USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume II > Part 15
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Highland, Michigan, was the birthplace of Dennis Boyle, who was born on September 3, 1864. His early education was secured from the district school known as the Stone school. After completing its curri- culum he passed to the Milford high school, where he concluded his period of study.
Mr. Boyle's earliest financial independence was accomplished by his working on farms. At the age of twenty-six he married and established himself individually in very successful business. He had previously en- gaged in dealings of farm produce, buying apples, potatoes and grain. which he loaded directly into cars for shipment. When he was located upon the property he had rented, the next step was to enlarge this enter- prise of handling produce. Not only did he deal in all kinds of farm produce, but also entered upon the business of selling seeds, fertilizer. coal, coke and wood. In 1909 he purchased the Milford elevator and two years later rented the Cate elevator in order to accommodate his rapidly growing business in grain, which the Milford elevator would not hold. His dealings have reached so great an extent and the amount of produce that passes through his hands is so large that in 1911 one hun- dred and thirty cars of potatoes, nine cars of beans and twelve cars of rye were included in Mr. Boyle's shipments. Combined with his manage- ment of these interests is his able supervision of his two hundred and twenty acres of agricultural property, all of which is under a high state of cultivation.
Aside from his importance in the business affairs of Milford, Mr. Boyle occupied prominent positions in other capacities. As a member of the Catholic church he has for many years been prominent in the local body of that organization, particularly as one of the church board. Dennis Boyle is a loyal Democrat with, nevertheless, an impartial judg- ment in local matters. He has served Milford as a member of the council, which office he held for one year, and as president of the village of Milford, having retained this office for two years.
Mrs. Boyle, nee Catherine D. Kennedy, of Milford, was a daughter of Thomas and Mary Kennedy, both of whom were born in Ireland.
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Her marriage to Dennis Boyle took place in 1890, and they have become the parents of a goodly family, named as follows: Johannah, Mildred. Edmund, Catherine, Alice, Clare, Morris, Martin and Mary. In 1911 Clare. Martin and Morris died from the effects of diphtheria. Miss Johanna Boyle is a successful teacher and Miss Mildred is engaged in the profession of a trained nurse. Ambition and ability characterize the second generation of this family, no less than they have distinguished its head.
F. J. BARRETT. A live, wide-awake business man, familiar with all of the details of the lumber trade, F. J. Barrett, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Michigan Manufacturing and Lumber Company, is officially identified with one of the foremost industries of Holly, Oak- land county, and holds an assured position among its most prominent and influential citizens. A son of D. S. Barrett, he was born January 22, 1857, in Highland township, Oakland county, and was there reared and educated.
Born in New York state, D. S. Barrett came with his parents, Alfred and Cevinthia Barrett, to Oakland county, Michigan, in 1840. He grew to manhood on the farm on which his parents located in Highland town- ship, and having succeeded to its ownership has here spent the greater part of his life, devoting his time and energies mainly to the care and improvement of his estate. He is financially interested in the Michigan Manufacturing and Lumber Company of Holly, of which he is presi- dent, and though never an aspirant for public favors he has served acceptably in various local offices. His wife passed to the life beyond in 1902. She was a most estimable woman, greatly beloved by all who knew her, and was an active member of the Highland Free Baptist church, with which he has been more or less closely connected all of his life.
Beginning his active career as a teacher, F. J. Barrett taught for four years in Oakland and Livingston counties, and was afterwards for nine years engaged in the lumber and produce business at Clyde, Michigan. Coming from there to Holly in 1892, he operated a lumber yard here for two years. In 1894 he succeeded in merging his lumber interests with the old Holly Manufacturing and Lumber Company, which had been managed for eight years prior to that time by Messrs. J. C. Simon- son and H. H. Church, the new concern being organized as the Michigan Manufacturing and Lumber Company. This firm is carrying on an extensive and lucrative business, with D. S. Barrett as president; C. A. Wilson, vice president; and F. J. Barrett, secretary, treasurer and gen- eral manager. The original capital of the company was $15,000, but as its business enlarged the capital was greatly increased, its common stock amounting to $55,000, while its preferred stock is $20,000. The plant covers an area of ten acres, and, with its main one-story building, a frame one, and its adjoining two-story brick buildings, has a floor space of ten thousand feet. The company manufactures lumber and box shooks, especially, although a popular feature of its business, and an important one, is the manufacture of floor trucks for use in factories, which it sells to wholesale dealers. The annual output of the plant amounts to about a fourth of a million of dollars, while the monthly pay of the seventy-five employes amounts to $3,000.
Mr. Barrett is a Republican in politics, and keeps in close touch with
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local and public affairs. He has served for four years as a member of the village council, and for three years was its mayor, giving to the people an excellent administration. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the official board of the Presbyterian church. He is a director in the First State Savings Bank of Holly.
Mr. Barrett has been twice married. He married first Susie Pressly, of Bay City, Michigan, and for his second wife married Edith Lock- wood, daughter of Charles Lockwood, of Highland township.
MARK E. HARGER, a farmer and dairyman in section 13, West Bloom- field township, Oakland county, Michigan, is a son of Douglas and Eunice (Wilson) Harger, and a descendant of the well known Harger family which has been able to trace its history back for several centuries, first to Scotland and before that to Norway, where their ancestors were prominent members of the nobility of that country. The first arrival of the Hargers in this country was before the Revolutionary war, when two brothers of that name landed here from Scotland. Seeley Harger, Mark Harger's grandfather; was born in Somerset county, New York, and his son Douglas was also born in that state, although in Genesee county. Douglas Harger moved to Michigan when he was about twenty- four years old with his first wife, Matilda, who died soon afterward, near St. John's, Genesee county, leaving him with two little children. He went back to New York after his wife's death, but soon returned, and was married to Eunice Wilson, the daughter of Stephen and Ellen (Seeley) Wilson. Stephen Wilson was born on Long Island in 1800. After his return to Michigan, which was somewhere around 1858, Mr. Harger settled in West Bloomfield township, Oakland county, and re- mained there until his death in May, 1908. His widow still survives him. They were the parents of six children, of whom Wilson, of West Bloomfield township, and Mark E., the subject of the sketch, are the only two living.
Mark E. grew up on his father's farm, receiving his education at the common schools and later attending the high school for a short time. When he was twenty-three years old, on November 29, 1889, he was married to May Beatty, the daughter of Joseph Beatty, of West Bloom- field township. They have had one child, Ruth J., a graduate of the Pontiac high school who is now studying music and living at home. Mr. Harger is a Mason and his political sympathies are with the Democratic party. He owns sixty-five acres of land in this township.
ISAAC BARWISE. Longevity is a prime characteristic of the relation- ship to which belongs Isaac Barwise, who lives on Rural Route, Number Two, out of Rochester. Mr. Barwise is hale and hearty, although past eighty-six, and his mother was ninety-seven years old at the time of her death. Other members of the family have attained to great age, thereby attesting to the sturdy stock which characterizes the people of this name, who originally came from England and Scotland. Perhaps it is because they kept close to the soil, tilling the land and leading regular, industrious lives, governed rigorously by the primary virtues and disdaining the frivolities and dissipations that seem to many to be a necessary con- comitant of modern life. Mr. Barwise's parents were Isaac and Mary (Cockton) Barwise, the former a native of Scotland, the latter of Eng-
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land. The father, who was an agriculturalist, died in his native land in 1833. In their family there were eight children: Letitia, deceased; Thomas; William; John, who died in India in the British service; Isaac; Nathan, who died in Oakland county ; Jane and Mary.
Isaac Barwise, the subject of this review, was born in Wigton, Cum- berland county, England, April 7, 1826, and followed farming in Eng- land until 1850. Coming to America when twenty-four years of age, he located in Michigan, where he worked until January, 1854, at which time the golden opportunities of California attracted his attention. He went to the Pacific coast and remained about seven years. He was en- gaged in mining and in the mercantile business to such good purpose that when he returned to Michigan in May, 1861, he had the means to purchase one hundred and thirty-five acres of land in section 2 of Avon township. He has since added to his holdings until he is the owner of a fine place of two hundred and thirty-five acres.
This place was substantially improved in every way by Mr. Barwise, who erected modern buildings and provided equipment of the best quality throughout. Here he followed general farming, and specialized in Dur- ham cattle. In 1876 he erected his present substantial and commodious residence, which is considered one of the most comfortable homes to be found in Oakland county.
On March 21, 1862, Mr. Barwise was married to Jane Ann, a daugh- ter of Asa and Sabrina (Loomis) Underwood, the former a native of Canada, and the latter of Maine. They came to Oakland county and settled on a farm in Avon township. It was on this farm that their daughter Jane Ann was born April 7, 1833. She was one of a family of ten children, of whom but two are now living: Sophronia, widow of George Sepperly, of Rochester, Michigan, and Emma, widow of Vliet Bird, of Spokane, Washington. The names of these children in the order of their birth were: Angeline, Gustavus, Grant, Jane Ann, Sophronia, Octavia, Caroline, Maria, Freeman and Emma.
Mrs. Barwise was educated in the public schools and academy at Rochester, and then entered the Normal at Ypsilanti, but did not gradu- ate therefrom. She was a teacher in the Rochester schools for about ten years. Her death occurred February 23, 1897. Two children had been born to Mr. and Mrs. Barwise: Eva S., at home, and John C., of this county, who on March 29, 1902, was united in marriage to Nanette Schuh. Her parents, Dr. Charles and Hermine (Haen) Schuh, were both natives of Germany and came to America in 1850, locating in St. Louis, where the father engaged in the practice of medicine. He died February 19, 1884, but his widow survived him for about twenty years, her death occurring November 17, 1904. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Isabelle, deceased; Henrietta, of St. Louis ; Theresa, of Wichita, Kansas; Lizzie, wife of J. C. Baehr, of Wichita, Kansas; Lena, of St. Louis; Edward, deceased; and Nanette.
Mr. Barwise is widely known and admired for his excellent qualities. He is a Democrat in politics, a Universalist in religion and an Odd Fellow and Granger in his fraternal affiliations.
GEORGE M. FLUMERFELT. When the advertising departments of the western railroads fill the columns of newspapers and magazines with at- tractive advertisements, suggesting that the people of this country should "See America first," it provokes a quizzical smile on the countenance of
the flumerfelt
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George M. Flumerfelt, influential resident of Rochester. The likenesses of handsome parlor cars, of artistic diners, whose cuisine rivals that of leading hotels, the depictment of electric semaphores and similar con- trivances calculated to promote the safety of passengers-all these amuse Mr. Flumerfelt by their very contrast with his past experiences, for he has walked or driven over thousands of miles of the west. These journey- ings were at a time when the railroad was unknown in the far west and when even horses were few and far between. Few who met casually the dignified banker would suspect that he had "roughed it" in the sternest sense of the phrase, had starved and parched and fought and worked through the Great American desert and the stretches of sand and moun- tain that encompass it, and had been a frontiersman to an extent that many who consider themselves westerners never dreamed of.
In April, 1860, Mr. Flumerfelt, then a stripling of twenty-two, but strong and hearty for his years, went to St. Joseph, Missouri, and bought an outfit comprising four yoke of oxen. In his party, which drove through to Denver, Colorado, there were forty-three persons, and the journey required thirty-eight days. He had been there but a few days when he bought a claim in South Park, where he remained until the fol- lowing fall. Then with three others he bought a yoke of cattle and started for New Mexico. In that state, what at that time was a sparsely settled territory, he did freight hauling between Santa Fe and Taos. He drifted into the San Juan country and was snowed in that winter. In the fall, when he was making his way into the valley, the Navajo Indians killed the toll gate keeper and his family just two days after the party had left that point. These manifestations of the hostility of the red men caused Mr. Flumerfelt and his companions to decide against remaining, and as soon as possible he returned to his old camp at South Park. The follow- ing year he hired a team and driver for twenty-five dollars to haul him to Centerville, Iowa, feeling a longing to get back to his own people. From Centerville he walked to Eddieville, Iowa, a distance of thirty miles, thence to Keokuk by rail, down the Mississippi river by steamer to Quincy in Illinois, and by rail to Toledo, Ohio, and home to Oakland county, Michigan. The fair region around Oakland never looked more attractive than to his eyes when he arrived home from the dreary vistas of alkali and sage brush and chapparel that he had endured for years. He decided then and there that the east was the better and cast about for employment.
He went to work on his father's farm on shares, and after being three years on the home place bought eighty acres for himself. He added in succession seventy-eight, then forty-four and then one hundred and thirty- seven and one half acres more. He still owns this last tract of one hun- dred and thirty-seven and one-half acres, which is in Independence town- ship, and has also two hundred and ten acres of land in Oakland township. In addition he has a fine residence in Rochester and some lots at High- land Park.
Mr. Flumerfelt was born in Oakland township, on September 7. 1838, being a son of William and Esther ( Pittinger) Flumerfelt, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. His father was a contractor and builder until he came to Michigan in 1834, locating in Oakland township. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land and added to this until he had six hundred acres. At the time of his death he was the possessor of five hundred acres. He died in 1884, and his wife followed in 1897. There were nine children in their family : Rebecca and William C., who are both
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deceased; George M., the subject of this sketch; Margaret, wife of James J. Frost, of Lansing, Michigan; Charlotte, widow of George Green, of Albion, Michigan ; Samuel A., Louis C., Abi and Serepta, all of whom are deceased, the last two dying in infancy.
Mr. Flumerfelt attended the district schools and for one year went to high school, and then engaged in work on the farm. He went to Ohio to farm when he was twenty-one, and the following year departed on his extensive western trip. He married Rebecca Cummins on May 10, 1864, and she died in 1890. Their children were four in number : Charles A., deceased; Lizzie, wife of Clark J. Christman, of Alpine, Michigan; Wil- liam H., of Wyandotte, Michigan; and Walter G., of Detroit, the latter being a machinist. For his second wife Mr. Flumerfelt chose Clara E. Crissman, a daughter of Charles and Laura (Parish) Crissman. They were married on October 19, 1892. Mr. Crissman was a native of New Jersey, while his wife was from New York. They came to Michigan in 1832, locating in McComb county, where he followed farming all his life. He died in 1902, his wife having expired six years previously. To their union nine children were born.
George M. Flumerfelt is a Democrat politically. He has held many of the local offices. He was town clerk, was a member of the village board for twelve years, and member of the school board. He was president of the State Savings Bank, then invested with the National Bank, and is a director of the latter. He affiliates with the Methodist church and be- longs to the Masonic order and its auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Flumerfelt also belongs to the Eastern Star and was chap- lain of her chapter for a number of years.
ALBERT A. NELSON. One of the fine farming properties of Oakland county is that owned by Albert A. Nelson, a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state and recognized as a progressive and capable agriculturist of Pontiac township. He is devoting his attention to farming and stockraising, and such is his position in the community that he is well worthy of representation. Mr. Nelson is descended of Revolutionary stock, and was born in Avon township, Oakland county, Michigan, August 23, 1856, a son of George C. and Lydia J. (Beagle) Nel- son, natives of Herkimer county, New York.
George C. Nelson came to Michigan at the age of fourteen years, and in his youth learned the trades of carpenter and millwright. Locat- ing in Rochester with his father, he had the contract for building the first lock on the canal, but subsequently took up farming and owned a tract of fifty acres in Avon township, although he continued to devote a large part of his time to working at his trades. His death occurred in 1881, his wife passing away in 1899, and they were the parents of nine children, as follows: Abel Jay, who died at the age of twenty years; Augusta A., wife of William Wilkinson, of Spring Arbor, Michigan; Ella E., who died at the age of fifteen years; Albert A .; William M., residing in Arkansas; Ada M., wife of William Hoffman, of Pontiac; and three children who died in infancy.
Albert A. Nelson secured educational advantages such as were to be obtained in the district schools during his youth. On starting out to make his own way in the world he went to Kansas and bought eighty acres near Junction City, in Davis county, but after about nine years returned to Oakland county. On his return he worked for a time at
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the trade of mason, which he had learned in his youth, and subsequently traveled for about five years in the employ of a Chicago installment house. However, the call of the soil was too strong, and he returned to Oakland county and took up twenty acres of land, on which he was engaged in gardening up to 1904. In that year he purchased ninety acres in sections 2 and 3, Pontiac township, and here has since car- ried on farming, stock raising and dairying, attaining definite success through his well-directed endeavors. A stalwart Prohibitionist, Mr. Nelson has served as justice of the peace and pathmaster, and his sig- nal services in this office have well merited the esteem and confidence in which he is universally held by his fellow citizens. With his family he attends the Central Methodist Episcopal church.
On December 22, 1880, Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Carrie D. Hunt, daughter of Lucian and Helen Maria (Beagle) Hunt, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Romeo, Michigan. On first coming to this state Mr. Hunt resided near Romeo, where he followed the vocation of painter, but subsequently removed to Avon township, and from there enlisted in the Civil war, his death occurring in Ander- sonville Prison while he was a prisoner in the hands of the Confeder- ates. His widow survived him until June 18, 1911. They had three children : Adolphus, who died in childhood; Mrs. Nelson; and Lucian, living in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have had two children: Elmer B., who married November 20, 1907, Nora E. Looney, she dying De- cember 30, 1909, and leaving one child, Marion Alice, born October 3, 1909; and Winnifred, who died December 20, 1909, was the wife of Ray Berridge, by whom she had two children, Harold R., born Octo- ber 15, 1906, and Valmore Burton, born October 7, 1908. All three grandchildren live with their grandparents. Mr. Nelson has always been deeply interested in educational, moral and civil affairs, which tend to elevate and improve the community, and has given liberally of his time and substance for their advancement.
MORTIMER WILCOX. A firm belief in the wisdom of following agri- culture, the oldest of all callings, brought long life and prosperity to Mortimer Wilcox, who passed away on December 12, 1910, at the age of seventy-three, leaving a splendid farm of 250 acres as a permanent memorial to his industry, frugality and determination. He was born in Oakland county, September 12, 1837, a son of Peter and Hannah. (Ransford) Wilcox, both of whom were natives of New York. They came to Michigan in 1830, Mr. Wilcox being a miller by trade. Both died in Michigan, and of their six children only two are now living. These are the youngest: Ralph, of Utica, Michigan, and Mary, wife of Ira Chapman, of Utica. Their first born, who are now deceased, were: Augusta, Edward, Mortimer and Ransford.
Mortimer Wilcox chose for his wife Charlotte Elizabeth Hadley, who was a descendant of eastern stock, her father, Jacob Hadley, being from New Hampshire, and her mother, Mary Ann Axford Hadley, from New Jersey. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox was sol- emnized on January 1, 1861, by Rev. Nickobecker. Two daughters came to gladden their home: Mellie Velin, who married Cass M. West- brook and is now deceased, and Helen Augusta, wife of Thomas E. Dryden, of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
At the age of twenty-three Mr. Wilcox, well versed in farming,
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went to Maple Rapids, Michigan, where he bought a farm and remained for two years. He then returned to Oakland county and bought eighty acres in Avon township, to which he added from time to time until at his death it was more than three times in extent the bounds originally outlined. Mr. Wilcox was a Republican in his political affiliation and was a Universalist in his religious belief, Mrs. Wilcox being also a parish member of same church. He was a conscientious, quiet-dispo- sitioned and thoroughly reliable citizen.
WILLIAM Fox. Like several others of the substantial citizens of this region, William Fox, of Rural Route No. 2, Rochester, Michigan, is a native of the good old Keystone state. His parents, Christopher and Polly (Ross) Fox, were also natives of Pennsylvania and were liv- ing in Northampton county in that state when William Fox was born, on February 17, 1851.
Christopher Fox was a blacksmith, but he wisely saw the possibili- ties in Michigan land. In the 'sixties he came with his family to Oak- land county, where he began to acquire property. So successful was he that when he did, in 1886, he left to his sons more than a half section of land; he was at the time one of the wealthiest men in the county. Mrs. Fox died in 1892 and was survived by her sons, James Fox, of Avon township; George, of Rochester; and William, the subject of this review.
William Fox remained with his father as long as the latter lived. The subject then settled upon the one hundred and fifteen acres which comprised his share of the parental estate. With his wife and his grow- ing family he continued to occupy it, with profitable results of his labor and with surroundings conducive to contentment. Mrs. Fox was a daughter of Albert and Eliza (Snell) Lawson, who came to Michigan in 1828 and took up government land, making their home in Oakland county. They were the parents of one son and two daughters The former, Marshall Lawson, is now with his brother-in-law and sis- ter, Mr. and Mrs. Fox; Ettie L., the eldest daughter, is Mrs. Fox, the wife of the subject of this sketch; and Amanda S. is Mrs. John Essig, of Detroit. The marriage of William Fox and Ettie Lawson took place on February 21, 1877, and the ensuing years have seen two daugh- ters added to their home. They were named Helen and Ruth, and since completing their education have continued to reside with their parents.
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