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 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108
June 15, 1840, Mr. Loug was married to Miss Agnes Watts, of Detroit, who died a few years later, breathing her last January 7, 1847. Of their union there were born four children, named respect- ively, Joseph W., Mary, Thomas and John. July 8, 1847, Mr. Long mide a second marriage, wed- ding Miss Ilarriet N. Atwood, of Detroit. This lady was horn in Athens County, Ohio, May 20, 1824, and was a daughter of John S. and Sarah (Kitridge) Atwood. She has become the parent of seven children who are named James, Sarah. Ann, Libby, Harriet, Maria, George and one that died in early infancy.
The first Presidential vote cast by Mr. Long was for William Henry Harrison and the last one before this writing (1891) was for another of the same family. This indicates his party affiliations, first with the Whigs and later with the Republicans. He was reared under the tenets of the Episcopal Church, but now gives support to the Methodist Episcopal, though lie is not formally identified with the society. He holds the office of Trustee for the church at Commerce to which his wife and their family belong. Mr. Long is a great reader and
having a wonderful memory is one of the best posted men to be met in the county. The bent of his mind is practical and he sees the application of facts gleaned from different sources and combines points learned in varied reading into one grand whole of more than ordinary intelligence.
B ENJAMIN S. MCCRACKEN. Among the old settlers of Holly Township we find the name of our subject. He is a man who has done a tremendous amount of hard work, and has borne it well, for he has a remark- ably strong constitution, never having been siek a day in the course of his life. He was born in Warren County, N. J., September 15, 1819. Ilis father, Jacob, was born in the same State in 1776. He was the son of James, a man of Scotch-Irish descent, who lived to be ninety years old.
The father of our subject came to Michigan in 1832, in the old Territorial days. He settled in Washington, Macomb County, and took up a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he proceeded to improve, and resided there until his death, in 1864, having completed the long life of four-score years and ten. He was a member of the Christian Church and a Democrat in politics, in which he took great interest and held office. IIe was an adept at singing, and taught singing school for forty years. He was very intelligent, and was often called upon to write up wills, deeds and the like. His wife, Lydia Shackleton, the mother of our subject, was born in New Jersey in 1786. She bore and reared to maturity eight children. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in early life, and later joined the Methodist Church. She always took an active interest in church mat- ters. Her side of the family was of Scotch-Irish descent. She lived to be seventy seven years of age, and departed this life in 1861.
Benjamin McCracken was in his thirteenth year when he came to Michigan. The log schoolhouse, the slab seats, Indian neighbors, wild game and the shot gun are among the vivid recollections of his youth, and being pursued by a pack of wolves is a
220
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
memory which still gives him a thrill of horror. lle has been a hard worker, and has himself cleared five hundred acres of land. He is now in his sev- enty-second year, strong and robust. Ile came to Oakland County in 1848, and bought two hundred and eighty acres of land. After five years he sold out there and came to his present place, where he bought two hundred and eighty acres of unim- proved land. He put up a shanty and lived in it for one year, and then built the frame house in which he now resides. It was a notable house in those days, being the only one between Fenton and Ilolly which could boast of window blinds and a coat of paint. lle has farmed extensively aad raised many horses, over two hundred in all, and is an extensive stock-breeder.
Mr. McCracken's marriage to Lucia Rice in 1842 was the beginning of a wedded life of great happiness. It took place at the home of the bride, who is a native of Vermont, where she was born October 29, 1823. She came to Michigan in 1840. One child only was granted to this worthy couple: Charles J., who has married Mary E. McOmber, and lives on the old homestead where he was born. Ile has one child-Olive E. Our subject is a Prohibitionist in his political belief, but takes no active part in politics.
.
ARTIN V. B. HIOSNER. Prominent among the residents of Oakland County are this gentleman and his estimable wife, who belong to sturdy pioneer families. The grandfather of Mr. Hosner was Jacob Hosner, who was born in Clarkson, Monroe County, N. Y., and was of Dutch descent. The parents of Mr. Ilosner were Thomas and Hannah (Batchelor) Ilosner, who were married in Clarkson, N. Y. The mother was a native of Massachusetts and was the daughter of Consider and Susannah (Batheriek) Batchelor, natives of Ashfield, Mass. Thomas Hlosner and his wife emigrated West to Michigan in 1833, and located in West Bloomfield Township,
where they took heavily timbered land from the Government, and were numbered among the first settlers. They ultimately sold this place and bought another farm in the same township. The father, who was a hard worker, endured the hardships of pioneer life and did an immense amount of pioneer work, building a barn, setting out an orchard and making various permanent improvements. He passed from earth in January, 1845, and his wife survived him until July 14, 1854.
Thomas and Hannah Hosner were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are now living. They were both members of the Free Will Baptist Church, and he was an old line Whig. M. V. B. losner was born February 5. 1835, in West Bloom- field Township. When fourteen years old he be- gan working out on a farm, receiving 87 per month for seven months, and being in the employ of Edwin S. Harger, now of the village of Commerce. He worked by the month for seven years.
M. V. B. Hosner was married October 18, 1857, to Miss Lydia C., daughter of Ezekiel and Mar- garet C. ( Longstreet) Dye, both natives of New Jersey. Mr. Dye was born October 30, 1806, and his wife June 6, 1809. They were married in 1829, and resided in New Jersey until 1831. when they came to Michigan and settled on one hundred and sixty aeres in Commerce Township, all un- broken land, being timbered openings. He built a log house and began clearing off his farm which was their permanent home with the exception of two years which they spent in New Jersey. At that time they were homesick for the East, and sold out and went back there. But they found out that after all their heart was in Michigan, whither they returned July 12, 1886, and bought back their former farm, where Mr. Dye resided until his death, March 21, 1888, when eighty-three years of age. His good wife was blind for over forty-three years. She was a lovely and devout Christian, a motherly soul who was loved by every one, and a consistent member of the Baptist Church, of Walled Lake. She departed this life March 19, 1891, at the age of eighty-three years.
Mr. Dye was a man who made no show but at- tended strictly and thoroughly to the business in hand, whatever it might be. lle was the very
221
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
first officer ever elected in Commerce Township, and at that time filled the position of Pathmaster. He was first a Whig and later a Republican, and was a member of the Baptist Church for a number of years. Mrs. Dye was picking eranberries one day and was stooping at this work when she was spied by a neighbor, who was ont hunting. As she wore a brown dress he mistook her for a deer, took aim and was about to fire when she raised her head in time to save her life. Mrs. Hosner was born August 13, 1836, and her mother becoming blind when she was ten years old, the duties of the household fell upon her.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hosner was Ezekiel Dye, Sr., who was born on a farm in Mid- dlesex. Mrs. Hosner's great-grandfather bore the name of Thomas Dye, and was of Scotch descent. Her grandmother's name on her father's side was Abbie Longstreet, and on her mother's side, Lydia Bennet. Her maternal grandfather was William Longstreet, and her great-grandfather, Samuel Longstreet, descended from Duteh ancestry.
The first home of Mr. and Mrs. Hosner was in Commerce Township, one mile south of the village of Commerce. Here they resided for four years and then removed to their present location. where they own one hundred and sixty-seven and two- third acres, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. llosner also owns village property in Walled Lake. His residence was built about twenty-five years ago. He has given his whole attention to farming in a good business-like manner, and has been successful.
Two of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. Hos- ner are now living, namely : Eugene H., born De- cember 11, 1864, and Cary H., born April 8, 1875. Archie D., a law student of Mr. Patterson of Pon- tiac, died at the age of twenty-four years, after suffering from consumption for six years. He bore his trials with great fortitude and patience, and was a elear-minded, honest and intelligent young man. For two years he was Treasurer of Commerce Township, and was also Superintendent of the Baptist Sunday-school of Walled Lake. Arthur L. was accidentally killed at the age of seventeen years by being thrown from a horse. Eugene Il. married Parley Nichols April 29, 1890, and has
one son, Archie N .; he lives in Monmouth, Polk County, Ore.
Mr. and Mrs. Hosner are members of the First Baptist Church at Walled Lake, of which he has been Trustee and Treasurer. He is deeply inter- ested in Sunday-school work and has served as Superintendent for ten years, being also teacher of the young people's Bible class. His wife has also taken an active interest in Sunday-school work. He is a charter member of Commerce Grange, No. 328, and has held the offices of Chaplain, Lecturer and Master. He is identified with the Patrons of Industry. He is President of the Cemetery Asso- ciation of Walled Lake, and Director of the Local School Board. He has always taken an active in- terest in politics and votes the Democratie ticket. lle has been Drainage Commissioner for three years. Both he and his wife are members of tem- perance organizations. Mr. Hosner has abstained from liquor and strong drink from his boyhood, and has never used either tea or tobacco. He looks back with great interest to the pioneer days of his boyhood and his recitals of the incidents of that period are of great interest. He remembers going to the homes of his neighbors to borrow fire before the introduction of matches, also recalls the introduction of the first corn planters, mowing and reaping machines, and other modern improve- ments.
OHN A. NEAL, the editor and proprietor of the Orion Review, was born in Ovid, Seneca County, N. Y., March 5, 1859. His father George W. B. Neal, born in the same county in 1822, is still a resident there and was a carpenter and ship builder. Both the grandfather and great- grandfather of our subject bore the name of John. The former was born July 4, 1786, in Monmouth County, N. J. and the latter was a Marylander, and enlisted for three years in the Revolutionary War. The father of this soldier, Benjamin Neal, was born in the North of Ireland, where he was known as "The Neal." He was of Scotch- Irish descent. The great- grandmother of our subjeet was born in Morris- town, N. J., in 1756. Her mother was a Bellow, a
222
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM
direct descendant of Capt. John Smith of the James- town Colony. The grandmother of our sub ject bore the maiden name of Saulter. and was born in 1790, near Bound Brook. N. J. Her father's name was Henry, and his wife was Charity Stout. Ile was a Revolutionary soldier.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was reared near Sheldrake, in Seneca County. N. Y., un- til 1867, when his parents removed to Romulus, the same State. In 1874 he entered the State Nor- mal School at Albany, N. Y., which was then in charge of the venerable Dr. Joseph Alden, who is well known as an author of various text-books. Ilere he spent two years and then taught school in Covert. N. Y .. after which he read law with I. V. L. Jones, of Ovid. In the fall of 1878 he came to Mich- igan and taught two terms of school near Morenei, Lenawee County. He read medicine for a time with Dr. Baker of that town, and clerked in a drug store. and for awhile was connected with the Mor- enci Observer. In the fall of 1881 he came to Orion, and together with Joseph Patterson. now the publisher of the Grayling Democrat and Frank Sutton, the present publisher of the Marine City Reporter, founded the Orion Review. Mr. Sutton sold out his interest the following spring, and during the next winter Mr. Neal purchased Mr. Patterson's interest. and has since managed the paper as editor and sole proprietor. The Review is conducted as an independent paper, bright and spicy. During the past three years. Mr. Neal has been engaged somewhat in grain and produce busi- ness and also conducts a thriving real-estate and loan ageney.
November 12, 1888. Mr. Neal was admitted to practice before the Department of the Interior a Washington. and since that time he has devoted con- siderable time to the pension business. Ile has been village Assessor and Justice of the Peace and is a member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias.
The marriage of our subject took place, February 22. 1883. His wife bore the maiden name of Ad- die J. Baker, and was born April 19, 1863, in Sen- eca, Lenawee County, this State. She is a daughter of Ilorace Baker. Her grandparents on both sides were early settlers in Lenawee County, her grand-
father Sweeny being a member of the Michigan State Legislature in 1836. Her grandmother Sweeny's maiden name was Neal, and she was a daughter of the John Neal who was grandfather to our subject, Mrs. Neal's grandmother being a sister of Mr. Neal's father. One child only has crowned the union of Mr. and Mrs. Neal, a son, George Il., who was born January 30, 1884.
AMUEL STURMAN, who makes his home on section 29, Southfield Township, was born in Leicestershire, England, October 5, 1815. llis father, Samuel, and his mother, Sarah Bachler. were both born in that country and his mother died there. Ilis father, before his death, came to Oakland County, Mich. Our subject is the eldest son and second child in a family of nine, all of whom were born in England. After being reared to manhood he worked on the railroad for four years before coming to America. Hle landed in New York City in 1842, located in Dexter, and in 1811 went to Detroit where he learned the trade of a plasterer, and followed the business for about twelve years, working for one employer for seven years of that time. lle accumulated some city property which he exchanged for the farm where he now resides, a place which had been known as the Trowbridge Nursery.
In 1853 Mr. Sturman married Amelia Kendall, who was born in Detroit in 1830, where she re- ceived her education. This couple were the parents of ten children, namely: Henry S., born June 11, 1855, residing in Southfield Township: Emma J., July 15, 1858; James D., February 28, 1860; Wal- ter .J .. September 11, 1861; Lansing G., February 18, 1863; Lizzie A., October 5. 1864; Sarah M., June 17, 1866, (deceased); Anna L., September 9, 1867; Sarah II., October 16, 1869, and Edwin T., July 6, 1874. All except the eldest of this family were born in Southfield Township, on what is now the home farm. This is a fine farm of one hundred acres of improved land, where our subject is doing a general farming business. Mr. Sturman was at one time a Republican and is now a strong
Yours Tuy July Levi BB. Laft
225
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Prohibitionist. Ile is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a Trustee in the same. Ile is an efficient worker in the Sunday-school, where he was at one time Superintendent. He is one of the pillars of the church and never uses tobacco in any form, being very much opposed to it.
ON. LEVI B. TAFT. This distinguished member of the legal profession has made his home in Pontiac for some years, and is devoting himself to his practice, in partnership with Ex-State Senator Samuel W. Smith. During much of the time since Mr. Taft became a member of the bar lie has been asso- ciated with other distinguished lawyers, and he has had a large practice, won many victories, much fame and considerable wealth. He is descended from families of high repute in New England, and has himself added to the lustre of the name he bears, by his distinguished services in the legal arena and in official stations.
The father of our subject, Benjamin Taft, was born in Richmond, N. H. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Uxbridge, Mass. His life on earth was brief, his death oceurring in 1823, in Bellingham, Mass. The mother of our sub- jeet bore the maiden name of Vienna Cook and was the daughter of Thaddeus and Rhoda ( Ballou) Cook. The latter was a descendant of Maturin Ballou, a co-proprietor with Roger Williams, the Colonial founder of Rhode Island, in his Provi- dence plantations, whose name first appears among those co-proprietors in 1646. Vienna Cook was born March 29. 1795, at Bellingham, Mass., and was there married August 31, 1820, to Benjamin Taft. She died in Pawtucket, R. I., during the year 1867, when about seventy-two years old.
The Hon. L. B. Taft was born in Bellingham, Norfolk County, Mass., Angust 6, 1821. He spent his boyhood on a farm, and while taking a part in the duties pertaining to its cultivation was privileged to attend the district school. In 1834 he came to Detroit, this State, where he continued his studies and worked in the store of his uncles,
Col. Levi and Olney Cook. His academic edu- cation was obtained partly at Hopkins Academy, at Old Hadley, Mass., and partly at Franklin. Mass. ; he entered Dartmouth College in 1839 and was graduated in 1843. The same year he re- turned to Detroit and studied law with the Hon. Jacob M. Howard. In 1845 he was admitted to the bar by the State Supreme and Federal Circuit Courts.
Judge Taft began his professional work at Detroit as a partner of the Hon. II. II. Hobart, and after the removal of that gentleman to Wisconsin, was associated with Oscar F. Cargill. In 1848 Judge Taft removed to Niles, where he joined another dis- tinguished firm, his successive partners being the Hon.George H.Jerome and Judge Hiram F. Mather. He served one term as Recorder, and was also City Attorney, and from 1851 to 1853 was Prosecuting Attorney of Berrien County. Ile with Judge Mather then removed to Chicago, and during his residence there was associated with Judge Iliram F. Mather, the Ilon. Thomas B. Bryan, Vice- President of the Columbian Exposition ; Judge T. Lyle Dickey, late one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Illinois; the Hon. George C. Bates and Col. W. W. Wheeler (of the Twenty-eighth Mich- igan Infantry during the Civil War).
Judge Taft was engaged as solicitor for the complainant in one case which remained in the courts for twelve years-that of J. C. Freer, ad- ministrator of Price vs. Horatio Seymour et. al., cxeentors and devisees of Henry Seymour, de- ceased, in the United States Circuit Court of the Northern District of Illinois. Judge Conklin, of New York, and others argued the case for the de- fendants in the United States Court, and Judge Kernan and the Hon. Roscoe Conkling-the latter a brother-in-law of Horatio Seymour-argued on the same side in the United States Supreme Court. Both courts decided in favor of complainants (Seymour vs. Freer, 8, Wallace, 202). Judge Taft and his partner received $18,500 fees in the case, which involved rights to property valued at nearly a half million.
Judge Taft resided in Chicago and Lake Forest for a period of sixteen years and during that time, with his partner, Judge Mather ( with whom there
1
226
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
were occasionally other partners) was among the the foremost in his profession in the Garden City. He was also for twelve years a member of the Chi- cago Board of Education, and part of the time its President. In 1865 he removed to Lake For- est of which he was one of the originators. In 1868 on account of impaired health, he removed to Pontiac, Mich., and bought a farm of two hundred and forty-one aeres in that vicinity, adapted to stock-raising and gen- eral production. This he carried on for eight years, regaining his health and reaping financial benefit from his good management. Subsequently he resumed the practice of law at Detroit, and in 1873 was appointed Judge of the Sixth Circuit in Michigan. After serving out the term he returned to Pontiac and took up his law practice here. For a time he superintended his farm, but he finally sold it and gave his attention exclusively to legal matters.
Judge Taft was married in Pontiac December 24, 1846, to Julia A., daughter of Jacob G. and Ann (Grow) Bishop. There have been born to them seven children five of whom are still liv- ing. Mrs. Taft is a superior woman, de- scended on the maternal side from Thomas and Rebecca (Holt) Grow, conspicuous early New Englanders, whose progeny has everywhere won a good reputation. One conspicuous branch of them held a reunion at Waterford, this State, in August, 1885, which mustered over two hundred relatives and passed off with great eclat. Judge Taft has long been an Elder and Trustec in the First P'res- byterian Church of Pontiac, and was for a number of years a Director in the Oakland County Agri- cultural Society. lle has always been a leading and active Republican, and prominent in the ranks of the party, not only in Michigan, but also while residing in Illinois.
Judge Taft is tall in person, commanding in ap- pearance and courteous in manner. Ilis portrait, presented in connection with this biographical no- tice, will be at once recognized by the majority of our readers as that of a man eminent at the bar of this State. His long professional career and his natural traits have moulded him into a type of lawyer and jurist which, in dignity, culture and
ability, marks the highest order of his profession. On the bench he showed a true conception of the duties of the position-alert, impartial, learned and honest. By his bearing he gave courage to the younger and commanded the respect of the older practitioner. As a lawyer his daily application, research and practice have given him a wide repu- tation as reliable counsel and a successful advocate, which with his personal qualities have attracted to him a large circle of friends and patrons.
R ICHARD SKARRITT. Among the many hard-working and respected farmers of White Lake Township none are better worthy representation in this ALBUM than Richard Skarritt. lle owns and operates a farm on section 16, comprising one hundred and sixty broad acres, which was reclaimed from the primi- tive condition by his own zealous efforts and has been supplied with good buildings by him. He removed the timber which once covered the land, grubbed it and broke the virgin soil, and from time to time made such improvements as he con- sidered necessary or desirable. Ile has been a life- long farmer and understands well how to bring about good results by his work.
Richard Skarritt, the father of our subject, was born in Ireland in 1803, and remained in his native land for some years after his marriage. In 1834 he emigrated and came to this county, taking up his residence in Commerce Township. After a so- journ of about three years he removed to Spring- field Township, but two years later returned to Commerce, which was his home during a second period of two years. He then settled in White Lake Township, where he passed the balance of liis years. He took up forty acres of land in Com- merce Township and bought one hundred and sixty in Springfield, but sold the latter and pur- chased instead an equal amount in White Lake. The country to which he came was new and he cleared and broke his own land and did breaking for others for many years. In the old country he belonged to the militia. After he became an
227
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
American citizen he always voted the Demoeratie ticket. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Cather- ine Dougherty, and their children were Thomas, Elizabeth, Joseph, Catherine, and Richard, who were born in Ireland, and Susan, Helen, John, Willie, Jane and George, who were born in Amer- ica. Mr. Skarritt was a member of the Methodist Church.
Richard Skarritt, Jr., the subject of this biogra- phy, was born March 6, 1834, in the Emerald Isle, and crossed the Atlantic during his infancy. He remained with his parents until he was of age, pur- suing such studies as were possible in the primitive schools of the period, in what was then a sparsely settled section and learning all the details of prac- tical farm life under his father's guidance. He began farming for himself on a forty-acre tract given him by his father, but after a time sold it and bought one hundred and twenty acres where he is now living. To this he afterward added forty acres, and here he has carried on general farming most industriously.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.