BIOGRAPHIES - Pages 535-545

     (535) JAMES M. SKINNER. The business men of Lansing have accomplished a great work in forwarding the interests and developing the resources of this beautiful city, and none have done more for its prosperity than those who have engaged in building its fine dwellings and business blocks. By their taste and skill, their enterprise and energy, they have made this town in its external appearance to correspond with the well-known spirit of energy and culture which pervades the ranks of its citizens.

     Mr. Skinner, who is a member of the firm of Skinner & Maghar, contractors and builders, has has been in this line of business since 1886. He was born in Windsor Township, Eaton County, Mich., on the 19th of September, 1863. His honored parents were Ormal D. and Lydia M. (Reeves) Skinner. The father was a farmer in Eaton County, and one of the early settlers of that region. The grandfather, who also bore the name of Ormal D. Skinner, hewed his own way with his trusty ax from Eaton Rapids to his farm. He cleared the trees from the tract of land which he had purchased and made of it a fine farm, where his son lived for many years. The father passed from earth in 1873.

     At the age of eighteen years James Skinner learned the trade of a carpenter with Eugene Wilcox, who lived in the country. Previous to that time he had been gaining his education, first in the home schools, and then in the city High School. He spent one year in Jackson after learning his trade, since which time he has made his home in Lansing. When he first came to the city be worked until 1886 with Fuller & Wheeler, and after that date he began making contracts, and acted upon his own responsibility. He entered into partnership with Mr. Maghar and erected the residences of H. H. Larnard and C. C. Hopkins, the two handsomest homes in the city. He also entered into arrangements to build the library at Olivet, a building worth $25,000 and known as the Leonard-Beerage Memorial Library. This is one of the finest buildings in the State, and is a great credit to the reputation of Mr. Skinner.

     Besides these prominent buildings which we have mentioned, Mr. Skinner has built a large number of smaller houses and has an extensive business, keeping from twelve to fifteen men busy all the time. He has a fine home at No. 418 Ottawa Street West, and other real estate in the city. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Miss Myrtle E. Baker became the wife of our subject April 18, 1888. This lady is a daughter of Capt. James H. Baker, of this city, who was an early resident of  Lansing. He is now in the lumber business in Northern Michigan, and has a high reputation as an active business man.

     In connection with this brief biographical sketch the reader will notice a lithographic portrait of Mr. Skinner.

     HARRIS HENRY. One of the most beautiful homes in Howell Township, Livingston County, may be found upon section 20. It is situated upon a small farm of forty acres belonging to Mrs. Henry and is exceptionally fine in its situation and adornments. This gentleman is a native of Steuben County, N.Y., where he was born in 1830, and he is a son of John and Polly (Goodrich) Henry, who were also natives of the Empire State.

     The parents of our subject came to Michigan in 1834 and became early settlers of this county, making their home in Brighton Township, whence they removed to Howell Township in 1848. Of their family of eleven children six are now living: Isaac, Harris, Jane, Maria, Marilla and Emily.

     (536) After fourteen years of life upon the farm, where his advantages were limited by the district school curriculum, Harris Henry began working for others, at which he continued until he went home and took charge of his father's farm, his parents were then in their declining years. It was agreed among the children, with the consent of the parents, that this son should take upon himself the care of his parents throughout their lifetime and when they died the home farm should be his. In the course of time he sold the old place, and purchased another in Genesee County, where he found opportunities for brick-making, in which he engaged and worked in this line of business for some six years, both there and in this county. Since that time he has been engaged in farming and most of the time has been in Howell Township.

     The marriage of this enterprising and progressive farmer with a lady of culture and refinement, Adelia Phillips by name, took place in 1859. She was a daughter of Gayland and Margaret Phillips, and after her union with Mr. Henry became the mother of five children, three of whom are now living, namely: Jennie, Eugene and Plinn G. Jennie married Mr. Brundage and has three children: Lena, Etna and an infant unnamed; Eugene was united in marriage with Miss Rose Hook.

     Mrs. Adelia Henry died in 1882, and by his second marriage Mr. Henry brought to his home Mrs. Alzina Fitch, the daughter of Hiram and Rachel (Kenyon) Stephens. Mr. Stephens came from New York to Michigan in 1850, and settled on section 20, of Howell Township, where he continued his former avocation of farming. He had a fine property of one hundred and eighty acres which he put in a first-class condition and he and his good wife lived there until his death. They were both connected with the Methodist Church and were useful in this relation. Of their nine children six are now living, named as follows: Madison, Mrs. Henry, John, Abbie and Lucinda; the following are deceased--Julia, Henry, Samuel and Preston.

     Mrs. Henry was born in Jefferson County, N.Y., and there received her education. When quite young she was married to Franklin H. Stewart, a native of New York who came West in 1850 and made his home upon forty acres of land on section 20, Howell Township. After living here for two years they sold their property and returned East. But three years later they returned to Michigan and settled on section 20, upon forty acres of land where Mrs. Henry now lives. After Mr. Stewart's death, which took place in 1867, his widow was united in marriage with Alpheus Fitch, a New Yorker. He died in 1882 after which she became the wife of Mr. Henry; she is an active and earnest member of the Methodist Protestant Church and is useful in its communion. Mr. Henry is an earnest believer in the doctrines of the Democratic party, and although he does not seek official positions he is intelligently interested in the movements of his party and ever ready to cast his vote for its prosperity.

     PROF. WILLIAM H. HAWKES. Belonging to the English nation and an outgrowth of the great manufacturing class which fosters a spirit of greater progress, advancement and originality than is elsewhere found in British life, Prof. Hawkes since coming to America has developed latent qualities that make of him as loyal and ardent a subject of Uncle Sam almost as characteristic a one as natives of New England itself. He was born in Derby City, Derbyshire, England, August 5, 1859, and is a son of James and Mary (Lightfoot) Hawkes, natives of England. Mr. Hawkes, Sr., was engaged in boiler-making, carrying on a large manufactory. He came to America in 1867, first locating in Medina, N.Y., but being most importantly engaged in his business in the city of Rochester, N.Y. In 1869 he came to Michigan and settled in Allegan County, where he purchased a large farm. He is now living in Ann Arbor, retired from the active pursuits of farm labor.

     Our subject is one of five children born to his parents. He is the eldest; Arthur E. follows him, then Julia A., who is now Mrs. H. Clark; Elizabeth E., now Mrs. George Stimson; and Richard E. Our (537) subject's paternal grandfather was William Hawkes, who was a shepherd in the old country. He died at the good old age of eighty-seven years. His wife was Rebecca (Thomas) Hawkes. They reared a large family, whose names are as follows: William, Sarah, Ann, Jane, Elizabeth, Richard, Thomas, John, James and Emma. The great-grandparents were Richard and Julia Hawkes, the former being a wealthy landowner. They had a family of four children--John, William, James and Richard. Our subject's maternal grandparents were Richard and Mary (Raynor) Lightfoot, natives of England. The former was an English squire and a large landowner. He had a family of nine children whose names are as follows: Ann, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, Julia, Emma, Rebecca, Eliza and William. The preceding progenitor on this side of the family was John Lightfoot. He also was a large landowner and the father of four children--John, Andrew, James and Richard.

     Prof. Hawkes began working at the foundry business when eight years of age and early mastered the trade. He was also engaged in farming when twelve years of age, carrying on his father's place until he was eighteen and at the same time he attended school at Plainwell, Allegan County, this State, graduating there from in 1878. After finishing his course in this institution he accepted a position as fireman on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad and thus continued for one year, after which he was engaged in teaching school during the year of 1880. The following summer he was employed in the spring works in Kalamazoo and then went to the Ann Arbor High School, graduating in the classical course in 1883. He was not content with his acquirements and entered the University of Michigan from which he graduated in 1887 and soon after was called to take charge of the schools at Birmingham, Oakland County, this State. He remained there for three years, after which he came to Howell and is now Superintendent of the public schools in the city.

     The original of our sketch united his fate for better or worse with that of Miss Fanny Stimson, of Ann Arbor, Mich. Their nuptials were solemnized in 1887 on the 27th of November. Mrs. Hawkes is a daughter of John D. and Mary (Sutton) Stimson, natives of Canada and of English descent. The lady is one of a large family which comprised ten children. They are by name William, John, Philip, George, Fanny, Fred, Minnie, Joseph, Milton and Mabel.

     The married relations of him of whom we write have been of the pleasantest nature. He has a beautiful home and a pleasing and attractive wife. They are the parents of two children--Janet H. and Minnie M., who are pleasing little ones with large promises for the future. Politically our subject is a member of the Republican party. Religiously his sympathies and associations are with the Presbyterian Church. He is also actively engaged in Sunday-school work, having a large class of young men.

     JERRY C. GALLUP is the name of a well known man in Meridian Township, Ingham County. He was born in Shelby, Orleans County, N.Y., July 23, 1838. His father, David C. Gallup, was born in Brattleboro, Vt., September 2, 1800. He was a butcher and farmer in an early day, when he settled in New York. When our subject was six years old his father came to Michigan and settled at Redford, Wayne County, where he remained until 1849, when the family removed to Meridian Township, purchasing a farm on section 4.

     Disposing of the tract above mentioned, in a short time Mr. Gallup, Sr., bought a farm in Bath Township, which be also sold in a few years. He then moved back into Meridian Township and purchased a farm on section 3, where he lived until 1866, when both parents came to live with the subject of our sketch. The death of both occurred while inmates of his family, in 1874, their decease being only twenty-one days apart. Mr. Gallup lives on a fine tract of six acres of land on section 27.

     When our subject was only twelve years old he started out in life for himself. His opportunities (538) to obtain all education were of the most meagre nature, never attending school after he was fourteen years old. On arriving at this age he worked on the farm for two years, and then engaged to drive a team, hauling freight between Okemos and Detroit. He continued this work until September 14, 1861, when he enlisted, and going to the front, served until the 22d of February, 1865. He was assigned to duty in the Army of the Potomac and was in all the hard-fought battles with that division. For one year he was Brigade Commissary Sergeant, after which he took a supernumerary position and finally received an honorable discharge. Coming home from the war, he devoted himself to farming one year, after which he went to work on the railroad, and was thus engaged six years, five years of which time he held the position of section boss.

     Wearying of railroad work, our subject resumed his trade as a carpenter and joiner, and has thus been steadily engaged since 1876. With a view to making it home Mr. Gallup was united in marriage with Miss Lydia E. Tolman, of Okemos. Their marriage was solemnized February 11, 1864. Mrs. Gallup, however, did not long survive, her decease occurring the following September.

     The original of our sketch later contracted a marriage With Miss Lucy Stillman, daughter of Daniel Stillman, of Alaiedon Township. They were united April 29, 1866. The names of their three children are: Frank, who at the age of twenty-two assists his father at home; Lelia, who is a charming miss of eighteen; and D. Verner, who is seventeen years of age. Socially Mr. Gallup is it member of several secret societies. He is a charter member of the Masonic Lodge of Okemos, having been initiated in the Capital Lodge, No. 66. of Lansing, in 1863. He is also a charter member of the Carpenter's Union, of Lansing and a charter member of the Okemos Alliance. He keeps alive his reminiscences of war times by his association with the Grand Army of the Republic, and was faithful to the Knights of Labor as Iong as that organization maintained its footing in Okemos. Politically he is a Democrat. He has been an incumbent of several township offices, having been Highway Commissioner and for twenty-one years Director in his school district. Our subject's grandfather, Perious Gallup, was born in Vermont in an early day. It is supposed that the family to which he belongs are descended from one of three brothers who came from Ireland. Jerry, is he is familiarly called, is a genial and whole-souled man, who is well informed on the events of the day, and who has many friends in all classes of society.

     DAN JACKSON. The village of Pinckney is proud to count among its citizens a number of retired farmers who, after lives of severe toil, having by industry and enterprise accumulated a comfortable competency, are now taking their comfort in this village. Among them there is none more honored than Dan Jackson, whose sterling integrity and earliest advocacy of every movement in favor of religion and morality have given him the respect of all and have earned for him the gratitude of all with whom he has been associated.

     Dr. Cyrus Jackson, the father of our subject, was born in Connecticut in 1787, and having been graduated at Yale College and taken a professional course, became a physician, which calling he followed of well as that of a farmer. He married Jane Quick, a native of Pike County, Pa. and a daughter of John H. Quick, a farmer. Dr. Jackson's father, Joseph Jackson, was also a farmer and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, while two of his sons, served their country faithfully in the War of 1812.

     The parents of our subject were united in marriage February 9, 1811, in Pennsylvania, and very soon removed to New York where the following year they purchased a farm in Lyons Township, Wayne County, and there remained until death called them hence the father dying in 1865, and the mother September 10, 1872, she being of great age, having been born in 1788. They were the parents of ten children and five of them are now living.

     The mother was an earnest Christian woman, (539) devout and consistent in her religious duties and a member of the Christian Church. Before his death the father of our subject took up a large tract of land in Michigan, sixteen hundred and eighty acres in all, it being all wild Government land. The Democratic party commanded the allegiance of Dr. Jackson, who was active in every political issue.

     Our subject was one of twins who were born July 2, 1819, in Lyons Township, Wayne County, N.Y. There he received the best advantages to be procured in the district schools and took the usual training given to a farmer's boy. He grew to manhood upon his father's farm and started out for himself in 1843, being then a young man of some twenty-four years. He decided that the West was the best place for him and he came to Stockbridge Township, Ingham County, locating upon three hundred and twenty acres, the first tract of land entered from the Government in Ingham County--which was given him by his father, which land was the south half of section 1, in that township, and upon which he found no improvements. The young man drove his team through from New York to his new home in Michigan.

     New Year's Day, 1844, marked a great epoch in the life of our subject, for the union was then solemnized between him and a lady he had found in his new Michigan home and whom he had chosen as his life companion. Her maiden name was Juliza S. Backus; she was the daughter of O. J. and Diantha (King) Backus, from Genesee County, N.Y., where, she was born May 18, 1826. Her father was a Vermonter, who came to Michigan in 1837 and settled in Unadilla Township, where both he and his good wife remained until called away by death.

     Two of the three children born to Juliza (Backus) Jackson are now living, namely; Albert, who was born November 10, 1844 and who married Tillie Brown and with her and his one son lives in this township; Orla B., who was born October 25, 1817, married Ella Brown and lives in Putnam Township; Oscar A., who was born January 2, 1850, died April 25, 1871. The mother of these sons passed away from earth April 16, 1873.

     The second marriage of Mr. Jackson took place March 10, 1878, his wife being Mrs. Jennette (Pratt) Wood, widow of William W. Wood, and daughter of Miles and Urana (Cooley) Pratt, natives of Vermont and Connecticut respectively. Judge T. M. Cooley is an uncle of Mrs. Jackson, and her parents were united in New York and died, the father in Wisconsin and the mother in New York. They had nine children, of whom seven are still surviving.

     Mrs. Jackson was born May 23, 1835, in Genesee County, N.Y., and having been married there in 1852, came to Michigan and settled upon a perfectly unbroken farm in Windsor Township, Eaton County. Her first husband was active in clearing and improving his farm but was killed accidentally November 9, 1868, at a shooting match. They were the parents of four children but none of them are now living, and she has no children by her second marriage.

     After clearing and breaking about one hundred and sixty acres and fencing in his whole half section Mr. Jackson built a small brick house 18x24 feet, and somewhat later erected a barn measuring 32x46, for which structure he had to draw the lumber from Flint. He was not thoroughly contented in Michigan and after seven years experience here he sold his farm in 1850 and returned to New York, where he made his home upon a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Orleans County, a fine property for which he paid $7,000. Two years later he determined to return to the West and sold his New York property and came back to Michigan. In 1853 he bought a farm in Hamburg Township, Livingston County, and remained upon it until 1865, when he found a sale for it.

     In 1865 this gentleman came to the village of Pinckney and a year later purchased a farm one mile south of the corporation, paying $13,000 for a handsome tract of two hundred and forty acres. Here he devoted himself to the cultivation of his farm until 1878, buying an additional tract of two hundred and forty acres a little farther South at a cost of $12,000. This new farm he deeded to his two sons.

     Since April, 1878, Mr. Jackson has retired from active work and has made his home in Pinckney. He and his good wife are active members of the (540) Methodist Episcopal Church and greatly interested in Sunday-school work, and Mrs. Jackson has been for many years a teacher therein. She is also a useful member of the Ladies' Aid Society in which she holds the responsible office of Treasurer. Mr. Jackson is Trustee and Steward in the church and in both of these responsible positions his well-known integrity and sound judgment give him the confidence of those who are associated with him in church fellowship. He is a man of broad intelligence and deeply interested in the great affairs of the world outside his county and State. He took great pleasure in attending the centennial exposition at Philadelphia in 1876 and looks forward with intense interest to comparing the outlook he then obtained in regard to the world's industries with what he hopes to gain at the World's Fair in Chicago, in 1893, The affairs of education in the township have always awakened an interest in this gentleman and he has been a member of the local School Board. He was for fifteen years agent for the Livingston County Insurance Company.

     Both Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been strong advocates of temperance and cordial workers in different societies which have been organized to fight the saloon power. He is a Democrat in his political views and has held the office of Highway Commissioner in both Hamburg and Putnam Townships. He was one of the old-time Assessors of Stockbridge Township. The twin sister of our subject, Margaret L. Jackson, married Mr. Ira Crouse, November 11, 1846, and moved to Hartland Township where a farm was given them by her father. She died May 2, 1875, leaving one son, Frank.

     ALBERT GUNSOLLY. The general public rejoicing in commercial circles over the magnificent and unparalleled crops that almost all portions of the United States have yielded this year (1891) indicates how great a power the agriculturist is in the country. Without him as a productive factor, the manufactures, of which we make so much and for which our legislation seems chiefly to be exercised, and finance generally would be crippled as it has been in past years. The State of Michigan is more than royally represented in the successful agricultural year, cereals and fruits flowing into the markets from this direction in a luscious and golden stream. He of whom we write is one of the many who has reason to be congratulated on the state of the season and country.

     A resident on section 25, Leroy Township, Ingham County, the original of our sketch is a native of Wayne County, N.Y., there being born October 9, 1819. He is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Stansel) Gunsolly, his father being a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of New York. Both his father and his paternal grandsire were soldiers in the Revolutionary War, his father being only fourteen years of age when he enlisted.

     In 1833 he of whom we write came with his parents to the State of Michigan. He was at the time only fourteen years of age and the wildness of the country was not as serious a consideration as to older and more thoughtful minds. To be sure he had to work hard in hewing down the trees, helping to make roads and in plowing and planting and in the old-fashioned and laborious harvesting, when the flail was used in threshing out the wheat. There were rainy seasons and dull seasons in which the game with which the forests abounded could be chased and streams known only to our subject, where the fattest and most luscious of trout were to be caught, and poor as the country was in resources for housekeeping, after one of these expeditions the mother would set out a table covered with game that was fit for a king.

     The family were among the first settlers in Plymouth Township and there our subject attained manhood, isolated to a great degree from his kind and necessarily thrown back upon nature. He received a limited education in his youth, attending school but one winter. Since that time, however, he has read and studied by himself, so that he ranks well as in intelligent man. He was married to Lucy M. Jackson, March 1, 1846. She bore him five children whose names are as follows: Isaac, deceased; Jane; Mary; Julia, and Henry, (541) deceased. Jane married Samuel Daly and Mary is the wife of Charles Wagoner. After the decease, of his first wife he was a second time married, the ceremony being solemnized April 12, 1869. The present wife was formerly Mrs. Emeline Turrell, widow of the late Frederick Turrell of Ingham County, who was killed in the late war. By this union there have been two children--Albert H. and Norah A.

     Mr. Gunsolly first came to Ingham County, in 1846, and has been residing here the greater part of the time since then, being one of the oldest pioneers of Leroy Township. He is the owner of eighty acres of land and being an industrious and hard-working man he has been successful in accumulating a comfortable fortune. Our subject has
served in several local offices. He has been Highway Commissioner in the county. Mrs. Gunsolly is a native of New York State, having been born in Wayne County, January 12, 1833. She is a daughter of John and Mary Rupert, early settlers in Ingham County. Our subject favors the principles of Prohibition, believing the future prosperity of the country depends upon its purity in morals and that it cannot be strong in this respect while so great a temptation as the manufacture and sale of intoxicants is before the youth of the country. An excellent financier, he enjoys the confidence of the best business men in the community. He with his wife, who is an intelligent and estimable lady, are among the most honored and highly respected members of society in Leroy Township.

     WILLIAM H. McMILLAN.  Born September 21,1841, in Schenectady County, N.Y. the subject of this sketch is a son of Isaac and Jane (Combs) McMillan, both of whom were natives, of the Empire State. Our subject's grandfather on the paternal side came to the United States, in Colonial days and served in the Revolutionary War. His children are as follows: James, John, Alex, Isaac, William, Samuel and Jane.

     Isaac McMillan was a carpenter and joiner. He was born January 14, 1795, and was called out in the struggle of 1812. He died August 14. 1891, at the patriarchal age of ninety-five years. His wife died February 5, 1877, at the age of sixty-seven years and six months. She was the mother of four children--Susannah, Alexander C., Robert J. and William H. Prior to his marriage with the above mentioned lady, our subject's father had been married, and by that union became the parent of one child, a, son, whose name was Hugh. The family to which our subject belongs moved to Livingston County, N.Y., in 1858, and came to Michigan the following June. They landed in Detroit in November of the same year, and located on one hundred acres on section 36, which the father improved, and whereon he resided until his death. Our subject's maternal grandsire was John Combs. 

     The original of our sketch was reared in New York and there received a common-school education. During the latter part of the war, when the call was made for reinforcements, the young man enlisted, September 6, 1864, in Company K, Twenty-first Michigan Infantry. He was a participant in several battles that made memorable that last year. The battle of Nashville deeply impressed him. He was also present at the battle of Bentonville, N. C., and participated in the Grand Review at Washington. After his discharge, which took place the last week in June, he was engaged at the carpenter's trade, continuing in that until his mother's death. After the decease of the mother of our subject, he began farming on the old homestead which he now owns. He has served in several township offices, and has always filled these positions to the
satisfaction of his constituents and to his own credit. He inherits Republican principles and governmental theories. His father was formerly a Whig, though during the latter part of his life he was a Republican, as is our subject. He, however, favors Prohibition principles, laying great stress upon this as one of the issues of the future. Socially he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

     Our subject was married October 17, 1866, to (542) Miss Alice Norton, who was born in Chenango County, N.Y., and is a daughter of Gilbert and Celia B. Norton, of the same State. Prior to her marriage Mrs. McMillan was a teacher and came to Michigan in that capacity, unattended by relatives, as her father had died in her native State. Her mother passed away in Michigan. Her father was a soldier in the late war, and in one of the battles received a bayonet thrust from the effects of which he died. He and his wife were the parents of three sons and four daughters. Mr. William H. McMillan and his estimable wife are the parents of five children, whose names are Herman, Emma B., Louis, Jane C. and William. Both Mr. and Mrs. McMillan are highly respected members of society in Cohoctah Township, and few social gatherings are complete without their genial presence to brighten and animate the occasion.

     ALBERT D. THOMPSON. Among the county officials of Livingston County. who make their home in Howell, we find no one who is more deservedly popular on account both of character and long acquaintance than the Deputy Registrar of Deeds, whose name we have just given, for he is a native of this little city and having grown up here and shown himself a man worthy of esteem and regard, has taken his place among the best citizens of this, the county seat of Livingston County.

     The natal year of this gentleman was 1847 and he is a son of Edward and Rocelia (Ward) Thompson, both of whom came to this State from New York. The father had been a farmer before coming to Michigan, but upon settling in Howell in 1836 he built a furnace in the central part of town near the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern Michigan Railroad depot and carried it on through life and in connection carried on farming extensively. Both parents died in 1852. The grandparents of our subject, Moses and Margaret Thompson, were both natives of the Empire State, and after coming to Michigan in 1836 they settled upon a farm in Howell Township, and there spent the remainder of their days. Of their nine children three are now in life: Randolph, Lucinda and Jane. Moses Thompson was the son of a Scotchman who settled in Pennsylvania.

     The parents of Mrs. Rocelia (Ward) Thompson, were David and Sarah Ward, who reared a family of eleven children in New York. Of that number the following are now living, namely: Rollin, Ulysses, Stephen, Richmond, Diana, Mandeville, Ursulla and Herschel. Edward and Rocelia (Ward) Thompson were earnest and devoted members of the Baptist Church and brought up their three children in the faith and worship of the Christian religion. The brother and sister of our subject are Alvaro and Mary, who is now Mrs. Thompson.

     Edward Thompson kept a number of men in his employ at the furnace and on the farm and his furnace was notable as being the first one established in the county. His two hundred acres of land lay within the village limits and the best part of Howell is now built upon what was the Thompson farm. This gentleman laid out an addition to the city which is known as Thompson's Addition. He donated a half block of ground for the county buildings and upon this land has been placed a beautiful edifice. He also gave the grounds for the first cemetery. His own beautiful residence which he erected on Mill Street remained his home until death. He was an early settler who did much for the improvement of Howell, and was a man of principle and integrity, whose influence was as powerful in an unconscious way as it was helpful by intent. As property increased in value in Howell he of course grew in wealth and became one of the most prosperous men in the place.

     After taking what schooling he could secure in the public schools of Howell, Albert Thompson attended college at Hillsdale, Mich., and later took a business course at Ames Business College N.Y. graduating in 1865. After farming for twenty years upon an eighty-acre farm in Shiawassee County, Mich., Mr. Thompson came to Howell in December, 1889, to accept his present position. He filled a number of minor offices in Shiawassee County and was also Supervisor for three terms and was Township Clerk for five terms. His marriage (545) in 1868 brought to his home a true helpmate and companion in the person of Miss Emily Hammond of this county, whose parents, Zina and Olive (Carpenter) Hammond, were both natives of the Empire State. Four lovely children have blessed this union and are growing up to be the comfort and companions of their parents. They are named Lyman, Rose, Lillie and Alvaro. The Republican party is the political organization with which Mr. Thompson finds himself in sympathy and he is an earnest worker for its success on all occasions. He is a prominent man in the social order which is known by the magic initials of K. O. T. M.