BIOGRAPHIES - Pages 466-477

     (466) EDWIN B. CARRIER. Among the prominent and most influential members of business and social circles in Lansing, Ingham County, is our subject whose business as stock-dealer and also as proprietor of the egg preserving establishment are among the active enterprises of this city. He is not, one of the pioneers of the town as he came here in 1880, but he has shown himself deeply interested in developing the natural resources and stimulating the enterprises of this city, and has made himself a leader in various movements of importance.

     This gentleman was born in Cayuga County, N.Y., May 13, 1832, his parents being Bert H. and Emeline (Hanchett) Carrier. The father was a native of New York who removed to Rice Creek, Calhoun County, Mich., in 1837 and there engaged in farming. He bought new land from the Government and settled where there were but two families within a radius of many miles. He cleared up a farm and made a prosperous home out of this land which he found in the wilderness. Under his roof the earliest religious meetings were held, and he became one of the founders of the Methodist Protestant Church. When a house of worship was to be erected, he with David H. Miller, Amos Hadden, Caleb Hanchett and David Hanchett, were the heaviest contributors toward building the first frame church at Rice's Creek. Previous to this they had been privileged to hold meetings in the schoolhouse, as Mr. Carrier was most of the time an officer of the school district and also of the township. He lived on the old farm until the time of his death, February 11, 1884, and was then nearly four-score years of age, having been born May 4, 1807. His amiable and excellent wife, who was so true and helpful a companion to him in their pioneer experiences, was born September 12, 1812 and died May 26, 1877.

     Besides our subject his parents had three children born to them, Oscar M., who is now deceased; Alice the wife of Sidney Thomas; and Orange A., Edwin Carrier received most of his education in Calhoun County, finishing his schooling at Olivet College, after which he taught for several terms and then engaged in farming. He bought a farm in Calhoun County and took as his wife Miss Cornelia Root, a native of Cayuga County, N.Y., who was born there November 26, 1831. Their marriage took place September 27, 1853. She is a daughter of Ralph and Phoebe Ann Root. 

     Mr. Carrier continued farming in Marengo Township, Calhoun County, where he owned one hundred and eighty acres of fine land, eighty of which he still keeps in his possession in that township he has held many of the offices and has served with especial efficiency as Road Commissioner and School Inspector. He served also most cheerfully and satisfactorily its chorister of the Methodist Protestant Church at Rice's Creek for twenty-five years and has been a member of that religious body since he was ten years old. The (467) work of a Sunday-school Superintendent has also been his for more than a quarter of a century. He is deeply interested in matters of public importance and had a strong faith in the vitality and soundness of the Republican party to which he had been long attached. Until six years ago he became member of the Prohibition party which he now enthusiastically supports.

     Our subject has sold a part of his farm to his daughter and her husband, Myron Bolles who live in a handsome house on the old homestead. Mr. Carrier has built for himself a fine brick residence at the corner of Seymour and Willow Streets and his brother-in-law, William E. Robinson, who bought quite a tract of land at the north end of town has built for himself a beautiful home. Near the home of Mr. Carrier they have their egg establishment which has a capacity of seventy-five thousand dozen eggs, which they hold in vats in the perserving liquor until they desire to sell them. They are building up a fine trade in this necessary article of commerce.

     Mr. Carrier has also made a specialty of buying and selling stock and has engaged particularly in letting sheep, having had as many as twenty-five hundred sheep let out on time. The first wife of Mr. Carrier died January 31, 1888 leaving a family of five children, namely: Ella May, who was born July 3, 1858 and is now Mrs. Bolles; Wilbur O., born February 28, 1860, and is now a Presbyterian minister at Wausau, Wis.; Sarah A., born September 12, 1861, now Mrs. William J. McRoberts, of Ironwood, Merton R., born February 20,1866, who is engaged in the wholesale business of the Lansing Spice and Extract Company; and Esther M., was born May 13, 1868 and is still at home. Mr. Carrier and the members of his family are identified with the members of the Presbyterian Church of this city.

     The present Mrs. Carrier bore the maiden name of Sarah McCollam, and was born September 12, 1843, in Cayuga County, N.Y., being a daughter of John McCollam. She there grew to maturity and taught school for several years after which she married Mr. Elmer Slayton of that place in 1865 and came to Michigan two years later. Mr. and Mrs. Slayton resided at Rice's Creek, where he carried on a farm and he died there in 1885. Her oldest daughter Arlone, is now the wife of William Williams, and the younger daughter Emma, is at home with her mother.

     DENNIS COREY. Among the old settlers now become the retired farmers of Hamburg Township, Livingston County, we find a number of men whose abilities and character have given them an exceptional standing in the community. Their migration to Michigan in the early days developed through hardship and struggle all that is best in man, and by their perseverance and sturdy adherence to the principles which are essential to success under such circumstances, they attained a reputation and a standing which is permanent. Such a man is Dennis Corey, who resides on that beautiful section of Hamburg Township, which lies on section 36.

     John D. Corey, the honored father of our subject, was born in Rhode Island, in 1799. He received an excellent education and taught for many years, although he was by avocation a farmer. Upon leaving his native home he went to Saratoga, N.Y., and remained in that State until 1831, when he came to Michigan, traveling by way of Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence to Detroit on the boat "William Penn." From that city he came through the forest to Nankin, Wayne County, where he bought eighty acres of land, and in 1836 he bought forty additional acres.

     Settling on the eighty acres which he first purchased, he proceeded to cut logs and build a house. It was not really a palatial residence, being only 18x22 feet in dimensions with log walls, stick chimney with clay-back walls. He continued to improve his property, building barns and houses find setting out orchards, and in course of time, having made this property quite desirable, sold it and bought one hundred and twenty acres in Mason, Ingham County. This was a new farm and upon it he placed a house and barn and other improvements, and having thus raised its value sold (468) it and removed to Gratiot County, where he purchased another farm and remained until the end of his days, which came when he was eighty-four years and two months old.

     About the year 1821, John Corey had married Miss Parney Armstrong, daughter of Jacob Armstrong, a resident of New York, who had come from Connecticut, and who had two sons and three daughters, of whom Parney was the third in age and was born about the beginning of the present century. To John and Parney Corey were given six children, who were equally divided between sons and daughters, and of whom Dennis was second in order of age, being born January 18, 1824. She died about the year 1833. After the death of his first wife the father of our subject was a second time united in marriage being g joined to Roxa Ferguson, daughter of James Ferguson, of Wayne County, Mich. Mr. Ferguson was from Vermont, and Roxa, who was born about the year 1807, was the second in a family of nine children. To her were born seven children, three of whom are still living.

     The subject of this sketch had but few advantages for an education, but improved those few with vigor and interest. When twenty years old he began for himself by working out by the month in Ann Arbor. He had a taste for mechanics and soon attained skill in that department of work and at twenty-four he began to run a stationary engine, and in 1850 had accumulated enough means to purchase land, buying eighty acres in Hamburg Township, to which he has since added twenty more. The farm was not in a very good condition, although it was cleared, but had upon it poor fences and neither buildings nor orchards. Four years after his purchase of this property he was united in marriage with Luzetta, daughter of Heman Lake. Mr. Lake had a large family and Luzetta, who was the eighth child, was born in 1835. To our subject was born by this union one daughter, to whom he gave the name of his mother, Parney. She is now the wife of George Banghard and is the mother of two sons. Mrs. Luzetta Corey was called from her earthly home in 1858.

     Mr. Corey made his second matrimonial alliance in 1860, taking as his wife, Catherine, daughter of Peter Corey, a native of Rhode Island, who removed to New York in his early manhood where Catherine was born in 1824, the youngest of his five children, two of whom are now living. The well-known integrity and reliability of Mr. Corey has given him the universal confidence of his neighbors and to him has been intrusted for twenty years the responsible office of Treasurer of his school district. He is interested in political movements and votes the Democratic ticket. To his son-in-law he has consigned the management of his farm, and he has built  for himself a beautiful home where he and his good wife dwell at peace with all the world.

     DAVID STODARD is a prominent farmer in Leroy Township, the tract which he operates being located on section 34. Like so many other settlers in Ingham County, he is a native of Genesee County, N.Y., his natal day having been January 13, 1830. He is a son of Rensselaer and Hannah Stodard, who were both natives of the Empire State. He was the third child in order of birth, and grew to manhood in his native State and county. From earliest boyhood he was engaged in farming, so that in later years, when he was thrown on his own resources he had but to strike out for himself, the experience being already his. He received the educational advantages common to boys at that time, who lived in a rural district. He attended the district schools, and was there prepared for the practical work of a business career.

      Naturally of a bright and assimilative nature, the original of our sketch acquired more in actual and practical experience than over his text books in school. He has been a deep reader from young manhood and has to a great extent made up the deficiencies in his early education, being an intelligent and well-informed man. February 22, 1851, Mr. Stodard was married, in New York State, to Miss Amanda Sackett, a native also of that State, and a daughter of Isaac Sackett, of Genesee County N.Y. To them were born three children, who now (471) hold responsible and respected positions in life. They are by name Burdett, Curtis and Imogene. The eldest child is now the wife of Frederick Mead. Our subject enlisted February 13, 1865, in Company C, Eleventh Michigan Infantry. He was appointed to do guard duty at Chattanooga and also at Cleveland, Tenn., and at Knoxville. September 13, 1865, he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home.

     In January, 1865, our subject emigrated with his family to Ingham County, Mich., and located in Leroy Township. In 1875 they removed to the present farm which comprises one hundred acres of good land, upon which he has erected a good class of buildings. His residence is neat and attractive and kept up in excellent order, as are also the barn's and outhouses on the place. They speak more for the management of the owner than pages of personal eulogy could do. His fields are well tilled and he owns some of the latest and most approved labor-saving machines in the way of agricultural implements.

     Mr. Stodard is worthy of great praise, for the success that he has made of life, for he has had many disadvantages to contend with and no aid whatever, except that within his own family, consisting of kind and encouraging words from his partner and helpmate in life. He has been very active in local affairs concerning the district. He is now serving on the School Board as Moderator. Our subject has cleared two farms, and the place in which he now resides he entered upon when it was entirely unimproved.

     SOLOMON T. LYON. Although death has laid his chill hands upon the heart of Mr. Lyon and stilled the pulse Of the machine, there is still living the spirit which characterized each act of his daily life with nobility and beauty. Although not a native of this State, all Of his thinking years were connected most closely with its growth and development. He came with his Parents to Michigan when only, one year old, and here attained his manhood and took upon himself the holy bond of matrimony, establishing a home over which she who is now his widow reigns.

     Mr. Lyon was born at Pultney, Steuben County, N.Y., May 1, 1835. His boyhood days were however, spent in the State of Michigan, growing up as a pioneer. After finishing a course of study at the common schools of the district in which he lived, he enjoyed the advantages offered by the college of Michigan, which was located at Kalamazoo. After finishing his college course he taught school until 1864. At this time he enlisted as Second Lieutenant in the Fifth Michigan Regiment of infantry. Later he was promoted to the post of Captain and served in this capacity until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Detroit and received an honorable discharge. During his war experience he was thrice taken prisoner. He participated in every battle in which his regiment took part after entering the army until the surrender of Gen. Lee.

     After Mr. Lyon returned from the war for two years he was engaged in teaching in Livingston County and after that was elected the County Clerk, in which position he continued for a space of two years. The organization of the life and fire insurance company in the city of Howell, was largely due to his influence and interest. For some time he was engaged in journalistic work, having purchased in 1871, in partnership with J. D. Smith, the Livingston County Republican, which he conducted for two years. The next ten years he was engaged by the Johnson Publishing Co., of New York in work on Johnson's Natural History, and in this way was thoroughly drilled in literary work of that class.

     September 30, 1860, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Rumsay, a daughter of William C. and Permilla (Henry) Rumsay. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Lyon was engaged in teaching for a period of sixteen years and after her marriage she taught with her husband one year at the Union School at Grass Lake, Mich. Mrs. Lyon is a woman with unusual educational and literary attainments. Every act is characterized by delicacy and refinement. Capt. Lyon was a very prominent (472) man in the county in which he lived and one of the bravest soldiers that ever went out from this district. His death occurred December 30 1890. He left a wife and five children to mourn his loss. A local paper says the funeral of Capt. Lyon was largely attended. The services were conducted in accordance with the ritual of the Union Veterans' Union, while members of the Fifth Michigan acted as pall hearers. The command passed earnest resolutions of tribute to his merit as a soldier and a citizen and of condolence with his bereaved family. In the decease of Capt. Lyon a brave comrade, a true citizen, a loving and love husband and father has answered the roll call of the Great Commander. In his political liking he was a follower of the Republican party and h with his wife was a member or the Baptist Church.

      The little brood of five children were welcome to the hearts and hearthstone of their parents' home. They are by name, William D., Abigail, James A., Jennie and Mary B. Mrs. Lyon's parents were early settlers of Michigan, coming to Green Oak, Livingston County, in 1836. At that time the father of the family took up land and clearing off a portion of his tract, built a log house. He remained on the place a short time and then removed to Oceola Township where he built a sawmill and acquired about four hundred acres of land. He came to Howell about 1846 and was soon after elected Register of Deeds for four years, and at the end of that time was elected County Treasurer and held this position for four years also. He occupied the various positions of Justice of the Peace and Supervisor for a number of years, at the same time engaging in the mercantile business. With his other business he connected that of insurance, and was also actively engaged in municipal affairs until old age cam upon him and he retired from active business. His wife departed this life February 5,1884. They reared a family of eight children, the widow of our subject being the eldest. Following her came Andrew J., Royal H., William D., Lewis C., Chauncy G., Bert C., and Franklin W. The parents have been connected with the Baptist Church for many years and have been generous supporters of the Gospel work in this district. Mrs. Lyon's paternal grandfather was Elisha Rumsay of Connecticut. He came at an early date to Michigan, and with a man named Allen laid out the city of Ann Arbor. Elisha Rumsay died in 1827.

     A lithographic portrait of the late Capt. Lyon is presented on another page and perpetuates the lineaments of a valiant soldier, whose memory will ever be revered by his countrymen.

    HIRAM E. REED. Students of economics tell us that the financial prosperity and indeed safety of the country is based upon the simple integrity and business promptitude of individuals. If all men realized, as they should, the obligations which rest upon them to meet every financial call and every just demand with an immediate response, no amount of disasters or large catastrophes could demoralize the financial standing of our great centers. When we find a man who does realize this truth and makes it his aim to meet every pecuniary demand with promptitude, we honor him and see in him one of the safeguards of the prosperity of us all. Such a man is Mr. Hiram Reed, whose home is on section 10, Marion Township, Livingston, County.

     Philo L. Reed, the father of our subject, was born in Cortland County, N.Y., in 1812, and after receiving a common-school education started
out at an early age to work for others, choosing farming as his life work. About the year 1833 he married Martha Messenger, daughter of Jahial and Mary (Chaplain) Messenger, both Vermonters by birth, who had two sons and two daughters, of whom Martha was the eldest, being born in 1811.

     In 1836 the parents of our subject came to Michigan by way of Canada, and when they passed through Detroit on their way to Jackson they left all their goods there, which were unfortunately destroyed by fire. Reaching Jackson, they bought eighty acres of wild land which they afterward sold and removed to Ingham County, where they bought eighty acres which were subsequently (473) exchanged for eighty acres on section 1, Marion Township, where the father still lives and now has an estate of two hundred and twenty acres. Our subject is the eldest son in their family of three daughters and five sons.

     Philo L. Reed and wife are prominent in social and church circles, being members of the Presbyterian Church, where Mr. Reed is an Elder, and was for many years the efficient and much beloved Superintendent of the Sunday-school in his school district. He is a man of affairs, being an earnest worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, and has been Justice of the Peace and Highway Commissioner. To his son he gave an excellent common-school education, supplementing it with a High School course and one year in the University of Michigan. At twenty-one the young man began as a teacher in the common schools, after which he was called to a position in the village schools, occupying the teacher's desk for eighteen years, most of the time in Marion and adjoining townships.

     The happy wedded life of Hiram Reed began when he was twenty-four years old as he was then united with Rebecca E., daughter of George and Rebecca (Walter) Tubbs. These parents were New Yorkers by birth and had nine children. Their daughter, Rebecca, who was born in 1847, was the youngest. To our subject and his wife have been born five children, namely: Harry E., Charles P., Clarence A., Julia N. and James L.

     Big Rapids was for one year the home of our subject, and he afterward came to Marion and bought the farm of one hundred acres upon which he now resides. Both he and his intelligent companion are active workers in the Presbyterian Church, at Howell. Mr. Reed is a teacher in the Bible Class of the North Marion Sunday-school and a thorough going Sunday-school man, being the Secretary of the Livingston County Sunday-school Association. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and is also connected with the Patrons of Industry and the Farmers' Alliance. He is a Democrat in principle, but on local matters votes independently.

     No work of Mr. Reed's is more worthy of consideration than what he has done in connection with the schools of this and adjoining townships. His years of teaching gave him an insight into the needs of both teachers and pupils, and prepared him to understand better the duties of the people to the school. For many years he filled satisfactorily the office of Township School Inspector and afterward Township Superintendent of Schools. His influence has ever been for progressive methods, and for co-operation between school officers and teachers, and as a member of the County Board of School Examiners he has been of great service to Livingston County. He has been upon this board for eight years and for three years was their Secretary (an office which corresponds to County Superintendent of Schools in other States), and is still acting as Township School Inspector.

     As a farmer Mr. Reed has devoted himself largely to fine stock and fruit. In 1889 he bought thirteen registered Shropshire sheep and has taken much interest in the development of this branch of stock-raising. He now has over twenty of this breed and has sold some among his neighbors. In 1888 he began the raising of fruit and planted one thousand peach trees, two hundred pear trees and quite an amount of small fruits--in all this work showing himself efficient and successful.

     ENOCH SMITH. Although having passed the three-quarter mile post on the centenarian road, our subject is still a very active business man in Fowlerville, Livingston County, being a capitalist of large caliber, who loans money on farm or city securities, being himself a retired farmer. He is a native of New York, having been born in Cortland County, August 10, 1815, and being a son of Robert and Amaty (Smith) Smith, natives of Schoharie County, N.Y., and Rhode Island respectively. They were married in the first named State in which Robert Smith had been reared as a farmer, there receiving his education.

     Our subject's father engaged in the agricultural calling prior to coming to Michigan, which step he (474) took in 1836 settling immediately at White Oak, Ingham County and engaging in farming. He built a log house on the tract that he took up from the Government. This was later substituted by a more substantial building and there the parents lived until their decease. The Democratic party received the political favor of Robert Smith, that harmonizing with his idea of personal right and liberty. Our subject's paternal grandparents were Robert and 
Grace Smith. They were of English birth and ancestry and came to America just before the Revolutionary War, which the former joined and was appointed Orderly Sergeant. He secured from the Government six hundred and forty acres of land and located the same in the township of Cincinnattus, Cortland County, N. Y. His children were John, Robert, William, Amon, Grace, Polly and Betsy.

     He of whom we write was one of a family of twelve children. Those now living are Enoch, Arsula, who is now Mrs. Post, Delilah, who is now Mrs. Jewell, William H. and Willard. Spending his younger days on the home farm our subject received the advantages to be enjoyed at the district schools in the vicinity. He remained at home giving his father his time as was then customary until he reached his majority, after which he, came to Michigan, arriving in the then territory during the month of May, when everything was in its pristine beauty. He located a tract of land in White Oak Township, Ingham, County and then returned East and in September of the same year came back to Michigan with his parents and their children. He located eighty acres for himself in the heavy timber openings, first building a log house 16x20 feet in dimensions. This was his home for about eighteen years, although he later erected a fine residence with accessory buildings, and increased his farm to three hundred and fifty acres, upon which he kept graded sheep, blooded horses and cows.

     Mr. Smith continued to reside on his beautiful farm until 1883, when he removed to Fowlerville, where he owns some property. He bought a residence oil Grand River Street and now makes his home there. He owns a fine store building, and is now erecting a double brick block for Stores. He also owns other land in Livingston County. While still engaged in farming he was elected to several official positions. He was Justice of the Peace for seven years and Assessor and Constable, holding all the school offices given in this county.

     The original of our sketch was married in 1840 to Miss Caroline Wright. She did not, however, live long to enjoy the happiness of their domestic life. By a second marriage he was united to Miss Sarah J. Wright of Unadilla, Livingston County. She was a daughter of Walter and Hannah (Hibbard) Wright, natives of Onondaga County, N.Y., who came to Michigan in 1850, at which time they settled in Unadilla. The father was a farmer and he and his wife continued their residence at the place that they at first located upon until their decease. They had a family of ten children. They are in order of birth its follows: Betsey A., Lydia, Lavina, William, Lyman, James, Dennis, Daniel, she who is now Mrs. Smith, and Walter. The father was a Democrat and both he and his wife with some of their children were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

     Of a family of ten children, of which our subject has been father, nine are now living, having attained manhood and womanhood and holding high and honorable positions wherever their lots are cast. They are Frank, Mary, Alice, Burt, Belle, Homer, Horton, Floyd and Ford. Frank married Miss Agnes Bakewell and is the father of three children--Yaple, Temple and a little one who is not yet named. Mary married Mr. G. H. Mclntyre and is the mother of four children: Glenn, Ethel, Benjamin L. and Florence. Alice is now Mrs. Stowe and has two children--Hazel and Claude. Burt married Millie Carpenter. Belle is now Mrs. Laughlin. Homer was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Bliss and is the father of two children--Bliss and a baby not yet named. Horton is the husband of Miss May Wood; they are the parents of one child--Blanche.

     The gentleman of whom we take pleasure in here giving a Sketch belongs to the Prohibitionist party, feeling that the principles that that party holds are the ones that tend most to the purity and long standing of our Government. For many years he has been intimately connected with the Masonic fraternity. In their church relations he and his wife (477) belong to the Methodist Episcopal denomination of which body he is one of the Trustees at Parkers' Corners in losco Township. Mr. Smith has accumulated a handsome fortune by his prudence and foresight. He has a vivid recollection of the disadvantages of pioneer life, of the days when he was obliged to go to Dexter, a distance of twenty-five miles from his home to market. He also remembers when it was nothing to boast of to kill several deer. Although suffering many of the inconveniences incident to that time in a new country he says he has never seen the time when he went to bed hungry and has always had sufficient clothing to keep himself comfortable, as any man might who was willing to work.