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 33
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Judge Jacokes was born in Geneva, N. Y., No- vember 21, 1834, and is the son of the Rev. Dr. D. C. Jacokes, whose biography is also found in this volume. He was educated at home, mostly under the instruction of his father, until he had made considerable progress in the studies of a collegiate course, when he entered Albion College, Mich. After spending two years in that institu- tion he entered upon the study of law in 1857, and in 1861 was admitted to the bar in Pontiac, where he has since practiced. Ile was a student under Judge Baldwin, with whom he was after- ward associated several years as a partner. At a much later date the present firm was organized.
In 1880 Judge Jacokes was elected a member of the School Board and has held the office continu- ously until the present time (1891.) In 1862 he
was elected Circuit Court Commissioner and held that office four years and was again elected in 1870. Ile was City Attorney four years and in 1876 was chosen Judge of Probate, which be held four years. Ile was elected to these positions by the Democratie party, of which he is an active mem- ber. Ilis religions connections are with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Judge Jacokes has been a student from early life and he has a wide ae- quaintance with literature and science. He has a pleasing address and fine social qualities, and the general verdict of those who know him is expressed by a friend who says, "He is one of those good kind-hearted men who have a smile and an honest hand for all."
The residence of Judge Jacokes is situated in one of the best neighborhoods of the city and is built of brick with neat and attractive surround- ings. It was until quite recently presided over by a true-hearted wife, who joined her fate with his, October 15, 1867. Mrs. Jacokes was known in her maidenhood as Miss Camilla Manning and was a daughter of the late Randolph Manning, Associ- ate Judge of the Supreme Court of Michigan. She was well and favorably known and had a large eirele of friends. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and when she en- tered the valley of the shadow of death Novem- ber 22, 1890, she was supported by the rod and staff that are promised to all Christians.
A portrait of Judge Jacokes is presented on an- other page of this volume.
AMES M. ANDREWS, an old settler of 1850, a successful farmer, and a man of ex- emplary life, makes his home on section 16, Holly Township, lle was born in Washing- ton county, Vt., February 13, 1814. His father, Eleaser Andrews, was a native of Vermont, as was also bis grandfather, Elijah. The father of our subject removed to Onondago County, N. Y., and farmed there. He was a very thorough going and industrious man, a member of the Close Com- munion Baptist Church in his early days, and later
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in his life a Universalist. Politically, he saw a number of changes, being first an anti-Mason, then a Whig, later a Republican, and finally a Demo- crat in his old age. He held some township offices with credit. He died in New York State in his ninety-third year. His wife, Daphne Goodin, the mother of our subject, bore thirteen children, eleven of whom lived to be married. She was a Baptist in religion and lived to the advanced age of eighty years.
The subject of our sketch was reared on the home farm in New York, to which he had moved with his parents when one year old. When twenty-one years old he worked one year for his father on wages, then he and his brother farmed the home place until he came to Michigan in the winter of 1849. In the spring of 1850 he came to this county. He bought two hundred and forty acres at that time and lived m a log house for fifteen years. He has improved his farm and built neat frame buildings upon it. lle has been an extensive stock-raiser.
The marriage of Mr. Andrews took place in 1836. He was then united with Eliza Joslin, who is still living. She was born in New York State. Nine children have blessed their union, namely, James, Daphne, Sabin .J., George U., Helen, John, Emma. Hosie and Ezra. Our subject is a Repub- lican and has had some township offices, and was. for a long time, Justice of the Peace. Ile helped organize the Republican party in this township, when there were but seven Republican votes here. He now rents li's place to his son-in-law and lives a retired life.
OHIN W. MORGAN. This gentleman has been numbered among the agriculturists of White Lake Township but a comparatively short time, yet he has become known as one who thoroughly understands his vocation and can- not only produce good results in general work, but do well with specialties. He breeds fine-wool sheep, markets large crops of potatoes and sells good fruit, paying particular attention to these
three items. The house in which he is living is a comfortable and attractive dwelling, built under his oversight in 1888, and surrounded by ninety fertile aeres, every rod of which is devoted to use or ornament in accordance with good taste and judgment.
Grandfather Morgan, whose given name was William, was born in New Jersey and in his early life went to Tompkins County, N. Y., where he reared his family and spent his remaining years. His wife was a Miss White who was nearly related to Mr. White who owned much of the land on which Philadelphia is built. Four sons and four daughters were born to William Morgan and his wife and the second son was Nelson, father of our subject. That gentleman was a native of Tomp- kins County, N. Y., born April 10, 1814. After his marriage he removed to the western part of the State and in 1866 came West and bought two hun- dred acres of land in Independence Township, this county, on which he is still living. He is a car- penter by trade and has followed that handicraft most of his life, but is now retired.
In Tompkins County. N. Y., Nelson Morgan was married to sarah George who was born there in 1815. Iler father, Thomas George, was a native of New Jersey, but made an carly settlement in the Empire State and passed his later years there. The family in which our subject is the third son, in- cluded also George, Ilans, William B., Louisa, (de- ceased) and Clara. The son of whom we write was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., March 19, 1844. He pursued his studies in the neighboring schools and fitted himself for the occupation to which his taste led him. Ile remained in his native State until 1873, then came hither and settled on an eighty-acre farm in Sashabaw Plains, this county. In 1884 he sold that property and removed to White Lake Township, buying his present estate.
At the bride's home in Davisburg, this county, Mr. Morgan was married to Mary Struble, daughter of Robert Struble. Her father was a native of New Jersey but spent his last years in Waterford Township, this county, and is well remembered by many of the old settlers there. Mrs. Mary Morgan died in 1884, leaving three children-Ilattie, Sam- uel and George. Some time after her demise Mr.
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Morgan was married to Mrs. Antoinette Horn, a daughter of Thomas Cornell, who was a native of New Jersey. Mr. Morgan has always voted a Republican ticket. Ile never aspires to oflice but takes an intelligent interest in politieal questions and has a sound reason to give for his party faith. He is a member in good standing of the Methodist Church.
YRON VOORIIEIS, a farmer on section 6, White Lake Township, is one of the representative farmers of Oakland County. He is a son of Sebring Voorheis, whose father, Peter, lived in Seneca County, N. Y., and reared a family of ten children, namely : Isaae, Joseph, Sebring, Peter, Jackson, John, Jacob, Abraham, Mary and Jane. The great-grandfather of our subject was in the War of the Revolution.
Sebring Voorheis was born in Seneca County, N. Y., Jannary 7, 1815, and in 1839 came to Michi- gan and settled in White Lake Township, where he ended his days. At that period he owned one hundred and fifty acres, most of which he had cleared and broken. He had also devoted con- siderable time to teaching school. He had been married in New York to Saralı, daughter of Jacob Bachman. Two children only bless this union- our subject and his brother Peter. The second marriage of the father of our subject united him with Julia A. Yerkes, by whom was born one son, Carl S.
Mr. Voorheis' political views were first with the Whigs and afterward the Republicans. Ile was Supervisor four terms and Township Clerk one term. He represented the district of Oakland County in the State Legislature in 1863-64 for a term of two years. His death occurred in Febru- ary, 1882, in White Lake Township. He had been bereaved of his faithful wife in April, 1866.
Myron Voorheis first saw the light December 10, 1840, in White Lake Township, where he has resided ever since with the exception of a year and a half which he passed in Paw Paw and six months at Grand Rapids. His education in the common schools was supplemented by attendance at the
State Normal School at Ypsilanti, where he was graduated in 1865. Ile taught school winters for six years. While at school in Ypsilanti he met Lucy A. Nelson, of Vermont, who was a class- mate there. To her he was united in marriage August 14, 1867. The father of Mrs. Voorheis was Oren Nelson, a native of Wheelock Township, Caledonia County, Vt., born February 19, 1806. Iler mother was Sarah Allen in her maidenhood, and was born June 9, 1809, and died September 25, 1888. This family were adherents of the faith of the Free-Will Baptist Church.
Three children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Voerheis. Their eldest is Herbert S., born August 4, 1870; he is now in the State Nor- mal School at Ypsilanti, Mich., and is a member of the class of '92, in which class is also his sister, Sarah D., who was born March 9, 1872. The youngest child, Irving N., was born August 21, 1876, and is still attending school at home. Mr. Voorheis now owns ninety-six acres in White Lake Township. He follows mixed farming and breeds Shropshire sheep. He is a Prohibitionist and has been since 1884. He has held the office of School Inspector in Rose Township, and he and his fam- ily are members and supporters of the Presbyterian Church at White Lake.
C HARLES F. COLLIER, attorney-at-law at HIolly, was born in Wayne County in 1856. lle is the son of David G. and Mary J. (Londen) Collier, natives of England and Canada respectively. The father came to America when quite young, and coming to Oakland County, en- gaged in work on a farm and for some time clerked in Pontiac. About 1855 he came to llolly and engaged in the grocery business. His father, Nathan, preceded his family to America and set- tled near Holly. He had three sons and three daughters. Samnel Louden, the maternal grand- father of our subject, was a native of Ireland of Scotch descent. He first settled in Canada, and came from there to Wayne County, where he set- tled on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres,
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and farmed there for many years until in advanced years he retired from active life and moved into the village of Wayne. llis daughter was educated in the High School.
The subject of this notice spent his school days largely in Holly. After completing a course in the High School there he attended Albion College, and then entered the law department of the U'ni- versity at Ann Arbor. Ile was graduated March 26, 1879, and admitted to the bar soon afterward. After his graduation he returned to Holly and en- tered into partnership with Thomas L. Patterson under the firm name of Patterson & Collier. They remained together until January 1, 1885. Mr. Collier has held the offices of Supervisor and Clerk of the township. He has been several times a member of the Council and President of the village of Ilolly. Since he commenced the practice of law he has been Village Attorney all the time with the exception of one year. lle is a stockholder of the Vinegar Works and a Director and Treasurer of the same, having been active in its organization.
The marriage of Mr. Collier, in 1887, united him with Helen A. Simpson, of Flint, Mich., a daughter of Thomas Simpson. Mrs. Collier is a graduate of the Holly High School and taught in the ward school of Flint for some years. Mr. Col- lier is a Democrat and is connected with the orders of. the Free Masons and the Odd Fellows, and al- together is one of the prominent men of the county.
OSEPH NUSBAUMER. Financially speak- ing this gentleman is one of the most sub- stantial of Pontiac's citizens, and this fact is one refleeting eredit upon him, as he began his career in life without means. By dint of industry, prudence and wise economy during many years of active life, he has accumulated a goodly estate consisting of a well-improved farm. a store building and other city property, including a pleasant residence on North Saginaw Street. His chief business in life has been that of a merchant, and he displayed a high degree of financial tact
and business enterprise. He is still a compara- tively young man, his natal day having been Au- gust 16, 1842, but he retired from business in 1889.
Our subject is the second son of John and Cath- erine (Stoll) Nusbaumer, the former of whom was born in the county of Berne, Switzerland, and the latter near Strasburg, Germany. Mr. Nusbaumer was reared and educated in his native country, whenee he emigrated after attaining to manhood. Ile landed in New York, made a sojourn in Erie, Pa., and then reached Pontiac in the fall of 1832. He bought one hundred and thirty acres of Gov- ernment land in this county, but afterward dis- poseil of forty acres. Ile began clearing and improving the property and worked upon it until after his marriage, which occurred August 2, 1838. llis bride was at that time living at Pontiac, hav- ing come to this country when nineteen years old. The newly wedded couple settled on a farm near Pontiac and the husband carried on general farm- ing and stock-raising until his death. He breathed his last in Angust, 1871, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. llis wife survived until February 25, 1879, and attained to her seventy-fifth year.
The parental family included four sons and five daughters, and the second of the survivors is the subject of this notice. The others are John, now living in Pontiac; Mary, wife of Lewis Specht, whose home is in Detroit; Emma, who is in a con- vent in Milwaukee: Elizabeth, who is unmarried ; Theodore and Edmond, who are living in Pontiac. Joseph was born in Pontiac Township, this county, August 16, 1842. and was reared as are other farmer boys, dividing his time between attendance at the district school and assisting his father on the the farm. During his youth he attended the old Union school at Pontiac for a time, and in 1861 he entered the employ of Hosea Woodard in the ca- pacity of a dry-goods clerk. He remained with that gentleman two years and then obtained work in the grocery store of Thomas Turk, where he likewise remained two years.
A trip to Memphis, Tenn., was then taken by Mr. Nusbaumer and he spent eightren months in that city in the employ of Fred Walter. During that time he was married to Miss Bernadina Wind- ler, of that city, daughter of Herman and Anna
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M. Windler. Soon after the marriage he returned to Pontiae and entered into business as one of the firm of F. Walter & Co., general grocers and pro- vision dealers, his partner being Fred Walter, who had sold out his business in Memphis. The con- nection continued three years, then Mr. Nusbaum- er sold out to his partner and building a brick store in the northern part of the city, started a grocery and provision house alone. Ile carried on the business from 1870 to 1889, when he sold his stock to John Kallenbach, and retired to private life.
Mr. and Mrs. Nusbaumer have six children liv- ing, named respectively, Anna, George, Henry. Emma, Mary and Clara. They lost one child in infancy. Parents and children are communicants of St. Vincent's Catholic Church. Mr. Nusbaum- er stands high as a business man and citizen, and is well worthy of representation in such a volume as this.
ILLIAM J. TUNSTEAD, of Oxford, was born at Bradford, Ontario, Canada, March 17, 1840. He is the son of John and Sophia Tunstead, natives of the north part of Eng- land, whence they came to America about 1830. The father departed this life in July 1870, the mother resides with our subject and is seventy- eight years old. Thirteen chiklren were born to them. William J., our subject, was apprenticed to learn the trade of a tinner. Ile served four years at Brantford. After he began working independ- ently he remained there for about a year, then came to Detroit in 1861 where he remained for about two years.
Mr. Tunstead came to Oxford in 1863 and worked at his trade for Ira Killam about two years. Mr. Killam then sold out to A. A. Stan- ton with whom the young man remained for a year and then having been able to accumulate some funds and feeling that he was capable of managing the business himself be bought out his employer. To the tin shop he has added a gen- eral hardware and agricultural implement business, earrying from $10,000 to $12.000 worth of stock constantly. Ile has secured the esteem and confi-
dence of the community, and has a trade of from 825,000 to $30,000 dollars per annum. Our sub- ject has erected a number of buildings in Oxford, started the first hardware store in the place and was the prime mover in organizing the Oxford saving bank and has always been the President of the same.
The marriage of our subject took place De- cember 12, 1868. lle was then united with Lyda Davidson, to whom has been born one son, George B. Mr. Tunstead is a popular man in Oxford and belongs to most of the fraternal societies which have lodges there, and also to some in De- troit and Pontiac. He is a member of the Oxford Lodge of the F. & A. M .; of the Oxford Chapter of R. A. M., was lligh Priest for a number of years of the Knights of Pythias; belongs to the Knights of Maccabees, to the Pontiac Commandery No. 2 K. T., to the Moslem Shrine of Detroit and to the Pontiac Council of Royal Select. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party and he has been placed in several positions of trust by his fellow-citizens of Oxford. He was the Treasurer of Oxford in 1872, and Supervisor for the year 1877-78. He was made Trustee of the village when it was first organized and continued in this position for six years thereafter. On the 24th of Decem- ber 1878, our subject met with a big loss by fire; his stock building was entirely destroyed but was lightly insured.
G EORGE KINSMAN belongs to a family who were early settlers in New England. The first of the name to land in America, was Robert, who reached its shores about the year 1624. The grandfather of our subject, John Kinsman, was a captain in the Revolutionary War on the English side. At that time he made his home in New Brunswick. Our subject, who resides in Oxford. Oakland County, this State. was born in Orange County, Vt., August 13, 1852. Both parents, John and Julia A. ( Heath ) Kinsman, were natives of New Hampshire. John, during his carly manhood was a farmer in Thetford, Vt. Six
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children survive of the seven born to this worthy couple, namely : Charles, foreman in a paper mill at Olcott, Vt .: John, resides on the old homestead; Sarah, the wife of Joseph C. Brown in Shiawassee County, Mich .; Annette H. and Minnie, both at home; and our subject.
The subject of this sketch was brought up to the pursuit of agriculture. He attended Thetford Academy for two years, and then went to Oxford Academy. He taught considerably while prepar- ing for college, and entered Oberlin College, Ohio, in the Class of '76. When about half through his course his money gave out. This necessitated his return to teaching for awhile. In 1880 he was graduated in the law department at Ann Arbor, and went to Lebanon, N. H., where he entered the office of Jolin L. Spring, with whom he read law for a year.
The young lawyer spent a year at home on the farm, and in 1882 came to Oxford, Mich., and opened an office where he has since continued in practice. Ile is a member of the Knights of l'y th- ias, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics adheres to the principles of the Repub- lican party. lle is an attendant at the Congrega- tional Church, and is highly esteemed by all the citizens of Oxford.
AMES H. DAVIS, a farmer and old pioneer of Springfield Township, was born in Ulster County. N. Y., November 23, 1827. llis father was Cornelius Davis, and his grand- father, Andrus, was a native of Holland, and came to America when a boy. He was a pensioner of the United States Government, having served in the Revolutionary War. He died in U'lster County, N. Y., at the extreme age of ninety years. The father came to Michigan in June, 1836, journey- ing by team. He took up land and returned after his family. He came back by canal and lake to Detroit, and from there by team, through the wild, uncultivated forest. Ile had seven hundred and eighty odd acres where the town of Davisburg now stands, which town now bears his name,
Mr. Davis was a hard worker, and spent but lit- tle time in hunting the deer and bears which were then so plentiful. Ile did his first trading in De- troit, and paid $14 a barrel for flour, and 840 a barrel for pork. There were no regular roads laid out, and travelers had to follow blazed trees. Ile made numerous improvements bere, and lived to the age of sixty-six years. ITis religious belief was in accord with the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, and he held to the platform of the Demo- cratic party. He held the offices of Assessor and Justice of the Peace.
Agnes Winfieldl. the mother of our subject, was a native of Orange County. N. Y. She saw seven of her eight children grow to maturity, namely : Mary E., Mrs. Locy; John C., Thaddeus, Jerome Z., James II .; Sarah J., Mrs. Burnham ; and Isaac 1 .. She was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, and often opened her home for preaching services. James was nine years old when he came to Michigan, and the first school he attended was in a private house, as the districts had not then been organized. A little later log schoolhouses were built. and the rate bill system was inaugurated. Hle remembers well the slab benches with pin legs, the writing desk on the wall, and the open fire- place. He began to work upon the farm as soon as he was old enough, and remained at home until hie reached his twenty seventh year, when his father gave him eighty acres of land to which he added by purchase.
Mr. Davis married Maria Simpson in 1855. She was born in Cambridge. N. Y., and became the mother of three sons-William, Myron and John. The young mother's life ended in 1859. The see- ond marriage of our subject took place in March, 1862. Ile was then united with Isabel Irwin, who was a native of Canada, and reared near Batavia, N. Y. Her five children are all living, namely: Elizabeth E., Mrs. Reynolds; LeRoy, Laverne, Heppie and Martha.
The home farm comprises two hundred and twenty acres, most of it under cultivation. Mr. Davis has broken nearly two hundred acres of ground bere with four and five yoke of oxen. Ile raises good stock of all kinds, especially Durham cattle, and pays much attention to grain. He has a
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pleasant and commodious frame residence and two large frame barns. Both he and his wife are de- voted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Democrat in his political views, and has been elected Justice of the Peace, but would not accept the position. He is a member of the Ma- sonic order at Davisburg, No. 48, He is a mem- ber of Charter Oak Lodge, No. 56. A. O. U. W., at Davisburg. He is a man of unusual good sense and judgment, and is an excellent manager of his fine estate.
E LI BAKER. a representative farmer of Bloomfield Township, was born in Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y., January 14, 1822. He is the son of Horace and Sarah (Shaver) Baker, natives of Greene and Columbia Counties, N. Y., respectively. The parents were married in Scipio, and lived there almost all their lives, but died in Owasco, that county. He never accumulated prop- erty but was an industrious farmer all his life. He and his wife were for many years members of the Baptist Church and in politics he was a Democrat. He had five children, namely: Eli, Ambrose (de- ceased), George C. W., Milo and Sarah (deceased).
The subject of this sketch was reared in New York State. After spending his early years on the farm, he learned the blacksmith trade and worked at this business in various points in that vicinity. He then went to New Haven, Conn., and for thirty years worked at his trade in railroad and machine shops. He was in the employ of various roads, and for years worked for the New York & New Haven Railroad. He also was in the employ for fourteen years of H. B. Bigelow, who has since been Governor of the State.
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