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 23
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This family moved into Troy Township and lived for ten years on a rented farm. They then went onto one at Wing Lake for several years. In 1836
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they removed to Commerce Township and made their permanent home at Walled Lake. After the death of the father the mother married Nathan Smith, of Farmington Township. George Taylor was a Jeffersonian Democrat and held the office of Justice of the Peace here. He was captain of a militia company in Pennsylvania. Five of his twelve children now survive.
The subject of this sketch was born March 4, 1812, in Luzerne County, Pa. He was a small boy when he came to Michigan with his parents and grew up on the farm and in the log schoolhouse, surrounded by Indians and wild animals. While still a boy he killed a bear weighing over four hun . dred pounds. He then obtained the help of his brother Abram and hauled the dead bear on a sled to Stratton's place. He was a great hunter in those days and has always been a tremendous worker. IIe has cut over one hundred acres of timber in this county and chopped trees both winter and summer.
After the death of the father William and Isaac, two sons, took charge of the family. About fifty- four years ago he bought forty acres of wild land where he lives. He now has sixty acres which he cleared himself, ridding it of timber, stumps and stones. Ilis marriage took place in 1839, He was then united for life with Catherine Perkins, a daughter of Joseph Perkins, a New Yorker and a settler of Commerce Township. Mrs. Taylor was born in 1842 in New York. After marriage they made their home on the farm where be still resides. Ilis faithful wife was removed by death in 1889.
Twelve children were born to this worthy couple, seven of whom are now living. ITis youngest boy was killed by being run over by a team and loaded wagon. Ilis daughter Sarah, now the widow of Harmon Courter, lost her husband and three of her children from the yellow fever in Florida, She has four children now living. The daughter, Curley, wife of John T. Brooks, lives in Saginaw County and is the mother of three children; Rebecca, the wife of Ellison Barrett, resides with her father and is the inother of one child; Ida, the wife of Judson Shubridge, lives in Montealm County and has fonr children ; Joseph is married and makes his home in Grand Ledge; he is the father of one child;
James and his wife, Ella Shubridge, live in Grand Ledge and have three children; Daniel, who is un- married, makes his home also in Grand Ledge.
The father of these children was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Commerce. He is a member of the School Board and is an active promoter of educational measures. Ile takes an active interest in politics and votes the Democratic ticket. His first ballot was east for Andrew Jack- son for his second term. He has been Treasurer of Commerce Township. He is a total abstainer from liquor and has bronght up his children in this way. Fifty years ago he used to make trips as a drover between Illinois and Michigan. Two of his sons, William and Joseph, served seven months in the Eleventh Michigan Infantry. Few men have such a record as Mr. Taylor for hard work and great achievements in this line.
OHN PURDY, a prosperous dairyman of Southfield Township, residing on section 25, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, Febru- ary 1, 1849, His father, Hugh, was a stone- mason, farmer and stock-dealer, who came to America in 1850, and coming directly to Michigan located in Southfield Township, this county. He built a log house and went to work to improve the land which he had purchased. He brought with him from the old country his wife, whose maiden name was Margaret llutchison, and his children.
The subject of this sketch is the oldest son and see- ond child in a family of eight. He was sixteen months old when he arrived in Michigan and his first schooling was obtained in Southfield Township. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-five. He was then married Nov ember 10, 1875, to Ann Hanna, a native of Ireland. Soon after marriage the young man engaged in the business of buying cattle and other stock. Before long he bought by the car-load for himself and brother, buying from five to seven car- loads a week. He buys in all parts of the country and ships to eastern points.
Mr. Purdy has one of the finest barns in the county
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It measures 40x100 feet and cost him 82,100. It is a cattle barn and contains sixty-five stalls. lle keeps from sixty to one hundred head of cows the year around and delivers some three-hundred gal- lons of milk every day in Detroit. There are eight men employed on the farm of two hundred and forty acres. Our subject is an excellent business man and is well and favorably known throughout the county.
Six children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Purdy, namely : Sarah II., Elizabeth B., Anna M., Robert J., Thomas G. F., and Mary Jane Reid. Mr. Purdy and his brother have a gristmill for grind- ing feed which turns off from forty to fifty bus- hels an hour, and everything upon the farm is plan- ned for the well-being of the stock and the profit of the concern. He is a famous huntsman, going to Northern Michigan every season, and has some splendid specimens of deer heads and other trophies of the chase. He is a Republican in his political views and a man of much more than ordinary abil- ity in the management of large business affairs.
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F REDERICK FOSTER. Every visitor to the village of Clarkston will be easily convinced of the esteem in which the subject of this sketch is held by the citizens of Independence Township. Although only a resident of the town a few years his boyhood days were spent near the village, and here he grew to manhood. lle is the son of Horatio and Ann (Pleydell) Foster, natives of Kent, England, where the subject of this sketch was born on the 19th of April, 1822. Ile is the grandson of William and Susannah Foster also natives of the county of Kent, England. The grandfather died in 1820 at the age of sixty-cight years, and the grandmother passed away at the age of forty-eight. Both are buried in the cemetery at Edgerton, County Kent, England.
The father of the subject of this sketch emigrated to America in 1826 and settled in l'tica, N. Y. Here be resided until 1837 when he brought his family to Michigan and located on section 29, Independence Township, Oakland County. Our subject remained
with his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, and had very little opportunity to ob- tain an education. At the age of twenty-three ile was happily married to Ann Parker, daughter of William and Elizabeth Parker, also natives of England, who, at the time of the marriage resided in Erie County, N. Y. The wedding was celebrated October 20, 1845.
Five children have blessed this home; Edmund, who is married to Alice Anderson, and resides in Springfield Township, this county ; Frederick H., who died at the age of twenty-two years nine months and twelve days; Adelaide who married Cassius M. Beardsley, a prominent member of the bar, and re- sides in Hersey, Mich., and Clara who is unmarried and resides with her parents in their beautiful home on Main Street in Clarkston.
Mr. Foster owns beside his town property, one of the most highly improved farms in Springfield Township. This farm is conducted by his son but Mr. Foster drives out almost every pleasant day and takes great pride in superintending the details. It comprises thre . hundred acres of arable land in a high state of cultivation. He has been very suc- cessful in accumulating a good share of this world's goods, and enjoys the comforts of life which he so richly deserves. The family are members of the Baptist Church of Clarkston. Mr. Foster is an in- dependent in politics and votes for men who will practice what they advocate, and strives to promote the election of such as have been tried and found true. Ile himself is frequently ealled to occupy posi- tions of trust in the township, and has been a Not- ary Publie for about twenty years.
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OIIN H. DRESSER is favorably known by every citizen of Independence Township and is respected by all. lle has for some years been living in Clarkston, engaged in various business pursuits, but for a score of years has given his attention principally to fire insurance. Prior to that time be carried on the sale of mer- chandise for a decade and at a still earlier period he owned and conducted the Clarkston Hotel. In whatever pursuit he engaged he endeavored to
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make a snecess and he brought to bear upon his work a more than ordinary degree of intelligence and mental training.
Mr. Dresser was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., June 30, 1825, his parents being Harvey and Hul- dah (Gibson) Dresser. Ile was reared to the age of twenty years on a farm and his education such as was to be obtained in the district schools of that day except one term at Moravia Academy. Ilis knowledge was practical and at the age of twenty he began teaching, a profession that he followed during the winter months for seven years. Ile spent the summers in work of a more physical na- ture. In 1847 he came to this county and spent the winter teaching in Independence Township, returning to his native State in the summer. For three years he continued this manner of life, spend- ing the summers in the employ of the Union Trans- portation Company as Captain of one of their boats on the Erie Canal. In 1850 he became a perma- nent resident in Independence Township and four years later he bought the Clarkston Hotel, which he carried on three years. Selling out, he became a merchant and finally turned his attention to his present business.
The marriage of Mr. Dresser to Miss Elizabeth C. Vliet, daughter of William and Martha Vliet, who came to this State from New Jersey, was sol- emnized in 1852. Mr. Vliet served in the War of 1812; although he was under the age liable to draft he filled the place of a neighbor who was drafted but could not well leave home. The Vliet family has been one of great patriotism from Colonial times. One of the direct ancestors of Mrs. Dresser fought during the Revolution, serving under the immediate command of Gen. Washington at Valley Forge and Trenton, and four of her brothers were in the Union Army and two gave up their lives to save the old flag intaet.
To Mr. and Mrs. Dresser four children have come, of whom we note the following: Charles II. was born April 20, 1854, and died October 19, 1855; Charles C. was born July 9, 1856, married Emily Tiffany and resides in Clarkston; William II. was born October 24, 1860, and is in the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad Company, located at West Bay City; George E .. born June 6, 1866,
lost his life at the age of thirteen years, by drown- ing in Park Lake.
For a number of years Mr. Dresser served the community in the capacity of Justice of the Peace, and left the office by resignation. Ile was Town- ship Supervisor one term. Ile has always been a Democrat and from President Cleveland he re- ceived the commission of Postmaster and discharged the duties of the office for four years and five months. He is a Master Mason and has passed the Chairs, being Worshipful Master of Cedar Lodge, No. 60, seven years. He belongs to Lodge No. 85, K. O. T. M. also. In worldly affairs he has been prosperous, and has a beautiful home in which he and his estimable wife enjoy the companionship of warm friends, many a time and oft.
ULIAN S. PETERS, Justice of the Peace at Rochester, was born in Troy, this county, December 4, 1841. He is of German an- cestry in the paternal line and his mother's family is traced to Scotland. His parents, Pliney V., and Eleanor L. (Kintner) Peters, were natives of New York and Vermont, respectively, and the former died in his native State early in the '60s. He was a farmer in his earlier years and after he abandoned the work he was quite active in the position of a magistrate. Upon the occasion of the annual muster day in Franklin County he be- came chief bngler.
The subject of this biographical notice has passed an uneventful life, as far as incidents of a peculiar nature are concerned, his experiences hav- ing heen those common to the mass of mankind. Ile pursued his studies in the common school and began the work of life when he had reached a suitable age. March 16, 1865, he enlisted in the Twenty-second Michigan Infantry and was enrolled in Company G, but later transferred to Company G, Twenty-ninth Regiment. Having received a detail, a greater portion of his enlistment was spent as Clerk in the General Court-Martial Office at Murfreesborough, Tenn., where a great many vital and important cases were on trial, which required
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more than an ordinary degree of clerical ability to record. Being mustered out of service September 20, he returned to Rochester, where he resumed his trade, at which he worked nntil 1880, when he embarked in the carriage painting and repairing business. By careful attention to the wants of his patrons and a determination to merit their confi- dence by looking to their interests, he has worked up a most successful business. His connection with the Union Army is held in remembrance by his membership in the Grand Army of the Re- public. In political matters he acts with the Democratic party. In 1890 he was elected Justice of the Peace and he is giving his earnest attention to the duties that pertain to his station. Ile has also filled other local offices with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
Mr. Peters was married February 22, 1866, to Miss Mary McCornac. The union has been blest by the birth of six children, none of whom have yet left the parental fireside. Herbert J., the first- born, assists his father in his business. The other members of the circle are Nellie May, Maude Edna, Jeannette Viola. Louis Julian and Laura Etta.
AMES SLOCUM. editor and proprietor of the Holly Advertiser, at Holly, Mich., also the American Creamery, is a prominent and influential member of society, and a native of the town in which he lives. Ile was born November 8. 1862, and is a son of William W. and Sarah (Coffeen) Slocum, natives of New York. The father is a contractor and builder, and came here in 1851 and settled in Rose Township. Ilere he purchased a farm and lived there for many years. Ile is a resident of this village, and is well and favorably known. Six of his children are still living: William W. Jr., Fred, Lizzie, James, Grant JI. and Bertha.
The subject of this brief notice spent his time on the farm with his parents until nearly eighteen years of age, and received a common-school educa- tion. Ile then went into the employ of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad as fireman, and there
remained four years. Previous to railroading, he worked one year for his brother Fred on the paper which he now owns. After railroading four years, it occurred to him that newspaper work would be much more satisfactory than that of a railroad fireman, and in November, 1886, he purchased the above paper from his brother, and since that time the business has constantly increased. Three years after he commenced publication of the American ('reamery, at which time it was the only creamery publication in America. The business of his office has more than thribbled since he became owner of it. Ile was married in 1887 to Miss Mate Tindall, of Davisburg, the same county. She is a daughter of Hon. J. K. Tindall, who for two years was a member of the State Legislature of Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Slocum have one daughter.
OIN YOUNG ELY was born in Plymouth Township, Wayne County, Mich., August 5, 1864. Ilis father. William V. Ely, born in Milford, N. J., February 12, 1826, was a car- penter by trade, and followed the business of builder and contractor in New York and New Jer- sey. lle came to Michigan in 1854, and made his home in Plymouth, Wayne County, where he fol- lowed the occupation of farming. There he so- journed many years and thence he removed in 1869 to Farmington, this county; in 1891 he located in the village of Northville, where he now lives, re- tired from the more active duties of life. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Mary J. Lee, was born in the city of New York, May 11, 1828, and at the age of four years was taken to Milford, N. J., where she remained until she removed to Michigan with her husband. To them were born eleven children, ten of whom are grown to manhood and woman- hood.
The subject of this sketch was the eighth in this large family of children, and from the time he was five years old he was reared in Oakland County. He completed his schooling at the Agricultural College at Lansing, after which he returned to Oak- land County, and made his home where he now re-
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sides. lle is the owner of two hundred acres of well- improved land, where be is carrying on a general farming business.
Mr. Ely was united in marriage December 22, 1886, with Anna Jane, daughter of Joseph and Martha (Morrison) Gibson. Two children have blessed their home, Martha G. and William V. Mr. Ely, although a comparatively young man, is one who is highly respected by his neighbors who re- gard his judgment in business affairs as excellent and his integrity is undoubted. His political views are in accordance with the platform of the Repub- lican party and he is an earnest and efficient mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Farm- ington. His farm is one of the neatest in the town- ship and he has placed upon it solid improvements and has it in a thorough state of cultivation.
R OBERT LEBARON, M. D. Many are the lives of men unwritten, which have never- theless as powerfully influenced civiliza- tion and progress as the more fortunate great, whose names are recorded in history. Biographies of industrious and good men are most instructive as helps and incentives to others. Some are almost equivalent to Gospels, teaching self- consecrated devotion to the good of others, and exhibiting in language not to be misunderstood what it is possible for a man to accomplish for himself. It is therefore with pleasure that we record for the present as well as coming genera- tions the principal events in the life of Dr. Le- Baron, and perpetuate his features through the medium of his portrait on the opposite page. He is one of those of whom it may be said that
"Ile comprehends his trust and to the same Keeps faithful with a singleness of aim, And therefore does not stoop nor lie in wait For weaith or honor or for worldly state."
Dr. LeBaron, who has been for many years a prominent physician in Pontiac, is descended from substantial French and Puritan ancestors. Going back a few generations we find that Dr. Francis LeBaron was an early Puritan settler in Plymouth,
and was buried on Burying Hill in that place. One of his sons, Lazarus, was born in Plymouth, where he practiced medicine during his entire active life and was also buried on Burying Hill. Another son, James, married and became the father of a son, David, and the latter in turn married and num- bered among his children Dr. Solomon LeBaron, the paternal grandfather of our subject. In his youth Solomon LeBaron studied medicine and devoted his life to its practice. He married Miss Zada Hull, who was descended from the noted Revolutionary general of that name, and among their children was John, father of our subject.
John LeBaron was born in Connecticut, in 1803, and upon attaining years of maturity married Jane McCollum, who was born near Batavia, N. Y., in 1808. They removed to Michigan in 1843, settling first in Battle Creek, removing thence to Redford, Wayne County, where he carried on farming sev- eral years. Later be removed to the township of Farmington, Oakland County, and sojourned eight years. Afterward he removed to the township of Olive, Clinton County, where he resided about twenty-five years and died in his seventy-fifth year. He belonged to the Presbyterian Church, and was a man of fine literary attainments. His profes- sion was that of teaching, to which he devoted bis time between the ages of twenty-one and forty years, in the States of Connecticut and New York. His widow survived him until 1887.
Dr. LeBaron, of this sketcli, was born near Ba- tavia, N. Y., June 27, 1838 and is the second son in the parental family. Ile passed his early school days in Wayne and Oakland Counties, Mich., and when eleven years old went to Livingston County. There he made his home with Dr. C. W. Haze for fourteen years, and with him commenced the study of medicine. After a preparatory course of read- ing, he entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, from which he was graduated in March, 1861. He immediately commenced the practice of his profession in Livingston County and continued for two years with his former in- structor, Dr. Haze.
About this time Dr. LeBaron received the ap- pointment of Assistant Surgeon of the old Fourth Michigan Infantry, in which service he spent nearly
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two years, and during the latter part of that time he acted in the capacity of Surgeon of the regi- ment. Ile was assigned to the Army of the Po- tomac and was with his regiment until July, 1864, at which time it was mustered out of service in the city of Detroit. Its term of enlistment had ex . pired on June 20, while in front of Petersburg, Va. In August, 1864, the Doctor established him- self in practice in Pontiac, where he has since de- voted his entire time to his profession and has succeeded in building up a Incrative and extensive business. Politically he is a stanchi Democrat, and he and his family are members of the Episcopal Church.
On October 13, 1869, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Mary B. Foster, of Pontiac. This estimable lady was born in Clarkston, this county, and is a daughter of Horatio and Sophia (Sabine) Foster. Her parents were natives of England, who first settled in Utica. N. Y., and sub- sequently came to this county, where both died in Clarkston. Three children have blest the happy union of Dr. and Mrs. LeBaron, namely, Edith II., Mary F. and Robert O. The Doctor is a member of the State and the American Medical Associations, Pontiac Lodge, No. 21. F. & A. M., Pontiac Chapter, R. A. M., and Pontiac Commandery No. 2, K. T. Ilis palatial residence in the western part of Pontiac is a fine brick structure, surrounded by a lovely lawn and all the evidences of modern refinement and culture.
AMES H. CAMPBELL, a farmer in Troy Township, owns and occupies one hundred and fifty acres of land, twenty-five of which is in a wood lot. It is located on section 27, and is as good a farm as this part of the county ean show. Mr. Campbell has put four and a half miles of tile on the place, and has it well stocked. He is doing a general farming business, and prospering as he deserves. He was born in Monroe County, N. Y., August 26, 1823, and is undoubtedly of Scotch extraction. His grandfather, Robert Camp- bell, is believed to have been the first of the line
born in America, and his birthplace was the old Bay State. He was a Revolutionary soldier. Will- iam Campbell, father of our subjeet, was born in Massachusetts, and was married in Connecticut to Sarah Day, who was born in that State, whither her parents had come from Wales. The young couple located in Oneida County, N. Y., thence went to Monroe County, and still later to Genesee County, and finally came to Michigan. They established their home in Oxford Township, this county, in 1847, and there spent their last days, both dying in 1859. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters.
Our subject is the youngest son in the parental family. Ilis first schooling was obtained in Gene- see County, N. Y., to which his parents removed when he was four years old. He was nineteen years old when they removed to this State, and he began farming for himself. He had worked all summer and accumulated $60, which he expended in a yoke of cattle. Ile took charge of his father's farm, buy- ing ont the other heirs, and kept his father and mother as long as they lived. About 1864 he re- moved to Royal Oak Township, and thence came to Troy Township, locating where he now resides.
At the bride's home in Oakwood, March 30, 1854, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Amarilla Giddings, who was born in this county, October 28, 1837, and who was the elder of two children, Her recent demise was a sad affiiction to her fam- ily to whose interests she had been devoted. The' date of her decease was March 4, 1891, and her mortal remains were laid away in the Mill eeme- tery in Pontiac. Much of his prosperity and hap- piness came from her. She is survived by her youngest child, a son, George M., who was born December 18, 1863, and is living with his father. lle is married and has two children, J. Kirk and Floyd A. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell had two dangh- ters, Frances E. and Lucy Adell. The former was born May 30, 1855, and died March 27, 1881. She was the wife of Frank Maher, and left a little son, Roy, who is being reared by his grandfather Camp- bell. Lucy was born December 25. 1857, and died March 4, 1861, the day that Lincoln was first in- augurated.
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