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 32
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Robert Yerkes was born September 26, 1829, in the old homestead. Ile began for himself at the age of twenty-one by working land on shares, but remained at home until after he was twenty-six years of age. His marriage took place October 7, 1856; he was then united with Sarah E., daughter of Rosecrans and Salome (Wakeman) Holmes. Mr. Holmes was a native of Albany County, N. Y., and was born February 28, 1797. His wife was born in Seneca County, N. Y., September 14, 1800. They were married October 25, 1818, in Lockport. N. Y., and resided in that State until 1827, when they emigrated to the Wolverine State and made their new home upon a heavily timbered farm in Plymouth Township, Wayne County.
After buying the farm the young man's purse was entirely exhausted, and they saw pioneer trials and did pioneer hard work for years. He died at the age of forty-seven years and his widow lived until 1883. They were earnest and active men- bers in the Christian Church, and became the par- ents of thirteen children, nine of whom are now liv- ing. Mr. Holmes never attended school after he was
ten years old, but was a good scholar and an excel- lent teacher, which profession he practiced in New York State. Ile was active in politics and a Whig in his political views.
Mrs. Yerkes was born in Royalton, N. Y., Au- gust 25, 1827, and started on her Western trip at the early age of six weeks, so that she calls herself a Western woman. After taking what education she could gain in the district schools she studied at Ypsilanti, attended teachers' institutes and was for some time a member of a young ladies' school at Dexter and also returned for a short period of instruction to Lockport, N. Y. She began teach- ing when seventeen years old and devoted most of her time to this profession for ten years. She taught in the Lockport (N. Y.) ward schools for two years, and in Michigan was a teacher in Dex- ter, South Lyon, Northfield, Northville and Ply- month.
The first home of Mr. and Mrs. Yerkes was upon a farm on section 26, Novi Township. Here be bought one hundred and sixty acres at $25 per acre and sold it fourteen years later for $60 an acre. Ile brought it from a rough condition to a high state of cultivation. He then bought what is now his home farm and brought it also from a condition of wildness to that of a splendid farm. He has put thirteen hundred and fifty rods of tiling under it. In 1870 he built the beautiful home where he now resides at a cost of ยง4,000 besides his own work, which he did not estimate. Ile has four hundred and forty acres of richly cultivated and arable land upon which he carries on general farm- ing. Ile has had five children, all sons, four of whom are still living. Willie H. married Helen Blackwood and makes his home in Northville; Donald P., a noted base ball pitcher married Nellie MeRobert and lives on this farmn; Robert C. is still unmarried. To all of these sons have been granted a liberal education.
Mr. and Mrs. Yerkes are earnest and [active members of the Presbyterian Church at Northville where Mr. Yerkes has been an Elder for twenty- four years and where he has been also a Trustee and Sunday-school Superintendent. For many years this worthy couple have been active in Sunday-school work. Mr. Yerkes is a strong poli-
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eian and affiliates with the Republican party but has always declined offiee except as he could serve his fellow citizens in some local office. Hle has been Director in the Northville School Board and was also County Treasurer for one term. Ile was Jus- tice of the Peace for twelve years and has always been a man of temperate habits and belief. His wife, who is a lady of broad culture and refined tastes. is an active member of the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union.
NSON W. BAKER, a farmer on section 7, Ilighland Township, is a son of Royal Baker, a son of the Rev. Thomas, a native of the Green Mountain State. To him and his good wife Jerusha Waldo were born four sons and four daughters. The Rev. Thomas Baker came to Michigan in 1838. Here he engaged in the work of the ministry, and traveled ou foot for many weary miles and preached in various parts of Oakland County. Ilis work in this county con- tinned until his death in 1845. He was then a man of four-score years and his ministry had extended over forty years. In 1849 his wife followed him to the grave at the age of seventy-five years. In his early boyhood he had been left an orphan by the death of his father who was killed by the In- dians. One of his uncles was a soldier in the Rev- olutionary War and drew a pension through the remainder of his life of $100 a year. Ile was shot in the arm and the bullet went through and landed in his cartridge box and he kept this interesting relic for many years.
Royal Baker, the father of our subject, was born in Vermont December 19, 1801. At an early day he emigrated to Massachusetts and then to New York where he was married, March 14, 1824, to Lorane Cronover. By this wife he had three daugh- ters, Louisa, Mrs. Palmer; Jerusha, Mrs. Sigler, and Maria, Mrs. Hinkley. Ilis second marriage was with Sarah Shaw. The wedding was celebrated February 8, 1831, in New York. To them were born the following children: Anson, our subject; Thomas F .; Emily J .; Edward; Larkin, and Will-
iam II. In 1842 Mr. Baker came to Michigan and settled on the farm now owned by his son Anson. Ile now purchased forty five acres. Ile had vis- ited Michigan a number of times and had taken up two hundred and forty acres in Livingston, Shia- wassee and Oakland Counties. All that is left in the family of the original purchase at the present date is forty-five aeres. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed this calling most of his life. He lived at Rochester when there were only a few log houses there. Both he and his good wife were active members of the Baptist Church. Ile died April 10, 1853, and his wife followed him to the grave the following year, breathing her last Au- gust 16, 1854. He cleared one hundred aeres of land. He was a Whig and took an active part in both politics and church matters, and in a word was one of the prominent men of his day.
Anson W. Baker was born January 6, 1832, in Pittsford, Monroe County, N. Y. He came with his parents by boat and team to the new home. An uncle who accompanied them, Maj. F. Lock- wood, was one of the pioneer settlers, and built the first sawmill and the first gristmill in Highland Township. Ile culisted in the United States ser- vice and was killed by the guerrillas.
The subject of this sketch remained at home until he was of age when he undertook the manage- ment of his father's farm, which he continued until it was divided. Hle then with his brother Thomas bought the four shares belonging to their sisters, and the property was then divided among the four brothers. Our subject sold his share and moved to Fentonville, where be bought a farm on which he lived for a short time, but he was not contented and he sold this new purchase and bought the or- iginal homestoad of forty-five acres on which he now lives. Ile has since added one hundred and forty aeres but has sold part of it and now owns one hundred and five acres. He has been a hard- worker and in his early days worked for many weeks at fifty cents a day. Ile has been a success- ful breeder of Merino sheep.
The lady who presides with so much grace and dignity over the home of our subject, bore the maiden name of Julia A. Cowles. They were united in marriage October 30, 1854. Mrs. Baker's
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father, Elias Cowles, was one of the first settlers of Highland Township, and was born in Connecticut in 1797. His sister Phobe who died was the second person to be buried in Highland Town- ship. The other sister, Emma married the younger brother of Mr. Baker and they reside in Highland Township. The family came here during the Ter- ritorial days. The mother is still living here at the advanced age of four-score years and six.
Mrs. Baker's father was a drummer in the State Militia when living in New York. His son Elias took part in the Civil War, and served for about seven months. He saw a number of battles and was present at the surrender of Richmond. Ile belonged to the Sixteenth Michigan Infantry and only two were left in his company.
To our subject and his wife have been born three children: Wilson W., born January 12, 1860; Edith M., April 24, 1867, deceased; Winifred L., born April 7, 1878. The family of Wilson W., consists of two sons, Ray and Earl. His wife bore the maiden name of Bertha Clark. This young man is an Odd Fellow. Mr. Baker is connected with the Republican party, has been Justice of the Peace for sixteen years, Constable for two years. and Highway Commissioner for two years. He was educated in the common schools and at the Union School at Flint. Both he and his wife are highly educated and well informed, and she was a teacher previous to her marriage. At the time of the war he sent a substitute in his place although he was not drafted. His brother Thomas was drafted and furnished a substitute. His brother Larkin served three years in the Twenty-Second Michigan Infantry, and William H. was in the Light Artillery for two years. Both now draw pensions.
R RANCIS SCHOCH. This gentleman is one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of Troy Township, and in the pursuit of his chosen vocation is obtaining a satisfactory in- come, so that he can enjoy the comforts of modern life and take a part in public-spirited movements
which call for money as well as time. His residence is on section 6, where he has seventy acres of land, and his estate also includes sixty-five acres on sec- tion 5. The most of the land is under the plow and it as fine a tract of land as one could wish to see. The buildings are sufficiently numerous and ample to answer every purpose, and there are two good farmhouses on the estate.
Mr. Schoch is a native of Northampton County, Pa., born near Williamsboro, March 8, 1835. Ilis paternal grandfather, Jacob Schoch, was born in Germany and established his home in the Key- stone State during the eighteenth century. There llenry Schoch, father of our subject, was born in 1796. He married Mary Hagerman, a native of New Jersey, whose birth occurred in the year 1800. Their marriage occurred in Pennsylvania, and they lived there until 1858, during which year they came to this county and established their bome where their son Francis is now living. The father was a weaver by trade and died January 11, 1878, and the mother November 9, 1881, aged eighty-one years, eight months and three days. The parental family included two children older and two younger than our subject. Hannah, who was born August 18, 1815, is the wife of John M. Johnson, of Rochester, this State; Anna M., born in 1833, is the wife of Henry Barber, of Troy Township; William H., born in 1837, lives in Shiawassee County, and so also does Samuel, who was born in 1840.
Francis Schoch, our subject, was reared in bis native place and made his first visit to Michigan in 1855. He returned to Pennsylvania and came hither again in 1858, when his parents established themselves here. Ilis educational privileges were such as the common schools of the time and place ensured, and upon the practical foundation laid thereon he has built much information on general topics and current events. Immediately after his marriage he made his home on the parental estate, of which he became the owner, and which he still continues to operate.
The wife of Mr. Schoch bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Shug and was born in Northampton Connty, Pa., December 10, 1833. She is the sec- ond of ten children comprising the family of John
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and Eliza (Koitz) Shug. Her marriage was sol- emnized in this State. She is the mother of a son and a daughter, whose names are Fred S. and Carrie E. Fred was born in Troy Township in 1868: he is a member of Pontiac Lodge, No. 183, I. O. O. F., and now holds the station of outside guard. Ile belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Troy, and to the Epworth League con- nected therewith. Carrie was also born in this county, the date of the event being October 11, 1869. She, too, belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and she takes an active part in Sun- day-school work.
Mr. Schoch has served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of Pathmaster. Ilis political belief cor- responds to that expressed in the platform of the Democratic party, and he has supported every candidate since the days of Buchanan.
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2 HOMAS GROW. A goodly number of re- tired agriculturists have made their homes in Pontiac, in order to enjoy the social privileges afforded in the city, after years of in- dustry have secured to them a competence. One of this number is the gentleman above named, who still owns his farm lands. After he removed into the city he built a handsome residence of the latest design, and fitted it up in fine shape. It is of the Queen Anne style of architecture, and is finished in hardwood throughout, and heated by steam.
Mr. Grow is one of a family of seventeen chiil- dren, all of whom lived to mature years, except one. Fourteen of the family attended school at the same time during one winter. Their parents were Elisha and Lois (Palmer) Grow, natives of Connectieut and New York, respectively. The father was a son of Thomas Grow, who was born in Connecticut, and was of English ancestry. After their marriage Elisha Grow and bis wife settled on a farm in Cortland County, N. Y., and remained there until their removal to this State in 1837. Upon coming West, they made their home on a farm in Waterford Township, this county, where very slight improvements had been made, and
where much work was to be done in clearing the land and erecting good buildings. Mr. Grow re- mained on the place, carrying on general farming, until the fall of 1850, when he died in his seventy- first year. Ilis faithful wife breathed her last Sep- tember 5, of the same year.
Thomas Grow was the seventh son of his par- ents. Ile was born in Cortland County, N. Y., March 22, 1818, and his schooldays were spent in pursuing his studies in the home districts. After he accompanied his parents to this State, he re- mained with them about eighteen months, then went to Chicago, Ill., from which place he drove a team to the Desplaines River, hauling powder with which to blast roek. After a few months thus em- ployed he returned to this county and began farm- ing on the homestead, continuing that line of life until his marriage.
On October 13, 1841, Mr. Grow became the bus- band of Miss Margaret Morris, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., and was a daughter of Lewis L. and Eve (Van Valkenburg) Morris, who came to this county in 1839. After his marriage Mr. Grow put up a house on the farm and occupied it two years, then removed to White Lake Town- ship, and lived on his father-in-law's farm. Ile subsequently bought the tract, which comprised one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land, but after living upon it five years he made his home in Waterford Township. After a few years another change was made, the farm being traded for another in Pontiae Township, of which he still holds the deed. This property consists of one hun- dred and thirty-five acres of well-improved land with good buildings and farm equipments. Mr. Grow left the farm in 1873 to take up his residence in the city, and in 1887 built the fine residence he now occupies.
Mr. and Mrs. Grow have had six children, of whom the survivors are Andrew, Elisha Palmer, Dewitt W. and Thomas, Jr. The eldest son is farming in Montcalm County, and the others live in Bay City, and the daughter is still with her par- ents. Our subject and his wife lost one child in infancy, a daughter, Mary Jane. Mr. Grow has filled the office of Pathmaster very acceptably, and as a private citizen he is well respected. Politically
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he is a Republican. His wife dispenses the hospi- tality of their beautiful home with cordial grace, and their daughter adds to its attractiveness by her intelligence and culture.
ILLIAM ERITY, miller and farmer, lives on section 3, Southfield Township, where he now owns one hundred acres of land. He has been engaged in milling since 1855 and now has a well-equipped establishment with eight pairs of rollers, and two four-foot burrs and a ea- pacity of fifty barrels of flour in twenty-four hours, or two thousand bushels of wheat. A saw- mill owned by him will turn out five thousand pickets per day or two thousand feet of lumber.
Mr. Erity was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., September 22, 1829, and is the third son of Edward B. and Melissa (Garrett) Erity. His father was born in Ireland and came to America when of age. He was married in New York, although his wife was a native of Connecticut. Ile carried on farm- ing near the town of Mentz and died at his home there. The widow came to Michigan and died in this locality. The family consisted of one daughter and four sons, and our subject was the fourth in order of birth. He started out for himself when ten years old and lived with a farmer four years. Ile then, in 1843, came to this State and worked on a farm for his board and clothes, until he was of age. Mr. R. Hunter, for whom he had been work- ing, then gave him $100 in money and a yoke of oxen and with this capital he was ready to begin life. He worked by the month for a couple of years, then, having secured a companion, he located where he is now living. For a year he worked the place on shares, then bought it. He has made all of the improvements and has accumulated sufficient means to feel that he is above need, although he is not ready to give up business. Indeed he is too enterprising to be idle.
The wife of Mr. Erity bore the maiden name of Orpha M. Reynolds and their marriage was solemn- ized in this county in 1852. The bride was born in New York in 1828 and is the eldest daughter of
Chester Reynolds, who reinoved to this State when she was quite small. The family of our subject and his good wife consisted of three children- Sarah E., wife of Jolin W. Bassett living in South- field; Mary J., who married Chancey Nixon; and Althea M., who was the wife of Will W. Masters, is deceased. The Bassetts have one son, Will, and the Nixons have a daughter, Alta.
Mr. Erity is a member of the Republican party. The first office he held was that of Justice of the Peace in which he served four years. Ile was Township Supervisor eleven years, Treasurer two years and has been Director of Schools many years. He has also held the other school offices. He belongs to Birmingham Lodge, No. 44, F. & A. M., and is also connected with the Grange. Ile is spoken well of on all sides as a useful citizen, not only in business matters, but as one who is public-spirited and anxious to see those around bin prosper.
W ILLIAM B. DICKIE is one of the rep- utable farmers of White Lake Township, owning and oceupying a well-regulated tract of land on section 29. He started out in life as a general farmer with $2,800, and has displayed sueh qualifications for his work and such good judgment in investments, that he now has three hundred and sixty acres of good farm land and a house and lot in Flint. His farm is under cultiva- tion, except forty-seven acres which are devoted to timber, and a full line of farm buildings and such adornments as befits a country home may be seen upon it.
The grandfather of our subject was John Dickie, a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, who emigrated to Canada and spent the rest of his life in County Waterloo. His wife was Marian Cuthbertson, and his family consisted of four sons and three daughters. The first-born was John, Jr., who opened his eyes to the light in Scotland July 17, 1830, and who grew to manhood in his native land. He was married there to Janet B. Miller, whose mother was an own cousin of Robert Burns. She
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was born January 28, 1809, and died in September, 1877. John Dickie, Jr., left his native land soon after his marriage and made his home in Can- ada, where he reared a family of six children, named respectively, John, James, David, William B., Marian and Jessie. In 1854 he came to this State and bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres in West Bloomfield Township, this county. It was his intention to bring his family hither the next spring, but he died in February, 1855, before his purpose was accomplished. llis widow and five children soon located on the farm, which is now owned by David, the third son.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs was born March 6, 1841, in County Waterloo, Canada, and was fourteen years old when he came to this county with his mother and other members of the family. He remained at the family home until his marriage, after which he set up his own household on an eighty-acre tract he had bought. He retained that property two years, then changed his location to White Lake Town- ship, buying one hundred and twenty acres, near which he now lives. He next bought the one hundred and twenty acres on which his present residence stands, and still later added another one hundred and twenty. Ilis accumulation of prop- erty shows that he has been industrious and thrifty, and that he merits a high position among his fel . low-agriculturists.
July 4, 1865, our subject was married to Miss Ilattie Malcolm, daughter of George and Janette (Andrews) Malcolm. Her father was born at Letham, Fifeshire, Scotland, and came to America in 1827, locating in New York City. There he worked at his trade-that of a carpenter. Ile was married February 10, 1828, to a daughter of Si- mon Andrews, who was born near Glasgow, Scot- land. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm were named James, Mary, George, John, Annie, Robert, Elizabeth, Hattie and Willie. She who became Mrs. Dickie is well informed, thoroughly acquainted with household duties and has an estimable char- acter. Mr. and Mrs. Dickie have had ten children, viz .: Charlie, Fred, Roy, Kittie, Harrison, Jenny B., Annie, Malcolm, Willie and May. Of these children Charlie is deceased, and Jennie B., Annie
and Malcolm are still living under the home roof; Willie is married and farming near New Hudson; May is the wife of George Wager and her home is in White Lake Township.
Mr. Dickie is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Milford Lodge No. 1 and Blue Lodge No. 121, in Commerce. lle is and always has been a Repub- lican. He served three consecutive years as Town- slip Supervisor and discharged the duties of office in a manner creditable to himself and his constitu- ents. Mrs. Dickie is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church.
ILLIAM II. GREGG, a merchant of Ox- ford, was born in Oakland County August 22, 1851. He is a son of Robert and Catherine (Adams) Gregg, both of whom were natives of New York. This couple when young came to Michigan and located in Oakland County in 1840. Ilere Robert engaged in farming. Ile did not live to bring up his family, but died in Gratiot County in November, 1854, when the subject of our sketch was scarcely out of infancy. Ilis good wife was spared to care for her flock of little children and remained with them until No. vember, 1890, when she was called to her heavenly home. The eight children of this household are all living, but are scattered far and wide, four of them being in Nebraska and some still remaining in Michigan. The Greggs are of Scotch descent.
William H. Gregg was reared on a farm, where he remained until he was eighteen years of age. lle then decided to go out into the world and take hold of some other work. Ile entered the mercantile business for G. W. Alger, for whom he clerked nine years on a salary. He had been fru- gal and industrious, and had laid by each year what he could spare of his salary, and was now prepared to begin business for himself. He bought a stock of goods and opened up a grocery store. He prospered in business and received the patron- age of the community to such an extent that he was enabled, from time to time, to add largely to his stock. After awhile he varied his business by
James A Jacotes
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adding a general stock of dry-goods, and uow car- ries a full line of these goods besides boots and shoes, groceries and wall paper.
Mr. Gregg had already established a home be- fore he began in business for himself. He was married September 2, 1870, to Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Bailey. Two children have brightened their home-Stuart and Howard. Mr. Gregg is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a Republican in politics and keenly alive to the interests of town and county. Our subject is also a member of the Masonie order.
UDGE JAMES A. JACOKES. This gen- tleman is one of the prominent lawyers of Pontiac and was formerly Judge of Probate for Oakland County. He is a member of the law firm of Baldwin, Draper & Jacokes, enjoys a good practice and stands well among his associ- ates as a wise counselor and one whose opinions are sound and based on study and investigation. He has held various offices and has ably discharged the duties that devolved upon him, governing his actions by the high moral principles which animate him in private life as well.
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