My City January 2022

MYHISTORY

EXTRA Porter Hazelton 1859-60*

William Hamilton 1863-65

One of Greater Flint’s most prominent farmers and lumber merchants, Hamilton lived in the area for most of his life and acquired several hundred acres of farmland, including that upon which the Buick City Complex was built. He was elected to two consecutive mayoral terms and served a third from 1876-77. Hamilton Ave. in Flint was named in his honor. Hamilton died in 1899 at the age of 75 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery. During his rst two mayoral terms, the rst City Hall building was built, the Flint & Holly Railroad started and Flint’s rst theater, Fenton Hall, was opened.

Porter Hazelton traveled with his brothers from New York to Genesee County where, under contract with the State of Michigan, they built a bridge across the Flint River. In payment, the Hazeltons received land in Shiawassee County that would become Hazelton Township. Instead of settling, the brothers sold the land to early settlers and pioneers. Hazelton was elected Flint Township supervisor in 1852. Porter and his brother George, along with James Seymour of Flushing, commissioned an extension of the northern road through Genesee County into Lapeer County. Porter Hazelton died in 1870 at the age of 56 and was buried in Glenwood Cemetery. *See entry for William M. Fenton ®

Tana Svoboda / stock.adobe.com

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