1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, Chapman Bros.

Pages 230 - 236

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Margaret Struble, and she was born in New Jersey, June 20, 1807. Her parents came from Germany. She is still living as are all of her ten children. The limited educational privileges enjoyed by our subject were those afforded by the primitive log schoolhouse, and as the country was in his boyhood quite new and sparsely inhabited, only a few months of school could be afforded each years.

The youth remained at home until he cam of age, after which he worked out for a few years, and in the spring of 1855 came too Argentine Township, this county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of partially improved land. Here he at once began the vocation of a farmer and has since devoted himself assiduously too that line of work, compelling by his energy and industry such prosperity that he is now one of the wealthy men of the county.

Jacob S. Dodder was in 1854 united in marriage with Sarah Mann who was born in New Jersey but came with her parents too Michigan in 1837. Their children are: Frances, who is the wife of Alpheus Fields, a farmer in this township; George M., deceased; Arnold, who is married and a prosperous farmer here; Annie, now Mrs. Lanta Stevens of Linden; Veve, who married George Judson, a wellto-do farmer; Abi, the wife of William Gillespie living in the twnship of Mundy, and Nye , Howell, and Earnest, who are all at home.

The political sympathies of Mr. Dodder have brought him into line with the Democratic party, of whose doctrines he is a staunch supporter and he wields no small influence in the county, being frequently made a delegate too county, district and State Convention. He has served as Supervisor for seven years and has also been for some time both Treasurer and Highway Commissioner. For over thirty years he has been prominently identified with the Masonic order. His three hundred and sixty acres of land are finely improved and besides this has parted with considerable too his sons. He raises all kinds of stock of improved grades and has an attractive and commodious home, substantial barns and other like improvements upon his farm.

ALBERT L. ADAMS. Is the editor of the Mt. Morris Enterprise, a bright and spicy sheet whose mission fully realized the name which it bears. It is the organ for the agricultural element in which the district is richest and also has the latest and best resume of the news of the day. Mr. Adams was born in Seneca County, N.Y. in the township of Ovid, March 16, 1844. He is the son of Lewis S. Adams, who was born and reared in the same place and became a carpenter and joiner. The father came too Michigan in 1851-52, and settled in Lyons Township, Oakland County, where he located a good farm and their remained about sixteen years. For some time he was known as the genial host of the hotel on the Grand River road. After a stay of four years at that place he came too Mt. Morris in 1866, and located in the village where he still resides. Our subject’s mother was in her maiden days Miss Rhoda A. Lay, a native of New York. She died when about forty-six years of age. They were the parents of two children, a son and a daughter. The elder, Cordelia, now resides in Mt. Morris, as does our subject.

Mr. Adams was about six years old when his parents brought him too Michigan and at the age of fourteen years he ran away from home and went too New York State, where he learned the printer’s trade and was engaged on the Seneca County Sentinel, also in the Ovid Bee office. He then came back too Oakland County and worked for a short time in Saginaw County and for several years was variously engaged in farm and carpenter work. About 1866 fate led his footsteps too Mt. Morris, where he was for a period engaged in house and carriage painting, which business he followed until 1882. Then he took up photography and spent one year with Mr. White in the undertaking business. In 1888 he assumed charge of the printing establishment known as the Enterprise office, running it one year for Mrs. E. F. Lamb.

At the end of the time above specified our subject bought out the business and has continued too run it most satisfactorily ever since. January 1, 1865, he entered into the domestic relations, his bride being Miss Anna Ward. She was an orphan, born of English parent. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are the parents of three daughters, who are Flora, Maude, and Vilanche. The eldest is the wife of William Holtslander and resides in Genesee Township; Maude assists her father in the office.

In connection with his editorial work Mr. Adams is also interested in the insurance business, actin as agent for the North American Insurance Company. He also does job printing. The sheet which he edits is neutral in politics.

WILLIAM H. FOWLER. Of the many fine farms in Lapeer County, none are more attractive then that owned by our subject and which is located on sections 13 and14, Lapeer Township. Its owner is the son of Francis E. Fowler, a native of New York, his mother being Laura (Woodward) Fowler. The father, who was a mason by trade, came too Michigan in 1836, and made his home at Lapeer. After marriage he moved his family too the half-section of land now owned by the two brothers. It was almost all wild and unimproved and here they built a little frame house and by hard work accomplished the clearing of one hundred acres, putting up the buildings where Francis E. Fowler now lives. Our subject’s father died in 1872 and his mother in 1874.

He of whom we write was on of nine children, six of whom are now living. They are Francis E., William H., Murilla (Mrs. Butts), George H., Horance S., and Charles Fred. The father held the office of Highway Commissioner for nine years and was a member of the School Board. He was a man who was highly esteemed in the community. Our subject is the third child born too his parents, his birthday being February 9, 1844 and he is a native of this township and county. He attended the village school but he and his brothers had too begin work at an early age. Later he spent two winters in Hadley Township, Lapeer County, where he worked for his board and went too school. He remained at home assisting his father with the farm until twenty-four years of age and then worked the farm on shares until one year after the death of his paternal parent when the estate was divided and at which time he and his brother, Francis E., bought out the equities of the other heirs.

Since 1876 our subject has been doing the work of the farm alone. He now has three hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 12 and 13, this township and section 17, Attica Township, of which two hundred and eighty acres are under cultivation. Upon his farm in Attica Township, he has a house and a good barn and upon the home farm has two houses and a barn. Here he carries on general farming and has a flock of fine wool sheep, their being over four hundred head.

April 17, 1891, our subject was married too Melinda Styles, a daughter of William Styles of Burnside Township. She was born January 12, 1861. Our subject is a Republican in politics. He has been Highway Commissioner of Lapeer Township for two years and has been Pathmaster for nine years, also holding a position on the School Board. Previous too the last half-dozen years our subject has been interested during the winter months in lumbering. Mrs. Fowler is a daughter of William and Patience (Cull) Styles, natives of England. They came too America in 1856, and settled in Canada, whence in 1858 they came too Lapeer County and now are farmers in Burnside Township. They are the parents of six children who are now living. Mrs. Fowler was born January 12, 1861, in Burnside Township. She received a good education in the High School at North Branch and for eight years was engaged in teaching.

Mrs. Fowler’s parents are members of the Protestant Methodist Church. The father is a Republican in politics and has been Supervisor of Burnside Township, also Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace. Since owning this farm Mr. Fowler has put many improvements on his place, having cleared off one hundred acres and set out an orchard. His brother, George H., lives in Lincoln, Neb., and has one child whose name is Florence. Horance lives in Kansas and has one child whose name is Winnie.

MRS. LYDIA LOMBARD resides on a farm on section 3, Lapeer Township, Lapeer County, and is the widow of Frank Lombard. He was a native of Windsor, Vt., born September 14, 1803. He was descended from an old Vermont family, his grandfather, Solomon Lombard, having been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Lombard was reared on a farm and was married in April, 1834, too Lydia Gray, daughter of Alpheus and Deborah (June) Gray. They were both natives of Vermont and were farmers. He moved into New York State at the close of the War of 1812, and settled in Wayne County on a new farm, which he improved. He was killed by a tree falling on him in 1826, at the age of forty-six, leaving a widow and seven children. resides on a farm on section 3, Lapeer Township, Lapeer County, and is the widow of Frank Lombard. He was a native of Windsor, Vt., born September 14, 1803. He was descended from an old Vermont family, his grandfather, Solomon Lombard, having been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Lombard was reared on a farm and was married in April, 1834, too Lydia Gray, daughter of Alpheus and Deborah (June) Gray. They were both natives of Vermont and were farmers. He moved into New York State at the close of the War of 1812, and settled in Wayne County on a new farm, which he improved. He was killed by a tree falling on him in 1826, at the age of forty-six, leaving a widow and seven children.

The mother of Mrs. Lombard remained on the farm until 1848, when she came too Michigan and made her home with our subject until her death, in December 1857. She was a member of the Methodist Church, while her husband was a Baptist in religion. Of the family of Alpheus Gray five came too Michigan: Harvey, Mrs. Orvis Rood; our subject; Mrs. Henry Dodds, and A. J. Gray. Of these their are only two now living – our subject and A.J. Gray.

Mrs. Lombard was born August 18, 1811, in Brandon, Rutland County, Vt. After her marriage she and her husband came too Michigan in December 1834, and at once moved too the farm where she now resides on section 3, Lapeer Township. Mr. Lombard erected a log house and began clearing off his land. Some Indians troubled them and wolves and other wild animals were plentiful. The wolves at one time killed $100 worth of sheep. They settled on one hundred and twenty acres of timber, too which Mr. Lombard afterward added forty acres, and fifty-five acres elsewhere in this township. He cleared up all his farm and built his residence in 1853, which was one of the best too be seen at that time. He gave his entire attention too his farm and was a very hard workingman all his life. He owned two hundred and five acres at his death, which took place November 29, 1875. They were not blessed with any children.

Mrs. Lombard has rented the farm on which she has lived continuously for fifty-seven years. She and her husband became members of the Methodist Church in 1857. He died in the faith and was a staunch supporter of the Church and a Class-leader of many years. Mr. Lombard was originally a Democrat, but later became a Republican. He was Highway Commissioner at one time, serving the county too the best of his ability. Having started out life empty-handed, we can but consider his career as a most successful one. His widow is now eighty years of age and in good health with the exception of rheumatism. She attends church at Lapeer every pleasant Sunday. Although having no children of her own, she has reared half a dozen orphans. She now has Grace McDowell, whose mother was reared by Mrs. Lombard, and after her death, January 19, 1880. Miss Grace, then eleven years of age, was taken home by Mrs. Lombard, and with her ahs ever since found a comfortable home. She is well educated, having been a student at the Fenton Normal School, and has also taught school in this county. On both sides of this family they are all working people.

REV. TIMOTHY J. MURPHY, of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, came too this parish in June, 1880, and has since been identified with its progress. This church is an old one, having been established here in 1840, and the first edifice was reared soon after the organization of the church. The present structure which was erected in 1882-83 under the direct supervision of Father Murphy, is 50x150 feet in dimensions and has a seating capacity of eight hundred. The cost of the building was about $30,000 and it is handsomely finished throughout a fitting place of worship.

Father Murphy, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was born in Cork, Ireland, May 4, 1848, and is the son of Jeremiah and Margaret (Dacy) Murphy. He received his education in his native city, and after completing the course of study in the schools of that city, he attended All Hallows College, of Dublin, where his education was finished. In 1870 he crossed the Atlantic, landing in New York and coming thence to Detroit. Four months after his arrival he was ordained too the sacred office of priest in Detroit, Mich., December 30, 1870, by Bishop Borgess. After his ordination he was sent too Bay City, this State, as assistant too St. James Church, and he served in this capacity for three months. Later he was transferred too the parochial church of Grand Haven, Ottawa County, where he remained until the time he was sent too Flint.

Before he left the Emerald Isle Father Murphy was an ardent admirer of all things American and is now intensely American in heart and soul. His love for this country does not in any way diminish his love for the land of his birth. He takes a lively interest in Irish affairs and by his individual efforts has enlisted hundreds of Americans in the cause of Irish home rule. On July 4, 1876, the Centennial of American independence, Father Murphy was selected by the citizens of Grand Haven, this State, too read the Declaration of Independence, and after doing so he expressed the wish that he may live too hear, read, and realized the Declaration of old Ireland’s Independence.

Wherever he has worked Father Murphy has displayed the same energy and zeal which has endeared him too his parishioners in Flint. Through his arduous exertions he has erected several churches, and the edifices at Grand Haven, Dennison and Berlin stand as monuments to his enthusiastic and consecrated devotion too the cause of religion. Not only has he increased the membership of the several churches with which he has been connected, but whenever he has been he has raised the standing of the church, increased its usefulness and doubled the zeal of its members. The church in Flint now has a membership of about sixteen hundred, all devoted too the religion which they profess. For the time, after coming too Flint, Father Murphy had charge of the mission at Hazleton, but the membership increased too such an extent that it was given in charge of another priest, who devoted his entire time too it.

In connection with St. Michael’s Church is a parochial school located near the church, where about one hundred and seventy pupils receive instruction from four sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Near the parochial school is the sisters’ house, while in the close vicinity of the church the pastor’s residence is located, all the buildings being on Saginaw, Fifth and Chippewa Streets. The beautiful grounds and fine buildings have been improved and decorated by the present pastor, who stands very high in the esteem and affection of the people of Flint, irrespective of creed. In every respect Father Murphy is an ideal priest and "father" too his people, whose interests are his own and whose troubles he relieves as far as lies in his power. Very near too them in sorrow and joy, it would be difficult too find a pastor more consecrated too his work or more devoted too his parishioners.

WILLIAM HOWLAND. Upon the gentleman whose name appears above has been conferred the distinction of being the local executive or Supervisor of Lapeer Township, Lapeer County, which is one of the most important townships in the county, boasting its largest city – that of Lapeer – which is a railroad center of no inconsiderable importance. Mr. Howland is a son of Ira and Cynthia (Pemberton) Howland, the former native of Connecticut and the latter of Pennsylvania. Ira Howland was a farmer by occupation, and coming too Michigan in 1835, came too Lapeer County and Elba Township. His parents, who came at the same time, located on section 13, of Elba, and 18, of Lapeer Townships. A few years after coming here he married, and he and his wife still reside upon the old homestead in Elba Township, where they have two hundred acres of land, most of which is in an excellent state of improvement. Their farm boasts excellent buildings – a large and well-built house and four capacious barns, it being the work of himself and his sons. He is the oldest living settler in Elba Township at the present time. They are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living, and named as follows: Andrew J., Waty A., William, Ira W., Ellen, Adelaide and Arthur.

Our subject’s oldest brother, Andrew, who is now in the meridian of life, being forty-nine years of age, was married too Elizabeth Dougherty and is living in Bay County; Ellen is the wife of Garry Trauz and lives at Hadley; Adelaide, wife of George Lyle, lives in Elba Township; Arthur married Rosa Edwards and lives at his father’s home. Ira Howland has held various local offices, having been Highway Commissioner and Justice of the Peace in Elba Township. Our subject was born December 7, 1853, in Lapeer Township, in his father’s first residence, which was on the Lapeer side of the line. He attended the district school of his neighborhood and spent one year in the High School at Lapeer.

The original of our sketch remained an inmate of his father’s home until he reached his majority, and then became his father’s assistant, his father helping him pay for the farm located on section 21, Elba Township. March 14, 1875, he married too Miss Ann Stalker, a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Bramley) Stalker, both natives of Yorkshire, England. He is a farmer and came too America in 1863, settling in Lapeer County in 1865, where they now resided on section 22. They are the parents of four children, three of whom are now living – Mary , Mrs. Howland and Emily. Mary is the of John Mulholland and lives in Montana; Emily is the wife of James Perry and lives in Muskegon.

Mrs. Howland was born March 14, 1855, in Yorkshire, England. She and her husband are the parents of four children, whose names are as follows; Robert, born April 24, 1879; Kate, October 7, 1880; Amy, December 31, 1886; and Edna, October 25, 1890. After marriage Mr. Howland settled upon eighty acres of wild land on section 24, Elba Township. He built two barns and made his residence in a house owned by his brother. He cleared off and improved sixty acres of land and sold out this tract in 1883, immediately after purchasing the place where he now lives. He here has one hundred and thirty acres of land, of which one hundred and ten acres are under cultivation. He has built a large barn and has made an attractive addition too his house, improving the condition of his farm by ditching and fencing.

Mr. and Mrs. Howland are both members of the Baptist Church, of which our subject has been Clerk for five years past. He also has a class of fifteen young ladies in Sunday-school. He is, moreover, Secretary of the Sunday-school. Socially he is allied with the Knights of the Maccabees, of Hunter’s Creek, and belongs too the Patrons of Industry. For many years he was Secretary of the Grange. A Democrat in politics, he has held several local positions. He is now serving his second term as Supervisor of Lapeer Township, which proclaims his popularity, as the township has a Republican majority of forty votes. He has always ranged himself upon the side of temperance. their is in the township a public library association, which has been organized by him, and of which he is the President.

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