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| Report of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan Vol. XVII, 1891 Lansing, Michigan W. S. George & Co., State Printers & Binders Page 29 - 31 BAY COUNTY |
| Alexander Folsom of Bay City, was the grandson
of John Folsom of Hingham, England, 1756, who migrated to Hingham,
Massachusetts, He was the son of John Folsom, Jr., born at Stratford,
Connecticut, and who found his way to Albany, New York, where he married
Elizabeth File Van Armon, July 18, 1781. In 1806 he moved to South
Glens Falls, where Alexander Folsom was born June 17, 1807. His father
was a lumberman, manufacturer and farmer. He was a man of
considerable wealth and great business enterprise. He was also a
licentiate of the Presbyterian church, and often preached in the church of
that order at Glens Falls. Alexander Folsom was the youngest of
thirteen children, and was educated at private schools in Albany and
Saratoga Springs. His pursuit was chosen him by his father, and
he was engaged with lumber at Ticonderoga and other places in New York and
Canada. In 1837 he went to Albany, his partner being Mr. G. G.
Hawley. In 1850 he formed a partnership with B. W. Arnold, and
continued in that relation until his death, moving to Bay City in 1868, and
extended their business at a later date to Spanish River, Canada.
Bay City became his home, though he was never married, and only became owner
of a residence a few months before his death. He early became a
member of the Presbyterian church in New York, but did not transfer his
relations to Bay City until 1885. He was then elected an elder
in the church and trustee, and held those offices while he lived. But
his interest in the church of Bay City began with his coming, and he began
giving to the church to further its pursuits at once. He was a
giver, constantly, for benevolent objects, in sums large or small, but in
accordance with the Savior's rule, "not to let the left know what the right
hand is doing." Besides his accustomed payments, Sabbath by Sabbath, for all
benevolent boards of the church, according to the custom of the church in
Bay City, the boards of home and foreign missions received sums of three,
four and five thousand dollars at times, as special helps, but of which only the parties giving and receiving knew, from any word of his. One mode of benefaction, and seemingly original with him, was to leave in the hands of his pastor, in whom he had entire confidence, a sum of one thousand dollars a year to aid weak, and new churches, and men in ministerial service in his vicinity who were in want, according to the judgment of his almoner. His absorption in his large business did not leave him time to acquaint himself with the special merits of such case, and he trusted it to one whom he thought better circumstanced to know them. This custom was followed for six years, and the money thus distributed was an important factor in church development in the new counties of northeastern Michigan. Many weak churches owe the buildings in which they worship to the stimulus of moderate help this way. Alma college, in Gratiot county, received its financial start from a gift of fifty thousand dollars by him, made in March, 1886. This gift was to carry out a desire of the Synod of Michigan to found such an institution to give educational facilities to the central and northern part of the State. It was met, September following, by a like amount, in grounds and buildings in the village of Alma, by Mr. A. W. Wright, and other gifts by various other gentlemen. Mr. Folsom, besides aiding the institution by many smaller sums, left it by his will thirty thousand dollars. Mr. Folsom was both an intelligent and cheerful giver. He sought opportunities for it. And though his bequests to various objects of religion and benevolence were many, and some of them large, he did not put off the work of benefaction to his decease. He gave as he went along; and he acquired money to use for good causes. He did not understand the Savior's commendation of the widow's "two mites" as establishing a rule for all persons. He thought some people ought to be able to give more than two mites, and yet not at one time to give away "all their living", lest they should not be able to do more afterwards. Mr. Folsom was all his life a gainer of money, and always by honorable means. His mills were managed with economy, intelligence and kindness to employees: for to be employed in his mills was esteemed a piece of good fortune by workmen, some of whom were in his service over twenty years. His habits were of the Puritanic cast. He kept the Lord's day. No tool was lifted and men, animals and machinery rested. He took his rest in public worship, and in the Sabbath school with his bible class. As age crept on him, and his health gave way, he purchased a house, and died quietly at his home, May 5, 1889. |
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