USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume II > Part 48
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On January 14, 1903, he was wedded to Miss Georgia Meyers, daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. David Meyers, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of New York and both now deceased. Their six children were: Two infants who died at an early age and William, their son, who is also deceased ; Nellie, wife of Frank J. Allen, of Detroit ; Minnie, wife of F. S. Lyke, of Detroit; and Georgia, wife of Robert Cassels. Mr. and Mrs. Cassels have had three children: James, who died in infancy ; Nellie, who was claimed by death while yet a child; and Wil- liam M., who was born November 14, 1911.
Dr. Cassels is independent in politics and has never cared to seek an office. He belongs to the Odd Fellows order and attends the Congrega- tional church.
FIRMIN THEODORE TAYLOR. An Avon township agriculturist who has been notably successful in large undertakings and who is further- more efficient in public service and active in fraternally social life is Fir- min Theodore Taylor, whose fine rural property is located in sections 9 and 16. Mr. Taylor is a Pennsylvanian by birth, but a resident of Oak- land county from the age of fourteen years. His father, Moses Tay- lor, and his mother, Maria Kieffer Taylor, originally of Pennsylvania, lived at Milton in that state when the son Theodore was born, on Octo- ber 6, 1851.
In 1865 Moses Taylor brought his family to Michigan and settled among the agricultural population of Oakland county, where the chil- dren were reared and where the parents both died-the father at the age of seventy-eight and the mother at sixty-seven. Moses and Maria Taylor were the parents of eleven children, of whom F. T. was the eighth. His brothers and sisters who are now living are the following : Andrew; Margaret, Mrs. Henry Pontus, of Algonac; John R., of Ro- meo, Michigan ; and Robert S., of Oakland county.
The youth of Firmin Theodore Taylor was spent on the parental farm, where he took advantage of the usual educational opportunities of the community and period. When he was twenty years of age he went to Lapeer county, where the lumber possibilities had attracted him. He remained in that locality for two years, at the end of which time he entered upon the time honored and ever reliable vocation of farming. He rented one hundred and eighty four acres, which he cultivated for five years, with good returns. He then changed his location to the vicin- ity of Oxford, where he rented one hundred and sixty acres, conducting operations upon it for one year. He subsequently spent three years at Rochester, after which he rented two hundred and twenty acres in that locality, having charge of that farm for eleven years. In 1900 he pur-
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chased his present farm of one hundred and seventy-four acres in Avon township. On this property Mr. Taylor does general farming of a high quality and is particularly successful in his stock-raising. He is now instituting a dairy business on his up-to-date farm.
Mr. Taylor began his family life on July 13, 1879, when Miss Flor- ence A. Benson, a daughter of Elihu and Hettie B. (Burr) Benson, be- came Mrs. Taylor. The Benson family came from New York to Michi- gan in 1859, settling on the farm that is now occupied by Mr .and Mrs. Taylor. The latter was the third child born to her parents, her broth- ers and sisters being four. Of these two brothers, Louis Benson, of Owasso, and William Benson, of Detroit, are now living. Both parents are also now deceased, the father having died in 1860.
The children of Firmin Theodore Taylor and Florence Benson Tay- lor were five in number. All have been creditably reared to the years of maturity and are at present located as follows: Lilly, the wife of Ed- ward Goss, in Macomb county; Clyde B., an electrician, in Pontiac; Hettie B., a student in the Thomas Manual Training Normal School in Detroit; Edward J., who is connected with the Richardson Manufact- uring Company of Pontiac, also in Detroit; and Ralph Taylor, the youngest son, in Pontiac.
Mr. Taylor's political enthusiasm as a sanely progressive member of the Democratic party and his impartial interest in all public welfare have made him a popular candidate for civic offices. As township treasurer for two years and as a member of the Board of Review for the same length of time he has given good service, also serving capably in various school offices. The fraternal organizations with which he is connected are the Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arch Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star. Both Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have long been counted among the best residents of the community and their homestead is one of the inviting places of Rural Route No. One.
STEPHEN NOTT. Many of the more progressive farmers of Oakland county are specializing on certain distinct lines, and are succeeding much better than if they had confined their operations to the regular routine, and among these may be mentioned Stephen Nott, of Pontiac township, who, although he carries on general farming and stock raising, gives special attention to dairy work, and has a fine herd of thirty-eight Guern- sey cows. Industry, perseverance, intelligence and judgment are the price of success in agricultural work in these days of scientific farming, when the old hit-or-miss style has given way to modern methods, and Mr. Nott has demonstrated that he has kept abreast of the progress of the times, thus holding marked prestige among the agriculturists of his locality. He also has the distinction of being a native son of Oakland county, having been born in Pontiac township, May 27, 1862, a son of William and Electa (Cook) Nott, natives respectively of England and New York state.
William Nott came to the United States in 1852, settling first in New York, and after his marriage there removed to Michigan and settled on a tract of one hundred and forty three acres in section 23, Pontiac town- hip, on which he carried on operations until his death in 1869. His wife made her home with her son Stephen until her death, February 27, 1912. Their children were: Plymouth, living in Goodison, Michigan; Edna, who is deceased ; Hattie, who died in childhood; Olive, the wife of Man-
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uel German, of Franklin, Michigan; Stewart, who died in infancy ; Ben- jamin, who died in childhood and Stephen. Mrs. Nott witnessed many changes take place in Oakland county from the time when she first set- tled in the little log house that was the family home for a number of years and which was erected by her husband, and during her long resi- dence here has made many warm, personal friends.
Stephen Nott was the youngest of his parents' children, and his edu- cation was secured in the public schools of Pontiac township. At the age of eighteen years he made a trip to Texas, where he remained one year, but with this exception has spent his entire career in Oakland county. On his return he settled on the old homestead property and began general farming, and now owns one hundred and eighty acres of some of the finest land to be found in the township. This he has im- proved with buildings of a substantial character, and the property is devoted to farming and stock raising. Mr. Nott's herd of Guernsey cattle, of which there are thirty-eight head, are of the finest breed, and testify significantly to the ability of their owner as a breeder. He dis- poses of his milk to the near-by creameries, while the produce from his farm meets with a ready sale in the large markets, being of a dis- tinctly superior order. He is considered one of the best judges of stock in his part of the county, and his advice is often sought on questions connected with agricultural interests.
On November 5, 1890, Mr. Nott was married to Miss Minnie Frank, daughter of John C. and Sarah (Trobridge) Frank, natives of Michi- gan who lived for some years in Troy township. Mr. Frank, who is now deceased, married (first) Eliza Goodrich, by whom he had three children: a daughter who died in infancy; Emma, deceased, who was the wife of Fred Dahlman, of Rochester; and John Sherman, residing in Troy township. By his marriage with Sarah Trobridge, who sur- vives him and resides in Pontiac, he had five children : Carrie, the wife of John McCullough, of Pontiac; Mrs. Nott; Myrtle, the wife of Wil- bur Jennings, of Troy; Ida, the wife of Harry Berry, of Detroit; and Rhoda, living with her mother. Mr. and Mrs. Nott had ten children : Nora, Josephine, Russell, Perry and Mildred, at home; Stanley, who died in infancy ; and William, Wesley, John and Douglas Newton, at home. In political matters Mr. Nott is a Republican, but his only public service has been as a member of the school board. He is a valued and popular member of the local hive of the Knights of the Maccabees, and in religious matters adheres to the faith of the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Nott is a member.
FREDERICK DANDISON. The farming interests of Oakland county are in charge of efficient, capable men, who have given to their labor that application of scientific effort that is bound to bring the best results. Years of observance of the best methods have brought the occupation of farming up to the standard of one of the sciences, and the constant im- proving of farming machinery has done wonders in making the harvest- ing of large crops a certainty. Prominent among the agriculturists of this section who rely on the most progressive methods may be mentioned Frederick Dandison, the owner of a well-cultivated tract of 100 acres lying in section 26, Pontiac township, and a man who has done much to advance the interests of his community, where he has served as justice of the peace for many years. Mr. Dandison, who has been a resident
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of Oakland county all of his life, was born in Bloomfield township, Dec- ember 1, 1856, and is a son of John and Sabina ( Mountain) Dandison, natives of England.
Mr. Dandison's parents came to the United States in 1851, and at once located in Oakland county, where the father was until his retire- ment engaged in farming, he then moving to the city of Pontiac, where his death occurred December 5, 1898. His widow survives him and lives in that city, having been the mother of seven children, as follows : Maria, the wife of Edwin Forbush, of Pontiac township; Betsy, who is de- ceased; Alice, living in Pontiac; Frederick, of this sketch; Elmer, who died in childhood; Dora, the wife of William Haines; Orrin Harris, of Oakland, county, and Frank M., living in Pontiac.
Like the sons of other farmers of his day and vicinity, F. Dandison spent his boyhood between the district schools and the old homestead, attending the former when he could be spared from the school of hard work on the latter. Thus he received a good literary training and at the same time was given the benefit of his father's years of experience as a farmer, and built up a sturdy physique that has enabled him to success- fully fight the battles of the world of business. When thirty-three years of age he purchased one hundred acres of good land in section 26, and this he has put entirely under cultivation, improving it with good, sub- stantial buildings, stocking it with fine cattle and equipping it with the latest and most highly improved make of farming machinery. His life has been that of an honorable and upright citizen and he well merits the esteem and confidence in which he is universally held by the people of his community. He manifests an active interest in every movement for progress and improvement and is a most public-spirited citizen. In pol- itics a stanch Democrat, he has served very acceptably and efficiently as justice of the peace for many years. With his family he attends the Episcopal church, having numerous friends among the members of its congregation, as well as in public and business life.
On March 12, 1890, Mr. Dandison was married to Miss Fannie Kemp, daughter of Obediah and Sabina (Selmes) Kemp, natives of England, who came to the United States in 1849 and settled in Pontiac township. The latter died November 19, 1898, having been the mother of two children : William, of Pontiac; and Mrs. Dandison. Mr. Kemp married for his second wife Lucy Phillips, who survives him and lives on the old homestead farm, Mr. Kemp having passed away July 12, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Dandison have one son, Maurice Glenn, born March 6, 1891, who is now engaged in assisting his father operate the home farm.
RICHARD PHILO DAVIS. There are many old and honored families in Oakland county that have descended from some of the finest stock in the country, and among them may be mentioned that of Davis, which traces its ancestry back directly to Revolutionary soldiers, and members of which have been prominent for many years in the various professions and vocations of life. A worthy representative of this family is found in the person of Richard Philo Davis, clerk of Pontiac township, where he is engaged in agricultural operations on two hundred acres of fine land in sections 35 and 36. Mr. Davis was born in the latter section, May 21, 1870, and is a son of Philo C. and Mahala D. (Vosburg) Davis, natives of the Empire state.
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The grandfather of Mr. Davis, a soldier during the Revolution in a New York regiment, came to Michigan in 1831, locating in Troy town- ship, at a time when Philo C. Davis was six years of age, the grand- father's subsequent years being spent in clearing a home from the wilder- ness for his family. Philo C. Davis was reared to agricultural pursuits, but as a young man decided to follow the profession of an educator, and for many years taught district school. This pioneer educator passed away November 23, 1886, while his widow survived him until March 16, 1909, their union having been blessed by the birth of seven children, as follows: Aurilla, the wife of Marion Short, of Amy, Michigan; Flor- ence, the wife of Judson Wyman, of Romeo; Arthur, who was born September 28, 1859, is engaged in agricultural pursuits with Richard P., owning the farm jointly; Ward, who lives at Amy; Eliza, the wife of George Fahring, of Avon; Richard Philo; and Lydia, who died in infancy.
The education of Richard P. Davis was secured in the district schools of Pontiac township and in the Pontiac high school, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1889. At that time he took up farming on the home place, his father having died some three years previous, and since that time has added materially to the acreage and improve- ments, being the owner of 200 acres of well cultivated land, furnished with the finest buildings, most substantial fencing and latest improved farming machinery and equipment. Mr. Davis is a stanch advocate of modern intensive farming and through his progressive example has done much to advance the interests of his community. No enterprise looking toward the eventual betterment of his township, his county or his state need fear of not securing his support, and as township clerk he has done much to secure reforms in the business department of this section. His political principles are those of the Democratic party, and he is fratern- ally connected with the Foresters, in which lodge he is very popular, and in which he is acting in the capacity of financial secretary. He was reared in the faith of the Baptist church.
On June 10, 1905, Mr. Davis was married to Miss Agnes Barron, a daughter of Alexander and Rose (Brisebois) Barron, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Detroit, Michigan.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had three children: Marion Eugene, born May 6, 1907; Philo Richard, born September 19, 1910; and Charles Arthur, born April 8, 1912.
CHARLES I. SHATTUCK. The skillful and energetic farmer in Oak- land county, and especially in such fertile portions of it as Pontiac township, can always be sure of a substantial return for his labor, but many of the enterprising men of this section have not confined their at- tention to tilling the soil, but have combined with farming other indus- tries. An example of this type of business man is Charles I. Shattuck, owner of a highly-cultivated farm in section 27, who has met with an equal share of success in the breeding of thoroughbred Holstein cattle. Mr. Shattuck, who belongs to a family that has had representatives in Michigan for eighty years, was born in Plymouth, Wayne county, Mich- igan, November 7, 1861, and is descended from Revolutionary stock. His grandfather, Alfred Shattuck, a native of New York, came west to Michigan in 1832, settling in Wayne county, where he spent his life in making a home from the wilderness for his family. Gilbert M. Shattuck,
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father of C. I., was also born in New York, and was brought as a child to Wayne county, Michigan, where the early years of his life were spent. In 1865 he removed to Oakland county, and there spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring February 15, 1895, in Pontiac. He was married in Oakland township to Mary Donelson, who was born here, and she now survives him and resides in Pontiac, being the mother of two children : Florence M., the wife of J. J. Baker, of Milwaukee, and Charles I. Gilbert M. Shattuck was a prominent citizen of his day, and accumulated a handsome competency, at the time of his death being the owner of three hundred acres of valuable land.
His father, being a firm believer in the advantages to be gained by a good education, Charles I. Shattuck was given an excellent training, attending the schools of Pontiac, the Pontiac high school for three years, and a business college for nearly a year. On completing his education he was given his choice of vocations to make his life work, but wisely chose farming, an occupation which he has followed to the present time, with no chance to regret his choice. His excellent tract of one hundred and sixty acres, lying in section 27, Pontiac township, is a model of neatness and an example of what may be accomplished by the earnest enterprising agriculturist, who is not afraid of hard work. The hand- some improvements are substantial in character and models of architect- ural design, materially adding to the pleasing appearance of his well- kept fields. In all matters he is a firm believer in progress, and keeps the finest and most highly improved farming machinery available. Like his father, he has devoted a great deal of attention to breeding Holstein cattle, in which he has met with marked success, his animals bringing top-notch prices in the large markets.
Mr. Shattuck was married November 24, 1887, to Miss Maud B. Green, daughter of Addis E. and Cordelia A. (Smith) Green, the former a native of New York and the latter of Novi township, Oakland county. Mr. Green came to Michigan in 1832, when a child of five years, having been born in October, 1827, and after a long and honorable agricultural career died February 20, 1911. His widow, whose mother was a Durfee of Detroit, survives him and lives in Farmington township, where she has made her home for fifty-five years. They had five children : Calvin R., residing on the old homestead in Farmington township; Eleanor Z., who died at the age of eleven years; Mrs. Shattuck; Mary, who resides at home; and Myra, twin of Mary, wife of C. G. Jackson, of Southfield, Oakland county. Mr. and Mrs. Shattuck have one son, Marquis E., born September 21, 1888, and now in his senior year in Albion College (1912), and a member of the Detroit Methodist Conference.
In his political views Mr. Shattuck is a Republican, but has not cared for public preferment. His only social connection is with the local Grange, in the work of which he takes an active interest. With Mrs. Shattuck he attends the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Shattuck is descended from Revolutionary stock, and as a direct descendant of Revolutionary soldiers is regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is also president of the Pontiac branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, has been a member of the Pontiac Women's Literary Club for the past eighteen years, and like her hus- band is a general favorite with all who know them. Their comfortable modern residence, situated on Pontiac Rural Route No. 6, is a center of culture and social refinement.
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JAMES E. CALLOW. Dairying is the chosen profession of James E. Callow, who resides in Pontiac township. His country place in section 17 is a credit to his ingenuity and thrift and the twenty head of fine Jersey stock which it contains are the envy of all who observe them. Mr. Callow is a firm believer in modern methods of dairying, careful attention to the stock, the strictest cleanliness in their surroundings, careful feeding, etc., and these he has demonstrated to be the accepted plans, for the milk and its products that come from his dairy are noted for their purity and richness.
Mr. Callow is a native of Pontiac. He was born on Washington's birthday, February 22, 1850, a son of Charles and Eliza (Moth) Cal- low. The former came from the Isle of Man and the latter was a native of England. They came to Pontiac in 1830, where Mr. Callow at first followed his trade, that of blacksmithing. Then he ran a foundry in Pontiac for some years, taking up farming in 1851. He bought eighty acres which are now within the present city limits of Pontiac. On this farm both of the parents of our subject passed away, the father Feb- ruary 3, 1895 and the mother in April, 1891. Their family comprised eight children, of whom there now survive but two-Robert and James, both of whom live in or near Pontiac.
James began life by working the old home place on shares with his father, and finally decided upon the dairy business as his calling. He bought one hundred and forty acres in section seventeen of Pontiac township, where he now resides, and to which he has added until it totals one hundred and seventy-seven acres.
Mr. Callow's wife was Miss Ellen Adams, daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Kemp) Adams. Five children came to grace the home of Mr. and Mrs. Callow-Charles, deceased; Mary, wife of John W. Cole, of Novi township in Oakland county; Nellie, wife of Eugene Compton, of Detroit ; George, who is living in Pontiac; and Lilly, who died in child- hood. Mr. Callow is a Democrat. He possesses the regard of a wide circle of friends.
HUDSON A. TAYLOR. On the roll of Oakland county's honored and representative citizens is to be found the name of the subject of this review, who owns a fine farm in section 3, Pontiac township, and is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of his community. He has been a resident of Oakland county for more than three score years, having accompanied his parents to Rose township when still in early boyhood, and throughout his career has so ordered his life as to gain and maintain the highest regard of his fellow citizens. Hudson A. Tay- lor was born in Wayne county, Michigan, April 14, 1845, and is a son of Clayton and Sarah Ann (Cross) Taylor, natives of New Jersey.
The parents of Mr. Taylor migrated to the state of Michigan in August, 1844, locating in Wayne county, where they remained for five years, and then removal was made to Oakland county, the father pur- chasing 120 acres of land in Rose township. After forty years spent in cultivating this tract the parents went to Fenton, Genesee county, where Mr. Taylor died in November, 1889, and his wife in 1894. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Hudson A .; Cassandra, the wife of Marshall Chapin, of Otsego county; Albert, an agricultur- ist of Hawley township, Oakland county ; C. Eugene, residing on the old homestead in Rose township; Sarah J., the wife of Christopher Pratt,
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of Fenton; Mary E., wife of Howard Bogard, of Owasso; Susan, wife of Peter Turner, connected with the People's Ice Company at Detroit ; and Charlotte, wife of Courtland Major, of Fenton.
Hudson A. Taylor secured his education in the district schools, which he attended during the winter months, his summers being spent in work on the home farm. After attaining his majority he remained at home for two years, assisting his father, and then came to Pontiac township, where he has made his home ever since. Mr. Taylor has at- tained marked success in his efforts, now being the owner of one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in section 3, and has achieved the same entirely through his own industry and determined application, having started with practically nothing in the way of financial reinforcement, and by hard labor earned every dollar represented in his fine homestead. He has made permanent improvements of the best character, and has brought almost all of his land to a very high state of cultivation. It is devoted to general farming and the raising of livestock, though the lat- ter branch of his enterprise is subordinate to the agricultural phase. In his political views he is a Republican, and has been honored by elec- tion to the office of pathmaster. Mr. Taylor is a man of the highest integrity and honor in all the relations of life and commands the highest esteem and confidence of the entire community, where the family en- joys a distinctive popularity.
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