Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
Fabulous sums are being offered for data to perfect the family records. In no form could the same amount of money be invested so as to give to posterity the pleasure and satisfaction as that invested in this volume. Next to the sacred book, it becomes a household treasure. In a volume of this character are to be found the names and faces of the men and women who came from comfortable homes in the far east to endure the hardships and privations incident to a life on the front line of civilization. Only a little more than half a century ago Ingham county was a wilderness, the hardy pioneer occupied his time for the most part clearing away the forest, and burning the huge heaps of logs, which, if standing today, would exceed in value the cleared land with all improvements. One unfamiliar with the facts could scarcely appreciate the transition through which the county has passed within the last half century.
H. D. Felton was a pioneer, the son of a pioneer. Mr. Felton was born in the Township of Stockbridge, Ingham county, July 23, 1849. He was one of two children born to Daniel and Margaret (Hay) Felton. The parents were natives of the Empire State, came to Michigan in the early forties and settled upon a tract of land in the Township of Stockbridge.
In the year of 1850, when the California gold fever was raging throughout the country, Daniel Felton, with thousands of others, made the overland trip to that land of promise, where he remained for thirth-seven years. He returned to his family in the year 1883, he died in the year 1899, aged eighty-three years. Chester, the only brother of our subject, was born June, 1847, at Stockbridge, now a resident of the State of Idaho. The mother lived to the age of sixty-four years, died in 1896, loved and revered for her many virtues. Her father, John Hay, lived to the advanced age of one hundred and seven years. He was a resident of the State of Wisconsin at the time of his death. He lived in Ingham county until after he crossed the century line. Mr. Felton received his primary education in Stockbridge, later attended school at Lansing, and would up with a course in a commercial college in the same city.
H. D. Felton enlisted in Co. D, of the 28th Mich. Infantry, Sept. 1, 1864, at the organization of the regiment. While the 28th Infantry was among the later regiments called into service its experiences under fire of the enemy was sufficient to "fully establish its reputation as a gallant fighting regiment, and reached the uniform high standard of Michigan troops." He was mustered out with his command at Raleigh, N. C., June 5, 1866, by reason of the close of the war, and under Col. Shaffer, took up its march for Detroit, where it was paid off and disbanded.
Returning to civil life Mr. Felton attended school, as above stated, after which he was variously occupied. On the 10th of October, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamine Guile of Alaiedon township. In the year of 1876 he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, section 8, of Alaiedon. The location is fine, the buildings are neat, commodious and attractive. He carries on general and mixed farming, and makes a success of it. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Felton, six of whom are living. Their names and other data of interest is her givan: Orah, born May 24, 1875, wife of Joseph Beaumont of Alaiedon township; Stella, born February 8, 1877, the wife of William Niebling; Ariel, born April 18, 1979, married Chas. Folar, Jr., died July 13, 1899; Effie, born January 22, 1881, wife of George Beaumont. The Beaumont brothers married Felton sisters. Ben, the only son, born June 29, 1883, now at home. Goldie, born November 3, 1885, is the second wife of Chas. Folar, Jr.; Hope, born June 29, 1888, the junior member of the family, is still under the paternal roof with her parents. Mr. Felton's first wife died Feb. 17, 1891. She was the mother of his children. the memory of her unselfish life and devotion to her family lingers as a benediction to them all. June 13, 1894, Mr. Felton was married to Miss Frances Yaus, daughter of Wm. Yaus, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, who emigrated to American when a lad, and was for several years a respected citizen of Alaiedon township, now deceased. The mother was the daughter of E. D. Colbath.
In politics Mr. Felton is enthusiastically Republican, takes a lively interest in local politics, and cheers when his party wins out. Was at one time elected Supervisor of his township, as he put it, but "was counted out by the opposition." His friends, the enemy, will do well to remember that this is not a "closed issue." He was for five years an engineer on the railroad. His father was one of the gang that surveyed the land where the city of Mason now stands. The years of life of H. D. Felton have been years of activity. His name will be recorded among the number of those who have given honest toil to help "to make the wilderness blossom as the rose, " and will go down to posterity as one who in time of his country's need stood by her in defense of civil liberty.
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Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
 Sondra Higbee
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