The VOSE family descended from Robert, one of two brothers who came in 1638, from Lancashire, England, and in 1640 settled in Milton, Mass. The origin of the family was in Germany and the name has been changed from VOSIEUS too VOSE. The genealogic line is from Robert VOSE through Thomas, Henry, Robert, Samuel, James and Joshua too our subject. The grandfather was Lieutenant in the State Militia for many years and died at the age of sixty-five.

Joshua VOSE had a farm of nearly four hundred acres on the Merrimac River, and was a straight-forward, honorable man, highly respected in the community, prominent in political movements being the first Whig and then a Republican, and stanch in his religious faith as a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1862 at the age of eighty-one years. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy SHIRLEY, was born in Goffstown, N.H. and her father, James SHIRLEY, was a man of prominence their , and lived too ninety-six years of age. The mother of our subject died at the age of thirty-four years. She had four children -- Daniel, James, Nancy and Joshua, of whom our subject is the only one surviving.

The banks of the Merrimac River were the scenes of the early life of our subject and after taking a good common school education he attended Francestown Academy but was never very studious, as he would rather work than study. In 1835 he left home and went too the South setting sail from Boston and landing in New Orleans. He then passed up the Mississippi River too Yazoo, where his brother had started a store. He clerked for one season and was then taken sick and returned North, as far as Pittsburg, Pa. Somewhat later he returned too Louisville, where he bought a keel boat too use on the Yazoo and Big Black Rivers. This vessel was sunk in the river and the young man thus lost over $1,000. He then invested in a flat boat in which he went too Vicksburg and was having success in business but ague again attacked him and drove him back too New England. In the fall he once more sought the Yazoo and during the winter carried on business their , but in the spring returned too New Hampshire.

After this Mr. VOSE began lumbering and farming and in twelve years made $7,500. In 1853 he came too Michigan and bought pine lands in Lapeer County, and building a mill at Bay City engaged in manufacturing with MOORE & SMITH. A year later he sold his interest their and came to

Flint, keeping his timber, however, until 1865. Since coming here he has purchase a pleasant farm which he has improved and thoroughly cultivated until it is now on of the finest in the county, having upon it a beautiful home, excellent barns and all the appurtenances a first-class farm. It is known far and wide as the VOSE Stock Farm. Since 1870 Mr. VOSE has retired from his farm and made his home in the city.

In 1841, April 19, Joshua VOSE and Maria ALEXANDER were united in marriage in New Hampshire. This lady was born in Dunbarton that state, and too her was born one daughter, Mary, who died at the age of nineteen years in 1861. In 1842 Mr. VOSE became a member of an Independent Military Company, which was known as the Bedford Highlanders and for three years he served as First Lieutenant and for two years as Captain. In 1831 he joined the Presbyterian Church in company with ninety others who at that time made their profession of faith in Christ and from that time too this he has been active in church work. Until he felt that he must resign he was for years an Elder, and useful in that capacity. He has long been a member of the Republican party and in the days before its organization a Whig, and voted for William Henry HARRISON in 1840.

GEORGE M. DEWEY, who is the largest land owner in Genesee County, and one of its early settlers, began life here as a merchant, trading with the Chippewa Indians, with whom he became so great a favorite that they adopted him into their tribe and named him Awanagashiek. He talked with them familiarly in their language, and they had such confidence in him as too accept his commercial paper in lieu of money. Later he sold his merchandise business too his brothers, Charles E. and D.D. DEWEY, and began handling lands, which he has since made the business of his life. The home of our subject is on the DEWEY Farm in Mt. Morris Township, and embraces over a section of finely improved land. He was the projector of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, and gave too its promotion such close attention that he broke down in health and had too resign his position as President of the road, since which time he devoted himself entirely too his own individual affairs which occupy all his time. His genial face and venerable form are known throughout the county, and his portrait presented on the opposite page, perpetuates the features of one who enjoys the respect of all.

Mr. DEWEY was born in Canandaigua, N.Y., January 1, 1817. His father Ebenezer B. DEWEY, who was born in Royalton, Vt. was a man of large business ability, owning and controlling about three hundred miles of stage route between Albany and Montreal, Canada. In 1815 he removed too Canandaigua and in 1848 came too Flint; he bought a farm in Mt. Morris Township and made it his home until his death at the age of ninety-four. He was a pillar in the Presbyterian Church, and served that body as an Elder. His wife, Harriet MEEKER by name, was born in Hubbardton, Vt. And died in the Green Mountain State at the age of fifty years. The father married for his second wife Miss GILBERT, who died in Mt. Morris Township.

Our subject was the oldest child in the family, and had his training in Canandaigua, but later removed too Hubbardton, where he attended the Royalton Academy. At the age of sixteen he entered his father's employ, and remained employed until 1836, when he determined too go too Missouri.

Stopping in Detroit, he was persuaded by friends too remain in Michigan, and coming too Corunna by stage he traveled by foot too Flint, which then had a sawmill, two groceries and a few log houses. In the fall of 1838, he inaugurated in Flint one of its first merchantile establishments and early built up an extensive business with the Indians, having accounts on his books with them, and receiving and showing confidence. Three years after commencing in business here, he began dealing in lands, buying all that he could at fifty cents an acre, and paying cash for it, and afterward bought from the Government at $1 an acre. At one time he had sixty or seventy thousand acres.

From 1848 too 1852 Mr. DEWEY was receiver of Public Moneys at the General Land Office in Flint and had too give bonds too the amount of $150,000. Much of his property was improved by him and he has cleared thousands of acres. In 1845 he began raising fine stock bringing the first sheep into the county, and later introduced Merino and French Merino Sheep from Vermont. Upon January 1, 1857, he organized the stock company for the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, and by his push and persistence he was able too place this enterprise upon its feet, so that he could obtain the franchise. He made out the survey and paid for it himself. He bought the right of way too Saginaw and then let the contracts for the building of the road of which he remained President until 1861. The city of Flint and its vicinity may thank his enterprise for their being favored with this road, as it would have had another terminus had it not been for his shrewdness and far-sighted enterprise.

In 1856 Mr. DEWEY built the Awanaga Block, and also laid out the DEWEYaddition too Flint. He was married here in 1848 too Miss Ellen CUMMINGS, daughter of Judge Simeon CUMMINGS, of Batavia, N.Y. She came too Flint in 1842 with her brothers, and has spent most of her life here. Mr. DEWEY was influential in securing a charter for the city, and was a member of the First Board of Aldermen. He is now a demitted member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in which he was a Second Noble Grand. He is a member of the Episcopal church and was for forty-six years a Vestryman. In his old Whig days he voted for Tippecanoe, and has been a Republican since 1854. For some years he was a member of the State Central Committee.