USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume II > Part 22
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Mr. McGaffey received his earlier education in the public schools of Holly and was about eighteen years of age at the time of his re- moval to this city, where he has for the most part resided ever since. In a few years he embarked in the carriage making business and re-
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mained thus employed for three years and a half, when he took up the barbering business. He continued at that for a twelvemonth and then went to Birmingham, where he worked at his trade for three years. Thence he went to Oxford, where he bought out a shop and remained thus engaged until January 1, 1911, when he was made deputy register of deeds, which office he is filling at the present time.
Mr. McGaffey laid one of the chief stones in the foundation of his success by his union with Anna Belle Bell, the date of their marriage being May 15, 1902. Mrs. McGaffey is a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Hanna ) Bell, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of the state of Michigan Samuel Bell came to America in the year 1850, settled in Oakland county about 1851, and he followed the great basic industry of agriculture all his life. He passed away April 10, 1901, but the mother is still living, on the old homestead in Southfield town- ship. Mrs. McGaffey is one of the following family of eight children : Jennie, living with her mother; Wylie, a resident of Birmingham ; Robert L., of Denver, Colorado; Mrs. McGaffey ; May, at home ; How- ard, of Denver, Colorado; Ren, who is working on the home place; and Norman, at home. To the union of Mr. and Mrs McGaffey was born one child, a boy. who died in infancy. Both are earnest and helpful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are held in high es- teem in their community, their home being a hospitable and attractive one.
Mr. McGaffey is prominent in local lodge circles, his fraternal affil- iations extending to the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen. He is particularly well known among the Woodmen and was clerk of the order for six years. For three years he held the office of senior warden of the Masons. He is a tried and true Republican and in addition to his present office was township clerk for a period of five years.
JOSEPH M. DONALDSON. The annals of Oakland county can display no finer example of what may be accomplished through persistent ef- fort even in the face of almost insurmountable obstacles than that dis- played in the career of Joseph M. Donaldson, proprietor of the Home Furnishing Company, of Pontiac, and a business man whose rise has been steady and continuous until he now occupies a foremost position among those who have been the architects of their own fortunes. Mr. Donaldson was born in Oakland county, Michigan, October 29, 1863, and is a son of John and Eliza (Wilson) Donaldson, natives of Scot- land. His parents came to the United States in 1848, locating first at Baltimore, Maryland, where they remained for several years, and then came to Oakland county, Mr. Donaldson's father being engaged in farming during the remainder of his life. His death occurred in 1894. while his wife survived until 1900, and they were the parents of the following eight children: Samuel, who resides at Troy, Michigan ; Agnes, the widow of David Glenn, of Fremont, Ohio; Mary, the wife of Alexander Groves, of Troy: John, of Troy: Elizabeth, the widow of J. A. Mckibben, of Detroit; William, of Pontiac: Albert R., living in- Detroit ; and Joseph M.
The youngest of his parents' children, Joseph M. Donaldson re- mained with his father until he was seventeen years of age, assisting in the work on the home place and securing an education in the public
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schools. After leaving the parental roof he was for one year engaged in farming and then spent two years in clearing land, and eventually went to Huron county and purchased 120 acres of timbered land. When he had completed clearing his property Mr. Donaldson traded the land for a planing mill, located in Bad Axe, Michigan, and there became a successful business man and prominent citizen, acting in the capacity of city clerk and alderman for two terms each. During the ninth year of that business, however, Mr. Donaldson met with an accident in his planing mill which caused the amputation of his right leg, so he dis- posed of his interest in the business and embarked in the mercantile line. After three years spent in Bad Axe he removed to Pontiac, but soon thereafter went to Detroit, and for two years was in the house- hold furniture line. Although he met with unqualified success in De- troit, he decided that Pontiac offered a better field for his activities, and in 1902 came to Pontiac and established himself in business, found- ing the Home Furnishing Company and building a large three story brick building, 57 by 125 feet, the largest of its kind in the county, equipped with every modern appurtenance and convenience, and stocked with a line of goods strictly up to date in every way. A well-balanced business man, shrewd and capable in all his undertakings, Mr. Donald- son has won his own success in the world of business, and has the full confidence and esteem of the people of his community.
On December 1, 1886, Mr. Donaldson was married to Miss Eliza- beth W. Walter, daughter of John and Eleanor (Clark) Walter, na- tives of England, who came to Michigan at an early day and settled in Clarkston. They had a family of eight children, as follows: George B., living in South. Dakota ; Frank, of Clarkston, Michigan; Anna, wife of E. S. Bird of Groveland, Michigan; John N., of Clarkston; Eliza- beth W., wife of Mr. Donaldson : Loan J., who lives in South Dakota ; one who died in childhood ; and Nellie, the wife of Ellsworth Spooner, of Oakland county. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson, namely: Vera Eleanor ; Irene M .; Harold (who died in in- fancy), J. Glenn and William W. Mr. Donaldson is independent in his political views. He and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, in which they have numerous friends.
LAFAYETTE BOSTWICK. Although born and reared to the age of sev- enteen on a farm, Lafayette Bostwick, of Pontiac, has never followed farming on his own account. He realized early in life that his bent was of a mechanical turn, and he was wise enough to seek opportunities to give it expression in his daily occupation even during his youth. After completing his education to the extent he had the chance to se- cure in the public schools, and when he was about seventeen years old, he left the farm and became a woodworker, making doors, sash and blinds for buildings.
Mr. Bostwick was born in Oswego county, New York, on June 7, 1841. His parents, John J. and Fanny (Gains) Bostwick, were also natives of New York state, and moved to Michigan in 1850, locating in Lapeer county. There the father died in 1851, and the mother, in 1859. They had twelve children, of whom Lafayette was the last born. After leaving school he passed one year on the farm. then came to Pontiac, where he learned his trade and worked at it until 1861.
Soon after the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted in Company
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F, Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in which he served three years as sergeant of his company. He took part in the first and second battles of Bull Run, the Peninsular campaign in Virginia, the battle of Fredericksburg in that state, the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Jackson, Mississippi and Camel's Station, Tennessee, and was then marched to Knoxville, Tennessee. During the siege of that city he was wounded, and when he was again ready for service his regiment was transferred to the Army of the Potomac, in which he participated in the campaign from the Rappahannock to the North Anna river.
On July 21, 1864, Mr. Bostwick received his discharge from the army and at once returned to Pontiac. He again went to work at his trade and continued to follow it until he lost the use of his right arm in 1865. He was then obliged to seek some other occupation, but he found plenty to do that was within his power, even though he was badly crippled. And the people of Pontiac, being well advised of his effi- ciency and force of character, elected him successively constable, super- visor and city assessor. For some years he has been living retired from more active pursuits and filling the position of court crier. Fraternally he is a Freemason and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics he is a Democrat.
In April, 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza J. Cundy. Two children were born of the union: A son named George, who died at the age of twenty-two; and a daughter named Jennie, who became the wife of George Lewis, of Pontiac, and who has since died. By her marriage to Mr. Lewis she became the mother of two chil- dren: Madge B., who is the wife of Harry Turner, of Pontiac, and Fannie May, who is the wife of Raymond Day, of Pontiac.
When he was but nine years old death robbed Mr. Bostwick of his father, and when he was eighteen his mother died. He was therefore thrown on his own resources early in life, and since that time has made his own way in the world without assistance from the outside. The record he has made and the property he has accumulated are strong proofs of his foresight and force of character, and indicate the sterling quality of his manhood. He has well earned the universal esteem the people of the county have for him.
D. J. HAMMOND. The career of this solid, substantial and influen- tial citizen of Pontiac is full of suggestiveness, whether viewed from a business standpoint or from its record in the public life and progress of the region in which it has mainly been passed to the present time. It furnishes an excellent example of the adaptability and readiness for all requirements of American manhood, and shows that opportunities for advancement can be made by men for themselves if events and circumstances do not provide them. For Mr. Hammond has tried his hand at a number of different lines of endeavor, and has succeeded in them all. He has never been without a chance to employ his energy and business ability, for he has always been on the lookout for open- ings, and has always found his way to them.
Mr. Hammond was born in Oakland county, Michigan, on January 15, 1841. His parents were David and Eleanor ( Voorheis) Hammond, the former a native of New York state and the latter of New Haven, Connecticut. The father purchased 160 acres of government land in Oakland county. Michigan, in 1825. The original deed, or govern-
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ment patent, for this land is still in the possession of Mr. Hammond of this sketch, and was signed by John Quincy Adams as president of the United States. Two years after making his purchase the father came to this county and located on his land. He occupied, improved and cultivated it for a number of years, then sold it and moved to Flint, Genesee county, where he died on July 10, 1883, having outlived by more than twenty years the mother, who passed away on Septem- ber 13, 1863. They were the parents of seven children, only three of whom are living : Susan A., who was born on July 18, 1835, and is now the widow of Alfred E. Howell, who died at Nashville, Tennessee, while in the service of his country ; D. J., the immediate subject of this brief review ; and Jacob I., who was born on September 16, 1846, and is now a resident of Flint in this state. The children who died were: Sarah E., whose life began on March 22, 1828, and ended on Novem- ber 12, 1905, and who was the wife of Amasa Morse, of this county ; I. N. and Newell, twins, the latter of whom died in childhood and the former on September 23, 1905, and who were born on April 28, 1831 ; and Oscar F., who was born on January 3, 1837, and died on Novem- ber 25, 1860.
D. J. Hammond began the battle of life for himself at the age of nineteen. He was variously employed for two years from that age, then started a general farming enterprise in partnership with another young man. At the end of the first year he bought his partner out and took entire charge of the farm of 234 acres himself, conducting its work under his sole management for three years. Toward the end of the Civil war he was drafted into the service, but sent a substitute to serve in his place. Later, however, he enlisted in Company K, Twenty- second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and when this regiment was dis- charged he went into the Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry, in which he remained until the war closed and the regiment was mustered out of the army.
After his return from the army he engaged in the oil producing busi- ness in Canada for a short time, and in 1866 came back to this county and bought eighty acres of the old family homestead. He remained on the land he had bought five years, and at the end of that period moved to Pontiac and entered into a partnership with J. O. Hilton in the produce trade, with which he was connected nine years. His next business venture was in banking and real estate transactions, which oc- cupied him for ten years. Since giving that up he has been variously employed, but always with good results. In 1911 he practically retired from active pursuits, and from that time to the present he has been occupied mainly in looking after his extensive real estate possessions.
Mr. Hammond was married on October 17, 1866, to Miss Josephine M. Harper, who was born at Lodi, Michigan, July 31, 1847, a daughter of Moses D. and Nancy ( Hopkins) Harper, natives of the state of New York. They came to Michigan in the early 'thirties, and here they passed the remainder of their lives on a farm. Four children were born of their union: Nelson, who died in the Union army during the Civil war; Mrs. Hammond, who is still living; Salem D., who is a resident of Lansing, Michigan; and Arthur, who died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond have two children, their sons Ward and Frank V., both residents of Pontiac. Ward was born on June 24, 1870, and Frank V., on July 10, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond affiliate with the
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Baptist church. Mr. Hammond is a Republican and has served his ward in the city well and wisely as alderman in the city council. In 1897 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature, and in 1899 was re-elected. He has also served as a member of the city board of water commissioners. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic. Throughout Oakland county he is well and favorably known as a leading citizen, a strictly upright man of wide intelligence and public spirit, always interested in the welfare of his locality, and at all times ready to do all he can to promote it. Wherever he is known the people esteem him highly for his genuine worth, his progressive spirit, and his warm and serviceable devotion to the lasting good of his county, his state and his country.
JOSEPH H. THORPE. Although born and reared to the age of twelve years in England, the late Joseph H. Thorpe was a resident of Pontiac for twenty-eight years, and during that period fully demonstrated his interest in the city and its residents, and is well and favorably remem- bered by them as a good man, enterprising and progressive in his busi- ness and elevated and serviceable in his citizenship. He was as warmly and sincerely devoted to this country as he ever could have been to that of his birth, and his loyalty to Pontiac, Oakland county and the state of Michigan was very decided and cordial.
Mr. Thorpe's life began on December 2, 1840, in Lincolnshire, Eng- land, where his parents, Joseph and Sarah (Lake) Thorpe, were also born. The family came to the United States in 1852 and at once located in Pontiac. Here the father was a dealer in live stock and a butcher. He bought ninety acres of land within what are now the city limits, and located in the northwestern part of the municipal domain. On this land he erected a residence and occupied it with the members of his household until March, 1872, when the son Joseph, purchased the place and in the same year also purchased another place. The death of the father occurred on July 29. 1873, The mother died on December 2, of the same year. They had eleven children, of whom only one, their son Charles, the last born of the family, is living. The ten who died were: Mary Ann, William, George, Thomas, Benjamin, John, Eliza, Joseph H., Sarah and Jeremiah. The widow of Joseph now owns and lives in the old family home.
At an early age Joseph H. Thorpe engaged in the butchering business in Detroit, but after carrying it on for a few years he returned to Pon- tiac and became the buyer for the shop. He bought cattle steadily and also fed great numbers on the home farm for the custom at the Pon- tiac market kept first by his father and afterward by himself. In this way he made the business very active and at the same time more profit- able than if he had been obliged to depend on outside sources for this stock. While he conducted the meat market it was the leading one in the city and the most popular and best patronized, for the goods were always first class and the prices always just what they ought to be.
On March 6, 1872. Mr. Thorpe was married to Miss Matilda Schaef- fer, a daughter of John and Barbara (Gauss) Schaeffer, natives of Germany. Mrs. Thorpe was born in Wurtemberg in the Fatherland, October 14, 1850, and was brought to the United States by her parents in the spring of 1852. The family came over in a sailing vessel which was fifty-two days on the voyage, and as this was so extended the sup-
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ply of provisions ran low and all the passengers were put on short ra- tions. On their arrival in this country the parents located at Ann Arbor in this state. The father was a weaver by trade, but here he was in the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad for twenty-five years. Two children were born in the family: Mrs. Thorpe and her brother Henry, who is now a resident of Denver, Colorado. Mr. Schaeffer was the mother's second husband. She was first married to John P. Frank, and by that marriage she became the mother of one child, her son Phillip. Her second husband gave him the name of Philip Frank Schaeffer, and under that name he is now living and in business in Buf- falo, New York.
Joseph H. Thorpe and his wife had three children. Elizabeth was born on March 26, 1873, and is still living with her mother. She is a teacher of music and has studied in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Pontiac and three years in Europe. Fred was born on March 8, 1875, and is a machinist. Joseph H., whose life began on June 24, 1877, is engaged in the sporting goods business in Pontiac. In their several localities and occupations the children all emulate the enterprise and progressiveness of their father in business and the high character and stern sense of duty of both their parents, giving their several communities excellent examples of the best American citizenship. The father was a Democrat in pol- itical faith and allegiance and one of the most effective workers for his party in this county. His religious affiliation was with the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Thorpe is a member. At his death on the 12th of December, 1880, the people of Oakland county mourned the loss of one of their best citizens, and now they revere his memory accord- ing to the same estimate.
EDWARD FOSDICK. The universal adaptability to circumstances, which is one of the strong attributes of American manhood, is well shown in the career of Edward Fosdick, coal and wood merchant of Pontiac, and also dealer in grain and hay. Mr. Fosdick passed many years as an industrious and successful farmer, and when he grew weary of that occupation and sold his farm he turned his attention to the domain of mercantile life, in which he has been very successful and prosperous, rising to a high rank in business circles in the community in which he. conducts his energetic operations.
Mr. Fosdick was born in Bloomfield township, Oakland county, Michigan, on November 30, 1845. His parents, Alvin and Jane Ann (Adams) Fosdick, were natives of the state of New York, and were reared, educated and married in that state. There, also the first two of their children were born: Helen M., who became the wife of Jesse Windiate and is now deceased, as is also her husband, and Jay, who died in Illinois in 1892, having moved to that state in 1872, or about that time. The children of the household born in Michigan, whither the parents moved in 1843, are : William M., who died on October 11, 1911 ; Edward, the immediate subject of this review: Jerome, who is now a resident of San Francisco, where he located in October, 1911; Julius, who died in 1906; and Walter B., who is residing on the old homestead in Bloomfield township, this county.
Edward Fosdick obtained his education in the district schools of his native township, and after completing their course of instruction took up work on his father's farm, which he had assisted in cultivating from
2 . W. Heath
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boyhood. In 1867 he began farming for himself, and he remained on the farm of which he then became possessed until 1895, when he sold it and removed to Pontiac. In that city he has built a capacious, sub- stantial and attractive residence, that is fitted with every modern im- provement for the comfort of its occupants, and the furnishings of which are indicative of the refined taste of its owners. But the dwelling was not built for them alone. The home is a center of courteous and gracious hospitality, as sincere as it is bountiful, and of social life and culture of a high order, and it is a frequent resort for the numerous friends of the family. In addition to this home Mr. Fosdick invested in 160 acres of land in Pontiac township, just outside of the present building line of Pontiac. This is a most valuable holding, not only for the income now derived from it, but much more particularly for the possibilities which it affords for subdivision when the city's growth reaches its boundaries. And from the rapid strides it is now making in that direction it is easy to infer that the time for the subdivision is not far distant.
Being vigorous in health and of an active, nervous temperament, Mr. Fosdick could not content himself with doing nothing after he sold his farm. He saw in Pontiac a good opening for the lines of trade in which he is engaged, and at once took up the work with his customary enterprise and vigor. He conducts his mercantile business with the same intelligence, energy and careful attention to every detail that he exhibited in his farming operations, and it is needless to observe that he is meeting with the same success in this as he did in his former un- dertaking. He is one of the substantial men of the city, owning his own business property, as well as the other properties already mentioned, and the natural demand for the products he handles, which is stimulated to great proportions by his activity and tireless energy, keeps himself and the force he employs fully occupied.
On January 14, 1866, Mr. Fosdick was united in marriage with Miss Helen Jay Knight, a daughter of Potter and Marion (Adams) Knight, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Fosdick died on August 17, 1904, and on March 26, 1908, Mr. Fosdick married a second wife, his choice on this occasion being Miss Clara Talmage, a native of Lapeer county, Michigan. No children have been born of either union. The head of the house belongs to the Masonic order and is a Republican in his political allegiance. He has held a number of township offices, notably those of township treasurer, township supervisor and member- ship on the board of superintendents of the poor. In social circles, in the business world of the community of his home, in reference to civil and political interests, and in all the other relations of life he is held to be one of the most valuable citizens of Oakland county, and his wife shares fully in the universal esteem bestowed upon him.
D. W. HEATH. The late Daniel W. Heath, of Pontiac, and his wife, Lucretia Durkee Heath, were representatives of two widely known and highly regarded relationships which have been extensively con- nected with the growth and development of Oakland county. Mr. Heath was born near the city of Batavia in New York state, May 5, 1826, a son of Joseph and Salley Heath, both of whom were natives of New York. The senior Heath followed farming throughout his life. He and his wife were blessed with a family of eight children, all of the members now being deceased. Vol. II-11
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Daniel remained on the home place, assisting his parents in its man- agement, until he was twenty-five, when he decided to embark for him- self and chose the stock business. He bought, sold and shipped stock in large quantities, and achieved success with his enterprises. He followed the same line in Oakland county for twenty years after locat- ing here in 1860, and then retired. He built a fine home in Pontiac, where he lived until his death on April 2, 1890.
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