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 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108
Our subjeet was born in Auburn, N. Y., Octo- ber 13, 1825, and was five years old when he came to this State. He lived on a farm in Macomb County until he was fourteen and during that pe- riod had but limited school privileges. He then went to Detroit and about a year later was appren- ticed at the blacksmith's trade. When of age he entered the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad Company at Detroit, and after working for it two years opened a blacksmith shop of his own. After he had been in business four years he re-entered the em- ploy of the Central and was stationed at Marshall two years. Early in 1854 he went to Princeton,
111., in the employ of the Military Tract Railroad, and remained there six months, then came to this county. He first located in Highland where he earried on a blacksmithing business four years, after which he sold and removed to Fowlersville, Liv- ingston County. There he bought and operated a farm two years and then traded it for one hun- dred aeres in this county.
The new farm was in Highland Township, and there Mr. Northrup resided until 1863, when he sold out and bought other property in Rose Town- ship. After a year there he made another sale and also changed his occupation. This was in 1866, and coming to Milford he embarked in the hard- ware business. This he continued until the fall of 1870, when he disposed of his business and spent a season in Detroit unoccupied except in his own recreation and the duties he owed to his family. In October, 1871, be returned to Milford and resumed his former business, entering into partnership with E. L. Phipps, to whom he had sold out. The firm of Northrup & Phipps was in force until January, 1875, when our subject bought his partner's in- terest, sinee which time he has carried on the en- terprise alone.
In Detroit, May 16, 1849, Mr. Northrup was mar- ried to Miss Mary Fulford, a native of Slatersville, N. Y., and daughter of Dr. William Fulford, a phy- sician and hotel-keeper in Chatham, Canada in early days. Dr. Fulford died at the home of our subject, in his ninety-third year. Mr. and Mrs. Northrup have two children -- Charles and Della. The older is a reporter engaged on the Sunday Times, in Port- land, Me .; the daughter married A. Matthews, a farmer in Milford Township. During the long years of her wedded life Mrs. Northrup has proved her worth as a companion and her love as a mother, and she has also been a good neiglibor and friend.
Mr. Northrup is now acting on the Board of Trustees of Milford for the seventh year, and dur- ing three years was President of that body. IIe may well be called the father of the village, as he helped to organize it, was its first President, and that at a time when the duties of the office were much more laborious and trying than at present. He is serving his fourth year on the School Board
340
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
and he was formerly Township Treasurer one year. He belongs to the Masonic Lodge, of which he was Master several years. He was reared to a belief in Democratic principles and has voted with the party, eseept when the Greenback movement came to the front. Financially independent, he has the better prominence that comes of useful days and companionable qualities.
OSEPH M. WARDLOW, who owns a large and splendid farm of two hundred and sev- enty-seven acres in Highland Township, is a son of James, whose father, Joseph Ward- low, was a native of Seotland, although most of his life was spent in Ireland. lIere he married and reared a family of five sons and three daughters, and here both he and his wife remained until they passed from earth. The father of our subject was born in Ireland in 1800. and was twenty-six years old when he came to America. He was a marble cutter by trade and he followed this calling for eleven years in New York City. Here he was mar- ried to Elizabeth McGhee, and unto them were born the following children : Elizabeth, Jane, Jo- seph M. and Mary A. All but Jane are living.
In 1837 the father of our subject came to Mich- igan, and settled on the farm where his son now resides. lle took eighty arres from the Govern- ment and added an equal amount later. Ile was one of the first settlers in the township. Deer, and wolves were in plenty, and bears were occa- sionally seen. Ile caught a fawn when he first came on the farm. lle was a hard worker and saw very hard times, having much siekness in his fam- ily. Ile was a Whig in politics and a Methodist in his church connections. He died in 1852, and his wife survived until 1887, when she passed away at the age of eighty-five years. The death James Wardlow was caused by a tree falling upon him.
The birth of our subjeet occurred in Highland Township, on the farm which he now owns and where he has lived all his life. As he was born in 1838 he was only thirteen years old at the death of
his father, and he and his mother then undertook the charge of the farm, and he cared for her until her death. He has cleared and broken sixty acres of land, and has helped others to break as much more. Hle preferred to keep the farm in his own hands and bought out the other heirs. More than one- half of his nearly three hundred acres is under cultivation. His marriage with Mary J. Magill, occurred August 23, 1866, and was an event of great importance in the life of the young man. The lady is a daughter of David and Jane (Short) Magill, natives of Ireland. In 1838 they came to Michigan and settled in Commerce Township. The mother is still living, but the father died in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Magill were the parents of seven children : James, Mary J., Susan, Elizabeth, Thomas, Emma and David.
To Joseph M. Wardlow and wife have been born two children-George M. and Bert J., both of whom are at home. The religious home of the family is with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Highland Station. Mr. Wardlow was drafted in the late war but furnished a substitute. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Milford Lodge No. 165 and No. 71. He is an ardent Republican, and a favorite with his party and has served as Township Treasurer for four terms.
UTHER STANLEY. A stranger would not be in Birmingham long without becom- ing acquainted with the name and fame of Luther Stanley, a retired farmer, who fills the front rank of Birmingham society. Ilis present residence is a beautiful frame structure, with attractive sur- roundings and finely furnished. Mr. Stanley has lived in this vicinity during a life that covers a period of sixty-seven years, having been born in Troy, September 3, 1824. He was engaged in farming from his youth until 1884, and has one of the finest pieces of property in the county. It con- sists of two hundred aeres on section 31, Trcy, and section 36, Bloomfield Township, and is supplied with every building that was found useful and convenient. Mr. Stanley has prospered in business
341
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
and has an abundance of this world's goods. He is, therefore, able to give liberal support to what- ever he believes will advance the interests of the community or relieve the needs of those who have been less fortunate than himself.
The parents of our subject were William and Freelove (Howland) Stanley, natives of Shaftsbury, Vt. They were married in Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y., and lived there until the fall of 1822, when they came West, and during the rem- nant of their days were numbered among the citi- zens of this county. Mr. Stanley came to this State a poor man, with only money enough to secure his land, which was two hundred and forty acres on what is now section 29, Troy Township. Before his death he had accumulated considerable means, so that he was considered one of the solid men of the county. When he came here there were but two or three families living in Troy Township. He settled in the heavy timber and hewed out a farm from the forest. Ile was a Dem- ocrat, but took little interest in politics, devoting his life to agricultural pursuits.
The Stanley family originated in England, and Wortham Stanley, grandfather of Luther, was a native of New England. The maternal grand- parents of our subject were natives of New Eng- land but died in Kentucky. Luther Stanley is the second of three children who lived to mature years. The others were Mary, who is now de- ceased, and Lydia, widow of Henry Gardner, whose home is in Detroit. He was reared on his father's farm, and received but a common-school education. He gave his father the benefit of his labors until he was of age, then married and settled on a farm in the same township. Ile located on wild land, and undertook the clearing and cultivation, which necessitated much hard work and made thrift and frugality essential. He remained on that place until he removed to Birmingham, and he has re- tained the property and now derives a good income from it.
February 17, 1864, Mr. Stanley was married to Polly A. Ferguson, at that time a resident of Troy. She was born in Mendon, Ontario County, N. Y., and is a daughter of Elisha and Clarissa (Gay) Ferguson. Her parents were born in New York
and Massachusetts respectively, and came to this State in 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley have no children.
Mr. Stanley was Supervisor of Bloomfield Town- ship twelve years, but not consecutively. He is a Republican and is an active worker for the success of the local party, but not an aspirant for official honors. He acted as Revenue Assessor for the Sixth Congressional District of Michigan during the war, having received bis appointment from Abraham Lincoln. As before intimated, he is one of the most prominent men in Birmingham, and his long and thorough acquaintance with the his- tory of this county gives him an understanding of that which is most likely to enhance the prosperity of the people. Ilis advice and opinion are fre- quently asked regarding public and private ven- tures, and he and his wife have scores of friends and well-wishers.
S AMUEL C. GOODISON. The varied wants of mankind give rise to occupations that indulge the bent of divers and different minds, and afford an opportunity for the display of business ability in many ways. The town of Rochester has hier share of establishments where trade is carried on and manufacturing pro- ceeds, and it affords one pleasure to observe the manner in which they are conducted - the honor and tact that are displayed therein and the courtesy the patrons meet with. Mr. Goodison has a store in which a large stock of general merchandise is carried , and he enjoys an excellent trade, that has been secured by an earnest, straightforward course, and a wise selection of goods by which the tastes of the people are gratified.
The parents of our subject are Charles Superior and Sarah (Brands) Goodison. The father was born on the vessel "Superior" whilst his parents were enroute from England to America, and his name continues that of the captain and the ship. His people located in New Jersey, and his father, William Goodison, operated a mill there. After growing to manhood Charles S. Goodison became
342
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
a miller and merchant, He married a native of New Jersey and in 1856 they came to this county and now make Rochester their home. After their removal West, they located in Bloomfield Township and Mr. Goodison engaged in milling for a time. Ile then became a drover, huekster, buteher and grocery dealer, and is now carrying on the last named occupation,
Samuel C. Goodison was born in Hainesburg Warren County, N. J., November 15, 1853, and was graduated from the Rochester High School in this county in 1868. HIe then entered his father's store and continued there seven years, next engaging in business with William 11. Barnes. The firm began as dealers in groceries exclusively, but in 1878 added a stock of clothing, and subsequently one of boots and shoes, hats, caps and gents' furnishing goods. As before mentioned, general merchandise is now sold and the patrons find it easy to seleet in a single store such articles as satisfy their ordinary wants. In addition, the firm deals in all kinds of paper, buying from the manufactories and selling to the wholesale trade.
Mr. Goodison has a pleasant home, where a wife and two children greet him on his return from business. Ile was married June 10, 1875, to Anna E., daughter of William II. Barnes, a young lady of education and refinement. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Goodison bear the names of Imra, Ione and Earl W. Mr. Goodison, although not a politi- cian, takes sufficient interest in the affairs of the nation to understand the issues that are before the people, and votes a Republican ticket. Ile is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A man of honor in his business relations. intelligent and with agreeable manners, he has many friends, and with his wife finds a place in the best society of the town.
OHN CRAWFORD. The Crawford home- stead on section 2, Southfield Township, is one of the landmarks of this locality, hav- ing been taken up by the father of our sub- ject quite early in the '30s. When the estate was settled after the father's decease, be of whom we
write retained that part of the aereage which in- cluded the old home, and here he has carried on his work, running a tile factory in connection with farming. The farm, taken as a whole, consists of one hundred and seventy-four aeres. but fifty are deeded to a son who aids his father in operating the entire tract.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Scotland but his immediate progenitor was born in Ireland. From the Emerald Iste, John Crawford, Sr., came to America and in Essex County, N. J., he was married to Rhoda MeCon- nell. That lady was born in the Empire State. The newly wedded couple established their home in the county in which they were married, but left it in 1831 to come to Michigan. After reaching this county Mr. Crawford took up six hundred and forty acres of Government land and began the work necessary to bring it to the condition of a well-improved farm. Ile first built a log house, but in later years a more modern dwelling was put up. Ile and his wife spent their last days on the farm and when they died were buried side by side in Birmingham cemetery. They had six sons and four daughters and all grew to manhood and wo- manhood.
Our subject was born in Essex County, N. J., October 14, 1823, and was in his eighth year when he came West. Ile attended school in the log schoolhouse which was the nsual temple of learn- ing in sparsely settled districts, and being the youngest child he remained with his parents as long as they lived, and after their departure still staid on the homestead. Ile married Polly, daughter of William and Jane (Logan) Nixon, who was born in Livingston County, N. Y., in 1824, but has lived in this county from her childhood. Her parents were born in New York and New Jersey, respect- ively, and came West with their family in 1831. and established their home in Southfield Township, this county. There they spent the remnant of their days.
Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have had two sons, one of whom died in infancy. The other, Cassius, was born November 4, 1851. and lives on the home- stead. Ile married Alice Jackson and has two ehil- dren-Freddie, born May 31, 1881, and Iva, June
345
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
25, 1876. The subject of this notice votes the Re- publican ticket. He looks back over mueh of the prominent history of this county, and recalls events not only of local interest, but of weight in deter- mining the status of the entire county and of the Commonwealth. To those who are interested in reminiscences of earlier days he can give incident after incident, and as he is well informed and awake to the importance of passing events, he is generally entertaining and his companionship is sought.
OIIN W. SMITH, M. D. After many years of activity in the discharge of professional duties, Dr. Smith has retired from the more arduous labors of life and is passing his de- elining years pleasantly in his comfortable home in Pontiae. During the earlier portion of his life he operated extensively as an oil speculator, and met with uniform success in his enterprises. He is still identified with many of the most important inter- ests of Oakland County and is prominent in the ranks of the Republican party, in the principles of which he firmly believes. Socially, he is a Mason, being a member of the Blue Lodge at Elyria, Ohio; Pontiae Chapter, Council and Commandery, K. T. At his fine residence on the corner of Huron and Williams Streets, he and his amiable wife dis- pense a liberal hospitality and cordially entertain their hosts of friends. On the opposite page is presented a portrait of the Doctor, and below will be found a brief account of his life.
The native State of Dr. Smith is New York, and in St. Lawrence County he was born July 18, 1832, to Philander and Harriet ( Wilson) Smith, being their eldest son. On his father's side he is of English deseent, while his mother was of Irish extraction. Both parents were natives of New England. The early boyhood of our subjeet was passed upon the home farm, and while still young he gained a good literary education at the Goven- euere Academy. Later he commenced the study of medicine, for which he had a natural aptitude, and entered the office of Drs. Burns and Munson. Afterward he read with Dr. John Q. Howe, of
Phelps, N. Y. In 1855 he received a diploma at the Geneva Medical College, and eommeneed prac- tiee in Ontario, Wayne County, N. Y.
In the spring of 1857 the Doctor came to Oak- land County, and located at Birmingham, where he instituted a practice which proved both successful and lucrative. In 1859 he went back to New York City and walked Bellevue Hospital for two years. In July, 1861, he was appointed surgeon in the army, and served for two years. In 1863 he came to Pontiac, and resumed his praetice, which he prosecuted successfully up to 1868, when he went to Oil City, Pa., and engaged in oil speculation. The Doctor, being a man of mental ability, judg- ment and courage, took great risks and in almost every case was fortunate in his investments. He continued in this line of business until 1885, when he returned to Pontiac. He is possessed of a good home and means sufficient to take care of him in his old age.
The Doctor has been twiee married. Ilis first wife was Belinda Fuller, a native of New York, and the daughter of Stephen and Samantha Fuller. Her two daughters are Ada, Mrs. James Kenyon of Detroit, and Hattie, who resides at home. His present wife was Mrs. Lizzie Campbell, a native of Michigan. Her maiden name was Scott, and she is a daughter of James Seott, of New York. There are no children by this marriage.
G EORGE VAUGIIAN. This gentleman is the popular landlord and proprietor of the Clarkston House, which is situated in the village of that name in Independence Town- ship. Mr. Vaughan and his capable wife took charge of this hotel September 22, 1890, and al- ready great improvements in its management have been brought about. There are a number of lakes near the village which afford fine fishing, and it is the purpose of Mr. Vaughan to make a popular summer resort here. Certainly no more beautiful place in which to pass the heated term, could well be found than near these lakes, and as Mr. Vaughan has already demonstrated his fitness for the posi-
346
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
tion of "mine host." there is no reason why his scheme should not prove successful.
The natal day of our subject was September 8, 1847, and his birthplace a farm in this county, not far from Pontiac. Ilis parents, Abraham and Maria (Pearsall) Vaughan, were born in the En- pire State, and the paternal family is an old and prominent one in the East, where many of its mem- bers have occupied conspicuous positions of publie trust and responsibility. The father of our sub- ject now makes his home with his son. The early life of our subject was spent on the parental acres, and until he was of age he pursued the usual course in life of a farmer's son. llis studies were carried on in the schools near his home, and he became conversant with farm work, in which he engaged for some years.
On New Year's day, 1868, Mr. Vaughan was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Anderson, who was born in Elmira. N. Y., December 11, 1848. The union has been blest by the birth of five chil- dren, all of whom add to their parents' pleasure by their presence around the hearthstone, and take such a part as they are capable of in making the home comfortable as well as happy. Their record is as follows: Wilber J., born .July 19, 1870; Grace 1 .. , February 2, 1872; Hattie N., December 14, 1878; Maria S., October 4, 1880: Ada N., August 4, 1882. Mr. Vaughan is a Republican, and has a strong conviction that the policy pursued by his party and the principles advocated are best calcu- lated to bring about a higher state of national pros- perity.
ON. ALMON B. FROST, one of the prom- inent and successful citizens of Orion, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., September 17, 1826. His father. Samuel, went, when a young man, from Massachusetts to New York, and afterward came to Oakland County, this State in 1841. He bought land in Troy Township. Ile eame by water to Detroit and thence by railroad from Detroit to Pontiac. Here he farmed for six years and then removed to St. Clair County, where he opened up a farm in Berlin Township, and re-
mained in active work until his death in 1847 at the age of sixty-one years. IIe was a devout member of the Methodist Church. His father was also named Samuel. He was a Revolutionary soldier and a farmer at Framingham, Mass. The family is supposed to be of English deseent. The farm owned by Samuel Frost, Sr., was in the family for generations. The mother of our subjeet was Lydia Bixby. She was an earnest Christian and a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Her death took place in 1865. She was the mother of twelve children, eight of whom are living.
Young Almon B. was reared upon the farm and attended school in the log schoolhouses of the district. Ilis education was further supplemented by attendance at Rochester Academy. Ile then fitted himself for teaching. Ile began teaching in the winter of 1846 and taught for eight years, in- cInding three summer terms. Ile was fifteen years old when his parents eame to Michigan and he looks back with interest to his experiences of pioneer life, surrounded as they were by deer, wolves and Indians.
The young man began life for himself at the age of twenty years. His father generously giving him his time during the last year of his minority. During the summer vacations he worked on farms by the month and taught school in the winters. Ile received 810 a month for his farm work and $13 a month for his teaching. Some of the men of the district grumbled terribly because his salary was so high. In 1848 he purchased a farm on sec- tion 16, Oakland Township. It was all wild land and he built a small frame house upon it and lived there alone. He subsequently purchased a farm across the road, in section 9, on which he erected a farm building. Ile now has both farms finely im- proved. Here he lived until 1885, when he re- moved to Orion.
The marriage of Mr. Frost took place in 1852. llis wife bore the maiden name of Mary C. Lomis, born in Greene County, N. Y .. in 1830. The chil- dren were Thomas N., Julia L. and Lydia A Their three children are all married and living near them. Julia is the wife of C. R. Wilson and Lydia is Mrs. Amos S. Earle. All graduated from the Pon- tiae High School and are intelligent and worthy
347
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
citizens. Mr. Frost's polities are Democratie. His neighbors have raised him to various posts of trust. He was Supervisor for eight years, Justice of the Peace for seventeen years and School In- speetor for thirty-two years. He has served as Highway Commissioner three terms, Clerk four terms and Drainage Commissioner for five years. He served as member of the House of Representa- tives in 1871 and 1872, being elected on the Dem- oeratie ticket. Several important matters were in hand during the session of that assembly and our subject was one who was active in promoting the best interests of the State. The Asylum for the Insane was located at Pontiac that year, the indus- trial School for Girls was established and also the Aet was passed for the building of the State Capitol. Mr. Frost served on the Committee of Immigration and on the Committee on Penal Insti- tutions. Ile is frequently a delegate to State, county and distriet conventions. His intelligent and cultured wife is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Frost started empty handed and has made a remarkable success in life, both as to property and reputation. He owns four hundred and forty-seven aeres of land in Oakland Township.
1 B. WARD, deceased, was born at Manchester, Vt., May 24, 1802. He was left an orphan by the death of his father, at the age of seven years, and when seventeen years old he went to Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y., which he made his home until he removed to Michigan in 1831. Here he took up land from the Government in Farmington Township, and began to cultivate the farın now so well known as the Wallace Graee farm. He cleared the place and built a log cabin an'l two good frame barns. In April, 1848 he lo- eated where Mrs. Ward now resides, where he made his home until his death in March, 1890.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.