BIOGRAPHIES - Pages 435-445

     (435) JOHN P. LOCKWO0D was. born in Ontario County, N.Y., in 1853, and from his earliest years has been conspicuous for his energy and activity. His father, John C., was born, in Ontario County, April 14, 1810. He died the day the first shot was fired upon Ft. Sumter. He was a farmer and surveyor and was considered one of the best mathematicians in Ontario County and was frequently consulted by persons who had difficult problems to solve. He had in enviable reputation in his specialty, which was that of surveying.

     The mother of our subject in her maiden days was Miss Julia Phelps. A native of Connecticut, she was born at Hartford in 1816, and still survives, making her home at Geneva, N.Y. Moving into Geneva. with his parents in 1861, John P. Lockwood spent the next fifteen years of his life in attendance at the district schools and in working in machine shops. While living at Geneva he lost a portion of his arm while engaged in threshing. This necessitated some change in his plans for the future and having only $130 in money he determined to learn the art of telegraphy. In a short time he was sent to Sandusky, Ohio, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and remained there until the day after Garfield was shot, when he went to Okemos to work for the Grand Trunk Railroad. While thus engaged he was conducting a general grain and produce business at Elba, this State, and after remaining in this place three years and five months he went to Pine Lake and took charge of the station at that place, it being known as Haslett Park.

     Since coming to Haslett Park Mr. Lockwood has one of the busiest men in the county, besides performing the duties of an operator, building up a lucrative trade in the general merchandise line, it being run under the firm name of John P. Lockwood & Co. He also deals in agricultural implements and buys farm products of all kinds. Aside from this he runs a fine farm which he owns on section 10, of Meridian Township. He is Treasurer of the township and, although a stanch Democrat, has been awarded the position of Postmaster.

     Mr. Lockwood is a thorough-going, wide-awake business man who fully deserves the success which he enjoys and the comforts which his fine fortune enables him to procure. An idea of the volume of the business done by him in the little village may be had by stating that during the year 1890 he paid the farmers of this vicinity $71,000 for farm products. Our subject was very happily married March 1, 1881, to Miss Clara Ireland, of Geneva, N.Y. She is a daughter of John Ireland. Two children have been born of this union--Edwin M. who died when twenty-one months old and Charles Park Lockwood, named in honor of Dr. Park, of Okemos the last child are born 1884, just before Cleveland's election. Mrs. Lockwood has been a (436) member of the Sandusky Presbyterian Church. Socially, our subject is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is familiar with all its branches. He has always taken an active interest in politics and is well informed on all the issues of the day.

     In connection with this biographical review may be found the lithographic portrait of Mr. Lockwood.

     HENRY R. PATTENGILL. A man who has the interests of the place of his residence at heart, whether it be in an humble prominent way, always commands the respect of every right-minded person. In an educational direction there is an additional degree of deference paid the promoters of advancement, for in the Republic of America in which we blend the French idea of equality with the English theory of brotherhood, we realize how greatly we are indebted to our public school system for many of the men that have come to the fore in public as in private affairs. The gentleman whose name is a the head of this sketch is a noted educator in the State and is now the editor and publisher of the Michigan School Moderator, a semi-monthly magazine, that is published for the use of teachers and school Boards, giving much valuable information in regard to school paraphernalia, as well as the latest theories and methods as used by the most advanced educators of the day in foreign lands a well as our own country.

     Mr. Pattengill was born in Mt. Vision, Otsego County, N.Y., January 4, 1852. His father was the Rev. Lemuel C. Pattengill, who was a native of New Lisbon, Otsego County. His paternal grandfather, also Lemuel Pattengill, was a native of Connecticut, where he engaged in farming, removing, however, to New York where he was an early settler in Otsego County. Lemuel Patengill, Sr. was a Captain in the War of 1812 and was wounded at Queenstown Heights, and take prisoner by the British soldiers and held for two or three months in Canada. His decease occurred in New York at the age of eighty-five years. The family are Eastern in their antecedents.

     Our subject's father began his career for himself by engaging in farming in New Lisbon, thence removing to Lawrence, where he became the owner of a fine farm. Always of a deeply religious turn of mind, he determined to devote himself to Gospel work, and became a preacher in the Baptist Church, in which body he became a prominent member. Later he went to Wilson, Niagara County. In about 1863 he became Chaplain in the army under the Christian commission and he was present at the victory of Harper's Ferry and was able to give comfort to many a poor fellow or who breathed his last in the cause of freedom and
Union.

      In the fall of 1865 the elder Mr. Pattengill came to Litchfield, this State as pastor of the Baptist Church. He remained there for six or seven years and then removed to Ann Arbor, where he supplied churches. Thence he moved to Ithica and there he died in 1875 at the age of sixty-five years. He was a Republican in politics, voting, however, for the man that he believed to be best fitted for the position and one that he felt that had integrity and principle rather than a man who could be made the tool of unscrupulous politicians.

     Our subject's mother was before her marriage Miss Mary Gregory. She also was born in Otsego County. She was a daughter of the Rev. Seth Gregory, a native of Rhode Island, who located near Lisbon. He, like our subject's father, was a Baptist minister and for forty years had a charge in one place. Mrs. Pattengill is still living, making her home with her son. She has reached the good old age of seventy-eight years and has been the mother of three children, only one of whom, the youngest, is now living.

     The original of our sketch was born in Otsego County, N.Y., after which, at the age of one year, he was taken by his parents to Akron, Erie County, whence after a residence of five or six years he removed to Wilson and as soon as old enough attended the Wilson Academy. Removing to Litchfield, Mich., in 1865, he attended the Litchfield (437) High School. After that he went to Hudson and was a graduate from the High School at the age of seventeen years. In 1870 he entered the University of Michigan in which he pursued the literary course for four years, graduating in 1874 and taking the degree of Bachelor of Science. At the commencement at which he was graduated he was one of fourteen speakers and was class prophet. After finishing his college course he determined to devote himself to educational work and went to St. Louis, where he became Superintendent of the Union Schools, holding the position for two years. Thence he went to Ithaca and was Superintendent of Schools for eight years. During his stay of eight years in that city he established a High School and interested the School Board in higher educational work until a $25,000 school house was built, in which the High School was conducted. During the contemplation and building he was on the building committee and at the same time was President of the Village for two terms. He was also President of Gratiot County Teachers' Association for eight years.

     In1884 Mr. Pattengill went to Grand Rapids and there became assistant editor of the School Moderator a magazine published for the use of teachers and in the interest of educational affairs. He continued in this position for one year and then bought out the paper, removing his office to Lansing, from which it has since been published. The magazine was first printed in Grand Rapids in 1880 and the purchase was made by our subject in 1885. Since that time it has grown from a sixteen page quarto to a thirty-two-page quarto magazine and it has also increased in circulation from fourteen hundred to five thousand. As before said, it is devoted to the educational interests and established for the benefit of schools. The best teachers and educators of the day are contributors. Besides this magazine Mr. Pattengill publishes a number of other books. One of the most popular is the "Civil Government of Michigan," of which he himself is the author. Another very attractively written and popular book is "Thoughts for those who Think," also written by our subject. "Tip-Top Pieces for Little Folks," a "Manual of Orthography," a "School Song Knapsack," and "An Outline for Special Day Exercises for School." All the above named books he has written, and also publishes the "Michigan Historical and Geographical Cards for School," upon which he has a copyright. Numerous other works that bear upon educational matters come from his presses.

     In 1886 our subject filled the vacancy of Assistant Professor in English at the Agricultural College under his able instruction it grew into one of the most popular courses in the college. In 1889 he showed his fearlessness in regard to public opinion when he espoused the part of Prof. MacEwan in the controversy or ruption in the school, and it this time he attacked the Board of Control upon their action regarding Prof. MacEwan. Mr. Pattengill is an enthusiastic institute worker and has been appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction as Conductor of Institutes and in this capacity has done service in one-half the counties in the State.

     The original of our sketch was married in St. Louis in 1877, his bride being Miss Lizzie Sharpsteen, who was born in Perry, N.Y., and is a daughter of Mortimer Sharpsteen, also a native of New York. She came West when a young lady with her parents, locating in Iowa and later settling in Gratiot County, where her father was an early pioneer and farmer. Mrs. Pattengill was a graduate from the High School of St. Louis, and is a most accomplished, amiable and attractive lady. She is the mother of four children whose names are as follows: Lillie, Victor R., Margaret I. and Ral M. Mr. Pattengill has a beautiful home which he erected at a cost of of $7,000 on the corner of Townsend and Lenawee Streets. Architecturally it is finely proportioned and artistic, and interiorally is supplied with every comfort and convenience that makes modern living comparatively so delightful. It is above all and before all homely and is a fit place for the development of true culture and refinement. The editor has here a fine library of carefully-selected works of the best authors and his children are made to realize that they are the heirs of all the ages by being surrounded and made familiar with the best thoughts of the best English writers of early as well as modern times.

     (438) Our subject is connected with several societies, being lecturer of the Lansing Grange. He is a member of the State Teachers' Association, of which he was at one time Secretary. In his political following he is stanchly Republican and being one of the most enlightened and intelligent men of the vicinity he has been many times a delegate to county and State conventions. When a boy Mr. Pattengill was severely hurt by a reaper. For five months he was confined to his room and kept on his back. This accident caused a slight lameness which undoubtedly changed the course of his life, as his early home being on the lake, he probably otherwise would have been a farmer or sailor.

     MRS. EMELINE (HOUGHTON) LANNING. It is in unusual thing to find a woman who has been brought up under the old regime in which it was thought unwomanly and immodest for one of the gentler sex to interest herself in anything outside of domestic affairs or such gentle occupation as writing poetry, to step out into the world and assume duties which have always been considered as belonging to the sterner sex. She of whom we write, although having passed the meridian of youth and vigor, has assumed the control of extensive business affairs relating to her husband's estate, and has managed them successfully. Far from giving her a mannish or unwomanly air, she has dignified the work that she has taken up and given it a grace and gentleness of her own.

     Mrs. Lanning is the owner of the farm located on section 22, Hartland Township, Livingston County, and although she is nearly seventy years of ago she operates it so as to bring her in a good income. The lady was born in the State of New York, her birthplace being the town of Hamburg, Erie County, about three miles from the city of Buffalo. Her natal day was July 29, 1822. Her father was Ezra Houghton, a native of New York, where he was reared and educated. He came to Michigan, however, among its earliest pioneer settlers, directing his way in 1833 direct to Washtenaw County, where he took up eighty acres of land from the Government. On this he built a log house and bent his efforts toward improving his tract. He had succeeded in clearing ten acres and placing thereon some improvements when he sold out his claim and purchased school land on section 16, Webster Township, Washtenaw County. There he lived for the remainder of his days, placing valuable improvements on the tract and making of it a comfortable home place. There he died after reaching a good old age.

     Our subject's mother, in her maiden days, was Margaret Queal, a native of Ireland, who came to America when a young girl. She was educated in New York State. Her husband and herself were buried side by side in Webster cemetery. They were the parents of nine children. Mrs. Lanning is the third child in order of birth and also the third daughter. She came to this State with her parents when but eleven years of age. That was a day when it was not considered menial to help a neighbor with the domestic or farm work and to receive in return pay, and our subject worked out in order to help support herself and family. She was a capable and competent young woman and early made a reputation for being one of the best housewives of the country. It was not long before one of the young men of the neighborhood became aware of her virtues and attractions, and December 22, 1839, she was united in marriage to W. C. Lanning, a native of New Jersey, there born February 7, 1810. With his parents he removed from his native place to the town of Enfield, Tompkins County, N.Y., when but five years old. There he was reared and educated, coming to this State when a young man.

     The young couple set up housekeeping in Hartland Township, Livingston County, in 1840, the same week in which their marriage took place. They began by taking up one hundred and sixty acres of land from the Government, which is the same tract upon which our subject now resides. The husband cleared a space in the tangle of underbrush and forest trees, and built a log house, and (441) set about improving the place. From time to time adding a few acres until they became the owners of two hundred and ten acres. Mr. Lanning made all the improvements that were at that time on the place. He died in January, 1889, after a lifetime spent in an effort to secure such a competency as should relieve him from the necessity of hard labor. In his youth he adhered to the Whig policy but on the formation of the Republican party, transferred his allegiance to it. He was a well-known and well-liked man and was one of the earliest settlers in this portion of the country. He was a liberal contributor to all good and just causes, lending an encouraging voice to every progressive movement that promised to be for the benefit of the public.

     Our subject has one daughter, Terressa, now the wife of Squire Vescelius.. They reside in Hartland Township on part of the old homestead. Mrs. Lanning owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which is the original plat purchased from the Government. On her husband's death she was appointed administratrix of the estate and has since continued to carry on the business incident to the farm. She now rents the place devoting herself to a general oversight and the placing of investments. She has done exceedingly well in the management of the farm thus far. It is gratifying to find so much business capacity and capability in one of the gentler sex, and Mr. Lanning's confidence in the life-long partner of his joys and sorrows has proved to be not in any wise misplaced.

     RUSH J. SHANK, M. D. is one of the prominent physicians and surgeons of Lansing, Ingham County, where he was born December 15, 1848, one year after the capital was here located. His father was Hulbert B. Shank, a, pioneer who felled the trees where now the most important city streets are laid out and charred the ground by burning out the stumps and underbrush. His home was where his son, Dr. Shank, now lives, on Allegan Street between Washington and Capitol Avenues, Dr. Shank has witnessed the metamorphosis of the beautiful city with important commercial interests from the crudest pioneer settlement.

     Receiving the rudiments of his education in this city, Dr. Shank when a youth was sent back to New York State to enjoy the advantages offered at Oakwood Seminary--a beautiful educational institution located on Cayuga Lake. After reading with his father who was a professional man of high standing, he entered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan in order to pursue his studies in that line under the best conditions possible. He took an advanced three years' course and was graduated in the Class of '71. His independence of nature is shown by the fact that when a junior student at Oakwood Seminary he enlisted in the War of the Rebellion at Auburn, N.Y. in Company C; One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York Infantry. He was mustered into service August 2, 1864 , and sent to the Army of the James River Division. He served as a private until the close of the war. He was present at the battle of Appomattox Court House and was through the Weldon Railroad raid and witnessed the fall of Petersburg and Appomattox.

     After being mustered out of service he returned home and began the study of his profession, as before stated, reading with his father. After graduating he came to Lansing and began practicing which he has ever since continued. First as his father's partner, he remained with him until his death, April 23,1888. After that sad event he associated himself with Dr. A. S. Hyatt. Our subject is a member of both the State and Lansing Medical Societies. For the past ten years he has been President of the Board of Examining Surgeons and previous to the formation of local Boards he entered upon his duties on the Board of Examining Surgeons in 1876, serving until 1886. In 1884 Dr. Shank was appointed as Department Commander, Michigan Department of the Grand Army of the Republic and now is President of the Board of Managers of the Michigan Soldier's Home. He unites a regular practice with his specialty, which is that of surgery, he having the reputation of being one of the finest surgeons in this portion of the State. 

     (442) Socially Dr. Shank is in constant demand. He is Eminent Commander of the Lansing Knights Templar, a Knight of Pythias, an Elk, and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and in fact is a member of numerous other orders. He was united in marriage with Miss Ella E. Williams, of this city December 29, 1873. This marriage has been blest by the advent of one daughter, Ruth. Dr. Shank is an extremely popular man, greatly liked by all who know him. A skillful physician and surgeon, his services are in constant demand by the best class of patrons in the city.

     The attention of the reader is invited to a lithographic portrait of Dr. Shank, presented in connection with this biographical notice.

     GEORGE VORCE. The owner of and resident upon the fine farm located oil section 15, Leroy Township, Ingham County, is a prominent man in this section. He is a native of New York, being born in Cayuga County May 2, 1842. He is the son of William and Celia (Weber) Vorce. His father was a native of New York State and his mother of Connecticut. His paternal grandfather is said to have been a Revolutionary soldier.

     When about two or three years old the original of our sketch was brought by his parents to Ingham County, this State, the family settling on section 21, Leroy Township, where they were among the early settlers. Our subject's father here devoted himself to the calling of agriculture which was not at that time the comparatively easy one of the present day, for they were pioneers, and had literally to hew their way through the forests to get even a place on which they could locate their log house, which was the first home they had on coming to the State. The principles of Democracy are those that were dearest and nearest to Mr. Vorce, Sr. The theories of that gentleman however, were not narrow in any respect, and he sought only the interests of the public at large, regardless of party prejudice. Our subject is one of eight children born to his parents, of which the names following are those that still survive: Helen, John, George, Edward, Susan, William and Andrew. Helen is the wife of A. C. Wigant; Susan married William Rouse.

     The gentleman of whom it is our pleasure to give this short sketch in outline was reared to manhood in this county, and his experience here is that of many pioneers in this portion of the country. His devotion to his farming interests, has brought him large returns. The greater portion of his early life was spent in rural occupation, for there was much to be done in those days in felling timber, making the roads and in generally improving the contour of the land. There was not so much selfishness then as now, or perhaps one may better say, that the general good at that time was also the individual good.

     Although well endowed by nature with bright mental qualities, the educational advantages enjoyed by our subject were not brilliant. He has, however, become self-educated to such a degree that he passes for a man of liberal education. A good conversationalist, he is also genial and sunny-tempered, having the happy faculty of making one feel at ease. In February, 1865, Mr. Vorce enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Michigan Infantry, and with his regiment was assigned to duty in the Army of the Cumberland. He continued in service until his discharge, in September, 1865. During his experience as a soldier he was detailed to duty as guard over railroads and trains and to do general picket duty in Tennessee.

     On returning from the war our subject was married, in August, 1871, to Miss Marietta Bain, who was born in this State and is at daughter of Thomas Bain. By this union three children were born, two of whom are living at the present time. They are Elmer and Lina. Mr. Vorce is the owner of one hundred acres of well-improved land. He has erected thereon good buildings, having a pleasant home and charming surroundings. He devotes himself to general farming, supplementing the products of the soil with the rich returns from his live stock. A Democrat in his political belief, our subject has always endeavored to be true to what he believes to be for the general good, irrespective (443) of party. The original of our sketch has been an incumbent of several township offices. For three years he was Highway Commissioner, and he has also served as School Moderator of his district for a number of years. He has identified himself with the Farmers' Alliance in which he is an active member. Truly one of the thrifty tillers of the soil in Leroy Township Mr. Vorce also commands the respect of his fellow-townsmen.

     LEE COOK. The Deputy Sheriff of Ingham County is at the present time a resident of the city of Lansing, having been here since 1867. He is a native of Canada, and was born at Greenville, Argentile County, Quebec, February 10, 1842. He is a son of Hiram L. and Lucinda (Haynes) Cook. As a boy he received the advantages of a good education, attending school at Greenville. There seems to be a certain element in the atmosphere of Canada that vitalizes and invigorates, giving to the inhabitants of that part of America a freshness and clearness of perception and a breadth of mental caliber, as well as strong, sturdy, physical constitutions.

     After finishing his education, our subject went to Upper Canada, locating in Westmeath, Renfrew County, where he followed the trade which he had learned in his native town. It was that of a carpenter and joiner. He followed this calling some little time while in Canada, becoming skilled in his workmanship. In 1863 he came to the United States and located in Saginaw, there being engaged at once in building a sawmill for Messrs. Sage and McGraw. In the latter part of 1864 he removed to Ann Arbor, and while there was engaged in work on the University building, assisting in the erection of an addition to the Medical Department. In 1865 he went to Jackson in order to help build the Union Block, being a part of the time employed as contractor on that building.

     In 1867 Mr. Cook came to Lansing, first attracted here by the fact that several large buildings were being erected and his reputation as a fine workman at once secured him a good place among the Carpenters' and Builders' fraternity. The first building that he was engaged upon was the Lansing House, now called the Downey House, and since that time he has done a large contracting business. Some of the houses he has erected are the Larned crockery store, the series of stores opposite the Lansing House, and a number of buildings on Hon. J. E. Warner's farm. He also took the contract for tearing down the old State Land Office, where the Capitol now stands. This, however, was an unfortunate undertaking for him, for while engaged on this building he had a terrible fall by which he broke and permanently crippled his right wrist and hand, also his right leg and injured one lung. The fall was from a height of sixty feet, and it is a mystery how he survived at all. He suffered other injuries and was obliged to give up his business in consequence.

     Turning to new fields in which he could find all occupation that his strength was equal to, he became an agent for sewing machines and was in this very successful. About that time, however, the municipality was organizing the first police force (1872), and our subject was appointed upon this force, being the first uniformed policeman seen in the city. He continued in this position for six or seven years, holding it under both Republican and Democratic administrations which fact speaks well for his popularity as a man and the fitness that his constituents felt he had for the position. After withdrawing from the police force he was elected Constable, which office he also held for several years, and was then appointed Deputy Sheriff. While still Constable he was appointed by the Council as Chief of Police and also City Marshal, both offices being combined by a Democratic Council. He served in that capacity for two years, at the end of which time he was appointed keeper of the Ingham County poor house, which position he held for three years.

     For reasons not known to the writer Mr. Cook resigned his position as Superintendent and manager of the poor house and returned to Lansing, where he purchased a store known is the East Side Grocery, the former owner being Dr. Hitchcock. Owing, however, to the sickness of his wife he was (444) obliged to sell out, and after a time went into the concrete sidewalk business operating this for a period of two years. He then sold out his business to a firm who yet carry on the work under the firm name of Hagerman & Hopkins. After disposing of this business our subject for a time did not engage in other active work, devoting himself to the recuperation of his health. In January, 1889, he received his third appointment as Deputy Sheriff, and still serves in that capacity.

     Politically, our subject is a follower of the Democratic party. Socially he is member of the independent Order of Odd Fellows, having held all the offices in the lodge to which he belongs. Our subject's domestic life has been very happy, made so by a wife who has ever been to him an inspiration and a help. She was in her maiden days, Miss Electa Morehouse, of the city of Lansing. They were married December 25, 1873. The lady is a daughter of Harvey Morehouse who was one of the oldest settlers in this city, having at the time of his decease lived here nearly forty years. His widow still survives and makes her home at Lansing. Our subject and his wife have one daughter, Halla Edith, a charming miss of fifteen years of age.

     JEREMIAH J. BROWN was born in Lexington, Richland County, Ohio, August 9, 1839. His father, Abner Brown, was born in November, 1818, in Martinsburg, Knox County, Ohio. He was a general mechanic and was a very skillful artisan being a builder of engines and he had the distinction of being one of the first engineers to run over the Baltimore & Ohio Road. This was in the primitive days of railroad construction when "strap rails" were used.

     The grandfather of the subject of our sketch was also named Jeremiah. He was born in 1791, in the State of New Jersey not far from Newark and was a general farmer. His decease occurred, June 24, 1867, at his old homestead in the Buckeye State. He was in prosperous circumstances, being the owner of a beautiful farm and was well-known throughout the State. He was the father of eight children. One of the sons, Abner Brown, and the father of our subject, married Rebecca Sinkey, who was a native of Washington County, Pa., where she was born in 1815. Her decease took place, June 11, 1885, in the city of Lansing. From this marriage there was an issue of five sons, as follows:  Jeremiah J., Abraham N., James Foster, Alexander B. and Abner H. Abraham is now at the head of one of the departments in the Government printing office in Washington, D. C.; James resides in Lansing, this State; Alexander lives in Decatur, Ala. One son, Abner, died in his eighth year.

     The original of our sketch lived at home until he was twenty-one years of age, attending the district school until 1855, when his father moved to Lansing, and there he enjoyed the advantages offered in the district school. He was engaged as a student until the breaking out of the war, paying for his tuition and incidental expenses, by doing work as a tutor in mathematics. On the firing of the first gun Mr. Brown was one of the first to go to the front, enlisting in the fall of 1861. He was in the second battle of Bull Run and at White Sulphur Springs, also at Slaughter Mountain, at Rappahanock Station, Gainesville Station and in the terrible battle at Manassas. Our subject bore away with him nine battle scars, having been shot through both knees as well as other wounds. For six months he was in hospital in Baltimore and Frederick City, Md. His most serious wound was received in the battle of South Mountain, Md. in 1862. He was finally discharged on account of disabilities resulting from wounds, March 14, 1863.

     On returning from the war, Mr. Brown entered the Michigan Agricultural College, where he employed himself industriously for one year. He then clerked in a mercantile store in Lansing and in various places until 1867, when he opened a general store at Wacousta, remaining in business there for one year and thence going to Lansing
where he remained for one year. From that place he removed to Okemos and has remained here ever since. He is doing a successful business and has a fine stock of drugs, groceries and bazaar goods.

     The original of our sketch was married in 1863, (445) to Miss Sarah A. McGeorge, a daughter of William McGeorge. This amiable couple are childless, but had an adopted daughter who bore the name of Lilly A. Brown. She was a most exemplary young lady and died at the age of seventeen. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Okemos. Socially our subject is a Mason, belonging to Lansing Lodge No. 33, which he joined in 1867.

     Mr. Brown's ancestors on his father's side came from Scotland. On the mother's side, they came from Cork. Ireland. Politically he of whom we write is a stanch Democrat, although brought up by Republican parents. He has been quite prominently identified with the politics of Meridian Township, Ingham County and was the Clerk for three years. In 1874 he was elected Justice of the Peace, holding the office until 1882. He was again elected in 1884 and served for four years. Mr. Brown is an intelligent, wide-awake man who is most genial in his manner and popular and prosperous in his business relations. He owns one of the prettiest homes in the present village of Okemos.