Notes
Note N00001
Index
Came to NY from Scotland in 1802 when he was 16 years old
Went to war in 1812, pentioned
In 1820 George was in Albany NY, in 1830, 1840 they were in Allegeny Co. NY
Moved to Kalamazoo County around 1842,1850/60/70 Kalamazoo Co., MI
1830 FINLEY GEORGE Allegany County NY 030 Alfred Federal Population Schedule NY 1830 Federal Census Index NY560155266
1840 FINLEY GEORGE Allegany County NY 008 Alfred Federal Population Schedule NY 1840 Federal Census Index NYS4a891120
1850 FINLAY GEORGE Kalamazoo County MI 116 Oshtemo Federal Population Schedule MI 1850 Federal Census Index MIS7a1720902
Notes
Note N00002
Index
Michigan Census, 1880, Battle Creek Twp., Page 51, Enum Dist 41, White Female,44 yrs old, Born NY, Father born NY, Mother born NY
Notes
Note N00003
Index
A twin
Notes
Note N00004
Index
Mary Scudder's cousin
Notes
Note N00005
Index
Went west with Uncle Cornelius in 1874, 1880 Census, Brighton Twp. Farmer,
1880, Brighton, page 16, enum dist, 116, white male, 24 yrs old, farmer,
Returned to Battle Creek after his wife and sons died in 1882
Married his childhood sweetheart in 1882
Went west with brother Frank, to SF by train, then ship to Portland
Travelled to Spokane, Covered wagon to Walla Walla
Michigan Census, 1900,Bedford Twp.. Page 4, Enum Dist 40, White Male, Born May, 1858, 42 yrs old, Farmer , Born Michigan, Father born NY, Mother born Michigan
An excerpt (Page 672) from HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
William H. FINLAY. No class of men contribute so largely and certainly none so substantially to any community as the thorough-going business men--the men of affairs and dollars. One of the prominent and trust-worthy native born business men and agriculturists of Calhoun county, Michigan, is William H. Finlay, who has had considerable experience in other sections of our country but has found his native county the pleasantest place of all and not at all lacking in business opportunity for the man who eau recognize it and has the courage to attempt. He is a worthy scion of two of Michigan's early pioneers, Ebenezer Finlay and James Conklin, both of whom became well known and successful men but have now passed away.
William H. Finlay was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, May 9, 1856. His father was Ebenezer Finlay and his mother Sarah J. Conklin. Ebenezer Finlay came from New York, the state of his birth, to Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1838, took up farming there and followed it until in 1850 when he joined the gold seekers in California, making the journey overland with a mule team. After two successful years there he returned to Michigan and bought two store properties in Battle Creek, in one of which he opened a grocery business which he conducted a number of years, his prudence, energy and foresight enabling him to amass an unusual competency. His family was reared on a farm which he had bought in Calhoun county but in his later years he took up his residence in the city of Battle Creek and lived there until his death, leaving at that time an estate valued at $70,000. The father of Ebenezer was a farmer by occupation and was a native of New York, but resided in Michigan at the time of his death. Sarah J. Conklin Finlay was the daughter of James Conklin, an early settler here who was a cooper by trade but followed farming during the most of his years in Michigan. During his earlier residence in this county he went to Detroit to get his corn ground.
William H. Finlay completed his education through the eighth grade at Battle Creek, Michigan. He then began life on the farm in Calhoun county but at the age of nineteen went to California, where he spent the following nine years. Returning to Michigan in 1884, he was married to Olive L. Fuller, whose father was a well known and highly respected farmer of Calhoun county, an immigrant from New York state. That same year Mr. Finlay removed to the state of Washington, where he took up land from the government, improved it and also engaged in the cattle business. He remained there seven years and was quite successful. At the end of that period he returned to Calhoun county and Bought a farm of 160 acres in Bedford township. This he operated a number of years; then he platted all of it. On the portion he retained, eight acres, he built a modern home and this has since remained the family residence. The platted portion now forms the town of Level Park. Mr. Finlay also owns considerable property in the city of Battle Creek, is interested in the Battle Creek Building & Loan Association, of which he is a director, and is also interested in the Michigan Real Estate Company, which builds houses. Mr. Finlay has been very successful in his business undertakings and ranks as one of the most substantial men of his community. In politics he is a Republican.
Two daughters have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Finlay: Ethel, now Mrs. Herbert D. Evans, and Hazel, now a senior in Albion College, Albion, Michigan (1912). The family are valued communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church, Battle Creek.