Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 45

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 45

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ILLIAM A. WEATHERHEAD. Much as one may regret the shortening of the

happy days of boyhood by the necessity of assuming cares and responsibilities beyond their years, it is nevertheless true that such a state of affairs often develops a stronger character than would otherwise be the case. This truth is exem- plified in the life of the late Capt. Weatherhead, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page. Ile was left fatherless when about eight years old, and ere long shouldered a burden which is not generally assumed by one so young, and as he grew toward manhood he took the lead in improving and man- aging the farm and aiding his mother in the care

of her family. His self reliance was developed and his mind disciplined so that in after life he held a prominent place as a man of business affairs, a brave soldier and gallant officer, and an influential citizen. For a score of years he resided in South Lyon or the vicinity, and as the owner and opera- tor of a merchant and custom mill his name became familiar throughout this section, and his character brought him many friends.

Mr. Weatherhead was the first white male child born in Cambridge Township, Lenawee County, where he opened his eyes to the light, July 14, 1834. He was the eldest son in a family of six children, and his parents were Anthony and Lydia (Smith) Weatherhead. The father was born in En- gland, and met the lady who became his wife, on shipboard, when emigrating to America. He came direct to Lenawee County and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on which he spent a number of years, passing through the struggles and experi- ences which belong to all pioneer history. After his death his son William gave his toil and care to others, and after becoming of age started out to find a place for himself. He found employment in a flouring-mill and after having learned the busi- ness located in Tecumseh and ran a gristmill there several years. There he was married to Justina Deuel, who bravely shared his joys and sorrows, and endured the anxiety consequent upon his ab- sence in scenes of danger during the Civil War. The marriage took place in the spring of 1861, about a month before the firing upon Ft. Sumter.

For a time Mr. Weatherhead remained at home on account of home duties, but when a further call for troops was made, in 1862, he felt that he must sacrifice other interests for the sake of his country. Already one brother was in the South, fighting for the old flag, and he enlisted July 27. Ilis earnest work in enrolling others was rewarded by the com- mission of First Lieutenant of Company E, Eight- eenth Michigan Infantry, and in August the regi- ment was mustered into service. It was sent to Lexington, Ky., and remained there until Feb- ruary, 1863, during which month our subject was promoted to the captaincy of Company D, of the same regiment. The regiment was sent to Decatur, Ala., after having done service about Nashville,

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and was employed in seonting over The aljacent country.

While on an expedition Capt. Wedlemed mol his men were captured ont imp: mmbtu tro months. The exposure toel ped Alen of that per iod probably laid the formoj ling medle diese which resulted in the death of the Coplamn. soknneh his demise did not take place for samecions. When the garrison at Athens sifir wierp leit " > ju- lated that they should le peuold. soloy soloppy mistake the names of Capt. Weothers it chol bis companions were sent in with those alongepson. They were therefore paroled November 1 !. 1881. and resumed their plares among their commelds. A few months later the war was brought to a class, and in June, 1865, Capt. Weatherhead was umst.real out and honorably discharged.

Restored to home and friends, Capt. Weather- head looked around for a location for business omni within a year was established at Groen Oak. where he carried on a mill some years. He tlien removal to South Lyon and put up the firstgristmill in tin town. Ile there became known as a wide-awide business man, straightforward in his doitings, amit publie-spirited and enterprising. realy to push fre- ward any project that promise I to be for the gop- eral welfare. Ile was interested in schools and churches, and in his Inter years carried out the prin - ciple that had animated his youth that of Dying not for himself alone, but for others. He died of consumption, April 24, 1889, and his funeral was conducted by Stansel Post, G. A. R., of which he was a member. It was attended by :- farge a num- ber as ever gathered on a similar ocension in the village, and the text from which the officiating minister spoke, was the appropriate passage. "For none of us liveth to himself an I no man dieth to himself."

Capt. Weatherhead was an uncompromising Re- publiean, always laboring for the good of the party. Ile did more than any one individual in -ecuring the right of way and giving other encouragement to the railroad in this place. He gavethe right of way through bis mill property to the Grand Trunk Railroad. At all times he was found in the front rank to encourage any project for the general good of the community, giving to all such both his time

and substantial aid. Hle was not of those who "hide their light under a bushel." and in the selfish striving no gain forget their duty to others, but wasover kin l and thoughtful in his relations to all about him, and no one was readier to extend sym- pathy to hogy in distress then he.

Mrs. Wertherhead was born in Dutchess County, N. Y .. Jannary 31. 1810, and is a daughter of Timothy and Harriet A. (Boardman ) Deuel, who nile frina Dutchess County, N. Y., to Lenawee County this Stad, about 1842. One of her broth- ers was killed at the battle of the Wilderness and the other e row living in Technisch. Her happy ugien with our subjeet was blessed by the birth of four daughters and two sons, all living except Julia ESMU, what diel November 21, 1889; Lilly A., theselffest. is he wife of Maurice Bristol, of Grand Rajil -. og ha- one child; Charles L. lives in South Lyon Bloin M. is at work in a printing oflive in Materie: Audella and Edith are with their mother. Mis. Weatherhead ocenpies a beautiful home which was built by her husband in 1882. She mid her daughters move in the best society, and the young ladies are very agreeable, intelligent and refinel.

ARWIN B. HORTON, the proprietor of the Horton hotel at Davisburg, and the father of a notable family, was born in Wayne County, N. Y., in the town of Pal- myra in 1826. IT's father was Caleb, a native of Orange County. N. Y., and his grandfather, Barna- bas, was a farmer and a native of England, from which he emigrated and became a pioneer of Wayne County, N. Y., before the Erie Canal was built. IIe lived to an extreme old age.

The father of our subject journeyed from Wayne County. N. Y., where he had lived from early boyhood, to Michigan in 1835. Ile came in the good old way by canal boat to Buffalo, by lake boat to Detroit, and then taking team to the new home. He bought one hundred and sixty aeres in Waterford where there were already some slight improvements and a log house. He had come out in the fall of 1834 prospecting and then returned

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and on June 3, of the following year arrived at Waterford Township, with his wife and eight chil- dren. lle died May 11, 1859, aged sixty-four years, and his faithful wife survived him until Sep- tember 3, 1865, having completed her span of three-score years and ten. Nine children had been born to her. Caleb Horton was considered as one of the old landmarks of Oakland County, having served as Justice of the Peace for many years. Ilis wife's maiden name was Jane Van Blaraeum.

Darwin B. Horton made his journey West when in his ninth year and cherishes vivid recollections of the journey. A log schoolhouse was soon built near his father's farm in Waterford and here the boy attended school. The rate bill system was then in use. The schoolhouse had slab benches with pin legs and a writing desk fastened to the wall around the room. When he was nineteen years old he returned to Palmyra, N. Y., for a year's schooling.

Our subject began life for himself at marriage, January 25, 1850. His bride was Sarah C. Springer, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y. in 1833. He bought eighty acres of land in this township. and farmed it for nine years. He then traded it for property in Davisburg, and began keeping hotel in 1859, which business he has pursued from that day to this. He occupied his original hotel prop- erty for ten years and then built the present four- story hotel which he has operated since 1869. Aside from his hotel property he owns twenty lots and three buildings in Davisburg, and keeps a hotel barn besides a horse and carriage for his own use. One of his five children has been called away from earth-Elmer E., who died when thirty-nine years old leaving a wife and six children, who lived in Detroit. He had been messenger for the American Express Company on the Michigan Central Rail- road between Detroit and Chicago for fifteen years, Cassie married Ilomer Ter Bush, who is the barber in Hodge's hotel in Pontiac; they have three chil- dren. Frank married Lena Linabury; he is Sup- erintendent of train dispatchers on the Rock Island Road at Davenport, Iowa. They have two chil- dren. Cora married John McCibin, and lives in Detroit; he has been in the drug store of T. J. Hinchman & Sons for twelve years as Superintend-

ent of the drug department. Myrta C. is still at home. Our subject has thirteen grandchildren of whom he is suitably proud and fond. His wife is an earnest and devoted member of the Methodist Church, as is also the daughter Myrta.

Mr. Horton is a Democrat in his political views, and socially he belongs to various orders, being a member of the Masonic order, Austin Lodge, No. 48, and also of the Chapter Lodge No. 44, at Pon- tiac. In the early days he was a good huntsman and shot quantities of game. Deer, bears and wolves crossed his farm. Ile helped to kill one bear in Waterford. There is only one settler here now who was here before he came.

RS. DUANE COGSDILE, a resident of Novi Township, bore the maiden name of Mary C. Tibbits. She is a daughter of George and Therina (Hyde) Tibbits, both natives of Wayne County, N. Y., where Mr. Tib- bits was born in 1802 and his wife in 1804. The maternal grandfather, Dr. Ilyde, of Hydesville, N. Y., was a very prominent and wealthy man of that region. The parents of Mrs. Cogsdill were mar- ried in that State in 1822, and after a two. year's residence there they came to Michigan in 1824 and made their home on one hundred and sixty acres of unbroken land in Farmington Township, having the patent to the tract signed by President James Monroe. After paying for his land he had enough money left to buy a yoke of oxen and a horse.

This pioneer couple worked hand in hand to clear their land and built their home and although Mrs. Ilyde had been reared in luxury by her father, she helped saw the shakes for the roof of the log house. She was a graduate of Brandon College and her husband was also a college graduate. Both bad taught school in the East and Mr. Tibbits taught the first school that was organized in Farmington Township under his own roof. He cleared up his farm and after awhile substituted a large frame house for a log shanty. Ile also built the first saw. mill, which is now known as the Delling mill in

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which he lost considerable property. Mr. Tibbits built the first large frame barn in 1830 that was built in Farmington Township at the raising of which he would not furnish whiskey. Some of the men stole away and got a jug of whiskey and hid it out unknown to Mr. Tibbits who heard nothing of it until sometime after. lle never sold a bushel of grain that was used for the purpose of making whiskey or other intoxicating drinks. So strong were his temperance views that he did all in his power to prevent the manufacturing and sale of all intoxicating beverages.

Mr. Tibbits died in the year 1856 and his wife afterward married the Rev. Nehemiah Lamb, and both are now deceased. There were born eleven children to Mrs. (Hyde) Tibbits by her first mar- riage, eight of whom are now living and all reached years of maturity and are married. The surviving are named : Mrs. Volney Babcock, Mrs. Dr. Hunt- ington, Mrs. Jasper Packard, Mrs. Cogsdill, Mrs. Linda Tuttle, Mrs. Col. George Halloway, George Tibbits and A. J. Tibbits. The parents of this family were stanch members of the Baptist Church and the father was Superintendent of the Sunday- school for a number of years. He also organized a Sunday-school in his home district of which he was the Superintendent. Ilis children have taken an active part in Sunday-school work. Ile was a Whig and later a Republican, and for awhile School Inspector. He was strictly temperate in every par- ticular.

Mrs. Cogsdill was born March 23, 1834, on the old homestead. She attended the Michigan Cen- tral College and also Hillsdale College. She after- ward taught eight terms of school in this county. Her marriage with Duane Cogsdill took place in 1853. This gentleman was a son of Clarke Cogs- dill, a native of Wayne County, N. Y., where he was born in 1807. Ilis wife, Sophia Cornell, was born in the same county in 1814. There they were married and resided until they came to Michigan in 1826, when they settled on section 12, Farming- ton Township, where they made a home and reared their family. He died in 1860 and she passed away in 1880. Of their five children one only now sur- vives. Mr. Cogsdill was a man of wealth and much respected in his community, serving for years as a

Justice of the Peace and being at one time highly favored as a candidate for the Legislature.

Mr. Duane Cogsdill was born August 8, 1832, on the old homestead. After taking what educa- tion he could in the district schools he attended college for one year in New York State. After marriage the young couple settled on eighty acres of improved land in Farmington Township. After a residence there of eight years they sold their property and removed to Detroit where he kept the Franklin House, the first temperance hotel in that city. This house they carried on for ten years and then removed to Novi Township and bought the farm of eighty acres and a small house. Ile added to the farm, making it ninety seven acres and built the residence where his widow now resides at a cost of $2.000. Ilis death occurred March 29, 1891.

One child only was sent to this worthy conple, A. V. L. Cogsdill who now resides in Cooper Town- ship, Woodbury County, Iowa. He married Clara Ilowe and by her has had five children. Mr. and Mrs. Cogsdill were both members of the Grange in which he was an officer and where he took an active part. She was Chaplain in this organization for four years. Ile was & Director in the school dis- triet. In his early days he was a Democrat and later a Prohibitionist. They were both Good Templars and charter members of that lodge at both Farmington and Novi Township. Mrs. Cogs- dill has two sisters, Mrs. Babcock and Mrs. Dr. Huntington who are twins, and who were among the first white children to be born in Farmington Township, where they first saw the light in 1824.

E DWIN P. FLOWER. In traveling over this county one sees many finely-improved farms, the appearance of which betokens more than ordinary energy and good judgment on the part of those who own and operate them. In tracing the history of the fortunate possessors of such lands we find many an one that is worthy of consideration and affords lessons of industry, fru- gality and uprightness, deserving the emulation of

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others. There are features in the career of the gentleman above named that stamp him as one deserving of representation in such a volume as this and his friends will be pleased to read an ac- count of his life. Ile owns a landed estate of goodly size and occupies a beautiful home on section 1, llighland Township.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Flower was born in Vermont and removed to New York in an early day. There his first wife died and he was killed in an accident, while raising a barn on his own property. He had married a second wife and she in later years contracted a second marriage and came to Macomb County, this State, where she breathed her last. The first marriage of Grand- father Flower was blest by the birth of a son, Alan- son, father of our subject; and the second by the birth of two sons and one daughter. Alanson Flower was born in Warsaw, Geneva County, N. Y., April 22, 1810, and when a young man came to Macomb County, this State. He bought two hun- dred acres of Government land in Lennox Town- ship and there spent the remainder of his life. He was engaged in farming from his youth, but also followed the profession of teaching for many years. Ile was mainly self-educated and had gained his knowledge by reading by the light of an open fire. He was the first School Inspector elected in Lennox Township. He was a Republican from the organization of the party, and he and his wife he. longed to the Baptist Church.

Alanson Flower was married in New York to Angeline Collins, a native of Massachusetts, and to them there came two sons and two daughters- Lydia, Norman L., Edwin P. and Mary A. The first two are deceased; Mary is the wife of James Mitchell and lives in Shiawassee County, near New Lothrop. When the parents of our subject came to Michigan they found their way to the new loca- tion by following blazed trees, that heing the mark made by the Government to indicate the road to the township. Mr. Flower had visited Michigan a year or so prior and selected his land. For many years their nearest neighbors were Indians and they went to church with an ox-team for eighteen years. They endured all the hardships of pioneer life, but by their courage and cheerfulness brightened the

gloomy days for themselves and others. Mr. Flower was always a student and an omniverous reader of all that came in his way. Mrs. Flower was a faithful worker in protracted meetings and through her influence in the public gatherings and in private life she brought many souls to Christ. She was loved by all who knew her. She died in February, 1889, in Highland Township, while liv- ing with her son, Edwin: she was then seventy eight years old. Mr. Flower died on the farm in Macomb County in 1876.

The subject of this biographical sketch was born October 4, 1842, in Macomb County, and lived on the homestead there until he was twenty-five years of age. He then married and for three years rented a farm on-shares. The fourth year he paid cash for the rental and then, having saved $2,000, he came to llighland Township, this county, and bought ninety acres. He made a cash payment of the amount he had saved, and gave a mortgage for $2,500. Before he had the land paid for he bar- gained for thirty acres more, and as soon as he was clear of debt bought an additional fifty-seven acres, incurring another indebtedness of $2,800. When this was nearly paid up he bought twenty-three aeres and he now has two hundred acres, which fine traet is a monument to his good management and thrift. The residence he occupies was built in 1884, and a large and substantial barn was put up in 1880. Mr. Flower earries on general farm- ing and breeds sheep and horses, the latter being mostly of the Percheron stock and the sheep Hamp- shires.

Mr. Flower was married in his native county to Betsey E., daughter of Ezra and Margaret Bates, who came to the State from New York at quite an early period in its settlement and established their home in Chesterfield Township, Macomb County. Both belonged to the Free-Will Baptist Church and their home was an hotel for ministers, who were always cordially welcomed under its roof. Mr. Bases was engaged in farming during his entire active life. He cast a Republican ballot. He died in 1872 and his wife in 1885. When they came to this State they were accompanied by their respeet- ive grandmothers and the aged ladies spent the remnant of their days here. The family of Mr. and

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Mrs. Bates comprised four sons and four daugh- ters. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Flower has been a childless one.

Since 1883 Mr. Flower has been identified with the Prohibition party, but prior to that time he was a Republican. He has never aspired to office, but has preferred to lead the life of an independent farmer, and to discharge the duties which belong to every citizen, in a quiet manner. He and his wife belong to the Presbyterian Church and he has been one of the Trustees of the society with which he is connected for more than fourteen years in sue- cession. Ile was converted at the age of sixteen years, joining the Baptist Church, but when he came to Highland Township he united with the Presbyterians. Mrs. Flower. who was also con. verted carly in life, was also a Baptist until their removal hither.

OSEPH V. HAGADORN. of Highland Township, is a son of John L., whose father John Hagadorn, was a native of Holland. He came to Rensselaer County, N. Y., in an early day and there reared his family. In that county the father of our subject was born, and when a young man he went to Steuben County, where he was married and resided until he came to Michigan in 1834. His wife was Dorcas, a dangh- ter of James Brown. To them were born eight children : William, Stephen, George, John, Joseph, (our subject), Charles, Esther, and Hannah. These children were all born in Polka Township, Steuben County.

When John L. Hagadorn came to Michigan he settled in Green Oak two miles northwest of South Lyon in Livingston County. Ilere he lived and died, being sixty-five years of age at the time of his decease. Ilis wife remained on the farm until her death which occurred at the age of seventy-two years. Mr. Hagadorn took eighty acres from the Government. upon which he put in the genuine hard work of a pioneer farmer. Ile was a poor man when he came to Michigan and by hard work he obtained a comfortable property. He was a Democrat in polities and he and his good wife were

efficient and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, There was no schoolhouse in Green Oak when Mr. Hagadorn came to the town- ship.

Joseph V. Hagadorn was born January 6, 1827, in Steuben County, N. Y., and was seven years old when his parents brought him to Michigan. He remembers vividly the days when Indians and wild animals abounded and looks back with pleasure to his boyish enjoyment of venison and bear steaks. lle was once chased by wolves while he was taking care of his father's sheep. Ile and his brother eanght a fawn which they kept as a pet for some time. When sixteen years old he went to work by the month on a farm. He not only supported himself but helped his father. The first pair of boots he ever had he earned himself. His mother was very energetie and industrions and she used to card and spin wool and make woolen and linen goods from which she made clothes for the family. She sold considerable linen thread of her own man- ufacture to merchants at Kensington. She was a small woman but a great worker.

When our subject was of age he left home. Pre- vious to that time he had worked out by the month near home, except during two years, when he rented a farm of David Picket in Milford Township. In 1848 he was married in Milford Township to Caro- line, daughter of Philip and Hulda ( Inman) John- son, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this book. The young couple moved to Lyon Town- ship and made their home on the farm now owned by Henry Smith, one hundred acres of which the young man had purchased. But their wedded happiness was of short duration for after six months the young wife died. The new farm was now no longer attractive to the bereaved husband and he sold it and removed to a farm of eighty acres in Green Oak Township. Here he lived for thirteen years after which he sold it and bought one hun- dred and sixty acres in another part of the town- ship. In 1866 he came to Highland Township where he still makes his home. Ilis first farm in this township consisted of one hundred and twenty acres, and he now owes a small farm near Highland Station where he resides.

Ilis second marriage united him with Almira

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Loomis, with whom he lived for fourteen years, when she died leaving five children, of whom only one survives. Ilis third wife, Sarah Reed, was the mother of three daughters, who are all now living. His fourth wife was Sabrina, daughter of Alonzo Lockwood, a resident of Highland Township. Her two children are Maudie and Elsie. The son of the second marriage is Charles II. by name and the children of the third marriage are: Cora, Emma and Edith. Mr. Hagadorn is a Republican in his political sympathies and is a conscientious voter but never aspired to office. His church connection is with the Free Will Baptist Church. Besides his small farm he has abundant means, the interest on which gives him an ample ineone.

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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 45

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

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