Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 31

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

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large proportions, his annual shipments amounting to some sixty thousand barrels. He also estab- lished a grain commission business in Detroit, tak- ing into partnership two young men, giving them one quarter each of the profits. This was after- ward changed to the produce business, of which they handled large quantities.

Mr. Buekland was married to the daughter of Col. B. H. Evans, of Williamston, Ky., by whom he had two daughters. The elder died while he was in the employ of John Stewart & Co. The younger, May E., is now the wife of Jacob Selig- man, of East saginaw. Ilis wife died shortly after his return from New York. He was married to his second wife, Miss Sarah A. Gregory, daughter of Jolin C. Gregory, of Geneva, N. Y., a prominent physician of that place, May 8, 1858. Mrs. Buck . land is a most estimable lady, of refined and cul- tured manners, and preserves to a great extent the pleasing features and expressions which must, in her younger days, have made her one of the most attractive and handsome women of ber time.

Arriving at the age of seventy, Mr. Buckland closed up his New England flour business, and sold out the Detroit partnership, and after a year de- voted to buying barley in Oakland, Genesee, and Lapeer Counties, which he was afterward able to dispose of, owing to the failure of Canadian erops, at a large margin over the paying price, he retired from active business, and engaged in looking after bis real estate and other interests. Ile was a stoek- holder in the Calumet and IIecla copper mines, the Detroit Iron Mining Company at Ishpeming, Mich., and other iron mines in the Upper Peninsula, and in numerous Michigan, Dakota, California and Col- orado mines, and was the owner of pine lands in the State of Michigan. On his return from the South, in 1840, Mr. Buekland found the Harrison-Van Buren Presidential campaign at its height, and having imbibed Whig principles from his uncle, he became very active in political work during the campaign, and again in 1844 he took an active part in political work, spending about $2,000 of his own funds to further the interests of the Whig can- didate, who, however, was doomed to defeat.

Mr. Buekland, by his work, acquired a high repu- tion among the members of his party, and he was

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conceded many honorable positions in the Repub- liean party after its organization. He was a dele- gate to the convention held at Jackson, at which that party was founded in 1856, the first Republi- can organization in the United States, and was af- terward Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, and the Republican County Committee of Oakland County. During this time he gained the reputation of being the hardest-working mem- ber of the party in the State without office. In 1860, being Chairman of the State Committee, he took charge of the entire campaign in the State, and was also a delegate to the National Convention held at Chicago, which nominated Lincoln, and was present in Washington at his inauguration. He was offered by the Republican delegation in Con- gress many positions of honor, among them the Cus- tom-house at Detroit, but refused them all, as he did not desire any offfee as reward for his work. About this time, however, a contest occurred over the position of Postmaster at Pontiae, which ended, much to his surprise (as he was not a candidate for the office), in his appointment. He, however, ae- eepted it, and notwithstanding repeated attempts to oust him from the position, retained it for eight years. Mr. Buckland led an exceedingly active life, extending over a period of more than fifty years, and his experience was a varied and more than ordinarily interesting one, as the above out- line of his career would indicate. He died at his home in Pontiae on the evening of Sunday, Sep- tember 23, 1888, at the age of seventy-five years and one month, leaving a charming wife and a pleas- ant circle of friends, honored and respected by the community.

RS. LUCY A. KESBY. Among the citi- zens of Milford who are able to relate many incidents of pioneer times in this vicinity, is Mrs. Kesby, who came to the county in her girlhood, in the year 1832. ller father, Eleazer E. Calkins, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., was the son of a local minister in the Methodist Church, and traced his lineage to

Wales. Mr. Calkins was a carpenter by trade and for some time was captain of a canal boat, his home then being in Monroe County. He was one of the first settlers in Lyon Township, this county, where there were but four or five families when he brought his wife and children here. He bought eighty acres of Government land in the spring of 1832, and the next year entered one hundred and sixty aeres.

Mr. Calkins lived in the typical log house of hewed logs, with a stick chimney, basswood floor and blankets hung over the door and window open- ings. He was a wheelwright, and by that trade he earned a few boards which he put up for a door. The next year he secured a door properly made. He lived in the log house many years, improving the land around it and finally died thereon at the age of seventy years. He was commissioned Jus- tiee of the Peace by Gov. S. T. Mason, and filled the office fifteen years and also served in other capacities. He was a Democrat and was Class- Leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife was Anna Blood, a native of Massachusetts and of the old Puritan stock. She lived to the age of seventy-seven years.

The family of which Mrs. Kesby was next to the oldest member, included three sons and one daugh- ter. She was born in Monroe County, N. Y., March 19, 1821, and was about eleven years old when she came West. She grew to womanhood in Lyon Township, continuing her studies in the common school and learning to spin and knit and do other household duties. She was married March 10, 1861, and lived happily with her husband until 1875. when he was called hence. She rented the farm one year, then sold it and located in Milford, buying a house and lot. She is one of the oldest settlers of the county living in this locality and looks back over fifty-nine years of experience in Michigan. The courage displayed by her good mother and the industry of her father have been shown in her own life as well, as they were by all those who struggled through the experiences com- mon to early settlements.

The gentleman to whom Mrs. Kesby gave her hand was born in County Kent, England, and was the son of Robert Kesby. an English farmer, That

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back to Charleston by boat and on to For ress Monroe and Annapolis where he was exclar_ : 1 and sent home on a furlough. He was in a wretched condition and not able to walk. but after Mis far- lough returned to his regiment at C : tiscoga and remained with them until they were disc arge July 5. 1865. While at home on this furlough be per- chased of his father the farm where he row residles.

The marriage of Daniel Johnson ant CLatt tte Perrigo was solemn'zed March 3. 1565. TA's lally is a native of Hector. Schuyler County. N. Y .. where she was born August 31. 1840. Her parents were Lemuel B. snd Roxann Clapp Perrig .. The father was born September 2. 1 : 14. in Cannj acje N. Y., and diel April 16. 19:4, aged s xiv-nine years. Upon arriving at years of maturity e wss married January 19. 1:37. at Cover" Sene a County. N. Y .. his Aride being Roxann Clamy w. was born in Connecticut, January 16. 1:16. In 1852 they came to Michigan, making their me in Novi Township. this county : after some years of setive work he retired from his more ar lucas dnties and removed to Wishm. whele be del. They were the parents of tive children. namely: Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Harriet Baker. George A .. Lyman C., and Augustus who diel November 12. 1845. at Hector. Tompkins County. N. Y. Tie parents were members of the Baptist C-a

Mrs. Johnson was educated in the district school and the High school at Northvile. steals rook a year at Ypsilanti in the seminary ani s term there at the State Normal School. Le was taught twelve terms in Oskiand County. The twe cb - dren which were granted to her are . avier C. born June 6, 1558. now a member of the Class of '92 at the Normal school at Ypsilanti. and ne nnnamed. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Free Will Baptist Church at sigley Corrers ani ass always been an setive and earnest teacher in the Sunday-school, and a member of the choir f.r twenty-two years. During six years she was organist and one year of this time she never missed a single service either morning or evening.

Mr. Johnson takes an interest in pis ani 's s stanch Republican. He is considerei s lealle among the party men in his locality ant is fre- quently sent as a delegate to county, district and

state conventions. He is a stbung silv . . ate of the theory that publis sentiment suo __ i stop al se.'ng uf liquors as a Leverage, but Le Does not make this a political issue He Lis been ".r many years se of the Dircetors of the Mies! seucols and is a mem- ber of Le G. A. B. Post at Milfor He Las une Lurdrei and forty seres of lac i. vre _ cired and ten of which are under cibiyston. Besides gen- eral farming he raises Durham cattle to some ex- tent.

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ILLIAM ALGDE, s manais tirer :" and Mealer in dur a_ { feel at OrtunviJe. was irem Dawmler 12. 1520. His father. John. come from Scotia . 1 :e Nova & ctis et re the birth of Lis sep. an | :_ July : sal. Le om erste i to Mot- igor ani ser el ai ly veis .. 1 T wcsLip. Oakland Commay. purchasing Government and. That was in the days of the war ist pi seurs. g buases. Heers an 1 Illans. TL.s ge_roman v'eared and improved a good farm and del in Isti at the age of sixty-une vears. His wife. Marzare: MI-E rath de wetland. was a member of the Methodis: Et's- copai Carta for a great many years and passed away in 1850. at the exthe age of ninety-one Fears. Me wis te m "'r fiwe're chiren. seven ci w. mare . v.g.

The su jet 2 tus sketeu wis nine years w .n he came to M Ligan. He remained st Mime attending the vet . sch ui an' Le ping to the farm thre glis ar y y ot, an l at Lis father's debito & Large vithe farm. During the win- ters Le worked in the dowmny m'as at Goodrich. In 62. Le purs asei a farm in Brawn T wz- si a i legan lu'e en'ent farming Two years s" r. esc lkw; ant __ ht mar Kings' Corners. Aulas TownsMi- Four years later e rom red to Ort ville a 1 engaged in the milling business. bet aber two years he sold wut this estaly shment. an { ret rred ", the farm

In 1-60 Mr. A.zie anl Nelson K. E. tt. rar- chased s gristm: I together with a adus: Meraki tract of land. which they platted sont s il for sowo Sts. After four years My Algne Wag : Mr El! ... interest and one year Mer se Litate ymig-

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erty to M. H. Fillmore who, two years afterward purchased the entire business from his partener who returned to farming. In 1879, Mr. Algoe again purchased the mills and has continued to run them. In 1889, he took his son Otis as a partner. At this time the mills were entirely remodeled and a new roller process added. Besides doing a large enstom business, he manufactures a great deal of flour for the market.

The gentleman of whom we write was united for life in 1852 with Sarah L. Tucker, a lady from New York. Their six children are, John L .. S. Anna, Otis L., Joseph W., Dora and James R. Ile has given them all excellent opportunities for education. Ile is often a delegate to Republican conventions in county and State, and both he and his excellent wife are earnest and devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1861 when Mr. Algoe came here there was not a store in the place. He has always encouraged every legitimate enterprise that would be a benefit to the town. He is a man who is universally est- eemed for his excellent qualities of mind and heart and he has proved again the possibility of a poor boy reaching financial success in life, through improvement of opportunities, diligence and integ- rity.

E WARD F. CHATFIELD. A well culti- vatel farm on section 18. Troy Township,is the abiding place of Mr. Chatfield and the center of his business efforts. His property con- sists of one hundred and forty acres, which is the Chatfield homestead, on which his father located early in the '50s. Since the death of his parent - our subject has made many important improve- ments, such as the length of time spent here by his father did not give opportunity for. Mr. Chat- field gives his principal attention to the cultivation of the soil. keeping only a moderate number of domestic animals, but he feeds a good many hogs. At this writing (1891) his drove contains about seventy head, and he has ten horses and ten head of cattle.

field, a prominent man in the Green Mountain State, and a patriot of the war for independence. That gentleman spent some years in New York, where his son Stephen, father of Edward, was born in 1797. The son had a common-school education and February 7, 1819, in Ontario County, was mar- ried to Susannah Johnson, the year of whose birth was the same as his own. In 1832 the good couple removed to this State, making their journey with a team from Detroit to Troy Township, and estab- lished their home on section 17. Their first dwel- ling was the primitive log house common to the time and their experiences such as fell to the lot of all early settlers. They improved the place as fast as possible, and made it their home a score of years. then removed to the place now occupied by our subject. Mr. Chatfield died in 1856, but his wife survived many years, living to the advanced age of eighty-nine and breathing her last in 1887. They had nine children, named respectively, Isaac, Alvina, Josiah, Daniel, Edward, Hiram, Ira, Otis and Chester. The first, third, fourth and eighth of these are deceased. The father was Justice of the Peace and generally respected.

Our subject was born in Ontario County, N. Y., March 28, 1828, and was a child of four years when his parents removed to this State. The only schooling he received was in District No. 3, Troy Township, and the curriculum of study was not as extensive as that of to-day. He learned much regarding farm work, and was thoroughly capable of taking charge of a farm when he mar- ried and established a home. le won for his wife Miss Ellen Brooks. who was born in McComb County, this State. December 23, 1834. Iler par- ents, Alanson and Desira (Frink) Brooks were born in New York and came to this State in 1833. They set up their home in McComb County, but subsequently removed to Troy Township, this county, where the father died in 1882 and the mother still lives.

The record of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Chat- field is as follows: Albert, born in 1861, is mar- ried and living on a farm in Troy Township; Ell N., born in 1863, is now in Oregon ; Brnce, born in 1865, is married, but living at home; Jay was

Mr. Chatfield is the grandson of Roswell Chat- | born in 1868, Mack B. in 1870, Stephen A. in 1873.

Charles Dawson

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The last three named still remain with their par- ents on the homestead.

The political record of Mr. Chatfield began with a vote for Franklin Pierce, and for years he has been a stanch Republican. ITe belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church and contributes lib- erally to its support. Mrs. Chatfield is an ear nest Christian, belonging to the same denomination, and both are well regarded by their acquaintances. In addition to his farm in Troy Township, Mr. Chatfield has fifteen acres of timber land in Bloomfield Township.

C HARLES DAWSON. For many years this gentleman has been a conspicuous figure in Pontiac, being connected with its business interests as a miller, merchant and banker, and the owner of real estate, both in the city and the rural districts. Ile is an excellent type of the Scotch- man, displaying in his management of affairs the energy, frugality and strict integrity that charac- terize the nationality. He has been connected with the official eircles of Pontiac and has borne his part in public enterprises and religious projects, giving earnest heed to whatever he took in hand, resolved to make a success of the undertaking.

Mr. Dawson was born in Clackmananshire, Scot- land, October 13, 1815, and is the youngest of the five sons and three daughters comprising the fan- ily of John and Janet (Carmichael) Dawson. The father, whose occupation was that of a manufact- urer of Scotch blankets, died when our subject was but nine years old. The lad attended school in his native place and at the age of fifteen years eni - igrated to America in company with his mother, two sisters and two brothers. An older brother was living in Pittsfield, Mass., and there the winter was spent. The following spring the family came to this State, and property was bought twenty miles west of Detroit on the Chicago Turnpike. They remained in Wayne County a number of years, developing the land and adding to the pros- perity of the community.

In 1843 the gentleman of whom we write came

to Pontiac where he has since made his home. Ile was engaged in the sale of merchandise with a growing trade until 1852, when he closed out and built the Cass Lake Mills, which were run by water- power thirty years. As a merchant-miller Mr. Dawson proved very successful. In 1882 the roll- er system was put in and Mr. Dawson's three sons operated the mills upon an extensive scale. The business is wholly managed by the sons as Mr. Dawson has virtually retired from active life. While carrying on the mill he also operated two farms, which he sold within the past few years. In addition to these enterprises he has been con- nected with the banking interests of the city, hav- ing been Vice-President, President and Cashier of the First National Bank for over twenty years and still having stock in the company and being one of the Board of Directors.

The lady whose hospitality and kindness add to the pleasure found in the home of Mr. Dawson, became his wife July 16, 1846, prior to which time she was known as Miss Elizabeth Beatty. She was born in the north of Ireland, on the 4th of Feb- ruary, 1826, and came to Canada with her father, George Beatty, when she was six years old. There she grew to womanhood, and when twenty years of age came to Oakland County with her brother. She is the mother of twelve children, ten of whom are living: Margaret, is the widow of Albert Jewell; Robert E., is now living in Su- perior City Wis .; George, Charles and Richard live in Pontiac and operate a store and flouring will; Elizabeth, married Robert McBride, who is the agent for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad; Lancelot, is a physician, and a gradu- ate of the University of Michigan; Mary W., is the wife of Dr. John Elliott, of Bay City; James IT., who is a graduate of the University of Michi- gan, is practicing medicine in Marquette; Rachel E., who was graduated from the State University at Ann Arbor, is a preceptress in the High School at Owosso, Shiawassee County. The deceased chil- dren are Janet, who died in 1890, and Willie, who lived to be but two and a half years old. By his first marriage in 1841, when Miss Julia Ann El- ston became his wife, our subjeet had one son, John, who died when about thirty-three years old,

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For two years Mr. Dawson was the incumbent of the Mayor's chair in Pontiac, and he has held the office of Assessor four years. He is a man who is strong in his convictions, and not easily moved when he has formed an opinion, but charit- able toward those of opposing views and hospita- ble and benevolent. In politics he is a stanchi Democrat. Ile and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is one of the Trustees. ITis portrait presented in connec- tion with this brief biographical notice represents one of the most widely known and highly esteemed of all Oakland County's citizens. Both he and his estimable wife keep themselves well informed regarding events of general interest, show a de- cided interest in the welfare of mankind, and are particularly devoted to the interest of their own community. toward the progress of which they have done so much effective work.

R OBERT YERKES, a representative citizen of Novi Township, well and widely known for his active interest in public enterprises, especially the cause of education, resides in an elegant home which is furnished with taste and Inxury and in which a refined hospitality is dispensed. Ilis father was William Yerkes, a native of Moreland, Montgomery County, l'a., and was born September 9, 1794. Ile was a cooper by trade and later a boatman on the Mohawk River and Erie Canal. He sold ont his boat and bought a little rocky farm of forty acres near Romulus. Sen- eca County, N. Y. Ile afterward traded that prop- erty for a sixty-acre farm. His father was Joseph Yerkes who fought through seven years of the Revolutionary War, and was married in 1793 to Mary Purdy. The origin of this family in America is traced to two brothers who in the early days came from Hanover, Germany. One went South, the other, Harmon or Herman, born in 1680, set- tled in Pennsylvania. IIe had a family of eight sons, who were noted as a sturdy set of men. They were even tempered, of good moral charac- ter and very systematic in their work. From these

eight sons all the Yerkes in the United States can be traced. The grandfather of our subjeet was the son of one of the younger brothers, Stephen, born August 3, 1827. Our subject belongs to the fifth generation in America.

The mother of our subject was Hester Dennis, who was born in New Jersey, March 21, 1799, and who removed when an infant to Seneca County, N. Y. Iler marriage with William Yerkes took place at Romulus, N. Y., November 5, 1817. In the spring of 1825 William and his cousin, Thomas Pinkerton, made their way on foot from New York to Michigan and located in Novi Township, which was then an unbroken wilderness as there was not another settler in the township. They returned to New York and the following spring they again made the journey to Michigan by way of Canada. Mr. Yerkes built a log house upon his claim and then went to Detroit to meet his wife and four children who came by boat to Detroit. He bought an ox-team and wagon with which to convey his family and goods to his new home, and in this purchase exhausted his finances. They had to fol- low an Indian trail until the last eight days of the journey when they were obliged to cut their way through the woods. Ilis father, Joseph, accompanied the family and bought a farm in Plymouth Town- ship, Wayne County, near his son. There he died January 10, 1850.

William Yerkes and wife settled upon their rough, wild farm. She was by nature a woman of surpassing energy and endurance. The wants of her growing family stimulated her to a life of un- common activity and self-denial. For many years after marriage she spun, wove and made up the every-day wear of the household, and all this in addition to routine work in the care of her large family. Indeed so thorough was the discipline of toil through which she passed that her industrious and careful habits were continued long after her children had one by one made homes for them- selves and thus greatly lessened her cares. He remained on that farm for fifty-eight years. pass- ing away January 5, 1884. His good wife had preceded him to the better world September 11, 1881.

Of the ten children of this worthy couple the

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following are now living: Joseph D. William P., Silas A., Robert, Charles, George and Harrison. The parents were earnest and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church in which the father was an Elder from 1839 until 1884. Ile was active in public matters and helped to organize Novi Town . ship in 1828. Ile received a commission from Gov. Lewis Cass as Justice of the Peace, and in 1834 became Supervisor for two years. After Michigan was admitted as a State he held the same office for five years longer. Hle was a member of the first Legislature under the State Government in 1837, and again was sent to the Legislature in 1856. IIe was a man of few words but was concise and clear- cut in his remarks. His faculties were unimpaired by age to the very end. He was ever a temperate man in his habits and a friend of education. He built the first frame house and barn in Novi Town- ship. The boys used to take turns in helping the mother with her weaving until eleven o'clock at night, and they were ever helpful, even to the last sad services, as the seven sons acted as pall bearers to both parents when their bodies were laid away to rest.

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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 31

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

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