Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 40

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

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town in 1888, and President of the village the same year. He has been on the School Board for nine years. He has handled the express business of this place since 1865. The lady who presides over his beautiful home on Saginaw Street, became his wife in 1862. She was Miss Rebecca Mothersill of Detroit, a teacher in the public schools there.

The parents of Mrs. Hobart are the Rev. Will- iam and Mrs. Catherine Mothersill. Mr. Mother- sill was a native of England and came to America when very young. He began his ministry in the Methodist Episcopal Church after coming to Michigan and was on the circuit for many years. Hle died at Holly in 1862. Mrs. Hobart is one of eight children living of the parental household, namely : Philip, Watson, William, Henry, Frank, Arthur, Rebecca and Henrietta. Mrs. Hobart is now engaged in an extensive millinery and ladies' fancy goods store at Holly. She is an enterprising and successful business woman. She and her bus- band are carnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hobart is a member of the Masonic order, and a man of great popularity in the Republican party. He is looked upon as a leader in that part of the county. They have one son-William P. Hobart.

W ILLIAM H. HULSIZER, the well-known auctioneer of Rochester, was born in War- ren County, N. J., September 3, 1853, and is a son of William and Huldah ( Masters) Hul- sızer. In 1859 his parents removed to this State, and located in Avon Township, three miles from Rochester. There our subject spent the years of his hoyhood and youth, giving his time to the pursuit of knowledge in the school-room and on the farm, and as he grew to manhood becoming a full-fledged farmer. He carried on the occupation until he was twenty-four years of age, then became an auction- eer and worked up a reputation which leads to his being sent for from considerable distances.

Althoughi he has disposed of many stocks of goods, Mr. Hulsizer makes a specialty of selling farm property and live stock, and during the year

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1890, he eried ninety-one sales of the latter. Dur- ing the year 1881 his headquarters were Detroit, where he was engaged in disposing of stocks of merchandise. In connection with the business mentioned, he has the management of a liquor house. He was married September 19. 1877, to Adella Morrison, and has one son, Fred W. Mrs. Hulsizer is a daughter of Henry Morrison, a farmer of this county, and is a native of the Green Moun- tain State. Mr. Ilulsizer aeted as City Marshal in 1882. and has frequently been importuned to ac- cept other offices, but uniformly deelined. Ile is a Democrat in politics.

The father of our subjeet was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., October 30, 1818. His parents were Samuel and Sarah ( Manning) Hulsizer, like- wise natives of New Jersey, the one of Ger. man and the other of Duteh extraction. Grand- father Ilulsizer spent his entire life in his native State, dying about 1861. Ile had eight children, seven of whom are still living. His father Stoph . let llulsizer, was a soldier during the Revolution, and was the son of a native of Germany. Will- iam Hulsizer, father of William II., was reared to farm life. and when quite young began working away from home for from 85 to $8 per month, which was the wages for an extra hand when a man received 810. He is still living in this county on a comfortable farm pleasantly located on section 24, Avon Township.

The mother of our subject was a daughter of Jesse Masters. Her marriage to Mr. Hulsizer was solemnized February 15, 1840, and their golden wedding was celebrated by the presence of all their living children but one, together with many friends. They have had twelve children, but have lost five, and the only son now living is William II., whose name introduces these paragraphs. The daughters are Sarah, wife of Mark A. Smith, of Manistee; Mary, wife of Adolphus Hamlin, a farmer in this county; Rachel, who married Gardner W. Sip- perley. an Oakland County farmer; Susan, wife of Clarenee L. Shelton, of Roscommon County ; Emma, wife of W. II. Judson, a wholesale merchant tailor of New York City ; and Almeda, whose husband is Fred L. Davidson, a merchant in Ogemaw County. The father of this family has never held office ex-

cept of a local nature in New Jersey. He is a man of independent thought on all subjects, and his actions correspond with his opinions. Ile voted the Democratie ticket for some time, but believing that the party went wrong, abandoned it.

NDREW P. GLASPIE, of Oxford, Oak- land County, was born in Washington, Macomb County, this State, March 18, 1842. He is the son of Deaeon Henry and Harriet (Babcock) Glaspie, natives of New York. The father's ancestors, two hundred years before, were from Scotland. Henry moved from New York to Michigan in 1840 and took possession of a farm, on which he worked until his death in August, 1816. His wife survived him many years, passing from earth in 1876. To them were given two children: „Jane, wife of S. R. Stanton, of Northville, S. Dak., and our subjeet. Deacon Glaspie had eight children by a former marriage, so that our subjeet had half-brothers and sisters. Mrs. Glaspie had two children by a former mar- riage.

Andrew was brought up to farming pursuits by one of his half-brothers, who was struggling with poverty; he never went to school more than three consecutive months in bis life. In the first year of the Civil War he enlisted in Company H, Seventh Michigan Infantry, entering the service, August 22, as a private. Ile was promoted to the office of Second Sergeant after the conflict at Fredericks- burg. His first service was at Ball's Bluff. Hle was twice wounded, first by the bursting of a shell at Antietam, September 16, 1862. At this time he was reported mortally wounded, but, recovering rapidly, was soon with his regiment again. His second disaster was at Chancellorsville, where he was wounded in the land by a shell or a stone dis- lodged by a shell striking just in front of him. This time he went to the field hospital, but was restless and unwilling to remain, so taking with him about a dozen canteens to evade the guards and make them believe he was sent out after water, he went south and west till he came to the railroad,

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There he waited until the cars came along; then got on and rode to Washington, D. C. But he had overestimated his own strength and at that place was obliged to go into the hospital again. He remained there a week and was transferred to Philadelphia, where he remained until the expira- tion of his term of service, August 22, 1864. Ile was discharged at Detroit August 27.

Mr. Glaspie had participated in all the battles in which his regiment had taken part up to his second injury, including privations and perils. At Fair Oaks they had to cross a stream with the water up to their waists, and were compelled to bold their cartridge boxes under their arms to keep them dry. After they had crossed the stream and had advanced and fired about ten rounds they were ordered to charge. Mr. Glaspie had presence of mind enough to load while running. and thus was ready for the charge. After the fight he was detailed all night to carry off the wounded. At Fredericksburg he crossed the river on a pontoon bridge with Col. Baxter and several others. Here it was that the Colonel was shot through the body. They drew a silk handkerchief through his wound and Baxter, for his heroic conduct, was made Brigadier-General. A sharpshooter tried to pick off Glaspie also, at this time and a scar of a bullet wound on the neck shows how close was the call. The list of his engagements is as follows: Ball's Bluff, Fair Oaks, Va., Seven Days' Battle, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hills, Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancel . lorsville.

After returning home in 1864 our subject was unfitted for any work for more than two years and never has been able to perform manual labor. The doctors abandoned his case and advised him to make all his arrangements for leaving this lire. Despite it all be managed to live. He told the doctor he would be a better man at forty years of age than he was then and has proved it true. As soon as he was able to get about he started out buy- ing sheep pelts and selling picture frames and win- dow shades. When he had somewhat gained his strength by this kind of outdoor life, he opened up a grocery business in 1868, which he continued till 1875. Ile then sold out and went into the knitting

business, manufacturing hosiery, gloves and mit- tens. Ile was burned out in 1885, with a total loss and no insurance. He then undertook business in connection with the clothing trade, until appointed Postmaster May 20, 1889. The Postoflice appoint- ment was left to a vote of the people and Mr. Glas- pie secured the appointment by a choice of sixty- five votes ont of two hundred and sixty, which were divided among eight candidates. As an ad- vertiser in the clothing business hie is a great suc- cess, obtaining a prize for getting up an advertise- ment for a wholesale house whose goods he handled.

The subject of this sketch was united in marriage January 9, 1870, with Amy E., daughter of Wil- liam S. Bird, of Elba, Lapeer County, Mich., for- merly of New Jersey. Three children have been granted to this home: Andrew Bird, Harriet L. and Philo B. All are yet in school. The parents and daughter are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Glaspie is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in politics is a Republi- can "first, last and always."

AMES O. BEATTIE. The attention of this gentleman is given to the business of an undertaker and liveryman in Birmingham, where he has been located sinee 1865. Dur- ing that year he engaged in the livery business here and he subsequently added the other branch of his present occupation. He has a fine livery barn, so arranged as to afford comfortable housing for the horses and adequate shelter for the vehicles and other equipments of a first-class stable. Ile drives none but good horses, and the rigs he sends out are worthy of patronage. Mr. Beattie is well- equipped for all occasions at which his services may be called into requisition, whether of social gatherings or for the sad rites of burial.

In New York and New Jersey respectively Robert J. Beattie and Sarah Christ were born and their marriage was solemnized in Middletown, N. Y. They are numbered among the pioneers of this county, to which they came, settling in Bloomfield Township. They reared eight children, named

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Margaret E., Sarah, Rachel, John, James O., Israel, Whitney and Axie. Mr. Beattie was a Democrat, and his life work was farming. Mrs. Beattie be- longed to the Presbyterian Church. Both died in Bloomfield Township, where they had made many friends.

The subject of this biographical notice who is the sixth member of the family named above, was born on the parental farm in Bloomfield Township, August 27, 1841. As his parents were in but moderate financial circumstances, his educational privileges were limited to the common school, but this was sufficient to lay sound foundation for the superstructure which must be reared by contact with the world. He remained on the farm until he was eighteen years old, then went to Rouseville, Pa., where he worked three years, that being in the noted oil region. Early ir, the '70s he made his way to California where he worked in the lumber and lime trade about two ye. rs, after which he re- turned to this State, and entered upon the business he has now been following for a quarter of a cen- tury. Ile made the journeys to and from the Pa- cific Slope via the Isthmus.

The marriage of Mr. Beattie and Mrs. Flora Nye of Birmingham was solemnized January 5, 1877. The bride was the widow of Riley Nye, by whom she had two children-Maude and John. Iler father was John Daines. Her marriage to our sub- ject has been blest by the birth of one child-J. Florence. Mr. Beattie belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees. and the Masonic order. As to politics he is content with depositing his ballot, which bears the names of the Democratic candi- dates. Ile is not connected with any religions so- ciety, but gives freely of his means toward the support of churches, in the maintenance of which he believes.

C HARLES PORTER. This gentleman has been identified with the history of White Lake Township for more than half a cen- tury, and during that period has lived upon land on section 21 that he has developed from its wild condition, into one of fertility and beauty. Sev-

eral years before he came hither he bought an eighty-acre traet here, to which he subsequently added until his estate now comprises one hundred and eighty-two acres. He and his wife worked very hard while he was clearing his land, as they had but little means, and the surroundings were such that they had many privations to endure, even at the best. Gradually the property was brought under subjection, and buildings erected and now it is one of the fine homes of the township.

Mr. Porter traces his descent from John Porter who lived and died in Ireland. He had two sons and two daughters, one of the former being Charles, who came to America in 1830, and for a year made his home in New York. He then came to this county and located in Bloomfield Township where he spent the remuant of his days. He first took up forty acres of land, then added eighty acres, and cleared and improved the entire tract. He was one of the earliest pioneers, there being but few families in the township when he came. He was first married in the Emerald Isle to a Miss Torrence, whose children were Fanny, Margaret, William and John. His second wife was Sarah Russell, daughter of Andrew Russell, whose entire life was spent in Ireland. This union resulted in the birth of seven children-Andrew, Charles, Mary, Sarah, Jane, Matilda and Esther,

Charles Porter, Jr., was born in Ireland, May 26 ,1812, and was sixteen years of age when he crossed the Atlantic with his parents. In the spring of 1831 he accompanied them to this State and he remained with them in Bloomfield Township until his marriage. Ile won for his wife Miss Elizabeth Arthur, a second cousin of the late President Arthur, to whom he was married in White Lake, April 13, 1839, Mrs. Porter was born in Fayette County, Pa., December 11, 1819. Her father, David Arthur, was a native of the Emerald Isle, but having come to America in his earlier years he lived for some time in New Jersey, and later in Pennsylvania. He finally eame to this county, making the journey through Ohio with a wagon and four horses. He was one of the pioneers of White Lake Township, and his farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres was on section 7. He mar- ried his cousin, Elizabeth Arthur, and reared seven

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children, named respectively, William, Samuel, Robert, Nancy, Jane, Elizabeth and Joseph.

Mr. and Mrs. Porter became the parents of five children, of whom we note the following: George W., who operates the homestead, is spoken of at further length on another page of this volume; Esther M., married Henry Vangordon, who died in March, 1881, and she is now living with her father; Jane was married to Sidney L. Bentley, February 16, 1866, and died July 16, 1883, leaving four children-Elmer, Porter, Ola and Lizzie; Saralı, who married Lorenzo Walworth, November 20, 1872, died September 3, 1879; Matilda is the wife of William Richardson, lives in Commerce Town- ship, and has one child, a daughter, Edna. Mr. Bentley was in the Union army throughout the Civil War, and took part in forty-eight battles, but was never wounded. Two of his brothers-Rollo and Cornelius-gave up their lives in defense of the old flag.

When Mr. Porter took up his residence in this section of the country, game was abundant, and bear, wolves and deer and wild hogs still roamed through the forests. Ile became a great hunter, and many a deer fell before his rifle. Under the old State law which declared that eight years of militia service would relieve one of further mili- tary duty, Mr. Porter enlisted in the Light Ar- tillery. Ile served about seven years without pay, and when times were hard he tapped his boots with his military cap. He sold his sword and belt, which were worth $10, for $2.50. For a number of years Mr. Porter worked by the day, receiv- ing twenty-five cents a cord for wood chopping and fifty cents a day for farm labor.

Among the valued possessions around which many memories cluster, is a clock that Mr. Porter bought fifty-two years ago. It has never stopped, never been repaired and has been cleaned but twice since he owned it. The works are of brass, and the man from whom it was bought was right when he said it would last a lifetime. It has recorded the hour of the births, marriages and deaths in many of the families that made the first settlements in this vicinity, as well as those of Mr. Porter's own dear ones. The last sad bour of affliction it noted was on December 16, 1887, when the wife

who had shared in Mr. Porter's fortunes for many years, closed her eyes in death. She was one of those noble-hearted women, who are respected and loved by all who know them, and sorrow was felt throughout a wide circle when she was called benee.

For sixteen years Mr. Porter has discharged the duties of Justice of the Peace, and for fifteen years he has been Township Clerk. He has also served as Treasurer and Ilighway Commissioner, and was unanimously nominated for Supervisor, but refused the office. Socially he is a member of the Grange, and politically a Democrat. His first Presidential ballot was east for Martin Van Buren. A long and well-spent life entitles him to the consideration of the people, and his friends are numbered by the score.

RVILLE BOTSFORD, who resides on sec- tion 22, Farmington Township, was born July 20, 1821, in Lyons Township, Wayne County, N. Y. His father, a Connecticut farmer, Lemuel Botsford, by name, and his mother Lucy Smith, were married in Connecticut, and removed to Wayne County, N. Y. They came to Michigan in 1836 and located on section 22. He found a small house and barn on the place,but soon built a much better one, which is now standing, and is occu- pied by Mr. Patteborne. Here he remained until his death at the extreme age of eighty years. He was a Jacksonian Democrat, and was Commissioner of llighways. His wife had died previous to his decease at the age of sixty-five years. They were the parents of ten children.

Our subject is the third son and fifth child. Ilis schooling was received in his native place, and when fourteen years old he came to Michigan with his parents and finished his school education in Farmington. He started out for himself at the age of twenty-one years. going into the mercantile bus- ness with his brother Myron, in Farmington. After being there seven years he sold out his interest to his brother, and went into farming.

The first marriage of our subject was celebrated

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in June, 1844, he taking for his wife, Mary . Eddy, a native of New York. One child was granted unto them, Osear, who now lives in De- troit, being a railroad man on the Detroit, Lansing & Northern Railroad. This wife died in 1845. Mr. Botsford's second marriage took place in 1849. Ile was then united with Sophia Gage, who was a native of Oswego, N. Y. From this union there were three children, namely: LeGrand, deceased; Charles W., now mail agent on the Fiint & Pere Marquette Railroad; and Eva, the wife of West Saddler, a carpenter and builder in Detroit.

After his first marriage our subject made his home in Farmington still carrying on his farm in the country. He located at his present resi- dence in 1861, and built the house where he now lives. This residence is surrounded by sev- enty-three acres of well-improved land. He has been much interested in fine horses, as well as eat- tle, and is often an exhibitor at the fairs. His first Presidential ballot was east for Van Buren, and he is now an adherent of the Democratic party. He was Constable when a young man before his mar- riage, and was Treasurer of the township in 1813, and has filled several school offices. In his younger days he was a famous huntsman, and brought down many a fine deer. At that time there were plenty of bears and other wild game, and Indians were still plenty.

R OBERT II. DAWSON, of whom some ac- count will be given below, occupies a farm on section 6, Troy Township, but pays his chief attention to the stonemason's trade, keeping from three to eight men employed during the season. The chief seat of this enterprise is Pon- tiac, although his work extends over a consider- able eireuit of country beyond the city limits. Ile is one of the executors of his father's estate, which consists of two hundred and twenty acres on sec- tions 5 and 6, Troy Township, and he makes his home there. He is a good workman himself and always endeavors to secure the services of those who understand their trade and will aid him in doing reliable and satisfactory work.

The father of Mr. Dawson bore the name of Richard and was a native of Scotland, born in Pais- ley in 1811. He was reared in his native land and in his early years was in the employ of cattle dro- vers. In 1831 he crossed the ocean and located in Massachusetts, where he sojourned a year, work . ing as a weaver. He then came to this State and established his home in Wayne County, where he improved a farm. In 1850 he traded it for one in Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, which was partially improved, and in 1867 sold that place and removed to Pontiac. Three months later he bought land in Troy Townshin on section 10, but during 1869 sold it and bought in Waterford Township. Another change was made in 1877 when he traded for the place on which his last days were spent and where he died in March, 1891. His first marriage was made in his native land and his companion died while he was living in Bloomfield Township. His second marriage took place May 12, 1862, and his bride was Miss Susan Foote, who was born in Lincolnshire in 1849. She was four- teen years old when she accompanied her parents to this State. The children of this union were twelve in number and the following are now liv- ing: Jean, Robert H., Eliza, Richard, Agnes. Chloe, Margaret, Martha and Lilly.

Our subject is the second child and eldest son in the parental family. Ile remained with his father until after he had attained to his majority, receiv- ing a common-school education and learning the trade of a stonemason. He worked at the same in Pontiac four years and has continued to do con- tracting, and for some time has had considerable to do with the oversight of the farm. He is quite a young man, having been born in Bloomfield Township April 8, 1864. He is of a decidedly so- cial nature, as is evidenced by his connection with various organizations which have for their object the promotion of sociability and benevolent care for others. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, is presiding officer in Oakland County Lodge, No. 183, 1. O. O. F., and Sub Chief Ranger of Pontiac Court, No. 1349, A. O. F. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church in Pontiac and is President of the Epworth League at Troy Cor- ners.

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ROBERT BAIN.

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R OBERT BAIN. One by one those who have lived in this county and carried on its de- velopment are being borne to the tomb leaving their places to be filled by others. The history of their lives, even though brief, be- longs to the record of the county and serves to in- cite others to emulate their good deeds. It is therefore meet that some account of the life of Robert Bain, now deceased, should find its place in this volume, and that his portrait should be pre- sented to those friends who hold his memory dear. Hle was the owner of property in Royal Oak Town- ship and for thirty years pursued the even tenor of of his way there, doing well what he had to do in farm work, and taking quite an active part in mat- ters in which his fellow-citizens were interested.

Mr. Bain was born in Scotland March 3, 1829, and his parents, Jolin and Margaret Bain, also opened their eyes to the light not far from Edin- burgh. They were married in 1825 and had a large family, Robert being the second child and oldest son. They came to this country carly in the '30s, and spent a short time in Albany, N. Y., then came on to this State. Mr. Bain was a car- penter and he made Detroit the seat of his labors from 1837 until about 1850. Ile then bought eighty acres in Royal Oak Township, this county, but did not take possession of it, making his home on a leased farm in Greenfield Township, Wayne County. Ile died there in 1855.

Ile of whom we write was a sailor in his youth but spent the winters with his parents until he was twenty-five years old. In the meantime Detroit was his home until within a few years of his marriage. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Catherine McClean, is a daughter of Alexander and Rosanna (McGee) McClean, and was born on the 23d of May, 1834. She was the eldest in a family of two sons and four daughters. Her par- ents were natives of the north of Ireland and were married in Buffalo, N. Y. They came to Michigan in 1835 and made their home in Wayne County. where Mr. McClean bought eighty acres of land. He died at his home there in 1858. The widowed mother, who is now seventy-eight years old, makes her home with her daughter Mrs. Bain.

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Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 40

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

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