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 106
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At Trevilian Station our young hero was taken prisoner, but escaped by running, and then took a horse and fled. while the bullets grazed his body. Hle received the commision of Second-Lieutenant, and in various engagements led his company, at different times having three horses shot from In- der him. At the close of the war his regiment was sent to Leavenworth, Kan., where it was mus- tered out, their honorable discharge being granted at Detroit.
Returning to Milford, Lieut. Crawford then opened a store with a stock of groceries and after a few years took his brother Clark as his partner, the firm name being Crawford & Bro. The new firm enlarged the business, adding merchandise and clothing, but in 1870 they sold out their stock and dissolved partnership, our subject became Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, to which he has added the work of an insurance agent in which he still continues.
In 1878 this gentleman bought a stock of books and stationery and in 1881 engaged in the drug business with Dr. R. Johnston. He owns a farm within the corporation which he anticipates subdi- viding and plotting as an addition. He is engaged somewhat in buying and selling real-estate and owns a handsome residence and grounds. With his partner, Mr. Hubbell, he is engaged in packing and wholesaling ice.
Lieut. Crawford was married in Milford in 1871, to Miss Julia A. Seaver, a daughter of William P. Seaver, of New York, an early settler of Living- ston County, but now living in Ilighland. Mrs. Crawford was before her marriage a teacher and is a native of Livingston County. She has two chil- dren: Merrill W. and Dana H. Mr. Crawford is the oldest Justice of the Peace in this vicinity, having filled the office and that of Notary Public for twenty years, and having been Supervisor since 1876. He has been Commander of the Grand Army Post at Milford with which he is identified.
He is a true Republican and is a frequent delegate to county and State conventions. The Michigan State Pharmaceutical Association counts bim as one of its prominent members.
ENRY D. TUNISON (deceased) was born in Sussex County, N. J., October 3, 1833. His parents, Tunis and Anna (Dudley ) Tu- nison were both natives of New York and both long since passed to a better world. His father was a farmer and was of German descent. Our subject was the only son in a family of six chil- dren, and his sisters are all living in Sussex County, N. J. He received a common-school education and remained beneath the parental roof until 1857, when be came West, locating first for two years at Holly.
In 1859 our subject purchased a farm on section I, Orion Township, finding the land partly im- proved. He was a natural mechanic and gradually picked up the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about fifteen years prior to his death. He built for himself a handsome frame house in 1873.
The marriage of Henry Tunison and Margaret Snover, a union which resulted in life-long happi- ness and profit, took place in 1857. Mrs. Tunison was born in Oakland Township, this county, May 24. 1837. her parents being George K. and Char- ity (Hulick) Suover), both natives of New Jersey, who came to Michigan in 1831 and settled in Oak- land Township. Mr. Snover pre-empted land from the Government, and afterwards cleared from it the timber and thoroughly improved it. In those days wild game was plentiful, and he supplied their table with venison. He died in June. 1881, in his eightieth year, and his good wife passed away in March, 1875, when she was seventy-one years old. She was a woman of beautiful Christian character, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their five children are all living.
The three children of our subject are George H.,
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Annie L. and Alice C., to each of whom has been given a good common-school education. The okl- est daughter has taught for some two terms and is making a success of her professional labors. The father passed away October 7, 1886, and was deeply mourned by each, for all loved him. He was one of the few who may truly be entitled a "good man," for he was honorable in his dealings, just in his transactions and kind to all with whom he had to do. His membership in the Protestant Method. ist Church was not a formal profession of religion, but was an outward sign of an inward reality, and the church will long miss his helping hand.
The widow of our subject is a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and judgment and since her widowhood she has successfully assumed the management of the farm. She carries out with pleasure the plans of her husband and maintains the same reputation which was his for thorough- ness of management and integrity in dealings. Mr. Tunison came to Michigan with limited means and had, before his death, attained handsome property, in the acquisition of which no man could claim that he was wronged. The farm contains one hundred and thirty acres of excellent and well-improved land. Mrs. Tunison is and has been, for a number of years, an earnest and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ALTER B. FOSDICK, a farmer of Bloom- field Township, was born just across the road from where be now lives, May 9, 1853. IJe is a son of Alvin and Jane A. (Adams) Fos- dick, and is the youngest of eight children born to his parents. His boyish days were passed on his father's farm in the vicinity where he now lives and there he received his education in the district schools. He now owns the farm which his father bought when he came to Michigan in 1842. All of his life except his first year has been passed in the same house.
town of Bloomfield. It is well improved and in a high state of cultivation, with excellent buildings. llis farm lies two and three-fourth miles southeast of Pontiac. and on it he keeps a good grade of stock. Ile is a Democrat in his political views but is not active in politics. He believes in churches and helps support them but is not connected with any religious donomination.
The marriage of Mr. Fosdick took place Novem- ber 10, 1875. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Zadie M. Rockwell, and she was born in Bloomfield Township July 6, 1856. She is a daughter of James M. and Zadie A. (Adams) Rockwell. For further history of the Rockwell family the reader will consult the sketch of Mr. J. II. Rockwell. Two lovely children, Gracie M. and Carrie M. grace the home of our subject.
CUDWORTH, a noteworthy farmer ro- siding on section 10, Novi Township, is the son of Apollis Cudworth, a native of Mas- sachusetts and a farmer, who was a Minute Man in the War of 1812. He married Rosana Simmons and resided first in Pennsylvania, then in Bristol, N. Y., and later in Alleghany, N. Y. In 1833 he came to Michigan, landing at Detroit from the old boat "Henry Clay." From there he went to Oakland County by ox-team. After spending the winter in Farmington Township he came to Novi Corners and settled on the northwest part of sec- tion 23, on eighty acres. There was then no house where the village of Novi Corners now stands. He built a log house and a log barn and moved his family to the new home. He had the help of the Indians in raising his house. They had a camp near by and were on the friendliest terms.
Our subject was then a boy of fifteen years. The father began clearing off the farm, and being quite a hunter, killed many a panther, deer and bear. After improving some thirty-five acres lie sold this property and bought forty acres on the
Mr. Fosdick now has eighty acres of land in the | south side of the same section, where he lived for
B. F. Blword
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three years. Ile then settled upon this farm, on which was at the time a log house and some slight improvements. He was bereaved of his wife by death in 1858, and he passed away in 1868.
The subject of this sketch was one of a family of nine children, seven of whom are still living. He was born Angust 4, 1816. He received almost no schooling in his youth although he attended for a short time the first school organized in this township. He lived with his parents and helped support them until their death. He then purchased the interest of the other heirs and took the old homestead, adding to the small tract of land which hs had previously bought. Being now left alone at the old home, he began to think of marriage, and chose for his wife Mrs. Mary Hammond, widow of George Ilammond. They have no chil- dren but Mrs. Cudworth has three by her previous marriage.
Mr. Cudworth has one hundred and seventy-one acres of good land, about ninety of which are im - proved. Hle has put on excellent buildings and carries on general farming, raising some stock. For many years he has been a member of the School Board and has always taken an interest in politics, voting the Democratic ticket. Ile has filled the office of Road Overseer for a longer period than any other man in the township, and has seen the country grow from a wilderness to its present prosperous and populous condition. Hle has ever been an unusually strong man and has done much hard work in his day. Several of his brothers and sisters reside in this township. They are: Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Joshua Bennett, Mrs. Miles Richardson, Walker and Zebina Cudworth.
B ENJAMIN F. ELWOOD, a prosperous banker and real-estate dealer of Pontiac, was born at Royal Oak, this county, Decem- ber 1, 1837, and is the son of Daniel and Fannie (Clark) Elwood. He attended the district school up to 1850, when his father having died some years previously, he removed with his mother
to Waterford Township. lIere he lived for some time, alternating his studies with working on the farm of his step-father. Ile began teaching school in 1857 and continued in this work for two years at Waterford and Royal Oak.
The young man then rented a farm near Pontiac and engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and shortly after, coming into possession of a small place from his father's estate, he continued to fol- low agricultural pursuits until 1866. His marriage occurred December 4, 1861. He was then united with Louesa D. Rundel, of West Bloomfield, this county. Mrs. Elwood was called away from earth in June, 1866. At the time of her death, Mr. El- wood disposed of his property and removed to Waterford, where he located upon a farm and added to his business a trade in stock. in July, 1867, he married Harriet E. Moore, of Fairport, N. Y., daughter of the late Charles Moore, of Mil- ford, Mich. Four children blessed this marriage, two of whom are deceased. Calvin R., who was born in June, 1870, has recently (1891) completed his first year in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor; Clyde B., who was born March 6, 1875, is a student in the High School in Pontiac.
In 1871 Mr. Elwood purchased a livery business in Clarkston, this county, which he carried on for ten years with success. He has held various offices, at one time being Deputy Sheriff for about six years. While living in Independence Township he held the office of Supervisor and had previously held other offices in that township. In 1872 he was elected Justice of the Peace. In 1881 he sold out his interests at Clarkston, and removed to Pontiac where he has since resided and where he has de- voted his attention to banking. He was made a Director of the Second National Bank at Pontiac, in 1880, and held this position until 1885, when the charter of the institution expired and the Pontiac National Bank was organized. In this new insti- tution he was raised to the position of Vice-Presi- dent. He was one of its charter members and a large stockholder therein.
The Democratic party embodies the political principles of our subject, and he is active in pro- moting its success both locally and abroad. Hle at one time served as Alderman of Pontiac, and while
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a member of the Council, was active in advancing the interests of the city and introduced and carried through many important measures, the most im- portant of which was the introduction of a fine system of water-works for the service of the city. He was one of the principal promoters of that movement. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and also belongs to the Masonic order. Ile has a pleasant residence on the corner of Saginaw and Oakland Streets.
C HARLES II. GLASPIE, one of the enter- prising merchants of Oxford, was born in Clifton, Macomb County, March 12, 1851. He is the son of William and Deborah A. (Denni- son) Glaspie, natives of the Empire State. Will- iam was a farmer and died May 22, 1889. His wife had been called from his side September 1.1. 1883. To this worthy couple were granted seven children, six of whom are still filling positions of usefulness. They are named as follows: Lney, wife of L. L. Parker, of Oxford; Elizabeth is the wife of S. P. Hovey, a real-estate dealer in Detroit. this State; William Dennison, a farmer in Oxford ; Charles H., our subject; Elvie, wife of N. S. Goodrich, of Garey, Dak .; Eber D)., a farmer of Oxford; and the daughter who died was Almira, who became the wife of W. G. ilinman, of Pontiac.
The subject of this brief notice remained on the home farm until eighteen years of age. Ile then commenced clerking for Wallace & Bennett, dealers in general merchandise. He again went to work on the farm for awhile, and then returned to his employers. He continued clerking, and spent one year in this way in the Wolverton House, at Bay City. Returning to Oxford, he attended the acad- emy for a year and in 1870 resumed clerking, and was in the employ of D. W. Bell, the Postmaster.
About this time Mr. Glaspie went to Muskegon and elerked in the post-office two years. Here he cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. Returning to Oxford, he resumed his clerical duties and also
served in the same capacity at Grand Rapids in the store of A. A. Hovey. About this time he re- turned to Oxford for a wife, whom he claimed in the person of Minnie A., daughter of the Rev. S. Snyder. They were married January 4, 1876. In 1877 he entered the employ of Watson, Waite & Co., and continued with them until they were burned out, December 22, 1878. Afterward he worked for N. H. Crawford in the grain business.
Mr. Glaspie now considered his experience in working for others had been sufficient to enable him to undertake business for himself, and in partner- ship with his brother-in-law, R. R. Snyder, he opened, in 1881, a store, carrying a fine stock of groceries. They prospered in business and received a fair share of the trade of the town. In April, 1888, he bought out his partner and since then has been conducting the business alone. Ile has a trade of from $8,000 to 814,000 per annum. One son. William Gillett, by name, has been given to Mr. and Mrs. Glaspie. Our subject is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Inde- dependent Order of Foresters. Ile is a Republican politically, and was elected City Clerk in 1880, which office he filled for six years with credit to himself and advantage to the city.
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P OWELL CARPENTER, a native of Orion Township, in which he lives, was born Feb. rnary 8, 1837. His father, Thomas J., was born in New York in 1807. and his grand- father, for whom he was named, was a native of the old Bay State, being born there February 1, 1771. Ile was a farmer by occupation and came to Oakland County, Mich., in 1824, and entered a half-section of land in Orion Township. Ile also planned and cansed to be built what is now known as Rudd's Mill, which for more than three-seore years has stood in the southeast corner of section 12, Orion Township. He never located perma- nently here but returned to Monroe County, N. Y .. where he died in 1853 at the age of eighty-four
James A: Jose
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years. He was a man of considerable prominence and served as an Associate Judge for some time in Monroe County and also filled other minor offices. His father was a Revolutionary soldier whose eldest son served in the War of 1812. Ilis wife was Lucy Killam, who was boru in Pennsylvania in 1779, and whose death occurred in 1863. She was the mother of eleven children, only two of whom are living.
Thomas J. Carpenter, the father of our subject, came to Oakland County, Mich., in 1831 and be- came one of the earliest settlers in Orion Township. Ile made his home on land which his father had previously entered from the Government. He suf- fered some of the trials and vicissitudes incident to the first settlers of a new country. In 1860 he removed to Midland where he still lives in his eighty-fifth year. He has been twice married, his first companion being Juliette Clarke, who was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., in 1803 and who passed from earth in September, 1854. Both were charter members of the first Methodist Episcopal Church organized in Orion Township. In 1856 he married Catherine Y. Casamer, his present companion. Five of the seven children borne by his first wife are still living.
The subject of this biographical sketch received his preliminary education in the district school. In the fall of 1858 he entered the State Agricultural College at Lansing, where he spent three terms. Among the friends whom he made while in this institution are Judge Morse of the Michigan Su- preme Court and Prof. Cook, of the Agricultural College. After leaving college he taught one term and then entered upon the pursuit of farming which he has since followed. He purchased the old homestead but sold it before long and in the spring of 1864 he purchased the farm on which he now resides.
In 1863 Mr. Carpenter formed a life union with Lucinda Welch, of Orion Township, who was born October 19, 1836. She is a daughter of Eli and Polly (Owen) Welch, who came to Michigan in 1836 and made their first home in Auburn. Mr. Welch was a tanner and followed his trade for a short time but subsequently removed to Orion Township and located on a farm. He died April
1, 1882, having been bereaved of his wife in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are the parents of three children. Their eldest daughter, Altha J., is now the wife of Walter R. Ilouxwell. The other daugh- ters, Lucy L. and Florence P., are at home.
This gentleman is a Republican and is often a delegate to county and State conventions. IIe is a man with a large store of information and a broad and strong influence in his township. His one hun - dred and sixty acres of fine land are in an excel- lent condition. Ile is carrying out quietly in his life the traits which he inherited from his ancestry, faithfulness to duty and patriotic interest in the welfare of his country. Ilis maternal grandfather, Samuel Clark, of Connecticut was a Revolutionry soldier, whose noble wife did her share in the con- fliet by building signal fires upon the hills for the warning of Washington's army.
M RS. M. MARIA MOORE. As the repre- entative of old and highly respectable fam- ilies, and by reason of her own position as a large landowner and competent business manager, Mrs. Moore is deserving of representa- tion in this volume. She has demonstrated the ability of a lady to manage agricultural and other business matters without losing refinement or the qualities of mind which are typically feminine. She has the prettiest farm in Milford Township, both in location and appointments, and also owns a large amount of land in Lyon Township. The home farm comprises two hundred and sixty-eight acres, and the other three hundred and twenty-three, and Mrs. Moore oversees both. She is shrewd, ener- getic and far-seeing, and prospers as she deserves. She occupies a large brick residence, elegantly for- nished, tastefully arranged, and ever hospitably open to her friends and acquaintances. The farm buildings are numerous and commodious, and or- chards and shade trees beautify the land.
The father of Mrs. Moore was John Everitt, who was born at Ft. Decker, on the Pennsylvania and
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New Jersey line, in April, 1809. Ile came West in his early manhood, and entered three hundred and twenty acres of land for his father, Marshall Everitt, in Wayne County, which was then beyond civilization. He had made his way with a team and wagon through Canada and into the primeval wilderness, and after securing the necessary papers to hold the land, returned East for a short sojourn. The next year he came back, built a house of hard- wood timber and established himself, working hard to prepare the land for cultivation. Ile finally sold his share of the homestead, and in 1817 came to Lyon Township, this county, Ile bought two hundred and forty acres of farm land, improved and added to it, and finally had five hundred and sixty acres well improved and supplied with first- class buildings. He carried on general farming, but made a specialty of sheep-raising, and did as extensive work in that line as any one for many miles. Ile died November 12, 1869.
The mother of Mrs. Moore bore the maiden name of Mary Harvey, and was born near Rochester, Monroe County, N. Y. She was a daughter of Luther Harvey, a New York farmer, and Martha (Fullam) Harvey. The father enlisted in the War of 1812, raising a company of which he took com- mand. He was sent to defend the line, was in- jured, taken sick, and soon died, leaving his widow with two young children. About 1830 she brought her family to this State and made her home in Livo- nia Township, Wayne County. Mrs. Everitt died in 1867, leaving two children, both of whom survive. The elder is the subject of this sketch.
Mrs. Moore was born in Livonia Township, Wayne County, December 22, 1840. She was seven years old when her parents came to Lyon Town- ship. She attended the district school and select schools in Plymouth and Northville, and when eighteen years old entered the Michigan State Nor- mal School at Ypsilanti, where she pursued the higher branches two years. April 4, 1860, she gave her hand in marriage to James Moore, the ceremony being performed at her home in Lyon Township. In 1862 she came into possession of a part of her father's farm, and she and her husband located there and further improved the property. In 1873 Mr. Moore rented the place and bought an im-
proved farm of two hundred and sixty-five acres, south of Milford. This was operated until 1876, when the family removed to Mrs. Moore's present home in Milford Township, making a purchase of the farm. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Moore has continued the work in which he was engaged, raising grain and stock in large quantities and good grades. She keeps full blooded Merino sheep, thoroughbred registered Short-horn cattle, full-blooded Chester-White hogs, line poultry, and full-blooded and graded Percheron horses and some llambletonians.
The late Mr. Moore was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., March 14, 1826. Ilis father, Henry Moore, a native of the Empire State, came West in 1833, and is numbered among the early settlers of Pine Lake, this county. After a few years' residence there he located south of Milford Village, on land which he bought and began to improve. lle died not long after, when his son James was fifteen years old. The youth remained with his mother, caring for her and looking after her interests, and finally bought out the other heirs and became the posses- sor of the one hundred and twenty acres compris- ing the homestead. lIe continued the work of im- provement, and from his youth showed the qualities of true manbood and an excellent knowledge of the work to which he gave his thought. His mother, formerly Sarah Wilsey, was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., and died in Milford Township. She was a daughter of James Wilsey, an early settler here. Mr. Moore was an active member in the Milford Fair Association, and held the office of Director. He often took the first premiumn at the 'fairs, on the stock in which he took pride. His death occurred October 21, 1887, and was caused by an accident which occurred three days before, when the horse he was driving ran away.
To Mr. and Mrs. Moore there came three chil- dren, the youngest of whom, J. Everitt, is at home and ably assisting his mother in her business affairs. The eldest, Kittie, is the wife of Dr. E. A. Lodge, of Milford; the second, Zelia, is at home. The daughters are graduates of the Milford High School, and Miss Zelia made a special study of music at Monroe. They are cultured and refined as befits de- scendants of the old Knickerbocker blood of the East
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and have also the firmness of character which would well be developed in such surroundings as they have had. The daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which their de- ceased father was also a communicant. He was a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the Republi- can party. Mrs. Moore's great-grandfather in the paternal line was an Indian fighter and a Revolu- tionary soldier. His ancestors came from Holland during the first settlement of New York, and he be- longed to the old stock of the Vans.
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