USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume II > Part 8
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Mr. Johnston was happily married on June 10, 1909, Miss Julia L. Boardman becoming the mistress of his household. Mrs. Johnston is the daughter of John and Nancy Boardman, both natives of Ireland. The Boardman family immigrated from Erin in about the year 1850 and located in the state of New York, where for a time the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. His demise occurred some time ago, but the mother survives and makes her home in Pontiac. Mrs. Johnston is one of a family of six children, as follows: William, of Pontiac; Robert, of Pontiac; Joseph, of Detroit; John, of Pontiac; Anna, wife of Alonzo Stewart, of Pontiac; and Mrs. Johnston, the youngest child.
Mr. Johnston is a popular member of the time-honored Masonic order, and exemplifies in his own living the ideals of moral and social justice and brotherly love for which the order stands. He also belongs to the Foresters and the Maccabees.
WILLIAM HILZINGER. The United States ranks to-day as the fore- most nation of the modern, civilized world. It has served as the melting- pot of the best characteristics of all other nations and the outcome is a fine, sterling American citizenship, consisting of strong and able-bodied men, loyal and public-spirited in civic life, honorable in business and alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with every measure tending to further the material welfare of the entire country. The great Empire of Germany has contributed its fair quota to the up-building of this great nation, and among its representatives in this country are to be found successful men in every walk of life, from the professions to the prosperous farmer. As farmer and real-estate operator, William Hil- zinger is achieving noteworthy success at Royal Oak, where he has re- sided since 1874, with the exception of two years.
William Hilzinger was born at Futtlingen, Wurtemburg, Germany, the date of his nativity being the 20th of August, 1854. He is a son of John George and Annie Marie (Rubelman) Hilzinger, both of whom were born and reared in Germany, where they passed their entire lives. The father died in about 1894 and the mother passed away in 1876. They were the parents of six children, of whom four are living, in 1912, namely,-Frederick, a resident of Germany; Kathrina and Sophia, who are likewise living in Germany ; and William, the immediate subject of this review. The two children who are deceased are John and Adam.
To the public schools of his native place William Hilzinger is in- debted for his educational training. He remained at home with his par- ents until he had reached his fourteenth year, when he began to work out. He was variously employed until he had reached his eighteenth year, when, in 1872, he decided to immigrate to America. He came directly to Michigan and located in the city of Detroit, where he resided for the ensuing two years, at the expiration of which he came to Royal Oak, here engaging in the shoe-repairing business for the next two years. In 1876 he went to Warren, Michigan, and opened a shoe-shop there, running the same for about two years, when he disposed of that business and secured a job in a store. Six months later he decided to go further west and for two or three months sojourned at Dubuque, Iowa, whence he returned to Michigan, locating at Benton Harbor for the summer. Thence he went to Grand Rapids, remaining there for one summer, at the end of which he returned to Detroit, of which city he was a resident for one year. In 1881 he decided to locate permanently at Royal Oak and here he has since resided. He was mail carrier for four years; for
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fifteen years was engaged in the milk business, and for two years was a clerk in the postoffice. He is now interested in farming operations and he likewise engaged in the real-estate business. He owns a great deal of property in Royal Oak and is interested in the Lawson, Baldwin & Hilzinger subdivision. He is a business man of unusual merit and all his dealings are of the most honorable and straightforward nature.
In politics Mr. Hilzinger is an uncompromising Republican. He has served Royal Oak in the capacity of justice of the peace, as councilman and as a member of the board of review. He has also been a member of the school board, serving in that capacity for about twelve years. He is on the alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with all measures and enterprises advanced for the good of the general welfare and as a citizen commands the unqualified confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.
On June 19, 1884, Mr. Hilzinger married Marie Storz, a daughter of Philip Storz, who was born in Germany. Mrs. Hilzinger was born and reared in Royal Oak. Concerning the nine children born to this union the following brief data are here incorporated: Anna, M. was graduated in the Royal Oak high school and is now at Ypsilanti; Lillie D., George J. and William H. were all graduated in the Royal Oak high school ; Louisa and Carl are attending high school at Royal Oak; and Clara, Freda and Albert H. are pupils in the graded school. The Hilzinger home is at Royal Oak and is one of attractiveness and generous hos- pitality.
HERBERT S. BLODGETT. Americans are beginning to realize the moral as well as the historical significance of genealogical foundations. A na- tion which relies upon the record of its homes for its national character cannot afford to ignore the value of genealogical investigation as one of the truest sources of patriotism. The love of home inspires the love of country. There is a wholesome influence in genealogical research which cannot be over-estimated. Moreover, there is a deep human interest to it. The Blodgett family can be traced for nine generations in America and is descended from sterling old New England stock. Herbert S. Blodgett, of this notice, is a farmer and carpenter in Royal Oak town- ship, Oakland county, Michigan.
Thomas Blodgett, born in England, came to the United States in 1635, at the age of thirty years. Samuel, son of Thomas Blodgett, was born in England in 1633 and grew up in America, whither he was brought by his parents at the age of two years. Samuel, Jr., son of Sam- uel Blodgett, Sr., was born at Woburn, Massachusetts, December IO, 1658. Joshua, son of Samuel Blodgett, Jr., was likewise a native of Woburn, Massachusetts, his birth having occurred February 26, 1694. James, son of Joshua Blodgett, was born at Stafford, Connecticut, De- cember 12, 1723. James, Jr., son of James Blodgett, Sr., was born at Binnfield, Massachusetts, April 4, 1757. Sylvanus, son of James Blod- gett, Jr., was born at Whitingham, Vermont, April 13, 1783. Isaac Higbee, son of Sylvanus Blodgett, was born at Jerico, Vermont, May 30, 1820. Herbert S., son of Isaac H. Blodgett, is the immediate subject of this review.
Isaac H. Blodgett, father of Herbert S., was born, reared and mar- ried in Vermont, and he resided in that state until after all his children had been born. While in Vermont he had charge of the spinning de- partment of the Burlington Woolen Mills. In the spring of 1864 Mrs.
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Blodgett, with the children, came to Michigan and located on a farm in Genesee county. Mr. Blodgett followed his family to this state in the following year and began to farm on the estate of eighty acres, living there for seven or eight years, at the expiration of which he removed, with his family, to Fenton, whence removal was later made to Royal Oak township. Here he purchased a farm of sixty-six acres on the corner of the Twelve Mile road and Woodward avenue. Mrs. Blodgett died on this place, her demise having occurred in 1877. After her death Mr. Blodgett went to Birmingham where he resided during the remain- der of his life time. He died in 1899. They were the parents of five children : Orlena was the wife of Calvin Bunnell and she died April 6, 1912; Frank is a resident of Oakland, California; Herbert S., is the immediate subject of this review; Carrie is unmarried and lives at Goodrich; and an infant, deceased.
Herbert S. Blodgett was born at Burlington, Vermont, September 2, 1852, and he was twelve years of age at the time of his arrival in Mich- igan. He was educated in the district schools and stayed at the parental home until his marriage, in 1879, when he and his bride settled on their farm of twenty-five and a half acres, in sections 6, 7 and 8. As a young man he learned the trade of carpenter and he has long devoted his at- tention to carpentering and to farming, in both of which lines of enter- prise he has achieved success. He is a stalwart Republican in politics and in their religious faith he and his wife are devout Universalists.
On April 29, 1879, Mr. Blodgett was united in marriage to Miss Lydia V. Parker, a daughter of Asher B. and Harriet N. (Castle) Parker, the former of whom was born in Oneida county and the latter in Monroe county, New York. Asher B. Parker was a son of William M. Parker, whose birth occurred in North Adams, Massachusetts, in 1779. Mr. and Mrs. Blodgett are the parents of five children, concern- ing whom the following brief data are here incorporated,-Clyde, en- gaged in the electrical business at Detroit, married Cora Kake, and they have one daughter, Marjorie ; Clare is deceased ; Hazel, resides at home, as do also Leslie and Lee.
FRED L. COOK, a leading merchant of Farmington and junior mem- ber of the firm of F. L. Cook & Company, is a native son of Farmington, born in the township of that name on March 26, 1872. His parents were Bernard E. and Florence E. (Lapham) Cook, the father a native of New York state who came to Michigan in his early manhood and settled in Farmington township. The mother was a native of Farmington town- ship, and she died when Fred L. Cook of this review was born. Thus robbed of the care of a mother, he was reared principally by his grand- parents, who did all that was possible to make up to him the loss he sus- tained in infancy.
The district school and later the high school at Farmington supplied the boy's educational training, and he completed his high school course at the age of nineteen. Immediately thereafter he accepted a clerkship in the general store of Fred M. Warner, afterward governor of the state, and the watchful eye of Mr. Warner soon discerned that his young clerk was made of the material that will make good in any circumstances. In 1905 Messrs. Cook, Smith and Kerr bought the Warner interests in the business, taking possession on March 15th of that year. In 1910 Mr. Kerr was succeeded by Mr. Dickerson. They carry a general stock of merchandise, the trade being carried on in two large rooms located
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in almost the center of the business district of Farmington. Well trained in the years of his clerkship, Mr. Cook has made few, if any, mistakes of business judgment in the years that he has been in control of the busi- ness. He believes in personally supervising his own affairs, and he may be found at almost any hour of the day at his place of business, direct- ing the movements of his force of clerks. The business has grown under his management and supervision and Mr. Cook has risen in a few short years from a minor clerkship to the post of owner of one of the most thriving enterprises in the township. A genial and likable man, he has won to himself many tried and true friends. His business meth- ods are of an order that compel the respect and confidence of his fellows, and his many fine traits of character place him among the leading men of his community.
On April 9, 1907, Mr. Cook married Miss Anna M. Way, of Farm- ington, Michigan. She was born in Holly, this state. One son has been born to them, Robert Bernard, now four years old.
Mr. Cook is a Republican, and while he takes a lively interest in the movements of the party, he is in no sense a politician or an office seeker. He is fraternally affiliated with the Masonic order, being a Royal Arch Mason. Although he is not a member of any church, he recognizes the value of Christian influences in any community, and has never withheld his support from any church development work of whatever denomi- nation. His influence in his native town has ever been of an admirable character, and he is a citizen of high order.
JOHN H. JOHNSON, proprietor of Stony Brook Stock Farm of Farm- ington township, and one of the biggest stock men in the country, is a native son of Oakland county and of Farmington, where he was born on June 27, 1867. Mr. Johnson has attracted almost national attention as a breeder of pure Holstein stock, and his stock farm has produced some of the finest cattle in the Dekol, Korndyke and Hengerveld strains known to the world of breeders.
Of Welsh and English descent, Mr. Johnson is the son of Isaiah and Phoebe (Roberts) Johnson, both natives of Pennsylvania. The mother died in 1908, while the father makes his home at Plymouth, Michigan, aged seventy-six years. Their son, the subject of this review, was reared on his father's farm in Farmington and attended the village schools, fin- ishing his studies with a high school course. Leaving school, he became actively engaged in agriculture, a business which he has followed all his life. About fifteen years ago he became interested in stock-breeding, a subject which had always been an attractive one to him, and he selected a fine strain of Holstein cattle as the basis of his breeding operations, a choice which he has never regretted and to which he has persistently clung. His success has been of an unusual order from the beginning. At the present time his herd is made up of three famous strains of the Hol- stein family,-Dekol, Korndyke and Hengerveld, which rank as the world's record makers, of which they have made five, as milk and butter producers. Mr. Johnson has at present in his flock four heifers for which he has refused $1,000 each. The sire of these heifers, the "King of Butter Kings," was sold to C. S. Averill, of Syracuse, New York, when six weeks old, for $4,000. The four heifers are bred to noble sires, two of them to "King Segis Pontiac," whose son, at seven months of age, sold at public auction for $10,000. While it is true that these are the stars of his flock, he has several other splendid animals, among
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them granddaughters of "Pontiac Korndyke," "Pictertje Hengerveld," "Count Dekol" and "King Segis" as well as daughters of other noted sires.
Stony Brook Farm is one of the finest places in the county of Oak- land, and has every evidence of prosperity, progressiveness and the ap- plication of scientific principles in the conduct of its affairs. Thriftiness and careful management have made it what it is, and Mr. Johnson dis- plays a pardonable pride in the place. He is a member of the Michigan Breeders' Consignment Sale Company, which is made up of ten leading Holstein breeders of the state. Each year a public auction is held at the state fair grounds in Detroit, and the members bring their stock to the sale. Mr. Johnson is also a member of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America, which is composed of the best breeders in the country, and for several years has served as secretary and vice president of the Hol- stein-Friesian Club of Michigan. He is on the whole, recognized as one of the leading breeders of the state, and one whose opinion is well worth considering, it being generally conceded that he is perhaps the best posted breeder of Holstein cattle in the state.
Mr. Johnson is a Republican and has held many local offices, although he has never been an office seeker, the demands of his business being such that he has never felt like giving his time to outside business. He has served faithfully and well in whatever political offices his fellow towns- people have thrust upon him, and is now justice of the peace for his district. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the American In- surance Union and of the Grange.
On October 5, 1891, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Roberts, of Farmington, and they have one son, Wilmer R., now eighteen years of age. He is a student in the Farmington high school of the class of 1913, and is one of the finest athletes in the county, espec- ially as a base ball pitcher. He has already attracted much attention as a pitcher of unusual power and ability, and it is freely predicted that more will be heard of him in the near future in that regard.
The family are attendants at the Methodist Episcopal church of Farm- ington, and are among the most highly esteemed residents of the con- munity, in which they were born and reared and have passed their lives thus far in praiseworthy manner.
AUSTIN SKIDMORE. Among the representative citizens of Oakland county who are of native birth and who have made agriculture their vocation, mention is deserved by Austin Skidmore, who owns a comfort- able and attractive farmstead in Oxford township. Both through his success as a farmer and as a lifelong resident of the county Mr. Skidmore has become well known to its people, among whom he is recognized as a man of sterling worth.
He was born in Oxford township on August 3, 1851, to John and Mary A. (Green) Skidmore, both of whom were natives of New York. John Skidmore came to Michigan in 1836 and for the first fifteen years resided in Macomb county. From there he removed to the adjoining county of Oakland, where he followed farming for many years, spending the last twenty-five years of his life in the village of Oxford, retired. His death occurred on July 25, 1906. A few years later his wife joined him in the life beyond, her demise having occurred on October 28, 1909. Both parents were held in the highest esteem in the community of which they were pioneers and where they had traveled life's journey together
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over a half century. Two children came to their union: Austin and a brother, Albert, the latter of whom died at the age of fifteen years.
Mr. Skidmore was reared to the vocation of farming and has followed it on the old home place all of his life. His holdings comprise one hun- dred and fifty acres in section fifteen, Oxford township, and besides gen- eral farming he is interested in fine poultry, especially in the raising of Rhode Island Red chickens. Substantial and commodious buildings and other improvements on the farm indicate the progressive spirit of its owner as an agriculturist.
On December 30, 1873, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Skid- more and Miss Alma E. Tanner, who died in 1884. She was a member of the Baptist church. To this union were born: Ida M., now Mrs. Aldis Bliss, of Oxford, Michigan, and Helen M., now the wife of Frederick Stevens, of Oxford. The second marriage of our subject occurred No- vember 3, 1885, when Miss Rosella Bishop became his wife. Mrs. Skid- more is the fourth of six children born to her parents, Benjamin and Lucy (Hall) Bishop, both of whom were natives of Wayne county, New York, and spent their entire lives there. Josephine, their eldest child, is the wife of William Jordan, of Wayne county, New York; Joel H. resides in South Dakota; Frances is the wife of Augustus Seaman, of Wayne county, New York; Mrs. Skidmore is the next in order of birth; Estella is deceased; and John E., the youngest of the family, is a resident of Detroit, Michigan. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sdidmore, the eldest died in infancy. The other two are Mary A., now the wife of Harry Cross, of Pontiac, Michigan, and Laura I., now Mrs. J. Hood, of Pontiac.
In political affairs Mr. Skidmore gives his allegiance to the Republi- can party, and fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of the Mac- cabees. Mrs. Skidmore is a member of the Baptist church. He has so ordered his life both in a business and in a social way that he is not only accredited as being one of the progressive and prosperous men of his section but one who also commands high respect and esteem.
HORACE E. ALLEN. One of the well known citizens and practical farmers of Oxford township is Horace E. Allen, also one of the oldest residents of that section, for his birth occurred in that township on May 29, 1843, and his whole life has been spent where occurred his nativity. His parents, Alfred and Lydia (Lyons) Allen, were both natives of New York state. They became residents of Michigan the year of its admission to the Union, 1837, and located in Oakland county, where they traveled life's journey together fifty-four years, or until the mother's death in 1891. Alfred Allen survived his wife until 1896, when he too passed beyond. They were the parents of seven children, the eldest two of whom died in infancy. The others are: Sarah, the widow of R. D. Day and now a resident of Oxford, Michigan; Charles, who died in infancy ; Horace E., whose name initiates this sketch; Helen, deceased; and Harriet, of Oxford, Michigan, who is the widow of D. B. Stanton.
Until the death of the parents their home in Oxford was the abode of their only surviving son, Horace E. Mr. Allen is now the owner of one hundred and thirty acres in Oxford township and continues in the occupation in which he has spent many years, that of farming. The usual lines of agriculture are followed and he is also interested in stock-raising.
Mr. Allen has been twice married. On December 4, 1872, he was wedded to Miss Frances Harris, who died on October 17, 1886. She
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bore him one son, Ray E. Allen, who is now a resident of Addison town- ship. His second marriage took place on June 27, 1888, and united him to Miss Alice Lincoln. To this union there were born: Lulu M., now Mrs. Leroy Dewey, of Addison township ,and Howard L., at home with his parents.
In political affairs Mr. Allen is inclined to be independent in prin- ciple and favors such measures as will conduce to the welfare of the people. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees, and in church faith and membership he is a Methodist. In the com- munity of which he has been a life-long resident he is highly regarded as a man of honor and integrity and one that stands justly high in the estimation of his friends and neighbors.
EZRA GARDNER, an old time resident of Oxford township, has devoted all his life thus far to the agricultural business, and has become well and favorably known to a large circle of people in Oakland county in the years that have passed. He has done as much toward the development of the district in which he lives as any one, in addition to which he is a veteran of the Civil war. Mr. Gardner was born in Oxford township, on May 25, 1847, the son of Solomon and Abagail (Glaspie) Gardner. Both parents were natives of New York state. The father was a Bap- tist minister, born in 1817, and he died in 1903, at the age of eighty-six years. The mother passed away in 1854. They were the parents of six children : Christina, the eldest, is deceased; as is also James A .; Ezra is the subject of this review ; Harper S., is living in Oxford; Josephine and Judson S. are both deceased. The father on coming to Michigan took up a tract of land from the government, and on this farm Ezra Gardner has lived all his life.
When Ezra Gardner was seventeen years of age he enlisted in the Thirtieth Michigan Infantry, Company F, under Captain Pigney, in 1864. He served through the time of his enlistment on the border of Canada, and in June, 1865, was mustered out with his company. He thereupon returned to his home in Oxford, and there has continued to reside. He has carried on farming more or less extensively all his life, and has pros- pered according to his ambition. From the log house which his father first lived in with his little family on the primitive Michigan farm, a substantial frame house has come. And where in the early pioneer days they broke the virgin soil with sturdy ox teams, the modern machinery has taken the place of the earlier methods, and many have been the changes the farm has undergone since the days of 1837, when Solomon Gardner first settled in Oakland county upon the farm now operated by his son.
On April 10, 1877, Mr. Gardner was married to Lucinda M., daugh- ter of Austin and Clarissa (Lambertson) Travis, both natives of Michi- gan. The father, who still lives, has been a farmer all his life. The mother died some years ago. They were the parents of three children,- Mary Ann, deceased; Mrs. Gardner; and William, living in Davidson, Michigan. The father married for his second wife Mrs. Jane Whitten and they had three children : Cassius M., Mrs. Minnie Mill and John.
Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Gardner became the parents of one son, Lee H., who is in the parental home. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Gardner is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Frank Powell Post. He has taken a worthy part in the public life of his township, having served as school commissioner, high-
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