USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume II > Part 19
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In 1886 he started westward, coming to Michigan, a state full of possibilities for a young man of energy and ability. Locating in Ty- rone township, Livingston county, Mr. Burns worked as a farm la- borer by the month for eleven years, receiving good wages for those times. Prudent in his expenditures and wise in his savings, he ac- cumulated considerable money, and in 1897 invested it in land, buying a farm in Tyrone township, going in debt to some extent. After doing some work on the place he sold a part of it, and in 1899 purchased his present home property of one hundred and twenty acres in Rose town- ship. Here he is carrying on general farming with most gratifying results, his land being under a good state of cultivation and yielding abundant harvests each year. Mr. Burns also retained one hundred and twenty acres of his land in Tyrone township, Livingston county, and operates both farms, which are only one and one-half miles a part. Although not a stock raiser, he sometimes feeds cattle, confining himself principally, however, to the tilling of the soil. This industry he finds quite profitable as well as pleasant, having paid off all of his indebted- ness and started a good bank account.
Mr. Burns supports the principles of the Democratic party at the polls, but is not a politician in any sense of the term. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Fenton. Having never married, he is free from domestic trials and tribulations.
JACOB H. SMITH, a retired farmer of section 7, White Lake town- ship, Oakland county. Michigan, is a well known and respected citizen of his community. He has lived in this neighborhood for nearly thirty years, and has always been well liked by his neighbors. They have invariably found him ready to aid in any laudable undertaking for the good of the district.
Mr. Smith was born in Plymouth, Wayne county, Michigan, on De- cember 22, 1849. the son of Benjamin and Abigail (Sargent) Smith, both natives of New York. Mr. Smith was the youngest of his five brothers and sisters, of whom all are now dead. In the year 1850 at the time of the gold rush into California Mr. Smith, Sr., started west to make his fortune, but was taken ill with yellow fever and died on the way. Mrs. Smith then moved to Springfield township, and some time later was remarried to John Miller, of Plymouth. They had one child, Libby, who is now the wife of Will O'Neill, of Andersonville, Michigan.
All three of Jacob's older brothers enlisted in the army to fight in the Civil war, and Jacob attempted to join them but was prevented on account of his youth. When he was sixteen years old his mother died, so that he was thrown on his own resources. He worked out until his marriage took place, on March 14, 1884. to Phoebe Bush. of Highland township. He then rented a farm in White Lake, remain- ing on it for five years. He then went back to Highland township, where he farmed for the next nine years, after which he bought a farm
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in White Lake township, where he has lived ever since. His wife died February 14, 1909, and on the next January he lost his home by fire.
Although Mr. and Mrs. Smith had no children of their own they raised Lenora Spicer from childhood, taking her when she was only eleven years old. She is now a talented musician and expects to be- come a music teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have always attended the White Lake Presbyterian church. Mr. Smith is a Democrat. He now owns 215 acres of land of an original 220.
WAITE BROTHERS. The wide-awake, enterprising and progressive city of Pontiac, Michigan, whose population has shown a more than forty per cent. increase within the last ten years, has many merchants and other business men of which any community might be proud. They represent the best features of present-day business methods in this country, and these involve readiness for all requirements of their trade, strict integrity in every transaction, and thorough knowledge of the business in hand in every way. Among the up-to-date firms that dignify and adorn the business life of the city and give it character and standing in the business world throughout a large extent of country outside, that of Waite Brothers is in the front rank. These gentlemen are leading dry goods merchants in Pontiac, and have been engaged in their present undertaking since 1896, when they bought the establishment and business from J. S. Stockwell, who founded the house in 1881 and conducted it to the time he sold it to them.
The firm is composed of Elwin Livingston and Lester Edwin Waite, twin brothers whose signatures are Elwin L. and L. Edwin Waite, signa- tures well known in business circles in and out of Pontiac, and always good for the face value to whatever they are attached. The father of these brothers, Brockholst Livingston Waite, was a native of New York state. For a number of years he was engaged in the lumber business at Glens Falls in that state, but being quick to seize upon any opportunity that presented itself for profitable investment, he also took a hand in various other enterprises widely different in character.
The elder Mr. Waite came to Michigan from his native state about thirty years ago and located in Oxford township, Oakland county, where he operated a grist mill for a number of years. While living in the state of New York he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah W. Kathan, who was born near Conklingville in that state on December 25, 1830. She is now a resident of Pontiac, but the father died on December 7, 1908. For twelve or thirteen years prior to his death he lived retired from business in Pontiac, and for sometime previous to locating in Pontiac he dwelt in Detroit.
It was while the father was working out a big lumber tract which he owned in Lakefield, province of Ontario, Canada, that the twins compris- ing the firm of Waite Brothers were born, their lives beginning on October IO, 1866. They were next to the last of the eight children born to their parents, six of whom are living. The one younger than the twins is their brother Fred A. Waite, a resident of Pontiac, and the others who are living are: Inez, the wife of C. A. Watson, of Chicago; Emma W., the wife of A. L. Stoddard, of Pontiac; and Carrie B., the wife of I. M. Proctor, of Petaluma, California.
The twin brothers attended the district schools of Oxford, where they
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finished the course of instruction those schools had to offer, and then filled clerical positions, for a time in Oxford and afterward in Detroit, thus gaining their first experience in business life. In 1896, as has been noted, they bought their present business from J. S. Stockwell, who established it in 1881. At the time of their purchase of it the annual sales in the business amounted to about forty thousand dollars. That was sixteen years ago, and since then the volume of their sales has kept pace with the growth of Pontiac, and has expanded to very large proportions. This gratifying result is the logical sequence of the methods employed in conducting their trade. They are always alert to know and diligent in providing for the requirements of their patrons, and keeping their stock up to the last turn of the markets in every line. Their store is known throughout the city and county as a place where the latest and best products the money asked for them can buy anywhere are always to be found, and where a square deal in every particular is to be relied on. In addition to an extensive stock of dry goods and notions they also carry a 'choice and popular line of ladies' ready-made garments.
Elwin Livingston Waite, who is unmarried, makes his home with his mother. His brother, Lester Edwin Waite, was married in Petaluma, California, on September 1, 1897, to Miss Ada E. Brown. They have two children, their daughters Esther and Wilma, both now attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Waite are members of the Episcopal church. Elwin L. Waite attends the Baptist church. He is a member of the Masonic order in Lodge, Chapter and Comandery, and also belongs to the order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. L. Edwin Waite is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Order of Elks. The brothers are Republicans in their political faith, but they are too deeply immured in business to either be active partisans or desire public offices of any kind. The people of Pontiac and Oakland county look upon them as among the most enter- prising and progressive business men and the most elevated and represen- tative citizens of this part of the state, and they are well worthy of the estimation in which they are held.
JUDSON A. FREDENBURGII. In its lawyers, Oakland county, Michigan, has a bulwark of strength against oppression by the unjust and in the protection of their guaranteed constitutional rights-a strength that is sup- plemented by some of the brightest intellects of Pontiac, the home of a number of brilliant members of the bar. Among those worthy of special mention in this work is the eminent gentleman whose name stands at the head of this condensed biographical sketch, Judson A. Fredenburgh, who now holds the office of probate clerk, and who is pleasantly known both by profession and laity for his vigorous intellect, keen wit and wide informa- tion.
Mr. Fredenburgh was born in Ontario, Canada, on October 19, 1865, the son of Charles B. and Mary ( Bingleman) Fredenburgh, both natives of Canada, but both of German descent. Those splendid traits, character- istic of the Teutonic nature, are, in truth, apparent in the subject, having been transmitted to him as a valuable legacy from his grandsires. Both of his parents survive and now make their home in the Dominion of Canada. The father has been a farmer throughout his life, but is now living retired, enjoying in leisure the fruits of his former industry and thrift. Mr. Fredenburgh of this review is one of a family of six children, as follows: Sarah, wife of Alfred A. Meadows, of Ontario, Canada; William, a citi-
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zen of Ontario; Rev. C. Truman, living in Leipsic, Ohio; the subject ; Hattie, wife of Richard Sanders of Ontario;and Evan B., also of that city
Mr. Fredenburgh was reared among the rural surroundings of his father's farm and remained beneath the parental roof-tree until the attain- ment of his majority. He received his preliminary education in the schools in the vicinity of his father's homestead and when he went forth like the proverbial hero of romance "to seek his fortunes" he made Buffa- lo the goal of his ambitions. After reaching that city he was for a twelve- month employed in the street car service, and at the end of that time returned to Ontario, where he attended high school for a year. He then taught school for two years, and ensuing upon his pedagogical work, attended college at Goderich, Ontario.
Upon finishing his studies at that institution of learning, Mr. Freden- burgh returned to Buffalo, where he remained for a year and following that came to Pontiac, where he entered the law office of J. E. Sawyer. This was in the year 1895, and he has remained throughout the ensuing period of seventeen years within the borders of this thriving little city. In April, 1899, he was admitted to the bar and his career has been most successful. In 1902 his abilities received a recognition in his election to the circuit court commission, with which office he continued identified for two terms. In January, 1909, he was appointed probate clerk and holds the office at the present time. His career and position illustrate most happily for the purposes of this work the fact that if a young man possesses the proper attributes of mind and heart, he can unaided attain to a position of unmistakable precedence and gain for himself an honored position among the men who are the foremost factors in shaping the destinies of cities, communities and states.
On November 8, 1900, Mr. Fredenburg was married to Anna M. Wertz. Mr. Fredenburgh is prominent in Masonry, being a member of Oakland Chapter and a past master of Pontiac Lodge, No. 21. His religious conviction is that of the Disciple church.
HENRY CARTER. Although born and reared to the age of seven- teen on a large farm and trained to its work and management, Henry Carter, of Pontiac, where he is generally and favorably known, has never followed the occupation of his ancestors for many generations since tak- ing up the struggle for advancement among men on his own account. He is a native of England, where his life began on June 17, 1820, and where his parents, George and Alice (Hopper) Carter, were also born and reared, and where their forefathers lived and labored as tillers of the soil for many generations. The father at one time owned and cultivated 700 acres of land, living on and working it for forty years. The par- ents both died in England. They had four children: Henry, George, Fannie and John and all are now deceased with the exception of Henry. Being an extensive landholder, the father was necessarily a man of con- sequence in his neighborhood and had considerable influence in public affairs. He was also a man of intelligence and breadth of view, as en- terprising and progressive in his farming as he was in reference to all other interests.
His son Henry left the farm when he was but seventeen years old and turned his attention to railroading. In 1854, when he was thirty-four years of age, he immigrated to Canada, where he lived four years. He
Hesszu Carter Signed at the age of 93 yrs
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then crossed the line to Detroit in this state and took charge of what was then known as the Pontiac Railroad, and which, at that time, used wooden rails. It is now a part of the great Grand Trunk System, and is doubtless as well equipped with rails and rolling stock and all the other requirements for modern railroad transportation as any other part of the enormous enterprise to which it belongs.
Mr. Carter was engaged in railroad work for thirty years. At the end of that period he quit that line of endeavor and during the next four years kept a hotel in Pontiac. Finding a better opening in the roofing business, he gave up the hotel and began operations in the new industry, and in this he has been very successful, having been employed to gravel-roof nearly all of the business houses on the main street of Pontiac and many in other places. Recently, in about 1909, he gave to a niece a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres in Oakland county.
Although his life has been a somewhat migratory and always a busy one, Mr. Carter has always found time and made opportunity to take part in local public affairs in an energetic and serviceable way, for where- ever he has lived he has felt a deep and abiding interest in the welfare of his locality, and been zealous in helping to promote it. His political faith and support are given to the Democratic party, and he is loyal to it in feeling and serviceable in work. Fraternally he is a Free Mason and in church connection an Episcopalian.
Mr. Carter has worked industriously and lived frugally all his life to the present time, and he has made his industry and frugality tell to his advantage. He owns his own home and some vacant lots and other property in Pontiac, and his business continues prosperous and profit- able. He is a man of genuine worth in all the relations of life, faith- ful to every duty as an American citizen, as loyal to the land of his adoption as he ever could have been to that of his birth, and a credit to the city, county and state in which he lives, as he would be to any com- munity. He is well known throughout Oakland and the adjoining counties, and in all places where the people have knowledge of him he is well esteemed as a sterling man and very desirable citizen.
WILSON W. BAKER. An active, ever busy man, full of life and energy, Wilson W. Baker is recognized as one of the foremost business men of Clyde, in addition to owning and managing a general hardware establish- ment being an extensive dealer in farm produce. A son of Anson W. Baker, he was born January 12, 1860, in Highland township, Oakland county, of honored pioneer ancestry.
Royal Baker, his paternal grandfather, came from Yates county, New York, to Oakland county, Michigan, in 1836, in territorial days. Settling in Highland township, he took up a tract of wild land in section eighteen, cleared and improved a farm, and lived to see the country roundabout well settled. He was quite successful in life, acquiring title to large tracts of land ere his death, which occurred on his homestead. His son, William Baker, of Grand Rapids, is the only one of his family now living.
Born at Penn Yan, New York, in 1824, Anson W. Baker was twelve years old when he came with his parents to Oakland county, and on the home farm, which was located three miles west of Clyde, grew to manhood. In his boyhood days schoolhouses, churches and costly residences were here unknown; and neither railways nor telegraph or telephone lines spanned these broad acres, few, if any, evidences of modern civilization
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then existing. One of four brothers to inherit the parental homestead, he received as his share one hundred and twenty acres of timbered land, which he converted into a productive farm. Selling that, he subsequently bought out one of his brothers, becoming owner of that part of the old farm on which the house stood. He built a new house, added to the improvements previously begun, and there engaged in tilling the soil for many years. When ready to retire from active pursuits he removed to Clyde, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-six years. He married Julia A. Cowles, who is still living in Clyde, being now seventy-six years old. She has two sons, namely : Wilson W., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned; and Winford L., of Los Angeles, California. The latter has been a railroad man all of his life, having formerly been associated with the Pere Marquette road, with office either in Detroit or Saginaw, and now being chief clerk for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company.
Reared to agricultural pursuits, Wilson W. Baker began life for him- self as a tiller of the soil, buying a part of the old Baker homestead, which he managed successfully until 1893, when he embarked in the grain busi- ness at Clyde, buying out Willoughby & Wallace. Building a new elevator, Mr. Baker built up a substantial trade as a dealer in grain and farm produce, continuing until 1901, when he disposed of his elevator. He has since confined his operations to the trading in farm produce, some seasons shipping as many as ninety car loads of potatoes, in 1911, however, handling but sixty cars of potatoes. During his entire residence in Clyde, Mr. Baker has also been engaged in mercantile pursuits of a different na- ture, handling hardware of all kinds, agricultural implements, wire fenc- ing and farmers' supplies of every description, his trade along this line being large and lucrative. For two years he likewise kept a general store in Clyde, his business operations having been varied. Although his busi- ness interests occupy the greater part of his time Mr. Baker occasionally visits his cottage at White Lake, where he takes much pleasure in fishing, and for the past thirteen years he has visited Northern Michigan each fall on a hunting expedition, and has in his house many trophies which tell of the good success he had on his trips.
True to the political faith of his ancestors, Mr. Baker is a Republican. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, in which he has taken the Knights Templar degrees; of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs, and has also served as a delegate to the Grand Lodge; and of the Woodmen of the World.
Mr. Baker has been twice married. He married first, October 24, 1882, Bertha Clark, of Livingston county. She died in 1900, leaving three chil- dren, namely : Raymond C., engaged in business at Salem, Oregon ; Earl W., a professional ball player, belonging to the Louisville team, American Association ; and Celia M., living at home. Mr. Baker married, second, July 3, 1901, Miss Edith Gordon, who was born in Oakland county, a daughter of Robert Gordon, formerly of Rose township, but now residing at Holly, and they have one child, Anson R. Baker.
ALBERT E. LETTS. Having met with satisfactory success in his career both as a farmer and a merchant, Albert E. Letts, of South Lyon, Oakland county, is now living retired from active business cares, enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of toil. A son of Obed and Mary (English) Letts, he
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was born May 31, 1843, in what is now South Lyon, Oakland county, on the farm which his father purchased from the government in 1832, the deed to it being signed by Andrew Jackson, then president of the United States. His father died in August, 1847, and the widowed mother kept her little family of seven children, Mary, Caroline, Sarah, Emeline, John, Albert E. and Harriet, together for awhile, one of the daughters teaching school as soon as old enough, while the boys worked out during seed time and harvest for neighboring farmers.
As a lad Albert E. Letts received very limited educational advantages, but he was well trained in habits of industry and economy, beginning while young to earn wages as a farm hand. Falling heir to a part of the parental homestead, which is now included within the limits of South Lyon, he embarked in agricultural pursuits, and still owns the farm, which is located in section twenty-nine. Placing the land under cultivation, he made money as a tiller of the soil, and when, in 1900, he decided to try a change of occupation, Mr. Letts bought out the interests of John Webb, a dealer in coal and wood at South Lyon, and in his endeavors to build up the busi- ness, which was then in a somewhat chaotic state, being owned by several different people, made many improvements, one of his first measures having been to erect a store house capable of holding five hundred tons of coal, and there installing scales that could accurately weigh five tons of coal at a time. Here he built up a fine trade, which he conducted skilfully until his retirement from business.
In September, 1867, Mr. Letts was united in marriage with Miss Aurelia Goodspeed, of Fremont, Michigan. She was born at Brighton, Michigan, in 1843, a daughter of Jotham and Rebecca (Adams) Good- speed, natives of New York state. Mr. and Mrs. Letts have one child, Alida, who was born in 1869, and after receiving a good education taught school several terms in the township schools. On October 24, 1892, Miss Alida Letts became the wife of Robert A. McNamee, of South Lyon, where he was then station agent for the Grand Trunk Railroad Company. Mr. McNamee was afterwards chief agent at Hamburg, Michigan, and still later was both station agent and express agent at Durand Junction. At the present time he is living at Dundee, Michigan, where he is serving as agent for the T. A. A. Railroad, the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railway, and for the Wabash Railroad Company. Mr. and Mrs. McNamee are the parents of two children, namely : Robert L., born Feb- ruary 18, 1894, at Hamburg, was graduated from the Dundee high school with the class of 1912; and Harold A., born at Durand, Michigan, Decem- ber 27, 1898, is attending school in Dundee. In his political relations Mr. Letts votes without regard to party affiliations for the best man and measures. He takes great interest in public affairs, and has served as village councilman two years. Mrs. Letts is a member of the Presbyterian church
FINLEY ORDELL LAWSON. Prominent among those whose extensive operations give them prestige among their fellows in Oakland county may be mentioned Finley Ordell Lawson, of Pontiac, a buyer and shipper of live-stock, whose success in his chosen field of endeavor has come as a result of his own industry and perseverance, backed by inherent business shrewdness and ability. Although born in Pennsylvania, he can well claim Michigan as his home, for he has resided in the state since he was three years of age, and since coming here has made and
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maintained numerous friendships. Mr. Lawson was born April 1, 1853, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Alfred and Caroline Elizabeth (Rundel) Lawson, natives of the Keystone state. They came to Michigan in 1856, locating at first near Farmington, in Oakland county, the rest of Mr. Lawson's life being spent in agricultural pursuits, and his death occurring at Brighton, Livingston county, in February, 1906. By his first wife, who died in 1863, he had four children: Elvira, who is deceased; Finley Ordell; Ada Luella, the wife of C. Morgan, of Detroit ; and Caroline Elizabeth, the wife of Gregory Ackerman, of Grayling, Crawford county. Alfred Lawson was married ( second) to Miss Maria Rerick, and to them were born two children: Morgan C., who resides in Detroit; and Alfred D., who is deceased.
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