USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume II > Part 23
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Mr. Heath married Lucretia Durkee on June 12, 1879. She was a daughter of Jedediah and Rhenana (Farman) Durkee. Her father was a native of Vermont and her mother of New York state, and they came to Michigan in 1830, locating in Oakland county. They took up eighty acres of government land and by thrift and frugality added to this until their holdings reached 220 acres. On this ample estate was carried on with much success a general farming and stock raising in- dustry.
The branches of the Durkee family numbered eight. Lewis P., the eldest son, who was a jeweler in Detroit, is now deceased. Joseph A., who is now making his home in Pontiac, led a busy existence. He re- mained with his father, helping the latter, until twenty-two, clearing up by arduous toil two timbered farms and putting them in shape for cultivation. In 1869 he heard the call of the west and went to Kansas. He formed a partnership with W. H. Stout, at Ft. Scott, in the grain and implement business. Observing a wonderful opportunity in utiliz- ing the virgin prairie, he then bought 2,400 acres and commenced stock raising on a large scale. He fed yearly from 800 to 1,000 cattle, 1,000 sheep and from 1,000 to 3,000 hogs, keeping up this mammoth undertak- ing for twenty-five years. He then embarked in the coal business, min- ing and shipping this product through a large area of the west. He followed this line for ten years. In July, 1889, his wife died, and he came to Pontiac, since which time he has been making his home with a sister of the subject of this sketch. His wife was before her mar- riage Louisa Stickney. She was a native of New York. He took for his second wife Clarena E. Brown, who died in January, 1908.
The third member of the Durkee family was Calista G., who became the wife of Asahel Heath, of Detroit, and is now deceased. Cloe P., who married Lester Coonley, of Farmington township, and Lucy M. are also deceased. Franklin D. is living in San Francisco, California. Philo G. was killed at Chattanooga while color bearer for the Twenty- second Michigan Infantry, and Lucretia, the youngest of the eight chil- dren, is the widow of the subject of this sketch. She was born in West Bloomfield township, Oakland county. Her father was one of the pioneers of his county, taking up land from the government in West Bloomfield township. He came from Dorien, New York, to Michigan in 1830.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel W. Heath there was born one child, Mae, wife of David G. Moreland, of Pontiac. Mrs. Heath holds membership in the Presbyterian church. In his political preferences Mr. Health was a republican.
PERRY J. JENNINGS. This valued citizen of Pontiac who is now, at the age of seventy-two, living retired in that city after a long, busy and successful career as a farmer and live stock man, is a native of Oakland county, and was born in the village of Troy on March 20, 1840. In that
t
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township he was reared and educated. There also he acquired his knowl- edge of farming, the occupation he followed through all the years of his activity, and there he put in practice on his own farm the knowledge he acquired on that of his parents, as well as applying it to the cultivation of the latter for a time. He is therefore wholly a product of Oakland county, and he has spent his years of labor and his strength in behalf of its improvement and progress. Mr. Jennings is the seventh son and ninth child of Ira and Polly (Johnson) Jennings, the former a native of Con- necticut, where his life began on April 7, 1797, and the latter born in the state of New York. They came to Michigan in 1822 and bought eighty acres of government land in Troy township, this county, where the father carried on general farming and live stock breeding until his death, which occurred on February 22, 1851. The mother's life ended on November II, 1879. They were the parents of ten children: Edwin, Joseph, Mary, Oscar, Sylvester, Ira, Henry, Isaac, Perry J. and Oliver. Edwin, Joseph and Oscar have been dead for a number of years, and Henry and Isaac died in childhood. Perry J., of this review, is the only one now living. His brother Edwin was a graduate of the medical department of the University at Ann Arbor. He located at Midland, Mid- land county, occupying the second house that was erected in that place. He grew with the village, town and city, remaining there actively engaged in the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred on April I, 1890. He was born on July 5, 1826, graduated in medicine in 1853, on March 30.
At the age of eleven years Perry J. Jennings lost his father, and after that he and his older brother Sylvester carried on the farming operations jointly for a number of years. His brother left the place after a time, and during the next ten years Perry managed it alone. After his marriage the farm was divided, and he farmed the other portions beside his own on shares, until he bought a house and lot in Troy and moved to that property. Soon after locating at Troy Mr. Jennings bought thirty acres of land and some little time afterward purchased an additional tract of forty acres. To this he added later eighty acres more, and on this body of 150 acres he passed his time and expended his efforts until 1902, when he retired from active pursuits and took up his residence in Pontiac. In that city he has a fine residence and owns in addition three other houses and lots, all valuable properties.
On October 31, 1863, Mr. Jennings was married to Miss Lucy Butler, who was born on April 27, 1841, and is a daughter of Alva and Hulda (Bissell) Butler, natives of Vermont, where the father was born on January 19, 1798, and the mother, on July 19, 1798. They were married April 4, 1825. After coming to Michigan they bought eighty acres of land in Troy township, where the father was engaged in farming during the remainder of his life. The mother died on August 10, 1880, and the father on April 10, 1882. They had eight children, all of whom are dead but Mrs. Jennings. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings have three children : Belle, who is the wife of Charles Aspenwall, of Troy; Edwin, who is also a resident of Troy township ; and Gertrude, who was a school teacher in the far West and who married Hugh Hayden of Portland, Oregon.
Mr. Jennings is independent in politics, was a school official while liv- ing on the farm and also served for some years as constable. He is a Free-Mason in fraternal relations and a Methodist in church connection. He has always taken a cordial and helpful interest in the affairs of his
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township and county and had done whatever he could to promote their welfare and the good of their residents, being public-spirited and pro- gressive, and having at all times an intense local patriotism. The people of Oakland county regard him as one of their useful and representative citizens, and esteem him highly as a good man and a one-time very forceful factor among them.
ANDREW A. GARNER. After the strenuous endeavor of a busy, useful career, Andrew A. Garner retired a few years ago and is now living at ease in Pontiac, enjoying his handsome residence on Oakland avenue and its beautiful surroundings. Mr. and Mrs. Garner are from two of the largest relationships in Oakland county. His parents had ten children and Mrs. Garner's father had twenty children in his family.
Andrew A. Garner was born in White Lake township, Oakland county, September 23, 1843, a son of Robert and Mary E. (Armstrong) Garner. Robert Garner was born September 2, 1810, and died August 15, 1903, at the advanced age of 93 years. His wife, Mary Armstrong Garner, was born on July 21, 1816, and died April 30, 1894. Their marriage was solemnized on May 21, 1833. Both were natives of New York, being reared in Steuben county of that state, and they came to Michigan in the early days. To their union were born ten children : Margaret, Jane, Mary and Mary Jane, who are now all deceased; Lavina, wife of Isaac C. Mills, of Canada ; Martha, wife of James Pepper, of Oakland county ; Ann, who died in childhood; A. A., the subject of this sketch; Charles and Clara, who are both deceased.
A. A. Garner remained at home, and in token of his services his father gave him eighty acres of land, which he worked for two years prior to his marriage. Subsequently he remained on this tract for seven years, then took charge of the home place of 346 acres. After running both farms for a few years he sold his eighty acres and devoted his entire time to the home place. At his father's death it was found that the senior Garner had deeded the farm to him outright. He still owns 246 acres of the old place.
. During his years of activity Mr. Garner followed general farming and stock raising. He also operated a threshing outfit for fifteen years. He is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Maccabees. When he retired to Pontiac in 1908 his youngest son took charge of the farm and is conducting it with the same evidences of success that characterized the works of his father,
On May 19, 1869, Mr. Garner was married to Clarinda P. Kelley, a daughter of Asa L. and Louise M. (Austin) Kelley, who were natives of New York and married October 29, 1840. They located in Bloomfield township, where Mr. Kelley followed farming all his life. He was born on July 11, 1818 and died August 9, 1887. His wife, Louise, was born March 9, 1825, and died on September 1, 1863. To their union there were born ten children, as follows: Harriett, wife of Edward Giddings, of Buhla, Michigan; Jason, of Juanita, Michigan; Clarinda, who married A. A. Garner; Lydia, wife of Orlando Mills, of Clarkston, Michigan; Mahalia, who is deceased; Charlotte, wife of Isaac Terry, of Pontiac; Louisa, and Paulina, deceased; Asa, of Clarkston, Michigan; and Theo- dore, who is deceased. Mr. Kelley had for his first wife Arminta Peck, who is now deceased. They were married in Pontiac and there was born to them one son, Frank, who died at the age of three years and seven
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months. For his third wife he married Fannie Rich in January, 1864. They had nine children: Frank and Alma, deceased; Daniel, of Holly township; Louisa, wife of Leroy Garner, of White Lake; Armettie, deceased; Artie of Detroit; Alta, who is a twin of Artie and who is deceased; Minnie and Mattie, also twins. Minnie is the wife of George Morris, of Bay City, Michigan, and Mattie married O. Valentine. Their mother is still living in Bay City.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Garner has been blessed with five children : Minnie, who married George Kennedy, of Windsor, Canada, on August 11, 1898, just four days after her birthday anniversary. She was born August 7, 1870. Mattie was born August 30, 1872, and on November 6, 1901, married Augustaff Brandt, being now a resident of Pasadena, California. Mary E., who was born December 18, 1876, became the wife of James Perry, of Detroit, on August 11, 1898; also the wedding day of her sister; Robert, who lives in Bay city, Michigan, was born September 9, 1878, and married Edna Richmond June 2, 1902, Andrew A., Jr., born September 21, 1886, and now residing at White Lake, married Catherine Wiggins on August 19, 1908.
JAMES S. DAVIS. This esteemed retired farmer of Oakland county and resident of Pontiac, who is now past seventy years of age, was born in this county on April 11, 1842, and has passed the whole of his life to this time (1912) within its borders. He has taken an active part in its industries, aided in the maintenance and development of its civil, educa- tional and religious institutions, helped to promote its material progress, and in every way available to him contributed to its substantial and endur- ing welfare and that of its people for more than half a century, and the whole population of the county holds him in high esteem for his genuine worth as a man and the long and valuable service he has rendered to this part of the state.
Mr. Davis is a son of Arthur and Emily (Green) Davis, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of the state of Maryland. The father was born on October 5, 1812, and died on September 17, 1880. The mother passed away in October, 1881. The father was a farmer all his life, although he frequently engaged in other pursuits for a time. He was brought to the United States when he was but seven years old and located with his parents near Newburg, New York, where he lived for thir- teen years and obtained his education, attending the public schools for the purpose.
In May, 1833, he came to Michigan and Oakland county, and took up his residence on what is known as the George Beardsley farm. Later in the same year he bought the place called the Thomas Carren farm of 160 acres, in Independence township. For a few months in 1836 he clerked in the grocery store of Benjamin Irish, but in October of that year he was married and returned to his farm. Within a short time after this he was appointed by Governor S. S. Mason to assess and collect the tax levied on account of the Toledo war, his territory being four townships in this county ; and in the spring of 1837 he was also elected a justice of the peace. His work as assessor and collector of the Toledo war tax occupied two years, and in performing his work journeyed over his territory on foot. When he completed this work he resumed his farming operations, and in 1845 moved to Clarkston, this county, and built the foundry and machine shop at that place. In 1850 he changed his residence to Southfield, and was
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again elected a justice of the peace. While holding this office he was elected sheriff of the county in 1852, and at the end of his term in 1854 was re-elected, in both cases being the candidate of the Democratic party. In 1857 he located on a farm he had bought on the Pontiac and Rochester road, on which he resided nine years and carried on extensive farming operations with success and profit.
By this time he had grown tired of the monotony of farm life and de- sired something more stirring in the way of occupation. So, in 1866, he moved to Pontiac, where he was engaged in the lumber business for three years. During our sanguinary Civil war he was recruiting officer for Avon township, and by his influence aided greatly in swelling the ranks of the Union's defenders from this part of Michigan, in this work, as in every- thing else he ever undertook, being true to the highest sense of duty and alive with energy and zeal in performing what he had to do.
The elder Mr. Davis and his wife were the parents of eleven children : Hamilton, who was killed in the Civil war; William, Eugene, George, Rowland and John, who have died; Arthur, who is living in Orion village, this county ; James S., the immediate subject of this writing; Francis, whose home is in Portland, Oregon; William, who resides at Waterville, state of Washington; and Emma, who is the wife of William Knapp, of Portland, in the state of Oregon.
James S. Davis remained at home with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-five years. He then bought eighty acres of land in Orion township, which he cultivated from 1869 until 1908, being all the time extensively and intelligently engaged in breeding fine cattle in connection with his farming operations, Shorthorns being his specialty, and his prod- ucts attaining a high rank in the markets because of their superior qualities and general excellence.
On February 27, 1867, Mr. Davis was joined in wedlock with Miss Emily Geddings, a daughter of Albert and Clarissa (Kelly) Geddings, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of the state of New York. The father of Mrs. Davis was a farmer all his life, and passed the greater part of it in Pontiac township, this county, where he died in 1867. The mother is still living and has her home with Mr. and Mrs. Davis. Of the five children born to her parents Mrs. Davis is the only one living. Ama- rilla and George and Georgiana, twins, died a number of years ago, and Fred was killed by cars in Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had four children: Arthur, who resides in Pontiac; Edith, who is the wife of Everett English, of Pontiac; Albert, who is deceased; and Clara, who died in infancy. Mr. Davis is a Democrat in his political relations and zealously loyal and serviceable to his party. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees, and in church affiliation he is a Con- gregationalist. He has always shown himself to be warmly interested in the progress and improvement of his township and county, and has made his interest manifest in zealous and effective work for their advancement. He is sturdy and sterling in his citizenship, and the people generally esteem him highly.
GEORGE W. ALEXANDER. When the deeds of veterans are recited on Memorial Day or Independence Day at Pontiac, Michigan, and hearts beat faster as the Stars and Stripes are unfurled, the thoughts of many instinc- tively turn to the occupant of a cottage on Auburn avenue, where in peace and quiet that contrasts markedly with war's alarms George W.
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Alexander is passing his latter days. Few men have seen more strenuous service in their country's cause, and his experiences left a permanent memento, for he has been lame since the Civil war.
Green Oak, Michigan was the birthplace of Mr. Alexander, on Octo- ber 1, 1840. He was a son of Ambrose and Catherine (Emmons) Alex- ander, the former a native of Connecticut, the latter of New York. Ambrose Alexander came west in 1836, locating in Green Oak and taking up the occupation of a farmer. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Roger Alexander, was owner of the first cotton mill in Connecticut, and was literally the founder of an industry which has now grown to gigantic proportions in that commonwealth. In 1885 Mrs. Ambrose Alexander died, and her husband passed away just ten years later. Their family comprised four children, two daughters who died in infancy, the subject of this sketch and another son, Fred Alexander, of Grand Rapids.
At the age of sixteen George W. Alexander took up life's duties in earnest, his first work being the breaking up of virgin sod in Berry county, with an ox team. He then came to Orion and attended school, later embarking in mercantile lines.
Early in the great Civil war he felt the promptings of patriotism. He enlisted August 15, 1861, in Company G of the First Michigan Cav- alry. At the battle of Cold Harbor, during a desperate charge, his horse slipped and went down. The animal fell upon Mr. Alexander and the latter has been crippled ever since. He continued bravely in the service, however, and in 1865 this detachment of cavalry was ordered to Utah to fight the Indians. The long march of fifteen hundred miles over rivers, burning plains and mountains was made entirely on horseback, a fearful trip, during which men and horses suffered terribly.
The uprising was put down and in March, 1866, Mr. Alexander was mustered out at Salt Lake City. The memory of the awful march from the Atlantic coast was still too fresh in his mind to consider returning the same way, and he rode on to California by stage, landing in Sacra- mento. Thence he went to San Francisco and took steamer for the long trip around the Cape to New York, completing his journey to Michigan by rail. He engaged in mercantile pursuits in Orion for one year, and in 1868 located in Pontiac and went into the hardware business. He followed this successfully until his retirement in 1896. For forty years he has resided in the comfortable home at 110 Auburn avenue which he owns.
Mr. Alexander was married to Belle Wormley on January 25, 1870. She was a daughter of Jacob and Phoebe (Riker) Wormley. Mrs. Alexander's father came from Pennsylvania, followed farming and died in 1878. Her mother was a native of New York and died in 1897. Their union was blessed with five children-John, who is deceased; Simeon, of Big Flats, New York; Mary, deceased; Belle, wife of the subject of this sketch; and Jennie, wife of Byron Burt, of Big Flats, New York. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Alexander had one child, Charles, who is deceased. As is natural, Mr. Alexander holds membership in the G. A. R. and is proud of the organization. He is a Republican in political preference, and he and his wife are members of the Method- ist church.
DICK DEWEY. One of Oakland county's most highly esteemed and substantial citizens is that well-known gentleman, Dick Dewey, agri-
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culturist, and at the present time holding the office of commissioner of public utilities. One of the most prominent of Americans has said :. 'Our civilization rests at bottom on the wholesomeness, the attractive- ness and the completeness, as well as the prosperity of life in the country. The men and women on the farms stand for what is funda- mentally 'best and most needed in our American life." It was of the type represented by Mr. Dewey that the great statesman was speaking.
Mr. Dewey is a native son of the county, his birth having occurred within its pleasant boundaries October 7, 1867, the son of Charles E. and Sarah A. (Culver) Dewey, both natives of Michigan and both now deceased. The father passed away on April 16, 1893, while the demise of the mother occurred on August 15, 1897. Charles E. Dewey was engaged in the insurance business and also owned two hundred and twenty-four acres, which he supervised until his death. He and his wife were the parents of three children, but their two daughters, Iva May and Maud, are both deceased.
Dick Dewey received his education in the public schools and was graduated from the high school at Pontiac in the year 1889. When it came to choosing a life work, he determined to devote himself to the great basic industry and thus continued until 1900, when he rented his farm and located in Pontiac, his home since that time. He is the owner of a splendid and advantageously situated farm of two hundred and twenty-four acres in Waterford and West Bloomfield townships, which, as stated above, he rents. He has won the esteem of all with whom he came in contact and is generally recognized as of the right material to which to entrust public responsibility. On April 10, 1911, he was elected commissioner of public utilities, which office he now holds and for five years he has been supervisor of the Fourth ward of Pontiac. He has always been aligned with the champions of the best possible education and at different times has held the offices of school inspector and county truant officer and was incumbent of the position of county truant officer at the time of his election to his present office. He held the position of clerk of Waterford township for five years. He is decidedly public spirited and keeps in touch with all the questions of the day, and those measures which in his opinion look toward the achievement of the greatest good to the greatest number are sure of his support.
On December 18, 1889, Mr. Dewey was married to Miss Flora A. Fair, daughter of James and Mary (Hunt) Fair, both natives of Michi- gan, and now residents of Clarkston, Oakland county. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, is now living retired. Mrs. Dewey was one of a family of thirteen children. Of this number the first, second, third and fourth born died in infancy; George is a resident of Northville, Michigan; Fred W. makes his home in Detroit; E. Blanche is the wife of Dana W. Lamb, of Roberts, Wisconsin; the eighth is Mrs. Dewey; Martin S. is a citizen of Detroit; W. M. lives in North- ville, Michigan; James A. is of Clarkston, Michigan; Estella is the wife of Raymond Plumb, of Clarkston, Michigan; and Harry, the thir- teenth, resides in Pontiac. Mr. and Mrs. Dewey became the parents of one child, Don C., who died at birth.
Mr. Dewey is a Democrat, giving heart and hand to the men and measures of the Democratic party. He belongs to the ancient and august Masonic order, being a Royal Arch Mason and belonging to the council, and he is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.
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EDWARD H. HALSEY. An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition for themselves in the business world and as good citizens, and at the same time have honored the locality to which they belong, would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of the one whose name forms the caption of this sketch. Mr. Hasley was promiment in business circles as the secretary of the Pontiac Commercial Association from April, 1910, until December 1, 1911, when he resigned to accept the position of steward of the Pontiac State Hospital. He is also identified with the affairs of the Michigan Printing Company. He is a prominent Demo- crat and held efficiently the office of city clerk during the year 1893.
Edward H. Halsey was born in Leslie, Ingham county, Michigan, May II, 1870. He is the son of Charles H. and Althea (Aldrich) Hal- sey, both natives of the Wolverine state, and both now living in Pontiac, where they enjoy universal esteem. The father is identified with the Grand Trunk Railroad in the capacity of conductor and has been with this great corporation for a matter of eighteen years. He was pre- viously engaged in the mercantile business. In their family there were two children, the subject's sister, Blanche N., being the wife of Benedett L. Brown, of Pontiac.
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