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 38
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Just before the breaking out of the war Mr. Shaft removed to Michigan and located in Elba, Lapeer County. But he did not remain long in his new home, for he answered the call of his eoun- try in her time of need, and enlisted September 21, 1861, in Company I, First Regiment Michigan Engineers and Mechanics. He saw service in the army of the Cumberland. In February, 1864, he was taken ill, and as he did not recover, received his discharge October I, of the same year. He re- turned home and undertook the charge of his ninety acres of improved land. In 1880 he removed to Oxford, where he has since resided. Ile is a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republican, to the backbone. He is the father of four children, namely: Jane, wife of Timothy L. Hodge, living in Lapeer; Gilbert in Oxford; Josephine, wife of L. C. Olmstead, of Oxford; and William II. H., of Oxford, who is named for the President for whom Mr. Shaft cast his first vote.
ILLIAM P. BEARDSLEE, a prosperous farmer in Orion Township, was born in Sussex County, N. J., May 1, 1836. His father, Lewis, who was born in 1804, came to Michigan and bought land in Orion Township, this county, where he built a log house and made his home. Wild game was plentiful and Indians were still numerous. Ife cleared and improved his land and died August 6, 1860, in his fifty-eighthi year. His wife is still living and is a devout and earnest member of the Presbyterian Church to which her husband was also attached. Her maiden name was Mary Philips and she was born in Sussex County, N. J., March 7, 1806. Six of her seven children are still living.
Mr. Beardslee was only a few months old when his parents brought him to Michigan. He remained at home till he reached his twentieth year and then for two years worked out by the month on a farm. Ile farmed also on shares for a few years and in the spring of 1865 he removed to Montealin County and bought a farm. After remaining here five years he returned to Orion Township, Oakland
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County, and has resided here since the spring of 1870.
An event of great importance took place in the life of our subject, February 25, 1865. It was his marriage with Naney Wyckoff, who was born in this county, April 24, 1838. Her parents, Wil- liam and Hannah. came from New Jersey to Oak- land County in the Territorial days. Her father died September 30, 1861 and her mother sur- vived nntil 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Beardslee have three children. Nettie, Chester and May, to whom they have afforded good school advantages. Mr. Beardslee is a Democrat and has been a Mason for twenty years. He is also identified with the Grange. He has three hundred and twenty acres of fine land, which he devotes largely to the raising of sheep for the market. Ile began life with nothing and has been successful in attaining a handsome property. He now owns the old home- stead which his father settled on when he first came to the State.
ILLIAM P. IIICKS, one of the leading and substantial farmers of Rose Township, Oakland County, was born December 24, 1842, near his present home, and is the son of Ben- jamin C. and Elizabeth (Wendell) Hicks. Ilis grandfather, Benjamin, was one of four brothers who came to the United States soon after the Revolutionary days. They were Benjamin, Reu- ben, Warren and Pardon. They settled in Massa chusetts and Benjamin afterward removed to near Avon, N. Y. He was a sailor and a captain of a vessel for many years. In the fall of 1835 he came to Michigan, where he made his home with his son until his death about the year 1848, being then seventy-seven years old. He was a Presby- terian in religion and a Demoerat in politics. His wife, l'hobe Cole, was the mother of a large fam- ily. Those who grew to maturity were Warren. Pardon, Phobe. Elizabeth, Benjamin, Susan, Mary and Sarah. The grandmother died in Michigan.
The father of our subject was a farmer, who came to Michigan and entered one hundred and sixty acres in Rose Township. This be improved
and lived upon until his death in March, 1853, at the age of forty-five years. His widow and three children-William P., John W. and Charles H .- survive to mourn his loss. He was a Democrat in his political views and served his township faithfully in several local offices. His wife was born in Charlton, N. Y., and was a daughter of John A. Wendell, a farmer, whose parents came from Holland. Mr. Wendell was a soldier in the War of 1812, and came to Rose Township in 1836. He was the first Supervisor of the township after its organization, and represented the county in the State Legislature, being a prominent member of the Democratic party. He was a Presbyterian, as was also the family into which his danghter married.
The subject of this brief notice was reared in this county and has ever resided in this community. He received his education in the district school- house, and when he was sixteen he and his brothers took charge of the homestead until they married and established homes of their own. Ile was absent from home only one year, which he spent in the oil regions of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and the lumber district of Saginaw.
After his marriage our subject continued to live with his mother for three years until, in March, 1871, he purchased a farm of eighty acres on see- tion 35, and removed to it. This he has cleared and improved, and to it he has added forty acres. He is a breeder of Hampshire-down sheep and also a feeder. He has served three years each as Com- missioner and Treasurer. Since the fall of 1877 he has acted as Supervisor of the township, and is active in politics, attending the Democratie State and Congressional conventions as a delegate. Ile is an honored member of the Masonic order and of the Knights of the Maccabees.
The marriage of Mr. Hicks took place March 28, 1867. His wife, Sarah M. Cole, was born in Macomb County and is a daughter of Matthew 1 .. and Mary (Johnson ) Cole. natives of New Jersey, who were early settlers in Macomb County, where they lived until their death, he passing away in December, 1854, and his wife in August of the next year. They were the parents of three children- John, Sarah and Mary. Mr. Cole was a miller
yours Truly Finis S. frich
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and a son of John Cole. who removed from New York to Macomb County, this State, and pursued the trade of a blacksmith. Ile was a Baptist in religion. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rush, was the mother of ten children, five sons and five daughters. She was of Dutch origin. Mr. and Mrs. William P. Hicks are the parents of three children: Effie E., Charles M. and Mary E. Mrs. Hick's mother's family was of English origin and the Hon. Philip Johnson, of Pennsylvania, is an unele of Mrs. Hieks. Our subject is a man who is universally honored and esteemed.
b ON. FERRIS S. FITCH, State Superin- tendent of Public Instruction, and editor and publisher of the Oakland County Post. makes his home at Pontiac, Mich. He was born in the township of Bunker Hill, Ingham County, Mich., February 1, 1853, at a place now known as Fitchburg from the fact that his father, Ferris S. Fitch, Sr., was the first in this section to make a farm in the unbroken wilderness. His mother was Emma J. Bailey, and both his parents were natives of New York State, where they were married and from which they removed to Mich- igan in 1848. The father was a member of the Michigan Legislature in 1853, and at different times was named prominently as a candidate for Governor, in Democratic conventions. He was a man of active life, yet of literary tastes, and was in religion an Episcopalian.
The subject of this sketch labored industriously upon the farm, until at the age of sixteen years he entered the Normal School at Ypsilanti. He grad- uated from the classical course in 1873 and entered the literary department of the University of Mich- igan the same year. From that institution he grad- nated in the Class of 1877 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In both Normal School and University he was distinguished for independent original scholarship, and for his ability as a writer and speaker. In the Normal he acted as assistant instructor in Latin during his senior year.
After graduating from the University Mr. Fitch accepted the Chair of Latin and Greek in Smithson
College, Ind. Soon after beginning his work there he became active President of the college and thoroughly reformed its government and system of instruction. In 1878 he accepted the principal- ship of the Pontiac High School at a very critical time. From the first he was master of the situa- tion and soon restored harmony to the Institution. Here he served for three and one-half years, when he was made Superintendent of the City Schools. He continued to hold this position until June, 1890, when he resigned, against the expressed wishes of the entire Board, to enter the field of journalism as editor and manager of the Oakland County Post.
Though naturally of a practical and conserva- tive mind our subject is a progressive educator, and the inveterate foe of the pouring in process, and of cramming the young mind. He is the peer of any man in the State in the study of intellectual themes as well as in the science of political econ- omy and civil administration. His nomination in the fall of 1890 to the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction was entirely unsought and unexpected, but was the unanimous and spouta- neous action of one of the most representative con- ventions ever assembled in Michigan. The nomi- nation was made by Hon. C. R. Whitman, Regent of the State University, and was enthusiastically received by educators of all parties throughout the State. llis election was considered an indication of a healthful condition in educational circles and prophecy of still greater progress for the future. Mr. Fitch was married August 4, 1881, to Lettie M., danghter of George D. and Mary A. (Park) Humphrey. One child has blest this union-Con- stanee, wlio was born March 5, 1888.
A portrait of the Hon. Mr. Fiteh is presented to the readers of this volume.
R OMAINE CLARK, one of the most popu- lar men of Orion Township, has a fine farm equipped with all modern improve- ments. His large and handsome resi- dence and excellent barns and outbuildings com - mend his business ability to every traveller. IIe
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was born in Wayne County, Pa., August 20, 1826. His father, Elijah B. Clark, was born in New London County, Conn., November 23, 1792, and when about eighteen years old he emigrated to Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade of a mill- wright. He came to Oakland County, Mich., in 1830. and entered land in Orion Township, to which he received a deed, signed by Gen. Jack- son. He returned and brought his family West in June, 1831, coming by canal and team to Buffalo, thence by lake to Detroit and teaming it the rest of the way. He built a log house, which at that time was several miles north of any house on this section line. He died July 10, 1884, in his ninety- second year. Ile represented Oakland County in the Legislature in 1846 and 1847 and held various township offices. In his early manhood he served in the War of 1812. His wife, Mary A. Yerkes, was born in Philadelphia in 1795 and died in Janu- ary, 1864. Eight of her tea children are still living.
Mr. Clark was born and reared npon the farm and received his primary education in the log school-house. Ile remained at home till he was twenty-one years of age. He worked out on farms by the month for three years, receiving wages of $12 per month in summer and $10 in winter. In November, 1850, he bought a farm in Pontiac Township, going in debt for it. Two years later he sold it and bought one in Orion Township. Two years later be sold this and bought another, which he sold in less than two years, and then pur- chased the old homestead on which he has since lived, and where he took care of his father until his decease.
The subject of this sketch was married October 16, 1850, to Emily Youdan, born in England, February 10, 1832. Her parents, James and Eliza- beth Youdan, came to America in 1834, spending six weeks on the ocean. They made their home for five years in Wheatland, N. Y., and in 1839 came to Michigan and settled in Orion Township, this Connty. Ile cleared and improved this farm and lived here until his death in 1842. His faithful wife survived him and passed away in 1855. She had been previously married and had three chil- dren by a former husband. Seven children crowned her union with Mr. Youdan as follows:
Mary. James, Elizabeth, Susan, Martha, Emily and Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been the parents of seven children, of whom five are living: Ralph A .; Leander R. and Mary A., deceased; Carroll, W., James Y., Jennie E. and Romaine, Jr.
The gentleman of whom we write has frequently been a delegate to Republican conventions in both County and Distriet. He has been Highway Com- missioner and Supervisor for two terms, being elected over a large Democratic majority. He is a Patron of Husbandry and has been identified with the Masons for thirty-five years. He has two hundred and thirty-five acres of land in the old homestead, where he raises excellent stock. Ile built a fine large house in 1887. His specialty has been in raising wheat. He has been a very successful man and is a credit to the township in which he lives.
b ON. ORRIN POPPLETON, the pioneer merchant of Birmingham, has been en- gaged in business here since August, 1840. Few dealers anywhere can look back over so long a period of mercantile life as this, and none can show a better record as to straightforward dealing and wise methods. That Mr. Poppleton occupies a leading position in the county is un- questioned by those who know him, and his stand- ing does not depend upon the fortune he has made, but upon his agreeable personal qualities. He is one in a family whose parents located here as early as 1825, and the career of his father is worthy of consideration as indicating the causes which have . led to his own success in business and his worth of character.
William Poppleton, the father, was born at Poultney, Vt., in 1795, and when seventeen years old went to Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y., with his parents. There he was married in 1814 to Zada Crooks, with whom he lived happily forty- eight years and in whom he found a most helpful companion. In 1823 he visited Michigan, then almost a wilderness, and entered from the Govern-
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ment land on section 20, Troy Township, this county. Two years later, with his little family, consisting of his wife and two children-Orrin and Sally, aged respectively seven and eight years,- he took a final leave of Western New York, and resolutely pushed out with a team for newer and wilder scenes, for larger and grander prospects.
In December, 1825, after a toilsome journey of thirty-two days in an emigrant wagon, Mr. Pop- pleton arrived safely at his homestead. His way had been made through Canada, over the rough pathways of the most unbroken forest, which in much of the distance were frozen and covered with snow. With ax in hand he began an unflinching attack upon the giant forest, and with an intensity of purpose which never wavered, set himself to carve out a fortune and a name. Little by little he added to his first purchase-now securing land of the Government, then of some weary, homesick settler-until in 1845, just twenty years from the time he had bidden his friends in the East good- bye, he was the undisputed owner of twelve hundred acres of land, much of which was in till- able condition and the most of it in one body. Upon this large tract he had rapidly made improve- ments until he had farms as fair to look upon and in as high a state of cultivation as any in the far- famed Genesee valley he had left. In 1856 he re- moved upon one of his farms adjoining the village of Birmingham and almost entirely abandoned personal connection with farming operations. In his pleasant village retreat. with his faithful partner in life, he enjoyed a well-earned repose until her death in December, 1862. After that bereavement he seemed to lose much of the vigor of constitution which he had previously enjoyed and although the fire in his soul was not one whit abated, the earthly tabernacle was slowly but surely going to decay.
Of the confidence of the people of his township Mr. Poppleton always possessed a large share, and in all matters which affected the material welfare of his section he was first and foremost. To him the present excellent and superior condition of the public bighways of the township is due, and his early interest and example in improving them certainly merits the commendations of present and
future generations. His counsel was taken into the highest consideration, and if not in the begin- ning, at the end, was almost invariably acknow- ledged to be the soundest and best. Although from force of circumstances his education was limited, his indomitable energy and superior judg- ment frequently placed him in positions of which those of far better advantages might well have been proud. He was often in the possession of the highest offices in his township, and in 1842 repre- sented his county in the State Legislature, which then held its sessions at Detroit. His coadjutors were Govs. Fitch, McClelland, Richardson, Barry and many others known to the early settlers, whose names are identified with the pioneer legislation of Michigan.
Mr. Poppleton was always an unflinching and uncompromising Democrat, true to his party when in the right, and to the land which gave bim birth. Being a son of a Revolutionary sire he placed a just estimate upon the value of liberty, and having been educated in the Jeffersonian school of politics it was impossible for him to do otherwise than square every political measure with those immortal principles which in years gone by had brought prosperity to his country.
Mr. Poppleton was the father of seven children, two of whom died in infancy and two in ripe womanbood. The last were Hannah E., who mar- ried R. P. Bateman and died in March, 1854, and Carrie J., who married Judge George B. Lake, of Nebraska and died in February, 1860. Those living are our subject, Orrin, and the next Sally, now the widow of Darius Hoxsey. Mr. Hoxsey was a prominent farmer in Troy Township until a few years before his death, when he moved to Birmingham, where his widow now resides. The youngest child living of William Poppleton is Andrew J. of Omaha, Neb., who is now past the meridian of life. Ile is a man of nnchanging purpose and to contemplate his life and character would be a just source of pride to the most am- bitious parents. Ilaving been liberally educated in a school that has given to the country such men as Seward, Dix and Wright, and having adopted the profession of law, he set ont in 1851 in com- pany with Gov. Richardson upon a pilgrimage
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westward. He was the first to plant the standard of civilization permanently upon the farther banks of the Missouri at Omaha, where there was not even a cabin to indicate that human life existed in all the vast prairie wilderness-a poor spot indeed to gratify the high hopes and lively imaginations of youth. But he had an unfaltering trust in the ultimate prosperity of his adopted home, which has been fully justified. To-day he stands un- rivaled in his profession in all that region and is known as its attorney wherever the interests of that great corporation, the Union Pacific Railroad, extend. In addition to such honors, following closely the footsteps of their sire, the sons have each held honorable positions as legislators and the keepers of other publie trusts in their respective States.
Orrin Poppleton was born in Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y., April 27, 1817. and was in his ninth year when his parents came to this State. His early life was passed on the farm and he first received a common-school education and then spent a year as a student in Granville Seminary in Ohio. Ile remained with his father, helping him clear up farm land and giving him the benefit of his labors until he was of age, and then took up the labor of life for his own advantage by becom- ing a clerk in Pontiac. He followed the pursuit for two years in the county seat and Rochester, and in the winters of 1834-35 and 1839-40 tanght in this county. In 1840 he began the mercantile business in Birmingham, being the third person to engage in that pursuit there. Ile has been in busi- ness continuously since that time and has occupied his present storeroom forty-eight years. He has now been in business longer than any other dealer living in Birmingham and is one of the very few men who have carried on such an enterprise more than half a century and on a paying basis. Dili- gence, strict integrity and a judicious catering to the desires of the community have placed Mr. Pop- pleton in the front rank as a merchant and have given him high repute in business eireles.
For many years our subjeet took quite an active part in politieal affairs, but for some time past he has borne but a quiet share in such matters. He is and always has been a Democrat, and he keeps
well informed regarding affairs of State and the principles on which good government is based and can give at all times a clearly expressed reason for his political faith. In 1852 he was elected to the legislature from this county and served during the session of 1853, and be has in recent years been solicited to stand as a candidate for congress and to go before the people for Governor, but has invariably declined. In 1853 he was appointed Postmaster at Birmingham, and held the office eight years under Presidents Pierce and Buchanan. For sixteen years he was a member of the Con- gressional Committee and during twelve years of that time he was its Chairman. He has been President of the Oakland County Pioneer Society for eleven years and Vice President of the Mich- igan Pioneer and Ilistorical Society seven years and President of the latter during 1890. Mr. Pop- pleton belongs to no social orders, but quietly dispenses the charity which they inculcate and en- gages with his friends and associates in the pleasures of good fellowship.
The marriage of Orrin Poppleton and Sarah Abbey was solemnized at the bride's home in Rich- mond, Ontario County, N. Y., November 2, 1841. Mrs. Poppleton was born there May 2, 1815, and there her parents, John and Elizabeth (Baker) Abbey, died. They were natives of the Old Bay State. Mr. and Mrs. Poppleton have had five children and lost two in infancy-Hester and one unnamed. Ella P., the youngest child, is the wife of C. W. Hatch of Boston, Mass; Edgar C. and Herbert A. are engaged in mercantile pursuits with their father and have had turned over to them a large share of the cares of the establish- ment.
ILLIAM H. STARK, a prominent farmer residing on seetion 33, Oxford Township, is a son of W. Stark, Esq., who was born in New York near the Pennsylvania line in 1806, and was reared on a farm. At an early age he learned the trade of a millwright and followed that trade in New York and after he came to Michigan in 1836. He made his home in Independence
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Township and bought land of the Government in Oxford Township. He first erected a log house and began clearing the land. This house was of a superior order and was not put up in the manner that many log cabins were. He hewed all the timber and made all the logs fit nicely together and had a home that was snug and cozy and was a pattern of neatness. He died in 1872. Ilis wife was Eliza- beth M. Beardslee. She was born in Sussex County N. J., and came West with her brother at a very early day, making her home in Oxford Township. She survived her husband for a number of years and died November 30, 1890.
The subject of this sketch was born July 26, 1835 in Chemung County in the Big Flats, N. Y., and was only two years old when he accompanied his father to Michigan. His two brothers, Thad- deus and Thomas J. both live in Michigan. Our subject started in life at the age of twenty-eight and he has made all the improvements and erected all the buildings which are to be seen upon his fine farm. About eight years ago, his home was de- stroyed by fire, but undaunted he at onee went to work to erect a much finer house than he had before. Much of the work upon all these buildings has been done by his own hands. Ile made all the fences and cut all the pines that went into the buildings which he has placed upon his property.
The marriage of Mr. Stark with Mary E. Apple- gate, was an event of great importance and one which has led up to a life of domestic happiness. This lady is a daughter of David Applegate and was born in Oxford Township, December 27, 1837. Her father was one of the early pioneer settlers in this part of the State. He passed away three years ago. ller mother whose maiden name was Lonisa Potter, resides with Mr. and Mrs. Stark. She was born October 30, 1814 at Chili, N. Y., and married David Applegate, January 17, 1833. Mr. and Mr. Stark have two children, Elmer and David Ward. Ile has filled several of the township offices and was Constable for one year. He has belonged to the Patrons of Industry and has been sent to attend conventions of this body at Pontiac. Both he and his worthy wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which they are active workers and where he has served as Trustee. He has also
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