/stone718gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb