History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

1391

and forties Mrs. Jenison taught in the country schools, and for sixtyfive years was a resident of the old Jenison homestead place.
Nelson Fletcher Jenison left the home farm in 1871, at the age of
sixteen, and at Lansing entered the employ of B. F. Simons, an early
merchant of that city. Subsequently he found employment in the store
of Frederick M. Cowles, his future father-in-law, and continued with
him until entering business in partnership with Mr. Simons. Mr. Jenison gained sole control of this enterprise, and conducted it successfully
until I896. In that year he retired from mercantile lines to concentrate
his attention upon his growing real estate and insurance interests. He
was the owner of much improved and unimproved city property, including the well-known Jenison block. A man of fine business attainments,
he won well-merited success in each of the fields in which he labored,
and his associates at all times had every reason to place confidence in
him and to rely upon his leadership and counsel.
The late Mr. Jenison was married April 3, I879, to Miss Alice Glendora Cowles, daughter of the late Frederick M. Cowles, a prominent
Lansing pioneer whose sketch and interesting ancestry are found elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Jenison had one son: Frederick
Cowles Jenison, now a leading real estate and insurance man of Lansing.
JAMES F. BALBIRNIE. One of the oldest business establishments of
the city of Muskegon has been conducted continuously under the name
of Balbirnie for upwards of half a century. James F. Balbirnie succeeded to the undertaking business established by his father, and has
developed it until he now has the largest business of its kind in the state
of Michigan. It has been his pride to give service of a distinctive character, and at the same time he has kept his equipment at a standard the
equal of, or the superior to any similar concern in the city or state. A
large building now houses his extensive stock of goods, and in connection
with his undertaking parlors there is a large chapel. It is a solid business enterprise with a history of its own, which illustrates both the progress of the town and the career of one of Muskegon's foremost families.
James F. Balbirnie was born at Ottawa, Canada, August 8, 1865.
His father, the late James Balbirnie, was born in the old Fort at Quebec,
April 28, 1838. Grandfather James Balbirnie, a native of Edinburgh,
Scotland, was leader of the regimental band that landed with the troops
in Quebec in 1838. At the expiration of his term as band leader in
the army, he moved to Ottawa, where he organized the band and also
was for many years a dancing master. James Balbirnie, the father, died
at Muskegon, June 29, I899. He came to this city September 25, I865,
only a few weeks after the birth of his son. A cabinet maker by trade,
he superintended several factories, and also did a large business in the
manufacturing of coffins and furniture. He was very successful both in
business and affairs. Though he suffered three fires, and each time had
to start life anew, he ended by being one of the most prosperous and influential men of the city. He and his family belong to the Episcopal
church, St. Paul's church of Muskegon, and he was well known in fraternal circles, being a Knight Templar and thirty-second degree Mason,
also a member of the Shrine, was affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees, the Royal Arcanum, was a past noble grand of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. In politics a Republican, he held a high position
in political affairs. For a number of years he was county coroner of
Muskegon county, was city supervisor, and in I899 was elected mayor.
While serving in that office he was assassinated, and thus ended the
career of one of Muskegon's well remembered and highly honored citizens.
In I86I at Ottawa, Canada, James Balbirnie married Miss Ellen