Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 43

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

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 43

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The father of our subjeet was married in his twenty-fourth year and then established his home on land that his father had opened up for cultiva- tion. Ile is still living on the property, which consists of one hundred and ninety acres, where on are good buildings and suitable equipments for his work. Ile has generally kept a good flock of sheep

and at present has registered Merinoes. He was formerly a Democrat but is now a stanch member of the Prohibition party. Besides our subject, his children are Emma A., wife of George Hleath, re- siding in Pomona, C'al. ; Ellen L., wife of the Hon. William E. Carpenter, member of the present legis- lature; Esther, who is with her parents; Evangeline, living in Ft. Wayne and State Agent for the Che- tauqua book concern; Nathan B., a physician, in Pontiac, and Hiram C., teller in the Pontiac Na- tional Bank.

Ilomer H. Colvin spent his youth on a farm and attended the common school in the neighborhood. When twenty years old he became a student in the Pontiae High School, where he continued the pur- suit of knowledge two years, after which he taught in the county three years. He then embarked in mercantile pursuits in company with Newton B. Babcock, carrying on a general store under the style of Babcock & Colvin. The connection was in force eighteen months, when Mr. Colvin sold out his interests and went to Reed City, where for six montlis he was engaged in botel keeping. The fol- lowing winter he again taught school and in the meantime he read law more or less. In the spring he entered the office of Robbins & Davis in Pon- tiae, and after eighteen month's reading there was admitted to the bar. IIe did not begin practice until after he had taken a course of study in the law department of the University of Michigan and graduated with the degree of L. L. B. in 1879.

Returning to Pontiac Mr. Colvin then opened a law office, associating himself with the Hon. C. E. Herrington and the firm of Colvin & Herrington was in foree eighteen months. The partnership was then dissolved and Mr. Colvin entered into one with Mr. Robbins, with whom he had formerly studied. Since November, 1881, he has been alone in practice, Mr. Colvin was elected Mayor of Pontiac in 1883 and re-elected in 1884, and in 1886 was elected City Attorney filling the office during a period of two years.

December 7, 1880, Mr. Colvin was married to Miss Emma E. Sibley, the ceremony taking place in Chicago, Ill. The bride was born in this county and is a daughter of Freeman F. and Mary (Stone) Sibley, who came from New York to this State a

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number of years ago. Mrs. Colvin is intelligent, refined, and has an estimable character. They have two daughters: Maud and Ruth, who are being carefully reared and well educated. Mr. and Mrs. Colvin belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church and move in the best eireles of Pontiac society. Mr. Colvin belongs to Oakland County Lodge, No. 183, I. O. O. F. Ile is a Democrat and during sev- eral campaigns has stumped the county for his ehosen candidates. Ile has been a delegate to county, State and congressional conventions, and on several occasions has been a member of the con- gressional committee. lle has a sound knowledge of law, is fluent and apt in speech, and his reputa- tion is increasing from year to year.

OHIN GREACEN. Four decades have passed since Mr. Greacen located on section 23, Milford Township. Ile has added to his original acreage here, eleared much of the land he now possesses, and put on every building which meets the eye of the visitor. Ilis estate con- sists of one hundred and sixty-six aeres, all but twenty under the plow, and thoroughly equipped with modern machinery and stocked with domestic animals of good grade. Mr. Greaeen had $200 in money when he emigrated from the land of his birth and all the wealth he has gained has resulted from hard work and wise economy. Ilis affairs are now on a substantial basis and he has given his family good school privileges and surrounded them with many comforts.

In County Armagh, Ireland, James Greacen, the father of our subject was born. Ile married Kitty Jolinson, an Irish lady, and they reared a family of seven children, four of whom are now living. They spent their lives in the land of their birth, living upon a farm where their son John was born in 1817. This son grew to maturity in his native land and from an early period in his life was en- gaged in agricultural work. His school privileges were limited, but he made up for the lack of instruc- tion by natural quickness and ability to grasp the practical things of life. He was married in 1839

to Eliza Sinclair, a native of County Armagh, who shared his fortunes almost half a century. She died in 1888, at the age of sixty-nine years.

In 1847 the Greacens crossed the Atlantic and landed at Quebec, Canada. They spent two months there, then came to Milford, which was their home two years. They next spent seven years in Wayne County, then sold their property there, returned to Milford and settled on section 23. Mr. Greacen bought one hundred and twenty-five aeres on which some slight improvements had been made and continued the work that had been begun, add- ing to his farm as soon as practicable. He still busies himself with some of the lighter labors that belong to domestic life on a farm, but does not take an active part in the actual farm work. He has always voted a Republican ticket and is an un- failing attendant at the polls. Ile has acted as Pathmaster and materially advanced the interests of the traveling publie in this vicinity. IIe is a member of the Presbyterian Church in Milford and is respected for the strength of his character and the industry he has shown in worldly affairs.

The children of Mr. Greaeen are five in number and all are married. The first-born, and only son, is James, a pension agent in Kalkaska, Mich. The other children are Matilda, wife of Charles Stew- art; Mary Eliza, who married Ed Dreakes; Mar- garet Anna, at home, and Agnes, wife of John Howie. Some time after the decease of the lady who had been his companion for many years Mr. Greaeen was married to Mrs. Mary Hawthorn, who died in February, 1891.

ELVILLE H. MOREHOUS, a grain and produce dealer of Clyde, is a son of Lor- enzo D., whose father John was a native of Vermont. John went to Canada in his early days, and there reared a family of eight chil- dren, four sons and four daughters. He came to Michigan in 1837 settling in Troy Township, Oak- land County. Later he moved to Shiawassee County and then to Illinois, where he lived about three years, after which he spent seven years in

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Iowa, and finally returned to Southfield Township, this county, where he ended his days in 1863. Ilis wife survived until 1880. She was Mary Hull, a native of Vermont. Hle fought at Lundy's Lane in the War of 1812.

Lorenzo D. Morehous was born February 10, 1826, in Westminister, near London, Canada. At the age of eleven years he came to Michigan with his parents and from that time supported himself by working on a farm. When sixteen years old he learned the blacksmith's trade and followed it for a number of years, but the latter part of his life was spent upon a farm. He was married in Canada to HIarriet Odell, a daughter of William Odell a native of Canada. Mrs. Odell was born in Ver- mont and she became the mother of five sous and seven daughters.

Mr. and Mrs. Morehous had but one child, our subject. His parents went to Detroit where his father worked for a year at his trade, after which he carried on the same work in Troy Township, Oakland County, until 1852 when he went to Cali- fornia. He earned there about $275 a month in blacksmithing, and often received $20 for shoeing a span of horses. After spending two years in California he returned to Oakland County where he lived for eleven years.

In 1862 Lorenzo D. Morehous enlisted in a regi- ment of Michigan Engineers and Mechanics and served in this capacity for about five months. 1Ie was stationed at Kingston, Tenn., most of the time. Ile returned to Southfield to his farm and in 1868 moved to White Lake where he lived for fourteen years, and then went to Highland Township where he spent the rest of his life. He died April 19, 1882. His wife survived until 1886. He possessed one hundred and twenty-two aeres of land. Both he and his wife were identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In polities he was a sturdy Democrat, and was Supervisor of White Lake for two years.

The subject of this sketch was born October 25, 1849, in Detroit. Ile remained at home until his marriage which occurred in Highland Township, September 24, 1874. His bride was Ada, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Jessie (Newton) Robertson, of Clarkston. The mother was a native of the West

India Islands and the father a Scotchman, The following children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Morehous: Edith, Claude and Charles. At the death of his father Mr. Morehous fell heir to one hundred and twenty two acres of land which he farmed until 1889, and then sold out and came to Clyde where in the spring of 1890, he engaged gaged in the grain and produce business. Most of his property is in money, but he owns the grain elevator which he operates. He is a Master Mason, a member of the Holly Lodge, No. 129. He is also an Independent Odd Fellow, a member of Clyde Lodge No. 249. He is a Democrat and has been all his life and was made Supervisor of the township for two years.

TIS F. KNOWLES, a prominent dentist in Oxford, is a native of this county, having been born in Orion, December 17, 1852, the son of Jesse and Martha M. (Thompson) Knowles, natives of New York and Michigan respectively. Jesse Knowles came to Michigan in 18-18 where he operated a farm. Here he met and married Martha M. Thompson, whose family was among the early settlers of this section of the country. He died April 6, 1881. Six children were granted to him and his good wife.

Young Otis remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-four years of age, pursuing his studies and assisting his father in the duties of the farm. He studied dentistry first with Dr. J. A. Harris, of Pontiac, then with a brother, and sub- sequently in the dental department of Ann Arbor. In the spring of that year he located in Oxford where he has continued ever since. His office is remarkably well equipped and has all the modern improvements in dental work to be found in the best offices in metropolitan cities.

The marriage of our subject took place Deeem- ber 22, 1880. Ile was then united for life with Kate Daley, a native of Elmira, N. Y. Ile is a member of the Knights of Pythias in which he fills the position of Master of Exchequer and is a mem- ber also of the Knights of the Maccabees in which

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he is Record-keeper. He is ever interested in mat- ters of public interest and is wide-awake to the progress of the town. His political convictions are expressed in the platform of the Republican party and he casts his vote for its candidates.

R ICHARD F. BRIDGEMAN, proprietor of a livery and sale stable in Milford, was born in Lyon Township, this county, November 3, 1847. llis grandfather, Ira Bridgeman, was a lumber manufacturer in New York. and Jater one of the earliest settlers near Three Rivers. St. Joseph County, this State, where he died. The father of our subject, Truman T. Bridgeman. was born in Allegany County, N. Y., farmed there and later in Three Rivers, this State. Soon after his marriage he came to this county and operated one hundred and sixty acres in Lyon Township until 1870. He then sold it and bought two hundred acres in Milford Township, which he operated until he retired to Milford, where he died in 1887. at the age of seventy-two years. The mother of our sub. ject was Sarah (Town) Bridgeman, who was born in New York, and whose father, Alford Town, was a native of Vermont, and after some years spent in New York eame to this county and died here. He was a soklier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Bridge- man died in 1856. Three of her children grew to maturity.

Our subject was reared on the farm and enjoyed common-school privileges. When sixteen years old be began for himself at trading, and drifting to Flint became a delivery clerk. Ile arose in station to a clerkship, and remained in that vicinity until 1874, when he started in the grocery business in Milford. Hle began with a small stock of goods and has been the most successful dealer here. Seven years after opening the business he started a meat market in connection. The two story double brick store in which he carried on the business for a number of years was built in 1878 and 1880.

In October, 1890, Mr. Bridgeman started in the livery business, and in April, 1891, disposed of the grocery and meat market and turned his entire at-

tention to his latter enterprise. His stable is well equipped and carefully managed. Mr. Bridgeman has always paid close attention to his business affairs, and it was his rule when he had a customer to treat him so well that he would come again. In his dealings he was not only courteous and cordial but strictly honest, and he made a success. He has one hundred and fifty acres of well-improved land on the lluron River, adjacent to and within the cor- poration. It is supplied with ample accommoda- tions for its occupants and the stock and crops they raise.

Mr. Bridgeman was always fond of horses and usually had the colts well broken before his father had occasion to use them. When ten years of age he was kicked on the right knee but said little about the blow, and the injury was therefore not properly attended to. When he took cold he would have a stiff knee joint, and when eleven years had passed he suffered from a breaking out above the knee and sought medical aid. He found that he had necrosis of the bone. The wound got better and finally healed up. but about five years later broke out on the opposite side and no effort would heal it. Ile was told that it would be necessary to amputate the limb, but he fought against it as long as possible. He was finally compelled to submit, and in 1887 the member was removed by Dr. Rob- ert Johnston. Mr. Bridgeman had suffered for years and was at that time in so weak a condition that it was thought he would hardly survive the operation. A naturally strong constitution and an earnest determination to live, added force to the careful watching of the physician and brought him through. Ile now wears an artificial limb by means of which he gets around very well.

In Milford, May 25, 1874, Mr. Bridgeman was married to Mary A. Soulby, daughter of C. B. Soulby. The reader is referred to the sketch of ber brother. C. W. Soulby. for further faets regarding her parents. She was born in Milford, has a good education and fine character. She has an adopted child, Fred E. Mr. Bridgeman has been Village Treasurer two terms, and has been Township Treas- urer two years. In politics he is a Republican. Although he is well supplied with worldly goods he is too ambitious and energetie in nature to be

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W = HARRIS.

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idle, and so continues to carry on business. Hle expends much of his energy for the good of others, particularly in lines of work connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a prominent member. He is now Trustee and has been Class-Leader and Steward.

ILLIAM HARRIS. To a poor boy the life history of this aged man would afford comfort and encouragement, as it is that of one who began life without the aid of fortune or fame, and who has steadily pursued a course that has brought him worldly prosperity and an hon- orable name. On the opposite page appears the portrait of Mr. Harris, who has for a number of years been located on farm lands in West Bloom- field Township, and now owns two hundred acres on section 23, the greater part of which is in a high state of cultivation. There are one hundred and seventy-cight acres of cleared land and a full line of good buildings. Although he is now eighty-one years old Mr. Harris is quite active and still manages his agricultural affairs and looks after his business interests. Prior to taking pos- session of this estate he was engaged in the rail- road business and had an experience of about a quarter of a century in that line. Few, if any, railroad men in the State can claim a longer ex- perience, or have a better record for faithful and efficient service.

Mr. Harris was born in Cumberlandshire, Eng- land, September 16, 1810, and is the first-born in the family of John and Hannah (Elliott) Harris, natives of the Mother Country. The other mem- bers of the parental family were IIannah, Rebecca, Mary and James, and all are living except the first mentioned. The mother died in her native land in 1817, and the father crossed the Atlantic in 1826 and settled in Dutchess County, N. Y. He lived there several years, but his death took place in New York City. He was a mechanic and machinist.

The son of whom we write was reared to the age of seventeen years in his native land, and

there acquired some knowledge of the machinist's trade. Ile came to America about two years after his father had crossed, and finished his trade in a machine shop at Matteawan, on the Hudson River, sixty miles above New York City. In 1833 he came to Detroit and began working for the foun- dry firm of Dore, Jones & Williams, by whom he was employed three years. He then entered the service of the Michigan Central Railroad Com- pany as foreman of the shops at Detroit, and held that position about eleven years. Next going to Chicago, he took a position as locomotive en- gineer, and then became foreman of the shops of the old Rockford & Galena Railroad.

After eight years spent as a Master Mechanic for that road Mr. Harris returned to Detroit and assumed a similar position for the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad, but three years later abandoned railroad work and removed to the farm which he had owned since June 13, 1833. When he had bought the land it was in a wild state, without an acre cleared, and there were but few settlers in the neighborhood. Hard work and un- flagging perseverance conquered the obstacles in the way, and wise economy enabled Mr. Harris to carry on his work to advantage and place around him the comforts he desired. This was not accom- plished at one bound, but gradually the object for which he labored was reached.

The anxieties, plans and cares of Mr. Harris were shared by a faithful wife, who rejoices with him in their present prosperity as she has in every pleasure that has fallen to their lot. They became husband and wife July 19, 1831, prior to which date the bride was known as Miss Margaret Simp- son. At that time her home was in Matteawan, N. Y., but she was born in Ireland in October, 1804, and is a daughter of John and Margaret (Moore) Simpson, of the Emerald Isle. Mrs. Harris is still living and is almost eighty-seven years old. She and her husband and the various members of their family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have had nine children, named respectively: Margaret A. and Hannah J. (twins), Rebecca, Mary J., Hannah, William J., Barbara, Mary E. and Christiana ; four only are now living. Mr. Harris has never taken part in polit-

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ical wire-pulling, but is decided in his opinions re- garding party measures and the principles on which the organizations are founded. Ile is a Re- publican. Were one word to be used to charac- terize him, the word would be "sturdy."

OHN S. HOWELL. This aged man has been a factor in the material, intellectual and moral progress of Avon Township for a quarter of a century, and has been closely connected with the agricultural interests of this seetion of the Wolverine State. In 1865 he located on the land he still occupies. and joined other capable men in making Oakland County blossom like the rose and produce abundantly the golden grains that are so well adapted to the soil and climate. Mr. Howell has one hundred and thirty-six aeres of well-improved land, upon which are to be seen the various farm buildings that are made necessary by the extent of the work carried on, and a dwelling where creature comforts are supplemented by social and domestic enjoyments.

The first of the Howell family who found a home in America was one of three brothers who was pressed into the services of Capt. Kidd and was left by that notorious pirate on the New Jersey shore, near Amboy. The succeeding three genera- tions were born in that State, and two of them were represented by men named Levi. The senior of this name was the grandfather of our subject, and was a blacksmith by trade. Ilis family con- sisted of seven sons and three daughters. Levi, Jr., married Phebe Smith, and to them were born nine children, six of whom grew to maturity. bnt John S. is now the only survivor. Levi Howell, Jr., died July 26, 1850, aged seventy-five years. He was accustomed to say that he lived fourteen days as a subject of King George, he having been born that length of time prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Mrs. Phebe Ilow- ell breathed her last April 1, 1854, when in her seventy-fifth year.

The birthplace of John S. Howell was Warren

County, N. J., and his natal day July 6, 1817. Ile obtained as good an education as was possible at the time to those who could not attend the few colleges then in existence in the United States, and secured a thorough acquaintance with farm work. Ile was married February 8, 1849, to Anna Corwin, daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth( Biles) Corwin, of New Jersey. To him and his wife eight chil- dren came, all of whom are living except Eleanor, who died in her infancy. The other members of the family circle are: Marcus D. L., an hotel- keeper in Knox. Ind .; William B., whose home is in this county; Electa, wife of Franklin Parker, of Pontiac; Elizabeth, wife of Mervin Terrell, of Ogemaw County; Emma, wife of James Chipman. of this county; Alice L., who married Charles Moore, and lives near Knox, Stark County, Ind .; and Franklin, who is still with his parents.

Prior to the establishment of their home in this county Mr. and Mrs. Howell sojourned in Ohio for a few months. Mr. Howell is a Democrat, "dyed in the wool." Ile has been a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church for more than sixty years, and his wife has been connected with the same de- nomination for fifty years. Long years of useful- ness and well-doing have been passed by them and their labors have been rewarded by a competence sufficient to insure them against want and enable them to gratify all reasonable desires in the way of aiding others and making their surroundings com- fortable and attractive. They have always en- deavored to do their duty by their children and their fellow-men, and they are regarded with rev- erent affection by the one and deep esteem by the other.

G EORGE WELFARE, a wealthy farmer of Commerce Township, resides on seetion 36. He is a living illustration of the truth that American life on the frontier holds grand possibili- ties for the future to young men who are willing to work hard and make their way in life. As a poor boy he had nothing and he has made his fine for- tune by hard work, enterprise and integrity. His father was James Welfare, a native of Sussex, Eng-

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land, where he was born about forty miles east of London, and where be pursued the business of a farmer. He was married in England to Elizabeth Osborne, and continued to reside there until 1830, when he came to America and settled in East Bloomfield Township, Ontario County, N. Y. In 1833 they came to Michigan and made their home on section 34, Commerce Township, on the farm now owned by Jacob Moore.

This new home of Mr. and Mrs. Welfare was sheltered by an old log house, and their farm of eighty acres of wild land soon engaged their every energy, but before long they decided to exchange this farm for another on section 35, where they made their permanent home. With the help of his son James Mr. Welfare cleared up that farm and added a few acres to it. He bought a frame build- ing and moved it on the farm and converted it into a pleasant home. Near his home was an old Indian camping ground, and he had frequent visits from the Indians. After paying for his land and a cow, this pioneer had about $5 left in his pocket. Both he and the boys had to work out for the neighbors occasionally to earn the necessary money with which to buy provisions and clothing. Many a time were the boys followed by wolves when out looking for cattle. Nine children blessed this home, five of whom are now living, namely : Rebecca, Mrs. Mur- ray ; onr subject, John, Samuel, and Clarissa, Mrs. Foster. Their school advantages in the early home were very poor. In England the family was con- nected with the Established Church.

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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 43

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

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