Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Gazlay, Harlan Page 1850 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 24, 2007, 1:13 am

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

HARLAN PAGE GAZLAY is a harnessmaker located at No. 1100 South Saginaw street,
Flint. He is a native of this place, his father Ward Gazlay, having come here in
1837. The latter was born in Onondaga Hollow, Onondaga County, N. Y., January
24, 1813. His wife, the mother of our subject, was known m her maidenhood as
Miss Louisa B. Hood, and was also a native of New York, having been born
September 21, 1851, [sic] at Knowlesville. The parents were married August 18,
1840.

  Ward Gazlay was educated in his native county and for a time before coming
West acted as captain of a canal-boat. In 1837, the date of his coming to
Michigan, he purchased property on the corner of First and Saginaw Streets,
south, in Flint and also located one hundred and sixty acres in Gaines Township,
Genesee County and made a purchase in Flint Township, besides owning land in Mt.
Morris Township. After locating his property he returned to New York and was
married, after which he brought his bride to the Wolverine State.

  Our subject's father owned the first harness shop in Genesee County, his first
location being on Saginaw street, south, occupying the same building with
Benjamin Cochran. He then purchased the old Presbyterian Church which he moved
to the location of his old shop and by his ingenuity and energy remodeled it and
besides having a convenient harness sh >p rented a portion to three tenants.
This building did good service for twenty-six years, until the big fire in that
place. The business success which he afterward attained is illustrated in the
fact that immediately after the fire he went to Detroit and restocked his shop
and the next day was ready for business. Soon after he made arrangements to
erect a brick block which still bears his name. In dimensions it is 44x80 feet
and three stories in height. Mr. Gazlay, Sr., occupied the second story as his
place of business until his death, April 7, 1886, having been engaged in
successful 'business here for half a century. He did not meddle in public
affairs, but gave his entire attention to his business and at the time of his
death owned considerable property. In religious matters he was a member of the
Presbyterian Church, holding the office of Trustee in that body. At the time of
his death he left a family of six children—Elizabeth, Mrs. Brooks; Sarah, Mrs.
Withey; Harlan Page, our subject; Helen C; Alice J., Mrs. Clark, and Otis F. The
mother of our subject died December 29, 1882.

  Harlan P. Gazlay, our subject, was born in Flint, August 25, 1850. He received
a common-school education in his native place and afterward learned the trade of
harness-making from his father, and March 1, 1882, established in business for
himself. He later purchased the property at the corner of Saginaw and Sixth
Streets, South where he opened his shop and had his residence located in the
same block. They have continued in this location ever since. Our subject served
for eleven years as a member of the Hook and Ladder company during the volunteer
service.

  He of whom we write was married April 14, 1877, to Miss Margaretta
Houghtaling, of Lapeer County, and to them have been born one son—J. Harlan.
Otis F. Gazlay, the brother of our subject, was born December 29, 1864, and
after receiving a fair education, also learned the trade of a harness-maker
under the tutilage of his father, continuing in his employ until the death of
Mr. Gazlay. He has resided most of the time with our subject. He has an interest
in the estate left by his father. Our subject is one of the well-known and
successful business men of Flint.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/genesee/bios/gazlay955gbs.txt

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