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 52
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The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs was the third white child born in Ox- ford Township. He opened his eyes to the light in the log cabin built by his father and received his early education in a log honse, with an open fireplace, puncheon floor and slab benches. He pursued higher branches in Dickerson Institute at Romeo, three terms, and taught two terms in this county. During the war he bought horses and sold them to the Government and in February, 1865, he bought a farm in Orion Township, set- tled upon it and turned his attention to agricultural work. Hle cleared the land of trees and stumps, and made various improvements and added to its extent as he was prospered. He finally retired from farm life and for a few years did little but look after his financial interests and real estate matters. During the past year he has beeu en- gaged in the agricultural implement business.
The lady who became the wife of Mr. Axford in 1864, was known in her maidenhood as Miss Eliza- beth Copman. She was born in Canada and is a daughter of Baldwin and Elizabeth Copman, who settled in this State in 1860. IIer father died in 1880 and her mother in 1879. Mrs. Axford has a thorough knowledge of domestic management, keeps herself well informed regarding general news and topics of interest and endeavors to discharge to the best of her ability every duty which lies before her. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and by her associates in that religious body and by neighbors and acquaintances she is well spoken of. She is the mother of one child-Samuel C .- who is following in his father's footsteps as an enterprising and progressive farmer. He married Elizabeth Beardsley and they have one child named Ilelen E.
Mr. Axford has held various local offices and has been found worthy of the confidence of his constituents. Ile was a strong advocate of the Greenback movement and worked hard for its success, and on two occasions was the nominee on
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the ticket of that party for County Treasurer. On one occasion he was defeated by but seven votes and on the other by thirty-eight. He is now iden- tified with the Democratic party, as he had form- erly been. Ile has been a Mason twenty years. belongs to the Grange and the Knights of the Maccabees, and has filled many important official position in each of these orders.
ARVEY J. TAYLOR. Among the busi- ness establishments in Rochester is one de- voted to the sale of hardware, of which the gentleman above named is the proprietor and manager. Mr. Taylor is a native-born citizen of Oakland County and the representative of one of the families which settled here during the '30s, coming from the East, near the Atlantic coast. The Taylors are of German ancestry and the thrift and persevering industry which characterize the natives of Germany has not been lessened by generations of residence in America. The establishment over which our subjeet presides is well supplied with carefully-selected goods, and the utmost pains is taken to satisfy customers both in the style and prices of articles purchased.
'The parents of our subject, William G. and Ann (Axford) Taylor, were natives of Warren County, N. J., whence they came West in 1836. They established their home on a farm in Oakland Town- ship, this county, and pursued their course in life there for a number of years. They reared six children, of whom we note the following: Charles V., is a manufacturer of buggies, located in Pontiac ; Harvey J. will be spoken of in the following para- graphs; William is engaged in the sale of agricul- tural implements at Armada; Charlotte is the wife of Joseph Case, of Brandon; Alice resides with her widowed mother; Ellen is the wife of Edward William Sutton, editor of the Telegraph at Armada. The father died in Brandon July 22, 1887, at the age of sixty-eight years.
The gentleman whose life history is to be out- lined below was born July 19, 1849. He grew to maturity on the farm and received his education
in the district school. When he was ready to be- gin a man's work in the world he first took up the occupation to which he had been reared, but in 1880 he left the farm and became agent for the implement manufactory of D. S. Morgan, of Brock- port, N. Y. He traveled for that establishment some two years and acted as commercial agent for others, at the same time conducting farming ope- rations until March 1, 1888, when he entered into the hardware business in Rochester. He formed a partnership with Cyrus Reimer, but after the con- nection had lasted two years, it was dissolved and Mr. Taylor has since been alone in business.
Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss May Anderson, December 21, 1882, and has two children-Seneca V., and Cyrus J. Mrs. Taylor is a daughter of Richard D. Anderson whose home is in Orion, and is a well-educated and agreeable lady. Mr. Taylor is a Democrat in politics, and socially is a Mason, a member of the Rochester Grange and Knights of the Maccabees. 1Ie has an excellent reputation for business ability and energy, and his fellow-citizens have seen fit to make use of his qualifications for advancing their interests by making him Township Supervisor and continuing him in the office year after year. Ile was first elected in 1883 and has held the position continu- ously save one year, when he positively refused the nomination, and is the present incumbent.
7.
R D. ANDERSON. A goodly number of the men who have labored hard to bring this county to its present high development and prosperity, have retired from active life and are enjoying the comforts and luxuries which they have earned by years of industry and good man- agement. One of this class now living in Orion is the subject of this biographical sketch. He left his country home in 1888 and now occupies a fine residence in the town, well furnished throughout and showing the refining hand of woman in its appointments. He has three fine farms in Oakland Township, making up a total of over seven hundred acres of land, his possession of which is due to his
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own excellent filigment, the good management of his wife, and their combined industry and wise economy.
Mr. Anderson was born in Warren County, N. J., October 14, 1826, and his father. William, was a native of the same State, and it is probable that his grandfather, Richard, was also born there. William Anderson was a farmer, successful in worldly affairs, and able to leave to his heirs about four hundred acres of land. Ile died in 1850, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife bore the maiden name of Margaret Demot and she too was a native of New Jersey ; she died in 1875 at the age of seventy- eight years. Both belonged to the Methodist Epis- copal Church. They had eleven children, five of whom are living.
Our subject was reared as a farmer and quite early in life became thoroughly conversant with agricultural affairs. Ile received a fundamental education in the log schoolhouse which was the customary institution of learning in the rural dis- tricts at that time. In 1851 he came West and located on a farm of one hundred and thirty acres in Oakland Township, this county. Two years later he was married to Miss Rebecca A. Flumer- felt, who was born in New Jersey August 11, 1833, and who was brought to this county when an in- fant. She is one of nine surviving children in the parental family. Her parents, William and Esther (Pittenger) Flumerfelt, were born in 1800 and 1808 respectively and the latter still survives. Mr. Flumerfelt died in 1884. lle was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his aged widow has long been connected.
Mrs. Anderson had limited school privileges compared with those to be found in this county at the present day, but she made good use of the opportunities afforded her and became well versed in womanly accomplishments and domestic arts. She has been a wise and devoted mother, and to her husband "her price has been far above rubies." The children of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have had excellent educational advantages and careful home training. They are named respectively: Francis L., William M., George F., Florence M., John M., Clarence L. and Jessie N.
After giving due consideration to questions of
governmental policy Mr. Anderson gave his alle- giance to the Democratic party and he has served his associates in this locality as a delegate to con- ventions. He is identified with the Good Templars organization and he and his wife are members in good standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ELDEN VINCENT. One of the well-im- proved and well-stocked farms of Milford Township is owned and occupied by the gentleman above named, who is one of the old residents and has spent a lifetime in this local- ity. Not that he is a man of extreme age but that he was born on land now owned by himself and that his interests have centered here from his earliest recollection. His estate consists of two hundred and forty acres on sections 15, 22, and 23, and his home is but three-quarters of a mile from the corporate limits of the town of Milford.
The Vincents are of German lineage and for at least two generations prior to the time of our sub- jeet, New York was the home of this branch. John Vincent was born in Otsego County and for eight years made his home in Ontario County, after hav- ing been married in Cattaraugus. In 1832 he came West and secured Government land in Milford Township, this county, acquiring two eighty-acre tracts. At a meeting of the old settlers shortly after his arrival the question of a name for the new town came up and Mr. Vincent proposed the name of Milford and it was adopted. The next year he brought his family, driving from Detroit to his new home with an ox-team. Locating in the forest be hewed out a farm which was well im- proved when he died, in April, 1877. The log house which was the first home of the family was a few feet south of the present residence of our sub- ject. Mr. Vincent was a member of the Presby- terian Church at Milford, served as Trustee and helped to build the house of worship, and he gave the site for the first schoolhouse put up in the township. It was built in 1835, and is still stand- ing, a landmark of the old times. Mr. Vincent
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was the first Township Clerk and also served as Treasurer. His wife, formerly Minerva Comstock, was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., in 1806, and died in March, 1878. They had five children, but Selden is the only one now living. The second child and eldest son died in Andersonville prison in February, 1865, and the others died in this county.
Selden Vincent was born November 10, 1844. and when old enough attended the district school and then spent several winters as a student in the Milford Union School. After passing his majority he married and located on a forty-acre tract on section 22, where he engaged in farming, also hav- ing charge of the homestead which he carried on until his father died. He also owned eighty acres on section 15. As soon as all the heirs were of age he bought out their interests in the homestead and added it to his other land. The entire tract is im- proved except thirty-three acres which is in three wood lots. The farm is well watered and two windmills supply the force by which the liquid can be transferred to convenient points. All kinds of grain is raised and good grades of stock and some attention paid to the dairy business. The eattle are full-blooded and graded Short-horns, the hogs Po- land-Chinas, and the sheep, fine wool, but by a cross have coarse wool lambs. Mr. Vincent used to raise extra fine Merino sheep and he now has from one hundred and fifty to two hundred head. He raises good horses, Percheron and Hambletonian roadsters. His farm is so improved as to make two residence places and his own dwelling is prettily located and attractive.
At the bride's home in Milford Township in February, 1867, Mr. Vincent was married to Miss Lucetta A. Travis. Her parents, James and Naria (McCarty) Travis, were born in Pennsylvania and after their marriage came to this State. They were among the early residents in Oxford Township, this county, but after some years removed to Mil- ford Township, where Mr. Travis became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 23. He died here in 1873. Ilis widow is now living in Milford; she is a member of the Presby- terian Church, while he was a Methodist. They had eight children and Mrs. Vincent was the fifth
in order of birth. She was born in Oxford Town- ship June 12, 1846, and was six years old when her parents removed to Milford. She has had three children-Eva M., Frank E. and one who died in infancy. Frank is now attending the Mil- ford High School, from which Eva was graduated in 1887. That young lady died in April, 1888, before her life had opened into full bloom, leaving her grief-stricken parents to comfort each other as best they could and cling to the promise of a happy meeting in the beyond.
Mr. Vincent helped to organize the Milford Union Fair Society in 1880, which afterward be- came the Milford Fair Association. He was one of the Directors until 1886, when he became Presi- dent, and he has held the chief office since the re- organization. The society has good grounds, twenty acres in extent, with a half-mile track. Mr. Vincent was School Director eight years. He was formerly a Republican and served as delegate to county conventions and member of the county cen- tral committee. Since questions relating to the liquor traffic have become prominent he has thrown in his influence with the Prohibitionists. He and his wife belong to the Good Templars Lodge and he is now Treasurer. Both are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He is now Trustee and has been Steward for years, and at this writing Mr. Vincent is Superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mrs. Vincent is a working member of the Foreign Missionary Society.
E UGENE BROOKS, a retired farmer, living in Birmingham, was born in Troy Town- ship, this connty, July 24, 1843. His par- ents were Alanson and Desire (Frink) Brooks, natives of New York, and his father was born in Saratoga County, May 16, 1807. He remained there until 1827, then came West and took up a piece of Government land in Macomb County, this State. After a short sojourn he returned East for his bride, whom he brought to his Michigan farm. They lived upon the land a number of years, then sold it and removed to Troy Township, this
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county, buying another farm. After some years this also was sold and a small place three and a half miles northeast of Birmingham was purchased, whereon Mr. Brooks spent the rest of his life. He he had but limited means, but had high standing as a Christian gentleman. Ile was a farmer and cooper and followed both occupations during his mature years. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Republican. Ilis religious home was in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He entered into rest December 26, 1882.
The mother of our subject was born in Hon- eoye, Ontario County, April 30, 1809, and her wedded life began in September, in 1831. She is still living and occupies the homestead in Froy Township. Like her husband she is a Methodist and their active connection with the church cov- ered a period of more than half a century. It is only since years have incapacitated her that Mrs. Brooks has given up her share in the work carried on by the church. The children of Alanson and Desire Brooks are: Edward F., now living in Bate- man, Washington County, Ore .; Ellen J., wife of Edward F. Chatfield, of Troy Township; Ell, who is now a resident of Denver, Col .; and Eugene, the subject of this notice.
Eugene Brooks was reared on his father's farm in this county and received a common-school edu- cation. Ile remained with his father until he was twenty-three years old, working on the farm ex- cepting two years, which was spent in the oil regions of Pennsylvania. After his marriage he began farming on his own account and pursued his calling industriously until 1877, when he took up his abode in Birmingham. Ile is a Mason and has risen to the degree of Knight Templar. IIe has been Master of Birmingham Lodge No. 44, and High Priest of Birmingham Chapter No. 93. He has held some of the minor village and school ofli ces, but has not entered largely into publie life. His political views are in accord with those ex- pressed in the Republican platform and his vote is in favor of the candidates on that ticket. Ile and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church in Birmingham.
The wife of Mr. Brooks bore the maiden name of Martha J. Robinson and was united to him in
marriage February 17, 1870. She was born in Troy Township and is a daughter of Austin N. and Polly (Stanley) Robinson, well known and highly respected citizens. She represents one of pioneer families of the county, her grandparents, Abner and Anna Robinson, having come hither in 1824, when it was necessary to ent their road into what is now Troy Township. They took up Gov- ernment land which is still in the hands of mem- bers of the family. The Robinson farm is a Dile and a half east of Birmingham and is one of the landmarks of this locality. The older members of this family died in Troy and Bloomfield Town- ships. Our subject and his good wife have but one child, a son, Francis E., who is now eighteen years old. All move in the best society of the place and have many friends in this locality.
EONARD L. HOFFMAN, a prosperous farmer of Orion Township, was born in the township where he still resides, November 14, 1840. His father, Samuel II., came from New York to Oakland County, in 1836. Ile died about 1860. Ilis wife, Lydia Baldwin, preceded him to the grave in 1851. Of their seven children four are now living. Our subject was reared upon the farm and had his education in the district schools. After the death of his mother he went to live with William Green, a farmer in Orion Township. He lived with him and went to school until he was twenty-one years old. He then began working out by the month, receiving the first year $120 and the second $140. He was for one year in the employ of Benjamin Giddings in Pontiac.
In September, 1861, this young man enlisted in the Third Michigan Infantry, Company G, under Col. M. B. Holton. He was sent to Decatur, Ala., where they met Hood and drove his army out of that distriet. They met him again at Murfreesboro and thence followed him to Franklin, where they had a field engagement. Ile was within a day's march of Richmond when Lee surrendered. After the war closed his regiment was ordered to Texas, where a year was spent. Ile received his discharge
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at Victoria, Tex., May, 1866, and was mustered out of service at Detroit, having had the rank of Corporal for some time previous.
Returning home in September, 1866, Mr. Hoff- man and A, Judson Clark formed a partnership, and purchased William Green's farm in Orion Township. During the eighteen years of their partnership, they practically carried but one pocket- book. Whichever one happened to have any money in his "weasel skin" purse, paid for whatever expense was incurred by either. When they dissolved part- nership in 1881, they simply divided amicably whatever stock, land and money they had.
The gentleman of whom we write has been twice married. The lady to whom he was united in the fall of 1866, was Hattie Bugbee, who died, leaving no children, in February, 1872. The present Mrs. Iloffman was Phobe Gates and was born in Orion Township, in 1850. They were married May 16, 1875. One child, Ellen Dot, was born to them August 11, 1879. Our subject is the delegate fre- quently from his county to Republican conventions and also takes active part in local politics. He is a member of the Grange, the Grand Army of the Republic and the Knights of the Maccabees. 1Ie started without a cent in the world and has been a remarkably successful man, having now over Que hundred acres in a finely cultivated farm.
B ENJAMIN KENAGA, one of the leading citizens of Rose Township, was born in Amherst Township, Erie County, N. Y., and is the son of Benjamin and Sabina (Hoil) Kenaga. The grandfather was of Scotch descent and was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and removed from there to Little York, and thenee to Frederic, Md., where he was an extensive planter. He and his good wife, Esther Long, reared a family of two sons and four daughters. Our subject's brother, John A., was a piano-maker and died in Buffalo. The four daughters were as follows: Mary, Mrs. Lenn, who lives in Pennsyl- vania; Anna, Mrs. Schanck, who died in Valpa- raiso, Ind .; Elizabeth, Mrs. Stark, who died near
Erie, Pa .; and Hettie, Mrs. Strohn, who died in Elkhart County, Ind. The parents of these chil- dren were members of the New Mennonite Church and were, like many other conscientious Christians of that day, slave-holders. The father passed away in Maryland in 1819, and his wife survived bim until 1885, when she died in Lancaster County, Pa., at the age of ninety-six years.
Benjamin Kenaga was born in Little York, Pa., in December, 1806. When nineteen years old he went to Erie County, N. Y., and resided there until the fall of 1866, when be removed to Macomb County, this State. Here he bought eighty-seven acres and has made his home to this day. He is a member of the same church to which his parents belonged. Of the eleven children born to him five grew to maturity, namely: Benjamin; Anna, Mrs. Fogelsonger; Levi, who died in California; Sarah, Mrs. Fogelsonger; and Joseph. Their mother was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in September, 1809. Her father, John Hoil, was a farmer, who removed to Erie County about 1810, where he cleared up one hundred and sixty aeres and lived until his death. His children were: John, Eliza- beth, Mary, Peggy, Sally, Nancy and Sabina. The mother of this family lived until March 7, 1891. The HIoil family is of Swiss origin.
Training upon the farm and in the district school filled out the measure of education given to our subject. He lived at home until twenty-one, and his first independent work was undertaken in con- nection with his father. In the spring of 1866 he came to Macomb County, Mich., and bought one hundred and cighteen acres, which he improved. The next year he removed to where he now resides on section 33, Rose Township. Here he purchased one hundred and thirty acres. Although he began life without capital he received $4,000 from his father in 1866. In the meanwhile he had entered the army. enlisting in August, 1864, in Company (", Ninety-eighth New York Infantry. Ile was discharged in December, the same year.
The marriage of Benjamin Kenaga with Fannie Reist occurred December 20, 1855. She was born in Erie County, N. Y., and is a daughter of John and Anna ( Frick) Reist. Her father is of Swiss origin and is a farmer and miller. Ilis children
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were as follows: Christian, Anna, John, Elizabeth, Fannie, Jacob, Susan, Daniel and Elias.
The subject of this sketch is a Democrat in his political affiliations, but does not make himself prominent in local politics. He is now serving his seventh year as Justice of the Peace. Ile has the respect and esteem of his neighbors and is a worthy example of an industrious and honorable life. Seven of his ten children were reared to maturity, namely: Joanna, the wife of DeWitt Caster; Susan, the wife of Nelson Lockwood; Lillie, wife of Charles Wickens; Ira married Miss Katie Muler and resides in Wichita, Kan .; Euna, wife of Will- iam Chaffee; Otto and Allen. Our subject be- longs to J. B. McPherson Post, No. 183, G. A. R .. at liolly, and the Patrons of Husbandry.
0 GDON S. AXFORD. The name of O. S. Axford is well known in this county, in which he who bears it has lived since his infaney and with whose history he has been con- versant for half a century. A volume could easily be filled with his reminiscences of pioneer times. when his parents occupied a log cabin and made Detroit their base of supplies; when Indians in large numbers camped in the adjacent openings and wild animals haunted the forests; when the clearings of the settlers were few and scattered, and ox-teams were used in farm work and for trans- portation. It is impossible in the limits of a vol- nme like this to recount incidents of those times and we can only make the briefest mention and leave it to the reader's imagination to fill in the sketch.
Little is known regarding the ancestors of our subject except that the family is of English origin. Grandfather Axford, whose given name was John, was born in New Jersey and in Warren County, that State, his son Abram was born in 1806. The latter married Peninah Swayze who was born in New Jersey in 1809, and is now in her eighty-see- ond year. Six of their eight children survive. Abram Axford came to this county in 1831 and was one of the first to make a permanent settlement
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