Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 49

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 49

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AMES MORRISON, an old settler in Com- merce Township and a cousin of D. W. Morrison, whose biography appears in this volume is a man who stands high in the community for integrity and probity. llis father, James, was a native of County Derry, Ireland, where he was born in 1804. In his young days he was a weaver. He came to America in 1827 and

John M. Ellennão.

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took eighty acres of wild land from the Govern- ment near Walled Lake, Commerce Township. He did not remain here at that time but returned to New York City where he made his home until 1832. The mother of our subject was Dorcas Thompson, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, who came to America when quite young and set- tled in New York City. She was born in 1810. After their marriage in New York City they came directly to Michigan and built a log house on the land which Mr. Morrison had located at his first visit. Before long they sold this property and bought one hundred and sixty acres from the Gov- ernment, the deed to which, still in the posses- sion of our subjeet, is signed by Andrew Jackson. lle built a log house and began clearing the land. It was timbered openings. At different times he added twenty acres and forty acres more to his farm. Ile and his boys together cleared one hun- dred and sixty aeres of this land and placed upon it a barn, and the present house. He died in 1870 and his devoted wife followed him to the grave in 1874.

Mr. and Mrs. James Morrison Sr., were the par- ents of eleven children, nine of whom are living. Both parents were members of the United Presby- terian Church, in which and in the Sunday-school he was active and etlicient. IIe also took a lively interest in the local schools. He helped to organ- ize this township and was a Whig and later a Re- publican. James was born upon this farm March 26, 1844, and here he attended local district schools and grew to manhood, beginning work for himself upon attaining his majority.

Miss Susan M. Gamble became Mrs. James Mor- rison in 1875. She is a daughter of James and Mary (Sinclair) Gamble, both natives of Ireland, who came to Michigan in the early days and set- tled in Commerce Township. Mr. Gamble passed away in 1856 but his widow survived until 1891. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are now living. Their daughter Susan was born in Commerce Township. Mr. Morrison has placed many improvements upon the old homestead and has put it in a much better state of cultivation. He carries on general farming, dividing his atten- tion between grain and stock. Four of their five

children are still living: Joseph S., born October 7, 1876, a student of more than ordinary ability ; Elsie M., born March 6, 1878; Emma B., January 23, 1884; and James K., February 7, 1886.

Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are members of the Pres- byterian Church at Commerce, and they both take an active interest in Sunday-school work, Mrs. Morrison being a teacher in the same. He is the Moderator of the local school board and always takes an interest in local politics, being a Repub- lican. He is a temperate man in his habits, and in every respect is a model of true manliness and right living which might be emulated by the young.

OHN M. ELLENWOOD, a prominent and prosperous farmer on sections 7 and 12, West Bloomfield Township, was born in Am- herst, Hillsboro County, N. H., June 29,

1814. He is a son of John and Jane (Stanley ) El- lenwood, both natives of Hillsboro County, N. H., where they made their bome in their early married life. The father was a surveyor, and at the time that this son was born he was jailor at Amherst. In 1816 he removed his family to Ridgeway, Or- leans County, N. Y., and lived there until the sum- mer of 1825, when he came to Michigan and located the land where his son John now makes his home. He took it from the Government, and making his home there, settled down to spend the remainder of his days. Ile did considerable surveying in Oak- land County, and laid out nearly every road that was put through at that day. He was instrumental in having a Post- office established at Pine Lake, and was the first Postmaster to take that office in charge. Ile held this position for twenty-seven years, for which space of time he also officiated as Justice of the Peace. When he came to Michigan he had only about $300, but before his death he had gained a handsome property.

Both John Ellenwood and his good wife were de- vout Christians and honored citizens of their town- ship. This worthy gentleman was a member of the Territorial Legislature which framed the first eon- stitution of Michigan, and was also a member of

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the next session. Ile was a stanch and sturdy Democrat, but did not allow his political views to land him into partisan actions which were not cal- culated to improve the condition of his county. He was well educated, and had a rich fund of in- formation, having followed the profession of a teacher through many years of his early life. He married more couples than any other man in Oak- land County in his day. His father Eben, was a native of New Hampshire, and traced his ancestry to Ireland. The father of our subject passed away from earth May 9, 1856, having then almost com- pleted his four score ycars. His wife lingered un- til April 1, 1864, when she died at the age of eighty-three years. They were the parents of five children-Calvin, Eben, Jane, Ismenia and John.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and whose portrait is shown on another page, 18 now the only survivor of the parental household. He has lived on the same farm ever since he came with his parents to Michigan in 1825, when he was eleven years old. He bought the old homestead and took charge of his parents in their later years, caring for them faithfully and tenderly until their departure. He bought the old homestead and now owns one hundred and twenty acres on section 12, town of West Bloomfield, and section 7, township of Bloomfield. These two tracts of land adjoin each other and form a beautiful farm situated on the east side of Pine Lake. Altogether it is one of the most desirable locations in the county, and the land will sell any day for $100 per acre. In the early days he was a notable huntsman, and used to kill from forty to fifty deer every fall, and other wild game in abundauce.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah Middauglı, of Bloomfield Township, took place April 22, 1839. She was born in Chemung County, N. Y., May 8, 1817, and is a daughter of Samuel and Phila (Chatman) Middaugh, both natives of the Empire State, who came to Michigan in the spring of 1829, and took up Government land in Bloomfield Township. They lived on the farm row owned by John Greer, Sr., and there spent the remainder of their days.

Ten children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ellenwood: Calvin is now a farmer in

Troy Township, this county; Ismenia died when eleven years old; Phila J., deceased, was the wife of Norton McHenry; Andrew died when a child ; Ismenia, deceased, was the wife of Norton Mc- Ilenry ; Phoebe is the wife of M. W. Bloomburg, the Sheriff of Oakland County; Levangy is the the wife of William Newman, of Davisburg; Julia is the wife of Edmund Lodge, of West Bloomfield Township; Frances E. is the wife of James Gan- ble, of Pontiac; and Robert L., who died when nineteen years old. Mr. Ellenwood has been a Democrat all his life, and has held numerous minor town offices. He has been a subscriber to the weekly Detroit Free Press for more than sixty years, and is considered one of the old stand-bys of the county.

ON. CHARLES B. BOUGHNER. Though merit often goes unrewarded, yet it is true that the qualities of genuine manhood are sometimes given public recognition, and the men who are capable of discharging the duties of high official station are placed in positions where their good judgment is of avail to the people at large. Such is the case with Mr. Boughner, who after years of meritorious work as a private citizen and a local officer has been sent to the State Senate from the Fourteenth Senatorial District. For some years he has given his attention to agricultural pur- snits and he raises stock of good grades and crops of superior quality. His residence is on section 27, West Bloomfield Township, and his home farm consists of two hundred and forty-five acres on that and the adjoining section. He has made all the improvements upon this property, and has a fine set of buildings and many fruit trees, in the care of which he has taken delight.

The Boughner family was established in America by the great-grandparents of our subject, and in Pennsylvania his grandparents, Jacob and Moicah (llull) Boughner, were born. In the family of that couple was a son Martin, who was born in Schuylkill County, on the Delaware River, and

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when a young man went to Hunterdon County, N. J. There he met and married Catherine Swal- low, and in 1825 they left that locality and settled in Cayuga County, N. Y., but later removed to Seneca County. In 1835 they came to this State and made their home at what is now Ash Town- ship, Monroe County, where they lived two years, then established themselves on land now owned by our subject. Here they spent the remainder of their lives, dying at the respective ages of sixty- seven and eighty-four years. Mr. Boughner was a weaver by trade, and during his early life gave his attention almost wholly to fancy weaving, but af- ter coming to this State he was a farmer. For sev- cral years before his demise he was an invalid. Ile voted the Democratic tieket, and he and his wife belonged to the Baptist Church. They had four children, Charles B. being the first-born. The sec- ond was Jacob S., who died in childhood ; the third, Mary A., now deceased, who was the wife of John G. Durkee, of Birmingham; the fourth, John A., who is farming with his brother Charles. Mrs. Boughner was a daughter of John and Ann (Case) Swallow, and was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., as were her parents.

The subject of this biographical sketch was born February 14, 1825, at Flemington, Hunterdon . County, N. J., and was ten years old when he left New York for Michigan. Ile had lived there from his early infancy and had no recollection of the place of his birth. Ile grew to maturity on a farm and received a common-school education only, as his father was in but moderate circumstances. Quite early in life he became a teacher, and he also worked by the month as a farm hand, being thrown on his own resources when quite young. By the time he was of age he had saved enough money to huy fifty acres of land where he now lives, and in 1852 he settled here. By close application to farm work, persevering industry and good judgment in making investments, he has brought his estate to its present large acreage, and gathered around him the many comforts which pertain to modern civili- zation. IIe has had the wise counsel and sympathy of a prudent wife and to her management of house- hold affairs he owes much besides the comforts in the dwelling. She bore the maiden name of So-

phronia Harger, and became his wife, January 21, 1852, at which time she was residing in West Bloomfield. She was born in Niagara County, N. Y., June 3, 1827, and is a daughter of Seeley and Arvilla (Seeley ) Harger. Mr. and Mrs. Boughner have no children, but his brother John and his two sons, William M. and Charles B. are living with them.

For twelve years Mr. Boughner served as Super- visor of Bloomfield Township, and he was Justice of the Peace at different times; he has also been Township Clerk and School Inspector. So well did he discharge the duties of these offices, and so high an opinion had his fellow -citizens of his capability and public spirit, that the Democratic party nomi- nated liim for Representative from his county on two different occasions. He declined to accept the honor, but in 1890 the county convention, without his knowledge or consent, presented his name as a candidate for State Senator, and such pressure was brought to bear upon him that he stood for the position. He was elected by a majority of over four hundred and fifty. He is a member of the standing committees on the liquor traffic, engross- ment and enrollment, public printing, public build ings, and the soldiers' home, and is serving as Chair- man on four of these. IIc cast his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, and he has never swerved in his allegiance to Democratie principles.

ON. JAMES M. HOYT, M. D. The biogra- phy of a nobleman who has gained eminence in the medical profession, that profession which ministers to the suffering and relieves distress, and who, although affected by blindness in his later years still stands as a model to the young and a counselor to the aspiring young men of the medical profession, is ever of interest to the reader and an inspiration to all. Dr. Iloyt, widely known in Oakland County, and throughout the State, both as a physician and as State Senator is such a man.

The father of this honorable gentleman was Dr. Jonathan Hoyt, a native of Greenfield, Saratoga

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County, N. Y., where he was born February 25, 1792. His father was also Jonathan Iloyt, who was one of the farmer soldiers of the Revolution- ary days. He passed through a period of imprison- ment in the hands of the British but lived to a good old age. He was the son of Gideon Hoyt, whose grave is at Greenfield, N. Y. The mother of our subject was Prudence Eddy, daughter of Nathan Eddy, an old New England farmer, who was mar- ried in New York State and whose daughter Pru- dence was born April 13, 1788. The parents of our subject were married about 1812. The father had studied medicine at Saratoga, and made his home at Amsterdam, Montgomery County, for about five years. ITe then went to Erie County. and made his permanent home at East Aurora: he died November 20, 1850, while on business in the city of Buffalo, of apoplexy, having been bereaved of his wife in March, 1844.

The subject of this sketch is the second son in a family of five children, three of whom are still liv- ing. His brothers and sisters were: William C., who died at the age of seventy-five years; Harriet N. Pixley, deceased ; Orson C., aged sixty-six years, and Horace aged sixty eight. Their mother was a member of the Baptist Church. The father took great interest in public affairs and was a lifelong Democrat. For ten years he was Judge of the Cir- cuit Court of Erie County, N. Y. He was a man of remarkable memory and good literary taste. Notlı- ing ever escaped his memory. He was a candidate of the Democratic party in his district for Congress. his opponent being Millard Fillmore, afterward President of the United States. He was a strong temperance man and delivered many fine public lectures on that theme.

The birth of Senator Hoyt took place October 5, 1817, at Aurora, N. Y. ITis elementary educa- tion was conducted at the academy at East Aurora. His first teacher in the district school was Millard Fillmore, and another of his teachers was the wife of President Fillmore. He took three years' study in medicine with his father and also studied with Dr. John E. Marshall, of Buffalo, N. Y., who had charge of the Marine Hospital at that place. He completed his course in the Geneva Medical Col. lege, taking his diploma in January, 1839. He then

took the practice of Dr. Marshall, at Buffalo, that eminent physician having just died. In May, 1840, he came to Michigan and settled in the village of Commerce. After practicing there for three years he removed to Walled Lake. Here he carried on an extensive practice for thirty-six years, until failing eye-sight, the result of sickness, compelled him to lay aside his work. His advice is highly prized by young practitioners and he is often sought by old friends and neighbors who feel that Dr. Hoyt's opinion on their case is worth more than that of any other man.

The Doctor has a fine farm in Commerce Town- ship of two hundred acres, one hundred and sixty of which is nicely improved. His friends and neighbors have often called him to fill positions of trust both in township and State. He has been School Inspector, Clerk and Supervisor of his town- ship. In 1858 he was elected to the Michigan State Senate from what was then the Sixth District. The Doctor had to overcome a majority of three hundred for the other candidates on the ticket. He did it and carried over to his own side a majority of forty. His opponent was the Hon. Henry W. Lord, late of Pontiac. His record during this ses- sion of the Legislature was worthy of the man. IIe was Chairman of the Committee on Asylums for Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Also a member of the Committee on Mines and Minerals. ITis report on the former committee was adopted unanimously by both branches of the Legislature and was em- bodied in a law. In 1860 the Doctor was again made a candidate for this honorable position but was defeated. He was re-elected however to the Senate in 1864. This was the time when the State was all excited over the question of counting or not counting the vote of the soldiers in the field. He was deprived of his seat on this account. The Supreme Court decided against this act but in some way this decision was over-ruled.

In medical societies Dr. Iloyt has ever been a prominent man. He helped to organize the now existing State Medical Society. He is also a mem- ber of the local medical society located at Milford, and the National Medical Association. His wife, with whom he was united April 3, 1841, was Mar- garet, a daughter of the Hon. Hiram and Lucinda

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(Barrett) Barrett, who were early settlers in this county, settling in Commerce Township in 1836. This worthy couple have since passed away.

Dr. Hoyt and wife were the parents of ten children five of whom are now living. Hiram J., the eldest son, is a member of the law firm of Smith, Nims, Hoyt & Erwin, of Muskegon ; Harriet N. is deceased; James M., Jr., lives on a farm in this township; Benjamin R., M. D. is in active practice in the city of Detroit; William E., is a lawyer in Greenville, Montcalm County. A pair of twins were born to this household and died in infancy without any apparent illness ; Susan, wife of S. M. Porter, died leaving two children; Lucinda lives at home and Carrie, who was the wife of Dr. E. A. Chapman, a practicing physician in Walled Lake, died leaving one child. The mother of these children passed from earth, July 25, 1859.

The second marriage of Dr. Iloyt took place May 1, 1860. The present Mrs. Hoyt is Eliza H., daughter of Lyman and Harriet (Rowe) Hathorn. Her parents, now deceased, were early settlers in Michigan, having settled upon a farm in Novi Township abont 1834. They were leading mem- bers of the Baptist Church. The affliction of blind- ness under which Dr. lloyt is suffering is a severe trial to a man of his aetive nature. He walks about his place and occasionally drives out, but spends much of his time in listening to reading by his dc- voted wife and daughter. His pleasant home was built in 1852 on the banks of the beautiful sheet of water known as Walled Lake. He is a notable member of the Pioneer Society of Oakland County. and also of the State Pioneer Society. He is also a member of the State Legislative Society.

O. HATHAWAY. Waterford Township contains no better illustration of the ample reward which can be obtained by determina- tion and well-directed efforts, than in the person of the gentleman above named, who by his Own exertion has accumulated a large amount of worldly goods. He occupies a fine, well-improved farm on section 31, which is well equipped with the

best of machinery, stoek and buildings. Ilis per- sonal character is that of an upright gentleman and his reputation is in keeping with his merits. His political adherence is given to the Democratic party and he uniformly supports the candidates who are pledged to the principles of that party.

In 1830 the pioneers of Oakland County re- ceived a valuable acquisition in the person of N. B. Hathaway, who removed from New York with his family to make a permanent home in the then undeveloped and unimproved lands of Michigan. His health was poor and upon his sons devolved the greater part of the work of converting the un- broken land into a pleasant and attractive home-

stead. Nobly did they bear their part, clearing the land, and making a home from the unbroken forest. The father, who was never rugged and stalwart, died in 1837, while comparatively a young man, and his wife survived him only two years. Thus in a pioneer country with no means and few neighbors, the children were left to fight the bat- tle of life.

The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Chloe Ludlum and was of substan- tial ancestry and a native of New York. She bore her husband twelve children of whom seven are living, all with one exception in Oakland County. The parents were devoted Christians and for many years members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the father was a Class-Leader. They were people of recognized worth of character and of high standing in the community which they made their home until death. Their son, the subject of this sketch, was born in Steuben County, N. Y., May 13, 1820, and grew to manhood under pioneer influences. His educational advantages were very limited and he started out in life with no adventi- tious aids of name and fortune to insure success. Hle had. however, what is better, a clear brain and plenty of courage to do and dare, and a high am- bition to enable him to carry out whatever he un- dertook.

At the age of twenty years our subject was united in marriage in 1840 with Miss Mary C., the daugh- ter of Linus and Clarinda Dewey, natives of New York. Mr. Dewey came to Michigan in 1831, and is one of the pioneers of Oakland County. Of his

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family of nine children. six still survive and with one exception all are in Oakland County. After his marriage Mr. Hathaway remained for thee years on the old homestead, then selling out. he purchased a farm in Pontiac Township, where he lived another three years. Later he bought land in White Lake Township, and this he sold to pur- chase a farm in the southwestern part of Water- ford Township. In 1861 he traded for his present home on section 31, which at that time bore very few improvements. By economical management and hard work he has made a very pleasant, attrac- tive home.

The union of our subject and his good wife has been blest to them by the birth of three children, namely : Linus, who married Delia Olmstead, and is living on a farm odjoining the old homestead; Althea and Alice (twins) ; Althea married Charles Olinstead and lives in WInte Lake Township; Alice remains at home. The children received excellent educational advantages and are filling responsible positions in life, for which their early home train- ing fully prepared them. The entire family stand high in social circles and heartily indorse every measure calculated to advance the interests of the community.

OHN W. ANDERSON, a pioneer farmer at Anderson settlement which bears his name, resides on seetion 27, Springfield Towrship. He was born in Genesee County, now Wy- oming County, N. Y., July 17, 1814. His father was Isaac Anderson, and his father, Ezekiel, was a pensioner of the Government, having served in the Revolutionary War. He lived for a time in New York City and ran a sloop boat on the Hudson River and up and down the coast. Later he lived on a farm in Greene County, N. Y. and afterward in Ulster County, where he died in a green old age, having reared a large family, to be a credit to his name.

The father of our subject was brought up in the city of New York and was twice drafted into the War of 1812 but both times furnished a substitute.

He began farming in Greene County and then re- moved to Genesee, now Wyoming County, where he owned one hundred and twenty acres. He came to Oakland County, Mich., in 1836 and took up one hundred and twenty aeres of Government land where our subject now lives and also purchased another one hundred and twenty acres with some improvements on it. Ile then returned East and brought his wife and six children to dwell in the log cabin which he had prepared for them. He was a famous Nimrod, and shot many a deer. On one occasion while butchering he remarked that a little venison mixed with the pork would make good sausage. He shouldered his rifle and was gone but a few minutes when he returned home with a deer. lle was Deacon in the Presbyterian Church here and was one of the first Elders in that church in the town of Attica, N. Y. Ile was a Whig and af- terward a Republican. He helped organize Spring- field Township, and served as Highway Commis. sioner in those early days. He was a prominent man and an extensive farmer and died in January, 1860.

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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 49

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

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