USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume II > Part 34
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Mr. Glaspie is a Republican in politics and has been treasurer of the village. He was treasurer of the Baptist church for over sixtor years. His only fraternal connection is with the Grand Army of the Republic, and he is proud of the fact that he was one of the organizers, or the first one to sign the charter, of Frank Powell Post G. A. R., and is now the only representative here that assisted in it organization. His religious membership is in the Baptist church.
ALMON C. WILSON is numbered among the successful agriculturalists of Oakland township, being one of the number who farm on a large scale. His place comprises two hundred and seventy acres, well situated and excellently developed. Under his expert direction it returns splendid crops and in addition is the scene of extensive live stock raising. Mr. Wilson believes in constantly improving the strain of his cattle, and the output of the farm brings correspondingly flattering prices.
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Mr. Wilson is a native of Oakland township, being born on a farm in section 16 on June 17, 1886. His father, Charles R. Wilson, now deceased, was a native of New Jersey. He located in Oakland township in 1878 and followed farming until his death on August 25, 1909. His wife was Julia Frost, a Michigan girl, who still survives. Their progeny were three in number, Ray G., of Oakland; Almon; and Eva M., who is the wife of Roy Young, of Oakland county.
On completing the high school course at Orion, Almon C. Wilson took up farming, and in 1910 bought the home place of two hundred and seventy acres. As has been mentioned he specializes in fine live- stock in addition to the usual lines of general farming. His wife was before her marriage Miss Lillian E. Knott. They were married on March 3, 1909, and she died just a year and a day later. She was a daughter of P. R. and Hetty E. (Lester) Knott, natives of Oakland county, who were the parents of two children, Lester, who is at home, and Lillian, whose untimely death was a sad blow not only to the be- reaved families but to the community which had known her happy nature. Mr. Wilson adheres to the tenets of the Republican party.
The maternal grandfather of our subject, Almon C. Frost, who is nearing four score and ten, is one of the most remarkable examples of the pioneer to be found in Michigan. This grand old man embodies in his early life the history of the westward trend that peopled the central and lake states with such sturdy, upright and desirable people. Born in New York in 1826, he came to Michigan at an early date, driving all the way with an ox-team, and entered a farm from the government. He built a log house from timber that he cleared from its site, then leveled the forest around until he had fields ready for planting when he broke up the ground with his oxen. On this farm was an Indian burying ground, known in the early days to the tribes for leagues around. The venerable Mr. Frost is now living in Orion, and his legion of friends hope that he may be spared for many a day.
JOHN JAMES SNOOK. Soldier, agriculturalist, poet and jurist, John James Snook, of Rochester, presents in his personality an interesting composite, illustrative of the qualities of his ancestors and those dis- tinctive traits which have made him a notable figure. At seventy he is as vigorous mentally and physically as most men of half his years, and he employs his manifold talents in useful ways, so that his fellow man has cause to rejoice in all his words and actions. Coming of a long line of sturdy, industrious, patriotic people, he embodies the type of pioneer who overcame all obstacles, natural or conditional, who triumphed over the wilderness and planted the fertile farm and reared the thriving city. In the castles of mediaeval days the nobles sat about the fire and recounted the heroic deeds of their ancestors, and thrilled with the men- tion of their deeds of valor, their conquests and their examples of en- durance. In the annals of the Snook family there are just as thrilling incidents, just as notable occurrences, and the descendants dwell with pride upon the honorable record left by those whom they are proud to call their forebears.
Born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, April 16. 1842, John James Snook was a son of James H. and Sarah (Axtell) Snook, the former a native of England and the latter of New Jersey. His father came to America when he was six months old, and his mother took him back to Eng-
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land on a visit when he was two years of age. On the return trip they were shipwrecked on the coast of New Jersey, lost all their possessions and narrowly escaped with their lives. The family came to Michigan in 1836 and Mr. Snook ran the first steam sawmill in eastern Michigan. After three years so engaged he took two contracts on the Clinton-Kala- mazoo canal. He was the only contractor on the entire canal who would not allow whiskey to be brought on the works for his men, considering that it was detrimental as well as being something to which he was fundamentally opposed. After leaving the canal work he bought four hundred acres of land on speculation. The last twelve years of his life he was postmaster at Mt. Clemens, in which place he passed away on July 8, 1880. The date of his birth was 1817. His wife died in 1902. She was born in March, 1818, and like her husband, was a member of the Presbyterian church. John James, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest of their seven children, the others being: Marsy S., de- ceased; Nancy Kate, deceased; Rufus A., born August 9, 1846, died May 10, 1864; George J. H., born April 20, 1852, died April 27, 1881 ; Samuel C. M., born August 3, 1855, died February 9, 1858; James E., of Greeley, Colorado. George Snook was one of a party of four that went fishing on the St. Clair lake, April 27, 1881, and all were lost. He was postmaster of Mt. Clemens at that time, being the second gen- eration in the family to hold that position.
At the age of sixteen, John James Snook went to New York city and lived with an uncle for six months and then was on the farm until eighteen. He then taught school two miles north of Mt. Clemens for one winter. He also had private tuition and was later in Rochester Academy. When nineteen he went to Canada as overseer in the oil region.
He enlisted in the Twenty-second Michigan Volunteer Infantry. under Captain Ashley, and afterward served under other captains. His enlistment for the Civil war was on August 15, 1862, and he was honor- ably discharged July 11, 1865. From private he was promoted to corporal, then to sergeant, then became drill sergeant and acted as com- missary sergeant for a time. He was further advanced to sergeant major and filled this position at the time he was mustered out. When still a private, Captain Wicks came to him and tried to get him to be his orderly, but he would not accept, but went to the front with his rifle just the same. His brother Rufus died at Chattanooga, Tennessee, dur- ing the war. and John James nursed him faithfully during his illness.
After the war he returned to Mt. Clemens and bought one hundred and thirty-eight acres of land, and in addition rented two farms, of forty and two hundred acres respectively, working these for five years. He sold his holdings for $7,000 and went to Washington township, where he had bought one hundred and seven acres, and lived on this tract for eleven years, moving at the expiration of that period to Avon township. Here he bought two hundred acres, known as the "Overlook Farm." He still owns one hundred and thirty acres. In April, 1909, he moved into Rochester, where he owns a nice residence at 203 Walnut avenue.
Mr. Snook married Ella Davis on Christmas Day, 1866, and by this union there were six children born, all of whom are living. They are: Nellie M., who is at home on the farm; J. Eugene, a Presbyterian minis- ter in Chicago; John H., a Presbyterian minister in Detroit, who is also .
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connected with the Society For Prevention of Cruelty to Children; Bur- ton D., a Congregational minister at Alba, Michigan; Clarence G., of Birmingham; and Arthur L., who is on the old home place.
Mr. Snook's wife died September 30, 1904, and he took for his second wife Mrs. Henry M. Look, whose husband died April 3, 1894. He was born October 27, 1837, and was a lawyer of considerable promi- nence. Admitted to the bar in 1859, he practiced extensively in the United States courts to 1867. He was a member of the state legislature in 1865 and 1866, and served as prosecuting attorney of Oakland county in 1871 and 1872. He was a writer of wide reputation. His family originated in Scotland and in addition to the activities previously men- tioned he was prosecuting attorney of Port Huron, Michigan, for a term. Mrs. Snook's maiden name was Sarah A. Lintz, and she was a daughter of Simon and Elizabeth (Wenner) Lintz, both natives of Pennsylvania. She took for her first husband Edgar Ewell, and they had three children: Emery P., who became a farmer and is now de- ceased; Samuel D., deceased; and Ervin E., who graduated from Ann Arbor and who is now deceased. There is a granddaughter, Agnes Ewell, living in Duluth, Minnesota.
In politics Mr. Snook is independent. He was justice of the peace for eight years in Macomb county and held the same office for a similar period in Oakland county. The first year he located in Oakland county he was nominated on the Republican ticket as supervisor, but declined the preferment. He is president now of two farmers clubs, one in Washington township and the other in Troy township. Brought up in the Presbyterian faith, he is now affiliated with the Congregational church. In social circles he is a Mason and a Granger.
Mr. Snook wields a facile pen, many of his compositions attracting extended notice. Among these might be mentioned "Centennial Trip in Rhyme," "Soldiers In Southern Mountains," "Water: Its Properties, Peculiarities and Paradoxes," "Good Will Tokens," "California Trip," "New Poems and Glad Outings." The latter is a compilation of one hundred sprightly poems.
JOHN GARLING, living on Rural Route No. I out of Goodison, has in his life reverted from the latter-day calling to the original occupa- tion. From operating a flour mill and handling the product of the soil he determined to go back to the soil itself and raise grain. He did so and has never regretted it, meeting with good success and enjoying excellent health.
A native of Germany, John Garling was born December 31, 1852. His parents were Joseph and Lena (Fellman) Garling, both natives of Germany, and who have both been called to eternal rest. Besides John there was but one other child, a daughter, Minnie, who still lives in Germany. Serving his stint of three years in the German army, Mr. Garling took up flour milling and mastered the various processes while in the old country. On coming to America he located in Macomb county, Michigan, in 1883. Five years later he took up farming and in 1902 bought one hundred and twenty acres in section 8 of Oakland township, where he still resides and tills the soil.
He was married to Sophie Penc, a daughter of John and Sophia Penc, natives of Germany who immigrated to the United States and settled at Detroit. The mother still lives there, but the father died at
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sixty-seven years of age. Their seven children were: Sophie, wife of John Garling; Annie, deceased; Mary, wife of Henry Lute, of Detroit; Minnie, wife of Henry Thiel, of Detroit; William, who is in Germany ; Carl and Henry, both residents of Detroit. Six children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Garling: Herman, of Macomb; Meta, de- ceased; William, of Orion; Minnie, wife of William Tienkill, of Roch- ester ; Edith, wife of William Merritt, of Oxford; and Harry, who is with his father. Mr. Garling is a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran church. He is regarded as one of the most upright, industrious residents of the neighborhood.
CLAYTON C. BARNES, one of the younger business men of Rochester, is of sturdy New England stock, and back of that traces his ancestry through a long line of honorable forebears in old England. He, himself, was born in Rochester, Michigan, March 20, 1874, a son of William H. and Jemima ( Parmelee) Barnes. His paternal great-grandfather came to America from England and settled in Connecticut. There Dimon Barnes, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born and grew to manhood's estate.
Dimon Barnes followed farming all his life and achieved a measure of success. In 1826 he married Ann E. Blakesley, who was also a native of Connecticut, and to their union there were born eight children : Laura A .; Lambert A .; William H. (the father of Clayton C.) ; Cyrus B. ; George; Charles O .; Mary and Edward. Dimon Barnes removed from Connecticut to Greene county, New York, where his declining years were spent. There also his wife died in 1875.
William H. Barnes was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, May 5, 1829, and was but two years of age when his parents removed from Con- necticut to New York. He was educated in the district schools and when eighteen years of age entered a paper mill at West Springfield, Massachusetts, where he was steadily employed for three years, after which he was for four years with a similar establishment at Suffield,
Connecticut. After two years in another plant at Erie, Pennsylvania, he felt that he had mastered the business thoroughly and might with every hope for success embark on such an enterprise for himself. To that end he went to Detroit and opened a paper warehouse in 1863. The following year he bought the mill in Rochester, which he owned and operated up to the time of his death. The business still remains in the family and is being ably conducted at present under the capable man- agement of Mr. Barnes' nephew, William H. Drace. Mr. Barnes died at Jacksonville, Florida, November 20, 1903, and was brought to Rochester for burial.
Clayton C. Barnes grew to manhood in Rochester and received his education in the schools of that city. He was associated with his father in the paper business, and was a horse dealer for about five years. He now owns a large barn and makes his home on the old home place.
On October 31, 1908, Mr. Barnes was united in marriage with Miss Lottie Blanche Erwin, daughter of William Erwin, and one of a family of five children-four daughters and a son. The latter became an in- valid during the Spanish-American war and while being transported back home from the hospital there he died aboard ship and was buried at sea. Mr. Barnes is independent in politics.
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FRANK H. LESSITER. A prominent and prosperous agriculturist of Oakland county, Frank H. Lessiter, of Orion township, is numbered among the citizens of good repute and high standing in the community where his entire life has been passed. A son of the late John Lessiter, he was born in Orion township, February 6, 1862.
John Lessiter, a native of England, immigrated to America when eighteen years old, and came directly to Michigan, locating in Oakland county. Industrious and thrifty, he accumulated considerable money, and when ready to make a permanent settlement bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in Orion township, where he subsequently resided until his death, which occurred October 21, 1901. Possessing good judgment and sound sense, he succeeded well in his agricultural work, from time to time adding to his landed possessions until he had a farm of four hundred and thirty-six acres, all paid for, and in a fair state of tillage. He married Nancy Beardsley, who was born in Michigan and here spent her entire life, dying in Clarkston April 6, 1909. Six chil- dren blessed their union, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of A. Hammond, of Clarkston; Edna, wife of Charles Walton, of Pontiac township; Ida May, wife of William Anderson, of Pontiac; Frank H., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned; Floyd J .; and Maggie, who died in childhood.
Educated in the district schools and at the Pontiac Business College, Frank H. Lessiter acquired during the days of his boyhood and youth a valuable knowledge of the art of agriculture, his father having proved a wise instructor. After the death of his father Mr. Lessiter, in com- pany with his brother, Floyd J. Lessiter, bought the interests of the remaining heirs in the parental homestead, and continued in his chosen vocation. He has since bought a near-by tract of one hundred and twenty acres, and has now a fine farm of three hundred acres, all under good tillage, and amply supplied with comfortable and convenient farm buildings. His new barn is forty by ninety-six feet, with a silo capable of holding one hundred and fifty tons at the end. In addition to carry- ing on general farming with most satisfactory results, Mr. Lessiter is one of the leading stock raisers of the township, having a fine herd of registered shorthorn cattle, at the head of which is "Oakland Prince," a registered yearling.
His is a beautiful farm, with large maple and pine trees bordering the road and a large lake in the rear of the house further adds to the home comfort. In addition to the large, modern house, steam-heated, there is also a tenant house, which was the first home built by his father and which has been remodeled.
Politically Mr. Lessiter is an adherent of the Democratic party, and for two years served as township treasurer. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of the Order of the Eastern Star; of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; of the Knights of the Maccabees ; and of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. Religiously he is a Methodist.
Mr. Lessiter married, March 28, 1895, Norah A. Wiser, a daughter of Milan and Mary E. (Evertt) Wiser, and their only child. Her father, a native of New York state, came to Michigan when about fifteen years old, locating in Brandon township. Both he and his wife, who was born in Michigan, are now living in Oxford, this state. Two chil-
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dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lessiter. A child that died in infancy and Milan John, born June 25, 1908.
JOHN H. FLUMERFELT. Holding high rank among the more promi- nent and esteemed citizens of Oakland county is John H. Flumerfelt, who has long been a dominant factor in advancing the agricultural pros- perity of Oakland township, and is now carrying on an extensive mer- cantile business in Orion, being head of the well-known firm of Flumerfelt & Tunison. A son of the late Bethuel Flumerfelt, he was born Febru- ary 4, 1855, in Oakland township, coming from substantial pioneer an- cestry, his paternal grandfather having been an early settler of Oakland county, where he took up land from the government.
Born in New Jersey, Bethuel Flumerfelt was a lad of twelve years when he came with his parents to Michigan. He assisted his father in clearing and improving a homestead, and continued a resident of Oak- land county until his death, April 6, 1891. His wife, whose maiden name was Isabelle Haines Mackey, was born in New Jersey, and died in Oakland county, Michigan, October 6, 1910. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Abbie, deceased; Alethia, wife of L. C. Axford, of Rochester, Michigan; John H., the subject of this sketch; William, deceased; George E., deecased; Ida, deceased; and Frank, of Pontiac.
Growing to manhood in his native township, John H. Flumerfelt was educated in the rural schools. Taking kindly to agricultural pur- suits in his youthful days, he began life for himself at the age of twenty- one years as a tiller of the soil, and made that his principal occupation for a number of years. In 1893, selecting what he thought one of the most desirable pieces of property in Oakland township, Mr. Flumer- felt bought the Jesse Knols farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, and immediately began adding to the improvements previously inau- gurated, his estate being now one of the best in its appointments of any in the county. He carried on general farming with good results for several years, but now leases his land, having retired from active work as an agriculturist.
In 1905 Mr. Flumerfelt erected the fine residence which he occupies in Orion, and embarked in mercantile business. In 1908 he sold a half interest in his store to George Tunison, and the firm of Flumerfelt & Tunison is now one of the most flourishing in Orion, having an extensive and lucrative trade in hardware of all kinds, building materials of every description, and handling in addition immense quantities of wood and coal each season.
Mr. Flumerfelt married, February 25, 1886, Alburn Brewster, who was born in Oakland county, Michigan. Her father, Allan Brewster, was born in Pennsylvania. He was twice married, by his first wife having one child, Jane, wife of Elery Brownwell, of Oxford. He mar- ried for his second wife Lucretia Farrand, also a native of Pennsyl- vania, and of their union five children were born, as follows: Cynthia, widow of Stephen Bradford, of Washington; Mrs. Flumerfelt; Adelle, wife of Frank Gregory; Stephen, of Mecosta county; and Ada, wife of H. English, of Oakland township. Mr. and Mrs. Flumerfelt have two children, namely: Gertrude Irene, born March 1, 1891, and Hugh E. B., born June 21, 1896. Mr. Flumerfelt is a Democrat in politics, and a Baptist in his religious views and beliefs.
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FREDERICK WIELAND. A man of well-known ability and intelligence, public-spirited and progressive, Frederick Wieland is one of the fore- most men of Orion, which he has served in many positions of trust and responsibility ; and his influence as a man of honor and integrity is felt throughout the community, whose interests he has at heart and for the welfare of which he is ever laboring. A native of Oakland county, he was born in Springfield township, December 24, 1860. His parents, Frederick and Dorothy (Rohm) Wieland, neither of whom are now living, were born and reared in Germany, and on coming to this country located in Oakland county, Michigan, in Springfield township, where the father followed his trade of a painter. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Frederick, the subject of this sketch; Wil- liam, deceased; Edward, of Orion; Lillian, wife of Guy W. Lyon, of Orion; and Margaret, deceased.
Acquiring his rudimentary education in the district schools, Frederick Wieland completed his early studies at the Holly high school, after which he taught school winters for six years, in the meantime working on the farm during seed time and harvest. While thus engaged Mr. Wieland began his public career, serving for three terms as school in- spector. He was afterwards appointed county school examiner for a year to fill a vacancy, and proved himself so thoroughly adapted to the work that he was then elected to the position two successive terms. At the same time Mr. Wieland was elected county clerk, an office he held two terms, and for two terms he has served as county prosecuting at- torney. At the present writing, in 1912, he is serving his tenth term as county supervisor, his long record of service in this capacity bespeaking his personal worth, ability and popularity with the people.
Mr. Wieland married Miss Pearl A. Brown, the adopted daughter of Vincent and Clara (Graham) Brown, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Oakland county. Mr. Brown is a vener- able and highly esteemed citizen of Orion, where he has been engaged as a harness maker for many years.
Fraternally Mr. Wieland is a member of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of the Knights of Pythias; and of the Independent Order of Foresters.
VINCENT BROWN. In the annals of Oakland county can be found no man more worthy of representation in the biographical review than he whose name we take pleasure in placing at the head of this brief personal sketch. Vincent Brown, or "Braun" as the name was spelled in the Fatherland, was born January 21, 1831, in Rottweil, Wurtemberg, Germany, where he was bred and educated.
In June, 1850, accompanied by his brother, Ulhart Brown, he immi- grated to America, landing in New York city, August 17 of that year. In April of the following spring he came to Oakland county, Michigan, locating in Orion, which was then a small hamlet, its settlers being few and far between. Securing work at the trade which he had learned in his native land, he entered the employ of a pioneer harness maker of Orion, and continued with him for sometime. Mr. Brown subsequently started in business on his own account, and the little harness shop in which he conducts his work is patronized far beyond his ability to fill orders, the farmers from every direction coming to him for small pieces of job work, and he accommodates them as far as his strength will permit.
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When Mr. Brown first came to Orion there was no church of any denomination in the place, religious services being held in the school- house. His employer and others, induced Mr. Brown, who had a rich bass voice, to enter the village choir, and there his melodious tones gave an added charm to the sweet music, even though he could not give the words of the hymns sung, as he was then just learning to speak the English language. He had been brought up a Catholic, and when but eight years had sung in the vesper choir in the Fatherland. When the Congregational church was formed, he assumed the leadership of the choir, but at the organization of the Methodist church he transferred his services to its choir, and for nearly half a century was one of its leading members. The history of that church as given in this work was written by Mr. Brown.
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