BIOGRAPHIES - Pages 265-280

     Our subject is the proprietor of the institution know as Dr. Thorburn's Veterinary Infirmary which is the place of rest and tender, skillful care for injured or debilitated horses that the name would indicate. Dr. Thorburn was born in Holt, Delhi Township, Ingham County, August 18, 1858. He is of Scotch ancestry, his father being, John Thorburn, born in Scotland. His paternal grandfather, James Thorburn, was a weaver. Our subject's grandfather came to America on the death of his father and engaged in farming in this State, being thus employed until his decease, which took place in May, 1872, in Delhi Township. The father was a blacksmith by trade and was about twenty-five years of age when he came to this country, bringing his family with him.

     John Thorburn first located in Pittsburgh, Pa. after coming to this country and was there engaged in following his trade, and as a horse-shoer. In 1849 he came to Ypsilanti and there at once engaged in his trade. In 1852 he came to Lansing and buying out the firm of Ferguson, of North Lansing, built the first brick block which was erected in that place. There he located his shop and by close application to his business, in which he was obliged to stand much of the time over the furnace, he lost his health and was obliged to give up active business. He then located on a farm in Delhi Township, where he still resides. On first coming to Ypsilanti our subject's father purchased Government land and bent his energies to improving the same. He followed farming for some time most successfully and is now the owner of over one thousand acres of fine arable land in Ingham County, seven hundred and twenty-five acres of which is included in one farm. This is well improved and stocked and is one of the most valuable as well as attractive farms in the county, as its owner is one of the most prominent as well as largest farmers here. He is engaged extensively in breeding Short-horn. cattle, Merino and Yorkshire hogs.

     (266) For many years Mr. Thorburn, Sr. has identified himself with church work in the Presbyterian denomination having been Elder in the church of which he is a member for many years. Our subject's mother was in her maiden days, Miss Hannah J. OIds. She was born in Brattleboro, Vt., and was a daughter of Alanson Olds, who was also a native of Vermont. He was a cabinet-maker and located at Lansing in 1847. But after coming hither he  engaged in the hotel business of North Lansing and afterward located on a farm in Conway, Livingston County, where he died. Our subject's mother died in March, 1889, at the age of sixty Years. She was a woman of sterling worth and strong personality and bequeathed these traits to her son. She was the mother of three children.

     W. W. Thorburn was raised on the home farm and received the rudimentary portion of his education at the district school of Mason, after which he attended the High School, from which he was graduated with honors. When but nineteen years of age he began life for himself, working the home farm, then taking the adjoining farm under his proprietorship and continuing the cultivation of this until he was twenty-two. In 1881 he entered the Ontario Veterinary College where he pursued his studies for two years, graduating in 1883, at which time he received the title of Veterinary Surgeon.

     In February, 1884, Dr. Thorburn located at Lansing and has since continued to practice his profession here. In 1887 he purchased the ground and built the infirmary of which he is at present proprietor. This institution is complete in every detail, having all the latest improvements and being built according to the most advanced sanitary theories in use in such places. It has fine box stalls, pneumatic troughs and is perfectly ventilated and lighted. It is, moreover, well located, being convenient and accessible, both by reason of  high road and railway advantages, to every portion of the surrounding country. Dr. Thorburn was the first graduate of veterinary surgery to locate in Lansing, and is the oldest practicing one now here. Much of his patronage is from adjoining counties, as well as from his own locality. Horse dealers and owners in Eaton, Clinton, Ingham, Ionia and other counties find Dr. Thorburn's Infirmary the safest and surest place to send fine animals that perhaps have been hurt or have contracted some disease.

     Our subject adds to his veterinary practice farming, being the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine land in Delhi Township, only four miles from the city of Holt. It is devoted to stock farming and here one may find some of the finest specimens of equine beauties. He is engaged in raising blooded horses, Short-horn cattle and fine wool sheep. His personal attention, however, is given to his infirmary, having an experienced foreman as supervisor of the stock farm. This last named place is well improved, having good building and beautifully-tilled soil.

     Dr. Thorburn was married in Morrice, Shiawassee County, October 20, 1886. His bride was a Miss Marion Lang, who was a native of Scotland, having been born in Lark Hall, Lanarkshire, August 18, 1861. She is a daughter of John Lang who is a native of the same place and was there a carter. Her grandfather, Thomas Lang was also a carter. Her father came to America in 1880 and located in Delhi Township where he engaged in farming. He is now in Alaiedon Township, this county. Mrs. Thorburn's mother was in her maiden days, Miss Mary Cleland, also of Scotch birth and ancestry. She was a daughter of Thomas Cleland, a farmer in Scotland. Her family were adherents of the Presbyterian Church, which has so large a following in Scotland, of the strictest Calvinistic kinds. Mrs. Thorburn is the fourth child in a family of twelve children who lived to be grown. She was reared and educated in her native country and came to America in 1881 in the steamer "Bolivia", a delightful trip of nine days from her starting point to New York. Their sailing port was Greenock. After coming to this country they at once located in Delhi Township, where she lived with her parents until her marriage. One child graces this union, a boy, who is the pride and object of the fondest hopes on the part of both parents.

     Our subject interests himself in every way that can be of advantage to him in the acquiring of knowledge that pertains to his profession. He is a (267) member of the State Veterinary Medical Association and is on the standing committee in regard to legislation in veterinary matters. He is a constant attendant upon all the State meetings and is an active worker in this society. In his church relations our subject is by inclination as by bringing up, a member of the Presbyterian denomination and has been Treasurer of the church in Holt for a number of years. In his political predilection he is a thorough Republican, finding in the tenets and doctrines of that party the balance of what is best and truest in political life.

     SAMUEL W. HAMMOND. He whose name is at the head of this sketch has for twenty years been engaged in settling the disputes of people, whose frailty of temper or strained ideas of equity bring them into the Justice Court, and during that time he has commended himself to the good graces of just men, and become the terror of offenders against our laws. He was born in Ontario County, N.Y., June 30, 1824, and is the son of Potter and Huldah (Robinson) Hammond, both natives of the Empire State. The mother having died, May 15, 1837, our subject with his father soon after came to Michigan, locating in Hanover, Jackson County, where the latter entered some Government land.

     Spending his boyhood days in the primitive and often uncleared wilds of Jackson County, the lad grew up a thoughtful young man, with a natural trend toward logical reasoning. He there began the study of medicine, reading all the books upon which he could lay hands. He afterward attended the Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated in the regular practice. He afterward located at Charlotte, Eaton County, where he practiced for about two years. In the meantime he took upon himself the responsibilities of married life, his bride being Miss Mary Linderman, a daughter of Peter and Caroline (Harton) Linderman.

     In 1852 our subject determined to go to California, and uncertain as to whether it would be better to remain there, he moved his family to Mason until he should decide upon the best course to pursue in regard to their following him. There they remained until he had been gone two years. His journey out was made by the overland route, and his experience in crossing the plains is a memorable one. He came back, however, by way of the Isthmus, and found the variety of this trip delightful to a degree. While practicing his profession in the land of the Golden Gate, he was also engaged in mining. On his return he established himself at Okemos, in Ingham County, where he lived until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he joined the army, being appointed by Gov. Blair as Surgeon in the Twenty-second Michigan Infantry. He was with that regiment until the close of the war, and was often placed in many dangerous positions while in the line of duty on the field of battle. He was a participant in the campaigns before Atlanta, Nashville and in other battles. At Nashville the rebels fired upon the hospital in the face of some half dozen yellow flags, which were the recognized hospital emblem. During his service he suffered a severe spell of sickness, which developed into spasmodic asthma, and after his return from the army he had to discontinue the practice of medicine, because of the shattered condition of his constitution.

     Mr. Hammond moved to the town of Mason, Ingham County, in 1870, and was soon after elected to the position of Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he has ever since served, with the exception of one year. Many cases have been tried before him, and the decision of but few has been questioned or reversed. Our subject has three children, who have taken honorable positions in professional and social life. The eldest child, a daughter, Kate M., married Dr. Ferguson, of Okemos. He is a graduate of both the old school and the school of homeopathy, uniting in the two the best theory and practice found in each. Eugene is a printer, engaged in work at Philadelphia. Charles Fremont is a rising lawyer in the city of Lansing, this state.

     The original of our sketch votes with the Republican party. His first vote was cast in 1844, (268) for Henry Clay, but since the formation of the Republican party, he has given the weight of his vote and influence to it. Mr. Hammond is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is a generous supporter and upholder of the same. In his social life he is a Master Mason.

     ANSEL R. L. COVERT. The gentleman of whom we write is pleased to trace his ancestors back through generations of honorable men and women to France, where the name was originally Couver. The family was driven out of their native land and took refuge in Holland where the prefix Van was added to the name. George VanCouver, the distinguished navigator, was a member of the family during that part of its history. Those who came to America soon dropped the Dutch prefix and finally changed the name to Covert. The maternal grandparents were Isaac and Polly Chandler, natives of New Jersey who settled in Seneca County, N.Y., at an early date and came to Michigan, settling in Vevay Township, Ingham County, early in the history of that section.

     Our subject was born in Covert, Seneca County, N.Y., June 12, 1831, his parents being Mahlon and Sallie (Chandler) Covert, natives of the same town. The paternal grandparents were Bergum and Ann Covert, natives of New Jersey, who were early settlers in Seneca County, N.Y. The township of Covert in that county took its name from this family and at one time no one but Coverts lived within its bounds. The parents of our subject grew up together from childhood being close neighbors and were married in Covert and made their home there until 1837, when they came to Michigan and settled on a farm in what is now Leslie Township, Ingham County. The land which they took was all in a wild condition and heavily timbered and they did thorough pioneer work in subduing it and putting it in a state of cultivation.

     The widowed mother who was bereaved of  her husband in February, 1888 when he had completed his four-score years, still lives on the old place where she settled in her early married life, fifty-four years ago. She has now completed eighty years of faithful and useful life. Her husband was a farmer all his lifetime and although he began without means obtained a handsome property, before his death. He worked his way up alone and being a man of decided opinions and beliefs, possessed of sterling integrity and a keen sense of right and wrong, he won the respect and admiration of all who knew him and exerted a decided influence over those with whom he came in contact. He was originally Whig but finally became a Republican.

     The office of Supervisor of Leslie Township was twice filled by Mahlon Covert, besides numerous other township offices. Both he and his wife found pleasure in active church work and were members of the Baptist Church. For more than fifty years he was a Deacon in that body and exerted a great influence in the matters of religion and was in every sense useful in his day and generation. They had four children, namely: Ansel R. L., Samantha C., Mary A., and Monmouth I. all of whom are living.

     The farm in Leslie Township was the scene of the early life of our subject after his parents removed thither in 1837. He received his education in the common schools and took one term at what is now the Hillsdale College, then located at Spring Arbor, Mich. He remained on the farm with his father, teaching school during the winter, until he reached the age of twenty-six years, when he was elected County Clerk of Ingham County by the Republicans in the fall of 1856, and held that office for four years.

     After leaving his clerkship Mr. Covert came to Leslie and engaged in general merchandising in partnership, with Thomas H. Reed and at the same time held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk. After three years he gave up his other business and devoted himself entirely to his work as a Justice and after a year when the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Railroad was built through Leslie he was made its agent, and has been railroad and express agent ever since. He is now serving his twenty-sixth year in that capacity. The railroad we have just mentioned is now known as (269) the Saginaw Division of the Michigan Central, with which road Mr. Covert is now connected. He owns stock in the People's Bank of Leslie and has acquired the possession of a fine eighty-acre farm in Leslie Township.

     The lady who so graciously presides over the household of our subject became Mrs. Covert September 22, 1858. Her maiden name was Mary C. Root and her home was in Mason, Mich. She is a native of the Wolverine State, having been born in Plymouth, Wayne Count y in 1839 and is a daughter of Stephen Root. Mr. and Mrs. Covert have had six children, namely: John F. (deceased); Carrie, Vernie (deceased), Gertrude, Grace and Katie.

     Carrie is the wife of Willis E. Pickett of the South Omaha (Neb.) National Bank. She is a typewriter and stenographer, and is the only one of the children who is away from home. Mr. Covert and his wife are active and influential members of the Baptist Church, and theirs is one of the representative families of Ingham County, is their long residence here, their superior character, their high intelligence and ability, as well as their social qualities place them upon the highest plane. The political views of our subject have led him to affiliate with the Republican party and he is respected as one of its strong men. He is also a representative member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is highly respected by the fraternity.

     JABEZ B. LUTHER, is a farmer and stock-raiser on section 9, of Delhi Township, Ingham County, Mich. He has passed more than the three-score and ten years usually allotted to man, and yet his mental faculties are as unclouded as ever. He has here ninety acres of and of which he himself is the active proprietor, and which seem to suffer no diminution of care and attention from the early years when it was his pride to keep his farm on a par with the best in the county. He is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Clinton County, N.Y. March 4, 1820. He is the son of William and Eunice (Allen) Luther, the former a native of Rhode Wand, that little State that was a pioneer in the Revolutionary methods adopted toward the mother country, and which sent out the first ship to battle for independence. The mother was a native of Vermont, where they were married in South Hero. They moved to New York where Mr. Luther, Sr., was engaged in farming until he removed to Lenawee County, in 1833.

     When our subject's parents first entered Michigan, they proceeded immediately to enter land from the Government, and to thereon make a home. Our subject was the youngest of a family of ten children, all of whom grew up and made homes for themselves. There are now but three members of the family living. It is believed by many members of the family and indeed, there is evidence of the truth of the belief, that the family are descendants of Martin Luther, the father of the great reform movement in Europe.

     Col. Ebenezer Allen, our subject's grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was an own cousin of Ethan Allen, that Revolutionary hero who won the victory of Ticonderoga. On the very day that the death of the old hero occurred, he was at Mr. Luther's grandfather's house and purchased a load of hay. While driving home in the gloaming, he was suddenly stricken down, a victim of apoplexy. Our subject has been three times married. His first wife lived only three months and ten days after their marriage. Two members of his family, his wife and his father, were taken in two consecutive months of 1841, both victims of malaria, that dread disease of early settlers. His wife expired in the month of September and his father in October. Mr. Luther came to his present farm in 1842, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of his brother, and trading his interest there for in the homestead in Lenawee County. The years since that time have been filled with a constant improvement and culture of his place, and it is now one of the prettiest plots in the township, having a good class of buildings and the acres spreading on either side being as well tilled and fruitful as they are fertile.

     Four children were born of Mr. Luther's (270) second marriage. Only one of these is living, now residing on a farm in Jackson County, Mich.; he has two children, a boy and a girl. One grandchild, a son of Jane, whose name is J. I. Shaw, survives, and is at the present time a boy of ten years of age. By the third marriage there were no children. The land of which our subject is proprietor, is worth at least $80 per acre, being under the best of cultivation and having good improvements. Politically, our subject has always been a Democrat. Now, however, he is an Alliance man, believing that if there is any advantage to be gained for the class of which he is one and a representative, that his brother agriculturists must unite and voice their desires through one of their own representatives. He has never had any ambition to fill public office and has always refused to serve in any such capacity.

     PERRY HENDERSON. Age has its prerogatives. No matter what the conditions of life or the social standing, there are some things before which youth instantly and involuntarily uncovers in the presence of the silent appeal which gray hair and stooping shoulders present. One of its prerogatives should be rest from the labors for there are surely young men and women enough to take the burden from the shoulders that have so long borne them. He of whom we write has shifted the burden, and is now living in retirement from the active duties incident to business life, having formerly been a merchant and miller in the city of Mason, Ingham County. Beginning at an early age the serious business of caring for himself, he continued through life to be prudent and industrious and in his old age is able to retire with a comfortable competency that insures him immunity from want or care.

     Mr. Henderson was born in the town of Tully, Onondaga County, N.Y., October. 1, 1815. He is a son of Phineas and Rachael (Miller) Henderson; the father was a Scotchman by birth, and, settled in New Jersey at an early day. The mother who was born in America, was of German descent. Our subject was bereft of both parents when but a mere child, his mother's decease occurring when he was but seven years of age, and the father passing away when he was only eight. His oldest brother, Peter, was the first white child born in the town of Tully, Onondaga County, N.Y. Our subject was the youngest of a family of nine children, of whom there were six boys and three girls, and on his parents' decease he was taken into his brother Peter's family and cared for by him.

     Perry Henderson spent his boyhood days on a farm which his brother Peter operated, until he was eighteen years of age. He received but a common-school education, but by close application, he was enabled to become a teacher at the age of nineteen. He taught for several winters, spending the summer months in farming. He then worked by the month for one year. The following year he operated a farm which he had hired and then purchased a small farm of seventy-five acres, and the fact that he was enabled so to do, proves that he had been economical, hoarding his earnings until they aggregated quite a sum. He continued to own the farm referred to, until he came to Michigan in 1845. He was married February, 1838 to Miss Huldah Christian, a daughter of John and Huldah (Heath) Christian. By this marriage there were seven children, three of whom are still living. Those who died left no families. The living children are Henry P., Wade J. and a daughter, whose name is Catherine E. Henry P. was born in Tally Township, Onondaga County, N. Y. February, 1843. After coming to Mason with his parents, he studied law and here married. He was appointed by President Cleveland, Territorial Judge for the Territory of Utah and served for a period of four years. His home is now in Ogden, Utah, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession. He is married but has no children. Wade J. was born in Vevay Township, Ingham County, 1853. He has been engaged in the boot and shoe trade in Portland, Mich. His partner in life is deceased and their only son, Richard R. Henderson, makes his home with our subject. He served as a page during the last meeting of the Michigan Legislature. He is but fifteen years of (271) age, and earned $250. Our subject's only living daughter, Catharine E. Henderson, was born in 1855. She has always suffered the disadvantage of having poor health. She makes her home with her father.

     Mr. Henderson came to Michigan in 1845, locating in Leroy Township, Ingham County, where he purchased a farm, living upon it for a period of nine years. At the expiration of that time he was elected Sheriff, and it being necessary that he should have a more central residence he removed to Mason, and was elected Superintendent of the County Poor, serving in this capacity two terms of two years each. He had previously been Supervisor of Leroy Township for five years, an after coming to Mason, was elected Supervisor of Vevay Township four times. This was previous to its separation from the city proper.

     Politically our subject is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian stamp and type. He was Mayor of the city for one term and has served as Alderman from the first ward a number of times. In his religious connection he is a member of the Baptist Church as is also his wife, and he performs the office of Deacon in that body. Our subject was the originator and upbuilder of the Phoenix Flouring Mills, erecting the building and starting it to running in the fall of 1858. He was connected with the mill some ten years, at the same time having a partnership in the hardware business and it a general oversight from the years 1868 to 1885. He has handled agricultural implements to some extent, and has also auctioneered. He feels that at his age he does not care to again enter business and indeed, there is no necessity for his doing so.

     ELISHA R. SMEDLEY. That persistent industry and good judgment almost invariably win success is a fact whose truth has never been disputed, and upon the possessor of these traits of character fortune usually showers her blessings. Lansing Township, Ingham County, is noted for the many beautiful farms which lie within her boundaries, and it is universally admitted that no portion of the State has been improved to a greater extent than the vicinity of the capital city. Business and pleasure often call the traveler to various portions of the township, and as he passes along the Pine Lake Road, he invariably pauses with admiring gaze at the homestead of Mr. Smedley, which is pleasantly located one-half mile north-east of the city limits of Lansing.

     It is only through long continued effort that Mr. Smedley has attained to his present position, where he can reflect upon the past with satisfaction and look forward to a future spent in the enjoyment of a comfortable competency. His fine farm on section 2, comprises one hundred acres, and is embellished with a substantial set of buildings, the most noticeable among them being the commodious residence wherein he and his estimable wife dispense a generous hospitality. The barns are conveniently arranged and adapted to the storage of grain and shelter of stock, while the fertile soil yields to the careful husbandman a bountiful harvest of golden grain.

     The owner of this fine property is the soil of Solomon G. and Polly (Wright) Smedley, natives of the State of Vermont, who removed to Tioga County, N.Y., in 1822, land from there to Onondaga County, the same State. In that county Elisha R., of this sketch, was born January 23, 1827, and there his early years were uneventfully passed. His father followed the trade of a blacksmith, and was also a farmer he was a soldier in the War of 1812, and served on Lake Champlain as a Minute Man. An honorable man , whose every action was characterized by integrity, by dint of his industry he raised himself from a humble rank to a position of influence in the community where he so long resided. His death occurred in 1889, at the age of ninety-one years. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Smedley, was also a native of Vermont.

     Upon arriving at man's estate, our subject commenced in life for himself as a farmer, and pursued the even tenor of his way, engaged in a peaceful conflict with the unimproved and weed producing soil. For many years he worked alone, (272) but finally concluded that he could accomplish more with the aid of an efficient helpmate, and accordingly he wooed and won as his wife Miss Sarah M. Russell, a daughter of Nathan Russell, a native of Wayne County, N.Y. The bride was born in that county, August 31, 1842, and was carefully trained by her parents for the duties which afterward came to her. The ceremony which united her with our subject was solemnized September 9, 1869, and of the happy union three children have been born. Frank L. who was born October 22, 1874, is now attending the Interlake Commercial College of Lansing, and preparing himself for a commercial life; Orrin E. and Warren L., twins, were born January 14, 1879. Warren died in infancy, and Orrin still remains under the parental roof.

     In 1866 Mr. Smedley came to Michigan, proceeding directly to the farm upon which he is now located, and which he had purchased one year previous to his permanent location here. It was at that time timber land, and all the improvements upon it stand as monuments to his industry and energy. In politics he is a Republican, and has served his fellow-citizens in Various positions of responsibility. He is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife belongs.

    CURTIS E. HAUGHAWOUT. The business men of Lansing, Ingham County, are a class of whom the city may well feel proud, as they have added greatly, not only to her financial strength, but also to her reputation among the cities of Michigan. Their probity and enterprise, their intelligence and united efforts for the upbuilding of business interests in the capital city have been a power which cannot be lightly estimated.

     Our subject, who has one of the finest stores in the city and is a man of genuine and widespread popularity, is in the retail grocery trade. He was born in Brimfield, Portage County, Ohio, January 7, 1856 and is the son of Charles Haughawout who was a farmer and an early settler in Brimfield.

     The grandfather, Peter, was a Pennsylvanian by birth but died in Brimfield. The father came to Michigan in the fall of 1871 and located at North Lansing where he engaged in farming and still owns a farm of eighty acres adjoining the corporation. The mother, who was Sarah, daughter of John Boosinger, was born in Brimfield, Ohio, and died in North Lansing at the age of fifty-five years. She was a devoted member of the Universalist Church, and our subject was her only child by this union. By her first marriage she has one son, E. D. Sawyer, who enlisted in 1861, in the Forty-second Ohio Infantry, and served until the close of the war, coming out of the army with the rank of a Sergeant. He now resides in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a prominent citizen of that city, being the ex-Sheriff of the county.

     He of whom we write was brought up as farmer boys are upon the farm and attended the district school. He attended the North Lansing School and later the High School and at the age of eighteen years took a course in Bartlett's Business College. He then obtained a situation as bookkeeper for B. E. Hart, a miller at North Lansing, and remained with him for some time, finally taking charge of the business whenever Mr. Hart was away. After being manager of this concern for some five years, he started into business for himself. He had meanwhile engaged in buying wheat on the street at North Lansing for Hart Bros.

     In 1883 our subject started in the grocery business, becoming a partner with his father under the firm name of Haughawout & Son. They established themselves first in North Lansing on Turner Street and afterward on Franklin Street. Three years later they started a branch store on Washington Avenue in Lansing, which was especially under the charge of the son, while he still continued as partner in the original store. After an experimental six months, the young man sold out his interest in the old store to his father and devoted himself entirely to his new store, enlarging it and improving it and soon being able to buy out his father's interest in the Lansing enterprise. Two years later he sold out the entire business and then began in a drugstore, in the Smith Block on Washington Avenue. Six months later he removed his stock to his (275) present stand and added a line of groceries. He found this to be the more profitable venture, and disposing of his drug business has since then enlarged and improved his grocery store, until he has one of the best establishments in the city.

     Ida Elder was the name by which Mrs. Haughawout was known in her maiden days. She was married in 1879 and is a daughter of Capt. Mathew Elder, an architect by profession, who died from the effect of a wound which he received at Gettysburg. His wife departed this life in 1881. Mr. Haughawout has served one term as Alderman of the First Ward and has also been Supervisor for one year. He is prominently identified with the Free and Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias. Although he does not devote much time to politics he gladly serves his party upon the Ward Committee, and he has an unfailing confidence in the future prosperity of the Democratic party.

     For twelve years Guy C. Lee resided upon the farm that he purchased on first making his advent in this State and then traded it for a farm of two hundred acres lying within the village limits of Howell. Upon this place he built a home and lived until his decease, which took place in 1851. His wife died in 1873. They had a family of five children, whose names are as follows: George W., Henry B., Laurella, Clara and Frederick J. Only two of these are now living, they being our subject, of whom we shall attempt to give a correct though concise biographical sketch, and Henry B., a wealthy gentleman who lives in Ypsilanti.

     Our subject in his boyhood was surrounded with the best of influences. His father, who was considered one of the very wealthy men of the county, while not a church member was a strictly moral man. Profanity was unknown to his lips, neither did he use tobacco or stimulants of any kind. He was a radical temperance man and observed the Sabbath day very strictly. His father and our subject's grandfather was Col. Noah Lee, his wife being Dorcas (Bird) Lee. They were both natives of Connecticut. The former was a farmer by occupation and served as Colonel in the Revolutionary War. He also served during the French and Indian War, having first enlisted when fifteen years of age, but was afterward rejected on account of his youth. One of the staff of officers standing by when he went to enlist said, "enlist him and I will take him as a waiter." Thus he was accepted and sworn in as a soldier, this being in 1761.

     After the war Col. Noah Lee with Amos Bird was the first white man that ever stopped over night in Castleton Township, Rutland County, Vt. They secured a large amount of land and became settlers of prominence. The gentleman was associated with some of the Colonial heroes and the following is a letter written by Ethan Allen to Col. Lee:

"From Ethan Allen,
TICONDEROGA, May 25, 1775,
                                    CAPT. NOAH LEE,
                                                                      SKEENBOROUGH

     Sir:-- This moment I have received yours of the 23d. True, I am much encumbered in business, nevertheless I am apprised that Skeenborough is an important post which must be occupied by the army for liberty. I am satisfied that you have conducted worthily in that station and am contented you should command that post, except you take some adequate command with me in the front part of the array. I expect shortly the Continental Congress will appoint a commander for this department, so that you need not hold your preferment under either the corps of G. M. Boys or Col. Arnold. Undoubtedly we shall all be rewarded according to our merits in this or the coming world

                                                      From your friend,
                                                                              ETHAN ALLEN. "

     (276) Col. Noah Lee enlisted the Green Mountain boys on his own account and was an active leader in the campaign, supplying the needs of the soldiers from his own private resources. He was married in 1772 and died May 5, 1840, at Castleton, Vt. His wife died in March, 1830. Their family comprised eight children. The first of this branch of the Lee family to come to this country was John Lee, who was born in Essex County, England, in 1620. He crossed the ocean in 1634 and settled at Hartford, Conn. Our subject belongs to the fifth generation who have lived in this country.

     Frederick J. Lee, our subject, received his education at Castleton and attended the academy in Canastota, Madison County, N.Y., and after coming West with his parents he attended the Ann Arbor academy and then returned to Castleton, Vt., where he entered the Castleton Seminary. After finishing his education he returned to Michigan and was engaged in teaching school in the township of Unadilla, Livingston County. Gov. Winans was one of his pupils at this time and our subject assures us that the Governor was one of the brightest boys in school. The winter of 1844 our subject spent as a clerk in the house of F. Denison, in Ann Arbor. 

     On returning to Howell our subject engaged in the mercantile business with his brother, George W. Lee, under the firm name of Lee & Bro. They remained together for six years at which time George W. bought out the interest of our subject who took as his partner Mr. Lemuel Spooner, engaging in business with him for two years. At the end of that time they sold out their business and our subject entered the real-estate business, being one of the first to launch out in this direction.

     The Livingston Republican, which first appeared in 1853 and was the first Republican paper of this county, was largely indebted to the personal energy of Mr. Lee for its inception. In 1868 our subject was Revenue Collector of this district, which comprises six counties -- Livingston, Oakland, Lapeer, Macomb, St. Clair and Sanilac. After serving for two years he resigned his office. He has also been a member of the Council and School Board and during the war was most of the time Deputy United States Marshal and also Marshal of the village for one year.

     Mr. Lee has added several additions to the town of Howell. In 1887 he with L. S. Montague platted an addition, and with Mr. McPherson, of this town, platted an addition to the city of Buffalo, N.Y. The addition comprised thirteen acres. This was in 1881. Mr. Lee is the owner of a large tract of land in the Northern part of this State and also was quite a large property owner in Mississippi. His residence on Walnut Street is undoubtedly one of the finest places in the town, as well as one of the most pleasant homes. He also has a number of other houses in the village which he rents, besides business property.

     In 1847 Mr. Lee was united in marriage with Miss Martha Alcott, of Rockingham, Vt., the daughter of Elias Alcott. Only one child was the fruit of this marriage, a daughter named Rosa E., now Mrs. E. G. McPherson. She is the mother of four children whose names are George, John, William and Belle. Mrs. Martha Lee died in September, 1875. By a second marriage our subject was united with Miss Harriet Norton, of Detroit, who presented her husband with one child, a daughter, Hattie. Mrs. Harriet Lee died September 22,1886. By a third marriage our subject became the husband of Miss Alice A. Lee, of Poultney, Vt. She is a daughter of George L. and Eliza (Graham) Lee. Mr. Lee is a Republican and one of the prominent men of the county.

     FRED D. WOODWORTH, M. D. We are pleased to give in our list of the best citizens of Ingham County, the professional men who have made their mark therein, and we take special pleasure in presenting the name of Dr. Woodworth, of Onondaga, who was born in Blackman Township, Jackson County, Mich., December 9, 1846. This gentleman, who has made for himself a name and place in the profession, is a son of George W. and Elizabeth (McIntosh) Woodworth, both natives of the Empire State, who came (277) to Michigan the 1st of September, 1831. The lineage and early history of this interesting family is worth the perusal of the reader, and will be found in connection with the sketch of J. D. Woodworth, M. D., to be found elsewhere in this volume.

     Eight children of this family grew to maturity, and Fred was the youngest of the flock. He was reared upon the old homestead in Blackman Township, Jackson County, and availed himself thoroughly of a common school education, attending High School also at Jackson. He remained with his mother until 1866, and for three years prior to that date he had been studying civil engineering, but he finally decided to abandon the pursuit of that branch of education and to give himself thoroughly to preparation for the medical profession. He was, no doubt, largely influenced in this decision by the fact that he would be able to study under the superintendence of his brother, Dr. J. D. Woodworth, of Leslie.

     After reading for some time with his brother he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, and after a two years' course there became a student of the Detroit Medical College, where he took his diploma in the spring of 1869. The young Doctor then began his practice at Leslie, and after a year and a half located in 1872, in the village of Onondaga, where he has built up an excellent practice, having given himself entirely to the pursuit of his profession. He owns a small farm in the vicinity and takes a lively interest in its culture.

     The Republican platform and declarations embody the political views which are held by Dr. Woodworth, and in the prosperity of that party he feels a deep interest. He has held sundry local offices, such as Township Supervisor, Township Clerk, School Inspector, and is a member of the County Committee. He has attained to the third degree in the order of Free and Accepted Masons and is also identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

     Dr. Woodworth was happily married to Miss Louise C. Baldwin, October 9, 1873. This lady was born in Livonia, Livingston County, N.Y., March 2,1835, and previous to her marriage had been a resident of Onondaga. Her parents were Thomas K. and Dorcas (Greene) Baldwin, are natives of Vermont. No children have brightened the home of Dr. and Mrs. Woodworth, but their kindly nature leads them to make life pleasant for others, and their influence in the community is always for good.

     JOSEPH W. BAILEY. One of the pleasantest homes in Lansing, Ingham County, is the one which is jointly presided over by Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, whose intelligence and affability create about them a delightful atmosphere of hospitality and genuine enjoyment. In their society their friends find a pleasant respite from the cares and fatigues of business and home duties, as well as an intellectual stimulus in the best direction.

     Our subject, who is carrying on business in the line of real estate and insurance in connection with his partner, Mr. Klockseim, was formerly an editor in Portland, Ionia County. He was born in Battle Creek, on the 11th of April, 1847, his honored father being James Bailey, a Yorkshire-man, who was a fancy silk weaver and also a music teacher. His weaving was of a superior kind and one of his specialties was the manufacture of handsome vest patterns, which were at that time exceedingly popular. He came to Battle Creek in 1842, and engaged in work, both at his trade and as a teacher, but later acquired a farm in Eagle Township, Eaton County, which he carried on farming during the summers, and spent the winters in teaching.

     In 1856 he sold his property in Eaton County and removed to Portland Township, Ionia County, where he took an improved farm of one hundred and eighty-three acres, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1884. His father, Richard Bailey, had come with him to Ionia County where he spent the remainder of his days. He was a miner in England. Sovina Pitchforth, the mother of our subject, who was also of Yorkshire birth, came hither with him and died in 1880. Of her (278) nine children our subject was the next to the youngest and was brought up upon a farm and educated in the district schools until he reached the age of nine years, after which he attended the Portland schools.

     At the age of nineteen our subject began business life as a clerk in a dry-goods establishment, but after one year he decided to enter the newspaper business in connection with the Portland Advertiser, which had already been inaugurated, but which was at that time printed in Grand Rapids. After nine months' experience the young man bought out his partner in this paper and continued it alone, and soon enlarged it and continued it under the name of the Portland Observer. It became a six-column quarto, and besides publishing the paper the office became well known as an efficient job office, where excellent work could be had upon prompt time. He gradually worked into the real-estate business, and in 1882 sold out his paper and devoted his time entirely to this new line of work. He built the Observer Block and continued there until 1888, and finally bought out Mr. S. M. Miller, of the firm of Miller & Klockseim, which now became Klockseim & Bailey. While living in Portland he platted eighteen acres, which is known as "Bailey's Addition to Portland." He still owns Portland property and is also one of the largest real-estate dealers in this city. Besides this specialty the firm is largely interested in insurance and represents some fifteen companies.

     The marriage of our subject, which took place August 20, 1872, and which was solemnized in Eagle Township, brought to his home an amiable and faithful helpmate, in the person of Miss Dana Jenison, daughter of the Hon. William F. Jenison. This lady was born at Eagle, Clinton County, where her family were early settlers, and she received her education at Ypsilanti and taught in the Lansing schools before her marriage. Mr. Jenison is a prominent and wealthy farmer in Clinton County and for some time acted as its Sheriff. Six children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, namely: Mary Willie, Lena, Stella, Eva and Bessie.

     The fifteen years during which Mr. Bailey was engaged in newspaper work in Portland were years of prosperity and progress in that little town, and his work no doubt contributed largely to promote many of the movements for improvement which were being forwarded at that time. That he was appreciated in this way was evident from the fact that he was made President of the village for two years, and was at the time of his removal from Portland and for several years previous Village Assessor. In his political views he is a decided Republican, and during the days when he had the ear of the people through his paper his "trumpet sent forth no uncertain sound." He is identified with the Free and Accepted Masons at Portland, and is connected with the Universalist Church. As a citizen of thorough integrity, enterprise and intelligence, he is highly prized in Lansing.

     COL. JOHN G. SNOOK. The honorable title that prefixes our subject's name is an insignia of the loyalty with which he has served his time and nation. Over a century ago, it would have been thought degrading to have taken up arms for what many people even to-day, consider an inferior race, but the essence of truth and principle was lacking in our nation as long as there was a freedom restricted to certain classes, and those who were consistent and loyal to the Constitution to which the wisest men of our nation gave their approbation and countenance, could only be maintained by concessions on one side or a forced fight for local rights.

     He of whom we write now resides in Mason, Ingham County, Mich., where he has a pleasant and attractive home. He was born June 3, 1845, at Waterloo, Seneca County, N.Y., and is a son of Casper and Caroline (Groff) Snook, natives of Sussex County, and Seneca County, N.Y. respectively. His father, who was a farmer, moved from Michigan when our subject was about three years old and located in Argentine Township, Genesee County. Here our subject spent his boyhood days on a farm learning the duties incident (279) to the life of a farmer lad, and engaged in laying during the winter months, the foundation for a good common-school education.

     When only a lad, Mr. Snook enlisted in the War of the Rebellion joining the regiment in September 1862. He was one of Company D, of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, and first served as a private in Gen. Custer's Michigan Brigade, of Sheridan's division. He is proud of the fact that he served in thirty-seven engagements. He was wounded at the battle of Falling Water, July 14, 1863, although prior to this he had a horse shot under him at Cedar Creek in 1864. At the time of Sheridan's famous ride, their brigade was detailed to cover the retreat. He was in the hospital about eight months after the battle of Falling Water, having been wounded in the right thigh, a ball from an enemy's rifle shattering the bone without breaking it. He was at the time of his wound, serving as Corporal and was afterward made Sergeant. At the close of the war, his time not yet having expired, he was sent West under Gen. Custer, to have an oversight over the Indians. This occupied about six months, during which our subject was in one engagement at Willow Springs, Dak. His time expiring, during the Indian campaign he was held over time and at the expiration of the outbreak at which the Indians were subdued, he was discharged.

     After Mr. Snook's return from the army it was necessary that he learn some business by which he could support himself, and he at once bent his energies to making himself familiar with the harness-makers' trade, being so engaged in Linden, Genesee County, Mich. He worked at that trade for about five years, and in the meantime was married December 23, 1868, to Miss Mary Beach, whose home was in the same place at which he was occupied. She is a daughter of Chilion and Elizabeth A. (Squires) Beach and was born May 30, 1850, at Rochester, N.Y.

     The original of our sketch transferred his attention to the business of carriage trimming which he followed in the town of Linden for about sixteen years and in April, 1885, he removed to Mason, where he began the same work, and is yet thus engaged, being successful to a gratifying degree in his chosen calling, and indeed, it could scarcely be otherwise, for so neatly is his work done, and so perfect the finish that it could not fail to find patronage. Our subject has three children who have come to brighten the home of himself and wife. Carrie E. was born in Linden, this State, June 19, 1871. She, however, united her fortunes with those of a young farmer in Vevay Township, by name, A. M. Young. William C. who was born January 30, 1873, is a graduate of the High School, than which there are none better throughout the State. It prepares its graduates for the Freshman class in any University in the State. He has also taken one year in Albion College, and is ambitious to fit himself for a professorship in some of our higher institutions of learning. Casper J., the third child, was born at Linden, February 5, 1885.

     Casper Snook, our subject's father, was born March 17, 1817, and his decease occurred February 13, 1858. Our subject's mother was born October 9, 1820, and is still living, making her home with him of whom we write. Formerly the original of our sketch affiliated with the Republican party, but since 1872 he has identified himself with the Prohibition party, feeling that in the promulgation of the principles not only of temperance, but in the prohibition of the making and selling of intoxicating liquors is the safeguard to which we have to look to the future prosperity of our land. He is a Captain of Company F, of the First Regiment of the State Militia. In his church relations he has been identified for many years with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he's both Steward and Class-Leader.

     JOHN F. ROUSE. Our subject is a native of the city that Michigan is proud to claim as her educational center, and one whose college standing in many departments ranks with the best universities in the land. Mr. Rouse now holds the position of County Clerk in the town of Mason, Ingham County, and in this capacity finds many an opportunity to make himself of great service to the people and is always obliging, attentive and ready to do what he can. He was (280) born at Ann Arbor, July 28, 1851, and is the son of John and Catherine (Leadley) Rouse, both natives of Germany. Mr. Rouse's parents were both children when they came to this country with their parents. His father, who was a cooper, followed his trade in Ann Arbor and in Chicago, where he lived some eleven years.

     While living in the metropolis of Illinois, John Rouse responded to the call for volunteers in the War of the Rebellion, and enlisted in Company G, of the Fifty-first Regiment of Illinois Infantry, in 1864, He served about eighteen months, and although in eleven battles, received only a few slight wounds. The mother moved to Michigan soon after her husband's enlistment in order that she might be among her own people in his absence. After his discharge, our subject's father came to this State, and located in Lansing where he started a cooper shop of his own, and followed his trade until the time of his death, which occurred April 1, 1891, in the city of Lansing.

     The original of our sketch in his boyhood received a good practical education, enjoying the advantages offered by the public schools of the city of Chicago, and afterward taking an additional course in the Commercial College of Lansing, this State. After finishing his education he learned telegraphy and served in the capacity of operator for about ten years in Lansing. While still manager of the telegraph office he was elected, City Clerk, and was re-elected at different times until he served seven terms in all. After the expiration of his term on his last election, Mr. Rouse engaged in the coal business, running a general retail trade in which he was proprietor of several local offices.

     He of whom we write was elected County Clerk of Ingham County, Mich., 1888, and he served in this position for four years. May 13, 1880, he took the important step of uniting his fate for better or worse with that of Miss Catherine Sattler, a daughter of Charles L. and Barbara (Hux) Sattler. Mrs. Rouse was born at Freedom, Washtenaw County, August 28, 1853. Her parents were, like her husband's, both from Germany. One child has come to their home to brighten the domestic life and to make stronger the bond that binds together husband and wife. She was born May 23, 1881, and her name is Nellie B., a bright attractive little miss, who is the joy of her fond parents.

     While in Chicago, Mr. Rouse met with an accident in Jones & Chapin's cooper shop, by which he lost his left arm. At the time he was only eleven years old and the accident was deeply deplored by himself and parents. He is the eldest in a family of eight children, all of whom are still living. Albert F., the second son in the family, is at attorney-at-law in the city of Lansing; he also, strange to say, by an accident similar to that of his brother, is deprived of his arm. His loss was caused by the running away of a team. The other children are Emma, Catherine, William F., Mary, Edward and George. Emma is now the wife of C. Adelbert Cary, who is a clerk in Lansing; Catherine married Arnold Brown, who was a large lumber dealer in Lansing; William F. also makes his home in Lansing, where he conducts a large meat market; Mary married Frank Nice, who is engaged as an engineer on the Michigan Central road, making his headquarters and home at Lansing; Edward, who is a cooper by trade, and George, who is a clerk in a large clothing store, both reside in Lansing.