BIOGRAPHIES - Pages 191-210

     When our subject was eleven years of age his mother died, and the family being broken it he went to live in Valatie, Columbia County, N. Y. in the home of John Corning; there he remained two and a half years attending the district school, after which he entered the Oak Street School at Binghampton, remaining there one year. When seventeen years of age he was chosen Principal of the First Ward School in Binghampton and the second year he secured a more responsible position as Principal of, the Oak Street School, where he had been a pupil. There he remained for one year and then feeling the need of a more thorough preparation for his chosen profession, he entered the Susquehanna Seminary, acting as assistant teacher and at the same time taking advanced work. The want of funds again compelled him to seek a position as teacher, and he became Principal of the public school at Chenango Forks, N. Y.

     In 1857 Prof. Clute came West and located in Ionia, this State, where he taught a private school for several months. In the fall of 1859 he entered the Sophomore class of the Agricultural College, but during the winter vacation of the same year he became Principal of the Ionia schools. The next year he returned to the college and was graduated with the Class of '62, which was the second class that was graduated from the Michigan Agricultural College. Mr. Clute bears the distinction of delivering the first oration that was ever given by a graduate from an agricultural college in America at a college Commencement, the first class not having commencement exercises as the majority of the graduates entered the army, when the first call was made for troops.

     After finishing his college course Prof. Clute (192) was made Principal of the DeWitt schools, but was soon called back to his Alma Mater as instructor in mathematics. In two year's time he was given the Chair of Mathematics and retained that position until 1866, finally resigning it to take a year's course of study in the Meadville, Pa., Theological Seminary. Becoming a Unitarian minister he accepted a pastorate in Vineland, N. J., and there remained for six years. During the first year of his ministry he returned to the Agricultural College and entered into the matrimonial relations with Miss Mary Merrylees, a sister of the wife of ex-President Abbot. After the time of his pastorate mentioned above he was called to Newark, N. J., where he remained for two years. His next pastorate was in Keokuk, Iowa, where he spent four years and then became pastor of a church in Iowa City, remaining there for eight years. While in Iowa several eminent parishioners sat under his preaching. Among the number may be mentioned the Hon. George W. McCrary, M. C., and Secretary of War under ex-President Hayes; also Justice Samuel F. Miller, of the United States Supreme Court.

     From Iowa City Prof. Clute went to Pomona, Cal., and there organized a new church over which he was pastor for one year. At this time he was chosen President of the Michigan Agricultural College by the State Board of Agriculture, and assumed charge of the institution in May, 1889. Since that time he has been exclusively engaged in the administrative work of the college. President Clute and his wife have been favored with a family of seven children. There are four boys and three girls whose names in order of birth are is follows: William is now (1891) twenty-two years old; Oscar twenty-one; Lucy eighteen; John died at the age. of three; Katharine is thirteen years old; Edward eleven and Marian seven.

     In early life President Clute was a strong anti-slavery man and naturally joined the Republican party, but in 1872 he was an adherent of the party which favored and nominated Greeley, and at that time accepted the nomination for Congress in the first district of New Jersey. He was defeated in the campaign, since which time he has been independent in politics, usually affiliating with the Prohibition party. While in Iowa he did some telling work for the temperance cause and was President of the Johnson County Temperance Alliance during the great constitutional amendment campaign in that State. It was as carried by thirty thousand majority but the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional.

     President Clute has always been strongly interested in agricultural matters. When a student at Michigan Agricultural College he was editor of the Western Rural, a journal published in Detroit, and while in Vineland, N.J.  he found time to conduct the agricultural department in a weekly paper there and was a worker in the Vineland District Fair Association. He was for some time President of the Vineland Farmer's Club, at that time the largest in the United States and having a membership of four hundred. While in Iowa he was for a time editor of the Iowa Stock Journal of Iowa City, and in the last named place he became interested in bee culture, first taking it up as a recreation from the fatigue of his study, but finally the business grew until he was able to realize a crop of seventeen thousand pounds of honey during one season.

     President Clute is a brother of the Hon. Lemuel Clute, a prominent lawyer of Ionia, Mich., and also of James Monroe Clute, an engineer living at Schodack Landing, N. Y. His father died in the '60s; his mother in 1850. The degree of Master of Science was conferred upon him some years ago by his Alma Mater in recognition of his research and discoveries in the scientific field. His busy life has not prevented him from becoming a popular lecturer on subjects pertaining to education, agriculture, temperance and other vital questions of the day. He has also been a frequent contributor to the reviews and magazines of the United States, in subject matter covering the fields of speculative philosophy, physical science and practical ethics and education. He has written a number of short poems which have received praise from able critics.

     During the brief administration of President Clute the college has reached the highest degree of prosperity that it has ever enjoyed. A fair measure of this success is due to his efforts and ability, and from his wisdom, power and experience the (193) friends of the Michigan Agricultural College may confidently expect to see the interests of this institution advanced to the highest possible degree

     The lithographic portrait of President Clute is presented in connection with his biographical notice.

     SMITH W. BOWERS. The greater portion of the life of the gentleman whose biography we shall attempt to give below, has been devoted to agricultural calling. He has now, however, retired from the active pursuit of this class of labor and is delightfully situated in the pleasant city of Howell. Mr. Bowers, like so many others in the county, is a native of the Empire State. He was born in Cayuga County February 8, 1812, and is a son of Whitamore and Susan (Ward) Bowers, natives of Vermont and New Jersey respectively. The former was a mechanic, being a manufacturer of wrought nails. He was in the War of 1812, and having kept a popular hotel in the city of New York there met many of the prominent characters in American history and society. His decease took place in 1815, in New York State. The mother came West and settled in Michigan with a son in 1835. She died in Washtenaw County, this State. Her father was Jonas Ward, who is a native of New Jersey, and who had served as Captain of the New Jersey State Militia and also as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Bowers was one of a family of nine children born to her parents.

     The gentleman of whom we are writing is one of a family of eight children. Now, however, he is the only living representative of this generation. He was reared a farmer lad in Cayuga County, N.Y. There he received a good common school education and after finishing his course was engaged as a teacher for a period of four years, one year of which was spent in New York and the other three in Washtenaw County, this State, having come here in 1835, settling first in the town of Superior, where, he purchased fifty acres of land to which he later added other land, so that he was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres. There he lived for thirty-three years. In the meantime he acquired a large amount of other lands in the same county.

     The years in which our subject was associated with the interests, of the town of Superior were not confined solely to the accumulation of property for himself alone, to the exclusion of other interests, for he gave much time and attention to local government, having been for a number of years Supervisor and also filling other offices. In 1865 he sold out his interest and came to Howell, where he purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land lying within the corporate limits of the village, and here he has lived ever since.

     The original of our sketch was married in May, 1842, to Miss Charlotte Warner, a native of Genesee County, N.Y. She was a daughter of Darius Warner. She died in 1856 and our subject was again married two years later in April, 1858, to Miss Polly Blood, of Washtenaw County, this State. Two children are the fruit of this union--Ellen and Frank. Mrs. Polly Bowers passed away from this life November 1, 1867.

     Mr. Bowers fraternizes with the Republican party, believing fully in the doctrines as held by that party. He is a public-spirited man who is ever ready to help on a worthy enterprise and has been one of the chief promoters in the upbuilding of churches, schoolhouses and roads. Having almost attained his fourscore years, he is now one of the substantial men in every sense of the word in this community.

     MUZZEY J. GOSS. A man of recognized literary ability, of liberal ideas, always looking forward into the future for a broader evolution of the understanding of life, our subject is regarded as one of the most intelligent, loyal citizens of this place. He was born in Windsor County. Vt., December 4, 1821. His father, Daniel Goss was born in Greenfield, (194) N. H., May 20, 1775. His mother, whose maiden name was Sally Tuck, was also born in New Hampshire in 1778, and died in Lorain County, Ohio in 1848. His father passed away in the same State and county June 11, 1838. The latter was a carpenter and joiner, and the proprietor of a farm which he conducted successfully.

     Our subject's grandsire, Tuck Goss, was a sea captain, his ancestors coming originally from England. Our subject worked on the farm owned by his father until he was fourteen years of age attending a district school a portion of the time. He removed to Ohio in 1836, making a stay there of four years, farming and attending a school. In 1842 he returned to New Hampshire and entered  an academy, where he remained for one year. He then went back to Ohio and studied under the tutelage of a brother, who had a collegiate education and was a very skillful teacher. He remained in Ohio until 1861, working on the farm most of the time, but that year he came to Michigan a and bought eighty acres of land on section 33, Meridian Township, Ingham County, the same farm which is now owned by him.

     At the time Mr. Goss came here there was only a small clearing on the place, he having made all the improvements which it now boasts. Married July 4, 1850, to Sarah D. Vincent, of Lorain, Ohio, the domestic life of our subject has been very happy. Three children have been added to the domestic realm: Elsie, who was born in 1855, still remains at home with her parents; Mary, born in 1859, married Benton Moore, who is now working the farm which Mr. Goss owns; they have one child, Kittie, who is eleven years old; Helen, who was born in 1861, married Alphonso Bigelow; they also have one child, Frank, who is one year old.

     Since living on his present farm, the original of our sketch frequently worked at his trade, which is that of a carpenter and joiner. He is a man of correct literary tastes, although he never entered college. He prepared for Oberlin, but was disappointed in pursuing his course. He purchased a small farm near the town and on this he lived for thirteen years, working at his trade. While in Ohio he studied medicine for two years under a preceptor, with a view of becoming a physician. He was compelled to relinquish the project, but from the knowledge obtained from the study of the subject, he was enabled to prepare what is known as Goss' Blood Cleanser, of which our subject is the proprietor. It is a popular remedy and has very large sales.

     Mr. Goss is a Spiritualist and is well informed on the subject of the occult sciences a and religions. In politics he is a Greenbacker, having gone to that party from the Democratic ranks. While in Ohio he spent seven years teaching in the district schools, making a specialty of penmanship. Mr. Goss has been a frequent contributor to various leading periodicals of the State, on subjects of general interest. He has contributed numerous articles for the Lansing papers. He has been elected to fill the offices of Drain Commissioner and School Inspector of Meridian Township.

     JAMES BOGAN. The farmer owning the fine tract of land on section 15, Genoa Township, Livingston County, is a native of the Emerald Isle, being there born in County Tyrone, November 1, 1826. His father was Patrick Bogan, who was born in the same county August 11, 1803. His grandfather was Edward Bogan, who was a farmer in Ireland and there died in middle life. The father of our subject came to America in 1830, being at that time about thirty years of age. He brought his wife and family of five children with him and first settled in New York City where he lived for two years, thence moved to Hobleton, N. J., where he lived for a time, thence went back to New York. He traveled over Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, prospecting for a place to locate and was finally attracted by the glowing reports of the new State--Michigan.

     Patrick Bogan came to Michigan in 1836, first stopping with his family in Detroit. He then proceeded to Genoa Township, Livingston County, and located a tract of land on section 15. In the (195) spring of 1837 he brought his family hither, having taken up forty acres which he was engaged in farming. Their first home was a log house in the midst of the woods. There were at the time numbers of Indians who would have begged them out of house and home had they not been firm. There were plenty of deer and wolves against which they had to guard and many are the bears that our subject has shot. Deer were seen in droves as commonly as sheep now are.

     Our subject's father was a hard worker and not a great while elapsed before the forty acres assumed the appearance of civilization, and to his original purchase he added three eighty-acre tracts and these he farmed as fully as his agricultural implements and the limited aid that he could get would enable him. Those were the days of the slow ox-team. Patrick Bogan died at the age of seventy-nine years--August 19, 1876. He was a member of the Catholic Church and in politics a Democrat. His wife was a fellow countrywoman of his own. She bore him six children and died at the age of fifty-five years.

     When only four years of age our subject crossed the "three thousand miles of wet." He attended school in New York City and later in New Jersey and after coming West spent one year in a schoolroom in Detroit, that being a memorable one, as it was held in a log schoolhouse and had slab benches, quill pens and was carried on by the rate bill system, He also attended one winter--1852--at Howell. In 1853 our subject went to the copper regions of Lake Superior. For sixteen months he worked in the mines. In 1856 his father deeded him eighty acres of land and later he bought his present fine farm.

     Our subject could not make up his mind to desert the bachelor ranks until late in life and has now (1891) enjoyed marital felicity for seven years, his marriage being celebrated February 12, 1884, when he was united to Kate Milet, who was born in California and is now quite young. They have two children--Mary and Helen and our subject only regrets that his happiness has been delayed so late. The owner of one hundred and fifty acres of land, Mr. Bogan has one hundred acres under the plow; he engages in mixed farming, a good deal of his land being planted in cereals. He also raises considerable stock, graded sheep and cattle. Our subject and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Bogan is a Democrat in polities and is an ardent believer in the divine right of free trade. In 1881 he of whom we write built a fine frame residence upon his place at a cost of $1800. It is commodious and comfortable and is the happy home of a happy group of people. Our subject well remembers when he was obliged to take his wheat to Detroit to find a market for it and the way of getting there was by an ox-team, so that the carriage was slow and expensive. Indeed it took about a week to go and return. For eleven years the original of our sketch held the office of Postmaster of what was Genoa Station. At the expiration of that time it ceased to be a mail station.

     JOHN H. MOYER. We are gratified to be able to present the life-history of the prominent citizen of Locke Township, Ingham
County, whose name appears at the head of this writing, and whose beautiful home may be seen upon section 7. He is a native of Oxford
County, Ontario, Canada, and was born June 14, 1840. His father, Joseph Moyer, and his mother, Asenath (Tuttle) Moyer were natives of New York, and his paternal ancestors were of German blood, while on the mother's side he comes of old English and Holland stock. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812 and his paternal great-grandfather was a German by birth and a Revolutionary soldier in the American army, and suffered scalping at the hands of the Indians, who were in the service of the British.

     Our subject emigrated with his parents to Ingham County, Mich., in 1855, and the family settled upon the farm which is now occupied by him in Locke Township. His father, Joseph Moyer, established his household in a log cabin and the remains (197) of that abode are still standing upon the farm, forming one of the old pioneer landmarks of the neighborhood, The father passed from earth April 11, 1889, and his good wife had been taken from his side November 15, 1883. They had done a great amount of pioneer work and had brought up their children amidst trials and hardships of which the present generation knows little. Of their household of seven children, six are now living, namely: John H., Peter, Hannah, wife of Ezra Spears, Jacob, James, and Mary, wife of George Piper.

     Amidst the scenes of pioneer life John Moyer grew to manhood, assisting his parents in subduing the wilderness and cultivating the farm, and upon him the labors of the home were so severe as to greatly limit his educational opportunities. He became an extensive reader and his mental development has been mostly that which he has attained by his own forethought and effort. He was married April 15, 1872, to Mary J. Maxon, a native of Livingston County and daughter of Elias and Joanna Maxon, formerly of Livingston County. In their later years they made their home in Locke Township and here their life terminated.

     Three children have brightened the home of our subject, namely: May, Emery, and John H. Jr. Mr. Moyer has been a resident of the farm he now owns since his boyhood, and he has a fine estate of two hundred and sixty-seven acres. In his political convictions he is in sympathy with the Democratic party, and both he and his good wife are leading members of the social circles of the township and are eminently useful in the Wesleyan Methodist Church. For one year he served as Highway Commissioner of the township and is universally recognized as one of its solid and influential citizens.

     WILLIAM H. SHOOK. This respected farmer living in Tyrone Township, Livingston County, was born November 2, 1839, in Phelps Ontario County, N.Y., where his parents, John and Delilah (Schad) Shook then resided. The father was born in the western part of Allegheny County, Pa., and was twice married; his first wife was a Miss Kenyon who bore him four sons and one daughter and the second wife (whose name we have already given) was the mother of five children, and died at the age of seventy-seven. Her children were William H., Amos, Peter, Mary and Perry C., who died at the age of twenty-five, while Amos died in infancy.

     John Shook emigrated from New York to Michigan in November, 1854, and here made his home in the township of Tyrone, where he cleared and improved sixty acres of land and lived in this township until his death which took place March 23, 1877. He was at that time seventy-five years old and had long been an earnest worker and devout communicant in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His good wife also lived to about the same age, dying August 12, 1889. She was born in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of Peter Schad, whose family name was formerly spelled Schort. He was a farmer in the Keystone State and later lived in New York, and finally came to Michigan about the year 1844. He was the father of five sons and three daughters.

     The district schools and the routine of farm life supplied the training of this boy and he remained upon the farm until he reached his eighteenth year, when he began for himself upon a farm in 1867, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres on section 28, Tyrone Township, the very land upon which he now resides. This property he at once proceeded to put in first-class condition for farming and he has made it of great value. He has also taken time to serve his township as Highway Commissioner and his term of service did much toward improving the roads of the township.

     Mr. Shook was married October 21,1868, to Miss Mina A. Castor, daughter of Christopher and Polly (Hendricks) Castor, who came from New York. Mr. Castor was a carpenter by trade and died in Holly in June, 1889. His wife passed from earth four years earlier while they were living in Rose Township. To them have been given four sons and five daughters and all of them grew to maturity. One son, Albert, served bravely (198) in the War of the Rebellion and Elisha E. is now a Methodist Episcopal clergyman of no little repute.

     Kittie May Shook, the only child of our subject, was born November 24, 1869, and is now a young lady of culture and refinement. She is a graduate of the Fenton Normal school where she pursued a thorough course of education and did much to develop her talents. Mr. and Mrs. Shook are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Shook is a member and has been for thirty years, of the Free and Accepted Masons. He is now the only representative of his father's family that is left in this country.

     JOHN J. LIVERMORE. The pioneers who brought their families to Michigan in the early days of the '30s, traveling with ox-team and prairie schooner from the East and settling upon almost unbroken land with no prospect of an immediate income, must have been possessed of brave hearts and a wonderful capacity for enduring hardships, and they are worthy of honorable mention.

     Such an one was the father of the man whose name appears at the head of this sketch, who passed through all the hard times incident to frontier life and with his brave companion forced nature to give up her treasures and to provide a handsome competency for their declining years. This father, James Livermore, was a native of Massachusetts who when a boy went to Maine and there grew up on a farm. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, being a young man at that time, as he was born in 1789. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Watson, was born in Massachusetts in 1788.

     James Livermore, Sr., the grandfather of our subject, was a farmer who died when his son James was still a small child. He therefore had to look out for himself and early became independent. The parents of our subject were married in Tompkins County, N.Y. and resided there until the father came to Michigan in 1835, making the journey in a wagon, coming around through Illinois, and being in Chicago when there were but a few houses on the site of what is now known throughout the world as the World's Fair City.

     He located in 1835 upon one hundred and twenty acres of wild land, upon section 24, Unadilla Township. There was then no settlement within two miles of him but he bravely went to work and having built a log house, broke ten acres of land and sowed half of it to wheat.

     In 1836 James Livermore returned to the East for his family, bringing them in a wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen, being about six weeks on the way. He located them on his homestead and made that his home until death. He was a hard-working man and accumulated a handsome property. He added to his farm until he had four hundred acres and he cleared and fenced a large portion of this and built a log house in 1850. The death of his wife occurred in 1864, and he passed away in 1872. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are still living, namely: Julia, Mrs. J. D. Reeves; our subject; Susan, Mrs. Silas Richmond; and Emma, Mrs. John Richmond. The mother was highly esteemed for her genuine Christian character and was an active member of the Presbyterian Church.

     The birth of our subject took place. in Tompkins County, N.Y., October 29, 1822, and he received very little schooling after coming West, at which time he was fourteen years of age, for he had much hard work to do in assisting his father. He used to drive six yoke of cattle in breaking the upland soil. His marriage took place in December, 1848, when he was married to Charity Ann Sayles, a daughter of Benjamin and Abby (Pugh) Sayles, the latter being a native of New Jersey, and the former a New Yorker. After their marriage in Tompkins County, N. Y., they came to Michigan in 1847, and settled on section 26, Unadilla Township. Here they made a permanent home, adding forty acres of improved land to their original eighty and here Mr. Sayles died December 19, 1889, at the age of eighty-four years. His widow, who still survives in good health, has reached the age of eighty-three years and of her three children Mrs. Livermore is the only survivor.

     Mrs. Livermore was born March, 22, 1829 in (199) Tompkins County N.Y., and was eighteen years of age when she came to Michigan. Having received a good common-school education in the East, she found herself in demand as a teacher in the new country and found employment in this way for some time. Her parents were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which her father was a Class-Leader. One sister, Sarah, married a Mr. C. B. Rose, and died in 1848.

     After spending one year with Mr. Livermore's parents the young couple began life in their new home--a log house upon the same site where they have now lived for forty-two years. Their earthly possessions were then seventy-five acres of land, all uncultivated, a log house, a yoke of oxen, a cow, ten sheep and a pig. Their present beautiful home was built in 1870, at a cost of $2,000 and the barn, which cost $500, was erected in 1854. Two hundred acres form the home farm, all of which are improved with the exception of twenty-five acres which are still in timber. They have both done genuine pioneer work and have passed through years of hard labor.

     This worthy couple are the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living, namely-- Sarah Jane, born October 3, 1850, died October 13, 1852; Mary A., born February 12, 1854, now the wife of James M. Packard, living at Lansing; Abby A., born November 28, 1857, is the wife of A. A. Wood of Lansing, and the mother of three children; Susie E., born September 10, 1859, wife of William F. Dryer and living in Bath, Clinton County, Mich. with her husband and two children; Julia A., born April 17, 1861, lives at Lansing and is the widow of Clark O. Chapman, and the mother of two children; James B., born April 19, 1863, still resides at home; Eunice A., born November 3,1869, died February 5, 1878; Chattie R., born November 3, 1872, resides at home. To all of these children has been given an excellent common school education, and their mother, who is a member of the Presbyterian Church has conscientiously instructed them in the faith and duties of the Christian religion. Three of the daughters have been teachers and Miss Chattie is now a student at the Business College at Lansing.

     The gentleman of whom we write has for many years been a member of the School Board and he takes an active interest in politics, being an ardent Republican, although he was formerly a Whig and then a Know Nothing. He has filled the office of Road Commissioner and for twelve years or more was an agent for the June threshing engine. He worked at the carpenter's business when a young man although he never served his time at that trade. He was a member of the militia company here in which Mr. Winans, now Gov. Winans was one of his comrades. In this company he held the position of Second Sergeant. He is pleased to say that in the old days he and his neighbors had jolly good times in their log cabins and had no reason to envy those who were housed in more pretentious homes.

      JOHN N. GREENE,  M. D. The young professional men of Leslie, Ingham County are an element in the development of this progressive little town, and are a centralizing force in drawing within its boundaries the best people in that section of the county. By their character and repute they are adding to the reputation of the town and giving it a standing among the other corporations in this county. None is more thoroughly respected for skill and character than he of whom we now write.

     David Greene was the father of our subject and Mary (Olin) Greene was the mother to whom he owes so much for his early training and education. They were both natives of Lawrence, Otsego County, N.Y., whence they came to Michigan in 1851, and settled at Rochester, Oakland County, where they spent the remainder of their days. While in New York David Greene was a woolen manufacturer, but after coming to Michigan he devoted himself to farming. He died in 1852, at Rochester, Mich., and his wife survived him for many years and finally passed away in April, 1889. In his early manhood the father was in very comfortable circumstances, but later in life he met with (200) heavy losses. His political views were such as to call him to sympathize with the Whig party, as did most of the Quakers, among whom they belonged.

      The grandfather of our subject was a Quaker minister named Edwin R. Greene. He was a man of great wealth and resided in Otsego County, N.Y. In 1843 he removed to Genesee County and spent his last days at Batavia. The Greenes are of English ancestry, while the Olins, from whom the mother of our subject came, trace their origin to Wales. The parents of our subject had nine children, namely: Phoebe, Sarahette, Emily, Ellen, Edwin R., Imogene, William H., John H. and David M. After the death of the father, the widowed mother was again married to Jacob Cain, of Rochester, Oakland County, Mich., by whom she had three children, Emily, Edgar and Carrie.

     He of whom we write had his nativity in Batavia, Genesee County,  N. Y., March 22, 1851, and grew up upon his father's farm first in New York and afterward in Avon Township, Oakland County, not far from Rochester. His primary education was taken in the district schools and he afterward attended the High School at Rochester, and later he spent two years in the Literary department of the University of Michigan, although he did not remain to take his diploma. Even before entering the university he had been reading medicine, and in 1882 he entered the Medical department of the University of Michigan, and after studying three years, graduated with high honors in the spring of 1886.

     The first practice of this young medical man was in connection with his brother, Dr. David M. Greene, who was at that time located at Plainfield, Livingston County, and afterward went to Iosco, where he followed his profession until October, 1888, when he removed to Ann Arbor and took a full nine months' post graduate course in the Medical department of the university.

     Our subject located at Leslie in June, 1889, and took up the practice which his brother had laid down, as Dr. David had been pursuing his profession at Leslie for a year and a half previous. The young Doctor has built up an extensive practice and is already considered one of the leading practitioners of the county. He is a member of the Michigan Medical Association and his views on political questions have led him into sympathy and affiliation with the Republican party. Still, he pays little attention to political movements, preferring to devote himself exclusively to his profession and his home. 

     It was in September, 1882, that Miss Jessie M. Doying, of Cass City, Tuscola County, this State and a native of that city, was united in marriage with Dr. Greene. This lady is the daughter of James and Joanna Doying and is possessed not only of a liberal education and more than ordinary culture, but also of good capabilities, sound judgment and admirable social qualities. One son has come to brighten this home, little Wilford, to whose care and education the Doctor and his wife are devoted with true parental solicitude.

     THOMAS A. WALKER. Among the notable families which the Empire State has bequeathed to her younger sister, Michigan, none is more worthy of our consideration than the one represented by the name at the head of this paragraph. Both by character and connections this family is entitled to rank along the best in Livingston County, and has for many years been known far and wide by all who had any acquaintance with Oceola Township.

     Mr. Walker's beautiful farm is to be found on section 17, Oceola Township, and comprises five hundred forty acres of excellent land, where is carried on a general farming business. Upon it may be found two hundred and fifty head of sheep, and some $12,000 worth of wool and sheep were sold from this farm last year. This gentleman was born in the township of Manchester, Ontario County, N.Y., January 23, 1830. His father, Henson Walker, was a native of Maryland, being born near Baltimore, where he had his early education. He there married Matilda Arnel, a native of Maryland, and soon after that union removed to New York, and located in Ontario County, whence he came to Michigan in 1835. He stopped (201) for a few months in Washtenaw County, and then coming on to Livingston County, took up eighty acres of land on section 29.

     The first home of the family in this county was the one that was hastily erected by them after their arrival. It was the log shanty covered with bark, measuring 15x15 feet and had a slab door and stick chimney. In this they lived for about a year, after which they built another log house, which had no floor and there they lived for two years. The place was improved and in the course of time a frame house was erected, in which the family resided until the father's death in 1857. He was an earnest and active Republican and a prominent man in those early days. The mother of our subject lived to reach the extreme age of ninety-two years, and was the mother of ten children, seven sons and three daughters.

     He of whom we write was five years old when he came to Michigan with his parents, and his first education was taken in a log schoolhouse, with a stick chimney and slab seats in Oceola Township. He finished his schooling in the log schoolhouse on section 21, remaining with his father until after he gained his majority. The happy married life of Mr. Walker, began November 12, 1851, when he was married to Dorcas E., second daughter of Francis and Dorcas (Smith) Hardy. This lady was born in Livingston County, N. Y., October 30, 1837, and was thirteen years old when she came to Michigan with her parents, who settled upon section 17, Oceola Township. Both parents lived to a good old age the father dying when seventy-two years old and the mother living to complete eighty-one years.

     The first home of the young wedded couple was in a log house, 20x22 feet in dimensions located on section 17, Oceola Township. After one year in this house they removed to the present location and made their home in another log house. After clearing up and improving the farm they began to think of having a better residence, and erected the pleasant house in which they now live in 1860. He fenced his land, set out orchards, built barns, and put the place in a first-class condition.

     With the exception of two who died in infancy, the seven children who blessed this primitive home have grown up to occupy positions of responsibility in the community. They are as follows: Sarah Emma was the wife of Charles Young, and has now passed from this life; Adelbert resides upon a farm in this township and has taken to wife Julia Brown, who has presented to him two children--Ollie and Goldie; Phoebe J., who is the wife of James Filkin, resides in Howell Township, and is the mother of the following children--Arnold, Dexter and Herbert; Juddie resides at home; and Elsie, now Mrs. Elmer Armstrong, resides in Hartland Township.

     Our subject  has two hundred and sixty acres of good land on his home place, one hundred acres on section 29, all under cultivation, as well as one hundred acres of finely tilled land in Howell Township. He also has a half interest in a flouring mill in Hartland Township, known as the Parshall mill, besides property in the city of Howell. All this has been acquired by his own efforts, seconded by the helpfulness of his faithful companion, as they began without capital. He has given his son Adelbert eighty acres, a good house and barn and all the other appurtenances of a first-class farm. He and his good wife are bringing up a little grandson, Herbert Walker Filkin, the son of their second daughter. His political views have brought him into active co-operation with the Republican party, in which he has great confidence, and for which he is glad to cast his vote.

     CHRISTIAN BREISCH. The Northern Central States are so productive of grain that it is not surprising that the milling business should have representatives not only in the large cities, which are the centers of trade, as in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth and Chicago, but every town of any pretensions whatever has mills that are equipped with the latest and most approved appliances for converting our cereals into the (202) farinaceous products. Many of the largest of these mills are owned and conducted by Germans, who show special aptitude for conducting the mechanical portion of the business as well as the broader management of exporting, and finding a market that shall bring in the highest returns. The city of Lansing, being so accessible to the grain districts by rail is an important point for shipping grain to the mill, and of the mills of this kind none are larger or more important than that of which our subject is manager.

     The finely-equipped mill in North Lansing enjoys the general oversight of Christian Breisch, who was one of its organizers, the organization taking form and becoming an accepted fact in March, 1889. It was officered as follows: J. F. Schultz, President; D. C. Hurd, Vice-President; Charles H. Osborn, Secretary and Treasurer and Mr. Breisch, Manager. He is also one of the largest, in fact the principal stockholder. The North Lansing Milling Company built their present mill in 1889. The building comprises four stories with a basement. It has a frontage of forty feet and is sixty feet deep and has a capacity of turning out two hundred and fifty barrels per day. The motive power employed is steam and also water.

     Mr. Breisch, who is one of the most energetic of young men, is also a stockholder and Director in the People's Savings Bank and in fact almost every enterprise that has the least prospect and promise of a successful issue is not complete without his name as an active and interested agent. Besides the mill above spoken of the North Lansing Company have leased the Pearl Mill. It also has a capacity of two hundred and fifty barrels per day and the motive power used here is also steam and water. Both these, mills employ the full roller process, by which flour is turned out so much more easily and quickly and is also better and whiter than by the old process.

     Our subject is a native of this State and although he has come to the front so early as a business man of the best and highest qualifications, he is still very young and much may be expected of him in the future in commercial life. He was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., July 13, 1863. His father, Christian Breisch, Sr. was a native of Germany and was there reared and educated. His grandfather Gotlieb Breisch, was a butcher in the Fatherland but brought his family to America at a very early day, after which he engaged in the butcher business. He came to Lansing Township and bought a farm, settling at an early day in Ingham County where he remained for some years.

     Our subject's, father was also a butcher and he engaged in his calling for a number of years. On the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in the war first serving as a private, but was advanced to an officer's post in Custer's Brigade and served until the close of the struggle, when he was honorably discharged and came to Lansing where he engaged in the butcher's business. He was drowned in in Grand River at the head of the race December 29, 1876, breaking through the ice while attempting to cross the river. Our subject's mother was Barbara Goss. She was born in Germany and is now a resident of Lansing where she enjoys the knowledge that her children have become honored, and respected citizens, her son taking a prominent place in the municipal and commercial interests of the city. She is the mother of two children. The elder Carrie, is now Mrs. Langenbacher, of this city. The younger is our subject. Our subject's mother was married a second time to Andrew Langenbacher. By this marriage she became the mother of one child whose name is Robby.

     Mr. Breisch was reared and educated to the age of thirteen years in this city. At the age above mentioned he went to Marshall and apprenticed himself to a cabinet and furniture maker for a term of three years. During this time he worked under Mr. J. F. Gauss. Then he returned and entered the employ of D. W. & M. J. Buck, where he remained for seven years. September 1, 1885, he left this employ and Mrs. Langenbacher being the owner of the Pearl Mill early in 1886 our subject rented it and at once engaged in milling, continuing to conduct it until 1889 on his own account.

     In 1888 the old plant was burned during the month of December and soon after our subject showed his enterprise by immediately setting about organizing a company to build up a new mill and remodel the old. Both mills have a capacity of five hundred barrels a day, which is the largest (205) manufacturer of flour in the State outside of Detroit. The company buy their wheat at the elevators and ship to the Eastern markets, having a large market In Liverpool and Glasgow. However, most of their products are sent to Maine and Massachusetts and they enjoy a large local trade. The leading brand which is manufactured here bears the attractive name "Morning Glory" and it is a favorite grade of flour with housewives in this portion of the country.

     Profiting by the advice given in scriptures, that it is not good for man to live alone, Mr. Breisch was married in the city of Lansing September 26, 1888, to Miss Emma Cushing. She is a native of the Empire State, having been born in that beautiful little seminary town--Cazenovia. She is a daughter of Thomas R. Cushing, now a real-estate man in Detroit. Mrs. Breisch received her education for the most part in this city. She is a charming woman with attractive personelle and pleasing, affable manners. One child has blessed this union--a daughter who is called Irene.

    The original of our sketch is a Free and Accepted Mason and has attained to the Royal Arch degree. He is in his political preference a Democrat and uses his influence and vote in the service of that party. In religious matters he is liberal; his wife, however, is a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

    At the breaking out of the late war Dr. Baker was teaching school in Southern Illinois. He returned to Michigan and began the study of medicine, reading with Dr. I. H. Bartholomew, at Lansing. He attended medical lectures and pursued the study of chemistry in the University of Michigan in 1861- 62. In the summer of 1862, unable to longer resist the zeal of patriotism, he enlisted in the Twentieth Michigan Infantry, in Company A, composed of young men from the State capital--clerks and men of that station in Lansing. He served during the first two years as Hospital Steward, and during the last year was Assistant Surgeon in medical charge of the regiment. His first two years , however, were memorable ones to him in that he was enabled to gain much practice and valuable information in surgery, being in reality an assistant at the operating table whenever and wherever there were battles in which his division was engaged.  He was present at about every battle in which his regiment took part. At the close of the war he received an honorable discharge and returned to Lansing, where he continued reading medicine.

     The next nine months of Dr. Baker's career were spent in New York in work at Bellevue Hospital Medical College , in which he was a student; and he was graduated from this institution in the spring of 1866. Immediately after receiving his diploma, he returned to Lansing and began to practice medicine with Dr. I. H. Bartholomew. The following two years were spent in the practice of medicine in Wenona, now called West Bay City. At the expiration of that time he again returned to Lansing in 1870, as one of a committee from the State Medical Society to superintend the compilation of vital statistics collected by the Secretary of State. Many of the forms of the tables employed in the statistics mentioned during the past twenty years have been designed by Dr. Baker during the thirteen years that he had charge (206) of the compilation of these statistics. When he came here, in 1870, he brought with him a bill designed to create a State Board of Health, which at that time was an innovation, there being only one or two States in the Union at that time which were thus supplied. The bill that Dr. Baker made differed from preceding ones in that it provided for in advisory board. It was not intended to usurp function of local boards but to do a generalizing work which they could not perform, and to collect the results of the work of each local boards, which could be compared with advantage with the statistics from other State boards. Dr. Baker believed that by this measure a more general knowledge could be gained of disease and successful treatment of the same. This proposed bill was discussed with prominent members of the medical profession and legislators, and other persons who were capable and competent judges of the question offered their suggestions and corrections, so that the bill was made as perfect as possible. It was presented to the Legislature of 1870-71 by Senator Cravath, then of this county. It did not, however, became a law, but doubtless its discussion led to a deeper consideration of this most important matter.

     Instead of returning to his practice, as he had intended, Dr. Baker remained in the office of Secretary of State and was engaged as Superintendent in the compilation of vital statistics and also the general statistics of Michigan of 1870. This last compilation was made from data collected for the Ninth United States census, and formed a volume comprising eight hundred and thirty-five pages. At the laying of the cornerstone of the State Capitol the Hon. William A. Howard, who made the principal address on that occasion, based his remarks largely upon this statistical report, contrasting the resources of the State in 1870 with a report made to Congress by a commission that visited the State early in its history. They reported to Congress that there was no land in Michigan fit for cultivation, it being one vast Swamp. In striking contrast to this statement were the facts proved by the statistics in the volume which our subject compiled, and which showed Michigan to be one of the foremost States in the Union in farm products and commercial resources. The number of both public and private schools and churches compared favorably with those of older States, and most particularly was the health of the people proved to be exceptional.

     At the next session of the Legislature, in 1872-73, Dr. I. H. Bartholomew, of Lansing, first Mayor of the city, and many times re-elected, was elected to the Legislature for the especial purpose of advocating the establishment of the State Board of Health, according to the bill which our subject had previously submitted. His diligent labor throughout the session was crowned with success, and the board became an established fact July 30, 1873. At its first meeting our subject was unanimously elected its permanent Secretary, which position he has filled to the present time. The design of the board and the plan of its work had already been determined by the bill, which had been framed, wised and perfected by Dr. Baker, therefore the carrying out of the plan, while entailing much was at the same time pleasant, the cause being dear to him. Dr. Baker has brought much enthusiasm to the work. For the first few years the Board had a desperate struggle for existence. Not only were the people at large antagonistic to it through ignorance of the scope and design of the work, but there was active opposition from men who thought their money interests antagonized. The movement for the control of dangerous illuminating oil was met with persistent opposition from oil refiners. Dr. Baker performed many experiments with oil lamps and testing apparatus for the purpose of learning the facts as regards the source of danger, and the results of these experiments are on record in the earlier reports of the State Board of Health.

     Our subject has kept up his association with the City Medical Society and the State Medical Association, and have  been instrumental in creating other associations especially designed for the promotion of public health. He has been a member of the American Public Health Association since 1873, and was President of the Association in 1889-90. He was a delegate to the national conference of the State Boards of Health, which is in reality a league of the State Boards which our (207) subject has been instrumental in establishing. To a certain limited extent it fills the office of what should be a National Board of Health, which for a few years the National Government maintained. The National Board of Health was established through a bill introduced in Congress by the Hon. Jonas H. McGowan, of Michigan, at the instance of Dr. Baker, who for years has been laboring to that end, and because of a great epidemic of yellow fever he was able to see his designs fulfilled. Congress, however, failing to support it, the National Board came to an untimely end. Dr. Baker is also an honorary member of several medical societies, and for many years has been the Vice-President of the American Social Science Association.

     In connection with the other work of the State Board of Health, Dr. Baker has used his odd moments for the building up of a sanitary climatology. Some of the papers contributed are as follows: "Causation of Cold Weather Diseases'' and "Causation of Pneumonia." These papers appeared in the annual report of the Michigan State Board of Health in 1886. "Relations of certain meteorological conditions to diseases of the lungs and air passages as shown by statistical and other evidences." This appeared in the report of 1888. "The Climatic Causation of Consumption," which appeared in the journal of the American Medical Association in the months of January and February, 1890. "Relations of Certain Meteorological Conditions to Diseases of the Lungs and Air Passages in Colorado,'' which appear in the transactions of the American Climatological Association, for the meeting held at Denver, Col., in 1890. "Causation of Influenza," which appeared in the report of the proceedings of the State Board of Health in April, 1891. The paper "Notes on Relation of Rain Fall and Water Supply to Cholera" appeared in the transactions of the American Public Health Association in volume II, and has been favorably commented upon and used by health authorities, and regarded with especial favor by the medical society in Calcutta, India, the home of cholera.

     In this series of papers should be mentioned one on the "Scientific Collective Investigation of Disease" that appeared in the journal of he American Medical Association in October, 1887, and which gives an outline of the system employed by the Michigan State Board of Health in making statistics of sickness and disease. Also in 1888 appeared an important paper in the journal of the American Medical Association on Malaria and the Causation of Periodic Fever." An article on Malaria and the Causation of Intermittent Fever" appeared in the journal of the American Medical Association October 18, 1890. A paper on the "Causation of Influenza and some allied diseases, with suggestions for their prevention" was read before a section of the American Medical Association at Nashville, Tenn., in May, 1890, and is a summing up of the facts concerning the meteorological conditions known to have existed during epidemics of influenza from the year 1510 to May, 1890. Also each one of the annual reports of the Michigan State Board of Health has contained comparative tables showing the relations of meteorological conditions to each of the important diseases for the year preceding.

     Another series of papers, on another topic, is that written by Dr. Baker on the restriction and prevention of dangerous communicable diseases. These papers have been prepared and read at various sanitary conventions that have been held in the State of Michigan. More or less work has also been done by our subject on the several special treatises issued by the State Board of Health on the restriction and prevention of small-pox, scarlet fever, diphtheria, typhoid fever, consumption and measles. The thirty-eight one thousand page volumes of copies of letters sent out from the office of the State Board of Health contain advice to local officers throughout the State on public health work. During the existence of this board the public health laws of the State have been compiled at three different times under Dr. Baker's direction. The last volume is entitled Laws of the State of Michigan relating to the public health in force in 1890."

     Dr. Baker was married to Miss Fannie H. Howard, a daughter of Sanford Howard, who was at the time Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, at Lansing. The marriage was (208) solemnized at Lansing, September 9,1867. They are the parents of six children, five sons and one daughter. Two of the sons are deceased. The living children are Howard B., Henry B., Jr., Burton Adams and Helen F. Our subject helped to establish the Masonic lodge at West Bay City, and is still a member; but was made a Mason in Lodge No. 33, in Lansing having entered in 1858. He is a member of the Masonic Chapter, No. 9, of Lansing and of Commandery, No. 11, K. T., at Ionia. Socially he belongs to the U and I Club, of Lansing.

     Elsewhere in this volume the reader will notice a lithographic portrait of Dr. Baker.

  
     CHARLES W. BEARDSLEY. This popular gentleman has been engaged in the dry goods business for over twenty-five years and is considered one of the leading merchants of Williamston. His father was Whitmore Beardsley, son of Aram Beardsley of Vermont, who at an early day removed his family to Genesee County, N. Y. After the death of his first wife he married a Miss Barker who became the mother of Whitmore Beardsley. The grandfather of our subject took part in the War of 1812, but followed farming through life, spending his last years in Erie County, N.Y. Both he and his wife died in 1876, when each had reached the venerable age of fourscore and ten years.

     Genesee County was the native home of Whitmore Beardsley, and there he was married to Diana Vedder a grand-daughter of Jeremiah Spaulding. To this couple were born two sons, Charles W. and George H. In 1856 the family removed from Eric County, N.Y., to Wheatfield Township, Ingham County, and after ten years Mr. Beardsley made his home in Perry Township, Shiawassee. County, where he resided for another decade and finally died while with his son Charles at Williamston. He was a fur buyer and followed that business for a series of years. He belonged to the Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife were both attached to the Presbyterian Church. His political views led him into sympathy with the Republican party and he was a Supervisor both in Wheatfield and Perry for several terms.

     He of whom we write had his birth in Erie County, N.Y., in 1844, and was twelve years old when he migrated with his parents to Michigan. Upon reaching his majority he took a position as cleric with H. H. Spaulding of Williamston and at the end of six years purchased Mr. Spaulding's interest and carried on the business alone for a year. After this he was at various times in partnership with Mr. Bowerman and with Mr. Horton, his father-in-law, but is now carrying on the enterprise alone and has a well selected stock of dry boots and shoes. He is also one of the stockholders in the State Bank at Williamston.

     His is marriage with Mary A., a daughter of Thomas and Sophia Horton, took place in 1875 at Williamston. Further mention is made of this popular and respected family upon another page of this  column. To our subject and his wife have been born three children--George H., Fred R. and Kate M., and all are still at home. The political principles of Mr. Beardsley being in sympathy with the Republican party, and his energy and enterprise, as well as the confidence which his neighbors repose in him have made him a member of the School Board, a Trustee of the village and President of the Common Council. He is an active member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and deeply interested in the plans of that organization.

     MASON D. CHATTERTON born in Mount Holly, Rutland County, Vt. August 3, 1838. June 2, 1851, he came to Michigan with his parents, two brothers and 1 Sister, and stopped temporarily with C. D. Wolcott in North Farmington, Oakland County while his father prospected for a home. On the 23d of the same month his father bought a farm of Horace Havens, two miles west of the village of Okemos, (209) in Meridian Township, Ingham County, and on July 7 following the family removed to this place.

     The parents of our subject were Daniel and Betsey (Jewett) Chatterton. The father was born February 12, 1808, and was the youngest son of David Chatterton. After the death of his father he purchased from the other heirs the old homestead where he was born in Vermont and there he resided until June, 1851. Their home in Meridian was for several years in a log house in the midst of heavily timbered land. He continued to live there until the time of his death, improving the farm and making a home until it became a beautiful place.

     Daniel Chatterton was an earnest worker in the Baptist Church while residing in Vermont and was an efficient and generous helper. He died April 9,1866, and his wife followed him eleven years later; both are interred in the cemetery at Meridian. Both he and his wife were greatly beloved in the locality in which they lived. They were true Christians; and lived closely to the principles that guide the life of a follower of the meek and lowly One.

     Mason D. was one of a family of four children, whose names are as follows: George K., now of Mt. pleasant; Sarah E., the wife of Augustus H. Sturges, now of Okemos, Ingham County; and Jewett E., now a resident of Mt. Pleasant.

     Our subject was the first student examined and admitted to the Agricultural College, where be remained for three years. After that he spent one year in the State Normal School, and March 27, 1861, graduated from the law department of the Michigan University, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and afterward the degree of Master of Science from the Agricultural College. He determined to devote himself to the legal profession and went into the study preparatory for the practice of his chosen calling with all the energy that has characterized his whole student course. March 23, 1861, he was admitted to the bar of Michigan and September 2, 1874, to the bar of United States courts. He has held many municipal offices, and was an incumbent of the office of Town Clerk for the township of Meridian for the years 1861-62-63; was elected to the office of Circuit Court, Commissioner of Ingham County, and held that position for four years, from 1864 to 1869. He was also elected to the office of Judge of the Probate Court of Ingham County and served as such from January 1, 1873, to January 1, 1881. He was President of the village (now City) of  Mason for the year 1872.The honor was conferred upon him of representing the Sixth Congressional District of Michigan in the National Republican Convention which nominated James G. Blaine for President. The additional honor was tendered him in 1884 of appointment as United States Consul to Auckland, New Zealand, but this honor was declined.

     Mr. Chatterton commenced the practice of law at Okemos in 1861. Thence he removed to Mason in the spring of 1865 and came to Lansing in December, 1886. While a resident of Mason he was elected President of the Farmers' Bank, being elected to this office on the organization of the institution --June 7, 1886. He has held that position ever since. In 1882 he spent one hundred days In Europe sight-seeing at the same time acting as special correspondent of the Lansing State Republican.

     In 1888 Mr. Chatterton commenced writing a book on the law and practice in Probate Courts. This is being pushed to completion as fast its possible and from the prospectus it will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to legal libraries. June 2, 1864, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Morrison of Okemos. This union has been blest by the birth of one child, a son, Floyd M., who is now attending the Agricultural College. Mrs. Chatterton is a daughter of Norris and Jane Morrison, who came to this county at a very early day and settled on a farm south of Okemos. She was born in Ohio February 20, 1839.

     Whatever success Mr. Chatterton has attained has been through his own exertions. Commencing at the bottom round of the ladder he has literally worked his way through college, boarding himself and living in sky parlors. He knows all of the advantages and disadvantages of being poor, and entertains a true sympathy for those who are battling to overcome the difficulties that lie along the pathway of one in straightened circumstances. (210) He has attained to the degree of Knight Templar in the Masonic order. He is a stockholder in two banks in the capital city and in one at Leslie. The greater part of his attention has been given to the practice of his profession, although he has dealt more or less in moneyed securities for a number of years.