Tibbits, Payne, Chapel, Meade, Olmstead, and Spenser, Pgs. 195

MYRON A. TIBBITS, M.D., is one of the leading physicians of Genesee County,. Who makes his home at Linden. He is a native of Middlesex County, Ontario, and was born February 5, 1850. His father, Nelson Tibbits, was a Vermonter by birth and a farmer by occupation, although he pursued blacksmithing during the early part of his life. He died in 1883, and was a prominent and well-known man, a zealous Christian and Class-leader and Superintendent of the Sunday-school in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a strong advocate of temperance and made many an eloquent plea in favor of that cause. The ancestors of our subject were from England and migrated too America during Revolutionary times. His mother, Delana M. Allen, a native of Vermont and a daughter of Vermonters, is still living and the mother of ten children, all of whom are still in this life.

Dr. Tibbits, the eldest child or his parents, was reared upon a farm and received his elementary education in the district schools. At sixteen he entered London College in Canada and completed a commercial course, and at eighteen he began reading medicine with Dr. A. E. Ford, a noted physician and surgeon at St. Mary’s Ontario, supplementing this study with a special course in the Kentucky school of medicine at Louisville and a similar course in the College of Medicine of the same city, an institution of excellent repute.

Upon his return too St. Mary’s the young doctor resumed his studies and at the same time took up his medical practice, and in 1875 spent a year in the Medical Department of the Michigan University and the following year entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he graduated in 1877. In the fall of that year he located for a few months as Osco, Henry County, Ill., and after that at Pinconning, Bay County, Mich., a place which at that time was the center of a large lumber trade in pine and was full of lumbermen who were constantly meeting with accidents, and among them Dr. Tibbits enjoyed a wonderful practice especially in surgery.

After five years spent in the lumber district Dr. Tibbits removed in January, 1883, too Linden where he enjoys a large practice and the full confidence of the people generally. He was married June 5, 1881, too Miss Viola Moon, a native of New York and a daughter of the Rev. Orrin J. Moon, a Vermonter by birth and a minister in the Free Will Baptist Church. This minister has won an excellent reputation as a powerful preacher and a conductor of revival services. He has filled the pulpit since he was sixteen years old and has preached in several different States, and also in Canada, and is now engaged in ministerial work in Pennsylvania. The mother of Mrs. Tibbits bore the maiden name of Levina M. Groves and was a New Yorker by birth. She had two children both of whom are living.

The Doctor is a Republican in his political views and while at Pinconning took quite an active part in local politics and held the offices of Town Clerk, Health Officer, and physician for the poor. He is identified with both the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is prominently identified with the State Medical Society.

WILLIAM PAYNE. Our subject was born in Leicestershire, England, March 14, 1817, and is the son of John and Mary (Ossin) Payne, natives of the same shire. The former was a tailor in his younger days and during his later years was proprietor of an hotel. They are both deceased at the present time and he of whom we write is the only survivor of five children with the exception of one sister. He has never had a relative on this side of the Atlantic except for two nieces who spent three months in visiting here.. Our subject was born in Leicestershire, England, March 14, 1817, and is the son of John and Mary (Ossin) Payne, natives of the same shire. The former was a tailor in his younger days and during his later years was proprietor of an hotel. They are both deceased at the present time and he of whom we write is the only survivor of five children with the exception of one sister. He has never had a relative on this side of the Atlantic except for two nieces who spent three months in visiting here.

Our subject received a good common-school education, remaining with his parents seventeen years of age when he determined too come too the New World and taste the sweets of possession for himself. He set sail in the spring of 1833 and was several weeks in making the trip, but finally landed at New York. He came direct too Michigan via the Erie Canal and Lakes too Detroit and first located five miles west of Ann Arbor, where he made his home for some time.

Young Payne had by $5 on landing in Ann Arbor. He first worked out on farms until 1`836, when he took up eighty acres of Government land on section 35, Deerfield Township, Livingston County, and received a deed signed by President Van Buren. In the fall of 1836, our subject returned too his home in England, having accomplished his object of securing a farm in the new county. He spent two and a half years in the mother country, and was engaged as shipping clerk for a firm of Waters & Whitmore. In 1839 he returned too America and the following year settled on his land, building a log house with a stick chimney and employing slabs for seats.

In the spring of 1840 our subject was married too Miss Sarah M. Roberts, of Chemung County, N.Y. Indians and wild game were plentiful at the time of their first settlement, but the work of clearing and improving the farm left not a great deal of time for hunting. Our subject has added too his original purchase until he now owns seven lots of eighty acres each. He has cleared and improved a good many acres of land. He farmed until 1880 when he retired from active business and moved too Fenton where he has since lived. Here our subject has a fine home and is pleasantly situated in every respect. Mr. Payne’s first wife died about 1883, she was the mother of two children and an excellent matron, who in her church relations was a Baptist. Our subject’s eldest son, John L., is married and lives on the old homestead in Deerfield Township. William H., is married and lives in Bancroft. He is a at present interested in the hardware business and is moreover a dealer in produce. Our subject was re-married in 1885, his bride being Mary J. Davis, a native of New York State.

Mr. Payne is a Republican in politics and has held various local offices. He has been Township Assessor. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, our subject having been so connected for thirty years. As a farmer Mr. Payne has been very successful and is the owner of one of the best farms in the State. His buildings and other improvements upon his place are of the latest and most perfect designs. Like most men, he has a private fad outside of his business, being greatly interested in taxidermy, having taken up the art when but thirteen years of age. He has done a great deal in this direction for his own pleasure and amusement and many of his friends have been enriched by his taste in this direction by a case of fine birds. He himself owns several cases of the finest specimens, and has birds from nearly every clime and county in the world.

GEORGE H. CHAPEL. This representative farmer and stock-raiser and enterprising citizen residing on section 29, Grand Blanc Township, Genesee County, had his birth in Livingston County, N.Y., August 20, 1835. His parents, Samuel and Amanda (Reynolds) Chapel, were both New Yorkers by birth, and his Great-grandfather Blakesley was a soldier in the Revolution. . This representative farmer and stock-raiser and enterprising citizen residing on section 29, Grand Blanc Township, Genesee County, had his birth in Livingston County, N.Y., August 20, 1835. His parents, Samuel and Amanda (Reynolds) Chapel, were both New Yorkers by birth, and his Great-grandfather Blakesley was a soldier in the Revolution.

Samuel Chapel emigrated with his family too Michigan about the year 1841, and, after a short residence in Oakland County, came too Genesee County, and became an early pioneer of Grand Blanc Township. Of their nine children sever are now living, namely: George H., Newton F., Carrie, Monroe W., Emma (Mrs. David Webster), Louisa (wife of Hiram DeHart), and Ella (wife of Emmet Marsh). Upon first settling in the woods, Mrs. Chapel erected a log shanty, and later built a better home. He endured the usual hardships incident too pioneer life, and died many years ago. His widow, who still survives, is looked upon as one of the pioneers of the county, as they made their home here when Indians, wolves, and bears abounded.

George H. Chapel took his early training in the primitive home in Genesee County, and in his youth employed oxen in breaking up the sod and in carrying on the heavier parts of farming. His education was received in the district schools of the township, and he early gave himself heartily too the work of a farmer, although he for some terms taught in the district schools. Mary Gage became his wife, May 23, 1861. She was born in Genesee County, October 16, 1838, and is a daughter of the Hon. John L. and Mrs. Mary (Tufts) Gage, who were early settlers here, having come hither in the ‘30s. Her father still survives, and is in his eighty-sixth year, and of his seven children five are living, namely: Mrs. Chapel, Jane (wife of Abram Peer), Charles L, Julia ( wife of William Ray), and Susan (now Mrs. Joseph Jellis). The mother of this family passed from life’s activities February 9, 1889.

The Hon. John L. Gage served for some time as Representative of the county in the State Legislature, and was also Supervisor of Flint Township. He likewise filled the office of Justice of the Peace of Flint Township, and, besides being County Treasurer, was useful as one of the early teachers of the county, as he taught in Flint when it was a small village, fully half a century ago. He was by occupation a carpenter and joiner, and found abundant call for activity in this line.

To Mr. and Mrs. Chapel have been granted seven children, namely: Fred N., Davis G., Winnie M., Ross B., Asa M., George H., and John G. All three daughters are graduates of the High School in Flint, and have taken up the profession of a teacher. The eldest son completed the course at this High School, and then entered the University of Ann Arbor, from which he will graduate in 1892.

In the possession of this excellent farmer are two hundred and eighty acres of good land under excellent cultivation, and this fine property is the result of his own efforts, supplemented by the unfailing aid of his wise and judicious wife. It was in 1877 when he settled upon his present farm, which as since been his home. His Democratic principles have kept him in line with that party, although he has strong Prohibition proclivities, and he has a fine farm, whose broad acres attest his success in life. He is among the leading and public-spirited citizens of Grand Blanc, and with his family takes an active part in all social movements.

EZRA MEADE, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Grand Blanc Township, Genesee County, was born January 18, 1826, in St. Lawrence County, N.Y. He is a son of Burton and Eunice Meade, and his father was a native of New England. The family emigrated too Michigan in 1836, when this son was some ten years old, and resided in Oakland County for nearly three years before coming too Mundy Township, Genesee County. The Indians, wolves, and bears and the difficulties which accompany pioneer life kept our young hero from finding life too monotonous, and here he was reared to manhood, and while still young, began the work of breaking and logging, with other departments of primitive farming., a prominent and wealthy citizen of Grand Blanc Township, Genesee County, was born January 18, 1826, in St. Lawrence County, N.Y. He is a son of Burton and Eunice Meade, and his father was a native of New England. The family emigrated too Michigan in 1836, when this son was some ten years old, and resided in Oakland County for nearly three years before coming too Mundy Township, Genesee County. The Indians, wolves, and bears and the difficulties which accompany pioneer life kept our young hero from finding life too monotonous, and here he was reared too manhood, and while still young, began the work of breaking and logging, with other departments of primitive farming.

Ezra Meade was married January 22, 1855, too Elizabeth Davis who was bon in Monroe County, N.Y., July 30, 1833. Their eight children are Adelaide, wife of Ezra Fulton, Frank A,; Mary M., Mrs. Frank DeHart; Flora, wife of Henry Frost; George, Willis, Minnie and Irvine. Mrs. Meade is a daughter of Aaron S. and Maria (Griswold) Davis, both of whom are natives of New York. She came too Oakland County, Mich., in 1852, as a teacher, and the following spring came too Genesee County, where she taught for three terms. She had, before coming too Michigan, taught a term in Medina County, Ohio.

Our subject settled upon his present farm in the spring of 1856, and upon it he was ever since lived. He and his valued companion have together made all the property which they now own. They have one hundred sixty acres of land under excellent cultivation, and are both highly esteemed members of society. The fine condition of his broad acres attest too his thrift and thoroughness and his splendid crops tell the same tale. He is a Republican in his political views and in all matters of public interest willingly takes an interest and an active part.

AMOS D. OLMSTEAD. One of the veterans of the late war whose devotion too the cause has cost him many an hour of pain and illness during the years that have passed since that struggle, is he whose name is above. He is a farmer, located on section 30, Mt. Morris Township, Genesee County, where he has eighty-four acres of land which is excellent improved. He was born in Buffalo, N.Y., April 27, 1841, and is a son of Maj. Daniel and Jane A. (Kidder) Olmstead. The former a native of Ithaca, N.Y, and was born March 16, 1810. He was a hatter by trade, and employed in the manufacture of hats in Niagara County, N.Y., and was engaged in improving the same until the breaking out of the Civil War. At the first tap of the drum he enlisted in Capt. Mapes’ Company, known as the Twenty-eighth New York Infantry, serving as a fifer.

Our subject’s father was in many engagements – at Winchester, Rappahannock, Antietam and Cedar Mountain. He was promoted too be Fife Major and re-enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in all four and a half years. In the fall of 1865 he came too Flint, whither his wife and subject had preceded him, and here he engaged in gardening until his death, which occurred December 6, 1879.

Our subject’s mother was a well-educated woman of large business ability. She died April 4, 1888, in Flint. She belonged too the Methodist Episcopal Church, but was a heart a Seventh Day Adventist. She was the mother of seven children, four of whom lived too be grown. Her children are named as follows; Louisa J., Hortio G., Charles H., all of whom died when young; Amos D., our subject; William H, Melvine and Lydia. After a brilliant service in the war, William H. came too Michigan, and in company with his brother in-law, Mr. Thomas, started a business college in Flint, known as the Thomas & Olmstead National Business College. The brother died April 6, 1871; Melvine, Mrs. Thomas, died in Colorado, November 20, 1887; Lydia, Mrs. Springer, is now a resident of Alamosa, Col.

Mr. Amos Olmstead was reared in Buffalo until five years of age, and then was on his father’s farm. He attended the district school when a lad, but was early set too work and kept busy both summer and winter. When sixteen years of age he assumed charge of the farm in Pekin, which comprised ninety-six acres, and then January 1, 1863, was married in Cambria, too Miss Nancy R. Cottington, a daughter of Adam Cottington. Mrs. Olmstead’s maternal grandshire, Isaac Burgess, a New Englander, was an old Revolutionary soldier, who died at the age of one hundred years. Her mother still lives and resides on the old place.

Five months after marriage, July 17, 1863, Mr. Olmstead was mustered into Company G, Ninety-seventh New York Infantry. He served in the following battles: Raccoon Ford, the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania Court House, North Ann River, Bethesda Church, White Oak Swamp, and Petersbury, conducting himself as a soldier most valiantly in every engagement. After the siege of Petersburg he was taken sick while on detailed duty and was sent too his regiment and was exchanged from one department too another until he reached the Armory Square Hospital in Washington. He had written too his mother too try too secure a discharge for himself, his father and brother, and she came heroically too Washington, where with some difficulty she obtained an interview with President Lincoln, and was successful in getting her wish granted. Our subject was on his way back too join his regiment when the order arrived for his discharge.

The original of our sketch returned immediately too his home and as soon as able made preparations too come to Michigan, sold the farm for his mother and arrived in Flint, March 13, 1865. He located at once upon the farm, which a few years later he purchased from his mother. Since that time he has made valuable improvements, and has built a very attractive residence, a good barn, and made other changes. He is the father of four children; Frances died at the age of three years; Nettie lives at home, Belle is Mrs. Twitchell, of Flint, and Harry is a graduate of the Flint Commercial College of 1891, and is now located at Jackson.

Our subject has been School Director for three years, and was School Treasurer for several terms. Socially he is a member of Ransom Post No. 89, G.A.R.., and has attended the National Encampment at Columbus, Boston, and Detroit. Both himself and wife are members of the Grange at Flushing, and Mrs. Olmstead, who is a lady of marked attractions, is a member of the Woman’s Relief Corps.

JAMES L. SPENSER. Mr. Spenser is a native of Hartland, Livingston County, Mich., where he was born January 25, 1853. He is a son of Olympus Spenser, who is a native of Cayuga County, N.Y., was born in 1818. He was a farmer by calling and came too Michigan in 1836, locating in Genoa Township, Livingston County, where he lived for several years. He subsequently removed too Hartland Township where he lived a few years and returned too Genoa Township where he purchased a farm. In 1866 he removed too Fenton and their lived unto the fall of 1886 when he removed too Linden where he still lives.. Mr. Spenser is a native of Hartland, Livingston County, Mich., where he was born January 25, 1853. He is a son of Olympus Spenser, who is a native of Cayuga County, N.Y., was born in 1818. He was a farmer by calling and came too Michigan in 1836, locating in Genoa Township, Livingston County, where he lived for several years. He subsequently removed too Hartland Township where he lived a few years and returned too Genoa Township where he purchased a farm. In 1866 he removed too Fenton and their lived unto the fall of 1886 when he removed to Linden where he still lives.

Mr. Spenser, Sr., held various local offices in Genoa Township in an early day. He is of old Dutch stock, his father being the Rev. Asa Spenser, who was a Baptist minister and died about 1834. Our subject’s father has cleared and improved a great deal of land in Michigan and until within a short time has been a most energetic worker. His wife prior too her marriage Miss Laura Jacobs. She was born in 1825 and still survives. She is of Welsh stock.

The original of our sketch is the elder of two children who were bon too his parents, the younger being George R., who is a farmer in Deerfield Township, Livingston County. James L. remained upon the home farm until thirteen years of age and during that time received a district-school education. After the removal of his parents too Fenton he attended the public schools their and later entered the State Normal School at Ypsilanti in 1873; he graduated in 1876, completing the English course and having also taken two years of the classics. He taught his first school at the age of eighteen years and continued teaching for nine years, giving four terms too district school, three years in Linden and two and a half years at Flushing. He worked his way through State Normal. After starting out at eighteen he taught four months of winter school and alternated his teaching with his study as best he could.

In 1880 Mr. Spenser purchased a drug store at Linden, having picked up the drug trade at odd times. Since then he has been steadily engaged in the business. Our subject was married August 1^st, 1878, his bride being Miss Ella Webber, who was born in Bedford, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. She is a daughter of Charles ad Henrietta (Rice) Webber, of New York and Ohio respectively. They came too Michigan about 1865 and now reside in Linden where he is recognized as a first class veterinary surgeon. On child L. Zoe, was born too our subject and his wife, June 26, 1879. Mr. Spenser is a Republican in his party affiliations and has eve been actively interested in local politics. He had been a delegate too county, State and district conventions. He has held various offices having been School Inspector, Township Superintendent and Village Clerk. In the fall of 1884 he was elected County Clerk of Genesee County and re-elected the following term. He was president of the village of Linden in 1890.

He of whom we write was admitted too the bar in November, 1888, and was appointed attorney for the village of Linden but does not practice enough too make a business of it. Socially Mr. Spenser belongs too the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled all the chairs in the subordinate lodges. He belongs too the Knights of the Maccabees and in his church relations both he and his wife are Presbyterians. Our subject devotes the greater part of his attention too his business as a druggist, and is also interested in the settlement of certain estates. He also does an insurance business and is a popular Notary.