USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume II > Part 7
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Mr. Sevener married May E. Brosius a daughter of Wililam and Sarah (Barron) Brosius, natives of Michigan, who reared four children,
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namely : Ella, deceased ; May E., now Mrs. Sevener ; Peter, who died in infancy ; and Riley G., of Lapeer, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Sevener are the parents of two children, Edward Lee, working the home farm and Verna E., also living at home.
One of the leading Republicans of his township, Mr. Sevener has served his fellow-citizens in numerous offices of trust and responsibility, having been highway commissioner one year; township clerk five years ; township treasurer two years; and for the past seven years has been a member of the board of supervisors. Religiously he is a member of the Baptist church.
R. A. PALMER. The possession of a mechanical turn of mind and a nautral bent in the direction of constructive processes early directed the activities of R. A. Palmer, a resident of Pontiac since 1908 and for many years previous to that time identified with the business world of Detroit. At the age of sixteen Mr. Palmer left the farm and com- menced the study of mechanics and all his life he has been connected with constructive work on a large scale.
Born in Delphi, Indiana, November 8, 1864, Mr. Palmer is the son of Randall and Electa ( Landon) Palmer. The father was a native of Vermont, a Quaker in belief and training, while the mother was a New Yorker. They came to Michigan in 1832, settling in the Raisin Valley region of Lenawee county. The earlier life of Randall Palmer was devoted to mercantile lines, after which he turned to farming, a business which he followed with success for many years. He died in March, 1908, his wife having preceded him in death in April, 1907. They became the parents of four children: Charles B., of Adrian, Michigan ; Allie, the wife of C. M. Stewart, of Saginaw; Arthur L., a farmer at Langsburg, Michigan; and R. A. Palmer, of this review.
When Mr. Palmer had mastered the machinist's trade as a boy in his 'teens, his first connection with big operations in his line was repre- sented by his part in the construction of the water works plant at Adrian, Michigan. For seven years thereafter he traveled in the capacity of constructive engineer and contractor, and his experience was of a wide and varied nature. He was connected with a heating and ventilating company, known as the Buffalo Forge Company, of Buffalo, New York, and also the American Blower Company, of Detroit. He then established a steel warehouse in Detroit, which was operated under the title of the Pittsburg Shafting Company of Detroit, and of which he was manager for five years.
His next venture was the organization of the Cartercar Company of Detroit, which concern he perfected in 1905, becoming its manager, and in 1908 he removed to Pontiac. In 1912 Mr. Palmer resigned the managership of the Pontiac plant, that he might be able to give more personal attention to the numerous independent enterprises with which he is identified in more or less important capacities. He is president of the Palmer & Bee Company, of Detroit, and maintains a similar relation to the Michigan Bow Socket Company, also of Detroit, as well as being definitely associated with other important manufacturing enterprises. In 'many ways the keen insight into business affairs which is a compel- ling characteristic of Mr. Palmer has stood him in good stead in his business career, and he is regarded as one of the most potent forces in the metal manufacturing and metalutilizing industries of Michigan. Be- side office and directive training that his years of business activity have
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provided him with, he has back of it all the intimate knowledge that he acquired at the bench and lathe when he was a machinist,-a knowl- edge which has been, no doubt, a dominant factor in his general success.
On June 24, 1900, Mr. Palmer was married to Miss Estelle M. Chris- man, of Roneco, Michigan. Mrs. Palmer is a daughter of Jackson and Mary ( Parrish) Chrisman, natives of New Jersey, who were for years identified with agricultural interests in their home community. Both are now deceased.
FRED A. LAMOREAUX, M. D., has recently identified himself with the prosperous town of South Lyon, Michigan; has opened an office for the practice of his profession, and has gained the confidence and good will of the people.
Dr. Lamoreaux is a native of Michigan. He was born at Linden, this state, June 10, 1880, son of Dr. Charles H. and Mrs. Dora (Major) Lamoreaux, also natives of the "Lake State." Dr. Charles H. Lam- oreaux, a resident of Fowler, Michigan, prepared himself for his pro- fession at the Chicago Medical College and has had a long and success- ful career as a practitioner, his practice in Livingston county covering a period of thirty years. Fred A. Lamoreaux was two years old when his parents moved to Fowlerville. There he attended common school and high school, and is a graduate of the latter with the class of June, 1898. In September following his graduation in the high school he entered the Cincinnati (Ohio) Medical College, where he remained for two years, after which he returned home and became associated in prac- tice with his father. In 1909, in order to better fit himself for his life work, he went to Chicago and took a post graduate course. He came from Fowlerville to South Lyon in the early part of 1912, purchased a home and established himself here.
Dr. Lamoreaux and Miss May Baker, of St. Paul, Minnesota, were married May 6, 1900, and are the parents of two children : Charles, born in 1902, and Frederick, in 1905. Mrs. Lamoreaux is a native of Sagi- naw, Michigan, and a daughter of Fisher and Catherine (Flynn) Baker. Her father was one of the first conductors on the F. & P. M. Railroad, and followed that line of work of years, until he moved to Minnesota and engaged in the lumber business.
In his religious views Dr. Lamoreaux is broad and liberal and does not confine himself to creeds. He belongs to both the F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F., and has membership in both the County and State Medi- cal Associations. While in Fowlerville he served four years as health officer. Politically he is a Republican.
MARK S. BREWER. From the rough and rugged life of a logging camp in the northern woods to the halls of Congress were two extremes in the life of the late Mark S. Brewer, of Pontiac, Michigan. His career was typical of the early pioneer who, contending against the obstacles that advancing civilization has now swept away, had at that time to literally carve out a pathway for himself, but in so doing strengthened every fiber of his nature. In many respects his early life, his striving for an education, his study of law and his advancement to a position of prominence presented a modest parallel to the story of the immortal Lincoln.
Mr. Brewer was born in Addison township, Oakland couny, Michi- gan, October 22, 1837, and his death occurred in the city of Washington,
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on March 18, 1901. He was a son of Peter and Mary (Ternes) Brewer. Peter Brewer was born June 8, 1791, in Dutchess county, New York, his father, also named Peter, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, who died in the Catskill Mountains, in Greene county, New York, 1804. In 1824 Peter Brewer, the son, married Mary Ternes, daughter of John and Mary Ternes, who were natives of Ireland. In August, 1833, Peter Brewer and his wife started from their home in New York to Michigan. The journey to Albany was made by sloop, then by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and on by steamer to Detroit, the entire trip consuming two weeks. They settled in Addison township, Oakland county, Michigan, on September 23, 1866. In their latest home the well- beloved couple were not permitted to long enjoy the surroundings which had attracted them. After a comparatively short illness they passed away within a few hours of each other. To their union nine children were born-Addison P., Anne, Peter W., John A., Abraham N., Mark S. (the subject of this sketch), Mary S., Lydia M. and Sarah E. The four oldest sons are deceased-Addison, John, Peter and Mark. Mary is now the widow of Moses Yuran, of Flushing, Michigan; Lydia became Mrs. Marvin and is now deceased. Her home was at Clifford, Michi- gan. . Sarah is the wife of Daniel McMaster, of Claire, Michigan; and Anne is the wife of George Hanna, of Clifford, Michigan. Abraham is living at Pontiac, Michigan.
Mark S. Brewer remained on the home farm until he was twenty years of age except for a period spent in a logging camp in northern Michigan when he was sixteen. He attended the district school in a log school house, and in the winter of 1858 commenced teaching school. He taught during the winters for three years, working in the summer at manual labor, and in the intervals of every day's occupation spending some time with his beloved books. He attended some of the courses in Romeo and Oxford Academy, completing his classical education.
Scholastic work paved the way toward his ambition, the study of law, and in the spring of 1861 he entered the law office of Hon. W. L. Webber, of East Saginaw. The following year he continued his studies under Judge M. E. Crofoot and Governor Wisner, at Pontiac. He was admitted to the bar in 1864, and at once formed a partnership with Judge Crofoot, which association continued until June 1, 1876.
It was a natural step for one of Mr. Brewer's attainments to enter public life, and he had been practicing but three years when he became circuit court commissioner for Oakland county, serving in that capacity from 1867 to 1871. From 1866 to 1867 he was city attorney of the city of Pontiac. The state legislature was the next step in his advance- ment, and he was sent to the Michigan general assembly in 1872, serv- ing during 1873 and 1874.
The Republicans nominated him in 1876 as the candidate for repre- sentative in Congress from the Sixth district of Michigan, and he was elected, receiving a majority of 1741 votes over his opponent, Hon. George H. Dumond. He was appointed counsel general at Berlin and filled the post four years, then served another term in Congress, return- ing afterward to Pontiac. President William McKinley appointed him civil service commissioner, which post he was filling at the time of his death. His political activities in a national way were reflected in a direct capacity at home, his friends and associates back in Michigan choosing him for the district's representative on the Republican state
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central committee from a period long antedating his death. He had been chairman of the Oakland county committee since 1870.
Mr. Brewer's long contact with political matters and his veteran service in the public cause was a continual record of honorable and meritorious effort. Not the slightest reproach nor suspicion was ever connected with his name, but he came to the foot of the sunset slope and passed into the shadows of eternity bearing an untarnished shield, honored and respected by those whom he represented in state and na- tional halls and loved and esteemed by those with whom he was asso- ciated. His was a political life "sans peur et sans reproche."
Mr. Brewer took for his first wife Miss Lizzte Senenden, who died in 1885. His second wife was Miss Louise Parker, to whom he was married December 26, 1889. She was a daughter of Abiram and Sarah E. (Beach) Parker, both of whom were natives of New York. Mr. Parker was interested in banks and is now president of the First Com- merical Bank of Pontiac. The mother is still living, at the age of seventy- six. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker there were born three children-Grace, who is the wife of Frank W. Fletcher, of Detroit; Louise, now Mrs. Brewer ; and a third child who died in infancy.
Mr. Brewer's religious affiliation was with the Presbyterian church. He was a member of the Masonic order.
THOMAS HENRY MCGEE, president of Farmington village and former incumbent of many important offices in the township, has claimed Farm- ington as his home during most of the years since his birth. He is of Irish ancestry in both lines, although his parents were Americans for the greater part of their lives. His father was likewise named Thomas McGee and was a son of John and Margaret McGee, the former of whom was born in Scotland, in 1830, later removing to Canada as a boy. There he grew to manhood and married Abigail McQuaid, a daughter of George and Abigail McQuaid, both of whom were of Irish descent. The family of Thomas and Abigail McGee consisted of six sons and three daughters, of whom six are now living in addition to Thomas Henry McGee. They include Mrs. Margaret Truscott; George McGee, the superintendent of the schools of Cadillac: Mrs. C. M. Doherty, of Farmington; James, of Marshalltown, Iowa; Clyde, who is a Congrega- tional minister of Chicago, Illinois; and Clinton McGee, who is assis- tant prosecuting attorney of Oakland county and who resides in Pontiac. The father of this family was a member of the Methodist church, and was a strong Prohibitionist at the time of his death, which occurred on March 2, 1899.
Thomas McGee, who was fifth in the family line, was born in the village in which he now holds the highest and most honorable offices, on August 23, 1867. Here he was reared and here he was educated up to the time when he was ready to study for his degree in pharmacy. At that time he went for his scientific courses to the greatest educational institution then existing in the middle west and still one of the highest rank of its now extensive class of schools. In the department of phar- macy in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, Mr McGee pursued his studies and received from the university the degree of Ph. C. He had begun his practical work in this line by assisting in a drug store of Farmington. After gaining his degree he accepted a position as a pharmacist in a store of the same type, though of more extensive pro- portions, in Bay City, Michigan. From there he went to Saginaw, Vol. 1-4
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Michigan, in another position of the same kind. After thirteen or fourteen months there the young man returned to the home of his child- hood and youth, where he purchased the drug stock of Dr. E. Woodman. In February of that year, 1896, Mr. McGee took charge of this business, for which he had been well prepared by the two years' experience he had attained since the granting of his degree. Ever since that time he has continued in this business, with success as well as with the satisfac- tion of his customers. He is the proprietor of the only drug store in Farmington.
Mr. McGee grew up with an inherited preference for and interest in the tenets and leaders of the Democratic party. Even before he had reached the years of his majority, he was active in party work, and that activity has in no way diminished, although the principles which guide him in public work-especially in that of local politics-are not narrowed within party limits. His standards and ideals find what seems to him the truest response in the measures of his own party, but are too large for mere partisanship. He believes, indeed, so far as his concrete work is concerned, that where the greatest harmony exists among the people of a given locality, there will the best conditions obtain.
At any rate, although his party principles are well known, and though Farmington is a community in which Republicans largely predominate, Mr. McGee has been repeatedly elected to offices in his township. He was twice its treasurer, twice its clerk and his presidency of the village is regarded with approval throughout Farmington because of his interest in all movements toward the up-building of the community in the ways that are worth while. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was married June 10, 1910, to Miss Josephine E. Mack, of Saginaw, Michigan.
ALBERT D. JONES. The substantial and prominent agriculturists of Oakland county have no more worthy representative than Albert D. Jones, proprietor of "Sleepy Hollow Farm," one of the most desirable pieces of property in the vicinity of Oakwood. A son of the late E. Oscar Jones, he was born September 29, 1849, in Ontario county, New York.
E. Oscar Jones, a native of New York, spent his earlier years in his native state. About 1860 he followed the emigrant's trail westward to Michigan, locating in Oakwood, where he followed his trade of a tinsmith for a few years, but subsequently bought land, and was thereafter en- gaged in tilling the soil until his death, in 1904, at a venerable age. He was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Polly Good- ing, died in 1853, in New York, leaving but one child, Albert D., the sub- ject of this sketch. He married for his second wife Hannah Richards, who bore him eight children, one of whom, Carrie A., is the wife of Delos P. Loomis.
Ten years old when he came with the family to Oakland county, Albert D. Jones completed his early education in the district schools, after which he went back to his old home in New York, where he worked as a farm hand for two years. Soon after attaining his majority he returned to Oakland county, Michigan, and for twelve years worked his grandfather's farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Then he purchased the farm from the heirs, and has since added to his original purchase until now "Sleepy Hollow Farm" contains three hundred acres of as rich and valu- able land as can be found in this part of the county. Although he has met with far more than average success in his labors, Mr. Jones has also
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Albert D Jorus
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had reverses, a most serious misfortune having befallen him when, six- teen years ago, in 1896, a fierce cyclone passed through this section of Oakland county, stopping long enough with him to destroy all of his buildings, uproot three orchards, and scatter all of his fences to the four winds, entailing upon him a total loss of $10,000. He immediately put up a large horse barn, and in it he and his family dwelt until the comple- tion of their new house in the following December.
Mr. Jones married, February 2, 1873, Catherine M. Hamlin, a daugh- ter of Martin and Margaret (Liuck) Hamlin, and one of a family of thirteen children, six of whom are living. Her father, a native of France, came to America when eleven years old, and after spending three years in Troy, New York, came to Michigan, locating in Lapeer county, where he bought land and was subsequently engaged in tilling the soil until his death, in 1877. His wife survives him, and now lives with one of her sons in Lapeer county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, namely : Leo, who died in infancy ; Elijah, a professional base-ball pitcher, known as "Bumpus;" Cassie M., wife of Ray D. Price, of De- troit, and has one child, Fay Dove Price, born April 20, 1909; and Mabel Fay, living with her parents. Politically Mr. Jones affiliates with the Republican party. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons.
CHARLES L. GROESBECK. In 1907 there arrived in Pontiac a gentle- man, who has given to the city a particularly fine brand of citizenship, and who now holds the office of city clerk. Charles L. Groesbeck has been engaged in several lines of business, but for the greater part of the time in insurance and real estate, and possessing no small amount of executive ability. those enterprises with which he has been identified, have been pretty sure of success. In the legitimate channels of business he has won the success, which always crowns well directed labor, sound judgment and untiring perseverance and at the same time has concerned himself with the affairs of the community in an admirably public-spirited fashion.
Mr. Groesbeck hails from the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Oswego county, New York, on June 1, 1866. His parents, Charles S. and Mariette (Lewis) Groesbeck, both natives of the state which gave their son birth. are now deceased, the father having passed to the Great Beyond in 1908, and the mother many years before, Mr. Groesbeck hav- ing been but five years of age when deprived of her care and guidance. The elder gentleman was a school teacher by profession and engaged in his pedagogical labors until within four years of his demise. About 1904 he was appointed to the position of stamp clerk in the Denver, (Colo.) post office and was thus engaged when summoned to his reward. Mr. Groesbeck was the second in a family of three children. Ella M., is the wife of E. D. Wheeler, of Beloit, Wisconsin, and the youngest member of the family, Hiram B .. is deceased.
Mr. Groesbeck belongs by every right to the category of self-made men, and at the age of fifteen he shouldered the serious responsibilities of life and entered the ranks of the wage-earners. At that age he went into a grocery at Janesville, Wisconsin, (the family having removed from New York) and was employed as assistant there for three years. He then went to Denver, where in course of time he became identified with the real estate business and was successfully engaged in this field for seventeen years, during which time he was secretary of the National
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Loan Association and also devoted a part of his time and attention to the mining business. His next step took him to Chicago, where he was engaged in real estate operations for eight years, and from the "Windy City" he came to Pontiac, in whose advantages and future he had great faith. For a short period after his arrival here he was engaged in the photography business, but eventually found an opening in real estate, in which he had in previous years given "a taste of his quality." In partner- ship with the Oakland Realty Company he found an assured position in the business world. Mr. Groesbeck's appointment as city clerk was on May 1, 1911, and he is filling the office at the present time. He is an exponent of the progressive spirit and strong initiative ability that have caused Pontiac to forge so rapidly forward in the last few years and there is nothing of public import in which he is not helpfully interested.
GEORGE C. JOHNSTON. Clearly defined purpose and consecutive ef- fort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in the termination of a due measure of success, but in following out the career of one who has at- tained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality, which has made such accomplishment possible and thus there is granted an objective incentive and inspiration, while at the same time there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made George C. Johnston one of the successful and esteemed men of Pontiac have been those of well-directed energy, strong deter- mination and honorable methods. He is a prominent Republican and holds at the present time the office of city treasurer.
By the circumstance of birth Mr. Johnston is a Canadian, his eyes having first opened to. the light of day at Whitby, Ontario, May 31, 1872. He is a son of William and Sarah Jane ( Hand) Johnston, both natives of Canada. Both are now deceased, the father having passed to the Great Beyond on November 2, 1872, and the mother on May 9. 1887 .. William Johnston answered to the dual occupation of jeweler and farmer, and he and his worthy wife became the parents of two children, the subject's sister, Annette, being the wife of A. J. Fisher. of Pontiac.
George C. Johnston secured his preliminary education in the schools of the Dominion of Canada. His father died in the year of his own birth and his mother married again, her second husband being T. N. Knott. of Pontiac, who survives her and makes his home in this city. He has for many years been engaged in the carriage painting business. By the second union the mother had three children, as follows: William R., of Louisville, Kentucky : Henry P., of Pontiac; and Louisa D., wife of Earl Lofft. of Detroit, Michigan. At an early age George became a resident of Pontiac and his first work was in his step-father's shop, where he learned the carriage painting business, which he followed until the year 1905. He then removed to Valparaiso, where he took a course in commercial training in the university and then, returning to Pontiac, he became employed on the United States geological survey, in which interesting work he continued for one season. He then accepted a posi- tion in the collection department of the First Commercial Bank, where he remained for two years and then went to Lansing, where he acted as committee clerk during the session of the state legislature. He then established a paint shop in this city and continued in this field for a year and a half, being then elected (in 1910) city treasurer. His services in this responsible capacity were of such high order that he was endorsed by appointment in 1911, and holds the office at the present time.
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