Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 24

Author:
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman bros.
Number of Pages: 980

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 24

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Mr. Campbell cast his first vote for Gen. Win-

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field Scott, and his next for Abraham Lincoln. Ile remained in the Republican ranks until quite re- cently, but is now working for the cause of pro- hibition. His first lesson in prohibition came through his sainted father and good Deacon Enos Catheart, of Carper, then Longs' Corners, Genesee County, N. Y., they refusing to pass alcoholic wine at a communion. This was sixty years ago.

ENRY E. NICHOLS, a resident of Oxford, is one of the honored veterans of the war, having served bravely through a long cam- paign in both artillery and infantry ser- vice. Ile was born in Reading, Fairfield County, Conn., September 23, 1836. He is the son of Harry and Polly Aun (Dimond) Nichols, both na- tives of Connecticut, where the Nichols family have been residents for generations. Harry was a farmer and died in his native State, September, 1864. Ilis wife survived him for twenty years. Of their four children, three still are living, namely : John B., residing in Connecticut; Jerome, residing on the old homestead, and our subject. The great-grandfather Dimond was a tory in Rev- olutionary days and took part with the British. Grandfather Dimond served in the War of 1812.

The subject of this sketch when only seventeen years old entered the employ of Nichols Bros., at Nichols, Conn., as an apprentice at carriage making. He remained in that village for two years and re- moved to New Haven, Conn., continuing in the car- riage business until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion. He enlisted March 6, 1862, in Com- pany M, First Connecticut Heavy Artillery. After a service of two years he re-enlisted as a Corporal, and in the course of a year was promoted to the position of a Sergeant. He went through the Pen- insular Campaign in the Army of the Potomac. After this campaign he spent six months at Gen. Tyler's headquarters, at the house of the Confed- erate Gen. Lee. Thence he went to Fredericksburg and participated in the second battle at that place. Here it was that he received his promotion. After the evacuation of that town he marched toward

Gettysburg and took part in that campaign, al- though not actively in the battle. The subsequent winter was passed at Brandy Station. In the spring of 1864 our young hero re-enlisted without return- ing home and went into the artillery camp of in- struction at Washington. From there he was sent with Butler to Bermuda Ilundred. Here our sub- ject, then a Sergeant, was placed in a hazardous position with a part of the battery in the advance. From there he fell back to the line in front of Petersburg. After getting comfortably settled in his quarters here he was sent with a detail to Bat- tery No. 21, at Ft. Sedgwick, which on account of its hazardous position was known among the sol- diers as Ft. 1Iell.

While at Ft. Sedgwick Sergeant Nichols managed to exchange papers with some rebels, but before he had a chance to enjoy reading them he had to re- sign them to an officer for the use of the General. While camped at Drury's Bluff, this regiment dis- mantled all the guns of the enemy, on the James River below Richmond. The war being closed they remained near Richmond until Angust, and were mustered out at Ft. Lyon, September 25, 1865.

At the close of the war this brave hero returned home to encounter a foe as insidious if not as out- spoken as the rebel hosts. For six months he bat- tled with ague as did many another Northern boy who had never known it until he went into the South. He returned in 1866 to the carriage busi- ness in New Haven, Conn. In 1869 he came to Pontiac, Mich., where he continued in this line of business for six monthis. He then bought out a planing mill and manufactory of doors and sashes, under the firm name of Martin & Nichols. In 1871 he removed to Evart, Osceola County, and built a similar mill in which he continued until it was de- stroyed by fire in the spring of 1874. That fall he removed to Jackson where he engaged in carriage making. In April 1876 he returned to Connecti- cut and was engaged by N. K. Elliott of the Lake Mills in the sale of flour at Bridgeport. In 1877, he engaged in the carriage manufacturing in Ox- ford, with John McKenzie, under the firm name of Mckenzie & Nichols where he has since continued. On April 15, 1858, Mr. Nichols married Carrie

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Durand. Soon after his enlistment she died of brain fever, leaving a daughter who also passed away while he was in the service. Ilis second mar- riage was celebrated April 4, 1870. This wife, Elsie Parker, died in April, 1885, leaving one son, J. Ilarry, who is now in a drug store at Quincy, Mich. August 15, 1886, Mr. Nichols married Mary A. Giddings who passed away April 6, 1887. The present Mrs. Nichols was Mrs. Cornelius Hag- erman before her union with Mr. Nichols. Mr. Nichols is a member of the Knights of the Macca- bees in which he officiates as Finance Keeper. Ile is a member of the Baptist Church and prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a Re- publican first, last and all the time.

TIT

F6 REDERICK WIELAND. The subject of this biographical notice was born December 24, 1860. in Springfield Township, Oakland County. His boyhood was passed on a farm in Independence Township, and the days were spent in the usual alternation of study, work and play. U'ntil ten years old he attended a village school in Clarkston, and when his parents removed to Mil- ford he continued his studies there. His youth was passed in Springfield Township, to which his parents had removed, and there he completed his course of study, working on the farm during the summer to procure the means to enable him to at- tend school during the winter. Having been early thrown upon his own resources he soon learned to rely upon his own exertions. From 1881 to 1886 he taught school during the winter months. Since that time he has been continuously in public life, connected with the civic affairs of the municipality or county.

As early as 1882 Mr. Wieland became connected with school offices, being then elected School In- spector of Springfield Township for two years. He was re-elected in 1884 and served a second term. In September, 1885, he was appointed by the Judge of Probate to fill the vacancy on the Board of School Examiners for one year. In 1886 he was elected to the office for three years, and in 1889 he

was re-elected for two years. During four years of this time, from 1887 to 1891, he was also Assis- tant School Visitor. In 1886 Mr. Wieland was elected County Clerk for a term of two years and on the expiration of that period he was re-elected. llis name was brought before the people on the Re- publican ticket, le being a stanch member of that party, although his well- wishers are not, confined to it.

While faithfully discharging the duties of the offices that have been given him, Mr. Wieland has studied law, and in July, 1890, he was admitted to the bar. Ilis mind has been well prepared for le- gal lore by study and thought in other lines, and it is understood that he is well versed in the prin- ciples of his profession, and no one who knows him doubts his rising to prominence in his chosen field of labor. Mr. Wieland is much interested in the social orders and is identified with several lodges. Ile is well up in Masonry, besides being a Granger and Odd Fellow, and a Knight of Pythias. Ile is a popular member of society, be- ing well-bred and cordial, as well as intelligent.

OHIN M. BAIRD, proprietor of the Opera House at llolly, Mich., is one of the oldest settlers in this part of the county, having come here in 1857, when there were only a few buildings in the place. He is the son of Isaac and Harriett ( Maston) Baird, who were natives of New York State. He was born on the Hudson River near Newburg, N. Y., in September, 1826. The father was a cooper by trade. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, of whom three are now living: Peter D., John M. and Selah M., all residing at Holly. The father died in Monroe County, N. Y., in 1852, and the mother followed him two years later.

Our subject received a fine education at the sem- inary at Lima, N. Y. He taught school for awhile and then decided to learn the trade of his father, who was carrying on an extensive shop at that time. Subsequently he learned the joiner's trade,

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following it for several years. After this he bought fruit trees, representing Mt. Hope Nursery, of Rochester, N. Y., and being employed by that firm when first coming to Michigan, in 1857, with marked success.

Mr. Baird purchased five acres of land in the village of Holly in the spring of 1858, and com- menced business by platting his land and build- ing. Ile purchased more later, and in all platted fifty-three acres, now the finest residence part of that beautiful village. In 1859 he started a nur- sery at Holly, from which he supplied the country far and near, but his peaceful and agricultural em- ployments were soon to give place to the bustle and turmoil of war. September 19, 1861, the young man enlisted in the First Michigan Cavalry and was assigned. Their term of service was one year. Although a non-combatant, being connected with the band, he, with two of his comrades, vol- unteered to go out with Maj. Towne to do regular soldier's duty. These comrades were George Le- line, of Holly, and Charles Sheldon, of Clinton. · Their first battle was at Winchester or Carnstown.

While pursuing "Stonewall" Jackson our subject received an injury from a runaway horse and for three months was compelled to go on crutches. IIe was mustered out September 14, 1862, and soon after returning home re-enlisted in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and being detailed by Col. Jolin Stockton, he engaged in recruiting for Company

C, of that regiment. He had such good success in this that he next recruited for Company K, and was then honored by being given the commission of First Lieutenant of that company. This regiment was connected with the Western army and took part in many battles in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. The company with which our subject was connected, with other troops, started out for Camp Nelson, in Kentucky, to capture the rebel Scott, who was raiding that State and stealing cattle after the John Morgan raid. They struck his band south of Lexington, and for five days and nights kept upa running fight. On the morning of the fifth day they came up to, and charging bim at Lebanon, Ky., four hundred and twenty-seven men with seven commissioned officers were captured, includ- ing the noted Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon, of the

Louisiana Cavalry, who was in command. The sur- render was made to our subject, and for this meri- torious accomplishment of the quest on which he set out, Gen. Sanders gave to the young Lieutenant the duty of taking the prisoners back to Camp Nelson.

Lieut. Baird was in nearly all of the battles in which his regiment was engaged until appointed Quartermaster, doing much valuable service for his regiment. He was promoted to be Brigade Quar- termaster, and served as staff officer with Gens. Hobson, Shackleford and Capron. IIe was hon- ored with three commissions from the War Gov- ernor of Michigan, Austin Blair, and received his final muster out at Pulaski, Tenn., July 20, 1865. His services in connection with the War of the Re- bellion were greatly appreciated by his command- ing officers and made him a noted man in army circles.

After his return home Capt. Baird engaged in private banking business for two years. He then organized a State Bank, of which he was Vice President; also was the prime mover in organizing the Merchants' National Bank. He also started the Monitor Mutual Insurance Company with D. II. Stone and Lewis Coller. This was the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company, of Oakland County, and our subject was its secretary for four years. IIe organized the Citizens' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Oakland, Genesee and Shiawassee Counties, with headquarters at Holly, and has been the Secretary for the past seventeen years, winning a high reputation as a fire insurance underwriter.

The marriage of our subject, December 29, 1859, to Miss Enphrasia Humphrey, of Spring- water, Livingston County, N. Y., resulted in a family of six children, of whom three are now liv- ing: John E., Charles H. and Belle. Capt. Baird has been prominent upon the School Board for twelve years, and has been a member of the Village Council. He is a Chapter Mason and has served fourteen years as Secretary of the Blue Lodge, and as Secretary of all the Masonic bodies of Holly. Ile is, of course, a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and holds the position of Adjutant in the J. B. McPherson's Post, No. 183. He owns some Northern lands, as well as con-

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siderable real estate in the village, and has done considerable building. He built the Opera House in 1870; this building also contains two stores, a Masonic Hall, Odd Fellows Hall and offices.

ILLIAM H. KNOWLES is one of the many highly respected citizens of this broad land who began their personal ca- reer empty-handed, but who struggled on and in due time gained the reward for which they sought. He has a fine piece of property in Royal Oak Township consisting of one hundred and sixty-five acres and he also owns four village lots in Royal Oak. Ilis home farm consists of thirty-seven aeres on section 22, and the house in which he now lives was erected by him in 1886. The first pur- chase of real estate was fifty-four acres on section 22, for which the title was obtained in 1857. In 1879 the present home farm was bought, in 1880 a twenty -acre tract was purchased, in 1882 four- teen acres, and in 1884 forty acres on section 16. When Mr. Knowles landed in Detroit early in the '30s, he had just fifty cents, which he paid for breakfast for himself and wife. In place of money he had unbounded perseverance and the willing- ness to do any honest work, and he was encouraged by a noble-hearted wife to whom he owes much, as without her sympathy he would sometimes have given way to the discouragements which her pres- ence and hopeful spirit made less oppressive.

Mr. Knowles was born in Yorkshire, England, April 22, 1807, and was the fourth of five children born to William and Nancy Ann ( Midlam ) Knowles. His father was a carpenter and joiner and common carrier. In 1829 the young man crossed the At- Jantic to seek his fortune in the New World, where he was convinced that better opportunities were to be found than in his native land. Ile spent four years in New York, then came to Detroit, and three years later went to Brest to take charge of work. Ile remained there seven years in the capacity of boss carpenter, and, as the company failed, he lost the money due him for his services. He then made staves, which were sent to Quebec. During a few

years he had a trying time, but he finally saved a little fund so that he could establish himself as a farmer, and although he still had to work hard he began to see a fair prospect of reaching the goal of his ambition. For several years prior to giving his attention to farming he worked at ship-building in Detroit, whither he returned after his experience at Brest.

In 1831 Mr. Knowles was married to Miss Har- riet Pinder. daughter of John Pinder, and the eldest child of a large family. The union re- sulted in the birth of four children-George, Ilenry, Ben and Edward-the first and last-named being now deceased and the others residents of Detroit. The mother of these sons died, and three years after the father married Mrs. Ann Helson, widow of William HIelson, of Detroit. The mar- riage was blest by the birth of a son, John E., who is a carpenter in Omaha, Neb. Mrs. Ann Knowles died in 1859 and in 1860 our subjectwas again mar- ried. His present wife was Mrs. Amelia S. Mont- gomery and she has borne him six children. They are Mary, wife of W. A. Anger, a lawyer: Frank, a carpenter living in Royal Oak; Almon, whose home is in Detroit; Maria, wife of William Os- good, a carpenter in the city of Detroit; Payson, who occupies the old farm in Royal Oak Town- ship; and Alexander, who is unmarried.

Frank Knowles, son of our subject, was married April 23, 1884, to Eliza A. Watts, of Greenfield, Wayne County. The bride is the eldest daughter and second child of Samuel and Phebe (Mallett) Watts, natives of England, who came to America in 1857, and whose family consists of four sons and two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Knowles have had two children-Jay E., who was born .July 29. 1885, and died October 26 following; Olive E., who was born September 28, 1888, Mr. Knowles is a Re- publican and his first Presidential ballot was for James (+. Blaine, He is Drain Commissioner of Royal Oak Township, and his pleasant home is on section 16. Hle is a member of Lodge No. 44, F. & A. M. in Birmingham.

Mr. Knowles, of this notice, has always been fond of hunting and when a young man he killed many deer, foxes and wild turkeys, and on July 4, 1831, he shot a deer on what was known as De-

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troit Commons and is now Sixth Street, in that city. In later years it has been his custom to visit Tuscola each winter for a month's sport with the rifle and shotgun. While he was living in Detroit he was Pathmaster three years, and be laid out Cass Avenue and broke the first ground there. In Royal Oak Township he has been Highway Com- missioner three years and most of the roads in the eastern part have been laid out by him. He has also served as Justice of the Peace. He was an active Odd Fellow for twenty years and now has a demit. Politically he is a Republican and his first vote was cast for the opponent of Henry Clay. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church and he has been a member for sixty years. He has held the office of Treasurer and is now a Trustee and for many years he has served as Stew- ard and Class-Leader. He looks back over a long and in some respects toilsome life, but he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has been useful in society and that his own affairs have been brought to a successful issue.

b. ARRISON D. HYDE, one of the most intel- ligent and influential farmers in South- field Township, was born in Livingston Connty, N. Y., twenty-five miles from Rochester, June 19, 1818. His father, Lewis, was born in Connecticut in 1791. Ile was a farmer, stonemason and teacher, and was also a soldier in the War of 1812. He removed to New York when quite a young man, first to Scoharie County and then to Livingston. The year 1831 saw him lo- cated on a farm in Pontiac Township, Oakland County. Here he remained for about two years and then removed to Southfield Township, where he bought eighty acres of land from the Govern- ment, upon which he remained until his death in 1838.

The mother of our subjeet was Lney, the daugh- ter of John Hatch. She was the mother of seven children, three sons and four danghters, of whom our subject was the eldest. His first schooling was in Livonia, New York. He came to Michigan with

his parents when he was thirteen years old, and finished his schooling in Southfield Township. He started for himself at the age twenty years, just after the death of his father, and worked for awhile at the carpenter and joiner's trade.

Mr. Hyde married, December 24, 1849, Mary M. Royce, who was born February 1, 1828, in Cort- land County, N. Y., a few miles from Auburn. Iler parents were Joseph and Sallie (Cross) Royce. Her father was born April 7, 1783, in Vermont, and was a farmer and blacksmith. He took good advantage of the common-school education, and was a man of intelligence and ability. Ile was a Whig and an Abolitionist and was deeply interested in political matters. He was a Deacon in the Pres- byterian Church and died October 23, 1846, in his sixty-fourth year. His father, Isaac, was a Revo- Intionary hero. Sallie Cross, the mother of Mrs. Ilyde, was born January 11, 1794. Mrs. Hyde's paternal grandmother, Abigail (Grow) Royce who was born November 4, 1753, came near being eap- tured by the British during the Revolutionary War at the bombardment of Boston. She eut up her bed clothes to provide for the soldiers during the hard times of conflict, and lived to the venera- ble age of ninety-seven years, beloved and revered by her posterity. Her death took place in 1860.

Mrs. Hyde was educated in New York, being at one time an attendant at the Casenovia Seminary. She taught school two terms in New York and was a notable teacher in Farmington in the early days, being given the entire control of the schools there in 1845. She continued in this work until her marriage. After this event she and her hus- band settled upon the farm where they now reside. A log house was the only improvement npon the place. Here they lived for some years and then built their present home. Mr. Hyde set out every tree upon the place and made all the improvements. David G. Royce, a brother of Mrs. Ilyde, was one of the heroes in the Civil War. He received just before his death a commission as Major, but did not live to take his position, being killed at Falling Water.

Mr. and Mrs. Hyde are the parents of six chil- dren, two daughters and four sons, namely: A. Elizabeth, born August 26, 1851, now residing in

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Detroit; Amy V., born July 9, 1853, residing at home; Frank L., born August 6, 1856, partner in firm of Newland & Co., hatters and furriers; Fred W., born October 28, 1860, resides in Southfield Township on a farm; David L., born August 24, 1863, resides in Greenville, Montcalm County, and is in the grocery business; Lincoln W., born June 11, 1867, is also a resident of Green ville.

Mr. Ilyde has given to all his children a superior education. Ilis home farm comprises ninety acres and he also has forty acres on section 18. Ile carries on general farming. Ilis first and his last Presi- dential vote was cast for the Harrison family. In 1860 he filled the oflice of Supervisor and in 1845 was a llighway Commissioner. Both he and his good wife are earnest and active members of the Presbyterian Church.

E DWARD J. BISSELL, a prominent attorney of this county, is located in Milford. Ile has been very successful in the legal arena, and not only practices largely in all the courts of this county, but in those of Wayne and Livingston Counties and elsewhere, and fully one-third of his time is spent away from home. lle is true to the interest of his clients, and never undertakes a case without the determination to do the very best pos- sible for his side. He has extensive business inter- ests of which further mention will be made below. Financial prosperity as well as a fine reputation has crowned his efforts, and he has one of the hand- somest and most elegantly furnished residences in town. The house is of brick, built in 1881, and its surroundings are in keeping with its beanty of de- sign.

Mr. Bissell is a descendant of an old Eastern family and in Dutchess County, N. Y., his father, Edward, was born July 17, 1817, and in the spring of 1839 came West, and until 1856 his home was in Detroit, where he was engaged in the shoe busi- ness. Ile then removed to Northville, Wayne County, and after a year's residence there gave up that occupation and took up photography, to which he has since given his attention. In 1866 he located

in Holly, remained there until 1882, and then came to Milford, where he has a well-equipped gallery.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Lucy Provansal, and is now about seventy years old. She was born in Detroit, of which place her father was a native. Her paternal grandfather was born in France, and was a Lieutenant in the French army. Ile came to Detroit when it was held by his nation. IIer father was married to the widow Solo, whose first husband, father and brother had been massacred on the Raisin River. Mrs. Solo was taken to the fort, but as the children had not been rescued, she became almost insane, made her escape from the fort, and started for her late home, in the night. She was captured by the Indians, who bound her to the stake and were about to burn her, when she was rescued by the French interpre- ter under the pretence that she was his cousin. Iler children had escaped to the woods at the time of the Indian outbreak, and had been found and taken to Detroit, and she and they were soon afterward rennited. After some years she married Mr. Provan- sal, and both died in Detroit. Mrs. Bissell is edu- cated in both French and English, and is a devont Catholic. She is the mother of ten children, six of whom are living.

Edward .J. Bissell is the eldest son in his father's family. IIe was born in Detroit, March 22, 1850, and was six years old when he went to Northville, where he studied in both common and private schools. Ile was a bright student and was highly complemented on an essay he wrote when fifteen years old. When sixteen he went to HIolly and helped his father in the photograph business by taking charge of the printing. He gave a part of his time to the study of Latin and higher mathe- matics, under M. N. Burnham, an attorney there, and when eighteen began the study of law. IIe had taken up Blackstone as a means of mental eul- ture, and liked it so well that he resolved to be- come a lawyer. During the year before he was nineteen he also taught one term of school. lle then went to Detroit and continued his legal studies under Fred A. Baker about a twelvemonth, when both removed to Holly, and the law firm of Baker & Bissell was formed. Mr. Bissell was admitted to the bar as soon as he was of age, in April, 1871.

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Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 24

Author: Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman bros. Number of Pages: 980

Author:
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman bros.
Number of Pages: 980