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 41
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To Mr. and Mrs. Bain of this notice, there came
four children, of whom we note the following : Al- bert S., born November 6, 1855, married Mrs. Eliza Russell and lives in Royal Oak Township, near his mother; Rosanna, born September 9, 1857, became the wife of William Fulton, Jr., who died August 5, 1888, and she is now living with her mother; Celia A., born December 17, 1859, is the wife of Thomas W. Lacy of Royal Oak Township, and has an infant son, Homer B., who was born August 16, 1890; Mary J., born October 20, 1861, is the wife of Frank Riley of Troy, and the mother of a daughter, Cora B., whose natal day was August 2, 1887.
Robert Bain was married in February, 1855, and during the ensuing year established his home where his widow is now living. Her property consists of forty acres, near the village of Urban Rest which was laid out in 1890. Her husband died here, June 7, 1886. Ile was a member of the Congregational Church and was generally respected for his fine character and upright life. He was connected with Lodge No. 44, F. & A. M., of Birmingham. Politi- cally he was a Democrat, and without being an ottice-seeker, he was an active, efficient local politi- cian.
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S AMUEL A. PALMER, a contractor and builder in Pontiac, was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in the town of Plainfield, March 27, 1821. He was a son of Samuel S., who was the son of Vose Palmer. Samuel S. Palmer was a native of Connecticut and carried on a farm in Stonington. The grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and descended from an English family. The mother of our sub- ject bore the maiden name of Salinda Chapin, a native of Connecticut and a daughter of Jotham Chapin of Irish descent. She and our subject's father were married in Otsego County, N. Y., and removed when this child was one year old to Jef- ferson County, the same State. Thence they removed to Wood County, Ohio, where the family settled and remained a number of years. They then emigrated to Duluth, Minn., where the father died in his eighty-third year. The mother had
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passed away when only forty-two years old. They were the parents of eleven children. eight sons and three daughters, seven of whom are still living.
The subject of this sketch is the oldest son and second child of his parents and passed his youth from eleven years until he was twenty three in Ohio. He received a common-school education. Ile learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it in Ohio for three years then went to Detroit, Mich .. and worked at carpentering and building for a number of years. In 1865 he came to Pontiac. where he has carried on the business of contracting and building until the present day.
Mr. Palmer was married in his twenty-sixth year to Miss Mary J. Kimball, at Detroit, Mich. She was born in Pittsfield, N. Y., and came to Michigan when quite young. Of their family four children are living, viz .: Sarah J., Samuel S., a telegraph operator at Grand Rapids: Emma B., wife of W. W. Seeley, of Pontiac, and Everhardt M., who mar- ried Thadins D. Seeley, of Bay City. The mother of these children died February 14, 1883, in the fifty-fourth year of her age. She was a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Palmer re- sides at No. 19 Clark Street. Hc is a Republican in politics and a man who is deeply interested in public affairs.
G EORGE PERRY. Among the citizens of Orion who have attained to a comfortable competency, through hard work, economy and good management, we may well be proud to mention the subject of this sketch. He has been unusnally successful in the management of financial affairs, and now having completed his three-score years and ten is content to live a retired life. He was born September 27, 1821, in Warren County, N. J. His father, Jacob, emigrated to Oakland County in 1833 and made his home in Oakland Township. He came through Ohio with a team and was one month on the road. The land which he took was only partly improved, but it had on it a log house and barn. There was an Indian
trail across the farm which served as a roadway. Deer were to be seen in droves and all was wild and uncultivated about him. He was successful in life and died about 1860 at the advanced age of eighty-four years, being able to give a farm to each of his eleven children. IIe was an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from the time he was eighteen years old. His wife Sarah Groomdike, was a native of New Jersey. She survived him about five years and died when eighty-four years old at the age which be had attained when he was called away. She was also a conscientious adherent of the Methodist faith. Of their eleven children four only survive, of whom our subject is the youngest.
This son attended subscription schools in New Jersey until he was twelve years old when he came to Michigan with his parents. Here he was sent by them to district schools until he was eight- een years old. He remained with his father, serving him on the farm until he was twenty-four, when he began farming the home place on shares. At his father's death this property fell to him. In 1889 be rented this farm and moved to Orion, where he now has a pleasant home.
The marriage of Mr. Perry in 1845 was an event of great importance and was the beginning of a married life of more than usual happiness. His bride was Mary W., danghter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Middleton) Mackey. She was born in New Jersey in 1826. Her mother was of Scotch descent and her father of German. Mrs. Perry lost her father while she was quite young. Iler mother remarried and came to Michigan to live in 1836. She died in 1885. Her eight children are Belle, deceased ; Emma E .. Mrs. Samuel Plummer- felt; Edwin II .; Mary A., deceased; Maggie, John D., Viola J. and Adam, who is in California. All were provided with good schooling.
The subject of this sketch is a Democrat in his political views and is often sent as delegate to conventions. lle serves frequently as Adminis- trator and has settled up several estates to the sat- isfaction of all concerned. He has been identified with the Masonic order for thirty years. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of land in Oakland Township and sixty-two acres in Orion Township,
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and has always raised a good grade of stock. His frugality and industry are no doubt an inheritance from the sturdy old German stock from which he is descended.
P ORTER A. IHITCHCOCK is one of the most prominent business men of Pontiac and takes the lead as a dealer in clothing. Dur- ing his early business career he was connected with other parties and on one occasion became bankrupt, but he went bravely to work and suc- ceeded in recovering from his losses and in later years became a highly-successful financier. He is now occupying a large double store, carries a fine stock of clothing, hats, caps and gentlemen's fur- nishing goods, and has a merchant tailoring depart- ment, where a good cutter is employed the year round. Mr. Hitchcock has an excellent run of custom for suits made to order, as he is careful to have all work well done.
The father of our subject was Admiral N. Hitch- cock, who was born in New York and reared near Cortland. that State. His father, Benjamin Hitch- cock, was also born in the Empire State and was of English and German extraction. Admiral Hitch- cock was one of the early settlers of this county. He carried on a woolen mill at Auburn for some time and then went to Pontiac. He was Deputy Sheriff for some years and then became connected with the marble business, taking contracts in Illi- nois and this State. He was thus engaged up to the time of his death, which occurred January 12, 1854. He was married in this State January 15, 1827, to Lucy Ann, daughter of Salmon and Rhoda Matthews. The bride was born in New York. whenee her parents came to this county in April, 1823. Her father died here May 24, 1838. Mrs. Ilitchcock is still living and now makes her home with her son Porter A. She is in ber eighty-fourth year. She has but two children, Porter A, and Herbert B.
The subject of this sketch was born in this county, not far from Pontiac, September 26, 1833. His early education was obtained in the city schools
and after completing his studies he became mail- carrier from Pontiac to Howell, making the jour- ney on horseback. After a season thus spent he began his mercantile experience as clerk in the dry- goods store of W. M. McConnell. He was obliged to leave the store on account of sickness, and when his health was restored he became clerk for T. S. Markham, and later for J. C. Goodsell. He next went to Detroit and obtained a position in the store of IIolmes & Co., but in 1853 he resigned his clerk- ship and went up to Lake Superior, where he worked in the store of the Northwest Mining Com- pany until the business closed.
Mr. Hitchcock then spent a winter in Pontiac, after which he returned to Lake Superior and was clerk in the office of W. P. Raley & Co., at Copper Harbor, having charge of the store and warehouse. There he remained some two years, going thence to Eagle Harbor for the same company and having a small share in the net proceeds of the business. We next find Mr. Hitchcock entering into a part- nership for the sale of general merchandise under the style of A. A. Bennett & Co., of Eagle River, Mich. The connection lasted until 1861 when the business was closed out and our subject was occu- pied in book-keeping and clerking for mining com- panies until his return to Pontiac. In 1869 he bought out C. E. Adams & Co., whose stock con- sisted of hats, caps and furs. Ile enlarged the business and in 1880 removed to his present stand, feeling the need of more commodious quarters.
In Ontonagon, Angust 24, 1871, Mr. IHitchcock was married to Miss Agnes F. Cash, daughter of Daniel S. and Fanny (Tooker) Cash. The bride's father was born in Bradford County, Pa., in 1806, and her mother in Ohio in 1819, and in the Buck- eye State Agnes was born. Mr. Cash was largely interested in the Lake Superior mines and being a man of superior business abilty, he acquired a large property. Among other investments were some in Duluth that have become very valuable. Ilis daughter has a large property in her own right. With every opportunity to display her taste, not being hampered by lack of the wherewithal to pur- chase the decorations she desired, she has her ele- gant residence fitted up most beautifully. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock is in the
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Fifth Ward near the High School building, in a pleasant part of the city and amid surroundings that are in keeping with their circumstances. They have but one child, a son, J. L., who is now in his eighteenth year.
Mr. Hitchcock has had a share in public offices, having been Alderman for the Fourth Ward four years, Township Treasurer for some time, and be- ing now a member of the Board of Education, in which body he has been Treasurer six years. He has a third interest in the Pontiac Knitting Works and is a stockholder and Director in the First Nat- ional Bank of Pontiac. He and his wife move in the best society and use their means for the good of others as well as their own pleasure. Mr. Hiteh- cock has been a lifetime Democrat and is a vestry- man of the Zion Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Hitchcock and son Jay are members.
D ANIEL C. DUNHAM is one of the old set- tlers of Oakland County, who came here when a child and has seen this country grow up from an uncultivated wilderness to its present splendid condition. Ilis father was Daniel Dun- ham, a native of New York. He was a farmer and served his country in the War of 1812. Ilis wife, Harriet (Sturtevant) Dunham, was a native of Sar- atoga. They were married in New York and resided there until they came to Michigan in September, 1832, making their home in Highland Township. llis land was oak openings and upon it he built a log house which is still standing. He had only money enough to establish his home and no more. Indians and wild animals abounded. In 1858 he sold this land which he had taken from the Government and removed to Kent county where he died. Ile had cleared off one hundred acres and had put it in good shape and died in 1870 at the age of seventy-six years. Ilis widow, who still survives, has reached the extreme age of ninety-six years. She enjoys good health and her faculties are bright and active. She now makes her home with her daughter in Muskegon County. Seven of her eleven children are now living. Her
husband was a Deacon in the Baptist Church and a very benevolent man. . He was a Whig in his political views, and was a Justice of the Peace in Highland Township.
The subject of this sketch was born October 17, 1828, in Parma Township, Monroe County, N. Y., and was four years old when brought to Michigan, which was then a Territory. The log schoolhouse which he attended was the first one built in the township. llis father was a hard worker, very ro- bust and able to endure. The young man assisted his father on the farm until after he was twenty- four years of age.
About that time our subject was married to Phy- lena Ellis, a daughter of James and Tryphosa (Hayward) Ellis, who were natives of New York, and came to Michigan in 1850, settling upon a par- tially improved farm in Highland Township, which they made their home for many years. Mrs. Ellis died in 1876, and her husband still survives and lives in Novi Township, having reached the ad- vanced age of eighty-four years. Three of their six children are now living: Mrs. Dunham first saw the light in Delaware County, N. Y., in the Township of Meredith, June 25, 1829. She was united in marriage with our subject February 14, 1852.
After residing in Highland Township for five years Mr. and Mrs. Dunham removed to Kent County, and made their home upon a new farm. There they remained until March, 1866, and then sold that property and came to their present loca- tion where they have resided from that day to this. Mr. Dunham has two hundred acres of fine land, one hundred and forty of which is under cultiva- tion. His more arduous labors are now laid aside and he allows his sons to manage the work of the farm. Four of his eight children are now living, namely: Georgiana, wife of John G. Palmer, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio, aud has one daughter, Clara; James F .. married Minnie Dennis, and lives on this farm; Jasou C., married Zada Putnam and lives on this farm with his wife and two children ; Kate M. also resides at home. To all this family a good common-school education has been given and they belong to the Baptist Church where they are active in Sunday-school.
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Mr. Dunham belongs to the Milford Post, G. A. R., and is identified with the Masonic order, Royal Arch, at Northville. In Blue Lodge he was Senior Deacon and also Senior Warden. IIe has always taken an interest in politics and affiliates with the Republican party. He is Justice of the Peace and has been Treasurer of Novi Township.
During the Civil War Mr. Dunham enlisted as a private, September 11, 1862, in Company HI, Sixth Michigan Cavalry. He passed through the differ- ent grades of promotion to Orderly Sergeant. The regiment was first sent to Washington, D. C., where the boys did camp duty and were drilled. In the spring of 1863 it was brigaded as one of the Michi- gan Brigade under Gen. Custer and entered upon the Gettysburg campaign. They had some skir. mishing with Mosby's men and took part in the battle of Gettysburg. They then followed Lee's army in its retreat and had a severe battle at Fall- ing Waters. They continued to follow across the Potomac River and took part in all the fighting and hardships through which this celebrated brig- ade passed.
Our brave soldier did his full share in all this period of severe conflict. In 1864 he was ill for quite a while but remained with his regiment most of the time. He took part in the raid of Gen. Kilpatrick. After this the regiment was trans- ferred to the Middle Department and served under Gen. Sheridan all through the Shenandoah Valley, taking part in all the engagements of that cam- paign. In the spring of 1865 they joined the main army under Gen. U. S. Grant until after Gen. Lee's surrender at Appomattax Court House. They then started after Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and were present at the surrender in North Carolina, but returned to Washington, D. C. in time to take part in the Grand Review. They were ordered West to Ft. Leavenworth, whenee they traveled on horseback to Ft. Kearney, then to Ft. Laramie, then on into Wyoming, where they built a fort on Powder River. They returned again to Ft. Leav- enworth and received thefr discharge November 24, 1865, after a service of thirty-eight and one- half months.
This brave soldier now returned to his home where a hearty welcome awaited him, for during
lis term of service his brave wife had endured her share of hardships and privations and had suffered for her country as surely as he had. During the first year she and her five little ones made their home at her father's house. In one day two of her children were snatched from her arms by that dread scourge, diphtheria. She removed to her farm in Kent County and remained there over two years, managing the whole business and work- ing out of doors with her young boys until the re- turn of her soldier husband. He received no serious wounds but had several slight wounds and scratches and on one occasion his horse was shot from under him. They have a nice farm and a comfortable home and seem to enjoy the comforts of life all the better for the hardships through which they have passed.
ILLIAM P. HOLDRIDGE, a prominent farmer and a genial and popular citizen of IIolly Township, was born in Macomb County, Mich., August 27, 1837. His father, Austin, was a native of Connecticut and was left an orphan when quite young and bound out from the age of seven years until he reached his major- ity. Ile worked a rented sawmill when old enough to undertake independent work, and was the proud possessor of $50 when released upon reaching his majority. lle removed to New York State when a boy and settled in Herkimer County. Ile came to Macomb County, Mich., in 1836, making his journey by Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence by a steamer to Detroit and completing the trip on foot. He bought Government land in Macomb County and lived there for nine years. Ile cleared sixty acres of it and was a hard worker. Ile came to this county in 18.15, and bought three hundred and twenty acres in 1837, upon which there were no improvements. IFere he built a log cabin on the shores of the little lake and went to work to clear his farm.
The father of our subject died in 1864, at the age of fifty-six years. Ilis political affiliations were with the Democratic party. Ile married Bet-
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sey Ann Peck, a native of New York State, who is still living with our subject. Of her three chil- dren, William P. is the only one now living. Rumah died at fourteen years of age and Jo- sephine lived to be eighteen years old. The sub- ject of this sketch was eight years old when he came to this county. He attended school in both Macomb County and here.
At the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. Hold- ridge enlisted in Company I, Third Michigan Cavalry. He was mustered into service October 22, 1861, and went to St. Louis. lle was sent into the field of conflict in 1862, and saw the smoke of the battle at New Madrid, in the siege and battle of Corinthi, at Jackson, Tenn., at Iuka, and at Brownsville. Ile also did much skirmishi- ing and scouting after Gen. Forrest. He re-enlisted in the same company and regiment in 1864, and was sent to Arkansas, and then down to Mobile. Ile was mustered out of service at San Antonia, Tex., in February, 1866.
Upon returning home our subject took hold of the home farm as his father had died during his absence. This he has continued to operate ever since, and raises grain and stock of all kinds. lle was married in April, 1867, to Henrietta Lahring, who was born in this township. There are six children in this family, namely : Josephine, Harriet, Elizabeth, Mabel, William and Flossie. Our sub- ject is a Democrat politically, and has been a Highway Commissioner for many years. He is identified with MePherson Post, No. 149, at Holly, and belongs to the Patrons of Industry. Two hundred of his three hundred and eighty acres are cleared and in a fine state of cultivation.
W ALLACE W. TRUMBULL owns and oc- cupies a well-improved farm on section 21, Troy Township. It consists of fifty- seven acres of fertile land, which is carefully and handled, and through the exercise of good judg- mede is made to produce abundantly year by year. The buildings upon the place are sufficiently large and numerous to shelter crops and stock, and
afford comfortable and pleasant quarters for the family. Mr. Trumbull is still a comparatively young man, having been born May 27, 1850, and his birthplace was in Wayne County, four miles from Detroit. In the paternal line he comes of the old Green Mountain stock, while from his mother he inherits the prominent characteristics of the German nationality.
Squire Trumbull, father of Wallace W., was born in Vermont in 1807, obtained a practical edu- cation in the common schools and adopted the occupation of farming. He came to Detroit in 1832, and afterward located on a farm in Wayne County, whence he came to this county in 1858. lle made his home in Avon Township for a time, then returned to Wayne County, and two years later came again to Oakland and spent the rest of life where his son, our subject, is now living. He died here in 1879. Ile was Justice of the Peace in Wayne County twelve years and held several other offices, among them Constable and Deputy Sheriff. lle was well known and was a prominent figure in local circles. He made quite a study of the Bible and was well versed in the Scriptures. Hle was married in Detroit to Hannah Crouse, who was born and reared in Germany, and who died in the City of the Straits in 1857. They had two daughters and five sous.
When he was about eight years old Wallace Trumbull first came to this county. Ilis schooling was obtained in the two counties in which his boyhood was spent, and during his youth he learned how to carry on a farm and plan for agri- cultural work. Ile remained with his father until he was twenty years old, and then began working by the month as a farm hand. A few years later he was married and located in Greenfield Town- ship, Wayne County. There be remained until 1874, when he changed his place of residence to that which is now his home. Politically he is a Democrat and has not missed a vote since he first exercised the right of suffrage and cast a ballot for Horace Greeley. He is not a member of any re- ligious organization, but is well read in the Bible. An industrious, law-abiding man, he has the re- spect of his associates.
November 4, 1873, Mr. Trumbull was married
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to Miss Elizabeth Kaiser. This lady, who is the third child of Samuel and Mary Kaiser, was born in Germany, November 29, 1852, and was an in- fant of sixteen months when brought across the Atlantic. She is one of a large family, her parents having fifteen children. They are now living in Wayne County. Mr. and Mrs. Trumbull have two sons -- Squire Fred, who was born December 5, 1874, and Wallace, December 19, 1877.
ILLIAM F. BINGIIAM, of Ortonville, a public-spirited citizen and one who is ac- tively interested in the welfare of his town, was born in St. Johns, Canada, October 27, 1828. Ilis father, Nathaniel D., of Vermont, was born in 1802. His grandfather was Judge Solo- mon Bingham, of Vermont, who emigrated to Can- ada and was appointed District Judge under George IV., of England. He served in this capac- ity until his death, which occurred in 1835. The Bingham family in America sprang from two brothers, who came from England in the Colonial days. One settled in Connecticut and one in Ver- mont.
Amanda Green, who became the wife of Na- thaniel D. Bingham, was born in St. Albans, Vt., in 1804. She was of English descent and closely re- lated to Gen. Nathaniel Green. After their mar- riage in Vermont this couple removed to St. Johns, Canada, and Mr. Bingham became a Bai- liff under his father, the Judge. He served in this capacity for several years and then, in 1830, removed to Onondaga County, N. Y., near Syra- cuse, where he undertook the management of a farm. In 1837 he removed to Oakland County, this State, making the trip by the way of the lake to Detroit in the "Mayflower." He located in Brandon Township, on Government land. He was one of the very earliest settlers and took part in the organization of the township. In coming from Detroit he followed the old Territorial turnpike to Springfieldl and then cut his way through the woods. An Indian camping ground containing
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