USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume II > Part 52
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Mr. Kemp was married in Pontiac to Martha Walter, whose par- ents were natives of England, and to this union there have been born five children: Don Carlos and Phillip H., both living in Pontiac; and John Lewis, Mary Irene and James Arthur, who live with their parents. The family attends the Methodist church and is liberal in its support of various religious and charitable movements.
THEODORE A. COLLIER. Oakland county's history has been developed by the men who first settled in it, and more pages are constantly being added by those whose lives are now being enacted. The agricultural sec- tions of this county are extensive and productive, so that many of its res- idents are engaged in farming, with profit to themselves and benefit to their communities. Some of the leaders of this class are carrying on operations on property that has been brought to a state of cultivation from wild brush, prairie and timberland by members of their own family and take a justifiable pride in that fact, and among these may be men- tioned T. A. Collier, a prominent agriculturist of Pontiac township, who has resided on his present farm since he was five years of age. Mr. Col- lier was born in Wyoming county, New York, November 28, 1849, and is a son of C. S. and Eliza (Currier) Collier, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New Hampshire.
Mr. Collier's parents were married in the East, and some time after that event, in 1854, came to the state of Michigan, settling in the wilder- ness of Pontiac township, Oakland county, where the father bought a tract of land. During his earlier years he had been a mechanic, but meeting with only ordinary success at his trade turned his attention to tilling the soil, with such satisfactory results that he never regretted the change. Year by year he succeeded in clearing more of his property, and as soon as one tract had been put under cultivation he would add to his holdings, at the time of his death, which occurred February 29, 1856, being the owner of a handsome tract of 200 acres, all located in sections 9 and 4. His widow survived him many years, passing away March 29, 1890, and was the mother of seven children, as follows: Solon O., who is deceased; Jennie B., deceased, who was the wife of S. L. Mur- ray, of Pontiac; Charles S., residing at Frankfort, Michigan; G. M., a well known practicing attorney of Detroit; Hannah, who is deceased; Isadore M., also deceased; and T. A.
T. A. Collier received only ordinary educational advantages in the district schools of the vicinity of the Pontiac township farm, as his father died when he was seven years of age and it was necessary that he early begin to assist in supporting the family. He has remained at home
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throughout his life, looking after his mother until her death, and devot- ing his entire energies to agricultural pursuits. He has now a tract of 160 acres of well-cultivated land, his farm being capable of producing large crops, and he is well known as one of the progressive and influen- tial agriculturists of his district. General farming has occupied the greater part of his attention, but he also specializes in dairying and stock raising, and has met with success in all the various lines. He has made numerous improvements to the property, increasing its value materially, has made a study of soil conditions, rotation of crops and other subjects necessary to scientific treatment of the land, and the result is that his land is highly productive and very valuable.
Mr. Collier married in 1912. He is a Republican in his political views, stanchly supporting that party's principles and candidates, and as one of his township's most highly esteemed citizens has served as township commissioner and township treasurer, and as school officer for a quarter of a century. His fraternal connection is with the Odd Fel- lows, and in religious matters he is a Congregationalist. ,
BURT M. WEBSTER. Among the honored pioneer families of Michi- gan none are better or more favorably known in Oakland county than that of Webster, members of which have held prominent positions in various walks of life and have been closely identified with the agricul- tural growth and development of this section. A worthy representative of this family is found in Burt M. Webster. He was born in Pontiac township, Oakland county, July 8, 1871, and is a son of Chester and Marian (Richmond) Webster, also natives of this county. His grand- father, a native of New York, became a pioneer of the Wolverine state at an early day, taking up a government tract in Pontiac township, a property of 160 acres on which his son and grandson were born. His life was spent in agricultural pursuits, as was that of Chester Webster, the latter leaving 320 acres at the time of his death, accumulated through industry and persistent effort. Chester and Marian (Richmond) Web- ster had a family of three children, namely: Burt M .; Charles J., who now resides in Spokane, Washington; and Grace A., deceased.
Burt M. Webster received his education in the common schools of Pontiac township, and his youth and young manhood were spent on his father's farm, where he was given the benefit of his father's long experi- ence as an agriculturist. At the time of his marriage Mr. Webster left the parental roof and settled on an eighty acre tract belonging to his father in Pontiac township, a well-cultivated tract in section 27, which is now owned by him, and on which he has made numerous improve- ments. Mr. Webster believes in the advantages to be gained by the use of modern methods and modern machinery, and at this time has a full set of machines, including a hay baler and grain separator, in addition to a large threshing outfit, having been engaged in threshing during the past eight seasons. His buildings are of substantial nature and modern architecture, and among them is a large, well-built silo. He is recog- nized as a man of superior ability and wide experience in business affairs, and as one who has won and held the esteem and confidence of a large circle of acquaintances.
On January 20, 1892, Mr. Webster was married to Miss Clara A. Smith, daughter of Thomas W. and Mary (Chamberlin) Smith, both natives of Michigan. Mrs. Webster has the following brothers and sis-
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ters: Kate, Mabel, Emma, Harry, Fred and Blanche. Mr. and Mrs. Webster have one daughter, Bessie, who married Lauren Little of Pon- tiac township. Mr. Webster is a Democrat in his political views, but has never desired public office, taking only a good citizen's interest in affairs of a public nature. During the past fourteen years he has been con- nected with the Foresters of America, and also holds membership in the local lodges of the Eagles and the Order of the Moose, as well as the Modern Brotherhood of America. With 'Mrs. Webster he attends the Congregational church, and both are well and favorably known in re- ligious and social circles.
COLONEL SALMON S. MATTHEWS. This valiant soldier in defense of the Union during the Civil war, who rose to a high rank in the service by rapid promotions based on genuine merit and faithful performance of duty directed by ability of a high order ; who received serious wounds on some of the sanguinary battlefields of the great sectional strife, which finally compelled him to resign from the army before the ardor of his patriotism was fully satisfied; who suffered all the horrors of confine- ment in Libby prison for a time; and who continued to serve his country in important civil capacities after his military career was over, and "the war drums throbbed no longer," conferred distinction on Oakland county by the fact that he was born in it, and was in all essential particulars one of its products in education, social training and the formation of the ยท high character he displayed.
Colonel Matthews' life began at Troy in this county on September 5, 1837, and ended in the county on September 10, 1900. He was a son of Solomon and Susan (Whitny) Matthews, natives of the state of New York, who came to Michigan in 1822 and purchased land in Troy town- ship, this county, from the government. The father was a farmer all his life. He died on August 14, 1850, and the mother passed away about fourteen years later. They were the parents of nine children, only three of whom are now living: Joshua W., who resides in Pontiac; Su- san, who is the widow of the late Frederick C. Voorheis, of Rochester, Michigan; and Mary, who is the widow of the late James C. Voorheis, of the same place. The children who have died in addition to the Colonel were his brothers Almeron and Enos R. and his two sisters, each named Jane, and another sister named Cordelia.
Salmon S. Matthews was reared on his father's farm in this county and obtained his education in the lowly country school kept in its neigh- borhood. He remained at home until he reached the age of fifteen, going to Oxford, Michigan, where he clerked for J. P. Jones, for ten years and then purchased the business. He came to Pontiac a year later, clerking for Butterfield & Company being thus associated when the war opened. On June 19, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company D, Fifth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was made the first lieutenant of his company on the day which it was mustered into the service, promoted captain on October 11, 1861, major of the regiment on May 3, 1863, and lieutenant-colonel on June 11, 1864. On March 13, 1865, he was raised to the rank of brevet colonel and brigadier general of United States Volunteers in recognition of his valor on the field, his fidelity to duty in every position and under all circumstances and his decided mili- tary ability. Colonel Matthews' regiment was in the Army of the Poto- mac, and, as a matter of course, participated in the hardest and most
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active of the fighting throughout the momentous conflict. On December 21, 1864, he was compelled to resign from the service on account of wounds received in battle, one of which had to be dressed every day for eighteen months in the field. On June 30, 1862, he was taken prisoner, and was soon afterward confined in Libby prison, where he languished until September I of the same year, when he was exchanged. He re- joined his regiment in January, 1863.
After the war he was postmaster of Pontiac for nine years, and was then appointed a member of the official staff of Governor Bagley, with the rank of quartermaster general. He accompanied the governor and the other members of his staff to Philadelphia at the opening of the Cen- tennial exhibition in 1876. While on the governor's staff he was ap- pointed United States marshal for the eastern district of Michigan, a position which he filled with great acceptability for a period of nine years. He was also president of the Pontiac Bank for a number of years. In all the trying experiences of his life, which were many and severe, he was noted for his high sense of honor, his strict integrity and his un- wavering truthfulness.
On May 29, 1877, Colonel Matthews was joined in wedlock with Miss Anna E. Hill, who was born in Pontiac, on January 22, 1854, a daughter of Harvey N. and Eliza J. (Dillon) Hill, natives of Pennsyl- vania. They came to Michigan in 1835 and located in Pontiac. For some years after his arrival in this county the father was a farmer. He then became a manufacturer, first of woolen goods and afterward of pumps. He died on July 19, 1897, having survived by nearly three years his wife, who passed away on October 11, 1894. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are living: Mary E., a resident of Pon- tiac, Mrs. Matthews, and Kate Hortense. The children who died were Rose, Alice and one that died at birth. Colonel and Mrs. Matthews had but one child, their son Charles S., who was born on December 28, 1880, and is now a prominent lawyer in Pontiac. In politics the Colonel gave his undivided allegiance to the Republican party, and as a member of it had a long and creditable record as a public official in the civil life of his city and county. He was city clerk of Pontiac two terms and sheriff of Oakland county for one term. In fraternal relations he was connected with the Masonic Order, the Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion. In Freemasonry he was a Knight Templar and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. In his military record he was early in the field and passed through the very maelstrom of the war.
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Colonel Matthews was for many years a devout churchman of the Presbyterian sect, serving long and faithfully as an elder of the congre- gation to which he belonged, and also as superintendent of its Sunday- school. Every educational, moral and religious agency at work in his community had his earnest practical support at all times, and all his efforts in behalf of any were directed by intelligence and breadth of view. The material interests of his city and county, their progress and improvement, their growth and development along wholesome lines of advancement, and everything that ministered to the welfare of their people enlisted his earnest interest and had his cordial aid. From every point of view he was one of the best citizens Oakland county ever had, and the people revere his memory according to this estimate.
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J. WILLIAM EMMENDORFER, of West Bloomfield township, Oakland county, Michigan, is a man who thinks for himself, who does not accept the opinions of others concerning the way to act in certain public mat- ters, but depends upon his own judgment and sense of justice. He has always carried out these principles of his in his political life, voting not for one ticket because it happened to be Republican or Democratic, whichever the case might be, but for the best men. Such a course has taken time from his personal affairs, but at the same time he has been able to realize that he has done his duty toward the community.
Born in West Bloomfield township, November 7, 1863, he is the son of Francis Anthony and Mary ( Riley) Emmendorfer. His father was born in Bavaria, Germany, but, accompanied by four of his brothers, left the old country when still a young man. One of his brothers died during the passage across the ocean, leaving the others to go on to Lock- port alone. Two started farming immediately, but Francis Anthony and his brother Frank came west to Detroit, Michigan. Francis, after working for a short time here on some construction work for Judge Copeland, bought the Harding farm in West Bloomfield township, where his son William now lives. He and his wife remained on the farm until November, 1899, when they removed to Pontiac. He died April 20, 1907, and she, January 24, 1912. They were the parents of five children, of whom four are now living: Elizabeth, living at Urban and Park avenues, Pontiac; Eva V., the deceased wife of Walter J. Fisher, of Detroit ; J. W., the subject of the sketch; and May J., the wife of Edward M. Murphy.
J. W. Emmendorfer was married October 19, 1892 to Annie Black- well, daughter of J. Thomas and Annie (Shaughnessy) Blackwell. Her father was born in Claire county, Ireland, and her mother in Limerick 'county, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Emmendorfer are both members of the Catholic church at Pontiac. He owns 116 acres of land in sections 14 and 15, West Bloomfield township.
GEORGE CUMMINGS. George Cummings and his son, Homer Cum- mings of section 7, West Bloomfield township belong to one of the oldest and most substantial families in that locality.
Robert W., the father of George Cummings, was born at Montgom- ery, Orange county, New York, and came with his father and step- mother, William and Catherine (McClure) Cummings, to Oakland county in 1832, when he was twenty years old. They settled in Bloom- field township. The mother of George Cummings was Jane Morris, who was born in Ireland and came to the United States with her two brothers, John and George Morris, when she was only fifteen years old. They settled in New York state, remaining there about five years, and in 1835 they all made their way to Oakland county, Michigan. In the meantime their father, mother and three sisters had also come to the United States. It was in Oakland county that Jane Morris met Robert Cummings, and they were married on April 5, 1837; Rev. Isaac W. Ruggles performing the ceremony. Six children were born to these parents, of whom but two are living today, although all six reached years of maturity. The eldest son, William, who was a prominent farmer, retired from active business some years prior to his death, which took place at his home near Orchard Lake, in April, 1909. He left a widow and one daughter. Jennette Cummings, both of whom now make their home in Ypsilanti.
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Catherine A., the widow of the late James H. Greer of Birmingham, and George Cummings, who is the immediate subject of this review, are the two surviving children of Robert and Jane ( Morris) Cummings.
George Cummings was born in the township of West Bloomfield on April 6, 1847. The greater part of his early life was spent in Bloomfield township the family residing in section 19, but when he was a young man his family removed to the farm on the south shore of Orchard lake, where he lived until 1879, when he married Margaret Jane Greer, the daughter of Robert M. and Mary M. Greer of Whitelake township. They first made their home on the farm west of Orchard lake but in 1886 dis- posed of that property and purchased the farm just west of Green lake where they still reside. They became the parents of two children,-War- ren W., now deceased, and Homer, who lives at home with his parents. It may be mentioned here that Mrs. Cummings' parents also were pio- neers of Oakland county. Her grandparents, James and Jane Greer, came from the north of Ireland to the United States at an early day, first settling in Matteawan, Dutchess county, New York state, where her father, Robert M. Greer was born in 1822. They moved to Michigan in 1832, settling in Bloomfield township. Her mother, Mary M. Loomis, who came of Hessian ancestry, was the eldest daughter of Jacob and Margaret Loomis and was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1824. She came to Michigan with her parents in 1831, settling in West Bloom- field township, near Pine lake.
In politics, Mr. Cummings has been a lifelong Democrat. He is the owner of seventy-nine acres of land in section 7, West Bloomfield town- ship. His son, Homer, who now manages the farm, is one of the pro- gressive young men of the county. He also is a Democrat in his political faith, and, fraternally, is a member of Commerce Lodge No. 121, Free and Accepted Masons, and a charter member of the Commerce Arbor of Gleaners. He was one of the founders and is an officer in the Oakland County Federation of Gleaners, and is likewise affiliated with numerous other agricultural and fraternal societies.
WILLIAM CHEAL. A native of England who became a resident of the United States and of Pontiac, Michigan, when he was but seven years old; a gallant soldier in defense of the Union during the Civil war, and suffering the pangs of a broken bone and confinement in several of the horrible southern prisons as part of the experience of his service and penalty of his patriotism; and after the war an industrious and prosperous farmer for more than thirty-four years, William Cheal, now living in Pontiac retired from all active pursuits, has been a very useful and enterprising citizen.
Mr. Cheal was born in England on February 22, 1843, a son of Wil- liam and Harriet (Bourn) Cheal, also natives of that country. They came direct to Oakland county in June, 1850. The mother died in 1879, when sixty-seven years of age, and the father died September 4, 1896, at the age eighty-two years. He was a farmer from his youth to the end of his life, and followed his chosen occupation in his native land and afterward in this country. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living: Henry, who resides at Robinson, Brown county, Kansas; Betsey, who is the widow of Isaac Cantrell, of Owosso, this state; Margaret, the widow of Smith Robens, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Thomas, who dwells at Hiawatha, Kansas; Fannie,
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the widow of a Mr. Olmsted, of Denver, Colorado; William, the imme- diate subject of this review ; Harriet, the wife of John Furse, of Robin- son, Kansas; and Robert, whose home is in Owosso, Michigan. The two children who died were Annie and Sarah.
William Cheal came to the United States with his father in 1850. The family located in Pontiac, this state, and here he attended the public school until he reached the age of nineteen. He then enlisted in Com- pany I, Sixth Michigan Cavalry, being enrolled on September 16, 1862. He was taken prisoner in the Shenandoah Valley, having been thrown by his horse and suffered a fracture of his collar bone. He was first con- fined in Libby prison, and afterward, in succession, in Richmond, Belle Isle, Andersonville and Savannah, Georgia, and Milan and Florence, South Carolina. From the prison last named he was paroled on the 13th of December, 1864, then passing three months in a hospital in Annapolis, Maryland, and after leaving the hospital returned to his regiment in 1865. He was then mustered out of the service on Novem- ber 24, that same year, and then returned to Pontiac.
On his return to Michigan he began farming, and in this pursuit he has been engaged ever since, except during the last three years. In 1909 he retired from active work and bought a fine residence in Pontiac, and here he has been living quietly and at leisure ever since. On February 22, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Bird, a daughter of Charles and Martha ( Morris) Bird, and by this marriage became the father of one child, his daughter Ada B., who was born on June 8, 1869, and is now the wife of J. A. Watson, of Waterford in this county. Her mother died on August 3, 1870, and on September 15, 1873, the father contracted a second marriage, uniting himself with Miss Mary E. Bird, her sister. Her parents were natives of England and came to the United States in 1850, taking up their residence in Pontiac. The father was a grain merchant for ten years, then bought a farm which he cultivated for fourteen years. At the end of that period he retired and moved to Pontiac, where he died on February 5, 1905, and where the mother passed away on June 24, 1906. They were the parents of thirteen chil- dren, six of whom are living: George M. and Joshua W., residents of Pontiac; Mary E., Mrs. Cheal, who was born on June 4, 1854; Sarah A., the wife of W. Conklin, of Pontiac; Alfred E., who is also a resident of Pontiac; and Alice E., who is the wife of Hiram Bacon, of Pontiac. The children who died were: Charles, Martha, John, Deborah, Mary Ann, John F. and Grace. By his second marriage Mr. Cheal became the father of seven children: Charles W., who came into being on May 18, r876, and passed out on June 31, 1907; Alfred E., who was born on November 29, 1877, and now lives in Pontiac, and, who was the first mail carrier in the city to deliver mail from an automobile; Robert H., who was born on July 10, 1879, and is now a resident of Waterford; Grace V., whose life began on September 23, 1882, and who is now the wife of Roy Van Atta, of Pontiac; Bessie May, who was born on Octo- ber 8, 1887; George Lewis, the date of whose birth was February 19, 1896; and Leo, who was born on March 6, 1899, and died in April, 1899.
In political relations Mr. Cheal is a Republican. Fraternally he is connected with the Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. In religious affiliation he is a Congregationalist. Throughout Oakland county the people esteem him highly for his elevated character, sterling worth and the interest he has always shown in the welfare of
,
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his county, state and country. He is regarded as one of Pontiac's best and most estimable citizens, against whose good name there has never been a word of censure or reproach from any source.
GEORGE B. CORWIN. One of the prettiest places of the many in the vicinity of Rochester is the Mineral Spring Farm, which is operated by George B. Corwin, a practical agriculturist of many years experience. Mr. Corwin keeps abreast of the times and utilizes with profit many of the recent scientific discoveries as applied to crop growing and stock raising. The bulletins from the agricultural colleges find in him an interested reader and he puts their hints to practical use in his daily life, reaping a substantial reward therefor.
New Jersey was the native state of Mr. Corwin who was born in Warren county of that commonwealth on Christmas eve, 1851. Anthony D. and Martha Ketcham Corwin, his parents, were both natives of New Jersey but came to Michigan in September, 1865, locating in section 16 of Avon township. There are one hundred and eighty-seven acres in this farm, the original home place, and it was there that the senior Cor- win died September 9, 1908. His wife had passed away two years before the family came west being the victim of a terrible tragedy. She was burned to death in her home in New Jersey on New Year's day, 1863. Six children comprised their family, of whom but two are living-George B., the subject of this sketch; and Thomas K., who lives in Pontiac. The first three children, Elizabeth, Nathaniel and Andrew, are all de- ceased and Jennie, the youngest child died in infancy.
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