C —`k' SC' Y;
5
 lJQ
-k SF: i3": t
 SC
c:t;
3(.1
de
SC Pk::~t
Je  JCiC3 S i27!
 d
Sc
-j $e 
3e Sc Sc
- --— 



ELA
k                                                                                                  EL
IL's




WC




I




II




0




l


q~~    9                               ' Pa  I G0 0
* ---                               was
OF PROMINENT-F REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
OF THE COUNTY
TOGETHEiER WITH PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES'OF-ALL THE
^^^SQE^Ma;I ~@f      E]          STE Smog. e ___^-___-2 --- —
CHICAGO:
CHAPMAN BROS.
1891.




i, I
V
-40
L     0
I




HE greatest of English historians, MACAULAY, and one of the most brilliant writers of
the present century, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of the
lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL
ALBUM of this county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and
taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by but few, our
corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their
enterprise and industry, brought the county to a rank second to none among those
comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by
industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited
advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an
tll?   influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who
'          have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have
become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and
records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very
many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," content
to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy-"they have done what
they could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the
anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not
be lost upon those who follow after.
Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact
that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be
inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible
given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biographical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given.
The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the
publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the
information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of
the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested
one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls were made
at their residence or place of business.


CHAPMAN BROS.


CHICAGO, August, 1891.




(II
0 s




OF THE
GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN
AND OF THE
I


OFTHE




BY


1885.




-B1, B i BC




- — = —  -=- -  -,




I




t


0.4
1




FIRST PRESIDENT.


AGEOREGE WASII~TO9N @


o HE Father of our Country was.'  I:i  born in Westmorland Co., Va.,.i i       i Feb. 22, 1732. His parents
'.:sw   swere Augustine and Mary
(Ball) Washington. The family
win''      to which he belonged has not
been satisfactorily traced in
f.fE  ~  England.  His great-grandKQ  X     father, John Washington, emigrated to Virginia about I657,
l  and became    a  prosperous
planter.  He had two sons,
Lawrence and   John.  The
former married Mildred Warner
and had three children, John,
Augustine and Mildred.  Augustine, the father of George, first
married Jane Butler, who bore
I  him four children, two of whom,
Lawrence and Augustine, reached
(   maturity. Of six children by his
second marriage, George was the
eldest, the others being Betty,
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles
and Mildred.
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon,
and to George he left the parental residence. George
received only such education as the neighborhood
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left
school, when he received private instruction in
mathematics.  His spelling was rather defective

Remarkable stories are told of his great physicaL
strength and development at an early age. He was
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fairness and veracity which characterized his whole life.
When George was I4 years old he had a desire to go to
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him,
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very
essential to him. In I75T, though only I9 years of
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for
active service against the French and Indians. Soon
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They
soon returned, and in the summer of I752 Lawrence
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter
who did not long survive him. On her demise the
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George.
Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia, in I752, the militia was
reorganized, and the province divided into four militaryfdistricts, of which the northern was assigned to
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this
a very perilous mission was assigned him and accepted, which others had refused. This was to proceed to the French post near Lake Erie in Northwestern Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed
was between 500 and 6o0 miles. Winter was at hand,
and the journey was to be made without military
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The




20


GEORGE WASHINGY"O.N.OIV


-o                    GEOG   WASH


trip was a perilous one, and several times he came near
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in command of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was
commissioned lieutenant-colonel.  Active war was
then begun against the French and Indians, in which
Washington took a most important part. In the
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Braddock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock
were disabled early in the action, and Washington
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter
to his brother he says: "I had four bullets through
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped
unhurt, though death was levelino my companions
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit
him.
After having been five years in the military service,
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he
took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio,
to resign his commission. Soon after he entered the
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an
active and important part.  January 17, I759, he
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy
widow of John Parke Custis.
When the British Parliament had closed the port
if Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all."
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Congress of all the colonies was called to meet at Philadelphia,Sept. 5, I774, to secure their common liberties,
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Washington was sent as a delegate. On May o1, 1775, the
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Concord and Lexington had been fought. Among the
first acts of this Congress was the election of a commander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and
responsible office was conferred upon Washington,
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account
of expenses and expect Congress to pay them and
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country
were so long confided. The war was conducted by
him under ever)' possible disadvantage, and while his
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his


commission as commander-in-chief of the army to
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all
connection with public life.
In February,I789, Washington was unanimously
elected President. In his presidential career he was
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new
government; trials from lack of confidence on the part
of other governments; trials from want of harmony
between the different sections of our own country;
trials from the impoverished condition of the country,
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and
while perhaps this alone kept our government from
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and
very annoying.
At the expiration of his first term he was unanimously re-elected. At the end of this term many
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March,
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as President, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there
his few remaining yeais free from the annoyances of
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France.
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to
take command of the armies. He chose his subordinate officers and left to them the charge of matters in the field, which he superintended from his
home. In accepting the command he made the
reservation that he was not to be in the field until
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations
his life was suddenly cut off. December 1 2, he took
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eighteenth his body was borne with military honors to its
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at
'Mount Vernon.
Of the character of Washington it is impossible to
speak but in terms of the highest respect and admiration.  The more we see of the operations of
our government, and the more deeply we feel the
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest,
the more highly we must estimate the force of his talent and character, which have been able to challenge
'the reverence of all parties, and principles, and nations, and to win a fame as extended as the limits
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will
be as lasting as the existence of man.
The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry.
He commanded respect without any appearance of
haughtiness, and ever serious without lPing dull.


A








I




SECONVD PRESIDENTT


'3


SECOND PRESIDENT.                   23


-AV
V~~ICC


'5ir    M OHN    ADAMS, the second.             P President and the first VicePresident of the United States,
i         was born in Braintree (now
Quincy ),Mass., and about ten
miles from Boston, Oct. 19,
1735. His great-grandfather, Henry
Adams, emigrated from     England
about 1640, with a family of eight
J r e  sons, and settled at Braintree. The
parents of John were John and
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His
father was a farmer of limited
means, to which he added the business of shoemaking.  He gave his. eldest son, John, a classical educaI    tion at Harvard College.  John
graduated in I755, and at once took charge of the
school in Worcester, Mass.  This he found but a
'sciool of affliction," front which he endeavored to
gain ielief by devoting himself, in addition, to the
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He
had thought seriously of the clerical profession
but seems to have been turned from this by what he
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical counils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,"
of the operations of which he had been a witness in
his native town.  He was well fitted for the legal
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick perceptive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister,
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his
marriage, (r765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxation turned him from law to politics. He took initial
steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu

tions he offered on the subject became very populai
throughout the Province, and were adopted word for
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Boston in 1768, and became one of the most courageous
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leglislature) in 1770.
Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress,
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himselt
by his capacity for business and for debate, and advocated the movement for independence against tbi
majority of the members. In May, I776, he moved
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies
should assume the duties of self-government. He
was a prominent member of the committee of five
appointed June I, to prepare a declaration of independence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through
Congress in a three days debate.
On the day after the Declaration of Independence
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the
greatest question was decided that ever was debated
in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or wit
be decided among men. A resolution was passed
without one dissenting colony, 'that these United
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde.
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of
July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty
God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows.




24


JOHN A DAMS.


4A


games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations
from one end of the continent to the other, from this
time forward for ever. You will think me transported
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware 'of
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to
maintain this declaration, and support and defend
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is
worth more than all the means; and that posterity
will triumph, although you and I may rae, which I
hope we shall not."
In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a
dtlegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money
from the French Government. This was a severe trial
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home,
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and exposed him to great peril of capture by the British cruisers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17,
i779. In September of the same year he was again
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readiness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet
might be found willing to listen to such proposels. He
sailed for France in November, from there he went to
Holland, where he negotiated important loans and
formed important commercial treaties.
Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement,
toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a continued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he
was advised to go to England to drink the waters of
Bath. While in England, still drooping and desponding, he received dispatches from his own government
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,he made the trip.
February 24, I785; Congress appointed Mr. Adams
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face
to face the King of England, who had so long regarded him  as a traitor.  As England did not
condescend to appoint a minister to the United
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accomplishing but little, he sought permission to return to
his own country, where he arrived in June, I788.
When Washington was first chosen President, John
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again
at the second election of Washington as President,
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Washington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was
elected President,though not without much opposition.
Serving in this office four years,he was succeeded by
NMr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics.
While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great


French Revalution shook the continent of Europe,
and it was upon this point which he was atissue with
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson.
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it.
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence originated the alienation between these distinguished
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies
were with England and Jefferson led the other in
sympathy with France.
The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of partyfeeling
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till
after death. No one could look upon his venerable
form, and think of what he had done and suffered,
and how he had given up all the prime and strength
of his life to the public good, without the deepest
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar
good fortune to witness the complete success of the
institution which he had been so active in creating and
supporting. In I824, his cup of happiness was filled
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest
station in the gift of the people.
The fourth of July, I826, which completed the half
century since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, arrived, and there were but three of the
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the
earth to hail its morning light.  And, as it is
well known, on that day two of these finished their
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as
to seem miraculous.  For a few days before Mr.
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " INDEPENDENCE FOREVER." When the day was ushered
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons,
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glorious fourth of July-God bless it-God bless you all."
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and
glorious day."  The last words he uttered were,
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, resigned his spirit into the hands of his God.
The personal appearance and manners of Mr.
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face,
as his portrait manifests,was intellectual ard expressive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous.
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor
thle engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked
the mannets and address of Jefferson.




I




Nc


-






T.HIRD PRESIDENT.


27.HOMAS JEFFERSON was
born April 2, 1743, at Shadi      well, Albermarle county, Va.
His parents were Peter and
Jane (Randolph) Jefferson,
~ v        the former a native of Wales,
and the latter born in London. To them were born six
daughters and two sons, of
whom Thomas was the elder.
When 14 years of age his
father died. He received a
most liberal education, having been kept diligently at school
from the time he was five years of
age. In 1760 he entered William
rnd Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion
and splendor.  Young Jefferson, who was then 17
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproachaable in his morals. It is strange, however, under
such influences,that he was not ruined. In the second year of his college course, moved by some unexplained inward impulse, he discarded his horses,
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had
prev;ously given much time. He often devoted fifteen
hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for exercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out
of the city and back again. He thus attained very
high i-tellectual culture, alike excellence in philosophy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and


there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man.
Immediately upon leaving college he began the
study of law. For the short time he continued in the
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distinguished himself by his energy and accuteness as a
lawyer.  But the times called for greater action.
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led
him into active political life. In 1769 he was choser
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses.  In
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beautiful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow
Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest yet
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon
became the most distinguished resort in our land.
In 1775 he was sent to the Cclonial Congress
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he
was placed upon a number of important committees,
and was chairman of the one appointed for the drawing up of a declaration of independence. This committee consisted of Tholnas Jefferson, John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R.
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Congress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July
4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that




28


THOMKAS JEFTFERSON.


28           TOMASJEFFRSON


man-what the emotions that swelled his breastwho was charged with the preparation of that Declaration, which, while it made known the wrongs of
America, was also to publish her to the world, free,,overign and independent. It is one of the most reumarkable papers ever written; and did no other effort,f the mind of its author exist, that alone- would be
sufficient to stamp hi name with immortality.
In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to
Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to
Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jefferson and his family, ere his mansion was in possession of the British troops. His wife's health, never
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and
in the summer of 1782 she died.
Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in I783.
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France. Returning to the United States
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State
in Washington's cabinet.  This position he resigned
Jan. i, 1794. In I797, he was chosen Vice President, and four years later was elected President over
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In
I804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity,
and George Clinton, Vice President.
The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstration was disturbed by an event which threatened the
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the conspiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there
a new republic. This has been generally supposed
was a mere pretext; and although it has not been
generally known what his real plans were, there is no
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous
character.
In I809, at the expiration of the second term for
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly
arty years, he had been continually before the pub-.ic, and all that time had been employed in offices of
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus devoted the best part of his life to the service of his
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his
declining years required, and upon the organization of
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid farewell forever to public life, and retired to Monticello.
Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole
families came in their coaches with their horses,fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and
nurses,-and remained three and even six months.
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a
fashionable watering-place.
The fourth of July, I826, being the fiftieth anniver

sary of the Declaration of American Independence.
great preparations were made in every part of the
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer.
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declaration, to participate in their festivities.  But an illness, which had been of several weeks duration, and
had been continually increasing, compelled him to
decline the invitation.
On the second of July, the disease under whic'
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced
state that his medical attendants, entertained nc
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next
day, which was Monday, he asked of those around
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish tha'.
he might be permitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth
anniversary. His prayer was heard-that day, whose
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land,
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed forever. And what a noble consummation of a noble
life! To die on that day,-the birthday of a nation,- -
the day which his own name and his own act had
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him,
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings,
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life.
Almost at the same hour of his death, the kindred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors.
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of
freedom; hand in hand, during the dark and desperate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a
century they had labored together for the good of
the country; and now hand in hand they depart.
In their lives they had been united in the same great
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not
divided.
In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore
head broad, and his whole courtenance intelligent and
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as
well as personal courage; and.is command of temper was such that his oldest and most intimate friends
never recollected to have seen him in a passion.
His manners, though dignified, were simple and unaffected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conversation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is
discernable the care with which he formed his style
upon the best models of antiquity.




I








.PEL"IURTH PRI'SIDENT.i~VT


31


FOURT PREIDEN.             3-'

-   '- '     MAMES  MADISON, "Father,*,,      d! ^ I X  of the Constitution,' and fourth
^'".[ [ I ^  l:  President of the United States,,  M,l~f was born March 6, 1757, and
(,e         died at his home in Virginia,
June 28, I836. The name of;',2-     James Madison is inseparably con0rf  7    nected with most of the important
x events in that heroic period of our
'~,~\i1,country during which the founda3g  tions of this great republic were
laid. He was the last of the founders
of the Constitution of the United
States to be called to his eternal
reward.
The Madison family were among
the early emigrants to the New World,
landing upon the shores of the Chesapeake but 15 years. after the settlement of Jamestown. The father of
James Madison was an     opulent
planter, residing upon a very fine estate called " Montpelier," Orange Co.,
Va. The mansion was situated in
the midst of scenery highly picturesque and romantic, on the west side
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and
political attachment existed between these illustrious
men, from their early youth until death.
The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of
r8 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey.
Here he applied himself to study with the most im

prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor
of constitution. He graduated in 177 1, with a feeble
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subse
quent career.
Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading.
This educational course, the spirit of the times in
which he lived, and the society with which he associated, all combined to inspire him with a strong
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work ot
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that
his life was not to be long, he directed especial attention to theological studies. Endowed with a mind
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed
all the arguments for and against revealed religion,
until his faith became so established as never to
be shaken.
In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to
frame the constitution of the State.  The next year
(1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly.
He refused to treat the whisky-loving voters, and
consequently lost his election; but those who had
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf,
and he was appointed to the Executive Council.
Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained
member of the Council; and their appreciation of his




32


JAM~ES MADISON.


I2 JAMES  MADISON.


'ntcllectual, social and moral worth, contributed not
a little to his sabsequent eminence.  In the year
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in
our land, arnd he was immediately assigned to one of
the most conspicuous positions among them.
For three years Mr. Madiscn continued in Congress, one of its most active and influential members.
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature.
No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no national government, with no power to form treaties
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in
the declaration, that an efficient national government
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commissioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss
this subject. Five States only were represented. The
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up
by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at
the time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island
-.'as represented. George Washington was chosen;resident of the convention; and the present Constitution of the United States was then and there formed.
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more active in framing this immortal document than the mind
and the pen of James Madison.
The Constitution, adopted by a vote 8  to 79, was
to be presented to the several States for acceptance.
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent
States, with but little power at home and little respect
albroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the convention to draw up an address to the people of the United
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution,
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and
went into effect in 1789.
Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Representatives in the first Congress, and soon became the
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a
young widow of remarkable power of fascination,
whom he married. She was in person and character
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs.
Madison.
Mr. Madison served as Secretaryof State under
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration
was chosen President. At this time the encroachments of England had brought us to the verge of war.


British orders in council destroyed our commerce, and
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiiing
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the
-meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchalance he selects any number whom he may please to
designate as British subjects; orders them doxn the
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gundeck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the
battles of England. This right of search and impressment, no efforts of our Government could induce
the British cabinet to relinquish.
On the I8th of June, 1812, President Madison gave
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war
against Great Britain.  Notwithstanding the bitter,hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th
of March, 18I3, was re-elected by a large majority,
and entered upon his second term of office. This is
not the place to describe the various adventures of
this war on the land and on the water.  Our infan.
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grappling with the most formidable power which ever
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in Februaiy,
1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole
coast of the United States under blockade.
The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me
ditator. America accepted; England refused. A British force of five thousand men landed on the banks
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesapeake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladensburg, upon Washington.
The straggling little city of Washington was thrown
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the
metropolis. The whole populaticn fled from the city.
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White
House, with her carriage drawn up at the doer to
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers
in a council of war. lHe met our troops utterly routed,
and he could not go back without danger of being
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in
Washington were in flames.
The war closed after two years of fighting, and on
Feb. 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent.
On the 4th of March, I817, his second term of
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beautiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the remainderof his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madison died July 12, I849,




a
1.




%


O-Z-1- -




'FIFTH PRESIDENT3


35


4ig      )      AMES MONROE, the fifth
f((* | I       President ofThe United States,
'^2> J!  i 1  was born in Westmoreland Co.,
5 ^l |V^a., April 28, 1 7 58. His early
X           life was passed at the place of
a  e    ~nativity. Hi3 ancestors had for
2_S   g many years resided in the prov1   ince in which he was born. When,
I  l at 17 years of age, in the process
7A /'A~  of completing his education at
W'illiam and Mary College, the Colonial Congress assembled at Phila(a delphia to deliberate upon the unjust and manifold oppressions of
Great Britian, declared the separation of the Colonies, and promulgated the Declaration of Independence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly
probable that hle would have been one of the signers
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left
school and enlisted among the patriots.
He joined the army when everything looked hopeless and gloomy. The number of deserters increased
fion day to day. The invading armies came pouring
in; and the tories not only favored the cause of the
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits,
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of contqnding with an enemy whom they had been taught
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through
dlifficulty and danger, the United States owe their
political emancipation. The young cadet joined the
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country,
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife


[12?OJOE1. AiO. E
''-_we 8
for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mtnelancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited armyas it fled
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charging upon the enemy he received a wound in the left
shoulder.
As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was promoted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however,
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an
officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the campaigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued
aid-de-camnp; but becoming desirous to regain his
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however,
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag;
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits.
In 1782, he was elected from King George county,
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age; and having
at this early period displayed some of that ability
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards
employed with unremitting energy for the public good,




JAMES MONROE.


I_


he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of,the Congress of the United States.
Deeplyas Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old
Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution,
thinking, with many others of the Republican party,
that it gave too much power to the Central Government,
and not enough to the individual States. Still he retained the esteem of his friends who were its warm
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member
of the United States Senate; which office he held for
four years. Every month the line of distinction between the two great parties which divided the nation,
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now separated them were, that the Republican party was in
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the
Central Government as little power, and the State
Governments as much power, as the Constitution would
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England,
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Constitution, which would give as much power to the
Central Government as that document could possibly
authorize.
The leading Federalists and Republicans were
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In
building up this majestic nation, which is destined
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the combination of their antagonism was needed to create the
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was denounced as almost a demon.
Washington was then President. England had espoused the cause of the Bourbons against the principles of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn
into the conflict.  We were feeble and far away.
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality between these contending powers. France had helped
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse
than that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous
and noble nature. He violently opposed the President's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in
magnanimity.
Washington, who could appreciate such a character,
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness,
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was denouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr.
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations.


Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Monroe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the
office for three yeais. He was again sent to France to
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining
the vast territory then known as the Province of
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before obtained from Spain. Their united efforts were successful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and
district of Louisiana were added to the United States.
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate
which was ever made in all the history of the world.
From France Mr. Monroe went to England to obtain from that country some recognition of our
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those
odious impressments of our seamen.  But England was unrelenting. He again returned to England on the same mission, but could receive no
redress. He returned to his home and was again
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned
to accept the position of Secretary of State under
Madison. While in this office war with England was
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during
these trying times, the duties of the War Department
were also put upon him. He was truly the armorbearer of President Madison, and the most efficient
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of
peace he resigned the Department of War, but continued in the office of Secretary of State until the expiration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had
been chosen President with but little opposition, and
upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years
later he was elected for a second term.
Among the important measures of his Presidency
were the cession of Florida to the United States; the
Missouri Compromise, and the "Monroe doctrine.'
This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that
time the United States had recognized the independence of the South American states, and did not v ish
to have European powers longer attempting to sub.
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt
on the part of European powers to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing
or controlling American governments or provinces in
any other light than as a manifestation by European
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course
of foreign governments, and has become the approved
sentiment of the United States.
At the end of his second term Mr. Monroe retired
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until I830,
when he went to New York to live with his son-inlaw. In that city he died,on the 4th of July, I831




I I




atw




6- z i L' PRESIDENT.


39


'- '   -   OHN (UINCY ADAMS, the
'2[^ ~   Xisixth President of the United
^1  '//1 EI   States, was born in the rural
[                 ht(l~t thlome of his honored father.
___S__..      John Adams, in Quincy, Mass.,
lo the i ith of July, 1767. His
\C)  /)y    mother, a woman of exalted., worth, watched over his childhood
during the almost constant abt  / e  sence of his father.  When but.      ~{ L eight years of age, he stood with
his mother on an eminence, listenc   ing to the booming of the great battie on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on
upon the smoke and flames billow-,  ing up from  the conflagration of
Charlestown.
When but eleven years old he
took a tearful adieu of his mother,
to sail with his father for Europe,
through a fleet ot hostile British cruisers. The bright,
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received
from them flattering marks of attention.
Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this
country, in 1779, ere he was againsent abroad. Again
ot.n Quincy accompanied his father.  At Paris he
applied himself with great diligence, for six months,
to study; then accompained his father to Holland,
where he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then
the University at Leyden. About a year from this
time, in r78i, when the manly boy was but fourteen
yea-s of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our minister to the Russian court, as his private secretary.
In this school of incessant labor and of enobling
cllture he spent fourteen months, and then returned
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed
his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence,


in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father t.
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance
with the most distinguished men on the Continent
examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again
became associated with the most illustrious men of
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal
themes which can engross the human mind.  After
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785,
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world,
and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a
residence with his father in London, under such circumstances, must have been extremely attractive
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he preferred to return to America to complete his education
in an American college.  He wished then to study
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be
able to obtain an independent support.
Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty
he studied law for three years. In June,:794, being then but twenty-seven years of age, he was appointed by Washington, resident minister at the
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached
London in October, where he was immediately admitted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney,
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty witE
Great Britian.  After thus spending a fortnight ii
London, he proceeded to the Hague.
In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as
minister plenipotentiary.  On his way to Portugal.
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches
directing him to the court of Beilin, but requesting
him to remain in London until he should receive his
instructions.  While waiting he was married to a:
American lady to whom he had been previously engaged,-Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London;
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom.
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in tiie
elevated sphere for which she was S.ined.




JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.


-


He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 17.97;
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having fulfilled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his
recall.
Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to
the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then
was elected Senator of the United States for six years,
from the 4th of March, I804.  His reputation, his
ability and his experience, placed him immediately
among the most prominent and influential members
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Government in its measures of resistance to the encroachments of England, destroying our commerce and insulting our flag. There was no man in America more
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon
these points, and no one more resolved to present
a firm resistance.
In I809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Presidential chair, and he immediately nominated John
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resigning his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked
at Boston, in August, I809.
While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense student. He devoted his attention to the language and
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the
European system of weights, measures, and coins; to
the climate and astronomical observations; while he
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found.
All through life the Bible constituted an important
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five
chapters every day.
On the 4th of March, I817, Mr. Monroe took the
Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr.
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his numerous friends in public and private life in Europe, he
sailed in June, i8I9, for the United States. On the
I8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Monroe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary
of State.
Some time before:he close of Mr. Monroe's second
term of office, new candidates began to be presented
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign.
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson received ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four;
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirtyseven. As there was no choice by the people, the
question went to the House of Representatives. Mr.
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and
he was elected.
The friends of all the disappointed candidates now:ombined in a venomous and persistent assault upon
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in,e pOast history of our country than the abuse which


was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was
an administration more pure in principles, more conscientiously devoted to the best interests of the country, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, perhaps, was there an administration more unscrupu.
lously and outrageously assailed.
Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, abstemious and temperate in his habits; always rising
early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast.
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his
own fire and applying himself to work in his library
often long before dawn.
On the 4th of March, I829, Mr. Adams retired
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice President. The slavery question now began to assume
portentous magnitude.  Mr. Adams returned to
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with unabated zeal. But he was not long permitted to remain in retirement. In November, 1830, he was
elected representative to Congress.  For seventeen
years, until his death, he occupied the post as representative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of
"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in
the House, he announced that he should hold himself bound to no party. Probably there never was a
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny.  The
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against
the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime
in its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury,
with expulsion from the House, with assassination,
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final
triumph was complete.
It has been said of President Adams, that when his
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before
he slept, the pra)er which his mother taught him in
his infant years.
On the 21st of February, I848, he rose on the floor
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paralysis, and was caught in the arms of those around him.
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving consciousness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and
said " This is the end#f earth;"then after a moment's
pause he added, "I am content."  These were the
last words of the grand " Old Man Eloquent."




a
I
I




I    I,
I         -    4,.         -                 I  i.,,,      ,       — l
I "   , I-.      'i  -,./


el --- —--




SE VENTH PRESIDENT.


-43


i. it-_ 11 
N..
H -40 ,
lqw IN                               2
J,              lip           ai    i


NDREW        JACKSON, the
seventh President of the
United States, was born in
l   Waxhaw settlement, N. C.,,xn    %March 15, 1767, a few days
after his father's death. His
parents were poor emigrants
D>,    from Ireland, and took up
their abode in Waxhaw settlement, where they lived in
deepest poverty.
Andrew, or Andy, as he was
universally called, grew up a very
rough, rude, turbulent boy.  His
features were coarse, his form ungainly; and there was but very
little in his character, made visible, which was attractive.
When only thirteen years old he joined the volunteers of Carolina against the British invasion.  In
178I, he and his brother Robert were captured and
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of
the dauntless boy.
The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate
tlow at the head of the helpless young prisoner.
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fearful gashes,-one on the hand and the other upon the
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert
with the same demand. He also refused, and received a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and
were finally stricken with the small-pox.  Their
mother was successful i. obtaining their exchange,




and took her sick boys home. After a long illnEss
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon
left him entirely friendless.
Andrew supported himself in various ways, s 1i;h as
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however,
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of
which Tennessee was then a part.  This involved
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear,
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish
with the Sharp Knife.
In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who
supposed herself divorced from her former husband.
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later,
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occurrence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr.
Jackson into disfavor.
During these years he worked hard at his professibn, and frequently had one or more duels on hand,
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was especially disgraceful.
In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a constitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates.
The new State was entitled to but one memlcr in
the National House of Representatives. Andrewy Jackson was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its




44


AND RE IV.-4 CffSO N.


44                                          A


jessij.is,-a distance of about eight hundred miles.
Jackson was an earnest advocate of the D.nlocratic party.  Jefferson was his idol.  He admired
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr.
Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose
second term of office was then expiring, delivered his
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson
did not approve of the address, and was one of the
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been
*' wise, firm and patriotic."
Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home.
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court
of his State, which position he held for six years.
When the war of I812 with Great Britian commenced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair.
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who
would do credit to a commission if one were conferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson
offered his services and those of twenty-five hurdred
volunteers. His offer was accepted, ahd the troops
were assembled at Nashville.
As the British were hourly expected to make an attack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was
in command, he was ordered to descend the river
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson.  The
expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of several weeks there, without accomplishing anything,
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire
devotion to the comrfort of his- soldiers, won him
golden opinions; and he became the most popular
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory."
Soan after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col.
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged,
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was
Fingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh fromt
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white settlers, were committing the most awful ravages. Decisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assistance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama.
The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on
one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, near the center of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother.
With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven
days.  He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. I814. The bend


of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breastwork of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors,
with an ample suply of arms were assembled.
The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly desperate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who endeavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morning until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred warrios were killed  A few probably, in the night, swam
the river and escaped. This ended the war.  The
power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold
plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter,
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants
of the bands camie to the camp, begging for peace.
This closing of the Creek war enabled us to concentrate all our militia upon the British, who were the
allies of the Indians  No man of less resolute will
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian
campaign to so successful an issue  Immediately he
was appointed major-general.
Late in August, with an army of two thousand
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort,
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious
assault The battle was long and doubtful. At length
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired.
Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little
army, he moved his troops to    New   Orleans,
And the battle of New Orleans hich soon ensued,
was in reality a very arduous campaign.  This won
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name.  Here his
troops, which numbered about four thousand men,
won a signal victory over the British army of about
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred,
The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be mentioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824,
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however,
successful in the election of i828, and was re-elected
for a second term in 832. In I829, just before he
assumed the reins of the government, he met with
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of
her death he never recovered.
His administration was one of the most memoralle
in the annals of our country; applauded by one party,
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where
he died Tune 8, I845. The last years of Mr. Jackson's life were that of a devoted Christian man.




I1
I




\-)
I




EIGHTH PRESIDENT.


47! 0i h               is rl  srr Ek


t        ARTIN VAN BUREN, the
\    l.    eighth  President of the
United States, was born at
~Xj Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5,
1782. He died at the same
place, July 24, 1862.  His
ifi     body rests in the cemetery
at Kinderhook. Above it is
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet
high, bearing a simple inscription
about half way up on one face.
The lot is unfenced, unbordered
or unbounded by shrub or flower.
There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those
incidents which give zest to biography. His ancestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin,
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer,
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother,
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intelligence and exemplary piety.
A.e was decidedly a precocious boy, developing unusual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies
in his native village, and commenced the study of
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven
years of study in a law-office were required of him
before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with
d lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pursued his studies with indefatigable industry. After
spending six years in an office in his native village,


he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted hiis
studies for the seventh year.
In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one yeats ot
age, commenced the practice of law in his native village. The great conflict between the Federal a;d
Republican party was then at its height.  Mr. Van
Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had,
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the
many discussions which had been carried on in his
father's hotel.  He was in cordial sympathy with
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the
cause of State Rights; though at that time the Federal party held the supremacy both in his town
and State.
His success and increasing ruputation led him
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, th.
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years
constantly gaining strength by contending in thK.
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned
the bar of his State.
Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi.
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for
beauty and accomplishments.  After twelve short
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consumption, leaving her husband and four sons to weep ovei
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record
of those years is barren in items of public interest.
In T882, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was appointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved
to Albany, the capital of the State.
While he was acknowledged' as one of the most
prominent leaders of the Delmocratic party, he had




48


AMAR TIN VAN B UR EXN.


the moral courage to avow that true democracy did
not require that "universal suffrage" which admits
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of
governing the State. In true consistency with his
democratic principles, he contended that, while the
path leading to the privilege of voting should be open
to every man without distinction, no one should be
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue
and some property interests in the welfare of the
State.
In I82i he was elected a member of the United
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat
in the convention to revise the constitution of his
native State. His course in this convention secured
the approval of men of all parties. No one could
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the
interests of all classes in the community.  In the
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a
conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator.
In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to
he Senate. He had been from the beginning a de-:ermined opposer of the Administration, adopting the'State Rights" view in opposition to what was
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams.
Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his
seat in the Senate.  Probably no one in the United
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q.
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was regarded throughout the United States as one of the
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians.
It was supposed that no one knew so well as he how
to touch the secret springs of action; how to pull all
the wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to
organize a political army which would, secretly and
stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results.  By
these powers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams,
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which
few thought then could be accomplished.
When Andrew Jackson was elected President he
appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately
appointed Minister to England, where he went the
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met,
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned


home, apparently untroubled; was nominated Vice
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election
of President Jackson; and with smiles for all and
frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that
Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination
as ambassador.
His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favorite; and this, probably more than any other cause,
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren received the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen.
Jackson as President of the United States. He was
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the
retiring President. "Leaving New York out of the
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen.
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred
upon him the power to appoint a successor."
His administration was filled with exciting eventsThe insurrection in Canada, which threatened to involve this country in war with England, the agitation
of the slavery question, and finally the great commercial panic which spread over the country, all were
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was attributed to the management of the Democratic party,
and brought the President into such disfavor that he
failed of re-election.
With the exception of being nominated for the
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in I848,
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until
his death.
He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits.
and living within his income, had now fortunately a
competence for his declining years. His unblemished
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which lhe
had occupied in the government of our country, secured to him not only the homage of his party, but
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from
the presidency. From his fine estate at Linden wald
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics
of the country. From this time until his death, on
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, lie
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, cf
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old
age, probably far more happiness than he had before
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life.




I




,, gl, -




NINVTH PRESIDIENT.:
-~ t

~ ---t — r~4- e1j-~T;~
I W~~~-~~.~~2__51t


CwcrccchhrYVVVVVVchrVch
VVWNVWVWWWVWWWW


Mi- lsw', Orsea


- ft.


IVVVVvvv
Irr


WTl I
y gyTzv a F-.f


T         mILLIAM     HENRY HARRI* SON, the ninth President of
^the United States, was born
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773.
His father, Benjamin Harrison, was in comparatively opulent circumstances, and was
one of the most distinguished
men of his day.  He was an
intimate friend of George
Washington, M as early elected
a member of the Continental
Congress, and was conspicuous
among the patriots of Virginia in
resisting the encroachments of the
British crown. In the celebrated
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Harrison and John Hancock were
both candidates for the office of
speaker.
Mr 'Harrison was subsequently
chosen Governor of Virginia, and
was twice re-elected.  His son,
j    illiam Henry, of course enjoyed
in childhood all the advantages which wealth and
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Having received a thorough comnmon-school education, he
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated
with honor soon after the death of his father.  He
then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of
2obert Morris, both of whom were, with his father,;igners of the Declaration of Independence.
Jpon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and notwithstanding the -emonstrances of his friends, he
abandoned his medical studies and entered the army,.iaving obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi



dent Washington.  He was then but I9 years old.
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose
death he resigned his commission. He was then appointed Secretary of the'North-western Territory. This
Territory was then entitled to but one member in
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that
position.
In the spring of 800o the North-western Territory
was divided by Congress into two portions.  The
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil.
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was apl
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of
Upper Louisiana. He w as thus ruler over almost as
extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was invested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four
times appointed to this office-first by John Adams,
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by President Madison.
Whenhe began his adminstration there were but
three white settlementsin that almost boundless region,
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the
tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French
settlement.
The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrisoh
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. Abou,




52


W-ILLIAM HENRY HA I~RRISON..


52           WILA   IIN   A RS N


the year 18o6, two extraordinary men, twin brothers,
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them.  One of
these was called Tecumseh, or "The Crouching
Panther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or "The Prophet."
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomitable perseverance in any enterprise in which he might
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm,
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred
the encroachment of the whites upon the huntinggrounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was
an orator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which
they dwelt.
But the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was,
in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent
by the Great Spirit.
Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippecanoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter.
October 28, 1812, his army began its march. When
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a
short conference, arrangements were made for a meeting the next day, to agree upon terms of peace.
But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with
the Indian character to be deceived by such protestations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's encampment, he took every precaution against surprise.
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept
upon their arms.
The troops threw themselves upon the ground for
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversation with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possible, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all
the desperation which superstition and passion most
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the
little army. The savages had been amply provided
with guns and ammunition by the English, Their
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets.
The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hideDus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a
speedy and an entire victory.  But Gen. Harrison's
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them
until day dawned: they then made a simultaneous
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing before them, and completely routing thb foe.


Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can -
adas, were of themselves a very formidablie force; but
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burning, plu.idering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier
was plunged into a state of consternation which even
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive,
The war-whoop N as resounding everywhere in the
forest. lThe horizon was illuminated with the conflagration of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit.
Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison
was appointed by President Madison commander-inchief of the North-western army, with orders to retake
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers.
It would be difficult to place a man in a situation
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but
General Harrison was found equal to the position,
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re.
slonsibilities.
He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket
lashed over his saddle  Thirty-five British officers,
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle.
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted
before the fire, without bread or salt.
In i8r6, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of
the National House of Representatives, to represent
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested
the attention of all the members.
In 1819, Harrison was elected to the Senate of
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate.
In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against
Van Buren, but he was defeated.  At the close of
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nominated by his
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated
by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the Vice Presidency.
The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election; but
his triumph was signal.
The cabinet which be formed, with Daniel Webster
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most
brilliant with which any President had ever been
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an administration more flattering, or the hopes of the country
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and
joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was seized by a
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sickness, died on the 4th of April; just one month after
his inauguration as President of the United States.




IY
rI




V-j
-N —,




TENTH PRESIDENT.


55


T /               OHN   TYLER, the tenth
l 1  Presidentof the United States.
l  e was born in Charles-city
Co., Va., March 29, I790. He
was the favored child of affluence and high social position. At the early age of
ID1       twelve, John entered William
~        and Mary College and graduated with much honor when
but seventeen years old. After
graduating, he devoted hima   self with great assiduity to the
study of law, partly with his
father and partly with Edmund
Randolph, one of the most distin0    guished lawyers of Virginia.
At nineteen years of age, ne
commenced the practice of law.
G,   His success was rapid and astonishing.   It is said that three
months had not elapsed ere there
was scarcely a case on the docket of the court in which he was
not retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State
Legislature.  He connected himself with the Democratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the
unanimous vote or his county.
When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and
ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national
bank, internal improvements by the General Qovern.




I


ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict construction of the Constitution, and the most careful
vigilance over State rights.  His labors in Congress
were so arduous that before the close of his second
term h.. foand it necessary to resign and retire to his
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He,
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful
in promoting public works of great utility.  With a
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen
by a very large majority of votes, Governor of his
native State. His administration was signally a successful one. His popularity secured his re-election.
John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the
United States. A portion of the Democratic party
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course,
and lrought forward John Tyler as his opponent,
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of
Roanoke. Mr. TN ler was the victor.
In accordance with his professions; upon taking his
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposition. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and
voted against the bank as unconstitutional; he strenuously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resisting all projects of internal improvements by the General Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr.
Calhoun's view of nullification; lie declared that Gen.
Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party.
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress,-a record
in perfect accordance with the principles which he
had always avowed.
Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of
his profession. There was a cpl t in the Democratic




36


JOHN TYLER.


56~-                   JOHN TYLER


party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jeffersonian, gave hint a dinner, and showered compliments upon him. He had now attained the age of
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In consequence of his devotion to public business, his private affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plantation. Soon after this he remov ed to Williamsburg,
for the better education of his children; and he again
took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia.
By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in
7839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Harrison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To conciliate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice President. It was well known that he was not in sympathy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice
President has but very little power in the Government, his main and almost only duty being to preside over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it happened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a
Democratic Vice President were chosen.
In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice President of the United States. In one short month from
that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler
thus -_und himself, to his own surprise and that of
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the
unexpected tidings of the death of President Harrison. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of
April was inaugurated to the high and responsible
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been
opposed to the main principles of the party which had
brought him into power. He had ever been a consistent, honest man, with an unblemished record.
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should
he retain them, and thus surround himself with counsellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or,
on the other hand, should he turn against the party
which had elected him and select a cabinet in harrr.ony with himself, and which would oppose all those
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the public welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He invited the cabinet which President Harrison had
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and
bless us.
The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States.
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with
his veto.  He suggested, however. that he would


approve oi a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval.
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture.
Ic is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this measure by a published letter from the Hon. John M.
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely
touched the pride of the President.
The opposition now exultingly received the President into their arms. The party which elected him
denounced him bitterly.  All the members of his
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a
meeting and issued an address to the people of the
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance
between the Whigs and President Tyler were at
an end.
Still the President attempted to conciliate.  He
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign,
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administration passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more,
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his
old friends, the Democrats, until atthe close of his term,
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr.
Polk, the Democratie candidate for his successor.
On the 4th of March, r845, he retired from the
harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and
probably to his own unspeakable ielief. His first wife,
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842;
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married,
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of
many personal and intellectual accomplishments.
The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly
in retirement at his beautiful home,-Sherwood Forest, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in
his manners, richly furnished with information from
books and experience in the world, and possessing
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was
the scene of unusual attractions.  With sufficient
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the
storms of civil war which his own principles and
policy had helped to introduce.
When the great Rebellion rose, which the State.
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Calhoun had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confederates. He was chosen a member of their Congress;
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by
force of arms, the Government over which he had
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died.




f




i


I


t 


"~ ctr de




EL~E VEN TH ~ PRESIDE N 7'.I


59


-E




M  ~ T   AMES K. POLK, the eleventh
President of the United States,
[ ~L "~      was born in Mecklenburg Co.,
i   Si=     N. C., Nov. 2, I795. His pari  ((  / ~  ents were Samuel and Jane
f   -"(Knox) Polk, the former a son
e 7g.   of Col. Thomas Polk, who located
at the above place, as one of the
t      first pioneers, in I735.
In the year Io o6, with his wife
f  and children, and soon after followed by most of the members of
the Polk farnly, Samuel Polk emigrated some two or three hundred
miles farther west, to the rich valley
of the Duck River.  Here in the
midst of the wilderness, in a region
which was subsequently called Maury Co., they reared their log huts,
and established their homes. In the
i  hard toil of a new farm in the wilderness, James K. Polk spent the
early years of his childhood and
youth. His father, adding the pursuit of a surveyor to that of a farmer,
gradually increased in wealth until
he became one of the leading men of the region. His
mother was a superior woman, of strong common
sense and earnest piety.
Very early in life, James developed a taste for
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain
a liberal education. His mother's training had made
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punctuality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty
principles of morality. His health was frail; and his
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a


sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits.
This was to James a bitter disappointment. He
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half
years, in the autumn of r8I5, entered the sophomore
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing.
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious
service.
He graduated in i8r8, with the highest honors, be.
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in
mathematics and the classics. He was then twentythree years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few
miles from Nashville. They had probably been
slightly acquainted before.
Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican.
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same political faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was
constantly called upon to address the meetings of his
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that
he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump.
He was a man of unblemished morals, genizl ard




6o


_f,4AES K: POLK.


Go            JA~fE K. POL


zourterus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic
nature in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his
strong influence towards the election of his friend,
Mr. Jackso.i, to the Presidency of the United States.
In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was
altogether worthy of him,-a lady of beauty and culture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that
for fourteen successive years, until I839, he was continuec' in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew,
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair
of 'I nnessee.  In Congress he was a laborious
meio')er, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was
always in his seat, always courteous; and whenever
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any
ambitious rhetorical display.
During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was
Speaker of the House  Strong passions were roused,
and stormy scenes were witnessed; but Mr. Polk performed his arduous duties to a very general satisfaction, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him  was
lassed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of
MNarch, 1839.
In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was
elected by a large majority, and on the i4th of October, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In I841,
his term of office expired, and he was again the candidate of the Democratic party, but was defeated.
On the 4th of March, I845, Mr. Polk was inaugurated President of the United States. The verdict of
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted
its influence upon Congress; and the last act of the
administration of President Tyler was to affix his signature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister,
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation
to be an act hostile to Mexico.
In his first message, President Polk urged that
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be received into the Union on the same footing with the
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent


with an army into Texas to hold the country. IHe wvas
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said wa-s the
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande,
where he erected batteries which commanded the
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated or
the western banks.
The anticipated collision soon took place, and wai
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first
called one of "observation," then of "occupation,'
then of "invasion,"was sent forward to Monterey. The
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly
and awfully slaughtered.  The day of judgement
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused.
It was by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration
that the war was brought on.
'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was
prostrate before us. Her capital was in otr hands.
We now consented to peace upon the condition that
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas,
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower California. This new demand embraced, exclusive of
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles.  This
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were
some Americans who thought it all right: there were
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and
more than a hundred million of dollars.  Of this
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico.
On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from
office, having served one term.  The next day was
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated
as his successor. Mr Polk rode to the Capitol in the
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same evening, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age.
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits,
and his health was good  With an ample fortune,
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the
cholera-that fearful scourge-was then sweeping up
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted,
and died on the i5th of June, I849, in the fifty-fourth
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen.








i


Al
Y






TWIELFTH~T PRESIDENT.:T


63


TWELFTH- PRSDET                           63


I Sam        IElva&MM —   ---                     I a  Mal ME ommml, k,


— Illl


vI


J, I              if ( J, I                                     I,-                                    a


Lum —  gm=              11 IN MM-11


IE3V~~               E-==Zz-:kl~.J....    ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth
President of the United States,
&-^,' >bwas born on the 24th of Nov.,
i784, i Orange Co., Va. His
o father, Colonel Taylor, was
~  '     -a Virginian of note, and a dis(~ A-i   tinguished patriot and soldier of
r J  the Revolution. When Zachary..   was an infant, his father with his
A'     wifei and two children, emigrated
)  to Kentucky, where he settled in
t  the pathless wilderness, a few
r, miles from Louisville. In this fronti er home, away from civilization and
all its refinements, young Zachary
could enjoy but few social and educational advantages. When six years of age he attended a common
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy,
cather remarkable for bluntness and decision of character  He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and
manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his
childhood o:1 his father's large but lonely plantation.
In i808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him
the commission of lieutenant in the United States
army; and he joined the troops which were stationed
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady
from one of the first families of Maryland.
Immediately after the declaration of war with England, in 1812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilderness by Gen. Harrison.on his march to Tippecanoe.
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians,
Jed by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken


company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of
whom were sick.
Early in the autumn of I8I2, the Indians, stealthily,
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort.  Their
approach was first indicated by the murder of two
soldiers just outside of the stockade.  Capt. Taylor
made every possible preparation to meet the anticipated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort,
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk
with him. It was evident that their object was merely
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt.
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept
them at a distance.
The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the
garrison slept upon their arms.  One hour before
midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of capture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged torture. No pen can describe, no immagination can
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages succeeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses.
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict
continued. The savages then, baffled at every point,
and gnashing their teeth with' rage, retired.  Capt.
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the
rank of major by brevet.
Until the close of the war, Major Taylor was placed
in such situations that he saw but little more of active
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one
best could. There were no books, no society, no in



64


ZACHARY TAYLOR.


tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful
years rolled on  Gradually he rose to the rank of
colonel. In the Black Hawk war, which resulted in
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part.
For twenty four years Col. Taylor was engaged in
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown
beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance.
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and retire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty,
itaC promised they should do. The services rendered
hee secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated
to,he rank of brigadier-general by brevet; and soon
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief command of the United States troops in Florida.
After two years of such wearisome employment
amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor
obtained, at his own request, a change of command,
and was stationed over the Department of the Southwest. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue.
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were,
from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty
imposed upon him.
In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed
by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the
Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over
forces much larger than he commanded.
His careless habits of dress and his unaffected
-implicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops,
the sobriquet of " Old Rough and Ready.'
Tie tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista
-pread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's ips. The
Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonderful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, unlettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the announcement, and for a time would not listen to it; declaring that he was not at all qualified for such an
office. So little interest had he taken in politics that,
for forty years, he had not cast a vote.  It was not
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen
who had been long years in the public service found
tLUir claims set aside in behalf of one whose name


had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena
Vista, It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste remarked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made."
Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine
wnter  His friends took possession of him, and prepared such few communications as it was needful
should be presented to the public. The popularity of
the successful warrior swept the land. He was triumphantly elected over two opposing candidates,Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren.
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position,
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed.
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably
tended to hasten his death.  The pro-slavery party
was pushing its claims with tireless energy, expeditions were fitting out to capture Cuba; California was
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or
Indians
In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor,
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of
but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850.
His last words were, "I am not afraid to die. I am
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died
universally respected and' beloved. An honest, unpretending man, he had been steadily growing in the
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly lamented his death.
Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful
description of his character:-" With a good store of
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been enlarged and refreshed by reading, or much converse
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the consequence. The frontiers and small military posts had
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance.  His simplicity was child-like, and with innumerable prejudices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable,
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an outside pocket,-in any such case, this critic held the
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse),
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase,
'touch with a pair of tongs.'
"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dilworth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short
few men have ever had a more comfortable, labo,saving contempt for learnirg of every kind."




~ 1




I


ji~k n




THIRTEENTH PREISIDENT.


67


* xlrl^          ILLARD FILLMORE, thir^  | ^ /    iteenth President of the United
'^ iJ   ^yStates, was born at Summer
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y., on
the 7th of January, i800oo. His
father was a farmer, and ow/ g       ) ing to misfortune, in humble cirLWM     cumstances. Of his mother, the
i j  daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard,
J', i, of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been
said that she possessed an intellect
of very high order, united with much
l)ersonal loveliness, sweetness of disposition, graceful manners and exrC   quisite sensibilities.  She died in
1831; having lived to see her son a
I   young man of distinguished promise, though she was not permitted to witness the high
dignity which he finally attained.
In consequence of the secluded homrne and limited
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender advantages for education in his early years. The commnon. schools, which he occasionally attended were
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce
fnd expensive. There was nothing then in his character to indicate the brilliant career upon which he
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy;
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible,
and had laid the foundations of an upright character.
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier.
Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some


enterprising man had commenced the collection of a
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing
to young Fillmnore. His evenings were spent in reading  Soon every leisure moment was occupied Keith
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate,
and the selections which he made were continually
more elevating and instructive. He read history,
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was enkindled in his heart a desire to be something more
than a mere worker with his hands; and hle was becoming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed,
educated man.
The young clothier had now attained the age of
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample
pecuniary means and of benevolence,-Judge Walter
Wood,-who was struck with the prepossessing anpearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaintance, and was so much impressed with his ability and
attainments that hlie advised him to abandon his
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The
young man replied, that he had no means of his own,
ro friends to help him and that his previous education had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to
take him into his own office, and to loan him such
mioney as he needed. Most gratefully the generous
offer was accepted.
There is in many minds a strange delusion abou.
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some college. But many a boy loiters through university ha ',
<nd then enters a law office, who is by no means as




MILLARD
well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothingmill at the end of four years of manual labor, during
which every leisure moment had been devoted to intense mental culture.
In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he was
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region,
his practice of course was limited, and there was no
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame.
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station
she might be called to fill,-Miss Abigail Powers.
His elevation of character, his untiring industry,
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate,
gradually attracted attention; and he was invited to
enter into partnership under highly advantageous
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in I829,
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the
State of New York, as a representative from Erie
County. Though he had never taken a very active
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic,
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the
Legislature, still the testimony comes from all parties,
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very
unusual degrt e the respect of his associates.
In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in
the United States Congress He entered that troubled
arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our
national history. The great conflict respecting the
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was
then raging.
His term of two years closed; and he returned to
his profession, which he pursued with increasing reputation and success.  After a lapse of two years
he again became a candidate for Congress; was reelected, and took his seat in 1837.  His past expe.
rience as a representative gave him strength and
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to
any man can be but little more than an introduction.
He was now prepared for active duty. All his energies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every
measure received his impress.
Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847,!.L was elected Comptroller of the State.


FILLMORE.


I

Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very considerable fame. The Whigs were casting about to
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-President at the approaching election.  Far away, on the
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be
proclaimed in tIumpet-tones all over the land.  But
it was necessary to associate with him on the same
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman.
Under the influence of these considerations, the
namesof Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849,
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States.
On the 9th of July, I850, President Taylor, but
about one year and four months after his inauguration, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Constitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became President.  He appointed a very able cabinet, of which
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State.
Mr. Fillmore had very serious difficulties to contend
with, since the opposition had a majority in both
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate
the South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt
the inadequacyof all measures of transient conciliation.
The population of the free States was so rapidly increasing over that of the slave States that it was inevitable that the power of the Government should
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr.
Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fillmore, having served one term, retired.
In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Presidency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war,
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that
his sympathies were rather with those who were endeavoring to overthrow our institutions.  President
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other.
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874.




PI




e Xi/.X  c<




-'""-UR TEB.ArTT PRESIDEXTT


7 I


FO-  EN'  SDE               7'


RANKLIN     PIERCE, the
fourteenth President of the
a United States, was born in
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov.
23, I804. His father was a
Revolutionary soldier, who,
with his own strong arm,
hewed out a home in the
[) @  ~wilderness. He was a man
1       of inflexible integrity; of
strong, though uncultivated
mind, and an uncompromising Democrat.  The mother of
Franklin Pierce was all that a son
could desire,-an intelligent, prudent, affectionate, Christian woman. Franklin was the sixth of eight children.
Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, generous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors
looked upon him with pride and affection.  He was
by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words,
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact
which taught him what was agreeable. Without developing any precocity of genius, or any unnatural
devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body,
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy.
When sixteen years of age, in the year I820, he
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was
one of the most popular young men in the college.
The purity cf his moral character, the unvarying
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and


genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite.
There was something very peculiarly winning in his
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest degree studied: it was the simple outgushing of his
own magnanimous and loving nature.
Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of
the State, and a man of great private worth.  The
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant
political career into which Judge Woodbury was entering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the facinating yet perilous path of political life.  With all
the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen.
Jackson for the Presidency.  He commenced the
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here
he served for four yeats. The last two years he was
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote.
In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected
a member of Congress. Without taking an active
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty.
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom
he was associatad.
In r837, being then but thirty-three years of age,
he was elected to the Senate of the United States;
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced
his administration. He was the youngest member in
the Senate. In the year I834, he married Miss Jane
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accomplishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every
station with which her husband was honored, Of the




72.VILANKLIN PIERCE.~Z


-           FR N LN  R


three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with
their parents in the grave.
In the year I838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire.
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos
state of Mrs. Pierce's health.  He also, about the
same time declined the nomination for governor by the
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr.
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, i847.
He took an important part in this war, proving himself a brave and true soldier.
When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advocates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his opponents. He resumed the practice of his profession,
very frequently taking an active part in political questions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery
wing of the Democratic party.  The compromise
measures met cordially with his approval; and he
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infamous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distinguished as a "Northern man with Southern principles.''
The strong partisans of slavery in the South consequently regarded him as a man whom  they could
safely trust in office to carry out their plans.
On the I2th of June, 1852, the Democratic convention met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the
Presidency. For four days they continued in session,
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown
for Gen. Pierce.  Then the Virginia delegation
brought forward his name.  There were fourteen
more ballotings, during which Gen, Pierce constantly
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with
great unanimity. Only four States-Vermont, Massachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee-cast their
electoral votes against him  Gen. Franklin Pierce
was therefore inaugurated President of the United
States on the 4th of March, i853.


His administration proved one of the most stormy our
country had ever experienced. The controversy be
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its
culminating point. It became evident that there was
an "irrepressible conflict " between them, and that
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his administration, did every thing he could to conciliate
the South; but it was all in vain. The conflict every
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution
of the Union were borne to the North on every South.
ern breeze.
Such was the condition of affairs when President
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term
of office. The North had become thoroughly alienated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all
the intellectual ability and social worth of President
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his administrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also,
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advocated those measures of Government which they approved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer tc be
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him.
On the 4th of March,' 857, President Pierce retired to his home in Concord. Of three ch'ilren, two
had died, and his only surviving child had been
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident; and his
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption.  The
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left
alone in the world, without wife or child.
When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which divided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr.
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to
that pro-slavery party with which he hac ever been
allied. He declined to do anything, eit sr by voice
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the Nt tional Government. He continued to reside in Concord until
the time of his death, which occurred in October,
I869. He was one of the most genial and social of
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors.  Generous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the alleviation of suffering and want, and many of his townspeople were often gladened by his material bounty.




II
I,








IiIFTEENTIH PRESIDENT


<<  -A I
IF - 91`
m ^ ^i4i3i3tXtgfBt^^^tat~^, %   J
mL, i m m m m m m m:S S ----  — S4S  w


-           AMES BUCHANAN, the fifteenth President of the United
Ilt       Statcs, was born in a small
frontier town, at the footof the..eastern ridge of the AlleghaAj     nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on
e  ~  3.the 23d of April, 179. The place
{    where the humble cabin of his
father stood was called    Stony
'  Batter. It was a wild and romantic spot in a gorge of the mountains, with towering summits rising
grandly all around.    His father
was a native of the north of Ireland;
a poor man, who had emigrated in
1     783, with little property save his
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer,
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilderness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to perform his obscure part in the drama of life. In this secluded home, where James was born, he remained
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual
advantages. When James was eight years of age, his
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where
his son was placed at school, and commenced a
course of study in English, Latin and Greek.  His
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle.  Here he de.
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among
the first scholars in the institution. His application
to study was intense, and yet his native powers en



abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with
facility.
In the year I8o9, he graduated with the highest
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years cf
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster,
and was admitted to the bar in 18I2, when he was
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand
with the ablest lawyers of the State.  When 1'ut
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he su,cessfully defended before the State Senate ol e of the
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles oif
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; all
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lIicrative practice.
In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House.
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally
tried some important case.  In  183r, he retired
altogether from the toils 6f his profession, having acquired an ample fortune.
Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the PresidencT,
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia.  The
duties of his mission he performed with ability,which
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States
Senate. He there met, as his associates, WeLster.
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the measures prolposed by President Jackson, of m1k,;ng repri



76


JJAMES BUCHIANAN... _


sals against France, to enforce the payment of our
claims again.t that country; and defended the course
of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale
rem val from office of those who were not the supporters of his administration. Upon this question he
was brought into direct collision with He.iry Clay.
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging
from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure
0against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits.
Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the
District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the
circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United
States mails.
As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advocated that they should be respectfully received; and
that the reply should be returned, that Congress had
no power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress,"
said he, "might as well undertake to interfere with
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the
States where it now exists."
Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr.
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such,
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross
the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the
account of the course our Government pursued in that
movement.
Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with
the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso.  He gave his
cordial approval to the compromise measures of i850,
which included the fugitive-slave law.  Mr. Pierce,
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr.
Buchanan with the mission to England.
In the year 1856, a national Democratic convention nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The
political conflict was one of the most severe in which
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its restriction and final abolition, on the other.  Mr. Fremont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, rereived 114 electoral votes.  Mr. Buchanan received
174, and was elected.  The popular vote stood
r,340,6i8, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On
March 4th, I857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated.
Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four
-rears were wanting to fill up his threescore years and
ten. His own friends; those with whom he had been
allied in political principles and action for years, were
seeking the destruction of the Government, that they
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery.
In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly bewildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin

ciplls, consistently oppose the State-rights party in
tlieir assumptions. As President of the United States,
bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws,
ie could not, without perjury of the grossest kind,
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the republic. He therefore did nothing.
The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer
in the next Presidential canvass.  The pro-slavery
party declared, that if he were elected, and the control of the Government were thus taken from their
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of
the United States.
Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery
party was such, that he had been willing to offerthem
far more than they had ventured to claim.  All the
South had professed to ask of the North was nonintervention upon the subject of slavery.  Mr. Buchanan had been ready to offer them the active cooperation of the Government to defend and extend
the institution.
As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avowing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental imbecility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He
declared that Congress had no power to enforce its
laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. Thif
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with
his hand upon his sword hilt, he exclaimed, " The
Union must and shall be preserved!"
South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearly
three months before the inauguration of President
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair.
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston; Fort Sumpter
was besieged; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals
were seized; our depots of military stoles were plundered; and our custom-houses and post-offices were
appropriated by the rebels.
The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of on
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looki cd
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide aw:,v
and close the administration, so terrible in its weal -
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliverance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive t I.e
scepter.
The administration of President Buchanan was
certainly the most calamitous our country has e\
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it wilb
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his famt,
that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its bitlow;
of flame and blood over our whole land, noword can-e
from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's
banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion
He died at his Wheatland retreat, Jane I, x868.




I)




-2~4?.7




SIXTEENTH T PPt E.S.IDE~rT.


79


SITcX             THP -S/J —T.7..>xr<      BRAHAM     LINCOLN, the
l AD  E   isixteenth President of the
-~.         United States, was born in
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. I 2,
A        1i 809. About the year 7 80, a
man by the name of Abraham
Lincoln left Virginia with his
family and moved into the then
Q    wildsof Kentucky. Only two years
after this emigration, still a young
man, while working one day in a
field, was stealthily approached by
an Indian and shot dead. His widow
was left in extreme poverty with five
little children, three boys and two
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the
boys, was four years of age at his
father's death. This Thomas was
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the
President of the United States
whose name must henceforth forever be enrolled
with the most prominent in the annals of our world.
Of course no record has been kept of the life
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among
the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched
log-cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest.
Education he had none; he could never either read
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friendless, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired himself out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a
^iborer in the fields of others.
When twenty-eight years of age he built a logcabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emigrants, who had also come from Virginia.  Their
second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel.
"All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grateful son "I owe to my angel-mother. "
When he was eight years of age, his father sold his


cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana, Where
two years later his mother died.
Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated
community around him. He could not have had a
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts
into words. He also became an eager reader. The
books he could obtain were few; but these he read
and re-read until they were almost committed to
memory.
As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and
griefs, weddings and funerals.  Abraham's sister
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was married when a child of but fourteen years of age, and
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr.
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830,
and emigrated to Macon Co., Ill.
Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age.
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at thi.until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, w}bei,
he announced to his father his intention to leave
home, and to go out into the world and seek his fortune. Little did he or his friends imagine how brilliant that fortune was to be.  He saw the value of
education, and was intensely earnest to improve his
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin
which  ardent spirits were causing, and bec ame
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxicating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in
God's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the
Lord thy God in vain;" and a profane expression he
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a
single vice.
Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired laborer
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield,
where he was employed in building a large flat-boat.
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down
the Sargamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mississippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham  Lincoln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give
great satisfacticn to his employers. In this adve;a




80


ABRAHAMTAIt LINVCOLNV.


A     HA N


ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon
his return tney placed a store and mill under his care.
Ii 1i832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew
Jackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem,
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he
received he carried there ready to deliver to those
lie chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected  Mr.
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and
began his legal studies. When the Legislature assembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back
o.e hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In
I836 he was re-elected to the Legislature.  Here it
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In I839 he removed to Springfield and began the practice of law.
His success with the jury was so great that he was
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit.
In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr.
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question.
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois,
in r856, he took an active part, and at once became
one of the leaders in that party.  Mr. Lincoln's
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the contest in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most
notable part of his history. The issue was on the;lavery question, and he took the broad ground of.he Declaration of Independence, that all men are
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this contest, but won a far higher prize.
The great Republican Convention met at Chicago
on the i6th of June, I86o.  The delegates and
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twentyfive thousand. An immense building called "The
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Convention. There were eleven candidates for whom votes
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most
prominent. It was generally supposed he would be
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him:
and aslittle did he dream that he was to render services
to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of
the whole civilized world, and which would give him
aplace in the affections of his countrymen, second
only, if second, to that of Washington.
Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received x80
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore,
constitutionally elected President of the United States.
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good


and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this
high position. In February, I86 i, Mr. Lincoln started
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his
way making speeches. The whole journey was irought
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Baltimore had arranged, upon his arrival to " get up a row,"
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled
the plot. A secret and special train was provided to
take him from Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at
half-past ten; and to prevent ai.y possible communication on the part ot the Secessionists with theirConfederate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had
started the telegraph-wires were cut.  Mr. Lincoln
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated,
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people.
In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave
to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to other
prominent opponents before the convention he gave
important positions.
During no other administration have the duties
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to
the lot of President Lincoln.  Knowing this, and
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his
trials, both personal and national  Contrary to his
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the
most courageous of men. He went directly into the
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving,
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he
had left Springfield, in i86r, however, plans had been
made for his assassination,and he at last fell a victim
to one of them. April 14, I865, lie, with Gen. Grant,
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It
was announced that they would Le present.  Gen.
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feeling, with his characteristic kindliness of heart, that
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them,
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth
entered the box where the President and family were
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the
next morning at seven o'clock.
Never before, in the history of the world was a nation
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler.
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a
model. His name as the savior of his country will
live with that of Washington's, its father; his c'ntrymen being unable to decide whi h is thle greater




A








SE VENZVTEENTI P>'RESIDENV T


83


NDREW        JOHNSON, seventeenth President of the United
States.  The early life of
gAndrew Johnson contains but
the record of poverty, destitution and friendlessness.  He
was born December 29, I8o8,
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents,
v    belonging to the class of the.   "poor whites " of the South, were
in such circumstances, that they
could not confer even the slightest advantages of education upon
their child. When Andrew was five
j   years of age, his father accidentally
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew
was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with
her own hands.
He then, having never attended a school one day,
and being unable either to read or write, was ap.prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasionally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often
read from the speeches of distinguished British statesmen. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more
than ordinary native ability, became much interested
in these speeches; his ambition was roused, and he
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read.
He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and
with the assistance of some of his fellow-workmen,
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentleman to borrow the book of speeches.  The owner,


I


pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed oiward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest
and recreation to devote such time as he could to
reading.
He went to Tennessee in '1826, and located at
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos
sessed some education. Under her instructions he
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent
in the village debating society, and a favorite with
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or.
ganized a working man's party, which elected him
alderman, and in I830 elected him mayor, which
position he held three years.
He now began to take a lively interest in political
affairs; identifying himself with the working-classes,
to which he belonged.  In I835, he was elected a
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes.
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age.
He became a very active member of the legislature.
gave his adhesion to the DeTnocratic party, and in
1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Vaan
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to thos,
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased
his reputation.
In i84I, he was elected State Senator; in I843, he
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive
elections, held that important post for ten years. In
I853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and
was re-elected in 1855. In all these resl)onsible posiL
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abi.




84


A NDRE TV JOHNSON.


84-           ADEJONN


ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the working classes.  In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected
United States Senator.
Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his
reason, that he thought this annexation would probably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom,
and become merged in a population congenial to
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the compromise measures, the two essential features of which
were, that the white people of the Territories should
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they
would enslave the colored people or not, and that
the tree States of the North should return to the
Sou.lh persons who attempted to escape from slavery.
Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin:
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that
he owed his distinction to his own exertions.  "Sir,"
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget
that I a:n a mechanic; neither do I forget that Adam
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Savior was the son of a carpenter."
In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i 8t, ne
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the
Presidency. In 186, when the purpose of the Southzrn Democracy became apparent, he took a decided
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, appointed him Military Governor of the State, and he
established the most stringent military rule.  His
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In
1864, he was elected Vire-President of the United
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15,
i865, became President. In a speech two days later
he said, "The American people must be taught, if
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and
must be punished; that the Government will not
always bear with its enemies; that it is strong not
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole
administration, the history of which is so well known,
was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent


opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech.
In his loose policy of reconstruction and general
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress; and he characterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In
the beginning of. i868, on account of "high crimes
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Tenure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were preferred against him, and the trial began March 23.
It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three
months. A test article of the impeachment was at
length submitted to the court for its action.  It was
certain that as the court voted upon that article so
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was necessary to his condemnation, he was pronounced acquitted, notwithstanding the great majority against
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty
side would have sustained the impeachment.
The President, for the remainder of his term, was
but little regarded. He continued, though impotently,
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presidency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unparalleled since the days of Washington, around the name
of Gen. Grant.   Andrew Johnson was forgotten.
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was
there presented to a man a better opportunity to immortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in
politics until I875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Tennessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Congress, and took his seat in that body, at the special
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of
March. On the 27th of July, i875, the ex-President
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reaching the residence of his child the following day, was
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious.
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at
2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years.  His funeral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August,
with every demonstration of respect.




I




4?^^^^^




EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT.87
_8 _


~t;~/hh~~"i~m9-c~cl
~45-~ 'L a-,


l           _.. i LYSSES  S. GRANT, the
eighteenth President of the
the 29th of April, 1822, of, Christian parents, in a humble: home, at Point Pleasant, on the
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after
his father moved to George.
town, Brown Co., O. In this remote frontier hamlet, Ulysses
received a common-school education.  At the age of seventeen, in the year I839, he entered
the Military Academy at West
I   Point. Here he was regarded as a
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank
as a scholar. In June, I843, he graduated, about the
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of infantry to one of the distant military posts in the Misscuri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating
Indians.
The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi.  His first
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at
Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle
Df Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that
ne performed a signal service of daring and skillful
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its ammunition. A messenger must be sent for more, along
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe.  Lieut.
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians,
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one
side of the anirmal, ran the gauntlet in entire safety.


From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry,
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz.  In
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Chapultepec.
At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant returned with his regiment to New York, and was again
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The
discovery of gold in California causing an immense
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt.
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the immigrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt.
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the
States; and having married, entered upon the cultivation of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but
little skill as a farmer.  Finding his toil not remunerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into
the leather business, with a younger brother, at. Galena, Ill. This was in the year I86o. As the tidings
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said,"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword
and see Uncle Sam through this war too."
He went into the streets, raised a company of volunteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield,
the capital of the State. where their services were
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt.
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the
volunteer organization that Was being formed in the
State in behalf of the Government.  On the i5th of




88


UL YSSES S. GRA NT.


June, t86i, Capt. Grant received a commission as
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such
that he was soon promoted to the rank of BrigadierGeneral and was placed in command at Cairo. The
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds appeared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and
stripes were unfurled in its stead.
He entered the service with great determination
and immediately began active duty. This was the beginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he surprised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was
immediately made a Major-General, and the military
listrict of Tennessee was assigned to him.
Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how
to secure the results of victory.  He immediately
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two cannon. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered,
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf.
Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and proceeded to New- Orleans, where he was thrown from
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical measures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels
were routed with great loss. This won for him unbounded praise in the North. On the 4th of February, I864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenantgeneral, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant.
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials;nd enter upor. th1^ duties of his new office.


i


I


i


Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of
the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to destroy the rebel armies which would be promptly assembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field.
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable energy and ability, and were consummated at the surrender of Lee, April 9, 1865.
The war was ended. The Union was saved. The
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen.
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its salvation. The eminent services he had thus rendered
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair.
At the Republican Convention held at Chicago.
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294
electoral votes.
The National Convention of the Republican party
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, I872,
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphatically indorsed by the people five months later, 292
electoral votes being cast for him.
Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. Grant
started upon his famous trip around the world. He
visited almost every country of the civilized world,
and was everywhere received with such ovations
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private
as well as public and official, as were never before
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States.
He was the most prominent candidate before the
Republican National Convention in i88o for a renomination for President. He went to New York and
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain,
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to
the penitentiary.  The General was attacked with
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23,
I885, the nation went in mourning over the death of
the illustrious General.




a






V


Q




NINEI TEENTH PRESIDENT..,I


UTHERFORD B. HAYES,.? e ~ r,  l the nineteenth President of
I   l    the United States, was born in
'  g L..~f Delaware, O., Oct. 4, I822, alw,. ~  most three months after the
death of his father, Rutherford
e:',, Hayes.  His ancestry on both
the paternal and maternal sides,
J^;   was of the most honorable char2/. acter. It can be traced, it is said,
/  as far back as 1 280, when Hayes and
X  Rutherford were two Scottish chieftains, fighting side by side with; Baliol, William Wallace and Robert
Bruce. Both families belonged to the
v     nobility, owned extensive estates,
I    and had a large following. MisforLrne cv#itaking the family, George Hayes left Scot-.and in 16So, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son
George wa, born in Windsor, and remained there
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, married Sarah Le, and lived from the time of his marriage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel,
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufacturerof scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes,
son of Ezekiel aid grandfather of President Hayes, was
born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer,
blacksmith and tavern-keeper.  He emigrated to
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro,
where he established a hotel. Here his son Rutherford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was


born. He was married, in September, I813, to Sophia
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emigrated thither from Connecticut, they having been
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich.
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to
I635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers
in the Revolutionary War.
The father of President Hayes was an industrious
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me.
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stocking, or do almost anything else that he choose to
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and conducted his business on Christian principles. After
the close of the war of 1812, for reasons inexplicable
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio.
The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways,
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial
fever, less than three months before the birth of the
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore bereavement, found the support she so much needed in
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the
household from the day of its departure from Vermont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted
some time before as an act of charity.
Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the




RUTHLEFORD B. iA YES.:


ya


--- - I

subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of inquiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died
iast night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on
familiar terms with the family, after alliding to the
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of
nim, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't
wonder if he would really come to something yet."
"You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You
vait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him
President of the United States yet." The boy lived,
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy
death; and when, in I825, his older brother was
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his
mother.
The boy was seven years old before he went to
school. His education, however, was not neglected.
He probably learned as much from his mother and
fister as he would have done at school. His sports
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being
his sister and her associates. These circumstances
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of disposition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings
of others, which are marked traits of his character.
His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest
in his education; and as the boy's health had improved, and he was making good progress in his
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His preparation commenced with a tutor at home; but he
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He entered Kenyon College in I838, at the age of sixteen,
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842.
Immediately after his graduation he began the
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq.,
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he remained two years.
In 1845, after graduating at the Law School, he was
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he remained three years, acquiring but a limited practice,
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his profession.
In I849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambition found a new stimulus. For several years, however, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at
this period, had a powerful influence upon his subsequent:fe. One of these was his marrage with Miss
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of
Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cincinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its
members such men as Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase,


Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many
others hardly less distinguished in after life.  The
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did
more than she to reflect honor upon American woman.
hood. 'rThe Literary Club brought Mr. Hayes into
constant association with young men of high character and noble aims, and lured him to display the
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulne;s and
modesty.
In i856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to accept the nomination. Two years later, the office of
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council
elected him for the unexpired term.
In i86I, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at
the zenith of his professional.f.. His rank at the
bar was among the the first. But the news of the
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take uD
arms for the defense of his country.
His military record was bright and illustrious.  In
October, i86i, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude
that won admiration from all.
Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division,
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted
Major-General, "for gallant and distinguished services
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In
the course of his arduous services, four horses were
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times.
In 864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Democratic. He was not present during the campaign,
and after his election was importuned to resign his
commission in the army; but he finally declared, " I
shall never come to Washington until I can come by
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in i866.
In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio,
over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat.
In I869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton.
He was elected Governor for the third term in I875.
In 1876 he was the standard heater of the Republican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in
augurated Monday, March 5, I875. IHe served his
full term, not, hI wever, with satisfaction to his party.
but his administration was an average on-!




I




V                       - -7s;U~ Wl
31 1


I             fC




TWEN TIE TI PRESIDENT.


AMIES A. GARFIELD, twen[ ':lI S. tieth President of the United
] I I   States, was born Nov. 19,
^1  ~, ^183 1, in the woods of Orange,
/           - Cuyahoga Co., 0  His parents were Abram and Eliza
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New
-he    England ancestry and from fami/l  lies well known in the early his7, tory of that section of our country, but had moved to the Western
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settlement.
The house in which James A. was
born was not unlike the houses of
j   poor Ohio farmers of that day. It
i:s about 20 x 30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be-.tzeen the logs filled with clay. His father was a
iard working farmer, and he soon had his fields
leared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built.
fhe household comprised the father and mother and
'heir four children-Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and
Tames. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con-.racted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At
this time James was about eighteen months old, and
Fhomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can
tell how much James was indeLted to his biother's
toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years succeeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sislers live in Solon, O., near their birthplace.
The early educational advantages young Garfield
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of
them. He labored at farm work for others, did carpenter work, chopped wood, or did anything that
would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed
mother in he"r truggles to keep the little fairily to



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his struggling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain,
modest gentleman.
The highest ambition of young Garfield until hz
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the
understanding, however, that he should try to obtair
some other kind of employment. He walked all the
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city
After making many applications for work, and trying
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He remained at this work but a short time when he wen';
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in
the meantime, and doing other work. This school
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of
which church he was then a member. He became
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon
"exhausted Hiram " and needed more; hence, in the
fall of I854, he entered Williams College, from which
he graduated in I856, taking one of the highest honors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram
College as its President. As above stated, he early
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous member, often preaching in its pulpit and places where
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of
Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion:




fAMES A. GARFIELD.


- ---- -  - --- —- - - --- -
-—  ----" -


"President Garfield was more than a man of
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In
my judgmenc there is no more interesting feature of
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to
the less stately and cultured Christian communions
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true
that as they step upward in social and political significance they step upward from one degree to
another in some of the many types of fashionable
Christianity.  President Garfield adhered to the:hurch of his mother, the church in which he was
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec-,arian charity for all 'who love our Lord in sincerity.'"
Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. I, 1858, who proved herself
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of
whom are still living, four boys and one girl.
Mr. Garfield made his first politicalspeeches in 1856,
'n Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three
years later he began to speak at county mass-meetings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland,
and in 186I was admitted to the bar. The great
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year,
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He received his commission as Lieut.-Colonel of the Fortysecond Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug.
14, i86r. He was immediately put into active service, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action,
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the
work of driving out of his native State the officer
'Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speedily accomplished, although against great odds. President Lincoln, on his success commissioned him
Brigadier-General, Jan. Io, 1862; and as "he had
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years
before, so now he was the youngest General in the
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh,
in its operations around Corinth and its march through
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rosecrans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff."
The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with


his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won
the stars of the Major-General.
Without an effort on his part Gee Garfield way
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio
had been represented in Congress for sixty years
mainly by two men-Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he
resigned his place in the army. At the time he entered Congress he was the youngest member in that
body.  There he    remained by successive reelections until he was elected President in i88o.
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says: " Since
the year I864 you cannot think of a question whici.
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before X
tribunel of the American people, in regard to whict
you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu.
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by
Mr. Garfield."
Upon Jan. 14, i88o, Gen. Garfield was elected to
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his
party for President at the great Chicago Convention.
He was elected in the following November, and on
March 4, I88I, was inaugurated. Probably no administration ever opened its existence under brighter
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every
day it grew in favo: with the people, and by the first
of July he had completed all the initiatory and preliminary work of his administration and was preparing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams
College. While on his way and at the depot, in companywith Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back.
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the
left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting no farther
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never
before in the history of the Nation had anything occurred which so nearly froze the blood of the peop:'
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit.
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty
days, all during the hot months of July and August,
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent
bearing was teaching the country and the world the
noblest of human lessons-how to live grandly in the
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpassingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept.
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of the
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it.
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and executed, in one year after he committed the foul deed.




I




f          A
7 -

Qa




T' I VENTY-FIRS T PRESIDENT.


99




1A,        HESTER     A.  ARTHUR,
twenty-first Presi'.,IL of the
United States, was born in
Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on
the fifth of Oct ober, I 830, and is
the oldest of a family of two
sons and five daughters. His
father was the Rev. Dr. William
Arthur, aBaptist cl.rgyman,who
emigrated to tl'.s country from
the county Antzim, Ireland, in
khis 18th year, and died in 1875, in
Newtonville, neat Albany, after a
I  long and successful ministryYoung Arthur was educated at
e   Union College, Sc henectady, where
L r ] he excelled in all his studies. After his graduation he taught school
in Vermont for two years, and at, the expiration of that time came to
New York, with $5oo in his pocket,
and entered the office of ex-Judge
E. D. Culver as student. After
i being admitted to the bar he formed
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate,
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing
in the West, and for three months they roamed about
in the Western States in search of an eligible site,
but in the end returned to New York, where they
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success,
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur
soon afterward nmsrr;ed the daughter of Lieutenant


Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that oc asion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving t o
children.
Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit,
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior
Court of New York City. It was in i852 that Jon.
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided
that they could not be held by the owner under the
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal.
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed
to represent the People, and they won their cac,
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward
the emancipation of the black race.
Another great service was rendered by General
Arthur in the same cause in I856. Lizzie Jennings,
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare.
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the company issued an order to admit colored persons to ride
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly




OO


CHESTER A. ARTHIUR.


— L- g ---


_


=


followed their example. Before that the Sixth Avenue Company ran a few special cars for colored persons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all.
General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party.
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Governor Morgan, of that State, appointed him Engineerin-Chief of his staff. In I86i, he was made Inspector General, and soon afterward became Quartermaster-General. In each of these offices he rendered
great service to the Government during the war. At
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr.
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney
of New York, was added to the firm. The legal practice of this well-known firm was very large and lucrative, each of the gentlemen composing it were able
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if
not indeed one of national extent.
He always took a leading part in State and city
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of
New York by President Grant, Nov. 2 I 872, to succeed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July,
20, i 878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt.
Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in
June, i88o. This was perhaps the greatest political
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It
was composed of the )eading politicians of the Republican party, all able men, and each stood firm and
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their
respective candidates that were before the convention for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield received the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed
was one of-the most animated known in the history of
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his
party made a valiant fight for his election.
Finally the election came and the country's choice,vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated
March 4; I88r, as President and Vice-President.
A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then
came terrible weeks of suffering,-those moments of
anxious suspense, wher the hearts of all civilized na



-


tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the recovery of the noble, the good President. The remarkable patience that he manifested dTuring those hours
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suffering man has often been called upon to endure, was
seemingly more than human. It was certainly Godlike. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr.
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspiciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested
in deed or look of this man, even though the most
honored position in the world was at any moment
likely to fall to him.
At last God in his mercy relieved President Garfield from further suffering, and the world, as never
before in its history over the death of any other
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of
the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of
the high office, and he took the oath in New York,
Sept. 20, i88I. The position was an embarrassing
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do,
what policy he would pursue, and who he would select as advisers. The duties of the office had been
greatly neglected during the President's long illness,
and many important measures were to be immediately
decided by him; and still farther to embarrass him he
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he
became President,. and knew the feelings of many on
this point. Under these trying circumstances President
Arthur took the reins of the Government in -is own
hands; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so
wisely that but few criticised his administration.
He served the nation well and faitfully, until the
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was
a popular candidate before his party for a second
term. His name was ably presented before the convention at Chicago, and was received with great
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party
for another campaign. He retired to private life carrying with him the best wishes of the American people, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory
to them and with credit to himself.








'r '
1~ i'
ii;
$ 'i~~i
IL
W(~l
6::EPsRpRi,C
I:~ t?$', *
ii
1 -—  — ~F~lplr911Lii:fiwur;iusFli.;
'"5: 
r"'.;".~'~i'.l5.:~, Rrr
i
''
rj;;':
s:. r,~: _-rI . ~sr:?-71- ~I
'' Sff"r
"' '~ '! u,..,
I,
r~,,issp P sa -C6RAI 4BB;Ci~Wlar25uRc~j-i;'~ 3
i:*'i i"s,
; ~1~
k:'vullalasR*~''-"Jr:,\,: -awe. rsaplCA IblllWj".L''S""i: L:I.
~~::
s r~I~
i.''' kJ:r~~,,
il
~* i;,:ri''':r II qaaE
- " " --- — Pwrar-~P'
,. ~
L (?nc
11 '.i" ~
ir
I' '
'I'




TWENTLirT Y-SECOND -PRESIDENT.rV2


103


TWNYSCN              PRSDET              103 ---  -  -- C~'P-LU"


TEPHEN GROVER CLEVELAN D, the twenty- second President of the United States, was
born in I837, in the obscure
town of Caldwell, Essex Co.,
N. J., and in a little two-and-ahalf-story white house which is still
standing, characteristically to mark
fl03    tthe humble birth-place of one of
America's great men in striking contrast with the Old World, where all
men high in office must be high in
origin and born in the cradle of
wealth. When the subject of this
sketch was three years of age, his
father, who was a Presbyterian minister, with a large family and a small salary, moved,
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most
straggling of country villages, about five miles from
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born.
At the last mentioned place young Grover commenced going to school in the " good, old-fashioned
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he,arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the
capacity of the village school and expressed a most


emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to
become self-supporting by the quickest possible
means, and this at that'time in Fayetterille seemed
to be a position in a country store, where his fatheand the large family on his hands had considerable
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to
receive $1oo the second year. Here the lad commenced his career as salesman, and in two years he
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness
that his employers desired to retain him for an in.
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not exhibit as yet any particular "flashes of genius" or
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy.
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayetteville, he went with the family in their removal to
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a
high school. Here he industriously pursued his
studies until the family removed with him to a point
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica,
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family,
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a
small salary, the position of " under-teacher" in an
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his




o104


S. GRO VEB CZE VAIA JVND.


0                               _


calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order,
he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as
there was some charm in that name for him; but
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to
isk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted
stock-breeder of that place.  The latter did not
speak enthusiastically. " What is it you want to do,
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study
law," was the reply. "Good gracious!" remarked
the old gentleman; " do you, indeed? What ever put
that into your head? How much money have you
got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got
any.
After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a
year, while he could "look around." One day soon
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers,
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he
wanted. A number of young men were already engaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and
he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and
have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for
his board and washing. The walk to and from his
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat-he had
none-yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular.
On the first day of his service here, his senior employer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans;
out in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume.
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for
chasing principles through all their metaphysical
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do
t," was practically his motto.
The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was
elected was that of Sheriff of-Erie Co., N. Y., in
which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell
tohis duty to inflict capital pvr,.shment upon two
ciinlnals. In r88r he was elected Mayor of the
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with especal reference to the bringing about certain reforms


in the administration of the municipal affairs of that
city: In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his
performance of duty has generally been considered
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were ferreted out and magnified during the last Presidential
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniquitous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of
a mos'. bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme
to betray the interests of the people and to worse
than squander the people's money." The New York
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve.
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there.
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882,
and his administration of the affairs of State was
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if
any, were made very public throughout the nation
after he was nominated for President of the United
States. For this high office he was nominated July
EI, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F.
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks,
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and he
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Republican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleveland resigned his office as Governor of New York in
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as
the Chief Executive of the United States, in which
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of
March, I885. For his Cabinet officers he selected
the following gentlemen:  For Secretary of State,
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware; Secretary of the
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York; Secretary
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts;
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New
York; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas,
of Wisconsin; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of
Arkansas.
The silver question precipitated a controversy between those who were in favor of the continuance of
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr.
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his
inauguration,




I




tAA




T~WENTY-THIRD PRESID)ENT.


IU7


TWENTY —THR        PRSDET I-            U?


X iENJAMIN HARRISON, the
^i    twenty-third  President, is
1             the descendant of one of the
historical families of t hi s
country. The head of the
t  family was a Major General
*Hi^   1       p Hiarrison, one of Oliver
e         Cromwell's trusted follow'   ers and fighters. In the zenith of Cromwell's power it became the duty of this
Harrison to participate in the trial of
Charles I, and afterward to sign the
death warrant of the king. He subseOR       quently paid for this with his life, being
hung Oct. 13, 16G0. His descendants
came to America, and the next of the
family that appears in history is BenjaL in. i-narrison, of Virginia, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and
after whom he was named.    Benjamin Harrison
was a member of the Continental Congress during
the years 1774-5-6, and was one of the original
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He
wac three times elected Governor of Virginia.
Geno William Henry Harrison, the son of the


distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suec
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812,
and with-a clean record as Governor of the Northwestern Territory, was elected President of the
United States in 1840. His career was cut short
by death within one month after his inauguration.
President Harrison was born at North Bend,
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. 20, 1833. His life upto
the time of his graduation by the Miami University,
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a country lad of a family of small means. His father was
able to give him a good education, and nothing
more. He became engaged while at college to tho
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female school
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to enter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin
cinnati and then read law for two years. At the
expiration of that time young Harrison receivedd ti?
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left him
a lot valued at $800. He regarded this legacy as &
fortune, and decided to get married at once, taki
this money and go to some Eastern town an' begin the practice of law.. He sold his lot, and with
the money in his pocket, he started out witi his
young wife to fight for a place in the world. Ee




108


B"JP-JNJAIVIIN     HARRI~SON.


10                 BEJAI HARION


decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at
tl:att time a town of promise. He met with slight
encouragement at first, making scarcely anything
the first year. He worked diligently, applying himself closely to his calling, built up an extensive
practice and took a leading rank in the legal proLession. He is the father of two children.
In 1860 Mr. Harrison was nominated for the
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then began his experience as a stump speaker  lie canvassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a
handsome majority. In 1862 he raised tile 17th
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His
regiment was composed of the rawest of material,
out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first
mastering military tactics and drilling his men,
when he therefore came to move toward the East
with Sherman his regiment was one of the best
~rilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he
especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery
"t Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gentral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most
complimentary terms.
During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field
he Supreme Court declared the office of the Supreme Court Reporter vacaint, and another person
was elected to the position. From the time of leavir-g Indiana with his regiment until the fall of 1864
he had taken no leave of absence, but having been
nominated that year for the same office, he got a
thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time
made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected
for another term.  ie then started to rejoin Sherman, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet
-ever, and after a most trying siege made his way
to the front in time to participate in the closing
Incidents of the war,
In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined  re-election as,eporter, and resumed the practice of law. In 1876
Le was a candidate for Governor. Although deeated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him
a National reputation, and he was much sought, especiaLy in the East, to make speeches. In 1880,
as usual, he took an active part in the campaign,
nnd wi:. elected to the United States Senate. Here
he served six years, and was known as one oi the
Sbiest men, best lawyers and strongest debaters in


that body. With the expiration of his Senatorili
term he returned to the practice of his profession,
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in
the Stave.
The political campaign of '1888 was one of the
most memorable in the history of our country. The
convention which assembled in Chicago in June and
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer
of the Republican party, was great in every particular, and on this account, and the attitude it assumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief
among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly
after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr.
Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This movement became popular, and from all sections of the
country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed
thither to pay their respects to the distinguished
statesman.  The popularity of these was greatly
increased on account of the remarkable speeches
maide by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through
the summer and autumn to these visiting delegations, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were
his speeches that they at once placed him in the
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen.
On account of his eloquence as a speaker and his
power as a debater, he was called upon at an unconinonlly early age to take part in the discussion
of the great questions that then began to agitate
the country. He was an uncompromising anti
slavery man, and was matched against some of the
most eminent Democratic speakers of his State.
No man who felt the touch of his blade decired tc
be pitted with him again. With all his eloq'lence
as an orator lie never spoke for oratorica'L effect,
but his words always went like bullets to the marl
He is purely American in his ideas and is a spler
did type of the American statesman. Gifted witsL
quick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue,
he is one of the most distinguished impromptu
speakers in the Nation. Many of these speeches
sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained
arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse
statements have already become aphorisms. Original in thought, precise in logic, terse in statement,
yet withal faultless in eloquence, lie is recognized as
the sound statesman and brillianj orator cG thie day




9! o- -.K-.-  CA




I




I




4L &?CLIk~.




-GO VERNOaXS OF MIC iWIGA N.


o05


GO VEROR O MOLUA.10


ISTrrEPHU Tt AIA8 OT1s4


~  — '     TEPHEN T. MASON, the
first Governorof Michigan, was
aL~ "; ~  a son of Gen. John T. Mason,
[          4j of Kentucky, but was born in
Virginia, in I812. At the age
of 9 he was appointed Secrerx  tary of Michigan Territory, and
served in that capacity during the
l;ll    administration of Gov. George B.
J,/ ^ k Porter. Upon the death of Gov.
~    Porter, which occurred on the 6th of
'  July, I834, Mr. Mason became Acting Governor. In October, 1835, he
was elected Governor under the St ate
organization, and immediately entered upon the performance of the
duties of the office, although the
State was not yet admitted into the Union. After
the State was admitted into the Union, Governor
Mason was re-elected to the position, and served with
credit to himself and to the advantage of the State.
He died Jan. 4, I843. The principal event during
Governor Mason's official career, was that arising from
the disputed southern boundary of the State.
Michigan claimed for her southern boundary a line
running east across the peninsula from the extreme
southern point of Lake Michigan, extending through
Lake Erie, to the Pennsylvania line.  This she
claimed as a vested right-a right accruing to her by
compact. This compact was the ordinance of I787,
the parties to which were the original 13 States, and
the territory northwest of the Ohio; and, by the succession of parties under statutory amendments to the
ordinance and laws of Congress-the United States on
the one part, and each Territory northwest of the
Ohio, as far as affected by their provisions, on the


other. Michigan, therefore, claimed it under the prior
grant, or assignation of boundary.
Ohio, on the other hand, claimed that the ordinance
had been superseded by the Constitution of the
United States, and that Congress had a right to regulate the boundary. It was also claimed that the
Constitution of the State of Ohio having described a
different line, and Congress having admitted the State
under that Constitution, without mentioning the subject of the line in dispute, Congress had thereby given
its consent to the line as laid down by the Constitution of Ohio.  This claim was urged by Ohio at
some periods of the controversy, but at others she appeared to regard the question unsettled, by the fact
that she insisted upon Congress taking action in regard to the boundary. Accordingly, we find that, in
1812, Congress authorized the Surveyor-General to
survey a line, agreeably to the act, to enable the people
of Ohio to form a Constitution and State government.
Owing to Indian hostilities, however, the line was not
run till 1818.  In 1820, the question in dispute
underwent a rigid examination by the Committee on
Public Lands. The claim of Ohio was strenuously
urged by her delegation, and as ably opposed by Mr.
Woodbridge, the then delegate from Michigan. The
result was that the committee decided unanimously
in favor of Michigan; but, in the hurry of business,
no action was taken by Congress, and the question
remained open till Michigan organized her State government.
The Territory in dispute is about five miles in
width at the west end, and about eight miles in width
at the east end, and extends along the whole northern line of Ohio, west of Lake Erie. The line claimed
by Michigan was known as the " Fulton line," and
that claimed by Ohio was known as the" Harris line,'




0o6


STEPHEN T. MASON.


t.


from the names of the surveyors. The territory was
valuable for its rich agricultural lands; but the chief
value consisted in the fact that the harbor on the
Maumee River, where now stands the flourishing city
of Toledo, was included within its limits The town
originally bore the name of Swan Creek, afterwards
Port Lawrence, then Vestula, and then Toledo.
In February, I835, the Legislature of Ohio passed
an act extending the jurisdiction of the State over
the territory in question; erected townships and
directed them to hold elections in April following. It
also directed Governor Lucus to appoint three commissioners to survey and re-mark the Harris line; and
named the first of April as the day to commence the
survey. Acting Governor Mason, however, anticipated
this action on the part of the Ohio Legislature, sent
a special message to the Legislative Council, apprising it of Governor Lucas' message, and advised iinmediate action by that body to anticipate and counteract
the proceedings of Ohio. Accordingly, on the I2th
of February, the council passed an act making it a
criminal offence, punishable by a heavy fine, or imprisonment, for any one to attempt to exercise any
official functions, or accept any office within the jurisdiction of Michigan, under or by virture of any authority not derived from the Territory, or the United
States. On the 9th of March, Governor Mason wrote
General Brown, then in command of the Michigan
militia, directing him to hold himself in readiness to
meet the enemy in the field in case any attempt was
made on the part of Ohio to carry out the provisions
of that act of the Legislature. On the 3Ist of March,
Governor Lucus, with his commissioners, arrived at
Perrysburgh, on their way to commence re-surveying
the Harris line. He was accompanied by General
Bell and staff, of the Ohio Militia, who proceeded to
muster a volunteer force of about 600 men.  This
was soon accomplished, and the force fully armed and
equipped. The force then went into camp at Fort
Miami, to await the Governor's orders.
In the meantime, Governor Mason, with General
Brown and staff, had raised a force 800 to 1200
strong, and were in possession of Toledo.  General
Brown's Staff consisted of Captain Henry Smith, of
Monroe, Inspector; Major J. J. Ullman, of Constantine, Quartermaster; William E. Broadman, of
Detroit, and Alpheus Felch, of Monroe, Aids-decamp. When Governor Lucas observed the determined bearing of the Michigan braver, and took note


of their number, he found it convenient to content
himself for a time with " watching over the border."
Several days were passed in this exhilarating employment, and just as Governor Lucas had made up his
mind to do something rash, two commissioners arrived from Washington on a mission of peace. They
remonstrated with Gov. Lucus, and reminded him of
the consequences to himself and his State if he persisted in his attempt to gain possession of the disputed
territory by force.  After several conferences with
both governors, the commissioners submitted propositions for their consideration.
Governor Lucas at once accepted the propositions,
and disbanded his forces. Governor Mason, on the
other hand, refused to accede to the arrangement, and
declined to compromise the rights of his people by a
surrender of possession and jurisdiction. When Governor Lucus disbanded his forces, however, Governor
Mason partially followed suit, but still held himself
in readiness to meet any emergency that might arise.
Governor Lucus now supposed that his way was
clear, and that he could re-mark the'Harris line without being molested, and ordered the commissioners
to proceed with their work.
In the meantime, Governor Mason kept a watchful eye upon the proceedings.  General Brown sent
scouts through the woods to watch their movements,
and report when operations were commenced. When
the surveying party got within the county of Lenawee, the under-sheriff of that county, armed with a
warrant, and accompanied by a posse, suddenly made
his appearance, and succeeded in arresting a portion
of the party. The rest, including the commissioners,
took to their heels, and were soon beyond the disputed territory. They reached Perrysburgh the following day in a highly demoralized condition, and
reported they had been attacked by an overwhelming force of Michigan malitia, under command of
General Brown.
This summary breaking up of the surveying party
produced the most tremendous excitement throughout
Ohio. Governor Lucas called an extra session of the
Legislature. But little remains to be said in reference
to the "war." The question continued for some time
to agitate the minds of the opposing parties; and the
action of Congress was impatiently awaited. Michigan
was admitted into the Union on the condition that
she give to Ohio the disputed territory, and accept
in return the Northern Peninsula, which she did.




7




Ac %1


r",.;I
x-i- ~
iT'
CtiJj
=; 1
~f




SECOND GO VERNOR OF IMICHIGAN.


log09


'a;        ILLIAM    WOODBRIDGE,.    |     H^ zsecond Governor of Michigan,
l        was born at Norwich, Conn.,.         Aug. 20, I78o, and died at
Detroit Oct. 20, I86I. He!  was of a family of three brothers
and two   sisters.  His father,
I_  I   Dudley Woodbridge, removed to
A  Marietta, Ohio, about 179o. The
i  life of Wm. Woodbridge, by Chas.
Lauman, from which this sketch
islargelycompiled, mentions nothing concerning his early education
beyond the fact that it was such as
g was afforded by the average school
of the time, except a year with the
J French    colonists at Gallipolis,
where he acquired a knowledge of
the French language. It should
be borne in mind, however, that
home education at that time was
an indispensable feature in the
training of the young. To this and
and to a few studies well mastered,
is due that strong mental discipline which has served
as a basis for many of the grand intellects that have
adorned and helped to make our National history.
Mr. Woodbridge studied law at Marietta, having
as a fellow student an intimate personal friend, a
young man subsequently distinguished, but known
at that time simply as Lewis Cass. He graduated at
the law school in Connecticut, after a course there of
nearly three years, and began to practice at Marietta
in r806. In June, i806, he married, at Hartford, Connecticut, Juleanna, daughter of John Trumbell, a
distinguished author and judge; and author of the




peom McFingal, which, during a dark period of the
Revolution, wrought such a magic change upon the
spirits of the colonists. He was happy in his domes.
tic relations until the death of Mrs. W., Feb. 2, I9, i860.
Our written biographies necessarily speak more
fully of men, because of their active participation in
public affairs, but human actions are stamped upon
the page of time and when the scroll shall be unrolled
the influence of good women upon the history of the
world will be read side by side with the deeds of men.
How much success and renown in life many men owe
to their wives is probably little known. Mrs. W. enjoyed the best means of early education that the
country afforded, and her intellectual genius enabled
her to improve her advantages. During her life, side
by side with the highest type of domestic and social
graces, she manifested a keen intellectuality that
formed the crown of a faultless chaiacter. She was
a natural poet, and wrote quite a large number of fine
verses, some of which are preserved in a printed
memorial essay written upon the occasion of her
death. In this essay, it is said of her "to contribute
even in matters of minor importance, to elevate the
reputation and add to the well being of her husband
in the various stations he was called upon to fill, gave
her the highest satisfaction" She was an invalid
during the latter portion of her life, but was patient
and cheerful to the end.
In I 807, Mr. W. was chosen a representative to the
General Assembly of Ohio, and in 1809 was elected to
the Senate, continuing a member by re-election until
his removal from the State. He also held, by appointment, during the time the office of Prosecutitng
Attorney for his county. He took a leading part in
the Legislature, and in I812 drew up a declaration and
resolutions, which passed the two houses unamiliously




TO


WYILLIAM WOODBRIDGE113R.


To            WLLIA  WODBIU GI


and attracted great attention, endorsing, in strongest
and most emphatic terms, the war measures of President Madison. During the period from I804 to 1814
the two law students, Woodbridge and Cass, had become widely separated. The latter was Governor of
the Territory of Michigan under the historic "Governor
and Judges" plan, with the indispensable requisite of a
Secretary of the Territorry. This latter position was,
in 1814, without solicitation on his part, tendered to
Mr. XV. He accepted the position with some. hesitation, and entered upon its duties as soon as he could
make the necessary arrangements for leaving Ohio.
The office of Secretary involved also the duties of
collectorof customs at the port of Detroit, and during
the frequent absences of the Governor, the dischargeof
of his duties, also including those of Superintendent
of Indian Affairs. Mr. W. officiated as Governor for
about two years out of the eight years that he held the
office of Secretary Under the administration of"Governor and Judges," which the people of the Territory
preferred for economical reasons, to continue some time
after their numbers entitled them to a more popular
representative system, they were allowed no delegate
in Congress. Mr. W., as a sort of informal agent of
the people, by correspondence and also by a visit to
the National capital, so clearly set forth the demand
for representation by a delegate, that an act was
passed in Congress in 18 I 9 authorizing one tobe chosen.
Under this act Mr. W. was elected by the concurrence
of all parties. His first action in Congress was to secure
the passage of a bill recognizing and confirming the
old French land titles in the Territory according to
the terms of the treaty of peace with Great Britain
at the close of the Revolution; and another for the
construction of a Government road through he "black
swamps" from the Miami River to Detroit, thus opening a means of land transit between Ohio and Michigan. He was influential in securing the passage of
bills for the construction of Government roads from
Detroit to Chicago, and Detroit to Fort Gratiot, and
for the improvement of La Plaisance Bay. The expedition for the exploration of the country around
Lake Superior and in the valley of the Upper Mississippi, projected by Governor Cass, was set on foot
by means of representations made to the head of the
department by Mr. W. While in Congress he strenuously maintained the right of Michigan to the strip
of territory now forming the northern boundary of
Ohio, which formed the subject of such grave dispute
between Ohio and Michigan at the time of the admission of the latter into the Union. He served
but one term as delegate to Congress, declining further service on account of personal and
family considerations. Mr. W. continued to discharge
the duties of Secretary of the Territory up to the time
its Government passed into the "second grade."
In I824, he was appointed one of a board of
commissioners for adjusting private land claims in


the Territory, and was engaged also in the practice of
his profession, having the best law library in the Territory. In 1828, upon the recommendation of the
Governor, Judges and others, he was appointed by the
President, J. Q. Adams, to succeed Hon. James Witherell, who had resigned as a Judge of what is conventionally called the "Supreme Court" of the Territory.
This court was apparently a continuation of the Territorial Court, under the "first grade" or "Governor and
Judges" system. Although it was supreme in its judicial functions within the Territory, its powers and
duties were of a very general character.
In 1832, the term of his appointment as Judge expiring, President Jackson appointed a successor, it is
supposed on political grounds, much to the disappointment of the public and the bar of the Territory. The
partisan feeling of the time extended into the Territory, and its people began to think of assuming the
dignity of a State government. Party lines becoming very sharply drawn, he identified himself with
the Whigs and was elected a member of the Convention of i835, which'formed the first State Constitution.
In I837 he was elected a member of tt e t ate Senate.
This sketch has purposely dealt somewhat in detail
with what may be called Judge W's. earlier career,
because it is closely identified with the early history of the State, and the development of its political system. Since the organization of the State Government the history of Michigan is more familiar, and
hence no review of Judge W's career as Governor
and Senator will be attempted. He was elected Governor in I839, under a popular impression that the
affairs of the State had not been prudently administered by the Democrats. He served as Governor but
little more than a year, when he was elected to the
Senate of the United States.
His term in the Senate practically closed his political life, although he was strongly urged by many
prominent men for the Whig nomination for Vice
President in i848.
Soon after his appointment as Judge in 1828, Governor W. took up his residence on a tract of land
which he owned in the township of Spring Wells, a
short distance below what was then the corporate limits of Detroit, where he resided during the remainder
of his life. Both in his public papers and private
communications, Governor W. shows himself a master of language; he is fruitful in simile and illustration, logical in arrangement, happy in the choice and
treatment of topics, and terse and vigorous in expression. Judge W. was a Congregationalist. His opinions
on all subjects were decided; he was earnest and
energetic, courteous and dignified, and at times exhibited a vein of fine humor that was the more attractive because not too often allowed to come to the
surface. His letters and addresses show a deep and
earnest affection not only for his ancestral home, but
the home of his adoption and for friends and family.




I




Il


I ST
r




GO VERIORS OF MICHIGAN.


113


_,  _....".


I
ZA


i


t~!4tzvzz,-I4
ItifIg


I


'


a


JOHN


S. BARRY




R ~      5tzItz5 -ItZ,5ie-~ t0                                               -w..


(9  I         (D


OHN   STEWARD     BARRY,
l     Governor of Michigan from
Jan. 3, I842, to Jan. 5, I846,
/ and from Jan. 7, I850, to Jan.., I852, was born at Amherst,
(N. II., Jan. 29, 1802. His par-!Xr ents, John and Ellen (Steward)
Barry, early removed to Rockingh* i^am, Vt., where he remained until
~j%    lie became of age, working on his
f. father's farm, and pursuing   his
studies at the same time. He married Mary Kidder, of Grafton, Vt.,
and in I824 went to Georgia, Vt.,
where he had charge of an academy
for two years, meanwhile studying
law. He afterward practiced law in
that State. While he was in Georgia he was for some
time a member of the Governor's staff, with the title
of Governor's Aid, and at a somewhat earlier period
was Captain of a company of State militia. In I831
he removed to Michigan, and settled at White Pigeon,
where he engaged in mercantile business with I. W.
Willard.


stantine and continued his mercantile pursuits. He
became Justice of the Peace at White Pigeon, Mich.
in 1831, and held the office until the year 1835
Mr. Barry's first public office was that of a member
of the first constitutional convention, which assembled
and fiamed the constitution upon which Michigan
was admitted into the Union. He took an important
and prominent part in the proceedings of that body,
and showed himself to be a man of far more than
ordinary ability.
Upon Michigan being admitted into the Union,
Mr. Barry was chosen State Senator, and so favorably
were his associates impressed with his abilities at the
first session of the Legislature that they looked to him
as a party leader, and that he should head the State
ticket at the following election. Accordingly he received the nomination for Governor at the hands
of his party assembled in convention.  He was
elected, and so popular was his administration that, in
1842, he was again elected.  During these years
Michigan was embarrassed by great financial difficulties, and it was through his wisdom and sound judgment that the State was finally placed upon a solid
financial basis.
During the first year of Gov. Barry's first term, the
University at Ann Arbor was opened for the reception


Four years after, 1834, Mr. Barry removed to Con



II.


JOHN S TE TVARD BARR Y.


I         JOH STWAR BAR


of students. The Michigan Central and Michigan
Sotthern railroads were being rapidly constructed, and
general progress was everywhere noticeable. In 1842,
the number of pupils reported as attending the public
bchools was nearly fifty-eight thousand.  In 1843, a
State land office was established at Marshall, which
was invested with the charge and disposition of all
the lands belonging to the State  In 1844, the taxable property of the State was found to be over
twenty-eight millions of dollars, the tax being at the
rate of two mills on the dollar. The expenses of the
State were only seventy thousand dollars, while the
income from the railroads was nearly three hundred
thousand dollars. At this time the University of
Michigan had become so prosperous that its income
was ample to pay the interest on the University debt;
and the amount of money which the State was able
to loan the several progressing railroads was one
hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Efforts were
made to increase the efficiency of the common schools
with good results  In 1845, when Gov. Barry's second term expired, the population of the State was
more than three hundred thousand.
The constitution of the State forbade more than two
consecutive terms, but he was called upon to fill the
position again in I85o-the only instance of the kind
in the history of the State. He was a member of the
Territorial Legislature, of the Constitutional Convention, and afterward of the State House of Representatives.
During Mr. Barry s third term as Governor the Normal School was established at Ypsilanti, which was
endowed with lands and placed in charge of a board
of education consisting of six persons. A new constitution for the government of the State was also
adopted and the "'Great Railway Conspiracy Case"
was tried. This grew out of a series of lawless acts
which had been committed upon the property of the
Michigan Central Railroad Company, along the line
of their road, and finally the burning of the depot
at Detroit, in 1850.
At a setting of the grand jury of Wayne County,
April 24, I851, 37 men of the 50 under arrest for this
crime were indicted. May 20, following, the accused
parties appeared at the Circuit Court of Wayne, of
which Warner Wing was resident judge. The Railroad Company employed ten eminent lawyers, including David Stuart, Joln Van Arman, James A.
Van Dyke, Jacob M. Howard, Alex. D. Fraser, Daniel Goodwin and William Gray. The defendants were
represented by six members of the State bar, led by
William H. Seward, of New York. The trial occupied
four months, during which time the plaintiffs examined 246 witnesses in 27 days, and the defendants
249 in 40 days. Mr. Van Dyke addressed the jury
for the prosecution; William H. Seward for the
defense.
The great lawyer was convinced of the innocence


of his clients, nor did the verdict of that jury and the
sentence of that judge remove his firm belief that his
clients were the victims of purchased treachery,
rather than so many sacrifices to justice.
The verdict of " guilty " was rendered at 9 o'clock
P. i., Sept. 25, 185 I. On the 26th the prisoners were
put forward to receive sentence, when many of them
protested their entire innocence, after which the presiding judge condemned I2 of the number to the following terms of imprisonment, with hard labor, within
the State's prison, situate in their county: Ammi
Filley, ten years; Orlando L. Williams, ten years;
Aaron Mount, eight years; Andrew J. Freeland, eight
years; Eben Farnham, eight years; William Corvin,
eight years; Richard Price, eight years; Evan Price,
eight years; Lyman Champlin, five years; Willard
W. Champlin, five years; Erastus Champlin, five
years; Erastus Smith, five years.
In 1840, Gov. Barry became deeply interested in
the cultivation of the sugar beet, and visited Europe
to obtain information in reference to its culture.
He was twice Presidential Elector, and his last
public service was that of a delegate to the National
Democratic Convention held in Chicago in 1864.
He was a man who, throughout life, maintained a
high character for integrity and fidelity to the trusts
bestowed upon him, whether of a public or a private
nature, and he is acknowledged by all to have been
one of the most efficient and popular Governors the
State has ever had.
Gov. Barry was a man of incorruptible integrity.
His opinions, which he reached by the most thorough
investigation, he held tenaciously. His strong convictions and outspoken honesty made it impossible for
him to take an undefined position when a principle
was involved. His attachments and prejudices were
strong, yet he was never accused of favoritism in his
administration of public affairs. As a speaker he was
not remarkable. Solidity, rather than brilliancy, characterized his oratory, which is described as argumentative and instructive, but cold, hard, and entirely
wanting in rhetorical ornament. He was never eloquent, seldom humorous or sarcastic, and in manner
rather awkward.
Although Mr. Barry's educational advantages were
so limited, he was a life-long student. He mastered
both ancient and modern languages, and acquired a
thorough knowledge of history. No man owed less
to political intrigue as a means of gaining position. He wvas a true statesman, and gained public esteemrby his solid worth. His political connections
were always with the Democratic party, and his opinions were usually extreme.
Mr. Barry retired to private life after the beginning
of the ascendency of the Republican party, and carried on his mercantile business at Constantine.  He
died Jan. I4, I870, his wife's death having occurred a
year previous, March 30, I869. They left no children.




r
Iz
C;
t-cf
C $.t R~~
r5
k= ;"
"' i;~,p_;-"~~
- It(
'5
- 8'_
4,




C,


1,
I
I
S
I
1,11-11,1V.,r 11
 p", l/




G'O VERIVORS OF M ICHIGA N.N


I 17


GO VENR         FMIHGN             1


L LPHEUS FELCH, the third
1  v    Governor of Michigan, was:~ l ^M   born in Limerick, Maine, SepT'1  '~,.    ternber 28, I806.  His grand' s"       father, Abijah Felch, was a soldier in the Revolution; and
W;?_ Owhen a young man, having with
I?   I others obtained a grant of land bewl tween the Great and Little Ossipee
d  TLf:\  Rivers, in Maine, moved to that re'    gion when it was yet a wilderness.
The father of Mr. Felch embarked in
1  mercantile life at Limerick. He was
the first to engage in that business in
that section, and continued it until
his death. The death of the father,!   followed within a year by the death of
the mother, left the subject of this sketch, then three
years old, to the care of relatives, and he found a
home with his paternal grandfather, where he renained until his death. Mr Felch received his early
education in the district school and a neighboring
academy. In I82i he became a student at Phillips
Exter Academy, and, subsequently, entered Bowdoin
College, graduated with the class of 1827. He at
once began the study of law and was admitted to
practice at Bangor, Me., in I830.
He began the practice of his profession at Houlton,
Me., where he remained until [833. The severity
of the climate impaired his health, never very good,
and he found it necessary to seek a change of climate.
He disposed of his library and started to seek
a new home. His intention was to join his friend,


Sargent S. Prentiss, at Vicksburg, Miss., but on his
arrival at Cincinnati, Mr. Felch was attacked by
cholera, and when he had recovered sufficiently to
permit of his traveling, found that the danger of the
disease was too great to permit a journey down the
river. He therefore determined to come to Michigan. He first began to practice in this State at Monroe, where he continued until 1843, when he removed
to Ann Arbor. He was elected to the State Legisla.
ture in 1835, and continued a member of that body
during the years 1836 and I837. While he held this
office, the general banking law of the State was enacted, and went into operation. After mature deliberation, he became convinced that the proposed system
of banking could not prove beneficial to the public
interests; and that, instead of relieving the people
from the pecuniary difficulties under which they were
laboring, it would result in still further embarrassment. He, therefore, opposed the bill, and pointed
out to the House the disasters which, in his opinion,
were sure to follow its passage. The public mind,
however, was so favorably impressed by the measure
that no other member, in either branch of the Legislature, raised a dissenting voice, and but two voted with
him in opposition to the bill. Early in 1838, he was
appointed one of the Bank Commissioners of the
State, and held that office for more than a year. During this time, the new banking law had given birth to
that numerous progeny known as "wild-cat" banks.
Almost every village had its bank. The country was
flooded with depressed "wild-cat" money. The examinations of the Bank Commissioners brought to
light frauds at every point, which were fearlessly re



118


ALPHEIUS EELCH..


I A


ported to the Legislature, and were followed by criminal prosecutions of the guilty parties, and the closing
of many of their institutions. The duties of the office were most laborious, and in 1839 Mr. Felch resigned. The chartered right of almost every bank
had, in the meantime, been declared forfeited and
the law repealed. It was subsequently decided to
be constitutional by the Supreme Court of the State.
In the year I842 Governor Felch was appointed
to the office of Auditor General of the State; but
after holding the office only a few weeks, was commissioned by the Governor as one of the Judges of the
Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Fletcher. In January, 1843, he was
elected to the United States Senate for an unexpired
term. In I845 he was elected Governor of Michigan,
and entered upon his duties at the commencement of
the next year.  In 1847 he was elected a Senator
in Congress for six years; and at once retired from
the office of Governor, by resignation, which took
effect March 4, 1847, when his Senatorial term commenced. While a member of the Senate he acted on
the Committee on Public Lands, and for four years
was its Chairman.  He filled the honorable position
of Senator with becoming dignity, and with great
credit to the State of Michigan.
During Governor Felch's administration the two
railroads belonging to the State were sold to private
corporations,-the Central for $2,000,000, and the
Southern for $5oo,ooo.  The exports of the State
amounted in 1846 to $4,647,608. The total capacity
of vessels enrolled in the collection district at Detroit
was 26,928 tons, the steam vessels having 8,400 and
the sailing vessels I8,528 tons, the whole giving employment to I8,0oo seamen. In 1847, there were 39
counties in the State, containing 435 townships; and
275 of these townships were supplied with good libraries, containing an aggregate of 37,000 volumes.
At the close of his Senatorial term, in March, I853,
Mr. Felch was appointed, by President Pierce, one of
the Commissioners to adjust and settle the Spanish


and Mexican land claims in California, under the
treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, and an act of Congress
passed for that purpose. He went to California in
May, I853, and was made President of the Commission. The duties of this office were of the most important and delicate character. The interest of the
new State, and the fortunes of many of its citizens,
both the native Mexican population and the recent
American immigration; the right of the Pueblos to
their common lands, and of the Catholic Church to
the lands of the Missions,-the most valuable of the
State,-wereinvolved in the adjudicationsof this Commission. In March, I856, their labors were brought
to a close by the final disposition of all the claims
which were presented. The record of their proceedings,-the testimony which was given in each case,
and the decision of the Commissioners thereon,consisting of some forty large volumes, was deposited
in the Department of the Interior at Washington.
In June of that year, Governor Felch returned to
Ann Arbor, where he has since been engaged piincipally in legal business.  Since his return he has
been nominated for Governor and also for U. S. Senator, and twice for Judge of the Supreme Court. But
the Democratic party, to which he has always been
attached, being in the minority, he failed of an election. In 1873 he withdrew from the active practice
of law, and, with the exception of a tour in Europe,
in 1875 has since led a life of retirement at his home
in Ann Arbor. In I877 the University of Michigan
conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. For
many years he was one of the Regents of Michigan
University, and in the spring of 1879 was appointed
Tappan Professor of Law in the same. Mr. Felch is
the oldest surviving member of the Legislature from
Monroe Co., the oldest and only surviving Bank Commissioner of the State, the oldest surviving Auditor
General of the State, the oldest surviving Governorof
the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme
Court of Michigan, and the oldest surviving United
States Senator from the State of Michigan.




0




S


lp        v      - C   II




GO VERNORS.


121


ILLIAM     L.  GREENLY,
o         Gerovernor of Michigan for the
g year I 847, was born at Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept.
i8,1813. He graduatedat Un>       ion  College, Schenectady, in! K       (i 1831, studied law and was adr   |    i mitted to the bar in 1834. In
1 836, having removed to Michi|  gan, he settled in Adrian, where;0Q  he has since resided. The year
following his arrival in Michigan
|  he was elected State Senator and
Aserved in that capacity until 1839.
>    vIn1 1845 he was elected Lieut. Gov[9i ernor and became acting Governor
I by the resignation of Gov, Felch,
who was elected to the United
States Senate.
The war with Mexico was brought
to a successful termination during Gov. Greenly's
administration. We regret to say that there are only
few records extant of the action of Michigan troops
in the Mexicanl war. That many went there and
fought well are points conceded; but their names and
nativity are hidden away in United States archives


and where it is almost impossible to find them.
The soldiers of this State deserve much of the
credit of the memorable achievements of Co. K; 3d
Dragoons, and Cos. A, E, and G of the U. S. Inf.
The two former of these companies, recruited in this
State, were reduced to one-third their original number.
In May, 1846,the Governor of Michigan was notified by the War Departm-ent of the United States to
enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be held in readiness for service whenever demanded. At his summons 13 independent volunteer companies, i of
infantry and two of cavalry, at once fell into line. Of
the infantry four companies were from Detroit. bearing the honored names of Montgomery, Lafayette,
Scott and Brady upon their banners. Of the remainder Monroe tendered two, -Lenawee County three,
St. Clair, Berrien and Hillsdale each one, and Wayne
County an additional company. Of these alone the
veteran Bradys were accepted and ordered into service. In addition to them ten companies, making the
First Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, springing
from various parts of the State, but embodying to a
great degree the material of which the first volunteers
was formed, were not called for until October following. This regiment was soon in readiness and proceeded by orders from Government to the seat of war.








II
r0




2)


&rz<^rt^^s


Aw/duu~




GO VERNORS.


T2C? X.... HE HON. EPAPHRODIi I          T US RANSOM, the Seventh
Governor of Michigan, was a
native of Massachusetts. In
that State he received a col~.~     legiate education, studied law,
Sand was admitted to the bar.
i'(G. iRemoving to Michigan about
l 7l     the time of its admission to the
Union, he took up his residence
at Kalamazoo.
'      Mr. Ransom served with marked
1  ability for a number of years in the
State Legislature, and in I837 he was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1843 he
was promoted to Chief Justice, which office he retained until I845, when he resigned.
Shortly afterwards he became deeply interested in
the building of plank roads in the western portion of
the State, and in this business lost the greater portion
of the property which he had accumulated by years
of toil and industry.
Mr. Ransom became Governor of the State of
Michigan in the fall of I847, and served during one
term, performing the duties of the office in a truly
statesmanlike manner. He subsequently became
President of the Michigan Agricultural Society, in
hich position he displayed the same ability that


I
I




shone forth so prominently in his acts as Governor.
He held the office of Regent of the Michigan University several times, and ever advocated a liberal policy
in its management.
Subsequently he was appointed receiver of the
land office in one of the districts in Kansas, by President Buchanan, to which State he had removed, and
where he died before the expiration of his term of
office.
We sum up the events and affairs of the State under Gov. Ransom's administration as follows: The
Asylum for the Insane was establised, as also the
Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Both of
these institutes were liberally endowed with lands,
and each of them placed in charge of a board of five
trustees. The appropriation in 1849 for the deaf and
dumb and blind amounted to $81,5oo. On the first
of March, 1848, the first telegraph line was completed from New York to Detroit, and the first dispatch transmitted on that day. The following figures
show the progress in agriculture: The land reported
as under cultivation in 1848 was I,437,460 acres; of
wheat there were produced 4,749,300 bushels; other
grains, 8,197,767 bushels; wool, 1,645,756 pounds;
maple sugar, 1,774,369 pounds; horses, 52,305; cattle, 210,268; swine, 152,541; sheep, 610,534; while
the flour mills numbered 228, and the lumber mills
amounted to 730. 1847, an act was passed removing
the Legislature from Detroit to Lansing, and temporary buildings for the use of the Legislature wereimmediately erected, at a cost of $12,450.




,)r
1(9
K
a








r
1 --1; --
`"


j




GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


129


— 1  B E R            t' ':r  -- - A   -  -7
~L-E-L-! OBERT     Mc CLELLAND,
\  Governor of Michigan from! Jan. i, I85 2, to March 8,1 853,
was born at Greencastle, Frank',2~ ),A  lin Co., Penn., Aug. I, I807.
\',  Among his ancestors were several
1  'IT officers of rank ill the RevolutionI t  ary war, and some of his family coni~\[.( nections were distinguished in the
i: war of 1812, and that with Mexico.
{1 f His father was an eminent physician
and surgeon who studied under Dr.
4~  Benj. Rush, of Philadelphia, and
practiced his profession successfully
Y   until six months before his death, at
I the age of 84 years. Although Mr.
McClelland's family had  been in good circumstances, when he was 17 years old he was thrown
upon his own resources. After taking the usual preliminary studies, and teaching school to obtain the
means, he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle,
Penn., from which he graduated among the first in
his class, in i829. He then resumed teaching; and
having completed the course of study for the legal
profession, was admitted to the bar at Chambersburg,
Penn., in i831. Soon afterward he removed to the
city of Pittsburgh, where he practiced for almost a
year.
In 1833, Mr. McClelland removed to Monroe, in


the Territory of Michigan, where, after a severe examination, he became a member of the bar of Michigan, and engaged in practice with bright prospect of
success. In I835, a convention was called to frame
a constitution for the proposed State of Michigan, of
which Mr. McClelland was elected a member. He
took a prominent part in its deliberations and ranked
among its ablest debaters.  He was appointed the
first Bank Commissioner of the State, by Gov. Mason,
and received an offer of the Attorney Generalship, but
declined both of these offices in order to attend to his
professional duties.
In I838, Mr. McClelland was elected to the State
Legislature, in which he soon became distinguished
as the head of several important committees, Speaker
pro temfore, and as an active, zealous and efficient
member. In I840, Gen. Harrison, as a candidate for
the Presidency, swept the country with an overwhelming majority, and at the same time the State of Michigant was carried by the Whigs under the popular cry
of " Woodbridge and reform " against the Democratic
party. At this time Mr. McClelland stood among the
acknowledged leaders of the latter organization; was
elected a member of the State House of Representatives, and with others adopted a plan to regain a lost
authority and prestige.
This party soon came again into power in the State,
and having been returned to the State Legislature Mz.
McClelland's leadership was acknowledged by his
election as Speaker of the House of Representatives




1^,0


ROBER T I cCLELLANi Do


in I843. Down to this time Michigan had constituted one congressional district. The late Hon. Jacob
M. Howard had been elected against Hon, Alpheus
Felch by a strong majority; but, in 1843, so thoroughly
had the Democratic party recovered from its defeat
of 1840 that Mr. McClelland, as a candidate for Congress, carried Detroit district by a majority of about
2,50.c Mr. McClelland soon took a prominent posi
tion in Congress among the veterans of that body.
)uring his first term he was placed on Committee on
Cormmerce, and organized and carried through what
vere known as the " Harbor bills." The continued
confidence of his constituency was manifested in his
election to the 29th Congress. At the opening of this
session he had acquired a National reputation, and so:avorably was he known as a parlimentarian that his
name was mentioned for Speaker of the House of Representatives. He declined the offer in favor of J. Wo
Davis, of Indiana, who was elected. During this term
he became Chairman of Committee on Commerce, in
which position his leports and advocacy of important
measures at once attracted public attention. The
members of this committee, as an evidence of the esteem in which they held his services and of their
personal regard for him, presented him with a cane
which he retains as a souvenir of the donors, and of
his iabors in Congress.
In I847, Mr. McClelland was re-elected to Con.
gress, and at the opening of the 3oth Congress became a member of the Committee on Fore:gn Relalions. While acting in this capacity, what was known
as the " French Spoliation Bill" came under his special charge, and his management of the same was such
as to command universal approbation.  While in
Congress, Mr_ McClelland was an advocate of the
right of petition as maintained by John Q. Adams,
wvben the petition, was clothed in decorous language
and presentie in the proper manner.  This he regarded as the citizens'constitutional right which should
not be impaired by any doctrines of temporary expediency. He also voted for the adoption of Mr. Giddings s bill for the abolishing of slavery in the District
of Columbia  Mr. McClelland was one of the few
Democrats associated with David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, in bringing forward the celebrated "Wilmot
Proviso," with a view to prevent further extension of
slavery in new territory which might be acquired by,he United States. He and Mr. Wilmot were together at the time in Washington, and on intimate
and confidential terms. Mr. McClelland was in several National conventions and in the Baltimore con'rention, which nominated Gen. Cass for President,
oa 1848, doing valiant service that year for the election of that distinguished statesman. On leaving
Congress, in 1848, Mr. McClelland returned to the
practice of his profession at Monroe. In 1850 a
convention of the State of Michigan was called to
revise the State constitution. He was elected a


member and was regarded therein as among the ablest
and most experienced leaders. His clear judgment
and wise moderation were conspicuous, both in the
committee room and on the floor, in debate. In I850,
he was President of the Democratic Stateconvention
which adopted resolutions in support of Henry Clay's
famous compromise measures, of which Mr. McClel
land was a strong advocate. He was a member of
the Democratic National convention in I852, and in
that year, in company with Gen. Cass and Governor
Felchl he made a thorough canvass of the State
He continued earnestly to advocate the Clay comr
promise measures, and took an active part in the
canvass which resulted in the election of Gen. Pierce
to the Presidency.
In I85 t, the new State constitution took effect and
it was necessary that a Governor should be elected
for one year in order to prevent an interregnum, and
to bring the State Government into operatic  under
the new constitutionO Mr. McClelland was elected
Governor, and in the fall of 1852 was re-elected for
a term of two years, from Jan. I, I8530 His administration was regarded as wise, prudent and conciliatory, and was as popular as could be expected at a
time when party spirit ran high. There was really
no opposition, and when he resigned, in March, 1853,
the State Treasury was well filled, and the State
otherwise prosperous. So widely and favorably ha&
Mr. McClelland become known as a statesman that on
the organization of the cabinet by Prcsident Pierce, in
March, 185 3, he was made Secretary of the Interior, in
which capacity he served most creditably during four
years of the Pierce administration. He thoroughly
re-orgacized his department and reduced the expenditure.  He adopted a course with the Indians which
relieved them from the impositions and annoyances
of the traders, and produced harmony and civilization
among them. During his administration there was
neither complaint from the tribes nor corruption among
agents, and he left the department in perfect order
and system  In I867, Michigan again called a con
vention to revise the State constitution, Mr. McClelland was a member and here again his long experience made him conspicuous as a prudent adviser, a
sagacious parliamentary leader. As a lawyer he was
terse and pointed in argument, clear, candid and imn
pressive in his addresses to the jury. His sincerity
and earnestness, with which was occasionally mingled
a pleasant humor, made him an able and effective
advocate. In speaking before the people on political
subjects he was especially forcible and happy. In
1870 he made the tour of Europe, which, through his
extensive personal acquaintance with European diplomates, he was enabled to enjoy much more than
most travelers,
Mr. McClelland married, in I837, Miss Sarah
E. Sabin, of Williamstown, Mass. They have had
six children, two of whom now survive.




I




-,


-;  z
I.,   I 1  --
-  I  I -


Y1
1.`
L' ~*=,=


Q.J


10




GO VER-1IVORS OF MICHI-GAIV.


I33


GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN                  '33


'NDREW     PARSONS, Gover^         ~^ nor of Michigan from March
8, I853 to Jan. 3, [855, was
born in the town of Hoosick,
County of Rensselaer, and
State of New York, on the 22d
day of July, 1817, and died June
6, I855, at the early age of 38
I     years. He was the son of John
Parsons, born at Newburyport,
Mass., Oct. 2, 1782, and who was the
sonof Andrew Parsons, a Revolutionary
g    soldier, who was the son of Phineas
Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons,
a descendant of Walter Parsons, born
I  il Ireland in 1290.
Of this name and family, some one hundred and
thirty years ago, Bishop Gilson remarked in his edition of Camden's Britannia: "The honorable family
of Parsons have been advanced to the dignity of
Viscounts and more lately Earls of Ross."
The following are descendants of these families:
Sir John Parsons, born 148, was Mayor of Hereford;
Robert Parsons, born in I546, lived near Bridgewater,
England. He was educated at Ballial College, Oxford, and was a noted writer and defender of the
Romish faith. He established an English College at
Rome and another at Valladolia. Frances Parsons,
born in 1556, was Vicar of Rothwell, in Notingham;
Bartholomew Parsons, born in I618, was another
noted member of the family. In I634, Thomas Parsons
was knighted by Charles I. Joseph and Benjamin,
brothers, were born in Great Torrington, England,


and accompanied their father and others to New
England about I630. Samuel Parsons, born at Salisbury, Mass., in 1707, graduated at Harvard College in
1730, ordained at Rye, N. H., Nov. 3, 1736, married
Mary Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Bostor,
Oct. 9, I739, died Jan. 4, I789, at the age of 82, in
the 53rd year of his ministry. The grandfather of Mary
Jones was Capt. John Adams,of Boston, grandson
of Henry, of Braintree, who was among the first settlers of Massachusetts, and from whom a numerous
race of the name are descended, including two Presidents of the United States. The Parsons have become very numerous and are found throughout New
England, and many of the descedants are scattered
in all parts of the United States, and especially in
the Middle and Western States. Governor Andrew
Parsons came to Michigan in I835, at the age of 17
years, and spent the first summer at Lower Ann
Arbor, where for a few months he taught school which
he was compelled to abandon from ill health
He was one of the large number of men of sterling
worth, who came from the East to Michigan when it
was an infant State, or, even prior to its assuming
the dignity of a State, and who, by their wisdom,
enterprise and energy, have developed its wondeiful
natural resources, until to-day it ranks with the proudest States of the Union. These brave men came to
Michigan with nothing to aid them in the conquest
of the wilderness save courageous hearts and strong
and willing hands. They gloriously conquered, lhowever, and to them is due all honor for the labois
so nobly performed, for the solid and sure foundation
which they laid of a great Commonwealth.




134


ANDRE IV P.4RSOArS


134           ANDEVPARONS


In the fall of I835, he explored the Grand River
Valley in a frail canoe, the whole length of the river,
from Jackson to Lake Michigan, and spent the following
winter as clerk in a store at Prairie Creek, in Ionia,
County, and in the spring went to Marshall, where he
resided with his brother, the Hon. Luke H. Parsons,
also now deceased, until fall, when he went to ShiawasseCounty,then with Clinton County, and an almost
unbroken wilderness and constituting one organized
township. In I837 this territory was organized into
a county and, at the age of only 19 years, he (Andrew) was elected County Clerk. In I840, he was
elected Register of Deeds, re-elected in 1842, and
also in I844. In i846, he was elected to the State
Senate, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney in I848,
and elected Regent of the University in I85i, and
Lieutenant Governor, and became acting Governor,
in 1853, elected again to the Legislature in 1854, and,
overcome by debilitated health, hard labor and the
responsibilities of his office and cares of his business,
retired to his farm, where he died soon after.
He was a fluent and persuasive speaker and well
calculated to make friends of his acquantances. He
was always true to his trust, and the whole world
could not persuade nor drive him to do what he conceived to be wrong. When Governor, a most powerful railroad influence was brought to bear upon him,
to induce him to call an extra session of the Legislature. Meetings were held in all parts of the State
for that purpose. In some sections the resolutions
were of a laudatory nature, intending to make him do
their bidding by resort to friendly and flattering words.
In other places the resolutions were of a demanding
nature, while in others they were threatening beyond
measure. Fearing that all these influences might
fail to induce him to call the extra session, a large
sum of money was sent him, and liberal offers tendered him if he would gratify the railroad interest of
the State and call the extra session, but, immovable,
he returned the money and refused to receive
any favois, whether from any party who would attempt to corrupt him by laudations, liberal offers, or


by threats, and in a short letter to the people, after
giving overwhelming reasons that no sensible man
could dispute, showing the circumstances were not
"extraordinary," he refused to call the extra session.
This brought down the wrath of various parties upon
his head, but they were soon forced to acknowledge
the wisdom and the justice of his course. One of
his greatest enemies said, after a long acquaintance:
"though not always coinciding with his views I never
doubted his honesty of purpose. He at all times
sought to perform his duties in strict accordance,
with the dictates of his conscience, and the behests
of his oath." The following eulogium from a'politcal opponent is just in its conception and creditable to its
author: "Gov. Parsons was a politician of the Democratic school, a man of pure moral character, fixed
and exemplary habits, and entirely blameless in every
public and private relation of life. As a politician he
was candid, frank and free from bitterness, as an executive officer firm, constant and reliable," The
highest commendations we can pay the deceased is
to give his just record, —that of being an honest man.
In the spring of I854, during the administration of
Governor Parsons, the Republican party, at least
as a State organization, was first formed in the United
States " under the oaks" at Jackson, by anti-slavery
men of both the old parties. Great excitement prevailed at this time, occasioned by the settling of
Kansas, and the issue thereby brought up, whether
slavery should exist there. For the purposeof permitting slavery there, the " Missouri compromise " (whic'i
limited slavery to the south of 360 30') was rerepealed, under the leadership of Stephen A, Douglas.
This was repealed by a bill admitting Kansas and
Nebraska into the Union, as Territories, and those who
were opposed to this repeal measure were in short
called "anti-Nebraska" men.  The epithets, "Nebraska" and "anti-Nebraska,' were temporally employed to designate the slavery and anti-slavery
parties, pending the desolution of the old Democratic
and Whig parties and the organization of the new
Democratic and Republican parties of the present.




I



'   ~                               -,.1,


-S0,




GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


137


1 KINSLYEY S. BINGHAM. ]
-t —y^.'^'^^^.iW —.~.,4W,  ~.  (.


Fr


X'.(^  INSLEY    S.   BINGHAM,
I. l  l" Governor of Michigan from
1855 to I859, and United
States Senator, was born in
Camillus, Onondaga County,
N. Y., Dec. 16, I808. His
father was a farmer, and his own
early life wvas consequently devoted to agricultural pursuits, but
notwithstanding the disadvantages related to the acquisition
}4 of knowledge in the life of a farmer
he managed to secure a good academic education in his native State
i and studied law in the office of
Gen. James R. Lawrence, now of
j Syracuse, N. Y.   In the spring of
s  I833, he married an estimable lady
who had recently arrived from ScotS    land, and obeying the impulse of a
naturally enterprising disposition,
he emigrated to  Michigan  and
purchased a new farm in company
i   with his brother-in-law, Mr. Robert
Worden, in Green Oak, Livingston County. Here, on
the border of civilization, buried in the primeval forest, our late student commenced the arduous task of
preparing a future home, clearing and fencing, putting up buildings, etc., at such a rate that the land


chosen was soon reduced to a high state of cultivation.
Becoming deservedly prominent, Mr. Bingham was
elected to the office of Justice of the Peace and Postmaster under the Territorial government, and was the
first Probate Judge in the county. In the year I836,
when Michigan l ecame a State, he was elected to the
first Legislature. He was four times re-elected, and
Speaker of the House of Representatives three years.
In 1846 he was elected on the Democratic ticket, Representative to Congress, and was the only practical
farmer in that body. He was never forgetful of the
interest of agriculture, and was in particular opposed
to the introduction of "Wood's Patent Cast Iron
Plow " which he completely prevented. He was reelected to Congress in I848, during which time he
strongly opposed the extension of slavery in the
territory of the United States and was committed to
and voted for the Wilmot Proviso.
In 1854, at the first organization of the Republican
party, in consequence of his record in Congress as a
Free Soil Democrat, Mr. Bingham  was nominated
and elected Governor of the State, and re-elected in
I856. Still faithful to the memory of his own former
occupation, he did not forget the farmers during his
administration, and among other profits of his zeal in
their behalf, he became mainly instrumental in the
establishment of the Agricultural College at Lansiiig.
In 1859, Governor Bingham was elected Senator in
Congress and took an active part in the stormy campaign in the election of Abraham Lincoln. He wit.




138


IU ZVSLE Y S. BINGHA M.i


138-          A7NSL- f Y- ~- BZGHAA


nessed the commencement of the civil war while a
member of the United States Senate. After a comparatively short life of remarkable promise and public activity he was attacked with appoplexy and died
suddenly at his residence, in Green Oak, Oct. 5, i86 1.
The most noticable event in Governor Bingham's
first term was the completion of the ship canal, at the
Falls of St. Mary. In 1852, Angust 26, an act of
Congress was approved, granting to the State of Michigan seven hundred and fifty thousand acres of land
for the purpose of constructing a ship canal between
Lakes Huron and Superior. In 85 3, the Legislature
accepted the grant, and provided tor the appointment
of commissioners to select the donated lands, and to
arrange for building the canal. A company of enterprising men was formed, and a contract was entered
into by which it was arranged that the canal should
be finished in two years, and the work was pushed
rapidly forward. Every article of consumption, machinery, working implements and materials, timber
for the gates, stones for the locks, as well as men and
supplies, had to be transported to the site of the canal
from Detroit, Cleveland, and other lake ports.  The
rapids which had to be surmounted have a fall of
seventeen feet and are about one mile long. The
length of the canal is less than one mile, its width one
hundred feet, depth twelve feet and it has two locks
of solid masonary. In May, 855, the work was completed, accepted by the commissioners, and formally
delivered to the State authorities.
The disbursements on account of the construction
of the canal and selecting the lands amounted to one
million of dollars; while the lands which were assigned to the company, and selected through the
agency at the Sault, as well as certain lands in the
Upper and Lower Peninsulas, filled to an acre the
Government grant. The opening of the canal was
an important event in the history of the improvement
of the State. It was a valuable link in the chain of
lake commerce, and particularly important to the
interests of the Upper Peninsula.
There were several educational, charitable and reformatory institutions inaugurated and opened during
Gov. Bingham's administrations. The Michigan Agricultural College owes its establishment to a provision
of the State Constitution of 1850. Article 13 says,
"The Legislature shall, as soon as practicable, provide for the establishment of an agricultural school."
For the purpose of caryinginto practice this provision,
legislation was commenced in i855, and the act required that the school should be within ten miles of
Lansing, and that not more than $15 an acre should
be paid for the farm and college grounds. The college was opened to students in May, 1857, the first of
existing argricultural colleges in the United States
Until the spring of i86r, it was under the control
of the State Board of Education; since that time it
has been under the management of the State Board


of Agriculture, which was created for that purpose.
In its essential features, of combining study and
labor, and of uniting general and professional studies
in its course, the college has remained virtually unchanged from the first. It has a steady growth in
number of students, in means of illustration and
efficiency of instruction.
The Agricultural College is three miles east of
Lansing, comprising several fine buildings; and there
are also very beautiful, substantial residences for the
professors. There are also an extensive, well-filled
green-house, a very large and well-eqcipped chemical
laboratory, one of the most scientific apiaries in the
United States, a general museum, a meseum of mechanical inventions, another of vegetable products,
extensive barns, piggeries, etc., etc., in fine trim for
the purposes designed. The farm consists of 676
acres, of which about 300 are under cultivation in a
systematic rotation of crops.
Adrian College was established by the Wesleyan
Methodists in 1859, now under the control of the
Methodist Church. The grounds contain about 20
acres. There are four buildings, capable of accommodating about 225 students. Attendance in 1875
was 179; total number of graduates for previous year,
121; ten professors and teachers are employed. Exclusive of the endowment fund ($8o,ooo), the assets
of the institution, including grounds, buildings, furniture, apparatus, musical instruments, outlying lands,
etc., amount to more than $137,000.
'Hillsdale College was established in i855 by the
Free Baptists. The Michigan Central College, at
Spring Arbor, was incorporated in 1845  It was kept
in operation until it was merged into the present
Hillsdale College.  The site comprises 25 acres,
beautifully situated on an eminence in the western
part of the city of Hillsdale. The large and imposing building first erected was nearly destroyed by fire
in 1874, and in its place five buildings of a more
modern style have been erected. They are of brick,
three stories with basement, arranged on three sides
of a quadrangle. The size is, respectively, 80 by 80,
48 by 72, 48 by 7 2, 80 by 60, 52 by 72, and they contain one-half more room than the original building.
The State Reform School. This was established
at Lansing in I855, in the northeastern portion of the
city, as the House of Correction for Juvenile Offenders, having about it many of the features of a
prison. In I859 the name was changed to the State
Reform School. The government and dicipline, have
undergone many and radical changes, until all the
prison features have been removed except those that
remain in the walls of the original structure, and
which remain only as monuments of instructive history. No bolts, bars or guards are employed.  The
inmates are necessarily kept under the surveillance of
officers, but the attempts at escape are much fewer
than under the more rigid regime of former days.




f




Xef. - <W;, -:, i,
-    I


-1tctgLf~ g




GO VERNORS OP MICHIGAN.


14I..


X 4     OSES WISNER, Governor of
Michigan from I859 to I86i,
l  g    n     was born in Springport, Cayuga Co., N Y., June 3, I815.. His early education was only
what could be obtained at a
common school. Agricultural labor
i   and frugality of his parents gave
him a physical constitution of unusual strength and endurance, which
was ever preserved by temperate habits. In I837 he emigrated to Michit  gan and purchased a farm in Lapeer
County  It was new land and he at
once set to work to clear it and plant
crops. He labored diligently at his
i  task for two years, when he gave up
the idea of being a farmer, and removed to Pontiac,
Oakland Co. Here he commenced the study of law
in the office of his brother, George W. Wisner, and
Rufus Hosmer. In I84I he was admitted to tlh bar
and established himself in his new vocation at the
village of Lapeer. While there he was apppointed
by Gov. Woodbridge Prosecuting Attorney for that
county, in which capacity he acquitted himself well
and gave promise of that eminence he afterward attained in the profession. He remained at Lapeerbut
a short time, removing to Pontiac, where he became
a member of a firm and entered fully upon the
practice.
In politics he was like his talented brother, a Whig
of the Henry Clay stamp, but with a decided antislaver) bias. His practice becoming extensive, he


took little part in politics until after the election of
Mr. Pierce to the Presidency in 1852, when he took an
active part against slavery. As a lawyer he was a
man of great ability, but relied less upon mere book
learning than upon his native good sense. Liberal
and courteous, was he yet devoted to the interest of
his client, and no facts escaped his attention or his
memory which bore upon the case. He was no friend
of trickery or artifice in conducting a case As an advocate he had few equals. When fully aroused by the
merits of his subject his eloquence was at once graceful and powerful. His fancies supplied the most
original, the most pointed illustrations, and his logic
became a battling giant under whose heavy blows the
adversary shrank and withered. Nature had bestowed upon him rare qualities, and his powers as a
popular orator were of a high order.
On the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of
1854, repealing the Missouri compromise and opening
the Territories to slavery, he was among the foremost
in Michigan to denounce the shamful scheme. He
actively participated in organizing and consolidating
the elements opposed to it in that State, and was a
member of the popular gathering at Jackson, in July,
1854, which was the first formal Republican Conven.
tion held in the United States. At this meeting the
name "Republican " was adopted as a designation of
the new party consisting of Anti-slavery, Whigs,
Liberty men, Free Soil Democrats and all others opposed to the extension of slavery and favorable to its
expulsion from the Territories and the District of
Columbia. At this convention Mr. W. was urged to
accept the nomination for Attorney General of the




142


MOSEiS WISIVAIR.


2        M.


State, but declined. An entire State ticket was nominated and at the annual election in November was
elected by an average majority of nearly Io,ooo.
Mr. W. was enthusiastic in the cause and brought to
its support all his personal influence and talents. In
his views he was bold and radical. He believed froil
the beginning that the political power. of the slaveholders would have to be overthrown before quiet
could be secured to the country. In the Presidential
canvass of 1856 he supported the Fremont, or Republican, ticket. At the session of the Legislature of
I857 he was a candidate for United States Senator,
and as such received a very handsome support.
In i858, he was nominated for Governor of the
State by the Republican convention that met at Detroit, and at the subsequent November election was
chosen by a very large majority. Before the day of
the election he had addressed the people of almost
every county and his majority was greater even than
that of his popular predecessor, Hon. K. S. Bingham.
He served as Governor two years, from Jan. i, I859,
to Jan. I, I86i. His first message to the Legislature
was an able and statesman-like production, and was
read with usual favor. It showed that he was awake
to all the interests of the State and set forth an enlightened State policy, that had its view of the rapid
settlement of our uncultivated lands and the development of our immense agricultural and mineral resources. It was a document that reflected the highest
credit upon the author.
His term having expired Jan. I, i861, he returned
o his home in Pontiac, and to the practice of his
profession. There were those in the State who
counselled the sending of delegates to the peace conference at Washington, but Mr. W. was opposed to all
such temporizing expedients. His counsel was to
send no delegate, but to prepare to fight.
After Congress had met and passed the necessary
-egislation he resol ed to take part in the war. In
the spring and summer of I862 he set to work to
raise a regiment of infantry, chiefly in Oakland
County, where he resided. His regiment, the 22d
Michigan, was armed and equipped and ready to
march in September, a regiment whose solid qualities were afterwards proven on many a bloody field.
Col. W's. commission bore the date of Sept. 8, 1862.
Before parting with his family he made his will. His
regiment was sent to Kentucky and quartered at


Camp Wallace. He had at the breaking out of the
war turned his attention to military studies and became proficient in the ordinary rules and discipline.
His entire attention was now devoted to his duties.
His treatment of his men was kind, though his discipline was rigid. He possessed in an eminent degree
the spirit of command, and had he lived he would
no doubt have distinguished  himself as a good
officer. He was impatient of delay and chafed at
being kept in Kentucky where there was so little
prospect of getting at the enemy. But life in camp,
so different from the one he had been leading, and
his incessant labors, coupled with that impatience
which was so natural and so general among the volunteers in the early part of the war, soon made their
influence felt upon his health. He was seized with
typhoid fever and removed to a private house near
Lexington. Every care which medical skill or the
hand of friendship could bestow was rendered him.
In the delirious wanderings of his mind he was disciplining his men and urging them to be prepared for
an encounter with the enemy, enlarging upon the justice of their cause and the necessity of their crushing the Rebellion. But the source of his most poignant gnet was the prospect of not being able to come
to a hand-to-hand encounter with the "chivalry."
He was proud of his regiment, and felt that if it could
find the enemy it would cover itself with glory,-a
distinction it afterward obtained, but not until Col. W.
was no more. The malady baffled all medical treatment, and on the 5th day of Jan., 1863, he breathed
his last. His remains were removed to Michigan and
interred in the cemetery at Pontiac, where they rest
by the side of the brave Gen. Richardson, who received his mortal wound at the battle of Antietam.
Col. W. was no adventurer, although he was doubtless
ambitious of military renown and would have striven
for it with characteristic energy. He went to the war
to defend and uphold the principles he had so much
at heart. Few men were more familiar than he with
the causes and the underlying principles that led to
the contest. He left a wife, who was a daughter of
Gen. C. C. Hascall, of Flint, and four children to
mourn his loss. Toward them he ever showed the
tenderest regard. Next to his duty their love and
welfare engrossed his thoughts. He was kind, generous and brave, and like thousands of otheis l:e
sleeps the sleep of the martyr for his country.








II
1
a 3,-_r7r.j,.-. -.I —
z


u


4w




GO VERVORS OF MICHIGAN.


I45


I         Lk + ia _____   l~p   tt   CMt           4C
lp't  4-14 o.,                          -----------.r<"      USTIN   BLAIR, Governor
i: ~ \       of Michigan from   Jan. 2,
a  X86ir to Jan. 4, i865, and
kown as the War Governor, is
___      and illustration of the benifi'~ cent influence of republican institutions, having inherited neithF   er fortune nor fame. He was born
in a log cabin at Caroline, Tompt         kkins Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, I8i8.
His ancestors came from Scotl  land in the time of George I, and
for many generations followed the
i   pursuit of agriculture.  His father,
i  George Blair, settled in Tompkins
County in I809, and felled the trees and erected the
first cabin in the county. The last 60 of the fourscore and four years of his life were spent on that
spot. He married Rhoda Blackman,who now sleeps
with him in the soil of the old homestead. The first
17 years of his life were spent there, rendering his
father what aid he could upon the farm.  He then
spent ayear and a half in Cazenovia Seminary preparing for college; entered Hamilton College, in
Clinton, prosecuted his studies until the middle of
the junior year, when, attracted by the fame of Dr.
Nott, he changed to Union College, from which he
graduated in the class of 1839.  Upon leaving coliege Mr. Blair read law two years in the office of Sweet
& Davis, Owego, N Y., and was admit-ed lo practice
iW 1$41, and the same year moved to Michigan, locat



ing in Jackson. During a temporary residence in
Eaton Rapids, in I842, he was elected Clerkof Eacon
County. At the close of the official term he returned to
Jackson, and as a Whig, zealously espoused the cause
of Henry Clay in the campaign of I844. Hewas chosen
Representative to the Legislature in 1845, at which
session, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, he
rendered valuable service in the revision of the general statutes; also made an able report in favor of
abolishing the color distinction in relation to the elective franchise, and at the same session was active in
securing the abolition of capital punishment. In 1848
Mr. Blair refused longer to affiliate with the Whig
party, because of its refusial to endorse in convention
any anti-slavery sentiment. He joined the Free-soil
movement, and was a delegate to their convention
which nominated Van Buren for President that year.
Upon the birth of the Republican party at Jackson,
in 1854, by the coalition of the Whig and Free-soil
elements, Mr. Blair was in full sympathy with the
movement, and acted as a member of the Committee
on Platform. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney
of Jackson County in 1852; was chosen State Senator
two years later, taking his seat with the incoming Republican administration of I855, and holding the
position of parliamentary leader in the Senate. He
was a delegate to the National Convention which
nominated Abraham Lincoln in i86o. Mr. Blair
was elected Governor of Michigan in I86o, and reelected in I862, faithfully and honorably discharging
the arduous duties of the office during that most mo



a


146


A USTIN BLAIR.




1me tous and stormy period of the Nation's life. Gov.
Blair possessed a clear comprehension of the perilous
situation from the inception of the Rebellion, and his
inaugural address foreshadowed the prompt executive
policy and the administrative ability which characterized his gubernatorial career.
Never perhaps in the history of a nation has a
brighter example been Ilid down, or a greater sacrifice been made, than that which distinguished Michigan during the civil war. All, from the " War Governor." down to the poorest citizen of the State, were
animated with a patriotic ardor at once magnificiently
sublime and wisely directed.
Very early in I86I the coming struggle cast its
shadow over the Nation. Governor Blair, in his message to the Legislature in January of that year, dwelt
very forcibly upon the sad prospects of civil war; and
as forcibly pledged the State to support the principles
of the Republic. After a review of the conditions
of the State, he passed on to a consideration of the
relations between the free and slave States of the
Republic, saying: "While we are citizens of the State
of Michigan, and as such deeply devoted to her interests and honor, we have a still prouder title.  We
are also citizeas of the United States of America. By
this title we are known among the nations of the earth.
In remote quarters of the globe, where the names of
the States are unknown, the flag of the great Republic,
the banner of the stars and stripes, honor and protect
her citizens. In whatever concerns the honor, the
prosperity and the perpetuity of this great Government, we are deeply interested. The people of Michigan are loyal to that Government-faithful to its constitution and its laws. Under it they have had peace
and prosperity; and under it they mean to abide to
the end. Feeling a just pride in the glorious history
of the past, they will not renounce the equally glorious hopes of the future. But they will rally around
the standards of the Nation and defend its integrity
and its constitution, with fidelity." The final paragraph being:
" I recommend you at an early day to make mani

fest to the gentlemen who represent this State in the
two Houses of Congress, and to the country, that
Michigan is loyal to the Union, the Constitution, and
the laws and will defend them to the uttermost; and
to proffer to the President of the United States, the
whole military power of the State for that purpose.
Oh, for the firm, steady hand of a Washington, or a
Jackson, to guide the ship of State in this perilous
storm! Let us hope that we will find him on the 4th
of March. Meantime, let us abide in the faith of our
fathers-'Liberty and Union, one and inseparable,
now and forever.'"
How this stirring appeal was responded to by the
people of Michigan will be seen by the statement
that the State furnished 88,i i i men during the war.
Money, men, clothing and food were freely and abundantly supplied by this State during all these years of
darkness and blood shed. No State, won a brighter
record for her devotion to our country than the Peninsula State, and to Gov. Blair, more than to any
other individual is due the credit for its untiring zeal
and labors in the Nation's behalf, and for the heroism
manifested in its defense.
Gov. Blair was elected Representative to the
Fortieth Congress, and twice re-elected, to the Fortyfirst and Forty-second Congress, from the Third District of Michigan. While a member of that body he
was a strong supporter of reconstruction measures,
and sternly opposed every form of repudiation. His
speech upon the national finances, delivered on the
floor of the House March 2, I868, was a clear and
convincing argument. Since his retirement from Congress, Mr. Blair has been busily occupied with his extensive law practice. Mr. Blair married Sarah L.
Ford, of Seneca County N. Y., in February, 1849.
Their family consists of 4 sons-George H., a postal
clerk in the railway mail service; Charles A., partner
with his father; Fred. J. and Austin T., at home.
Governor Blair's religion is of the broad type, and
centers in the "Golden Rule." In I883, Gov. Blair
was nominated for Justice of the Supreme Cou:rt
of the State by the Republican party, but was defeated.








-1V
-,ti, ME      also,
Al
T*




GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.                149


--— I
(t -11, I
C413-2,.ism     T......
vr bv:
ALIJ~ A 6


"t           ENRY HOWLAND CRAPO,
Governor of Michigan from. i  II |  m 1Vi865 to I869, was born May
Qi         24, i804, at I)artmouth, Bristol Co, Mass., and died at
r     Flint, Mich, July 22, i869.
/   He was the eldest son of Jesse
Ij^8\1!  and Pholllbe (Howland) Crapo.
|    His father was of French descent
and was very poor, sustaining his
family by the cultivation of a farm in
)Dartmouth township, which yielded?    nothing beyond a mere livelihood.
His early life was consequently one
(   of toil and devoid of advantages for
intellectual culture, but his desire for
an education seemed to know no bounds. The incessant toil for a mere subsistence upon a comparatively sterile farm, had no charm for him; and, longing
for greater usefulness and better things, he looked for
them in an education. His struggles to secure this
end necessitated sacrifices and hardships that would
have discouraged any but the most courageous and
per.severing. He became an ardent student and
worker from his boyhood, though the means of carryi;ig on his studies were exceedingly limited. He
sorely felt the need of a dictionary; and, neither having
money wherewith to purchase it, nor being able to
procure one ia his neighborhood, he set out to compile
one for himself. In order to acquire a knowledge of
the English language, he copied into a book every
word whose meaning he did not comprehend, and
upo;) meeting the same word again in the newspapers,.-d )3ok., whiclh came into his hands, from  the


context, would then record the definition. Whenever
unable otherwise to obtain the signification of a word
in which he had become interested he would walk
from Dartmouth to New Bedford for that purpose
alone, and after referring to the books at the library
and satisfying himself thoroughly as to its definition,
would walk back, a distance of about seven miles.
the same night. This was no unusual circumstance.
Under such difficulties and in this manner he compiled quite an extensive dictionary in manuscrip'
which is believed to be still in existence.
Ever in pursuit of knowledge, he obtained possession of a book upon surveying, and applying himself
diligently to its study became familiar with this art,
which he soon had an opportunity to practice. The
services of a land surveyor were wanted, and he was
called upon, but had no compass and no money with
which to purchase one. A compass, however, he
must and would have, and going to a blacksmith shop
near at hand, upon the forge, with such tools as he
could find in the shop, while the smith was at dinner,
he constructed the compass and commenced life as a
surveyor. Still continuing his studies, he fitted himself for teaching, and took charge of the village school
at Dartmouth. When, in the course of time and under the pressure of law, a high school was to be
opened, he passed a successful examination for its
principalship and received the appointment. To do
this was no small task. The law required a rigid
examination in various subjects, which necessitated
days and nights of study. One evening, after concluding his day's labor of teaching, he traveled on foot
to New Bedford, some seven or eight miles, called
upon the preceptor of Friend's Academy and passed




*


150


IHEN-R Y HO WLA ND CRAPO.


I


a severe examination. Receiving a certificate that
lie wvas qualified, he walked back to his home the
same night, highly elated in being possessed of the
acq ire!nents and requirements of a master of the
high school.
In 1832, at the age of 28 years, he left his native
town and went to reside at New Bedford, where he
followed the occupation of land surveyor, and occasionally acted as an auctioneer. Soon after becomi.ig a citizen of this place, he was elected Town Clerk,
Treasurer, and Collector of taxes, which office he held
until the municipal government was changed,-about
fifteen years,-when, upon the inauguration of the city
government, he was elected Treasurer and Collector
of taxes, a position which he held two or three years.
He was also Justice of the Peace for many years.
lie was elected Alderman of New Bedford; was
Chairman of Council Committee on Education, and
as such prepared a report upon which was based the
order for the establishment of the free Public Library
of New Bedford. On its organization, Mr. Crapo was
chosen a member of the Board of Trustees. This
was the first free public library in Massachusetts, if
not in the world. The Boston Free Library was established, however, soon afterwards. While a resident
i:i New Bedford, he was much interested in horticulture, and to obtain the land necessary for carrying out
his ideas he drained and reclaimed several acres of
rocky and swampy land adjoining his garden. Here
lie started a nursery, which he filled with almost every
description of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs,
flowers, etc. In this he was very successful and took
great pride. He was a regular contributorto the New
England Horticultural Journal, a position he filled
as long as he lived in Massachusetts. As an indicatio:i of the wide reputation he acquired in that field
of labor, it may be mentioned that after his death an
affecting eulogy to his memory was pronounced by the
President of the National Horticultural Society at its
meeting in Philadelphia, in I869. During his residence in New Bedford, Mr. Crapo was also engaged
i:i the whaling business. A fine barque built at Dartmouth, of which he was part owner, was named the
"H. H. Crapo" in compliment to him.
Mr. C. also took part in the State Militia, and for
several years held a commission as Colonel of one of
the regiments. He was President of the Bristol
County Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and Secretary of
the Bedford Commercial Insurance Company in New
Bedford; and while an officer of the municipal governmenthecom piled and published, between the years
1836 and 1845, five numbers of the New Bedford
Directory the first work of the kind ever published
there.
Mr. C. removed to Michigan in I856, having been
induced to do so by investments made principally in
pine lands, first in 1837 and subsequently in 1856.
He took up his residence in the city of Flint, and en

gaged largely in the manufacture and sale of lumber
at Flint, Fentonville, Holly and Detroit, becoming
one of the largest and most successful business men
of. the State. He was mainly instrumental in the
construction of the Flint & Holly R. R., and was
President of that corporation until its consolidation
with the Flint & Pere Marquette R. R. Company.
He was elected Mayor of that city after he had been
a resident of the place only five cr six years. In
1862 he was elected State Senator. In the fall of
I864 he received the nomination on the Republican
ticket for Governor of the State, and was elected by a
large majority. He was re-elected in i866, holding
the office two terms, and retiring in January, 1869,
having given the greatest satisfaction to all parties.
While serving his last term he was attacked with a
disease which terminated his life within one year
afterwards. During much of this time he was an intense sufferer, yet often while in great pain gave his
attention to public matters. A few weeks previous
to his death a successful surgical operation was performed which seemed rapidly to restore him, but he
overestimated his strength, and by too much exertion
in business matters and State affairs suffered arelapse
from which there was no rebound, and he died July
33, I869.
In the early part of his life, Gov. Crapo affiliated
with the Whig party in politics, but became an active
member of the Republican party after its organization.
He was a member of the Christian (sometimes called
the Disciples') Church, and took great interest in its
welfare and prosperity.
Mr. C. married, June 9, I825, Mary A. Slocum,
of Dartmouth. His marriage took place soon after
he had attained his majority, and before his struggles
with fortune had been rewarded with any great measure of success. But his wife was a woman of great
strength of character and possessed of courage, hopefulness and devotion, qualities which sustained and
encouraged ler husband in the various pursuits of
his early years. For several years after his marriage
he was engaged in teaching school, his wife living
with her parents at the time, at whose home his two
older children were born. While thus situated he
was accustomed to walk home on Saturday to see
his family, returning on Sunday in order to be ready
for school Monday morning. As the walk for a good
part of the time was 20 miles each way, it is evident
that at that period of his life no common obstacles
deterred him  from  performing what he regarded
as a duty. His wife was none the less conscientious in her sphere, and with added responsibilities
and increasing requirements she labored faithfully
in the performance of all her duties. They had
ten children, one son and nine daughters. His son,
Hon. Wm. W. Crapo, of New Bedford, is now an
honored Representative to Congress from the First
Congressional District of Massachusetts.




I




4%




GO V'ERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


Ib3


4 HENKY P. BALDWIN, B
a^-xz~^^^ a (1;,nw  en ( W @ ^y2^!~^
I~utv IM


ENRY P. BALDWIN, Governor of Michigan from Jan..4, r 86-, to Jan. r, I873, is a
lineal descendant of Nathan-.^..s~ eielBaldwin, a Puritan, of Buckinghamshire, England, who setx       t tled at Milford, Conn., in 1639.
VlMM     His father was John Baldwin,
Q'(       a graduate of Dartmouth College. He died at North Provi-'
dence, R. I., in 1826. His
paternal grandfather was Rev.
i  Moses Baldwin, a graduate of
Princeton College, in 175 7, and the
first who received collegiate honors at that ancient and honored institution. He died
at Parma, Mass., in I8r3, where for more than 50
years he had been pastor of the Presbyterian Church.
On his mother's side Governor B. is descended from
Robert Williams, also a Puritan, who settled in Roxbury, Mass., about I638. His mother was a daughter
of Rev. Nehemiah Williams, a graduate of Harvard
College, who died at Brimfield, Mass., in 1796, where
tor 21 years he was pastor of the Congregationalist
Church. The subject of this sketch was born at
Coventry, R. I., Feb. 22, 1814. He received a New
England common-school education until the age of
12 years, when, both his parents having died, he becane a clerk in a mercantile establishment. He remained there, employing his leisure hours in study,
until 20 years of age.
At this early period Mr. B. engaged in business on
his own account. He made a visit to the West, in
I837, which resulted in his removal to Detroit in the
spring of 1838. Here he established a mercantile
house which has been successfully conducted until
the present time. Although he successfully conducted


a large business, he has ever taken a deep interest in
all things affecting the prosperity of the city and
State of his adoption. He was for several years a
Director and President of the Detroit Young Men's
Society, an institution with a large library designed
for the benefit of young men and citizens generally.
An Episcopalian in religious belief, he has been
prominent in home matters connected with that denomination. The large and flourishing parish of St.
John, Detroit, originated with Governor Baldwin, who
gave the lot on which the parish edifice stands, and
also contributed the larger share of the cost of their
erection. Governor B. was one of the foremost in
the establishment of St. Luke's Hospital, and has
always been a liberal contributor to moral and religious enterprises whether connected with his own
Church or not. There have been, in fact, but few
public and social improvements of Detroit during the
past 40 years with which Governor B.'s name is not
in some way connected. He was a director in the
Michigan State Bank until the expiration of its charter, and has been President of the Second National
Bank since its organization.
In i86o, Mr. Baldwin was elected to the State
Senates of Michigan; during the years of i86I-'2 he
was made Chairman of the Finance Committee, a
member of Committee on Banks and Incorporations.
Chairman of the Select Joint Committee of the twa
Houses for the investigation of the Treasury Department and the official acts of the Treasurer, and of
the letting of the contract for the improvement of
Sault St. Marie Ship Canal. He was first elected
Governor in 868 and was re-elected in I870, serving
from 1869 to I872, inclusive. It is no undeserved
eulogy to say that Governor B.'s happy faculty of estimating the necessary means to an end-the knowing
of how much effort or attention to bestow upon the
thing in hand, has been the secret of the uniform




It-4


i HENVR Y P. BALD WIN.




success that has attended his efforts in all relations
of life. The same industry and accuracy that distinguished him prior to this term as Governor was
manifest in his career as the chief magistrate of the
State, and while his influence appears in all things
with which he has had to do, it is more noticeable in
the most prominent position to which he was called.
With rare exceptions the important commendations
of Governor B. received the sanction of the Legislature.  During his administration marked improvements were made in the charitable, penal and reformatory institutions of the State. The State Public School
for dependent children was founded and a permanent
commission for the supervision of the several State
institutions. The initiatory steps toward building the
Eastern Asylum for the Insane, the State House of
Correction, and the establishment of the State Board
of Health were recommended by Governor B. in his
message of 1873. The new State Capitol also owes
its origen to him. The appropriation for its erection
was made upon his recommendation, and the contract
for the entire work let under this administration.
Governor B. also appointed the commissioners under
whose faithful supervision the building was erected in
a manner most satisfactory to the people of the State.
He advised and earnestly urged at different times
such amendments of the constitution as would permit a more equitable compensation to State officers
and judges. Thelaw of I869, and prior also, permitting
municipalities to vote aid toward the construclion of railroads was, in I870, declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Many of the municipalities having in the meantime issued and sold their
bonds in good faith, Governor B. felt that the honor
and credit of the State were in jeopardy. His sense
of justice impelled him to call an extra session of the
Legislature to propose the submission to the people a
constitutional amendment, authorizing the payment
of such bonds as were already in the hands of bonafide holders. In his special message he says: "The
credit of no State stands higher than that of Michigan,
and the people can not afford, and I trust will not
consent, to have her good name tarnished by the repudiation of either legal or moral obligations." A special session was called in March, 1872, principally for
the division of the State into congressional districts.
A number of other important suggestions were made,
however, ard as an evidence of the Governor's laborious and thoughtful care for the financial condition


of the State, a series of tables was prepared and submitted by him showing, in detail, estimates of receipts,
expenditures and appropriations for the years 1872 to
1878, inclusive. Memorable of Governr B.'s administration were the devastating fires which swept ox er
many portions of the Northwest in the fall of 187:
A large part of the city of Chicago having been reduced to ashes, Governor B. promptly issued a proclamation calling upon the people of Michigan for
liberal aid in behalf of the afflicted city. Scarcely had
this been issued when several counties in his State
were laid waste by the same destroying element.
A second call was made asking assistance for the suffering people of Michigan. The contributions for
these objects were prompt and most liberal, more than
$700,000 having been received in money and supplies
for the relief of Michigan alone. So ample were
these contributions during the short period of about
3 montls, that the Governor issued a proclamation
expressing in behalf of the people of the State grateful acknowldgment, and announcing that further
aid was unnecessary.
Governor B. has traveled extensively in his own
country and has also made several visits to Europe
and other portions of the Old World. He was a passenger on the Steamer Arill, which was captured and
bonded in the Carribean Sea, in December, 1862, by
Capt. Semmes, and wrote a full and interesting account of the transaction. The following estimate of
Governor B. on his retirement from office, by a leading
newspaper, is not overdrawn: "The retiiing message
of Governor B., will be read with interest. It is
a characteristic document and possesses the lucid
statement, strong, and clear practical sense, which
have been marked features ofall preceding documents
from the same source. Governor B. retired to private
life after four years of unusually successful administration amid plaudits that are universal throughout the
State. For many years eminent and capable men
have filled the executive chair of this State, but in
painstaking vigilance, in stern good sense, in genuine
public spirit, in thorough integrity and in practical
capacity, Henry P. Baldwin has shown himself to be
the peer of any or all of them. The State has been unusually prosperous during his two terms, and the State
administration has fully kept pace with the needs of
the times. The retiring Governor has fully earned
the public gratitude and confidence which he to-day
possesses to such remarkable degree.'












GO VERIVORS OF M I~ICHIGANl.r


I57


GO VERNORS OF iVlZC'HLGAN                '57


I,(;A         l. OHN JUDSON BAGLEY,; *  ^,^   l~     Governor of Michigan from
t 87 3 to I 877, was born in
f Medina, Orleans Co., N.Y.,.         Jiuly 24,1832. His father, John
Bagley, was a native of New
Hampshire, his mother, Mary M.
Bagley, of Connecticut. He attended the district school of Lock* P7      1 port, N. Y., until he was eigh't years
old, at which time his father moved
to Constantine, Mich., and he attended the common schools of that
village. His early experience was
like that of many country boys whose
parents removed from Eastern States
to the newer portion of the West.
- His father being in very poor circumstances, Mr. B. was obliged to work
as soon as he was able to do so., Leaving school when 13 years of age
he entered a country store in Constantine as clerk. His father then re'   moved to Owosso, Mich., and he again
i  engaged as clerk in a store. From
early youth Mr. B. was extravagantly fond of reading
and devoted every leisure moment to the perusal of
such books, papers and periodicals as came within
his reach. In 1847, he removed to Detroit, where he
secured employment in a tobacco manufactory and
remained in this position for about five years.
In 185 3, he began business for himself in the manufacturing of tobacco. His establishment has become


one of the largest of the kind in the West. Mr. B.
has also been greatly interested in other manufacturing enterprises, as well as in mining, banking and insurance corporations. He was President of the
Detroit Safe Company for several years. He was one
of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company of Detroit, and was its President from
I867 to 1872. He was a director of the American National Bank for many years, and a stockholder and director in various other corporations.
Mr. B. was a member of the Board of Education two
years, and of the Detroit Common Council the same
length of time. In 1865 he was appointed by Governor Crapo one of the first commissioners of the
Metropolitian police force of the city of Detroit, serving six years. In November, 1872, he was elected
Governor of Michigan, and two years later was reelected to the same office, retiring in January, I877.
He was an active worker in the Republican party, and
for many years was Chairman of the Republican
State Central committee.
Governor Bagley was quite liberal in his religious
views and was an attendant of the Unitarian Church.
He aimed to be able to hear and consider any new
thought,from whatever source it may come, but was not
bound by'any religious creed or formula. He held
in respect all religious opinions, believing that no one
can be injured by a firm adherence to a faith or denomination. He was married at Dubuque, Iowa, Jan.
I6, 1855, to Frances E. Newberry, daughter of Rev.
Samuel Newberry, a pioneer missionary of Michigan,
who took an active part in the early educationalmatters of the State and in the establishment of its excellent system of education. It was principally




I58                                 JOHN J.
t'.rough his exertions that the State University was
founded. Mr. B.'s family consists of seven children.
As Governor his administration was characterized by several important features, chief among
which were his efforts to improve and make popular
the educational agencies of the State by increasing
the faculty of the University for more thorough instruction in technical studies, by strengthening the hold
of the Agricultural College upon the public good will
and making the general change which has manifested
itself in many scattered primary districts. Among
others were an almost complete revolution in the
management of the penal and charitable institutions
of the State; the passage of the liquor-tax law, taking
the place of the dead letter of prohibition; the establishing of the system of dealing with juvenile offenders through county agents, which has proved of great
good in turning the young back from crime and placing the State in the attitude of a moral agent; in securing for the militia the first time in the history of
Michigan a systematized organization upon a serviceable footing. It was upon the suggestion of Gov. B.
in the earlier part of his administration that the law
creating the State Board of Health, and also the law
creating a fish commission in the inland waters of the
State, were passed, both of which have proved of great
benefit to the State. The successful representation
of Michigan at the Centennial Exhibition is also an
honorable part of the record of Gov. B.'s administration.
As Governor, he felt that he represented the State
-not in a narrow, egotistical way, but in the same
sense that a faithful, trusted, confidential agent represents his employer, and as the Executive of the
State he was her "attorney in fact." And his intelligent, thoughtful care will long continue the pride of
the people he so much loved. He was ambitiousambitious for place and power, as every noble mind
is ambitious, because these give opportunity. However strong the mind and powerful the will1 if there
be no ambition, life is a failure. He was not blind to
the fact that the more we have the more is required
of us. He accepted it in its fullest meaning.  He
had great hopes for his State and his country. He had
his ideas of what they should be. With a heart as
broad as humanity itself; with an intelligent, able and
cultured brain, the will and the power to do, he
asked his fellow citizen to give him the opportunity to
labor for them. Self entered not into the calculation.


BAGLEY.


I


His whole life was a battle for others; and he entered
the conflict eagerly and hopefully.
His State papers were models of compact, business-like statements, bold, original, and brimful of
practical suggestions, and his administrations will lug
be considered as among the ablest in this or any
other State.
His noble, generous nature made his innumerable
benefactions a source of continuous pleasure. Literally, to him it was "more blessed to give than to
receive."
His greatest enjoyment was in witnessing the comfort and happiness of others. Not a tithe of his charities were known to his most intimate friends, or even
to his family. Many a needy one has been the recipient of aid at an opportune moment, who never knew
the hand that gave.
At one time a friend had witnessed his ready response to some charitable request, and said to him:
"Governor, you give away a large sum of money; about
how much does your charities amount to in a year?'
He turned at once and said: "I do not know, sir; I
do not allow myself to know. I hope I gave more
this year than I did last, and hope I shall give more
next year than I have this." This expressed his idea
of charity, that the giving should at all times be free
and spontaneous.
During his leasure hours from early life, and especially during the last few years, he devoted much time
to becoming acquainted with the best authors. Biography was his delight; the last he read was the "Life
and Woik of John Adams," in ten volumes.
In all questions of business or public affairs he
seemed to have the power of getting at the kernel of
the nut in the least possible time.  In reading he
would spend scarcely more time with a volume than
most persons would devote to a chapter. After what
seemed a cursory glance, he would have all of value
the book contained. Rarely do we see a business
man so familiar with the best English authors. He
was a generous and intelligent patron of the arts, and
his elegant home was a study and a pleasure
to his many friends, who always found there a
hearty welcome. At Christmas time he would spend
days doing the work of Santa Claus. Every Christmas
eve he gathered his children about him and, taking
the youngest on his lap, told some Christmas story,
closing the entertainment with "The Night Before
Christmas" or Dickens's "Christmas Carol."




I




YO-klll 27 -~
OtA            c~ 1N2MT



GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


M,
Ii         M  b-a'' '
(,~1  t --.........:.


S @A HARLES M. CROSWELL,
%  2   Y/' |/(.L.Governor of Michigan from
X ~~.    iJan. 3, 1877 to Jan. I, i88i,
I.  a.  By J was born at Newburg, Orange
County, N. Y., Oct. 3r, i825.
~~ ii     He is the only son of John and
i ~   Sallie (Hicks) Croswell. His..i 1    father, who was of Scotch-Irish
extraction, was a paper-maker,
>       and carried on business in New
AYork City. His ancestors on
his mother's side were of Knickerbocker descent.  The   Croswell
"     family may be found connected
li    with prominent events, in New York
V\f and Connecticut, in the early existence of the Republic. Harry Croswell, during the administration of
President Jefferson, published a pae   per called the Balance, and was
4   prosecuted for libeling the President
under the obnoxious Sedition Law.
v   He was defended by the celebrated
I   Alexander Hamilton, and the decisitr. )f the case establised the important ruling that
the truth might be shown in cases of libel. Another
member of the family was Edwin Croswell, the famous editor of the Albany Argus; also, Rev. William
Croswell, noted as a divine and poet.
When Charles M. Croswell was seven years of age,
his father was accidentally drowned in the Hudson
River, at Newburg; and, within three months preceding that event, his mother and only sister had died,thus leaving him the sole surviving member of the
family, without fortune or means. Upon the death


of his father he went to live with an uncle, who, in
1837, emigrated with him to Adrain, Michigan. At
sixteen years of age, he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, and worked at it very diligently for
four years, maintaining himself, and devoting his spare
time to reading and the acquirement of knowledge.
In 1846, he began the study of law, and was appointed Deputy Clerk of Lenawee County. The du.
ties of this office he performed four years, when he
was elected Register of Deeds, and was re-elected
in i852. In I854, he took part in the first movements
for the formation of the Republican party, and was a
member and Secretary of the convention held at Jackson in that year, which put in the field the first Republican State ticket in Michigan. In 1855, he
formed a law partnership with the present Chief-Justice Cooley, which continued until the removal of
Judge Cooley to Ann Arbor.
In 1862, Mr. Croswell was appointed City Attorney
of Adrian. He was also elected Mayor of the city
in the spring of the same year; and in the fall was
chosen to represent Lenawee County in the State
Senate. He was re-elected to the Senate in i864,
and again in i866, during each term filling the positions above mentioned. Among various reports mlade
by him, one adverse to the re-establishment of the
death penalty, and another against a proposition to
pay the salaries of State officers and judges in coil,
which then commanded a very large premium, may
be mentioned. He also drafted the act ratifying the
Thirteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution,
for the abolishment of slavery, it being the first
amendment to the instrument ratified by Michigan.
In i863, from his seat in the State Senate, he delivered an elaborate speech in favor of the Proclama



162


C IARLES M. CROS ZELL


tion of Emancipation issued by President Lincoln,
and of his general policy in the prosecution of the
war. This, at the request of his Republican associates, was afterwards published. In 1867, he was
elected a member of the Constitutional Convention,
and chosen its presiding officer. This convention
was composed of an able body of men; and though,
in the general distrust of constitutional changes
which for some years had been taking possession of
the people, their labors were not accepted by the popular vote, it was always conceded that the constitution they proposed had been prepared with great care
and skill.
In i868, Mr. Croswell was chosen an Elector on
the Republican Presidential ticket; in I872, was
elected a Representative to the State Legislature
from Lenawee County, and was chosen Speaker of
the House of Representatives. At the close of the
session of that body his abilities as a parliamentarian,
and the fairness of his rulings were freely and formally acknowledged by his associates; and he was presented with a superb collection of their portraits
handsomely framed. He was, also, for several years,
Secretary of the State Board for the general supervision of the charitable and penal institutions of Michi.
gan; in which position, his propositions for the amelioration of the condition of the unfortunate, and the
reformation of the criminal classes, signalize the benevolence of his nature, and the practical character
of his mind.
In I876, the general voice of the Republicans of
the State indicted Mr. Croswell as their choice for
Governor; and, at the State Convention of the party
in August of the same year, he was put in nomination
by acclamation, without the formality of a ballot. At
the election in November following, he was chosen to
the high position for which he had been nominated,
by a very large majority over all opposing candidates.
His inaugural message was received with general
favor; and his career as Governor was marked with
the same qualities of head and heart that have ever
distinguished him, both as a citizen and statesman.


Governor Groswell has always prepared his addresses with care; and, as his diction is terse, clear,
and strong, without excess of ornament, and his delivery impressive, he is a popular speaker; and many
of his speeches have attracted favorable comment in
the public prints, and have a permanent value. He
has always manifested a deep interest in educational
matters, and was for years a member and Secretary of
the Board of Education of Adrain. At the formal
opening of the Central School building in that city,
on the 24th day of April, I869, he gave, in a public
address, an " Historical Sketch of the Adrian Public
Schools."
In his private life, Governor Croswell has been as
exemplary as in his public career he has been successful and useful. In February, 1852, he was married to a daughter of Morton Eddy, Lucy M. Eddy,
a lady of many amiable and sunny qualities. She
suddenly died, March I9, I868, leaving two daughters and a son. Governor Croswell is not a member
of any religious body, but generally attends the Presbyterian Church. He pursues the profession of law,
but of late has been occupied mainly in the care of his
own interests, and the quiet duties of advice in
business difficulties, for which his unfailing prudence and sound judgment eminently fit him. Governor Croswell is truly popular, not only with those of
like political faith with himself, but with those who
differ frcm him in this regard.
During Gov. Croswell's administration the public
debt was greatly reduced; a policy adopted requiring
the State institutions to keep within the limit of appropriations; laws enacted to provide more effectually
for the punishment of corruption and bribrery in elections; the State House of Correction at lonia and the
Eastern Asylum for the Insane at Pontiac were opened
and the new capital at Lansing was completed and
occupied. The first act of his second term was to preside at the dedication of this building. The great riot
at Jackson occuted during his administration, and it
was only by his promptness that great distruction of
both life and property was prevented at that time.




I
0




"~
id,?1YiFgfil"t::~~,lg: I~
?cI'
~ ~~~~'(;..
ii
~ I *
e
ii:'::: r:
''' ''
b
tlc P,
I,c
~~: cC -~
-r.,;U";; ~~
- ~ c ~ y*"' i I I-~
hj~ 15 Js
ii.~;;'Mj$ ~I~~ '.
Cu
c:::
i'...-..
ii I sasrrsssaaa*~Cr

~ - RrlS~*saMaai;;:::a:ilf.l: *I:n,~
i7'.',,P;
1
1.
~;
i:;~I
"j~
s i,,,, ~3lenvPF."
pi~
"i3t` it,'; "
~




GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


r65


II- <~~                    I 0 m >~ st


l DAVID H. JEROME, GoverS            nor of from Jan. I, I88i, to
ij7    |Jan. i, 1883, was born at Detroit, Mich., Nov. 17, 1829.
y          His parents  emigrated  to
Michigan from  Trumansburg,
locating at Detroit. His father
died March 30, 1831, leaving
nine children. He had been
twice married, and four of the
children living at the time of his
death were grown up sons, the offI   spring of his first union. Of the
five children by his second marriage, David H. was
the youngest. Shortly after Mr. Jerome's death, his
widow moved back to New York and settled in
Onondaga County near Syracuse, where they remained
until the fall of 1834, the four sons by the first wife
continuing their residence in Michigan. In the fall
of 1834, Mrs. Jerome came once more to Michigan,
locating on a farm in St. Clair County. Here the
Governor formed those habits of industry and sterling integrity that have been so characteristic of the
man in the active duties of life. He was sent to the
district school, and in the acquisition of the fundamental branches of learning he displayed a precocity
and an application which won for him the.admiration
of his teachers, and always placed him at the head
of his classes. In the meantime he did chores on
the farm, and was always ready with a cheerful heart
and willing hand to assist his widowed mother. The
heavy labor of the farm was carried on by his two


older brothers, Timothy and George, and when 13
years of age David received his mother's permission to
attend school at the St. Clair Academy. While attending there he lived with Marcus H. Miles, now deceased, doing chores for his board, and the following
winter performed the same service for James Ogden,
also deceased. The next summer Mrs. Jerome
moved into the village of St. Clair, for the purpose of
continuing her son in school. While attending said
academy one of his associate students was Senator Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, a rival candidate
before the gubernatorial convention in I880. He
completed his education in the fall of his I6th year,
and the following winter assisted his brother Timothy
in hauling logs in the pine woods. The next summer
he rafted logs down the St. Clair River to Algonac.
In 847, M. H. Miles being Clerk in St. Clair County, and Volney A. Ripley Register of Deeds, David
H. Jerome was appointed Deputy to each, remaining
as such during I848-'49, and receiving much praise
from his employers and the people in general for the
ability displayed in the discharge of his duties. He
spent his summer vacation at clerical work on board
the lake vessels.
In I849-'5o, he abandoned office work, and for the
proper development of his physical system spent
several months hauling logs. In the spring of 1850,
his brother" Tiff" and himself chartered the steamer
"Chautauqua," and "Young Dave" became her master. A portion of the season the boat was engaged
in the passenger and freight traffic between Port
Huron and Detroit, but during the latter part was
used as a tow boat. At that time there was a serious
obstruction to navigation, known as the "St. Clair
Flats," between Lakes Huron and Erie, over which




166


LA VID II. JEROME.


vessels could carry only about Io,ooo bushels of grain.
Mr. Jerome conceived the idea of towing vessels
from one lake to the other, and put his plan into
operation. Through the influence of practical men,among them the subject of this sketch,-Congress
removed the obstruction above referred to, and now
vessels can pass them laden with 60,ooo or 8o,ooo
bushels of grain.
During the season, the two brothers succeeded
in making a neat little sum of money by the summer's work, but subsequently lost it all on a contract
to raise the "Gen. Scott," a vessel that had sunk in
Lake St. Clair. David H. came out free from debt,
but possessed of hardly a dollar of capital. In the
spring of i85 i, he was clerk and acting master of the
steamers "Franklin Moore" and "Ruby," plying between Detroit and Port Huron and Goderich. The
following year he was clerk of the propeller "Princeton." running between Detroit and Buffalo.
In January, 1853, Mr. Jerome went to California,
oy way of the Isthmus, and enjoyed extraordinary
success in selling goods in a new place of his selection, among the mountains near Marysville  He remained there during the summer, and located the
Live Yankee Tunnel Mine, which has since yielded
millions to its owners, and is still a paying investment.
He planned and put a tunnel 600 feet into the mine,
but when the water supply began to fail with the dry
season, sold out his interest. He left in the fall of
1853, and in December sailed from San Francisco for
New York, arriving at his home in St. Clair County,
about a year after his departure. During his absence
his brother "Tiff" had located at Saginaw, ana in
1854 Mr. Jerome joined him in his lumber operations
in the valley. In 1855 the brothers bought Blackmer & Eaton's hardware and general supply stores,
at Saginaw, and David H. assumed the management
of the business. From 1855 to 1873 he was also extensively engaged in lumbering operations.
Soon after locating at Saginaw he was nominated
for Alderman against Stewart B. Williams, a rising
young man, of strong Democratic principles. The
ward was largely Democratic, but Mr. Jerome was
elected by a handsome majority. When the Repubiican party was born at Jackson, Mich., David H.
Jerome was, though not a delegate to the convention,
one of its "charter members.': In I862, he was commissioned by Gov. Austin Blair to raise one of the


six regiments apportioned to the State of Michigan.
Mr. Jerome immediately went to work and held
meetings at various points. The zeal and enthusiasm
displayed by this advocate of the Union awakened a
feeling of patriotic interest in the breasts of many
brave men, and in a short space of time the 23d
Regiment of Miclfigan Volunteer Infantry was placed
in the field, and subsequently gained for itself a brilliant record.
In the fall of 1862, Mr. Jerome was nominated by
the Republican party for State Senator from the 26th
district, Appleton Stevens, of Bay City, being his opponent. The contest was very exciting, and resulted
in the triumphant election of Mr. Jerome. He was
twice renominated and elected both times by increased majorities, defeating George Lord, of Bay
City, and Dr. Cheseman, of Gratiot County. 01C taking his seat in the Senate, he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on State Affairs, and was active in raising means and troops to carry on the war.
He held the same position during his three terms of
service, and introduced the bill creating the Soldiers'
Homne at Harper Hospital, Detroit.
He was selected by Gov. Crapo as a military aid,
and in i865 was appointed a member of the State
Military Board, and served as its President for eight
consecutive years. In 1873, he was appointed by
Gov. Bagley a member of the convention to prepare
a new State Constitution, and was Chairman of the
Committee on Finance.
In 1875, Mr. Jerome was appointed a memberof
the Board of Indian Commissioners. In 1876 he was
Chairman of a commission to visit Chief Joseph, the
Nez Perce Indian, to arrange an amicable settlement
of all existing difficulties. The commission went to
Portland, Oregon, thence to the Blue Hills, in Idaho,
a distance of 60o miles up the Columbia River.
At the Republican State Convention, convened at
Jackson in August, I88o, Mr. Jerome was placed in
the field for nomination, and on the 5th day of the
month received the highest honor the convention
could confer on any one. His opponent was Frederick M. Holloway, of Hillsdale County, who was supported by the Democratic and Greenback parties.
The State was thoroughly canvassed by both parties,
and when the polls were closed on the evening of
election day, it was found that David H. Jerome had
been selected by the voters of the Wolverine State to
occupy the highest position within their gift.




/




I              I.-V


I




GO V~ERNOR-S O-P MICHIlGA N


x69


GOENR OP M.HGA


'ft   '  ~OSIAH   W. BEGOLE, the
~ lL i|l)&present (1883), Governor of
r   4    l    Michigan was born in Livingstonl, County, N. Y., Jan. 20,
I8I5. His ancestors were of
French descent, and settled at
an early period in the State of
(^^     MMaiyland. Hisgrandfather, Capt.
Bolles, of that State, was an officer in the American army during
the war of tie Revolution. About
the beginning of the present century both his grandparents, having
become dissatisfied with the instii tution of slavery, although slaveholders themselves, emigrated to
Livingston County, N. Y., then
a new country, taking with them a
I   number of their former slaves, who
volunteered to accompany them., His father was an officer in the
American army, and served during
the war of I812.
Mr. B. received his early education in a log schoolhouse, and subsequently attended the Temple Hill
Academy, at Geneseo, N. Y. Being the eldest of a
family of ten children, whose parents were in moderate though comfortable circumstances, he was early
taught habits of industry, and when 21 years of age,
being ambitious to better his condition in life, he resolved to seek his fortune in the far West, as it was


then called. In August, I836, he left the parental
roof to seek a home in the Territory of Michigan,
then an almost unbroken wilderness. He settled in
Genesee County, and aided with his own hands in
building some of the early residences in what is now
known as the city of Flint. There were but four or
five houses where this flourishing city now stands
when he selected it as his home.
In the spring of 1839 he married Miss Harriet A.
Miles. The marriage proved a most fortunate one,
and to the faithful wife of his youth, who lives to enjoy with him the comforts of an honestly earned competence, Mr. Begole ascribes largely his success in
life. Immediately after his marriage he commenced
work on an unimproved farm, where, by his perseverance and energy, he soon established a good home,
and at the end of eighteen years was the owner of a
well improved farm of five hundred acres.
Mr. Begole being an anti-slavery man, became a
member of the Republican party at its organization.
He served his townsmen in various offices, and was
in 1856, elected County Treasurer, which office he
held for eight years.
At the breaking out of the Rebellion he did not
carry a musket to the front, but his many friends will
bear witness that he took an active part in recruiting
and furnishing supplies for the army, and in looking
after the interests of soldiers' families at home. The
death of his eldest son near Atlanta, Ga., by a Confedrate bullet, in I864, was the greatest sorrow of his life.
When a few years later he was a member in Congress




170


JOSIAH Ww. BEGOIE.,


7           JOIA    W


Gov. Begole voted and worked for the soldiers'
bounty equalization bill, an act doing justice to the
soldier who bore the burden and heat of the day, and
who should fare equally with him who came in at the
eleventh hour. That bill was defeated in the House
on account of the large appropriation that would be
required to pay the same.
In I87o, Gov. Begole was nominated by acclamation for the office of State Senator, and elected by a
large majority. In that body he served on the Committees of Finance and Railroads, and was Chairman
of the Committee on the Institute for the Deaf and
Dumb and Blind. He took a liberal and publicspirited view of the importance of a new capitol
building worthy of the State, and was an active member of the Committee that drafted the bill for the
same He was a delegate to the National Rlepublican Convention held at Philadelphia in i872, and
was the chosen member of that delegation to go to
Washington and inform Gen. Grant and Senator
Wilson of their nominations. It was while at that
convention that, by the express wish of his many
friends, he was induced to offer himself a candidate for the nomination of member to the 43d Congress, in which he was successful, aftercompeting for
the nomination with several of the most worthy, able
and experienced men in the Sixth Congressional District, and was elected by a very large majority. In
Congress, he was a member of the Committee on
Agricultural and Public Expenditures. Being one of
the 17 farmers in that Congress, he took an active
part in the Committee of Agriculture, and was appointed by that committee to draft the most important report made by that committee, and upon the
only subject recommended by the President in his
message, which he did and the report was printed in
records of Congress; he took an efficient though an
unobtrusive part in all its proceedings.
He voted for the currency bill, remonetization of
silver, and other financial measures, many of which,
though defeated then, have since become the settled
policy of the country. Owing to the position which
Mr. Begole occupied on these questions, he became a
"Greenbacker."
In the Gubernatorial election of I882, Mr. Begole
was the candidate of both the Greenback and Democratic parties, and was elected by a vote of 154,269,
the Republican candidate, Hon. David H. Jerome,


receiving I49,697 votes. Mr. Begole, in entering
upon his duties as Governor, has manifested a spirit
that has already won him many friends, and bids fair
to make his administration both successful and popular.
The very best indications of what a man is, is what
his own townsmen think of him. We give the following extract from the Flint Globe, the leading Republican paper in Gov. Begole's own county, and it,
too, written during the heat of a political campaign,
which certainly is a flattering testimonial of his sterling worth:
" So far, however, as Mr. Begole, the head of the
ticket, is concerned, there is nothing detrimental to
his character that can be alleged against him. He
has sometimes changed his mind in politics, but for
sincerity of his beliefs and the earnestness of his purpose nobody who knows him entertains a doubt. He
is incapable of bearing malice, even against his bitterest political enemies. He has a warm, generous
nature, and a larger, kinder heart does not beat in
the bosom of any man in Michigan. He is not much
given to making speeches, but deeds are more significant of a man's character than words. There are
many scores of men in all parts of the State where
Mr. Begole is acquainted, who have had practical
demonstrations of these facts, and who are liable to
step outside of party lines to show that they do not
forget his kindness, and who, no doubt, wish that he
was a leader in what would not necessarily prove a
forlorn hope. But the Republican party in Michigan
is too strong to be beaten by a combination of Democrats and Greenbackers, even if it is marshaled by so
good a man as Mr. Begole."
This sketch would be imperfect without referring
to the action' of Mr. B. at the time of the great calamity
that in I88I overtook the people of Northeastern
Michigan, in a few hours desolating whole counties
by fire and destroying the results and accumulations
of such hard work as only falls to the lot of pioneers.
While the Port Huron and Detroit committees were
quarreling over the distribution of funds, Mr. Begole
wrote to an agent.in the ",burnt district" a letter, from
which we make an extract of but a single sentence:
"Until the differences between the two committees
are adjusted and you receive your regular supplies
from them, draw on me. Let no man suffer while I
have money."  This displays his true character.




0




, '. —  "; -'- -.     " I',


",*~yiji",t.l;:',~
rzai.e
C.c
r~-J, '~: ~,;?c. z,~
1.1


6~OJ4-4tr




GO VERNORS OF JMICHIGAN.


173


IM
/5
i~-14~~w i


I^     EUSSELL A.ALGER,Governor
of Michigan for the term commencing Jan. 1, 1885, was
born il Lafayette Township,
aE Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 27,
1836. Having lived a temperate life, he is a comparative!: j    young man in appearance, and possesses those mental faculties that are
the distinguishing characteristics of, L       robust, mature and educated manhood. When 11 years of age both
his parents died, leaving hinm  itha
]'  @    younger brother and sister to sup-.       port and without any of the substantial means of existence. Lacking the opportunity of
better employment, he worked on a farm in Richfield,
Ohio, for the greater part of each of the succeeding
seven years, saving money enough to defray his expenses at Richfield Academy during the winter
terms. He obtained a very good English education,
and was enabled to teach school for several subsequent winters. In 1857 he commcnced the study of
law in the offices of Wolcott & Upson at Akron, remaining until March, 1859, when lie was admitted
to the bar by the Ohio Supreme Court. He then
removed to Cleveland, and entered the law office of
Otis & Coffinbury, where he remained several
months. Here he continued his studies with increased zeal, and did much general reading. Hard
study adl close confinement to office work, however,
began to tell on his constitution, and failing health
warned him that he must seek other occupation.


I


IHe therefore reluctantly abandoned the law and iemoved to Grand Rapids, Mich., to engage in the
lumber business.
When Michigan was called upon to furnish troops
for the war, Mr. Alger enlisted in the Second Mich.
Cav. and was mustered into the service of the
United States as Captain of Co. C. His record as
a cavalry officer was brilliant and honorable to
himself and his company. He participated in some
of the fiercest contests of the rebellion and was
twice wounded. His first injury was received irthe battle of Booneville, Miss., July 2, 1862.
His conduct in this engagement was so distinguished that he was promoted to the rank of
Major. On the same occasion his Colonel, the
gallant Phil. Sheridan, was advanced to the rank
of Brigadier General. A few months later, on the
16th of October, Major Alger became LieutenantColonel of the Sixth Mich. Cav., and was ordered
with his regiment to the Army of the Potomac.
After marked service in the early campaign of 1863,
lie was again advanced, and on June 2 received his
commission as Colonel of the Fifth Mich. Cav. His
regiment at this time was in Custer's famous Michigan cavalry brigade. On the 6th of July occurred
the battle of Boonesboro, Md. In this conflict he
was again wounded. His health received a more
than temporary impairment, and in October, 1864,
lie was obliged to retire from the service. His
career as a soldier included many of the most celebrated contests of the war. He was an active character in all the battles fought by the Army of the




174


R USSELL A. ALGER.


174  R S   A L


P'otomac, from the time of the invasion of Maryland by Gen. Lee in 1863, up to the date of his
retirement, with the exception of those engagements
which occurred while he was absent from duty on
account of wounds. In all he took part in 66 battles and skirmishes. At the close he was breveted
Brigadier General and Major General for "gallant
and meritorious services in the field."
Aside from regular duty, Gen. Alger was on
private service during the winter of 1863-4, receiving orders personally from President Lincoln and
visiting nearly all the armies in the field.
Gen. Alger came to Detroit in 1865, and since
that time has been extensively engaged in the pine
timber business and in dealing in pine lands. He
was a member of the well-known firm of Moore &
Alger until its dissolution, when he became head of
the firm of R. A. Alger & Co., the most extensive
pine timber operators in the West. Gen. Alger is
now president of the corporation of Alger, Smith &
Co., which succeeded R. A. Alger & Co. lie is also
president of the Manistique Lumbering Company
and( president of the Detroit, Bay City & Alpena
Railroad Company, besides being a stockholder and
director of the Detroit National Bank, the Peninsular Car Company and several other large corporations.
While always an active and influential Republican, Gen. Alger has never sought nor held a salaried office. He was a delegate from the First District to the last Republican National Convention,
but aside from this his connection with politics has
not extended beyond the duties of every good citizen to his party and his country.
Gen. Alger is now forty-nine years of age, an
active, handsome gentleman six feet tall, living
the life of a busy man of affairs. His military
bearing at once indicates his army life, and although
slenderly built, his square shoulders and erect
carriage give the casual observer the impression
that his weight is fully 180 pounds. He is a firm,
yet a most decidedly pleasant-appearing man, with
a fine forehead, rather a prominent nose, an irongray moustache and chin whiskers and a full head
of black hair sprinkled with gray. He is usually
attired in the prevailing style of business suits. His
favorite dress has been a high buttoned cutaway


frock coat, with the predomniating cut of vest and
trousers, made of firm gray suiting. A high collar,
small cravat, easy shoes and white plug hat complete his personal apparel. He is very particular
as to his appearance, and always wears neat clothes
of the best goods, but shuns any display of jewelry
or extravagant embellishment. He is one of the
most approachable men imaginable. No matter
how busy he may be, he always leaves his desk to
extend a cordial welcome to every visitor, be lie of
high or low situation. His affable manners delight
his guests, while his pleasing face and bright, dark
eyes always animate his hearers.
Gen. Alger is a hard worker. He is always at his
office promptly in the morning and stays as long as
anything remains that demands his attention. In
business matters he is always decided, and is never
shaken or disturbed by any reverses. He has the
confidence of his associates to a high degree, and al
his business relations are tempered with those little
kindnesses that relieve the tedium of routine office
life. Although deeply engrossed in various business pursuits, Gen. Alger has yet found time for
general culture. He owns a large library and his
stock of general information is as complete as it is
reliable. His collection of paintings has been selected with rare good taste, and contains some of
the finest productions of modern artists. His team
of bays are perhaps the handsomest that grace the
roads of Detroit, and usually lead the other outfits
when their owner holds the reins.
Gen. Alger has an interesting family. His wife
was Annette H. Henry, the daughter of W. G.
Henry, of Grand Rapids, to whom he was married
April 2, 1861. She is a slender woman of fair complexion, bright and attractive, and a charming hostess. She is gifted with many accomplishments and
appears quite young. There are six children. Fay.
a lively brunette, and Caroline A., who is rather tall
and resembles her mother, have completed a course
at an Eastern seminary, and during the past year
traveled in Europe. The remaining members of
the family are Frances, aged 13; Russell A., Jr.,
aged 11; Fred, aged 9, and Allan, aged 3. All are
bright and promising children. Gen. Alger makes
his home at his handsome and large new residence on
Fort street, at the corner of First street, Detroit.








-1 --
PO
-?g -1
I  -      - 
t       -    -
fl, -.,
- 'I- X i
-1
- I


I I.,I
I -,, —I I-,-i






GO V~ERNOIRS OF IMICHIGCAN.


177


GOVENOR OF MIHGN                                       77.4                                                       -) ~~~                     P
(INC~W~;YRUS GRAY             LUCE, the
present Governor of Michi-.   ~ Ye.  gan, combines in his charac-.  C        ter the substantial traits of
the New England ancestry
of his father, and the chival-,'6L,Lq  rous and hospitable elements
peculiar to the Southerners, which
came to him from his mother's side of
the house. The New Englanders, act-,*3 l, ive in the cause of American liberty,
~;/D      after this desired result was accomplished, turned their attention to the
E-  growth  and  development of the.   country which their noble daring had
constitutea independent of foreign rule. The privations they endured and the struggles from which
they had achieved victory built up in them those
qualities which in the very nature of events could
not be otherwise than transmitted to their posterity,
and this posterity comprises a large number of the
men who to-day, like the subject of this history,
are making a record of which their descendants will
be equally proud.
Gov. Luce was born in Windsor, Ashtabula Co.,
Ohio, July 2, 1824. His father was a native of
Tolland, Conn., served as a soldier in the War of
1812, and soon after its close emigrated from New
Enigland and settled on the Western Reserve in
Northern Ohio. His mother, who in her girlhood
was Miss Mary Gray, was born in Winchester, Va.
Her father, tinctured with Abolitionism, found his
home in the Old Dominion becoming uncomfortable as an abiding-place at that time, and accordingly, with his wife and family of young children,


he also migrated, in 1815, to the wilds of Northern
Ohio. There the parents of our subject, in 1819,
were united in marriage, and continued residents of
Ashtabula County until 1836. There also were
born to them six sons, Cyrus G. of this sketch being
the second.
The incidents in the early life of Gov. Luce were
not materially different from those of other boys
living on the farms in that new country. He was
taught to work at anything necessary for him to do
and to make himself useful around the pioneer
homestead. When twelve years of age his parents
removed further West, this time locating in Steuben County, Ind. This section of country was still
newer and more thinly settled, and without recounting the particular hardships and privations which the
family experienced, it is sufficient to say that but few
enjoyed or suffered a greater variety. Markets were
distant and difficult of access, the comforts of life
scarce, and sickness universal. Young Luce, in common with other boys, attended school winters in the
stereotyped log school-house, and in summer assisted in clearing away the forests, fencing the
fields and raising crops after the land was improved.
He attended three terms an academy located at Ontario, Ind., and his habit of reading and observation
added essentially to his limited school privileges.
When seventeen years of age the father of our
subject erected a cloth-dressing and wool-carding
establishment, where Cyrus G. acquired a full
knowledge of this business and subsequently had
charge of the factory for a period of seven years.
In the meantime he had become interested in local
politics, in which he displayed rare judgment and
sound common sense,'and on account of which, in
1848, he was nominated by the Whigs in a district
composed of the counties of DeKalb and Steuben
for Representative in the State Cegislature.  ie
made a vigorous canvass but was defeated by eleven.
majority. This incident was but a transient bubble on the stream of his life, and that same year




178


CYPRU;S G:RAYP LUCE.


178                   CYRUS GRAY LUCE.


Mr. Luce purchased eighty acres of wild land near
Gilead, Branch Co., Mich., the improvement of
which he at once entered upon, clearing away the
trees and otherwise making arrangements for the
establishment of a homestead. In August, 1849, he
was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Dickinson,
of Gilead, and the young people immediately commenced housekeeping in a modest dwelling on the
new farm. Here they resided until the death of the
wife, which took place in August, 1882. Mrs.
Luce was the daughter of Obed and Experience
Dickinson, well-to-do and highly respected residents
of Gilead. Of her union with our subject there
were born five children, one now deceased.
In November, 1883, Gov. Luce contracted a second marriage, with Mrs. Mary Thompson, of Bronson, this State. He continued on the same farm,
which, however, by subsequent purchase had been
considerably extended, until after his election to the
office of which he is now the incumbent. In the
meantime he has had a wide and varied experience
in public life. In 1852 he was elected to represent his
township in the County Board of Supervisors, and
two years later, in 1854, was elected Representative to
the first Republican Legislature convened in the State
of Michigan. He served his township altogether
eleven years as a member of the Board of Supervisors.
Ill 1858 he was elected County Treasurer of Branch
County and re-elected in 1860. In 1864 he was
given a seat in the State Senate and re-elected in
1866. In the spring of 1867 he was made a member of
the Constitutional Convention to revise the Constitution of the State of Michigan, and in all of the
positions to which he has been called has evidenced
a realization of the sober responsibilities committed
to his care. To the duties of each he gave the most
conscientious care, and has great reason to feel pride
and satisfaction in the fact that during his service
in both Houses of the Legislature his name appears
upon every roll-call, he never having been absent
from his post a day.
In July, 1879, Mr. Luce was appointed State Oil
Inspector by Gov. Croswell, and re-appointed by
Gov. Jerome in 1881, serving in this capacity three
and one-half years. In the management of the
duties of this office he is entitled to great credit.
The office was not sought by him, but the Governor


urged him to accept it, claiming that the office was
the most difficult he had to fill, and was one which
required first-class executive ability. He organized
the State into districts, appointed an adequate force
of deputies and no more, secured a reduction of the
fees by nearly one-half, and in every way managed
the affairs of the office so efficiently and satisfactorily that above all expenses he was enabled to
pay into the State Treasury during his management
$32,000.49.
In August of the year 1886 Mr. Luce was nominated by the Republicans in convention assembled
at Grand Rapids, for the office of Governor of
Michigan by acclamation, and on the 2d of November following was elected by a majority of 7,432
over his chief competitor, George L. Yaple. In
1874 he became an active member of the farmers' organization known as the Grange. Believing
as lie does that agriculture furnishes the basis of
National prosperity, he was anxious to contribute to
the education and elevation of the farming community, and thus availed himself of the opportunities offered by this organization to aid in accomplishing this result. For a period of seven years he
was Master of the State Grange but resigned the
position last November. Fidelity to convictions,
close application to business, whether agricultural or
affairs of State, coupled with untiring industry, are
his chief characteristics. As a farmer, legislator,
executive officer, and manager of county as well as
State affairs, as a private as well as a public citizen.
his career has all along been marked with success,
No one can point to a spot reflecting discredit in
his public career or private life. He is a man of
the people, and self-made in the strictest sense. His
whole life has been among the people, in full sympathy with them, and in their special confidence and
esteem.
Personally, Gov. Cyrus G. Luce is high-minded,
intellectual and affable, the object of many
and warm friendships, and a man in all respects
above reproach. To the duties of his high position
he has brought a fitting dignity, and in all the relations of life that conscientious regard to duty of
which we often read but which is too seldom seen,
especially among those having within their hands
the interests of State and Nation.




I




10


2/AI




GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.


i8r


---                    ---       I     I


d-'4C. A-   -                 Ina s
V —3,.i-Ci"4tW  li~C~~ ~~13 tW"  14~F~G~)3 G~F31S


- -,IV    ------


A
S.

vr


lI^^     ige-ON. EDWIN B. WINANS,
who began his duties as
100        Governor of Michigan,
I            January 1, 1891, is a sol
of the Empire State, of
f        which his parents also were
6  natives. From German ancestry on
the father's side, he derives the in* }    stincts of frufality and careful consideration of ways and means, and
these are strengthened by the substantial traits of the Puritan forefathers of his mother. Both lines
have transmitted to him the love
of country and home that has led
thousands into untrodden wilds where they might
secure that which would be for the future good of
themselves and posterity.
John and Eliza (Way) Winans removed from
New York to this State in 1834, and settled on a
farm in Livingston County, where the boyhood of
Gov. Winans was passed. He was about eight
years old at the time of the removal, having been
born at Avon, Livingston County, N. Y., May 16,
1826. Up to the age of eighteen years he attended
the district school, and he then entered Albion
College, from which he was graduated in 1850.
The excitement attendant upon the discovery of


gold in California had not died out, and young
Winans felt a strong desire to visit the coast and
try his fortune in the mines. He decided in favor
of the overland route, crossed the plains in safety,
and spent the ensuing eight years in seeking the
precious metal-a quest that was fairly successful.
Returning to Livingston County, this State, Mr.
Winans bought land and engaged in general farming. He has retained the farm as his home throughl
all the changes various official positions have
brought him, and joyfully returned to it whenever
his faithful discharge of public duty would allow.
His estate now includes four hundred acres of land
under a high state of cultivation and improved
with buildings of the best construction and modern
design. In connection with general farming Gov.
Winans has given considerable attention to raising
stock of high grades, and his understanding of
agriculture in its various departments is broad and
deep. He believes that his success in political life
is largely due to his thorough identification with
the agricultural interests of the State and no doubt
he is right.
The public career of Gov. Winans began in 1860,
when he was elected to represent his county in the
State Legislature.  He served two consecutive
terms, covering the period from 1860 to 1865. In
1867 he was a member of the Constitutional Con



ED WIN B WINA S.


vention of the State, and in 1876 he was elected
Probate Judge of Livingston County for a term
of four years. The next important position occupied by Gov. Winans was that of Congressman during the Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth Congresses,
representing the Sixth District. It was always his
lot to be nominated for office when the Democratic
party was decidedly in the minority, but such were
his personal characteristics and his reputation as
one interested in the welfare of that great class,
the farmers, that in every case he made a successful
race. When he was put up for Congress the opposition had a majority in the district of three thousand votes, but he was elected by a plurality of
thirty. While in Congress he took an active part
in all measures tending to the public good and
served on the Committees on Agriculture and Pensions. In the fall of 1891 his name headed the
Democratic ticket and he was elected Governor of
the State.
In his private life Gov. Winans has been as exemplary as in his public career he has been useful
and influential. He is a consistent member of the
Episcopal Church and in his religious faith and
practice has the close sympathy of his wife, who
belongs to the same society. His marriage was
solemnized in Hamburg, Livingston County, in
1855, his bride being Miss Elizabeth Galloway, who


was born and reared on the farm she still calls home,
as it was bought of her father by Gov. Winans.
She is a daughter of George and Susan (Haight)
Galloway, who are numbered among the early
settlers of Livingston County, whither they came
from New York. She is an educated, refined woman,
whose mental attainments and social qualities fit
her for the position which she occupies as hostess
of the Gubernatorial mansion. Governor and Mrs.
Winans have two sons, George G, who is now acting as his father's private secretary, and Edwin B.,
Jr., a graduate of West Point.
Gov. Winans has in former years shown himself
capable of close application to the duties which lay
before him, and his judicious decisions and wise
course when attempting to bring about a worthy
object, are well known to those who are acquainted
with the history of the State. Although it is often
said that it is scarcely safe to judge of a man until
his career is closed, yet Gov. Winans has acted his
part so well thus far in life that he is confidently
expected to add to the credit that already belongs
to the great commonwealth of Michigan, and which
to a certain extent lies in the hands of those who
have been and are its chief executives. Among his
personal characteristics are those of a love of truth,
justice and progress, and a cordial, kindly spirit
which makes warm friends and stanch adherents.




^-I


a a Ani~e


119mam~ 3


&AN    0      a
a         an.




-0 8   -                                   so".


HE time has arrived when it
becomes the duty of the
re |       people of this county to perpetuate the names of their
pioneers, to furnish a record
of their early settlement,
9 yjsand relate the story of their
progress. The civilization of our
day, the enlightenment of the age
and the duty that men of the present timne owe to their ancestors, to
themselves and to their posterity,
demand that a record of their lives
and deeds should be made. In biographical history is found a power
M  M      ~to instruct man by precedent, to
->  Ad    enliven the mental faculties, and
to waft down the river of time a
safe vessel in which the names and actions of the
people who contributed to raise thiscountry from its
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly
the great and aged men, who in their prime entered
the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their
heritage, are passing to their graves. The number remaining who can relate the incidents of the first days
of settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an
actual necessity exists for the collection and preservation of events without delay, before all the early
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time.
To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough,
in spite of their best works and the most earnest
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of
their lives. The mneans employed to prevent oblivion
and to perpetuate their memory has been in proportion to the amount of intelligence they possessed.
The pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate the
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhumations made by the archeologists of Egypt from
buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people


to perpetuate the memory of their achievements
The erection of the great obelisks were for the same
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monuments, and carving out statues to chronicle their
great achievements and carry them down the ages.
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling
up their great mounds of earth, had but this ideato leave something to show that they had lived. All
these works, though many of them costly in the ektreme, give but a faint idea of the lives and characters of those whose memory they were intended to
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity;
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crumbling into dust.
It was left to modern ages to establish an intelligent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating
a full history-immutable in that it is almost unlimited in extent and perpetual in its action; and
this is through the art of printing.
To the present generation, however, we are indebted for the introduction of the admirable system
of local biography. By this system every man, thougl
he has not achieved what the woild calls greatness,
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history,
through the coming ages.
The scythe of Time cuts down all; nothing of the
physical man is left. The monLument which his chil-d
dren or friends may erect to his miemory in the cemetery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished,
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated
by a record of this kind.
To preserve the lineaments of our companions we
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we collect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we
think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to
wait until they are dead, or until those who know
them are gone: to do this we are aihlmed only to
publish to the world the history of those whose lives
are unworthy of public record.




re)G




P*V




a




odo4'


14 -
I
11
I-i
I


V1,, -  -  - _l -


67,,Crelm,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


191


-  -00  > O=_


d!UGUS'rUS C. BALDWIN.
A  There is in the anxious and
laborious acquisition of an
honorable competence and
the solid career of the business or professional man, fighting the everyday battle of life,
but little to attract the idle readerl ill search of a sensational chapter. But for a mind thoroughly
\  awake to the reality and meaning of human existence, there are
noble and immortal lessons in the
life of the man who, without other
means than a clear head, a strong
arm and a true heart, conquers adversity, and toiling on through the work-a-day years of a long and
arduous career, sits down at the evening of his life
with a good name. Such a man is the subject of
this sketch, and it is to those who appreciate the
value and would emulate the excellence of such
lives, that the writer addresses the remarks which
here follow.
Augustus Carpenter Baldwin was born at Salina,
Onondaga County, N. Y., December 24, 1817. He
is the seventh in lineal descent from Henry Baldwin, of Wooburn, Mass., who, according to the
earliest records of the family, came from Devonshire, England, and settled in Woburn sliortly before 1650. The father of Augustus C. was Jonathan
Baldwin,born in Canterbury, Conn., and his mother


was Mary Carpenter, whose family name he bears.
He was the eldest child and only son in a family of
three children-Augustus C., Pamelia and Mary.
His father was engaged in the mercantile business,
but, like many of the pioneer settlers of Western
New York, possessed slender capital, so that at his
death, which occurred in Salina in 1822, his family
were left in somewhat straitened circumstancesthe children being all young, and the husband and
father their only stay and provider.
Thus left an orphan in his fifth year, the boy
Augustus was committed to the care of an uncle, a
former partner with his father. From the time of
the death of his father he resided with his paternal
relatives until 1828, when he went to Lancaster, N.
Y., to live with his mother's relatives. After that he
had to care for himself, and devoted his time to the
performance of such duties as offered to a boy,
attending school and pursuing such elementary
studies as his age and means permitted, and rapidly
acquiring the fundamental principles of an English
education. In the fall of 1836 he went from Erie
County, N. Y., to visit his father's relatives in
Connecticut, where he taught school during the
ensuing winter. For a short time he attended the
Academy at Plainfield, Conn. The limited advantages offered to young men of energy in the Eastern
States, caused him to turn his eyes toward new and
wider fields. In the fall of 1837 he set out for the
great West. On November 12, of that year, he
arrived in Oakland County, in the then newly



192


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


admitted State of Michigan, and during the ensuing
winter taught a public school in Southfield. For
the next five years he taught and studied by turns,
delving all the while as deeply into history and
standard literature as the time and books at his
command would allow.
Having determined upon the law as his profession, our subject began reading under the tuition
of John P. Richardson, Esq., of Pontiac, Mich., in
1839. During this time he took advantage also,
of the facilities afforded by the branch of the State
University, then located at Pontiac, for higher advancement in his academic studies. Subsequently
he entered the law office of the Hon. O. D. Richardson, at Pontiac, and there continued until his
admission to the bar in 1842. In June, 1842, he
settled ant began practice at Milford, in Oakland
County, Mich. It was during his nearly seven
years' residence here that he won to himself that
solid business confidence, and established those
habits of close application, temperance and strict
economy, which lie at the foundation of his exceptional success. It was at Milford that he faced
and overcame those two mighty obstacles which
lie in the pathway of almost every young lawyerpoverty and obscurity-and there he made the
proverbial first thousand.
But tlie demands of his growing practice made
his presence at the county seat more aind more
necessary, and in 1849 lie removed to Pontiac,
where with the exception of two years' residence
upon a farm which he owned in Commerce, his
home has ever since been. Since this, his last and
permanent location, his career has been that of a
busy and successful lawyer-eminent, trusted and
honored-with such interspersions of official station
and public duty as naturally fall to a man of superior intelligence and high character. He has participated in many of the capital cases that have
been tried in Oakland, Lapeer and other counties
since he came to the bar, and the records of the
courts bear his name as counsel through a greater
variety and extent of litigation than, probably, any
other attorney of Oakland County. For the last
thirty-five years Judge Baldwin has not only been
an acknowledged leader at the bar, but has also
stood as onw of the ablest counselors and most


I


=




courageous champions of the great Democratic
party, of which he has from the attainment of his
majority been an active member. He has been an
efficient and influential coadjutor with the best men
of Michigan in improving and perfecting the government of the State in all of its institutions and
departments; as well as in the upbuilding of his
profession and the strengthening of his party, as
great instruments of justice and of good within
the commonwealth.
A brief outline of his official and public record,
aside from  his professional and private employments, will serve to show the esteem in which he
has been and is still held by his compeers, and in
some degree the extent of his services and usefulness. The first public office ever held by him was
that of School Inspector for Bloomfield Township,
Oakland County, to which he was elected in 1840.
He was elected to the House of Representatives in
the Michigan Iegislature in 1843 and 1845, serving during the sessions of 1844 and 1846. He was
appointed Brigadier-General of the Fifth Brigade
of the State militia in 1846, and continued such
until 1862, when the militia system as then existing was abrogated by law. He was Prosecuting
Attorney of Oakland County during 1853 and
1854.
In 1862 Judge Baldwin was elected a member
of the Thirty-eighth Congress from the Fifth District of Michigan over R. E. Trowbridge, Republican, serving on the Committee on Agriculture, and
Expenditures in the Interior Department. In the
issue which arose during this Congress concerning
the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of
the United States, abolishing slavery, he voted in
support of the amendment, i. e., in favor of its
submission to the States for their approval. He
was nominated for re election by his party in 1864
with Mr. Trowbridge again as his opponent. The
State had in the meantime enacted a statute authorizing Michigan soldiers in the army to vote in the
field. The Supreme Court of the State, upon a
test case, declared the statute unconstitutional.
Judge Baldwin received a clear majority of the
lawful home vote. Nevertheless, the House of
Representatives, upon a strictly party contest,
gave the seat in Congress to Mr. Trowbridge, in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


193


direct defiance of the decision of Michigan's own
Supreme Court.
Judge Baldwin was Mayor of Pontiac in 1874,
and for eighteen years-1868 to 1886-he was a
member of the Board of Education of that city.
During this period very important improvements
in the local school system have been made, largely
through his influence, and the present fine school
buildings have been erected. He was active in securing the location of the Eastern Asylum for the
Insane at Pontiac, and has been for many years and
still is one of its Board of Trustees-a State appointment. That noble institution, the Michigan
Military Academy, at Orchard Lake, four miles
from Pontiac, also owes much to him for its remarkable success. He has for several years been one of its
Trustees, and is now its President. He was for many
years President of the Oakland County Agricultural Society, and is now President of the Pioneer
Association of the County. In 1875 he was elected
Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Michigan for
the ensuing full term  of six years. He presided
upon the bench over four years of his term with
the ability which his eminent legal attainments
would indicate, when the utter inadequacy of the
salary (which the State refused to increase by the
requisite constitutional amendment) caused him to
resign the ermine and return to the regular practice at the bar.
Besides having been during the past forty years
a frequent member and officer of State and local
political conventions, Judge Baldwin was a delegate to the National Democratic Conventions at
Charleston and Baltimore in 1860; delegate at
large to the National Convention at Chicago in
1864; delegate to the National Peace Convention
at Philadelphia in 1866, and at different times a
member of the National and State Central Committees. From early manhood he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is Past Eminent
Commander of Pontiac Commandery, No. 2, of
Knights Templar.
The Judge is slightly above medium stature,
standing five feet eleven inches, tips the scales at
about one hundred and eighty-five pounds, and is
naturally of a strong constitution and robust physical frame. The fine portrait which accompanies


this sketch, is a life-like presentment of his earnest,
thoughtful face. By temperate and prudent habits
of life his powers have been well preserved, and lie
is still active and strong for one of his years. He
still applies himself diligently to his business, being
at the present time solicitor for the Pontiac, Oxford & Northern Railroad.
This record would he incomplete, especially for
those by whom its subject is held personally in
highest esteem, if some reference were not made to
the individual qualities of mind and heart, and
the modes of life and action, belonging to the
man who for more than a generation has been so
intimately identified with the affairs of his city,
county and State.
The most prominent traits in Judge Baldwin's
character are industry, strong common sense, and
that kind of moral courage which people call decision of character. In financial affairs he is prudent
and cautious, but just; thrifty, but not miserly.
When he gives he gives generously, but not to
every petitioner.  His industry is unceasing. He
is never idle except when asleep, and then he is
very busy resting. His mind is clear and accurate,
rather than brilliant. He does not reach a conclusion at a flash. He acquires with deliberation, but
a subject once mastered is mastered forever. His
power as an advocate lies in clear, straightforward
reasoning upon the facts of his case. His arguments are severely practical. He is not magnetic
as an orator, nor classically brilliant, but he drives
home facts and figures with merciless force. He
loves poetry but deals in hard, plain prose. Persons who do not know him thoroughly.sometimes
accuse him.of a lack of warm, human sympathy,
but this is unjust. He is positive in his resentments; he cannot tolerate a mean action; he is
sometimes harsh in his denunciation of wrong and
wrongdoers; but his heart is warm, and he is true
in his attachments. He is a steadfast friend,
though the act which betokens his friendship may
be performed with few words.
His style of living, dress, etc., is characterized
by a plain, rich abundance-nothing for mere display, but a generous regard for comfort and good
taste. Having amassed a comfortable fortune, he
has invested quite extensively in farming lands,




194


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


and indulges a natural fancy for nice stock, poultry,
fruits, flowers and rare plants. But his ruling
taste is for books; and his especial delight, apart
from devotion to the learning and literature of his
profession, is his private library of general literature and  miscellaneous works. This collection
comprises many thousand volumes, and is kept
at his residence.  It has steadily grown under
his fostering care through all the years of a long
and laborious life-his pet, his entertainer, his
counselor, his philosopher and friend-until it has
become part of his being. He turns to it when
the day's tasks are completed, as to a sort of soul's
rest. In the departments of history, poetry and
the drama, Judge Baldwin's library is probably unsurpassed by any in the State, except, perhaps, the
State library at Lansing and that of the University
at Ann Arbor. So constantly has lie associated
with these thousands of silent friends, that each
one has become to him a personal and familiar acquaintance. He loves pictures and has some fine
ones; but they by no means equal his literary
treasures. His wife, whom he married in 1842,
and who is still living, was Isabella Churchill, of
Pontiac, Mich. They have one daughter.
While another of a different mind, peculiarly
endowed. might bear a vast assembly uupon the
loftiest wave of impassioned eloquen ce, or weave
over millions of hearts the raptures of an immortal poem, yet in all that goes to benefit practically
the common mass of men, ind to bear society forward in all that is meant by that expressive term
civilization, but few men in Michigan, thus far,
can with justice be assigned a place co-equal with
Augustus C. Baldwin.
CG   EORGE W. WILLIAMS. A good position
among the farmers and stock-raisers of
Waterford Township is occupied by the
gentleman above named, whose well-regulated estate consists of two hundred and thirty-five acres
on sections 12 and 13. The success which he has
met with has been the result of his personal efforts, aided by the good management of a prudent


I
I
I


wife, and his career may well be taken as an example worthy of consideration by those who begin
in life without worldly means. He was denied the
educational advantages which boys of the present
day enjoy, his early life having been passed in this
county when it was yet considered a frontier region.
In later life, however, he endeavored to supply by
judicious reading and accurate observation the deficiences of his mental training, and has succeeded
in becoming very well posted upon all topics of
general interest.
George W. Williams, Sr., father of our subject,
was born in New York in 1794, and was well
educated in his youth. Upon attaining manhood
he studied medicine and became a successful practicing physician. In 1829 he came to this State,
and in 1830 was united in marriage with Miss
Lois Francis, who was born in Massachusetts
in 1808. She came to this State with her parents
in 1829. Immediately after their marriage the
young couple located in Auburn, this county,
where the husband practiced medicine and kept an
hotel until 1835, when, Pontiac becoming the
county-seat, lie removed thither. Hle engaged in
various pursuits, was president of a local bank,
speculated in land, built mills at Clintonville and
the village of Waterford, and became very closely
identified with the progress of the county. Toward
the close of his life lie bought a farm in Waterford Township, to which he devoted considerable
attention. His death, in 1845, removed an honored and well-known citizen from the community.
Of the five children born to Dr. Williams
and his wife, only two now survive, our subject and his brother, Charles F., who lives in
California.  The mother passed from  earth in
1879. George W., of this sketch, was born in
Pontiac, March 11, 1836, and was reared to manhood in that city, where he attended the High
School, making his home with his uncle. Three
years after his father's death he removed to the
farm, and here he has since lived, making his home
with his mother. In connection with farming he
very soon began dealing in stock and grain, and
has become a very successful stock-dealer. So
greatly has his reputation extended that he has frequently been offered a large salary by Eastern




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


195


stockmen if he would give his whole time to the
business for them, but he prefers to work for himself. During the late war he bought a large number of horses for the Government.
In 1882 Mr. Williams was united in marriage
with Alice, daughter of James and Ann (Ainslie)
Young, natives of Scotland and New York respectively. Mrs. Williams received an excellent education at Hannibal, Mo., and of her happy wedded
life one child has been born, a son-George Roy,
now seven years old. In the exercise of his calling
Mr. Williams has acquired a handsome competence
and now has as cozy and attractive a home as may
be found in the township. His personal worth and
kindly manners have gained him a high place in
the regard of the whole community.
ILLIAM      SOULTS is the son of Alexander
Soults, and the grandson of Ephraim Soults,
who were all natives of County Down, Ireland. Our subject was born in that county, February 23, 1832. When fifteen years old he came
to America with his parents, landing in New York
City. From there lie went to Detroit, and thence
to Royal Oak Township, where, on July 3, 1857, he
was united in marriage with Susan Bell. Her father, William Bell, was also from County Down,
Ireland, where he was born in 1795. He was a
farmer by occupation, and a Protestant in religion,
and was for many years an Elder in the United
Presbyterian Church. He and his good wife, Elizabeth (McBride) Bell, were the parents of two sons
and eight daughters, of whom Susan was the youngest, being born June 9, 1839. She came with her
parents to America in 1849, and resided with them
in Royal Oak Township.
William and Susan Soults are the parents of ten interesting children, all but two of whom have grown
to the estate of manhood and womanhood. They are
by name, Joseph E., born August 15, 1858; Samuel
A., August 16, 1860; John B., September 24, 1862;
William A., June 5, 1865; Eliza A., March 27,
1867; Charles R., January 9,1869; Mattie J., February 10, 1873; Hattie M., March 12, 1876; Susie


B., September 19, 1878; Cora E., February 23,
1882. Samuel and Eliza were both early called
away from earth; Joseph E. was married to Cora
Saunders, October 9, 1882, and is engaged in the
newspaper business at Ishpeming and Menominee,
Mich. They are the parents of two children, only
one of whom is living. John was married on Christmns day, 1889, to Adelaide A. Brown.
Mr. Soults remained at home until he was about
twenty-three years of age, when he began for himself on a rented farm. A little later he bought
twenty acres on section 7, Royal Oak Township,
and then went to section 5, and bought eighty
acres and remained there for five or six years.
From there he came to the place where he now resides.  He has one hundred acres mostly improved and worth fully $100 per acre. Mr. Soults
has made his own fortune, and he has a handsome
property and a pleasant home, where he and his
delightful family dispense hospitality and give a
cordial welcome to their friends. Ile is a member
of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he has
been an Elder for many years. He has been School
Treasurer for eighteen years, and other offices have
been tendered him but he has always declined.
The history of his ancestry will be found more
fully in the sketch of his brother, Alexander Solts,
of this township. This latter gentleman has dropped
from his name as superfluous the silent "u," and
spells his name in a more simple fashion.
E RASTUS H. SIPPERLEY. One of the
most attractive farms in Avon Township is
owned and occupied by this gentleman. The
home place consists of one hundred acres, which
are cultivated in a careful and intelligent manner
and have their fertility kept at par by a judicious
rotation of crops and the use of drainage or fertilizing agencies when necessary. A complete line of
farm buildings stand upon the estate, modern machinery is in use during the season of planting and
reaping, and stock of high grades grazes in the
pastures. The dwelling is of unusually pleasing
design, is a model of neatness and comfort, and in




196             PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


its surroundings gives evidence of the refined taste
of the family. It was built in 1885.
The Sipperleys have been in America about two
hundred years and the family was established here
by natives of Holland. The parents of our subject
were John and Elizabeth (Wood) Sipperley, both
of whom were born in the Empire State. 'hey
brought their family to Michigan in 1835 and located in Troy, this county, where their son Erastls
was born February 29, 1836. He is one of the
five members of the parental family now living,
four having died. r'he father passed away August
27, 1869, when nearly threescore and ten years old.
The mother breathed her last November 8, 1885,
at the age of seventy-nine years.
The subject of this sketch lived with his father
until he was twenty-six years of age, pursuing the
usual course in life, giving his early days to study
and other preparation for the battle of life. The
war having broken out he felt a desire to aid in
the defense of the Union, and August 11, 1862,
became a private in Company B, Twenty-second
Michigan Infantry. He was sent to Covington,
Ky., and with his comrades followed tile rebel
Gen. Bragg to Nashville and Johnston to Atlanta,
taking part in numerous skirmishes and the various
duties to which the regiment was assigned. The
Twenty-second was badly cut up at Chickamauga,
but Mr. Sipperley escaped harm on that occasion,
as lie was unfit for duty and was in the hospital.
He did his duty as a brave man should until after
the war closed, and was mustered out June 26,
1865.
Mr. Sipperley returned home in July after his discharge and at once went to work on the home farm.
He continued his labors there till after his marriage,
then began housekeeping on the farm he now occupies. His wedding day was February 9. 1870,
and his bride, Annette Everett, daughter of Andiew and Prudence (Wells) Everett. This lady
was born in Macomb County, this State, and is educated and refined. She is a model housekeeper,
and takes great pride and delight in floriculture
and keeps a great variety of hot-house plants.
Music and flowers make the home attractive, and
the life of tile family is one to which all can look
back with pleasure when the members shall have


been separated by the circumstances of life. Mr.
and Mrs. Sipperley have had eight children, but
two are deceased. The living are Florence E.,
Charles Herbert, Homer Van, Hattie Agnes, Alice
May and Zay. The deceased-George Elmer, who
died May 3, 1879, and Eddie, who passed away
September 9, 1889.
While slavery was in the land Mr. Sipperley was
classed among the Abolitionists, and for years past
he has been a strong Republican.  his connection
with the Union Army is commemorated by membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, and
he takes a comrade's interest in the "boys in blue."
His religious membership is in the Congregational
Church and his reputation that of a consistent
Christian.
ETH FRA-NCIS. Many pleasant homes
may be seen throughout this county and
some of more than ordinary beauty,either
in architectural design or surroundings.
Among those in Oxford Township that are commodious nnd set in the midst of broad fields is the
farm of Seth Francis, which comprises two hundred and fourteen acres. The tract is well located
and bears the improvements usually made by a
man who desires to keep up with the times and surround himself with the conveniences of modern
rural life. Honest and persistent effort on his part
has been crowned by success, and to-day be ranks
among the prosperous citizens of the community.
William Francis, father of our subject, was born
in 1807 in Ontario County, N. Y., and there grew
to a stalwart manhood. In the fall of 1833 he came
to Macomb County, Mich., where he pre-empted
Government land and became an early settler.
Amid those pioneer surroundings he remained until
1858, when he removed to Brandon Township and
there passed the remainder of his life. He attained
to the ripe old age of four score and one years,
and passed quietly away July 9, 1888. Upright
and industrious, he became very prominent in local
affairs and held various township offices including
Supervisor while a resident of Macomb County. Of




PORT~RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


197


POTRI AN     BIGRP [CLABM_9


very peaceable disposition, he never sued a man
during his entire business career nor was he ever
sued. In his religious belief he was a Universalist.
He was a strictly moral man, courteous and considerate in his treatment of all with whom he came
in contact.
The parental family included four children, all
of whom are now living and occupying honorable
positions in life. The mother, Martha (Everitt)
Francis, was a native of Ontario County, N. Y.,
and died in 1845. Our subject is a native of this
State, born in Macomb County, June 3, 1838. He
was reared to the pursuits of agriculture. In 1859
he joined a company and went to Pike's Peak in
quest of gold. After a long and fatiguing journey
the desired place was reached, and Mr. Francis
located a claim, but after working it one season, he
returned home. The same claim  was afterward
"jumped" by another and was at one time valued
at a half-million.
We should be doing but scant justice to our subject did we not refer to his worthy record as a
soldier. He showed his loyalty to his country by
enlisting to help suppress the Rebellion that thireatened the destruction of the Union. In 1861 he
enlisted in Company G, First Michigan Cavalry,
under Col. Broadhead. He participated in the
battle of Winchester, the second battle of Bull
Run, the three days' battle of Gettysburg and at
Falling Waters. In the latter engagement, September 22, 1863, he was severely wounded in the left
arm and was soon afterward taken prisoner. After
being confined in Libby Prison three days he was
taken to Belle Isle, where he remained a prisoner
until February 21, 1864. He was next taken to
Andersonville where he passed about six months,
in the meantime suffering intensely from  his
wounded arm. After a year of prison life he was
exchanged and sent home on a furlough to await
orders from the Adjutant-General of the State to
come to Detroit and be discharged.
When Mr. Francis had sufficiently recovered his
health he engaged for two years in lumbering in
Lapeer County and in 1867 purchased his present
farm on section 6. This tract of land he improved
with substantial buildings and proper cultivation
until it took rank among the finest farms of Oxford


Township. In 1874 he removed to Thomas Station in the same township and together with his
brother built a large grain elevator, bought property, and carried on business as a lumber merchant
for five years. The firm handled a large amount
of grain and lumber, and did an extensive business
until our subject sold out his interest and returned
to his farm.
In 1866 Mr. Francis was united in marriage with
Miss Lucina A. Campbell, a native of this township, and their happy union has been blest to them
by the birth of four children-Arthur, Milton,
Mabel and Porter. Mrs. Francis is a lady of culture, and her unremitting care for the welfare of her
husband and children entitles her to consideration,
while her neighbors speak well of her social and
kindly qualities. Mr. Francis is quite influential
in local politics and is a stanch Republican. He is
a member of the Order of Maccabees and of the
Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Francis is a
consistent member of the Congregational Church, to
the support of which Mr. Francis contributes
liberally. He is a typical self-made man, having had
no one to start him in life, but having been obliged
to make his way in the world the best he could. That
he has succeeded in his worthy enterprises is shown
by a glance at his fine estate, and by an interview
with the owner thereof it will be readily perceived
by what means he has reached his present substantial standing.. -— 0     ---  i-     -
EORGE RENWICK is one of those men
who have achieved success in the vocation
k(w of a farmer. His home is in Lyon Township, and he has a fine farm of one hundred and
eighty acres on section 8, one and a half miles west
of New Hudson. It is amply supplied with buildings, including barns, sheds, ice house, and shop,
and a dwelling both handsome and convenient.
For a few years past Mr. Renwick has been making
his home with his son Albert and wife, and his
daughter Ada, who occupy the homestead with him.
While giving his first attention to his personal affairs, Mr. Renwick has always shown an interest in




198


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


public improvements and those matters which tend
to advance the prosperity of the people with whom
he has cast his lot.
The father of George Renwick was John, who
was born at Gorham, N. Y., May 2, 1803. In 1823
that gentleman married Eliza Pratt, who was born
in Burlington, Vt., in 1804, and was the second
(laughter and child of Isaac Pratt. Four years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Renwick came to
Salem, this State, and settled upon a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres bought by them. Two
years later they sold it and went to Northfield,
Washtenaw County, where they purchased two hundred acres. There the father died, September 24,
1866. He held the office of Supervisor and Township Clerk several years, and represented Washtenaw County in the Legislature for two terms, from
1850 to 1853. He was a Whig and was a great ad.
mirer of Henry Clay. He was elected Captain of
the first company organized in Northfield Township at the time of the Toledo War, and went with
it to Ann Arbor to await orders.
The family of John and Eliza (Pratt) Renwick
included one daughter and three sons, and our subject was the first-born. His natal day was June 4.
1825, and his birthplace Greece, Monroe County,
N. Y. lie was scarcely more than an infant when
lie came to this State, and he grew to manhood
amid circumstances and surroundings very different from those of the present time. He remained
with his father until 1849, then married and established his own home, settling in Ada, Kent County,
soon afterward. He built a log house in the wilderness, a mile from the public road and the nearest
neighbor, and there he remained thirteen years,
clearing and improving a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres. In 1863 he sold the property and
bought part of the homestead in Northfield Township, Washtenaw County. His fine residence there
was destroyed by a tornado in 1865. He sold the
farm in 1880, came to Lyon and bought the place
on which he has since made his home. Upon this
lie has made improvements, so that it is now one
of the most attractive pieces of property in the
township.
The lady to whom Mr. Renwick was married in
1849, was Emily Walker, of Salem, this State. She


bore her part in bringing about their prosperity
and making their home attractive, until 1873, when
she died of consumption. Of the union there have
been born seven children: George W., a professor
of music, living in Muskegon; Eliza J., who died
in infancy; Abby, who died in 1879, at the age of
twenty-four years; Jane, who died in i863, when
seventeen months old; Allen, who died in infancy;
Albert, who occupies the homestead; and Ada
May, who is with her father. Both George and
Albert are married, and each has two children. In
1874 Mr. Renwick made a second marriage, his
bride being Mrs. Lucy Busenbark. This lady died
in 1886.
The first political affiliation of Mr. Renwick was
with tlhe Whig element, and his first vote was cast
for Zachary Taylor. He was afterward a Republican, and finally joined the Democratic party. He
has been a delegate to county and State conventions, and was always considered one of the working members of the political organization. He has
served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of Township Supervisor. He is an ardent lover of the piscatorial art, and is the champion fisherman of his
neighborhood, and the chief authority on subjects
connected with that sport.
~,__-   _     _   =:  ~=,,. —:


fTENNIS GLASPIE is one of the enterprising farmers of Oxford Township, occupying a valuable property on sections 25 and
36. The estate consists of one hundred
and forty-two acres, most of which is under cultivation, and colsiderable attention is paid to breeding horses. The farm borders on Hansom Lake,
and is a fertile tract, whose natural productiveness
has been retained by skillful management. The
residence now occupied by Mr. Glaspie was built
by himself, and it is accompanied by necessary and
convenient farm buildings.
William Glaspie, the father of our subject, was
born near Syracuse, N. Y., May 26, 1816, and came
to this State when about twenty years old. He setled a mile north of Oxford, removed thence to
Washington Township, Macomb County, but re



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


199


I -


I


turning to Oxford, bought another Government
farm, built a log house and cleared the land. He
lived to see great changes in the country, passing
away May 22, 1888. He was Treasurer of Oxford
three years. He voted with the Republican party
and was a member of the Baptist Church. His
wife bore the maiden name of Deborah Dennison
and she too was born near Syracuse, N. Y. She
died November 14, 1884. The parental family consists of Myra, wife of W. G. Hinman; Lucy A.,
wife of Lewis L. Parker; Elizabeth, wife of S. P.
Hovey; Elva, wife of Norman Goodridge; Dennis;
Charles H., who married Minnie Snyder; and Eber,
whose wife was formerly Alpha Mills.
The subject of this notice was born in Macomb
County, July 31,1848, and reared in Oxford Township, this county. His education was obtained in
the district school. He was married March 28,
1872, to Sarah E. Gordon, and has three children,
named respectively, Cora D., Freddie D. and Lewis
L. He is a believer in the principles laid down in
the Republican platform and votes with that party.
The only public position he has held is that of
Highway Commissioner, in which capacity he served
one year.
EORGE GREER. One of the citizens of
West Bloomfield Township, who has grown
to manhood and usefulness within its bounds,
and who has devoted his life to the cultivation of
its soil and the best interests of its people, is George
Greer, the Supervisor of West Bloomfield Town
ship. He was born in Burton, Genesee County,
Mich., August 30, 1851. He is the son of James
and Mary M. (Mosier) Greer. His father was born
in England, and came with his parents to America
when a young child. They made their home at first
in Canada, but when he was sixteen years old they
removed to the Empire State. While yet a young
man, our subject's father came to the Wolverine
State and bought a small tract of land in Genesee
County. In 1854 he came to Oakland County and
settled in West Bloomfield Township, where he
spent the remainder of his life. He started in life
empty-handed, and left an estate worth $15,000.


His political views were in accordance with the
principles of the Republican party. He and his
good wife who still survives him, were the parents
of eight children, namely: Achsa, Robert, George,
Mary J., Ida C., Clara C., James M. and Lillian.
George Greer has made his home in West Bloomfield Township since he was a two-year-old boy.
He received a common-school education and devoted himself to farming, remaining at home and
working for his father until he was nineteen years
of age. After this he began working the home
farm on shares. He now owns one hundred and
seventy-eight acres which is part of the old homestead. IHe is interested in the advancement of the
Republican party, and in 1889 he was elected Supervisor of West Bloomfield Township, to which
position he has been re-elected each succeeding
year. He is an active member of the Patrons of
Industry.
Miss Lucy Cantrell became the wife of George
Greer, November 17, 1880. This lady was a resident of White Lake Township, but Waterford
Township was her native home. Her parents, Isaac
and Betsey (Cheals) Cantrell, were natives of Great
Britian, her father having been born in Ireland, and
her mother in England. One child only has brightened the home of Mr. and Mrs. Greer, a son, Leon
J., about whose future cluster the dearest hopes of
the admirable couple.
JULIUS F. RUNDEL, who was formerly engaged in farming and stock-raising, is now
located in Birmingham and dealing in real
estate. He owns some of the most desirable property in the town and handles other lands.
He lived on his farm until the spring of 1890, when
he moved into Birmingham and built the fine residence he now occupies. He still owns outlying
property two miles west of Bloomfield, where two
hundred  acres are   devoted  to  stock-raising.
Blooded sheep and horses are the most conspicuous
animals there and Mr. Rundel derives a good in



200


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


come from their sale. He also buys wool. iHe
imports Shropshire sheep from England.
Warren and Emily E. (Button) Rundel, natives
of Massachusetts, removed to Connecticut, thence
to Pennsylvania and thence to this State, making
their final home in West Bloomfield, this county.
The husband took up a tract of wild land, from
which he removed the forest growth, and on which
he tilled the soil until his death. He was a hardworking man and gave all his attention to agricultural pursuits and the care of his large family.
He was liberal toward his family, and as his children grew up and married, he helped them to start
in life, and so was in but moderate circumstances
when he died. Ile owned eighty acres of land.
The gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs was born on the homestead in West
Bloomfield Township, January 26, 1844, and is the
youngest of the seven surviving children in a family of nine. The others are-Myron, Cynthia, Levi,
Chester, Halsie and Louisa. He was reared on the
farm and received a common-school education and
acquired a thorough knowledge of agricultural affairs, in which he assisted his father during the intervals of study and after his course was finished.
He did not start out for himself until he was of
age, but he then entered into the stock business,
which he followed about twenty years. He had
a small capital but he has exercised good judgment and been a careful manager and thus gained
a competency. In the stock business and in speculating he has made his money. Like his father before him he votes the Republican ticket. He does
not care for public honors and the only official
station he hasheld was that of Supervisor, in which
capacity he served one term. His shrewdness and
foresight are acknowledged by those with whom
he has dealings, and his faith in the future of this
section is thoroughly well understood.
The lady who presides over the beautiful home
of Mr. Rundel, became his wife December 27,
1865, prior to which time she was known as Miss
Julia C. Adams. She was born in Southfield, to
Reuben and Emily (Miller) Adams, who are natives
of New York and Connecticut respectively. Mr.
and Mrs. Rundel have two children, a son and
daughter. Morgan W. is living in Bloomfield


Township on his father's homestead, being happily
married to Miss Matilda Thurlby. Estella E., a
well-bred and educated young lady, is a graduate
of the Birmingham High School, and is still at
home with her parents.
ILLIAM STURMAN. In the death of this
gentleman the county lost one who had
/ been a familiar figure here for about a
quarter of a century. His life affords an example
of what may be accomplished mentally, financially
and morally, by one who is determined to build up
his character and his fortune, and is worthy the
consideration of all who, like him, begin life with
little means. He was born in Crick, Northamptonshire, England, May 7, 1822; being a son of Samuel Sturman. In 1844 he married Mary Ann
Baker, and in 1850 they emigrated to America.
They made their home in Detroit until 1856, and
there Mr. Sturman learned the plasterer's trade, at
which he worked more or less during the remainder of his life.
Mr. Sturman was poor when he landed on American shores, but he and his wife were prudent and
anxious to have a home of their own, and they
managed to save, so that within a few years they
owned some property. In 1856 it was exchanged
for a farm in Southfield Township, this county,
and after three moves they settled on a farm where
they resided until October, 1889. Owing to ill
health Mr. Sturman then sold out and removed to
Birmingham, where his death took place December
29, 1890. So well had he managed and so industriously had he worked that he was able to leave
an estate of considerable value. He was a welleducated man and was regarded as one of the most
intellectual persons in the community. He was a
Republican but took no active part in political affairs. He was much interested in the cause of
Christianity and worked for the Church, giving
time and money to advance its interests. He and
his wife were reared under the teachings of the
Church of England but in 1865 both united with
the Methodist Episcopal Church in Southfield.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


201


-x7 --- —--- --- ---- --- ---- --- — I


Mrs. Sturman was born in Warwickshire, England, on the 4th of January, 1819, and is now living in Birmingham, this county. She is a daughter
of Willliam and Mary (Warick) Baker, and traces
her ancestry through generations of honorable
English men and women. She and her husband
had four children, only one now living-Mary A.
William died when six years old and Georgiana
when twenty-seven. Mary is now the wife of Alfred Adams, of Detroit, and their family consists of
four children, viz: Ella B., Mamie S., Alfred
Willie and Anna Gracie.   Mrs. Sturman has
been faithful in the discharge of the duties she
owed to her family and to society, and has many
friends and well-wishers.
AMES T. HADDRILL is a native of Orion
Township, in which he resides, having been
born September 21, 1846, in a log house,
which was built by his father on the farm
where he now lives. He is a son of Isaac Haddrill,
who was born in England in 1812, and about 1840
he came to America and made his home in Orion
Township. He was a drover in England. He had serious misadventures in crossing the ocean, being
shipwrecked, and undergoing great hardships. He
bought forty acres of Government land on section
21, and here made his home. ile was very fond of
hunting and fishing, and frequently killed bears
and shot scores of deer. He probably caught as
many fish as any man in Oakland County. The
Indians were all around his early home, and they
camped on the shores of the beautiful lakes near
which he lived. He found an Indian burying
ground on his farm, and has plowed up quite a
collection of flint arrows, skull bones and all sorts
of Indian relics. lHe served as Treasurer of Orion
Township at two different times. He now lives in
Lapeer County in the enjoyment of good health.
His wife, Elizabeth Turk, was born in England in
1812, and died in 1880. Of their seven children,
five still survive.
The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood
on the farm which he helped his father to clear.


Many a day he drove three yokes of cattle in the
breaking plow. At the age of twenty-one years
he rented a portion of the old homestead, and
began farming for himself. In 1875 he purchased
one hundred acres on section 21, and he has also
bought forty acres adjoining the old homestead,
which he has acquired from his father by purchase.
New Year's day, 1874, was a date of great import in the life of our subject, as he was then married to Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas and Eliza
Ann (Berkman) Peacock. Mrs. Haddrill was born
in Pontiac in the year 1847. Her parents came
here at a very early day and settled on a farm in
Pontiac Township. The father died in June, 1890,
and the mother passed away some years previously,
having died in 1881. They were both consistent
members of the Baptist Church.
The four children of our subject are Roy, born
October 14, 1875; Maud, May 26, 1877; Blanche,
November 1, 1878; and Stewart, August 7, 1884.
Mr. Haddrill is a Democrat in his political views.
He is the happy possessor of three hundred and
forty acres of fine land, and raises all kinds of
stock, but takes pride in breeding standard horses,
and has sold several fine steppers at fancy prices.
He began life with very limited means, and by iidustry and energy, combined with frugality and
enterprise, has gained for himself and family a fine
property.
~-.~f3 —^-  --
E       LI H. HOUSE. One of the finest farms in
Milford Township is that on section 7, which
has been the home of Mr. House for more
than half a century. The property bears a substantial residence, ample barns, granaries and sheds,
and is well-regulated in every respect, and well
stocked both with domestic animals and machinery.
There are one hundred and seventy-one acres in the
farm and ninety under the plow. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. House is somewhat advanced
in years, he is still actively carryimg on the work
of a general farmer, and is a fine specimen of robustness and vigor.  He and his faithful wife
worked hard to make a good home and are now
situated so that they can enjoy all the comforts




202


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


of life and many of its luxuries. They are among
the number from whom much information regarding the upbuilding of this section can be gleaned,
and their reminiscences are both entertaining and
instructive.
The parents of our subject were Allen and Editha
(Bigelow) House, each of whom was born in Connecticut in 1791. They were married in their native State and removed thence to Yates County,
N. Y., where they sojourned a few years, then went
to Seneca County. Thence they came to this
State in 1835, and Mr. House worked during one
season in a mill on the site of Fosterville. He then
settled in this county, taking up Government land
on section 7, Milford Township. His claim was
ninety-one acres in extent, and when it was secured he had just fourteen shillings left, which he
expended in the purchase of a large kettle. Having a knowledge of the trade of a miller and woolcarder, he secured work in a mill at *20 per month,
housing his family in an old schoolhouse until he
could build a log cabin. The family subsisted upon
potatoes, butter and milk, almost entirely, for some
time. In those early days Mr. House sold eggs at
six cents per dozen, and paid ten cents per pound
for brown sugar. He cleared fifty acres of his
land and had built a good barn before he departed
this life September 1,1845. His widow survived a
score of years, dying October 20, 1865. Three of
their children are now living, namely: Florus A.,
whose home is in Ohio; Eli H., and Abigail, wife of
H. Leland, living in Genesee County. Both parents belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and the father was a strong Jacksonian Democrat.
He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was a
member of the Light Infantry Militia of New
York.
The subject of this notice was born in Hamilton
Township, Yates County, N. Y., February 16,1824,
and was nearly eleven years old when he came to
Michigan. He attended the pioneer schools of this
section, continuing the studies that had been begun in the East. After the death of his father he
took charge of the farm which he has now lived
upon fifty-four years. He was married April 25,
1847, to Miranda Conklin, a native of New York,
but at that time residing in Tyrone, Livingston


County, this State. Her parents were early settlers
in this State. She was born January 25, 1824,
and died on the 25th of October, 1876, at the age of
fifty-two years and nine months. She belonged to
the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a good
friend, devoted mother and efficient companion.
The children of this marriage were eight in number and seven still survive. William A. and Elizabeth were born January 31, 1848. William married Mary Judson, by whom he has three children,
and he has one by a former marriage; Elizabeth is
the wife of Alonzo Dean, has five children and
lives in Highland Township. Emily E. and Eliza
were born March 8, 1850. Emily is the wife of
John Grierson, has four children, and her home is
in Brighton Township. Eliza married Ira Lyon,
has one child and lives in Clyde. Albert B. was
born December 18, 1852; he married Cora Hop.
kins and lives in Highland Township; they have
no children. Charles E. was born May 19, 1857,
and married Polly House; they have four children
and their home is in Gray County, Kan. Alfred
H. was born November 11, 1870, and is still single.
A second marriage was made by Mr. House January 29, 1878, his bride on this occasion being
Mrs. Caroline Dean, nee Hunnewell. Her parents
were Joseph and Sarah 0. (Mann) Hunnewell, natives of New Jersey and New York respectively,
who came hither in 1847, and located in Milford
Township. Her father improved the old Mann
farm which had been located on section 5, early in
the '30s, by John Mann, his father-in-law. Mr.
Hunnewell died about thirty-two years ago and
his wife breathed her last in 1888, aged eighty-three
years. Their sons, three in number, went into
the Union army and George R. died in Andersonville. John M. served in the Eighth Michigan
Cavalry and Lemuel D. in the Twentieth Infantry. The Hunnewell family comprised six sons
and daughters, four of whom are living. The
mother was a Christian, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Caroline House was
born June 21, 1830, in Luzerne County, Pa., and
attended the district schools and acquired as good
an education as the privileges of the day gave opportunity for. She was first married to Hiram








I


/


/    / -  y
^^^^^^c/i?




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


205


Dean, who was killed by being run over by a team.
She is a woman of good mental capacity and much
general information and she has a kind heart and
pleasant ways.
Mr. House has always taken an intelligent interest in political affairs and exercised the right of
suffrage as a Democrat until 1865, since which he
has been a Republican. He is a strong temperance
man but does not advocate the third party measures, but Mrs. House, were she able to vote, would
cast a ballot for them. Both belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church and take an interest in Sunday-school work as well as in other projects which
aid the cause of Christianity.  Mr. House is
widely known and his many good qualities are appreciated by his acquaintances.
EN. SALMON S. MATTHEWS. The record of the life of this gentleman, whose
portrait appears on the opposite page, affords a striking illustration of the results of force
and decision of purpose in a man, as well as of the
power which an energetic and honorable character
exercises upon the lives of others. From boyhood
he has unceasingly applied himself to the development of the nobler qualities of heart and mind, and
as a consequence, wields a large influence. Well
dowered with stability and firmness, these attributes, together with forethought and persistent
labor, have been instrumental in bringing about his
present prosperous circumstances. Chief among
his characteristics is his patriotism, which led him
to offer his services to his loved country in her
hour of need, and made him deem no sacrifice too
great when in her behalf.
A native of this county, Gen. Matthews was
born in Troy Township, September 5, 1837, and is
the younger son of Salmon J. Matthews, a native
of Livingston County, N. Y., where he was born
in 1799. The father removed in 1822 to Oakland
County, Mich., and purchasinga farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Troy Township, erected
thereon good buildings and carried on general


farming. A public-spirited man, he was widely
known and universally respected, while his death in
1850 was felt to be a loss to the community. The
grandfather of our subject, Salmon Matthews, came
to Michigan late in life, and died in this county.
His remains were interred at Auburn.
The mother of Gen. Matthews was Susan Whitney, a native of New York State, and the daughter
of Parker Whitney. She died in Troy Township
in 1864. She was the mother of nine children,
eight of whom lived to maturity, and seven of
whom are still living, five being residents of Oakland County. At fifteen years of age young Salmon S. began to clerk in a store at Oxford, for Joel
P. Toms. Later he clerked for G. H. Emmons,
and two years later became a partner in the store.
In 1859 Mr. Matthews sold out to his partner, and
in the same winter he became clerk in the store of
Isaac Butterfield, of Pontiac. In April, 1861, he
enlisted and in June, 1861, was commissioned as
First Lieutenant of Company D, Fifth Michigan
Infantry, Col. H. D. Terry, and in September
joined the Army of the Potomac.
The regiment fought in the battles of Pohick
Church, Williamsburg, Fairoaks, Glendale, Malvern
Hill, Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville,
Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania,
North Anna, Tolopotomov, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Boydton Plankroads,
Hatchies Run, Fall of Petersburg, and Sailors'
Creek. In all of these engagements Gen. Matthews
participated, with the exception of those occurring
when he was confined in Libby Prison, or suffering
from wounds or sickness.
At the Battle of the Wilderness the General was
shot through the right shoulder, the bullet passing
downward, coming out just below the scapula. He
also received a flesh wound in his leg in the battle
of Gettysburg. He was wounded at Glendale June
30, 1862, being shot in the left leg below the knee.
He lay on the battlefield two weeks, having been
taken prisoner, was removed to Libby Prison July
14, and after being kept there a short time, was
paroled, and exchanged in September. He was
finally sent to Baltimore and spent some time in
the hospital before going home.
His wound continued very troublesome, the bone




206


PORTRAITJ AND BfO10GRAPHICALL ALBUM.


20  P


being badly shattered, but in December, 1862, he
rejoined his regiment near Bell Plains, Va., and
assumed command of his company. His brave conduct during the next two years promoted him to a
Major's commission, and in 1863 he was made Lieutenant-Colonel. On March 13, 1865, for meritorious service at the battles of Glendale and the
Wilderness, he was brevetted Colonel and BrigadierGeneral. He was mustered out of service on a
surgeon's certificate of disability December 21,
1864. The Fifth Regiment sustained the heaviest
losses of any Michigan regiment, and fourth in the
United States.
Gen. Matthews now returned to Pontiac, but it
was years before he recovered his health sufficiently to engage very assiduously in business. In
June, 1866, he received an appointment of Postmaster from President Andrew Johnson, and held
this office for nine years. He then engaged in business at Detroit, residing however in Pontiac. He
was then appointed Quartermaster-General of Michigan on the staff of Gov. John J. Bagley, for a
term of two years, and was re appointed to the same
position by Gov. Croswell, which position he resigned upon being appointed United States Marshal
for the Eastern District of Michigan, by President
Hayes. That office he held for nine years, having
been re-appointed by President Grant.
In 1886 Gen. Matthews was elected Sheriff of
Oakland County, serving for two years and declin
ing a renomination. His official life was marked
by a high order of executive ability, and his sterling honesty gave him the confidence of the people
and an extended popularity.   He was married
May 29, 1877, to Miss Anna E. Hill, of Pontiac,
daughter of Harvey N. Hill. They have one son,
Charlie S., now ten years old. Gen. Matthews was
Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of
Michigan, and member of the Dick Richardson
Post No. 147, G. A. R., also of the Loyal Legion,
of Michigan. He with his wife and son are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is the present Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is
recognized as one of the stanch and representative
Republicans of the State, and was tendered the
nomination for Congress from this district, but
declined on account of the pressure of other duties.


i
I
j
i
I


His elegant residence on Clark Street is an ornament
to the city, and beneath its hospitable roof the General and his estimable wife are wont to entertain
their many friends.
I, — -     It.MM       ^ ---
JULIAN A. BUEL, M. D. Among the professional men of the county, mentioned
should be made of Dr. Buel, who has been
in active practice in Franklin since 1866.
He had the advantage of thorough medical instruction, being a graduate of one of the schools of best
repute in our country, and furthermore, is the son
of a physician who was well and widely known, and
by whose example and teaching his own knowledge
was well founded and strengthened. The father
was Dr. Henry S. Buel, who was born in Castleton,
Vt., in 1825, and located in Franklin in 1842. Here
he carried on his professional work until his decease in 1891. Few physicians have so long a
record in one place as had the late Dr. Buel. His
wife was a native of New York, born in 1825, but
from her early childhood her home was in this
county. She bore the maiden name of Electa M.
Frost, and at the time of her marriage was residing
in Pontiac.
Dr. J. A. Buel is the eldest child and only son of
his parents, whose family also included two daughters. He was born in Milford, this county, January 26, 1840, and his first schooling was received
in the town that is now his home, his father having
removed here during his early childhood. He took
up higher branches in Pontiac, and after such reading and study as were deemed expedient, he entered the medical department of the State University at Ann Arbor, and continued his pursuit of
professional knowledge until lie was graduated.
Returning to his home, he took up the duties of his
profession, following the example of his respected
father, and winning a similar regard from  the
people.
In 1864 Dr. Buel was married to Malintha Durkee, who was born in Bloomfield Township, this
county, in 1843. She is the third child of Stephen
F. Durkee, one of the oldest settlers in the State,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


207


who came to this county in 1825. Doctor and Mrs.
Buel have one child, a daughter, who was born in
1866, and is now the wife of Samuel I. Slade, a
lawyer of Detroit. The young couple have a little
boy, who is named Samuel Buel. Dr. Buel is a
Mason, enrolled in the Blue Lodge at Farmington
and Chapter at Birmingham. With his estimable
wife he is received in good society, and both are
duly respected for their intelligence and worth of
character.
OHN S. HEWITT. One of the best stocked
and most attractive business houses in Milford is that of Mr. Hewitt, where a full line
of drugs is kept on sale, together with a
well-selected stock of books and stationery, paints
and oils. The business is the most extensive of
the kind in the town, and a brick store two stories
high with a basement, is the site. The edifice was
built for his own use by Mr. Hewitt a few years
after opening up in business here. He has made
a study of the drug trade and is careful in his
selection, receiving goods from only the best and
most reliable wholesalers, and he also exercises
great care in the compounding of prescriptions.
The father of our subject was Benjamin Hewitt,
a native of Willimantic, Conn., who was reared on
a farm, but in early manhood engaged in the
grocery business. About 1832 he came to this
county and beginning with an eighty-acre tract,
improved property at Highland Corners and engaged in general farming and stock-raising. At
the time of his decease he owned one hundred acres
of improved land and his property covered three
corners. He died in 1880 at the venerable age of
eighty-two years. HIe was a Democrat in politics
and a Baptist in religion. He married Ann Perry,
who was born in the same vicinity as himself and
whose father was a cousin of the renowned Commodore Perry. They were of English descent. Mrs.
Hewitt lived to the age of eighty-one years. She
had six children-George J., who died at thirtysix years of age; Mary A., whose home is in Highland; Elizabeth J., formerly the wife of Judge
Giles T. Brown, who died in Ithica; Windham W.,


an old' soldier, now living on the old homestead;
John S., subject of this sketch; and Olive E., who
died when nineteen years old.
At Highland, January 4, 1843, our subject was
born. and there he grew to tle age of seventeen
years. He had the district school privileges and
learned considerable of agricultural affairs. At the
age mentioned he began clerking in a general store
at Hartland, Livingston County, and acting as Assistant Postmaster, but the next year he returned
home and took charge of his father's farm while
his brother Windham served his country on Southern battlefields. A few years later he took charge
of his brother's store and in 1865 he began the
study of dental surgery at Fenton with E. G.
Miles, D. S. He also made some study of medicine
and more of the nature of drugs, under Miles &
Dunlap, and liking the drug business, soon gave it
his entire attention and abandoned dentistry. In
1869 he located in Milford, renting a new store
into which he put a new stock of drugs. About
three years later he built the brick in which he now
carries on business.
If Mr. Hewitt can be said to have a hobby it is
certainly fine horses. He las raised standard-bred
equines of the Morgan and Hambletoniarf strains
and now owns some very fine animals. One is
"Fellow-craft," a Morgan, bred in Kentucky, which
has taken several first premiums. It is a noble
animal of a fine chestnut color, well proportioned
and graceful in action. Another of Mr. Hewitt's
horses is "Myrtie P," a Morgan filly, bred in Kentucky, and "Kitty Wood," a fine roadster who has
taken several first premiums. Mr. Hewitt has carried away the blue ribbon from various fairs, and
to see him spinning down the street behind one of
his thoroughbreds is a sight to rejoice the hearts
of all horse lovers. Mr. Hewitt owns five acres
within the corporation and has a handsome residence.
In Corfu, N. Y., in 1870, Mr. Hewitt was married to Miss Eunice Hills, a native of Akron, that
State. She was a graduate of Alexandre Seminary
in Albany, and was a teacher of the first grade.
Her father, James Hills, a farmer, made an early
settlement in this State, but after some years sold
his property and returned East. Mrs. Hewitt died




208


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.






I


in Milford leaving one child.Herbert W.,who is now
attending the High School in the class of '93. July
13,1882.Mr. Hewitt was again married, the ceremony
being performed in Milford, and the bride, Miss
Adelia Greig. This union has resulted in the
birth of one child-Lulu B.
Mrs. Hewitt is the eldest of the eight children of
William and Mary (Tascoll) Greig, and was born
in Detroit February 23, 1854. She lived in that city
several years, then in Dearborn, and was sixteen
years old when she came to Milford. She finished
her education in the Union School here. Her father
was born in Scotland, and after he became a man,
emigrated and located in Detroit. There he worked
as a contractor and builder, and after his removal
to Milford he took up the manufacture of sash,
doors and blinds. Thence he went to South Lyon,
where he had large interests in church and school
furniture. Mrs. Greig was born in Detroit and was
the daughter of one of its early settlers. Both parents belonged to the Presbyterian Church and their
daughter is an equally consistent member and connected with the Home Mission Society.
Mr. Hewitt was Secretary of the Milford Agricultural Society two years and Treasurer one year,
and is still a stockholder. He helped organize the
association and was an officer until care for his
health compelled him to resign. He is a demitted
member of the   Odd Fellows and belongs to
Liberty Lodge of the Michigan United Friends.
IIe is a member of the Michigan State Pharmaceutical Society. Politically he is a Republican.
G ALEB J. SPRAGUE, one of the most notable and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of Farmington Township, was born in
Walworth Township. Ontario County, N. Y., July
8. 1832. His father Caleb Sprague was born and
educated in Providence, R. I. His natal day was
January 17, 1789. When a young man he went
to New York and located in Ontario County,
where he followed his trade of milling. Here he
married Lydia Aldrich, who became the mother of
our subject.
The father of our subject came to Michigan in






--


1834, traveling by team to Buffalo, thence to Detroit by boat, whence they teamed it again to
Farmington Township. He found a log house already on the place which he purchased, a fine tract
of one hundred and ninety acres which was partly
cultivated. He was a Whig in politics and a member of the Baptist Church in which he served many
years as a Deacon. Both he and his good wife
lived to the age of sixty-eight years, and now lie
side by side in their long sleep in the Knapp cemetery in Novi Township. They were the parents
of two daughters and four sons, and they had the
happiness of seeing all except one grow to manhood and womanhood. The four now surviving
are-Alonzo, Lorenzo, Caleb and Jonathan.
Our subject was but a little fellow of three
years when he came to Michigan, and he took his
first schooling in Farmington Township and completed it at Northville. He remained at home with
his parents until his marriage, April 24, 1857. His
bride was Mary E., daughter of Joshua and Hannah (McCumber) Simmons, natives of Massachusetts, and who located land in Wayne County, this
State, in 1824. Mrs. Sprague was born in Wayne
County, this State, November 8, 1835. After their
marriage, the young couple located on a farm of
eighty acres near the village of Farmington, where
they remained until he bought the place where he
now resides.
Mr. Sprague has one of the finest farms and one
of the handsomest residences in the county. It
was in 1863 that he purchased this farm of one
hundred and eighty acres, and in 1875 he erected
his fine residence at a cost of $5,000. He takes a
justifiable pride in having everything about his
home in the best shape and most beautifully arranged, and among other attractions has a lovely
fountain. He built a reservoir in his house which
furnishes water to every room and supplies force
for that used in his grounds. A large wind-mill
on the premises gives the propelling power. He
has been one of the best farmers in the county, and
has raised some extraordinary cattle. Among
these were two pairs of twin steers of remarkable
beauty and build. He has taken them to all the
fairs, and in every case they took the prize, and
have been the talk of the county. One pair weighed




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


209


- I


seventy-four hundred pounds, and the other sixtyeight hundred they were graded Durham. He
has a handsome oil painting of them which he naturally takes great delight in showing. He at one
time kept fine wool sheep, and it has always been
his pride to excel his neighbors in the line of
graded stock.
Mr. and Mrs. Sprague were never blessed with
any children, but they adopted one daughter Lettie, who married Byron Pearce, for whom Mr.
Sprague built a neat and pretty home in Farmington. They were bereaved by the death of this
daughter in 1886. Mr. Sprague is a Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge No. 151, of Farmington,
also to the Royal Arch and Commandery at Northville. In all of them he has been placed in responsible offices as he is looked upon as a leading
member. In his religious views he is a Universalist. He is widely known throughout the county
and adjoining country as a man of liberal views
and honorable dealings, and he has the good word
of all who know him.
ILLIAM AITCHESON, M. D., a successful
physician and business man of Ortonville,
was born in Paris, Canada, April 18, 1846.
His father, William, was born in Scotland, and
came to Canada in 1840. He followed the trade
of a tailor until about 1850, and then began farming. He is now a man of seventy years, and resides at Seaforth, Canada. His wife, Jane, was born
near the city of Glasgow, Scotland, and died in
1884. They were both earnest and consistent
members of the Presbyterian Church, and were the
parents of three children.
Dr. Aitcheson was the only son of his parents.
Ile received a common-school education, and in
1867 entered the Collegiate Institute in Galt, Ontario. He spent two years in this school working
his way by his unaided efforts. In 1869 he matri
culated in tie university at Toronto. Before taking this step he had taught for some five years, and
he continued later to teach. In 1871 he entered
the medical department of the Michigan University


at Ann Arbor, and graduated from there in 1873.
Ortonville was the spot which the young Doctor
chose as his field of labors, and he has remained
there almost continually since he took his diploma.
Ie has built up an extensive and lucrative practice
and has made for himself a splendid reputation.
Some unusually difficult cases in surgery which he
conducted successfully have added materially to
to his repute. His marriage in 1875 to Isabel Murdie, was an event of great importance in the life of
the young man. This lady was born in Seaforth,
Canada in 1854, and is the daughter of Andrew and
Mary Murdie, both natives of Scotland, who came
to Canada about the year 1840. The mother is
still living, but the father ended his days in 1890.
Dr. Aitcheson was independent in politics up to
1844, but since that time has been an earnest Prohib;tionists, and takes an active part in political
movements. In 1888 he was a candidate for County
Clerk. For sixteen years he has been identified
with the Masonic order, and is a member of the
Knights of the Maccabees. His wife is active in
the Methodist Episcopal Church. During the past
nine years the Doctor has had considerable dealings in real estate in Tuscola County, handling
farms mainly. When he came to Ortonville, his
purse and his assets amounted to $2.50, and his success in life has been great as he has risen by his
own unaided efforts.
YLVESTER HAZELTON, a cooper in Oxford, was born in Ingharn County, Mich.,
July 28, 1846. He is the son of Ransom
and Polly (Whiting) Hazelton, both natives
of New York State. The father was a farmer and
he is still living in Washington, McComb County,
having reached the ripe old age of four-score years
and four.  His good wife was snatched from his
side by death in 1850.  To them were born eight
children. The family is of mixed Scotch and English descent.
Sylvester Hazelton was brought up to farming
pursuits, but he learned the cooper's trade and in
1874 opened a cooper's shop in Oxford, This work




210


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


he did not continue very long, but returned to the
farm in 1878 and engaged for a year or more in
farming, but he finally regretted this step and in
1880 he returned to coopering, and still carries on
quite an extensive business in this line.  He continually employs as many as ten hands and often
increases the number to twenty. He has an output
of about seventy-five thousand barrels per year.
He has associated with him Ralph C. Miller under
the firm name of Hazelton & Miller.
Mr. Hazelton was married November 30, 1868, to
Lydia Ingoldsby, who became the mother of one
child, Delia, who is now the wife of Ralph Miller,
her father's partner. Mr. Hazelton is a member of
several of the social orders, belonging to the Knights
of the Maccabees the Modern Woodmen of America and tile Grand Army of the Republic.
The subject of this sketch is one of the veterans
of the Civil War. He enlisted September 6, 1864,
in Company G, Third Michigan Infantry. He saw
service with the Army of the Cumberland and was
in several skirmishes and at the battle of Murfrecsboro. His regiment was sent to Texas about the
time the war closed, to guard Government property, and their discharge was granted them at Victoria, Tex. He would have been glad to go into
the army at the breaking out of the war and enlisted in 1862, but was sent back home on account
of his extreme youth. His political affiliations are
with the Republican party.
EEVI F. STOCKWELL. The home of this
gentleman is on section 27, White Lake
Township, and his property there consists
of one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land, on
which he has put the various buildings which belong to every well-regulated farm. His first purchase here was of eighty acres, on which the only
improvement in the way of buildings was a log
house. After a time he added to the extent of his
farm and the most of the quarter section has been
cleared by himself and he likewise broke about
two-thirds of it. Ile has given his attention chiefly
to his personal affairs and the pleasures of social


and domestic life, but he has borne some part in
civic matters and fraternal institutions.
Mr. Stockwell is a son of Levi and Catherine
(Barrows) Stockwell, of whom mention is made
elsewhere in this volume. He was born August
16, 1822, in New York, and at the age of twelve
years came to this State with his parents. He has
since lived in this county and as boy and man he
has been closely identified with its agricultural interests. He remained with his parents until he
became of age and then began working by the
month as a farm hand. He subsequently cultivated
land on shares and when about twenty-eight years
of age made his first purchase, where he is now
living.
The first wife of Mr. Stockwell bore the maiden
name of Angeline Terry, and was a dauglter of
Nathan Terry, a native of Pennsylvania, who came
to this county many years ago. She was married
to our subject in the village of Rochester. Their
son Nathan is married and lives in Rochester,
where he is a clerk in a store and hotel. Mr.
Stockwell was a second time married, choosing as
his wife Miss Nancy Quick, the daughter of John
Quick, of Pennsylvania; and their union was blest
by the birth of the following children: Bert who
is carrying on agricultural work in this township,
and has a home of his own; John, a farmer living in
White Lake Township; Zora and Ora, who are still
at home. The faithful wife and mother passed
away June 3, 1889.
Mr. Stockwell is a Master Mason, connected
with Commerce Lodge, No. 121. When he first
studied political issues he decided to cast his vote
with the Democratic party and he has always been
faithful to his first decision. He is now serving
as Highway Commissioner, a position in which he
has done good work for the people in times past.
He is a good farmer, a reputable citizen and a man
who enjoys the respect of his associates.
EORGE H. MITCHELL, of the firm of
Whitehead & Mitchell, is one of the leading
men of Birmingham, and, like his partner,
is still a young man going up the hill of life. He




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


211


was born in Birmingham, May 28, 1854, and is the
second child of Robert J. and Emeline (Holly)
Mitchell. His parents were born in Westmoreland
County, N. Y., and came to this State a number
of years ago, making their first settlement in Macomb County. The grandparents of our subject,
Joseph and Clarissa (Cone) Mitchell, natives of
Connecticut, also came West, and they died in
that county. About 1847 Robert J. Mitchell came
to Birmingham and carried on a mercantile business here during the rest of his active life. He and
his wife died here, leaving three children-Frank
H., George H., and John U.
The subject of this notice received but a common-school education, and began his business
life as a clerk for J. A. Bigelow, with whom he
remained two years. At the expiration of that
period he began clerking and telegraphing for
F. Hagerman, in whose employ he remained some
eight years. About the 1st of April, 1881, he
formed a partnership with A. Whitehead and
started in the drug and grocery business on a
small scale. Neither of the partners had any great
means, as they had been obliged to work for themselves, and their parents were not in a condition
to supply them with large sums of money. Good
business ability and close application have accomplished what even wealth could not have done, and
the firm has a solid reputation.
The young gentleman began the publication of
the Birmingham Eccentric, an independent local
newspaper, in the spring of 1878, the first number
having been issued May 1. They are still carrying on that sheet, the editorial work on which is
chiefly in the hands of Mr. Mitchell. His language
is terse and comprehensive, his utterances forcible
and to the point, and the courage of his convictions
gives him influence over the minds of his readers.
The firm of Whitehead & Mitchell carry on the
Exchange Bank and have control of the telephone
exchange, so that they have various interests to
look after, but, they seem quite capable of managing them all.
Miss Hannah E. Corey became the wife of Mr.
Mitchell September 26, 1877. The bride was born
in Macomb County and is a daughter of George
W. and Narcissa (Mitchell) Corey. The happy


I
I
i


union has been blest by the birth of two children
-Carrie E. and Eugene C., but the parents mourn
the loss of their son. Mr. Mitchell is a Mason
and has risen to the third degree, and is also connected with the Ancient Order of Foresters. His
political affiliation is with the Democratic party,
as he is a firm believer in its principles of governmental policy. He has been Township Treasurer and
Village Clerk. In social, as in business life, Mr.
Mitchell is one of the leading men of Birmingham
and his career so far gives promise of his acquiring wealth and great influence.
OHN BRAID, of Oakland Township, was
born July 5, 1828, on the Isle of Man,
which is situated  in the Irish Sea. His
father who also bore the name of John, was
a farmer who lived upon this island to the age of
seventy years and there ended his days. His grandfather, Archibald, was a native of the same isle.
He was a finely self-educated gentleman and was
author of the Manx Dictionary, which was used
very generally in early days. The language now
is becoming somewhat obsolete. The mother was
also a native of this isle and died a short time previous to the decease of her husband at the age of
seventy years. Of her twelve children, seven are
still living.
Mr. Braid was born and reared upon a farm
and received a very limited education. lie has
always pursued a course of self-education which
has largely overcome the early deprivation and he
has drawn from all sources for his own information. He has given his children excellent advantages and has followed them or accompanied them
in their studies, thus gaining with them an education quite thorough and comprehensive. He began
life for himself at about twenty-four years of age.
In 1852 Mr. Braid went to County Cumberland,
England, where he worked by the year receiving
from twelve to twenty pounds a year for wages.
In 1857 he returned to his native isle and was
united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Leece. He
then sailed for America and was nine days and ten




212


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


B.


hours on the way to Quebec. IHe went to Kingston and hired himself out for a month, and was so
well satisfied that he continued working there for
eighteen months. In 1860 he emigrated to St.
Clair County, Mich., and located near Smith's
Corners, where he rented a farm and lived for
three years. In 1863 he removed to Macomb
County, and rented a farm near Washington. The
next year he took a farm near Stony Creek. In
1865 he removed to Oakland County and located in
Oakland Township.
In the spring of 1866 Mr. Braid rented a farm
which he afterward purchased and on which he
now resides. He borrowed $50 with which 'to
Smake the first payment, and was able in time to
make good the borrowed money and to make his
payments. He has greatly improved this farm,
cleared and drained it and added substantial buildings. Six children have blessed his home, Frances
A.,William E. (deceased), Edward, Eva, Emma and
John. To each he has given an excellent education. He is a Democrat in his politics and is often
a delegate to county conventions. His wife is an
earnest and active member of the Protestant Methodist Church.
In 1881 Mr. Braid paid a visit to his native
country and found many changes. HLe owns his
farm of two hundred and twenty acres besides
sixty acres in Adrian Township. He makes a
specialty of rutabagas and potatoes and raises an
excellent grade of stock.
AM1UEL MILLER, one of the wealthiest
citizens of Springfield Township, as shown
by the tax list, has made his fortune by
industry, enterprise and an unusual degree
of acumen. He was born in Monroe County, N.
Y., October 12, 1826. His father, George Miller,
was the son of Joseph Miller, of Irish descent. His
ancestors in this country resided in New Jersey.
Iis grandmother, Mary Miller, lived to a good old
age, having been the mother of three children. The
father of our subject was reared upon the home farm
and came to Monroe County, N, Y., when eight


years old. It was a new country and here he grew
to manhood. After his marriage he settled on a
farm of sixty acres.
In April, 1837, George Miller came to this State,
walking the entire distance from his home to Lockport, N. Y., where he took the canal boat to Buffalo, and the steamer to Detroit. He then resumed
his journey on foot to his new home in Independence Township. Here he bought one hundred and
twenty acres and made a home out of a log house
which had been used as a stable. He then sent for
his wife and six children and founded a home in
the wilderness.  Indians were numerous, but no
other settlers, and the little children were very
homesick and timid. Three hundred Indians with
seventy-five ponies camped near the farm.  Mr.
Miller was a successful farmer and stock-raiser, and
at his death May 9, 1882, he was the possessor of
three hundred acres of finely improved land. He
was first a Democrat, later a Whig, but upon the
organization of the Republican party, identified
himself therewith. His religious belief was that if
a man lived an upright life he would go to heaven.
The wife of George Miller bore the maiden name
of Polly Smith. She was born in New Jersey, April
16, 1803, and saw some hard times here in the early
days. Her children were named Hannah, Samuel,
Anna, Mary, Dave and George. Her religious belief accorded with that of her husband. Her father,
David Smith, was a soldier in the War of 1812,
and having been wounded in the arm, he became
a pensioner of the Government. George Miller
was for a long time Road Commissioner and helped
to lay out many of the roads in Independence
Township.
The subject of this sketch was seven years old
when he came to this county. The rate bill system
was then in vogue in the district where he lived,
and his father paid the tuition of many a poor boy,
who otherwise would have been deprived of Educational advantages. At that time Indians were
more plentiful than white men and our subject
often attended Indian pow-wows. He used to sleep
up in the garret of the log house and could look
out and see the wolves, twenty or thirty in a drove.
He lived with his father and worked the home
farm until he was twenty-eight years old. When




I




i          A


t -.  r,,,  E~  >e


-  C '
*-  1




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


215


-- ------------


=


he started out in life for himself he bought one
hundred and twenty acres adjoining his father's
land, but traded it in 1863 for the same amount of
land in this township.
The marriage of our subject took place July 4,
1854. His wife, Catherine Ilouser, a native of New
York, died two years after marriage at the early
age of nineteen. She had one child which died
when two and one-half months old. Mr. Miller's
second marriage took place March 29, 1863. His
wife was Elsie Mesurall, a native of Independence
Township, and born November 22, 1841. Her parents came hither in territorial days, and passed the
remainder of their lives in this community. To our
subject and his estimable wife five children have
been born, four of whom still remain to cheer the
hearts of their parents. They were named Sidney
I., Charles G., Thaddeus, Benjamin and David C.
The latter is deceased.
Mr. Miller owns five hundred and fifty acres all
in one body, four hundred and twenty.five of which
are cleared. He keeps between four hundred and
one thousand head of sheep, and breeds Shropshire
fine wool sheep, as well as large numbers of other
stock. His large brick mansion was erected in
1877, and his fine barns in 1880 and 1883. In politics he is a Republican and has served as Road
Commissioner and in school offices. His home is
pleasantly situated three miles from Clarkston and
is one of the most attractive in the community.
For many years Mr. Miller ran a threshing machine
and found the business quite lucrative. A man of
remarkable ability and good judgment, he is highly
esteemed by his neighbors.
— ^ ---N-~ ----^ —
ON. JOHN    D. NORTON.      Among the
prominent citizens of Pontiac, whose superior abilities and splendid reputation en() hanced the fame of this beautiful city, may
well be mentioned the gentleman whose name heads
this sketch. His record as a banker in Pontiac,
and as a progressive and active promoter of all
the best interests of the county, is worthy of note.
He was born December 18, 1843, at Van Buren,




Onondaga County, N. Y., and is the youngest of
four children. His father, Dudley Dorman Norton,
was born in Hebron, Conn., in 1799, and removed
to Onondaga County in 1822, where he married,
January 24, 1824, Margaret F. Farrington. He
followed the occupation of farming for forty
years. His death occurred in 1870, and that of
his widow in 1875. They were prominent members of the Presbyterian Church for a number of
years.
Mr. Norton passed the first twelve years of his
life on a farm, and in 1854 removed to the village
of Baldwinsville, N. Y., where he remained until
1867. His early education was obtained in the
village schools. He prepared for college at the
Elbridge (New York) Academy, and at Cortland
Academy, in Homer, and entered Hamilton College,
at Clinton, N. Y., in 1863, where he was graduated
in 1867. He was an active member of the college
secret society known as "Chi Psi."
After leaving college Mr. Norton started West,
settling in St. Louis, Mo., where he engaged in the
real-estate business, and remained about three
months. In 1868 he became largely interested in
pine lands in the western part of Michigan, and
since that time has made the State his home. In
1874 he was elected from Oakland. County in the
Third Representative District, to the Michigan Legislature, and was re-elected in 1876, serving upon
the Committees of Ways and Means, Railroads,
and Education. He was a delegate to the National
Democratic Convention, held at St. Louis in June,
1876, and was the member of that convention
from Michigan upon Rules and Permanent Organization. His political views are in strict accordance with those of the Democratic party, of which
he has ever been an active member.
Mr. Norton was one of the charter members of
the present organization of the First National
Bank, of Pontiac, and its Cashier for a period of
ten years, and was elected President of the Bank,
January 1, 1887. He was one of the organizers,
and is a Director of the Second National Bank, of
Owosso, Mich., and is a stockholder in both banks,
being the largest in the First National of Pontiac;
he is also a stockholder in the Third National
Bank of Detroit. Since 1883 he has held the




216.l%0RTRIlT AND BIIOGRAPHICAL ALBUTM.


2R  A  B


office of Treasurer of the Michigan Asylum for
the Insane, at Pontiac, and is also Treasurer of the
Michigan Military Academy, at Orchard Lake,
with which he has been connected since 1882, and
in which he has taken a deep interest, being one
of its strongest supporters financially. He is also
Secretary and Treasurer of the Pontiac Knit Boot
Company, of which he was one of the incorporators, in 1884, and is likewise a member of the firm
of C. E. Wakeman & Co, owners of the Pontiac
Knitting Works, the main industry of Pontiac, and
one of the leading mercantile houses of this section
of the State.
Mr. Norton is still interested in Michigan pine
lands, and is the owner of very extensive pine
lands in the State of Mississippi. He recently
purchased, in connection with one other, fifty acres
of boulevard property in the city of Detroit, and
owns in addition, considerable real estate in Southern California, where he spends the winter season
with his family. He has been for some years City
Treasurer of Pontiac, and was also for a considerable period Treasurer of the County Agricultural
Society. He was also one of the charter members
of the Board of Control of Cemeteries, and one of
the Board of Water Commissioners appointed by the
Council of Pontiac and still retains the position.
He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity
for the last fifteen years, is a Knight Templar, and
a member of the Knights of Pythias.
On the 9th of June, 1869, Mr. Norton was married to Elizabeth C. Flower, daughter of Theron
A. Flower, Esq., formerly of Pontiac, a prominent
business man, and who was its first Mayor on its
incorporation as a city. They have three children
living: Hattie M., John I). Jr., and Mary C., all of
whom reside at home. Mr. Norton has for a long
time occupied a prominent place as one of the
most enterprising and successful business men of
his adopted city. He has interested himself largely
in every enterprise of a public nature, contributing
both time and money towards the welfare of the
community, and has aided largely in building up
and maintaining its industries.  Of sturdy and
honorable character, and with business energy and
ability of a high order, he has won a deservedly
high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and


a success in business that enables him to enjoy a
life of comfort and happiness with his family and
large circle of friends. In 1888 he was nominated
for State Treasurer, and although making a magnificent run, was, with the majority of his party,
defeated on the tariff issue. Many of the facts of
this sketch are taken from the Cyclopedia of Michigan, recently issued and it is noteworthy as a
comprehensive account of a notable citizen. A
portrait of Mr. Norton accompanies this sketch.
M     ARK HOLLISTER.      One of the most
pleasant rural abodes in Waterford Township is that of the gentleman above named,
which is located on section 16, in the midst
of fertile fields, where everything necessary in the
way of farm buildings has been erected and all
other improvements made which would add to the
value of the estate or the comfort of those who occupy it. Mr. Hollister is quite well known as a man
of means, possessed of decided business ability, and
unlimited energy and perseverance. He is now living retired from the more active duties of life, in
a pleasant home in Pontiac, while his son, Frank
B., operates the home farm.
The father of Mr. Hollister, whose given name
was Henry L., was born in 1796 in Saratoga
County, N. Y., and was reared on a farm. At that
early day educational privileges were limited, and
he had none Tf the opportunities offered to the
youth of the present day. Upon attaining maturity
he was united in marriage with Miss Eunice
Avery, also a native of the Empire State, and born
in 1804. She possessed robust health, and was a
spinner and weaver by trade, which came in good
play after the death of her husband, as she was able
to clothe her children by spinning and weaving
flax on shares. Eight children were born to her
and her husband, of whom four survive, three residing in Michigan and one in New York. All the
children attended common   schools, while one
brother was a student in a normal school; another,
who was educated in a seminary, is now a minister
in the Methodist Episcopal Conference in Michi



PORTLRAIIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.II


217


R  N BI


gan. The father was a Methodist exhorter, and a
man of feeble health. He died April 12, 1840,
leaving his fanily without means.
Our subject was born in Wayne County, N. Y.,
August 9, 1825, and was the eldest of the eight
children included in the family circle. When he
was fifteen years of age his father died, and the
care of the smaller children devolved upon him,
thus throwing upon him early in life the responsibilites of manhood, He worked out by the month
in the summer, giving his wages to his mother, and
in the winter he did chores for his board and
schooling. At the age of eighteen he and a brother
took a contract to cut one hundred cords of wood
for $31.25 and board themselves. From that time
until he was twenty-one he took some land on
shares, thus utilizing the younger children, and by
this means he and his mother kept the family together. One of his brothers, Henry L., spent five
years in the late war, and now owns and operates
a farm in Shiawassee County, Mich., while George
E., a minister, is spoken of elsewhere.
A very important event in the life of Mr. HIollister was his marriage witl Tryphena Benton, a
native of New York. Of the two children born to
them, one survives: Frank B., who was married in
881 to Miss Jessie L., (laughter of Oliver W. and
M ary E. Seger, natives of this State. Mr. and
Mrs. Frank Hollister have a family of four children, namely: Frank B., Edwin A., Pearl C., and
a daughter as yet unnamed. In 1866 Mr. Hollister
came to Michigan, accompanied by his family, and
located in Waterford Township, Oakland County,
where he lived five years. He then traded for a
farm in Royal Oak Township, where he remained
for twenty years. He improved a good farm and
became well-to-do. In 1889 he purchased seventy
acres in Waterford Township, which his son has
since occupied. Two years later he bought another farm comprising eighty acres on section 17,
adjoining the first purchase, and this the son also
operates. His estate comprises one hundred and
fifty acres of good land, upon which various inprovements have been made which mark the owner
as a man of energy and enterprise.
Religiously Mr. Hollister belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in his political affilia

tions he was formerly a Republican, but now a
Prohibitionist. He has held the office of Justice
of the Peace, and in him the township finds a loyal
citizen, whose public spirit prompts him to push
forward every movement for the benefit of the
community.
-t -—. *s --- — -*
L    ENRY P. BECK owns and operates a good
farm on section 36, Royal Oak Township,
consisting of ninety acres of well-improved
land. He began the battle of life without
money or extra help, and has made his own way,
arriving at a condition that enables him to enjoy
many comforts and feel that the future is secure.
He bought his property in 1868 and has brought
it from its wild condition through the various
stages of clearing, breaking and improvement. The
homelike -farm house in which he lives was put up
in 1869.
Mr. Beck is a German by birth, but has lived in
this country since his childhood. His father, for
whom he is named, was born in Hanau, Prussia,
March 4, 1804, and had but an ordinary education.
About 1830 he married Mary E. Giloy, who was
born in Simmern, Prussia, December 24, 1811.
She was the daughter of George F. Giloy, who
was of French descent. In 1842 the Becks came
to America and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where
the husband and father died January 29, 1874.
The widow survived until January 25, 1882, and
died in the same city. They had three daughters
and two sons, and our subject was the younger
son and third child. He attended the public
schools in Cleveland and remained with his parents until 1859. He was then in his twenty-third
year, having been born October 24, 1856.
August 26, 1862, Mr. Beck was married to
Mary A. Warner, of Berea, Ohio. She was born
November 22, 1841, in Columbia, Ohio, and was
the elder child of Levi B. and Eliza (Zuver) Warner, having a brother Cassius M. Her father was
born in Columbia, Ohio, May 5, 1819, and died at
Royal Oak May 15, 1888. Adna Warner, the
father of Levi B., was born in Waterbury, Conn.,




218


PORTRAIAT AND BIOGrRAPHICAL ALBUM.6


&          PI.


August 29, 1792,and married Anna S. Bronson, who
was born in 1800 in Waterbury, Conn.; her father
Levi Bronson, was a native of Connecticut and
removed with his family to Ohio in 1805. Anna
(Bronson) Warner, was married in 1816 and died
August 14, 1880, in Pipestone, Mich. There also
her husband passed away May 25, 1868. The
maiden name of her mother was Sarah Princle
and the mother of the latter bore the name of Anna
Southmayde.
Tracing the ancestry of Mrs. Beck still further
back, we find that the father of Adna Warner was
Justus, a Revolutionary soldier of old New England stock. He came west to Ohio in 1811, and
died in Liverpool, that State, in the fall of 1855,
when one hundred years and twenty days old. He
was Justice of the Peace many years. Urania, his
wife, was seventy years old at the time of her
death. This good old couple were of different political opinions, and both took their respective papers.
When the postman came she, for fun, would take
the tongs with which to carry in his paper. She
was an educated physician and was often sent for
as eminent counsel. It was quite common for her
to travel fifty miles on horseback to be present at
important consultations.
The mother of Mrs. Beck, Eliza Zuver, was born
in Pennsylvania October 8, 1820, and was the
daughter of John W. and Margaret (Bridgman)
Zuver, the former a minister in the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Mr. Zuver was a generous,
honorable man, and highly esteemed. George Beck,
grandfather of our subject, was born in Prussia
about 1773 and became an officer in the Prussian
Army; he also became a civil officer where his
family lived.
In 1863 Mr. Beck came to this State and his first
choice of a home was in Huron County. He worked
in the quarries of Grindstone City four years, then
went to Columbia, Ohio, for a year's sojourn, after
which he returned to this State and settled in
Wayne County. In 1868 he bought the farm upon
which he is now living and soon had it sufficiently
improved to make it his home. When he settled
here his nearest neighbor was a mile and a half distant, and in coming to the new home he found the
roads so soft-much of the land being marshy, that


he carried a rope, by means of which to pull out
the wagons when they were stuck. Mr. and Mrs.
Beck have two sons-Warner Giloy, born December 13, 1869, and Cassius Delos Joy, December 3,
1873.
The first Presidential vote cast by Mr. Beck
bore the name of Abraham Lincoln and he has
followed it by supporting each Republican candidate to the present time. He has been a worker
for the party of his choice though he is not an
office-seeker, but one who thinks it the duty of
every good citizen to exercise the right of suffrage
intelligently and unfailingly. He has served as
Justice of the Peace two years and was re-elected,
but declined to again qualify for the office. He
and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal
Church and Mrs. Beck has been a teacher in the
Sunday-school. Her brother, Cassius M. Warner,
laid down his life for the Union, dying at Chattanooga August 14, 1864. He was not yet of age,
having been born September 10, 1843. He had
enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Third
Ohio Infantry, Col. Casement of Painesville, coinmanding, and was present at the battles of Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga and Resaca, and was
wounded during the last-named engagement. He
belonged to Sherman's forces when that renowned commander started on the famous march
to the sea.
J   OSEPH LONG is one of the large landowners of West Bloomfield Township and
one of the old settlers here, having taken up
his residence in 1854. His home farm consists of three hundred and eight acres, and he
has one hundred and seventy acres in another
part of the township. He carries on extensive
operations and finds abundant occupation for his
waking hours in the management of his agricultural
affairs and the dutics he owes to home and society.
He was born in County Queens, Ireland, September 12, 1810, and was reared in his native- place,
spending his boyhood days on a farm. His parents
were John and Maria (Manifold) Long, natives of
Queens and Kings Counties and residents in County




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


219


- --- —-----


Queens during their wedded life. The family was
a large one, including eleven children, and Joseph
was the fourth in order of birth. He received his
education in the schools of his native land and under his father's guidance learned how to carry on
a farm.
In 1830 young Long crossed the Atlantic on the
sail-ship "Mogul," an American vessel, consuming
seven weeks in the voyage. He landed in New York
City early in October and went direct to Newark,
N. J., and worked for his uncle, Daniel Whitfield,
in a tannery. He subsequently learned and worked
at the shoemaker's trade, still making his home
in Newark until 1837. He then came to this State
and began to work in St. Joseph County, but was
soon taken sick with fever and ague and becoming
discouraged, started back East. He got as far as
Detroit and then decided to remain there and for
several years he followed manufacturing and shoemaking in that city. Thence he came to this county
and buying a farm in Bloomfield Township, he has
remained here, adding to his landed estate and
continuing to rise by his persevering exertions.
June 15, 1840, Mr. Long was married to Miss
Agnes Watts, of Detroit, who died a few years
later, breathing her last January 7, 1847. Of their
union there were born four children, named respectively, Joseph W., Mary, Thomas and John. July
8, 1847, Mr. Long made a second marriage, wedding Miss Harriet N. Atwood, of Detroit. This
lady was horn in Athens County, Ohio, May 20,
1824, and was a daughter of John S. and Sarah
(Kitridge) Atwood. She has become the parent of
seven children who are named James, Sarah, Ann,
Libby, Harriet, Maria, George and one that died in
early infancy.
The first Presidential vote cast by Mr. Long was
for William Henry Harrison and the last one before
this writing (1891) was for another of the same
family. This indicates his party affiliations, first
with the Whigs and later with the Republicans. He
was reared under the tenets of the Episcopal Church,
but now gives support to the Methodist Episcopal,
though lie is not formally identified with the
society. He holds the office of Trustee for the
church at Commerce to which his wife and their
family belong. Mr. Long is a great reader and


having a wonderful memory is one of the best
posted men to be met in the county. The bent of
his mind is practical and he sees the application of
facts gleaned from different sources and combines
points learned ii varied reading into one grand
whole of more than ordinary intelligence.
F     ENJAMIN S. McCRACKEN. Among the
old settlers of Holly Township we find the
name of our subject. He is a man who
has done a tremendous amount of hard
work, and has borne it well, for he has a remarkably strong constitution, never having been sick
a day in the course of his life. He was born in
Warren County, N. J., September 15, 1819. His
father, Jacob, was born in the same State in 1776.
He was the son of James, a man of Scotch-Irish
descent, who lived to be ninety years old.
The father of our subject came to Michigan in
1832, in the old Territorial days. He settled in
Washington, Macomb County, and took up a farm
of one hundred and twenty acres of land, which
he proceeded to improve, and resided there until
his death, in 1864, having completed the long life
of four-score years and ten. He was a member of
the Christian Church and a Democrat in politics, in
which he took great interest and held office. He
was an adept at singing, and taught singing school
for forty years. He was very intelligent, and was
often called upon to write up wills, deeds and the
like. His wife, Lydia Shackleton, the mother of
our subject, was born in New Jersey in 1786.
She bore and reared to maturity eight children.
She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in
early life, and later joined the Methodist Church.
She always took an active interest in church matters. Her side of the family was of Scotch-Irish
descent. She lived to be seventy, seven years of
age, and departed this life in 1861.
Benjamin McCracken was in his thirteenth year
when he came to Michigan. The log schoolhouse,
the slab seats, Indian neighbors, wild game and the
shot gun are among the vivid recollections of his
youth, and being pursued by a pack of wolves is a




220


PO RTRAIT AND~ BTOGRAPHHICAL ALBUM..


I P  AN  B R I   L


memory which still gives him a thrill of horror. He
has been a hard worker, and has himself cleared
five hundred acres of land. He is now in his seventy-second year, strong and robust. He came to
Oakland County in 1848, and bought two hundred
and eighty acres of land. After five years he sold
out there and came to his present place, where
he bought two hundred and eighty acres of unimproved land. He put up a shanty and lived in it
for one year, and then built the frame house in
which he now resides. It was a notable house in
those days, being the only one between Fenton
and Holly which could boast of window blinds
and a coat of paint. He has farmed extensively
aad raised many horses, over two hundred in all,
and is an extensive stock-breeder.
Mr. McCracken's marriage to Lucia Rice in
1842 was the beginning of a wedded life of great
happiness. It took place at the home of the bride,
who is a native of Vermont, where she was born
October 29, 1823. She came to Michigan in 1840.
One child only was granted to this worthy couple:
Charles J., who has married Mary E. McOmber,
and lives on the old homestead where he was born.
He has one child-Olive E. Our subject is a
Prohibitionist in his political belief, but takes no
active part in politics.
|    s ARTIN  V. B.    HOSNER. Prominent
among the residents of Oakland County
are this gentleman and his estimable wife,
who belong to sturdy pioneer families.
The grandfather of Mr. Hosner was Jacob Hosner,
who was born in Clarkson, Monroe County, N. Y.,
and was of Dutch descent. The parents of Mr.
IIosner were Thomas and Hannah (Batchelor)
Hosner, who were married in Clarkson, N. Y. The
mother was a native of Massachusetts and was the
daughter of Consider and Susannah (Batherick)
Batchelor, natives of Ashfield, Mass. Thomas
Hosner and his wife emigrated West to Michigan
in 1833, and located in West Bloomfield Township,


where they took heavily timbered land from the
Government, and were numbered among the first
settlers. They ultimately sold this place and bought
another farm in the same township. The father,
who was a hard worker, endured the hardships of
pioneer life and did an immense amount of pioneer
work, building a barn, setting out an orchard and
making various permanent improvements.   He
passed from earth in January, 1845, and his wife
survived him until July 14, 1854.
Thomas and Hannahi Hosner were the parents of
twelve children, seven of whom are now living.
They were both members of the Free Will Baptist
Church, and he was an old line Whig. M. V. B.
Hosner was born February 5. 1835, in West Bloomfield Township. When fourteen years old he began working out on a farm, receiving $7 per
month for seven months, and being in the employ
of Edwin S. Harger, now of the village of Commerce.
He worked by the month for seven years.
M. V. B. Hosner was married October 18, 1857,
to Miss Lydia C., daughter of Ezekiel and Margaret C. (Longstreet) Dye, both natives of New
Jersey. Mr. Dye was born October 30, 1806, and
his wife June 6, 1809. They were married in
1829, and resided in New Jersey until 1831, when
they came to Michigan and settled on one hundred
and sixty acres in Commerce Township, all unbroken land, being timbered openings. He built a
log house and began clearing off his farm which
was their permanent home with the exception of
two years which they spent in New Jersey. At
that time they were homesick for the East, and sold
out and went back there. But they found out
that after all their heart was in Michigan, whither
they returned July 12, 1886, and bought back
their former farm, where Mr. Dye resided until his
death, March 21, 1888, when eighty-three years of
age. His good wife was blind for over forty-three
years. She was a lovely and devout Christian, a
motherly soul who was loved by every one, and a
consistent member of the Baptist Church, of
Walled Lake. She departed this life March 19,
1891, at the age of eighty-three years.
Mr. Dye was a man who made no show but attended strictly and thoroughly to the business in
hand, whatever it might be. He was the very




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


221


I


first officer ever elected in Commerce Township,
and at that time filled the position of Pathmaster.
He was first a Whig and later a Republican, and
was a member of the Baptist Church for a number
of years. Mrs. Dye was picking cranberries one
day and was stooping at this work when she was
spied by a neighbor, who was out hunting. As
she wore a brown dress he mistook her for a deer,
took aim and was about to fire when she raised her
head in time to save her life. Mrs. Hosner was
born August 13, 1836, and her mother becoming
blind when she was ten years old, the duties of the
household fell upon her.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hosner was
Ezekiel Dye, Sr., who was born on a farm in Middlesex. Mrs. Hosner's great-grandfather bore the
name of Thomas Dye, and was of Scotch descent.
Her grandmother's name on her father's side was
Abbie Longstreet, and on her mother's side, Lydia
Bennet. Her maternal grandfather was William
Longstreet, and  her great-grandfather, Samuel
Longstreet, descended from Dutch ancestry.
The first home of Mr. and Mrs. Hosner was in
Commerce Township, one mile south of the village
of Commerce. Here they resided for four years
and then removed to their present location, where
they own one hundred and sixty-seven and twothird acres, most of which is under cultivation.
Mr. HIosner also owns village property in Walled
Lake. His residence was built about twenty-five
years ago. He has given his whole attention to
farming in a good business-like manner, and has
been successful.
Two of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. Hosner are now living, namely: Eugene H., born December 11, 1864, and Cary H., born April 8, 1875.
Archie D., a law student of Mr. Patterson of Pontiac, died at the age of twenty-four years, after
suffering from consumption for six years. He bore
his trials with great fortitude and patience, and was
a clear-minded, honest and intelligent young man.
For two years he was Treasurer of Commerce
Township, and was also Superintendent of the
Baptist Sunday-school of Walled Lake. Arthur
L. was accidentally killed at the age of seventeen
years by being thrown from a horse. Eugene H.
married Parley Nichols April 29, 1890, and has


one son, Archie N.; he lives in Monmouth, Polk
County, Ore.
Mr. and Mrs. Hosner are members of the First
Baptist Church at Walled Lake, of which he has
been Trustee and Treasurer. He is deeply interested in Sunday-school work and has served as
Superintendent for ten years, being also teacher of
the young people's Bible class. His wife has also
taken an active interest in Sunday-school work.
He is a charter member of Commerce Grange, No.
328, and has held the offices of Chaplain, Lecturer
and Master. He is identified with the Patrons of
Industry. He is President of the Cemetery Association of Walled Lake, and Director of the Local
School Board. He has always taken an active'interest in politics and votes the Democratic ticket.
He has been Drainage Commissioner for three
years. Both he and his wife are members of temperance organizations. Mr. Hosner has abstained
from liquor and strong drink from his boyhood,
and has never used either tea or tobacco.  He
looks back with great interest to the pioneer days
of his boyhood and his recitals of the incidents of
that period are of great interest. He remembers
going to the homes of his neighbors to borrow fire
before the introduction of matches, also recalls the
introduction of the first corn planters, mowing and
reaping machines, and other modern improvements.
—,      S        r


OHN A. NEAL, the editor and proprietor of
the Orion Review, was born in Ovid, Seneca
County, N. Y., March 5, 1859. His father
George W. B. Neal, born in the same county
in 1822, is still a resident there and was a carpenter
and ship builder. Both the grandfather and greatgrandfather of our subject bore the name of John.
The former was born July 4, 1786, in Monmouth
County, N. J. and the latter was a Marylander, and
enlisted for three years in the Revolutionary War.
The father of this soldier, Benjamin Neal, was born
in the North of Ireland, where he was known as "The
Neal." He was of Scotch-Irish descent. The greatgrandmother of our subject was born in Morristown, N. J., in 1756. Her mother was a Bellow, a




222


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


direct descendant of Capt. John Smith of the Jamestown Colony. The grandmother of our subject bore
the maiden name of Saulter. and was born in 1790,
near Bound Brook, N. J. Her father's name was
Henry, and his wife was Charity Stout. He was a
Revolutionary soldier.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was
reared near Sheldrake, in Seneca County, N. Y., until 1867, when his parents removed to Romulus,
the same State. In 1874 lie entered the State Normal School at Albany, N. Y., which was then in
charge of the venerable Dr. Joseph Alden, who is
well known as an author of various text-books.
Here he spent two years and then taught school in
Covert, N. Y., after which he read law with H. V. L.
Jones, of Ovid. In the fall of 1878 he came to Michigan and taught two terms of school near Morenci,
Lenawee County. He read medicine for a time
with Dr. Baker of that town, and clerked in a drug
store, and for awhile was connected with the Morenci Observer. In the fall of 1881 he came to
Qrion, and together with Joseph Patterson. now
the publisher of the Grayling Democrat and
Frank Sntton, the present publisher of the Marine
City Reporter, founded the Orion Review. Mr.
Sutton sold out his interest the following spring,
and during the next winter Mr. Neal purchased
Mr. Patterson's interest, and has since managed the
paper as editor and sole proprietor. The Review
is conducted as an independent paper,bright and
spicy. During the past three years, Mr. Neal has
been engaged somewhat in grain and produce business and also conducts a thriving real-estate and
loan agency.
November 12, 1888, Mr. Neal was admitted to
practice before the Department of the Interior a
Washington, and since that time he has devoted considerable time to the pension business. He has
been village Assessor and Justice of the Peace and
is a member of the Masonic order and the Kniahts
of Pythias.
The marriage of our subject took place, February
22, 1883. His wife bore the maiden name of Addie J. Baker, and was born April 19, 1863, in Seneca, Lenawee County, this State. She is a daughter
of Horace Baker. Her grandparents on both sides
were early settlers in Lenawee County, hergrand

father Sweeny being a member of the Michigan
State Legislature in  1836.  Her grandmother
Sweeny's maiden name was Neal, and she was a
daughter of the John Neal who was grandfather to
our subject, Mrs. Neal's grandmother being a sister
of Mr. Neal's father. One child only has crowned
the union of Mr. and Mrs. Neal, a son, George H.,
who was born January 30, 1884.
SI AMUEL STURMAN, who makes his home
on section 29, Southfield Township, was
born in Leicestershire, England, October 5,
1815. His father, Samuel, and his mother,
Sarah Bachler. were both born in that country and
his mother died there. His father, before his death,
came to Oakland County, Mich. Our subject is
the eldest son and second child in a family of nine,
all of whom were born in England. After being
reared to manhood lie worked on the railroad for
four years before coming to America. He landed in
New York City in 1842, located in Dexter, and in
1844 went to Detroit where he learned the trade of
a plasterer, and followed the business for about
twelve years, working for one employer for seven
years of that time. He accumulated some city
property which he exchanged for the farm where
lie now resides, a place which had been known as
the Trowbridge Nursery.
In 1853 Mr. Sturman married Amelia Kendall,
who was born in Detroit in 1830, where she received her education. This couple were the parents
of ten children, namely: Henry S., born June 11,
1855, residing in Soutlhfield Township; Emma J.,
July 15, 1858; James D., February 28, 1860; Walter J., September 11, 1861; Lansing G., February
18, 1863; Lizzie A., October 5, 1864; Sarah M.,
June 17, 1866, (deceased); Anna L., September
9, 1867; Sarah H., October 16, 1869, and Edwin
T., July 6, 1874. All except the eldest of this
family were born in Southfield Township, on what
is now the home farm. This is a fine farm of one
hundred acres of improved land, where our subject
is doing a general farming business. Mr. Sturman
was at one time a Republican and is now a strong




I




I        -        1,
i


V —l


o




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


225


Prohibitionist. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church and a Trustee in the same. He
is an efficient worker in the Sunday-school, where
he was at one time Superintendent. He is one of the
pillars of the church and never uses tobacco in any
form, being very much opposed to it.
ON. LEVI B. TAFT. This distinguished
member of the legal profession has made
his home in Pontiac for some years, and
is devoting himself to his practice, in
partnership with Ex-State Senator Samuel W.
Smith. During much of the time since Mr.
Taft became a member of the bar he has been associated with other distinguished lawyers, and he has
had a large practice, won many victories, much
fame and considerable wealth. He is descended
from families of high repute in New England, and
has himself added to the lustre of the name he
bears, by his distinguished services in the legal
arena and in official stations.
The father of our subject, Benjamin Taft, was
born in Richmond, N. H. His ancestors were
among the earliest settlers of Uxbridge, Mass.
His life on earth was brief, his death occurring in
1823, in Bellingham, Mass. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Vienna Cook and was
the daughter of Thaddeus and Rhoda (Ballou)
Cook. The latter was a descendant of Maturin
Ballou, a co-proprietor with Roger Williams, the
Colonial founder of Rhode Island, in his Providence plantations, whose name first appears among
those co-proprietors in 1646. Vienna Cook was
born March 29, 1795, at Bellingham, Mass., and
was there married August 31, 1820, to Benjamin
Taft. She died in Pawtucket, R. I., during the
year 1867, when about seventy-two years old.
The Hon. L. B. Taft was born in Bellingham,
Norfolk County, Mass., August 6, 1821.    He
spent his boyhood on a farm, and while taking a
part in the duties pertaining to its cultivation was
privileged to attend the district school. In 1834
he came to Detroit, this State, where he continued
his studies and worked in the store of his uncles,


Col. Levi and Olney Cook. His academic education was obtained partly at Hopkins Academy,
at Old Hadley, Mass., and partly at Franklin,
Mass.; lie entered Dartmouth College in 1839 and
was graduated in 1843. The same year he returned to Detroit and studied law with the Hon.
Jacob M. Howard. In 1845 he was admitted to the
bar by the State Supreme and Federal Circuit
Courts.
Judge Taft began his professional work at Detroit
as a partner of the lion. H. H. Hobart, and after
the removal of that gentleman to Wisconsin, was
associated with Oscar F. Cargill. In 1848 Judge
Taft removed to Niles, where he joined another distinguished firm, his successive partners being the
Hon.George iH.Jerome and Judge Hiram F. Mather.
He served one term as Recorder, and was also City
Attorney, and from 1851 to 1853 was Prosecuting
Attorney of Berrien County. He with Judge
Mather then removed to Chicago, and during his
residence there was associated with Judge Hiram
F. Mather, the lion. Thomas B. Bryan, VicePresident of the Columbian Exposition; Judge T.
Lyle Dickey, late one of the judges of the Supreme
Court of Illinois; the Hon. George C. Bates and
Col. W. W. Wheeler (of the Twenty-eighth Michigan Infantry during the Civil War).
Judge Taft was engaged as solicitor for the
complainant in one case which remained in the
courts for twelve years-that of J. C. Freer, administrator of Price vs. Horatio Seymour et. al.,
executors and devisees of Henry Seymour, deceased, in the United States Circuit Court of the
Northern District of Illinois. Judge Conklin, of
New York, and others argued the case for the defendants in the United States Court, and Judge
Kernan and the Hon. Roscoe Conkling-the latter
a brother-in-law of Horatio Seymour-argued on
the same side in the United States Supreme Court,
Both courts decided in favor of complainants
(Seymour vs. Freer, 8, Wallace, 202). Judge Taft
and his partner received $18,500 fees in the case,
which involved rights to property valued at nearly
a half million.
Judge Taft resided in Chicago and Lake Forest
for a period of sixteen years and during that time,
with his partner, Judge Mather (with whom there




226


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


were occasionally other partners) was among the
the foremost in his profession in the Garden City.
He was also for twelve vears a member of the Chicago Board of Education, and part of the time its
President. In 1865 he removed to Lake Forest of which he was one of the originators.
In  1868 on account of impaired health, he
removed to Pontiac, Mich., and bought a farm
of two hundred and forty-one acres in that
vicinity, adapted  to stock-raising and  general production. This he carried on for eight
years, regaining his health and reaping financial
benefit from his good management. Subsequently
he resumed the practice of law at Detroit, and in
1873 was appointed Judge of the Sixth Circuit in
Michigan. After serving out the term he returned
to Pontiac and took up his law practice here. For
a time he superintended his farm, but he finally
sold it and gave his attention exclusively to legal
matters.
Judge Taft was married in Pontiac December 24,
1846, to Julia A., daughter of Jacob G. and
Ann (Grow) Bishop. There have been born to
them seven children five of whom are still living.  Mrs. Taft is a   superior woman, descended on the maternal side from Thomas and
Rebecca (Holt) Grow, conspicuous early New
Englanders, whose progeny has everywhere won a
good reputation. One conspicuous branch of them
held a reunion at Waterford, this State, in August,
1b85, which mustered over two hundred relatives
and passed off with great eclat. Judge Taft has
long been an Elder and Trustee in the First Presbyterian Church of Pontiac, and was for a number
of years a Director in the Oakland County Agricultural Society. He has always been a leading
and active Republican, and prominent in the ranks
of the party, not only in Michigan, but also while
residing in Illinois.
Judge Taft is tall in person, commanding in appearance and courteous in manner. His portrait,
presented in connection with this biographical notice, will be at once recognized by the majority of
our readers as that of a man eminent at the bar of
this State. His long professional career and his
natural traits have moulded him into a type of
lawyer and jurist which, in dignity, culture and


ability, marks the highest order of his profession.
On the bench he showed a true conception of the
duties of the position-alert, impartial, learned
and honest. By his bearing he gave courage to
the younger and commanded the respect of the older
practitioner. As a lawyer his daily application,
research and practice have given him a wide reputation as reliable counsel and a successful advocate,
which with his personal qualities have attracted to
him a large circle of friends and patrons.,IC IARD SKARRITT. Among the many
L  hard-working and respected farmers of
White Lake Township none are better
worthy representation in this ALBUM than
Richard Skarritt. He owns and operates a farm
on section 16, comprising one hundred and sixty
broad acres, which was reclaimed from the primitive condition by his own zealous efforts and has
been supplied with good buildings by him. He
removed the timber which once covered the land,
grubbed it and broke the virgin soil, and from
time to time made such improvements as he considered necessary or desirable. He has been a lifelong farmer and understands well how to bring
about good results by his work.
Richard Skarritt, the father of our subject, was
born in Ireland in 1803, and remained in his native
land for some years after his marriage. In 1834
he emigrated and came to this county, taking up
his residence in Commerce Township. After a sojourn of about three years he removed to Springfield Township, but two years later returned to
Commerce, which was his home during a second
period of two years. He then settled in White
Lake Township, where he passed the balance of his
years. He took up forty acres of land in Commerce Township and bought one hundred and
sixty in Springfield, but sold the latter and purchased instead an equal amount in White Lake.
The country to which he came was new and he
cleared and broke his own land and did breaking
for others for many years. In the old country he
belonged to the militia.  After he became an




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


227


American citizen he always voted the Democratic
ticket. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Dougherty, and their children were Thomas,
Elizabeth, Joseph, Catherine, and Richard, who
were born in Ireland, and Susan, Helen, John,
Willie, Jane and George, who were born in America. Mr. Skarritt was a member of the Methodist
Church.
Richard Skarritt, Jr., the subject of this biography, was born March 6, 1834, in the Emerald Isle,
and crossed the Atlantic during his infancy. He
remained with his parents until he was of age, pursuing such studies as were possible in the primitive
schools of the period, in what was then a sparsely
settled section and learning all the details of practical farm life under his father's guidance. He
began farming for himself on a forty-acre tract
given him by his father, but after a time sold it
and bought one hundred and twenty acres where
he is now living. To this he afterward added forty
acres, and here he has carried on general farming
most industriously.
In Pontiac, September 17, 1855, Mr. Skarritt
was united in marriage with Miss Fanny M.
Porter, the daughter of John Porter, to whose
sketch the reader is referred for facts regarding her ancestors. To Mr. and Mrs. Skarritt
there have been born the following-named children:
John, Alfred, Mary, Richard, Jessie, Edward, Andrew and Charles. They also adopted a daughter,
Annie. All are living but John and Mary. The
wife and mother closed her eyes in death February
28, 1888.
Mr. Skarritt made a second marriage in Detroit
January 9, 1890, the ceremony being performed at
the home of the bride's parents, Philander and
Frances (Smith) Philip. The father was born in
Genesee County, N. Y., and upon coming to this
State settled on one hundred and twenty acres of
land in Springfield Township, this county. For a
number of years lie carried o.n farming and (lid
some work at his trade-that of a carpenter. To
him and his wife three children came, named respectively, Edgar, Maria and Fanny. The lastnamed married a Mr. Hilts, by whom she had one
child-Edda. She was a second time married to
Edgar Sanborn and this marriage also was blest by


the birth of one child-Lena, who is now with her
mother, while the son is living at Pontiac. Her
union with our subject has been followed by mutual happiness and home comfort.
In 1865 Mr. Skarritt enlisted in the Twentyfourth Michigan Infantry and served three months.
Politically he is a Prohibitionist and has been for
several years. Socially he is a member of the
Grange. He and his wife belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church. They are held in excellent repute on account of their fine characters, their general intelligence, and their active, useful lives.
G    EORGE GEDDIS is a retired farmer resid- ing on Washington street at Royal Oak,
1 and one of the veteran sons of Michigan,
who are her pride and boast. His birth took place
March 18, 1841. His father, Robert, was a weaver
and farmer in County Down, Ireland, who was
born early in this century, and was married about
the year 1830 to Margaret Groves, a daughter of
Arthur and Margaret (Nixon) Groves. To these
parents were born two daughters and five sons.
The mother died about 1886 in her native county,
and the father is still living in the old country.
The grandfather Daniel and his wife Sarah
(Baker) Geddis, spent their lives in County Down.
The subject of this sketch made his home with
his parents and remained with them until 1857,
with the exception of a period when he was in the
British Army. He was a volunteer in the Crimean
War, and was a member of the Eleventh Hussars
"A" troop who were sent to reinforce the famous
"Light Brigade" of Balaklava. In 1857 the young
man came to America and making his way to Royal
Oak Township, began for himself by working on a
farm at $8 a month. In 1861 he volunteered for
three years in Company B, of the Lancers of Detroit. This company was never sent to the front
and after seven months of waiting Mr. Geddis
joined the Third United States Cavalry and was
sent on to Columbus, Ky. He was put upon scout
and picket duty until the spring of 1863.
The regiment was now sent to Memphis and




228


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


thence to Vicksburg. Upon their return to Memphis Mr. Geddis was made Sergeant as reward of
meritorious conduct the siege of Vicksburg. They
then went to reinforce Grant at Lookout Mountain, and were with Sherman through that campaign. They were then sent to Knoxville, Tenn.,
to aid Gen. Burnside.
Sergeant Geddis was sent into Knoxville as a
bearer of dispatches, and on the retreat of Longstreet he with his cavalry followed as far as Murphy, N. C. He came back to Chattanooga and
Huntsville, reaching there New Year's day 1864.
In March of that year he was detailed for recruiting duty at St. Louis, Mo. After that his company
was sent to reinforce Gen. Banks, who was defeated
on the Red River expedition. He received his
final discharge at Little Rock, Ark., March 18,
1865. He then came to Memphis and became dispatch bearer for Gen. Washburn, who commanded
the Sixteenth Army Corps. This gallant soldier
had the inexpressibly sad duty of carrying to Gen.
Washburn the dispatch which announced the death
of Abraham Lincoln, the beloved War President.
At the close of the war this gallant hero returned
to Michigan, and in 1865 he celebrated his return
to civil life by contracting a matrimonial alliance
with Margaret, daughter of Robert and Jane
(Groves) Cromie. This lady is the youngest in a
family of seven sons and two daughters, who were
from County Down, Ireland. Her grandfather
was William and her grandmother Sallie (Baker)
Cromie. Our subject and his wife made their first
home near Pontiac on a farm which they took on
shares. They are both members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church of Royal Oak, and the gentleman belongs to Michigan Post No. 393, G. A. R.,
of Detroit. He is also identified with the Knights
of Pythias, and a member of Clinton Valley Lodge
No. 275, I. O. O. F., of Clinton, Macomb County.
Mr. Geddis' first Presidential vote was cast for
Grant, and his latest one for Harrison. He has
often been sent to represent his neighbors at Republican conventions, and is always active in local
circles for the good of the party. He has been
tendered various offices, but owing to wounds received while in the army he has declined to serve.
In 1867 he purchased forty acres in Royal Oak


Township, all timbered land. After four years he
sold it and bought forty acres of cleared land in
Sterling, Macomb County. Four years later he
sold it and came to Royal Oak, and bought sixty
acres on section 12. Here he made his permanent
home for eighteen years, and after that spent two
years in Warren, Macomb County, where he bought
ten acres of farming land and two lots, a store and
a dwelling in the village. Somewhat later he came
to Royal Oak. Besides the ten acres at Warren he
now owns fourteen acres and a house and four
lots in Royal Oak. His beautiful home is frequently a scene of sociability and hospitality, and
it is known as a place where friends are warmly
welcomed and kindly entertained. He receives
$12 a month as a pension from the Government.
which is a richly deserved, though inadequate, recompense for his noble services and self-devotion
to his country in her hour of need.
ICHARD 0. SMITH, formerly "mine host"
of the Sidney House in Rochester, was born
in Wayne County, this State, November 4,
1827, and was a son of Samuel and Marcia
B. Smith, who were natives of New Hampshire and
IConnecticut, respectively. The father came to this
State in 1821, and located in Detroit. He had
previously worked at the carpenter's trade, but
after coming West he devoted himself almost entirely to farming. He was of English ancestry,
and his mother was a sister of John Rogers, who
was burned at the stake for his religious belief.
Samuel Smith was first married to Hannah Holden
who bore him two sons, Samuel and Joseph. His
second wife was Hopa Smith, who became the
mother of six children. The third wife, Marcia B.
Mahar, was the mother of eight children, but two
only are now living: Mrs. Hopa A. Lemon, of
Shiawassee County; and Richard O., the subject of
this biographical sketch. Jonathan Hunt, a son of
Samuel Smith's second wife, was reared by his stepfather, and the latter's third wife. His stepfather
gave him $100, as he was taking provisions to soldiers on Lake Erie during the War of 1812. He




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


229


---


laid out the money in crockery, for which his stepfather upbraided him, but he soon returned home
with twice the amount of money he had expended.
He then invested in cotton and again doubled his
capital. In spite of the expostulations of his stepfather he continued this manner of trade and made
a large fortune. He willed his estate in four equal
parts to his stepfather, a sister and two brothers.
One of the brothers was insane and was in an asylum forty-two years. The amount devised to him
was well invested and reached the sum of $6,000,000, a part of which eventually came into the pos
session of our subject, as he was a half-brother.
Our subject lived under his father's roof until he
was seventeen years old, then went to Birmingham
and served an apprenticeship of three years at the
trade of a finisher and moulder. He worked at his
trade a few years, then married and settled down
to farm life in Livingston County. A year later
he removed to Wayne County, seven miles from
Detroit, where he kept an hotel twelve years. At
the expiration of that period he came to Avon
Township, and for a time occupied and operated a
farm bequeathed to him by his father. He next
went to Union Corners, and for eighteen months
was landlord, then returned to the farm, on which
he resided from 1865 to 1887. That year he moved
into Rochester, and at a cost of $8,000 put up the
hotel of which he had charge until his death.
The (late of the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss
Esther Anderson was April 11, 1850. Three children came to bless the union, but only the firstborn, Henry R., is now living. He is a farmer who
is prospering in his chosen work. Josephine E.
died in early womanhood, March 29, 1875, when
aged eighteen years, six months and three days.
Emma V. breathed her last November 5, 1863, at
the age of four years, three months and twenty-nine
days.
Mr. Smith took considerable interest in political
campaigns, and worked with and for the Democratic party. By virtue of the three marriages of
his father, he was the uncle of a nephew seventytwo years old, and another six years old. He was
a successful farmer, and as an hotel-keeper he is
kindly remembered by those who have found rest
under his roof, as he had the geniality that made


them welcome, and he and his good wife supplied
their table well and kept the house in order for
passing guests. Mr. Smith died suddenly April 3,
1891, mourned by a large circle of relatives and
friends.


JUDSON    CLARK. Among the prominent citizens in Orion are a number who
were born in that township and whose
growth and progress through life have
been closely identified with that of their native
place. One of these is the subject of this sketch,
who was born in a log house on section 23, Orion
Township, December 29, 1853. Iis father, Elijah
B. Clark, was a native of Connecticut, where he
first saw the light November 23, 1792. He left
home when a boy of thirteen and became an apprentice to a ship carpenter. He afterward went
to Wayne County, Pa., wheie he followed farming
and carpentering for several years. The year 1830
saw him an emigrant to Michigan, and in June of
that year he located and entered land in Orion
Township and received a deed signed by Gen.
Jackson. He returned home that fall but the following spring he came on and erected a log cabin.
He was thus one of the very first settlers in that
part of what was then the Territory of Michigan.
The Indians were his most numerous and frequent
callers, and an ox-team was his fastest span. He
was a Whig in politics and served in the Legislature in 1846-47, the last session of Legislature
that assembled in Detroit. He was well knowu
throughout all that region and was highly respected. He served at one time as Supervisor and
also as Treasurer of the township. He lived to a
green old age and died in 1884 at the age of ninetyone years and seven months. His father, Josiah
Clark, was a farmer in Connecticut.
The mother of our subject, Mary A. Yerkes, was
born in Pennsylvania, January 23, 1798. Her death
took place January 3, 1864. Of her ten children
eight are still living. Our subject was reared on
the farm and had a district school education.
When he was nineteen years old he and his four
brothers bought the old homestead, which com



230


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--


prised three hundred and twenty acres and farmed
ill partnership for four years. IIe then sold his
interest and farmed for himself.
The wife whom our subject chose was Ellen,
daughter of William and Chloe (Bugbee) Green,
who came to Oakland County, Mich., in 1843, and
were early settlers in Orion Township. The marriage took place in 1858, in Orion Township. Mrs.
Green passed away from earth in October, 1870.
Mr. Green is still living in his eighty-fourth year.
Mr. Clark has been a Republican from early manhood and cast his first vote for President Abraham
Lincoln. He is a member of the order of the Patrons of Husbandry. He owns a farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres on sections 13 and 24,
Orion Township, and a pleasant home situated on
seven and a half acres just outside the corporation
of Orion. He is connected with the Orion Park
Association, of which he is a Director. Mr. Clark
taught two terms of school in 1857-58 in this
county.
nICHARD D. STRONG owns and occupies
a farm on section 28, Troy Township, that
is now carried on by a son. He was born
in Berkshire, England, December 18, 1835,
and reared in his native place. His parents, Russell and Catherine (May) Stroug, were natives of
the mother country and spent their entire lives
there. They were classed among the farmers, and
at his home their son served what might be called
an apprenticeship at farming. He is the third of
ten children. He left his native land in 1842,
crossed the Atlantic and came direct to this State.
He found occupation in a brickyard on the Gratiot road, four miles from Detroit, and finally
started in business for himself. HIe carried on the
yard six years, then sold it and bought the land
which he still occupies. There were some improvements on the property, and lie has added to them
since he took possession in 1868.
The wife of our subject was born in Yorkshire,
England, in 1829, bore the maiden name of Diana
Lamb and is a sister of F. B. Lamb, to whose


sketch the reader is referred for information regarding her progenitors. She was married to our
subject in 1850, and has borne him five sons. The
first-born, William T., occupies the homestead;
Isaac and Sidney have their homes in Troy Township; Henry H. lives in the village of Big Beaver;
John lives in Bay City and is a breakman on the
railroad. The eldest son was born in Wayne
County July 31, 1852, and in 1881 was married to
Wealthy Millard.
Mr. Strong was a firm  Republican until within
the last two years, but he now holds a place with
the Prohibitionists. He has been a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church forty years, and has
been a faithful worker for the cause of Christianity. He has been a Class-Leader and Steward, and
has taught in the Sunday-school thirty years. Not
only has he given precepts of right and justice,
but it has been his earnest aim to live a righteous
life, and no one can justly accuse him of ever having had a quarrel since he became a citizen of this
country. His son William belongs to the same
church as himself, was Superintendent of the Sunday-school five years and is now Class-Leader and
Exhiorter at the Methodist Episcopal Church. His
wife is also connected with that religious body.
The farm of Mr. Strong consists of one hundred
acres of well-improved land, which under capable
managemement produces abundantly.
| ARRISON WALTER. The farm and home
of this gentleman is certainly one of the
most beautiful in Independence Township,
if not in the county. The tract of land
comprising the estate consists of one hundred and
seventy-six acres on sections 16, 17 and 20, and
has as fertile soil as could be desired. This property was bought by Mr. Walter in 1863, and an indebtedness of $4,500 incurred. He has not only
paid off the incumbrance but has put on at least
$12,000 worth of improvements. The dwelling is
a handsome brick, and the grounds around it are
tastefully adorned and present an appearance that
at once attracts the attention of a passer-by. The




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


231


---


I


---


barn is 60x200 feet, with a basement, and there is
a fruit-house 36x60 feet, with a cellar eighteen
feet deep, that has a capacity of storing five thousand barrels. This valuable property is located
within a mile of Clarkston.
The parents of our subject were Ja-cob and Sarah
(Clark) Walter, and their family comprised eight
children, seven of whom survive. The father was
a native of England and came to this county many
years ago, being one of the first that arrived here
from the mother country, and being the means of
drawing a number of settlers hither from his old
home. He was a man who was much beloved by
his neighbors. He died in 1862.
Our subject was born July 15, 1840, in the
township that is still his home, and reared on a farm
with the usual school advantages belonging to a
rural district. He worked for his father in the
intervals of study until he was eighteen years old,
and at the age of twenty years took up a higher
course of instruction in an academy, pursuing his
labors there one year. Returning to his native
township he hired out on a farm during two summers, and in the winters taught school very successfully.  He then  made   arrangements for
establishing a home of his own, and turned his
attention with unusual ardor to the work of an
agriculturist, stockman and fruit-grower. He gives
much attention to breeding cattle and sheep, and a
flock of about one thousand is generally held over
by him each winter, and a large herd of cattle. He
buys and ships about an hundred thousand pounds
of wool per year. He also has an orchard of thirty
acres of apple trees in full bearing, and a cranberry
marsh.
December 15, 1864, Mr. Walter was happily
married to Miss Mary M. Howell, daughter of
Samuel G. Howell, a citizen of this county and a
native of Sussex County, N. J. Mrs. Walter is a
granddaughter of the Rev. Joseph Edmondson.
That she has refined taste as well as housewifely
skill is abundantly proved by the arrangement and
adornments of her home. She is the mother of five
children whose record is as follows: Edith J., born
October 6, 1865, died January 20, 1876, and was
interred at Lake View cemetery; Agnes E., born
May 22, 1870; Gertrude M., September 29, 1876;


Eva E., November 17, 1877; Samuel J., July 30,
1879. Miss Agnes spent two years in attendance
at the State Normal School in Ypsilanti and has
paid special attention to vocal and instrumental
music, in which she is quite proficient. The
younger children have enjoyed advantages suited
to their years and talents, as the parents desire to
fully equip them for the duties of life.
In politics Mr. Walter is a Republican. He does
not belong to any religious organization, but is a
man of strict morality, who never uses profane
language and never drank a glass of whisky; in fact
is opposed to stimulants of all kinds. The energy
of his nature and the degree of enterprise he shows
in taking hold of extensive interests, is a matter of
general understanding in the section in which he
lives, and his example is better than many precepts
in pointing the moral that success will follow persistent and energetic efforts when coupled with good
judgment and honest dealing.
/IRAM ELWOOD, who has a fine farm in
Royal Oak Township, is the son of Benjamin Elwood, a farmer and contractor of
Otsego County, N. Y., who came to Michigan in July, 1832. He left his family in Detroit
while locating his farm, and brought them on when
he had made some preparation for them. The
grandfather, also Benjamin Elwood, was a native of
England, who came to America in boyhood and
worked at blacksmithing. He made the first fanning
mill which was used in Montgomery County, N. Y.
lie also took part in the Revolutionary War on the
side of his adopted country.
The mother of our subject, Rachael (Sanders)
Elwood, was born in New York being the daughter
of Henry Sanders. She married Benjamin Elwood
in New York, and became the mother of three sons
and three daughters only one of whom, our subject,
is still living. This son was born in New York, October 28, 1814 and came to Michigan with his parents in 1832. His few years of schooling were
obtained in New York.
Phoebe (Hall) Elwood, the wife of our subject
was born in Blenheinl, Schoharie County, X. Y.,




232


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


December 15, 1824. Her father, Daniel H. Hall, a
farmer, was born in Catskill, N. Y., May 15, 1799,
and came to Michigan in the Territorial days and
located in Royal Oak Township. Her grandfather,
Nathaniel Hall, was a native of Connecticut and a
drum major during the Revolutionary War, and
afterward a sea captain. He was a son of Nathaniel Hall of Puritan stock. The mother of Mrs. Elwood, was Lettia (Partridge) Hall who was born in
Schoharie, N. Y., September 18, 1801. Her parents,
Alanson and Eunice Partridge, had eight clildren.
Daniel Hall and Lettia (Partridge) Hall were married in 1882. Of their nine children Phoebe is the
second child and oldest daughter.
Iiram Elwood and Phoebe (Hall) Elwood were
married in 1847. Their children are: Rachel P.,
born April 26, 1848; Amanda J., January 6, 1854;
James H., April 26. 1860; William H., July 19,
1866. In addition to their own children they
adopted two-George Stanley and J. R. Kinney.
George went with the boys in blue and never returned. His loss was a great one to t  he parents who
had adopted him as a strong bond of affection united them. J. R. Kinney is now in business at
Royal Oak. The eldest daughter, Rachel, is the
wife of Wright Bartlett of Sand Beach, Mich. Amatnda is Mrs. John Heath of Southfield, this county.
James (lied at the age of nine years. William is
living on the old farm and in December of 1886, he
was united in marriage with Mary Lewless, by whom
he las two children, Florence E. and Gracie M. The
latter died March 15,1891.
When Benjamin Elwood came to Michigan the
country was in its wild state. The only roads were
footpaths, marked by blazed trees. Many a time
he was chased by wolves. His first house was
of logs and its dimensions were 12x14 feet. It had
a shake roof and a stick chimney, with floor of split
logs. In this commodious abode a family of five
made their home. Our subject and his brother
slept on the floor but afterward they made hunks
against the wall. This was more comfortable and
pleasant, as snakes sometimes crept into the house.
The name of Andrew Jackson is signed to the
deeds which certified to Mr. Elwood's possession of
his land.
The house in which our subject now lives was


erected in 1845. Of his one hundred and fiftyfour acres about one hundred is in an improved
condition. The first President for whom he voted
was William Henry Harrison and the last was Benjamin  Harrison. He played the drum    during
William Henry Harrison's campaign. He was a
member of the Union League. Mr. and Mrs. Elwood are earnest and efficient members of the
Congregational Church in which he has been a
Deacon and Trustee for many years. Mr. Elwood
began life with nothing but his muscles and grit
and he has carved out for himself and family a
handsome competence. As an illustration of the
determination and perseverance which he showed
during the early days, we will tell how he obtained
his first harness. He caught coons at night and
took the skins to Detroit and sold them for a liarness. He also bought a saddle in the same way
and an overcoat for his adopted son George Stanley. When a boy lie was one day sent several
miles from home and had to travel a long distance
after dark and for miles lie was followed by wolves.
lie killed many wild turkeys and deer and kept his
father's family in meat many times in this way.
Mr. Elwood's father died at the age of eighty-two
and his mother when she had reached her eightyfourth year. They lie side by side in their long
sleep in the Royal Oak Cemetery. The brother and
sister are also buried there.
*I"-'-. --- —-o - ^^ --- —^
HARLES GRAY         ROBERTSON, M. D.
Among the physicians of Oakland County,
none have endeared themselves to their patrons more thoroughly than the subject of this
sketch. He located in Clarkston in 1880, and has
built up a large and remunerative practice. Study
and experience combined to give him skill before
he came to Clarkston, and his earnestness and sterling quality of mind had added to the force of his
instruction and made practical all that he learned.
He is an excellent type of his nationality, and a
worthy representative of a family, many members
of which have been prominent in political and social circles, In former times the Robertsons had








-3
*f
I,
*? ',11'
si~
S. in ri,
t4 Se. at
- -k k~rq,


I:.i I
-  -- 4 `  -  -


r t c)l I.


a. 4J)7




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


235


much influence in Scotland and the name is not
unknown in the history of that country. The
family was honored with a coat-of-arms and its
members filled stations of influence and responsibility.
The father of our subject was George Robertson, who was born in Sterling, Scotland, in 1783,
his mother, Violet (Anderson) Robertson, was born
in Edinburgh, Scotland. They came to America
in 1837, and established their home in this county.
The trail from Pontiac northwest was at that time
distinguished by blazed trees, there being no road
and not even a path. Mr. Robertson was reared
as a merchant and had been thus occupied in his
native land, and when he engaged in farming here
he suffered much from the unaccustomed labor and
the privations of pioneer life. The climate also
was different from that to which he was used, and
it was not long ere he contracted pneumonia which
proved a fatal illness.
Dr. Robertson was born in Glasgow, November
24, 1830, and was but a lad when lie accompanied
his parents across the Atlantic. He remained on
the farm until he was sixteen years old, then went
to school to prepare himself for a professional life.
As his means were limited, it was necessary for
him to teach during the winter months to earn the
money with which to pay his expenses while pursuing his studies in the summer. In 1848 he went
to live with his brother, an attorney at Mt. Clemens, and there he attended school and also began
reading medicine with Dr. Taylor. In 1850-57 he
attended lectures at Ann Arbor, and leaving the
college two years later he began his practice in
Waterford and also carried on a drug store there.
In 1853 lie sold out and went to Clift Mines in the
Lake Superior region, holding the position of Assistant Surgeon for the company three years. He
was not satisfied with the amount of technical
knowledge he possessed, and continued his study,
determined to acquire the degree of Doctor of
Medicine, which he had not yet taken. His desire
was fulfilled in 1862, when he was graduated from
the Buffalo University of Medicine.
March 12, 1863, Dr. Robertson enrolled as Assistant Surgeon in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry
and was promoted to Surgeon September 12,1864.


Iis regiment took part in many of the engagements during Sherman's march to the sea, and
Surgeon Robertson was present on many a bloody
field. At Sunshine, Ga., July 31, 1864, during
Stoneman's raid, he was taken prisoner,.but was
released September 3. September 22, 1865, he
was mustered out and honorably discharged, and
returning to this State he took up his practice at
White Lake. He remained there until 1875, in
1877 located in St. Clair, and after a sojourn of
three years came to Clarkston.
In 1853 Dr. Robertson was united in marriage
with Miss Jessie Newton, who was horn on the
Island of Jamaica in 1831. The record of the children born of the union is as follows: Ada, June
22, 1855; Clara C., born in 1858, died in 1860;
Clara J., born February 26, 1861; Milton G., December 17, 1868. The son is now living in Pontiac. Dr. Robertson, in the midst of the arduous
duties of his profession, finds time for some social
pleasures and a share in the workings of lodges in
which he is interested. He is a Mason, belonging
to Cedar Lodge, No. 60, F. & A. M., and is a
Knight in Tent No. 85, K. O. T. M. In politics
he is a Democrat. Well versed on topics of general interest, with a manly and courteous bearing,
he impresses people as one in whom to repose confidence, and numbers will testify that their trust
has not been misplaced.
EV. DANIEL COOK JACOKES, M. A.,
J  S. T. D., of Pontiac, Oakland County, was
born in Charleston, Montgomery County,
) N. Y., April 15, 1813. He was the eldest
of four children, three sons and one daughter, of
Samuel and Catharine (Hood) Jacokes, both of
whom were natives of the State of New York. Catherine Jacokes, the mother of the subject of this
sketch, was a woman of marked ability and strength
of character, and possessed a clear and active mind,
with strong convictions as to religion and morals.
When her eldest son had arrived at the age of
eight years, he was consecrated by her, as were his
two brothers, to the ministry; and with the settled




236


PORTRAIT AND BI OG RAPHICAL ALBUM.


f


purpose to become a clergyman he marked out, by
her advice, a course of study to continue the following thirty years, at the expiration of which
time he was to buy new books on all subjects, and
review his studies, which he has twice done since.
It is a little remarkable that these three brothers
should have followed the course laid out by their
mother. Such is the fact, however, and it is even
more remarkable that they are all still living, and
active ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church
at this time (1891), the eldest, Daniel, having attained the age of seventy-eight years, and the aggregate of their clerical service covering a period
of one hundred and forty-seven years.
The subject of this sketch prepared for college
at a select school, and subsequently attended, for
about three years, Geneva College (now Hobart
College), at Geneva, N. Y. In 1828 he made a flying trip West, spending about one year in Michigan, and returned to Geneva, N. Y., whence he,
with his wife, to whom he was married in 1832,
again came West, and located in Detroit. There
he remained about six years, at the expiration of
which time he went to the township of Lodi, Washtenaw County, where his father had settled, and
there spent two years in continuation of his studies
in preparation for the ministry, and in the year
1840 joined the Michigan Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His first assignment was
to the Farmington Circuit, Oakland County, a district covering a wide extent of territory, where he
remained one year; and at the expiration of this
time moved to the Lake Superior region and took
charge of the Indian missions there. He continued
in this work, which he found very interesting, in
both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, until 1845.
His subsequent appointments, for a period of two
years each, were at the following places, in the order
named: Grass Lake, Girard, Northville, Mount
Clemens, Port Huron, Pontiac, Trenton and Detroit.
On the breaking out of the war, the Rev. Mr.
Jacokes was appointed Chaplain of the Fifth Michigan Infantry, and experienced the hardships of
the Peninsula campaign. He resigned this position at the expiration of a year, and his next assignment was to the church at Dexter, where he


remained three years. Thence he returned to Pontiac, and had charge of the church there for a like
period, and in 1868 he was made Presiding Elder
of the Adrian District for a term of four years.
Afterward he was assigned to the church at Hudson, where he remained until 1876, when his wife's
health failed, and he returned to Pontiac, where he
has since resided. About the year 1853 the degree
of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by
Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Conn., and
in 1871 he was made Doctor of Sacred Theology
by the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware,
Ohio.
In September, 1875, Dr. Jacokes was requested
by Gov. Bagley to accept the position 9f Commissioner of Education of the State of Michigan for
the educational exhibit at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, in 1876, and, upon becoming
convinced of the practicability of the enterprise,
accepted the position. At the time of his appointment no definite plan had been formed for the
prosecution of the work by any of the States or
countries represented at the Exposition. To carry
into execution a clearly drawn scheme of work,
would have been comparatively easy; but to devise
a plan whereby the right kind of information could
be collected, tabulated. and presented in an easily
accessible shape, was a task of no slight difficulty.
This being evidently the starting-point, and the
key to success, Dr. Jacokes' first efforts were directed to this task. To detail the plan originated
by him would be impossible here; suffice it to say
that it gave a comprehensive and full exhibit of
the educational system of Michigan. At the first
glance a superficial observer might have been disappointed at the seeming smallness of the departmental exhibit; but a slight examination revealed
the fact that it contained, in compact and accessible form, all the material really needed for a study
of the educational system of the State. This program was adopted by the Centennial Board, and
sent to all the States and nations for their guidance
in the educational exhibit. To show the estimation in which the exhibit was held, the fact may be
mentioned that certain foreign commissioners, desirous of understanding the system, spent whole
days in examining and copying from the volumes
0r~   vJ~~ 'n     r  vrrv




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


237.


and diagrams displayed. Much of the credit which
Michigan received for this splendid exhibit is due
to the energy and wisdom of Dr. Jacokes, and it is
not going too far to say that the citizens of Michigan owe a debt of gratitude to him they cannot well
repay, for this earnest and self-sacrificing work, to
which he devoted about sixteen months of his entire time gratuitously.
In 1877, Dr. Jacokes was appointed a member of
the State Board of Health, and filled that position
acceptably for a period of six years; In 1877, also,
he was appointed, by the Governor, agent of the
State Board of Corrections and Charities for Oakland County, which appointment he still holds. He
became an active member of the American Public
Health Association, one of the highest scientific associations in the world, in 1882. Since 1878 he
has served as Chaplain of the Eastern Michigan
Asylum for the Insane, at Pontiac. He has taken
a lively interest in the welfare of the inmates of
the asylum, and lhas bestowed much time and
thought upon the discharge of his duties in connection with them. His varied culture and great
kindness of heart have eminently fitted him for
this work.
Tile Doctor was married, in 1832, to Miss Mary
Ann Slarrow, of Geneva, Ontario County, N. Y.,
who was his active helpmate until 1877, since
which time she has been in poor health. They have
one son, Judge James A. Jacokes (born November
21,1834, prominent member of the Oakland County
bar, and at present a partner in the law firm of
Baldwin, Draper & Jacokes, of Pontiac, composed
of himself, Judge Augustus C. Baldwin, and the
Hon. Charles Draper), and an adopted daughter,
Mrs. William Park, of Trenton, Mich. The reverend Doctor has spent a long life in the steady pursuit of knowledge, and does not yet consider his
education completed. He has, in addition to his
theological studies, given considerable attention to
the study of astronomy and the sciences, and his
researches into almost every branch of learning
have been profound. He has a remarkable constitution, enabling him to do the work of three men,
even at his present age. He can not remember the
time when he has devoted more than four hours of
each twenty-four to slumber, and is to be seen on


all except the very coldest days of winter, attending to his out-door duties without overcoat or other
additional wraps. Of firm character and decided
opinions, and yet of most gentle and lovable disposition, especially towards the young, the helpless,
and the unfortunate, his reputation throughout the
State is an enviable one. Full of charity and
thought for others, he has hosts of friends wherever
his work has led him, while his sound judgment
and sterling character have won him a place in the
front rank of men of refinement and education
throughout the State, and in the esteem and respect
of all with whom he has come in contact.
A lithographic portrait of Dr. Jacokes accompanies this sketch.
J OHN ALLEN BIGELOW is one of the natives of this county whose labors in life
have been successful, and enabled them to
retire from arduous toil secure from want,
and able to eiijoy every reasonable recreation and
comfort. He is a Notary Public, and does some
insurance business, and his office and residence are
in the village of Birmingham, where he has a fine
brick dwelling and neatly adorned lot. He has
held public offices of trust, and has an honorable
war record to which his friends can refer with pleasure. His grandfather in the paternal line was a
Revolutionary soldier, and is numbered among the
early settlers in this county, to which he b ought
his family in 1825. The names of Abel and Sarah
(Clark) Bigelow are familiar to the old residents,
as those of Jotham and Esther S. (Montague) Bigelow, parents of our subject, are to those of a later
generation.
Jotham Bigelow was born in New York, February
7, 1807, and came to this State with his parents,
locating in what is now West Bloomfield Township,
this county. In October, 1835, he was married at
Batavia, N. Y., to the daughter of Elijah and
Esther (McElwain) Montague, and returning to
this State the next year, resided in Bloomfield for
thirty-four years. He then went to Williamston,
Ingham County, where he and his wife died. She




238


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-- --


was born in Batavia, N. Y., April 18, 1817. Both
belonged to the church and were active in religious
work. Mr. Bigelow was a Whig in early life, and
later a Republican.  He was a carpenter and
builder, and was in but ordinary circumstances.
Our subject is the second child and eldest son in
a family whose other members were Mary, Augusta
D., Hamilton M., Judson 0. and Amanda. Mary
and Amanda are now deceased. He was born in
West Bloomfield, September 16, 1839, but spent
his boyhood in Franklin. He received a limited
education in the common school, and about the
time he entered his teens, undertook his own support. He learned the carpenter's trade and also
engaged in farm work. When seventeen years old
he met with an accident in a mill, which deprived
him of the use of his left hand. He then went to
school a year and subsequently entered upon the
life of a teacher, and followed the profession until
the winter of 1860. He then came to Birmingham
and began clerking for 0. Poppleton, retaining his
position until May of the following year, when he
went to Franklin and engaged in mercantile pursuits on his own account.
In August, 1861, Mr. Bigelow sold out, and on
the 13th enlisted as bugler in Company G, First
Michigan Cavalry. He served with that regiment
until Bank's retreat down the Shenandoah Valley.
On May 23, 1862, he was captured at Winchester,
Va., and "kept company" with the Confederates
about ten days. He then escaped and worked his
way to Martinsburg with seventy-two others. Taking possession of a train, they ran it to Harper's
Ferry, but by orders of Gen. Crawford, were arrested and sent on to Washington through the interference of a good-natured captain, who was Provost Marshal at that place. At Washington they
were ordered to go to work building forts, but our
subject sustained his point, that he did not enter
the army for any other purpose than to be a cavalry man, and he was discharged by order of Gen.
Wadsworth and Secretary Stanton, June 16, 1862.
Mr. Bigelow enlisted again in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, August 13, 1862, under the name of
John Allen. In the following November he was
made chief bugler. In the spring of 1863 the famous Michigan Cavalry Brigade was formed, and


in June Gen. Copeland was relieved, and Gen. Custer placed in command. Our subject was the first
man in the Fifth Cavalry to strike a rebel with a
sabre, which occurred on June 30, at Littlestown,
Pa. He participated in the campaign of constant
battles, and was promoted to be Second Lieutenant
in August, 1863. He devoted his time to recruiting
until the 1st of April, 1864, and on May 4, crossed
the Rapidan in advance with the cavalry brigade,
which inaugurated the Wilderness campaign. The
noble Shcridan was in charge of all the cavalry,
and the whole army settled down at Petersburg.
The cavalry corps was sent, in August, 1864, to
the Shenandoah Valley against the rebel Gen.
Early. On Sunday, September 18, Sheridan was
with Grant sitting upon a log. After some conversation, Sheridan remarked, "I can settle this Valley
business and Early, if I push things," whereupon
Grant told him to "push things."  The following
day he began to follow those directions. During
the charge at Opequan a bullet struck our subject
in the left elbow, shattering the bone into splinters.
Drs. Richards, Nash and St. Clair amputated his
arm upon the battlefield, and he remained in Winchester until Christmas, 1864, when he came home.
About that time it was found necessary to perform
a second surgical operation, as his arm had not
properly healed, and at a later period a third was
necessary. The arm is still at this date (1891),
troubling him very much, and refuses to get well.
During the winters of 1864-65, the amputated
stump was in such a condition that the artery would
not grow together, and for about fifty days and
nights the artery was held by his friends to keep
from bleeding to death, and many of the old friends
can testify to trying vigils.
Mr. Bigelow was wounded five times, but never
left the regiment or duty until he lost his arm. One
night he crossed the Rappahannock with Lieut.
Percy Leggett, and entering Hood's army, brought
away some prisoners and gained the information
sought, which led to the death of the brave Leggett at Belle Plain the following day, September 1,
1863. Our subject participated in eighty-four battles and engagements with the Michigan Cavalry
Brigade. We quote the following from "Michigan
in the War;" "He entered service August 13, 1861;




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIC AL ALBUM.


239


POTRI AN B.RPIA       ALUM..3.


bugler of Company G, First Michigan Cavalry,
wounded at Hagerstown, Md., July 10, 1863; Second Lieutenant Fifth Cavalry August 13, 1863;
wounded May 28, 1864; wounded September 19,
1864; First Lieutenant October 27, 1864; breveted
captain March 13, 1865 for gallant and meritorious services during the war; discharged for wounds
and loss of left arm April 15, 1865."
Until he was incapacitated by wounds, Mr. Bigelow was always on duty with his regiment, and he
took part in all the battles of the Potomac in which
the cavalry was engaged. He was wounded in the
back of the neck at Groveton, Va., in 1862, by a
charge of buck shot, and July 10, 1863, had a finger
shot off his left hand at Hagerstown, Md. May 28,
1864, at the battle of Hawes Shop, he received a
gun-shot wound in the left arm, and June 11, at
Trevilian Station, received a blow on his head
with a revolver. The wound which caused the
amputation of his arm prevented him from doing
further duty as a soldier, and he was discharged
April 15, 1865.
Mr. Bigelow re-entered the profession of a teacher
and followed it during the winter of 1865-66. The
next spring he removed to Birmingham, receiving
the appointment of Postmaster, and for eighteen
consecutive years he held the position. He also
had a general store, and was Notary Public and
Express and Insurance Agent. During that time
he was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the telephone system there. In 1884 he
sold out his business and resigned his position as
Postmaster, owing to ill health. The same year he
was elected County Treasurer on the Republican
ticket, and at the expiration of the term was reelected. He has held numerous village and school
offices, and has been faithful to every trust reposed
in him. He is a Republican, and a believer in protective tariff. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and also
keeps up his connection with the Blue Lodge. He
is one of the charter members of Dick Richardson
Post, No. 147, G. A. R., at Pontiac, and was the
first Adjutant. During his first enlistment as a
soldier Mr. Bigelow rose through the ranks of Second and First Lieutenant to that of Captain.
May 24, 1866, Mr. Bigelow was married to Miss
Isabel Whitehead, an estimable young lady who


was born in Waterford in June 1844. Her parents
were Almeron and Ann (Mais) Whitehead. Mr.
and Mrs. Bigelow have three children, named respectively, Mortimer O., Bertha A. and Bessie E.
The family moved in good society, and Mr. Bigelow is especially endeared to loyal citizens by the
sufferings he endured in his country's cause, and
the valor and cheerfulness he displayed on fields of
battle, and during the tedium of camp life.
VWILLIAM C. SHOUP, a successful farmer
of Oakland Township, was born in Warren
County, N. J., March 26, 1832. His father,
Conrad F., a Pennsylvania man, was born April 1,
1794, at Carterstown. Tie grandfather, John, was
born August 30, 1770. The family is of Welsh
extraction. Conrad F. emigrated from Pennsylvania to New Jersey and was there married to Ruth
Taylor. He clerked in a store at Harmony, Warren
County, N. J., for twelve years. In 1831 he came
to Oakland County, with a view to settling here.
He finally located a tract of land on section 10,
Oakland Township, and in 1834 removed his family
to the new home, where they occupied a log
house just across the road from his farm until he
could provide a home of his own. lie purchased
a team of oxen and a cow in Detroit while on his
journey.
The country was new and sparsely settled.
Indians camped within two miles of the home of
our subject, and frequent visits -were exchanged.
The trip to Detroit, which was the nearest market
place, consumed a week in those days. He died in
1846 at the age of fifty-two years. He had served
as an enlisted soldier for a short time in the War
of 1812 until peace was declared. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was
Township Treasurer and Supervisor. He lost his
right hand in New Jersey while firing a cannon
during a Fourth of July celebration. His wife died
in 1879 at the age of seventy-three years.
The subject of this sketch was one of eight children, five of whom are now living. He was two
years old when his parents removed to Michigan.




240


PORTIIRAIT AND BIOG~RAPHICAL ACLBUM.S


24  P   A  I  A


As soon as old enough to work he was obliged by
the necessities of pioneer life to leave school. He
remained at home until of age, and for several
years worked by the month for his mother. In
1863 he bought an adjoining farm of eighty acres
and after three years disposed of it and purchased
the old Shoup homestead, on which he has since
continued to reside.
In 1861 our subject married Rebecca Hixson,
who was born and reared just across the road from
the Shoup place; the year of her birth was 1844.
She was the daughter of Jonah and Mary A. (Jones)
Ilixson, who came from New Jersey to Michigan
in 1837. Mr. Hixson is now living in Pontiac but
his good wife ended her earthly career in 1860.
To Mr. and Mrs. Shoup have been granted four
children, namely: Eliza, Frank, Jesse and Wade
1I. Their father is a stanch Democrat and has been
a delegate frequently to county conventions. He
has two hundred and forty acres of fine land, which
he has brought to an excellent state of cultivation.
He began life with limited means and has been
quite successful.
U ENRY J. BOWERS. On section 34, Troy
Township, is a milling plant owned and
operated by the gentleman above named.
When he bought the property, in 1865, it
was known as the Blair Mill and the machinery
was that adapted for sawing lumber. He carried
on work of that kind and also added the fittings by
which he could make flour and grind feed. The
mill is now run by steam and has complete sets of
first-class machinery, well adapted for the several
purposes mentioned. Mr. Bowers has forty acres
of land around the mill, upon which he makes his
home, and eleven acres in Birmingham  and forty
in Manistee. It is evident that his labors in life
have been successful, though he began his career
at the early age of ten years and worked on a farm
for his board and clothes.
Mr. Bowers was born in Germany August 25,
1838. his parents being Jonathan and Catherine


(Rottgang) Bowers. His father died in the Fatherland in 1842, leaving a wife and two children-a
son and daughter. The widow came across the
Atlantic and to this State, where she died in 1847.
The son began his education in the land of his
birth, but left that country during his early boyhood and so completed his studies in Michigan.
When his mother died he was thrown upon the
world and he found it hard to make his way until
he was a man. The first money he earned was $3
per month by working in a nursery. When fifteen
years old he went on the lake and for about twelve
years was a sailor. He then worked for the Detroit. Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad Company two years, and in 1859 was employed by the
Michigan Southern Railroad six months. For some
time prior to his purchase of the mill he worked in
it by the day or month, and when he assumed control he was thoroughly conversant with sawmilling.
In 1866 Mr. Bowers was married to Miss Frances
J. Burnett, who was born in Troy Township in
1847, and is the youngest of three sisters. The
union has been blest by the birth of two childrenMyrtle and Jessie J.-the former of whom died
when but three weeks old. Jessie is a bright and
active lassie, now eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs.
Bowers have an adopted daughter whom they call
Myrtle E., who is now sixteen years old and attending school in Birmingham. Mr. Bowers is a Royal
Arch Mason belonging to Birmingham Lodge No.
44. He votes the Democratic ticket. He and his
estimable wife are regarded with respect by their
acquaintances and have many warm friends.
E    LISHA R. CLARK is one of the veteran
soldiers of the Civil War, having served
through all the Virginia campaigns until
1864, and having suffered greatly through imprisonment in rebel prisons during the latter part
of his term of service. He was born in Lennox,
Macomb County, Mich., March 3, 1847. He was
reared on the farm and lived with an uncle, Leonard




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


241




=


Lee, for a number of years. He was only fifteen
years old when he enlisted, April 12, 1862, in the
Seventeenth United States Infantry in the defense
of his country, and joined the regiment at Yorktown, Va. He was with Company G, of the Seventeenth Regulars, until August 19, 1864, when, as
we have said, he was taken prisoner.
Our subject is the son of Rolla and Thankful
(Cole) Clark, natives of Yates County, N. Y.
From that State they came to Michigan in the year
1836, when Michigan was still a Territory. Rolla
was a farmer, cooper and manufacturer of potash.
He died in 1849. To him and his wife were born
three children: Jerome, deceased; Abigail, the wife
of Andrew Sutherland, of Oxford; and Elisha,
our subject.
The regiment in which this young man enlisted
was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Corps,Army of the Potomac, and was
in the following engagements: Seven days before
Richmond,Va.,June 25 to July 1, 1862; Gaines Mill,
June 27; Malvern Hill, July 7; Bull Run, August
30; Anteitam, September 15, to 17; Blackford's
Ford, September 19; Shepherdstown, September
20; Fredericksburg, December 11 to 15. In 1863 he
was in Burnside's second campaign, January 20 to
24; Chancellorsville, May 1 to 5; Gettysburg, July
2 and 3; Funkstown, Md., July 12. He was in the
advance toward Culpeper, Va., in September, and
in the retreat to Manassas in October. The regiment was in an engagement at Auburn and Bristow,
Va., October 19; at Rappahannock Station, November 7, and at Mine Run, November 25. After
the reorganization of the army, December 2, 1863,
the regiment was placed in the Third Brigade,
First Division, Fifth Corps, and was in the following engagements: The Wilderness, May 5 to 7,
1864; Spottsylvania, May 8 to 18; Laurel Hill,
May 8 to 13; North Anna, May 23 to 27; Bethesda
Church, June 2 and 3; Cold Harbor, June 3 to 12;
White Oak Swamp, June 13; Petersburg, June 16
to 21; Welldon Railroad, August 18 to 19.
Upon the date last mentioned Mr. Clark was
taken prisoner and was confined in many of the
noted southern prisons; among these were Libby
and Belle Isle at Richmond, Va., and Salisbury,
N. C. He remained in prison during the winter


I 0
1


I


- -


and was paroled at Wilmington, N. C., March 3,
1865, and was mustered out of service May 29, at
Baltimore. After the war he returned to Michigan
and located in Oxfoid, where he farmed for Andrew
Southerland, and attended school. The next summer he worked on a farm six months for A. A.
Hagerman and attended school during the winter.
He next engaged in the service of the Flint and
Pere Marquette Railroad Company, locating lands
under their grant, and continuing with them two
summers. December 30, 1869, saw him married to
Eunice A., daughter of John J. and Lucinda Crawford, who were natives of New York State and
early settlers there.
Our subject continued in his clerical duties for
some time and in 1870 engaged in the liquor trade
in connection with tobacco, cigars and fine groceries. He still continues in this business and has
built the business house he occupies, one of the
best in Oxford, also another on the opposite side of
the street. Mr. Clark is a Democrat in politics. Ile
is a member of the Masonic order, of the Grand
Army of the Republic, of the Society of the Army
of the Potomac, and of the Society of Prisoners of
War.
* —~ --- —
J. HARE, M. D., of Leonard, is a native
of Canada and was born at Toronto, June
13, 1857. His father, David, first saw the
light in Ireland in 1815. The great-grandfather went
from Germany to Ireland as an attendant upon the
Prince of Orange. The family was of Holland
descent. The father came to America in 1822
with his father, Isaac, who was a Captain in the
British army.
The father of our subject was reared a farmer
and resided in New York for several years, but
lived on the old homestead near Toronto for more
than forty years. He had made a quiet personal
study of medicine and was quite a doctor for the
neighbors for many miles around, although he had
no diploma. He was a man of extraordinary ability and of high standing in the community. His
death took place April 2, 1891, and he was buried
April 4, on the seventy-sixth anniversary of his




242


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


birth. For thirty-five years he had been an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for a long while had been a
Class-Leader therein.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden
name of Isabella Graham and was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1825. She is still living and in
good health. The Doctor is the second of the
tour sons, all of whom are living. He received a
common-school education until he was twenty
years old, when he entered a military academy at
Mt. Forest, Ontario. After one year in this academy he entered the collegiate institute at Orangeville, Ontario. He came to Michigan in 1881 and
studied medicine in the university at Ann Arbor.
Here he spent two years, and then took one year
in Bellevue Medical College, New York City, taking his diploma at Ann Arbor. After this he spent
a year in Bellevue Hospital and received a diploma
from that institution in 1884.
The village of Leonard was the objective point
which was now sought by the young Doctor, and
where he settled down to build up a practice. Dr.
Hare was married, in 1885, to Miss Margarette
Robb, of Orangeville, Ontario. They have established their home in a beautiful residence in the
village and are counted among the most worthy
and enterprising of its citizens. The Doctor owns
the only drug store in the town. lie is a Democrat in his political preferences and has been President of the village council since its organization.
Ile is identified with the order of Masonry, being
also a Knight of Pythias. He is also a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the
Knights of the Maccabees.
EORGE E. COLE, an enterprising liveryll man of Oxford, was born in Lapeer County,
_%_ Mich., July 28, 1859. IHe is a son of Asa
and Sarah (Bliss) Cole, natives of New  York,
whence they came to Michigan when the country
was comparatively new. Asa Cole was a farmer.
He did not live to bring up his children, for both
he and his wife died when George was but a lad,




I


I


the father passing away September 18, 1869, and
the mother on May 14, 1870.
The family thus bereft of parents consisted of
five children, of whom three are yet living: Asa,a
blacksmith in Oxford; Amanda, the wife of Mr.
Groosbeck, a farmer in this township, and our subject. George E. engaged in farming when a young
man, but later in life sold out his farm, and coming
to town engaged in the livery business, becoming
proprietor of a fine stable in Oxford in 1885. He
is a man who understands horses and knows how to
both manage and care for them. His stable is well
equipped and he carries on both livery and sale
business. He has worked his way little by little up
to his present standing as a first-class business man.
The subject of this sketch was married March 5,
1884; he was then united with Mary E. Barber.
Mr. Cole is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a )emocrat in politics and has served
Oxford as Constable since 1887.
LDEN M. VARNEY       belongs to an old
Maine family. The original ancestry is
from England and the family has been
well known in Maine for four or five generations. Our subject, who resides in Oxford, Oak'and County, was born in Vassalborough, Kennebec
County, Me. He is the son of Moses and Mary
W. (Sampson) Varney. The father was a farmer,
lumberman and ship-builder. As a boy, young
Alden with his brothers was often engaged in
cutting withes with which to tie together rafts of
lumber, which were sent down the river to Bath.
He now ships flour to the same market. Moses
Varney died in 1856 and his wife had preceded
him to the other world in 1848. Our subject was
brought up to farming pursuits, but after the death
of his father when he was only ten years old, he
was sent to live with an uncle-William A. Sampson, who was a miller, with whom he made his home
until he was sixteen years of age.
Our subject enlisted in the Fifth Maine Battery,
August 8, 1862. This detachment was assigned to
the army of the Potomac. While with it our young
---- ~-J- -— ~ —~a




0




0
4


x1~ M1"6




POIRTRIA~irAND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.I


245


TR


hero was in the engagements of Fredericksburg,
Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In the winter of
1863-64 he was transferred to the Department of
the Gulf and was commissioned as First Lieutenant
of the Tenth United States Colored Artillery under
Gen. Banks. The regiment garrisoned the defences
in New Orleans until February 24, 1867.
At that time the regiment was mustered out of
service and Lieut. Varney returned to Maine and
engaged in the milling business. After being there
two years he traveled about considerably, going to
New York and Washington and other points. In
1872 lie visited England and Scotland.
The western fever now took hold of our subject,
and in 1874 he came to Michigan and located at
Pontiac, where he engaged in the milling business.
In 1877 he went into the grain and produce business in Genesee County and afterward in Detroit.
In 1886 he became associated with Mr. Craig in
erecting the mill at Oxford.
In politics Mr. Varney is a Republican, and is a
member of Frank Powell Post No. 187, G. A. R.,
also of the Independent Order of Foresters. He
has been twice married, the first time to Mary
Cummings in 1869; she died in 1872. He was
united with his present wife, Mrs. Jane Rose, in
1876.
_ --- —----


about three years by the Sault Ste. Marie Ship
Canal Land Company, selecting and surveying
lands. Up to 1870 he was engaged with George
S. Frost of Detroit, looking up, locating, and examining railroad lands throughout the State. At
that time he went to Grand Rapids in the employ
of William A. Howard, taking charge of the examination of and selling the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad lands, and continued in the office of
that company until 1882, when, losing his health,
he resigned and came to Pontiac where he owned
a farm, and has since remained. This farm, which
he purchased in 1879, is two hundred and forty
acres in extent, and one of the finest in the country.
Mr. Hinman has, almost ever since coming to
Michigan, been engaged in buying and selling land,
and his investments have paid him handsomely,
making him now one of the 'solid" men of the
State. He is one of the largest stockholders in
the Osterhout & Fox Lumber Company, of Grand
Rapids, and is the owner of numerous parcels of
pine lands in Michigan and Minnesota, and is also
interested in real estate in California. He is President of the Pontiac National Bank,. and a stockholder in the First National Bank of Grand Rapids.
The first wife of the Hon. Mr. Hinman, to whom
he was married in 1857, was Almyra Glaspie. of
Oxford, Mich., and by her he had one daughter,
Libbie B., residing at home.  Mrs. Hinman died
August 14, 1876. He was a second time married
February 18, 1879, to Miss Cornelia M. Bailey, of
Appleton, Wis. She was educated in Ohio and is
a lady of fine accomplishments. Their beautiful
home is the ornament of Pontiac. The grounds
are extensive and delightful and consist of seven
acres. An ornamental and substantial iron fence
surrounds the whole.'
Of modest and retiring disposition, Mr. Hinman
has never taken a prominent part in political matters, or put himself forward as a candidate for public office, but in the spring of 1889 he was elected
Mayor of the city of Pontiac, and discharged the
duties of that position acceptably. His liberality
and generous open handedness have won for him
golden opinions in the minds of those with whom
his business interests have brought him in contact,


ON. WILLIAM     G. HINMAN, President
of the Pontiac National Bank, is a worthy
representative of this noble city, being a
man of unusual intelligence, sterling integrity, keen business sense, and possessing valuable
social qualities. He was born July 12, 1834, in
Clarendon, Orleans County, N. Y., and is the son of
William P. and Keziah (Gillespie) Hinman.  He
attended the common schools until eighteen years
of age, when he left home and came to Oakland
County, Mich. Here he spent one winter at school
and the following spring engaged in surveying
lands with the United States Government Surveyor,
Judge William R. Burt, with whom he remained
about a year, working over the northern part of
the State.
Subsequently Mr. Hinman was employed for




246


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I — ~.~~-~~. —~~~ -----


and made him a valuable and respected citizen of
the community in which he has taken up his residence.
The portrait of Mr. Hinman presented on another page reproduces the lineaments of his face
for present and coming generations.


RTHUR E. COLLINS. One of the most
prosperous business men of Rochester is
t Mr. Collins, who has been engaged in the
sale of merchandise here since 1883, and
for nearly as long a period has done the banking
business for the community. He has a large run
of custom as a dry-goods merchant, and carries on
an establishment whose shelves are loaded with a
stock of well-selected goods, tastefully displayed
and shown with courtesy to those who desire to
purchase. By catering to the wants of the people
he has been potent in adding to the prosperity of
the town, increasing the circulation of money, and
attracting hither trade that might otherwise have
been dissipated in other towns. By his banking
business he has done still more to accommodate
other business men, and last, but by no means
least, his personal character and excellent citizenship add to the reputation of the town.
William Collins, father of our subject, was born
in the parish of Maker, in the counties of Devon
and Cornwell, late in 1794, or early in the following year and was baptized February 8, 1795. He
entered the British Army in 1811 and during the
War of 1812 came to this country. While on a
foraging expedition he was captured by the Americans just before the British burned Washington.
He was kept in prison six months and his fare was
corn bread and water. After the war he retur ned
to his native land and in 1815 he fought at Waterloo under Wellington, having already taken part
in the war against Napoleon in France and Spain.
He was connected with the army until 1832 and
rose from the ranks to be Quartermaster of his reg.
iment-the Eighty-Fifth Bucks Volunteers.
While he was stationed at Gibraltar and Malta,


I


Quartermaster Collins made the acquaintance of,
wooed and married his second wife, Ann Elizabeth
Martin. She was of English parentage but born
on the Island of Malta and was quite young when
she became a bride. Her father was William Martin, of the Royal Artillery. The marriage of Mr.
and Mrs. Collins was solemnized March 26, 1826,
and was blest to them by the birth of eight children who grew to maturity. Two of these, Charlotte and Charles, were born at Gibraltar, and the
others in Wayne County, this State, whither the
family removed in 1833. Charles lives in Grand
Haven. The other children of the marriage are:
George E., a farmer in Tuscola County; Catherine,
wife of De Witt Pretty, of Spring Arbor; Arthur
E., of this notice; Henry V., who was killed near
Fairfax Court House while serving in the Union
Army; Edwin, whose home is in New Haven; and
Robert, who lives in Romeo. By his first marriage
William Collins was the father of a daughter, Esther, who is now the widow of a Mr. Cole.
Charles was a member of the First Michigan Sharp
Shooters and was wounded in front of Petersburg.
Arthur too was a Union soldier as will be seen by
further perusal of these notes.
The subject of this biographical notice opened
his eyes to the light January 6, 1842, and was
reared almost to manhood on his father's farm.
June 8, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, TwentyThird Illinois Infantry under Col. Mulligan, and
served with the regiment four months. At Jefferson City he was placed in Grant's command and
marched to Lexington, where from the 12th to the
20th of September, the regiment was besieged by
the rebel, Gen. Price, whose men outnumbered
Col. Mulligan's eleven to one. After eight days'
fighting, three days and nights of which was without interruption, the boys being without food or
water the most of the time, Col. Mulligan surrendered and his men were paroled, and started to
the Union lines at Hamilton. Mr. Collins says
that the only time that he ever asked for a meal of
victuals when he was unable to pay for it, was
during that forty miles' march. He was discharged
with his comrades after reaching St. Louis and
sent to the North.
August 9, 1862, Mr. Collins again enlisted in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPH~ICA L ALBUAL '


247


POR T A BIO


Company A, Twenty-Second Michigan Infantry,
and served in Kentucky and Tennessee for ayear.
He was in Granger's Corps of Rosecrans' army (luring the fight at Chickamauga, on which bloody
field the regiment lost eighty-seven killed and
mortally wounded. During the retreat the Twenty.Second was captured and taken by rail to Richmond, Va., and placed in what was known as Pemberton Prison, a tobacco warehouse on Cary street
opposite Libby Prison. The captives were stripped
to their shirts and searched for money or valuables. A few days after their captivity began it
was discovered that the cellars contained sugar and
salt and one night the boys cut a hole in the floor
and helped themselves. The Confederate papers
the next morning announced that the Yanks had
taken out about nine thousand pounds of sugar,
the most of which was eaten before the next day.
Shortly after this, as a punishment for some disturbance they had made, the captives were conpelled to stand in ranks all night, with a guard
over them who had orders to shoot the first man
who moved or spoke. Those who have never been
in such a situation cannot understand how ardently
they longed for the sun to rise, so that they could
rest.
After two months in Richmond Mr. Collins and
his comrades were sent to Danville where they were
again confined in tobacco warehouses. They tried
all manner of plans for escape, some succeeding by
tunneling under the street, some jumping out of
the windows on a dark night, and thirteen forcing their way one night through a twelve-inch
plank drain. Many of those who attempted to escape were killed by the guards, but so horrible were
their sufferings from the lack of food and clothing
and prevalence of disease that they were willing
to take their chances, choosing death rather than
longer captivity. Their sufferings were added to by
the breaking out of small-pox in prison. After six
months in Danville Mr. Collins was removed to
Andersonville and after ten months in that notorsous pen spent a month in Milan, Savannah and
Thomasville, and then returned to Andersonville.
After a captivity of nineteen months and eight
days he was finally released at Jacksonville, Fla.,
April 28, 1865.


The Andersonville prison pen, as many of our
readers know, consisted of about thirty acres of
ground surrounded by a stockade of hewn logs set
in the earth and reaching to a height of sixteen or
eighteen feet. Small stands covered with a few
short boards and reached by a ladder from below,
were situated about one hundred feet apart on this
stockade and each was occupied day and night by
a rebel soldier. In the stockade during the summer
of 1864 from thirty to thirty-five thousand Union
soldiers were confined, with no shelter except a
blanket or a piece of tent provided by themselves.
The food consisted of a small piece of cornbread or
meal, a small piece of pork or fresh beef, and sometimes a table spoonful of rice or beans. When the
beans were issued raw, as they often were, some of
the men were so hungry that they would eat them
in their uncooked state. This would generally result in making the eater sick at the stomach and
so ravenous were other soldiers that the same beans
would be rinsed off and eaten. Mr. Collins himself ate raw beef on which maggots were crawling,
and was so hungry during the latter part of September that he devoured mice and grasshoppers
whenever he could catch them. The amount of
provisions received by the prisoners was sufficient
to sustain life if they kept well, but a sick man
could not eat the food and would starve to death.
Mr. Collins was laid up with the scurvy when the
removal of the prisoners to Charleston and Florence began. He was so affected in his legs that he
could not walk for over a month. His gums were
affected and his teeth loosened, and he, like others
in similar circumstances, resorted to all manner of
expedients to stop the disease, some ot them being
scarcely fit for recital.
Mr. Collins after his return to the North attended
school three months and then engaged in general
merchandising with a brother-in-law in Macomb
County, this State. He carried on his enterprise
there until his removal to Rochester. He has displayed business ability of a high order and as before intimated is held in high esteem  for his fine
character and the use he makes of his talents. He
was married March 31, 1869, to Mary Ann, daughter of William Green, of Mt. Clemens and has two
children-Nellie E. V. and Minnie Edith. Mrs.




248


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




I


Collins, who was a woman of fine character and useful habits entered into rest January 6, 1888. Mr.
Collins is Commander of the Grand Army Post in
Rochester and is a Mason who has risen to the degree of Knight Templar.   He was Worshipful
Master of Masonic lodge, No. 64, four years, and
of Rochester Lodge, No. 5, three years. Politiically he is a Republican tried and true. His religious home is in the Baptist Church.
The following with reference to Mrs Collins is
taken from the Rochester Era of January 13,
1888.
"Mary Ann Green Collins, daughter of William
and Ann Green, was born in England, July 3d,
1848, came with her parents to America in 1852,
and to Michigan. She was converted in New
Haven, this State, 16 years ago.
She was engaged to Mr. A. E. Collins prior to
his entering the war, and her interest in him and
the cause he espoused, was manifested by her going with him to the recruiting office and acknowledging her country's claim upon him. For a whole
year she mourned as a widow, having heard that
he had been taken from prison and executed, the
first information to the contrary, she received, was
his unexpected return. This bond was sealed March
31, 1870, by their marriage.
Very naturally she had always taken a deep interest in the G. A. R. in general, and the TwentySecond Michigan Regiment in particular, never
missing a re-union when health would permit;
hence was often spoken of as a member and referred
to as such. She felt that there was no sacrifice too
great to be laid upon the altar for the benefit of
those who had defended their country in its greatest peril.
This interest was not confined to the soldier side
of life. She was alive to the great mission of the
Baptist Church of Rochester, of which she was a
devout member.
The Sabbath school cause at large, fell in for a
share of her love and devotion, the local school
was not neglected, and her presence and influence
was always felt in the Sunday-school conventions
of Macomb County.
Indeed all auxiliaries and agencies aiming for
the bettering of man's condition, to which her hus

I


=


~- ~ --- —

band or herself belonged, found in her a champion
and able defender.
No one church, no one society could claim her
exclusively. She was a woman among women,
ever ready to defend by speech and pen those in
need of a friend. She was possessed of a well disciplined mind, keen and far-seeing; her husband
and friends found in her a wise counselor.
She was blessed with a sngauine temperament,
hence was cheerful and happy in disposition.
Christ having been the man of her counsel, her life
was not clouded by regrets, her faith in God and
humanity enabling her always to say "It is still
better farther on."
She sought to live above the petty annoyances,
which so often harrass and sour the dispositions of
others not so richly endowed with heaven's gift of
a contented mind.
The devotion to her husband and little ones was
equalled only by her love of God. As regards
her life's work in the different avenues of usefulness, it can truthfully be said, 'She hath done
what she could."
ILLIAM    TAYLOR, a brother of Jacob
Taylor, whose sketch is to be found in
this volume, is an old timer here. He is in
good circumstances and a tremendous worker, a
man of character, but of great simplicity of life.
His father was George Taylor, a native of New
Jersey, where he was born in 1782. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade. He married Sarah
Shoemaker and continued to reside in Luzerne
County, Pa., until 1823 when he came to Michigan.
They journeyed by the steamer "Thomas Jefferson"
to Detroit, one of the first boats running between
Buffalo and Detroit, and made the rest of the trip
by ox-team. He came to Michigan a poor man
and renting a farm cultivated it and worked at his
trade. He suffered a severe injury by cutting his
knee with a broad-ax and lost the use of that joint.
This family moved into Troy Township and lived
for ten years on a rented farm. They then went
onto one at Wing Lake for several years. In 1836




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


249


I


they removed to Commerce Township and made
their permanent home at Walled Lake. After the
death of the father the mother married Nathan
Smith, of Farmington Township. George Taylor
was a Jeffersonian Democrat and held the office of
Justice of the Peace here. He was captain of a
militia company in Pennsylvania. Five of his
twelve children now survive.
The subject of this sketch was born March 4,
1812, in Luzerne County, Pa. He was a small boy
when he came to Michigan with his parents and
grew up on the farm and in the log schoolhouse,
surrounded by Indians and wild animals. While
still a boy he killed a bear weighing over four hundred pounds. He then obtained the help of his
brother Abram and hauled the dead bear on a sled
to Stratton's place. He was a great hunter in those
days and has always been a tremendous worker. He
has cut over one hundred acres of timber in this
county and chopped trees both winter and summer.
After the death of the father William and Isaac,
two sons, took charge of the family. About fiftyfour years ago he bought forty acres of wild land
where he lives. He now has sixty acres which he
cleared himself, ridding it of timber, stumps and
stones. His marriage took place in 1839. He was
then united for life with Catherine Perkins, a
daughter of Joseph Perkins, a New  Yorker and
a settler of Commerce Township   Mrs. Taylor
was born in 1842 in New York. After marriage
they made their home on the farm where he still
resides. His faithful wife was removed by death
in 1889.
Twelve children were born to this worthy couple,
seven of whom are now living. His youngest boy
was killed by being run over by a team and loaded
wagon. His daughter Sarah, now the widow of
Harmon Courter, lost her husband and three of
her children from the yellow fever in Florida. She
has four children now living. The daughter, Curley,
wife of John T. Brooks, lives in Saginaw County
and is the mother of three children; Rebecca,
the wife of Ellison Barrett, resides with her father
and is the mother of one child; Ida, the wife of
Judson Shubridge, lives in Montcalm County and
has four children; Joseph is married and makes his
home in Grand Ledge; he is the father of one child;


James and his wife, Ella Shubridge, live in Grand
Ledge and have three children; Daniel, who is unmarried, makes his home also in Grand Ledge.
The father of these children was a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Commerce. He
is a member of the School Board and is an active
promoter of educational measures. He takes an
active interest in politics and votes the Democratic
ticket. His first ballot was cast for Andrew Jackson for his second term. IHe has been Treasurer
of Commerce Township. He is a total abstainer
from liquor and has brought up his children in this
way. Fifty years ago he used to make trips as a
drover between Illinois and Michigan. Two of his
sons, William and Joseph, served seven months in
the Eleventh Michigan Infantry. Few men have
such a record as Mr. Taylor for hard work and
great achievements in this line.
J   OHN PURDY, a prosperous dairyman of
Southfield Township, residing on section 25,
was born in County Armagh, Ireland, February 1, 1849. His father, Hugh, was a stonemason, farmer and stock-dealer, who came to
America in 1850, and coming directly to Michigan
located in Southfield Township, this county. He
built a log house and went to wqrk to improve the
land which he had purchased. He brought with him
from the old country his wife, whose maiden name
was Margaret Hutchison, and his children.
The subject of this sketch is the oldest son and second child in a family of eight. He was sixteen
months old when he arrived in Michigan and his
first schooling was obtained in Southfield Township.
He remained with his parents until he reached the
age of twenty-five. He was then married November 10, 1875, to Ann Hanna, a native of Ireland.
Soon after marriage the young man engaged
in the business of buying cattle and    other
stock. Before long he bought by the car-load for
himself and brother, buying from five to seven carloads a week. He buys in all parts of the country
and ships to eastern points.
Mr. Purdy has one of the finest barns in the county
*




250


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


f


It measures 40x100 feet and cost him $2,100. It is
a cattle barn and contains sixty-five stalls. He
keeps from sixty to one hundred head of cows the
year around and delivers some three-hundred gallons of milk every day in Detroit. There are eight
men employed on the farm of two hundred and forty
acres. Our subject is an excellent business man
and is well and favorably known throughout the
county.
Six children have blessed the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Purdy, namely: Sarah H., Elizabeth B., Anna
M., Robert J., Thomas G. F., and Mary Jane Reid.
Mr. Purdy and his brother have a gristmill for grinding feed which turns off from forty to fifty bushels an hour, and everything upon the farm is planned for the well-being of the stock and the profit
of the concern. He is a famous huntsman, going
to Northern Michigan every season, and has some
splendid specimens of deer heads and other trophies
of the chase. Ile is a Republican in his political
views and a man of much more than ordinary ability in the management of large business affairs.
- //REDERICK FOST'ER. Every visitor to the
village of Clarkston will be easily convinced
of the esteem in which the subject of this
sketch is held by, the citizens of Independence
Township. Although only a resident of the town
a few years his boyhood days were spent- near the
village, and here he grew to manhood. He is the
son of Horatio and Ann (Pleydell) Foster, natives
of Kent, England, where the subject of this sketch
was born on the 19th of April, 1822. He is the
grandson of William and Susannah Foster also
natives of the county of Kent, England.  The
grandfather died in 1820 at the age of sixty-eight
years, and the grandmother passed away at the age
of forty-eight. Both are buried in the cemetery-at
Edgerton, County Kent, England.
T'he father of the subject of this sketch emigrated
to America in 1826 and settled in Utica, N. Y. Here
he resided until 1837 when he brought his family to
Michigan and located on section 29, Independence
Township, Oakland County. Our subject remained


with his father on the farm until he was twenty-one
years of age, and had very little opportunity to obtain an education. At the age of twenty-three he was
happily married to Ann Parker, daughter of William
and Elizabeth Parker, also natives of England, who,
at the time of the marriage resided in Erie County,
N. Y. The wedding was celebrated October 20, 1845.
Five children have blessed this home; Edmund,
who is married to Alice Anderson, and resides in
Springfield Township, this county; Frederick H.,
who died at the age of twenty-two years nine months
and twelve days; Adelaide who married Cassius M.
Beardsley, a prominent member of the bar, and resides in Hersey, Mich., and Clara who is unmarried
and resides with her parents in their beautiful
home on Main Street in Clarkston.
Mr. Foster owns beside his town property, one of
the most highly improved farms in Springfield
Township. This farm is conducted by his son but
Mr. Foster drives out almost every pleasant day
and takes great pride in superintending the details.
It comprises threu hundred acres of arable land in
a high state of cultivation. Hle has been very successful in accumulating a good share of this world's
goods, and enjoys the comforts of life which he so
richly deserves. The family are members of the
Baptist Church of Clarkston. Mr. Foster is an independent in politics and votes for men who will
practice what they advocate, and strives to promote
the election of such as have been tried and found
true. He himself is frequently called to occupy positions of trust in the township, and has been a Notary Public for about twenty years.!-            -_-^-~  -— ^
OHN H. DRESSER is favorably known by
every citizen of Independence Township
and is respected by all. I-e has for some
years been living in Clarkston, engaged in
various business pursuits, but for a score of years
has given his attention principally to fire insurance.
Prior to that time he carried on the sale of merchandise for a decade and at a still earlier period
he owned and conducted the Clarkston Hotel. In
whatever pursuit he engaged he endeavored to




PORTRAIT AN*D BIOGRAP141CAL AL~BUM.


251


P:  BG C   A


make a success and he brought to bear upon his
work a more than ordinary degree of intelligence
and mental training.
Mr. Dresser was born in Cayuga County, N. Y.,
June 30, 1825, his parents being Harvey and Huldah (Gibson) Dresser. He was reared to the age
of twenty years on a farm and his education such
as was to be obtained in the district schools of that
day except one term at Moravia Academy. His
knowledge was practical and at the age of twenty
he began teaching, a profession that he followed
during the winter months for seven years. He
spent the summers in work of a more physical nature. In 1847 he came to this county and spent
the winter teaching in Independence Township,
returning to his native State in the summer. For
three years he continued this manner of life, spending the summers in the employ of the Union Transportation Company as Captain of one of their boats
on the Erie Canal. In 1850 he became a permanent resident in Independence Township and four
years later he bought the Clarkston Hotel, which
he carried on three years. Selling out, he became
a merchant and finally turned his attention to his
present business.
The marriage of Mr. Dresser to Miss Elizabeth
C. Vliet, daughter of William and Martha Vliet,
who came to this State from New Jersey, was solemnized in 1852. Mr. Vliet served in the War of
1812; although he was under the age liable to draft
he filled the place of a neighbor who was drafted
but could not well leave home. The Vliet family
has been one of great patriotism from Colonial
times. One of the direct ancestors of Mrs. Dresser
fought during the Revolution, serving under the
immediate command of Gen. Washington at Valley
Forge and Trenton, and four of her brothers were
in the Union Army and two gave up their lives to
save the old flag intact.
To Mr. and Mrs. Dresser four children have
come, of whom we note the following: Charles H.
was born April 20, 1854, and died October 19,
1855; Charles C. was born July 9, 1856, married
Emily Tiffany and resides in Clarkston; William
H. was born October 24, 1860, and is in the employ
of the Michigan Central Railroad Company, located
at West Bay City; George E., born June 6, 1866,


lost his life at the age of thirteen years, by drowning in Park Lake.
For a number of years Mr. Dresser served the
community in the capacity of Justice of the Peace,
and left the office by resignation. He was Township Supervisor one term. He has always been a
Democrat and from   President Cleveland he received the commission of Postmaster and discharged
the duties of the office for four years and five
months. He is a Master Mason and has passed the
Chairs, being Worshipful Master of Cedar Lodge,
No. 60, seven years. He belongs to Lodge No. 85,
K. O. T. M. also. In worldly affairs he has been
prosperous, and has a beautiful home in which
lie and his estimable wife enjoy the companionship
of warm friends, many a time and oft.
ULIAN S. PETERS, Justice of the Peace
at Rochester, was born in Troy, this county,
December 4, 1841. He is of German ancestry in the paternal line and his mother's
family is traced to Scotland. His parents, Pliney
V., and Eleanor L. (Kintner) Peters, were natives
of New York and Vermont, respectively, and the
former died in his native State early in the '60s.
He was a farmer in his earlier years and after he
abandoned the work he was quite active in the
position of a magistrate. Upon the occasion of
the annual muster day in Franklin County he became chief bugler.
The subject of this biographical notice has
passed an uneventful life, as far as incidents of a
peculiar nature are concerned, his experiences having been those common to the mass of mankind.
He pursued his studies in the common school and
began the work of life when he had reached a
suitable age. March 16, 1865, he enlisted in the
Twenty-second Michigan Infantry and was enrolled
in Company G, but later transferred to Company
G, Twenty-ninth Regiment. Having received a
detail, a greater portion of his enlistment was spent
as Clerk in the General Court-Martial Office at
Murfreesborough, Tenn., where a great many vital
and. important cases were 9o trial, which required




252


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


— F —I


more than an ordinary degree of clerical ability to
record. Being mustered out of service September
20, he returned to Rochester, where he resumed
his trade, at which he worked until 1880, when he
embarked in the carriage painting and repairing
business. By careful attention to the wants of his
patrons and a determination to merit their confidence by looking to their interests, he has worked
up a most successful business. His connection with
the Union Army is held in remembrance by his
membership in the Grand Army of the Republic.  In political matters he acts with the
Democratic party. In 1890 he was elected Justice
of the Peace and he is giving his earliest attention
to the duties that pertain to his station. He has
also filled other local offices with honor to himself
and satisfaction to his constituents.
Mr. Peters was married February 22, 1866, to
Miss Mary McCornac. The union has been blest
by the birth of six children, none of whom  have
yet left the parental fireside. Herbert J., the firstborn, assists his father in his business. The other
members of the circle are Nellie May, Maude
Edna, Jeannette Viola, Louis Julian and Laura
Etta.
AMES SLOCUM, editor and proprietor of
the Holly Advertiser, at Holly, Mich., also
the American Creamery, is a prominent and
influential member of society, and a native
of the town in which he lives. He was born
November 8, 1862, and is a son of William
W. and Sarah (Coffeen) Slocum, natives of New
York. The father is a contractor and builder, and
came here in 1851 and settled in Rose Township.
Here he purchased a farm and lived there for many
years. He is a resident of this village, and is well
and favorably known. Six of his children are still
living: William W. Jr., Fred, Lizzie, James, Grant
H. and Bertha.
The subject of this brief notice spent his time on
the farm  with his parents until nearly eighteen
years of age, and received a common-school education. He then went into the employ of the Flint
& Pere Marquette Railroad as fireman, and there


remained four years. Previous to railroading, he
worked one year for his brother Fred on the paper
which he now owns. After railroading four years,
it occurred to him that newspaper work would be
much more satisfactory than that of a railroad
fireman, and in November, 1886, he purchased the
above paper from his brother, and since that time
the business has constantly increased. Three years
after he commenced publication of the American
Creamery, at which time it was the only creamery
publication in America. The business of his office
has more than thribbled since he became owner of
it. He was married in 1887 to Miss Mate Tindall,
of Davisburg, the same county. She is a daughter
of Hon. J. K. Tindall, who for two years was a
member of the State Legislature of Michigan. Mr.
and Mrs. Slocum have one daughter.
OHN YOUNG ELY was born in Plymouth
Township, Wayne County, Mich., August 5,
1864. His father, William V. Ely, born in
(     i Milford, N. J., February 12, 1826, was a carpenter by trade, and followed the business of
builder and contractor in New York and New Jersey. He came to Michigan in 1854, and made his
home in Plymouth, Wayne County, where he followed the occupation of farming. There he sojourned many years and thence he removed in 1869
to Farmington, this county; in 1891 he located in
the village of Northville, where he now lives, retired from the more active duties of life. His wife,
whose maiden name was Mary J. Lee, was born in
the city of New York, May 11, 1828, and at the
age of four years was taken to Milford, N. J., where
she remained until she removed to Michigan with
her husband. To them were born eleven children,
ten of whom are grown to manhood and womanhood.
The subject of this sketch was the eighth in this
large family of children, and from the time he was
five years old he was reared in Oakland County.
He completed his schooling at the Agricultural
College at Lansing, after which he returned to Oakland County, and made his home where he now re



I'




~KV
^Wy-'^^^C/h^ C
'/4!nC-^,^ l  I
^^r,-/.


-.  _-, 1~
I   - -   -,,I,,I   i- -:~   ""  I  I
I     I


A




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


255


I


sides. He is the owner of two hundred acres of wellimproved land, where he is carrying on a general
farming business.
Mr. Ely was united in marriage December 22,
1886, with Anna Jane, daughter of Joseph and
Martha (Morrison) Gibson. Two children have
blessed their home, Martha G. and William V. Mr.
Ely, although a comparatively young man, is one
who is highly respected by his neighbors who regard his judgment in business affairs as excellent
and his integrity is undoubted. His political views
are in accordance with the platform of the Republican party and he is an earnest and efficient member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Farmington. His farm is one of the neatest in the township and he has placed upon it solid improvements
and has it in a thorough state of cultivation.
~ ---- ~-r(^ ---^~~
OBERT LEBARON, M. D. Many are the
lives of men unwritten, which have nevertheless as powerfully influenced civilization and progress as the more fortunate
great, whose names are recorded in history.
Biographies of industrious and good men are most
instructive as helps and incentives to others. Some
are almost equivalent to Gospels, teaching selfconsecrated devotion to the good of others, and
exhibiting in language not to be misunderstood
what it is possible for a man to accomplish for
himself. It is therefore with pleasure that we
record for the present as well as coming generations the principal events in the life of Dr. LeBaron, and perpetuate his features through the
medium of his portrait on the opposite page. He
is one of those of whom it may be said that
'He comprehends his trust and to the same
Keeps faithful with a singleness of aim,
And therefore does not stoop nor lie in wait
For wealth or honor or for worldly state."
Dr. LeBaron, who has been for many years a
prominent physician in Pontiac, is descended from
substantial French and Puritan ancestors. Going
back a few generations we find that Dr. Francis
LeBaron was an early Puritan settler in Plymouth,


and was buried on Burying Hill in that place. One
of his sons, Lazarus, was born in Plymouth, where
he practiced medicine during his entire active life
and was also buried on Burying Hill. Another son,
James, married aqd became the father of a son,
David, and the latter in turn married and numbered among his children Dr. Solomon LeBaron,
the paternal grandfather of our subject. In his
youth Solomon LeBaron studied medicine and
devoted his life to its practice. He married Miss
Zada Hull, who was descended from the noted
Revolutionary general of that name, and among
their children was John, father of our subject.
John LeBaron was born in Connecticut, in 1803,
and upon attaining years of maturity married Jane
McCollum, who was born near Batavia, N. Y., in
1808. They removed to Michigan in 1843, settling
first in Battle Creek, removing thence to Redford,
Wayne County, where he carried on farming several years. Later he removed to the township of
Farmington, Oakland County, and sojourned eight
years. AfterwaAd he removed to the township of
Olive, Clinton County, where he resided about
twenty-five years and died in his seventy-fifth year.
He belonged to the Presbyterian Church, and was
a man of fine literary attainments. His profession was that of teaching, to which he devoted his
time between the ages of twenty-one and forty
years, in the States of Connecticut and New York.
His widow survived him until 1887.
Dr. LeBaron, of this sketch, was born near Batavia, N. Y., June 27, 1838 and is the second son
in the parental family. He passed his early school
days in Wayne and Oakland Counties, Mich., and
when eleven years old went to Livingston County.
There he made his home with Dr. C. W. Haze for
fourteen years, and with him commenced the study
of medicine. After a preparatory course of reading, he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated
in March, 1861. He immediately commenced the
practice of his profession in Livingston County
and continued for two years with his former instructor, Dr. Haze.
About this time Dr. LeBaron received the appointment of Assistant Surgeon of the old Fourth
Michigan Infantry, in which service he spent nearly




256


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




I


two years, and during the latter part of that time
he acted in tile capacity of Surgeon of the regiment. He was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and was with his regiment until July, 1864,
at which time it was mustered out of service in the
city of Detroit. Its term of enlistment bad expired on June 20, while in front of Petersburg,
Va. In August, 1864, the Doctor established himself in practice in Pontiac, where he has since devoted his entire time to his profession and has
succeeded in building up a lucrative and extensive
business. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, and
he and his family are members of the Episcopal
Church.
On October 13, 1869, the Doctor was united in
marriage with Miss Mary B. Foster, of Pontiac.
This estimable lady was born in Clarkston, th;s
county, and is a daughter of Horatio and Sophia
(Sabine) Foster. Her parents were natives of
England, who first settled in Utica. N. Y., and subsequently came to this county, where both died in
Clarkston. Three children have blest the happy
union of Dr. and Mrs. LeBaron, namely, Edith H.,
Mary F. and Robert O. The Doctor is a member of
the State and the American Medical Associations,
Pontiac Lodge, No. 21, F. & A.M., Pontiac Chapter,
R. A. M., and Pontiac Commandery No. 2, K. T.
His palatial residence in the western part of Pontiac
is a fine brick structure, surrounded by a lovely
lawn and all the evidences of modern refinement
and culture.
lAMES H. CAMPBELL, a farmer in Troy
Township, owns and occupies one hundred
and fifty acres of land, twenty-five of which
is in a wood lot. It is located on section 27,
and is as good a farm as this part of the county can
show. Mr. Campbell has put four and a half miles
of tile on the place, and has it well stocked. He is
doing a general farming business, and prospering
as he deserves. He was born in Monroe County,
N. Y., August 26, 1829, and is undoubtedly of
Scotch extraction. His grandfather, Robert Campbell, is believed to have been the first of the line


born in America, and his birthplace was the old
Bay State. He was a Revolutionary soldier. William Campbell, father of our subject, was born in
Massachusetts, and was married in Connecticut to
Sarah Day, who was born in that State, whither her
parents had come from Wales. The young couple
located in Oneida County, N. Y., thence went to
Monroe County, and still later to Genesee County,
and finally came to Michigan. They established
their home in Oxford Township, this county, in
1847, and there spent their last days, both dying
in 1859. They were the parents of four sons and
two daughters.
Our subject is the youngest son in the parental
family. His first schooling was obtained in Genesee County, N. Y., to which his parents removed
when he was four years old. He was nineteen years
old when they removed to this State, and he began
farming for himself. He had worked all summer
and accumulated $60, which he expended in a yoke
of cattle. He took charge of his father's farm, buying out the other heirs, and kept his father and
mother as long as they lived. About 1864 he removed to Royal Oak Township, and thence came
to Troy Township, locating where he now resides.
At the bride's home in Oakwood, March 30,
1854, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Amarilla
Giddings, who was born in this county, October
28, 1837, and who was the elder of two children,
Her recent demise was a sad affliction to her family to whose interests she had been devoted. The
date of her decease was March 4, 1891, and her
mortal remains were laid away in the Mill cemetery in Pontiac. Much of his prosperity and happiness came from her. She is survived by her
youngest child, a son, George M., who was born
December 18, 1863, and is living with his father.
He is married and has two children, J. Kirk and
Floyd A. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell had two daughters, Frances E. and Lucy Adell. The former was
born May 30, 1855, and died March 27, 1881. She
was the wife of Frank Maher, and left a little son,
Roy, who is being reared by his grandfather Campbell. Lucy was born December 25, 1857, and died
March 4, 1861, the day that Lincoln was first inaugurated.
Mr. Campbell cast his first vote for Gen. Win



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


257






field Scott, and his next for Abraham Lincoln. He
remained in the Republican ranks until quite recently, but is now working for the cause of prohibition. His first lesson in prohibition came
through his sainted father and good Deacon Enos
Cathcart, of Carper, then Longs' Corners, Genesee
County, N. Y., they refusing to pass alcoholic wine
at a communion. This was sixty years ago.
ENRY E. NICHOLS, a resident of Oxford,
is one of the honored veterans of the war,
having served bravely through a long campaign in both artillery and infantry service. He was born in Reading, Fairfield County,
Conn., September 23, 1836. He is the son of
Harry and Polly Ann (Dimond) Nichols, both natives of Connecticut, where the Nichols family
have been residents for generations. Harry was a
farmer and died in his native State, September,
1864. Iis wife survived him for twenty years.
Of their four children, three still are living,
namely: John B., residing in Connecticut; Jerome,
residing on the old homestead, and our subject.
The great-grandfather Dimond was a tory in Revolutionary days and took part with the British.
Grandfather Dimond served in the War of 1812.
The subject of this sketch when only seventeen
years old entered the employ of Nichols Bros., at
Nichols, Conn., as an apprentice at carriage making.
He remained in that village for two years and removed to New Haven, Conn., continuing in the carriage business until the breaking out of the War of
the Rebellion. He enlisted March 6, 1862, in Company M, First Connecticut Heavy Artillery. After.
a service of two years he re-enlisted as a Corporal,
and in the course of a year was promoted to the
position of a Sergeant. He went through the Peninsular Campaign in the Army of the Potomac.
After this campaign he spent six months at Gen.
Tyler's headquarters, at the house of the Confederate Gen. Lee. Thence he went to Fredericksburg
and participated in the second battle at that place.
Here it was that he received his promotion. After
the evacuation of that town he marched toward




I


Gettysburg and took part in that campaign, although not actively in the battle. The subsequent
winter was passed at Brandy Station. In the spring
of 1864 our young hero re-enlisted without returning home and went into the artillery camp of instruction at Washington. From there he was sent
with Butler to Bermuda Hundred. Here our subject, then a Sergeant, was placed in a hazardous
position with a part of the battery in the advance.
From there he fell back to the line in front of
Petersburg. After getting comfortably settled in
his quarters here be was sent with a detail to Battery No. 21, at Ft. Sedgwick, which on account of
its hazardous position was known among the solliers as Ft. Hell.
While at Ft. Sedgwick Sergeant Nichols managed
to exchange papers with some rebels, but before he
had a chance to enjoy reading them he had to resign them to an officer for the use of the General.
While camped at Drury's Bluff, this regiment dismantled all the guns of the enemy, on the James
River below Richmond. The war being closed
they remained near Richmond until August, and
were mustered out at Ft. Lyon, September 25,
1865.
At the close of the war this brave hero returned
home to encounter a foe as insidious if not as outspoken as the rebel hosts. For six months he battled with ague as did many another Northern boy
who had never known it until he went into the
South. He returned in 1866 to the carriage business in New Haven, Conn. In 1869 he came to
Pontiac, Mich., where he continued in this line of
business for six months. He then bought out a
planing mill and manufactory of doors and sashes,
under the firm name of Martin & Nichols. In 1871
he removed to Evart, Osceola County, and built a
similar mill in which he continued until it was destroyed by fire in the spring of.1874. That fall he
removed to Jackson where he engaged in carriage
making. In April 1876 he returned to Connecticut and was engaged by N. K. Elliott of the Lake
Mills in the sale of flour at Bridgeport. In 1877,
he engaged in the carriage manufacturing in Oxford, with John McKenzie, under the firm name of
McKenzie & Nichols where he has since continued.
On April 15, 1858, Mr. Nichols married Carrie






258


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I




Durand. Soon after his enlistment she died of
brain fever, leaving a daughter who also passed
away while he was in the service. His second marriage was celebrated April 4, 1870. This wife,.
Elsie Parker, died in April, 1885, leaving one son,
J. Harry, who is now in a drug store at Quincy,
Mich. August 15, 1886, Mr. Nichols married
Mary A. Giddings who passed away April 6, 1887.
The present Mrs. Nichols was Mrs. Cornelius Hagerman before her union with Mr. Nichols. Mr.
Nichols is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees in which he officiates as Finance Keeper. He
is a member of the Baptist Church and prominent
in the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a Republican first, last and all the time..!
P      REDERICK WIELAND. The subject of
this biographical notice was born December
24, 1860. in Springfield Township, Oakland
County. His boyhood was passed on a farm in
Independence Township, and the days were spent
in the usual alternation of study, work and play.
Until ten years old he attended a village School in
Clarkston, and when his parents removed to Milford he continued his studies there. His youth
was passed in Springfield Township, to which his
parents had removed, and there he completed his
course of study, working on the farm during the
summer to procure the means to enable him to attend school during the winter. Having been early
thrown upon his own resources he soon learned to
rely upon his own exertions. From 1881 to 1886
he taught school during the winter months. Since
that time he has been continuously in public life,
connected with the civic affairs of tile municipality
or county.
As early as 1882 Mr. Wieland became connected
with school offices, being then elected School Inspector of Springfield Township for two years. He
was re-elected in 1884 and served a second term.
In September, 1885, he was appointed by the Judge
of Probate to fill the vacancy on the Board of
School Examiners for one year. In 1886 he was
elected to the office for three years, and in 1889 he




was re-elected for two years. During four years
of this time, from 1887 to 1891, he was also Assistant School Visitor. In 1886 Mr. Wieland was
elected County Clerk for a term of two years and
on the expiration of that period he was re-elected.
His name was brought before the people on the Re.
publican ticket, he being a stanch member of that
party, although his well-wishers are not confined
to it.
While faithfully discharging the duties of the
offices that have been given him, Mr. Wieland has
studied law, and in July, 1890, he was admitted to
the bar. His mind has been well prepared for legal lore by study and thought in other lines, and
it is understood that he is well versed in the principles of his profession, and no one who knows
him doubts his rising to prominence in his chosen
field of labor. Mr. Wieland is much interested in
the social orders and is identified with several
lodges. He is well up in Masonry, besides being
a Granger and   Odd Fellow, and a Knight of
Pythias. He is a popular member of society, being well-bred and cordial, as well as intelligent.
OHN M. BAIRD, proprietor of the Opera
House at Holly, Mich., is one of the oldest
settlers in this part of the county, having
come here in 1857, when there were only a
few buildings in the place. He is the son of Isaac
and Harriett (Maston) Baird, who were natives of
New York State. He was born on the Hudson
River near Newburg, N. Y., in September, 1826.
The father was a cooper by trade. He and his
wife were the parents of seven children, of whom
three are now living: Peter D., John M. and Selah
M., all residing at Holly. The father died in
Monroe County, N. Y., in 1852, and the mother
followed him two years later.
Our subject received a fine education at the seminary at Lima, N. Y. He taught school for awhile
and then decided to learn the trade of his father,
who was carrying on an extensive shop at that
time. Subsequently he learned the joiner's trade,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


259




following it for several years. After this he bought
fruit trees, representing Mt. Hope Nursery, of
Rochester, N. Y., and being employed by that
firm when first coming to Michigan, in 1857, with
marked success.
Mr. Baird purchased five acres of land in the
village of Holly in the spring of 1858, and commenced business by platting his land and building. He purchased more later, and in all platted
fifty-three acres, now the finest residence part of
that beautiful village. In 1859 he started a nursery at Holly, from which he supplied the country
far and near, but his peaceful and agricultural employments were soon to give place to the bustle
and turmoil of war. September 19, 1861, the
young man enlisted in the First Michigan Cavalry
and was assigned. Their term of service was one
year. Although a non-combatant, being connected
with the band, he, with two of his comrades, volunteered to go out with Maj. Towne to do regular
soldier's duty. These comrades were George Leline, of Holly, and Charles Sheldon, of Clinton..Their first battle was at Winchester or Carnstown.
While pursuing "Stonewall" Jackson our subject
received an injury from a runaway horse and for
three months was compelled to go on crutches. He
was mustered out September 14, 1862, and soon
after returning home re-enlisted in the Eighth
Michigan Cavalry, and being detailed by Col. John
Stockton, he engaged in recruiting for Company
C, of that regiment. He had such good success in
this that he next recruited for Company K, and
was then honored by being given the commission
of First Lieutenant of that company. This regiment
was connected with the Western army and took
part in many battles in Kentucky, Tennessee and
Georgia. The company with which our subject was
connected, with other troops, started out for Camp
Nelson, in Kentucky, to capture the rebel Scott,
who was raiding that State and stealing cattle after
the John Morgan raid. They struck his band
south of Lexington, and for five days and nights
kept up a running fight. On the morning of the fifth
day they came up to, and charging him at Lebanon,
Ky., four hundred and twenty-seven men with
seven commissioned officers were captured, including the noted Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon, of the


Louisiana Cavalry, who was in command. The surrender was made to our subject, and for this meritorious accomplishment of the quest on which he
set out, Gen. Sanders gave to the young Lieutenant
the duty of taking the prisoners back to Camp
Nelson.
Lieut. Baird was in nearly all of the battles in
which his regiment was engaged until appointed
Quartermaster, doing much valuable service for
his regiment. He was promoted to be Brigade Quartermaster, and served as staff officer with Gens.
Hobson, Shackleford and Capron. He was honored with three commissions from the War Governor of Michigan, Austin Blair, and received his
final muster out at Pulaski, Tenn., July 20, 1865.
His services in connection with the War of the Rebellion were greatly appreciated by his commanding officers and made him a noted man in army
circles.
After his return home Capt. Baird engaged in
private banking business for two years. He then
organized a State Bank, of which he was Vice
President; also was the prime mover in organizing
the Merchants' National Bank.  He also started
the Monitor Mutual Insurance Company with D.
H. Stone and Lewis Coller. This was the Farmers'
Fire Insurance Company, of Oakland County, and
our subject was its secretary for four years. He
organized the Citizens' Mutual Fire Insurance
Company, of Oakland, Genesee and Shiawassee
Counties, with headquarters at Holly, and has been
the Secretary for the past seventeen years, winning
a high reputation as a fire insurance underwriter.
The marriage of our subject, December 29,
1859, to Miss Euphrasia Humphrey, of Springwater, Livingston County, N. Y., resulted in a
family of six children, of whom three are now living: John E., Charles HF and Belle. Capt. Baird
has been prominent upon the School Board for
twelve years, and has been a member of the Village
Council. He is a Chapter Mason and has served
fourteen years as Secretary of the Blue Lodge, and
as Secretary of all the Masonic bodies of Holly.
He is, of course, a prominent member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and holds the position of
Adjutant in the J. B. McPherson's Post, No. 183.
He owns some Northern lands, as well as con



260


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


siderable real estate in the village, and has (lone
considerable building. He built the Opera House
in 1870; this building also contains two stores, a
Masonic Hall, Odd Fellows Hall and offices.
— "  '>N=   <  <

ILLIAM       H. KNOWLES is one of the
many highly respected citizens of this
broad land who began their personal career empty-handed, but who struggled on and in
due time gained the reward for which they sought.
He has a fine piece of property in Royal Oak
Township consisting of one hundred and sixty-five
acres and he also owns four village lots in Royal
Oak.   His home farm  consists of thirty-seven
acres on section 22, and the house in which he now
lives was erected by him in 1886. The first purchase of real estate was fifty-four acres on section
22, for which the title was obtained in 1857. In
1879 the present home farm was bought, in 1880
a twenty-acre tract was purchased, in 1882 fourteen acres, and in 1884 forty acres on section 16.
When Mr. Knowles landed in Detroit early in the
'30s, he had just fifty cents, which he paid for
breakfast for himself and wife. In place of money
he had unbounded perseverance and the willingness to do any honest work, and he was encouraged
by a noble-hearted wife to whom he owes much, as
without her sympathy he would sometimes have
given way to the discouragements which her presence and hopeful spirit made less oppressive.
Mr. Knowles was born in Yorkshire, England,
April 22, 1807, and was the fourth of five children
born to William and Nancy Ann (Midlam) Knowles.
His father was a carpenter and joiner and common
carrier. In 1829 the young man crossed the Atlantic to seek his fortune in the New World, where
he was convinced that better opportunities were to
he found than in his native land. He spent four
years in New York, then came to Detroit, and three
years later went to Brest to take charge of work.
He remained there seven years in the capacity of
boss carpenter, and, as the company failed, he lost
the money due him for his services. He then made
staves, which were sent to Quebec. During a few


years he had a trying time, but he finally saved a
little fund so that lie could establish himself as a
farmer, and although he still had to work hard lie
began to see a fair prospect of reaching the goal
of his ambition. For several years prior to giving
his attention to farming he worked at ship-building
in Detroit, whither he returned after his experience
at Brest.
In 1831 Mr. Knowles was married to Miss Harriet Pinder, daughter of John Pinder, and the
eldest clild of a large family. The union resulted in the birth of four children-George,
Henry, Ben and Edward-the first and last-named
being now deceased and the others residents of
Detroit. The mother of these sons died, and three
years after the father married Mrs. Ann Helson,
widow of William Helson, of Detroit. The marriage was blest by the birth of a son, John E., who
is a carpenter in Omaha, Neb. Mrs. Ann Knowles
died in 1859 and in 1860 our subjectwas again married. His present wife was Mrs. Amelia S. Montgomery and she has borne him six children. They
are Mary, wife of W. A. Anger, a lawyer; Frank,
a carpenter living in Royal Oak; Almon, whose
home is in Detroit; Maria, wife of William Osgood, a carpenter in the city of Detroit; Payson,
who occupies the old farm in Royal Oak Township; and Alexander, who is unmarried.
Frank Knowles, son of our subject, was married
April 23, 1884, to Eliza A. Watts, of Greenfield,
Wayne County. The bride is the eldest daughter
and second child of Samuel and Phebe (Mallett)
Watts, natives of England, who came to America
in 1857, and whose family consists of four sons and
two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Knowles have had
two children-Jay E., who was born July 29, 1885,
and died October 26 following; Olive E., who was
born September 28, 1888. Mr. Knowles is a Republican and his first Presidential ballot was for
James (4. Blaine. He is Drain Commissioner of
Royal Oak Township, and his pleasant home is on
section 16. He is a member of Lodge No. 44,
F. & A. M. in Birmingham.
Mr. Knowles, of this notice, has always been
fond of hunting and when a young man he killed
many deer, foxes and wild turkeys, and on July 4,
1831, he shot a deer on what was known as De



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


261


L4~IIILIY~-~~ILC~LL-LC --- —-~ --- —-— ~


=


troit Commons and is now Sixth Street, in that
city. In later years it has been his custom to visit
Tuscola each winter for a month's sport with the
rifle and shotgun. While he was living in Detroit
he was Pathmaster three years, and he laid out
Cass Avenue and broke the first ground there. In
Royal Oak Township he has been Highway Commissioner three years and most of the roads in the
eastern part have been laid out by him. He has
also served as Justice of the Peace. He was an
active Odd Fellow for twenty years and now has a
demit. Politically he is a Republican and his first
vote was cast for the opponent of Henry Clay. He
and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal
Church and he has been a member for sixty years.
He has held the office of Treasurer and is now a
Trustee and for many years he has served as Steward and Class-Leader. He looks back over a long
and in some respects toilsome life, but he has the
satisfaction of knowing that he has been useful in
society and that his own affairs have been brought
to a successful issue.
ARRISON D. HYDE, one of the most intelligent and influential farmers in Southfield Township, was born in Livingston
(   County, N. Y., twenty-five miles from
Rochester, June 19, 1818. His father, Lewis, was
born in Connecticut in 1791. He was a farmer,
stonemason and teacher, and was also a soldier in
the War of 1812. He removed to New York when
quite a young man, first to Scoharie County and
then to Livingston. The year 1831 saw him located on a farm in Pontiac Township, Oakland
County. Here he remained for about two years
and then removed to Southfield Township, where
he bought eighty acres of land from the Government, upon which he remained until his death in
1838.
The mother of our subject was Lucy, the daughter of John Hatch. She was the mother of seven
children, three sons and four daughters, of whom
our subject was the eldest. His first schooling was
in Livonia, New York. He came to Michigan with




I


- -


his parents when he was thirteen years old, and
finished his schooling in Southfield Township. He
started for himself at the age twenty years, just
after the death of his father, and worked for awhile
at the carpenter and joiner's trade.
Mr. Hyde married, December 24, 1849, Mary M.
Royce, who was born February 1, 1828, in Cortland County, N. Y., a few miles from Auburn.
Her parents were Joseph and Sallie (Cross) Royce.
Her father was born April 7, 1783, in Vermont,
and was a farmer and blacksmith. He took good
advantage of the common-school education, and
was a man of intelligence and ability. He was a
Whig and an Abolitionist and was deeply interested
in political matters. He was a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church and died October 23, 1846, in his
sixty-fourth year. His father, Isaac, was a Revolutionary hero. Sallie Cross, the mother of Mrs.
llyde, was born January 11, 1794. Mrs. Hyde's
paternal grandmother, Abigail (Grow) Royce who
was born November 4,1753, came near being captured by the British during the Revolutionary
War at the bombardment of Boston. She cut up
her bed clothes to provide for the soldiers during
the hard times of conflict, and lived to the venerable age of ninety-seven years, beloved and revered
by her posterity. Her death took place in 1860.
Mrs. Hyde was educated in New York, being at
one time an attendant at the Casenovia Seminary.
She taught school two terms in New York and
was a notable teacher in Farmington in the early
days, being given the entire control of the schools
there in 1845. She continued in this work until
her marriage. After this event she and her husband settled upon the farm where they now reside.
A log house was the only improvement upon the
place. Here they lived for some years and then
built their present home. Mr. Hyde set out every
tree upon the place and made all the improvements.
David G. Royce, a brother of Mrs. Hyde, was one
of the heroes in the Civil War. He received just
before his death a commission as Major, but did
not live to take his position, being killed at Falling
Water.
Mr. and Mrs. Hyde are the parents of six children, two daughters and four 'sons, namely: A.
Elizabeth, born August 26, 1851, now residing in




262


PORTR~AtT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBU~M.


A IO


Detroit; Amy V., born July 9, 1853, residing at
home; Frank L., born August 6, 1856, partner in
firm of Newland & Co., hatters and furriers; Fred
W., born October 28, 1860, resides in Southfield
Township on a farm; David L., born August 24,
1863, resides in Greenville, Montcalm  County,
and is in the grocery business; Lincoln W., born
June 11, 1867, is also a resident of Greenville.
Mr. Hyde has given to all his children a superior
education. His home farm comprises ninety acres
and he also has forty acres on section 18. He carries
on general farming. His first and his last Presidential vote was cast for the Harrison family. In
1860 he filled the office of Supervisor and in 1845
was a Highway Commissioner. Both he and his
good wife are earnest and active members of the
Presbyterian Church.
E   DWARD J. BISSELL, a prominent attorney
of this county, is located in Milford. He
has been very successful in the legal arena,
and not only practices largely in all the courts of
this county, but in those of Wayne and Livingston
Counties and elsewhere, and fully one-third of his
time is spent away from home. He is true to the
interest of his clients, and never undertakes a case
without the determination to do the very best possible for his side. He las extensive business interests of which further mention will be made below.
Financial prosperity as well as a fine reputation has
crowned his efforts, and he has one of the handsomest and most elegantly furnished residences in
town. The house is of brick, built in 1881, and its
surroundings are in keeping with its beauty of design.
Mr. Bissell is a descendant of an old Eastern
family and in Dutchess County, N. Y., his father,
Edward, was born July 17, 1817, and in the spring
of 1839 came West, and until 1856 his home was
in Detroit, where he was engaged in the shoe business. He then removed to Northville, Wayne
County, and after a year's residence there gave up
that occupation and took up photography, to which
he has since given his attention. In 1866 he located


in Holly, remained there until 1882, and then came
to Milford, where he has a well-equipped gallery.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Lucy Provansal, and is now about seventy years
old. She was born in Detroit, of which place her
father was a native. Her paternal grandfather was
born in France, and was a Lieutenant in the French
army. He came to Detroit when it was held by
his nation. Her father was married to the widow
Solo, whose first husband, father and brother had
been massacred on the Raisin River. Mrs. Solo
was taken to the fort, but as the children had not
been rescued, she became almost insane, made her
escape from the fort, and started for her late home,
in the night. She was captured by the Indians,
who bound her to the stake and were about to burn
her, when she was rescued by the French interpreter under the pretence that she was his cousin. Her
children had escaped to the woods at the time of
the Indian outbreak, and had been found and taken
to Detroit, and she and they were soon afterward
reunited. After some years she married Mr. Provansal, and both died in Detroit. Mrs. Bissell is educated in both French and English, and is a devout
Catholic. She is the mother of ten children, six
of whom are living.
Edward J. Bissell is the eldest son in his father's
family. He was born in Detroit, March 22, 1850,
and was six years old when he went to Northville,
where he studied in both common and private
schools. He was a bright student and was highly
complemented on an essay he wrote when fifteen
years old. When sixteen he went to Holly and
helped his father in the photograph business by
taking charge of the printing. He gave a part of
his time to the study of Latin and higher mathematics, under M. N. Burnham, an attorney there,
and when eighteen began the study of law. He
had taken up Blackstone as a means of mental cul.
ture, and liked it so well that he resolved to become a lawyer. During the year before he was
nineteen he also taught one term of school. He
then went to Detroit and continued his legal studies
under Fred A. Baker about a twelvemonth, when
both removed to Holly, and the law firm of Baker
& Bissell was formed. Mr. Bissell was admitted to
the bar as soon as he was of age, in April, 1871.








y  -
"I~
4:   ~,
IHII  l   4


-  1!-   - -


I






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


265


-------—  —
-T ---`

=


Soon afterward a branch office was opened in
Milford, and Mr. Bissell took charge. The two
gentlemen practiced together in Circuit Court matters until 1874. when Mr. Baker returned to Detroit. Mr. Bissell was doing so well that he remained in Milford. In company with Mr. Baker
and Edward Thornhill, under the firm name of
Baker, Bissell & Thornhill, he is interested in a ranch
known as the "Thornhill farm." It consists of
about thirty-two hundred acres, and is located in
Kidder County, N. Dak.; general farming and
stock-raising is carried on there. Full-blooded
Short-horn cattle, imported Shropshire sheep and
Percheron and standard-bred horses are also raised
by them. Mr. Bissell is also a member of the firm
of Bissell & Thornhill, manufacturers of the Little
Giant potatoe and corn scoop at Milford, Mich.,
and Walkerville, Ontario, and the firm also deals in
buggies and cutters, and runs a feed mill in Milford.
In Bay City, September 27, 1877, Mr. Bissell was
married to Miss Carrie Hovey. She was a daughter
of Dr. Hovey, a prominent physician of that city,
and was born in Fenton, Genesee County. After a
few short years of wedded happiness she and her husband were parted by death, she dying in 1882. She
left one child, a son, Clarence. Mr. Bissell was
Village Clerk four terms and Circuit Court Commissioner two terms. He exercises the right of
suffrage in behalf of Democratic principles and
policies. He has displayed much business acumen,
and is full of energy, as his manifold interests
show.
ON. CHARLES DRAPER, of the firm of
Baldwin, Draper & Jacokes, attorneys-atlaw, Pontiac, was born in Marlborough,
Middlesex County, Mass., November 22,
1811. His father, William Draper, was born in
Dedham, Mass., in 1780, and died in 1858, in the
seventy-eighth year of his age. He was a graduate
of Harvard College and commenced the practice
of law at Concord, but afterward removed to
Marlborough. There he became very prominent


I


I


I


and was President of the Middlesex County Bar
Association, and in many important ways was identified with the progress of the county. For many
years he was an influential attorney in Dedham.
In July, 1833, he removed to Pontiac, Mich.,
where he continued his law practice and was respected as a prominent member of tle early bar.
William Draper was President of the first Territorial Convention convened by act of Congress at
Ann Arbor for the purpose of acting upon the acceptance or rejection of Michigan as a State upon the
conditions reported by Congress. The main point
of those conditions was as follows: To surrender
the southern part of Michigan to Ohio and to take
the northern Lake Superior country in lieu thereof.
These terms were rejected by the convention. A
few months later a convention was called which
was known popularly as the "Frost Bitten Convention." This gathering convened at the courthouse at Pontiac and had no authority from Congress, in fact was irregular in every particular.
Yet it embodied the sense of the people of Michigan; its plea was accepted by Congress, and upon
its conditions Michigan was admitted as a State.
Early in life Mr. Draper was an old-fashioned
Federalist and later became a Whig. He was President of the Oakland County Bar Association and
continued to hold this important position in the
profession of the county until his death. A devout
Christian, he belonged to the Congregational
Church at Pontiac. He was a personal friend of
A. W. Hovey, and their chief diversion was in going fishing together. The mother of our subject
bore the maiden name of Eliza Payne and was a
daughter of Phineas Payne, a Major in the Revolutionary War. Maj. Payne was of English descent, and his mother was a Babcock, of Welsh
descent, and an early settler in Massachusetts.
The boyhood of our subject was passed in his
native town. He prepared for college in the academy at Marlborough, and was graduated at Harvard College in 1833. He accompanied his parents
to Michigan and began the practice of law in his
father's office at Pontiac. In 1836 he formed a
partnership with his father, which continued until
1851, when he entered into the partnership with
A. C. Baldwin, which has never been dissolved.




266


POWMAITA~ AND BIOGR~tAPHICCAL ALBUM.


26PRRIAN BC   A M.


After a time they associated with them James A.
Jacokes, making a strong combination of legal talent, and the firm now practices in State, Federal
and local courts.
In 1840 the Hon. Mr. Draper was united in marriage with Miss Mary E., daughter of Olmstead
and Mary C. Chamberlin, the marriage being solemnized at the bride's home in Pontiac. Mrs.
Draper is a native of Lewiston, N. Y., and in social
circles is one of the most cherished ornaments.
Mr. and Mrs. Draper have been the parents of five
children: Charles Stuart, who is an attorney in
Saginaw, Mich.; Ella L., deceased; Warren N., an
attorney at Duluth, Minn.; William C., a miner
and ranch man in Montana, and an infant who died
unnamed.
The Hon. Mr. Draper was elected Prosecuting
Attorney in 1842, and held the office three terms,
a term then being two years. He was appointed
Internal Revenue Assessor by President Johnson,
but was removed by him on account of refusal to
carry out his instructions. In the year 1867 he
was elected State Senator and took an active part
in the discussion of important bills, among which
were changes made in the law regulating the
rights of widows in the estates of deceased husbands, and also the rights of husbands in regard
to the wife's estate.  He was a member of the
Judiciary Committee in the State Senate and had
charge of the Committee on the Asylum for the
blind at Flint. He has been an active member of
the Republican party since its organization and is
very strong in his convictions of right and wrong.
He was a member of the first convention which
assembled "under the oaks," at Jackson, and which
formed the Republican party in Michigan in the
summer of 1854. Mr. Draper was a member of the
Committee on Resolutions, to whom two sets of
resolutions were presented, one drafted by Jacob
M. Howard and the other by Isaac Christiancy.
After consideration those drawn by Mr. Howard
were adopted. This convention was not what is
commonly termed a delegate convention, but was
rather an uprising of the people. Both Mr. Draper
and his wife are consistent members of the Congregational Church, and their influence is felt for
good in every direction. Their delightful home at


No. 181 North Saginaw Street, is a pleasant resort
for their many friends.
A portrait of the Hon. Mr. Draper accompanies
this brief biographical notice.
^\jT ICHARD E. PEPPER, an intelligent and
prominent farmer residing in Springfield
\  Township, was born on the farm which he
now occupies, December 20, 1850. His
father, Robert Pepper, was a native of County
Cavan, Ireland. He was a weaver by trade and
came to America when a young man and settled
in Genesee County, N. Y.., where he worked in a
factory for several years. In 1835 he removed
his family to their present home in Springfield
Township. They came by canal and lake to Detroit, and from there to Springfield Township, with
two yoke of oxen, one of which died on the way.
He bought the present farm, then all wild land, one
hundred and eighty acres from the Government,
and the family lived with a neighbor until he could
erect a log cabin which was to be their home.
Deer were then so plenty that he frequently found
a drove of ten or fifteen herding with his cattle,
when he went into the woods after them in the
evening. He had to go to Pontiac, eighteen miles
away for provisions and clothing. He helped lay
out what is now known as the White Lake Road,
running past the farm north and south. He was a
great worker, and at his death, which occurred in
1881, when he was eighty years old, he had his once
unbroken farm finely improved. In Ireland he
was an Orangeman.
Lydia Urwin, the mother of our subject, was
born in County Cavan, Ireland. All of her five
children grew to maturity and are yet living,
namely: William J., John T., Margaret (Mrs. Stinson), Richard E. and Martha, (Mrs. Cogshall.)
Their mother died at sixty-one years of age. Both
she and Mr. Pepper were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject now owns and
lives on the homestead farm a mile and a half
southwest of the village of Davisburg, upon which
he was born and reared. He attended the log


a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


267


schoolhouse on a corner of his father's farm. His
latest schooling was taken in the Business College
at Flint. He worked the home farm on shares
until the death of his father, when it was willed to
him on condition that he would buy the interest of
the other heirs. He raises a great number of cattle and horses, and also some fine Shropshire sheep.
He makes most of his profits on wheat and stock.
His pleasant home is conspicuously placed upon a
rise of ground and stands back from the main road
where it easily attracts the eye of the traveler.
Mr. Pepper was married May 4, 1870, to Juliet
Rhone, who was born 'in Niagara County, N. Y.,
May 19, 1850. This has proved a union of unusual happiness and congeniality, Mrs. Pepper being a lady of great loveliness and ability. She
became the mother of three children, two of whom
are living, namely: Lena C., now attending school
at Flint, and Ethel M., who is at home. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Pepper are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Davisburg. Mr. Pepper
is a Republican in his political views and socially
is a member of Charter Oak Lodge, No. 60, A. 0.
U. W., at Davisburg.
G     EORGE D. COVERT, an old settler of
Groveland Township,is one of the men who
have seen both prosperity and hard times in
Michigan.  He has a fine farm  with excellent
barns and a pleasant home, but tells us that he cried
for hunger when a boy, for his father and mother
were very poor, and settling in the woods, underwent great hardships and privations.
Our subject was born in Seneca County, N. Y.,
July 15, 1832. His father was Henry, and hlis
grandfather Joshua Covert, both natives of New
York, and of Holland descent. The grandfather
was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. The
father came to Michigan, traveling by Erie Canal
to Buffalo, and by boat to Detroit, and bought
eighty acres of land where he built a log house.
He traded at Pontiac and Detroit, and cleared up
his farm, using oxen instead of horses. He was a
hard worker and fared poorly. He was famous as




I


I


a rail splitter. His political views were Democratic. His wife, Ann Emmons, was the mother of
eight children, five of whom grew to maturity.
She used to go on foot twelve miles to neighbors
and do their washing to earn a little money in the
early days. She was seventy-one years old when
she died in 1865, and her husband passed away in
1866, when seventy-two years old.
The boy George was in his fifth year when he
came West, but he recollects the journey distinctly.
He attended a log schoolhouse two or three miles
from home under the rate bill system. The woods
were full of deer and bears. He often stood at the
door and counted as many as twenty (leer in one
drove, and he used to lie awake at night and hear
the wolves howl about the cabin. He began life
for himself at the age of nineteen years and worked
out by the month and day, often cutting as much
as five cords of wood a day. He built his present
home in 1874, having erected his finebarns in 1860
and in 1870.
Mlr. Covert was married October 15, 1855, to
Anna McBratney, a native of Ireland. Three children blessed this union: James H., who married
Elva Clark, and faims in this township; Charles
A. living in Denver, Col., and George L., who is
still at home. One hundred and thirty acres form
the home farm, ninety of which are under cultivation. He raises both stock and grain. His political views are in accord with the principles of the
Democratic party. This old settler looks back
with just satisfaction upon the life which has resulted so prosperously.
lh ICHAEL HENNESSY, a prominent farmer
on section 24, Holly Township, was born
in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1830. His
father, Patrick, was a farmer in that
county, and lived and died there. He was an adherent of the Roman Catholic Church. His wife,
Abbie Farrill, the mother of our subject, was a
native of the same county. Four children were
granted unto them, namely: John, Thomas, Johanna and Michael. Of this number the subject of




268


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


f


this brief notice is the only one now living. The
mother died in Ireland.
Young Michael spent his boyhood days in Ireland on a farm  and there attended school. He
came to America in a sailing vessel in 1847, and
was forty-four days on the water. He located at
Syracuse, N. Y., and worked there in a brickyard,
and at odd jobs for five years. He then removed
to Auburn, N. Y,, and worked for seven or eight
years in the shops of the New York Central Railway.
The subject of this sketch came to Oakland
County, Mich., in 1859, and bought the farm where
he now resides. Only thirty acres of it had then
been cleared of trees, and the only buildings on it
were a log house and log barn. Seventy acres of
his one hundred are now under cultivation, and
he raises stock and grain of all kinds. He now
has fine buildings on his land, having erected his
commodious and capacious frame house in 1881,
and his large frame barn in 1878.
The marriage of Mr. Hennessy with Anna Ash
took place at Albany, N. Y. She was born in
County Kerry, Ireland. Eight children were sent
to brighten their home, only four of whom are
now living, namely: Joanna, John, Thomas and
Mary. Tie subject of this sketch is a member of
the Catholic Church, as is also his wife, who is an
exceptionally fine woman in both character and
ability. Mr. Hennessy is a Democrat in his political affiliations. He has a nice frame residence,
much better furnished than the average farmhouse, brightened with pictures and cheered with
music.
),APOLEON B. ARMSTRONG. An honorable station among the farmers of Highland Township is occupied by the gentleman above named, who operates a pleasantly
located farm on section 33. His landed estate in
the township comprises one hundred and twenty
acres, and he has twenty acres in Milford Township. He has put on the various improvementsbuildings and fences, and has his land well stocked
with good grades of Merino sheep, Short-horn
cattle and Percheron horses. He began his career


as a full-fledged farmer not long after he became
of age, and has demonstrated his skill and good
judgment by increasing his acreage and bringing
it all into fine condition.
Mr. Armstrong traces his ancestry to Connecticut, in which State his grandfather, Lee Armstrong,
was born, reared and married. His wife was Edna
Smith, and their family comprised seven sons and
three daughters. Grandfather Armstrong died in
his native State in 1817, but his widow breathed
her last in New York while living with her eldest
daughter, in the year 1836. Grandfather Armstrong was a Presbyterian in religion. In his family was a son, Stephen, who was born in Franklin,
Conn., and who, in 1811, at the age of twenty-one
years, went to Monroe County, N. Y. There he
made his home until 1834, when he came to this
county and located on section 33, Highland Township. He bought seven hundred acres of land in
this and Milford Townships, together with property in the town of Milford, and in that place he
also owned a half-interest in a grist and sawmill.
Highland Township was his home from his arrival
in the State until his demise, which took place in
1843, and he was always engaged in farming. He
was a soldier in the War of 1812. He served as
Supervisor and Overseer of the Poor.
Stephen Armstrong was married in Connecticut
to Eunice Peck, who bore him four children. He
was again married in New York to Orpha Clark,
daughter of Ethan A. and Lavina (Lockwood)
Clark, natives of Massachusetts and New York respectively. The second union was blest by the
birth of six children, named respectively: N. B.,
Thomas J., Andrew J., Fanny E., William G. and
Stephen D. The eldest of these children was born
in Monroe County, N. Y., April 2, 1830, and was
a child of four years when he came with his parents to this county. He has since made his home
in Highland Township, and he is perhaps as well
known as any man now living within its borders.
As a boy and man, he has helped to bring it to its
present condition of prosperity, and his influence
has been especially felt in the agricultural field.
When he was twenty-two years old he bought forty
acres of land, and when the father's estate was
divided he inherited eighty acres.




PORTRAIT AND BIOG:RAPHICAL ALBUINT


269


P            AND B   ALBU.26


March 31, 1859, Mr. Armstrong was united in
marriage with Miss Rosetta Hays, the ceremony
being performed in Milford. The bride was a
daughter of John and Almira Hays, who were natives of Erie County, N. Y. The union has been
blest by the birth of three children-Leroy L.,
who is now living in Milford; Calvin, whose home
is in Tuscola County; and Effie, who is her father's
companion and housekeeper, the wife and mother
having died in 1866. The political allegiance of
Mr. Armstrong is given to the Republican party..,.      re_ _~m.-=,,-[~  ~  _=.
BRAHAM L. CRAFT. No one can be
better deserving of representation in a
volume of a biographical nature than those
who are giving their attention to the guidance of the young and endeavoring to cultivate
their minds and morals. We are therefore pleased
to represent in the pages of this ALBUM, Mr. Craft,
who has acceptably filled the position of Principal
of the Clarkston High School for the past six
years. In gaining his own education he showed
the quality of his character as well as his mind, and
the determination he manifested in his early years
and his eager desire for thorough schooling gives
him an added fitness for the work which he has
undertaken, as he knows how to encourage and
guide as he might not otherwise have done.
Mr. Craft is the son of Charles B. and Lydia
(Lyman) Craft, and was born in Springfield Township, this county, July 30, 1854. Prior to his
eighteenth year he lived on a farm and attended
the'district school. He then spent two years in
pursuing the studies that belong to the curriculum
of the High School of Holly, after which he taught
a year and earned the money with which to pay
his expenses at Fenton. There he still further
advanced his knowledge, studying industriously
three years and being graduated in 1880.
Mr. Craft next taught at Highland two years,
and then took a commercial course at Bryant &
Stratton's Business College in Detroit. Returning
to Highland he again took up his work there, and
continued it until he was elected Principal of the


Clarkston High School. He is a worthy representative of one of the families that made an early
settlement in what was then the Territory of Michigan, his grandfather, Abraham Craft, having come
hither in the '30s and settled on the farm now
owned by our subject's father. Grandfather Craft
was a native of Wayne County, N. Y.
The marriage rites between Mr. Craft and Miss
Belle Jennings, daughter of H. N. Jennings, editor
of the Fenton "Independent" were solemnized at
the bride's home August 14, 1889. The young
couple now occupy an attractive residence on Main
street, which was recently erected. Its doors are
ever open to the intelligent and upright people of
the place, and to those who desire aid or encouragement in mental growth or progress toward
noble characters.
In the political issues of the day Mr. Craft takes
quite an interest, and his judgment concurs in the
principles laid down in the Republican platform,
which he therefore earnestly supports. He is a
Mason of high degree, and his name is found on
the rosters of Cedar Lodge, No. 60, F. & A. M.,
Oakland Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M., Pontiac Commandery No. 2, K. T., and Council, No. 3. He is
also identified with the Maccabees Lodge, No. 85.
and Pontiac Lodge, No. 19, K. P.
MERIC M. JOSLIN, one of the old settlers of Holly Township, can look back
upon a life well spent. He and his estimable
wife will, if living, celebrate their golden
wedding in July, 1891. He is a man of substantial
character and is beloved by all his neighbors. He
was born in Madison County, N. Y., October 2,
1813. His father, Daniel, and grandfather, Thomas,
were both natives of Rhode Island. The family
came from Wales to America in Colonial times.
The grandfather died in middle life when the
father of our subject was but tlirteen years old.
This lad became a mechanic and worked at the
trade of a carpenter and joiner. When quite a
young man he came to New York State, and was
there married, He both farmed and worked at




270


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




his trade. In 1841 lie retired from business and
came to Michigan to make his home among his
children. Here he tarried until death called him
at the very advanced age of eighty-six years. He
was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and a kind-hearted Christian man. He
was a Democrat and conservative in his political
views and was Supervisor for a great many years
in New York State. He was a hearty, healthy man,
broad chested and full in habit, weighing from one
hundred and eighty to two hundred pounds. His
wife, Martha Jinks Joslin, the mother of our subject, was born in Connecticut. She reared nine
children ant lived to be sixty years old. She took
an active interest in religious matters and was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from
early girlhood. Her father, Dickerson Jinks, was
an old Revolutionary soldier and a pensioner until
his death.
The subject of our sketch worked on the farm
and at the carpenter's trade during his early
years. He never attended any school except in a log
schoolhouse. He began for himself at nineteen
years of age, making the journey to Buffalo, a distance of one hundred miles, on foot. IIe crossed
the lake to Detroit and then footed it to Romeo,
Macomb County, this State, where he had a brother
living. For a year he lived with his brother and
worked at his trade. He was then seized with
fever and ague, and obliged to return East on
account of his health. Two years later he returned
and bought forty acres in Macomb County. He
finally sold that and in December, 1842, came to
Oakland County and bought the forty acres where
his house now stands. He first built a rude log
cabin and began to clear up the farm. Fenton was
his nearest trading point. No building stood where
Holly now stands, and he helped to put up the
first building erected there. He now has one hundred and twenty acres here and a handsome frame
residence, in which he now lives a retired life.
Mr. Joslin took to himself a wife, July 28, 1841,
in tie person of Margaret Van Allen. She was
born in Canada, near the Vermont line, January
31, 1823. She came to Michigan in 1840 with
her brothers, as her parents had died when she was
quite young. Nine children have been granted


to Mr. and Mrs. Joslin, namely: Edwin, Thomas;
Sarah, Mrs. Hadley; James; Carrie, Mrs. Rodden;
Imogene and John. The family finds its religious
home in the Methodist Church. Mr. Joslin is a
Republican through and through, and has held office
as Treasurer of the township for a great many years,
and also as Commissioner of Highways. In this
capacity he has helped to lay out almost every
road in the township. He has served on juries at
Pontiac many times, and is a member of the Masonic order at Holly.
<-:' — oto..   ~. --- —-~
n    EN. STTTRGIS. This venerable man has a
fine farm of two hundred and thirty-three
I acres on section 23, Troy Township. Like
the village blacksmith, he can look "the
whole world in the face, for he owes not any man,"
and his worldly possessions have been gained by
toil and perseverance, as he was a poor boy when
he came to the State. He has reared a large family
and has been able to meet all his obligations and
lay up a store for his old age. He was born in Mt.
Pleasant, Canada, September 3, 1808, and was
about nine years old when his parents removed to
Detroit. Thence he came to Troy Township, and
the father died in Michigan. He was a native of
Pennsylvania and was a soldier in the War of
1812. Thomas Sturgis and Lucy Winstead were
married in Canada, whence they came to this State
as before noted. They had twelve children, eleven
of whom lived to manhood and womanhood.
The second child and eldest son in this family is
the subject of -this biographical notice. Having
scarcely passed school age when he' came to this
State his first pursuit of the knowledge found in
text books was in a log schoolhouse in Troy Township. He obtained as sound a foundation as the
circumstances would permit, but the curriculum
was not extended nor did his yearly instruction
cover a period of more than a few weeks. He
left home when twenty-one years old to make his
own way, and his first occupation was farm work
which he did by the month. Ere long he married
and located in Avon Township, where he remained




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


271


— I


six years, improving a tract of land. In 1840 he
traded the property for that on which he now lives,
where but three acres had been broken. He built
a log house 18x20 feet with a stick chimney, and
undismayed by the toil that he saw before him, set
bravely to work to hew out a good farm and carve
out his fortune. He carried on the first store that
was opened in Troy Township.
Mr. Sturgis was married in 1830 to Caroline
Umstead, who was born in Ohio in 1814. She
bravely and cheerfully shared in his hardships and
privations during the early years of their wedded
life, and aided him in bringing about their.later
prosperity. She lived until December 29. 1889,
when she closed her eyes in death, after more than
half a century of married life. They had twelve
children, nine living. Mr. Sturgis is a sound Republican having united with the party in its infancy. He had previously been a Whig, and his
first vote was cast in 1840 for William  Henry
Harrison.
E   HOMAS N. TURK is the senior member of
the firm of Turk Bros. in Pontiac, which
carries on the most extensive trade in groceries and produce in the county. They occupy
a large double brick store, with three stories and a
basement, and the entire building is used in their
business.  One room is devoted exclusively to
crockery, queensware and lamps, and the rest to
the other business. Mr. Turk is a native of Pontiac, born July 13, 1850, and is the eldest son of
Thomas and Maria Turk, of whom a biographical
notice is given on another page. He started to
school as soon as he was old enough and attended
steadily until his thirteenth year, when he entered
his father's store in the capacity of a clerk. IIe
continued to discharge the duties of that position
until 1876, when he and his brothers, William G.
and Gregory H., bought out the business and continued at the same stand until 1886, the firm name
being Turk Bros.
During the year mentioned Gregory H. retired
from the grocery business, selling his interest to
his brothers, Thomas N. and William G.,and the new


firm continued the name of the old. The retiring
partner engaged in the sale of clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods in a building opposite his
old stand. The brothers who now carry on the
grocery business are what in Western parlance
would be called "hustlers," always on the alert to
increase their business and supply the people with
articles of use and beauty in the one departmlent
and make provision for the inner man in the other.
At the same time they are perfectly courteous and
genial, and quiet in demeanor.
In the year 1881 Thomas N. Turk was married
to Miss Lizzie Sharp, daughter of C. C. Sharp, Esq.
Her parents came to this county from New Jersey
and she was born in Belvidere, N. J. Her education was principally obtained in Michigan. She
had, however, attended school at Belvidere, N. J.,
being twelve years old when she came here with
her parents. She is a lady of intelligence and good
breeding. Mr. Turk is a stockholder and director
in the Pontiac National Bank and has been since
its organization. Politically, he is a Democrat.
Being well situated financially he and his brother
have an advantage over many dealers in that they
are able to pay cash for all goods, and they can
thus put the commodities they handle upon the
market at more reasonable rates or secure a higher
percentage than many.
I     ORACE A. RANDALL, a commercial traveler, of Birmingham and a brother of McAllister Randall, was born in Barry, Orleans
County, N. Y., May 29, 1843. He is a son
of George C. and Esther (McAllister) Randall, and
is the second in a family of eight children. He was
seven years old when he came to Birmingham and
here he received a common-school education. He
gave up farming in 1875 and began traveling and
selling goods for the American Eagle Tobacco
Works of Detroit. He was with them for nine
years and then traveled for the Hop and Malt Bitters Company, of Detroit, for a year. After that
he took a position with the Banner Tobacco Company, of Detroit, until June, 1890, when be began




272


PORTRATBBT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL ALBUM.


272P


traveling for the Detroit Heat and Lighting Company. He has been a resident of Birmingham for
thirty-five years and has one of the pleasantest
homes in the village.
January 31, 1863, was the wedding day of Horace Randall and Miss Julia Hunt, of Bloomfield
Township. This lady is a daughter of James M.
and Mary (Beardslee) Hunt. Three children came
to cheer their home, namely: Horace T., Kittie M.,
and Broax. Their dauglter Kittie died at the age
of fourteen years. The son, Horace T., makes his
home in Birmingham and is married to Miss Fannie Medsker, of Centerville, St. Joseph County,
Mich. This gentleman is a Democrat in his views
but takes little interest in politics. He is a Free
and Accepted Mason of the Third Degree and is
connected with lodge No. 44, at Birmingham.
AI NDREW J. ARMSTRONG. On a welltilled tract of land in Highland Township,
this gentleman is carrying on the business
of a general farmer in a manner that produces good results, both in the way of income and
reputation. The estate consists of one hundred
and forty acres on section 28, and thereon are the
usual farm buildings that are put up by a man of
good judgment when prosperity smiles upon him.
Mr. Armstrong was born in Monroe County, N. Y.,
April 24, 1834, and is the son of Stephen and Orplha
(Clark) Armstrong, of whom further mention is
made in the biography of N. B. Armstrong on another page. He was first married in Connecticut,
to Eunice.Peck, who bore him four children.
Our subject was but a babe when his parents
came to this State, and his home has been in the
township of Highland since that time. He resided
under the parental roof until he was of age, pursuing the usual course of study and learning how
to carry on the work to which he purposed to devote himself. He fell heir to one hundred acres of
land, which he developed and to which he added,
some years later. He was married November 1,
1856, to Sarah E. Bennett, daughter of Edwin L.
Bennett, a native of New York, who came to this


State in 1854. That gentleman died in Milford in
1888, a year after his wife had been borne to the
tomb. Mrs. Sarah Armstrong became the mother
of two children: Edwin, who is now deceased; and
Jessie F., who is now living in Wayne County.
A second marriage was made by Mr. Armstrong,
February 26, 1873, his bride on this occasion being Miss Almedia J. Laming. This lady is the
second child in one of the pioneer families of Highland Township, to which her parents, Joseph and
Mahala (Hanes) Laming, came years ago. Their
family included Rufus, Almedia, Amanda, Emily,
Etson, Martha and Esther. The older son enlisted
in the Union army in 1864, was taken sick, and
died in the hospital at Grand Rapids the same year.
That year also Mrs. Laming died, but her husband
survived until 1876. He was born in New York
State, and his wife was a native of Canada. When
he came to this State Mr. Laming took up eighty
acres of Government land, and by purchase he
subsequently added forty acres to his estate.
The present Mrs. Armstrong has borne her husband one son, Ford H., whose birth took place
October 4, 1874, and who is with his parents. Mr.
Armstrong belongs to the Republican party. He
is a Master Mason, and one of the charter members
of Milford Lodge, No. 165. Mrs. Armstrong is a
member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both husband and wife are intelligent, enterprising and whole-souled, and their position in society is enviable.
5u cALLISTER RANDALL, who occupies
the responsible position of Postmaster at
Birmingham, is a native of that town,
where he first saw the light April 14, 1854.
H is parents, George C., and Esther A. (McAllister)
Randall, were natives of Orleans County, N. Y.,
whence they came to Michigan in 1848, and made
their home for a short time at Battle Creek. The
father is now at Advance, Charlevoix County,
Mich., where he is still pursuing the business of
farming. His political affiliations are with the Republican party.








I /).  %r.-lo,


W.




PORTRAIT AND BfOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


275


-             AN  BIOGAHCLABM


The subject of this sketch is the youngest of eight
children who were named: Seth C., Horace A., William M., Sophronia E., Aldridge C., George F., Jay
P. and McAllister. A sketch of his brother Horace
will be found in connection with this brief biography. McAllister was reared and educated in the
town where he now resides. Until sixteen years of
age he followed farming. He then engaged in the
meat business in the village and continued in it for
fourteen years. Upon New Year's Day, 1890, he
received his commission as Postmaster. He has
filled various responsible positions at the request
of his fellow citizens, having been Town Treasurer
and Town Clerk of Bloomfield Township. He is a
member of the Knights of the Maccabees, Lodge
No. 276, at Birmingham, and is an ancient Free
and Accepted Mason of the Royal Arch Degree in
Bodge No. 44 at Birmingham.
The marriage of Mr. Randall to Libbie M. Converse was solemnized January 28, 1879. This lady
was born in Lapeer County and is a daughter of
Lewis and Pruella (Beebe) Converse, of Birmingham. Three lovely children cluster about the
hearthstone of our subject. They bear the names
of Mildred, Nellie and Lewis Mc.
\       ZILLARD MORSE McCONNELL. Death
robbed the world of a noble character when
the late Mr. McConnell was laid low, and
bereft Pontiac of a citizen who had long been a
promoter of her interests, moral, educational, social and material. The readers of the ALBUM will
be pleased to notice his portrait on the opposite
page, and will read with great interest this brief
account of his life. He wielded a potent influence
for good, and was active in every progressive
movement, and identified with numerous public
schemes, such as the construction of railroads, the
erection of educational and benevolent institutions
and the founding of financial corporations.
Mr. McConnell was connected with the Eastern
Michigan Asylum for the Insane from its earliest incipiency, first as one of the Committee on Location,
then as resident Building Commissioner, and lastly


as Trustee. He was for several years one of the
Trustees of the public schools, and was one of the
founders of the Second National Bank of Pontiac,
and during the last years of his life its President.
During the war he was appointed Provost Mlarshal,
and in the trying and gloomy times of the Rebellion he conducted the affairs of the office in a most
satisfactory manner. An Act of Congress in July,
1862, created the Union Pacific Railroad and Telegraph Company, and Mr. McConnell was appointed
by President Lincoln, one of the two Commissioners for the State of Michigan; he was likewise one
of the incorporators of the company. The first
meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held
at Bryan Hall in the city of Chicago, Tuesday, September 2, 1862.
The birthplace of Mr. McConnell was Floyd,
Oneida County, N. Y., and his natal day February
14, 1813. He was the eldest son of Joseph and
Roxy (Morse) McConnell, and in the paternal line
was of Scotch descent. His great-grandfather,
George McConnell, was born in Berwick-uponTweed, and was a graduate of the university of
Edinburgh, where a warm friendship had been
formed between him and the eldest son of the Duke
of Hamilton. The two young men traveled together for three years over Europe, the Holy Land
and Egypt, Mr. McConnell acting in the capacity
of tutor and companion. He accompanied young
Hamilton to the Bermuda Islands as Secretary,
when the nobleman was appointed Governor, and
remained with him several years, until failing
health obliged him to resign his position. Mr. McConnell then went to New York, and remaining in
the United States became the founder of this
branch of the family. In Bedford, Westchester
County, N. Y., he married Martha Seeley, daughter of Jonathan and Electa Seeley.
A few years after the birth of our subject, his
parents removed to Vienna, now called McConnellsville, in the same county in which the lad was born.
He received his academic education in Cazenovia,
and at the age of eighteen years entered the drygoods store of Mudge & Doty, in Rome, for the
purpose of thoroughly acquainting himself with the
mercantile business. Two years later his father established him in the dry-goods trade in McCon,




276


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHITCAL ALBUM.M


2  P


nellsville, where he remained three years. He then
came West, and in September, 1836, opened a drygoods store in Pontiac, which continued under his
name and supervision-except during the interims occasioned by two fires which necessitated a
removal and rebuilding, until the year 1869. The
proprietor then retired from business in favor of
his sons H. P. and W. C., the former of whom
eventually became the sole proprietor of the establishment, and still enjoys the heritage of his father.
In July, 1836, Mr. McConnell was married to
Miss Cleantha B. Parke, eldest daughter of the late
Capt. Hervey Parke, of Pontiac, one of the earliest
Michigan pioneers, a Government Surveyor, and a
highly esteemed and widely known citizen. Mr.
McConnell died April 13, 1885. His widow and
four children survive him: Hervey Parke, of Pontiac; Willard C., of Adrian; Ada C., now Mrs. H.
C. Wisner, of Detroit; and Florence L., now Mrs.
W. 1. Butts, of Orchard Lake. His second son,
Joseph, laid down his life for the Union, dying in
the hospital near Murfreesboro, Tenn., January 14,
1863, of wounds received in the battle of Stone
River. He was First Lieutenant in the Eighteenth
United States Infantry.
From his earliest residence in Pontiac Mr. McConnell was zealous for its interest and that of the
county, and sought to bestow a legacy upon the
community that should reach into the future and
prove a blessing to the generations that should
come after him. He was a man of noble and generous impulses, and comprehensive views, his hospitality was unbounded, and his purse ever open to
the deserving poor. In 1842 he united with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and from that time he
labored, planned and sacrificed for its prosperity.
In him ttle minister found a true friend, and in the
early days of the church in Michigan his home was
regarded as a welcome retreat by the poorly-paid,
way-worn itinerant, who was warmly welcomed and
sent on his way rejoicing.
Mr. McConnell was Superintendent of the Sunday-school for twenty-five years, and several times
was a lay delegate to the annual conference. In
his early life he was a Democrat, but being uncompromisingly opposed to the further extension
of slavery, he was soon identified with the Free

Soilers, and later was among the very first in the
organization of the Republican party, and one of
its stanchest supporters. In 1867 he was elected
delegate to the convention to revise the State Constitution, and at the meeting he was thoughtful for
the people's good, and broad in his outreaching
over the State.
-— ~~~ --- —G   HARLES M. RAYNALE, M. D. It is not
altogether a knowledge of herbs and nostrums that brings success to the physician.
In order to attain true eminence he must possess
the spirit of patient research into the intricacies of
tile human form, and kindly sympathies which will
give to those who have called him in counsel, confidence in his humanity as well as his skill. The
career of Dr. Raynale, one of the leading practitioners of this county, has been creditable in the
extreme, both personally and as a physician. He
commands an extensive practice, stands high in
social and financial circles, and is one of the best
know and most highly respected citizens of Birmingham. A man of fine attainments intellectually,
with broad and liberal views, he in addition to his
habit of thought and observation, has fortified his
mind with a store of useful knowledge, not only in
connection with his profession but concerning matters and things generally.
The parents of our subject were Dr. Ebenezer
and Eliza (Cassedy) Raynale.  His father was
born in Hartland, Windsor County, Vt., October
12, 1804, and acquired a fair education in his
youth. Early in life he began the study of medicine, reading in Niagara County, N. Y., and at
Springfield, Pa., and in 1828 received the degree
of Doctor of Medicine.   Shortly afterward he
came West and located at Franklin, this county,
practicing medicine two years, then returning east
married in 1830, Miss Eliza Cassedy, bringing his
young bride to his Western home, but ere long
removed to a farm in Bloomfield Township. He
still gave all his time to his profession, and until
within a few years of his death, which occurred
when he was ripe in years, he was constantly and
successfully engaged, His professional ability was




PORT'RAIT AND BIOGRAPeHICAL ALBUM.


277


POTRI AN     BIGA.IA  ALU.7
--   -- - L — --  - - - - -.


unquestioned, and for many years he stood in the
foremost ranks of the physicians of the county.
He was liberal to a fault, and would often deprive
himself of comforts in order to help the poor. No
one ever called for his services in vain and no
weather prevented his attending a patient. On
one occasion he went several miles into the country to see a sick lady who was very poor. On his
return he was lost in a snow storm and traveled
over sixty miles, being out all day and night, yet
his bill was only $3.
In 1839 Dr. Ebenezer Raynale removed to Birmingham, which was then in its infancy, and here
he remained until his death, March 24, 1881. He
was one of the men of the early days who were
always willing to lend a helping hand to enterprises calculated to upbuild and better the community. He was not only favorably known in his
own county, but his reputation as a politician and
statesman extended over the State. In 1835 he
was chosen one of the delegates to assist in framing
the first constitution and the fall of the following
year was elected to the first State Senate. While
in the active discharge of his duties in Detroit he
was taken violently ill, and his brother senators
provided a covered wagon and placed him on a
bed therein, sending him home as they supposed
to die. But he recovered and outlived them all,
being the last survivor of the first State Senate.
He was a stanch Jeffersonian Democrat, and was
intimately associated with Gen. Cass and Hon.
Stephen T. Mason. His death left but two living
who were members of the first Territorial Convention of Michigan-Dr. Joseph Howell and John J.
Adams, of St. Joseph County. Dr. Raynale assisted
in forming the first State Medical Association of
Michigan. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and always exhibited a keen interest in the
order. A gentleman of the highest type, beloved
by all who knew him, his death cast a gloom over
the entire community, and it is doubtful whether
the county ever had or will have a citizen whose
name will live longer than that of Dr. Raynale.
The wife of this gentleman and mother of our
subject, was born in Springville, Pa., October 30,
1805. She was a lady of marked intellect and was
always found drawing around herself and family


the best social influences, such as are calculated to
upbuild the moral and religious elements. Were
this record to fail to perpetuate her good name in
connection with her husband's, it would fail in one
of its chief purposes-that of recording lives
worthy of emulation. Mr. and Mrs. Raynale had
five children, one of whom died in infancy. The
parents lived to see the others take their places as
good and useful citizens. The eldest of the family
was Harriet E., now deceased, who was the wife of
Ezra R. King, of Pontiac; the second was Spencer
B., a bright young attorney, who is now dead; the
third is Mary E., now the wife of George A. Patterson, of Detroit; the youngest is Charles M., the
subject of this biographical sketch.
The birthplace of Dr. C. M. Raynale was Birmingham  and the date of the interesting event
December 29. 1846. He grew up in his native
place and his boyish days did not differ materially
from  those of others in the locality.  He was
trained to habits of industry and usefulness and
the sentiments of honor which have followed him
through life. His first studies were pursued in the
schools of Birmingham, and later he attended
school at.Corunna for a time and then began reading medicine with his father. He subsequently
entered the Lake Forest University at Cleveland,
Ohio, and took one course of lectures; and next
entered the Detroit Medical College, from which
institution he was graduated in the spring of 1869.
The young physician at once located in Birmingham and began the practice to which he has given
his time and thought, he having taken his father's
place in the profession and enjoying a large and
lucrative practice. Following in the footsteps of
his honored father he is politically a decided Democrat, but he has taken no more interest in politics
than is expected of every good citizen. He has
taken a Chapter degree in Masonry and stands high
in fraternal circles. As has been intimated, he is
a man of thought and intelligence, well read and
a good conversationalist, while his high moral
principles and courtesy have given him the position
in which he stands among his fellow-men. Financial prosperity has accrued to him and is merited,
as it is by all of similar character and attainments.
The presiding genius of Dr. Raynale's home ij




278


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I —


the lady who became his wife December 25, 1873.
She was at that time living in Birmingham, but her
birthplace was Danville, Pa., and her maiden name
Hannah M. Bodine. She is a daughter of John
and Elizabeth (Hefley) Bodine, to whose sketch
the reader is referred for the history of her ancestors. She is one of those noble women whose generous sympathies, gentle wisdom and loveableness
endear them to the hearts of all who become
familiar with their good qualities, and who are
respected by even their casual acquaintances. She
has in all respects been the assistant of her husband, taking pride in his success and in sustanining
the reputation and standing of the family. Dr.
and Mrs. Raynale have had one son born to them,
George P., whose natal day was May 31, 1880.


>*f Co


FEV. SYLVESTER CALKINS, who is now
engaged as a florist and market gardener in
Lyon Township, can look back over a long
and useful life, including a quarter of a
century of earnest, zealous labor for the cause of
Christianity. For that length of time he was engaged in the Christian ministry, and from 1857 to
1861 he was Presiding Elder of the Romeo District. Too energetic to be idle, Mr. Calkins is now,
in his declining years, carrying on the largest greenhouses in the State, with the exception of those at
Detroit. He has over half an acre under glass and
his regular sales of plants extend over an area from
Ionia to Plymouth, and from Romeo to Jackson,
while his occasional sales cause the shipping of the
products of his garden as far away as Colorado.
The immediate progenitors of the Rev. Mr. Calkins were Eleazer E. and Anna (Blood) Calkins, natives of New York and Massachusetts. The father
was born in 1797, and the mother in 1798, and
their marriage occurred in 1818. In 1832 they
came to this State, and coming direct to Lyon
Township, they located on land included on sections 21 and 27, Mr. Calkins bought one hundred
and sixty acres from the Government, and subsequently added forty acres adjoining. Hedied there
in 1867. His attention had been divided between


farming and work at the trade of a carpenter, in
which he was well skilled. Mrs. Calkins was a
daughter of Israel and Sarah (Upton) Blood, of the
Bay State, and both family names are well known
in the East. She was the mother of one daughter
and three sons, of whom our subject was the firstborn.
The Rev. Mr. Calkins was born in Monroe
County, N. Y., in 1819, and landed in Detroit the
(lay he was thirteen years old, October 16, 1832.
His early advantages did not differ materially from
those of other boys who lived in rural districts, but
he had sufficient love for learning and determination of character to make good use of his opportunities, and become practically well-informed. He
worked with and for his father until le was of age,
soon after which he bought eighty acres of wild
land and began to clear up a farm. For seven winters he taught a school, spending the intervening
months in developing his property. He then began his work in the ministry, and the first year was
in Mason, Ingham County. He has been engaged
to some extent in the trades and mercantile pursuits, having at one time carried on a wagon and
blacksmith shop, and at other periods managed a
hardware store and a drug-store.
In May, 1849, Mr. Calkins was married to Miss
Harriet A., daughter of Israel and Julia A. (Parson) Arms. She was the eldest of five daughters
and three sons born to her parents, and was her
mother's close companion and assistant. She was
carefully reared, with all the knowledge of housewifely arts which is characteristic of the natives of
the New England States, and grew to womanhood
with a fine character and much general intelligence.
Mr. and Mrs. Calkins are childless, but they have
reared several children, and given them good educations. One of those to whom they acted the
part of father and mother, is now in Paris, France.
The first Presidential vote cast by Mr. Calkins,
was for the opponent of William Henry Harrison,
and the last one le has deposited prior to this date
(1891), was for Gen. Fisk. He has been a Good
Templar and Mason, but is now a demitted member of the last order. During the war he was connected with the Union League. His neighbors and
fellow-citizens have considered him worthy of their




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


279.


suffrages for responsible local positions, and he has
been Township Clerk, Justice of the Peace and
School Inspector. The good he accomplished while
working in the ministry, cannot be estimated until
time shall be no more, as it is a constantly widening circle. Sufficient is known, however, of his life
and character to stamp him as one worthy of respect and deep friendship. Having first visited
Detroit when its population was about four thousand, and Woodbridge Street was the only one of
any consequence, he has a good fund of early recollections from which to draw entertainment. He
remembers being all day traveling nine and a half
miles from that city, and three days in reaching
Lyon Township. He has furnished a very interesting series of pioneer sketches for the local papers.
NGUS McCALLUM. Many beautiful farms
|will be seen by the traveler through West
Bloomfield Township, but none more attractive than that of Mr. McCallum, on
section 9. It consists of one hundred and fifty
acres of land which is carefully and intelligently
tilled and systematically managed. The land is at
the west end of Orchard Lake, from the waters of
which the residence is but thirty or forty rods distant. The dwelling is a two-story frame, comfortable and home-like in appearance and giving evidence of the presence of an orderly and refined
woman within. The grounds in front of the house
are adorned with evergreens that are kept well
trimmed and form beautiful vistas through which
to gaze upon the clear waters of the lake. Among
the farm buildings are two large barns and such
granaries and sheds as the extent of the work carried on makes convenient.
As the patronymic indicates Mr. McCallum is of
Scotch blood and his birthplace was Paisley, Scotland, where he opened his eyes to the light September 20, 1847. He was the first child born of the
union of Archibald and Mary (Taylor) McCallum,
the other members of the family circle being Margaret, Peter and Archie (twins) and Mary. Archibald McCallum had been previously married and


by his first wife, whose maiden name was Robertson, he had three children-Elizabeth, John and
Ellen. The parents emigrated in 1850, and in July,
shortly after their arrival on American shores, were
settled on the farm which the son now occupies.
There they spent the remnant of their days.
The father was a tanner by trade and followed
that occupation in his native land, and for nine
years after his emigration he operated a tannery in
Pontiac. From that time he devoted himself entirely to agriculture. He purchased seventy-nine
acres of land in 1850 and in 1864 bought eighty
acres more. He died well off. He had an excellent education, was a man of wide reading and
information and was an earnest, working member
of the Presbyterian Church. His wife was a member of the same religious body and she too was
active in the work carried on by the same. Mr.
McCallum took little interest in politics except to
keep posted regarding the issues of the day and
vote the Republican ticket.
Angus McCallum was but three years old when
his parents came to this State and his life thus far
has been spent on the farm he now owns. After
the death of his parents he bought out the interest
of the other heirs and retained the homestead in
which he had a share. Naturally deeply interested
in matters pertaining to the welfare of agriculturalists, he is a member of the Patrons of Industry.
He has held the offices of Township Clerk and Treasurer and always votes the Republican ticket. He
was married April 16, 1873, to Miss Lucy Crickmore, a native of West Bloomfield Township, and
daughter of Robert and Mary (Neat) Crickmore.
Their marriage has been blest by the birth of one
daughter, Mildred E. The McCallums have good
standing in society and have many warm friends.
IRAM    C U R TIS was born in Addison
T)ownship, on the farm where he now resides, November 5, 1848. His father, Zimri
Curtis, was a Vermonter, who came to Michigan at an early day and was one of the first to enter land in this township. Here in the days when




280


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




I


the country was full of game and Indians, he built
a log house and cleared and improved his land.
His death occurred in 1873 when he was sixty-five
years old. His wife was Amanda Lockwood of
New York. She survived her husband nine years
and died in her seventy-first year.
Seven children were given to Zimri and Amanda
Curtis, all but one of whom are still living. Mr.
Curtis was horn in the log house which his father
built and attended school in the log schoolhouse.
He began life for himself about the year 1870, and
at that time undertook the management of the old
homestead upon which he still lives. Shortly after
his father's death lie bought the property from the
other heirs. His marriage took place in 1872, his
wife being Almira Burns, a native of Addison
township and a daughter of Alanson and Julia
Burns.
Three children have been sent to cluster about
the hearthstone of our subject. They are by name,
Maude, Zimri and Blanche. The parents of these
children, with true benevolence have added to their
household an adopted daughter, Alvira by name.
The political preferences of Mr. Curtis are embodied in the platform of the Democratic party.
He, however, has taken only a quiet part in political movements, being satisfied with casting his ballot on election day for the men and the measures
which he esteems best. His two hundred acres of
fine land are in an excellent state of cultivation
and a credit to the farmer who owns them.
sRASTUS WOODRUFF, a prosperous and
progressive farmer of Novi Township, is a
son of John Woodruff, who was a farmer
and soldier in the War of 1812, and whose native
home was Canandaigua, N. Y. He removed to Monroe County, the same State, in 1808 and remained
there till 1823. His father, Charles, was an Englishman who came to America and settled in Connecticut upon a farm before the Revolutionary
War, in which he served as a Dragoon, and bore
to his grave a slight wound received in that
conflict. The mother of our subject, Polly (Sage)


Woodruff, was born near the Susquehanna River
in Pennsylvania. She was of Welsh descent and
her father also was one of the Revolutionary hereos.
The parents of our subject were united in marriage in New York and resided there in various
localities until 1834, when they came to Michigan
and made their home in West Bloomfield Township, on an unbroken farm for which they obtained
a Government patent signed by Andrew Jackson.
Here they had to cut their own way through the
woods and clear a spot to erect the log house in
which to establish their happy home. They lived
on this place until 1843, when they removed to
Ionia County, and made their home again in a
shanty on a new farm in Orange Township. Mr.
Woodruff was fatally injured while felling trees
and died June 1844. His wife followed him to the
grave two years later. Of their seven children two
only are living.
The birth of Mr. Woodruff took place January
20, 1820, in Monroe County, N. Y. He was
thirteen years old when he came to the West and
enjoyed greatly the pioneer life, intercourse with
the Indians and adventures with wild animals.
There was no school near him for several years and
he received but little school education. He had
command of his own time after he was nineteen
years old and although empty handed and without
means he went to work in good earnest. For six
years he served Jacob Hosner, at $12 per month.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Melinda
Bullock, was solemnized by Elder Eri Prince,
October 22, 1843. This lady is a daughter of
Amos M. and Sallie (Allen) Bullock, both New
Yorkers who came to Michigan in 1836 and made
their home in West Bloomfield Township. Here
they took up thirty-six acres of land from the
Government and for years lived in a log house
with one window and no chimney. They were
the parents of seven children three of whom are
now living. Mr. Bullock died in 1851 and his
good wife survived him until 1873.
Mrs. Woodruff was by birth a New Yorker and
her natal day was January 10, 1823. She received
an excellent district school education which she
improved to such an extent as to become a teacher
after she came West, and received the munificient




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


281




=


salary of $1 a week. This young wedded couple
settled on the farm owned by John Woodruff and
remained there for three years. They then removed
to a new farm in Orange Township, Ionia County.
Here again on a new farm they built a log house
and cleared away the timber. After fifteen months
they returned to West Bloomfield Township, and
undertook the same work. After clearing thirty
acres they exchanged it for land in Clinton County,
but never removed there.
It is now thirty-eight years since Mr. Woodruff
came to Novi Township, and made his home on
sixty-five acres of raw land. He afterwards added
to his farm till he now has one hundred and twentysix acres, twenty acres of which he cleared himself.
Six years ago, he erected the neat residence which
now takes the place of the little log shanty which
was their first home on this land. The new house cost
over $1,200 besides the labor Mr. Woodruff placed
upon it. He is actively carrying on the farm himself and with his noble and faithful companion has
gained unaided the fine property which they now
possess. Five of their seven children live to cheer
the hearts of their parents.
The eldest son of the family, George O., is a
husband and the father of one child. He was a
soldier in the Tenth Michigan Cavalry and served
his country for more than two years. He now lives
on the Pacific Coast. John A., married Elizabeth
Sagur and lives in Kansas. Jane A., Mrs. Hugh
Porter, lives in Mecosta County and is the mother
of ffve children.  Lester and his wife, whose
maiden name was Sarah Taylor, live in this township; they have one child. Libbie the wife of
Jewett Randall, is the mother of two children and
makes her home in Farmington Township. One
son Henry C., was a member of Company C, First
Michigan Cavalry.   He enlisted in 1861, and
served until his capture by the enemy at Fairfield
Gap, Md. lIe was taken to Belle Isle and thence
to Andersonville Prison and died from exposure
and privations the day after his term of service of
three years had expired. His death took place
August 23, 1864 and his remains are still in Southern soil.
Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff are members of the
Baptist Church at Walled Lake in which he is a




I


I


Deacon and where they find a broad field of
Christian activity. He was a member of the local
school board and has also acted as Road Overseer.
In politics he is an out and out Republican. He
lhas always been a man of strictly temperate habits
and they are both yet in the harness and doing
efficient work in every department of life.
L  ARRISON BALDWIN, of Oxford,was born
in Cayuga County, N. Y., February 16,
1825. He is a son of James and Hannah
(Cushing) Baldwin, natives of Connecticut
and Vermont, respectively. James was but a year
and a half old when his father, Josiah by name,
removed to New York. This child grew up to be
active and strong, and was a wagon-maker or
wheelwright as the trade was then called. He
moved to Ohio near Oberlin in 1834, and in 1836
came to Michigan, locating in Oakland County.
Here he followed the same business until his death
August 26, 1857. His wife followed him to the
grave November 6, 1860. To them were born
seven children: Alvira, widow of Horatio Fuller
of Grand Rapids; Martha, widow of Porter J. Laurence, at Winnebago, Ill.; Alvin, who resides at
Mt. Vernon, Mich.; Eunice, deceased; Harrison;
Julia, widow of Joseph Burwell, of Madison, Wis.,
and Sarah, wife of William Bland, at Flushing,
Mich.
Harrison was eleven years old when his parents
came to this county, so that he has witnessed the
growth and development of Michigan, and has seen
the change from forest to city. He commenced to
learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner at seventeen years of age. A brother had followed this
trade and encouraged him to take it up. which he
did and worked at it for fifteen years.
In 1849 young Baldwin came to Oxford, and
pursued his trade. In 1861 he became the funeral
director for this section of country, and combined
with it the furniture trade, which he sold out in
1887, so that he is now exclusively engaged in undertaking. He has taken charge of over two thousand funerals since he went into this line of work.




282


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


He keeps two hearses and a funeral car, and is far
better equipped for the business than many undertakers in larger cities.
Our subject chose as his life companion, Martha
Langworthy, a native of New York. Their marriage took place October 9, 1866. Three children
have been granted to them, namely, Arthur D. and
Judson C., who are both with their father in business, and Ina May. The mother of these children
was called away by death February 16, 1887. Mr.
Baldwin is a member of the Masonic order. He
is an active and earnest member of the Baptist
Church with which he has been connected for forty-nine years. He has also been Trustee in the
local Church. He is Democratic in politics and
has served faithfully when raised by his fellow-citizens to positions of trust. He was Alderman the
first two years after the incorporation of the village and has been Treasurer three years and Clerk
three years. Our subject is now President of the
Board of Undertakers and General Manager of
that body.
-'^ALDING L. HELIKER, a resident of section 14, Farmington Township, was born
in Jasper Township, Steuben County, N.
Y., June 1, 1827. His father, Benjamin,
was a native of Dutchess County, where he followed the blacksmith's trade until the age of forty
years, after which he engaged in farming both in
New York and Farmington Township, this county,
to which he came in 1836, and where he resided
until his death. His wife, Betsey E. Coonley, was
a native of the same county with her husband and
came with him to Michigan where she also passed
away. Of their children, nine grew to manhood
and womanhood, and all are now living but two.
Balding was a little lad of nine years when he
came with his parents to the new home in the West
and he remained with them until their death. In
1848 he married Rosamond Spencer, a native of
Farmington Township and a daughter of Merlin
and Beulah (Power) Spencer; they were natives of
Vermont and New York respectively, and are


deceased. Their six children all have grown to
man's and woman's estate. They are named, Merlin, who resides near the home; Beulah, Mrs. Frank
Culver, of Farmington Township; Alice, who died
when twenty-one years old; Edgar, lives one mile
north of the home place; Electa, who married
Henry West, and died at the age of twenty-six
years, and Charles resides at home
Mr. Heliker was twenty-eight years old when lie
located on the fine tract of land where he now resides. Ile now has four hundred and two acres in
the county, upon all of which he has made great
improvements. He also has three excellent dwelling houses, three good barns and other farm buildings, and he and his sons are doing a general farming business. For many years he ran a threshing
machine in Oakland County, as did his father before him and his sons have taken up that line of
work. He and his brother and father have cleared
many and many an acre of. land in Farmington
Township. He is a Republican in his political
views but never cared to meddle with politics.
This was well understood by his neighbors, who
nevertheless at one time earnestly solicited him to
take the office of Justice of the Peace, but he steadfastly declined. He is a man who is highly honored and respected by all who know him, and his
family are among the best known and best liked in
that part of the county. They have in their possession a family relic, a clock that was his grandfather's, and is known to have belonged to the family for over one hundred years.
it.,


p     ICHAEL MANEY, deceased, a former resident of Royal Oak Township, was born in
County Tipperary, Ireland, about 1810,
and came to America when a boy and
spent several years in Pennsylvania and New York.
In 1830 he 'was married to Mary Danahe, whose
parents were natives of Ireland and died there
when she was quite young. She was the only
daughter in a family of three, and came to this
country with her older brother, Richard.
Mr. and Mrs. Maney came to Oakland County








'4 —
4'.,,,L, 'c   V,
-  -.,   ', S  U; 2~~
-—, N 3;




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


285.


about the year 1832, and bought eighty acres of
land from a Mr. Stewart who had cleared about
five acres of it. Here they made their home and
brought up their eight children, whose names are
as follows: Joanne, Richard, and James, deceased;
Margaret, Mary Ann; Michael and Thomas deceased, and Ellen.
Joanne was the wife of Herman Bartels, and resided in Macomb County, Mich. Both she and her
little child, Herman, lie by the side of her parents
in the cemetery at Detroit. Ellen is the widow of
Thomas Handley, and lived on the old homestead.
She is the mother of four children. Margaret was
married in 1870 to Daniel Dunn, and is the mother
of three children, two of whom died in infancy.
She resides in Troy Township;  arart   Margaret and Mary
Ann, own about two hundred and sixty-five
acres of land in Royal Oak Townshil, and they
make their home upon a portion of it on section 1,
where they carry on general farming. They built
the house where they now live and a new barn for
cattle, of which they have twenty head. They are
efficient and energetic farmers, and are highly respected in the community.   They are devoted
members of the Roman Catholic Church.
The subject of this sketch was a Democrat and
cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. Both lie
and his faithful wife were members of the Catholic Church. He departed this life on Christmas
Day, 1871, and his wife passed away June 14,
1884. They lie side by side in the Mount Elliott
Cemetery, at Detroit.
APT. HERVEY PARKE, whose portrait is
presented on the opposite page, was born
in Middle Haddam, Conn., April 14, 1790.
His father, John Parke, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, entering the army in 1776, at the
age of sixteen years, and serving until the close of
the war. He was Sergeant of the guard attending
the execution of Maj. Andre and often related to
his son the circumstances of that tragic event;
also the memorable words he heard from the lips
of the young officer when he first saw the gallows,


"I am satisfied to die, but not with the mode."
Soon after the war was ended he marrried Bethiah
Smith, also of Middle Haddam, and who, like himself, waas descended from English ancestors. He
was commissioned Major by Gov. Trumbull, and
was for many years owner and captain of a sailing-vessel, engaged in the coasting trade and making an occasional visit to the West Indies.
Having frequently accompanied his father on
his voyages, young Hervey learned to love the sea
and desired to study navigation, which his father
opposed, and insisted upon his learning surveying.
Concluding his studies at the age of nineteen, he
went to what was then considered the West, and
walking the entire distance, as was the custom of
the times, located in Camden, Oneida County,
N. Y. A few years later he married Mercy Bronson, recently from Connecticut, purchased a farm
and engaged in school teaching during the winter
seasons. We learn from his written reminiscences,
read before the Oakland County Pioneer Society
February 27, 1874, that in February, 1821, while
returning from his school one evening he suddenly
resolved that he would go to Michigan. He had
learned from a New York City paper that there
was prospective land surveying in that young Territory, and for him to decide was to act.
Although his starting out to an unknown land
was opposed by his friends, and only his wife, a
woman of great energy of character, approved, he
immediately commenced preparation by securing
letters of introduction to Gov. Cass from Gov.
DeWitt Clinton, Henry R. Schoolcraft, and Judge
Wright, Chief Engineer of the Erie Canal. On
March 21, 1821, he started on foot in company
with Samuel Treat Bryant and John Simonds (the
first persons to leave Central New York for the Far
West). During this entire journey of five hundred
miles Mr. Parke carried a knapsack of forty-five
pounds weight, including his surveying instruments.
Arriving at Detroit after sixteen days of travel
through mud and water in Canada, Mr. Parke immediately made the acquaintance of Gen. Cass, and
soon proceeded to the little settlement, where now
stands the village of Birmingham. It was then
inhabited by four families, viz: Elisha Hunter, his




286


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


son, John West Hunter, Elijah Willett and John
Hamilton.  Three-fourths of a mile north, on
Swan's Plains, now crossed by the Detroit, Grand
Haven & Milwaukee Railroad, lived Dr. Swan,
and a little distance further on his con-in-law, Sidrey Dole, who was at the same time Postmaster,
Justice of the Peace, Registrar of Deeds, and
County Clerk of Oakland County, the jurisdiction of which extended as far north as Saginaw.
At Hunter's Mr. Parke met Horatio Ball, who
had received a contract for subdividing ten townchips of land between Flint and Cass Rivers,
covering the ground which is now occupied by
the city of Flint. Our subject arranged to accompany him as assistant and carry the compass half the time. There was considerable delay
in waiting for Joseph Wampler, who had previously subdivided ranges 10 and 11, in Oakland County, and who was now to run the
town lines. In the interval the party suffered
greatly from the want of provisions. On the completion of the survey Capt. Parke accompanied
Mr. Ball to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he made his
returns, and on presenting his letters with an additional one from Gov. Cass to the Surveyor-General, Hon. Edward Tiffin, he received the assurance
of work in the near future. The purpose of his
visit to Michigan being accomplished, he returned
home after an absence of eleven months.
All preliminaries arranged, the morning May 12,
1822, was fixed upon for the departure of Capt.
Parke to his new home, with his family consisting
of his wife and one child, now Mrs. W. M. McConnell. So remarkable an occurrence was the
removal of this first family to a land so distant
and comparatively unknown as Michigan, that a
tearful company of neighbors assembled. and the
Rev. Henry Smith, pastor of the Presbyterian
Church, offered prayer and gave them his blessing.
The Erie Canal was completed to within eighty
miles of Buffalo, and from  this terminus they,
with their few goods, were conveyed by wagons
to Buffalo, where they found that the "Superior,"
the only steamer on the lakes, was absent on her
first trip to Detroit. and the family waited a week
for her return and next departure.
The steamer stopped at Sandusky, and there


Capt. Parke first met Judge Burt, one of the early
Michigan surveyors and inventor of the solar compass. This was the commencement of a lifelong
friendship. From Detroit the family proceeded to
J. W. Hunter's, whose hospitable kindness, together
with that of his excellent wife, always remained a
delightful memory. By that gentleman our subject was assisted in completing a partially built
log house, containing one room, which the family
occupied for nearly two years. In the spring of
1823 his brother, Dr. Ezra S. Parke, having recently completed his medical studies, arrived with
his wife and infant daughter, and the little settlement of Hunter's was then increased to five families. The Doctor was an earnest, zealous Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and soon after his arrival commenced holding in
his own house religious meetings, consisting of
prayer and Scripture reading, for which the few
neighbors assembled on Sunday afternoon. The
interest was increased by the singing of his wife,
who was remarkable for her rich, pure voice as
well as for all womanly and Christian graces.
These are believed to have been the first Protestant religious services held north of Detroit, with
the exception of a sermon by a Methodist minister, to which Capt. Parke listened in 1821, in the
bar-room of the small log tavern kept by Elijah
Willett.
The services of Dr. and Mrs. Parke in those
early days should receive a more extended mention than this limited space will permit. As in
other new countries, the upturning by the plough
and exposure to the sunshine of the rich soil, together with the building of mill-dams, originated
malarial fevers of a distressing and malignant na.
ture; and while the kind, conscientious physician
spent his days and often nights in ministering to the
sick, often traveling long distances, supplying the
necessary medicines, for which and for his personal services, compensation was the exception
rather than the rule, his wife watched by the
bedside of the afflicted ones, closed the eyes of
the dying, and with ah innate tenderness, intensified by the love of the Master, comforted the
hearts of the bereaved and suffering ones. She
literally went about doing good, and her memory




PORTRAIT AND BIOG RAPHICAL ALBUM.


287


-P     A  A BI


is green in the hearts of the few that remain, who
will never cease to call her blessed.
In the fall of 1823 Capt. Parke bought of Mr.
Shubad Conant the southeast quarter of section 33,
Pontiac Township, paying therefor $3 per acre.
To this latter he added forty-seven acres. In May,
1824, he built a log house, which his family occupied until 1832, when he built the house near the
toll gate on the Detroit road, which is still standing, and the farm is occupied by D. M. Ferry as a
seed farm. This was located about one mile south
of the village of Pontiac, which at that time consisted of about a dozen frame and a few log
houses. Capt. Parke's first contract for surveying
was in the winter of 1822, in township 4 north,
range 11 east, and he commenced work seven
miles south of Fenton. His second contract was in
the vicinity of Adrian, while his later work extended over different portions of Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa. He ran all the town and most
of the subdivision lines from Lake Huron to Saginaw Bay on the West and from Black River to
Point aux Barques on the north. Nearly three
winters were spent here. Messrs. Thomas & Christian from Ohio had contracts, but after two weeks
abandoned their work and reported at the Surveyor-General's office, declaring the country uninhabitable and refusing to return.
Capt. Parke, who was never known to turn back
from any enterprise once commenced, remained
and completed their work as well as his own. The
country was almost entirely low land, covered in
the spring with water from melted snows, while
dense cedar swamps abounded. For six or eight
weeks in the spring the lands in the vicinity of the
heads of Cass and Black Rivers were under water
from knee to waist deep in many places, and the
surveyors were obliged, while extending range and
township lines, to carry their own blankets and
provisions. At night they were fortunate if they
could keep dry on their beds, made of poles piled
high and covered with hemlock boughs. The last
United States surveying done by Capt. Parke was
subdividing twelve townships in Iowa, which was
completed in January, 1838.
The other United States surveyors residing in
Michigan at this early date were John Mullet, Lu

cius Lyon, Judge Burt, Sylvester Sibley and Origen Risdon. Capt. Parke survived them all excepting the latter. It may be interesting to many
persons to learn what constituted the outfit of a
surveying party sixty years ago. Two French
ponies, that could live on one pint of corn per
day with browse from young green trees and
shrubs, carried the provisions for six persons from
the nearest settlement-twenty, sometimes fifty,
miles distant. Their driver, guided only by pocket
compass and marked trees, drove through the wilderness by day and at night slept by the side of
some fallen tree, wrapped in his blanket. The cook
prepared the unchanging meals: for breakfast fried
salt pork, hot bread-made of wheaten flour, cold
water, and yellow with saleratus-and strong green
tea. The "left-over" pork and bread, carried by
each man in his pocket, constituted the dinner, always eaten on the march. Returning late at night,
frequently walking several miles after concluding
the day's work, they enjoyed their most delightful
supper of hot bean soup and bread. There was
no dyspepsia, and Capt. Parke never knew a case
of sickness in his party, although the work was always done in the coldest weather and the trips
covered four or five months.
In 1845 Lucius Lyon, the Michigan surveyor,
was appointed Surveyor-General, and the office
removed to Detrroit. Mr. Lyon had served one
term as delegate to Congress from Michigan Territory some years previous, and one term after its
admission as a State. When not engaged in his
regular business Capt. Parke attended to his farm
and was frequently engaged in county surveying.
He also held for one term the office of Sheriff, to
which he was elected about 1832. He was the
third Sheriff of the county, William Morriss having
been the first and Schuyler Hodges the second.
As he was necessarily absent about every winter
and the business distasteful to him, he appointed
Orison Alien his Deputy and the latter performed
nearly all the duties of the office and succeeded
him at the close of his term of service.
In politics Mr. Parke had been an old-line
Whig, but his abhorrence of slavery drew him
early to the Republican party,of which he continued
a most earnest and faithful adherent. Possessing




288


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-- -I


great energy,indomitable perseverance and remarkable physical endurance, he was admirably fitted for
the hardships incident to the surveyor's life. His
early training by religious parents in the school
of New England morality, without any of its asceticism, doubtless aided in the formation of a
character and presence in which were combined a
dignified manner, a most amiable deportment,
great sweetness of temper, the strictest truthfulness and highest integrity. He was often heard to
declare that a man's word should be as good as his
bond under any and all circumstances, and that
he never kept a person with whom he had made
an engagement in waiting one minute.
After the death of his wife, in 1862, Capt. Parke
made his home with his son-in-law, Willard M. McConnell until his death, which occurred October
3, 1879, in the ninetieth year of his age. His
daughter, Mrs. McConnell, and son, John H., survive him. The younger daughter, wife of Levi
Bacon, died in 1854. When seventy-six years of
age Capt. Parke made a public profession of religion and united with the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Pontiac. Hopelessly afflicted with paralysis for thirteen years, his intellect was scarcely
clouded, his patience and faith unwavering; and
coming to the close of his long and useful life he
met the inevitable fate with saintly fortitude and
Christian dignity, leaving to his friends the blessed
assurance that 'all is well."
H. TOMPKINS is senior member of the
firm of Tompkins & Williams, dealers in
furniture and undertaking supplies, in Pontiac. The firm carries a heavy stock, having four
rooms filled with well selected goods. Their enterprise has grown to such an extent as to give
them all the work they can conveniently handle,
and they do the principal part of the undertaking
in the city. Mr. Tompkins was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., July 18, 1839, and is the third
of nine children comprising the family of George
Washington and Martha (Barger) Tompkins. His
parents were natives of Dutchess County and were


of English descent and French extraction. His
occupation was farming. Soon after their marriage the parents of our subject settled in Tompkins County, where the father died in 1876, in the
seventy-second year of his age, and the mother in
1883, when seventy-eight years old.
Our subject attended the district school in his
native county and completed his more advanced
studies in Trumansburg Academy. He remained
with his parents until he had attained his majority
and then began farming on his own account. He
carried on agricultural work in his native State
until 1871, then came to Pontiac and for three
years was a clerk in a haidware store belonging to
Flower & Pitman. He then formed a partnership
with Joseph Voorhees, under the style of Voorhees
& Tompkins for the sale of furniture and undertakers' supplies. The firm carried on business
three years, and Mr. Tompkins then bought his
partner's interest and continued alone until 1885,
when William  E. Williams became his partner.
The firm occupies two stores, 20x100 long, and
two large warerooms, and their immense stock is
being constantly depleted and replenished on
account of a business which is the largest of the
kind in this or the adjoining counties.
Mr. Tompkins was married in November, 1862,
to Miss Nancy A. Voorhees, daughter of Peter
Voorhees, one of the early settlers of this county.
She died in 1875, leaving two children-Mattie C.
and Mary Grace. The latter lived to be but eleven
years old, and then joined her mother in the silent
land. Mattie is the wife of Washington P. Green,
whose home is in Oakland. In 1877 Mr. Tompkins contracted a second matrimonial alliance,
wedding Elizabeth A. Green, daughter of Daniel
Green, of this county. Mrs. Tompkins' parents
were among the early settlers here and Mrs. Tompkins is a native of this county. The results of
this marriage are a son and a daughter, named respectively Charlie H. and May.
In politics Mr. Tompkins is a Democrat. He is
representing the Fourth Ward in the Common
Council, and was formerly Supervisor from the
Third Ward. He took an active part in establishing the electric light system in Pontiac and is one
of the stockholders of the company, and was for




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


289


several years its Secretary and Manager. He and
his wife belong to the Presbyterian Church, have
good standing in that religious society and among
the people in general. Mr. Tompkins is enterprising and honorable in his business relations, shows
himself to be interested in the improvement of the
city, and bears his part in the social pleasures of
the intelligent and upright circles.
AMUEL J. WILLSON. The beautiful home
of the subject of this sketch attracts the eye
of the traveler passing along the highway
on section 16, of Royal Oak Township. He
was born February 24, 1839. His father, James S.
Willson was born in Cherry Valley, N. Y., in 1799
and was a graduate of the Lancaster School there.
His wife, Maria. to whom he was wedded in 1824,
was a daughter of E. and Gennett (Campbell) Lansing.  She was the fourth child and youngest
daughter of that household.  Her parents were
both natives of New York and the Lansing family
was originally from Holland.
John Willson, the grandfather of our subject,
was a farmer and a native of New York where he
was born about 1765. He was a child at the time
of the Massacre of Cherry Valley in 1776. His
wife, Pioebe Spencer, was of Scottish parentage.
The great-grandfather, James Willson, was a native
of Ireland, who came to America between 1750
and 1760 and was appointed high Sheriff of Albany
County, N. Y., under King George II. Our subject's grandfather and grandmother, John and
Phoebe Willson, were the parents of nine children,
three sons and six daughters, of whom James S.
was the eldest. This son and his wife, Maria, were
the parents of eleven children.
The son, Samuel J., left his home at Cherry Valley to attend school at Westfield Academy in
Chautauqua County, and in 1860 went to Indiana
and taught for one term. In the spring of 1861 he
entered Wabash College, but as the Civil War just
then broke out the boy dropped his books and
shouldered his musket. He enlisted for a service
of three months, April 21, 1861, in Company H,




I


I


Eleventh Indiana Volunteers. This was the celebrated Zouave Regiment which Col. Lew Wallace
commanded and it was raised in response to President Lincoln's first call. At the expiration of the
three months of enlistment, the young man immediately re-enlisted in the same company and regiment for a term of three years, and was commisioned as Second Lieutenant.
Lieut. Willson was present at Ft. Donelson and
at Shiloh. He was afterwards detailed to the Signal Corps at Paducah, Ky., and in August, 1862,
he resigned on account of ill health. He re-entered
the service in November, 1862, as Captain of Company K, Fifty-fourth Indiana Volunteers. He was
present at the battle of Chickasaw Bluff in December, 1862, and was wounded in the head by a fragment of shell. In May, 1863, he was present at the
battle of Magnolia Hill. He took part in the siege
of Vicksburg and immediately after the fall of that
fort went with Sherman to Jackson, Miss., and took
part in the fight with Johnston. He returned to
Vicksburg, and in August went with McClernand's
Thirteenth Army Corps to New Orleans. There
this valiant young Captain was given command of
a Pioneer Corps of the Ninth Division. Being sent
to Brazier City, La., he was taken sick and returned
to New Orleans, where he remained till his discharge in 1863. Two brothers of our subject also
fought in the War of the Rebellion-Robert C. and
Albert W. The latter died from wounds received
at Chancellorsville.
After his discharge Capt. Willson returned to
Westfield, N. Y. to find the wife whom he had
chosen. They were married on February 3, 1864.
The lady was Sarah E., daughter of Daniel and
Ann G. (Gibson) Shove. Mr. and Mrs. Shove
were natives of New York, and Daniel was the son
of Eli and Sarah   (Hungerford) Shove.   Mrs.
Shove's parents were of Irish descent.
Soon after marriage the young couple went to
Indiana and made their home near Attica, but did
not remain there long. Returning to New York
they made their home there till the fall of 1867
when they went to Iowa and remained until 1874.
In that year they came to Michigan and located on
section 33, Royal Oak Township, on a rented farm
of one hundredl and sixty acres, In 1877 they




290


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


came to the village of Royal Oak to make their
home. Mr. Willson served for one year as Township Superintendent of Schools and was Inspector
of Schools for two years. In 1882 he received a
back pension of $4,400, with which he bought a
farm of forty acres where he now lives.
The subject of this sketch has served as Justice
of the Peace for seven years and is now holding
that office. In 1885 and 1886 he was employed in
the office of the Secretary of State to assist in compiling the census. He is also a Notary Public. He
and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church and earnest laborers in the Sunday school. Mr. Willson has been Steward and
Trustee in the church and has sat as lay delegate
in the Annual Conference. His politics are embodied in the platform of the Republican party and he
delights to say that he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln and his last for Benjamin Harrison.
He has served as delegate in County, Congressional, Legislative and State conventions.
A family of seven children have gathered about
this worthy couple, they are: Charles G., born January 26, 1865; John Jay, February 28, 1866;
Mary, June 28, 1867; Sarah, September 11, 1868;
Albert W., September 28, 1869; Robert C., November 14, 1873; and Anna, August 16, 1875.
Sarah, Anna and Robert all died when young.
Mary is the wife of Warren W. Heavener.  She
lives in Royal Oak Township and has two children,
Margaret and Eleanor. Albert W. married Jennie
Willson, and lives in the village of Royal Oak;
they have two children. In 1830, Mr. Willson
was the census taker of this township. He draws
$24 per month pension which he richly deserves
for the gallant service he rerdered his country in
her hour of need.
TEPHEN    COOPER, a prosperous farmer
and highly respected resident of Royal
Oak Township, having his farm located
partly in that township and partly in Southfield, was born November 29, 1820, at Quogue, in
Suffolk County on Long Island, N. Y. His father


was a farmer and a native of the same place where
he was born in 1765. His wife, Hannah, was a
daughter of Enoch and Mehitabel (Post) Jagger.
They were also natives of Long Island and were
the parents of five children, of whom Hannah was
second daughter and third child.
John and Hannah Cooper were blessed with
eight children having an equal number of sons and
daughters. Their second son, Stephen, came with
them  to Wayne County, Mich., in 1833. John
Cooper located land in Redford Township, and
the deeds to his three hundred and twenty acres
were signed by Andrew Jackson. He remained
for forty years on this farm and it is still owned
by his son John. The father was a Deacon in the
Presbyterian Church, where both he and his excellent wife were active and consistent members.
When Stephen Cooper was a boy in Wayne
County he lived near the trail of the Shiawassee
Indians and often saw them as they passed on their
way to and from Detroit. He was not much of a
huntsman from inclination, but was active in
guarding his sheep and young cattle from the
wolves and frequently saw large herds of deer and
bears. He started for himself when twenty-one
years of age and spent one winter in Long Island.
The next spring when he returned West his father
gave him eighty acres of woodland and he began
the work of clearing the farm. Before he was
married, at the age of twenty-six years, he had his
farm in quite good condition and had built a house
and barns. His bride was Ann Eliza, daughter of
Thomas and Mary (Crawford) Barclay. Mr. and
Mrs. Barclay were New Yorkers and were the
parents of four sons and one daughter.
To Stephen and Ann Cooper were given two
children.  Mary B. was born in October, 1852.
She is the wife of E. C. Poppleton and resides at
Birmingham. She is the mother of four children,
all but one of whom   are living.  The second
daughter, H. Jennie, was born in February, 1866,
and is now a teacher in one of the high schools at
Detroit.
In 1860 Mr. Cooper purchased land in Oakland
County, securing about ninety-eight acres, one-half
of which was improved. He rebuilt the house and
improved all the buildings before moving his fam



PORTR1AIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


291


- --- ------




ily to the new home. He has laid out about five
miles of drainage tile on the farm. His faithful
wife was called from him by death, June 5, 1876.
and lies at rest in the Crooks cemetery in Troy
Township. He has been Supervisor of Royal Oak
Township for two terms, also Justice of the Peace
for eight years and has seen three years service as
Drainage Commissioner of the county. His earliest political affiliations were with the Whig party
and his first Presidential candidate was Henry
Clay. Later he was a Republican until the election of 1872, when he voted for the Democratic
candidate and has since cast his presidential ballot
for the Democratic nominee, while at the State and
county elections he votes for the men rather than
the politicians. He is a great worker in the church
and Sunday-school, having been Clerk of the session of the Presbyterian Church where he has been
an Elder for about thirty years. He is also Superintendent of the Sunday-school and is ever a liberal contributor to all worthy objects.
~ --- - c *i) i       F,h — --— 4
e    LAYTON McKENNEY, one of the prosperous and energetic farmers of Novi
Township, was born June 15, 1832, in Ontario, Canada. There he received a district school
education and grew to manhool, learning the
blacksmith trade and remaining at home until
after he reached his majority. His father, Alexander McKenney, was a soldier in the war of 1812.
He was born in 1793 in Schenectady, N. Y. He
was a farmer and blacksmith by occupation. His
wife, Mary (Stringer) McKenney, was born in
Welland County, Ontario, Canada, in 1801. They
were married in Canada and made that their permanent home. He died in 1865 and his widow
still survives at the extreme age of ninety years.
Seven of their eleven children are still living. The
parents were both members of the Church of the
United -Brethren.
The marriage of Mr. McKenney took place September 19, 1875. His bride was Sarah Jane Bentley, a daughter of Benjamin and Christina (Stringer)
Bentley. Their daughter Sarah was born April


20, 1841, in Ontario, Cunada. She grew to womanhood, attending the district school in Oakland
County, this State, and taking a year's schooling
at Ypsilanti. She then taught school both in this
county and in Clinton County. After marriage
the young couple resided in Canada for a year and
a half and then coming to West Novi, this county,
made their home here for six years. He followed
blacksmithing for that period of time and then removed to the farm where he now resides. He has
two hundred and fifteen acres of fine land in an
excellent state of cultivation.
Nine years ago Mr. McKenney built the handsome residence where he now lives, at a cost of
$2,500.  He also built an excellent blacksmith
shop and built and repaired a tenant house. One
child was sent to bless this union, Gertrude Ellen,
who was born July 12, 1866. She is now the wife
of John Erwin and resides in Commerce Township.
She has one child, Christina. Mr. and Mrs.
McKenney are both active and efficient members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Walled Lake
and he is Steward and Trustee in the same. The
daughter has been a student at the Normal school
at Fenton and has taught school in this county.
Our subject takes deep interest in politics and also
in every movement to promote temperance in the
community. His political views are expressed in
the platform of the Republican party. He has
filled the office of Road Overseer. He has been
school director for twelve years and has been frequently solicited to fill other offices of importance
in the town, but refused, preferring to give his
time and attention to home affairs.
B. PARKER, a farmer of Royal Oak Township, was born in Oneida County, N. Y.,
f June 8, 1816. His father, William  M.
Parker, was born in North Adams, Mass.,
in 1779, and went to Oneida County, N. Y, in 1793,
where he soon afterward married Miss Lydia Gilbert Bull, daughter of Asher Bull, of Connecticut,
of the Bull family well-known in the Revolutionary
War. This daughter, Lydia, was born in New Hart.




292


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


- I


ford, Conn.,in 1782 and went to New York with her
parents in 1806.
William M. and Lydia Parker were the parents
of eleven children, eight daughters and three sons,
of whom our subject is the oldest son and eighth
child. The family removed to Michigan in 1835
and in 1839 our subject was married to Harriet N.
Castle, a daughter of Heman and Nancy (Wilmarth)
Castle. Mr. Castle was born October 30, 1789, in
Westford, Vt., and was a carpenter and farmer.
He was at Plattsburg in the War of 1812. His parents were David and Sarah (Vickery) Castle. His
wife was born at Westford, Vt., in 1 792 and she
became the wife of Heman Castle July 7, 1812 and
in 1818 they moved to Victor, N. Y. They were
the parents of four children, three sons and one
daugllter, the latter being the wife of our subject.
The Castle family came to Michigan in September,
1830.
Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been blessed by the
birth of seven children, all of whom have grown
to maturity and have taken their places in the work
of the world. The eldest son R. A. Parker, born in
1843, is an attorney in Detroit. Julia It., born in
1845 is the wife of D. E. Wilber of Ypsilanti.
Lora E., born in 1847, is Mrs. C. Holscr of Pontiac.
Ella S., born in 1851, is the wife of John Benjamin
of Royal Oak. Will H., born in 1853, is a public lecturer on mesmerism. Lydia V. born in 1857, is
tlhe wife of HI. S. Blodgett of Royal Oak. Jessie F.
born in 1861, is the wife of John 11. Keist, and
lives on the farm at home.
Going back in the history of the Parker family,
we find Ezra the grandfather of our subject a farmer in Wallingford, Conn., where he was born in
1746. He had a Revolutionary experience for he
went as an Orderly with Arnold to Quebec and
was with Gen. Stark at Bennington, Vt. and Saratoga. Ezra Parker moved to Royal Oak, Mich.
with his son William in 1835 and died there in 1842.
His wife, Elizabeth Perry, was born in Massachusetts in 1760, and died at Sangerfield, Oneida County, N. Y. November 8, 1826. The early educa
tion of our subject was obtained in the common
schools and afterward in an academy at Waterville,
N. Y. When he first came to Michigan he came
to Royal Oak Township, and then spent four years


in Genesee County, but returned to the old farm in
Royal Oak. His first vote was for William Henry
Harrison and his last for Benjamin Harrison. He
now  has one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land. In 1858 he built the house where
he resides at a cost of $3,000. During the war he
was a member of the Union League. He has been
a Justice of Peace for eight years and has filled the
offices of Road Commissioner and Revisor of the
Taxes.
HRISTOPHER FOX.       Prominent among
the citizens of Avon Township, was the
gentleman whose name introduces this brief
biographical notice and   who was known for many
years as the owner of section 4. Although not one
of the first pioneers of this county he was identified
with its growth for a long time and his upright
life won for him the respect of the entire community. He was born in Northampton County, Pa.,
January 4, 1817, and was a blacksmith by trade.
He was united in marriage with Polly S. Ross, November 17, 1838, and removed to Michigan in 1860,
dropping work at his trade and engaging in farming. Ile was a very successful agriculturist and at
the time of his death he owned three large farms.
He was a well-known and highly-respected citizen
and when lie passed from earth May 1, 1886, he
was mourned by all who knew him. His wife, who
was born in Pennsylvania, August 8, 1816, still
survives and makes her home with her son.
Our subject left to each of his three sonsJames, George and William-a fine farm. James,
the eldest, now lives on the old homestead first
owned by his father. He was born in Northampton County, Pa., March 3, 1841, and accompanied
his parents to this State a few years before he became of age, He married a Miss Burrows December 31, 1863, and after a brief wedded life, the
wife died May 17, 1872, leaving a little daughter,
Hettie J., then eight years old, but now grown to
womanhood, and a very amiable and interesting
young lady. James Fox is a member of the Odd
Fellows fraternity; the American Order of United




I




Al   -        ---    — m l   --
~2~9 I
n:

PETER BREWSTER.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


295


I


Workmen; the Patrons of Industry, and politically
is a Democrat, taking a lively interest in public
affairs and is known as a prominent politician.
George, the second son, lives on a farm adjoining
that of his brother James. His marriage occurred
September 4, 1864, when Sabra Burrows became
his wife, and one child, a daughter-May, was born
to them. She is now married. Mrs. George Fox
passed from earth December 1, 1871. William, the
youngest son of our subject, occupies a farm adjacent to those of his brothers. On February 15,
1878, he was married to Ettie Dawson, and two
daughters have been born to them. William is a
model farmer, devoting considerable attention to
fruit-growing and stock raising, and his farm bears
all the improvements to be seen on a first-class estate.
E T E R BREWSTER.        This gentleman
whose portrait is presented on the opposite
page, is one of the earliest settlers of Oakland County now living. He came here in
1825, and has passed through every phase of pioneer life, and lived to see the once wild country
changed into a highly cultivated region, populated
by happy and contented people. One of his chief
delights during the early years of his residence here
was deer stalking, and more than three hundred of
these animals fell before his heavy rifle. He became the most noted deer hunter of his neighborhood, and the first barn he built was known to the
early settlers as "hunters' deposit." Although he
has passed fourscore years, Mr. Brewster still enjoys taking his shot-gun and going out for a hunt,
and nearly every year he makes a trip into the
north woods for that purpose. Bears were numerous when he came to the county, and exciting sport
was found in the bear-hunts of that period.
Mr. Brewster is a lineal descendant of one of two
brothers who came to America in the "Mayflower."
His grandfather was Eliphas, and his father Ezra,
and the latter was born in Vermont, and followed
farming. He was a soldier in the War of 1812.
He made a settlement in Monroe County, N. Y.,
near Rochester, While living in Vermont, he mar

ried Hannah Shetler, who was a native of the Green
Mountain State, and who was left an orphan in
early life. In the spring of 1825 Ezra Brewster
came West and spent some time in looking over the
country in the then Territory of Michigan. He returned to his home, and the next spring accompanied by his son Peter, came to Oakland County.
After a sojourn of considerable length, he again returned East, but soon made a removal and located
in Mahopack. He remained there three years, occupying himself in making shingles for a company.
Indians were more numerous there than whites,
there being fifty of the former to one of the latter.
However, the Indians were kind, peaceable and accommodating.
Having made enough to pay for eighty acres of
Government land, the father of our subject located
in Oakland Township and county, and bought an
ox-team with which to carry on his work. He put
up a log house and barn and went industriously to
work to reclaim the land. He made it into a good
farm and spent the remainder of his life there, dying in 1878, in the seventy-eighth year of his age.
He was a Democrat in politics. He was one of the
well-known and honored pioneers, and his wife was
equally esteemed for her cheerful endurance and
earnest efforts to improve their condition. She died
in 1870, in her seventy-fourth year. They were
the parents of six children-Caroline, Peter, Owen,
Deborah, Stephen G. and Allen. The last named
lives on the old homestead.
Peter Brewster was born in Rutland County,
Vt., October 27, 1809, and spent his early school
days in Monroe County, N. Y. He accompanied
his father to this State when fifteen years old, and
wielded the ax on the heavy timber that covered
their farm, managed the breaking plow and did
other needful work such as must be undertaken in
reclaiming wild land. Whenever it was possible to
do so he attended school, but his privileges were
necessarily limited, owing to the very sparse settlements. He remained with his father until he was
of age, then began working by the month, and for
a year and a half was employed by one man, his
wages being $12. He saved all that he could from
this stipend, and was thus enabled to buy eighty
acres of land upon which to establish a home,




296


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.,


296PORRAI AN  BIGAPIA  ALU.


Young Brewster removed the forest growth,
brought the land under subjection, and put up good
buildings, including every needful and convenient
edifice. As a farmer he proved very successful,
and the attention he gave to stock-raising was also
well rewarded.  In 1877 he left his farm and
moved into Pontiac, where he resided until 1882.
He then went to Dakota and took up a claim, and
later added to it, making the estate three hundred
and twenty acres. This he sold to a railroad company for $3,000, but bought another tract of one
hundred and sixty acres, of which he is still the
owner. It is located in what is now South Dakota.
Mr. Brewster spent the winters in this State, and the
summers in Dakota until recently, but now makes
his home in Pontiac, where he has retained his residence since he first moved into town. He has a
good home and a competence sufficient to satisfy
his wants during his declining years, and all has
been secured by industry and good management on
his part, with the hearty co-operation of his wife.
On March 18, 1833, Mr. Brewster was united in
marriage with Miss Amelia W. Swayze, who has
shared his fortunes for nearly sixty years, and has
faithfully borne her part in their battle of life.
She was born in Warren County, N. J., April 20,
1812, and was the youngest of twelve children
comprising the family of Christopher and Sarah
(Davis) Swayze. In the maternal line she is descended from a passenger on the "Mayflower," and
her grandfather Davis was a Revolutionary soldier.
Her mother was born in Orange County, N. J., and
died in Oakland County, this State, at the venerable age of ninety-three years. The family came
West in 1832, and the marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Brewster was solemnized in Oakland County. They
have six children: De Witt A., who died June 5,
1891; Martin S., a farmer; Sarah, a widow now
living near Armada; Clark A., whose home is in
the State of Washington; William A., a clerk in
the store of P. A. Hitchcock; and Mary E., wife of
Silas Hillman, of Pontiac.
Mr. Brewster has borne his part in carrying on
the public affairs of the locality in which he has
lived, having been Township Collector, Assessor,
and Constable, and held office a number of years.
Politically he is a Democrat, and his list of Presi

dential ballots is headed by the name of Andrew
Jackson, while the last he has deposited was for
Grover Cleveland.  He has been a Class-Leader
for a number of years, both himself and wife having been identified with the Methodist Episcopal
Church for six decades. He has never used intoxicating liquors nor tobacco, and this is probably one
reason why he is so much more active in mind and
body than many men of even less years. He is
well-known as one of the most noted threshers of
this portion of Michigan. He was among the first
to use steam threshers, and followed the business
forty years without a vacation. His upright life
has won many friends for him, not only in Oakland County, but in many other districts where he
is known.


edge-r- -


RANCIS INGERSOLL, a prominent citizen of Commerce Township, is a man high.
ly respected by all his neighbors for his true
Christian character and his record as an industrious and successful farmer. His father was Samuel
Ingersoll, a native of Washington County, N. Y.,
where he was horn in 1785. He was a soldier in
the War of 1812 and was taken prisonerat Queenstown Heights, and there saw Gen. Brock before
the latter was killed. He was a Corporal and afterwards a Sergeant in rank and was released on parole. He was the son of Francis Ingersoll, a Vermont farmer who enlisted when sixteen years of
age in Washington's Army, and served seven years
in the Revolutionary War, taking part in many battles.
The mother of our subject was Mary Nelson in
her maidenhood, and was born in 1787 in Dutchess County, N. Y. Her father was Phineas Nelson
and at an early date settled at what is known as
Nelson's Landing, on the west side of the Hudson
River. The parents of our subject were married
in Tioga County, N. Y., and after seven years
residence there went onto a farm in Genesee
County. After awhile they retired from active life
and came to Michigan and made their home with
their son Francis for the last twelve years of their
life, Both died here and lie in the cemetery at




PORTRAIr AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


297


- I ~ ~
-- I


Commerce. They were the parents of eleven children, four of whom preceded them to the grave.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch
was born January 2, 1814. He lived in Wyoming,
then a part of Genesee County, N. Y., and received
a district school education. He began for himself
at twenty years of age and left home and went to
Warsaw, where he learned the trade of a tanner.
This trade he followed for twenty years. He married in 1842, Frances A., a daughter of Gurden
and Rachel (Lee) Armstrong, thus becoming a
brother-in-law of Orson H. Smith, whose sketch appears in this volume. Frances Armstrong was born
January 7,1818, in Orangeville, N. Y. She taught
school for eleven terms. The first home of their
wedded life was at the village of Perry, N. Y.,
where Mr. Ingersoll was foreman of the tannery.
He then went to Orangeville in 1855 and established a business of his own. After this he came
to Michigan and settled on the farm where he now
resides. He at first had sixty acres and has added
to it until he has one hundred and thirty-five, thirty
acres of which he has cleared himself. Ile is now
retired from active work and rents his land.
Mr. Ingersoll was deeply afflicted February 7,
1888, in the death of his wife. Their two children
have grown up to be an honor to their parents and
a benefit to the communities in which they reside.
The eldest, Charles L. was born November 1, 1844.
Ile married Frances E. Stroud and makes his home
in Fort Collins, Col. He has been president of the
State Agricultural College, and has just resigned to
accept a professorship in the Nebraska State University at Lincoln. The second son, Lovias F.,
was born March 1, 1854, and married Flora Henderson. They live at Grand Junction, Col. He is
a practising physician and assistant surgeon of the
railroad from Denver to Salt Lake City. Mr. Ingersoll joined the Baptist Church when he was only
eighteen years old, and his wife professed her faith
in the same when quite young. He has been a Deacon in the church at Commerce for over thirty
years. He is also active in the Sunday-school, in
which he has been a teacher and superintendent for
many years. He is a member of the Sons of Temperance, of the Good Templars and of the Grange,
and has held office in all of then, He has held the


office of Director and other school offices and has
always taken an interest in educational matters. Iie
is a stanch Republican and has been Highway
Commissioner.
Mr. Ingersoll's son, Charles L., has a fine war
record. He was a soldier in Company A, Ninth
Michigan Cavalry, in which he held the rank of
Sergeant. He was engaged in many battles, was
always on duty, but escaped unhurt. He was with
Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea. For
six months he was Orderly for Gen. Shackleton;
then as Regimental Clerk at Atlanta, was acting as
Orderly Sergeant, and continued thus from there
on till the close of the war. He took part in the
Grand Review at Washington, D. C. After the
war he followed teaching for awhile and took a
regular course at the Agricultural College at Lansing. After graduation he received $1,000 a year
as foreman at the farm of the college. He was
the Professor of agriculture for two years and after
that took a like professorship in Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind. Lovias F. graduated in the
same class with his brother, and after being at
home a year and a half took a two years' course in
the medical department at Ann Arbor, and took
the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Mrs. Ingersoll
was an active member and Secretary of the Baptist Womens' Missionary Circle and was also a
teacher in the Sunday-school. Her death has thrown
a shadow over the declining years of our subject;
but his strong Christian faith strengthens him to
bear this great affliction with true fortitude.
OHN SHERWOOD is one of the oldest settiers in Milford Township, and is one of
those men who have prospered by exercising care and economy, and laboring industriously. He still lives upon a farm comprising
one hundred and fifty-five acres on section 3, and
eighty-one acres on section 9, but he does not now
operate the estate. He built his present brick residence in 1861 at a cost of $1,400. He dug the
stone for the foundation and cellar, hauled it, and
himself made the brick and tile roofing, burned the




298


PORTRAIB`T AND BIOG~RAPHICAL ALBUIM.


2~~~~~l8~~ — POTATADBOGAHCLABM


lime and went fifty miles to cut the logs for the fine
lumber. He also put on the roofing. The dwelling
is 22x33 feet in the main, with a wing twenty-five
feet square and an "L" 16x18 feet. The main
structure is two stories in height, while the wing is
one and a half stories. All the improvements on
the estate were made by Mr. Sherwood and include
a good tenant house, built in 1880, cattle sheds
20x50 feet, grain barn 32x40, sheep barn 20x70,
horse barn 22x24, wagon house 18x20, corn crib
16x26 and hog house 18x24. It will be seen that
ample accommodations have been made for housing
stock and storing fodder, and such crops as it is'
desirable to keep on hand. Mr. Sherwood has two
hundred and thirty-six acres of farm land and a
dwelling and three acres in the village of Milford.
He gave his son eighty acres of land, partially improved his farm and built him a two-story brick
residence.
The parents of our subject were John and Maria
(Barnes) Sherwood, natives of County Suffolk,
England, who died in their native land, the mother
in 1819 and the father in 1857. The latter made
a second marriage, and there are two children
of that union now living, while our subject is
the only survivor of the first. The father was a
brick manufacturer. He was a constable for many
years. Both parents belonged to the Episcopal
Church.
Our subject was born August 27, 1818, received
instruction in the common school branches and
worked with his father at brick and tile making.
When eighteen years old he began to receive wages
from his father, and when he emigrated in 1844 he
had about $500. He went from New York City to
Geneva, then to Lyons, where he remained a short
time, working in a brickyard. He then came on
to Michigan and selected Milford as his place of
residence. He was sick nearly all the first year,
but he worked as he could by the month or day.
He bought thirteen acres of wild land, paying for
it in English gold. He improved the land and in
1845 started a brickyard, which he carried on until 1872. He hired three men to work and paid
their board as well as his own, and he also hired a
horse. After thirty thousand brick were made he
was taken sick and got another man to lay up his


kiln. As soon as he was able he fired the kiln and
burned three days and nights, when tile part that
he had hired laid fell down, causing a loss of all he
had there.
During the winter Mr. Sherwood worked at the
threshing machine and in the fall of 1846 he bought
one hundred and forty acres of land jvhere he now
lives. The price of the pioperty was $1,000, $300
down and eight years' time on the balance. Notwithstanding the fact that misfortune fell to his lot,
he paid for the place within the specified time. He
was aided by his father to the extent of thirty British pounds. He bought a cow, which died before
he got her home, and a sow that dug out of her pen
and broke her back, and one of the horses for
which he paid $110 was taken sick the first day lie
worked the team and could not be used for three
months. He and his wife used to take turns
watching that horse, as its life was more than usually valuable to them.
Horses were very scarce at that time in Michigan. Mr. Sherwood went to Detroit to buy a span
of Indian ponies, but could not get them for less
than $75 cash, and was expected to take his choice
and catch them as best he could. He returned
home without them. However, he started off
again, traveling on foot four days, and finally finding a team that suited him, tried to bargain for
them. But the owner feared to take the money
offered him, thinking it might be "wildcat."  He
told Mr. Sherwood that if he would accompany
him to Mt. Clemens, they could see the man who
held a mortgage on his farm, aud if this man would
take the money Mr. Sherwood could have the
horses. Accordingly, Mr. Sherwood and his new
acquaintance mounted the horses and went to Mt.
Clemens, twenty-eight miles distant, where the gentleman who held the mortgage pronounced the
money good, and Mr. Sherwood started for home
rejoicing.
During one of his early trips to Detroit Mr.
Sherwood hauled nine barrels of flour to that place
and returned with a grindstone, to the great joy of
his neighbors, as this was the first grindstone in the
community. At the same time Mr. Sherwood
started in search of horses, his wife with her father
went to Detroit to buy some hardware. She




PORTRlAIT ANiD 1310GRAP141CAIL ALBUM.S


299


PORTAIT                 ND 1IOGRP-iIAL AiI3U.                 29


bought a pail, kettle, iron sauce pan and iron tea
kettle, as well as some iron for horse shoes and a
new wagon. It was then impossible to get a horse
shod unless the iron was carried with which to
make the shoes. The wagon which Mr. Sherwood
owned was painted by himself, while he paid the
wagon maker with oak posts for making the woodwork and the blacksmith with brick for ironing it.
Good money was very scarce. Wheat could not
be sold at Milford, but had to be ground and the
flour taken to Detroit. On account of bad roads
the trips to the latter place could be made only
during six months of the year.
Mr, Sherwood claims to have manufactured and
done more work in getting the material with
which to build his house than any other man in
the State. He dug his own well forty feet deep
and at the bottom struck a stream of water on one
side which it took a large quantity of stone and
gravel to fill before the brick walls were put in.
In 1848 he planted out an orchard. He had no
money to buy trees, but Mr. Allison, who owed
him, gave him an order on Mr. Goodnow for some
clover seed. Mr. Sherwood could not afford to
sow it, so he gave the order to Mr. Potts, who
bought the trees and let MAr. Sherwood have them.
The first time pictures were taken in Milford Mr.
and Mrs. Sherwood sat for theirs; however, they
had only money enough to have one taken, for
which they paid $1.50 and which they sent back
to England.
Mr. Sherwood began clearing off the timber in
order to burn brick and also improved the land,
but after 1872 rented his yard to a man who manufactured brick and tile eight years, since which
time it has been idle. When Mr. Sherwood paid
for his place he had to go to Ann Arbor to settle
with the person who held the mortgage. He arose
at 3 A. M., rode to the city on horseback through
the woods and swamp and after making his payment had just enough money to buy some oats for
his horse and crackers and cheese for himself,
after which he mounted his horse and rode home.
His first grain was hauled to Detroit. He once
took a 1lad of flour in barrels from Milford to Detroit at fifty cents per barrel and got money enough
from it to pay expenses and the rest in bran and


shorts. Three miles from  Milford one wagon
broke down and it was necessary to unload and repair it. Orchard Lake was reached at dark, and,
being lost in the woods, Mr. Sherman did not get
to Pontiac until 11 P. M. Early the next morning, being told that he could not get into Detroit,
he put part of the flour upon a train and divided
the rest among the three teams, and so reached
Royal Oak at dark. The journey was continued
the third morning before day and Detroit reached
at noon. The same day the party left for home
and made eight miles. They reached Novi after
dark the next day and on the fourth night got lost
in the woods between that place and Milford, but
finally reached home about midnight. Such incidents give a slight idea of what it was to live in
remote settlements and through what experiences
the early settlers passed.
In January, 1846, Mr. Sherwood was married to
Miss Susan Potts, whose parents, William and Mary
Ann (Weaver) Potts, were born in County Suffolk,
England, and came to America in 1833. They
came to this county the same year and settled
upon a raw farm east of Milford. The place was
improved, but after a time Mr. and Mrs. Potts
moved into the village. He was a first-class farmer and the family was one of the highest respectability. Mr. Potts died in 1859 and his wife in
1865. They have five living children, of whom
Mrs. Sherwood is the youngest. She was born in
County Suffolk, England, June 26, 1828, and was
not yet five years old when brought to America.
Hler girlhood days were spent among the pioneer
scenes of Milford, and she well remembers when
the village contained but one log house and a sawmill. She and her husband have had four children, two of whom are living, namely: William J.,
who was born March 23, 1848, married Fanny
Sands, has one child and lives in Milford Township; Charlotte Maria, born Jandary 16, 1851, living in the village of Milford and the wife of Dennis
Boyer and the mother of three children.
Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church in Milford and he is now Trustee and has been Steward. He has been Master of
the Grange several years. In earlier life he was a
Republican, but he has recently joined the Prohi



300


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBJM.


I-               -- -


bition party. Ile is temperate in all his habits,
and although more than seventy-two years old, is
in fine health. His beautifully furnished home
contains a number of specimens of taxidermy, at
which he is an expert. Some years ago he made a
pleasure trip to his native land and greatly enjoyed
revisiting the scenes of his youth and places of
world-wide fame, but rejoiced to retuin to the
"home of the free."
LFRED SOULBY is one of the prosperous
farmers of Milford Township.     He is
pleasantly located on section 27, where he
has one hundred and seventy-two acres of
land. One hundred and eighty of this is under the
plow. The property was bought by him in 1872,
when about eighty acres were cleared. He has continued to remove timber, and has taken off stumps
and stones, put on new buildings and improved the
old ones. Mr. Soulby is the son of Charles B. and
Eleanor (Burrill) Soulby, natives of Lincolnshire,
England, who came to this country in 1843. After
landing they came at once to this State and settled
in Milford, where the husband worked at his trade
-blacksmithing. They subsequently removed to
section 16, Milford Township, and he gave his attention to farming. lIe is now living in the village of Milford. Mrs.Soulby died in 1852, leaving
five children, who still survive.
Our subject was born in Lincolnshire, November
15, 1842, but his earliest recollections are of
America, as he came here when an infant six
months old. He was educated in Milford Township and worked for his father until the Civil War
began. He then entered the service, enlisting in
August, 1862, in Company I, Twenty-second
Michigan Infantry. After the organization was
perfected he was sent to Cincinnati. Ohio, where
the boys had to borrow two rounds of ammunition apiece from the Eighteenth Michigan, as
the enemy was in sight. The regiment served in the
Second Division of the Army of Central Kentucky
under the command of Col. Wisner, and their first
campaign was in the Blue Grass State. They re

mained there until April, 1863, then took part in
the Nashville campaign, which kept them occupied
until September 5. The next objective point was
Bridgeport, Ala., whence they went to Rosswell and Ringgold, Ga. They then built fortifications at Moccasin Point, which place they left
October 28.
Next going to Chattanooga, Mr. Soulby was engaged in the duties of an engineering regiment.
He helped build the road from Brown's Ferry to
the Tennessee River, which occupied twenty days
in November, laid the pontoon bridge for the passage of Gen. Sherman and his forces and another
pontoon across the Tennessee at Chattanooga. He
and his comrades moved ou to the foot of Lookout
Mountain, repairing bridges and railroads, then
went into Chattanooga and built storehouses and
other edifices. He and others were sent up the
river to cut timber and raft it down to Chattanooga. May 26, 1864, Mr. Soulby reported in the
field at Brown's Mill. Ga., and was attached to the
Army of the Cumberland, and then placed in the
reserve brigade and detailed for provost duty.
During the Atlanta campaign he helped build
bridges across the Chattahoochie River, and August
29 aided in the destruction of a part of the Montgomery railroad. After Atlanta was reached he
did provost duty there until October 31, then
formed one of the escort which accompanied
Maj.-Gen. Sherman from Marietta to Chattanooga. They reached the latter city November 6,
having made a march of one hundred and thirtyeight miles over muddy roads in a little over six
days.
Provost duty occupied the winter, and guards
were furnished for steamers leaving the port, and
barracks built for soldiers who remained. In
April, 1865, Mr. Soulby was transferred to Gen.
Steadman's brigade, and June 20 was ordered to
Nashville. He took part in the following battles
during his army life: Danville, Hickman's Bridge,
Peavine Creek, McAfee's Church, Chickamauga,
Wautahatchie, Mission Ridge, and the siege of Atlanta.  At Chickamauga the cartridges were exhausted and Gen. Whittaker ordered the TwentySecond to use the bayonet. The sun had gone
down on the bloody field, and it was difficult to




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


301


"- ---


=


distinguish friends from foes. The enemy furiously
advanced and the Twenty-second rushed forward with fixed bayonets under a terrible fire of
grape and musketry. They drove the enemy at
every point, but when the order came to fall back
they were closed in on both flanks and cut off
from the main body. Having no cartridges they
were at a disadvantage, and nearly all the living
were taken prisoners. Mr. Soulby and a comrade
managed to escape in the darkness, but not until
they had seen many of their friends fall around
them. Our subject lost but a week in sickness
during his term of service, and escaped without
wounds, but not without having had his accoutrements grazed by bullets. He was mustered out
at Detroit July 11, 1865, and returning home
worked by the month on a farm three years, and
a few years later was located where he now lives.
March 3, 1875, Mr. Soulby was married to
Elizabeth A., daughter of William and Alice (Letchfield) Holmes.  Mr. and  Mrs. Holmes were
born in Cambridgeshire, England, and in 1849 the
husband came to America and made a location in
Livingston County, this State. His family joined
him two years later, and they remained in that
county until 1863,then removed to Genesee County.
Mr. Holmes was a blacksmith and worked at
his trade, but in Livingston County he did something toward improving a farm.  He was born
April 11, 1806, and died January 6, 1885. His wife
passed away December 20, 1880, aged seventy-six
years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had eleven children. and
eight are now living. The youngest son, James
J. Holmes, enlisted in Company H, Twenty-Second
Michigan Infantry, and took part in all the battles
of the regiment up to and including Chickamauga.
There he was taken prisoner and incarcerated in
Andersonville for eleven months. Hardship and
exposure proved too much for his strength, and he
died in captivity.
Mrs. Soulby was born in Cambridgeshire, England, May 5, 1848, and was two years old when
brought to America.   She received a district
school education, learned much of domestic arts,
and grew to womanhood with a fine character.
Her union has been a childless one, but she and




her husband have reared one child-May Soulby,
-now living in Sanilac County and married to C.
E. Ruggles. Mrs. Soulby is a member of the
MethodistEpiscopal Church, and she and her husband are connected with the Red Ribbon Order.
Mr. Soulby belongs to a Grand Army Post at Milford, and has the rank of Senior Vice-Commander.
He votes the Republican ticket, and has been a
candidate for Justice of the Peace, but as the township is Democratic he was defeated. Worldly prosperity and an honorable reputation is his, and his
wife shares in the esteem of their neighbors.
(V  _ W.  __


ON. JOHN M. NORTON, the occupant of
one of the finest farms in Michigan, has
resided in Avon Township, for a quarter of
a century. He has owned three farms in
the vicinity and still retains a tract of two hundred
and eight acres, three miles south of the town of
Rochester. The drainage of the estate is as nearly
perfect as may be, the fences are neat and strong,
and every necessary and convenient farm building
has been put up, while the property is still further
adorned and made valuable by garden, orchards
and shade trees. It would need but a cursory
glance to give rise to the belief that Mr. Norton
thoroughly understands his vocation and is endowed with a large amount of good sense and
taste.
Mr. Norton comes of the old pilgrim stock, and
his parents, John and Naomi (Short) Norton were
natives of the old Bay State. His father was a
farmer and was also a preacher in the Free-Will
Baptist Church. He removed from his native
State to New York and thence came to Michigan
in 1824, having bought land in this county the
year previous. He was a conspicuous figure during
the early settlement of this county, built the first
house in what is now Oakland Township, preached
the first sermon and performed the first marriage
ceremony. He died in June, 1839, after a life
that had won the respect and esteem of all who knew
him.
The subject of this notice was born in Ontario




302


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




County, N. Y., May 5, 1820. He is a natural farmer
and early in life manifested a decided inclination
in the direction of cultivation of the soil. Born
of sturdy stock, endowed by nature with a large
frame and iron constitution, he was fitted for
the hard blows of pioneer life, and his natural
qualifications for a life of hardship and toil have
been supplemented by habits that added much to
his capacity to meet the duties of a farmer. He
still has unusual energy for one of his age and by
industry and prudence he has mastered difficulties
and reached the goal of his ambition, becoming an
independent farmer. After his marriage he took
possession of a one hundred and sixty-acre farm
in DeWitt Township, Clinton County, but remained
there only one season. He then sold out and
bought in Novi Township, this county, lived there
eight years, then removed to Troy Township, and
in 1865 came to his present home.
When twenty-six years of age Mr. Norton was
married to Miss Nancy Hazen, a native of Ontario
County, N. Y., who was ten years his junior,
having been born January 22, 1830. Their marriage took place October 14, 1847, and to them
have been born six children; viz: Alvira, wife of
John King of Tawas City; William, a resident of
Avon Township; John T., a druggist in Rochester;
Dr. Clarence S., living at Killmaster; Grant, who
is with his parents; and Abbie May, who died
October 2, 1868, at the age of nine months and
two days.
The education of Mr. Norton was very limited,
but being of a studious mind he gathered much information which gave him prominence with neighbors and friends, and his advice and counsel were
sought by many and when given were prompted
by good intentions. Both in private and official
life Mr. Norton has given much attention  to
ugriculturtl interests, and making a study of
political questions, he has delivered lectures on
various subjects to local grangers' and farmers'
institutes. He was originally a Whig, his first vote
having been cast for William Henry Harrison. He
was a delegate to the meeting under the oaks in
Jackson County where the Republican party
originated and   he has always been active in political work. He is recognized as one of the best


workers for the party that he thinks is in the right,
and when he has changed his political connection
it has been by reason of a change in the status of
affairs and the prominence of new issues.
In 1876 he joined the Greenback movement and
in 1880 was the nominee of the party for State
Treasurer and polled the full vote. In 1882 he
was nominated for State Senator to represent the
Fifteenth Senatorial District and was elected by a
majority of two hundred and ninety-three over
Herbert Wykoff the regular Republican candidate.
He served as a delegate to the National Convention
at Indianapolis when Peter Cooper was nominated
for President, and to that held in Chicago when
Gen. Weaver was the nominee.    He was also
present at Cleveland, Ohio, when the party was
organized, and he has attended every State convention. He is decidedly in favor of a union of
industrial interests, politically, and his platform is
broad and comprehensive.  He believes in legislation for the greatest good to the greatest number,
and being decided and outspoken in his views, he
has considerable influence in shaping the views of
others. He is a member of the Patrons of Industry
and the Grange, in which he is- Overseer of
Pomona Council, and also belongs to the Masonic
fraternity.
ATTS J. BACHELOR, M. D., residing at
Oakwood, Brandon Township, was born at
Dryden, Tompkins County, N. Y., October
29, 1849. His father, Erastus, a native of New
York and of Yankee stock, was a shoemaker by trade,
and is now running a small grocery store at Oakwood. He came to this county in the spring of
1876. His wife Charlotte (Oltz) Bachelor, the
mother of our subject, was of German and English
descent and was born in New York State near tile
Hudson River. She had only one child besides our
subject, a daughter who died at two years of age.
The mother was called away from earth in 1876.
She was an earnest and devout member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
The subject of this sketch attended the village








- t; 2  - -
O'' -


f


4Th


4Uxvktods




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


305


I


school and spent three years in the academy at
Dryden, N. Y., studying Latin and the higher
branches. At eighteen years of age he began
reading medicine in his native town under Dr.
Voorheis. After spending one year in his office
he attended the Pennsylvania Medical University
for two years and was graduated in 1871. He
practiced for five years at Danby and at West
Danby, N. Y., and in the spring of 1876 came to
Oakwood, where he has carried on a general practice. He has a very' large practice in this vicinity
and a good paying one.
In 1882 he supplemented his early studies by
attending part of the winter term upon lectures at
Rush Medical College at Chicago. Dr. Bachelor
was married in 1871 to Essie Garrison, a native of
Bridgeton, N. J. They have had no children of
their own, but adopted two, Katie when eight years
old and John when only four. They are a brother
and sister by birth and are now eighteen and sixteen years of age respectively. Both Dr. and
Mrs. Bachelor are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Doctor is a member of Oakwood Lodge, No. 100, A. F. & A. M. at Oakwood. He is a Republican and two years ago
was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he
is still holding. This household enjoy home life
more than most families, and all unite in making
home happy.
l   ON. DON CARLOS BUCKLAND, late of
Pontiac, was born August 22, 1813, in Tun/ bridge, Orange County, Vt., to which place
his father, Asher Buckland, a native of Connecticut, had removed with his family two years
previously. In 1818 the family removed to Norwich Plains, Vt., and at this place they remained
two years, when in 1820 they went to Malone,
Franklin County, N. Y., where Asher Buckland had
established a milling business and clothing-works
the year previous. Here for the succeeding five
years our subject attended the district schools. In
1825 his father sold out his business there, and
with his family, came West, landing in Detroit


about August 25, that year, after a two weeks' passage from Buffalo on a small sailing-vessel.
Leaving Detroit almost immediately, they came
through the woods to Pontiac, at that time a village
of about twenty-five families, where Col. Stephen
Mack, the maternal grandfather of our subject, had
located in 1818. Col. Mack was one of the early
settlers in Detroit, to which place he had emigrated
from Vermont in 1815, and was for a number of
years engaged in business there in partnership in a
general store, at that time one of the largest there,
under the firm name of Mack & Conant. Col.
Mack built a sawmill and afterward a gristmill at
Pontiac, and the latter was for a long time the only
gristmill in the State. As Asher Buckland was a
practical miller, he at once took charge of his father-in-law's mill at Pontiac, and continued here
until the death of Col. Mack in 1827, when he entered into partnership in the grocery business, the
firm being A. B. Newcomb & Co., Mr. Buckland
being tle partner: and this partnership continued
until the day of his death, which occurred June 6,
1842, he being at that time fifty-three years of
age.
Our subject attended the district school about
three months during the winter season, the balance
of his time being employed in his father's mill.
During the summer and fall of 1826 he was left in
sole charge of the work in the mill, both his father
and the miller being sick, and there being nobody
in or near the town who understood how to run
the mill. Notwithstanding his youth, and the fact
that a part of his time was devoted to caring for
the other members of his father's family, all of
whom had the then prevailing complaint, fever and
ague, he managed to run the mill successfully night
and day, and ground all the grain brought to him.
In 1828 he went to Rochester, where Col. Mack
had erected a second gristmill, being the second
built in the State, and where Alman Mack was proprietor of a store; and here he remained two years,
engaged as clerk in his uncle's store, and attending
the district school during the winter. While here
he learned the Indian language, a part of the store
trade being with the Indians. Returning to Pontiac, he remained one summer employed in his father's store, and then went to Sidney, Ohio, where




306


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


his uncle, John Buckland, lived, and whose employ he entered as clerk in his dry-goods store.
Here he remained about three years, during which
time he gradually assumed charge of his uncle's
business, becoming in turn book-keeper; his uncle
being old and feeble, he soon assumed the responsibility of buying the supplies.
His uncle selling out and removing to Springfield, Mr. Buckland remained for a time at Sidney,
settling up the business, and from there went to
Cincinnati, where his uncle had procured him a position as clerk in the dry-goods house of Goodman
& Emerson. He returned to Sidney about a year
later on some business for his uncle, and while there
he was engaged by a Mr. Humphrey, of the firm of
Humphrey & Benedict, of Auburn, N. Y., to aid
him in purchasing horses. They were fitting up a
peddling expedition to consist of at least sixty men
to go into tbe Southern States, with a view of selling eight-day brass clocks, solid silver ware and
high-priced ladies' dress goods, selling from $40
up to $200 per pattern. These goods were all sold
on credit, notes being taken ranging from one to
three years in time for payment. At this time Mr.
Buckland, although twenty-three years of age,
weighed not over one hundred and ten pounds, and
he had been advised by his physicians that in order
to live, he must procure out-door work. lie was
induced by Mr. Humphrey to make a two-years'
contract with him at a salary of $75 per month,
which was $50 better than he had ever before received.
Going to Kentucky, the expedition, numbering
about sixty-five men and teams, divided up, and
Mr. Buckland, with some sixteen others, making
their headquarters at Williamstown, commenced
work. It was, however, not many months before
he became discouraged, and buying his contract
back at the price of his whole salary for the time he
had been at work, he determined to return to Cincinnati. He was, however, induced by Mr. Humphrey to continue his work, this time under a contract
to sell on commission; and making a fresh start, he
continued the work for about four years, traveling
during this period over portions of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. An idea
of the success he met with may be had from the


fact that his commissions during this time netted
him about $11,000, and in addition to this he had
made $1,300 more by repairing clocks. He afterward accepted the position of Collector for the
company on a contract by which twenty per cent
of his collections were to be retained by him as a
salary, he being required to pay his own expenses.
In this work he collected about $70,000 in Kentucky; thence he went to Tennessee, Alabama,
Florida, Mississippi and Georgia, where he finished.
Going to Cadiz, Trigg County, he bought out a
merchant, and sorting up the stock with fresh goods,
continued in business there for a period of two
years. Selling out this business, he entered into
partnership with Vincent J. Scott, and together
they purchased from Messrs. Jennison & Harrison
a varied stock of goods amounting to $32,000, and
took them  to Carroll, Carroll County, Mo., situated about two hundred and fifty miles above St.
Louis on the Missouri River, adjoining Caldwell
County, where the early Mormon settlement then
was, Far West being the county seat and the principal Mormon town.
Here they opened their store and commenced
business, amounting to about $70,000 per year.
Their goods were sold mostly on credit, the actual
cash taken in over the counter not amounting to
enough to pay their freight bills, and over a territory covering perhaps a hundred miles in either
direction. At the expiration of about two years
the-firm found themselves in debt, and with about
$50.000 outstanding, consisting principally of book
accounts. Mr. Buckland being determined to meet
their obligations, purchased in New Orleans twenty
thousand gunny-bags, and spent the following winter gathering up all the corn raised the previous
summer within a radius of one hundred miles. For
this he paid sixteen and two-thirds cents per bushel
shelled and delivered at warehouses along the river,
they furnishing the sacks. Chartering two steamboats, he loaded the corn with the intention of disposing of it at New Orleans, but on arrival there
found that it was worth eighty cents per bushel in
Boston, and he at once shipped it to that point. In
consequence of dampness in the holds of the vessels
the corn arrived there in rather bad condition, and
he was compelled to dispose of it at auction, where




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


307


c-I-I


it brought sixty eight cents per bushel, leaving
them a margin of about thirty-two cents a bushel.
With the proceeds of this shipment the firm was
enabled to pay up outstanding debts, and purchase
a new stock of goods for their store, consisting of
groceries, hardware, clothing, boots and shoes,
drugs and medicine, dry-goods and millinery.
About this time occurred the trouble with the
Mormons, who had previously been driven by the
people of Missouri from Jackson County to Caldwell County, which was settled wholly by the Mormons. The Mormons, who were constantly increasing in numbers, and Caldwell being a barren county,
became restless, and sought to extend their settlements into Daviess County, on the north of Caldwell. With this view they purchased a small town
site in Carroll County, on the Missouri River,
twelve miles below Carrollton, and commenced settling there in large numbers. Against this the
whole State objected, and their protest culminated
in the people organizing with the avowed intention
of driving the Mormons out of the State entirely.
The Governor ordered to the vicinity eight regiments of militia to quell the disturbance. Mr.
Buckland, although having relations among the
Mormons, closed his store, and taking his gun, went
to the scene of action with the Missourians. But
even this was not sufficient to prove his hostility
to the Mormon cause, and on his return to town
one day he was handed dispatches from Gov. Boggs,
appointing him colonel and giving him authority
to make all subordinate appointments and to organize and equip a mounted regiment. This he has
good reason to believe was the work of a lawyer
named Jones, with whom he had formerly had
some trouble, and who thus undertook to prove Mr.
Buckland's loyalty to the State as against the Mormons. It would also appear that trouble had been
expected, as a large crowd from the surrounding
country had collected in Buckland's store, apparently for the purpose of hanging him, as had been
threatened, in case he refused the Governor's appointment.
Mr. Buckland promptly accepted, however, thus
saving his neck, and retaliated upon Mr. Jones by
immediately appointing him Lieutenant-Colonel,
and ordering him to at once organize and equip


the regiment. Thus was Mr. Buckland's loyalty to
the State demonstrated satisfactorily to the people,
and in a short time the regiment was in the field.
They had received instructions to proceed at once,
first to the Grand River, and then follow it up to
Far West, in order to intercept any of the Mormon leaders who might attempt to escape that way.
A compromise was a few days afterward effected
with the Mormons, by which they agreed to leave
the State entirely by the 1st of May, it being then
November. In the meantime a formal surrender
was made by the Mormons, and Colonels Buckland
and Reese were detailed to receive their arms. Taking their positions, the Mormons, headed by their
great prophet, Joseph Smith, arm in arm with Brigham Young, passed between these in double file.
Col. Buckland had the honor to receive the sword
of Brigham Young, who happened to be upon his
side. The arms were piled behind them, and made
rather a curious collection. They consisted of
shot-guns, rifles, pitchforks, wooden spears tipped
with steel or iron, while others had nothing but
wooden clubs, and a few of the officers, perhaps
ten, had swords. The Mormons immediately commenced preparations for removal, and finally all
went to Nauvoo. Ill.
Mr. Buckland, returning to Carrollton, endeavored to look up his lost trade, which he found terribly demoralized, He, however, continued his
business about a year, being compelled to make another purchase of corn, which he disposed of to
Southern planters, to enable them  to pay their
debts. After the Mormon surrende: he found they
had about $10,000 in accounts against them, and
of this amount he was able to collect only about
three-quarters, principally by seizing their stock
and grain, which was disposed of at public auction.
About this time he purchased his partner's interest
in the store, and a few months subsequently disposed of his interest in this business, and also of a
business which he had established at the town of Chillicothe, Mo., about thirty miles north of Carrollton,
and returned with his wife, by way of St. Louis, to
Springfield, Ohio, where his uncle, John Buckland,
had taken up his residence. Remaining here a few
days, he told his uncle he had come out about even
in the South, when he was induced by him to take




308


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




$2,000 which John Buckland had in the bank, and
with this he came with his wife to Pontiac, in 1840,
after an absence of about ten years. With the
$2,000 presented him by his uncle, and $1,500 additional, which his father had saved, he built a
frame building on the corner of Lawrence and Saginaw Streets, Pontiac, and securing a stock of groceries in New York, commenced business. At the expiration of about five years ho sold out, and found
that he had made about $10,000 by the investment.
He then commenced building small cottages for
renting purposes in Pontiac, which he ever since
continued, and which paid him about ten per cent
annually on the capital invested.
Subsequently Mr. Buckland purchased a one-half
interest in a dry-goods store of Francis Darrow, of
Pontiac, the firm being organized under the title of
Darrow & Buckland, and also became interested in
the lumber business, and for a long time was the
owner of the only yard in Pontiac. Three years
later he sold out his interest in the dry-goods business, retaining the lumber yard for some years,
finally disposing of that to H. W. Lord, receiving
the retail price for stock on hand, and $1,000 bonus,
Mr. Buckland agreeing to remain out of the business for the succeeding ten years. About this time
he accepted the position of manager and salesman
in the house for the State of Missouri, for John
Stewart, Jr. & Co., New York, wholesale dry-goods
merchants, and was very successful both in collecting the outstanding accounts of the firm and selling
new bills of goods, receiving as compensation
$5,000 per year. Here he remained four years,
when, the partnership expiring, a new firm was organized, and he was offered a partnership, Mr. Stewart proposing to furnish Mr. Buckland's capital for
five per cent. Mr. Buckland declined, however,
and returned to Michigan to look after affairs at
Pontiac. Shortly afterward he established the New
England flour-trade. He visited New England,
and appointed an agent in each town to sell his
flour, either by purchase or on commission, and returning to Michigan he arranged with a number of
mills to grind his flour, and made a contract with
the Grand Trunk Railroad Company to transport
it. He then purchased large quantities of grain
throughout the State, and this business attained to


large proportions, his annual shipments amounting
to some sixty thousand barrels. He also established a grain commission business in Detroit, taking into partnership two young men, giving them
one quarter each of the profits. This was afterward changed to the produce business, of which
they handled large quantities.
Mr. Buckland was married to the daughter of
Col. B. H. Evans, of Williamston, Ky., by whom
he had two daughters. The elder died while he
was in the employ of John Stewart & Co. The
younger, May E., is now the wife of Jacob Seligman, of East Saginaw. His wife died shortly after
his return from New York. He was married to his
second wife, Miss Sarah A. Gregory, daughter of
John C. Gregory, of Geneva, N. Y., a prominent
physician of that place, May 8, 1858. Mrs. Buckland is a most estimable lady, of refined and cultured manners, and preserves to a great extent the
pleasing features and expressions which must, in
her younger days, have made her one of the most
attractive and handsome women of her time.
Arriving at the age of seventy, Mr. Buckland
closed up his New England flour business, and sold
out the Detroit partnership, and after a year devoted to buying barley in Oakland, Genesee, and
Lapeer Counties, which he was afterward able to
dispose of, owing to the failure of Canadian crops,
at a large margin over the paying price, he retired
from active business, and engaged in looking after
his real estate and other interests. He was a stockholder in the Calumet and Hecla copper mines, the
Detroit Iron Mining Company at Ishpeming, Mich.,
and other iron mines in the Upper Peninsula, and
in numerous Michigan, Dakota, California and Colorado mines, and was the owner of pine lands in the
State of Michigan. On his return from the South,
in 1840, Mr. Buckland found the Harrison-Van
Buren Presidential campaign at its height, and
having imbibed Whig principles from his uncle, he
became very active in political work during the
campaign, and again in 1844 he took an active part
in political work, spending about $2,000 of his
own funds to further the interests of the Whig candidate, who, however, was doomed to defeat.
Mr. Buckland, by his work, acquired a high repution among the members of his party, and he was




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


309






conceded many honorable positions in the Republican party after its organization. He was a delegate to the convention held at Jackson, at which
that party was founded in 1856, the first Republican organization in the United States, and was afterward Chairman of the Republican State Central
Committee, and the Republican County Committee
of Oakland County. During this time he gained
the reputation of being the hardest-working member of the party in the State without office. In
1860, being Chairman of the State Committee, he
took charge of the entire campaign in the State, and
was also a delegate to the National Convention held
at Chicago, which nominated Lincoln, and was
present in Washington at his inauguration. He
was offered by the Republican delegation in Congress many pocitions of honor, among them the Custom-house at Detroit, but refused them all, as he
did not desire any office as reward for his work.
About this time, however, a contest occurred over
the position of Postmaster at Pontiac, which ended,
much to his surprise (as he was not a candidate for
the office), in his appointment. He, however, accepted it, and notwithstanding repeated attempts
to oust him from the position, retained it for eight
years. Mr. Buckland led an exceedingly active
life, extending over a period of more than fifty
years, and his experience was a varied and more
than ordinarily interesting one, as the above outline of his career would indicate. He died at his
home in Pontiac on the evening of Sunday, September 23, 1888, at the age of seventy-five years
and one month, leaving a charming wife and a pleasant circle of friends, honored and respected by the
community.
/     RS. LUCY A. KESBY. Among the citizens of Milford who are able to relate
many incidents of pioneer times in this
vicinity, is Mrs. Kesby, who came to the
county in her girlhood, in the year 1832. Her
father, Eleazer E. Calkins, was born in Dutchess
County, N. Y., was the son of a local minister in
the Methodist Church, and traced his lineage to


Wales. Mr. Calkins was a carpenter by trade and
for some time was captain of a canal boat, his
home then being in Monroe County. He was one
of the first settlers in Lyon Township, this county,
where there were but four or five families when he
brought his wife and children here. He bought
eighty acres of Government land in the spring of
1832, and the next year entered one hundred and
sixty acres.
Mr. Calkins lived in the typical log house of
hewed logs, with a stick chimney, basswood floor
and blankets hung over the door and window openings. He was a wheelwright, and by that trade he
earned a few boards which he put up for a door.
The next year he secured a door properly made.
He lived in the log house many years, improving
the land around it and finally died thereon at the
age of seventy years. lie was commissioned Justice of the Peace by Gov. S. T. Mason, and filled
the office fifteen years and also served in other
capacities. He was a Democrat and was ClassLeader in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His
wife was Anna Blood, a native of Massachusetts
and of the old Puritan stock. She lived to the
age of seventy-seven years.
The family of which Mrs. Kesby was next to the
oldest member, included three sons and one daughter. She was born in Monroe County, N. Y.,
March 19, 1821, an'd was about eleven years old
when she came West. She grew to womanhood in
Lyon Township, continuing her studies in the
common school and learning to spin and knit and
do other household duties. She was married March
10, 1861, and lived happily with her husband until
1875. when he was called hence. She rented the
farm one year, then sold it and located in Milford,
buying a house and lot. She is one of the oldest
settlers of the county living in this locality and
looks back over fifty-nine years of experience in
Michigan. The courage displayed by her good
mother and the industry of her father have been
shown in her own life as well, as they were by all
those who struggled through the experiences common to early settlements.
The gentleman to whom Mrs. Kesby gave her
hand was born in County Kent, England, and was
the son of Robert Kesby, an English farmer, That




310


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


gentleman purposed to make a home in America,
crossed the ocean with his family but died and
was buried on Staten Island. His son John was
then about eighteen years old and he worked on
the island and in New Jersey for some time. He
then went to Cooperstown, N. Y., where he was
married to Mrs. Betsey Moore. In 1837 he came
to this State, located in Milford Township and improved a tract of wild land. It consisted of one
hundred acres on section 21, which was left in excellent condition at his death. His mother died
on Staten Island. Mr. Kesby was a Christian gentleman and identified with the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He was a member of the Grange and a
Democrat in politics. Some time after the loss of
his first wife he married our subject. Mrs. Kesby
is one of the most active members of the Methodist Church in Milford, and is liberal in her contributions toward any good cause. She belongs
to the Foreign Missionary Society connected with
the church of her choice. Personally she is pleasant and entertaining, very intelligent and kind.
ANIEL JOHNSON, a prominent farmer
and stock-raiser of Novi Township, is a
son of Daniel Johnson, Sr., a native of
Rockland County, N. Y., and born January 31, 1799. The father was a blacksmith by
occupation and later became a farmer. He was
married three times. His first wife, Rebecca,
daughter of Samuel and Hannah Smith, was born
in Seneca County, N. Y., and was united in marriage with him at Ovid, that State, in 1818. Hcr
wedded life was brief, her death occurring August
29, 1829. She had two brothers, George and
Honry, and one sister, who married William C.
Bishop, for many years residing in Ovid and
Waterloo, Seneca County, N. Y.
The second wife of Daniel Johnson, Sr., bore the
maiden name of Abigail Ketchum, and was born
in Westfield, Ohio, in 1811. Their marriage was
solemnized in Northville, Wayne County. The
third wife of Mr. Johnson bore the name of Maria
Ketchum, and they lived happily together until the


death of the wife in Wixom, in 1875. She left
one child, William, who is still living and resides on
section 6, this township. The first wife left six
children, one of whom survives, George, who lives
in Milford and has a family of three children; the
second wife left three children, two of whom are
now  living, our subject and Jane, now Mrs.
Chauncy Larcum, of Wixom. Daniel Johnson,
Sr., had one brother and two sisters; Libbie married Daniel Cornell, of Orange County, N. Y.;
Susan became the wife of Walter Lawrence, of
Ontario County, N. Y.
The father of our subject settled in Northville,
Wayne County, and carried on his trade as a
blacksmith. He took a farm of one hundred and
sixty acres from the Government, and while working at his trade employed others to clear his farm.
Mr. Johnson, of this sketch, was born April 15,
1841, on the farm where he now lives. He attended
the district schools during his childhood and at
the proper age was sent away for higher educational advantages. He passed one winter in Battle
Creek, and one term each at Ypsilanti and Milford
High School. He began life for himself upon
reaching his majority, and has been a farmer from
that day to this. He went West and spent a year in
Kansas. He taught school for nine months a little
north of St. Joseph, Mo., and then taught in
Doniphan County, Kan. Soon after his return
home he enlisted as a private, August 15, 1862, in
Company I, Twenty-second Michigan.
This regiment was sent to Covington, Ky., and
was made a part of Gen. Rosecrans Army of the
Cumberland. They participated in the battle of
Chickamauga under Gen. George Thomas, who is
known as the "Rock of Chickamauga."  On this
battlefield our subject was captured by the enemy
September 20, 1863. He was taken to Atlanta for
a few days, spent five days at Belle Isle, several
weeks in Pemberton prison, Richmond, and was
then sent to Danville, Va., for the winter. April
21, 1864 he was sent to Andersonville, where he
remained in that loathsome stockade until September 10. He was afflicted with scurvy and rheumatism. He was transferred to Charleston S. C., and
remained three months on the Beaureguard racepoprse, He was next sent to Florence prison, then




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


311


- -


back to Charleston by boat and on to Fortress
Monroe and Annapolis where he was exchanged
and sent home on a furlough. He was in a wretched
condition and not able to walk, but after his furlough returned to his regiment at Chattanooga and
remained with them until they were discharged July
5, 1865. While at home on this furlough he purchased of his father the farm where he now resides.
The marriage of Daniel Johnson and Charlotte
Perrigo was solemnized March 9, 1865. This lady
is a native of Hector, Schuyler County, N. Y.,
where she was born August 31, 1840. Her parents
were Lemuel B. and Roxann (Clapp) Perrigo. The
father was born September 2, 1814, in Canajoharie,
N. Y., and died April 16, 1884, aged sixty-nine
years. Upon arriving at years of maturity he was
married January 19, 1837, at Covert, Seneca
County, N. Y., his bride being Roxann Clapp who
was born in Connecticut, January 16, 1816. In
1852 they came to Michigan, making their home
in Novi Township, this county; after some years of
active work he retired from  his more arduous
duties and removed to Wixom, where he died.
They were the parents of five children, namely:
Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Harriet Baker, George A.,
Lyman C., and Augustus who died November 12,
1845, at Hector, Tompkins County, N. Y. The
parents were members of the Baptist Church.
Mrs. Johnson was educated in the district school
and the High School at Northville. She also took
a year at Ypsi!anti in the seminary and a term
there at the State Normal School. She has taught
twelve terms in Oakland County. The two children which were granted to her are Schuyler C.,
born June 6, 1868, now a member of the Class of
'92 at the Normal school at Ypsilanti, and one
unnamed. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Free
Will Baptist Church at Sibley Corners and has
always been an active and earnest teacher in the
Sunday-school, and a member of the choir for
twenty-two years. During six years she was organist
and one year of this time she never missed a single
service either morning or evening.
Mr. Johnson takes an interest in politics and is a
stanch Republican. He is considered a leader
among the party men in his locality and is frequently sent as a delegate to county, district and


State conventions. He is a strong advocate of the
theory that public sentiment should stop all selling
of liquors as a beverage, but he does not make this
a political issue. He has been for many years one
of the Directors of the local schools and is a member of the G. A. R. Post at Milford. He has one
hundred and forty acres of land, one hundred and
ten of which are under cultivation. Besides general farming he raises Durham cattle to some extent.
ILLIAM      ALGOE, a manufacturer of and
dealer in flour and feed, at Ortonville, was
born December 12, 1826. His father, John,
came from Scotland to Nova Scotia before the birth
of his son, and in July 1836, he emigrated to Michigan and settled at Groveland Township, Oakland
County, purchasing Government land. That was
in the days of the earliest pioneers. log houses,
deers and Indians. This gentleman cleared up and
improved a good farm and died in 1845 at the age
of sixty-one years. His wife, Margaret McElrath,
of Scotland, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a great many years and passed
away in 1883, at the extreme age of ninety-one
years. She was the mother of twelve children,
seven of whom are living.
The subject of this sketch was nine years old
when he came to Michigan. He remained at home
attending the district school and helping on the
farm through his early youth, and at his father's
death took charge. of the farm. During the winters he worked in the flouring mills at Goodrich.
In 1853 he purchased a farm in Brandon Township and began independent farming. Two years
later, he sold out and bought near Kipps' Corners,
Atlas Township. Four years later lie removed to
Ortonville and engaged in the milling business,
but after two years he sold out this establishment,
and returned to the farm.
In 1866 Mr. Algoe and Nelson K. Elliott, purchased a gristmill together with a considerable tract
of land, which they platted and sold for town lots.
After four years Mr. Algoe bought Mr. Elliott's
interest and one year later sold half of the prop.




312


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




erty to M. H. Fillmore who, two years afterward
purchased the entire business from his partener
who returned to farming. In 1879, Mr. Algoe
again purchased the mills and has continued to
run them. In 1889, he took his son Otis as a
partner.  At this time the mills were entirely
remodeled and a new roller process added. Besides
doing a large custom business, he manufactures a
great deal of flour for the market.
The gentleman of whom we write was united for
life in 1852 with Sarah L. Tucker, a lady from
New York. Their six children are, John L., S.
Anna, Otis L., Joseph W., Dora and James R. He
has given them all excellent opportunities for
education. He is often a delegate to Republican
conventions in county and State, and both lie and
his excellent wife are earnest and devout members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1861 when Mr. Algoe came here there was
not a store in the place. He has always encouraged
every legitimate enterprise that would be a benefit
to the town. He is a man who is universally esteemed for his excellent qualities of mind and heal t
and he has proved again the possibility of a poor
boy reaching financial success in life, through
improvement of opportunities, diligence and integrity.
WARD F. CHATFIELD. A            well cultivated farm on section 18, Troy Township,is
the abiding place of Mr. Chatfield and the
center of his business efforts. His property consists of one hundred and forty acres, which is the
Chatfield homestead, on which his father located
early in the '50s. Since the death of his parent
our subject has made many important improvements, such as the length of time spent here by his
father did not give opportunity for. Mr. Chatfield gives his principal attention to the cultivation
of the soil, keeping only a moderate number of
domestic animals, but he feeds a good many hogs.
At this writing (1891) his drove contains about
seventy head, and he has ten horses and ten head
of cattle.
Mr. Chatfield is the grandson of Roswell Chat

field, a prominent man in the Green Mountain
State, and a patriot of the war for independence.
That gentleman spent some years in New York,
where his son Stephen, father of Edward, was born
in 1797. The son had a common-school education
and February 7, 1819, in Ontario County, was married to Susannah Johnson, the year of whose birth
was the same as his own. In 1832 the good couple
removed to this State, making their journey with
a team from Detroit to Troy Township, and established their home on section 17. Their first dwelling was the primitive log house common to the
time and their experiences such as fell to the lot
of all early settlers.  They improved the place as
fast as possible, and made it their home a score of
years, then removed to the place now occupied by
our subjecl. Mr. Chatfield died in 1856, but his
wife survived many years, living to the advanced
age of eighty-nine and breathing her last in 1887.
They had nine children, named respectively, Isaac,
Alvina, Josiah, Daniel, Edward, Hiram, Ira, Otis
and Chester. The first, third, fourth and eighth
of these are deceased. The father was Justice of
the Peace and generally respected.
Our subject was born in Ontario County, N.
Y., March 28, 1828, and was a child of four
years when his parents removed to this State. The
only schooling he received was in District No. 3,
Troy Township, and the curriculum of study was
not as extensive as that of to-day. He learned
much regarding farm  work, and was thoroughly
capable of taking charge of a farm when he married and established a home. He won for his wife
Miss Ellen Brooks. who was born in AIcComb
County, this State, December 23, 1834. Her parents, Alanson and Desira (Frink) Brooks were
born in New York and came to this State in 1833.
They set up their home in McComb County, but
subsequently removed to Troy Township, this
county, where the father died in 1882 and the
mother still lives.
The record of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Chatfield is as follows: Albert, born in 1861, is married and living on a farm in Troy Township; Ell
N., born in 1863, is now in Oregon; Bruce, born in
1865, is married, but living at home; Jay was
born in 1868, Mack B. in 1870, Stephen A. in 1873.


A




I




Cl,:"am-,,
-" - -A
- - - -


KOWN


/i


c L4,,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


315


f


The last three named still remain with their parents on the homestead.
The political record of Mr. Chatfield began
with a vote for Franklin Pierce, and for years he
has been a stanch Republican. He belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal Church and contributes liberally to its support. Mrs. Chatfield is an earnest
Christian, belonging to the same denomination,
and both are well regarded by their acquaintances.
In addition to his farm in Troy Township, Mr.
Chatfield has fifteen acres of timber land in
Bloomfield Township.
IIARLES DAWSON. For many years this
gentleman has been a conspicuous figure in
Pontiac, being connected with its business
interests as a miller, merchant and banker, and the
owner of real estate, both in the city and the rural
districts. Ile is an excellent type of the Scotchman, displaying in his management of affairs the
energy, frugality and strict integrity that characterize the nationality. He has been connected with
the official circles of Pontiac and has borne his
part in public enterprises and religious projects,
giving earnest heed to whatever he took in hand,
resolved to make a success of the undertaking.
Mr. Dawson was born in Clackmananshire, Scotland, October 13, 1815, and is the youngest of the
five sons and three daughters comprising the family of John and Janet (Carmichael) Dawson. The
father, whose occupation was that of a manufacturer of Scotch blankets, died when our subject was
but nine years old. The lad attended school in
his native place and at the age of fifteen years emigrated to America in company with his mother,
two sisters and two brothers. An older brother
was living in Pittsfield, Mass., and there the winter
was spent. The following spring the family came
to this State, and property was bought twenty
miles west of Detroit on the Chicago Turnpike.
They remained in Wayne County a number of
years, developing the land and adding to the prosperity of the community.
In 1843 the gentleman of whom we write came


to Pontiac where he has since made his home. He
was engaged in the sale of merchandise with a
growing trade until 1852, when he closed out and
built the Cass Lake Mills, which were run by waterpower thirty years. As a merchant-miller Mr.
Dawson proved very successful. In 1882 the roller system  was put in and Mr. Dawson's three
sons operated the mills upon an extensive scale.
The business is wholly managed by the sons
as Mr. Dawson has virtually retired from active
life. While carrying on the mill he also operated
two farms, which he sold within the past few years.
In addition to these enterprises he has been connected with the banking interests of the city, having been Vice-President, President and Cashier of
the First National Bank for over twenty years and
still having stock in the company and being one of
the Board of Directors.
The lady whose hospitality and kindness add to
the pleasure found in the home of Mr. Dawson,
became his wife July 16, 1846, prior to which time
she was known as Miss Elizabeth Beatty. She was
born in the north of Ireland, on the 4th of February, 1826, and came to Canada with her father,
George Beatty, when she was six years old.
There she grew to womanhood, and when twenty
years of age came to Oakland County with her
brother. She is the mother of twelve children,
ten of whom are living: Margaret, is the widow
of Albert Jewell; Robert E., is now living in Superior City Wis.; George, Charles and Richard
live in Pontiac and operate a store and flouring
mill; Elizabeth, married Robert McBride, who is
the agent for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern
Railroad; Launcelot, is a physician, and a graduate of the University of Michigan; Mary W., is
the wife of Dr. John Elliott, of Bay City; James
H., who is a graduate of the University of Michigan, is practicing medicine in Marquette; Rachel
E., who was graduated from the State University
at Ann Arbor, is a preceptress in the High School
at Owosso, Shiawassee County. The deceased children are Janet, who died in 1890, and Willie, who
lived to be but two and a half years old. By his
first marriage in 1841, when Miss Julia Ann Elston became his wife, our subject had one son,
John, who died when about thirty-three years old.




316


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- -— I


For two years Mr. Dawson was the incumbent
of the Mayor's chair in Pontiac, and he has held
the office of Assessor four years. Ile is a man
who is strong in his convictions, and not easily
moved when he llas formed an opinion, but charitable toward those of opposing views and hospitable and benevolent. In politics he is a stanch
Democrat. He and his wife are devoted members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is one
of the Trustees. His portrait presented in connection with this brief biographical notice represents
one of the most widely known and highly esteemed
of all Oakland County's citizens. Both he and
his estimable wife keep themselves well informed
regarding events of general interest, show a decided interest in the welfare of mankind, and are
particularly devoted to the interest of their own
community, toward the progress of which they
have done so much effective work., OBERT YERKES, a representative citizen
of Novi Township, well and widely known
\ for his active interest in public enterprises,
especially the cause of education, resides
in an elegant home which is furnished with taste
and luxury and in which a refined hospitality is
dispensed. His father was William Yerkes, a native
of Moreland, Montgomery County, Pa., and was
born September 9, 1794. He was a cooper by trade
and later a boatman on the Mohawk River and
Erie Canal. He sold out his boat and bought a
little rocky farm of forty acres near Romulus, Seneca County, N. Y. Ile afterward traded that property for a sixty-acre farm. His father was Joseph
Yerkes who fought through seven years of the
Revolutionary War, and was married in 1793 to
Mary Purdy. The origin of this family in America
is traced to two brothers who in the early days
came from Hanover, Germany. One went South,
the other, Harmon or Herman, born in 1680, settled in Pennsylvania. He had a family of eight
sons, who were noted as a sturdy set of men.
They were even tempered, of good moral character and very systematic ir their work, From these


eight sons all the Yerkes in the United States can
be traced. The grandfather of our subject was the
son of one of the younger brothers, Stephen, born
August 3, 1827. Our subject belongs to the fifth
generation in America.
The mother of our subject was Hester Dennis,
who was born in New Jersey, March 21, 1799, and
who removed when an infant to Seneca County,
N. Y. Her marriage with William Yerkes took
place at Romulus, N. Y., November 5, 1817. In
the spring of 1825 William and his cousin, Thomas
Pinkerton, made their way on foot from New York
to Michigan and located in Novi Township, which
was then an unbroken wilderness as there was
not another settler in the township. They returned
to New York and the following spring they again
made the journey to Michigan by way of Canada.
Mr. Yerkes built a log house upon his claim and
then went to Detroit to meet his wife and four
children who came by boat to Detroit. He bought
an ox-team and wagon with which to convey his
family and goods to his new home, and in this
purchase exhausted his finances. They had to follow an Indian trail until the last eight days of the
journey when they were obliged to cut their way
through the woods. His father, Joseph, accompanied
the family and bought a farm in Plymouth Township, Wayne County, near his son. There he died
January 10, 1850.
William Yerkes and wife settled upon their
rough, wild farm. She was by nature a woman of
surpassing energy and endurance. The wants of
her growing family stimulated her to a life of uncommon activity and self-denial. For many years
after marriage she spun, wove and made up the
every-day wear of the household, and all this in
addition to routine work in the care of her large
family. Indeed so thorough was the discipline of
toil through which she passed that her industrious
and careful habits were continued long after her
children had one by one made homes for themselves and thus greatly lessened her cares.  He
remained on that farm for fifty-eight years, passing away January 5, 1884. His good wife had
preceded him to the better world September 11,
1881.
Of the ten children of this worthy couple the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


317


I


following are now living: Joseph D. William P.,
Silas A., Robert, Charles, George and Harrison.
The parents were earnest and consistent members
of the Presbyterian Church in which the father was
an Elder from 1839 until 1884. He was active in
public matters and helped to organize Novi Town
ship in 1828. He received a commission from Gov.
Lewis Cass as Justice of the Peace, and in 1834
became Supervisor for two years. After Michigan
was admitted as a State he held the same office for
five years longer. He was a member of the first
Legislature under the State Government in 1837,
and again was sent to the Legislature in 1856. He
was a man of few words but was concise and clearcut in his remarks. His faculties were unimpaired
by age to the very end. IHe was ever a temperate
man in his habits and a friend of education. He
built the first frame house and barn in Novi Township. The boys used to take turns in helping the
mother with her weaving until eleven o'clock at
night, and they were ever helpful, even to the last
sad services, as the seven sons acted as pall bearers
to both parents when their bodies were laid away
to rest.
Robert Yerkes was born September 26, 1829, in
the old homestead. He began for himself at the
age of twenty-one by working land on shares, but
remained at home until after he was twenty-six
years of age. His marriage took place October 7,
1856.; he was then united with Sarah E., daughter
of Rosecrans and Salome (Wakeman) Holrnes. Mr.
Holmes was a native of Albany County, N. Y., and
was born February 28, 1797. His wife was born
in Seneca County, N. Y., September 14, 1800.
They were married October 25, 1818, in Lockport,
N. Y., and resided in that State until 1827, when
they emigrated to the Wolverine State and made
their new home upon a heavily timbered farm in
Plymouth Township, Wayne County.
After buying the farm the young man's purse
was entirely exhausted, and they saw pioneer trials
and did pioneer hard work for years. He diedl at
the age of forty-seven years and his widow lived
until 1883. They were earnest and active members in the Christian Church, and became the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom are now living. Mr. Holmes never attended school after he was
lb


ten years old, but was a good scholar and an excellent teacher, which profession he practiced in New
York State. He was active in politics and a Whig
in his political views.
Mrs. Yerkes was born in Royalton, N. Y., August 25, 1827, and started on her Western trip at
the early age of six weeks, so that she calls herself
a Western woman. After taking what education
she could gain in the district schools she studied
at Ypsilanti, attended teachers' institutes and was
for some time a member of a young ladies' school
at Dexter and also returned for a short period of
instruction to Lockport, N. Y. She began teaching when seventeen years old and devoted most of
her time to this profession for ten years. She
taught in the Lockport (N. Y.) ward schools for
two years, and in Michigan was a teacher in Dexter, South Lyon, Northfield, Northville and Plymouth.
The first home of Mr. and Mrs. Yerkes was upon
a farm on section 26, Novi Township. Here he
bought one hundred and sixty acres at $25 per acre
and sold it fourteen years later for $60 an acre.
He brought it from a rough condition to a high
state of cultivation. He then bought what is now
his home farm and brought it also from a condition
of wildness to that of a splendid farm. He has
put thirteen hundred and fifty rods of tiling under
it. In 1870 he built the beautiful home where he
now resides at a cost of $4,000 besides his own
work, which he did not estimate. He has four
hundred and forty acres of richly cultivated and
arable land upon which he carries on general farming. He has had five children, all sons, four of
whom are still living. Willie H. married Helen
Blackwood and makes his home in Northville;
Donald P., a noted base ball pitcher married Nellie
McRobert and lives on this farm; Robert C. is still
unmarried. To all of these sons have been granted
a liberal education.
Mr. and Mrs. Yerkes are earnest and jactive
members of the Presbyterian Church at Northville
where Mr. Yerkes has been an Elder for twentyfour years and where he has been also a Trustee
and Sunday-school Superintendent. For many
years this worthy couple have been active in
Sunday-school work. Mr. Yerkes js a strong poli



3t8


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


cian and affiliates with the Republican party but
has always declined office except as he could serve
his fellow citizens in some local offie. He has been
Director in the Northville School Board and was
also County Treasurer for one term. He was Justice of the Peace for twelve years and has always
been a man of temperate habits and belief. His
wife, who is a lady of broad culture and refined
tastes, is an active member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
NSON W. BAKER, a farmer on section 7,
Highland Township, is a son of Royal
Baker, a son of the Rev. Thomas, a native
of the Green Mountain State. To him
and his good wife Jerusha Waldo were born four
sons and four daughters. The Rev. Thomas Baker
came to Michigan in 1838. Here he engaged in the
work of the ministry, and traveled on foot for
many weary miles and preached in various parts of
Oakland County. His work in this county continued until his death in 1845. He was then a man
of four-score years and his ministry had extended
over forty years. In 1849 his wife followed him
to the grave at the age of seventy-five years. In
his early boyhood he had been left an orphan by
the death of his father who was killed by the Indians. One of his uncles was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and drew a pension through the
remainder of his life of $100 a year. He was shot
in the arm and the bullet went through and landed
in his cartridge box and he kept this interesting
relic for many years.
Royal Baker, the father of our subject, was born
in Vermont December 19, 1801. At an early day
he emigrated to Massachusetts and then to New
York where he was married, March 14, 1824, to
Lorane Cronover. By this wife he had three daughters, Louisa, Mrs. Palmer; Jerusha. Mrs. Sigler,
and Maria, Mrs. Hinkley. His second marriage
was with Sarah Shaw. The wedding was celebrated
February 8, 1831, in New York. To them were
born the following children: Anson, our subject;
Thomas F.; Emily J.; Edward; Larkin, and Will

iam H. In 1842 Mr. Baker came to Michigan and
settled on the farm now owned by his son Anson.
He now purchased forty=five acres. He had visited Michigan a number of times and had taken up
two hundred and forty acres in Livingston, Shiawassee and Oakland Counties. All that is left in
the family of the original purchase at the present
date is forty-five acres. He was a shoemaker by
trade and followed this calling most of his life. He
lived at Rochester when there were only a few log
houses there. Both he and his good wife were
active members of the Baptist Church. He died
April 10, 1853, and his wife followed him to the
grave the following year, breathing her last August 16, 1854. He cleared one hundred acres of
land. He was a Whig and took an active part in
both politics and church matters, and in a word
was one of the prominent men of his dlay.
Anson W. Baker was born January 6, 1832, in
Pittsford, Monroe County, N. Y. He came with
his parents by boat and team to the new home.
An uncle who accompanied them, Maj. F. Lockwood, was one of the pioneer settlers, and built the
first sawmill and the first gristmill in Highland
Township. He eulisted in the United States service and was killed by the guerrillas.
The subject of this sketch remained at home
until he was of age when he undertook the management of his father's farm, which he continued until
it was divided. He then with his brother Thomas
bought the four shares belonging to their sisters,
and the property was then divided among the four
brothers. Our subject sold his share and moved
to Fentonville, where he bought a farm on which
he lived for a short time, but he was not contented
and he sold this new purchase and bought the original homestead of forty-five acres on which he
now lives. He has since added one hundred and
forty acres but has sold part of it and now owns
one hundred and five acres. He has been a hardworker and in his early days worked for many
weeks at fifty cents a day. He has been a successful breeder of Merino sheep.
The lady who presides with so much grace and
dignity over the home of our subject, bore the
maiden name of Julia A. Cowles. They were
united in marriage October 30, 1854, Mrs, Baker's




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


319


father, Elias Cowles, was one of the first settlers of
Highland Township, and was born in Connecticut
in 1797.  His sister Phoebe who died was the
second person to be buried in Highland Township. The other sister, Emma married the younger
brother of Mr. Baker and they reside in Highland
Township. The family came here during the Territorial days. The mother is still living here at
the advanced age of four-score years and six.
Mrs. Baker's father was a drummer in the State
Militia when living in New York. His son Elias
took part in the Civil War, and served for about
seven months. He saw a number of battles and was
present at the surrender of Richmond. He belonged
to the Sixteenth Michigan Infantry and only two
were left in his company.
To our subject and his wife have been born three
children: Wilson W., born January 12, 1860;
Edith M., April 24, 1867, deceased; Winifred L.,
born April 7, 1878. The family of Wilson W.,
consists of two sons, Ray and Earl. His wife bore
the maiden name of Bertha Clark. This young
man is an 'Odd Fellow. Mr. Baker is connected
with the Republican party, has been Justice of the
Peace for sixteen years, Constable for two years,
and Highway Commissioner for two years. He
was educated in the common schools and at the
Union School at Flint. Both he and his wife are
highly educated and well informed, and she was a
teacher previous to her marriage. At the time of
the war he sent a substitute in his place although
he was not drafted. His brother Thomas was
drafted and furnished a substitute. His brother
Larkin served three years in the Twenty-Second
Michigan Infantry, and William H. was in the
Light Artillery for two years. Both now draw
pensions.
RANCIS SCHOCH. This gentleman is one
of the enterprising and progressive farmers
of Troy Township, and in the pursuit of
his chosen vocation is obtaining a satisfactory income, so that he can enjoy the comforts of modern
life and take a part in 'public-spirited movements


which call for money as well as time. His residence
is on section 6, where he has seventy acres of land,
and his estate also includes sixty-five acres on section 5. The most of the land is under the plow
and it as fine a tract of land as one could wish to
see. The buildings are sufficiently numerous and
ample to answer every purpose, and there are two
good farmhouses on the estate.
Mr. Schoch is a native of Northampton County,
Pa., born near Williamsboro, March 8, 1835. His
paternal grandfather, Jacob Schoch, was born in
Germany and established his home in the Keystone State during the eighteenth century. There
Henry Schoch, father of our subject, was born in
1796. He married Mary Hagerman, a native of
New Jersey, whose birth occurred in the year 1800.
Their marriage occurred in Pennsylvania, and they
lived there until 1858, during which year they
came to this county and established their home
where their son Francis is now living. The father
was a weaver by trade and died January 11,
1878, and the mother November 9, 1881, aged
eighty-one years, eight months and three days.
The parental family included two children older
and two younger than our subject. Hannah, who
was born August 18, 1815, is the wife of John
M. Johnson, of Rochester, this State; Anna M.,
born in 1833, is the wife of Henry Barber, of
Troy Township; William H., born in 1837, lives
in Shifcwassee County, and so also does Samuel,
who was born in 1840.
Francis Schoch, our subject, was reared in his
native place and made his first visit to Michigan
in 1855. He returned to Pennsylvania and came
hither again in 1858, when his parents established
themselves here. His educational privileges were
such as the common schools of the time and place
ensured, and upon the practical foundation laid
thereon he has built much information on general
topics and current events. Immediately after his
marriage he made his home on the parental estate,
of which he became the owner, and which he still
continues to operate.
The wife of Mr. Schoch bore the maiden name
of Elizabeth Shug and was born in Northampton
Connty, Pa., December 10, 1833. She is the second of ten children comprising the family of John




320


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


and Eliza (Kortz) Shug. Her marriage was solemnized in this State. She is the mother of a son
and a (laughter, whose names are Fred S. and
Carrie E. Fred was born in Troy Township in
1868; he is a member of Pontiac Lodge, No. 183,
I. 0. O. F., and now holds the station of outside
guard. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal
Church at Troy, and to the Epworth League connected therewith. Carrie was also born in this
county, the date of the event being October 11,
1869. She, too, belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she takes an active part in Sunday-school work.
Mr. Schoch has served his fellow-citizens in the
capacity of Pathmaster. His political belief corresponds to that expressed in the platform of the
Democratic party, and he has supported every
candidate since the days of Buchanan.
'~ ---    ^    l. 1;, Ji
HOMAS GROW. A goodly number of retired agriculturists have made their homes
in Pontiac, in order to enjoy the social
privileges afforded in the city, after years of industry have secured to them a competence. One
of this number is the gentleman above named, who
still owns his farm lands.  After lie removed into
the city he built a handsome residence of the latest
design, and fitted it up in fine shape. It is of the
Queen Anne style of architecture, and is finished
in hardwood throughout, and heated by steam.
Mr. Grow is one of a family of seventeen children, all of whom lived to mature years, except
one. Fourteen of the family attended school at
the same time during one winter. Their parents
were Elisha and Lois (Palmer) Grow, natives of
Connecticut and New York, respectively. The
father was a son of Thomas Grow, who was born in
Connecticut, and was of English ancestry. After
their marriage Elisha Grow and his wife settled on
a farm in Cortland County, N. Y., and remained
there until their removal to this State in 1837.
Upon coming West, they made their home on a
farm in Waterford Township, this county, where
very slight improvements had been made, and


where much work was to be done in clearing the
land and erecting good buildings. Mr. Grow remained on the place, carrying on general farming,
until the fall of 1850, when he died in his seventyfirst year. His faithful wife breathed her last September 5, of the same year.
Thomas Grow was the seventh son of his parents. He was born in Cortland County, N. Y.,
March 22, 1818, and his schooldays were spent in
pursuing his studies in the home districts. After
lie accompanied his parents to this State, he remained with them about eighteen months, then
went to Chicago, Ill., from which place he drove a
team to the Desplaines River, hauling powder with
which to blast rock. After a few months thus employed he returned to this county and began farming on the homestead, continuing that line of life
until his marriage.
On October 13, 1841, Mr. Grow became the husband of Miss Margaret Morris, who was born in
Wayne County, N. Y., and was a daughter of
Lewis L. and Eve (Van Valkenburg) Morris, who
came to this county in 1839. After his marriage
Mr. Grow put up a house on the farm and occupied
it two years, then removed to White Lake Township, and lived on his father-in-law's farm. He
subsequently bought the tract, which comprised
one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land,
but after living upon it five years he made his
home in Waterford Township. After a few years
another change was made, the farm being traded
for another in Pontiac Township, of which he still
holds the deed. This property consists of one hundred and thirty-five acres of well-improved land
with good buildings and farm equipments. Mr.
Grow left the farm in 1873 to take up his residence
in the city, and in 1887 built the fine residence he
now occupies.
Mr. and Mrs. Grow have had six children, of
whom the survivors are Andrew, Elisha Palmer,
Dcwitt W. and Thomas, Jr. The eldest son is
farming in Montcalm County, and the others live
in Bay City, and the daughter is still with her parents. Our subject and his wife lost one child in
infancy, a daughter, Mary Jane. Mr. Grow has
filled the office of Pathmaster very acceptably, and
as a private citizen he is well respected. Politically




PORTRAITT AND`I BIOGRAPHICAL ALBU]M.


321


PORTAIT ANDBOGAPHCALALBUM.3 —2


I


he is a Republican. His wife dispenses the hospitality of their beautiful home with cordial grace,
and their daughter adds to its attractiveness by her
intelligence and culture.
VWILLIAM ERITY, miller and farmer, lives
on section 3, Southfield Township, where
he now owns one hundred acres of land.
He has been engaged in milling since 1855 and
now has a well-equipped establishment with eight
pairs of rollers, and two four-foot burrs and a capacity of fifty barrels of flour in twenty-four
hours, or two thousand bushels of wheat. A sawmill owned by him will turn out five thousand
pickets per day or two thousand feet of lumber.
Mr. Erity was born in Cayuga County, N. Y.,
September 22, 1829, and is the third son of Edward
B. and Melissa (Garrett) Erity. His father was
born in Ireland and came to America when of age.
He was married in New York, although his wife
was a native of Connecticut. lie carried on farming near the town of Mentz and died at his home
there. The widow came to Michigan and died in
this locality. The family consisted of one daughter
and four sons, and our subject was the fourth in
order of birth. He started out for himself when
ten years old and lived with a farmer four years.
He then, in 1843, came to this State and worked on
a farm for his board and clothes, until he was of
age. Mr. R. Hunter, for whom be had been working, then gave him $100 in money and a yoke of
oxen and with this capital he was ready to begin
life. He worked by the month for a couple of
years, then, having secured a companion, he located
where he is now living. For a year he worked the
place on shares, then bought it. He has made all
of the improvements and has accumulated sufficient
means to feel that he is above need, although he is
not ready to give up business. Indeed he is too
enterprising to be idle.
The wife of Mr. Erity bore the maiden name of
Orpha M. Reynolds and their marriage was solemnized in this county in 1852. The bride was born
in New York in 1828 and is the eldest daughter of


Chester Reynolds, who removed to this State when
she was quite small. The family of our subject
and his good wife consisted of three childrenSarah E., wife of John W. Bassett living in Southfield; Mary J., who married Chancey Nixon; and
Althea M., who was the wife of Will W. Masters, is
deceased. The Bassetts have one son, Will, and
the Nixons have a daughter, Alta.
Mr. Erity is a member of the Republican party.
The first office he held was that of Justice of the
Peace in which he served four years. He was
Township Supervisor eleven years, Treasurer two
years and has been Director of Schools many
years. He has also held the other school offices.
He belongs to Birmingham Lodge, No. 44, F. &
A. M., and is also connected with the Grange. He
is spoken well of on all sides as a useful citizen,
not only in business matters, but as one who is
public-spirited and anxious to see those around him
prosper.
W-J
"O- =P --- —--- '
ILLIAM B. DICKIE is one of the reputable farmers of White Lake Township,
N     owning and occupying a well-regulated
tract of land on section 29. He started out in life
as a general farmer with $2,800, and has displayed
such qualifications for his work and such good
judgment in investments, that he now has three
hundred and sixty acres of good farm land and a
house and lot in Flint. His farm is under cultivation, except forty-seven acres which are devoted to
timber, and a full line of farm buildings and such
adornments as befits a country home may be seen
upon it.
The grandfather of our subject was John Dickie,
a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, who emigrated to
Canada and spent the rest of his life in County
Waterloo. His wife was Marian Cuthbertson, and
his family consisted of four sons and three
daughters. Tie first-born was John, Jr., who
opened his eyes to the light in Scotland July 17,
1830, and who grew to manhood in his native land.
He was married there to Janet B. Miller, whose
mother was an own cousin of Robert Burns. She




322


PORTRAIT AN~D BIOGRAPHICAIC L ALBU~M.


2          P            AN..


was born January 28, 1809, and died in September,
1877. John Dickie, Jr., left his native land
soon after his marriage and made'his home in Canada, where he reared a family of six children,
named respectively, John, James, David, William
B., Marian and Jessie. In 1854 he came to this
State and bought a farm of two hundred and forty
acres in West Bloomfield Township, this county.
It was his intention to bring his family hither the
next spring, but he died in February, 1855, before
his purpose was accomplished. His widow and
five children soon located on the farm, which is
now owned by David, the third son.
The gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs was born March 6, 1841, in County
Waterloo, Canada, and was fourteen years old
when he came to this county with his mother and
other members of the family. He remained at the
family home until his marriage, after which he set
up his own household on an eighty-acre tract he
had bought. He retained that property two years,
then changed his location to White Lake Township, buying one hundred and twenty acres, near
which he now lives.   He next bought the one
hundred and twenty acres on which his present
residence stands, and still later added another one
hundred and twenty. His accumulation of property shows that he has been industrious and thrifty,
and that he merits a high position among his fel.
low-agriculturists.
July 4, 1865, our subject was married to Miss
Hattie Malcolm, daughter of George and Janette
(Andrews) Malcolm.    Her father was born at
Letbam, Fifeshire, Scotland, and came to America
in 1827, locat   in New York City. There he
worked at his trade-that of a carpenter. He was
married February 10, 1828, to a daughter of Simon Andrews, who was born near Glasgow, Scotland. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm were
named James, Mary, George, John, Annie, Robert,
Elizabeth, Hattie and Willie. She who became
Mrs. Dickie is well informed, thoroughly acquainted
with household duties and has an estimable character. Mr. and Mrs. Dickie have had ten children,
viz.: Charlie, Fred, Roy, Kittie, Harrison, Jenny
B., Annie, Malcolm, Willie and May. Of these
children Charlie is deceased, and Jennie B., Annie


and Malcolm are still living under the home roof;
Willie is married and farming near New Hudson;
May is the wife of George Wager and her home
is in White Lake Township.
Mr. Dickie is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to
Milford Lodge No. 1 and Blue Lodge No. 121, in
Commerce. He is and always has been a Republican. He served three consecutive years as Township Supervisor and discharged the duties of office
in a manner creditable to himself and his constituents. Mrs. Dickie is a member in good standing
of the Baptist Church.
V       ILLIAM H. GREGG, a merchant of Oxford, was born in Oakland County August
22, 1851. He is a son of Robert and
Catherine (Adams) Gregg, both of whom were
natives of New York. This couple when young
came to Michigan and located in Oakland County
in 1840. Here Robert engaged in farming. He
did not live to bring up his family, but died
in Gratiot County in November, 1854, when the
subject of our sketch was scarcely out of infancy.
His good wife was spared to care for her flock of
little children and remained with them until November, 1890, when she was called to her heavenly
home. The eight children of this household are
all living, but are scattered far and wide, four of
them being in Nebraska and some still remaining
in Michigan. The Greggs are of Scotch descent.
William H. Gregg was reared on a farm, where
he remained until he was eighteen years of age.
He then decided to go out into the world and
take hold of some other work. He entered the
mercantile business for G. W. Alger, for whom he
clerked nine years on a salary. He had been frugal and industrious, and had laid by each year
what he could spare of his salary, and was now
prepared to begin business for himself. He bought
a stock of goods and opened up a grocery store.
He prospered in business and received the patronage of the community to such an extent that he
was enabled, from time to time, to add largely to
his stock. After awhile he varied his business by








I"I


-  -1,,,,
---   -      e.
'I, — I      -" - --- --
-   - -, 0.,
- - -N,-, -, M     -  -   --
a6kai.,.- I


r
d
f~f 
j


r-, -..,






POUI'TRAI r AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


325


I -


-


adding a general stock of dry-goods, and now carries a full line of these goods besides boots and
shoes, groceries and wall paper.
Mr. Gregg had already established a home before he began in business for himself. He was
married September 2, 1870, to Elizabeth, daughter
of Robert Bailey. Two children have brightened
their home-Stuart and Howard. Mr. Gregg is
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the
Knights of the Maccabees. He is a Republican in
politics and keenly alive to the interests of town
and county. Our subject is also a member of the
Masonic order.
UDGE JAMES A. JACOKES. This gentleman is one of the prominent lawyers of
Pontiac and was formerly Judge of Probate
for Oakland County. He is a member of
the law firm of Baldwin, Draper & Jacokes, enljoys
a good practice and stands well among his associates as a wise counselor and one whose opinions
are sound and based on study and investigation.
He has held various offices and has ably discharged
the duties that devolved upon him, governing his
actions by the high moral principles which animate
him in private life as well.
Judge Jacokes was born in Geneva, N. Y., November 21, 1834, and is the son of the Rev. Dr.
D. C. Jacokes, whose biography is also found in
this volume. He was educated at home, mostly
under the instruction of his father, until he had
made considerable progress in the studies of a
collegiate course, when he entered Albion College,
Mich. After spending two years in that institution lie entered upon the study of law in 1857,
and in 1861 was admitted to the bar in Pontiac,
where he has since practiced. He was a student
under Judge Baldwin, with whom he was afterward associated several years as a partner. At a
much later date the present firm was organized.
In 1880 Judge Jacokes was elected a member of
the School Board and has held the office continuously until the present time (1891.) In 1862 he


i
I


I




was elected Circuit Court Commissioner and held
that office four years and was again elected in 1870.
He was City Attorney four years and in 1876
was chosen Judge of Probate, which he held four
years. He was elected to these positions by the
Democratic party, of which he is an active member. His religious connections are with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Judge Jacokes has been
a student from early life and he has a wide acquaintance with literature and science. He has a
pleasing address and fine social qualities, and the
general verdict of those who know him is expressed
by a friend who says, "He is one of those good
kind-hearted men who have a smile and an honest
hand for all."
The residence of Judge Jacokes is situated in
one of the best neighborhoods of the city and is
built of brick with neat and attractive surroundings. It was until quite recently presided over by
a true-hearted wife, who joined her fate with his,
October 15, 1867. Mrs. Jacokes was known in her
maidenhood as Miss Camilla Manning and was a
daughter of the late Randolph Manning, Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of Michigan. She
was well and favorably known and had a large
circle of friends. She was a devoted member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and when she entered the valley of the shadow of death November 22, 1890, she was supported by the rod and
staff that are promised to all Christians.
A portrait of Judge Jacokes is presented on another page of this volume.
J  AMES M. ANDREWS, an old settler of
1850, a successful farmer, and a man of exemplary life, makes his home on section 16
Holly Township, He was born in Washington county, Vt., February 13, 1814. His father,
Eleaser Andrews, was a native of Vermont, as was
also his grandfather, Elijah. The father of our
subject removed to Onondago County, N. Y.,
and farmed there. He was a very thorough going
and industrious man, a member of the Close Communion Baptist Church in his early days, and later




326


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




I


in his life a Universalist. Politically, he saw a
number of changes, being first an anti-Mason, then
a Whig, later a Republican, and finally a Democrat in his old age. He held some township offices
with credit. He died in New York State in his
ninety-third  year.  His wife; Daphne Goodin,
the mother of our subject, bore thirteen children,
eleven of whom lived to be married. She was a
Baptist in religion and lived to the advanced age
of eighty years.
The subject of our sketch was reared on the
home farm in New York, to which he had moved
with his parents when one year old. When
twenty-one years old he worked one year for his
father on wages, then he and his brother farmed
the home place until he came to Michigan in the
winter of 1849. In the spring of 1850 he came to
this county.   He bought two    hundred and
forty acres at that time and lived in a log house
for fifteen years.  He has improved his farm and
built neat frame buildings upon it. He has been
an extensive stock-raiser.
The mariage of Mr. Andrews took place in
1836. He was then united with Eliza Joslin, who
is still living. She was born in New York State.
Nine children have blessed their union, namely,
James, Daphne, Sabin J., George U., Helen, John,
Emma, Hosie aad Ezra. Our subject is a Republican and has had some township offices, and was.
for a long time, Justice of the Peace.  He helped
organize the Republican party in this township,
when there were but seven Republican votes here.
He now rents his place to his son-in-law and lives
a retired life.
OHIN W. MORGAN. This gentleman has
been numbered among the agriculturists of
White Lake Township but a comparatively
short time, yet he has become known as one
who thoroughly understands his vocation and cannot only produce good results in general work,
but do well with specialties. He breeds fine-wool
sheep, markets large crops of potatoes and sells
good fruit, paying particular attention to these




I


f


I


three items. The house in which he is living is a
comfortable and attractive dwelling, built under
his oversight in 1888, and surrounded by ninety
fertile acres, every rod of which is devoted to use
or ornament in accordance with good taste and
judgment.
Grandfather Morgan, whose given name was
William, was born in New Jersey and in his early
life went to Tompkins County, N. Y., where he
reared his family and spent his remaining years.
His wife was a Miss White who was nearly related
to Mr. White who owned much of the land on
which Philadelphia is built. Four sons and four
daughters were born to William Morgan and his
wife and the second son was Nelson, father of our
subject. That gentleman was a native of Tompkins County, N. Y., born April 10, 1814. After
his marriage he removed to the western part of the
State and in 1866 came West and bought two hundred acres of land in Independence Township, this
county, on which he is still living. He is a carpenter by trade and has followed that handicraft
most of his life, but is now retired.
In Tompkins County, N. Y., Nelson Morgan was
married to Sarah George who was born there in
1815. Her father, Thomas George, was a native
of New Jersey, but made an early settlement in the
Empire State and passed his later years there. The
family in which our subject is the third son, included also George, Hans, William B., Louisa, (deceased) and Clara. The son of whom we write
was born in Cattaraugus County, N.Y., March 19,
1844. He pursued his studies in the neighboring
schools and fitted himself for the occupation to
which his taste led him. He remained in his native
State until 1873, then came hither and settled on
an eighty-acre farm in SashabawPlains, this county.
In 1884 he sold that property and removed to
White Lake Township, buying his present estate.
At the bride's home in Davisburg, this county,
Mr. Morgan was married to Mary Struble, daughter
of Robert Struble. Her father was a native of
New Jersey but spent his last years in Waterford
Township, this county, and is well remembered by
many of the old settlers there. Mrs. Mary Morgan
died in 1884, leaving three children-Hattie, Samuel and George. Some time after her demise Mr.




PORTRAI ' AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


327


I

Morgan was married to Mrs. Antoinette Horn,
a daughter of Thomas Cornell, who was a native
of New Jersey. Mr. Morgan has always voted a
Republican ticket. He never aspires to office but
takes an intelligent interest in political questions
and has a sound reason to give for his party faith.
He is a member in good standing of the Methodist
Church.
C ----*^E^tt) ---
f      YRON VOORHEIS, a farmer on section
6, White Lake Township, is one of the
representative farmers of Oakland County.
He is a son of Sebring Voorheis, whose
father, Peter, lived in Seneca County, N. Y., and
reared a family of ten children, namely: Isaac,
Joseph, Sebring, Peter, Jackson, John, Jacob,
Abraham, Mary and Jane. The great-grandfather
of our subject was in the War of the Revolution.
Sebring Voorheis was born in Seneca County,
N. Y., January 7, 1815, and in 1839 came to Michigan and settled in White Lake Township, where he
ended his days. At that period he owned one
hundred and fifty acres, most of which he had
cleared and broken. He bad also devoted considerable time to teaching school. He had been
married in New York to Sarah, daughter of Jacob
Bachman. Two children only bless this unionour subject and his brother Peter. The second
marriage of the father of our subject united him
with Julia A. Yerkes, by whom was born one son,
Carl S.
Mr. Voorheis' political views were first with the
Whigs and afterward the Republicans. He was
Supervisor four terms and Township Clerk one
term. He represented the district of Oakland
County in the State Legislature in 1863-64 for a
term of two years. His death occurred in February, 1882, in White Lake Township. He had been
bereaved of his faithful wife in April, 1866.
Myron Voorheis first saw the light December
10, 1840, in White Lake Township, where he has
resided ever since with the exception of a year and
a half which he passed in Paw Paw and six months
at Grand Rapids. His education in the common
schools was supplemented by attendance at the


State Normal School at Ypsilanti, where he was
graduated in 1865. He taught school winters for
six years. While at school in Ypsilanti he met
Lucy A. Nelson, of Vermont, who was a classmate there. To her he was united in marriage
August 14, 1867; The father of Mrs. Voorheis
was Oren Nelson, a native of Wheelock Township,
Caledonia County, Vt., born February 19, 1806.
Her mother was Sarah Allen in her maidenhood,
and was born June 9, 1809, and died September
25, 1888. This family were adherents of the faith
of the Free-Will Baptist Church.
Three children have blessed the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Voerheis. Their eldest is Herbert S.,
born August 4, 1870; he is now in the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, Mich., and is a member
of the class of '92, in which class is also his sister,
Sarah D., who was born March 9, 1872. The
youngest child, Irving N., was born August 21,
1876, and is still attending school at home. Mr.
Voorheis now owns ninety-six acres in White Lake
Township. He follows mixed farming and breeds
Shropshire sheep. He is a Prohibitionist and has
been since 1884. He has held the office of School
Inspector in Rose Township, and he and his family are members and supporters of the Presbyterian
Church at White Lake.
HARLES F. COLLIER, attorney-at-law at
Holly, was born in Wayne County in 1856.
Ile is the son of David G. and Mary J.
(Louden) Collier, natives of England and Canada
respectively. Thie father came to America when
quite young, and coming to Oakland County, engaged in work on a farm and for some time clerked
in Pontiac. About 1855 he came to Holly and
engaged in the grocery business. His father,
Nathan, preceded his family to America and settled near Iolly. He had three sons and three
daughters. Samuel Louden, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Ireland of
Scotch descent. He first settled in Canada, and
came from there to Wayne County, where he settled on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres,




328


PORTRA-Vr AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


328~~~~ ~ ~ ~ POTRI AN  IGAHCLABM


and farmed there for many years until in advanced
years he retired from active life and moved into
the village of Wayne. His daughter was educated
in the High School.
The subject of this notice spent his school days
largely in Holly. After completing a course in
the High School there he attended Albion College,
and then entered the law department of the University at Ann Arbor. He was graduated March
26, 1879, and admitted to the bar soon afterward.
After his graduation he returned to Holly and entered into partnership with Thomas L. Patterson
under the firm  name of Patterson &   Collier.
They remained together until January 1, 1885.
Mr. Collier has held the offices of Supervisor and
Clerk of the township.  He has been several
times a member of the Council and President of
the village of Holly. Since he commenced the
practice of law he has been Village Attorney all
the time with the exception of one year. He is a
stockholder of the Vinegar Works and a Director
and Treasurer of the same, having been active in
its organization.
The marriage of Mr. Collier, in 1887, united
him with' Helen A. Simpson, of Flint, Mich., a
daughter of Thomas Simpson. Mrs. Collier is a
graduate of the Holly High School and taught in
the ward school of Flint for some years. Mr. Collier is a Democrat and is connected with the orders
of the Free Masons and the Odd Fellows, and altogether is one of the prominent men of the
county.
OSEPH NUSBAUMER. Finarcially speaking this gentleman is one of the most substantial of Pontial's citizens, and this fact
is onb reflecting credit upon him, as he
began his career in life without means. By lint
of industry, prudence and wise economy during
many years of active life, he has accumulated a
goodly estate consisting of a well-improved farm,
a store building and other city property, including
a pleasant residence on North Saginaw Street. His
chief business in life has been that of a merchant,
and he displayed a high degree of financial tact


and business enterprise. He is still a comparatively young man, his natal day having been August 16, 1842, but he retired from business in 1889.
Our subject is the second son of John and Catherine (Stoll) Nusbaumer, the former of whom was
born in the county of Berne, Switzerland, and the
latter near Strasbnrg, Germany. Mr. Nusbaumer
was reared and educated in his native country,
whence he emigrated after attaining to manhood.
He landed in New York, made a sojourn in Erie,
Pa., and then reached Pontiac in the fall of 1832.
He bought one hundred and thirty acres of Government land in this county, but afterward disposed of forty acres. Lie began clearing and
improving the property and worked upon it until
after his marriage, which occurred August 2, 1838.
His bride was at that time living at Pontiac, having come to this country when nineteen years old.
The newly wedded couple settled on a farm near
Pontiac and the husband carried on general farming and stock-raising until his death. He breathed
his last in August, 1871, in the sixty-sixth year of
his age. His wife survived until February 25,
1879, and attained to her seventy-fifth year.
The parental family included four sons and five
daughters, and the second of the survivors is the
subject of this notice. The others are John, now
living in Pontiac; Mary, wife of Lewis Specht,
whose home is in Detroit; Emma, who is in a convent in Milwaukee; Elizabeth, who is unmarried;
Theodore and Edmond, who are living in Pontiac.
Joseph was born in Pontiac Township, this county,
August 16, 1842, and was reared as are other
farmer boys, dividing his time between attendance
at the district school and assisting his father on the
the farm. During his youth he attended the old
Union school at Pontiac for a time, and in 1861 he
entered the employ of Hosea Woodard in the capacity of a dry-goods clerk.  He remained with
that gentleman two years and then obtained work
in the grocery store of Thomas Turk, where he
likewise remained two years.
A trip to Memphis, Tenn., was then taken by
Mr. Nusbaumer and he spent eighteen months in
that city in the employ of Fred Walter. During
that time he was married to Miss Bernadina Windler, of that city, daughter of Herman and Anna




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


329


I

I. Windler. Soon after the marriage he returned
to Pontiac and entered into business as one of the
firm of F. Walter & Co., general grocers and provision dealers, his partner being Fred Walter, who
had sold out his business in Memphis. The connection continued three years, then Mr. Nusbaumer sold out to his partner and building a brick store
in the northern part of the city, started a grocery
and provision house alone. He carried on the
business from 1870 to 1889, when he sold his stock
to John Kallenbach, ahd retired to private life.
Mr. and Mrs. Nusbaumer have six children living, named respectively, Anna, George, Henry,
Emma, Mary and Clara. They lost one child in
infancy. Parents and children are communicants
of St. Vincent's Catholic Church. Mr. Nusbaumer stands high as a business man and citizen, and
is well worthy of representation in such a volume
as this.
\      ILLIAM J. TUNSTEAD, of Oxford, was
born at Bradford, Ontario, Canada, March
17, 1840.  He is the son of John and
Sophia Tunstead, natives of the north part of England, whence they came to America about 1830.
The father departed this life in July 1870, the
mother resides with our subject and is seventyeight years old. Thirteen children were born to
them. William J., our subject, was apprenticed to
learn the trade of a tinner. He served four years
at Brantford. After he began working independently he remained there for about a year, then
came to Detroit in 1861 where he remained for
about two years.
Mr. Tunstead came to Oxford in 1863 and
worked at his trade for Ira Killam about two
years. Mr. Killam then sold out to A. A. Stanton with whom the young man remained for a
year and then having been able to accumulate
some funds and feeling that he was capable of
managing the business himself he bought out his
employer. To the tin shop he has added a general hardware and agricultural implement business,
carrying from $10,000 to $12,000 worth of stock


dence of the community, and has a trade of from
$25,000 to $30,000 dollars per annum. Our subject has erected a number of buildings in Oxford,
started the first hardware store in the place and
was the prime mover in organizing the Oxford
saving bank and has always been the President of
the same.
The marriage of our subject took place December 12, 1868. He was then united with Lyda
Davidson, to whom has been born one son, George
B. Mr. Tunstead is a popular man in Oxford
and belongs to most of the fraternal societies
which have lodges there, and also to some in Detroit and Pontiac. He is a member of the Oxford
Lodge of the F. & A. IM.; of the Oxford Chapter
of R. A. M., was High Priest for a number of years
of the Knights of Pythias; belongs to the Knights of
Maccabees, to the Pontiac Commandery No. 2 K.
T., to the Moslem Shrine of Detroit and to the
Pontiac Council of Royal Select. His political
affiliations are with the Democratic party and he
has been placed in several positions of trust by his
fellow-citizens of Oxford. He was the Treasurer
of Oxford in 1872, and Supervisor for the year
1877-78. He was made Trustee of the village when
it was first organized and continued in this position
for six years thereafter. On the 24th of December 1878, our subject met with a big loss by fire;
his stock building was entirely destroyed but was
lightly insured.
- EORGE KINSMAN belongs to a family
who were early settlers in New England.
The first of the name to land in America,
was Robert, who reached its shores about the
year 1624. The grandfather of our subject, John
Kinsman, was a captain in the Revolutionary
War on the English side. At that time he made
his home in New Brunswick. Our subject, who
iesides in Oxford. Oakland County, this State,
was born in Orange County, Vt., August 13, 1852.
Both parents, John and Julia A. (Heath) Kinsman,
were natives of New Hampshire. John, during his
early manhood was a farmer in Thetford, Vt. Six


constantly. He has secured the esteem and confi



330


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--


children survive of the seven born to this worthy
couple, namely: Charles, foreman in a paper mill
at Olcott, Vt.: John, resides on the old homestead;
Sarah, the wife of Joseph C. Brown in Shiawassee
County, Mich.; Annette H. and Minnie, both at
home; and our subject.
The subject of this sketch was brought up to the
pursuit of agriculture.  He attended Thetford
Academy for two years, and then went to Oxford
Academy. He taught considerably while preparing for college, and entered Oberlin College, Ohio,
in the Class of '76. When about half through his
course his money gave out. This necessitated his
return to teaching for awhile. In 1880 he was
graduated in the law department at Ann Arbor,
and went to Lebanon, N. H., where he entered the
office of John L. Spring, with whom  he read law
for a year.
The young lawyer spent a year at home on the
farm, and in 1882 came to Oxford, Mich., and
opened an office where he has since continued in
practice. Ile is a member of the Knights of P3 thias, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and
in politics adheres to the principles of the Republican party. He is an attendant at the Congregational Church, and is highly esteemed by all the
citizens of Oxford.
AMES H. DAVIS, a farmer and old pioneer
of Springfield Township, was born in Ulster
County, N. Y., November 23, 1827. His
father was Cornelius Davis, and his grandfather, Andrus, was a native of Holland, and came
to America when a boy. He was a pensioner of
the United States Government, having served in
the Revolutionary War. He died in Ulster County,
N. Y., at the extreme age of ninety years. The
father came to Michigan in June, 1836, journeying by team. He took up land and returned after
his family. He came back by canal and lake to
Detroit, and from there by team, through the wild,
uncultivated forest. He had seven hundred and
eighty odd acres where the town of Davisburg now
Stands, which town now bears his name,


Mr. Davis was a hard worker, and spent but little time in hunting the deer and bears which were
then so plentiful. He did his first trading in Detroit, and paid $14 a barrel for flour, and $40 a
barrel for pork. There were no regular roads laid
out, and travelers had to follow blazed trees. lie
made numerous improvements here, and lived to
the age of sixty-six years. His religious belief was
in accord with the doctrines of the Presbyterian
Church, and he held to the platform of the Democratic party. He held the offices of Assessor and
Justice of the Peace.
Agnes Winfield, the mother of our subject, was
a native of Orange County, N. Y. She saw seven
of her eight children grow to maturity, namely:
Mary E., Mrs. Locy; John C., Thaddeus, Jerome
Z., James H.; Sarah J., Mrs. Burnham; and Isaac
L. She was a devout member of the Presbyterian
Church, and often opened her home for preaching
services. James was nine years old when he came
to Michigan, and the first school he attended was in
a private house, as the districts had not then been
organized. A little later log schoolhouses were
built, and the rate bill system was inaugurated.
He remembers well the slab benches with pin legs,
the writing desk on the wall, and the open fireplace. He began to work upon the farm as soon as
he was old enough, and remained at home until he
reached his twenty-seventh year, when his father
gave him eighty acres of land to which he added
by purchase.
Mr. Davis married Maria Simpson in 1855. She
was born in Cambridge, N. Y., and became the
mother of three sons-William, Myron and John.
The young mother's life ended in 1859. The second marriage of our subject took place in March,
1862. He was then united with Isabel Irwin, who
was a native of Canada, and reared near Batavia,
N. Y. Her five children are all living, namely:
Elizabeth E., Mrs. Reynolds; LeRoy, Laverne,
Heppie and Martha.
The home farm comprises two hundred and
twenty acres, most of it under cultivation. Mr.
Davis has broken nearly two hundred acres of
ground here with four and five yoke of oxen. He
raises good stock of all kinds, especially Durham
cattle, and pays much attention to grain. He has a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUIM.


331..- - - - -- - - --


pleasant and commodious frame residence and two
large frame barns. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He is a Democrat in his political views, and has
been elected Justice of the Peace, but would not
accept the positiqn. He is a member of the Masonic order at Davisburg, No. 48. He is a member of Charter Oak Lodge, No. 56. A. O. U. W.,
at Davisburg. He is a man of unusual good sense
and judgment, and is an excellent manager of his
fine estate.
P    1, I B AKER, a representative farmer of
Bloomfield Township, was born in Scipio,
Cayuga County, N. Y., January 14, 1822.
He is the son of Horace and Sarah (Shaver) Baker,
natives of Greene and Columbia Counties, N. Y.,
respectively. The parents were married in Scipio,
and lived there almost all their lives, but died in
Owasco, that county. He never accumulated property but was an industrious farmer all his life. He
and his wife were for many years members of the
Baptist Church and in politics he was a Democrat.
He had five children, namely: Eli, Ambrose (deceased), George C. W., Milo and Sarah (deceased).
The subject of this sketch was reared in New
York State. After spending his early years on
the farm, he learned the blacksmith trade and
worked at this business in various points in that
vicinity. He then went to New Haven, Conn., and
for thirty years worked at his trade in railroad and
machine shops. He was in the employ of various
roads, and for years worked for the New York &
New Iaven Railroad. He also was in the employ
for fourteen years of H. B. Bigelow, who has since
been Governor of the State.
In 1879 Mr. Baker removed to Michigan, and
bought the farm where he now resides and settled
upon it. Here he has resided from that day to this.
It is a fine little farm  of one hundred and thirtynine acres and he has another small farm of forty
acres at another place. He started in life empty
handed but was possessed with those precious endowments of nature, pluck, push and perseverance.
He is unfortunately of a too confiding and unsus

picious a nature and does not readily discern rascalitv in those with whom'he deals. He has consequently been unfortunate with his dealings with
others and has been swindled out of more money
than he now possesses.
This gentleman has given all his attention to
farming since he came to this State. Although a
Democrat in his political views, he pays little attention to politics, and is only careful to cast his vote
upon the day of election. He is identified with the
order of the Free and Accepted Masons.
On November 19, 1851, an event of great importance in the life of our subject took place in New
Haven, Conn. It was his marriage with Jane Obdike. This lady was born in Stillwater, N. J., January 4, 1836, and is a daughter of Anthony and
Ann (Lininbery) Obdike. Six children have been
granted to our subject and his wife. They are
George and Robert E., who have died; Eli H., a
farmer living with his father; Sarah, deceased:
Willis A., a farmer who married Sarah M. Hutcheson of Birmingham, and has one child; and Ida,
who is deceased.
OHN E. BENEDICT, was born in Saratoga
Springs, N. Y., November 3, 1836. He is
a son of Eri and Delia E. (Darrow) Benedict. Eri Benedict was born in Greenfield,
Saratoga County, N. Y., March 20, 1799. Here he
grew to manhood and married. He was the son of
John, who was one of the first settlers of Saratoga
County. Eri Benedict came to Michigan in 1844,
and settled in Detroit. In 1856 he removed onto
a farm in Bloomfield Township, this county, which
is now owned by Mr. A. C. Tibbils. Here he lived
for many years but finally ended his days in Birmingham, March 21, 1889. His wife who was born
and died in the same place as her husband, was a
daughter of Isaac Darrow, of Saratoga County.
Her natal day was July 25, 1803. She died in
the fall of 1886. Seven children were granted to
this worthy couple.
Our subject was re.red in his native town and
was about eight years of age when the family re



332


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


moved to Detroit. He learned the machinist's
trade in the Michigan Iron Works under his uncle
J. B. Wayne. Since coming to this county he has
given all his attention to farming and fruit raising,
and has a farm of sixty-five acres, about thirteen
of which are in an apple orchard and three or four
acres are in grapes. Ile gave his father the benefits
of his labors until he came to this county. He and
his brothers then bought the place known as the
Fish place, going in debt for the whole amount.
He is now one of the leading farmers in the town
and is in easy financial circumstances but all which
he possesses is the result of hard work and good
management.
Mr. Benedict is a Republican although he is not
active in politics and he is a quiet but substantial
member of the Grange. He believes in churches
but is not personally connected with any religious
denomination. He was married June 19, 1871, to
Ellen C., daughter of Lewis W., and Julia (Tyler)
Adams. This lady was born in Southfield, this
county, May 1, 1840: She is the mother of three
children-Edwin L., Hattie B. and Carrie E. Her
father is now deceased, but her mother lives with
a son Lewis in Detroit. She is a daughter of Timothy Tyler, a native of Connecticut who settled in
Shiawassee County, in the early days.
DWARD N. GROW, a retired farmer of
Clyde, Highland Township, is a son of
Elisha and Lois (Palmer) Grow, who are
elsewhere mentioned in this book. Our subject
and his brother Edwin were twins, and were born,
March 8, 1822, in Homer Township, Cortland
County, N. Y. When fifteen years of age he came
to Michigan and settled in Waterford, in May,
1837, and has since resided in Oakland County.
When nineteen years old he learned the trade of
a shoemaker, and worked at it for seven years.
December 27, 1848, he was married in Clarkston,
to Susan Landon, who was born December 25,
1827, in Canada. She is a daughter of Ebenezer
Landon, a native of New York. At an early
day he went to Canada, and in 1836 came to Port


I


Huron, Mich.    He owned a farm in Chester
Township, Eaton County, comprising one hundred
and sixty acres which he worked, and also followed
the trade of a carpenter. He was a soldier in the
War of 1812. and received a land warrant of forty
acres for his services. HIe and Jlis wife were Free
Will Baptists.
The children of Mr. Edward Grow and wife
are: Miriam A., now Mrs. VanValkenburg, who
resides in Brady, Saginaw County; Frank H., a
farmer at Fenton; Albert R. at South Saginaw;
Lois A., who is now Mrs. Wallace, and resides at
East Saginaw, and John who is deceased. Mr.
Grow lived for five years on his sixty acre farm at
Waterford. He then moved to Springfield on a
farm of eighty acres. After living there nine years
he went to Clarkston, and after a year removed to
Highland Township. Here he lived from 1865 until
1879, when he came to the village of Clyde, where
he still lives, having sold his farm in 1886. He
has a good location and a fine residence, but most
of his property is in money. Both he and his wife
are Baptists, and his political affiliations are and
always have been with the Republican party.
RUMAN H. RICE who operates the foundry
and planing-mill at Oxford, was born in
Warren County, N. Y., March 9, 1832. He
belongs to an old Vermont family who came
originally from England. His grandfather, Asa
Rice, Sr., came from England when but a child.
Soon after his arrival in this country he was captured by the Indians and kept by them for nine
years. His experiences added great intensity to
his abhorrence of them. When he grew to manhood
lie located in Massachusetts and became a farmer.
He entered the Revolutionary Army and served
throughout the period of conflict.
Our subject is the son of Asa and Relief Rice,
natives of Western New York. The father lived
and died in Warren County, N. Y., passing from
life, in March, 1877. His wife had been called away
from earth in August, 1838. Their family consisted of seven children, namely: Hiram, who is




.0




?
1~
V




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


335


- ----— i


deceased; Minerva, wife of Elisha Wickham, of
Ballston Spa, N. Y.; Smitl, who lives on the old
homestead: Clark, at Edinburg, N. Y.; George,
deceased; D. P., and Truman H.
Young Rice became a clerk in a general store
when only sixteen years of age. After two years
service there he engaged in a sawmill and lumber
business. He came to Michigan in 1871, and went
into the lumber business in Lapeer County. where
he remained three and one-half years. After this
he came to Oxford and in 1874 engaged in the
lumber and milling business here. In connection
with B. L. Waite he bought the old gristmill,
which they operated for about two years. He then
bought the foundry and planing-mill which he still
owns and operates.
The marriage of Mr. Rice in February, 1864
with Mary J. Ayres, was an event of great importance and has resulted in a domestic life of
unusual happiness. Two children have blessed their
home-Myrtle and Inez. Their eldest daughter,
Myrtle, has become the wife of Eber Lewis now
living in Saginaw. Mr. Rice is a member of the
Masonic order and is also a Knight of the Maccabees. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, and he has been placed by the citizens
of Oxford in various offices of trust and responsibility. He was for some time Supervisor and has
been Alderman for a number of years.
AJ. CHARLES FORD         KIMBALL, of
Pontiac, was born in Piermont, Grafton
County, N. H. July 24, 1834. His father,
Lewis Kimball, was of the old Plainfield
stock of Kimballs, and a lineal descendant of the
family of refugees who came from Scotland and
found an asylum in Connecticut about the year
1640. His mother, whose maiden name was Lucy
Ford, was of English descent, her ancestors having
settled in Hebron, Conn., some time in the seventeenth century. She was a woman of great executive ability, determination and force of character.
She died suddenly March 2, 1858, at the age of
forty-nine years.
Our subject attended the district schools in his


native place until about ten years of age, and afterward for brief intervals the academies of Haver.
hill, N. H., and Bradford, Vt. It was his ambition
to study law and he was thus preparing to enter
college; but owing to financial embarrassments the
family removed, in 1849,from Bradford to Holyoke,
Mass., and he determined to earn his own living
and finish his education as circumstances might
favor him. At the age of fifteen he entered the
printing office of the Holyoke Freeman as an apprentice, and there remained about one year.
When in 1850 the family removed to Nashua, N.
H., he entered the office of the Nashua Telegraph,
at that time published by the Hon. Albin Beard.
In the spring of 1854 Mr. Kimball had finished
his apprenticeship, and meanwhile by close application had prepared himself for entering the University, and in December he left New England, intending to matriculate at Madison University in Hamilton, N. Y. His previous years of hard, confining
work and close application had impaired his health,
and he soon found that it would be impossible to
continue his studies. He left the University and
started West on a prospecting tour, and after visiting Cincinnati and St. Louis, went to Kansas, where
he remained about a month. From Kansas City he
sent home his books and extra baggage and started
alone and on foot on a journey through sparselysettled Northern Missouri, intending eventually to
reach Chicago.
Before many days the strength of Mr. Kimball
failed, and when he reached the little town of Trenton, Grundy County, he laid up for repairs. When
convalescent he was induced to purchase the dismantled wreck of a printing office wherein the
Frontier Western Pioneer was wont to be published,
and in May, 1885, issued the first number of the
North Missouri Herald, at Trenton. Here he
continued, against the odds of ill health and a
"pioneer country printer's purse," until the foliowing November, when he loaded the entire plant into
a couple of "prairie schooners" and moved it to
Brunswick, Mo., where he entered into partnership
with Judge Richard H. Musser and commenced the
publication of the State Gazette.
There Mr. Kimball was successful, and would
have continued, but his health again failed and he




336


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I                -----------


was compelled to sell his interest in June, 1856.
He returned to his native State, and on August 19
following consummated a matrimonial engagement
of several years' standing with Kate L., daughter
of the Hon. Joseph Sawyer, of Piermont. In May,
1857, by the advice of his physician, Mr. Kimball
went abroad, visiting the Bermudas, Azores, Madeiras, Cape Verde Islands, and the west coast of
Africa; recrossing the Atlantic to the West Indies, thence home, arriving in August, 1858, with
health completely restored. He says, "I went out
a desponding, emaciated stripling, and came back
a nut-brown, hardy sailor."  During his absence
Mrs. Kimball, who is an accomplished scholar and
teacher-a graduate at the head of her class of
1855 from Kimball Union Academy at Meriden,
N H.-had accepted the position of principal of
the Mt. Pleasant High School at Nashua.
In September, 1858, Mr. Kimball, with his wife,
again started West to begin business life anew, and
at Aurora, Ind., formed a partnership with Col.
Nelson and commenced the publication of the
Aurora Commercial. Col. Nelson was a native of
Kentucky and the partners soon differed on the
question of sectional politics. Mr. Kimball withdrew and went to Richmond where he engaged as
a journeyman printer in the Palladiusm office, the
paper at that time being edited by the Hon. D. P.
Holloway, afterward Commissioner of Patents under President Lincoln. There he remained until
March, 1861, when he was elected Secretary of the
Board of Control and Clerk of the Northern Indiana
State Prison, then in course of ccnstruction at
Michigan City. On his way to fill his appointment
and while awaiting instructions at Indianapolis,
Ft. Sumter surrendered to the rebels-an event
which "fired the Northern heart."
Having resided in the slave States,,ssociated
with and known intimately many of the Southern
leaders, especially the Prices and Johnsons of Missouri, who were of the best stock of the F. F. V.'s,
Mr. Kimball was fully convinced that the country
was at the commencement of a long and bloody
war. He expressed himself strongly to Gov. Morton, ridiculing the dispatches from  Washington
that the rebellion would be ended in a few months,
and urged the Governor to accept his resignation




I


and allow him to go back to Richmond and assist
in reorganizing the Richmond Zouaves, of which
he was Sergeant, and join the Eleventh Indiana,
which Gen. Lew Wallace was authorized to raise.
The great war Governor was inclined to think
the struggle would be brief, and declined to allow
the young man to adopt this course, saying to him
as he boarded the train for Washington on the
night of the 14th of April, 1861, "You have a very
responsible position and I want you to retain it for
the present."
Mr. Kimball had occupied the position at Michigan City over two years when he was appointed
by Gov. Morton as Military Agent for the State of
Indiana, with the rank of Major, and ordered to
Department of Kentucky, and soon afterward transferred to the Departments of Tennessee and the
Gulf, with headquarters at Vicksburg and subsequently at New Orleans. This position he held
until the fall of 1864, when, the seat of war being
transferred to the East and few Indiana soldiers
remaining in those departments, he resigned and returned North. He carried on the book and stationery business for a short time at Cambridge City,
Ind.. and thence went to Minneapolis, Minn., and
temporarily engaged in the fur trade. Afterward,
in 1866, he became interested in the general mercantile and lumber business at Boscobel, Wis. In
1869-70 his firm sustained serious losses in the
Mississippi River lumber trade, and in February,
1871, he came to Michigan and became managing
editor and joint proprietor of the Pontiac Gazette,
removing to Pontiac, where he has since lived.
The circulation of the Gazette at that time was
small and the plant limited. It soon, however, increased largely, and for the last thirteen years has
averaged above two thousand subscribers, and is
recognized as one of the best county papers as well
as one of the leading Republican organs of the
State. Mr. Kimball was appointed Postmaster of
Pontiac in April, 1875, and filled that position until February, 1880, when he declined a reappointment and recommended his assistant, who was appointed to succeed him. He was elected Secretary
of the Northern Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Society in September, 1872, and upon its
consolidation with the Michigan State Agricultural




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


337




I


Society in January, 1873, was elected Secretary,
which position he held until 1877, when he declined
a re-election. In November, 1889, Mr. Kimball was
appointed by President Harrison United States
Appraiser for the district and port of Detroit, and
he assumed the duties of that office December 2
following.
Mr. Kimball has been an enthusiastic member of
the Republican party from its organization, and has
taken a prominent and active part in every campaign. He was for many years a member of the
Republican State Central Committee, of Michigan,
and also of the Republican County Committee at
Oakland County, and for years Chairman of the
Republican City Committee of Pontiac. He was
always ceaseless in the work of organization of the
Republican party. In the troublesome times attending the seating of Rutherford B. Hayes in the
Presidential Chair to which he was elected, Mr.
Kimball was in attendance at Washington with
thousands of the tried and true, in answer to the
summons of the Union League.
Early recognizing the value of the social element
in political organization, in 1874 a few kindred
spirits met at the Gazette editorial rooms and organized the Lincoln Historical Society, of which
Mr. Kimball was President. The organization had
a fitful career, as public opinion was not then ripe.
The custom of doing all political work and organization with a great flourish of trumpets during a
two months campaign and then allowing its results
to dissipate.and the party to go into desuetude, was
too strongly entrenched to be at once successfully
overcome. The Lincoln Club, however, was kept
alive in one form and another, and with the organization of the Michigan Clu b at Detroit, with which
Mr. Kimball has been identified since its birth, it
took a new lease of life. It was re-organized under
the statutes of Michigan under the name Union
Lincoln Republican Club, with Mr. Kimball as its
President, and has become an institution of the
country. Its annual banquets on the 12th of
February, anniversary of the great martyr's birth,
are political events of State significance.
Mr. Kimball has been a member of the Masonic
fraternity since 1860, and organized and was Master for several years of Grant Lodge, No. 163, at




I


--


Boscobe', Wis. lie is a Knight Templar. For many
years he was a Trustee of the Congregational
Church of Pontiac and an attendant upon its ministrations. As a citizen he has taken an active
interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare. Liberal, sincere, persistent, self-reliant and
energetic in character, an untiring worker both
mentally and physically, he has been prominently
recognized as one of Pontiac's representative citizens. As a write hle has shown a strong and vigorous mind, and expresses himself tersely, clearly
and to the point, and has placed his newspaper
among the leading Republican journals of the
State. On another page of this volume the reader
will notice a lithographic portrait of Maj. Kimball.
SAAC    CRAWFORD, JR., and his father are
old settlers of Milford Township, and have
spent forty-one years together on a farm on
section 17.  There is another peculiar fact connected with their lives, which is that they were born
upon the same tract of land in old England as the
elder Isaac in 1798, and the younger, October 23,
1825. The father was first married to Marv Blanchard, who was also a native of Lincolnshire and
born in 1798. She died in 1850, while they were
on their way from England to this State. She had
borne seven children, three of whom grew to maturity and two still alive-Robert and Isaac. Robert is a commission merchant in Detroit. After
the decease of their mother the father made two
other matrimonial alliances, but had no other children.  Hie is now ninety-three years old, in good
physical health and retaining his mental strength
in a remarkable degree. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his first wife was
identified.
The subject of this notice grew to manhood in
Lincolnshire and from  his boyhood engaged in
farming with his father.  In 1849, when he was
twenty-four years old, he started for America in
company with his parents. They landed in New
York and went on to Buffalo where the wife and
mother died. Father and son remained there ten




338


'&PC-%ISRAIT AN D BIOGRAPHITCAL ALBUM.9


33  P


weeks, until lake navigation began, then came on
to Detroit by boat and to Pontiac by rail. They
settled upon an eighty-acre tract, fifty of which
were roughly improved, and here they have remained. Mr. Crawford now has one hundred and
forty acres, all but twenty of which is cultivated
land. He has always been a hard worker, but at
the same time makes life as comfortable as he can
by the way in which he looks upon it and the
jovial nature which makes sunshine around him.
He has put up barns and other out buildings, and
in 1868 built his present residence, which cost
$1,500. He still has active charge of the farm and
takes part in Christian and civil work in this
vicinity.
In April, 1861, Mr. Crawford was married to
Miss Louisa Cosart, daughter of the pioneer Methodist preacher of this locality.  The Rev. John
Cosart was born in New York, and brought his
family to this State in October, 1835. He settled
in Hartland Township, Livingston County, on a
two hundred-acre farm which he entered from the
Government. The only roads were Indian trails
and the red men were numerous and wild animals
abounded. The tract was in its primitive condition
and it required hard work to prepare it for cultivation. Mr. Cosart traveled on a circuit for over
twenty years, here and in the State of New York, and
the district was so large and the roads so poor, that
it took him four weeks to go through. Some years
before he died he removed to the village of Milford and thence to Shiawassee County, where he
breathed hislast in 1872. His first wife was Louisa
Stowell, a native of New York, who died in 1839,
leaving four children, two of whom now survive.
By a second marriage the Rev. Mr. Cosart had
eight children. His widow is living in the village
of Milford and is seventy-six years old. The work
of love in which Mr. Cosart was engaged brought
him in contact with many phases of character and
life, and entailed upon him as arduous toil as one
can well imagine. He shrunk from no difficulty or
duty, but, having put his hand to the plow, kept
his eye on the goal and pressed steadily forward.
Mrs. Crawford was born in Castile, N. Y., April
30, 1833, her father being at that time an active
member of the New York Conference. She was but


an infant when she began her residence in this State
and she was educated at Milford. She turned her
attention to teaching, and for ten years labored
successfully in that profession.  She retains her
interest in educational work, mental and moral,
and has sympathized with the work done by her
children, each of whom received as good privileges
as the public schools afford. She is the mother of
five children, four of whom are now living. These
are Isaac Herbert, born November 10, 1862;
Arthur John, June 18, 1864; Harry Blanchard,
December 3, 1868, and Mary Louisa, December 7,
1870.  Isaac lives in Saginaw County, and is
happily married to Emma J. Crawford. Arthur
married Emma Farnsworth, and lives in the same
county as his older brother.
All of the children belong to the Methodist
Church, while the parents are identified with the
Wesleyan Methodists. Mrs. Crawford has been a
member since her childhood and she and her husband take an active interest in Sunday-school
work. She has been Superintendent of the local
Sunday-school for many years. She has musical
talent and plays upon the organ, and three of her
family do the same. Mr. Crawford has taken an
interest in educational matters in his neighborhood
has been School Director many years, and is now
Moderator of the Board. He votes with the Republican party and keeps well informed regarding
political issues, in which he believes it the duty of
every citizen to be posted and ready to cast an
intelligent vote. The home of the Crawfords is a
substantial brick house, the appearance of which is
typical of the sterling lives of its occupants. The
father of our subject died, April 25, 1891...-.^.~s' ---ARNOT L. NORTHRUP. No man living
in Milford and few in this county can claim
a longer residence in the State than Mr.
Northrup.  He accompanied his parents to the
West in 1830 and from  his boyhood his interests have been in Michigan. He has for some
years past been engaged in the sale of hardware
and agricultural implements in Milford, and car



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


339




ries the largest stock and does the heaviest business of the kind in the place. He built the brick
block in which his double store is located, and it
is an ornament to the town. In both shelf and
heavy hardware, customers have a good chance for
selection, as Mr. Northrup has a varied assortment.
He has been successful in his business affairs, not
only in the line of trade he follows in town, but
in buying and selling farm lands.
Benjamin Northrup, grandfather of Carnot L.,
was born in Connecticut, but made an early settlement in New York, and in that State, Joseph,
father of our' subject, was born and reared. He
learned the trade of a blacksmith and carried on a
shop at Auburn from 1819 to 1830, and then came
West, having traded for a farm in Macomb
County. The township-Mt. Clemens-in which his
land lay, was an old settled district, as a French
brigade had disbanded and many of its members
located there during the French and Indian war.
He carried on farming and stock-raising and also
did some work at his trade in that locality until
1835, then removed to Sterling Township. Three
years later he removed to Utica, kept an hotel
there a year, then worked at his trade in Detroit
until he saw fit to retire from business. He then
made his home in Chicago, Ill., where he died in
1883, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife was
Zeruah Hanford, daughter of Alexander Hanford,
a Revolutionary soldier who died in New York.
Mrs. Northrup was born in Rome, N. Y.; she died
in 1887 when eighty-six years old. She was the
mother of eleven children, and Carnot L. was the
third in order of birth.
Our subject was born in Auburn, N. Y., October 13, 1825, and was five years old when he came
to this State. He lived on a farm in Macomb
County until he was fourteen and during that period had but limited school privileges. He then
went to Detroit and about a year later was apprenticed at the blacksmith's trade. When of age he
entered the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad
Company at Detroit, and after working for it two
years opened a blacksmith shop of his own. After he
had been in business four years he re-entered the employ of the Central and was stationed at Marshall
two years. Early in 1854 he went to Princeton,


Ill., in the employ of the Military Tract Railroad,
and remained there six months, then came to this
county. He first located in Highland where he
carried on a blacksinithing business four years, after
which he sold and removed to Fowlersville, Livingston County. There he bought and operated a
farm two years and then traded it for one hundred acres in this county.
The new farm was in Highland Township, and
there Mr. Northrup resided until 1863, when he
sold out and bought other property in Rose Township. After a year there he made another sale and
also changed his occupation. This was in 1866,
and coming to Milford he embarked in the hardware business. This he continued until the fall of
1870, when he disposed of his business and spent a
season in Detroit unoccupied except in his own
recreation and the duties he owed to his family. In
October, 1871, he returned to Milford and resumed
his former business, entering into partnership with
E. L. Phipps, to whom he had sold out. The firm
of Northrup & Phi-pps was in force until January,
1875, when our subject bought his partner's interest, since which time he has carried on the enterprise alone.
In Detroit, May 16, 1849, Mr. Northrup was married to Miss Mary Fulford, a native of Slatersville,
N. Y., and daughter of Dr.William Fulford, a physician and hotel-keeper in Chatham, Canada in early
days. Dr. Fulford died at the home of our subject,
in his ninety-third year. Mr. and Mrs. Northrup
have two children-Charles and Della. The older is
a reporter engaged on the Sunday Times, in Portland, Me.; the daughter married A. Matthews, a
farmer in Milford Township. During the long
years of her wedded life Mrs. Northrup    has
proved her worth as a companion and her love as a
mother, and she has also been a good neighbor and
friend.
Mr. Northrup is now acting on the Board of
Trustees of Milford for the seventh year, and during three years was President of that body. He
may well be called the father of the village, as he
helped to organize it, was its first President, and
that at a time when the duties of the office weie
much more laborious and trying than at present.
He is serving his fourth year on the School Board




340


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


and he was formerly Township Treasurer one year.
He belongs to the Masonic Lodge, of which he was
Master several years. He was reared to a belief in
Democratic principles and has voted with the
party, except when the Greenback movement came
to the front. Financially independent, he has the
better prominence that comes of useful days and
companionable qualities.
-— ^ --- —^^ — ^p ---^~~
OSEPH M. WARDLOW, who owns a large
and splendid farm of two hundred and seventy-seven acres in Highland Township, is
a son of James, whose father, Joseph Wardlow, was a native of Scotland, although most of
his life was spent in Ireland. Here he married and
reared a family of five sons and three daughters,
and here both he and his wife remained until they
passed from earth. The father of our subject was
born in Ireland in 1800, and was twenty-six years
old when be came to America. He was a marble
cutter by trade and lie followed this calling for
eleven years in New York City. Here he was married to Elizabeth McGhee, and unto them  were
born the following children: Elizabeth, Jane, Joseph M. and Mary A. All but Jane are living.
In 1837 the father of our subject came to Michigan, and settled on the farm where his son now
resides. ile took eighty acres from the Government and added an equal amount later. He was
one of the first settlers in the township. Deer,
and wolves were in plenty, and bears were occasionally seen. He caught a fawn when he first
came on the farm. Hie was a hard worker and saw
very hard times, having much sickness in his family. He was a Whig in politics and a Methodist
in his church connections. He died in 1852, and
his wife survived until 1887, when she passed
away at the age of eighty-five years. The death
James Wardlow was caused by a tree falling upon
him.
The birth of our subject occurred in Highland
Township. on the farm which he now owns and
where he has lived all his' life. As he was born in
1838 he was only thirteen years old at the death of


his father, and he and his mother then undertook
the charge of the farm, and he cared for her until
her death. He has cleared and broken sixty acres of
land, and has helped others to break as much more.
He preferred to keep the farm in his own hands
and bought out the other heirs. More than onehalf of his nearly three hundred acres is under
cultivation. His marriage with Mary J. Magill,
occurred August 23, 1866, and was an event of
great importance in the life of the young man.
The lady is a daughter of David and Jane (Short)
Magill, natives of Ireland. In 1838 they came to
Michigan and settled in Commerce Township. The
mother is still living, but the father died in 1869.
Mr. and Mrs. Magill were the parents of seven
children: James, Mary J., Susan, Elizabeth,
Thomas, Emma and David.
To Joseph M. Wardlow and wife have been born
two children-George M. and Bert J., both of
whom are at home. The religious home of the
family is with the Methodist Episcopal Church at
Highland Station. Mr. Wardlow was drafted in
the late war but furnished a substitute. He is a
Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Milford Lodge
No. 165 and No. 71. He is an ardent Republican,
and a favorite with his party and has served as
Township Treasurer for four terms.
UTHER    STANLEY.     A stranger would
not be in Birmingham long without becoming acquainted with the name and fame of
Luther Stanley, a retired farmer, who fills the front
rank of Birmingham society. His present residence
is a beautiful frame structure, with attractive surroundings and finely furnished. Mr. Stanley has
lived in this vicinity during a life that covers a
period of sixty-seven years, having been born in
Troy, September 3, 1824. He was engaged in
farming from his youth until 1884, and has one of
the finest pieces of property in the county. It consists of two hundred acres on section 31, Troy, and
section 36, Bloomhfield Township, and is supplied
with every building that was found useful and
convenient. Mr. Stanley has prospered in business




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


341




I


f


and has an abundance of this world's goods. He
is, therefore, able to give liberal support to whatever he believes will advance the interests of the
community or relieve the needs of those who have
been less fortunate than himself.
The parents of our subject were William and
Freelove (Howland) Stanley, natives of Shaftsbury,
Vt. They were married in Richmond, Ontario
County, N. Y., and lived there until the fall of
1822, when they came West, and during the remnant of their days were numbered among the citizens of this county.  Mr. Stanley came to this
State a poor man, with only money enough to
secure his land, which was two hundred and forty
acres on what is now section 29, Troy Township.
Before his death he had accumulated considerable
means, so that he was considered one of the solid
men of the county. When he came here there
were but two or three families living in Troy
Township. He settled in the heavy timber and
hewed out a farm from the forest. He was a Democrat, but took little interest in politics, devoting
his life to agricultural pursuits.
The Stanley family originated in England, and
Wortham Stanley, grandfather of Luther, was a
native of New England. The maternal grandparents of our subject were natives of New England but died in Kentucky. Luther Stanley is
the second of three children who lived to mature
yeais. The others were Mary, who is now deceased, and Lydia, widow of Henry Gardner, whose
home is in Detroit. He was reared on his father's
farm, and received but a common-school education.
He gave his father the benefit of his labors until
he was of age, then married and settled on a farm
in the same township. He located on wild land,
and undertook the clearing and cultivation, which
necessitated much hard work and made thrift and
frugality essential. He remained on that place
until he removed to Birmingham, and he has retained the property and now derives a good income
from it.
February 17, 1864, Mr. Stanley was married to
Polly A. Ferguson, at that time a resident of Troy.
She was born in Mendon, Ontario County, N. Y.,
and is a daughter of Elisha and Clarissa (Gay)
Ferguson. Her parents were born in New York




and Massachusetts respectively, and came to this
State in 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley have no
children.
Mr. Stanley was Supervisor of Bloomfield Township twelve years, but not consecutively. He is a
Republican and is an active worker for the success
of the local party, but not an aspirant for official
honors. He acted as Revenue Assessor for the
Sixth Congressional District of Michigan during
the war, having received his appointment from
Abraham Lincoln. As before intimated, he is one
of the most prominent men in Birmingham, and
his long and thorough acquaintance with the history of this county gives him an understanding of
that which is most likely to enhance the prosperity
of the people. His advice and opinion are frequently asked regarding public and private ventures, and he and his wife have scores of friends
and well-wishers.
s   AMUEL C. GOODISON.        The varied
wants of mankind give rise to occupations
that indulge the bent of divers and different
minds, and afford an opportunity for the
display of business ability in many ways.  The
town of Rochester has her share of establishments
where trade is carried on and manufacturing proceeds, and it affords one pleasure to observe the
manner in which they are conducted - the honor
and tact that are displayed therein and the courtesy
the patrons meet with. Mr. Goodison has a store
in which a large stock of general merchandise is
carried, and he enjoys an excellent trade, that has
been secured by an earnest, straightforward course,
and a wise selection of goods by which the tastes of
the people are gratified.
The parents of our subject are Charles Superior
and Sarah (Brands) Goodison.   The father was
born on the vessel " Superior" whilst his parents
were enroute from England to America, and his
name continues that of the captain and the ship.
His people located in New Jersey, and his father,
William Goodison, operated a mill there. After
growing to manhood Charles S. Goodison became




342


PORTRAIT AND 1310GRAPHIICALE ALIBUM.


342PORTRAIT AND B1O&RAPHICAL ALBUM.


a miller and merchant. He married a native of
New Jersey and in 1856 they came to this county
and now make Rochester their home. After their
removal West, they located in Bloom field Township
and Mr. Goodison engaged in milling for a time.
He then became a drover, huckster, butcher and
grocery dealer, and is now carrying on the last
named occupation.
Samuel C. Goodison was born in Hainesburg
Warren County, N. J., November 15,1853, and was
graduated from the Rochester High School in this
county in 1868. He then entered his father's store
and continued there seven years, next engaging in
business with William H. Barnes. The firm began
as dealers in groceries exclusively, but in 1878
added a stock of clothing, and subsequently one of
boots and shoes, hats, caps and gents' furnishing
goods. As before mentioned, general merchandise
is now sold and the patrons find it easy to select in
a single store such articles as satisfy their ordinary
wants. In addition, the firm deals in all kinds of
paper, buying from the manufactories and selling
to the wholesale trade.
Mr. Goodison has a pleasant home, where a wife
and two children greet him on his return from
business. He was married June 10, 1875, to Anna
E., daughter of William H. Barnes, a young lady
of education and refinement. The children of Mr.
and Mrs. Goodison hear the names of Imra, Ione
and Earl W. Mr. Goodison, although not a politician, takes sufficient interest in the affairs of the
nation to understand the issues that are before the
people, and votes a Republican ticket. Ile is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A
man of honor in his business relations, intelligent
and with agreeable manners, he has many friends,
and with his wife finds a place in the best society of
the town.
OHN CRAWFORD. The Crawford homestead on section 2, Southficld Township, is
one of the landmarks of this locality, having been taken up by the father of our subject quite early in the '30s. When the estate was
settled after the father's decease, he of whom we


write retained that part of the acreage which included the old home, and here he has carried on his
work, running a tile factory in connection with
farming. The farm, taken as a whole, consists of
one hundred and seventy-four acres, but fifty are
deeded to a son who aids his father in operating
the entire tract.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a
native of Scotland but his immediate progenitor
was born in Ireland. From the Emerald Isle, John
Crawford, Sr., came to America and in Essex
County, N. J., he was married to Rhoda McConnell. That lady was born in the Empire State.
The newly wedded couple established their home
in the county in which they were married, but left
it in 1831 to come to Michigan. After reaching
this county Mr. Crawford took up six hundred and
forty acres of Government land and began the
work necessary to bring it to the condition of a
well-improved farm. He first built a log house,
but in later years a more modern dwelling was put
up. He and his wife spent their last days on the
farm and when they died were buried side by side
in Birmingham cemetery. They had six sons and
four daughters and all grew to manhood and womanhood.
Our subject was born in Essex County, N. J.,
October 14, 1823, and was in his eighth year when
he came West. He attended school in the Jog
schoolhouse which was the usual temple of learning in sparsely settled districts, and being the
youngest child he remained with his parents as long
as they lived, and after their departure still staid
on the homestead. He married Polly, daughter of
William and Jane (Logan) Nixon, who was born
in Livingston County, N. Y., in 1824, but has lived
in this county from her childhood. Her parents
were born in New York and New Jersey, respectively, and came West with their family in 1831,
and established their home in Southfield Township,
this county. There they spent the, remnant of
their days.
Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have had two sons, one
of whom died in infancy. The other, Cassius, was
born November 4, 1851, and lives on the homestead. He married Alice Jackson and has two children-Freddie, born May 31, 1881, and Iva, June








II






ol
01"W




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


345










25, 1876. The subject of this notice votes the Republican ticket. He looks back over much of the
prominent history of this county, and recalls events
not only of local interest, but of weight in determining the status of the entire county and of the
Commonwealth. To those who are interested in
reminiscences of earlier days he can give incident
after incident, and as he is well informed and awake
to the importance of passing events, he is generally
entertaining and his companionship is sought.
OHN W. SMITH, M. D. After many years
of activity in the discharge of professional
duties, Dr. Smith has retired from the more
arduous labors of life and is passing his declining years pleasantly in his comfortable home in
Pontiac. During the earlier portion of his life he
operated extensively as an oil speculator, and met
with uniform success in his enterprises. He is still
identified with many of the most important interests of Oakland County and is prominent in the
ranks of the Republican party, in the principles of
which he firmly believes. Socially, he is a Mason,
being a member of the Blue Lodge at Elyria,
Ohio; Pontiac Chapter, Council and Commandery,
K. T. At his fine residence on the corner of Huron
and Williams Streets, he and his amiable wife dispense a liberal hospitality and cordially entertain
their hosts of friends. On the opposite page is
presented a portrait of the Doctor, and below will
be found a brief account of his life.
The native State of Dr. Smith is New York, and
in St. Lawrence County he was born July 18,
1832, to Philander and Harriet (Wilson) Smith,
being their eldest son. On his father's side he is
of English descent, while his mother was of Irish
extraction. Both parents were natives of New
England. The early boyhood of our subject was
passed upon the home farm, and while still young
he gained a good literary education at the Goveneucre Academy. Later he commenced the study
of medicine, for which he had a natural aptitude,
and entered the office of Drs. Burns and Munson.
Afterward he read with Dr. John Q. Howe, of




I


Phelps, N. Y. In 1855 he received a diploma at
the Geneva Medical College, and commenced practice in Ontario, Wayne County, N. Y.
In the spring of 1857 the Doctor came to Oakland County, and located at Birmingham, where he
instituted a practice which proved both successful
and lucrative. In 1859 he went back to New York
City and walked Bellevue Hospital for two years.
In July, 1861, he was appointed surgeon in the
army, and served for two years. In 1863 he came
to Pontiac, and resumed his practice, which he
prosecuted successfully up to 1868, when he went
to Oil City, Pa., and engaged in oil speculation.
The Doctor, being a man of mental ability, judgment and courage, took great risks and in almost
every case was fortunate in his investments. He
continued in this line of business until 1885, when
lie returned to Pontiac. He is possessed of a good
home and means sufficient to take care of him in
his old age.
The Doctor has been twice married. His first wife
was Belinda Fuller, a native of New York, and the
daughter of Stephen and Samantha Fuller. Her
two daughters are Ada, Mrs. James Kenyon of
Detroit, and Hattie, who resides at home. His
present wife was Mrs. Lizzie Campbell, a native of
Michigan. Her maiden name was Scott, and she is
a daughter of James Scott, of New York. There
are no children by this marriage.
GEORGE VAU G H A N. This gentleman
is the popular landlord and proprietor of
the Clarkston House, which is situated in
the village of that name in Independence Township. Mr. Vaughan and his capable wife took
charge of this hotel September 22, 1890, and already great improvements in its management have
been brought about. There are a number of lakes
near the village which afford fine fishing, and it is
the purpose of Mr. Vaughan to make a popular
summer resort here. Certainly no more beautiful
place in which to pass the heated term, could well
be found than near these lakes, and as Mr. Vaughan
has already demonstrated his fitness for the posi



346


PORTRAI`~A T AND BIOGRAPHICAL AlLBUM.t


34  A I


tion of "mine host," there is no reason why his
scheme should not prove successful.
The natal day of our subject was September 8,
1847, and his birthplace a farm in this county, not
far from  Pontiac.  His parents, Abraham  and
Maria (Pearsall) Vaughan, were born in the Empire State, and the paternal family is an old and
prominent one in the East, where many of its members have occupied conspicuous positions of public
trust and responsibility. The father of our subject now makes his home with his son. The early
life of our subject was spent on the parental acres,
and until he was of age he pursued the usual course
in life of a farmer's son. His studies were carried
on in the schools near his home, and he became
conversant with farm work, in which he engaged
for some years.
On New   Year's day, 1868, Mr. Vaughan was
united in marriage to Miss Hannah Anderson, who
was born in Elmira. N. Y., December 11, 1848.
The union has been blest by the birth of five childre, all of whom add to their parents' pleasure by
their presence around the hearthstone, and take
such a part as they are capable of in making the
home comfortable as well as happy. Their record
is as follows: Wilber J., born July 19, 1870; Grace
L., February 2, 1872; Hattie N., December 14,
1878; Maria S., October 4, 1880; Ada N., August
4, 1882. Mr. Vaughan is a Republican, and has a
strong conviction that the policy pursued by his
party and the principles advocated are best calculated to bring about a higher state of national prosperity.
L  ON. ALMON B. FROST, one of the prominent and successful citizens of Orion, was
born in Genesee County, N. Y., September
17, 1826. His father, Samuel, went, when
a young man, from Massachnsetts to New York,
and afterward came to Oakland County, this State
in 1841. He bought land in Troy Township. He
came by water to Detroit and thence by railroad
from Detroit to Pontiac. Here he farmed for six
years and then removed to St. Clair County, where
he opened up a farm in Berlin Township, and re

mained ill active work until his death in 1847 at
the age of sixty-one years. He was a devout
member of the Methodist Church. His father was
also named Samuel. He was a Revolutionary soldier
and a farmer at Framingham, Mass. The family
is supposed to be of English descent. The farm
owned by Samuel Frost, Sr., was in the family for
generations. The mother of our subject was Lydia
Bixby. She was an earnest Christian and a member of the Baptist Church. Her death took place
in 1865. She was the mother of twelve children,
eight of whom are living.
Young Almon B. was reared upon the farm and
attended school in the log schoolhouses of the
district. His education was further supplemented
by attendance at Rochester Academy. He then
fitted himself for teaching. He began teaching in
the winter of 1846 and taught for eight years, including three summer terms. He was fifteen years
old when his parents came to Michigan and he looks
back with interest to his experiences of pioneer
life, surrounded as they were by deer, wolves and
Indians.
The young man began life for himself at the age
of twenty years. His father generously giving
him his time during the last year of his minority.
During the summer vacations he worked on farms
by the month and taught school in the winters.
He received $10 a month for his farm work and
$13 a month for his teaching. Some of the men
of the district grumbled terribly because his salary
was so high. In 1848 he purchased a farm on section 16, Oakland Township. It was all wild land
and he built a small frame house upon it and lived
there alone. He subsequently purchased a farm
across the road, in section 9, on which he erected a
farm building. He now has both farms finely improved. Here he lived until 1885, when he removed to Orion.
The marriage of Mr. Frost took place in 1852.
His wife bore the maiden name of Mary C. Lomis,
born in Greene County, N. Y., in 1830. The children were Thomas N., Julia L. and Lydia A Their
three children are all married and living near
them. Julia is the wife of C. R. Wilson and Lydia
is Mrs. Amos S. Earle. All graduated from the Pontiac High School and are intelligent and worthy




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AIBUM.


347


c. ___  ---- —
__


=


citizens. Mr. Frost's politics are Democratic. His
neighbors have raised him to various posts of
trust.  He was Supervisor for eight years, Justice
of the Peace for seventeen years and School Inspector for thirty-two years. He has served as
Highway Commissioner three terms, Clerk four
terms and Drainage Commissioner for five years.
He served as member of the House of Representatives in 1871 and 1872, being elected on the Democratic ticket. Several important matters were in
hand during the session of that assembly and our
subject was one who was active in promoting the
best interests of the State. The Asylum  for the
Insane was located at Pontiac that year, the industrial School for Girls was established and also the
Act was passed for the building of the State
Capitol. Mr. Frost served on the Committee of
Immigration and on the Committee on Penal Institutions.  He is frequently a delegate to State,
county and district conventions. His intelligent
and cultured wife is a prominent member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Frost started
empty handed and has made a remarkable success
in life, bothl as to property and reputation. He
owns four hundred and forty-seven acres of land
in Oakland Township.
B. WARD, deceased, was born at Manchester,
Vt., May 24, 1802. He was left an orphan by
I  the death of his father, at the age of seven
years, and when seventeen years old he went to
Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y., which he made
his home until he removed to Michigan in 1831.
Here he took up land from the Government in
Farmington Township, and began to cultivate the
farm  now so well known as the Wallace Grace
farm. He cleared the place and built a log cabin
and two good frame barns. In April, 1848 he located where Mrs. Ward now resides, where he made
his home until his death in March, 1890.
This gentleman's political views were in accordance with the platform of the Republican party,
and his religious belief was that embodied in the




I


f


tenets of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For many
years he was Steward and Trustee in that church.
His marriage took place in Ontario County, N. Y.,
May 3, 1829. His bride, Josephine Case, was the
fifth daughter and fourteenth child of James and
Betsey (Hicks) Case, who were natives of Massachusetts. This lady was born in Bristol Township,
Ontario County, N. Y., September 20, 1805, and
came to Michigan whn she was a young lady of
some twenty-seven years. To her and her departed
husband were given ten children.
The names of the children of our subject are:
Nodiah C., who was born March 29, 1830, and died
in the service of his country during the Civil War;
Loretta E., born May 26, 1831, is the wife of P.
Sherman, whose sketch will be found on another
page of this ALBUm; Lewis C., who was born January 4, 1833, is a resident of Kansas; Maria L. was
born December 25, 1834, and is the wife of H.
Benson, a resident of Cambridge, N. Y.; Hosea
Hudson, born December 10, 1836, died August 14,
1855; Betsey N., the widow of Hicks Horton (deceased), was born January 24, 1839; Josephine,
who was born March 2, 1841, died in early infancy; Duncan M., born December 16, 1842, resides in DeWitt, and is in the ministry of the
Methodist Episcopal Church; Martha I., born September 17, 1844, is the widow of James Place, who
was a soldier in the late'war, and died in 1882; Elsie
Olivia, born January 11, 1847, became the wife of
Ezekiel Walters. She died August 31, 1880. Mrs.
Ward is an earnest and conscientious member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her husband
left the farm to be used by her as long as she lives
and made other provision for his children.
----       I &4G~ is -ai --- —HARLES T. BEMIS, of Rochester, is the
pioneer paper manufacturer of this part of
the State and as such is worthy of especial
mention in this volume. His inauguration of this
industry on the banks of the Clinton River has
been followed up by others and there are now two
flourishing plants engaged in paper manufacture at
Rochester. The first machine used here by Mr.




348


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AhLBUM.


34  P


Bemis was made at Brattleboro, Vt., and had a
thirty-six-inch cylinder. The capacity was from
a thousand to twelve hundred pounds of paper
daily, but after a time the out-put was increased
and this was especially the case during the war.
The Bemis family originated in England and
was established in the American Colonies some
time before the Revolution. The parents of our
subject were natives of Massachusetts, Amariah
Bemis being born November 21, 1785, and Sally
(Shumway) Bemis, December 11, 1787. The wife
died in Springfield, Mass., July 30, 1862, and the
husband passed away January 6, 1876. They had
eight children and Charles S. is the fifth on the
family roll. Of the others we note the following:
Clarissa is the wife of Gardner Stratton; Sally N.
married Daniel Dudley and is now deceased;
Amariah N. lives in Odell, Ill.; Mary B. is the wife
of the Rev. L. C. Collins in Norwood Park, Ill.;
Judith C. died in 1831; Isaac S. lives in Corunna;
Abijah is a resident of California.
Our subject was born in Stafford, Conn., July
15, 1819, and lived upon a farm until he was eighteen years old. He then went to Springfield, Mass.,
where he learned the trade of paper-making and
there he carried on his work until 1853, when
through correspondence with parties at Rockton,
III., he was led to remove to that place and take
charge of a paper mill. In 1857 he came to Rochester and in connection with B. F. Bissell bought a
gristmill which they converted into a paper-mill.
After a year Mr. Bissell sold out to George Newbury and Mr. Bemis then disposed of the plant to
Barnes Bros., and went to Skiawassee County
where he and Newbury built a paper-mill. The
two gentlemen carried on the establishment three
years, then Mr. Bemis sold out his interest and
came back to Rochester. A year later he removed
to Corunna, where he was engaged in the manufacture of spokes about a year, and then returned
again to Rochester. He has remained here permanently and is perhaps as well known as any resident
of the place and has a good reputation far and near.
The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Bemis was
celebrated by their family and intimate friends
March 10, 1891. Mrs. Bemis bore the maiden
name of Mary Ann Murphy and her father was


George Murphy, of Windsor, Conn. She has nobly
borne her part in the anxieties and cares that have
fallen to the lot of herself and husband, and rejoiced with him in every success. They are the
parents of three children, but only lived to mature
years. This is Minnie, who is the wife of George
Newbury, of Detroit, a retired business man; Emma
died July 9, 1849, and Alice October 10, 1856,
both in infancy. Mr. Bemis gives his political
adherence to the Democratic party. He is a member of the Masonic order and enjoys the social
gatherings of that fraternity and finds an opportunity through it to exercise his benevolent feelings.
LFRED G. HADDRILL, brother of James
T. Haddrill, whose biography is also given
in this book, is one of the remarkably
successful citizens of Orion Township.
He was born in Oakland County, April 29, 1852.
His father, Isaac, came to America in 1839. As
has been mentioned in the sketch of James, the
father had a serious experience of shipwreck in
crossing the ocean. Arriving at Oakland County
he bought land both from the Government and
from individuals, and built a log house and lived for
a number of years in true pioneer style. He enjoyed greatly the hunting and fishing of those
early days, and did not shrink from the hardships
of pioneer life. He is now in his old age, in Lapeer, Mich., enjoying good health and the memory of past usefulness. He still has the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He was
bereaved of his wife, Elizabeth Turk Haddrill, in
1878.
The subject of this sketch was born and reared
in sight of his present home. His primary education  was received in the district school. He
continued assisting his father in clearing and improving the home farm until 1870, when he began
farming a portion of the old farm on shares. He
continued in this way for about eleven years. In
1881 he purchased of his father two hundred acres
of land.
The marriage of our subject, in 1877, united




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


349


I


him with Eva, daughter of John W. and Fannie
(Conrad) Newman, of New York. Mrs. Haddrill
was born in Orion Township, June 20, 1855. Her
parents came to Michigan in the spring of 1836,
and are still residents of Orion Township. They
are so happy as to have all of their seven children
still surviving to be a comfort to them. Four
children have bless the home of our subject: Ira
A., Ward L., Lee D., (deceased) and a little one
who died in infancy. Mr. Haddrill is frequently a
delegate to conventions of the Democratic party,
of which he is an adherent. For three years he
acted as Township Treasurer and for two years as
Highway Commissioner. He owns three hundred
and seventy-five acres of choice land on sections
16, 20 and 28. He deals largely in all kinds of
stock, and is an intelligent and judicious farmer
and a man who has more than ordinary financial
ability.
PENCER    SOPER, a thrifty farmer and
stock-raiser, has his home on section 32,
Orion Township. He has been a factor
in the agricultural prosperity of this county
for a number of years, and as a boy and man has
worked as a farmer and stockman. In former times
he drove quite large herds of cattle to Detroit and
le still buys some stock for feeding and shipping.
The larger part of his herd, however, is raised on
his own place and other animals are also raised
here. The estate of Mr. Soper consists of one hundred and forty-three acres of fine land, on which
every convenience may be seen. The dwelling is
large and handsome and of modern design, built in
1884. The barn, which was put up some time before, affords ample room for horses and fodder.
Order prevails and good judgment is shown in the
rotation of crops and the use of means of cultivation and fertilization.
Mr. Sopcr traces the ancestral line back to Germany, but his father, Owen Soper, was born in
New York in 1809. He came to Michigan in an
early day and located on section 5, Pontiac Township, where he was surrounded by Indians and wild
game and white settlers were few. He made a


clearing, built a log house, and then continued the
proccess of reclaiming a farm from the wilderness;
he died in 1858. His wife, a native of New York,
born in 1816, bore the maiden name of Ann Hayes.
Their family comprised nine sons and daughters
and six survive. Mrs. Soper died in 1868, cheered
in her last hours by a Christian hope, being a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Spencer Soper was born in the log house built
by his father in Pontiac Township March 2, 1838,
and attended school in a similar building. He aided
his father to clear and improve the farm as soon as
he was old enough to wield the ax or the other implements used by the woodsmen and frontier farmer.
When of age he began his personal career as a
drover and followed the business five years, during
which time he took many cattle to Detroit. In
1864 he turned his attention to farming, buying an
interest in the old homestead. When the estate was
divided the place he now lives on fell to hinm and
thither he removed.
The lady who presides so efficiently over the
home of Mr. Soper became his wife December 10,
1869. Her maiden name was Henrietta Terry and
she was born in Pontiac Township in 1841. The
union has been a childless one. Mr. Soper, after
giving due thought to political issues decided in
favor of the Republican party and he casts his
vote for and with it.
HRISTOPHER COLE, a retired farmer of
Orion Township, was born in Warren
County, N. J., July 17, 1836. His father,
who bore the same name and who was a native of
the same county, was born in 1792. lIe came West
in the spring of 1836, teaming it from his home to
Lake Erie in Ohio, from there taking a boat to Detroit and journeying to Orion Township by wagon.
He entered land which was in a wild, uncultivated
state, built a log house and began clearing the timber. Wild game and Indians abounded and Detroit was his only market. He died in 1873 in his
eighty-second year. He was of German lineage.
His wife, Leah Kinney, was born in New Jersey




350


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


I


in 1799. She was the mother of seven children
and died in 1858.
Mr. Cole is the youngest of the family, three of
whom still survive. He worked for his father
until he reached his twentieth year and always remained at home and cared for his parents in their
old age. After his father's death he purchased the
old homestead from the other heirs. The lady who
became Mis. Cole bore the maiden name of Maggie E. Wyker. Their wedding day was August 1,
1871. The lady was born in New Jersey in 1847
and was the daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth
(Phillips) Wyker, who came to Michigan in the
'40s. One child, Grace L, was granted to Mr.
and Mrs. Cole. She was born September 8, 1879.
Mr. Cole is a Democrat in his politics. He has
filled various positions of trust, being Supervisor
for two years and Treasurer for four years. For
seven years he was Treasurer of the Monitor Insurance Company, of Oakland County, and has frequently been a delegate to Democratic conventions
in county, district and State. His wife was a devout
member of the Episcopal church. His broad and
productive acreage is in good condition and well
improved, and he has recently built large and substantial barns. He raises all kinds of stock. The
death of his wife on Christmas day, 1880, was a
severe blow to her faithful husband. Since then
he has retired from active worl and rents out most
of his land.
-"^S ---      ol-lS3-' --- —-T-^
PRANK HOLSER.        The future prosperity
f   of this nation depends upon our young;A    people, and in exact proportion to their
enterprise, industry and principlesof honor, will
our country flourish. It is always a pleasure for
the student of human nature and the biographer
to record the events in the lives of those whose intelligence and progressive spirit have placed them
in the front rank of citizenship of their communities. The gentleman of whom this brief sketch is
written is numbered among the prominent residents of Waterford Township, where he has made
a name and a place for himself in social and busi

ness circles. He has intelligent convictions in regard to politics, and ranks among the active young
Democrats of the vicinity.
No more striking example of the result of persistent pursuit of a purpose and wise economy can
be found than in the career of our German-American citizens. The father of our subject, John Holser, was born in Germany March 28, 1814, and
was reared in the Fatherland. There, upon attaining to years of maturity, he was united in marriage
with Mary Forster, who was born in Prussia, October 19, 1819. In 1849, six years after their marriage, the young couple embarked on a sailing vessel landing upon the shores of America, and after
farming for eight years in New York came West
to Michigan. Their voyage across the broad Atlantic was saddened by the death of one of their
children.
Locating in Oakland County, John Holser proceeded immediately to clear a farm from the heavy
timber of Waterford Township, and with the assistance of his sons, made a comfortable home. He
lived to see the country changed from a wilderness to the abode of peace and plenty, and was
himself no unimportant factor in bringing about
this desirable result. Religiously he was a consist
tent member of the Presbyterian Church, and in
political matters gave his firm and unswerving allegiance to the principles of the Democratic party.
At his death in 1886, the county was deprived of
one of its best citizens and a pioneer whose name
and memory will be held in reverence so long as
the history of the toils and privations of frontier
life affords a pleasing theme for the pen of poet or
biographer, and kindles in the heart of the young,
gratitude and undying love for those to whom
endless honor is due.
The children born to John Holser and his good
wife were ten in number, two of whom are now
deceased. Of the survivors one resides in Chicago, another in Switzerland, and the remaining
six are residents of Michigan. They received excellent common-school educations and were prepared for responsible positions in life. H. P. and
Anna graduated from the Battle Creek College,
while Louise and L. J. each attended the Pontiac
High School two terms. They have all married




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


351


and gone to homes of their own with the exception
of Frank, who resides upon the old homestead
with his mother. The latter is now in her seventysecond year, and at that advanced age retains full
possession of her mental faculties. She witnessed
the gradual growth of the county and experienced
all the hardships that invariably attend pioneer
existence.
Frank Holser, of this sketch. was born in Waterford Township, this county, July 12, 1865, and
passed his youth in much the usual manner of
farmers' boys. He early assisted in the farm work
and gradually took a greater share of the responsibility, until at the death of his father he became
proprietor of the estate which comprises ninetysix acres on section 19. He is the only one of the
family still single, and his household is presided
over by his mother. By his practical skill and
steady industry he is increasing the value of the
farm and embellishing it with the various improvements that mark it as the property of a thrifty
man. He displays forethought and good judgment
in the conduct of his affairs and is highly esteemed
throughout the community where he has always
lived.
A    HARLES P. GROW, the present Clerk of
Oakland County, was born in Milford, November 4, 1855. It will thus be seen that
he is quite a young man, but his name is known
among the politicians of the county and by all who
are interested in her governmental affairs. Prior
to his election to his present responsible position
he was one of the conspicuous figures in social and
political circles in his native village, and since
coming to Pontiac he has been taking his proper
place among the residents of the county seat. He
made his removal May 1, 1890, in order that he
might be near his office and so fail in no wise in
carrying it on in the most systematic and efficient
manner.
In the paternal line Mr. Grow traces his ancestry
to England, where the name was originally spelled
Grosvenor. The English pronunciation was changed
by degrees and the spelling differed from that of


the original cognomen, being made to correspond
more closely with the sound, until after a few generations it assumed its present form. The grandparents, Elisha and Lois (Palmer) Grow, were natives of Connecticut, and for a time lived in Homer,
N. Y. There their son, Abel P., was born Aug. 8,
1814. He came to this State in 1838, and settled
on a farm in Waterford Township, this county, but
after a few years removed to the village of Milford, where he has since resided. He has now
retired with a comfortable fortune, secured by his
own efforts, as he was but a poor man when he
came to the State. His active years were principally spent in work at the carpenter and joiner's
trade. He votes the Republican ticket, but takes
little interest in politics. He is a leading spirit in
the Baptist Church at Milford.
The mother of our subject was born in Dra den,
N. Y., August 4, 1816, and her parents were natives
of the same State. She was a lady of strong character, a careful and considerate mother and a devoted wife. She belonged to the same church as
her husband and when she closed her eyes in death
January 25, 1890, she did so in the hope of a
blessed immortality. She was the mother of six
children, named respectively: Hattie, Janet, Lorain,
Miranda, Emma and Charles P. All are deceased
but Charles and Miranda. The latter is the wife
of Charles E. Goodell, of Novi.
The early days of Charles P. Grow were passed
in his native place and in its schools he obtained
his fundamental instruction. He began his personal career as Clerk and filled positions in Milford,
Bay City and Lansing.    After some practical
knowledge in the line of business he became a
student in Goldsmith's Business College at Detroit
and was graduated from that institution in 1883.
He resumed his clerical work and was engaged in
mercantile pursuits in Milford when nominated on
the Democratic ticket for County Clerk in 1890.
He made a good race being elected by a majority
of sixty-nine votes.
Mr. Grow has always been a Democrat. He cast
his first Presidential ballot for Samuel J. Tilden.
The day of his election to his present position was
that on which he attained to his thirty-fifth year.
He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Knights of
~ru v~vr~v  v r~v c ---~lrv u- - d -— ~~,,~~t,,7




352


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


Maccabees and the order of Tonti. He is a pleasant, agreeable man, well-informed and enterprising,
and with acute perceptions by which he comes to
rapid conclusions regarding persons and things.
Mr. Grow has a pleasant home, presided over by
the lady who became his wife November 5, 1883.
She bore the maiden name of Joanna Kennedy, is
a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Duane) Kennedy
and was born in Marion, Livingston County, Mich.
At the time of her marriage her home was in Milford. She is the mother of two children-Lucille
M. and Francis A. —a bright lad and lassie who
add much to the attractiveness of the home by
their intelligence and activity. Mrs. Grow has a
good education and is a well-bred lady.
EWIS C. CARLTON.         The agricultural
regions of the United States are the homes
of many men who are now in prosperous
circumstances, yet who began the battle of life
with no armor except that afforded by the mind
and spirit that actuated them. An example of
this kind in Royal Oak Township is afforded by
Mr. Carlton who owns a good farm on section 16,
which is manifestly worth as much as others in this
vicinity that have sold for $100 per acre. His estate consists of eighty acres all under improvementand supplied with a line of good farm buildings and such stock and machinery as befits
the home of an energetic, progressive man. The
property was bought by Mr. Carlton when it was
in a wild state and he cleared and improved it. It
is now one of the best improved farms in the community and a view of it is shown on another
page.
Before sketching the life of Mr. Carlton it may
be well to say a few words regarding his parents,
in order to better understand his hereditary traits
and the circumstances which aided in molding
his life. His father, Richard Carlton, was born
in England in 1807 and adopted the occupation of farming. He crossed the Atlantic early in
1830, and coming to Detroit entered the employ
of Gen. Lewis Cals, for whom he named his frst

born. He worked for the General two years and
during that time married Elizabeth, daughter of
William and Elizabeth Davidson, who had crossed
from England to America about the same time as
himself. Soon after his marriage he was engaged
in the grocery trade for a period of three years
and then engaged in business as a butcher two
years when he rented a farm and resumed his
former occupation. Two years later he came to
Royal Oak Township and for eight years carried
on a rented place on section 9, and he then bought
eighty acres on the same section. He carried on
his work there about ten years, then spent a few
years in Birmingham, where he died in 1888. His
wife preceded him to the silent land, breathing her
last in 1876. They had two daughters and three
sons. Mr. Carlton after becoming a naturalized
citizen of the United States, cast his influence with
the Republican party.
The subject of this biographical notice was born
in Detroit April 3, 1832. He remained with his
father until he was seventeen years old and then
started out in life for himself as a fisherman on
Saginaw Bay. After eight years on Lake Huron
he went to Lake Michigan and for a year his headquarters were at Grand Haven. Having wooed and
won a life companion, he came to Oakland County
and rented a farm in Royal Oak Township, but after
three years took possession 'of the land he bought
about 1855, and here he has remained, building up
a good home. While engaged in the fisheries, Mr.
Carleton had some hazardous experiences. On one
occasion, while Captain of the fishing boat ISaltilla" of Au Sable, he was shipwrecked about five
miles from the Au Sable River. Captain and crew
were in the open lake about three hours, before
they were picked up by another boat. The time
was early spring (April 4), and they were nearly
chilled to death, their unexpeeted bath being in
colder water than was at all agreeable.
The wife of Mr. Carlton was born in 1836 to
John and Eunice (Taylor) Miller, and was christened Elizabeth. She has been a life-long resident
in this county and has quite an extended acquaintance. She is a woman of good judgment, kindhearted and industrious, and she has been judicious
in her management of household affairs and the




W~i q                                     -..I  1-7 T.~,;~


r~    -- 1" ---  -      -1     —,I




I
IL                             Ii.


RE51D EN CE OF LE.W15 C. CARLTON SEC.1G., ROYAL OAK< TP, OAKLAND CO.,MICH.


T                                 '-777- -7777 i-


V-; M,


RE5SIDENCE OP A.S. PALMER,, 3EC.5.JMILFOR-D TPR, OAK<LAND CO-,MICH.








PORTRAIT AND BIOG
l




care and rearing of her children. She is the
mother of six sons and daughters, whose names
are Elizabeth, Lewwellin, Rozelia, Bird, Norah
and Claud. The eldest child is the wife of John
Hartrick, of Royal Oak Township. Claud died
when twelve years old. Both Mr. and Mrs. Carlton belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in
Royal Oak. Mr. Carlton votes the Republican
ticket.
Mrs. Carlton was the sixth in order of birth
among the seven children born to her parents.
Her father, Capt. Miller, was born in Romulus, N.
Y., in 1796, and was of Scotch, Irish and French
descent. At the time of the War of 1812 he was
sixteen years old and was living with his widowed
mother at St. Clair Flats, this State. The maiden
name of his mother was Sally Swinney. Later,
when living at Avon, this county, an invalid
brother (a cripple of the war), a sister and his
mother were dependent upon him for support. He
took up from the Government two eighty-acre
tracts of land, paying for the same by his earnings
and those of the family, and with some help from
his brother's pension. Much property was lost and
much trouble occasioned by the Indians, who were
very numerous.
The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Carlton were
Deacon Lemuel Taylor and Sally Bordman, who
came to Michigan in 1822. They with their entire
family numbering nine children, settled in and
around Stony Creek, this county, and their descendants residing in the same place are the leading citizens of that part of the county to-day.
Eunice A. (Taylor) Miller was born in 1803 in
Cayuga County, N. Y., and survived Capt. Miller
many years, dying in Birmingham in 1875, the
wife of John Valentine. The parents of Mrs.
Carlton were among the earliest settlers of Oakland County, coming here in 1820, when the country was a wilderness primeval, with no improvement whatever. Pontiac consisted of but one
house, the hut of the Indian whose name it bears.
Detroit consisted of only a few cabins in a most
unpromising piece of marsh.
Capt. Miller helped lay out what is known as
Crook's Road and traveled fourteen miles to his
work in the morning, returning the same distance


I


'RAPHICAL ALBUM.                          355
at night. A family by the name of Chase, who
lived in Royal Oak Township, helped to lay out
this road. On Christmas Eve, 1825, a neighbor
woman and her child who had been visiting with
Mrs, Miller all day, started to their home two and
one-half miles distant through the woods, the only
road being a cow-path. Capt. Miller accompanied
the woman to carry the child and when he reached
her home, found one or two of the neighbors gathered there, and stayed later than he had intended.
About one hundred Indians who had seen him leave
his house surrounded the little cabin before dark
and filled both windows with their grinning, savage faces. Mrs. Miller was alone with her child
and she could hear them at the corn crib, the beehives and hen roost for about three hours. Finally
they left, taking every thing they could find.
The next day Capt. Miller and four or five neighbors started in puisuit of the Indians, but returned
after an unsuccessful search of two days. Capt.
Miller died in 1849, beloved and respected by all
who knew him. His work as a pioneer will be
long remembered. Could he with the other 'honored pioneers who have long since passed away,
see the country with its fields of waving grain and
its cities teeming with life and enterprise, scarcely
would they be able to realize the wonderful transformation. The wilderness has been made to blossom as the rose and the efforts of our forefathers
have been amply rewarded.
A ARON S. PALMER lives on a farm in Milford Township but rents out his land on
shares, not caring to take part in the toils
of rural life. He has never done much
hard work, as he was in possession of means that
enabled him to spend his time in more ease than
many, but he has a good trade and considerable
knowledge of business measures. Elsewhere in this
volume appears a view of his present residence,
which he erecten ii8:80 at a cost of $1,100 beside
his own labor.; The, farm upon which it stands
consists of sixty-seven acres, well improved and
stocked. The parents of our subject were John and




356


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


3R


Margaret (Stewart) Palmer, natives of Connecticut and New Jersey respectively, and the former
born March 20, 1775, and died February 21, 1864.
They were married in the latter State December 7,
1805, and passed the balance of their lives there.
Mr. Palmer was a tanner and currier and also a
farmer. Ils father was a native of the Isle of
Jersey, England. The maternal grandfather of our
subject was Aaron Stewart, a large land-owner in
Monmouth County, N. J., and a Quaker by birthright. Mrs. Palmer (lied in 1834, and her husband
survived her thirty years. He made a second marriage, but had no children. The first union resulted
in the birth of four, two of whom are now living.
Mary is the widow of Sterne Palmer and has one
son, Theo G., who is a large leather manufacturer
at Newark, N. J.
The subject of this notice was born April 18,
1823, in Allentown, N. J., and received a commonschool education there. He left home when seventeen years old to visit a brother in Saginaw, this
State. This brother, Charles S. Palmer, took a
great interest in politics. He served as County
Clerk and County Treasurer, represented the people in the State Legislature and was Probate Judge
at the time of his death. During a sojourn in
Saginaw of three and a half years our subject
learned the trade of a tanner and currier. He
then returned home for a year, after which he
again visited Saginaw and interested himself in
mercantile and livery business. In 1852 he sold
out and settled upon a farm in Novi Township,
this county. It consisted of one hundred and
sixty acres, one hundred of which was under improvement. After carrying on the place a few
years, Mr. Palmer rented it and returned to his
native State, where he remained about a twelvemonth. Coming again to Michigan he sold his
farm and bought another in Lyon Township, and
in 1864 left it and bought another farm  of one
hundred and sixty acres in Brighton Township,
wbere he resided five or six years. He next leased
that property and returned to Novi Township,
where he made his home a year, after which he was
a resident of the village of Milford afew years. His
next removal was to his present farm, where he has
been living twelve years.


January 31, 1849, Mr. Palmer was married to
Sarah A. Johnson, daughter of Daniel and Rebecca
(Smith) Johnson, pioneers of Novi Township.
Both parents are now deceased. Mr. Johnson was
a prominent farmer. The daughter who married
Mr. Palmer was born October 4, 1823, and died
September 10, 1884. She was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and a worker in the
Women's Christian Temperance Union and Missionary cause. The children born of the union
were John G., May 15, 1850; Daniel J., October
17, 1852; Frank B., September 17, 1855; William
E., September 12, 1857; Harry J., September 1,
1861; George W., July 11, 1865. John married
Georgie Dunham, has one clild and lives in Cleveland, Ohio; Dan resides in Boyne City, this State,
has a wife, formerly Miss Rosa Kniseley, and five
children; Frank married Lizzie Turner, has one
child and lives at Houghton, in the Lake Superior
region; William is living in Cleveland, Ohio, and
his wife was formerly Miss Ella Armstrong;
Harry lives at West Superior, Wis., and is married
to Emma Brown, daughter of Dr. Brown, of Milford; George is unmarried.
A second matrimonial alliance was made by Mr.
Palmer, June 16, 1886, his bride being Mrs. Sarah
H. Armstrong, daughter of Mrs. O. W. Armstrong.
Her mother was born in Parma, N. Y., in 1811, and
came to this State in 1834. She settled upon a raw
farm of six hundred and forty acres, consisting of
section 32, Highland Township, and under her
management the land was fully improved. She
was one of the smartest business women in this section and showed herself abundantly capable of
managing her large property and all her interests.
She belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church
when she was quite young, but after coming to
Milford Township she became a charter member
of the first Congregational Church organized here.
She labored actively for the advancement of the
cause of Christianity, and was liberal in her gifts to
the church and to all benevolent enterprises. She
was strong in mind and body, and she lived to
the ripe age of fourscore, (lying after an illness of
but six weeks, March 25, 1891. She was the mother
of eleven children, seven now living.
Mrs. Palmer was born in Iighland Township,




PORTRAIT AND BIOG-RAPHIICAL ALBUM.~


357







February 22, 1844. She was first married to
Thompson Armstrong, a native of Connecticut,
who died in January, 1885, leaving her with one
daughter, Alice, who was born August 3, 1866.
Mr. Armstrong was a California miner for twenty
years. Mrs. Palmer was reared by a mother whose
memory she holds in reverence, and was prepared
when she entered a home of her own to faithfully
discharge the duties that lay before her. She is
a notable housekeeper, keeps well informed regarding topics of general interest and is a useful member of the community. Mr. Palmer votes the Democratic ticket. He has been a member of the School
Board for years, has served as Road Overseer and
a member of Milford Council, and was formerly
Postmaster of West Novi.
D. HOLCOMB, M. D. This name is familiar to many of our readers, as Dr. HolI
comb has been living at Southfield for
several years and is the owner of some fine
property in that section. The dwelling he occupies is
a pretty, two-story frame house of modern design,
containing all the conveniences, and is a credit to
the place. On the lot is a fine barn that cost about
$500, and the Doctor has also two farms in Southfield Township, on which he carries on general
farming and stock-raising. He is a good judge of
stock of all kinds, but is particularly interested in
horses and takes great pride in breeding fine trotting and running stock. He has some equines of
more than ordinary value, and as a breeder he is
becoming known to horsemen far and near. As
a physician Dr. Holcomb is thoroughly well
grounded, his medical studies having included hospital practice and his sound common sense and
good judgment have led him to make fine use of his
theoretical knowledge. He possesses the personal
traits that prepossess those with whom he comes in
contact and lead to their forming a good opinion
of him as a man and feeling confidence in him as a
practitioner.
Dr. Holcomb is a native of Canada, born in
County Welland, Ontario, March 10, 1857. His




I


I


parents are Andrew T. and Lydia (Horton) Holcomb, Canadians, who are now living in the vicinity of Niagara Falls, the father being engaged in
lumbering. The family comprises five children
and our subject is the second on the roll. The eldest is Elizabeth A., now the wife of A. Cook; Andrew T. is practicing medicine in Juddville, this
State, and Elliott F., in Lennon; the youngest
child, Beverly C., makes his home with his parents.
The fundamental schooling of our subject was obtained in his native place and he then attended college at St. Catherines, whence he went to Montreal
and then to Toronto, and in the latter place he finished his medical studies and spent some time in
the hospital. He came to Southfield in 1880.
Dr. Holcomb was married in Toronto, Canada,
in September, 1879, to Anna W. Lockie, a Canadian lady of education and refinement. They have
one daughter, Ina May. Husband and wife being
hospitable and social, their pleasant home is often
invaded by their friends. The Doctor is one of
those agreeable and liberal-minded men who endeavor to make life pleasant for all around them, and
he takes a proper interest in public affairs and the
improvement of the town. He is a Mason, belonging to Sand Hill Lodge, No. 152, F. & A. M., Birmingham Chapter, No. 44, R. A. M., and Red Cross
Commandery, K. T., in Pontiac.




V


OWARD M. CHURCH, the Postmaster of
i Holly and an enterprising dealer in books
and stationery, has made his own way in
the world and achieved success by dint of
energy and plenty of hard work. He was born
four miles from Clarkston, in the township of Independence, Oakland County, February 22, 1850.
HIe is the son of Enos and Anna P. (Chase) Church,
natives of Vermont and New York respectively.
The father learned the cabinet maker's trade in Vermont and followed that business both in that State
and in New York. When he came to Michigan he
established a manufactory for fanning mills, in
which he was very successful. He then moved to
Auburn, near Pontiac, where he built an hotel and




358


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


managed it for three years. He then sold it and
purchased a farm of one hundred acres of finely
improved land in Independence Township. He
lived on his farm until 1854, when he moved to
Clarkston and purchased a foundry and machine
shop. This he operated until his death in 1863.
He was a man of influence, both socially and politically, being a prominent Mason and a Democrat.
He was Supervisor in Independence Township and
was Justice of the Peace for twenty years. His
wife was a true helpmate in the pioneer life and
survived him until 1885. Of their family of five
children, four are now living, namely: James E.,
proprietor of the Holly Foundry; Herbert V., an
extensive farmer at Eckelson, Dak.; Howard M.,
and Ida A. (Mrs. T. S. Joslin), of Pinconning,
Mich. Mrs. Church was a prominent member of
the Baptist church at Holly.
The school days of our subject were spent at
Clarkston. At thirteen years of age he lost his
father and went to work on a farm for $6 a month,
but this did not satisfy him. He clerked one winter in a general store for 0. A. Frazer & Co., at
Clarkston. He then went into the printing estab.
lishment of the Holly Register. He clerked for A. B.
Coleman in a drug store at Plymouth for three years
and thoroughly learned the business. In 1868 he
came to Holly and clerked in a drug store for Wickens & Bussey for one year. He then, in company
with P. D. Baird, purchased the business. He remained in this establishment one and one-half years
and then sold out his interest and opened a drug
store on the corner of Saginaw and Martha Streets,
with a capital of $300. The store he then occupied, which was only 10x20 feet, stood on the
same ground where his splendid new brick block
now stands. He continued in the drug business
until 1888.
Mr. Church's handsome, double brick store, the
best brick block in the city, fronts on Saginaw
Street. It is finished with brick columns, inlaid at
intervals with blocks of granite. The window sills
and the keystone of the upper windows are also of
granite. The cornice is of galvanized iron. The
building is 34x94 feet and divided into four stores
with offices on the second story. The corner of
the building is beveled and an entrance made


there, and the windows are of French plate glass,
measuring 92x124 inches. The Oakland County
Advertiser has its office in this building.
Mr. Church was appointed Postmaster in 1887
by President Cleveland. When he was only twenty-one years old be was Township Clerk and has at
one time served on the City Council. He is a Democrat in politics and has taken an active interest in
public affairs, both in county and State. The lady
who presides over his beautiful home in Maple
Street is Hettie, daughter of William Mothersill, of
Holly. They were married in 1890. By a former
marriage he has one daughter, Zilpha P., who is
now attending college at Oneonta, N. Y. Mr.
Church is one of the prominent men of Oakland
County. Few citizens of Holly have ever shown
more enterprise than he..... 14.,,.i,    '-~ —......
EORGE W. PORTER has good standing as
a citizen and farmer, and is particularly
well known in White Lake Township, where
he has resided during his entire life. He now occupies and works upon the homestead on section
21, where he was born June 11, 1847. He is a son
of Charles and Elizabeth (Arthur) Porter, a sketch
of whom occupies an appropriate place in this
ALBUM. His boyhood and youth were spent in the
usual alternations of study, work and play, and he
not only acquired a practical education, but became skilled in agricultural management. After
he had attained to his majority he began operating
the homestead, and this he has continued with satisfactory results.
Mr. Porter was married December 23, 1869, to
Miss Eliza Fair, the ceremony taking place in the
town of Holly. The bride was born in White Lake
Township, June 11, 1847, and is of Scotch parentage. Her father, James Fair, Sr., came to America when quite young, and settled in White Lake
Township on section 3. He owned a good farm
here and operated it, making tilling the soil his
business (uring life, although he was a carpenter
by trade. He was married in this county to Eliza
Galaway, who was born in Scotland, and accom



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


359




panied her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Galaway,
hither in an early day. She died leaving eight
children, namely: James, Mary, Jane, Eliza and
Elizabeth (twins), Alice, Helena and Ann. Mr.
Fair remained here until 1860, then went to California, where he spent the remnant of his days, dying in 1884. He made a second marriage in the
Golden State. and two daughters, Alice and Eva,
were born of the union.
Mrs. Porter is a well-informed and refined lady,
who understands the art of making her home cozy
and attractive, and wins friends by her kindness
of heart and social disposition. She has had one
child, a daughter, Ina, who died February 23, 1881,
after having lived but seven weeks. Mr. and Mrs.
Porter belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church
at Commerce. Mr. Porter has always cast a Democratic ticket. He has been Township Treasurer
two years, thus proving the confidence felt in him
by the community.
G EORGE W. GLINES, a prominent farmer
on section 1, Hartland Township, Livingston County, lives just across the line from
Oakland County, and is considered by his neighbors
of that county as quite one of their number, which
he is indeed socially and in neighborly kindness.
He is a son of John Glines, a native of Vermont,
who went to Canada when quite a young man, and
who was married in New York to Judah Maxfield,
a daughter of Levi Maxfield. Her father was in
the War of 1812, in which he served as a Corporal.
Her mother, Laura (Richmond) Maxfield, was a
native of Canada. The children of this family were
Levi, Thomas, Leonard, Judah and Fannie. Mr.
Maxwell was a farmer, and both he and his wife
died in New York.
The parents of our subject had nine children,
namely: Julia, Fannie, George W., Paulina, Wesley, Elzina, Laura, Mark and Elvira. His second
marriage was with Cynthia Ormsby, by whom he
has had five children: William, Charlotte, Alonzo,
Clara and Dora. Mr. Glines came to Michigan in
1836 and settled in Hartland Township,Livingston


County, where he lived until his death in 1865.
His first wife was called from his side in 1845, and
the death of his second wife occurred in 1889. He
took up eighty acres of Government land when he
first came, and afterward owned one hundred and
eighty acres. He was ever an earnest member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church and an ardent Republican.
The subject of this sketch first saw the light November 3, 1829, in Godmanchester, Franklin
County, Lower Canada. He was a boy of six years
when he came to Michigan with his parents. He
lived with his father until of age and in 1852 took
to himself a wife. His wedding day was November 18, and his bride, Jane, daughter of Levi Maxfield of New York. Levi Maxfield's wife was in
girlhood Caroline Campbell, and their children
were Levi, Warren, Jane, Emily, George Charles,
Jude. Alfred and Edgar. Mr. Maxfield was a farmer who went to Ohio in an early day and finally
to Michigan. He died in 1888, his wife having
preceded him to the other world in 1864.
To Mr. Glines and his wife have been born three
children-Charles, Emma and Ida.     The two
daughters had been called away from earth and the
son is the only child living. He resides in Highland Township on his father's farm, and was married in 1883 to Anna Holloway. No children have
been born to them. He owns three bundred and
ten acres in Highland and Tyrone Townships, two
hundred and forty acres of which is finely improved. Here he has built a pleasant home and
excellent barns and outbuildings.  He and his
wife are earnest and consistent members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and he is a Republican in politics. He started in life by buying fifty
acres of land from his father, upon which his father
allowed him $100, which was all that he could give
the young man for his start in life.
Our subject has been a tremendously hard
worker all his life. He commenced driving a
breaking team when only seven years of age, and
followed it for twelve years. His father broke six
hundred acres of land, mostly for other people.
His schooling was secured by going to school in
winters. When he was a boy there was an abundance of deer and wolves all about, and when meat




360


PORTRAIT ANJD BIOGRA-PR,.F~~lCALX ALBUM.


a60     P   AN  iC    AL..


was needed in the family it was easy to shoot a
deer. Indians abounded and often camped near
Mr. Glines home. His father often carried his
wheat to Detroit to market, where he sold it for
fifty cents a bushel. He went to Pontiac to mill.
This pioneer is now comfortably situated and enjoying the prosperity which he has earned by his
unaided efforts-except the assistance of his excellent wife, who bore her share of the toil and hardships incident to pioneer life.
ORACE HALL. One of the most striking
examples of pluck and industry crowned
by fortune, is to be found in the life of
Horace Hall, of Birmingham. He was a
poor boy, with only a limited education, but an
uncommon amount of perseverance and determination, and the sturdy common sense without which
book knowledge is of little avail. He became the
owner of land, and when he retired from agricultural life sold his property for a good round sum,
and is now enjoying all the comforts heart can
wish. He began his wedded life while still poor
and could then have carried all his earthly possessions on his back. His good wife planned and
worked with him and now has a share in the comforts and luxuries they have earned.
Mr. Hall was born in Bristol, Ontario County,
N. Y., May 9, 1814. His parents, Nathaniel B.
and Sarah (Gavett) Hall, were natives of Broome
County, and had taken up their residence in Bristol early in life. After living there a number of
years they removed to Orleans County, where the
husband died. The widow, with six children. came
West and settled in Royal Oak Township, this
county. She, however, died at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Edward Perrin, in Troy Township.
She and ler husband belonged to the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and he was a Whig in politics.
Nathaniel Hall, paternal grandfather of our subject,
was an Englishman, and John Gavett, maternal
grandfather, was French.
Our subject was the third in a family of twelve


children. His father was a lifelong farmer, and
his own early years were spent in the rural homes
in Ontario and Orleans Counties, N. Y. His school
privileges were limited to attendance during the
winter term and his summers were devoted principally to aiding his father on the home farm. He
became well acquainted with agricultural work,
even when quite young, and acquired the industrious habits and principles of thrift that have characterized him while making his way in the world.
In 1847 he came to this State and settled on a
farm in Macomb County, where he carried on
agricultural work fifteen years. He then bought
a farm of forty-seven acres and the Six-Mile Tavern, which was located that distance from the city
of Detroit. Removing to that locality he carried
on the hotel and operated the farm, making it his
home for twelve years. During that period he
added to the acreage of the estate and when he
sold out had ninety-five acres to dispose of. The
growth of the neighboring city and the consequent
rise in value of real estate, added to by the intrinsic worth of the property, made it command $30,000 when placed in the market. After selling the
estate Mr. Hall removed to Birmingham, of which
place he has since been a resident.
The wedding day of Mr. Hall and Miss Abignil
Abbey of Bristol, N. Y., was solemnized December
24, 1835. The bride was born in Richmond, Ontario County, April 27, 1810, and was a daughter
of Joseph and Susan (Griffin) Abbey, who were
natives of the Empire State. She is a brave-hearted,
capable woman, who was willing to take up life
and its duties with the man of her choice, even
though their early possessions were limited, and
the prospect before them was one of toil and frugality. To them have been born two childrenSusan and William Marcus. The daughter became
the wife of John F. Stevens, a farmer near Birmingham and the mother of one son, William.
Marcus is now farming in Troy Township; he married Miss Rebecca Rose of Royal Oak, and had two
children-Frank and Lottie, the former is deceased.
When old enough to exercise the right of suffrage Mr. Hall determined to cast his influence with
the Democratic party, and he has continued to sup.
port its principles and candidates. He is held in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


361


-I


due regard by his acquaintances and is pointed out
as one of the most successful men living in Birmingham. Were we to give the details of his life
during his years of toil it would make a volume
of itself. We leave the filling in of this brief
sketch to the imagination of our readers, many of
whom know something by personal experience of
what qualities must be exerted and what experiences passed through in order to rise from the lowest
round of the financial ladder to such a position as
that held by Mr. Hall.
-. r --- —~E --- -- -
AVID W. SHAFT, one of the veteran soldiers of Michigan, was born in Herkimer
County, N. Y., March 31, 1812, the son of
Cornelius and Jane Shaft, natives of New York.
He left home at the age of twelve years, and went
to work for himself. He engaged first in a mill, and
then farmed for four years. He then bound himself out to learn the trade of a carriage and wagonmaker, which occupied him for three years.  He
came to Michigan in 1832, and from here traveled
over the South, spending some time in Charleston,
N. C., and then going from there to Petersburg,
Va., by way of railroad. This was the first railroad ride he had ever taken.
From Petersburg, Va., Mr. Shaft went to Richmond, where for some time he was employed in
driving a cab. He then went to Washington, D.
C., and was engaged in the business of painting
carriages and wagons. He enjoys telling about the
work he did for Gen. Jackson, then President of
the United States, for to him was given the job of
painting the carriage of this notable man. Our
subject went from the National Capitol to Steubenville, Ohio, where he engaged in painting stage
coaches. At New Lisbon, Ohio, he drove a stage
for nine months, and was in the same business at
Erie, Pa., which was not far from where he was
brought up. He cut stone at Lockport, N. Y. one
winter, and then went to Rawsonville, where he
met and married Eliza A. Curtiss. The wedding
was solemnized April 7, 1841. Here he opened a
wagon-making shop which he carried on for twenty
years.


Just before the breaking out of the war Mr.
Shaft removed to Michigan and located in Elba,
Lapeer County. But he did not remain long in
his new home, for he answered the call of his country in her time of need, and enlisted September 21,
1861, in Company I, First Regiment Michigan
Engineers and Mechanics. He saw service in the
army of the Cumberland. In February, 1864, he
was taken ill, and as he did not recover, received
his discharge October 1, of the same year. He returned home and undertook the charge of his ninety
acres of improved land. In 1880 he removed to
Oxford, where he has since resided. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republican, to the
backbone.  He is the father of four children,
namely: Jane, wife of Timothy L. Hodge, living
in Lapeer; Gilbert in Oxford; Josephine, wife of
L. C. Olmstead, of Oxford; and William H. H., of
Oxford, who is named for the President for whom
Mr. Shaft cast his first vote.
/ ILLIAM P. BEARDSLEE, a prosperous
farmer in Orion Township, was born in
Sussex County, N. J., May 1, 1836. His
father, Lewis, who was born in 1804, came to
Michigan and bought land in Orion Township, this
county, where he built a log house and made his
home. Wild game was plentiful.and Indians were
still numerous. He cleared and improved his land
and died August 6, 1860, in his fifty-eighth year.
His wife is still living and is a devout and earnest
member of the Presbyterian Church to which her
husband was also attached. Her maiden name was
Mary Philips and she was born in Sussex County,
N. J., March 7, 1806. Six df her seven children
are still living.
Mr. Beardslee was only a few months old when
his parents brought him to Michigan. He remained
at home till he reached his twentieth year and then
for two years worked out by the month on a farm.
He farmed also on shares for a few years and in
the spring of 1865 he removed to Montcalm County
and bought a farm. After remaining here five
years he returned to Orion Township, Oakland




362


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--


County, and has resided here since the spring of
1870.
An event of great importance took place in
the life of our subject, February 25, 1865. It was
his marriage with Nancy Wyckoff, who was born
in this county, April 24, 1838. Her parents, William and Hannah. came from New Jersey to Oakland County in the Territorial days. Her father
died September 30, 1861 and her mother survived until 1882. Mr. and'Mrs. Beardslee have
three children, Nettie, Chester and May, to whom
they have afforded good school advantages. Mr.
Beardslee is a Democrat and has been a Mason
for twenty years. He is also identified with the
Grange. He has three hundred and twenty acres
of fine land, which he devotes largely to the raising
of sheep for the market. He began life with
nothing and has been successful in attaining a
handsome property. He now owns the old homestead which his father settled on when he first
came to the State.
— 30,, g*ES
ILLIAM      P. HICKS, one of the leading
and substantial farmers of Rose Township,
Oakland County, was born December 24,
1842, near his present home, and is the son of Benjamin C. and Elizabeth (Wendell) Hicks. His
grandfather, Benjamin, was one of four brothers
who came to the United States soon after the
Revolutionary days. They were Benjamin, Reuben, Warren and Pardon. They settled in Massachusetts and Benjamin afterward removed to near
Avon, N. Y. He was a sailor and a captain of a
vessel for many years. In the fall of 1835 he came
to Michigan, where he made his home with his
son until his death about the year 1848, being
then seventy-seven years old. He was a Presbyterian in religion and a Democrat in politics. His
wife, Phcebe Cole, was the mother of a large family. Those who grew to maturity were Warren.
Pardon, Phoebe, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Susan, Mary
and Sarah. The grandmother died in Michigan.
The father of our subject was a farmer, who
came to Micligan and entered one hundred and
sixty acres in Rose Township. This he improved


and lived upon until his death in March, 1853, at
the age of forty-five years. His widow and three
children-William P., John W. and Charles H.survive to mourn his loss. He was a Democrat
in his political views and served his township
faithfully in several local offices. His wife was
born in Charlton, N. Y,, and was a daughter of
John A. Wendell, a farmer, whose parents came
from Holland. Mr. Wendell was a soldier in the
War of 1812, and came to Rose Township in 1836.
He was the first Supervisor of the township after
its organization, and represented the county in
the State Legislature, being a prominent member
of the Democratic party. He was a Presbyterian,
as was also the family into which his daughter
married.
The subject of this brief notice was reared in
this county and has ever resided in this community.
He received his education in the district schoolhouse, and when he was sixteen he and his brothers
took charge of the homestead until they married
and established homes.of their own. He was absent
from home only one year, which he spent in the
oil regions of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and the
lumber district of Saginaw.
After his marriage our subject continued to live
with his mother for three years until, in March,
1871, he purchased a farm of.eighty acres on section 35, and removed to it. This he has cleared
and improved, and to it he has added forty acres.
He is a breeder of Hampshire-down sheep and also
a feeder. lie has served three years each as Commissioner and Treasurer. Since the fall of 1877
he has acted as Supervisor of the township, and is
active in politics, attending the Democratic State
and Congressional conventions as a delegate. He
is an honored member of the Masonic order and
of the Knights of the Maccabees.
The marriage of Mr. Hicks took place March
28, 1867. His wife, Sarah M. Cole, was born in
Macomb County and is a daughter of Matthew L.
and Mary (Johnson) Cole, natives of New Jersey,
who were early settlers in Macomb County, where
they lived until their death, he passing away in
December, 1854, and his wife in August of the next
year. They were the parents of three childrenJohn, Sarah and Mary. Mr. Cole was a miller








,,/
(A<^2 ^7 (X^^A
c ________




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


365


and a son of John Cole, who removed from New
York to Macomb County, this State, and pursued
the trade of a blacksmith. IHe was a Baptist in
religion. His wife, who bore the maiden name of
Rush, was the mother of ten children, five sons
and five daughters. She was of Dutch origin.
Mr. and Mrs. William P. Hicks are the parents of
three children: Effie E., Charles M. and Mary E.
Mrs. Hick's mother's family was of English origin
and the Hon. Philip Johnson, of Pennsylvania, is
an uncle of Mrs. Hicks. Our subject is a man
who is universally honored and esteemed.
I    ON. FERRIS S. FITCH, State Suptrintendent of Public Instruction, and editor
and publisher of the Oakland County Post,
makes his home at Pontiac, Mich. He was
born in the township of Bunker Hill, Ingham
County, Mich., February 1, 1853, at a place now
known as Fitchburg from the fact that his father,
Ferris S. Fitch, Sr., was the first in this section to
make a farm in the unbroken wilderness. His
mother was Emma J. Bailey, and both his parents
were natives of New York State, where they were
married and from  which they removed to Michigan in 1848. The father was a member of the
Michigan Legislature in 1853, and at different
times was named prominently as a candidate for
Governor, in Democratic conventions. He was a
man of active life, yet of literary tastes, and was in
religion an Episcopalian.
The subject of this sketch labored industriously
upon the farm, until at the age of sixteen years he
entered the Normal School at Ypsilanti. HIe graduated from the classical course il 1873 and entered
the literary department of the University of Michigan the same year. From that institution he graduated in the Class of 1877 with the degree of
Bachelor of Arts. In both Normal School and
University he was distinguished for independent
original scholarship, and for his ability as a writer
and speaker. In the Normal he acted as assistant
instructor in Latin during his senior year.
After graduating from the University Mr. Fitch
accepted the Chair of Latin and Greek in Smithson


College, Ind. Soon after beginning his work there
he became active President of the college and
thoroughly reformed its government and system of
instruction. In 1878 he accepted the principalship of the Pontiac High School at a very critical
time. From the first he was master pf the situation and soon restored harmony to the Institution.
Here he served for three and one-half years, when
he was made Superintendent of the City Schools.
He continued to hold this position until June, 1890,
when he resigned, against the expressed wishes of
the entire Board, to enter the field of journalism as
editor and manager of the Oakland County Post.
Though naturally of a practical and conservative mind our subject is a progressive educator,
and the inveterate foe of the pouring in process,
and of cramming the young mind. lie is the peer
of any man in the State in the study of intellectual
themes as well as in the science of political economy and civil administration. His nomination in
the fall of 1890 to the office of State Superintendent
of Public Instruction was entirely unsought and
unexpected, but was the unanimous and spontaneous action of one of the most representative conventions ever assembled in Michigan. The nomination was made by Hon. C. R. Whitman, Regent
of the State University, and was enthusiastically
received by educators of all parties throughout the
State. His election was considered an indication of
a healthful condition in educational circles and
prophecy of still greater progress for the future.
Mr. Fitch was married August 4, 1881, to Lettie
M., daughter of George D. and Mary A. (Park)
Humphrey. One child has blest this union-Constance, who was born March 5, 1888.
A portrait of the Hon. Mr. Fitch is presented to
the readers of this volume., ---- 2 —R
\7 OMAINE CLARK, one of the most popular men of Orion Township, has a fine
farm equipped with all modern improvements.   His large and handsome residence and excellent barns and outbuildings commend his business ability to every traveller. He




366


PORTRAIIT AN~D BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


3  A


was born in Wayne County, Pa., August 20,1826.
His father, Elijah B. Clark, was born in New
London County, Conn., November 23, 1792, and
when about eighteen years old he emigrated to
Pennsylvania,where he followed his trade of a millwright. He came to Oakland County, Mich., in
1830, and entered land in Orion Township, to
which he received a deed, signed by Gen. Jackson. He returned and brought his family West in
June, 1831, coming by canal and team to Buffalo,
thence by lake to Detroit and teaming it the rest
of the way. He built a log house, which at that
time was several miles north of any house on this
section line. He died July 10, 1884, in his ninetysecond year. He represented Oakland County in
the Legislature in 1846 and 1847 and held various
township offices. In his early manhood he served
in the War of 1812. His wife, Mary A. Yerkes,
was born in Philadelphia in 1795 and died in January,1864. Eight of her tea children are still living.
Mr. Clark was born and reared upon the farm
and received his primary education in the log
school-house. He remained at home till he was
twenty-one years of age. He worked out on farms
by the month for three years, receiving wages of
$12 per month in summer and $10 in winter. In
November, 1850, he bought a farm in Pontiac
Township, going in debt for it. Two years later
he sold it and bought one in Orion Township.
Two years later he sold this and bought another,
which he sold in less than two years, and then purchased the old homestead on which he has since
lived, and where he took care of his father until
his decease.
The subject of this sketch was married October
16, 1850, to Emily Youdan, born in England,
February 10, 1832. Her parents, James and Elizabeth Youdan, came to America in 1834, spending
six weeks on the ocean. They made their home for
five years in Wheatland, N. Y., and in 1839 came
to Michigan and settled in Orion Township, this
County. He cleared and improved this farm and
lived here until his death in 1842. His faithful
wife survived him and passed away in 1855. She
had been previously married and had three children by a former husband.     Seven children
crowned her union with Mr. Youdan as follows;


Mary, James, Elizabeth, Susan, Martha, Emily and
Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been the parents
of seven children, of whom five are living: Ralph
A.; Leander R. and Mary A., deceased; Carroll,
W., James Y., Jennie E. and Romaine, Jr.
The gentleman of whom we write has frequently
been a delegate to Republican conventions in both
County and District. He has been Highway Commissioner and Supervisor for two terms, being
elected over a large Democratic majority. He is
a Patron of Husbandry and has been identified
with the Masons for thirty-five years. He has
two hundred and thirty-five acres of land in the
old homestead, where he raises excellent stock.
He built a fine large house in 1887. His specialty
has been in raising wheat. He has been a very
successful man and is a credit to the township in
which he lives..    -  i ir- F,


ON. ORRIN      POPPLETON, the pioneer
) merchant of Birmingham, has been engaged in business here since August, 1840.
Few dealers anywhere can look back over
so long a period of mercantile life as this, and
none can show a better record as to straightforward
dealing and wise methods. That Mr. Poppleton
occupies a leading position in the county is unquestioned by those who know him, and his standing does not depend upon the fortune he has made,
but upon his agreeable personal qualities. He is
one in a family whose parents located here as early
as 1825, and the career of his father is worthy of
consideration as indicating the causes which have
led to his own success in business and his worth of
character.
William Poppleton, the father, was born at
Poultney, Vt., in 1795, and when seventeen years
old went to Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y.,
with his parents. There he was married in 1814
to Zada Crooks, with whom he lived happily fortyeight years and in whom he found a most helpful
companion. In 1823 he visited Michigan, then
almost a wilderness, and entered from the Govern



PORTR'AIT A14D IBIOGRAP.LICAL AL13UM.


367.A                                                    AA


ment land on section 20, Troy Township, this
county. Two years later, with his little family,
consisting of his wife and two children-Orrin and
Sally, aged respectively seven and eight years,he took a final leave of Western New York, and
resolutely pushed out with a team for newer and
wilder scenes, for larger and grander prospects.
In )Dcember, 1825, after a toilsome journey of
thirty-two days in an emigrant wagon, Mr. Poppleton arrived safely at his homestead. His way
had been made through Canada, over the rough
pathways of the most unbroken forest, which in
much of the distance were frozen and covered with
snow. With ax in hand he began an unflinching
attack upon the giant forest, and with an intensity
of purpose which never wavered, set himself to
carve out a fortune and a name. Little by little
he added to his first purchase-now securing land
of the Government, then of some weary, homesick
settler-until in 1845, just twenty years from the
time he had bidden his friends in the East goodbye, he was the undisputed owner of twelve
hnndred acres of land, much of which was in tillable condition and the most of it in one body.
Upon this large tract he had rapidly made improvements until he had farms as fair to look upon and
in as high a state of cultivation as any in the farfamed Genesee valley he had left. In 1856 he removed upon one of his farms adjoining the village
of Birmingham and almost entirely abandoned
personal connection with farming operations. In
his pleasant village retreat, with his faithful
partner in life, he enjoyed a well-earned repose
until her dlath in December, 1862. After that
bereavement he seemed to lose much of the vigor
of constitution which he had previously enjoyed
and although the fire in his soul was not one whit
abated, the earthly tabernacle was slowly but surely
going to decay.
Of the confidence of the people of his township
Mr. Poppleton always possessed a large share, and
in all matters which affected the material welfare
of his section he was first and foremost. To him
the present excellent and superior condition of the
public highways of the township is due, and his
early interest and example in improving them
certainly merits the commendations of present and


future generations. His counsel was taken into
the highest consideration, and if not in the beginning, at the end, was almost invariably acknowledged to be the soundest and best. Although
from force of circumstances his education was
limited, his indomitable energy and superior judgment frequently placed him in positions of which
those of far better advantages might well have
been proud. He was often in the possession of the
highest offices in his township, and in 1842 represented his county in the State Legislature, which
then held its sessions at Detroit. His coadjutors were
Govs. Fitch, McClelland, Richardson, Barry and
many others known to the early settlers, whose
names are identified with the pioneer legislation of
Michigan.
Mr. Poppleton was always an unflinching and
uncompromising Democrat, true to his party when
in the light, and to the land which gave him birth.
Being a son of a Revolutionary sire he placed a
just estimate upon the value of liberty, and having
been educated in the JeffersoniaUl school of politics
it was impossible for him to do otherwise than
square every political measure with those immortal
principles which in years gone by had brought
prosperity to his country.
Mr. Poppleton was the father of seven children,
two of whom died in infancy and two in ripe
womanhood. The last were Hannah E., who married R. P. Bateman and died in March, 1854, and
Carrie J., who married Judge George B. Lake, of
Nebraska and died in February, 1860. Those
living are our subject, Orrin, and the next Sally,
now the widow of Darius Hoxsey. Mr. Hoxsey
was a prominent farmer in Troy Township until a
few years before his death, when he moved to
Birmingham, where his widow now resides. The
youngest child living of William Poppleton is
Andrew J. of Omaha, Neb., who is now past the
meridian of life. He is a man of nnchanging
purpose and to contemplate his life and character
would be a just source of pride to the most ambitious parents. Iaving been liberally educated
in a school that has given to the country such men
as Seward, Dix and Wright, and having adopted
the profession of law, he set out in 1851 in company with Gov. Richardson upon a pilgrimage




368


PORTRAIT AND BIOGR~APHICAL ALBUM.i~


368P R N


westward. He was the first to plant the standard
of civilization permanently upon the farther banks
of the Missouri at Omaha, where there was not
even a cabin to indicate that human life existed in
all the vast prairie wilderness-a poor spot indeed
to gratify the high hopes and lively imaginations
of youth. But he had an unfaltering trust in the
ultimate prosperity of his adopted home, which
has been fully justified. To-day he stands unrivaled in his profession in all that region and is
known as its attorney wherever the interests of
that great corporation, the Union Pacific Railroad,
extend. In addition to such honors, following
closely the footsteps of their sire, the sons have
each ield honorable positions as legislators and the
keepers of other public trusts in their respective
States.
Orrin Poppleton was born in Richmond, Ontario
County, N. Y., April 27, 1817, and was in his
ninth year when his parents came to this State.
His early life was passed on the farm and he first
received a common-school education and then
spent a year as a student in Granville Seminary in
Ohio. He remained with his father, helping him
clear up farm land and giving him the benefit of
his labors until he was of age, and then took up
the labor of life for his own advantage by becoming a clerk in Pontiac. He followed the pursuit
for two years in the county seat and Rochester, and
in the winters of 1834-35 and 1839-40 taught in
this county. In 1840 he began the mercantile
business in Birmingham, being the third person to
engage in that pursuit there. He has been in business continuously since that time and has occupied
his present storeroom forty-eight years. He has
now been in business longer than any other dealer
living in Birmingham and is one of the very few
men who have carried on such an enterprise more
than half a century and on a paying basis. Diligence, strict integrity and a judicious catering to
the desires of the community have placed Mr. Poppleton in the front rank as a merchant and have
given him high repute in business circles.
For many years our subject took quite an active
part in political affairs, but for some time past he
has borne but a quiet share in such matters. He is
and always has been a Democrat, and he keeps


well informed regarding affairs of State and the
principles on which good government is based and
can give at all times a clearly expressed reason for
his political faith. In 1852 he was elected to the
legislature from this county and served during the
session of 1853, and he has in recent years been
solicited. to stand as a candidate for congress and
to go before the people for Governor, but has
invariably declined. In 1853 he was appointed
Postmaster at Birmingham, and held the office
eight years under Presidents Pierce and Buchanan.
For sixteen years he was a member of the Congressional Committee and during twelve years of
that time he was its Chairman.  He has been
President of the Oakland County Pioneer Society
for eleven years and Vice President of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society seven years
and President of the latter during 1890. Mr. Poppleton belongs to no social orders, but quietly
dispenses the charity which they inculcate and engages with his friends and associates in the pleasures
of good fellowship.
The marriage of Orrin Poppleton and Sarah
Abbey was solemnized at the bride's home in Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y., November 2, 1841.
Mrs. Poppleton was born there May 2, 1815, and
there her parents, John and Elizabeth (Baker)
Abbey, died. They were natives of the Old Bay
State. MIr. and Mrs. Poppleton have had five
children and lost two in infancy-Hester and one
unnamed. Ella P., the youngest child, is the wife of
C. W. Hatch of Boston, Mass; Edgar C. and
Herbert A. are engaged in mercantile pursuits
with their father and have had turned over to
them a large share of the cares of the establishment.
ILLIAM H. STARK, a prominent farmer
residing on section 33, Oxford Township,
is a son of W. Stark, Esq., who was born
in New York near the Pennsylvania line in 1806,
and was reared on a farm. At an early age he
learned the trade of a millwright and followed that
trade in New York and after he came to Michigan
in 1836. He made his home in Independence




PORTRAIr AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


369




Township and bought land of the Government in
Oxford Township. He first erected a log house
and began clearing the land. This house was of a
superior order and was not put up in the manner that
many log cabins were. He hewed all the timber
and made all the logs fit nicely together and had a
home that was snug and cozy and was a pattern of
neatness. He died in 1872. His wife was Elizabeth M. Beardslee. She was born in Sussex County
N. J., and came West with her brother at a very
early day, making her home in Oxford Township.
She survived her husband for a number of years
and died November 30, 1890.
The subject of this sketch was born July 26,
1835 in Chemung County in the Big Flats, N. Y.,
and was only two years old when he accompanied
his father to Michigan. His 'two brothers, Thaddeus and Thomas J. both live in Michigan. Our
subject started in life at the age of twenty-eight
and he has made all the improvements and erected
all the buildings which are to be seen upon his fine
farm. About eight yeais ago, his home was destroyed by fire, but undaunted he at once went to
work to erect a much finer house than he had
before. Much of the work upon all these buildings
has been done by his own hands. He made all the
fences and cut all the pines that went into the
buildings which he has placed upon his property.
The marriage of Mr. Stark with Mary E. Applegate, was an event of great importance and one
which has led-up to a life of domestic happiness.
This lady is a daughter of David Applegate and
was born in Oxford Township, December 27, 1837.
Her father was one of the early pioneer settlers in
this part of the State. He passed away three years
ago. Her mother whose maiden name was Louisa
Potter, resides with Mr. and Mrs. Stark. She was
born October 30, 1814 at Chili, N. Y., and married
David Applegate, January 17, 1833. Mr. and Mr.
Stark have two children, Elmer and David Ward.
He has filled several of the township offices and was
Constable for one year. He has belonged to the
Patrons of Industry and has been sent to attend
conventions of this body at Pontiac. Both he and
his worthy wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in which they are active workers
and where he 1h served as Trustee. He has also


served on the petit and grand juries at Pontiac
and is a Democrat in his political views. Mrs.
Stark's father was here before any roads were laid
out, and he was a man who was active in promoting
every interest of the neighborhood. He used to go
to Rochester for mill and go home and loan out all
the flour to needy neighbors reserving only a small
portion for his own family. He was Supervisor,
Justice of the Peace, and held most of the Township offices a number of years before his death.
Mr. Stark fills a large place in the neighborhood
affairs and is worthy of the respect which he receives from his neighbors.
OBERT BRADFORD owns and occupies a
farm in Pontiac Township, where a pleasant home and comfortable surroundings
are found. The estate consists of eighty
acres on section 26 ard has been the home of our
subject since 1855, at which time he bought the
land and began tilling the soil on his own account.
Mr. Bradford was born in West Killbride, Ayreshire, Scotland, August 8, 1827. His father, John
Bradford, was a native of Wigtun and was a stonemason by trade; his mother was Elizabeth Gemmill
and the family consisted of four children, three of
whom are now living. The parents came to this
country in 1842 and made their settlement in Pontiac Township, this county, on section 26. The
father built three houses-one for himself, one in
Troy Township and another near Orchard Lake,
and gave some attention to his trade. He died in
1849 and his widow breathed her last in 1858.
They were members of the Congregational Church.
Mr. Bradford of this sketch received a commonschool education in his native land, conning his
lessons in the parish school where the same teacher
was generally employed year after year. He accompanied his parents to America and remained
with them until he was about twenty-six years old.
He then started out in life for himself and a few
years later bought the property on which he is now
prosecuting his agricultural work. He was married
in March 28, 1854 to Miss Mgria Colby, whoQ was




370


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


i


born in this county in 1829, and whose parents,
Ephraim and Melinda (Allen) Colby, are numbered among the pioneers. Mr. Colby died many
years ago, but Mrs. Colby is still living. Mrs.
Bradford was called from  time to eternity in
August, 1874. The surviving children are, Sarah;
Agnes, who is the wife of Murry Vancise, and
resides in Huron County. Mich.; Mary, widow of
Charles Springer; John, Hattie and Frank.
Mr. Bradford is quite a prominent member of
the Republican party in this locality and has advanced its interest as a delegate to county and
State conventions. He served as Supervisor of
Pontiac Township one term, and filled the duties
of the office in a creditable manner. The earnestness and thrift of the true Scotchman are manifested
in his life and lie is leld in such respect as his
character merits.
-c. 44*zY


ANDOLPH MANNING, of Pontiac, Mich.,
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of
Michigan, was born in Plainfield, N. J.,
)May 19, 1804; and died in Pontiac,
August 31, 1864. The chief events in the life of
this able jurist are presented in the following extracts from the eulogy pronounced by Hon. Jacob
M. Howard before the Supreme Court, in October,
1864, and published in the Detroit Advertiser and
Tribune:
" I had the pleasure of Mr. Manning's personal
acquaintance and friendship from the time he
landed at Detroit, in 1822, until his death. He
studied his profession in New York City, whence
he emigrated to Michigan while it was yet a Territory. He settled in Pontiac and there practiced
law. Under the act of January 26, 1835, passed
by the Territorial Legislature, for the purpose of
calling a convention for the formation of a State
Constitution, he was elected one of the delegates
from Oakland County. The convention met in
May of that year, and he took a distinguished part
in its transactions, being a member of the Committee on Judiciary, and, as such, associated with
Hon. Ross Wilkins, Hon. Williga Trowbridge,


Hon. I. E. Crary, Hon. Robert McLelland, and
others. Under the act of March 26, 1836, a separate Court of Chancery was established, of which
Mr. Manning was made Chancellor, in 1842, as the
successor of Hon. Elon Farnsworth. This high
office he held for about three years, and performed
its important functions in a manner that reflected
the highest credit upon him, both for integrity and
professional learning. He was also Secretary of
State during a gubernatorial term. Under the act
of February 16, 1857, providing for the present
'independent Supreme Court,' he was elected a
member of this Court, in which he took his seat in
January, 1858; his term of office expiring in 1862,
he was re-elected in April, 1861. Thus lie was a
member of this Court from the time of its organization, and was the first of your number to answer
the final summons of the great Judge of all living.
I adopt the language of the resolutions I have presented, in saying that in each position he occupied
before the public, Judge Manning showed himself
a man of spotless integrity, sound, discriminating
judgment, and of a capacity that enabled him to
fill every office with honor to himself and advantage to the State. 1 need not say that in all the
relations of private life he was as faultless as it has
pleased heaven to leave human nature. Gentle in
manners without ostentation, true and constant in
his principles, charitable and forbearing, benevolent
and kindly, frugal without parsimony, beloved of
old and young, rich and poor, taking an active interest in whatever concerned good neighborhood,
in whatever affected the community-at-large, without an enemy in the wide world, the good man has
gone to his rest; only, we trust, to join the friends
who have gone before him, and to wait for those
who shall as worthi l do their duty here." Eloquent
and feeling remarks were also made by Chief
Justice Martin, Associate-Justices Campbell and
Christiancy, and Morgan L. Drake, G. V. A.
Lothrop, and Theodore Romeyn.
Judge Manning in his political attachments was
a Republican. He was a State Senator one term,
and a member of the Board of Regents of the
University. His religious sympathies were with
the Baptist Church, of which he was a regular attendapt, He was married in 1832, to Miss Eliza




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


371


F. Randolph, by whom he had two children, both
still living. He was again married in 1848, to Miss
Eliza W. Carley; they had four children, of whom
two are now living. In the Detroit Advertiser and
Tribune of September 5, 1864, are given a few
particulars of this noble man's demise, as follows:
"On the night of August 31, while conversing
with his daughter. Judge Manning died instantly.
tie had, for two years past, been troubled with
occasional spasms of pain in the chest, which prevented him from walking rapidly, depriving him of
the enjoyment of his favorite exercise. On the
day of his death he was in consultation with one of
his associates most of the time, and appeared quite
as well as usual, walking some distance, and talking
about the court business with his usual clearness
and interest. His death, coming so unexpectedly,
was a dreadful shock to all his friends. Providentially -he was allowed to depart in his own beloved home, enjoying to the last all the blessings
of devoted filial piety and care."
LFRED HIGHFIELD, a farmer on section
3, Highland Township, Oakland County,
is a son of John Highfield, a native of
Ireland, who came to Canada at an early
day. His wife, Lydia Smith, was a daughter of
Stephen Smith, a native of Canada. The children
of Mr. Highfield and his wife were Edwin, Edgerton, William, George, Julia and Sarah. In 1844
he came to Michigan and lived in Macomb County
for a year. He then came to Rose Township, Oakland County, where he spent the remainder of his
days. He and his wife were adherents to the doce
trines of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was
Coroner of Oakland County and Justice of the
Peace for a number of years. His death occurred
in Rose Township in October 1884, at the age of
eighty-one years. His wife is still living at the
age of seventy-years and makes her home with our
subject.
Alfred Highfield was born May 1, 1836, in
Canada and at the age of eleven years came to
Michigap with his parents, When twenty.fpur




years old he commenced life for himself. He
bought the farm he now owns in 1889 and worked
it for two years before moving on to it. His marraige took place March 10, 1861, in Rose Township, his bride being Catherine, daughter of James
and Matilda (Slocum) Johnson, natives of Pennsylvania and New York, respectively. Her father
died in that township and her mother still lives
there. She was one of four daughters and six
sons.  They were highly respected people and
were connected with the Methodist Episcopal
Church. At one time the father and his five sons
were in the army in the late Civil War and all
returned home except John who gave up his life
for his country.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Highfiel I are Rosalia, Ida, Lillian, Charles, and Adelbert. Rosalia is
now Mrs. Doty and lives in Highland Township.
The home of Charles is in South Dakota. Adelbert is employed in the Novelty Works at Clyde
and the two younger daughters are at home. Mr.
Highfield now owns a farm of one hundred and
five acres.  He carries on mixed farming and
makes a specialty of sheep raising. His political
convictions are strongly with the Republican party
but he has never aspired to any public office. His
wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
at Clyde, where the two daughters also find their
leligious home. Mr. Highfield has done a great
amount of pioneer work. He aided in clearing his
father's old farm and llas also cleared part of his
own. He has made other improvements and has
his farm in excellent condition.
ILLIAM      C. RICHARDSON, a farmer residing on section 19, township of Bloomfield, was born in the city of Detroit May
11, 1842. He is a son of John and James (Cummings) Richardson, natives respectively of England and Orange County, N. Y. They were married in the city of New York and came to Detroit
in the old Territorial days. In 1854 they removed
to where their son now lives, where they still
make their home, The father Camp to Amnerica




372


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-   ~ ~ --- Fa~ — --------


when a young man. He began life empty handed
and has attained a handsome competency by his
own unaided efforts. He has always been a Democrat in his political views, but has eschewed politics except as duty called upon him to cast his
ballot.
John Richardson and wife were the parents of
six children, Mary, Fannie, Catherine, William C.,
George and John. Our subject was reared in his
native city, Detroit, until he reached the age of
twelve years and received the benefits of the best
schools of that city, as they were at that early day.
Since coming to Oakland County he has learned
all the practical details of farming, and was early
called upon to engage in independent work in this
line. He has bought the old homestead, consisting of one hundred and forty acres, which is well
improved and which has upon it an excellent residence and good farm buildings.
The marriage of Mr. Richardson took place May
20, 1879. He then took to wife Elizabeth Harrison of New York City, where she was born and
educated. To her twins were born, namely, Clara
and Elizabeth. She was snatched away from her
little ones May 24, 1880. The second marriage of
our subject took place December 3, 1882. He was
then united with Miss Susan B. Wright, of Birmingham, this county. She was born in Troy and
is a daughter of Aaron and Flora Wright. Three
sons have been granted to this happy couple, Ross,
John and Stanley M. The home of this houselold
is one of comfort and happiness, where neighbors
are welcome and where true hospitality abounds.
-— ^3 ---^g-^~ ----^sILLIAM      G. WALLACE, a farmer residing on section 2, Highland Township, Oakland County, is a son of John, a son of
Henry, who was born in Ireland and came to
America at an early day. He settled in Canada,
whence he removed to New York. After sojourning there a number of years he returned to Canada and ended his days there. He was the father
of four sons. John Wallace was born in Canada
and at the ae of twenty removed to New York,


where he resided until the breaking out of the
Civil War. In 1862 he enlisted in the army and
served till the close of the war. He remained at
home for two years and then joined the regular
army where he served for ten years.
When Mr. Wallace came out of the army he
bought a farm in Highland Township, Oakland
County, where he lived for two years. He then
sold out and going to Saginaw worked as foreman
for two years in a mill. Next he embarked in the
mercantile and bakery business, in which he is now
engaged. He was married in Canada to Rebecca
Robinson, and unto them were born four sonsDavid H., William G., our subject, James J. and
Albert.
The subject of this sketch was born in 1858 on
May 18, at Brockport, N. Y., and at the age of
eleven years he began supporting himself. Iie
worked on a farm first at home, then in Iowa, and
when nineteen years of age he came to Michigan.
When he was twenty-three years old he went to
work for the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad. lie
was here for two years and then entered a stave
mill in Saginaw, and after two years' work there
returned to the railroad and served as brakeman
for two years. At the age of twenty-nine years he
was promoted to the position of conductor.
After serving as conductor for three years this
young man drew a prize of $15,000 in the Louisiana State Lottery, and in 1890 he bought a fine
farm of one hundred and twenty-two acres, well
improved and furnished with good buildings. Here
he carries on mixed farming. His marriage took
place July 4, 1879. He was then united to Ida J.,
a daughter of Timothy Mills of New York, who
came to Michigan in 1866 and settled in Howell,
Livingstone County, where he died. Mrs. Wallace's parents had eight children. Her father was
a miller by trade and united with that business the
work of a farmer. He was a Methodist in religious belief. His death occurred in 1870. His wife,
whose maiden name was Cynthia McDoll, made a
second marriage. She was united with Charles
Butts and by that marriage had two children, a son
and a daughter.
One daughter only has come to brighten the
hompe of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, She was born




RESIDENCE OF W. G. WALLACE)SEC'S.2&.3.,HIGHLAND TR, OAKLAND CO.,MICH.


I


-- --


I - "4 -"Ir", I-.  -- c il AL


I I~

RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM P. JOHNSON, SEC. 9.,MILFORD TP,OAKLAND CO.,MICH.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


375


March 25, 1885. Mr. Wallace is a Republican in
his convictions and has been a consistent adherent
to that party all his life. He was a member of the
Trainmen's order when connected with the railroad and he andl his wife are members of the
Protestant Methodist Church.
A  view  of the rural home of Mr. Wallace
appears on another page.
'   _a3 ---4O ^..Zo04o —
ILLIAM P. JOHNSON, one of the nativeborn citizens of Milford Township, represents a family that was one of the first to
locate here. He is engaged in farming on section
9, and has an estate of one hundred and eighty
acres, with one hundred and forty-five under the
plow. He has made a number of improvements
upon the property since he took possession, and no
unsightly stone piles or stumps disfigure it. In
1886 he put up a good farm residence and expended quite a sum on additional barn buildings.
Every necessary building will be seen here and it
will be noticed that the affairs of the farm are carried on in a systematic manner. Mr. Johnson keeps
good stock and amlong other animals has three fine
colts, Napoleon bred.
The maternal grandparents of Mr. Johnson were
William  and Mary (Williams) Inman, natives of
New York, and the former born in 1778. They
were married in 1805. Grandfather Inman contracted a second marriage with Levina Baird, who
survived her husband and afterward married Ebenezer West, April 10, 1850. The children born to
William and Mary Inman were named as follows:
Betsey, Nancy, Huldah, Levina, and Mary. Of his
second marriage nine children were born, viz.:
Nelson, Sally, Stephen, Harriet, Emeline, Clarissa,
Caroline, William and Emily.
Philip T. Johnson, father of our subject, was
born in Genesee County, N. Y., June 20, 1807, and
was the son of Israel Johnson. He learned the
trade of a shoemaker, but in later years gave his
attention to farming. In his native county he was
married to Huldah Inman, who was born there
July 25, 1809. They remained in the East until


1832, then settled in Livingston County, this State,
upon a raw quarter section of land purchased from
the Government.   From  Detroit they traveled
through the woods with an ox-team, consuming a
week in the trip. Mr. Johnson had enough money
to buy his land, but little left for future use; however' he was energetic and was buoyed up by his
hopes for the good of the family and cheered by a
faithful wife. He built a log house, a frame barn,
and gradually gathered around him some appearance of civilization and comfort. He remained on
the farm only two years, but during that time did
considerable clearing. He then sold it and bought
instead one hundred and twenty acres on section 7,
Milford Township, this county. Here again he
had to begin by removing trees and lie placed
seventy acres under cultivation. He built a frame
house and barn that are still standing, and after a
few years removed to Kensington and resumed his
trade. He died in 1843, leaving a widow with five
small children.
Mrs. Johnson carried on the farm for a few years.
She made a second marriage, wedding David G.
Pickett, of Commerce Township, this county. Of
this union there was born one son, John Pickett,
now living in AtMlford Township on the old homestead. The mother died in 1887 at the advanced
age of seventy-seven years; she was a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. The children of
her first marriage are Mary J., now Mrs. C. W.
Bush, living in Fenton; Caroline, now deceased,
who was the wife of Joseph V. Hagadorne; William
P.; George W., who married Carrie Vromm, of
Milford, and now lives in Fenton; Adelia M., wife
of James Crawford, a grocer in Milford. George
has two children and Adelia three.
Our subject was born August 29, 1837, in Milford Township, and has always lived here. He is
the second oldest native-born citizen who has
always lived in the township. He received a districtschool education and finished his studies in the
Milford High School. He remained at home until
he was twenty-three years old and during two years
of that time worked for his stepfather for $10 per
month. lie then bought eighty acres of wild land
on section 17, where a rade log house stood, and
removing thereto he cleared off forty acres and cl



376


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I                 -   ---- -


tivated it three years. He tried farming alone
one year, at the end of that time concluded to have
a helpmate, and was married to Miss Nancy Phillips
in 1862. He then sold the property and removed to
an improved eighty on section 34. He lived in a log
house which was built sixty-one years ago and is
still fit for habitation. After twelve years spent
on that place Mr. Johnson sold it and came to
section 9 to take possession of an improved farm.
Mrs. Johnson is a daughter of Leonard and Rosetta (Albright) Phillips, now deceased, who were
early settlers here. Mrs. Johnson was born in this
township August 13,1838,and has always lived here.
She was a schoolmate of her husband and they
were well acquainted with each other's character
and disposition before they united their lives and
fortunes. They have three living children and lost
four in infancy. Philip L. was born August 6,
1863, and is living on a sixty-acre farm adjoining
that of his father; he married Anna Belle Muir
and has three sons. Flora B. was born April 6,
1867; she is the wife of Harry Glendenning and
has one son. Hulda R., was born October 26, 1874.
The parents and children are members of the United
Presbyterian Church in Milford.
In 1873 Mr. Johnson entered 'into partnership
with Wells Bros., in Milford, for the sale of agricultural implements, but after a year of business
life returned to his farm work. For years he voted
the Democratic ticket but he is now heartily in accord with the Prohibition party, and so, too, are his
son Philip and his son-in-law, Mr. Glendenning.
He is a man having strong convictions and his life
thoroughly in accords with his principles.
J OHN  HIXSON. Among the native-born
citizens of Oakland County who are still
carrying on their work therein, is John Hixson, who owns and operates a valuable farm
in Avon Township. His property consists of one
hundred and sixty acres, which is well stocked both
with domestic animals and farm machinery, and is
cultivated according to the most approved methods
of modern hugbapdry. The buildings that have


been put upon it are substantial, well-arranged and
sufficiently numerous to answer every purpose, the
chief one being a pleasant and commodious dwelling. Even the most cursory observer would be led
to believe upon looking over the Hixson farm that
the owner makes of his calling both an art and a
science.
The parents of our subject were Richard andt
Mary (Fanckboner) Hixson, natives of New Jersey. They came to this State in 1836, bringing
with them one child, Elizabeth, who is now the
wife of A. G. Dewey and lives in Bloomfield Township, this county. After their arrival here their
family was increased by the birth of three' children-John, Marshall and Leora Belle. The second son is now living in Van Buren County and is
a dealer in furniture and undertaker's goods. The
youngest child did not live beyond her infancy.
Mr. Hixson established his home in Macomb
County just across the line from where his son
John is now living and as he secured land on both
sides the county line, he may be said to be still
living on his original homestead, although he now
makes his home with his son. For nine years he
was a resident of Pontiac and was retired from
active life, but after that period had elapsed he returned to the homestead. He was bereft of his
wife November 24, 1870.
John Hixson was born November 14, 1840, and
reared to farm life. He was a member of the parental family until he was twenty-two years old,
then established a home of his own, being married
December 17, 1862, to Miss Emma L. Clark. This
lady was a daughter of Wheeler and Esther(Walker)
Clark, who were natives of Vermont and Maine
respectively. The father bought land in this State
in 1825 and took possession of it in 1830. He
died here in November, 1874. Mrs. Emma Hixson
shared her husband's fortunes almost a score of
years, then closed her eyes in death February 22,
1882. To them have been born three children:
Ella, Clark W. and Clara E. The elder daughter
has left her father's roof to become the wife of
Charles Dusenbury, of Pontiac. Mr. Hixson made
a second marriage, May 12, 1887, wedding Miss
Sarah Crumey, daughter of Robert and Jane
(Grove) Crqmey, The parents of the present




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


377


--


I


I


'Mrs. Hixson came froin Ireland to America in
1855 and located in Macomb County, this State.
There they died, the mother June 30, 1869, and
the father in August, 1870.
The political allegiance of Mr. Hixson is given
to the Democratic party, with which he has voted
since George B. McClellan was its candidate for
the Presidency. lie has held various local offices
and has capably discharged the duties that devolved upon him and honestly labored for the
good of his constituents. His home is a pleasant
one and is frequently sought by the friends of
himself, wife and daughter, all of whom are active
and efficient in society.
ON. DAVID      HOBART of Holly, Mich.
was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y. in
1840. He is the son of Lester and Mary A.
(Preston) Hobart, natives of the Empire
State. The father was a farmer by occupation,
which he followed all his life until in advanced
age he retired from active labor. His wife died in
1853 and he now resides in Chautauqua County,
N. Y. Of the goodly family which they reared,
only four are now living: David, Lester, Joseph
and William. Both parents were earnest and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and brought up their children in that faith.  The
father of Lester, Sr., was Marlan, a soldier of the
War of 1812.
Our subject was brought up on the home farm
and received his education in the common and
graded schools at Jamestown, N. Y. Ie left his
home at twenty years of age and started for the
West, arriving at Detroit where he accepted a position as clerk in the bank of his uncle, David Preston. Here he remained six years. lie came to
Holly in 1865, and engaged in mercantile business, handling a general stock of goods. He received from President Grant his appointment as
Postmaster at Holly, which position he held until
1886. In 1889 he was elected Representative of
the Second District of Oakland County, and served
hita term of two years, He was Supervisor of the


town in 1888, and President of the village the
same year. He has been on the School Board for
nine years. He has handled the express business
of this place since 1865. The lady who presides
over his beautiful home on Saginaw Street, became
his wife in 1862. She was Miss Rebecca Mothersill
of Detroit, a teacher in the public schools there.
The parents of Mrs. Hobart are the Rev. William and Mrs. Catherine Mothersill. Mr. Mothersill was a native of England and came to America
when very young. He began his ministry in the
Methodist Episcopal Church   after coming to
Michigan and was on the circuit for many years.
He died at Holly in 1862. Mrs. Hobart is one
of eight children living of the parental household,
namely: Philip, Watson, William, Henry, Frank,
Arthur, Rebecca and Henrietta. Mrs. Hobart
is now engaged in an extensive millinery and ladies'
fancy goods store at Holly. She is an enterprising
and successful business woman. She and her husband are earnest and consistent members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hobart is a
member of the Masonic order, and a man of great
popularity in the Republican party. He is looked
upon as a leader in that part of the county. Tlley
have one son-William P. Hobart.
ILLIAM      H. HULSIZER, the well-known
auctioneer of Rochester, was born in Warren County, N. J., September 3, 1853, and
is a son of William and Huldah (Masters) Hulsizer. In 1859 his parents removed to this State,
and located in Avon Township, three miles from
Rochester. There our subject spent the years of his
boyhood and youth, giving his time to the pursuit
of knowledge in the school-room and on the farm,
and as he grew to manhood becoming a full-fledged
farmer. He carried on the occupation until he was
twenty-four years of age, then became an auctioneer and worked up a reputation which leads to his
being sent for from considerable distances.
Although he has disposed of many stocks of
goods, Mr. Hulsizer makes a specialty of selling
farm property and live stock, and during the year




378


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL A LBUM.


7            P


1890, he cried ninety-one sales of the latter. During the year 1881 his headquarters were Detroit,
where he was engaged in disposing of stocks of
merchandise.  In connection with the business
mentioned, he has the management of a liquor
house. He was married September 19. 1877, to
Adella Morrison, and has one son, Fred W. Mrs.
Hulsizer is a daughter of Henry Morrison, a farmer
of this county, and is a native of the Green Mountain State. Mr. Hulsizer acted as City Marshal in
1882, and has frequently been importuned to accept other offices, but uniformly declined. He is
a Democrat in politics.
The father of our subject was born in Hunterdon
County, N. J., October 30, 1818. His parents
were Samuel and Sarah (Manning) Hulsizer, likewise natives of New Jersey, the one of Ger.
man aid the other of Dutch extraction. Grandfather Hulsizer spent his entire life in his native
State, dying about 1861. He had eight children,
seven of whom are still living. His father Stophl
let Hulsizer, was a soldier during the Revolution,
and was the son of a native of Germany. William Hulsizr, father of William H., was reared to
farm life, and when quite young began working
away from home for from $5 to $8 per month,
which was the wages for an extra hand when a man
received $10. He is still living in this county on
a comfortable farm pleasantly located on section
24, Avon Township.
The mother of our subject was a daughter of
Jesse Masters. Her marriage to Mr. Hulsizer was
solemnized February 15, 1840, and their golden
wedding was celebrated by the presence of all their
living children but one, together with many friends.
They have had twelve children, but have lost five,
and the only son now living is William H., whose
name introduces these paragraphs. The daughters
are Sarah, wife of Mark A. Smith, of Manistee;
Mary, wife of Adolphus Hamlin, a farmer in this
county; Rachel, who married Gardner W. Sipperley, an Oakland County farmer; Susan, wife of
Clarence L. Shelton, of Roscommon County; Emma,
wife of W. H. Judson, a wholesale merchant tailor
of New York City; and Almeda, whose husband is
Fred L. Davidson, a merchant in Ogemaw County.
The father of this family has never held office ex

cept of a local nature in New Jersey. He is a man
of independent thought on all subjects, and his
actions correspond with his opinions. He voted
the Democratic ticket for some time, but believing
that the party went wrong, abandoned it.
INDREW     P. GLASPIE, of Oxford, Oak| land County, was born in Washington,
Macomb County, this State, March 18,
1842. He is the son of Deacon Henry and
Harriet (Babcock) Glaspie, natives of New York.
The father's ancestors, two hundred years before,
were from Scotland. Henry moved from New
York to Michigan in 1840 and took possession of
a farm, on which he worked until his death in
August, 1846. His wife survived him many years,
passing from earth in 1876. To them were given
two children: Jane, wife of S. R. Stanton, of
Northville, S. Dak., and our subject. Deacon
Glaspie had eight children by a former marriage,
so that our subject had half-brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Glaspie had two children by a former marriage.
Andrew was brought up to farming pursuits by
one of his half-brothers, who was struggling with
poverty; he never went to school more than three
consecutive months in his life. In the first year of
the Civil War he enlisted in Company H, Seventh
Michigan Infantry, entering the service, August 22,
as a private. He was promoted to the office of
Second Sergeant after the conflict at Fredericksburg. His first service was at Ball's Bluff. He
was twice wounded, first by the bursting of a shell
at Antietam, September 16, 1862. At this time he
was reported mortally wounded, but, recovering
rapidly, was soon with his regiment again. His
second disaster was at Chancellorsville, where he
was wounded in the hand by a shell or a stone dislodged by a shell striking just in front of him.
This time he went to the field hospital, but was
restless and unwilling to remain, so taking with
him about a dozen canteens to evade the guards
and make them believe he was sent out after water,
he went south and west till bh carie to the railroad,




PORTRAIr AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


379


There he waited until the cars came along; then
got on and rode to Washington, D. C. But he
had overestimated his own strength and at that
place was obliged to go into the hospital again.
He remained there a week and was transferred to
Philadelphia, where he remained until the expiration of his term of service, August 22, 1864. He
was discharged at Detroit August 27.
Mr. Glaspie had participated in all the battles
in which his regiment had taken part up to his
second injury, including privations and perils.
At Fair Oaks they had to cross a stream with the
water up to their waists, and were compelled to
hold their cartridge boxes under their arms to
keep them dry. After they had crossed the stream
and had advanced and fired about ten rounds they
were ordered to charge. Mr. Glaspie had presence
of mind enough to load while running. and thus
was ready for the charge. After the fight he was
detailed all night to carry off the wounded. At
Fredericksburg he crossed the river on a pontoon
bridge with Col. Baxter and several others. Here
it was that the Colonel was shot through the
body. They drew a silk handkerchief through
his wound and Baxter, for his heroic conduct, was
made Brigadier-General. A sharpshooter tried to
pick off Glaspie also, at this time and a scar of a
bullet wound on the neck shows how close was the
call. The list of his engagements is as' follows:
Ball's Bluff, Fair Oaks, Va., Seven Days' Battle,
Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hills,
Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancel
lorsville.
After returning home in 1864 our subject was
unfitted for any work for more than two years and
never has been able to perform manual labor. The
doctors abandoned his case and advised him to
make all his arrangements for leaving this life.
Despite it all he managed to live. He told the
doctor he would be a better man at forty years of
age than he was then and has proved it true. As
soon as he was able to get about he started out buying sheep pelts and selling picture frames and window shades. When he had somewhat gained his
strength by this kind of outdoor life, he opened up
a grocery business in 1868, which he continued till
1875. He then sold out and went into the knitting


business, manufacturing hosiery, gloves and mittens. He was burned out in 1885, with a total loss
and no insurance. He then undertook business in
connection with the clothing trade, until appointed
Postmaster May 20,1889. The Postoffice appointment was left to a vote of the people and Mr. Glaspie secured the appointment by a choice of sixtyfive votes out of two hundred and sixty, which
were divided among eight candidates. As an advertiser in the clothing business he is a great success, obtaining a prize for getting up an advertisement for a wholesale house whose goods he handled.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage
January 9, 1870, with Amy E., daughter of William S. Bird, of Elba, Lapeer County, Mich., formerly of New Jersey. Three children have been
granted to this home: Andrew Bird, Harriet L.
and Philo B. All are yet in school. The parents
and daughter are members of the Baptist church.
Mr. Glaspie is a prominent member of the Grand
Army of the Republic and in politics is a Republican "first, last and always."
AMES 0. BEATTIE. The attention of this
gentleman is given to the business of an
undertaker and liveryman in Birmingham,
where he has been located since 1865. During that year he engaged in the livery business
here and he subsequently added the other branch
of his present occupation. He has a fine livery
barn, so arranged as to afford comfortable housing
for the horses and adequate shelter for the vehicles
and other equipments of a first-class stable. He
drives none but good horses, and the rigs he sends
out are worthy of patronage. Mr. Beattie is wellequipped for all occasions at which his services
may be called ink requisition, whether of social
gatherings or for the sad rites of burial.
In New York and New Jersey respectively
Robert J. Beattie and Sarah Christ were born and
their marriage was solemnized in Middletown, N.
Y. They are numbered among the pioneers of this
county, to which they came, settling in Bloomfield
Township. They reared eight children, named




380


PORT RAltT AND B 10GRAVIPHIICA ALBUM.


PIO


Margaret E., Sarah, Rachel, John, James O., Israel,
Whitney and Axle. Mr. Beattie was a Democrat,
and his life work was farming. Mrs. Beattie belonged to the Presbyterian Church. Both died in
Bloomfield Township, where they had made many
friends.
The subject of this biographical notice who is
the sixth member of the family named above, was
born on the parental farm in Bloomfield Township,
August 27, 1841. As his parents were in but
moderate financial circumstances, his educational
privileges were limited to the common school, but
this was sufficient to lay sound foundation for the
superstructure which must be reared by contact
with the world. He remained on the farm until
he was eighteen years old, then went to Rouseville,
Pa., where he worked three years, that being in the
noted oil region. Early in the '70s he made his
way to California where he worked in the lumber
and lime trade about two years, after which he returned to this State, and entered upon the business
he has now been followibg for a quarter of a century. He made the journeys to and from the Pacific Slope via the Isthmus.
The marriage of Mr. Beattie and Mrs. Flora Nye
of Birmingham was solemnized January 5, 1877.
The bride was the widow of Riley Nye, by whom
she had two children ---Maude and John. Her
father was John Daines. IIer marriage to our subject has been blest by the birth of one child-J.
Florence. Mr. Beattie belongs to the Knights of
the Maccabees, and the Masonic order. As to
politics he is content with depositing his ballot,
which bears the names of the Democratic candidates. He is not connected with any religious society, but gives freely of his means toward the
support of churches, in the maintenance of which
he believes.
HARLES PORTER. This gentleman has
been identified with the history of White
Lake Township for more than half a century, and during that period has lived upon land
on section 21 that he has developed from its wild
condition, into one of fertility and beauty. Sev

eral years before he came hither lie bought an
eighty-acre tract here, to which he subsequently
added until his estate now comprises one hundred
and eighty-two acres. He and his wife worked
very hard while he was clearing his land, as they
had but little means, and the surroundings were such
that they had many privations to endure, even at
the best. Gradually the property was brought
under subjection, and buildings erected and now it
is one of the fine homes of the township.
Mr. Porter traces his descent from John Porter
who lived and died in Ireland. He had two sons
and two daughters, one of the former being
Charles, who came to America in 1830, and for a
year made his home in New York. He then came
to this county and located in Bloomfield Township
where he spent the remnant of his days. He first
took up forty acres of land, then added eighty
acres, and cleared and improved the entire tract.
He was one of the earliest pioneers, there being
but few families in the township when he came.
He was first married in the Emerald Isle to a Miss
Torrence, whose children were Fanny, Margaret,
William and John. His second wife was Sarah
Russell, daughter of Andrew Russell, whose entire
life was spent in Ireland. This union resulted in
the birth of seven children-Andrew, Charles,
Mary, Sarah, Jane, Matilda and Esther.
Charles Porter, Jr., was born in Ireland, May
26,1812, and was sixteen years of age when he
crossed the Atlantic with his parents. In the spring
of 1831 he accompanied them to this State and he
remained with them in Bloomfield Township until
his marriage. He won for his wife Miss Elizabeth
Arthur, a second cousin of the late President
Arthur, to whom he was married in White Lake,
April 13, 1839. Mrs. Porter was born in Fayette
County, Pa., December 11, 1819. Her father,
David Arthur, was a native of the Emerald Isle,
but having come to America in his earlier years
he lived for some time in New Jersey, and later in
Pennsylvania. He finally came to this county,
making the journey through Ohio with a wagon
and four horses. He was one of the pioneers of
White Lake Township, and his farm of one hundred and twenty acres was on section 7. He married his cousin, Elizabeth Arthur, and reared seven




PORTRAIT AND BI OG RAPHICALL ALBUUM.


381


P    R   AN BORHC  AL, -


I


children, named respectively, William, Samuel,
Robert, Nancy, Jane, Elizabeth and Joseph.
Mr. and Mrs. Porter became the parents of five
children, of whom we note the following: George
W., who operates the homestead, is spoken of at
further length on another page of this volume;
Esther M., married Henry Vangordon, who died in
March, 1881, and she is now living with her father;
Jane was married to Sidney L. Bentley, February
16, 1866, and died July 16, 1883, leaving four
children-Elmer, Porter, Ola and Lizzie; Sarah,
who married Lorenzo Walworth, November 20,
1872, died September 3, 1879; Matilda is the wife
of William Richardson, lives in Commerce Township, and has one child, a daughter, Edna. Mr.
Bentley was in the Union army throughout the
Civil War, and took part in forty-eight battles, but
was never wounded. Two of his brothers-Rolio
and Cornelius-gave up their lives in defense of
the old flag.
When Mr. Porter took up his residence in this
section of the country, game was abundant, and
bear, wolves and deer and wild hogs still roamed
through the forests. He became a great hunter,
and many a deer fell before his rifle. Under the
old State law which declared that eight years of
militia service would relieve one of further military duty, Mr. Porter enlisted in the Light Artillery. He served about seven years without pay,
and when times were hard he tapped his boots
with his military cap. He sold his sword and belt,
which were worth $10, for $2.50. For a number
of years Mr. Porter worked by the day, receiving twenty-five cents a cord for wood chopping
and fifty cents a day for farm labor.
Among the valued possessions around which
many memories cluster, is a clock that Mr. Porter
bought fifty-two years ago. It has never stopped,
never been repaired and has been cleaned but twice
since he owned it. The works are of brass, and
the man from whom it was bought was right when
he said it would last a lifetime. It Las recorded
the hour of the births, marriages and deaths in
many of the families that made the first settlements
in this vicinity, as well as those of Mr. Porter's
own dear ones. The last sad hour of affliction it
noted was on December 16, 1887, when the wife


I


who had shared in Mr. Porter's fortunes for many
years, closed her eyes in death. She was one of
those noble-hearted women, who are respected and
loved by all who know them, and sorrow was felt
throughout a wide circle when she was called hence.
For sixteen years Mr. Porter has discharged the
duties of Justice of the Peace, and for fifteen years
he has been Township Clerk. He has also served
as Treasurer and Highway Commissioner, and was
unanimously nominated for Supervisor, but refused
the office. Socially he is a member of the Grange,
and politically a Democrat. His first Presidential
ballot was cast for Martin Van Buren. A long
and well-spent life entitles him to the consideration
of the people, and his friends are numbered by
the score.
RVILLE BOTSFORD, who resides on section 22, Farmington Township, was born
July 20, 1821, in Lyons Township, Wayne
County, N. Y. His father, a Connecticut farmer,
Lemuel Botsford, by name, and his mother Lucy
Smith, were married in Connecticut, and removed to
Wayne County, N. Y. They came to Michigan in
1836 and located on section 22. He found a small
house and barn on the place,but soon built a much
better one, which is now standing, and is occupied by Mr. Patteborne. Here he remained until
his death at the extreme age of eighty years. He
was a Jacksonian Democrat, and was Commissioner
of Ilighways. His wife had died previous to his
decease at the age of sixty-five years. They were
the parents of ten children.
Our subject is the third son and fifth child. His
schooling was received in his native place, and
when fourteen years old he came to Michigan with
his parents and finished his school education in
Farmington. He started out for himself at the age
of twenty-one years, going into the mercantile busness with his brother Myron, in Farmington. After
being there seven years he sold out his interest to
his brother, and went into farming.
The first marriage of our subject was celebrated




382


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


in June, 1844, he taking for his wife, Mary A.
Eddy, a native of New York. One child was
granted unto them, Oscar, who now lives in Detroit. being a railroad man on the Detroit, Lansing
& Northern Railroad. This wife died in 1845.
Mr. Botsford's second marriage took place in 1849.
He was then united with Sophia Gage, who was a
native of Oswego, N. Y. From this union there
were three children, namely: LeGrand, deceased;
Charles W., now mail agent on the Flint & Pere
Marquette Railroad; and Eva, the wife of West
Saddler, a carpenter and builder in Detroit.
After his first marriage our subject made his
home in Farmington still carrying on his farm
in the country. He located at his present residence in 1861, and built the house where he
now lives. This residence is surrounded by seventy-three acres of well-improved land. He has
been much interested in fine horses, as well as cattle, and is often an exhibitor at the' fairs. His first
Presidential ballot was cast for Van Buren, and he
is now an adherent of the Democratic party. He
was Constable when a young man before his marriage, and was Treasurer of the township in 1843,
and has filled several school offices. In his younger
days he was a famous huntsman, and brought down
many a fine deer. At that time there were plenty
of bears and other wild game, and Indians were still
plenty.
OBERT H. DAWSON, of whom some account will be given below, occupies a farm
on section 6, Troy Township, but pays his
chief attention to the stonemason's trade,
keeping from three to eight men employed dnring
the season. The chief seat of this enterprise is Pontiac, although his work extends over a considerable circuit of country beyond the city limits. He
is one of the executors of his father's estate, which
consists of two hundred and twenty acres on sections 5 and 6, Troy Township, and he makes his
home there. He is a good workman himself and
always endeavors to secure the services of those
who understand their trade and will aid him in
doing reliable and satisfactory work.


The father of Mr. Dawson bore the name of
Richard and was a native of Scotland, born in Paisley in 1811. He was reared in his native land and
in his early years was in the employ of cattle drovers. In 1831 he crossed the ocean and located
in Massachusetts, where he sojourned a year, working as a weaver. He then came to this State and
estahlished his home in Wayne County, where he
improved a farm. In 1850 he traded it for one in
Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, which was
partially improved, and in 1867 sold that place
and removed to Pontiac. Three months later he
bought land in Troy Townshin on section 10, but
during 1869 sold it and bought in Watcrford
Township. Another change was made in 1877
when he traded for the place on which his last days
were spent and where he died in March, 1891. His
first marriage was made in his native land and his
companion died while he was living in Bloomfield
Township. His second marriage took place May
12,1862, and his bride was Miss Susan Foote, who
was born in Lincolnshire in 1849. She was fourteen years old when she accompanied her parents
to this State. The children of this union were
twelve in number and the following are now living: Jean, Robert H., Eliza, Richard, Agnes, Chloe,
Margaret, Martha and Lilly.
Our subject is the second child and eldest son in
the parental family. He remained with his father
until after he had attained to his majority, receiving a common-school education and learning the
trade of a stonemason. He worked at the same in
Pontiac four years and has continued to do contracting, and for some time has had considerable
to do with the oversight of the farm. He is quite
a young man, having been born in Bloomfield
Township April 8, 1864. He is of a decidedly social nature, as is evidenced by his connection with
various organizations which have for their object
the promotion of sociability and benevolent care
for others. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen
of America, is presiding officer in Oakland County
Lodge, No. 183, I. O. O. F., and Sub Chief Ranger
of Pontiac Court, No. 1349, A. O. F. He belongs
to the Methodist Episcopal Church in Pontiac and
is President of the Epworth League at Troy Corners.




I




-t *;


I


I


ROBERT BA1I.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
--  --   - I


385


OBERT BAIN. One by one those who have
lived in this county and carried on its development are being borne to the tomb
leaving their places to be filled by others.
The history of their lives, even though brief, belongs to the record of the county and serves to incite others to emulate their good deeds. It is
therefore meet that some account of the life of
Robert Bain, now deceased, should find its place in
this volume, and that his portrait should be presented to those friends who hold his memory dear.
He was the owner of property in Royal Oak Township and for thirty years pursued the even tenor of
of his way there, doing well what he had to do in
farm work, and taking quite an active part in matters in which his fellow-citizens were interested.
Mr. Bain was born in Scotland March 3, 1829,
and his parents, John and Margaret Bain, also
opened their eyes to the light not far from Edinburgh. They were married in 1825 and had a
large family, Robert being the second child and
oldest son. They came to this country early in
the '30s, and spent a short time in Albany, N. Y.,
then came on to this State. Mr. Bain was a carpenter and he made Detroit the seat of his labors
from 1837 until about 1850. He then bought
eighty acres in Royal Oak Township, this county,
but did not take possession of it, making his home
on a leased farm in Greenfield Township, Wayne
County. He died there in 1855.
He of whom we write was a sailor in his youth
but spent the winters with his parents until he was
twenty-five years old. In the meantime Detroit
was his home until within a few years of his
marriage.  His wife bore the maiden name of
Catherine McClean, is a daughter of Alexander
and Rosanna (McGee) McClean, and was born on
the 23d of May, 1834. She was the eldest in a
family of two sons and four daughters. Her parents were natives of the north of Ireland and were
married in Buffalo, N. Y. They came to Michigan
in 1835 and made their home in Wayne County,
where Mr. McClean bought eighty acres of land.
He died at his home there in 1858. The widowed
mother, who is now seventy-eight years old, makes
her home with her daughter Mrs. Bain'.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bain of this notice, there came


four children, of whom we note the following: Albert S., born November 6, 1855, married Mrs. Eliza
Russell and lives in Royal Oak Township, near his
mother; Rosanna, born September 9, 1857, became
the wife of William Fulton, Jr., who died August
5, 1888, and she is now living with her mother;
Celia A., born December 17, 1859, is the wife of
Thomas W. Lacy of Royal Oak Township, and has
an infant son, Homer B., who was born August 16,
1890; Mary J., born October 20, 1861, is the wife
of Frank Riley of Troy, and the mother of a
daughter, Cora B., whose natal day was August 2,
1887.
Robert Bain was married in February, 1855, and
during the ensuing year established his home where
his widow is now living. Her property consists of
forty acres, near the village of Urban Rest which
was laid out in 1890. lier husband died here, June
7, 1886. He was a member of the Congregational
Church and was generally respected for his fine
character and upright life. He was connected with
Lodge No. 44, F. & A. M., of Birmingham. Politically he was a Democrat, and without being an
office-seeker, he was an active, efficient local politician.
AMUEL A. PALMER, a contractor and
builder in Pontiac, was born in Otsego
County, N. Y., in the town of Plainfield,
March 27, 1821. He was a son of Samuel
S., who was the son of Vose Palmer. Samuel
S. Palmer was a native of Connecticut and carried
on a farm in Stonington. The grandfather was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War and descended
from an English family. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Salinda Chapin, a
native of Connecticut and a daughter of Jotham
Chapin of Irish descent. She and our subject's
father were married in Otsego County, N. Y., and
removed when this child was one year old to Jefferson County, the same State.  Thence they
removed to Wood County, Ohio, where the family
settled and remained a number of years. They
then emigrated to Duluth, Minn., where the father
died in his eighty-third year. The mother had




386


PO RTRAIT ANUD BIO GRAP HI CALI ALBUM.I


3 P RA   ADIR


passed away when only forty-two years old. They
were the parents of eleven children, eight sons
and three daughters, seven of whom are still
living.
The subject of this sketch is the oldest son and
second child of his parents and passed his youth
from eleven years until he was twenty-three in
Ohio. He received a common-school education.
Ile learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it
in Ohio for three years then went to Detroit, Mich.,
and worked at carpentering and building for a
number of years. In 1865 he came to Pontiac,
where he has carried on the business of contracting
and building until the present day.
Mr. Palmer was married in his twenty-sixth year
to Miss Mary J. Kimball, at Detroit, Mich. She
was born in Pittsfield, N. Y., and came to Michigan
when quite young. Of their family four children
are living, viz.: Sarah J., Samuel S., a telegraph
operator at Grand Rapids; Emma B., wife of W.
W. Seeley, of Pontiac, and Everhardt M., who marrind Thadius D. Seeley, of Bay City. The mother
of these children died February 14, 1883, in the
fifty-fourth year of her age. She was a member
of the Congregational Church. Mr. Palmer resides at No. 19 Clark Street. He is a Republican
in politics and a man who is deeply interested in
public affairs.
EORGE      PERRY. Among the citizens of
Orion who have attained to a comfortable
competency, through hard work, economy
and good management, we may well be proud to
mention the subject of this sketch. He has been
unusually successful in the management of financial
affairs, and now having completed his three-score
years and ten is content to live a retired life. He
was born September 27, 1821, in Warren County,
N. J. His father, Jacob, emigrated to Oakland
County in 1833 and made his home in Oakland
Township. -He came through Ohio with a team
and was one month on the road. The land which
he took was only partly improved, but it had on
it a log house and barn. There was an Indian


trail across the farm which served as a roadway.
Deer were to be seen in droves and all was wild
and uncultivated about him. He was successful
in life and died about 1860 at the advanced age
of eighty-four years, being able to give a farm to
each of his eleven children. He was an earnest
and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church from the time he was eighteen years old.
His wife Sarah Groomdike, was a native of New
Jersey. She survived him about five years and
died when eighty-four years old at the age which
he had attained when he was called away. She
was also a conscientious adherent of the Methodist
faith. Of their eleven children four only survive,
of whom our subject is the youngest.
This son attended subscription schools in New
Jersey until he was twelve years old when he came
to Michigan with his parents. Here he was sent
by them to district schools until he was eighteen years old. He remained with his father,
serving him on the farm until he was twenty-four,
when-he began farming the home place on shares.
At his father's death this property fell to him. In
1889 ho rented this farm and moved to Orion,
where he now has a pleasant home.
The marriage of Mr. Perry in 1845 was an
event of great importance and was the beginning
of a married life of more than usual happiness.
His bride was Mary W., daughter of Joseph and
Elizabeth (Middleton) Mackey. She was born in
New Jersey in 1826. Her mother was of Scotch
descent and her father of German. Mrs. Perry
lost her father while she was quite young. Her
mother remarried and came to Michigan to live in
1836. She died in 1885. Her eight children are
Belle, deceased; Emma E., Mrs. Samuel Plummerfelt; Edwin H.; Mary A., deceased; Maggie, John
D., Viola J. and Adam, who is in California. All
were provided with good schooling.
The subject of this sketch is a Democrat in his
political views and is often sent as delegate to
conventions. He serves frequently as Administrator and has settled up several estates to the satisfaction of all concerned. He has been identified
with the Masonic order for thirty years. He owns
three hundred and twenty acres of land in Oakland
Township and sixty-two acres in Orion Township,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUIM.


387


-- -I --- —---- - - -----
--


_ _ _


and has always raised a good grade of stock. His
frugality and industry are no doubt an inheritance
from the sturdy old German stock from which lie
is descended.
P   ORTER A. HIITCHICOCK is one of the most
prominent business men of Pontiac and
takes the lead as a dealer in clothing. During his early business career he was connected
with other parties and on one occasion became
bankrupt, but he went bravely to work and succeeded in recovering from his losses and in later
years became a highly-successful financier. He is
now occupying a large double store, carries a fine
stock of clothing, hats, caps and gentlemen's furnishing goods, and has a merchant tailoring department, where a good cutter is employed the year
round. Mr. HIitchcock has an excellent run of
custom for suits made to order, as he is careful to
have all work well done.
The father of our subject was Admiral N. Hitchcock, who was born in New York and reared near
Cortland, that State. His father, Benjamin Hitchcock, was also born in the Empire State and was of
English and German extraction. Admiral Hitchcock was one of the early settlers of this county.
He carried on a woolen mill at Auburn for some
time and then went to Pontiac. He was Deputy
Sheriff for some years and then became connected
with the marble business, taking contracts in Illinois and this State. He was thus engaged up to
the time of his death, which occurred January 12,
1854. He was married in this State January 15,
1827, to Lucy Ann, daughter of Salmon and Rhoda
Matthews. The bride was born in New York,
whence her parents came to this county in April,
1823. Her father died here May 24, 1838. Mrs.
Hitchcock is still living and now makes her home
with her son Porter A. She is in her eighty-fourth
year. She has but two children, Porter A. and
Herbert B.
The subject of this sketch was born in this
county, not far from Pontiac, September 26, 1833.
His early education was obtained in the city schools


i
I


and after completing his studies he became mailcarrier from Pontiac to Howell, making the journey on horseback. After a season thus spent he
began his mercantile experience as clerk in the drygoods store of W. M. McConnell. He was obliged
to leave the store on account of sickness, and when
his health was restored he became clerk for T. S.
Markham, and later for J. C. Goodsell.  He next
went to Detroit and obtained a position in the store
of Holmes & Co., but in 1853 he resigned his clerkship and went up to Lake Superior, where he
worked in the store of the Northwest Mining Company until the business closed.
Mr. Hitchcock then spent a winter in Pontiac,
after which he returned to Lake Superior and was
clerk in the office of-W. P. Raley & Co., at Copper
Harbor, having charge of the store and warehouse.
There he remained some two years, going thence to
Eagle Harbor for the same company and baving a
small share in the net proceeds of the business.
We next find Mr. Hitchcock entering into a partnership for the sale of general merchandise under
the style of A. A. Bennett & Co., of Eagle River,
Mich. The connection lasted until 1861 when the
business was closed out and our subject was occupied in book-keeping and clerking for mining companies until his return to Pontiac. In 1869 he
bought out C. E. Adams & Co., whose stock consisted of hats, caps and furs. He enlarged the
business and in 1880 removed to his present stand,
feeling the need of more commodious quarters.
In Ontonagon, August 24, 1871, Mr. Hitchcock
was married to Miss Agnes F. Cash, daughter of
Daniel S. and Fanny (Tooker) Cash. The bride's
father was born in Bradford County, Pa., in 1806,
and her mother in Ohio in 1819, and in the Buckeye State Agnes was born. Mr. Cash was largely
interested in the Lake Superior mines and being a
man of superior business abilty, he acquired a large
property. Among other investments were some in
Duluth that have become very valuable. His
daughter has a large property in her own right.
With every opportunity to display her taste, not
being hampered by lack of the wherewithal to purchase the decorations she desired, she has her elegant residence fitted up most beautifully. The
home of Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock is in the




388


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




Fifth Ward near the High School btrilding, in a
pleasant part of the city and amid surroundings
that are in keeping with their circumstances. 'They
have but one child, a son, J. L., who is now in his
eighteenth year.
Mr. Hitchcock has had a share in public offices,
having been Alderman for the Fourth Ward four
years, Township Treasurer for some time, and being now a member of the Board of Education, in
wlaich body he has been Treasurer six years. He
has a third interest in the Pontiac Knitting Works
and is a stockholder and Director in the First National Bank of Pontiac. lie and his wife move in
the best society and use their means for the good
of others as well as their own pleasure. Mr. Hitchcock has been a lifetime Democrat and is a vestryman of the Zion Episcopal Church, of which Mrs.
Hitchcock and son Jay are members.
s'-  ve                    _   --
PANIEL C. DUNHAM       is one of the old settlers of Oakland County, who came here
when a child and has seen this country grow
up from an uncultivated wilderness to its present
splendid condition. His father was Daniel Dunham, a native of New York. He was a farmer and
served his country in the War of 1812. His wife,
Harriet (Sturtevant) Dunham, was a native of Saratoga. They were married in New York and
resided there until they came to Michigan in
September, 1832, making their home in Highland
Township. His land was oak openings and upon
it lie built a log house which is still standing. IHe
had only money enough to establish his home and
no more. Indians and wild animals abounded. In
1858 he sold this land which he had taken from
the Government and removed to Kent county
where he died. He had cleared off one hundred
acres and had put it in good shape and died in
1870 at the age of seventy.six years. His widow,
who still survives, has reached the extreme age of
ninety-six years. She enjoys good health and her
faculties are bright and active. She now makes
her home with her daughter in Muskegon County.
Seven of her eleven children are now living. Her


husband was a Deacon in the Baptist Church and
a very benevolent man. He was a Whig in his
political views, and was a Justice of the Peace in
Highland Township.
The subject of this sketch was born October 17,
1828, in Parma Township, Monroe County, N. Y.,
and was four years old when brought to Michigan,
which was then a Territory. The log schoolhouse
which he attended was the first one built in the
township. His father was a hard worker, very robust and able to endure. The young man assisted
his father on the farm until after he was twentyfour years of age.
About that time our subject was married to Phylena Ellis, a daughter of James and Tryphosa
(Hlayward) Ellis, who were natives of New York,
and came to Michigan in 1850, settling upon a partially improved farm in Highland Township, which
they made their home for many years. Mrs. Ellis
died in 1876, and her husband still survives and
lives in Novi Township, having reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. Three of their
six children are now living: Mrs. Dunham first
saw the light in Delaware County, N. Y., in the
Township of Meredith, June 25, 1829. She was
united in marriage with our subject February 14,
1852.
After residing in Highland Township for five
years Mr. and Mrs. Dunham   removed to Kent
County, and made their home upon a new farm.
There they remained until March, 1866, and then
sold that property and came to their present location where they have resided from that day to this.
Mr. Dunham has two hundred acres of fine land,
one hundred and forty of which is under cultivation. His more arduous labors are now laid aside
and he allows his sons to manage the work of the
farm. Four of his eight children are now living,
namely: Georgiana, wife of John G. Palmer, who
lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and has one daughter,
Clara; James F., married Minnie Dennis, and lives
on this farm; Jason C., married Zada Putnam and
lives on this farm with his wife and two children;
Kate M. also resides at home. To all this family a
good common-school education has been given and
they belong to the Baptist Church where they are
acti ve in Sunday-school.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


389


Mr. Dunham belongs to the Milford Post, G. A.
R., and is identified with the Masonic order, Royal
Arch, at Northville. In Blue Lodge lie was Senior
Deacon and also Senior Warden. He has always
taken an interest in politics and affiliates with the
Republican party. lie is Justice of the Peace and
has been Treasurer of Novi Township.
During the Civil War Mr. Dunham enlisted as a
private, September 11, 1862, in Company Hi, Sixth
Michigan Cavalry. IIe passed through the different grades of promotion to Orderly Sergeant. The
regiment was first sent to Washington, D. C., where
the boys did camp duty and were drilled. In the
spring of 1863 it was brigaded as one of the 3Michigan Brigade under Gen. Custer and entered upon
the Gettysburg campaign. They had some skirmishing with Mosby's men and took part in the
battle of Gettysburg. They then followed Lee's
army in its retreat and had a severe battle at Falling Waters. They continued to follow across the
Potomac River and took part in all the fighting
and hardships through which this celebrated brigade passed.
Our brave soldier did his full share in all this
period of severe conflict. In 1864 he was ill for
quite a while but remained with his regiment most
of the time. He took part in the raid of Gen.
Kilpatrick. After this the regiment was transferred to the Middle D)epartment and served under
Gen. Sheridan all through the Shenandoah Valley,
taking part in all the engagements of that campaign. In the spring of 1865 they joined the
main army under Gen. U. S. Grant until after Gen.
Lee's surrender at Appomattax Court House. They
then started after Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and
were present at the surrender in North Carolina,
but returned to Washington, D. C., in time to tike
part in the Grand Review. They were ordered
West to Ft. Leavenworth, whence they traveled on
horseback to Ft. Kearney, then to Ft. Laramie,,then
on into Wyoming, where they built a fort on
Powder River. They returned again to Ft. Leavenworth and received their discharge November
24, 1865, after a service of thirty-eight and onehalf months.
This brave soldier now returned to his home
where a hearty welcome awaited him, for during


his term of service his brave wife had endured her
share of hardships and privations and had suffered
for her country as surely as he had. During the
first year she and her five little ones made their
home at her father's house. In one day two
of her children were snatched from her arms by
that dread scourge, diphtheria. She removed to
her farm in Kent County and remained there over
two years, managing the whole business and working out of doors with her young boys until the return of her soldier husband. He received no
serious wounds but had several slight wounds and
scratches and on one occasion his horse was shot
from under him. They Ilave a nice farm and a
comfortable home and seem to enjoy the comforts
of life all the better for the hardships through
which they have passed.
i ILILLIAM      P. IIOLDRIDGE, a prominent
//farmer and a genial and popular citizen
of Holly Township, was born in Macomb
County, Mich., August 27, 1837.   His father,
Austin, was a native of Connecticut and was left
an orphan when quite young and bound out from
the age of seven years until he reached his majority. IIe worked a rented sawmill when old enough
to undertake independent work, and was the proud
possessor of $50 when released upon reaching his
majority. He removed to New York State when
a boy and settled in Herkimer County. He came
to Macomb County, Mich., in 1836, making his
journey by Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence by a
steamer to Detroit and.completing the trip on foot.
ITe bought Government land in Macomb County
and lived there for nine years. Ite cleared sixty
acres of it and was a hard worker. He came to
this county in 1845, and bought three hundred and
twenty acres in 1837, upon which there were no
improvements. Here he built a log cabin on the
shores of the little lake and went to work to clear
his farm.
The father of our subject died in 1864, at the
age of fifty-six years. His political affiliations
were with the Democratic party. He married lBet



390


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL~ ALBUM.


3  PRA


sey Ann Peck, a native of New York State, who
is still living with our subject. Of her three children, William P. is the only one now living.
Rumah died at fourteen years of age and Josephine lived to be eighteen years old. The subject of this sketch was eight years old when he
came to this county. He attended school in both
Macomb County and here.
At the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. Holdridge enlisted in Company I, Third Michigan
Cavalry. He was mustered into service October
22, 1861, and went to St. Louis. He was sent
into the field of conflict in 1862, and saw the
smoke of the battle at New Madrid, in the siege
and battle of Corinth, at Jackson, Tenn., at Iuka,'
and at Brownsville. He also did much skirmishing and scouting after Gen. Forrest. He re-enlisted
in the same company and regiment in 1864, and
was sent to Arkansas, and then down to Mobile.
He was mustered out of service at San Antonia,
Tex., in February, 1866.
Upon returning home our subject took hold of
the home farm as his father had died during his
absence. This he has continued to operate ever
since, and raises grain and stock of all kinds. He
was married in April, 1867, to Henrietta Lahring,
who was born in this township. There are six
children in this family, namely: Josephine, Harriet,
Elizabeth, Mabel, William and Flossie. Our subject is a Democrat politically, and has been a
Highway Commissioner for many years. He is
identified with McPherson Post, No. 149, at Holly,
and belongs to the Patrons of Industry. Two
hundred of his three hundred and eighty acres are
cleared and in a fine state of cultivation.
W       ALLACE W. TRUMBULL owns and occupies a well-improved farm on section
21, Troy Township. It consists of fiftyseven acres of fertile land, which is carefully and
handled, and through the exercise of good judgmede is made to produce abundantly year by year.
The buildings upon the place are sufficiently large
and numerous to shelter crops and stock, and


afford comfortable and pleasant quarters for the
family. Mr. Trumbull is still a comparatively
young man, having been born May 27, 1850, and
his birthplace was in Wayne County, four miles
from Detroit. In the paternal line he comes of
the old Green Mountain stock, while from  his
mother he inherits the prominent characteristics of
the German nationality.
Squire Trumbull, father of Wallace W., was
born in Vermont in 1807, obtained a practical education in the common schools and adopted the
occupation of farming. He came to Detroit in
1832, and afterward located on a farm in Wayne
County, whence he came to this county in 1858.
He made his home in Avon Township for a time,
then returned to Wayne County, and two years
later came again to Oakland and spent the rest
of life where his son, our subject, is now living.
He died here in 1879. He was Justice of the Peace
in Wayne County twelve years and held several
other offices, among them Constable and Deputy
Sheriff. He was well known and was a prominent
figure in local circles. He made quite a study of
the Bible and was well versed in the Scriptures.
He was married in Detroit to Hannah Crouse,
who was born and reared in Germany, and who
died in the City of the Straits in 1857. They had
two daughters and five sons.
When he was about eight years old Wallace
Trumbull first came to this county. IHis schooling
was obtained in the two counties in which his
boyhood was spent, and during his youth he
learned how to carry on a farm and plan for agricultural work. He remained with his father until
he was twenty years old, and then began working
by the month as a farm hand. A few years later
he was married and located in Greenfield Township, Wayne County. There he remained until
1874, when he changed his place of residence to
that which is now his home. Politically he is a
Democrat and has not missed a vote since he first
exercised the right of suffrage and cast a ballot for
Horace Greeley. He is not a member of any religious organization, but is well read in the Bible.
An industrious, law-abiding man, he has the respect of his associates.
November 4, 1873, Mr. Trumbull was married




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


391


-- -- I


to Miss Elizabeth Kaiser. This lady, who is the
third child of Samuel and Mary Kaiser, was born
in Germany, November 29, 1852, and was an infant of sixteen months when brought across the
Atlantic. She is one of a large family, her parents
having fifteen children. They are now living in
Wayne County.    Mr. and Mrs. Trumbull have
two sons —Squire Fred, who was born December
5, 1874, and Wallace, December 19, 1877.


LI   AaI~t~I  I + C~I49Y0t


ILLIAM F. BINGHAM, of Ortonville, a
public-spirited citizen and one who is actively interested in the welfare of his
town, was born in St. Johns, Canada, October 27,
1828. His father, Nathaniel D., of Vermont, was
born in 1802. His grandfather was Judge Solomon Bingham, of Vermont, who emigrated to Canada and was appointed District Judge under
George IV., of England. He served in this capacity until his death, which occurred in 1835. The
Bingham family in America sprang from two
brothers, who came from England in the Colonial
(lays. One settled in Connecticut and one in Vermont.
Amanda Green, who became the wife of Nathaniel D. Bingham, was born in St. Albans, Vt., in
1804. She was of English descent and closely related to Gen. Nathaniel Green. After their marriage in Vermont this couple removed to St.
Johns, Canada, and Mr. Bingham became a Bailiff under his father, the Judge. He served in
this capacity for several years and then, in 1830,
removed to Onondaga County, N. Y., near Syracuse, where he undertook the management of a
farm. In 1837 he removed to Oakland County,
this State, making the trip by the way of the lake
to Detroit in the "Mayflower." He located in
Brandon Township, on Government land. He was
one of the very earliest settlers and took part in
the organization of the township. In coming from
Detroit he followed the old Territorial turnpike to
Springfield and then cut his way through the
woods. An Indian camping ground containing
Z:)            C) Y ytD+'~


three hundred Indians was located on Bald Eagle
Lake, near where Mr. Bingham   settled. Their
burying-ground was also located there. Marketing
was done by ox-team to Detroit, and clearing and
improving went on apace.    Mr. Bingham  was
Justice of the Peace and Supervisor of the township. He died in 1866, having seen hard times in
the new country, as he came here with limited
means, but he achieved a good degree of success,
of which his children are justly proud. His good
wife was the mother of six children, four of whom
are living. She was a devout and earnest member
of the Congregational Church and passed to her
long home in 1871.
The subject of this sketch was nine years old
when he came to Michigan and he has clear recollections of pioneer life. After availing himself
of the educational advantages offered in the log
schoolhouses, he began at seventeen years of age to
teach, receiving at first $22 per month, and later
attaining the munificent monthly salary of $40.
He taught for fifteen winters and remained at
home until he was twenty-five, and pursued farming during the summers. In 1870 he sold his
farm, and coming to Ortonville, engaged in the
mercantile business. After fifteen years of successful effort he turned over his business to his
son. He is a man of more than ordinary ability
as a financier, and during the fifteen years he was
in business in Ortonville he made $30,000.
Mr. Bingham in 1853 united his fortunes for
life with those of Amy R. Arnold, who was born
near Syracuse, N. Y., in 1830. Her children are
Ella, William and Don C. William is engaged in
the mercantile business in Stockton, Kan. The
second son has taken charge of his father's business in Ortonville and Ella is the wife of L. C.
Truax, of Bad Axe, Mich., who is a hardware merchant there. The mother of these children was
called from earth in 1875.
Mr. Bingham has been a Justice of the Peace
for many years and his political affiliations are with
the Democratic party. He has been for a number
of years a Trustee in the Free Will Baptist Church,
of which he is a member. His second marriage
took place in 1876. He was then united with
Julia Cummipgs, a Michigan lady. One child,




392


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL~ ALBUM.I~


392            PORTRAI AND BIOGRAPHICAL.
------.~..


Dora B., has crowned this union. Our subject
started in life with nothing and went in debt for
his first land, but his energy, perseverance and
enterprise brought him success in a high degree.
He has a beautiful home in the village, where he
spares no pains to secure the happiness of his family. He has ever been a liberal contributor to
charitable purposes and no man who is worthy of
his confidence is ever unkindly turned away when
he seeks a favor at the hands of Mr. Bingham.
— ^ --— ^~ ---^ —~i ONATHAN P H I L L I P S, an enterprising
farmer of Milford Township, is pleasantly
located on section 21. He has one hundred
and forty acres of land, eighty of which is
under the plow and devoted to divers crops. The
buildings now standing on the farm were put up
by Mr. Kesby. Mr. Phillips has done a large
amount of tiling on the place. He is a son of
Leonard Phillips and a brother of A. J. Phillips,
to whose sketch the reader is referred for facts regarding his parents.
The natal day of Mr. Phillips was April 30, 1842,
and his birthplace his father's farm in Milford
Township. He received an elementary education
in the district schools and later attended the State
Normal School at Ypsilanti. He resided at home
until he was of age, and then started out without
any assistance to make his way in the world. He
first worked on a farm near Milford and did not
lose an hour's time in eight months and a week.
His wages were $17 per month. II e then worked
for Sidney Hudson until Christmas, helped his
father build a shed, and then returned to his former
employment and did not lose a day during the
remainder of the winter. In the spring he entered
the service of Mr. Kesby, who then owned the
farm now possessed by himself. IIe worked for
that gentleman three years, and then rented the
farm for an equal length of time, paying a rental
of one-third the crops raised. Mr. Phillips next
bought land on section 28, and settled upon it.
The ninety acres had been poorly cultivated and
the buildings were in keeping with the condition


of the land. After remaining there two years he
sold the place and bought his present property.
In 1871 Mr. Phillips was married to Laura,
(laughter of Elizur and Mehitable (Stratton) Ruggles. Mr. Ruggles was born in New York in
1806, and Mrs. Ruggles in Pennsylvania in 1813.
He came to this State in 1831, and was the first
permanent white settler in the village of Milford,
having made his location where the depot now
stands. The Stratton family removed from Pennsylvania to Ann Arbor in the year 1825, and in
1835 settled in Highland Township, this county,
which they were among the first to build up.
Jonathan F. Stratton, uncle of Mrs. Phillips, was
the first Justice of the Peace in that township, the
first Township Clerk, and performed the first mar.
riage ceremony among the settlers there. Mr. Ruggles held the office of Treasurer and helped build
the first sawmill in Milford Township. In fact he
helped to organize the township and was one of its
most prominent citizens during the early times.
He was the first Assessor of Novi Township, and
was also Fence Viewer. He lived on his farm
forty-five years. His patent was signed by President Andrew Jackson. He was first a Whlig and
then a Republican. He and his wife belonged
to the Presbyterian Church, and he was a member
of the standing committees. He died in 1876, and
his wife passed away in 1882. They had eight
children, three now living, viz: Mrs. Phillips,
Stanley, and Eunice, wife of T. Harrison.
Mrs. Phillips was born January 15, 1845, on
the old homestead and received her education in
Milford. She taught school for several years. She
is the mother of six children, of whom we note
the following; Anna R., born February 29, 1872,
is now the wife of W. K. Foote and lives in Helena, Mont.; John Dewey was born September 18,
1875; Cecil L., October 30, 1878; Amy, June 1,
1881; Elbert, January 9, 1885; and Bennie E.,
September 30, 1886. The married daughter was
graduated from the Milford High School in the
class of '90, and the eldest son is now pursuing his
studies there.
Mr. and Mrs. Phillips and three of the children
-Anna, Dewey and Amy-belong to the Presbyterian Church and the entire family take an active




ZI




-


(3




PORTRAIIT AND BI1OGR &PHICAL ALIBUM.


395


P R   AND_  BA


interest in the Sunday-school. Mrs. Phillips has
been a teacher and Mr. Phillips has belonged to
the standing committees of the church. He has
been Moderator of the school district for the past
seven years. IIe was formerly a Democrat, but,
having been a strictly temperate man all his life
and becoming convinced that the regulation of the
liquor traffic was necessary to the good of the nation he helped to organize the Prohibition party
in this vicinity and has worked with and for it ten
years. HIe and his family move in the best circles
and are numbered among the most highly respected
and prominent people ot this vicinity.
'-~  RANCIS PERRY. The pursuit of agriculture is carried on with satisfactory results
in Orion Township by Mr. Perry, who located here in tile fall of 1873, and is occupying a
fine farm of one hundred and thirty acres. He
was born in Warren County, N. J., April 6, 1827,
and was brought to this county in his early boyhood. His father, John G. Perry, a native of the
same county as himself, took up Government land
in Bran(lon Township and built the first log house
erected there. Owing to the sparse settlements the
son had meagre school privileges, as the public
school system was not in force and the subscriptions of tile patrons would only allow of short
sessions. The father died in 1812, when only
about forty years old, and the son carried on the
farm, and when he was of age bought the homestead. He took care of his mother until her decease in 1860. Her maiden name was Margaret
Cruiser and she was born in New Jersey.
September 2, 1855, Francis Perry and Mary E.
Gibbs were united in marriage. Their wedded life
was brief, as the wife died in 1856. March 15,
1861, Mr. Perry was again married, his bride being
Sarah Hart, who was born in this State in 1849.
Her father, William HIalt, a native of New Jersey,
is numbered among the early settlers of Michigan.
He took up Government land in Orion Township
and died here March 29, 1891, at the age of
eighty-three years. His wife, Margaret (Hibbler)


Hart, was likewise a native of New Jersey. Her
father, Abram Hibbler, took up a large tract of
land in this section many years ago and died in
Groveland Township. Mrs. Hart died in 1888, at
the age of seventy-eight years. She was the mother
of nine children, eight now living. To Mr. and
Mrs. Perry there have come five sons and daughters, whose names are William, Mary, Clarence,
Frank and Lena.
Mr. Perry has shown energy and skill in the
affairs of life and is deserving of a good report.
He is intelligent, anxious to keep himself well informed, and interested in the welfare of the section
in which lie has made his home. He exercises the
right of suffrage in favor of the candidates of the
Democratic party. He has gained the good-willl
of the people in his new home, as he had in the
old, and he and his wife are generally respected.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Perry appears on
another page of this volume.


v


V    ENRY BARRETT. There are many fine
farms in White Lake Township which are
monumental of the industry and prudence
of their owners, and are the center of such
agricultural efforts as bring good results in the way
of fine crops and stock and satisfactory incomes.
One of these tracts consists of one hundred and
thirty-one and a half acres on section 17, where
numerous and substantial buildings have been put
up, and various arrangements made for the comfort
of the occupants and their convenience in carrying
on their work. It is owned and occcupied by the
subject of this notice, who has lived here since
1853. He is well known in the vicinity as a breeder
of fine stock, including Percheron horses and
IIampshire sheep. IIe was formerly interested in
Merinoes.
The father and grandfather of our subject bore
the same given name, John, and were natives of
Irelandl, in which country the elder lived and
died. John Barrett, Jr., emigrated to America in
1848, and three years later came to this State and
established his home in Highland Township, this




396


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


county, on a farm of forty acres. After a short
residence there he came to White Lake Township
and lived on his son's farm until his death, which
event took place in the year of 1860. He was
married in the Emerald Isle to Fanny Porter,
whose father, Charles Porter, was an Irishman.
Mrs. Barrett lived until November, 1886. To her
had been born the following children: Florendo,
Matilda, John, Henry, Margaret, William, Mary J.,
Fanny, Samuel and James (twins), Annie and Rebecca. Mr. Barrett was a Democrat and he and his
wife belonged to the Episcopal Church.
Henry Barrett was born in the Emerald Isle in
1831, and at the age of fourteen years came to
America and began his personal career in life. He
lived in New York City ten years and while there
was a porter in a wholesale commission house.
From the metropolis he came to this county, where
his work has resulted in a good maintenance and
the accumulation of the property before mentioned.
Mr. Barrett was married in Newark, N. J., to
Elizabeth A. Heany, who was removed from him by
death in May, 1856. She was a consistent member
of the Episcopal Church, and was a highly valued
neighbor and friend.
Mr. Barrett is a member of the Prohibition party
and has been an adherent of its principles for more
than a decade. His religious home is in the Presbyterian Church, and lie earnestly endeavors to
carry out its teachings in his daily life. His brother,
John Barrett, fought for the Union from 1862 until
the close of the struggle. He enlisted in Company
A, Ninth Michigan Cavalry, December 24, 1862,
and saw much hard service. Hie was wounded near
Nicholasville, Ky.
LENRY E. ALLISON. Few, if any names
are better known in Pontiac than that of
Henry E. Allison, who for thirty-eight
years devoted himself diligently to the
jewelry business and during that period repaired upwards of twenty thousand watches and clocks. No
man in Oakland,County has been continuously
engaged in the business so long as he, He is now


retired, having in 1887 sold out to his son, Edwin
V., who is continuing the business at the old stand.
The jewelry store is situated in a fine brick block
on Saginaw Street, in a part of the city that is
favorable for business purposes, and a large and
thriving trade is there carried on.
Samuel Allison, grandfather of our subject was
born in New York and was of Irish and English
ancestry. His son David was born in the same
State as himself and adopted the occupation of
farming. In 1836 the latter moved his family to
Oakland County, this State, and settled in Troy
Township. His wife bore the maiden name of
Susan Hammer, was born in New Jersey and was a
daughter of John Hammer, who was descended
from natives of Holland. To David Allison and
his wife there were born eight sons and two daughters, and our subject was the seventh on the family
roll. He was born in Broome County, N. Y., June
19, 1831, and was five years old when his parents
came to this State. His school days were begun in
Troy Township and he afterward attended school
at the Rochester Academy. He decided to learn
the jewelry business and served an apprenticeship
of three years after leaving the school room. Having mastered the trade he began business for himself and carried it on continuously until succeeded
by his son.
In 1862 Mr. Allison was united in marriage with
Miss L. Irene Rhodes, an estimable lady who was
born in this county and is a daughter of James A.
and Lucinda (Martin) Rhodes. Her parents were
natives of Vermont and New Hampshire respectively and were early settlers in Oakland County,
to which they came soon after their marriage. Mr.
and Mrs. Allison have six children of whom we
make the following mention: Henri D. is an attorney in Anacortes, Wash.; Edwin V.,is his father's
snccessor in Pontiac; Bertha I., married Benjamin
F. Stevens, and lives in Los Angeles, Cal.; John R.
and Mary L. are students in the High School; and
Frank is a school boy in a lower department.
Mr. Allison is a Mason of a high degree and has
membership in Pontiac Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M.
Pontiac Chapter, R. A. M. and the Consistory
and Commandery. In politics he is a stanch
Republican. He has one of the most beautiful




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


397




homes in Pontiac, his residence, a two-story brick,
being situated on a rise of ground fronting on
Oakland Avenue, and the grounds consisting of
about five and one half acres adorned with forest trees and evergreens. Mr. Allison is in the
habit of spending considerable time in extensive travels over the'country for pleasure and
health, and his journeys have extended from the
Atlantic to the Pacific and from the lakes to the
gulf.
J   OHN T. REID, one of Michigan's veteran
soldiers, was born in Oxford, Oakland County, January 13, 1840. His parents, Harvey
and Sarah E. (Ketchun) Reid, were natives
of New York, whence they came to Michigan in
1833. Here they were wedded and began to found
a home. Harvey was a tailor. After coming here
he engaged in farming pursuits, although he continued working at his trade especially during the
winters. To him and his excellent wife were born
ten children, of whom our subject is the fourth in
order of birth. The mother and five of the children still survive. The father was called from earth
July 1, 1873.
The subject of our sketch grew up on the farm
and continued there until after the breaking out of
the late war. He enlisted as a private in Company
A, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, August 18, 1862, and
saw service in the Army of the Potomac. He was
in seventeen different engagements, the most important of which are Gettysburg, Montera, Boonesboro, Hagerstown, Winchester and Cold Harbor.
Mr. Reid was taken ill with measles soon after the
Gettysburg fight, and was not with his regiment
until the following spring. He received his discharge at Detroit, May 15, 1865.
After the war our soldier came to Bruce, Macomb
County, this State, and engaged in the agricultural
business. The great and important event of his
life was his marriage with Mary E., daughter of
John L. and Lois (Pitts) Stanton. John L. Stanton, the father of Mrs. Reid, was a native of Vermont, and was born in Bennington County, February 13, 1814. He came to the State of Michigan


in August, 1844, where he followed farming until
1873, when he retired from active life and now
makes his home with his son-in-law, our subject.
The Stantons have been notable in New England
for generations. Thomas, the first of the name to
come to America, located at Stonington, Conn.
He was the great-grandfather of John L. His son
John, the grandfather of John L., was left an orphan when a lad and was bound out at the age of.seventeen years to learn the trade of a blacksmith,
in Rhode Island. There he met and married Mary
Sherman, and a few years later removed to Vermont. His son Lodovick, the father of John L.,
was born in Vermont, July 28, 1784, and married
Mary Lawrence April 16, 1805. John, of whom
we have spoken, who was born May 2, 1748, was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War, and his grandson
proudly exhibits a powder horn which was carried
by him through that period of conflict. He died
April 18, 1814. John L. Stanton is the last of his
family now remaining. He is an intelligent old
gentleman and a Democrat to the backbone.
To the subject of this sketch and his estimable
wife have been born two children, Frank and Eva.
Eva remains at home and is attending school;
Frank died in infancy. After their marriage they
removed to Orion Township, where Mr. Reid
worked a farm on shares for five years. Thence he
removed to Addison Township, and made tbeir
home there for four years. They spent one year
in Oxford, and then bought a farm in Waterford
Township in 1876, on which they remained for
seven years, when the family removed to Oxford,
where he has been engaged in the grain business for
three years. He is a member of the Grand Army
of the Republic, and a Democrat in politics.
ON. CHARLES K. CARPENTER, a former
citizen of Orion, was born at Hornellsville,
/  N. Y., January 23, 1826, and died in Orion,
August 19, 1884. He was a descendant of
William C. Carpenter, who came from Amesbury,
England, in the seventeenth century. Daniel P.,
the father of our subject, was born in Westchester




398


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


County, N. Y., in 1781. His wife, Anna Ketchum,
was born in Cornwall, Orange County, N. Y., in
1787. IHer ancestors were from Long Island, and
removed to Orange County at an early day. The
parents of our subject removed to Michigan and
settled at Rudd's Mill in 1837, when Charles K.
was but eleven years of age.
After a residence of a few years at Rudd's Mills
our subject removed to the homestead where he has
ever since resided. LIe was married November
27, 1847, to Miss Jeanette Coryell, of Mt. Morris,
Livingston County, N. Y.    Her parents were
George and Eliza (Sherwood) Coryell, and she was
born March 8, 1831. Her 'parents came West in
the fall of 1845, and purchased a home in Lapeer
County, where they lived until the death of the
father at the age of seventy-six years.
Mr. Carpenter has always been closely identified
with the enterprise and progress of Oakland County, and has held many positions of honor and trust.
In politics he was a Douglas Democrat-a "war"
Democrat. He was Supervisor of Orion in 1858,
and was elected to the Legislature by the Democrats in 1859. When the war broke out he was the
President of the first "war" meeting held in Oakland Count3y (at Pontiac) when Judges Baldwin,
Crofoot and Trowbridge were speakers. During
the war he did much valuable work raising troops
and supplies in this township.  Ile was President
and Director of the Oakland County Farmers'
Mutual Insurance Company when organized, and
in 1871 helped organize the Detroit & Bay City
Railroad Company at Rochester, and was its first
Vice President and Director until 1878, and for
several years the only Michigan Director with the
exception of James F. Joy, of Detroit. Lie spent
the years 1871-72 in raising subscriptions and securing the right-of-way for this road, and proved
very successful.
To Mr. Carpenter is largely due tle locating of
the Bay City road through Orion and Oxford instead of Romeo and Fish Lake. In recognition of
his services in connection with this enterprise he
was presented with a gold watch and chain by the
citizens of Lapeer, in 1873. For many years he
was a Director and for two years President of the
Oakland County Agricultural Society. Believing


the Grange an important educator of the farmer he
was an active member of that order-being the first
Master of the Orion Grange and instrumental in
organizing the Detroit and Bay City District Council, of which body he was Master for several years.
He has also been Master of the County Grange and
was one of the incorporators (preparing the constitution) of the Patron's Aid Society.
In 1882 Mr. Carpenter was elected President of
the Monitor Insurance   Company, of Oakland
County, which position lie still held at the time of
his death. As one of the incorporators of the Orion
Park Association he has always taken great interest in the development of the park, and in making
Orion a pleasant summer resort, his death probably
being much hastened by his devotion to it, as his
sickness dates from a day of service on the island.
lie always took much pains to advertise Orion as a
resort, and by liberal treatment to encourage picnic
parties to make their regular annual trips to Island
Park.
Mr. Carpenter was always a strong temperance
man, and on the organization of the Prohibition
party became an active member, was nominated
for various offices on its ticket, running for Governor in 1874. In 1876 the Greenback party nominated him for Governor, but he declined the honor
and never acted with the party. He has written
much for the newspapers on various topics of general interest, and for many years was a subscriber
to many papers solely for the purpose of pushing
and advertising the railroads and park project. He
was the author of a series of articles in the Detroit
Free Press, over the signature of "An Oakland
County Farmer," which were widely copied. Many
of his articles on various subjects in that paper appeared as editorials.
Our subject was the father of eight children, six
of whom are still living: Prof. Rolla C., of Cornell
University; William  L., attorney-at-law, of Detroit; E. Blanche, now Mrs. C. IH. Seeley, of Faulkton, Dak.; Louis G.,a graduate of the Agricultural
College, attended the John Hopkins University
sometime, and is now professor of the department
of meteorology and irrigation in the Agricultural
College at Ft. Collins, Col. lie is now also engaged in writing a work on irrigation; Mary L. id




la
a




-IA4


-I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBU3M.


401


the wife of Dr. N. S. Mayo, professor in Manhattan Agricultural College, in Kansas; and Jeanette,
who remains at home.
Mrs. Carpenter is identified with the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and has long been an active
worker in the temperance cause, having given
twenty-five years to service in this reform. She
has the management of her husband's estate of
nearly three hundred acres. She is a good business
woman, practical and thorough il her work, with
plenty of push and enterprise. She does not, however, neglect her intellectual privileges, but in the
fall of 1890 received her diploma for a four-years
course of reading in the Chautauqua Literary and
Scientific Circle.
OMER I. COLVIN, a member of the legal
profession located in Pontiac, was born in
Waterford Township, June 4, 1850. ~He is
the eldest son and third child in the family
of Levi B. and Keziah E. (Hodge) Colvin, both of
whom were born and reared in New York, and accompanied their respective parents to this State in
early days. Grandfather Nathan R. Colvin was
born in Vermont and so too was his wife, Margaret
Bachelder, the former being of Scotch and the
other of English lineage. The name was originally
spelled Calvin, they being lineal descendants of the
founder of the Calvanistic doctrine. They came
to this county in 1825 and settled on a tract of
land and engaged in farming. He was socially disposed and open-hearted, and his dwelling was always open to passing strangers. He died in May,
1873, when eighty-four years old, and his widow
departed this life in March, 1889, when upwards
of ninety years of age.
The father of our subject was married in his
twenty-fourth year and then established his home
on land that his father had opened up for cultivation. He is still living on the property, which
consists of one hundred and ninety acres, where on
are good buildings and suitable equipments for his
work. He has generally kept a good flock of sheep


and at present has registered Merinoes. He was
formerly a Democrat but is now a stanch member
of the Prohibition party. Besides our subject, his
children are Emma A., wife of George Heath, residing in Pomona, Cal.; Ellen L., wife of the Hon.
William E. Carpenter, member of the present legislature; Esther, who is with her parents; Evangeline,
living in Ft. Wayne and State Agent for the Chetauqua book concern; Nathan B., a physician, in
Pontiac, and Hiram C., teller in the Pontiac National Bank.
Homer H. Colvin spent his youth on a farm and
attended the common school in the neighborhood.
When twenty years old lie became a student in the
Pontiac Higli School, where he continued the pursuit of knowledge two years, after which he taught
in the county three years. He then embarked in
mercantile pursuits in company with Newton B.
Babcock, carrying on a general store under the
style of Babcock & Colvin. The connection was in
force eighteen months, when Mr. Colvin sold out
his interests and went to Reed City, where for six
months he was engaged in hotel keeping. The following winter he again taught school and in the
meantime he read law more or less. In the spring
he entered the office of Robbins & Davis in Pontiac, and after eighteen month's reading there was
admitted to the bar. He did not begin practice
until after he had taken a course of study in the
law department of the University of Michigan and
graduated with the degree of L. L. B. in 1879.
Returning to Pontiac Mr. Colvin then opened a
law office, associating himself with the Hon. C. E.
Herrington and the firm of Colvin & Herrington
was in force eighteen months. The partnership
was then dissolved and Mr. Colvin entered into
one with Mr. Robbins, with whom he had formerly
studied. Since November, 1881, he has been alone
in practice. Mr. Colvin was elected Mayor of
Pontiac in 1883 and re-elected in 1884, and in 1886
was elected City Attorney filling the office during
a period of two years.
December 7, 1880, Mr. Colvin was married to
Miss Emma E. Sibley, the ceremony taking place
in Chicago, Ill. The bride was born in this county
and is a daughter of Freeman F. and Mary (Stone)
Sibley, who came from  New York to this State a




402


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




=


number of years ago. Mrs. Colvin is intelligent,
refined, and has an estimable character.. They have
two daughters: Maud and Ruth, who are being
carefully reared and well educated. Mr. and Mrs.
Colvin belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church
and move in the best circles of Pontiac society.
Mr. Colvin belongs to Oakland County Lodge, No.
183, I.. O. F. He is a Democrat and during several campaigns has stumped the county for his
chosen candidates. He has been a delegate to
county, State and congressional conventions, and
on several occasions has been a member of the congressional committee. He has a sound knowledge
of law, is fluent and apt in speech, and his reputation is increasing from year to year.
c —I-~ — --
OHN GREACEN. Four decades have passed
since Mr. Greacen located on section 23,
Milford Township. HIe has added to his
original acreage here, cleared much of the
land he now possesses, and put on every building
which meets the eye of the visitor. His estate consists of one hundred and sixty-six acres, all but
twenty under the plow, and thoroughly equipped
with modern machinery and stocked with domestic
animals of good grade. Mr. Greacen had $200 in
money when he emigrated from the land of his
birth and all the wealth he has gained has resulted
from hard work and wise economy. His affairs are
now on a substantial basis and he has given his
family good school privileges and surrounded them
with many comforts.
In County Armagh, Ireland, James Greacen, the
father of our subject was born. lie married Kitty
Johnson, an Irish lady, and they reared a family
of seven children, four of whom are now living.
They spent their lives in the land of their birth,
living upon a farm where their son John was born
in 1817. This son grew to maturity in his native
land and from an early period in his life was engaged in agricultural work. His school privileges
were limited, but he made up for the lack of instruction by natural quickness and ability to grasp the
practical things of life. He was married in 1839




I


I


to Eliza Sinclair, a native of County Armagh, who
shared his fortunes almost half a century. She died
in 1888, at the age of sixty-nine years.
In 1847 the Greacens crossed the Atlantic and
landed at Quebec, Canada. They spent two months
there, then came to Milford, which was their home
two yeais. They next spent seven years in Wayne
County, then sold their property there, returned to
Milford and settled on section 23. Mr. Greacen
bought one hundred and twenty-five acres on
which some slight improvements had been made
and continued the work that had been begun, adding to his farm. as soon as practicable. He still
busies himself with some of the lighter labors that
belong to domestic life on a farm, but does not
take an active part in the actual farm work. He
has always voted a Republican ticket and is an unfailing attendant at the polls. He has acted as
Pathmaster and materially advanced the interests
of the traveling public in this vicinity. He is a
member of the Presbyterian Church in Milford and
is respected for the strength of his character and
the industry he has shown in worldly affairs.
The children of Mr. Greacen are five in number
and all are married. The first-born, and only son,
is James, a pension agent in Kalkaska, Mich. The
other children are Matilda, wife of Charles Stewart; Mary Eliza, who married Ed Dreakes; Margaret Anna, at home, and Agnes, wife of John
Howie. Some time after the decease of the lady
who had been his companion for many years Mr.
Greacen was married to Mrs. Mary Hawthorn, who
died in February, 1891.
M ELVILLE H. MOREHOUS, a grain and
produce dealer of Clyde, is a son of Lorenzo D., whose father John was a native of
Vermont. John went to Canada in his
early days, and there reared a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters. He came to
Michigan in 1837 settling in Troy Township, Oakland County. Later he moved to Shiawassee
County and then to Illinois, where he lived about
three years, after which he spent seven years in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL ALBUM.


403


---


Iowa, and finally returned to Southfield Township,
this county, where he ended his days in 1863. His
wife survived until 1880. She was Mary Hull, a
native of Vermont. He fought at Lundy's Lane
in the War of 1812.
Lorenzo D. Morehous was born February 10,
1826, in Westminister, near London, Canada. At
the age of eleven years he came to Michigan with
his parents and from that time supported himself
by working on a farm. When sixteen years old ho
learned the blacksmith's trade and followed it for
a number of years, but the latter part of his life
was spent upon a farm. He was married in Canada
to Harriet Odell, a daughter of William Odell a
native of Canada. Mrs. Odell was born in Vermont and she became the mother of five sons and
seven daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Morehous had but one child, our
subject. His parents went to Detroit where his
father worked for a year at his trade, after which
he carried on the same work in Troy Township,
Oakland County, until 1852 when he went to California. He earned there about $275 a month in
blacksmithing, and often received $20 for shoeing
a span of horses. After spending two years in
California he returned to Oakland County where
he lived for eleven years.
In 1862 Lorenzo D. Morehous enlisted in a regiment of Michigan Engineers and Mechanics and
served in this capacity for about five months. He
was stationed at Kingston, Tenn., most of the time.
Ile returned to Southfield to his farm and in 1868
moved to White Lake where he lived for fourteen
years, and then went to Highland Township where
he spent the rest of his life. He died April 19,
1882. His wife survived until 1886. He possessed
one hundred and twenty-two acres of land. Both
he and his wife were identified with the Methodist
Episcopal Church. In politics he was a sturdy
Democrat, and was Supervisor of White Lake for
two years.
The subject of this sketch was born October 25,
1849, in Detroit. He remained at home until his
marriage which occurred in Highland Township,
September 24, 1874. His bride was Ada, daughter
of Dr. and Mrs. Jessie (Newton) Robertson, of
Clarkston. The mother was a native of the West


India Islands and the father a Scotchman. The
following children have blessed the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Morehous: Edith, Claude and Charles.
At the death of his father Mr. Morehous fell heir
to one hundred and twenty two acres of land which
he farmed until 1889, and then sold out and came
to Clyde where in the spring of 1890, he engaged
gaged in the grain and produce business. Most of
his property is in money, but he owns the grain
elevator which he operates. He is a Master Mason,
a member of the Holly Lodge, No. 129. He is also
an Independent Odd Fellow, a member of Clyde
Lodge No. 249. He is a Democrat and has been
all his life and was made Supervisor of the township
for two years.
TIS F. KNOWLES, a prominent dentist in
Oxford, is a native of this county, having
been born in Orion, December 17, 1852, the
son of Jesse and Martha M. (Thompson) Knowles,
natives of New York and Michigan respectively.
Jesse Knowles came to Michigan in 1848 where he
operated a farm. Here he met and married Martha
M. Thompson, whose family was among the early
settlers of this section of the country. He died
April 6, 1881. Six children were granted to him
and his good wife.
Young Otis remained on the farm with his father
until he was twenty-four years of age, pursuing his
studies and assisting his father in the duties of the
farm. He studied dentistry first with Dr. J. A.
Harris, of Pontiac, then with a brother, and subsequently in the dental department of Ann Arbor.
In the spring of that year he located in Oxford
where he has continued ever since. His office is
remarkably well equipped and has all the modern
improvements in dental work to be found in the
best offices in metropolitan cities.
The marriage of our subject took place Deeember 22, 1880. He was then united for life with
Kate Daley, a native of Elmira, N. Y. He is a
member of the Knights of Pythias in which he fills
the position of Master of Exchequer and is a member also of the Knights of the Maccabees in which




404


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


he is Record-keeper. He is ever interested in matters of public interest and is wide-awake to the
progress of the town. His political convictions are
expressed in the platform of the Republican party
and he casts his vote for its candidates.
JICI1ARD F. BRIDGEMAN, proprietor of a
livery and sale stable in Milford, was born
in Lyon Township, this county, November
3, 1847. His grandfather, Ira Bridgeman,
was a lumber manufacturer in New York, and later
one of the earliest settlers near Three Rivers, St.
Joseph County, this State, where he died. The
father of our subject, Truman T. Bridgeman, was
born in Allegany County, N. Y., farmed there and
later in Three Rivers, this State. Soon after his
marriage he catne to this county and operated one
hundred and sixty acres in Lyon Township until
1870. He then sold it and bought two hundred
acres in Milford Township, which he operated until
he retired to Milford, where he died in 1887, at the
age of seventy-two years. The mother of our subject was Sarah (Town) Bridgeman, who was born
in New York, and whose father, Alford Town, was
a native of Vermont, and after some yeais spent
in New York came to this county and died here.
lie was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Bridgeman died in 1856. Three of her children grew to
maturity.
Our subject was reared on the farm and enjoyed
common-school privileges. When sixteen years old
he began for himself at trading, and drifting to
Flint became a delivery clerk. He arose in station
to a clerkship, and remained in that vicinity until
1874, when he started in the grocery business in
Milford. He began with a small stock of goods
and has been the most successful dealer here.
Seven years after opening the business he started a
meat market in connection. The two story double
brick store in which he carried on the business for
a number of years was built in 1878 and 1880.
In October, 1890, Mr. Bridgeman started in the
livery business, and in April, 1891, disposed of the
grocery and meat market and turned his entire at

tention to his latter enterprise. His stable is well
equipped and carefully managed. Mr. Bridgeman
has always paid close attention to his business
affairs, and it was his rule when he had a customer
to treat himi so well that he would come again. In
his dealings he was not only courteous and cordial
but strictly honest, and he made a success. He has
one hundred and fifty acres of well-improved land
on the hIuron River, adjacent to and within the corporation. It is supplied with ample accommodations for its occupants and the stock and crops they
raise.
Mr. Bridgeman was always fond of horses and
usually had the colts well broken before his father
had occasion to use them. When ten years of age
he was kicked on the right knee but said little
about the blow, and the injury was therefore not
properly attended to. W hen he took cold he would
have a stiff knee joint, and when eleven years had
passed lie suffered from a breaking out above the
knee and soughlt medical aid. He found that lie
had necrosis of the bone. The wound got better
and finally healed up, but about five years later
broke out on the opposite side and no effort would
heal it. He was told that it would be necessary to
amputate the limb, but he fought against it'as long
as possible. He was finally compelled to submit,
and in 1887 the member was removed by Dr. Robert Johnston. Mr. Bridgeman had suffered for
years and was at that time in so weak a condition
that it was thought he would hardly survive the
operation. A naturally strong constitution and an
earnest determination to live, added force to the
careful watching of the physician and brought him
through. He now wears an artificial limb by means
of which he gets around very well.
In Milford, May 25, 1874, Mr. Bridgeman was
married to Mary A. Soulby, daughter of C. B.
Soulby. 'The reader is referred to the sketch of her
brother, C. W. Soulby, for further facts regarding
her parents. She was born in Milford, has a good
education and fine character. She has an adopted
child, Fred E. Mr. Bridgeman has been Village
Treasurer two terms, and has been Township Treasurer two years. In polities he is a Republican.
Although lie is well supplied with worldly goods
he is too ambitious and energetic in nature to be








'2I ~I'dV H  c,-M




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


407


idle, and so continues to carry on business. He
expends much of his energy for the good of others,
particularly in lines of work connected with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a
prominent member. He is now Trustee and has
been Class-Leader and Steward.
\W    ILLIAM    HARRIS. To a poor boy the
life history of this aged man would afford
comfort and encouragement, as it is that of
one who began life without the aid of fortune or
fame, and who has steadily pursued a course that
has brought him worldly prosperity and an honorable name. On the opposite page appears the
portrait of Mr. Harris, who has for a number of
years been located on farm lands in West Bloomfield Township, and now owns two hundred acres
on section 23, the greater part of which is in a
high state of cultivation. There are one hundred
and seventy-eight acres of cleared land and a
full line of good buildings. Although he is now
eighty-one years old Mr. Harris is quite active
and still manages his agricultural affairs and looks
after his business interests. Prior to taking possession of this estate he was engaged in the railroad business and had an experience of about a
quarter of a century in that line. Few, if any,
railroad men in the State can claim a longer experience, or have a better record for faithful and
efficient service.
Mr. Harris was born in Cumberlandshire, England, September 16, 1810, and is the first-born in
the family of John and Hannah (Elliott) Harris,
natives of the Mother Country. The other members of the parental family were Hannah, Rebecca,
Mary and James, and all are living except the
first mentioned. The mother died in her native
land in 1817, and the father crossed the Atlantic
in 1826 and settled in Dutchess County, N. Y.
He lived there several years, but his death took
place in New York City. He was a mechanic
and machinist.
The son of whom we write was reared to the
age of seventeen years in his native land, and


there acquired some knowledge of the machinist's
trade. Hecame to America about two years after
his father had crossed, and finished his trade in a
machine shop at Matteawan, on the Hudson River,
sixty miles above New York City. In 1833 he
came to Detroit and began working for the foundry firm of Dore, Jones & Williams, by whom he
was employed three years. He then entered the
service of the Michigan Central Railroad Company as foreman of the shops at Detroit, and
held that position about eleven years. Next going
to Chicago, he took a position as locomotive engineer, and then became foreman of the shops of
the old Rockford & Galena Railroad.
After eight years spent as a Master Mechanic
for that road Mr. Harris returned to Detroit and
assumed a similar position for the Detroit, Grand
Haven & Milwaukee Railroad, but three years later
abandoned railroad work and removed to the farm
which he had owned since June 13, 1833. When
he had bought the land it was in a wild state,
without an acre cleared, and there were but few
settlers in the neighborhood. Hard work and unflagging perseverance conquered the obstacles in
the way, and wise economy enabled Mr. Harris to
carry on his work to advantage and place around
him the comforts he desired. This was not accomplished at one bound, but gradually the object for
which he labored was reached.
The anxieties, plans and cares of Mr. Harris
were shared by a faithful wife, who rejoices with
him in their present prosperity as she has in every
pleasure that has fallen to their lot. They became
husband and wife July 19, 1831, prior to which
date the bride was known as Miss Margaret Simpson. At that time her home was in Mlatteawan,
N. Y., but she was born in Ireland in October,
1804, and is a daughter of John and Margaret
(Moore) Simpson, of the Emerald Isle.    Mrs.
Harris is still living and is almost eighty-seven
years old. She and her husband and the various
members of their family belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church.  They have had nine children,
named respectively: Margaret A. and Hannah J.
(twins), Rebecca, Mary J., Hannah, William J.,
Barbara, Mary E. and Christiana; four only are now
living. Mr. Harris has never taken part in polit



408


PORTRAIT ANuD BIOGRAPL-HILCAL ALBUM.~I


0R  AND BR C U


ical wire-pulling, but is decided in his opinions regarding party measures and the principles on
which the organizations are founded. He is a Republican. Were one word to be used to characterize him, the word would be "sturdy."
OHN S. HOWELL. This aged man has been
a factor in the material, intellectual and
moral progress of Avon Township for a
quarter of a century, and has been closely
connected with the agricultural interests of this
section of the Wolverine State. In 1865 he
located on the land he still occupies, and joined
other capable men in making Oakland County
blossom like the rose and produce abundantly the
golden grains that are so well adapted to the soil
and climate. Mr. Howell has one hundred and
thirty-six acres of well-improved land, upon which
are to be seen the various farm buildings that are
made necessary by the extent of the work carried
on, and a dwelling where creature comforts are
supplemented by social and domestic enjoyments.
The first of the Howell family who found a
home in America was one of three brothers who
was pressed into the services of Capt. Kidd and
was left by that notorious pirate on the New Jersey
shore, near Amboy. The succeeding three generations were born in that State, and two of them
were represented by men named Levi. The senior
of this name was the grandfather of our subject,
and was a blacksmith by trade. His family consisted of seven sons and three daughters. Levi,
Jr., married Phebe Smith, and to them were born
nine children, six of whom grew to maturity, but
John S. is now the only survivor. Levi Howell,
Jr., died July 26, 1850, aged seventy-five years.
He was accustomed to say that he lived fourteen
days as a subject of King George, he having been
born that length of time prior to the signing of the
Declaration of Independence. Mrs. Phebe Howell breathed her last April 1, 1854, when in her
seventy-fifth year.
The birthplace of John S. Howell was Warren


County, N. J., and his natal day July 6, 1817. He
obtained as good an education as was possible at
the time to those who could not attend the few
colleges then in existence in the United States, and
secured a thorough acquaintance with farm work.
He was married February 8, 1849, to Anna Corwin,
daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth(Biles)Corwin,
of New Jersey. To him and his wife eight children came, all of whom are living except Eleanor,
who died in her infancy. The other members of
the family circle are: Marcus D. L., an hotelkeeper in Knox, Ind.; William B., whose home is
in this county; Electa, wife of Franklin Parker, of
Pontiac; Elizabeth, wife of Mervin Terrell, of
Ogemaw County; Emma, wife of James Chipman,
of this county; Alice L., who married Charles
Moore, and lives near Knox, Stark County, Ind.;
and Franklin, who is still with his parents.
Prior to the establishment of their home in this
county Mr. and Mrs. Howell sojourned in Ohio for
a few months. Mr. Howell is a Democrat, "dyed
in the wool."  He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than sixty years,
and his wife has been connected with the same denomination for fifty years. Long years of usefulness and well-doing have been passed by them and
their labors have been rewarded by a competence
sufficient to insure them against want and enable
them to gratify all reasonable desires in the way of
aiding others and making their surroundings comfortable and attractive. They have always endeavored to do their duty by their children and
their fellow-men, and they are regarded with reverent affection by the one and deep esteem by the
other.
EORGE WELFARE, a wealthy farmer of
Commerce Township, resides on section 36.
He is a living illustration of the truth that
American life on the frontier holds grand possibilities for the future to young men who are willing to
work hard and make their way in life. As a poor
boy he had nothing and he has made his fine fortune by hard work, enterprise and integrity. His
father was James Welfare, a native of Sussex, Eng



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBULM.


409


I ---

land, where he was born about forty miles east of
London, and where he pursued the business of a
farmer. He was married in England to Elizabeth
Osborne, and continued to reside there until 1830,
when he came to America and settled in East
Bloomfield Township, Ontario County, N. Y. In
1833 they came to Michigan and made their home
on section 34, Commerce Township, on the farm
now owned by Jacob Moore.
This new home of Mr. and Mrs. Welfare was
sheltered by an old log house, and their farm of
eighty acres of wild land soon engaged their every
energy, but before long they decided to exchange
this farm for another on section 35, where they
made their permanent home. With the help of his
son James Mr. Welfare cleared up that farm and
added a few acres to it. He bought a frame building and moved it on the farm and converted it into
a pleasant home. Near his home was an old Indian
camping ground, and he had frequent visits from
the Indians. After paying for his land and a cow,
this pioneer had about $5 left in his pocket. Both
he and the boys had to work out for the neighbors
occasionally to earn the necessary money with which
to buy provisions and clothing. Many a time were
the boys followed by wolves when out looking for
cattle. Nine children blessed this home, five of
whom are now living, namely: Rebecca, Mrs. Murray; our subject, John, Samuel, and Clarissa, Mrs.
Foster. Their school advantages in the early home
were very poor. In England the family was connected with the Established Church.
George Welfare was born October 16, 1817, in
Sussex, England, and was only a boy when he came
to this country. He began to work out for others
before he was ten years old, and continued to do
so for many years. After coming to Michigan he
attended school for a short season, but the educational advantages were very poor here. He worked
for his father until he was twenty years old, and
then entered the employ of Jesse Tuttle. He purchased a yoke of cattle and gave to his father to
pay for this year of time which his father had
granted him. He had thus just $15 left him from
his year's wages with which to clothe himself. He
started out for himself entirely empty handed.
The young man went to Farmington Township


and worked out upon farms, and in 1844 or 1845
he settled upon ninety-three acres in Novi Township. About ten acres of this land was roughly
cleared, and there was a small house there. He built
a larger house and barn and cleared off all the timber, also buying and clearing fifty-four acres in
addition. He now has one hundred and fifty acres
of good land in an excellent state of cultivation.
He is an exceedingly prosperous man, and pays as
large a tax as any one here. He is a Republican in
politics and keeps himself well informed on political issues. He has served on the School Board and
has been Road Overseer. He rents his farm to his
nephew and makes his home with his brother John,
who married Nancy Reynolds and who has three
children. His parents both lie buried in the
Walled Lake Cemetery. The old original homestead is still in the family. He is a citizen who is
universally esteemed by his neighbors for his excellent character, upright life and success in business.
ILLIAM H. BENEDICT, one of the prominent fruit raisers of Bloomfield Township,
is a native of Saratoga Springs, N. Y.,
where he first saw the light January 15, 1840. He
is a son of Eri and Delia E. (Darrow) Benedict,
who were born in New York State and were married in Saratoga Springs. It was about 1843
when they removed to Michigan and located in
Detroit, where he followed the business of a carpenter and contractor. He remained there about
ten years and then removed to Birmingham and
turned his attention to farming. Both he and his
good wife died in the village of Birmingham. He
was a man of large means at one time but was
ruined financially by going security for others. He
was a Whig, and later a Republican, but was not
active in politics. He believed earnestly in the
necessity for churches and religious services vet
never connected himself with any denomination.
His seven children were Amelia, Hannah M.,
Charles, John, Ann, Lois and William H. The
two eldest and Ann are deceased.
The subject of this sketch was reared in Detroit




410


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


and attended the public schools there until he was
about thirteen years old, when he came to Birmingham, this county, with his parents and spent the
remainder of his youth upon a farm. He remained
with his father until he was twenty-five years of
age and in 1870 took charge of the farm which he
now owns, a tract of one hundred acres. He has
done all the improving on this farm and has put
up a fine two-story frame residence and extensive
barns. He started in life poor, as his parents were
in moderate circumstances, and he has gained all
that he now possesses by unflagging industry. He
has made farming his life occupation and is giving a
great deal of attention to fruits, making a specialty
of peaches, apples and grapes. His political convictions are with the Republican party.
The lady who is now Mrs. Benedict was Miss
Georgie Barnum of Birmingham, where she was
born June 25, 1850. She was a daughter of Horace and Mary (McCarty) Barnum, who were natives of Lenox, Madison County, N. Y. They
were early pioaeers in Birmingham and there ended
their days. One child only has blessed the home
of our subject and his wife, namely: Mary E.,
a little one of six and one-half years.
-— = -a            -  --— ^s       -
W ALTER KNOX, a prominent citizen of Independence Township, is the son of Walter
and Jane (Todd) Knox. He was born in
Independence Township March 26, 1842, and was
reared on a farm where he lived with his father
until 1861. When nineteen years of age lie re
sponded to the call of "Father Abraham" for sev
enty-five thousand men and enlisted in the army,
being one of the three first men to enlist from In
dependence Township. But when the company
was formed it was found that a sufficient number
had already been mustered in to fill the requisition.
But this youth was determined to enter the service,
and joined Company F, Fifth Michigan Infantry,
and was mustered into the United States service at
Ft. Wayne, for the term of three years or doing
the war. This was on the 28th of August, 1861,
and the regiment was assigned to the Army of the




=


--------- ---


Potomac. It was attached to the Third Army
Corps and reached its place of rendezvous September 13, 1861.
The first general engagement in which our young
hero took part was the battle of Williamsburg,
Va., May 5, 1862. He was wounded in the left
arm and breast by a musket ball. The loss of his
regiment in this engagement was eighty-three killed
wounded and missing. After being in the hospital
at Fortress Monroe for three weeks he was detailed
for recruiting services, in company with Capt.
Lafever, and sent to Michigan. There he remained
until September 10, 1862, when he rejoined his regiment. On account of meritorious conduct he was
promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant, and
had command of his company through tile Fredericksburg campaign. He also participated in the
Chancellorsville fight in May, 1863. After Gen.
Robert E. Lee crossed the Potomac and invaded
Maryland and Pennsylvania, his regiment again
joined in the march to Gettysburg, Pa. The regiment arrived orL the field at 2 o'clock P. M. on
July 2, 1863, and went directly into the engagement at 4 P. M. after marching ten miles in three
hours. They lost in this charge one hundred and
five men. Acting Capt. Knox     had charge of a detail of one hundred men, who had in charge an amunition train during the battle.
After Lee's retreat South, the regiment was
called to New York City to suppress the famous
riots there, which had risen on account of the draft.
After peace was restored in that city they again
joined the army of the Potomac where our hero
participated in all the engagements of the Wilderderness. He was again, wounded at North Anna
and after this he was detailed on the staff of Gen.
Byron R. Pierce with rank of First Lieutenant,
where he served until October 18, 1864. His horse
was shot from under him the last day he was in the
service.
August 11, 1864, was the wedding day of Lieut.
Knox. He was then united to Alice Bacon, who
died in December, 1872, leaving two children to
mourn her loss. Her daughter Emily, born July
24,1866, is now Mrs. Benjamin F. Scott, and lives
at Grass Lake, Mich. The son, Herbert, born June
11, 1869, still resides at home. On December 16,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


411


1873, Lieut. Knox was happily married to his present wife whose maiden name was Maria Kennedy.
She was born in Hamilton, Ontario, September 11,
1849. Mrs. Knox is a member of the Episcopal
Church. In politics Mr. Knox is a Republican.
Ile is also a member of Fairbanks Post,No. 17, G. A.
R. and resides one and one-half miles north-west of
Clarkston where he has one hundred and fifty-eight
acres oi fine land which he devotes to mixed farming.
P    EV. CHARLES I. DEYO has been associl  ated with the religious life of this part of
\ the State for many years. Beginning to
- preach before his majority and constantly
cultivating his natural powers of oratory, he has
excelled in pulpit eloquence and is held in high
esteem for both character and ability throughout
Southern Michigan. lIe resides in Oxford. He
was born in Parma, Monroe County, N. Y., July
10, 1839, and is a son of James B. and Kezia (Lester) Deyo, natives of Ulster County, N. Y. James
B. was a mechanic in his early life and a farmer
later. The 1)eyo family was originally from France,
as the name indicates. The Lesters were of Puritan stock.
James B. Deyo and family came to Michigan in
1854 and located in Kalamazoo County on a farm.
The last five years of his life he resided with his
son, our subject, in St. Joseph County, where he
died January 29, 1884. His wife preceded him to
the deathless land June 9, 1878. His son, Charles
was educated in the public schools of Kalamazoo.
Just before the opening of the war lie entered the
Baptist College at that city but was taken ill and as at
the same time his "chum" enlisted he became quite
unsettled in his school plans and gave up further
attendance at college.
This young man commenced preaching before
he bad attained his majority, his first charge of
three years' duration being at Watson, Allegan
County. Only half of his time was necessarily
taken at Watson and he supplied various pulpits as
he could. From Watson he went to Battle Creek
Township, Calhoun County, where he preached for




the LeRoy Congregation. From there he went to
Linville, Ogle County, Ill., and remained in that
State one year and then returned there one year
later after spending a year in Michigan. He located first at Belvidere then went to Naples, N. Y.
In the fall of 1869 he located in Nashville, Barry
County, where he had a charge for three years and
built a home of worship. He then preached for three
years in Jackson, and went back to Nashville for
another term of three years. From there he went to
Mendon, St. Joseph County, where he preached for
five years.
Mr. Deyo was appointed Chaplain of the House
of Correction at Ionia in March, 1883, which position he filled for two years. In 1885 he came to
Oxford and in 1887 he was elected to the State
Senate on the Democratic ticket. During his attendance upon his duties as Senator he filled his
pulpit every Sunday. He has always taken a great
interest in politics, having been a speaker for his
party through different campaigns.
Our subject was united in marriage with Lillian
L. Gardner, February 11, 1891. This lady is a
daughter of C. W. and Louise Gardner, of Lawton,
Mich. Mr. Deyo is a member of the Free and
Accepted Masons, both Chapter and Commandery.
He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights
of the Maccabees. He has since 1860 been identified with the Christian Church, in which he was
ordained as a preacher April 13, 1862. He has unusual power as an orator.  By many he is claimed
to be the orator of this part of the State. He is a
fluent speaker, is possessed of an excellent voice
and holds large audiences charmed by his sermons.
He is a very popular preacher.
I BRAM REED. The agricultural interests
of this county have been made of practical
value to many men who are operating
farms of greater or less extent and enjoying the independence and home comfort that can
be secured in rural districts if one so desires.




412


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Among this number is Mr. Reed who is carrying
on his labors in Oxford Township. An enterprising farmer and upright man, he has always lived
on what is familiarly known as the old Reed homestead. It comprises three hundred and sixty acres
Tof fine land and is pleasantly located on section 6,
By a life of industry Mr. Reed has won not only
worldly gain but that which is better, the esteem
and confidence of the entire community where his
life has been passed.
The grandfather of our subject, Nathaniel Reed,
was born in New Jersey, where he passed his entire
life and died at a good old age. Among his children was Benjamin who was born in Sussex County,
and there lived many years. In 1836 he came to
this State which was then in the primitive condition of nature, with few inhabitants beside the
wandering Indians. Mr. Reed located on the land
which he entered from the Government and immediately built a log house where a few months later,
December 25, 1836, the eyes of Abram Reed first
opened to the light. His early recollections are of
the scenes of pioneer life; the deer and wild game
that were often seen and not infrequently furnished a valuable addition to the larder; the pathless
forest which showed no sign of its present fruitful
condition, and the old log cabin long since replaced
by an elegant residence.
The father of our subject devoted his time to
developing a farm from the forest and was remarkably successful in his undertaking, although
he experienced many hardships during the early
years of his residence here. He lived to see the
county take rank as one of the best in the State
and could justly feel that he was connected with
its high development. In 1888 his death occurred
when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years.
He enjoyed the confidence of a large circle of acquaintances and wherever he went was universally
esteemed. He was very prominent in local affairs
and often served his township in various capacities.
Our subject is the sixth of the eight children
born to his parents, and all of his brothers and sisters are still living. His mother, whose maiden
name was Mary Coats, was born in New Jersey and
died in 1872. Our subject received his elementary
education in the old-fashioned log schoolhouse,


but was able to attend but little after he was large
enough to aid in farm work. In 1883 he brought
to his home a bride, whose loving co-operation has
proved of inestimable assistance to Mr. Reed in
the years that have followed. Mrs. Reed bore the
maiden name of Minnie Winkley and was born in
1858 in Flint, Miih. The three children who have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Reed are named Blanche,
William and Mary C. Mr. Reed is a true type ot
the intelligent Democrats of the county and uses
his influence for the benefit of his party. His honorable life has brought to him the confidence of
his fellow men who are assured of his reliability
and good citizenship.
\  ENRY MEAD. Among the men who have
prospered in worldly affairs so that they
l  are able in their declining years to retire
from active life, secure in the thought that
they have a competence sufficient to supply their
wants, is Henry Mead, who has for some time past
been living in Pontiac. He was formerly engaged
in farming and still owns outlying property, but
since 1874 he has lived in the city and contented
himself with looking after his financial interests,
while relieved from undue exertion. He occupies
a pleasant residence on North Perry Street, in a
good location, where he is supplied with all of the
comforts heart could wish and whence he is able
to attend such gatherings as he desires.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Ezra
Mead, of Vermont, who was of English descent,
and his maternal grandfather was Moses Cole, a
native of New York. Michael Mead was born in
Rutland County, Vt., in 1770, and Abigail Cole
opened her eyes to the light in Saratoga County,
N. Y. in 1785. The marriage of this couple was
solemnized in Seneca County and they settled on
a farm there. Mr. Mead died March 4, 1834, and
Mrs. Mead April 26, 1853. They reared a family
of six children, named respectively, Ezra, Philinda,
Lewis, Fanny, Henry and Stephen, but only Henry
and Stephen are now living.
The birth of Henry Mead occurred in Seneca




PORTRAITr AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


413


T AD BA A


County, N. Y., May 28, 1811, and he spent his
boyhood in Romulus Township, attending school
during the winter months and working on the farm
in the summer. Ile remained with his parents
until he had attained to his majority, and the ensuing fall came to this State. He was accompanied
by a bride of a few days-Miss Maria Rettan,
daughter of John Rettan. The young couple took
up their abode in Waterford Township, this county,
and opened up a new farm of two hundred acres.
Good buildings were erected on the tract, the number being added to from time to time as the cleared
land grew in extent and more storage room was
necessary. Mr. Mead bought three hundred and
sixty acres more and after a few years made another
purchase of one hundred and twenty acres. He
carried on general farming and raised sheep and
cattle until 1874, when he traded one hundred and
sixty acres of his land for city property and moved
into Pontiac.
Tlie bride of Mr. Mead's early manhood died in
June, 1837, leaving one son, Delos, who is now a
resident of Tuscola, Mich. In September, 1838,
Mr. Mead made a second marriage, wedding Eunice
C. Wilson, a native of Saratoga County, N. Y.,
who was at that time living in Niagara County.
Her father was Alexander Wilson. This union resulted in the birth of five children, but only one
survives to this writing. This is Linda, wife of
Ebb Voorheis, whose home is in Pontiac and
whose family consists of six children. The mother
of the sons and daughters above mentioned was a
devoted member of the Presbyterian Church and
was connected with that religious body forty
years. She breathed her last November 1, 1890,
after a wedded life of fifty-two years.
Mr. Mead is politically a stanch Democrat and
the list of Presidential candidates for whom he has
voted was headed by the name of Gen. Jackson
and closes with that of Grover Cleveland. He has
been a member of the Presbyterian Church for forty-five years and has served as Deacon for a long
time. In 1866, while living on the farm, he met
with a serious accident. He had placed a ladder
on a wagon and was standing on the rounds, pitching shocks to a party who was topping out a stack
when the ladder slipped and he was thrown vio

lently to the ground, breaking both legs. He was
kept in bed sixty-fire days, during which time he
suffered a good deal, besides being punished by the
confinement to the house.
J. HAMMOND, of Pontiac, was born in
Oakland Township, January 15, 1841, being
one of the five surviving children of the
seven born to.David and Eleanor (Voorhies) Hammond. The mother was born in New Hampshire
in 1804, and died in 1863. The father was a New
Yorker, born near Auburn in 1796 and departed
this life July 10, 1884, in his eighty-seventh year.
HIe was the son of David Hammond, a New Englander of English extraction.
In 1825 David Hammond came to Oakland
County and took up land, and two years later
moved his family to the West. He took up one
hundred and sixty acres and cleared up eighty of
it, and he and his sons put up buildings and car-.
ried on general farming until 1866, when he retired from farming and moved to Flint where he
ended his days. His children are named as follows:
Sarah C., Mrs. Amasa Morse, now a widow; Newton
and Newman, twins; the former lives in Flint and
the latter is deceased; Susan A., now the widow of
Alfred Howell; Oscar, deceased; Judson D., our subject, and Irving J., a farmer near Flint.
Our subject spent his boyhood days on the farm
and in the district school, starting out for himself
at nineteen years of age. He spent two years at
Walled Lake and four years at Rochester. Selling
out his effects he enlisted in the service of his country in Company K, Twenty-second Michigan Infantry, Col. Moses Wisner, commanding. Later
he was transferred to the Twenty-ninth Michigan
which was assigned to the-Arm* of the Cumberland. He enlisted early in the spring of 1865, and
was discharged the following fall.
Mr. Hammond then returned to Oakland County,
and bought a farm in Oakland Township, the old
homestead of his father, comprising ninety-eight
acres. Here he carried on general farming for five
years, when he sold the farm, and moving to Pon



414


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-- -


tiac, engaged in the produce business with James
0. Hilton, under the firm name of Hammond &
Hilton. This business connection continued for
eight years when he bought out his partner's interest and finally sold out to Peter Perry. Since then
he has retired from active life and is looking after
his varied interests.
Mr. Hammond was united in marriage in October 17, 1866, with Miss Josephine N. Iarper, of
Oakland County, a daughter of Mason D. and
Nancy (Hopkins) Harper. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond have two sons: Ward and Frank. The former is in a mercantile establishment of this city,
and the latter is still in school. Our subject is a
member of the Oakland County Lodge No. 183, I.
0. O. F., ant of the Dick Richardson Post No. 147
G. A. R., in which hte has held several offices. He
has served as Alderman for the Third Ward. He
is one of the stockholders and directors in the Second National Bank and helped to organize the
Pontiac National Bank in which he is a stockholder and director. He was elected a member of
the Water Works Commission and was Clerk of
that board. For the past fourteen years he lIas
served as Trustee of the Baptist Church and is one
of the Directors of the local board of the Capital
Investment Building and Loan Association of Lansing, Mich. The confidence in which he is held by
the community has been proven by his being appointed administrator of several large estates. He
settled the same satisfactorily to all parties concerned. Mr. Hammond began his career with limited means and by industry and good judgment lie
has accumulated a handsome property. His residence is at 148 Perry Street.
BRAM IV. LINDERMAN. A history of
the development of Waterford Township
would be incomplete without notice of
this gentleman and what he has accomplished in connection with its immense agricultural
interests. He has taken a leading part in improving this section of the country and is today one of
its most influential citizens. Its gives us pleasure
r.)VULV ~~YM


to place on these pages a record of the life of this
worthy farmer and pioneer, who is respected for
the persistent industry, good citizenship and uprightness which characterize his life.
In Tompkins County, N. Y., Mr. Linderman was
born Marlch 1, 1817. IIis father, John Linderman,
a native of Orange County, N. Y., was married in
1814 to Martha Wood, and for some time afterward operated as a miller and carpenter. In 1841,
during the pioneer days of this county, he came
thither and located in Waterford Township. The
farm which lie purchased was partly improved, and
the work which had been begun he carried forward
nobly until his estate was considered one of the
best in the vicinity. While thus employed, he engaged at his trades, and was also prominent in the
public affairs of the township. His life was a busy
andl useful one and his death was mourned by all
who knew himn. As a citizen lie was interested in
every means of advancement and all movements to
increase the true prosperity of the county.
Upon attaining years of maturity our subject
chose as his wife Miss Rebecca, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Green, natives of New Yoik.
Mr. Green and his good wife came to Michigan in
1841 and bought a tract of Governmient land in
Holly Township. From this wild land they evolved
a pleasant homestead, where their children grew to
manhood and womanhood, and whence they went
forth to homes of their own. They had fourteen
children, all of whom attained to years of maturity
and all married. The two youngest sons are now
deceased; the remaining children reside in Michigan with the exception of the oldest son, who is a
resident of New Jersey.
As soon as he was in a position to purchase a
farm for himself Mr. Linderman bought two hundred acres of land and mill property on section 2,
Waterford Township, and there he engaged for
several years in milling. We next find him in
Orion Township, where lie purchased two hundred
acres of lnd( and resided twelve years. These
years were busily devoted to the improvement of
the estate, and at the expiration of the time he was
able to sell at a fair advance. His next purchase
was a farm at Drayton Plains, where he kept a store
for one and one-half years. In 1867 he bought




I




07 /


4xf 9  11,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


417


the farm and mill property where he now lives.
This property cost $11,000 and was bought in
partnership with James Riker. In 1880 the land
was divided between the partners, our subject taking the portion on section 2, while Mr. Riker kept
the mill and the land on section 11.
Mr. Linderman and his estimable wife have
never had any children of their own, but they have
taken into their home and reared to maturity three
children, for whom they have done as much as
though  they were their own.   Two are now
married and very pleasantly situated. Mr. Linderman has taken very little part in politics, preferring the quiet of his home to the cares of public
life; however, he uniformly casts his ballot for
the candidates of the Republican party. He was
formerly a member of the Methodist Church, but
is now a communicant in the Presbyterian Church.
Ile is financially independent, having besides his fine
farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Waterford
Township, tw( nty-eight acres of timber in Pontiac
Township. His home estate is embellished with a
splendid set of farm buildings, sufficiently commodious to fulfill the purposes for which they were
erected. Under their hospitable roof good cheer
abounds and the affable manners of the host and
the gracious courtesy of his wife combine to enhance tile charms of a visit there.
ILLIAM      A. WEATIIERHEAD.        Much
as one may regret the shortening of the
happy days of boyhood by the necessity of
assuming cares and responsibilities beyond their
years, it is nevertheless true that such a state of
affairs often develops a stronger character than
would otherwise be the case. This truth is exemplified in the life of the late Capt. Weatherhead,
whose portrait is shown on the opposite page. He
was left fatherless when about eight years old, and
ere long shouldered a burden which is not generally
assumed by one so young, and as he grew toward
manhood he took the lead in improving and managing the farm and aiding his mother in the care
L~~j~lj  ~l  rlu  ~,L3,rcl0r


of her family. His self reliance was developed and
his mind disciplined so that in after life he held a
prominent place as a man of business affairs, a
brave soldier and gallant officer, and an influential
citizen. For a score of years he resided in South
Lyon or the vicinity, and as the owner and operator of a merchant and custom mill his name became
familiar throughout this section, and his character
brought him many friends.
Mr. Weatherhead was the first white male child
born in Cambridge Township, Lenawee County,
where he opened his eyes to the light, July 14,
1834. He was the eldest son in a family of six
children, and his parents were Anthony and Lydia
(Smith) Weatherhead. The father was born in England, and met the lady who became his wife, on
shipboard, when emigrating to America. He came
direct to Lenawee County and bought one hundred
and sixty acres of land on which he spent a number
of years, passing through the struggles and experiences which belong to all pioneer history. After
his death his son William gave his toil and care to
others, and after becoming of age started out to
find a place for himself. He found employment in
a flouring-mill and after having learned the business located in Tecumseh and ran a gristmill there
several years. There he was married to Justina
Deuel, who bravely shared his joys and sorrows,
and endured the anxiety consequent upon his absence in scenes of danger during the Civil War.
The marriage took place in the spring of 1861,
about a month before the firing upon Ft. Sumter.
For a time Mr. Weatherhead remained at home
on account of home duties, but when a further call
for troops was made, in 1862, he felt that he must
sacrifice other interests for the sake of his country.
Already one brother was in the South, fighting for
the old flag, and he enlisted July 27. His earnest
work in enrolling others was rewarded by the commission of First Lieutenant of Company E, Eighteenth Michigan Infantry, and in August the regiment was mustered into service. It was sent to
Lexington, Ky., and remained there until February, 1863, during which month our subject was
promoted to the captaincy of Company D, of the
same regiment. The regiment was sent to Decatur,
Ala., after having done service about Nashville,




418


PO RTRA IT AN D B3TOG RA PHICAL AL BBUM..


4 PR  A


and was employed in scouting over the adjacent
country.
While on an expedition Capt. Weatherhead and
his men were captured and imprisoned for two
months. The exposure and privation of tlat period probably laid the founldation for tlie disease
which resulted in the death of the Captain, although
his demise did not take place for some years. When
the garrison at Athens surrendered, it was stipulated that they should be paroled, and by a happy
mistake the names of Capt. Weatherhead and his
companions were sent in with those of the garrison.
They were therefore paroled November 14, 18G4,
and resumed their places among their comrades. A
few months later the war was brought to a cluse,
and in June, 1865, Capt. Weatherhead was mustered
out and honorably discharged.
Restored to home and friends, Capt. Weatherhead looked around for a location for business, and
witlin a year was established at Green Oak, where
he carried on a mill some years. Ile then removed
to South Lyon and puit up the first gristmill in the
town. HIe there became known as a wide-awake
business man, straightforward in his dealingrs, and
public-spirited and enterprising, ready to push foiward any project that promised to be for the general welfare. He was interested in schools and
churches, and in his later years carried out the principle that had animated his youth-that of living
not for himself alone, but for others. Ile died of
consumption, April 24, 1889, and his funeral was
conducted by Stansel Post, G. A. R., of which he
was a member. It was attended by as large a number as ever gathered on a similar occasion in the
village, and the text from which the officiating
minister spoke, was the appropriate passage, "For
none of us liveth to himself and no man dieth to
himself."
Capt. Weatherhead was an uncomplromising Republican, always laboring for the good of the party.
He did more thani any one individual in securing
the right of way and giving other encouragement
to the railroad in this place. Ile gave the right of
way through his mill property to the Grand Trunk
Railroad. At all times he was found in the front
rank to encourage any project for the general good
of the community, giving to all such both his time


and substantial aid. He was not of those who
"hide their light under a bushel," and in the selfish
striving for gain forget their duty to others, but
was ever kind and thoughtful in his relations to all
about him, and no one was readier to extend sympathy to those in distress than he.
Mrs. Weatherhead was born in Dutchess County,
N. Y., January 31, 1840, and is a daughter of
Timothy and Harriet A. (Boardman) Deuel, who
came from Dutchess County, N. Y., to Lenawee
County, this State, about 1842. One of her brothers was killedcat the battle of the Wilderness and
the other is now living in Tecumseh. Her happy
union with our subject was blessed by the birth of
four daughters and two sons. all living except Julia
Estella, who diedl November 24, 1889; Lilly A.,
the eldest, is dlie wife of Maurice Bristol, of Grand
Rapids, and has one child; Charles L. lives in
South Lyon; Edwin M. is at work in a printing
office in Mlarlette; Audella and Edith are with their
mother. Mrs. Weatherhead occupies a beautiful
home which was built by her husband in 1882. She
and her daughters move in the best society, and
the young ladies are very agreeable, intelligent and
refined..ARIWIN B. IIORTON, the proprietor of
) the Horton hotel at Davisburg, and the
Vt     father of a notable family, was born in
Wayne County, N. Y., in tle town of Palmyra in 1826. His father was Caleb, a native of
Orange County, N. Y., and his grandfather, Barnabas, was a farmer and a native of England, from
which he emigrated and became a pioneer of Wayne
County, N. Y., before the Erie Canal was built. He
lived to an extreme old age.
The father of our subject journeyed from Wayne
County, N. Y., where he had lived from   early
boyhood, to Michigan in 1835. IHe came in the
good old way by canal boat to Buffalo, by lake
boat to Detroit, and then taking team to the new
home.   le bough t one hundred and sixty acres in
Waterford where there were already some slight
improvements and a log house. IIe had come out
in the fall of 1834 prospecting and then returned




PORTRAt~IT AND BI1OGRAPLHICAL ALBUM.N


419


P                        AC


and on June 3, of the following year arrived at
Waterford Township, with his wife and eight children.  lie died May 11, 1859, aged sixty-four
years, and his faithful wife survived him until September 3, 1865, having completed her span of
three-score years and ten. Nine children had been
born to her. Caleb Iorton was considered as one
of the old landmarks of Oakland County, having
served as Justice of the Peace for many y3ears. His
wife's maiden name was Jane VanBlaracum.
Darwin B. Horton made his journey West when
in his ninth year and cherishes vivid recollections
of the journey.   A log schoolhouse was soon
built near his father's farm in Waterford and here
the boy attended school. The rate bill system was
then in use. The schoolhouse had slab benches
with pin legs and a writing desk fastened to the
wall around the room.   When he was nineteen
years old he returned to Palmyra, N. Y., for a
year's schooling.
Our subject began life for himself at marriage,
January 25, 1850. His bride was Sarah C. Springer,
who was born in Wayne County, N. Y. in 1833.
He bought eighty acres of land in this township.
and farmed it for nine years. He then traded it
for property in Davisburg, and began keeping hotel
in 1859, which business he has pursued from that
day to this. Tle occupied his original hotel property for len years and then built the present fourstory hotel which he has operated since 1869. Aside
from his hotel property he owns twenty lots and
three buildings in Davisburg. and keeps a hotel
barn besides a horse and carriage for his own use.
One of his five children has been called away from
earth-Elmer E., who died when thirty-nine years
old leaving a wife and six children, who lived in
Detroit. He had been messenger for the American
Express Company on the Michigan Central Railroad between Detroit and Chicago for fifteen years,
Cassie married Homer TerBush, who is the barber
in Hodge's hotel in Pontiac; they have three children. Frank married Lena Linabury; lie is Superintendent of train dispatchers on the Rock Island
Road at Davenport, Iowa. They have two children. Cora married John McCibin, and lives in
Detroit; he has been in the drug store of T. J.
Hinchman & Sons for twelve years as Superintend

ent of the drug department. Myrta C. is still at
home. Our subject has thirteen grandchildren of
whom he is suitably proud and fond. His wife is
an earnest and devoted member of the Methodist
Church, as is also the daughter Myrta.
Mr. Horton is a Democrat in his political views,
and socially he belongs to various orders, being a
member of the Masonic order, Austin Lodge, No.
48, and also of the Chapter Lodge No. 44, at Pontiac. In the early days he was a good huntsman
and shot quantities of game. Deer, bears and
wolves crossed his farm. LIe helped to kill one
bear in Waterford. There is only one settler here
now who was here before he came.
-p.> --- —-~.C^^-^SS^   ----— ~< —~6
RS. DUANE COGSDILL, a resident of
Novi Township, bore the maiden name of
Mary C. Tibbits. She is a daughter of
George and Therina (Hyde) Tibbits, both
natives of Wayne County, N. Y., where Mr. Tibbits was born in 1802 and his wife in 1804. The
maternal grandfather, Dr. Hyde, of Hydesville, N.
Y., was a very prominent and wealthy man of that
region. The parents of Mrs. Cogsdill were married in that State in 1822, and after a two-year's
residence there they came to Michigan in 1824
and made their home on one hundred and sixty
acres of unbroken land in Farmington Township,
having the patent to the tract signed by President
James Monroe. After paying for his land he had
enough money left to buy a yoke of'oxen and a
horse.
This pioneer couple worked hand in hand to clear
their land and built their home and although Mrs.
Hyde had been reared in luxury by her father, she
helped saw the shakes for the roof of the log house.
She was a graduate of Brandon College and her
husband was also a college graduate. Both had
taught school in the East and Mr. Tibbits taught
the first school that was organized in Farmington
Township under his own roof. He cleared up his
farm and after awhile substituted a large frame
house for a log shanty. He also built the first sawmill, which is now known as the Delling mill in




420


PORTR~AIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL cALBUM.I~


42


which he lost considerable property. Mr. Tibbits
built the first large frame barn in 1830 that was
built in Farmington Township at the raising of
which he would not furnish whiskey. Some of the
men stole away and got a jug of whiskey and hid it
out unknown to Mr. Tibbits who heard nothing of
it until sometime after. He never sold a bushel of
grain that was used for the purpose of making
whiskey or other intoxicating drinks. So strong
were his temperance views that he did all in his
power to prevent the manufacturing and sale of
all intoxicating beverages.
Mr. Tibbits died in the year 1856 and his wife
afterward married the Rev. Nehemiah Lamb, and
both are now deceased. There were born eleven
children to Mrs. (Hyde) Tibbits by her first marriage, eight of whom are now living and all reached
years of maturity and are married. 'he surviving
are named: Mrs. Volney Babcock, Mrs. Dr. Huntington, Mrs. Jasper Packard, Mrs. Cogsdill, Mrs.
Linda Tuttle, Mrs. Col. George Halloway, George
Tibbits and A. J. Tibbits. The parents of this
family were stanch members of the Baptist Church
and the father was Superintendent of the Sundayschool for a number of years. He also organized
a Sunday-school in his home district of which he
was the Superintendent. His children have taken
an active part in Sunday-school work. He was a
Whig and later a Republican, and for awhile School
Inspector. He was strictly temperate in every particular.
Mrs. Cogsdill was born March 23, 1834, on the
old homestead.' She attended the Michigan Central College'and also IIillsdale College. She afterward taught eight terms of school in this county.
Her marriage with Duane Cogsdill took place in
1853. This gentleman was a son of Clarke Cogsdill, a native of Wayne County, N. Y., where he
was born in 1807. His wife, Sophia Cornell, was
born in the same county in 1814. There they were
married and resided until they came to Michigan
in 1826, when they settled on section 12, Farmington 'iownship, where they made a home and reared
their family. He died in 1860 and she passed away
in 1880. Of their five children one only now survives. Mr. Cogsdill was a man of wealth and much
respected in his community, serving for years as a


Justice of the Peace and being at one time highly
favored as a candidate for the Legislature.
Mr. Duane Cogsdill was born August 8, 1832,
on the old homestead. After taking what education he could in the district schools he attended
college for one year in New York State. After
marriage the young couple settled on eighty acres
of improved land in Farmington Township. After
a residence there of eight years they sold their
property and removed to Detroit where he kept the
Franklin House, the first temperance hotel in that
city. This house they carried on for ten years and
then removed to Novi Township and bought the
farm of eighty acres an aa small house. He added
to the farm, making it ninety-seen acres and built
the residence where his widow now resides at a
cost of $2,000. His death occurred March 29,
1891.
One child only was sent to this worthy couple,
A. V. L. Cogsdill who now resides in Cooper Township, Woodbury County, Iowa. He married Clara
Howe and by her has had five children. Mr. and
Mrs. Cogsdill were both members of the Grange in
which he was an officer and where he took an active
part. She was Chaplain in this organization for
four years. He was a Director in the school district. In his early days he was a Democrat aid
later a Prohibitionist. They were both Good
Templars and charter members of that lodge at
both Farmington and Novi Township. Mrs. Cogsdill has two sisters, Mrs. Babcock and Mrs. Dr.
Huntington who are twins, and who were among
the first white children to be born in Farmington
Township, where they first saw the light in 1824.
E    DWIN P. FLOWER.        In traveling over
this county one sees many finely-improved
farms, the appearance of which betokens
more than ordinary enerlgy and good judgment on
the part of those who own and operate them. In
tracing the history of the fortunate possessors of
such lands we find many an one that is worthy of
consideration and affords lessons of industry, frugality and uprightness, deserving the emulation of




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


421


--- -          - -    
I


others. There are features in the career of the
gentleman above named that stamp him as one
deserving of representation in such a volume as
this and his friends will be pleased to read an account of his life. He owns a landed estate of goodly
size and occupies a beautiful home on section 1,
Ilighland Township.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Flower was
born in Vermont and removed to New York in an
early day. There his first wife died and he was
killed in an accident, while raising a barn on his
own property. He had married a second wife and
she in later years contracted a second marriage
and came to Macomb County, this State, where she
breathed her last. The first marriage of Grandfather Flower was blest by the birth of a son, Alanson, father of our subject; and the second by the
birth of two sons and one daughter.  Alanson
Flower was born in Warsaw, Geneva County, N.
Y., April 22, 1810, and when a young man came to
Macomb County, this State. He bought two hundred acres of Government land in Lennox Township and there spent the remainder of his life. He
was engaged in farming from his youth, but also
followed the profession of teaching for many years.
He was mainly self-educated and had gained his
knowledge by reading by the light of an open
fire. He was the first School Inspector elected in
Lennox Township. He was a Republican from the
organization of the party, and he and his wife belonged to the BRptist Church.
Alanson Flower was married in New York to
Angeline Collins, a native of Massachusetts, and
to them there came two sons and two daughtersLydia, Norman L., Edwin P. and Mary A. The
first two are deceased; Mary is the wife of James
Mitchell and lives in Shiawassee County, near New
Lothrop. When the parents of our subject came
to Michigan they found their way to the new location by following blazed trees, that being the mark
made by the Government to indicate the road to
the township. Mr. Flower had visited Michigan a
year or so prior and selected his land. For many
years their nearest neighbors were Indians and they
went to church with an ox-team for eighteen years.
They endured all the hardships of pioneer life, but
by their courage and cheerfulness brightened the


gloomy days for themselves and others.    Mr.
Flower was always a student and an omniverous
reader of all that came in his way. Mrs. Flower
was a faithful worker in protracted meetings and
through her influence in the public gatherings and
in private life she brought many souls to Christ.
She was loved by all who knew her. She died in
February, 1889, in Highland Township, while living with her son, Edwin; she was then seventyeight years old. Mr. Flower died on the farm in
Macomb County in 1876.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born
October 4, 1842, in Macomb County, and lived on
the homestead there until he was twenty-five years
of age.   He then married and for three years
rented a farm on-shares. The fourth year he paid
cash for the rental and then, having saved $2,000,
he came to Highland Township, this county, and
bought ninety acres. He made a cash payment of
the amount he had saved, and gave a mortgage for
$2,500. Before he had the land paid for he bargained for thirty acres more, and as soon as he was
clear of debt bought an additional fifty-seven acres,
incurring another indebtedness of $2,800. When
this was nearly paid up he bought twenty-three
acres and he now has two hundred acres, which
fine tract is a monument to his good management
and thrift. The residence he occupies was built
in 1884, and a larg aand substantial barn was put
up in 1880. Mr. Flower carries on general farming and breeds sheep and horses, the latter being
mostly of the Percheron stock and the sheep Hampshires.
Mr. Flower was married in his native county to
Betsey E., daughter of Ezra and Margaret Bates,
who came to the State from New York at quite an
early period in its settlement and established their
home in Chesterfield Township, Macomb County.
Both belonged to the Free-Will Baptist Church and*
their home was an hotel for ministers, who were
always cordially welcomed under its roof.  Mr.
Bases was engaged in farming during his entire
active life. He cast a Republican ballot. He died
in 1872 and his wife in 1885. When they came to
this State they were accompanied by their respective grandmothers and the aged ladies spent the
remnant of their days here. The family of Mr. and




422


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- -- i


Mrs. Bates comprised four sons and four daughters. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Flower has been
a childless one.
Since 1883 Mr. Flower has been identified with
the Prohibition party, but prior to that time he was
a Republican. He has never aspired to office, but
has preferred to lead the life of an independent
farmer, and to discharge the duties which belong to
every citizen, in a quiet manner. He and his wife
belong to the Presbyterian Church and he has been
one of the Trustees of the society with which he
is connected for more than fourteen years in succession. Hle was converted at the age of sixteen
years, joining the Baptist Church, but when he
came to Highland Township lie united with the
Presbyterians. Mrs. Flower, who was also con.
verted early in life, was also a Baptist until their
removal hither.
OSEPH    V. IIAGADORN, of Highland
Township, is a son of Joln L., whose father
John Lagadorn, was a native of Holland.
He came to Rensselaer County, N. Y., in an
early day and there reared his family. In that
county the father of our subject was born, and
when a young man be went to Steuben County,
where he was marriea and resided until lie came to
Michigan in 1834. His wife was Dorcas, a daughter of James Brown. To them were horn eight
children: William, Stephen, George, John, Joseph,
(our subject), Charles, Esther, and Hannah. These
children were all born in Polka Township, Steuben
County.
When John L. Ilagadorn came to Michigan he
settled in Green Oak two miles northwest of South
Lyon in Livingston County. Here he lived and
died, being sixty-five years of age at the time of
his decease. His wife remained on the farm until
her death which occurred at the age of seventy-two
years. Mr. Hagadorn took eighty acres from the
Government, upon which he put in the genuine
hard work of a pioneer farmer. Hie was a poor
man when he came to Michigan and by hard work
he obtained a comfortable property. He was a
Democrat in politics and he and his good wife were


efficient and active members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. There was no schoolhouse in
Green Oak when Mr. Hagadorn came to the township.
Joseph V. Hagadorn was born January 6, 1827,
in Steuben County, N. Y., and was seven years old
when his parents brought him to Michigan. He
remembers vividly the days when Indians and wild
animals abounded and looks back with pleasure to
his boyisl enjoyment of venison and bear steaks.
He was once chased by wolves while he was taking
care of his father's sheep. He and his brother
caught a fawn which they kept as a pet for some
time. When sixteen years old he went to work by
the month on a farm. He not only supported
himself but helped his father. The first pair of
boots he ever had he earned himself. Iis mother
was very energetic and industrious and she used to
card and spin wool and make woolen and linen
goods from which she made clothes for the family.
She sold considerable linen thread of her own manufacture to'merchants at Kensington. She was a
small woman but a great worker.
When our subject was of age he left home. Previous to that time he had worked out by the month
near home, except during two years, when he rented
a farm of David Picket in Milford Township. In
1848 he was married in Milford Township to Caroline, daughter of Philip and IIulda (Inman) Johnson, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this
book. The young couple moved to Lyon Township and made their home on the farm now owned
by Henry Smith, one hundred acres of which the
young man had purchased. But their wedded
happiness was of short duration for after six months
the young wife died. The new farm was now no
longer attractive to the bereaved husband and he
sold it and removed to a farm of eighty acres in
Green Oak Township. Here he lived for thirteen
years after which he sold it and bought one hundred and sixty acres in another part of the township.  In 1866 he came to Highland Township
where he still makes his home. His first farm in
this township consisted of one hundred and twenty
acres, and he now owns a small farm near Highland
Station where he resides.
His second marriage united him with Almira




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


423


Loomis, with whom he lived for fourteen years,
when she (lied leaving five children, of whom only
one survives. His third wife, Sarah Reed, was the
mother of three daughters, who are all now living.
His fourth wife was Sabrina, daughter of Alonzo
Lockwood, a resident of Highland Township. Her
two children are Mandie and Elsie. The son of
the second marriage is Charles H. by name and
the children of the third marriage are: Cora, Emma
and Edith. Mr. Hagadorn is a Republican in his
political sympathies and is a conscientious voter
but never aspired to office. His church connection
is with the Free Will Baptist Church. Besides his
small farm he has abundant means, the interest on
which gives him an ample income.
ESHIACH G. NORRIS, a resident of Iolly,
Mich., and a dealer in fine stock, was born
August 19, 1824, in Stansted, Canada.
His parents are Meshack and    Hannah
(Young) Norris, natives of New Hampshire. They
lived successively in Canada, Vermont and New
York, and in 1834 in Trumbull County, Ohio, and
finally reached Michigan in 1837 and settled in
Holly Township. They were among the pioneers
of this place. They finally took eighty acres of
Government land in Rose Township where they
built a good frame house which is still standing'.
They made substantial improvements and made it
their permanent home. After the death of the
father of our subject, which occurred in March,
1864, the mother came to IIolly and took up her
residence there with her daughter, Mrs. Carrie
Walker, with whom she remained until her death
in 1872.
The grandfather of our subject was the Rev.
Moses Norris, of Veimont, who was a Revolutionary soldier. He was a Baptist clergyman. The
maternal grandparents of our subject were Thomas
and Tamma Hays, natives of New Hampshire, who
removed to Canada and there engaged in farming.
On both sides of the house they were well-to do
farmers.
The father of our subject had a family of seven


children, four of whom are living, namely: our
subject, Mrs. Elsena Hollister, of Detroit; Mrs.
Carrie Walker of Detroit; and William  Y., of
Minneapolis, Minn. When fifteen years of age
young Meshach left home and went to work for
his uncle Ansen Beebe. After he remained there
one year he went into the woods on Lake Huron
and worked through the winter at a place called
Point of Barks. In the spring he went to Lexington and worked in the pine woods for Jacob Buell,
where he served as foreman for three years. He
then for one season went on the lakes boating from
Buffalo to Chicago. The next twelve years he
spent at wagon-making, learning the business and
afterward carrying it on.
Mr. Norris now came to Holly and engaged in
speculating. He purchased a lot on the corner of
Maple and Saginaw Streets upon which he built an
hotel and sold it. Later he purchased the same
property au'l kept it for two years. He has built
four houses and two barns and has suffered considerabl y blfire, losing his hotel and two barns. He
has a fine farm one mile east of town where for
many years he has been buying and selling fine
horses and speculating in lands. For a number of
years he filled the office of Deputy Sheriff.
Tile presiding genius of the home of Mr. Norris
is his excellent wife, to whom lie was united in marriage June 14, 1848. She was Mary J. daughter of
William and Lucy (Gilman) Young, natives of New
Hampshire and Vermont, respectively, who came to
Oakland County in 1836 and took up Government
land in Holly Township. They built a log house
which is still standing. Mr. Young was thus one
of the first pioneers of Oakland County. He died
in Holly January 13, 1890. He had been bereaved
of his wife December 28, 1869. They were the
parents of eleven children, seven of whom grew to
be men and women, but only four of them are now
living. Tie maternal grandparents of Mrs. Norris
were Joshua and Tabitha Gilman, natives of Vermont. lie was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War.
Mr. and Mrs. Norris have a family of two children, aamely, Herbert M., one of the leading attorneys in Detroit, and Alma A., Mrs. Wendell of
Rose Township.   An adopted daughter, Lydia




424


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Brown, is now Mrs. Dunning. The Democratic
party receives the votes of this gentleman. He is
deeply interested in the prosperity of the town and
has always promoted every effort to make it better.
The latch string of the Norris mansion always
hangs out and no one is turned away hungry from
their hospitable door.
LARK      B. TURNER. Few men exert a
greater influence over 'the people in any
community than the editors, and none have
better opportunities to promulgate their views and
spread information. It is generally conceded that
the business of a newspaper man is one that requires pronounced ability and the man who succeeds in this field is deserving of commendation.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraps is one of the firm of Kimball & Turner,
editors and proprietors of the Pontiac Gazette, a
well-conducted weekly which has a good circulation and reputation. The paper is a nine-column
folio, 28x44 inches, is neatly printed, carefully
edited, and gives a weekly compendium of wellassorted news. Its editorial and local columns are
filled with pithy criticisms and items of interest to
the community, and its influence in politics is on
the side of Republicanism. In connection with the
publication, Messrs. Kimball & Turner carry on a
job-printing department, which is equipped as well
as any in the county, and turns out a large quantity of excellent work.
Mr. Turner became connected with the Gazette
in 1863, and lie and his partner, Mr. Beardsley,
found but an apology for an office, the establishment having been in the hands of non-professional
printers and badly managed. They at once began
to renovate the office and build up the business.
They removed into new, clean quarters, added such
material as was needed, and the improvements were
continued until 1874, when the present proprietors
added steam power to their facilities. The Gazette
is now printed on a first-class Potter cylinder press
and its mechanical appearance is in keeping with


the worth of its printed matter. Its advertising
columns are well filled and displayed, and the circulation is nearly twenty-three hundred copiesthe largest in the congressional district. Mr. Kimball has been particularly efficient in the political
department of the paper and his work in behalf of
the Republican cause has been acknowledged by
his appointment several years since to the Postmastership at Pontiac, and more recently as Government Appraiser for the port of Detroit. A high
moral tone is shown throughout the paper, particularly in the editorial columns, and its editors are
radical in defence of what they deem right.
The birth-place of Mr. Turner was Mount Ross,
Dutchess County, N. Y., and his natal day May 12,
1838.  Iis father, Cornelius W. Turner, was a
woolen manufacturer in that town, and died at
Flushing, this State, when eighty-three years old.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Anna Eliza Young, and is a daughter of David
Young, who was the village blacksmith at Pine
Plains, Dutchess County, N. Y. She was reared
in the Quaker faith, both parents being of the Society of Friends. She is still living and is now in
her eightieth year. She bore her husband four
children.
Clark Turner passed his school days in New York
and Massachusetts and at the age of thirteen years
was apprenticed to the proprietors of the Berkshire
County Courier. He remained there two years,
when Clark W. Bryan, one of the partners, went
to Springfield and took control of the Springfield
Republican, and young Turner went with him. He
subsequently joined his father at Waterbury, Conn.,
and entered the office of the Waterbury American.
There he continued his labors until 1857, when he
found employment in the book publishing establishment of George F. Trow in New York City.
In the fall of 1857 Mr. Turner came to Flint,
this State, and entered the employ of F. IT. Rankin,
who was conducting the Wolverine Citizen, and ere
long became foreman in the office, holding the position six years. He then came to Pontiac with
WV. I. Bleardsley, and the two bought the plant of
the Pontiac Gazette. Some changes have been
made in the firm, Mr. Beardsley having been succeeded by Mr. Rann and he by S. H. Tomlinson,




Missing
Page




Misin




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


427


and in 1872 Charles F. Kimball became associated
with our subject. For about a year of this time
Mr. Turner was sole owner, selling a half interest
to Mr. Rann, his former partner, who in 1872 sold
to Charles F. Kimball. This connection has continued and the two gentlemen have made a success
of their business.
August 18, 1868, Mr. Turner and Miss Charity
I. Northrup were united in nmarriage. The bride
was born in Watertown, Conn., was left an orphan
when six years old and was brought up by her sister, Mrs. James McWhinnie. Mr. and Mrs. Turner
have five children: Arthur C., foreman in the
Gazette office; Mabel; Birdie, who like her sister
was graduated from the Pontiac Iigh School;
Harry N., salesman in Fife's Shoe store in Detroit;
and Roy N., a school boy.
The first Presidential ballot cast by Mr. Turner
was for Abraham Lincoln, and he has been an unswerving Republican since that time. EIe has been
a Knight Templar for a number of years. He and
his wife are devout Methodists and for fifteen
years past Mr. Turner has been Superintendent of
the Sunday-school connected with the church in
Pontiac. His intelligence, uprightness and good
citizenship entitle him to the respect of other members of the community, and it needs but a mention
of his name to hear him well spoken of.
EV. F. J. BAUMGARTNER.         The first
edifice in Pontiac seen by an approaching
traveler is the church of St. Vincent. It
) stands on an eminence and the gilded
cross that tops the one hundred and forty-six foot
spire is more than four hundred feet above the
level of Detroit. The building is in the Gothic
style of architecture, of red brick, with stone foundation and trimmings. Its length is one hundred
and thirty-eight feet and its width forty-five feet,
width of transept fifty-nine feet, and height from
floor to crown of ceiling forty-two feet. The interior decorations arc chaste and artistic, the frescoing being of quiet tints and discriminatingly
placed. The stained windows would do credit to a


i


cathedral and the entire structure reflects honor
on the munificence of the congregation and the
taste of the pastor. The many friends of Father
Baunmgartner, under whose leadership this building
was planned and brought to completion, will be
pleased to notice his portrait on the opposite page
and to read the following paragraphs, in which the
more salient features in his career are noted.
Father Baumgartner was born at Connor's
Creek, near Detroit, July 28, 1850, and is the son
of Wendelin J. and Frances (Anselm) Baumgartner. They were natives of B':den, Germany, and
settled in Wayne County, near Detroit, Mich., in
1832. Both are now deceased. After being graduated at the district school our subject spent two
years at the Lansing Academy and then went to
the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels, at Niagara
Falls. There he remained but a year, ill health
compelling him to abandon his studies there, but
he did not give up tile thought of entering the
priesthood to which he felt called. After his restoration to health he attended St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee where in due time he received
the orders of Sub-deaconslip and   Deaconship
from the hands of the venerated Arch-Bishop
Henni.
On the completion of the course or ecclesiastical
studies, Father Baumgartner was ordained in St.
Clair June 9, 1876, by the Right Rev. C. H. Borgess, Bishop of Detroit, and soon afterward was
appointed to take charge of the parish of Our Lady
of Help in Detroit. Owing to poor health he resigned this charge and came to Pontiac, where he
was ordained. At that time lie weighed only one
hundred and twenty three pounds, but he has since
regained his health and now presents a stalwart
manhood and almost perfect physique, being about
six feet tall and weighing one hundred and ninety
pounds.   This appointment was occasioned by
the illness of the late Father Limpens, and on
November 26 the Bishop placed the young priest
in charge of the mission at Pontiac.
Owing to the fact that the members of the parish of Pontiac had not been educated in the requirements necessary for a prosperous congregation, the mission was considered the least desirable
in the diocese, and the charge was one to daunt




428


PORT'RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


the courage of a bolder man and one of a more
rugged physical constitution than Father Baumgartner. He, however, did not shrink from the
difficulties before him but entered upon his work
with the enthusiasm and ardent desire for success
that were followed by the natural sequence. Old
prejudices were removed, new friendships cemented
and by slow but natural degrees the people were
made to realize their obligations to God and man.
Ere long they saw the necessity of a larger and
better church as they were meeting in what was
originally a Universalist house of worship-an old
building on which continual repairs were needed.
The congregation of St. Vincent was formed into
a committee of the whole and a monthly taxation
for the erection of a building fund was instituted.
As soon as circumstances warranted, a beautiful
site of two acres was purchased and the work of
building begun. The edifice, whose dedication
was an imposing religious demonstration, is a monument alike to the industry of an untiring pastor
and the zeal of what is now one of the most willing
congregations in the State. Father Baumgartner
is possessed of liberal views and much public spirit,
and while his chief interest centers in his own people, he is desirous of the welfare of the community
in general and the upbuilding of the city in whieh
he is laboring. His culture of mind, his genial
manner, and his pleasing address prepossess new
acquaintances in his favor and he is very generally
liked by the citizens of Pontiac and vicinity. To
his parishioners he is greatly endeared by his efforts
in their behalf, and by the clergy in general he is
respected as his culture and zeal merit.
ON S. WARNER, the genial Postmaster at
Orion, is a native of this county, born June
21, 1859. He is a grandson of Judge Matthew Warner, of Livingston County, N. Y., who
was Circuit Judge for many years and had a prominent position in society. The father of our subject was Ambrose S. Warner, who was born in
Lima, N. Y., in 1815, and came to Livingston
County, this State, in the '40s. After eight years


of farm life near Hamburg lie sold out and removed
to this county, setting up his home in Orion which
was a hamlet of a few houses. For two years he
was engaged in mercantile business and two years
after he withdrew from the trade he re-entered it as
a partner of David Rowley, with whom he was associated several: ears.
The interest of Mr. Rowley in this business was
finally bought by Mr. Warner who carried on the
trade alone until 1880, when his son, our subject,
became his partner. The firm then became known
as A. S. Warner & Son, and under that style the
business was conducted nine years when the senior
member retired. He died February 12, 1890, at
the age of seventy-four years. He was a conspicuous figure in local political circles and was a stanch
supporter of Republican principles. During Lincoln's administration he was appointed Postmaster
of Orion and with the exception of two years during Johnson's administration, he served until 1886.
His religious home was in the Congregational
Church, of which his wife was a member. Mrs.
Warner bore the maiden name of Lucretia Tinker,
was born in Livingston County, N. Y., in 1823,
and died in this county in 1874.
The subject of this notice attained to his majority in Orion and in 1878 he began clerking in a
store at Oxford. He remained there some three
years, then returned to Orion and went into business with his father. He is the only living representative of the parental family, the other two
members having died. He is possessed of an unusual degree of energy, as is shown in the fact that
he is able to oversee various business enterprises
besides the distribution of the mail and the proper
management of the post-office. He is American
Express Agent and represents the Aetna Insurance
Company. He owns one hundred and five acres of
land adjoining the town, and twenty acres within
the corporation which is platted in town lots. He
has served acceptably as Village Treasurer and
Clerk and has held the position of Postmaster since
1889. Politically he is a Republican.
In 1882 Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Cora
B. Andrews, who died in 1887, leaving one child,
Vern A. In 1888 Mr. Warner made a second marriage, wedding Miss Edna Shurter, who was born in




PORTRl~AIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


429


PI


Brandon Township, this county. Husband and
wife are identified with the Congregational Church.
TIhey endeavor to keep abreast of the times in their
knowledge of affairs of general interest, and having
courteous manners and fine characters they have a
large circle of friends. Mr. Warner is not only
full of energy and business tact, but lie is obliging
and therefore popular.
--        At~3 -  I_ ---
HANCEY EARL. Among the most useful
members of society in any community are
those physicians who by their character
and their standing in the profession have made
themselves a necessity to the comfort and health
of their fellow-citizens. Dr. Earl, of Pontiao, is
one of these men, and having devoted thirty-eight
years to the practice, is universally respected and
trusted by those who know him. He was born in
Erie County, N. Y., on September 3, 1828. He
was the third son of Grandy and Polly (White)
Earl, both natives of New York. The father was
born May 11, 1793, and was the son of Benjamin
Earl, of English descent.
The mother of our subject was born August 21,
1796, and was married to his father in Montgomery County, N. Y., February 9, 1812. Soon after
marriage they removed to Erie County, where
thev remained on a farm until the fall of 1838,
when they located in Oakland County, this State.
They took up a farm in the township of Oxford,
cleared it of timber and improved it. After the
death of his wife Grandy Earl removed to the village of Oxford, where he died June 27, 1883, at
the very advanced age of ninety years. He had
been twice married, his second wife being Miss
Deborah Powell. The village schools furnished
what education our subject received during his
earlier years. As soon as he was old enough he
began teaching during the winters. He then studied
medicine in the office of Dr. Spaulding,of Oxford.
After this he entered the department of medicine
at the University at Ann Arbor, from which he
was graduated in March, 1853.
The young Doctor began practice at Orion, this


county, in 1853, and remained there until the fall
of 1866. He then removed to Pontiac, where he
established his practice and has continued to the
present time. For the past twenty-one years he
has been Examining Surgeon for United States
Pensions and has been a member of the Pension
Board since it was organized in 1890. The Doctor
was married July 22, 1858, to Miss Mary P. Tanner, at Rochester, Oakland County. She is the
daughter of Lewis G. Tanner and was born at
Rochester, Mich. Her parents were very early
settlers of the county.
Two lovely daughters have blessed the home of
Dr. and Mrs. Earl. Josephine M. is the wife of
J. R. McLaughlin, attorney-at-law and real-estate
dealer at Detroit, and is the mother of four children. Florence E. still makes her home with her
parents and is an accomplished musician, especially
upon the violin. The pleasant home of this family, at No. 115 North Saginaw Street, is ever open
for the gathering of their friends and neighbors.
The Doctor's political affiliations are with the Republican party and he is active and interested not
only in local affairs but in national movements.
5    OSES HILL, a retired farmer residing at
Pontiac, Mich., was born in Macedon,
Wayne County, N. Y., July 18, 1814. He
is the son of Elijah Hill, a native of Massachusetts, who was born in 1775. The grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
The mother of our subject, Hepsibah Brown, was
a native of Massachusetts, where she was born in
in 1776. She removed to Wayne County, N. Y.,
in 1804, and died in 1818. The father married a
a second time and died in 1848, in his eightyfourth year. Our subject had six brothers and
there were two children by the second marriage.
The common schools and the farm formed the
education of young Moses. He married, in 1840,
Harriet, daughter of Sylvanus and Harriet (Sexton) Allen, of Palmyra, Wayne County, N.Y. Here
they settled and engaged in general farming for several years. In April, 1855, Mr. Hill removed his




430


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


f


family, consisting of his wife and two children, to
Michigan and located in Independence Township,
Oakland County, on a farm of one hundred and
twenty acres. He has always kept his farm in an
excellent condition and has it stocked with good
cattle. In 1876 he left the farm and removed to
Pontiac, where he lived a retired life.
Mr. Hill built his first residence in 1878, a
large handsome frame building on the corner of
Perry and Huron Streets. Two children, a daughter and a son, brightened their home until they
went out in the world for themselves. Delia A. is
now the wife of L. C. Hanmer, of Detroit, a bookkeeper in the Savings Bank. Pliny married Ida
King and now resides on the old homestead in Independence Township.
Mrs. Hill is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hill was a Republican, but
last spring voted the Prohibition ticket, and Mrs.
Hill is also a stanch Prohibitionist. She is a woman
of unusual intelligence and ability and takes an
active part in furthering the cause of temperance
in every way. She is often appointed on important committees and her commodious and wellappointed home is always open for meetings of
committees who are planning work for the temperance cause. Her influence in the community is
much more than ordinary and is always exerted
for the good of her fellow-men., APT. ALMERON S. MATTHEWS, of Pon( tiac, a brother of Gen. S. S. Matthews, although a worthy citizen and one highly
respected, leads a very quiet and retired life. On
account of his injuries to health received in the
Civil War he is on the pension list and is quite
disabled from active work. He was born in Troy,
Oakland County, September 20, 1824, and is the
eldest son of Salomon J. and Susan (Whitney)
Matthews. Both father and mother were born near
Auburn, in Cayuga County, N. Y., the father June
24, 1799, and the mother March 14, 1800. Mr.
Matthews went to Michigan in 1822, and purchased
a farm in Troy Township, in connection with his








grandfather. He, however, made a trip to New
York in the fall of 1822 where he was married.
Here he made his permanent home and passed his
days. He died in August, 1850. His wife survived
until June, 1864. Of their nine children seven are
now living.
Almeron S., the subject of this sketch attended
the neighborhood schools and gained what he
could from them in the way of education. He remained with his parents until he reached his majority and then learned the trade of a carpenter and
joiner which he followed until 1854, when he took
a trip to California by water and engaged in mining.
After one year of this Western life he returned to
Oakland County and engaged in working at his
trade in Pontiac until in 1857 when, in January,
he was appointed Under Sheriff of Oakland County,
and kept the jail under Clark Beardsley who was
then Sheriff. After this he spent two years in the
pursuit of his trade and then enlisted in the service
of his country, June, 1861, in Company H, Seventh
Michigan Infantry, Col. Ira R. Grosvenor, commanding. This regiment was assigned to the army
of the Potomac and was in Landers Brigade, and
participated in the battle of Ball's Bluffs. Having
organized a company he was elected First Lieuten.
ant of his company, but after the battle of Ball's
Bluff in January, 1862, he resigned his position.
In July, 1862, this young soldier re-enlisted in
Company D, Twenty-second Michigan, Col. Moses
Wisner commanding, and was made First Lieutenant of his company. In October, 1862, he was
made Adjutant of the regiment. He took part in
the battles of Danville, Ky., March 24, 1863;
Hickman's Bridge, March 27; Peavine Creek, September 16; McAffee's Church, Tenn., September
19, and Chickamauga, September 20. At this last
battle he was taken prisoner and removed to Libby
Prison where he remained until May 7, 1863. He
was then taken to Danville, Va., thence to Charlotte and from there to Greensboro, N. C. He was
then passed on to Macon, Ga., and to Charleston,
S. C., where he was placed under fire and remained
from July 29 to October 7.
Our subject was then taken to Columbia, S. C.,
and was carried eight miles into the country and
placed in a stockade. December 12, he was removed




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


431


I -


to an open stockade without shelter at Columbia.
Here he remained until February 14, when he was
removed to Charlotte and afterward to Raleigh,
N. C., and from there to Goldsboro, the same State.
From there he went back to Raleigh, where he was
paroled and exchanged.
The subject of this sketch was passed through
the lines on the 1st of March, 1865, near Wilmington, N. C. lIe went on to Annapolis Md.,
where he was given a thirty (lays' leave of absence and went home. At the end of thirty days
he reported at Camp Chase, Ohio, and was ordered
to join his regiment at Chattanooga, Tenn., where
he arrived May 14, 1865. While he was a prisoner
he had been promoted to the rank of Captain, the
commission dating from October 11, 1863. He
remained with his regiment until he was mustered
out June 26, 1865. They proceeded to Detroit
where they were paid off and discharged July 14.
Capt. Matthews was appointed Deputy Collector
of Internal Revenue for the Fifth District of
Michigan in December, 1865. He continued in
this office until September, 1866, when he resigned
to take a position in the regular army with the
commission of Second Lieutenant in the Fourteenth United States Infantry, having quarters in
Camp McDowell in Arizona Territory. He remained with his regiment until September, 1867,
when he was removed, on account of ill-health to
San Francisco, Cal. He resigned from the regular
army in December, 1867, and came home in 1868.
He was appointed Deputy United States Marshal
for the Eastern District of Miclhigan, and filled this
position for nine years, from 1877 to 1886. Ile
served faithfully in this capacity but was obliged
to retire from it as lie could not endure the necessary exertion.
The lady who presides so graciously over the
home of Capt. Matthews became his wife March
12, 1851. She was Miss Helen Smith, of Troy
Township, this county, a daughter of Hiram and
Philena (Andrews) Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
have one daughter at home with them-Miss Ella
E. Their other child, Minnie B., died when a little
over one year old. Capt. Matthews is a member
of Pontiac Lodge No. 21, A. F. & A. M.; of Oakland Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M.; of Pontiac Council


No. 2, and Pontiac Commandery No. 2, K. T. He
has served as Secretary of both Chapter and Council, as Recorder in the Commandery and also as
both Junior and Senior Warden in the same. He
is also a member of the Dick Richardson Post,
G. A. R. His large and comfortable residence is an
ornament to the city and is situated at No. 39,
Clark Street. Capt. Matthews was appointed Census Enumerator for the Fourth Ward and also as
special agent for collecting manufacturing statistics for the city of Pontiac. He has been a Republican since the formation of that party, voting for
John C. Fremont and Abraham Lincoln.
OHN DONALDSON, a well-known farmer,
located on section 9, Troy Township, has
made all that he has of worldly possessions
_ by hard work and strict attention to his
business affairs. He owns and occupies a well-improved farm of one hundred and forty-one acres,
most of which is under the plow, and upon which
good buildings of various kinds may be seen. He
is a native of Ireland, born in 1823, and is the
youngest son and sixth child of John and Nancy
(Hill) Donaldson. His parents were of Irish birth
and their last days were spent in their native land.
They had four daughters and six sons. John received his education in his native place and in his
boyhood learned the machinist's trade at Belfast.
About the time he entered his teens he went to
Scotland and found employment in the ore works.
In his own land, September 22, 1847, he was married to Eliza Wilson, and about four years later he
came to America and located in Baltimore, Md.
Mr. Donaldson remained in that city about four
years, working in a coal yard, and then came to
this county and for a time operated a rented farm.
He hoarded his resources, and aided by the prudence
of his wife, accumulated means with which to secure a home of his own. The first land he bought
was on section 9, Troy Township, and he remained
thereon five years. He then bought another tract
on the same section, which he sold and later pur



432


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


chased forty, eighty and sixty acres in different
parts of the township. He finally traded for the
place on which he is now living.
To Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson eight children have
come, of whom we note the following: Samuel
lives in Southfield Township; Agnes is the wife of
Thomas Donaldson; Mary is the wife of E. Graves;
John remains on the homestead; Elizabeth is the
wife of James McKibbln, and now lives in Detroit;
William J. resides in Huron County; Albert R. is
living in Birmingham; and Joseph M. males his
home in Huron County.
From the time he became an adopted citizen of
the United States Mr. Donaldson has given his
allegiance to the principles of Republicanism. A
proof of his populality in the local party is instanced in the fact that lie was elected Magistrate
by the receipt of every Republican vote in the
township. Ile (id not, however, accept the office,
and the only way in which he has been a public
servant has been as Roadmaster, in which capacity
he has acted many years. He and his wife belong
to the United Presbyterian Church, of which he is
Trustee and Treasurer, and has been numbered
among the workers for the cause since he joined
it thirty years ago.
ERMAN     BARTELS, JR., is a farmer of
Royal Oak Township, who bears among
his neighbors the reputation not only of en@    ergy and success in his work, but also of
being an honest Christian gentleman. His birth
took place in Hanover, Germany, in 1821, and his
father, Herman, Sr., was born in the same place
in 1784. The grandfather was Henry Bartels and
he, as well as the father, died in the old country.
The mother also, who bore the name of Anna
Schirloh, died there at the age of fifty-two in the
year 1835. She was one of two sisters and three
brothers.
Herman Sr. and Anna, his wife, were united in
marriage about the year 1814. Of their seven
children three grew to manhood. When our subect was but seventeen years old ie began inde

pendent work by clerking in a drug store. He
then spent three years in a warehouse before coming to America, where he landed at New York,
June 21, 1845. He worked in a grocery store in
that city for three years, and then came to Michigan. Here, in Royal Oak Township, he made his
home with Charles Jasper. The same year he
bought eighty acres in the township of Warren,
Macomb County, and after holding it for ten
years sold and went to Sterling, Macomb County.
Here he bought thirty acres and made his home
for five years before coming to Royal Oak Township. He then bought one hundred acres, to which
he afterward added forty acres more, and remained
upon it about twenty-five years. He then went on a
farm of twenty acres in another part of the township, and after six years there came to his present
home.
The marriage of Herman Bartels, Jr., with Johanna Maney took place in 1853. She was a
daughter of Michael Maney and became the mother
of one child, Helman, who died when an infant of
five months, and this little one and his mother lie
side by side in the cemetery near their home. The
second marriage of Mr. Bartels took place in 1855.
He was then united with Johanna E. M. Jacobs,
daughter of Bernard Jacobs. She was the eldest
of six children and the only daughter of her parents, who were natives of Saxe Weimar, Germany.
To her were given four children: Charles was
born in 1856; Anna, in 1858; Ellen, in 1860; and
Otto, in 1864. Anna is the wife of Alfred Parka,
of Warren, Macomb County, and is the mother of
three children. Ellen died at the age of seventeen
years, and Charles when a little one. Otto was
married October 12, 1888, to Anna E. K. HIendricks, who is a daughter of John D. Hendricks,
of Royal Oak, a native of Oldenburg, Germany.
This young couple are earnest and devoted members of the United Presbyterian Church and are
the parents of one son, Ray Herman, born March
8, 1890. Otto is a Republican and cast his first
vote for Benjamin Harrison.   His mother is
buried by the side of her children, whom she followed to the spirit land in September, 1886.
The subject of this sketch started in life with no
capital except his brain and brawn, and he has




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


433


gained a handsome property. He gave to his married daughter a nice home of one hundred acres
well supplied with buildings, and retains seventyseven acres, where he now lives. For a number of
years he has been one of the Trustees of the United
Presbyterian Church, to which he belongs. He
has been a Highway Commissioner. His first vote
was cast for Taylor and his last for Harrison. His
reputation for intelligence and probity is guaranteed by all who know him.
OSEPH   W. CHAPMAN, an enterprising
and progressive farmer of Waterford Township, owns and occupies a good farm of
ninety acres on section 29, upon which he
located in 1865. In the accumulation of his property his efforts have been ably seconded by the
prudent management and wise counsel of his wife,
whose loving heart and thrifty ways have made
their dwelling place a true home. He himself has
manifested unflagging industry, has pursued wise
methods of cultivation and exhibited good judgment in determining the rotation of crops. He has
ever endeavored to assist in the movements to advance the interests of society and develop the material resources of this section of Michigan.
The father of our subject, Atmasa D. Chapman,
was born in Connecticut and emigrated to New
York when young, where he followed the calling
of a farmer. In 1822 he married Miss Hannah
Aikin, a native of Massachusetts, and of the union
two children were born —J. W. and G. W., both
residents of Waterford Township. A few years
after their marriage the mother of our subject died,
in 1825, in New York, while still in the prime of
womanhood. In 1839 Mr. Chapman came to Michigan, settling in the township of Pontiac and clearing from the forest a comfortable home and a fine
farm. There he resided about fifteen years, when
he sold it at a fair profit and going to Kentucky,
sojourned in that State about five years.
Upon his return to Michigan the father of our
subject purchased a farm on section 33, Waterford
Township, where he died December 1, 1882.  He


I


was a man of fine characteristics, thoughtful and
discriminating, and always considerate in his relations to others. He was highly esteemed by all as
one whose integrity of purpose held him to duty
without regard to general considerations. These
traits, with his well-known interest in all that pertained to-the growth of the township and his energetic co-operation with his fellow citizens in pushing
forward any plans devised for the benefit of the
community, made him very desirable as a factor in
carrying on the public work.
In Genesee County, N. Y., J. W. Chapman was
born June 8, 1823, and was at the age of two years
deprived of his mother's loving care, she having
died in 1825. The opportunities for education
offered in his youth were limited, but he has become a well-informed man through reading and
observation. At the age of twenty-one years he
commenced to work for himself, and for two years
worked by the month. Careful economy enabled
him to purchase an unimproved farm in White
Lake Township, and this he cleared and improved
residing upon it for eight years and six months.
He was successful in his efforts to cultivate and
improve his farm, making of agriculture a science
and devoting his entire attention to his chosen
calling.
After carefully improving this farm, Mr. Chapman was enabled to sell it at a fair profit and
bought land in Waterford Township, on section 17.
Once more lie commenced the labor of developing
an attractive estate and for ten years resided upon
this homestead. In 1865 he sold it and bought his
present homestead on section 29. When he first
came to this county wild game was plentiful and
he became an expert hunter. For forty-nine winters in succession he hunted and trapped and probably has killed more deer than any other resident
of Oakland County. He has also killed five bears
and a great many wolves. Politically he is a
strong Democrat and has served as Road Commissioner twelve years. Socially he is a Mason.
The wife of our subject bore the maiden name
of Catherine Crawford and was born in Ontario
County, N. Y. She is the daughter of William and
Mary Crawford, natives respectively of New York
and Connecticut. Her parents came to Michigan




434


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


in 1830, settling in Pontiac Township, where they
passed the remainder of their lives. The father
died in 1849 and the mother in 1854. Their family comprised eight children, all of whom are living
in Michigan, excepting one who is in Missouri.
Mr. Chapman and his estimable wife have one
child, Ella, who married Herschel D. Parker, a
grocer living at Flint, Mich. Mrs. Parker received
an excellent education in Pontiac High School and
prior to her marriage was a teacller.
(_ < *           _I.  -




I


D   OBERT D. SCOTT. One of the most flourishing and widely known manufacturing
establishments in Pontiac is that of Mr. Scott,
u) who makes a specialty of road-carts, carrying on business under the style of R. D. Scott & Co.
The establishment is taxed to its fullest capacity
and it is impossible to fill orders as rapidly as they
are received. The principal points to which the
vehicles are shipped are Chicago, Indianapolis, Council Bluffs, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Dallas and the
Pacific Coast, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland
etc. and they are largely sold by car lots for the
jobbing trade. The Scott road-cart is one of the
easiest riding vehicles of the kind in this State, and
is built after models upon which Mr. Scott has
secured valuable patents, he having invented the
improvements by means of which he has built up a
large trade.
Mr. Scott was born June 25, 1826, in Scotland,
where his father, Robert Scott, was a modest farmer.
In 1834 the family came to America and a location
was made on a farm in Eramosa Township, county
of Wellington, Canada. After twenty years of
residence there the father-Robert Scott returned
to his native land and remained until 1875. He
then came again to the Western Continent and spent
the remnant of his days with a daughter in Canada
dying in 1877, at the venerable age of ninotysix years. The mother of our subject died on the
Canadian homestead in 1848, in the fifty-eighth
year of her age. Her maiden name was Agnes Balmer, and she was a daughter of Robert Balmer.
The children born to herself and husband were




=


seven in number-three sons and four daughters,
and the subject of this sketch is the youngest.
Thle boyhood of our subject, up to his eighth
year was spent in the land of his birth and he then
crossed the Atlantic with his parent and lived in
Canada until he had grown to manhood. His schooling was obtained principally in Canada and in the
intervals of study lie worked on the farm. At the
age of eighteen years he left the parental roof and
went to the town of Guelph, where he learned the
carriage trade, with Robert Armstrong, a noted
manufacturer who died in 1848. Mr. Scott then
carried on the business for the widow a year, at the
expiration of which time he bought out the business
and for three years conducted the enterprise at
the old stand. In 1852 he built a manufactory
wherein he made carriages and wagons until 1865.
He then sold out and moved to Lake Erie and together with two partners gave his attention to the
manufacture of lumber and staves, the enterprise
proved unprofitable and Mr. Scott lost all his investment. He therefore closed out the business and
removed to Pontiac, securing employment from
Martin Lowry, with whom he remained until March,
1866, when he again started in business for himself.
He remained in Pontiac, and beginning his work en
very limited means, he once more devoted himself
to the manufacture of wagons and carriages, and
continued it until 1876, when his sons had grown
up sufficiently to assist. He then went to Detroit,
where he opened a general repair shop, which lie
carried on two years. Returning to Pontiac, he
bought a shop on Lawrence Street, and turned his
attention to the manufacture of buggies and spring
wagons, a work that he continued until 1888 when
he gave his exclusive attention to the making of
road-carts.
The marriage of Mr. Scott and Miss Elizabeth
Ann Day was solemnized at the bride's home in
Eramosa, Canada, June 14, 1849. The father of
Mrs. Scott was Daniel Day, a native of Yorkshire,
England. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been born
seven children-Agnes, Maria, Mary, William R.,
Louis W., Phoebe and Nellie. Mary is the wife of
Henry Ward, a prominent lumber manufacturer in
Pontiac; Phoebe married Howard Stephens of Denver, Colorado; and Nellie is now Mrs. John King






I




I;w N"
I 1!
T,
1,
I111'
Ii, I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


437


of Jackson, Mich. Louis is deceased, having died
in Denver in 1885. William is now engaged in
business with his father. The family residence is a
neat and substantial dwelling, which is kept in perfect order by the housewifely skill of his daughter
Maria to whose tender care is intruste(l an invalid
mother, and is the centre of a happy domestic and
social life.
Politically Mr. Scott is now a Prohibitionist, but
until 1885 he was strong in the faith of the Republican party and he is still in sympathy with that
organization on many questions, although he has
decided that the liquor traffic is one that must be
looked to if the nation is to continue its existence
and its honor. Mr, Scott is very thorough in his
researches for knowledge, making it a point to go to
the bottom of every subject. He is possessed of
strong will power, and takes a firm stand when once
his plans are matured, and his decisions are not
easily reversed. Both husband and wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
he having been identified with the denomination
since 1854. They are highly respected by those
who know them, and are regarded with a warmer
feeling by many.
J OHN BENJAMIN. The home of this gentleman has always been on section 8, Royal Oak
Township, where he was born December
24, 1842, and he has only been away from
the homestead during the period in which he was
serving his country in the South. He was reared
in the manner customary to the sons of those who
lived in the rural districts, obtaining his education
in the common schools and acquiring good habits
and stea'dfast principles under the instruction and
guidance of his parents. His father was at one
time engaged in the manufacture of grain cradles
and the lad learned the business. tie aided his
father in that and in farm work until 1864, when
he enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Michigan Infantry. He was a fifer for the company, with which
he aeted a few months, when the command was


mustered out at Jackson in June, 1865, and he returned to the parental home.
At least two men in the direct line of ancestors
have borne the same name as our subject and both
were natives of New York. The grandfather lost
his life during the War of 1812. The father was
born in Monroe County in 1809 and married Ruth
Ann Warner, who was born in Niagara County,June
4, 1819. She came to Michigan with her parents in
1828 and her marriage occurred in 1835. Mr. and
Mrs. Benjamin at once located where their son is now
living, taking possession of a tract of wild land
and( bringing it under cultivation. Mr. Benjamin
had come to this State five years before his marriage. Hle died here in 1878, and his widow is
still living on the homestead with her son. Her
other clildren are Levi, who died when twentyone years old; Mary, who remains at the old home;
Asenath, wife of A. L. Perkins, whose home is in
Southfield Township; and Julia H., wife of D. L.
Campbell, of Royal Oak Township.
The gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs was married in 1868 to Martha A.
Campbell, wlho shared his fortunes only a few,
years, dying in 1872. The marriage was blest by
the birth of one daughter, Mattie, who lived to be
but ten months old. Mr. Benjamin contracted a
second matrimonial alliance November 30, 1876.
His bride was Ella S. Parker, who was born in
Royal Oak Township October 4, 1851. Her parents are Asher and Harriet N. (Castle) Parker,
whose sketch will be found on another page in this
ALBUM 3.      Ir. and Mrs. Benjamin are rearing a
little girl who is called Elsie M.
The farm that our subject is successfully operating consists of one hundred and sixty acres of wellimproved land, and he and his excellent wife dispense the hospitality of their pleasant home with
right good will. Mr. Benjamin has been School
Assessor in his district twenty years, having been
first elected in 1868. He was Township Treasurer
from 1876 to 1880, Supervisor from that date until
1883, and again from 1886 to 1890, was Constable
one year and School Inspector four years. In fact
he has held some official place since he was nineteen years old. He has been a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic six years and




438


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.






has been connected with the Grange for sixteen
years. He and his wife belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church in Royal Oak and both bear a
part in the Sunday-school work. He has been
Superintendent seven years, has been Church Steward fifteen years and has also held the Treasurer's
office. For a score of years he has led the singing
and in the capacity of chorister has done much
to add to the attractiveness of the Sunday services.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Benjamin appears
on another page of this work.
-- --- + ---
ILBERT M. SHATTUCK. A goodly number
of men who have won a competence by
their industrious work as farmers have now
retired from active life and are spending their declining years in the thriving towns of Oakland
County. One of this number in Pontiac is the
gentleman above named, who for a number of
years was one of the most prominent farmers and
stock-raisers of Pontiac Township. He owned a
fine tract of choice land one mile from Main Street,
whence he removed to the city in 1888. He still
owns the farm and gives some attention to looking
after his financial interests in connection with that
and other property, but does no active work
thereon. It consists of three hundred acres of land
which has been brought to a high state of cultivation and supplied with first-class buildings. While
living on the farm Mr. Shattuck was one of the
principal breeders of thoroughbred Holstein cattle
in the county.
The maternal ancestors of our subject emigrated
from Holland to America early in the seventeenth
century and located in the Hudson River Valley.
In the vicinity of Auburn, N. Y., Sarah Collier
was born and reared, the date of her birth being
in November, 1799. She married Alfred Shattuck
who was born in Massachusetts August 15, 1794,
and whose parents were Joseph and Chloe (Scott)
Shattuck, whose births occurred on the 3d of October, 1749, and the 19th of Oclober, 1756, re.
spectively. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Shattuck made


their home in Steuben County., N. Y., until 1832,
when they came to this State and settled on a farm
near Plymouth, Wayne County. There the husband passed the remnant of his days and died
August 13, 1847. His widow survived until September 12, 1886. They were the parents of eight
sons and four daughters, and the subject of this
biographical notice is sixth on the family roll.
In the town of Cohccton, Steuben County, N. Y.,
May 9, 1828, our subject was born. He was but
little more than an infant when his parents came
to this State and he obtained his schooling in Plymouth, first attending the common and later conning his lessons in a select school. In the intervals
of study he worked on the farm, remaining with
his parents until he was of age when he started out
for himself, first teaching school and then clerking
in a general store for a time. Leaving the store he
engaged in farming and after his marriage he settled in Livingston County. He sojourned there
but a short time then returned to the vicinity of
his old home in Wayne County, and actively carried on farm work there until 1865. That year he
bought his property near Pontiac and labored upon
it until he felt justified in taking his ease, and so
came to town.
In 1855 Mr. Shattuck was united in marriage
with Miss Mary A. Donelson, the ceremony taking
place at the bride's home in Waterford Township.
Her parents, Ira and Mary (Shattuck) Donelson,
were among the early settlers of Oakland County,
having come here in 1827. They established their
home in Waterford Township, became prosperous
and influential and died full of years anld honor.
They were devoted members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and their dwelling was the home
of the itinerant minister during his visits to the
locality and under its roof new settlers found welcome and shelter. Mr. Donelson was always ready
to assist the strangers in locating farms, placing
his team at their service and giving his time in
showing them over the country. Mr. Donelson
and wife had six children-one daughter, Mrs.
Shattuck, and five sons. The four eldest sons were
Methodist ministers, and the Methodist Church
now of Pontiac was organized at the house of Ira
Donelson, in Waterford Township, fifty years ago
- ~~~ ---~- -' ''~ —F 1'~JJ ~^Y-r




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


439


by twelve members in the class, the church being
subsequently transferred to Pontiac. Two of the
ministers above spoken of are deceased. A daughter reared by such parents could scarcely be other
than hospitable, whole-souled and generous-hearted,
and Mrs. Shattuck is esteemed for the qualities
which made her parents well beloved. IHer children are a son and daughter named, respectively,
Florence M. and Charles Ira. The daughter is now
living in Jackson, being the wife of J. J. Baker;
they have one daughter. The son is carrying on
his father's farm; he married Miss Maud Green, of
North Farmington, Oakland County; they have
one son.
After investigating the issues between the parties Mr. Shattuck gave his allegiance to Republicanism. lIe is a member of Pontiac Lodge, No. 3,
1. O. O. F. His wife is a devout member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been identified with that denomination for many years and
is a liberal contributor toward its support. Her
husband likewise attends the same church. He
and his wife stand high in society 'and exert an
influence on the side of right and true civilization.
G     HARLES C. BOWVLBY is, in his declining
years, enjoying all the comforts that heart
can wish and the pleasures that can be found
in town life, having removed from his farm to
Pontiac and taken possession of a substantial brick
house on Auburn Avenue. Mr. Bowlby has been
successful in prosecuting the affairs of life and
has a competency, so that he is able to indulge every
reasonable taste and to contribute liberally to the
enterprises in which he is interested. Ile has been
closely identified with the financial interests of
Oakland County since 1835, with the exception of
a short time, and in this county he carried on farm
work and has also loaned money and made various
investments.
Gage and Anna (Chrisman) Bowlby, the parents of our subject, were natives of New Jersey and
were of German ancestry. Their wedded life was
begun in their native State, whence they subse

quently removed to Steuben County, N. Y., and
later to Cayuga County. In the fall of 1837 they
came to this State and established tlemselves in
Orion Township, Oakland County. There the
father followed farming during the remainder of
his active life and died in 1852, in the eightyfourth year of his age. The mother breathed her
last in her sixty-third year. They were the parents
of two daughters and five sons, and the only survivors are, Thomas, Charles C. and Jacob M.
The birthplace of our subject was Warren
County, N. J., and his natal day July 26, 1814.
His boyhood was passed in Steuben    County,
N. Y., in an alternation of study and work such as
is usually the case with those who live on farms
and attend the common schools. In 1835 lie came
to Michigan and his first business here was to act
in the capacity of clerk in tie dry-goods store of
his brother in-law, John fTankinson, with whom lie
remained two years. He then returned to New
York and spent a year in Cayuga County, then
coming back to this State followed his parents to
Oakland County. He located on a tract of unbroken land, cleared a part of the estate, and then
sold it and bought seventy-six acres on the Lapeer
gravel road. He spent several years there, then
disposed of his property and bought one hundred
and thirty-six acres in another part of the township, and later added twenty acres more. He carried on general farming there until 1869, when he
sold the property for $11,100 and took up his residence in Pontiac. He had built a dwelling, barns
and other edifices on the farm, and so increased its
value very decidedly. Since he came to Pontiac
he has been chiefly engaged in money loaning.
In Orion Township, Oakland County, in 1840,
Mr. Bowlby and Miss Tacy Ann Clark were united
in marriage. The bride was born in Wayne County,
Pa., and came to this state with her parents, Elijah
B. and May A. (Yerkes) Clark, about 1829. Her
father was born in Connecticut and was of English
descent, and her mother was of German extraction.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowlby have five children: May II.,
wife of Lewis Morgan; Helen I., who married John
C. Buchner; Orcelia, wife of John Whitsell; Charles
F., and Georgia, wife of E. V. Allison.
Mr. Bowlby affiliates with the Republican party




440


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


in State and national matters, but in local elections
votes independently. For one term he was an alderman of the city. While not a member of any
church he has been a liberal contributor to different denominations, believing that their work is of
a civilizing and elevating nature. He has a good
reputation for honesty and uprightness and has
made many friends during his life journey.
I_   - ERMAN G. RIES. This young gentleman
is rapidly coming to the front among the
farmers of Royal Oak Township, where he
has been living since his boyhood. He took
possession of his present estate, which consists of
eighty acres on section 36, some five years since
and now has thirty-six acres under cultivation.
He built the house and barn and is gradually but
steadily bringing the farm into good condition.
Mr. Ries was born in Detroit December 16, 1860. his
parents being William Henry and Augusta(Schultz)
Ries, who were natives of Germany. The mother
was the youngest child of George and Minnie
Schultz, and had four brothers and two sisters.
Our subject's mother died in Detroit in 1867. Mr.
Ries, the father, is now living in Flint, still working at his trade of a tailor. IIe was married a second time when the son, of whom we write, was nine
years old, his bride being Mrs. Isabel Thompson.
At that time Herman came to Royal Oak Township to make his home with Charles Watts, but after
a short time he became a member of the household
of John Watts, and still later lived with John Fulton two years. He then spent five years with
George Besancom, of Redford, Wayne County, and
at the expiration of that period went to Detroit
and worked a year in the car shops. He then returned to Redford and nmade it his home for three
years, after which he settled where he is now living.
IIe was married March 10, 1886, to Alice J.,
daughter of William and Jane Fulton, for whose
history the reader is referred to the biography of
John Fulton. Mrs. Ries is the youngest in a family consisting of three daughters and two sons.
She and her husband have two children-Clarence


W., born January 30, 1887, and Howard F., May
May 4,1889.
When national candidates are before the people
Mr. Ries always votes for those named on the Republican ticket, but in local work he is independent, looking to the character of the man rather
than to the political element he represents. Both
husband and wife belong to the Congregational
Church of Royal Oak and Mr. Ries is Trustee, and
Superintendent and teacher in the Sunday-school.
His character is irreproachable and his general interest in that which is worthy in civic and social
matters redounds to his credit among the people.
Mrs. Ries is intelligent, kind-hearted and capable,
and she has many friends.
~S —^g= —               ^=1^^-LI~
J    OHN W. COLLINS. That Oakland County
has advanced far beyond the pioneer state,
is attested by the fact that the first white
child born in Farmington Township is now
and has been for many years a business man, and a
prominent citizen. This child, who bears the name
of John W. Collins, was born September 26, 1824.
His father, George W. Collins, was born in Ontario County, N. Y., and became a farmer and
merchant. Iie came to Michigan in 1824, and in
March located in Farmington Township, upon a
tract of land which was entirely unbroken and uncleared. He built a log house and proceeded to
improve the place. He afterward removed to
Farmington, where he opened up a general store.
He was also Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk and
Postmaster for a number of years. He died in
1865, leaving behind him a widow, Cynthia IM.
(Newton) Collins, who lived to be ninety-three
years old. They were the parents of three sons
and four daughters. After being educated on the
farm and in the log schoolhouses of that day our
subject started in life for himself at the age of
twenty-one, but remained at home, working for his
father on the farm and in the store.
Esther Wixon, the only child of Civilian and
Martha Wixon, of New York, became the wife of
John W. Collins in 1854. To this couple were




I
I




4




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


443


=


given five children, all of whom grew to maturity.
They are: Minnie, a book-keeper in the Harter
Hospital, in Detroit; Jessie, the wife of J. M.
Green, of Farmington Township; Corinne, a typewriter in Detroit; Henrietta, head type-writer in
Charles Wright's Medicine Company, in Detroit,
and is considered one of the best in Michigan;
and William E., who graduated at the head of the
Class of '90 in the pharmaceutical department of
the University at Ann Arbor.
Mr. Collins is carrying on a general store in
Farmington, where lie has been for forty years. He
is a Republican and wide awake in regard to political affairs. He was at one time Treasurer of the
township for many years, and has been Highway
Commissioner. He was Postmaster of Farmington
for twenty-five years.
W       ILLIAM W. CRIPPEN. Various business
interests are represented in Milford, and
few are more important than that of Mr.
Crippen. He is a dealer in agricultural implements, and carries the largest and most complete
stock in the place, so full that he requires several
buildings for storage. Himself a practical farmer,
he knows well what machines and implements will
be found serviceable and cheap by reason of their
usefulness, and his supply is well selected and of
reliable makes. Mr. Crippen, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, is one of the old settlers, having been born in Highland Township in
1842, his natal day being September 3. When he
was four years old his mother removed from the
farm to the village of Milford, where he had the
advantages of the common school. As soon as he
was strong enough to do so, he began working on
the farm, and until his marriage that was his home
and his efforts were given for the general good of
the family.
Samuel Crippen, a native of Vermont, grew to
manhood amid the Green Mountains and became
one of the first settlers in Highland Township, this
county. Here he was engaged in farming until his
death, which occurred not long after his removal.




He married Margaret Porter, who was born in Ireland near Londonderry, and whose father, John
Porter, settled in this county immediately after his
immigration, and farmed in Bloomfield Township
the rest of his life. Mrs. Crippen was left a widow
with three children, and kept her family together,
rearing them carefully and giving them practical
educations. Her last years were spent in the home
of her son, our subject, who had been her mainstay
from his boyhood. She died in 1883, when more
than fourscore and ten years old; she was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her children are
Mrs. Mary J. Bowman, now living in Colon; Mrs.
Fanny A. Dickinson, of Hillsdale; and William W.
When William Crippen was nineteen years old,
he entered the Union Army as a member of Company I, Twenty-second Michigan Infantry, the date
of his enlistment being July 11, 1862. He was
mustered in at Detroit, and sent to Covington, Ky.,
and his first active service was during Kirby
Smith's raid on Cincinnati. He took part in the
engagement at Mt. Sterling, and in the noted battles of Resacs, Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain. He was one of the participants in the Georgia
campaign, from Chattanooga to the capture of Atlanta, and then returned under Thomas to Tennessee, where he remained until the order was received
for his company to be mustered out. He was discharged in August, 1865, after an army life of
over three years, during which he was away from
his company but two weeks, and then was in the
hospital suffering flom fever.
On his return home Mr. Crippen engaged in the
harness business and carried it on some eighteen
months. From that time until 1872 he was engaged in farming, and he then went to Kalkaskia
County, in the Grand Traverse country, and took
up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres.
He cut his way into the woods six miles from any
settler, and had the honor of naming Excelsior
Township, where he was the first pioneer. Iie
hewed out a farin on which he remained ten years,
placing one hundred and forty acres under the
plow, and erecting substantial and sufficiently numerous buildings. He called the township meeting,
and gave the locality its name, because it was the
best township in the county. For two years he




444


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


was its Supervisor. For eighteen months he was
engaged in the grocery business in Kalkaskia, but
his home was on the farm. In 1882 he rented the
property and returned to Milford, where he has
since been carrying on his present line of trade.
The wife of Mr. Crippen bore the maiden name
of Mary J. Stephens, and is a native of Milford, in
which place she reared and educated. Ier father,
Willis Stephens, was born in Ireland, and further
facts regarding his history will be found in the biographical sketch of Charles W. Soulby, to which
the reader is referred. Mrs. Crippen has in her
own right a farm of one hundred and twenty acres
in New Hudson Township. Her marriage was solemnized in 1875. She and her husband have an
adopted daughter, Fanny E. Mrs. Crippen is a
well-informed, kindly woman, and a sincere believer in the tenets of the Presbyterian Church with
which she has been identified for a number of years.
In the spring of 1889 Mr. Crippen was elected
Supervisor of Milford Township, and he has been
a member of various committees, the chief of which
are those on County Buildings, Justice Claims and
Miscellaneous Claims. He has been President of
the Village for three terms, and Village Trustee as
long, and still holds the latter office. For years he
acted as Justice of the Peace. In politics he is a
Democrat, and he has been a delegate to county
and State conventions. He belongs to Col. La
Favor Post, No. 181, G. A. R.,and Union Veteran
Union, Thomas Ward Command, No. 39.
OL. SAMUEL E. BEACH is one of Oakland's worthiest citizens, a brief sketch of
whose life we place upon the pages of the
history of the old county. Ever a prominent man
among the citizens of the county he has received
the tokens of his fellow-citizens' regard and confidence by numerous elevations to official stations
within their gift. He has been one of the workers
of the community, whose labors have redounded
more to others' substantial benefit than his own.
Samuel Elmore Beach was born in Lewiston,
Niagara County, N. Y., April 7, 1823. His father,


Noah Beach, was a native of Whitney, Rutland
County, Vt., where he was born October 3, 1788,
and died in Bridgeport, Saginaw County, Mich.,
May 23, 1866. His mother was Eunice Cooley,
daughter of Col. Benjamin Cooley, of Revolutionary fame, who was born at Pittsford, Rutland County, Vt., April 30, 1747. She was born in
the same town, April 16, 1791. She died at Bridgeport, Saginaw County, Mich., to which State she
and her husband came in 1837. Noah Beach, the
father, was a member of the lower house of the
State Legislature from Saginaw County, in 1842,
and a member of the Senate in 1848, from the
senatorial district composed of the counties of Oakland, Saginaw, Shiawassee and Lapeer.
The subject of this sketch attended the district
school in his native place until he arrived at the age
of fourteen years when, in November, 1837, in
company with Martin Miller, he left Lewiston to
go to Michigan, traveling on foot through Canada,
and arriving at Detroit the night previous to the
descent of the patriots of 1837, on Windsor, who
burned a portion of that place. On the last day
of November the lad (Beach) arrived at Pontiac,
whither his father had preceded him in August.
In February, 1838, the father removed to Springfield, to a farm, accompanied by the son, who
wrought upon the farm during the spring, summer
and fall following, and taught school during the
winter of 1838-39. In September, 1840, the young
man returned to Pontiac and engaged with Samuel
Chamberlain as a clerk in a dry-goods and grocery
store, in which situation he remained until August,
1842, when he removed to Franklin to take charge
of a similar store and fiouring-mill for D. M. Hinsdale, who also had a general store at Pontiac.
Young Beach remained at Franklin, conducting
the business of his employer until the spring of
1845, when he returned to Pontiac and engaged
with the film of Mathews & Beach, in the drygoods line, and remained with them until March 1,
1847. When he was but fourteen years of age he
was a member of a rifle company in Lewiston, under command of Capt. Robinson, which company
was called out and stationed on the line between
Mew York and Canada, to preserve the neutrality
of the United States in the Patriot War. This




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHtCAL ALBUM.


445 -

PORTRAIT AND- BIOGRAPHCALALBUM.445-.. _..


brief experience gave him a taste for military affairs,
and when the United States Coingress authorized
the President to raise ten additional regiments for
the prosecution of the Mexican War, the feelings
of patriotism engendered in the bosom of the young
salesman proved too ardent to allow of further
service in the measurement of tape and calico, and
he at once resigned his position behind the counter, and calling on his associates soon raised a company of forty-five men, and received a commission
as Second Lieutenant in Company A, Fifteenth
United States Infantry, commanded by Col. George
W. Morgan, of Ohio, assigned to service in Mexico.
The regiment was filled up with recruits from
Ohio, Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin. The fortyfive men recruited by Lieut. Beach were enlisted by
him in a few days, prior to his departure to Detroit. Before he left Pontiac to join his command
the citizens of that place presented him with a
handsome sword, belt and sash. After about a
week's stay in Detroit he left that city under orders
to report to Col. Morgan, at Vera Cruz, Mexico,
and arrived at his destination in June, and within
two weeks the command proceeded via the paved
road of the Spanish conquest, to Pueblo, and joined
Gen. Scott's forces at that point. The command
was brigaded with the Ninth United States Infantry,
commanded by Gen. Franklin Pierce, afterward
President. On August 17, Lieut. Beach witl his
regiment left Pueblo for the valley of Mexico,
where the entire command of Gen. Scott concentrated and moved toward the capital. At Contreras Lieut. Beach participated in the storming and
capture of the works, on the morning of August
20, 1847, and in the afternoon of 'he same day was
engaged in the desperate assault and final capture
of Churubusco. For meritorious conduct in these
engagements he was breveted First Lieutenant. On
the 8th of September following he was engaged in
the battle of Molino del Rey, and on the 13th of
the same month he and his company were foremost
in the storming of Chepultepec. Lieut. Beach's
company received eight of the fifteen certificates
for bravery and merit which were awarded by Congress to participators in this last-named assault, the
balance of the Fifteenth Regiment receiving the
other seven. Lieut. Beach placing and ascending




the first ladder successfully raised against the walls
of the castle, by which the same were scaled. The
Fifteenth regiment, in honor of its priority in the
capture, was posted in the ciladel of the castle at
Chepultepec. About the 1st of February, 1848,
the regiment was ordered to Cuernavaca, and on
the 23d of the month Lieut. Beach received his
promotion to the rank of First Lieutenant in the
United States Army. Peace having been declared
his command was ordered to Covington, Ky., where
on its arrival it was mustered out of the service,
and in August following the Lieutenant returned
returned home to Pontiac with the surviving
members of his company who enlisted thereat, and
with them was received with demonstrations of joy
and accorded an enthusiastic public reception.
In the following April Lieut. Beach was elected
Justice of the Peace of Pontiac, then a thriving and
bustling village, for a term of fouryears, and while
holding that office, in the fall of 1850, was elected
to the office of County Treasurer for a term of two
years, and re elected thereto in 1852 and 1854. IHe
was nominated by his party (the Democratic) in
1856, but was defeated by a small majority by
Judge Harry Andrews. In the fall of 1860 he was
a candidate for Sheriff of the county, but the great
political revolution which swept over the Northern
States left Lieut. Beach defeated. He was, however, at that time Cashier in the Custom House at
Detroit, and remained at his post until the spring
of 1861, when being again elected Justice of the
Peace of Pontiac, he returned to that city, but before taking the position (July 4) the War of the
Rebellion had burst upon the country, and the
charms of home and emoluments of office were but
a feather's weight in the scale as against his country in the breast of this patriot, and he at once
threw his whole influence into the work of raising
volunteers under the President's call for seventyfive thousand men. So strong was the patriotic
ardor of the community, and earnest the zeal of
the leader, in one week's time one hundred and
forty-two men were enlisted and eager for duty.
The call having been filled, and troops being
offered every day, more than the Government
could clothe and equip, enlistment ceased for a
time, but the men already enlisted in Michigan




446


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




were gathered into a camp of instruction at Ft.
Wayne, near Detroit. On the defeat of the Union
arms at Bull Run the call for more troops was
issued, and the skeletons of regiments in Ft. Wayne
were ordered to their places of rendezvous to fill
up their ranks. On June 19, 1861, Lieut. Beach
received a commission from Gov. Blair as Lieutenant-Colonel, and was assigned to the Fiftl Regiment of Michigan Infantry, and July 22, 1861, was
ordered to report with his regiment at Washington,
where he arrived about September 15, and the regiment was assigned to the brigade commanded by
Gen. Israel B. Richardson, and went into camp
south of Alexandria, Va. When the general advance was made the brigade went to Fortress Monroe, and a few days afterward participated in the
siege of Yorktown.
While in the trenches before Yorktown Col.
Beach was the first to discover and report the evacuation of those fortifications by the enemy. Col.
Beach's regiment was in the advance in pursuing
the retreating foe, and was early engaged in battle with him at Williamsburg, May 5, 1862, where
his regiment lost one hundred and forty-three
killed and wounded, Col. Beach being among the
latter. While charging the rifle pits of the enemy
he was severely wounded in the left thigh by a
minie ball, and was taken from the field, from the
effects of which wound he has never recovered. He
was taken to Baltimore and was confined to his
bed, at the residence of Dr. Robinson, Vice President of the Relief Society, for six weeks. He was
then sufficiently recovered to travel, and was taken
to his home in Pontiac, where he slowly regained
his usual strength, and the wound healed sufficiently
to enable him to get about on crutches, when he
was assigned to recruiting service in December,
with headquarters at Pontiac, where he remained
nearly a year, when believing he was able to
resume active duty in the field he joined his regiment, then upon the Rapidan, at Brandy Station.
But it required a few days only in the saddle to
develop serious difficulty with his wound, and he
was forced to relinquish the idea of doing further
field duty, yet despite intense suffering he participated in the movement on Mine Run. When the
command returned to Brandy Station he applied


for and received a transfer to the hospital, and
after his health had somewhat improved he was
assigned to duty on the general court martial, at
Washington, Gen. Griffin, President. On Gen.
Griffin's resumption of active service with his command Col. Beach succeeded to the Presidency of
the court martial, which position he filled until the
term of his enlistment expired, and he was mustered out of service in August, 1864. In Novenber following he was elected to the office of Sheriff
of Oakland County, and re-elected in 1866, his term
expiling December 31, 1869. In April, 1871, he
was elected Justice of the Peace, of Pontiac, for four
years from July 4, 1871, and in April, 1875, was
re-elected to another term of four years, which office
by re-election in the spring of 1891, he is at the
present time filling to the entire satisfaction of the
people.
On October 11, 1849, Col. Beach was united in
marriage to a daughter of John Thompson, of
Broome County, N. Y. She was born in the town
of Lisle, in said county, January 15, 1827. There
are now surviving four children of this marriage,
three daughters and one son, who are named as
follows; Mary; Hattie, wife of Robert J. Lonsbury, attorney, of Pontiac; Katie E., wife of Dr.
M. W. Gray, of Pontiac; and Samuel E., a clerk
in the First National Bank at that place. In 1883
Mr. Beach was made Justice of the Peace and
served for a term of four years, since which time
he has been engaged in the business of insurance
collections and pensions. Col. Beach is, and ever
has been, a Democrat in politics. He was elected
President of the village of Pontiac for two years,
about 1854-55.
I- — s ---3 ----  -^ —~
J   AMES MORRISON, an old settler in Commerce Township and a cousin of D. W.
Morrison, whose biography appears in this
volume is a man who stands high in the
community for integrity and probity. His father,
James, was a native of County Derry, Ireland,
where-he was born in 1804. In his young days he
was a weaver. He came to America in 1827 and




0




-    --    I-             -
Ii           -,


VW


IIv
I
I


"'I.,
A
— sil


%-O)o    6




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


449




=


took eighty acres of wild land from the Government near Walled Lake, Commerce Township. He
did not remain here at that time hut returned to
New York City where he made his home until
1832. The mother of our subject was Dorcas
Thompson, a native of County Donegal, Ireland,
who came to America when quite young and settled in New York City. She was born in 1810.
After their marriage in New York City they came
directly to Michigan and built a log house on the
land which Mr. Morrison had located at his first
visit. Before long they sold this property and
bought one hundred and sixty acres from the Government, the deed to which, still in the possession of our subject, is signed by Andrew Jackson.
He built a log house and began clearing the land.
It was timbered openings. At different times he
added twenty acres and forty acres more to his
farm. lie and his boys together cleared one hundred and sixty acres of this land and placed upon
it a barn, and the present house. He died in 1870
and his devoted wife followed him to the grave in
1874.
Mr. and Mrs. James Morrison Sr., were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living.
Both parents were members of the United Presbyterian Church, in which and in the Sunday-school
he was active and efficient. He also took a lively
interest in the local schools. H-e helped to organize this township and was a Whig and later a Republican. James was born upon this farm March
26, 1844, and here he attended local district
schools and grew to manhood, beginning work for
himself upon attaining his majority.
Miss Susan M. Gamble became Mrs. James Morrison in 1875. She is a daughter of James and
Mary (Sinclair) Gamble, both natives of Ireland,
who came to Michigan in the early days and settled in Commerce Township. Mr. Gamble passed
away in 1856 but his widow survived until 1891.
They were the parents of nine children, six of
whom are now living. Their daughter Susan was
born in Commerce Township. Mr. Morrison has
placed many improvements upon the old homestead
and has put it in a much better state of cultivation.
He carries on general farming, dividing his attention between grain and stock. Four of their five




I




children are still living: Joseph S., born October
7, 1876, a student of more than ordinary ability;
Elsie M., born March 6, 1878; Emma B., January
23, 1884; and James K., February 7, 1886.
Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are members of the Presbyterian Church at Commerce, and they both take
an active interest in Sunday-school work, Mrs.
Morrison being a teacher in the same. He is the
Moderator of the local school board and always
takes an interest in local politics, being a Republican. He is a temperate man in his habits, and in
every respect is a model of true manliness and
right living which might be emulated by the
young.
O OHN M. ELLENWOOD, a prominent and
prosperous farmer on sections 7 and 12,
West Bloomfield Township, was born in Amherst, Hillsboro County, N. H., June 29,
1814. He is a son of John and Jane (Stanley) Ellenwood, both natives of Hillsboro County, N. H.,
where they made their home in their early married
life. The father was a surveyor, and at the time
that this son was born he was jailor at Amherst.
In 1816 he removed his family to Ridgeway, Orleans County, N. Y., and lived there until the summer of 1825, when he came to Michigan and located
the land where his son John now makes his home.
He took it from the Government, and making his
home there, settled down to spend the remainder of
his days. He did considerable surveying in Oakland County, and laid out nearly every road that
was put through at that day. lIe was instrumental
in having a Post-office established at Pine Lake,
and was the first Postmaster to take that office in
charge. lie held this position for twenty-seven
years, for which space of time he also officiated as
Justice of the Peace. When he came to Michigan
he had only about $300, but before his death he
had gained a handsome property.
Both John Ellenwood and his good wife were devout Christians and honored citizens of their township. This worthy gentleman was a member of the
Territorial Legislature which framed the first constitution of Michigan, and was also a member of




450


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL ALBUEM.


450P RTR IT AD BOGRPHICL ABUM


the next session. He was a stanch and sturdy
Democrat, but did not allow his political views to
land him into partisan actions which were not calculated to improve the condition of his county.
He was well educated, and had a rich fund of information, having followed the profession of a
teacher through many years of his early life. He
married more couples than any other man in Oakland County in his day. His father Eben, was a
native of New Hampshire, and traced his ancestry
to Ireland. The father of our subject passed away
from earth May 9, 1856, having then almost completed his four score years. His wife lingered un-'
til April 1, 1864, when she died at the age of
eighty-three years. They were the parents of five
children-Calvin, Eben, Jane, Ismenia and John.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch,
and whose portrait is shown on another page, is
now the only survivor of the parental household.
He has lived on the same farm ever since he came
with his parents to Michigan in 1825, when he was
eleven years old. He bought the old homestead
and took charge of his parents in their later years,
caring for them faithfully and tenderly until their
departure. He bought the old homestead and now
owns one hundred and twenty acres on section 12,
town of West Bloomfield, and section 7, township
of Bloomfield. These two tracts of land adjoin
each other and form a beautiful farm situated on
the east side of Pine Lake. Altogether it is one of
the most desirable locations in the county, and the
land will sell any day for $100 per acre. In the
early days he was a notable huntsman, and used to
kill from forty to fifty deer every fall, and other
wild game in abundance.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah
Middaugh, of Bloomfield Township, took place
April 22, 1839. She was born in Chemung County,
N. Y., May 8, 1817, and is a daughter of Samuel
and Phila (Chatman) Middaugh, both natives of
the Empire State, who came to Michigan in the
spring of 1829, and took up Government land in
Bloomfield Township. They lived on the farm
row owned by John Greer, Sr., and there spent the
remainder of their days.
Ten children came to brighten the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Ellenwood: Calvin is now a farmer in


Troy Township, this county; Ismenia died when
eleven years old; Phila J., deceased, was the wife
of Norton McHenry; Andrew died when a child;
Ismenia, deceased, was the wife of Norton McHenry; Phoebe is the wife of M. W. Bloomburg,
the Sheriff of Oakland County; Levangy is the
the wife of William Newman, of Davisburg; Julia
is the wife of Edmund Lodge, of West Bloomfield
Township; Frances E. is the wife of James Gamble, of Pontiac; and Robert L., who died when
nineteen years old. Mr. Ellenwood has been a
Democrat all his life, and has held numerous minor
town offices. He has been a subscriber to the
weekly Detroit Free Press for more than sixty
years, and is considered one of the old stand-bys
of the county.
^ ON. CHARLES B. BOUGHNER. Though
merit often goes unrewarded, yet it is true
that the qualities of genuine manhood are
sometimes given public recognition, and the
men who are capable of discharging the duties of
high official station are placed in positions where
their good judgment is of avail to the people at
large. Such is the case with Mr. Boughner, who
after years of meritorious work as a private citizen
and a local officer has been sent to the State Senate
from the Fourteenth Senatorial District. For some
years lie has given his attention to agricultural pursuits and he raises stock of good grades and crops
of superior quality. His residence is on section
27, West Bloomfield Township, and his home farm
consists of two hundred and forty-five acres on that
and the adjoining section. He has made all the
improvements upon this property, and has a fine
set of buildings and many fruit trees, in the care
of which he has taken delight.
The Boughner family was established in America
by the great-grandparents of our subject, and in
Pennsylvania his grandparents, Jacob and Moicah
(Hull) Boughner, were born. In the family of
that couple was a son Martin, who was born in
Schuylkill County, on the Delaware River, and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


451


when a young man went to Hunterdon County,
N. J. There he met and married Catherine Swallow, and in 1825 they left that locality and( settled
in Cayuga County, N. Y., but later removed to
Seneca County. In 1835 they came to this State
and made their home at what is now Ash Township, Monroe County, where they lived two years,
then established themselves on land now owned by
our subject. Here they spent the remainder of
their lives, dying at the respective ages of sixtyseven and eighty-four years. Mr. Boughner was a
weaver by trade, and during his early life gave his
attention almost wholly to fancy weaving, but after coming to this State he was a farmer. For several years before his demise he was an invalid. He
voted the I)emocratic ticket, and he and his wife
belonged to the Baptist Church. They had four
children, Charles B. being the first-born. The second was Jacob S., who died in childhood; the third,
Mary A., now deceased, who was the wife of John
G. I)urkee, of Birmingham; the fourth, John A.,
who is farming with his brother Charles. Mrs.
Boughner was a daughter of John and Ann (Case)
Swallow, and was born in Hunterdon County, N.
J., as were her parents.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born
February 14, 1825, at Flemington, Hunterdon
County, N. J., and was ten years old when he left
New York for Michigan. Ite had lived there from
his early infancy and had no recollection of the
pIlace of his birth. He grew to maturity on a farm
and received a common-school education only, as
his father was in but moderate circumstances. Quite
early in life he became a teacher, and lie also
worked by the month as a farm hand, being thrown
on his own resources when quite young. By the
time he was of age he had saved enough money to
buy fifty acres of land where lie now lives, and in
1852 he settled here. By close application to farm
work, persevering industry and good judgment in
making investments, he has brought his estate to
its present large acreage, and gathered around him
the many comforts which pertain to modern civilization. lie has had the wise counsel and sympathy
of a prudent wife and to her management of household affairs he owes much besides the comforts in
the dwelling. She bore the maiden name of So

phronia Harger, and became his wife, January 21,
1852, at which time she was residing in West
Bloomfield. She was born in Niagara County, N.
Y.. June 3, 1827, and is a daughter of Seeley and
Arvilla (Seeley) Harger. Mr. and Mrs. Boughner
have no children, but his brother John and his two
sons, AVillianm I. and Charles B. are living with
the m.
For twelve years Mr. Boughner served as Supervisor of Bloomfield Township, and he was Justice
of the Peace at different times; he has also been
Township Clerk and School Inspector. So well did
he discharge the duties of these offices, and so high
an opinion had his fellow-citizens of his capability
and public spirit, that the Democratic party nominated him for Representative from his county on
two different occasions. He declined to accept the
honor, but in 1890 the county convention, without
his knowledge or consent, presented his name as a
candidate for State Senator, and such pressure was
brought to bear upon him that he stood for the
position. He was elected by a majority of over
four hundred and fifty. He is a member of the
standing committees on the liquor traffic, engrossment and enrollment, public printing, public build
ings, and the soldiers' home, and is serving as Chairman on four of these. He cast his first Presidential
vote for Martin Van Buren, and he has never
swerved in his allegiance to Democratic principles.
\  ON. JAMES M. HOYT, M. D. The biography of a nobleman who has gained eminence
in the medical profession, that profession
which ministers to the suffering and relieves
distress, and who, although affected by blindness
in his later years still stands as a model to the
young and a counselor to the aspiring young men
of the medical profession, is ever of interest to the
reader and an inspiration to all. Dr. Hoyt, widely
known in Oakland County, and throughout the
State, both as a physician and as State Senator is
such a man.
The father of this honorable gentleman was Dr.
Jonathan Hoyt, a native of Greenfield, Saratoga




452


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-


County, N. Y., where he was born February 25,
1792. His father was also Jonathan Hoyt, who
was one of the farmer soldiers of the Revolutionary days. He passed through a period of imprisonment in the hands of the British but lived to a good
old age. He was the son of Gideon Hoyt, whose
grave is at Greenfield, N. Y. The mother of oursubject was Prudence Eddy, daughter of Nathan
Eddy, an old New England farmer, who was married in New York State and whose daughter Prudence was born April 13, 1788. The parents of
our subject were married about 1812. The father
had studied medicine at Saratoga, and made his
home at Amsterdam, Montgomery County, for
about five years. He then went to Erie County,
and made his permanent home at East Aurora;
he died November 20, 1850, while on business
in the city of Buffalo, of apoplexy, having been
bereaved of his wife in March, 1844.
The subject of this sketch is the second son in a
family of five children, three of whom are still living. His brothers and sisters were: William C., who
died at the age of seventy-five years; Harriet N.
Pixley, deceased; Orson C., aged sixty-six years,
and Horace aged sixty eight. Their mother was
a member of the Baptist Church. The father took
great interest in public affairs and was a lifelong
Democrat. For ten years he was Judge of the Circuit Court of Erie County, N. Y. He was a man of
remarkable memory and good literary taste. Nothing ever escaped his memory. He was a candidate
of the Democratic party in his district for Congress,
his opponent being Millard Fillmore, afterward
President of the United States. He was a strong
temperance man and delivered many fine public
lectures on that theme.
The birth of Senator Hoyt took place October
5, 1817, at Aurora, N. Y. His elementary education was conducted at the academy at East Aurora.
His first teacher in the district school was Millard
Fillmore, and another of his teachers was the wife
of President Fillmore. He took three years' study
in medicine with his father and also studied with
Dr. John E. Marshall, of Buffalo, N. Y., who had
charge of the Marine Hospital at that place. He
completed his course in the Geneva Medical College, taking his diploma in January, 1839. He then




took the practice of Dr. Marshall, at Buffalo, that
eminent physician having just died. In May, 1840,
he came to Michigan and settled in the village of
Commerce. After practicing there for three years
he removed to Walled Lake. Here he carried on
an extensive practice for thirty-six years, until
failing eye-sight, the result of sickness, compelled
him to lay aside his work. His advice is highly
prized by young practitioners and he is often
sought by old friends and neighbors who feel that
Dr. Hoyt's opinion on their case is worth more
than that of any other man.
The Doctor has a fine farm in Commerce Township of two hundred acres, one hundred and sixty
of which is nicely improved. His friends and
neighbors have often called him to fill positions of
trust both in township and State. He has been
School Inspector, Clerk and Supervisor of his township. In 1858 he was elected to the Michigan
State Senate from what was then the Sixth District.
The Doctor had to overcome a majority of three
hundred for the other candidates on the ticket. He
did it and carried over to his own side a majority
of forty. His opponent was the Hon. Henry W.
Lord, late of Pontiac. His record during this session of the Legislature was worthy of the man. He
was Chairman of the Committee on Asylums for
Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Also a member of the
Committee on Mines and Minerals. His report on
the former committee was adopted unanimously
by both branches of the Legislature and was embodied in a law. In 1860 the Doctor was again
made a candidate for this honorable position but
was defeated. He was re-elected however to the
Senate in 1864. This was the time when the State
was all excited over the question of counting or
not counting the vote of the soldiers in tile field.
He was deprived of his seat on this account. The
Supreme Court decided against this act but in some
way this decision was over-ruled.
In medical societies Dr. Hoyt has ever been a
prominent man. He helped to organize the now
existing State Medical Society. He is also a member of the local medical society located at Milford,
and the National Medical Association. His wife,
with whom he was united April 3, 1841, was Margaret, a daughter of the Hon. Hiram and Lucinda




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


453


c


(Barrett) Barrett, who were early settlers in this
county, settling in Commerce Township in 1836.
This worthy couple have since passed away.
Dr. Hoyt and wife were the parents of ten children
five of whom are now living. Hiram J., the eldest
son, is a member of the law firm of Smith, Nims,
Hoyt & Erwin, of Muskegon; Harriet N. is deceased;
James M., Jr., lives on a farm in this township;
Benjamin R., M. D. is in active practice in the city
of Detroit; William E., is a lawyer in Greenville,
Montcalm County. A pair of twins were born to
this household and died in infancy without any
apparent illness Susan, wife of S. M. Porter, died
leaving two children; Lucinda lives at home and
Carrie, who was the wife of Dr. E. A. Chapman, a
practicing physician in Walled Lake, died leaving
one child. The mother of these children passed
from earth, July 25, 1859.
The second marriage of Dr. Hoyt took place
May 1, 1860. The present Mrs. Hoyt is Eliza H.,
daughter of Lyman and Harriet (Rowe) Hathorn.
Her parents, now deceased, were early settlers in
Michigan, having settled upon a farm in Novi
Township about 1834. They were leading members of the Baptist Church. The affliction of blindness under which Dr. Hoyt is suffering is a severe
trial to a man of his active nature. He walks about
his place and occasionally drives out, but spends
much of his time in listening to reading by his devoted wife and daughter. His pleasant home was
built in 1852 on the banks of the beautiful sheet of
water known as Walled Lake. He is a notable
member of the Pioneer Society of Oakland County,
and also of the State Pioneer Society. He is also a
member of the State Legislative Society.
O. HATHAWAY.        Waterford Township
contains no better illustration of the ample
reward which can be obtained by determination and well-directed efforts, than in the
person of the gentleman above named, who by his
own exertion has accumulated a large amount of
worldly goods. He occupies a fine, well-improved
farm on section 31, which is well equipped with the


best of machinery, stock and buildings. His personal character is that of an upright gentleman and
his reputation is in keeping with his merits. His
political adherence is given to the Democratic
party and he uniformly supports the candidates
who are pledged to the principles of that party.
In 1830 the pioneers of Oakland County received a valuable acquisition in the person of N.
B. Hathaway, who removed from New York with
his family to make a permanent home in the then
undeveloped and unimproved lands of Michigan.
His health was poor and upon his sons devolved
the greater part of the work of converting the unbroken land into a pleasant and attractive homestead. Nobly did they bear their part, clearing
the land, and making a home from the unbroken
forest. The father, who was never rugged and
stalwart, died in 1837, while comparatively a young
man, and his wife survived him only two years.
Thus in a pioneer country with no means and few
neighbors, the children were left to fight the battle of life.
The mother of our subject was known in her
maidenhood as Chloe Ludlum and was of substantial ancestry and a native of New York. She bore
her husband twelve children of whom seven are
living, all with one exception in Oakland County.
The parents were devoted Christians and for many
years members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
in which the father was a Class-Leader. They were
people of recognized worth of character and of
high standing in the community which they made
their home until death. Their son, the subject of
this sketch, was born in Steuben County, N. Y.,
May 13, 1820, and grew to manhood under pioneer
influences. His educational advantages were very
limited and he started out in life with no adventitious aids of name and fortune to insure success.
He had, however, what is better, a clear brain and
plenty of courage to do and dare, and a high ambition to enable him to carry out whatever he undertook.
At the age of twenty years our subject was united
in marriage in 1840 with Miss Mary C., the daughter of Linus and Clarinda Dewey, natives of New
York. Mr. Dewey came to Michigan in 1831, and
is one of the pioneers of Oakland County. Of his




454


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I ---- ---- -I ---


--------


f


family of nine children. six still survive and with
one exception all are in Oakland County.  After
his marriage Mr. Hathaway remained for three
years on the old homestead, then selling out, he
purchased a farm in Pontiac Township, where he
lived another three years. Later he bought land
in White Lake Township, and this he sold to purchase a farm in the southwestern part of Waterford Township. In 1861 he traded for his present
home on section 31, which at that time bore very
few improvements. By economical management
and hard work he has made a very pleasant, attractive home.
The union of our subject and his good wife has
been blest to them by the birth of three children,
namely: Linus, who married Delia Olmstead, and
is living on a farm odjoining the old homestead;
Althea and Alice (twins); Althea married Charles
Olnstead and lives in White Lake Township; Alice
remains at home. The children received excellent
educational advantages and are filling responsible
positions in life, for which their early hlome training fully prepared them. The entire family stand
high in social circles and heartily indorse every
measure calculated to advance the interests of the
community.
0 OHN W. ANDERSON, a pioneer farmer at
Anderson settlement which bears his name,
resides on section 27, Springfield Towrshlp.
He was born in Genesee County, now Wyoming County, N. Y., July 17, 1814. Iis father
was Isaac Anderson, and his father, Ezekiel, was a
pensioner of the Government, having served in the
Revolutionary War. He lived for a time in New
York City and ran a sloop boat on the ludson
River and up and down tlhe coast. Later he lived
on a farm in Greene County, N. Y. and afterward
in Ulster County, where he died in a green old age,
having reared a large family, to be a credit to his
name.
The father of our subject was brought up in the
city of New York and was twice drafted into the
War of 1812 but both times furnished a substitute.








He began firming in Greene County and then removed to Genesee, now Wyoming County, where
he owned one hundred and twenty acres. He came
to Oakland County, Mich., in 1836 and took up one
hundred and twenty acres of Government land
where our subject now lives and also purchased
another one hundred and twenty acres with some
improvements on it.  He then returned East and
brought his wife and six children to dwell in the
log cabin which he had prepared for them. He was
a famous Nimrod, and shot many a deer. On one
occasion while butchering he remarked that a little
venison mixed with the pork would make good
sausage. He shouldered his rifle and was gone but
a few minutes when he returned home with a deer.
Hie was Deacon in the Presbyterian Church here
and was one of the first Elders in that church in
the town of Attica, N. Y. He was a Whig and afterward a Republican. He helped organize Springfield Township, and served as Highway Commissioner in those early days. He was a prominent
man and an extensive farmer and died in January,
1860.
Catherine Van Horn, the mother of our subject,
was born in Greene County, N. Y. She was the
mother of eight children of whom six grew to maturity. They were:   Betsey, Hannah. Martha,
Clarissa, Sylvester E. and John W. Their mother
passed away when seventy-six years old, having
been an earnest and active member of the Presbyterian Church for many years. Our subject came
to Oakland County from New York in 1836 when
he was twenty-two years of age. He lived with
his father for four years and then bought eighty
acres of his p)resent farm and began to improve it.
The marriage of our subject took place in 1841.
His bride was Anna Moore, who was born in New
Jersey, Iecember 20, 1820. Six children have
crowned this union, namely: Julius, who married
Anna Dickinson and has a farm in this township;
Sarah is deceased; Alice J. married Edmund Foster, a farmer in this township; George is deceased;
Elizabeth married George Curtis, a farmer in Saginaw County; Howard married Minnie Newell and
manages his father's farm. Mrs. Anderson (tied
May 9, 1885. She was an active member of the
Presbyterian Church for many years and her hus.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


455


"


I


band an Elder in that church and has served as
Superintendent of the Sunday-school. His political
convictions have been with the Whig and the Republican party, and he cast his first ballot for William Henry Harrison. He has held the offices of
Highway Commissioner and Justice of the Peace and
was one of the organizers of Springfield Township.
He has two hundred and fifty-six acres of fine land
and a capacious and commodious residence. He
now rents his farm to his son and makes his home
with him. Although somewhat retired from active
life he is still a prominent man in the township.
-^c ----oo~G^e~ aco-gaSX~^ ----
D, ATHANIEL J. M1LLERD. Tiis gentleman has been a resident of Avon Township during the greater part of his life, although he was born in Cayuga County, N. Y. February 12, 1820. His parents were Nathaniel and
Sarah B. (Taylor) Millerd, natives of New York and
Massachusetts respectively, and the father was born
in 1780. He died October 6, 1865, having thus
passed the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey.
Mrs. Millerd passed away October 1, 1863. They
had come to this State in May 1823, and located in
Troy, but the next year removed to Avon Township. The husband was a carpenter until late in
life, when he became a farmer. After his removal
to this State he built a grist and saw mill on Stony
Creek, which was one of the pioneer mills of this
section. The Pontiac Mill was built the same season. Mr. Millerd put up many houses in the vicinity
and in 1846 built a flouring mill which is now the
woolen mill on Stony creek, now operated by Mr.
P. Ewell. The family included nine children, four
of whom survive-Orestus, living in Avon Township; Charles, a resident of Arkansas; and Nathaniel J. and Mrs. S. J. Walker, twins, the latter of
whom resides in Brown County, S. D.
Mr. Millerd, the subject of this sketch, was reared upon a farm and early learned how to carry on
agricultural work. He pursued his studies in the
public school and in 1838 attended what was then
called the University at Pontiac-an institution
subsequently merged into the State University.


I


f


I- - -- - -


I


He has pursued an industrious and strictly honorable
course in life, and taken an active interest in movements that were for the elevation of society and
the promulgation of true principles moral or religious. He is a prohibitionist from principle and
takes an active part in temperance work. He is a
member of the Baptist Church, with which he united
January 10, 1841, and for thirty-five years he has
held the office of Deacon. Faithful to the vows he
made and earnest in his desire for the good of
others, be takes a leading part in the work that is
carried on by the organization.
For more than forty years Mr. Millerd enjoyed
the closest sympathy of a noble woman who became
his wife May 4, 1848. She bore the maiden name
of Almeda M. Vail, was born in Riga, Monroe
County, N. Y., and was a daughter of Martin Vail,
who brought his family to this State in 1838. She
became a well educated woman and began teaching
at the early age of fourteen years, continuing in
that occupation until her marriage, a few years
later. Her mental culture did not cease when she
began her professional work but was continued, and
her spiritual nature was developed from  year to
year. She passed away May 16, 1890, leaving to
her friends the record of a life the influence of which
cannot be estimated. The union of Mr. and Mrs.
Millerd was a childless one but their home was
never without the presence of the young as they
reared several children from other families.
The Rev. Frank Barnett, a missionary in Montana, upon the occasion of Mrs. Millerd's death
wrote as follows: "When the writer left Ogden to
attend the dedication of the Baptist Church in
Missoula, he caught up the last Christian Herald to
read on the train. Among the first things that arrested my eye was the announcement of the death of
Mrs. Almeda Millerd, wife of Deacon N. J. Millard
of Stony Creek, Mich. It was as though I had
heard of the death of a mother, for mother indeed
has she been in spiritual matters. There came back
to me with a flood of feeling, remembrances of the
past, when with her hand upon my shoulder, while
the tears rested on her cheek, she asked me with the
tenderness and pathos of a Savior's love, to give
my heart to the Lord. How could I resent such
gentle and mighty earnestness. Under herpursua



456


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




sion I vielded to her Lord and mine. In after
years, with other young people, I sang in the choir
and often looked down upon her intellectual face as
she listened to the words of life. Some times I
wondered at the tears that coursed down her cheeks
at what I felt was only an ordinary service. But
her great nature was a fountain of spiritual earnestness. To speak of Zion was to stir her heart to its
depths.
It was my good fortune to live in Mrs. Millerd's
home for two years during the restless, turbulent
and doubting period of life which comes to most
young men. Never can I forget the assurance and
rest that came to my troubled heart as I came under
the influence of her strong nature and the restfulness and devotion of that Christian home. Family
worship was like the opening of the gates of heaven.
Her spiritual fervor made her a tower of strength
in the Church and her face was seen at nearly every
service. She loved home mission work and often
asked me if I did not think the Lord had some little
church in the far West where he wanted me, and
so to-day, from one of the mission fields of that far
West, while she stands in the glorious presence of
the Lord, I send this little testimonial of love of
one of the Lord's chosen-a redeemed and noble
woman."'
AVID DICKIE. The pleasant home of this
gentleman is located on section 17, West
Bloomfield Township and the estate to the
operation of which he gives his attention, consists
of two hundred and forty acres. For several years
Mr. Dickie raised trotting horses and he is well
posted regarding the merits of different breeds and
every particular of their care. He is an ardent admirer of horses and it is strange indeed if he has
not good ones to drive. He is now paying little
attention to horse breeding, but turning his thought
largely to the cultivation of fruit. He has twentyfive hundred peach, nine hundred apple, two thousand pear, and hundred plum and one hundred
cherry trees, and has seven acres devoted to grapes.
Other small fruits are set out on the farm, and Mr.
Pickie is working into a large trade in the products


of his trees and vines. His farm is one of the
handsomest locations in Eastern Michigan, and
from his orchard one can stand and count seven
lakes in plain view of his farm.
John and Janet (Miller) Dickie, natives of Ayreshire, Scotland, came to America in 1833, and settled in Dumfries, County Waterloo, Canada. The
husband was a life-long farmer and was successful
in tilling the soil, but never accumulated a great
amount of property, as he spent his earnings for
the good and comfort of his family, and worthy
causes. He died in Canada but his widow came to
Michigan and spent her last days in the home of
her son David. Both belonged to the Presbyterian
Church in Scotland, but in Canada Mr. Dickie
united with the Christian Church. They had nine
children-, of whom our subject was the fourth in
order of birth. He was born in Canada February
26, 1839, and reared and educated in his native
county.
David Dickie received a thorough  commonschool education. Hie remained with his father
and gave him the benefit of his labors until he was
eighteen years old and assisted in the care of his
mother until he was twenty-eight years of age. In
1857 lie removed with his mother, brothers and
sisters to his present location, and afterward bought
the place of the heirs. He had much of the care
an(d responsibility of the home farm after his
father's decease, and with the exception of a few
months during his seventeenth year, he has been a
a farmer from his youth up. That period was devoted to the printer's trade at Ayr, Canada, but
young Dickie did not like his employer's method of
keeping him at other work and soon abandoned it.
September 11, 1867, Mr. Dickie and Miss Sarah
A. White were united in marriage. The bride was
born in West Bloomfield Township, May 29, 1847,
and is a daughter of James and Eliza (Miller)
White. She is an intelligent, energetic woman,
who has been a valuable assistant to her husband
in accomplishing his purpose to acquire a good
home. The children born of this union are named
respectively, Janet E., John J., Lilly M., Jane,
Annie, Margaret, Mabel, Bertha and Maude. Mr.
Dickie has held some of the minor town offices and
and was faithful to the trust reposed in him. He




I




(7Y4Th44^ Q 91 tyP%
4v?3tK btvyLA3g


I


'4-     -
X         ' 1...


k- -.   es


4'x
j —




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


459


I


is connected with the Patrons of Industry and politically is a Republican. He is a man well read
and correspondingly well informed, and is an honest
and reliable citizen.
f     EV. WILLIAM    H. OSMUN. There are
living only a few of the men whom this
gentleman found in Oakland County upon
coming hither in April, 1836. During all
these years he has witnessed many changes and has
been one of the most useful men in his community,
identifying himself with its most worthy enterprises and giving his moral and substantial aid to
whatever was calculated to the promotion of its
best interests. He is a man whose opinions are
thoroughly respected and whose integrity has been
maintained unquestioned during the changes of a
long and useful life. His occupation has been that
of a farmer and minister, in both of which he has
been successful, securing a pleasant home for his
declining years, and being instrumental in enlarging the membership and usefulness of the church.
He now resides in Pontiac, in the eastern part of
the city.
In Tompkins County, N. Y., the Rev. Mr. Osmun
was born June 18, 1816. His father, John Osmun,
was born in Orange County, N. Y., in 1771, and
died in 1845, in the Empire State where lie spent
his entire life. He was of English descent and a
farmer by occupation. The mother of our subject
bore the maiden name of Mary Linderman, and
was of Holland extraction. She also was born in
Orange County, N. Y., and survived her husband
several years, dying in 1851. She and her worthy
husband were the progenitors of a numerous race,
as she was the mother of thirteen children, twelve
of whom lived to maturity, and most of them had
families of their own, two of the daughters having
families of fourteen children, each of whom lived to
years of maturity. Of the twelve children only
two now survive, our subject and one sister.
Rev. William H. Osmun was reared a farmer in
Tompkins County, N. Y., and attended the common
schools in the winter, He remained with his par

ents until he was twenty-one years old. In the
month of April 1836, he came to Oakland County
and began farming, taking up one hundred and
sixty acres of fine land, and building a comfortable
log house 20x24 feet in dimensions. It was not
elegantly furnished for during the first six years he
had but one chair and his first bedstead boasted
but one leg. There was no carpet on the floor and
when he received a letter from the East, he would
sometimes have to wait a week or two to raise the
twenty-five cents necessary to pay its postage.
Money was scarce and everything was high. Corn
was $2 per bushel, and oats were twelve shillings
per bushel which amounted to $1.50. In a few
years matters were more comfortable. After living here for ten years he sold two of his three
farms, one of which comprised three hundred
acres in the town of Orion, this county. The latter
was a new farm, which he cleared and where he
carried on general farming. He also had there a
sawmill run by water power and manufactured pine
lumber. After disposing of his interests here he
returned to the Empire State, and for twenty-two
years was a resident of Tompkins County.
Upon Mr. Osmun' s return to New York he settled up the estate of his father who had recently
died and located his family there for a permanent
residence. They continued there for nearly twentytwo years, but in 1867 he was again taken with the
Western fever and removed with his family to
Oakland County, Mich., purchasing his present
farm which is now within the city limits of Pontiac. It comprises eighty acres of finely improved
and excellent land, embellished with all modern
improvements, including barns and outbuildings.
He has done much pioneer work and since his last
settlement in this State has engaged largely in
preaching in the Free Methodist Church.
On January 11, 1837, the Rev. William H.
Otmun and Miss Mary Ann Linderman, were united
in marriage. The bride was the daughter of John
and Martha (Wood) Linderman, of Tompkins
County, N. Y. Mr. Osmun and his estimable wife
are the parents of six children, namely: Abram,
born November 7, 1837, died February 25, 1841;
William H., born October 27, 1841; Martha J.,
born January 27, 1845, is the wife of W. H. Young




460


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


i


of Waterford Township; Charles W., born April
29, 1848, lives in Grand Rapids; May E., born
June 27, 1850, married Lewis Young of Pontiac;
and Carrie B., born May 25, 1862, is the wife of
Charles Bartlett.
Mr. Osmun served a number of years as Constable in this county. He was formerly an old line
Whig until the organization of the Republican
party, when he joined the ranks of those who
worked for the election of John C. Fremont and
later for Abraham Lincoln. He is now a stanch
Prohibitionist. He began preaching soon after his
conversion when he was thirty-five years old, and
he preaches almost every Sunday when he feels
able. He has never used tobacco in any form and
now in his seventy-fourth year is enjoying a hale
and hearty old age, a fact which will be apparent
to the reader by a glance at his portrait on another
page. He began life on very limited means and
has acquired a handsome property to enjoy in his
later years.
ENRY M. JACKSON, a well-known blacksmith of Pontiac, Oakland County, has
built up a good business and established
his reputation as a thorough workman and
reliable man. He employs four or five men and
gives careful oversight to all that is done at blacksmithing and horse-shoeing in his shop, being himself a practical workman and well qualified to note
any deficiency on the part of his employes. His
career has been characterized by energy, industry
and honesty, and success has crowned his undertakings, and his investments have proved judicious.
Beginning with limited means he is now the owner
of three shops and grounds, and five other lots and
three dwellings in Pontiac. His own residence is
a large frame house of modern architecture, has
attractive surroundings, and is furnished tastefully.
Mr. Jackson is of English parentage, his father
having been born in Derbyshire January 10, 1806,
and his mother in Lincolnshire in 1815. The latter


bore the maiden name of Mary Buff, and was a
daughter of Jonathan Buff. Her marriage to John
Jackson took place in Akron, Ohio, whither he had
gone in early life. Mr. Jackson was a wagonmaker, but soon after his marriage came to Macomb
County, this State, and engaged in general farming
and stock-raising. After some years he removed
to Oakland County and located on the farm near
the city of Pontiac. Here he is still living, now in
his eighty-sixth year. His wife passed away October 22, 1883. Their family consisted of nine
children, seven of whom lived to maturity. Two
sons gave their lives for their country, George
dying in Andersonville Prison and Thomas being
shot dead in a skirmish near Culpeper. William
A. was also a soldier but survived the horrors of
war.
The gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs was born in Macomb County, this State,
December 22, 1840. He obtained his education in
the common schools, devoting his time chiefly to
study until he was fourteen years old. After that
he worked on the farm some three years, then came
to Pontiac and learned the trade of a blacksmith
with Seth Watson, whom he served as an apprentice for three years. He remained with Mr. Watson
a year longer, then went to England to visit his
uncle Thomas Jackson, whose home was in Manchester. lie remained abroad eight months and
during the time traveled over England, Ireland and
the Isle of Man. He arrived at his home in Pontiac
in December, 1865, and soon opened a blacksmith
shop in which he has continued business ever since.
His means were exceedingly limited when he began
work, but he secured a good run of custom, was
frugal in his expenditures and was al able  to add to
his business wagon and carriage making which ihe
carried on successfully seven years. He then
dropped that branch of business and gave his attention exclusively to blacksmithing and horse shoeing.
April 29, 1875, was the date of an interesting
ceremony which transformed Miss Helen Skarrett
into Mrs. H. M. Jackson. The bride was reared in
White Lake Township and is a daughter of Richard
and Catherine Skarrett who were born in Ireland.
The union has been blessed by the birth of three




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


461


sons-Thomas W., John H. and Richard. They are
being given the best educational advantages the
place affords, and every effort is being made to encourage their aspirations for profound knowledge
and thorough preparation for the battle of life.
Mr. Jackson and his estimable wife are earnest
Christians, belonging to tile Methodist Episcopal
Church, to the work of which they contribute
liberally of their means, and in which Mr. Jackson
is Steward. Politically, he is a stanch Prohibitionist. His reputation is unexcelled and husband and
wife count their friends by the score.
ENRY MOORE. The estate of this gentleman consists of a tract of land on section
34, Milford Township, and a residence
property in the village valued at $2,000.
The outlying land constitutes a splendid farm, as
the soil is fertile, has been thoroughly cleared, not
only of trees but of stumps and stones, and supplied
with various buildings of a substantial nature. The
owner of tis fine property carries on mixed farming, believing that it is wise to divide his attention
between grain and stock. He has two hundred
and twenty acres under the plow and his farm includes forty-one acres additional. By his personal
efforts one hundred acres were improved and it was
no uncommon thing for him to work from 4 A. M.
until midnight.
The grandfather of our subject was one of the
leading farmers of Hcrkimer County, N. Y. in his
day. His son Henry was born there in 1796,
adopted the father's occupation and remained in
his native State until the fall of 1883. He had
married Sarah Wilsey, who was born in the same
county as himself, tut in the year 1800, and whose
father, James Wilsey, fought seven years during
the Revolution. Mr. Wilsey came to this State
with his daughter ant his last sickness, which was
also his first one, was suffered in Milford Townslip.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore, upon leaving their native
State, came hither and located on section 26, where
neighbors were few and the timber was almost
solid. They worked land in West Bloomfield and


Franklin Township on shares, operating twelve
hundred and eighty acres. Mr. Moore's first real
estate here was an eighty-acre tract, the patent of
which was signed by President Andrew Jackson,
but before his death he had one hundred and twenty
acres already improved. It had taken hard work
to accomplish this result as he died in 1844. Mrs.
Moore survived until 1878. Mr. Moore was Assessor and Constable in New York and here he was
a prominent member of the School Board and a
pleader of cases in the early Justices courts. He
was a generous-hearted man, ready at all times to
aid his neighbors and friends. The living members of the family are-John, Mrs. Esther Maltby,
Mrs. Susannah Nicholson, Henry, Richard, Mrs.
Elizabeth Harlow and Mrs. Sarah Bailey.
Henry Moore was born in HIerkimer County,
N. Y., April 27, 1834, and was ten years old when
he came to this State. His first attendance at school
was in this section and his opportunities in that
direction were very limited, as he was his father's
mainstay until the latter's death. He did a great
deal of work in his youth and when but twenty
years old began life for himself. In the fall of
1852 lie went to California by the Panama route
and for four years worked in the mines in Sierra
County. He had many rough experiences but was
successful in mining and brought back to this State
in 1856 quite a sum of money. He sold the old
homestead and bought his present farm thirty-five
years ago, and has put up all the buildings to be
seen upon it.
In September, 1856, Mr. Moore was married to
Miss Minerva Fowler, whose acquaintance he had
made by correspondence. The wedding occurred
while he was on his way home from the coast and
was solemnized at her home in Greene County, N. Y.
She was born there April 21, 1832, acquired an
excellent education, completing her studies in the
seminary atPrattsville, and then engaged in teaching. She is one of the six surviving children of
Silas and Hannah (McClain) Fowler, who were
born in Connecticut and New York respectively.
Mr. and Mrs. Fowler were married in Greene
County, N. Y., and spent their lives there, he dying
in 1863 at the age of seventy-two and she in 1884
at the age of ninety-four years. Mr. Fowler owned




462


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I

the Kingston turnpike and six hundred acres of
land. He was a Democrat in politics. He and his
wife belonged to the Presbyterian Church and he
was a Deacon for many years.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had eight children and
four are now living: Julia E. was born July 29,
1860, and is now the wife of Henry Gates and living in Ionia County; she was graduated from the
Milford High School and studied music, in which
she became proficient. She has taught the science
to some extent. Henrietta was born March 24,
1863, married Edward Knight and now lives in
Detroit; Charles was born October 28, 1865, and
James Roy, May 12, 1868. All were well educated, having taken the higher studies in the Milford High School. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two
grandchildren, each of their daughters being the
parent of one child.  Mrs. Moore is a lineal
descendant of Charles McClain, a Scotchman of
liberal education and great wealth, who was a meinber of the King's Court and was a minister of the
English Crown in New York City.
For thirty.five years Mrs. Moore has been a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and
she has always taken as active a part in Church and
Sunday-school work as her home duties would
admit of. She has taught in the Sunday-school for
years. She is not only'an earnest Christian and a
lady of cultured mind, but she is friendly in disposition and pleasing in manner. Mr. Moore has
always taken an interest in political matters and is
an ardent Republican. He has served his fellowmen as Road Overseer and member of the School
Board and has advanced their interests very materially.
W       ASHINGTON GAY ELLIOTT, M. D., is
a prominent citizen and well-known physician of Pontiac. He was born in Sharon,
Litchfield County, Conn., September 24, 1824. He
is a son of Charles Elliott, a native of New London, Conn., born in 1782, who was a hat manufacturer and furrier; his hats were largely sold in the
Southern and Mexican markets. His father was a


captain on a sailing packet plying between New
York City and New London. The mother Marcia,
daughter of Daniel Gay, was born in 1788. Mr.
Elliott and family removed in 1837 to Seneca Falls,
N. Y., and in the spring of 1838 came to Pontiac,
Mich., and finally located in Bloomfield Township.
The father of our subject died in Pontiac in 1867,
in the eighty-third year of his age and his devoted
wife followed him to the other world twelve days
later, both dying of pneumonia.
The parents of the gentleman of whom we write
had eight children, four sons and four daughters,
of whom the Doctor is the fifth. He was just thirteen years old when he came to Pontiac. He attended school there and later was sent back East to
receive instruction at the academy in Waterloo,
N.Y. He went there in 1842 and remained three
years. Returning to Michigan he took up the
study of medicine with Dr. Paddock and then took
lectures in the medical department of the Western
Reserve College, at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he
was graduated in medicine in 1849.
The young doctor returned to Pontiac and
formed a partnership with Dr. Paddock and remained there until 1852. He then went to Clyde,
N. Y., where he engaged in the drug business and
forwarding and commission business and practicing
medicine also there until 1862. He now entered the
United States service as Assistant Surgeon of volunteers, stationed at the United States hospital at
Alexandria, Va., ranking as First Lieutenant and
having his headquarters there for four years. He
was connected with the United States general hospital until February, 1866. After this he returned
to Pontiac and resumed his practice, to which he
now devotes his whole time. He has had a mediical practice of forty-two years. He is a member
of the Northwestern Medical Association, also of
the State Medical Association, which he helped to
reorganize in Detroit in 1866.
Dr. Elliott was married in 1854 to Miss Melinda
C., daughter of J. B. Jones, of Clyde, N. Y. She
died at Alexandria, Va., in 1864, leaving a sonWilliam C., who is a medical practitioner at Racine, Wis. The present Mrs. Elliott was Harriet
A., daughter of Joseph Shotwell, of Plainfield,
N. J. By this marriage one daughter, Fannie M.,




V,
e


f                          oil




o7p,


^


i




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


465


I


was given to the home of Dr. Elliott. She is now
a student at Ann Arbor. The Doctor has served
several years as Health Officer in the City of Pontiac. In 1846 he became a Mason. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and resides opposite to their place of worship at the corner of Wayne
and Huron streets. In this pleasant residence he
he has made his home since 1867. He is a stanch
and prominent Republican in this part of the State.
B F OF —
OSEPH D. PARTELLO. One of the important industries of Southeastern Michigan
is that of the manufacture of woolen goods
of various kinds, and among the manufacturers and dealers in these staples the name that
introduces this biographical sketch is very familiar.
Mr. Partello has been connected with factories in
which knitting was carried on, and on December 3,
1889, patented a knitting machine which is proving
more meritorious than many that have been in use.
He sold the right to the Western Knitting Company of Detroit for $10,000, and it is now used in
their manufactory, where knit goods only are
made.
The Partellos are a French family and the first
to come to America was Milo, grandfather of
Joseph D. He located in New England and his
son Milo was born in Massachusetts. The younger
of the name farmed for some years, but was chiefly
engaged in operating a woolen mill at Lowell. He
died in 1859 in New York State, where he lived
during his last years. He had married Adelaine
Jones, a native of the old Bay State, who survived
him a few years, passing away May 24, 1863. Their
family comprised thirteen children and Joseph was
the youngest. The six daughters are living, and
two sons, one being a farmer in De Kalb County,
Ill.
The subject of this notice may be said to have
been brought up in a woolen mill, and at the business he was employed about twenty-eight years,
with the exception of the months spent in the


Union Army. He was born in MadisoifCounty,
N. Y., June 13, 1847, and in his youth enlisted in
Company A, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry. The
date of his enrollment was January 20, 1 864, and
his age sixteen years. He went with Sherman to
the sea, returned through the Carolinas and took
part in the Grand Review at Washington. He had
participated in sixteen battles, among the number
being several that have a world-wide fame. He
had many narrow escapes from captivity and
death, but was one of the fortunate few who passed
through danger unscathed. He was discharged
July 12, 1865, and resumed the arts of peace in
Cincinnati, Ohio.
In 1867 Mr. Partello went to Mt. Gilead,
Morrow  County, and after a sojourn of three
years changed his place of residence to Sullivan,
Ill. There he remained until 1874, after which he
spent two years in Charleston, one in Pike County,
and one in Kankakee City. Valparaiso, Ind., was
his next place of abode and in that city he sojourned some four years. He next spent a year in
Chicago, then came to Rochester, where he has
remained. The establishment with which Mr. Partello is now connected and in which his knitting
machine is successfully operated, employs six hundred hands in the two branches and finishes up all
the work that passes through the machines. In
1869 a plant was built by John Roberts for a
woolen mill and being destroyed by fire in 1881 it
was rebuilt the next year by Samuel Richardson
and operated by him until 1884. It was then
bought by the Oakland Company, but in a short
time was sold to the Western Knitting Company of
Detroit, and in 1891 became the property of the
Western Knitting Mills of Detroit.
Mr. Partello has a pleasant home presided over
by the lady who became his wife March 20, 1881.
Prior to that date she was living in St. Cloud,
Minn., and bore the name of Maggie C. Aurand.
She has an excellent education, agreeable manners
and a sympathizing nature, and attracts to her
home desirable friends. Mr. Partello is a Republican in politics and is connected with the social
order of the Knights of the Maccabees. His portrait is herewith presented to the readers of this
volume.




466


PORTRAIT AN D BTOGRnAPHICAaL ALBUM.


I.


F -RED R. LAMB. Since 1878 this gentleman
has been located in Big Beaver, Troy Township, carrying on a sawmill. He was born
in Detroit, January 20, 18,51, and is a son of John
and Mary (Yokes) Lamb, natives of England, who
were born in 1812 and 1813 respectively. The
father was a brickmaker, first in his own country
and then in this State, until 1865. He then located
on section 14, Troy Township, and improved a
farm on which he resided until his decease in 1888.
His good wife breathed her last in 1883. They
reared nine sons and five daughters and all but
one still live.
The sixth son and tenth child in the family is
Fred R., who spent his boyhood in Detroit and received his education there. He was fourteen when
he came with his parents to this county and he
aided his father on the home farm some five years,
after which he learned the painter's trade and entered upon his personal career. He worked at his
trade, first in this locality and then in South Haven,
where he remained two years, and later in Birmingham  four years.  When that period had
elapsed he bought a sawmill and turned his attention to his present occupation. This has proved
remunerative and the feet of lumber he saws per
season extends up to the hundreds of thousands.
Mr. Lamb and Miss Jane Anscomb were married April 14, 1870. She was born in Troy Township October 28, 1846, and educated in the district
school. Her parents, John and Mary (Wright)
Anscomb, were natives of England and were very
early settlers in this county. Mr. Anscomb died
here in 1859 and Mrs. Anscomb in 1890. She was
then seventy-seven years old. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb
have two sons. John Edgar and Willie H. The
one was born in January, 1873, and the other in
August, 1874. Both are at home, preparing themselves for the duties of manhood.
Mr. Lamb has been called upon to serve his fellow citizens in several official capacities. Lie was
elected Justice of the Peace in 1887, was Supervisor in 1888-89 and Township Treasurer in 1886 -87, and is again serving in the last-named position.
He was School Assessor nine years. Politically he
is a Republican and he is an active member of the
party. He belongs to Birmingham Lodge, No. 44,


F. & A. M., Birmingham Chapter No. 93, R. A. M.,
and has held different Chairs, having been Secretary of the Blue Lodge two years. He also belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees. He is not
connected with any church, but attends the Baptist, as his wife is a member of that denomination.
ATHEW D. RIBBLE, a prominent and influential citizen of Addison Township,
Oakland County, was born in Knowlton
Township, Warren County, N. J., August
18, 1826. His father, George B. Ribble, of New
Jersey, was a farmer and died in 1830, when this
son was only four years old. The grandfather was
George Ribble, and his father Anthony, was a native of Germany. The mother of our subject bore
the maiden name of Susan Bird and died in 1830,
about the same time her husband passed away.
Our subject is the sixth in number of seven children, only two beside himself are still living.
After the death of his parents Mathew Ribble
was taken to be reared by a bachelor and two
maiden ladies. He fell into good hands and received careful and kindly training and remained
with these good friends until he was twenty-three
years old. His education was received on the
farm and in the district school, the first school he
attended being in a wheelwright shop. In 1849
he came to Oakland County, Mich., and purchasing
the land where he still lives, located in Addison
Township. Ten acres of this land were already
broken and partly cleared. He built the log house
which still stands, and devoted himself to the cultivation of his land. Wild game abounded and
the Tuckatoe tribe of Indians lived in this township.
Miss Nancy A. Lamberson became the wife of
our subject in 1850. She was born in New Jersey
in 1831 and accompanied her parents to Michigan
when only five years old. She became the mother
of three children, Eliza A., Mary J., and Isaac, and
died July 3, 1877. Mr. Ribble has been a Democrat and is often made a delegate to county, district
and State conventions. He has taken quite an ac



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


467




tive part in local politics. For twenty years in
succession he has served as Supervisor of the township. He has been identified with the Masonic
order since 1857. He came to Michigan with no
means and has achieved a decided success. One
hundred and seventy acres of his land are well improved and highly cultivated. He is a man of influence and is highly esteemed by his neighbors,
and during the last four years he served as Supervisor he was made Chairman of the Board.
-UGH IRVING. No business establishment
in Birmingham is better known to the citirzens and dwellers in the surrounding country than the hardware store of Mr. Irving.
This gentleman has been in business here since
1849 but has traveled extensively during the period intervening from that date to the present. He
is justly entitled to the good name he bears as
business man and citizen and is deserving of commendation for having made a success in life, financially speaking. He came here a poor young man
but armed with a good trade, firm principles and
determination. By his own exertions he has risen
to comfort and is now so situated as to feel secure
against want in his last years. He was born in
County Down, Ireland, in 1815, and was the son
of Hugh and Jane (Montgomery) Irving, who were
natives of Scotland. They removed from the Emerald Isle to Manchester, England, in 1821, and
spent the remnant of their days in that great manufacturing city.
The fourth child in the parental family was
Hugh, who was but a lad when taken to England,
aud grew to manhood in Manchester. During his
boyhood he learned the tinsmith's trade and he
afterward worked at it in Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, and other leading English cities.
In 1849 he crossed the Atlantic and came to this
county to make his home in Birmingham. He began working at his trade and often walked to Detroit in order to save a little money, as he had no
surplus to spend. 'His travels since he came to


America have taken him over seventeen or eighteen States, but Birmingham has always been his
home and the center of his business efforts.
December 25, 1839, Mr. Irving was married to
Miss Hannah Saunders, of Worcestershire, England.
who did her part to advance their mutual interests
and those of their children until she was called
hence in June, 1885. The marriage was blessed by
the birth of seven children. named respectively,
William, John, Mary A., Elizabeth, Emma, Alfred
and Martha. Only two are now living-Elizabeth,
wife of J. W. Burson, of San Francisco, Cal., and
Martha, wife of Henry Dale, of St. Louis, Mo. In
May, 1888, Mr. Irving made a second marriage, his
bride being Miss Fanny Fish, of Birmingham. She
is a daughter of Elijah E. and Fanny Fish, who
came to this county in 1819 and settled on a farm
in Bloomfield Township that is now owned by John
Benedict. Mrs. Irving is an estimable woman and
a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church,
to which Mr. Irving also belongs. He is a mason
and holds the rank of Knight Templar. Thle
Republican party has his support but he has never
been a politician. His energy has been devoted
to his business affairs and his enjoyment obtained
in domestic and social life.
- -  -I  ~ agi  ~   ---


OSEPH WINGLEMIRE, proprietor of the
Crescent Roller Flour Mill and also of a fine
furniture store both in Holly, is a man wellknown and highly respected for his integrity
and business ability. He is a native of Regensburg,
Bavaria, Germany, where he was born March 19,
1825, and is the son of Joseph and Maria (Griddelback) Winglemire. The parents lived and died
in Germany and the father after spending his earliest years as a laborer, entered the Bavarian army
where he served six years. Of his large family our
subject only survives. He came to America and
landed in New York in October of 1854.
In the new country Mr. Winglemire began to
work at his trade. He soon removed to Syracuse,
N. Y., and in 1857 came to Holly, Mich. With
his tailor's trade he combined the work of a cabinet



468


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


maker. His wife also assisted by sewing. After
five years he gave up the needle and the goose and
engaged in the cabinet business alone. He was the
first cabinetmaker in Holly and the only one now
there. His first purchase of real estate was on
Saginaw Street and he now owns eight lots, a mill,
cabinet shop, store and a pleasant residence. The
whole of his property is worth many thousand
dollars. He employs four men in the mill and one
in the cabinet store. In 1855 he was united in
marriage with Miss Christina Apply, of Syracuse,
N. Y. Six children have been born to them of
whom four are now living: Jacob R., Joseph R.,
John R., and Clara. His oldest son married Miss
Nina Davis and they are the parents of two beautiful little children-Mabel and Agnes. Mr. Winglemire is a Republican in politics. His prosperity
emphasises the experience of others that America
is the land to which a man of energy and determination may come, with an assurance that his
efforts will ultimately be crowned with success.
i   ON. WILLIAM E. CARPENTER. Among
the farmers of Waterford Township none
bear a better reputation for activity and
(9 progressive ideas than the gentleman above
named, who owns and occupies a fine farm formerly
the property of his father. He has fairly earned
the title of Honorable by acceptably serving the
interests of the people in the State Legislature, to
which he was elected by the Democrats of his district in 1883 and again in 1891. His constituents
find him ever alive to their interests and the good
of the county, ever ready to expose fraud and corruption and to lift his voice and cast his ballot in
favor of the right. He combines the keen observation, quick perception and accurate judgment
which make him a power in the community, and
give weight to his opinion and advice.
The late B. K. Carpenter, one of the pioneers of
this county, was born in the State of New York in
1810 and reared on a farm with limited educational
advantages. At the age of twenty-five, in the vigor
of a stalwart manhood, he came to Michigan in


1835 and located in Orion Township, this county.
His first purchase comprised eighty acres of land,
which he improved and made his home for twelve
years. Two years after his arrival, in 1837, he
bought one hundred and twenty acres in Waterford Township, which he partially imp roved while
still residing in Orion Township. In 1847 he removed tothe farm on section 20, and there passed
the remainder of his life, dying in 1889 at the age
of seventy-nine years.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject
was Sarah A. Rodenbo. She was born in New
Jersey, whence she removed with her parents to
New York and later, in 1837, came to Michigan.
Her marriage, which took place in 1847, was blest
with four children, namely: William E.; John D.,
a physician at Raleigh, Mo.; Carrie L., who is unmarried and lives with the mother; and Charles H.,
who resides at Puget Sound. The mother survives
at an advanced age, and as one who shared in the
toils and privations of frontier life and who is ever
ready to lend a helping hand to those around her,
as well as for that character which is the crowning
glory of womanhood, she receives the hearty respect of all to whom she is known.
The subject of these paragraphs was born in Wa.
terford Township, Oakland County, August 18,
1849, and received a good common-school education, besides attending the State Normal. He made
use-of his excellent education as a teacher, and was
thus engaged for some time, teaching ten terms
during winter seasons and working his father's
farm on shares during the summer. He began life
for himself at the age of twenty-one, and by sturdy
integrity and unremitting labor has accumulated a
competence for his declining years. His sound
judgment has made him useful to his fellow-men,
whom he has often served in political capacities.
He was Township Supervisor six years, Township
Clerk two years, School Inspector four years, and
Superintendent of Schools one year. He also
served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors
one year.
May 31, 1877, Mr. Carpenter was married to
Ellen L. Colvin, daughter of Levi B. and Keziah
E. Colvin. Mr. Colvin, who is represented elsewhere in this volume, was a pioneer of 1831, and








;la:
llr jl
-," ~ munluanpiulZk";fl;Y;I;1.' II
51;1
"':
1.' 
rJ;I ':; "11111
~, I 4"h"" I i ~rr* s2ljiZb": ''i
r.i. ''"'~nuri*n,,~r?Lrr   l                                                                      'E
i:,1,', C S
d II p:r-,C nl
"'*'F~: lie'..s
"ij,,,,u
'4
~~~
S;rW' ' '''l,i~.T'L1 ".L i
3Vh, lli
c '*,1"




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


471


settled in Waterford Township, where Mrs. Carpenter was born September 4, 1848. The happy
home of our subject is brightened by the presence
of the two children born to himself and his estimable wife-Bessie, who was born in 1886 and Mary
in 1888. Socially Mr. Carpenter belongs to the
Grange, and the Knights of the Maccabees, and in
his political opinions, is a stanch Democrat.
G    HARLES B. PETRIE. A goodly number
of men who have won a sufficient amount
of this world's goods to enable them to retire from the active work of life, are making their
homes in Pontiac. Among them is Mr. Petrie, a
capitalist whose large accumulations have been secured by energy and industry during years of busy
life. He began his career with very modest means
but found an opportunity to enter upon a line of
work which gave an opening for his financial ability and foresight and led him to wealth. He has
been living in Pontiac since 1879, looking after
his business interests without exerting himself
beyond what is pleasant and healthful. His residence is a large three-story brick, located upon
the Orchard Lake Road, in the midst of attractive
surroundings.
Mr. Petrie is the representative of old New York
families and is himself a native of the Empire
State. His parents, Joseph B. and Thankful (Jackson) Petrie, were born at Little Falls, N. Y., and
spent their wedded life in Herkimer County. Of
their six children Charles was the second son, and
hie and one other are the only survivors. He was
born in Madison County August 19, 1819, and
passed his school days mostly in Rochester, where
he acquired a knowledge of higher mathematics
and surveying. He began his career as a civil
engineer employed on the Great Western Railroad,
a portion of whose line runs through Canada.
In 1846 Mr. Petrie came to Michigan as an employe of a railroad company and acted as operator
and agent at Detroit. He next went to the mining
regions of Lake Superior and for a time operated
in the copper mines, acquiring a knowledge of the




business.  He was finally employed as general
manager for the firm known as the Central Mining
Company, taking charge of all the departments and
having control of tie entire business. He saw to
getting the ores ready for sale, disposing of them,
making necessary purchases, and tending the company's stores, for a period of over a quarter of a
century.  Upon retiring from the position, Mr.
Petrie located in Pontiac and gave his attention to
looking after investments he had made and the
disposal of his capital.
August 31, 1848, Mr. Petrie was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Flower, daughter of Andrew
Flower, and sister of the Hon. Theron A. Flower,
now of California. Mrs. Petrie was born in Ohio
and came to Michigan in her girlhood. She has
become the mother of one daughter, Henrietta E.
This young lady is now the wife of P. R. Robert,
owner of the noted Hintan farm near Pontiac and
connected with the firm of Thurber, Morton &
Bliss, extensive brokers of New York City, as
general manager of their mining interests in California.
Mr. and Mrs. Petrie stand well in the community
and are always looked to to aid in the projects
which will advance the welfare of the people or
secure a more rapid development of the resources
of this country. They are social and kindly, enjoy the companionship of intelligent and well-bred
people, and their doors are always hospitably open
to their friends and acquaintances.  Politically
Mr. Petrie is a Democrat. His portrait is presented
to the readers of this volume, in connection with
his biographical review.
AYNE AXFORD. This gentleman has been
intimately connected with the progress of
Orion Township for a number of years and
has a life-long interest in the affairs of this
county, in which he was born October 20, 1836.
He is the owner of valuable property, both in
town and country, all of which was secured by his
own efforts, as he began his career in life without
means. In 1884 he retired from the farm which




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


472


I  ~~- --


he had cultivated for a number of years and settled in the town of Orion, where he has a handsome
residence property. He owns two hundred and
fifty acres of land on sections 11 and 12, Orion
Township, and about eighty acres on section 2,
which has been platted and is known as Axford's
Addition to Orion. He also has one hundred and
twenty acres on section 17, Oxford Township.
His farm land is well improved, with substantial
buildings, good fences, gardens and orchards.
Mr. Axford traces his paternal ancestry back to
New England, where his great-grandfather lived in
his youth. Samuel Axford, Jr., grandfather of
our subject, was born in New Jersey and went from
his native State to Canada, where he followed
farming until 1822. He then came to Macomb
County, Mich., where he died early in the '40s. His
son Samuel was born in County Windsor, Canada,
in 1809, came to this State with his parents and remained in Macomb County until 1831. He then
entered land in Oxford Township, this county, the
deed for which was signed by Gen. Jackson, then
President of the United States. He followed an
Indian trail to his new location, which was on the
highest point in the township and the watershed
of the streams. He built a log cabin and literally
hewed out a home from the wilderness. He married Phebe Sommers, whose father, Jacob Sommers, a native of New Jersey, came to this State in
1827 and lived in Macomb County until his death,
in 1857. Mr. Sommers served in the Legislature
of the State and also in the Senate.
Samuel Axford held a commission in the State
militia. He was an active politician and held various local offices, including that of Township Supervisor, and also served as a member of the
Legislature two terms and represented his district
in the Senate. Hle was an active Mason and a
member of the Congregational Church. His influence was wide spread and his name is well remembered by the older citizens of Southeastern Michigan. Self-made, he began here in the woods and
acquired a fortune between $35,000 and $50,000.
He left his estate in such excellent shape that there
was not the least jar in settling it and making the
proper divisions. He had not gained riches at the
expense of others, but had always been charitable,


kind to the poor, and careful to treat his fellowmen with biotherly kindness. lIe breathed his last
in 1883, and his wife followed him to the tomb
abouta twelvemonth later. They had eight children, six of whom still live.
The gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs was the third white child born in Oxford Township. He opened his eyes to the light
in the log cabin built by his father and received
his early education in a log house, with an open
fireplace, puncheon floor and slab benches. He
pursued higher branches in Dickerson Institute at
Romeo, three terms, and taught two terms in this
county. During the war he bought horses and
sold them to the Government and in February,
1865, he bought a farm in Orion Township, settled upon it and turned his attention to agricultural
work. He cleared the land of trees and stumps,
and made various improvements and added to its
extent as he was prospered. He finally retired
from farm life and for a few years did little but
look after his financial interests and real estate
matters. During the past year he has been engaged in the agricultural implement business.
The lady who became the wife of Mr. Axford in
1864, was known in her maidenhood as Miss Elizabeth Copman. She was born in Canada and is a
daughter of Baldwin and Elizabeth Copman, who
settled in this State in 1860. Her father died in
1880 and her mother in 1879. Mrs. Axford has a
thorough knowledge of domestic management,
keeps herself well informed regarding general news
and topics of interest and endeavors to discharge
to the best of her ability every duty which lies
before her. She is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and by her associates in that
religious body and by neighbors and acquaintances
-she is well spoken of. She is the mother of one
child-Samuel C.-who is following in his father's
footsteps as an enterprising and progressive farmer.
He married Elizabeth Beardsley and they have one
child named Helen E.
Mr. Axford has held various local offices and
has been found worthy of the confidence of his
constituents. He was a strong advocate of the
Greenback movement and worked hard for its
success, and on two occasions was the nominee on




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


473




the ticket of that party for County Treasurer. On
one occasion he was defeated by but seven votes
and on the other by thirty-eight.  He is now identified with the Democratic party, as lie had formerly been. He has been a Mason twenty years,
belongs to the Grange and the Knights of the
Maccabees, and has filled many important official
position in each of these orders.
L   ARVEY J. TAYLOR, Among the business establishments in Rochester is one devoted to the sale of hardware, of which the
gentleman above named is the proprietor
and manager. Mr. Taylor is a native-born citizen
of Oakland County and the representative of one
of the families which settled here during the '30s,
coming from the East, near the Atlantic coast. The
Taylors are of German ancestry and tile thrift and
persevering industry which characterize the natives
of Germany has not been lessened by generations
of residence in America. The establishment over
which our subject presides is well supplied with
carefully.selected goods, and the utmost pains is
taken to satisfy customers both in the style and
prices of articles purchased.
The parents of our subject, William G. and Ann
(Axford) Taylor, were natives of Warren County,
N. J., whence they came West in 1836. They
established their home on a farm in Oakland Township, this county, and pursued their course in life
there for a number of years. They reared six
children, of whom we note the following: Charles
V., is a manufacturer of buggies, located in Pontiac;
Harvey J. will be spoken of in the following paragraphs; William is engaged in the sale of agricultural implements at Armada; Charlotte is the wife
of Joseph Case, of Brandon; Alice resides with her
widowed mother; Ellen is the wife of Edward
William Sutton, editor of the Telegraph at Armada.
The father died in Brandon July 22, 1887, at the
age of sixty-eight years.
The gentleman whose life history is to be outlined below was born July 19, 1849. He grew to
maturity on the farm and received his education


in the district school. When he was ready to begin a man's work in the world he first took up the
occupation to which he had been reared, but in
1880 he left the farm and became agent for the
implement manufactory of D. S. Morgan, of Brockport, N. Y. He traveled for that establishment
some two years and acted as commercial agent for
others, at the same time conducting farming operations until March 1, 1888, when he entered into
the hardware business in Rochester. He formed a
partnership with Cyrus Reimer, but after the connection had lasted two years, it was dissolved and
Mr. Taylor has since been alone in business.
Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss
May Anderson, December 21, 1882, and has two
children-Seneca V., and Cyrus J. Mrs. Taylor is
a daughter of Richard D. Anderson whose home is
in Orion, and is a well-educated and agreeable
lady. Mr. Taylor is a Democrat in politics, and
socially is a Mason, a member of the Rochester
Grange and Knights of the Maccabees. He has an
excellent reputation for business abilityand energy,
and his fellow-citizens have seen fit to make use of
his qualifications for advancing their interests by
making him Township Supervisor and continuing
him in the office year after year. He was first
elected in 1883 and has held the position continuously save one year, when he positively refused the
nomination, and is the present incumbent.
D. ANDERSON. A goodly number of the
men who have labored hard to bring this
i  county to its present high development and
prosperity, have retired from active life and
are enjoying the comforts and luxuries which they
have earned by years of industry and good management. One of this class now living in Orion
is the subject of this biographical sketch. He left
his country home in 1888 and now occupies a fine
residence in the town, well furnished throughout
and showing the refining hand of woman in its
appointments. He has three fine farms in Oakland
Township, making up a total of over seven hundred
acres of land, his possession of which is due to his




474


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.








own excellent judgment, the good management of
his wife, and their combined industry and wise
economy.
Mr. Anderson was born in Warren County, N. J.,
October 14, 1826, and his father, William, was a
native of the same State, and it is probable that his
grandfather, Richard, was also born there. William
Anderson was a farmer, successful in worldly affairs,
and able to leave to his heirs about four hundred
acres of land. He died in 1850, at the age of
sixty-three years. His wife bore the maiden name
of Margaret Demot and she too was a native of
New Jersey; she died in 1875 at the age of seventyeight years. Both belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had eleven children, five of
whom are living.
Our subject was reared as a farmer and quite
early in life became thoroughly conversant with
agricultural affairs. He received a fundamental
education in the log schoolhouse which was the
customary institution of learning in the rural districts at that time. In 1851 he came West and
located on a farm of one hundred and thirty acres
in Oakland Township, this county. Two years
later he was married to Miss Rebecca A. Flumerfelt, who was born in New Jersey August 11, 1833,
and who was brought to this county when an infant. She is one of nine surviving children in the
parental family. Her parents, William and Esther
(Pittenger) Flumerfelt, were born in 1800 and
1808 respectively and the latter still survives. Mr.
Flumerfelt died in 1884. He was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his aged
widow has long been connected.
Mrs. Anderson had limited school privileges
compared with those to be found in this county at
the present day, but she made good use of the
opportunities afforded her and became well versed
in womanly accomplishments and domestic arts.
She has been a wise and devoted mother, and to
her husband "tier price has been far above rubies."
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have had
excellent educational advantages and careful home
training. They are named respectively: Francis
L., William M., George F., Florence M., John M.,
Clarence L. and Jessie N.
After giving due consideration to questions of




-


- -


governmental policy Mr. Anderson gave his allegiance to the Democratic party and he has served
his associates in this locality as a delegate to conventions. He is identified with the Good Templars
organization and he and his wife are members in
good standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
S       ELDEN VINCENT. One of the well-improved and well-stocked farms of Milford
Township is owned and occupied by the
gentleman above named, who is one of the
old residents and has spent a lifetime in this locality. Not that he is a man of extreme age but that
he was born on land now owned by himself and
that his interests have centered here from his
earliest recollection. His estate consists of two
hundred and forty acres on sections 15, 22, and 23,
and his home is but three-quarters of a mile from
the corporate limits of the town of Milford.
The Vincents are of German lineage and for at
least two generations prior to the time of our subject, New York was the home of this branch. John
Vincent was born in Otsego County and for eight
years made his home in Ontario County, after having been married in Cattaraugus. In 1832 he came
West and secured Government land in Milford
Township, this county, acquiring two eighty-acre
tracts. At a meeting of the old settlers shortly
after his arrival the question of a name for the new
town came up and Mr. Vincent proposed the name
of Milford and it was adopted. The next year he
brought his family, driving from Detroit to his
new home with an ox-team. Locating in the
forest he hewed out a farm which was well improved when he died, in April, 1877. The log
house which was the first home of the family was a
few feet south of the present residence of our subject. Mr. Vincent was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Milford, served as Trustee and
helped to build the house of worship, and he gave
the site for the first schoolhouse put up in the
township. It was built in 1835, and is still standing, a landmark of the old times. Mr. Vincent




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


475




was the first Township Clerk and also served as
Treasurer. His wife, formerly Minerva Comstock,
was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., in 1806,
and died in March, 1878. They had five children,
but Selden is the only one now living. The
second child and eldest son died in Andersonville
prison in February, 1865, and the others died in
this county.
Selden Vincent was born November 10, 1844,
and when old enough attended tile district school
and then spent several winters as a student in the
Milford Union School. After passing his majority
he married and located on a forty-acre tract on
section 22, where he engaged in farming, also having charge of the homestead which he carried on
until his father died. He also owned eighty acres
on section 15. As soon as all the heirs were of age
he bought out their interests in the homestead and
added it to his other land. The entire tract is improved except thirty-three acres which is in three
wood lots. The farm is well watered and two
windmills supply the force by which the liquid can
be transferred to convenient points. All kinds of
grain is raised and good grades of stock and some
attention paid to the dairy business. The cattle are
full-blooded and graded Short-horns, the hogs Poland-Chinas, and the sheep, fine wool, but by a
cross have coarse wool lambs. Mr. Vincent used to
raise extra fine Merino sheep and he now has from
one hundred and fifty to two hundred head. He
raises good horses, Percheron and Hambletonian
roadsters. His farm is so improved as to make two
residence places and his own dwelling is prettily
located and attractive.
At the bride's home in Milford Township in
February, 1867, Mr. Vincent was married to Miss
Lucetta A. Travis. Her parents, James and Naria
(McCarty) Travis, were born in Pennsylvania and
after their marriage came to this State. They were
among the early residents in Oxford Township,
this county, but after some years removed to Milford Townslip, where Mr. Travis became the owner
of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section
23. He died here in 1873. HIis widow is now
living in Milford; she is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while he was a Methodist. They
had eight children and Mrs. Vincent was the fifth


in order of birth. She was born in Oxford Township June 12, 1846, and was six years old when
her parents removed to Milford. She has had
three children-Eva M., Frank E. and one who
died in infancy. Frank is now attending the Milford High School, from which Eva was graduated
in 1887. That young lady died in April, 1888,
before her life had opened into full bloom, leaving
her grief-stricken parents to comfort each other as
best they could and cling to the promise of a happy
meeting in the beyond.
Mr. Vincent helped to organize the Milford
Union Fair Society in 1880, which afterward became the Milford Fair Association- He was one of
the Directors until 1886, when he became President, and he has held the chief office since the reorganization. The society has good grounds,
twenty acres in extent, with a half-mile track. Mr.
Vincent was School Director eight years. He was
formerly a Republican and served as delegate to
county conventions and member of the county central committee. Since questions relating to the
liquor traffic have become prominent he has thrown
in his influence with the Prohibitionists. He and
his wife belong to the Good Templars Lodge and he
is now Treasurer. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is now Trustee and
has been Steward for years, and at this writing Mr.
Vincent is Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
Mrs. Vincent is a working member of the Foreign
Missionary Society.
UGENE BROOKS, a retired farmer, living
in Birmingham, was born in Troy Township, this county, July 24, 1843. His parents were Alanson and Desire (Frink) Brooks.
natives of New York, and his father was born in
Saratoga County, May 16, 1807. He remained
there until 1827, then came West and took up a
piece of Government land in Macomb County, this
State. After a short sojourn he returned East for
his bride, whom he brought to his Michigan farm.
They lived upon the land a number of years, then
sold it and removed to Troy Township, this




476


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


county, buying another farm. After some years
this also was sold and a small place three and a
half miles northeast of Birmingham was purchased,
whereon Mr. Brooks spent the rest of his life. He
he had but limited means, but had high standing
as a Christian gentleman. He was a farmer and
cooper and followed both occupations during his
mature years. Politically he was first a Whig and
later a Republican. His religious home was in the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He entered into rest
December 26, 1882.
The mother of our subject was born in Honeoye, Ontario County, April 30, 1809, and her
wedded life began in September, in 1831. She is
still living and occupies the homestead in Troy
Township. Like her husband she is a Methodist
and their active connection with the church covered a period of more than half a century. It is
only since years have incapacitated her that Mrs.
Brooks has given up her share in the work carried
on by the church. The children of Alanson and
Desire Brooks are: Edward F., now living in Bateman, Washington County, Ore.; Ellen J., wife of
Edward F. Chatfield, of Troy Township; Ell, who
is now a resident of Denver, Col.; and Eugene, the
subject of this notice.
Eugene Brooks was reared on his father's farm
in this county and received a common-school education. He remained with his father until he was
twenty-three years old, working on the farm excepting two years, which was spent in the oil
regions of Pennsylvania. After his marriage he
began farming on his own account and pursued his
calling industriously until 1877, when he took up
his abode in Birmingham. He is a Mason and has
risen to the degree of Knight Templar. He has
been Master of Birmingham  Lodge No. 44, and
High Priest of Birmingham Chapter No. 93. He
has held some of the minor village and school offi
ces, but has not entered largely into public life.
His political views are in accord with those expressed in the Republican platform and his vote is
in favor of the candidates on that ticket. He and
his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church
in Birmingham.
The wife of Mr. Brooks bore the maiden name
of Martha J. Robinson and was united to him in




I


marriage February 17, 1870. She was born in
Troy Township and is a daughter of Austin N.
and Polly (Stanley) Robinson, well known and
highly respected citizens. She represents one of
pioneer families of the county, her grandparents,
Abner and Anna Robinson, having come hither in
1824, when it was necessary to cut their road into
what is now Troy Township. They took up Government land which is still in the hands of members of the family. The Robinson farm is a mile
and a half east of Birmingham and is one of the
landmarks of this locality. The older members of
this family died in Troy and Bloomfield Townships. Our subject and his good wife have but
one child, a son, Francis E., who is now eighteen
years old. All move in the best society of the
place and have many friends in this locality.
EONARD       L. HOFFMAN, a prosperous
farmer of Orion Township, was born in the
township where he still resides, November
14, 1840. His father, Samuel H., came from New
York to Oakland County, in 1836. He died about
1860. His wife, Lydia Baldwin, preceded him to
the grave in 1851. Of their seven children four
are now living. Our subject was reared upon the
farm and had his education in the district schools.
After the death of his mother he went to live with
William Green, a farmer in Orion Township. He
lived with him and went to school until he was
twenty-one years old. He then began working
out by the month, receiving the first year $120
and the second $140. He was for one year in the
employ of Benjamin Giddings in Pontiac.
In September, 1864, this young man enlisted in
the Third Michigan Infantry, Company G, under
Col. M. B. Holton. IHe was sent to Decatur, Ala.,
where they met Hood and drove his army out of
that district. They met him again at Murfreesboro
and  thence followed him to Franklin, where
they had a field engagement. He was within a day's
march of Richmond when Lee surrendered. After
the war closed his regiment was ordered to Texas,
where a year was spent. He received his discharge




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
t


4779....


at Victoria, Tex., May, 1866, and was mustered
out of service at Detroit, having had the rank of
Corporal for some time previous.
Returning home in September, 1866, Mr. Hoffman and A. Judson Clark formed a partnership,
and purchased William  Green's farm in Orion
Township.  During the eighteen years of their
partnership, they practically carried but one pocketbook. Whichever one happened to have any money
in his "weasel skin" purse, paid for whatever expense
was incurred by either. When they dissolved partnership in 1881, they simply divided amicably
whatever stock, land and money they had.
The gentleman of whom we write has been twice
married. The lady to whom he was united in the
fall of 1866, was Hattie Bugbee, who died, leaving
no children, in February, 1872. The present Mrs.
Hoffman was Phoebe Gates and was born in Orion
Township, in 1850. They were married May 16,
1875. One child, Ellen Dot, was born to them
August 11, 1879. Our subject is the delegate frequently from his county to Republican conventions
and also takes active part in local politics. He is
a member of the Grange, the Grand Army of the
Republic and the Knights of the Maccabees. He
started without a cent in the world and has been a
remarkably successful man, having now over one
hundred acres in a finely cultivated farm.
IENJAMIN KENAGA, one of the leading
citizens of Rose Township, was born in
Amherst Township, Erie County, N. Y.,
and is the son of Benjamin and Sabina
(Hoil) Kenaga. The grandfather was of Scotch
descent and was born in Lancaster County, Pa.,
and removed from there to Little York, and thence
to Frederic, Md., where he was an extensive
planter. He and his good wife, Esther Long,
reared a family of two sons and four daughters.
Our subject's brother, John A., was a piano-maker
and died in Buffalo. The four daughters were as
follows: Mary, Mrs. Lenn, who lives in Pennsylvania; Anna, Mrs. Schanck, who died in Valparaiso, Ind.; Elizabeth, Mrs. Stark, who died near


Erie, Pa.; and Hettie, Mrs. Strohn, who died in
Elkhart County, Ind. The parents of these children were members of the New Mennonite Church
and were, like many other conscientious Christians
of that day, slave-holders.  The father passed
away in Maryland in 1819, and his wife survived
him until 1885, when she died in Lancaster County,
Pa., at the age of ninety-six years.
Benjamin Kenaga was born in Little York, Pa.,
in December, 1806. When nineteen years old he
went to Erie County, N. Y., and resided there until
the fall of 1866, when he removed to Macomb
County, this State. Here he bought eighty-seven
acres and has made his home to this day. He is a
member of the same church to which his parents
belonged. Of the eleven children born to him
five grew to maturity, namely: Benjamin; Anna,
Mrs. Fogelsonger; Levi, who died in California;
Sarah, Mrs. Fogelsonger; and Joseph. Their mother
was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in September,
1809. Her father, John Hoil, was a farmer, who
removed to Erie County about 1810, where he
cleared up one hundred and sixty acres and lived
until his death. His children were: John, Elizabeth, Mary, Peggy, Sally, Nancy and Sabina. The
mother of this family lived until March 7, 1891.
The Iloil family is of Swiss origin.
Training upon the farm and in the district school
filled out the measure of education given to our
subject. He lived at home until twenty-one, and
his first independent work was undertaken in connection with his father. In the spring of 1866 he
came to Macomb County, Mich., and bought one
hundred and eighteen acres, which he improved.
The next year he removed to where he now resides
on section 33, Rose Township. Here he purchased
one hundred and thirty acres. Although he began
life without capital he received $4,000 from his
father in 1866. In the meanwhile he had entered
the army, enlisting in August, 1864, in Company
C, Ninety-eighth New York Infantry. Lie was
discharged in December, the same year.
The marriage of Benjamin Kenaga with Fannie
Reist occurred December 20, 1855. She was born
in Erie County, N. Y., and is a daughter of John
and Anna (Frick) Reist. Her father is of Swiss
origin and is a farmer and miller. His children




478


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


------ --


were as follows: Christian, Anna, John, Elizabeth,
Fannie, Jacob, Susan, Daniel and Elias.
The subject of this sketch is a Democrat in his
political affiliations,- but does not make himself
prominent in local politics. He is now serving his
seventh year as Justice of the Peace. He has the
respect and esteem of his neighbors and is a worthy
example of an industrious and honorable life.
Seven of his ten children were reared to maturity,
namely: Joanna, the wife of DeWitt Caster;
Susan, the wife of Nelson Lockwood; Lillie, wife
of Charles Wickens; Ira married Miss Katie Muler
and resides in Wichita, Kan.; Euna, wife of William Chaffee; Otto and Allen. Our subject belongs to J. B. McPherson Post, No. 183, G. A. R.,
at Holly, and the Patrons of Husbandry.
Axford is well known in this county, in
which he who bears it has lived since his
infancy and with whose history he has been conversant for half a century. A volume could easily
be filled with his reminiscences of pioneer times,
when his parents occupied a log cabin and made
Detroit their base of supplies; when Indians in
large numbers camped in the adjacent openings
and wild animals haunted the forests; when the
clearings of the settlers were few and scattered,
and ox-teams were used in farm work and for transportation. It is impossible in the limits of a volume like this to recount incidents of those times
and we can only make the briefest mention and
leave it to the reader's imagination to fill in the
sketch.
Little is known regarding the ancestors of our
subject except that the family is of English origin.
Grandfather Axford, whose given name was John,
was born in New Jersey and in Warren County,
that State, his son Abram was born in 1806. The
latter married Peninah Swayze who was born in
New Jersey In 1809, and is now in her eighty-second year.   Six of their eight children survive.
Abram Axford came to this county in 1831 and
was one of the first to make a permanent settlement


in Oakland Township. He bought land on which
there was a small log house into which his family
moved.   He cleared and improved considerable
land and managed his financial affairs so well that
he had about $16,000 when he retired from active
life. He had come to this State a poor man and
attained a competence by dint of energy and prudence. He was a man of deep religious feeling,
although not identified with any church, and was
highly esteemed by all who knew him; he died in
1886 at the age of fourscore.
Ogdon S. Axford was born in Warren County,
N. J., August 2, 1829, and was eighteen months
old when his parents made their removal to this
State. Amid the surroundings of pioneer life he
passed his boyhood days and in the pioneer log
schoolhouse he obtained a preliminary education.
He attended a select school at Rochester a short
time, and in the intervals of study, from his boyhood up, he was engaged in such home duties as
pertain to the experience of a farmer's son, particularly in a new country. When he was of age his
father assisted him some in obtaining a farm on
sections 11 and 12, Oakland Township, which he
still owns. He followed threshing about twelve
years, and beginning life modestly and proceeding
slowly and carefully, calculating every move before
deciding upon it, he progressed in his affairs. He
was a hard worker as well as a good manager, and
from time to time, as his means would permit, he
added to his possessions.  IIe retired from farm
life in 1884 with a handsome fortune and removed
to Orion where he has a pleasant home. He still
owns three hundred and eight acres of land, mostly
in Oakland Township. He always took an interest
in fruit-growing and raised good sheep and horses.
In January, 1853, Mr. Axford was married to
Miss Diana Sisson, who was born in Erie County,
N. Y., in 1831, and brought to this county when
about one year old. Her father was Isaac Sisson, a
native of New York, who died here in 1879. Her
education was obtained in the common school and
her knowledge of domestic arts was acquired under
the guidance of a careful mother. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and it has
always been her endeavor to live in accordance
with her profession. Mr. and Mrs. Axford have








THOMAS COOPER.




PO RTR AIIT ANDT BIOG RAPH ICA L ALLBUM.


481


POTRI.N BIGAPIA ALU.8
-~.  _: - - - - - - -


five children, of whom we note the following: Julia
E. is now the wife of Ezra Chamberlain, a prosperous farmer in Oakland Township; Ellen J. married
Judson King and lives in Orion; Grant M. is clerk
in a large dry-goods establishment in Chattanooga,
Tenn.; Bert A. is a carpenter and living with his
parents; Oda J. is the wife of Fred Miller, of Orion.
The sons have taken a special course of study in the
Agricultural College at Lansing and the daughters
have enjoyed the privileges of the high schools in
Pontiac and Romeo.
For some years Mr. Axford has been an active
member of the Orion Grange. HIe was a Republican
in former years, but is now a member of the Prohibition party. The cause of temperance has always
had an ardent advocate in him and he became convinced that the regulation of the liquor traffic was
of the utmost importance and called for the united
efforts of the lovers of their country.  Although
not anxious to fill public office Mr. Axford has
allowed his name to be placed on the local ticket,
but as he was always one of the minority in politics, he was not elected. He has been a delegate to
conventions and has helped his fellow-citizens by
showing his interest in matters which promised to
advance this section. Few men can show a better
record as financiers than Mr. Axford and his example is worthy of study and emulation.
E6   HOMAS COOPER, one of the earliest settlers in Southfield Township, makes his
home on section 35. He was born on Long
Island, N. Y., April 26, 1816, and his early home
was on the sea-coast. His father, John Cooper was
born at South Hampton, Long Island, in 1788. He
was a farmer and fisherman and took part in the
War of 1812. lIe came to Michigan in 1832 and
took up four hundred acres of land in Wayne
County. The next year he brought on his family
and made his home here until his death at the age
of eighty-three years. His father, John Cooper,
made his home also on Long Island, being a farmer


f


and a fisherman. He at one time helped kill a
whale.
The mother of our subject, Hannah Jager, was
born in 1791. at South Hampton. She was the second daughter of Enoch and Jennic (Fanning)
Jager. Her grandfather, Mr. Fanning, was a native
of Ireland and a Colonel in the British army. He
was sent by the British Government while this
country was under the English crown, as a Governor of one of the islands. He spent his last days
in the village of Quogue, N. Y., on Long Island,
where his farm adjoined that of Mr. Cooper. The
wife of Col. Fanning was named Mehitable nicknamed "Hit."
The parents of our subject were married on Long
Island in 1813. Eight children were granted unto
them, namely: Mehitable, born in 1814; Thomas,
1816; Solon, 1818; Stephen, 1820; Jane, 1822;
John, 1824; Caroline, 1826; Amanda, 1829. Our
subject was reared in his native place and remained
there until he was about twenty years old and received his schooling on Long Island. He came
West with his parents in 1833, and on May 1, 1844,
was joined in marriage to Mary Perry, who was
born December, 1819, in County Donegal, Ireland.
She was in her teens when she came to America
and spent six years in Indiana on the Ohio River.
She went there with her uncle John Sllanklin, and
coming to Michigan on a visit to her uncle, James
Shanklin, in 1843, met the gentleman who was to
he her husband.
After marriage, our subject and his wife settled
on a farm where he now resides. Their first home
was in a log house 18x22 feet, and here they lived
for four yeais, when they erected their present
residence. Six children have been born to them,
only two of whom remain to cheer the hearts of
their parents, namely: Stephen S., born January
28, 1845, resides in Troy Township, and Anna
Amanda, born March 1, 1859, the wife of William
Purdy, resides in Southfield Township. The children who died were Elizabeth M., George T., one
who died in infancy and John P.
The farm upon which our subject resides comprises one hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Cooper
had forty acres more but deeded it to his son. The
first President for whom he voted was Taylor. He




482


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


is an elder in the Presbyterian Church of which
Mrs. Cooper is also a member. There are none
living in the county who were members of that
church previous to Mr. Cooper's joining it in
1835. and he is also the oldest surviving settler of
Southfield Township. lie has gained a handsome
comlpetency by industry, enterprise and straightforward honesty, and uses his money for the good
of others, being a liberal contributor to all good
causes. lie rents out his farm with its stock and
tools, and is living a letired life.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Cooper is presented in connection with this biographical review.
G    EORGE H. SIBLEY owns and occupies a: farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Independence Townbhip, and is pursuing the
affairs of life with a batisfactory degree of success.
lie was born in Monrloe County, N. Y., August
25, 1845, and was reared on a farm to the age of
seventeen years. He then enlisted in C(,mpany
H, Twenty-first New York ltight Cavalry (Griswold's), and was mustered into the service at Rochester, December 23, 1863, for three years or
(lurin  the war. He was assigned to the Army
of the Shenandoah aln joined the forces at Harper's Ferry. Under the leadership of the gallant
Phil 11. Sheridan he went thirough ttle Valley campaign, participating in the numercus battles that
have made that section famous. After the surrender of Gen. Lee the regiment was sent to Ft.
Leavenworth, Kan., and remained there eiglht
months, after which it was sent back to Washington, D. C., where the boys were discharged and
mustered out, December 23, 1866.
When his army life was over Mr. Sibley returned
to the home of his parents, Samuel and Elmira
(Dixon) Sibley, and remained in their neighborhood about eighteen months. He then decided to
go West, and making his way to Leavenworth,
Kan., lie spent a summer there, visiting with an
old comrade. In the fall of 1868 lie joined an
overland expedition and freighted across the plains
to Denver, Col., carrying United States stores. He


made two trips, and then, in 1869, entered the
employ of Sanderson & Barlow, who ran a stage
line. He drove from  Trinidad, Colo., to Twin
Springs, N. M., and then went on other lines,
holding the reins about twelve months. He then
went to the Cimarron River gold diggings, where
for about five months he had charge of the sluice
boxes.
Mr. Sibley and his partner about this time decided to return to the States, and our subject
boughlt a pony and they crossed the plains unaccompanied. Making a pause at Ft. Scott, Kan.,
Mr. Sibley again secured employment as a stagedriver and remained there about five months. He
next went on the Texas cattle drive, and after
making two trips quit the business and secured an
appointment as Road Agent, having charge of two
hundred and ten miles of road. In 1870 he returned
to his native State and was married to Miss Theodocia Townsend. This union has been blessed by
the birth of three children-Hattie A., October
11, 1871; Frony, born in August, 1881; and Hiram
G., September 2, 1882.
In 1875 Mr. Sibley came to this State, and
having turned his attention to agricultural affairs,
he is reaping a due reward for his efforts. Politically speaking he is a Democrat. He belongs
to Sherman Post, No. 63, G. A. R., and Tent No.
35, K. O. T. M. He is a reliable citizen, and with
his wife is held in due respect throughout their
circle of acquaintances.
— ^ --- —-- -- -
LIVER HI. P. OSMUN, a retired farmer who
resides in Pontiac, was born January 29,
' 1826, in the township of Lansing, Tompkins
County, N. Y. His father, Israel, was a native of
the same county and a farmer by occupation. lie
was born April 11, 1803. He was the son of John
Osmun, who was born December 13, 1774. His
wife, Polly Osmun, was born February 21, 1773.
The mother of our subject, Fannie Staple, was a
native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of John
Staple, of Irish and Dutch extraction. She was
born in Pennsylvania July 6, 1803. Israel Osmun




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


483


P R   A   BI


was married to her in Tompkins County, N. Y.,
January 17, 1822. They settled on a farm in that
county until the fall of 1835. when they came to
Oakland County and bought the Clinton Mills,
known as Munson Mills, in the town of Waterford. The journey was made from their home to
Buffalo by team, and after coming by boat to Detroit, they crossed the country by team and wagon.
They continued to operate the farm and mills for
a number of years. In 1845 he sold out his milling interests, having, however, built a new mill in
the meantime on the same site. He then removed
to section 16, and bought a tract of four hundred
and forty acres which consisted of oak openings.
Here he engaged in general farming and stockraising. lie was bereft of his wife March 18,
1869, she (lying in the sixty-fifth year of her age.
In 1870 Israel Osmun sold his farm to his son
Abijal and removed to the city of Pontiac. Here
he was married tie second time and died Febiuary 4, 1878, his wife surviving him by one year.
Eight children survive of the ten which crowned
his first marriage. They are by name: John, Will
iam, Oliver IH. P.; Catherine, Mrs. Church; Adeline, Mrs. DeWill; Abijah; Elizabeth, Mrs. John
Green; and Israel, Jr. The two who died were
Mary and George.
Our subject received his -early education in
the common sclhools and on the farm, and remained with his parents until he reached his majority. In April, 1847, he united his fortunes for
life with Rebecca, daughter of John and Ellen
(Addis) Green, natives of Warren County, N.Y.,
of English and Dutch descent, who came to Michigan in 1834, and settled in Independence Township. Mrs. Osmun was born in Warren County,
N. J., October 27, 1826. Her mother died in
1881, and her father had been called awa5 many
years before, (lying in 1854. They were the parents of ten children.
After marriage Mr. Osmun and his wife made
their home on the old homestead in Waterford
Township. Here they remained for three years
and then bought one hundred and sixty acres and
went to raising sheep and cattle and cultivating
wheat. This he continued up to the time of his
removal from the farm to the city of Pontiac.


He has rented out his farm, which is a fine tract
of two hundred and seventy acres in a high state
of cultivation and well supplied with excellent
buildings and fences.
Mr. and Mrs. Osmun have one daughter, Mary
Ellen, wife of George M. Richmond, who lives on
a part of Mr. Osmun's farm. Mr. Osmun has
acted as guardian for five children. They have two
daughters, Olive and Grace. He has always been
a Democrat. IIe and his wife find their religious
home with the Methodist Episcopal Church. They
have a good residence at No. 84, Oakland Avenue.
Mr. Osmun commenced his career on limited means
but has prospered in all his ways and has been
successful in every enterprise in which he has engaged. IIe has thus accumulated a good competency for his old age.
)    AVID W. MORRISON, although not an
old settler in Commerce Township, possesses a fine property here and is considered one of its prominent citizens. His
father, Joseph, who was horn near Belfast, County
Derry, Ireland, and his mother, Nancy. Wark, of
the same locality came to America about 1821, and
made their home in New York City in a house
still standing near the corner of Bleecker and Morton Streets.  They afterward removed to Nineteenth Street. then to Pike and Monroe, and later
to Forty-second Street, between Eighth and Ninth
Avenues. The father was by trade a stone-cutter
and flagger. He lived until 1887, but was bereaved
of his wife in 1852. They were the parents of
four children, three of whom are now living, one
daughter and two sons. Both of the latter served
in the army during the Civil War.
The father of our subject came West in 1837
and took his farm from the United States Government, but did not live on it as he returned to New
York City. In that metropolis his son David was
born, March 2, 1843, and there he grew to manhood. He was a salesman in the shoe business and
afterward in the finding business. Ile was given an
excellent common-school education and began work




484


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


484PORTRAITANDBIOGRAPHICL


when about fourteen years of age. His marrriage
took place July 25, 1872. His wife was Elizabeth,
daughter of John J. Wright, a native of Germany,
who lived in New York City over fifty years. Mrs.
Morrison was one of a large family of children five
of whom grew to maturity. She was born thirtynine years ago in New York City and attended the
Forty-seventh Street school.
After marriage Mr. Morrison lived on Fiftythird Street, afterward on Fortieth Street and finally on Forty-second Street. He came to Michigan in 1878 and settled on his present farm.  No
children have blessed this home and this worthy
couple have taken two children to bring up. When
they took their farm it was in a poor condition.
Mr. Morrison has built a fine residence at a cost of
$1,800.  He has sixty-eight acres under cultivation, and has cleared off a great quantity of timber,
stones and stumps. He now his land in a splendid
state of cultivation. He carries on mixed farming,
grain and stock, and has some fine specimens of
horses. He was in the shoe findings business for
himself in New York City before coming to Michigan.  He now gives his entire attention to his
farm and if he remains he will here improve it
greatly.
Mr. Morrison is a man of patriotic impulses and
during the Civil War he enlisted in defence of his
country, joining Company B, Eighty-fourth New
York Infantry. It was a militia regiment and was
sworn into the United States service on board a
transport, on the way to Baltimore. The Colonel
commanding was Fred A. Conklin, a brother of
the famous Senator Roscoe Conklin. From Baltimore the regiment was sent on to Washington and
was assigned to the Ninth Army Corps. It saw
service at Muddy Branch and Harper's Ferry.
They did much picket duty and were in the service
one hundred and ten days, being discharged at
New York City.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is
an earnest and consistent Republican, voting that
ticket regularly. He is a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic Post No. 181, at Milford,
also a member of the Masonic order at that town.
Since his benevolent action in taking a boy and a
girl to rear and educate, he has felt an increased


interest in schools and is one of the active promoters of every movement for their improvement. He
has a fine property acquired by his own efforts and
has recently received a considerable amount from
his father's estate.
L- UBERT HEITSCH, contractor and builder,
and manufacturer of doors, sash and housefinishing lumber, has been numbered among
(@)  the industrious and honorable citizens of
Pontiac for nearly forty years. He began his life
work without means, and by energy, industry and
economy has accumulated a competence sufficient
to insure him against want in his old age and enable him to gratify every reasonable desire. He
owns and occupies a neat and comfortable residence
on South Saginaw Street, where good cheer abounds
and true hospitality is dispensed. Mr. Heitsch has
been able to give his children such privileges as
prepared them to act well their part in life and
take a position of honor in society.
Our'subject was the youngest of eight children
born to Joseph and Mary (Bougo) Heitsch. His
natal day was October 18, 1825, and his birth-place
the village of Roggenburg, Switzerland. He attended school in his native place until he was fourteen years old, when he learned the trade of a millwright with his father, who was a practical workman and followed the trade during most of his
active life. The lad acquainted himself with all
the departments of the wood work and busied himself at his chosen employment until 1853, when he
embarked for America, led hither by the hope of
better opportunities for personal advancement than
were to be found in his own land.
Mr. Heitsch landed at New York and came direct to this State, via Detroit to Pontiac. Upon
reaching this place his means were exhausted and
he sought work, finding employment with a carpenter and joiner. He worked industriously for
seven years, living frugally and saving what he
could, and he then started a planing mill on a
small scale. As business began to increase he enlarged the capacity of his establishment and while




I




(4O-2xtCr


4/v,^-~ 4




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBU M.


487


PORTRAIT AND B~~IOGAHCLABM                      8


finishing lumber he took contracts to furnish building stone and other kinds of material. He put in
the latest and best machinery as fast as his means
would allow, and now runs a thirty-five horse
power engine and is able to make everything in
the way of building material that is produced from
lumber. He built the school building on Florence
Avenue.
Mr. Heitsch was married in February, 1851, to
Miss Caroline Martie, who was born and reared in
Switzerland and accompanied her husband to America during the first years of their wedded life. She
has borne her share of the cares and anxieties which
their former circumstances entailed upon them, and
now rejoices with her companion in their greater
ease and the opportunities they have been able to
give their children. The living members of their
family are Dominick, August, Emma and Eddie.
The eldest son is a practical workman and a good
business man, and as a partner with his father looks
after the business of the planing mill and lumber
yard.
Mr. Heitsch belongs to Pontiac Lodge, No. 21,
F. & A. M., and Pontiac Chapter, R. A. M. He
has sat in the City Council several terms, representing the first ward. Politically he is a Democrat. In his official capacity he was zealous for the
interests of his constituents and anxious to see the
city improved and built up, yet opposed to undue
expenditure and extravagance. He is in fact a public-spirited citizen and is held in good repute by
the community.
ARLOS GLAZIER, M. D., a prosperous
physician residing in Royal Oak, Oakland
County, is a native of Chenango, N. Y.,
where he was born August 14, 1820. His father
Silas was a farmer in Connecticut and was born not
far from Hartford in 1796. His marriage in 1818
united him with Electa Whitney, who was one of a
family of five sons and five daughters. The parents
of our subject had six children of whom our subject was the eldest When he was seven months old
the family came to Troy Township and bought


eighty acres here. They remained for twelve years
and then sold out and moved back to New York,
where they bought property at Allen's Creek, some
five miles east of Rochester. Silas Glazier died
there in 1839 and his wife Electa passed away in
1842. They lie side by side at Brighton's Corners,
N. Y., in their last sleep.
The subject of this sketch began work for himself when fifteen years old, earning then $9 a month
with which he helped to support the family. At
the death of his mother the little property was
divided and he began work in a powder mill. Here
he remained for three years, receiving in the summers about $60 a month. After leaving school he
taught some and when he came to Michigan in
1843 he began to study for the medical profession.
He spent three years with Drs. Bagg & Johnson of
Pontiac and one year with Dr. Hudson of Farmington, after which he attended lectures in Cleveland, Ohio.
The marriage of the young Doctor took place in
September, 1849. His bride was Adeline, a daughter of John and Polly (Myers) Smith of Newfane,
Niagara County, N. Y. The first home was at
Warren, Macomb County, where the young Doctor
built up a good practice. Three years later he went
to Otsego, Allegan County, and spent a year. He
next spent four years in Niagara County, N. Y.,
at Charlotteville. After this he returned to Michigan and has made his home in the village of Royal
Oak for some thirty-four years.
Dr. and Mrs. Glazier became the parents of three
children: Rosetta, born August 30, 1850, (lied
April 3, 1852; James, born June 14, 1853, died
August 9, 1858; Edna, born March 16,1860, is the
only surviving child. On June 8, 1882 she was
married to Melvin W. Marshall, of Royal Oak, the
son of C. N. and Mary Marshall. Mr. and Mrs.
Marshall have had two children, Ethel who was
born May 22, 1884, died June 17, 1885; and Carlos
who was born November 30, 1886.
During the Civil War Dr. Glazier went to
Columbus, Ohio, as Surgeon and from there to
Louisville, Ky., where he was placed in charge of
the health of the confederate prisoners. He then
went to the front at Chattanooga, and afterwards to
Marietta, Ga., and Altoona Mountains. During




488


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


the battle of Peach Run he was ordered four miles
to the front and on his return was put under Gen.
Schofield where he was placed in the Twenty-third
Corps, Third Brigade and Third Division. After
the capture of Atlanta he went to Cedar Bluff,
Ala., Kingston, Chattanooga, Louisville and
Detroit. During the five months when he was in
tile service he amputated two hundred and seventeen limbs. lie now draws a pension.
Dr. Glazier has been a Free Mason for thirtyfive years and belongs to Lodge No. 44, in Birmingham. He has been Clerk of the township
several times, and has more than once been made a
delegate to Democratic conventions. His first
Presidential vote was cast for Buchanan and his
last for Cleveland. Mrs. Glazier died September
14, 1888, and lies in her last sleep at Royal Oak
Cemetery. The Doctor, his daughter and her husband make their home together. tIe has a large
and lucrative practice and enjoys excellent health.
He is fond of a gun, has an eye like a hawk, and
bears a splendid reputation as a marksman. His
many friends will be pleased to notice his p)ortrait
on another page of this volume.
J  ESSE G. LINDSLEY, M. D. This gentleman is one of the well-known citizens of
Highland Township, in which he has made
his home for well-nigh forty years. During
the greater part of that time he was engaged in the
practice of his profession, but in 1875 he discontinued it and devoted himself exclusively to the
pursuit of agriculture. I-e still occupies a farm
and adds to the marketable products of the county,
grain of high grade and fat stock. He was born
in Seneca County, N. Y., December 2, 1821, but
has lived in this State from his eleventh year. Iis
home was in Washtenaw County, until 1853, when
he identified himself with the citizens of the township in which he is now living.
The father of our subject was Elihu Lindsley
who was born in New Jersey, but early in life went
to New York State. After spending some years
in  Seneca County he removed to Livingston


County and thence came to Michigan in 1832. He
breathed his last in Washtenaw County in 1868.
He was a lifelong farmer and owned one hundred
and twenty acres of land in Washtenaw County.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and
so too was his wife, who was removed from him by
death in 1834, during the prevalence of cholera in
the United States. Their marriage had taken place
in Seneca County, N. Y., in 1815, and had been
blest by the birth of eight children, named respectively, Caroline, Henry, Jesse G., Cornelia, Catherine, Charles, Louisa and Sophronia. Charles enlisted in the Sixth Michigan Infantry and afterward in the Heavy Artillery and served through
the entire war. tIe was wounded in the forearm
at Baton Rouge.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Elizabeth Gardner and her parents were Ienry
and HIannah (Allen) Gardner, natives of New Jersey. They removed to Seneca County, N. Y.,
where Mr. Gardner lived until death. He was
killed by a runaway team. His widow made a second marriage, wedding Jonathan Thayer, but finally came to this State and made her home with
her daughter, Mrs. Lindsley, and later with a
daughter in Albion, Calhoun County, where she
died.
Dr. Lindsley received a common school education and pursued the usual course in life of a farmer's son until he was of age. He studied medicine
with Dr. Isaac S. Smith at Detroit and at the age
of twenty-seven years entered the University at
Arbor and took medical lectures during two terms
of six months each. After lie became a resident of
Highland Township he divided his time between
his farm and his practice for some years, but eventually turned his attention to one occupation alone.
He was married in November, 1852, to Miss Mary
S. Coburn, the ceremony taking place at the bride's
home in Washtenaw County. She was the daughter of Jephtha and Mercy Coburn, who were natives
of Massachusetts. Mr. Coburn came to this State
in 1830 and settled at Ann Arbor, and later went
to Wisconsin. Ile returned to this State in 1840
and sojourned in Washtenaw County until 1854.
A score of years prior to that time he had bought
Government land in Highland Township, this




PORTRAIT AND BIOG RrAPHICAL ALBUM.~


489


POTATADBORAHCLABM.8


county, the tract consisting of one hundred and
sixteen and one-half acres. To this he came and
here he lived with his son-in-law, Dr. Lindsley,
until death. His demise took place in 1879. Mrs.
Coburn died in 1847 at the age of fifty-one years.
They had but two children-Mary S. and Elmira
E.
The marriage of Doctor and Mrs. Lindsley was
blest by the birth of five children named respectively-Celia Y., Frank L., Jesse C., Charles F. and
Henry B. The devoted wife and mother was removed from her sorrowing household by death,
September 18, 1889. Dr. Lindsley has been a Republican since the organization of the party. He
was elected Township Supervisor in 1875, and again
elected in 1877 and continued to act in the official
capacity nine years. This long continuance in
office speaks for itself regarding the reputation he
bears among his fellow-citizens.
PORTER T. BUTLER. For almost a decade
this gentleman has been a resident of the
town of Orion, where he owns and occupies
a pleasant dwelling.  He is engaged in
business connected with the Citizens Mutual
Fire Insurance Company of Oakland, Genesee &
Shiawassee Counties, a corporation in which he has
been a director and for which he is acting as
agent. Prior to his removal to his present residence, he was engaged in farming, and he still
owns one hundred and sixty acres of good land on
sections 10 and 15, Oakland Township. Financially speaking he is a selfmade man, and it was only
by persevering industry, wise economy and good
management that he acquired a competence.
The paternal ancestors of our subject first established their home in America in the early part of
the seventeenth century, emigrating from Ireland.
Grandfather Butler was born in Massachusetts, but
spent a number of years in Genesee County, N. Y.,
and died there. Justin H. Butler, father of Porter
T., was born near Boston, Mass., in 1803, and accompanied his parents to New York when but a
lad. His home was upon a farm and he acquired a


good knowledge of agriculture, but learned the
trade of a shoemaker and worked at the bench sixteen years.. He came to this State in the fall of
1827, located in Macomb County and carried on
quite an extensive business, employing several men
in his sliop. In 1843 he went to Lapeer County,
but the next year bought farm land in Oxford
Township, this county, and removing hither operated it four years. He then spent a few years in
Brandon Township, but in 186;i retired from active
life and made his home with his eldest son, in Lapeer County. He died in 1884 at the ripe age of
eighty-one years. He had filled various responsible local offices and was a member of the Christian
Church.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs was born in Macomb County, this State,
October 22, 1831. His early years were passed
upon a farm and in attendance at the log schoolhouse. where he acquired a fair knowledge of the
more practical branches. At the age of twenty
years lie began working by the month as a farm
hand, and spent several winters in the lumber districts. In the spring of 1854 he bought a farm in
Brandon Township, this county, which he lived
upon and cultivated fourteen years. In 1869 he
took up his residence in Oakland Township and remained on his farm there until his removal to the
town of Orion.
At the bride's home in Brandon Township, in
1855, Mr. Butler was married to Miss Nancy Lomis,
daughter of Thomas N. and Julia (Miller) Lomis.
This estimable lady was born in Genesec County,
N. Y., in 1834, and her parents also were natives
of the Empire State. They came West in 1836
and settled in this county, where they were well and
favorably known, Mr. Lornis holding various township offices and being a prominent man in business
and social circles. He was a member of the last
State legislature that met in Detroit. He died in
1879 at the age of seventy-one years. The motihe
of Mrs. Butler had breathed her last in 1854. She
had borne nine children, seven of whom survive.
To Mr. and Mrs. Butler there have been born three
daughters, of whom we note the following: Hannah is the wife of Homer Taylor, a farmer in Oak
land Township; Olive E. married Henry Hopkins,




490


PORTRAIT AND BIIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


4I


who is also a farmer; Julia is the wife of Albert
Hammond, who fills a responsible position with a
Detroit firm.
As the country in which Mr. Butler passed his
early life was sparsely settled and was still the
haunt of the red men, he formed many acquaintances among the Indians and acquired considerable
knowlcdge of their form of speech. He is an earnest member of the Republican party and has been
a delegate to county and State conventions. During past years he has held various positions of
public responsibility and he is now a member of
the Common Council of Orion. He and his wife
stand well in society and have many true friends
wherever they are known.
— i-K ---- --
oACOB TAYLOR, one of the oldest pioneers
of Commerce Township, Oakland County,
and a man of more than ordinary ability
and good judgment, is the son of George
Taylor, who was born in New Jersey, September
1, 1782. 'he grandfather William Taylor, a native
of Ireland, came to America before the Revolutionary War and was one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence. Ile made his home
in Pennsylvania and was a prominent man in his
lccality. The mother of our subject, Sarah (Shoemaker) Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania of Dutch
descent, was born December 16, 1787. This couple
were married in Pennsylvania and resided there
until they came to Michigan in 1823. upon one of
the first boats that came to Detroit. They traveled
from Detroit on foot to Peetz Hill, now known as
Birmingham. They spent one year in Troy and
one in East Bloomfield. He constructed the first
frame barn ever erected in East Bloomfield Township, and helped to raise the first sawmill at Milford. He followed the business of carpentering for
many years, although on account of cutting his
knee during the second year of his residence in
Michigan he was afterward crippled throughout
life. He came to Commerce Township in 1831
and settled where Walled Lake now stands. He died
July 30, 1841 and his wife passed away July 30,


1849. She was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. George Taylor was a Captain in the War of 1812 and kept tavern in
Pennsylvania in Luzerne County, after the war.
He was Justice of the Peace for many years and
was the first one appointed in Commerce Township.
He was Constable in Troy and Road Commissioner
in this township, which he helped to organize. He
always lived on friendly terms with the Indians
who were near neighbors in those days. He was a
hard-working man, and a strong Jacksonian Democrat.
The subject of this sketch was one of eleven
children, five of whom are now living. He was
born November 16, 1820, while his parents were
traveling from Pennsylvania to Michigan. He attended a rate bill school, and grew up to be a
farmer. He began for himself when abouttwentyfive years old, and took care of his mother after
his father died. He used to work out for others at
fifty cents a day, furnishing his own scythe in haying time. Ile has seen the Indians here in thousands and wild animals were in abundance.
The marriage of our subject took place September 11, 1846. His wife was Melinda a daughter of
Philemon L. and Matilda (Seeley) Austin, both
natives of Yates County, N. Y., and early pioneers.
Mr. Austin was a pump maker and served in the
War of 1812. Four of their nine children are
now living. Melinda, was born February 4, 1823,
and died July 5, 1855. She was the mother of three
children: Matilda born October 10, 1847 and now
wife of Jerome Barrett, living in Midland County.
Marinda born July 30, 1850, wife of Maj. Charles
R. Miller of the War Department at Washington,
and Philemon J., born September 17. 1851, and
married to Sarah Trumper, living in Novi Township. Both sons in-law served in the Civil War
and both daughters are the mothers of two children. The second marriage of Mr. Taylor occurred
July 4, 1858. His wife is Marinda Austin, a sister
of his former wife. She was born August 7, 1827.
One child crowned this union, Justis born June 9,
1859, married to Jennie Hill, and making his home
on the homestead. Justis is the father of three
children.
Mr. Taylor settled on section 33 on an unim



I




"I "


JO ia ( o-9?7
y?/       a




PORTRnAIT  AND BIOG~RAPHICAL~L ALBUTALi:


493


PTII B






proved farm immediately after marriage. A log
house formed the first home. He now has one hundred and sixty acres of land, one hundred and
fifty of it under cultivation, besides one hundred
and sixty acres in Novi Township which he gave
to his eldest son. He did all the clearing himself
and put in all the improvements. The apple trees
in his orchard were brought by him twenty-five
miles on horseback and placed in the ground by
his own hand. He ulsed to go to Pontiac to mill
and when he was called, as he often was, to serve
on the jury, went on foot, as oxen were the only
teams used and he could not always spare them
from the farm. When lie first settled here he used
to walk sixteen miles at night to get plow points.
He started out empty handed and has never received a dollar's help from any one. He has been a
Director for twenty-five years and Assessor for a
number of years. iHe has always taken an active
interest in politics and votes the Democratic ticket.
He has been a Deputy Sheriff under Hodges and
Stanton and was Road Commissioner. He has
been a frequent delegate to both State and county
conventions and attended the inauguration at Washington of Grover Cleveland. His life of strict
temperance is one of the characteristics which
commend him as an example to all young men.
Both he and his good wife are citizens who command the respect of the community.
AMES S. BRADFORD. This county lost a
representative citizen and Pontiac Township one of its most efficient farmers and
public officials when the late Mr. Bradford
laid aside this earthly tabernacle. He came to Pontiac with his father, John Bradford, in the spring
of 1842, and lived continuously in the neighborhood where he died. He was born in West Killbride, Scotland, November 11, 1831, and died
March 1, 1890. He leaves two brothers and one
sister. together with other relatives, to mourn for
one whose life was the embodiment of noble man

i


hood. To the biographical sketch of his brother
Robert, the reader is referred for items regarding
his parents.
Mr. Bradford received a common-school education, beginning his studies in his native parish and
continuing them in this county. He remained at
home until after his father's death and assisted in
the management of the homestead. About the
time lie became of age he went to Chicago and
accepted a position of considerable responsibility,
and so faithfully discharged his duties as to win
the esteem of his employers. After an absence of
about a year he returned to Pontiac Township
and bought land on section 26. which he at once,
began to improve. At the time of his death he
was in possession of two hundred acres of fine
land, equipped with all modern conveniences and
well stocked both with domestic animals and useful machinery. He had but limited means when
he began the battle of life, but he made steady
and sure progress in the accumulation of this
world's goods.
June 17, 1855, Mr. Bradford was married to
Miss Rebecca A. Bulman, a lady of rare qualities
of mind and heart, who was his able second and
ardent sympathizer in all that was good. She was
born in Pontiac Township in 1835, and is a
daughter of Christopher and Jane E. (Van Dyke)
Bulman, natives of New York, who came to this
State early in the '30s. The Bulman family comprised five sons and daughters, all still living.
Mr. Bulman breathed his last in 1872, and Mrs.
Bulman in 1884. To Mr. and Mrs. Bradford there
came three children, named respectively: John C.,
Jane and Nettie M. The son, who is a prosperous young farmer, lives on a part of the homestead; Jane is the wife of Samuel Gaston and
lives on the old place; Nettie is pursuing her
studies in Pontiac.
As a man and a citizen    Mr. Bradford was
good and true in every relation of life. "His
deeds of love and words of kindness" will oft
be recalled by sorrowing friends, and the void
left by his death will long be unfilled. As a husband and father he was tender and devoted, and
around his home his thought and interest centered.
Not only those nearest and dearest to him, but all


I




494


PORT]RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


I


I


who knew him will regard his portrait a valuable
addition to this volume. He was for several years
Secretary of the Oakland County Horticultural
Society and for many seasons had been efficient at
the county fair. He possessed first-class clerical
ability and kept well posted in matters applicable
to township affairs, and as a consequence was a
very useful officer, a fact the people showed their
appreciation of by continuing him in the office
of Township Clerk for many years. He may well
be spoken of as a representative man and it needs
but a mention of his name to demonstrate the fact
that he was highly esteemed. Politically he was a
Democrat. He was also a member of Pontiac
Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M.
_       -,       _ LE
E   tLEAZOR S. CHASE, one of the leading
farmers of Rose Township, was born in the
town of Farmington, Oakland County,
Mich., July 10, 1831, and is the son of Edward
and Lucyntha (Shurtliff) Chase. The grandfather,
Jerry Chase, was born in Western New York and
followed the calling of a farmer. He came to
Oakland County about 1825, and made his home
in Troy Township, where he kept hotel at what
was called the "Eight Mile House," west of Detroit. He continued to reside here until the day
of his death, and here he reared his children,
two sons and four daughters. They are named
Jasper, Edward, Zada, Polly and Harriet. He
and his wife were active and earnest members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she preceded him some years to the better world.
The father of our subject was born in the town
of Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y., and came
to Troy, Mich., with team and wagon, being ten
days on the way. That was in the year 1823. He
worked by the month for one season and returned
to New York at the end of the summer. The
next spring he returned with his family and began
to keep open house in a tavern at Troy.
In 1840 this sturdy pioneer came to Rose Corners, where he bought twenty acres of land and
an hotel, which he managed for six years. After




this he rented out the hotel and followed farming,
adding sixty acres to his previous tract.  In
1849 he traded this land for eighty acres on section 20, Rose Township, where he continued to
reside until called hence by death August 21,
1887, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a
man of sterling Christian character and a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He served
his town as Supervisor, Justice of the Peace and
in other offices. His children are Betsey J., Polly
A., Sarah and Eleazor. They are all living and
have homes and children of their own. At the
time of his death he had a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres.
The mother of our subject was born in New
York December 29, 1806, and lived to a good old
age, passing away May 27, 1891. She gave to
her only son the best educational advantages she
could obtain for him in the district schools. He
was twenty-two years old when he began life for
himself by taking an interest with his father. He
now owns the homestead. Like his father, he is
an advocate of Democratic principles in politics
and he takes an active part in every campaign.
His marriage took place November 18, 1865,
when he was united to Maria Bowman, a daughter of John and Emily (Steward) Bowman. This
lady was born near Utica, Macomb County. She
is the mother of seven children, five of whom are
now living, namely: John, William H., Edward
D., Jennie M. and Eva. To all of these their
parents have given-an excellent education. The
family is an intelligent and progressive one and
they are highly respected in the community.
LBERT J. WILDERS, a very successful
young druggist of Ortonville, was born
in Brandon Township, Oakland County,
December 2, 1851. His father, Thomas,
was a native of Northamptonshire, England,
where he was born April 11, 1812. He was there
a stocking and glove manufacturer, and came to
America in 1848, being five weeks and four days
crossing the ocean. He spent a few months in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


495


--
---


Brooklyn and came to Michigan in the fall of the
same year, locating in Brandon Township. He
purchased land on section 8. At his death, April
19, 1887, he left his estate to his widow during
her lifetime, at her death to be divided among his
heirs.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden
name of Elizabeth Berrington. She was born February 5, 1813, in Leicestershire, England.  She
now resides with her son Albert, and in her seventy-ninth year preserves her faculties. She is
an earnest member of the Baptist Church, to
which she has belonged for more than fifty-five
years. Her husband's father, the Rev. William
Wilders, was a Baptist minister, who came to
America in 1848, and followed the ministry here
until his death, in 1854. He organized the First
Baptist Church of Ortonville. His son, Thomas,
joined the church when he was sixteen years old
in England, and was for many years a Deacon in
Michigan.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of
four children, all of whom are now living. After
taking his schooling in the district schools and his
practical training on the farm, he remained at home
until he was twenty-two years of age. In the fall
of 1872 he took a course in telegraphy at Oberlin College. He returned home and began line
practice, spending four months at Oxford, but, as
his health failed him, he returned home for awhile.
In the fall he purchased the drug-store which he
now manages from Dr. C. P; Felshaw, who now
resides at Holly. He has enlarged his store room
until it now comprises a floor 18x48 feet. He
is an excellent manager and has one of the neatest
and most attractive storerooms in the State.
Mr. Wilders is a Republican in politics and
served as Postmaster from  1875 to 1885. For
four years he was Justice of the Peace. He owns
a nice town property in Ortonville and is Treasurer in the Baptist Church, where he has been a
member for nearly twenty-five years. He carries
an excellent stock of goods in his line. He began
business with no capital and went in debt $800,
but he has made a success and stands away above
par both in regard to business and in his character as a man. His father was a music teacher


and taught singing schools all over this section of
the country. He was a chorister in his church in
England and continued to sing in the choir here
up to a short time previous to his death. He had
an excellent voice and was well and favorably
known all through this country.


i-. I i


ANIEL W. MITCHELL, an old resident
of section 10, Holly Township, has been
all his life long identified with the farming
interests of Oakland County, being born
in Holly Township. February 10, 1843. He is an
inteligent and progressive man, whose efforts have
been wisely employed for the benefit of his neighbors. His father George, was born in Belfast, Ireland. Here he was married and had one child born
to him. That same year lie crossed the ocean and
the baby died on the passage, and was buried on
an island where the ship stopped. He settled in
New York City and lived there and in the State for
four or five years. He then traveled about from
one place to another for some time, and in 1834
came to Oakland County, Mich., near Independence.
He bought forty acres of the Government on section 9, Holly Township, built a log house and improved the place. Indians frequently called upon
him and stayed with him all night. He bought
other land from the Government and by private purchase and at one time owned two hundred and eighty acres of land. He helped to put
in mill dams at Independence, Waterford and other
places in the county. He came here a poor man but
acquired a large property before his death. He used
ox-teams altogether in the early days and did an
immense amount of clearing and breaking, being a
hard working man. Pontiac and Detroit were
his trading points. He was unusually tall and
stood six feet two inches in his stockings. He was
a Democrat and took a lively interest in politics.
He died in August, 1852.
The mother of our subject was Elder S. Carlyle.
She was born at Belfast, Ireland. Of her nine
children, seven grew to maturity, namely: Margaret, William, Hannah, John, David, Sarah and




496


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- ~~ --- —-----


I


Daniel. Their mother died in 1862. She was a
remarkable woman and a hard worker, spinning
and weaving cloth from which she made clothes
for the family.
Young Daniel was reared on the farm and attended school in the old log schoolhouses of the
early days. The system  of rate bills was then in
use. He can remember seeing from ten to fifteen
deer in a drove and Indians were frequent callers
at his father's home. He began working for himself
when he reached his majority but has always lived
on the homestead. He spent four winters in the
pineries in the northern part of the State north of
Bay City. He has one hundred and thirty-nine
and a half acres in his farm. He built his neat
frame house in 1886 and refitted his present large
frame barn in 1890. He is an extensive stockbreeder and has raised some very fine horses, one
of which brought him $1,500. He raises grain of
all kinds.
Mr. Mitchell was married April 12, 1882, to
Anna Reasner, who was born in Atlas, Genesee
County, Mich., July 24, 1856. Her father, now a
retired farmer in Fenton, is Peter Reasner and her
mother bore the maiden name of Eliza Blackmore.
Two children have brightened the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Mitchell: J. Frank and Jennie S. Mr.
Mitchell's political affiliations are with the Democratic party. He has never aspired to office but
filled the position of Constable one year.
EWIS D. OWEN, proprietor of the Owen
House at Farmington, was born in Macomb
County, Mich., January 19, 1841.   His
father, who also bore the name of Lewis D. Owen,
was born August 16, 1815, in Covington, N. Y.
He came with his father, Abijah Owen, to Shelby,
this county, in 1825. When sixteen years of age
he engaged as a clerk with P. & G. Leach, of
Utica, and in May, 1834, he opened a store in
Romeo, hut after one year removed his business to
Troy. After that he went into business at Utica
with Messrs. Leach & Sheldon, under the firm name




of Sheldon & Owen. In 1837 he was married to
Jane E., daughter of Lucy Ann and Gideon Gates,
and in 1838 removed to Romeo. He was Deputy
Sheriff of the county some years and was Collector
and Constable up to 1842. In 1852 he removed to
the vicinity of Romeo, where he remained up to
the time of his death which occurred April 15,
1891.
After taking advantage of tile district school the
subject of this sketch finished his education at the
Dickinson Institute at Romeo, in 1861. In the
fall of that same year he enlisted at Mt. Clemens
in Company B, Fifth Michigan Infantry, and
was sent to Ft. Wayne at Detroit, whence they
went on to Washington. He entered the service
as a private and came out as a Corporal, and took
part in the following battles: Pohick Church, Va.,
the siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks,
Peach Orchard, Glendale, Malvern Hill, the Second
Bull Run, Georgetown, Chantilly, Fredericksburg,
the Cedars, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wapping
Heights, Auburn Heights, Kelly's Ford, Locust
Grove, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Todd's Tavern,
Po River, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy,
Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. He was in the service for three years and received his honorable
discharge at Petersburg.
Returning to Romeo our subject made his home
with his father for a year and a half. In 1867 he
located land at Hill, Wayne County. His marriage
took place September 9,1868, his bride being Augusta A. Smith, who was born in West Bloomfield, this
county, June 2, 1849. After marriage this young
couple made their home in the township of Bloomfield, on a farm for one year, and in the spring
of 1870 they removed to North Farmington,
where he remained until the spring of 1875 when
he went to Milford and remained for about seven
months. December 14, 1875, he bought the hotel
where he now resides. It is one of the finest hotels
in the county and has many of the modern conveniences being heated by steam throughout. He has
put $5,000 in improvements upon the house since
he took it and spares no pains or efforts to make
his guests comfortable and contented. He was
elected Supervisor of the township in 1883 and
held the position for four years, being a prominent




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


497




man in the Republican party. He has been Trustee and President of the village for several years.
He is identified with the Masonic order, Blue
Lodge at Farmington. fIe belongs to the Union
Veterans of Detroit, U. S. Grant Commandery, and
was at one time its Treasurer. He was also connected with the Grand Army of the Republic at
Farmington.
Mr. and Mrs. Owen have had two sons, Bruce S.,
who was born August 21, 1870, and Mark Perry,
who died at the age of six years. Mrs. Owen's
parents are Edad and Lura (Bigelow) Smith, who
were natives of New York. and became early settlers of Michigan where they made their home in
West Bloomfield Township.
_. - -                _
ONATrIAN    C. LEONARD, a prosperous
farmer living on section 15, Highland Township, is the owner of a landed estate of
nearly five hundred acres. Of this property three hundred and nineteen acres is located in
this county, and one hundred and seventy in Benzie County. More than three-fourths of this estate
is the result of his own good management and perserving industry, and even the tract that was left
him by his father has been developed by himself,
as it was covered with timber when it came into his
posse sion. On the home place may be found various arrangements for the comfort and convenience
of tile family and those who carry on the work of
the farm, and a glance over the broad estate
affords pleasure to all who enjoy the beauties of
nature when the fields are yellow with grain and the
orchards bending with ripe fruit.
Jonathan Leonard, paternal grandfather of our
subject, was born in Rhode Island during the
eighteenth century and made an early settlement in
New York. There he was married in 1807 to
Persis Hencher and reared a family of eight children. He took part in the War of 1812, with the
rank of Captain. He and his wife belonged to the
Free-Will Baptist Clurch. He died in Parma,
January 4, 1868, at the venerable age of ninetyone years. His wife breathed her last July 24, 1863.


Harvey Leonard, son of the above-mentioned,
was born in Parma, N. Y., and at the age of
twenty-one years began working in a sawmill and
carried on the business for quite a long period.
He was married in his native county to Hannah,
daughter of Ethan A. and Lavina (Lockwood)
Clark, who were natives of the Empire State. In
1835 they came West and settled in Highland
Township, this county, buying a large tract of
land. In 1840 Mr. Leonard, leaving his family
behind, went to Allegan County to work in a sawmill and there he was accidentally killed about two
years later. His wife died February 20, 1848.
They left four children, named respectively, William E., Persis L., Jonathan C., and Harvey.
The subject of this biographical notice was born
in the township of which he is now an honored
resident. July 17, 1837, and was ten years of age
when left an orphan. For two years his home was
with his uncle William H. Leonard, and following
this was an equal period with his uncle Jason
Leonard. Ile then worked on a farm for Samuel
Arthur at $6 per month, and followed this by
operating land on shares for his uncle one y3ear, the
tract being in Clinton County. Young Leonard
next entered the service of his older brother, William E., who was engaged in the fishing trade on
Lake Huron, and after two years thus employed he
returned to the township in which he was born and
began to develop the one hundred acres of land
bequeathed to him. For four years he worked for
his board and devoted his days to hard labor in
clearing and improving the property.
On New Year's day, 1860, Mr. Leonard was
united in marriage with Amelia E., daughter of
Edwin and Asenath (Newton) Haff. The bride's
father came to this State many years ago, spent two
years in this county and then went to Macomb,
which has since been his home. He and his wife
belong to the Baptist Church. Their family, in
which Mrs. Leonard is the second child, includes
also Susan A., Emily E., Phebe A., Lorenzo D.,
Albert A., Edwin R. and Victoria L. Mrs. Leonard
is a most estimable woman, devoted to the interests
of her family, kind and agreeable as a neighbor,
and understanding well how to make her home attractive. The children born to her are six in num



498


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


ber, named respectively Edwin A., Flora L., Mark
J., Nelson L.. Cora J. and Myra A. Two of the
band have been carried to the tomb, Flora having
died October 30, 1862, and Myra, January 4, 1879,
at the age of eight years. Cora is now Mrs. C. W.
Gordon and is the mother of one child Carlton L.,
and living at Highland Station; Edwin is likewise
married; he took to wife Miss Maggie Arthur and
has two daughters Iva D. and Sadie P., and occupies a home of his own, while the other two
sons remain with their parents.
The first Presidential ballot cast by Mr. Leonard
was in favor of Abraham Lincoln and he has never
swerved in his allegiance to the Republican party.
He belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, being
enrolled in Highland Station Lodge, No. 283. He
has been Township Treasurer for two terms. He is
a reliable, intelligent citizen, possesses good social
qualities, and is well respected by his acquaintances.
Mrs. Leonard and her son Nelson belong to the
Congregational Church at Highland Station, while
Edwin and his wife are connected with the Highland Baptist Church.
OHIN C. DAVIS, a retired farmer residing
at Pontiac, was born in Ulster County', N.
Y., in the town of Olive, May 1, 1820.
Cornelius Davis, his father, was born in the
same county, March 6, 1791. He was the son of
Andres Davis, who was a Revolutionary soldier,
and Cornelius fought in the War of 1812. The
mother of our subject was Agnes Winfield, who
was born in Orange County, N. Y., March 13,
1793. She was a daughter of Abram Winfield, of
English and German descent. Cornelius Davis and
wife were married January 24, 1816. In 1836
they removed to Oakland County, Mich., bringing
their horse and wagon with them and settled in
Springfield Township. They bought a tract of
seven hundred and twenty acres, new land, timber and oak openings, on which they erected a
house and built a.sawmill. Mr. Davis operated his
sawmill in connection with farming until his death,
which occurred August 14, 1867. His wife had


i


=


- -
--


been called from his side by death, May 14, 1844.
They were the parents of nine children, namely:
Andrew, (deceased); Mary E., (deceased); Andres,
(deceased); John C.; Thaddeus, (deceased); Jerome
Z.; James H.: Sarah J.. (deceased); and Isaac L.
(deceased).
The subject of this sketch obtained his education
in the schools of Ulster County, N. Y., and removed with his parents to Michigan in his sixteenth
year. He worked on a farm until he reached the
age of twenty-one. He united his fortune for life
October 14, 1843, with Sarah Griswold, of Covington, N. Y., in which town she was born May 8,
1821, and where she grew to womanhood. She is
is the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Hill) Gris.
wold. Three brothers of the Griswold family
came to this country from Holland in 1600. After
marriage the young couple settled upon a farm of
two hundred and seventy acres. Here they cairied
on general farming and also undertook merchlandising in Davisburg which was named in the honor
of the family and where they took charge of the
Postoffice and the railroad station for the Detroit
& Milwaukee Railroad. Mrs. Davis is a woman of
an unusual kindly disposition and was frequently
called to assist undertakers in performing their
solemn duties. She was called for far and wide to go
into the country to care for the dead, and families
everywhere appreciated keenly the comfort which
they derived in having a woman's gentle hand perform the last offices for their departed.
Mr. Davis was a Democrat, and lie was of a
Democratic family, his father and grandfather
being of the kind which are said to be "dyed in the
wool."  After the election of Mr. Lincoln lie was
relieved from the charge of the Postoffice but continued to run his other branches of business at
Davisburg until 1882, when he removed to the
city of Pontiac. Here he leads a somewhat retired life looking after his varied business interests.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been blessed with nine
children, eight of whom are living. Their names
are as follows: Cornelius, (deceased); Daniel L., a
prominent merchan t and attorney at Pontiac; Mary
A,, wife of Harvey Monroe; George M., a physician in Duluth, Minn.; Harvey J., a resident of
Pontiac; John J. C., a contractor and railroad




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


499


I


builder at Duluth; Hiram G., a prominent attorney
at Portland, Ore.; Joel H., a book-keeper; and
Martha J. who is an invalid and resides at home.
Our subject was a member of a militia company
and held a Lieutenant's commission which was issued by Stephen T. Mason, the, first Governor of
Michigan. It bore the date of September 15, 1838,
and was for the first Company, Tenth Regiment,
Fifth Brigade and Third District of the State Militia. The pleasant residence of the family is at No.
186 Baldwin Street.
AVID S. HOWARD. This name will be
recognized by many of our readers as that
of the present incumbent of the Mayor's
chair in Pontiac. He was elected to his responsible position in the spring of 1890 and is discharging the duties pertaining thereto in a manner that
wins the encomiums of many citizens. It would
scarcely be correct to say that no fault is found
with his jurisdiction, as the city is yet to be known
in which a public officer is entirely free from adverse criticism. In addition to the duties devolving upon him as Mayor, Mr. Howard is acting as
Deputy Clerk.
Before giving a brief outline of the life of Mayor
Howard it will not be amiss to make some mention
of the work done by his father and of the characters of his progenitors. He is the son of George
W. and Harriet (Frew) Howard, the former of
whom was born in New York in 1810 and was an
extensive railroad contractor. He helped to construct many of the important roads in Pennsylvania and finally came West and was interested in
the building of the Milwaukee Railroad. Retiring
from his work he located in Pontiac. Here his
wife died in 1879. She was born in Meadville, Pa.,
and was the daughter of Thomas F. and Rachel
Frew. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Howard comprised five children, and David S. was the third in
order of birth. Mr. Howard is still living and a
resident of Pontiac.
The natal day of David S. Howard was March
26, 1843, and his birth-place Meadville, Crawford


County, Pa. Going from Pennsylvania to Ohio
with his parents, he attended school in Cleveland
for a while and thence came to Pontiac in the
spring of 1855. After spending some time here
he entered the State Normal School in Ypsilanti,
where he pursued his studies vigorously until the
spring of 1861. He was roused from his peaceful
pursuits by the mutterings of the storm-cloud and
the Civil War had scarcely begun ere he had decided to give his strength to his country. He
enlisted in Company E, Seventeenth Michigan
Infantry, commanded by Col.  W. Worthington
of Jackson. The regiment was assigned to the
Ninth Army Corps, then under the command of
Gen. Burnside and later of Gen. George McClellan.
Mr. Howard had such experiences in the duties
of camp life and marching, as are generally included in the lot of a soldier, and took part in two
famous hattles-the second Bull Run and South
Mountain. During the latter engagement he was
shot in the hip joint, while acting as Captain of
the company. He laid on the field two days and
nights, and was then taken to the prison hospital
where he was confined eight months. His health
being seriously impaired he was sent home as unfit
for duty, and early in 1863 was honorably dischlrged on a surgeon's certificate of disability.
The first business in which he engaged after he was
discharged was in Oil City, Pa., where he became
Superintendent of the Oil Transportation Company.
From the Keystone State he returned to Pontiac
and in 1868 married Julia, daughter of Solon
Comstock. They have three daughters living, viz.:
Blanche, Emma, and Florence; their son Albert is
deceased.
After his marriage Mr. Howard established a
permanent home and for twelve years was traveling
salesman for a New York mercantile house. He
then farmed two years and in 1889 having turned
his attention to politics, was soon after elected to
the mayoralty on the Democratic ticket. He is a
man of a social nature, is a good conversationalist,
well posted regarding the news of the day and
topics of general interest, and is quite a popular
member of society. Mrs. Howard is an educated,
well-bred lady, who stands high in the circles
which she frequents, and in her own pleasant home




500


PORTRAITT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


50      OTATADBIGAHCLABM


is a charming hostess. Mr. Howard s Vice-Cltancellor of the Knights of Pythias and Captain of
the Uniformed Division. He is now President of
the Waver Board of Pontiac.
AVIN LONGMUJR, a farmer of Bloomfield
Township, was born in Rochester, N. Y.,
July 12, 1839. He is a son of Gabriel and
Julia S. (Fitch) Longmuir, natives respectively of
Scotland and Veimont. The former was born
near Clasgow, and coming to America when about
nineteen years old located in Geneseo, N. Y., and
later took up his residence in Caledonia, N. Y.,
where he and his brother John engaged in the
brewing business. Later he went to Rochester and
started the Lougmuir B'ewery and Malt House,
which he managed for several years, retiiing from
it with about $60,000. He than tur ied his attention to agriculture and milling au Chili, near
Rochester, but he met with financial reverses and
lost almost all be had made. Somewlat later lie
came West and spent his last years with his son
Gavin. His wife still survives him.
The subject of this sketch is one of five children. Their first child bore the same nama as cur
subject and died in infancy. Their second son,
Alexander, is a miller at Duluth, Minn.; Amelia
H. is the wife of Wilson Brodie, of Nebraska, and
Mary married Andrew HL Porter, who is a farmer
in this township. Our subject was reared in Rochester, N. Y., and there received a good commonschool education.
At the breaking out of the Civil War Gavin
Longmuir enlisted in Company G, One Hundred
and Fifth New   York Infantry. In September,
1862, at the battle of AntieLam, he was commissioned Second Lieutenanb of his company, in which
capacity he served until 1863, when his regiment
was consolidated with the Ninety-Fourth New York,
and he, being a junior officer, was mustered out and
discharged. After spending a short time at home
he re-enlisted for one hundred days as Sergeant of
Company G, Fifty-fourth New York Infantry, and


was discharged at the expiration of his term of
service. He participated in the baltles of Front
Royal, Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station,
Thoroughfare Gap, the seccond Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam  and Fredericksburg. He escaped both wounds and impt;sonment.
In the spring or 1864 the young veteran came
to Michigan and purchased his present farm of
s:xty acres in Bloomfield Township, known as
"'Bannockbur Stock Farm." IHe.came to Michigan
poor and worked by the mouth or money to make
the fiist payments on his farm. He has experienced a great deal of misfortune but has triumphed
over all adversities and is now one of the thrifty
and prominent farmers of the towj). Few fnrms
excel his in prodact-veness and attractiveness. He
has good barns aad a splerdid, large frame residence, a view of which appears on another page.
All his stock is thoroughb:ed except his horses
and they are of a high g ade. He has made thoroughbred slock a speciaity and receives premiums
eveywhee in his exhibi 3. Ee breeds Shropshire
sheep and Devonsh;re cattle, wile Berkshire hogs
and Plymouth Rock chickers a 'e also to be found
on h1s aimni.
Mr. Longmdir was usated in marriage October
28; 1863, with  alyy P. Roswell of Chili, Monroe
County, N. Y., where she was born April 22, 1841.
She is a daughter of Will-am and Francis (Gambriel) Bos^ell, natives of England. Our subject
and his wife have had thce children: Selwyn B.,
John W. and Frank S. The latter is now the orly
surviving child and is sixteen years of age. Mr.
Longnmuir is a Republican in his political views,
but has never taken an active pact in political matters. Ile is identified with the Free and Accepted
Masons.
T OHN D. EVANS. The home of this enterprising fa mer is on section 12, Southfield
Township, and his home farm consists of
' eighuy acres. He has also- a tract of ninety
acres in West Bloomfield Townshin, his former
home. Both tracts are well improved and bear
such buildings as are expected among the fittings of




RESIDENCE OF' GAVIN LQNGMUIRIBREEDEROFOEVON CATTLEAND SHROF'5H1RE 5 HEEP9
SEC.8S BL00MFlELDTP.,OAKLAND CO NAICH.


RES IDEN CE OF J. D. EVAN 5, SEC. 12., SOUTHFIELD TPROAKLAN D CO. MICH.




a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


503


-_


the estates of prosperous men. The dwelling now
occupied by Mr. Evans is a lbeautiful modern farmhouse, two stories in height, and was built in 1889
at a cost of $3,000. The interior finishings are
of ash and oak and various arrangements have been
made for the comfort and convenience of the occupants. A view of this commodious residence
appears on another page. Mr. Evans gives his
attention to general agricultural work and is reaping the reward due to his perseverance, thrift and
energy.
Mr. Evans is one of the native horn farmers of the
county, his birthplace having been Sonthfield Township and his natal day August 16, 1839. His father,
Thomas Evans, was born in Mlontgomeryshire,
Wales. and emigrated to this country in 1832. The
next year he came to Detroit and in 1836 he removed
to Southfield Townsllip and purchased a small tract
on what was known as the primary school lands.
By his industry and untiring perseverance he carved
out of the dense wilderness a home. Some years
since he removed to Redford, Wayne County, and
thence to West Blooinfield, this county, where he
spent his last days. He died September 22, 1881,
aged seventy-seven yea s. He was genial, frank
and hospiLable, and generous to a fault, and in
every relation of life was held in high esteem.
Eve,'yone in the vicinity knew  'Uncle Tommy,"
as he was familiarly called, and knew him only to
love. lie was ma-ried i:1 1834 to MargareL E.
Evans, a native of the same Welsh shire as himself,
but or a different family. She lived to the veuerable age of ninety-six years, eleven months, and
breathed her last December 4, 1890. The parental
family included but one child besides our subject
-Mary J., now the wife of E. W. Reynold, of
Armada, Maconb County, and proprietor of an
hoiel there.
John D. Evans obtained his first and only schooling in District 10, Southfield Township; however
his education dlid not cease when lie left the schoolroom, but continued through self effort as that of
every intelligent man must. He remained with his
father until he was twenty years old, then began
working out by the month. A couple of years
later he located in Troy Township, but after living
there three years went to West Bloomfield Town

ship, where he made his home a decade. Thence
he came to his present home, retaining possession,
however, of the old place. He has not been a
seeker after public honors, but is careCul to discharge the duties which belong to every loyal citizen, among which is that of exercising the right of
suffrage, and his ticket is a Democratic one. He is
a Mason, belonging to Birmingham Lodge No. 44.
His social qualities are excellent and he is a very
agreeable and entertaining companion. His standing is excellent, and his character and dealings are
honorable and straightforward.
In 1861 Mr. Evans was married -to Mary A.
Keeney, a native of New York, who was four years
old when her parents removed to this county.
After almost twenty years of wedded life she closed
her eyes in death, November 4, 1880. She had
three children, but George W., the first-born, died
young. Frank T., the second son and child, married Hattie Simpson and is living in Bloomfield
Township; the youngest, Elmer W., still lives in
the home of his father. A second marriage was
made by Mr. Evans in 1883, his bride being Miss
Bell Mitchell. This lady was born in Philadelphia,
Pa., in 1845, and is the sixth child of William and
Mary A. (Kyle) Mitchell, who are now living in
West Bloomfield Township, this county.    Mr.
Evans has held several minor offices such as School
Director and held the office of Justice of the Peace
for four years.
*-        m0g        E_=i —,

EVI NEWMAN was born on the old Newman homestead, in Orion Township, December 13, 1857. His present home is a
part of the property secured by his father and his
farm consists of one hundled and sixty acres,
where the soil is as fertile as one need wish. He is
carrying on the work of a general farmer and has a
well regulated estate, from which good crops and
fat stock are sold. He built a fine frame house in
1887 and has all needful arrangements for the
prosecution of his work. His education was obtained in the district school and he has always
worked on the homestead. He was married in




504


PO RTRAIT AND) BIOGRA PHICAL ALBUJM.


5       PORTRAT


1884 to Miss Maggie Siple, who was born in Orion
Township in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Newman have
no children.
The father of our subject is John W. Newman,
a venerable man who is still living on the land he
settled upon when he came hither in pioneer times.
He is now in his eighty-first year, having been
born in New York January 12, 1811. His first
residence here was a primitive log house, such as
early settlers occupied, and his life for some
time was one of unflagging industry and almost
ceaseless toil. He hewed down trees, removed
stumps, and broke the virgin soil, and little by
little brought around him the appearance of civilization and tie means of comfort.  Wild animals and game infested the forests and Indians
roamed through it when Mr. Newman located
here and for sometime afterward. He killed bear,
deer and other animals and supplied his table with
meats. He started in life with little means and
accumulated a good property, which he has given
to his children.
The mother of Levi and the wife of John Newman, was born in New York in 1816, and is still
living. She was known in her maidenhood as
Miss Fanny Conrad. She is one of those courageous, hopeful women who were fit wives of pioneers
and whose influence upon the prosperity of this
section cannot be estimated. She has seven children, all living, Levi being tie youngest. That
gentleman gives all his allegiance to the principles
of Demnocracy. The young man and his wife hold
membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church
and are classed among the upright and worthy
members of the community.
-      -- ------- l  --- -- ^
t     ETER W. SUTTON, one of the old settlers
of Rose Township was born, September
28, 1817, in Mansfield Township, Warren
County, N. J. His father, John Sutton,
was born in the Mohawk Valley, and was brought
up to the trade of a saddler. He married in New
Jersey, Joanna (Bird) Williamson. In 1833 he removed to Orleans County, N. Y., where he cleared


and cultivated one hundred and sixty acres of
land. In 1845 he came to Lapeer County, Mich.,
and with his son John B., bought a half section of
land, which he cleared and improved. Here he
passed away in 1856, at the age of sixty years, and
was laid to rest in the cemetery at Thornville.
John Sutton was twice married. The six children who were born to him by his first wife are:
Peter W., John B., Rachel, Jane, Hannah and
Nathan. He married for his second wife Susan
Williamson. a daughter of Peter Williamson.  She
was the mother of three sons, William, Levi and
Oakley, and six daughters, one only of whom grew
to maturity, Belle, now Mrs. Durston, who resides
in Washington, Adams County, N. Y.
Joanna Bird, the mother of our subject, was
born in Warren County, N. J., and was the daughter of John Bird, a tavern keeper of the olden
days, who lived to complete a century of existence.
His danghter, Joanna, was first married to Peter
Williamson, a saddler of Beateystown, N. J., by
whom she had two sons and one daughter, Susan,
who was afterward united in marriage with Mr.
Sutton. The mother of our subject died in 1831,
and was laid to rest in Hackettstown, N. J. She
was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the
farm and in the district school. He is a good
singer and when young taught singing school for
many terms. At the age of twenty he began work
for himself by renting land. In the fall of 1843
he came to Michigan and settled in Oakland
County. Here he rented a farm for three years,
as he had not means to purchase, for $25 was all
that he had in his pocket when he first reached
Detroit.  In 1846 he had accumulated  enough
means to buy eighty acres in Rose Township. Upon
this he removed in March, 1847, and proceeded to
clear it of timber and put it in a state of cultivation. Later he added forty acres and at another
time one hundred and sixty acres, all of which he
has put under cultivation.
The marriage of our subject with Frances Bird
took place September 7, 1837. This lady was the
daughter of Thomas S. and Sarah (Swaze) Bird, of
New Jersey, who came to Oakland County, Mich.,
in 1843, and died in Lapeer in 1889.




PO RTRAIT AN D BIOGRARPHICAL ALBU M.


505


PRA  AND BIGRPICL  LUM    5.


Mr. and Mrs. Sutton are the parents of fourteen
children, namely;  Sarah, now  Mrs. Gordon;
Rachael now Mrs. Kenyon; Jane, Mrs. Howe;
Esther (deceased), Mrs. John Frick; Hannah (deceased), Mrs. Orton; Emma, (deceased), Mrs. Tolfre; John W., Peter W., Oscar B., Nathan, Milan,
Joselph, William, and Anna M., now Mrs. Van
Dusen.  Mrs. Francis Sutton died April 29,
1884. Peter married for his second wife, Sarah,
daughter of Patrick and Julia (Gasniey) Galligan,
who were born in Ireland, and came to the United
States when young, making their home in Clarkston, Oakland County.
DWIN T. HAZEN, a representative farmer
of Novi Township, is the son of Jesse Hazen,
j  a native of Connecticut, who was born in
1802. His mother was Elsie (Taylor) Hazen, who
was born in 1802 in Ontario County, N. Y. They
were married and resided in the latter State until
they came to Michigan in 1834, traveling to Detroit by boat and to Novi Township by ox-team.
Here they took up one hundred and twenty acres
of timber land, paying for it all their money with
the exception of a few shillings and building a log
house lie began clearing off his place. Indians and
wild beasts were plentiful, and as he was considerable of a huntsman, he often had successful encounters with deer and bears. IIe was a strong,
robust man and a great worker. He cleared all
but about thirty acres of his large tract and built
a small barn and later a large one and a frame
house. His wife departed this life in 1844, leaving
him to mourn her loss faithfully until his own
demise in 1873. Five of their nine children are
now living, namely: Mrs. J. N. Norton, Edwin,
our subject, Mrs. L. Putnam, John and Mrs. Daniel
M. Bloss.
The early political connection of Mr. Hazen was
with the Democratic party, but after the Civil
War broke out lie became a Republican. There
were but few schools and those subscription ones,
and he used to find it hard to meet his rate bill but


struggled nobly against circumstances, and gave
his children the best education  he could command   He was a School Director and in early
days a Pathmaster. He had two brothers, Paul W.
and Henry, who served in the War of 1812. The
latter contracted a severe cold during that war
from the effects of which he died.
The subject of this sketch was born, February 4,
1832, in Bristol Township, Ontario County, N. Y.,
and was two years of age when brought to Michigan by his parents. His opportunities for schooling were small and when still very young he had
to do a man's work. He was so unfortunate as to
lose his mother by death when only twelve years
old. In 1855 he took the Western fever and in
November he started to Califorria by water,
crossing the Isthmus and making San Francisco his
destination. He worked all winter, in the gold
mines at Nevada City, then went to the Sacramento
Valley, in Sutter County, and worked in the harvest
field and with a hay press for a year and a half.
He then returned to the mines. In the spring he
came back to Michigan having been fairly successful. He worked very hard, in fact he was too ambitious, putting in sixteen hours a day at labor and
the natural result was a severe attack of sickness.
Mr. Hazen now bought forty acres of his father,
and rented a farm belonging to his uncle, but after
three years settled upon his present farm which was
roughly cleared. He has cleared off twenty acres,
removing stumps and stones, and has done a large
amount of ditching and under-draining. He rebuilt his house and erected a barn 32x44 feet with
a good stone wall under it. Another barn is 22x44
feet and a sheep barn 22x36. His corn house is
16x26 feet and his hog house has the same dimensions. One hundred and twenty of his one hundred
and fifty-eight acres are under cultivation, and he
carries on mixed farming having some excellent
grades of fine wool sheep, also Jersey cattle and
draft horses.
In February, 1859, the gentleman of whom we
write took to wife Mary Bloss, a daughter of John
Bloss, an old settler in Wayne County, who came
there over fifty years ago. Both parents are now
deceased. Mrs. Hazen was born August 12, 1838,
in Wayne County, Mich., and was there a teacher.




506


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


One of her two children died in infancy. The
other, J. D., born in September, 1861, has married
Alice Dennis, and lives near his father. Mr. Haien
has always taken an active interest in politics being
a stanch Republican. He has been Treasurer of
Novi Township and a member of the School Board.
He has been temperate in his habits through life
and was a member of the Red Ribbon order.
EORGE H. SEELEY is the well-known proprietor of the Orchard Lake Hotel at the
summer resort of that name. This place is
one of the most widely known resorts in Michigan,
and its fame is not confined to the State, but extends over the Northwest. Although the resort
has its greatest patronage in the summer, the hotel
is kept open the year round. Since Mr. Seeley
bought the property, various improvements have
been made, including additions to the building so
that it will now accommodate one hundred guests.
It is a two-story frame structure, pleasantly located
on the bank of the lake, and commanding a prospect that is restful to the weary brains of those
who seek the comfort of a rural spot during the
heated term. It is but five miles from the hotel to
Pontiac, and the location is a popular resort of picnic parties. Mr. Seeley gives his personal attention to the hotel, and is careful to see that his
guests receive every courtesy.
Mr. Seeley is the son of Ira C. and Al atilda
(Dewey) Seeley, who were born in New York and
Vermont, respectively, and who came to this county
about 1833. The father was a farmer, and in the
pursuit of his calling acquired considerable means.
He was a stanch Republican, but took little part in
political affairs. He and his wife belonged to the
Congregational Church, and were conscientious and
humble Christians. Mr. Seeley spent his days after coming to this State in Waterford Township,
and Mrs. Seeley died in Pontiac. They had five
children who lived to mature years, namely: William, George I., Maria, Charles L. and Elinor.
Our subject was born in Waterford Township,
May 12, 1841, and the surroundings of his early


years were such as are common on farms in a country that is still undergoing some of the processes of
development and yet is quite populous. He pursued his studies in the district school and in Pontiac, and continued to make his home with his parents until he was twenty-four years old. After
establishing a home of his own he still carried on
farm work until 1889, when he came to Orchard
Lake and bought the old hotel property, determined
to build up the reputation of this beautiful spot by
carrying on a first-class hotel here. He owns a
farm in Troy Township, from which a very good
income is derived.
March 16, 1864, Mr. Seeley was married to Miss
Sarah Prall, of Pont;ac, daughter of Johnson S. ant
Sarah (Melcher) Prall, and a native of New York.
She is an able assistant of her husband in his recent ente prise, as she is an excellent housekeeper,
and a cordial, friendly and intelligent woman.
They have two children, Thaddeus D. and Bessie
E. The former married Miss Eva Palmer, of Pontiac, has one child named Florence E., and lives in
Bay City. The latter is unmarried, and is still
with her parents. Mr. Seeley is not a politician,
but votes with the Republicans.
ANIEL T. KELLOGG. It would be hard
to find among the farming community of
Waterford Township, a man who wields
greater influence, or has greater personal popularity
than the gentleman whose name introduces this
sketch. His life has been spent in the peaceful pursuance of his calling of a farmer, and in a share
in the local public affairs. His homestead upon
section 13, comprises one hundred and thirty acres,
upon which has been erected a substantial and attractive residence. The fine tract of land is embellished with first-class buildings and the various improvements that mark his estate as the property of
a prosperous man.
In Wayne County, N. Y., Mr. Kellogg was born
on the 8th of February, 1826, to Abram and Phoebe
(Rice) Kellogg. The father emigrated from his




I
I




I            I,-iz


I, "- '1  -!~ =
I~


/


- < - I  I-.'T - i




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


509


- -I


native State to New York, whence, after his marriage, he removed to Michigan in 1834, locating on
a farm on section 13, Waterford Township. The
surrounding country was then in a very uncivilized
condition, and wild animals were numerous. The
father, assisted by his children, cleared and improved the land, and from the primeval wilderness
evolved a pleasant home. He was a quiet, unassuming man, and to him Waterford Township is
indebted for much of the great work that has been
accomplished in making it one of the best agricultural centers of the county. His activity, and intelligent enterprise were potent factors in the
advancement of the farming interests of the community. Politically he uniformly voted the Republican ticket and supported with his influence as
well as ballot, those candidates who were pledged
to the principles of that party. A sincere Christian, he was a devoted member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, in which faith he died.
The family of which our subject is a member,
comprised twelve children, seven of whom are still
living. Owing to the poor health of his father, our
subject received very few opportunities for education, but being a bright, intelligent lad, he learned
rapidly, and by making good use 'oF his observing
powers, lie has kept abreast of the times. He was
bred to the life of a farmer, and having a natural
taste for the calling, has always pursued it. and has
been more than ordinarily prospered. He now
owns and operates the homestead upon which his
father first located, and the abundant' harvests
gleaned from his broad acres bring him in a good
income.
In all his labors, Mr. Kellogg has had the intelligent co-operation of his wife, with whom he was
united in marriage on the 29th of April, 1874.
Mrs. Kellogg bore the maiden name of Frances Arnott, and is the daughter of David and Eliza
Arnott. Of the union of Mr. Kellogg and his estimable wife two children were born, both now deceased, and this bereavement has been the great
sorrow in an otherwise happy union. Mrs. Kellogg
is an amiable, intelligent lady, a consistent member
of the Presbyterian Church, and universally esteemed for her noble qualities of heart and mind.
Mr. Kellogg is identified in politics with the Re

publican party, and uses his influence to forward
its interests. his present high standing is due to
his unremitting industry, for when he started out
for himself at the age of twenty-two years, he had
no moneyed capital and received only $11 per
month.
ILLIAMI A. DENISON. The residence of
this gentleman is on section 7, Troy Township, where for a number of years he was
engaged in agricultural work. Some five years
since he rented his land, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres, twenty-five of which is in the
shape of a wood lot and the rest under cultivation.
The property is well improved, having good fences,
ample farm buildings and the garden plots and
orchards, without which an estate can scarcely be
called well regulated. Mr. Denison is now engaged
in the insurance business and in the work connected with settling estates, in which his services
are frequently called for. He is well and favorably
known, having lived in this section most of the
time since be was fourteen years old, which covers
a period of more than a half century. and we invite the attention of the reader to his portrait and
the following account of his life career.
The Rev. A. Denison, who was born in New
York June 28, 1790, and was a Baptist minister
many years, was the father of our subject. In
1814 that gentleman married Mercy L. Benedict,a
native cf New York, and located in Cayuga
County on an eighty-acre farm. In 1831 he bought
Government land in Avon Township, this county,
and settled thereon, building a log house and making such improvements as he could prior to 1834.
He then went to Warren, Macomb County, where
he remained nineteen years, carrying on farming
and preaching with great success. He died in Bay
City, October 16, 1866, and his wife survived him
but eighteen days. They were the parents of one
daughter and ten sons, all of whom lived to years
of maturity and eight still survive.
The subject of this sketch, was born in Cayuga
County, N. Y., January 29, 1817, and his first




510


PORTRAIT ANTD BI OGRAPHICAL ALBUM.~


50   P I  A


schooling was in a log building near his birthplace.
He was the second son and child of his parents
whom he accompanied to Michigan soon after entering his teens. He worked on a farm by the
month and when sixteen years old helped to build
the first bridge where the city of Flint now stands.
He learned the trade of a bridge builder and also
worked on the turnpike at Grand Blanc. He left
home to do for himself at the age of nineteen, his
father giving him his time. During the summers
he worked on a farm by the month and in the winters attended school until the fall before he was of
age when he went back to New York and spent
the winter in school there.
The spring after he was twenty-one Mr. Denison
hired out to sell surgeon's instruments and traveled
through Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Pennsylvania until summer, when he resumed farming, again
working by the month. He had returned to this
State and it was not long ere he was married and
located on land in Kent County, seven miles north
of Grand Rapids. There he built a log house and
worked two years during which time he cleared
fifteen acres. He then came back to this county
and for two years worked the farm of his fatherin-law, the Hon. James Bayley, after which he
traded his Kent County farm for the one on which
he now lives, paying $1,000 bonus. He operated
this farm until recently, when he felt justified in
abandoning the heavy work necessary for a farmer
and taking up lighter labor.
December 22,1842, was the wedding day of Mr.
Denison and Miss Clarissa I. Bayley. The bride
was born in Troy Township, Christmas Day, 1825,
and is the eldest of six children, comprising the
family of James and Dorcas N. (Pearsall) Bayley.
Her father was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in
1802 and her mother in 1804. The former came
to this State in 1824 but returned East the same
year, and January 20. 1825, was married and
brought his wife to this county. He located on
section 21, Troy Township, putting up a log house
in which he lived sixteen years, in the meantime
reclaiming and cultivating the lhnd and building a
good set of frame buildings. From 1860 to 1863
he was Superintendent of the Agricultural College
in Lansing. He returned to Troy Township in


1866 after the close of his Legislative term, but
in 1868 went to Birmingham where he died May
1, 1887.  His widow survived until July 14,
1889, when she too was laid to rest.
Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Denison the following facts may be noted: Jennie B., who was
born October 18, 1843, became the wife of Frank
Wheeler and died February 5, 1888; Henry C., who
is unmarried and living with his parents, was born
August 20, 1845; J. Herbert was born August 23,
1847, and died March 24, 1848; Clara L., who is
now the wife of George A. Shannon, was born May
31, 1857; Evalyn F., who was born October 26,
1855, is the wife of Edmund Niles; Will F., who
was born October 28, 1863, is teller in a bank in
Alpena.
Although Mr. Denison could scarcely be called
a politician he has always been interested in party
measures and has never missed an election since he
cast his first Presidential ballot for William Henry
Harrison in 1840. He has also been identified with
the Republican party and he is proud of having
voted for the present President, Benjamin F. Harrison. He was Justice of the Peace in Troy Township seven years. He is much interested in matters relating to the welfare of the farmers and belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry, of which lie
was Treasurer at one time. His religious home is
in the Baptist Church.
V -0  -   O ---^ --- -   -
H1NEAS C. SIMONSON, a farmer on section 6, Royal Oak Township, is a son of
Garret I. Simonson, who was born in Delaware County, N. Y., January 29, 1794, and
who camne to Michigan in 1832 and made his home
in Royal Oak Township. In 1820 Garret Simonson
took to wife Sarah P. Stephens. They became the
parents of eight children, three daughters and five
sons of whom our subject is the third son and
fourth child. The grandfather, John B. Simonson, was like his son and grandson, a farmer, and
was a native of New York. His wife, Polly Bradford, was a native of Massachusetts. They were
the parents of ten children, of whom Garret I. was




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


511


I- - -


the eldest son and second child. They have now
been dead for some years.
The father of our subject came to Michigan in
1832. In his political views he was a Whig and
later espoused the principles of the Republican
party. He was a member of the Baptist Church
and later in life became a Presbyterian. Young
Simonson made his home with his parents until
1852 when he went to California. He went by way
of New York, thence by steamer to the Isthmus of
Panama which he crossed part way by row boat
and then upon pack mules. He went from there
on the barque "Aaron Smith," shipping as steward and paying in addition to his services $100
for a passage to San Francisco. The vessel was
becalmed for several weeks and finally reached
Acapulco, Mexico, where she was seized by the
Spanish authorities, condemned and sold. Mr.
Sinionson now took passage on another steamer to
San Francisco, and upon reaching that point went
directly to the mines in Cold Springs, Placer
County. He was in California for two years working in the mines and he located one mine of his
own. He gained greatly in health and some $2,000
in purse while il the West. After two years in
that country he returned to Michigan and spent
three years, and then made an excursion to Pike's
Peak. Ile remained there one summer only and
came back to Michigan.
In 1861 this gentleman was married to Zilpha
Bailey. Her parents, William and Betsey A. (Earle)
Bailey, were natives of New York. They came to
Michigan in 1836 and this daughter was born April
6, 1839. Her father was a contractor and builder
as well as a farmer. He passed away from earth
Christmas Day, 1871, and her mother still lives at
Saginaw City, Mich., at the age of eighty years.
The grandfather of Mrs. Simonson was Clark
Bailey, who was born in New York and his father's
name was also Clark Bailey. The elder Bailey was
from Rhode Island.
Mr. and Mrs. Simonson are the happy parents of
five children. They are named, Jay F., who was
born August 15, 1862; Lucy A., February 19,
1864; Bertha B., May 20, 1865; Earle W., February
1, 1868; and William B., June 25, 1870. Bertha
is now the wife of Ernest Wild and resides in Pon

tiac. She has one son-Jay, who was married
April 13, 1889, to Mary Lambkin.   They have
one child, William B., who died January 10, 1891.
After Mr. Simonson's return from Pike's Peak he
purchased the farm where he now resides. He has
eighty acres, all improved, and upon it is doing a
general farming business, breeding Clydesdale
horses and carrying on the sorghum manufactory.
He was a Whig first and a Republican later in his
life. His first Presidential ballot was cast for Fremont and his last for Harrison. Both Mr. Simonson and his wife are members of the Presbyterian
Church of Birmingham.
EROME B. TRIM, of Springfield Township,
was born March 18, 1828, in Oswego County,
N. Y. His father, Hiram, and his grandfather, John, were both natives of New
York. His great-grandfather with his family and
the nurse of his children were taken captives by
the Indians. The wife and family were roasted to
death and ihe was obliged to run the gauntlet,
which he accomplished. They pulled out half his
hair and painted his head red and named him Trim
thus originating the family name.
The granlfather of our subject was a soldier in
the Revolutionary War. In 1830 he came to
Hillsdale County, Mich., and spent the remainder
of his years there. He was the father of six sons.
The father of our subject was a farmer and blacksmith. He came here in 1835 and bought eighty
acres in Springfield Township. In May, 1836, he
sent for his family. He paid $36 for the transportation of one load of goods hauled out from Detroit. He built a small frame house and opened
the first blacksmith shop in this township. To this
shop came the settlers for many miles around. He
carried it on for thirty years and then retired to
his farm. He died in September, 1882, at Sunfield,
Eaton County, Mich., where he had removed some
years before his death. He was a Whig and later
a Democrat and was Road Commissioner and Justice of the Peace for many years.
Patience Ures, the mother of our subject, was




512


PORTRAIT AND BIOG~RAPHICAL ALBUM-~


512          PORTRAIT — ~ --- AN  IGRPIALABM


born near Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1803. She came
to America with her parents when young and
settled in Utica, N.Y. Her father was a great
brewer in Utica where he died in middle life. Mrs.
Trim reared ten children, namely: Perry, Jerome,
Pembrook, Homer, Mortimer, Ira, Delia A., Aurellia, Nora and Sarah J. Their mother died in
1874. Both she and their father were earnest and
efficient members of the Methodist Church.
Jerome B. Trim came to Michigan in his ninth
year. When old enough he worked out by the
month, receiving for his first wages $4 per month.
When twenty-one years old he bought forty acres
and farmed for a few years. He afterward lived
in Ionia County and in Shiawassee County. In May,
1847, he enlisted in the First Michigan Infantry
and served in the Mexican War. His company
went to Lake Superior to guard money with which
to pay the Indians off. He was in the service one
and one half years but never saw Mexico. He
lived in Shiawassee County twenty years and removed from there after the close of the War of
the Rebellion.
Mr. Trim enlisted in Company H, Fifth Michigan Infantry in August, 1861, and took part in the
Peninsular Campaign. He was present at the following battles and engagements: Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair
Oaks and seven days retreat with continued fighting to Harrison's Landing. He then went to Arlington Heights where he was taken sick. Dropsy
developing, his discharge was obtained and he
came home for a year after having spent some
time in hospital.
Our brave soldier re-enlisted in November, 1863,
in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, Company E, joining the regiment at Stephensburg, Va. He did
winter picketing on the Rapidan, and then went
on a twenty-one-days raid to Richmond, Va., then
through North Carolina and again through Virginia. They embarked for Alexandria and were
in all the battles of the Wilderness. They rode
down to Beaver Dam Station and captured a lot of
prisoners.  They were in the battles of Cold
Harbor, Yellow Tavern, Old Church and Trevilinn Station. The cavalry then did picket duty
along the line of the Potomac River and took part


in the battle o(  Winchester, September, 1864.
They were in the engagement st Ft. Republic, W.
Va., and skirmished all the way back, returning in
time to take part in the battle of the Shenandoah
Valley. They raided and picketed all the following winter and the spring o& 1865. They took
capture Gen. Ea ly's entice army and destroyed the
canal to Lynchburg. They camped at City Point
one week and then marched to Harslies. They had
an engagement at Dinwiddie Court-house and many
skirmishes with Lee's soldiers.
At the battle of Five Fo'ks Mr. Trim's horse
was shot and fell upoan im, giving him severe injuries. He was taken to the hospital at West
Philadelphia where le remained until discha.ged
July 24, 1865. He is an invalid and has never
been able to do any work since that time. Besides
the injui ies to his knee and hips he is so deaf as to
be obliged to use a trumpet. The Government
grants him a pension of *24 per month.
The marr;,.ge of our subject took place November 11, 1849. His w fe, Elizabeth Husted, was
born in New York April 6, 1826. Their two children are living, Charles F. in Cali ornia and Erwin
J. in St. Clair County, this State. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Trim are members of the Presbvterian Church
in which he is a Trustee. He is a strong Republican and a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 115,
at Corunna. He belongs to the Ancient Order of
United Workmen, Charter Oak Lodge, No. 56. He
has eighty-eight acres of land which he rents out,
and a fine large residence, and excellent barns and
outbuildings. He is universally esteemed both for
his excellent character and his war record.
AMES LAIDLAW. A traveler through the
farming lands of Oakland Cbunty will be
pleased to observe the large number of wellimproved farms and the numerous evidences
of prosperity. In Oxford Township an estate of
one hundred acres, which is admirably adapted for
both farming and stock-raising, is owned and occupied by the gentleman above mentioned. A
visitor here will see everything that is necessary in




I






llj
/-     4r..r                   p




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


515


the way of farm buildings, machinery, and ill the
modern appliances of agriculture. The life of Mr.
Laidlaw affords an example worthy of emulation,
for he began for himself a poor boy and has risen
unaided to prosperity.
Mr. Laidlaw   was born in   Northumberland
County, England, March 15, 1824. His father, Adam
Laidlaw, was a native of Scotland and a shepherd,
but during the early part of his life he removed to
England, whence, in 1842, he came to America with
his family. After a tedious voyage they landed at
Quebec, and proceeding directly to Hamilton, located on a farm  near that city. There the father
passed away in 1864, at the age of sixty-four
years. Prior to his emigration he served in the
Second British Cavalry and participated in the
French Wars, serving under Gen. Wellington,
famous as the hero of Waterloo.
The year following the death of the father, the
mother, Margaret (Allen) Laidlaw, also a native of
England, departed this life at the age of fortyeight years. The parents were consistent members
of the Presbyterian Church, and were highly
respected among their circle of acquaintances. Our
subject is one of six children born to his parents,
only two of whom are now living-Adam     and
James, of this sketch. The latter grew to manhood in England, and had attained the age of
eighteen years when he accompanied his parents to
Canada. He remained under the parental roof
about eight years in Hamilton, whence lie came to
Wisconsin in 1847 and for three years was variously employed in Beloit. We next find him back
in Canada and until 1853 he worked his father's
farm on shares, carefully saving his earnings until
he was able to buy a farm of his own.
Mr. Laidlaw located permanently in this State in
the spring of 1854, when he came to Lapeerjpnty
and purchased a farm in Metamora Township. During his residence there of nine years he effected
many improvements upon the estate, clearing the
land of the forest growth upon it, erecting substantial farm buildings and fertilizing the soil by a
proper rotation of crops. His energy bought him
financial success, while his social qualities made
him popular. In 1863 he sold this farm, and
bought another just across the county line on sec

tion 2, Oxford Township. When he came here
wild game was still plentiful and other evidences of
pioneer life were abundant. He cleared the land
aiid gradually brought it to its present state of develolment. He still owns one hundred and eighty
acres and has given to each of his sons one hundred acres.
In 1852 occurred an important event in the life
of Mr. Laidlaw, when he was united in marriage
with Miss Mary A. Piton, who was born in Canada
in 1829. Ten children were born to them of whom
two died in infancy. The others are named as follows: Adam, William, Elizabeth, Mary, James,
Ella, French and Alice. Mrs. Laidlaw has a cultured mind, a sympathizing heart and she adds
thereto the housewifely knowledge which is necessary for all who make their homes attractive and
coamfortable. In politics Mr. Laidlaw is a firm
Republican. A man of steady habits and high
principles, he does as he would be done by in the
various relations tiht he sustains towards others
and his life record in all things is unblemished and
worthy of emulation.
i  ILLIAM    M. HADLEY, a representative
farmer of the township of Rose, was born
upon the farm  where he now resides,
September 27, 1837, and is a son of John and
Sophia (Finck) Hadley. His father was born nean
New Castle, England, in 1810, and ten years later
emigrated to this country with his parents, John
and Margery (Fenwick) Hadley. They made their
first home in Wayne County, N. Y., and the grandfather came to Michigan in 1834 and enteied lands
in Groveland. Later in life he spent some years
in Holly and there his life closed. He was an
earnest and efficient- member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.  He and his excellent wife
reared to man's and woman's estate six sons and
two daughters, all of whom married and established
families of their own. He was twice married but
had no children by his second wife.
The father of our subject came to Michigan in
1836 and entered one hundred and sixty acres in




516


PORTRAIT' AND~ BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUTM.


1I


the locality where his son now resides. The following year he removed his family to the new
home and proceeded to clear away the forest and
cultivate the land. The last eight years of his life
were spent in Holly, where he aided in establishing
a Presbyterian Church. He was bereaved of his
wife in 1874 and he passed away June 13, 1876.
Their children were named: Margery, William M.,
Eunice, Thomas, Elizabeth, Charles, Joseph, Mary
and Martha. Besides these they had one son,
Jeremish, who died when young. Charles, who
was a soldier in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, was
for a long time a prisoner at Andersonville and
died at Annapolis on his way home. The father
was a Justice of the Peace and represented the
Democrats of his county in the Legislature of
1860. He was active and wide-awake on all political questions, and was a liberal and warm-hearteO
Christian and an Elder in the church. His wife
was the daughter of Jeremish Finch, of Wayne
County, N. Y. Her mother'4 maiden name was
King.
Besides receiving practical training upon the
farm andt a district school education, the son William attended an academy, and taught school for
five terms, beginning when twenty-one years old.
With his teaching he mingled farming, renting
land for a few years and then purhasing one-half
interest in the home farm. Somewhat later his
brother Thomas bought the other half and they
still own it in partnership. Our subject continued
cultivating this land until the spring of 1881 when
he removed to a farm of one hundred and twenty
acres in Livingston County. In 1883 he removed
to Fenton, where he owns a nice home. He has
practiced living in town in the winter and on the
farm in the summer. He has served the cause of
education by filling admirably the position of
Superintendent of Schools.
One of the great events in he life of Mr. Hadley
was. his marriage on June 7, 1876, to Elizabeth
Denton, who was born in Fenton, August 12, 1841.
Her parents, DeWitt and Eliza (Hurd) Denton
were natives of Orange County, N. Y., and lived
near Greycourt. The father came West in 1836
and took up land in Livingston County. In 1841
he moved his family to the new home and made


his firat clearing. He was a Republican in politics
and served as Supervisor, dying in December 1874
at the age of sixty-six years. His wife tarried
ten years longer and died when seventy-five years
old. They reared to maturity five of their eight
children, namely: Elizabeth, Augustus, Seeley R.,
Anna, and Benjamin.
Mr. and Mrs. William M. Hadley have had four
children. Two of them have passed away, Anna
living to be seven years old; the two daughters
who survive are Alice and Edith. These children
are being carefully educated by their parents and
are taking their schooling for the present at Holly.
They are reared in the faith of the Presbyterian
Church of which their father has been a member
since he was sixteen years old.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Hadley is shown
in connection with this brief review of his personal career.
ETH A. PADDOCK, one of the old settlers
in Commerce Township, has a fine farm
on section 2, which is in a good condition
and well stocked. His father was George
Paddock, a native of Connecticut and a shoemaker
and farmer. The wife of George Paddock bore
the maiden name of Mary Wetmore. After their
marriage in Connecticut they removed to Herkimer County; N. Y., where they lived on a farm
until his death in 1834. She then removed to the
home of a taughter in Erie County, where she
passed away in 1838. They were the parents of
fourteen children, but only two of this large family survive.
Tmgsubject of this sketch was born July 2S,
1818, in Herkimer County, N. Y. After attending
the district school he went for awhile to an academy
in Genesee County. He remained at home for two
years after the death of his father, working on the
home farm. When his mother broke up housekeeping in 1837 he came to Michigan and settled
on his present farm in a little board shanty back of
his present barn. His brother Henry was here in
1836 and bought this farm of Mr. Walton, who was




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


517


______ __- --- - --- -


=


the first settler in this township. It was then completely unbroken. Our subject bought the land
of his brother a short time after his coming here.
Before coming West Mr. Paddock was married
to Maria Calhoun, a daughter of Sheldon Calhoun,
a'Connecticut farmer. He was married in Herkimer County, N. Y., December 17, 1835. Mrs. Paddock was born October 1, 1813, in that county.
Her grandfather Bacon was a soldier in the Revolutionary_ War. This good lady died November
10, 1881, having been the mother of three children.
The eldest child born before their coming West
was Sarah M., who died before she completed her
second year. Their second child Frederick J., was
born May 22, 1842, and died October 15, 1867.
Their only surviving child is Alfred H., born
April 11, 1845. He married Elizabeth Wood and
lives in this township on a farm. Two children
have blessed this union.
When the father of these children came to Michigan he was barely able to pay for his land. He
began clearing off the place and continued at this
work until he brought it from its wild rough state
to its present highly-cultivated condition. The
village of Commerce was hardly in existence at
that day. He moved from his board shanty into
a better house, which he afterward sold and' moved
off the farm, going into the house which he now
occupies, which was built by his brother. The
barns and other outbtul!dings he has put up himself. Ile has lived on this farm for fifty-fouryears,
with the exception of a year and a half when he
made a trip East. IHe drove from here to his old
home in New York in a buggy and then went on
and made a visit to Connecticut. By this journey
he effectually broke up the fever and ague which
was afflicting him and after this he returned home.
He now has one hundred and ninety acres of land
most of it under the plow. He has a man and wife
to keep house for him but still carries on actively
the work of the farm. He has a flock of about two
hundred and fifty fine wool sheep. He was one of
the first members of the Grange at Commerce
Village. He has always been deeply interested in
politics and votes the Democratic ticket. He was
long a member of the School Board, was Supervisor of this township for two terms and Highway






Commissioner for ten years. Under his supervision
a large number of the ro tds of the township have
been opened up. He has always been a strong and
healthy man and a hard worker, and now in his
seventy-ninth year is hale and hearty and enjoying
a green old age. His reputation among his neighbors is one which is eminent for its liberality and
kindness.


e    HRISTIAN SHICK, a farmer living on sec(  tion 1, Orion Township, has demonstrated
his ability as an agriculturist and business
manager. He came to this State in 1845 without
means, but he now has a solid footing as a landowner, owning one hundred and seventy acres,
which is vrell improved and valuable. He looks
back to the time when wild game was plentiful and
recalls with pleasure the deer stalking of those early
days. IIe comes of the old Dutch stock, but his
grandfather, whose name he bears, was probably
born in Pennsylvania. That State was the home
of the family for many years and Joseph Shick, the
father of our subject, was born there. He removed
to Richland County, Ohio, about 1850 and died in
1870. EIe served for a short time in the War of
1812. The wife of Joseph Shick was Susan Lauback, a native of Pennsylvania who died about
1882. She and her husband belonged t to the Lutheran Church. They had nine children, six of whom
are now living.
The subject of this notice was born in Northampton County, Pa., May 30, 1820, and reared on a
farm. When he began attending school he went
to the old log schoolhouse of historic fame and
conned his lessons in the few text books that were
then used. He obtained a good amount of practical knowledge in school and at home. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-five
years old, then hired out on a farm for one year
at $140. He worked thus four years, then farmed
on shares three years. In 1845 he established himself in Macomb County, this State, but after a sojourn of four years came to this county. He
bought eighty acres of land which he cleared and




518


PORTRAIT AN D BIOG RAPHICAL ALBUM.


58          P


improved, building upon it a good house, barns,
etc. In 1860 he sold it and bought that he now
occupies. This he has greatly improved, building
a substantial residence and barn, and adding to the
number and value of the other farm buildings.
In 1857 Mr. Shick was married to Miss Peggy
A. Miller, a native of Pennsylvania, and one of
those excellent housekeepers and devoted mothers
whom that State furnishes. The marriage has been
blest by the birth of eight children, of whom we
note the following: Elizabeth is tile wife of Bert
Seely of West Bay City; Catherine is deceased;
Alice is the wife of Rufus Tripp of Bay City, a
conductor on the Detroit & Saginaw division of
the Michigan Central Railroad; Sabina is deceased;
Maggie and Jacob are with their parents; Luke is
operating the home place; and John is at home.
Mr. Shick is a believer in Democratic principles
and casts his vote with that party. Sturdy and
industrious, he has won success as a general farmer,
and has a good name among the people.
OHN   FULTON. Although this gentleman
is not a resident of Oakland County he is
well known to many of her citizens and has
such property interests within her bounds
as to make him a fit subject for representation in
an ALBUM which contains information regarding her
people and resources. The home of Mr. Fulton is
in Greenfield Township, Wayne County, across the
line from section 35, Royal Oak Township, this
county. His estate consists of ninety-five acres in
Wayne and ten acres in Oakland County. He has
a fine house, which was put up in 1879 in accordance with modern ideas of comfort and furnished
in a manner suitable to the means and tastes of the
occupants. Conveniently disposed on the estate are
good barns and other outhouses and especial care
has been taken to afford adequate shelter for the
stock raised and kept here. Mr. Fulton is engaged
in the milk business and has nineteen cows.
William Fulton, father of our subject, was born
near Edinburgh, Scotland, September 7, 1810, and


was the elder of two sons. His father died about
1812 and his mother subsequently married James
Tait. In 1834 he turned his back upon his native
land and crossed to Canada where he made his home
three years. He then came to this State, spent a
few years in Wayne County, and then established
himself in this county. In after years he bought
different pieces of land until he owned two hundred and twenty acres. He lived until May 9, 1889.
and died full of years and honor. He was married
in 1840 to Jane Brown, who survived him a few
months, breathing her last February 1, 1890. She
was a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Spence)
Brown, who were natives of England and whose
family included one daughter and two sons younger
than she. Mr. and Mrs. William Fulton were the
parents of five children, three daughters and two
sons, and John is the third on the family roll and
the elder son. The natal day of John Fulton was
November 5, 1845, and his birthplace the home
farm in Royal Oak Township, this county. He
attended the common school and made such use of
the privileges afforded that he became abundantly
capable of transacting business affairs and laid a
solid foundation for the store of knowledge which
can only be gained in later years. He remained
with his parents until he was twenty-six years old,
then married and set up his own home.
The wife of Mr. Fulton bore the maiden of
Xerfa J. Merritt. She was born November 21,
1851, in Dearborn, Wayne County, and was the
only child of Adna and Lucretia J. (Downer) Merritt. Her father (lied when she was only about two
years old and some four years later her mother
married Sanford H. Wilber, of this county, to
whom she has borne two children. The family of
Mr. and Mrs. Fulton has the following record:
Merritt W., born September 4, 1872; Sanford H.,
September 7, 1874; Maggie, November 26, 1876;
Adna J., November 24, 1882; Ross E., December
1, 1886; Ethel J., October 25, 1889.
Mr. and Mrs. Fulton are connected with the
Methodist Episcopal Church in Greenfield, Wayne
County, and have good standing among the membership. The husband is a Trustee in the church
and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is a
Republican whose first vote was cast for Gen. U. S.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


519




I


Grant and who has supported every Presidential
candidate placed before the people by the party of
his choice from that day. He and his wife are well
informed, painstaking and energetic in the affairs
of life, and hospitable and kindly in their associations with others.
-— t —N-~ —^ —
*   LANSON PARTRIDGE. The only business affairs in which Mr. Partridge is now
f  engaged are the looking after collections,
and the settlement of estates. He is administrator for several and has already made satisfactory settlement of others which were given into
his hands in former years. Mr. Partridge has lived
in Birmingham for a long time, and is well known
in and about that place. With an established reputation as a business man and a sound public officer,
he has also good standing in social circles.
Tile paternal grandparents of our subject were
Alanson and Eunice (Mynard) Partridge, natives
of Old Canaan and New London, Conn., respectively, who came to this State in 1844, and died in
Royal Oak at the advanced ages of eighty-four and
ninety years. Tile grandfather traced his ancestry
to Scotland. and the grandmother to England, and
the early members of both families settled in New
England in Colonial days. The maternal grandparents of Alanson Partridge were Joshua and
Michel (Johnson) Chase, natives of Rhode Island,
who died in Albany County, N. Y. Both were of
English extraction, and the husband belonged to
the well-known Chase family of Rhode Island; he
was a Revolutionary soldier.
The parents of our subject were Lemuel M. and
Nancy (Chase) Partridge, each of whom was born
and reared in Albany County N. Y. They were
married in the town of Knox and later took up their
residence in Cato, Cayuga County, where they lived
until 1833. They then removed to this county
and located in Bloomfield, but soon afterward removed to Commerce Township near Walled Lake.
Tlhe mother died there in 1839. The father remained there several years longer, then went to
what is now Corunna, where he died in 1845, He




=




was a farmer and also an ordained minister of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and his early life was
mostly devoted to ministerial work. After he came
West he was only a local minister, and his attention
was largely given to farming. He was in easy
financial circumstances, was quite active in the
public affairs of his township and county, and for
many years was Justice of the Peace and. Supervisor of Commerce Township. He was a Democrat and a member of the Masonic order.
The parental family consisted of eight sons and
daughters, and the present survivors are Adelia,
wife of John M. Frazier, of Saginaw County; Sally
L., widow of Prentis Morell, of Texas; Alanson,
our subject; and Nancy J., widow of Thomas Beddow, of Southfield. Alanson Partridge was born in
Cato, Cayuga County, N. Y., January 8, 1827, but
reared in this State, having come to this county
with his parents when six years old. His education was limited and obtained in the common
schools, which was held in the old-fashioned log
house of historic fame. At the age of seventeen
years he left home and began working for himself.
He went to live with his brother-in-law and worked
on his farm in the summer months and attended
school winters. He next found employment with,
Mason I. James, a farmer in Troy Township, but
after a season on his farm, entered upon an apprenticeship at the trade of a wagon and carriage maker.
He served in Birmingham two years, then spent
about a twelvemonth working at his trade in Poqtiac and Detroit. He next opened a shop of his
own in Birmingham and carried it on until about
1874, when he sold out and gave his attention to
the various official positions which he held.
In 1876 Mr. Partridge was elected County Treasurer on the Democratic ticket, and was re-elected
in 1878. Prior to this he had been Justice of the
Peace, and is now holding the same office, having
filled it off and on for twenty years. For several
years the duties of that office received all his attention. He is a Mason of the Knights Templar
degree, and has been Master of Birmingham Lodge,
No. 44, for a quarter of a century, and in 1882 was
Grand Master of the State. He is also an Odd
Fellow. He casts a Democratic ballot.
September 26, 1849, Mr, Partridge was married




520


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




to Miss Julia M. Sherman, a resident of Birmingham, and a native of New Lebanon Springs, Columbia County, N. Y. She was born October 11,
1826, and had just entered her teens when her parents, Samuel and Esther (Gray) Sherman, came to
this State. They settled in Birmingham, where
they spent the remainder of their lives. Both were
born in the same town as their daughter. Mr. and
Mrs. Partridge have had but one child, a daughter,
Emma D, who is now deceased. She was the wife
of Charles F. Sibley, of Bloomfield, and had one
child, Anna D., who is now living with her grandparents, our subject and his wife. She is a well
educated young lady, and is a teacher in the Birmingham schools. Mrs. Partridge shares with her
husband in the esteem of their acquaintances, and
has many friends in the community of which she
has long been a useful member.
p   E EWTT CLINTON WADE, M. D., a resident of Holly, Mich., was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., November 3, 1839.
His parents were the Rev. Isaac M. and
Catherine (Sackett) Wade, both natives of New
York State. The father followed the ministry
through life, and coming to Michigan in 1854, located at Clinton and later at Ann Arbor. His
health was poor and he took a trip to Minnesota,
where he died in 1870. His wife died in 1858 in
Brooklyn, Mich. The family is of English descent
and the Rev. Isaac was a cousin to the late Ben
Wade. The three children of this clergyman were
our subject, Mrs. Warner of Albion, Mich., and
Mrs. Elwood of the same place, who died in September, 1888.
Dr. Wade, when a youth attended the high
school at Phelps, N. Y., and later the select school
at Clinton, Mich. He commenced reading medicine at seventeen years of age and taught some in
connection with his medical studies. He was a fellow-student with Galbraith and LeBaron when they
were students at the University of Michigan. These
gentlemen are now practitioners at Pontiac, this
State. He graduated a month after his twenty

first birthday, the youngest in his class. He took
his medical course partly at the University of
Michigan and partly at the Albany Medical College.
On May 12, 1862, our young Doctor was united
in marriage with Mary A. Gibson, and thus began
a domestic life of more than usual happiness. He
commenced practice in Holly, in February, 1861,
and-has made that his residence continually. He
is connected with the following medical societies.
The Oakland County Academy of Medicine, the
Saginaw Valley Medical Club, Honorary member
of the Washtenaw County Medical Society, Chairman of the section of Practice of Medicine of the
Michigan State Medical Society, Permanent member of the American Medical Association and member of the Ninth International Medical Congress.
His practice has been an "all around" one and is
not limited to any specialty, although for many
years he has not ridden in the county, and his time
is largely absorbed by gynecological and surgical
work. He contributes valuable articles to medical
literature.
Dr. Wade is surgeon for the Detroit, Grand
Haven & Milwaukee Railroad. He is greatly interested in building up Holly and promoting its
best interests. He has himself put up some fine
buildings in town and organized the movement for
establishing the vinegar works there. When the
High School building was put up in Holly in 1866,
he was Chairman of the building committee and
laid out the grounds. He was also Chairman of
the construction committee for the water works of
the place. He was United States Examining Surgeon from 1868 to 1882. He is in addition to his
membership in many medical societies also connected with the order of Masonry and the Knights
of Honor, and is an active and earnest Republican.
His only son, Linley G. Wade is an accountant in
the First National Bank at Holly. Our subject is
one of the most notable surgeons in this part of
Michigan and is often called away to take charge
of difficult -cases or as counsel with other physicians. His surgical cases come from all over the
State.
We append the following concise description of
the Doctor; '150 pounds was his weight when he




PORTRAIT AND BIOGQRAPHICAL ALBUM.


521


R               I


grasped his "sheepskin," it is 200 now; height, five
feet nine inches; health, good; eyes are dark; hair
was black, but what there is left of it is getting
mixed; formerly he smoked cigars, but three and
a half years ago he reformed; spectacles were taken
up six or seven years ago; his contributions to
medical literature are partly as follows: "Hydrobromic Acid," "Displacements of the Uterus,"
"Diseases of Women," "Chloric Acid," 'New Formula for the Production of Hydrobromic Acid,"
"A New Antiseptic," "Puerperal Fever," "Ether"
"The Ptomaines and Iodine," "Perinoplasty,"
"Iodoform."
- S33 --   ---
TK I N S ON WHITE. This prominent
farmer of West Bloomfield Township owns
a fine farm of one hundred and forty-five
acres on sections 18 and 19, and his present dwelling is within half a mile of the place where
he was born, June 3, 1838. He is a son of James
and Eliza (Miller) White, natives of Ireland, who
emigrated in their youth and were married in New
York, where they liveda few years after their wedding. Mr. White was there engaged in buying and
selling rags, old iron, etc. Early in the '30s he
came to this State, and took up a tract of Government land, consisting of three hundred acres in
West Bloomfield Township, a portion of which is
now owned by the son Atkinson. He cleared the
land and followed farming until his death, which
occurred while he was still a comparatively young
man. His wife survived him several years. They
had seven children, all still living. Their names
are Atkinson, Mary J., David, John, Sarah A.,
James and Elizabeth. Mr. White was a Democrat
and he and his wife were active members of the
Presbyterian Church.
On the old homestead Atkinson White spent his
boyhood days, performing such light tasks as were
suited to his strength and pursuing his studies in
the district school. As he grew older he took a
greater part in the work of the farm, and he has
continued to follow the vocation to which he was
reared. About 1863 he settled where he is now
living. He has a fine two-story frame house, such


barns and other outbuildings as are generally to be
seen in the rural districts, and his front yard is full
of evergreens that are kept trimmed in different
designs, and form a striking feature in the landscape. Mr. White gives his attention to his private
affairs and social pleasures, and pays little attention
to politics, although he is always ready to vote a
Democratic ticket. He and his wife are members
in good standing of the United   Presbyterian
Church at Commerce.
Mrs. White bore the maiden name of Martha
Murray, and became the wife of our subject April
17, 1862. Prior to that interesting event her home
was in Commerce Township, where she was born
February 12, 1844, her parents being David and
Martha (Carr) Murray. Mr. and Mrs. White have
had seven children, named respectively, Albert J.,
Marshal B., Orson C., Guy M., Ada B., Ruth E.
and Ray. Ruth died in infancy; Marshal married Miss Nellie Morris, of Utica, this State, and
Ada is the wife of William Walls, Jr., a farmer in
Commerce Township.
ILLIAM H. BRUMMITT. This name will
be recognized by many readers as that of
a photographer in Pontiac, whose gallery
is supplied with the latest and best appliances
known to photographic art and is patronized by
large numbers of people. Mr. Brummitt established
himself in Pontiac in 1870 and with the exception
of a short time has continued to make his home
here; the exception was a period spent at Wich'ita,
Kan.,where he had made investments in real estate
upon which he realized handsomely. He sold out
his business in Pontiac to remove West, but on his
return bought back the gallery.
The birthplace of Mr. Brummitt was Nottingham, England, and his natal day February 13, 1837.
His father, William  Brummitt, was a gunmaker
and his mother, formerly Sarah Paulson, was the
daughter of George Paulson and a native of England. Both parents remained in their native land
and their surviving children, with the exception of
our subject, still live there. They had five sons




522


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




and three daughters, but only three now living.
William H. was the youngest but one in the parental family. His school days were passed in his native county until he was eleven years old when he
became page to Lady Harriett Benediok, daughter
of the Duke of Portland. He spent three years in
the service of that lady and eighteen months in
that of the Duke of Newcastle, and he then traveled
with the Rothehilds in different parts of Europe,
consuming about three years in visits to the large
and notable cities.
In the fall of 1855 Mr. Brummitt sailed for the
United States, landing in New  ork,where he spent
three years. He then visited Toronto, Canada, consuming about six months in the trip and next going to Philadelphia, Pa. He had conducted an art
gallery in New York and in the metropolis of
Pennsylvania he carried on the same business until
1867, when selling out he removed to Detroit and
after following his work there two years came to
Pontiac. In Philadelphia he formed the acquaintance of Miss Paulina DeHeiter, whom he won for
his wife. She was of French descent and Prussian
birth, being the daughter of Gen. DeHeiter of the
Prussian army. She died in PhJiladelphia in 1865,
and in 1872 Mr. Brummitt was married to Miss Ella
R. Woodard, daughter of Hosea Woodard, of Pontiac.
Mr. Brulmmitt was a member of tha Common
Council in 1890. Politically, he is a Democrat and
socially a Knight of Pythias. He is Vice President
of the Cass Lake Aquatic Association and takes
great pleasure in drawing members of the finny
tribe from cool waters, His dwelling is comfortable, attractive, and is situated in a pleasant part of
the city.
— 'g-F  ' ' --- —C ^ 1 —i ^ --- —-— ^y~'"
AVID B. SWAYZE, of Orion, was born in
Oakland Township, Oakland County, June
12, 1837.  His father, Sanford, of New
Jersey was born in 1795, whence he came to Oakland County in 1832. He entered land in Oakland
Township, and received a deed signed by President
Jackson. He built a nice farmhouse and began


to cultivate the land. The Indians planted corn
for him and one of the squaws worked for his
mother. Detroit was his nearest market to which
he went by ox-team. He was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and died in 1855, at
the age of sixty years. Ile commenced with limited means and was more than ordinarily successful.
The grand father of our subject, Christopher S wayze,
was a resident of New Jersey and was of English
descent. The mother of our subject, Experience
Brands, of New Jersey, died in 1879 at the age of
seventy-six years.  She was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and was the mother
of seven children, six of whom are still living.
Mr. Swayze was reared on a farm and educated
in the log schoolhouse, where he attended during
the winter, but had to work in the summer time.
When he was twenty-one be began farming on
shares. He followed threshing for some time and
then rented a farm for six years. He purchased
his first farm in Oakland Township in 1866, but
sold it soon and purchased one in Independence
Township. The following spring he purchased
one in Orion Township, and some lan(l in Oakland.
IHe has made substantial improvements on his
property and now has one of the finest and most
productive farms in the county. This place is
represented by a view on another page. His present home is presided over by Mrs. Swayze, a lady
of culture and intelligence, to whom ihe was married in 1860. She was Phoebe A., daughter of
James and Margaret (Moore) Cheney, New England people, who came to Macomb County, Mich.,
in 1832. Mrs. Swayze was born in Shelby, Macomb County, in March, 1839. Her parents were
married in 1835, and had seven children, all of
whom are living. Mr. Cheney passed away from
earth in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Swayze have had two
children-Clara, deceased, and George.    Both
parents are earnest and useful members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Swayze is a member of the Grange and is a
Republican in his political preferences. He has
five hundred acres of excellent arable land, upon
which he raises all kinds of crops and also
has various kinds of stock, all of good grades.
He began twenty-eight years ago to raise rutabagas




I j                                      b A                                                                               -


l


RESIDENCE OF CHARLES V. BABCOCK, SEC.28.,S


7, i  ':  r,  '*h~~ l:  i S '!i:";: ~ ~,


LEIl5DLN;L UF DAVID J. 5WA/YZE, LEC. 2., U HIUN I P., OAKLANL  CU.,IVlCH.




I




PORTRAI T AN D BIIOG RAPHICAL ALBEUM.,


525


PORTRAI AN     IORPHCL LUM                     2


and one year he marketed as high as sixteen thousand bushels. He has also raised as much as six
thousand, five hundred bushels of potatoes. He
formerly devoted much time to wheat and has
raised as much as three thousand, two hundred
bushels at a season. He turns off a good flock of
sheep every season and fattens lambs for the Buffalo market. He started at twenty-one years of
age with $180 and now is the possessor of three
farms.
r   ON. CHARLES V. BABCOCK. This genj ) tleman resides on section 28, Southfield;    T'ownsllip, where he settled  more than
() sixty years ago. He has been closely connected with the political affairs of this pait of the
State, has held various ofices of more or less importance and has earned a reputation that is widely
known. lIe was born in Rutland, Vt., June 4,
1823, but reared in this county, to which his parents came in 1829. Ils paternal grandfather was
born in Massachusetts, but his father, Henry S.
Babcock, was a native of Vermont and was reared
in that State. He married Jane White, who was
born in the same State, but whose father, Ruloph
White, was a native of New York and came of the
old Knickerbocker stock.
When the Babcocks catne West they located in
Southfield Township, of which the husband was
the first Supervisor under tile Territorial law of
1831. lie was appointed Justice of the Peace by
Gov. George B. Porter in 183t, and after the admission of the State to the Union was elected to
the same office by the people. He also served
them as Representative in 1841. [Ie was killed
by the kick of a horse October 26, 1842, when of
middle age, lhaving been born August 23, 1798.
Mrs. Babcock, who was born September 11, 1796,
died January 18, 1872.
The parental family included five daughters
and one son, and the son is the second member.
He was six years old when he came hither and his
first schooling was obtained in a little log schoolhouse on section 21. At the age of eighteen years


he attended a private school in Troy three months,
and the following winter taught in the home
township. He continued pedagogical work for
fifteen years and during that time was a student
in the Ypsilanti Seminary three terms. Immedi;
ately after his marriage lie settled on the place he
still makes his home.
Mr. Babcock was married October 24, 1848, to
Rosanna T., daughter of George and Therina
(Hyde) Tibbits, who was born in this county
April 9, 1826. She is an intelligent, courteous
lady who understands the art of making her home
attractive, and who sympathizes in her husband's
aspirations and theories so as to be a pleasant companion and helpful friend. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock
have no children but have reared an adopted
child whom they took in its infancy. The clild
was named Minna E. and is now the wife of Robert
S. Gamble and the mother of a daughter, Florence.
The first office filled by Mr. Babcock after lie
became a man was that of School Inspector. In
1851 he was elected Township Supervisor and
for more than twenty years officiated in that
capacity. lie was Chairman of the Board from 1861
to 1866 inclusive, and during that time was greatly
interested in raising funds for the benefit of soldier's families. He was instrumental in securing
$127,900 for that purpose and in raising $235,300
for bounty money. In 1859-60 Mr. Babcock was
County Clerk; in 1884 he was elected Justice of the
Peace to fill a vacancy, an>l in 1891 for a full term.
The office in which lie became most widely known,
and in which he worked for the largest constituency
was that of State Senator, which he held in 1863 -64 and 1875-76. His record is one of whi2h no
man need feel ashamed, but to which he and his
friends can point with justifiable gratification as
that of an honest legislator.
Mr. Babcock has been called upon to give addresses on various occasions and those who are
interested in the history of the State and especially of this county, would do well to hear or to
read remarks made by him at meetings of pioneer
societies. On the occasion of the meeting of the
Oakland Society, February  21, 1885, he gave
quite an exhaustive review of matters of special
interest to the citizens of this county, and we re



526


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I



gret that space forbids reprinting the address in
connection with these brief paragraphs. It is needless to say that the lIon. Mr. Babcock is well read,
as it would scarcely be expected that an old teacher
would give up the pursuit of knowledge. His
general intelligence and cordial manner prepossess
strangers in his favor and a better acquaintance
adds to the regard in which he is held.
The Hon. Mr. Babcock has a pleasant home, a
view of which is presented on another page of this
volume.
AMES HOUSTON, General Superintendent
of the Pontiac, Oxford & Northern Railroad, is a native of Maryland, born in the
city of Baltimore December 21, 1842. He
is the second son of William and Mary Ann (Fraser) Houston. His parents were natives of Ireland
who emigrated to the United States when quite
young, and were married and settled in the city of
Baltimore, where they became the parents of three
clildren.
The father of our subject died when James was
only two years old and five years later his mother
married again. Of the three children by the first
marriage James was the second son. His school
days were passed in Baltimore and he remained
under his mother's roof until he was nineteen years
old. He commenced his career by railroading in
the employ of the Baltimore and Ohio Road in the
city of Baltimore and subsequently went to Oakland in the same State. He there became connected
with the mercantile business, serving three years
as clerk and three years as partner. In 1870 he
resumed railroading in Kansas, entering the employ
of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, and aiding in its construction through the States of Kansas and Colorado to Denver. For ten years he was connected
with the railroads in Kansas, occupying various
positions from station agent to superintendent and
receiver of the Kansas City, Burlington & Santa
Fe Railroad. From Kansas he went to Louisiana
and there superintended the construction of the
Natchez, Red River & Texas Railroad.
In 1883 Mr, Houston came to Pontiac, this State,




and took charge of the Pontiac, Oxford & Northern Railroad, taking the position of General Superintendent.  This road was formerly called the
Pontiac, Oxford & Pt. Austin Railroad, of which
Mr. Houston was appointed receiver at the time
that its affairs became complicated. After settling
up the business of this corporation in 1868 he took
charge of the road for-the new company and still
holds the responsible position then assumed.
While residing in Kansas City our subject was
married to Miss Mary F. Stouch, residing at Garnet, Kan. She is a native of Ohio and a daughter
of William R. Stouch, her parents being natives of
Pennsylvania and early settlers of Kansas. The
wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Houston took place November 25, 1875. Four children have blessed the
home of this couple, namely: Mary F.,William
0., Charles K. and Ruth E.   Our subject and
his wife are earnest and devoted members of the
Presbyterian Church in which Mr. Houston for
the past five years has served as Elder. His political affiliations are with the Prohibitionists and he
is ever awake to the necessity of regulations for
the moral and physical well being of Pontiac. His
residence is the pleasant home at No. 146, North
Saginaw Street.
-~ --- —E — -^ —
OSEKRANS DIVINE, one of the most influential and prominent farmers of Holly
&W\ Township, was born in Fishkill, Dutches.
County, N. Y., on the banks of the beautiful Hudson River. His father, Abram A., was
born in New York State. October 5, 1784. Ilis
grandfather came from Holland and settled in the
Empire State. The father was a carpenter and
farmer, and removed from Ulster County, N. Y.,
to Macedon, and thence to Michigan in 1848. IIe
settled in Eureka Township, Montcalm County,
and died there February 25, 1864. He was a Republican in politics.
Our subject's mother, Sarah Divine, was also a
native of New York, where she was born January
17, 1789. Six of her eight children grew to maturity, but Rosekrans is the only one now living,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


527


She was a devout and earnest Presbyterian in her
religious faith. She lived to the advanced age of
eighty-four years. Her father, John Rosekrans,
was a native of New York, where he owned a large
farm on the Iudson River, which was valued at
$300 per acre. Ile was of German 'descent and a
connection of Gen. Rosecrans, notable in the Civil
War. He lived to be between eighty and ninety
years of age.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm
and educated in the district schools under the rate
bill system. When ten years of age he went to
live with his grandfather bsekrans, and thereafter
worked for himself. lIe came to Montcalm County,
Mich., in September, 1843, and bought State land
four miles south of Greenville. He built the first
house in that county, and his son, J. A., was
the first white child born in the county. Mr. Divine was elected, in 1855, to serve as Representative of Montcalm County, andt served in this
capacity for one year. He afterward served as enrolling clerk in the [louse at Lansing. He 'held
nearly all the offices in the gift of the citizens of
Eureka Township, and was Superintendent of the
county poor for a number of years. He was also
Revenue Officer and Draft Commissioner under
Gov. Blair.
Mr. Divine offered his services to his country in
the War of the Rebellion in 1861, but was rejected
on account of ill health. In April, 1865, he traded
his farm for the one where he now resides. He
built his handsome frame house in 1881, and his
large red barn the same year. He has raised considerable stock and grain and made a specialty of
sheep). His married life began May 16, 1843. His
wife, Ph(ebe Boice, was born in Dutchess County,
N. Y., July 7, 1819. She diedl December 21, 1873,
having been the mother of three children. Two
grew to maturity, John A.; and Jennie, who became Mrs. Morris. Their mother was a devout
member of the Presbyterian Church.
The second marriage of our subject took place
June 28, 1876. The present Mrs. Divine bore the
maiden name of Elizabeth Hadley, and was born in
Michigan, December 31, [840. They are both
lifetime members of the Presbyterian Church, and
our subject has been an Elder in that church for


about twenty years. He remembers a pleasant and
notable incident of his boyhood, when in 1836 he
was one of three boys to carry a banner and (scort
Martin Van Buren to Poughkeepsie during that
Presidential campaign. HIe joined the Republican
party in 1856, and has ever since been a faithful
adherent to its principles.
Mr. Divine is a member of the Chosen Friends,
in which he is joined by his wife. He is also a
member of the Grange and of the Patrons of Industry.  He is identified with a farmer's club
named Olive Branch, at Holly, of which he is Vice
President.
W,ILLIAM A. ALLEN, the largest dealer in
wood and coal in Pontiac, carries also a
large stock of l)uggics. carriages, light and
heavy wagons, lime, cement, pelts and hides. He
was born in Genesee County, Mich., August 2~,
1850, and is the son of James and Hannah (Granger) Allen, both of whom were natives of New
York State, and were early emigrants to Michigan.
They came to Oakland County about fifty years
ago, living for several years in this county, and
then removing to St. Johns, Clinton County, where
Mr. Allen still resides in his seventy-fifth year.
The granifather of our. subject, James Allen, came
to this county at the same time his son James did,
but located in Waterford, where he resided on his
farm until death. Hannah Granger, the mother of
William Allen, died October 12, 1874, in Pontiac
Township, Oakland County. She was the mother
of six children, four sons and two daughters, all of
whom are still living.
The subject of this sketch passed his early school
days in his native county. When sixteen years of
age he went to Macomb County, where he spent
six years, and then came to Oakland County. He
attended school in Independence and Waterford
Townships and was trained in farm work. He continued on a farm until he reached his twenty-fifth
year, when he removed to Pontiac, and after teaming for a while, decided to start in business for him]
self. In 1883 he started a wood yard, and soon




528


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


afterward added coal to his business. He managed
this yard until 1889, when he purchased the business of L. R. Lumby, and continued business also
at the old stand No. 13 Laurence Street.
The marriage of Mr. Allen occurred December
26, 1875, at the home of the bride, Miss Fannie A.
Rowley, of Macomb County. She is the daughter
of Philander and Betsey Rowley, both natives of
New York State, from which they removed to
Michigan before the birth of their daughter, who
was born and reared in Macomb County. One
daughter has brightened the home of Mr and Mrs.
Allen, Maud A., who is still a school girl. Mr.
Allen is conservative in his politics, and while interested in the government of city and State, devoted his attention principally to business. He is
a member of Pontiac Lodge, F. & A. M.
JACOB J. MOORE, a prosperous farmer of
Commerce Township and the head of a notable family, is the son of Joseph B., a native of New Jersey, born March 20, 1790.
His brother was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War and died in Sandy Hook, N. Y., a victim of the
measles. The mother of our subject bore tile
maiden name of Phoebe Brands. She was born
January 8, 1793, in New Jersey. Her father, Ja.
cob Brands, a soldier in the War of 1812 was stationed at Detroit.
The parents of our subject married in New Jersey,
July 28, 1814 and resided there until 1833, when
they came to Macomb County, Mich., and settled
in Sheldon Township, on an unimproved farm.
Mr. Moore took his land from the Government
with a deed signed by Gen. Jackson. They were
pioneers there and made it their permanent home.
lIe was drowned in Clinton River, April 14, 1835.
His wife made a second marriage with Elial Crampton, a native of Indiana. He died in 1860, and
she survived until 1864, when she departed at the
age of seventy-one years, ten months and fourteen
days. The parents of our subject were members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which the
father was an exhorter. He helped to build the


I


=




schoolhouse in his neighborhood and held the first
religious services in it. He was both Steward and
Class-Leader. His political connections were with
the Whig party. He and his good wife were the
parents of ten children, five of whom are living.
Jacob J. Moore was born May 16, 1815, in New
Jersey. He was eighteen years of age when he
came to Michigan. He attended the district school
in New Jersey, and learned the blacksmith's trade.
He began for himself at twenty-one years of age.
After he came to Macomb'County, Mich., he worked
at the carpenter's business. He moved to Lapeer
County in 1838. His marriage took place on New
Year's Day 1837, his bride being Hepsabeth, a
daughter of Benjamin and Asenath (Grimes) Gillett, both natives of Greene County, N. Y., who
came to Mlichigan in 1834 and made a home for
themselves in Macomb County. He improved his
farm well before his death and passed away September 28, 1838, at the age of beventy-three years.
His wife, who was born October 22, 1787, died
November 3, 1864. They were the parents of four
children, two of whom are now living.
Mrs. Moore was born August 9, 1821, in Monroe
County, N. Y. She received a good district school
education and began teaching when only fourteen
years old. After marriage they made their home
first in Macomb County and then lived in Lapeer
County for six years. In 1844 they moved to
Oakland County, and settled in the village of Commerce until 1858, when they moved to the present
farm. While in Commerce Mr. Moore was in the
furniture business. When he moved here he began
operating a steam sawmill and carried it on for
twenty-five years in connection with his farm. He
has seventy-nine acres nearly all improved.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the parents of ten children, eight of whom are now living. Their eldest
son, the Rev. Levi G. Moore was born August 18,
1838; he married Alice Banks and with her and
his four children resides in Grand Rapids. Oel B.,
born May 3, 1840, married Agnes Nesbitt, and
with her and his five children lives near Birmingham; he was a soldier in the Civil War. Phoebe
A., born January 16, 1842, is the wife of James
A. Haskins, and lives in Newaygo County. Her
husband was a soldier in a Pennsylvania regiment.







4
v
I-1


IC




!i....   - -   -   1.              I I          -  I p.       - I_-.- L  I.I,-  11  I, a-   ' -. -_._  -.,;_  - -   -   -, - " - - e   --.  " 1 411   'm I -,,~I~EI


en:  ma.                =;-*..4.ws9,&h, -A,!
iafJi.j  i.....i- ^.....

i


I


ii


"PLEASANT LAKE FARM': REI5DENCE OF WILLIAM LELAND, SEC.30.,WATERFORD TP, OAK L AND CO.,MICH.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


531


They have two children. Benjamin C., born September 28, 1843, and married to Angy Goff, lives in
Newago County; they have seven children. He
was a soldier in the Twenty-second Michigan Infantry. Ji dge James B., born November 3, 1845,
married Ella Bentley, and lives in Lapeer City.
Gazena A., born May 18, 1848, wife of Edmund
Clark, also lives in Newaygo County; she is the
mother of two children. Theodore, born May 16,
1850, married Elizabeth Clark; they have one
child and live in Midland. Ella B., born March
2, 1859, and wife of Horace E. Johns, lives in
Commerce Township; she is the mother of two
children. Levi, the eldest son was a student at
Albion College. Oel B. was also a student there.
Joseph B. attended Hillsdale College and is a graduate of the law department of Ann Arbor University. At present he is the Judge of the Sixth Judicial District. He now has an appointment from
President Harrison as one of the Committee to
settle Indian difficulties in California. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Moore are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He is the Senior Trustee of this
church having been in this position for forty years.
He has been both local and district Steward and
also Class-Leader. He has been Superintendent
for a number of years in the Sunday-school and
also teacher in the same as has also been his good
wife. His first vote was cast for William Henry
Harrison, and he is a Republican to this day. Mrs.
Moore is a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union at Walled Lake. Mr. Moore is to
a great extent an invalid and not able to be active
jn his duties.
_.'O — PJ,W    ILLIAM LELAND. It would be hard to
find, at least within the limits of Waterford Township, a gentleman more highly
respected than the one above named, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, and who has
been prominently identified with the agricultural
and public labors of this community for many
years. EHe possesses sound judgment, ripe intelligence and an accommodating spirit, which qualibVIIV 11~~ -ZI CVVYI~UIV1~~~~e)


ties have made him useful to his fellow-men and
secured for him a competency. Among the pleasant homesteads of the township the traveler invariably notices that of Mr. Leland, whicl comprises one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on
section 30, and a view of which appears on another
page. He also owns forty acres in White Lake
Township.
Many native-born citizens of England have
sought homes in America, and among the emigrants of 1840 was David Leland, who immediately after landing proceeded to Michigan. He
had few educational advantages in the old country and but little means when he sought a home in
the United States. But he possessed courage and
energy, and was not slow in acquiring that independence so dear to every human heart. In 1845
he returned East to New York, where he married
in Monroe County Miss Getty Stottle, the ceremony being performed August 20. The bride
was born in Seneca County, N. Y., November 2,
1805, and was of German and Irish descent.
After their marriage the young couple returned
to Milford, whence the ensuing winter they removed to Waterford Township. By industry and
economy they accumulated considerable property,
and their latter years were passed amid the comforts for which they toiled so assiduously in youth.
The.father died April 5, 1886, his wife having
preceded him in death several years, passing from
earth May 15. 1881. There were two children in
the family-Sarah and our subject. The sister
married George Corwin, a farmer living on the
old homestead. The memory of David Leland is
held sacred not only in the hearts of his children,
but by those who remember that to the sturdy
pioneers of the earlier portion of this century is
due our present proud position as a farming and
business community.
William  Leland was born in Milford Townshi), this county, June 26, 1845, and remembers
well when settlers were few, wild* game plentiful
and the frontiersman had need of much persistence to encourage hin in his efforts. He grew to
a stalwart manhood and assisted his father on the
home farm, continuing thus employed for a number of years after he had attained his majority.




532


PORTRtAfT ANDD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


5I


Later lie worked the farm on shares and accumulated considerable money, which he loaned on
real-estate security, taking a mortgage on the farm
which lie now owns. In order to get his money
out of it he was compelled to buy the estate, which
since his purchase has been improved into one of
the finest farms in tie vicinity.
In t883 Mr. Leland was united in marriage with
Miss Helen, daughter of John and Mary (Buff)
Jackson, natives of England. The father crossed
the broad Atlantic in 1830, and settled in New
York; a little later the mother came with her parents and located at Akron, Ohio. Mr. Jackson,
after sojourning for a brief period in the Empire
State, went to Akron, Ohio, where he worked in a
powder mill until his marriage, in 1835. Twelve
children were born of their union, of whom four
are now living. Two brothers gave their lives in
defence of the Union, one being killed in the battle
of Brandy Station and the other dying in Andersonville prison. The congenial union of our subject and his estimable wife has been blest to them
by the birth of two children-Grace Ethel, who
was born April 13, 1885; and Elmer C., who was
born May 7, 1887, and died August 2, 1888..m  g.


their union was blest by the birth of a daughter,
Alice M., who married Albert Brewster, and now
lives in Denver, Col. The children of the first
marriage were John R., Mary E. and Irving. The
last named is a farmer in Avon Township, and
Mary is deceased.
In 1849 the father of our subject came to this
county and located on farm lands in Addison
Township.   Hle was a general farmer, and put
good improvements on his land. In 1865 he removed to Pontiac and ran a meat market four
years, after which he bought one hundred and
eighty acres in Avon Township, and removed thereto. Several years later he took up his residence in
the village of Rochester, where he is still living retired. Politically he is a Democrat. Years ago
he and his wife became members of the Presbyterian Church. His son, our subject, was educated in
the schools of Pontiac. In the fall of 1864 he entered the Union army as a member of Company B,
Thirtieth Michigan Infantry, Col. Warner commanding. His army experience was principally
gained at posts that were being guarded by the
command to which he belonged. He was honorably discharged June 24, 1865.
Mr. Taylor returned to Pontiac, and was soon
engaged in farming in Troy Township, where he
made his home five years. lIe then sold out and
bought sixty-five acres within the city limits, and
since that time has given his chief attention to the
dairy business, milking twenty-five cows and selling the milk in the city. He has two first-class
cattle barns and other substantial farm buildings,
and also a good residence, comfortably furnished
and neatly ordered. Tie affairs of the household
are in charge of an amiable and energetic woman,
who became his wife in 1868. Her maiden name
was Mary Stowell, and she was born in this county
in 1849, being a daughter of Simon and Harriet
Stowell. They have one son, Irving S., who is
still at home.
Mr. Taylor is an energetic man, an intelligent
arid law-abiding citizen, and one who in social and
domestic life is considerate and agreeable. He is
a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of Dick
Richard Post, No. 147, G. A. R. He has represented the Third Ward as Alderman during the


OHN R. TAYLOR, a farmer and dairyman,
whose lproperty is within the corporate limits of Pontiac, was born in Northampton
County, Pa., December 4, 1847. His father,
Conrad Taylor, was a native of Warren County,
N. J., born January 5, 1823, and was the fifth son
of Benjamin and Mary (Van Kirk) Taylor. who
had sixteen children. The mother of our subject
was Susan Rosenberg, a Pennsylvanian, born in
1825. Her father, John Rosenberg, was of German
ancestry, and the maternal family was noted for
longevity.  The-grandmother died in her ninetyeighth year. Mrs. Susan Taylor died when her
son John R. was but two years old and some time
afterward a second marriage was made by the widower. His wife was Miss Rebecca Jones, of Oakland Township, but a native of.New Jersey, and




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


533




I


past nine years, and in the meetings of the Council
shows an interest in the lasting good of the city.
Politically he is a Democrat, and he and his wife
have their religious home in the Presbyterian
Church.
UY M. TROWBRI)GE makes his home in
Pontiac, Mich., and was born in the township of Troy, Oakland County, January 31,
1834. Fie is the son of Stephen V. R. and Elizabeth (Conklin) Trowbridge. The father was a
native of Albany N. Y.. where he was born July
4, 1794. The mother was born at Horseheads, near
Elmira, N. Y., May 22, 1797. The Trowbridge
family were early settlers of Central w York.
The parents of our subject were.married January
25, 1815, and made their home at Horseheads for
*       about six years.
It was in 1821, that Stephen Trowbridge and his
wife established their new home in Troy Township,
Oakland County, Mich. Stephen had come in the
previous fall and walked all the way from  Horseheads through Canada to Detroit, Mich. Here he
had hoped to find a brother, C. C. Trowbridge, who
had made his home here in 1818, but on reaching
Detroit, he found that his brother had gone East
on horseback through Canada and they had missed
one another'on the way. He came out to Oakland
County and looked about and bought eighty acres
of land from the Government. He then returned
East and transported his family to Buffalo where
they took passage on a vessel, which was called
"Walking in the Water."  On this they made their
voyage to Detroit and thence to Oakland by oxteam. The first twelve miles out of Detroit passed
through a black swamp. The load was heavy and
the teams stuck in the mud. Mrs. Trowbridge
descended from the wagon and with her baby boy
in her arms walked for eight miles. At one time
while the teams stuck fast in the mire a stranger
came along and found Mrs. Trowbridge sitting by
the roadside with a baby in her irms and a little
one at her knee. The stranger asked, "are you not
discouraged? She said, "Oh. no, not much, I think
we will get through all right." The family found




I


on their farm a log house 14x14 feet. Here they
were sheltered until a more comfortable home could
be erected.
Surrounded by Indians and with but few white
neighbors Mr. Trowbridge went to work to clear
the little farm. He improved it and added to it until
he had two hundred and ninety acres in a fine condition. Besides general farming he carried on
stock-raising, as the range for cattle was at that
time extensive and the Indians kept the underbrush well burned off. Game was plentiful and
the family was well supplied with wild meat. Wild
turkey abounded and fishing was good. Mr. Trowbridge died in March, 1859, and his wife survived
until 1873. They were the parents of eleven children, all of whom lived to establish families of
their own.
Stephen V. R. Trowbridge was an adherent to the
Whig party and yet a particular friend of Gov.
Cass. He was Supervisor for a number of years
and was a member of the Territorial Legislature.
He was appointed by Gov. Cass to handle the
annual payments which were made to the Indians.
President Taylor appointed him Mineral Agent of
the Lake Superior Mines, which position he occupied for three years. He and his wife were members of the first Presbyterian Church organized in
this county, in which lie was for many years an
Elder. The names of his eleven children are:
Julia C., Mrs. Charles Hastings; Charles A., deceased, was a merchant in New York City; Elizabeth, Mrs. Caleb Hammil; Roland E., deceased;
Kate, widow of Rev. Edlwin Goodell-they were
missionaries to Turkey; Edmund, deceased; William P., Professor of Mathematics in (Columbia College; Tillman C., deceased, was a missionary to
Turkey; Guy M.; Luther S., an attorney at Detroit;
and Augusta S., wife of William S. Albertson, a
merchant at Duluth, Minn.
Guy M. Trowbridge remained under the parental
roof until he reached his majority. He then settled
upon a farm in Troy, which he managed for about
four years, and then removed to the old homestead
of his father after the latter's death and continued
farming there for tiventy-one years. His marriage
took place October 16, 1855. He was then united
with Miss Emily Ostrander, daughter 'of Simeon


I




534


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


and Hannah (Fellows) Ostrander, whose home was
in New York State on the banks of the Hudson.
Mrs. Trowbridge was born in Columbia County,
N. Y. In 1885 Mr. Trowbridge sold the farm in
Troy and removed to Pontiac, and purchased his
present farm of one hundred and seventeen acres,
situated within the corporate limits of the city.
Here he has a good brick residence and excellent
outbuildings, all desirably situated.
Three children have blessed the union of Mr.
and Mrs. Trowbridge, namely: Carrie C., who is
the wife of Gordon Benedict; Louis O., a salesman
for a marble works: and Emily P., still a school
girl. Mr. Trowbridge served as Supervisor of Troy
Township for several years. He was appointed
Deputy United States Collector of Internal Revenue for the First District of Michigan with headquarters at Pontiac. During the time his brother
was Collector. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, casting his first Presidential vote for John C.
Fremont and his last for Benjamin Harrison. He
has been a member of the Presbyterian Church
since 1860, and Elder in the same and serves as
Superintendent in the Sunday-school.
OLOMON EAGLE is numbered among the
pioneers of this county, and has lived on
section 20, West Bloomfield Township
since he came hither in 1835. HIe took
Government land and set about reclaiming it and
making it a fit place of abode for intelligent human
beings. The work he has accomplished was of the
nature with which the younger generation is familiar by hearsay, and the older by experience, interesting to relate, but oft times bitter to realize. The
farm now owned by Mr. Eagle consists of two hundred and forty acres, which he cleared, as when he
came hither it was covered with a dense forest
growth. It has very good improvements upon it,
and is the source of a good income, being now
rented out. Mr. Eagle is quite advanced in years,
and does not enjoy very good health. The family
of which he is an honored descendant, owned land
near Dublin, Ireland, which for three hundred and


seventeen years passed by inheritance from one generation to another.
The parents of our subject were Edward and Letitia A. (Bolton) Eagle, natives of the Emerald
Isle, in which the husband died, while tile wife
breathed her last in North Wales. The parental
family included Solomon, Arabella, Letitia, Anna,
Edward, Mary, Jane and T. Chester. The eldest
was born in Dublin, February 20, 180S, and reared
near that city on a farm. He remained in his native land until after he had passed his majority
when he sailed for America, leaving port March 7,
1830, and landing in New York City, May 1. He
spent about four years in the American metropolis,
and then came West and took up the land on which
lie has since lived.
On Mah 7, 1830, Mr. Eagle was married to
Miss Sarah Lee of Coot Hill, Ireland, with whom
lie at once embarked for America. She was a little
older than lie. She died in Brooklyn, N. Y., in
1832, and in 1834 Mr. Eagle was married to Miss
Isabella Gregory, of New York City. She died in
this county, and our subject was again married, his
bride being Mrs. Eliza Brown, of West Bloomfield,
who was born in Ireland. This union was blest by
the birth of four children, viz: Edward J., Sarah
L., Eliza J. and George R. The mother of these
children died some years ago, and Mr. Eagle was
afterward married to Miss Cornelia Cychester. His
present wife was formerly Mary J. Eagle, and is a
daughter of Solomon G. and Ellen (Chew) Eagle.
Her parents were born in Ireland, and came to
America when she was a child, settling at Turtle
Lake, this county, but the last twenty-five years of
their lives were spent in Waterford Township,
where her marriage ceremony took place. Her
mother died April 20, 1877, at the age of sixty-two
years, and her father April 29, 1890, aged seventyfive. Their other children are Ann C., Charlotte
A., Ellen M., Solomon G., Letitia A., George R.,
John S. and Edward E.
Mr. Eagle has never taken any great interest in
politics, but is well-informed regarding the issues
of the day, and votes the l)emocratic ticket. HIis
father was an attorney-at-law in Ireland, and his
parents adhered to the faith of tie Church of England, under whose tenets lie was reared. He has,




It




0ow~V,:; Z::,    -
- r --- 17., - - -,   -     -


""I:'- VN f-I PHLELPS.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


537


I


however, become a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and not only endeavors to live in
accordance with religious principles, but takes an
active part in church work.
b>-O — l              _    __

W  ILLIAM   H. PHELPS. For several decades the late Mr. Phelps was identified
with the agricultural interests of this
county and for many years he was located on section
34, Troy Township. He took possession of property
there immediately after his marriage, and his widow
is now occupying the fine farm of one hundred
fifteen acres, where the various appointments indicate the prosperity attained and the good judgment
displayed by her deceased husband. The residence
is a substantial brick house and the farm buildings
are well built. Mr. Phelps was not only well known
as a first-class farmer, but he had a high reputation
as a man of irreproachable character, earnest and
public spirited, and cordial in his associations with
his fellow-men. His portrait is presented in connection with the following brief account of his life:
Mr. Phelps was a son of Eli and Lucy (Downer)
Phelps, who were born in New York and Vermont
respectively. The natal day of the father was June
27, 1783, and that of the mother June 16, 1788.
They were married in the Empire State March 29,
1815, and came to this State in 1832. They located on raw land in Troy Township, near the site
of Troy Corners, but after a residence of three
years removed to section 34, which was their permanent abiding place. There Mr. Phelps died
January 31, 1860, and his widow, April 25, 1877.
They had three sons and two daughters and William
H. was third on the family roll. He was born in
Whitestown, Onedia County, N. Y., June 16, 1820,
and began his course in schooling at his native
place. He was twelve years old when the family
came West and he completed his studies in this
county. He learned the trade of a cooper and followed it for a few years, making his home with his
parents until he was of age.
December 30, 1847, our subject was married to
Minerva M., daughter of William H. and Eliza


(Starks) Smith. The bride's parents were born in
New York and her own birthplace was in Wayne
County, this State, and her natal day August 25,
1827. She was the second of twelve children-four
daughters and eight sons. She grew to womanhood
in the county in which she was born, pursuing the.course of study in its schools, and under the parental roof learning many lessons which were found
useful when she had grown to maturity. Her
union with Mr. Phelps was blest by the birth of
four children, namely: Warren H., who died in
his fifth year; Frank W., who was born April 21,
1854, and is living in Troy Township; Fred S.
born December 20, 1855, residing with his mother
on the homestead; and Anna E., born January 7,
1863, and now the wife of Charles Flinn, who was
born in this county December 6, 1852.
For thirty-five years Mr. Phelps held the office
of Justice of the Peace and his wise decisions and
earnest efforts to promote peace and harmony were
recognized on all sides. He was Highway Commissioner, Drain Commissioner and School Director,
and at various times filled each of the other school
offices. At the time of his decease he was the incumbent of the Moderatorship. Politically he was
a Republican. His religious home was ir the
Methodist Episcopal Church and he was a faithful
worker, acting in an official capacity for many
years. He held the various offices, including those
of Trustee and Class-Leader, and was an efficient
teacher in the Sunday-school. He passed the allotted age of man and entered into rest December
12. 1890.


of   + ~-4s40ae-~ia.~ —~c


D. HADDON. Among the prominent business men of Holly, we find the gentleman
whose name appears at the head of this
sketch. He has a fine store on Saginaw
Street, where he carries an excellent line of clothing, hats and caps, boots and shoes. He is a native
of Michigan, having been born in East Saginaw,
April 7, 1862. He is the son of Robert R. and
Mary A. (Minock) Haddon. His mother was born




538


PIORTFRAI~T AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


AR


in Holly, and his father in Ireland, from which he
came with his parents when eleven years old. They
settled in New York State and brought up their
large family of children.
Robert R., one of the children of this family, and
the father of our subject, came West and settled in
East Saginaw, about the year 1845. He built the
first wagon ever made in that city and helped to
build the first sidewalks. He came to Holly in
1871, and has made this his permanent home, purchasing land a little west of the village where he
now lives. He was married in 1860 in Holly, and
has reared a family of two daughters and eight sons
of whom our subject is the eldest. The parents of
Mrs. R. Haddon came from Ireland in their youth,
and emigrated to Michigan in the Territorial days.
Mr. Minock has cleared up and cultivated several
farms, and is the owner of one of the very best in
Holly Township. He is one of the wealthiest men
in his part of the county, and owns considerable
city property. He erected the first brick building
in Holly.
The subject of this sketch lived in Saginaw until
nine years of age, and then lived on a farm three
miles west of Holly, where he attended the district
school. Later he attended the Fenton High School
in Genesee County, where he was graduated in the
Class of '80. He now engaged in teaching for
three years in Genesee and Oakland Counties. He
then spent one year with Government surveyors in
the eastern part of Utah. The camping-out life
he enjoyed hugely and became very strong and
hearty. The party spent a short time at Salt Lake
City. He then returned with R. J. Mershon, the
Government Surveyor to Omaha, and from there
came home. He says that the lack of good drinking water was the greatest hardship he experienced
and that at one time he would have bartered all he
ever had for a good drink of water while on the
plains.
The following winter our young man taught
school, and in the spring of 1884 he came to Holly,
and began his present business with a small capital
and a small stock. His enterprise and industry
have given him success, and he has now a large and
attractive stock of goods. He is already a man of
influence in the town, and has held for four years the


office of Township Clerk. He was once appointed
Village Treasurer to fill out the term. He served
as the administrator of a large estate in Saginaw.
He is a Democrat in principle and votes with that
party. His marriage November 6, 1890, united
him with Miss Ada, daughter of Benjamin C. Scott,
of Holly..-%i —:..
DRIAN A. GIBBS is engaged in farming
on section 27, Troy Township. He owns
a well-improved tract of land which is
large enough to afford him opportunity
for raising good crops of various kinds. It comprises sixty acres that has been well improved, both
by good tillage and the placing upon it of useful
buildings. Mr. Gibbs was born in Southfield Township, July 12, 1847, but was still a child when his
parents came to Troy Township and located where
he is now living. There his youth was spent and
his schooling was obtained in the neighborhood,
while under his father's guidance he learned to
carry on farm work.
Almeron Gibbs, father of our subject, was born
in New York, August 11, 1817, and was nine years
old when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Gibbs,
removed to this State. This was in 1826 and they
were among the first settlers in this county. September 1, 1846, he was married to Rebecca Brown,
a native of Vermont, born April 1, 1815. She had
accompanied her parents hither in 1843. After
their marriage the parents of our subject located
in Southfield Township, but remained only a short
time, then established their home on the farm their
son now operates. There was a log house on the
tract but little else in the way of improvements.
They remained there as long as they lived. Mrs.
Gibbs died February 14, 1884, and her husband
October 23, 1886. They had two children, a son
and daughter.
Adrian A. Gibbs was married December 10,
1876, to Miss E. Revell, daughter of Dr. Samuel
and Mary (Cooper) Revell. The bride was the
oldest of the four children comprising the family
of Samuel and Mary (Cooper) Revell. Her par



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


539


— L —




ents are natives of England and are now living in
Roscommon, this State, where her father carries on
a drug store. Mr. Gibbs brought his wife to the
old home and after the death of his parents remained on the farm. He and his wife have never
had children of their own but they are rearing a
little girl whom they call G. Hazel.
Politically Mr. Gibbs is a Republican. He was
elected Township Clerk in 1890 and is also Moderator of his school district which he has already
served as Director. As a farmer he is enterprising
and industrious, well informed regarding things
connected with his work and ranking well among
his fellows. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, a liberal contributor and an
active worker, and is now filling the offices of
Steward, Trustee and Recording Steward as well as
Assistant Superintendent in the Sunday-school.
OSEPHUIS GOODENOUGH, M. D., is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of
this county and his earliest recollections are
of the primitive scenes in West Bloomfield
Township. Although reared on a farm he tookup
the study of medicine in his early manhood and
after due preparation began practice. In June,
1872, he opened an office in Clarkston where he
remained giving his earnest attention to professional duties and taking no part in public affairs
other than that which is the duty of every good
citizen. He is a member of the National Medical
Association and also of the State Medical Society,
and takes much interest in the progress of the curative science, in the investigations that are being
made anrid the discoveries that are given to the profession from time to time.
Dr. Goodenough was born in New York November 18, 1830, and is the son of James and Mary
(Hiller) Goodenough. His father was born in Vermont March 13, 1798, and died in this county October 23, 1854. ' He was of English descent. His
marriage occurred in 1826 and his bride was a
daughter of John Hiller who was born in Holland.
The Goodenough family arrived in this county


I


I


I


May 10, 1831, when our subject was less than a
year old. The husband and father built a log
shanty on the banks of Straight's Lake, where the
family endured all the hardships and discomforts of
pioneer life, as this section was then a vast wilderness with but here and there a small clearing,
where the sounds of busy life were heard. Josephus had very limited opportunities for acquiring
knowledge of books and his first schooling was obtained in what had been an old stable and was
fitted up for a schoolroom.
The young man worked for his father until he
was eighteen years of age, bearing a part in all the
toil to which the pioneers were subjected. He
then went to live with an uncle in Macomb County
and attended the village school two years, then entered the office of Dr. Bostick in Almont, where he
read medicine about four years. Young Goodenough then entered the Eclectic Medical College
in Cincinnati, Ohio, and still later took medical
lectures at Ann Arbor one term. This was in the
winter of 1857-58 and in the spring following he
located at Armada and entered upon the practice
of his profession. He remained there seven years
and thence removed to Waterford where he practiced until 1872. He is a careful practitioner and
having accepted the eclectic theory, that nature is
the best restorer, he endeavors to aid her by placing his patients in proper condition, without unduly
weakening them.
In the year 1853 Dr. Goodenough was married
to Eleanor Walton. of Almont, with whom he lived
happily until April 15, 1869, when the angel of
death removed her. The union was blessed by the
birth of one son, Eugene, whose natal day was
April 15, 1861. He is married and has a family of
two children and is now located in Chicago, Ill.,
working in the employ of the Michigan Central
Railroad Company. In June, 1872, Dr. Goodenough was marrried to his present wife whose
maiden name was Emma Ackerson. A daughter,
Eleanor J., born May 21, 1879, has come to bless
this union. Although but twelve years old she is
attending the High School in Clarkston.
The family of which Dr. Goodenough is one,
consists of seven children but the only survivors
are Sarah Jane, wife of Levi L. Sutton and Will



540


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


iam, who married Ettie Hall, both living in Adams
County, Wash. Mrs. Sutton was born August 28,
1836, and William Goodenough March 28, 1842.
The Doctor has a good farm near the village of
Clarkston and an attractive and well-kept home on
Main Street. He is a Master Mason, belonging to
Cedar Lodge No. 60, and is enrolled in Lodge No.
85, K. O. T. M. In politics he was a Democrat.
EORGE REEVES. The Reeves homestead
on section 22, Pontiac Township, is one of
the landmarks of this locality, having been
entered from the Government in 1822 by Judge
Stephen Reeves, who settled upon it the next year.
It is now held by the subject of this biographical
sketch, who is the eldest of the paternal family and
has made his home in this country since his infancy.
He was born in Palmyra, Wayne County, N. Y.,
June 3. 1823, and received his primary education
in the primitive log school-house which the early
settlers in this county prepared for their children's
use. He subsequently attended an academy two
years and still further cultivated the powers of his
mind. He has always been a farmer and until he
was twenty-four years of age, he made his home
under the paternal roof, and during his father's official career he managed the estate. He is a man
of means, well able to surround himself with all the
comforts heart can wish and take a prominent part
in those public enterprises where money is needed
to advance the wheels of progress.
Judge Reeves was born in the Empire State in
1795 and was a son of James Reeves, who spent his
entire life in that State. The family is of English
extraction. Judge Reeves married Mary White,
who was born on Long Island in 1797. They
made their journey to this State in a wagon, and
reaching their destination put up a log cabin in
which they made themselves as comfortable as circumstances would permit. The county around
them was wild, game abounded and Indians were
numerous, but friendly; Detroit was the only market and depot of supplies, and neighbors were few
and far between. Mr. Reeves improved and culti

vated his farm as his means permittted, and his son
has continued the work, bringing the two hundred
acres to a high state of development. While Michigan was still a Territory Mr. Reeves was appointed Probate Judge by the Territorial Governor, and after it was admitted to the Union he
was elected to the same position. He served altogether about fourteen years. He also held various
township offices. During the War of 1812 he was
in the service as a Lieutenant. He and his wife
died in the same year —1868-cheered by religious faith, both having been connected with the
Presbyterian church from early life. There were
none of the early settlers of this township or
county who were better known or more highly esteemed than Judge Reeves and his wife.
In 1848 the gentleman whose name introduces
these paragraphs was married to Helen Phelps, an
intelligent and efficient lady who was born in
Massachusetts in 1823.  The union has been
blessed by the birth of five children, but Clara, the
first-born is deceased. Stephen is married and carrying on a farm adjoining the homestead. Fred is
in business ia Pontiac and he, too, is married.
Frank and Geoige, Jr., still make their home under
the paternal roof. All received good educational
privileges and careful home training.
Mr. Reeves has been a delegate to various conventions and has been prominent in the Democratic
ranks of the county. For some forty years he has
been connected with the order of Masonry. He
has been Commissioner and School Inspector several years and takes an intelligent interest in the
prosperity of this section. Mr. Reeves belongs to
the Presbyterian Church.
ICHOLAS PEACOCK. For more than half
a century the late Nicholas Peacock made
his home in Pontiac Township and for
much of that time he was engaged in agricultural
work. He was born in Macedon, Wayne County,
N. Y., January 21, 1811, and died from injuries
received by falling from a ladder June 1st, 1890.
His father, James Peacock, was born in England,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


541


emigrated when seventeen years old and carried on
farming in New York. The son followed in his
father's footsteps and became thoroughly conversant with agricultural work. He came to this
State in 1835, lived in Farmington two years and
then bought land in Pontiac Township which he
proceeded to clear and improve. He had limited
means when he came hither, but he secured a good
home and was able to give his children a fair start
in life.
In 1834 Mr. Peacock married Miss Eliza A. Barkman, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., April
17, 1817, and who was descended from a long line of
New England ancestors. She was a zealous member of the Baptist Church, and had the domestic
qualities and knowledge that are so characteristic
of the Yankees. She died in 1881, full of years
and honors. She had been an invalid for two
years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Peacock
were nine in number, but Jane, Esther and Amelia
have crossed the river of death. George, the
first-born, is a farmer and fruit-grower in Selma,
Cal.; Henry is married and living in Saginaw. He
was a member of the First Ohio Artillery during
the Rebellion; Charles is in California; Elizabeth
is the wife of James Haddrill, a farmer in Orion
Township; Mary and Clara A. occupy the homestead.
Mr. Peacock was an enthusiastic Republican and
did all that he could to promulgate the principles
of the party and advance its interests, but never
sought office. He came of the old Quaker stock
and to the latest day of his life endeavored to
carry out the Golden Rule. For many years his
membership was in tie Free-Will Baptist Church,
but in many respects he showed the Quaker training. After the war he spent some years engaged
in the lumber business in the North Woods, but
even then his home was in this county and his interests centered here. He willed the homestead,
which consists of eighty acres of well-improved
land, to his daughters, Mary and Clara, who continue to occupy the pleasant dwelling there. They
are ladies of intelligence, who take a deep interest
in the welfare of those about them and the progress
of humanity the world over, but whose lives are
spent in the quiet discharge of the duties nearest


to their hand and an enjoyment of home pleasures
and social intercourse. Their sympathy reaches
out beyond their own neighborhood and their influence extends farther than they know.
PRESTON TERRY. Among tie men who
have won a competence through their efforts
as tillers of the soil in Pontiac Township is
the gentleman above named, who occupies
the Terry homestead. He operates two hundred
and forty acres of well-cultivated land, and raises
good grades of stock as well as good crops that are
A No. 1. He was born in the village of Terrytown, Bradford County, Pa., March 14, 1824. Soon
after his birth his parents removed to Wayne
County, N. Y., and then he accompanied his parents to this State in 1835. The entire journey
was made in a wagon and the family had some
trying experiences, particularly while crossing the
Black Swamp in Ohio. A location was made in
Commerce Township, this county, but in 1841 the
father changed his location to Pontiac Township.
Here he died about 1852 after having accumulated
considerable property.
The Terry family is of French extraction, but
several generations of the ancestors of our subject
have lived in America. Grandfather Terry, whose
given name was Jonathan, made his home in Bradford County, Pa., and during the Wyoming massacre his family took refuge in a fort. Nathan G.
Terry, the father of our subject, was born in the
Keystone State in 1790 and married Belinda Preston, who was born there in 1796. They removed
to New York and thence to the West and Mrs.
Terry lived until July 22, 1879. She was a lifelong member of the Baptist Church. She bore
her husband five children, three of whom are now
living.
The first schooling of our subject was in a log
shanty with a slab roof and an open fireplace in
which the logs cut by the scholars in the surrounding woods, were consumed. Mr. Terry has a vivid
recollection of the pioneer times in this State and
recalls the plenteousness of wild game, by which




542


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-              --- `- L - ~ -— I


the table was often supplied, although he himself
was not much of a hunter. When he was ready
to start out in life and do a man's work, his father
gave him fifteen sheep, a sow and a yoke of steers.
He has always been a farmer and since he lived in
this county has worked on the homestead.
In 1862 Mr. Terry was married to Miss Maggie
Buckbee, a native of New York. She crossed the
river of death June 17, 1880, at the age of thirtynine years leaving one son, Joseph P. She was a
conscientious member of the Episcopal Church.
In 1882 Mr. Terry brought to his lonely home, a
second wife, formerly Miss Mary Bryant, whose
parents were early settlers in this county, of
which she is a native. She is an agreeable lady
and has many friends.
Mr. Terry has been a Democrat since he became
a voter until the question of Prohibition became
a party one, and during the past five years his vote
has generally been given to the new organization.
In private life he is an ardent advocate of temperance. Taking great interest in that which has
a bearing upon the prosperity of farmers, he has
united with the Patrons of Industry and the
Farmer's Alliance.


he grew to manhood in his native State beginning
work for himself when quite young. When still a
small boy he worked at $3.50 a month and in one
season saved $15 out of his wages. That was the
beginning of his present fortune.  For several
years he worked on a farm in summer and went to
school in the winter. He worked night and day
to get an education and had to pay his way
all through his school days. He began teaching
in his own township when nineteen years old, receiving about $15 a month and boarding around.
He followed this course for ten years.
The young man then took his savings and bought
three acres of land. Later he sold it and invested
in live stock and rented a farm. After ten years
he owned a good farm of ninety acres and had a
flock of about three hundred sheep. In 1865 he
sold in the East and came to Michigan. The land
he purchased had on it a poor log house and a miserable set of outbuildings. He rented the farm to
Abel Smitherman for the space of two years and
went to Marine City, St. Clair County, and bought
a hay farm of one hundred twenty acres, paying
$6,000 for it. He cut one hundred tons of hay each
year for two years and realized $16 a ton. He sold
out his hay farm at a profit of $500 besides his profit
on the hay. He now came home and began improvements. Of his two hundred fifty acres he now has
one hundred fifty-five under the plow and the
rest in woodland and pasture land. He build his
residence in 1870 at a cost of $1,600, and remodelled and made additions to a large barn. His
large double corn house will hold two thousand
bushels of corn. Upon the farm are other buildings of more than usual capacity and convenience
including a good wagon house, ice house, sheep
barns and wind-mill. With this last is connected
an excellent well sixty feet deep. HEe has five
acres of orchard set out apart by himself. He and
his son carry on the farm together and he handles
excellent grades of stock.
The marriage of Mr. Proud took place in 1840.
His wife was Luana M. daughter of Justin and
Perlina (Taylor) Osgood, both of Vermont, where
they were dairy farmers and used to send butter
and milk into Boston. Mrs. Proud was born in the
year 1820, She received an excellent education


OSEPH F. PROUD is a fine specimen of
what Western life makes out of a Vermont
Yankee. His life, as we shall sketch it, is a
good example, worthy of the study and emulation of young men. His father was William
Proud, a native of Rhode Island and a tailor by
trade. His mother was Sarah Gardner, a native of
Bennington County, Vt. The father lived and
died in Vermont, his death occurring in 1822.
The mother spent her last days with her brother,
Capt. Sol Gardner, in Detroit, where she breathed
her last in 1869, having attained to the limit of
three-score years and ten. Our subject, who is the
only one remaining of their two children, makes his
home in Commerce Township.
Joseph F. Proud was born December, 20, 1819,
in Bennington County, Pownell Township, Vt.
He was three years of age when his father died and




PORTRAIT &ND) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


543


I         _I


and for a number of years pursued the profession
of teacher. She became the mother of three children, two of whom are now living, namely: Charles
W., who married Marian Shuler, and now lives on
this farm and Ella A., wife of Harvey Allen, who
lives in Hartland Townslip. The son has three
children and the daughter two. This family are
all members, in good and regular standing, of the
Regular Baptist Church to which the father joined
himself when only fourteen years old, and in which
he has ever been active. lie is a Sunday-school
man and has been a teacher most of his life. He
still keeps up his interest in this work and fills vacancies when a teacher is lacking in the Bible class.
He is diligent in his attendance at the church services and has served on pulpit committees.
Previous to the Civil War his political affiliations were with the Democracy, but his sympathies
with the Union cause led to his becoming a Republican, and he has been a hearty advocate of the principles of that party from that day to this. His son
Charles is a prominent citizen of the township. He
owns eighty acres adjoining the home farm and he
and his father operate, the two places together. He
has been a School Director and Highway Commissioner and has interested himself in giving his
children  an  excellent education.  Mabel, the
daughter of Charles, is the wife of Charles Hagan,
who lives at Owosso. She is an excellent scholar
and a fine musician. This father and son are notable throughout the township as men of strictly
temperate habits and sound and judicious business
qualities.
GHARLES LEONARD. The late Mr. Leonard, who was well known in this county,
having been for some years engaged in
farming and stock-dealing, made a success of that
which he chose as his life-work. Beginning at the
lowest round of the financial ladder, he mounted
step by step. Always active and energetic, he
possessed good financiering ability, which made his
efforts available where some would have failed.
The accumulation of wealth did not make him any


the less humble and retiring, but he was always a
man of quiet manners and simple courtesy, who
never sought to push himself before the people.
His education was received in the common school,
but he read and thought, and was on all general
topics very well informed.
The natal day of Mr. Leonard was October 2,
1828, and his birthplace Chenango County, N. Y.
His parents were Seth and Hannah (Allison) Leonard. His father came to this State and bought a
farm in Troy Township, this county, three miles
east of Birmingham, but went back to New
York and died there a year later. The widow,
with her family of nine children, came West in
1833 and took possession of the farm. Mrs. Leonard died here at the venerable age of ninety-two
years. The son of whom we write was reared in
Troy Township from early childhood and his surroundings were such as to give him considerable
knovwledge of agriculture before he set out in life
for himself. When old enough to exercise the
right of suffrage he decided to cast his ballot with
the Republicans and he never swerved in his allegiance to the party. He died in 1880.
August 26, 1854, Mr. Leonard was married to
Miss Esther M. Starr, who was a resident of Royal
Oak. She was born in Norwalk, Huron County,
Ohio, whence her parents came to this county in
1832. They were Orson and Rhoda P. (Gibbs)
Starr, both natives of New York. They spent
their later years near Royal Oak, the one dying at
the age of sixty-nine and the other fifty-eight
years. Mr. Starr was a manufacturer of bells and
was the only man in this line in the State. He
acquired a competence, and his daughter, now Mrs.
Leonard, with the other members of the family,
had good advantages in early life. Mrs. Leonard
grew to womanhood in Royal Oak Township and
pursued her literary studies in the common school.
To Mr. and Mrs. Leonard there has been born
one son, Mason N., who is a farmer and stockman
in Troy Township. He married Miss Maggie E.
Bingham of this township and they have five sons,
a lively group consisting of Charles M., Stewart
I., Harry, Burt and Ray.
Mrs. Leonard has not been content to stop with
the mental culture she obtained in her early life




544


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




nor with the accomplishments she possessed in her
maiderhood.  She has been able to gratify her
tastes and has devoted considerable time to painting and other means of recreation, such as come
under the head of accomplishments, and to reading
of various kinds, such as befit a lady of natural
ability and good judgment. She has an attractive
home.
t AMIES HADDEN. A reputable place among
the farmers of Oakland Township is filled
by Mr. Hadden, who owns and occupies one
hundred and sixty acres of land on section
25. It is well improved, and much of the acreage
is under tie plow, although a part is given up to
the growth of timber and to pasturage. The outbuildings include two large barns and such granaries and sheds as afford shelter for the stock and
such farm produce as is kept on hand. Mr. Hadden was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., September
26, 1835, and was brought to Michigan when less
than a year old. A home was made in Oakland
Township, and he lias continued to reside here.
He staid with his father until he was of age, then
started out in life for himself. His father gave him
a horse and $1,000, and he bought the farm he
now lives on, which was a partially improved tract.
Mr. Hadden was married January 30, 1864, to
Liddie Beckwith, who is the fourth child of Mr.
and Mrs. John Beckwith. Her father was born in
New York and came to this State in 1846, settling
in Macomb County. He died about ten years since,
a score of years after Mrs. Hadden's mother had
passed away. The Beckwith family consisted of
two daughters and six sons, two of the latter are
deceased. Mrs. Hadden was but a child when her
parents came West, and she grew up amid the
scenes attending the early development of this State.
She has borne her husband one daughter, Hattie
May, who is still a member of the parental household.
Mr. Hadden is a believer in and a supporter of
the principles of Democracy. He has been a school
officer and Pathmaster, and has been earnest and


conscientious in discharging the duties of the positions. Mrs. Hadden and her daughter belong to
the Methodist Church. On another page appears a
view of the comfortable home wherein Mr. and
Mrs. Hadden are pleasantly domiciled and to which
their many friends are wont to come.
OSEPH ALLEN is a farmer of Bloomfield
Township, who has attained to prosperity
and the possession of a fine farm by his own
unaided possessions. He gives all his attention to farming and stock-raising, and makes a specialty of Dlurham cattle and thoroughbred sheep,.
Ile was born in Lincolnshire, England, September
7, 1833, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Patrick) Allen, natives of England. They came to
America in about the year 1856, and lived on a
farm in Bloomfield Township, this county, with their
son William, where they spent the remainder of
their days. He was a farmer all his life, and a man
of moderate means. He aad his good wife were
long members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
They had ten children, namely: John, William,
Eliza, Frank, Mark, Joseph, Henry, Levi, Frederick a id Charlotte.
The subject of this sketch received a commonschool education in England, and in 1851 he preceded his parents to this country. iHe bought a
farm in Bloomfield Township, and for the first live
years worked in the foundry at Birmingham. Since
then he has followed farming and has now one hundred and thirty acres of good land which he has improved, and upon which he has placed good buildings. He and his worthy wife are active and efficient members of the Metlodist Episcopal Church
at Birmingham. Hie formerly voted the Republican ticket, and is now a Prohibitionist.
Mr. Allen was married March 29, 1860, to Miss
Sarah Patchett, who was born in this township,
August 3, 1840. Her parents, David and Elizabeth (Trollop) Patchett came to Birmingham from
England in 1837, and in 1841 settled on the farm
where they now live. Six children have been
granted to Mr. and Mrs. Allen, namely: Arthur,.
4




r- - ~;iI\ls~;%~`~,', ~~L- s~gr~~ Jr;;~;~~FrUi ~ S




} God zir-w<4;, > o, t>;.;.tAi^J;<> <a 2,,}aR,~l,,.5iZ,? w*s,915,-N,<e, s,: sse,-C-ts


—,I F~;~;3 —.


-,,_.;   P-,  - '-   I.   -   "   "   - -- -  I;;   1 -. - II
T   -           I"`7   ~',,,   ~        I-,q   -   --  es -
-                              olmow II~:~"~~:.~.-~. - ~~3


RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH ALLEN,SEC.IG., BLOOMFIELD TP, OAKLAND CO.,MICH.


RESIDENCE OF JAMES HADDEN, SEC.25.,OAK LAND TP.,OAKLAND CO.,MICH.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


547


who died at the age of three years; Mary, Martha,
Luther, a farmer in this township (who married
Miss Anna Buttolph, of Pontiac), Albert and
Emma.
The attention of the reader is directed to a view
of the pleasant homestead of Mr. Allen, which is
one of the finest in the community.
IIARLES E. I)EWEY. Probablv no resident of the farming districts of Waterford
Township possesses a more highly cultured
mind, a more upright character or a more earnest
interest in the welfare of humanity than the abovenamed gentleman, an old settler living on section
31. His present farm, which he purchased in 1874,
is one of the most comfortable and pleasant in the
township, and has been greatly improved and beautified since it came into his possession. The land
is naturally good and is kept in a state of fertility
by the use of the best fertilizing agencies and a
proper rotation of crops, while upon it the various
improvements have been made that stamp it as the
abode of an intelligent and thrifty family.
Mr. Dewey is a native-born citizen of this county,
his birth taking place in Waterford Township, July
24, 1834. His father, John K. Dewey, was born in
Vermont in 1795, and at the age of seventeen years
was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade with
Mr. Bingham. Subsequently to this, in 1813, he
had emigrated to New York, and at the expiration
of his term of apprenticeship he bought a small
piece of land in Monroe County. There he built
a house and shop, and followed his trade. In 1814
a call was made for troops to go to Sackett's Harbor, and the company of militia to which Mr.
Dewey belonged, marched to the Harbor, where
they arrived the day after the battle and helped
bury the dead. Two weeks later they were discharged and returned to their homes.
In 1819 Mr. Dewey married Miss Harriet, the
daughter of Stephen Hunt, who came to Michigan
in 1831. In March of the same year the father of
our subject started with a team for this State, and
after a weary drive of fourteen days, arrived at De

troit. From there he came to Oakland County,
where he worked at his trade. In June, 1831, his
wife and two children in company with his fatherin-law and family, arrived in the county, and all
lived in a house whicl Mr. Dewey had just erected
for Richard Close at Bloomfield Center. Soon afterward Mr. Dewey bought one hundred and sixty
acres onsection 33, Waterford Township, and in
April, 1832, raised the first frame house in the
township. Gradually he evolved a finely-improved
estate from his original purchase, and became very
skillful in his calling.
The family of which our subject is a member,
included six children, four of whom are still living,
all in Michigan. The father died in 1887, in his
ninely-third year, after a long and honorable life;
the mother passed from earth in 1863, many years
prior to the decease of her husband. The subject
of this sketch began life for himself at the age of
nineteen years, and for eleven years followed teaching winter seasons and worked at painting during
the summer months. At the age of twenty-eight
years, he was united in marriage on the 3rd of November, 1862, with Sarah A. Culver, the daughter
of Marcus and Mary A. (Beardslee) Culver, natives respectively of New York and New Jersey.
Mr. Culver came to this State in 1831, locating in
Birmingham, where he was for a time engaged in
the manufacture of fanning mills.. Later he purchased a farm in Bloomfield Township, where he
died in August, 1837, while still in the prime of
life. Mrs. Culver married again, and passed from
earth in 1886. By her first marriage she had two
children, Mrs. Dewey and a brother now deceased.
The happy union of our subject and his amiable
wife has been blest to them by the birth of one
child, a son, Dick, now twenty-three years of age.
He married Flora Fair, and the young couple are
living under the parental roof. Besides being the
recipient of an excellent common-school education,
lie is a graduate of the Pontiac High School, and
has proved himself to possess exceptional capacity
for business undertakings, being far-seeing and systematic in the conduct of his affairs. His friends
anticipate much of the future of one whose present
attainments are so promising. Our subject is a
man of public spirit, a stanch Democrat, and has




548


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


served as Town Clerk, School Inspector, Justice of
the Peace, and in other minor offices. He is Secretary of the Monitor Insurance Company of Oakland County, Mich., and is now serving the eleventh
term as such. Socially he is identified with the
Masonic fraternity, and is regarded as one of the
most worthy citizens of the community.
ECATUR      CHILDS.    Fortune has smiled
upon the efforts of this gentleman and
enabled him to accumulate a goodly amount
of worldly blessings. He has a fine farm on section
35, Milford Township, comprising one hundred
and sixty acres of land, one hundred and twenty
under the plow, and all well arranged and stocked.
There are two residences, three barns, and other
buildings sufficient for the wants of the occupants
of the farm, and all is under the supervision of
the owner although he is not able to take part in
the manual toil of farming, as he suffers from injuries received in the army.
The parents of our subject were Samuel and
Olive (Rodgers) Childs, natives of New York,
and the latter now living in Erie County, aged
seventy-six years. The father died in 1866. They
had five children but only our subject and Jefferson are living, the latter being a resident of the
Empire State. The parents adhered to the tenets
of the Christian Church and the father was a
Democrat. A son Byron was a private in the
Eighth Michigan Cavalry during the Civil War
and was taken captive near Columbia, Tenn., and
confined in a rebel prison from November, 1864,
until the close of the war. He died in Jacksonville,
Fla., soon after his release, from the effects of
hardship and exposure, leaving a widow and two
children.
Our subject was born in Erie County, N. Y.,
December 2, 1843, and received a district school
education there. He lived on a farm and at the
age of sixteen years started in life for himself as a
farm hand. In the tall of 1862 he came to this
State and after spending a month in this county,
went to Saginaw and worked in the lumber woods


I


I


I


until the spring of 1863. He then returned to this
county and hired out for the summer on the farm
he now owns, and in the fall went into the woods
again. In the spring of 1864 he came back and
bought eighty acres in Milford Township on section 24, and soon selling off one-half, began to clear
the remainder. Before fall he had cleared ten
acres, and he then enlisted in Company K, Eighth
Michigan Cavalry, and joined the regiment at
Nicholasville, Ky.
Mr. Childs went at once into active service and
took part in the campaign about Nashville, against
Gen. Hood, and his first experience was in a skirmish line, where a large number of Hood's infantry
and Forrest's Cavalry opposed them. When the
regiment was ordered to Duck River, young Childs
and eleven comrades were detailed to guard a ford
and were cut off from the main body by the rebels
crossing at a ford above. They tried to get to
Murfreesboro and had to dismount, let their horses
go and take to the shelter of a cedar swamp. They
lay there until night, then traveled on and for two
weeks spent the daylight in woods and swamps and
moved at night, subsisting on raw field corn. When
within a day's travel of Murfreesboro they were
separated and Mr. Childs and one comrade, James
Vincent, went to a house for food. While waiting
for it to be brought them several rebels rode up
and the men took to the swamp again reaching it
through a cornfield where the stalks hid them from
their foes. The second day after this they met a
colored man who told them   where there was a
Union picket line, but upon stepping into the road
they found that the men dressed in blue were
rebels who had driven in the Union outposts.
Taken captive by these men our hero was kept
with Hood's army until after the defeat of Nashville, when he was sent to Pulaski and placed in the
courthouse with about forty others. The guard
said that the "Yankees" were after them and the
sick would have to be left there, and so Mr. Childs
managed to get a chew of tobacco-which he never
used, and make himself sick at the proper time.
The examining physician pronounced him  unable
to go on but he was not paroled. When he learned
that the Union army would be there the next day
he managed to pass the guard, and meeting another




f


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


549


man, they slipped into the attic and crawled along,
through rubbish of various kinds, over a hundred
feet. They were exposed to the fire of the Union
men when they appeared, but the rebels retreated
and they were safe. Mr. Childs could not learn the
whereabouts of his regiment so stayed with this
force a week. He acted as guard over a citizen's
house and stopped marauders who attempted to
raid it. He was destitute when he went to the place
and the owner gave him a pair of shoes, overcoat
and hat.
When Mr. Childs learned the whereabouts of his
regiment he rejoined it. A month later while on a
foraging expedition he had his left leg crushed
just above the ankle, by his horse falling while
going down a hill. He was taken to the field hospital where the wound was dressed and while there
he suffered from  typhoid fever and nearly died.
He was removed to Nashville and from the hospital
there was discharged in May, 1865. He then returned home to his little farm, but he was able to
do no work for a year, and so sold out and went
back East where lie drove a stage a twelvemonth.
Coming again to this State lie bought twelve acres
on section 6, Milford Township, built a dwelling
and lived there five years. He was compelled to
give up farming, so sold the property and turned
his attention to contracting and building. For
fifteen years he was thus employed, hiring a force
of men, and thus getting a real start in life. In
1871 he bought forty-five acres of his present estate.
built a house and removed thereto. Early in the
'80s his residence and furniture were destroyed by
fire but he soon rebuilt. He sold twenty-two acres
but has since added eighteen and one hundred and
twenty. He is a constant sufferer from the injury
to his limb and varicose veins.
May 1, 1864, Mr. Childs was married to Miss
Gertrude Nicholson, daughter of Henry and Samantha (Knapp) Nicholson, natives of New York
who came to this State in an early day. Mr. Nicholson was a Government surveyor. The daughter
was born in this State forty-five years ago and was
educated in the district school. She is the mother
of three living children-Fred, Samuel and Earl,
and has lost one child. The boys have good district school educations. Mr. Childs belongs to


I


=.. _.

Milford Post, No. 181, G. A. R. and to the Blue
Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic Order. He is
also a member of the Patrons of Industry and is
now President in that order. He votes the Democratic ticket. He is Treasurer of the School Board
and has been for twelve years, and has also served
as Constable. He wields a decided influence in the
community and is one of the conspicuous figures in
this vicinity.
OHN ANI) JOSHUA WOODARD. There
is no more delightful home to visit in Novi
Township, than that of the two gentlemen
] whose names head this sketch. It is so rare
a thing to see twin brothers who have together
walked through life for more than seventy years
and it is so beautiful a thing to witness the harmony which exists between these brothers, so
closely resembling each other in form and feature,
that all who visit the vicinity of Walled Lake will
desire to make a call at their pleasant home. Their
father, Joshua, and mother, Betsey (Timmerman)
Woodard, were natives of Herkimer County, N. Y.
They were married in Shelby Township, Orleans
County, that State, and made their home on an unbroken tract of land on the Holland Purchase.
After having quite thoroughly improved it, the
father sold his farm and lived in different parts of
the State, finally removing to Erie County. He
there rented a farm but in 1839 he removed to
Michigan, and rented a farm of William H. Banks,
situated north of Walled Lake. Here he remained
for three years, and then took the farm where J. J.
Moore now lives.  Afterward he went to Kent
County and settled on an unbroken farm, and
building a log house began to clear off the heavv
timber. His good wife died in 1823, and after this
he again married and had a family of eleven children. The father died in 1852. Three only of
the five children of the first mother are still living.
The father was a Democrat in his politics.
These twin brothers, who look so exactly alike
that it is with difficulty that they can be distinguished, were born January 14, 1821, in Orleans
County, N. Y. They had but slender opportuni



550


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAcL ALBUM.I


3OPORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


ties of education and were young men when they
came to Michigan. They remained with their
parents until they were twenty-four years old.
When the father went to Kent County the sons remained in Oakland County a year and then followed him. They learned the cooper trade
together and worked at it at Walled Lake and later
at Grand Rapids, which was then a small village.
They spent one season at Battle Creek, and then
came back to Walled Lake.
These two young men returned to New York
State for two years, and after their return worked
at the cooper trade and then took a farm on shares
for one season. They worked the farm for Elder
Weaver for three years, after which they bought a
lot at Walled Lake and built a cooper shop, which
they finally sold, and forty acres of land, which
had been roughly improved, which lies north of
the farm  of William Taylor in Commerce Township. There they made their home for thirteen
years, and then sold that property and bought
eighty acres where they now live. This they have
cleared and improved and now have sixty acres
under cultivation. Three years ago they built the
residence where they make their home, and for the
past ten years they have rented out their farm and
lived a retired life.
September, 1849, was the time of great interest
in the life of these two brothers for at that time
John took a step and the only important step in
his life in which he was not accompanied by his
brother. He was married to Matilda Brockett, a
daughter of Abel and Rebecca (Ryder) Brockett.
But this marriage did not separate these brothers
who have been inseparable companions through
life. The faithful wife of John has been no cause
of dissension between these brothers but has united
them more happily by making for both a happy
and comfortable home. Her parents were natives
of Saratoga County, N. Y., who in their later
years lived in Orleans County, that State. They
were the parents of ten children, arnd the father
died many years ago. His widow followed him to
the other world in 1888.
Mrs. Woodard was born January 4, 1818, in Saratoga, N. Y., and received the best district school
education which her locality and time afforded.


N'o children have been granted to this worthy
couple. The brothers have been active in politics
and vote the Democratic ticket. They have both
served as Road Overseers and have been members
of the School Board. They are and always have
been strictly temperate in their habits and although
they started out empty-handed they have made for
themselves a place and a home of which they have
reason to be proud. They have been hard workers
and are men who are universally respected.
ILLIAM H. WILLIAMSON, a prosperous farmer of Bloomfield Township, was
born upon the farm where he now resides
January 31, 1863. He is a son of William and
Grace (German) Williamson, natives of England,
who came to America in 1844 and settled in Southfield Township, this county, and later removed on
to the place where his son now resides. The father
is now livingin Pontiac. Our subject is one of five
children. His brothers and sisters are: Elmer,
Louisa, Laura and Frank. After taking what education could be derived from  the public schools,
William attended Mayhues Business College at Detroit. He bought the old homestead of his father
in 1888 and has followed farming all his life. He
has one of the finest farms in the county. It consists of two hundred and twenty acres and has upon
it good improvements, a fine two-story brick
residence, large barns and excellent outbuildings.
He is devoting considerable attention to the raising of stock and makes a specialty of Shropshire
sheep of which he has a flock of one hundred thorough-breds. He is a Republican in his political
views and conscientious in his voting, studying
carefully both the man and the principles for
which he casts his ballot.
November 28, 1b88, Mr. Williamson united his
fortunes in life with Miss Nettie Heath of Wixom,
who was born in Milford, this county. She is a
daughter of Frank and Louisa (Speller) Heath.
Mr. Williamson has held some minor town and




"I




A


-I

I/u *



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


553


- -~-                ---                                                     I


school offices and has setved his constituents faithfully and to their satisfaction and profit. He i s a
member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and also
of the Royal Arch Masons.
ARON B. AVERY, M. D., whose beautiful residence on Lawrence Street attracts
the attention of all visitors to Pontiac,
has a large and successful practice in both
city and country. He was born in Washtenaw
County, Mich., August 26, 1853, the son of Nathan
Avery. a New York farmer, who came to Michigan
in 1838, and located at Dansville, Ingham County.
His father, Benjamin Avery, removed from  Elmira, N. Y., to Dansville with his family. Here
he continued to reside during his lifetime with the
exception of three years. The mother of Dr. Avery
was Matilda Rockwell, daughter of Eli Rockwell,
who was one of the first settlers of Jackson
County. She was born in that county and now resides on the old homestead in Washtenaw County,
to which she went immediately after her marriage.
Her husband, Nathan Avery, died August 10,
1890, in the sixty-sixth year of his age.
Of the six children of this worthy couple Dr.
Avery is the eldest son, and all but one of them
are still living. Dr. Avery, whose portrait appears
on the opposite page, spent his boyhood on the
farm and attended t'e district school until sixteen
years of age. He then entered the Normal School
at Ypsilanti, where he continued from 1871 until
1873, and was graduated from the Chelsea High
School in 1875. He taught school some five years
in Washtenaw.and Livingston Counties, and met
with flattering success in that profession.
The young student began the study of medicine
with Dr. G. A. Robertson, of Chelsea, after which
he entered the Homeopathic Medical Department
of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor,
being graduated from there in 1878. Going to
Farmington, this county, he began practice there,
in which he continued for eight years. He then
removed to Pontiac, where he has built up an ex

tensive practice and become widely known. He
is also Surgeon of the P. 0. & N. Railroad.
In 1879 Dr. Avery was married, October 22, to
Miss Lillian Drake st Farmington, at the home of
her parents, Frank M. and Elizabeth (Chadwick)
Drake, who were citizens of that place and had
come there from New York State in 1840. Two
daughters have blessed the home of the DoctorBlanche and Lucile. The subject of this sketch
was Chairman of the bureau of the Materia Medica
and was the first Vice President of the State
Homeopathic Medical Society at the time he resigned from that organization. He was also President of his graduating class at Ann Arbor. He
is a member of Pontiac Lodge, No. 21, F. &
A. M., is also Past Master, King of Pontiac Chapter, R. A. M., and Captain-General of the Pontiac
Commandery, No. 2, K. T. and Council. In politics he is rather independent in local matters, but
in State and National matters is a Republican.
-l. --- —*040..$^<^3)^~40, --- —<<P      RED B. CASAMER of Orion Township was
born in this township June 14, 1839. His
father, Isaac, was a native of Sussex County,
N. J., where he first saw the light June 30, 1807.
The family is of Dutch stock. Isaac learned the
trade of a stonemason in early life and followed it
until he came to Michigan. In the spring of 1836
he visited Oakland County, located some Government land in Orion Township, and worked at his
trade until fall when he returned East for his family. He brought them on in the spring of 1837.
He was quite fond of hunting and found abundant
game. Indians also encamped near him but soon
after his location in this township there was an
epidemic of smallpox among the red men and
many of them died. His work as a stone mason
was greatly in demand in those days. In 1840 he
exchanged his land for another farm in the same
township, and there ended his days in 1867.
The marriage of Isaac Casamer, in 1830, united
him with Prudence Buckner, daughter of Frederick a.ld Mercy (Doty) Buckner, both of New Jersey. The Buckner family is of German descent.




554


PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPHTCAL ALBUM.


56       POTATADBOGAHCLABM


The father of Mrs. Casamer ended his days in
Orion, dying at the age of eighty-four years. She
was born November 6, 1809. Mr. and Mrs. Casamer had nine children, six sons and three daughters
namely: Samuel, Mark (deceased), Frederick, Silas,
Theodore, George (deceased), Catherine, Emily
and Elizabeth. Five of the six sons bore arms in
the Civil War and all of these brave boys lived to
return home.
The son of whom we write remained at home and
aided in clearing up the farm until he reached the
age of twenty-one. He was one of the five sons
whose brilliant war record is the justifiable pride
of the family. He enlisted in 1861 in Company C,
Tenth Michigan Infantry, Col. Charles M. Lumm,of
Detroit, commanding. The regiment took part
in the following engagements: Lookout Mountain,
Mission Ridge, Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost, the
Atlanta campaign, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach
Tree Creek, Chattahoochee River and Jonesboro.
He was wounded in the right arm by a minie ball
at Atlanta. Gangrene set in and he came near losing his arm. He was in various hospitals and was
finally transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps.
He was finally honorably discharged June 9, 1865,
having gained the rank of Corporal. His bravery
and efficiency in service won him the admiration
of his comrades and the respect of his superior
officers.
The marriage of Mr. Casamer October 30, 1867,
was an event which led to a domestic life of unusual
happiness and congeniality. His wife, who bore the
maiden name of Cynthia Cook, was born in Oakland Township in June, 1844. Her parents, Aaron
and Nancy (Coon) Cook, came to Michigan from
the East at an early day, and took up Government
land which they cleared and improved. Mr. Cook
died in 1870 at the age of sixty-five and his
widow survived him until 1880.
After the war our subject bought a farm in Oxford Township, but sold it and rented land for a
few years. His present place was purchased in
1873. One child only has been granted to our
subject and his wife-a daughter, Minnie, a bright
and attractive young lady who is the delight of her
parents and much beloved by her associates. Mr.
Casamer is a Republican in his politics and has


taken an active part in local affairs. He is a member of the Grand Army Post No. 187, of the
Knights of the Maccabees and of the Grange. Both
he and his amiable and accomplished wife are valued members of the Congregational Church. He
has one hundred and twenty acres of fine land
which have been obtained through industry, energy
and enterprise, as he began life for himself empty
handed.


-— ~-   C ~~ C=-r`      -               r


LIVER EVANS, known familiarly as Esquire
Evans, is a man who stands foremost among
the citizens of the village of Walled Lake. He
is quiet and reserved in his manner, but is a successful man and has hosts of friends. His father,
who has recently died, was a native of Lima, N. Y.,
and was born March 19, 1811. He was a hatter
and a farmer by vocation.  His mother, Lucina
Evans, a native of Erie County, N. Y., was born
November 23, 1810. She was a daughter of David
Parsons, a native of Massachusetts, who was born
there February 16, 1776. He was a carpenter by
trade and came to Michigan in 1844, where he settled in Commerce Township and died there February 4, 1863.
The parents of our subject were married in New
York, January 14, 1835. They resided there until
they came to Michigan in the fall of 1844, when
they purchased an improved farm in Commerce
Township, and erected buildings upon it. Here they
lived for about twenty-five years. Mr. Evans then
sold his one hundred and twenty acres and retiring
from active business moved into Walled Lake. He
bought the farm adjoining the village on section
34, and resided there till his death, April 26, 1891.
His widow still survives. Our subject has one sister, Minerva E., born December 1, 1846; she is the
wife of Jerome Tompkins, of Commerce Township,
and is the mother of four children. The parents
of our subject were both earnest and efficient members of the Presbyterian Church. The father was
a Whig and later a Republican and was invariably
temperate in his habits.
Oliver Evans was born December 19, 1835, in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


'555




=


Ontario County, N. Y. He was about nine years
old when he came to Michigan. He received a
common-school education and upon reaching his
majority began life for himself as a farmer.  He
has always lived at home with his parents and has
worked a farm under the supervision of his father.
He had a grocery and commission business in Detroit for five years. His marriage was celebrated
December 27, 1860, his bride being Sarah F., a
daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Townsend) Stitt,
natives of Massachusetts, who came to Michigan
and settled near Romeo as early as the '40s. Mr.
Stitt is deceased. He was a soldier in the War of
1812.
Mr. Evans is a member of the Masonic order in
which he is now Senior Deacon of his lodge. He
has been Master for eight years. He is also a member of Union Chapter, No. 55, A. F. & A. M.,
and of the Northville Comrandery, No. 39, K. T.
He has taken an interest in schools and is always
wide-awake in regard to politics, voting the Republican ticket. He was Clerk of the township for
four or five years and has filled the office of Justice of the Peace.
EORGE BLAKESLEE is one of the flourishing dealers of Birmingham  and has been
engaged in the mercantile business there
for twenty years. He began life with no means
and has made money by the exercise of prudence,
careful oversight of his affairs, and judicious economy, combined with wise expenditure. He was
born in the town he still makes his home, December 26, 1828, being a son of Scriva and Thankful
(Caswell) Blakeslee, natives of New England who
came from  New York to Michigan about 1826.
They took up a tract of Government land in what
is now Bloomfield Township and here they spent
the remainder of their lives. The father owned
two hundred acres of land and was in good circumstances before his death. He was a Democrat and
held some minor offices. The family comprised
seven children, three of whom lived to maturity,




I


I


namely: George, Eli and Emily. The last named
is now deceased: Eli is a farmer in Commerce
Township.
The subject of this notice was deprived of his
mother's love and care when he was but a child.
He remained with his father on the farm until he
was fourteen years old and then went to Detroit
and spent a summer as cabin-boy on the steamer
"Illinois."  When the season was over he entered
upon an apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner at
Detroit, and served four years. He then began
working at his trade and taking contracts in Detroit and Birmingham, and after a time embarked
in merchandising also. In 1890 he was Superintendent of the construction of the Water Works in
Birmingham. He has owned a sawmill and has
farmed some and dealt in real estate. At one time
he visited the Pennsylvania oil country and made
some little investment there. He owns thirty acres
of land inside the corporation, and has a pleasant
dwelling wherein creature comforts abound.
January, 1848, was the date of the marriage of
Mr. Blakeslee and Miss Ann W. Benedict, at that
time a resident of Detroit. The bride was born in
Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and was a daughter of
Eri and Delia Benedict, who were likewise natives
of the Empire State. She died February 2, 1889,
at the age of sixty-two years. The children born
to her were seven in number and their respective
names were Frank, Arthur, Arthur 2d, Lena,
Georgie, Carrie and Eva. Mr. Blakeslee was married a second time January 17, 1891. His bride on
this occasion was Mrs. Elizabeth M. Payne, of
Washington, D. C., in which place she was born
and has spent her life.
Various offices of more or less importance have
been held by Mr. Blakeslee and the fact that he
has so often been chosen to serve his fellow citizens, gives conclusive evidence of his having many
friends and admirers. While living in Detroit he
was City Assessor of the First, Second and Eighth
Wards and for two or three years was Fire Warden.
In Bloomfield Township he has served as Supervisor two terms and he has acted in several official
capacities in the village and township. In 1861 -62 he was a member of the legislature, representing
Oakland County. The work he did for his eon



556


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


5                                 I    N      I


stituency is inscribed on the records of the legislative body and the memories of those whom lie
served. He was elected to the position by the Republican party which he has supported since its
organization; prior to that time he was a Democrat. He is a man of undoubted public spirit and
is held in respect for the good qualities he possesses. Socially, he is a Master Mason.... _ -.t'' -


P ALMER SHERMAN, a retired farmer of
Farmington Township, makes his home on
section 21. He was born in Lyons Township, Wayne County, N. Y., April 7, 1827.
His father, Abram, a native of Massachusetts was
a farmer and a private soldier of the War of 1812.
He married in Massachusetts and resided there for
a number of years before iemoving to Wayne
County, N. Y. The name of his wire before marriage was Nancy Paul. She came to Micligan
after the death of her husband and settled in Southfield Township, Oakland County, in 1832. Here
she spent the remainder of her days.
William B. Sherman, the grandfather of our subject, was born in England and came to Massachusetts when only a young man. He was a great
business man and owned mills, stores and farms all
over the country in which he lived. iIe was a man
of great wealth and gave to one of his sons, $100,
000, and at hl's death willed him another $100,000.
He was a Whig and was greatly interested in the
elfare of the country. Mr. Sherman's father and
mother were the parents of seven children, six sons
and one daughter. He is the youngest child and
the only one now living. Three of his brothers
were subjects of sudden death and none of them
had more than six days illness before death.
As Palmer Sberman was but five years old when
he emigrated to Michigan be found his first schooling in Southfield Township. He completed his
school days in Northville, attending  school in
the winter, and working by the month in Ihe summer. He began working for bimself at the age of
fourteen at $5 per month. His first $100 was earned
by working for James Sanford, of Novi Township.


He put this money out at interest and continued
working by the month until he was twenty years
old.
Mr. Sherman married in 1850 Loretta Ward, who
was born in Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y., in
1831. Her parents, Isaiah B. and Josephine (Case)
Ward, were natives of Vermont, and York State
respectively. The young couple located on a farm
in Southfield Township. After two years they
went to Lansing and bought one hundred and sixty
acres of wild land. Here they remained for three
years when they sold out and came back to Farmington Township, and bought the place where they
now reside. Only a few acres of it were cleared
and there were no buildings upon the land. He
has one of the finest farms in the county. It comprises one hundred and one acres well improved
and has on it a brick house and good barns. His
fruit is a source of justifiable pride, and he has himself set out all the trees in his three orchards.
Nine children have come to this happy home.
They are named: Ward, Hudson, Bion, Abram,
Phoebe (Mrs. David Ross,) Josephine (Mrs. John
Taylor,) Lora (Mrs. J. C. Blindbury.) and Rhoda
and Grace who make their home with their parents.
Mr. Sherman's first Presidential ballot was cast for
Franklin Pierce. He is a Republican in principle
and has always been. He is a well-read man and
excellently well informed on political questions.
He never has been willing to accept any office. For
the past twelve years he has rented out his farm
and having retired from active work is enjoying a
well-earned rest.
ILLIAM' E. GARRISON.           Among the
well-to-do farmers in Pontiac Township
mention should be made of Mr. Garrison
as one of those who have attained to good circumstances by their own efforts. When lhe came to
this State in 1849, his cash capital consisted of $5
but he bad an abundant supply of energy, determination and shrewd common sense. He has met
with some misfortunes in the shape of losses by
fire, etc., but has recovered from  them.  His




Missing
Page




Missing
Page




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


559




I


I


landed estate now consists of three hundred acres of
choice land, on which are two fine dwellings and
all other needful and convenient buildings. For
the past ten years lie has raised standard-bred
horses and he has several fine specimens in which
he takes great and justifiable pride. A lover of
horses would find especial enjoyment in conversation with him and in a visit to his beautiful home.
The grandfather of our subject was James Garrison, and the father was John, who was born in
New Jersey in 1786 and who died in 1851. The
mother was Martha (Everett) Garrison, a native of
New Jersey who died in 1867. The parental family consisted of six sons and daughters, and five are
now living.  William  was born in Hunterdon
County, N. J., December 12, 1827, and reared on
a farm. lie received a fair practical education in
the district schools and when he became of age
learned the trade of a carpenter. He came to this
State in the spring of 1849, worked in Rochester
for a short time, and then spent two years in carpenter's work at Oxford. He next bought a lot
in Pontiac, built a house upon it and soon traded
it for a piece of ground in the township. His first
farm land was a tract of eighty acres, on which he
began his agricultural work, although he did not
entirely abandon his trade. In 1875 he built a
very nice frame hlouse, which was destroyed by
fire four years later. He rebuilt, and added another
residence to the buildings that already adorned
the estate.
Mr. Garrison and Miss Sarah Stanley were
united in marriage in 1853. The bride was born
in Pontiac Township October 28, 1834, and.is one
of the six children making up the family of Matthew and Ellen (Terry) Stanley.  Her parents
were natives of Vermont and New York respectively and each came hither in an e'arly day with
their respective parents. Mr. Stanley died in 1856
and Mrs. Stanley in 1887. Both belonged to the
Methodist Episcopal Church.   Their daughter
Sarah was carefully reared and was well qualified
to discharge the duties that fell to her lot after she
grew to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Garrison have
three children-Charles, Mattie and James, all are
single and at home. They have been well educated
and given a good equipment for the battle of life.


i


Mr. Garrison votes the Democratic ticket. He and
his wife move in good society ad cit  n enjoy the respect
of their associates.
O     BEDIAH   KEMP. The career of this respected resident of Pontiac Township is one
that furnishes a worthy example of those
who begin the battle of life without means. Such
was his condition, and when he bargained for his
first real estate he was obliged to borrow money to
make the initial payment. He worked hard and
managed well and was aided in his efforts by a
careful and capable wife, to whom much of the
credit of their good fortune belongs. Mr. Kemp
freed himself from debt and became the owner of
about two hundred acres of good farm land, which
he has reduced by giving to his son a goodly tract.
The home farm now consists of eighty acres, on
which modern and substantial improvements have
been made, including an attractive frame house
built in 1879.
Mr. Kemnp is an Englishman and traces his ancestry back through long lines in the mother country. His father, John Kemp, was born in 1784,
and was engaged in farming during his active life.
He came to America in 1850 and made his home
with his children. He died twenty years later in
the eighty-sixth year of his age. He had been a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church more
than half a century. The mother of our subject
was born in England in 1784 and bore the maiden
name of Dorothy Milliom. She was a zealous
Methodist and an active and intelligent woman
who retained her faculties to an extraordinary degree and lived to the age of almost one hundred
years, dying in 1884. She was the mother of twelve
children, nine of whom are now living.
The subject of this notice was born in County
Sussex, England, July 22, 1821, and reared on the
farm with but limited school privileges. As soon
as he was old enough to do so he began to work
with his father and when but a boy he worked out
considerably, his wages being from sixpence to two
shillings a day and the latter only reached when he




560


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


AI


was able to do a man's work. On attaining to his
majority he determined to seek a home in America
and he reached its shores after a rough voyage of
eight weeks in the year 1849. He landed at Quebec and made his way to this county, where for
two or three years he worked by the day or month.
He then made a bargain for forty acres of land
where he is now living, which was then but partially
improved, and his first building there was a small
frame house.
In 1850 Mr. Kemp was married to Miss Sabina
Selms, who.was born in Sussexshire, England, in
1824, and who was one of his youthful companions.
She bade her people good-by and crossed the ocean
to fulfill her engagement, and nobly has she borne
herself as a wife. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp have two
children-William H., a prosperous farmer on land
adjoining his father's and Fanny B. who: married
Frederick Danderson and they own a farm in Pontiac Township. If industry, integrity and kindly
feeling toward others entitle men and women to
respect and consideration, then are Mr. and Mrs.
Kemp well worthy of esteem and representation in
this BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
The many friends -of this honored pioneer will
be pleased to notice his portrait in connection with
his biographical notice.
-- ---— + ---,      HARLES W. SOULBY. Among the residents in the town of Milford none are better deserving of representation in this volume than the one above named, who was born here
October 31, 1845. His grandfather and father bore
the same given name, Charles B., and were natives
of Lincolnshire, England. The latter was born in
August, 1815, and when old enough to learn the
trade became a blacksmith. Some time after his
marriage he emigrated to America and established
his home in Milford, where he first carried on blacksmithing, and later became a farmer in the vicinity. He owned one hundred and twenty acres
which he operated successfully until 1874, when he
returned to town and gave up active life. He is a
Republican, and an earnest, devoted member of the


Methodist Episcopal Church. The faithful wife
was removed from him by death in 1853, and bore
the maiden name of Eleanor Burrell, and their children are Alfred, Charles W., Mary A., Harriet and
Ann. The eldest son served three years during
the Civil War as a member of the Twenty-second
Michigan Infantry. Mary is now Mrs. Bridgeman, Ann is Mrs. Allen, of Milford, and Harriet
is Mrs. Fisher, of Flint.
The first four years of the life of Mr. Soulby
were spent in Milford, and he then lived on the
farm until he had become a youth of nineteen or
twenty years. He studied in the district school
until just before he completed his teens, then attended the New Hudson High School a year, and
the Milford Hill School about the same length of
time. He next engaged in teaching in the Milford
school, thus paying his own way and making a
slight provision for future expenses. In 1870 he
entered the Cornell University at Ithaca, N. Y.,
where he studied industriously four years, working his way through the institution by his own
efforts. He was graduated in 1874 with the degree
of Bachelor of Science, and again took up pedagogical work. He was Principal of the graded schools
in Grand Blanc, Genesee County, this State, one
year, Goodrich one year, and Vernon, Shiawassee
County, one year.
On July 29, 1877, at the bride's home in Milford, Mr. Soulby was married to Miss Emma Stephens, daughter of Willis and Fanny M. (Taylor)
Stephens. The bride was born in Milford, February 3, 1853, educated in its schools, and at the
early age of sixteen years became a teacher. She
taught fifteen terms in this county, and for three
years was one of the corps in the Milford Union
school. She is a lady of unusual intelligence, and
has fully retained her interest in mental culture
and the higher pleasures of life. She belongs to
the Presbyterian Church, and whenever she can do
so without neglecting her home, is found ready to
aid in neighborly projects, particularly in caring
for the sick, and other deeds that promise to result
in good.
The father of Mrs. Soulby was born in Ireland,
and her grandfather, Michael Stephens, spent his
entire life there. Her father was fifteen years old




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


561


I

when he came to America, and he soon established
himself in this county. He was one of those energetic, persevering and honest men who are likely
to make their way in the world, and he proved successful in worldly affairs. IIe improved a farm of
one hundred and twenty-two acres in Milford Township, and became the owner of three tracts. He retired from farm life in 1870, and made his home in
Milford until his death in June, 1887, when seventy-four years of age. He voted the Democratic
ticket, and took quite an interest in politics. His
widow, who was one of the first and is still one of
the most faithful members of the Presbyterian
Church, is still living in Milford. She too was
born in Ireland where her father, John Taylor,
lived and died.
After his marriage Mr. Soulby located in Milford
Township on a farm, feeling that his health would
be benefited by outdoor work. He bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 27, which he managed and worked, teaching during the winter months
and in the summer laboring on the farm. For eight
winters he was in charge of the school in the home
district, and never had to apply for it, and three
winters he taught in an adjoining district. As an
agriculturist he has been successful, harvesting
wheat and other crops of good quality and raising
stock of good grades. Since 1889 he has been living in Milford, having rented his farm and bought
a home in the village. In 1879 Mr. Soulby was
elected Township Superintendent of Schools, which
office he filled until 1881, when he was elected
School Inspector for four years.
In 1885 Mr. Soulby became a member of the
County Board of School Examiners, and in 1887 a
change in the plan of work and the duties and
trusts reposed in him, obliged him to give up teaching. That year he began visiting schools, and in
1888 he was elected County Secretary of the Examining Board for two years. In 1890 he was
elected County School Examiner for two years.
He now devotes his entire attention, as a matter of
business in the supervision of schools, attending
county institutions as an instructor, and otherwise
working in the educational field. He makes a specialty in his institute work of civil government,
orthography and school management. He has a




great love for the natural sciences, observes closely,
reads carefully and thinks deeply, and is constantly
adding to his own store of knowledge.
In politics Mr. Soulby is a stanch Republican,
and he has served on the Township Central Committee, and is a delegate to county conventions.
He is very active in religious work, particularly in
matters connected with the Methodist Episcopal
Church, to which he belongs. He has been Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and has led the choir for fifteen years.
His liberal education, his courteous and manly
spirit, and his fine character, alike entitle him to
respect, and he has such a social and kindly nature
that esteem is touched with a much warmer feeling.
OSCAR J. SNYDER, one of the enterprising
young farmers of Addison Township, Oakland County, was born in the township
where he now resides, February 10, 1855. He is
a son of Jacob Snyder, of whom a sketch appears
in this ALBUM. After attending the district school
this son remained at home and assisted on the farm
until he reached the age of twenty-five years. In
1880 he began working the farm on which he now
lives. He has since replaced the old log house in
which he once lived with a large and handsome
frame building and has erected a fine barn and
other farm buildings.
Our subject was married in 1879 to Frances
Braid, who was born in Canada in 1858. She is a
daughter of John Braid who was born on the Isleof-Man, and whose biographical sketch appears
elsewhere in this work. One child, Mabel, has
crowned this union. The political views of Mr.
Snyder are embodied in the platform of the Republican party. He is interested in local politics
and has often been sent by his fellow-citizens of
this party to represent them in county conventions.
He has also been Highway Commissioner. Both
he and his good wife are earnest and conscientious
members of the Protestant Methodist Church.
When Mr. Snyder took the one hundred and
sixty acres of land which forms his farm, he found




562


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


dI


I


it mostly in an improved condition. He has made
a specialty of raising Short-horn cattle.  For
several years he has dealt in wheat, buying large
quantities at Shoup Station near his home. For
about two years he served as Postmaster of Shoup.
He raises and feeds large numbers of stock, and is
considered quite successful in that line.
Mr. Snyder is not content to go on in old fashioned ways simply because such were the manners
of his forefathers, but is wide-awake to the necessity of and call for improvements in modern
methods and has himself invented and patented a
tongue attachment to sulky plows. It is a very
advantageous arrangement and is pronounced by
experts to promise great usefulness.  The fine
farm and handsome buildings of this gentleman
are an ornament to the township.
OBERT CALLOW, a popular salesman of
Pontiac, was born in the city of Pontiac,
April 30, 1848. His parents were Charles
and Elizabeth (Moth) Callow, the father
being a retired blacksmith and farmer.  He was
born in the parish of Cape Pine, Isle of Man, June
4, 1808, and is the seventh of ten children of John
and Catherine (Cormode) Callow.   The grandfather of our subject was a merchant.
Charles Callow received a limited education and
learned thle blacksmith's trade in his native place.
He removed to Newburg, N. Y., and then to Buffalo, where he worked at his trade. From the latter
place he went to Elyria, Ohio, where he carried on
blacksmithing on his own account for four years.
In the spring of 1830, he came to Pontiac, Mich.,
and after awhile started a blacksmith shop which
he carried on a term of years. He bought eighty
acres of land, from which he chopped off the timber
at the same time that he carried on his blacksmithing and farming. He erected a good house and
barn and furnished his farm abundantly with outbuildings. He resides just within the east limit of
the city.
The parents of our subject were united in marriage April 27, 1838. The mother was a native of


i
i


=




England where she was born August 6, 1813, her
death occurring April 3, 1891. Eight children
blessed their union: Catherine, who died in Pontiac;
Charles M., died in 1876; Walter T., who died in
infancy; William, deceased; Eliza J., who died at
the age of seventeen years; Robert K.; Annie, deceased; and James, who married Nellie Adams of
Pontiac.  Charles Callow served one term as Alderman of the third ward. He is a stanch Democrat in his political views and he cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson, and his last for
Grover Cleveland.
The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Pontiac, receiving his education in the
city schools. At the age of sixteen he entered the
store of John Pound and Alexander Collins. He
remained with them as clerk for one year and then
clerked in the grocery store of Thomas Turk.
After several years in this store he went to Grand
Rapids for a portion of a year, being in the employ
there of J. E. Maroney. Returning to Pontiac he
clerked for M. Moutier for a year. In September,
1883, he entered the employ of Bird & Hamlin,
dealers in clothing and gents' furnishing goods,
with whom he still continues. His marriage took
place in March, 1872. He was then united with
Libby  M., daughter of Francis and Margaret
(Usher) Locklin, of Pontiac. Mr. and Mrs. Callow have six children-Annie, Guy, Irene, Robert,
Daisy and Lela. Mr. Callow is rather conservative
in politics but generally votes the Democratic ticket.
He is a member of Oakland County Lodge No. 183,
I. O. 0. F. and the National Union. He has also
served two terms as Alderman from the Fourth
ward.
RUMAN B. FOX, tile senior editor of the
Rochester Era, was born in Manchester,
Dearborn County, Ind., July 2, 1828. lIe
is the son of Dr. D. A. B. C. Fox, (known in an
early day as Alphabet Fox) and Wealthy (Willey)
Fox, natives of New Hampshire and Vermont, respectively. The Fox family came originally from
Wales. Abram, the grandfather of our subject
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


563




father of Mrs. Fox, Ely Willey, was a soldier in
the War of 1812.
Mrs. Wealthy Fox, the mother of our subject,
was a teacher in the South as early as 1818. She
was married to Dr. Fox in 1822, and died at Holly,
November 19, 1886. Our subject was married November 10, 1858, to Sarah M. Beeman, at Mason,
Mich. Four children have been born to them,
namely: Willoughby A.. born October 21, 1859, at
East Saginaw; Blanche Rita, born June 2, 1861,
at Midland City, died September 19, 1862; Ethel
Bertha, born December 15, 1863, at East Saginaw,
died April 17, 1875; Pearl, born November 30,
1877, at Rochester, Mich., died January 25, 1878.
Mr. Fox was admitted to the bar in 1860, at
Midland. He is now actively engaged in the newspaper business. lie is a member of the Order of
the Chosen Friends, and his political affiliations are
with the Republican party. Both he and his wife
are highly intelligent and cultivated, and both were
teachers in early life.
goEORGE. FAST has been a citizen of
(   Oakland County since 1885 and is engaged
in managingl a business in Holly for the sale
of pumps of all kinds rand windmills. Although he
is on the road the most of the time he is wellknown in the village and commands the esteem of
his neighbors. His place of business is situated on
Broad Street, south of the Holly flouring mills.
He is a native of Ashland County, Ohio, and was
born in Ruggles Township, of that county, April
2, 1846. Ile is the son of Martin MI. and Harriet
(Ilartman) Fast, natives of Pennsylvania.  His
father came to Ohio when a boy and became one
of the most progressive farmers and one of the
wealthy men of his section. Ile was the son of
Jacob, the son of Christian, who came when a boy
to the Western Reserve in Ohio, at a time when
the country was greatly troubled with Indians.
Young Christian Fast was out one day with
other boys hunting, when the Indians came up and
were about to take them prisoners. Christian ran
and threw himself into the Vermillion River and


swam more than half way across, when the Indians
fired on and wounded him. They then ordered
him to return, which he did. They were about to
scalp him, but after a little parley they took him
to camp and asked him to dance. He thought this
an impossibility at first, as he was wounded in the
leg, but with true Yankee grit he decided to dance
on his hands which pleased the Indians greatly;
so they kept him as a sort of a pet and he lived
with them for two years. At last he determined
to escape and one night he asked the comrade who
was sleeping by him, to go down to the creek and
get him a drink of water. The Indian said "No,
go yourself if you want water." The boy took a
brass kettle and started for the creek. On arriving
there he hung the kettle on a limb and crossed the
stream by hanging to the limbs of a tree. He now
started for home, running all night and the next
two days. More than once the Indians were in
sight but he kept hid behind the trees. He at last
reached home and told his mother who he was. He
was dressed and painted as an Indian and she
could not recognize him, but upon examination
found marks by which she identified him. She
eagerly embraced him, and then fearing the Indians
who were in hot pursuit would claim him secreted
him in a dug-out. She had him only a few minutes when the Indians came, and as they found no
one went away, but came again and again for several days and finally gave up the hunt. He spent
his life in farming and died in Ashland County on
the farm adjoining the Savannah Lake, where his
descendants gather each year to the number of
some seven to eight hundred for a family reunion.
Of the children of Martin M. Fast the following
are living: MNalinda, David, Jacob, Melissa, George
W. and Andrew J. (twins.) One girl, Jennie, died
in early childhood. One son lives in Eaton County,
this State, and two in Ohio. The maternal grandparents of our subject were David and Mary Hartman, natives of Pennsylvania. He was a boot and
shoe maker and after his removal to Ashland
County, Ohio, remained there until his death.
On both sides of the family they were of religious
training and education, and most of them members of churches.
The subject of this sketch chose for his life




564


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


f


partner Louisa, daughter of Lemuel and Henrietta
(Davis) Rounds, natives of Massachusetts and
Ohio respectively. The marriage took place in
1886. Mr. Rounds removed to New York State
and engaged in farming in Cattaraugus County,
three miles from Sandusky village where Mrs. Fast
was born. Here the father died and his widow and
children removed to Battle Creek, Calhoun County,
Mich. She is now living in Eaton County, the
same State. Of their five children four are now
living-Daniel, Mrs. Fast, Emma and Alfred. One
son, Chester, was a soldier in the Union army and
died of pneumonia. Previous to her marriage
Mrs. Fast carried on a dressmaking business in
Eaton and Oakland Counties.
Prior to leaving Ohio Mr. Fast was engaged in
farming but entered the pump business before
coining to Oakland County. He purchased a property of fifteen acres in Holly in 1888. With this
he bought a fine house and built a barn in 1890.
He is an earnest and intelligent Republican and belongs to the orders of the Odd Fellows and the
Maccabees. They are both earnest and consistent
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and
Mrs. Fast is an active worker in the Missionary
and Ladies Aid Societies. She is also a Good
Templar and one of the Lady Maccabees and a
member of the Woman's Relief Corps. Mr. Fast
has one daughter, Josie A., by a former marriage.
Mrs. Fast has three children by a former marriage,
as follows: William, Myrom and Isola. All are
married. Our subject has an adopted son, known
formerly as Freddie Corkins.
ACOB SNYDER, one of the most worthy
and esteemed citizens of Addison Township, was born September 18, 1820, in
Warren County, N. J. His father, Dennis
was a native of the same county, and was born
February 7, 1788. His wife, Sarah Gulick, was
born February 14, 1813, and died May 30, 1829.
Of their seven children four are living. Dennis


Snyder's second marriage took place in August,
1830. He then married Mary A. Hulick, who died
March 30, 1861, leaving no children.
The father of our subject started to Michigan
May 30, 1833. He came by the lake to Detroit on
the steamer " Commodore Perry," and traveled
three days with an ox-team  from  Detroit to his
destination. He was the third settler in the township, and his farm was four miles distant from any
other home. He entered land from the Government and built him a log cabin, and being active
and energetic was able to secure a good property.
He assisted the organization of this township and
held various local offices. He was Highway Commissioner and assisted in laying out nearly every
road in the township. He was always kind to the
needy and was never willing to benefit by the misfortunes of others. His death, September 8, 1872,
was deeply mourned by his neighbors.
The family is of German ancestry, the grandfather coming to America when a lad, and on
arriving at New York being sold to pay his passage money.    His mother accompanied him to
New York where he remained until he gained his
freedom. On the breaking out of the Whisky Insurrection he enlisted, and while in service contracted a cold from which he died, leaving his
family in destitute circumstances. The mother was
compelled to bind out her sons until they arrived
at age on condition that each receive a horse and
saddle and $100 as their freedom gift. The mother
died in New Jersey.
The subject of this sketch is the fourth of seven
children,and was thirteen years old when his parents
came to Michigan. He attended district school
some in the East, but it was some years after coming West before a school was organized near the
new home. He attended a school three miles from
home for some time. His remembrance of the
early days is clear and strong. Detroit was the
only market and to this town a trip with ox-team
consumed two or three days. Deer and other wild
game abounded and an Indian encampment was located within a mile and a half of the Snyder home.
The red men often visited the family and were
glad to exchange game for flour and provisions.
Mr. Snyder's purchase of his present farm was




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


565


- -
-- -


Ii


f


made in 1847. It was all new land with no improvements and after building a log house, he began
cultivating it. He first bought one hundred and
twenty acres-but has added to it from time to
time. Mary E. Dodder, whom he made his wife in
1848, was born January 13, 1828, in Sussex
County, N. J. Her parents, Peter and Margaret
(Struble) Dodder, both of that State, came to Oakland County in 1837. Mr. Dodder saw his last
days in Kansas where he had gone in 1874. His
good wife is still living and has completed fourscore and four years. Their ten children are all
living.
Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had seven children,
two of these, Henry H. and Sarah E., have passed
away. Those who are still living to cheer the
hearts of their parents are Margaret A., Oscar,
George E., Elmira and Ella M. Mr. Snyder joined
the Republican party at its inception, and has ever
since been a stanch supporter of that organization,
although he has not taken any active part in politics, and never has held any office. This is not from
any lack of popularity with his neighbors, for he is
beloved and respected by every one who knows
him. He has been very successful and has been
and always is liberal with his children. He has already distributed among them over $20,000. He
owns three hundred and twenty acres of land all
in one body. I-e has always been a hard-working
man and an excellent manager, and a finer man
never lived.. —, — ~~3
ILLIAM T. LEWIS. Conspicuous among
the well-developed farms in Pontiac Township is one on sections 16 and 17, that is
owned by Mr. Lewis. It consists of two hundred
acres of land on which various improvements have
been made, including a complete line of substantial
buildings, and a large, handsome frame house surrounded by evergreens and other suitable adornments. A glance over the estate would convince
even the most careless observer that Mr. Lewis
makes of his vocation both an art and a science,
and it is equally evident that a lady of good judg

ment and refined tastes is in charge of the household affairs.
Michael Lewis, father of our subject, was born
in New Jersey, December 1, 1779, and married
Betsey E. Spooner, a Vermont lady, whose natal
day was August 27, 1783. Mr. Lewis was a
farmer and for some years his home was in Erie
County, N. Y. Thence he came to this county in
1836, setting up his home in Auburn, Pontiac
Township, where he died September 9, 1849. He
was a modest, unassuming man, who pursued his
own industries in a quietly energetic way. He was
a soldier in the War of 1812. His widow survived
until 1875 and died in the ninety-first year of her
age. Her father, William Spooner, was born in
England, came to the Colonies when quite young
and fought for freedom during the Revolution. To
Michael Lewis and his wife seven children came,
four of whom are now living and our subject the
only son.
William T. Lewis was born in Erie County, N.
Y., March 6, 1824, and was twelve years old when
he came West. His education was obtained in the
district schools and his studies were generally
pursued in a log building. He assisted his parents
until of age, then bargained for eighty acres of
land on section 17, Pontiac Township. It was new
and unbroken, but was valued at $7 per acre. The
young man earned the money with which to make
a $50 payment, and then devoted the summers to
the development of the property and for three
winters worked in the Northern pineries in order
to meet his payments. He was hard-working and
persistent in his efforts, and rose step by step to
wealth and independence. When he bought his
farm, herds of deer fed on it and other game
abounded.
December 24, 1850, Mr. Lewis was married to
Miss Lyda T. Durkee, a native of Ohio, whose
wedded life was short. She died August 26, 1854,
leaving one daughter, Gertrude. March 8, 1856,
Mr. Lewis was again married, wedding Miss Mary
J. Powell, daughter of John and Eliza (Clark)
Powell. They were early settlers in this county,
having come here in 1837 from New York, their
native State. They reared a family of ten children,
who are still living. Mr. Powell died in 1852 and




566


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




his widow survived him twenty-one years. Their
daughter Mary was born in Cortland County, N.
Y., in 1835. Her union with Mr. Lewis has been
blest by the birth of two children-Lavina and
Wilbur, both now established in their own homes.
Lavina is the wife of George Giddings, a prosperous farmer in Pontiac Township, and has one child,
Albert L. Wilbur married Anna Harf of Detroit,
and has one son, Frank.
Mr. Lewis is a man of intelligence, not only in
agricultural matters, but regarding other subjects
of interest. Politically, he is a stanch Republican.
In the spring of 1891 he was elected on the Board
of Review of Pontiac Township. A self-made man
in finances, his wealth has not been gained at the
expense of others but he has lived in such a manner as to stand well witl the people.
G   EORGE    N. WINDIATE      is one of the
-- younger men who are successfully carrying
k.4   on fatming in this county, and his property
on sections 5 and 6, Bloomfield Township, is one
of the finest in this part of the State. The estate
comprises three hundred and forty acres and the
residence is about a mile south of Pontiac. It is
therefore convenient of access and enables its
owner to enjoy many privileges of city life from
which most farmers are debarred. Mr. Windiate
was born in Bloomfield Township, this county,
March 24, 1852, and reared amid the surroundings
of rural life and made familiar with farming in his
early years. lie received a practical education in
the common schools and is qualified to transact all
business which comes in his way and to keep a
place among the well-informed men of the neighborhood. He is raising a high grade of sheep and
cattle and crops that in quality and quantity equal
any taken to the Pontiac market.
The parents of our subject were Henry H. and
Hannah (Windiate) Windiate, natives of Sherbourne, Hampshire, England, and were born April
23, 1813, and January 24, 1812, respectively. They
came to America in 1836 and were married in this
county in 1838. Mr. Windiate was a poor man


when he came to the State, but he accumulated a
large amount of property and when he died owned
a large tract of land in Bloomfield Township. He
first settled in Independence Township, but later
removed to Bloomfield and then to Pontiac, and
about 1866 located where he died, in Bloomfield
Township. The date of his decease was December
16, 1873. His widow still survives. They had
eight children, namely: Richard, Cornelia J., Sarah
A., Henry W., Winifred M., Charlotte E., George
N., and Alexa M.
The son of whom we write is next to the youngest member of the family and is unmarried. After
due consideration he decided in favor of the principles of the Republican party and never fails to
cast his vote in its interest. He is a member of the
Episcopal Church at Pontiac and conscientiously
endeavors to shape his life in accordance with
Christian principles. He has inherited the steadfastness of purpose which belongs to the English
character, and is energetic and enterprising. He
has good standing among his fellow-men and is
looked upon as one of the rising young farmers of
this locality.
On another page of this volume appears a view
of the pleasant homestead of Mr. Windiate.
OHN ERWIN, a prominent citizen of Southfield Township and a valuable member of
society, has his farm on section 14. IIe was
born near Newton, County Derry, Ireland, in
M1arch, 1825. His father, Mathew Erwin, came to
America in 1837 and made his home for six years
in New York City. In 1842 he came to Michigan
and settled on section 23, Southfield Township,
Oakland County. Here he made his home in a log
house and improved the farm. The mother of our
subject is a native of Ireland, where she was united
in marriage to Mathew Erwin, and became the
mother of fourteen children. Of this large family
our subject is the youngest.
John Erwin was twelve years old when he came
with his parents to America. He worked at the
blacksmith's trade with his brother James of New




RES ID ENCE OF~ GE ORGE N. W1 ND IATE ISEC. 4.,BLOOM'FIELD T P., OAK'LAND CO. MICH -


li. —          --;',:7- 7 — 71


RESIDENCE OF JOHU ERWIIN,3EC.I'4. SOUTHI-tELD TP.,QOAKLAND CO. MICH.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


569


York City, and after coming to Michigan in 1842
lie continued at this trade for ten years. In 1850
he took a very important step in taking to himself
a wife, Sarah A. Beardsley, a native of New Jersey.
The young couple made their new home on the
farm  where they now reside, and after a little
moved into a small frame house. The farm comprised at first eighty acres.
Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and
Mrs. Erwin, namely: Virginia G., the wife of
James Beattie, residing in Shiawassee County;
George M. L., residing at Duluth, Minn.; William
Ira, residing in Groton, S. Iak., and Mary A., who
is still at home. The home farm consists of one
hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land
upon which general farming is carried on. Mr.
Erwin is a Republican in his political views, and
religiously is connected with the United Presbyterian Church in which he is a Trustee and where
he has been an active member for forty years. He
is a Sunday-school worker as is also his wife, and
he superintended the school for more than twelve
years. He came a poor boy to Michigan and by
honesty and frugality has acquired a handsome
property, and at the same time his honorable dealings with all men win for him the universal esteem
of his fellow-citizens.
Among the finest homesteads of Southfield
Township is that of Mr. Erwin and we are pleased
to present a view of this place to the readers of
this volume.


have been rewarded by financial prosperity and a
first-class reputation as a farmer.
Mr. Tibbals is a son of Lewis and Betsey (King)
Tibbals, who were natives of Monroe County,
N. Y., and Suffield, Conn., respectively, and established their home in this State as early as 1826.
They crossed the lake on the steamer "Walk-ontle-Water," landed at Detroit, and came at once
into this county, locating three and three-fourth
miles west of Rochester. Mr. Tibbals had at first
but a "squatters" right, but after the survey was
made he entered one hundred and sixty-six acres of
land under the Homestead Act. Mr. Tibbals was
a farmer by occupation and when he came here
also followed milling. He belonged to a Vermont family and his remote ancestors were English. He died May 4, 1876, at the venerable age
of eighty-nine years and one month. His wife
passed away July 8, 1868, when seventy-six years
old. To them had been born ten children, eight
of whom grew to mature years. Four of these
are now deceased, namely: Bradford; Benjamin,
who was drowned in Lake Ontario in 1846; Mrs.
Norton, who died July 4, 1848; and Benoni, who
was killed by a threshing-machine. The living
are Barnabas, whose home is in Riverside, Cal.;
Mrs. Berthania Elderkin, whose home is in Detroit; Thomas, who lives in Bay City: and Truman S., our subject.
The gentleman of whom  we write was born in
Avon Township November 8, 1834, and was educated in the common schools. As he grew up he
did more and more farm work until he became
proficient in every detail of the pursuit in which
his father was engaged and capable of managing
an estate for himself. He was married October
19, 1865, to Miss Rosira Koch, daughter of Jacob
and Lucinda (Hurlburt) Koch. Her parents were
natives of Pennsylvania and Connecticut respectively and never lived in the West. The daughter came to this State to teach school and for
nearly four years was thus engaged, with knowledge and tact, by which she made her mark in her
profession.  The dwelling over which she has
charge is a beautiful one, in and about it may be
seen the evidences of her good taste and housewifely ability.


-RUMAN        S. TIBBALS. A traveler over
this county could scarcely enter Avon
Township without hearing    mention of
"Oak Grove," a farm that has long been known
by that name, because of the giants of the forest
that stand near the house. It is a beautiful tract
of land of one hundred and forty acres on section
35. This valuable farm is owned and occupied
by the gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs, and to whose life history we purpose
to call the attention of our readers. He makes
quite a specialty of raising fine stock, but does not
neglect other agricultural interests, and his labors




570


PORT'RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBTJ-M.


PORTRAITANDBOGRAPI


Mr. Tibbals has never held public office nor desired it, as his taste is decidedly for the quietude
of home life and the pleasures of a congenial
social circle. He takes considerable interest in
politics, attending every caucus, and is a stanch
Democrat. who has voted for every candidate of
his party since the days of James Buchanan.


G    EORGE E. DAINES is engaged in the business of an undertaker and furniture dealer
in Birmingham and is also proprietor of the
National Hotel. He was born at Bloomfield Center, October 30, 1850, and is a son of John and
Alice A. (Watkins) Daines. That couple were
born in New York and came hither about 1840.
Mr. Daines was a potter and carried on a pottery
at Bloomfield Center a few years, then engaged in
the manufacture of tile. He was the second man
in the United States to manufacture drain tile, in
which business he continued until the fall of 1865.
Owing to poor health he abandoned the work and
took up his residence in Birmingham, buying the
National Hotel property and carrying on business
there seventeen months. He then traded for a farm
in Bloomfield, lived on it two years, and then
bought the hotel back again and returned to the
village. He carried on the hotel until his death
May 16, 1873, at the age of fifty years. He was
in good circumstances, worth perhaps $10,000 when
he died. He was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He
never held any but town offices, but took an active
part in party work and was a stanch Democrat. His
widow survives and is now sixty-seven years old.
Their children are Florence, Rosetta, George E.,
Minnie and Addie.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs was reared in Bloomfield and received a
common-school education. IIe began clerking in
a drug store in Birmingham when quite young, and
when his father died he took charge of the hotel for
his mother and carried it on for her about ten
years. He then bought the house which he is still
managing. In the business of undertaking he is in
partnership with J. O. Beattie. He abounds in


physical energy and activity, has good capacity for
affairs and possesses the geniality that makes a good
host. Notwithstanding the demands upon him by
his business interests. he finds time to discharge the
duties of a member of the Village Board, in which
he has acted for fifteen years. lie votes the Democratic ticket.
March 27, 1874, Mr. Daines was married to Miss
Harriet Hoffman, who died after a few years of
wedded life. The date of her demise was May 31,
1890, and her age thirty-nine years. She was born
in Mt. Clemens and was a daughter of Vincent and
Harriet (High) Hoffman. At the time of her marriage her home was in Birmingham. She had but
one child, a daughter, Winifred, who is now twelve
years of age and as bright a little lass as one can
wish to see.
~E —^-f —^^a ---<=^AMES H. HAINS. Among the citizens of
this county few have shown more enterprise than Mr. I-ains, whose pleasant farm
is located on section 1, Oxford Township,
and comprises one hundred and sixty acres of
good land. Beginning with limited means, he
has surrounded his family with all the comforts
and many of the luxuries of life, has wisely used
his income in aiding public enterprises, and is now
devoting his land to general agriculture and stockraising. He stands high socially, as well as in
business circles, and is identified with the Patrons
of Industry, the Grange and the Masonic fraternity. His excellent citizenship and the uprightness of his life make him a valued member of the
community, in which he wields a decided influence.
Mr. Hains is a native of the Empire State, born
in Monroe County July 6, 1828. In that State
his father, Benjamin Hains, was also born, and
thence he removed in May, 1832, to Michigan,
accompanied by his family.  The land which he
purchased had just been taken up from the Government and was located in Washington Township,
Macomb County.     It was then wild land, on
which a small log house had been built, and he
endured all the hardships to which the pioneers were




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


571..


subjected during the early history of Michigan.
He was the first settler in that locality and for
many years was busily employed in clearing and
improving his farm, and transforming it into a
habitable abode. Wild game was then plentiful,
and upon it the family depended for their principal means of subsistence.
After years of patient effort the father of our
subject became well-to-do, and as he began with
no other capital than brain and muscle, the success which he achieved was remarkable. He served
in the War of 1812. In the Baptist Church, to
which he belonged from boyhood, he served as
Deacon during the greater portion of his life. At
the ripe old age of seventy-two years he died in
1860, mourned by a large circle of friends, who
truthfully said of him "that he was as good a man
as ever lived," His wife, Elizabeth (Jersey) IHains,
a native of New York, (lied a few years after the
demise of her husl)and. She also was a member
of the Baptist Church, and was a woman possessing many graces of character and mind.
In the pioneer home of Benjamin Hains and his
good wife were thirteen children, twelve of whom
grew to maturity, but only two are now livingMrs. Mary Fessler, of Shelby, Macomb County;
and James, of this sketch. The latter was the
eleventh child in order of birth and was four
years old when his parents removed to Michigan,
where the most of his active life has been passed.
Ile was reared on a farm and had limited opportunities for an education, the school which he at
tended being held in a log house two miles from
his home. Like many others under similar circumstances he built the foundation of his education in the schoolroom and reared the superstructure of knowledge during later years.
During his youth Mr. Hains had many acquaintances among the Indians, who still lingered in
the sparsely settled localities. He early developed
a fondness for hunting and has killed a great
amount of wild game. Until he was of age he
remained under the parental roof, assisting in the
work on the home farm. When ready to start out
in life for himself he removed to Oxford Township and settled on the farm where he still lives on
section 1. The land was covered with a thick


growth of forest trees and shrubs, only four or
five acres having been cleared, and no other improvements had been made. He has met with
marked success in his business as a farmer and
has accumulated a valuable property by persistent
industry and good management. The fine condition of the estate to-day has not been brought
about without hard work, but the owner, in looking back over the past years, is satisfied with the
result.
For many years Mr. Hains has had the active
co-operation and loving help of his wife, with
whom he was united in marriage in 1849. Mrs.
Hains bore the maiden name of Rosina Arnold
and was born in Michigan in 1831. Six children
have been born to them, viz: Levi, Flora (deceased), Mary, Helen, Eugene and Fred Grant.
All the children received excellent educations and
Mary and Helen have followed the profession of
teachers. Politically Mr. HIains supported the Republican party until about 1880, when he became
independent and now supports the man whom he
thinks best qualified for the office, no matter to
what party he belongs. In connection with tilling the soil he raises all kind of stock, and in
that department of agriculture has also been uniformly successful.
-— N —~     -— ^ —
E  DMOND    CROTTY    is one of the IrishAmerican citizens to whom Michigan is indebted for much good agricultural work
and excellent citizenship. He owns and operates
a farm of comfortable size on section 26, White
Lake Township, which he reclaimed from its primitive condition of forest wildness, replacing the
dense woods with broad fields of waving grain and
fruitful orchards. The estate consists of sixtysix acres, on which he has made his home several
decades. The father of our subject bore the same
name as himself and the grandfather was Timothy
Crotty, who reared a family of four sons.
Edmond Crotty, Sr., spent his entire life in the
Emerald Isle, breathing his last when sixty-six
years old. He had married Mary Pendergast and




572


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




I


the union was blessed by the birth of six sons and
six daughters. The children were named respectively: Timothy, John, James, Thomas, Edmond,
Morris, Magagaret, Mary, Bridget, Joanna, Catherine and Eliza. Edmond was born in the year
1819, and remained in the land of his birth until
he was thirty years of age. He gained as good an
education as circumstances would admit of, and
learned many lessons of life that have been useful
to him in his new home.
When Mr. Crotty emigrated to America he
made his first sojourn in New Jersey, where he
worked six months. Thence he came to this State
and at once identified himself with the farmers of
White Lake Township. He was married to Mary
Doolan who was removed from him by death in
1875. To them had been born six children-Edward, Timothy, John, Mary, Margaret and Catherine. Mr. Crotty made a second marriage, wedding Miss Mary Walls, who died in 1887. In
his religious faith Mr. Crotty is a Roman Catholic. He has always been interested in political
issues and is an unfailing supporter of the Democratic ticket.
-,.3c3f'   --
OSEPH S. STOCKWELL, the leading drygioods man of Pontiac, was born in Redford,
Wayne County, Mich., May 16, 1843. He
is the youngest son of Alva and Mary
(Hfewitt) Stockwell, both natives of New York.
They removed after marriage to Michigan, taking
up a farm in Redford, Wayne County, in 1825. Mr.
Stockwell was elected Justice of the Peace, an office
which he held continuously. He married over sixty
cou ples.
About the year 1855, the family removed to the
village of Birmingham in Oakland County and
from there went to the town of Highland, where
he died in his seventy-fourth year. Iis father,
Ebenezer Stockwell, was a soldier in the War
of 1812, and his grandfather a Revclutionary soldier, was killed at the surrender cf Gen. Burgoyne's army. His ancestors were f om England.
The mother of our subject was i'lary  Iewitt.
She was a native of New York State and died in








her forty-third year at Redford. Nine of her ten
children attained maturity, and eight are still living. Four brothers reside in the State of Kansas,
and the three sisters live in Michigan.
Joseph S. Stockwell passed his early boyhood
and scliooldays in Red ford and afterward attended
school at Farmington and later at Birmingham this
county. Hie then began his mercantile experience
in a store at Birmingham, where lie remained for
four and one-half years in the employ of O. W.
Peck. In 1869 he began in business for himself
at Highland. He bought a general stock of merchandise and took his father as partner under the
firm name of Stockwell & Son. After three years
he removed to Birmingham and formed a partnership with Eugene Brown under the firmn name of
Stockwell & Brown. This lasted for three years
when A. M. Knight bought out the ilterest of Mr.
Brown. Two years after Mr. Knih lit purchased the
stock and removed to Pontiac.t::: Mr. Stockwell
engaged in business at Birming.-rm where he renained until 1881. Mr. Stockwell then removed
to Pontiac and became a partner in a firm with
Lovett WV. Stanton and Homer J. Axford, under
the firm name of Axford, Stockwell & Co. This
firm continued business for three years when Mr.
Stockwell purchased the interest of both his partners and now carries on the business at the old
stand. His store measures 22x14. feet and he uses
both floors. He carries a large and well selected
stock and has a large share of the trade of the city
and surrounding country.
The marriage of our subject took place in 1866.
He then united his fortunes for life with those of
Mary E., daughter of Adam and Susan Wiley. Mr.
Wiley was a native of Scotland and his wife a native of Vermont. The marriage took place in
Birmingham, this county. Four children have
blessed the union of our subject and his wife,
namely: Fred B., clerk in the store of Strong,
Lee & Co., Detroit; Jay S.; Alva Ross; and Glenn
Wiley. In politics Mr. Stockwell is Republican
and was Justice of the Peace at Highland. Iie
alsofilled the office of Town Treasurer at the same
place. He is a'; present and has been for the past
six years Superintendent of the Poor. He is a
member of Pontiac Lodge No. 21 F. A. M.; of




4




V


72/ f l
a As 00T0




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


575


1 —- ------------—  - - -


Oakland Chapter No 5, R. A. M.; and of Pontiac
Commandery No. 2, of which he is Treasurer, a
position which he has held since becoming a member. He and his good wife are members of the
Baptist Church where he superintends the Sun(lay-school. He is also member of the Sundayschool Association. Their cozy and delightful
home is located at No. 20 Wayne Street.
I'5- '         -----        '^ i=
ARTIN W. BLOOMBURG. The portrait
on the opposite page will be recognized by
many readers as that of the efficient Sheriff of Oakland County. He was first elected
to the office in 18S8 after having served two years
as Deputy Sheriff tunder Colonel Matthews. As a
Deputy he had dI re)layed qualities that insured his
efficiency andi,o( well did he discharge the duties
that devolved plpon him that he was re-elected in
1890. He is a man of determined spirit, firm and
unyielding in the line of duty, and has the pride
in making the county a law-abiding one, which is
felt by every native-born citizen and by the better
class who come here from other sections.
Mr. Bloomburg was born in Bloomfield Township,
Oakland County, January 4, 1844, and is a son of
George and Mary J. (Jordan) Bloomburg who
were born in New York. His grandfather, Michael
Bloomburg, came to this State in 1830, and spent
the remainder of his life on a farm in Oakland
County. His family consisted of seven children
and all the sons became carpenters. George built
many of the large mills and dwellings in this section in which their home was, and also aided in
putting up large crushing mills in the Lake Superior mining region, and mills and other structures
in Birmingham, Oakland County. He died in 1878,
two years after his wife was borne to the tomb.
Martin W. Bloomburg, who is the third in the
parental family, conned his lessons in the Royal
Oak district school, and during the summer months
worked on his father's farm. After attaining to
manhood he carried on general farming until 1880,
when he moved to Pontiac and soon after engaged
in the sale of agricultural implements.  He con

tinued that business until he was elected Sheriff.
He was earnest and enterprising in business life,
is possessed of good social qualities, and has connected himself with Birmingham Lodge, No. 44,
F. & A. M., Pontiac Lodge, No. 183, I. O. O. F.,
and the Knights of the Maccabees. lie is a stanch
and active member of the Republican party, and
on its ticket was elected to office. The fact of the
county being Democratic attests his popularity before the people.
On March 31,1870, Mr. Bloomburg was married
to Miss Phebe Ellenwood. This capable and intelligent lady was born in Oakland County and is a
daughter of John and Sarah Ellenwood, who came
hither from the Empire State.  Mr. and Mrs.
Bloomburg have one son, Robert Irving, who is
now a student at the High School and is being well
educated.
q NDREW    J. STOWELL. A visitor to the
| home of this gentleman, on section 26,
Orion Township, Oakland County, will
find many arrangements made for the
proper carrying on of agricultural work and for
the comfort of the family. The farm consists of
one hundred and seven acres of fine land, the
possession of which is very commendable to Mr.
Stowell, for he began life unequipped financially
speaking. Chief among the buildings on the farm
is a large house of good design, where the evidences of the presence of a refined woman are to be
seen. Substantial fences, a good orchard and
garden, and suitable adornments in the grounds
near the house, add to the attractiveness and real
value of the property.
The Stowell family originated in England and
was established in this country four generations
ago, when a home was made in New Hampshire by
an emigrant of that name. In the same State Isaac
Stowell, father of our subject, was born in 1788
and thence he went to Monroe County, N. Y.
Some years later he came to this State and located
in Avon Township. He had made a location in
Monroe County some six years before, but after a




576


PORTRAIT AND BIOGR~APHICAL ALBUM.~r~


R         A.


short sojourn had returned to New York. He lived
in Avon Township until 1845, then removed to
Pontiac Township, where he died a decade later,
in his sixty-eighth year. He was a soldier in the
War of 1812, with the rank of Orderly Sergeant.
The religious home of himself and wife was in the
Baptist Ch'urch. Mrs. Stowell bore the maiden
name of Lydia Reed and was born in Vermont in
1800; she died in 1883. They had seven children,
three of whom survive to this writing.
The subject of this biographical notice was born
in Clarkston, Monroe County, N. Y., November 13,
1829. His education was obtained in the district
school under the roof of a log schoolhouse, and
when but thirteen years old he began working out,
receiving $7 a month for some time. When seventeen he could follow the men all day, with the
cradle or scythe, so vigorous and expert was he.
In 1854 he began farming in Pontiac Township,
where he bought seventy-two acres of land, on
which he made his home about eight years. Soon
after leaving it he located on land included in his
present estate, where about forty acres was cleared
and a log house stood. Mr. Stowell continued the
work of development and in the course of time
replaced the rude dwelling with one of greater
beauty and better adapted to a modern farmer's
circumstances.
The wife of Mr. Stowell was known in her
maidenhood as Miss Elmira Bigler. She was born
in Avon Township in 1840 and is a daughter of
Charles and Hannah (Chapman) Bigler, natives of
New York, each of whom came to this State in an
early day in company with their parents. Mr. Bigler
died in 1882, but his widow is still living. The
marriage of our subject and his good wife took
place in July, 1863, and has been blest to them by
the birth of seven children. The surviving members of the family are Ellen E., Elmer E., Emma
J., Milly A., Birte and Melvin E. Two have been
taken away by death-Jenny and Melvin E. Ellen
is married to Horace Collins, a farmer in Oakland
Township, and Milly is the wife of Thomas Holt,
another agriculturist there.
The early recollections of Mr. Stowell include
the sight of numerous Indians who made this section of country their haunt, and of chases after


wild game which abounded in the forest and often
afforded a mark for his rifle. He was fond of hunting and many a game bird or larger prey fell to his
share of the spoils of an excursion. He is identified with the Odd Fellows fraternity and the Democratic party. He makes no boast of that which
he has accomplished, but in his modest, unassuming
way, pursues the course he has marked out, doing
his duty as a citizen but choosing the pleasures of
home rather than the excitement of public life.
Mrs. Stowell is a woman of more than ordinary
intelligence, who has not allowed the cares of housekeeping to consume all her thought, but who has
enlivened her working hours by having her mind
filled with general facts or the bright ideas of
others. Husband and wife stand well in society
and take a proper degree of interest in the progress
of this section.
ALTER WINDIATE. "Merrie England"
was the birthplace of a number of men
who have risen to competence and even
wealth, as tillers of the soil in this county. In
Pontiac Township there are several such men and
one of them is the subject of this biographical
notice. He owns and occupies one hundred and
sixty acres of fine land upon which first-class improvements have been made, including a full line
of farm buildings, a large and comfortable dwelling and the minor appointments of a well-regulated farm. Mr. Windiate was born in Hampshire,
England, January 29, 1821, and is a son of Richard
and Charlotte (Hobbs) Windiate. His father was
a farmer who decided to try his fortune in America
in 1836.
The Windiate family were six weeks and three
days in crossing the ocean, and after landing on
American soil, came at once to this county. The
country was slightly opened up for settlement, wild
game was plentiful and vast tracts of land were
new and unbroken. Mr. Windiate secured property in Pontiac Township and carried on his work
until 1841, when he died at the age of sixty-four
years; he was a member of the Episcopal Church.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


577


-- -I


His widow lived until March, 1890, and reached
the one hundredth year of her age. She was a good
womar, devoted to her family and kind to all
about her. She was the mother of fourteen children, eight of whom are still living.
Our subject received but a limited education, as
the opportunities afforded in his native land were
but little better than those of the frontier regions
of America. He began farming for himself when
of age, having previously worked with and for his
father. He has cleared and improved the property
that he occupies and has met with the success that
he deserves. Iie was married in 1852 to Sarah A.
Miller, daughter of Barney and Sarah A. (Swegle)
Miller. The bride was born in this State on January 20, 1835, and her parents are numbered among
the early settlers who came hither from New Jersey.
Mrs. Windiate has ably seconded her husband's
efforts to improve their circumstances and supply
their children with good advantages. They have
lost two daughters-Jenny and Belle, and have two
daughters and a son living. Kittie is the wife of
William Brewster and lives in Pontiac; Frank is
married and living on the home farm; May gladdens
her parents by her presence under their roof.
Mr. Windiate votes the Republican ticket. With
a vigorous constitution, industrious habits and a
faculty for hard work, he has spent years in toiling, but has reached a position where he can enjoy
all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
In character he is honest and upright.
OSES K. TABER.       The career of this
gentleman is one upon which a young man
may reflect with profit. He began paddling his own canoe at an early stage in
his existence, and after pulling up stream for a
season finally found himself in smooth waters, and
his course has since been one of uniform prosperity.
He chose agriculture for his lifework and followed
it for a term of years, accumulating a competence,
and then wisely retired from active labor. We
now find him the occupant of a handsome home in
Birmingham where every comfort that heart can


wish surrounds him. He owes much of his success to his faithful wife and readily accords her
the credit she well deserves.
The parents of our subject were Abram and
Eliza (Jones) Taber, natives of Erie County, N.Y.
They came to this State in October, 1838, and
settled in Kalamazoo County, where Mr. Taber
died in January, 1857. He was a farmer, and
while not a highly educated man, he was well read,
his mind fortified with a store of useful knowledge, and an hour could always be spent in a
pleasant and profitable manner with him. He held
numerous official positions in New York and was
quite a prominent figure in local politics. lie was
a Whig, later an Abolitionist and then a Democrat.
He was a man of decided piety and from his youth
was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, as
was also his wife. She was an adopted daughter
of President Fillmore and was a lady of marked
intellect and one who will long be remembered by
her acquaintances. She was reared and educated
in Aurora, N. Y., and spent her last days in Toledo,
Ohio, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James
Mosher.
The Taber family is descended from German
ancestors. The grandfather of our subject was
Earl Taber, a native of Massachusetts and a Revolutionary soldier. In 1799 he removed to Erie
County, N. Y., and subsequently died there. The
parental household consisted of fourteen children,
namely: Fanny, Charles, Helim, John, Lorinda,
Helen, Hugh, Hiram, Leonard, Moses K., Winfield,
Miles, Louisa and Mary.
Moses K. Taber was born in Prairie Rounds,
Kalamazoo County, December 20, 1839, and his
boyhood was passed on the farm and did not differ
materially from that of other boys of that period
and locality. He was trained to habits of industry
and usefulness and became imbued with those sentiments of honor and high moral principles which
have made him what he is to-day among his fellowmen. After his father's death and before he was
fourteen years old he was thrown on his own resources and went among strangers. He found a
home with John Jones, a well-to-do farmer of this
county and remained with him until twenty-eight
years old. He then married and located in Royal




578


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Oak Township, buying a farm upon which he lived
until the death of his wife four years later. He
then sold out and went elsewhere. He subsequently
married Miss Mary E. Jones, his foster father's
adopted daughter, and in December, 1880, they
took up their abode in Birmingham. Mr. Taber
owns one of the finest farins in that section of the
county, consisting of one hundred and ten acres,
lying in Troy and Bloornfield Townships. It is
all well improved and the greater part is in a high
state of cultivation. His time is now occupied
looking after his farm, and money-loaning.
The first marriage of Mr. Taber occurred Iecember 20. 1865, and his bride was Mrs. Orissa S.
Hickey, at that time living in Royal Oak, this
county. She was the widow of John Hickey and
daughter of Orson and Rhoda (Gibbs) Starr. The
latter were natives of New York, but among the
first settlers of this county. Mrs. Taber had one
son by her first husband-John 0. Hickey-who
was drowned in a mill pond at Birmingham  in
1882 at the age of seventeen years. To Mr. Taber
she bore one child-William J.-who is now a
book-keeper in Detroit; lie was married in 1890
to Miss 1)ella May Chamberlain, of Van Buren
County. Mrs. Taber died in Royal Oak, December
25, 1870, at the age of thirty-one years.
The second marriage of our subject was solemnized January 10, 1872. His present wife was born
in Novi, December 3, 1842, and is a daughter of
Myron and Sarah (Courter) Benjamin, natives of
New Jersey, who came hither at an early date.
Their home was in this county, where Mrs. Benjamin died when her daughter was but thirteen
months old. The child was adopted by John and
Mary A. (Wright) Jones, and cared for as though
she were their own. Ier foster parents also shlowed
their kindness of heart in furnishing a home for
Mr. Taher when he was thrown upon his own resources. The union of our subject and his present
wife has been blest to them by the birth of one
daughter —Manie A.
In addition to having been a thorough and skillful farmer Mr. Taber has distinguished himself as
a business man of more than ordinary capabilities
and one of strict integrity in all his dealings. Although meddling very little in politics he keeps


I


I


t1


himself thoroughly posted and gives his unqualified support to the Democratic party. He is not
a member of any religious body but believes in
tile establishment and maintenance of churches and
attends divine services in the Methodist Episcopal
Church and supports it liberally. He is a plain,
unostentatious man, moving along quietly, and is
one of those who does more good than the world
knows. He is outspoken, precise and firm, yet
courteous, and is a good conversationalist.
-— ^- - -^-^ ---< —EiOBERT K. TAYLOR, a prominent farmer
of Oakland Township, was born July 23,
-\\B 1817, in Warren County, N. J. His father,
)Benjamin, followed farming, and about the
year 1827 removed to    Northampton County,
Pa., where he continued farming until his death,
which occurred after the close of the Civil War.
Ile was a Presbyterian in his religious belief. His
father, William Taylor, of Dutch descent, died at
the age of eighty-two years.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Mary VanKirk. She was the mother of sixteen
children, fourteen of whom lived to maturity and
eight still survive. She ended her earthly career
in 1868. Our subject is the fifth in this large family. His education and training were received on
the farm and in the district school. He remained
at home until he reached his twenty-fifth year and
accompanied his father to Pennsylvania. In 1844
he came to Michigan and worked by the year in
Macomb County, for $132. He continued there
for four years, but spent some time in Oakland
Township, Oakland  County. He purchased his
first farm in Oakland Township, in 1847. Three
years later he purchased an adjoining one, having
disposed of the first. He exchanged one yearlater
for the farm where lie now resides. Most of this
land was pretty well improved but he has added
great improvements to it since.
The marriage of our subject took place in 1852.
His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Lowrie. She was from Warren County, N. J. Their
children are named-Marshall, Homer and Mary.




0




I


I


v"3 —;


It




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


81
581


This family were bereaved of the wife and mother
in December, 1884. MSr. Taylor is a Democrat in
his political affiliations, and has been a delegate to
county conventions. He is a Patron of Industry,
in which he is considered an influential member.
His home place comprises two hundred and thirtytwo acres, upon which he raises all kinds of stock.
He came to Michigan with limited means and like
many another has been the architect of his own
fortunes.
n    C. cI. SPENCER, M. )., a physician who
enjoys the confidence of the people of Orion
t  in a high degree, was born in this county
November 10, 1859. He was reared in the
village of Rochester, where he received his preliminary education, and at the early age of fifteen
years he began his preparatory reading for his profession. Thus early in life had he showed a decided
inclination for the field of labor in which he is
advancing in professional reputation and practical
skill. After two years of study in the office of Dr.
Wilson, he entered the Detroit Medical College,
where he devoted himself earnestly to his studies
for two years. After receiving a diploma from that
institution he entered the Michigan College of
Medicine, from which he was graduated in 1881.
Ill health compelled him to go South, and he finally
located at Monticello, Ark., where he had a fine
practice for two years.
Returning to his native State the young physician located in the pleasant village of Orion, where
he has been conducting a fine practice. IHe has a
practical nature and naturally good powers of observation, and the course of study which he carried on developed his faculties and gave him a
fine equipment for the duties of his profession.
His theoretical knowledge is made practical and he
is constantly on the alert to increase his skill and
attain to better results in his endeavors to alleviate suffering and save life.
Dr. Spencer represents one of the early families
in this county, his grandfather, Chancy Z. Spencer,
having come hither from New York early in the


'30s and located on a farm in Avon Township. In
1849 he crossed the "great American desert" and
became a successful mine operator on the Pacific
Slope. lie died in San Francisco in 1883. His son,
John I., father of our subject, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., came to this county with his
parents, and became a farmer. He crossed the plains
to California about 1857 and during some three
years was engaged in mining, meeting with success in his operations. Eight years later he visited
Idaho, where he spent two years, then returning
home he resumed his agricultural work. He died
in 1875. He had held various township offices and
was a well-known farmer and citizen. His wife,
whose maiden name was Laura C. Riggs, was born
in Dutchess County, N. Y., and now makes her
home with her son, the Doctor. She is about three
score years of age.
Dr. Spencer was married April 27, 1886, to Miss
Josie B. Laird of this county, a lady of superior
intellect and social qualifications. They have one
child, Laird, a bright boy, who was born August
9, 1887. Dr. Spencer is a Democrat, takes an active part in local political matters and is well posted
regarding the principles of the party and all things
that have a bearing upon its policy. He has been
a delegate to county and State conventions, and
exerts a decided influence in party circles. He is
a prominent member of the Masonic order, is one
of the Knights of the Maccabees and belongs to
the Grange. His portrait, presented on the opposite page, represents one of the most able physicians of the county as well as one of its most highly
respected citizens.
ORTON HILTON, a successful farmer of
Pontiac Township, has a fine farm consisting of one hundred and forty-four acres
on section 1, and he also owns a valuable house and
lot in Pontiac, where he lived fourteen years, while
sending his children to school. In 1882 he returned
to the farm on which he first located in 1844. The
property of which he then took possession had
been entered from the Government by brothers




582


POR'I1RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAC1L ALBUM.


582~ POTRI AN  BIGAPIA  ALBUM


who came hither about 1810, but no improvements
had been made upon it prior to his purchase. It
was covered with timber, and deer and other game
abounded over its expanse. Mr. Hilton built a
small shanty, ten feet square, in which he made his
home temporarily, and from time to time he erected
the buildings of which he stood in need, while
bringing the land under thorough cultivation.
The Hilton family is of English descent, and the
grandfather of our subject, David Hilton, was born
in Connecticut, and died in the East in 1823. One
of his children was Levi, who was born in New
York and was a farmer there until some time in
the '50s, when he came to this State. He began
life poor, but left considerable property. He died
in 1854 at the age of sixty-six years. He was a
soldier in the War of 1812. For many years he
belonged to the Baptist Church. His wife was
Eunice Nelson, a native of Massachusetts, who
died about 1865. They reared a large family, thirteen children being born to them, and eleven
growing to manhood and womanhood. Two only
are now living.
Norton Hilton was born in Monroe County,
N. Y., January 22, 1819, and reared upon a farm,
receiving his education in the district school that
was held in the primitive structure of that period.
The year that he came to this county saw him married to Miss Fidelia Chapman, who was born in the
same neighborhood as himself, March 27, 1824.
Her parents were William and Mary (Van Vliet)
Chapman, natives of Vermont and Pennsylvania
respectively, who came to Michigan in 1828, and
settled in Oakland Township. Mrs. Chapman died
in 1845 and her husband in 1862. They had nine
children, seven of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs.
Hilton have had nine children: Levi B., who belonged to the Seventeenth United States Infantry,
died in Salisbury prison during the Civil War;
Eunice B., widow of Richardson Hough, lives in
Waco, Tex., and owns a large tract of land in that
vicinity; Norman B. is a farmer in Wexford
County. Tex.; Norton D., Sarah E. and Ada are
deceased; Farin N. farms on the homestead; Fred
D. is engaged in agriculture in Pontiac Township,
and one child, unnamed, died in infancy.
Mr. Hilton enlisted in September, 1862, in Com

puny C, Eighth Michigan Cavalry, Col. Stockton
commanding. He became disabled while on a
famous raid and for some time was totally blind.
When partial sight was restored he was put on
detached duty and served until the close of the
war,-when he was mustered out at Lexington, Ky.,
in May, 1865. He had been confined in Camp
Nelson several months and during his army life
served as Color Bearer and then as CommissarySergeant. His connection with the Civil War is
commemorated in his membership in the Grand
Army of the Republic. He votes a straight
Republican ticket. He and his wife belong to the
Baptist Church, he having been a member since he
was twelve years old and she for over forty years.
Their reputation is enviable and their friends are
many and true.
- ____________t-. P.


OHN SUTTON, who is engaged in farming
in Pontiac Township, was born in Yorkshire,
England, February 3, 1817. When six years
of age he removed with his parents to Preston, in Lancashire. His father, John Sutton, Sr.,
was born in the same shire in 1792, and was a
spindlemaker by trade. The wife of that gentleman bore the maiden name of Nancy Swindlehurst
and the year of her birth was the same as his. He
died in 1852 and she survived until 1869. Both
held membership in the Church of England. They
reared eleven children, seven of whom are now
living, but only one besides our subject is in
America.
He of whom we write attended the common
school until he was eleven years old, and then began
to learn the trade in which his father was engaged.
He followed it nearly forty years, and having become an expert, he had charge of as many as
ninety men who worked under his direction and
were paid by him. In this way he was able to earn
good wages himself. He was married in 1839 to
Miss Isabel Pomfret, an English lady, who was
born September 17, 1817. To them were born
twelve children, named respectively, James, Joseph, Jane Ann, Mary E., a second Mary E., John




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


583


I 

-


and William, a second John, Isabel and Thomas.
Joseph, Jane, Mary E., John, William and Isabel
are deceased, as are also two other children, who
died in infancy unnamed.
The eldest son, James Sutton, came to America
and established a home in Michigan. lie served in
the Union army through the Civil War and after
its close returned to his native land, and was successful in persuading his parents to come to tile
New World. In 1866 our subject and his wife
therefore set sail and reaching this county bought
land on section 6, Pontiac Township. Here they
have since made their home, pursuing a course of
honest industry, and kindly, unassuming habits.
The estate on which they live consists of one hundred and fifteen acres of choice land, and bears the
necessary buildings. Mr. Sutton has always been
a hard-working and industrious man, and his wife
has borne her share in the efforts to advance their
fortunes by her good management and encouraging words. They have twenty-two grandchildren
and eight great-grandchildren.
W ILLIAM STEPHENS is one of the prominent citizens of Milford and one of its
best-known dealers, his trade being in grain
and produce. He is a native of the Emerald Isle
and comes of families of the better class-landowners and people of education and good breeding. HIs grandfather, Michael Stephens, was Sergeant and recruiting officer in the Yeomanry corps.
He was remarkable for the strength of his voice,
which could be heard a mile and a quarter. He
was Grand Master of Masonry and his occupation
was that of a gentleman farmer. His grandfather
was a native of Coventry, England, and established
the family line in Ireland in 1690.
John Stephens, father of our subject, was born
in County Armaugh, and after his marriage established himself in Cross Maglenn. He was a shoemaker by trade. In 1842 he determined to come
to America and with his wife and four children he
sailed from Liverpool on the "Ayrshire." He
landed in Quebec after a voyage of eleven weeks


and came direct to this county. One of the children died on Lake Erie. Mr. Stephens worked at
his trade some years and finally bought a farm of
one hundred acres in Commerce Township. He
died there in 1884 when in his seventy-ninth year.
Politically, he was a Democrat, and personally a
liberal, generous-hearted man.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Elizabeth Hale, and she, too, was the descendant
of a family that had lived in Ireland for several
generations, but which sprang from England. She
is still living on the homestead in Commerce
Township with a son. She is now in the eighty..
fourth year of her age. She is a devout member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her father,
Richard Hale, lived to the remarkable age of one
hundred and two years and was never sick a day;
he was a well-to-do farmer in Ireland.
William Stephens, who is the second in a family
of ten children, siawof whom grew to maturity, was
born in Cross Maglenn, County Armaugh, Ireland,
December 29, 1837. The first incident of unusual
importance in his life was the passage to America
during his childhood. He grew to, maturity in
this county, attending the district school, which'
was carried on under the rate-bill system, and
where he used quill pens and read from the Elementary Spelling-book and the New Testament; he
had a decided taste for mathematics and made that
study his hobby. At an early age he was set to
work on the farm and there he remained, helping
his father until after he had attained his majority.
When twenty-five years old he began work at the
carpenter's trade and in 1864 he spent six months
in the Government employ as a carpenter at Nashville, Tenn., whence he came home, and the next
year he went to the oil regions, where he and his
brother Nicholas bored for oil and made $45,000,
but lost it in other speculations. The brother died
and William came home with the corpse and then
engaged in carpentry in Commerce Township.
Eight years were devoted to the trade there and
two years in Milford, and Mr. Stephens then began
buying and shipping grain. He has been successful in this enterprise and it is one in which his faculties are well exercised.
In Commerce in 1870 Mr. Stephens was married




584


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


to Miss Mary Laughrey, a native of that place and
daughter of early settlers here. Ier parents, William and Margaret Laughrey, were born in Scotland,
and having emigrated, settled in Commerce in 1833.
Mrs. Stephens is a woman of intelligence, skill in
domestic arts, and kindly nature. She has two
children-Nicholas and Lela Vesta, the former of
whom is in the Class of '91 in the Milford High
School.
Mr. Stephens belongs to the Blue Lodge and
Chapter of the Masonic order in Milford, and to
the lodge of the Good Templars. His political
allegiance is given to the Democratic party. He is
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, holds
the office of Trustee and has been a member of the
building committee and otherwise prominent in
forwarding its interests. He is a man of more than
ordinary intelligence, keeping himself informed on
all events of general interest, and many things not
commonly conversed about, aIn has a wonderful
memory, so that his extensive reading is not lost.
In disposition he is jolly and good-natured, and he
is one of the best of companions.
OSEPH JACKSON, a farmer on section 6,
White Lake Township, is a citizen of enterprise and standing in the community. He
is ever interested in matters of public importance. He with his good wife is an active member of the Presbyterian Church, where he has been
the Superintendent of the Sunday-school for five
years.  He has been a Republican until quite recently, and for two years past has voted the Prohibition ticket. Both he and his wife are intelligent and cultured, and at one time he was a teacher.
Our subject is a son of George Jackson, who was
born in England. To him and his Wife Ann
(Moore) Jackson were born the following children:
Joseph, Alice C., Caleb G. Alice is now Mrs. C.
W. Crawford, and resides in Southfield Township.
Caleb G. also resides on a farm in the same township. Their father came to America about 1848
and settled in Wayne County, where he lived two


years before removing to Oakland County, his
present residence. Here he settled on a farm of
two hundred and nine acres. He is identified with
tile Grange, and is wide-awake to the interests of
farmers. Both he and his wife find their religious
home in the Baptist Church, and his political convictions are with the Republican party.
The subject of this sketch was born March 15,
1850, in Detroit, and that same season he was
brought to Southfield Township by his parents.
Here he lived until 1880, when he moved onto the
farm where he now resides. Ie worked his father's
farm until he was thirty years of age. He was
married in 1879, September 24, in White Lake
Township, to Mrs. Josephine (Garner) Kellogg, a
daughter of John Garner, a native of Sussex
County, N. J. Her mother was Sarah (Coryell)
Garner. To Mr. Jackson and wife have been born
the following children: Leroy G., Carl F., Edna G.,
all living at home. His wife, by her previous marriage to Daniel Kellogg, had one daughter, Maud,
who resides with Mr. Jackson.
Mr. Jackson now owns one-half interest in two
hundred and twelve acres. He is a breeder of
Shropshire sheep, and has quite a flock on his farm
at present. He is one of the Knights of the Maccabees, and belongs to Dresser Tent No. 160. He
was educated in the common schools, and supplemented this by attendance at Hillsdale College one
year.
~-1 ----~3 —^ ---   ~^
S IMEON AINSLEY, an industrious and
progressive farmer living on section 10,
White Lake Township, has control of a fertile tract of one hundred acres. This property became his by trade, he giving in exchange an
eighty in another part of the township, where he
had carried on his agricultural efforts for a time.
Mr. Ainsley has been engaged in farm work from
boyhood, and has a clear understanding of the
means necessary to develop land and produce satisfactory crops. He was born in Pennsylvania,
November 17, 1826, and was but a small boy when
he came to this State with his mother and step-father, since which time he has lived in this county.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I

The father of our subject was Mifflin Ainsley,
who was born and reared in the Keystone State,
and died there years ago. His wife, the mother of
Simeon, bore the maiden name of Ann Starner.
She was a daughter of George Starner, a native of
Holland, who emigrated to Pennsylvania in an early
day, and thence went to Illinois. Mr. and Mrs.
Ainsley had three children-Harriet, Mary J. and
Simeon. After the death of the husband the widow
made a second marriage, wedding Jedediah Collins,
to whom she bore five daughters and one son,
named respectively, Phebe, Nancy, Lucy A., Eliza,
Melissa and William. The mother died in this
county.
Since his boyhood Mr. Ainsley has been making
a living for himself. His first purchase of land was
in Waterford Township, where he had a tract of
sixty acres on which he lived two yeais. He then
sold it and came to White Lake Township, where
he has since made his home, carrying on his industrious efforts and pursuing the even tenor of his
way as a reliable and law-abiding citizen. He is a
Master Mason, enrolled on the roster of a lodge at
Waterford. Politically he has always been a Democrat. The only public office he has held is that of
Highway Commissioner, in which he bore himself
creditably.
In Pontiac, on New Year's day, 1851, Mr. Ainsley was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Rodenbo, who was born in New York and was brought
to this State when six years of age. Her father,
John Rodenbo, was born in New Jersey, but went
from his native State to New York in early life.
When he came to this State he took up eighty acres
of Government land in Oakland Township, subsequently added eighty acres to his farm  and later
sold forty. His wife bore the maiden name of
Hannah Swayze, and their children were Christopher, John, William, Archibald, Sarah A., Amanda,
Amelia and Catherine. The mother of this family died in 1835, and the father subsequently married Catherine (Swayze) Simpson, a sister of his
first wife. This union was blest by the birth of
two children, Letitia and Abraham. Mr. Rodenbo
died in 1861, and his widow in 1878.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ainsley there have been born
six children, who were christened Jerome, Edgar,


Clarence, Florence, Alice and Grace. The two eldest are deceased, and the rest are now established
in their own homes. All live near their parents
except Clarence, who resides in Grand Rapids.
)TIRAM   WALTON.      Nearly a decade has
)) passed since this respected man departed
to "the bourne whence no traveler returns."
)He was one of those hard-working, industrious men who, beginning life with limited means,
advanced to competence, and while securing financial standing, he had also gained the esteem of his
acquaintances. He was born near Rochester, N.Y.,
March 5, 1816, and was of English extraction, although his parents were natives of the Empire
State. His father, Simon Walton, died about 1854,
leaving a widow who survived him some years.
The family came to this county in 1832 and settled in Orion Township. Our subject was then a
youth of sixteen years. He had received his preliminary education in the district schools of his
native State, and continued to acquire knowledge
as opportunity afforded after coming West.
Mr. Walton remained at home and gave his services for the good of the family until he was
twenty-six years old, when he launched out for
himself. His father gave him eighty acres of land
on section 1, Pontiac Township, which he cleared
and improved, and upon which he lived a number
of years. In 1873 he sold the property and bought
instead a fine tract of land on section 14, which
he brought to a high state of cultivation. He built
thereon a large, handsome farmhouse, substantial
barns and other structures, and made suchl arrangements for the proper carrying on of his work, and
the comfort of his family, as make the estate one
of the best in the neighborhood. The well-furnished house, around which are manifest the refining touches of a woman's hand, is still occupied
by the widow and her daughter, Augusta.
In 1842 Mr. Walton was married to Miss Deborah Lewis, a native of Erie County, N. Y., born
June 17, 1816. She is a daughter of Michael and
Betsey (Spooner) Lewis, natives of New Jersey and




586


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUNM.


Vermont respectively, and early settlers in this
State. Mr. Lewis served in the War of 1812; he
died in 1849, but his wife lived until 1880. Four
of their nine children still survive. To Mr. and
Mrs. Walton there came four children who were
named respectively, Jannette, Augusta, Charles and
Ida. The first and last named are deceased. Charles
married Miss Edna Lessiter, and has two children
-Hiram and Hazel. He is an intelligent young
man, progressive and prosperous, and has charge of
the homestead, the one hundred and ninety acres
of which he is using to good advantage.
In his political views the late Mr. Walton was in
sympathy with the Democratic party. He served
as Justice of the Peace several years, and in that
official capacity did much to advance good principles and cultivate peace and order among the people. He died December 14, 1883. His widow,
although quite advanced in years, is more active
than many of her age, and takes a warm interest in
the welfare of those around her.
)    EWIS A. YOUNG. Among the well developed farms in Pontiac Township is one
consisting of one hundred acres on section
34, belonging to the gentleman above named.
The soil is as productive as can be found in the
township, and the buildings upon it are substantial
and sufficiently numerous to answer every want.
This property was purchased by Mr. Young in the
spring of 1881, and since that time he has made
some substantial improvements upon it. He raises
a variety of crops and good stock, the horses being
especially fine. He raises the Morgan strain and
has several roadsters that are notable specimens of
the breed. Mrs. Young has al ardent admiration
for good equines and is an excellent judge of their
merits. She is a fine horse-woman and keeps her
seat on the back of a good traveler as well without
a saddle as with it. She has had much to do with
the proper training of the horses she rides, and
sympathizes heartily in her husband's enterprises
as a horseman.
Mr. Young was born in Allegany County, N.






Y., June 28, 1846. His grandfather, Henry Young,
and a brother, came from Germany to this country
and located in Tompkins County, N. Y., where
farming was carried on by him until his decease,
early in the '50s.  The family of grandfather
Young consisted of fourteen children, thirteen of
whom  lived to maturity, and the eldest was a
soldier in the War of 1812. Ephraim, the father of
our subject, was born the year that contest began
and lived until the spring of 1884. He was the
youngest member of the family. He was a Drum
Major in the State Militia, served as Supervisor of
his township, and was a prominent farmer and
dairyman, well-known and highly esteemed. His
wife was Phebe Burrows, who was born in New
York in 1819 and is still living. Her father was
Aaron Burrows of the Empire State. She is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Of her four children one daughter died young, and
a son, Aaron, who was a member of the One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Infantry, (lied while
in the service, at Trevilian, Ga., July 12, 1864.
Our subject was reared amid the surroundings
of farm life and early acquired a knowledge of the
calling which he has pursued during most of his
mature years. He had excellent educational opportunities, first in the district school, and then in
the high school at Alfred Center during four terms.
He remained at home until he was of age, assisting
on the home farm, and taught school three terms.
He subsequently rented the old homestead, and in
1876 purchased a part of it from his father. Thence
he came to this State and county at the time before mentioned and set himself to the further improvement and cultivation of the fine tract of land
he bought.
Mr. Young was accompanied hither by his wife,
formerly Mary Osmun, who was born in Cayuga
County, N. Y., June 27, 1855, and became Mrs.
Young, March 1, 1874. Her parents, William and
Mary (Linderman) Osmun, were natives of the
Empire State, but are now living in Pontiac, having come to this county first nearly a half century
ago, then returned to New York, and in 1867 came
back to Michigan. Mr. Osmun was the youngest
but one in the family of thirteen children, all of
whom lived to establish homes of their own. Mr,




PORTRAIT AND BfOGRAPHICAL~ ALBUM.


587


PI


and Mrs. Young have one daughter, Phebe A., an
intelligent, quick-witted young lady, who does
credit to the training she has received.
Mr. Young has manifested quite an interest in
public affairs, political and social, although he is
not an office-seeker. He takes an active part in
promulgating the interests of the Republican party,
to which he has adhered since he became a voter.
His religious home is in the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He and his wife are well-informed, cordial and entertaining, and have many friends in the
community of which they form a part.
)ENJAMIN S. TREGENT, Cashier of the
First National Bank of Pontiac, is a native
of Liverpool, England, where he was born
April 5, 1852. He is the eldest son of
James and Susan (Shaw) Tregent, who emigrated
to the United States when their son was but a few
months old. James Tregent settled in Pontiac in
the year 1855, and was immediately made agent of
the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad, now known as
the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad.
He was subsequently engaged in the produce business under the firm name of Smith & Tregent, in
which he continued for a few years. He then became cashier of the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad in Pontiac, and still holds that
office. He is a gentleman well preserved in health,
active and energetic. He reared a family of four
children, namely: Benjamin S.; Jennie R.; Clara
F., who became the wife of Charles Cash, of Duluth, Minn., and died in 1888, leaving one daughter, Fannie Cash; the youngest daughter is Louisa
A. She and Jennie remain at home with their
parents. Mrs. Tregent and her children are members of the Episcopal Church.
Benjamin S., the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common and High Schools of Pontiac,
and being a close reader he has added largely to his
fund of knowledge, and to-day we find him to be
a man thoroughly informed on leading business
and other topics. He began his career as a clerk
in the store of C, R. Mabley, where he remained


for over five years. He then entered the First
National Bank of Pontiac in 1869 as Collector,
and subsequently became book-keeper and afterward teller in the same bank. In 1886 he was
made cashier of this bank, and he still holds that
position. He is regarded as one of the shrewd,
able and careful financiers of the county, and his
ability in this direction has done much toward giving this bank its recognized prominence in financial circles.
In 1882 Mr. Tregent was elected City Treasurer
of Pontiac, and has held that position ever since,
his frequent re-election attesting his efficiency and
popularity with his fellow-citizens. He was also
for a time Treasurer of the Oakland County Agricultural Society, and has held and still holds several minor positions. On May 25, 1881, he was
married to Helen E., daughter of Hiram and Eliza
A. (Sharp) Voorhees. They were old settlers of
Oakland County, and both were natives of Warren
County, N. J. Mr. Voorhees died some years ago,
but his widow is living in Pontiac. Mr. and Mrs.
Tregent have two daughters.
This gentleman deals considerably in real estate
in connection with banking, and owns much valuable property. He has a delightful cottage at
Cass Lake, where the family spend a portion of
each summer and where he delights to go fishing
and hunting. He is a prominent Mason, having
attained to the degree of Knight Templar, and is
also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is a stanch Democrat. He is now building a
handsome residence on Norton Avenue.
P   LYMOUTH R. NOTT, a farmer on section
28, Oakland Township, has made a good
home and become the possessor of a nice
property by the exercise of perseverance
and industry. He has had some hard knocks in
accomplishing his purpose, having worked by the
month in the summer until he could get a good
start. He has one hundred and twenty acres of
land, about one hundred of which are under cul



588


PORTRAIT ABND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUJM.


A   I


tivation. The farm bears good barns and other
buildings, a thriving orchard, and a tasteful residence, built seven years ago.
The father of our subject is William Nott, who
was born in England in October, 1822, and brought
to America a few years later. His early home was
in New York and he was married there to Miss
Electa Cook, daughter of A. B. Cook, who came to
this State soon after. They came to Michigan in
1855, selected Pontiac Township, this county, for
their future home, and bought one hundred and
forty acres of land there. Mr. Nott cleared about
one-third of the property and was continuing its
improvement when he died, about fifteen years
after his arrival. His widow is still living on the
farm. Tie parental family includes besides our
subject, Mrs. Edna B. Williamson, now deceased;
Mrs. Olive German, whose home is in Bloomtleld
Township; and Stephen, who resides in Pontiac
Township.
Plymouth R. Nott was born in Pontiac Township, November 15, 1856. When he had grown to
manhood he married Hettie Lester, daughter of
James Lester, who was born in Gratiot County,
this State. This lady is the second child in her
father's family and has two sisters and one brother.
Mr. Nott is an intelligent young man and has tile
good will of his associates. He votes the Republiean ticket and belongs to the Maccabees lodge in
Orion. Mr. and Mrs. Nott are the parents of two
children, Lester J., and Lillian E.
LBERT C. BLUMBERG, who resides on his
fine farm on section 12, Southfield Township, was born December 24, 1840. His
father, George H. Blumburg, a farmer and
carpenter, was born October 9, 1814, in New York.
This gentleman was the son of Michael, a farmer,who
was born in New York about 1790, and was in the
War of 1812. Michael and his wife, Mary Ellsworth,
were married about 1812, and were the parents of
five sons and two daughters, of whom George H.
was the eldest. They came to Michigan about the


year 1828, and entered one hundred sixty acres of
Government land in Royal Oak Township, having
the deed signed by Andrew Jackson.
When George H. Blumberg was about twenty
years of age he started for himself by learning the
trade of a carpenter, and became one of the first
contractors in this part of the country, building
many of the railroad depots. IHe built the Detroit
depot of the Detroit and Michigan Railroad, and
those at Pontiac and Birmingham.     He  also
fenced the Milwaukee Railroad and was a great
lumberman, and afterwards bought the old farm
from his father.
New Year's day, 1839, was a day of great note
in the life of George H. Blumberg, as he was then
married to Mary J. Jordan, the daughter of Benjamin Jordan, of New York. This lady was born
December 5, 1818, and became the mother of six
children, two daughters and four sons. She passed
away from earth July 7, 1871, and her husband followed her June 19, 1875. As his father was married three times, George H. Blumberg had some
half-brothers, one of whom went into the army as a
private during the War of the Rebellion and never
returned.
In 1867 Albert C. Blumberg was united in marriage with Rachel E. Everets, of Royal Oak Township. This lady was born July 15, 1846, and was
a daughter of Miles and Ruth (McDaniel) Everets,
who were natives of Massachusetts and members of
the Society of Friends. They came from New York
State to Birmingham, where Mr. Everets is still living at the age of eighty-eight years. Our subject
and his amiable and intelligent wife have been
blessed with five children, as follows: Vinnie, born
October 6, 1868, died August 23, 1869; Retta C.,
born November 22, 1870; Laverne C., February 8,
1873; Jennie R., April 24, 1877; Florence E.,
March 22, 1880.
The subject of this sketch enjoyed only commonschool advantages and worked for his father till
he reached his majority. His father then gave him
forty acres of land where he now resides, and he
now has seventy-five acres here and five and a half
in the town of Birmingham.  He has been a Republican all his life, as was also his father before
him. He is proud to say that his first vote was




-It
-1  "  - --                                       I-,-,T       9 --      -  1


"   I-   -                -  I     -  "  IW;   ".,
1;                         '4,   -Al".-   I-   —,                            4e   -  -I I -  1,
     M.11.I


RESIDENCE OF A. C. BLU MBERG, SEC.12., SOUTH FIELD TP.,OAKI AND CO.,MICH.
l  ~ j                                 11
_ 4B
~                      -A,..7.....: ~ ~?.......,'.- '-  "-  -^
A_ I                                          tof9; o / +and vjM; s$1'44


I  1, --- ', e -         - -- -. -,  —, -   ---   -.   -  - I-I-I


*LONG LAKE:


FARM RES5.OF CHARLES PEARSALL, SEC.IG.,BLOOM FELD TP., OAKLA ND CO.,MICH.




a
I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


591


--


r


cast for Abraham  Lincoln and his last was for
Benjamin Harrison. He has been successful in his
financial concerns and unlike many men of like experience he has ever kept an open hand for the relief of tie suffering, and is a prompt and-generous
contributor to all worthy enterprises. A view of
the comfortable home of Mr. Blumberg appears on
another page.
A HARLES PEARSALL, a farmer of Bloomfield Township, was born in the city of Detroit, May 5, 1832, and is the son of Samuel
and Elizabeth (Hutchins) Pearsall. The paternal
gran(lparents were Clark and Abigail (Sebra)
Pearsall. The grandmother was born in New York
State of English parents, and died in her native
State. The grandfather was a native of the same
State and resided in Floyd and Genesee Counties
until he came to Michigan in 1829. He settled with
his family of eight children in Bloomfield Township.
The maternal grandparents of the subject of this
sketch were Daniel and Polly (Mott) Hutchins, who
came from New York State to Michigan in 1829
and spent the remainder of their days here among
their children. Our subject's father and two brothers, George and William, took up a tract of land
from the Government in the township of Bloomfield, this county, in 1829. This land, which now
comprises the farm owned by William M. Williamson, was afterward sold and a tract bought from the
State which comprises the farm now occupied by
our subject.
Samuel Pearsall was a farmer in comfortable circumstances. When he came to this county it was
an unbroken wilderness and no roads opened up.
A few shanties and an Indian trading post stood
where is now the city of Pontiac. He was a Democrat until the organization of the Republican party,
when he joined his political fortunes with that of
the new organization, for which he earnestly
worked, yet never sought office. He and his wife
were life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and took an active part in church work.
He died in 1877 at the age of seventy-eight years,


I
I
I


I


I


His wife completed her eighty-fourth year and departed this life in 1888.
The parents of our subject had eight children,
namely: Jane, Marvin, Thomas, Charles, Margaret.
George, Electa and Abigail. Our subject was the
fourth child in this family and he was reared on
the farm where he now resides. He has a farm of
one hundred fifty-eight acres and his present residence is located on the bank of Long Lake and it
has one of the finest locations and most beautiful
views in the county. It lies three miles south of
Pontiac on the Franklin road, and is represented
by a view on another page. Mr. Pearsall's political
views accord with the principles of the Republican
party.
January 22, 1863, was the wedding day of Mr.
and Mrs. Pearsall. That lady bore the maiden name
of Anna Gilson, and her home was in Mendon,
St. Joseph County, Mich. She was born in Crawford County, Pa., March 20, 1848, and is a daughter
of Gideon and Lucy M. (Landen) Gilson, both natives of Pennsylvania who came to Michigan in
1853 and settled in Berrien County, where the
father still lives. Some years since he was bereaved
of his wife. Our subject and his wife have had
eight children, namely: Adas B., Nellie J., Fred,
Ola, Frank P., George, Samuel and Mary. All except Ola are living to cheer the hearts of their parents. Fred married Ada Weaver and lives at
Oxford; Nellie, the widow of Eber Winn, lives in
Bloomfield Township; Ada B. married Cyrus
Evans, a sailor, and they reside in Port Huron.
IAMES BEATTY, a prosperous farmer of
Bloomfield Township, opened his eyes to the
world April 1, 1826. He is a son of Samuel
and Elizabeth (Montgomery) Beatty, natives
of Ireland. They came to America when young
people and were married in Orange County, N. Y.
They afterward went to New York City where the
father followed engineering for a livelihood.
In 1831 Samuel Beatty left the city with his family for the West, and located on a farm in what is
now the township of Bloomfield, this county, where




592


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AhLBUM..


9I


he spent almost all of the remainder of his life. A
short time before his death he moved to Birmingham village, where he and his wife died. He took
up his farm from the Government. His first house
was a little log shanty which he built on a spot
which he cleared for it. Here he lived for many
years. This old home and farm is now occupied by
his son, Samuel Beatty. He was a poor man when he
came to Michigan, but before his death was in good
financial circumstances. His political views were
those of the Democrats but he never took much part
in politics.
Eleven children were granted to the parents of
our subject. They were James, John, Mary, Maria,
Margaret, William, Elizabeth, Matliew, Sarah, Ellen and Samuel. All of these have passed from
earth with the exception of our subject, Maria and
Samuel. Maria is the wife of Robert Kyle, of
Sarinac, Ionia County.
When our subject was five years old he came
from New York City to the town of Bloomfield.
He received only a limited common school education
but had thorough training on the farm. He remained with his father until he reached the age of
twenty-nine years. He then bought a farm for
himself which he operated until 1864, when he sold
it, and buying the farm where he now lives, moved
onto it. lIe has followed farming all his life and
has been a resident of Bloomfield Township for
sixty years. He started in life empty-handed and
now owns a splendid farm of one hundred one
acres which he redeemed from the wilderness. His
commodious and capacious two-story frame residence and his excellent barns are an ornament to
the township. Everything about his place indicates
thrift and prosperity. He also owns twenty acres
within the corporate limits of Pontiac. He is a
Democrat but has never been an aspirant for office.
In 1854 he married Miss Margaret J. Wallace, of
Farmington, this county. She was born in Bloomfield in 1829 and is the daughter of Robert and
Nancy (Crawford) Wallace, early settlers in Bloomfield Township. Mrs. Beatty died in 1858.
In 1860 Mr. Beatty was again married, this
time to Miss Almeria Devore, of Waterford, this
county, where she was born in 1840. She is the,daughter of John and Mary (Cole) Devore, who
au       e


settled in Waterford Township in 1832. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Beatty are earnest and consistent members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have
had four children. Their eldest, Edwin, died in infancy. Eldora is the wife of Myron D. Seaman, of
Pontiac. Maggie is the wife of John E. Wiles, of
Milwaukee, Wis., and William J., the youngest, is
still at home.
O   RSEMUS BEARDSLEE, one of the largest
farmers and landowners of Oakland County,
resides on section 13 of Independence Township, where he has one farm of four hundred acres
and near by another of two hundred sixty acres.
He is one of the pioneers of this portion of Oakland
County, being the son of Aaron and Sarah (Fairchild) Beardslee, and was born in Sussex County,
N. J., October 24, 1825.
The parents of our subject came to Michigan in
the month of June, 1832, this being then a Territory. His father settled in the wilderness and took
up one hundred acres of land. But death called
away the father in 1838, and this lad of thirteen, being the oldest of the family, took upon his shoulders
the care of the family and assisting his mother in
farming. During a portion of this time he hired
out at $5 a month and gave his wages to his mother
to assist her in providing for the family. The children were all small and he helped to clear up the
farm and work for his mother until he was twentyone years old.
At the age of twenty-three years young Beardslee
was married to Jane Hubler. She died in 1851
leaving one child-John. In 1855 he was joined
in marriage with his present wife, Clarissa Beardslee. This union has been blessed by the birth of
five children: Aaron, born January 6, 1861, is
married to Nellie Green and resides on section 13;
Estella, born June 20, 1858, married Isaac Voorheis
and died in 1886; Elmer, born May 16, 1863;
Susan, born March 4, 1866, married Sela Sherwood;
and William E., born June 12, 1868.
In early life Mr. Beardslee was prevented from




PORTRAIT AND `BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.I


593


PORTRT AD BA  A.       5


gaining an education. He went to school only
seven weeks before his father's death and after that
bereavement he was, of course, effectually prevented from attending school. His education is all
of a practical business character, and by his close
application to business he has secured a good share
of this world's goods, and is now enjoying the comforts of life. He resides on his home farm, but his
two sons do the farming and he only oversees the
general plan. In politics Mr. Beardslee is an old
line Democrat and has filled all the township offices.
He was Supervisor for seven years and has also
been a Justice of the Peace for a number of years.
J UDGE JUNIUS TEN EYCK. The legal
profession has many representatives who are
not only well versed in professional lore,
but whose minds are cultured in other lines
and who have shown their skill in many cases before the court. An excellent representative of
these legal lights is found in Pontiac in the person
of Judge Ten Eyck, who has been located here in
practice for well nigh forty years. He has devoted
himself assiduously to the duties of his profession,
has continually brightened his mind and refreshed
his memory by consultation of the authorities on
legal points, and by conversation with and observation of others who were skilled counselors and eloquent pleaders. Not only in legal circles, but in
private life Judge Ten Eyck has a high reputation
and counts his well-wishers by the score.
The Ten Eyck family originated in Holland, and
was established in America by Mathias Ten Eyck,
who had two sons who emigrated in 1600. He settled in New York, then known as Amsterdam. One
brother settled on the Jersey side of the Hudson
River, the other up the Hudson in New York. One
of these, who settled in New Jersey, is a direct ancestor of our subject. The grandfather of Judge
Ten Eyck bore the name of Jacob, and the father
was James. The latter was born in New Jersey,
May 4, 1790, and was a prosperous farmer. He
married Eliza Vanderhoef, a native of New Jersey, and a daughter of Cornelius Vanderhoef, whose


ancestors came from  Holland. Mr. James Ten
Eyck and family came to Oakland County, this
State, in 1835, and settled on Government land in
Waterford Township. A goodly tract was cleared
and improved, and substantial buildings erected
upon it, and the family became known as prosperous and progressive. Mrs. Ten Eyck was born Feb.
ruary 6, 1792, and died in June, 1849, when in her
fifty-eighth year, and Mr. Ten Eyck passed away ten
years later. The family consisted of two sons and
two daughters, and our subject and his brother
Tenodor are the only survivors. The latter is now
living in Chicago, Ill., and is upon the retired list
of the regular army, in which he was a captain for
many years. He was fighting on the frontier at
the time of the massacre at Ft. Fetterman, and (luring the Civil War spent fifteen months as a prisoner
at Libby.
The subject of this biographical notice was born
in Monmouth County, N. J., February 24, 1825,
and spent his boyhood in his native State. Having
come West with his parents, he continued his studies in the High School at Rochester, where he made
preparation for college, and he subsequently became a law student in the office of Wisner & Hosmer in Pontiac. In 1852 he was admitted to the
bar and at once opened an office in Pontiac, where
he has remained, laboring zealously in the legal
arena. He was elected Circuit Court Commissioner
for two years and re-elected for a second term.
During that time, by virtue of his office, he was
Master in Chancery. He has served as Prosecuting Attorney four years, having been re-elected
after having acted faithfully in behalf of the people, and he was appointed Judge of Probate to fill
the vacancy, receiving his appointment from Governor Baldwin.
Judge Ten Eyck was married January 12, 1858,
to Miss Marion E. Seymour, daughter of John B.
Seymour and Elizabeth Thompson. Her father was
a distant relative of Horatio Seymour, of New
York. Mrs. Ten Eyck was the first white child
born in Brandon, Oakland County, her parents having settled there as early as 1835. She understands the art of making her home cosy and attractive, and draws to it pleasant acquaintances and
warm friends. Mr. and Mrs. Ten Eyck have one




594


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


son, Harry Seymour, living, who is now in the postal service on the Michigan Central Railroad between Detroit and Chicago.
Judge Ten Eyck has given considerable attention to political questions, and is a stanch Republican. He does not confine his reading to professional and political articles, but takes an interest in
the discoveries that are being made, the historical
events that are transpiring, and the opinions that
are being advanced on various topics. He is a genial, well-bred gentleman, and has excellent standing among the citizens of Pontiac and vicinity.
G   EORGE W. OWEN. This defender of the
Union during the late war has been for
some time occupying and operating a faim
in Pontiac Township. He has one hundred and
twenty acres of good land marked by such improvements as are generally made by one who tills the
soil in a well-settled country, and is prosecuting
his work industriously. His birthday, November
5, 1833, was a memorable one. as on that day the
Gunpowder Plot, by which the House of Parliament was about to be blown up, was discovered.
Mr. Owen, having been born in Hampshire, England, and belonging to old English families, has
special interest in referring to this incident. His
father, William Owen, was a successful teacher and
surveyor, and in his religious faith was a stanch
believer in the tenets of the Church of England.
He visited America in the fall of 1858, spending
about a year here. His death occurred in his native land in 1862. His wife, formerly Jane Gosling, visited America in 1854 and again crossed
the Atlantic in 1868 to make her Lome in this
country. She died about two years later. She,
too, belonged to the Church of England.
The subject of this sketch is one of the three
surviving children in a family of two sons and
two daughters. He received good instruction in
the schools of his native land up to the time of entering his teens, and in later years has added to his
knowledge by personal observation and the use of
the means afforded by the press. He set out for


America when fourteen years old, and was forty
days in crossing the briny deep. He came West
from the American metropolis and arrived in Pontiac June 6, 1848. For several years he was variously employed, being ready to turn his hand to
any honest work by which he could make his way
toward a competence. In the year 1851 he began the trade of wagon-making and for three
years his time and strength were given to that
occupation. He then began farming on rented
land and continued that work until after the breaking out of the Civil War, when, being in sympathy
with the North, he entered the Union service.
Mr. Owen enlisted August 6, 1862, in Company
I), Twenty-Second Michigan Infantry, Col. Wisner commanding. He fought bravely at the battles of Danville, Chickamauga, Wahatchie and
Lookout Mountain, and had charge of an ammunition wagon that took him into the thickest of the
fight at Mission Ridge. Through the Atlanta campaign his regiment acted as headquarter guard
for Gen. Thomas. He received no serious injury
in his dangerous life, bul had two hair-breadth escapes from being captured. He was mustered out
at Nashville in June, 1865, after having done his
duty as a loyal citizen of America, the land of his
adoption.
Since the war Mr. Owen has given his attention
chiefly to agricultural work, but from 1878 to 1884
he kept a restaurant in Pontiac, and for one year
he carried on a hotel in Rochester.  He was married in 1852 to Miss Sarah S. Harris, a native of
this county, who lived but a few years after their
union. She died in 1856, leaving two children,
William and John. In 1857 Mr. Owen became
the husband of Miss Jane Harris, a sister of his
former companion, and this union has been blest
by the birth of four children, named respectively,
George, Abbie, Sarah and Lillie. The parents of
Mrs. Owen were Elisha and Orpha (Howe) Harris,
natives of Vermont and New York respectively,
who were among the first settlers in Pontiac Township. They came to this State in 1821, and Mr.
Harris died after thirty years' residence here. Mrs.
Harris survived until 1885, reaching a ripe bld; e.
Mr. Owen is connected with the Grand Army of




PORTRAI' AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


59.5. --- f


the Republic and the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. He votes the Democratic ticket and has
sometimes been a delegate to conventions. He and
his wife belong to the Episcopal Church. Mr.
Owen is a clever, sociable man, to whom might
well be given the title "a tip-top fellow."
OSEPH S. BAMBER, one of the progressive
farmers of Highland Township, is located
on a fertile tract of land on section 30. He
is a One type of the Englishman in his hereditary traits, but by education and training is a thorough American. He was born in Lincolnshire,
February 4, 1835, and was but four years old when
he accompanied his parents across the Atlantic.
Since that time the years have been spent in Milford and Highland Townships, this county, and he
is thoroughly in sympathy with the progress of this
part of the nation and has been a factor in its upbuilding.
John Bamber, father of our subject, was the son
of another John, who spent his entire life in England. The younger of the name came to this State
in 1839, and made his home in Milford Township,
where he lived until he was called from time to
eternity in 1882. His widow, who is now eightyfive years of age, still occupies the old homestead
with a daughter. On coming to the county Mr.
Bamber took up a farm of fifty acres,which was sold,
and he subsequently purchased one hundred and
forty acres. IIe was a member in good standing
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and with that
denomination his widow is connected. Mrs. Bamber bore the maiden name of Susan Harrison. She
is the mother of the following children: John,
Robert, Joseph, Thomas, Ann, Susan, William,
Harriet, Fanny and Warren W.
Our subject was an inmate of his father's home
until he was twenty-three years of age, and during
those years he became practically educated and
well versed in agricultural duties. At the age mentioned he bought land, upon which he is still living
and with an affectionate and efficient wife took
possession of the property. It consists of fifty

three acres in Iighland and eighty in Hartland
Township, and forty acres have been added by a
subsequent purchase. It bears a complete line of
farm buildings and a commodious residence, and is
adorned with orchards and small fruits. Since 1877
Mr. Bamber has paid considerable attention to raising Spanish-American Merino sheep, and he has
taken many premiums at State fairs and other exhibitions. Twice he carried off the blue ribbon
from Detroit, and at Jackson and Saginaw he has
won his share of prizes.
On November 4, 1857, Mr. Bamber was married
to Sarah A., daughter of Noah P. and Elizabeth W.
(Hyde) Morse. The bride's father was born in
Norwich, Conn., in 1807, and came to this State in
1833, establishing his home in this county, where
he remained until called hence, March 26, 1887.
He was married April 1, 1832, in his native State,
and during his early pioneer work here was encouraged and aided by his good wife. She did not live
to see the full result of their efforts, but died in
1845, leaving two children, Sarah and Mary E.
May 22, 1845, Mr. Morse made a second marriage,
wedding Elizabeth Prior, a native of Massachusetts, but at that time a resident of Milford Township, this county. This wife died in the year 1876.
He was a member of the Baptist Church, and
was Postmaster in Highland Township for many
years.  He was the first Assessor here, and at a
period when his work covered six townships. When
his daughter Sarah was married he sold the one hundred and thirty-three acres of land he possessed, to
her husband, taking a life lease on the undivided
half. Mr. Morse was a very well-bred man, was a
life-long student, and had a better education than
many, the curriculum he studied having included
several languages. He was very radical in his political views, and always supported the Republican
ticket.
Mr. and Mrs. Bamber have had four children,
who were named respectively, Herbert, Albert M.,
Mary E. and Sherman L. The eldest son was
graduated from the Agricultural College at Lansing in 1881, and since 1883 has been in the employ
of the Government as a Civil Engineer. After his
graduation he entered the service of a railway company in Utah, and then put in a year at the Michi



596


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


gan University, studying for his profession. He
next became an employe on the Wabash River under Maj. Smith, and thence went to 'Western Virginia near Greenboro, for one summer. On the
Ohio River he was in an engineering force under
Col. Merrill, and he then went to Baltimore, where
he had charge of the construction of the Mosquito
Inlet Lighthouse on the east coast of Florida and
spent three years. Since that time he has been Superintendent of Lighthouse District, No. 4, with his
headquarters at Philadelphia. The daughter is now
the wife of Lesley A. Buel, to whom she was married in 1887, and resides in Minneapolis, Kan.
Albert was completing his studies in the Agricultural College when stricken by a fatal illness, from
which he died June 1, 1883; Sherman is also deceased, having breathed his last, December 29,
1877, in Highland Township.
Mr. Bamber is and always has been a Republican, and has taken an active part in local political
affairs.  He has been School Inspector several
terms, and has held various township offices. He
was formerly connected with the Grange and he is
always interested in those movements which promise to promote the welfare of society, and increase
the prosperity of the community. He and his wife
have a large circle of acquaintances, and their
friends are many and true.
LIVER H. P. GRIGGS is a well-known and
influential farmer living in Avon Township.
He is one of twelve children born to Philip
P. and Rebecca (Cane) Griggs. With one exception the children lived to years of maturity, and
the one who passed away before attaining to manhood was ten years old when called hence. Six
are now living, all in New York except our subject. The parents were born in Connecticut and
New York respectively, and the one was of Welsh
and the other of German extraction. Philip Griggs
went from his native State to Vermont, and thence
to New York in 1812. When the war began he
was drafted and got in readiness for taking a place






I


- --- ---


in the ranks, but before he left home word arrived
that he was not needed, as "the fight was settled."
The natal day of our subject was March 9, 1820,
and his birthplace what is now Wyoming, but was
then Allegany County, N. Y. He was christened
Oliver Hazzard Perry in honor of the famous naval
commander, whose victory at Put-in-Bay is a landmark in history. He was brought up to farm work
and gave his services to his father until the land
on which they were living was entirely paid for,
then set out in life for himself. He first operated
rented land, then bought a farm, and in 1865 came
to this State and located where he is still living.
His home farm consists of one hundred and forty
acres and he has a tract of nearly two hundred
acres close by. He has the reputation of being as
good a farmer as any in Southeastern Michigan
and his advice is considered sound and reliable.
His farm has been brought to a splendid condition
of tillage and improvement and may well be called
a fine property.
During the'40s Mr. Griggs came to this State to
collect a debt and found it necessary to remain all
winter in order to succeed in getting the sum due
him. He gave his attention to teaching during the
winter and had among his pupils a Miss Lovina
Kelley, to whom he became more attached than to
the others, and whom he won for his wife. She
was the daughter of Charles Kelley, a farmer in
Lapeer County, who had gone thither in 1830 from
Ogden, Monroe County, N. Y. She has shared
the fortunes of our subject since October 19, 1845,
when they became husband and wife. The union
has been blest by the birth of five children: Ellesif L., wife of Franklin Bates, who is engaged in
farming near Grand Rapids; Charles K., who is in
the grain trade in Rochester; Albert G., who operates a farm near his father's; Nellie, wife of Elmer
Carlton, dealer in stationery and wall paper in
Portland, Ore.; and Jessie, who is now in Portland also.
While he resided in New York Mr. Griggs held
various offices. He was School Inspector four or
five years; Township Supervisor two terms and
Justice of the Peace seven years. He has been
nominated for different positions in this State, but
as he works with the minority he has not been




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


597


7-~- --- ---- --- ---- --- ---- --- — I


elected, l)emocracy being the prevailing politics in
his township. He is a stanch supporter of Republican principles and sure that they are best adapted
to the needs of the people and that through them
the country will rise more rapidly than otherwise.
Mr. Griggs is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, has excellent judgment and is withal courteous and agreeable. His counsel is much sought
and his opinions on matters of general interest are
considered worthy of the careful thought of others.
He comes of a long-lived family, the youngest of
the brothers and sisters being now sixty-five years
old, three having passed their threescore years and
ten and two being more than four-score. His father
died in his eighty-fifth year and his mother lived
to be sixty-six.
LFRED WEBB, proprietor of Webb's Parlor Meat Market in Pontiac, established his
f  business in 1867. He has prospered in
worldly affairs and has a nice property,
consisting of a neat little farm of twenty acres and
a fine brick residence of modern architecture on
one of the pleasantest streets of the city. He was
born in Berkshire, England, January 18, 1842, and
was the eighth in a family of ten children born to
William and Caroline Webb, both of whom passed
their days in their native land. The father was a
carpenter and builder. Alfred attended school in
Berkshire up to his eleventh year, when be was variously employed until he decided to seek his fortune in America.
Bidding adieu to the land of his birth young
Webb crossed the Atlantic to New York City,
whence he came direct to Pontiac in the summer of
1862. Soon after his arrival he was employed by
the firm of Fox & Smitll, commission dealers, with
whom he remained about two years. The ensuing
year was spent in the employ of Joseph Thorpe,
who was engaged in the butchering business, and
during that period Mr. Webb became familiar with
all the departments. In 1867 he started in the
business on his own account, forming a partnership
with Albert Jeffrey, under the firm name of Jef

frey & Webb.    The partnership lasted twelve
months, when the associates divided the stock and
Mr. Webb continued the business. He owns a
building 20x90 feet and two stories high, with an
ice-house in the rear on Saginaw Street, No. 10, and
has a large room in which to cut his meats, which
is fitted up with all the latest appliances. He also
supplies his market with ice from his own icehouse. He packs nearly all his meats for home
trade. He has a large run of custom, gained by
his long acquaintance with the people and his honorable dealings with his patrons.
The first wife of Mr. Webb was Eliza Rose, who
was spared to him but four years. She left two
children-George and Emma-tile latter now the
wife of John Whitfield, of Pontiac. The lady who
now presides over Mr. Webb's home was born in
England, but at the time of their marriage was residing in Pontiac. She bore the maiden name of
Harriet Green. This union has been blest by the
birth of four children, three now living, named respectively, Giles A., Edith H. and William P. Mr.
Webb has served two terms in the City Council,
representing the second Ward, and he is now a
member of the Board of Water Commissioners.
Politically he is a stanch Democrat and a firm believer in tariff reform. Socially he is a member of
the Knights of Pythias.
HARLES E. LOVEJOY. Prominent among
the business men of Milford is Mr. Lovejoy
who is engaged in the grocery and crockery
business, and has other interests of importance.
The brick block in which he carries on his trade
was built in 1880 and is large and commodious,
with a lodge room above, while the shelves of the
store are well supplied with the best goods. Mr.
Lovejoy has a farm of eighty-six acres on section 3,
where all necessary improvements have been made,
but he has only a general oversight of the place, it
being operated by a renter. He owns another store
besides the one he occupies.
Mr. Lovejoy is descended from an old Eastern
family, and Washington County, N. Y., was the




598


PORTRAIT AND B3JOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.~I~M


9O


birthplace of his father, Matthew Lovejoy. That
gentleman was but a boy when he came to this
State, and for some time he was engaged in farming
in this county. In 1870 he entered upon a mercantile career in Milford and after a time took his
son, C. E., in as a partner. He died in September,
1881, at the age of fifty-seven years. His father
also spent his last years here and died at the ripe
age of eighty-seven. Matthew Lovejoy married
Ann McCall, a native of Scotland and daughter of
Duncan McCall, an early settler in Highland
Township, this county. She had but one child, the
subject of this notice, and died in 1854 when he
was not yet two years old. The father afterward
married Miss Betsey Eddy, who is now living in
Fenton.
Our subject, born in Milford Township, March
20, 1852, gained some knowledge of farm life during
his boyhood years. He attended the district school
and finished his studies in the High School at Milford and when thirteen years old began clerking
for his father. After four years of business life
he became a member of the firm of Lovejoy &
Son, which carried on business successfully until
the death of the senior member, since which time
affairs have been pushed by our subject alone.
Mr. Lovejoy possesses fine business qualities and
manages to keep himself very busy with the enterprises before mentioned and the insurance business,
collecting and conveyancing. He has been very
successful as a grocery dealer, partly by reason of
the pleasing address which makes him a general
favorite.
At the bride's home in Milford, in 1874, Mr.
Lovejoy was married to Miss Mary Gregg, who
was born in Wayne County, this State, February
21, 1856. The pleasant home has been made still
more attractive by the coming of five children,
named respectively Bessie, Arthur, Scott, Earl and
Beulah. Mr. Lovejoy has been Justice of the
Peace four years and Notary Public for twelve
years. He has been engaged in the insurance
business since 1878, and represents six fire insurance companies. He has long been one of the
Directors of the Milford Fair Association. He has
been in office since he was twenty-two years old,
having served as Township Clerk for a long time,


Trustee six years, and is now filling his second term
as President of the Village. He is interested in
the Ilasonic and Odd Fellows orders, the Royal
Arcanum and tle order Tonti. He is Secretary of
the Masonic lodge and has been for five years,
has three times represented his associate Odd Fellows in the Grand Lodge, and been Regent in the
Arcanum and Treasurer of the Tonti. In politics
he is a Democrat, has been delegate to county and
State Conventions and a member of the County
Central Committee. He is now erecting a house
of modern style of architecture for a family residence in the village of Milford.
-b.         _

ILAS H. DOUGLASS. There are many
pleasant farm homes to be seen in Avon
Township, any one of which a man may
well be proud to own. Among these fine
places is that of Mr. Douglass, whose well-tilled
fields, substantial fences and commodious farm
buildings betoken thrift and good management and
give promise of a prosperous career. The estate
consists of eighty acres, favorably located and
especially adapted to stock-raising. Mr. Douglass
makes a specialty of fine sheep and has some fullblooded Shropshires and other fleece-bearers of
high grades which are well worthy the inspection
of those who are interested in stock. He has also
high grades of cattle, chiefly Short-horns.
As the patronymic indicates, Mr. Douglass is of
Scotch descent. His parents, Samuel and Phebe
(Hopkins) Douglass, were born in New Jersey and
his father always lived in that State. He died January 9, 1853; his widow died at the home of our
subject, August 30, 1882. The parental family
comprised ten children, but three only remain on
earth-Silas H., Ebenezer and Emily. The last
two named are living in Pontiac. Silas Douglass
was born in Morris County, N. J., November 3,
1839, and up to the age of fourteen years lived on
a farm in his native county, his father being an
agriculturist. On the death of that parent he went
to Bureau County, Ill., where he did farm work
with his brother for a few years. In January, 1857,










— ~tL""?J


0


o f




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


601




he came to this county and located on the farm
that he afterward purchased. It belonged to a
widow, Mrs. Corwin, and Mr. Douglass operated it
in her interest until 1865. Since he bought the
place he has continued his systematic work with
good results.
Mr. Douglass was married February 21, 1872,
to Amanda Haun, daughter of Philip H-ann, formerly of New Jersey. The only child born of the
happy union was a son, Samuel, who died in July,
1886, at the age of eighteen months. Mr. Douglass
combines with his farming operations the insurance
business, being Treasurer of the Monitor Insurance
Company, a mutual society of Oakland County, in
which nothing but farm property is insured. He
is a Republican, faithful and unswerving. He belongs to the Knights of the Macabees. lie and his
wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal
Church and wear their religion like an everyday
garment, striving to do their whole duty and walk
uprightly.
HILANI)ER EWELL. It is doubtful if
I Oakland County contains another man of
as advanced years as Mr. Ewell, who takes
so active a part in the affairs of life, and if
any, the number of such must be few. He is now
in his eighty-third year, and is hale and hearty, as
will be seen by a glance at his portrait on the opposite page. He looks after the business of his woolen
mill, keeping his own books, and doing much labor
of a more physical nature. He has been carrying
on the woolen mill almost a score of years and prior
to that time was engaged in farming which he still
conducts. He has borne a part in the civil affairs
of the sections in which lie has lived and has shown
the same consideration for the public as he manifests regarding his own finances, endeavoring to
avoid unnecessary expenditure and prevent extravagance.
The Ewell name was established in America three
generations before our subject, and its originators
were from Scotland. John Ewell, the emigrant,


d


lived to be ninety-four years of age, and his remains were carried to the tomb by four of his
great-grandchildren, he of whom we write being
of the number and the only one now living. The
next in the line of descent was a second John, who
also was born in the old country and was a sea-faring man. In the third generation was Peleg, who
was born September 30, 1784, in the old Bay State
and died March 3, 1860. His wife bore the maiden
name of Clarissa Curtis and was a native of New
York, in which State they established their home.
Philander Ewell was born in Middlebury, N. Y.,
in what is now Wyoming but was then Genesee
County. His natal day was March 3, 1809. He
remained in his native place until he was of age,
then came West and settled in Macomb County,
this State. Hle crossed the lake to Detroit, on a
steamer, at a time when but four boats were engaged in the carrying trade between the lake ports.
Mr. Ewell was engaged in farming until 1869, when
he removed from Macomb to this county and took
charge of the woolen mill. He is a painstaking
and careful manager, who deals honorably with all
and while endeavoring to advance his personal interests, does not forget that others have rights as
well as himself and that their needs should be considered and value given for that received.
Mr. Ewell was mairied to Miss Lydia A. Wells,
October 13, 1831, and had the companionship of
that capable woman until October 17, 1865, when
she was called from time to eternity. Of the union
have been born iiine children-James Nelson, now
living in Macomb County; Amanda Melvina, wife
of Charles Bronson of Stony Creek, this county;
Samuel D., deceased; Andrew Jackson, who lives
in Clinton County; Mary, wife of George Ward,
in Portland, lonia County; Sarah Ann, wife of
Adolph Krolick of Detroit; Viola, widow of J. S.
Crittenden, now living in Montana; George, deceased; and Alexander P., whlo died in infancy.
A second marriage was consummated by Mr. Ewell
March 14, 1867, the bride being Mrs. Sarah M.
Crittenden, who was boin January 5, 1810. This
estimable woman shared his fortunes a decade, then
entered into rest April 13, 1876. She was reared
in the same county as her husband and both attended school together in their youth.




602


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




_


I


In political matters Mr. Ewell has always affiliated with the Democratic party. He was Supervisor ten years while living in Macomb County,
and was a member of the legislature in 1855. At
that time the sessions of that body were but forty
days in length, the people being less extravagant
in legislative affairs than in these later days. Mr.
Ewell is a member of the Universalist Church.
lie has twenty-seven grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren, of whom he is justly proud.
)ICHMOND C. SIMMONS has one of the finest farms and farm buildings to be seen in
Novi Township. It was roughly cleared
land when he took it, covered over with
what Michigan farmers call "cat holes." These
have all been leveled over and filled and he has
done an immense amount of hard work to bring
his property to its present status. His residence is
a large brick building, with handsome tiled roof,
and it is elegantly furnished throughout. He has
also a very good, large barn and his magnificent
orchard of twenty-five acres is not only an ornament but an advantage to his farm. Rows of shade
trees line the farm along the road, and he has all
the modern outbuildings, kept up in good style.
All his property has come from small beginnings.
The father of our subject, Joshua Simmons, was
born in Massachusetts in 1801. His wife was Hannah Macomber and she was also born in Massachusetts in 1807. They were married in New York
and resided there until they came to Michigan in
1826 and settled in Livonia Township, Wayne
County on an unbroken farm. The patent for this
land was signed by President James Monroe, and
dated 1824. Here he built a log shanty with three
sides of logs and one side left open was closed by a
blanket. He slept with his goods the first night
under a basswood tree and his wife slept at the
house of a neighbor one mile away. He arranged
with her that he would fire a gun in the morning
to assure her of his safety as she feared that his life
might fall a sacrifice to the wild beasts. Neighbors
were very few but Indians were abundant and






-- ___


the only roads were Indian trails and the new paths
laid out by the settlers marked by blazed trees.
The nearest mill was Pontiac, twenty-one miles
away. He was a poor man and when he had
paid for his land he had exhausted his means. A
former employer furnished him money for a cow,
which he was to pay for when he could.
This one hundred and sixty acres of land became
the permanent home of Joshua Simmons, and here
he lived for fifty-seven years. He increased his
acreage in time and was for awhile quite a large
landed proprietor. He was a tremendous worker
and hewed the timber for the first mill in Farmingington Townskip, also for the first grain barns that
were erected in Livonia and Plymouth Townships, and for the first gristmill in the latter township. He cleared off one hundred and twenty acres
of his homestead and manufactured much maple
sugar. He killed many a deer and an occasional
wolf, but had no trouble with the Indians as he
treated them with true friendliness. His death
occurred in 1883 but his widow still survives and
makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Caleb
Sprague, in Farmington Township. He was agenerous, open-hearted, open-handed man and was a
stanch Democrat, and with his wife a member of
the Universalist Church. They were the parents
of seven children, six of whom grew to maturity
and five of whom are now living, namely: our
subject, L. W. Morell (widely known as Judge
Simmons), Mrs. Sprague and Mrs. Springer. Their
father at one time acted as Highway Commissioner.
The subject of this sketch was one of the very
first white children born in Livonia Township,
Wayne County, where he first saw the light November 18, 1827. He grew to manhood on the
old homestead. His first school was a select school
taught by his aunt, Mary Macomber. He also attended subscription schools and was a pupil in the
first district school organized there. He remained
at home until he was more than twenty-two years
old.
The marriage of Mr. Simmons and Hulda L.
Powers was solemnized September 5, 1849, by the
Rev. Sylvester Cockrane, a pioneer Presbyterian
minister of that region.  Mrs. Simmons was a
daughter of Ira and Amy (Lapham) Power. Mr.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


603


I1


Power was a native of Farmington, N. Y., where
be was born January 3, 1799, and his wife was
born in Palmyra, N. Y., February 2, 1803. They
were married in New York State in 1824, and coming to Michigan in 1830 settled in Livonia Township, Wayne County, and took up a section of wild
land from the Government. He was a frail, delicate man and unused to hard labor, which, however, he endured with great fortitude. He resided
on his farm until his death, which took place September 21, 1858. He gave to his sons portions of
his large farms and retained two hundred and forty
acres. His widow now eighty-eight years old makes
her home with her son, E. L. Power, in Novi
Township. She has pieced one hundred and twenty
quilts since her seventieth birthday and has quilted
nost of them, some of them  being remarkably
beautiful. More than fifty of them are log cabin
quilts containing over four thousand pieces in each.
She has remarkably strong faculties; she has been
the mother of eleven children, five of whom are
now living, namely: Mrs. Ada M. Lee; A. D.
Power, E. L. Power, Mrs. Simmons, and A. L.
Power. They belonged to the Society of Friends
but later connected themselves with the Methodist
Epicopal Church and, as was natural with this
training, Mr. Power was a Whig and later a Republican. He was deeply interested in education having been a teacher himself and earnestly promoted
the interests of the district schools. Mrs. Simmons'
grandfather, Arthur Power, was the very first settler in Farmington Township, his land occupying
the ground where the village of Farmington now
stands. He gave the name to the township and
village and erected the first residence, the firs' grain
barn, the first sawmill and the first store; he was a
very prominent man and took up over sixteen
hundred acres and settled his sons upon a quarter
section each. His youngest son William lives on
the homestead and the remains of this notable pioneer repose in the little Quaker cemetery in Farmington.
Mrs. Simmons was born July 29, 1830, and was
six weeks old when brought to Michigan. Here
she grew to womanhood and after attending the
common-school went to Northville two years to
study in the select schools. Previous to her mar

riage she taught school in Farmington township.
After their marriage, which event occurred some
forty years ago, this couple made their first home
on the farm where they now reside in a little log
hut of one room. About fifty of their one hundred and fiffy-one acres were cleared and some
rough improvements were made. They have now
one hundred acres under plow and twenty-eight
acres in an unusually fine orchard. Mr. Simmons
built his present home in 1866 at a cost of $8,000
and his large barn in 1883 at a cost of $3,000. Mrs.
Simmons is fond of plants and is very successful
in their cultivation, having a large and choice collection of them. They have given to their children excellent opportunities for education. Their
son William, born in 1851, married Iattie Shoesmith, and lives in Novi Township. They have
three children: William has been a teacher for
years; the third son, Fred, born December 3, 1867,
married Belle Sutton, by whom he has one child.
They make their home in Novi Township. One
daughter died in 1866, aged eleven years and ten
months, and a son, Morell, a man grown, was called
from them by death in 1888; he left a wife and
three children. The mother is a member of the
Northville Presbyterian Church. Mr. Simmons has
always been a temperance man. He votes the Democratic ticket but in local affairs casts his ballot for
the man whose election he believes will do the
most good.
ANIEL KRESSLER is at the head of
one of the largest business enterprises in
Rochester and has been for almost a score
of years one of the potent factors in the financial
prosperity of the place. He is at present carrying
on a planing-mill, sash and door factory, in which
fifteen hands find employment, and he also has lumber and coal yards. As the patronymic indicates,
Mr. Kressler is descended in the paternal line from
Scotch ancestors, and those who are familiar with
the prominent characteristics of the various nationalities would easily be convinced of the fact by
noting his conduct. The earnest heed that he gives




604


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


----- -


I


to his affairs, the careful way in which the
details of the business are managed, and the
strict integrity and justice which he manifests in
his-dealings with his employes and his patrons
give evidence that the Scotch nature is not extinct.
The forefathers of Mr. Kressler came to America during a rebellion in Scotland, and the man
who instituted this branch of the family made his
settlement in Bucks County, Pa. He bought three
farms which he sold after the Revolution for continental money and by reason of the depreciation of
Colonial currency, he lost his entire fortune. He
retrieved it somewhat, so that he was able to bequeath each of his two sons a good farm. The
next in the direct line of descent was George Kressler and following him was Eli, whose early home
was in Pennsylvania, and who was engaged as a
lumberman in that State and in New Jersey. He
lived to a goodly age, passing away in the spring
of 1887, survived by a widow and eight children.
His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Bougher
and she too was a native of the Keystone State.
The good couple were living in Warren County,
N. J., when their son Daniel was born May 21,
1842.
Our subject, prior to his twelfth year, pursued
his studies in the common school in his native
State, but he then went to Phildelphia and continued his studies there until he was sixteen years
old. At that age he became astudent in Bethany
Academy in Wayne County, from   which institution he was graduated in 1858. He learned the
trade of a millwright at Easton, Pa., and remained
in that section, working industriously until five
years had elapsed. He continued to carry on the
craft he had so thoroughly mastered, until 1874.
when he engaged in the sale of lumber and coal.
Two years prior to that time he had come West
and located in Rochester. After a time he added
the mill and factory to his enterprises, being one
of those men who can carry on more than one
trade and get satisfactory work out of those who
enter their service.
The marriage ceremony of Mr. Kressler and
Miss Emma E. Ross was solemnized February 2,
1873, and they have been blessed by the birth of


I




~~ ---. —


six children, named respectively, Ida Belle, Harry
E., George R., Charles S., Milly M. andcllary E.
Mr. Kressler is a member of the Masonic order, in
the work of which he finds some outlet for his
benevolent spirit as well as his social nature. In
politics he is a Republican, although his first vote
was cast for Stephen A. Douglas. He belongs to
the Congregational Church, as does his estimable
wife, and they have an honorable position in the
society that is made up of intelligent and reputable
people.
HEODORE DAHLMANN, Postmaster at
Rochester, is as fine a representative of that
class of Germans who have become thoroughly Americanized and are in full sympathy
with the institutions of this country, as can be
found in Southeastern Michigan. He is himself, a
native of America, but his parents Frederick and
Maria (Gievers) Dahlmann, emigrated from the
fatheiland in 1848. They were natives of Westphalia and Mecklenburg and were drawn hither, as
were many others about the same time, because of
their love of liberty and the too free speech of
which the husband had been guilty.
The Dahlmanns established their home in Queens
County, N. Y., but after a few years removed to
Boston, Mass., and later lived in Newark, N. J.
Mr. Dahlmann came to this State in 1858, located
in Rochester and there continued to work at his
trade-that of a jeweler, until his death. He passed
away June 9, 1889, when he lacked but five days
of being seventy-one years old. The mother of
our subject was his first wife and her death took
place in 1863. Their union has been blessed by
the birth of three children-Theodore, our subject;
Lewis, who is engaged in the woolen factory; and
Fred, a farmer. The second wife of Frederick
Dahlmann was Mrs. Caroline Muller, a German
lady, who survived him. To them were born two
children, Frank and Emelie.
The gentleman with whose name these paragraphs
are introduced was born in Queens County, N. Y.,
February 29, 1852. He worked at the jewelry




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


605


trade with his father at odd times while he was
attending school, and in this way became a practical and efficient workman. hIis education was obtained in the public schools of Rochester and he
took the entire course of study upon the curriculum. He worked at the trade he had learned until
July 3, 1889, when lie entered upon his duties as
Postmaster, a position to which he had been appointed as a partial recognition of his services to
the Republican party, but which he would not have
received had he not been recommended for qualities which fitted him for the place.
Mr. Dahlmain is a man of progressive ideas,
combining with the sturdiness of the ancestral race
that particular spirit that is commonly known as
"young Americanism."  He has been Secretary of
the Agricultural Society of Avon Township, Oakland County, six years, and manifests his public
spirit in various ways. There is no more loyal
Republican to be met with in the county than he.
He keeps himself well informed regarding all matters of general interest, is social and friendly,
and has a good reputation throughout the community.
A  ALEB W. HORTON.        A good example
of persistent industry and good management and of the results obtained thereby,
may be found in the life experience of Mr. Horton,
of the firm of C. W. Horton & Co., dry-goods merchants in Pontiac. From one of the lower rounds
on the financial ladder he has climbed upward until lie now ranks among the most prominent merchants of the city, with a credit that is assured and
enviable. In the establishment which he has in
charge there may be found a full and well-selected
stock of dry goods, carpets, oil cloths and notions,
which are displayed and sold by a full force of
competent clerks. In 1868 he established a store
here under the firm name of J. J. Green & Co.
The present firm has been established here only
since 1888, at which time Mr. Horton bought out
J. J. Green, but the experience of our subject be.
gan some years before.
The parents of our subject were Joseph and Al

mira (Marks) Horton, natives of New York, who
grew to maturity and began their wedded life
there. In 1832 they removed to this county and
located in Farmington Township, where the husband operated two farms for a number of years.
He died in 1876 in his sixty-sixth year, and his
wife passed away abouta twelvemonth later. They
had nine children, eight of whom lived to be adults
and seven survive to the present. Mr. Horton
was a Republican and a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. The Horton family was established in America about 1736, when some who bore
the name came from England and settled on Long
Island.
The gentleman whose life it is our purpose to
outline was born in Farmington, this county, September 2, 1842, and is the third son and sixth child
of his parents. His early days were passed on the
farm in the usual alternation of study and work,
and he remained with his parents until lie was in
his twenty-first year. He then enlisted in Company
D, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, having as his regimental commander Col. R. H. G. Minty. His enlistment was in August, 1862, and he was an
integral part of the Army of the Cumberland. At
the battle of Mission Ridge, in 1863, he was taken
prisoner and sent to Richmond to be confined in
the Pemberton Tobacco House. From that place
of captivity he was transferred to Smith's tobacco
warehouse opposite Libby Prison, where during
the winter many of the captives were frozen to
death. In Februdiry, 1864, lie was taken to Andersonville, and in September of the same year
removed to Milan, Ga. Thence he was sent to
South Charleston, then to Florence, N. C., and
finally to Wilmington, where he was exchanged.
After that happy event he was sent to Annapolis,
Md., and furnished transportation to Camp Chase,
at Columbus, Ohio, where he was discharged and
paid off.
Returning to Farmington. Mr. Horton began his
mercantile experience as a clerk in the store of J. J.
Green. Mr. Green selling his business at Farmington, the firm of J. J. Green & Co. was formed, of
which Mr. Horton was a member, and business was
commenced at Pontiac. The connection lasted
three years, after which Mr, Horton sold out his




606


PORTRAIT AND WJOGR~APRICA~L ALBUM.


66  P


interest in the business and went to Farmington.
He carried on mercantile pursuits there until he was
burned out, after which he returned to Pontiac
and embarked in the retail trade with Mr. Green
for three years; then sold out to Mr. Green and
entered the employ of Edson, Moore & Co., wholesale merchants of Detroit. In 1888 he again hecame a retail dealer in Pontiac. His store is No.
38 North Saginaw Street.
March 20, 1869, Mr. Horton was married to
Miss Loretta M. Lee, a native of this county, and
at the time of her marriage a resident of Farmington. She is the daughter of Ralsman Lee. Her
parents were natives of New York and old settlers
of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Horton have three
children, who are named Rosella, Carl M. and
Grace. They have been carefully instructed in the
principles that should animate all true men and
women, and every effort has been made to develop
their mental powers and fit them for usefulness.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Horton belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Horton is now
Steward and was formerly Superintendent of the
Sunday-school. He is one of the leading members
of the congregation, ready at all times to aid in
Christian work, and he possesses the genuine public spirit that leads him to take an interest in the
upbuilding of the city. Politically, he is a Republican, and socially, a member of Pontiac Lodge No.
21, A. F. & A. M., also at the head of the organization of Foresters. He stands well as a citizen,
and to all loyal men he is more endeared by the
sufferings he endured while in bonds for his devotion to his country.. e _ ---mwiYM' —           '


career than he. He owns two fine farms and considerable property in the town of Rochester, and
for years has been engaged in money-loaning. His
residence is supplied with every comfort and many
of the luxuries of life and every convenience for
the perfect carrying on of the work done there will
be seen upon the land. Mr. Goff is a thorough
and skillful farmer and has an excellent reputation
as a teacher, having devoted several winters to
professional work.
Mr. Goff is a lineal descendant of a man whose
eventful history is familiar to all students of New
England annals, one of its incidents especially being almost as well-known as the nursery tales of
childhood. The man to whom we allude was William
Goff, who was born in England in 1607, and was a
Judge during the reign of Oliver Cromwell. He
was one of those by whom  Charles I. was condemned to death and for whom, dead or alive, a
reward of ~1,000 was offered by Charles II. He
and his associate, Judge Whaley, evaded the English and made their way to America and for a time
were secreted by a Puritan minister in Boston.
Thence they were taken to Hadley where history
tells of Goff's sudden appearance in a strange garb
during an attack made by the Indians, who, thiiking him an angel sent to lead the whites, precipitately fled. Tile two judges finally died on the
banks of the Connecticut River, where they had
long been secreted in what is still known as the
regicides' cave.
Charles Goff, son of Judge William Goff, was
born in Wales and came to Rhode Island about
1700. In his family was a son Comfort, who was
born in 1736, was a soldier during the French and
Indian War and also served in the Revolution.
Three of his sons, Charles, Squire and Comfort,
Jr., also belonged to the Colonial Army. He removed to Western New York and died there in
1814, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years.
One of his sons was Guernsey, who was born at
Haddam, Conn., November 13, 1766. He learned
the trade of a jeweler and carried on that occupation in his native State. He also learned shoemaking, and in 1793 lost an eye by striking it with
his hand whilst drawing a thread through a piece
of leather. The eye ran outand three years after

i     ---         4 ZM   D~   lrrtl      - -
d.                         -~C~      rfn~~L ---


E    DMUND L. GOFF. For more than half a
century this respected resident of Avon
Township has been a factor in the growth
of this State and for nearly forty years he has resided where he now lives, a place located by a
man known as Dutch Miller in 1819. His industrious and well-directed labors have resulted in the
accumulation of property, and few men living in
the vicinity can look back over a more successful




13ORTRAIT A: N1~D BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


607


PI


ward the other was lost, and total blindness necessitated a change in Mr. Goff's occupation. He became
a cooper and was pre-eminently successful at that
trade and became known in Western New York, to
which he removed in 1804, as the "blind cooper."
He possessed decided mephauical genius, and made
poQket-knives, jews-harps and other trinkets. By
strict-economy and untiring perseverance Guernsey Goff acquired considerable property. He was a
member of the Baptist Church for over fifty years.
He died August 6, 1835, and was interred near the
village of East Rush. His wife, Aseneth Brainerd,
was born in Middletown, Conn., September 20,
1772, and died in Rush, N. Y., July 15, 1825.
To the couple above mentioned, while they
were living in Monroe County, N. Y., a son was
born January 6, 1817. He was christened Edmund
L., and was the subject of affection and careful
home-training. He came to this State in 1838,
located near Flin  Gene   nt Gnesee County, and engaged
in the fur trade. In June of the following year
he returned to New York and selling land that he
owned and had formerly operated, in Monroe
County, he again came to Michigan with the intention of making a permanent residence. For five
years he devoted the winter months to school
teaching, the field of his professional labors being
Genesee, Macomb and Oakland Counties. This
profession he had followed in New York in connection with farming before coming to this State.
In 1840 he bought land in Shelby Township, Macomb County, and made that his home for several
years. He finally sold the property and in April,
1852, removed to this county, and established his
home in Avon Township.
March 31, 1844, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Bellows, who was born in
Avon Township, May 8, 1823. She is the second
daughter and fourth child of Ezra and Anna Bellows and her birth was among the earliest in this
county. Her father was born at Bellows Falls,
Vt.. March 22, 1786, and about 1817 removed to
Genesee County, N. Y. Thence he came to this
State in 1822 and died in Macomb County, March
18, 1862. The mother of Mrs. Goff was born near
Three Rivers, in the Province of Quebec, August
1, 1793, and in 1803 went to Vermont to live with


a brother. There she was married. She was of
American parentage. She lived to be eighty-four
years old but breathed her last June 8, 1878.
The record of the children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Goff is as follows: Celia Ann, born in Shelby
Township, Macomb County, January 6, 1845, and
now the wife of F. B. Skrine, a manufacturer, of
Providence, R. I.; Gustavus, born November 17,
1846, was a member of Company H, Eighteenth
Michigan Infantry and died in the army July 5,
1862; Gilbert, born January 31, 1849, is now
farming near Utica, this State; Charlotte V., born
October 16, 1851, is the wife of William Powell
and lives in Rochester; Ellen E., born March 20,
1855, is the wife of Marshall Shoup, of Rochester;
Eva A., born January 7, 1859, died August 20,
1873; Lewis B., born July 10, 1861, is operating
the homestead.
The sterling qualities of Mr. Goff have given
him prominence and his influence is strong and extended. He is decided in his likes and dislikes
and in his expression of his views, but is willing to
give others the privilege he claims for himselfthat of a frank expression of opinion with a reason
for the same. He voted for William Henry Harrison in 1840, and was a Whig until the party was
disintegrated, and since the organization of the
Republican party he has given it his faithful allegiance. Mr. Goff and the wife who has been his
cherished companion for many years are as well
know as any residents in the eastern part of the
county and number as many sincere friends in their
circle of acquaintances. Mr. Goff has been identified with the Universalist Church for over fifty
years.
ILLIAM      COTCHER. This gentleman is
one of the successful farmers of Pontiac
Township and his life affords a lesson
of encouragement to those who begin their career without capital.  He had nothing but the
powers of his mind and body with which to undertake the battle of life, and lie necessarily saw some
hard times while fighting for a place in the world.
He now stands on a solid financial basis with a




608


PORTRAIT AND BI~OGRAPHICAL ALBUIM.


PT


fine property, and occupies a well-regulated farm
on section 1, consisting of two hundred and thirty
acres of land. He has one thousand rods of tile
on the eighty he first purchased. Tie additional
acreage was bought in 1881, and all is well developed and well stocked.
Mr. Cotcher was born on the Isle of Man, October 6, 1827, and his parents, John and Isabella
(Loony) Cotcher, were natives of the same island,
the one born in 1798, and the other in 1802.
They emigrated to America when their son William was an infant six months old, and made their
home in New York for a time. In 1846 they
came to this State and established themselves in
West Bloomfield Township, this county. The
father died in 1873, and the mother in 1888.
Both held membership in the Methodist Episcopal
Church.  They had eleven children, seven of
whom are now living.
Our subject received his education in the district school, studying in New York and this St:Lte
as opportunity offered. About the time he became
of age he worked for Judge Green, of West Bloomfield Township, by the month for about a year,
and then lie took the job of clearing and breaking
forty acres of land, which was part of a large farm
bordering on Orchard and Cass Lakes and owned
by the Judge. He completed the work according
to contract in four years, and he then spent another
twelvemonths in the Judge's employ. He has always felt grateful to that gentleman for the interest manifested by him in the welfare, present and
future, of his employe. Mr. Cotcher hoarded his
resources in order to buy land, and as soon as lossible secured eighty acres, which was at that time
a thorough wilderness. Many hard blows were
needed before the trees and stumps were removed
and the soil under good tillage but, little by little,
it was transformed into a well-improved farm.
April 15, 1858. Mr. Coteher was married to Miss
Elizabeth McCullum, daughter of Archibald and
Mary McCullum. The daughter was born in Scotland February 6, 1838, and accompanied her parents to this country in 1850, their home being
made near Orchard Lake, in this county. Mrs.
McCullum died here in 1867, and her husband survived until 1873. Our subject and his good wife


have eight children, who are named respectively:
Archie, William, Fred, Angus, George, Charles,
Maggie and Ella. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cotcher belong to the Baptist Church and are held in high
esteem for their sterling qualities. Mr. Cotcher
votes the Democratic tioket. For four years he
has been Justice of the Peace.
CTAVIUS ROBINSON, a farmer of Bloomfield Township, was born in White Lake
Township, this county, October 21, 1854.
His father, Octavius, and his mother Ann (Mills)
Robinson, were natives of Lincolnshire, England,
where the father was born in 1815. They came to
America in 1840, and settled in Oakland County,
and for about four years the father worked out by
the month. tIe then bought a farm in White Lake
Township, and there spent the remainder of his
years. He had no means when he came here, but
by judicious investment and frugal industry, acquired an estate worth $23,000. Both he and his
excellent wife were devout members of the Episcopal Church. Ile held several town offices, and
was a Democrat in his political views. His death
took place, May 19, 1871, and his wife survived
him until May 5, 1873, when she (lied at the age
of fifty-nine years.
This worthy couple had only two children; our
subject was the younger; his sister, Rosamond, was
born May 3, 1841, and became the wife of John
Walls, now deceased, of Orchard Lake, this county.
By him she became the mother of eight children.
She is now the wife of Benjamin Johnson, of Santa
Rosa, Cal. Our subject was reared on his father's
farm in White Lake, this county, and received
a common-school education. Farming has been his
principal occupation, although for about a year he
eugaged in the mercantile business at Waterford.
He remained on the old home until the death of his
parents, when the place was sold. He then removed
to Pontiac in 1888 and a few months later bought
his present farm of ninety-nine acres, and moved
onto it in October the same year. He was educated
in the Pontiac schools, and Bryant & Stratton's Com



0




f,, f!f
i U


P i&&


'J


2-.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


611


-I-` — -


I.mercial College at Detroit. He is keeping blooded
stock and is gradually turning his attention in that
way, and will probably make it his specialty.
Mr. Robinson was united in marriage, June 22,
1876, witli Miss Abigail Windiate, who was born
in Bloomfield Township, this county, and is a daughter of David and Betsey (German) Windiate. This
worthy couple are devoted and worthy members of
the Episcopal Church. Three children have blessed
their home, namely: Olive 0., Lutie and Ross. Mr.
Robinson is a Democrat in his political views, and
is identified with the Free and Accepted Masons,
and the Royal Arch Masons. Also with the Knights
of the Maccabees.
t ~OBERT     GARNER.      Among the leading
Residents of White Lake Township is the
~\  subject of this sketch, whose portrait is
shown on the opposite page. He has now
passed the limit of four-score years, and in a hale
and hearty old age still continues his interest in
the welfare of the world. He has in many ways
aided in improving the community in which he
lives, but has never limited himself to local matters. He was an Abolitionist, and is now an earnest
Prohibitionist, and hopes to live to see the day
when strong drink will be banished from our
country.
Robert Garner is a son of Thomas, who in turn
was a son of Thomas, a native of Ireland, of
Scotch descent, his father having come from  that
country during the time of persecution.  The
father of our subject was born in 1756, and came
to America in 1801, settling in Sussex County,
N. J. During his twenty-four years' residence in
that State the following children were born: Elizabeth, John, Nancy, George, Robert and Jane
(twins), Ann and Thomas. When quite advanced
in years he went to Steuben County, N. Y., and
lived in Putney for eight years. He then came to
Michigan and made his home in White Lake
Township.
While in Ireland Mr, Garner was a manufacturer




of fine linens, but after coming to this country he
followed mostly milling and farming. When he
came to Michigan he took fro'm the Government,
in the name of his children, some six hundred and
forty acres of fine land. He never owned any
land in Michigan in his own name, but made his
home with his son Thomas. He was engaged in
the Irish Rebellion, and for three years carried
with him a document inciting the people against
the British Government and urging them to set up
one for themselves. He died September 2, 1838,
and was the first old person to be buried in White
Lake Township. His wife, Ann Crawford, was
also descended from the Scotch who fled their
country during a period of persecution. She was
born in Ireland in 1770, and died in May, 1861, at
the advanced age of ninety-one years.
Robert Garner was born September 2, 1810, in
Hardiston, Sussex County, N. J. He removed
with his parents, as before stated, to New York
and Michigan, and upon coming to this State purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, but
before settling upon it, returned to Steuben
County, N. Y., and secured his wife. She was
Mary E., daughter of Andrew and Mary (Ackinson) Armstrong. The father was of Scotch descent and the mother of German blood. The marriage of-our subject took place May 21, 1833. To
Mr. and Mrs. Garner have been born two sons
and nine daughters-Jane B., Margaret and Mary
(twins), Mary J., Levina, Andrew, Ann, Mattie,
Charles C., Ada M. and Clarissa B. Four only of
these children now survive.
Our subject has added to his acreage from time
to time, and at one period owned four hundred
acres in White Lake, and owned altogether more
than nine hundred acres.  He is actively interested in the breeding of Guernsey cattle. In
early life he was a Democrat and voted for President Jackson, but he became a Whig, and when
the question of Abolition was agitated he went
heart and soul into its merits, and voted that
ticket until 1848. Later he voted for the Free
Soil party, and joined himself to the Republican
party when it was formed. He is always wideawake to the interests of humanity, is an earnest
promoter of temperance movements, and for fifteen




612


PORTRAITI AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


61  PRI        N  IGAHCLABM


years he has been a Prohibitionist. He has never
aspired to office, but has often been named for
positions of trust. He was a candidate for Senator, and was also at one time named for the Legislature by the Republican party. He is a Granger
and a Patron of Industry. In his early life he was
in the communion of the Presbyterian Church, but
at present, although not adhering to any church,
still cherishes his Christian faith, and is in favor
of the union of all Christains. At one time he
joined with Erastus Hopkins and his brothers
Thomas and John Garner to build a union church,
which was known as the White Lake Church.
Since it has not been needed for religious meetings,
it is used for Prohibition meetings.
The subject of this sketch has always been an
enterprising man. He subscribed $1,000 to the
Milwaukee Railroad, and was one of the Directors
of the plank road to be built from White Lake to
Novi, but this was never completed. He also had
stock in the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad. He
now has two hundled and forty five acres of land,
and has lately invested in the Tennessee Land
Company at Harryman. He also owns two and
one-half lots in Harvey, two miles south of Chicago, 11., and owns forty shares in the Demorest
Land Company in Georgia.
About five years ago Mr. Garner erected to
himself a monument of white bronze in the White
Lake Cemetery. It stands sixteen feet in height,
and cost something over $500. He has been a
liberal giver to Church causes, and especially to
Missionary enterprises.  He gave at one time
$1,000 to the American Missionary Association,
and has donated liberally to it for for forty-five
years. He was Superintendent of the first Sundayschool west of Pontiac in this county.
HILO C. DAVIS. The late Mr. Davis was
a potent factor in the development of Pontiac Township for thirty years and attained
to one of the most influential standings in
the community. In 1854 he bought a farm on
section 36, and there he lived until his sudden


removal from the earth life November 23, 1886,.
His estate consisted of two hundred acres of
choice land, and there had been built upon it
good barns and other outhouses and an attractive
residence.
Mr. Davis was born in Sweden, Oneida County,
N. Y., August s0, 1825. His father, Jehiel Davis,
was born in Wilbraham, Mass., July 12, 1787,
and his mother, Lydia (Bentley) Davis, in New
York November 30, 1792. The father served for
a short time during the War of 1812. He removed to this county in 1831, and located in
Troy Township, where he entered and cleared up
a farm. He was bereft of the wife of his youth
September 12, 1842, and his own demise occurred
in 1875.
The son was six years old when the removal to
this county took place and his recollections are
chiefly of scenes and incidents in this State. He
attended the district school and gained a fair
share of knowledge, and upon reaching his majority began to improve al eighty-acre tract in Mayfield Township, Lapeer County, which was given
him by his father. He built a house and barn
and had cleared thirty acres when he decided
to sell. During the seven years he spent there,
he taught a district school during the winter seasons. Thence he returned to this county and established himself on the farm before mentioned,
which he brought to a high state of development.
In 1854 Mr. Davis was united in marriage with
Miss Mahala Vosburg, daughter of Richard and
Aurilla (Thompson) Vosburg. She was born in
Columbia County, N. Y., in 1831, and accompanied
her parents to this State when eight years old.
Mr. Vosburg settled in Lapeer County and died
there about 1874, some five years after his wife
had passed away. Mrs. Davis is the only one of
their five children now living. She has borne her
husband six sons and daughters, named respectively: Aurilla, Florence, Arthur, Ward, Eliza and
Richard. The eldest married Marion Short, a
traveling salesman, and their home is in Pontiac:
Florence became the wife of Judson Wyman and
lives in Auburn; the others are still at home.
Mr. Davis gave his allegiance to the principles
of Democracy and was a prominent Mason. For




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


613


~ __ ~_I


more than twenty 3 ears he acted in the capacity
of Township Supervisor and for a considerable
length of time he was Justice of the Peace. He
exerted much influence on the side of law and
order and was a promoter of cordial feeling and
liberality'. He was, in fact, a representative citizen, honest, clever and open-handed.
DAM    REID, one of the influential and
ihighly respected citizens of Southfield
Township, is known far and wide as a man
of excellent judgment and many attractive
traits of character. His influence in the community is always for harmony and friendship and
lie has been named "the Peacemaker" by his neighbors. He was born in Ballymoney Parish, Ireland,
September 22, 1823. His father, Peter, was a large
farmer in County Antrim. He also operated a
gristmill on his farm and lived to the extreme age
of ninety years. He was twice married and reared
a large family. His second wife Jennie Neal, the
mother of our subject, had four children, three of
whom came to America in 1847, namely: Peter,
Adam and Samuel.
Adam Reid, received his schooling in the old
country and was twenty-three years old when he
came to America. He landed in New York City
and thence went to West Bloomfield, Essex County,
N. J., where he began work by the month at $5 per
month. He remained there one year, and then returned to New York City, where he found employment in a sugar refining business. Five years later
in 1853 he came to Michigan. He had saved $450
of his earnings and was now ready to buy a farm.
He bought twenty acres of land on section 25,
Southfield Township, paying $335 for it. There
was a small house on the place. He worked his
farm and worked out for others by the day at fifty
cents a day, doing anything which came to his
hand. Two years later he purchased forty acres
on section 36 of his brother Peter, only about
three or four acres were cleared. In 1861 he bought
forty acres which he also cleared and improved.
In 1865 he added sixty acres more to his already


large farm and in 1881 he added one hundred and
sixty acres more. This last purchase was in Saginaw County and somewhat later he sold eighty
acres of that, and in 1883 he purchased forty acres
on section 36, Southfield Township, which he has
sold at a profit. He also owns eighty acres in
Royal Oak Township. His cow barn 75x30 feet in
dimensions is one of the finest in the county. He
is now preparing to put up another barn 40x80
feet.
The marriage of Mr. Reid took place in 1852.
He was then happily united with Sarah McKinley,
a native of the same place as himself. This worthy
couple are the happy parents of eight children,
three of whom are now living, namely: David
N., Peter, and Adam S. The first named son is
serving as Justice of the Peace. Mr. Reid sells
the milk from twenty-five cows.  le is a Republican in politics and his religious home is with the
United Presbyterian Church
J" OSEPH J. BIRD is the son of one of the early
pioneers who came to Michigan in the early
days when blankets were made to do service
for doors, and when Indians, deer and
wolves were the most numerous and attentive
neighbors. Our subject is a son of Gardner Bird
whose father lived in MIassachusetts. Gardner was
born in Massachusetts in 1802. At an early age
he went to New York and lived a short time in
Ontario County, where he was married to Eliza
Johnson. Eight children blessed this union, namely:
Alvira, Darwin, Albert, Melvina, Joseph, Elizabeth, Marcus and Mary, who are all living except
three. The four elder children were born in New
York.
Gardner Bird came to Michigan in 1831, and
took up a farm of one hundred and twenty acres
from the Government in Webster Township,
Washtenaw County. After a few years he removed
to Pleasant Valley, Brighton Township, Livingston
County, where he took two hundred and forty acres
from the Government, which now belongs to his
son Albert, On this farm, Mr. and Mrs. Bird re.




614


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- —  ---- --


mained until their decease. She was called from
earth in 1854, and he died in 1883. He was a Whig
and finally a Republican but never aspired to public offices. He was always a farmer and saw many
hard times after he came to Michigan. He plowed
the first furrow that was turned in Brighton Township and put up the second log house there. In
one season he killed forty deer and often shot wild
turkeys. He was a great huntsman and at one time
with one shot killed two wild turkeys as he stood
with his gun at the window. He was a hard working man and broke many acres of land. At his
death he was the owner of two hundred and forty
acres of land.
The subject of this sketch was the first white
child born in Brighton Township, Livingston
County, Mich. The date of his advent is October,
22, 1834. He worked for his father and went to
school until he was twelve years old. After that
he had no schooling in the summer. He was married in his native township, November 24, 1850.
His bride was Elizabeth, daughter of Job Cranson,
and Mary L. (Hyde) Lenox a native of Madison
County, N. Y. The parents of Mrs. Bird had five
children, namely-Jane, Elizabeth, Celestia, Linus,
and Lester, only two, Elizabeth and Celestia lived
to mature years; the latter is deceased. Elizabeth
the wife of our subject was born June 30, 1838, in
Brighton, Livingston County, Mich. Her father
had a fine farm there and in Milford Township.
lle finally sold his land and went to Fenton, in
1867, and engaged in the banking business in 1870.
This he followed until his death in 1882. He was
a Democrat in early life but became a Republican
after the organization of that party.
Joseph J. Bird after marriage worked on the
farm by the year but soon decided to buy a farm
from Mr. Cranson. At the end of the second year
he came to Highland Township, Oakland County,
and in 1861 purchased a farm of two hundred and
forty acres; this is the farm referred to above.
Here he made his home for about five years when
he went to Wisconsin and purchased one hundred
and eighty-eight acres. But he remained there
only nine months when he sold out and returned
to Brighton, Mich. IHe worked his father's farm
for three years and then returned to the farm


which he had purchased in Highland Township,
Oakland County. Here he now resides, having
two hundred and forty acres, a large part of it well
improved and having placed upon it a beautiful
house, excellent barns and all necessary outbuildings. He is a general farmer and stock-raiser and
he and his three sons are sturdy Republicans.
The three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Bird are bright,
enterprising young men, a credit to their parents
and to the community in which they live. Clayton
J., born October 10, 1859, is a farmer in Highland
Township, as is also Arthur C,, who was born May
22, 1864. This second son graduated at the age
of nineteen years at the Lansing Agricultural College and lie is a teacher as well as a farmer. Harry
L., was born September 23, 1869. He is still pursuing his studies at Ann Arbor where he will graduate in )harmacy in the Class of '91.
<jI  IILLIALM  I. NOTT, who was formerly en\\Av/I gaged in farming in Pontiac Township,
W\    was born in Cornwall, England, October
23, 1823, and died in this county, July 14, 1871.
HIe was reared as a farmer near the city of Cornwall and received a fair education by walking four
miles to a select school. He firmly believed that in
America he could better his condition and when
of age he embarked for the New World. He
landed in Canada, where he remained about two
years working out. He then crossed into New
York and found employment, and finally engaged
in farming there. He was married in 1854 and soon
after removed to this State and ere long became
the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of land on
section 23, Pontiac Township. He went in debt
for the land, but worked hard, lived economically
and prospered.
The wife to whom Mr. Nott owed the comfort
of his home and much good counsel, as well as the
assistance secured by her prudent management,
bore the maiden name of Electa Cook. She was
born in New York in 1836 andl is a daughter of
Hosea B. and Jerusha (FHosmer) Cook. Her mother
died years ago. She received her primary educa







"i' 41 c -p IC1IYI ae,.~i
~;
l.i
I
-- av2l~r~r;,l,
,,~
'dMIPJ:;4*W c~ rrruu? ziJ:
b s
f~c
4
i%'"i''
rl
v~~~, I P'
r'C i~
'' ~~Fia, ~
i 
r
p )?
r?~
i ' '
3Y
'i,
F
*r~ilri"~lnJ '?' '''"
6 rl,r.UdV( ' T
~.'J~i
"' k".
I.,,,,
~" ":
"j ~I

X,~,I
' p,
I; 
'"'
i,'i;f'
ril:
r:Cf
'' '
~ ~




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


617


tion in the district school in Chautauqua County
and for two years pursued more advanced studies
in an academy for young ladies. She is a woman
of superior intelligence and since the death of her
husband has demonstrated the fact that business
ability is not confined to the stronger sex. She has
energy and the plucky spirit that does not give up
to discouragement, combined with the faculty of
making a true home, pleasant and attractive.
The marriage of Mr. Nott and Miss Cook was
solemnized at the bride's home on October 3, 1853
and to them there came six children, two of whom
died in infancy and one in later years. The survivors are Plymouth R., a prosperous farmer in Oakland Township; Olive, wife of Emanuel German, a
farmer in Bloomfield Township; Stephen W., who
is married and owns a farm adjoining the homestead. Edna, wife of Elmer Williamson died December, 1884. Until within the last few years Mrs.
Nott managed the farm left by tier husband. During his life she shared with him in good works and
sympathized in his undertakings and religious bon.
victions; since she has been left a widow she has
gone on her way in the same path of well-doing.
ILLIAIMI BEATY. This venerable man is
widely and favorably known, as he has
been identified with the interests of this
county since 1836 and has been a potent factor in
bringing its agricultural affairs to their present
point. He has not devoted his time entirely to
farm work but that has been his chief occupation,
and he is the more deserving of representation in a
biographical album on account of the success, financial and moral, that has attended him. lie began
tile battle of life without other equipment than his
natural strength of mind and body and the limited
education obtained in a village school. He is now
one of the wealthiest men in Waterford Township,
and, better than all else, he can look back over a
life that has been passed in usefulness and well
doing, as lie has never been a slave to a single vice
and has always dealt fairly with his fellowmen. A


portrait of this respected pioneer accompanies this
brief record of his life.
Mr. Beaty was born in Bucks County, Pa.,
March 5, 1808, and is one of the six children that
made up the family of Isaiah and Mary (Coder)
Beaty. Four of the family circle are still living.
The father was born in New Jersey but went to
the Keystone State when quite young and made
that his home many years. He subsequently lived
with our subject in New York several years, and
still later came to this State, where he died. His
widow survived him a few years and each was more
than fourscore years old when called hence. Mrs.
Beaty was born in Germany and came to America
with her parents. The son of whom we write was
reared on a farm, and attended school in the village
of Quakertown. When he was eighteen years of
age he went to Cayuga County, N. Y., and became
a weaver.
After several years of residence in New York
Mr. Beaty set out for Michigan in 1835. He lived
in Adrian a year, then came to this county and
bought land near Strait's Lake. There he built a
log house and cleared and improved a farm. During early years he did his marketing in Detroit,
making the trip to and fro with ox teams. He was
quite fond of hunting and also fished a good deal.
About 1860 he removed to Pontiac, where he lived
ten years engaged in various occupations. During
his residence there he held the important office of
Street Commissioner. In 1870 he bought a fine
farm on section 36, Waterford Township, and located thereon. The property bolders on Otter and
Timber Lakes, among the most beautiful sheets of
water in the State, and the elegant modern residence built by Mr. Beaty in 1881 occupies a spot
of ground from which the blue waters may plainly
be seen. Many marked improvements have been
made upon the farm since Mr. Beaty took possession of it, and the evidences of refined taste are
manifest.
In 1833 Mr. Beaty and Miss Furna Wheeler were
joined in wedlock, and for more than fifty years
they shared life's blessings. Mrs. Bleaty exchanged
time for eternity in 1884. The only child of the
union died in infancy. In 1886 Mr. Beaty made
a second marriage, wedding Mrs. Eliza Mack, an




618


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- --


estimable lady, who presides with gracious dignity
and cordial hospitality in the beautiful home. By
her former marriage she has one daughter: Carrie
M., who has been legally adopted by our subject.
In an early day Mr. Beaty became the owner of
eight hundred acres of fine land in Montcalm
County, which he held several years and sold at a
large advance on its original cost. For over twenty
years he was Postmaster at Strait's Lake. He has
been a stanch Republican since the party was organized, and he has a broad knowledge of party
policy and public affairs on which to base his political faith. He has been a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church at Pontiac for many years, and
he has an excellent reputation far and wide. He
built the gravel road running from Pontiac to
Orchard Lake, and has in every way possible aided
the development of this section of the country.
6HADDEUS A. SMITH is senior member of
the firm of Smith & Roe, proprietors of the
Hotel Hodges in Pontiac. The house is an
old established one, known for many years as the
Hodges House, and has been managed by Mr. Smith
but a comparatively short time. He bought the
property in 1888, repaired and refitted the hotel,
and made it in appearance as it is in patronage,
the principal hotel in the place. He put in a steamheater and electric lights and other first-class appointments. The rooms are large and well furnished, the table first class, and the service efficient.
Mr. Smith enjoys an extensive patronage and is
well known to the traveling public. He has had
an experience in hotel-keeping of a score of years
and combines with his knowledge of the business
the cordial manners and intelligent mind of a wellbred gentleman.
Mr. Smith is of English descent in the paternal
line and his maternal ancestors came from HIolland.
His father, Ira D. Smith, was born in Connecticut,
and his mother, Sarah (Snyder) Smith, in New
York. Grandfather Snyder emigrated from Holland and Grandmother Snyder was born on the
island of Nantucket. Ira Smith was married il


Columbia County, N. Y., and in 1844 removed to
this State and located on a farm near Pontiac. He
lived in that vicinity until his death in 1863. His
wife survived him twenty years. Of the nine children born to them five are living, Thaddeus A.
being the second in order of birth. He was born
in Columbia County, N. Y., October 25, 1823, and
when about six years of age moved with his parents to Livingston County, Western New York. In
1844 he followed his parents to this State and became connected with the hotel business. Eie kept
an inn at Commerce, this county, until 1877, after
which he was variously engaged for some five years.
He then resumed his former business in Pontiac.
In 1851 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Maria
Shattuck, a native of New York and a daughter of
Lyman Shattuck. They have had three children,
the second of whom, Marion, diet when five years
old. The first-born, Alice L., is the wife of DeWitt W. Grow and lives in Bay City. Kittie B.
married Charles Roe. Jr., who is a partner in the
hotel and also is partner in a jewelry business in
Detroit, living in Pontiac, however.
Mr. Smith held the office of Township Clerk
some twelve years, was Supervisor two years and
Register of Deeds four years. He was elected on
the Democratic ticket and always cast his influence
with that party. He belongs to Commerce Lodge,
No. 121, F. &. A. M., Milford Chapter, R. A. M.,
and Pontiac Commandery, No. 2, K. T.
L-==. v:   a r. e —
AVID PATCHETT, one of the pioneers
of this county is a farmer on section 10,
Bloomfield Township, and was born April
6, 1808, in Lincolnshire, England. His
parents, John and Mary (Hurry) Patchett, came to
America and lived oil the farm now occupied by
their son where they spent the remainder of their
lives. They were members of the Church of England and the parents of sixteen children, eight of
whom lived to the age of maturity.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the
farm in England and received ully common advantages for education. When thirteen years old he




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


619


began to make his own living and was married at
the age of twenty-three years. He was a farmer
while in England and in 1838 he and his wife with
three children sailed for America. The voyage
lasted for five weeks and three (lays, and sore
affliction was theirs on the way, as they were called
to lay one of their little ones in a watery grave
while on the voyage. They landed in New York
City with their surviving children and came
directly by rail to Detroit and from there to Birmingham. After remaining there for two and a
half years he bought seventy-nine acres where he
now lives, in 1840, and for nine years resided in an
old log cabin.
Mr. Patchett then built his present home which
he has now occupied almost forty years. When he
bought the farm there were not more than twenty
acres cleared. He now owns one hundred and
thirty acres of land all in one body. When he
came to America he had no means and began working by the month. He thus got his first start
toward his present prosperity. He has pursued
farming all his life and until this spring he has
superintended and worked his own farm.  Ile is
now eighty-three years of age and has always been
a hard worker and has enjoyed excellent health.
The political views of Mr. Patchett are in accordance with the platform of the Republican party,
and he cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison. He has filled to the acceptance of his fellowcitizens several township and school offices. On
June 6, 1831 he married Elizabeth Trollope of
Lincolnshire, England, where she was born December 1, 1811. Slhe is a daughter of Thomas and
Mary (Squires) Trollope, of England, who came to
America and settled in Birmingham, this county,
and resided there until their death.
Nine children form the family of Mr. and Mrs.
Patchett. They are: Mary, deceased, who was
the wife of Clark Pearsall, and the mother of five
children; Cassius, George, Alice, Fred, Mary; John
died in infancy; Thomas who died in infancy while
crossing the Atlantic in 1838; Jane also died in
infancy; Sarah, the wife of Joseph Allen in this
county, a sketch of whom appears in this volume;
Robert, who died when eighteen years old; Eliza,
the wife of William Hagerman, residing at Bloom

I
I


field Center, who has three children, Mary, Edwin
and Blanche; Ellen, the wife of Fred King of
Bloomfield, who has five children-Grace, Mary,
Arthur, Mabel and Bertha; and Emma, wife of
Aaron Heacock who Iias seven children —Minnie,
Sarah, Robert, Grace, Edwin, Alta and Luther. Mr.
and Mrs. Patchett are suitably proud of their children and especially of their twenty beautiful grandchildren. Mrs. Patchett is a worthy member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church with which she has
been connected for over fifty years.
AMES VAN EVERY, a prosperous and representative farmer of Bloomfield Township
was born in Wayne County, Mich., in the
town of Ham Tramick, on the farm where
the Detroit City water works are now located. His
natal day was September 18, 1822. His parents,
Peter and Amy (Deer) Van Every, were natives of
New York State, and the father was in the War of
1812, and was present when Gen. Hull's army surrendered.
After that war he located in Ham Tramick,
Wayne County, Mich., where he resided until
1837, when he traded his property for a tract of
about fifteen hundred acres near Franklin, Oakland
County.   Here lie settled and built a gristmill
which is still standing. This mill has been in the
family for three generations, as it was managed
by the father of our subject and after him by his
son Peter, and it is now owned and managed by
his son Peter, a nephew of our subject.
The father and mother of James Van Every,
passed their lives at Franklin. Besides carrying
on farming the father managed a large mercantile
business at Franklin and for a few years after coming to Michigan he engaged in the meat and also
in the hotel business in Detroit. He was a thorough
business man and well educated, being unusually
well informed. He had a State reputation as a
politician and was for a number of years a member
of the  Michigan   Territorial Legislature from
Wayne County, and at the time Michigan was ad



620


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM



=




mitted to the Union as a State he was a member
of its Legislature. He was a prominent man in
every way, and was always kept in one or another
official capacity. He was very strong in his Democratic principles in his early days, but finally became a Whig and later was an earnest adherent of
the principles of the Republican party. He was
at one time a man of considerable wealth but lost
most of his means before death. He died December 23, 1859, at the age of sixty-four years. His
wife survived until 1875 when she completed her
four-score years.
The parents of our subject had fourteen children,
named: Peter, Polly, William, Martha, James, Andrew J., Susan, Amy, John, George, Louisa, Lavinia, Walter, and an infant who died unnamed.
James is the eldest survivor of the family. He was
reared on his father's farm in Wayne County, and
received a common.school education. In 1837 he
came to Franklin, this county, with his parents,
remaining with them, and giving them the benefits
of his labors until his majority, when he then engaged in various pursuits around Franklin until
1849. He then bought his farm of one hundred
and sixty acres and has since given all his attention to farming- He has a good residence and several excellent barns. His farm was the first one
taken from the Government in Bloomfield Township, Gen. Wing being the man who pre-empted
it. Wing Lake, upon which the residence is located is named for the General.
James Van Every was attracted to California in
1852 by the gold excitement and remained there
until June, 1855. He engaged in mining all the
time he was there and met with only ordinary success. As a farmer he is thorough and skillful and
has always achieved success. In 1882 he left his
farm and moved to Birmingham where he lived
until the spring of 1890, when he returned to the
farm. He has been Township Treasurer and Justice of the Peace and is a Democrat in his political
principles.
Our subject was married October 30, 1841, to
Caroline Durkee, of this township, where she was
born July 18, 1825. Her parents, Wilkes and Maria
(Weed) Durkee, came to Michigan in 1823. A
sketch of the Durkee family will be found in an

I
I


I


I —


other place in this work. Five children were the
result of this union. They are Mary, wife of
George Finister of Detroit, who has one daughter
Nellie; Martha A., deceased, was the wife of
Mathew Baldwin, of Genesee County, Mich., who
had one child, Eddie, who has died; Amy L., died
in infancy; Lillian J., wife of Harvey Higby, of
Wichita, Kan., has three children, Carrie, James
and Addie. James the youngest child and only
son of Mr. Van Every, is attending commercial
college at Detroit.
RANCIS A. EMMENDORFER, a farmer
on section 15, West Bloomfield Township,
is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he
was born January 10, 1829. His parents were
George and Eva (Mark) Emmendorfer. The father
was a butcher and kept an eating house at Funfstetten. He was a man of considerable means at
one time but lost most of his property before his
death, which occurred in Germany. The mother
still survives, having reached the extreme old age
of one hundred and two years.
The subject of this sketch was one of eight children, who were named John, Lena, George, Michael,
Sophia, Francis A., Xavier and Victoria. Francis
spent his boyish days in helping his father and attending school in his native town. When nineteen
years of age he went into the German army. During the three years he spent in the army lie was
sent all through Turkey, Russia and Italy.
The young German came to America in 1852,
bringing with him his brothers, George and
Michael. They had $400 each and loaned tile
money to a man in Buffalo, N. Y. They could not
speak English and were easily imposed upon and
lost every cent of their money. They had bought
eighty acres of land near Lockport, N. Y., but
owing to the loss of their money had to lose the
farm. Francis spent one summer on farms near
Lockport, and then entered the employ of W. H.
Craig of Lockport. After four years with him he
emigrated to Michigan with $400 which he had
saved from his wages. He brought with him a








k0l,!!
M -b%


cc,,     f
4v C/ I'




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


623






letter from a banker in Lockport to Judge Joseph
Copeland, of Detroit. He came West in 1857 and
worked for the Judge more than eight years in the
vicinity of Orchard Lake. For twelve years he
continued working out on wages by the month and
being economical and frugal he saved money to
buy property. His first purchase was ninety acres
and he afterwards added forty acres more. It all
lies on the south side of Orchard Lake. During the
past two years he has sold off considerable of his
farm to parties desiring summer homes along the
lake. He also owns another tract of land on the
upper end of Upper Straits Lake. He is a principal stockholder in the Orchard Lake gravel road.
He is a man of intelligence, abundant means and has
a rich store of information. He has his farm finely
improved and is raising considerable fruit. The
view from his residence is one of the most delightful in the county. IIe is independent in his politics and he and his family are members of the
Catholic Church at Pontiac.
In 1863 Mr. Emmendorfer married Miss Mary
Riley, of Pontiac. Mich., who was born in 1829 in
Rochester, N. Y. She is a daughter of Patrick and
Elizabeth Riley. Five children llave blessed this
home, namely: Elizabeth, Eva, Joseph W., Johannah M., now Mrs. Edward M. Murphy of Pontiac,
and Frederick A. Industry and integrity have been
essential factors in the success of Mr. Emmendorfer,
and he reflects with special pleasure on the relations
of confidence, which have ever existed between
himself and his neighbor, Mr. Hartwell Green.
"ICHARD       H. ELLIOTT.     In an elegant
frame residence, built in modern style in
the midst of extensive and handsome
grounds, resides Richard H. Elliott, whose
portrait is presented on the opposite page, and
who is one of the stanch business men of Pontiac.
He was born in Sharon, Litchfield County, Conn..
April 1, 1829, and is the youngest of eight children,
three sons and five daughters. His parents were
Charles and Marcia (Gay) Elliott. The former
was a native of Connecticut, born at Salem in


1799. He was a hatter by trade and later in life
took up farming. He died in 1877, in Pontiac.
The mother was horn in Sharon, Conn., in 1809,
and was a daughter of Daniel Gay, of Scotch and
English extraction. The Elliott family was of
like descent. Charles Elliott married in Connecticut, and in 1837 removed his family to Oakland
County, and located in Pontiac Township. In
1840 he removed to Bloomfield Township, where
lie spent the remaining years of his life. His devoted wife followed him to the grave within ten
days. Their eight children were named as fol.
lows: Elizabeth, Charles, Clarissa, Julia, Washington, Richard H., Sarah L. and Daniel H.
The subject of this sketch spent his early days
in the school at Pontiac and in work upon the
farm.  He began his mercantile experience in
1844 by clerking in the store of James A. Weeks.
He was an apprentice for tlree years and spent
twelve years with Mr. Weeks on salary. IIe was
also enmployed by others in the same line of business. In the year 1867 he formed a partnership
with Dr. I. Paddack and did business under the
firm name of I. Paddack & Co. After seven years
Mr. Elliott sold out his interest and clerked until
1879, when he formed a partnership with C. M.
Crofoot under the firm name of Elliott & Crofoot.
This continued for three years when Mr. Elliott
purchased his partner's interest and carried on the
business alone until 1889, when he took his son
Morris into partnership. The presert firm is R.
H. Elliott & Son, dealers in drugs, medicines, oils,
paints, glass and groceries. The store is situated
at No. 24, North Saginaw Street. The building is
20x140 feet, and he occupies all three stories with
his business.
Mr. Elliott's marriage in June, 1858, united him
with Miss Laura Paddack, daughter of his partner.
Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are the happy parents of
four children, namely: Minnie, wife of C. J.
Peirce, of Detroit; Morris, his partner; Lizzie and
Myrtie, who remain at home. Our subject is a
Republican in politics, a member of Pontiac Lodge
No. 21, F. & A. M., and of the Chapter Council
and Commandery, and in all these capacities is
considered a leading member. With his wife and
family he belongs to the Presbyterian  Church.




624


PORTREAIT AND B EIOGRAPHICAL ALBE M.


624    PORT T AD


He is one of the stockholders and directors in the
Edison Electric Light and Motor Company at
Pontiac, and was one of the prominent promoters
of this enterprise for the advancement of the city.
In fact, he is, in all matters pertaining to the common good, a public-spirited citizen.
BIRAM     PARKER, grocer and dealer in
Idrugs and medicines in Pontiac was born
in Oneida County, N. Y., August 3, 1831.
IHe is a son of Dr. Abiram Parker, who
was a successful physician in Oneida County for
many years, and who went to the West Indies in
search of health and died there December 9, 1831.
He was the son of Eri Parker, who descended from
an English family. His wife was Julia A. McConnell, a native of New York and daughter of Joseph McConnell, Esq., who died in McConnellsville, N. Y. Mrs. Parker came to Michigan late
in life and died in Jackson in 1883. Her daughter, Mrs. W. L. Seaton, lives in Jackson. Mr. Parker has a half brother and sister, his mother having
been married twice.
The subject of this sketch was educated first in
the common schools and afterward in the academy
at Rochester, N. Y. There he pursued his studies
for three years from his eleventh to his fourteenth
year. He then came to Pontiac and resided for
a while after which he returned to New York and
entered Casanovia Seminary, where he completed
his studies. Coming to Michigan he entered the
store of Willard M. McConnell, and served as clerk.
Later he went to Detroit and became Assistant
Teller in the Michigan Insurance Bank. After two
years service here he returned to Pontiac and embarked in the grocery and drug trade, and he is
now the oldest business man in Pontiac, having
continued in this branch of the mercantile business
to this day. His store is capacious, measuring 30
x135 feet, and is neatly fitted up and well arranged
for dispatching business. He has taken on a stock
of drugs and medicines, oils and paints, in addition
to family groceries. lHe does a large business and
is highly respected. Mr. Parker was united in mar

riage to Miss Sarah E. Beach, at Pontiac, Mich., in
which place she had grown to womanhood. She
was brought here by her parents, Eben and Elizabeth Beach, from Monroe County, when an infant
of three months.
To Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been given two
children, Grace P., the wife of F. W. Fletcher of
Alpena, and Louise, the wife of Hon. Mark S.
Brewer, former member of Congress for the Sixth
District. Mr. Parker is an adherent to the principles of the Republican party and he has served one
term as Alderman in the city council of Pontiac.
He is a member of Pontiac Lodge, No. 21, F. & A.
M., and of Oakland Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M., also
a member of the Council. He and his excellent
wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He
has an elegant residence on Auburn Avenue in the
eastern part of town.


EORGE      H. FOSTER, one of the firm of
George H. Foster & Co., dealers in boots
j  and shoes, in Pontiac, is numbered among
the enterprising business men of the city. The
firm carries a full line of boots, shoes and rubber
goods, all of the latest styles and of the best manufacture, and occupies a favorable location on North
Saginaw Street. Mr. Foster has a special interest
in tie welfare of the city, as he was born here October 14, 1853. He is the only son of John P. and
Delia E. (Whitman) Foster. His father was born
in Kent, England, in 1826, and died in Pontiac in
January, 1886. He came to the United States
when a mere boy, and worked at various occupations, finally becoming a carpenter and joiner, and
following that trade for a number of years.
The mother of our subject was born in Saratoga.
N. Y., and is still living, now in the sixtieth year
of her age. She is the mother of four children, the
daughters being Ada L., Cora P. and Kate C. The
eldest is the wife of James Cash, and is now living
in Duluth, Minn.; Cora married R. W. Bell, who is
a member of the firm of Foster & Co.; Kate is the
wife of W. C. Owen, now of East Saginaw. Our
subject received a common-school education in his




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


625


=


native city and began his mercantile experience as
a clerk in the grocery store of Gilchrist Bros.,
with whom he remained two years. He then entered the employ of Thomas Fairbairn, and later
became a clerk for Dowd Bros., dealers in drygoods.
After a year passed in the employ of the firm
just mentioned he resumed his studies, taking up
the high school course and giving his close attention to his books for a twelvemonth.  He next
became Deputy Postmaster under Col. S. S.
Matthews, a position which he held two years, and
then bought an interest in the furniture business,
associating himself with a Mr. Voorhees. The connection existed three years, during which time Mr.
Foster not only sold furniture, but did considerable in the undertaking line. After the period
mentioned he sold out to E. H. Tompkins and engaged in the produce business with his father,
under the firm name of J. P. Foster & Son, continuing thus until 1879. In September of the following year our subject formed a partnership for
the sale of boots and shoes under the style of
Rowand & Foster.    After a time a change was
made, but the present firm occupies the old stand,
where Mr. Foster has been a familiar figure for
more than a decade.
The lady who makes the home of Mr. Foster
cosy and attractive, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Stanley, and became his wife March 4, 1890.
The wedding ceremony was performed at the home
of tihe bride's father, John AV. Stanley, a prosperous citizen of New York City, where the daughter
was born and grew to womanhood. Mrs. Foster
is educated and refined, and dispenses the hospitality of her home with cordiality and grace. The
dwelling of Mr. Foster is on one of the pleasant
residence streets, with good surroundings and is a
tasteful edifice and attractive hotne.
In his political views Mr. Foster is a Democrat.
IIe has served as Chief of the fire department since
1885. He is of a decidedly social nature and interested in the orders that are represented in the city.
He belongs to Pontiac Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M.;
Oakland Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M.; Pontiac Commandery No. 2, K. T.; Pontiac Lodge, No. 19,
K. of P.; and the Odd Fellows Lodge, No.




183. He has held all the Chairs to that of Eminent commander, in the Masonic fraternity. He
has a good reputation as a business man, and friends
and acquaintances speak well of him as a citizen.
LBERT HUSTED, an intelligent and popular farmer, has resided in Springfield
W Township since 1834, longer than any
other man now living there. He was born in
Ontario County, N. Y., May 30, 1834. His father,
Harry W. Husted was born in New York, May 15,
1802. His grandfather was Stephen and his greatgrandfather was a native of Ireland, who came
to America in the early days. His grandfather
came to Michigan in 1834 and was killed in Groveland Township, this county, by a tree falling upon
him.
The father of our subject was a carpenter and
built the first church in Batavia, N. Y. He came
here in November, 18b4, coming witl an ox-team
through Canada and bringing with him his wife
and four children. They took up Government land,
erected a log cabin and cleared up a farm; the patent
for the land was signed by Gen. Jackson. No settlers were near them. Pontiac was the nearest
postoffice and trading town, and fever and ague was
prevalent. He was a hard worker and did heroic
work in clearing and improving the one hundred
and twenty acres of land which he took, besides
building a large number of houses and barns in
the county. Harry WV. Husted removed to Shiawassee County in 1857. After living there about
fifteen years he removed to St. Louis, Mich., where
lie still resides. He is a Baptist in religion and a
Republican in politics. His wife, Nancy Colvin, a
native of Vermont, where she was born in 1801,
departed this life in 1852. Six of her eight children are yet living. Her eldest son, Henry, was
in the Mexican War and died from the effects of
the malaria contracted there. She was also a member of the Baptist Church.
The parents of our subject came to Oakland
County when he was only six months old. He
was educated in the pioneer schools which were




626


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


run on the rate-bill system and his boyhood (lays
were spent in the log schoolhouses and on the farm.
He saw more Indians than whites in those days.
When sixteen years old he began to learn the carpenter's trade with his father. This he followed for
many years, not only in the country but in Davisburg and has erected more buildings here than any
other man. He began life for himself at nineteen
years of age and has farmed more or less all his
life.
Mr. Husted was married, February 19, 1857, to
Tilda Shuman, who was born in Erie County,
N. Y., October 26, 1835. Her father, George Shuman, was a native of Connecticut, and her mother,
Mary Hosler, was born in Gettysburg, Pa. They
came to this county and settled in Groveland
Township in 1836 where they carried on farming
prosperously and extensively. The father died in
1881 and the mother in 1862. He was a Democrat
in his early life and later a Republican.
Five children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs.
Husted, three of whom are still living, namely:
Cora, Etta (Mrs. Cook), all Nettie. Their parents are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Husted is a member of the Masonic order at
Davisburg, also a member of Charter Oak Lodge,
No. 56, A O. U. W., at Davisburg, in which he
served as Master for three successive years. He
has a fine farm of eighty acres all under cultivation. His pleasant, neat and commodious twostory house was erected in 1881.
— ^ ----^ ----^
E    PHRAIM    BURCH, one of the wealthy
farmers of Commerce Township, is a son
of Ephraim Burch, Sr., a native of Pomfret, Vt., who was born February 13, 1793, and was
formerly in the lumbering business and later a
farmer. His mother. Electa (Sessions) Burch, a
native of Pomfret, Vt., was born February 17,
1803. She is a sister of Mrs. Delano Bowen, whose
sketch appears in this ALBUI. Our subject's parents were married in Vermont, and afterwards
resided in Canada on a farm until 1832, when they
came to Michigan, and settled in Commerce Town

ship. The country was new, settlers were few and
there were no roads. Indians, deer, bears and
wolves were plenty. The farm was of timbered
openings. This pioneer couple made their home in
a log house, and here spent the remainder of their
days. He died December 4, 1861 and she April
13, 1886.
Our subject was one of nine children of the
parental home, six of whom are now living. The
mother was an adherent to the faith of the Baptist
Church. In politics the father was a Whig and
later a Republican. He was one of the organizers
of the township.  Young Ephraim     was born
February 6, 1826, in Canada, and although only
six years old when brought to Michigan, distinctly
recalls the trip by ox-team from his home in Canada
to Detroit, and from there on by the same conveyance to the homestead. He attended one of the very
first district schools established here, and remained
at home until he was twenty-one years of age. He
had to work hard during his youth. At twentyone he hired out to work at the trade of a carpenter, but soon gave it up, as he preferred farming.
Hie returned home and bought forty acres of land
on section 20, and began clearing the land. He
thus continued until he was thirty-three years old.
Ephraim Burch was united in marriage with
Lucy J. Bowen, daughter of Cromwell and Delano
]Bowen. The marriage took place December 8, 1858.
Tue lady was born October 26, 1835, and died October 29, 1879. They were the parents of two children-Ford B., born November 3,1862, and Jennie
L., May 29, 1873. The second marriage of our subject took place in December, 1882. The present
Mrs. Burch was Anna E. Rauch, a daughter of J.
H. and Anna E. (Snively) Rauch, both natives of
Pennsylvania, who came to Michigan about thirtyfive years ago where they made their permanent
home. Mrs. Rauch died in 1865. Her husband
still survives, and now at the age of seventy-three
lives on the homestead in Monroe County. Both
were members of the Presbyterian Church, in which
he has long served as Deacon. He was in politics
a Whig and then a Republican. Their eight children are all now living.
Mrs. Burch was born February 19, 1848, in
Pennsylvania. She has taught school in Michigan.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


627


-------


There were no children by this second marriage.
Mr. Burch has ever taken an active interest in
school matters, and helped to organize this district.
He is now Treasurer of this district, and has been
Director for many years. He has given his children
a good education, sending them all away to school.
He has taken a lively interest in local politics,
affiliating first with tie Democracy and later with
the Republicans, but he has ever steadfastly refused
to accept office.
The subject of this biographical sketch owns
three hundred and eighteen acres of farm land,
besides two lots at Milford and a house and lot at
Wixom. His home farm is highly cultivated, one
hundred and forty acres of it being under the
plow. One farm of one hundred and thirty acres
in Hartland Township has ninety-five acres improved, and has on it a good frame house. and barn
34x46 feet. The residence built by him twentythree years ago cost him $1,800 beside his labor
and incidental expenses. Two good barns are on
the home farm, one of them measuring 34x60 feet,
and the other 22x60 feet. He has always been
successful in his farming, and what he possesses he
gained by hard work, as he started for himself
empty-handed. His consistent, temlerate habits
have been a bulwark of strength to him.
— ^ > ^ ^^^<' — v
l     ARSHALL M. FROST, one of the successful and valued citizens of Orion, was
born in Genesee County, N. Y., July 14.
1836. 1His father, Samuel Frost, was a
Vermonter and was born May 19, 1788. He removed first to Pennsylvania and afterward to New
York, and finally came to Oakland County, in 1841,
and located in Southfield Township, where he
passed the first winter and then took a farm in Troy
Township for four years. He next removed to
Berlin Township, St. Clair County. He had been
there but eighteen months when he was called from
earth, May 20, 1847. He was an active member of
the Baptist Church. When he emigrated to Michigan he came by water to Detroit and from there
journeyed by team across the country. His wife


bore in girlhood the maiden name of Lydia Bixby.
She was a Vermonter by birth and first saw the
light February 6, 1792. Her death took place
August 27, 1861. Early in life she united with
the Baptist Church, and after coming to Michigan
she joined the Methodists.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of
twelve children, ten sons and two daughters, eight
of whom are living. He received his primary education in the pioneer log schoolhouses furnished
with slab seats. IHe never attended school in sumI mer after he was ten years old. When he was
thirteen he went to work on a farm by the month
and labored in this way for eight years. The first
summer he received the large sum of $4 per month.
In the spring of 1850, he and his mother were left
alone to run the farm in Berlin Township. St. Clair
County. He was then thirteen years old. One of
his eldest brothers before leaving home tapped a
sugar bush, and young Marshall gathered the sap
and boiled it and made one hundred and fifty
pounds of sugar himself, some of which he has yet
in his possession. His mother about this time
broke up housekeeping, and the boy started out
for himself. After eight years of labor for others
he came to Oakland Township, Oakland County,
and took his brother's farm on shares for two
years: He then bought a small place on section 9,
in Oakland Township, took to himself a wife and
settled down to housekeeping and farming. He
sold this farm and purchased one in Brandon
Township. Two years later lie sold out and went
to Lansing, and engaged in the bakery and confectionery business for a few months. Then returning to Oakland Township he bought a farm on
section 15, and two years later disposed of this,
and going to Pontiac, clerked in the hotel for almost five years.
In January, 1874, Mr. Frost purchased a general store in Oakwood, and conducted it for more
than five years. He then removed in 1880 to Pontiac, and boarded for four years. He then came
to Orion, and purchased a handsome residence which
he now occupies. His marriage, January 12, 1860,
united him with Emily Lomis, who is a native of
Brandon Township, Oakland County, where she
was born May 14, 1837, the first white child born




628


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




in that township. Her parents were Thomas N.
and Julia (Miller) Lomis, of New York. They
settled in Brandon Township in 1836, and were the
first settlers in that township. Mr. Louis passed
away February 20, 1879, having been bereft of his
wife in 1854. Seven of their nine children are still
living.
To Mr. and Mrs. Frost was born one child, Ada
B. She came to them October 24, 1860, and was
taken away by death March 16, 1862. Mr. Frost
is a prominent Democrat and often sits as a delegate in county, district and State conventions. For
twenty-two years he has been identified with the
Masonic order. He has a farm in Sanilac County.
He began life on the bottom round of the ladder
and has been more than ordinarily successful.
iI ULIUS CARPENTER, of Orion Township,
was born in WorcestEr, Mass., July 19,
1836. His father, Charles A., was born in
Barre, Washington County, Vt., February
11, 1813, and his grandfather, Stephen, born in
1778, was a native of Providence, R. I. The
grandfather lived in Vermont and Massachusetts,
spent eight years in Canada, and finally came to
Michigan, where he died in 1854 at the age of
seventy-seven years. Charles A. Carpenter came
to Michigan with the intention of locating in Lapeer County, but finally chose a farm in Orion
Township, in 1836. The country was new, roads
were few and traveling was almost an impossibility.
The trip from Detroit was made by team by way
of Pontiac and the family were obliged to walk
most of the way, so muddy and bad were the roads.
In the spring of 1845 he sold the farm he had
owned for nearly ten years, and purchased a large
tract of land farther west, in the same township.
He ultimately added to this until he owned at one
time over seven hundred acres of fine land.
The father of our subject was a carpenter and
joiner and worked a good deal at his trade during
the early part of his life in Michigan. He came
here with but limited means and at one time worked
for thirteen days at his trade to purchase a barrel


of flour. He was an excellent manager, a hardworking man and one who had unusual intelli.
gence and judgment. He retired from farming in
1862. He was a stanch Republican but never a
politician, although he was at one time a candidate
for the Legislature, but his party was in a hopeless
minority and he failed of election. He was active
in securing the Pontiac & Oxford Railroad which
passed through his farm in front of his door. He
was a liberal contributor to all charitable purposes,
and died August 12, 1888.
Our subject's mother, Persis (Eames) Carpenter,of
Worcester, Mass., was horn February 2, 1813. She
is the mother of five children, three of whom are
living. She still survives and is active and bright,
having full possession of her faculties and leading
a life of usefulness.  Julius Carpenter was three
months old when his parents removed to Michigan.
and being the eldest of the family, he early learned
to assist his father on the farm. He received a
district school education and remained at home until he was twenty-seven. IHe then fitted himself
out with a supply of stock, farm tools, etc., and
began farming independently.
Rebecca Rolison became the wife of our subject
March  14, 1861.   She was born in Ontario
County, N. Y., February 21, 1836, and is the
daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Hummer)
Rolison, who emigrated to Michigan in 1838 and
made their home in Avon Township, Oakland
County. They subsequently removed to Brandon
Township, where they ended their days. The genealogy of the Rolisons runs back to the times of
King William III. of Holland. Elizabeth IIummer,
the mother of Mrs. Carpenter, was born August
22, 1801. Five of her uncles served in the Revolutionary War.
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have been blessed with
four children, who are named, Minnie E., born
May 3, 1862; Oscar M., March 13, 1864; Charles
Augustus, deceased, born November 13, 1870;
and Charles Albert, November 23, 1873. To all
of these children their parents gave excellent opportunities of education, sending them  away to
school. Their mother is a lady of excellent character and delightful qualities as a friend and neighbor. She is an earnest and efficient member of the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


629


PORTRAIT AND B~~IOGAHCLABM                      2


Methodist Episcopal Church, and her work in the
church is highly prized by those who know her.
Mr. Carpenter is a Republican, but takes no active
part in politics. His excellent farm of two hundred and sixty-five acres is above the average in
productiveness. He has an annual yield of five
thousand bushels of rutabagas, and fifteen hundred
bushels of potatoes. His elegant home is finely
located and at once attracts the attention and admiration of tle traveler.
LB FIRT RICHARDSON is one of the largest land holders in Commerce Township,
and one of the most prominent citizens of
the county. He has held county offices
and is respected for his good sense and excellent
judgment. His father, Martin Richardson, was a
native of New York. His mother bore the maiden
name of (Candace) Comstock. They were married in New York State and resided there until
they came to Michigan in 1834. The next year
the family settled on the farm where our subject
now lives, which comprised two hundred and forty
acres of Government land. Here Martin Richardson built one of the first frame houses ever put up
in this township and brought on a span of horses,
which was a great curiosity in those days. He
died in 1851 at the age of fifty-one years. His
wife survived him until 1881, when she breathed
her last at the age of seventy-six years.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Richardson were the parents of eight children, six of whom are now liv.
ing, but none except our subject reside in this
township. At the time of his death the father had
four hundred and forty acres of land, two-tlirds of
it under cultivation. He was a strong anti.slavery
man, and cast the first ballot for that cause in that
township. Hte was an active church member and
was connected with the Baptist Church. He was
an Assessor in this township.
Albert Richardson was born October 31, 1833,
in Otsego County, N. Y., whence he was brought
when an infant to Michigan. When eighteen years
old he began life for himself. He has always been


a farmer and resided in the same house. He had
forty acres of improved land to begin on and $96
in money. He was married December 30, 1853,
to Mary Ann, a daughter of William  and Mary
Bennett Smith, both natives of New York. Mr.
Smith was both a mechanic and a farmer. He came
to Michigan in 1834, and settling in Commerce
Township, plied his trade and improved his farm.
He sold out during the Civil War and removed to
the township of Ovid, Clinton County. His first
wife died in 1847. His second wife was Mary E.
Knight. He again married after her decease and
was then united with Sallie Wilson. Mrs. Richardson is a child of the first marriage, and was born
Februrary 8, 1834, in Erie County, N. Y. She was
an infant when she came here.
Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have been blest with
two children, Martin, born April 2, 1856, now
married to Frances M. Dandison, and William,
born October 23, 1860, now married to Harriet
M. Porter. Our subject has added to his farm
from time to time and is now the possessor of
eight hundred acres, much of it under cultivation.
He is himself actively engaged in farming and has
raised much stock. His mother was a Quaker and
gave her boys a good education. He has been for
some time a member of the School Board and is
now its Moderator.
Mr. Richardson always takes a lively interest in
politics and votes the Republican ticket. He has
often been a delegate to conventions and has served
as Supervisor of Commerce Township for five terms
and as Township Treasurer, and is now Drainage
Commissioner. He was also United States Revenue
Assessor for several years for the Western District
of Oakland County. In 1873-74 he was Register
of Deeds. He was candidate for County Treasurer
and was defeated by seven votes. He was also
candidate three times for Register of Deeds. He
has been Treasurer of the Grange, and his wife was
"Ceres" in the Grange.
The brothers and sisters of our subject are citizens who are highly respected in their communities. Jonathan, who married Mary L. Haskins,
lives in San Bernardino, Cal., and is engaged in mining and lumbering. Nathan is now Judge of Probate Court in Morrison County, Minn,, and also




630


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




Mayor of Little Falls, the county seat. He has
been a member of the Minnesota Legislature and
is prominent in politics. He has five children.
William, who married Rhoda C. Dye, lives at San
Bernardino, Cal., and is engaged in the business of
artesian wells. Emma J. is the wife of Andrew
J. Van Riper, a farmer of Shiawassee County, this
State. Chloe A., the wife of Milton Cahoon, lives
in Ionia County and is the mother of five children.
Altogether this family is one which deservedly receives the respect of the communities in which the
members reside.
OHN B. HEITSCH. Among the men now
cultivating a portion of the soil of Water.
ford Township with good results and whose
financial prosperity has resulted from industrious application to the work in hand, together
with prudent control of expenditures, the subject
of this sketch deserves prominent mention. His
fine farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres is
a standing monument to his zeal and industry, and
with its substantial buildings attracts attention from
the passing traveler. The owner enjoys an enviable reputation as an upright, honest man, and
stands high in the esteem of his fellow-men.
Mr. Heitsch was born in France in 1823. His
parents, who were natives of Switzerland, reared a
family of eight children. of whom our subject and
a brother who lives in Pontiac were the only ones
who came to America. During his boyhood, our
subject received good educational advantages and
became proficient in the text-books of French
schools. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a carpenter and also
became a millwright, working at these trades until
1852. In that year. having resolved to seek a home
across the ocean, lie took passage on a sailing-vessel, and after an uneventful voyage reached the
New World.
Upon his arrival in the United States, Mr. Heitsch
proceeded directly to Pontiac, Mich., and for
eleven years found steady employment at his trade
of a carpenter. By unremitting industry he was
Cf  L)Y  rY~  ICI


enabled, in 1863, to purchase one hundred and
twenty acres of wild land on section 22, Waterford
Township, where he still resides. He has now one
of the finest homes in the township, and the finelytilled fields and substantial buildings bespeak the
thrifty character of the owner. The most of the
improvements on the place have been made by
Mr. HIeitsch; they include orchards, groves, good
fences and a full line of farm buildings. Tle residence is tastefully furnished and complete with rll
modern conveniences, while its bountiful hospitality is often extended to a large circle of friends.
In 1850 Mr. Heitsch was united in marriage
with Miss Catherine Blint. They have four children, as follows: Sophia, the widow of Isadore
Houser, who was killed by a railroad accident;
Louisa who remains at home; Charles, who married Jennie Dawson and resides on a farm given
him by iis father; Joseph, also at home. Mrs.
Houser, witl her three children, is an inmate of her
father's home. Politically, Mr. Heitsch is a Democrat and is a regular attendant at the Catholic
Church. Honorable in private life, peaceable and
law-abiding as a citizen, and displaying energy in
whatever he undertakes, he is looked upon with
respect by all who know him.
ICHARD MOORE, of Milford Township, the
son of Henry and Sarah (Wilsey) Moore,
k c\   of Herkimer County, N. Y., came with his
1 parents to Michigan in Octobet 1833 and
settled in Milford Township. The father was born
December 6, 1776, and died July 10, 1842. The
mother was born April 19, 1800, and died February 11, 1879. They were married in 1818 and
resided in Herkimer County, N. Y., whence they
came to Michgan. After the death of the father the
sons carried on the farm for years. Of their nine
children seven are now living.
Our subject was born June 21, 1827, in Herkimer County, N. Y. He was fifteen years of age
when his father died and he continued to work on
the farm and made bis home there until he was married. After the estate was settled Judge Stephen




I




I/ 74


C




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


633


Reeves invited the widow and her three boys to
his office. He then gave them a strong, able talk,
picturing out the benefits to boys who staid at
home and took care of their mother instead of scattering to each look out for himself. All the boys
were so thoroughly impressed that they have never
yet forgotten it.
The marriage of our subject, April 18, 1849,
united him with Miss Melissa Hosner, a daughter
of Jacob and Asenath (Wait) Hosner, natives of
New York and Massachusetts respectively. Their
marriage took place in New York, August 3, 1825,
and they resided there until they came to Michigan in 1836. They settled in West Bloomfield
- Township, on a farm now owned by Almon Hosner.
They remainedthere until 1867, and then removed
to Pontiac, where the father died, June 9, 1871.
Hlis widow survives him at the age of eighty-four
years. They were the parents of ten children, five
of whom are now living, and were members of the
church. Mr. HIosner was a strong Republican and
a man of strictly temperate habits.
Mrs. Moore was born April 20, 1830, in Monroe
County, N. Y. She received a district school education in Michigan. Mr. Moore bought a farm of
eighty acres, a part of what is now his property
having upon it a log house. Into this he moved
and began cultivating the land. They were very
poor and for a long time he was ill and they passed
through many hard trials. He now has one hundred
of his one hundred aad twenty acres under cultivation. This was, when he purchased it, covered
with stumps and stones. EHe built his present brick
residence in 1863. It cost him $3,500. lHe built
also at that time a barn and added to and repaired
another. He divided his labors equally between
stock and grain. Of the former lie keeps a high
grade. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the parents of five
children: Asenath, born March 4, 1852, is the
wife of Fred Schalhon, they live in Lyon Township and have two children; Alva and Alvin
(twins) born April 2, 1857, both died in infancy;
Augusta M., born May 1, 1860, is now the wife of
Frank E. Burch of Commerce Township, and has
one child, Nellie; Eda M., born December 31, 1872,
died in infancy.
The family attend the Baptist Church at Wixom


and are active supporters of the same,having helped
to build the church. Mr. Moore has been a member
of the School Board and takes a lively interest in
politics, having been a Republican since the organization of that party. He is a man of temperate
habits and of strict integrity, and has gained all
that he has by hard work. His credit is good and
lie can at any time obtain what money he needs at
the bank.,_ --- r --— _
C    HARLES D. HOWARD, M. D., the leading
physician at Oxford, was born in Morrow
County, Ohio, April 13, 1852. He is a son
of Leonard and Maria (Chilson) Howard, natives
of New York State. The father died in Morrow
County, Ohio, on a farm which lie had occupied
for over fifty years. He had reached the limit of
four-score years and six when his death occurred
November 13, 1889. His wife had preceded him
to the better world February 7, 1872. To them
were born eight children. of whom six are living,
our subject being the youngest of the family.
The gentleman of whom we write was early
trained in the practical work on the farm, and he
improved to their utmost the educational advantages afforded him. He attended for some time the
Ohio Wesleyan University and began teaching at
the early age of fifteen years. After teaching
three years he entered the medical department of
the University at Ann Arbor, but subsequently
changed to Detroit, and took his diploma in the
class of '75 from the Detroit Medical College. He
then removed to Marengo, Ohio, which is about
two miles from where lie was born, and there established himself in practice.
After three years spent in Marengo, the young
Doctor went to Richmond, Mich., and practiced
there for a similar term of years. HIe then went
back to Ohio, but in 1886 came to Oxford, where
he has built up an excellent practice. His marriage, February 8, 1883, with Mary McKay, was
an event of great importance in the life of the
young man. His wife is a daughter of Henry Mc-.
Kay, a native of Scotland, now residing in Oak.




J34


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




land County, Mich. The union of the Doctor
and his wife has been blest by the birth of a
daughter, Jennie M. The Doctor is a member of
the Knights of thie Maccabees and the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he affiliates
with the Republican party.
A lithographic portrait of Dr. Howard appears
on another page of this volume.
IOHN P. SWAYZE, one of the young, intelligent and progressive farmers of Springfield Township, was born in this county Sep||tj temlber 13, 1858. He is the son of Anthony
J., the son of Israel, of Scotch descent; two
brothers having come over to this country during
Colonial times. The grandfather, who was a wellto-do farmer, came to this county in 1854. He
owned three hundred and twenty acres adjoining
what was then the village of Springfield, and lived
to a good old age.
The father, who was a miller and a merchant of
experience, came here in 1854 and bought eighty
acres, which he in time increased to two hundred
and twenty-five. He was a hard-working and successful farmer, and died in 1871. He was a devout
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Republican in politics and a man of unusual intelligence and remarkable memory. For many years
lie served as Justice of the Peace. He married
Hanna Wamsley, who is now living with our subject. She was born in New Jersey April 1, 1816.
She is the mother of ten children, eight of whom
are still living to cheer her declining days. They
are: Mary J., Mrs. Hollister; Sarah, Mrs. Shuman; Gertrude, Mrs. Waugh; James W.; Esther
A., Mrs. Ellis; Edgar J.; Tamsen, Mrs. Tarter;
Arabella, Mrs. Smith; William H. and our subject.
Their mother has trained them all in the faith of
the Methodist Church.
After a training and education on the farm and
in the district school, John began life for himself
at the age of fifteen years. He and his brother
took the home farm on shares and farmed it for


nine years. He then worked the farm of his
father-in-law two years. In March, 1884, he went
to California and engaged by the month on the
Derry farm, about forty miles north of San Francisco. He returned in January, 1887, and settled
on the home farm.
An event of great importance took place in the
life of our subject December 20, 1881, when he was
wedded to Sophronia McLees. She was born in
this township February 6, 1859. Two children,
Anna and Clare S., brighten this home. Both Mr.
and Mrs Swayze are prominent and active members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Swayze is a
Republican in his politics and has been made
Drainage Commissioner of his township by his
fellow-citizens. His own farm of forty acres is
most of it under cultivation, and he farms besides,
the homestead place on shares. He is much interested in dtock-raising. and is a bright, intelligent
young man of progressive tendencies.


DWARD E. GIBSON, a farmer of Bloomfield Township, was born in Lincolnshire,
England, December 18, 1842. He is the
son of Thomas and Thomison (Cross) Gibson, who
spent their whole lives in England. Our subject
was one of twelve children, and his early life was
spent on the farm. He never received any schooling after he was eight years old, and began doing
for himself before he was twelve.  When fifteen
years of age he came to America with his brother,
James C., and located in County Simcoe, Canada,
where he worked out by the month on the farm.
After six years residence in Canada, Mr. Gibson
came to Michigan. After working upon wages for
a year he rented a farm and carried it on in that
way for seven years, and then bought one hundred
and fifteen acres, on which he now resides. He has
since added to his estate till he now owns two hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land in the
township of Bloomfield. He gives all his attention
to farming and stock-raising, and although he
started in life a poor boy he has attained a handsome competence, all through his own hard work
~\~Hu v~-~cv~r~l  wr vry




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


635




and active enterprise. He handles a great deal of
stock of a high grade.
Elizabeth J. Kerr, of Vaughn, York County, Ontario, became the wife of our subject, Junc 6, 1866.
Slle was born in Glasgow, Scotland, March 7,1841,
and is a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Wilson)
Kerr, who came to America in 1844 and settled in
Toronto, Canada. Later they removed to Vaughn,
where they still reside.
Six children have blessed the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Gibson, namely: Robert E., who died at the
age of seventeen years, Thomas W., Elizabeth M.,
George W., Harry C. and John L. Our subject
votes the Democratic ticket but has never dabbled
in politics. He and his wife and dhughter are active members of the Presbyterian Church at Pontiac.
L  ENRY   11. PENNINGTON. It has been
rI    but a few years since this gentleman established himself on a farm in Avon Town() ship, but he is known to other settlers in
that vicinity as a first-class farmer and has an excellent reputation in other parts of the country.
lie is one of the veterans of the Civil War, to
whom honor is due for toilsome and hazardous
enterprise in the country's behalf, and who receive
the grateful plaudits of all loyal hearts.  Iie
comes of old Virginia stock in the paternal line
and his mother was a native of the Buckeye State
and of German ancestry. His father, Henry H.
Pennington, Sr., removed from Virginia to Ohio
about 1828, locating in Wyandot County, while
Grandfather Pennington, whose given name was
Jacob, crossed the Ohio at the same time and established his home in Seneca County.   Eight
children were born to Henry H. and Mary (Miller)
Pennington, but he of whom we write is the only
survivor. Two of the sons gave up their lives for
their country-Levi having been killed in Georgia
and Jacob having contracted a disease, from which
he died.
The subject of this biographical notice was born
in Wyandot County, September 25, 1840, and
reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he was


engaged when the Civil War began. He enlisted
August 22, 1862, in the One Hundred and Twentythird Ohio Infantry, and was mustered in as a
private in Company D, but was promoted to the
rank of Corporal before he reached the front. The
command was sent into West Virginia, where it
did considerable service before the winter set in,
when the regiment went into camp at Petersburg
on New Creek. There Mr. Pennington contracted
a disease which necessitated his going to the hospital at Cumberland, remaining there until March,
1863. He was then sent to the convalescent hospital eight miles distant, and in April rejoined his
regiment at Winchester and took part in the campaign of that name under Gen. Milroy. Mr. Pennington served as a provost guard when his Captain was Provost Marshal, and with other members
of the regiment guarded prisoners during the
battle of Gettysburg and conveyed them    to
Bloody Run, and thence to Hagerstown and Harper's Ferry.
Mr. Pennington took part in the engagement at
Snicker's Gap, where the regiment lost quite a
number of men and was repulsed and driven across
the river. He was one of the band that guarded
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad until the middle of
May, 1864, when he was pronounced unfit for field
duty and made clerk of an ordnance train. AtCharleston, on the Kanawha River, he was relieved and returned to his company, with which
he remained until after the battle of Winchester,
where he fought under Gen. Crook. Early in
July he became afflicted with rheumatism and was
carried to Harper's Ferry, but he subsequently was
able to fight at Opequan, near Winchester, and
while actively engaged was wounded in the right
thigh. He was carried to the rear and sent to
Philadelphia, Pa., to enter a hospital there, September 19, 1864.
March 26, 1865, Mr. Pennington rejoined his
company near City Point, whence he went to
Hatchie's Run and followed Grant until the surrender of Lee. His command then went to Lynchburg to recover some Government property, then
to Richmond and on to Camp Chase, Ohio, where
he was mustered out June 19, 1865. Mr. Penning

ton made his home with a cousin and resumed




636


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


_
_


-




farm work, doing what a worn-out soldier was able
to do, and gradually arriving at a better physical
condition. He was married December 24, 1867,
to Almeda, daughter of George R. and Elizabeth A. (Blair) Corwin. After his marriage Mr.
Pennington farmed in Seneca County, Ohio, six
years, then spent four years in Hancock County
and one in Wyandot. He next came to this State
and for two years resided in Charlotte, and at the
expiration of that period bought one hundred and
twenty acres that have since been his place of
abode.
Few men are more interested in political issues
than Mr. Pennington, who is to be found at the
polls on every election day and takes an active,
though not an office-seeking, part in the work of
the party. He is a pronounced Republican and no
one can long be uncertain as to his political faith
or its reasons. He and his wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  They are
respected members of society and do their part
toward advancing the interest of the section in
which they have made their home by promoting
social life and culture.
OHN DECKER is an old settler in Commerce Township, whom prosperity has not
spoiled, heither have the hardships of pioneer life embittered his nature. He is the
son of John Decker, a native of Pennsylvania, who
was born February 13, 1787, and who was a captain in the War of 1812. His grandfather, John,
was a Pennsylvania farmer, and the family is of
Pennsylvania Dutch stock. The mother of our
subject was Phoebe Mather, who was born August
29, 1793, in Connecticut. They were married in
Lima, Livingston County, N. Y., where they made
their permanent home on a farm in the unbroken
woods. He lived until June 2, 1863, having lost
his wife April 10, 1857. Six of their twelve children are now living. They were attendants at the
services of the Universalist Church, and Mr.
Decker's political views were of the Whig order,
and later Republican, He was a successful farmer,


Our subject received a district school education,
and grew to manhood upon the homestead where
he first saw the light, April 17, 1820. He remained
at home helping his father until he was twentyfour years of age. About that time he was married to Harriet Moore, a daughter of Cyrus and
Sallie (Bowman) Moore, natives of New Hampshire, members of the best families of that State.
They early removed to Livingston County, N. Y.
and remained there until their death, hers occurring in 1837 and his in 1840. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are now living.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Decker took place
October 15, 1844. Mrs. Decker was born June 29,
1817, in Clermont Township, N. H. The young
couple settled on part of Mr. Decker's father's farm.
In 1846 they came to Michigan and rented farms,
first in Commerce Township and then in Waterford Township. They then bought forty acres in
the latter township, nearly all unbroken, and after
living upon it three years and putting in some improvements, sold it and bought one hundred acres
on section 23, Commerce Township. He now has
two hundred and fifty-five acres, two hundred of
which is under cultivation.
Five children of the six granted to Mr. and Mrs.
Decker are now   living:  John Albert, born
March 14, 1846, married Esther Smith, by whom
he has had two children. They live in this township. Ella E., born January 25, 1848, is the wife
of Charles D. Woodman and the mother of two
children, and lives in  Northville.  Marcus H.,
born October 28, 1849, and married to Hattie
Green, lives on section 23, and has seven children.
Matie A., born January 16, 1854, makes her home
at Walled Lake. The youngest is Emma J.. born
October 13, 1856.
Mrs. Decker has been for many years an active
and efficient member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. She takes a great interest in temperance
movements, and is a woman of intelligence and
character. Mr. Decker has been a Director of local
schools and is always interested in the political situation, especially in the movements of the Republican party, to which he is attached. He has been
Road Overseer. The children of this family have
been granted excellent opportunities for education,




PORTRAIT AND BIOG RAPH3ICAhL ALBUM.C


637


PI


Miss Matie is now a student at the State Normal
School at Ypsilanti, where she is taking a supplementary course, after having taught for many
terms. The other two daughters also hold certificates to teach. The home of this family is one of
more than ordinary happiness and intelligence,
the parents being always ready to lead the younger
members of the family in happy reunions and jolly
times. The father has given away to his sons two
farms of eighty acres each, and still has a fine
tract of land left for himself.
GEORGE GERMAN, a retired farmer who
has resided on the farm where he now lives
since 1837, and who owns two hundred and
sixty acres of as fine land as Oakland County affords, was born in Devonshire, England, September 9, 1814. His parents, John and Grace (Essary)
German, came to America in 1837, and settled on
the farm where their son now lives. They spent
the remainder of their days in this county. The
father was a lifelong farmer and owned a farm in
England, just outside of Biddeford. He was in
comfortable circumstances at the time of his decease.
He paid $1 per acre for his land in 1837, purchasing at that time two hundred acres, which he proceeded to clear up and cultivate.
John German and his estimable wife were devout members of the Episcopal Church, in which
they were brought up in the old country. He was
an intelligent citizen and attached himself to the
Whig party and joined the Republican party after
its formation, but he never took an active part in
politics. He had eight children, namely: Richard,
Ann, John, George, Mary, Betsey Jane, William,
and Grace.
The subject of this sketch was reared in England
and received a common-school education in Biddeford. He has followed farming all his life and has
upon his fine farm a pleasant home and excellent
farm buildings. He has now retired from active
labor, yet his interest still centers in his farm,
upon which he concentrates all his financial and
personal efforts. He is a Republican in his politics


and has been Supervisor of his township four times,
and has held almost all of the other town offices.
He is a Director of the Monitor Insurance Company of Oakland County. Ite is liberal in his
support of churches but is not connected with any
denomination.
The marriage of Mr. German took place September 9, 1843. His good lady bore the maiden
name of Henrietta Pins. She was a resident of
Farmington, this county, but was born in Alost,
Belgium, August 5, 1823. She is a daughter of
Peter J. and Ellenor (Debeer) Pins, who came to
America in 1840 and settled in Farmington; they
are both now deceased, Mr. Pins dying at Baltimore, Mich., and his wife at Detroit.
The eight children of Mr. and Mrs. German are
as follows: Emma, deceased; Matilda, wife of William Adams, a farmer in Southfield Township, who
has six children-Willie, Cora, Frankie, Archie,
Georgie and Ross; George H., a farmer on the
old home, who with his wife, Carrie Durkee, has
three children-Frankie, Leon and Amy; Henry E.,
a farmer also on the home farm, married Lucy
Simmons, of Pontiac, and has had five little ones
-Harry, Gertie, Allie, Wellington and Howard;
Minnie is the wife of Mark Armstrong, of North
Farmington; and Allie, Mrs. Clarence Seeley, of
Farmington, has one child-Clayton; Alfred and
and Edwin are deceased. In the society of their
beloved children and beautiful grandchildren Mr.
and Mrs. German are preparing to spend their latter
days in happiness.
to. W. *


E   UGENE B. WILHELM       is the Superintendent and Manager of the Highland Vinegar
and Pickle Factory, in which he has a third
interest. The establishment furnishes employment
to an average force of forty hands and the sales
amount to $100,000, yearly. Mr. Wilhelm is also
a lumber dealer, and is engaged in the mercantile
business, having a general store in which wellselected stock is to be found. The fact that lie is
succeeding while handling so many business affairs
is a proof of his ability and good judgment. That




638


PORTRAIT AND BIIOGR~APHICAL ALBUM.


63  P


he is stirring and energetic no one can doubt who
sees him in any of the establishments in which he is
interested.
The paternal line of descent is traced back to one
John Wilhelm, who was killed in the battle of Ft.
Erie. Following him was George, who was born
in New Jersey, went to Milo, N. Y., with his pa —
rents, and there married and reared a family of
seven sons and three daughters. One of his sons
was John, who was born at.Milo and lived with his
father until he was twenty-two years of age. The
family had removed to Livingston County some
years before John Wilhelm became a man, and
there he married Leora Humphrey, daughter of
Ozias and Parnal Humphrey, who were natives of
Simsbury, Conn. For two years after his marriage
John Wilhelm made his home in Springwater, and
he then bought one hundred and sixty acres of
land in the town of Conesus, N. Y., on which he
now lives. Ile has increased his landed estate to
two hundred and eighty-five acres. He is one of
the stock-holders and Vice President of the Milford
State Bank in this county. His family consisted of
the following children: Emily A., Sidney S., Elsie
J., Solon H., Eugene B., Martin (deceased) and
Martha.
The subject of this biographical notice was born
in Conesus, Livingston County, N. Y., February
12, 1856. He remained with his parents until after
he had become of age, pursuing such studies as are
usual and learning much of the work in which his
father was engaged.  When lhe attained his majority he formed a partnership with his father, carrying on farming and stock-dealing, and the connection continued four years.  Previous to this
period lie had taken up the higher branches of
study at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lime, N.
Y. In 1883 he came to Milford, this county, and
the next year established himself in Highland, buying a one-fourtl interest in the vinegar and pickle
factory, which he is now so satisfactorily managing.
In Steuben County, N. Y., December 27, 1882,
Mr. Wilhelm was united in marriage with Miss
Carrie E. Patchen, daughter of Ira and Elizabeth
(Ellis) Patchen.  Her parents were born in the
Empire State and had two children, a son, Sprague,
and the daughter mentioned. To Mr. and Mrs.


Wilhelm there have come two children-Eugene
B., Jr. and Philip-bright little lads who are rapidly advancing in knowledge.
Mr. Wilhelm is a Knight Temnplar and is enrolled in
Genesee Valley Commandery, No. 15, at Flint. His
political allegiance is given to the Republican party,
as after investigation of its principles, he became
firmly convinced that it was founded upon the
truest theories of government. He has been Supervisor of Highland Township three consecutive years,
and this fact alone is sufficient to indicate his stand
ing in the community.  An incident of considerable interest connected with his ancestry is the fact
that during the War of 1812 his grandfather, Ozias
Humphrey, beat the alarm at New London, Conn.,
when the British attacked that place.
ENJAMIN F. DAVISON owns and occupies a good farm in Highland Township,
J  comprising one hundred and seventy acres.on section 21.  Mr. Davison formerly
owned a much larger tract, but has given away
one hundred and twenty acres, reducing his own
estate to the acreage mentioned. He finds sufficient occupation with that which he now possesses,
as he is ambitious to have it in as perfect condition as possible, and he is advancing in years, so
that he does not have the physical strength to do
as he once did, although by no means incapacitated
from the oversight of affairs, or from the share in
the labor necessary to reap good results from the
farm.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Paul
Davison, a native of Connecticut, who in an early
day went to Pennsylvania, and thence to Livingston
County, N. Y., in 1788. He and three others were
the first to settle in that county, and in making
their way there followed an Indian trail. They
built a cabin, and the next year Mr. Davison returned to Pennsylvania for his family.  They
made their journey to the new home in an ox cart,
cutting logs and building bridges on the way.
The first crop of turnips and oats gathered in
Lima Township was harvested by Mr. Davison.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


639


__ _ _ _ _ _


=


The corn used in the home was ground with a
stump and mortar. Mr. Davison died in 1804,
at the age of forty-one years; his wife survived
him forty years, reaching the age of fourscore.
He had been in the Colonial army during the Revolution, and fought in Sullivan's forces in subduing the Indians in Western New York; he held
the commission of Captain. His family consisted
of three sons and four daughters, namely: Norman,
Marlin, Jonathan, Lavina, Olive, Betsey and
Fanny-the last named being the first white female
child born west of Geneva. She married Amos
Otis.
Norman Davison was born in Connecticut and
accompanied his parents to New York when an infant. At the age of twenty years he married
Huldah Brown, a native of Albany, N. Y., and to
them were born the following named children:
Sarah, Paul G., Olive P., Sylva, DeWitt C., Benjamin F., Jane A. and Marietta. In 1831 Mr.
Davison removed to Genesee County, this State,
locating twelve miles from Flint, and being one of
the first settlers in that locality. There he died
ten years after his arrival. The patent for the
first land he entered was signed by Andrew Jackson. He was a delegate to the convention at Detroit, in 1835, which framed the first constitution
of the State, and he was a delegate to the convention held at Ann Arbor to settle the difficulties
between Indiana, Ohio and Michigan regarding
the boundary. IIe was Postmaster and Justice of
the Peace for years.
The subject of this notice was born in Avon,
Livingston County, N. Y,, April 12, 1821, and was
ten years old when he accompanied his parents. to
this State. He worked on his father's farm after
his school days were ended, until 1842, when he
came to this county and established himself in
Highland Township. He has cairied on general
farming with good results, and has secured a good
standing as an agriculturist and a citizen. Hle has
served as Township Treasurer a year and Supervisor four years. He exercises the right of suffrage
in behalf of Democratic principles and the candidates who are pledged to support them. He is
connected with the social order of the Grange.
In 1847 Mr. Davison was married to Miss Hul



I


I


dah N. Gue, who bore him four children, named
respectively, Ann, Ella, Norman and Frank. Tile
wife and mother exchanged time for eternity in
1866, and January 1, 1867, Mr. Davison made a
second marriage. His bride was Sarah S. Wells,
daughter of Philip and Sophia (Fuller) Wells, who
were natives of Rhode Island and IMassachusetts
respectively.  Mr. Wells came to Michigan in
1842, and settled in Milford, where he died in
1853. The year of his birth was 1799. Mrs.
Wells died September 16. 1867, at the age or
sixty-six years, having been born in 1801. Mr.
Wells owned and operated a foundry. He served
as Justice of the Peace, was a Mason and Odd
Fellow, and, with his wife, had good standing in
the Presbyterian Church. The children of Mr.
Davison and his present wife are still residing with
their parents, although both are engaged in teaching. Their names are Bertha and Margaret S.
Mrs. Davison is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.
F   DWIN PHELPS. The farm of this gentleman may certainly be called A, No. 1, on account of the fertility of the soil, the careful
tillage it receives, the order of its arrangements
and the number and worth of the farm buildings.
It consists of one hundred and eighty acres on section 23, Pontiac Township, and bears a good line
of outbuildings, while the dwelling is a handsome
brick, shaded by fine trees which also lend their
cooling influence to other parts of the farm. Mr.
Phelps is one of the prominent cattlemen of Southeastern Michigan, and is the pioneer breeder of
Herefords in the State. He has made two importations from Holland, of Holstein Friesian cattle,
and belongs to the Hereford Association of America and the State and National Holstein Friesian
Associations.
Elnathan Phelps, the father of our subject, was
born in Massachusetts in 1799 and was the son of
Benjamin Phelps, a native of Pittsfield and a soldier both in the Revolution and the War of 1812.
The ancestry in the Phelps line is traced back to




640


PORTRAIT ANUD BIOGRAPHICAL; ALBUM.l


640P RTR IT AD BOGRPHICL ABUM


Wales. In 1833 Elnathan Phelps came to this
county. removing via the canal to Buffalo, steamer
to Detroit, and across the country by teams to Pontiac Township. He took possession of a partlyimproved farm where the woods were full of "Injuns," bear, wolves and smaller animals. While in
Massachusetts he belonged to a military company.
He belonged to the Presbyterian Church for many
years and was a worthy and highly-respected man.
He died in 1870. The mother of our subject was
Clara Colt, a native of the Bay State, who died
in 1832. She had but two children-our subject
and a sister, who are twins. She was a member of
the Baptist Church.
Edwin Phelps was born at Pittsfield, Mass., April
7, 1828, and reared to farm life. He pursued his
studies in theold-fashioned log house with slab
seats, and before he was ten years old walked with
his sister two miles along an Indian trail to the
schoolhouse. During his boyhood he associated
with Indians more than with whites. He often
heard wolves howl and catamounts scream in the
forest near his father's dwelling. For a short time
lie attended a select school in Rochester, then under the charge of R. C. Kedzie, now Professor of
Chemistry in the Michigan Agricultural College.
When of age Mr. Phelps started out for himself,
and in the spring of 1850 crossed the plains to California, being four months and a half on the way.
He returned home in the fall of 1851, via Nicaraugua, after a more successful experience as a
miner than was often the case. He bought the
homestead, paying for it in gold, and he has since
carried on farm work. He has not only surrounded
himself witl the conveniences of the modern agriculturist and stockman, but he has furnished his
dwelling with substantial and tasteful appointments,
and made many arrangements for the comfort of
his family. He has also catered to their tastes, and
given them opportunities for mental culture and
enjoyment such as are not often found in the rural
districts. He has a good library where standard
literature and periodicals of the day await the
terusal of family and friends.
In 1858 Mr. Phelps was married to Mary Irish,
a native of this county, born in 1838. Her parents
Merwin and Sarah (Biglow) Irish, were born in the


Empire State and were early settlers here. Mr.
Irish died in 1857 but Mrs. Irish is still living.
Mrs. Mary Phelps became the mother of two daughters-Mary and Jessie. She was called from time
to eternity in 1870, leaving a sorrowing household.
After having lived a widower until 1875 Mr. Phelps
brought to his home a second wife, formerly Miss
Adelia Kimball. This estimable lady is a native
of this county and is a member in good standing of
the Presbyterian Church. Their union has been
blest by the birth of three children-Clara, Ella and
Edwin. All the sons and daughters have received
and are receiving good advantages, and the family
as a whole ranks high in the scale of intelligence
and culture.
Mr. Phelps has served as Justice of the Peace
twenty years, and this fact establishes his standing
in the community. He has been prominent in
local political circles and has served as a delegate
to State and other conventions. Politically he is a
Democrat. He founded the Grange in this county
and is a member also of the State and National organizations. For many years he has been connected
with the Knights of Pythias. IIe was recently appointed by the Governor a member of the State
Board of Agriculture, and no man in this vicinity
possesses better qualifications for such a position,
as he is keen in his judgment, well informed by
observation and experience, and deeply interested
in the prosperity of tile class to which he belongs.
E      DWARD BROMLEY, one of the industrious
farmers of Avon Township, was born in
Clinton County, N. Y., March 31, 1829,
and is a son of Bethuel and Eliza (Brand) Bromley. The Bromley family originated in England,
and three brothers of the name emigrated from
that country to Amel ica in the early Colonial days,
the branch to which our subject belongs making
New England their home for several generations.
Edward  Bromley traces his lineage backward
through Bethuel, who was born in Rutland County,
Vt.; Barton, who was also a native of the Green
Mountain State; and Bethuel who was born in Con



A




f^4cA
















PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


645




I


I


necticut. Agricultural pursuits were followed by
the successive generations and our subject is a
farmer by inheritance and training.
The father of our subject came to Michigan in
1833, driving through from his former home in
a covered wagon. He entered eighty acres of land
three miles northwest of Rochester, and there he
lived out his days, dying September 16, 1880, in
the eighty-sixth year of his age. Iis widow, who
was born in Clinton County, N. Y., November 13,
1806, is still in quite vigorous health, and her present home is with a daughter in Detroit. To them
were born eleven children, three sons and eight
daughters. The survivors are Martin, a resident
of Macomb County; Edward, subject of this biographical notice; Charlotte, widow of Henry Alien,
whose home is in Geneva, Wis.; Rebecca, wife of
Charles A. Baldwin, of Owosso, this State; Olivia,
wife of Newton Baldwin, of the same place; Nettie,
whose home is in Detroit; Julia, wife of William
Burbanks, living in Petoskey; Favor A., wife of
Rollin Sprague of Detroit.
Although Edward Bromley was but four years
old when his parents came West he retains a vivid
recollection of the trip. They  came through
Canada, crossing into this State at Detroit, and
from that point passed over a long stretch of corduroy road, built through tile low ground. Mr.
Bromley had the usual school privileges of the
early territorial years and participated in the pleas.
ures that were enjoyed by pioneer families as a relief to the danger and ardor of toil that beset them.
When he had attained his majority he began working away from home by the month, day or job, as
opportunity offered, and at night fiddled for parties, finding much enjoyment in drawing the bow.
When he was twenty-eight years old he established
a home of his own on land he had previously
bought in Jackson County. There he remained
three years, then spent seven years in Macomb
County, and subsequently bought a tract of one
hundred and twenty acres. From that farm he returned to the homestead and after a time took possession of the Hamlin farm, and in 1872 bought the
eighty-seven acres on which he has since been located.
The lady who became the wife of Mr. Bromley,




February 19, 1857, bore the maiden name of Mary
Elizabeth Summers. Her parents, Jacob and Jane
(Davidson) Summers, were born in New Jersey
and came to this State in 1834, making a location
near Utica. Mr. Summers died October 1, 1885.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bromley four children have been
born-Juliette, Josephine, Mary Elizabeth (deceased). and Clinton A. The last uamed resides at
home. Juliette is the wife of David W. Butts, a
farmer near Rochester; Josephine married Judson
Stiff and lives in Rochester.
While he resided in Jackson County, Mr. Bromley served as Township Treasurer. The first Presidential ballot he cast was for Franklin Pierce, and
he still remains a straight Democrat. In carrying
on his farm work he is industrious and sufficiently
progressive to adopt new methods when by so doing he can increase the productiveness of his land
or gain better crops than before. As a citizen, he
is reliable and steady-going, and as a neighbof and
friend he is respected as he deserves.
UGUSTUS G. DEWEY, a farmer on section 3, Bloomfield Township, was born in
East Bloomfield, Ontario County, N. Y.,
June 13, 1830, but has spent his life from
childhood in this county. He is now located on
one of the finest farms in Bloomfield Township
and is giving his attention to agricultural pursuits.
His property consists of one hundred and fifty-one
acres which is marked by a full line of improvements, so substantial, well arranged and attractive
in design as are seldom seen even in so fine an
agricultural region as this. There are several large
barns on the farm and the residence, which is built
of brick, is also large and well designed and set in
the midst of suitable adornments. In former years
Mr. Dewey was a breeder of light harness horses,
but at present he has almost entirely abandoned the
business. Much valuable information regarding
trotting-bred horses can be obtained from him, as
lie is one of the best-informed and most fluent
talkers on "horse flesh" to be met with.




646


PORTRAIT AND BIOG~RAPHICAL ALBUM.


66  PT A BIO


The immediate progenitors of our subject were
Berdsey and Sarah (Jersey) Dewey, natives of
New York, who came to this State in 1836 and set
up their home in Macomb County. The next year
they came to this county and for a time made
Avon Township their residence, then removed to
Troy and still later to Pontiac Township, and are
now living in the city of that name. The father
followed farming during his entire active life. He
and his wife have been members of the Baptist
Church for fifty years. They are of the same age,
eighty-seven years. lie is a Republican.  They
have nine children who bear the respective names
of Isabella, Augustus G., Miles M., Laura, Eunice,
Henry, Edwin B., Albert and Lucy.
The memories of Augustus G. Dewey reach back
to his childhood's home in New York, which he
left in his seventh year. From that time until he
was of age his days were spent on his father's farm,
and as he was the eldest son the cares of the family
were shared by him when he was still quite young.
He obtained but a limited education, and that in
the district school, but he made good use of such
opportunities as were afforded him to gain practica
knowledge from other sources and is a well-informed man. He helped to clear and break raw
land and took part in the varied labors in which
his father was engaged, until he had attained to his
majority, and then began working out as a farm
hand, receiving $10 per month. His employer was
Solomon J. Matthews of Troy Township, with whom
he remained two years.
At the expiration of that period young Dewey
bought eighty acres of land in Kent County, but a
year later applied it in a trade for a threshing outfit and began threshing in this county. He fol
lowed the occupation fourteen years, during which
time his home was on a rented farm in Avon Township. In 1864 he bought the Northern Hotel in
Pontiac and ran the same until March, 1866, when
he sold out and bought his present farm. His work
since he came hither has already been spoken of.
A satisfactory degree of success has crowned his
efforts in life and his home is one of which any
man might well be proud. Mr. Dewey pays no
attention to politics other than that which loyalty
demands of every citizen. He has firm faith in


Republican principles and the ticket of that party
is the one that receives his support.
Mr. Dewey was fortunate in his choice of a life
companion and February 28, 1854, was married to
Miss Elizabeth Hixon, at that time a resident of
Shelby, Macomb County. She was born in Warren
County, N. J., November 4, 1835, and is a daughter of Richard and Mary (Fanckboner) Hixon, who
came from that State to Michigan in 1836. Mr.
and Mrs. Dewey have had five children-George
R., Leora B., Ellsworth, Della M. and Ralph B.
The eldest son lives in Pontiac, and so does Leora,
who is the wife of Alvin Knight. The youngest
son is with his parents. Ellsworth and Della are
deceased. Miss Della, who was one of the most
talented young ladies of the county, died August
8, 1888, in the dawn of womanhood when eighteen
years old. She was a graduate of the Pontiac High
School, where she had been a general favorite, and
she had already taken a prominent place in society
and her friends were looking forward with high expectations, as she gave promise of doing much
good in the station in which she was placed. Intellectual, refined and earnest, she made and retained friends and wielded an influence over her
associates such as few young ladies exert.
Elsewhere in this volume are presented lithographic portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Dewey.
-----     ^    ^   il. --- — --
A OL. JOSEPH SUMNER ROGERS, the
founder and Superintendent of the Michigan Military Academy at Orchard Lake,
was born at Orrington, Me., July 5, 1844. He is
the son of Joseph and Joanna (Harriman) Rogers,
natives of Orrington, Me., where the father spent
all his days, passing away in 1890. The ancestry
of this family is traced back to Thomas Rogers,
who came over in the "Mayflower" and settled in
Massachusetts. The grandfather of our subject
was also Joseph Rogers, and his father was Moses.
The maternal grandfather was James Harriman, a
native of Goffstown, N. H., who settled on Government land in Maine, which was granted to his
father, Peter, for services rendered in the Revolulutionary War.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUIM.


647


Col. Rogers' father was a stone-cutter by trade
and took large contracts, as well as devoting a part
of his time to farming. Ie was in comfortable
circumstances and was a prominent man in his
community. He and his good wife were lifelong
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their
children numbered six, and were named James, Joseph S., Belle, Sidney, Flora and Susie. They are
all still living.  Young Joseph remained upon
the farm during the summers and attended school
in the winter until he was sixteen years of age.
In April, 1861, being then in his seventeenth
year, this youth left school to enter the volunteer
service of the United States in defense of the
Union, enlisting as a private in Company A, Second Maine Infantry. This was the first regiment
which left the State, and the first battle in which
it took part was the first Bull Run. They went all
through the Peninsular campaign, and at the second battle of Bull Run young Rogers was severely
wounded in tie head. After being disabled for a
short time he rejoined his regiment, and at the
termination of his period of enlistment he received
an honorable discharge. Ils taste for military life
impelled him to again enter the service, and in
September, 1864, he was appointed Second Lieutenant, Company L, Thirty-first Maine Infantry.
October 17, 1864, he was promoted to the position
of Captain of Company M, of the same regiment,
and served with his regiment in the front of
Petersburg in the Second Division, Ninth Corps,
of the Army of the Potomac. He participated in
the capture of Petersburg and in the pursuit and
capture of Lee, and received his final discharge at
Bangor, Me., in July, 1865. HIe was mustered out
with the rank of Captain and Brevet-Major. This
promotion of a mere boy in years speaks well for
his military record. The character that could so
well assert itself in the soldier is admirably reflected in the discipline, the order and the executive ability that mark the management of the
Michigan Military Academy.
After the close of the War Maj. Rogers served
as clerk in the War Department at Washington,
D. C., for one year, and then entered the Regular
Army, October 1, 1867, as Second Lieutenant of
the First Infantry. He saw duty at various points


in Louisiana and at Ft. Wayne, near Detroit. In
1874 he was detailed by the President as Professor
of Military Science and Tactics in the Detroit
High School.
The project of the military Academy was first
conceived by Maj. Rogers while on duty in the
Detroit High School and as military instructor of
the Pelouze Corps, an organization of Detroit
boys. He came to Orchard Lake in that year in
quest of a place for holding an encampment. Here
he found what he desired, and his natural military
enthusiasm led him to entertain the idea of establishing here a military school. The general situation was all that could be desired. The Copeland property, as it was then known, was in the
market at a reasonable figure. Negotiations were
opened which resulted in the purchase of the
property, comprising about one hundred acres of
land, and its conversion to the uses of the Michigan Military Academy. The buildings were at
that time sufficient for a beginning, and an Academy was opened in September, 1877, with small
financial means, but with faith and energy on the
part of its projector as its chief capital stock. The
school opened with six teachers including the
Superintendent, and an attendance during the year
of forty. The first commencement was held in
June, 1878, at which one graduate, Edward McE.
Benson, of Detroit, received the diploma of the
Academy, he having entered with an advanced
standing. The attendance has steadily grown from
year to year until it is now a school of one hundred and seventy-seven cadets, with certainty of
a larger attendance next year.
The full academic period is four years, divided
into four classes. There is also a post-graduate
course, making in reality five classes. Five courses
of study are open to the election of cadets, viz:
English, Academic, Scientific, Latin and Classical.
The English course may be completed in three
years, the studies being designed to fit graduates
for the average business of life. The Academic
Course comprises four years and is an extension
of the English, giving more advanced instruction
in the sciences with the option of Latin, German
or French. It is designed to be a finished course
short of the classics. The Scientific Course sup



648


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


plements the Academic Course so as to admit
graduates to a scientific course in any university.
The Latin Course gives more attention to the languages. The Classical Course fits the graduate for
admission to the Classical Course in the University,
and the Academy's diploma is accepted from candidates who apply for admission to the higher colleges without examination. Military science and
tactics necessarily form a part of the instruction
in each course.
The Academy presents a complete military organization of a battalion of four companies, under
command of an officer of the United States army,
detailed for duty at the institution. The battalion
has its Adjutant. Quartermaster, Signal Officer,
Sergeant-Major. Color Sergeant, band and trumpeters, and each company has its full complement
of officers. This system involves a military discipline and instruction as well as a thorough academic work.
The officers and teachers reside in or near the
Academy and have a continual oversight of the
pupils, partaking of the family relations. While
the Academy is not conducted in the interest of
any religious denomination, its managers desire to
make it decidely a Christian school. There are
daily prayers in the chapel and religious services
every Sunday which all the cadets are required to
attend. The students are forbidden to use tobacco
or to partake of intoxicants in any form. In no
case are applicants received without proper testimonials of good moral character.
The students are in "cadet grey" similar to that
of cadets at West Point. The charge for instruction, room, board, washing, mending, fuel, lights,
use of arms and equipments, etc., is $450 per
annum. The cost of uniforms and incidentals is
about $150 per year. The circulars of the Academy, which are supplied on application, give full
information on this head.
The institution consists of six massive buildings,
lighted by electricity and heated by steam throughout, and others are contemplated to accommodate
the continually increasing patronage of this most
excellent school. The castle, the family residence
of the superintendent, is the only one of the original
buildings left. The Barracks are of brick, 30x120


I
I
i


=




feet, and three stories high. The rooms are steamheated and lighted with electricity. The building
is finished in hardwood throughout and is practically fire proof.  Bath and washrooms are located in this building. To complete this building
two new towers will be added, affording accommodation for two hundred cadets.
The new Academic building, 50x125 feet, three
stories high, is a massive building of the castellated order of architecture and contains the reception room and offices of the Superintendent and
Principal and Commandant, the assembly room,
library, physical and chemical laboratory, and
eight schoolrooms. It is pronounced to be one of
the most complete school buildings in the West.
The Mess Hall is about 32x65 feet, one story
high, and the kitchen adjoining is about 28x60
feet, two stories high. It has accommodation for
about two hundred cadets. The windows of this
building are of stained glass, the finest of any
building of the place.
In the power house are located the boilers for
heating and the engines and dynamos for the
waterworks and for lighting. The water supply
is drawn from Orchard Lake, a sheet of the purest
of water some two miles in diameter.
The new Quartermaster's building in course of
erection is 40x100 feet. In this building will be
located the Quartermaster's office, the tailor, shoe
and barbers' shops and the matron's room.
The riding hall for use in winter and stormy
weather is a one-story building 160x85 feet with a
truss roof, leaving the entire space free from obstructions.
A number of guns and caissons for artillery
practice occupy a depressed plateau in the foreground to the west of the buildings, imparting a
decidedly warlike aspect to the scene, while on
a rise of ground above stands a huge mortar
as if doing sentinel duty. To the equipment has
also been added a Gatling gun. The grounds occupied by the buildings and the parade ground comprise about thirty acres, and there are in addition
seventy acres of the farm under cultivation.
The business management is in the hands of a
Board of Trustees, consisting of the Hon. A. C.
Baldwin and the Hon. J. D. Norton, of Pontiac;




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


649;JI


Gen. R. A. Alger, Col. Sylvester Lamed and Col.
Henry M. Duffield, of Detroit; and Col J. Sumner
Rogers, of Orchard Lake.
Section 1225 of the revised Statutes of the
United States authorizes the President, upon the
application of any established College or University
within the United States, having capacity to educate not less than one hundred and fifty male
students, to detail an officer of the Army to act as
President, Superintendent or Professor thereof. In
pursuance of this authority Lieut. Frederick S.
Strong, of the Fourth United States Artillery, has
been thus detailed and holds the chair of Military
Science and Tactics.
The State of Michigan, in a joint resolution
passed by the Legislature, thus gives its endorsement to the institution:
WHEREAS, The General Government has recognized the Michigan Military Academy, at Orchard
Lake, by (letailing an officer of the regular army
as one of its professors, and by supplying it with a
full equipment of arms, ammunition and camp
equipage,
And WIEREAS, The teaching of military science
and tactics to the young men of this State will
materially aid in the instruction of its militia;
therefore,
Be it Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan that the
Governor shall cause an annual inspection to be
made of the discipline, courses of study, and general management of the institution; and further,
Be it Resolved, That the graduates of the Academy shall he eligible to appointment as Brevet
Second Lieutenants in the State troops, and may
he commissioned and assigned to companies at the
discretion of the Governor upon recommendation
of the inspecting officers, not to exceed one for
each company; And Further, the Governor is
authorized to appoint and commission the Superintendent as Colonel, and the Military Professor,
Quartermaster and Surgeon, each as Major in the
State troops.
Col. Rogers started this institution without capital and now has one of the finest schools of the
kind in the United States. About one-third of
the cadets are from this State and the others from
all parts of the Union and foreign countries. The
Colonel's success in this enterprise is certainly very
remarkable.
This gentleman is a Republican in his political


views, but has no time to devote to politics. He
is a member of the Woodward Avenue Congregational Church, at Detroit. He is a Free and Accepted Mason of the Knight Templar degree in
the Detroit Commandery; and a member of the
Loyal Legion of the United States, and belongs
to the Grand Army of the Republic, being connected with the Fairbanks Post, of Detroit. He is
also a member of the Sons of the Revolution of
the District of Columbia. ~
The lady who became Mrs. Rogers, September
11, 1866, bore the maiden name of Susan J.
Wheeler. She is a daughter of John D. and Sarah
(Jones) Wheeler, of Orrington, Me., where she
was reared and educated. Her parents are no
longer living, the father dying in Bangor and the
mother in Detroit. To Col. and Mrs. Rogers have
been given three children: Harry L., born June
29, 1867, now Quartermaster of the Academy and
Major of State troops; Florence B., born December 19, 1877, and died July 26, 1890; Frederick
P., the youngest son, was born September 1, 1881.;     HILIP CALKINS, of Holly, carries on a
business in dry goods, boots and shoes,
groceries and wall paper. He is one of
the leading merchants of Holly and his
store receives the patronage of many of the best
class in the community. He was born in Genesee
County, N. Y., November 12, 1835, and is the son
of Henry and Ann (Piper) Calkins, natives of New
York; the former was by trade a wagon-maker. Of
their children our subject is the only one now living. The mother died when Philip was only three
years old and this motherless child was brought by
lhis father to Fenton, Mich., where he was cared
for by an uncle, Eber Weed. He remained with
him and attended school until twelve years of age.
The subject of this sketch now left his uncle
and went to Shiawassee County on foot. While
walking along the road he was overtaken by a
farmer named Chauncey Cook, who asked him to
go with him. He remained with this kind farmer
a year and a half, when Mr. Cook broke up his




650


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


home and sent the boy to an uncle of Mr. Cook's.
Here he remained six months, but being dissatisfied,
he crept away by night with his clothes in a bundle
on his shoulder. The boy came back to this
county, where his grandfather was living in the
township of Rose. Here he found his father, who
decided to bind him  out at farming to Caleb
Everett. He was to remain with this farmer until
he was twenty-one years old and to have in reconpense for his labor, his clothes and three months'
schooling each year and at the end of that time
either eighty acres of land or a horse, bridle and
saddle. He remained here four years, doing a
man's work on the farm and receiving only three
weeks' schooling each winter.  He made up his
mind to leave and started for the White Lake settlement, where his father was engaged in the wagon
business. Here lie attended school all winter, and
the followin  sig ing he hired out on a farm in
Rose Township at $9 a month. In the fall he went
to Franklin Township, this county, and did chores
for his board at Harvey Judd's and attended school
through the winter. The next year he spent in
the same way, farming in the summer and attending school in the winter.  The following spring
he enteied the employ of a sawmill company in Sag.
inaw and Bay City. He had now educated himself
sufficiently so that he was able to teach school the
next winter in Commerce Township. He received
$30 amonth and boarded around. This must have
seemed a princely fortune to the struggling youth.
In May, 1857, young Calkins went to Detroit and
purchased a ticket for Kansas. Arriving there he
found the country full of men and nothing to do,
so he went to teaming for the Government, driving
a wagon and six yokes of cattle with Government supplies across the plains. His trip was from
Leavenworth, Kan., to Ft. Union, New Mexico, a
distance of some six hundred miles. For this he
received $30 a month. In the fall he hired out to
chop wood on the banks of the Missouri River.
He was taken sick with fever and ague and did not
chop more than five cords of wood,11 winter. He
again hired to the Government in the spring and
took charge of a herd of six hundred cattle, driving them to Salt Lake City. Quite a detachment
of soldiers accompanied him as this was the year of


I
I
I


=


--


the Mormon War. While recruiting his strength in
Salt Lake City he boarded with a Mormon family.
The young man now went to Camp Floyd and hired
himself to Capt. Clark, who had charge of the Commissary department. In the spring he started with
a party of thirty men for the gold fields of Pike's
Peak. They went as far as Brid-er and then all
stopped except five, our subject being one of the
five. They succeeded in reaching Ft. Laramie.
Here three of the five, tired out by the long and
wearisome journey, entered the employ of the
Government. Mr. Calkins had two horses when
he started from Salt Lake City, but by this time
both had been stolen. His comrade had a horse
and they both packed their goods on him and started
for Pike's Peak. They reached Denver destitute
of clothes and money, but heroically determined
to go to work. This was in 1859.
The two young men succeeded in getting a rocker
of the miners but their gold find did not prove a
success, as they got only seventy-five cents worth
of gold, which they carried around in a goose
quill. They found it a place where there was
nothing to eat and nothing to do. The horse was
traded off for fifty pounds of flour and fifty pounds
of beans. They lived on this and after- having
spent four days together, one night his comrade
said "I have my bridle and my saddle and I am
going after my horse," and that was the last he saw
of this man who had accompanied him so far.
The subject of our sketch now fell in with two
Iowa men who had come to dig gold and who had
a horse and cart. They started for Ft. Union to
seek work. Their provision was soon gone and
for three days their only food was the game they
could kill. When they arrived at Ft. Union they
found that the department had just receive 1 word
to stop work and discharge the men. Our friend
had in his pocket a recommendation from  Capt.
Clark, whom   he had served at Camp Floyd,
so he applied to the Government commissary department for food and received two weeks rations
of flour, sugar and coffee. He fell in with a man
by the name of Kitchen, who took the job of
shearing six hundred sheep that were being driven
to California. He was to have their wool for doing
the shearing and he gave employment to these




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


651.. _


three seekers for work at $1 per day. Mr. Calkins
gave such good satisfaction that Mr. Kitchen
offered him a permanent position to drive a team
from there to the Missouri River. When he reached
Kansas City he was entirely destitute, and Mr.
Kitchen gave him clothes and money. Here he
remained for three months looking after Mr.
Kitchen's mules, which were grazing. After this
he worked on a farm through the summer and
winter, and in the spring of 1860 went with one of
the neighbors to drive a team to Colorado, where
he engaged in mining until the fall of 1863.
Mr. Calkins took the stage now for Salt Lake
City and from there to Virginia City, Mant., where
he engaged in mining and freighting from Virginia
to Salt Lake, and remained there until 1866. Ile
now returned home on a visit and remained until
spring, when he returned to Montana, sold out and
settled up his business and returned home. He
now engaged in the grocery business at Holly.
Here he has been very successful, adding to his
stock each year until he employs four clerks and a
delivery boy. His store is of brick 22x128 feet.
He has also a fine home in the village. He was
married in 1870. to Mrs. Mary Cornell of this
village. He is a member of the Masonic Order and
an ardent Republican, and as his history shows, a
man of almost incredible enterprise and perseverance.
ALLACE       BAILEY. This name will be
recognized by many readers as that of a
farmer and stock-raiser located in Orion
Township, where he and his brother own four hundred acres of fine land. Mr. Bailey devotes his
time entirely to agricultural affairs and, having
been reared on a farm and had much to do with
its management when he was quite young, he is a
master of his calling. He has a fine large dwelling
with attractive surroundings and a full supply of
farm buildings, so that he is well equipped for the
carrying on of his work and lives in much comfort. He is a native of this county, born in Independence Township, June 3, 1842, and all his
interests have centered here.


In Tioga County, Pa., in 1816, Wilson Bailey,
the father of our subject, was born. He came to
this State about 1831, when the country was full of
wild game, and the part in which he settled showed
scarce a vestige of improvement. He was one of
the first to locate land in Independence Township,
and the deed signed by Gen. Jackson is still in the
possession of Mrs. Bailey. He walked from Detroit
to his destination, there being no railroads or stage
lines. The customary log house was built, a clearing made and some simple improvements, and after
a few years Mr. Bailey returned to the Keystone
State for his parents, having located eighty acres
of land for them. As time passed he placed his
farm in good condition and in 1856 bought six
hundred acres on section 19. Orion Township,
which has since become known as the Steam  Mill
Farm. He entered into partnership with F. C.
Myrick, for the manufacture of pine lumber, but
the partnership was soon dissolved. A mill had
been built by Mr. Myrick which run seven saws,
and a large amount of lumber was made. Mr.
Bailey was a thorough business man and at the time
of his demise was engaged in various enterprises.
He had limited means when he came West but was
successful in accumulating property. He was a
life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in the faith of which he died May 26,
1862.
The mother of our subject was known in her
maidenhood as Miss Rachel Riker. She was born
in Chemung County, N. Y., in 1817, and is still
living; she has belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years and her character is
one that reflects credit upon her Christian profession. She is the mother of six children, but one
has crossed the river of death. Wallace is the
eldest of the family and was born in a log house
built by his father in Independence Township. He
attended the district school, which was held in the
primitive building with homemade furniture, and
became well versed in such branches as were then
taught. After his father's death the management
of the estate largely devolved upon him and he
remained at the old home until his marriage. The
property was kept together until the youngest
brother became of age,




652


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




In 1865 Mr. Bailey was married to Sarah C.
Case, a native of Sussex County, N. J., born in
1847. Her parents came to this State about 1855,
and she completed her studies and youthful training here. To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey three children
have been born, named respectively, Cora C.,
Mamie E. and Gracie M. They have had good
privileges and careful home training and the firstborn is now successfully engaged in teaching. In
1868 Mr. Bailey removed to Orion Township where
he has since lived. He votes the Republican ticket
and has been a Mason nearly thirty years. He and
his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church,
in which they have good standing, as they have
throughout the community.
ILLIAM J. CLAY. One of the most beautiful farms in Highland Township is represented by a view on another page, and
is the Clay estate.  The farm  consists of one
hundred and twenty acres on section 10, and was
taken possession of by the present owner on the
20th of October, 1851. At that time nearly forty
acres had been fenced in, on which two crops of
wheat had been raised several years before. There
was an unfinished log house on the place, which
Mr. Clay made habitable by putting in floors and
a shingle roof. This he occupied for his residence
until the fall of 1883. The remainder of the estate
was in its primitive condition, covered with woods
and having no improvements whatever. By (lint
of industrious and well-directed efforts Mr. Clay
has brought the entire tract under cultivation, and
has made various improvements, including a residence that was put up at a cost of $2,000. The
dwelling is of pleasing architectural design, is conveniently arranged and well furnished, and is alto.
gether a pleasant and comfortable abode.
The grandfather of our subject, Christian Clay,
was born in 1725, near Berlin, Germany, and entered the service of his Prince at the age of eighteen
years, serving seven years. The principality in
which he lived became subject to Prussia, and he
entered the service of Frederick the Great, who


was on the throne of that country. After serving
five years he returned to his old home to find that
the family was gone, no one knew whither. He
then came to America, landing in New York sometime before the breaking out of the French War.
After living in the city of New York for a time he
went to Philadelphia on business, and while stopping at a tavern he became acquainted with a man
by the name of Clay, who lived in Virginia and
said he came from Germany. He bore the same
name as one of the brothers of Christian Clay,
while the names of their father, mother, brothers
and sisters were also alike. They concluded therefore that they must be brothers, and made an agreement whereby Christian was to return to New
York, dispose of his interests there and come to
Virginia to his supposed brother.
However, when Christian Clay was almost ready
to start to the Old Dominion he was one evening
walking along the street en route to his boarding
house when he was seized by a company of British
soldiers and pressed into the service. The morning following his seizure the fleet sailed out of the
harbor, carrying him with others. After serving
for a time in the British navy he was put in the
ranks and fought at the battle of Louisburg. With
his regiment he was sent with Gen. Wolfe to capture the city of Quebec, scaling the heights of
Abraham  during the night and in the morning
helping to fight the battle that defeated the French,
deprived them of Gen. Montcalm, and gave the
city to the British though at the cost of the death
of Gen. Wolfe and many of his heroic followers.
Two days after that memorable event the Indians, who were in the surrounding woods firing
upon the soldiers, shot Christian Clay, the wound
penetrating the knee and disabling him for life. lHe
was taken to a hospital and soon discharged, after
serving in the British army and navy five years.
When able he commenced to work, and hoarded
sufficient money to take him back to New York. In
that city he met a woman whose first name was
Mary, and who had just come over from the Fatherland. He paid her passage, married her, and they
removed to Essex County, N. J., and later to Sussex County, the same State, where they reared a
large family, comprising two daughters and six




ft.
I - w




K




-440V -vaV
ow


k


"II,     i   .   '!     I,,,   -   


I




II -,


"WANTAGE FPLACE"' RESI1DENCE OF CLAY BROTHERS, SEG1O.JHIGHLAND TR.,OAKL-AND GO.,MICHIG AN.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


6.55


sons. They were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Sparta as early as 1780. Grandfather Clay departed this life in 1820, at the age of
ninety-five years, while his wife survived him several years.
Of the children of Christian and Mary Clay the
following is recorded: John passed his entire life
in Sussex County, N. J., and his children were
Abram, Noah, Maria and Sarah; William died in
Ohio; Christopher, in Sangamon County, 11l., at
the age of eighty-eight years; Thomas, near Cleveland, Ohio; James removed to Kentucky and there
enlisted in the service of his country in 1812. fighting under Gen. Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe, and in the battle of the Thames. Two days
after the latter engagement lie was taken ill and
died in Canada.
The father of our subject, Henry Clay, was born
in Hardyston, Sussex County, N. J., September 25,
1783, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. In his
native State he was married to Catherine Rorick,
who was born March 5, 1785, and shared his fortunes
until 1845, when she closed her eyes in death. Her
parents, Gosper and Elizabeth (Massaker) Rorick,
lived in Sussex County, N. J., the father being a
farmer. Of the children born to Henry Clay and
his good wife we note the following: Almeda,
born October 18, 1803, married Norris Wickham,
and later became the wife of J. Owen, and died
April 6, 1885, aged eighty-one years; William J.,
of this sketch, was the eldest son; Gosper R., born
January 9, 1808, married, and (lied April 22, 1835,
when twenty-seven years old; Christopher C., born
February 20, 1811, married Margaret Havens, and
resides in Sussex County, N. J.; Mahlon, born August 24, 1814, died August 20, 1819, when less
than five years old; Lucretia, born September 28,
1817, died July 22, 1819; Elizabeth, born December 4, 1820, married Philo Wilber and resides in
Tuscola County, Mich.; Alanson, born December
11, 1823, resides in Orange County, N. Y.; Hannah, born April 12, 1826, married Eliakim  Bross
and lives in Montague, N. Y.; Amzy, born October 17, 1828, married and now resides in Tuscola
County, Mich.
In the spring of 1852 Henry Clay, with his
daughter Elizabeth and his son Amzy, came to




I


I-~


Michigan and settled in Fairgrove, Tuscola County,
where he died July 6, 1871, aged eighty-seven years,
nine months and eleven days. His wife died near
Deckertown, N. J., September 26, 1845, aged sixty
years. six months and twenty-one days. The father
was a farmer during his entire life. Politically he
was a Democrat, and religiously a Baptist.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs was born in IHardyston, Sussex County,
N. J.. November 29, 1805. and remained in his native State until 1848. He then went to Orange
County, N. Y., made his home in Port Jervis four
years and then came to this county. He was married
in his native State to Hannah Demorest, who died in
this county in 1862. Their children are: Emily
H., born February 22, 1829; Henry D., born August 24, 1830, married Elizabeth Rhodes, and died
September 30, 1870; Marcus D. L.; Gilliam  D.,
born December 10, 1833, died August 5, 1857;
Cornelius; Mablon B. S., born October 26, 1839,
and died October 18, 1884. Mr. Clay has always
been a stanch believer in Democratic principles.
He is now in his old age enjoying the comforts to
which years of industry and honorable conduct
fairly entitle him, and the association with children
and friends who surround him.
The wife of our subject was born April 22, 1801,
in Warwick, Orange County, N. Y. Her father,
David Demorest, was born in 1761 and died in
1825; her mother, Margaret Demorest, who was
born in 1765, died in 1812. In an early day they
removed from Orange County to Sussex. Of their
children we note the following: Peter, born in
1790, died in 1825; Catherine, horn in 1791, died
in 1825; Mary who was born in 1793, married
Paulus Ackerson, and died in 1850; Henry, born
in 1802, died in 1836; Nicholas married and died
many years ago; John married Eliza Coss; Samuel
who married Betsey Crane, removed to Niagara
County, N. Y.; James located in Tompkins County,
N. Y.; Margaret married Peter Lantz; Cornelius was
was united in marriage with Abigail Demorest;
Gilliam, who married Catherine Sharp, removed
with his family to Franklin County, Kan., in the
fall of 1866, and died there in 1873, at the age of
sixty-seven years.
Cornelius D. Clay, son of our subject, was born




656


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL A.LLBUM.


6 e -  PN IO.


in New Jersey, October 7, 1836. and accompanied
his father to this State. He worked by the month
for three years, then came to live with his father
and has since been at home. He and his brother
Marcus now own two hundred acres of land in
Highland Township, besides having an interest in
the homestead. Mr. Clay began his life-work
without means and has made this property by welldirected and persevering efforts. In his political
beliefs and practices he follows the custom of the
family and is a Democrat.
Marcus D. L. Clay, second son of our subject,
was born in Newton, Sussex County, N. J., Feb
ruary 14, 1832. He went from his native place
to Port Jarvis, N. Y., where he lived about four
years, working at the painter's trade three years.
In October, 1851, ie came to this county and permanently settled in the town of Highland, where
he became a farmer. In 1865 he served seven
months in Company F, Fifteenth Michigan Infantry; lie was first sent to Hart's Island, New York
Harbor, thence to Morehead City, N. C.. later
to Goldsboro, Alexandria, Washington, Louisville and Little Rock in turn. While at the lastnamed place he was taken sick and was sent to the
hospital at Cairo, 111., where he remained forty-two
days. Thence he was sent to Harper Ilospital,
Detroit, and twenty-five days later came home in
a feeble condition. He has never regained his
former health.
RSON H. SMITH, a prominent farmer of
t  Commerce Township, is the son of John G.
B' W. Smith of Connecticut, who was born at
Waterford, May 2, 1796. He was the son of Samuel Smith, a native of Connecticut. The family
genealogy is traced back to England some two hundred and fifty years, the first comers having arrived
in this country in 1638, settling near New London,
Conn. The mother of our subject, Desire (Downer)
Smith, was born in Connecticut, October 3, 1797.
She married the father of our subject, September 16,
1817, and they made their permanent home in
Orangeville, Wyoming County, N, Y. She was


bereft of her husband, November 21, 1839, and
she survived until September 6, 1871. 'hey were
active members of the Baptist Church and Mr.
Smith was a very prominent man, a Whig in politics
and a man of temperate habits. He was Constable
for nine years and filled the office of Assessor. lie
always took an active interest in schools and promoted their well-being in every way possible.
The subject of this sketch was born in Orangeville, N. Y., December 13, 1824. Here he grew to
manhood and receiveil an excellent education, and
here lie entered upon the work of a teacher. He
began working for himself when he reached his
majority and has always been a farmer. He remained on the home farm until his marriage. This
important event took place May 17, 1848. His
wife wasJennett, a daughter of Gurden and Rachael
(Lee) Armstrong, both of New London County,
Conn., but who moved to Wyoming County, N. Y.,
at an early date. They remained there until about
1855, making their home with their children. Mr
Armstrong died in 1865 and his wife made her
home with our subject until her death which occurred in 1875. Adison Armstrong is the only one
of their children who now survives. Hle resides
in New York State. Mrs. Smith was born August
31, 1821, and received an excellent education and
taught school for fourteen terms. Mr. Armstrong
was a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church to which
be and his wife belonged.
After marriage Orson H. Smith made his home
at Orangeville N. Y. until 1855, when he came to
Michigan and settled on his present farm. He
bought one hundred acres of improved land and
has added to it until he now has one hundred and
forty-seven acres, most of it under cultivation. He
erected his handsome residence in 1865 at a cost of
$1,000 and has put up all the buildings on his farm.
He carries on actively his farm work and raises
grain and stock. He was bereaved of his wife,
February 26, 1888. They were the parents of two
children: George W. born March 27, 1850, married
Ida J. Ionnelson; they have three children. lie is
a graduate of Hillsdale College and of the law department of State University and is at present the
Prosecuting Attorney of Oakland County. The
second child, Frances D., born June 30, 1853, is the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AL;BUM.CI


657


POTRITANBORA


wife of Herbert D. Armstrong, to whom she was
married December 19, 1879. He is passenger agent
for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and makes his
home at Jackson, Mich. They have four boys.
Mr. Smith has lived in this township for thirty-six
years. He and his good wife were members of the
Free Will Baptist Church where he is still a Deacon.
This office he has held for many years in the church
at Wixom. He is also interested in Sunday-school
work. having been both teacher and Superintendent
for the past thirty years. For many years he has
been an officer of the School Board. His ballot has
been cast with the Republican party ever since its
organization. Previous to that time he was a Whig.
He has held the office of Justice of Peace for twelve
years and as Highway Commissioner for three years.
lie has been Treasurer of the Oakland County, Free
Will Baptist Quarterly Meeting for sixteen years.
IIe is thoroughly imbued with temperance principles and was a member of the Washingtonian Society many years ago. His sympathies were very
strongly on the union side during the Civil War
and in a word his record has been that of a useful
and patriotic citizen.
T    HOMAS McGEE, one of our worthy BritishAmerican citizens and a resident of Farmington, was born in Scotland about three
miles from the city of Glasgow, June 20, 1830.
His father, John McGee, a weaver by trade, was
born in Ireland, near Belfast. When a young man,
he went from Ireland to Scotland and resided there
until he came to Canada, and located near Plt.
Stanley, where he resided for many years. He
spent his last days in County Eckford, Canada.
The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden
name of Margaret Donigan, a native of Ireland,
left her son, Thomas, an orphan at the age of twenty
months. She was the mother of three children.
Our subject was thirteen years old when he came to
Canada in 1843. He worked for his father until
he was twenty-two years old. He came to Michigan in the fall of 1856 and remained for three


years at Greenfield, Wayne County. After this he
came to Farmington. He had married while in
Canada, his bride being Abigail McQuade, a native
of Ireland. The marriage was celebrated in London, Canada. ill 1854.
Mr. and Mrs. McGee were the parents of eleven
children, nine of whom are now living, namely:
Margaret A., George. John, Lillie A., Thomas H.,
Lizzie, James, Clyde and Clint. The last two
named are twins. Mr. McGee carries on a fiie farm
near Farmington, and has fifty acres of excellent
arable land. He is an active and cfficient member
of the Methlodist Episcopal Church, where lie superintends the Sunday-school and acts as Trustee
and Steward. fHe is a Prohibitionist in his political views and is very active in forwarding all meas
ures for temperance and morality.
---------- ----
/ LEXANDER    L. MEANS. a farmer and
citizen of excellent repute in Southfield
Township, was born in Belmont County,
j      Ohio, April 20, 1826. His father, Joseph
Means, a native of Butler County, Pa., was born in
1787. He was a carpenter and cabinetmaker, and
during the War of 1812 furnished provisions to
the army. The wife of Joseph Means was Martha
Lorimor, who was born in 1789 in Ireland, and
came to America when seven years old and made
her home in Pennsylvania.
The subject of this sketch is the fourth in a family of six children. He was about three years old
when he went to Pennsylvania, where he remained
until he reached his twenty-fifth year and where he
learned the carpenter's and millwright's trade. At
the age above named he emigrated to Richland
County, Ohio, where he followed farming. He remained there for nineteen years and there married,
and established a home of his own. The lady to
whom   he was united in 1854 was Clarissa C.,
daughter of William Church, a native of New
York, who was in the War of 1812, being in Detroit at that time. His commanding officer was
John Garrison. Mr. Church came to Ohio when a
young man, and making his home there, remained




658


PORTRAI[T AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


58        PORTRAIT AND B~IOGAHCLABM


in that State until his death. Mrs. Means was
born in Ohio in 1829. She was an earnest worker
in the United Presbyterian Church. She died
September 2, 1879, and was buried in the Southfield Cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Means were the parents of six
children. Two died in infancy, and William died
at eleven years of age. The surviving children
are Eva A., the wife of Frank J. Young; John M.
and M, Jennie. These last two reside with their
father. Mr. Means came to Michigan in 1871 and
made his home in Southfield Township, where he
now resides. He has ninety-one acres of well-im.
proved land, all under cultivation except ten acres
of timber. He is doing a general farming business.
In politics he is a Republican. His religious home
is with the United Presbyterian Church, where he
has been both Trustee and Treasurer. He is a
faithful and active worker in his church and
Sunday-school and was Superintendent of the latter
for about ten years. He is a liberal contributor
to worthy objects, especially in the line of church
work.
C      HARLES   RENSHAW. To the lands
across the sea this county is indebted for
many of her best citizens and most active
and enterprising agriculturalists. In Avon Township is living a gentleman who is an excellent
representative of the English character, manifesting in the various relations in life the spirit of enterprise and persistence by means of which the
kingdom in which he was born has extended her
empire into every habitable part of the globe.
This gentleman is Charles Renshaw, who owns
and occupies a fine farm  of one hundred and
thirty-fiveacres in the township named and has
also fifty acres of valuable land in Troy Township.
He is a first-clss farmer and a useful member of
the community.
Mr. Renshaw was born in Warwickshire, England, February 24, 1827, and is a son of Thomas O.
and Maria (Hall) Renshaw. His father was a basketmaker and farmer, and the son followed the same


pursuits until he emigrated to America. He crossed
the Atlantic about 1852 and for two years lived in
Buffalo, N. Y., working for a Mr. Mulligan. He
then came to this State and to the township in
which he is now living, and was soon thoroughly
identified with its affairs and interests. lie bought
the farm on which he lives about 1880.
In England in June, 1847, Mr. Renshaw was
united in marriage with Miss Harriet Castleman,
an efficient, intelligent woman, who has been devoted to the interests of her family and shown
neighborly kindness to those among whom her lot
in life has been cast. Of the children born to
Mr. and Mrs. Renshaw we make the following
mention: Maria is the widow of Charles Wilson
and livesin Clinton County; George died on the
ocean while the family was en route to America;
Charles lives in this county; Mary is the wife of
Louis Benson and their home is in Grayling;
William lives in this county; Harriet is with her
parents; Albert died April 25, 1887; Carrie is the
wife of William H. Snale, of this county; James C.
assists his father on the home farm. Three children died in infancy.
Mr. Renshaw is a man of intelligence and aims to
keep himself well posted regarding the issues of the
day and matters that are transpiring in the world.
He is a believer in Republican principles and aids
the party by his vote and his personal influence.
He has been School Treasurer six years but is not
otherwise in public life. Iis religious home is in
the Baptist Church and he is one of the foremost
members of the congregation in his activity in all
that pertains to her growth.
W ILLIAM HOLCOMB, one of the old settlers of this county, has lived on his present estate almost sixty years. He was born
in Herkimer County, N. Y., February 23, 1823, but
accompanied his parents hither in1831. at which
time his father located the homestead in Independence Township. Our subject was reared upon this
farm, in the cultivation of which he assisted his
father until he was of age, when, he being the








X-a-> lt


I
i
-ti


It-.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


661


youngest child, the estate was divided and the
homestead fell to his share. He has made many
improvements and has fine farm buildings and
pleasant grounds around the attractive residence.
The farm consists of three hundred and sixty acres,
twenty of which are devoted to an orchard. Since
1852 Mr. Holcomb has been engaged in breeding
Spanish-Merino sheep, and he now has a fine flock
of one hundred and thirty head that will shear at
least ten pounds per head.
Butler Holcomb, father of our subject, was born
in the city of Hartford, Conn., in November, 1768.
His first wife, Temperance Cossett, was born in
Herkimer County, N. Y., in March, 1771. There
were five children by this marriage, only one of
whom is now living, Elam, who was born August
26, 1804, and is living in Walertown, N.Y. Having been bereft of his first wife by death Mr. Holcomb was married to Mary L. Knight, July 20,
1806, and of this marriage our subject is the
youngest and only living representative. Butler
Holcomb is remembered with gratitude among the
pioneers who developed the Territory of Michigan
and fitted it for Statehood.
December 28, 1851, William Holcomb, of whom
we write, was married to Avilla Vliet, who shared
his fortunes until October 17, 1866, when she closed
her eyes in death. The children born of this union
are seven in number and the following facts regarding them may be mentioned: Allison, born
March 20, 1853, married Mary Scott and lives in
S. Dak.; Williard, born September 5, 1854, married
Ashula Barros, and lives in S. Dak.; James B., born
August 1, 1856, married Ella Clark and resides at
Whitehall, this State; Celia, born April 21, 1858,
became the wife of Allen Carrel and lives in Clarkston; Charles H., born May 3, 1861, lives on the
homestead with his father; Flora, born December
20, 1862, is the wife of Frederick Nettie, and their
home is in Clarkston; Frederick, born August 15,
1864, resides at Oxford.
September 20, 1871, Mr. Holcomb made a second
matrimonial alliance, his bride being Miss Lucy L.,
daughter of Orson and Melissa Hitchcock, of Independence Township. She was born November
21, 1844. This marriage has been blessed by the
birth of one daughter, Lillian B., whose natal day


was August 2, 1873, and who remains with her parents. In politics Mr. Holcomb is a Democrat. He
is interested in the social orders, belongs to Cedar
Lodge No. 60, A. F. & A. M.; Lodge No. 85,
K. O. T. M., and Independence Lodge No. 275,
P. of I. He has an extended acquaintance and an
excellent reputation as a man and a citizen, while
as an agriculturist he is understood to be thorough
and energetic.
LFRED F. WILCOX, a leading lawyer of
Ietroit, is well known in Royal Oak Township as the owner of one of the finest stock
farms within its bounds, and as a man of
mental ability and culture, intense patriotism and
genuine public spirit. He is descended from an honorable line, and on his mother's side traces his lineage directly to the renowned Gen. Putnam,. whose
exploits are familiar to every youth in the land. His
parents were Freeman and Philena (Putnam) Wilcox, natives of New York, who died in Milan,
Monroe County, this State, in 1865 and 1888 respectively.
The father was born near Rochester in 1813, and
came to this State with his parents early in the '30s.
He returned East for his bride, and after his marriage located on an eighty-acre farm in Monroe
County, and subsequently added to it by purchase.
He had four clhildren, and Alfred F. is the third on
the family roll. William H., the first-born died at
Cairo, Ill., during the yellow fever scourge; Mary
is the wife of Joshua Hanson, of Milan, this State;
Julia, who died in 1864, resided there, and was the
wife of Anson Fuller. Grandfather Wilcox, whose
given name was Benjamin, was born in New York
about 1780, and died near Milan, this State, where
he located land in the early days.
The natal day of Alfred F. Wilcox, was January
9, 1839, and his birthplace his father's farm in Monroe County. He attended school in a log schoolhouse during his early years, and when he was approaching manhood spent two years in study in the
State Normal School at Ypsilanti. His peaceful
pursuits were broken in upon by the firing upon




662


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- -—  ---cpl --- —-

Ft. Sumter and the excitement that swept like a
tidal wave over the North. He was too ardent a
lover of his country to remain at home when she
was in need of strong arms and b)rave hearts, and
he therefore entered the army, as a member of
the "Normal Company," composed mostly of students of that institution. Ere long he was taking
part in the terrible scenes enacted on Southern
battlefields.
The first engagements in which Mr. Wilcox participated were at South Mountain and Antietam,
where he was wounded by a bursting shell. He
was carried by a sergeant to the rear of the contesting armies, and was later taken to an old log
house. After being detained there two weeks he
was conveyed to Sharpsburg, and for about -two
months was kept in an old church. Thence he was
sent to Philadelphia, and being discharged on account of disability, returned home.  Upon recovering from tne effects of his wound he again
went to the front as First Lieutenant of Company
K, Eleventh Michigan Infantry upon its reorgani.
zation in February, 1865, and was in command of
that colmpany most of the time until October, 1865,
when his regiment was mustered out of the service
at the close of tie war. During this time he was
frequently detailed for special services of an important character about Chattanooga, Knoxville
and Charleston, at the latter place being selected
to command the force sent to quell a riot which
threatened the life of Gen. Keegan and his staff.
After the close of the war lie entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in 1868 in the law department. After graduating, lie took a special course in the literary
department, upon the completion of which he commenced the practice of law at Detroit. Here he has
since remained, gaining an enviable reputation as
an attorney and accumulating a handsome fortune.
An event of special importance to Mr. Wilcox
and Miss Mary Millington occurred April 18, 1871,
it being their union in matrimonial bonds. Tile
bride is the only child of Cicero and Mary (Camp)
Millington, and was born May 11, 1846. She is a
granddaughter of Dr. Abel Millington, who was
widely known in connection with the early Territorial history of Michigan as an able physician and


meritorious, efficient citizen. He was Mayor of
Ypsilanti at the time of the cholera plague in that
city.
The attention of the reader is invited to a lithographic portrait of Mr. Wilcox, which is presented
in connection with this biographical notice.
W     iILLIAM H. BARNES. One of the prominent manufacturing interests of Rochester
is the paper mill owned and operated by
the gentleman above named. Mr. Barnes has met
with some misfortunes since he bought the site and
plant, but has not been deterred from the prosecution of the work for which he was fitted by training and in which he believed he could do better
than in most fields of labor. The last catastrophe
that befell him was a fire, in 1875, by which his
mill was destroyed, but a new edifice soon reared
its walls aloft and work was resumed with better
facilities than before. Mr. Barnes has the faculty
of managing men which is necessary in carrying
on any business where numbers are employed, and
the products lie sends out are well regarded by
dealers.
The Barnes family is of English extraction, and
from the mother country the grandfather of our
subject emigrated to America. The direct progenitor of him of whom we write was Dimond Barnes,
who was born in Connecticut and carried on farming there until about 1831. He then removed to
Greene County, N. Y., where he passed the remainder of his life. His wife bore the maiden name of
Ann E. Blakesley and she too was born in Connecticut; her death occurred in 1875. To them
had been born eight children, the living being
Laura A., wife of William HI. Drace; William H.;
Cyrus B., of Detroit; Charles O., of Ypsilanti;
Edward, living in Greene County, N. Y.; Mary,
wife of George Cartwright; and George, of Ypsilanti; Lambert A. is deceased.
The subject of this biographical notice was born
at Cheshire, Conn., May 5, 1829, and pursued the
usual studies during his early years. In 1847 he
entered a paper mill at West Springfield, Mass.,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


663




I


where he remained three years, and from which he
went to a similar establishment in Suffield, Conn.
After four years' sojourn there he removed to Erie,
Pa.,and two years later returned to West Springfield, Mass. In 1863 he came to this State and
opened a paper warehouse in Detroit, but the next
year he bought the mill in Rochester. In 1865 he
rebuilt it, and again after the destruction by fire a
decade later.
The ceremony that united the lives and fortunes
of Mr. Barnes and Miss Jemima Parmelee took
place August 31, 1854. The bride was born in
Connecticut and has shown her capability as a
housekeeper and her affection and prudence as a
wife and mother, during the years of her wedded
life. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have five children living, all in Rochester. They are Anna E., wife of
S. C. Goodison; May E., Gertrude L., Edith L., a
music teacher, and Clayton C. A daughter, Catherine E., who was the wife of Prof. A. W. Tate,
(lied in Collinsville, Ala., December 17, 1890, at
the age of nearly twenty-seven years.
— f ---s ---^     — ^
S      HARLES HALLSTED is one of the men
born in Orion Township who are pursuing
the calling of a farmer there. IIe owns and
occupies a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of
as fine land as cal be found in the county, and capable of producing crops equal in quality and
quantity to the best. Considerable attention is
paid to stock raising and all kinds are sent to the
market. The buildings upon Mr. Hallsted's farm
are substantial, and include everything that is necessary for his purpose. Mr. Hallsted is one of the
oldest native-born residents of this section, his natal day having been August 23, 1837. He was
born in the log house built by his father on the
farm he now occupies, and in a similar structure he
pursued his early studies. He remained at home,
helping to clear and improve the property until he
was of age, when he began working the homestead
on shares. He carried on that operation three
years, and in 1861 bought the place.
Our subject is a grandson of Richard Hallsted,
who was born in Pennsylvania and was of Ger



I


I


man anecstry. He served in the Revolution. The
immediate progenitors of Charles Hallsted were
Martin and Sophia (Dickinson) Hallsted, natives
of Pennsylvania and New York respectively.
The mother died in the year 1846, leaving five
children, three of whom still live. Mr. Hallsted
accompanied his parents to New York when but
five years old, and there he grew to manhood and
acquired the trade of a cooper. He came to this
section in 1834 and entered one hundred and sixty
acres in Orion Township. In October, 1836, he
came out and took possession of the property, on
which he built a log house which was one of the
first put up in the township. So sparsely settled
was this region that he had to go to Detroit for
supplies and carry home on his back that which he
needed. He lived to see a great change, although
he did not survive to note all that was accomplished in half a century; he died in 1858 in his
sixty third year.
The wife of our subject bore the maiden name
of Julia E. Hunt and was a native of Pontiac
Township.   Her marriage to Mr. Hallsted was
solemnized November 16, 1878, and to them three
children have been born, namely: Martin, Addie
and Elmer. Mr. IIallsted was a widower when
married to Miss Hunt, having lost his first wife
June 17, 1873. She, too, was a native of Pontiac
Township, and her maiden name was Addie Hadsell. She was the mother of four children, named
respectively, Sarah, William, Martin (deceased),
and Lena. Mr. Hallsted is a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. IHe and his wife
are well known and are respected for their sterling
qualities.
AAVID    W. RANDALL.     An honorable
place among the agriculturists of Avon
Township is occupied by Mr. Randall,who
has shown himself to be possessed of good
judgment, perseverance and untiring zeal. His
industrious habits and uprightness of life have secured to him what is better than silver or gold,
a good name, and his well-directed efforts in




664


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM..


6                      AN   BI


worldly affairs have resulted in the possession of
a fine farm of one hundred and seven acres. The
estate is neat and orderly in every part, supplied
with a full line of substantial and well-arranged
buildings, and is adorned by an orchard and garden, as every well-regulated farm must, be.
The parents of our subject were Carlisle and
Anna (Cross) Randall, natives of Vermont and
New York respectively, who came from the Empire
State to Michigan in 1836. They first made their
home in Troy, this county, but afterward bought
land in West Bloomfield Township, and spent the
remnant of their days there. Mrs. Randall passed
away in May, 1856, and Mr. Randall survived until
February 1, 1871, and reached the venerable age
of eighty-eight years. To them were born four
children, David W. being the eldest; Andrew is
now deceased; Joseph lives in Eaton County;
Alfred is a resident of North Farmington, this
county.
The gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs, was born in Broome County, N. Y.,
December 26, 1822, and received the education
and training of his boyhood in the land of his birth.
He was fourteen years of age when his parents
came West, making the journey through Ohio, and
in a covered wagon. When the lad was sixteen
years old he began working out on a farm. March 2,
1848, he was married to Mary, daughter of Ezra and
Comfort (Morrill) Newman, an estimable young
lady who was born in Oakland Township, this
county, February 4, 1830. Her parents were natives
of New York and Vermont respectively; they were
married in New York, whence they came to Michigan in 1826, being among the first settlers in this
county. Mr. and Mrs. Randall have six children,
three of whom are now inmates of the parental
home. The family consists of Edward, a resident
of Tuscola County; Roy, whose home is in Troy;
Myra, widow of Charles Martin, who has returned
to her father's roof; DeForest and Livvie, who are
with their parents, and Thomas, who lives in Rochester.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Randall belong to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and they have been
connected with that denomination for thirty years.
They were charter members of the congregation


that was organized in Oakland Township and afterward changed its place of meeting to Rochester.
Mr. Randall has been Deacon and Elder, and is one
of the Board of Trustees. In politics he is a Republican, firm and unswerving. He is a good citizen,
a consistent Christian, and in social and domestic
life is kindly and considerate.
OHN SIMPSON. Less than a half century
ago there was born in the humble home of a
pioneer family of Oakland County, a son,
who grew to a sturdy manhood amid the
scenes of the primeval forests and wild prairies of
this State. His social and educational advantages
were of the primitive order and he had to begin the
battle of life for himself early. He was well fortified for the struggle, however, as the privations and
sacrifices of the people in a newly settled country
had strengthened him for the conflict. Not only
did these early experiences fit him for the work he
had to do, but they have enabled him to attain a
high position among the substantial farmers and
citizens of Waterford Township.
Mr. Simpson comes of Irish parentage, his father,
Andrew Simpson, having been bornr in Ireland,
where he followed the trade of a weaver. In early
manhood he came to America, locating in the State
of New York' and sojourning there for several
years. He came to Michigan and purchased eighty
acres in West Bloornfield Township, this county.
He became well known and highly respected for
his honesty and integrity in business, and possessed
the confidence of his neighbors.  Ile attended
school only a few months, but the somewhat meager information gleaned from books was added to
by constant observation and close study of the
principal issues of the (lay until he became a wellinformed man.
The mother of our subject, Margaret (Brown)
Simpson, was likewise a native of Ireland, whence
she emigrated to America in company with her husband. Six children were born to them, but only
five survive. By a later marriage Andrew Simpson had five children, two of whom are living.




,-~~~ -s-~i,, O
r.C ii-; nr-* --- -  I
-zsri-~~Y
~c,( -' r i;
' ~~ — `'`"
I'


(U^^^ 9     o




w^^f ^~*~;


1? 2 -t - 7 t ' t 9




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


667




=


Our subject was born in West Bloomfield Township, this county, July 5, 1842, and passed his
youth quietly on the home farm, where he early
learned the lessons of industry and perseverance
that aided him in later life. At the age of twenty
years he began to work for himself andl for three
years was employed by the month on a farm, then
worked at home for a share in the proceeds of the
farm. In 1869 he purchased a farm in West Bloomfield Township, where he resided twelve years.
Mr. Simpson was married June 26, 1872, to Miss
Mary Johnson, a native of Buffalo, N. Y., whose
parents were born in Norway. Of this happy union
one child has been born, May 16, 1873, Nettie L.,
now eighteen years of age. She is an accomplished
and refined young lady, and possesses a most estimable character and rare mental endowments. After improving his farm in West Bloomfield Township, Mr. Simpson was enabled to sell it at a fair
profit, and immediately afterward lie bought his
present homestead of one hundred and twenty
acres. This is one of the most beautiful and comfortable homes in Waterford Township, while the
genial host and hostess are noted for their freehearted hospitality. Mr. Simpson cares little for
official honors, but is a strong Democrat and casts
his votes for the candidates of that party. He is
justly held in high consideration throughout the
community where he resides, as he possesses in a
full degree those qualities which mark him as a
public-spirited citizen and a man of high principles
and unswerving integrity.
OHN L. CAMPBELL, M. D. Among the
professional men located in Birmingham,
not one probably had a harder time in securing the education he desired than Mr.
Campbell. He worked his way through school and
had to battle against discouragement, as his father
and the family disapproved of his decision to study
medicine and gave him no sympathy in his course.
The young man was determined, however, to enter
the profession, and in due time received his diploma
and was ready to practice. He has been located in




I




Birmingham since 1883, when he bought out Dr.
James A. Post. He has a large and lucrative practice, giving him all the work he can well attend to,
and his reputation is firmly established.
Welcome Campbell, father of our subject, was
born in Paris, Oneida County, N. Y., July 20,
1810, to Roswell and Abigail Campbell. That good
couple were born in New York and the husband
was descended from an old Connecticut family of
Scotch extraction. He eventually came to Michigan and died in Oakwood, thib county. His wife
had breathed her last in New York. Welcome
Campbell was reared in his native State and lived
there until 1834, when he came to this county and
bought land in Oxford Township. The place was
known for many years as Campbell Corners but
the name was finally changed to Oakwood. While
he lived there he followed lumbering, merchandising, coopering and farming. In 1859 he traded
the property for farm land in Royal Oak Township, where he lived many years. When ready to
retire from active life he turned his farm uver to
his sons and removed to the village of Royal Oak,
where he died November 11, 1888.
When Welcome Campbell came to this State he
was very poor, and his capital when he reached this
county was $5 in cash. He was active, energetic
and ambitious, and made a success of his life here,
both in acquiring means and in elevating the condition of the community. He gave his children
considerable property.  At one time he owned
eight hund -ed acres of land in this county. He
was a Whig and a strong abolitionist, and later a
Republican, favoring temperance legislation.  In
early life he united with the Congregational
Church, but while at Royal Oak he joined the
Methodist Episcopal Society.  Of decided piety,
he took an active part in church work and always
labored for right and justice. He was married
June 9, 1839, to Mary J., daughter of Warren and
Lucy (Pelton) Cheeneyt She was born in Penfield.
N. Y., May 14, 1824. She became the mother of
ten children, namely: Mary J., Harvey J., Martha
A., David L., Lucinda S., Lurinda M., Andrew C.,
Lois Esther, Albert W. and John L.
The youngest member of this family was born
in Oakwood, May 20, 1857, and reared on the farm




668


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


in Royal Oak Township. In the district schools he
obtained an understanding of the common-school
branches. He remained with his father until he
was twenty years old, then went to Ann Arbor and
began the study of medicine in the University of
Michigan.  After attending three years he was
graduated in July, 1880, and he was soon located
in Wabash, Mercer County, Ohio. There he practiced about eighteen months, but then by reason of
the sickness of his wife came back to Royal Oak,
and carried on his work there about a year and a
half.  When that time had elapsed he went to
Goodrich, Genesee County, but remained only a
year and then came to Birmingham.
The wife of Dr. Campbell bore the maiden name
of Josephine V. Gully, and their marriage rites
were solemnized November 25, 1880. Mrs. Campbell was born in Royal Oak, this county, and is a
daughter of Alexander and Caroline (Schilling)
Gully. Her father was born in Molo, Province of
Alsace, France, August 20, 1808, and was married
to Caroline Schilling November 20, 1843. They
came to America about 1845 and made their home
in Rhode Island about two years; then came to this
State and county and established themselves in
Royal Oak. They became the parents of six children, viz: Caroline, Albert C., Emily, Clemenca,
Harriet and Josephine V. The youngest member
of the family was reared and received her education in Royal Oak and Davisburg. She made use
of her excellent education as a teacher, and for
three years followed that profession in different
places until her failing health compelled her to
cease. Full of ambition and energy, she was a successful teacher and advanced the standard of learning wherever she was employed. IIer mother, Mrs.
Gully, is now seventy years old and still lives on
the old homestead in Royal Oak Township, where
the father died in 1860, aged fifty-two years.
Alexander Gully belonged to a distinguished
family and finished his education in Lyons, France.
He possessed a great intellect, was an artist of more
than ordinary ability and a linguist who was able
to converse in five different languages.  While
naturally a man of studious habits, his progress
was somewhat retarded by the loss of his hearing
in early life. He had been a man of abundant


means, but going into business with which he was
unacquainted, he lost a large portion of his money.
Afterward he came to this county and located on
a farm where he died, leaving his family an unincumbered estate of one hundred and sixty acres.
Dr. Campbell is a member of the United States
Board of Pension Examiners for his district and is
examining surgeon for various insurance companies
and local fraternal orders. He has been a Village
Trustee and has held other village offices, both civil
and educational. He is a member of the Republican
party, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church. They are the parents of two
children who have been named respectively, Carrie
M. and Lloyd G.
The reader's attention is invited to the lithographic portraits of tie Doctor and his estimable
wife, presented in connection with this biographical notice.
IRAM   G. SAXTON, a successful farmer
i  ) and worthy citizen of Farmington Town/b ship, was born in Newpultz Township, Ulster County, N. Y., August 1, 1816. The
father, Justus, was born in the same place as his
son, May 12, 1792. Both in New York and Michigan, to which he came in 1837, he followed the
trade of a shoemaker, mingling with it the duties
of the farm, upon which he lived in Farmington
Township, and where he died May 15, 1857. His
religious belief was in accordance with the tenets
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was a
Democrat in politics. His wife, Rebecca Seaman,
was born in Ulster County, N. Y., in 1796, and
died in 1858. They were the parents of six children, three daughters and three sons, four of whom
are now living.
The subject of this sketch was two years old
when he removed with his parents to Ontario
County, N. Y., where he remained until he reached
his majority, when he removed with his parents
to Michigan. His marriage took place August
16, 1846, and his wife was Julia E., daughter of


t




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALTBUM.


669


Levi and Huldah (Straight) Pettibone. Mrs. Saxton is a Vermonter, being born June 26, 1820, in
Manchester, Bennington County. There she grew
to womanhood and remained until shle came to
Michigan with her parents in 1841.
The first home of the young wedded couple was
in Commerce Township, Oakland County. Here
Mr. Saxton carried on a farm for eighteen years,
after which he sold the property and removed to
Farmington Village, where for nine years he followed the business of carpentry. He then took up
farming again in Farmington Township, and at
the age of seventeen years he traded this property for that where he now resides, the old home
of Mrs. Saxton's fatler. It was his first home in
the State. lIe owns sixty-eight acres of excellent
land in fine condition.
This worthy couple were never blessed with
any children of their own, but their warm hearts
would not allow them to dwell in comfort while
there were homeless children. They therefore
adopted and brought up one child, Julia Adell,
who was taken from them by death June 28, 1886.
Mr. Saxton is a Democrat in his political views,
and has filled the office of Town Clerk for one
year. IIe is also identified with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 151, at Farmington, in which he was Secretary for some years. He
is a lnan whose liberality and integrity are conceded by all who know  him, and from all he receives the respect and good-will which every rightminded man desires from his neighbors.
O   SCAR DONALDSON, one of the best and
most careful farmers in Commerce Township,
and a man universally esteemed by his neighbors for his sound sense and neighborly kindness,
is the son of Samuel Donaldson, who was a carpenter and farmer in Dutchess County, N. Y. His
mother was Nancy Messenger, who was born near
Brighton, N. Y. His father had been previously
married and was the parent of one child, who is now
deceased. After their marriage, which occurred
in 1836, the parents of our subject came directly


to Michigan. The father had visited the State before, having come here in 1832, and worked at hts
trade in Romeo for several years. He then took
up a farm of unbroken timber in Bruce Township,
Macomb County. He sold his farm just mentioned and bought in Lyon Township, this county,
renting out the place until after his second marriage, when he moved onto it. He resided in his
log cabin until 1868, and cleared up all the land.
He then built a good house and removed to the
farm  where he now resides.  He passed away
from earth at the age of sixty-six years, in 1870.
His widow, now eighty-three years old, makes her
home with our subject. She is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Her husband was
actively interested in politics, being formerly a
Democrat, and later a Republican. He was a member of the School Board and was an earnest promoter of educational measures.
Three of the five children of Samuel Donaldson and wife are now living. Oscar was born November 28, 1842, at the old homestead in Lyon
Township, where his father was one of the first
settlers. He attended tho district schools and
helped his father on the farm. He remained at
home and turned in his labor for the general good
of the family until he was twenty-five years old,
when this young man took charge of the farm and
his father retired from  active life.  Since the
death of the father he has continued to manage the
farm and has greatly improved it. Ninety-five
of his one hundred and eighteen acres are under
cultivation.
Mr. Donaldson was married in 1873 to Elizabeth Hays, a daughter of Alexander Hays, who
removed from Ohio to Commerce Township in the
year 1857. Mrs. Donaldson was born in 1856, at
Cleveland, Ohio, and was granted an excellent
education. Three children blessed this union, viz:
Roy M., Ada R. and Kate. Their mother was
called away from earth in December, 1884. Our
subject is a member of the Masonic order at Commerce, with which he has been identified for
twenty-one years. He is also a member of the
Patrons of Industry at Walled Lake, and has for
four years been a Director of Schools. He takes
an active interest in political issues and votes the




670


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Republican ticket. He is a very busy man and carries on his farm actively himself and at the same
time cares tenderly and judiciously for his motherless children, in which work of love he is ably seconded by his mother, who makes her home with
him. His earnest life and the high esteem in which
he is held by his neighbors make him a marked
man in the community.
1ICHARI) BARTLETT, of Pontiac, is a
( farmer and dairyman, and is the President
l   of the Pontiac Creamery Company. He
was born in Erie County, N. Y., November
28, 1829. His father, Smith Bartlett, was born in
Rhode Island and when quite young removed to
Vermont with his parents, Abel and Drucilla Bartlett. Here their son remained with them until he
reached his majority, when he went to Erie County,
N. Y., having married while living in Vermont
Sarah Allen, a daughter of Zoheth Allen, a Vermonter, of Scotch descent, who had emigrated
some years before to New York.
The Bartletts are of English descent. Smith
Bartlett, the father of our subject, was by trade a
tanner and shoemaker. This work he followed for
many years but later in life turned his attention to
farming. He died in Erie County, N. Y., in 1860,
in his seventieth year, and his wife passed away
two years later in her sixty-eighth year. They
were the parents of nine children, four sons and
five daughters, our subject being the youngest son.
Richard Bartlett's' education was obtained in
Erie County, N. Y., in the common schools. Upon
leaving school he went to work in his brother's
tannery, and there spent five years.  He then
worked on the farm until 1865, when he moved to
Oakland County, Mich., and located upon what is
his present farm, situated on the Pontiac and Auburn road near the toll gate. This farm, which
was formerly known as the Waldron farm, comprises one hundred and eighty-seven acres of choice
land.  Here he carried on general farming but
after a while decided to push the dairy business.
He therefore built a large barn, 102x44 feet, the


II






basement being stalled off for the accommodation
of his cows. He milks from forty to sixty cows
and at present furnishes the supply for the Eastern
Michigan Asylum for the Insane, as well as supplying many citizens of Pontiac. He has largely
increased his acreage, so that his large farm now
embraces five hundred acres. His two sons are
an invaluable aid to him in carrying on his business.
In 1880 Mr. Bartlett helped organize the Pontiac
Creamery, of which he was made President. At
the same time he turned his attention to the breeding of fine cattle, especially Jersey. His marriage
took place January 15, 1851. His wife was Phoebe,
daughter of Augustus and Elizabeth (White)
Smith. She was born and reared in Erie County,
N. Y. The two sons of this family are Charles S.,
and Augustus S. Both sons are members of the
firm of Richard Bartlett & Sons. Charles S. married Carrie Osmun, who is a daughter of William
H. and Mary A. Osmun. She is the mother of
two children-Lena and Beulah. Augustus married Miss Louisa Carr, of Utica, Macomb County,
a native of Germany. They have two childrenLolu and Phoebe. Mr. Bartlett's political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he is interested not only in the local movements of the
party, but in its National success. In religious
belief he and his family are Spiritualists.
r_ _A ----,
ERT W. JACKSON, editor of the Milford
Times, is one of the youngest, if not the
youngest, of the owners of business establishments in the city. He was born here
October 12, 1870, and from his childhood has been
connected with a printing office. His father, Isaac
P. Jackson, established the Times in February,
1871, and Bert and his sister Carrie, when mere
children, learned to set type, and gained an understanding of everything connected with the business
After the death of their father, in 1886, they took
charge of the office and carried it on together until
June, 1889, when our subject bought all the interests. He has since been conducting the business




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


671


alone. The paper is a weekly six-column quarto,
with a good circulation and a satisfactory jobprinting patronage. Mr. Jackson is the youngest
editor in the county, but is not too young to display qualities which indicate that he will rise in
journalistic circles.
The father of our subject was Isaac P. Jackson,
who was born April 25, 1824, at Rochester, Monroe County, N. Y. The town at that time was a
mere hamlet, and his parents were among its first
settlers. His father died when he was too young
to have any recollection of the sad event, and his
mother was left with five small children to support.
His boyhood was passed near Walworth, working
on a farm, with a short term at the district school
in winter. In 1846 lie went to live with his maternal uncle, Lutlher Kelly, of Geneva, and he
studied one year in a preparatory school there.
He then entered Hobart College, but at the conclusion of two years was obliged to give up his
hope of a collegiate education on account of a
severe fit of sickness which seriously affected his
lungs. He soon embarked in the drug business at
Painted Post, N. Y., and afterward removed to
Detroit, Mich., where he carried on the same business until 1867. IIe opened a drug store in Milford at that time, but soon afterward began the
publication of the Times. The paper was a success. Mr. Jackson was a prominent and active
Royal Arch Mason, and a consistent member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He died August 22,
1886, deeply regretted by the citizens, who esteemed and loved him.
In Geneva, N. Y., June 19, 1851, Isaac P. Jackson and Ann G. Simpson were united in marriage.
The wife was born in Spauldingtown, Yorkshire,
England, January 25, 1830, and accompanied her
parents to America when six years old. Her girlhood was spent in Geneva, and for several years
she occupied the position of teacher in both plivate
and public schools there. In Milford Mrs. Jackson
was very active in Church and Missionary work.
She died October 30, 1888, after four weeks' illness. She was the mother of five children: Amelia,
now Mrs. S. L. Rowe, of Milford; Anna, wife of
Alvin Crawford, living in Milford Township; Carrie, Bert W. and Mabel, who reside in Milford,


At the bride's home, December 14, 1890, the
subject of this biographical notice was married to
Miss Ida M. Wilson. This lady was born in St.
Clair, and is a daughter of the Rev. George and
Eliza Wilson. She was carefully reared, had good
educational advantages, and is an unusually intelligent and pleasing lady.
In April, this year, Mr. Jackson purchased the
Book, Stationery, Wall Paper and Fancy Goods
business of Messrs. W. and MI. Crawford, who have
conducted the business for many years, and have
built up a large and profitable business.
EROME      F. ARNOLD    was born on the
farm where he now resides, August 10,
1844. His father, Robert Arnold. was born
near Rochester, N. Y., September 9, 1814,
and came to Michigan with his parents about 1823,
and settled in Washington Township, Macomb
County, where they were among the very first settlers. The grandfather of our subject, Christopher
Arnold, was born in Massachusetts, of English extraction, and after coming West resided in Macomb
County until his death.
In that county Robert Arnold was reared, and
there he married. His wife, Amy Stitt, was born
in New York, June 4,1817, and is the daughter of
Andrew and Rhoda A. Stitt, both of New York,
who came to Macomb County when it was all wild
land, and cleared and improved a farm. Their
coming was in March, 1825. Mrs. Stitt died in
Macomb County and her husband in Oakland
County. Mrs. Arnold's grandmother Stitt was
captured by the Indians during the Revolutionary
War, and was in their hands for ninety days. Mrs.
Arnold has been a member of the Protestant
Methodist Church for many years, and is the
mother of eight children, four of whom are living.
Robert Arnold took his farm on section 20,
Addison Township, and settled on it soon after his
marriage. He built a log house, and proceeded to
clear and improve his farm. He was a Justice of
the Peace, and held other local offices within the
option of his fellow-citizens. He was an earnest




672


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


----— I


and efficient member of the Free Will Baptist
Church, and was much relied upon in Church matters in those early days.
Jerome Arnold has always lived on the old
homestead. In his school days he had to go two
and a half miles to reach the log schoolhouse where
he studied. When only sixteen years old he took
charge of the farm, and when he was twenty-one
he worked out by the month for three years. His
marriage took place in September, 1868. He was
then united with Margaret A. Snyder, by whom he
had four children-Nora, Bruce, Eda and Jerome. He is a Republican in his political views,
and is proud to say that he cast his first vote for
Abraham Lincoln. He often represents his party
at county conventions, and is looked upon by his
neighbors as a man of sound convictions and good
judgment. Both lie and. his excellent wife are
active members of the Protestant Methodist Church.
He has one hundred and sixty acres of excellent
land, which is under cultivation and in good condition.
AD     CHAMBERLIN, an energetic young
farmer of Addison Township, was born
October 31, 1842, near the spot where he
now lives. His father, John  M. Chamberlin,
was a native of Springfield, Mass., where he was
born in 1809. He was reared in New York, and
coming to Michigan in 1828, entered a tract of
land in Addison Township. He milled at Lakeville when white folks were less plentiful than Indians, and was one of the first settlers in the
township, when Indians and wild game of all kinds
were to be seen in abundance. He proceeded to
clear and improve a farm and put it in fine condition before his death, which occurred in February,
1862.
The father of our subject was a man of popularity in his community, and was placed in various offices of trust by his fellow-citizens. His
wife bore the maiden name of Nancy Smith. She
was born in New York, but met her husband in
this State, and they were married here. She lived
to be seventy-three years old, passing away from


earth in 1883. They were the parents of twelve
children, nine of whom are now living.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon tile
farm where he now lives, and took training in
farm duties under a wise and kind father. He also
attended school in the log schoolhouses and sat
upon the slab seats which were then the main
furnishing of the schoolhouse. Hte always lived
at home and was relied upon for the care of the
family, as his elder brothers went to the war, and
as everyone knows in those days the younger children had to come to the front to support home industries. After his father's death he took entire
charge of the family and home place.
Mr. Chamberlin was united in marriage, in
1872, with Annie Durnberger. She was a native
of New Jersey. Six children blessed this home,
only one of whom, Charles, has been called away
by death. The five who are living to be a comfort and joy to their parents are: Milton G.,
Clara, Claude, Lou and Bessie.  The political
affiliations of this gentleman are with the Democratic party, and he is quite a leading man among
the adherents to that party, being made a delegate
to county conventions, and being looked to for
counsel and strength during campaigns. He is also
prominently identified with the Masonic order.
He has one hundred and twenty acres of good land,
on which he has just erected a handsome residence
and fine barn. He is a clever man and one who
does not let the grass grow under his feet.
RANCIS E. CULVER, a prominent resident
on section 3, Farmington Township, was
born in this township on the 22(1 of December, 1848.  His father, Orange Culver, was
born in Wayne County, N. Y., in 1802, and both
in New York and in Michigan, to which he came
in 1825, he carried on the work of a farmer.
He located on section 10, in Farmington Township, when it was all an unbroken forest, and built
a log house when the nearest neighbors north were
at Pontiac. He proceeded to clear his place and
to cultivate the land. After residing there ten




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


673


-----


years he sold this land and bought the place where
our subject now resides, upon which there were at
that time no improvements except a frame house.
Here he remained until his death, which took place
in 1877. He was a strong Republican and was
well known throughout the county as an honorable and hard-working man.
The grandfather of our subject, George Culver,
was a cooper by trade and served his country in
the War of 1812 as Captain of a company of militia. Hie was a AWhig in his political views and
lived to a good old age. The mother of our subject was Mary Dixon, a native of Pennsylvania,
where she was born in 1804. She lived to the age
of seventy-seven years. Her father was a miller
in Luzerne County.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of a
family of ten children, only three of whom are now
living. IIe was reared and received his schooling
in his native town, having district-school advan
tages, and attended the Oakland Institute at Farmington. His marriage took place January 10, 1872,
and he was then united with Beulah, the eldest
daughter of Baldwin L. and Rosamond (Spencer)
HIeliker. This lady was born in Oakland County,
Mich., August 31, 1851. One child has blessed
this union-Grace, now deceased. They located
after marriage upon the old Culver homestead,
which is still the family home. Mr. Culver has a
farm of ninety-three acres, all under cultivation, in
a fine condition. For five years past lie has worked
at the carpenter's trade and rented out his farm.
He is a Republican and is well known throughout
the county. He owns a part only of the old homestead,which is a fine tract of one hundred and forty
acres.
@ EORGE B. FENWICK, one of the old settlers of Rose Township, was born August
20, 1820, in the township of Galen, Wayne
County, N. Y. lie is a son of John and Jane
(Breckens) Fenwick, who were born, reared and
married in Northumberland   County, England.
Mr. Fenwick left his English farm and came to the
United States in June, 1819, and settled in Wayne


County, N. Y., where he purchased fifty acres
which he farmed until June, 1836. He then came
to Michigan and made his new home in Rose Township, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres
of land. This he improved and cultivated and
made his home upon until his death in 1863, at the
age of seventy-five years. Ten years before that
he had been bereaved of his wife by death. Six
sons and six daughters have been theirs, ten of
whom they reared to man's and woman's estate.
They were named, Joseph, Anna, George B., Mary,
Jane, John, William, Margaret, Margery    and
Charles.
The father of our subject was a soldier in the
English army and both he and his good wife were
pioneer Presbyterians in Oakland County. The
grandfather, Joseph Fenwick, was also a farmer
in England. The maternal grandfather, George
Breckens, was also a member of an English family. After receiving,a common-school education,
George came with his parents to Michigan and
assisted his father in clearing the farm. When
twenty-one years of age he began for himself,
working out by the month. When twenty-three
years of age he purchased eighty acres on section 20, Rose Township. This he cleared and
improved and later added forty acres more. He
now owns one hundred and sixty acres, which he
has in splendid condition and well supplied with
excellent buildings. He, himself, struck the first
blow with the ax and effected the first clearing of
the timber which covered this land.
Mr. Fenwick was happily married June 7, 1854,
to Orlha MR. Knight, a native of Hanover, Chautauqua County, N. Y. This lady is a daughter of
Jeremiah and Rhoda (Fisk) Knight, both natives
of Rhode Island, who came from   New York to
Lake County, Ohio, in 1836, and from there to
Michigan in 1853. Here they settled in Springfield Township and after a few years went to Shiawassee County, where they both died.   In his
early days he had fought in the War of 1812. He
was a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in which both he and his wife were leading
members. Their five children were Wesley, Eliza,
Job R., Orpha M. and Rhoda F, This family is of
Scotch-Irish descent.




674


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Our subject and his intelligent wife have had
two children granted unto them, but both died in
infancy, leaving the parents sorely bereaved. They
have reared two children-Charles E. Jacobs and
May M. Hurd, both of whom are married. Mr.
Jacobs is now farming the home place, and May
M. lives near St. Louis, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Fenwick have turned their activities to account for
others, and have been very active in church work,
being members of the Presbyterian Church. They
have lived in the home where they now reside ever
since their marriage.
ARTWELL GREEN. For many years this. gentleman resided upon a fine farm in West
L 2   Bloomfield Township, and this land through
his energetic management was converted
into one of the most pleasant estates in the township. He dates his arrival in this county from
1852, since which time he.has gradually built up a
finely-improved farm and accumulated a fair share
of this world's goods. In 1888 he removed to
Orchard Lake and bought his present home of ten
acres, a view of which appears on another page of
this volume. Here, surrounded by the comforts
which he has gained by unceasing toil, he is living
retired from the arduous labors which filled his
earlier years. His intelligence, uprightness and
industry are recognized by his large circle of acquaintances who accord him their highest esteem.
A native of Green, Chenango County, N. Y. Mr.
Green was born June 6, 1830. His parents, IIorace and Polly (Hartwell) Green, were natives of
the Empire State, and came to Perry, Shiawassee
County, Mich., in 1837.  There they bought a
tract of land and spent the most of their days.
The land upon which the village of Perry is
built was located by Horace Green. His last days
were spent with his daughter, Mrs. William Wallace, in the town of Ada, Kent County, Mich.,
where his wife still makes her home. The father
of our subject was a hatter in his early days but
after coming to Michigan he engaged in farming.
He was at one time the owner of a good estate but


II
I


l




lost much of his property and was poor when he
came to Michigan. His political convictions were
embodied in the platform of the Republican party
but he concerned himself little with politics.
Seven children constituted his household, namely:
Norman, Julia, Jane, Hartwell, Cornelia, Cornelia
A. and Elnora R.
Having received a common-school education and
being thoroughly trained in the practical work of a
farmer, Hartwell Green remained upon the paternal farm until he was in his twenty-third year. He
came to Oakland County in 1852 and settling upon
a farm in West Bloomfield, pursued agriculture
until December, 1888, when he removed to Orchard
Lake and bought one of the finest residences in the
township. He now owns a well-improved farm of
one hundred and forty acres and his residence is
situated on the bank of Pine Lake, directly opposite the Inter-Laken Club House and near the Military Academy. There is not a more beautiful place:n Michigan for a home than that which.Mr. Green
has chosen. He has been a successful farmer and
has his means invested in various places. He has
some bank stock and is one-fourth owner in the
Pontiac & Orchard Lake Gravel Road. He is a
Republican in his political views.
October 20, 1852 Mr. Green was happily united
in marriage with Mary J. Annett who was then
residing at Corunna, Mich. The lady was a native
of West Bloomfield Township, where she first saw
the light., February 28, 1829. Her parents were
William and Sarah W. (Capen) Annett, the father
a native of Ireland and the mother of Vermont.
Mr. and Mrs. Annett came to Michigan at an early
date and took up land from the Government in
1825. They made their home in West Bloomfield
Township until they died. This place is now owned
by our subject and the old log house, which was
first built upon the farm and where Mrs. Green and
all her children were born, is still standing.
Four children have blessed the home of our subject, namely, Ada C., H. Will, Myrtie F. and Albro
E. The daughter Ada is now the widow of Milton L. Hinkley; she lives with her father and has
one child who bears his father's name. Mr. Hinkley's daughter, Emma M., by a former marriage,
also makes her home with them. Will is a farmer




~i~" M I I II


I


- tFOx  *  1 -  I t- -


I:;;1.:.:, -;-   -. r   ~"~, c   ~,   1


~;":3,,UJ


*~ A* -


A
_Zff,


4>.
'^w




i 1


I,  I


RESIDENCE OF HARTWELL GREEN, BETWEEN PINE AND ORCHARD LAKES, SEC.11.,WEST BLOOMFIELD TP.,OAKLAND CO.MICH.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPEHICAL ALBUM.


677


I                                                                                6 ~


in this township and with his wife, Dora Newman Green, and his three children, Mark, Howard
Pnd Ernest, has established a happy home not far
from  his father. Myrtie F. is a stenographer in
Chicago. The youngest son married Bell Dodge
and is farming on the old homesteud.
ANIEL RUSSELL, who resides on section
15, Southfield Township, was born on Long
Island, N. Y., March 29, 1823. His father,
Stephen, was born in 1797, and grew up on Long
Island to become a farmer and fisherman. He
came to Southfield Township in 1854, when it was
all woods. There was a log house on the place.
He cleared the farm and in 1870 went to Adrian
and bought a farm of forty acres two miles from
the city. Iere lie lived for two years, and then
sold the property and moved into Adrian. After
four years' residence there he removed to Detroit,
where he died in 1886. Iis father, Daniel, was a
soldier in the War of the Revolution. At the age
of seventy-five years he made a visit to Michigan
and walked from Detroit to Southfield. He was
also a farmer and a fisherman, and was the son of
an Englishman.
The mother of our subject, Sarah Raynor, the
daughter of Jotham Raynor, a Revolutionary soldier, was born in 1803, and reared upon Long
Island. She was the mother of ten children, all of
whom grew to maturity, and seven of them still
survive: Emeline, deceased; Daniel, our subject;
James and Jerusha, deceased; Anna, Mrs. John
Cornelius, Stephen, Sarah, Mary F., William H.;
and Phoebe, Mrs. Joseph Staford. Sarah Russell
has taught school since she was fourteen years old,
and she now resides in Chicago, as does also her sister, Mary F.; William is a lawyer and President
of a bank in Omahla.
Daniel Russell came to Michigan with his parents when he was nine years old. He commenced
going to school on Long Island when he was three
years of age, and after coming to Michigan went
on with his education in the log schoolhouses


of the day. He remained at home until he was
married, in 1851, to Phcebe Stephens, a daughter
of Capt. Edward Stephens. She was born on Long
Island in 1821, and was the fifth of six brothers
and sisters.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of six
children. Two died in infancy.  Those living are
named: Jennie V., the wife of Ed Casson; Harry
M., who resides in Birmingham; Wilmina, Mrs.
James McKinley; and Jerry    H., who married
Mamie Young. The Cassons have three children.
Harry is the father of four little ones, and the
McKinleys have two daughters.   Mr. Russell is
well known in the county as an earnest Repub.
lican, and yet in local matters he votes for the
best man for the place regardless of politics. Ile
is an active and efficient member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he acts as Deacon. His
good wife, who was also a member of this church,
was snatched away by death in 1887.
Mr. Russell at one time owned two hundred
acres of land, but has sold all except eighty acres.
IIe does little work now, but relegates most of his
active duties to his son, Jerry. He is deeply interested in all plans to promote the welfare of the
community and is a generous giver to all good
causes.
V       ILLIAM  S. YOUNG. Among the most
noteworthy and honorable British-American citizens of Southfield Township, we
may well mention the name of William S. Young,
who was born April 14, 1837, in Ayrshire, Scotland,within two miles of London Castle. His father,
Francis Young, was a farmer and died in the old
country. The mother, who bore the maiden name
of Jane Woodburn, came to America with her family in 1852, and located in Southfield Township.
She was the mother of four sons and four daughters, of whom our subject is the seventh child and
youngest son.
William Young's early education was received
in Scotland and he completed his schooling in
Milford. He was fourteen years old when he came




678


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


to this country and fifteen when he started out for
himself to work at $9 per month in the summers,
going to school in the winters. When nineteen years
old he entered the employ of Mrs. James Gamble,
at Milford. Ile remained with her for five years
and then came to Southfield Township and rented
a farm where his mother kept house for him until
his marriage. Ann J. Rodgers, who became the wife
of our subject in 1862, was born in Commerce
Township in 1840, her natal day being April 26.
She is the eldest daughter of Dr. James Rodgers.
Tile first home of the young married couple was
in Southfield Township. In 1880 they went to
Troy Township, where they lived for four years
and then located where they now reside. Five
children have blessed their union, namely: Ada J.,
the wife of Harry Russell, residing in Birmingham;
Nettie A., who resides at home; Mary A., the wife
of Jerry Russell; Margaret C., teaching school in
Royal Oak Township, and James F. The mother
of these children passed away from earth April 4,
1891, and is buried in Southfield Township. She
was an earnest worker in her church, the Church
of the Covenanters, where her husband is also a
leading member. IIe has belonged to this church
for thirty-five years and has taught in its Sundayschool for twenty years. The whole family are
efficient and active members of the same. His
departed wife was a very devoted Christian and
her loss is felt seriously by all who know her. Mr.
Young has a farm of eighty acres, all under cultivation with the exception of twenty acres. He is
doing a general farming business, and aiding in
every way in the development of his township
and county. He is a Republican in politics and in
all things desires to forward the prosperity of the
community in which he resides.. A _..~.. e)-...


is carrying on the sale of drugs and groceries as a
member of the firm of Whitehead & Mitchell and
also has an interest in the Exchange Bank and in
the Birmingham "Eccentric," which he and his
partner founded. Mr. Whitehead was born in
Waterford, October 29, 1851, being a son of Almeron and Ann (Mais) Whitehead, natives of New
York, the one born in Newburg and the other in the
metropolis. They came to this State in the' 30s and
settled in Waterford, where Mrs. Whitehead died.
Mr. Whitehead breathed his last in Birmingham. He
was a farmer most of his life, but in his early manhood spent a short time in clerking. He had a good
farm and was in easy circumstances. For several
years lie served in the offices of Township Supervisor and Superintendent of the Poor. Politically,
he was a Republican.
The subject of this notice is tie youngest in a
family of nine children, eight of whom  grew to
maturity. He was reared on the farm in Waterford
Township and received his education in the district
schools, and High School at Pontiac. He left the
farm at the age of twenty-two years, and coming
to Birmingham entered the employ of J. A. Bigelow as a clerk, at $100 per year. He remained
with that gentleman four years, then went on the
road for the Detioit Paper Company, but after a
twelvemonth of travel returned to Birmingham
and formed a partnership with Mr. Bigelow. The
connection lasted three years, after which Mr.
Whitehead and George H. Mitchell associated
themselves together and engaged in the sale of
drugs and groceries. They added to the extent of
their business interests and have finally become the
proprietors of the bank and newspaper before mentioned.
The lady who presides over the home of Mr.
Whitehead, and whose intelligence and refinement
tends to draw toward it a pleasant circle, was known
in her maidenhood as Miss Emma Bodine. She is
a daughter of John and Sarah Bodine, residents of
Birmingham, in which place she has lived for a
number of years. She has borne her husband one
son, who is called Raynale A.
After due consideration of political questions,Mr.
Whitehead decided in favor of the Republican party
which he aids by his vote and personal influence.


LMERON      WHITEHEAD. Few men as
young as Mr. Whitehead can look back
over a business career so successful as his.
He has been established in business in
Birmingham  little more than a decade and is already one of the most solid men of the place. He




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


679


He is a Mason, belonging to Birmingham Chapter
No. 93, R. A. M., and is also connected with the
Knights of the Maccabees. Although not a church
member he believes in religious societies and contributes to their support. Hte has been Township
Clerk for eleven years. He started out in the world
without means and his success in business is therefore the more creditable to him. He is a young
man of quiet ways, but a shrewdness of mind and
mental vigor that make their mark on every project
into which he enters.
LLEXANDER P. PARKS is one of the
well-known business men of Birmingham,
being a member of the firm of Parks &
Hannah, who have a large and        well
equipped meat market. Mr. Parks buys and sells
stock in considerable numbers and gives close
attention to his business affairs. It is by this
means that he has succeeded in gaining a competence, as he had to begin life at the foot of the
financial ladder. He was born in County Downs,
Ireland, March 15, 1842, and emigrated with his
father when eleven years old. His father was poor
and the lad was compelled to make his own way
from an early period in his existence. He began
by woiking on farms, and his monthly wages the
first summer were $3. His educational privileges
were very meager, and in place of book knowledge
he has made use of the information acquired by
practical experience and keen observation. His
mother-wit has stood him in good stead, and given
him an understanding of business methods and
principles, and a fair share of general knowledge.
After saving his money for some years, practicing close economy and being careful regarding
every expenditure, Mr. Parks bought a farm in
Troy Township, this county, upon which he lived
and labored until 1883. He then removed to Birmingham, and a year later became one of the partners in the meat market. His home since March
14, 1866, has been under the charge of a lady who
was previously known as Miss Anna Robison. She
is a daughter of Austin R. and Polly (Stanley)


Robison, who were among the first settlers in this
county, and spent their last years here. She was
born in Troy Township, obtained her education in
the common school, and has much knowledge of
domestic arts. The marriage has been blest by the
birth of three children, nil living, named respectively-Austin R., Polly and Edgar A. Mr. and
Mrs. Parks belong to the Presbyterian Church, and
he votes the Republican ticket. He stands well
in the community both as a business man and a
citizen.
The parents of our subject, Joseph and Eliza
(Herbison) Parks, were born in the Emerald Isle,
and the latter died there. The former, with four
children, came to America in 1853 and located in
Royal Oak Township, this county. He was compelled to go to work by the month, but after some
time he was able to buy a farm in that township.
After a few years spent thereon he sold it, and
bought in Troy Township, where he lived many
years. He finally sold out there and made his
home in Birmingham, where he is living in quiet
retirement. He has never accumulated much property, but is an honest, upright man. He was a
weaver in Ireland, but in America he has always
been engaged in farming. He votes the Republican ticket and belongs to the Presbyterian Church.
He lost a son, Thomas, before he came to America,
and the children who accompanied him across the
water are-Eliza, William, Alexander P., and Margaret J.
ARRETT TRUAX, one of the oldest residents now living in Brandon Township,
makes his home on section 16. He was
born in Madison County, N. Y., March 26, 1824. His
father, Isaac, was born at Mohawk, N. Y., and his
grandfather was a pioneer and famous hunter in
western New York. He used to spend several
months at a time in the woods in the pursuit of
game. The father of our subject was a glass
blower and a farmer, and owned eighty acres of
land in the Mohawk Valley. He moved to Oakland County, Mich., in 1835, making the journey




680


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I-             --


down the Erie Canal to Buffalo and by steamer
across the lake to Detroit and thence by team to
Brandon Township, this county. He took up
eighty acres of the farm now occupied by our subject, the deed to which was signed by Andrew
Jackson. He built a log cabin and covered it
with elm bark for shelter.
lHere thle young man made a home for his wife
and six children, and endured great hardships that
he might give to them prosperity in the future.
He had to go to Detroit and Pontiac to trade, and
carried corn meal home from Pontiac on his back
for food for his family. This was a distance of
twenty miles. He wore buckskin clothes and Indian moccasins. He improved his eighty acres and
d;ed at the age of eighty-seven years, bearing the
reputation among his neighbors, of an honest, hardworking man.
The mother of our subject was Anna Jelika, a
native of New York. She was a grand good mother,
and bore many hardships in those pioneer days.
She lived to the advanced age of eighty-five years,
and saw twelve of her thirteen children arrive at
maturity and make their mark as honest and selfrespecting citizens. She and her worthy husband
are laid to rest in the Eaton burial ground in Brandon Township.
The subject of this sketch came here with his
plarents at eleven years of age. He lias vivid recollections of the journey, especially of the walk
from Detroit to the new home, where he arrived
after dark. Brandon Township was then a vast
wilderness inhabited by Indians, wolves, deer and
bears. The first money earned by the family was
obtained by catchling wolves and claiming the
bounty then offered on them. Tile father of our
subject caught a she wolf in a trap and kept her a
few days in a pen, when she gave birth to a lot of
young ones. lie thus got bounty on the whole of
them instead of on one only, and bought a cow
with the money thus earned. Besides helping his
father on the farm, Young Garrett worked out for
other farmers.
Before the death of Isaac Truax he deeded his
farm to his son Garrett, who had been his faithful
lelper in subduing and cultivating the land. Prosperity has been granted to our subject, and he now


owns two hundred acres of ground, half of which
is cleared. He pays considerable attention to fruit
and raises stock and grain. He married in 1866
Catherine Orton, wlio was born in New Jersey.
She is still living and is a lady of unusual ability
and intelligence. They have five children-Jennie, William, Cora, John and Ezra. Mr. Truax is
a Democrat but not particularly active in political matters. IHe is an excellent neighbor and is
well thought of in the community.
AMES B. TUTTLE is one of the leading
men of Commerce Township. He is an old
settler here and a man of earnest character
and excellent judgment, and has attained
to a strong financial basis.  His father, Joseph
B. Tuttle, was a native of Luzerne County, Pa.;
where he was born in 1798. His father, the senior
Joseph B. Tuttle, a native of New Jersey, was a
farmer and miller. The mother of our subject
bore the maiden name of Frances Jenkins. She
was born in 1804 in the same county as her husband.   She was the daughter of Thomas and
Eleanor (Shaunse) Jenkins. Her grandfather Jenkins' family passed through the scenes of the Wyoming massacre. and one of her uncles was killed
there.
Joseph B. Tuttle and wife came to Michigan in 1833 and settled north of Walled Lake on
section 27 of Commerce Township. One house
then stood on the shores of the lake and that was
occupied by Jesse Tuttle, a brother of Joseph.
There were plenty of Indians and wild animals and
but few settlers. They had but limited means and
built a small log house on the farm of one hundred
and sixty acres of Government land, the deed to
which was signed by President Jackson. Soon
after, they sold out and bought eihtty acres where
their son James now lives. Here they built what
they called in those (lays a post and beam house.
Mrs. Tuttle taught the first school established in this
township. It was in a log schoolhouse at Walled
Lake. Joseph B. Tuttle added forty more acres to
his farm and cleared it all up. He helped organize








'Iq
I~


f,,#  0OW%,,' -7. - "


/ 9 '.4


IF   'l!e# If,




PORTRAI' AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


683


— I


this township and was a member of the local school
board. He took a lively interest in politics, being
a strong Jacksonian Democrat. He died October
14, 1877, but iiis good wife survives at the age of
eighty-seven years, with faculties bright and energy unabated. She is a delightful talker and is
full of old-time lore. She has been for fifty-six
years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and was one of the charter members of that church
at Walled Lake, which had for its first pastor the
Rev. Elijah Pilcher. The Rev. Oscar F. North organized this church in 1844.
James B. Tuttle, our subject, is the only surviving child of the five children of his parents. Ile
first saw the light in Tunkhannock, Luzerne County,
Pa., now Wyoming County. He attended the log
schoolhouse after coming to Michigan and was at
school in Pontiac for three months. He has always
been a farmer, but taught school for one term in
the home township. He also worked for two
summers at the carpenter's trade. Hie remained at
home with his parents until his marriage, September 13, 1855. His bride was Eliza J. Randolph,
daughter of Chester and Saiah (Serviss) Randolph,
natives of New York, who came to Farmington
Township in an early day. This lady was born
September 25, 1836. After marriage the young
couple lived on the homestead until 1865 and then
removed to the farm on section 26, near Walled
Lake, where they resided two and one-half years.
Mrs. Tuttle died December 14, 1867, having been
the mother of eight children, six of whom are now
living. They are named as follows: Mary L., born
August 23, 1856, has been a cripple since she was
four years old; Hattie and Herbert (twins), born
July 16, 1858; James R. and Helen Grace (twins),
October 5, 1861; Emma Jane, July 4, 1863; an infant, deceased, born May 13, 1866; William S.
December 10, 1867, lives in California. Herbert
married Alice E. Ryel and lives at Walled Lake. lIe
is the father of one child. Helen Grace died August 28, 1862.
Mr. Tuttle has been a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church of Walled Lake for over thirty
years. He fills the offices there of Trustee and
Steward and has been Secretary and Libarian in
the Sunday-school. Years ago he was a member of


the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has
been a member of the School Board and has taken
an active interest in politics, voting the Democratic
ticket. He was at one time Treasurer of Commerce Township. His son Herbert was Supervisor
one year. He has been a member of the Good
Templars and also of the Loyal Legion, as well as
of the State Temperance Alliance. One hundred
of his one hundred and forty broad and productive
acres are under cultivation. He gives his attention
wholly to his farm and carries on general farming.
In the days of the war he furnished a substitute to
go into the army for him.


ATHAN BILLINGS COLVIN, M. D., of
Pontiac, was born in Waterford Township,
Oakland County, February 19, 1857, and
is the second son of Levi B. and Keziah E. (Hodge)
Colvin. The father was born in Middleport, N.
Y., in 1822, and is the son of Nathan R. Colvin.
The latter was a native of Rutland, Vt., and died
in 1873, in his eighty-second year, on tie homestead which he located in 1832. Levi B. was but
ten years of age when he came to Michigan, and
still resides upon land settled by his father. He
has been engaged in general farming and stockraising, making a specialty of merino sheep. The
family is of Scotch-English descent.
Eight children were born to this pioneer, of
whom seven are living. Nathan B. passed his
youth on the farm and attended the district school.
After taking a select course at Pontiac High School,
he taught school four winters and studied medicine
at intervals while teaching. In 1879 he went to
New York City and entered the medical department of the University of the city of New'York,
graduating with two hundred and twelve others in
1882, at this time taking special courses in Bellevue
Hospital in operative surgery and physical diagnosis, for which he received certificates of proficiency.
He then began practice at Rolla, Mo., devoting considerable time to diseases of the eye which are prevalent in that climate. After five years there, he
returned to Michigan and located in Pontiac, where




684


PORTRA IT AND BIR OGR APHICA L ALBUM.


6R      AN B            AL


he is now recognized as one of the able and successful physicians of the county. He enjoys a large
practice, a portion consisting of the special diseases
for which his previous study and practical experience eminently fitted him.
Socially Dr. Colvin is a member of the I. 0. 0.
F., No. 3, of Pontiac, the Rolla District Medical Society, Michigan State Medical Society, and
the American Medical Society. He was married in
October, 1884, to Miss Emma E. Emory, the accomplished daughter of Judge Azro Emory, of St.
James, Mo. Dr. and Mrs. Colvin are members of
the Pontiac Methodist Episcopal Church, have the
best social advantages, are the happy parents of
two children, Della and Levi B., and live pleasantly
at No. 70 Asylum Avenue.
C  ORNELIUS LOSEY belongs to a New England family of English and German descent
and Puritan stock. Many members of this
family have proven themselves worthy of their
lineage by the excellent pioneer service which they
have done in various parts of the West. Our subject was born in Orion Township, Oakland County,
Mich., February 4, 1840. He is the son of Philip
and Mahala (Predmore) Losey, natives of New
Jersey, whence they came to Michigan in 1836. and
located in Oxford, this county, where their son now
resides. Philip was a farmer; he died in Oxford,
in August, 1884, aged seventy-six years. His wife
had preceded him to the better world in July, 1859.
To them eight children were given. Several representatives of this family live in this part of the
State.
The subject of our sketch was brought up to
farming pursuits. These he followed until he entered the service of his country, enlisting in Company I, Fourteenth Regiment, Michigan Infantry,
November 21, 1861. He entered the service as a
private, but was promoted to the office of Second
Sergeant before leaving the State. The regiment
was attached to the Western Army and participated
in the fight at Pittsburg Landing. They took part
in the battle at Farmington, Miss., May 9, 1862,


and participated in the siege of Corinth. Capt.
Losey was never away from his command until he
was wounded at Bentonville, N. C., March 20,
1865. This was the last battle in which his company engaged, and it was during the last half hour
of the battle that he was laid aside by a gun-shot
wound through the left thigh. At that time he was
captain of a company, having been so commissioned
February 13, 1865. He had been previously raised
to the rank of First Lieutenant, his commission
bearing date August 10, 1864, and being granted
because of special and favorable notice in action
by his commanding officers. Capt. Losey was discharged May 15, 1865, on account of disability resulting from wounds received in the service. The
following is a partial list of engagements in which
he took part: Farmington, Miss., May 9, 1862;
siege of Corinth, May 10 to 31, 1862; Lavergne,
Tenn., November 1; Nashville, November 5, Brentwood, Tenn., December 8; Stone River, January
3, 1863; Weems Springs, July 27, the same year;
Laurenceburg, November 4; Kenesaw Mountain,
Ga., January 22, 1864; Chattahoochee, July 5 and
6; the siege of Atlanta, July 22 to August 25;
the battle of Atlanta, August 7; Jonesboro, September 1; Florence, Ala., October 10; Savannah,
Ga., December 17 to 21; Fayetteville, N. C., March
12, 1865; Averysboro, N. C., March 16, and Bentonville, N. C., March 19 and 20.
The services of this regiment were so conspicuous
as to attract the notice of the Corps Commander,
Gen. Dayis, and he manifested his commendation
of it in special orders. At the close of the war our
hero returned to Oakland County and bought a
farm lying in Brandon and Oxford Townships,
which he managed until 1885, when he moved to
Oxford. He still owns a farm of one hundred and
sixty acres. He was elected Justice of the Peace
in 1887, and still retains that position. He is Notary Public, and does considerable conveyancing.
October 16. 1876, Capt. Losey was joined in
marriage with Marietta Howser. Two living children, Philip Henry and Dana, bless their home.
One son, Luther Willard, died at the age of eight
years. Our subject is a member of the Masonic order, both Blue Lodge and Chapter, and a member
of the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he is




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


685


a Commander. He is a Republican in politics, and
as it is said "everybody knows it that knows him."
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and is active in all movements to promote the best
interests of the town. In a word, he is an excellent citizen, and one who is honored by all.
G LARK VALENTINE, a prominent farmer
of Rose Township, was born in Troy, Oakland County, this State, October 20, 1838,
and is a son of John and Amanda (Fay) Valentine.
The grandfather, John Valentine, was born in New
York, and pursued the calling of a farmer. He
reared to maturity four sons and four daughters.
The sons were named-John, James, Cornelius and
William. Ile died in Cleveland, Ohio. The family is of Dutch origin. His son John was born in
Cayuga County, N. Y., and was reared to follow
thile calling of a farmer. He served in the War of
1812, and coming to Michigan about 1830, settled
in Troy Township, where he entered one hundred
and sixty acres and proceeded to improve it. In
his later years he retired from active work and
made his home in Birmingham, Oakland County,
where he departed this life about September 24,
1867. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was highly respected not only in
his church connections but as a citizen: He was
twice married.
The first wife of John Valentine, Jr., was the
mother of ten children, namely-Samuel, Jerusha,
Lucinda, Edmund, Bannajah, Harriet, Ramsdell,
Clark, Cordelia and Charles. All except the last
named have established homes of their own. Their
mother was a native of New York, and she passed
away from earth, August 18, 1859.
Our worthy subject had only the advantages of
the common school, and the faithful training in
farm duties which his excellent parents gave him.
At twenty-one he began working a farm on shares.
He also took contracts in grading streets and
graded many of the streets of Saginaw. For five
years he was engaged in the hotel business at
Flint, after which he entered the grocery business


in East Saginaw, which he carried on successfully
for three years. In 1864 he moved on to a farm,
and in 1866 he purchased the farm  near Fenton,
which he ten years later exchanged for the one
hundred and twenty acres where he now resides.
This farm is in excellent condition, and has fine
improvements upon it. His political views are
embodied in the platform of the Republican party.
The marriage of our subject December 4, 1864,
with Flora S. G. Eveits, led up to a life of more
than usual domestic happiness.  This lady is a
daughter of James and Rebecca (Beach) Everts,
who were born in New York, and Oakland County,
respectively. She is one of a family of three
daughters, her sisters being Celestine E., and Lucy
R. tier father died March 17, 1882, and his wife
is still living. She was born February 17, 1823,
in thle town of Troy, Oakland County, and is said
to have been the first white child born in the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Valentine have one child, Flora
R. They are considered by their neighbors and
friends to be among the best citizens and' most delightful neighbors in the township. Their home
is ever hospitably opened to welcome their
friends.
j      UCY A. (ROOD) NARRIN, is one of three
original settlers of Groveland Township,
still remaining in the township. She is a
lady of genial nature and a delightful talker, and
is the widow of DeWitt Clinton Narrin. She was
born in Washington County, N. Y. March 14,.
1820. Her father, Asher Rood, a native of Massachusetts, moved onto a farm in New York State
when quite young, and ended his days in Michigan at an advanced age. His wife, Lydia Gray,
a native of Connecticut, lived to see her nine children all grow to maturity. Mrs. Narrin was the
youngest of the flock. The mother passed from
life in New York State when more than sixty years
old. Her daughter Lucy was educated in the district schools, and was married in Ontario County,
N. Y., coming here in the spring of 1838 by canal
and Lake Erie, and teaming it from Detroit. They
settled in this township, when there was not an



686


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


other settler within three miles. Here they resided
in a log house (which they had erected) with deer
and wolves as neighbors. Their family provisions
had to come from Pontiac at first.
Our subject's martiage with Mr. Narrin took
place September 10, 1837. The latter was born in
Ontario County, N. Y., in 1818. He was reared on
a farm and educated in the district schools. He
came to Michigan in 1837, and took up one hundred and sixty acres from the Government, and
built the log house before bringing his bride to the
new country. Heie was established a happy home,
although hardships were much more plentiful than
dollars. Many a jolly time did the neighbors have
together in those old days. After the day's work
was over Mr. Narrin used to hitch up the ox teaml
and he and his good wife would drive off five or
six miles to spend the evening with a neighbor.
The neat frame house now occupied by Mrs.
Narrin was erected in 1867. She was bereaved of
her husband September 25, 1881. He was a man of
importance in the township, and held the office of
Treasurer for eight years in succession. Other
offices were also given to him, and he helped to lay
out some of the roads here in an early day. He had
an honorable war record, as he served for three
years in the Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry.
Mrs. Narrin has been the mother of seven children, five of whom were daughters, namely: Eliza,
deceased; Althea, Mrs. Swift; Delana, Mrs. Hartwell; Minnie, Mrs. Campbell, and Nettie, Mrs.
Frick. The mother lives all alone, but her daughter Althea, whose husband, Eugene Swift, farms
the home place of one hundred and sixty acres, resides near her.
^ LIVrER H. P. GREEN. A prominent rank
among the younger residents of Orion Town'   it/ ship is by general consent accorded to Mr.
Green, who owns and occupies two hundred and
twenty acres of choice land and raises all kinds of
stock as well as good crops of various kinds. Ite
has business sagacity and shrewdness of a high
order, as is demonstrated in the work he has ac

complished since his early launching in business
for himself. He and his brother Elmer L. formed
a partnership and took up the business of lumbering where their deceased father had left it. They
repaired the old mill and manufactured lumber,
cutting nearly half a million feet per annum for.
seven years. They also purchased three hundred
and eighty acres of farm land, in addition to what
they already owned, and for seven years were
associated in these extensive business interests.
They then dissolved partnership and each has gone
on with his own work, still showing the ability that
made them so successful when together.
The father of our subject was Joshua D. Green,
of whom mention has been made in the sketch of
Elmer L. Green on another page. lie was a fine
business man, and his son comes honestly by his
ability in financial matters. The mother of Oliver
Green was Martha (Shirts) Green, whose parents
were early settlers in this State. After the death
of Mr. Green she became the wife of Isaac Lyons,
who breathed his last in 1882; she is still living on
a farm adjoining that of her son. Oliver was but
nineteen months old when 'his father died. He grew
to manhood on the farm, but began business for
himself at the early age of sixteen years. lie received a good district-school education and with
natural cleverness has added much valuable information to the knowledge gained in the schoolroom.
He has his farm in fine condition and has a good
assortment of buildings upon it.
March 10, 1886, Mr. Green was married to Josephine A. Hart, who was born in Orion Township,
August 25, 1865. She is a granddaughter of
William Hart, who was born in New Jersey in 1808
and brought his family here in 1837. H-e took a
large tract of Government land in Orion Township
and passed through the usual pioneer experiences
while clearing and improving it. He retired from
active life about 1870 and made his home in Pontiac
for a time, then went to Oxford, but soon returned
to Pontiac. He died there March 17, 1891, at the
age of ninety-three years. His wife, formerly Margaret Hibbler, a native of New Jersey, died in
April, 1888, when seventy-eight years old. The
father of Mrs. Green is Abram Hart, who was born
in Sussex, N. J., September 15, 1835, and who,




I




-)"~'~


rFI




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


689




having come to this county when scarcely more
than an infant, grew up amid pioneer scenes. He
bought land in Orion Township in 1865; four years
after he left home. In 1880 he purchased the farm
he now occupies, which consists of one lhundred
and sixty acres on section 5. He was married June
1, 1861, to Theodosia Beardslee, who was born in
this State in 1840. Besides the wife of our subject,
his family includes Maggie, now the wife of William Colts, a farmer in Oxford Township.
Our subject and his estimable wife are the parents of a daughter, Gracie, whose increasing intelligence and bright ways add to the charm of their
home. Mr. Green is a Republican, has served as
a delegate to county conventions and has been a
candidate for important local offices, but as the
party is decidedly in the minority in the township
he has not been elected. He belongs to the Knights
of the Maccabees.
I   OBERT BROWN, a retired farmer, residing
at Pontiac, was born in County Tyrone,
Ireland, March, 1820. He is the fifth of
)twelve children, six of them  being sons
and six daughters. His parents, Robert and Sarah
(Kyle) Brown, emigrated to the United States in
1836, landing in New York, and thence coming immediately to Oakland County, this State. They located on a farm in West Bloomfield, where they
carried on general farming. Here the father died
in September, 1848, in the eighty-second year of
his age, and the mother was called froin earth, December 13, 1860, in her eightieth year. Of the
twelve childien, only three now survive.
The early school days of our subject were passed
by him in his native county. In 1832, he with an
older brother, Joseph, came to the United States,
landing in Philadelphia, where they found work
and continued for three years. Robert next removed to Detroit, Mich., where he worked for
three years. In 1840 he came to Oakland County,
locating in West Bloom field Township, and here he
began farming. He bought one hundred and sixty
acres of land, which he partly cleared, and engaged


in general farming and stock-raising. By economy and industrious habits he made a success of
life, and became the owner of one of the best farms
in the neighborhood. He placed good buildings
on it and continued working and improving it until 1865, when lie sold it and moved to Pontiac
Township, where he bought a farm. In 1875 he
moved to Pontiac City; this removal being called
for by the failing health of his wife. He purchased
a comfortable home, loaned out his money, and has
lived a quiet, retired life since that time. In 1873
he was elected Supervisor of Pontiac Township,
which position he has held continuously by re-election since that date. He is a Democrat in his politics, and is a member of the Pontiac Lodge No.
21, F. & A. M., also of the Chapter No. 5, R. A. M.
This sketch would be incomplete without more
reference to the faithful wife who has accompanied
Mr. Brown on the journey of life. Before her marriage she was Miss Lucretia Carhart, of West
Bloomfield, this county, and was united with our
subject in the happy bond of wedlonk, April 3,
1844. Maryland is the State of her nativity, and
she was born March 12, 1815. She was brought
up mostly in New York State, and after she had
grown to womanhood she came with her parents to
Michigan. Her father was Robert and her mother
Mary (Brackman) Carhart.    No children have
been granted to the home of Robert Brown.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Brown appears on
another page of this volume.
MOS BENTLEY, one of the representative
farmers of Novi Township, is a son of
Benjamin Bentley, a farmer who was born
in New York, March 16, 1814.  Iis wife,
whose maiden name was Christena Stringer, was a
Canadian by birth, her natal year being 1820.
Their marriage took place in Canada and they resided there until 1842, when they made their home
in Novi Township, this county, and worked land
on shares for a few years. He then bought eighty
acres of roughly improved land and built a plain
house, where they made their permanent home. He




690


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I - - - -


afterwards added to it until he had three hundred
acres. Here he lived for thirty years passing away
in 1872. His wife survived until 1890. Two children blessed their home, our subject and Mrs.
Clayton McKenney. The father took a great interest in politics and was a Whig in his early days
and later a Republican.
The subject of this sketch was born April 12,
1839, in Canada. He was three years old when he
came to Michigan, and he received his schooling in
the district schools of this township, and his practical training upon the farm. He stayed at home
until he was twenty-five years old.
The marniage of Amos Bentley and Ellen Bloss
was solemnized April 12, 1865. The lady is a
daughter of John and Maria (Moyer) Bloss, both
natives of Sharon, N. Y., where Mr. Bloss was
born November 16, 1811, and his wife July 12,
1809. Their marriage took place March 22, 1832,
and they resided in New York until 1839, when
they made their new home in the unbroken forests
of Novi Township, taking up land from the Government. Here they built a log house and undertook to redeem the forest for the purposes of
agriculture. Iqdians and wild animals were much
more numerous than white neighbors. Mr. Bloss
was a poor man and underwent hardships in this
new country. He died September 29, 1845, and
Mrs. Bloss married Edward Hazen. Her death occurred November 10, 1883. The sister of Mrs.
Bentley married Edwin Hazen.
Mrs. Bentley was born September 21, 1840, on
the old homestead in Novi Township. After attending the district school in the township she went
for one term to Northville to school and then
taught at home. After ler marriage with Mr.
Bentley they settled on their present farm, which
was an improved one of ninety-six acres. He now
has three hundred and sixty-five acres mostly in
cultivation and carries on general farming. He
has some fine registered Merino sheep which he
takes great pride in. Mr. Bentley and his able
wife, by the exercise of industry and perseverance
have improved both the land and buildings of their
present home.
Our subject is the father of cight children,
namely: Dora J., born July 23, 1866, now the wife


of George Nichols; they reside in Novi Township.
Benjamin, born July 17, 1870, who resides at home;
Edith E. born April 27, 1872, the wife of Delbert
Smith, a resident of Lyon Township; John J. born
June 14, 1874; George B., March 26, 1876; Cora
B., November 5, 1878; Mary M., April 28, 1880.
and Daniel L., March 25,1882. The last five named
are all beneath the parental roof, and the parents
have given to all their children excellent school
ad vantages.
Mr. Bentley is a member of the Patrons of Industry at Walled Lake and also member of the
local School Board, which position he has held for
thirteen years. He is a Republican and takes an
active interest in local politics. He has been for
two terms Supervisor of Novi Township, and is
now a member of the Board of Review. Mrs.
Bentley's youngest brother, Lewis J. Bloss, was a
member of the regular army and took part in the
Civil War. He was wounded at the battle of
Gettysburg and lay in the hospital for a year. He
was then discharged on account of his wound and
went to Minnesota. He died there while his home
was in Dakota, leaving a wife to mourn his loss.
K   LARKSON S. LINABURY, a successful
farmer of Oxford Township, who has made
his own fortune from an humble though
worthy beginning, was born in Warren County,
N. J.. September 10, 1835. His father, Joseph L.,
was also a native of New Jersey, where he was born
in 1805. He owned and operated a gristmill at
Long Bridge, N. J., and came to Michigan in 1835.
He carried on the same business here, operating
two mills at Pontiac several years. He then entered from the Government a farm in IndependenceTownship, and building a house located his family
in it. Even after settling on the farm he continued to carry on milling in Pontiac, going to and
from home on foot, and on Saturday night carrying home the week's supply of flour upon his back.
In these tramps he followed an Indian trail, as there
were no roads cut through. The grim determination to succeed and unlimited hard work made him




POR1TRAIT ANID BIOGRAPHICALT ALBUM.


691


PORTRAIT AND B~~IOGAHCLABM                        9


a prosperous man and he is still living in Pontiac
enjoying a hale old age.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Elsie Shotwell. She was a native of New Jersey and died in 1850, having been the mother of
eight children. She was a brave woman who did
not shrink from the lonely life in the woods, where
she cared for her children while her husband was
doing milling in Pontiac, although the wolves.howled about and the Indian camp was near. Indeed she made use of her Indian neighbors by securing their help in harvest time. Our subject learned
to be an excellent huntsman in tlose early days
and still loves the sport and makes a practice of
going north every fall to hunt.  The father remarried and had five children by the second wife.
Clarkson Linabury was only an infant when his
parents came to Michigan, and his schooling was
obtained at the winter sessions of the district
schools. He also went five miles to Clarkston to
school for some time. His early efforts to obtain
an education impressed upon him the importance
of such advantages, and now that he is a father he
has taken great pains to obtain for his children the
best advantages. He taught his first term the year
lie was seventeen years old and for several winters
occupied the teacher's desk. His first salary as a
teacher was $18 per month. His summer work
upon the farm secured him wages from $8 to $12.
He continued in this way for several years, teaching and farming on wages until 1860, when he
began farming for himself in Oakland Township.
He subsequently purchased a farm in Independence
Township, which he carried on for several years.
He now lives on section 3, Oxford Township, to
which he removed in 1879.
The marriage of Mr. Linabury had taken place
several years before his removal to his present home,
as he was married in 1861 to Mary Earing, whd
was born in Fabius, N. Y., and is a daughter of
Michael and Mary Earing, both of Connecticut,
who came to Michigan in 1857 and remained here
through the remainder of their lives. Of the four
children who were born to our subject and his
wife, the two eldest, Jennie and Freddie, have passed
away from earth. The son Charles is a graduate
of the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, of the


class of 1887, and is now principal of the public
schools at Dansville, Mich. The daughter Lillie, a
bright, intellectual girl, is a teacher in this county.
Mr. Linabury is a Democrat in his political convictions and is frequently a delegate to county
conventions. He has served the citizens of his
township frequently in the office of Supervisor, Collector and Justice of the Peace. He has also filled
the office of Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Harger.
These offices were held while our subject was living
in Independence Township, this county. He has
been identified with the Masonic Order for thirty
years and belongs also to the Patrons of Industry.
Besides managing the three hundred and seventyfour acres which he has, he spent two years in a
store at Dryden Plains, this county.
--          _ —


5iHOMAS CHALKLEY SEVERANCJE, a
farmer in Commerce Township, is the son of
a Vermont farmer and shoemaker, Charles
Severance, and Martha Lamb, a native of New York.
The maternal grandfather, Rev. Nehemiah Lamb,
was one of the first settlers in Farmington Township,
coming here as a missionary. The parents of our
subject married in New York State and came to
Northville, Mich., in 1835. They then removed to
this farm where the son now resides, when it was
in a perfectly wild condition. They built a log
house and often accommodated travelers. Upon
one occasion sixteen strangers stayed with them
over night. He was a poor man when he came, but
accumulated considerable property. His first farm
was eighty acres and he added to it until he has
three hundred and twenty. He was born December
21, 1805, and died July 21, 1887. The mother, who
was born March 9, 1812, died December 4, 1872.
She was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr.
Severance in early life affiliated with the Democrats, but afterward became an Abolitionist and
later a Republican. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are now
living.
The subject of this sketch was born December
18, 1835, in Northville, Mich. He acquired his edu



692


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


cation in the log schoolhouse and upon the farm,
beginning work for himself when twenty years
old. He then removed to the place just north of
his present farm, and was married in June, 1858,
to Martha, daughter of Clarke McCall of New
York, in which State she was born and educated,
and where Mr. Severance went to bring her, a
bride, to the home farm. She was an earnest and
consistent member of the Baptist Church and was
the mother of nine children, eight of whom are
now living, namely: Martha, Thomas C., Mary
(deceased), Lewis, Irene, Ira, George, Howard and
Mabel. The oldest son is a teacher in Minnesota,
and the oldest daughter keeps house for her father,
since the death of her mother, January 8, 1884.
Lewis, a student at Ann Arbor University, has
already been admitted to the bar at Pontiac. Ira
is a graduate of the High School at Ann Arbor and
Irene is attending the Pontiac High School. The
three younger children are at home.
The Baptist Church at Walled Lake, finds in Mr.
Severance one of its active members. He serves
there as Treasurer and Clerk and is a Deacon. IIe
has been a member of the Grange and also of the
School Board, having held on the latter the positions of Director, Assessor and Moderator. He is
a Republican and takes an interest in politics, and
is strictly temperate in his habits. He is the
residuary legatee of the old homestead, which comprises two hundred and eighty acres with good improvements.
iW    ILLIAM H. OSMUN, JR., manufacturer
of brick, tile and hardwood lumber, at Pontiac, was born in Brandon Township, this
county, October 27, 1841. He is the eldest son of
William H. and Mary (Linderman) Osmun, both
of whom are natives of New York, who came to
Oakland County in 1836. For further particulars,
see the family sketch in another part of this work.
The subject of this sketch is the oldest of six children. He was educated in the common schools of
his neighborhood and afterward at Groton, N. Y.


Here they remained until he reached his twentyfourth year, when the young man returned to Oakland County, and was soon after united in marriage
with Frances Chaffee, daughter of Stephen and
Melle-Tiah (Leonard) Chaffee. They were among
the early settlers of Oakland County, and their
daughter was born here. After marriage the young
couple returned to New York and spent two years
there.
Mr. Osmun then returned to Oakland County
and purchased the old homestaad of one hundred
and sixty acres, which had belonged to his wife's
father. Here in Pontiac Township he engaged in
general farming, in which he was successful.  In
1866 he bought the brick works and operated them
for a number of years.  He took the contract for
making the brick for the Eastern Michigan Asylum
for the Insane, and made sixteen millions of
brick, the greater number going into the main
buildings. He afterward furnished brick for the
adjacent buildings and carried on this brick manufacturing business until 1877. About this time
lie added to his works machinery of the latest improved pattern for the manufacture of tile, in which
branch of business lie built up a large trade.
This enterprising man constantly saw new openings in business, and in 1879 he built a sawmill for
tile manufacturing of hardwood lumber, utilizing
the same power which he used in his brick and tile
factory, where he used an engine of forty-five horse
power. He manufactures both white and red brick,
common and pressed, for all of which he finds
ready sale near home, but his customers at a distance call for large shipments to different parts of
the county and adjoilinng counties. His drainage
tile varies in size from one and one-half to fifteen
inches. His works are located in the eastern part
of the city on Auburn Avenue.  A two hundred
acre farm, owned and supervised by Mr. Osmun, is
well stocked and excellently managed.
Mr. and Mrs. Osmun have two daughters. Mabel,
the elder, is a dressmaker, and Flora, the younger,
is a stenographer and type-writer and a teacher of
both arts. She is now in the employ of the Pontiac,
Oxford & Northern Railroad, and drives her horse
and cart to and from her business. Mr. Osmun is
Republican in politics and served as Alderman in




PORCTRAIT AND BIOGRI`APHICAL ALBUM.


693


PORTRAIT AND BIORAPICA A


the Second Ward. HIe is one of the stockholders
of the Pontiac and Auburn Gravel Road, and he
took an active l)art in securing its charter and also
in securing the charter for the Auburn and Utica
Gravel Road, in which he was also largely interested as a stockholder. For the past twenty-two
years he has employed from twenty to sixty men,
and he never fails to pay them every Saturday
night. He is temperate in his habits, never smoking, chewing or using intoxicating liquors. He is
a devotee of hunting and a member of the State
Trappers' Shooting Association, and won the State
Champion medal of this association at their last
meeting in October, 1890, at Bay City, Mich.
ELSON E. DEUELL is one of the leading
liverymen in Pontiac and indeed in the
southeastern part of the State. It is said
by many that he can furnish more fine hacks, buggies and horses for an occasion of any kind than
any other liveryman in the county, and no one can
doubt that he has a fine stock. IIe is well supplied
with vehicles for funeral purposes, has also a complete 'bus line, and keeps from thirty-five to forty
horses. His stable is of brick, eighty feet square
and two stories high, and the stalls and everything
pertaining to the appointments are in first class
order. The office is neat and well arranged and all
departments of the business are under tlie immediate supervision of Mr. Deuell. He employs from
eight to twelve men, and sees to it that their work
is well done and their manner toward patrons that
which is fitting. Mr. Deuell is an excellent judge
of horses, not only for the livery business, but for
general and family use, and he does well in making
sales.
The parents of our subject were born in New
York and there grew to maturity and united their
fortunes. The father, Abner N. Deuell, died in
1842, but the mother, formerly Susan Baldwin, is
still living. Her home is in Genesee County, this
State, to which she and her husband came in 1839,
settling on a farm that was operated by the husband until his death. They had five children, and


Nelson E. is the second son. He was born in Genesee County, October 5, 1842, and spent his early
school days in the home neighborhood. When fourteen years old he went to Clarksville to school, and
after his course of study was completed he was variously employed for a time. In that place he began
the livery business on a small scale and for some
years conducted his enterprise, proving quite successful.
In 1869 Mr. Deuell came to Pontiac and started
in the livery business in company with J. H. Morris, under the firm name of Morris & Deuell. The
partnership lasted four years, during which time
the firm also dealt in horses. At the end of that
time Mr. Morris retired and Mr. Deuell continued
the livery business. Mr. Deuell pays little attention to political matters, but gives his time and energy mainly to his business. He has been a lifelong
Democrat in politics.
The marriage of Mr. Deuell and Miss Lillian
Stevens was solemnized at the bride's home in 1870.
She was a daughter of Mrs. Jane Stevens of Pontiac, and died here, February 26, 1890, after twenty
years of wedded life, during which she had proved
her faithfulness as a companion and devotion as a
mother. She left two sons-Eugene N. and Raymond-who are gaining good educations and being
prepared to each take a man's place in the world.
Mr. Deuell is a member of the Blue Lodge and
Chapter, A. F. & A. M. of Clarkston, Mich.
4  OHN BASSETT, one of the hard-working
and prosperous farmers of Novi Township,
is a son of Samuel Bassett, a native of Litch.
field County, Conn., who was born March
29, 1784. The father was a farmer by occupation,
but served his country in the War of 1812, following
the patriotic example of his father, Daniel Bassett,
who was one of the Revolutionary heroes. This
family originiated in America with William Bassett, who came from England in the "Anna," the
second ship that came. He was one of the Puritans and made his home at Bridgewater, Mass.
The mother of our subject was Mary, daughter




694


PORTRAIT AND BIOG RAPHICAL ALBUM-.


64  P


of John Caywood, of New Jersey, who was a Revolutionary soldier, and moved from the latter State to
Seneca County, N. Y., and took possession there of
a soldier's claim. The family is of Scotch descent.
Mary Caywood was born August 23, 1794, and she
married Samuel Bassett in Ovid, Seneca County,
N. Y., in 1810. They resided there until May,
1832, when they came to Michigan and settled in
Bloomfield Township upon a heavily timbered
farm which they bought from old Peter Desnoyer,
of Detroit. They built a log house and having
established themselves in the new home undertook
to clear the farm of timber.
In May, 1831, Samuel Bassett came to Novi
Township and took up one thousand and forty acres
of wild land, at 11.25 per acre. Four hundred
acres of it were located in Novi Township, and
the remainder in West Bloomfield. In the fall of
1831 he came in with Sidney Hinman and helped
the latter to get a start upon some land in the center of West Bloomfield Township. He then returned home and the following spring he brought
on his family and made his permanent home on the
new land. He retained three hundred and twenty
acres and had it finely improved long before his
death, which occurred in 1873. His wife had
been called from  his side by death in October,
1833.
The subject of this sketch is one of ten children
of his father's family, only two of whom are now
living, his brother Daniel residing at Birmingham
in this county. The father was a great reader and
although exceedingly quiet in his manner was
a tremendous worker. He was a Whig in his
political views and later a Republican.  lie was
the owner at one time of thirteen hundred and sixty
acres of land, which was divided among his children. Their mother was a member of the Dutch
Reformed Church. The son John was born May
29, 1816, at Ovid, N.Y. IIe attended the common school until he reached the age of twelve
years, but after that it was necessary for him to go
to work upon the farm  and he at once entered
upon hard work. He was sixteen years old when
he came to Michigan, and hle remembers with interest the thousands of Indians and the numerous
wild animals that then abounded. When nearly


twenty-one years of age he located on the farm
where he now lives without a dollar to his name.
In the fall of 1836 he sowed the first wheat here,
ten bushels on ten acres of land. He built a tamarack shanty and had a sugar bush of some three
hundred trees.
The marriage of our subject occurred February 16,
1837. His bride, Ervilla Coomer,was a daughter of
David and Betsey (Cole) Coomer, who came from
Yates County, N. Y., to Michigan about the year
1830, and settled in Farmington Township. These
were the first settlers there and they made it their
permanent home. Mr. Coomer was born April 8,
1787, and died June 2, 1865. His wife was born
October 14, 1790, and died July 2, 1870. They
were the parents of ten children, three of whom
still survive.
Mrs. Bassett was born April 17, 1815, in Yates
County, N. Y. She died in March, 1887. Nine of
her thirteen children are still living. They are as
follows: Samuel, born February 18, 1838. He
married Dorinda Holmes, and with his wife and
four children resides in Novi Township. Eugene
was born December 10, 1840, and married Elizabeth Hamlin, and they with their three children are
living at Ypsilanti. Celestia, born May 10, 1842,
is the wife of Bathurst Davis, and lives in Waco,
Tex. She has been twice married and has three
children by the first union. Irving, who was born
January 2, 1844, married Hannah McKendrick,
and lives at Ironwood, Mich.. with his wife and
five children. Mary L., born October 23, 1845, is
the wife of Edgar O. Durfee. 'hey live in Detroit
and have four children. Truman J., born January
21, 1848, married Mary Baker and makes his,
home in Detroit. Kate, who was born April 20,
1851, is single. Antoinette, who was born July 8,
1855, is Mrs. Orren S. Hulett and lives at Detroit.
She has four children. Vie, born March 5, 1859,
married Vernon Merserveau, of St. Louis. They
have three children.
The second marriage of Mr. Bassett was solemnized in November, 1888. He was then united with
Carrie McKenney, daughter of Alexander McKenney and Jane Murphy. Both of her parents were
natives of Ireland, who came to Michigan fortytwo years ago and made their home in Southfield




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


695


Township. This old settler still remains at the
age of sixty-seven years, but his good wife passed
away in 1871. All of their four clildren are now
living. Mrs. Bassett was born January 14, 1856,
in the township where her father now resides.
She is a devout and earnest member of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Bassett built his residence some thirty-six
years ago. He has cleared one hundred and eighty
acres of his farm of two hundred and eighty, and
removed great quantities of stumps and stone.
He has also put in an extensive system of tiling,
and all other improvements have been placed on this
farm by himself. He has carried on general farming, and pays some attention to sheep and Jersey
cows, of which he now has twenty-five head. For
fifty years he has been a member of the School
Board. He takes great interest in local politics, having been first a Whig and then a Democrat. For four
terms he has filled the office of Supervisor and has
been the Justice of the Peace for fifteen years.
IIe has been Road Overseer. When he came to
this part of the country sixty years ago he was
sixteen years old and six feet tall, and did a full
man's work. He still actively carries on his farm.
He has been entrusted with the settlement of numerous estates for over thirty-five years. Indeed,
he has done more in this line than any other man
in the county. During the past winter he settled
five estates.
EONARD S. JOHNSON, a prominent merchant of Clyde, came to Oakland County
at an early day. He is the son of Lyman,
a son of Banks Johnson, a native of Connecticut.
This grandfather reared a family of three sons
and two daughters. IIe was a farmer, and like
many of the New England farmers of that day,
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His
son, Lyman, was born February 6, 1800. Hemarried Catherine Sherwood, a daughter of Samuel
Sherwood, a native of Connecticut, who went to
New York at an early day and made that his permanent home. The children of Lyman and Cath

erine (Sherwood) Johnson were Sallie A., Joel,
Oscar, Maria, Willis, Lyman, Leonard, William
(deceased) and William. Lyman Johnson went to
New York soon after his marriage, and there he
reared most of his children. Upon his removal to
Michigan in 1846 he settled in Highland Township,
where he lived and died. His first purchase was
forty acres, but he sold this and bought eighty,
which he owned until death. In connection with
farminlg he followed the trade of a carpenter.
Both he and his good wife were Presbyterians in
faith, and both died in Highland Township-she in
1850 and he in 1875.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born
in Onondaga County, N. Y., January 15, 1838.
He was only eight years old when he removed
with his parents to Michigan. At the age of fifteen
years he went away to school and attended for a
year and a half. At the age of nineteen years he
commenced teaching, and followed it for three
years, earning the munificent sum of $25 per
month.   This, however, was considered good
wages for teaching in those days, and the young
man was enabled to pay the debt which he had incurred for board while attending school.
Our young man now decided to set up a home
of his own, and he chose for his wife Catherine
Garrett, the daughter of Charles E. Garrett, a
native of New York. The wedding took place
August 19, 1861, in Highland Township. Mr.
Garrett was a ship carpenter, and had been quite a
roamer. He was married in the Buckeye State to
Seraphina Higgins, and one child was born unto
them, who afterward became the wife of our subject. Mr. Garrett came to Michigan and settled
in Trenton, in 1859, where he lived for a number
of years, and then came to Highland Township,
where he lived until 1880, when he sold his farm
and went to Missouri. Mr. Garrett was bereft of his
first wife in this county, April 5, 1872, and was a
second time united in marriage to Mrs. Sheldon,
widow of Edwin D. Sheldon.
To Mr. Johnson and his estimable wife have
been born five children, one. of whom  died in
infancy, and the four others are now living. They
are by name, Ada, who is now Mrs. Frank Fisher,
and resides in Highland Township; Charles L.,




696


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


who resides at home and manages his father's business; Leonard, Jr., who resides at home and works
in his father's store; and Maud C., still a school
girl. Mr. Johnson's farm embraces one hundred
and twenty-two broad and productive acres. He
followed farming until 1881, when his health necessitated his going to Florida. He took his family
with him, and was gone for two years. There he
bought land and set out an orange grove, which
he still owns. In 1886 he returned to Highland,
where he has since lived. He then bought fifty acres,
including most of what is now the village of Clyde.
He engaged in the livery business, which he still
follows. 'he following year he inaugurated a mercantile business, which he has carried to success.
His wife was snatched from his side by death,
January 12, 1889. -His health has been poor ever
since her decease, but he still attends to business,
although within the past year he has given the
matter over more into the hands of his sons. Mr.
Johnson is a Republican, and always has been. IIe
has been Township Treasurer one term, and filled
the responsible position of Justice of the Peace for
eight years. He is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, Clyde Lodge No. 229. Both
he and his excellent wife were identified with the
Baptist Church. Charles L. took to wife Miss
Myra Wood, daughter of Rev. Alva B. & Ervilla
(Hollister) Wood.  This important event took
place at the home of Leonard S. Johnson, in Clyde,
May 20, 1891.
Mr. Johnson organized the Clyde Cornet Band,
and was its leader for eight years, and when his
health failed his son Charles L. stepped into his
father's shoes, and has filled the place with credit
up to the present time.
-  a*   Af 4  3 tm


Jane Neill, was also a native of that country.
There they grew to maturity and were married, and
emigrating to America in 1864 came direct to Oakland County. The father was called from earth
in 1870, but the mother tarried until February 21,
1891, and they are laid to rest side by side in Southfield cemetery.
Our subject is one of the five sons and three
daughters in ttie parental home. IHe came to America with a sister when but eight years old, and remained in Philadelphia for two years. When sixteen years old he began life for himself by working on a farm in Southfield Township, Oakland
County, having the privilege of working in summer and attending school in the winter. This of
'course was on small yearly wages and yet he managed to accumulate some property.
Mr. Miller was married in 1859 to Helen M. Babcock, whose brother, Charles V. Babcock, is represented in this work. She was born in this township
June 12, 1840, and is the youngest of five children. The young couple located on section 15,
on a farm where few improvements had been
made. Four children have blessed their home,
three sons and one daughter, who all yet remain
at home to cheer the hearts of their parents. They
are named, Mary S., Henry A., Volney B., and
James A. The youngest son has a fine stock of
thoroughbred chickens of which he is making a
specialty. Mary S., the only daughter, has taught
school several terms, and although compelled for a
time to cease from active labor on account of illhealth, proposes to resume her professional duties
this fall (1891).
Mr. Miller is an excellent judge of a good horse
and has practiced as a veterinary surgeon for twenty- five years. He has a splendid farm of two
hundred and thirty-five acres, most of which is
under cultivation. On another page of this volume appears a view of his fine two-story frame
residence, which was built by him in 1885 at a cost
of $1,600. His barn, 70x40 feet in dimensions, cost
$1,300 and he has his farm well supplied with excellent breeds of stock. He has been an extensive
horse dealer. He paid for forty acres of land by
selling horses, and has been handling horses extensively for a period of two years, buying and sell

AMES A. MILLER. Among the hard-working and honorable citizens of South field
Township who are a credit to the coinmunity in every way, is the gentleman
whose name introduces these paragraphs. His birth
took place in the North of Ireland in 1838. His
father, James, was an Irish farmer, and his mother,






RE51DEINCE OF FERDINAND KIRCHOFF,'5EC.33.,3OUTHFIELDTP.,OAKLAN1D CO.,MICH.,~i7




a





RE51DENCE OF J. A MILLER 3EC. 15. OUTH FlELD TR,,OAKLAND CO.MlCH.








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


699


ing for men in Detroit. He first started dealing in
horses during the late war. He has a fine orchard
of eight hundred trees which he set out himself,
and he has sold as much as $700 worth of apples in
one year out of this orchard.
In his political affiliations Mr. Miller is a I)emocrat. The first office to which his fellow-citizens
elected him was that of Highway Commissioner.
He has also been School Assessor and was elected
Justice of the Peace. He is identified with the Masonic Order and belongs to the Birmingham Lodge
No. 44. He has been very industrious and persevering all his life but now relegates most of the
hard work to his sons. He has a delightful and
worthy family of children who ace a credit to the
parents who have reared and educated them. Mrs.
Miller is a lady of noble character and intelligence
and is regarded with cordial admiration by all
who know her.
-— ^ —^^~ ---- ~ —
7ERDINAND KIRC [OFF, one of the proninent and influential farmers of Southfield
Township, and an adopted citizen of this
country, was born in Saxony, Germany, October 8,
1845. His father, Guenter Kirchoff, came to America in 1854 and located in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In
1858 he migrated to Detroit and in 1868 located
in Southfield Township. After this he removed
again to Detroit where he died in 1888. His wife,
Maria Marton, also a native of Germany, died in
Detroit March 24, 1890, at the age of seventy-six
years. They were the parents of four sons.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest child of
the parental household and was eight years old
when he came to America. He had taken two
years of schooling in the old country and finished
his education in New York. He remained with his
father until he was twenty-four years old. About
that time he was married, October 17, 1870, to Mary
Shanklin, who was born in Southfield Township in
1851. She was the second in a family of three
children. They were married in Detroit and immediately after the wedding they came to South

field Township, and located on section 34. where
they now reside.
Three sons and one daughter have been granted
to this happy couple, namely: James, Frederick,
Frank and Sarah Elizabeth. The home farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved
land. The beautiful home just completed cost
$1,800 and is represented by a view on another
page. Mr. Kirchoff carries on general farming
and has his farm well stocked, having twenty-three
head of cattle. He aims to cast his ballot always
in the interest of the Republican party, yet he will
not vote for an unworthy man. He is a member
of the Presbyterian Church and active in the
work of the same, in which his wife heartily joins
him.
ORNELIUS SNYDER, a wealthy farmer of
Addison Township, was born in Warren
County, N. J., December 9, 1815. He was
reared on a farm and received only limited educational advantages, going to school in all only about
three months. Being the eldest of the family he
assisted his father upon the farm, and when he was
fifteen and sixteen years of age he worked out for
a neighbor at $4 a month, turning over his wages
to his father. He came to Oakland County, Mich.,
with his parents, in 1833, coming on a steamer from
Newark to New York City, thence by canal to
Buffalo, and from there across the lake by the
"Commodore Perry" to Detroit. Buying a yoke
of oxen in Detroit they came the rest of the way
by wagon. The father entered land in Addison
Township and they cut their own road for four
miles through the woods where they had to follow Indian trails. The Indians encamped near by
and the deer and wolves were plentiful. and the
boy was well acquainted with old Tuckatoe, the
Indian chief.
The subject of our sketch made many a trip to
Detroit in the early days with an ox-team. During
the winter of 1835-36 he hauled one hundred barrels of flour to that city in this way, selling the first
load at $5.50 per barrel. The roads were in a




700


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




terrible condition and it took several days to make
the trip. He was married in 1837 to Mary M.
Boice, who was horn in New Jersey in 1821, and
for fifty-four years she has been his faithful and
affectionate companion.  In the spring of 1839
he bought eighty acres of land on section 28, that
had on it a little log house. Here the young
couple began their first home. This land they
cleared and iInproved as their means would permit. Eight children were granted to them, as
follows: Dennis; Marinda, wife of Merritt Walker
a farmer in Mecosta County, this State; Sarah J.,
wife of Charles Joshlin, a farmer in Lapeer County;
Jacob; Eliza, the wife of Ezra Newman, of Genesee County; Emma; Ilulda, now Mrs. A. Close, of
this county; and Cornelius.
After is marriage, Mr. Snyder began the study
of text-books and made himself familiar with the
principles of arithmetic and other branches which
he had been obliged to neglect in early childhood.
He is a Democrat in his political views and has
acted as Commissioner of Highways. IIe has several times served on the petit jury and has acted as
administrator for a number of valuable estates.
Mrs. Snyder is an active and efficient member of
the Presbyterian Church. MIr. Snyder began life
at the bottom round of the ladder. He now owns
three hundred acres of fine land and had bought
and paid for every acre except thirteen before receiving anything from  his father's estate. He is
justly entitled to great credit for his success in
life.
spirit of progress that animates the Americans of the present generation, is furnished
by the gentleman above named, who owns and occupies a fine piece of property in Orion Township.
He is not yet thirty years old, his natal day having
been May 26, 1862, but he already owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, well equipped for
farming, and has been doing an extentive lumber
business. He and his brother, Oliver H., have




been in partnership for seven years, but the connection was dissolved this spring, (1891), and our
subject is now carrying on the lumber business
alone. From five hundred thousand to one million
five hundred thousand feet of lumber has been
manufactured yeatly, nearly all pine. But little is
sold at retail. Mr. Green has the plant for dressing lumber, and ships a great deal in this form.
Joshua D. Green, the father of our subject, was
born in New York in 1830 and came to this county
when a young man. He engaged in milling and
became the owner of considerable land, mostly in
the forest, and followed lumbering until his death.
HIe did some agricultural work but gave his principal attention to the preparation of timber for the
market; he (ied in 1868, when comparatively
young. His father, Samuel Green, had come 'o
this State and died here. Joshua Green married
Martha Shirts. a native of this State, who is still
living. They had but two children, the sons above
named.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraplhs, was born in tlhe township that is still his
home, and having been reared on a farm, gained a
thorough knowledge of agricultural affairs and
also learned all about the lumber trade. Ile pursued his studies in the district school, which gave
him an opportunity to acquire a good fund of
practical knowledge. In 1882, when not yet of
age, he began his career in life as a farmer. The
fine estate he now owns is devoted to crops and
stock, and all kinds of domestic animals are laised
upon it. Not long after he began for himself Mr.
Green embarked in lumbering with the results already mentioned.
In 1882 Mr. Green was married to Sarah C.
Walter, who was born in this county in 1866. She
is a daughter of George W. and Mary (Wycoff)
Walter, natives of this State, who are now living
in Independence Township on a farm. Mrs. Green
is a well-informed, agreeable woman, and is quite
popular among her acquaintances. She has three
children, namedl respectively, Jenny I., Jay I.
and George W. Mr. Green is a Democrat and has
been a delegate to county conventions. He is a member of the Board of Review and belongs to the
Knights of the Maccabees. He is possessed of more




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


701


than an ordinary fund of information, which lie is
quick to apply to practical purposes, and he has an
abundance of the spirit expressed in the slang word
"go-aheadativeness."
YLVESTER A. DEWEY, a dealer in coal,
wood, flour, feed, lime and cement at Pontiac, was born in Canandaigua, Ontario
County, N. Y., I)ecember 6, 1847. He is
a son of Miles and Margaret R. (Olivet) Dewey.
The father was from  Genesee County and the
mother from Dutchess County, N. Y. The grandfather Dewey served in the Revolutionary War
and his widow drew a pension up to the day of her
death. The Dewey family is of English blood and
the mother's side of the family is of Holland descent.
Miles Standish Dewey, the father of our subject,
spent his active life in Western New York, and in
his later days came to Michigan and died at Pontiac. The mother died in Detroit where she
was visiting with a son. They were the parents of
seven children, five of whom are living. Sylvester,
our subject, passed his early days in the district
school. He began his mercantile career by clerking in a grocery store in his native town. He afterward went to Elmira, N. Y., and after a while
received an appointment to act as messenger, his
route being from Washington to Manassas Gap and
Culpeper, Va. He served about three months,
completing his service in the spring of 1865.
Our subject now returned to his home in Canandaigua, and in June, 1866, he came to Pontiac and
bought grain on the street for Walter & Foster,
and continued in this line of business for eight
years for different parties. He then became a trading salesman for a firm doing business in Philadelphia, and for the Walker-McGraw 'Tobacco
Company, or the Globe Tobacco Works, remaining
in this line of work for two years. He then for
three years clerked in the store of F. S. Stewart.
In 1878 Mr. Dewey entered the employ of his
brother, as clerk and book-keeper at the Lord Elevator. In 1880 he bought this concern and in


1881 he formed a partnership with two friends
under the firm name of Jewell, Kelley, & Dewey,
for the purpose of operating mills and handling
coal, wood, lime and cement, etc. For three years
they carried on a large business until they decided
to divide the affair between them, Mr. Dewey taking the coal, wood, lime and cement, carrying on
the business at the old stand. In 1888 he removed
his office to No. 20 South Saginaw Street, where he
may now be found.
In January, 1869, a marriage was solemnized between Mr. Dewey and Emma Eugenie Going,
daughter of Henry J. and Celesta (Beach) Going.
This couple have two lovely and amiable daughters, Clara B. and Lotta. Mr. Dewey has held the
office of Treasurer of the First Ward for two terms.
He is a member of the Pontiac Lodge No. 21, A. F.
& A. M.; also the Knights of Pythias of the Uniform Rank; and a member of No. 3, I. O. O. F. He
is also a member of the Cass Lake Aquatic Club and
is a citizen whose judgment and opinion are highly
esteemed by his neighbors. For twenty years he
has been a consistent member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church of the city in which he resides.
_~> ----*o^-@;S><^-oh  ---
UGUSTINE W. HIOVEY, one of the prominent citizens of Pontiac, and well known
through that Congressional District, now
fills the position of County Superintendent
of the Poor, of Oakland County. He was born in
Lima, Livingston County, N. Y., June 19, 1817,
the oldest son of Levi and Betsey (Bishop) Hovey.
both New Englanders. The mother was a daughter of Asa and Christiana (Dart) Bishop, and was
of French Huguenot stock. The Hovey family
came to America in 1630. Levi, the father of our
subject, was a carpenter and joiner. He spent most
of his life in the East, but died in New OrleaL.,
whither he had gone on a business trip. His wif:
died in Lima, N. Y. She was the mother of three
children, our subject, Charles, of Oakland County,
and Jane, the wife of Isaac I. Voorhies. She died
in Lapeer County, Mich.
The school days of our subject were spent in




702


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


---- — ~ --- — -~- -— ~ — ~ --- — — I


Lima and at Temple Hill, where he attended the
old High School. At the age of thirteen years he
went to learn the printer's trade in the office of
the Livingston Journal, at Genesco. Here he remained for two years and then went into the office
of the Niagara Courier, at Lockport, where he remained until 1835. In the spring of 1836 he came
to Pontiac, Mich., where he has since resided. lie
was first employed in the printing office of Samuel
N. Gautt, who was editor of the Pontiac Herald.
In 1838 lie became managing editor of that paper.
He then formed a partnership with S. W. Denton,
and published the Pontiac Jacksonian, which he
continued until the spring of 1844, when the firm
of Denton & Hovey sold out the Jacksonian to
Julius C. Smith and A. W. Adams. Until this
change the paper was run on strictly Democratic
lines.
Abandoning the newspaper business, Mr. Hovey
in 1844 embarked in the drug trade, in which he
continued for a period of forty years. He is the
oldest druggist now living in Oakland County. For
many years he was associated with a Mr. Dean, under the firm name of Dean & Hovey, which company was only dissolved by the deatl of Mr. Dean,
April 1, 1883. Selling out, Mr. Hovey retired
from the business, since which time he has been
engaged in looking after his various interests.
His official life has been as follows: he was clerk
of the House of Representatives in 1844 and
1846-47-48-49. Also for three years he was a
member of the local School Board, and in 1852 was
made Superintendent of the Poor, which arduous
position he has filled for a period of twenty-five
years, and he is still holding the office at the present time.
Mr. Hovey was married in May, 1840, to Janette
Wilcox, daughter of Abner Wilcox, Jr., of Livingston County, N. Y. She died in 1842, leaving
one little daughter, Gertrude, now Mrs. Stephen
Baldwin, whose husband is largely interested in
pine lands. Mr. Hovey's second marriage occurred
in April, 1847. He was then united to Laura
Merrill, of Springfield, Oakland County, who was
born in Orange County, N. Y. By this marriage
one child was born, who is now deceased.
Politically our subject is a stanch Democrat, He


cast his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, and his last for Grover Cleveland. His pleasant residence is situated on South Saginaw Street,
and was erected in 1846. It has extensive grounds
which are delightfully ornamented with trees and
shru bs.  The house stands on a terrace.   Mr.
Hovey is now in his seventy-fourth year hale and
hearty. He attends regularly to business as well as
his official duties. He is of medium height, strongly
built, and active on foot. IIe is now enjoying the
prosperity which he attained ini younger days.


B    URNETT A. HORVITZ. Among the many
I5
causes that add to the population of the
United States by bringing to its shores people from foreign lands, not the least is the
treatment received in other countries by those who
are not in sympathy with the mass of the nation in
religious or political belief. The cruel treatment
and unjust persecutions to which the Israelites L,
Russia have been subjected, is arousing the indignation of the lovers of mankind, and has become a
prominent topic of conversation in circles where
Christian charity and brotherly kindness are promulgated. It has caused the emigration of many
a man who has sought an asylum in America, and
found here a place in which to push his business
affairs, and join with his fellow-men in advancing
the mutual interests of the residents in the town he
chose for his home. This class is represented in
Rochester by the subject of this biographical notice.
Mr. Horvitz was born in Russia, October 6, 1859,
and his parents, Samuel and Hannah (Starsky)
Horvitz, were natives of the same Empire. The
parental family included six children, of whom
Burnett is the eldest. The father, who was a confectioner, crossed the Atlantic in 1867, located in
Boston and sent for his family. He of whom we
write, made his voyage to the New World in 1869,
and remained with his parents until he had become
a youth of fifteen years. He then began traveling
and selling goods, and several States were visited
by him in the prosecution of his calling. He finally








I I e, I. -
obot"                      9(*1 l




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


705


I


stopped in Rochester in November, 1880, and has
remained here, building up a fine trade. He carries a full line of dry goods and clothing, is shrewd
in advertising and disposing of the same, and
reaches out for and secures his share of the public
patronage. Associated with him in business is his
brother Max, who was born in Russia, February
22, 1864. The average sales made by the Messrs.
Horvitz, amount to from $13,000 to $14,000 per
annum. The father with the younger members of
the family lives in Detroit, and he has retired from
business.
Mr. Horvitz has given due consideration to the
political questions that agitate the people, and has
decided in favor of the Republican party. As a
citizen he is held in esteem, as he is law-abiding,
enterprising and intelligent, and in the social circles
wlicih he frequents he is deservedly popular.
EV. IIENRY SUMNER WHITE, pastor of
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Milford, to which charge he was sent in the
\) fall of 1890, has been engaged in the ministry for several decades and has done efficient service for the cause of Christianity. He has been
useful in his day and generation in other ways as
well, and is a fit subject for representation in a
biographical album.  His portrait is also presented to our readers. Without laying claim to
perfection it can be said of him that his character
and -his life can be taken as models worthy of imitation and that they are good examples of strength
and usefulness. Mr. White is descended from old
New England families, being in the maternal line
connected with Gen. Stark, of Revolutionary fame,
and in the paternal line descended from the White
family, of Puritan origin.
Newman Sumner White, father of our subject,
was born in Rhode Island and in his manhood located at North Hoosick, N. Y., at the period of its
early development. He was a mechanic and carriage-builder and manufactured wagons and sleighs
for years. He died in North Hoosick in 1843.
The mother of the Rev. Mr. White was born in Paw

let, Vt., and bore the maiden name Abigail Stark;
her father's name was Samuel.  Her grandfather,
Capt. John Starkf, was a cousin of the renowned
General and fought with that hero at Bennington.
When the centennial of the battle was celebrated,
Mrs. White, who was then almost fourscore, was
sent for, she being the only living relative of Gen.
Stark present. She was drawn to the grounds by
four white horses and there met Gens. Grant, Sherman and other heroes, to whom she was introduced
with considerable ceremony and enthusiasm. She
survived several years longer and died in Flint
when eighty-nine years old. She reared her children carefully and took the place of the father they
had lost, as well as she was able. She made a second marriage, wedding a Mr. Prentiss, and for some
time her home was at Bennington, but the last few
years of her life were spent with the family of our
subject.
The Rev. Mir. White is the first-born of six
children comprising his father's family. He was
born at North Hoosick, on the old Bennington battlefield, April 7, 1828, and lived there until he was
sixteen. He lost his father when he was fifteen
years old and sonme months later went to White
Creek, where he finished his apprenticeship as a
carriagesmith-a trade he had already worked at
somewhat. After a sojourn of two years he went to
Troy, where he worked at his trade until 1848,
when he removed to Concord, N. H. He had but
$15, with which he rigged up an old shop he
had rented, and began ironing carriages. He had
been converted when sixteen years old and had led
an active Christian life and shaped his course to
study for the ministry. He took a four years'
course of study at the Methodist Biblical Institute,
since removed to Boston, and now the theological
department of Boston University. At Concord he
hired help and put in two hours each day and all of
Saturday in the shop and so made money to pay
his expenses through school.  His four years'
course of study with the attendant expenses cost
nearly $1,500, but he had plenty of means, being
very successful in managing the shop. He was
graduated from the College of Theology in Concord in 1852 with the honors of his class.
After completing his theological studies Mr.




706


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


White supplied the Danielsonville, Conn., Methodist Episcopal Church for six months and ill 1853
joined the Providence Conference and was stationed
at South Manchester, Conn., a year. During the
time he brought to completion a new house of worship. The next year he was sent to East Hartford,
and he spent two years in charge of the Matthewson Street Church, Providence, R. I. His next
station was at New Bedford, Mass., where he built
the large County Street Church, and the ensuing
two years were spent over the Marlboro Street
Church at Newport, R. I. The next charge of the
Rev. Mr. White was the Broadway Church at Providence, and just before the expiration of the two
years which he was allowed there he became Chaplain of the Fifth Rhode Island Heavy Artillery.
This was in January, 1863, and the following summer while home on a furlough he procured one
hundred tons of ice and $4,000 worth of stores and
took them by Government ship to Newbern, N. C.,
for the benefit of the soldiers of his regiment. Mr.
White served in the army two years and was mustered out December 24, 1864, on account of the
depletion of the regiment, which reduced the regimental staff.
May 5, 1864, Chaplain White was helping the
boys with a twelve-pound Napoleon gun, on the
railroad near Croton, N. C., when he was captured
by the rebels. They could not understand how he
used that machine for praying, which his Chaplain's
epaulets showed was his especial work, and so he was
sent with his comrades to Andersonville. He saw
all the horrors of that notorious prison pen and did
what he could to cheer the captives, even though
he could not relieve their physical sufferings.
Thence lie was sent to Macon, Ga.. where an attempt was made to prevent him from   praying
for the President and the army and navy. A
cannon was trained on him but he insisted that his
captors had no right to interfere with acts of worship. Capt. Tabb approached him with a guard and
Mr. White drew that gentleman into an argument
by propounding the proposition that he was interfering with religious liberty, and finally won him
over. The party with which Mr. White messed
was subsequently taken to Savannah, thence to
Charleston, where he was under fire of the "Swamp


Angel" and nineteen other guns for twenty days.
On September 23, 1864, he was put on the steamer
"Delaware" near Ft. Sumter and taken to Hilton
Head. He was sent home on a furlough, but soon
rejoined his regiment, although he was not in good
health and was emaciated by the privations he had
endured.
After his discharge from the army Mr. White
was transferred to the Detroit Conference and his
first charge was at Ann Arbor. He remained there
three years and during that period a fine church
was built by the congregation. Thence he was
sent to Summerfield Church, Milwaukee, Wis., and
after a year of pastoral work there became Presiding Elder for the Fond du Lac District of the Wisconsin Conference. He labored in that capacity
four years, then returned to this State and was at
Alpena, Marquette and Port Huron in succession.
At Port Huron the church blew down during a
storm and he rebuilt it. Mr. White was next sent
to Remeo, then to Vassar and next to Flint, where
he had the Garland Street Church for five years,
the limit of service having been changed by the
General Conference. Here again a church was put
up under his guidancean nd the congregation established in a beautiful home. The next removal of
our subject was to Milford.
The wife of the Rev. Mr. White bore the maiden
name of Nancy Holmes Hutchison and their marriage rites were solemnized in Francestown, N. H.,
August 4, 1852. The bride was the third child of
Steains and Nancy (Huston) Hutchison and was
born in Francestown, N. H., March 10, 1830. She
was educated in the New Hampshire Conference
Seminary at Sanbornton Bridge, where her active
mind and desire for knowledge, together with her
amiable character, endeared her to teachers and
pupils. She has been a great help to her husband
in his pastoral work, and as a hostess has made
welcome the many to whom the dwelling of a minister is always open. She is very active in mission
work, both home and foreign, and her name is
often to be seen in religious papers where the work
of the Boards is recorded. She is now serving her
second year as Department Chaplain of the Woman's Relief Corps,auxiliary to the Grand Army of
the Republic of Michigan. Her father was born in




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


707




Wilton, N. H., where her grandfather had located
on coming from England. The latter entered a
large tract of land in the two townships-Milford
and Wilton-in Hillsborough County.   Stearns
Hutchison was a farmer at Francestown and died
there aged sixty-two. The mother of Mrs. White
was a daughter of Caleb and Nancy (Holmes)
Huston and in both lines was descended from old
New England families; she died in New Hampshire.
Our subject and his wife have had seven children;
two died in infancy, Charles Henry when sixteen
years old, and Alida Electa when eight.  The
living are Dr. Frank Newman White, a graduate of
the University of Michigan in the medical department, and now in the employ of the Rumford
Chemical Works of Providence, R. I.; George
Sumner, first mate on one of the large lake steamers;
William Stearns, a graduate of Albion College and
now Principal of the High School at Mt. Clemens.
The Rev. Mr. White is a very prominent Grand
Army man and takes active part in all movements
for the good of the order. At the State Encampment at Bay City in 1888 he was elected Chaplain
for the Department of Michigan and re-elected in
Adrian in 1889. At Muskegon in 1890 he was again
re-elected by acclamation. That year lie was Aidde-camp on Gen. Alger's staff at the National
Encampment at Boston. Politically Mr. White is a
stanch Republican and he is an earnest worker for
temperance. Iis best monument when he shall
have entered into rest, will be found in the lives of
those whom he has influenced for good and his best
epitaph written in the hearts of his Christian and
patriotic friends.
L/   EVI B. COLVIN. The history of this
county is best told in the record of the
lives of its pioneers, and it gives us pleasure to place on the pages of this BIOGRAPHICAL
ALBUM, these paragraphs concerning an early settler of this part of Michigan, who has passed the
greater portion of his life within the borders of
this county, and has greatly aided in developing
its resources. He has a comfortable home and


substantial farm buildings on his estate, which is
pleasantly located on section 32, Waterford Township, and comprises one hundred and fifty-seven
acres, mostly under cultivation.
A native of the Empire State, Mr. Colvin was
born in Niagara County, July 6, 1822, and is the
son of Nathan R. and Margaret (Bacheldor) Colvin, both natives of Vermont. The father emigrated to New York in 1813, and there engaged
in farming. He did not, however, make his home
there permanently, for in 1831, accompanied by
his family, he started out for the new West, and
after a tedious journey arrived in Michigan, where
he took up a tract of Government land on section
32, Waterford Township. The deed to this farm,
the most of which is still in possession of the farmily, was signed by President Jackson. Mr. Colvin was a hard-working, unassuming man, who
never aspired to public honors, but devoted his
attention exclusively to the development of his
farm. Politically he was a Democrat, and was
prominent in Masonic circles.
In early life the parents of our subject belonged
to the Methodist Church, but later affiliated with
the Church of Believers. They were excellent
people and were highly esteemed throughout the
community where they passed the closing years of
their useful lives. The father died in 1873, but
the widowed mother survived until 1887, when she
too, peacefully closed her eyes in death. The parental family included three children, all now living in Oakland County. Our subject enjoyed very
meager advantages in youth, as schools were few
and opportunities of attending them equally limited. He was reared to a stalwart manhood amid
the pioneer scenes of this county and was early
called upon to assist his father in developing a
farm, and while doing so acquired a practical
knowledge of farming in all its branches.
Mr. Colvin has not been unassisted in his
labors, as by his marriage with Keziah E. HEodge
he secured the active co-operation of a most excellent helpmate. Mrs. Colvin is the daughter of
Billings J. and Eleanor (Borden) Hodge, natives of
New York, who came to Michigan at a very early
day and settled in the town of Commerce. Our
subject owns a part of his father's farm, and by




708


POR'rRArT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


industry and economy has made a comfortable
home, which is ranked among the best in the township. Of his marriage eight children were born; all
except one of whom reached years of maturity
and are filling honorable positions in life. Emma
A., Mrs. Heath, who was born November 13. 1846,
lives in California; Ellen, wife of the Hon. W. E.
Carpenter, resides in Waterford Township, this
county; Homer is a well-known lawyer in Pontiac;
Esther, who is single, lives with her parents and
is a teacher, as is also Evangelinc; Nathan Billings
is a physician in Pontiac; E. Serepta is deceased;
Hiram C. is a teller in the Pontiac National Bank.
The children received excellent educational advantages in youth, and are prominent in the various
communities where they reside.
Mr. Colvin was formerly a Democrat, but is now
a Prohibitionist, and has served as a delegate to
Prohibition conventions. In various official capacities he has served the people, having been Justice
of the Peace, Road Commissioner, and held other
minor offices. He is a member of the Church of
Believers, and they are people of warm hearts and
noted for their kindness and hospitality.  Mr.
Colvin's honesty and integrity of purpose are as
widely known as lie, and when his word is passed
all are cognizant of the fact that he will stand by
it, whatever betides.
rORENZO D. RUGGLES. This worthy citizen of Highland Township is carrying on
farm work on section 33, where he owns
one hundred acres of land, ninety-five of which is
under cultivation. By his own efforts, thirty acres
of the tract was cleared and placed in condition
for tillage, and under his supervision the house and
barns were built and other arrangements made for
the comfort and convenience of the occupants. A
glance over the tract would lead to the belief that
Mr. Ruggles understands his business well, and
such is found to be the case. He was reared amid
tile surroundings of farm life and his active brain
assimilated all the information possible regarding


his father's calling, together with a large store of
other knowledge which he has found useful.
The Ruggles family was represented in Connecticut three generations ago, but the grandfather of
our subject removed from that State to New York.
In Brown County Noble Ruggles, the direct progenitor of Lorenzo D., was born and lived until
1834, when he came to this State. He bought one
hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he
brought his family the ensuing year. He was married in his native county to Anna Merchant, a
native of Connecticut, and their family comprised
the following named sons and daughters: Mary,
John, Merchant, Lorenzo D., Amanda, Almon, Susan, Lorena and Oscar.  The last named died in
Andersonville prison, and John and Merchant also
served in the Union army. Their father had been
a musician in the War of 1812.  Noble Ruggles
was always engaged in farming, and in his native
State he also carried on the lumber trade. He and
his wife belonged to the Baptist Church.
Our subject was a lad of seven years when he
came to this State and with the exception of a few
years lie has continued to make his home in Highland Township. He was born in Brown County,
N. Y., January 3, 1829. During his boyhood and
youth he resided with-his parents, attending school
as did other lads until he was old enough to teach,
and then devoting the winters to pedagogical work
and the summers to further study, until he was of
age. Altogether he taught fourteen terms of school,
one year having charge of the High School at Milford. In 1856 he engaged in the mercantile business and for three years carried on a general store
in Milford. Jn 1863 lie bought the farm he now
occulies and he has since devoted his time to agricultural work.
The lady who presides over Mr. Ruggles' home
became his wife in Hamlin, N. Y., in 1858.  She
bore the maiden name of Lydia A. Cary, and is a
daughter of Richard and Polly (Sutton) Cary, who
were natives of the Empire State. Mr. Cary always
lived in New York and died there in 1877.  Iis
widow is still living in that State and is now seventy-two years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles are the parents of four
sons, named respectively Frank (deceased), Fred




I




EDWARD COATES.




PORT'LRAIT ANND BlOGO R.AAPHICA L AL-BUM..


711


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.            711


- - - - - - - -




C., Charles E. and Harry 0.  Fred was married
December 24, 1890, to Annabel McCall, daughter
of Robert and Mary (Ladson) McCall; Fred has
taught school for six years and also paid considerable attention to farming; he is now in Sanilac
County,'engaged in the latter occupation. Charles
E. was married February 12, 1890, to May Baily,
daughter of Adelbert and Elizabeth (Kemp) Baily,
and a native of this State.
The first vote cast by Mr. Ruggles was for Zachary Taylor, and since the organization of the Republican party lie has been identified therewith.
His intelligence, energy and public spirit have been
recognized by his election to several offices of local
importance. He was School Inspector for a number of years and has been Treasurer and Clerk in
Highland Township, and in Milford was Justice of
the Peace. IHe is a member of the Free Will Baptist Church, and his wife belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal denomination. Both endeavor to order
their lives aright and, while giving their first
thought to their own family, to do unto others as
they wish others to do unto them.
DWARD COATES. One of the most beautiful places in Michigan is found on the
shores of Pine Lake in West Bloomfield
Township, and consists of a quarter section of land
belonging to tile gentleman above named. It is
located on the east bank of the lake and has eighty
rods of water frontage, from which lots have been
platted and some already sold for summer residences. Mr. Coates is now giving his entire attention to his farm, on which he lives, although he
is unmarried and alone. Not only has he good
standing with his fellow agriculturists, but he has
a fine war record, having spent some of the best
years of his life in the service of his country and
filled a rank that took him constantly in danger
and exercised to the full his soldierly qualities and
executive ability.
Mr. Coates was born in Yorkshire, England, April


I


I


25, 1825, and left his native land in the spring of
1832, when his parents, Joseph and Mary A. (Richardson) Coates, bade adieu to their native shire,
determined to make their home in the United
States. The fall after landing on American soil
they came to this State and bought the tract of
Government land on section 12, West Bloomfield
Township, that is now occupied by the son. There
they spent the remainder of their days, the husband dying March 12, 1876, at the age of eightyfive, and the wife in 1866 when seventy-five years
old. They had ten children, named respectively,
William, Mary A., Joseph, Thomas, Edward,
Henry, Adelina, Richard, Alfred and Sarah J.
Mr. Joseph Coates was left an orphan when a
child and inherited a large property. He received
a liberal education and in his own land was engaged
in the sale of merchandise. During his early residence in this State he was the only stenographer
within its bounds and he did a great deal of reporting for the government of the Commonwealth and
for the Detroit Free Press. In the '40s lie repreresented this county in the State Legislature, being
elected on the Democratic ticket. After the organization of the Republican party he gave it his allegiance and strong support. He was a Congregationalist in religion but his wife was a member of
the Church of England.
Edward Coates, of whom we write, was seven
years old when the voyage across the Atlantic took
place. lie remained on the farm in this county
until he was seventeen years old, and in the meantime acquired a thorough knowledge of the common-school branches in the district schools and
learned something of the higher studies in Pontiac.
Ile then spent five years as a clerk in the dry-goods
store of his brother William at Pontiac and three
years at Detroit with the firm of Jack & Coates.
He next went to New York City and secured the
position of traveling salesman for the wholesale
dry-goods house of Ira Smith, Jr., & Co., for which
he worked until 1862, when the house went out of
business, owing to the progress of the rebellion.
Mr. Coates returned to this State and began
raising a regiment at Mt. Clemens, and was placed
in charge of the recruiting office for Northern
Michigan. November 18, 1862, he went into the


I



712


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


service as Major of the Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and for a year or more was with the cavalry
corps of the Army of the Ohio under Gen. Burnside. During that time he participated in the pursuit of Gen. Morgan and took part in the engagement at Buffington's Island. After that he was in
the advance of Burnside's troops in the campaign
in East Tennessee, during which the engagements
at Calhoun, Sweet Water, Campbell Station and
many others took place. The cavalry was actively
engaged in raiding and outpost duty almost without cessation. Maj. Coates took part in the engagement against Longstreet in front of Knoxville and in the eighteen days' siege of that city,
and fought at Bean Station, Newmarket and Dandridge.
After the siege of Knoxville Maj. Coates crossed
the mountains to Mt. Sterling and in June, 1864,
was in pursuit of and in the engagement with John
Morgan, at Cynthiana, Ky., Gen. Burbridge in
command. After the Stoneman raid the regiment
was reorganized and placed under command of our
subject, who reported to Gen. Thomas at Nashville.
He subsequently went to Pulaski and to Lawrenceburg, it being his special work to look after the
movements of Gen. Hood. The Major was finally
taken down with rheumatism, and owing to physical
disability was honorably discharged and returned
to the North. He had taken part in the fight at
Atlanta under Gen. Sherman and in numerous skirmishes not included in the list above. For a year
or two after his discharge he remained on the farm
and he then spent a short time in business in Pontiac.
Following that was a lengthy period as commercial
traveler for a New York house, but in 1884 he
abandoned his work on account of rheumatism and
has since lived on his farm. He bought the property from his father in 1851.
Maj. Coates has firm faith in the Republican
party, and is an unfailing supporter of its principles, but he pays no further attention to politics.
lie has frequently been nominated for township
and county offices, but has always declined them.
Religiously he is a stanch Episcopalian. He is a
Mason, belonging to the subordinate lodges and
the commandery, and is a member of Dick Richardson Post, No. 147, G. A. R., at Pontiac. His standing


in the community is unquestioned, and his reputation undisputed in the locality he has so long called
home. In connection with this sketch, the reader
will notice a lithographic portrait of Maj. Coates.
F)E BER DURHAM, who resides on section 36,
Farmington Township, was born in Wayne
County, N. Y., April 11, 1818. The father
was Ira Durham, a New York carpenter and farmer,
and the mother Elizabeth Brownell, a native of
Rhode Island. They were married in New York,
where they located in Wayne County on a farm.
October, 1835, saw them settled in a new home, a
log cabin, in Farmington Township, Oakland
County, Mich. Here they lived for about twelve
years, and then removed to Southfield Township,
where they resided with a son, James W. Durham,
the remainder of their days.  The mother was
called away at the age of seventy-two, and the father completed his eighty-seventh year. They lie
side by side in the cemetery in Livonia, Wayne
County. This pioneer couple were the parents of
thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters.
Our subject is the eighth child, and the only one
now living. He came to Michigan with his parents
when he was seventeen years old. His early education was conducted in Wayne County, N. Y., and
lie completed his schooling at a select school in
Farmington. When nineteen years old he began
working by the month in a sawmill near Detroit.
His marriage was celebrated in 1843, and he was
then united with Phoebe Jennings, a native of New
York, who became the mother of one child, Albert
A., and who died in 1852.
The second wife of Mr. Durham was Amy C.
Andrews, who was born in Farmington Township,
November 29, 1829. The marriage took place in
July, 1853. Joseph and Lydia (Smith) Andrews,
the parents of Mrs. Durham, came from the east to
Michigan in 1826. They located in Farmington
Township, and there spent the remainder of their
days. The father was called away when only fortyone years old, and the mother lived until she had
completed her seventy-eighth year.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAP1HICAL ALBUM.


713




Three children crowned the second marriage of
our subject; they are: Charles J., residing in Denver, Col., Julia A., the wife of Edward Dickinson,
of Farmington Township; and Willard B., also residing in Denver. Mr. Durham still carries on the
farm, and has now only forty acres. He is a Republican, and cast his first and last Presidential
votes for the Harrison family. The first office he
ever held was that of Highway Commissioner. He
was elected Justice of the Peace, but resigned. He
was Drainage Commissioner for nine consecutive
years, and is still filling this office. He at one time
belonged to the Farmington Lodge, I. 0. O. F.
___,..   2 i >nrJ --- —---
-    RANK HAGERMAN. To one accustomed
to business life a cursory view of the establishments in a town will reveal much of the
nature of their proprietors and give good ground
upon which to base an opinion regarding their tact
and sagacity. None could visit the drug store of Mr.
IIagerman at Birmingham without coming to the
conclusion that he is a first-class business man. The
store is neat and attractive, its shelves are well
supplied with drugs and druggists' sundries, and
the clerical force is courteous and efficient. Mr.
Hagerman had small means on which to begin business, and his enterprise was instituted on a modest
scale. The business has steadily increased as he
has become better known and his methods been
more highly appreciated. Besides drugs Mr. Hagerman carries a stock of groceries.
The parents of our subject were born in New
Jersey, and lived there until after their marriage.
They then took up their residence in Northampton
County, Pa., where they remained until the spring
of 1862, when they removed to Bloomfield Center,
this county. John IlHagerman bought a farm, on
which his last years were spent. His widow, Adeline (Angle) Hagerman, survives, and makes her
home in Birmingham. He lived a quiet, industrious life, paying no attention to politics other
than to cast a Democratic ballot, giving his attention to farming and the care of his family. He
was descended from an old Holland family, but


his father, Francis Hagerman, was born in New
Jersey. David Angle, maternal grandfather of
our subject, was also a native of New Jersey. Our
subject is the fourth in the parental family. His
brothers and sisters are: Rachel, wife of W. H.
Smith, a farmer and mill-owner in Bloomfield
Township; Anna, who lives in Birmingham; William, a farmer in Bloomfield Township; and David,
who lives at Maxey, Tex.
Frank Hagerman was born at Upper Mt. Bethel,
Northampton County, Pa., November 15, 1845,
and was reared on a farm in his native county.
He received a common-school education and remained with his father, aiding him in the farm work
until some months after he reached his majority. In
1869, the family having come to this county a few
years before, he began clerking in a drug store in
Birmingham, his employer being George L. Lee.
The next winter he bought out the business, and
with the exception of two years, has carried it on,
building up his trade and adding to his reputation
as a business man. He has held nearly all the village offices, including those of President and Trustee, and has also been Township Clerk. He casts
his vote with the Democrats. He is a Mason, belonging to the Royal Arch degree, and his character is moral and his disposition social.
The marriage of Mr. Hagerman and Miss Rosetta Daines was solemnized at the bride's home in
Birmingham, July 18, 1870. She was born at
Bloomfield Center and is a daughter of John and
Alice (Watkins) Daines.  Mr. and Mrs. Hagerman have two daughters, Alice and Gertrude,
who still form part of the parental household,
which their intelligence and pleasing ways make
bright.
t      RS. DELAND BOWEN. Among the finest
specimens of the early pioneers of Michigan, may be mentioned the lady whose
name stands at the head of this sketch.
She is the oldest living settler of Milford Township, and although eighty-seven years of age, still
exhibits a grand mental strength and a robust and
splendid physique. She has excellent business abil



714


PORTRAIT AND BI1OGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


71  P


ity, and has managed the farm herself since her
husband's death. Her father, Orrin Sessions, a
native of Pomfret, Windsor County, Vt., was born
in 1780, aad died in 1832. Her mother was Betsey
(Fish) Sessions, a native of Cape Cod, Mass. She
was born May 18, 1783, and moved to Vermont
when young and was married there. She came to
Michigan in 1834, and made her home with her
children till her death in 1869.  Of her thirteen
children, five are now living.  Mrs. Bowen was
born August 19, 1804, at Pomfret, Vt., and there
she grew to womanhood, receiving a common-school
education.  Her mother brought her up in the
faith of the Congregational Church.
The marriage of this young woman took place
in 1828. She was then united with Cromwell Bowen,
who was born in April, 1798, in Royalton, Vt. His
father was David and his mother Betsey (Cushing)
Bowen. They were the parents of ten children,
five sons and five daughters. Two of these children are still living, one daughter having reached
the extreme age of ninety-nine years, and the
youngest child of the family being now eighty
years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowen were very poor in their
early married life. They lived in Vermont several
years and came to Michigan in 1835, journeying
by Erie Canal to Buffalo, and thence by boat to
Detroit. They settled on the farm now in the possession of Mrs. Bowen, and here she has lived for
fifty-six years. The land was entirely new and
there were very few neighbors. Like angel visits,
they were few and far between. but if lacking in
quantity they made up in quality, for as this good
lady says, they were as good as gold. Alonzo Sibley, one of the old settlers, was living in Commerce
Township then. Mr. Bowen cleared all of the one
hundred and sixty acres, and put on the present
improvements. He died in September, 1878, and
is buried in the cemetery at Sibley's Corners.
Our subject and her husband were the parents of
five children, three of whom are now living. Betsey E. was born in Vermont. Her first marriage
united her with Reuben Sample. One child of this
first union survives-Ora C.-who married Jennie
Longenecker and lives in Commerce Township. Her
second marriage was with Henry Longenecker. She


is now a widow.  Mr. Sample died in 1872 and
Mr. Longenecker in 1881. Mrs. Bowen's oldest
son, Willard, resides at home with his mother. Albert, the secondson, married Edith Pittenger. Mr.
Bowen took an active interest in politics, being a
Whig and later a Republican. He was ever awake
to the necessity of promoting public schools and
gave all his children an excellent education. Two
of his daughters were teachers for some time. Mrs.
Bowen is a member of the Universalist Church.
She has seen this country grow from a wild condition to its present state. All the property has been
accumulated by the industry and frugality of this
worthy couple and is being finely conserved by
this remarkable and intelligent lady.
-                    -


K EV. ROBERT BIRD. During a period of
some forty years this highly respected resident of Birmingham was engaged in the
active duties of the ministry, and from the
fall of 1869 to that of 1874 he was pastor of the
Birmingham Methodist Episcopal Church. During that time he was instrumental in bringing to
completion the present fine house of worship, which
was put up at a cost of about $15,000. Mr. Bird
has a wonderful faculty for raising money for such
purposes, and is very liberal-minded, well informed
and well read. Although he belongs to one of the
most orthodox of churches, he has broad sympathy
and many original ideas, and lacks the narrow sectarian outlook which was common in former days,
but is now passing away, borne down by the charity and brotherly kindness that are coming to be
considered more truly Christian than strict tenets
of doctrine.
George and Agnes (Greenslade) Bird, natives
of Devonshire, England, came to America in the
spring of 1829 and spent the following year in
Great Falls, N. II. They then removed to what is
now County Dufferin, Ontario, Canada, locating on
a piece of wild land, where the husband cleared up
a farm. In August, 1835, he made a trip to Michigan with a view of looking up a home, and entered one hundred and twenty acres under the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


715,,I


Government land laws of that date, in Romulus
Township, Wayne County. Returning to his Canadian home, he made arrangements to sell out and
remove. He and his son Robert, the subject of
this sketch, then fourteen years old, came on, traveling the entire distance, over two hundred miles,
with an ox-team. Shortly after their arrival the
father was taken sick and had to return to Canada.
He left our subject, giving him directions to cut
logs and put up a cabin. This was done as soon
as possible, but the house was not prepared for
the occupancy of the family until the spring of
1837, as the youth had difficulty in getting it
raised. He refused to furnish whiskey on the occasion of the raising-bees and had to make the
third one before he could get the walls placed.
On the first occasion it was made three logs high,
when a call was made for whiskey, and as young
Bird would not furnish it the men went home. On
the third experience of this kind they declared that
the boy had good pluck, and so finished the house
for him.
In the spring of 1837 the father brought the
rest of the family from Canada, but the next spring
he was so affected by the malarial influences that
in spite of medical aid he grew worse, and finally
he and his wife went back to their former home,
thinking the change of climate would benefit him.
It did not prove effectual, and he died in Canada
about the 1st of November, 1838. His widow came
back to Michigan and remained on the land, keeping
her four unmarried children at home. She was a sensible, kind and resolute Christian woman, and her
influence over her family was strong and unfailing.
She passed away in 1856. The husband was a
wool-comber in England, a trade that has long been
(lone away with by the invention of machinery.
After coming to America he devoted himself to
agriculture. He was a local preacher of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in England, and from his
early life had been a devout Christian.
The eldest son in the parental family was Robert, who was born in Devonshire, England, January 5, 1821. After the decease of his father much
care fell on him and the strength of his character
was shown and developed by this means. At the
age of eighteen years he united with the Method

ist Episcopal Church in Romulus, and from the
beginning of his religious life -he was strongly
drawn toward the ministry. ' His educational advantages were such as he could secure in the little
log schoolhouses of the time, when the spellingbook with its reading lessons was the principal
text-book, and he had, therefore, but a limited
amount of knowledge. The Rev. Duncan McMillen, a Presbyterian divine living in the vicinity,
gave to each youth who would meet at his home a
copy of Murray's English Grammar and instruction in that branch. In this way young Bird obtained a large part of his education..The Rev.
Mr. McMillen took much interest in him, noting
his desire for self-improvement, and although their
religious belief was so different, encouraged and
aided him all that he could.
Our subject remained with his mother and assisted in improving the farm until he was past his
majority, and then began working out by the
month, hoarding his resources and living economically in order to attend a higher school. He bought
clothes and books, and did chores nights and mornings for his board, while attending a branch of
the Michigan University, which was then located
at Tecumseh. In the fall of 1845 he united with
the Michigan Annual Conference held at the old
capitol in Detroit, and for thirty-seven years he
was actively connected with that body, but since
that has been superannuated. For six years he labored in the Lake Superior regions, going there' as
a pioneer minister when there were no railroads,
not even stage routes in his circuit. For four
years he was Presiding Elder of the Lake Superior
District. He continued his active work in the ministerial field until 1882, when he retired.
August 30, 1849, the Rev. Mr. Bird was married
to Miss Emeline Vaughn, at that time a resident of
Van Buren, Wayne County. She was a daughter
of James C. and Rachel (Congdon) Vaughn, and
was born in Greenbush, N. Y., in 1828. Mr.
and Mrs. Bird had one pair of twins, but they died
in infancy. Mrs. Bird breathed her last in March,
1869, in the town that was her early home. Our
subject made a second matrimonial alliance, being
united to Miss Aurilla See in December, 1869.
This lady was born in Shiawassee County in 1845,




716


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




I


and is a daughter of John and Abigail (Catham)
See, who were natives of New York. At the time of
her marriage her home was in Bushnell, Ill. She
has borne her husband three children, named respectively, Robert D., Emma M., and Alta M.
Mr. Bird has been prospered in financial matters
and has abundant means invested in real estate.
He owns some very desirable property in Detroit.
Ic is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has
taken the thirty-second degree. His first Presidential vote was cast for James G. Birney, and for
many years he was a Republican. He is now a
Prohibitionist, very stanch and ardent in his views.
In 1872 he voted for Black and Russell.
_:i,._ I.%. "  L
LPHONZO DEWEY, deceased, was born
in Monroe County, N. Y., April 11, 1823.
His father, Jonathan Dewey, was a native
of Massachusetts and died at the early
age of thirty-two years. His wife, Thankful Collister, was also a native of the same county.  Our
subject was the third and youngest child of the family, and was reared in his native place. When he
reached the age of twenty-one he came to Michigan, and after remaining about a year he returned
to New York.   He again made his home in the
East until about the age of thirty years, when he
returned to Southfield Township, and there lived
until his death, which took place in 1883. He was an
earnest Republican in his political views, but was
never an office seeker.
Mrs. Dewey is the oldest daughter of Nathan and
Oliva (Perry) Aldrich.   Walworth Township,
Wayne County, was her native home.  There she
was born June 4, 1824.  Her marriage with Mr.
Dewey took place September 15, 1852. One child
only, a son, Charles, was given to them. He was
born May 12, 1859, in Southfield Township, Oakland County. He was married February 18, 1891,
taking as his bride Ester Cole, who was born in
Redford Township, Wayne County, Mich., February 9, 1870.
Mrs. Alphonzo Dewey has one hundred acres of




beautiful land in a fine state of cultivation.  Her
son Charles assists her in carrying on the farm.
She has been for many years an earnest and active
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.


LBERT A. MURRAY, deceased, was born
in West Bloomfield Township, this county,
t  April 1, 1847. His father, Therion Murray, was a native of New York State, and
his mother, Rebecca Welfare, was born in England.
Our subject was the second of two sons, and was
reared to the occupation of a farmer. He held the
office of Treasurer of Farmington for two years
and was Supervisor in 1887. He was prominent as
a Republican and also as a member of the Masonic
order, in which he was Master for ten years in
Farmington Lodge, No. 151. He was also active
in the Grange and was always willing to forward
the interests of the farming community. Ile was
at one time a member of the Chosen Friends Insurance Company, and was ever respected and
honored by all who knew him. He was a liberal
contributor to all good causes and in every way a
man worthy of remembrance by the people of
Oakland County. He passed away from life January 26, 1888, and was buried by the lodge with
Masonic honors in the North Farmington Cemetery.
Mr. Murray's marriage with Miss Cetella Spencer
resulted in a domestic life of more than usual happiness. This lady was born in Farmington Township, January 2, 1854, and was the third child of
Lyman and Rachael (Dunham) Spencer, who are
natives of New York and were early settlers in
Oakland County, Mich. To this worthy couple
were born a daughter and a son, Carrie and Marlin,
who reside at home to comfort their mother in her
widowhood.
Before the death of Mr. Murray he appointed
his intelligent and capable wife to take entire
charge of his estate. She has a fine farm of eighty
acres and a nice property in the village of Farmington, where she resides and carries on a milli



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRIAPHICAL ALBUM.


717


I


nery establishment. Here she is doing a fine business, in which she is patronized by the best class
of citizens. She is a lady of agreeable manners
and is respected and honored by all who know her.
\> EUBEN LONG, one of the old settlers of
Milford Township, and a genuine Yankee,
having all the bright qualities and energy
)which are supposed to be inherent in that
character, has acquired a handsome property. His
farm is in splendid condition and the buildings are
first-class. He has the respect of the community,
and is considered as among the best financiers in
the township.
David Long, the father of Reuben, was a native
of Long Island. His wife, Hannah Stoddard, was
a native of Groton, Conn., where they were married, and made their permanent home. They both
passed from earth many years ago, and of their
seven children, two only survive. Their son Reuben was born January 30, 1810, in Windham,
Conn. There he received a good common-school
education, and grew to manhood. When eighteen
years old he bargained with his father for his time
for the next two years. He then began for himself
on a farm, working by the month and following
teaching. He was in New York State for a year,
but in 1836 he came to Highland Township, Mich.,
and bought eighty acres at Highland Corners, in
company with Benjamin Hewitt, now deceased.
It was land which had been partly improved. He
had accumulated a little money, which he loaned
out in small portions and got it all back except
$70. He had a breaking team, and broke land for
others, working in this way four or five yoke of
oxen at once. Before Mr. Hewitt came to the
West Mr. Long had already put in a crop on the
eighty acres. He used to take jobs of digging
wells. His efforts and his mode of life were not
conducive to good health, and he was taken seriously ill with no one to care for him. He had
never been sick before in his life. He acquired a
deed to a farm of one hundred acres on section 34,
Milford Township. He continued to do jobs for


others and for several years put in crops with Walter Bowers, now deceased.
The marriage of Mr. Long took place in 1848.
He was then united with Sarah Jane, a daughter of
Martin and Lorena (Hodges) Morley, a New York
couple, who came to Michigan and settled in the
township of Lyon in Territorial days. They are
both now deceased. Mrs. Long was one of seven
children, and was born October 2, 1830, in New
York, and was therefore still a child when brought
to Michigan.
Our subject and his worthy wife became the parents of thirteen children, namely: Alonzo W., lost
in the wild West years ago; Albert (deceased);
Pauline, wife of Crawford Fuller, of Shiawassee
County, and the mother of two children; Reuben
S., who married Lucia Sherman, who has borne
him two children, and who lives in this township;
Eva D., the wife of Henry Brooks, who lives in
Novi Township, and has five children; Ethel S., and
Dudley H., both living at home; Lorena, wife of
Elliott Grimes, living in Shiawassee County; Kirby
L., and Cora, Mrs. Almon Fielding (deceased).
She was the mother of one child, Vivas A., who
lives with his grandparents.
After marriage our subject settled upon what is
now his home farm. His log house was one of the
best in the township. He bought a farm where A.
Soulby now lives, and moved onto it for a short
time, and then went back to his old log house. He
then erected the handsome and commodious farmhouse which he now occupies, at a cost of $4,000.
He owns two hundred and twenty-three and onehalf acres, one hundred and eighty of which is
under cultivation. He actively carries on general
farming and has with his own hand cleared some
fifty acres of heavy timber.
Although he has been in the main a successful
man, Mr. Long was unfortunate in some of his investments. He lost money in the oil wells of Ohio,
and lost the means which lie furnished for the
woolen factory at Milford, but he has made money
in buying and selling sheep, and in the general
transaction of his business. He has always taken
an active interest in politics, his first vote having
been cast for Andrew Jackson. He voted the Dem

ocratic ticket for many years but at the time of the




718


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Civil War he changed to the Republican party.
He is now an independent in politics, and has been
a member of the local School Board. He has given
his children a good schooling, and some of them
have been sent away to school. One daughter,
Ethel, has been a teacher. He has done an immense
amount of hard work during his life and he and his
wife have gained all they have by their unaided
efforts. He is a strict moralist and temperate in his
habits. His manner of life has greatly reinforced
his naturally strong constitution, and lie has thus
been enabled to accomplish more than most men.
ILLIAM H. SMITH, a farmer and mill/  man of Bloomfield Township, first saw the
light ill Knowlton Township, Warren
County, N. J., September 23, 1833. His parents,
Andrew and Sydney (Hagerman) Smith, lived and
died in their native place, Warren County. Mr.
Smith was a distiller in early life but devoted his
later years to farming. He was only fifty-two
years old when he died, and had acquired a fortune
of $60,000. He was a Democrat and held some
official positions in his town and county, being
quite influential in the community. His wife was
an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Our subject's mother was the second wife
of Mr. Smith. His first wife was Mary Lorason of
Warren County, N. J., by whom he had seven children: Hannah M., John L., George, Thomas,
Jabez G., Charles and Elizabeth. By tile second
marriage he had also seven children: William H.,
Amelia, Sarah A.. Andrew, Emeline, Jacob and
Silas.
The subject of this sketch was but twelve years
old when his father died. In his youth he received
instruction in the district schools and active training on the farm. He remained on the homestead
and farmed it until his mother died. When he
was about twenty-five years of age he bought a
farm in Northampton County, Pa., and operated it
until 1865, when he sold out and came West. He
bought his present farm of ninety-nine acres,
which he has put in a splendid condition and upon


which he has placed all its improvements. He has a
fine two-story frame residence, a view of which is
shown on another page, while large and convenient
barns and other outbuildings embellish the estate.
He also has a sawmill on his farm, and a cider mill
and press. He is giving all his attention to milling and farming. and success has crowned his
efforts. He is a Mason of the Knight Templar
degree, and politically is attached to the Democratic party.
The marriage of our subject took place December 29, 1859, and he was then united with Rachel
Hagerman of Northampton County, Pa. She is a
daughter of John and Adeline (Angle) Hagerman.
For a fuller history of the Hagerman family the
reader will consult the sketch of Frank Hagerman in this work. Our subject and his wife have
had three children: Anna Bell, Edward R., and
William Eugene. The oldest son is clerking in Birmingham, this county, and the others reside at
home, anti with their parents form an unusually
happy household.
W INUS D. FINN, a farmer and undertaker
residing in Royal Oak, was born in St.
Clair, Mich., March 29, 1864. His father,
the Rev. Silas Finn, was born in Dundaff, Susquehanna County, Pa., December 23, 1811. He began life for himself at sixteen as a carpenter and
helped to support his mother and the other children.
He began to preach in 1841,and as a pioneer preacher
traveled over Eastern Pennsylvania, doing a great
deal of missionary work. In 1854 he came to
St. Clair, Mich., and made extensive trips throughout this part of the State, making a wide acquaintance and being highly esteemed by all to whom
he ministered.  He came to Oakland County,
Mich., in 1869. The grandfather, James Finn,
was a native of Pennsylvania and a farmer. The
grandmother, Polly (Wells) Finn, was the daughter of James Wells, a Welshman. Her mother
came from Germany, and to them were born two




~r"7777,7   77                                                       -M    7


I-,,,-?,~..^,~~  ~.         -,-_l"....
<  ^. ^,., — S -^;>,                I` ',^. ^xs~s~ i^1!'a,.^.-..^g:><!$i-tB~tre>&,  ^ SW.!^,y,^aphu~~ 4~,.,(<ar(!sut!,~wi~  *'  -  ^H B^^^^ ^^'aK-'' -^.i-^-* -"'-'*  *"-'**,
"-" fCzibt*;-^.fisiCa _ —  ^*< s1i*'
I Q
11 _ 5~


RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM H. SMITH,SEC. 23.,BLOOMFIELD TR.,OAKLAND CO.,MICH,








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


721


----— cl



=


daughters and seven sons, their son Silas being
the oldest of the family.
The father of our subject was married February 2, 1834, to Emily Sampson, daughter of the
Rev. Ezekiel Sampson, of the Baptist Church, and
a native of Pennsylvania. To Silas and Emily
Finn were granted four children. Their mother
was called away by death March 29, 1855. The
second marriage of Silas Finn took place September 14, 1855, when he took to wife Cynthia Eaton
who was born March 21, 1820, and is the daughter
of James Eaton, of New York. Her mother was
Fannie Richards. To Silas and Cynthia'Finn were
born three sons, namely: J. Morris, born January
10, 1857; Albert H., June 15, 1862; and Linus
D., March 29, 1864. The oldest son is located at
Ishpeming, MIich., where he is the editor of the
Lake Superior Democrat, and Albert H. is connected with the Detroit Evening Journal. After
the father made his home in Royal Oak in 1871,
he put between $2,000 and    $3,000 into the
building of a Baptist Church at this place, and
was its pastor for seven or eight years, after which
he retired from active life. IIe has been a Democrat from first to last, his first Presidential vote
having been for Andrew Jackson and his last for
Cleveland.
Linus D. Finn has a farm of seventy-two acres
in the village of Royal Oak. October 4, 1883, he
took to wife Ella E. Starr, of Royal Oak, a daughter of David Starr. This young man's Presidential vote was cast for Cleveland in 1884, and he
again supported him for the Chief Magistracy in
1888. IIe is now a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He is a member of Lodge No. 377, I. U.
of A.. at Royal Oak.  He was the leader in its
organization and is the Lecturer of the lodge. He
is a member of Court "Pride of Oakland," No.
2800, A. O. 0. F.
In 1890 Mr. Finn began the business of an
undertaker, in Royal Oak, and has already obtained a good trade. He carries a complete line
of burial cases, robes and all accessories of this
line of business. He prepares bodies for burial by a
new process without the use of ice, and all his work
is done according to the most approved modern
methods. In 1888 he spent some time at Ishpeming,




where he held the office of Captain of the Grayling
Gold and Silver Mining Company, of Ishpeming.
After being there one year he returned to Royal
Oak and at present fills the office of Village Assessor.
He has a pleasant home, at which friends are welcome, and where domestic happiness reigns.,ERRY STIMSON. A large and handsome
farm-house greets the eye of the traveler
who is passing through sections 4 and 5 of
Oxford Township. It is the beautifully located home of the prosperous farmer and stock
raiser whose name heads this sketch. He was born
in Monroe County, N. Y., March 27, 1834. His
father, Joel S., was a Vermont mechanic who
removed to the State of New    York and resided there for a number of years. Early in the
'40s he was taken with the Western fever, and in
1846 came to Michigan and located in Brandon
Township. He did not live to make the most of
his new home, as he died in 1848, when only
fifty-six years old. His wife, Elizabeth Perry, a
Connecticut woman, died in 1872. Of their five
children, three still survive.
He whose name initiates this sketch attended
the district school until he was twelve years old, at
which time his parents removed to the West, after
which his frontier life gave him no school privileges. At his father's death he was left penniless,
for although Joel Stimson was a man of unusual
intelligence and a mechanic and inventor of merit,
yet his confidence in others deprived him of his
property. He was the inventor of the Forcythe
Scale, which he manufactured heavily, but giving
large credits, he was forced to the wall in the panic
of 1837, leaving to his children only the record of
a worthy life.
The subject of this sketch worked out for others
and earned money by which he managed to purchase forty acres of land in Metamora Township,
Lapeer County. How he saved enough to effect
this purchase while working at $4 a month must
ever be a puzzler to the modern young man. He
continued this manner of work for five years after




722


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


he came of age, giving his younger brothers the
use of the land he had bought. He purchased
fifty acres more the fall he was twenty-one, and
rented this out on shares. Subsequently he sold it
and bought a farm in Saginaw County. He finally
purchased land in Elba Township, Lapeer County,
where he lived and farmed for twenty years. He
still owns two hundred and seventy-six acres in
that county.
In 1883 this gentleman decided to remove to
Oakland County and came to Oxford Township on
New Year's day and purchased a fine farm which
had been known as the Thomas place. His marriage to Ellen I. Brownell, of Metamora Township,
Lapeer County, led to a life of more than usual
domestic happiness. This lady is a daughter of
E. A. Brownell. a native of New York, who came
to Michigan many years ago and who died in Lapeer County in 1888. The eldest child of Perry
and Ellen Stimson-Elroy by name-was early
called away from this world, but four others make
home happy for their parents. They are named:
Findley, Emma, Mary and Carrie. He has been a
Republican since the inception of the party, casting
his first vote for the first Republican ticket.
He has been a Justice of the Peace and has lield
other local offices.
One hundred and thirty acres of finely improved
land forms Mr. Stimson's home farm, and he owns
in all four hundred and six acres. Ie has been a
breeder of Short-horn cattle for several years. In
his early days he hunted a good deal and was
friendly with the red men, being personally on
friendly terms with many prominent Indians, including the chief, Tapsico.
Jeremy Stimson, the grandfather of our subject,
served all through the Revolutionary War, during
which time of conflict he was taken prisoner and
confined in an old sugar warehouse in New York
City. Ie had a serious attack of smallpox and
was given up to die, but with the stubbornness
which was a prominent characteristic of Revolutionary heroes, he declined to expire. After his
recovery he re-enlisted under Commodore Paul
Jones, and took part in several noted naval engagements, serving as Captain of one of the ships. He
was a man of distinction all through that period,


and survived to complete his ninety years of honorable existence. His brave and noble wife outlived him and died in her one hundredth year.
This family is descended from one of three brothers
of the Stimson name who came from England in
the early Colonial days. Our subject was an own
cousin to O. H. Perry.
J   OHN LESSITER. Among the very prominent and influential farmers of Orion Township, and indeed of the County of Oakland,
we may mention the gentleman whose name
heads this sketch. His elegant new home attracts
the attention and claims the admiration of every
one who passes through that region. His farm
shows every mark of the management of a thorough farmer. and his splendid stock is the pride of
the township. Short-horn cattle are his specialty,
and in this line he is the pioneer breeder in the
State, having been a practical student of this branch
of farming for over thirty years.
Our subject was born in Wiltshire, England,
July 19, 1827. His father came to America in
1843, and settled near the village of Orion in Oakland County. He subsequently removed to Kent
County, wlhere he died in 1858. He was a devout
member of the Church of England. His wife,
Elizabeth, died in England, and he married a second
time. IIe is the father of four sons, all of whom
are living.
John Lessiter was reared on the farm, and was
sent to school summer and winter until about
twelve years of age. His father kept him in a
boarding school at one time, where lie made great
advancement, as lie was very apt in learning. He did
not come to America with his father, but, with an
older brother, followed the father in 1847. They
were six weeks in crossing the ocean. He went to
work by the month in Orion Township. In a short
time he bought his employer's stock and proceeded
to rent his farm for a term of years. He next
rented a farm in the western part of the township,
in partnership with another man. This was to be
rented for three years, but in the meantime he pur



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


723


chased his partner's interest and managed it himself.
He then re-rented it for another three years. He purchased one hundred and twenty.acres on section 7
in 1853. Only thirty acres of this had been broken;
the remainder of it was all wild land. He built a
farm-house and began clearing and improving it.
Mr. Lessiter now found himself prepared to establish a home, and on New Year's day of 1852 he
took to wife Nancy Beardslee, who was born in Independence Township, this county, in 1836. IHer
parents were from New Jersey, and were William
and Lavina (Munson) Beardslee. They came to
Michigan and settled in Oakland County at an early
d'iy. They are both now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Lessiter became the parents of six
children: Libbie, the wife of Albert Hammond, residing on a farm in Independence Township; Edna,
wife of Charles Walton, a farmer in Pontiac Township; Ida May, Mrs. William Anderson, wife of a
farmer in Oakland Township; Frank H. and Floyd
J., both at home, and Maggie, who died at the age
of two years and four months. To all these children the parents gave excellent school advantages.
Our subject has been a Democrat all his life, and
is a leader among his fellowmen. He is a delegate
frequently to county and district conventions, and
has taken quite an active part in politics. He has
been Justice of the Peace for eighteen years. and was
Postmaster of Jersey for thirty years, which position he resigned in 1884. For eighteen years he
has been an efficient member of the School Board.
He is now an honored member of the State Agricultural Society, and has been placed upon the Executive Committee of that organization. The Oakland County Agricultural Society has felt his
forming ad helping hand for nearly twenty years.
The conft\ence which his neighbors have in his
character and ability has made him administrator
of a number of estates. He is identified with the
Grange, and has been a Mason for over thirty years.
The splendid farm of Mr. Lessiter is known far
and wide. It comprises four hundred and thirtysix acres of fine land all in an excellent state of improvement. Its three large red barns and its
elegant frame residence erected in 1884, attract the
eye of the traveler. In stock-breeding he is notable throughout the State, having begun raising


and breeding registered Short-horn cattle in 1858.
He has bred several fine prize winners, and sells
every year many fine cattle. For some time past
he has paid considerable attention to the breeding
of Shropshire sheep. He started with nothing, and
is now one of the wealthiest men in the township.
and at the same time one of the most truly respected
and influential citizens. Mrs. Lessiter deserves no
small share of credit for her husband's success. She
is a woman of ability and character, and one who
willingly promotes the good of all in the cornmunity.
-'-=-i"-~ --- —-----------— s,0 *
OSEPH GIBSON, a resident of Farmington
Township and an active and enterprising
farmer, was born in the North of Ireland,
County Derry, in March, 1806. His father,
John, and mother, Jane (Erwin) Gibson, were born,
married and died in the old country. When
twenty-three years old, young Joseph came to
America, landing in Philadelphia in 1830. He
engaged himself in work upon a farm in Pennsylvania until 1853, when he removed to Michigan
and bought land in Farmington Township, this
county. This land was partially improved at the
time of the purchase. Our subject's elder brother,
James, came to this country at the same time with
him, and they lived together until the death of
the brother in September last. James was a good
citizen and neighbor, and is missed by his many
friends as well as his relatives.
In 1865 our subject took to himself a wife. The
lady was Martha Morrison by name, a native of
Michigan, who was born in Commerce Township,
this county. He brought his young wife to the
place where he had made his new home and where
he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson were granted
three children, two daughters and one son. The
eldest daughter, Anna Jane, is the wife of John Y.
Ely, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this
volume. Mamie E. and Thomas J. both reside at
home with their parents.
Mr. Gibson has one hundred and eighty-two
acres of well-improved land, in an excellent con



724


POR'rRAIT AND BIOGRAAPHICAL ALBUM.


2I


dition and most of it under cultivation. Upon
this he is carrying on a general farming business. His political views are embodied in the
principles of the Democratic party, but in local
matters he governs his vote by a conscientious regard for the necessities of the office and the qualifications of the man who would fill it. Like thousands
of North of Ireland people who have come to this
country, he is a Presbyterian in his religious belief.
The subject of this brief notice was a poor man
when he landed in America, and all he has he has
gained by his own hard labor and undaunted enterprise. He is a liberal contributor to all good
and worthy objects and is ever a promoter of good
will and justice toward all his neighbors and charity
toward the distressed.
C_          --
EORGE A. McDONALD, an industrious
and prudent farmer, owns and occupies a
tract of one hundred acres in Pontiac Township, that was acquired through the zeal and economy of himself and wife. Mr. McDonald was a
poor boy and worked hard to obtain the education
that would qualify him to transact business well,
and continued his efforts in order to get a good
home. From the day of his marriage he was ably
assisted by Mrs. McDonald and they now have a
pleasant home and a valuable property. Mr. McDonald is a native of the township in which he
lives and was born May 24, 1833.
Henry W. McDonald, father of our subject, was
born in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, N. Y.,
in 1795, and came to this county in 1825. He
bought a tract of land and took up eighty acres on
section 14, Pontiac Township, then returned East
after his family and arrived with them July 8,
1827. From Detroit they had traveled with a
wagon through the mud and around the multitude
of stumps that then stood in the newly-made roads.
Mr. McDonald built a log house and cut the first
stick of timber on the land lie had bought, the deed
for which was signed by John Q. Adams. tIe was
a blacksmith, and a few months after his family was
established here he opened a shop. He brought


his parents with him, and father and son hired out
in the harvest field, thus earning their bread, as
they were poor. The son got two bushels of wheat
for a day's work and the father half as much.
During the War of 1812 Henry W. McDonald
was a substitute and was present at Lundy's Lane.
He began life by working for $5 per month, and
by earnest and frugal living acquired a comfortable property. When a young man he had charge
of a blacksmith shop in Amsterdam, N. Y., and
he also taught vocal music in that State and in
Michigan. He worked hard to clear his land and
place it under cultivation, and did what he could
find to do at his trade as well. He became well
and favorably known as an honest, God-fearing
man. For many years he was a member of the
Presbyterian Church. He was a splendid shot and
enjoyed hunting, and once killed seven deer in the
same number of shots with his old flint-lock. He
died June 23, 1883.
The grandfather of our subject was Nicholas
McDonald, who was the first white child born in
Amsterdam, N. Y., the year of his birth being
1762; he died August 5, 1840. His wife, formerly
Margaret Weaver, died in 1846. The mother of
our subject bore the maiden name of Electa
Howell, was born in New York, September 12, 1799,
and became the wife of Henry McDonald in 1819.
She died August 3, 1884, strong in the faith of the
Congregational Church. She had five children,
four of whom are living. The son of whom we
write was born May 24, 1833, and during his early
school days went one mile to the district school.
The winter before he was eighteen he attended
school in Lyons, lonia County, doing chores for
his board and walking two miles. The following
spring he worked in a sawmill, tending the saw,
and hauling logs and lumber with three yoke of
oxen, and during the ensuing season he worked on
a farm near. Rochester.
At the age of twenty-one years young McDonald began to farm the homestead, and remained
there several years. The farm he now owns was
bought by him in November, 1871, a short time
after his mairiage to Miss Hannah L. Kemp. Their
wedding day was January 5, 1871, and the honeymoon was passed in Chicago. The bride was born




I




1
Ar rk


Ai-tI-  $ = -
c -  -


J




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


727


y ---- " —Ii


in England May 2, 1845, and came across the
ocean with her parents, John and Henrietta
(Mepham) Kemp, in 1849. Her parents resided in
Pontiac Township and her father now lives in
Owosso. Her mother died in 1865. In the nineteen years which have passed since her marriage,
Mrs. McDonald has sold twelve thousand five
hundred pounds of butter, for which she has received $2,300.
The family of our subject and his good wife consists of three bright children, named respectively,
Helen A., Lulu C. and George L. Mr. McDonald
is a Democrat and is quite influential in the political affairs of the county. He is a man of temperance principles, has been a Mason twenty-five years
and has served his fellow-citizens in public offices.
For many years he acted as Constable and also as
Scliool Director. He has been Treasurer five years
and he has two years yet to serve as Justice of the
Peace, a capacity in which he has already acted
seven years. It will thus be seen that he is understood to possess sturdy principles and keen intelligence.
ON. ELLIOT R. WILLCOX. Amongo the
members of the bar who are located at
Pontiac and are well established in practice is Mr. Willcox, whose work often involves large interests and important issues. He
practices in local, State and federal courts, and his
reputation is widespread as a good pleader, a wise
counselor and an able exponent of the principles
and precedents on which the laws of the land are
based. He made his preparation for legal work
in one of the best schools in the land, and has exercised his ability in business affairs where his
knowledge of law has been of great value to himself and organizations with whch he was associated.
For some years he has given his attention exclusively to his legal work, and he has been retained
as counsel in some of the most notable cases conducted in the State, where large property interests
were involved.
Mr. Willcox was born in Rochester, Oakland
County, February 24, 1838, and was the third of


six children making up the family of Lyman J. and
Sarah (Somers) Willcox.  The father was born
in New York and was a son of Sethulah Willcox, a
native of Connecticut and a descendant of English
ancestors. The mother was born in New Jersey
and was a daughter of David Somers, her ancestors being English and German. Lyman J. Willcox
removed from Rome, N. Y., to Rochester, this State,
in 1823, and engaged in milling and manufacturing, and at the same time carried on farming quite
extensively. He was a prominent factor in the
early history of the county; he lived to a good old
age, dying in July, 1885. His wife had departed
age,   ZD, —
this life in 1875, in her sixtieth year. Of their
family three only are living-Lyman. Theresa A.,
wife of Archy McMillan, and Elliot R.
Our subject spent his early years in the place of
his nativity, and after acquiring a fundamental
education prepared for college in the Rochester
Academy. He then entered the State University
at Ann Arbor and pursued his studies until his
graduation ill the Literary Department, after which
lie became Principal of the Union School at Rochester. He subsequently taught school at Almont,
Lapeer County, his pedagogical work extending
over a period of four years. He then took up the
study of law, going to Detroit, where he entered
the office of Willcox & Gray, the former being his
brother L. G. He attended the Law Department
of the University of Michigan one year and was
admitted to the bar in Oakland County in 1869.
Mr. Willcox at once began practice, but having
a desire for business relations he purchased and
operated a large farm and also engaged in manufacturing. The latter not proving remunerative,
he let the work rest for a time. In 1871, with a
company of friends, he organized the Detroit &
Bay City Railroad Company with a capital of
$2,000,000, and besides this raised $400,000 by
local subscription. He also secured the right of
way and let the contract for the building of the
road, and the work was completed within two years
from the organization.  Mr. Willcox was made
Secretary, Attorney and Director of the road. In
1873 he built and equipped a paper mill at a cost
of $25,000, which is now in successful operation at
Rochester and affords him a good rental.




728


POR'RA[T AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


_. _

=


In 1869 Mr. Willcox was elected a member of
the House of Representatives on the Democratic
ticket and took an active part in the discussion of
different measures brought before that body. He
introduced the resolution for the admission of
ladies to the State University, which after being
amended became a law and opened one of the best
schools in the country to that class. On the question of the legality of taxing townsliips and municipalities for the purpose of building railroads,
Mr. Willcox took a strong stand against such a
course. In 1877 he was elected State Senator, and
while in the legislative halls he was a member of
the Judiciary and other important committees and
took an active part in the proceedings and leading
debates of the session. At the expiration of his
senatorial term he returned to Pontiac and resumed
his practice with renewed ardor.
In the year 1879 Senator Willcox was married
to Miss M. Eleanor Price, granddaughter of Daniel
D)uncan, of Rochester, in whose family she made
her home. She was educated at Rochester and Detroit, and received careful instruction and guidance
under the roof of her grandparents, and has the
charm of manner that makes her a desirable acquaintance and a popular member of society. Mr.
and Mrs. Willcox have no children. Their home is
in a desirable neighborhood, with tasteful surroundings, and is one of the most attractive dwellings in
the city. The circle that frequently gathers there is
a cultured and refined one and many enjoyable conversations take place under its roof. Mr. Willcox
was four years a member of the Democratic State
Central Committee and is recognized as one of the
leaders of the party.
In every campaign since he became a voter he
has been active in the ranks and on the rostrum
for the political principles of his adoption, yet he
is superior to party prejudice and allows it to have
no weight in his social and professional relations.
His varied business and professional experience has
long ago taught him to accord to others the same
enjoyment of opinion he demands for himself. He
is studious in his profession and has made it a life
habit to do thorough and systematic reading, both
professional and miscellaneous. He has a good
private library, and from that and other sources has




kept himself abreast with the times upon all current
topics, especially those pertaining to economic,
social and political welfare. He is an able and entertaining speaker, and upon every general subject
is as ready to hold forth as to talk law to a court
or facts to a -jury.
A lithographic portrait of the Hon. Mr. Willcox
appears on another page of this volume.
-A- -A- +-A
EWYIS C. 1). HAMMOND, M. D., who has a
prominent place among the medical practitioners of this county, is living in the village of Clarkston, which is the center of his practice,
and where he is also associated with his brother in
the drug business. He is the son of Nathan G. and
Sally A. (Baldwin) Hammond, and is a native of
this county, born March 18, 1855. Prior to his
twentieth year he lived upon a farm, but he was
fortunate in having good educational privileges,
not only studying in the district school, but attending a high school. He taught one term in Orion
Township. In the fall of 1880 he went to Detroit
and entered the office of Dr. Book, to take up the
study of medicine.
After sufficient preliminary reading young Hammond attended medical lectures in the Michigan
College of Medicine three years, and was thus fitted to pass the requisite examination and receive
his diploma. He selected the village of Clarkston
as a good field for his efforts, and here he has built
up a fine practice. He is possessed of much practical ability and so is able to apply his theoretical
knowledge to good advantage, to make careful diagnoses and follow them by well-selected remedies. In
1887 he was happily married to Miss Ida L. Cross
of Clarkston, and the union has been blessed by the
birth of a son, Glenn S., whose natal day was October 7, 1889. Mrs. Hammond is an intelligent, refined lady, who understands how to make her home
attractive, and whose social qualities and fine character win friends.
In politics Dr. Hammond is a Democrat and he
takes quite an interest in the principles and policy
of his party. He is a member of Cedar Lodge




POR~ETRAIT AND BIOGRAPI41CAL ALBUM..


729


I AD


No. 60, F. & A. M., and of Allen-Tent No. 85, K.
O. T. M., and in the latter is medical examiner. He
is one of a family of seven children, and his father
was born in Sussex County, N. J., February 26,
1813.
G    ALVIN A. PARKER was for more than
thirty years located in Avon Township, and
died on his farm there May 11, 1888, at the
age of sixty.eight years. He was born in Monroe
County, N. Y., June 6, 1820, and was reared to
farm life, and when he was ready to begin his
personal career it was natural that he should adopt
the calling which he thoroughly understood. His
parents were Junius and Betsey (Boyington) Parker
and the former died during the boyhood of cur subject. Young Calvin then went to live with an uncle,
a Mr. Pettengill, near Rochester, N. Y., but in 1834
accompanied his mother to this State and lived with
a brother-in-law until he had attained his majority.
He bought property in Shelby Township, this
county, and occupied tie same for a little more than
twelve months after his marrirge. Mr. Parker then
bought one hundred twenty acres in Avon Township, removed thereto, and made it his residence
seven years, after which he bought near Rochester.
The farm is now occupied by his widow. It consists of three hundred acres under excellent tillage,
the buildings being ample for every need. Forests
and fruit trees lend their beauty to the attractiveness of the scene, and add to the value of the property, and well-fed stock of good grades may be seen
in the fields. Machinery of improved models is
in use, and many arrangments have been made for
the proper carrying on of the farm work and the
comfort of those who reside there.
Mr. Parker was married August 21, 1845, to
Maria Lockwood. daughter of Jeremiah and Hannah (Arnold) Lockwood. She was born September
8, 1820, in the same county as her husband, 'but
from the age of three years lived in this State.
Her father brought his family hither, and located in
Washington, Macomb County, and there passed
the remainder of his life. He died December 11,
1855, a number of years after the mother of Mrs.


Parker was called hence, her death having taken
place March 8. 1836. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker there
came five children, two of whom awaited their father
on the other shore. Eliza died in 1864, at the age of
seventeen years and a half; Franklin lived to be
thirty-two years old, and then died in 1881.  The
living children are Betsey, wife of William Bishop,
who, with her two children-Parker and Alicelives with her widowed mother; Hannah, wife of
Charles Adams of Detroit; and Cyrenius, who is a
resident of Avon Township.
Mr. Parker was a good citizen, carrying on his affairs without interfering with those around him,
and discharging the duties that pertain to all who
are interested in the general welfare in the same unassuming and reliable way. As a husband and parent he was kind and indulgent, and by the generality of the citizens of the county in which he had
become so well known he was respected according
to his merits.
OSEPH P. COON. Among the men who
have reaped so good a reward for their industrious and well-directed efforts in the
line of agricultural work as to enable them
to retire with a competence, is the gentleman above
named, who has a pleasant home in the beautiful
little town of Orion. He retired thither after having spent twenty-seven years on a farm on section
25, Orion Township. He still retains the deed to
his estate, which consists of one hundred and twelve
acres of good land, well improved and fitted for
habitation, as beseems this section of country.
Mr. Coon is a grandson of Joseph Coon, a native
of Old Virginia, who was a Revolutionary soldier
and endured the privation of the winter at Valley
Forge with Gen. Washington. He was a participant in the battles of Brandywine and Trenton and
was wounded during the latter. The Coons are of
German descent, and the patronymic now borne by
the family is an Americanized rendering of the
original name, which was spelled Kuhn. The family was established in this country in 1680.




730


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


Isaac D. Coon, father of our subject, was born
in New York in 1807, and died in this county in
1881. He came hither in 1833, driving an oxteam  from Detroit, and made his home in Independence Township, buying land on which stood
a partly completed log house. He finished the
building and occupied it ten years. He added to
the land he purchased, bringing up his farm to the
extent of two hundred and forty acres, partly entered from the Government. He had but limited
means when he came here, but was quite successful
in life. He held various township offices. His wife,
who was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., in 1811,
bore the maiden name of Susan Voorhees. She died
October 19, 1841. She bore him three children,
two of whom are now living.
The subject of this biographical notice was born
in Monroe County, N. Y., November 14, 1832, and
his earliest recollections are of the woods of Mich.
igan, to which he was brought when an infant.
Indians camped near his father's house and game
abounded in the woods. When old enough to attend school the lad studied in the old log schoolhouse of the traditional type, and as soon as he was
able began helping his father to clear and otherwise
improve the farm. IHe worked at home until the
spring of 1858, when he bought the farm land he
now owns and took up his work thereon. He had
been married two years before to Miss Susan E.
Roe, who was born in Sussex County, N. J., August
24, 1836, and accompanied her parents to this
county in 1852. She is one of a family of nine
children born to Joseph and Emeline (Bishop) Roe,
five of whom survive. Her parents were natives
of Orange County, N. Y., and after coming West
made their home in Independence Township, this
county. Mr. Roe died February 17, 1886, at the
age of four-score and two years, and Mrs. Roe
breathed her last October 10, 1890, at the age of
eighty-eight years.
Mr. Coon isquite prominent in Democratic circles
in Orion Township. He has been Supervisor, Treasurer, Highway Commissioner, School Inspector and
Constable, and is now President of the Common
Council of Orion. Since 1876 he has been a Direc.
tor in the Island Park Association of Orion, which
has made this place popular as a summer resort,


and for six years he has been President. Socially,
he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees.
He is a sound man, financially and morally, and is
held in high esteem by the best citizens.
LEXANDER SOLTS, a retired farmer and
a well-known and highly respected citizen,
residing in Royal Oak Township, was born
Q/     June 6, 1822, in County Down, Ireland.
His father, Alexander, was born there about 1790,
and engaged in farming and the manufacture of
linen. Coming to America in 1850, he emigrated
at once to Royal Oak Township, Oakland County,
and bought a farm of eighty acres on section 2.
His wife, Ann McBride, was born in 1800, in the
same county as her husband, and was the daughter
of Joseph and Agnes (Ellison) McBride.   The
parents of our subject were married in their native
home in 1819. To them twelve children were born,
namely: Margaret, deceased; Alexander, Agnes,
Joseph; Ellen and Margaret, deceased; William,
Eliza J., deceased; Samuel; Mary Ann, deceased;
Robert, and Eliza J., deceased.
The subject of this sketch attended school for
several years in County Down, Ireland, and in
1839 he came to Philadelphia, and remaining there
two years in the employ of his uncle Robert, made
his first beginning in the new world. He spent one
year in New Orleans and then returning to Philadelphia for a year, decided to go South again. His
second stay in New Orleans lasted for five years.
While there he had the yellow fever and was for
some time in Stone Hospital. Mr. Solts returned
to Philadelphia in the summer of 1845 and arranged
for his wedding, which took place October 12 of
that year. His bride was Sarah E. Carey, daughter of Robert Carey, of Easton, Pa. The young
couple remained in Philadelphia for a number of
years and to them were born two sons and two
daughters, namely: Robert A., who was born September 12, 1846, and now resides in Genesee
County, Mich.; Wilfield S., born April 1, 1851, who
resides in Iowa; Jane E. (deceased), born April 4,
1857; Mary J., born April 26, 1859, now the wife




I




I


I






I
6


'p'<>4




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


733








of Alonzo S. Merrill, and residing on Bagley Avenue, Detroit.
The gentleman of whom we write came to Michigan in 1852 and took land which was partially improved, in Royal Oak Township. His good wife died
in 1882, and in October', 1885, his second marriage
took place with Mrs. Mary E. Battie. This laly
was born June 4,1832, in Redford, Wayne County,
Mich., and is the daughter of David and Maria
(Harmon) Lowe, natives of New York. She had
been the mother of two children by her first marriage, one of whom is living-James Battie, of
Venice, Mich.
Mr. Solts' political sympathies are with the Republican party. He was originally a Whig and
cast his first Presidential vote in the year 1844.
His last ballot was for Benjamin Harrison. He
has been Supervisor and Treasurer of his township
a number of times. He has been for many years a
Trustee of the United Presbyterian Church, of
which he and his intelligent and worthy wife are
prominent members. Mr. Solts has one hundred
and sixty acres of land under excellent cultivation
and his home is an unusually pleasant one.
^ ---,,;*~_2O ^.. —  -   ~ — -
\ ELVIN D. SLY, of Pontiac, was born in
the township of Bloomfield, April 27, 1853,
and is the oldest son of John B. Sly. The
latter was born in Elmira, Chemung County,
N. Y., May 13, 1823, and was the son 6f Jacob and
Susan (Bennett) Sly, of Dutch descent. The
mother of our subject was Almira D. Drake, born
March 20, 1833, in Southfield Township, Oakland
County. She is a daughter of Melvin Drake, a
native of Massachusetts, who came to Oakland
County, October 11, 1830, and ended his days
here.
John B. Sly, the father of our subject, came to
Oakland County in 1823, and engaged in general
farming. He and his wife are both living, hale and
hearty, and reside in Pontiac. Of their three children, only two now survive: Charles B. and Melvin
D., our subject, who spent his school days in his
native county and for a while attended school in




I


f


Birmingham. Later he went to Kingston, Pa.,
where he entered Wyoming Seminary and studied
for one year. He next returned to the farm  and
remained under the parental roof until he reached
the age of twenty years, when he entered the pineries and was engaged there for a while. Returning
to this county and purchasing a farm in 1878, he
continued in this line of work until 1889, when he
was elected Registrar of Deeds and served in this
capacity for two years. Retiring from  his office
he devoted himself to his private business affairs.
Our subject was married October 16, 1879, to Miss
Fannie, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Pickering, natives of England. Mrs. Sly was born in
Southfield Township, this county. Her parents
came to this country from their native land some
years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Sly have one daughter,
Bessie E. Mr. Sly is a member of the Birmingham
lodge No. 44, F. & A. M.; the Birmingham Chapter
No. 93, R. A. M.; the Pontiac Commandery No. 2;
and Council No. 3, R. S. & M. He is also identified with the Moslem Temple N. M. S. at Detroit,
and the Pontiac Lodge No. 3, I. 0. O. F. He also
belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is a member
of the Cass Lake Aquatic Club. He has a fine
farm of one hundred and three acres in Southfield
Township, well improved and in a highly cultivated state, besides two other smaller farms in the
county. He is a member of the firm of J. S. Stockwell
& Co., prominent dry goods merchants of Pontiac.
At his pleasant residence No. 369 North Saginaw
Street, he and his estimable wife dispense hospitality to their friends. Politically he is a stanch
Republican.
The attention of the reader is invited to the
lithographic portrait of Mr. Sly presented on another
page.
~-_
LMON STARR, manufacturer of brick and
tile, is located on section 8, Royal Oak
Township. He started his brick yard and
tile factory here in 1866, and in connection with the business property he has one hundred
acres of well-improved land on which he resides.
His dwelling, which is constructed from brick




734


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


burned by himself, was built in 1868, and cost
about $5,000. It is connected by telephone with
that of his son, who is his partner in business, and
who has a tasteful brick residence which cost
$2,000. About ten thousand rods of tile is manufactured annually by the Messrs. Starr, and brick
in proportion.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was
Vine Starr, a native of Connecticut and one of the
earliest settlers in Rochester, this State, where he
carried on the manufacture of cow-bells. EIis son,
Orson, father of Almon, was born in New York in
1803, and followed the same business as himself.
Orson Starr married Rhoda Gibbs, a native of New
York, whose father, Benjamin Gibbs, was born in
Connecticut and was a farmer. The marriage was
solemnized in 1827, and in 1831 the worthy couple
removed to this State, locating on section 9, Royal
Oak Township. Mr. Starr built a log house, cutting the logs and doing all the work himself. He
lived with his family in a little old shop until the
house was finished, and he then used the shop for
its legitimate purpose, his manufacturing business.
He breathed his last April 23, 1873, nearly a decade
after his wife had been borne to the tomb, the date
of her death being September 8, 1863. Their family consisted of four daughters and six sons, and
our subject is the first-born.
Almon Starr was three years old when he came
to this State, having been born in Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y., September 10, 1828. He went
to school in a primitive log building in Royal Oak
Township, and the teacher who guided his early
studies is still living, Mrs. Blunt, an aged lady
well known in this locality. He learned to make
cow-bells, and was taken into partnership with his
father when he was twenty-one years old. He
worked at the business until 1866, but in 1853 established his home on section 4, and started in his
present business at his present location,
February 22, 1853, Mr. Starr was married to
Miss Nancy Quick, second of three children born
to Dennis H. and Nancy M. (Perrin) Quick. Her
father came to this State in 1825, and died here at
the advanced  age of eighty-three years. Her
mother, who was a native of New York, died when
fifty years old. Mrs. Starr was born in Royal Oak


Township, September 1,1831. They have had four
children-Edwin, Eva, Rhoda and Lydia. The
last named died in infancy, and Rhoda, who was
born in 1861, breathed her last February 1, 1884;
Eva was born in 1857 and died in September, 1887;
she was the wife of George B. Walter, of Clarkston,
and left a little child, Sidney, who is being reared by
his maternal grandparents. Edwin Starr, the only
son of our subject, was born April 30, 1854. He
was married May 7, 1873, to Mary Salisbury, a
native of England, who was born in 1853, and was
three years old when she came to this State. They
have an interesting family of eight children, named
respectively: Minnie, George, John, Williamn
Clara, Rhoda, Arthur and Allen.
Our subject has firm faith in the underlying
principles of Republicanism, and supports the party
with his voice and vote. He was at one time
Treasurer of Royal Oak Township, but is not given
to public service. He belongs to Birmingham
Lodge, No. 44, F. & A. M. He is devoted to the
interests of his family, stanch in his friendships,
and honorable in his dealings, and he is justly esteemed by his acquaintances.
-rr --- —^^            ----— Cy
JV   ATHAN A. CLAPP. This name is familiar
to many of our readers, particularly those.
who are interested in agriculture and stockbreeding, as he who bears it has for a number of
years been ona of the prominent workers in these
lines in Lyon Township. His home is on section
13, where he has two hundred acres of land, one
hundred and thirty of which are under good im.
provement. He keeps thoroughbred stock for sale,
all being registered. For eighteen years he has
been raising Short-horn cattle and Berkshire hogs,
and during the past few years he has also bred
Shropshire sheep; the sheep are not registered. He
has much of the spirit of progress and the unflagging energy which are moving principles among
the Americans of to-day, and his work is being
pushed forward systematically.
The great-grandfather of our subject, Joshua
Clapp, was the fifth in the direct line from Joshua




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


735,Z~i  _   -   -  --- ---- --- ---- -- I


Clapp, who landed in Boston about 1630, coming
direct from England. The family made the New
England States their home until the present century, and the name is still known in the East. The
grandfather of our subject was another Joshua
Clapp, who was born in Connecticut in 1750, and
when about of age, married. His wife died within
a decade, leaving him with four children. Two
years after her decease, he was united with Mary
Lawrence, daughter of John Lawrence, a Major in
the Revolutionary Army, and a resident of Killingly, Conn. This union was blest by the birth of
five daughters and three sons, the fifth of whom
was Zahnon. Joshua Clapp was a combmaker,
farmer and music teacher.
Zalmon Clapp was born in Connecticut, October
9, 1810, and in 1817 went to New York with his
father. He lived in different places in that State
until 1865, when he came West and established his
home in Lyon Township, this county. Here he
bought one hundred and sixty acres of partly improved land.  He was a carpenter as well as
farmer. In 1837 he was married to Elizabeth B.
Ross, a native of Otscgo County, N. Y., born May
5, 1819. Her parents were Joseph and Abigail
(Clark) Ross, and her father was of Irish descent,
and her mother a native of Connecticut. She was
the eldest of their three children. Her mother died
in 1831, and the next year her father married Margaret Buchanan, of Otsego County. Zalmon and
Elizabeth Clapp had four children, and the youngest is the subject of this biographical notice. The
only other survivor is Lottie, wife of William Huggins, of Montcalm County. Mr. and Mrs. Zalmon
Clapp have acted the part of father and mother to
two boys besides their own children, Luther Farnum and James Wilson, the former living in Chicago, and the latter still with the family.  The
parents were Methodists in religious faith, and the
father was a Whig, and later a Republican in politics, although his first vote was cast with the
Democrats, for Andrew Jackson.
The subject of this notice was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., October 9, 1847. His first
educational work was done in the district school,
and he took a higher course of study in tho academy at Ellington. Shortly before the completion




I


I




of the course he accompanied his parents to this
State, and for several years he was on the farm,
working with his father. The property was then
rented for three years, and our subject spent that
period as traveling correspondent for the Michigan
Farmer. He then returned to the farm and has
since given his attention to agricultural pursuits.
In 1872 he bought forty acres on section 13, Lyon
Township, and in later years increased i his holding
of real estate as circumstances made desirable.
In 1874 Mr. Clapp was married to Miss Hattie
E. Johnson, daughter of the Rev. Oliver Johnson,
of Harmony, Chautauqua County, 'N. Y. Her
mother's maiden name was Mary Wood, and the
family of which she was the eighth member, included nine sons and daughters. She was born
February 26, 1848, in Ellington Township, Chautauqua County, N. Y. She was the subject of affectionate care and judicious training, and is a capable
woman, of fine character. She belongs to the Free
Will Baptist Church. Her father was one of seven
sons, five of whom entered the Christian ministry.
His mother was deaf and dumb.
M r. Clapp is a stanch Republican, and has been
an earnest worker for the party of his choice, and
served as delegate to county and State conventions.
He began his political career as a voter for U. S.
Grant. He has been Justice of the Peace, and is,
in his official capacity as in private life, a lover of
law and order, and a worker for that end. He is
now serving his second term as Director of the Lincoln Club, of Oakland County, and he was the first
Vice-President of the Second District for that organization.


OHN H. SNOW. Among the men who are
keeping up the standard of the agricultural
class in this county, may well be mentioned
Mr. Snow, who is farming on section 13,
Bloomfield Township. He was born in Birmington, September 13, 1843, and lived there until he
had entered his teens. His parents then moved
onto what is now known as the Rundle farm, and remained there until 1865, when they removed to the
farm of their son, our subject, and spent their last




736


PORT1RAIT AND BRIOGRAPHICAL ALBUMT.d


73f_         I  AD B


days with him. He had received a common-school
education, and when ready to begin life for himself, had followed the bent of his mind, which led
him to become a farmer. He now has two hundred and twenty-five acres of land, two hundred of
which is in a high state of cultivation. Besides
marketing first-class crops, Mr. Snow is raising
some thoroughbred sheep and a high grade of
horses and cattle.
Alonzo Snow, father of our subject, was born in
Massachusets, and came to this State in 1832. Prior
to that time he had spent a score of years in Rochester, to which his parents removed when he was
twelve years old. After a few weeks sojourn in
Ypsilanti he walked to Birmingham, this county,
where for a number of years he was engaged in the
manufacture of fanning-mills with his father-inlaw, John W. Hunter. He took no interest in politics other than to gain an intelligent understanding of questions of the day, and he always voted a
Republican ticket. He was a member of the Odd
Fellows fraternity3. He died February 5, 1883, at
the age of seventy-three years, his natal day having been December 25, 1810.
Alonzo Snow married Sarah A. Hunter, who was
born in Detroit, but reared in this county, her parents, John W. and Margaret Hunter, having taken
up the first quarter-section of land in Bloomfield
Township, where the village of Birmingham is now
located. Mr. Hunter carried on a foundry there,
manufacturing threshing machines and fanningmills for many years. He died in Waterford Township, this county, several years after his wife had
breathed her last in Birmingham. Mrs. Snow died
in 1872, at the age of fifty-three years. She had
had seven children, but two of whom lived to years
of maturity, John H. and Emily, the latter the wife
of M. G. Shutes, of Birmingham.
The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch,
was married October 13, 1869, to Miss Emily E.
Miller, of Bloomfield. She was born here June 28,
1848, and is a daughter of Abram and Margaret
(Traphagen) Miller, the former of whom came to
this county in 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Snow have but
one child, a daughter, Mina A., a charming miss,
now fifteen years old. Mr. Snow has held some of
the minor township offices. In politics he is a Re

publican. His social qualities and kindly feeling
find some outlet in the work of the Masonic order,
to which he belongs, bult more in individual projects. He is respected as an honest man, good
farmer and reliable citizen.
OHN K. ADAMS, a life-long farmer, whose
pleasant residence and fine farm of two hundred and seventy-six acres is located in
Bloomfield Township, was born in Southfield Township, this county, February 1, 1844.
His parents, Reuben and Emily 0. (Tyler) Adams,
natives of Livingston County, N. Y., and Hartford, Conn., respectively, came to Michigan early
in the 40's, and two years afterward were united
in wedlock in Southfield, which they made their
home.
William Adams, the grandfather of our subject,
was a man of means, and owned a large tract of
land near Livonia Center, Livingston County,
N. Y. Reuben Adams has been a farmer all his life,
and is now the wealthiest man in Southfield Township, and the wealthiest farmer in the county. He
started with limited means, and his pluck, push and
perseverance have given him a splendid financial
success. He has not, however, neglected higher
matters in the pursuit of riches, but is a man of
broad and thorough information, and has kept up in
his reading with the affairs of the world. He is a Universalist in his religious belief, and a Democrat in
politics, and has held several town offices. He is a
stock-holder in the First National Bank at Pontiac,
where he has been Vice-President. He had five children, namely: Charlotte, William W., John K.,
Julia and Arabella.
Our subject, John K., was reared in Southfield on
the old homestead, and received a common-school
education. Besides the splendid farm which he has
in Bloomfield and Southfield Townships, he also
owns eighty acres six miles north of Grand Rapids,
ninety.eight lots on South Division Street, Grand
Rapids, and valuable property in Oxford, Birmingham and Detroit, and four brick stores in Saranac,
Mich. Like his father, he is a Democrat in his




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBU    UM.


737


I


political views. His home is one of the most delightful in the township. He is raising a good
grade of stock, and has about forty-three acres of
his land in Orchard.
An event of great importance in the life of our
subject, took place February 15, 1870. It was his
marriage with Julia C. Dustin, of Perrysblirg,
Ohio. She is a daughter of Dr. Nathaniel and
Hannah (Smith) Dustin. Dr. Dustin was a native
of Connecticut, and was a physician and druggist
at Perrysburg, where he ended his days. His wife
was a native of Pennsylvania. She still survives,
and is passing her later years with her daughter,
Mrs. Adams. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have eight
children: Emily J., Mabel C., Fred, Nellie, Reuben, Grace, Charlie and Margie. Both parents and
children unite in an endeavor to make home the
happiest place on earth.


J C. PREDMORE, a merchant of Orion, and
one of the true-hearted and active citizens
of that place, was born in Sussex County,
N. Y., June 6, 1837. His father, Larson,
was a native of the same county, where he first saw
the light in 1812. He came to Michigan in 1849,
and bought a farm in Orion Township. There he
lived and operated this farm until in 1866, when
he retired from active work. He died April 15,
1891.
The grandfather, Joshua Predmore, was a native
of New Jersey, whence he came to Michigan in
1850, and resided here until his death in Brandon
ill 1855. The family is of English descent. The
mother of our subject, Phoebe Maxwell, was born
in 1815, and died in 1883. She was ever an earnest
and active member of the Congregational Church.
This worthy couple were the parents of two children,
one son and one daughter. The sister of our subject was the wife of Naman J. Ingersoll, and died
in Alabama, in 1890.
Mr. Predmore, the only son of the family,
received the greater part of his education in log
schoolhouses which were furnished with slab seats.
This schooling was supplemented in the case of our


subject by attendance at the academy at Romeo,
during 1856 and 1857. He remained on the farm
until he was twenty years of age. In the fall of
1857 he accepted a position in a store at Romeo,
with J. D. Standish. After six months with him
l he returned to the farm, but the following spring
he moved to Romeo and purchased a livery establishment. He carried it on for one year, and in the
spring of 1859 he joined an expedition of sixteen
men to go to Pike's Peak. They went with oxteams and traveled fourteen hundred miles that
summer. He spent two months in prospecting. In
the summer of 1860 he decided to go to farming,
and operated his father's farm.
The young man was not to remain long in peaceful pursuits. The Civil War broke out, and the
President called for troops. He enlisted September 23, 1861, in the Eighth Michigan Infantry,
under Col. Fenton. They were sent to Wilmington Island, next, to Ft. Pulaski, then on to James
Island, in sight of Charleston. They then joined
the Army of the Potomac and were engaged in the
second battle of Bull Run, Chantilly, and South
Mountain. Here he received a wound from ra shell,
and was sent to Findley Hospital, at Washington.
After about a year he was transferred to the veteran Reserve Corps. When he had been in it a
year he made an application for a commission in
that corps. He passed the examination and was
appointed by Lincoln Second Lieutenant, and was
confirmed by the Senate. He served on Provost
duty in Washington until the close of the war.
He was at the theater about fifteen minutes after
President Lincoln was shot there. His detail of
guard was placed on duty at the west entrance of
the White House that day. He was present at the
execution of Wirz, who is so universally execrated
as the keeper of Andersonville prison. He was ordered home at the close of the war in the fall of
1865 to await orders.
In the spring of 1866 our subject was sent to Little
Rock and given the district of Desha County, with
headquarters at Napoleon as Provost Marshall. He
was mustered out of service January 1, 1868. He
came home and engaged in the mercantile business,
at which he has continued until the present time.
In 1874 Mr. Predncore chose as his wife Sarah,




738


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


daughter of Stephen and    Harriet (Emmons)
Tinker, of Plymouth, Mich. Mrs. Predmore was
born in 1852, Uer father was from New York. nand
both parents are still living. One child, Frank,
born June 24, 1883, was the result of this union.
Mr. Predmore is a Democrat In his politics, and has ~
served as Justice of the Peace, President of the
village, School Inspector, and Recorder. Hie is
often a delegate to County, District and State Conventions, and has been on the School Board for ten
years. He is a Knight of the Maccabees and has
been a Mason for twenty-five years. Both he and
his excellent companion are earnest and active
members of the Congregational Church. He has
carried an excellent line of merchandise and (leals
largely in farm produce. During the past fifteen
years he has shipped from seventy-five to one hundred car-loads of produce each year. Until quite
recently he also carried on a cooper shop. Mr.
Predmore is universally esteemed for his manly
character, his business abilities and his war record., --- —---— "-~e~ —
f LBERT W. CAMPBELL. The prosperity
of those who have labored in any arduous
fi occupation, is a source of pleasure to their
friends and well-wishers, and when such
success is given to a young man that he can retire
from business, it is confidently expected that after
a season of rest he will make a wider and deeper
mark in the world. The gentleman above named
was formerly engaged in agricultural work, but in
July, 1890, sold his land and removed to Birmingham, buying seventeen acres, where he now lives.
This tract is being laid out in town lots, and adorned
by handsome shade trees put out on both sides of
the street, while the streets are being graded, and
altogether this will be found a lovely place for a
residence. The plat embraces sixty-two lots. His
former farm was eighty acres in extent, and was
disposed of for $12.500, being purchased for the
town site of Urban Rest.  Mr. Campbell has a
lovely home on Maple Avenue, furnished with
quiet elegance and abounding in comforts, while
luxuries are not unknown.


Mr. Campbell is one of the native-born citizens
of this county, and belongs to a family whose history is included in the sketch of Dr. John L. Campbell. He was born in Oakwood, April 6, 1855, and
is a son of Welcome and Mary J. (Cheney) Campbell. Iie was reared on his father's farm in Royal
Oak Township, and received but a common-school
education, but as the schools of this section are excellent, this was sufficient to fit him for the duties
which lay before him in business transactions. He
remained with his father until he was of age, then
settled on a tract of land received from his parent,
and followed farming until the property was chosen
by the Cincinnati Syndicate for the site of their
new summer resort. Since he removed to the village Mr. Campbell has not engaged in any business, but is waiting for a favorable opening, and
taking time to make a wise choice.
June 7, 1877, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss
Martha Lee, of Odessa, County Lenox, Ontario,
Canada. She was born in that place, being a daughter of Daniel and Zilpah (Randolph) Lee, by whom
she was carefully reared and well educated. Husband and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and Mr. Campbell is connected with the
Foresters and the Knights of the Maccabees.
They have two children, Zilpah J. and Daniel W.
Mr. Campbell is a member of the Republican party.
IIe is a well-informed, courteous gentleman, active
and enterprising, and capable of making good use
of the means at his disposal.
l     AVID  WILSON, one of the most enterprising young farmers in this section of
the State, is located on section 26, Lyon
Township. He is a native of this township, born April 25, 1866. His early education
was obtained in the common schools, and he supplemented the course of study by a year's attendance at the State Normal School in Ypsilanti. In
1887 he went to California and worked a year, and
in 1889, after his return from the coast, he bought
half of the farm on which he is now living. His
property is naturally productive, and has been so




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


1                   739.. 7


improved as to add to its intrinsic value, and a
very satisfactory income is derived from the sale
of the crops and stock raised thereon. Mr. Wilson has much of the spirit of progress that animates
the present generation, and he is ambitious to excel in his work and get out of the old ruts whenever a better path opens up before him.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was
George W. Wilson, who was born in Seneca
County, N. Y., in 1814, and in 1836 was married
to Maria Nevis. That lady was born in New York
in 1819. The year of their marriage the good
couple came to Salem, this State, and bought one
hundred and sixty acres of land upon which they
lived until 1868. They then went to Missouri and
bought a farm, but after operating it five or six
years, traded for an hotel at Walled Lake, this
county. They carried on the hotel a few years,
then traded it for a farm in Southfield Township.
Their present home is at Walled Lake, however.
Their family, which comprises six daughters and
five sons, has never been broken into by death.
The eldest son and second child in the family
above mentioned, is James, who was born in Salem,
Washtcnaw County, this State, July 26, 1840, and
in 1863 established his own home. That year he
married Cornelia Gage, second child of David and
Melinda (Brown) Gage, who came hither from
New York. To them have been born one daughter
and four sons, of whom our subject is the second
child and eldest son. In 1864 James Wilson bought
eighty acres in Genesee County, and lived thereon
two years, after which he traded it for a farm in
Green Oak and was there one year.   He then
came to Lyon Township, this county, and bought
one hundred and twenty acres on sections 19 and
20, and in 1887 he purchased two hundred and
sixty acres, a part of which is now occupied by the
son of whom we write.
In September, 1890. David Wilson was married to Miss Milly Hodgeman, daughter of William
W. and Rozella (Spring) Hodgeman. The family
of which Mrs. Wilson was the youngest member
included also one son and two other daughters.
She was born September 30, 1868, has a good education and a Christian character, being a member
of the Methodist Church, with which Mr. Wilson


is also identified, and in which he fills the stations
of Steward and Class-Leader. Mr. Wilson takes
little part in political affairs, but belongs to the
Prohibition party.
— S-At ---
LI S. WOOSTER is one of the farmers of
Bloomfield Township, who was early inured
to the cares and labors of farm life, and who
from early boyhood has struggled to attain the
prosperity which is now his. He was born in Livingston County, N. Y., near. Geneseo, September
25, 1826, and is the son of Hennan W. and Ruth
(Hungerford) Wooster. The father was born in
Vermont and the mother in Connecticut. Their
marriage took place in Livingston County, N. Y.,
and they came to Michigan in 1829, and settled on
a tract of land at Big Beaver in Troy, this county,
which he took up fiom the Government.
In September, 1829, Henman Wooster sold his
farm in Troy and bought one in Southfield from
the Government. This is the land now owned by
Frank Youngs and his son Alvin. He had not
fairly got his farm work started when his health
failed. For thirty years, and indeed, until the day
of his death, he was partially laid aside from active
work by ill health. His wife died at the home of
his son Eli. The Wooster family came from England, the great-grandfather being an Englishman
and settling in Virginia in Colonial days. The
maternal grandparents were also of English origin
and came from that country to New England.
The parents of our subject were earnest and useful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Only two of their children arrived at the age of
maturity, these being Eli S. and Alvin H. The
latter is a farmer in Southfield Township, this
county. Owing to the father's illness the cares of
the farm fell upon the eldest boy. At the early
age of nine years he sowed ten acres of wheat, and
from that time on he had the management of the
old homestead, until the spring of 1858, when he
sold his interest in the farm and bought one hundred and sixty-five acres where he now lives, and
where he has ever since resided with the exception




740


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


of three years which he passed in the village of Birmingham. He had the care of his father and mother
until they died, and faithfully supported and cherished them dfring their illness. When the old
farm was sold he bid it in, and this land together
with what he had previously purchased makes one
of the finest farms in the county. lie also owns
some very desirable property in Birmingham. All
that he possesses lie has acquired by (lit of hlard
work, economy, and devotion to business. He is
Republican in his political views, lbut pays little
attention to politics. He is a member of the Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons, having taken a lMaster's
degree at Birmingham.
In 1850 Mr. Wooster was married to Miss
Martha Nixon of Southfield Township, this county.
She was a daughter of William Nixon and was born
in Southfield in 1832. Her death occurred in 1858.
Six children have been granted to this union,
namely: Arzina, Alzerna, Lavanda, Eugene, I(la
and Martha. The second marriage of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch united him with
Miss Marian Beebe. of Pontiac, who was born in
Southfield in 139. She is a daughltei of Erastus
and Elizabeth (Grinnell) Beebe, and is the mother
of three chil-iren, who are named, Erastus 11.,
James F. and Eli S. The Beebe family came from
the Empire State and the old Bay State, the parents of the wife of our subject coming to Michigan
in the old territorial days and being early pioneers
in Southfield Township. They ended their (lays in
Birmingham.
i _ENRY J. HAINES, one of the farmers of
i )' Bloomfield Township who has been the
l17' architect of his own fortune, by the prac(    t) ti,.e of economy and industry has conquered ploverty and adversity, and has a pleasant
home on section 18. lie was born in Shelby,
Macomb County, Mich., October 30, 1837. Iis
parents, Alson and Lois (Fellows) Haines, natives
of the Empire State, were married in Mendon,
Monroe County, N. Y., in December, 1831, and the
same year came to Michiga n    ttl  n and settled on a farm
rr*~  F  C-  ~ —~  Ir ~ ----b c~  r~~r  ~y~y~  L1 ~t LC)C5L


in the town of Shelby, Macomb County, where
they passed the remainder of their days. Alson
Haines passed away April 3, 1889, at the age of
four-score years, having been born July 15, 1809.
His wife preceded him  to the other world in
July, 1842. His second wife was Mrs. Laura D.
(Stevens) Hodge of Royal Oak, this county. She
was the mother of five children, namely: Ermina,
Sylvester, Emerson, Adelbert, and John C. F. By
his third and fourth wives Mr. Haines had no children.
Lois Haines, the mother of our subject, had four
children, Cordelia, Esther, Henry J. and Alson. In
their early days she and her husband saw hard times
and did a great amount of pioneer work. He had
only his ax and his strong right arm with which to
make a home in the wild woods. He cleared up the
farm and cultivated it until, at the time of his
death he owned a productive farm and was otherwise in comfortable financial circumstances. He
was an earnest and helpful member of the Baptist
Chllurch and a sturdy Whig and later a Republican.
He was raised by his fellow-citizens to many of the
minor township offices.
When young Henry was but eight years old he
wvent to live with his grandfather, Benjamin Haines,
in Washington Township, Macomb County. Here
lie remained until the grandfather's death, which
occurred when the boy was nineteen years of age.
He then began working out by the month on farms
in Macomb County. In the year 1859, by industry and economy, he found himself in possession
of $100. At that time there was quite an excitement in regard to the money in circulation; what
was good one day was worthless the next. Mr.
Haines, therefore, sought the advice of Mr. Tinsman, a wealthy farmer living in the neighborhood,
telling him he was afraid he would lose the money.
Tinsman said to him, "I have a mortgage on a
piece of property in Lapeer County of $300. I
will will let you have it, take your $100 and your
note for the balance." Henry said he would like
to do it, but he had no way of getting money
except working by the month, and he could give
him no security. Mr. Tinsman replied, that a boy
who had saved $100 working by the month was
security enough for him; so Henry bought the




I~o


I'


I I


0, bal;kow **ma
X - - I,,, -
lk


PAI5TWEr.


WHLeA 7;


PAZrATU-11.:-vol-low
W,      Al


'
I           '.        I,,,'. "


Ii>


**A


E  I
I
 - -
L t


-                           
-y1-


R"E I DENCE OF H. J. HAI NES) 5EC.18.B3LOOMFI ELD TPROAKLAND COMICH.




I




PORTRAIT A-NDT BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


743


PORTRI


mortgage, giving his note for the $200, and working by the month until he had paid the note and
interest.
On February 7, 1861, Mr. Haines was united in
marriage with Miss Eunice M. Dewey of Troy, this
county. This l    is lady is a daughter of Birdsey and
Sarah (Jersey) Dewey, whose history will be found
in this volume. Some time after his marriage Mr.
Haines came into possession of a farm in Almont,
Lapeer County, Mich., which he had taken on a
mortgage. He lived on this land for a short time
and then sold out and worked a farm on shares for
a year. Two years after that he rented land in
Macomb County, and then for ten years farmed six
hundred acres on shares. In 1876 he removed on
to his present farm which he had purchased in
1872. He now has two hundred and seventy acres
most of which is in a high state of cultivation.
He has several very large barns and other excellent
outbuildings.
Mr. Haines erected his handsome two-story residence in 1889 and a view of it appears in connection with this sketch. His farm is one of the finest
places in-Bloomfield Township and he has attained
it all by his own unaided efforts. He raises a good
grade of stock and is giving considerable attention
to the dairy business. Although a Republican in
his views he has never taken any part in politics.
Three children blessed the home of Mr. Haines, and
they were named-Willie B., Marvel A., and Carrie
M. Marvel A. married Mary E. Toms and they
have a bright little girl-Eva Madge.
The following verses were written after the death
of Alson Haines:
IN MEMORIAM.
A loved one gone, a spirit fled,
Our father is numbered with the dead;
We cannot wish him back again
To share our toil and care and pain,
But oh! it seems so hard to sayGod's will be done.
m      4
We know our loss is his great gain,
For now he is free from care and pain,
With the friends he loved, who had gone before;
He is waiting for us on the other shore,
In the land of everlasting day,
With the Holy One.


IHis aged form, with anxious care
We have watched, and often breathed a prayer
That he might be spared yet longer here,
To those who held his presence so dear,
And who miss the pleasant smile to-day
Of a loving one.
He has cradled our babes in his loving arms,
And soothed their woes with artful charms,
Till they dropped to sleep on grandpa's breast;
Now that loving heart is forever at rest,
And our children pause in their busy play,
Whispering, "Grandpa is gone."
Yes, now he is gone and we are left,
Of a loved companion and father bereft;
We shall meet him there on that bright shore
Where pain and death will come no more;
Then we with all our hearts can say,
"God's will be done."
-L. V. Haines.
OHN H. WENDELL, an old resident of
the county and one of its most progressive
citizens, lives on section 15, Rose Township. He was born in Niagara County, N. Y.,
April 3, 1836. He is the son of Joseph C., the son
of John A. Wendell of Dutch descent. Tradition
says that three brothers came to America, and
settled, one in New York, one in the Lake Superior
region, and one elsewhere in the West. This was
in Colonial times.
The grandfather of our subject was a soldier in
the War of 1812. He was a farmer and a carpenter,
and built the first barn in this township. He
came here in 1836, after a journey across the lake
with his family, landing in Detroit July 4. He
worked at his trade and on the farm and died here at
sixty years of age, having lived a life of Christian
activity and industry, being a member of the Presbyterian Church. His political affiliations were
with the Democratic party, and he represented this
district in the early days. He also filled a number
of township offices.
The father of our subject came here by team,
traveling through Canada, on the 4th of July,
1836, reaching Detroit in company with his wife
and infant son and his brother Iverett and wife,




744


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


both having teams, and moving in pioneer style.
There were few settlers here then, and Indians,
deer and bears abounded.   He took up eighty
acres of land from the Government, built a log
shanty and a log underground barn. He cleared
ui) eighty acres and at the time of his death owned
two hundred and seventeen acres. He came here
with no more means than sufficed to bring his
family and live during the first year. He used to
go to Detroit on foot to trade and bring home provisions on his back. The ground was so broken
up with the traveling of ox-teams that he preferred to go on foot. He was industrious, and
besides farming worked at his trade as a shoemaker.
lis death took place August 10, 1877. He was an
adherent of the Democratic party and held the
office of Clerk of the Township for fourteen years.
He was Treasurer a number of years, and Supervisor for nine years. He helped to lay out most
of the roads in the township.
The marriage of Joseph C. Wendell to Mlarila
Coffin was an occasion of great importance in the
life of the young man. She was a native of New
York, born there May 1, 1816. She reared a family
of five sons and two daughters, namely: John II.,
Joseph H., Lorinda S., who died when sixteen years
of age; Jefferson, who died when nine years of age;
Worth W., Homer, and Betsey, Mrs. Gordon. The
mother of these children lives in Holly with her
daughter, Mrs. Gordon, making frequent visits to
the old farm, stopping with her son, John II. Her
father, Alva Coffin, was a soldier in the War of 1812.
In the fall of 1836 he came West from New York
State and located in Waterford Township and afterward he removed back to New York, returning in
the year 1858 to the home of a son. He died at the
age of seventy years. Our subject was three months
old when he came West with his parents. He remembers hearing the wolves howl around the log
cabin at night, and his playmates were little Indian
children. His schooling was conducted under the
rate-bill system.
John Wendell bought land on section 16 this
township, when he was twenty-one years old, only
four acres of which was cleared. He cleared up the
farm and sold it in 1880. His marriage took place
in 1866, his bride being Sarah J, Sharpmack, a


native of Ritchie County, W. Va., where she was
born May 1, 1844. The two children who have
been given to them are both living, Arthur A. and
Mathew H.
Our subject has one hundred and eighty acres
of his own land, and farms the homestead place and
another farm. Altogether he operates four hundred and seventy-one acres. He pays much attention to stock-raising, and breeds Hambletonian and
Percheron horses, having eleven head  of fine
blooded horses now in his stables. HIe has graded
Durham cattle and Merino and half-blooded sheep.
Both he and his estimable wife are earnest and
efficient members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He is a Democrat in his political views
and llas held the office of Township Treasurer for
four terms.
GOHN A. SMIThI is one of uhe thorough-going farmers of Lyon Township, and one
whose work is resulting in financial success.
H Iis-property is on section 24, and consists
of the old Smith homestead of one hundred and
twenty acres and thirty-five acres which he added
to it in 1886. The buildings upon the farm are
such as are usually to be seen, but a first-class windmill saves much strength and time in drawing
water, and pipes from its reservoir conduct the fluid
to the house and barn.
Mr. Smith is of Irish parentage, his father, Hugh
Smith, having been born near Dublin in 1807, and
his mother, Eliza Smnith, about 1812. In 1832
Hugh Smith came to America and made a sojourn
in New York, but after a time returned to his native land, whence he again came to America. He
was married in 1840, and in 1842 removed to this
State. Two years later he settled in Lyon Township. this county, buying eighty acres of land, but
afterward securing one hundred and twenty acres.
His family includes three daughters and four sons,
and our subject is the eldest. Mr. Smith died in
1885; some years after his wife's decease, she having passed away in 1872.
The gentleman whose name introduces these para



PORTRAIT AND BIO(
-  I




grapls, was born in New York, February 21, 1842,
and was but a few months old when brought to
this State. He grew up amid rural surroundings,
and received his education in the district school.
He started in life for himself in 1867, having remained with his father for a while after he became
of age. He bought eighty acres in Novi Township, and set up his home there, remaining ten
years, after which he sold out and bought the
homestead on which his youth was passed.
The marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Elizabeth
Thornton, of Novi Township, was solemnized at
the bride's home in September, 1867. She was the
youngest child of Charles and Charlotte (Cronk)
Thornton, formerly of New York. She became the
mother of three children. She died in 1877, and in
the same year Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary
Chesebrough,who was born in Otsego County, N. Y.,
and was the oldest of eleven children, comprising the
family of William and Charlotte L. (Kople) Chesebrough. Mr. Smith votes the Democratic ticket,
and the list of Presidential candidates for whom he
has cast a ballot is headed by the name of McClellan, and is now closed by that of Grover Cleveland. His religious home is in the Methodist
Church.
BI 9 E >!l
W   ILLIAM S. HORTON. Among the patriotic citizens of Commerce Township, none
is more notable for devotion to country
and for sufferings endured for our flag than the
gentleman whose name heads this biographical
sketch. What he passed through in the prison pen
at Andersonville, no words of ours can describe,
and all was borne with a patient, uncomplaining
spirit, and a devotion which may well excite the
admiration of his countrymen.
Lewis A. Horton, the father of our subject, was
born in 1808, in Seneca County, N. Y. His good
wife bore the name in maidenhood of Henrietta
Sager. She was born in 1810, in Steuben County,
N. Y. After marriage they remained in New York
until 1831, when they came West and settled in
Webster Township, Washtenaw County, taking up


I


GRAPHICAL ALBUM..                         745
an unbroken farm from the Government. He partially improved the farm and lived there for about
three years, when he returned to Steuben County,
N. Y. In 1848 he again removed to Michigan, and
settled on the farm where he resided until his
death in 1882. He cleared off the larger part of it
and put up the present buildings. He had a serious misfortune resulting from a felon on his finger,
and suffered three amputations. First his finger
was taken off, then his hand to the wrist, and finally
his forearm. The wound never healed. His widow
still survives and is now past her four-score years.
They were both members of the Free Will Baptist
Church, at Sibley's Corners. He was a Democrat
and greatly interested in politics, and was Justice
of the Peace for years. Five of his eight children
are now living.
The subject of this sketch was born March 13,
1833, in Washtenaw County, when Michigan was
still a Territory. He received a good common
school education, and taught for nine terms, which
work he began when sixteen years old. He has
pursued teaching during the winters a great deal of
his life, farming in the summer. After the accident which crippled his father, this young man
took charge of the farm, and has continued to live
here ever since, except for four years which he
spent on a farm of his own in West Bloomfield
Township. One hundred of his one hundred and
sixty acres of land is under cultivation.
Anna Malcolm, a daughter of George and Jeanette (Andrew) Malcolm, became the wife of our
subject, January 1, 1878. Mrs. IIorton's parents
were both natives of Scotland, who came to America when young, and were married in June, 1827, in
New York. There they resided until 1830, when
they moved to Connecticut. In. 1833 they came
to Michigan and took a farm in West Bloomfield
from the Government, the patent to which was
signed by President Andrew Jackson. He thoroughly improved that farm and died there September 13, 1889, aged eighty-five years. His good
wife survives him, and now at the age of eightyfive years makes her home with our subject. Ier
husband was Deacon in the Baptist Church, of
which they were both members. He was a Justice
of the Peace, and a mrember of the Republican




746


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


746  ORTAIT ND IOGRPHIAL ABUM


I




party from its formation. Of their nine children
five are now living. Mrs. Horton was born December 4, 1849, in West Bloomfield Township; she
received a common school education. She is a
member of the Baptist Church and sustains a consistent Christian character, both at home and in
her church relations. She is devoted and affectionate in the care of her feeble mother.
Mr. Horton is a Republican and is ever interested in the progress of the principles of that party.
He was School Inspector for many years, and Highway Commissioner. He is a member of the Milford
Post, G. A. R., also a member of the Grange, of
which he has been Secretary for many years, and
holds a demit from the Masonic Order. Mrs. Horton was "Flora" in the Grange. Both are members
of the Good Templars Organization, in which he
has served as Secretary, and also as Worthy Chief.
She has been Financial Secretary in the same.
August 21, 1862, Mr. Horton enlisted as a private in Company H, Fifth Michigan Cavalry. He
was promoted to the rank of a Corporal, and later
to that of Sergeant. The regiment was organized
at Detroit and sent to Washington, D. C. It was
thence sent forward to Fairfax Court House, where
they did picket and outpost duty. They took
part in the Gettysburg campaign, then crossed the
Potomac and took possession of certain gaps in
Blue Ridge Mountains, operating in connection
with the army of the Potomac, around the Chickahominy River. They then moved against Mosby's
guerrillas through the Bull Run Mountains. Leaving the north side of the Rappahannock and crossing over in September; 1863, they drove the rebel
cavalry through Culpeper Court House and over
the Rapidan River. They then did picket duty
along this river until the retreat of Gen. Meade.
The rebels surrounded Gen. Kilpatrick's division,
to which he belonged, and they charged through
the rebel lines and escaped. They now recrossed
the Rapidan to Bull Run, then turned the rebels
southward again and followed them to Stevensburg, doing picket duty on the north bank all
winter, while "their friends the enemy" were doing
the same duty on the south bank of the river.
Crossing the Rapidan River, they took part in the
battle of the Wilderness and went with Sheridan's




corps against Robert E. Lee. and later fought in
the battle of Yellow Tavern, where Gen. Stewart
was killed. They took part in a hard battle at
Bottom Ridge, and in the fight at Malvern Hill,
and then returned to the Army of the Potomac.
At Beaver Dam station they recaptured five hundred Union men whom the,rebels were taking to
Libby Prison. After some half dozen sharp engagements our subject was taken prisoner of war
by Hampton's Legion.
Mr. Horton's first experience in a rebel prison
was at Libby Prison at Richmond, Va. After a
few days he was removed to Andersonville, which
prison pen he entered June 27, 1864. He had then
had no food for forty-eight hours, and his first
repast consisted of a handful of corn meal mush.
He was there for three hundred and twenty days,
and contracted a disease which long afflicted him.
In August, 1864, he was desperately sick. The
boys carried him on a blanket to the prison gate
and thence to the hospital, where he remained
until paroled. He saw those raiders, who robbed
other prisoners, hung in the pen, and he looked on
from (lay to day while guards did their terrible
work at the death line. He was paroled, and
reached Jacksonville, Fla., after walking sixty
miles to Thomasville. He then marched back
again to Andersonville. At this time he was
stricken with moon blindness. They made a second
attempt, and went north to Macon, Ga., and then
back through Andersonville to Albany.  Then
again marched sixty miles and reached Thomasville, Ga., and from  there to Jacksonville by
rail. Thence they went to Annapolis, Md., and
from there.to Camp Chase, where they were discharged, June 12, 1865. Our soldier returned
home broken down in health, and with his constitution permanently inpaired. He will never recover from the injuries received in Andersonville.
Tills brave soldier was one of the detachment
who made such a desperate endeavor to dig a well.
Two hundred and seventy of them joined together
and secured a broken-handled shovel and an old
water pail. With all the strings they had about
them they made a rope. They then began to dig,
much of the work being done with pieces of split
canteens in addition to the old shovel. They




a




SI
f




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


749


rI


worked night and day, pulling the dirt up in the
old pail with the poor excuse for a rope, which they
had made. They dug down eighty-five feet and
secured good water, which was a priceless boon to
them. They enjoyed it for two or three days, and
then the well caved in and their hard work was
lost.
E      A. P. RIKY, M. D. Among the professional men located in Orion, a leading position
is occupied by Dr. Riky, whose portrait is
presented on the opposite page, and who is the fortunate possessor of a liberal education and a character that gives him the warm regard of his acquaintances. He has a lucrative practice and a large
following of those to whom his skill as a physician
and his sympathy as a man have been grateful.
He is comparatively young, having been born
October 16, 1848, and he is a native of County
Down, Ireland. His father was RobertA. Riky,
who was appointed by the Crown as Magistrate and
served as such until his death in 1853, at the age of
forty-five years. He was held in very high esteem,
especially by his tenantry, who erected a fine monument in his honor in the churchyard at Moira,
County Down. He was a member of the Church
of England.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Susan Patterson and was the daughter of William Patterson, Commander in the Royal Navy of
England, who served through the Napoleonic War.
Gaandfather Patterson died at the ripe age of eighty-three years. In 1860 Mrs Riky and her five
children crossed the Atlantic and located near Toronto, Canada. A tract of land was purchased,
and on it the family were reared. The town of
Shelburne, which is located on the Lake Huron
branch of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, was founded by this family, and Dr. Riky's brother is now in
business there. The town has a population of twelve
hundred.
Dr. Riky did not attend school in his boyhood,but
was instructed by private tutors, and upon attaining his majority entered into business as a partner in
the firm of E. Berwick & Co., who built the first busi

ness block in the town of Shelburne. He sold his
interest in 1879, and having read medicine with his
brother-in-law, Dr. James of that place, he went to
Detroit and continued his studies under Dr. H. F.
Lyster, for three years. He was graduated from
the Detroit College of Medicine in 1882 and practiced his profession in that city about eighteen
months. He then located in Orion, where his success has been very pleasing.
In 1885 Dr. Riky was united in marriage with
Miss Louisa Farrell, daughter of Charles Farrell
of the Canada Malt Company of Detroit. Mrs.
Riky is an intelligent, cultured lady, and with
her husband holds membership in the Episcopal
Church. During his residence in Detroit Dr. Riky
was appointed instructor in Microscopy in the
medical college. He has served as Health Officer
in Orion several years. His political adherence is
to the tenets of Democracy.
\W    ILLIAM   O. SYLVESTER, M. I)., opened
an Office in Rochester in 1887, and is gaining ground among the people because of
his theoretical knowledge, his care in diagnosis and
treatment, and the personality that secures confidence in his judgment and interest in the suffering.
The Sylvesters are an old New England family, and
in the second generation prior to our subject were
represented by Charles, who removed from New
Hampshire to New York and bought land upon
which he spent the rest of his life. The father of
our subject bore the name of Enoch, was born in
New Hampshire, and was nineteen years of age
when he accompanied his father to the Empire
State. There he married Sarah Cook, who was
among the first white children born in Sparta
Township, Livingston County, if not the first. Her
father was a ship carpenter in his early life and
later a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Sylvester
came to this State in 1868 and located in Barry
County, where the husband still lives. The wife
died December 10, 1890, at the age of seventy-five
years, six months and seventeen days.




750


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-- -------


=


Dr. Sylvester, who was the third in a family of
nine children, was born at South Danville, Steuben
County, N. Y., November 14, 1841. He was
brought up on a farm, but had excellent educational advantages, taking his higher studies in the
academy at Rochester. He taught school one
winter, but the war breaking out, he felt it his
duty and privilege to tender his services to the
Government. He enlisted July 22, 1862, and as a
member of Company F, One Hundred and Fortyfirst New York Infantry, became an integral part
of the Army of the Potomac. He worked with
that division of the forces until the fall of 1863,
when he was sent to Lookout Mountain.     He
fought bravely in the battles of Chickahominy
Swamp and Suffolk and was present at the battle
of Gettysburg, but on that occasion the regiment
was held in reserve.
The experience of Dr. Sylvester was that of most
soldiers, including dangers both seen and unseen,
but lie was fortunate in escaping wounds. While
the regiment was acting under Hooker the boys
took part in many engagements. At Peach Tree
Creek over half the regiment was either killed or
wounded and both there and at Atlanta Dr. Sylvester had his clothes shot through. He went with
Sherman to the sea, returned north through the
Carolinas and took part in the Grand Review at
Washington, ever discharging the full duty of a
soldier and being able to participate in every engagement to which the command was sent. His
first promotion from the ranks was to the position
of Corporal and after the capture of Atlanta he
was detailed as a clerk at headquarters under Surgeon-in-Chief James Chapman. He was discharged
June 25, 1865, and returned to his native State,
where he attended and taught school.
In 1866 Dr. Sylvester came to this State and
located in Barry County, remaining on a farm a
few months and then going to Kansas and buying
property at Independence-the town being built
up partially on his land. He read law and was
admitted to practice in 1871, and three years later
returned to this State and established his home in
Grand Rapids. There he took a commercial course
of study, also taught school, and practiced law in
the office with Judge Sloughton. For a time he


I
I


I


I


traveled in the interest of Bissell & Co. In 1877
while engaged in teaching, he began reading medicine, and he subsequently attended the Homeopathic
Medical College in St. Louis, Mo. He completed
his medical course at Hahnemann College, Chicago,
Ill., and was graduated in the class of 1885. His
funds being exhausted, Dr. Sylvester entered the
service of an agricultural implement firm in St.
Louis, but in the fall opened an office in Chicago,
where he practiced about a year. Thence he went
to Birmingham, this State, and from that place
came to Rochester.
November 18, 1868, Dr. Sylvester was united in
marriage with Miss Cora Electa Fleming, daughter
of the Rev. Alanson Fleming. of Royalton, Ohio.
A few years of happy wedded life were granted
them, then death removed Mrs. Sylvester from
earth. She breathed her last December 24, 1876,
in Grand Rapids. She left one daughter who
bears the name of Clara Louise. Dr. Sylvester is
Secretary of the Masonic Lodge in Rochester, Surgeon of William P. Everett Post, No. 376, G. A. R.,
and is identified with the Good Templars organization. In his political views he is in sympathy
with the Republican party and his religious home
is in the Congregational Church.
-~ —^ ----It ---- ^ —
EUBEN RUSSEL, a retired carpenter, conJ    tractor and civil engineer, who makes his
4_/ home in Royal Oak, was born in Chautauqqua County, N. Y., January 27, 1825. His
father, Ichabod, was a farmer and a native of Connecticut, where he was born about 1794. He went
to New York with his parents when he was seven
or eight years old, and in 1846 migrated to Southfield Township, Oakland County. Four years later
he came to Royal Oak Township, and about 1860,
bought a farm of forty acres, upon which he remained until his death in 1869. When twenty-two
years old this gentleman was married to Serua Inman, a daughter of Anson Inman. The latter and
his good wife were natives of New England and
the parents of four children.
To Ichabod and Serua Russel were given ten




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


751


children, equally divided between sons and daughters. While Ichabod was clearing his farm in Chautauqua County, N. Y., he was called out as one of
the minute men and was present at the burning of
Buffalo in 1813, having at that time the rank of a
Corporal. He was a thorough pioneer and delighted
in that work, and has the record of having cleared
five farms in New York.
Young Reublen had the advantage of the academy at Westfield, N.. IIe was a hard student
and fitted himself for surveying and civil engineering.  At the age of twenty-two lie secured an appointment under the Government, and in company
with William Ives, surveyed Isle Royal in Lake
Superior. He came to Michigan in 1846, and in
1850 celebrated the Fourth of July by taking to
himself a wife. His bride was Margaret J., daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Shoudy) Perry. They
were natives of New York and had a family of five
children.
The village of Royal Oak became the abode of
the newly-married couple, andt in 1858 they made
their home where they now reside. In due time
five little ones clustered about their hearthstone.
They are Reuben A., born July 20, 1853; Henry
A., August 16, 1856; Edwin W., March 25, 1859;
Elmer E. E., January 31, 1863; and Lettie A., May
27, 1864. The oldest son lives in Royal Oak and
Henry at Boyne City, this State.  Edwin was
killed by the bursting of a fly-wheel, December
21, 1884. Elmer lives in Chicago and is the employe as station agent of the Chicago and Grand
Trunk Railroad. The only daughter, Lettie, was
married in 1886, to Henry E. Phelps, and lived in
Ionia till March 19, 1891. At that time.her hus.
band was snatched from her side by death, and she
has now returned to her father's home. She has
one child, Iva M. M., who was born November 18,
1888.
Mr. Russel has a fine estate of seven acres in
the village of Royal Oak. He takes an active part
in home politics and has more than once been a
delegate to Republican county conventions. He
served for several years as Township Clerk, has
been School Inspector some fifteen years, and Justice of the Peace for thirty-five years. He has been
an earnest and active member of the Baptist Church


since 1843, and his wife has been connected with
the same organization since the year 1875. He
has been a member of the Birmingham Lodge, No.
44, F. & A. M., since 1867, and has served the
county four terms as Surveyor.
AMES COX, a prominent farmer on section
6, Southfield Township, was born near Bristol, England, September 27, 1836. He is a
brother of Dr. H. S. Cox, whose biographical sketch appears elsewhere in these pages. He was
reared in England until 1852, when he came to
Michigan and at first made his home in the new
country in Southfield Township. His first monthly
wages were $5.50. He continued at this rate for a
year. He then worked for Mr. Comstock, who was
afterward his brother-in-law, on the place where
he now resides. He continued to work by the
month for four years for different men, receiving
the last year $12 per month. He then rented a farm
and hired his board for nine years.
The marriage of James Cox with Martha C.
Comstock was solemnized January 13, 1864. This
lady is a native of the township in which she makes
her home, and was born in the house which is now
her home July 25, 1840. After their marriage the
young couple located one mile north of the village
of Franklin on a rented farm. They then bought
sixty acres in Farmington Township, but after a
year sold it and bought what is known as the old
Comstock homestead.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cox have been born eight children, one son and seven daughters: Charles H.,
born in 1864, resides at home; Eveline is deceased;
Florence at home; Imogene C., Christobel, (twins)
deceased; Martha W. and Clara May at home;
Mary, deceased. Mr. Cox has a farm of one hundred and fifty acres which is in a fine condition
and upon which he is doing a general farming
business. He is a Republican in his political views,
and his church membership is with the Protestant
Methodist denomination, with whom he is a Steward in the church at Franklin. The last conference
of that church was held at Franklin and he sat in




752


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


it as a delegate. For three years he has served the
educational interests of his district as School Director, and he is ever ready to take hold of any good
work for the benefit of the community.
-*o  r. ---9 —__ __-'-~_
-[~ ---w ----oTM


J OHN  HARMON, a noteworthy farmer on
section 28, Southfield Township, was born
in Orange County, N. Y., December 18,
1816. His father, David, was born in Connecticut, March 17, 1773, and there he remained
until his majority, when he went to New York
State.  He was a farmer by occupation and a devout member of the Dutch Reformed Church. His
father was also named David.  He was of English
descent and took part in the Revolutionary War
on the side of the patriots.
The mother of our subject, Sarah Elliott, was of
Irish birth, being horn in 'County Derry, December 20, 1777. She came to this country with her
parents, when a young lady of sixteen years, and
made her home in Orange County.  Here she met
and married young David Harmon. To them were
born three sons and two daughters, of whom but
two are now living, our subject and his sister Rachel,
now Mrs. Willets.
Mr. Harmon is the youngest child of the family
and was but twelve years old when they went to
Michigan. His first schooling was in his native
place and he completed it in a log schoolhouse in
Southfield Township, on section 21.  His father
located on the very farm where our subject now
resides, and proceeded to clear and improve it. A
great affliction befell the family in 1849 in the death
of the father by accident. He was killed by falling from a load of grain, on his way to Detroit.
The mother survived until 1855, when she also
passed away. They lie side by side in the cemetery in Southfield Township.
John remained at home assisting the family on
the farm and was married April 18, 1849, to Mary
J. McCleland, a native of Orange County, N. Y.,
who was born January 3, 1823.  To them were
given five children, as follows: David John, born
February 18, 1850, now in Colorado; George, born


September 4, 1851, living in Shiawassee County;
James, born December 23, 1852, living in Southfield Township; Robert, born January 31, 1855,
living in Shiawassee County; and Mary Jane, the
wife of William McCarroll, living in West Bloomfield Township.  The mother of these children
passed away from earth November 22, 1857.
The second marriage of Mr. Harmon was solemnized in 1859. He was then united with Jennette Young, the oldest daughter of Francis and
Jane (Woodman) Young. This lady came to Michigan with her mother after she had attained to
womanhood. To her five children have been given,
three sons and two daughters: Frank, born November 8, 1862; Rachael, November 25, 1863; William
A., August 19, 1865; Nettie (deceased), born May
1, 1867; and Hugh, October 7, 1870.  All of the
four living children are at home with their parents.
This fine farm of two hundred and twenty-five
acres is mostly under cultivation, and upon it is
carried on a general farming business. Mr. Harmon belongs to the Republican party. He is a man
of liberal and genial nature, a delightful talker
and one who encourages sociability in the farming
community.,   EORGE FILMORE COON. Among the
names of the old settlers of Oakland County,
none are more favorably recognized than
that of Mr. Coon. The subject of this sketch is the
son of Isaac and Rebecca (Rodenbough) Coon, and
was born on the farm on which he now resides in
Independence Township. His natal day was November 28, 1848. He has always resided on this
farm except during a very short period. He had
very limited opportunities of obtaining an education, as his father was poor, and George Filmore
was compelled to work on a farm, and assisted his
father until he was twenty-one years of age.
On Christmas day, 1869, our subject was married to Hattie A., daughter of Orson Avery, an
early settler of Lapeer County, Mich. She was
born February 27, 1850. After his marriage he
rented his father's farm, which he operated until








i
I,

I


x


X


i


JOHN COOPER.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


755




=


I




1879, and then engaged in selling agricultural machinery for Altman & Co., of Canton, Ohio. He
worked for them four years, until the death of his
father in 1881, when he decided to buy the farm
which he now owns, a fine tract of two hundred
and forty acres.
The marriage of our subject has been blessed
with three children: Avilla May, born September
1, 1872,.nd died January 30, 1884; Linsley I.,
born June 24, 1880; and Avery B., September 11,
1884. Mr. Coon's father was born near Rochester,
in the State of New York, September 11, 1807, and
came to the Territory of Michigan July 3, 1832,
when our beautiful State was still a Territory. He
took up Government land, and by his industry and
' onesty accumulated a good share of property. He
suffered many privations and afflictions incident to
pioneer life. One terrible affliction marked those
early days, which was the accidental burning of his
first log house, in which his beloved mother and
one sister lost their lives. Mrs. Rebecca Coon is
still living and resides with our subject, and receives from her affectionate son and his estimable
wife the kind care which the feebleness of eightyone years requires. In politics Mr. Coon is a Democrat, and he is a member of Tent No. 85, K. O.
T. M.; also a prominent member of the Patrons of
Industry, and is the present Chairman of their Purchasing Committee.
OHN    COOPER. The estate which this
gentleman has accumulated is a monument
to his ability as an agriculturalist, and a
conclusive proof that persistent effort will
be rewarded. It comnprises sixty-four acres on section 22, Southfield Townslip, Oakland County,
and it needs but a glance to assure the passer-by
that here comfort abounds; while thrift is seen in
every detail of the work which is carried on. The
estate is thoroughly improved, the buildings being
especially noticeable for their size, number and
convenience. The residence, which is an unusually
elegant rural home, was erected in 1871 at a cost
of $2,500.
The parents of our subject were John and




Hannah (Jaggar) Cooper, natives of Long, Island.
The father, who was born June 18, 1788. died in
his eighty-fourth year at the home of his son John.
The mother, whose natal day was May 2, 1791,
died in 1838 in early womanhood. At a very early
day they came to this State in 1833, settling in
Wayne County, where the mother died. The father afterward married again and remained in
Wayne County until a short time prior to his
demise when he came to this county. He was in
early life identified with the temperance cause, as
a firm and practical temperance man, and was
always remarkable for industry, economy and integrity.
Concerning this honored pioneer of Michigan
we glean the following from one of the county
papers: "A firm and consistent Christian, he was
identified with the Presbyterian Church of Southfield, from its beginning, as a faithful member and
liberal supporter. His habits of industry werekept up to the very last. He worked all day in the
corn field on Saturday, until between 4 and 5
o'clock, returned to his house; ate his supper as
usual, in the evening read in the Bible for awhile,
as was his custom, attended family worship, and retired to bed apparently as well as usual, and went
quietly to sleep never more to waken on earth.
He was found in the morning entirely cold and
dead, having passed away so quietly as to have
made no noise, nor moved a limb.
"His first day in heaven was the Sabbath, and as
he had always loved and worshipped God in the
sanctuary here on that holy day, how blessed to
him to have that sweet worship made pure and
perfect and eternal." The features of this good
man are perpetuated for this and coming generations by his portrait, which appears on another
page of this volume.
Our subject is the youngest brother of Thomas
and Stephen Cooper, whose biographies will be
found elsewhere in this ALBUMI. When about eight
years old he came to Michigan with his parents,
and has witnessed the development of the county
from a primeval condition to one of unsurpassed
fertility. He received the rudiments of his education in Long Island, and later attended school
in Wayne County, this State. The temple of learn



756


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


ing was two and one-half miles from his father's
home, and this distance he walked through woods
in which wild animals roamed. He was called a
good shot, and has killed many deer, wild turkeys,
and two bears with his rifle.
Politically Mr. Cooper is a Republican and
uniformly casts his ballot in the interests of that
party. He has served efficiently as School Inspector and Pathmaster, and was offered nomination as Justice of the Peace but declined. For
many years he was a member of the Presbyterian
Church and has served as Elder for twenty years.
He has been exceedingly useful in the Sundayschool, having the influential position of a Bibleclass teacher. It has been his custom to give $40
a year to the support of the ministry. He is a
strong temperance man in all things, having never
used tobacco in any shape or form and being very
much opposed to drink. He hopes to see "the good
time coming" when temperance shall prevail. He
has never married but carries on his home with the
aid of his youngest sister.
OSHUA W. BIID.      Among the business
establishments that reflect credit upon the
city of Pontiac is one where a full stock of
)  clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods
are found, and merchant tailoring is done under
the capable oversight of Mr. Bird. It is favorably
located in a building 30x140 feet, and the stock is
complete and well assorted. In addition to the
goods mentioned Mr. Bird deals in trunks and
valises. The tailoring department is carried on by
a force of competent workmen and an expert cutter, and is patronized very liberally.
Mr. Bird was born in Spaulding, Lincolnshire,
England, April 30, 1843. His parents were Charles
and Martha (Morris) Bird. The father was a limeburner for many years. In 1850 he emigrated with
his family, which consisted of his wife and five
children, and landing in New York came direct to
this county. He went to work for a few weeks
near Pontiac, then entered the employ of H. W.
Lord, produce dealer, where he remained eight


years.  About 1859 he removed to Springfield
Township, where he bought three tracts,which made
a total of two hundred acres. This he improved
and operated for a period of twenty years. He
then sold the property and removed to Pontiac,
but after living in the city four years bought forty
acres in Waterford Township, three miles from the
county-seat, and established his home there. He
finally returned to Pontiac, where he is now living
retired from active labor, and, with his wife, enjoying the comforts they earned by industrious efforts.
Husband and wife are in good health although
advanced in years, both having passed their seventy-second birthday. Their children are George
M., who is engaged in farming; Joshua W.; Mary,
wife of William  Cheal, of Waterford Township;
Anna, who married W. Conklin, of Roscommon
County; Alfred E., a farmer now living on the old
homestead, and Alice, who is teaching in the Pontiac schools.
The subject of this sketch was seven years old
when lie came to Pontiac, and his education was
received in the old Union School building. He
began his mercantile experience as a clerk in the
store of James T. Alien, in 1856, and when John
C. Hall succeeded to the business a twelvemonth
later he was retained on the force, and remained in
the establishment six years longer. He then bought
a third interest in the business, but when ten
months had elapsed sold out and went West. At
Central City, Col., he engaged in mining, but after
a year's experience returned to Pontiac. He next
entered the employ of Charles E. Adams, who was
engaged in the hat and fur trade, and clerked for
him until he sold out in 1869 to P. A. Hitchcock,
and then worked for the latter gentleman two years.
In 1871 Mr. Bird again went to Colorado and
stopped at Brownville, where he was employed in
the Terrible mine one year. He then returned again
to Pontiac and re entered the employ of Mr. Hitchcock as a clerk for about six years.In 1878 he embarked in the grocery business, but after a short
experience sold out to Frank Church and took a
clerkship in the store of C. R. MIabley two years.
He then joined with Mr. Mabley and W. H. Hamlin under the firm name of C. R. Mabley & Co.,
and opened a clothing store. Fourteen months




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


757




-- --


later he and Mr. Hamlin bought out their associate, and the firm was changed to Bird & Hamlin.
This style was used six years, when the junior partner sold out and Mr. Bird continued the business
alone.
In 1865 Mr. Bird was married to Miss Lydia
Leech, the ceremony taking place at the bride's
home in Kirksville, Mo.; she was born in Michigan
and was a daughter of the Rev. Joshua Leech, of
the Protestant Methodist Church. She died in
1870, leaving one daughter-Clara Agnes. The
second marriage of Mr. Bird was solemnized in
Springfield, this county, and his bride was Miss
Helen A. Clough. This lady is a native of New
York and is a daughter of John Clough. The
union has been blessed by the birth of two children,
named respectively Lena M. and George Lester.
Mr. Bird is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of
which he has been Secretary since its organization
ten years ago; the Knights of the Maccabees, of
which he has been record keeper two years; National Union, and Good Templars. He represented
the Fifth Ward in tie Common Council two years.
He is conservative in his political beliefs, and pays
little attention to the excitements of a campaign,
though he generally votes with the Republicans.
He has a good reputation among business men, and
is regarded as strictly honorable in his dealings,
while in social life he and his wife move in good
society. Mr. Bird and his entire family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Mr.
Bird has been a member of the Official Board for
eight years and Secretary thereof for about four
years.
f   ETER H. HAGLE, a farmer of Bloomfield Township, was born in Oxtord,
Ontario, April 30, 1825.  His parents,
Peter and Sarah (HIarris) Hagle, were
natives of New Jersey and Connecticut respectively.
They were married in Canada and spent there the
remainder of their lives. They were active members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years,
and were hard-working people who attained a
handsome competency. Both the father and the




grandfather, Henry Hagle, were in the War of
1812. The maternal grandfather was Eli Harris, a
native of Connecticut.
The parents of our subject had eleven children,
namely: Lois, Luke, Mlark, Lydia, Miles, Peter H.,
Henry, Mary, Hannah, Sarah and Maria. Our sunject was reared upon his father's farm, which place
has been for many years known as Hagle's Corners.
He gave his parents the benefit of his labors until
he reached his majority, and then began farming on
his own account. In 1875 he removed to a new
farm in Berlin, St. Clair County, Mich. It was an
unimproved farm which he had owned for several
years. He cleared and improved it, and a few years
later removed to his present farm in this county,
where he purchased two hundred and fourteen
acres, and made his residence on the banks of
Square Lake. He had one of the finest farms in
the county and has been a hard-working man all
his life, having cleared and improved four different
farms. He has been an extensive stock-dealer all
his life, but has made a specialty of horses, having
always given more or less attention to the breeding and developing  of thoroughbred  running
horses. He has now the finest lot of horses of this
description in Oakland County.
Mr. Hagle votes with the Republican party but
never dabbles in politics. He and his excellent
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He has been a remarkably fortunate man
in all his undertakings, being energetic and a shrewd
trader, and having always been blessed with good
health.
Mr. Hagle was united in marriage April 30, 1846,
to Chastina A. Cook, of Oxford County, Ontario,
where she was born in 1824. She is a daughter of
Joseph W. and Clarissa (White) Cook, natives of
Rhode Island. Seven children have crowned this
union, namely: Susan A., deceased, who was the
wife of Robert Wright of Forest, Canada. She left
two children, Wesley and Lillian, to mourn her loss.
Frederick S., a teacher in the old Union school of
Pontiac, who married Miss Nora Campbell, of Ingersoll, Canada. He has two children, Edgar and
Frederick. Andrew  H., a farmer in Newaygo
County, who married Ella Reynolds of Canada, and
has two children, Louise and Florence. Anna M.,




758             PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
I.


who remains single, and carries on a millinery
business in Chicago. Miles E., of Detroit, who
married Miss Maggie Hollar, of Homestead, Mich.;
Agnes H., the wife of James Old, who lives with
her father, our subject. She has one child, Joseph
W. Peter W. is unmarried and makes his home
with his father.
HOMAS GIBSON. The late Thomas Gibson, whose widow is a well-known and
highly-respected resident of Troy Township, was born in England, March 13, 1809. He
emigrated with his parents when about ten years
old, and for eight years his home was in Canada.
The family then came to this county and located in
Troy Township. The young man worked by the
month as a farm hand until 1831, when he bought
land on section 13. There were no improvements
upon thle property and he at once built a small log
house and began to clear and develop the land. He
carried on his work energetically and industriously.
and as time passed was able to look out upon a
well-regulated property. He was well known, not
only as a good farmer, but as a liberal-minded and
generous-hearted man, an excellent neighbor and
an earnest Christian. He belonged to the Methodist Church and held the office of Class-Leader.
Politically, he was a Democrat. He died September
25, 1876, leaving a widow  and four children,
together with many friends, to mourn his departure
from the scenes of time.
Mrs. Gibson bore the maiden name of Hannah
Walker and was born in Maine, August 21, 1809.
She is tile sixth of the eleven children of Richard
and Rhoda (Danford) Walker, with whom she
went to New York when seven years old. In the
Empire State she grew to womanhood and acquired
the knowledge and built up the character which
make her a useful and honored member of society.
She came to this State in her early womanhood, and
in 1832 was married to Mr. Gibson. They brought
to the home in what was almost a wilderness, a
small stock of household goods consisting of a few


chairs, a bedstead and some necessary articles of
kitchen use. As time passed on they were able to
increase their store of household goods and make
their dwelling more attractive and their labor
easier.
After the death of her husband Mrs. Gibson had
full control of the estate, which consists of one
hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land.
She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and takes an abiding interest in the work carried on
by that religious body and in all schemes which
promise to benefit society. Cyrus Gibson, the
eldest son of our subject and his wife, lives in Troy
Township, and Franklin is a liveryman in Romeo;
Elizabeth, the second child and elder daughter, is
the wife of Oscar Carres and lives in Ironwood;
Cora is the wife of George Harris and her home
also is in Ironwood. She has but one child, a son,
but Mrs. Carres has two children.
M     OSES GOODALE.     This gentleman has
been identified with the interests of this
county for half a century and as boy and
man has done much to promote its welfare. He has been engaged in agricultural work
and is still carrying on general farming, owning
and operating ninety-six acres of land on section
34, Troy Township. Nearly all of that acreage is
under cultivation. Mrs. Goodale has seventyseven acres on section 27, all under cultivation
but ten acres of timber, and occupied by a married
daughter. In his early years Mr. Goodale had
much work to do of a pioneer nature and he knows
well how people lived when this country was being
developed.
Moses Goodale, father of our subject, was born
in Vermont in 1796, and adopted the occupation
of farming, although his father, Isaac Goodale, was
a carpenter. Grandfather Goodale was born in
Massachusetts in 1755. Moses Goodale married
Patty Beckwith, who was born in New Hampshire
December 6, 1800, and whose father, Abel, was a
soldier in the War of 1812. The marriage took
place March 29, 1827, and they came to this State the


a




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


759




same year. They took possession of land now occupied by their son Moses, in a forest where wild
animals abounded and no improvements were to
be seen. They had to go through the forest to
a market, and so small 'was their capital in beginning life together, that their rude log house had
but little furniture and they ate from the same
bowl for some time.   They had, however, two
spoons and some other necessary articles for table
use. They used splint bottom chairs, had a little
square table and a cross-legged stand, and a rude
bedstead. Oxen were used to develop the place, for
which the Government price of $1.25 per acre was
paid. Husband and wife lived to see their own
place in good condition and the country around
them well settled. Mr. Goodale died February 22,
1874, and his widow October 23, 1887.
Our subject's father was a Republican in politics
and a Presbyterian in religion. He was a Deacon
in the church many years and was an active worker
for the cause of religion. He acted as Sundayschool Superintendent for a long time. During
the later years of his life he was identified with the
Congregational Church, whose form of Government he liked better than the Presbyterian. He
served as Road Commissioner and in School offices
and was a liberal contributor to all good causes.
He and his wife had six children, but the first-born
died in infancy and others in following years, and
only Jemina W., Permelia and Moses are now living.
Our subject was born on the homestead in this
county January 10. 1839. He is the youngest of
the family and always remained with his parents.
He obtained his schooling in the home township
and learned well how to carry on the farm. He
was married September 10, 1867, and brought his
bride to the old home, where he is now occupying
a dwelling built by his father some years ago. He
has two daughters, one dead and one living. Lucy
M. was born July 1, 1868, and died March 17,
1872; Eda I. was born January 8, 1871, married
Arthur Groves, and lives on the maternal homestead on section 27.
Mrs. Goodale bore the maiden name of Martha
E. Fall, and is a daughtar of John and Mary A.
(Colvin) Fall, natives of New York and Maine


respectively. She is the fifth in a family of ten
children, and was born in Southfield Township,
November 27. 1847. From her fifth year she was
reared in Troy Township by her great-aunt in the
maternal line; Ruth Howland. Mr. Goodale is a
Republican. He belongs to the Congregational
Church at Royal Oak and Mrs. Goodale is identified
with the same society. He is Deacon, Trustee
Clerk and Sunday-school Superintendent, and is one
of the most active and liberal members of the
congregation.
L ARRISON SMITH, now in his seventy-first
year settled in Oakland County, Mich., in
the fall of 1844. He now resides on a finely
improved farm of two hundred and thirty
acres, lying one mile north of the pretty village of
Holly on section 27, Holly Township. No man has
done more to develop the country than he. Few,
if any, have contributed more liberally of their
means to the support of religion, and few men indeed have lived so pure and noble a life as he.
Our subject was born in Wyoming County,
N. Y., November 27, 1820. His father, Curtin
Smith, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., January 1, 1787. The grandfather of our subject was
of English descent, a very religious man and an exhorter in the Methodist Church. He reared five
children, and died June 8, 1828. Curtin Smith
was a farmer and doctor. When a young man he
settled, in 1811,on the Holland Purchase in Genesee
County, now Wyoming County, and at that time
well on the frontier. Having cleared up a farm in
the woods he sold and bought another in Allegany
County, N. Y., and lived there twenty years. He
then returned to Wyoming County, N. Y., and
made a new home near his old one, where he spent
the remainder of his days. He was called from
earth September 13, 1867, in his eighty-first year.
He was a great reader and was above the average
in intelligence. In religion he inclined to the
faith of the Universalists. He was a Democrat and
took an active interest in politics. He was a volunteer soldier in the War of 1812 and fought at
Lundy's Lane, His wife, Orillie Jillette, the




760                     PORTRAIT AND BIC
mother of our subject, was born in Delaware
County, N. Y. She was of a kind motherly disposition and was an active member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. She reared a family of eleven
children and died October 27, 1866,-at seventyseven years of age.
Harrison Smith was born and reared in a pioneer
country. He sat upon slab benches in the log
schoolhouse and manufactured his own ink and
goose-quill pens. When twenty-two years old lie
rented his father's place for one year. In 1844 be
made the journey with team and wagon to Michigan, and settled in Pontiac. He soon.after traded
his team for some land in Holly Township. For
three years he spent his summers in cultivating his
land and his winters in Pontiac, working at wagonmaking and teaming. Two houses and a mill were
the only buildings on the present site of the town
of Holly and Indian trails alone led into what is
now that village. The Indians camped near his
log cabin where lie kept bachelor's hall. He finally
sold his land and bought forty acres on section 27,
Holly Township. This land had a house on it and
was partially improved. Here he brought his
bride and began housekeeping in earnest. Their
lhouse was the most capacious and commodious in
that vicinity and they kept tavern and fed and
lodged immigrants on their way to the far West.
Many a night their house was crowded full. All
township business was transacted there. In 1861,
they left this house and removed to Holly, and in
1865 removed to the present farm of eighty acres
on the same section. He cleared up this new farm
and added to it until it now comprises two hundred
and thirty acres and boasts a neat and commodious
frame house and a large frame barn.
Mr. Smith has farmed extensively and has raised
and sold a good many horses as well as much other
stock. He now lives to a great extent retired from
active work. His marriage took place October 1,
1848, with Eliza J. Patterson who was born in Monroe County, N. Y., September 7, 1827. She is the
daughter of James and Eliza (Paten) Patterson,
who settled here in 1847, and a sister of ProbateJudge Patterson, of Oakland County. Mrs.
Smith is of a kind motherly disposition. She is a
woman of no little literary note, and has written


)GRAPHICAL ALBUM.
I


I


and read before the Western Pioneer Association,
of Oakland County, a number of interesting articles and poems on pioneer life. The following
poem was composed by her and appeared in the
announcement of the annual Christmas gathering
of the Patterson family at her residence on Christmas day:
"'We will greet them with friendship, those kindred
of ours,
And in sympathy's garden find beautiful flowers,
Not only where roses and lilies do bloom,
But where soul-stirring thoughts ripen ere noon.
"There are buds on each branch of this beautiful
tree,
Softly they're whispering, 'Speak kindly to me.'
Those buds that are human should not be effaced,
But in sympathy's garden ieserve them a place.
"Those buds that are blooming in youth's haptpy
pride
Need a shepherd to guide them and walk by
their side.
Even down to old age this guide will be true,
And crown them with friendship so bright to
their view.
"Some branches are broken and gone far to-day;
Who knows but they're saying, 'Look over this
way.'
Those branches so cherished by his loving hand
Will all soon be gathered to that beautiful land.
'Remember the loved ones tliat have gone far
away,
Sleeping where loved ones cannot greet them today.
The untarnished marble marks their repose.
Oh! how we wept when we saw their eyes closed!
~'We will greet them with friendship, those kindred
of ours,
And   in sympathy's garden   find beautiful
flowers."
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were present and sang in
the choir at the first celebration of the Fourth of
July ever held in Holly Township. It was held at
Holly Center, then called Younges Corners, in this
township, and Mrs. Smith's father was President of
the day and Michael E. Crofoot, then a leading
lawyer of Pontiac, was the orator. Our subject
and his wife have had two children, both of whom
have been spared to them. William J. has married
Laura E. Pierson, and has seven children, namely




PORTR'AIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.,


761


P  AN B


Clayton H., Worth, George H., Eliza Grace, Glenn,
Zeliff and Effie M. The daughter of our subject,
Melina A., married Henry Sm.th, of Bay City,
Mich., and has one child, Fred Harrison. Mr. and
Mrs. Smith are both members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Mr. Smith experienced conversion in the fall of 1832, and was baptized by a
minister of the Christian Church in 1841. He
joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1845,
and has been an active worker and a liberal giver
to the cause of religion. Like fragrance from a
flower, his Christian influence has gone forth continually for good. Mrs. Smith united with the
Free Will Baptist Church when fifteen years of
age and after coming to Michigan joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. In this connection she
has been an active worker and is a grand good
Christian women. Mr. Smith is a Democrat. He
has held the office of Constable one year, Township
Treasurer six years, Supervisor five years and
Road Commissioner one year. Besides this has
held various school offices in which he has proven
himself faithful and efficient. He is a member of
the Masonic order at Holly and also of the Grange
in which he has served as Master one term. Mrs.
Smith was at one time Lecturer to the Grange, and
prepared and read many essays before that body.,  _  r- -—:~' ' "        ~


and was at the time bound out to a neighbor. His
mother, however, remarried when he was twelve
years old and then took him home. He received
his education in the log schoolhouses, and when
eighteen years old began to teach, carrying on this
business for five years in the winters and farming
in the summers. In 1842, being then twenty-three
years old, he married Catherine Haines of New
York.
The Western fever struck our young man in
1845. He then removed to Dodge County, Wis.,
and entered Government land in heavy timber,
building a log house and clearing up his farm. He
also built a sawmill, which he operated for twentytwo years. His closest and most numerous neighbors in those days were Indians, deer and wolves.
He bought many a ham of venison from the red
men. He sold his farm in 1867 and worked at
lumbering for some eighteen months and then went
into Southern Iowa to spend the winter of 1868.
In the spring of 1869 this gentleman removed
to Oakland County, Mich., and purchased a farm
on sectioJs 22 and 23 of Orion Township, this
county, where he now resides.   His first wife
died in 1854, leaving six children, namely, Mary
M., Joseph D. (deceased), Orlando J., Hinman F.,
Hiram, Jr., and Emma (deceased). His second
marriage took place in 1 855. He was then united
with Susan Wright, of Wisconsin, who died in
1863, leaving two children-Ella and Sarah. The
present Mrs. Andrews bore the maiden name of
Julia C. Crawford; she was born in Orange County,
N. Y., February 22, 1823. Her parents, John B.
and Elizabeth (Thompson) Crawford, removed to
Southwestern New York about 1833. Mr. Crawford died in Schuyler County, N. Y., in 1861, having lost his wife in 1858. They were Presbyterians
of Scotch descent. and his fathe. was one of the
Pevolutionary heroes.
In his early days Mr. Andrews was a Whig, and
afterward became a Republican, casting his first
vote for William Henry Harrison. He has held
various township offices and is identified with the
Grange. He helped to organize the township of
Rubicon, Dodge County, Wis., and was made its
first School Commissioner. He afterward filled the
offices of Justice of the Peace and Assessor for sev

C-              i    — Z ---~h  ~F F~ --- —


IRAM ANI)REWS. an intelligent and highly
respected citizen, carries on one of the best
kept farms in Orion Township. He is and
) has been all his life a hard worker, anda
now in his later years he is still robust and vilrous. IIe was born in Rutland County, Vt., October
6, 1819. His father, Eber Andrews, a New Hampshire man, settled in Vermont when quite young
and went thence to Steuben County, N. Y., where
he died about 1825. ' His wife, Abbie Bryant, of
New Hampshire, was a devout and earnest member
of the Baptist Church, and the mother of six children, two of whom are still living. She died in
1847 in New York.
The subject of this sketch was but six years old
when he was bereaved by the death of his father,




762


PORTR~AIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


2      P


eral years. Ie began life with nothing but his
sturdy resolution, good health and strong muscles.
At eighteen years of age he hardly had a suit of
clothes, and at twenty-five he had accumulated
$530 and moved West. He now possesses two
hundred and twenty-five acres of land in a fine,
well cultivated farm. His specialty is raising grain.
He built Ills fine, large house in 1878.
W     ILLIAM   H. FOOTE. Among the wellimproved farms of Milford Township is
one on section 16, consisting of one hundred and forty acres, owned and operated by Mr.
Foote. It deserves the title of an elegant farm,
having been placed in fine condition as regards tillage, orderly arrangement, beauty and adequateness
of buildings and value of stock. One hundred acres
are under the plow and large crops of different
grains are harvested. The stock is of high grades,
the sheep being Shropshires. A view of the pleasant homestead with the principal buildings is presented on another page.
Our subject is the son of Dr. Henry K. Foote,
whose name is familiar to many of our readers.
That gentleman was born in East Haddam, Conn.,
February 22, 1803, and when eighteen years old
went to New York. Ha was a graduate of a medical college in Albany, but a part of his professional course was taken in Vermont. He began
practice in Conesus, N. Y., and remained there
until 1834. when he came to this State. He was
accompanied by his wife, formerly Minerva Henderson, who was born in New York in 1804. They
settled on a farm in Commerce Township, this
county. sojourned there three years, then removed
to the village of Milford and made that their permanent home. Dr. Foote built the large brick now
the Presbyterian parsonage. He continued in active practice until the war, and he and Dr. Morey
were the leading physicians of this locality.
Dr. Foote was intensely loyal and attended meetings, raised a company of men for the Lancers
Regimemt and was commissioned a Lieutenant.
Thie company was attached to the Fifth AIichigan


Cavalry and Dr. Foote still held his rank. The
first winter the boys were in camp at Detroit and
in the spring they were ordered South. Old as lie
was Dr. Foote started with them, and on the way,
when at Poolesville, Md., he died from pneumonia
and congestion of the lungs. The date of his death
was February 8, 1863, and he was then sixty years
old.
It was not only as a physician and patriot that
Dr. Foote acquired celebrity, but he also has an
honored name in connection with legislative affairs.
He was first sent as a Representative from this district in 1844, and he served altogether three terms.
He took a leading part in the discussions, and his
name is inscribed on the pages of history as one of
the most prominent law-makers of that period in
Michigan. Politically, he was first a Whig and
then a Republican, and always an ardent anti-slavery man. He united with the Presbyterian Church
when eighteen years of age and was a consistent
member until death; he officiated as Deacon. Mrs.
Foote was likewise an earnest Christian, belonging
to the same church as her husband. She died January 17, 1881. They had five children, those now
living being Mary J., William H., Charles C. and
James L.   The daughter is the wife of T. D.
Nutting.
Our subject was born in New York January 4,
1833, and was an infant when brought hither. He
attended school in Milford and also studied in
the academy at Lodi. He began life for himself
when seventeen years old and learned the trade of
a blacksmith, at which he worked for some years.
In the spring ot 1858 he settled upon his present
farm, which had been purchased by his father.
But little improvement had been made and he has
done much work on the farm. He removed stumps,
stones, and girdled timber, made an addition to the
residence and built all the other buildings now
standing. Following in the footsteps of his respected father, he has been industrious and energetic in his personal affairs and has shown the true
public spirit by joining with his associates in that
which would be for the good of the people.
In 1853 Mr. Foote was married to Sarah Emeline Hastings, who was born in Utica, N. Y., in
1834, and came West with her parents many years




RESIDENCEI OF JOHN WINDIATEISEC. 12. WATERFORD TP,OAKLAND CO.,MICH.


RES I D EN CEI OF WILLIAM H. FOOTE,5EC. 16.,M I LFORFD TF,OAKLAND CO.)MICH.








PORTRAIT AND BIlOGR &PHICAL( ALIBUM.


765


P R   I


ago. Eer progenitors, George and Electa (Reed)
Hastings, are numbered among the old settlers
here and for some years Mr. Hastings was the village blacksmith at Milford. He died in 1873. His
widow still survives and her home is in Holly.
Mrs. Foot is the only one of their children now
living. Her own family consists of George H.,
who married Anna Scott, has two children and
lives in Kalkaskia; Charles, whose home is in Gratiot County, and his wife Flora Curtis; Hattie M.,
wife of Andrew Austin, residing in Milford; Katie
R., wife of John Smith and mother of a son, Sinclair, and living in Gratiot County; William K.,
who is unmarried. All have good common-school
educations and Hattie was for a time engaged in
teaching. She is a good musician, and Katie sings
very pleasantly. Mr. and Mrs. Foote were good
singers in their earlier years, and several of the
children inherit their ability.
Mir. Foote has been a member of the School
Board and has served acceptably as Highway Commissioner. From  the time he could vote until
recently, he was a Republican, but his heart is now
in the Prohibition cause. He signed the pledge
when a boy and has always been a temperance man.
He and his wife belong to the Presbyterian Church,
in which he has been Trustee,, Sunday-school
teacher and a member of the standing committees.
He is an unusually intelligent, capable man, with a
fine character which entitles him to respect..-   J ---  ^mcr -— a   —...
]i OHN WINDIATE. Too much credit can
scarcely be given those who formed the
vanguard of civilization, bore the brunt of
privation and arduous toil necessary in
opening up a new country, and who, having seen
the fruition of their hopes, are in their declining
years enjoying the worldly prosperity they so well
deserve and the esteem of all for their recognized
worth of character. Among such men an honored
rank is held by the gentleman above named, who is
a native of this county and born in Waterford
Township March 7, 1838. IIe is now conceded to
be one of the most successful agriculturalists of


the township, where he is extensively engaged in
his calling and where he has a beautiful home on
the banks of Silver Lake. His landed estate comprises two hundred and seventy-five acres on section 12, Waterford Township, and one hundred and
sixty acres in Livingston County, the greater portion of which is under cultivation.
John Windiate, Sr., was born in England in
1808, and in the land of his birth he married in
1833 Miss Harriet Elliott, also a native of that
country. Together the young couple came to
America in 1836, and after landing at New York,
proceeded directly to Oakland County, where they
located on section 12, Waterford Township. The
farm which they purchased was partially improved
and the log house served as a dwelling place for
the family several years. In the meantime the father devoted his entire attention to clearing the
land of the thick growth of timber and planting
grain, for which labor he received ample recompense when the bountiful harvests were gathered.
Soon a good house took the place of the log cabin,
a substantial barn was erected, and other evidences
of prosperity became noticeable.
There were eight children in the parental family
and seven of these are now living, six in Michigan
and one in California. All are prosperous and in
comfortable circumstances. Our subject began life
for himself at the age of twenty-three, and in 1861
went to California, where he was reasonably successful in his operations as a miner. After working in California for two years he went to Nevada
and engaged in buying and selling wood and
mining. Later he returned to California and spent
three years. He came back to his native State in
1868 and settled on his father's farm, which he
worked one year.
Soon after his return from California Mr.
Windiate was married to Miss Elma, daughter of
'Elijah and Catherine D. Clough, natives of Massachusetts and New York respectively. Mr. Clough,
who was a shoemaker by trade, came to Livingston
County, Mich., in 1839, and spent the remainder of
his life in farming pursuits. By this marriage
there was but one child, Mrs. Windiate. By a
former wife her father had four children, all.of
whom are deceased. She received good 4dvant




766


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


— ~ — I


tages when young, having an excellent commonschool education and afterward spending one year
at an academy. A lady of rare intelligence, broad
culture and most charming manners, she wins the
respect of all her acquaintances.
After working his father's farm one year, Mr.
Windiate located in Livingston County, buying
one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land,
of which he cleared about seventy acres. Here he
built a comfortable residence, and made such
other improvements as were necessary. This farm
he now rents, for after a residence upon it of six
years he returned to Oakland County and settled
on the old homestead, where he still resides. His
father died in 1880, while the mother passed from
earth some five years prior to the decease of her
husband. Of the five children born to Mr. and
Mrs. Windiate the following is noted: Lora May, a
graduate of the Pontiac High School, has chosen
the profession of a teacher, and is at home; Alta
Elma has been a student in the High School at
Pontiac two years; William Alfred, aged fifteen
years, Harriet Bird, thirteen years old, and Pruda
Fae, aged one year and eight months, complete the
pleasant family circle.
The attention of the reader is invited to a view
of Mr. Windiate's pleasant residence, which appears on another page.
NDREW     COULTER, one of the old settiers and best citizens of Commerce Township, is the son of John Coulter, a marble
cutter and farmer who was born in County
Donegal, Ireland, in 1805, and came to America
when a boy, making his home in New York City.
Hfis good wife was Elizabeth (Carson) Coulter, a
native of County Tyrone, Ireland. She also came
to this country in her early days. They were married February 8, 1831, in New York City, and in
1837 came to Michigan, making their new homeon
section 8, Commerce Township, this county. They
took their farm of wild land from the Government,
the deed being signed by President Jackson. Mr.
Coulter built a log house, and worked hard clear

ing the farm. Ile suffered severely from fever and
ague. He cleared about sixty acres of his one hundred and sixty and died March 11, 1847. His wife
survived him until October 12, 1886, when she
departed this life at the good old age of seventynine years.
Both parents of our subject were members of
the Presbyterian Church, although Mrs. Coulter
joined the Methodist after coming to this countyHer husband was a Whig and later a Republican.
They were the parents of nine children, five of
whom are living and bear the names of Andrew,
Mary Ann (now Mrs. Thomas Sleeth), William T.,
Margaret and James W. Our subject was born
December 5, 1832, in New York City, and was but
a little child when brought to this State. He was
fifteen years of age when his father died, and being
the eldest of the family, took charge of the farm
and has managed it from that day to this. He still
has the original homestead and has himself cleared
fifty acres of it of trees, stumps and stones. He
built the present home and has improved the farm.
The marriage of our subject took place November 9, 1865. His wife was Mary Ann, daughter
of James and Elizabeth (McGee) Wardlow, both
natives of County Donegal, Ireland, who came to
America when quite young and married in New
York City. They came to Michigan at the same
time as did Mr. Coulter's parents and settled in
Highland Township, where their son now resides
Three of their four children are living, namely:
Elizabeth, Mrs. Leonard, Joseph and Mrs. Coulter.
The wife of our subject was born June 3, 1841, in
Highland Township, where Joseph Wardlow now
lives. Mr. and Mrs. Coulter have no children.
They are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church at Milford. Mr. Coulter takes a lively interest in politics and votes the Republican ticket.
He has been Road Overseer in the township and is
a man universally respected for his temperate
habits and excellent character. He carries on
general farming.
A first cousin of our subject is W. J. McConnell,
at present United States Senator from Idaho. He
was born in Commerce Township and received his
early education here and resided here until he was
twelve years old. He is now a resident of Moscow,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


767


Idaho. Senator McConnell is a self made man,
having risen to his present eminence by means of
industry, perseverance and the employment of his
native talent. Ie has large business interests in
Moscow, and in Pullman, Wash., and is connected
with the First National Bank at Moscow.
Joseph Coulter, the brother of our subject, was
born November 23, 1813, and died October 4,
1889. He married, February 2, 1870, Miss Addie
Simpson, a daughter of Robert and Ellen(Wallace)
Simpson. Her parents were born, the mother in
New York and the father in the North of Ireland.
They had been residents of Bloomfield Township
since 1830 and cleared up a farm there. Mr. Simpson died in 1878, aged seventy-five years. Mrs.
Simpson still survives and lives at Pontiac, Mich.,
having reached the age of seventy-five years. Mr.
and Mrs. Joseph Coulter were the parents of two
children-Harry M., born February 17, 1877, and
Bertha E., born March 9, 1883. Our subject has
the deserved esteem of his neighbors, who respect
his character and enjoy his good social qualities.
OSEPIH P. FISHER, one of the prominent
citizens of White Lake Township, carries on
a farm on section 6. His father was Joseph
P., the son of Timothy Fisher, a native of
Massachusetts. The grandfather went at an early
day from Massachusetts to New Hampshire. Here
he reared his family upon a farm and brought them
up in the faith of the Congregational Church, and
here he died. His son, Joseph P., was born in Dedham, Mass., in 1800. When a small boy he went to
New Hampshire with his father. Here he grew to
manhood and married Sylvia Gould.   To them
were born four sons and six daughters: Joseph P.,
our subject; Milton E.; John S.; Alonzo; Alvira MI.;
Adeline; Philanda; Nancy; Jane; and Orvilla D.
The father of the subject of this sketch came to
Michigan in 1834, and settled in White Lake Township. When seventy-five years of age he removed
to Allegan County, where he remained with his
daughter, Mrs. Jane Moore, until he was called
away from earth. He at one time owned one hun.


dred and sixty acres. Deer and Indians were his
frequent callers during the early years of his life in
this State, and bears and wildcats were numerous.
He was a hard-working man and opened up a great
deal of land. At one time he threshed out five
acres of wheat with a flail, with a crutch under each
arm. His widow died in Allegan County, about
two years after the decease of her husband.  At
different times during his life he was a member of
different churches, but was in the communion of
the Seventh Day Baptists at the time of his death.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was
born February 7, 1820, at Crown Point, N. Y., on
the shores of Lake Champlain. When sixteen years
old he came to Michigan with his parents. He began working on a farm for wages when twenty
years old, and received $10 per month, the highest wages paid. He paid one month's wages for
a bariel of flour and $2 for a team to draw it home.
In 1848 he returned East to bring his wife to the
new home. He was married October 4, 1848, in
Buffalo, N. Y., to Mrs. Ann E. (Nixon) Noyes, a
daughter of Edward Nixon, a native of Ireland,
where he died in 1839. In 1842 his widow, Elizabeth Nixon, came to America and settled at Ft.
Gratiot, St. Clair County, this State, where she
lived until her death in 1844. Their daughter Ann
was born February 21, 1824, in County Cavan,
Ireland, and was therefore seventeen years of age
when she came to Michigan. Her first marriage
occurred in 1844, when she became the wife of
Sergeant George Noyes of the Fifth Infantry,
United States Army. To them two children were
born: Emma (deceased), and George N., who resides in Terra Haute, Ind., and is express messenger for the Chicago and Eastern Railway.
Seven children have blessed the home of Mr.
Fisher and wife. They are as follows: Florence P.,
Edward A., Sylva P., Franklin P., Edward A.,
Abraham L. and Albert S. Mr. Fisher has always
followed farming. Before his marriage he had acquired by his own efforts, one hundred and twenty
acres in Springfield Township, and at present he
owns one hundred and forty-three acres.  He has
been a hard-working man and has cleared much
land. In 1863 he purchased the hotel building at
White Lake for the express purpose of driving the




768


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


demoralizing trade of strong drink out of his neighborhood. He moved into tlhe hotel, April 3, and
this enraged the people who had rented the place
for the sale of liquor, and they raised almost a riot.
They were detetmined that Mr. Fisher should have
no peace while he was in the hotel. They thruet
one man through the window, breaking the whole
window. They broke locks and knocked off plastering and did all the damage they could. This
excitement occurred while the township meeting
was being held at the hotel, and many of the men
were under the influence of liquor, but Mr. Fisher
kept cool and carried himself quietly through the
turmoil and came out victorious. He is not a party
man and always strives to vote conscientiously for
the best candidate.,_-, ___. —.,. f,,
li\ ORRIS WHEELER, a farmer residing on
tlsection 3, Highland Township, is a son of
l   Cyrus Whleeler, a son of Benjamin, wlio
was born in Massachusetts and married
there. At an early day he went to Ontario County,
N. Y., where he ended his days. His wife was a
Miss Short of Massachusetts. He served for seven
years in the War of tie Revolution, and received
a pension for his services. He owned considerable
land in New York which he farmed. He was also
a distiller and a drover. He gave his children each
a farm.
Cyrus Wheeler was born in East Bloomfield,
Ontario County, N. Y. Here he married his wife,
Sarah Colt, and here iis son, our subject, was born.
Cyrus died at the early age of twenty-one years.
His wife married a second time to a Dr. Andrew
Wood, and by him she became the mother of
seven children-Jane, Lavina, Nancy, Elizabeth,
Andrew, Alva and Madison. The mother of our
subject died in 1881 in Niagara County, N. Y.
Morris Wheeler was born in Ontario County, N.
Y, in 1817. Here he lived in his native town,
Bristol, until twenty-four years of age, when lie
removed to Iighland Township, Oakland County,
Mtch., which he has made his permanent home.


Previous to his removal to Michigan he married
in 1835, in Ontario County, Mary Whitemore, a
daughter of Jonas Whitemore, a native of Massachusetts. To Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have been
born the following children: Adeline, now Mrs.
Downs residing at Milford; Cyrus V., residing in
Highland Township; Jonas, living in Cheboygan
County, Mich.; Alice, now Mrs. Bridgman, who
resides in Milford Township; Charles and Ulysses,
deceased; Frank, who is now Mrs. Watson and resides in Nebraska; Hattie, who is at home; Harry,
who lives in Detroit, and is in business with a
paper dealer, and Eliza, who is at home with her
parents. The two oldest children were born in New
York and the others in Highland Township.
In 1841, when Mr. Wheeler came to Michigan,
the country was new and wild animals abounded.
He often heard wolves howling near his home. He
bought one hundred and twenty acres of land
which lie now owns, and erected on it buildings
which now adorn it. His wife is an efficient and
active member of the Presbyterian Church. His
political affiliations are with the Republican party,
but he has never sought office at the hands of his
fellow-citizens. In 1883 Mr. Wheeler purchased
a stock of goods and started a grocery and queensware business in Cheboygan County, Mich. This
business is carried on for him by his son Jonas.
OSEPHl JOSS MA N, a merchant of Oxford, was born in Detroit, Mich., September
11 1861. He is of German parentage, being the son of Esidore and Sarah (Lehman)
Jossman. His father came to this country in 1844
and his mother in 1845. Joseph Jossman located
at Goodrich, Lapeer Coulty, Mich., where he engaged in mercantile business. Later he removed
to Clarkston, where lie still resides, engaged in the
same line of business. Mr. and Mrs. Jossman became the parents of ten children, seven of whom
are living, and all are in Clarkston except Joseph.
IIe of whom we write tils life history was
brought up to mercantile pursuits. lie says he
can hardly remember when he first sold goods. In




I




:i'~
~. n
'ir*p~"l;iikt*kwu~Delil P1 1
r' (3 r,,
'",'~i/
r J
I:!~
U ~
''
-~L u,:I
 *'. ~ t "r
1; c, i I
( "~
r
i l'n' r
1;': 4.,. r.
4;sll& ymibi nili rspl; I
rZ'' - a
~ L;F,,*.
^jilv ii,
J I It, u;,I 1 I
"' ~~
~~ 1 41 r
'.i6~'~~~.. ~*
ii ' d tl:
W I~1~:
'I;'e
"h'.*;:'~
-~*(?
i,
'~~ a
rfi
fr,145:il
.~
uf"
r-~.
",~"~'
 1~
irr
rr C
~; itii
fe~ r
'r '1~k
t -~ "!~,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUIM.


771




1883 he began in business for himself in Oxford
and opened up a general store, buying and selling
produce, wool, etc. lie has had excellent success in
business and carries a general line to the value of
about $10,000.
Mr. Jossman was united in marriage April 5,
1882, with Clara, daughter of Dr. C. G. Robertson.
One son, Willie R., has been given to them. Mr.
Jossman is a member of the Masonic Oder, of both
Chapter and Blue Lodge, also of the Knights of
Pythias of uniform rank. He is a Knight of the
Maccabees and a member of the Independent order
of Foresters. In religion he is an adherent of the
Jewish faith, and in politics, of the Democratic
party.
-— *O~       5- ~. I @-4*~g
ON. PASCAL     D'ANGELIS WARNER,
of Farmington Township, the youngest of
three brothers who constituted the family
of Seth A. L. and Sally (Wixom) Warner,
was born August 12, 1822, in the town of Hector,
then Tompkins County, but now Schuyler County,
N. Y. In April, 1825, the father left the State of
New York with his family, and coming to the
Territory of Michigan, located in what is now
Farmington, where he resided until his death, in
1846. The disadvantages, privations and sufferings incident to pioneer life in those early days
were experienced by him and his family, but were
borne with cheerfulness, patience and Christian
fortitude.
The father being in straitened circumstances and
feeble health, the children were early thrown upon
their own resources, and thus became the architects
of their own fortunes. The youngest, having enjoyed very limited educational advantages, was permitted to leave home at the age of fourteen, and
engaged as clerk in a country store. For the succeeding nine years his principal business was clerking, being employed the last year in the city of
Detroit. During the first five years of this time
he was usually allowed to attend school some portion of the winter months. Nearly the whole of
the sixth year was spent at a private school in


Northville, where he completed a fair English education. On the occasion of his going to reside at
Detroit he assumed the name of Dean in place of
his second Christian name, for the purpose of ridding himself of an undesirable nickname, which
hadl adhered to him from his earliest chidhood.
Ever afterward he was known only as P. Dean
Warner. Returning to Farmington in 1845, he
engaged in merchandising, and continued in the
trade until 1863, when lie retired from business,
and has since devoted himself to the management
of his estate and the discharge of various public
trusts.
His first political associations were with the
Democratic party. In 1845 lie received the appointment of Deputy Postmaster at Farmington,
and retained the position until the inauguration of
President Taylor, in 1849, when he resigned the
office. In 1846, 1858 and 1859 he was Clerk of his
township, and discharged the duties of that office
efficiently during those years. In November, 1850,
he was elected one of the six Representatives from
the County of Oakland, and served as a member
of the House during the regular and extra sessions
of the Legislature in 1851.
Mr. Warner always held radical views in regard
to the question of slavery, but saw no way under
the Constitution by which the nation could be extricated from its complicity with that institution.
He was therefore willing to abide by what was
termed " The Compromises of the Constitution,"
but when it was proposed in the XXXII Id Congress (on providing Territorial governments for
Kansas and Nebraska) to repeal the legislation of
1820, by which, after the admission of Missouri,
all the then remaining territory of the United
States was forever dedicated to freedom, he zealously opposed the proposition. He believed that
the measure was not only unjust in principle, but
a breach of National faith. He thus lost the favor
of many of his political associates, and soon found
himself outside of any political organization, and
he therefore identified himself with the Republican
movement then being inaugurated.
In April, 1855, our subject was elected Justice of
the Peace, and re-elected in 1859, 1867, 1871, 1881
and 1885. In 1862 he was elected Supervisor of




772


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


his township, and continued in this office for five
years. In 1864 he was again chosen a member of
the House from the Fifth District of Oakland
County, and became somewhat conspicuous for his
knowledge of parliamentary law, and for his active
advocacy of the right to their seats of those members who had been elected by the aid of soldiers'
votes. In November, 1866, he -was again reelected to the House, and on the convening of the
Legislature he was chosen Speaker. He discharged
the duties of that position with such promptness
and acceptability that no ruling of his was called
in question by any member during a protracted
and laborious session. At its close the following
resolution was offered by a member of opposing
politics and unanimously adopted:
WIIEREAS, The Hon. P. Dean Warner has, by
his eminent abilities, uniform kindness and impartiality in the discharge of the responsible and
onerous duties of the Chair, won the friendship
and esteem of the members of this House, regardless of political distinction; therefore,
Resolved, That our sincere regards and wellwishes will ever attend him in all the relations of
life, and we most cordially extend to him the
thanks of the House.
In April, 1867, Mr. Warner was elected one of
the four delegates to represent the County of Oakland in a Constitutional Convention authorized to
be held during that year. Owing to indisposition
he was illy prepared for the arduous duties devolving upon him during the sittings of this convention. In the fall of 1868 lie was elected
Senator from the Fifth Senatorial District. He
served his constituents during the regular session
of 1869 and the extra session of 1870. Besides this
lie has held a Notarial commission for most of
the time during the past forty years. In meeting
the obligations and discharging the duties of all
these official positions he was ever governed by an
honest purpose and a wise discretion. He has relied more upon the merits of his case, his genial
disposition and courteous manner for success,
than upon the strength of his oratory or the
clearness of his argument.  In June, 1866, he
was selected to represent the interests of his
county before the State Board of Equalization, and
the fidelity with which he performed the duties


of that appointment was illustrated in the reduction of over $11,000 on the tax apportionment of
his county.
Senator Warner was married November 8, 1845,
to Miss Rhoda E. Botsford, the third daughter of
Lemuel and Lucy (Smith) Botsford, a lovely and
amiable lady, with whom he has lived happily to the
present time. Having no children of their own,
they adopted a son and daughter. On the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion he labored
earnestly to inspire confidence and patriotic devotion among the people. It need only be said that
the Government had no more zealous and faithful
supporter of all the measures adopted for the suppression of the Rebellion than it found in him.
His religious views coincide with those of the
Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a prominent member for many years. In 1878, in company with his son, he visited the Paris Exposition
and took quite an extended trip through various
portions of Europe.
A lithographic portrait of the Hon. Mr. Warner
is presented in connection with this biographical
notice.
_   M~ _< **M '-' ^


RIFFIN     CARPENTER owns and occupies
a farm located in Lyon and Novi Townships, consisting of one hundred and sixty
acres of thoroughly developed land. Mr. Carpenter has owned three hundred and fifteen acres at
one time, but has reduced his possessions, as he
assisted his children to make a start in the world.
Having known what it was to begin the battle of
life unaided and to toil and struggle in order to
get a footing, he has been desirous of doing for his
own offspring more than circumstances made it
possible for his father to do for him. He started in
life for himself by clearing land at $10 per acre
and boarding himself, and little by little he saved
the wherewithal to secure and improve a farm.
Industry and good management brought added
prosperity, and he now has a good home and pleasant surroundings.
Mr. Carpenter was reared to farm life, his father




PORTRAIT AND- BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


773


having been engaged in agricultural pursuits. The
latter, William Carpenter, was born in New York
in 1792 and obtained a common-school education.
He lived with his brother-in-law until he was eighteen years old, doing farm work in the summer, and
teaching in the winter as soon as his age would
allow of his getting a school. He was a soldier in
the War of 1812. In 1817 he married Mary Taylor,
a native of New York, born in 1799, and buying
eighty acres of land in Niagara County, he remained in his native State until 1836. He then
sold out and came to this State, via Buffalo. Soon
after leaving that port the vessel was injured in a
storm and the captain put in at Cleveland, Ohio,
where Mr. Carpenter embarked on another boat.
The second vessel was wrecked, but the passengers
were landed at Port Huron, Ohio, whence they
came by land to this county. Mr. Carpenter
bought eighty acres in Novi Township and subsequently eighty acres in Lyon Township. He built a
house on the latter tract and lived there until his
death, in 1878. He was an honest, upright man,
with gop( standing in religious circles, being a
Deacon in the Baptist Church. In politics he was
a Republican. To him and his wife there came
five daughters and five sons, and Griffin is the second son and third child.
The natal day of Griffin Carpenter was April 2,
1821, and his birthplace Niagara County, N. Y.
He was a youth in his teens when he accompanied
his parents hither, and he did much hard work on
the new land on which they made their home. His
education was obtained in the common schools, and
in mature years he has read and observed so as to
keep himself well-informed  regarding passing
events. He is a sound Republican and has been
since the Whig party was disorganized and a new
one rose in its place. His first vote had been cast
for William Henry Harrison. He has often been
solicited to fill official positions, but steadfastly refuses to do so. He does not belong to any religious
organization but contributes to the support of the
Protestant Methodist Church, as his bias of opinion
is toward its tenets.
In 1846 Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Betsey Jones, third child of Thomas and Nabbie (Bird)
Jones. Her parents were natives of New York and


had two sons and nine daughters. Mrs. Carpenter
was born May 29, 1828, and is the mother of five
children-Willis F., whose home is in Lyon; Mary
N., wife of Joseph Paris of Grand Rapids; John
F., who lives in Lyon; Hiram, a resident of Cedar
Springs, twenty miles north of Grand Rapids; and
Fred, who makes his home under the parental roof.
For the past five years Mrs. Carpenter has been a
great sufferer from neuralgia, which has so affected
her system as greatly to impair her bodily activity.
re a


ENRY TINKEN. This county is dotted
over with fine farms where the land is
brought to the highest possible productive() ness, rich crops are garnered and notable
stock raised, and every appointment that belongs
to well-regulated estates is to be seen. The farmhouses of this section of the commonwealth are
substantial and attractive buildings, and many of
them would compare favorably in design and finish
with those in the large towns. A number of such
estates and dwellings beautify Avon Township and
one of the finest is owned by the gentleman whose
name introduces these paragraphs.  The estate
comprises two hundred and forty fertile acres,
every rod of which is made useful or beautiful by
careful management and judicious oversight. The
farm-house is one of the best in the county, and is
by many considered the model, par excellence.
Mr. Tinken is one of those German-American
citizens to whom credit must be given for much of
the prosperity which depends upon the development of the material resources of certain parts of
the United States. He was born in Hanover, March
12, 1835, and is one of the seven children comprising the family of John and Catherine Tinken. His
parents lived and died in the Fatherland, and he
and a sister, Mrs. Anna Seebeck, living in Brooklyn, N. Y., are the only survivors of their family.
In 1855 Henry Tinken crossed the Atlantic and
established himself in New York where he was employed as clerk in a grocery store. In 1860 be
turned his footsteps westward, and reaching this




774


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


county turned his attention to farming, of which
lie has made a decided success.
The lady who presides over the household economy at Mr. Tinken's home became his wife in
January, 1859.  She bore the maiden name of
Margaret Lubitz, is descended from an old and respectable German family, and is a careful housekeeper, a devoted mother and a companion who is
in sympathy with her husband's desires and beliefs.
To Mr. and Mrs. Tinken there have been born six
children, named respectively: Anna, Ettie, John,
Henry, William and George. Anna is now the
wife of A. L. Ross, and Ettie of W. J. Lomason;
William lives in Detroit, but the other sons are at
home.
The political allegiance of Mr. Tinken is given
to Democratic principles and policies, in the justice
of which he has firm faith. He has served as Town
Commissioner a year and has done well in his official capacity. lie is interested in the cause of
education and other elevating movements, and
shows a keen desire to give his children liberal
schooling. lie keeps them at their studies, encourages them in every way possible and sets before
them the benefits of thorough knowledge. In his
personal affairs he displays great energy and in
whatever he undertakes he is full of life and vigor.
O   LIVER D. DRAPER, a resident of Brandon
Township, was born in Cattaraugus County,
N. Y., August 10, 1835. He is the son of
Barrett, the son of Oliver, both natives of New
York State and of German descent. Oliver Draper,
Sr., came here in October, 1836, and took up from
the Government three hundred and twenty acres
of land. Here he labored for twenty years and
died whlen seventy-two years old. He was a Whig
in politics, and an active member of the Baptist
Church, having aided in organizing that church
here  He and his good wife, Polly Bennett, reared
a large family of children. Her family was of Irish
descent.
The father of our subject came here a few years
after his marriage, in October, 1836, by boat and


ox-team. IIe was given eighty acres by his father
and erected a log house.   The Indians were
friendly with him and were frequent visitors. He
saw hard times and worked in harvest near Rochester for six shillings a day and took it in provisions
which he carried home on his back. He gained a
handsome property and at one time owned two
hundred acres of land and had large crops of
wheat. After living a short time in Ortonville, he
removed to Tuscola County, where he died in
1878, having nearly reached his seventieth year.
He was a Whig and a Republican, and filled the
office of Justice of the Peace and Notary Public.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Harriet Bowen. She had only two children,
Almira and Oliver D. She was called from earth
when only thirty-nine years old. The second marriage of Barrett Draper was with Adeline Waterbury. This union resulted in the birth of four
children, and their mother is still living. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Darius
Bowen, of English descent. He was a native of
Connecticut but migrated to New York State when
quite young and died there at the age of seventy
years.
Oliver D. Draper was in his second year when he
came to Michigan with his parents. He saw more
Indians than whites in his early years and frequently visited their camps. He began to work for
himself at twenty-three years of age, and when
twenty-four settled on the farm which he now occupies, upon land given him by his father. Forty
acres of it were cleared and fenced but there was
no house. He built a small frame house and established his home here with his bride. Her maiden
name was Jane Smith, and she was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., March 14, 1841. She had
five children, namely, Major A., who married
Martha Perry and farms in this township; Warren,
who married Alice Green, is a farmer in Washingington; Tillee, who married Lydia Mitchell, farms
in this township; Burt and Orrin are at home.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Draper are Baptists in religious
faith. Mr. Draper's politics are Republican with
strong Prohibition proclivities. Hle is a Patron of
Industry. He has one hundred and twenty acres,
one hundred of which are cleared. He makes a








A  lI
It
f 7   ^
i    i'   i


'I, 4


J


I l


sc?^-c^7a




j rTJ A-I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


777


specialty of raising sheep; and breeds the Merino
sheep. His flock generally numbers from one
hundred to one hundred and fifty. He built the
home in which he now resides in 1880, and his
largest barn was erected in 1865.
*| ---      ~       -S —.-.< <
7  LONZO SIBLEY, one of the prominent
and wealthy citizens of this county, resides on an attractive and productive farm
in Commerce Township. He is one of the
local leaders in the Republican party and has been
identified with that political body since 1856. His
father was Elias Sibley, a native of New Hampshire, and his grandfather was Ebenezer Sibley, a
soldier in the Revolutionary War. The mother of
our subject, Ruth A, Chase, was a native of Connecticut. On both sides the family is descended
from the Pilgrims.
After marriage Elias Sibley and wife moved to
Preston, Chenango County, N. Y., where they settled on a new farm. In 1826 they moved to Wayne
County, N. Y., and there they resided until 1834,
when they came to Michigan and settled on a new
farm in Bloomfield Township, this county. Mr.
Sibley died about thirty-five years ago and his
widow survived him but two years. They were
active and devoted members of the Presbyterian
Church. Of their family of seven children our
subject is the only one now living.
'Squire Sibley was born July 14, 1810, in Preston, Chenango County, N. Y. He went to the
district schools in the days when English gramma
began to be taught and lie remembers how the local
school board met in special session and resolved
that those who wanted to study grammar should
attend private schools. He began work for himself
at sixteen years and when eighteen years old his
father gave 4iim his Lime. He worked on farms
for others by the month until he came to Michigan.
He landed at Detroit May 10, 1831, from the little
steamer "Sheldon Thompson," one of the two
steamers then plying on the lakes. He was eight
days making the passage. Michigan was at that


i


I


time very sparsely settled, but Indians and wild
animals abounded.
The young man went prospecting through the
State and soon selected his present farm; he bought
eighty acres from the Government, the deed for
which was signed by President Andrew Jackson.
It was timbered openings interspersed with small
plains. In the fall of 1831 he returned home and
spent the winter. In the spring he came West
again, built a log house here, began clearing off
the land and putting in crops, and also fenced in a
few acres. In the fall of 1832 he returned home
and in the following April was married to Mary
Heath, who was born in 1813 in Monroe County.
N. Y. The young couple proceeded directly to
Michigan and made their home on the farm. Mrs.
Sibley became the mother of one child who died in
infancy, and she was called from earth in 1836.
The second marriage of our subject occurred in
1837. He was then united with Sarah Ann Heath,
a sister of his former wife. She died in 1873,
leaving seven children, three of whom are now
living, namely: Mary Jane, wife of James Pratt,
living near Traverse City; Watson A., who married Maggie Hubble and lives at Muskegon; and
Judson L., who married Lucia Banks and is a prominent merchant at Wixom.    Mrs. Pratt is the
mother of three children; Watson is the father of
four children and Judson also has four.
The present Mrs. Sibley was Adeline, daughter
of William and Lucy (Dennis) Colby, and she was
united in marriage with our subject November 26,
1875. Her parents were New Englanders who
came from Maine in the early days and settled in
Wayne County, N. Y. Mr. Colby was a Minute
Man in the War of 1812. He died in 1836 at the
age of forty-five years. She afterwards married
again and came to Michigan in 1855. Her second
husband was the Rev. Samuel Wire, a minister of
the Free Will Baptist Church. They settled at
Sibley's Corners. where he preached in the schoolhouse and afterwards in the church which was
erected. He carried on his ministry for about
twelve years and died June 6, 1870. His wife followed him to the grave September 18, 1871.
Mrs. Sibley is one of ten children of her parents,
and was born June 10, 1817, in Wayne County,




778


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


N. Y., where she received her schooling. She came
to Michigan with her mother and step-father and
kept house for them. Mr. Sibley has three hundred and fifty acres of land on his farm, two hundred of which are under cultivation. His barn
was built in 1836 and his residence fifty years ago,
when it was considered a fine house, and altogether
the best in that section. He has had this farm
under cultivation for sixty years, and is now the
only person living who resided here the year he
came. He keeps three hundred fine wool sheep,
besides other stock. He joined himself with the
Free Will Baptists when the church was organized
here fifty-three years ago. For fifty years he has
served as Deacon and has been one of the Trustees
of this church which he helped to organize. He
is a liberal giver to its benevolent work.
'Squire Sibley is a member of the School Board
and has held three scholarships in Hillsdale College
where his son Judson was graduated in the scientific course. This son also took a business course
in Detroit. His eldest son, Watson, served in the
Twenty-second Michigan Infantry for a term of
three years and took part in many battles, acting
also as Hospital Steward. Our subject was a Democrat until 1856 when he became a Republican, in
which party he has held allegiance ever since. He
has been a delegate to many county, Congressional
and State conventions. He Ihas been Assessor and
Highway Commissioner, and was Justice of the
Peace for twelve years. He is strictly temperate
and a grand old gentleman. His many friends will
be pleased to notice his portrait on another page.
UGUSTUS C. TIBBILS, a farmer of Bloomfield Township. was born in Lapeer County,
Mich., September 10, 1836. His parents,
John and Clarissa H. (Brown) Tibbils,
came from New York State to Michigan in the
pioneer days and settled in Avon, Oakland County.
The father was a carpenter by trade and did a
great deal of work in Pontiac. lie used to travel
back and forth from Flint to Saginaw when the
only road was an Indian trail and there were but


two houses in Flint. He never accumulated property, as he was very liberal and somewhat careless
about collecting. He was in his political views
first a Whig and later a Republican. Both he and
his wife died in Flint at the home of our subject.
Augustus Tibbils was one of the younger children of a family of sixteen. His early days were
spent in Pontiac Township; when nine years old
he removed to the vicinity of Holly, and when
fourteen years old he went to Flushing, Genesee
County, and remained there until 1861, when he
removed to Flint.
On November 15 of that year the young man
whose name heads this sketch enlisted as a private
in Company D, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry.
After serving almost two years with the army of
the Cumberland he was discharged July 16, 1863,
at Nashville, Tenn., on account of disability from
a gunshot wound in the thigh received at the battle
of Stone River. He took part in the battles of
Shiloh, Stevenson, Ala., Perryville, Ky., and Stone
River.
After he was discharged this young hero returned
to Flint and remained there until 1872, when he
moved to Big Rapids, where he lived for ten years.
He then returned to Oakland County, and bought
his present farm. He has never had health since
he left the seryice of the Government, and received
a pension at first of $6 per month, which at different times was increased until now he receives $16
per month. He owns some mining land in the
Black Hills. He is a Republican in his political
views, and socially he is a Free and Accepted Mason of the Royal Arch degree.
The marriage of Mr. Tibbils and Miss Mary
Graham, of Flint. Mich., was solemnized October
18, 1868. This lady is a daughter of Alexander
and Clarissa (Rounds) Graham, of Canada, where
their daughter was born. This marriage resulted
in the birth of seven children, three living, namely:
Willie Elmo, Bird Alexander, and Harry Augustus.
The mother of these children was snatched away
from them by death March 13, 1880, at the age of
forty years.
The second marriage of our subject took place
May 31, 1883, when he was united with Emma M.
Wilcox, of Farmington, this county. Mrs. Tibbils




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


779


was born in Livonia, Wayne County, Mich., November 11, 1857. Slhe is a daughter of George
and Ellen (Bunn) Wilcox, natives of England, wlio
came to Michigan in 1850, and settled in Farmington, this county. Mr. Wilcox died at his home
stead and his wife still survives.
The parents of our subject were very poor and
unable to give him an education.- He was thrown
upon his own resources when but a mere boy and
had not only to support himself but to care for his
parents. This family has a grand record of patriotic service to the country during the Civil War.
Our subject's brother Edgar served for almost three
years, in Company F, Second Michigan Infantry,
and had his lower jaw shot off. John H., a younger
brother, was a member of the same company and
served until the close of the war, passing the last
year and a half of that service in Libby Prison.
The eldest brother, Charles F., served as wagonmaster until the close of the war in Company C,
Twenty-third Michigan Infantry. Henry, another
brother, enlisted in the Fourtl Michigan Cavalry
and served until the close of the war, being one of
the party who captured Jefferson Davis. All of
these heroes are still living, constituting five members of the same family in the service and being
all the sons of that family who were then alive.
The subject of this sketch left Kalamazoo in
1862 and from there went to Jeffersonville, Ind.
From that point he was marched down the river
for five miles and went on board a boat to Salt
Creek. The regiment there went into camp and
afterwards marched to Bowling Green, Ky., and
there was brigaded with the Sixty-fourth and Sixtyfifth Ohio, and Fifty-first Indiana regiments under
Gen. James A. Garfield. They were marched to
Nashville and from  there to Shiloh with Buell.
They then went on to Decatur, Ala., and took the
cars thence to Stevenson, Ala., where they built
the fort and took part in an engagement.
On August 31, 1862, this regiment began a forced
march to Nashville, Tenn., arriving there the 8th
of September. On September 10, they marched
through Nashville to a place ten miles north, where
they drew rations and were put again upon a forced
march. At one o'clock that night they went into
camp near Gallatin, Tenn. They remained there


for two weeks and were then again put upon a
forced march to Bowling Green, Ky., making
thirty-nine miles in one day. After two weeks
rest they went to Cave City, Ky. They then went
on to Salt Creek and into camp eight miles below
Louisville. During the trip from Cave City to
the last named place they drew no rations except
raw flour. But the same night at 8 o'clock they
were again put on the road and were marched into
Louisville, being in that vicinity when Gen. Nelson
was shot. They were sent into Eastern Kentucky,
and took part in the Perryville fight, and from there
were sent on to Nashville.
At the time they reached that city the regiment
had marched over fourteen hundred miles from
the time they joined the service, December 26,
1862. They went on to Stone River and took part
in that engagement, being on the extreme right
flank of the army and belonging to Gen. Harker's
brigade. Here our hero was wounded on the second day of the fight and lay in the hospital at
Murfreesboro for about two months. He was then
transferred to the hospital at Nashville, until he
regained his health sufficiently to come home, when
lie was given an honorable discharge.
ARVEL A. WHITE, a resident of Farmington, was born in Worcester County, Mass.,
iApril 1, 1821. His father, Alpheus White,
a farmer and blacksmith, was born in the
same county in 1762, and ended his (lays there in
1827. His ancestors were of the Puritan stock of
Plymouth Rock. The mother of our subject,
Lydia Taft, was born in 1764 and died in 1847.
Her days were spent in Massachusetts. They were
the parents of ten children, four daughters and six
sons, only two of whom are now living, our subject
and his youngest sister. He learned the blacksmith's trade with his older brother in his native
place, and worked at it until his removal to Canandaigua, Ontario County, N. Y. Here he engaged
as a Steward in a female seminary and filled this
position for six months.
The marriage of Mr. White took place May 4,




780


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


1846. His bride was Sarah A. Rogers, who was
born in June, 1824, in Bloomfield, N. Y. Immediately after marriage the young couple came to
Novi Corners, Oakland County, and Mr. White
operated a blacksmith shop there for seven years.
He then removed his business and his family to
Farmington. He had a prosperous run of business
and kept three or four men in his employ. He and
his estimable wife became the parents of six children, namely-Anna, Mrs. Louis Philbrick, of
Farmington; J. Hiram, who resides in Bancroft,
Shiawassee County; Alpheus, who died in infancy;
Lydia; Mrs. Eugene Edwards, of Farmington;
Frank, of Farmington, and Jennie, who resides at
home with her parents. Mr. White was the Township Clerk of Novi for four years, and has filled
the same position in Farmington for twenty-six
years. About thirteen years ago he gave up blacksmithing and has devoted his time and strength to
farming. He is a Mason and belongs to Farmington Lodge, No. 151. Both Mr. and Mrs. White
are earnest and efficient members oT the Methodist
Episcopal Church, in which they find an abundant
field for usefulness.
ARDUROUS WEBSTER, a retired farmer
and harness-maker who resides in Farmington, was born in Clarence, Erie County,
N. Y., April 21, 1813. His father, Justice Webster, was born in Whitestown, Oneida County, N.
Y., in 1781. He was a farmer and a chairmaker.
His wife, Eliza Doney, was a native of Clarence,
Erie County. Her father was a Revolutionary soldier under La Fayette.
The parents of our subject were married il New
York, and to them were given ten children. They
had the happiness of seeing all this large family,
with the exception of one, grow to manhood and
womanhood, and establish homes of their own.
When their little flock numbered only seven, they
removed to Canada. The father was not prosperous, and the boys early had to take hold and help
support the family. Young Gardurous worked
out by the month, and turned in his wages to the




family purse until 1832, when he went to Detroit,
Mich., and there learned the harness and trunk
trade. He served as an apprentice for three years,
and then worked as journeyman for the same man
until he had earned $100. He then went to Batavia,.N. Y., where he earned another $100. He
then visited his home and afforded some substantial help to the family. He returned to Detroit
and worked at his trade until he had reimbursed
himself for what he had spent in traveling and in
assisting his people. In 1837 he came to Oakland
County and bought a farm of eighty acres in Farmington Township as a home for his parents. This
land was very little improved, but had a log house
upon it. He paid down $200 and was to pay $50
more in two months, and the remainder in two annual installments of $100 each. This money he
must needs make by working at his trade. He
made the first supplementary payment of $50 when
it fell due. He then went to Ohio and spent some
years there working at Columbus, Springfield, Urbana, and at different places. He was industrious
and frugal, and when the year rolled around he had
the $100 to make the next payment. This was in
June, 1839. He returned to Detroit for a short
time and then went to New York State and worked
hard to complete the payment of his farm, in which
he was successful.
Mr. Webster then went to Canada in June of
1840 and worked at his trade, after which he returned
to Michigan and went to work to clear up the farm
which he had bought. His marriage took place in
18'41. He was then united with Lorinda Sandrough,
of New York. She lived only three years after
marriage, and his second marriage took place in
1846, his present wife having borne the maiden
name of Lucinda Green. They are the parents of
six children: Charles Loren, Wilmitt Hale, Maria
Louisa (died in infancy), James Judson, Emma
Dell (wife of Rev. C. H. Morgan, minister of the
Methodist Episcopal Church at West Bay City),
Jennie Maria (wife of Edward E. Grace, a merchant
at Farmington).
After the loss of his first wife, April 1, 1845, our
subject left his farm and came to Farmington and
started a harness-shop. He carried on this business
until 1871, when he sold out and retired from ac



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRLAPHICAL ALBUM.


781


P I B A LM

tive life. He has about fifteen acres of land surrounding his residence in the village. He is a Republican in politics, and cast his first vote for
Harrison in 1840, and his last vote for Benjamin
Harrison. He has acted as Street Commissioner,
and has been Treasurer of the village of Farmington for fifteen years. He is lrofessedly a Christian
man, and his belief is in accord with that of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, but he is not connected with any local organization.
S  AMUEL S. LAWRENCE, a farmer on section 10, Highland Township,is a son of John
Lawrence, son of John, a native of Connecticut, who went to Vermont when a young
man, and locating his farm, returned to Connecticut
and was married. His father, Jonathan, was a native
of Holland, of English parentage. When a child his
parents returned to England. The father of Mrs.
Lawrence disinherited her, and she with her husband and child sailed for America, where young
Jonathan was reared in Worcester, Mass. This
emigration of John and Mary (Townsley) Lawrence,
took place in 1714. They had been married in
1693, and both died in 1743.
Their son Jonathan, who was the great-grandfather of our subject, married Elizabeth Buttrick,
who died in 1735. His second marriage, in 1738,
was with Iannah Robins. Unto them were born
six children-Jonathan, Mary, Nathaniel, Abigail,
John (the grandfather of our subject), and William. The children by the first wife were-Experience,Samuel, Jacob and Josiah. Jonathan Lawrence
spent his latter days in Connecticut, where he died
in 1769. The. grandfather of our subject was born
in 1746, in Connecticut, and married in 1769, Mary
Cleveland, who was born in 1748. This couple
died, he in 1825 and she in 1836.
The children of the grandfather of our subject
were: Ruth, Pitt, John (deceased), Sarah (deceased), Lydia. Sarah, Mary, John (the father of
our subject), Samuel (deceased), and Alice. This
John Lawrence was a farmer and a soldier in the
Revolutionary War, He was a Minute Man in the


battle of Bennington. John Lawrence, Jr., was
born January 7, 1786, in Bennington, Vt. In the
same place he was married to Susan Stanton in
1806. After a few years they removed to New
York, and settled in Spafford, Onondaga County.
Here they lived about twelve years, and then removed to Cortland County, and after a few years
came to Michigan, where they arrived in 1835.
Their children were: Hannah N., Phoebe S., John
C., Russel J., Pitt, Minerva, Alanson T., Porter J.,
Samuel S. and Luman N., who all lived to maturity.
When John Lawrence first came to Michigan, he
purchased one hundred and fifty acres- in Washington Township, Macomb County. He afterward
added forty acres, and then sold his farm and went
to Oxford Township, Oakland County, where he
resided until his death, August 2,1855. His faithful wife survived him until May 23, 1866. They
were both earnest and consistent members of the
Baptist Church. He was a Democrat, and was for
nine years Justice of the Peace in Macomb County.
He was a school teacher in an early day, and for
some years he kept tavern in connection with farming.
Samuel S. Lawrence was born April 23, 1824, in
Onondago County, N. Y. At tie age of eleven
years lie came West with his parents. January,
1846, saw his marriage with Laura L. Alma, a native of New York, where she was born January 28,
1831. Their wedding took place in Oakland County.
Their wedded life lasted only the short period
of six years, when the wife was called to her
heavenly home August 30, 1852. In 1848 Mr.
Lawrence left the farm of his father, and settled in
Oxford on a farm of fifty acres, which he ultimately
increased to one hundred and fifty broad and fertile acres. lie traveled for an insurance company
for about two years, and in 1864 came to Highland
Township, where he has since resided. Here he
owns two hundred and forty acres upon which he
has erected good buildings.
The second marriage of our subject took place
Marcli 26, 1855, in Oxford Township, Oakland
County. His wife, Almeda Tindall, is a daughter
of Joseph and Patience R. (Freeman) Tindall, natives of New York. To this couple were born the




782            PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-


following children, who are all living: Francis,
Carrie, Fred, Will, Ina and Ed. Mr. Lawrence is
a breeder of Shropshire sheep, andi a general farmer.
Not only he and his excellent wife, but most of his
family are members of the Congregational Church.
He and three of his sons are earnest Prohibitionists,
and he has worked and voted for Prohibition for
nineteen years, previous to which he was a Democrat. He was educated with more than ordinary
care in his youth, and has been a teacher during
some portions of his life.
ETrER GREEN. This gentleman is one of
thel native-born citizens who has found no
better place in which to live and carry on
business than this county, and that part of
it in which his eyes opened to the light. The most
of the time since his youth has been spent by himi
in the village of Clarkston, and for some years
past he has been engaged in the livery business
here. He keeps a good line of teams and buggies,
and is also the owner of the bus line that carries
passengers between the village and the railroad
station, two miles distant. For about ten years he
has had charge of the American Express delivery
and for fourteen years he has carried the United
States mail. The last fact alone is sufficient to
prove his promptness and reliability in that which
he undertakes.
Mr. Green was born in Independence Township,
August 9, 1844.   His parents, John and Elinor
(Addis) Green. were natives of Sussex County, N.
J. The father died when the subject of this sketch
was but four years old and the mother passed away
in 1885. They had ten children, eight of whom
are now living. Peter grew to tie age of sixteen
years on a farm, pursuing the usual studies in the
neighboring school, and learning much regarding
the care of horses that he has found useful in later
years. When he started out in life for himself his
first occupation was driving a bus for N. E. Dunell, for whom he worked five years.
Our subject then became a clerk in the store of
V. Green at Holly, but after a twelvemonth he de

cided that he could not stand the confinement
necessary in that occupation, and returning to
Clarkston, he resumed his former employment. In
1879 he started the draying and delivery business
on a small scale, but as success was his, lie soon
afterward embarked in the livery business.  Undoubtedly the chief reason for the success with
which he has met is to be found in the strict attention lhe payS to his engagements and the care with
which he meets them.  He has a pleasant home,
located on Main Street, nearly opposite his stable.
The marriage of Mr. Green and Miss Emma Netting, daughter of George Netting of Detroit, was
solemnized October 8, 1880, and has been followed
lby mutual happiness. Mr. and Mrs. Green have
one child, a daughter, Lella M., who was born January 17, 1884. Mr. Green has been Constable of
Independence Township six years and Marshal of
Clarkston five years. Politically he is a Democrat
and one of the kind who votes a straight ticket.
lie belongs to Tent No. 35, K. O. T. M.
Xi OIORMAN J. ELIIS, a remarkably successful
farmer and stock-raiser and a business man
of unusual ability, resides on section 14,
Springfield Township. IIe was born in Ontario
County, N. Y., June 18, 1844. IIe is the son of
Benjamin, the son of Eleser, both natives of New
York State. The grandfather is of Scotch descent
and was a ph3 sician in Ontario County, where he
died at eighty-six years of age. He was a Whig
in politics. The father of our subject came to this
county in 1864 and located on one hundred and
fifty acres of land on section 13, Springfield Township. He was a Republican in politics and died at
sixty-four years of age. His wife, Nancy Frost,
was a native of the same county as himself and
was born there in 1S18. Her three children all
grew to manhood: Theron, George and Norman
J. Their mother did not live to old age, but died
when only forty years old.
The subject of this sketch was reared'on the
farm, and when twenty-one years of age came to
Oakland County, and took a farm to work on




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


783


shares. He continued thus until 1872, when he
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his
present farm of four hundred and twenty acres,
now known as the Ingomar Stock Farm. An important event for him took place March 7, 1867.
when lie was joined in marriage to Esther A.
Swayze, a native of New Jersey, where she was
born May 30, 1844, and a daughter of Anthony J.
and Hannah (Wamsley) Swayze, both born in New
Jersey, the former in 1812 and the latter in 1816.
Mr. Swayze was a miller in New Jersey, but coming to Oakland County in 1854 he bought eighty
acres of land adjoining the Anderson settlement, in
Springfield Township. He was a good farmer and
at his death in 1871 he owned two hundred and
twenty-five acres of land. He was a man of intelligence and a remarkable memory, and served
for many years as Justice of the Peace. He was a
member in good and regular standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife, who reared a
family of ten children, now resides with her son,
John P. Swayze. Eight of her children are still
living.
The grandfather of Mrs. Ellis, Israel Swayze,
owned a large flour mill in New Jersey. He came
to Oakland County in 1854 and bought three hnndred and twenty acres of land, adjoining what
was then Springfield village, on the old Detroit and
Saginaw  turnpike, where our subject now lives.
He died there at an advanced age. The Swayze
family in America originated with two brothers
who came from Scotland in Colonial days.
Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have no children of their
own, but have an adopted son, Glenn N., whom
they found on their doorstep a forsaken babe.
Mr. Ellis has five farms, comprising in all four
hundred and twenty acres, three hundred of which
is under cultivation. A portion of his land he has
rented. He raised twenty-three hundred bushels
of potatoes the last year and raises grain of all
kinds. He is a breeder of blooded Percheron
horses. He recently sold off sixteen head but has
still a number of fine horses on the farm. He has
three fine Percheron stallions, namely: "Ingomar,"
No. 1320 and "Pattachon," No. 5001 and 6473
imported from  France by W. L. Elwood; and
"Carnot."  The latter was sired by "Ingomar,"


and bred on the Ingomar Stock Farm, owned by
our subject. Mr. Ellis has bought and shipped
stock to Buffalo and Albany for the past twentytwo years.
In 1883 the subject of this sketch built a fine
large residence which was soon after destroyed by
fire. In 1884 he built the beautiful and palatial
home, which is the pride of the township. His
horse barns are excellently arranged on the inside
although not as fine in appearance as one would
expect on so excellent a farm. Our subject anticipates in the near future to build a more commodious and suitable stock barn.,     ORNELIUS SELFRIDGE, a prominent and
influential farmer of Addison Township,
was born in Washington County, N. Y.,
October 30, 1820. His father was Isaac Selfridge,
a blacksmith by trade, who was a soldier in the
War of 1812, and came near meeting his death-by
drowning in crossing Lake Champlain during his
period of service. He was connected with the
Presbyterian Church for many years, and died in
Western New York in 1857.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Mary McGathron. She was also a New Yorker,
and actively interested in the religious life of her
church home, being a member of the Presbyterian
Church. She died in 1888, having reached the
good old age of eighty-four years. Of her nine
children, five are living.
Our subject is the eldest of nine children, and
in consequence of the necessities of the family he
received but a very limited district school education. He began work at the forge with his father,
when quite a small boy, so small indeed, that the
father had to build a platform for him to stand on
while he worked the bellows. He worked with his
father until he was twenty-five years old, and also
engaged in farming by the month for neighbors.
He worked out in a shop at $20 a month until he
had accumulated $100, the first sum of money he
ever possessed. He put this into a shop, going
in with his father in the business, and the shop




784


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


-- -


took fire and burned down. He then began again
with undaunted courage. In 1853 Mr. Selfridge
came to Michigan and located on section 12, Addison Township, where he bought one hundred and
sixty acres of partly improved land, valued at
$3,000. He paid $1,000 down and by dint of
pluck, push and perseverance he was enabled to
meet the payments as they came due and to improve and cultivate the farm. He has replaced
the old log house with a large and handsome frame
structure.
The subject of this sketch was married in Leroy,
N. Y., in 1850, to Adelaide Kendall, of Massachusetts. Three children came to brighten their home.
Frank; William G., who is married and lives on the
farm, and Addie. To all have been given excellent, school advantages. Mr. Selfridge is a thorough and stanch Republican in his political views.
He has one hundred and eighty acres of land and
has given to his son some one hundred and sixty
acres in another farm. He raises all kinds of live
stock and may justly congratulate i lf  n himself  his
handsome buildings, his finely cultivated farm and
his general success in life.
OLIVER P. LEONARD, a young and enterprising farmer, is living on section 14, Highland Township, on the old homestead that
was his birthplace. The farm was taken from the
Government by his grandfather, Jonathan Leonard,
of whom   mention is made in the biographical
sketch of Jonathan C. Leonard. on another page.
There our subject was born March 20, 1860, the
property being at that time in the possession of
his parents —Jason and Elizabeth (Wardlow)
Leonard. This land has been in the possession of
the Leonard family more than half a century, descending from father to son. It is one of the
landmarks in Highland Township and is a comfortable home, having upon it orchards, shade trees,
cnd small fruits, as well as good buildings and substantial fences. A view of this old homestead appears on another page.
Jason Leonard, father of opr subject, was born


in Parma, N. Y., May 9, 1819, and lived there until he was of age. He then came to this State and
settled on one hundred and sixty acres given him
by his father, in Highland Township. He also had
fifty acres of timber land in White Lake and Highland Townships, which was bestowed upon him by
his parent. He was married in Milford Township
to Rachel A. Atwood, who died leaving two sons,
Theodore and William. The first-born died at the
age of fifteen years and William ic now living in
Bay City. January 27, 1852, Jason Leonard was
again married, his bride being a daughter of James
and Elizabeth Wardlow, mention of whom is made
elsewhere in this volume. This union resulted in
the birth of four sons and two daughters, namely,
Ann, Mrs. Charles St. John, whose home is in
Highland Station; Mrs. Louisa C. E. Stiff, who
lives at Clyde; Oliver, subject of this sketch;
Joseph W., whose home is at Highland Station;
Elmer J., who resides in Saginaw and works on a
railroad; Irvin C., who is studying telegraphy in
Highland Station.  The father was a lifelong
farmer and never aspired to public office but was
always ready to vote and cast a Republican ballot;
he died July 1, 1873.
The gentleman whose name introduces these
paragraphs was thirteen years old when his father
was called hence, and he remained with his mother
and aided her in the care of the family until he
was of age. He has since purchased the old homestead and now owns one hundred and fifty-three
acres in Highland and twenty-eight acres in White
Lake Township. He is a breeder of Short.horn
cattle and is becoming quite well known to dealers.
He is a Master Mason, belonging to Milford Lodge,
No. 165. Politically, he follows in his father's
footsteps as a sturdy Republican. His mother is
a devout Methodist and he attends that church.
He is an honest, straightforward young man, progressive in his ideas, well informed and energetic.
Mr. Leonard was married February 18, 1885, in
Highland Township, to Emma Shoebridge, oldest
daughter and third child of George and. Jane
(Smead) Shoebridge. The other members of the
family are Henry, George, Ella, Albert, Belle,
Benjamin and Lilly, living, and Mary deceased.
Mr. Shoebridge is a native of England, whence he




RESIDENCE OF OLIVER? P. LEONARD,SEC. 1-, HIGHLAND TR, OAKLAND CO.MICH.




CRAIG WHEAT GLEANER COMPANYS MILLS,(30061s.)OXFORD.,MIGH.








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


787


I-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 -


came to America when a young man, settling in
New York. There he was married and lived until
1878, when he came to this State, making his first
home in Walled Lake, Commerce Township, this
county. From that point he came to Highland
Township, where he spentr the remnant of his days,
dying November 11,1887. His wife died in 1874
in New York. Mrs. Leonard was well reared and
is an intelligent and kindly lady.
tIHOMAS B. FOX, senior editor of the Rochester Era, was born in Manchester, Dearborn
County, Ind., July 2, 1829. He is the son
of Dr. D. A. B. C. Fox (known in early days as
Alphabet Fox) and Wealthy (Willey) Fox, natives
respectively of New Hampshire and Vermont. The
Fox family came originally from Wales. Abram,
grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War, and the father of Mrs. Fox,
Ely Willey, was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Mrs. Wealthy Fox, the mother of our subject, was
a teacher in the Southl as early as 1818. She was
married to Dr. Fox in 1822, and died at Holly,
November 19, 1886.
When a small lad our subject went to Jamestown,
N. Y., and resided there five years. His father
then removed to Monroe, Ohio, whence after a
sojourn of a few months, he removed to Milford,
Oakland County, Mich., in 1838. Dr. Fox endured all the hardships incidental to life in a new
country and after ceaseless toil for the weal of
others, succumbed to the diseases of the country
and died in 1840. He left a wife and eight children to mourn his loss.   The widow  bravely
fought the battle of life, and kept her little brood
together until some were able to care for themselves. Thomas B., being thus early in life thrown
upon his own resources, struggled along as best he
could and engaged in any kind of honorable busi
ness in order to gain a livelihood. Iuring this
trying period he learned many of life's hard and
bitter lessons, and also learned to be self-reliant.
In 1852 Mr. Fox went to Saginaw City. About
this time East Saginaw was platted and a little town


sprung up. There Mr. Fox remained until the
tiny village had grown to be a large city. He
spent about three years in Midland City, during
which time he studied law and was admitted to the
bar of that county. He then returned to East
Saginaw, and relinquishing the law, engaged in
journalistic pursuits. He was employed as city
editor on the Saginaw Daily Enterprise, also on the
Courier, and became well known in connection
with the printing and journalistic business. During his residence in Saginaw he was appointed
Chief of Police, being the first chief ever appointed
there. He also published in pamphlet form in
1857 the first history of the Saginaw Valley ever
published, and furnished in tabular form the Saginaw Valley salt and lumber statistics, the first
likewise ever published. This was done in the
'50s for the Detroit Tribune. A few years later he
published another pamphlet on the business of the
Saginaw Valley and in 1868 revised his first history. Not getting his work copyrighted he was
the victim of "sharks," who repeatedly stole from
his work for their benefit.
In 1871 Mr. Fox embarked. in the newspaper
business at Milford, this county, starting the Milford Era. After having sojourned there less than
two years he received 'a call" to come to Rochester, his present residence, and hither he removed
his press and household effects in 1873. He resumed the same work here and established the
Rochester Era, now a permanent institution, having existed eighteen years.  Several different
newspapers have been started in Rochester since
the advent of the Era and several grass-grown
mounds now decorate a lonely spot set apart for a
newspaper graveyard. Will A. Fox, son of our
subject, is associated with him as publisher and
assistant editor. Occasionally Mr. Fox does a little
writing outside the columns of his own paper and
once captured a $50 prize for a short humorous
article.
During the year 1858 Mr. Fox was married to
Miss Sarah M. Beeman at Mason, Mich., and she
has ever since been his faithful wife and adviser.
Four children have been born to them, namely:
Willoughby A., born October 21,1859, at East Saginaw; Blanche Rita, born June 2, 1861, at Midland




788


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHMCAL ALBU~JM.


788            PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


City, died September 19, 1862; Ethel Bertha, born
December 15, 1863, at East Saginaw, died April
17, 1875; Pearl, born November 30, 1877, at
Rochester, Mich., died January 25,1878. Mr. Fox
is a member of the Order of the Chosen Friends
and his political affiliations are with the Republican
party. He and his wife were teachers in early
life and are highly cultured and refined.
VW    ILLIAM BLACKWOOD. There are many
beautiful homes in Lyon Township but
none more attractive or pleasantly located
than that of Mr. Blackwood. His dwelling stands
on section 10, and is a well-built and handsome
structure, a fit home for a family of refined tastes
and comfortable means. The land to the cultivation of which Mr. Blackwood gives his attention
consists of two hundred and twenty acres, one hundred and twenty in the home farm, twenty on
section 14, and eighty in Novi Township. Mr.
Blackwood keeps good stock of all kinds, but his
cattle are the most noticeable, and they are registered Short-horns.
Going back two generations in the Blackwood
family we come to Samuel, who was born in Ireland and came to America when nineteen years old.
He established his home in New York, buying a
farm on which he lived until about 1832. He then
came to this State and purchased two hundred acres
in Farmington Township, this county, living thereon until the death of his wife, after which he removed to Novi to be with his son. He reared
seven sons, the third of whom was Samuel, Jr., the
father of our subject. The second Samuel was
born in Seneca County, N. Y., in 1802, and adopted
his father's occupation-farming. He had a tract
of land in his native county, which he operated a
few years, selling it in 1829 when he decided to
come to this State. He selected Novi Township,
this county, as his future place of residence and
bought two hundred and ninety acres on section
29. He remained there permanently, dying in
May, 1888.
In 1828 Samuel Blackwood, Jr., was married to


Jane, daughter of David and Mary (Lowrie) Elliott, natives of Virginia. She was born in Orange
County, N. Y., about 1810, and was the eldest
daughter and third child of her parents. She died
in 1846. She had borne six sons and two daughters, four of whom are now living. In 1848 Mr.
Blackwood married Mary J. Ewing, daughter of
John Ewing, of Commerce Township. This union
was blest by the birth of five sons and three daughters, and five of the number survive. Mrs. Mary
Blackwood died soon after her husband.
William Blackwood, the subject of this sketch,
was born in Novi Township, this county, April 8,
1835, and is the third child of his mother. His
educational privileges did not differ materially
from those of other farmers' sons, and his time was
spent quite largely in farm work. When of age
he started on the farm he now occupies, from which
he removed the forest growth and on which lie
broke the sod. In 1867 lie was married to Miss
Sarah L. Fawcett, who was born November 10,
1835, and is the eldest of five children comprising
the family of George and Ann Eliza (Plowman)
Fawcett. Her parents came to this State from
New York.
Mr. Blackwood is a member of the Board of
Review of Lyon Township. He came of age in
time to vote for John C. Fremont, the first candidate of the Republican party, and he has steadfastly adhered to the principles which he then
decided were best for the governmental policy of
the Nation. He is a genial, well-informed gentleman, with cordial, kindly manners, and his wife is
equally courteous and intelligent. Their beautiful
home is often invaded by their friends, as they are
the center of a large social circle.
AMUEL JONES, a resident of Farmington
Township, Oakland County, was born in
Manchester Township, near Clifton Springs,
Ontario County, N. Y.,November 20, 1818.
His father, who bore the same name, was a native
of Orange County, N. Y., and was born January
20, 1789. When he came to Michigan in 1831 he




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


789


located first at Novi and afterward in Farmington
Township. where he bought land of the Government. [le had served his country in the War of
1812. His father, Nathan Jones, was a shoemaker
by trade and also managed a farm and a sawmill in
New York State. His natal day was June 29, 1757.
The mother of our subject, Barbara Hill, was born
in Dutchess County, N. Y., August 24, 1795. The
maternal grandmother of our subject was tile
daughter of a man who went with his four sons
into the Revolutionary army, in which conflict three
of them died for their country.
The marriage of the father and mother of our
subject took place September 14, 1813, in the
township of Manchester, Ontario County, N. Y.
Elder Lamb, a noteworthy preacher of those days,
performed the ceremony. They remained on the
farm where they made their first home until they
removed to Michigan in 1831, where they continued to reside until death claimed them, the father
dying November 9, 1864, and the mother surviving
for twenty years, expiring at the age of eighty-nine
in 1884. They were the parents of eleven children,
nine of whom are now living, the youngest having reached the age of sixty years.
The subject of this sketch was but twelve years
old when he came to the new home in the West.
He supplemented the schooling which he had received in his native place by attendance upon the
district school in the little old log schoolhouse.
lie assisted his father on the home farm, helping to
clear up the place and cultivate the land until he
reached the age of thirty years. In the meanwile
he had entered into a matrimonial alliance with
Elizabeth M., the youngest daughter of Joshua and
Phoebe (Wells) Lapham who was born April 9,
1822, in Hancock Township, Berkshire County,
Mass. Mr. Lapham was born November 18,1778,
and the mother was born April 9, 1779. The matriage of their daughter with the subject of this
sketch was solemnized December 16, 1842. Mrs.
Jones belongs to a family of distinguished connections, Senator Edmonds, of Vermont, being her
cousin, as is also Miss Susan B. Anthony.
In 1847 Mr. Jones removed to Wayne County,
where for a year he managed an hotel and then removed to Novi village, where he carried on the


same business. He finally concluded to sell out
that property and purchase a place where he now
resides, which he went onto in 1857. Three of
their six children are now living. They are: Hamilton H., born June 23, 1844, now residing in Farmington Township; Mary, born July 21, 1857, the
wife of Alpheus Angel and the mother of two children; Estella, born May 17, 1863, now Mrs. Milton
West, of Farmington Township. Mary's two children are named Clyde and Estella, and Estella's
daughter bears the name of Irma E.
This country was all wilderness when our subject
came to it and his father owned the second wagon
that was brought into the neighborhood. There
were all kinds of wild animals in the woods then,
for he is the oldest inhabitant of the township.
He has ever been a stanch and sturdy Democrat.
The marriage of Hamilton S., the son of our subject, with Isabel Pettibone, a native of Michigan,
occurred January 3, 1866. Two only of their five
children are living-Judson S. and Clara B., who
both reside with their grandparents.
c~ ---- -* ~S~3f           ~ i^S4 --- —-~P  RANK E. LOCKWOOD. Among the
younger men who are gaining a maintenance
- by tilling a portion of the soil of this county, Mr. Lockwood is deserving of mention. He
is located on section 5, Highland Township, and
operates one hundred and twelve acres of fertile
land, whereon may be seen a good residence and
the necessary outbuildings. He is the son of
Charles H. Lockwood, a well-known native of Highland Township, and his grandfather was Edmond
Lockwood, a native of New York. The latter was
married in his native State to Sabrina Lockwood,
and in 1836 established his home in this county.
His wife died here in 1860 and he was subsequently
married to Mary Patten, who is still living
in Highland Township. Grandfather Lockwood
passed away in 1878.  He was a member of the
Baptist Church and to that denomination his widow
belongs.
Charles H. Lockwood was the oldest son of his
parents, and under their roof he remained until he




790


PORTRAIT AND BIIOGRAPIHICAL ALBUM.


790PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


was of age. He was married February 25, 1861, to
Betsey Cole, third child of Orin and Tamer Cole.
The bride was born in Highland Township, whither
her father had come from the Empire State in quite
an early day. He bought eighty acres of land, half
of which lie has given to his only son, Hiram Cole.
He was Justice of the Peace for a number of vears
and also served as Township Treasurer. He belongs
to the Baptist Church, in which his wife held membership. She passed away in 1883, at the ripe age
of eighty-three years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Lockwood there
were born five children, named respectively: Luella,
Loren E., Frank E., Rozelle and Edith A. Mr.
Lockwood was engaged in farming from his early
years. He owned a tract in IIartland Township for
six 3 cars and then bought what was known as the
John Morse farm of one hundred and seventy-two
acres in Highland Township, which he owned at
death. He d(ied September 4, 1874, strong in the
faith of the Free-Will Baptist Church. lie had the
full sympathy of his wife in his religious belief, she
too belonging to the Baptist society. She now
makes her home with her son Frank.
The subject of this sketch was born in Hartland
Township, thlis count-y, June 25, 1864.  IIe was
but ten years old when lie was bereft of a father's
care and he has grown to manhood under the guidance of his mother, from whom he has scarcely
been separated except while pursuing his advanced
studies. From his boyhood he carried on the farm,
toing to school (luring the winter until he was
of age. He then attended the Fenton Normal
School at Fenton for five terms and taught nine
months. After that period he returned to the farm
which he has since been occupying and operating.
In Tyrone, this State, in 1888, Frank Lockwood
received the Christmas gift of a wife, formerly
Miss Minnie E. Andrews. This estimable and welleducated lady is the second child of Adam F. and
Elizabeth (Heblethwaite) Andrews, natives of Canada, whose other children are John, Ida, Edward
F., Fanny, Frank, Grace and Edna. Mr. Andrews
is a farmer and fruit-grower near Fenton. lIc came
to this State about 1864 and enlisted in Company.
F, One Hundred and Eighty eighth New York In1 -fantry, and fought for the Union ncuse until the
t0I  v   ~  e~+~YY    IUIYI


close of the war. He is a member of Fenton Post,
G. A. R., and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Church.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Lockwood
is brightened by the presence of two interesting
children, who are named Charles A. and Ida A.
Mr. Lockwood was School Inspector two years and
received the nomination of his party for the same
office in the spring of 1891. He is a Republican in
politics. He is a respected member of society, with
a good reputation as an intelligent farmer, a reliable citizen and a man of social, kindly impulses.
FK   ONROE G. DUNLAP is a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., where he was born
j    July 7, 846, and is the son of David G.
and Betsey E. (Comstock) Dunlap. The
parents of our subject were natives of the Empire
State, and the father is of Irish and Scotch descent,
his father having come from Ireland. The grandfather followed the occupation of a tiller of the
soil all his life. There were born to David Dunlap and his worthy wife seven children, four of
whom are living. The eldest, Ruth, is the wife of
Henry Venton, of Oxford. The second, Jefferson
A., resides in Tacoma, Wash.; Jude E. is a lawyer
and makes his home in the south; the youngest
living is our subject. Mrs. Dunlap died in May,
1873, and Mr. Dunlap passed away in April, 1886.
The family emigrated to Michigan in 1854 and
made their home in Oxford, so that Monroe G.
was brought to this town and here received his
education and his training upon the farm.
The marriage of our subject took place February
11, 1874. He was then united with Louise Roberts.
She became the mother of two children, Olin J. and
Lula Blanche, both of whom    died in infancy,
and Mrs. Dunlap was herself called away from
earth February 22, 1878. The second marriage of
our subject united him  with Alpha Barnes. This
union was solemnized October 29, 1885. Three
children have been given to them. Verna M.
has been called to the spirit land, and Monroe G.,
Jr., and Olin J., are both at home. Mr. Dnnlap is




I




- -7-.     I
-.A
2-    - I —     - -
-
-< -        —l     )


A~1




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


7s3




a stanch Democrat in his political views and a
popular man in his party. In April, 1885, he was
elected Supervisor of the township, and has held
the office continuously since that time, being reelected for the last time, April 3, 1891. lIe is
identified with the Masonic order, being a member
of the Blue Chapter and Commandery. He is at
-present Master of the Blue Lodge and has been for
three successive terms, and has held nearly all of
the offices of said lodge.
AMUEL H. ELLINWOOD, one of the
leading farmers and stock breeders of Rose
Township, was born in Rose, Wayne
County, N. Y., April 9, 1831. He is a son
of Lucius and Lucy   (Allen) Ellinwood. His
grandfather, Jonathan, removed from Vermont to
Rose, N. Y., in 1816, and there reared a family of
five sons and two daughters. They were named
Adolphus, Chester, Lucius, William, Thomas, Polly
and Betsey. Thomas was drowned in the Erie
Canal at Macedon Lock, N. Y. The father was a
sturdy Democrat. Lucius Ellinwood was an early
settler in Wayne County, N. Y., and assisted in
constructing the Erie Canal and afterward had
charge of a boat upon it. In this way he raised the
money to purchase and pay for an excellent farm.
He was born May 2, 1803, and died February 27,
1884. By his first wife he had two sons: Thomas
H1. and Samuel H. Their mother, who was a devout Christian and a member of the Baptist Church,
died December 20, 1838. His second wife was
Mahalah Davis, of Fulton, N. Y., with whom he
was united in 1858. Iler son, Delmer D., grew to
maturity. She died about the close of tie Civil
War.
The mother of our subject was born September
17, 1804, in Rose, Wayne County, N. Y. She was
the daughter of Ezra Allen, who was the father of
two sons and five daughters. His life ended in New
York where lie had always made his home. Samuel
H. Ellinwood was brought up on the farm and
availed himself of such schooling as the district
schools afforded. When twenty years old he began


life for himself, assuming the management of his
father's farm. He spent about ten seasons on the
Erie Canal and at twenty-two purchased his first
forty acres in Wayne County, N. Y.
In the fall of 1855 our subject came to Michigan
and bought one hundred and sixty-three acres in
Tyrone, Livingston County, where he resided for
ten years. In 1873 he bought and located upon an
eighty-acre farm in Rose Township where he has
since resided. He now owns an'A No. 1 farm of
one hundred acres. For the past ten years he has
been engaged in breeding Short-horn cattle, and
usually has a herd of twenty or twenty-five. He
is a man who is honored and respected, and has
been given by his fellow-citizens various town
offices.
The marriage of our subject took place January
6, 1851, his bride being Marina A. Fuller, who was
born in Rose, Wayne County, N. Y., and is a
daughter of Ralph and Barbara (Hendricks) Fuller.
But one child has blest this union, Charles H., who
was born in Rose, N. Y., January 8, 1852, and received an excellent common-school education. His
vocation is that of a carpenter. He married Josephine W. Pasco, a native of New York City and a
daughter of Henry and Catherine (Wright) Pasco.
One child blesses this union, a bright, sweet girl
named Luella M., whose portrait, together with
that of Mr. Ellinwood, is presented in connection
with this sketch. Our subject and his wife are
stanch Free-Thinkers.
AMES WILEDEN is a prominent farmer
who resides on section 30, Oxford Township. Hlis father William was a native of
England, and when he came to this country
made his home in Michigan for one year. He
afterwards returned to New York State, where he
died some thirty years ago. The lady who became the mother of our subject, bore the maiden
name of Ann Elliott, and died   in Waukesha
County, Wis.
The subject of this sketch is English by birth
and first opened his eyes to the light April 9, 1828,




794


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


in the Parish of Head Corn, Kent, England, and
was nineteen years old when he came to America,
making the journey in the "Switzerland."  He
landed in New York and made his first home in
Orleans County, that State. There he remained
until he came to the Wolverine State about thirtyfive years ago. He worked out by the month on a
farm and engaged in various branches of work,
among which was well-digging.
The marriage'of Mr. Wileden and Sarah Ann
Hollister, nee Banta, took place when he was about
thirty-one years of age. After that he worked
about four years for others and gained means with
which to purchase land. Three children came to
this happy home: Peter H., Elsie A., and Huldah M.
Mrs. Wileden had two children by a previous
marriage, Penolton K. and William H. The mother
of these children died September 22, 1890. Mr.
Wileden has improved his farm, setting out part
of the orchard which adorns the place. He has
also completed the house, which was not in firstclass order when he took it. He is a Democrat in
his political views and has filled, the offices of
School Moderator, Pathmaster, and other positions
of trust. His good wife was an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Church and her
loss is deeply felt, not only by her family but by
those who were united with her in church connection
and by the entire community.


age of forty years and he lived to be eighty years
old. He brought up his children in the Baptist
faith.
The father of our subject attended school until
twenty-one years of age and completed a collegiate
course at Goshen, N. Y. He made a special study
of surveying and civil engineering, and had a set
of instruments and practiced surveying to some
extent. He came to Oakland County, Mich., in
May, 1837, journeying on the Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence across the lake to Detroit, and teaming
it to this county, his team being a yoke of oxen
which he purchased at Detroit. His young bride
came with him on this journey.
Mr. Ogden bought two hundred and forty acres
in Groveland Township, at the rate of $3 per acre.
He built a log cabin and began his domestic life.
There was but one roadway in the vicinity and
that was the old turnpike. Travelers had to find
their way by means of blazed trees. The Indians
often visited his cabin and loved to slip in behind
the stove. Three hundred at one time encamped
near his cabin. Wolves howled about them at
night and herds of deer were often in sight. He
was a hard-working man and cleared his farm up
in good shape. He drove his ox-team and wagon
to Detroit for provisions, being gone two nights
and a (lay. He was an earnest member of the
Methodist Church and was the means of organizing the church in his neighborhood, beginning by
holding meetings in the houses, and then at the
log meeting house. He was a man of rare intelligence and a Whig in politics, and although lie died
at the age of thirty-eight years he had held'nearly
all the township offices.
The parents of our subject were married in Mt.
Bethel, N. J.  The mother's maiden name was
Sarah E. Egbert. She wns born in 1810 in Warren
County, N. J. All but one of her six children arrived at maturity. They were: Mary, Mrs. Austin;
Rachael, deceased; Lucy, Mrs. Molby; Sarah, Mrs.
Buzzard; J. Durbin, and Hulda, Mrs. Bird. Their
mother died at the age of sixty-two years, and
both she and her good husband lie in the Mt.
Bethel cemetery. Her father was a large farmer
and stock-raiser in New Jersey, a man of wealth
and an active member of the Methodist Church.


JOHN D. OGDEN, an old resident and prominent farmer in Springfield Township, was
born in the Township of Groveland, September 11, 1845. He is the son of Gabriel
S., a son of Joseph, the son of Gabriel. The
great-great-grandfather came with three brothers
from England and settled in New Jersey. They
remained together but a short time and soon lost
trace of eacl!other. The great-grandfather of our
subject wasa farmer and a local preacher in the
Baptist Church. The grandfather was a wealthy
farmer in Sussex County, N. J. He married Sarah
Shaw, and to them were given nine children, six
of whom lived to maturity. His wife died at the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


795.. 


=


John D. Ogden attended the district school and
early learned the practical work on a farm. He
began for himself early in life, as he was bereft of
his father in his sixth year. He remained at home
with his mother and was the mainstay of the family. Ite farmed the home place until after his
mother's death.
The married life of our subject began April 4,
1872, when he was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Mary A. Bird, of Groveland Township,
where she was born May 18, 1851. They have
had five children, namely —Israel S., Guy W. (deceased); Durand; Lizzie F., and J. D. One hundred and forty acres of land forms the home farm.
It is all under cultivation with the exception of
fifteen acres. Percheron and lHambletonian horses
are Mr. Ogden's specialty, but he raises other stock,
and farms grain of various kinds. His beautiful
home is situated on an eminence, and the house
was erected in 1878. The large red barn was built
in 1889, and the other one the year before. The
farm is in an excellent condition and massive stone
walls mark the boundaries.
Mr. Ogden's political affiliations are with the
Democracy, and he has held some minor offices in
Groveland Township. He is identified with the
Masonic order at Clarkston, Cedar Lodge No. 60,
and belongs to the Royal Arch Masons, Chapter
and Knights Templar, No. 14, of Fenton.
I)MUND ELY owns and manages the largest general store at Davisburg, and is an
extremely popular man. He was born in
Gainesville, Wyoming County, N. Y., January 7,
1836. His father and grandfather both bore the
name of Jabez. The first of the family to come
to America was Richard, who came from the Isle
of Wight early in the seventeenth century. The
grandfather was a pensioner, having served in the
Revolutionary War. He was a farmer and removed from Connecticut in middle life to Hamilton, Madison County, N. Y. After a few years
there he removed to Gainesville, Wyoming County,
and taking up a farm from the Government, spent


i


I


I - - - - - - - - - -


the remainder of his days there. He reared a family of nine children and died at the age of seventysix years. The father was drafted in the War of
1812 and started for the place of conflict during
the time of the engagement at Black Rock, but the
company was soon disbanded. He died in Gainesville in the fall of 1859 at sixty-three years of age.
He was in his early life a Methodist, but later became a Universalist. He belonged successively to
the Whig party and to the Republican party.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden
name of Cornelia Patterson.  She was born at
Manlius, near Syracuse, N. Y. She became the
mother of nine children, namely: Dennison J.,
Laura L., Mrs. Fisher; William P., Mary E. Mrs.
Brown; James, Edmund, Ralph, Martha C. Mrs.
Green; and Elizabeth A. The mother of these
children lived to be seventy-nine years old and
died in April, 1888. She was a very devout member of the Methodist Church. Her father was a
farmer in Wyoming County, N. Y., and was of
Irish descent.
The subject of this biographical sketch was educated in the district school and on the farm. When
seventeen years old hie began clerking for a brother
in Vienna, Canada West. After clerking for three
years he engaged in the nursery business in Elmira, N. Y. After three years experience here he
entered the employ of W. and T. Smith, of Geneva,
N. Y., one of the largest nursery firms in the
United States. He remained with them two years.
During the Civil War our subject felt it his
duty to go to the defense of his country. He enlisted September 9, 1864, in the Eighteenth New
York Light Artillery. He was transferred at Baton
Rouge, to the Twenty-fifth New York Light Artillery Independent Battery, and finally received
his discharge July 31, 1865. While in the Army
of the Gulf he was located at Brashier City and
did garrison duty most of the time. He returned
to the employ of the Smiths and continued in the
nursery for two years. He then farmed four years
and again returned to the nursery business where
he remained until 1884.
The subject of this sketch came to Springfield
Township June 1,1876,and was in the nursery business for the Smiths until 1884. The following year




796


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


he established a store of general merchandise and
in 1889 bought the building in which he now carries on business. It is a fine two-story brick store
in which he handles an excellent stock of dry
goods, boots and shoes, clothing, gent's furnishing
goods and groceries.
The first marriage of our subject occurred in
June, 1860. His wife was Maria E. Quigley. a
native of Northampton, Mass. They have one
child, Alton A., who died in Denver, Col., April
29, 1886. The mother of this son died February
22, 1864. Mr. Ely's second marriage took place
June 14. 1866. He was then united with Helen F.
Granger, who was born     at Vernon, Oneida
County, N. Y., November 27, 1840. Two children blessed this union-Francis G. and Eva M.,
both of whom reside at home. Mr. Ely is a Re)ublican in his political views, and a member of
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Charter
Oak Lodge. No. 56, at Davisburg. He is also a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic at
Holly.
---— &^ --- —
ATRICK GORDON, a successful farmer in
R ose Township, is a man who deserves great
credit for the position to which he has atJ    tained, as he began life without capital, and
has gained his property by sturdy industry and
sterling intelligence. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, January 29, 1830. His father was
James, the son of Nathaniel. Both father and
grandfather were farmers, and the grandfather also
worked at the blacksmith's trade. James came to
this country in 1847, and settled in Long Island,
whence he came in 1852, to Oakland County, and
settled in Rose Township. He bought one hundred
and twenty acres of land. His health was poor, and
he died February 16, 1869. His religion was in
accord with the faith of the Presbyterian Church,
and lhe was a Democrat in politics.
James Gordon married Jennie McCurdy, who
was born in County Antrim, Ireland. She reared
to maturity, ten of her children, namely: Margaret,
Nathaniel, Patrick, James, Elizabeth, Thomas,
John, Anna, Rebecca and William R. She reared


her children in the Presbyterian faith, and died
March 12, 1867.
The subject of this sketch came to America in his
seventeenth year. He hired out to work on Long
Island for a time, and came to Oakland County in
1852. He worked by the month until the time of
his marriage, when he took a farm on shares. In
1859 he bought the farm which he now owns. It
then comprised eighty acres, thirty or forty of
which had been cleared off, and had upon it an old
house and barn.
The marriage of Patrick Gordon took place in
1855. He was then united to Sarah Sutton, born
in November, 1837, in New York State. Five children were born to them: James P. died at the age
of twenty-three years; Nathaniel J. married Ella
Highfield, and farms in this township; William S.
married Jane Stone, and keeps a general merchandise store at Chase; Willis B. married Mary Yorton, and lives in this township; Eliza Jane, still at
home.
Mr. Gordon is a Republican although his father
was a Democrat. He has three years held the office
of Township Treasurer, and filled one term as Justice of the Peace. He has also been School Director
of this district. All but fifteen of his one hundred
and fifty-nine acres are cleared and under cultivation. He built his large and commodious house in
1875, and erected his large frame barn in 1881.
The smaller barn was built in 1867. He raises
stock and grain, and keeps Short-horn cattle and
Merino and fine wool sheep. He began with nothing but his own brawn and brain, and has made a
marked suceess of life.
A ANIEL S. RODGERS, one of the residents
of Novi Township, has a splendid farm
which he carries on with energy, economy
and enterprise. His father, Samuel Rodgers, was a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer,
and his mother, Jane Sayre, a native of Seneca
County, N. Y. They were married in New York in
1833, and came to the Wolverine State in the same
year, settling in Novi Township. Mr. Rodgers came




0




Er
Li
0
z
U1)




M RS. A. A. SN'Y DEIR.




a




PORTRAIT AND 1310GRAPHICAL ALBUM.


801


PORTRAT A
-   - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - -


to Michigan prior to marriage, in 1830. They took
unbroken, uncleared land from the Government,
built a log house and lived in it about a year. They
then purchased the farm which is now owned by
our subject. This land was first bought by the
grandfather of our subject, James Rodgers, who
came here in 1830, and died soon after. Samuel
then bought out the interest of the other heirs and
made the old homestead his home. He cleared up
most of the farm and built a frame house and two
barns. His wife died in 1854, and his second marriage was with Martha Chapin, who now, at the age
of sixty years, makes her home with her son, having been bereaved of her husband in 1875.
Samuel Rodgers and his wife were faithful and
active members of the Baptist Church at Northville, of which he was a Trustee. He also served
as a teacher in the Sunday-school. He was much
employed in settling up estates, as his judgment
was highly respected, and his integrity undoubted.
He was a Whig in his earlier political views, and in
his later years voted the Republican ticket. For
many years he was one of the Supervisors of Novi
Township, and was also Director of the school district. He was a strictly temperate man in his habits and belief. When he began life in the West he
was very poor, but before his death had acquired a
handsome property. But one child blessed his
home.
The subject of this sketch first saw the light
April 26, 1834, on section 8, Novi Township. Here
he received a good common-school education, and
remained on the farm, making occasional trips
West. He carried on the farm for his father until
the death of the latter, when he came into possession of the property. He now owns two hundred
and forty acres of excellent land, one hundred and
fifty of which is under cultivation. He carries on
mixed farming and keeps some Jersey stock. He
has added to the residence and repaired and improved the barns, and erected additional buildings.
He has also done not a little underdraining.
The marriage of Mr. Rodgers, in February, 1890,
was a surprise to all his friends, as they had made
up their minds that he was going to live and die an
old bachelor. The lady who broke the spell of
single blessedness and brought him to choose the


marriage state, is Fannie, daughter of Harman and
Lucy Chapin, who were New York people, now residing in Nebraska. Mrs. Rodgers was born in
March, 1853, in New York State, and there received
a good common-school education. Mr. Rodgers is
a Republican in his politics, and temperate in his
habits. He has a handsome property, and is in all
respects a man esteemed by his neighbors, and to
be commended in his manner of life.
BRAM A. SNYDER, who was a very successful farmer and stock-raiser in Addison
Township, was highly respected by all who
knew him, having achieved success in his
efforts and being public spirited and of value in
the community. A native of Warren County, N.
J., he first saw the light December 9, 1824. He
accompanied his parents to Michigan in 1832. His
father cut his way to this place through the woods
when there were only two families in the township,
and the county was otherwise uninhabited except
by wild game and Indians.
A log house was built in which the Snyder family took up their residence. Our subject was then
only eight years old, and his schooling was limited
to the advantages obtained in a log' schoolhouse
situated four miles from home, and which he could
be spared from farm work to attend only during
the winter. He always lived on the old homestead
as he assisted his father until he became of age and
after that assumed the responsibility and took care
of his parents.
The father, Dennis, who was also a native of
New Jersey, came to Michigan when he was fortyfour years old with some $900. At the time of
his death he was worth $60,000. He entered a
large tract of land and was a very successful manager and financier. At the death of his father Abram
purchased the old homestead comprising three hundred and twenty acres from the other heirs and
proceeded to improve the farm, adding fine, large
and substantial buildings and otherwise embellishing the estate. The father died October 23, 1886,
at the age of eighty-four years, and was greatly




802


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




-----


mourned not only by his family, but by all who
knew his worth and esteemed his character.
Abram Snyder was thrice married. His first
wife, Anna M. Bowers, died April 7, 1848, and left
no children. The second marriage was contracted
with Mary A. Hulick who died August 2, 1882.
She left four children, three daughters and one.son,
only one of whom, Miss Laura L., a young lady of
unusual refinement and attractiveness, is now living and she resides with her father's widow at the
old homestead. The others have passed away. The
third marriage took place May 20, 1886. The lady
who then became the wife of Mr. Snyder bore the
maiden name of Emma May Tribe. She was born
in Elgin County, Canada, and is a daughter of
Prof. John A. Tribe, who was born in London,
November 7, 1807.
This gentleman of learning and distinction was
educated in the capital of Great Britain, where he
received his diploma. He came to Canada in 1829
at the age of twenty two years and became principal of the High School in London, Canada. For
fourteen years he filled this position with lasting
benefit to his pupils and distinction to himself. He
was familiar with various languages, in which department of learning he took especial interest. He
also taught in Aylmer and Port Huron, and for
several years in Lapeer. He was connected with
the Baptist Church for forty-five years and was
highly esteemed in his church connections. The
mother of Mrs. Snyder was Eunice M., daughter
of Thomas Ward who emigrated to Canada from
Massachusetts and was esteemed as a worthy and
prominent man. His daughter Eunice, died January 10, 1881. Of her eight children only two remain, both daughters, the sister of Mrs. Snyder being Mrs. Jacob Benner, of Alymer, Ontario.
Mr. Snyder always affiliated with the Democratic
party, and was a Methodist in his religious views.
He served for some time as Justice of the Peace,
Besides his farm of three hundred and fifty acres of
good land he fitted up a ioller mill at Lakeville.
and while engaged in this contracted a severe cold
which brought on his last illness. He was known
as one of the most systematic, energetic and prosperous farmers in all this section, and as one whose
heart and hand were ever ready to respond to the


call of the needy or to contribute to any public
enterprise. He engaged largely in raising fine horses
and sheep. He never kept inferior stock and took
great pride in the welfare of his flocks and herds.
He was a very successful financier as well as a
farmer and at his death his estate was valued at
from $75,000 to $80,000.
Mrs. Snyder is a lady of refined taste, intelligence
and capability. She was born at Aylmer, Ontario,
on the 15th of March, 1850, and was married
May 20, 1886. She was reared and educated in
Lapeer City, being but eight years old when her
parents removed to Michigan. She twice received
a teacher's certificate but never followed teaching.
Her home is a most delightful one, as the large
frame house is surrounded by fine evergreen and
deciduous shade trees. The lawn is covered with
rare plants and flowers in which she takes great delight. The large red barns and other commodious
farm buildings foi m a practical background to the
beauties of the home.
Elsewhere in this volume appear lithographic
portraits of Mrs. Snyder and the late Mr. Snyder.
^ OHN W. CANNON, editor of the Oxford
Globe, Oxford, Oakland County, was born
in  Royal Oak   Township, this county,
January 17, 1836. He is the son of the
Rev. John and Sallie (Cook) Cannon, natives of
New York and Vermont, respectively. The Rev.
John Cannon, or Elder Cannon as he was known,
was a pioneer minister of the Christian Church who
came to Michigan in 1831, and located first at Lodi
Plains near Ypsilanti. From that time on and
until after 1836 this good minister traveled about,
preaching in the homes of the settlers and in the
schoolhouses as soon as they were erected. His
efforts for the spiritual instruction of his widely
scattered flock were crowned with success and his
name is ever spoken with gratitude, as belonging to
a self-denying and noble man; he is still living in
Macomb County. He was born September 21,
1808. To himself and his good wife were given
seven children, three sons and four daughters, who




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUIM..I


803


are all living to be a comfort to their father in his
old age. Stephen B., lives on the old homestead in
Macomb County; Sarah M., is the wife of S. G..
Cole, at Marquette, Mich.; John W., is our subject;
Hannah M. is the wife of W. W. Watkins of
Rochester; Ellery C., lives in Evart, Osceola
County, a member of the Legislature; Mary L. resides on the homestead; Theda A., is the wife of
Horace Perkins, of New Baltimore, Mich.
The subject of this sketch was educated at what
is known as Dickinson Institute at Romeo, and also
at Disco Academy. He taught school a number of
terms and during the war took charge of the farm
of a brother who entered the army as a soldier.
After the close of the war he engaged in merchandising which he followed for sixteen or seventeen
years. He was Postmaster at Disco, Macomb
County, from 1877 to 1879. While holding this
office he came to Oxford and established the Oxford Globe. This necessitated his resignation as
Postmaster of Disco. The Globe has continued since
through much tribulation and opposition. Seven
other papers have started since its coming here
and have succumbed to the inevitable, while the
Globe continues on its independent course.
The marriage of our subject May 25, 1876, with
Juliette E., daughter of Jacob and Sarah A. Johnson, pioneers in this section of the county took
place at Addison, this county. Mr. Cannon is a
Republican. He cast his first vote for Abraham
Lincoln and has been faithful to the party ever
since. lie is a member of the Masonic fraternity
both Lodge and Chapter and also the Knights of
Maccabees.
LBERT A. RUST, Postmaster at Franklin,
has been carrying on a store in this village since August, 1861. He at that time
bought out John A. Biglow, whose stock
was invoiced at $50, and he has continued the sale
of general merchandise, drugs, etc. He also has a
farm of one hundred and ten acres on sections 5
and 6, which he carries on in connection with his
other business. By close attention to business,


honorable dealing and good judgment, he has secured a steadily increasing run of custom and he
has prospered accordingly. His d welling is one of
the handsomest in the county, being a brick house
which cost $5,000. He has held the Postmastership since 1869, and his continuance year after
year shows that he is popular with the people, and
that they are not anxious for a change.
Mr. Rust is descended from families of New England, and his parents, James P. and Lydia (Pratt)
Rust, were born in Orwell, Vt., July 29, 1810, and
April 2, 1814, respectively. They were married in
Southfield Township, this county, to which the
bride had come with her parents in 1834. They
lived in that township all their lives, but changed
their place of residence, and went to another
farm in 1840, where the father died in 1857.
The widow is still living and makes her home
with her elder living child, Albert A. The
family included James Edgar, who died when seven
years old, and John B., who is living in Oakland,
Cal. The latter is a merchandise broker, representing about thirty firms, among them George C.
Weatherby & Co., of Detroit. Mr. Rust was a
member of the Whig party and of the Methodist
Protestant Church, in which he was active and
efficient. His father, Clement Rust, spent the
most of his life in Orwell, Vt., where he died.
The natal day of Albert A. Rust, was September
9, 1840, and he was born on the farm in Southfield
Township, that was the home of his parents for a
number of years. He began his studies in the
district school and completed them in Birmingham
in 1860. A few months later he was established
in business in Franklin, with the interests of which
place he has been closely identified in an official
capacity, and as a citizen of irreproachable character and business ability. He was married in 1862,
to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of John German,
who was born in this county in 1840. They llave
had two daughters: Ada M., who was born March
11, 1865, and died April 12, 1878, and Alice G.,
whose natal day was November 10, 1867, and who
is still with her parents.
The first official position held by Mr. Rust was
that of Township Treasurer in which he served in
1881, 1883-84. He was Supervisor in 1889 and




804


APORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUtM.


804PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


1890. He has been a Mason since 1863, and is
enrolled in Birmingham Lodge, No. 44. Politically he is a steadfast Republican. He is a very
prominent member of the United Presbyterian
Church, and has held all the offices in the society,
and has been a delegate to the annual conference
fifteen different years but not consecutively. In
1872 he was elected to the general conference at
Pittsburg, Pa., and in 1876 to that held at Baltimore, Md. He is now one of the Trustees in the
annual conference, and Treasurer of the annual
conference boards.
0  -Ws             -: _4


HINEAS LYON, one of the oldest settlers
in Milford Township, is probably as well
known as any resident in this locality. For
more than half a century he has lived on
section 5. and he now owns a fine farm with a substantial house, barns and other buildings, where
every comfort is to be found. In the operation of
this estate Mr. Lyon is aided by his son. By his
personal efforts one hundred and forty-five acres
were denuded of timber and placed under cultivation, and few can honestly claim a better record
for industry and perseverance. Father Lyon, as
he is commonly called, was born in Middlesex
County, Conn., May 7, 1808, but grew to manhood
in New York. He received a common-school education, and early learned how to carry on a farm.
He worked out for others before he was of age, and
then took the management of his father's business.
Early in 1837 Mr. Lyon came to this State, having left his home to find some land in the West.
He made a short stop in Romeo, and in 1838 bought
one hundred and sixty acres in Highland Township, this county, adjoining his present farm. It
was raw land of the kind known as oak openings.
Mr. Lyon lived is a rented house for a short time,
while building a small frame. He afterward bought
one hundred and five acres where he is now living.
He had charge of the farm, and during the first
year cleared thirty-two acres and broke the soil
ready for planting. He made a trip to New York
to settle up busines affairs there.


Phineas Lyon, Sr., father of our subject, was
born in Connecticut in 1770, and was a shoemaker
and tanner by trade, and later in life a farmer. He
married Sarah Stevens, who was born in Connecticut in 1777. The marriage ceremony took place
in Oneida County, N. Y.; from there they removed
to Otsego, where they remained until 1837. They
then came West and took possession of the land
selected by the son, and here they remained until
death. Mrs. Lyon died in 1843, and Mr. Lyon
April 5, 1859. They had six children, but our
subject is the only one now living. The father was
a Democrat in politics, and a Quaker in his religious faith.
In June, 1846, Phineas Lyon, Jr., was married
to Miss Adeline Phelps, of Dexter, this State, sister of N. A. Phelps, a well-known resident of that
place. She proved her worth as a wife and mother
during a quarter of a century of wedded life. She
died March 18, 1872, at the age of fifty-two years
and three months. She was an humble Christian and
active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The marriage was blest by the birth of four children
-Alfred P., Sarah and Mary (twins) and Sanford
R. Alfred was born July 27, 1847, married Lillie
Arms, and has one child; he now lives in Bay City,
where he is practicing law. The twins were born
September 15, 1848. Sarah is the wife of Levi
Crawford; and Mary married Alorzo Kimberly;
the one lives in Milford Township, and the other
in Pleasant Valley, and each has one child. The
younger son was born in February, 1857, and is carrying on the home farm. On November 1, 1877,
Mr. Lyon was married to Mrs. Eliza (Walker) McDermand, the daughter of William and Sarah
(Fansher) Walker, and the widow of Franklin McDermand.
Mr. Lyon has always voted a Democratic ticket.
He has been Highway Commissioner; Assessor and
School Director, and in the last named office has
served for many years. From his youth he has
taken a deep interest in whatever would tend to
elevate the status of society and add to the prosperity of the nation. His faith is that of the Society of Friends, and he possesses the peaceful,
happy nature which is so characteristic of that class
and which has a beneficial effect upon all whom




i
i
I
I.1
"I
II
I.1
i31
i
I






z
-j
0
0
0
Lai
V)
0
LiJ
L'i
0L
L-~
LLi
z
Li
LJ


m
0
U
z
-j
y
0
Os
H
0
L-i
(3
Li
z
0
-j
U)
Li
z
UA-)
LLi
C)
Li


K". I.






I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGR&PHICAL ALIBUM.


807


PORTRAIT AND B~~IOGAHCLABM                    0


they meet. He is beloved by everyone who knows
him, and it affords his friends satisfaction to know
that he is well supplied with the good things of life.
Mr. Lyon has met with many accidents. His collar
'bone was once broken, and other serious injuries
received while he was threshing, the accident being
occasioned by a fractious team which broke the
coupling irons and knocked him down. While
hauling hay to Milford, a team ran away with him
and he was thrown upon the frozen ground, causing a fracture of the skull five inches long. Other
catastrophes have befallen him, but he makes the
best of every misfortune.
Elsewhere in this volume appears a view of the
pleasant home of Mr. Lyon.
ETER REID. Royal Oak Township is not
without her share of fine farms that are noticeable features in this county and stamp
it as one of the most flourishing agricultural
districts of the State. One of these attractive
pieces of property consists of two hundred and six
acres on section 4, and is owned and operated by
Mr. Reid. Almost the entire acreage is under cultivation and the owner keeps nineteen. head of
cows and other stock in proportionate numbers.
The land is well tilled and various crops are raised,
the amount per acre being generally satisfactory
and the quality A No. 1. The buildings that have
been put up are substantial, conveniently arranged,
and sufficient to answer every need. A view of
the residence and pleasant surroundings appears on
another page. The prosperous condition in which
Mr. Reid now finds himself is due to his having
worked hard and given his close attention to his
business affairs and when necessary exercising frugality and self-denial.
The birthplace of Mr. Reid was County Antrim,
Ireland, and his natal day November 20, 1820.
The reader is referred to the sketch of his brother,
Adam Reid, for facts regarding the parents. Peter
was the eldest child in the parental family and was
reared and educated in the land of his birth. He
engaged in frpiing and parried op his vocation in


the Emerald Isle until 1846, when he emigrated,
believing that in America he would find a broader
field in which to exercise his ability. His first sojourn was made in New Jersey, where he worked on
the farm by the month, remaining there until 1861.
He then came to this State and located in Southfield Township, this county, but in 1875 changed
his place of abode to that which is now his home.
He is fortunate in having won for his wife a lady
of good judgment, housewifery skill and fine character, whose maiden name was Jane Howe. She
was born in Ireland and their marriage took place
in New Jersey in 1846.
Mr. and Mrs. Reid have four children, of whom
we note the following: Samuel and Adam, the eldest and youngest, reside with their parents; Eliza
is the wife of Albert Todd and resides in Troy
Township; Molly A. married Benjamin Hartrick
and their home is in Detroit. Parents and children
belong to the United Presbyterian Church, and all
being good singers have been members of the
choir for a long time. Mr. Reid is an Elder in the
church and a teacher in the Sunday-school and
has always taken an active interest in promoting
the cause of religion. In politics he is a Republican. The family has high standing in the community and its members count their friends by the
score.


HESTER M. WYCKOFF is one of the class
known as retired farmers, several of whom
are enjoying the ease and pleasure of town
life in Pontiac. He is the representative of one of
the old families of this county, his parents having
come hither in 1832, and he is himself a native of
the county, born in the town of Oakland May 2,
1835. His father, William Wyckoff, was born in
Warren County, N. J., in 1809, and is the son of
John Wyckoff, whose ancestors came from Holland.
The mother of our subject was Hannah Perry, who
was born in New Jersey in 1805, and was a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Grundyke) Perry, who
were of Dutch stock.
Soon after their marriage William Wyckoff and
his wife cae WVest and located in Qakland, but




808


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I

I


three years later they sold out there and removed
to Independence Township, where they made a
permanent home. They had a farm of two hundred and forty acres, a portion of which was heavily timbered when they took possession. In those
early days Indians were numerous in the locality
and when the men were away from home would
often frighten the women and children from the
house and go in and help themselves to whatever
they could find. Having gotten enough to eat
they would have a grand carousal and then leave.
They were, however, generally of friendly disposition and did no special damage, other than to
keep the timid in a state of unrest. Mr. Wyckoff
helped to organize the township and was its first
Justice of the Peace. He was a stanch Democrat
and for years prior to his death was a regular attendant at the Presbyterian Church, in the faith of
which he died. The date of his demise was September 30, 1860, and that of his wife September 13.
1875. They reared one son and four daughters,
the latter being Catherine, now deceased, who was
the wife of Joshua Predmore; Sarah, wife of Nathaniel Hart, living in Orion Township; Nancy,
wife of William Beardslee, living in Cole Station;
and Mary, who married George Walters and lives
in Independence Township.
Our subject attended school in Orion Township
and in the summer drove oxen and otherwise aided
his father on the farm. He did not leave the
homestead. but even after lie grew to maturity
eontinued to work there, and on the death of his
father took charge of the farm. He has carried
on general farming and stock-raising and taken
quite an interest in fine wool sheep and Short-horn
cattle. The landed estate to which he holds the
deed consists of one hundred and eighty-two acres
which he now rents out, having himself lived in
Pontiac since March, 1878. The farm is well improved in every respect and is the source of a very
good income.
April 24, 1862. was the wedding day of Mr.
Wyckoff and Miss Rebecca J. Van Syckle, of Orion
Township. The parents of the bride were Morris
Green and Sarah Ann (Swayze) Van Syckle, natives of Warren County, N. J. They lived in Pike
County, Pa,, a short time and there their daughter


0


was born April 16, 1842. When the child was nine
years old they removed to Bradford County, Pa.
While on a visit to relatives in this county she became acquainted with the gentleman to whom she
gave her hand. The union has been blest by the
birth of one son, William Morris, telegraph operator and station agent at Dryden, Lapeer County.
For years Mr. Wyckoff has been numbered
among the Democrats and he is a stanch advocate
of the principles of the party. He and his wife
hold membership in the MethodistEpiscopalChurch
and have given it liberal support during the long
years of their connection therewith. They have
endeavored to be useful in their day and generation, and no one who knows them questions their
success. Mr. Wyckoff is strictly honest and conscientious and is held in high esteem wherever
he is known.
ASSIUS C. STEVENS. Among the younger
members of the farming community of this
county mention should certainly be made of
Mr. Stevens, of Oxford Township. He has attained
a high position among his fellow-men, not only for
his knowledge of all that pertains to the development of the soil, but also because of his good judgment and excellent understanding of the general
affairs of life. An intelligent, well-informed man,
he thinks for himself and his good judgment has
enabled him to meet with marked success both as
a farmer and stock-raiser. In addition to agriculture, he devotes considerable attention to work not
usually found among men of his calling. A natural mechanic, it is fitly said of him that "he can
turn his hand to do almost anything." Although
he never learned the trade of a mechanic, he is
skilled in the art, and has recently built a carriage
fine enough for anyone to ride in. At the forge he
is as much at home as behind the plow, and his
versatile genius is displayed in many other ways.
The grandfather of Mr. Stevens, Daniel Stevens
by name, was a native of Connecticut, whence lie
removed to Genesee County, N. Y., and there he
followed farming many years. At the time of his




PORTRAIT AND BIOl


removal to New York his son, Riley, the father of


our subject, was only one year old and hence his
earliest recollections are of scenes of the Empire
State. In his youth he learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed several years in New York,
and until his removal to Michigan, where he located
in Romeo, Macomb County. There he also engaged
at his trade for three years, and afterward spent
three years on a farm near Romeo. We next find
him in Oxford Township, Oakland County, where
he purchased a farm on section 2.
At the time of his removal to this county. Riley
Stevens found the country much of a wilderness in
appearance. Wild game was plentiful and deer
frequently appeared within sight of the house. Mr.
Stevens was a wide-awake mal and lost no time in
clearing and improving his land, which repaid his
industrious efforts by bountiful harvests of golden
grain. For several years his team consisted of a
yoke of oxen with which he made many a trip to
Pontiac to market produce and to bring back
building material, etc. lie lived until 1883, becoming one of the venerable pioneers of this county,
and as such the present and coming generations
will hold him in reverence.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Charity H. Cowley, and was born in 1808 in
Cat uga County, N. Y. Her parents were Eastern
people, her father a native of New York and her
mother of Connecticut. Both died in the Empire
State. Mrs. Stevens is still living and makes her
home with our subject. She has always enjoyed
good health, and is a woman of culture and marked
traits of character. Our subject is the only survivor of a family of four children born to his parents and his birth occurred in Romeo, Mich.. June
23, 1850. When he was three years old he was
taken by his parents to the farm where he still
resides and he has always remained at home. His
parents gave him the advantages of as good an education as could be obtained in the district schools
of that day and he began at an early age to assist
in the farm work. For several years prior to his
father's death he conducted the farm work and in
his youth received a thorough practical training
in his chosen calling.
Mr, Stevens undoubtedly owes much of his hap

GRAPHICAL ALBUM.                           809
piness and prosperity to the devoted wife, with
whom he was united in marriage November 1, 1 874.
She is a notable housewife, understanding well not
only how to make her home comfortable but also
attractive, and she is greatly esteemed for her kindliness and cheerful hospitality. Mrs. Stevens was
formerly Miss Annie Haines and was born in Bruce
Township, Macomb County, Mich., in 1859. Her
parents, Milo B. and Emily Haines, natives of New
York, are now living in Almont, Lapeer County.
Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have a family of bright and
intelligent children, who are named as follows:
Fred F., Mark E., Harmon R., Cassius H. and
Harry (twins), deceased, Marvin and Mahlon
(twins). Politically Mr. Stevens is a stanch Republica, and socially belongs to the order of Maccabees. His residence is a large and handsome frame
house, and in the rear are noticeable numerous substantial buildings, such as are needed for the storage of grain and shelter of stock. The farm comprises one hundred and forty acres and is one of
the best improved in the community.
RED M. CLARK.       The subject of this
brief notice was born in Lapeer County,
this State, August 8, 1858. He is a son of
Robert and Laura (Pemberton) Clark, natives of
England and Pennsylvania respectively. The father sailed from  England in 1848 and settled
in Lapeer County, where he worked for awhile at
his trade, that of a baker. He then began farming
in Elba, Lapeer County, which he considered more
remunerative. There were eight children born to
Mr. and Mrs. Clark, who are named as follows:
Leslie, a farmer in Lapeer County; Eva, widow of
the late Melvin Inman: Fred M., Arthur D., is a
farmer in Lapeer County, Flora, the wife of H.
Green, residing in Chicago; and Lorin, Et druggist at Oxford; besides Bertha and Carrie who remain at home. The father of this family passed
away May 25, 1891.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood on
the farm and received his education in the district
schools, In 1882 he entered upon the work of




810


PORT RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


manufacturing, and started a small factory for
the making of bedsprings. Success crowned his
efforts and his business grew to a large and wide
spread wholesale trade through various counties
in the State. In 1887 he came to the thriving
little city of Oxford and in connection with his
brother, A. D., built the Union Hotel, which under
his management soon became the leading hotel of
that city and indeed was counted equal to any
public house in towns of the size of Oxford in this
part of the State. He had the management of the
Union about a year when he sold it. He then
erected the present hotel, the Oakland, which has
all the modern improvements and is elegantly
furnished from attic to basement. The building
and furniture cost $12,000. This house is known
throughout the State by travelers and is universally
named as the leading hotel of its size in Michigan.
Mr. Clalk has recently sold his hotel business and
is now erecting a business block adjoining the Oakland Hotel on the south in which he expects to establish a first-class restaurant.
Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Mary
Sullivan, December 24, 1879. She is also a native
of Lapeer County. One child, John L., has been
granted to them. Our subject is a member in good
standing of the following organizations: The
Knights of Pythias, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the
Independent Order of Foresters at Oxford, and is
an active member of the Democratic party.
EHEMIAH SMITH is one of the old settlers of Holly Township, of whom Oakland
County people may well feel proud. His
life of industry and enterprise has led to success,
and his strict integrity and resolve to keep out of
debt, have made him universally trusted in financial circles. He was born in Ulster County, N. Y.,
January 29, 1827. His father was Moses, and his
grandfather Jonathan Smith, both natives of New
York.
Jonathan Smith was a farmer, and a soldier in
the War of 1812, The father came from Ulster


County, N. Y., to Oakland County, Mich., in the
fall of 1834. He made his journey by Erie Canal
to Buffalo, thence by steamer to Detroit, and
teamed it to this county. He settled near Olive
Branch and took up one hundred and sixty acres
from the Government. He was a good shot, and
game was in plenty. He came here poor, and finally
was the owner of five hundred acres of splendid
land. He helped to lay out many of the roads in
this county. He used to travel to Detroit by oxteam to do trading. His milling was done at Pontiac in the very early days, and later at Clarkston.
He died near Olive Branch in 1884. His religious
home was with the Methodist Church. He was
originally a Jacksonian Democrat, but he joined
the Republican party in 1856. He married Catherine Coon, the mother of our subject, who was
born in Ulster County, N. Y. She reared six of
ler eight children to maturity, namely: Lucinda,
Nehemiah, Mathew, Dennis, Frank, Lott and Sarah.
The mother was a member of the Methodist Episeopal Church, and lived to the good old age of
eighty-five years.
The subject of this sketch came to this county
with his parents when he was eight years old. IHe
had vivid remembrance of the trip and of his early
life in the log cabin in the woods. IIe attended
the school in the log schoolhouses, and sat upon
the slab benches. The rate bill system was then in
vogue. This youth worked in clearing the forest
and went barefooted about his work, and often
found himself walking over snakes and reptiles of
various kinds. He began to work for himself at
twenty years of age. For seven years he worked
out by the month at teaming in Detroit. He bought
the present farm in 1854, only two acres of which
were cleared, and the old log house was the only
improvement placed upon it. He helped to clear
seven farms before coming here. He has one hundred and sixty acres, all but thirty of which is
cleared, and he raises stock and grain. His present
fine residence was erected in 1872, and his barns
were built in 1866 and 1877.
The married life of our subject began happily
in 1857. His bride, Eliza J. Ritchey, was born in
this county. Her parents John and Ann (Hamilton) Ritchey, were natives of Ireland, and were




4




Tr
I
I~,, 5,,
r
- ~4-4"
Fc~


Klfieet


@oqt c




PORETR1AIT ANDl BIO~GRAPHICALT ALBUM.


813


PORTRT AD BI


pioneers in this region in 1836. Six children have
blessed this home, three of whom are now living,
namely: William R. married Libby Minoc, and is
a farmer; John R. married Nellie I. Everts, and
farms the home farm; Minnie J. married Leman
Campbell. Our subject and his wife are Methodists in their religious belief, and Mr. Smith's political affiliations are with the Democrats.
LFRED GOODMAN, who represents a
well-known family in Southeastern Michigan, is by occupation, farmer, hotel-keeper
and dairyman. He makes his home in
Royal Oak Township, although an owner of much
valuable real estate, besides the Goodman Hotel, in
Detroit. His portrait is presented in connection
with the following brief account of his life. The
father of our subject, Stephen Goodman, was a
Baptist minister and was born in August, 1799 in
Middlesex County, England. He came to America
in June of 1830, and proceeding directly to Michigan became the organizer of the first Baptist
Church at Detroit. It was composed of four
women and three men. He remained with them
through the next two years, then went to Saline
and after two years there bought a farm at Auburn
where he locatel.
The Rev. Mr. Goodman traveled extensively
over this part of Michigan and came to Troy in
1838, and buying a farm  made it his permanent
home. He also engaged in mercantile business at
Troy Corners where he died in 1874. He had married in 1828 Jane Barrow, who became the mother
of six children, three sons and three daughters.
John S., who was a son by a former marriage, was
born in 1822 in London, England. He studied at
the University at Madison, N. Y., afterward at
Hamilton, Ohio, and was graduated from the University at Ann Arbor, fitting himself for missionary work. He was married in 1845 to Harriet
Peters, daughter of Capt. Peters of Scio, Washtenaw County, Mich. This lady died in 1851 in
Ohio. After this he married Mary Price, who
went with him in 1852 as a missionary to Africa,


They were located at a place one hundred miles
south of Sierra Leone. In Africa one child was
born to them which did not live.
They came home by way of London, England, in
September, 1855, and the young missionary became
pastor of the church at Flint, Mich. Two years
later he went from there to Saginaw in 1857 and
became the pastor of the Baptist Church. After
serving in this capacity for three years he was made
County Superintendent of Schools which office he
held for nine years. His election was the result of
an agreement between both parties as he was the
choice of both and there was no opposition. He
was also engaged in doing missionary work in the
country while carrying on his educational matters.
About this time he became identified with the order
of Masonry and took the highest degree in America that is granted. He officiated as Chaplain at
the laying of the corner stone of the library building in Detroit. This reverend gentleman died in
November, 1884, mourned by all who knew him.
Our subject, the second son of the family, was
born in London, England, May 22, 1829, and
came with his parents to Detroit in 1830. He received his education as the boys of those (lays did,
on the farm and in the log schoolhouse. In 1846
he started out as a peddler with a tin trunk, but he
had not yet completed his educaticn, and delermining to have more, he attended the Romeo
Academy for three months in 1849. In 1850 he
engaged in the business of furnishing plank to the
Detroit & Birmingham Plank Road Company. In
1851 he was smitten with the gold fever and went
to California, but came back in 1855 and went into
l)usiness at Troy Corners. In 1859 he sold out and
farmed for a year; next he went to Detroit and
began the hotel business by the purchase and management of the Grand River House and in 1868 he
built the Hotel Goodman of which he is the proprietor.
The marriage of Mr. Goodman took place in
1856. His bride was Ulenna H. Bradley, daughter
of Wakeman Bradley, one of the first settlers and
the first Supervisor of Royal Oak, Troy and Avon,
when they were one township. He was also a
teacher and was the first English clerk in Detroit.
Two children bless the marriage of our subject




814


PORT1RAIT   AND   BIOG RECAPHICAL ALBU M.


I


with Miss Bradley. Fred A. was born October 16,
1871, and when seventeen years old joined the
Scott Guards. He now has charge of the Hotel
Goodman, and is the youngest hotel manager in the
United States. The daughter Nellie, who was born
October 22, 1874, is attending school at Detroit
and fitting herself for the stage, for which she has
decided talent.
Our subject has one brother, William Goodman,
who is a hardware merchant at Clare, Micb. Two
of his sisters, Mrs. Vorhies and Mrs. Julia B. Town,
reside at Grand Island, Neb., and the third sister,
Mrs. Lucy B. Cutting, at Troy Corners. Mr.
Goodman's experiences in going to California are
of interest. He was one hundred and two days on
the way from New York to San Francisco; was
shipwrecked three times on the trip and was put
on short allowance for fourteen days. He is now
making his home on the farm that was pre-empted
by Wakeman Bradley in 1825, and the deed was
signed by John Adams. He is attending to farming simply because he is not content to be idle and
finds it better for his health to continue the stirring
life which has always been his. He is a man of
sterling qualities and broad intelligence, and has
achieved large prosperity by close attention to
business and by wise investment in Detroit property. The family is an old and well-known one
and this gentleman feels a just pride in his talented
children.
A portrait of Mr. Goodman appears in connection with this record of the principal events of his
life.
fOBERT   JOHNSTON, M. D., established
himself in Milford in the spring of 1866 not
long after his return from Southern battlefields, where he had gone into many dangers
in his efforts to aid those who were suffering from
the wounds made by shot or shell or the diseases
incurred in camp and on the march. He is one of
the partners in a well-established drug business
which was instituted in 1881 and is conducted
under the style of Johnston & Crawford.
pr, Johnstpn is descended from the Cameron


clan of Scotland, but his grandfather, Christie
Johnston, was born in the North of Ireland.
When a youth that gentleman came to America
and located in Pennsylvania. He was a saddler
and harness-maker and his son Robert, father of
our subject, learned the same trade and worked at
saddlemaking for a number of years.   Robert
Johnston was born in Washington County, Pa., in
1790. He removed in 1842 to Rails County, Mo.,
near Hannibal, and engaged in farming. In politics
he was first a Whig and then a Republican. He
was Justice of the Peace and held other local
offices and was an Elder in the Presbyterian
Church; he died in 1865. His wife, formerly
Rebecca Van Eman, was born in the same county
as himself and was the daughter of a lumber
manufacturer there; her ancestors came from Holland. She still lives and is now a resident of
Monroe City, Mo. The parental family comprised
four daughters and eight sons, and five of the
latter took part in the Civil War. Maj. Andrew
Johnston, one of the number, was killed at
Centralia, Mo.
Dr. Johnston, the sixth child of his parents, was
born in Washington County, Pa., July 5, 1838,
and went to Missouri when four years old. His
time was chiefly spent on the farm and his early
education was obtained in a log schoolhouse under
the rate bill system. He then entered Van Rensselaer Academy at Big Creek, Mo., and when
eighteen years old engaged in teaching. While
teaching he studied medicine under the guidance
of Dr. Robert Frazier of Madisonville, and after
some preliminary reading entered the State University at Keokuk, Iowa. The breaking out of the
Civil War interrupted his peaceful pursuits and in
September, 1861, he enlisted in the Fifth Missouri
Infantry, Company A, and was mustered in at
Louisiana, Mo.
The first six months' service of Dr. Johnston
was under Gov. Gamble, in Missouri, and he
was honorably discharged in March, 1862. He
went to Ohio and at once entered the Ohio
Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine July 3 of
that year. He at once went on duty at Camp
Dennison as surgeon, having oversight of two




PORT h1AIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


815


wards in the hospital, and on September 8, he
received the Government appointment of Assistant
Surgeon in the One Hundreth Ohio Infantry, which
was attached to the Army of Ohio. He took part
in scenes of danger and toil in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, after the Atlanta campaign returned toward the North in Thomas' command,
and was present at Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville.
During the battle of Limestone Bridge he was
captureld' y Gen. Jackson's men and sent to
Libby prison, where he was confined two months.
The medical men were at this time usually released,
but they were detained on account of the trial of
Dr. Rooker, which involved the question of the
Confederacy being a separate government, from
September 24 to November 24. He then reported
to his command, with which he remained until the
close of the war and was mustered out at Cleveland,
Ohio, July 3, 1865.
The experience of Dr. Johnston in surgery had
been very useful to him and he was desirous of
still further perfecting himself in that branch of
his profession. After practicing until fall, he entered Bellevue Hospital in New York from which
he was graduated in the spring of 1866. He
then came to Milford, which was quite a small
place, without railroad communication with the
surrounding country, and here he has remained
doing such satisfactory work that it was not long
before he had his hands and heart full. He is an
advocate of the regular school of medicine.
Wordly prosperity has been his and he is able to
gratify his scholarly tastes, and his fine home contains a large collection of the best literary works.
He owns a farm of six hundred and forty acres in
Dakota.
In Penn Yan, N. Y., in 1871, Dr. Johnston was
married to Miss Minnie Jacobus, a native of that
city and a lady of more than ordinary mental culture. She was graduated from the Academy in
Penn Yan and for some years was engaged in
teaching. She is the mother of five childrenErnest Van E., Robert E., Fred M., William  D.
and Minnie E. The oldest son is attending the
Agricultural College at Lansing and the others are
at home. Dr. Johnston has been a member of


the School Board for more than twenty years
consecutively.  He is a demitted Odd Fellow and
is Surgeon in the Grand Army Post of Milford.
Politically, he is a stanch Republican and religiously
a sincere Presbyterian. He belongs to the Oakland
County Academy of Medicine. He and his respected wife move in the best circles of society and
their residence in Milford is considered an honor
to the place.
-w.          A. ---4
HARLES BROOKS, one of the American
citizens of British descent who are a credit
to the home of their parents' adoption, was
born in Connecticut October 25, 1835. His father,
John Brooks, was an Englishman and a silk weaver
by trade in his native home. lie came to America
and located in 1832, and engaged in various occupations in New England. His death occurred
February 17, 1883, when he had reached the
goodly age of seventy-five years. He was a zealous
and warm-hearted member of the Baptist Church
and brought his children up in the faith. His wife,
Ann Brooks, who was taken from his side by death
in 1857, also followed the trade ofasilk-weaver.
Of their large family of eleven children, all are
living except one.
The subject of this sketch received a good district-school education, beginning it in New England and going on with it after his emigration to
Michigan, which occurred when he was six years
old. At that date, 1841, the'country was new and
wild. Deer were plentiful and Indians abounded.
The boy went to school in a log schoolhouse and
learned farming at home. After he became of age
he undertook farming independently, and with his
wonted energy. He worked farms on shares for
several years, thus making a beginning as many
another young man has done. He has several times
purchased farms and sold again as he found he
could better himself, and in 1880 he located on his
present tract of land on section 17.
When this young man was twenty-five years old
he met a young lady, Sarah M. Lockwood by name,
and becoming interested in her chose her aq his




816


PO RTRA~fr AND BIOGRAPHICA~L ALBUM.


816PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


wife. They were married in 1860 and the following
children crowned their union. They are all living
except Rosina and Jessie. Those who survive are
Charles W., Thomas D., Mary A., Addison R.,
Frank S., and Timothy L. This gentleman is a Democrat but does not mix much in political matters.
His one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved
land and his beautiful home and fine farm buildings carry out the testimony of his neighbors who
say he is a "hustler."
----     r3S; j          -


PR   RANK HARFF. Those who believe that
comfort is not to be found in country life,
have but to visit the home of the abovenamed gentleman, to see conclusive evidences to
the contrary, and to learn that a farmer's family
may have ts tasteful surroundings as those found
in the majority of city homes. The estate to which
we allude is located on section 3, Bloomfield Township, and lies three miles southeast of Pontiac. It
is well stocked with thoroughbred Short-horn cattle and other stock of a high grade, and the buildings which adorn the place are commodious and
well designed, and include every convenience for
household and farm work. The barn, which was
erected at a cost of $3,400, is the largest in the
county, being 120x50 feet with a ten foot basement. The residence is also one of the most commodious and elegant in the county, and, with its
rural surroundings is represented by a view on another page. It is a brick structure, with a large
double "L," and all modern conveniences. Altogether, the estate is one of the finest in the township,
and its value is increased by the fine system of
water-works introduced and perfected by the owner.
Mr. Harff is one of oui substantial citizens who
clai:a Germany as their Fatherland, and lie was
born in Prussia, December 15,1834. Of that country his parents, George and Catherine Harff, were
also natives and there they spent their entire lives.
Of their six children our subject was the first-born
and he was reared in his native place, receiving the
advantages of a common-school education and asgisting his father with the farm work, In 1850 he


set sail for the New World, and after an uneventful voyage of thirty-six days landed in the city of
New York, whence he came West to Cleveland.
He arrived in the latter city with just three cents
in his pocket and engaged to work upon a faLm for
$6 per month. At the time of his arrival he could
not speak a work of English, but has now become
proficient in the use of the language.
After remaining on the farm three months Mr.
Harff procured work in a planing mill in the city
of Cleveland for which he received eighty-five
cents a day. Here he stayed for two years and
then came to the pineries of Michigan and followed
the occupation of a cook in the logging camps for
one year. He received no money at all for his
work here, being cheated out of it. He then came
to Detroit, and entering the employ of a vessel, acted
as fireman to the engine, for a passage to Lake
Superior. He remained several years in that part
of the country, engaging in mining. At the time
the war broke out he returned to Detroit, but not
being able to obtain employment he went into the
country and chopped several hundred cords of
wood at thirty-six cents per cord.
Returning to Detroit he went to work on the
docks, and continued there, loading vessels until
the close of the war. He then began buying and
selling old iron, hides, etc., in the Lake Superior
regions. He followed this for two or threeJ years
making several thousand dollars by it. He then
in company with William Smith of Detroit, started
a tobacco and cigar factory. After losing $1,000
he closed this business relation and engaged in the
manufacture of cigars and in wholesale dealing in
liquor. He was engaged in this business at Detroit
until April, 1878, when he sold it out and purchasing his present farm moved on to it. He has since
given all his attention to farming and stock-raising.
The marriage of Mr. Harff took place October
8, 1859. He was then united with Eliza Dietz of
Detroit, where she was born December 23, 1842.
She is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Dietz, of
Germany. They came to America at an early day
and died at Detroit, Mich. Our subject and his
wife have had four children, all of whom are living, namely-Fred H., Christipa, Mary and Annie,




~0:ii"
0
i,-:. ~!           ~ '
'~:i
1:12
~'~i! '5
r~i     P'",'0
i0
-~sK~  %~-~z
iii  ~;L 7          I-J
I I
~3.   i;ii            a
p                                      U)
4            61-e 1~I
t'                    i      ~5 ~   F~1




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


819


The son is still single and resides at home. Christina is the wife of Joseph Range and lives in
Parker, Turner County, S. Dak. She has five children, namely-Lizzie, Freddie, Minnie, Josie and
Frances. Mary married Bruce Chatfield, a farmer
in Troy, this county, and has one child, Hazel.
Annie married Wilber Lewis, a farmer in Pontiac
Township, this county, and has one son, Frank.
Mr. Harff is a Republican in his political views,
but takes no other part in politics than to cast his
ballot upon election day.
ARCUS D. ELLIOTT, one of the representative farmers of Rose Township, was
born January 19, 1827, in the town of
Florida, Montgomery County, N. Y. He
is the son of Alexes and Elizabeth (Tripp) Elliott,
natives of New York and Connecticut respectively.
Our subject's grandfather, George Elliott, was a
farmer who lived and died in Montgomery County.
Here his son, Alexes, was born in 1800, and about
the year 1830 he left this locality for Otsego
County, the same State.
It was in the year 1844 that Alexes Elliott came
to Michigan by lake and settled east of Holly, Oakland County, where he resided until his death, in
1848. Both he and his good wife were earnest
and active members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. They reared seven children to be an
honor and comfort to their parents. They were
named: Nathan T., Polly Stadan, Celestia, Marcus
D., Oscar D., Calvin H. and Caroline. All these
have established homes and families of their own.
Their mother was a daughter of David Tripp, a
farmer, who represented his home locality in the
New York Legislature. He was a native of Rhode
Island. He and his good wife, Mary Dickinson,
were the parents of fifteen children, all of whom
grew to maturity. They were members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm
and has been almost entirely self-educated, for at
nine years of age he left home to make his own


-


way in the world. At ten years he had advanced
so that he received $3 a month as his wages,
and he continued to work out until he was
twenty-five. In 1846 he came to Michigan, and
in 1852 he located on sixty acres of land which
belonged to his wife. In the spring of 1855 he
traded this for one hundred and twenty acres on
section 5, Rose Township. This was wild land,
which he has cleared and splendidly improved.
They now own one hundred and sixty acres and
have a fine brick residence and an excellent barn.
He is a breeder of Hambletonian horses and FrenchMerino sheep.
In 1876 Mr. Elliott was elected to the Legislature upon the Republican ticket. For twenty years
he has been a delegate to most of the State conventions held by that party. His war experience
began in the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in Battery H, First Michigan Light Artillery. He took
part in the battles of Point Gibson, Raymond,
Jackson, Champion Hills, Vicksburg and Brownville, and was in the Meridian raid. He was struck
by a shell during the siege of Vicksburg, but was
not seriously injured. During 1864 he saw the
smoke of battle at Kenesaw Mountain, Nickjack
Creek, Atlanta and Jonesville. lie received his
honorable discharge in December, 1864. He had
been promoted in March, 1863, to the rank of
Second Lieutenant and after the siege of Vicksburg to that of First Lieutenant, and the following spring received the commission of a Captain.
The following description of the battle of Atlanta is condensed from an account furnished by
Capt. Elliott to a local paper:
"July 22 was the day of the famous battle of
Atlanta. I was with the Third Division of the
Seventeenth Corps, Army of the Tennessee. Maj.Gen. Frank P. Blair was commanding the corps,
and Brig.-Gen. M. D. Leggett was commanding
the division. As all know, the gallant Gen. McPherson was commanding the army. The day was
a beautiful one, clear and still, but warm.
Bald Hill had been captured the day before
by Brig.-Gen. Force after a very tough struggle.
Our battery participated in the charge and capture, and after it was in the power of the Union
forces our battery was located on the hill, but that
same afternoon we vacated it, and it was then occupied by Battery D, First Illinois, consisting of




820                    PORTRAIT AND BIO(
four 24-pound howitzer guns. My command then
took up a position about one hundred rods left
of Bald Hill. We stopped there during the night
intrenched.
"The gullns of all the batteries were good. We
had six guns, all of which were Rodman's steelrifled cannon. They were the best guns in that
part of the army, if not in tile entire service. The
large amount of artillery practice that we had at
Vicksourg made our men very proficient. We
had the reputation of being a crack organization,
and when we met the enemy. if our division was
anywhere near the front, we were always called
upon to fire the first shots.
-Two of our guns at 10 o'clock on the day in
question were on the left of Murray's battery,
under command of Lieut. William Justin. About
10 o'clock that morning Gens. McPherson, Blair
and Leggettt, and Chief of Artillery W. S. Williams rode past my command and asked me to accompany them. They were talking of establishing
a new line in front of the one then occupied, and
we rode half-way to Atlanta in selecting a site.
We saw the rebels marching out of the town, and
we thought they were evacuating.   They had
asked me to select a location for my battery,
which I did, and it was arranged that a detail of
infantry was to report to me immediately after
dinner to dig intrenchments. Everything was as
quiet as on Sunday, but I had just started for my
dinner when I heard firing on our left rear in the
direction of Decatur. I spoke of it to Capt. Williams, and asked him if I had not better have my
horses harnessed ready for use, as I knew that
should any troops be ordered forward we would
be called upon to go to the fi-ont if it was decided
to send artillery in that direction. He thought
the suggestion a good one, and I issued the order
and then went to dinner. I had just commenced
my meal when hades was let loose upon my left.
I jumped for my horse and got out just in time
to see cannon balls rolling down the road thut led
from the left. I ordered my driveis to mount and
fall back immediately. We then started off to our
right through a cornfield, with the rebels not
twenty rods in our rear, yelling and shooting and
commanding us to halt. But we didn't stop. I
was riding by the last gun, the lead team of which
was ridden by an Irishman named Jim Gordon.
As I rode up to him I asked,
" Jim, shall we halt?'
'Divil a bit,' was his quick response, 'this is no
place for us to halt.'
'-We went on about five hundred yards when
we came to an elevation which I thought was a
good place to try to do something. I ordered a


GRAPHICAL ALBUM.
I


I


halt and commenced firing- right in our rear. Our
stopping seemed to rally some of our forces, who
had been started on the run by the rebels, and they
began forming around us. When we first halted
we had no support at all. We had been firing
about fifteen minutes when a man came up and informed me that he was one of Murray's men and
that the battery had been captured. Ile wanted
to help and I set him to work, and he kept at it
faithtully all afternoon. I was naturally nervous
about my other two guns, which were on Murray's
left, but I had no time to make inquiry. It was
two hours later when I learned that Lieut. Justin
had not only escaped being captured but was then
in our rear and to our right doing effective work.
Later he informed me personally that he had fired
two rounds after Murray's guns had ceased and
still made his escape from the enemy.
"We had many sharp fights and had others afterward, but that afternoon was the hottest of all our
experience. Between 12:30 and 4 o'clock, with
four guns, we fired four hundred rounds of ammunition. Several of the men worked until they
were exhausted and dropped where they stood.
We began by firing in what had been our rear.
When we cleared the enemy out in that direction
we turned tile guns toward the woods. Then we
were attacked on our flank by a battery located
on a slight elevation. But it took only about fifteen minutes to clear them out. Our most deadly
work was when we were charged by Cheatham's
division. Our battery was supported by the remnants of an Indiana regiment. Our guns were
loaded with a double charge of canister and the
balls that the infantry had thrown from their repeating rifles. Only a single man of the enemy
reached us in two charges. His comrades were
mowed down like grain."
The marriage of Capt. Elliott took place on
New Year's Day, 1852. He was then united with
Emily A. Seeley, who was born in Onondaga
County, N. Y., July 16, 1832. She is a daughter
of Isaac and Emily P. (Darling) Seeley, who were
natives of New York. Mr. Seeley was a tanner
and shoemaker. In the fall of 1837 he came to
Pontiac, Mich., where he remained until the spring
of 1838. He then entered one hundred and sixty
acres, which he cleared and improved and lived
upon until his death, in 1844. He had served
in numerous township offices and was well known
throughout that region as an active and consistent
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
politics he was a strong and prominent Whig. He




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


821


-- --- -I- -I --- — - --


left at his death a wife and two children-Melissa M. and Emily A. His widow married a.Mr.
Daniel Fuller for her second husband.
The subject of this sketch and his excellent
and lovely wife have reared to usefulness five
children, namely: Herbert MI., an attorney in Detroit; Addie E., wife of William Zelener; George
M., Cora B. and John D. Mrs. Elliott is an earnest and efficient member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Capt. Elliott is a leading and
prominent member of the Masonic order and also
of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a very
popular man and respected by all who know him.
}[ ON. MICHAEL E. CROFOOT, of Pontiac, was born in Schenectady, N. Y., the,  14th of March, 1822, the son of Charles and
Louisa Crofoot, and died in Pontiac, May
11, 1884. When he was seven years of age his
father with his family removed to Constableville,
Lewis County, N. Y.    Mr. Crofoot's educational advantages were confined to the public
schools. He was ambitious to study law, and although unable to procure a college education, by
close application to his studies in the. common
schools, and afterwards by teaching school, he educated himself.
In 1836 lie went to Rome, N. Y., to live in the.
family of B. B.Hyde, a canal collector. Here he
remained two years and attended the public school.
He then returhed home, engaged in farm work, and
attended school a portion of the time, until 1838,
when he began teaching to earn the means to enable him to finish his education. As soon as he
was able lie entered the Temple Hill Academy, at
Geneseo, N. Y., and took a two years' course. In
1841 he undertook the study of medicine, that being the only profession open to his limited means.
He continued his studies for about a year, when lie
engaged to teach at the town of Gates, near Rochester, N. Y.
In the spring of 1843, acting under the advice of
Mr. Monroe, an officer of the school district and a
warm personal friend, Mr. Crofoot entered as a




I


--------------------


student the law office of General II. L. Stevens,
then one of the most prominent lawyers of Rochester. He continued his law studies there for a period of three years, teaching school during the winter seasons, and also attended to various suits in
the justices' courts, and some matters in the public courts. In the spring of 1845, Gen. Stevens
had business which called him to Michigan, and
and soon after removed his family to Pontiac, engaging in the practice of law at that place.
Mr.Crofoot continued at Rochester in earnest pursuit of his studies. Seven years of preparation were
then required to gain admission to the bar, yet four
years might be allowed for the study of the classics. During the fall of 1845 he was persuaded by
Gen. Stevens to remove to Pontiac. In the
winter of 1846 he was admitted to the bar, and continued in the regular practice of his profession up to
1879, when he retired from active practice owing
to ill-health. In 1848 he was elected Probate Judge
for Oakland County, and re-elected in 1852, serving eight years. In 1862 he became Prosecuting
Attorney, and in 1864 was re-elected to that office.
He was connected with most of the public enterprises in. Pontiac, and gave much encouragement
and attention to the public schools. He was also
interested in the Oakland County Agricultural Society, of which he was an officer for some years.
He was one of the Building Commissioners for
the Eastern Asylum for the Insane, at Pontiac,
and was one of the Board of Trustees for the
administration of the asylum for a number of years.
lie, with Col. J. Sumner Rogers, projected the
Orchard Lake   Military Academy, which was
opened in September, 1877, and has since taken
rank as one of the best educational institutions of
the country for boys and young men. He believed
in the divinity of Jesus Christ, and in, the Biblical
doctrines, with no sectarian connection or prejudice, but was an attendant of the Episcopal
Church.
He married on the 29th of October, 1849, Miss
Annie E. Fitch, daughter of Lodowick Fitch, Esq.,
of Bloomfield, N. Y. They had seven children
-four sons and three daughters.   Six of the
children are living, as follows: Charles M., born at
Pontiac, now in mercantile business at that place;




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Margaret S., the wife of Mr. William J. Evans, residing in London, England, died in December,
1890, in New York City; Lewis W., now practicing
law in Dakota; Mary F., residing at home; Lodowick F., Omaha, Neb., who was admitted to the
Oakland County bar in 1887; and Sarah E., who
resides at the family homestead at Pontiac. Mr.
Crofoot gained a distinguished place in his profession, and early showed special power as a jurist.
He was admitted to practice at Rochester, N.
Y. in 1846, and in the Oakland County courts on
February 12, 1848.
His first great case was the trial of the Bismuth
murder case (so-called), wherein he gained much
celebrity in the defense of the accused and procured the acquittal of his client. In addition to
his practice at Pontiac, he opened an office in Detroit, and continued his practice in both places,
spending much of his time, however, at Detroit.
He was one of the leading members of the Oakland County bar, meeting with marked success.
He was a member of the Democratic party, and in
former years took an active and leading part in political matters, but during the latter ten years of
his life was not an active politician.
ORNELIUS BROOKS, who is a British.American citizen and the head of an
influential family in Southfield Township,
was born in Berkshire, England, near Reading, October 24. 1823. His father was Charles Brooks, a
shoemaker by trade and a great singer and musician, being a member of a choir in England, where
lie died when this son was but three years old. His
wife, whose maiden name was Jane Perkins, survived him for many years, and died in Reading
when about seventy years old.
The subject of this sketch is the third in a family of four sons and the only one now living. He
left home when sixteen years old to learn the trade
of a carpenter in London. After serving there
for two years be came to America in 1841. He
worked at his trade in Jersey City, N. J., and then
a little later learned the weaver's trade. In 1842


he came to Michigan and lived in Lapeer County
for two years. He then came to Southfield Township, and located on section 11, in September,
1844. Here he worked out by the month, the
first year at $5 per month, the second year at $6
and the third year at $9. The young men of today probably think they could not live on such
wages. But this enterprising and frugal young
man, not only lived, but laid up money.
Mr. Brooks bought the farm where he now resides in 1846. There was then a log house on the
place. The lady who became Mrs. Brooks in November, 1847, was Mary A., a daughter of James
and Mary (Stewart) Robb.    She was born in
Orange County, N. Y., April 11, 1829. She was
bereaved of her mother when about two years old,
and was reared by David and Ann (Porter) Stewart, an urcle and aunt. She spent most of her life
in Oakland County, being only ten years old when
she came to Michigan. She attended school in the
first log schoolhouse that was ever built on section
11, and here she received her only schooling. She
remained with her uncle and aunt until she was married.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brooks settled on
section 16, in a little log house, 18x24 feet in dimensions. This first home was destroyed by fire
in the following June, and the young couple set up
their home in a little log shanty on the place which
had been used for cattle. In the fall they built a
-new log house which they occupied until 1873.
Mr. Brooks then built a frame house where he reinained until he erected the home in which he now
resides. This was built in 1885.  *
Six children were granted to this worthy couple.
Two of them, William and John, died years ago.
Those who survive are: David, who resides on
section 17, Southfield Township, on a farm of
sixty acres, where he farms and carries on the carpenter's trade; Sarah Jane, a graduate of Birmingham, has been teaching for eighteen years; James
R., the Supervisor of Southfield Township, and
School Director, who is a member of the Protestant Methodist Church, and Joseph who is an excellent musician, who resides with his brother James.
James was Treasurer of the township during
1889-90. He and his good wife, whose maiden








VI~2


— R


5


I/"
If


I


/


J




-a


/G BY


" /l
4(-.




I
I
0




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


827


name was Augusta Pickering, are the parents of
two sons.
Mr. Brooks is a Republican. Both he and his
good wife are members of the United Presbyterian
Church. They are active workers in the Sundayschool and Mr. Brooks is an Elder in the church.
This prosperous farmer has one hundred and eighty
acres of good land still in his possession, besides
having given each of hissons a farm. He had no
money when he came into Michigan, and had only
$2 when he first made his home in Southfield
Township. All his property has been the result of
his own industry, frugality and enterprise.
31 ---~.~
J OHN W. CRAIG. Among the bright inventive minds which have made America
known tlroughout the world as the land
of inventions and the source of labor-saving machinery, may be counted that of our subject, whose portrait, with that of his estimable
wife, appears in this connection. The inventions
which he has already produced are coining money
for him and for others, and he is still at work
upon plans which he believes will rival those he
has already produced. He makes his home in
Oxford, Oakland County, Mich.
The subject of this sketch was born in Ann
Arbor February 11, 1844, and is the son of Robert S. and Ann H. (Grenville) Craig, natives of
Scotland and England respectively. Mrs. Craig
crossed the Atlantic in 1826, coming here with her
parents, and Mr. Craig arrived about the same
time. He was a merchant who located and pursued that business at Ann Arbor. He died at
Howell, Mich., in 1872, but his widow still survives.  To them  were born eight children, of
whom our subject was the third in order of birth.
John W. Craig was given excellent school advantages and pursued a medical course with Dr.
Huntingdon, but the opening of the Civil War
broke up his calculations in the line of a professional career. In lieu thereof be took a course in
Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College at Chicago, and afterward clerked in a store in the Gar

den City two years. He took a pleasure trip to
Washington, D. C., and not only found employployment in a store but also there found a wife
in the person of Mary M. Malloy, to whom he was
married October 15, 1865. In Washington he was
engaged in cigar manufacturing and the tobacco
trade. In 1869 he left the National Capital and
went into business at Saginaw, Mich., but after
two years returned to Washington.
The milling business next attracted the attention of this enterprising young man, and coming to Pontiac in 1872, he bought what was
called the White Rose Mill. After three years
he returned to Washington, D. C., and engaged
in mill machinery business, having become interested in a wheat cleaning machine of which he
secured the patent. In 1879 he went to Canada
and engaged in milling at Listowell. In 1881 he
built a mill at Port Elgin, Canada, which he sold
in 1884 and went to Hamilton, Canada, to work
a patent he had taken out himself. He sold out
his Canada interest and came to Michigan, engaging in business at Detroit in 1883. Four years
later lie came to Oxford.
While in Detroit Mr. Craig invented an automatic feeder for roller mills, which has come into
quite general use in such mills. His sales on this
patent have amounted to over $100,000, and he
still enjoys a royalty on the invention. The idea
of this automatic feeder came just in tie nick of
time, not only to enhance the fortunes of our
subject, but also to forward the milling interests.
He built the Craig Automatic Roller Mills at
Oxford at an expense of $45,000, and having a
capacity of three hundred barrels per day. Mr.
A. M. Varney went into business with Mr. Craig
in 1886, and together they owned the mill and also
the electric plant of Oxford, a five hundred-light
plant, which was started last December at a cost of
$7,000.
Mr. and Mrs. Craig have been blessed by the
birth of four interesting children: Mildred H.,
Iola, Louise I. and John W., Jr. Iola (lied at the
age of four years. To the surviving children have
been given excellent opportunities for education.
The son has taken a business course at Detroit and
is now book-keeper and cashier for his father.




828


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Mr. Craig's political convictions are with the
Democratic party. He is an earnest and active
member of the Christian Church, and he and his
household are influential in the social circles of
Oxford.
The attention of the reader is invited to a view
of the fine mill which Mr. Craig owns and operates, and which represents one of the most important industries of Oakland County.
&   ENRY BIRGE. Fortunate is the boy who,
thrown upon his own resources at an early
age, has the skill to do and the strength to
endure until he acquires a footing among
men; more fortunate he who combines with his manual skill and bodily strength the moral principles
and self-respect that bring with his financial success
tile esteem of those who know him. Such were the
fortunate qualifications of Mr. Birge in youth and
they assisted him in gaining his present enviable
position as an influential and well-to-do citizen of
Waterford Township. Through dint of unremitting industry he has acquired a competency and is
well known as the owner and operator of a fine
farm of one hundred and eighty acres on section 3.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Birge was born
October 24, 1816, and when four years old was
taken to New York by his parents, William and
Minerva (Fox) Birge. The father was born in
Connecticut and came of patriotic stock, his ancestors taking part in the Revolutionary War and
his brothers in the War of 1812.     He  was
reared on a farm and in manhood followed the
trade of a clothier. In company with his wife, also
a native of Connecticut, he removed to Pennsylvania, where they remained until 1820. Their
family included nine children, of whom five survive. One brother died in the Mexican War and
another in the Civil War.
At the age of twelve years Henry Birge went
from the parental roof to live with his uncle, Dana
Fox, and in his home he remained two years. He
then worked for a Mr. Strong four years, and


afterward for eight years worked from  place to
place, wherever he could find employment. In
1836 he came to Michigan and worked by the
month in Waterford Township until 1838, being
for a time on a farm and also finding employment
in a saw-mill. In July, 1837, accompanied by his
two older brothers, he went to Wisconsin and there
each pre-empted a quarter section of land at
Whitewater. The country then was in the primeval state of nature, untouched as yet by the refining influences of civilization, and Mr. Birge and
four others, including his two brothers, were compelled to cut roads through the woods from Milwaukee to Whitewater. He plowed the first furrow and sowed the first wheat in the county of
Wal worth.
In October, 1838, Mr. Birge returned to this
State and worked land on shares until 1844, when
his carefully hoarded earnings enabled him to buy
a farm in Pontiac Township. His father, whom he
had left in New York, came West in 1845 and found
a home in Wisconsin, whither his two oldest sons
before mentioned had gone. He remained with
them about ten years, then came to Michigan and
resided with his son, our subject, until his death in
1874. The mother had accompanied her husband
to Wisconsin, but remained only a short time,
returning thence to her former home in New York,
and making her home with her eldest daughter
until her death in 1857.
Mr. Birge continued to manage his farm in Pontiac Township until 1848, when he sold out and
removed to Lansing. There he was for two years
engaged as the proprietor of a livery stable, but
not finding the occupation congenial he sold out
the business and bought a farm on section 16, Waterford Township, where he made his home about
two years. We next find him the owner and operator of a farm in West Bloomfield Township,
whence, after a sojourn of ten months, he removed
to Waterford Township and here he has continued
to reside. The intervening years have been busily
employed in the diligent pursuit of the duties devolving upon him, and he now has substantial
outbuildings, good machinery and everything convenient for carrying on farminrg
In 1819 Miss Sarah Staples was born in Tomp



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBt)M.


829


- —




kins County, N. Y., and at the early age of twelve
years was deprived of a mother's loving care. In
1836 she accompanied her father to Michigan,
where he located in Waterford Township and followed his trade of a cooper. He died in 1853.
Prior to that, Miss Sarah was united in marriage,
in December, 1838, with Henry Birge, whose intelligent co-laborer and loving helpmate she has since
remained. Six children were born to them, viz:
Fannie, born in 1839, married William Coffron, a
lumber dealer in North Branch, Lapeer County,
and also an extensive farmer; Minerva, born in
1842, died in 1859; John W., born in 1845, married Eliza Van Campen, and they are living with
our subject; George S., born in 1847, is married and
a farmer in Kansas; Jennie, born in 1849, married
John Swift, present Surveyor of Emmet County;
Minnie, born in 1851, married William R. Drewatt,
a farmer living in White Lake Township. The
children all received good common school educations; John had in addition two years tuition in
Pontiac High School and one and one-half years in.
Horicon,Wis.; Jennie attended the Clarkston graded
school four terms. Mr. Birge has held several
township offices, has served as Treasurer two years
and has been elected Justice of the Peace but has
never qualified. He casts his vote with the Democratic party and is ever to be relied upon to assist
any movement for the benefit of the community,
His first vote was cast for Martin VanBuren and he
has never failed on any account to cast his vote
for every Democratic candidate for President
since.
i     UMPHREY HICKEY. One of the wellknown residents of the village of Royal
Oak is Mr. Hickey, who was for eleven
years engaged in business here, conducting
a livery stable and having the contract for carrying the mail. Prior to his coming to the village
he was engaged in farming for some time. He also
became known for his labors in behalf of order
and good government, as he filled the position of
Deputy Sheriff for eleven years. He has a good
property, including eight lots in the village, and is


I


=


able to enjoy the rest which is so proper for those
who are advancing in years and who have worked
hard and well.
The father of Mr. Hickey bore the name of
James and was born in New York in 1788. He
came to this State about 1837 and located in Detroit, where he remained two years. Thence he
eame to this county and spent three years in Troy
Township, and thence he came to Royal Oak.
About 1840 he bought eighty acres of land in
Waterford Township. He divided his time and
attention between preaching the Gospel and carrying on agricultural work. He was first married in
1818 to Rboda Thompson, who died in New York
in 1826. The union resulted in the birth of two
sons and two daughters. In 1827 Mr. Hickey was
again married, his bride being Juliette Babcock,
elder child of George Babcock and a native of
New York, born December 25, 1809. She bore
him six children, of whom our subject is the second. Having been bereft of his former companion, Mr. Hickey was married in 1844 to Mrs. Bethiah Dean, widow of Alanson Dean, of New
York. Mr. Hickey died December 15, 1851, and
his widow survived until August, 1890, and
reached her ninety-first year.
The subject of this notice was born June 15,
1830, and came to this State in his boyhood. His
youth was spent in the customary manner, the
hours being devoted to study, work and play, so
that he grew to a vigorous manhood and had
practical knowledge with which to begin his work
in the world. He started out for himself when
twenty years old, working on a farm at $13 per
month, and about two years later he bought a
forty-acre farm in Southfield Township. He occupied the place two years, then removed to Pontiac
and spent about the same length of time in mason's
work. Then returning to Southfield he resumed
farming and remained there seven years, after
which he spent a twelvemonth in operating a
forty-acre farm that he had purchased in Wayne
County. He next came to the village of Royal
Oak and engaged in the business before mentioned.
During the year 1850 Mr. Hickey was married
to Harriet A. Hutchins, daughter of John and


I




830


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--


Asenath (Gregory) Hutchins. The bride was born
November 13, 1833, and was the third daughter
and child in a family of seven. She has looked
well to the ways of her household, and has done
all that she could to prepare her children for the
duties which would lie before them when they had
grown to maturity. She has had five sons and two
daughters, but two sons have been taken away by
death. George, who was the second born, died
when one year and two months old; Charles H.,
whose death occurred December 27, 1868, was the
seventh son on the family roll. The surviving
children are James, Harriet A. John C., George H.
and Ella N. Harriet is the wife of Clark Fay and
Ella married Charles Ruttle.  The devoted wife
and mother was called hence August 11, 1886.
Mr. Hickey is a Democrat and has been a working member of the local party, which he has represented as a delegate in county conventions many
times. He was Collector of Taxes in Southfield
Township two terms and his duties were discharged during the war. In 1866 he joined the
Masonic Lodge in Redford, Wayne County, and
was sent as a delegate to the Grand Lodge, but in
1868 lie took a demit and has now identified himself with Birmingham lodge, No. 44. For eighteen
years he was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he still holds the letter of commendation that was given him at that time.
^=N=^ ~       ~        - -— ||E^
6-HOMAS W. MORRISON, a one-armed soldier of the Civil War, and the owner of one
of the neatest forty-acre farms in Oakland
County, resides in a new and cozy home of modern
style and construction in Oxford Township. On
another page appears a view of this residence and
the pleasant rural surroundings. The grounds surrounding this house are laid out with taste and are
adorned with shrubbery and flowers.
Mr. Morrison was born in Rochester, N. Y.. February 20, 1842. His father was a native of the
Isle-of-Man, where he was born in 1810. and came
to America in 1825. He was a shoemaker by trade,
and made his home in Rochester, where he died in


1852, having led a life of industry and integrity,
and having been an earnest and conscientious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife's
maiden name was Mary Kneal, and she was also
a native of the Isle-of-Man.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the
public schools of Rochester until he was about
twelve years old when he began work in Bennett's
Furnace in Rochester, where he staid three years.
He learned the trade of a moulder here. But the
Civil War now broke out and the youth enlisted in
April, 1861, in the Twenty-seventh New York Infantry, under Gen. Slocum, and in August, 1862,
la re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighth New
York. He was in the first battle of Bull Run and
lost his right arm at Antietam through a wound
received from a minie ball. He lay for more than
a year in the hospitals at Washington and in New
York City, and finally received his discharge in
1864.
After returning from the army Mr. Morrison
spent some time in Rochester and held the office of
Health Officer for one year, Constable for one year,
and was Coroner of the County for twelve years.
He was also engaged in the shoe business for three
years. In 1880 he came to Michigan and locating
at Oxford, made his home on a farm on section 29.
His marriage took place in 1867, when he took to
wife Viola Sharp, who was born in Monroe County,
N. Y. No children have blessed this home. Mrs.
Morrison is an earnest and consistent member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Morrison
is independent in politics. The order and splendid
condition of his farm speak loudly for the energy
and system of this farmer who is able to do with
one hand more than many who have more hands
and less brains and determination.
ILLIAM M. HALL. One of the prosperous farmers of Troy Township is the gentleman above named, whose home is on
section 33, although his property includes two hundred and ten acres on section 32. The home place
consists of one hundred and fifty-eight acres and
the entire estate is under improvement. The resi



RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM M. HALL, SEC. 33.,TROY TP., OAKLAND CO.,M ICH.


RESIDENCE OF THOMAS W. MORRISON,S EC. 29., OXFORD TP, OAKLAND CO.,MICH.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


833


dence, a view of which is shown on another page,
is one that would attract the attention of any
passerby, as its very appearance indicates prosperity and a desire for comfort. The barns, granaries,
sheds, etc., are numerous and complete in their
appointments, as befits a farm on which extensive
work is (lone. Mr. Hall handles much stock, has
from  two hundred to five hundred sheep on the
farm and other animals in proportionate numbers.
Mr. Hall was born in Ontario County, N. Y.,
June 24, 1839, and accompanied his parents to this
State when eight years old. The reader is referred
to the sketch of Horace falla. on another page, for
facts regarding the history of his parents. He is
their only son and there is but one other member
of the family, a sister. The first schooling obtained by our subject was in his native place and
he continued his studies in the log schoolhouse of
the home district in Macomb County. He aided
his father on thie farm  until he was of age, and
from the time he was old enough to transact the
business was engaged in stock buying. For about
twelve years his attention was chiefly given to the
business of a drover, and for six years he made
his home in the village of Royal Oak, this county,
whither he came after his marriage. He then localedl on section 32, Troy Township, remaining
there eleven years and then coming to his present
location.
The wedding of Mr. Hall and Miss Rebecca A.
Rose was solemnized at the bridle's home, December
31, 1867. She was born in Brandon Township,
this county, October 31, 1840, and is tile fourth of
six children comtrising the family of Joseph L.
and Charlotte (Baliley) Rose. Her father was born
in New York and her mother in Pennsylvania and
they settled in this county about 1835. Mr. Rose
died here in 1855 but Mrs. Rose is still living and
her home is in Royal Oak Township. The daughl
ter who became the wife of our subject is a wellinformed and energetic lady who takes pride in
making her home attractive and enjoys dispensing
hospitality to her friends. She performs many
kind deeds and is a good neighbor. She has had
two children-a son Frank who died at the age of
thirteen months, and a daughter, Lottie B., who is
attending school in Birmingham.


Mr. Hall is a Mason and his name is on the roster
of a lodge in Detroit. His political allegiance is
given to the Democratic party and he is the first
Democrat that has been elected Supervisor in Troy
Township for forty years. As a citizen he is public-spirited and reliable, and his associations with
his neighbors and acquaintances are cordial and
friendly.
ILLIAM C. AXFORD. Among the most
highly-esteemed  and useful citizens of
Orion, we may well name Mr. and Mrs.
William C. Axford. Every visitor to the city is
attracted by the beautiful home which they have
established, and stop to admire the handsome brick
structure which shelters their household.  Mr.
Axford was born in Warren County, N. J., April
14, 1827. His father was Abram, who came to
Michigan in 1830, and entered a tract of Government land in Oakland Township, Oakland County.
He was a New Jersey man and was among the very
first settlers in the county. He purchased eighty
acres of partly improved land upon which their
was a log house in which he made his home. Indians were his near neighbors and often camped
just across the road from his house. He retired
from active life some years after the war closed
and settled in Pontiac. He finally removed to
Orion where he died in 1885, having rounded out
ihis four-score years. He was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and a successful man
in every way. His wife was Penninah Swayze and
was born in Warren County, N. J. She is still
living at the age of eighty-three years and is a
devout member of the     Methodist Episcopal
Church. Of their seven children, six sons are still
living.
William Axford remained at home, helping in
clearing and improving his father's farm until he
reached the age of twenty-two years. He then
bought eighty acres from his father, on wlhich he
located and lived for three years.
Mr. Axford's marriage took place in 1849. His
bride was Mary Plummerfelt, born in Warren
County, N. J,, in 1824, Her parents were William




834


PORTRIAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAAL ALIBUM.


I


and Esther Plummerfelt. Her father came from
New Jersey to Michigan about 1833, and located
in Oakland Township. Here he died in 1884 at the
age of four-score years and four. Her mother
had died in New Jersey, in 1832. The second
Mrs. Plummerfelt still survives. Of Mr. Plummerfelt's twelve children, eleven are still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Axford were blessed with five children. but they have been greatly afflicted as every
one has been removed by death and they are now
childless. Their eldest child Zenas lived to be
twenty-four years old. He received a good common-school education and then attended Romeo
High School and took a course in the commercial
college at Detroit. After keeping books for a few
years lie began the study of law at Lapeer, where
he took sick and after being brought home he
died. He was the only one who outlived early
childhood.
The subject of this sketch finds his political
sympathies with the Republican party and he is
looked up to by the men of his party as one of
their natural leaders, being often made a delegate
to conventions. Socially Mr. Axford is a member
of the Grange, and in all ways helps to promote
the interests of farmers. He owns three hundred
and thirty acres of land, mostly in Oakland Township and has made all that he has. He is one of
the successful and prominent men of Orion. Mrs.
Axford is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
ALLAS WARREN, M. D., is a well-known
I I physician and druggist of Milford, who is
now paying more attention to the drug
trade than to his practice.  He represents
an old New York family, and his grandfather, Joel
Warren, was a cousin of Gen. Warren of Revolutionary fame. The grandfather was a farmer in
Delaware County, N. Y., until Michiganl began to
be settled, when lie came West and identified himself with the pioneers of Washtenaw County. He
opened up a farm there and made it his home until
his decease. His son,Hiram G., father of the Doctor, also came West, and was engaged in agricultr


ural pursuits in Washtenaw County until he retired
from active life. He then made his home in South
Lyon, this county, and died there in the fall of
1889 at the age of sixty-nine years.  He was
financially prosperous. In politics he wasa Democrat.
In the maternal line Dr. Warren is descended
from  New  Jersey families.  His grandfather,
Nathan Nailer, was born in that State and joined
the band that was opening up the forests of Michigan, making his home in Northfield, Washtenaw
County, where he eventually died. His daughter,
Sarah A., who became the wife of Hiram Warren.
was born in New Jersey and is now living in South
Lyon, this county. She belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal Church. She has five children living,
the eldest but one of whom is the subject of these
paragraphs.
The natal day of Dr. Warren was February 4,
1850, and his birthplace Northfield Township,
Washtenaw County. He was reared on a farm,
the most of his youthful years being spent
in Salem Township. He had the district school
advantages prior to his seventeenth year, when he
entered the high school at Ann Arbor. He studied
there three-years, then worked on the homestead
for some time. Having a desire to study medicine,
he turned his attention in that direction, and in
1876 entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated
after three years' study. He took the three years'
course and he also graduated in the first class that
graduated in the nine months' course, and when the
degree of Doctor of Medicine was obtained he
located at Highland, this county. He practiced
there until 1881, then located in Milford, where
he has continued to work at his chosen profession.  In 1883 he started in the drug business
as one of the firm of Warren & Babcock, and in
July, 1887, bought out his partner. He has a wellequipped drug store, in a good location and in
addition to drugs and medicine has a book and
stationery department. He also owns his residence, which is substantial and well furnished.
In Ann Arbor in 1870 Dr. Warren was united
in marriage with Miss Sarah Vandawarker. The
bride was born in Ann Arbor, where her father,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGrRAPHICAL AL;BUM.


835


A I


Jacob Vandawarker, was a boot and shoe dealer,
and is a native of the Empire State. Mr. and
Mrs. Warren have two children-Grace and May
-neither of whom have yet flown from the home
nest.
Dr. Warren was President of Milford in 1883,
and has been a member of the School Board for six
years. He is Treasurer in the Blue Lodge, and has
the degree of a Royal Arch Mason also. He is Medical Examiner in the Knights of the Maccabees and
the Tonti, and is Health Officer of both village
and township. He belongs to the Oakland County
Academy of Medicine, a society whose members
consult together and investigate matters pertaining
to medical science and thus add to their practical
value as professional men. Dr. Warren belongs
to the Methodist Episcopal Church and holds the
office of Steward. Politically he is a Democrat.
Personally he is cordial and agreeable, and his
friends are many.
OSEPH BAILEY     has an elegant farm, a
handsome residence and well-equipped barns
on section 4, Commerce Township. His
father, William  Bailey, was P. native of
County Monaghan, Ireland. His mother, a native
of the same place, bore the maiden name of Isabella
Graham. Botll are now deceased. The father was
a yeoman farmer and he and his good wife were
the parents of ten children, six of whom are now
living.
The subject of this sketch was born seventy-two
years ago, in the county where his parents first saw
the light. There he grew to manhood and began
his life as a farmer. He received his education in
the schools of his native town and was married in
1846 to Isabella Bailey, who was a second cousin.
They married in the old country and resided there
till 1849, when they left the Emerald Isle, and
coming to America, landed in New York. Their
faces were turned westward and they came directly
on to Michigan and bought a farm of forty acres
on section 5, Commerce Township, It was already
gomewhat improged andc had a log house on it,


Here they made their happy home for four years.
They then bought one hundred acres where they
now live. Here they have continued to reside
from that day to this. Mr. Bailey has added to
his acreage until he now has two hundred acres,
most of it improved. In 1865 he erected a frame
house. This was burned in 1888 and he rebuilt,
putting up the house in which he now resides.
He was afflicted by the death of his wife in 1882.
They were the parents of ten children, namely: Isabella, Mary Ann, Hannah, Samuel, Eliza Jane,
Sarah M. (deceased), Susan, Wallace, Joseph and
William A.
The second marriage of Mr. Bailey took place in
1890. He was then united    with Mrs. Susan
Trump, an old settler here, whose maiden name was
Cox. She was the mother of three children by her
former marriage, and is an active and influential
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
is greatly interested in public affairs, especially in
the progress of the Republican party, which counts
upon his vote and influence. He is a man of
strictly temperate habits and in this respect sets an
example worthy the emulation of his children.
His early opportunities for acquiring a handsome
property would have seemed small indeed to a
prophetic eye, but he has conquered difficulties and
by dint of perseverance, hard work and enterprise
has cleared the debt on his land and placed himself in the front rank of prosperous farmers of this
township. Seven of his children are married and
have homes of their own and he is the happy
grandfather of eighteen children.
E    UGENE MACK, a stirring farmer of Addison Township, who has spent his entire life
in the home where he was born January 3,
1845, is a man of popularity and of broad and
strong influence in the community where he resides.
His father, Lewis, was born in Georgetown, Madison County, N. Y., in 1821. The grandfather,
Arnold Mack came to Michigan in 1832 and located in Bruce Township, Macomb County, where he
entered Qoyernment laid, He was one of thle first




836


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


----- - - - --


settlers in that region and there was no other white
man within a number of miles. The country was a
wilderness and wild game was plentiful. Indians
camped near and often passed through the country. He continued to reside here until about 1850
when he made a tour to Texas and Mexico and on
the way home died of the cholera at Xenia, Olio.
The Mack family trace their ancestry back to
Scotland. Lewis was the eldest of four children, all
of whom are now deceased. He was twelve years
old when his father came to Michigan. When he
reached his majority he built a good frame house
for himself just across tie line in Bruce Township,
Macomb County. He owned at one time about
four hundred acres on both sides of the county
line, much of which he cleared and cultivated. IIe
was Supervisor of Addison Township, and Justice
of the Peace. Botl he and his good wife, who
bore the maiden name of Vivala Middleditch were
members of the Free Will Baptist Church. They
were a couple of more than ordinary congeniality,
and died in 1864 within five days of each other.
He was a hard worker and a successful man. The
only brother of our subject is Dr. George J. Mack,
now of Waterloo. Iowa.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the
two sons and was reared on the farm where he still
resides. He received suhll education as the district
schools of the early days afforded and assisted his
parents on the farm until he was nineteen years of
age. After the death of his parents he assumed
entire charge of the farmu. His marriage took place
February 6, 1865, and he then took to wife Frances
Hosner. who was born in Bruce Township, Macomb
County, Mich. She was the mother of one child,
Charles, from whoml she was removed by death in
1870. The asecond marriage of our subject occurred
in 1880. He was then united with Ella Jones, who
was born in Bruce Township, Macomb County.
One daughter. Lena, is the result of this union.
Although Mir. Mack was reared a Democrat he
joined the Republican party in 1872. The township in which he resides generally goes Democratic
by from fifty to one hundred votes, but the popularity of this man has several times given him a
handsome majority over any Democratic opponent,
and he is now serving his fifth term as Supervisor


and has held the offices of Highway Commissioner
and Justice of the Peace. His excellent and intelligent wife is a member of the Protestant Methodist Church.
Two hundred and twenty-five acres are comprised in the home farm and Mr. Mack owns in all
some six hundred acres, part of which is in Lapeer
County. He raises all kinds of stock. In 1883 he
patented the Mack door-hanger which is now used
in nearly every State in the Union. He manufactured them himself for some time at Romeo,
Mich., but in 1891 he sold his right to a firm in
Dubuque, Iowa. He has been a successful farmer
as well as inventor and is highly esteemed by his
neighbors.
UDSON LEWIS, resides in his native township, Addison, in Oakland County, Mich.,
where he was born September 12, 186(4.
His father, Joseph Lewis, a New Jersey man,
came here at an early day and bought land upon
which had been placed some slight improvements.
He was a worthy and respected member of the
Baptist Church and died in 1888 at the age of
sixty-five years.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Diana Fisher. She was born in Ohio and is still
living. Like her husband she was long connected
with the Baptist Church and in it has found a lifelong field of usefulness. She had a family of four
children, all of whom are living. Her son, Judson,
was born and reared upon the farm where he now
lives.
Thils son received a good district school educa.
tion and remained at home assisting his father upon
the farm until the death of that parent. He and
his twin brother George afterward purchased the
old farm and they managed it in partnership. The
business has been carried on with a great degree of
harmony and success, as the brothers are united in
their views and plans.
An event of great importance in the life of the
subject of this biographical sketch was solemnized
in 1888, It was his marriage with Miss Daisy




I





~7\
iL
rrf


LELAND GREEN.




PORTRAI' AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


839




Bowers, who, like himself is a native of Addison
Township. Her parents are Whit and Melinda
Bowers both of whom are natives of the State in
which their (laughter resides. The subject of this
sketch is a Democrat in his political convictions,
but being one of the younger men in his township
has not made himself at all prominent even in local
politics. The two brothers own two hundred acres
of fine arable land, which they are cultivating and
upon which they will no doubt attain the success
which their industry, enterprise and push entitle
them to.
---  35S?  -  --
ELAND GREEN. Among the retired business men of character and standing in the
community who honor the county in which
they did the hard work of their mature years by
spending their last days in it, we find the gentleman whose name heads this sketch and whose portrait appears on the opposite page. He was for
many years one of the largest stock dealers and
drovers in the county, sending cattle to Detroit
and Buffalo and other large markets. He is now
ninety years old, having been born in Schohalie
County, N. Y., June 4, 1801.
James Green, father of our subject, was a native
of Rhode Island, where he first saw the light in
1764. He was a farmer by occupation and had a
brother in the Revolutionary War. When a young
man he went to Schoharie County, and in 1810
removed thence to Ontario County, N. Y., where
he was engaged in farming. HIe came to Oakland
County, Mich., in 1823, making his home in a log
house in Troy Township; be'died there in 1826. He
was a Democrat in his political views. His wife,
Hopy Short, was a native of Massachusetts, where
she was born in 1768. The marriage was solemnized by Elder Leland, a very notable Baptist minister of Massachusetts, for whom they named their
son. Twelve children were sent to this worthy
couple, and although there are only two now surviving all lived to maturity.
Until our subject was nine years old he lived in
Schoharie County, after which he resided in Ontario
County until 1823,when he came to Troy Township,


this county, where he bought land. After working
it one year he bought another piece in Farmington Township, where he built a log house. He
then purchased eighty acres in another part of the
township and erected a frame house, where he resided until 1884, when he sold it. He lived upon
this farm sixty years and has owned it sixty-eight
years. H-e was in the township of Farmington
when there was not a man there but himself; he
bought his land of the Government and his deed
bears the name of James M )lro3.
Mr. Green continued farming until he reached
the age of fifty years, when he began buying stock,
driving them to Detroit and shipping them to New
York City and Albany. On one trip he lost $500.
He bought cattle all over the country and made a
very extensive business of it. His first marriage
took place in Novi Township, this county, in 1830.
His wife was Nancy Willmarth, a native of New
York. To her were born five children: Dexter W.,
living in Nebraska; Mary A. and Mira (twins), the
latter deceased; Wesley A., who was First Lieutenant in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry during the
war, and Thomas, who was also a soldier in the
Civil War, but now deceased. The mother passed
away in 1837.
The second marriage of Mr. Green took place
in 1839. He was then united with Ruth Haines,
from the State of New Jersey. She died in 1885.
In his third marriage our subject took to wife Mary
(Lapham) Blanchard, widow of Worthy Blanchard,
of Erie County, N. Y., where she was born May
27, 1820. She was the eldest daughter of Asa
Lapham and Sarah Allen. Mrs. Green was eleven
years of age when she came to Michigan with
her parents, and slhe attended school in the log
schoolhouse in Farmington Township. Her mother
died in 1849 and her father ten years later. They
are buried side by side in Wayne County. James
Monroe was the first President for whom Mr.
Green cast a ballot. He was first a Whig and afterward a Republican, to the principles of which party
he and his brother, Chauncy Green of Pontiac, have
always adhered.
Our subject was for nine years the Assessor of
the township; for one year Commissioner of Hiighways and for two years Supervisor. With these




840


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAflL ALBUM.


84 _OTATADBIGAHCLABM


exceptions be has always declined office, as his
business responsibilities have been so heavy as to
preclude his attending to official business; he has,
however, held school offices in the township of
Farmington, his interest in educational matters
having led him to make an exception in their favor.
He is a strong believer in the exercise of justice
to every individual, and is always active in promoting its practice toward all. The Friends have
formed a social organization, of which Mr. Green
is President. He is an ardent patriot, and during
the late war contributed $100 for the purpose of
raising a company in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry.
ORTIMER A. LEGGETT.          Waterford
Township contains no better example of
quiet, efficient pursuit of an agricultural
calling than that afforded by our subject.
Early in life he determined to become a farmer,
and devoting all his strength of mind to obtain
proficiency in his chosen calling, he has succeeded
well, having an estate of one hundred forty acres,
which produces abundantly the various crops in
their season. It is embellished with such improvements as to make it a place of most attractive appearance and indicate the thrifty character of the
owner.
With the public life of the community Mr. Legget is also closely identified, and is deeply interested in the progress of education, all benevolent
work and everything which will increase the
material prosperity of the county. His private character is upright, his disposition genial, and manners courteous, and he is therefore highly respected
by those who know him. In politics he affiliates
with the Republican party and served as a delegate
to the Republican Convention at Detroit, where
delegates were selected for the convention in Chicago at the time Gen. Grant was last nominated
for the Presidency. For thirty consecutive years
Mr. Leggett has been Treasurer of his school district, and has served as Supervisor and Census Enumerator.
Mr, Leggett copies of ubbtadptiMl parentage an4


is the son of Augustus W. and Eliza (Seaman)
Leggett. The father was born in New York in
1816 and was well educated by private tutors. His
ancestors came from England to America in 1661.
His wife was born in the city of New York in
1815, and traces her ancestry to English forefathers, who emigrated to America in 1660. Mrs.
Leggett received an excellent High-School education and became the wife of Augustus W. Leggett
in 1836. Her father, Dr. Valentine Seaman was
the first to introduce vaccination in the State of
New York, and vaccinated his son, at which the
people became so indignant that they threatened
him with punishment. He was a man of much
mental culture, practical knowledge and professional skill.
For several years Mr. Leggett was engaged in
mercantile pursuits in the city of New York,
and for two years he was editor of a paper. On
account of failing health he changed his occupation to farming. During the early days of the history of Michigan he came thither in 1852 and for
one year sojourned in Pontiac. He next purchased
a farm and mill on sections 1, 2 and 11 in Waterford Township. where he resided until 1865. In
the meantime he accumulated a competency for
h;s declining years, and retiring from the more
active duties of life, located in Detroit, where he
died in 1886. The mother is still living and
makes her home with our subject. At the age of
seventy-six years she is a well-preserved lady, of
amiable disposition and intelligent mind.
The parents of our subject had a family of
eleven children, seven of whom are living, and all
excepting Mortimer A. are residents of Detroit.
The father and mother gave them excellent educational advantages and thus prepared them for the
responsible positions in life which they now hold.
One of the children, Percival S. was killed in the
late war, and at the time was serving on Gen. Kilpatrick's staff. The subject of this sketch was born in
New York City, October 18, 1837, and was the recepient of a good education in youth. At the age
of twenty he began to work for himself, although
lie soon found a helpful co-laborer in Miss Jennie
M. Whitehead, with whom he was united in marriage in 1858, The bride is the laughter of Ale,




PORTR'AIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.I


841


I


ron and Ann Whitehead, who came to Michigan
in 1837 and located in Waterford Township. Two
of her brothers served honorably through the
Civil War, and one of whom was killed.
Thirty-two years ago (1859) Mr. Leggett purchased the farm where he now resides, going in
debt for the entire place. Through energy and industry he removed the indebtedness, placed the
estate under first-class improvements, and gradually evolved a very pleasant home from the primeval wilderness.  His family is surrounded with
all the comforts of life, and his children seem to
have inherited his energetic traits of character and
talent for business, for all are doing well in their
chosen avocations. William H., the eldest in the
and family, and May E., have had excellent musical educations, and for nine years were under the
personal supervision and instruction of Prof. C.
A. Hoffman. Besides this William H. has spent
two years in Paris perfecting himself in music.
May E. is now teaching in the Detroit Conservatory of Music, having charge of the Violin Class,
but being also very proficient on several other instruments. Catherine M. keeps house for her father, the wife and mother having died in 1874. In
all his dealings, Mr. Leggett is characterized by
straightforward honesty and no man is more thoroughly trusted than he. For his worthy life and
the honorable part he has born in the development
of the county he is held in high esteem..~.w. -.


his father, Hiram, was born, and thence he removed
to New Jersey when about twenty years old. He was
engaged in farming until his last illness, which occurred in 1881, when he was sixty-eight years old.
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, while his wife was a Baptist. She, too,
was of Holland stock. Her name was Sarah Decker
and she died about 1876. The parental family
consisted of nine children, all still living.
The subject of this notice was born in New
Jersey on the 16th of December, 1832, and received a district school education. He was reared
amid the surroundings of farm life, and when of
age left his parents' home to begin life for himself,
and for four years farmed on rented land. In 1857
he came to this State, and during the next five
years he was a renter in Oakland Township and
County, and during that time hoarded his resources in order to buy property. He next bought
land in the same township, but four years later sold
it and purchased in Orion Township. There he
made his home sixteen years, then traded for village property and took up his residence in town.
In the fall of 1856 Mr. Letts was married to
Miss Mary A. Van Sickle, who was born in New
Jersey in 1830. Her father, Richard Van Sickle,
was a native of the same State as herself, and removed thence to Nebraska in 1873. He established his home near Wahoo and died there in 1890.
Mrs. Letts is an excellent housewife, is well-read
and has a Christian character. She and her husband have been careful to give their children good
school advantages and instill into their hearts prin.
ciples of right living: and have also trained them
in habits of industry and thrift. They have two
sons and a daughter living; they lost their third
child, Homer. The oldest son, James P., was graduated from the Detroit Medical College in 1882,
located at Romeo and practiced four years and
then went to Chicago, where he is now carrying
on his professional work; Erastus is married and
living on a farm in Oakland Township; Carrie is
the wife of James V. Clark, a farmer in Orion
Township.
After giving due consideration to political questions, Mr. Letts cast in his influence with the Republican party and has seen no pause to change his


AMES M. LETTS. This gentleman is one
of the respected citizens of Orion, but in addition to his town property he owns a good
farm just south of the village. He has been
engaged in agricultural work for many years and
has made it a rule of his life to raise a variety of
stock as well as crops. He began his career in life
with limited means, and success has crowned his
efforts to obtain a good maintenance, and be able
to join with his means as well as his sympathies in
various lines of benevolent work. His paternal
grandparents came from Holland to this country
and established their home in Pennsylvania, There




842


PORTRAIT AN D BIOGrRAPHICAL ALBUM.


842     PRRI  N  IGA~CLABM


faith and allegiance. He has served as delegate to
conventions and otherwise aided the party of his
choice in this section. Socially he belongs to the
Knights of the Maccabees. In church circles Mr.
Letts has been active and prominent for years, having united with the Methodist Episcopal denomination when twenty-two years old, and always felt it
to be his duty to do all that he could to promote
tile cause of Christianity. He has held various official positions in the church, and during the absence of the minister in charge has often filled the
pulpit, dispensing the Gospel message with clearness and persuasiveness. He has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school twenty years, and conducts one in Orion in the forenoon and drives out
into the country in the afternoon. He has the thorough sympathy of his wife in his religious work,
she, too, being a devoted member of the Methodist
Church.
E      NOS WEAVER. The life of this gentleman, now a prosperous farmer of Avon
Township, has been characterized by unusual industry, as lie began working away from
home when he was but nine years old, at which time
he received but $1 a month for his services. He
gave his earnings to his father until after he had
reached manhood, prior to which time be had become so skillful that he received $14 per month,
large wages for that period. Little by little he has
gained financial standing until he now possesses a
well-improved farm of one hundred and ninety-six
acres that is very valuable and is the source of a
most satisfactory income.
Frederick Weaver, grandfather of our subject,
was a German, who after his emigration to America located in the Keystone State, and married
Maria Bibighaus. Thie date of the ceremony was
September 12, 1797. The bride was a daughter of
Martin Bibighaus, who was born in Ahbretshausen,
Germany, in 1740, emigrated to America in the
ship "Sally," and arrived at Philadelphia, October
29. 1770. He settled at Bedminster, Bucks County,
where he farmed and carried on mercantile pursuits
and acquired a large property. He died May 12,


1811, at the age of seventy years. A book is extant
containing reminiscences of the descendants of John
Bibighaus, which shows that many of them have
been persons of prominence. Among them  were
the Rev. Henry Bibighaus, a noted Pennsylvania
divine; Dr. John Bibighaus, a prominent physician
of Northampton County, and Dr. Charles H. Bibighans, of Bucks County, and also the Hon. Thomas
M. Bibighaus, Member of Congress in 1850 and
1852. They were all closely related to the Weavers.
Frederick Weaver, Jr., father of our subject, was
born in Pennsylvania, and married Susan Houk, a
native of the same State. They removed to Michigan in 1857, and located in this county where the
husband died. They had thirteen children, and
nine survive, viz: Johm, in Iowa; Enos, our subject; Harrison, in Avon Township; Sylvanus, in
Oxford, this State; Peter, near Rochester; Caroline, widow of Joseph Wharton, in Flint; Irene,
wife of Lewis Gardner, near Rochester; Catherine,
wife of John Metz, in this county; and Susan, wife
of John Featherstone, in Pontiac.
After he attained to his twenty-second year,
Enos Weaver bought a span of horses and went to
farming for himself. He has for many years been
operating the property that he has owned since
1881, and which was formerly held by John Kinney. The home of Mr. Weaver is presided over
by a notable housewife, under whose oversight
everything is kept in order, and good cheer is
abundantly supplied. This estimable woman bore
the maiden name of Elizabeth K. Davis, and was
married to our subject December 31, 1857, by the
Rev. William Mahan, a Methodist Episcopal minister. Mrs. Weaver is the daughter of George and
Sidney (Kinney) Davis, who came to this State in
1841. The record of the children of Mr. and Mrs.
Weaver, is as follows: Sarah J., born October 20,
1859, and now the wife of Elmer Brooks, a ranchman in Rock County, Col.; John K., born January
9, 1862, died September 7, 1863; Jesse E., born
March 23, 1866, now a telegraph operator in tile
employ of a railroad company at Denver, Col.;
Frederick, born December 29, 1869, and still with
his parents.
The first Presidential ballot cast by Mr. Weaver




ii


RESIDENCE OF ENOS WEAVER, SEC.25.,AVON TP., OAKLAND CO.,MICH.


IWMM  C  r777. - C!r~ -I-  _.- -   - 7"`z                                  I,


I, I


Z~LK R- -.7


RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH REESE, SEC.7.,1NDEPENDENCE TP, OAKLAND CO.,MICH.




I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUAM.


845


bore the name of James Buchanan, and from that
day to the present he has voted for each successive
Democratic candidate. Although he is not a politician in the sense of office seeking, he is one of the
stanchest supporters of party principles, and does
what he can as a private citizen to advance the
cause. The industry that characterized Mr. Weaver
in his early years, is still shown in the conduct of
his estate, and it is a subject of congratulation that
his labors are being rewarded as they are.
The attention of the reader is invited to a view
of the home of Mr. Weaver, presented on another
page.
T OSEPH REESE, one of the self-made men of
Independence Township, is also one of its
most prosperous farmers. He is the son of
(  John and Alice Reese, who were natives of
Pembrookshire, Wales, where our subject was born
December 8, 1839. When twelve years of age he
came with his parents to America. They spent one
year in Cleveland, Ohio, and then coming to Michigan, located on section 7, Independence Township.
When the son arrived at his majority, he bought
the farm on which his father had resided. He was
compelled to go into debt for it, as he possessed
only a small capital whicli he lhad earned by working out at $8 per month. But he was young and
ambitious, and bravely went to work to pay for his
farm. By industry and fair dealing he has gained
a reputation such as might be envied by any man.
He and his brother David Lave one of the finest
improved farms in Independence Township. It
comprises two hundred and twenty acres, and the
improvements upon it are the best in the township,
having cost over $15,000.
Mr. Reese has been twice married. His first wife
was Anna Daniels, to whom he was married February 4, 1864. She (lied April 10, 1886. On November 28, 1887, he was happily married to his
present wife, who presides over his beautiful home,
which is a marvel of taste and convenience, and a
view of which is shown in this connection. The
grounds surrounding the residence are handsome
and well laid out. Mrs. Reese bore the maiden


name of Hettie Jefferson, and is the only child of
Edwin and Amanda Jefferson, who reside in the
village of Clarkston.
Mr. Reese is a very extensive farmer. Last year
he sold over $2,200 worth of potatoes. From three
acres of ground he marketed nine hundred and
forty bushels. He attends to all the details of his
farm personally. In politics he is a Democrat, and
socially a member of No. 85, K. O. T. M. His wife
is an earnest and efficient member of the Methodist
Church at Clarkston. His father came to America a poor man, and reared a family of ten children,
who are all doing well. He lived to reach the age
of four-score years, and died in Ohio in 1886, after
having been bereaved in 1884, of his beloved wife,
who died at the age of seventy years.
6 ---       e --- -   ---  -— ^
COBERT SANDS. In the year 1838 this
l gentleman came to America with his bride,
^   and after landing in New York came on to
Milford and settled on a farm. After a
time he traded for eighty acres on section 8,
where he has remained and now has a beautiful
home. The extent of the present estate is two
hundred and forty acres, and various buildings
have been put up, including barns, granaries, sheds,
etc., all substantial and well arranged. The residence now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Sands was
built in 1878, at a cost of $2,000, and is of pleasing architectural design, tastefully furnished and
set in the midst of pleasant surroundings. It is
a brick, while another residence located on the
west eighty is of frame and was put up by Mr.
Sands himself.
Our subject is the only survivor in a family of
twelve children born to Richard and Fanny (Allen)
Sands. His parents were natives of Lincolnshire
and his father was a farmer. After the death of
the latter the widow made a second marriage, but
had no children. The son of whom  we write was
born in Lincolnshire, March 13, 1813, and grew
to manhood there. He began life tor himself
when of age, although prior to that time he had
worked out, even when quite young. When he




846


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


started for himself he was engaged by the year
until be came to America. His first work was for
a physician, and he was to receive half a sovereign for six months and also his clothes; he retained the place two years. After his removal
to this State and county he made his first home on
section 16, Milford Township. The land he secured was oak openings, where no atteTnpt at improvement had been made. He built a log house
and began clearing off the land, and had thirty
acres under improvemement, which he traded for
his present estate.
The new property was heavily timbered and as
soon as a small clearing was made Mr. Sands put
up a little frame house. He continued to hew
down trees until one hundred and fifty acres had
been denuded of their forest growth and brought
under cultivation. He has brought the farm to a
high state of development and is reaping satisfactory results from his work as a general farmer.
When he reached Milford he was $23 in debt, but
now lie is in good circumstances. His wife has
ably assisted him by her prudent management in
household affairs and by her sympathy and wise
counsel. Their marriage was solemnized February
5, 1838, prior to which time Mrs. Sands was known
as Miss Ann Bamber. Her parents were John
and Elizabeth (Crawford) Bamber, natives of Lincolnshire, England, and members of the farming
community.   They had six children, but Mrs.
Sands is the only one now living. She was born
April 3, 1813, in the shire in which her parents
spent their lives.
Mr. and Mrs. Sands have had nine children, but
five only are now living. These are: Richard, who
was born on the 25th of November, 1839, married
Ruth Weavers and has eight children; Elizabeth,
born April 6, 1842, is now the wife of Richard
Marsh, of Brighton Township, and the mother of
two children; Robert A., born July 21, 1844, married to Mrs. Sarah Bennelt and having one child,
Kate, by a former marriage to Viola Nicholson;
Fanny M.. born August 17, 1849, wife of William
Sherwood and mother of one child; William A.,
born March 19, 1856, married to Ella Ballard, and
having a family of three children.
Mr. Sands has always been a liberal supporter of


schools and very desirous of having good ones
in the land. He is a Democrat, but in local elections votes for the man best qualified to discharge
the duties of office without regard to his political
affiliation. He has been Road Overseer, but has
not otherwise held office.  Husband and, wife
united with the Episcopal Church in their native
land. The sturdy characteristics of a "fine old
English gentleman" are not better exemplified in
this section than in the person of Robert Sands,
and all who know his wife will accord to her equal
merit.
L\ UGH OSWALD, a prominent and successful farmer of Holly Township, was born in
County Down, Ireland. His father, James,
and his grandfather, Thomas, both farmers
lived and died in that county. The mother of our
subject was Margaret Wilson. She became the
mother of eight children, and seven of them grew
to man's and woman's estate, namely: William,
Thomas, Hugh, James, John, Jane, Mrs. Patterson,
and Margaret, Mrs. Burton. The mother was a
faithful adherent of the Protestant faith and (ied
in Ireland after having reached the span of threescore years and ten.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood
days in Ireland and attended school there. He was
the first of the family to leave the old country and
seek America. To this country he came alone
when eighteen years old. He was thirty-eight days
making the ocean voyage. He located first in
Ontario County, N. Y., and lived there for seven
years, working by the month for one man. He
came to America empty-handed. With money he
earned in New York he came to Michigan in 1854
and bought the farm upon which he now resides.
Upon this land was then situated a log house and
no barn at all, no outhouses but a log stable with
a straw roof. There were but a few acres cleared
on the place. Mr. Oswald now has one hundred
and seventy-two acres, nicely improved with one
hundred and forty-five of them under cultivation.




PORTRAI r AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


847


- -


He raises stock and grain. He built his present
neat home in 1870, and the big red barn in 1872,
the other barn having been erected in 1866.
The marriage of our subject took place in 1853.
His wife was Mary White, who was born in her
husband's native county in Ireland. They have
had three children -who are all living and leading
lives of usefult ess to their families and the community. Margaret married Andrew Gibson and
lives in Saginaw County on a farm. Thomas is
still at home and is serving his second term as Highway Commissioner of Holly Township.  James is
brakeman on the Flint & Pere Marquette Railway.
The mother of these children was called away
from earth in 1879. Mr. Oswald is a Democrat
but takes no prominent or active part in politics.
6 HOMAS F. FLYNN, a farmer on section 2,
Highland Township, is a son of Thomas
Flynn, whose father, Thomas, a native of
Ireland, lived and (lied in the Emerald Isle. The
father of our subject came to Quebec, Canada, in
1833, where lie worked for two years at ~12 per
year. He left Ireland on account of oppressive
laws and came away in the night time. In 1835
he went to New York State and took up land from
the Government, one hundred and sixty acres, on
which he lived for thirteen years. He lived in
Franklin County, St. Lawrence County and Scottsville, Monroe County, successively. His death
took place in 1881, in Scottsville. His wife, who
died September 7, 1874, bore him one child,
Mary, in Ireland and eight in New York, who
were named as follows: Catherine, John, Owen,
Elizabeth, Thomas, James K., Annie and Patrick
D. These children were reared in the Roman
Catholic belief and their parents gave them a good
common-school education. Their father belonged
to the State Militia in New York.
Our subject was born November 28, 1840, in Con.
stable Towrship, Franklin County, N. Y. When
eight years old he went to St. Lawrence County, and
in 1864 he came to Michigan and worked one winter
in the lumber woods and then went into the em

ploy of the Detroit & Milwaukee Railway as a
bridge builder, where he continued until 1868.
For eighteen months he acted as foreman. His
marriage took place in Pontiac September 23, 1867.
His wife, Margaret L., daughter of Maurice and
Mary cDonahoe) Murray and was born May 14,
1844. Her parents were natives of Ireland,
where they were married, and after the birth ofone child, John, they came to America. Here
their eight younger children were born, namely:
John, Maurice, Michael, Mary, Thomas, Margaret,
William, Mary.
Mr. Murray was a carpenter by trade and followed this avocation until he came to Michigan in
1844. He then settled in White Lake Township,
Oakland County, where he lived until death called
him hence, September 7, 1872. His wife followed
him to the other life in May, 1873. The six children
who have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Flynn are all
still at home with their parents. They are: Maurice M., Thomas F., Mary A., Maggie A., C. Libby,
S. Jenny.
Mr. Flynn came to Highland Township in 1868
and bought eighty acres of land, on which he still
makes his home. In 1878 he added twenty acres
and in 1885 he bought forty-four acres more and
now owns one hundred and forty-four acres, all
but ten of which are finely improved. He is a
breeder of Percheron horses and Hampshire sheep.
His sheep are of such pure blood as to be eligible
to register. He and his wife are Roman Catholic
in their belief and he is a Democrat in politics and
always has been, but he is not a radical free trader,
as he believes in tariff reform.
-~s —3 — - a


0


A ARVEY H. INGERSOLL is a native of
I   ) Saratoga County, N. Y., where he was born
I< March 19, 1829. His father, Henry, was a
) native of the same township, and was by
occupation a farmer, and in politics a Whig. He
was both Class-Leader and Steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was a great
worker. His house was a home for ministers for




848


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


many years. He came to Michigan in 1849 and
died in Shiawassee County at the advanced age of
eighty-four years. His wife, Maria Grusbeck, was
born in the same county as her husband and was
the daughter of Hugh Grusbelek. She died at the
age of fifty-four years, before the removal of the
family West.
The subject of this sketch was the oldest son in
a family of nine children. He was reared in his
native place and finished his education in the Saratoga Institute. He spent one year on a farm in
Monroe County, and came to Michigan in 1848,
and bought a farm in Lyon Township, this county.
Here he made his home in a log house and set to
work to improve the lahd. He owned two hundred and forty acres and lived upon this farm for
twenty years. At the end of this period he sold
out and bought the property wthere he now resides.
The first marriage of Mr. Ingersoll took place
the year he came to Michigan. His wife was Jane
A. Brown, a native of New York. She was taken
from his side by death in November, 1882. He
was married the second time in 1884. The present
Mrs. Ingersoll bore the maiden name of Christina
C. Dillon. She was born in Pittsford Township,
Hillsdale County, Mich. Two children have blessed
this union, Jennie M. and Mattie D., bright and
beautiful children of five and seven years of age.
Mr. Ingersoll owes one hundred and sixty acres
where he now resides and twenty acres in Lyon
Township. Upon this finely improved land he is
doing an excellent farming business. He is a good
judge of the horse and also of cattle, and esteems the Durham    breed highly. He has one
horse for which he has refused an offer of $500.
His cows, of which he has fourteen head, are as
fine as any in the county. He deals extensively in
hogs and is a good judge of them. He has sometimes sold as much as $700 worth of swine at a
time. Ile has now on his farm some twenty-six
liend of fine hogs.
The gentleman of whom we write had no money
when he came to Michigan but went to work and
by strict attention to business and unflagging industry has acquired all that he now possesses. His
success is worthy of note and of emulation. He
is a Republican in his political views and has never


voted any other ticket. He is an earnest and hardworking member of the MethodistEpiscopalChurch,
in which he acts as Steward, and he is a liberal
contributor to all good causes.
S —W-TO ----ovmis^ -- -— <
ACOB DECOU, M. D., a physician of Orion,
this county, was born in Niagara County,
iN. Y., April 21, 1835. His father, Abner
DeCou, was born in Canada in 1807, and
removed with his parents to New York when a lad.
In 1837 he removed to Michigan and made his
home in Washtenaw County, but remained there
only about twelve years, as he returned to New
York in 1846. He was a hard-working farmer and
a man of character and probity. For forty-five
years he was a member in good and regular standing of the Methodist Ep;' "nal Church. His death
took place in 1885, at the advanced age of seventynine years. The grandfather, Z. F. DeCou, was a
native of Maryland and was of French descent.
Tihe mother of our subject, Margaret Christman,
was born in 1812, in New York State. She became
the mother of seven children and is still living.
The subject of this sketch received his early education in the district schools. He remained at
home until he reached his majority, after which he
worked out by the month for several years. He
took a business course in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1859. After
this he kept books for several years for a large firm
in Northern Michigan. But he was not content to
remain in a secondary position in commercial life.
His aspirations were for a professional career and
he devoted all his spare time for a number of years
to the study of medicine. At last be saw his way
clear to enter college.
In 1874 he took a course of study in the Detroit
Homeopathic College, making a special study of
cancers. He is the originator of his own special
method of treatment, which after fifteen years of
practice has proven wonderfully successful. Dr.
DeCou practiced for twelve years in Detroit, where
he successfully treated hundreds of patients afflicted with cancer. In 1888 in order to escape the








isS




. \  Htach




/s




4v~




4




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


853


malarial influences of the large city he removed
to Orion, where he conducts a large cancer infirmary. His methods of treatment is purely medicinal and the only method by which large bloodvessels can be severed without loss of blood to the
patient. His patients come from all parts of the
United States.
The lady who presides over the home of Dr.
DeCou was Miss Frances Pfluger, of Germany.
She came to America when a child and they were
married in 1862. One son has blessed this union,
Charles A. DeCou, M. D., who is a graduate of the
Michigan College of Medicine. Dr. Jacob DeCou
is a leading member of the Knights of Honor and
is a public-spirited citizen.
O)IHOMAS TURK, son of William and Rebecca
(Hunt) Turk, was born at Gotsell Farm in
the parish of Bremhill, County of Wilts,
England, December 4, 1820. He is now a retired
merchant at Pontiac.  When sixteen years old
he emigrated to the United States, taking passage
in a sailing vessel which was six weeks on the ocean.
He came to Pontiac in 1837 and hired out to work
on a farm for William Beasley at the rate of $50
per year, but remained with this man only a few
months. The same year he went to work for Gilbert Jones of Wayne County, but being taken sick
with the ague, was not able to accomplish much
that year. He assisted in laying the first plank
sidewalk from the Grand Circus to the City Hall
in Detroit, in December, 1838. That was a proud
day for Detroit; but the walk would not be thought
much of now in that beautiful city, as it was only
one plank in width.
In the spring of 1839 the young man hired out
to a company of land surveyors, who had a contract from the Government for subdividing a large
tract of country around Grand Traverse Bay. While
engaged in this work, the surveying party assisted
a company of missionaries to erect the first log
house built between Mackinaw and Manistee at Elk
Rapids. The house was afterward removed to the
Peninsula, and is now known as the Old Mission.




I


These Missionaries had come from Mackinaw in a
bateau, with some French-Canadians. The surveyors completed their work and crossed from
Sleeping Bear to Manitou Islands, and returned to
Detroit about the 1st of July.
In the spring of 1840, Mr. Turk accompanied
another surveying party to the region of Thunder
Bay and Alpena. Leaving Detroit about March
12, they went overland by way of Pontiac to Saginaw, where they were obliged to encamp and wait
for the ice to leave the river and bay before proceeding on their way by water. They left Saginaw
about the last of March, in the small schooner,
called "Democrat," Capt. Olmsted, and landed at
the Au Sable River, where they did some work,
and thence went by land to Devil's River and
Alpena.  They remained here until August, when
they returned to Detroit.  In those days there
were no settlements in all that vast region and no
white men except the few fishermen on Thunder
Bay Island.
In the fall of the same year, our subject in company with others under Sylvester Sibley, a surveyor,
went to Presque. Isle and returned in November.
The following winter and summer he spent in Can.
ada. In 1842 he spent the winter in New York
near Rochester and in the fall of 1843 he made a
visit to England. He was married March 31, 1844,
to Miss Maria, only daughter of Thomas Gregory,
the wedding taking place in the Parish Church of
his native place.
Upon his return from England, Mr. Turk located
in Pontiac and began the grocery business on a
small scale. He started with $300 worth of stock,
but by thorough attention to business and wise consideration for the needs of his customers he built
up an excellent business and increased his stock
from year to year. This business he managed for
thirty odd years and in 1875 turned it over to his
sons who still carry it on. He is a member of the
Masonic order, belonging to the Royal Arch Degree for forty years past.
Mr. and Mrs. Turk made a visit in 1869 to their
native land, and he took his daughter across the sea
in 1874 to visit her ancestral home. Of his seven
children, six are now living, namely: Elizabeth M.,
wife of John Pound; Thomas A., a merchant at




854


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Pontiac; William G., of the firm of Turk Bros.;
Gregory H., a clothing merchant; Mabel H., Mrs.
Edwin Starker; and Ada E., wife of Edward Moseman, who is with a wholesale house in Chicago.
Mr. Turk has done much to improve the city of
Pontiac. He has built some thirty dwelling-houses
and ten brick business-houses, which he rents out.
He has had success in all his business operations
and has accumulated a large property, the foundation of which is his own industry and integrity. He
has served for one year on the city council of
Pontiac, and politically is a Democrat.
In connection with this biographical notice are
presented portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Turk.
-— B<1 rTB- "=
AVID TAYLOR. Although he has passed
the age of fourscore, this aged man is still in
possession of such a degree of physical vigor
as enables him to participate in the work on his
farm. His home is on section 11, Lyon Township,
where he has one hundred and fifteen acres of valuable land, well improved and well stocked. Mr.
Taylor took up his residence here in 1850. His
first purchase was a forty-acre tract, which he
added to by purchases at various times and in different localities until his landed estate consisted of
three hundred and ninety-five acres. Besides the
original tract, this was divided into forty acres on
section 14, eighty on section 15, seventy-five on
section 11, and one hundred and sixty in Milford
Township. His mainstay in carrying on the work
of his present farm is his youngest son, a very
agreeable and intelligent gentlemen who, with his
wife, lives on the old home.
Mr. Taylor was born in St. Lawrence County,
N. Y., July 9, 1809, and is the son of John
and Ruth (Knapp) Taylor. The father was
born in New Jersey about 1770 and went to
Connecticut when a young man. There he married the daughter of Nehemiah Knapp, who was
born in that State about 1774. They removed
to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and afterward to
Niagara County, and Mr. Taylor died in Lewiston
in 1831. He had eleven children, four daughters


and seven sons. HIe left a farm of one hundred
acres, which was given to one of the older sons.
The subject of this notice was the eighth member
of the family circle and the youngest son. He
started in life when twenty years old by driving a
team and it was ten years later that he came to this
State. In 1839 he became a resident in Shiawassee
County, where he remained seven years, having a
good farm of one hundred and sixty acres. This
he sold when he removed to this county.
In 1843 David Taylor was married to Mary Gillett, who shared his fortunes until 1854, then
closed her eyes in death. She was the fourth child
of Absalom and Susan Gillett, who were formerly
of New York. She was the mother of one daughter and four sons. In 1855 Mr. Taylor made a
second marriage, wedding Jane Smith, a native of
Ireland. This union has been blessed by the birth
of one daughter, Avis C., who was born in 1856
and who was the wife of Saxon Cheesbrough, of
Carey, Ohio.
In religious opinions Mr. Taylor classes himself
among the Free Thinkers, but he attends and supports the Methodist church. Since the Republican
party was formed Mr. Taylor has supported it, and
prior to that time he was a Whig. He is held in
good repute by those who enjoy his acquaintance,
as one whose days have been spent in meritorious
labors and who has been a trustworthy citizen.
OHN H. O'BRIEN, a farmer on section 10,
Bloomfield Township, was born in Troy. N.
Y., August 9, 1838. His parents, James
and Alice (Oberyn) O'Brien, natives of Ireland, both came to this country when young. After their marriage in Troy, N. Y., they came in
1854 to Michigan and settled on a farm on the opposite side of the turnpike from where our subject
now lives. Later they moved on to that place,
where they spent the remainder of their days, passing away in 1878, having each reached the age of
seventy-five years. The father was a tradesman in
his early life, but after 1854 he devoted himself
entirely to agriculture. Both heand his wife were




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


855




I




members of the Catholic church. His -political
views were with the Democratic party, but he was
never active in political matters. He came to
America with small means and made all that he had
by his own efforts. He had five children: John
H., James M., Mary A., Alice and James.
John, the eldest son of this family, was educated
in Troy, N. Y., where he gave special attention to
the study of music. In 1854 he came to Michigan
with his parents and has devoted most of his attention to agriculture. He was organist in the Catholic church at Pontiac until 1870. He has a farm
of ninety-two acres two and one-half miles southeast of Pontiac, on the Pontiac & Birmingham
gravel road, upon which he has placed good improvements. He has paid considerable attention
to raising Jersey cattle. He is an Independent in
politics and votes for the man whom his judgment
approves. He is a member of the Catholic church
at Pontiac.
The marriage of our subject was solemnized October 5, 1866. His wife bore the maiden name of
Annie Cruise and lived at Orchard Lake, this
county, where she was born August 4, 1840. She
was a daughter of Peter and Bridget (Dillon)
Cruise, natives of Ireland and early settlers in Orchard Lake, where they lived and died. Mrs.
Cruise was a daughter of Capt. John Dillon, of the
English army. Mrs. O'Brien died December 17,
1887. She was a member of the Catholic church
and left five children to mourn her loss, namely:
James, Agnes, May S., Alice and Charlotte, who
are all residing with their father at home.
ARWIN O. WHITE. The late Mr. White
was one of those upright, kindly men, whose
loss is felt by scores beyond the circle of
their immediate friends and relatives. He was a
liberal contributor to all good causes, was honest in
all his dealings, and had such good judgment and
energy of spirit as to secure the admiration and
friendship of all who knew him.  He represented
this county in the Legislature, to which he was
elected on the Democratic ticket in 1869 and


again in 1871. His occupation was farming and
he left a good property, which has been and is carried on by his wife, who has shown herself thoroughly capable of guiding her hired help.
The parents of our subject were George and
Hannah (Bronson) White, both of whom    were
born in Vermont. He was the youngest of seven
sons and three daughters, and was born in Southfield Township, this county, September 8, 1835.
The major part of his education was obtained here,
but he studied three months in a Detroit commercial college at the conclusion of his school life. At
the age of seventeen years he went to work in a
lawyer's office in that city, but remained only a
short time and then found employment with Theodore Hinchman, a wholesale groceryman and ship
chandler.  With him  he remained about three
years, then, having married, he located in Conway
Township, Livingston County, where he resided
three years and a half. He next returned to Southfield Township, this county, where he had been
married, and where he remained until he was called
hence, July 8, 1885, when in the fiftieth year of
his age.
Mr. White was, at one time, connected with the
Masonic order. He was Township Clerk in 1861-62
and Treasurer in 1863; was Supervisor three years,
1867-68 and '70, and School Inspector a number of
years. In these positions, as in the more prominent one of a Representative, he was faithful to the
trust reposed in him, and did all that in him lay to
promote the welfare and best interests of his constituents.  His political allegiance was always
given to Democratic principles, and he had firm
faith in the policy of the party.
Mrs. White bore the maiden name of Electa
Irish and became the wife of our subject August
12, 1856. She is the eldest daughter of Joseph
and Sarah (Biglow) Irish, natives of New York.
who came to Michigan in 1825 and at once established their home in West Bloomfield Township,
this county. Her father died there September 5,
1855. Her mother is now eighty-one years old
and makes her home with the daughter. Mrs.
White was born in West Bloomfield Township,
October 29, 1835. She has five children. but three
only are living: Marion was born November 4,




856


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- -- I


1859, and is a resident of Southfield Township;
Hamilton died when twenty-three months old;
Mary and Myra, twins, who were born August,
26, 1871, are with their mother; Josephine died
at the age of eight months.   The surviving
daughters have much musical talent and sing and
play well. They are intelligent and pleasant young
ladies, and with their accomplishments make the
home very attractive. Mrs. White is a lady of
very agreeable_ manners, is intelligent and well
read, and has the reputation of a good neighbor
and firm:friend.
W     ILLIAM   DOHANY, a farmer on section
30, Southfield Township, was born in
Farmington Township, November 7, 1837.
His father, William, was a native of County
Queens, Ireland, where he was born in 1798. He
was a book-keeper in the old country and a man of
considerable ability. When he came to New York
in 1825 he took the position of overseer in the
public works of Jersey City,t having about one
hundred men under him. He came to Michigan in
1837 and located in Farmington Township, and
upon a place very little improved; he found a log
house there, into which he moved his family and
where he remained until the end of his days, January 31, 1876. The home place is now owned by
our subject and is represented by a view on another page. The wife of William Dohany, Sr., was
Catherine Burk, a native of County Kings, Ireland,
where she was born in 1805. She departed this
life August 16, 1881. They lie side by side in the
cemetery in Greenfield, Wayne County.
William and Catherine Dohany were the parents
of six children, namely: Michael, who was killed
in the mines in California in 1860; Sarah, Mrs.
Grace, who resides in Ann Arbor; John, who married Mary A. Fayne and resides in Farmington
Township; William, our subject; Mary A., wife of
John Stanley, residing in Detroit, and C. Matilda,
the widow of E. J. Beaty, of Detroit. The first
schooling of our subject was on section 24, of his
native township. He remained with his fattier until


lie was thirty years old and assisted him on the
farm. The lady whom he made his wife September 12, 1866, was by name Bridget Egan. She was
born in Southfield Township, December 23, 1844,
and was the second daughter of James and Penelope (McDermott) Egan, natives of Ireland. The
mother was born in County Queens and the father
in County Kings. They came to Michigan in 1846
and located in Southfield Township, where they still
reside, having both reached the advanced age of
seventy-seven years.
Immediately after marriage the subject of this
sketch located on the place where he now resides.
There little improvement had been made upon this
land, only about twelve acres of it having been
cleared. He and his good wife became the parents
of ten children, namely: John S., a teacher in Redford, Wayne County; Emmett E.,a teacher in
Franklin; William E., a traveling man located in
Detroit; M. Teresa, Francis H., Charles E., J. Ambrose, Clara P., Casper G. and Harry L. The last
named died in infancy, being the seventh child.
Mr. Dohany has two hundred and eighty acres
of excellent land, most of it under -good cultivation, upon which he is doing a general farming
business. He is also interested in stock-raising and
has one hundred and fifty sheep, eighteen head of
cattle and eight horses on his place. He is a Democrat in his politics and' is an adherent of the
Catholic Church, in which faith all his family have
been brought up.
T AMES VANTINE, one of the most successful farmers and popular citizens of Brandon
Township, was born in Clarence Township,
Erie County, N. Y., September 4, 1833.
He is the son of Albert, who is the son of Mathew,
of Holland descent. Mathew was a farmer and a
soldier in the Revolutionary War and lived to
more than reach a century of honest and upright
living. The father followed the patriotic example
of his parent and took part in the War of 1812.
In 1840 he journeyed by ox-team to Buffalo, by
lake to Detroit and then by ox-team again to Gen



RES DENCE OF JAMES VANTI N ESEC. 8.,BRANDON TP, OAKLAND CO.,MICH.


RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM DOHANY,SEC.30.,SOUTHFIELD TPOAKLAND CO.,MICH.








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


859


esee County, Mich. He took up land from   the
Government when the country was very sparsely
settled. HIe first came out in 1837 and spent two
winters in chopping before bringing out his household. He then erected a log house to shelter his
wife and four children. He improved one hundred
and forty acres. Deer was plentiful and the wolves
killed a fine yearling heifer for him one night. He
was a hard worker and died at the age of sixtythree years in 1865. He was first a Whig, then a
strong Abolitionist, and later a Republican.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden
name of Betsey Uptograff. She was a native of
Erie County, N. Y., and seven of her eight children grew to maturity. They were named as follows:
Mary; Ambrose, deceased; Ellen,Matilda, Elizabeth, Charity and James. She died at the age of
sevenity-four years. and her beautiful Christian life
is the heritage of her children. She was a member
of the Congregational Church. Our subject was
only six years old when lie came to Michigan, but
he recollects vividly the incidents of the journey.
He stayed over night in a log cabin in Detroit.
Ile saw many more Indians than whites. The log
schoolhouse which le attended was one and onefourth miles from home.
James Vantine began life for himself at the age
of twenty-six, having spent the years after his
majority in labor for his father. In return for this
his father deeded him forty acres of land. He
worked out some in the winters, receiving wages at
the rate of $10 per month. Ie built a frame house
on his forty acres and made his home there for
twelve years, and purchased twenty-six acres in
addition. He removed to his present farm in 1874.
His marriage to Ellen Truax took place in 1850.
She was a native of Michigan and lived only eight
years after her marriage, leaving one child, Oscar,
now married and employed in the white lead works
at Detroit.
The second marriage of our subject occurred in
1865. The bride was Mary J. Harvey, a native of
New York.    Her two children are Hattie and
Charles. Mr. Vantine enlisted in December, 1864,
in Company I, Thirtieth Michigan Infantry. He
was mustered in at Detroit but was never sent
to the seat of war on account of Lee's surrender.


He was discharged in June, 1865. He has always
been an ardent Republican. He has two hundred
and sixty acres here in two farms, most of it under
cultivation. Here he carries on mixed farming in
which he is very successful, as he is an excellent
manager and has pursued an industrious and laborious life. A view of his residence and the rural
surroundings appears on another page of this voluLme.
5  RUMAN NICHOLS, a former resident of
Farmington, died October 7, 1877, in the
sixty-sixth year of his age. He was a native of Ogden, Monroe County, N. Y., and was
born November 30, 1811. He was married August 23, 1831, to Miss Hannah Allen, of Sweden,
Monroe County, and two weeks later started for
the Territory of Michigan, with only his young
wife, good health, and a fixed determination that
he would achieve success. This hie did by the
practice of industry, frugality and strict integrity.
The parents of his wife were Reuben and Hannah
(Way) Allen.   The young couple settled in the
township of Farmington, where they at first obtained temporary accommodations, with three other
families, in the log house of Philip Marlatt. His
wife was a well educated young lady, who finished
her schooling at Brockport, N. Y., and she has
been an earnest and efficient member of the Baptist Church since she was fifteen years old.
During the more than forty-five years that Mr.
Nichols resided in Farmington he owned and occupied three different farms, but each transfer and
purchase but showed the correctness of his judgment in the improved condition of his affairs.
Mr. Nichols was a man possessing great determination yet easily excited under provocation, but,
notwithstanding, he had a heart full of sympathy
and endeavored to govern his life by the principles of moral rectitude. He was ever ready to acknowledge and repair an injury whenever he was
convinced that he had done a wrong.
In the fall of 1831 Mr. Nichols united with the
Baptist Church at Farmington and remained until
his death, not only a consistent but an efficient and




860                    PORTRAIT AND B1OC
helpful member. He was a kind husband, an indulgent father, an accommodating neighbor and
an esteemed citizen, and was ever active in promoting the social, moral and material interests of
the town. In politics lie uniformly supported
Republican principles and candidates. He left a
widow, who was the companion of his youth, and
three sons: Albert T., who is a cashier of the
First National Bank'at Corunna; hiram, a successful and wealthy farmer of the town of Brighton, and Gilbert C., who retains the old homestead
in Farmington. The widow, who resides on the
old homestead, is a lady of unusual intelligence
and is bright and pleasing in conversation. She is
most highly esteemed in the community, and is still
efficient in the manngcment of her household
lduties.
4 —
sri-LI WOODMAN, M. 1)., who keeps a drug
store at Farmington, Mich., was born in
L  Vermont, in Wilton, Orleans County, August 28, 1826. His father was born in New Ilampshire in 1797. The mother of our subject was
Lois Fuller. She was born in New Hampshire in
1805, and w's united in marriage with Mr. Woodman in her native State. They resided there for a
short time, and then came to New York, and proceeded to Michigan in 1833. They located on
what is known as the Sanford farm in Novi Township, Oakland County. They did not live long in
the new country as the mother was snatched away
by death in 1836, and the father departed in 1848.
They left behind them two sons and one daughter.
The subject of our sketch was six years old when
he migrated to the West. Iie had commenced to
go to school in the East, and the year after his removal to this part of the country, he attended the
old log schoolhouse at Walled Lake. In 1835 he
went to school in Novi Township. In very early
manhood he began to teach school, teaching winters and working or going to school in the summer.
lce completed his school days at a private school at
Northville.
In 1850 the young man came to Farmington and
began the study of medicine with Dr. W. H. Haze.


JRAPHICAL ALBUM.
i


I


He remained with him for three years, and in 1853
went to Grand Ledge and began his practice.
After remaining there a year he opened an office at
Berlin, Ottawa County. In 1859 he returned to
Farmington where he proceeded to build up a practice. He was ambitious to excel in his chosen
profession, and eager to avail himself of all opportunities of improvement. He therefore de.
cided to supplement his private studies by a course
in the medical department of the University at Ann
Arbor. Ile took his diploma in 1868. In addition to his professional duties he has added the
business of a drug store, carrying an extensive
stock of drugs and medicines, oils, paints, etc.
An event of great importance in the life of our
subject took place in 1856. He was then united in
life with Mary A. Brinkerhoff, a native of Cayuga
County, N. Y., where she was born February 15,
1824. Dr. Woodman is identified with the order
of Masonry at Farmington, being a member of
Lodge No. 151. His political affiliations are with
the Democratic party, and he is wide-awake to all
matters of public interest. Our subject held the
office of Postmaster, under James Buchanan, in
Ottawa, Mich., and also in Farmington in 1860, and
also held the same office under Cleveland's administration.
ARK H. FURMAN, a representative farm\ er of Novi Township, is a son of Benjamin
Furman a native of Rockland County,N.Y.,
who was not only a blacksmith and a farmer
but a soldier in the War of 1812. He was born in
the year 1790. His wife, Jane Beardsley, was a
native of the same county as her husband. There
they were married and resided until 1834 and then
removed to Monroe County, N. Y., where they
made their home on a partly improved farm. He
died in 1874 and his good wife followed him four
years later. Five of their seven children still survive. Their father was of Quaker birth and training and a Whig in politics, later becoming a Republican.
The birth of our subject took place February 2,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


861l


- I ------


1821, in Rockland County, N. Y. He attended a
select school in New York, after which he learned
the trade of carpentry and started for himself in
life at the age of eighteen. He was a natural mechanic and loved his work, and worked at it for
eight or nine years exclusively. In 1843 he came
to Michigan and for four years he carried on his
trade in the summer and taught in the winter.
Mr. Furman was married July 1, 1848, to Electa
J. Oyshterbanks, a daughter of Aaron and Mary
(Sibley) Oyshterbanks. They were both natives
of Chenango County. N. Y., where they were born
in 1804.  They carried on a farm in Wayne
County, until they came to Michigan in 1845 and
made their home in Commerce Township on a
partially improved farm, to which he afterwards
added substantial improvements. His wife was
called from his side by death in 1859 and in 1861
he was married to Nancy Carr, by whom he had
one child, Jay. In 1868 he removed to Walled
Lake where he died in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Oyshterbanks were members of the Free Will Baptist
Church in which hie served at one time as Clerk.
He was active in politics and a Republican in his
views and vote. For forty years he served as a
Justice of the Peace. His first wife presented him
with seven children, four of whom are now living.
MrIs. Furman was born June 1, 1829, in Wayne
County, N. Y., and received a good education
finishing her schooling at the academy at Marion.
She taught for some time after coming to Michi
gan. After the marriage of this couple they settled upon a farm of sixty-three acres which had(
ten of it cleared. They added to it from time to
time until they had one hundred and twenty-three
acres most of which had been cleared by Mr. Furman from time to time. He designed and built
the residence in which he makes his home and also
all the barns, all the work on them being done by
his own capable hand. He is now retired from
active work upon the farm.
The five children of this family are as fullows:
Wilmarth A., born April 23, 1849, has married
Emma L. Potter, by whom he has two children;
they make their home in Gratiot County. Florence
A., born June 7, 1851, the wife of Charles Seaton,
makes her home at Lockport, N. Y.; Ada E., born




October 15, 1853, the wife of Bradley Nicholson,
lives at Brighton, Mich.; Eugene B., born April 5,
1856, married Martha Kellogg, by whom he had
two children; they reside in Novi. Judd M., born
December 19, 1858, is still unmarried and resides
at home. To all have been given a good commonschool education. The father has always taken an
active interest in politics and is a Republican in
his views and vote. He has been Justice of the
Peace and Road Commissioner and in the early
days filled the office of Pathmaster. He is temperance itself in his life and habits. He began emptyhanded and has seen hard times, but has been a
brave and persevering pioneer; although the family
has endured great hardships it has been singularly
blessed in one respect, as there has never been a
death in the family. He has been a Director of
the local School Board for four terms and is frequently a delegate to county and district conventions.
I\ LLIAM      B. TAYLOR.     This enterprising gentleman, who is a resident of
'  Waterford Township, is prosecuting agricultural pursuits with a degree of energy highly
commendable. A native of this county, his course
through life has been such as to reflect credit upon
its citizenship. Ile has made farming his life work
and has done well at his chosen calling, as is apparent to one who notes the condition of his farm,
which is well ordered in every respect, provided
with neat buildings and all the necessary machinery.
He possesses in a large degree the sound intelligence, ripe wisdom and discretion so necessary to
full success in any walk in life.
Although not one of the earliest settlers of
Michigan, Joseph Elliott Taylor, father of our subject, may properly be termed a pioneer of Oakland
County, whither he came in 1850, and settled on
section 29, Waterford Township. HIe was a native
of New York, born in 1829, and was a man possessing many sterling traits of character. His wife,
who bore the maiden name of Caroline E. Bradt,
was the daughter of Garrett Bradt, and was born
in New York in 1830, Their family comprised




862


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


four children, of whom the only survivor is William B., of this sketch. The father became well
known among the citizens of Waterford Township,
where he occupied an enviable position in the esteem of his fellow-men. He died in 1874, mourned
not alone by his family but also by those who felt
that by his death the county had lost one of her
best citizens. The mother afterward married E.
Stanley Smith, who is now deceased, having died
in 1890, and she now makes her home with our
subject.
The early recollections of William B. Taylor arc
associated with Waterford Township, where he was
born November 1, 1860. lie received a good
common-school education in the district schools,
and at an early age gained a practical knowledge of
farming pursuits. At the age of twenty-four years
he was united in marriage with Miss Carrie, daughter
of Johnson S. and Sarah (Melcher) Prall. Mr. and
Mrs. Prall came to Oakland County in 1853, and
there Mrs. Taylor was born in Pontiac, June 10,
1866. The mother died in 1868, but the father
still survives.  Of their ten children, the majority reside in Michigan, and all in youth received good educations which prepared them for
responsible positions in life.
Unto our subject and his estimable wife three
children have been born, viz: Florence E., who
was born August 8, 1886; Morris E., August 12,
1888, and Kate E., December, 13. 1889. Mr. and
Mrs. Taylor are held in high esteem by their
neighbors, and enjoy the friendship of a large
circle.
---    -=.HARLES C. WALDO, one of the oldest citizens of Holly, has been for many years a
Justice of the Peace in that village, and
although more than eighty years old he has the
vigor and enterprise of a man in middle life. He
has never had a suit reversed from his decision
wlien carried up to the higher courts, and he has
held the position of Justice of the Peace for over
twenty years. His thorough knowledge of the statutes and his sound judgment havt saved an im

I


mense amount of litigation to the citizens of
Holly. He has been in the mercantile business in
New York, Ohio, and Pontiac, Mich.
The subject of our sketch was born in Vermont
in 1809, and is the son of Dr. Godfrey and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Waldo, natives of Connecticut
and New Hampshire respectively. The Doctor removed to New York and was in practice there for
nearly half a century. He came to Michigan in 1838
and settled in the village of Birmingham, where
he remained for five years and then retired from
practice and made his final home in Pontiac, where
he died in 1848 at the age of seventy-five years.
His good wife died in Holly in 1872 at the venerable
age of ninety-four years. They were both of French
descent. Their only surviving child besides our
subject is Margaret, now Mrs. Stephen Decatur, of
California. The grandfather of our subject was
Daniel Waldo, a Revolutionary hero. He was aidde-camp to Gen. Putnam for one year. Then Gen.
Washington placed him in charge of the Commissary Departmcnt, in which he remained until the
clcse of the war. Like other members of the Waldo
family he lived to a green old age, and died in the
town of Pomfret, Conn.
He came to Holly in 1864 and purchased village
property on the corner of Sherman and John streets.
He was Treasurer of Oakland County from 1864 to
1866 and has been a member of the School Board
and President of the village.
Although not a college-educated man, Mr. Waldo
acquired a fine education in the common schools
and academies of New York. He commenced life
as a teacher, but in 1831 he began his mercantile
career at Union, Broome County, N. Y. His first
vote was cast for Gen. Jackson in 1828, and he has
followed his party with its ups and downs all
these years. He says that he would like to live to
vote once more for ex-President Cleveland for the
first office in the gift of our people. He is a Mason
and a Knight Templar. He is an earnestly religious man and has been for fifty-seven years a stanch
member of the Presbyterian Church.
Our subject was married in 1832 to Miss Ruth
Seymour, of Broome County, N. Y. She died September 20, 1865, leaving one son, A. Putnam
Waldo, of Pontiac, Mich., who is engaged in the




I




PHILANDER J. WALTON.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


865


lumber business. His present wife, who was Mrs.
Mary Axford, of Clarkston, is with him a member
of the Presbyterian Church. He is one of the men
that are an honor to any community. He is a man
of broad ideas, and his word is law to the wrongdoer.
-— ==c'^ -.HILANDER J. WALTON. 'A good name
is rather to be chosen than great riches,"
and while Mr. Walton has chosen the better
part he has at the same time gained financial
success. After many years devoted to tilling the
soil he removed, in 1882, with his family, to the
city of Pontiac, where they have.a beautiful home
at No. 34 Huron Street. A pioneer of this county,
he has been a witness of its wonderful growth and
has contribuled his quota toward its development.
In this volume we seek to perpetuate the memory
of those who have been identified with the progress
of Oakland County, and we present to our readers a
portrait of Mr. Walton on the opposite page, to
accompany the following brief account of his life
Grandfather Jonathan Walton, a native of
Wales, came to America in Colonial days and
served during the entire Revolutionary War. John
Walton, father of our subject, was born in Rutland,
Vt., August 15, 1777, and was also an ardent patriot.
He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was present at the burning of Buffalo. His wife, Eleanor
Nelson, was born in Massachusetts June 15, 1783,
and was a daughter of John Nelson of that State.
Her paternal grandfather was born in Ireland. The
parents of our subject inaugurated the new century
by choosing its beginning as their wedding day,
being married January 1, 1800, in Lima, Livingston County, N. Y. After their marriage they
settled on a farm a few miles from Chili Corners,
and later moved to the town of Ogden, where they
sojourned until 1834.
At the above mentoned date John Walton, accompanied by his family, removed as far west as
Michigan and located in Oakland County, buying
a partially improved farm in Bloomfield Township.
The father, with the assistance of the other members of the family, commenced the improvement of


the land, erected good farm buildings and carried
on stock raising and general farming. He made a
specialty of sheep, of which he kept an excellent
flock. This place was the home of the father until
lie died in 1869, at the age of ninety-two. The
mother was called from earth in 1862. These good
people had gained many friends during their residence in this county and at their death were widely
mourned.
Eleven children came to the home of John and
Eleanor Walton, eight of whom grew to the estate
of manhood and womanhood. Two alone now survive-Philander J., and Eleanor, the widow of
Caleb Harris. l'Philander J. was born in Ogden
Township, Monroe County, N. Y., September 14,
1827, and was only seven years old when he was
brought by his parents to this county. His school
advantages were good in comparison with what
others enjoyed at that early day, and after attending the district school for a time he went to Birmingham to school. He remained with his parents
until he was twenty-one years old, aiding in the
farm work and becoming a practical agriculturist.
On December 17, 1851, Mr. Walton was united
in marriage with Miss Elmira S. Torrey, of Bloomfield Township. The bride was born in Buffalo,
N. Y., November 11, 1830, and is the daughter
of Charles and Mary (Van Dewater) Torrey.
When she was three years old she was brought
by her parents to this county, where her father
settled in Pontiac Township. After their marriage the young couple settled on the old
homestead, which had belonged to the father of
Mr. Walton, and there they made a pleasant home.
Mr. Walton engaged in stock raising, making a
specialty of fine sheep, and also operated as a general farmer. One child blessed the marriage of our
subject-Alice, who first married J. D. Thorpe,
by whom she had one daughter, Mabel. She is now
the wife of Freeman Wilson and they reside on the
old homestead on section 2, Bloomfield Township,
which has for so many years been the property of
the Walton family.
In 1881 Mr. Walton was elected Highway Commissioner. Politically he is a stanch Democrat,
voting for the men who are pledged to the support
of the principles of that party. He cast his first




866


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICALI ALBUM.bZ~


866             PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Presidential vote for Cass in 1848 and his last
vote for Cleveland. In 1885 he was elected Alderman, and served three terms up to 1891, when he
was chosen Supervisor of the Fourth Ward. In
1869 he was selected Treasurer of Bloomfield
Township, and served with efficiency and faithfulness until 1872. In 1881 he was elected Highway
Commissioner, and filled this position, as all others,
to the general satisfaction. He still owns a fine
farm of one hundred acres on section 1, Bloomfield
Township, which is the old-Torrey homestead. His
declining years are being pleasantly passed, free
from labor and care, and surrounded by the friends
whom he has made by honorable dealing and an
upright life.
ENRY S. COX, M.D. This able physician and
I) surgeon is confinining his attention to surgery in which he manifests much skill. He
is not able to endure the hard riding that
a general practice entails, but has lost none of his
former energy or coolness and decision. He is
therefore perfectly qualified for surgical work, and
he has many calls, having a reputation unexcelled
in the locality. His home is in Franklin where he
has resided since 1867. In addition to his record
as a practicing physician and surgeon in time of
peace, he has the additional repute gained on
Southern battlefields and in the hospitals where the
soldiers of the Civil War suffered for their devotion to principles. He entered the army in 1861
and served until the close of the war, first in the
ranks and then as Hospital Steward and Assistant
Surgeon. In recalling those trying days, we are
prone to forget that the loss of life would have
been incalculably greater had it not been for the
heroes who worked under the yellow flag and displayed a moral courage equal, if not superior, to
that shown by those who marched up to the cannon's mouth.
The father of our subject was Peter Cox, a na

tive of England, and a farmer by occupation. He
was born in 1772, and in his early life reared, the
children of two sisters, sending them to the academy and giving them excellent advantages. After
these duties had been performed he married Anna
Norton, who was born in England in 1811. To
them were born three sons and two daughters.
The second son opened his eyes to the light near
Bristol, England, July 2, 1826, and was christened
Henry S. He pursued his studies in his native place,
completing his literary course at the Alveston
House. Having decided to become a physician,
he studied in the city of Bath prior to his emigration which occurred in 1848. He came direct to
this State and made his first home in Jackson.
After a sojourn of about four months he went to
Detroit and thence removed to Franklin. He bought
a sawmill and carried it on two years, and then
went to Ann Arbor to freshen up his professional
knowledge preparatory to entering upon work in
that line.
Returning to Franklin Dr. Cox felt called upon
to join those who were enlisting under the old
flag, having as full sympathy with republican principles as though he had been a native of the United
States. August 13, 1861, he was enrolled in Company G, First Michigan Cavalry and was soon
promoted to Corporal, then to Orderly Sergeant
and to Acting Lieutenant.   His knowledge of
medicine and surgery led to his becoming Hospital
Steward and Assistant Surgeon, and as such he finished his term of service and was honorably discharged June 16, 1865. The following September
he located in Barry County, but after practicing
there two years he returned to his old home at
Franklin. He has been Justice of the Peace fifteen
years and for the same length of time has held a
place on the School Board. He is a Mason and
has taken two degrees in the Chapter at Birmingham. He has also been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
In 1852, Dr. Cox was married to Grace Trick, a
native of this county, who died during the first
years of his residence in Franklin. Their union
was blest by the birth of five daughters, of whom
we note the following: Nellie G., the first-born.
died when she was seven years old; Mattie J. is




PORTnRAI AND BfOGRAPHICAL~ ALBUM.


867


I


living with her father; Almina married Robert T.
Gamble of Southfield; Anna G. died when seventeen years old; a second Nellie G. married Hosea
D. Beebe, of Southfield Township.
Z   ALMON C. JONES, who resides on a fine
farm on section 1, Novi Township, is the
son of Daniel Jones, a Welsh farmer. His
mother was Hannah (Doane) Jones, a native of
New Hampshire. The father came to America
when a young man and made his home in Massachusetts. There he married and then went to
Wyoming County, N. Y., where this worthy couple
resided until death.
The subject of this sketch is the only surviving
one of five children. of the parental family. He
was born December 20, 1811, in Wales, N. Y. Iis
parents were members of the Baptist Church, and
were active in church matters. The father was a
Republican in politics. Our subject's grandfather,
Jones, served in the Revolutionary War, and lived
to the great age of ninety years. When twentyone years old he began work for himself. He
worked by the month for Gen. Wadsworth on the
Genesee Flats in New York.    One season  he
milked ninety cows and another season eighty.
The marriage of Mr. Jones took place January
15, 1839. His bride was Rachael Rouse, a daughter of Simon and Polly (Cole) Rouse, both New
Englanders. Mr. Rouse was a farmer and soldier
in the War of 1812. The first home of Mr. and
Mrs. Rouse was in New York State, where they
settled upon an uncultivated and unbroken farm.
tIe died in 1836 and she in 1865. Mrs. Rouse
was twice married, and Mr. Rouse had contracted
three matrimonial alliances. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are now living.
Mrs. Jones was born April 23, 1818, in New
York State, and she received an excellent common
school education at the hands of her parents.
After marriage she and her young husband settled
upon sixty acres of land in Wyoming County, N.
Y., where they resided for four years. In 1844
they removed to Michigan and took up eighty


acres of unbroken forest, building a log house
and undertaking to subdue that portion of the
wilderness which they had chosen for their new
home. Besides the cultivation of his land the
young man was obliged to work out for neighbors
in order to earn money wherewith to purchase
provisions.
Mr. Jones has added to his land from time to
lime and now has eighty acres of his one hundred
under cultivation. In 1867 he built the beautiful
residence in which he now lives at a cost of $1,200
cash, besides his own labor. All the improvements
which appear upon this fine farm have been placed
there by him and here he had made his home for
forty-seven years. It was a wild country in its
native state and required much hard labor to subdue it, involving the removal of stumps and stones
as well as the felling of trees.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been the parents of
five children, four of whom are now living: Rawson is married to Amanda Bennett and lives in
Novi Township; Newell, is married to Asenath
Gillett and lives at Walled Lake; they are the
parents of five children; Clarke married Irene Bennett, and makes his home in Commerce Township;
Alice is deceased; Elvira, wife of James Seamark,
makes her home in Waterford Township. The
parents are both members of the Baptist Church
at Walled Lake, and their son Newell is a Deacon
in that organization. They gave to all their children the best common-school education which
their location and times afforded. In politics our
subject is a straight Republican and he has always been a man of strictly temperate habits. He
has now retired from active farming and is enjoying his later years in peace and happiness, with
the consciousness of a life well-spent.
E    ZEKIEL DENNIS. Among the prominent
farmers of Independence Township, none
ranks higher in the estimation of the neighbors than the subject of this sketch, who resides
on section 12, of Independence Township, and is
the owner also of land in the adjoining township
of Orion, in all about three hundred acres. He is




868


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


8       PO I  BIO


the son of John and Diodema (Tingley) Dennis,
and was born in Sussex County, N. J., July 19,
1821. IHe was reared on the farm and when about
twenty years of age, went to learn the trade of a
carpenter, and served three years with Miles Harden of Sussex County, N. J. He followed his
trade for about seven years.
On the 18th of November, 1848, Mr. Dennis wedded Miss Mary Decker, the daughter of
James Decker. She was born in the same county
with himself, July 3, 1824. This union was blessed
with three sons: Amzi, born September 11, 1849,
who married Augusta Hammond and resides on
the homestead; Gabriel P., born June 17, 1854,
and is married to Eva M. Wiser. They reside in
the town of Oxford, this county; John H., born
May 15, 1860, married Mary Farrell. They also
reside on the farm.
Mr. Dennis came to Michigan in 1851, and
bought two hundred and fifteen acres of land in
Independence Township, where he has ever since
resided. Eight brothers and two sisters of Mr.
Dennis all grew to manhood and womanhood, but
Ezekiel is the only male representative now living. In political life Mr. Dennis has always been
a Democrat and has been called upon to fill all
the town offices of his township at different times
and was Justice of the Peace for twenty-eight
years. His beloved wife died July 8, 1887, and
he now resides with his two sons on the old homestead, where he enjoys all the comforts of a quiet
and retired life. He contemplates a visit to the
home of his childhood during the present summer.


necticut and early settlers in Monroe County,
N. Y. They came to Michigan in 1827 and settled in Bloomfield Township on the farm now
owned by Frank Harff. A little later they bought
a farm which is now owned by Alfred and Charles
Rockwell. They were among the very earliest
settlers and here ended their days.
The father of our subject was one of a family
of eight children. At a very early day he settled
on the farm where he ended his days, and which
is now owned and occupied by his second wife
and two sons. Under contract with the Government he built the Grand River Turnpike and also
the Ft. Gratiot Pike. He was a man of considerable means in his later years, having gained by his
own efforts all of his fortune. He was an earnest
Whig and later a Republican, but was never an aspirant for any office. He was a well-read man and
possessed of an unusually good memory. Both he
and his good wife took an active part in church
matters, being members of the Congregational
Church.
The mother of our subject was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., and was a daughter of
Jacob and Susan (Newton) Harff, who were both
natives of Vermont. They came to Michigan at
an early day and settled in Troy, this county,
where they spent the remainder of their lives.
The mother died April 22, 1848, at the early age
of twenty-eight years. The father was afterward
married to Zada A. Adams, of Rensselaer County,
N. Y. Our subject was the only child of the first
marriage. By the second marriage there were
four children-Zada M., Sarah E., Alfred A. and
Charlie L.
James was reared in this town and remained
with his father until his death. He continued in
the management of the old home until 1874, when
he bought his present farm, which is known as
"Hickory Grove Stock Farm." He has one hundred
and thirty acres of land all well improved, and is
raising Jersey cattle. He has devoted his life to
farming and has been a successful farmer as the
fine condition of his land and the excellent buildings testify. A view of his home is shown elsewhere in this volume.
The political sympathies of our subject are with


AMES H. ROCKWELL, a successful farmer
residing in Bloomfield Township, was born
in the same township on a farm which adjoins his, April 16, 1845. He is a son of
James M. and Eliza E. (Harff) Rockwell, natives of
Monroe and Rensselaer Counties, N. Y., respectively. They both came to Michigan with their
parents when quite young and settled in this
county. The paternal grandparents were John
and Sarah (Leet) Rockwell, both natives of Con



fI.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      I,;-                                                                         1


RESISDENC[ OF DAVID BINGHAM 51O5. 3OUTHFIELD TP., OAKLAND CO. MICH


iI


"HICKORY GROVE STOCK FARM." RESIDENCE OF JAME5 H.ROCK~WELL.SEC.9.,BLOOMFIELD TF.,OAKLAND CO.,MICH.




4




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


871


the Republican party and he has held some minor
town offices. He and his good wife are both
efficient and active members of the Baptist Church.
He is identified with the order of the Free and
Accepted Masons and with that of the Knights of
the Maccabees.
Miss Emma E. Waterbury, of Huron, Wayne
County, N. Y., became Mrs. James H. Rockwell
December 24, 1874. She was born in Rensselaer
County, N. Y., November 22, 1848, and is a
daughter of John D. and Emma (Adams) Waterbury, both natives of New York. Mrs. Rockwell
died May 8, 1887, having been the mother of
one child, Hial D., who is now twelve years of
age.
AVID BINGHAM, one of the enterprising
farmers of Southfield Township, is located
on section 25, where he owns one hundred
and six acres of land. He paid $8,200 for
the place, and it is one of the best regulated in this
section of the country. A complete line of farm
buildings, including some not generally seen, even
on good farms, will be found here, and all are firstclass in construction and appointments. Mr. Bingham carries on general farming, and markets crops
that are fully up to the average. He keeps some
very fine sheep, now having fifty head, and other
stock in proportion.
The parents of our subject were John and Ann
(Patrick) Bingham, natives of the mother country,
in which they spent their lives. They had two
daughters and four sons, and in their family David
is the fifth child. He was born in Lincolnshire on
a farm near Boston, March 19, 1839, and grew to
the age of eighteen years at his native place. Believing that better opportunities would lie before
him in America, he turned his back on his native
land and c'ossed to New York. He remained in
the city three months, then came to Pontiac,
and for seven months was employed in the hardware store of R. B. Morris. He remained in the
county seat four years, then worked on the farm of
M. E. Crowfoot one year. He next bought property in Bloomfield Tqwnship and established his


home there, remaining from 1862 to 1869. Thence
he went to West Bloomfield Township, where he
resided eight years, and at the expiration of that
period came to his present home.
In 1860 Mr. Bingham was married to Miss Eliza
Foreman, a native of England, and to them were
born three sons and two daughters. The first-born,
William J., died at the age of nineteen; Lorenzo,
who is living on a farm in Southfield Township, is
married and has three children; George is Assistant Postmaster in Franklin; Addie is the wife of
Ezra Bristle, a farmer in Southfield Township; and
Ida, her twin, married John Rainey of the same
township.
Mr. Bingham took for his second wife Miss Mary
E. Simpson, with whom he was united in marriage
January 25, 1871. Two children were born to
them: Charles A., who is at home, and Floy E., deceased. Mrs. Bingham is the daughter of Peter
and Elizabeth (Patton) Simpson, who were married April 18, 1838, in New York City. Two years
after their marriage they came to this county and
settled in West Bloomfield, where they died. They
were the parents of six children, all of whom grew
to maturity, as follows: John P., George A.. Mary
E., Margaret A., Sarah M. and Rebecca B. A most
estimable lady, Mrs. Bingham is held in respect by
her numerous acquaintances, and her refinement
and culture fit her to grace any position in life.
Politically Mr. Bingbam is a believer in and supporter of the principles of Democracy. He has
been enterprising and energetic; and although he is
sometimes called a lucky man, his success has not
been won without effort on his part. He is well respected by his associates. and is a law-abiding and
reliable citizen.
The view of the pleasant homestead of Mr. Bingham appears elsewhere in this volume.
^v --- —~+E4^ ----~ —<
PENCER B. GRAY. Few men in Pontiac
Township have made a single tract of land
their home for as many years as has the
gentleman above named. He occupies the
homestead on which his father, Daniel Gray, settled




872


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


in 1830, and where hle himself passed through the
experiences of boyhood and youth. The early
struggles endured by his parents, laid the foundation for the beautiful farm of to-day, and the
present owner has capably continued the work that
was already under way when the father (lied. The
farm consists of two hundred acres of fine land
which has made this county so prosperous an agricultural region, and it is well stocked in every
respect. In 1880, an elegant farm house of modern design and arrangement was built, and it has
been furnished throughout with the best and most
tasteful of household goods.
Mr. Gray was born in Steuben County, N. Y.,
October 13, 1828, and is the youngest and only
surviving member of a family of seven. His father
was born in the Empire State, and his mother,
whose maiden name was Charity Reynolds, was
also a native of New York. Tile parents after
spending years of life together, were not long
divided by death, as both passed away in 1865.
They were honored members of the Baptist Church,
and had been industrious, economical and useful
members of society. When they came hither they
had but limited means, and they sometimes had a
hard struggle to " make both ends meet," but as the
country became more populous, they attained to
more and more of comfort, and were included
among the successful families. Mr. Gray entered
land in Pontiac Township, and bought a small
tract on which stood a log house that was the
family dwelling for a few years. Detroit was then
the nearest market, and many a trip did he make
to and fro with his ox-team.
The subject of this notice having been reared
during the early settlement of this county, has a
vivid remembrance of pioneer times. While conning his lessons he sat on a slab bench in a dingy
log school-house, but he became practically well informed by his studies there and investigations at
home. As soon as he was old enough to aid his
father in clearing and improving the farm, le began
to do so, and after having grown to manhood he,
in 1852, bought the propelty. He is a quiet man
who makes no display of his opinions, but has remarkably good judgment, both in agricultural and
social matters. He harvests crops that will equal


in quality and quantity any in the 'neighborhood,
and raises good stock, the Durham being his favorite breed of cattle, He casts his vote with the
I)emocratic party. His personal character is such
as to have given him high standing in the community, and he exerts a strong influence on the side of
right and justice, and in favor of progress and
thoroughness in one's vocation.
Mr. Gray was fortunate in his choice of a life
companion, as the creature comforts and the home
attractiveness in his dwelling testify.  He was
married in March, 1860, to Miss Harriet Babcock
who was born in this county in 1840, and is
the only living representative of the family of
Curtis and Permelia (Swallow) Babcock.   Her
parents were early settlers in West Bloomfield
Township, where they are still well remembered.
Mr. Babcock died in 1882 and his wife in 1883,
both full of years and honor. They were natives
respectively of New York and New Jersey. Mr.
and Mrs. Gray are the happy parents of two
daughters-Ettie and Minnie-the latter of whom
still brightens the parental fireside by her presence.
The older lives in the neighboring village of Auburn, being the wife of Fred Durant.
LMON HOSMER, a farmer and breeder of
Short-horn cattle, resides on one of the
finest farms in the township of West Bloomfield. IIe is the son of Jacob and Asenath
(Wait) Hosmer, and was born on the place where
lie now lives, December 17, 1841. The Hosmers
came to Michigan early in the '30s, and settled
on this farm, which at that time was wild land. In
1869 they left the farm and removed to Pontiac,
where the father died in 1871, at the age of sixtynine years. His wife still survives at the ripe age
of eighty-four years. The father came to Michigan, poor, and on foot most of the way from New
York. He died a man of large means, all of which
he had acquired through his own efforts. He gave
his children as good an education as the new country afforded, and provided homes for all of them.
He was very strong in his political views and, was




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


873


a Whig in his early life, and later a Republican.
He and his wife were both possessed of sterling
Christian characters. They were members of the
Baptist Church at the time he died, but she is now
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church at
Pontiac.  Seven children blessed their home,
namely: Cyrus, Melissa, Ranson, Lovisa, Nelson,
Almon and Lorinda.
The life occupation of our subject has been agriculture. He has one of the finest farms in Oakland
County, which consists of three hundred acres in
one body.   He has a large two-story residence,
three excellent barns and other good farm buildings.
His place is one of the best improved in the township, and for a number of years he has been giving
considerable attention to the breeding of Shorthorn cattle and Clydesdale horses. He is a Republican in his political views, but takes no active
part in politics.
Miss Sarah Hall of West Bloomfield Township,
became the wife of Mr. Hosmer, December 21,
1864.   She was born in England, and is the
daughter of George and Jane Hall. She has become the mother of four children. Her eldest
daughter, Mettie, is the wife of J. C. F. Hollister,
of the Michigan Military Academy at Orchard
Lake. The son, Lloyd, and the younger daughters
Mollie and Margie are twins, all are single, and
with their parents constitute a happy household
upon the home farm.
HERMAN     WILLIAMS, a resident of
Royal Oak Township, was born August 2,
1825. His father, David, was a Welsh farmer, who was born in 1788 and came to
America about 1795, settling with his parents in
Herkimer County, N. Y. He started in life for himself when only twelve years old, and in 1823 came
to Michigan and bought one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Royal Oak Township and had his
deed signed by John Q. Adams.
After locating his land the young man returned
to New York to secure his bride and to bring her
to the new home. This lady was Mrs. Betsey Mc

Farland, the widow of John McFarland, by whom
she had one daughter, Esther, who became the wife
of James J. Parshall and makes her home in Ann
Arbor, Mich. Upon coming to Michigan with his
wife, David Williams located another one hundred
and sixty acres. His politics in early life were of
of the Whig order. He cast his last Presidential
vote for Grant and passed away September 8, 1870.
No daughters were granted to this worthy couple, but five manly boys were theirs, of whom our
subject is the eldest. They were as follows: Sherman, born August 2, 1825; John R., born in February, 1827; George, in 1829; David, in May,
1834, and Addison in 1836. John is living near
St. Louis and is in the railroad business; George
resides near Pontiac, and David lives on a farm
near our subject, in Royal Oak Township. Addison has been dead for some years.
Upon reaching his majority young Sherman became a fisherman and passed three summers on
Lake Huron. He then went to farming on the old
place. His marriage took place October 24, 1862,
and his bride was Mary, daughter of Ira and Polly
(Palmer) Smith. Mr. Smith was a farmer in Vermont, where he was born September 18, 1800. In
1823-24 he came to Michigan and located land
in Troy Township. He then returned to New
York, and after his marriage in 1825, returned to
make his home on his new farm. Their six children were Cyrus, Emily L., Mary, Jane, Ann,
Lewis G. Cyrus lives in Oregon and is a farmer;
Jane is the widow of Michael Ebling, of Troy
Township, and Lewis G. lives at Big Beaver. The
parents of Mrs. Smith were David and Mary V.
Palmer, and were natives of Canada, where their
daughter was born May 9, 1876.
Sherman and Mary Williams became the parents
of four children-one son and three daughters:
Nellie, who was born August 10, 1863, was called
away from earth January 13, 1879: J. S., born December 30, 1864; Emma, September 17,1867; Grace
A., born October 10, 1873, died January 9, 1879;
Emma is the wife of Frank Leach and resides near
her father's farm, and the son makes his home with
his parents.
This gentleman of whom we write had one hundred and sixty acres given him by his father.




874


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


Upon this he has placed excellent farm buildings,
and in 1863 he built his house at a cost of *1,500.
It is a beautiful and attractive hore. He is making a specialty of Jersey cattle and Clydesdale
horses. His ten horses and twenty head of cattle
tre of excellent stock and are well housed in his
good barns. He has two hundred and fifty acres
of as good land as is in Oakland County, and it is
finely situated for markets, being only fourteen
miles from Detroit. Mr. Williams has been Treasurer of Royal Oaks for five different terms. His
first vote for a President was for Zachary Taylor
and his last for Benjamin Harrison. His long residence in the county and his agency for a farmer's
insurance company give him a broad acquaintance
throughout the county, and he is favorably regarded by all who know him.
-^f —*          A —
ILEY C. SHAW, a prosperous farmer in
IfL    Novi Township, is the son of Philip Shaw,
a native of Brighton, Mass., who was born
iQin 1781, and was a soldier of the War of
1812, being a member of an independent company.
His wife was Chloe Foster, and they were married
in Bristol, Ontario County, N. Y., her native State,
and made their home there until they came to Michigan in 1830, traveling by boat to Detroit, and then
by ox-team to the farm upon which their son now
resides.
The patent to this tract of one hundred and
sixty acres was signed by Andrew Jackson. The -
Indians were peaceable and friendly, and deer,
bears andswolves were often more neighborly than
might be desired.  Money, however, was very
scarce, and they saw hard times especially the first
year. After that there was plenty to eat, but hard
labor continued their lot. The timber was very
heavy on the farm, and they cleared off all the
forest durivg the lifetime of the father. In this
work he was ably aided by his four stalwart sons.
He lived here about forty-six years, and died in
1877, at the very advanced age of ninety-six years.
He was a rugged strong man, and had an iron constitution. His beloved wife was taken from him by


death, in January, 1832, and he ever mourned her
loss with faithful devotion. The early history of
this old pioneer was one of affliction and privation,
as he lost his father when he was an infant of nine
months, and when only nine years old he was
bound out to a farmer until he reached his
majority.  He was a Democrat in politics. Ile
took a great interest in the education of his children, and gave them all the schooling that he
could.  Of his eleven children, only three now
survive, namely: William, our subject, and Nancy
Jane, all of whom live in Novi.
The subject of this sketch was born, April 12,
1817, in the township of Bristol, Ontario County,
N. Y. He was thirteen years old when he became
a resident of the Wolverine State. He began using
the ax at once, and kept it going until the farm
was cleared.  He attended a rate bill school in
one of the first log schoolhouses built in the township. He remained at home until he was twentyfour years old. but in the meantime had worked
out by the month for others occasionally. To
obtain spending money, he made ax helves and ox
yokes. He has made many an ox yoke for ex-Gov.
Bingham, who was then an extensive farmer.
Miss Rebecca Rodgers, became, in 1841, the wife
of Mr. Shaw. This lady was a daughter of James
Rodgers, of Pennsylvania who came from   New
York State to Michigan early in the '30s. and
settled in Novi Township, not long before his death.
His five sons, who made their home in the same
vicinity have now all departed this life. Mrs. Shaw
was born in December, 1816, in New York State.
The first home of the young wedded couple was
across the road from her father's house, in a new
log house.
When Philip Shaw retired from active labor, our
subject bought eighty acres of his farm, and afterward purchased the other eighty, after which his
father made his home with him. He now owns
three hundred and forty acres of land, two hundred
and fifteen of which is under good cultivation.
He has remodeled and repaired the old reskdence
and has made improvements to the barns, sheds etc.
He has also built the house where his son, James
now resides, and put up all the buildings on the
farm on section 15, where his son Richmond lives.




0




I
sO.C I^
E -
Q;.ji c
f34#wse ~BZc~r-frC) 0
~I




.le


cOV4OZC
-Spat^r
so/yr^


l


~-c(
— ~
- ~
~,r ir,.r
I


- -
4,   A      -, -, -        f
"e.      -11       -
il
It




I
I




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL; ALBUM.I


879


P            A


He has carried on this farm for nearly fifty years.
At one time he made a specialty of graded sheep
and Durham cattle. His faithful wife was called
from his side by death, October 1, 1877. They
were the parents of four children.  The youngest
child a girl, died at fifteen years of age.
The son, Richmond, lives on section 17, and has
a wife, Julia Entrecon, and one child. James resides on the home farm with his wife, Lavina
Clark. John married Edna Haver, and also resides
on this farm. They are all highly respected in
the community. Their father prepared them for
life by giving them good practical training, and a
good common-school education.
Mr. Shaw has been a member of the School
Board in this district, and has been Highway Commisioner. He was offered the position of Supervisor, but declined to accept it, but was for many
years on the Board of Review. He has always voted
the Democratic ticket.  He had a severe illness
two years ago, and has never recovered full
strength, and has therefore retired from active
work, which he can safely leave in the hands of his
industrious and intelligent sons..     IMON STOWELL, a retired farmer, resides
in Pontiac, where his fine residence attracts
the attention of strangers. He was born
in Monroe County, N. Y., in the town of
Gates, January 2, 1821. His father was Ira Stowell, a native of New Hampshire, where he was born
August 22, 1785. He was a farmer most of his
life. The mother of our subject was Eunice
Coburn. She was born in the town of Cornish,
Sullivan County, N. H., April 23, 1790, and was
the fourth daughter of Merrill and Abigail Coburn.
She was married to Ira Stowell, October 4, 1814, in
the town of Cornish, Sullivan County, N. H. In
1815 they removed to Monroe County, N. Y., and
made their home in the town of Gates near Rochester.
The western fever took hold seriously upon Ira
Stowell, and in September, 1826, he and his wife
removed to this State and located in Pontiac Town

ship, Oakland County. They journeyed by canal
to Buffalo, by boat to Detroit, and then across the
country with a wagon. In 1835 they sold their farm
and removed to White Lake Township, Oakland
County, making their home in the woods. Mr.
Stowell went to work with a good will to hew a
farm out of the wilderness. He cleared the timber,
put up good buildings, and here spent the remainder of his days, which ended April 7, 1861. His
wife survived him and made her home with her son
Simon, until her death, November 4, 1879. Up to
a short time before her decease she was as bright
and active as ever, although she was almost ninety
years old. Her religious belief was in accord with
the doctrines of the Baptist Church. Her husband
was a Justice of the Peace under the old territorial
law. When Michigan was made a State all ablebodied men were required to join some military
company, and Ira Stowell was Captain of a State
Militia company. Of their three children, two
lived to maturity-Ira J. ard our subject.
Simon Stowell was the youngest of the family
and attended school first in Pontiac and afterward
in Commerce, completing his school days at White
Lake. He continued under the parental roof
until he was almost twenty-six years old. On May
1. 1844, he was united for life with Harriet Webster of Pontiac Township. This estimable lady was
born October 6, 1824, and was reared to womanhood in the place of her birth-Pontiac Township. She is the eldest daughter of Chester and
Polly M. (Whitney) Webster. Her father came to
Oakland County in 1821 and bought land from the
Government. He was a native of Washington
County, N. Y., where he first saw the light in Westfield, January 13, 1795. His wife, Polly Whitney,
was a native of Granville, the same county, and
was born January 8, 1798. Both families were of
English descent. Chester Webster died August 28,
1884, and his venerable widow survived until November 4, 1887, when she passed away in her
ninetieth year. They were the parents of eleven
children, ten of whom grew to maturity and established homes of their own. Four daughters and
two sons are now living.
After marriage, Simon Stowell settled in White
Lake Township, this county, on a new farm in the




880


PORTRAIT AND BIOGREAPRICAL ALB~UM.


8O


woods. He cleared and improved it and lived
there for twenty years. He then sold and removed
to Pontiac Township, buying two hundred and
and twenty acres of well-improved land, having
upon it good bnildings and neat fences. There he
carried on general farming and stock-raising, and
also operated a fouring-mill on Clinton River.
The mill was known by the name of the Legal
Tender, but afterward he changed the name to
Lower City Mills. This he operated for five years,
and then sold it in 1882, devoting his attention entirely to farming. He resided on the farm until
1887, when he retired from business and purchased
his present home on Clark Street, in the city of
Pontiac. This residence is an ornament to the
city and is the abode of comfort and hospitality.
Two of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Stowell
died in infancy and two have grown to woman's
estate-Mary M., wife of John R. Taylor, of Pontiac, and Eunice P., wife of E. J. Kelley, a printer,
who lives on Saginaw Street. Politically Mr.
Stowell is a Democrat, and he cast his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren and his last for
Grover Cleveland.
The following with reference to the father of
Mrs. Stowell is taken from a local paper: "On
Thursday, August 28,1884,Chester Webster, one of
the first settlers of Oakland County, died at his
home in the township of Pontiac, in the ninetieth
year of his age, after a lingering illness of several
months, attributable rather to his extreme old age
than to any other cause.
"Mr. Webster was born in Westfield, Washington County, N. Y., January 13, 1795, and removed thence when five years old to Fabius, Onondaga County, N. Y. He remained there until
1821, when he came to Michigan, arriving here
October 12 of that year. He at first lived with
his uncle Aaron Webster, Auburn, this county,
and accompanied Capt. Parks on a surveying expedition to Genesee County in the fall of 1821.
Two years later he went back to the State of New
York, and returning to Michigan married Miss
Polly Matilda Whitney December 7, 1823, in the
township of Troy, this county, Johnson Niles, a
Justice of the Peace, performing the marriage ceremony. Mr. Webster at once purchased and im

proved the farm which was to be his homestead for
the next sixty-one years, the remainder of his life.
time."
One of the local papers of January 14, 1876, published the following with reference to the demise of
the brother of Mrs. Stowell: "Mr. Alanson Webster, formerly living nine miles west of Pontiac
City, in the town of White Lake, died Friday, January 14, 1876, after a protracted illness. Mr. Webster was born August 21, 1827, in the town of Pontiac, Oakland County, Mich., and was forty-eight
years, four months and twenty-five days old at the
time of his death. He served upon the Board of
Supervisors during the years 1871, 1872 and 1873,
and was present during the October session. He
was elected to the Legislature from the Second
District in 1870, and served a term of two years
with credit to himself and constituency. He was
an earnest, straightforward Democrat of the Jackson style and a gentleman of no mean ability. The
funeral was held at the Webster schoolhouse in
White Lake at 11 o'clock on Sabbath forenoon. He
was a son of Chester and Polly Matilda (Whitney)
Webster."
The attention of the reader is invited to lithographic portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Stowell, presented in connection with this biographical notice.
yIILLIAM        SATTERLEE.     Few men who
have reached the age of William Satterlee
can say, like him, that they have lived at
their birthplace during the entire period. He is
located on section 13, Bloomfield Township, where
he was born November 25, 1826. He is one of the
most prominent farmers in the county and by
close application to his work he has become thoroughly skilled in all that pertains thereto, so that
his advice and opinions are valued by younger
farmers and his example is followed by many.
While giving his principal attention to his agricultural affairs Mr. Satterlee is serving his fellow-citizens as Supervisor, a capacity in which he is now
acting for the third term. He is much interested
in the work of the Grange, as he believes it a good




PO RTRAIT AND 1310GIRAP1 ]1CALi ALBUM.f


881


PA


school for all who desire information regarding tle
scientific principles on which good farming is based.
He also belongs to the Masonic order and his
vote is cast with the Republican party, by which
he was elected Sheriff in 1868, holding office one
term.
Among the earliest settlers in this county were
Samuel and Susan (West) Satterlee, parents of our
subject, who came from Cayuga County, N. Y., in
1823, and took possession of land upon which their
son is now living. They were at that time in possession of sufficient means to take up Government
land, but had little with which to carry on its development. Securing one hundred and sixty acres
Mr. Satterlee entered upon the industrious and
well-directed efforts which resulted in e.sy circumstances. He spent the remainder of his life on the
farm and died January 10, 1850, at the age of fiftyseven years. He was an old-line Whig and during
the Territorial days was a member of the United
States Legislative Council from Michigan. At one
time lie was one of the three County Judges and he
was County Treasurer for a number of years. He
took an active part in the political matters of this
section and was one of its most prominent citizens
with a reputation that was widely extended. His
wife died October 23, 1848, at the age of fifty-one
years. They had five children-George H., Miary
A., William, Richard C. and Lucy A. The first
and last named are deceased.
The subject of this biographical sketch,although
his early life was spent upon a farm, had good
school privileges and spent one year in an academy
in Auburn, N. Y. He was married January 3,1855,
to Miss Caroline A. Peck-of Waterford, this county,
but a native of West Bloomfield, N. Y., where she
was born December 20, 1833. Her parents, Abe]
LI. and Sarah (Darrow) Peck, came to this State at
an early date and established their home in Pontiac.
Mrs. Satterlee was an excellent housekeeper, a good
neighbor and a devoted wife and mother. She departed this life October 29, 1889.
The family of our subject and his wife consists
of three sons and one daughter. The first-born,
William A., married Miss Eva Hause of Tecumseh,
this State, and is now living in Kansas City, Mo.;
he has two children-Bertrand and Mary. Frank


i


P., the second child, married Julia Prehm of Shasta,
Cal., where their home now is, and has one child,
who bears his own name. George H. and Mary A.
the younger members of Mr. Satterlee's family are
unmarried and still cheer the father by their presence under the home roof.
^  AMTJEL H. LAMB, one of the enterprising
and progressive farmers of Farmington
Township, resides on section 18 of the
township where he was born,May, 13 1844.
His father, C. A. Lamb, was born in Palmyra, N. Y.,
in June, 1792, and came to Detroit in 1831. He
practiced medicine and also pursued the work of
the ministry in that city for two years, after which
he came to Oakland County where he built up a
practice. He was a minister of the Baptist Church
and preached wherever and whenever an opportunity offered. He helped to organize the church
at Farmington which was the first in the county
and received a call to act as its pastor. He preached
for them for eight years and at the same time pursued the practice of medicine.
Dr. Lamb was well and     favorably known
throughout the county and is held in high esteem
as one of the earliest and most worthy settlers. He
cleared up a farm in Farmington Township at the
same time he was attending to his double professional duties. In 1849 he removed to Cliiton
County, this State, where he cleared another farm,
but previous to that time he spent two years in
Pontiac in the practice of medicine. After removing to Clinton County he gave up all duties except
those connected with his farm. He removed again
to Oakland County and in 1871 made his home at
Ypsilanti where he remained until his death in
1884 at the advanced age of eighty-five years.
The mother of our subject, Alvira A. Gilbert,
was born in New York in 1797 and lived to be
fifty-fouir years old. Of her eleven children six
grew to manhood and womanhood.     This son,
Samuel, was her youngest child; he was reared in
his native place and remained with his parents until his marriage which occurred in 1861 when he




882


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


was seventeen years old. His bride, Emma J. Cantwell, a native of New York, was born in 1844. She
was the eldest child of her parents, John and Ann
(Morgan) Cantwell, natives of England.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lamb have been given seven
children-two daughters and five sons. Lillie is
the wife of John Angel and resides in Redford
Township, Wayne County, this State; her husband
is a farmer by occupation and they have one boy
-Russell. Fred S. is now principal of the schools
of Farmington. He was graduated at the State Normal School; lie took a scientific course and was
admitted to the bar in 1889. He took his legal
studies with Judge Taft and Samuel Smith, of
Pontiac, and intends to devote himself to the practice of law; Frank M. is also a teacher and a graduate of Ypsilanti where he took the English course,
receiving his diploma in 1889; he taught one year
in the Normal Department of the Lansing Business
College. George is a farmer and resides in Farmington Township; lie married Lizzie Lamb and is the
father of one beautiful little girl —Edna. Perry
is at home and attended school at Farmington where
he was graduated at the High School in June.
Arthur and Sarah are also at home.
Mr. Lamb has one hundred and fifty acres of
splendid land in the best state of cultivation. lie
keeps a fine grade of stock and is doing a general
farming business. He is a Republican and a conscientious citizen, and he has never missed but one
opportunity of casting his ballot since he was old
enough to vote. For four years he filled to the
satisfaction and benefit of the community the responsible position of Justice of the Peace.
JUDSON PHILLIPS is the eldest son of
one of the first pioneers in Milford Township and was born here December 7, 1836.
He is the oldest native-born person now
living in the township, and it has always been his
home. He attended district school in the primitive log schoolhouse and continued his studies at
the High School at Milford and the State Normal
School at Ypsilanti. He has always been engaged


in farming, and until lie was thirty-four years old
remained at home and worked on his father's estate. He then established his own household on
an eighty-acre tract on section 17, where he has remained, adding to the extent of the property and
to its practical value.
The land bought by Mr. Phillips prior to his
marriage was somewhat improved, but of his two
purchases he cleared forty-four acres. lie now
has one hundred under cultivation, and raises varied crops, changing their order from  season to
season as is best for the land. He has not only cut
(lown the trees that once stood here, but he has rid
the property of stumps and stones and has set out
upon it sixty pear, sixty-six peach and a number
of apple trees, together with small fruits. He
has also built various structures by which he
could add to the celerity and ease with which he
cultivated the land. His barns cost $1,000, the toolhouse and henhouse combined $100, and the windmill, the shaft of which is one hundred and sixteen
feet deep, $400. The dwelling he now occupies,
and a view of which appears on another page, was
put up in 1881 at a cost of $1,800, exclusive of his
own time and work.
The Phillips family is of English descent, and
Grandfather Phillips, whose given name was Jonathan, was born in the Bay State. Leonard Phillips,
father of our subject, was born in New York in
1811, and followed in the footsteps of his ancestors
by becoming a farmer.  He married Rosetta R.
Albright, who was born in New York in 1816 and
whose father was a tailor by trade. Not long after
their marriage the good couple came to this State,
locating in Milford Township in 1833. They secured forty acres of land on section 15, where a
log house stood, and some little attempt had been
made toward development. Mr. Phillips cleared
off the tract and other lands, which he added to it.
At the time of his decease he had one hundred and
seventy-five acres, all improved but thirty, and a
good frame house, barns, sheds, etc., stood upon
it. The mother of our subject died in 1850, and
the fatther subsequently married Mrs. Henrietta
Lapham, who still survives, aged sixty-nine years.
By his first marriage, the father of our subject had twelve children, seven of whom are now




-1,
-7777            7,      "',                    -  tl - I'- -, 4  -, -4
11'2tl P — -,,                                 -i               ---- - -1 -I-,,   -1 " -:,                                                                                                                                                         -,N
- I                                I_- , - - -,                                           '..                                                                                                   - I.                                                              I






W N   His-at i; 'SsAR^;s
>s,:~ ew~r > -


-ii.,,
-.,q,,,,...on.,,, aa,X.


RESIDENCE OF A. J. PHI LLIPS, 5EC.17. MILFORD TR, OAKLAND CO.,MICH.


RESIDENCE OF EDWARD FOSDICK, 5EC. 5., BLOOMFIELD TP., OAKLAND CO.,MICH.




s




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


885


living, viz.: A. Judson, Mrs. William P. Johnson,
Mrs. Ferd Holbrook, Jonathan, John Sclim, Henry
A. and Alendor D.     Of the second marriage
there were five children, all now living. Mr. Phillips was a Democrat, and was strictly a temperate
man. He took deep interest in the district schools,
and was a member of the board for many years.
He was nominated for the office of Supervisor, but
refused to accept the position. He belonged to
the Presbyterian Church in Milford, and so too
did the mother of our subject.
February 1, 1871, A. Judson Phillips was married to Mary Adelia Travis. The bride was born
in Oxford Townslip, this county, April 6, 1844,
and was one of a family of eight children, of whom
the other survivors are Lucetta A., now Mrs. Selden Vincent.(see sketch), Jay W. F., George E.
and Eliza N. Her father, James W. Travis, was
born in New York, whence he went to Wayne
County, Pa., and remained until 1836. He then
settled on a new farm in Oxford Township, this
county, and changed it from the raw state to one
of good improvement. In 1853 he removed to
Milford Township, and located on section 14,
where he improved land and built a good house,
barns, etc. He held a place on the School Board
and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He was a Democrat until the Rebellion,
when lie became a Republican and remained so
until death. He died in 1873 at the age of sixtyeight years.  His widow, formerly Narier McCarty, a native of Milford, Pa., is still living,
aged seventy-nine years. She is a Presbyterian in
religion.
Mrs. Phillips first attended the district school in
Oxford and Milford Townships, and then studied
in a select school at Romeo. She also took up
higher branches in the Milford Iigh School, and
turning her attention to teaching, she carried on
her work in this township during three terms. She
belongs to the Presbyterian Church at Milford,
and so too does Mr. Phillips, and both attend the
Sunday-school and take great interest in the local
organization. They have no children.
Mr. Phillips was formerly a Democrat, hut is now
an active and earnest member of the Prohibition
party. He has always believed it to be the duty


of every citizen to exercise the right of suffrage unfailingly, and he makes use of the privilege he has
of casting his influence for or against candidates.
He held the office of School Inspector in Milford
Township a dozen years ago and has been a candidate on the Prohibition ticket for the same position. He was the first candidate of the party for
Township Supervisor.
E   DWARD FOSDICK. Among the nativeborn citizens of this county who have contributed so largely to the development of
its unlimited resources is the gentleman whose
name introduces this brief biographical sketch.
Industrious and persevering, success has naturally
rewarded his efforts and he now ranks among the
most prominent citizens of Bloomfield Township,
where he was born November 30, 1845. He grew
to manhood amid the pioneer scenes of a frontier
country, where few improvements had been made
and wild game abounded. In his youth his educational advantages were limited, and he is mainly
self-educated, keeping posted on all topics of current interest and being considered a well-informed
man. As a pioneer and honorable citizen, his
name will be held in reverence long after he shall
have passed hence.
In Canandaigua, N. Y., the parents, Alvin and
Jane A. (Adams) Fosdick, were united in marriage,
and from the Empire State they removed to Michigan in 1837. The father was a life-long farmer, and
although he started in life with no capital except a
good constitution and an energetic disposition, he
became the owner of a good estate. He supported
and reared to maturity a large family of children,
all of whom he sent to the common schools of the
district and trained for useful positions in the
world. They were named: Helen M., Jay, Walter, William M., Edward, Jerome, Julius, and Walter B. Jay and Walter are deceased. Mr. Fosdick
was a Democrat politically, and belonged to the
Masonic fraternity.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the
old homestead and remained at home and worked




886


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


for his father until he reached his majority. He
then bought his farm of one hundred acres where
he has since resided. He has made all the improvements which are to be seen upon it, and has a fine
two-story brick residence and several large barns.
On another page is shown a view of his residence,
which he erected in 1873. He had but a small
start in the world, and It is by his own efforts that
he has gained this handsome competency. His wife
owns a farm of eighty acres adjoining his. Mr.
Fosdick raises a high grade of cattle, horses and
sheep.
The wife of our subject bore the maiden name of
Helen J. Knight. She was born in Avon, this
county, March 21, 1846. and is a daughter of Potter and Marian (Adams) Knight, natives of Maine
and Vermont respectively. Of their five children
Mrs. Fosdick and a brother, Alvin M., alone survive. Tile deceased are-Harriet F., Hester L.
and one who died unnamed. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Knight came to Michigan when they were young
and were married in Farmington, this county.
They are'now deceased. The marriage of Mr. Fosdick and Miss Knight was solemnized in Blootifield,
this county, January 14, 1866, and it has proved a
congenial union. Mrs. Fosdick is a lady of refinementand culture, whose many graces of heart and
mind win for her the esteem of all who know her.
In his political views Mr. Fosdick is a Republican,
and has served his fellow-citizens in various capacities. le was Highway Commissioner three
years, Township Treasurer five years, and Supervisor six years. Socially he is a member of the
Masonic fraternity at Birmingham..-S ---USTIN N. KIMMIS, Jr., is a young man,
|a lawyer by profession, who is at present
managing his farm. He has taken up this
work from filial devotion, on account of
the broken condition of his father's health. His
father was born August 21, 1813, in Washington
County, N. Y., and in early life was a shoemaker
and later a farmer. His father Samuel was a
native of Salem Township, Washington County,


and died at the extreme age of ninety-two years.
He was one of the soldiers in the War of 1812, in
that patriotic service following the example of his
father, who fought in the Revolutionary War. The
mother of our subject was Rhoda M. (Coldren)
Kimmis, a native of Ontario County, N. Y., born
May 2, 1829, Her father was Elijah Coldren, a
native of Pennsylvania and a soldier in the War
of 1812. She was one of twelve children, and her
husband belonged to a family of ten children.
Both families removed to Michigan about the year
1836. Mr. Coldren settled in Salem  Township,
Washtenaw County, where he took a farm from
the Government, arid clearing and cultivating it,
made it his permanent home. He died in 1863 and
his wife followed him to the grnve in 1870.
Mr. Kimmis made his first home in Lyon Township and followed his trade for a number of years.
He had a wife and five children, the latter all born in
Michigan, only one of whom is now living: Sarah
R., wife of Mr. Bogart of Novi Township. Thesecond marriage of Mr. Kimmis took place October
26, 1847. He had a farm already in Plymouth
Township, Wayne County, and now bought one in
Lyon Township, this county. Here he built a log
house and cleared off the land. He afterward sold
this property and lived for a year on the Plymouth
farm, when he returned to Lyon Township. In
1858 he traded property for his property here. He
had at first six hundred and thirty acres which were
partially improved. He continued improvements
and added to the buildings besides being a general
farmer he carried on Short-horn breeding. He has
-now retired from active life. The three children
who are now living are: Emma J., wife of W. A.
Whipple; E. Belle, wife of Levi W. Mosher, and
our subject. The father was Sheriff of Oakland
County from 1861 till 1865, and Deputy United
States Marshal for the Eastern District of Michigan for some time. He was also Assistant Assessor of the United States Internal Revenue, and has
been Supervisor of Novi Township for many
years.
The subject of this sketch was born June 20,
1860, on the farm where he now liTve   He was
given the best advantages for education, attending
Milford High School, and being two years'a student




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


887


--


I


I


at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. Later he
was a student at Kalamazoo College and took his
law course at Ann Arbor, receiving his diploma in
1884. He was admitte 1 to the bar in Washtenaw
County and after this made a trip to Nebraska and
Iowa.
The marriage of our subject in 1881 with M.
Blanche Peck, united him with a lady of unusual
talent and a superior education. She graduated
from the Cassopolis High School when sixteen
years old, and passed the finest examination for
entering Kalamazoo College of any applicant. She
took four years in Latin, and three years in Greek
and two years in German, and proved herself in
every branch a fine scholar. This was prior to entering college at Kalamazoo, and when but sixteen
years of age. She is without doubt one of the best
equipped woman of Oakland County as far as mental ability and culture go, yet is possessed of a
modest and unassuming loveliness which makes her
many friends. She is indeed a suitable and congenial companion to the brilliant and well-balanced
yonng man who chose her as his wife. Her parents,
William and Elizabeth (Norton) Peck, were mar.
rind thirty-seven years ago, and made their home
in Cassopolis where Mr. Peck was in the dry-goods
business. He was called away from life in 1879 at
the age of forty-nine years. He was a man of
education and refinement and his loss was deeply
felt in this community. He was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church although his wife,
who survives him was attached to the Baptist
Church. For many years he was Supervisor of
LaG range Township, Cass County, and was also
Superintendent of the Poor. Mrs. Kimmis' only
surviving sister, Allene, lives with her mother.
Mrs. Kimmis was born November 25, 1863.
Our subject and his wife are members of the
Baptist Church at Novi Corners, in which this gentleman has been a Trustee, and where he has taught
and acted as Assistant Superintendent for four
years. His wife has had a class in the Sundayschool for five or six years. She devotes her musical talent and education largely to the aid of the
church and Sunday-school. Mr. Kimmis' political views are embodied in the declarations of the
Republican party and he is considered a leader


among the young men of his party, being often
made a delegate to county and congressional conventions, and now serving his third term as School
Inspector. He is also a Justice of the Peace. lie
advocates temperance, but is not a third party man.
He carries on general farming and breeds HolsteinFreezians cattle and Shetland ponies. He is giving his entire attention to his farm, which is one
of the largest in the county, and which is in firstclass condition and very productive. This is a
family of more than usual ability and standing,
and the father when in his prime filled many important offices in the county.
(T   ON. JOHN L. ANDREWS. It is impossi)ble in a brief biographical record to do
justice to the character and works of any
man who has been more than ordinarily
conspicuous in the community. We can only outline the life history of such an one and leave the
details to the imagination of the reader.' Of the
Hon. Mr. Andrews we may say that he is a large
landowner of Milford and has during the past
fifty years been a potent factor in the progress of
this section and labored earnestly in different lines
of business. He has also advanced the interest of
the people by his action in the legislative halls,
and by his fine character has been made doubly deserving of the title he bears.
Grandfather Andrews was a farmer in Albany
County, N. Y., and the line is traced back to the
Puritan fathers.  John Andrews, father of our
subject, was born in Albany County and learned
the trade of a carpenter. HIe was one of the early
settlers of Rochester where he worked at his trade
until 1833. He then came to this State and located on land in Livingston County that had been
entered by his son Abraham the previous year. He
then devoted himself almost entirely to farming.
In 1846 he sold the property and located in Milford, where he resided until his decease, when
eighty-three years old. He was a prominent citizen
and was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. His
wife was Elenore Wilsey, who was born in Albany




888


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- --— I


County, N. Y., and died in Milford when fourscore
years old. The family consisted of fourteen children, twelve'ofwhom grew to maturity and came
to this State and six are now living.
The subject of this biographical notice was born
in Chili. Monroe County, N. Y., April 8, 1822,
and was six years old when his parents removed to
Wheatland Township, where his father kept an
hotel. When ten years old the lad went to live
with a sister, Mrs. Hubbell, and in 1836 he came
with her family to Michigan. They settled at
Brighton, and young Andrews worked out on a
farm. In the spring of 1842 he came to Milford
Township and began working on the farm lie now
owns. During the winter of 1842-43 he began
the miller's trade at the old Fuller Mill and in
1846 he became manager of the Pettibone Mill.
With the exception of one year he remained there
until 1859 in the capacity of manager, and he then
bought the plant and site and engaged in the manufacture of four for the wholesale trade. lie
operated a sawmill in connection and did a big
business.
In 1872 Mr. Andrews sold the mill and embarked
in business as a private banker under the style of
J.. L. Andrews' Exchane Bank. lie built the bank
building now used. In 1875 he sold out and located on the Fuller farm. which lie had purchased a
few years before. Since that time he has given his
attention to general farming and stock-raising.
His estate consists of four hundred and ten acres
on section 10 and 11, and two-thirds of it inside the
corporation. Mr. Andrews is engaged quite extensively in sheep-raising and has a larger flock than
any other man in the township. It will average
five hundred head per year. He keeps full-blooded
and graded Short horn cattle and markets quite a.
number of fat animals. His property is watered
by Huron River, and three hundred and fifty acres
are under improvements.
In Milford in 1846 Mr. Andrews was married to
Miss Delphia C. Bartlett, a native of Massachusetts,
who left one child-Charles B., now living in Milford. The second marriage of Mr. Andrews was
solemnized on the farm he now owns, in 1859, and
the bride was Miss Laura E. Fuller. She was born
here and is one of the family of Luman and Clarissa


(King) Fuller, formerly of Monroe County, N. Y.
The Fullers are numbered among the early settlers
of this county and Mr. Fuller was a large landowner and the builder of a mill on Huron River in
1836. Of the second union of Mr. Andrews there
have been born four sons-Luman H., now farming
with his father; Harry C., engaged with the
Union Mutual Life Insurance Company of Portland, Me.; Walter K., an employe of the Flint &
Pere Marquette Railroad at Saginaw; Arthur E.,
who is attending the Commercial College in
Detroit.
In 1870 Mr. Andrews was elected to the State
Legislature on the Republican ticket and served
during the sessions of 1871-72. He sat on various
committees and took part in the discussions regarding bills brought before the august body, throwing
his influence on the side of right and progress.
Mr. Andrews was one of the incorporators of the
lolly, Wayne & Monroe Railroad and worked
hard to push the project to completion. He spent
the greater part of four years in working for it,
and gave the right of way through his property,
and money, the whole amounting to some $6,000
or $7,000. To him and Mr. Lappin of Northville
is. due its success. Mr. Andrews was the only
Director from Milford and held the office until the
road was sold to the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad in 1872. Mr. Andrews is a Royal Arch Mason.
Politically he is a firm Republican. Mr. Andrews
and wife belong to the United Presbyterian and
Congregational Churches, and he is a liberal contributor, both of time and money, to the work carried on by the societies.
ILLIAM L. POWER, a retired farmer and
well-known citizen of Farmington  was
born in Ontario County, N. Y., April 29,
1814. His father, Arthur, was a mative of Providence, R. I., where he was born, November 14,
1771. He emigrated with his widowed mother to




I~




(




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


891


South Adams, Mass. When he became a young
man his mother gave him $100 with which he went
to Geneseo, N. Y., and buying some land proceeded
to improve it. In 1824 he came to Farmington,
and purchased two thousand acres of land, upon
which he and his seven sons settled and where they
built sawmills and gristmills. He died in 1836 at
the age of sixty-six years. His father emigrated
with his wife and two sons from England to America and these wo sons engaged as soldiers in Washington's army and fell in the Revolutionary war.
The mother of our subject was Deborah Aldrich,
a native of Massachusetts, who was born February
8, 1775 and died in 1817. The father of our subject was married three times. His first wife was
the mother of seven sons and four daughters. His
second marriage was with Mary I)illingham, who
became the mother of three daughters, two of whon
grew to womanhood. His third marriage was with
Sarah Lawtan, and she had no children. The
eleven children  of the first marriage were:
Duana and John, deceased; Ira, died at the age of
sixty years; Nathan, died when seventy-four years
old; Mary, Mrs. Stewart, now residing at Hannibal,
Mo., at the age of eighty eight years; Jared, deceased at the age of thirty-eight years; Samuel, who
lived to be sixty-three; Beulah, Mrs. Spencer, died
at the age of twenty-nine; Abram, who lived to be
seventy-eight; William L., our subject; and Esther,
Mrs. Parkel, who resides at Hudson, Mich., and is
seventy-five years old. The children of the second marriage were Deborah, an infant, and Duana,
who are all deceased.
William L. Power was thirteen years old when
he came with his parents to Michigan. His first
schooling was found at Farmington, N. Y., and the
next in the woods in Farmington, Mich. His father
named the township for his old town in N. Y.
This son remained with his father until the death
of the latter and took charge of the farm. The
village of Farmington has all been built on this
land. He has always lived in single blessedness
and has traveled a great deal during his lifetime.
He has sold off most of his land and put his money
out at interest, and has retired from active life. He
is the oldest resident of the village. He is a spiritualist and is proud to be known as such, being


very active in the work, and is very much opposed
to secret societies. He has always been greatly
interested in fruit raising and is glad to forward
any interest in that direction in the county.
j OHN POUND. As an example of the highminded merchant, trained in upright habits
of business, and distinguished for justice
and honesty of dealing in all things, the
career of Mr. Pound may with propriety be referred to. As a business man his talents and integrity are well known, and as becomes an honorable
and true gentleman, his word is always to be held
as good as his bond. Such a man stands as a mark
of the mercantile honesty and progress of his
county and is a model and example for men of
business in all time to come. We are therefore
pleased to perpetuate his features by means of his
portrait on the opposite page and to record briefly
the main events in his life.
In 1857 Mr. Pound began life in Pontiac a mere
lad of fifteen or sixteen, just from school in England, and in 1870 he founded the present dry-goods
business of John Pound & Bro., which is one of
the leading houses of Pontiac. The store building is 20x130 feet, and for many years has been
well known in Oakland County as "The Beehive."
The upper floor is used as a show room for carpets
and cloaks, while the firm carry a large and wellselected stock of dry-goods. From his long experience in business and his extensive acquaintance
in city and country Mr. Pound has secured a large
trade, and since 1888, when he took his brother,
Mr. James Pound, as partner, he has received the
active co-operation of the latter.
A native of England, Mr. Pound was born in
the village of Etchilhampton, Wiltshire, March 4,
1842, and is the second son of John and Charlotte
(Chamberlain) Pound. His parents,with their three
sons, came to the United States in 1857, landing at New York City and thence coming to
Pontiac, where both parents died, the father in
1858 and the mother in 1878. Both are interred in
the family lot in Oakhill Cemetery. The subject




892


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


of this sketch received his education in his native
country and upon his arrival in Pontiac at once
sought and obtained remunerative employment in
business houses, having proved himself in every
way qualified for positions of trust. He began his
mercantile career by clerking in the dry-goods store
of William Robertson, a Scotchman and an early
settler here, who died but a few years since.
After remaining in this position three years, Mr.
Pound entered the employ of Mr. Thomas Turk, for
whom he worked two years. Next be entered the
banking house of Comstock & Stout, which afterward was merged into the First National Bank of
Pontiac and where he was book-keeper and teller
eight years. In L868 he made a visit to England,
where he spent a pleasant summer, having been
absent eleven years. In the same year he married Miss Elizabeth M. Turk, the eldest daughter of Thomas and Maria Turk, old settlers of Pontiac and represented elsewhere in this volume.
After marriage Mr. Pound took charge of the business of Mr. Turk's establishment, while that gentleman spent one year in England.
In 1870 Mr. Pound embarked in business for
himself, going into partnership with Henry Lawrence under the firm name of Pound & Lawrence.
This connection continued two years, when Mr.
Lawrence sold out his interest and removed to
Minnesota. Afterward Mr. Pound was in business
alone until he formed a partnership with his
brother in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Pound are the
parents of seven children, namely: Charlotte,
Maude, Mabel, Reginald, Herbert, Arthur and Harold. Their pleasant home on the corner of Huron
and Perry Streets is modern in architecture and
delightfully situated. All members of the family
belong to Zion Episcopal Church, and Mr. Pound
is filling the office of Senior Warden, which he has
held seven years. In this connection we may add
that Mr. Pound has copies of records from the
registers of his father's native Parish in Wiltshire,
England, and on the first page of the first register
of that Parish we find that Michael Pound was one
of the wardens thereof in A. D., 1591. That is
just three hundred years ago, and now the subject
of tis sketch is warden of his church in Pontiac
in this year of grace, 1891, thus filling the same


office that his ancestor did in his day in his Parish
in England.
Mr. Pound possesses many photographs of beautiful old places, among which is the church in England where he was baptized, also the church in
which his mother was both baptized and married, as
well as the one in which Mrs. Pound's parents were
married and where her mother's ancestors are buried. All of these are venerable structures and
have well withstood the test of time and the wear
and tear of ages past and gone.
Mr. Pound has caused to be placed in Zion
Episcopal Church at Pontiac an "In Memoriam"
window to his parents, both of whom, as above
stated, died in Pontiac. The inscription thereon
reads "John Pound, Sen'r, obit 1858 & Charlotte, his wife, obit 1878." A full grown palm
tree spreads its branches throughout the entire
window, and scroll work extends entirely across it.
The text is taken from the Common Prayer Book
version of the Pbalms: "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree," and the whole is the humble
testimony of Mr. Pound to the worth of his departed parents, whose memory he ever holds in
most affectionate remembrance and esteem, as well
for their quiet, peaceable and tranquil lives, as for
their ever b!essed, pious and Christian example.
The windows in this Holy House are now all "in
memoriam," erected to the glory of God by various
parishioners as well as to the loving memory of
departed relatives and friends. "Their children
rise up and call them blessed."
OHN W. PERRY, a well-known and intelligent farmer of Groveland Township, was
born in Walreth Township, Wayne County,
N. Y., August 3, 1834. His father, Abraham D., born in Hudson, Columbia County, N. Y.,
in 1795, was a son of Abraham D. Perry, also a native of New York. The Perry family originated
in America with the three traditional brothers who
came to this country about 1680. One settled in Connecticut, one in New Jersey and one in New York.
From the latter our subject is descended. The




PO-ERTRAi r AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


893


I


grandfather of our subject was first cousin to the
famous Commodore Oliver HI. Perry, who commanded the American forces at the battle on Lake
Erie in the War of 1812. This grandfather was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War and lost a leg at
the battle of Brandywine. In consequence of this
disablement he was a pensioner till the day of his
death. He passed away at a ripe old age at
Hudson, N. Y.
The father of our subject early learned the trade
of a machinist. He was a natural born mechanic and
was frequently employed to set up machinery in
cotton mills. While thus employed one day, at
the age of twenty years, in Milton. Saratoga County, he was taken suddenly and violently ill and was
thought to be dying. The girl employes of the
mill stood around him and one more tender hearted
than the rest imprinted a farewell kiss on his brow,
saying that perhaps he had a sister at home for
whom the kiss was given. The apparently dying
youth opened his eyes with a grateful look. Either
the kiss or his natural vigor revived him; he recovered and very appropriately carried out the
romance by making this lovely girl his wife.
When about twenty-five years of age Mr. Perry
settled on a farm in Wayne County, N. Y., as he
found such work more conducive to health than
mechanical pursuits. He came to Michigan in May,
1836, and took up one hundred and sixty acres of
Government land in Groveland Township, upon
which our subject now lives. His land was oak
openings and was a perfect sea of wild flowers;
when he first stepped upon it it looked like an Eden
indeed, with the large oak trees, just leafing out
and forming a canopy above the acres of floral
beauty. Indian trails crossed his farm and Indian
beggars came often to his door. One old chief frequently staid over night and slept by the large
open fireplace. The family trading was done at
Detroit and Pontiac and venison formed the most
common meat on their table. In 1850 he built the
commodious frame house which now stands on this
farm. It was then one of the best in this township.
He died in 1851. He was a Whig in politics and
served as Supervisor and Road Commissioner, helping to lay out some of the roads in the township.
Martha Wood, the mother of our subject, was


born at Milton, Saratoga County, N. Y. August
12, 1798. She was the mother of eleven children,
five of whom grew to maturity, namely; Mary A.,
(Mrs. Norrin,) Thomas W., John W., Abram D.
and Frances A., (Mrs. Miller). The character of
Mrs. Perry was one of great loveliness and decision.
She was an earnest and devoted member of the
Baptist Church. She had ever a pleasant smile, a
kind word, or a friendly deed for all who met her,
and was universally beloved. After the death of
the father of our subject she married John Hadley,
a pioneer neighbor, and moved to Holly, where she
died in the year 1870.
The maternal grandfather of him of whom we
write was Thomas Wood, a native of New York.
When only fourteen years old lie served in the
Revolutionary War and had charge of signal
lights which were burned on mountain tops to apprise Washington's army of the movements of the
enemy. He was a pensioner of the United States.
In his later days he spent four years here on a visit
to his children. He died at the home of a son at
Dexter, N. Y., at the very advanced age of ninetyseven years.
Our subject was two years old when he came
with his parents to Oakland County, and he has a
vivid recollection of wild animals and other pioneer experiences. Upon certain conditions which
he fulfilled his father deeded to him the home farm
where he now lives. He has now one hundred
acres, most of it under cultivation.
The marriage of Mr. Perry took place February
14, 1856. His wife who bore the name of Sarah
Downey, has been a life long blessing to the husband, being a genial companion and in every way
a lady of fine attributes and excellent character.
She was born in Groveland Township, this county,
April 20, 1837, and is a daughter of Alexander and Jane (Hamilton) Downey. pioneers
of this township. They were both born in County
Down, in the North of Ireland, and after their marriage came to America in 1833, making their new
home in Genesee County, N. Y. They came to
Oakland County, this State in 1836 and cleared a
farm of one hundred and sixty acres. They reared
nine children, eight of whom are still living. The
mother died in 1875 when sixty-eight years old.




894


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Ier husband survived until November 4, 1885,
when he died at the age of eighty-three years.
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Perry have three children,
namely: Abraham I). who married Laura Horton.
He is a young man of unusual ability, being what
is known as a natural genius. He is a blacksmith
and farmer in Shiawassee County; John W. married Lillie Coventry. He is much like his brother
in his character, and farms the home place; and
Martha J., who resides at home and has taught
school for twelve years. She is a very intelligent
young woman. Mrs. Perry is a member of the
Methodist Church. Mr. Perry is a Republican in
h*is politics and is an influential man, well-known
and well. liked. He has been Postmaster of Groveland for ten years and was prominent in the organization of the Grange. He donated land for the
hall and was the presiding officer for three years.
t - -<e --- --
RGEORGE NILES, one of the old citizens in
I  years and in his knowledge of events in this
\7    county, is engaged in farming on section
10, Troy Township. He owns ninety acres of the
old homestead and fifty-five acres on section 15,
and is carrying on the work of general farming
with good success. IIe is an excellent judge of
horses and one is sure to find on his estate some
roadsters that travel well. He sold two horses which
were disposed of soon afterward for $2,500. Mr.
Niles was born at Painted Post, Steuben County,
N. Y., May 27, 1820, and was but a year old when
he came to this county with his parents. His early
playmates were Indian boys and the surroundings
were so primitive that he was twelve years old before he had a pair of shoes or a hat. There are
few men living who can relate incidents which
transpired under their personal observation at so
early a period in the history of tie Commonwealth
as Mr. Niles, and a volume could be filled with
what he has witnessed and experienced in connection with the growth of this section.
Johnson Niles, father of our subject, was born at
Burlington, Vt., in 1794, and the same year Rhoda
Phelps was born in Massachusetts. The couple


were married in Pittsfield, that State, February
15, 1815, and set up their home in Steuben County,
N. Y. In 1821 they came to this county via Detroit and made a location near Troy Corners. The
nearest white family lived thirteen miles away and
ite only path was an Indian trail. Mr. Niles had
to cut his road to the Corners where a few years
later he carried on a store. He traded with the
Indians to get his first money and lived for some
time in a log house with a bark roof. By slow degrees, necessitating arduous toil, he improved the
farm, and when the country became a little better
settled he carried on his mercantile pursuits and
bought and sold stock. He was Postmaster at Troy
Corners twenty-five years and was Justice of the
Peace thirty years. He served as a member of
tile Legislature five terms and was in the Senate
two years. He held a very prominent position in
the county and his name is inscribed on the archives of the State and well known to all who are
familiar with the history of this section. He was
a Royal ArchMAason, and when he died in 1872 his
funeral was conducted by the fraternity. As it was
the first in the township where their beautiful service had been used it attracted attention on that account. Mrs. Niles died August 7, 1864.
The family of which George Niles is the youngest child included another son and a daughter.
The latter, Julia A., was born in Steuben County,
N. Y., March 4, 1816, and married A. C. Luce, a
prominent lawyer from  Cooperstown. She died
February 4, 1848. The second child was Orange
Jay who was born September 29, 1818, and died
April 12, 1867. He never had but one arm. George
Niles received his first schooling in a little log
building in Troy Township and on the home farm
he learned many useful lessons of conduct and
moral principles. He spent twenty years of his
life as a traveling salesman for the firm of Holmes
& Co., dry-goods merchants in Detroit, and in 1870
returned to the old homestead where he has remained. He has surrounded himself with comforts
and his home is pleasant and the farm supplied
with machinery and well stocked in every respect.
In 1843 Mr. Niles was married to Miss Laura E.
Hollister, a native of Westfield, N. Y, who died
after two short years of wedded life. She left a




I
I




f






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


897


son, George H., who is now with Turk Bros., grocery dealers in Pontiac. In 1846 Mr. Niles was
again married, his bride being Helen F. Monroe, a
native of Troy, N. Y., who died March 18, 1850.
She had three children, but one died in infancy.
Those who lived to mature years are: Cora, now
the wife of Charles E. Sagendorf, clerking for Dan
L. Davis, a grocery dealer in Pontiac, and Helen,
wife of George Partello, of Detroit. A third marriage was made by Mr. Niles January 20, 1851, his
bride on this occasion being Jane A., daughter of
Silas Sprague and his second wife, Amanda Bostwick. Mr. Sprague came to this State in 1824 and
was a prominent citizen of Troy Township. Politically, he was a Whig. He died in 1868 at the age
of eighty-four years and the mother of Mrs. Niles
passed away in 1851; she was born in Bristol,
Conn. Mr. Sprague was twice married and had
three sons and five daughters by his first marriage,
and five daughters by his second marriage. Mrs.
Niles was born in Troy Township October 14,
1831. Her own children are Silas M., born in
1852, who married Alice Foote, of Pontiac and is
living in Troy Township; Rhobie, who was born
in 1856, is unmarried and at home, and Jennie who
was born in 1858 and died in 1865.
While in Detroit Mr. Niles represented the Second Ward in the Common Council for four years.
He is a Mason and connected with the Blue Lodge
in Rochester. He is a believer in and supporter of
the principles of the Democratic party.
pOWELL C. KILLAM. From the beginning
agriculture has ranked among the most
honored callings.  Earth is the gracious
mother that supplies the needs of mankind,
and the farmer belongs to the priesthood that intervenes between the Giver of all, and needy
humanity. To this honored class belongs the gentleman whose biography is here outlined and
whose portrait is presented on the opposite page.
As a worthy farmer and successful stock-raiser of
Addison Township, he enjoys the esteem of a large
circle of acquaintances and is the owner of a pleas

ant estate which he has gained by his arduous
exertions. At present he resides in the village of
Leonard, where he has a fine large frame residence.
Wheatland Township, Monroe County, N. Y.,
was the native place of Mr. Killam, and the date of
his birth May 7, 1819. His father, Charles Killam,
was a native of Pike County, Pa., and located in
Monroe County, N. Y., in 1811, but sold his farm
several years before his death and lived retired. At
the time of his decease in 1859 he had leached the
age of seventy-two years. HIe was a veteran in
the War of 1812, and traced his ancestry to Scotland. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah
Bingham, was a Pennsylvania woman and survived to reach the great age of ninety-two years.
Five of the nine children born to Charles and Sarah
Killam are still living, and of these our subject is
the sixth in order of birth.
After availing himself of the common district
schools, young Killam attended for three terms the
academy at Wheatland. In 1843 he started West,
and locating in Addison Township made his home
on land which had been entered by his father in
1835. Some of it was in Maaomb County and it
was partly improved. He found deer and bears
abundant, and he killed a bear which w7as crossing
the field in which he was plowing. The Tuckatoe
tribe of Indians still lived in the township.
The marriage of our subject took place in 1848.
His bride, Margaret Ferguson, was born in New
York, and her parents came at an early day to this
section. Four children, Jennie, Fred, Lucy and
Nettie, have gathered about their fireside and have
now gone out to form homes of their own. Jennie
married George Waterberry, who lives in Romeo
and edits the Romeo Observer; Fred lives with his
family at Milford, Mich., and is clerking in a store;
Lucy married John S. Brown; John lives in Leonard and travels for J. F. Scibling & Co., manufacturers of binders; Nettie is the wife of George
Nettleton, who is general manager for McMillan &
Co., iron manufacturers at Newbury, Mich.
Mr. Killam is a Democrat it his political preferences. His splendid property of sixteen hundred
acres lies partly in Oakland County and partly in
Macomb County. In the fall of 1889 he erected a
handsome house at Leonard, since which time he




898


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


I


has made his home in that village. He has been engaged in various kinds of business and for some
years has traded in wool and has handled agricultural machinery extensively. He was in company
with A. P. Brewer of Saginaw for a number of
years in the lumber business, and in connection
with the same gentleman owned extensive property
in Georgia. He also owned and operated a sawmill
for several years. Together with P. W. Brewer he
operated for eighteen years the watermill known as
the Brewer and Killam mill. His principal products on the farm have been in the line of wheat
and wool, yet he has been an extensive stock-raiser.
AVID     L. CAMPBELL. The patronymic
borne by this gentleman is well known in
this county, where a number of reputable
citizens bear it. None are more worthy of consideration than he whose name introduces these paragraphs, as he is a reliable citizen, a man of upright
character and one of the most careful farmers in
Royal Oak Township. He occupies a farm of ninety-two acres on sections 26 and 27, where he has
first-class buildings of various kinds, the chief being a brick house, put up in 1879 at a cost of
$3,000. Mr. Campbell is an apiarist, with thriving
colonies of bees, from the care of which he gains
pleasure as well as profit.
The birthplace of Mr. Campbell was a farm in
Oxford Township, and the date of his arrival on
the stage of human exents, June 27, 1847. His
parents are Welcome and Mary Jane (Cheney)
Campbell, of whom mention is made elsewhere in
this volume. Our subject remained with his father
until 1870, receiving wages for two years. He
then married and made his home on a farm of
twenty-seven acres, which he had bought of his
father. He lived there until 1879, when he built
a residence on property he had purchased some
time before in Royal Oak Township. This consisted of fifty-five acres on section 26, to which he
added twenty acres in 1884. He has made this
place his home for some time, continuing the im

provement and surrounding himself with the comforts of modern farm life.
The marriage rites between Mr. Campbell and
Miss Julia H. Benjamin were solemnized at the
bride's home, March 10, 1870. Her parents are
John and Ruth (Warner) Benjamin, natives of
New York, who are mentioned at greater length
in the sketch of John Benjamin, elsewhere in
this volume. The children born of the happy
union are six in number. Levi W. died in infancy;
Charles B., J. William and Ruth A. cheer their parents by their companionship; Welcome S. died
when five years old; John David, a lad of nine
years, adds to the enjoyment of the household.
Mr. Campbell is a stanch Republican and his first
Presidential ballot was for U. S. Grant. He has
been Justice of the Peace and in that capacity has
worked for law and order. He and his estimable
wife have good standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church and he has been Steward and Trustee
and Sunday-school Superintendent. He is a liberal contributor to church work and devotes time
as well as means to the cause.
ARUE C. DYE, who was born October 13,
1829, in Middlesex County, N. J., and
came with his parents to Michigan when
only two years old, lived in this State till he was
sixteen years old and then returned East. He went
to New York City and learned the trade of a brickmason, being an apprentice for three years under
his uncle, Samuel Longstreet. After he had served
his time he worked at his trade for a number of
years, and then went into business for himself as a
builder, in which occupation he was very successful. IIe spent the remainder of his life in the
great Eastern metropolis.
This gentleman was married to Margaret H.
VanSchoick of Trenton, N. J., upon May 12,1852.
They were closely united in domestic harmony and
in Christian faith, being both members of the Presbyterian Church, where he was one of the trustees
for a number of years and Chairman of the Board
for six years, continuing in that office up to the




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


899




time of his death. In the erection of the new and
elegant house of worship of the church with which
he was connected he was very active and energetic,
and being a builder by trade the entire direction and
supervision of the stone and brick masonry was intrusted to him. He carefully inspected and controlled the whole work from the deepest foundation
to the topmost keystone, and those who saw the
groundwork laid and the superstructure reared,
were impressed with the thought that centuries to
come will testify to his judgment, skill and faithfulness. All his supervisory work was performed
gratuitously, and he gave to the church no small
portion of his time for two years without any compensation. He died April 6, 1877, leaving one
daughter, Martha R. Dye, and his loss will long be
felt in the community where his example had ever
beenl worthy to follow and full of inspiration to
those who aspire to goodness and thoroughness in
their life work.
NDREW      J. CROSBY, JR., a prominent
farmer and honored veteran of the Civil
War, was born in DeRuyter Township,
Madison County, N. Y., and was four years
old when he came to Michigan with his parents in
1844. His father, Andrew J. Crosby, Sr., was born
June 13, 1815, in Columbia County, N. Y., and
was a farmer by occupation. He was a son of
Tertullus Crosby who was born February 2, 1775,
and died September 14, 1874. The mother of our
subject bore the maiden name of Lurania W. Miles.
She was a native of Homer, Cortland County,
N. Y., and was born June 24, 1817. Her father
was Philo Miles, a native of New York.
The parents of our subject were married in New
York April 19, 1838 and resided there until they
came to Michigan, in 1844. Here they settled in
Livonia, Wayne County, upon an unbroken tract
of land in the heavily timbered region. In 1855
they sold out and removed to Farmington Township, where they took an improved farm. In 1865


they removed to Troy Township and in 1881 retired from active life and made their home in
Clarkston. He was bereaved of his wife by death
June 19, 1863 and his second marriage, which was
with Mary Jane Roberts, took place June 25, 1865.
One child blessed this union but died when one
year old. The two sons of the first marriage were
Andrew J. Jr., our subject, born September 9, 1840,
and Tertullus M. born May 4, 1847.
The parents were active workers in the church
and the father was both Trustee and Treasurer for
many years. Mr. Crosby took an active interest
in local politics, and his political progression was
first Whig, then Free Soiler, and lastly a Republican. He was at one time Township Clerk of Livonia, Wayne County and Supervisor in the same.
He was Justice of the Peace in Farmington Township and took an active part in temperance movements in the early days, being a prominent member of the Washingtonian Society of Wayne
County.
The subject of this sketch attended the district
school in Wayne County and afterwards in Farmington Township and took a course at the State
Normal at Ypsilanti. He was also graduated from
Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Detroit in
1860 and at once took a position as assistant teacher
in this school until the breaking out of the Civil
War called him away from scenes of peace to the
battlefield. He enlisted April 17, 1861, in Company A, First Michigan Infantry and was the first
private on the rolls in the State of Michigan. His
regiment was organized at Detroit and was mustered into the United States service May 2, at Ft.
Wayne, Detroit. It was sent on to Washington,
D. C. May 13, and was the first regiment that
passed through Baltimore after the riot, at the
time the Massachusetts troops were fired upon.
They were then sent to Alexandria and he saw the
body of Col. Ellsworth after death. They received
some drill and were put upon guard duty and had
some light skirmishes at Falls Church and Clouds
Mills. He served his term of three months and
was mustered out August 8. His brother Tertullus
served in Company B, Tenth Michigan Cavalry
all through the war and was with Gen. Sherman's
army on its celebrated march to the sea. This




900


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


brother married Cornelia Otto and makes his home
in Richmond, Va., where he is a contractor and
builder. He is the father of five children.
After our subject returned to the old homestead
he put in his time helping upon the farm, but he
was suffering from the effects of disease contracted
in the army and was not able to do much that season. He taught school more or less for twenty
years. His marriage in which he was united with
Mary B. Smith took place December 31, 1862. This
lady is a daughter of Calvin and Eleanor (Durfee)
Smith. Mr. Smith was a native of Vermont where
he was born in 1809 and his wife was born in 'New
York in 1812. He came to Novi Township in
1830 and was married here in 1832. After marriage they settled upon the farm now occupied by
our subject. His wife was taken from his side by
death, April 27, 1863, and his second marriage was
contracted with Mrs. Roxana Harvey, who now survives him, Mr. Smith having died in March, 1884.
Mrs. Crosby was born September 20, 1842, on the
farm which is still her home. She attended the
district school in this neighborhood and was also a
student of the State Normal School at Ypsilanti,
after which she taught in this county. After marriage they lived for a year at the old Crosby homestead.  They then went to St. Johns, Clinton
County, in the spring of 1864 and there Mr. Crosby
engaged in teaching. After a residence of seven
years there he taught two and one half years at
Lyons, Ionia County. They then returned to this
farm where they have remained ever since with
the exception of two years at Pontiac where Mr.
Crosby engaged in the mercantile business. Their
children are Bertha I., born June 21, 1872, and
Flora N., born January 18, 1879; an infant, Lena
A., died when quite young. Mr. and Mrs. Crosby
are giving to their children a first class education
and Miss Bertha is already a delightful performer
upon the piano. The family attend and support
the Universalist Church at Farmington.   The
home farm consists of eighty acres, most of which
is well improved. He has built excellent additions
to both residence and barn and with his general
farming carries on a dairy and fruit business.
Mr. Crosby has been a member of the local
School Board and has always taken an interest in


politics, affiliating with the Republican party. He
is a member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs
to Farmington Lodge, No. 151. He is a member
of the Grange and has held all the offices in that
organization. He is now the lecturer of the State
Grange of Michigan, and has always been an ardent advocate of temperance.
_1-~ --- —-— c        -"_
ETER SCHMITZ. This active and enterprising citizen began his career in Pontiac
without means and by dint of industry
economy and close application has risen to a
position of financial solidity. He is engaged in
the sale of drugs and groceries and is one of the
most popular business men in the city. His store
is centrally located, contains a well selected and
carefully assorted stock, including drugs, medicines, oil, paints and groceries. The visitors to
this establishment will meet with courtesy and be
given square dealing and honest treatment.
Mr. Schmitz is a native of Germany, born in the
village of Kaltenborn, County Adenau, December
2, 1844, and is the eldest son and third child of
John and Mary Ann (Schumacher) Schmitz. His
father was an hotel-keeper and tailor. He died
when the son of whom we write was but eighteen
months old and the mother subsequently married
Joseph Hermes, to whom she bore two chlldren.
She and her husband emigrated to tile  United
States in 1872 and are now living in South Dakota.
She has reached a good old age, having been born
in 1814.
Peter Schmitz entered school when five and a
half years old and carried on his studies until he
was fourteen. He then learned the trade of a
baker, serving an apprenticeship lasting three
years. In 1865 he entered the Prussian army and
served three years, when he had his arm broken.
On his recovery from the injury he was employed
by the Government in the mail service eighteen
months. He had made up his mind to leave his
native land and seek his fortune in America, and
in the spring of 1869 he crossed the Atlantic to
New York City, whence he came direct to this




I




14,,iA






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


903




=


State. He traveled from Detroit to Pontiac and
here found employment in a brewery, gladly accepting work, as his means were entirely exhausted.
Mr. Schmitz worked in the brewery a year, then
engaged in draying, to which business he devoted
his time faithfully until 1870, when he began work
in the drug store of Dean & Hovey. He remained
with the firm twelve years, then bought the entire
stock and continued the business alone at the old
stand. During his early years here Mr. Schmitz
was careful in his expenditures and he has in all
business affairs shown a degree of tact and enterprise that has given him success. He now has a
considerable amount of property, including a pleasant residence on Park Street. He takes no special
part in political workings other than to deposit his
ballot on election day and keep himself informed
regarding the issues that are agitating the people.
He is a staunch Democrat.
The marriage of Mr. Schmitz and Miss Caroline
Borer was solemnized in Pontiac, January 21, 1873,
and has been followed by mutual happiness. Mrs.
Schmitz was born in Switzerland and their parents
belonged to the German speaking population of
that republic. She and her husband have four
children, Frank C., Ada M., Lottie T. and Anna
E. The son is now with his father in the store.
ATHER JAMES A. HALLY, pastor of St.
Mary's Church at Milford, and of St. Mary's
at Northville and Wayne, is a faithful
shepherd over the three flocks to which he was
sent in the summer of 1889.  Since he came to
Milford he has bought the rectory and repaired it,
and the financial affairs of the church are as satisfactory as the size of the congregation and surrounding circumstances warrant.
The grandfather of our subject was James Hally,
a native of Ireland, and a well-to-do farmer in
County Tipperary. In later years he came to
America and his last days were spent in Detroit.
His son, Patrick, the direct progenitor of Father
Hally, bade adieu to his native land when seventeen years old, crossed the Atlantic and made his




I


-------------


way to Detroit. There he became a practical
molder and for a few years was in the employ of
Jackson, Wiley & Co., foundrymen. Removing
to St. Clair County, he entered one hundred and
sixty acres of land in Wales Township, and began
farming in pioneer style. He hewed out a home
from the forest and still owns the property, which
now bears valuable improvements. About 1870
he rented his farm and located in Detroit where he
has a nice property. He is now on the city police
force.
Patrick Hally married Maria Quirk, who was
born in County Tipperary, but lived in this country from  the age of four years. Her father,
Michael Quirk, a County Tipperary man, was numbered among the successful farmers of Monroe
County, this State. During the Civil War he
fought bravely in a Michigan regiment, and after
the war he removed to St. Mary's, Pottawatomie
County, Kan. Near that place he followed farming a few years, but returned to this State and died
at the home of his son-in-law, when seventy-seven
years old. His daughter, Mrs. Hally, passed away
in the fall of 1888, leaving four sons. Of the firstborn further mention will be made below: Patrick
J. belongs to the class of '91 in the department of
law in the University of Michigan; Maurice J., is
attending a business college in Detroit; Thomas F.
is studying in the Jesuit College in the same city.
Father Hally was born at Wales Center, St.
Clair County, 'August 6, 1866, but his youth was
principally spent in Detroit. He attended and was
graduated from the parochial schools, then entered
the Jesuit College, where he continued his studies
three years. When that period had elapsed he became a student in the Assumption College at Sandwich, Canada, being graduated in 1885, when not
yet nineteen, after having taken the classical and
philosophical course. He was the youngest graduate there. He then began the study of theology
in St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Md., and
after two years in that institution completed his
course in St. Francis Seminary in Monroe, this
State.
The ordination of Father Hally to the priesthood occurred August 18, 1889, at his home parish
St. Vincents, Detroit, and was conducted by Bishop




904


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.




Foley. He came at once to his present charge.
He is a member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
When the polls are open he casts a Democratic ballot. Amid the arduous duties that devolve upon
him as a priest in charge of three bodies of communicants, he still finds time for reading and
study, and for social intercourse with his own people and other friends.
In connection with this biographical notice appears a lithographic portrait of Father Hally.
G    EORGE F. HUNTER, M. D.         It is the
glory of our country that industrious and
capable men should so abound; not all equally
distinguished, it is true, but all animated alike by
the noble spirit of self-help. They furnish proofs,
if proofs were needed, of the ability of the American citizen to take advantage of the slightest opportunity and attain the loftiest results in the way
of advancing the arts and sciences. Attention, perseverance and moral character are the foundations
of success in business and social life, and lie who
would be called, in the best sense of that word, a
successful man, must possess these qualifications.
Dr. Hunter, by inheritance and self-culture, is the
possessor of the noble character and stirring business nature which bring in their turn prosperity.
As a prominent physician and a public-spirited citizen, his biography deserves the especial attention
of the reader.
Dr. Hunter belongs to a notable family of physicians and surgeons of English descent.  In a direct line he is descended from Dr. John Hunter, of
Scotch parentage, who had a professorship of anatomy i      n a London Medical College. He lived during the greater portion of the eighteenth century,
having been born in 1728 and died in 1793, and is
the English pathologist whose medical works were
English authority for many years. His brother
William was also a noted physician and surgeon.
It will thus be seen that our subject comes of distinguished ancestry; he is the great-nephew of Dr.
Jardine of former East India fame, and is closely i


connected with many men whose influence has
been world-wide.
In Perth County, the Province of Ontario, Canada, Dr. Hunter, of this sketch, was born September 13, 1849, and is therefore in the prime of life
at present (1891), with fair prospects of many
years of future usefulness and honor. His parents,
John and Susan (Jardine) Hunter, were natives of
Scotland, and arrived in St. Mary's, County Perth,
Province of Ontario, Canada, in July, 1849. The
father was inspector of masonry on the Grand
Trunk Railroad during its construction, and afterward held the same position on the Inter-Colonial
Railroad while it was being constructed. His life
was throughout a striking illustration of the power
of patient purpose, and he achieved considerable
success, becoming the owner of extensive property
in the county where he resided. He and his estimable wife were stanch Presbyterians and continued
in Canada during the remainder of their lives.
They passed away,
"Leaving no memorial but a world
Made better by their lives."
The children born to John and Susan Hunter are
as follows: David J., a physician and mathematical
and science master in Madoc, Ontario; William C.,
an engineer on the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad; James, an artist in Detroit; our subject,
Janet, now Mrs. A. Chatterton of Essex Center,
Ontario, Canada, and John R., (deceased). The
subject of this sketch spent his early school-days
in the High School at St. Mary's, Ontario, which
le left at the age of eighteen years to teach in the
public schools, having passed the examination of
the County Board of Examiners and received a
teacher's certificate. For four years he taught in
Ontario, being the principal of the Trowbridge
Public School and other schools.
While he was following the profession of a teacher,
our subject studied medicine and was graduated in
1869. He immediately commenced the practice of
his profession with his brother in Ontario. In 1877
he came to Clyde, Mich., where he soon gained a
practice extending to Holly. He became well acquainted in the latter place, which he liked so much
that in the winter of 1878 he removed hither. In
1880 he attended the Medical College at Buffalo




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


905




N. Y., of which institution he is a graduate.  He
belongs to the State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Alumni Association
of the University of Buffalo, N. Y., the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, Ontario, Canada, and is
Medical Examiner of the Order of Chosen Friends
in this village.
In 1876 the Doctor was united in marriage with
Miss Mattie C., daughter of William Sanagan of
London, Ontario, Canada.  One child, Anna L.,
now (1891) thirteen years of age, has blest this
happy home. Dr. Hunter is deeply interested in
all matters of public interest, and has contributed
largely to the prosperity of Holly. Socially he is
an acceptable member of the order of Masonry,
the Knights Templar and the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, and politically votes the Republican
ticket, believing the principles of that party best
adapted to tile welfare of the people.
— t ---^ ----f
ENJAMIN SMITH, a farmer of Commerce
Township, is the son of Pierce Smith, a nativc of Luzerne County, Pa., where he was
born in 1794. His wife was Ada Jenkins,
a native of the same county, where she was born in
1800. After marriage they continued to reside in
Pennsylvania, until April, 1857, when they came
to Michigan and settled in this township on an improved farm. Mr. Smith cleared up the land and
built a house and barn. He was bereaved of his
wife in 1866 and survived her until 1884. She was
an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He was a Republican in politics and a man of strictly temperate habits. Three
of their five children are still living, our subject,
Fannie (Mrs. A. A. Church), and John J. Smith,
Luzerne County, Pa., was the birthplace of our
subject, who first saw the light April 2,1820. He
resided in his native county until he was forty
years old. He began for himself at twenty-two
years of age, renting a farm for two years and then
purchasing one, which he carried on for sixteen
years. In 1859 he came to Michigan and settled


on the land where he now resides. When he
took it i; was already partly improved. He finished the work of clearing it and taking off the
stumps, built a barn and repaired and improved
the house. Most of his two hundred and eightyseven acres are improved. He carries on general
farming, but makes a specialty of blooded colts.
The marriage of our subject took place in Pennsylvania, February 10, 1842, when he was united with
Minerva, daughter of Theophilus and Elizabeth
(Smith) Lamed. Mr. Larned was a native of Connecticut and his wife of Pennsylvnnia. They were
highly esteemed and respected in their home in
Luzerne County, where they died. Mr. Larned
departed this life in 1872 at the age of eighty-one
years and his wife at the age of eighty-three died
in 1887. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. She
was long a member of the Christian Church and in
his later years he also professed his faith in the religion of Christ. Ten of their twelve children are
still living.
Mrs. Smith was born January 26, 1820, and received a good common-school education. She became the mother of eight children and has had the
happiness of seeing all but one live to the present
time. They are named as follows: Ada E., wife
of Hiram J. Hoyt of Muskegon, they have one
child; Frances E., wife of Albert Cummings of
Wixom, they are the parents of one child; John
H. and Hyde J. are twins. The former married
Delia Clutz and with his wife and one child lives
in Detroit. The latter married Louisa Smith and
lives on this section with his wife and six children;
George P. married Agnes Hann and with his wife
and one child resides at Bay City; Riter T. was
married to Hattie Caster and they reside in Commerce Townshin, they have four children; Eudora
L., the wife of Elmer J. Rice and mother of two
children lives at New Hudson. All of the sons
and daughters have received a good education and
their mother has trained them in the faith of the
Methodist Church.
Benjamin Smith is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Commerce. In this organization he has
filled several chairs and has been Treasurer. In
former days he was a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He is always keenly intcr



906


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


ested in the discussion of political questions and is
frequently a delegate to Democratic conventions.
While living in Pennsylvania he was Supervisor of
his township. His temperate life has aided his
naturally vigorous constitution and now having
reached the age of seventy-two years he is hale,
hearty and active.
LLEN   CAMPBELL, a well known and
highly respected citizen of Groveland
Township. was born in Stockport, Columbia County, N. Y., November 25, 1837.
His father, Allen Campbell was born in Aberdeen,
Scotland, where he was married before coming to
America. He was a machinist by trade and
worked in a cotton mill in Paterson, N. J. He
came here in 1835 and settled in this township,
taking up Government land and building a logcabin. He had one hundred and sixty acres which
by hard work he converted from a wilderness to a
flourishing farm. He drove an ox-team to Detroit
to do his trading. lie was an old school Presbyterian and a Whig in politics and lived to be sixtyfive years old. His wife, Mary Gray, was born
in Aberdeen, Scotland. She reared to maturity
nine of her twelve children, and brought them up
in the Presbyterian faith, dying after having
reached three-score years of age.
The subject of this sketch was only eight months
old when he came to Michigan with his pa ents. In
1843 he returned to New York and lived with his
uncle, John Campbell, until 1853.  There he
attended the district school and was reared on the
farm. He returned in 1853 to the West, and after
marrying he made his new home on the farm where
he now resides. His wedding was December 2, 1858,
and his bride Ada Ritchey, born in Groveland
Township, this county. Five children blessed their
union, namely: Anna, married to William Buckley, a farmer in this township; Ada, the wife of
John Joslin, who lives in Holly Township; Clarence
who married Fannie Arnold and resides in this
township; Lizzie, who resides at home; Frennie


is at home also. The mother of this family died
March 6, 1888, her loss being mourned by many
friends as well as by her family.
Our subject contracted a second matrimonial
alliance, April 30, 1890, the bride being Mrs.
Minnie (Narrin) Phipps. Mrs. Campbell had by her
former husband three children as follows: Artemus,
Alice and Eugene, all living in this town.
Mr. Campbell enlisted in the Civil War April
11, 1865, in Company E. Third Michigan Infantry.
He was mustered in at Pontiac and sent to Nashville, Tenn. He encountered the enemy at Decatur, Ala., and then returned to Nashville. He was
sent to New Orleans, and wintered at San Antonio,
Tex. He was mustered out at Galveston, April
11, 1866, returned home and engaged in farming.
He has seventy acres of land here, sixty-two of
which are under cultivation, upon which he raises
all kinds of grain and is quite a stock-breeder. Mr.
Campbell is a member of J. B. McPherson Post No.
183, G. A. R., at Holly.
J AMES PENDERGAST.         For forty years
this gentleman has been located in White
Lake Township,carrying on general farming,
and of late he has devoted considerable
attention to breeding horses. His home is on section 25, and his farm consists of one hundred and
six acres. He hewed down the trees that once
covered his track, removed the stumps and broke
the soil, and year by year increased the acreage
under cultivation. He also put up good buildings,
increasing the number from time to time, as need
arose. Mr. Pendergast is a stonemason by trade,
but it has been many years since he paid much
attention to this handicraft.
Our subject is a grandson of one Thomas Pendergast, whose entire life was spent in the Emerald
Isle and who reared a family of seven children.
The eldest son was Patrick, who, after growing to
manhood, married Ellen Keating. The family
born to this good couple consisted of Thomas,
Joanna, Jane, Mary and Patrick. The father was




.?.
Ie




C


p


I






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


909




a farmer. He died in the Emerald Isle early in
the '50s. His son James was born November 23,
1820, and remained in his native land until 1849.
He then came to this country and for a year
labored in New York. Thence he came West and
selecting White Lake Township, this county, as a
favorable locality in which to locate, he took possession of a farm of sixty-six acres. To this he
afterward added forty acres and here he has carried on the work before noted. He votes the
Democratic ticket and has done so since he became
an American citizen.
In April 1855, the marriage of James Pendergast and Catherine Crotty was solemnized in White
Lake Township. The bride was born in Ireland,
May 27, 1827. Mrs. Pendergast is a capable, intelligent woman, who shows great interest in the
welfare of her family and the progress of her children, intellectually and morally. She has borne her
husband seven sons and daughters named respectively: Patrick, Mary, Catherine, Ellen, James, and
Julia (twins) and Margaret. The last named is
deceased. Mary and Julia are now in Pontiac and
Catherine is at the convent of the Good Shepherd
in St. Louis, Mo. Patrick, Ellen and James brighten
the parental hearthstone by their presence.
AVID M. DOTY, a marble and granite
dealer in Southfield, was born in Toledo,
Ohio, May 14, 1840. His father, Philander N., was a native of New York,
where he carried on a business in woolen manufactory. He also pursued the same business in Toledo,
Ohio, where he died in 1844. His wife was before
her marriage Margaret M. Laha, a native of France
where she was born December 1, 1804. She was
but fourteen years old when she came to this country, and was united in marriage with Mr. Doty in
New York.
Our subject was one of six children of the parental family. Frank E. was a private in the first Ohio
Battery and served through the Civil War; Charles


H., enlisted in Company C., Thirty-first Ohio Infantry; Nelson P., the oldest brother was not in the
war; the (laughter and one son died young. After
the death of Mr. Doty, the mother of our subject
married Avery Brown. From this union there
was one son born, Avery. He was a drummer boy
in the army of the Cumberland, and was the
youngest enlisted soldier in the rebellion. He was
mustered into service at the age of eight years,
eleven months and thirteen days at Camp Chase,
Columbus, Ohio, August 18, 1861, in Company C,
Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, and served nearly two
years.
The first schooling of David Dotv was in an old
Catholic Church in Toledo. When about nine
years old he went to Dayton, Ohio, with his mother
and step-father,'and attended school there; at the
age of twelve he went to Delphos, Ohio, where he
remained until 1857. He then went to Cincinnati
where he learned marble cutting and carving.
Later he engaged in business in this line at St.
Mary's, Ohio, with a brother until July, 1862, when
he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Infantry. After eight months he was
promoted from the ranks of a private to the commission of a Second Lieutenant, and afterward to
that of First Lieutenant and finally received a
Captaincy. He was mustered out of service July
10, 1865, having taken part in the following encounters: Mossy Creek, Siege of Knoxville, with
Sherman to Atlanta, the pursuit of Hood's Army at
Nashville, Tenn., ald then to Washington across
North Carolina and meeting with Sherman at
Goldlboro. A month after his discharge from the
army he had resumed his business of marble cutting at Elkhart, Ind., and there remained until lie
sold out and came to Michigan.
Capt. Doty was married in Elkhart, Ind., in December, 1870, to Emma Smith, a native of New
York State, who was born March 8, 1848. Two
daughters were sent to bless their home. The oldest, Leona, died at the-age of three years. The second Olean M., is now attending school at Birmingham. Mrs. Doty died February 26, 1888. Mr.
Doty is a Republican and in 1884 filled the office
of Township Clerk. He belongs to the Masonic
order and is a member of Redlrd Lodge No.




910


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


152; Birmingham Chapter No. 93; Pontiac Commandery No. 2, K. T., and Marshall M. Beach Post
G.. A R., No. 267. He is a thorough man in his
business, well liked and respected, and is doing a
good business, having the confidence of the people.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Doty appears in
connection with this brief personal review.
f ULSEY J. RUNDEL, a successful, promil I) nent and well-known business man of Pontiac, was born in Crawford County, Pa.,
June 13, 1836. His father, Warren Rundel,
of Pennsylvania, came to Oakland County, Mich.,
in 1837 and located on the township line between
Farmington and West Bloomfield. A few years
later he purchased a farm near by, on which had
been erected an old log hotel, in which lie lived
until his death in 1870 at the age of sixty-three
years. He was drummer in a company of militia
in his early days and was the son of Ferris Rundel,
of New York who settled in Pennsylvania but
came to Michigan in 1855 and made this his home
until his death, at a ripe old age.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Emily Button. She was born in Connecticut
and died at the age of eighty-two years in 1888.
Of her seven children three sons are still living.
Her son Hulsey, was only a babe when his parents
removed to the Wolverine State. He received his
preliminary education in the log schoolhouse where
he sat upon slab seats. These were benches about
twelve feet long, which the boys used to take out
during winter"noonings" and turning them upside
down, used them to slide down hill upon.
At the age of sixteen the youth went to try his
fortune in Chicago, and for two years was a fireman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. running from Chicago to Aurora, one of the
oldest branches of the railroad in this part of the
country. He became tired of firing the engine and
returning home, rented land for about three years
and then bought his first farm on section 5, Pontiac
Township, where he lived for several years. In




1884 he sold this property and purchased a fine
farm on section 20, where he has since lived, and
which adjoins the corporation of Pontiac. The
marriage of our subject in 1860, with Harriet
Stanley, who was born in this county in 1839,
brought him two children, Lizzie and Nellie. To
both of them he gave a good education and Lizzie
became a teacher.
Our subject has ever been a thorough and conscientious Republican in his political convictions
and vote. He now owns one hundred and ninety
acres. nine of which lie within the corporation of
Pontiac. For ten years he kept and raised thorough bred Durham cattle, and also Shropshire
sheep. Eie is a member of the American Shropshire Registry Association and takes great pride in
his stock, having been a successful drover for
nearly thirty years. Ile buys and ships stock to
Eastern markets and has some fine standard-bred
horses. He spent four years in business in Pontiac,
carrying on a meat market. His success is a matter
of interest to everybody who desires to study the
possibilities of life in the Western world, as lie
began without capital and has risen to his present
financial success by force of his own energy and
perse verance.
HOWARD BARNES, a patriotic son of
his country, who under trying circumstances sbowed the true metal of which he
was made, was born April 24, 1843. He now resides in Royal Oak Township, where he has a fine
farm and is also proprietor of a summer resort on
Fighting Island, a little below Detroit, as well as
being interested in the Sportsman Publishing Company. His father, Thomas C. Baines, a banker
and merchant at Mt. Sterling, Ky., and a native of
Virginia, was born before the beginning of this
century. He went to Kentucky when a boy and
began life as a clerk in a grocery store.
In 1832 the father of our subject married Emily
A. Howard, who was born at Mt. Sterling, Ky., in
1814. She was the daughter of George and Ame







If
i

i
JO


I


ciih


i j / 10 "


6.-   6




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


913


lia C. Howard, both of whom were natives of
Maryland, but came to Kentucky at a very early
day. Amelia was the third daughter and fifth
child in a family of ten, and her parents died at
Mt. Sterling at an advanced age. This family of
Howards is in direct descent from the well-known
English family of that name. Thomas C. Barnes
shortly left the grocery business and engaged as
cashier in a bank where he soon obtained an interest, and also carried on a business in the dry-goods
trade. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and
was a Whig and afterwards a Republican in politics.
lie passed away in 1856 and his wife followed him
nine years later.
The subject of this sketch attended school at
Mt. Sterling, Ky., and afterwards at the Pennsylvania Military Academy, until the war broke out,
when he joined the Home Guards in which he saw
several engagements with volunteers who were
on their way to the mountains of West Virginia to
join the Confederate army. In 1862 he entered
Company K, Twenty-fourth Cavalry Regiment of
Kentucky, under Captain Craig, and was in his
company during two figlhts with John Morgan's
men. He became Captain on Gen. Walker's Staff
and Post Quartermaster.
After the war this young man engaged in business in Cincinnati, Ohio, until 1873, and then
spent one year in Kansas City, Mo., whence he
went to Galveston, Tex., spent nine years in
Indianapolis and then came to Michigan and settled in Detroit. In 1890 he bought the farm of
ninety acres where he now spends a part of his
time in Royal Oak Township. He is the fifth son
and seventh child in a family of eight sons and
two daughters.
Matilda Gilchrist was the maiden name of the
lady who presides over the home of our subject.
She was born in February, 1857, and became the
wife of Mr. Barnes in September, 1880. Her par.
ents, David and Matilda (Potter) Gilchrist, are of
English birth and still make their home in their
native island. Mrs. Barnes is the second in order
of birth in their family of nine children. Mr.
Barnes' success in his business enterprises has been
great and he understands financial management, as
has been proven by his accumulation of property.


His first Presidential vote was for Abraham Lincoln and his last for Benjamin Harrison and between these dates he has been a consistent member of the Republican party for which he has not
hesitated to use his voice and influence.
Mr. Barnes is a member of the Detroit Lodge of
the Elks and has served as Exalted Ruler therein,
as well as being a member of the Grand Lodge of
the order. He is also a Knight of Pythias of the
Myrtle Lodge of Detroit, and a member of the
Ancient Order of Druids of that city. He is
Treasurer of the Turkey Lake Shooting and Fishing Club which owns about five thousand acres in
Alpena County, Mich. He comes of an excellent
family and has proven again the old adage that
"blood will tell."  His consistent adherence to
Union principles and the old flag while living in a
Confederate town has richly earned him the appreciation of every lover of our country.
L. HOWES, M. D. A conspicuous figure
on the streets of the village of South Lyon
is that of Dr. Howes, whose portrait is
shown on the opposite page and who has
been located here since early in the '70s. He has
become widely and favorably known for his practical skill as physician and surgeon, and in many a
family he is held in honor as the sympathizing
friend and alleviator of distress. He secured a fine
education and having much of the practical in his
mind, he was ready immediately after his graduation to apply his learning to good purposes. He
has retained the habit of study and observation,
has given close attention to every subject which
bears upon his profession, and particularly regarding the human form divine. Not only has he become well known in the town in which his office is
located, but his fame has extended even beyond
the limits of the county, and lie is numbered
among the most worthy of the members of the
profession in Southeastern Michigan.
Jonathan Howes, father of our subject, was a
miller, millwright and farmer. He was born in




914


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Norfolkshire, England, and after coming to America spent ten years in Virginia, Georgia and Maryland, building gristmills which were operated by
windmill power. He then went back to his native land and was married to Hannah Watts, who
bore him six daughters and five sons. Of this family Dr. Howes is the youngest, and there are three
daughters and four sons still living. Some time
after his marriage Mr. Howes emigrated to Nova
Scotia, later removed to New Brunswick and finally
to Ontario, Canada. In County Halton he bought
three hundred and forty acres of wild land on
which he built the first mill in that country. He
carried the castings on horseback from Ancaster,
about fifty miles away. He operated the mill and
cleared and improved his land. He lived to the
advanced age of ninety-six years, dying early in the
'50s; his wife passed away in 1863 when seventyfive years old. Mr. Howes had been a sailor for
ten years before hlis marriage and was proficient in
navigation and surveying and had a liberal education. He belonged to the Conservative party.
Dr. Howes was born in Canada in 1835, his
birthplace being the town of Trafalgar, County
Halton. He attended school in the country and
then went to the High School at Oakville and when
his literary course was completed entered the Toronto School of Medicine. He pursued his professional course there one term, then changed to
Philadelphia, Pa., and spent two years in close
attention to therapeutical science in Jefferson College. He was graduated from that institution in
1864 but the next year returned in order to review
his stulies, take post-graduate lectures and clinical
work. After this preparation for practice he established himself in Oakville for a year, and in
1866 came to this State and county. He opened
an office in New Hudson, Lyon Township, which
was the center of his practice for six years, after
which he became a resident of South Lyon in the
same township.
Dr. Howes was married in 1875 to Miss Alice
P. Batty, who was born in Dunville, Canada, in
1849. Her father is James Batty and she is the
younger daughter in a family consisting of two
daughters and one son. Doctor and Mrs. Howes
have had but one child, a son who died in infancy.




Mrs. Howes is a practicing physician with an office
in the city of Detroit. She was graduated in the
Class of '82 in the Medical Department of the
University at Ann Arbor, Mich.
The Doctor takes no particular interest in politics, but finds sufficient to occupy his time in professional study and practice, and in the social
pleasures to which he is drawn. A man of more
than ordinary intelligence, with a pleasant, manly
bearing, he is looked upon with respect and has
a prominent place among the citizens with whom
his lot is cast.
y   O N. JOSEPH    11. HOLMAN, born in
Greencastle, Franklin County, Pa., July 28,
1843, is a son of Joseph and Mary A. (Loy)
Holman, natives of Pennsylvania and
Maryland, of English extraction. Joseph Hulman
was a farmer and contractor who came to Michigan
in 1856, and died in Rochester in 1874. His wife
died in August, 1886. To them  seven children
have been born, four of whom are living, namely:
Jacob L., William R., our subject and Margaret,
now Mrs. Hetsler of Rochester.
After being brought up upon a farm our subject
worked a while at carpentering and then enlisted
July 6, 1862 in Company K, One hundred and
Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, serving until
June 29, 1863. During the second Bull Run fight
he was at Fairfax Courthouse, guarding the stores.
He was in the engagement at Anteitam and also at
Snickers Gap, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and
another engagement which took place after the
expiration of his term of service.
After this soldier was mustered out he engaged
in the grocery trade in Ohio, but left the business
in the hands of a brother and re-enlisted in the
Mississippi Squadron in February 1864, serving on
the Mississippi and Red Rivers. He served until
August 29, 1865 and had the honor of taking possession of the rebel stores at Shreveport, La., upon
the surrender of Gen. Kirby Smith. In 1865 he
returned to his trade as a carpenter and millwright




I
-a




N


I
7^ <^S^/<!^^^^^^




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


917


— s~-I


at Ft. Wayne, Ind., thence to Springfield, Ill., and
in 1866 came to Michigan upon the same day that
his father and family arrived from Pennsylvania.
In 1869 he went to Missouri and there engaged in
insurance and lead business. He returned to Michigan in 1871 and continued reading law, which he
had begun in Missouri, at the same time continuing
his trade but finally making a specialty of bridge
building.
In 1878 Mr. Holman was admitted to the bar but
in 1884 his practice was interrupted by his election
to the State Legislature on the Fusion ticket, and
two years later he was a candidate for Congress on
tile same ticket. As a Legislator he was the recipient of high praise from  many newspapers in the
State, many of them naming him as 'the orator of
the House."  Since his term in the Legislature he
has devoted himself entirely to his professional
work. lIe has been identified with the Republican
party since 1888 but is considered a free lance
politically. His marriage in January, 1874, with
Mary E. Ashby has given him four children,
Gertrude, Elva, Joseph and Hattie.
--      -NN ---<ON. FRANKLIN B. GALBRAITH, M. D.,
whose portrait appears on the opposite page,
was born in Sanilac County, Mich., near
Port Huron, December 26, 1840. His entire life presents a striking example of perseverance, diligence and untiring devotion to knowledge;
he has always been an indefatigable worker, laboring not merely at work belonging to his own profession, but also with the utmost eagerness seeking and
storing knowledge purely for the love of it. The
result of his unwearied labors has been the attainment of a prominent position among members of his
profession, and financial prosperity. His experience
in life proves that most obstacles thrown in the way
of advancement may be overcome by zeal, activity,
and a determined resolution to surmount every
difficulty and achieve the honors of success.
Dr. Galbraith comes of substantial ancestry. His
grandfather, John Galbraith, was born near Glas

gow, Scotland. IHis father, Dr. John Galbraith,
was a native of Canada, who for many years lived
in Sanilac County, and there died in 1880. The
mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name
of Nancy Humphry, was of Canadian birth and
Irish descent. She passed away in 1878, two years
prior to the demise of her husband. The parental
family comprised seven children, only three of
whom are now living. One son, A. G., was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, and was Captain
in the Twenty-second Michigan Infantry. He underwent all the horrors of war, was wounded in the
battle of Chattanooga, and lay for seventeen months
in Andersonville and Libby Prisons. Finally he
came home on parole, but died soon afterward
from the effects of his terrible experience.
In his early youth our subject attended the schools
of the vicinity, and at the age of thirteen years
clerked in a store. When seventeen years old he entered the medical department of the State University
at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated at the age of
twenty-one years. In 1860 he went to New York
and attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in 1861.  Immediately after
graduating he commenced the practice of his profession at Lexington, this State, and continued
there until October, when he was commissioned
Assistant Surgeon of the Tenth Michigan Infantry.
In April, 1862, he was sent into Tennessee.
On account of failing health, Dr. Galbraith resigned and returned to Port Huron, and there took
charge of the practice of Dr. C. M. Stockwell, who
went into the army. In 1863 Dr. Galbraith was
appointed Surgeon of the Board of Enrollment
with headquarters at Pontiac. He was afterward
commissioned as Surgeon of the Thirty-first Regiment, which, however, did not go out as an organization, but was broken into fragments which went
to replenish other organizations already in the field.
The Doctor was transferred to the Fourth Michigan
Cavalry, and with them went to the front and participated in active warfare. When the war was
nearly over, he resigned his appointment, and coming home, located in Pontiac. Since settling here
he has devoted his undivided attention to his profession, and has built up an extensive and lucrative
practice.




918


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


The marriage of Dr. Galbraith and Miss Marie
Smith, of Pontiac, was solemnized in 1865. Mrs.
Galbraith was born in the State of New York, but
has passed almost her entire life in Oakland County.
The union of the Doctor and his estimable wife has
been blest by the birth of two children. Grace G.
is a beautiful and accomplished young lady; and
Stewart S., who was graduated in June, 1891, from
the military school at Orchard Lake, Mich., is now
a student in the literary department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor.
The Doctor is an honored member of the State
Medical Society and the American Medical Society,
and is a corresponding member of the Academy of
Medicine at Detroit. He was elected Mayor of
Pontiac three times on the Republican ticket, and
his intelligent and faithful discharge of the duties
of that office reflected great credit upon himself as
well as his constituents. His election was considered by his friends as a great triumph, for the city
was at that time very strongly Democratic. Socially Dr. Galbraith belongs to Pontiac Lodge No.
21, F. &. A. M., and the Loyal Legion. In 1889
he was chosen State Senator from the Fourteenth
Senatorial District on the Republican ticket, and
is ever found faithful to the interests of the people
whom he represents. His pleasant residence situated on Perry Street is a large and substantial brick
building, and is surrounded by extensive grounds
handsomely laid out.
----
I      ARVEY J. CAMPBELL. Among the
younger farmers of Oakland County may
be mentioned Mr. Campbell, whose home is
on section 23, Royal Oak Township, and
who belongs to a family well known in the county.
His property consists of ninety-five acres on sections 23 and 26, forty of which was given him by
his father. Mr. Campbell is a son of Welcome
and Mary J. (Cheney) Campbell, of whom an account is given in the biography of John L. Campbell, of Birmingham. They were natives of New


York and the father was born July 20, 1810. They
have five sons and five daughters, and Harvey J.
is the second child and eldest son. HIe was born
in Oxford Township, this county, April 19, 1843,
and in his boyhood studied in the common schools.
He devoted some time to work in his father's store
prior to his nineteenth year, and then spent three
years on a farm.
Mr. Campbell next went to Albion and took a
course of study under Prof. Ira Mayhew, the wellknown commercial teacher and author of the popular text-book on book-keeping. After finishing
his course of study Mr. Campbell returned home
and then went to Genesce County, where he spent
the summer in work, after which he returned again
to his father's farm. He was married May 8, 1866,
and was soon established where he is still living.
His wife bore the maiden name of Altana J. Wells
and was born in Royal Oak, April 12, 1847. She
is the fourth in a family comprising five daughters
and two sons, and her parents are Joseph R. and
Sophronia \Stcphens) Wells.
The father of Mrs. Campbell was born in New
York and his parents were Willard and Mary
(Spencer) Wells, the former of whom died in his
native State when the son was seven years old.
The latter came to this State some years later, obtained a home and brought his widowed mother
here. His wife was a daughter of Henry and Altana (Fellows) Stephens, natives of New York, and
her mother in turn was the daughter of David and
Esther (Tucker) Fellows. Mrs. Campbell was well
reared and has proved herself capable of judiciously managing household affairs and looking
well to the interests of her family.
The children of and Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are
Arthur W., born August 18, 1867; Alice L., February 3, 1869; J. Lee, June 28, 1872; Frank J.,January
28, 1879, and Mary G.,December 7, 1885. Arthur is
on the Toledo Blade as general news editor; he was
married April 15, 1888, to Margaret S. Simonds, of
Center Line, Macomb County, and they have two
children-Don H., born December 18, 1889, and
Alice, February 21, 1891. Alice L. was married
October 22, 1889, to William Todd, Jr., of Royal
Oak. Mr. and Mrs. Camipbell belong to the Metiodist Episcopal Church and he is Treasurer, Trus



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


919


tee and Steward, while she is a teacher in the Sunday school. Mr. Campbell has served acceptably as
Highway Commissioner and Constable. He began
his political career by voting for Abrahan Lincoln
and takes an active part in local work and has been
sent as a delegate to county conventions.
HE     PONTIAC GAZETTE. On the 1st
of January, 1843, J. Dowd Coleman issued tle first number of the Genesee Herald, at Flint, Mich., and continued to publish the
same at that point as a Whig paper, until January,
1844, when the Herald ceased to exist and Coleman brought his material to Pontiac, and on
Wednesday, the 7th of February that year, he
issued the first number of the Oakland  County
Gazette. upholding the same political sentiments.
On the 1st of March following, W. G. Thompson
succeeded to the paper and continued its publication for some years, and was for a time followed by
J. B. Seymour. But Mr. Thompson came into possession of the paper again April 1, 1850.
In January, 1854, Z. B. Knight became the proprietor of the Gazette and changed its name to the
Pontiac Gazette. The following year he disposed
of the office to Messrs. Howell & Hosmer, the latter, however, retiring in June the same year.
Charles B. Howell became associated in the ownership and editorial management of the paper in 1861
and in 1863 the Howells were succeeded by Messrs.
Beardslee & Turner, who found the establishment
very much crippled by bad management. Mr.
Beardslee retired in 1867 and Mr. Rann took his
place until the following year, when Mr. Thom.
blinson tried his hand at the paper, but soon retired, leaving Mr. Turner sole proprietor and manager. Mr. Rann again came upon the scene and
continued there until 1872, when the present proprietors, C. F. Kimball and C. B. Turner, under
the name and style of the Pontiac Gazette Company, became the owners of the office. When Mr.
Turner first became identified with the paper in




1863 he found that it had been conducted by nonprofessional printers and was scarcely worth the
name of a newspaper. The new firm at once began to build up the business, moving to new quarters and adding improvements as fast as the demand came, and in 1874 they placed steam power
in the office.
The Gazette is now printed on a first-class Potter cylinder press and has eight pages of seven
columns each. Its mechanical appearance is neat
and clean and its advertising columns well filled
and displayed. The job office is second to none in
the State outside of Detroit and its impress facilities are equal to those of the city. It is the largest
paper in this Congressional District. Mr. Kimball's labors in behalf of the Republican cause have
been acknowledged by his appointment to the
Postmastership of Pontiac. The politics of the
Gazette have been first Whig and then Republican,
without variableness or shadow of turning. It is
high-toned in its editorials and radical in the defense of what its editors deem right.
OHN BODINE, a retired merchant at Birmingham, was born in Baptistown, Hunterdon County, N. J., December 19, 1815
and is a son of Frederick and Mary O.
(Daniels) Bodine, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively. Frederick was a tailor by
trade and also kept a tavern for many years, and
was the father of seven children, namely: Mary A.,
Jane, Hannah, John, Rebecca, William and Christian.
The mother of this family died when John was
about nine years of age, and before he was sixteen
he started out in life on his own account. After
learning his trade as a tailor he worked as a journeyman in various parts of New York and Connecticut until 1855, when he came to Birmingham
and opened up a tailor shop and clothing business,
which he followed until about 1885, when he retired from active business.




920


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


t


Mr. Bodine has been a Democrat and has held
the office of Justice of the Peace for sixteen years.
He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons.
January 30, 1842, he married Miss Elizabeth Hefley, of Pottsville, Pa., who was born in Harrisburg,
that State, in 1824, and died January 8, 1851, leaving three daughters: Mary, Mrs. Albert Burson;
Hannah, Mrs. Dr. Charles M. Raynale; and Clara,
Mrs. James Camp. Mr. Bodine was again married
in 1852 to Miss Sarah J. Riggs, of New Haven
County, Conn., who was born in 1828 and is a
daughter of Eli and Susan (Brunson) Riggs, of
Connecticut. To our subject and this lady have
been born five children: John F., deceased; Emma, Mrs. Whitehead; Ida, Mrs. Howard; William
E., residing in Wyoming; and Albert J., who is in
the same region.


J   OSEP11 SMITH. No better type of the old
settler-strictly honest in word and deed,
hospitable and energetic-can be found in
Milford Township than in the person of
Joseph Smith. He was eighteen years old when
he came to this country, and he had no surplus
funds when he arrived. What now he has he has
earned by hard work and frugal living when it
was necessary. His farm is located on section 32,
and consists of two hundred and five acres, one
hundred and eighty being under cultivation. He
built the comfortable farmhouse and all the barns
and other outhouses now on the place, besides
three barns, which were destroyed by fire. Although he is advanced in years he still carries on
the farm, dividing his attention between crops
and stock. He has a good flock of sheep and has
raised sixty lambs this season.
Our subject is the son of Arthur and Rebecca
(Laird) Smith, who spent their entire lives in
County Donegal, Ireland. The mother traced her
ancestry to Scotland. After the death of the father
she came to America and made her home with her
children. She died in this county about 1861, and


lies buried at New Hudson. Both parents belonged
to the Presbyterian Church. They had six children,four now living and all in America. Joseph was
born in County Donegal in 1821, and was five
years old when bereft of his father. It was necessary for him to go to work quite early, and he
had, therefore, but little schooling.  This has
made him all the more anxious to give his
children good school privileges, and he has been
enabled to carry out his desire. When he emigrated he spent some years in Orange County,
N. Y., working on a farm, and in 1842 came to
this State. He traveled on a canal-boat from Albany to Buffalo, crosed the lake to Detroit, and
came to Lyon Township on foot. He was thoroughly discouraged and disheartened, but did not
cease in his efforts to find work until he was hired
out by the month to Joseph Blackwood. lie was
to do farm work at $10 per month.
Mr. Smith remained on Mr. Blackwood's farm
three years, then bought forty acres of wild land
in Lyon Township. He sold it and bought one
hundred and sixty acres, partially improved, incurring indebtedness for the greater part of its
value. He did not settle upon his farm until after
his marriage, in 1848, but he then took possession
of a log house and began removing the timber. He
remained upon the place until 1861, and succeeded
in placing the entire acreage under improvement.
He then sold and settled on one hundred acres in
Milford Township, which forms a part of his valuable property. The estate he occupies is much
more thoroughly equipped with buildings than
many or those around it. Mr. Smith has had his
efforts ably seconded by his wife, who has planned
and worked, encouraged him under every difficulty, and cheered him in times of misfortune.
Mrs. Smith bore the maiden name of Lucinda
Elder and was born in New York in 1831. She
came to this State in 1846, and made her home in
Lyon Township with her brother, Joseph Elder,
now deceased. She received a good common school
education, became skilled in the arts of the housekeeper, and better than all else, is an earnest,
humble Christian. Of the twelve children born
of the union, ten are now living, and a brighter,
more interesting family it would be hard to find.




I




g  oz-~ctt  g — ^Z^
La       Af^J.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


923


Three are mutes, but they have been well educated
in the institution at Flint and are well equipped
for the duties that lie before them. Arthur A.,
the eldest child, married Rebecca Richardson and
lives in Cairo; Eva is the wife of Solomon Frank
and lives in Canada; Hannah Jane married William Allison and their home is in Ionia County;
Della is the wife of Mr. Allison and lives in Ionia
County; Hattie married John Burns, of Tuscola
County; Herbert married Miss Lombard and lives
on the home farm; Carrie is studying in the State
Normal School at Ypsilanti; May and Egbert are
at home; Lizzie is the wife of Charles Brown and
is now living in Clay County, Kan.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church at New Hudson, and six of their
children belong to that denomination. He has been
Class-Leader for thirty years, and is now Trustee
and Steward as well. He has been a teacher in
the Sunday-school and always takes an interest in
the work there. For many years Mr. Smith has
been Road Overseer and a member of the School
Board. He votes the Republican ticket, is much
interested in political issues, and has always been
a temperate man who used neither liquor nor tobacco. He and his wife are greatly respected by
those among whom they have spent so many years
of uprightness and well-doing.
ON. SAMUEL W. SMITH, a prominent
member of the bar in Pontiac, is generally!!     reputed to be one of the best criminal lawyers in Eastern Michigan. He is a mem ber
of the law firm of Taft & Smith, which is one of
the strongest in this section and enjoys an extended
clientage. Both members of the firm have lived
in this county many years and are widely known,
and their understanding of legal principles is undoubted. Mr. Smith was admitted to the bar when
but twenty-five years, old and since he received his
license he has added to his store of knowledge by
continual reading and study, and by being brought


into contact with other bright minds has deepened
his impressions regarding the truths that underlie
the principles of law and equity. He is a good
pleader and a safe counselor, and he makes the interest of his clients his own from the time he is retained.
The parents of our subject were Nicholas B. and
Mary (Phillips) Smith, the former of whom  was
born in Monroe County, N. Y., in 1817, and came to
this locality in 1841. He bought eighty acres of
raw land in Brandoa, cleared and improved it, but
soon sold the property and bought one hundred and
twenty acres in Independence Township. There he
cleared and improved a farm and carried on general
agriculture for some years. He then removed to
Clarkston, bought goods and carried on a general
store, selling-dry goods, groceries, drugs, etc. He
is still living in that place. Mrs. Smith was born
in New York in 1825, and was the daughter of
Billdad Phillips, a native of New England. During
her girlhood she accompanied her parents to this
county and a few years later was married here to
Nicholas B. Smith. She died in 1856, leaving one
son and one daughter-the latter, Ann Eliza, wife
of Lawrence Clark.
The birth of Samuel W. Smith took place in Independence Township, August 23, 1852, and his
early school days were passed in the village of
Clarkston. He pursued his higher studies in Detroit,
and after obtaining a fair amount of knowledge,
entered the law department of the State University,
from which he was graduated with honors in 1878.
He had been admitted to the bar in 1877, an'd after
his graduation he established himself to practice in
Pontiac. Here he worked alone six months, then
formed a partnership with Judge Levi Taft and
Hon. Aaron Perry. The latter retired from the firm
a twelvemonth later, but the connection between
Judge Taft and Mr. Smith has continued without
intermission.
Mr. Smith was elected Prosecuting Attorney of
his county in 1880 and served until 1884,when he was
elected State Senator from the Fifteenth Senatorial
District, winning the race by a majority of sixteen
votes, on the Republican ticket. He took an active
part in the discussion and passage of a law regulating the sale of oleomargarine, which protected




924


PORTRTAIT AND BIOGRA~PHICAL ALBUM.


92       OTATADBORPIA  ALU.


the interest of farmers and dairymen, and of the
bills for the coupling of freight cars which were
introduced for the protection of the men in the
employ of the railroad company. On the expiration of his Senatorial term Mr. Smith resumed his
law practice with renewed ardor.
Mr. Smith has a pleasant residence amid attractive surroundings on Oakland Avenue, and the
lady who presides over it so charmingly became his
wife November 16, 1880. She bore the maiden
name of Alida E. DeLand, and was born near
Grass Lake, Mich. Her father was Edwin DeLand,
and at the time of her marriage Mrs. Smith was
living in Waterford. The marriage has been blest
by the birth of four sons, who are named respectively: E. DeLand, Ferris N., Wendell and Harlan
S. Mr. Smith is recognized as one of the leading
and representative Republicans of the State of
Michigan, and is active in campaigns, being a
strong, logical and eloquent speaker.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Smith appears on
another page..^  e7   Ys ie  — I_


it necessary to break. Deer were abundant near
Pontiac and wolves came within a distance of ten
or fifteen miles. Mr. Stockwell died at Pontiac
about the year 1852, and his wife passed away in
White Lake Township, in 1881.
W. B. Stockwell was born in 1817 in Ira, Cayuga County, N. Y., and at the age of nineteen
came to Michigan with his parents and remained
at home until he was of age, when he worked on a
farm by the month, and also rented land for three
years. His marriage, which took place in White
Lake Township, in 1847, united him with Susan, a
daughter of Jason Austin, who came from New
York in 1845, and settled in Oakland County. His
wife who bore the maiden name of Lydia Kingsbury, bore him two sons and four daughters. He
was a shoemaker by trade, but devoted himself
largely to farming after coming to Michigan.
To our subject and his worthy wife have been
born the following children: Wilhelmina; Edward
J., Eunice, Frank, Emma, and Mary. All are living except Frank and Wilhelmina. In 1847 Mr.
Stockwell came to White Lake Township, and settled on a farm of eighty acres where he still resides and to which lie has added until he now owns
one hundred and sixty acres. He was bereaved of
his wife in 1867. He is a Democrat in his political views, and has been for more than forty-five
years. For a number of years he served as Constable and was both Highway Commissioner and
Treasurer for a considerable portion of time. He
has also been Deputy Township Clerk. and was
School Inspector for about ten years. His term of
fifteen years as Justice of the Peace has reflected
credit upon his administration of justice, and been
in every way of value to his neighbors.
Edward J. Stockwell, the son of our subject, was
born April 4, 1850, in this county. During his
early manhood he rented a farm for five years, and
then came onto his father's farm where he assists
him and manages his own land which adjoins
it. He is a member of Drewer Tent No. 160.
K. O. T. M. He was married January 17,
1876, to Alice J., daughter of Charles M. Richmond, a native of New York, who came to this
county in 1836. Their three children are, Mina,
Elmer and Grace. Their father is a Democrat and


W     ILLIAM B. STOCKWELL, a prosperous
and progressive farmer residing in White
Lake Township, Oakland County, is a son
of Levi Stockwell, whose father, David Stockwell,
made his home upon a farm in Cayuga County, N.
Y., where he died. One son and one daughter,
came with him to that place and by a second marriage he had two sons. His son Levi was born in
Connecticut and was but a small boy when he came
to New York. After he had grown'to manhood
he married Catherine, daughter of John Barruss,
of Onondaga County, N. Y.
To Levi Stockwell and wife were born eight
children, namely, M. M., Lucinda, William,
Amanda, Sarah, Levi F., Huett, and Jerusha. In
1836 the family removed to Michigan and settled
in Pontiac Township, where the father spent the
remainder of his days. He bought a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres, most of which he found




I




GEORGE URCH.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


927


for two years was Treasurer of White Lake Township, being also Deputy Township Clerk for one
year, and now filling the office of Supervisor.
RS. MARY SMITH. The spirit of selfhelp, as exhibited in the energetic action
of individuals, has in all times been a
marked feature of the American character
and furnishes the true measure of our power as a
nation. This independence of thought and action
is not only a masculine characteristic, but is found
adding dignity to womanliness. There are multitudes of women who are conducting business enterprises with marked ability or carrying on
extensive estates with unusual success. Among
these is Mrs. Smith, who has passed the most of
her active life in Independence Township, this
county, and whose sanguine temperament and
cheerful disposition win for her the respect of the
community, while her life and character unconsciously propagate a good example for all time to
come.
Mrs. Smith was born in St. Johns, Lower Canada,
July 13, 1847, and when only an infant, was taken
by her parents to Lockville, N. Y. She remained
there a few years, and in 1853 accompanied her
parents to this State, locating in Independence
Township, this county, Her parents, James and
Mary Morrison, were natives of County Wexford,
Ireland, where they grew to years of maturity and
were married. Soon after this important event
they decided to emigrate to the New World and
accordingly came to America in 1847. They sojourned for a short time in St. Johns, Lower
Canada, thence removed to New York, where they
remained until they came West to Michigan.
In the home of her parents Mrs. Smith was
trained to a useful womanhood, fitted to bear her
part in the battle of life. At the age of nineteen
years she was united in marriage, October 4, 1866,
with George Urch, whose portrait appears in connection with this biographical sketch. Their happy


wedded life was brought to a close June 30, 1885,
when Mr. Urch passed from the busy scenes of
earth. Nine children had been born to them, six of
whom are living, namely: Anna M., born October
31, 1871;Gertrude I., May 24, 1874; Daisy D.,June
9, 1876; Edith G., February 18, 1878; James R,,
December 9, 1879, and Lillian, November 11, 1881.
On March 10, 1891, our subject became the wife
of Jay M. Smith, and they now reside on her farm
two miles north of the village of Clarkston. Her
fne estate contains three hundred acres and is embellished with substantial outbuildings and a
comfortable residence. Her children are all at
home, brightening the old homestead by their presence. Her first husband, Mr. Urch, was born neas
Bristol, England, December 17, 1829, and came to
America with his parents at the age of six years.
He located on the farm which was always afterward
his home and was among the earliest settlers of
this part of Michigan. Ile contributed to the development of the community, and his industry and
determination of character enabled him to surmount difficulties of no ordinary kind in subduing
the primitive soil. He passed away mourned by
his many friends and leaving behind him a character for probity and honesty which is the precious
inheritance of his children.
I      ASSAM PEARSON, now a resident of Milford, but still carrying on a farm in this
neighborhood, was at one time the largest
landowner and most extensive agriculturist in the township. He operated five hundred and
twenty acres, and harvested large crops of the
cereals common to this section and marketed fat
stock in considerable numbers. He reduced his
landed estate to two hundred and sixty acres, all
of which is improved land and forms one of the
finest farms in the county. It is located on sections
16, 17, 20 and 21. The buildings upon it are first
class, and the domestic animals that graze in its pas



928


PORTRAIT A~ND BIOGRAPH PICAL ALIBUM.


9I


tures are full blooded or thoroughbred. They include Merino sheep, Poland-China hogs, and cattle.
Mr. Pearson hlas a handsome residence and lots in
town.
Our subject comes of old English stock and his
grandfather, Robert Pearson, was a well-to-do
farmer near Darlington, in Yorkshire. There John,
father of our subject, was born and reared to manhood. In 1836 father and son crossed the Atlantic, the older sons having come to New Jersey a
few years before. They came to this State and
entered a section of land in Milford Township, on
which Grandfather Pearson worked until he retired
to Milford to spend his last years in quiet ease.
He retained one hundred and twenty acres of the
land, but gave the balance to his children years
before his death. He lived to the age of eightyfour.
John Pearson spent a few years on an eightyacre tract of the original homestead, then sold it
and located on sections 20 and 21, buying land
which he improved, and finally becoming the owner
of nearly four hundred acres. He carried on generaly farming and stock-raising until he removed
to Milford. He died there in 1874 at the age of
three-score. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which his father was a local minister, and began preaching when thirty years old.
In 1855 he was ordained an Elder and supplied
congregations within a circuit of twenty miles, being in charge of the Lake Class four years. He
and his father were members of the first Methodist
Class formed in Milford Township. Politically he
was first a Whig, then an Abolitionist and last a
Republican.
The wife of John Pearson was born in Lincolnshire, England, and came to this country in her girlhood. She was married in Milford and is still
living there. Her maiden name was Jane Robinson. She has two children-Massam and Prudence
-the latter now Mrs. Rutherford, and living in
Milford. The son was born in this township July
30, 1839, and reared on the farm, on and around
which game abounded in his early years. He
studied the lower branches in one of the old-fashioned rate-bill schools, and when sixteen years old
became a student in the Leoni or Michigan Union


College. He pursued his studies there two years,
then returned to the farm and resumed the work
there, in which he had already taken a considerable
part. He taught several winters, and for a few
years had charge of the homestead. He finally
bought it and made further improvements, but in
1879 sold all but two hundred and sixty acres, and
bought one hundred acres on section 16. He located on the latter but operated both farms and
another tract of one hundred and twenty acres on
sections 29 and 31. He finally disposed of a part
this large estate, but still has a sufficient acreage
to afford him a fine income and suitable occupation.
March 12, 1862, Mr. Pearson was married to Miss
Josephine A. Birdsall, the ceremony taking place
in Milford. The bride's grandfather, Moses Birdsall, a native of New York, came to this State on a
visit and died near Rochester. He was a member
of the Society of Friends. His son Joseph was born
near Penn Yan, grew to manhood in his native
State, and after his marriage located near Fairport,
Monroe County. He was a hatter by trade, but at
his new home he engaged in farming. In 1849 he
came to this State and county, located in Milford
Township and bought two hundred and forty acres
on section 20. After some years he retired to
Milford, where he (lied at the age of seventy-five.
He had been Justice of the Peace for sixteen
years; he was a Republican in politics and a believer in universal salvation. His wife bore the
maiden name of Ruth A. Burton, was born in
Connecticut, and died here when seventy-five
years old. She had nine children, of whom Josephine was next to the youngest. Her natal day
was April 11, 1842, her birthplace Pittsford, N. Y.,
and Fairport her home until she was seven years
old, when she came hither.
Mr. Pearson was one of the original members of
the Fair Association of Oakland County, but is not
now identified with the society. He is agent for
the Oakland County Monitor Fire Insurance Company, and has represented it ten years. He has
been Commissioner of Highways five years, School
Inspector and has been a delegate to political conventions, both county and State, and member of the
County Central Committee. He is a stanch Repub



I




J6i    4(Lj




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


931


I


lican with strong temperance principles. He has
passed the Chairs of the Masonic Blue Lodge in
Milford, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was on the Building Committee
during the erection and the repairing of the house
of worship, has been Trustee and   Recording
Steward for years, and Class-Leader as well. For
ten years he has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
Mrs. Pearson is also a devout believer and an
earnest worker, is connected with the Ladies' Aid
Society and the Women's Foreign Missionary Society, and holds the position of Corresponding
Secretary in the latter. In a word, Mr. and Mrs.
Pearson have not only been successful in worldly
affairs, but have been useful to their fellows and
are constantly aiming at a higher life. They have
three sons -Charles B., a graduate of Ann Arbor,
who is now practicing medicine at Munday, Genesee County; John M., a student at Albion in earlier
years, and now a music-teacher in Flint, and organist in the Court Street Church; and Clarence L.,
who has not yet left his parents' home.
LISHA HILL has been identified with the
agricultural interests of Troy Township
since 1847, when he located on section 13.
When he reached Detroit on his arrival from the
East he had $109.50 and an old team. Coming
into this county he selected a quarter section of
land, for which he was to pay $950. He made
a payment of $50, and set energetically to work to
free himself from indebtedness and secure the
home. There was a little log house on the land,
and here he placed his household goods, occupying
it for some time. He received twenty cents per
bushel for the first oats he raised on the place, and
in order to support his family and the sooner to
pay for his property he chopped wood for three
shillings per cord whenever he could find such
work to do, and spent every leisure moment in removing timber and breaking ground on his farm.




He now has a nice brick house which cost $2,000,
and other valuable improvements, and his land is
well tilled and productive. He has slightly reduced the acreage and now holds but one hundred
and thirty acres.
The birthplace of Mr. Hill was Schoharie County,
N. Y., and his natal day September 2, 1811. His
father, D. G. Hill, was born in Massachusetts, and
was a shoemaker by trade. His mother, Desire
Page, was born in Connecticut, and their marriage
is supposed to have taken place in Vermont. They
had five sons and one daughter, and Elisha was
their first-born. He was reared in Monroe County,
where he received his only school privileges, and
remained with his parents until he was twenty-one
years old. He then married, and made a home of
his own, and in due course of time came West, as
before stated.
January 8,1832, was the date of the marriage of
Mr. Hill and Miss Adelia Bentley, who shared his
fortunes until September 10, 1880, when she departed this life. Eleven children came to bless
the union-four sons and seven daughters. Those
now living are Martin V., a farmer in Oregon;
Sophronia A., wife of Chester M. Chatfield, of
Barry County; Harriet M., wife of Henry Reynolds, of this county; Mary E., who married Loren
Donaldson and lives in Genesee County; Laura
Ann, wife of Ellis Bookham, of Genesee County,
and Stephen C., who lives in Troy Township. A
second marriage was made by Mr. Hill, December 4,
1884. His bride was Mrs. Miriam E. Gardner, nee
Andrews. She was born in Bennington County,
Vt., October 23, 1825, and was the widow of A.
Gardner, by whom she had three children; her
first born, Susan, wife of A. Franklin; Carrie, who
married George Post, and Preston, all living in
Genesee County.
Mr. Hill has always been a Democrat, and his
first vote was for Andrew Jackson. He was once
elected Justice of the Peace, but declined to serve,
and has never shown any desire for public office.
He has strong temperance principles, and was at
one time a member of the Sons of Temperance.
He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and in his younger days was Steward, and took an
active part in carrying on the work of the society.




932


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


He still gives words of counsel and encouragement
to other members, but does not work as he formerly
did, owing to his advanced age. Notwithstanding
the hard work which he did, and the self denials he
practiced years ago, Mr. Hill has always been very
rugged and taken such care of himself that he was
never helpless from illness until he was seventysix years old. He still manages his farm and
oversees the work done by hired help. His portrait is presented in connection with this sketch.
OHN CAMPBELL, one of the most intelligent men of Groveland Township, is a man
of remarkable intellect and character. His
fund of information is a rich possession
upon which the mutations of fortune can have no
effect. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, October 10, 1817, son of Allen, born in Perthshire, who
is in turn the son of John, born in Rosshire, the son
of John, a native of Argyle, Scotland, where the
family originated. They are one branch of the
family of which the Duke of Argyle is the head.
This great-grandfather was the owner of a large
tract of ground, upon which he raised a large
number of cattle and sheep. He was a noted man
and served in the army dnring numerous wars.
The grandfather was also a stockraiser and the
keeper of a public house.  He died at an old
age and his wife emigrated with her family to Columbia County, N. Y., where she died in advanced
years after rearing a family of eight children.
The father of our subject was a machinist and
engineer. He made many improvements in the
machinery and engines of cotton and woolen factories. He came to' America November 1, 1883,
with his wife and four children, and settled at Paterson, N, J., and worked in the cotton factory
and machine shops.    He was a machinist at
Richmond, Va., for two years and came to Michigan in 1832. Here he bought land of the Government in Groveland Township, and in July,
1835, removed his family to this new home.




I


I-  - - — " c


There were only about twelve settlers within the
bounds of two townships.  He died in 1854, having improved his farm.  His death was caused by
choleraand took place in Detroit, July 7. He was
originally, in his religious preferences, a Scotch
Presbyterian, but became one of the founders of
the Methodist Episcopal Church in this place. He
was a Whig in his political views. He helped to
lay out the roads in this township. Mary Gray,
the mother of our subject, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1789. She was the mother of
twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity.
Her death occurred from cholera upon the same
day when her husband breathed his last. She was
an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
John Campbell came to America in his seventh
year and recollects the journey well. He attended
school at Paterson, N. J., and worked at the machinist's trade. He came here with his parents in
1835 and went to work upon the farm. Up till
that time he had never seen a plow. His marriage
took place when he was twenty-four years old, and
he set up his new home in a log house on the farm
where he now lives. When he paid the Squire for
marrying him he emptied his purse of all the
money it contained, $2. His bride was Barbara A.,
daughter of Joseph Lively, a native of Switzerzerland, who was for seven years a soldier under
Napoleon Bonaparte. He came to America with
the British in the War of 1812, but deserted them
during a battle and joined the American forces.
He died March 12, 1841, having been a resident (of
Michigan for five years.  His wife, Rozilla Case,
born near Hartford, Conn., was the mother of five
children, and died here September 12, 1839. It
was November 7, 1841, when Barbara Lively became Mrs. Campbell. She was born in Madison
County. N. Y., June 5, 1820, and departed this life
April 28, 1891.
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have had four children,
three of whom have grown to maturity, namely:
Rozilla, whose husband, W.V. Heusted, is the Treasurer of Clay County, Kan.; John, who was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion and was also in
the regular army for three years. He is now on
the police force in Detroit; Leman lives in Grove



I




*4:iekL ~~ L




~PORTRITA   r AND BJOGRAPHICAL ALIBUM.


935


AI


land Townlship and runs a saw-mill and a thresher.
Mr. Campbell is a Republican in politics and has
held every office in the township except that of
Constable. For thirty-seven years he has been
and is still Notary Public, and has also been
Postmaster for twelve years at Thayer Postoffice. He began, when a boy, to keep a dairy,
with a record of temperature, weather, etc. Lie
has every letter he ever received, and a record of
every penny received and paid out. He was a
charter member of the Grange and Township
Overseer, and was President of the County Council of the Union League during the War. He has
read papers before the Northwestern Pioneer Association of Oakland County, and has frequently
served on the Grand and Petit Juries. He has
taken the Oakland Gazette for fifty-six years and
was one of the correspondents for it. He has many
times acted as administrator of estates, and was
a soldier in the Mason's war, which was waged in regard to a strip of Ohio in 1835.
--------             ==g ---L    UMUS    H. NEWTON.      For more than
thirty years the late Mr. Newton, a portrait
of whom is presented on the opposite page,
bore a part in the affairs of this county and many
of our readers will remember him as one of the
hard-working and judicious men of Pontiac Township. He was born in St. Albans, Vt., July 3,
1812, and is descended from two families represented in the Colonial Army during the struggle
for American independence, and in at least the
paternal line, traces his ancestry to passengers in
the "Mayflower."  His parents were Josiah and
Lydia (Ball) Newton, natives of the old Bay State,
and his father fought in the War of 1812. Four
of their six children grew to maturity. One of this
number, the Rev. Benjamin B. Newton, was graduated at both Burlington (Vt.), College and Yale,
and became a minister, preaching at the time of
his death in 1875, at Brooklyn, N. Y., in the Episcopal Church.
Our subject obtained a preliminary education in


the district school, being reared on a farm, and
gained further knowledge in St. Albans Academy
and Burlington College. At the age of twentytwo years he went to sea, first spending a season
on Lake Erie and then going South and sailing from New Orleans on a merchant vessel to the
West Indies and thence to Liverpool. He next
visited the East Indies and various South American countries, then returning to the land of his
birth, he left New Bedford, Mass., on a whaling
expedition where he rounded Cape Horn and visited the islands of the Pacific Ocean. He was absent
two years and made a second voyage that lasted
about four years. He shipped in the first place as
a ship carpenter, but after becoming familiar with
a seaman's duties he became Captain of the ship
"Massachusetts."
In 1847 Mr. Newton accompanied a friend to
this county and was so pleased with the prospects
that he decided to remain. Three years after his
arrival he bought land in Pontiac Township and
settled down to farm life. During the three years
he and friends built the flour mills at Lakeville,
Thornville and Rochester. His original purchase
was an eighty-acre tract, but at the time of his
demise he held the deeds to four hundred
acres. le was an excellent manager, and moreover was always ready to hell) a friend in need,
contributed liberally to all charitable purposes,
and was moral and upright in every respect. He
was called hence July 26, 1881, leaving a widow
and ten children to mourn for one who had been a
kind and considerate husband and father. Politically he was a stanch Republican, one of the leaders of the party in the county, and during the War
of the Rebellion he was a strong adherent of the
Union cause. Socially he was pleasing and graceful in his manners, an agreeable companion among
his friends, and a man of refined tastes. He was
unostentatious in his manners and conduct in
every-day life.
Mrs. Newton bore the maiden rame of Sarah A.
Aveiill and was born in this county in 1827,
being a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Fowler)
Averill. Her parents and grandparents were natives of Massachusetts, whence the latter drove in
a wagon drawn by oxen to the new home in what




936


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


was then a Territory, very sparsely settled. Their
removal was made about 1818, and they made their
home on Government land in Troy Township.
They often fed Indians at their house, and their
history for some years was that with which all
students of pioneer times are familiar. Mrs. Newton's father fought at the battle of Lundy's Lane
and all through the War of 1812. Mrs. Averill
died here in 1852. Mr. Averill survived until
1870, and died in Kansas. Three of their eleven
children are living.
Mrs. Newton is a woman of superior intelligence
and fine tastes. She has been greatly devoted to
her family, the youngest of whom is nearly twentyone years old. The names of her children are:
Helen, Josiah B., Lumus C., Emma C., Susie M.,
Lucy B., Sarah, Nettie L., Marcia C., Julia B., and
David H. The first-born is deceased. All received excellent school advantages Josiah and Lumus being college graduates. Josiah received his
diploma from the State University, studied law
and practiced at Alpena. He was a young man
of fine literary and legal attainments, and his death
April 10, 1891, was widely mourned. Lumus is a
physician at Quincy, Mass. Emma C. is the wife
of Frank Galloway, and resides in Pontiac Township. Susie M. is the wife of George Kyle, son of
David Kyle, of Bloomfield. The other children are
at home.
ENRY GRINNELL, a farmer on section 36,
lt   West Bloomfield Township, and a man of
broad intelligence and world wide experience, was born in Middlebury Township,
Genesee County, N. Y., September 16, 1822. His
parents, Daniel and Anna (Chase) Grinnell, were
natives of Rhode Island and were there united in
marriage. Soon after marriage they took up their
residence in Middlebury, N. Y., and lived there
until 1824, when they started for Michigan on the
steamer "Superior" with Captain Blake in command.


They landed at Detroit in April 1824, and made a
nine day trip to Birmingham, arriving there April
24.
The father of our subject took up a tract of
Government land in Bloomfield Township of this
County, receiving his deed from President Jefferson. This tract of eighty acres was all unbroken
forest. Indians were as plentiful there as white
people are now. They-built a log shanty and for
one whole year the family lived in this without a
roof. The parents of our subject spent all their
lives in the vicinity where they first settled. The
father was a sea-faring man in early life but after
coming to Michigan devoted himself to agriculture. Only two children filled their home, namely,
Henry and Mary A. The latter is now the wife
of Elmer Higby of this township. The father was
a Democrat in his political views.
Henry Grinnell grew up on his father's farm in
this county until he reached his majority when he
went to sea on a whaling vessel from New Bedford,
Mass. He followed this line of work for twelve
years and during that time made four voyages.
His ship was wrecked in the Arctic Ocean and the
crew drifted to Sidney, Australia. There he joined
Commodore Wilkes' fleet and went on an exploring
and surveying expedition. He assisted in surveying and exploring the Dead Sea. He also visited
the place where Christ was born and many other
points of great interest. He finally returned to
the United States with Commodore Wilkes, after
being at sea for twelve years. During that period
he visited almost every country on the globe and
it is doubtful whether there is another man in
Michigan who has seen as much of the world as
Mr. Grinnell.
After returning to the United States Mr. Grinnell went directly to the Rocky Mountains and
spent thirteen years in Arizona, Utah, Washington
Territory, New Mexico, Nevada and other parts of
the Northwest. He was engaged as a Government
scout and guide and had many desperate encounters
with the Indians, and carries several scars of wounds
received at their hands. He crossed the plains
three times during his experience in that part of the
country. He never received any material education
from the schools but is well-read and an interest



I
It
v




1<


f
It
j


F  1.  - --
-, j-  i 7 -
I -:Ia
_-  - 2~  I  -t  -
I -T   -       `
-1  -
6:;, I
i t~
', - r~ 5P




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRIAPHICAL ALBUM.


939


AR


ing talker. Ile speaks seven or eight languages
fluently.
In 1867 this gentleman returned to Michigan
and bought the farm of three hundred acres on
which he now resides. He has devoted himself entirely to farming and stock-raising and now makes
a specialty of thoroughbred Rambouillett sheep,
also of Galloway cattle. He lias one of the finest
farms in the county, with good improvements. He
has erected the large two-story brick residence and
the capacious and well built barns. His political
views are embodied in the platform of the Democratic party and he has filled creditably several of
the minor township offices. He is a Free and Accepted Mason of the Knight Templar degree and is
identified with the Order of Odd Fellows.
In 1869, two years after his final settlement in
Michigan, Mr. Grinnell married Jane Miller of
Howell, Mich. By her one child was born: Henry
M. She was early snatcllhed away by death and in
1872 our subject contracted a second marriage,
taking to wife Miss Nancy Kellogg of Waterford
this county. This gentleman is highly esteemed
among his neighbors for his character and intelligence.
W       ILLIAM H. MORGANS, Superintendent
of the L. R. Medbury Gas Works at Pontiac, which were established in 1862, is a
prominent and popular citizen of Pontiac, residing
in a pleasant home at No. 36 Wessen Street. The
gas works were formerly called the Pontiac Gas
Works, and were operated under this title until
1873 when they were sold out and purchased by
the present company and the name changed. Mr.
Morgans has been Superintendent of the works
since 1880.
A portrait of the subject of this brief notice appears on the opposite page. He was born in the
city of New York, October 5, 1844, and is the
youngest son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Edwards)
Morgans. The father, who was a native of Glenmorganshire, Wales, emigrated to the United


States when quite young and made his home with
his parents in New York City. The mother, also
of Welsh descent, was a native of New York City
and daughter of John Edwards, Esq. She died at
Detroit, Mich., January 17, 1884.
Isaac Morgans was in early life a shoemaker and
manufacturer of boots and shoes. He died in Connecticut a short time before the birth of our subject. The orphan boy was carefully reared by his
mother and educated in the city schools of New
York. He then served an apprenticeship of three
years to learn the trade of a sailmaker, and from
1865 to 1867 he traveled as a journeyman.
During the days of the Civil War our subject
responded to the call of his country and enlisted
in 1862 in the First New York Independent Battalion with a term of service of two years. Upon
the consolidation of the regiment he was discharged
with the rank of Sergeant, but after remaining at
home two months he re-enlisted in the Eighth New
York Cavalry. He belonged to the Third Division
of the Army of the Potomac, and took part in the
following engagements: Yorktown; the siege and
capture of Morris Island, S. C.; Kenesaw Mountain
and the siege of Atlanta. He accompanied Sherman on the famous march to the sea, and at Milledgeville, Ga., was taken prisoner, and confined
for six months at Florence, S. C. He was then
transferred to Richmond, Va., and exchanged,
after which he rejoined his regiment which was
stationed at Cloud's Mills, Va. On June 27, 1865,
he received his discharge, after which he went to
the city of New York and in October of the same
year drifted westward.
The first stopping place of Mr. Morgans in the
West was in the Southern part of Illinois, thence
he went to Toledo, Ohio, where he engaged in
making sails for vessels. In 1866 he came to Detroit, Mich., and for four years carried on the same
work there. After this he was connected with the
gas works, and diligently acquainted himself with
the different departments of this business, thus
fitting himself for his present position which lie
assumed in September, 1880.
Mr. Morgans was united in marriage, November
18, 1867, with Mrs. Mary E. Pittenger, at Detroit.
Mrs. Morgans is a daughter of James A. Cole, and




940


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


was born and reared in Detroit. Our subject and
his good wife are the parents of four children:
Onithia K., wife of Edward Morrell, now of Chicago; Florence E.; Anna A., and Morgans, the last
three being still at home.
The political affiliations of the subject of this
sketch are with the Republican party. He has
held some offices of municipal and township responsibility and has served two terms as Alderman
of the first Ward. He is a member of Pontiac
Lodge No. 3,. 0. 0. F., Pontiac Lodge No. 21,
F. & A. M.; Clapter R. A. M., Commandery K,
T., and the Shrine at Detroit. He is a member of
the Knights of Pythias of the Uniform  Rank in
which he is First Lieutenant. and also belongs to
the Royal Arcanum, and the Ancient Order of
United Workmen. He is Past Commander of the
Dick Richardson Post, G. A. R., and is a Director
in the State Home Aquatic Club. Religiously he
is a useful and consistent member of the Episcopal
Church.
IEUT. WALTER CRAWFORD has for many
years been a resident and a noteworthy one
of Milford. He is now filling the offices of
Justice of the Peace and Notary Public and is a
dealer in drugs and medicines, books and stationery under the firm name of Johnston & Crawford
in the drug business and W. & M. Crawford in the
book business. He also deals in ice, the firm name
being Crawford & Hubbell.
Judge Alfred Crawford, the father of our subject, was born four miles north of Boston, parish
of Firthwell, Lincolnshire, England, in 1815. He
was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Robinson)
Crawford, who were engaged in farming in that
shire. The great-grandfather of our subject came
from the North of England from the Scottish borders and is undoubtedly of Scotch descent. Judge
Crawford was reared and educated in England and
in 1834 when he was twenty years old he came to
America, making his first stop in Buffalo.  He
worked for Col, Preutz in Canada until the spring


of 1835 and then came to Milford, this county. He
worked for others for awhile and then entered land
upon which he located. He proceeded to improve
it and owned about three hundred and twenty acres
upon which he engaged in general farming and
stock-raising. He was one of the first to bring
thoroughbred cattle and sheep into Milford Township. He was a man who was accommodating to'his
neighbors, who often resorted to him for legal advice, as he was a great reader and richly endowed
with information. He was one of the most influential men of the county and was loved and respected
by all.
The father of our subject filled the office of Supervisor for thirteen years and during the war he
was Deputy Provost-Marshal. In 1865 he placed
his farm in the hands of a tenant and made his
home in the village of Milford. In the fall of 186S
he was elected Probate Judge, being placed-there
by the Republican vote. In order to attend to the
duties of this office he removed to Pontiac at the
beginning of 1869 and took his seat as Judge, which
he occupied until his death, November 12, 1872.
His remains lie at rest at Milford. He was a stanch
Republican in his politics and an earnest adherent
of that party.
The mother of our subject was Phoebe Clark, who
was born in Sutherland County, N. Y., January 4,
1817. Her father, Joshua, a New Yorker by birth,
was an early settler in Milford, where he was engaged in farming until his death. He represented
an old Eastern family which boasted of blue blood.
His widow still resides in Milford with her children
and is a devoted adherent of the Presbyterian
Church.
Walter Crawford was born in Milford, October
24, 1843, being the fourth in a family of ten children. He was reared on the farm and had excellent educational advantages in the village of
Milford, going through the regular course and the
High School.  Before reaching his majority his
young spirit was so fired with patriotic zeal as to
cause him to enlist August 18, 1861, in the First
United States Lancers, Company B. They were
mustered in at Detroit and served until they were
mustered out in the same city in March, 1862.
This boy, then only about eighteen years old, re



PORTRtAIT AND BIOGi3RAPHICAL ALBUM.I


941


POTRI AN       BIGAPIA  ALU.4


enlisted in August, 1862, as a private in Company
H, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, the regiment being
brigaded by Col. Alger under Gen. Custer. He
was in all the battles, raids and skirmishes of the
brigade till the close of the war, the engagements
in which he took part numbering fifty-two.
At Trevilian Station our young hero was taken
prisoner, but escaped by running, and then took a
horse and fled, while the bullets grazed his body.
He received the commision of Second-Lieutenant,
and in various engagements led his company, at
different times having three horses shot from under him. At the close of the war his regiment
was sent to Leavenworth, Kan., where it was mustered out, their honorable discharge being granted
at Detroit.
Returning to Milford, Lieut. Crawford then
opened a store with a stock of groceries and after
a few years took his brother Clark as his partner,
the firm name being Crawford & Bro. The new
firm enlarged the business, adding merchandise and
clothing, but in 1870 they sold out their stock and
dissolved partnership, our subject became Justice
of the Peace and Notary Public, to which he has
added the work of an insurance agent in which he
still continues.
In 1878 this gentleman bought a stock of books
and stationery and in 1881 engaged in the drug
business with Dr. R. Johnston. He owns a farm
within the corporation which he anticipates subdividing and plotting as an addition. He is engaged
somewhat in buying and selling real-estate and
owns a handsome residence and grounds. With
his partner, Mr. Hubbell, he is engaged in packing
and wholesaling ice.
Lieut. Crawford was married in Milford in 1871,
to Miss Julia A. Seaver, a daughter of William P.
Seaver, of New York, an early settler of Livingston County, but now living in Highland. Mrs.
Crawford was before her marriage a teacher and is
a native of Livingston County. She has two children: Merrill W. and Dana H. Mr. Crawford is
the oldest Justice of the Peace in this vicinity,
having filled the office and that of Notary Public
for twenty years, and having been Supervisor since
1876. He has been Commander of the Grand
Army Post at Milford with which he is identified.


I


He is a true Republican and is a frequent delegate
to county and State conventions. The Michigan
State Pharmaceutical Association counts him as
one of its prominent members.
_ ENRY D. TUNISON (deceased) was born
in Sussex County, N. J., October 3, 1833.
His parents, Tunis and Anna (Dudley) Tunison were both natives of New York and
both long since passed to a better world. His father
was a farmer and was of German descent. Our
subject was the only son in a family of six children, and his sisters are all living in Sussex County,
N. J. He received a common-school education and
remained beneath the parental roof until 1857,
when he came West, locating first for two years at
Holly.
In 1859 our subject purchased a farm on section
1, Orion Township, finding the land partly improved. He was a natural mechanic and gradually
picked up the carpenter's trade, which he followed
for about fifteen years prior to his death. He built
for himself a handsome frame house in 1873.
The marriage of Henry Tunison and Margaret
Snover, a union which resulted in life-long happiness and profit, took place in 1857. Mrs. Tunison
was born in Oakland Township, this county, May
24, 1837, her parents being George K. and Charity (Hulick) Snover), both natives of New Jersey,
who came to Michigan in 1831 and settled in Oakland Township. Mr. Snover pre-empted land from
the Government, and afterwards cleared from it
the timber and thoroughly improved it. In those
days wild game was plentiful, and he supplied their
table with venison. He died in June, 1881, in his
eightieth year, and his good wife passed away in
March, 1875, when she was seventy-one years old.
She was a woman of beautiful Christian character,
and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Their five children are all living.
The three children of our subject are George H.,




942


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


a


Annie L. and Alice C., to each of whom has been
given a good common-school education. The oldest daughter has taught for some two terms and is
making a success of her professional labors. The
father passed away October 7, 1886, and was
deeply mourned by each, for all loved him. He was
one of the few who may truly be entitled a "good
man," for he was honorable in his dealings, just in
his transactions and kind to all with whom he had
to do. His membership in the Protestant Methodist Church was not a formal profession of religion,
but was an outward sign of an inwnrd reality, and
the church will long miss his helping hand.
The widow of our subject is a woman of more
than ordinary intelligence and judgment and since
her widowhood she has successfully assumed the
management of tle farm. She carries out with
pleasure the plans of her husband and maintains
the same reputation which was his for thoroughness of management and integrity in dealings. Mr.
Tunison came to Michigan with limited means and
had, before his death, attained handsome property,
in the acquisition of which no man could claim that
he was wronged. The farm contains one hundred
and thirty acres of excellent and well-improved
land. Mrs. Tunison is and has been, for a number
of years, an earnest and active member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.


town of Bloomfield. It is well improved and in a
high state of cultivation, with excellent buildings.
His farm lies two and three-fourth miles southeast
of Pontiac. and on it he keeps a good grade of
stock. He is a Democrat in his political views but
is not active in politics. He believes in churches
and helps support them but is not connected with
any religious donomination.
The marriage of Mr. Fosdick took place November 10, 1875. His wife bore the maiden name of
Zadie M. Rockwell, and she was born in Bloomfield
Township July 6, 1856.  She is a daughter of
James M. and Zadie A. (Adams) Rockwell. For
further history of the Rockwell family the reader
will consult the sketch of Mr. J. H. Rockwell. Two
lovely children, Gracie M. and Carrie M. grace the
home of our subject.
DO E.C_-L 0


W ALTER B. FOSDICK, a farmer of Bloomfield Township, was born just across the
road from where he now lives, May 9, 1853.
He is a son of Alvin and Jane A. (Adams) Fosdick, and is the youngest of eight children born to
his parents. His boyish days were passed on his
father's farm in the vicinity where he now lives
and there he received his education in the district
schools. He now owns the farm which his father
bought when he came to Michigan in 1842. All
of his life except his first year has been passed in
the same house.
Mr. Fosdick now has eighty acres of land in the


CUDWORTH, a noteworthy farmer residing on section 10, Novi Township, is the
W    son of Apollis Cudworth, a native of Massachusetts and a farmer, who was a Minute Man ill
the War of 1812. He married Rosana Simmons
and resided first in Pennsylvania, then in Bristol,
N. Y., and later in Alleghany, N. Y. In 1833 he
came to Michigan, landing at Detroit from the
old boat "Henry Clay." From there he went to
Oakland County by ox-team. After spending the
winter in Farmington Township he came to Novi
Corners and settled on the northwest part of section 23, on eighty acres. There was then no house
where the village of Novi Corners now stands. He
built a log house   and a log barn and moved his
family to the new home. He had the help of the
Indians in raising his house. They had a camp
near by and were on the friendliest terms.
Our subject was then a boy of fifteen years.
The father began clearing off the farm, and being
quite a hunter, killed many a panther, deer and
bear. After improving some thirty-five acres he
sold this property and bought forty acres on the
south side of the same section, where he lived for




I




=
I


iXI  -


(IC~r


~-~-ui




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


945


three years. He then settled upon this farm,
on which was at the time a log house and some
slight improvements. He was bereaved of his wife
by death in 1858, and he passed away in 1868.
The subject of this sketch was one of a family
of nine children, seven of whom are still living.
He was born August 4, 1816. He received almost
no schooling in his youth although he attended
for a short time the first school organized in this
township. He lived with his parents and helped
support them until their death. He then purchased
the interest of the other heirs and took the old
homestead, adding to the small tract of land which
lls had previously bought. Being now left alone
at the old home, he began to think of marriage,
and chose for his wife Mrs. Mary Hammond,
widow of George Hammond. They have no children lut Mrs. Cudworth has three by her previous
marriage.
Mr. Cudworth has one hundred and seventy-one
acres of good land, about ninety of which are improved. He has put on excellent buildings and
carries on general farming, raising some stock.
For many years he has been a member of the
School Board and has always taken an interest in
politics, voting the Democratic ticket. He has
filled the office of Road Overseer for a longer
period than any other man in the township, and
has seen the country grow from a wilderness to
its present prosperous and populous condition. He
has ever been an unusually strong man and has
done much hard work in his day. Several of his
brothers and sisters reside in this township. They
are: Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Joshua Bennett, Mrs. Miles
Richardson, Walker and Zebina Cudworth.
ENJAMIN        F. ELWOOD, a prosperous
banker and real-estate dealer of Pontiac,
was born at Royal Oak, this county, December 1, 1837, and is the son of Daniel and
Fannie (Clark) Elwood. He attended the district
school up to 1850, when his father having died
some years previously, he removed with his mother


to Waterford Township. Here he lived for some
time, alternating his studies with working on the
farm of his step-father. He began teaching school
in 1857 and continued in this work for two years
at Waterford and -Royal Oak.
The young man then rented a farm near Pontiac
and engaged in general farming and stock-raising,
and shortly after, coming into possession of a small
place from his father's estate, he continued to follow agricultural pursuits until 1866. His marriage
occurred December 4, 1861. He was then united
with Louesa D. Rundel, of West Bloomfield, this
county. Mrs. Elwood was called away from earth
in June, 1866. At the time of her death, Mr. Elwood disposed of his property and removed to
Waterford, where he located upon a farm and
added to his business a trade in stock. In July,
1867, he married Harriet E. Moore, of Fairport,
N. Y., daughter of the late Charles Moore, of Milford, Micl. Four children blessed this marriage,
two of whom are deceased. Calvin R., who was
born in June, 1870, has recently (1891) completed
his first year in the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor; Clyde B., who was born March 6, 1875, is
a student in the High School in Pontiac.
In 1871 Mr. Elwood purchased a livery business
in Clarkston, this county, which he carried on for
ten years with success. He has held various offices,
at one time being Deputy Sheriff for about six
years. While living in Independence Township
he held the office of Supervisor and had previously
held other offices in that township. In 1872 he was
elected Justice of the Peace. In 1881 he sold out
his interests at Clarkston, and removed to Pontiac
where he has since resided and where he has devoted his attention to banking. He was made a
Director of the Second National Bank at Pontiac,
in 1880, and held this position until 1885, when the
charter of the institution expired and the Pontiac
National Bank was organized. In this new institution he was raised to the position of Vice-President. He was one of its charter members and a
large stockholder therein.
The Democratic party embodies the political
principles of our subject, and he is active in promoting its success both locally and abroad. He at
one time served as Alderman of Pontiac, and while




946


PORT~RAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


946  PORTRAITANDBIOGRAPHICALALBUM


a member of the Council, was active in advancing
the interests of the city and introduced and carried
through many important measures, the most important of which was the introduction of a fine
system of water-works for the service of the city.
Ho was one of the principal promoters of that
movement. He is a member of the Presbyterian
Church, and also belongs to the Masonic order. He
has a pleasant residence on the corner of Saginaw
and Oakland Streets.


m > r - -r


C HARLES H. GLASPIE, one of the enterprising merchants of Oxford, was born in
Clifton, Macomb'County, March 12, 1851.
He is the son of William and Deborah A. (Dennison) Glaspie, natives of the Empire State. William was a farmer and died May 22, 1889. His
wife had been called from his side September 14,
1883. To this worthy couple were granted seven
children, six of whom are still filling positions of
usefulness. They are named as follows: Lucy,
wife of L. L. Parker, of Oxford; Elizabeth is the
wife of S. P. Hovey, a real-estate dealer in Detroit,
this State; William Dennison, a farmer in Oxford;
Charles H., our subject; Elvie, wife of N. S.
Goodrich, of Garey, Dak.; Eber D., a farmer of
Oxford; and the daughter who died was Almira,
who became the wife of W. G. Hinman, of Pontiac.
The subject of this brief notice remained on the
home farm until eighteen years of age. He then
commenced clerking for Wallace & Bennett, dealers
in general merchandise. He again went to work
on the farm for awhile, and then returned to his
employers. He continued clerking, and spent one
year in this way in the Wolverton House, at Bay
City. Returning to Oxford, he attended the academy for a year and in 1870 resumed clerking, and
was in the employ of D. W. Bell, the Postmaster.
About this time Mr. Glaspie went to Muskegon
and clerked in the post-office two years. Here he
cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. Returning to
Oxford, he resumed his clerical duties and also


served in the same capacity at Grand Rapids in
the store of A. A. Hovey. About this time he returned to Oxford for a wife, whom he claimed in
the person of Minnie A., daughter of the Rev. S.
Snyder. They were married January 4, 1876. In
1877 he entered the employ of Watson, Waite &
Co., and continued with them until they were
burned out, December 22, 1878. Afterward he
worked for N. H. Crawford in the grain business.
Mr. Glaspie now considered his experience in
working for others had been sufficient to enable him
to undertake business for himself, and in partnership with his brother.in-law, R. R. Snyder, he
opened, in 1881, a store, carrying a fine stock of
groceries. They prospered in business and received
a fair share of the trade of the town. In April,
1888, he bought out his partner and since then has
been conducting the business alone. He has a
trade of from $8,000 to $14,000 per annum. One
son, William Gillett, by name, has been given to
Mr. and Mrs. Glaspie. Our subject is a member
of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Indedependent Order of Foresters. He is a Republican
politically, and was elected City Clerk in 1880,
which office he filled for six years with credit to
himself and advantage to the city.
— ^ —~-^ —^~ ---
P OWELL CARPENTER, a native of Orion
Township, in which he lives, was born February 8, 1837. His father, Thomas J., was
born in New York in 1807, and his grandfather, for whom he was named, was a native of
the old Bay State, being born there February 1,
1771. He was a farmer by occupation and came
to Oakland County, Mich., in 1824, and entered a
half-section of land in Orion Township. He also
planned and caused to be built what is now known
as Rudd's Mill, which for more than three-score
years has stood in the southeast corner of section
12, Orion Township. He never located permanently here but returned to Monroe County, N. Y.,
where he died in 1853 at the age of eighty-four




I




/&


f


I,
I








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


949








years. He was a man of considerable prominence
and served as an Associate Judge for some time in
Monroe County and also filled other minor offices.
His father was a Revolutionary soldier whose eldest
son served in the War of 1812. His wife was Lucy
Killam, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1779,
and whose death occurred in 1863. She was the
mother of eleven children, only two of whom are
living.
Thomas J. Carpenter, the father of our subject,
came to Oakland County, Mich., in 1831 and became one of the earliest settlers in Orion Township.
He made his home on land which his father had
previously entered from the Government. He suffered some of the trials and vicissitudes incident
to the first settlers of a new country. In 1860 he
removed to Midland where he still lives in his
eighty-fifth year. He has been twice married, his
first companion being Juliette Clarke, who was born
in Saratoga County, N. Y., in 1803 and who passed
from earth in September, 1854. Both were charter
members of the first Methodist Episcopal Church
organized in Orion Township. In 1856 lie married
Catherine Y. Casamer, his present companion.
Five of the seven children borne by his first wife
are still living.
The subject of this biographical sketch received
his preliminary education in the district school. In
the fall of 1858 he entered the State Agricultural
College at Lansing, where he spent three terms.
Among the friends whom he made while in this
institution are Judge Morse of the Michigan Supreme Court and Prof. Cook, of the Agricultural
College. After leaving college he taught one term
and then entered upon the pursuit of farming
which he has since followed. He purchased the
old homestead but sold it before long and in the
spring of 1864 he purchased the farm on which he
now resides.
In 1863 Mr. Carpenter formed a life union with
Lucinda Welch, of Orion Township, who was born
October 19. 1836. She is a daughter of Eli and
Polly (Owen) Welch, who came to Michigan in
1836 and made their first home in Auburn. Mr.'
Welch was a tanner and followed his trade for a
short time but subsequently removed to Orion
Township and located on a farm. He died April


i


I


I


1, 1882, having been bereaved of his wife in 1869.
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are the parents of three
children. Their eldest daughter, Altha J., is now
the wife of Walter R. Houxwell. The other daughters, Lucy L. and Florence P., are at home.
This gentleman is a Republican and is often a
delegate to county and State conventions. He is a
man with a large store of information and a broad
and strong influence in his township. His one hundred and sixty acres of fine land are in an excellent condition. He is carrying out quietly in his
life the traits which he inherited from his ancestry,
faithfulness to duty and patriotic interest in the
welfare of his country. His maternal grandfather,
Samuel Clark, of Connecticut was a Revolutionry
soldier, whose noble wife did her share in the conflict by building signal fires upon the hills for the
warning of Washington's army.
Em RS. M. MARIA MOORE. As the repreentative of old and highly respectable families, and by reason of her own position as
a large landowner and competent business
manager, Mrs. Moore is deserving of representation in this volume. She has demonstrated the
ability of a lady to manage agricultural and other
business matters without losing refinement or the
qualities of mind which are typically feminine.
She has the prettiest farm in Milford Township,
both in location and appointments, and also owns a
large amount of land in Lyon Township. The home
farm comprises two hundred and sixty-eight acres,
and the other three hundred and twenty-three, and
Mrs. Moore oversees both. She is shrewd, energetic and far-seeing, and prospers as she deserves.
She occupies a large brick residence, elegantly furnished, tastefully arranged, and ever hospitably
open to her friends and acquaintances. The farm
buildings are numerous and commodious, and orchards and shade trees beautify the land.
The father of Mrs. Moore was John Everitt, who
was born at Ft. Decker, on the Pennsylvania and




950


PORTRAI1T AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


0         AN


New Jersey line, in April, 1809. He came West
in his early manhood, and entered three hundred
and twenty acres of land for his father, Marshall
Everitt, in Wayne County, which was then beyond
civilization. He had made his way with a team
and wagon through Canada and into the primeval
wilderness, and after securing the necessary papers
to hold the land, returned East for a short sojourn.
The next year he came back, built a house of hardwood timber and established himself, working hard
to prepare the land for cultivation. He finally sold
his share of the homestead, and in 1847 came to
Lyon Township, this county. He bought two
hundred and forty acres of farm land, improved
and added to it, and finally had five hundred and
sixty acres well improved and supplied with firstclass buildings. He carried on general farming,
but made a specialty of sheep-raising, and did as
extensive work in that line as any one for many
miles. He died November 12, 1869.
The mother of Mrs. Moore bore the maiden name
of Mary Harvey, and was born near Rochester,
Monroe County, N. Y. She was a daughter of
Luther Harvey, a New York farmer, and Martha
(Fullam) Harvey. The father enlisted in the War
of 1812, raising a company of which he took command. He was sent to defend the line, was injured, taken sick, and soon died, leaving his widow
with two young children. About 1830 she brought
her family to this State and made her home in Livonia Township, Wayne County. Mrs. Everitt died in
1867, leaving two children, both of whom survive.
The elder is the subject of this sketch.
Mrs. Moore was born in Livonia Township,
Wayne County, December 22, 1840. She was seven
years old when her parents came to Lyon Township. She attended the district school and select
schools in Plymouth and Northville, and when
eighteen years old entered the Michigan State Normal School at Ypsilanti, where she pursued the
higher branches two years. April 4, 1860, she
gave her hand in marriage to James Moore, the
ceremony being performed at her home in Lyon
Township. In 1862 she came into possession of a part
of her father's farm, and she and her husband located
there and further improved the property. In 1873
Mr. Moore rented the place and bought an im

proved farm of two hundred and sixty-five acres,
south of Milford. This waS operated until 1876,
when the family removed to Mrs. Moore's present
home in Milford Township, making a purchase of
the farm. Since the death of her husband Mrs.
Moore has continued the work in which he was
engaged, raising grain and stock in large quantities
and good grades. She keeps full blooded Merino
sheep, thoroughbred registered Short-horn cattle,
full-blooded Chester-White hogs, fine poultry, and
full-blooded and graded Perchleron horses and
some Hambletonians.
The late Mr. Moore was born in Herkimer County,
N. Y., March 14, 1826. His father, Henry Moore,
a native of the Empire State, came West in 1833,
and is numbered among the early settlers of Pine
Lake, this county. After a few years' residence
there he located south of Milford Village, on land
which he bought and began to improve. He died
not long after, when his son James was fifteen years
old. The youth remained with his mother, caring
for her and looking after her interests, and finally
bought out the other heirs and became the possessor of the one hundred and twenty acres comprising the homestead. He continued the work of improvement, and from his youth showed the qualities
of true manhood and an excellent knowledge of
the work to which he gave his thought. His mother,
formerly Sarah Wilsey, was born in Herkimer
County, N. Y., and died in Milford Township. She
was a daughter of James Wilsey, an early settler
here. Mr. Moore was an active member in the
Milford Fair Association, and held the office of
Director. He often took the first premium at the
fairs, on the stock in which he took pride. His
death occurred October 21, 1887, and was caused
by an accident which occurred three days before,
when the horse he was driving ran away.
To Mr. and Mrs. Moore there came three children, the youngest of whom, J. Everitt, is at home
and ably assisting his mother in her business affairs.
The eldest, Kittie, is the wife of Dr. E. A. Lodge,
of Milford; the second, Zelia, is at home. The
daughters are graduates of the Milford High School,
and Miss Zelia made a special study of music at
Monroe. They are cultured and refined as befits descendants of the old Knickerbocker blood of the East




PORTSRA~IT AND BIOGxRAPHICAL1 ALBUM..


951


I      AD  I


and have also the firmness of character which would
well be developed in such surroundings as they
have had. The daughters are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which their deceased father was also a communicant. He was a
Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the Republican party. Mrs. Moore's great-grandfather in the
paternal line was an Indian fighter and a Revolutionary soldier. His ancestors came from Holland
during the first settlement of New York, and he belonged to the old stock of the Vans.
A lithographic portrait of the late Mr. Moore,
appears in connection with this biography.
AVID W. BUTTS, of Avon Township, was
born in Warren County, N. J., November
11, 1884. His honored parents, Elias and
Catharine (Emory) Butts, were natives of New
Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively. The Butts
family had large tracts of land in New Jersey and
Elias pursued the calling of a farmer throughout
life, as (lid his father before him. About the middle of this century Elias brought his family to the
West, locating near Rochester, Oakland County,
Mich. In this vicinity he purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of rich and arable soil, the very
tract which is now occupied by his son David.
This land has been in the possession of the family since 1854.
Elias and Catherine Butts had the happiness of
gathering about their fireside seven beautiful and
promising children, but four of them have passed
to the spirit land and three only now survive.
John H., the eldest living son, is in Lakeville, this
State. The second in age is David W., our subject,
and the third, Effie, is now Mrs. Bowman, of Rochester, this county. The father of these children
passed from earth May 27, 1879.
David W. Butts was ten years old when his parents removed to Michigan and he still remembers
many interesting incidents of his home in the East
and the long journey to the wilds of Michigan.


He attended school in the old log schoolhouse of
pioneer days and benefited by the excellent drill
which characterized those schools and produced
good scholarship and excellent practical results,
notwithstanding the fact that its curriculum was
not broad.
The life of our subject upon the farm and in the
forest was calculated to strengthen and develop
both the physical and moral nature, and he grew
up to a strong and vigorous young manhood and
early took his place as a man in the community.
But it was not until he had passed the thirtysixth milestone of his existence that he set up a
household and took to himself a wife. He married
Miss Julia Bromley, daughter of Edward Bromley,
June 21, 1881. To them have been born two children, who are the joy and light of their fond parents.
Mr. Butts has devoted his entire attention to
agriculture, in which he has been truly successful.
His fine property and beautiful home overlook the
Clinton River Valley, in which Rochester lies.
The platform of the Democratic party embodies
the political doctrines which are approved by the
judgment of Mr. Butts and he is a man of influence
in his party, having been placed in some positions
of responsibility, as he filled for three terms the
office of Treasurer of Avon Township.
i -, --— ~-~-^^ ---
ASON T. OWEN, a member of a noteworthy
family of Oakland County, residing in
Orion his native township where he was
born March 18, 1846, is a son of Asa Owen
who was born in New York in 1785. He removed
to Pennsylvania, where he was a lumberman for
several years, and came to Michigan in June, 1b30,
entering land in Orion Township, when there was
not a man living north of him. Detroit was his
market and he went to mill there with an ox-team.
He built a log house and cleared and improved his
farm where he remained until 1877, when he passed
away in his ninety-third year. He held important



952


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--—  --- —-------
-----------------------------------


offices in Orion Township, and for several years
was Treasurer, and was respected as one of the organizers of the township. He had to go to Pontiac
to vote and even beyond there to obtain hielp
enough to raise his log house. He had brought
means with him when he came West, and owned
at one time quite a large tract of land. He had
an honorable record as a soldier in the War of
1812.
The first wife of Asa Owen was Lucinda Corwin
of New York, who died a few years after he came
to Michigan, leaving five children, none of whom
are now living. The second wife and the mother
of our subject, Martha Owen by name, came from
Pennsylvania to Michigan with her father at an
early day, and is still living in ler eighty-fifth
year. She has been for many years a conscientious and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her three children are all living.
Mr. Owen was reared upon the farm and took
his education in the district schools. When eighteen years old he and an elder brother undertook
farming in partnership, taking charge of the old
homestead, and that pleasant partnership, still continues. In 1873 he went to Kansas and spent two
years in the cattle business. Four years later he
removed to Orion and engaged in the lumber and
grain business.
The marriage of our subject in 1879 with Mary
R. Gage, of Massachusetts, connected him with an
honorable and intelligent family, and gave him a
helpmate who has been of great service to him
through life. Her father, the Rev. R. Gage, was
born in Massachusetts in 1821, and was graduated
at the Biblical Institute at Concord, N. H., in
1852. He entered upon the work of the ministry
in the Methodist Episcopal Church the following
year and continued it until 1883. He remained in
Massachusetts until 1862, when he became Chaplain in the hospital at Alexandria, S. C., where he
served from August that year, until June, 1865.
In September of the latter year he came to Michigan and became a member of the Detroit Conference, traveling in Michigan until 1883, when he
was placed upon the superannuated list.
The grand work which was done by the Rev.
Mr. Gage is beyond computation. He laid in


their graves twelve hundred brave boys who had
fallen in defence of their country's honor, and the
sick and the dying confided to him their last messages and their treasures, and he conducted the
correspondence for hundreds of them, while in his
hands were placed many thousands of dollars which
the dying left to be forwarded as their last offering to the dear ones at home. His wife was Sarah
Thomas, of Massachusetts, who died in 1880, leaving her husband and three children to mourn her
loss. This reverend gentleman makes his home in
the household of Mr. Owen, where he is tenderly
cherished. The Gage ancestors came to Boston in
1629, John Gage being a Deacon in the First Congregational Church of that city, and the grandfather of our reverend friend having been a Revolutionary soldier.
The subject of this sketch has only one child:
Lucius H., who was born June 23, 1885. Mr.
Owen was reared a Democrat, but in 1872 became
a Prohibitionist and has always adhered with
great earnestness to the principles represented by
that body. He takes an active part in every
movement in behalf of temperance, and is frequently a delegate to various conventions. For
six years he was a member of the Common Council of Orion, and was President for two years. IHe
filled the office of Recorder one year, and that of
Assessor the same length of time. His boyhood
training in temperance work was in the Good
Templars order. Both he and his noble wife are
active and efficient members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He owns one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Brown County, Kan., besides
having a one-half interest in three hundred and
fifty-seven acres upon section 14, of Orion Township.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was
killed by the Indians, when Asa was a little boy.
The latter was then bound out until he reached the
age of twenty-one and had no opportunity to attend
school until that time. He then went for three
months and so closely applied himself to his studies as to obtain a good start and become an excellent penman. From that time on he was self-educated and became a well-informed man, especially
in regard to the Bible, and an earnest follower of








I
I-   -,      -   -
-       I
"'
-r
-- -4


0


WILLIAM WHITE.




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


955


--








Christ, although he never united with any church.
In those early days, while he was pushing himself
forward, both intellectually and materially, he
used to raft logs down the Delaware River to Philadelphia, and then walk back to his home. He
was a member of the Masonic order and had taken
the highest degree which was at that time given in
the United States.
ILLIAM WHITE. The gentleman whose
portrait is presented on the opposite page
has passed to that "bourne whence no
traveler returns," but the memory of his honorable
and upright life is the proud inheritance of his
children. After fighting as a valiant soldier the
battle of life; after struggling with adverse fortunes
in a pioneer country; after gaining worldly success
as the reward of his unwearied efforts, he rests from
his labors in the peaceful sleep than knows no wake
ing on earth. In his declining years he enjoyed
the comforts which his unaided efforts secured, and
surrounded by a loving family, passed from earth
June 24, 1891.
Our British-American citizens almost invariably
reflect credit upon the place of their nativity as
well as their adopted home. Mr. White was an
Englishman, born in Kent County, England, September 7, 1822. His father, James White, was a
farmer in that county, where he resided until 1832.
At that time many people were emigrating to
America, attracted hither by the prospects of gaining homes and fortune, and Mr. White, accompanied by his family, crossed the broad Atlantic in
the above-mentioned year, and settled in New
York. His wife bore the maiden name of Harriet
Hitchcock and was born April 30, 1800, in Kent
County, England. Five daughters and two sons
were granted to this worthy couple.
In 1836, Mr. White, accompanied by his wife
and children, started for Michigan by way of Buffalo, but beginning their journey too late in the
season they were detained in that city all winter
on account of the lakes being blocked by ice.
However, they reached Detroit in 1837 and settled




in what was then a thriving village. The father
died there about 1850 and his widow still makes it
her home. Our subject accompanied his parents
in their various removals, and in different localities
pursued his trade of a bricklayer, stonemason and
plasterer. He is proud to tell that he laid the first
brick in the first railway depot that was erected in
Detroit. After a residence of twenty years in that
city he came in 1857 to Royal Oak Township, this
county, and settled on a farm of one hundred acres
on section 5. This estate is still the home of his
family.
The marriage of William White with Mary D.
Chapman, took place September 7, 1846. This
lady was born in Geneva, N. Y., January 10, 1825.
Her father, Joel Chapman, was a carpenter in New
England in his early days. His wife, Mary Furgerson, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y. Her
father, Jacob Furgerson, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Emily Emery, was born in New
York of English ancestry. Our subject and his
intelligent and lovely wife became the parents of
eight children, namely: William J., Emma C., Nettie, John, Edith, Ida M., Arthur and Harvey E.
On March 24,1886, Harvey E. White was joined
in marriage with Agnes Groves, who was born
November 8, 1867, in County Down, Ireland, and
came with her parents to America in 1869. She is
the daughter of Robert and Agnes (Martin)
Groves, who were the parents of eleven children.
This son and his young wife are the parents of
three children, namely: Ida May, Harvey E. and
Winnie G.
OHN S. TEEPLES, proprietor of the National Hotel at Holly, Mich., was born in
the township of Pontiac in 1833.. He is a
son of Jacob and Jane (Stephens) Teeples
natives of New York and Vermont respectively.
Jacob Teeples came to Michigan in 1825, and settled in Oakland County where he was married. He
engaged in farming and lived here until his death.
He had a family of six children, four of whom are
living as follows: John S., James M., George T.,
and Albert D.






956


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


- -


Our subject was reared on a farm and received a
common-school education. After leaving home he
purchased a farm in White Lake Township upon
which he lived eighteen months and then sold it,
engaging in the mercantile business at Milford
thereafter until 1878. He then went into the hotel
business there staying in this place three years. He
next removed to Holly purchasing the National
Hotel, which is situated near the Detroit, Grand
Haven & Milwaukee Railroad. The purchase included three lots, the large hotel which is 34x62
feet and the barn 40x62 feet.
July 3, 1855, Mr. Teeples was married to Mariah
Retan. She is a native of this State and the daughter of William  and Tryphena (Mead) Retan, natives of New Jersey and Michigan respectively.
Mr. Retan was the son of John and Margaret
(Smith) Retan, natives of New Jersey. He came to
Oakland County in the pioneer days and engaged
in farming; here he lived until his death.
Our subject and his wife have but one daughter,
Tryphena, now Mrs. G. O. Fleicher of this village.
She is the mother of one child, May. Mr. Teeples
belongs to the Democratic party and is also a
Mason. He is a genial landlord and makes all that
stop at his house feel that they are at home. His
hotel is kept in good style, with a fine table and all
necessary conveniences. His wife proves herself an
excellent landlady and uses every endeavor to make
her guests feel comfortable and happy.
_A. W. - t


came to Michigan, locating in Troy Township, and
taking up Government land on section 26. The
county there about was at that time almost a wild.
erness, but they bravely went to work to provide
themselves with a home. A log house was soon
built, and in this primitive abode they not only
lived themselves, but kept a hotel for many years,
the father at the same time being busily employed
clearing up his land and utilizing his spare moments
in making the furniture for his house. He was the
first Postmaster in that township, and in addition
to the many uses to which the small domicile was
put, it was also used for thirteen years as the Postoffice. For manyyears he carried on a store at "the
corners" Big Beaver. Mr. Palmer was originally
a Democrat, but later he became a Republican. He
filled the offices of Justice of the Peace and School
Director, and was well-known and highly respected
throughout the county. He departed this life, in
March, 1877. Mrs. Palmer followed her husband
to the silent land February 7, 1890, at the age of
eighty-three years, and they were interred side by
side in the Jones Cemetery, in Troy Township.
The parents of this worthy couple comprised six
children, as follows: Cyrus, who was born July 28,
1826, resides in Oregon, to which State he removed
when twenty-five years old; Emily L., born June
30, 1831, passed away July 10, 1869; Mary, born
December 7, 1834, is the wife of Sherman Williams,
and they reside in Royal Oak Township, this
county; Jane, our subject, is the next in order of
birth; Ann, who was born February 3, 1841, died
December 14, 1875; Lewis G. was born May 27,
1843, and resides on the old homestead. He was
married December 3, 1866, to Miss Mary Lamb,
and they have six children now living.
Mrs. Ebling was reared in her native place, the
first school she attended being upon her father's
farm. She afterward taught school for four terms
in Troy Township, and acquired a fine reputation
in this line. She was married January 18, 1860, to
Michael Ebling, a native of Germany, who was
born in September, 1829. He emigrated to America and came to Michigan when about twenty-five
years of age, following the blacksmith's trade at
Big Beaver, and running a bus for eight or ten
years. He then built a brick store and engaged in


---


M| RS. JANE EBLING, a resident of Big
Beaver, was born in Troy Township, this
county, March 21, 1838. Her father was
Ira Smith, the son of Oliver Smith, both
natives of Vermont, the former being born in 1800,
and a farmer by occupation. Her mother, whose
maiden name was Polly Palmer, was born in Canada in 1806, and was reared in Niagara County,
N. Y.; she was a daughter of David Palmer, a native of Vermont, born in 1812.
Mr. and Mrs. Palmer were married at Warsaw,
N. Y., December 23, 1824, and two years afterward




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


957


general merchandising. Mr. Ebling was a Democrat, fnd was Postmaster in 1861, having the postoffice in his store building. His death took place
December 24, 1869, and his remains were interred
in the Jones Cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Ebling were the parents of four
children, one daughter and three sons: Elmer L.,
born May 16, 1861, died December 29, 1863;
Homer S. born May 27, 1863, resides in Asotin
County, Washington; Jennie M., who was born
May 16, 1865, is teaching, in which profession she
has been engaged since fifteen years of age; William M., who was born July 15, 1867, resides at
home with his mother, and is carrying on the farm.
Mr. Ebling is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been a teacher in the Sunday-school many years. Iler daughter Jennie is
also a worker in the church, and with her brothers
takes an active part in the singing, all being good
vocalists.


c-qmo -— 4 S3  ~ 0  orw —s~


OL. W. H. DREW, of Troy Township, was
born near Burlington, Chittenden County
Vt., May 16, 1818, and is the son of Peter
and Anna Drew, the former born in Connecticut
in 1791, and the latter a native of Sandy Hill, N.
Y., also born in 1791. The father, who was a
farmer, served in the War of 1812 and was commissioned Major at the battle of Plattsburg. The
paternal grandfather of our subject, Peter Drew,
was a native of Connecticut and is supposed to
have been a seafaring man. The family originally came from Devonshire, England. The maternal grandfather of our subject bore the name of
William Brace, and was a native of the Empire
State. He served as Captain in the War of 1812,
and followed the business of a lumber merchant.
The parents of Col. Drew were married in Vermont, and there were born to them eleven children, of whom our subject is the ninth in order of
birth. The father died in 1826. The mother
passed away in Orleans County, N. Y. Col. Drew
received his early education in the district schools
of Shelburne, and later attended the academy at
Hinesburg. He was also a student at the Univer

sity at Burlington, and after leaving that institution he entered a mercantile establishment in Burlington and remained until the time of the general
financial crash in 1835. He then removed to Palmyra, N. Y., and followed the business of canal
transportation for ten years.
In 1838 Col. Drew was united in marriage with
Emeline, daughter of Thomas Richardson, a native
of Vermont, and Susan (Whiting) Richardson, a
native of Connecticut. Mrs. Drew was born June
9, 1818, in Niagara County, N. Y., and was the
seventh among twelve children. In 1840 Col.
Drew removed to Rochester, where for a short time
he engaged in business, but this he sold,out and
returned to Palmyra. After remaining thus emr
ployed until 1844 he went to Niagara County, N.
Y., and engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1854.
We next find him in Buffalo, N. Y., and during
the period of his residence there he was called
upon to act as Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge
of the Free Masons of New York, which position
he held until June, 1861, when he resigned.
When the Civil War broke out Col. Drew raised
four hundred men for the service, the first raised in
Buffalo. Proceeding to Washington, the regiment,
after a few days rest, was ordered across the long
bridge at Ft. Ryom, where they remained during
summer. In the fall they marched to Upton's Hill,
where they remained until April, 1862. Our subject served as the first Captain of the company,
and when the regiment was organized he was made
Major, and afterward in the field was promoted to
be Lieutenant-Colonel. By order of the War Department he was sent to Buffalo as a recruiting
officer. In the spring of 1862 he returned and
joined his command in the field. He served with
efficiency and valor in many important engagements, until he was taken with typhoid fever in
the fall of 1862, when he resigned on account of
disability and returned to Buffalo.
In January, 1863, Col. Drew removed to Fulton
County, Ohio, w here he remained through the winter. At the commencement of the Legislature he
was appointed pay agent for the State of Ohio and
this position he held until January, 1865, in the
meantime handling over $4,000,000 without the
loss of a cent. At the close of his duties in that




958


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


--


connection he was elected recording clerk in the
senate, making up the official record. He served
with such ability that he was re-elected, an honor
he was compelled to decline on account of failing
eyesight. In 1866 he returned to his farm, but a
year later bought out a hotel business, which he
operated successfully until 1889. At that time he
came to Michigan and purchased the farm  where
he now resides.
Col. Drew is numbered among the prominent
Masons of the State and has held most of the offices
in tie lodge. He and his estimable wife are the
parents of two children-Albert N., who was in
the late war and. now resides in Chicago; and
Addie, who is Mrs. George W. Edson, of Detroit.
YlN  ENJAMIN F. GRACE, a farmer residing
j      on section 35, Farmington Township, is
~(lj)i numbered among the oldest native-born
A    citizens of the county, having been born
April 1, 1833, in Farmington Township.   His
father, Amasa Grace, was a native of Maine, and
followed the avocation of a farmer. As early as
1827 he removed to Michigan and located in Farmington Township, Oakland County. While a resident of Maine he married Jane Barton, a native
of Ireland. Upon coming to this township they
located on section 25, and at once commenced the
improvement of their new place, building a log
house and cutting down the large forest trees.
After remaining there several years the father removed to Novi Township, where he died. He and
his good wife, who died in 1870, were buried side
by side in the Farmington Cemetery.
The parents of our subject had a family of five
sons and two daughters, viz.: Joseph, Rachel, William, Charles, Jane, Benjamin, our subject, and
Theodore. Joseph, Rachel and Jane are deceased.
Our subject was reared to manhood in his native
place, and his youth was passed in the usual manner of farmers' lads in pioneer countries. His first
schooling was obtained in Farmington, but was
necessarily limited. He began to aid in farm work


at an early age, and with the assistance of his
brother, operated the homestead for some time.
He bought the first cheese factory in Farmington,
and manufactured cheese for nine years, being at
the same time engaged in farming pursuits. For
about six years he was engaged in the mercantile
business in the village of Farmington, beginning
in 1873 and continuing until 1881, when he sold
out.
Mr. Grace was married in 1856 to Jane Shaw, a
native of New York, born in 1833. Of this union
the following children were born: Wallace, who
resides in Farmington Township; William M., who
died at the age of three months; two who died in
infancy; Ulysses, a resident of Livonia, Wayne
County, Mich.; Joseph, at home with his father;
Sarah, also at home. The mother of these children
died January 11, 1884. Mr. Grace belonged to
the Grange at one time and was an active member
of the order. He was instrumental in building the
town hall in Farmington. Politically he is a Democrat, and for eight years was Supervisor of Farmington Township.
E    D.WARD F. CHATFIELD. A well cultivated farm on section 18, Troy Township,
is the abiding place of Mr. Chatfield and the
center of his business efforts. His property consists of one hundred and forty acres, which is the
Chatfield homestead, on which his father located
early in the '50s. Since the death of his parent
our subject has made many important improvements, such as the length of time spent here by his
father did not give opportunity for. Mr. Chatfield gives his principal attention to the cultivation
of the soil, keeping only a moderate number of
domestic animals, but he feeds a good many hogs.
At this writing (1891) his drove contains about
seventy head, and he has ten horses and ten head
of cattle.
Mr. Chatfield is the grandson of Roswell Chatfield, a prominent man in the Green Mountain
State, and a patriot of the war for independence.
That gentleman spent some years in New York,




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


959


where his son Stephen, father of Edward, was born
in 1797. The son had a common-school education
and February 7, 1819, in Ontario County, was married to Susannah Johnson, the year of whose birth
was the same as his own. In 1832 the good couple
removed to this State, making their journey with
a team from Detroit to Troy Township, and established their home on section 17. Their first dwelling was the primitive log house common to the
time and their experiences such as fell to the lot
of all early settlers. They improved the place as
fast as possible, and made it their home a score of
years, then removed to the place now occupied by
our subject. Mr. Chatfield (lied in 1856, but his
wife survived many years, living to the advanced
age of eighty-nine, and breathing her last in 1887.
They had nine children, named respectively, Isaac,
Alvina, Josiah, Daniel, Edward, Hiram, Ira, Otis
and Chester. The first, third, fourth and eighth
of these are deceased. The father was Justice of
the Peace and generally respected.
Our subject was born in Ontario County, N.
Y., March 28, 1828, and was a child of four years
when his parents removed to this State.  The
only schooling he received was in District No. 3,
Troy Township, and the curriculum of study was
not as extensive as that of to.day. He learned
much regarding farm work, and was thoroughly


capable of taking charge of a farm when he married and established a home. He won for his wife
Miss Ellen Brooks, who was born in McComl
County, this State, December 23, 1834. Her parents, Alanson and Desira (Frink) Brooks,'were
born in New York and came to this State in 1833.
They set up their home in McComb County, but
subsequently removed to Troy Township, this
county, where the father died in 1882 and the
mother still lives.
The record of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Chatfield is as follows: Albert, born in 1861, is married
and living on a farm in Troy Township; Ell N.,
born in 1863, is now in Oregon; Bruce, born in
1865, is married, but living at home; Jay was born
in 1868, Mack B. in 1870, Stephen A. in 1873.
The last three named still remain with their parents on the homestead.
The political record of Mr. Chatfield began
with a vote for Franklin Pierce, and for years he
has been a stanch Republican. He belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal Church anda contributes liberally to its support. Mrs. Chatfield is an earnest
Christian, belonging to the same denomination,
and both are well regarded by their acquaintances.
In addition to his farm in Troy Township, Mr.
Chatfield has fifteen acres of timber land in
Bloomfield Township.


0-I~~




m'I


II


l


__, -— lb rvl&mt-&

A
Adams, John   2............   23
Adams, John K..............736
Adams, John Q..............39
Ainsley, Simeon..............54
Aitcheson, William, M. D....209
Alger, Russell A..............173
Algoe, William.............
Allen, Joseph................544
Allen, W. A.................527
Allison, Henry E...........39
Anderson, J. W..............454
Anderson, R. D..............473
Andrews, Hiram............. 71
Andrews, Hon. J. L......... 887
Andrews, J. M.............. 325
Armstrong, A.......272
Armstrongg N. B.............268
Arnold, J. F...............671
Arthur, Chester A........... 99
Avery, A. B. M. MD..........53
Axford, O. S................478
Axford, Payne............  471
Axford, William C...........833
B
Babcock, Hon. C. V..........55
Bachelor, W. J., M. D........30
Bagley, John J............. 157
Bailey, Joseph.....      8
Bailey, Wallace.............651
Bain, Robert...............3
Baird, J. M.............     58
Baker, Anson W.............318
Baker, Eli........... 331
Baldwin, A. C................191
Baliwin,......1...........281
Baldwin, Henry P.........153
Bamber, J. S............55.
Barnes. G.............910
Barnes, W. H...............662
Barrett, Henry.............395
IBary, John S......... 11


Bartels, Herman, Jr..........4:2
Bartlett, Richard............670
Bassett. John...............693
Baumgartner, Rev. F. J.....427
Beach, Col. S. E..............444
Beardslee, Orsemus.......... 92
Beardslee, W. 1..3............3G1
Beattie, J. 0............... 379
Beatty. James...............591
Beaty, William..............617
Beck, Henry P...217
Begole, Josiah W............. 169
Bemis, Charles T.............317
Benedict, John E............. 1
Benedict, W. H.............409
Benjamin, John.............437
Bentley, Amos...............
Bigelow, John A............237
Bingham, David............871
Bingham, Kinsley S..........137
Bingham, William F........391
Bird, Joseph J............... 13
Bird, J. W............ 756
Bird, Rev. Robert......... 711
Birge, Henry..........      828
Bissell, E. J..................62
Blair, Austin.................115
Blakeslee, George............t55
Blackwood, William......... 788
Bloomburg,............57
Blumberg, A. C...............588
Bodine, John.................19
Botsford,...........        381
Boughner, Hon. C. B........450
Bowen, Mrs. Deland.........713
Bowers, H J................240
Bowlby, Charles C.......... 439
Bradford, J. S................493
Bradford, Robert.............369
Braid, John..................211
Brewster, Peter............. )5
Bridgeman, R. F...........104
Bromley, Edward............640
Brooks, C................    822
Brooks, Charles..............815
Brooks, Eugene..............475
Brown, Robert............6.89
Brummitt, W. H.........      521
Buchanan, James........... 75
Buckland, Hon. D. C........305
Buel, J. A., M. P......06


Burch, Ephraim..............626
Butler, Porter T.............489
Butts, David W..............951
C
Calkins, Philip......   619
Calkins, Rev. Sylvester.... 278
Callow, Robert..............562
Campbell, Allen..............906
Campbell, A. W............738
Campbell, D. L.............898
Campbell,.........     9   18
Campbell, James H.....      256
Campbell, John.....     32
Campbell, John L., M. D.....667
Cannon, John W.............802
Carlton, Lewis C..........352
Carpenter, Griffin.....     772
Carpenter, Julius...........628
Carpenter, Hon. C. K.......397
Carpenter, Hon. William E..468
Carpenter, Powell.........946
Casamer, F. B..............553
Chamberlin, Gad.............672
Chapman, J. W..............433
Chase, E. S..............  4..94
Chatfield, E. F.............958
Childs, Decatur.............548
Church, H. M.............357
Clapp, N. A..............   734
Clark, A. Judson............229
Clark, E. R...............240
Clark, Fred M................809
Clark, Romainme........365
Clay, William J........652
Cleveland, S. Grover....    103
Coates, Edward.............711
Cogsdill, Mrs. Duane.........419
Cole, Christopher............349
Cole, George E.......       242
Collier, C. F..........327
Collins, A. E.................  46
Collins, J. W.................440
Colvin, Homer H............401
Colvin, L. B..............707
Colvin, N. B., M............683


Coon, George F..............752
Coon, J. P....................729
Cooper, John.................755
Cooper, Stephen.............290
Cooper, Thomas..............481
Cotcher, William............607
Coulter, Andrew........... 766
Covert, George D............267
Cox, Henry S., M. D.........866
Cox, James..................751
Craft, A. L.................. 269
Craig. J. W...................827
Crapo, Henry H.........149
Crawford. Isaac, Jr..........337
Crawford, John.......342
Crawford, Lieut. Walter.....910
Crippen,    W. W..............43
Crofoot, Hon. M. E..........821
Crosby, A. J., Jr.............899
Croswell, Charles M..........1(1
Crotty, Edmond..............571
Cudworth, V.................942
Culver, F. E..................672
Curtis, Hiram.............279
D
Dahlmann, Theo............ 604
Daines, George E...........570
Davis, James H..............330
Davis, J. C..................498
Davis, P. C.............612
Davison, B. F................638
Dawson, Charles...........315
Dawson, Robert H........... 382
Decker, John................636
DeCou, Jacob, M. D..........848
Deuell, N. E..................693
Denison, W. A...........    509
Dennis, Ezekiel..............867
Dewey, Alphonzo...........716
Dewey, A. G........          645
Dewey, Charles E.......     547
Dewey, S. A.................701
Deyo, Rev. C. I........ 411
Dickie, D..4....6........   456
Dickie, William B............21
Divine, Rosekrans..........526




INDEX.




=


Dohany, William............856
Donaldson, John.............431
Donaldson, Oscar............ 669
Doty, David M................909
Douglass, S. H.............98
Draper, Hon. Charles........ 265
Draper, Oliver D...........774
Dresser, John H.............250
Drew, Col. W. H.............957
Dunham, D. C................388
Dunlap, M. G................790
Durham, Eber........... 712
Dye, Larue C.................898
E
Eagle, Solomon..............534
Earl, Chancey, M. D.........429
Ebling, Mrs. J.............. 956
Ellenwood, J. M............. 49
Ellinwood, S. H.............793
Elliott, M. D...............819
Elliott, R. H..................623
Elliott, W. G., M. D..........462
Ellis, N. J...................782
Elwood, B. F................945
Elwood, Hiram.............. 231
Ely, Edmund................795
Ely, John Y..................252
Emmendorfer, F. A..........620
Erity, William...............321
Erwin, John..................566
Evans, J. D.................500
Evans, Oliver................55
Ewell, Philander.............01
Fast, G. W..................563
Felch, Alpheus............117
Fenwick, George B...........673
Fillmore, Millard............. 67
Finn, Linus D..............718
Fisher, Joseph P.............767
Fitch, Hon. Ferris S..........365
Flower, E. P.................420
Flynn, T. F..................847
Foote, W. H..................762
Fosdick, Edward.............885
Fosdick, W. B.............. 942
Foster, Frederick............250
Foster, George H............624
Fox, Christopher............292
Fox, T. B.....................562
Francis, Seth...............196
Frost, Hon. Almon B........ 346
Frost, M  M................ 627
Fulton, John................518
Furman, M. H................860
G
albraith, Hon. F. B.........917
arfleld, James A............ 95




=


I


I


I


I


I


Garner, Robert............... 611
Garrison, William E.........556
Geddis, George...............227
German, George.............(;37
Gibbs, A. A................ 538
Gibson, Edward E...........631
Gibson, Joseph...............723
Gibson, Thomas..............758
Glaspie, A. P................378
Glaspie, Charles H...........946
Glaspie, Dennis.............198
Glazier, Carlos, M. D........487
Glines, George W............359
Goff, E. L....................606
Goodale, Moses..............758
Goodenough, J., M. D........539
Goodison, S. C................311
Goodman, Alfred...........813
Gordon Patrick..............796
Grace, B. F...................958
Grant, Ulysses S............. 87
Gray, Spencer B.............  871
Greacen, John..............402
Green, Elmer L..............700
Green, Hartwell..............674
Green, Leland................839
Green, 0. H. P...............686
Green, Peter.................782
Greenly, William L..........121
Greer, George................199
Gregg, William H...........   322
Griggs, O. H. P..............596
Grinnell, Henry.............. 936
Grow, Charles P..............351
Grow, E. N..................332
Grow, Thomas...............320
H
Hadden, James.............514
Haddon, J. D.................537
Haddrill, A. G................348
Haddrill, James T........ 201
Hadley, William M..........515
Hagadorn, Joseph V......... 422
Hagerman, Frank............713
Hagle, Peter H...............757
Haines, H. J..................740
Hains, James H..............570
Hall, Horace.................360
Hall, W. M.................830
Hallsted, Charles...........663
Hally, Rev. J. A...........903
Hammond,D. J.............413
Hammond, L. C. D., M. D.... 728
Hare, W. J., M. D............241
Harff, Frank.................816
Harmon, John.............. 752
Harris, William..............407
Harrison, Benjamin..........107
Harrison, William Henry.... 51
Hathaway, J...............453
Hayes, Rutherford B........91
Hazelton, S..................209
Hazen, Edwin T..............505
Heitsch, H...............484




I


Heitsch, John B..............630
Heliker, B. L...............282
Hennessy, Michael......... 267
Hewitt. J. S..................207
Hickey, Humphrey..........829
Hicks, W, P..................362
Highfield, A..................371
Hill, Elisha..................931
Hill, Moses...................429
Hilton, Norton...............581
Hinman, Hon. William G.... 245
Hitchcock, P. A...........387
Hixson, John.................376
Hobart, Hon. David..........377
Hoffman, L. L................476
Holcomb, S. D., M. D........357
Ho]comb, William..........658
Holdridge, William P........ 389
Hollister, Mark..............216
Holman, Hon. J. H..........914
Holser, Frank................350
Horton, C. W.................605
Horton, D. B.................418
Horton, William S...........745
Horvitz, B. A.................702
Hosmer, Almon..............872
Hosner, M. V. B..............220
House, Eli H................. 201
Houston, James..............526
Hovey, A. W.................701
Howard, C. D., M. D..........633
Howard, David S............499
Howell, J. S.................408
Howes, D. L., M. D...........913
Hoyt, James M., M. D....... 451
Hulsizer, W. H...............377
Hunter, George F., M. D.....904
Husted, Albert...............625
Hyde, H. D..................261
Ingersoll, Francis............296
Ingersoll, H. H............. 847
Irving, Hugh................467
J
Jackson, Andrew........... 43
Jackson, B.............670
Jackson, H. M................460
Jackson, Joseph...........584
Jacokes, Rev. D. C...........235
Jacokes. Hon. James A......325
Jefferson, Thomas............ 27
Jerome, David H.............165
Johnson, Andrew........... 83
Johnson, Daniel............310
Johnson, L. S................695
Johnson, William P..........375
Johnston, Robert, M. D......814
Jones, Samuel................788
Jones, Z. C..................867


i


Joslin, A. M.................269
Jossman, Joseph.............768
K
Kellogg, Daniel T...........506
Kemp, Obediah..............559
Kenaga, Benjamin..........477
Kesby, Mrrs. Lucy A.........3t9
Killam, P. C.................897
Kimball, Maj. C. F...........335
Kimmiss, A. N., Jr.......... 886
Kinsman, George...........329
Kirchoff, Ferdinand........ 699
Knowles, O. F................403
Knowles, W. H...............260
Knox, Walter..............410
Kressler, D..................603
L
Laidlaw, James.............512
Lamb, F. R...................466
Lamb, S. H.................881
Lawrence, S. S...............781
LeBaron, Robert, M. D.......255
Leggett, M. A................840
Leland William..............531
Leonard, Charles............543
Leonard, J. C.................497
Leonard, 0. P................784
Lessiter, John..............722
Letts, James M..............841
Lewis, Judson..............836
Lewis, William T.............565
Linabury, C. S...............690
Lincoln, Abraham........... 79
Linderman, A. W............14
Lindsley, Jesse G., M. D,......488
Lockwood, F. E..............789
Long, Joseph.................218
Long, Reuben................717
Longmuir, Gavin............ 500
Losey, Cornelius.............684
Lovejoy, C. E................597
Luce, Cyrus Gray............177
Lyon, Phineas..............804
M
Mack, Eugene..............835
Madison, James............ 31
Maney, Michael..............282
Manning, Randolph..........370
Mason, Stephen T............105
Matthews, Capt. A. S.......430
Matthews, Gen. S. S........205
McCallum, Angus...........279
McClelland, Robert..........129
McConnell, W. M.............275




INDEX.


I


McCracken, B. S...........21  9
McDonald, George A.........724
McGee, Thomas......... 657
MeKenney, Clayton.......291
Mead, Henry.............412
Means, A. L..................657
Miller, J. A..........       696
Miller, Samuel..........     212
Millerd, N. J................455
Mitchell, D. W...........495
Mitchell, George H....       210
Monroe, Jame...............35
Moore, Henry.......... 461
Moore, J. J..............    528
Moore, Mrs. M. M............949
Moore, Richard.............630
Morehous, M. H..............40
Morrison, D. W...............483
Morrison, James....          44
Morrison, Thomas W........830
Morgan, J. W................326
Morgans, William H.........939
Murray, A. A........         716
N
Narrin, Lucy A       f.......68
Neal, John A................ 21
Newman, Levi...............503
Newton, L. H.........
Nichols, H. E................257
Nichols, Truman............59
Niles, George........
Norrs, M. G...............423
Northrup, C. L..............38
Nortnon Hon. J...........301
Norton, Hon. J............215
Nott, P. R....................587
Nott W...................614
Nusbaumer, Joseph..........328
0
O'Brien, J. H..................
Ogden, J. D.................794
Osmun, 0. H. P............482
Osmun, Rev. William H.....459
Osmun, William H., Jr......692
Oswald, Hugh...............
Owen, George W.............59
Owen. Jason T...............951
Owen, L. D..................496
P
Paddock, Seth A.............516
Palmer, Aaron S...........355
Palmer. S. A...............385
Parke, Capt. Hervey...... 285


Parker, Abiram..............624
Parker, A. B.............. 291
Parker, C. A.................729
Parks, Alexander P..........679
Parsons, Andrew............. 133
Partello, J. D................465
Partridge, A.................519
Patchett, David..............618
Peacock, Nicholas..........540
Pearsall, Charles............591
Pearson, Massam............927
Pendergast, James.......... 906
Pennington, H. H...........635
Pepper, R. E..................6
Perry, Francis..............395
Perry, George...............386
Perry, John W.............892
Peters, Julian S..............251
Petrie, C. B...................471
Phelps, Edwin................639
Phelps, W. H................537
Phillips, A. J................882
Phillips, Jonathan.......... 392
Pierce, Franklin............. 71
Polk, James K............... 59
Pontiac Gazette........... 19T
Poppleton, Hon. Ornn......366
Porter, Charles............ 380
Porter, George W........... 358
Pound, John................891
Power, William L...........888
Predmore, J. C...............737
Proud, J. F...............5...52
Purdy, John..................29
R
Randall, David W............663
Randall, Horace A..........271
Randall, McAllister......... 272
Ransom, Epaphroditus...... 125
Raynale, C. M., M. D......276
Reed, Abram................411
Reese, Joseph................845
Reeves, George..............540
Reid, Adam.................613
Reid, J. T..................... 397
Reid, Peter..................807
Renshaw, Charles..........658
Renwick, George.............197
Ribble, M. D.................466
Rice, T. H................. 332
Richardson, Albert.......... 629
Richardson, William C......371
Ries, Herman G.............440
Riky, E. A. P., M. D..........749
Robertson, C. G., M. D.......232
Robinson, Octavius..........608
Rockwell, J. H...............868
Rodgers, D. S..............796
Rogers. Col. J. Sumner..... 646
Ruggles, L. D................708
Rundel, H.J.................91
Rumdel, J. F..............199


Russel, Reuben...........750
Russell, Daniel..............677
Rust, A. A....................803
Sands, Robert................845
Satterlee, William......... 880
Saxton, H. G.................668
Schmitz, P...................900
Schoch, Francis..............319
Scott, R. D..............4...34
Seeley, G. H................506
Selfridge, C................ 783
Severance, T. C............691
Shaft, David W.............361
Shattuck, G. M.............438
Shaw, Riley C.............874
Sherman, Palmer...........556
Sherwood, John..............297
Shick, Christian..............517
Shoup, William C............. 239
Sibley, Alonzo............. 777
Sibley, George H.............482
Simmons, R. C...............602
Simonson, P. C.............. 510
Simpson, John............... 664
Sipperley, E. H..............195
Skarritt, Richard........... 226
Slocum, James...............252
Sly, Melvin D...............733
Smith, Benjamin............ 905
Smith, Harson..............759
Smith, John A............. 744
Smith, Joseph................920
Smith, J. W., M. D...........345
Smith, Mrs. Mary.......... 927
Smith, Nehemiah............810
Smith, Orson H..............656
Smith, Richard............228
Smith. Samuel W............923
Smith, T. A..................618
Smith, W. H.................718
Snow, John H..............735
Snyder, A. A.................801
Snyder, Cornelius............699
Snyder, Jacob.............564
Snyder, Oscar J...........561
Solts, Alexander.............730
Soper, Spencer.............349
Soulby, Alfred.............300
Soulby, Charles W...........560
Soults, William..............195
Spencer, B C. H., M. D......581
Sprague, C. J.................208
Stanley, Luther..............340
Stark, W. H................368
Starr, Almon................733
Stephens, William...........583
Stevens, C. C........... 808
Stimson, Perry.............721
Stockwell, J. S........... 572
Stockwell, Levi F............210
Stockwell, W  B..............924
Stowell, Andrew J............575
Stowell, Simon...............879


Strong, Richard D...........230
Sturgis, Ben................. 27
Sturman, Samuel............222
Sturman, William...........200
Sutton, John.................582
Sutton, P. W................504
Swayze, David B.............522
Swayze, J. P..................63
Sylvester, W. O., M. D.......749
T
Taber, M. K..................577
Taft, Hon. Levi B............225
Taylor, David...............854
Taylor, H. J..................473
Taylor, Jacob................490
Taylor, John R..............532
Taylor, Robert K............578
Taylor, W. B.................861
Taylor, William............218
Taylor, Zachary............. 63
Teeples, John S............. 955
TenEyck, Judge Junius......593
Terry, J. Preston............511
Tibbals, Truman S.......... 569
Tibbils, A. C.................778
Tinken, Henry...............773
Tompkins, E. H..............288
Tregent, B. S............   587
Trim, J. B...................511
Trowbridge, G. M...........533
Truax, Garrett........679
Trumbull, Wallace W........390
Tunison, H. D.....         91......9
Tunstead, William J.........329
Turk, Thomas..............853
Turi, T. N....................271
Turner, C. B..................424
Tuttle, J. B..................680
Tyler, John.................55
V
Valentine, Clark... 5........685
Van Buren, Martin.......... 47
Van Every, James...........619
Vantine, James.............856
Varney, A. M.............212
Vaughan, George..........345
Vincent, Selden........... 474
Voorheis, Myron.............327
W
Wade, D. W. C., M. D......520
Waldo, Charles C............862
Wallace, William G..........372




INDEX.


I


Walter, Harrison............230
Walton, Hiram...............585
Walton, P. J...............865
Ward, I. B...................347
Wardlow. J M...............340
Warner, Hon. P. Dean.......771
Warner, L. S.................428
Warren, D., M. D............834
Washington, George......... 19
Weatherhead, W. A..........417
Weaver, Enos................842
Webb, Alfred.................597
Webster, G.................780
Welfare, George.............408


Wendell, J. H...............743
Wheeler, Morris..............768
White, A.....................521
White, D. O..................85
White, M. A.............. 779
White, William.............955
White, Rev. H. S............705
Whitehead, Almeron.......678
Wieland, Fred...............258
Wilcox, Alfred F.............661
Wilders, A. J................494
Wileden, James..............793
Wilhelm, E. B...............637
Willcox, Hon. E. R..........727


Williams, George W.........194
Williams, Sherman......... 873
Williamson, W. H............550
Willson, S. J.................289
Wilson, David................738
Winans, Edwin B............181
Windiate, George N.........566
Windiate, John.............. 765
Windiate, Walter...........576
Winglemire, Joseph........467
Wisner, Moses................141
Woodard, John..............549
Woodard, Joshua.......... 549
Woodbridge, William........109


Woodman, Eli, M. D.........860
Woodruff, E.................. 280
Wooster, E. S................739
Wyckoff, C. M................807
Y
Yerkes, Robert..............316
Young, Lewis A..............586
Young, William S.........677


Ll%- I             E


Adams, John................. 22
Adams, John Q.............   38
Alger, Russell A............. 172
Arthur, Chester A........... 98
Avery, Dr. A. B..............552
Babcock, Hon. C. V.........52t
Bain, Robert.................38
Bagley, John J.................
Baldwin, Henry P...........152
Baldwin, Hon. A. C..........190
Barry, John S................112
Baumgartner, Rev. F. J...  426
Beaty, William..............616
Begole, Josiah W.............168
Benjamin, John..............436
Bingham, Kmnsley S..........136
Blair, Austin.................144
Bloomburg, M. W............574
Bradford, James S...........492
Brewster, Peter..............294
Brown, Robert............... 688
Buchanan, James............74
Buckland, Hon. D. C.....304
Campbell, Dr. J. L...........666
Campbell, Mrs. J. L......... 666
Cleveland, S. Grover........102
Coates, Edward..............710
Colvin, Homer H.............400
Colvin, N. B................682
Cooper, John................ 754
Cooper, Thomas.............480
Craig, J. W..............   824
Craig, Mrs. J. W.............825
Crapo, Henry H.,............148


Crippen, W. W.............442
Croswell, Charles M..........160
Dawson, Charles.............314
Denison, W. A...............508
Dewey, A. G.................643
Dewey, Mrs. A. G............642
Doty, D. M..................908
Draper, Hon. Charles.......264
Elwood, B. F................ 914
Ellenwood, J. M.............448
Ellinwood, S. H.............792
Ellinwood, Miss L. M........792
Elliott, R. H.................622
Elliott, W. G.................462
Ewell, Philander.............600
Felch, Alpheus...............116
Fillmore, Millard............. 66
Fitch, Hon. F. S..............361
Galbraith, Dr. F. B...........916
Garfield, J. A................ 9
Garner, Robert............ 610
Glazier, Dr. Carlos.......... 486
Goodman, Alfred............812
Grant, U. S................ 86
Green, Leland................ 38
Greenly, William L..........120
Hadley, William M..........514
Hally, J. A............... 902
Harris, William..............406
Harrison, Benjamin..........106
Harrison, W. H.............. 50
Hayes, R. B................ 90
Hill, Elisha............   930
Hinman, Hon. William G....244


Howard, Dr. C. D............632
Howes, Dr. D. L..............914
Jackson, Andrew............ 42
Jacokes, Rev. D. C...........231
Jacokes, Judge James A.....324
Jefferson, Thomas........... 26
Jerome, David H............164
Johnson, Andrew............ 82
Killam, P. C..................896
Kimball, C. F...............331
LeBaron, Dr. R...............254
Leland, William.............530
Lincoln, Abraham........... 78
Luce, Cyrus Gray............176
Madison, James..............30
Mason, Stephen............104
Matthews, Gen. S. S.........204
McClelland, Robert..........128
McConnell, Hon. W. M.......274
Monroe, James............... 3
Moore, James.,............ 948
Morgans, Witliam H......... 938
Newton, L. H................934
Norton, Hon. John D........214
Osmun, Rev. William H..... 458
Parke, Capt. Hervey.........281
Parsons Andrew.............132
Partello, J. D.................464
Perry, Francis...............394
Petrie, C. B..................470
Phelps, W. H.................536
Pierce, Franklin............. 70
Polk, J. K...................  58
Pound, John................890


Ransom, Epaphroditas...... 124
Riky, Dr. E. A. P.............748
Sibley, Alonzo................776
Sly, M. D.................732
Smith, Dr. J. W..............344
Smith, Hon. S. W............922
Smith, Mary................926
Snyder, A. A................. 798
Snyder, Mrs. A. A............799
Spencer, Dr. B. C. H.........580
Stowell, Mrs. Simon..........876
Stowell, Simon...........877
Taft, Judge Levi B...........224
Taylor, Zachary............ 62
Turk, Thomas...............850
Turk, Mrs. Thomas..........851
Tyler, John................. 54
Van Buren, Martin.......... 46
Walton, P. J...............864
Warner, P. D................770
Washington, George......... 18
Weatherhead, W. A..........416
White, William..............954
White, Rev. H. S............704
Wilcox, A. F................660
Willcox, Hon. E. R...........726
Winans, Edwin B............180
Wisner, Moses...............140
Woodbridge, William........108




INDEX.


xots.


Allen, Josep    h................545
Babcock, Hon. Charles V.... 523
Bingham, David............. 869
Blumberg, A. C............. 589
Carlton, Lewis C.............3  3
Clay, Bros.................... 653
Craig Roller Mills............785
Dohany, William............. 857
Erwin, John................. 567
Evans, J. D...................501


Foote, W. H.................. 763
Fosdick, Edward............. 883
Green, Hartwell..............675
Hadden, James..............545
Haines, H. J.................741
Hall, William M..............831
Rarff, Frank.................817
Johnson, William P...........373
Kirchoff, Ferdinand.........697
Leland, William..............530


Leonard. 0. P...............785
Longmuir, Gavin............501
Lyon, Phineas...............805
Miller, J. A...................697
Morrison, Thomas W........831
Palmer, A. S................. 353
Pearsall, Charles.............589
Phillips, A. J................883
Reid, Peter...................805
Reese, Joseph................813


Rockwell, James H...........869
Smith, William H............719
Swayze, David B............523
Vantine, James.............. 857
Wallace, W. G...............373
Weaver, Enos................843
Windiate, John..............763
Windiate, George N.........567




it,












I




I -lfii
'~,r k
i
— r YlI 11( 3
orrt,,i
~J;'k Ih
" I
g, 4 s ~i;I
II —. I, "I 
rr;
F ir 11*III - Ct;
4YLrrEL I Llr l_*lr.
r~ 1'1,i i
ir r
1 2
hlCnnlllllil -' 11 lyna - c~ — ~ ---FI:
I: r
1,
I;I
sr r
I; r
~s
ulLE i)TIC I`i
~ 15P:41Y? I II.'1Pr:Eri
"'
~ F~""
"'':i'C" YSllr Illr yr
i,, 1"1?
""F
i~ ii
/I
If 01,lii ~IC?n*l*ll I" II + Yc 1, I rllllYrurC - 111  QF'1 1IWkrJI1;
'Ft:'J3"E, C        r:                         a                                                            4
I -- I Y~1EI1ILU i -- LEI-"-F '~
LF3. srrrrie?r,
1YUdC"
t;'Er, 111 c"~:;u"""',a --- i; F3~E~! E;
'' 'b 11C -L*TllnZiLL- Y'LTII
'J`
*""rl~l LI',A~ Y:
i,
r-:2 lli. rc~LlsLSE rr- — 7 1 -,i —~r ~
t 1~
f~
i 1IL~ll 11II..Tgla*IL7NLL(
ihr
17,r
ulilLFEI1IL Ir F' 3F-I T  ursEae.,,
~~cre're - r,
\L
d L
at a
~i; ~
r ~r
Ipr 1 F 3-L~ a
rcl(l)
i " 4'1 'p
j 122 re~
I LLICI IEIL"rll
I ILIL i
iE?~   **
ii,I
IIC~II1CU~:'
-L::l /TIECL
l*:CIC"I 'L1 ' 'IDrCC31~I E-L I 
- I L1F1I1 '7
d
yb
Lll"r'
I 1F _'lljrE3eLF1,1El' ~1CF.L`73` 'L"r,-,Y c. r, r_ 'E'.L~~ YLLIF;rSII I - I ~ 'I Cllc~ Iw
Jrr LpE  ~Yr:rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rlljlllYP. lrl! Lli I;IPYIFL
~I Clli
"Iv- Irluir  -- ' 1''1 rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ~ -r  IIIFEr IL- '4~-L`'
n"F;IIF" ku'l ii
u' 'h,IIr rp 17
I  ~Ir II  S, LlrZJT.lulr.'14 Yi,IT~~L1
J~
IIF*uYLZ rCIIE `aurEI 1L.I1;,
r;uluY0li II ,?rrd?""~rlrlllrU-b2k.-rCU~ BYir; ndL.




A. ~AI A   sL,"A


Ar                                                 mh        - -,Lima      A M-A-ma
A     di 6'                                    i



w
I
I
0
I
0
I
I1,                                                                                                                                                                 0
1                                                                                                                                                                     I
I
I                                                                                                                                                                     I
1
I
I
III
I
I
I
m
I
I