USA > Michigan > Oakland County > Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 104
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The children of and Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are Arthur W., born August 18, 1867; Alice L., Febru- ary 3, 1869 ; J. Lee, June 28, 1872; Frank J .. January 28, 1879, and Mary G.,December 7, 1885. Arthur is on the Toledo Blade as general news editor; he was married April 15, 1888, to Margaret S. Simonds, of Center Line, Macomb County, and they have two children-Don H., born December 18, 1889, and Alice, February 21. 1891. Alice L. was married October 22, 1889, to William Todd, Jr., of Royal Oak. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell belong to the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and he is Treasurer, Trus-
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tee and Steward, while she is a teacher in the Sun- day school. Mr. Campbell has served acceptably as Ilighway Commissioner and Constable. He began his political career by voting for Abrahan Lincoln and takes an active part in local work and has been sent as a delegate to county conventions.
6 HE PONTIAC GAZETTE. On the 1st of January, 1843, J. Dowd Coleman is- sued the first number of the Genesee Her- ald, at Flint, Mich., and continued to publish the same at that point as a Whig paper, until January, 1844, when the Herald ceased to exist and Cole- man brought his material to Pontiac, and on Wednesday, the 7th of February that year, he issued the first, number of the Oakland County Gazette, upholding the same political sentiments. On the Ist of March following, W. G. Thompson succeeded to the paper and continued its publica- tion for some years, and was for a time followed by J. B. Seymour. But Mr. Thompson came into pos- session of the paper again April 1, 1850.
In January, 1854, Z. B. Knight became the pro- prietor of the Gazette and changed its name to the Pontiac Gazette. The following year he disposed of the office to Messrs. Ilowell & IJosmer, the lat- ter, however, retiring in June the same year. Charles B. Howell became associated in the owner- ship and editorial management of the paper in 1861 and in 1863 the Howells were succeeded by Messrs. Beardslee & Turner, who found the establishment very much crippled by bad management. Mr. Beardslee retired in 1867 and Mr. Rann took his place antil the following year, when Mr. Thom- blinson tried his hand at the paper, but soon re- tired, leaving Mr. Turner sole proprietor and man- ager. Mr. Rann again came upon the scene and continued there until 1872, when the present pro- prietors, C. F. Kimball and C. B. Turner, under the name and style of the Pontiac Gazette Com- pany, became the owners of the office. When Mr. Turner first became identified with the paper in
1863 be found that it had been conducted by non- professional printers and was scarcely worth the name of a newspaper. The new firm at once be- gan to build up the business, moving to new quar- ters and adding improvements as fast as the de- mand came, and in 1874 they placed steam power in the office.
The Gazette is now printed on a first-class Pot- ter cylinder press and has eight pages of seven columns each. Its mechanical appearance is neat and clean and its advertising columns well filled and displayed. 'The job office is second to none in the State outside of Detroit and its impress facili- ties are equal to those of the city. It is the largest paper in this Congressional District. Mr. Kin- ball's labors in behalf of the Republican cause have been acknowledged by his appointment to the Postmastership of Pontiac. The politics of the Gazette have been first Whig and then Republican, without variableness or shadow of turning. It is high-toned in its editorials and radical in the de- fense of what its editors deem right.
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OHN BODINE, a retired merchant at Bir- mingham, was born in Baptisttown, Ilunt- erdon County, N. J., December 19, 1815, and is a son of Frederick and Mary O. (Daniels) Bodine, natives of New Jersey and Penn- sylvania respectively. Frederick was a tailor by trade and also kept a tavern for many years, and was the father of seven children, namely: Mary A., Jane, Hannah, Jolin, Rebecca, William and Chris- tian.
The mother of this family died when John was about nine years of age, and before he was sixteen he started ont in life on his own account. After learning his trade as a tailor he worked as a jour- neyman in various parts of New York and Con- necticut until 1855, when he came to Birmingham and opened up a tailor shop and clothing business, which he followed until about 1885, when he re- tired from active business.
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Mr. Bodine has been a Democrat and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for sixteen years. Ile is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. January 30, 1842, he married Miss Elizabeth Hef- ley, of Pottsville, Pa., who was born in Harrisburg, that State, in 1824, and died January 8, 1851, leav- ing three daughters: Mary, Mrs. Albert Burson; Hannah, Mrs. Dr. Charles M. Raynale; and Clara, Mrs. James Camp. Mr. Bodine was again married in 1852 to Miss Sarah J. Riggs, of New Haven County, Conn., who was born in 1828 and is a daughter of Eli and Susan (Brunson) Riggs, of Connecticut. To our subject and this lady have been born five children : John F., deceased; Em- ma, Mrs. Whitehead; Ida, Mrs. Howard; William E., residing in Wyoming; and Albert J., who is in the same region.
OSEPH SMITHI. No better type of the old settler-strictly honest in word and deed, hospitable and energetic-can be found in Milford Township than in the person of Joseph Smith. He was eighteen years old when he came to this country, and he had no surplus funds when he arrived. What now he has he has earned by hard work and frugal living when it was neecssary. His farm is located on section 32, and consists of two hundred and five acres, one hundred and eighty being under cultivation. Ile built the comfortable farmhouse and all the barns and other outhouses now on the place, besides three barns, which were destroyed by fire. Al- though he is advanced in years he still carries on the farm, dividing his attention between crops and stock. Ile has a good flock of sheep and has raised sixty lambs this season.
Our subject is the son of Arthur and Rebecca (Laird) Smith, who spent their entire lives in County Donegal, Ireland. The mother traced her ancestry to Scotland. After the death of the father she came to America and made her home with her children. She died in this county about 1861, and
lies buried at New Hudson. Both parents belonged to the Presbyterian Church. They had six chil- dren, four now living and all in America. Josephi was born in County Donegal in 1821, and was five years old when bereft of his father. It was neces- sary for him to go to work quite early, and he had, therefore, but little schooling. This has made him all the more anxious to give his children good school privileges, and he has been enabled to carry out his desire. When he emi- grated he spent some years in Orange County, N. Y., working on a farm, and in 1842 came to this State. Ile traveled on a canal-boat from Al- bany to Buffalo, crosed the lake to Detroit, and came to Lyon Township on foot. Ile was thor- oughly discouraged and disheartened, but did not cease in his efforts to find work until he was hired out by the month to Joseph Blackwood. He was to do farm work at $10 per month.
Mr. Smith remained on Mr. Blackwood's farm three years, then bought forty acres of wild land in Lyon Township. He sold it and bought one hundred and sixty acres, partially improved, in- curring indebtedness for the greater part of its value. lle did not settle upon his farm until after lis marriage, in 1818, but he then took possession of a log house and began removing the timber. Ile remained upon the place until 1861, and succeeded in placing the entire acreage under improvement. [Ie then sold and settled on one hundred acres in Milford Township, which forms a part of his valu- able property. The estate he ocenpies is much more thoroughly equipped with buildings than many or those around it. Mr. Smith has had his efforts ably seconded by his wife, who has planned and worked, encouraged him under every ditli- culty, and cheered him in times of misfortune.
Mrs. Smith bore the maiden name of Lucinda Elder and was born in New York in 1831. She came to this State in 1846, and made her home in Lyon Township with her brother, Joseph Elder, now deceased. She received a good common school education, became skilled in the arts of the house- keeper, and better than all else, is an earnest, humble Christian. Of the twelve children born of the union, ten are now living, and a brighter, more interesting family it would be hard to find.
yours Truly Samal I Smith.
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Three are mutes, but they have been well educated in the institution at Flint and are well equipped for the duties that lie before them. Arthur A., the eldest child, married Rebecca Richardson and lives in Cairo; Eva is the wife of Solomon Frank and lives in Canada; Hannah Jane married Will- iam Allison and their home is in Ionia County; Della is the wife of Mr. Allison and lives in Ionia County ; Ilattic married John Burns, of Tuscola County : Herbert married Miss Lombard and lives on the home farm; Carrie is studying in the State Normal School at Ypsilanti; May and Egbert are at home; Lizzie is the wife of Charles Brown and is now living in Clay County, Kan.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at New Hudson, and six of their children belong to that denomination. He has been Class-Leader for thirty years, and is now Trustee and Steward as well. He has been a teacher in the Sunday-school and always takes an interest in the work there. For many years Mr. Smith has been Road Overseer and a member of the School Board. IIe votes the Republican ticket, is much interested in political issues, and has always been a temperate man who used neither liquor nor to- bacco. He and his wife are greatly respected by those among whom they have spent so many years of uprightness and well-doing.
ON. SAMUEL W. SMITH, a prominent member of the bar in Pontiac, is generally reputed to be one of the best criminal law- yers in Eastern Michigan. He is a member of the law firm of Taft & Smith, which is one of the strongest in this section and enjoys an extended clientage. Both members of the firm have lived in this county many years and are widely known, and their understanding of legal principles is un- doubted. Mr. Smith was admitted to the bar when but twenty-five years, old and since he received his license he has added to his store of knowledge by continual reading and study, and by being brought
into contact with other bright minds has deepened his impressions regarding the truths that underlie the principles of law and equity. He is a good pleader and a safe counselor, and he makes the in- terest of his clients his own from the time he is re- tained.
The parents of our subject were Nicholas B. and Mary (Phillips) Smith, the former of whom was born in Monroe County, N. Y., in 1817, and came to this locality in 1841. He bought eighty acres of raw land in Brandon, cleared and improved it, but soon sold the property and bought one hundred and twenty acres in Independence Township. There he cleared and improved a farm and carried on general agriculture for some years. He then removed to Clarkston, bought goods and carried on a general store, selling-dry goods, groceries, drugs, etc. He is still living in that place. Mrs. Smith was born in New York in 1825, and was the daughter of Billdad Phillips, a native of New England. During her girlhood she accompanied her parents to this county and a few years later was married here to Nicholas B. Smith. She died in 1856, leaving one son and one daughter-the latter, Ann Eliza, wife of Lawrence Clark.
The birth of Samuel W. Smith took place in In- dependence Township, August 23, 1852, and his early school days were passed in the village of Clarkston. He pursued his higher studies in Detroit, and after obtaining a fair amount of knowledge. entered the law department of the State University, from which he was graduated withi honors in 1878. He had been admitted to the bar in 1877, and after his graduation he established himself to practice in Pontiac. Here he worked alone six months, then formed a partnership with Judge Levi Taft and Hon. Aaron Perry. The latter retired from the firm a twelvemonth later, but the connection between Judge Taft and Mr. Smith has continued without intermission.
Mr. Smith was elected Prosecuting Attorney of his county in 1880 and served until 1884, when he was eleeted State Senator from the Fifteenth Senatorial District, winning the race by a majority of sixteen votes, on the Republican ticket. He took an active part in the discussion and passage of a law regu- lating the sale of oleomargarine, which protected
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the interest of farmers and dairymen, and of the bills for the coupling of freight cars which were introduced for the protection of the men in the employ of the railroad company. On the expira- tion of his Senatorial term Mr. Smith resumed his law practice with renewed ardor.
Mr. Smith has a pleasant residence amid attrac- tive surroundings on Oakland Avenue, and the lady who presides over it so charmingly became his wife November 16, 1880. She bore the maiden name of Alida E. DeLand. and was born near Grass Lake, Mich. Iler father was Edwin DeLand, and at the time of her marriage Mrs. Smith was living in Waterford. The marriage has been blest by the birth of four sons, who are named respec- tively: E. DeLand, Ferris N., Wendell and Harlan S. Mr. Smith is recognized as one of the leading and representative Republicans of the State of Michigan, and is active in campaigns, being a strong, logical and eloquent speaker.
A lithographie portrait of Mr. Smith appears on another page.
ILLIAM B. STOCKWELL, a prosperous and progressive farmer residing in White Lake Township, Oakland County, is a son of Levi Stockwell, whose father, David Stockwell, made his home upon a farm in Cayuga County, N. Y., where he died. One son and one daughter, came with him to chat place and by a second mar- riage he had two sons. His son Levi was born in Connecticut and was but a small boy when he came to New York. After he had grown to manhood he married Catherine, daughter of John Barruss, of Onondaga County, N. Y.
To Levi Stockwell and wife were born eight children, namely, M. M., Lucinda, William, Amanda, Sarah, Levi F., Iluett, and Jerusha. In 1836 the family removed to Michigan and settied in Pontiac Township, where the father spent the remainder of his days. He bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, most of which he found
it necessary to break. Deer were abundant near Pontiac and wolves came within a distance of ten or fifteen miles. Mr. Stockwell died at Pontiac about the year 1852, and his wife passed away in White Lake Township, in 1881.
W. B. Stockwell was born in 1817 in Ira. Cay- uga County, N. Y., and at the age of nineteen came to Michigan with his parents and remained at home until he was of age, when he worked on a farm by the month, and also rented land for three years. His marriage, which took place in White Lake Township, in 1847, united him with Susan, a daughter of Jason Austin, who came from New York in 1845, and settled in Oakland County. His wife who bore the maiden name of Lydia Kings- bury, bore him two sons and four daughters. He was a shoemaker by trade, but devoted himself largely to farming after coming to Michigan.
To our subject and his worthy wife have been born the following children: Wilhelmina; Edward J., Eunice, Frank, Emma, and Mary. All are liv- ing except Frank and Wilhelmina. In 1847 Mr. Stockwell came to White Lake Township, and set- tled on a farm of eighty acres where he still re- sides and to which he has added until he now owns one hundred and sixty acres. lle was bereaved of his wife in 1867. He is a Democrat in his politi- cal views, and has been for more than forty-five years. For a number of years he served as Con- stable and was both Highway Commissioner and Treasurer for a considerable portion of time. He has also been Deputy Township Clerk. and was School Inspector for about ten years. . Ilis term of fifteen years as Justice of the Peace bas reflected credit upon his administration of justice, and been in every way of value to his neighbors.
Edward J. Stockwell, the son of our subject, was born April 4, 1850, in this county. During his early manhood he rented a farm for five years, and then came onto his father's farm where he assists him and manages his own land which adjoins it. lle is a member of Drewer Tent No. 160. K. O. T. M. He was married January 17, 1876, to Alice J., daughter of Charles M. Rich- mond, a native of New York, who came to this county in 1836. Their three children are, Mina, Elmer and Grace. Their father is a Democrat and
GEORGE URCH.
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for two years was Treasurer of White Lake Town- ship, being also Deputy Township Clerk for one year, and now filling the office of Supervisor.
RS. MARY SMITH. The spirit of self- help, as exhibited in the energetic action of individuals, has in all times been a marked feature of the American character and furnishes the true measure of our power as a nation. This independence of thought and action is not only a masculine characteristic, but is found adding dignity to womanliness. There are multi- tudes of women who are conducting business en . terprises with marked ability or carrying ou extensive estates with unusual success. Among these is Mrs. Smith, who has passed the most of her active life in Independence Township, this county, and whose sanguine temperament and cheerful disposition win for her the respect of the community, while her life and character uncon- sciously propagate a good example for all time to come.
Mrs. Smithi was born in St. Johns, Lower Canada. July 13, 1847, and when only an infant, was taken by her parents to Lockville, N. Y. She remained there a few years, and in 1853 accompanied her parents to this State, locating in Independence Township, this county, Her parents, James and Mary Morrison, were natives of County Wexford, Ireland, where they grew to years of maturity and were married. Soon after this important event they decided to emigrate to the New World and accordingly came to America in 1847. They so- journed for a short time in St. Jolins, Lower Canada, thence removed to New York, where they remained until they came West to Michigan.
In the home of her parents Mrs. Smith was trained to a useful womanhood, fitted to bear her part in the battle of life. At the age of nineteen years she was united in marriage, October 4, 1866, with George Urch, whose portrait appears in con- nection with this biographical sketch. Their happy
wedded life was brought to a close June 30, 1885, when Mr. Urch passed from the busy scenes of earth. Nine children had been born to them, six of whom are living, namely: Anna M., born October 31, 1871 ; Gertrude I., May 24, 1874; Daisy D., June 9, 1876; Edith G., February 18, 1878; James R., December 9, 1879, and Lillian, November 11, 1881.
On March 10, 1891, our subject became the wife of Jay M. Smith, and they now reside on her farm two miles north of the village of Clarkston. Her ine estate contains three hundred acres and is em- bellished with substantial ontbuildings and a comfortable residence. Her children are all at home, brightening the old homestead by their pres- ence. Her first husband, Mr. Urch, was born neas Bristol, England, December 17, 1829, and came to America with his parents at the age of six years. Ile located on the farm which was always afterward his home and was among the earliest settlers of this part of Michigan. He contributed to the de- velopment of the community, and his industry and determination of character enabled him to sur- mount difficulties of no ordinary kind in subduing the primitive soil. IIe passed away mourned by his many friends and leaving behind him a char- acter for probity and honesty which is the precious inheritance of his children.
ASSAM PEARSON, now a resident of Mil- ford, but still carrying on a farm in this neighborhood, was at one time the largest landowner and most extensive agricultor- ist in the township. He operated five hundred and twenty acres, and harvested large crops of the cereals common to this section and marketed fat stock in considerable numbers. Ile reduced his landed estate to two hundred and sixty acres, all of which is improved land and forms one of the finest farms in the county. It is located on sections 16, 17, 20 and 21. The buildings upon it are first class, and the domestic animals that graze in its pas-
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tures are full blooded or thoroughbred. They in- clude Merino sheep, Poland-China hogs, and cattle. Mr. Pearson has a handsome residence and lots in town.
Our subject comes of old English stock and his grandfather, Robert Pearson, was a well- to-do farmer near Darlington, in Yorkshire. There John, father of our subject, was born and reared to man- hood. In 1836 father and son crossed the Atlan- tic, the older sons having come to New Jersey a few years before. They came to this State and entered a section of land in Milford Township, on which Grandfather Pearson worked until he retired to Milford to spend his last years in quiet ease. He retained one hundred and twenty acres of the land, but gave the balance to his children years before his death. lle lived to the age of eighty- four.
John Pearson spent a few years on an eighty- acre tract of the original homestead, then sold it and located on sections 20 and 21, buying land which he improved, and finally becoming the owner of nearly four hundred acres. Hle carried on gen- eraly farming and stock-raising until he removed to Milford. He died there in 1874 at the age of three-score. Ile united with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, in which his father was a local min- ister, and began preaching when thirty years old. In 1855 he was ordained an Elder and supplied congregations within a circuit of twenty miles, be- ing in charge of the Lake Class four years. IIe and his father were members of the first Methodist Class formed in Milford Township. Politically be was first a Whig, then an Abolitionist and last a Republican.
The wife of John Pearson was born in Lincoln- shire England, and came to this country in her girl- hood. She was married in Milford and is still living there. Her maiden name was Jane Robin- son. She has two children-Massam and Prudence -the latter now Mrs. Rutherford, and living in Milford. The son was born in this township July 30, 1839, and reared on the farm, on and around which game abounded in his early years. Ile studied the lower branches in one of the old-fash- ioned rate-bill schools, and when sixteen years old became a student in the Leoni or Michigan Union
College. He pursued his studies there two years, then returned to the farm and resumed the work there, in which he had already taken a considerable part. lle taught several winters, and for a few years had charge of the homestead. Ile finally bought it and made further improvements, but in 1879 sold all but two hundred and sixty acres, and bought one hundred acres on section 16. Hle loca- ted on the latter but operated both farms and another tract of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 29 and 31. Ile finally disposed of a part this large estate, but still has a sufficient acreage to afford him a fine income and suitable occupa- tion.
March 12, 1862, Mr. Pearson was married to Miss Josephine A. Birdsall, the ceremony taking place in Milford. The bride's grandfather, Moses Bird- sall, a native of New York, came to this State on a visit and died near Rochester. He was a member of the Society of Friends. Ilis son Joseph was born near Penn Yan, grew to manhood in his native State, and after his marriage located near Fairport, Monroe County. He was a hatter by trade, but at his new home he engaged in farming. In 1849 he came to this State and county, located in Milford Township and bought two hundred and forty acres on section 20. After some years he retired to Milford, where he died at the age of seventy-five. Hle had been Justice of the Peace for sixteen years; he was a Republican in politics and a be- liever in universal salvation. His wife bore the maiden name of Ruth A. Burton, was born in Connecticut, and died here when seventy-five years old. She had nine children, of whom Jose- phine was next to the youngest. Her natal day was April 11, 1842, her birthplace Pittsford, N. Y., and Fairport her home until she was seven years old, when she came hither.
Mr. Pearson was one of the original members of the Fair Association of Oakland County, but is not now identified with the society. Ile is agent for the Oakland County Monitor Fire Insurance Com- pany, and has represented it ten years. He has been Commissioner of Highways five years, School Inspector and bas been a delegate to political con- ventions, both county and State, and member of the County Central Committee. Ile is a stanch Repub-
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