History of Flint, (Genesee County) Michigan United States of America

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Biographies:

Josiah W. Begole, governor of Michigan, was born in Livingston county, N.Y., Jan. 20, 1815. His ancestors were French refugees to Maryland, and both his maternal and paternal grandfathers migrated to New York state because of their aversion to slavery. He received an academic education, and in 1835 went to Michigan, then an unsettled territory, took up land where Flint city was afterwards built, married, and soon transformed his tract into a well-cultivated and valuable homestead. Having been instructed in anti-slavery principles, he became identified with the Republican party, and acted prominently in the public life of the state from the time of its admission to the Union. He held various local offices, was treasurer of his county from 1856 to 1862, and was elected to the state senate in 1870, holding prominent positions on committees. He was a member of the National republican convention held at Philadelphia in 1872, and in that year was elected a representative to the 43d Congress. He was elected governor of the state in 1882, served his full term with universal acceptance, and refused re-nomination in 1885. In 1884 he became first vice-president of the Michigan equal suffrage association established in that year. He died at Flint, Mich., June 5, 1896.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Henry Howland Crapo, governor of Michigan, was born at Dartmouth. Mass., May 24, 1804; son of Jesse and Phebe (Howland) Crapo. His education was acquired chiefly by means of private study. Having made himself familiar with theoretical land surveying from a book on the subject, he constructed a rude compass and began life as a surveyor. He also taught school in Dartmouth until 1832 when he removed to New Bedford and continued to practise surveying. He held various municipal offices, and was prominent in all matters of public interest in that place, before and after its organization as a city. He removed to Flint, Mich., in 1857 and became a successful manufacturer of lumber. In 1862, he was elected mayor of Flint; in 1863-64 he served in the state senate, and in 1864 was elected governor of Michigan, holding the office four years. He was married June 9, 1825, to Mary Ann Slocum of Dartmouth, Mass., and had one son, William Wallace Crapo, and nine daughters. He died at Flint, Mich., July 22, 1869.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

William L. Smith of Flint, Merchant, was born at Middlebury, Connecticut, May 10, 1830, and is the son of William H. and Nancy (Tyler) Smith. His father is descended from hardy New England farmers. His mother was a daughter of James Tyler, and a niece of Dr. Bennett Tyler, late President of Dartmouth College. She died when her son William was only two and a half years old. Mr. Smith attended the district school regularly until the age of twelve, after which he worked upon the farm, spending only the three winter months in school, until he was seventeen. He then went to Woodbridge, Connecticut, to take charge of a large farm owned by Benham Brothers, who had other business relations in contracting and building. Here he remained two years, attending, during both winters, the academies of Middlebury and Waterbury. After leaving the farm of Benham Brothers, he began his mercantile career in a co-operative store just opened by the people of Waterbury,--receiving a salary of one hundred dollars per year, from which he saved twenty-seven dollars. The next year, he entered the store of the Hotchkiss and Merriman Manufacturing Company, at a salary of one hundred and twenty-five dollars per year. After two years, a reorganization of the company was effected, resulting in the formation of a joint stock company, bearing the name of Henry Merriman & Co. This, after a few years, was merged into that of Benedict, Merriman & Co., in which Mr. Smith at once became a stockholder and Director; and continued to act as buyer and salesman for nine years. He thus acquired that experience in mercantile affairs which became the foundation of his future success in business. In 1861, his health having been impaired by too close application to business, and all commercial interests being somewhat embarrassed, Mr. Smith withdrew from the company, intending to recruit his health by resting. He had been out of business but a short time, however, when he formed a partnership with E. J. Warner, in the manufacture of buttons. While thus engaged, one of his limbs was crushed by the breaking of a piece of machinery. This accident disabled him for a year, and caused the discontinuance of the business. After some time spent in traveling for his health, in the Middle and Southern States, Mr. Smith settled in Flint, Michigan, in 1862. Here he engaged in a general mercantile business with F. W. Judd, under the firm name of William L. Smith & Co. In about four years, Mr. Judd withdrew, and Eli T. Smith became an equal partner in the business. In 1870 Charles T. Bridgman was admitted to the firm, and the name was changed to Smith, Bridgman & Co. This firm occupies one of the largest stores in Flint, and carries on a very extensive business. Mr. Smith is a Director in the First National Bank of Flint, and in the Second National Bank of Bay City; he is also a stockholder in the Citizens' National Bank of Flint, and in the First National Bank of Saginaw. He has always evinced a deep interest in educational matters. In 1864 he became a Trustee of the School Board, which position he held for nine years; during eight years, he was Director and Secretary of the board; and, for a time, was its President. Much of the success of the schools is due to his labors. In his early life, Mr. Smith was a Whig. He joined the Republican party upon its organization, and has since been an active, though silent, worker for its success. He was, for a time, Chairman of the Republican County Committee; and, in June, 1876, was one of the delegates to the National Republican Convention, in Cincinnati. In March, 1873, he was appointed Acting Commissioner of the State Institutions for the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind, at Flint. This office he held seven months, and was then compelled to resign on account of sickness in his family, which necessitated travel in the South. He is a member, and one of the trustees, of the Congregational Church at Flint. Mr. Smith married, at Cleveland, in 1857, Anna M. Olcott, a lady of character and culture. They have six children,--four of whom are now living. His indomitable energy and perseverance, strict integrity, and promptness in meeting business engagements, have enabled Mr. Smith to acquire a handsome competence, while yet in the prime of life.