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 56
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and cultivated one hundred and sixty aeres of land. In 1845 he came to Lapeer County, Mich., and with his son John B., bought a half section of land, which he cleared and improved. Here he passed away in 1856, at the age of sixty years, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Thornville.
John Sutton was twice married. The six chil- dren who were born to him by his first wife are: Peter W., John B., Rachel, Jane, Hannah and Nathan. He married for his second wife Susan Williamson, a daughter of Peter Williamson. She was the mother of three sons, William, Levi and Oakley, and six daughters, one only of whom grew to maturity, Belle, now Mrs. Durston, who resides in Washington. Adams County, N. Y.
Joanna Bird, the mother of our subject, was born in Warren County, N. J., and was the daugh- ter of John Bird, a tavern keeper of the olden days, who lived to complete a century of existence. Ilis daughter. Joanna, was first married to Peter Williamson, a saddler of Beateystown. N. J., by whom she had two sons and one daughter, Susan, who was afterward united in marriage with Mr. Sutton. The mother of our subject died in 1831, and was laid to rest in Ilackettstown, N. J. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and in the district school. He is a good singer and when young taught singing school for many terms. At the age of twenty he began work for himself by renting land. In the fall of 1843 he came to Michigan and settled in Oakland County. Here he rented a farm for three years, as he had not means to purchase, for 825 was all that he had in his pocket when he first reached Detroit. In 1846 he had accumulated enough means to buy eighty acres in Rose Township. U'pon this he removed in March, 1847, and proceeded to elear it of timber and put it in a state of cultiva- tion. Later he added forty acres and at another time one hundred and sixty acres, all of which he has put under cultivation.
The marriage of our subject with Frances Bird took place September 7, 1837. This lady was the daughter of Thomas S. and Sarah (Swaze) Bird, of New Jersey, who came to Oakland County. Mich., in 1843, and died in Lapeer in 1889,
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Mr. and Mrs. Sutton are the parents of fourteen children, namely; Sarah, now Mrs. Gordon; Rachael now Mrs. Kenyon; Jane, Mrs. Howe; Esther (deceased), Mrs. John Frick; Hannah (de- ceased), Mrs. Orton; Emma, (deceased), Mrs. Tol- fre ; John W., Peter W., Osear B., Nathan, Milan, Joseph, William, and Anna M., now Mrs. Van Dusen. Mrs. Francis Sutton died April 29, 1884. Peter married for his second wife, Sarah, daughter of Patrick and Julia (Gasniey) Gallıgan, who were born in Ireland, and came to the United States when young, making their bome in Clarks- ton, Oakland County.
E DWIN T. HAZEN, a representative farmer of Novi Township, is the son of Jesse Hazen, a native of Connecticut, who was born in
1802. His mother was Elsie (Taylor) Ilazen, who was born in 1802 in Ontario County, N. Y. They were married and resided in the latter State until they came to Michigan in 1834, traveling to De- troit by boat and to Novi Township by ox-team. Here they took up one hundred and twenty aeres of timber land, paying for it all their money with the exception of a few shillings and building a log house he began elearing off his place. Indians and wild beasts were plentiful, and as lie was consider- able of a huntsman, he often had successful en- counters with deer and bears. He was a strong, robust man and a great worker. Ile cleared all but about thirty acres of his large tract and built a small barn and later a large one and a frame house. His wife departed this life in 1844, leaving him to mourn her loss faithfully until his own (lemise in 1873. Five of their nine children are now living, namely: Mrs. J. N. Norton, Edwin, our subject, Mrs. L. Putnam, John and Mrs. Daniel M. Bloss.
The early political connection of Mr. Hazen was with the Democratie party, but after the Civil War broke out he became a Republican. There were but few schools and those subscription ones, and he used to find it hard to meet his rate bill but
struggled nobly against circumstances, and gave bis children the best education he could con- mand lle was a School Director and in early days a Patbmaster. He had two brothers, Paul W. and Henry, who served in the War of 1812. The latter contracted a severe eold during that war from the effects of which he died.
The subject of this sketeh was born, February 4, 1832, in Bristol Township, Ontario County, N. Y., and was two years of age when brought to Michi- gan by his parents. His opportunities for school- ing were small and when still very young he had to do a man's work. He was so unfortunate as to lose his mother by death when only twelve years old. In 1855 he took the Western fever and in November he started to California by water, crossing the Isthmus and making San Francisco his destination. Ile worked all winter in the gold mines at Nevada City, then went to the Sacramento Valley, in Sutter County, and worked in the harvest field and with a bay press for a year and a half. HIe then returned to the mines. In the spring he came back to Michigan having been fairly success- ful. He worked very hard, in fact he was too am- bitious, putting in sixteen hours a day at labor and the natural result was a severe attack of sickness.
Mr. Ilazen now bought forty acres of his father, and rented a farm belonging to his uncle, but after three years settled upon his present farm which was roughly cleared. Ile has cleared off twenty acres, removing stumps and stones, and has done a large amount of ditching and under-draining. He re- built his house and erected a barn 32x44 feet with a good stone wall under it. Another barn is 22x44 feet and a sheep barn 22x36. His corn house is 16x26 feet and his hog house has the same dimen- sions. One hundred and twenty of his one hundred and fifty-eight acres are under cultivation, and he carries on mixed farming having some excellent grades of fine wool sheep, also Jersey cattle and draft horses,
In February, 1859, the gentleman of whom we write took to wife Mary Bloss, a daughter of John Bloss, an old settler in Wayne County, who came there over fifty years ago. Both parents are now deceased. Mrs. Hazen was born August 12, 1838, in Wayne County, Mich., and was there a teacher.
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One of her two children died in infancy. The other, J. D., born in September, 1861, has married Alice Dennis, and lives near his father. Mr. Ilazen has always taken an active interest in politics being a stanch Republican. He has been Treasurer of Novi Township and a member of the School Board. Ile has been temperate in his habits through life and was a member of the Red Ribbon order.
G EORGE H. SEELEY is the well-known pro- prietor of the Orchard Lake Hotel at the summer resort of that name. This place is one of the most widely known resorts in Michigan, and its fame is not confined to the State, but ex- tends over the Northwest. Although the resort has its greatest patronage in the summer, the hotel is kept open the year round. Since Mr. Seeley bought the property, various improvements have been made, including additions to the building so that it will now accommodate one hundred guests. It is a two-story frame structure, pleasantly located on the bank of the lake, and commanding a pros- peet that is restful to the weary brains of those who seek the comfort of a rural spot during the heated term. It is but five miles from the hotel to Pontiac, and the location is a popular resort of pie- nie parties. Mr. Seeley gives his personal atten- tion to the hotel, and is careful to see that his guests receive every courtesy.
Mr. Seeley is the son of Ira C. and Matilda (Dewey) Seeley, who were born in New York and Vermont, respectively, and who came to this eounty about 1833. The father was a farmer, and in the pursuit of his calling acquired considerable means. lle was a stanch Republiean, but took little part in political affairs. He and his wife belonged to the Congregational Church, and were conscientious and humble Christians, Mr. Seeley spent his days af- ter coming to this State in Waterford Township, and Mrs. Seeley died in Pontiac. They had five children who lived to mature years, namely : Will- iam. George II., Maria, Charles L. and Elinor.
Our subject was born in Waterford Township, May 12, 1841, and the surroundings of his early
years were sueli as are common on farms in a coun- try that is still undergoing some of the processes of development and yet is quite populous. He pur- sued his studies in the district school and in Pon- tiae, and continued to make his home with his par- ents until he was twenty-four years old. After establishing a home of his own he still carried on farm work until 1889, when he came to Orchard Lake and bought the old hotel property, determined to build up the reputation of this beautiful spot by carrying on a first-class hotel here. He owns a farm in Troy Township, from which a very good ineome is derived.
March 16, 1864, Mr. Seeley was married to Miss Sarah Prall, of Pontiae, daughter of Johnson S. and Sarah ( Melcher) Prall, and a native of New York. She is an able assistant of her husband in his re- cent enterprise, as she is an excellent housekeeper, and a cordial, friendly and intelligent woman. They have two children, Thaddeus D. and Bessie E. The former married Miss Eva Palmer, of Pon- tiac, has one child named Florence E., and lives in Bay City. The latter is unmarried, and is still with her parents. Mr. Seeley is not a politician, but votes with the Republicans.
ANIEL T. KELLOGG. It would be hard to find among the farming. community of Waterford Township, a man who wields greater influence, or has greater personal popularity than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. Ilis life has been spent in the peaceful pur- suanee of his calling of a farmer, and in a share in the local public affairs. Ilis homestead upon section 13, comprises one hundred and thirty acres, upon which has been ereeted a substantial and at- traetive residence. The fine tract of land is embel- lished with first-class buildings and the various im- provements that mark his estate as the property of a prosperous man.
In Wayne County, N. Y., Mr. Kellogg was born on the 8th of February, 1826, to Abram and Phobe (Rice) Kellogg. The father emigrated from his
MA. Duison.
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native State to New York, whence, after his mar- riage, he removed to Michigan in 1834, locating on a farm on section 13, Waterford Township. The surrounding country was then in a very uncivilized condition, and wild animals were numerous. The father, assisted by his children. cleared and im- proved the land, and from the primeval wilderness evolved a pleasant home. He was a quiet, unas- suming man, and to him Waterford Township is indebted for much of the great work that has been accomplished in making it one of the best agricul- tural centers of the county. Ilis activity, and in- telligent enterprise were potent factors in the advancement of the farming interests of the com- munity. Politically he uniformly voted the Re- publican ticket and supported with his influence as well as ballot, those candidates who were pledged to the principles of that party. A sincere Chris- tian, he was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which faith he died,
The family of which our subject is a member, comprised twelve children, seven of whom are still living. Owing to the poor health of his father, our subject received very few opportunities for educa- tion, but being a bright, intelligent lad, he learned rapidly, and by making good use of his observing powers, he has kept abreast of the times. He was bred to the life of a farmer, and having a natural taste for the calling, has always pursued it, and has been more than ordinarily prospered. He now owns and operates the homestead upon which his father first located, and the abundant harvests gleaned from his broad acres bring him in a good income.
In all his labors, Mr. Kellogg has had the intelli- gent co-operation of his wife, with whom he was united in marriage on the 29th of April, 1874. Mrs. Kellogg bore the maiden name of Frances Ar- nott, and is the daughter of David and Eliza Arnott. Of the union of Mr. Kellogg and his es- timable wife two children were born, both now, de- ceased, and this bereavement has been the great sorrow in an otherwise happy union. Mrs. Kellogg is an amiable, intelligent lady, a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and universally es- teemed for her noble qualities of heart and mind. Mr. Kellogg is identified in politics with the Re-
publican party, and uses his influence to forward its interests. ITis present high standing is due to his unremitting industry, for when he started out for himself at the age of twenty-two years, he had no moneyed capital and received only $11 per month.
ILLIAM A. DENISON. The residence of this gentleman is on seetion 7, Troy Town- ship, where for a number of years he was engaged in agricultural work. Some five years since he rented his land, which consists of one hun- dred and sixty acres, twenty-five of which is in the shape of a wood lot and the rest under cultivation. The property is well improved, having good fences, ample farm buildings and the garden plots and orchards, without which an estate can scarcely be called well regulated. Mr. Denison is now engaged in the insurance business and in the work eon- nected with settling estates, in which his services are frequently called for. He is well and favorably known, having lived in this section most of the time since he was fourteen years old, which covers a period of more than a half century. and we in- vite the attention of the reader to his portrait and the following account of his life career.
The Rev. A. Denison, who was born in New York June 28, 1790, and was a Baptist minister many years, was the father of our subject. In 1814 that gentleman married Mercy L. Benedict, a native of New York, and located in Cayuga County on an eighty-aere farm. In 1831 he bought Government land in Avon Township, this county, and settled thereon. building a log house and mak- ing such improvements as he could prior to 1834. He then went to Warren, Macomb County, where he remained nineteen years, carrying on farming and preaching with great success. He died in Bay City, October 16, 1866, and his wife survived bim but eighteen days. They were the parents of one daughter and ten sons, all of whom lived to years of maturity and eight still survive.
The subject of this sketch, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., January 29, 1817, and his first
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schoonto was in o løg building near his birthplace. Ile was the second son and child of his parents whom he accompanied to Michigan soon after en- tering his teens. Ile worked on a farm by the month and when sixteen years old helped to build the first bridge where the city of Flint now stands. Ile learned the trade of a bridge builder and also worked on the turnpike at Grand Blanc. He left home to do for himself at the age of nineteen, his father giving him his time. During the summers he worked on a farm by the month and in the win- ters attended school until the fall before he was of age when he went back to New York and spent the winter in school there.
The spring after he was twenty-one Mr. Denison hired out to sell surgeon's instruments and traveled through Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Pennsylva- nia until summer, when he resumed farming, again working by the month. Ile had returned to this State and it was not long ere he was married and located on land in Kent County, seven miles north of Grand Rapids. There hie built a log house and worked two years during which time he cleared fifteen acres. He then came back to this county and for two years worked the farm of his father- in-law, the llon. James Bayley, after which he traded his Kent County farm for the one on which he now lives, paying $1,000 bonus. Hle operated this farm until recently, when he felt justified in abandoning the heavy work necessary for a farmer and taking up lighter labor.
December 22, 1842. was the wedding day of Mr. Denison and Miss Clarissa I. Bayley. The bride was born in Troy Township, Christmas Day, 1825, and is the eldest of six children, comprising the family of James and Dorcas N. (Pearsall) Bayley. Her father was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1802 and her mother in 1804. The former came to this State in 1821 but returned East the same year, and January 20. 1825, was married and brought his wife to this county. IIe located on section 21, Troy Township, putting up a log house in which he lived sixteen years, in the meantime reclaiming and cultivating the land and building a good set of frame buildings. From 1860 to 1863 he was Superintendent of the Agricultural College in Lansing. He returned to Troy Township iu
1866 after the close of his Legislative term, but in 1868 went to Birmingham where he died May 1, 1887. Ilis widow survived until July 14. 1889, when she too was laid to rest.
Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Denison the fol- lowing facts may be noted: Jennie B., who was born October 18, 1843, became the wife of Frank Wheeler and died February 5, 1888; Henry C .. who is unmarried and living with his parents, was born August 20, 1845; J. Herbert was born August 23, 1847, and died March 24, 1848; Clara L., who is now the wife of George A. Shannon, was born May 31, 1857; Evalyn F., who was born October 26, 1855. is the wife of Edmund Niles; Will F., who was born October 28, 1863, is teller in a bank in Alpena.
Although Mr. Denison could scarcely be called a politician he has always been interested in party measures and has never missed an election since lie cast his first Presidential ballot for William Henry Ilarrison in 1840. He has also been identified with the Republican party and he is proud of having voted for the present President, Benjamin F. Har- rison. He was Justice of the Peace in Troy Town- ship seven years. Ile is much interested in mat- ters relating to the welfare of the farmers and be- longs to the Patrons of Husbandry, of which he was Treasurer at one time. Ilis religious home is in the Baptist Church.
P HINEAS C. SIMONSON, a farmer on sec- tion 6, Royal Oak Township, is a son of Garret I. Simonson, who was born in Dela- ware County. N. Y., January 29, 1794, and who came to Michigan in 1832 and made his home in Royal Oak Township. In 1820 Garret Simonson took to wife Sarah P. Stephens. They became the parents of eight children, three daughters and five sons of whom our subject is the third son and fourth child. The grandfather, John B. Simon- son, was like his son and grandson. a farmer, and was a native of New York. Ilis wife, Polly Brad- ford, was a native of Massachusetts. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Garret I. was
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the eldest son and second child. They have now been dead for some years.
The father of our subject came to Michigan in 1832. In his political views he was a Whig and later espoused the principles of the Republican party. He was a member of the Baptist Church and later in life became a Presbyterian. Young Simonson made his home with his parents until 1852 when he went to California. He went by way of New York, thence by steamer to the Isthmus of Panama which he crossed part way by row boat and then upon pack mules. He went from there on the barque ... Aaron Smith," shipping as stew- ard and paying in addition to his services $100 for a passage to San Francisco. The vessel was becalmed for several weeks and finally reached Acapulco, Mexico, where she was seized by the Spanish authorities, condemned and sold. Mr. Simonson now took passage on another steamer to San Francisco, and upon reaching that point went directly to the mines in Cold Springs, Placer County. He was in California for two years work- ing in the mines and he located one mine of his own. He gained greatly in health and some $2,000 in purse while in the West. After two years in that country he returned to Michigan and spent three years, and then made an excursion to Pike's Peak. He remained there one summer only and came back to Michigan.
In 1861 this gentleman was married to Zilpha Bailey. Her parents, William and Betsey A. (Earle) Bailey, were natives of New York. They came to Michigan in 1836 and this daughter was born April 6, 1839. Her father was a contractor and builder as well as a farmer. He passed away from earth Christmas Day, 1871, and her mother still lives at Saginaw City, Mich., at the age of eighty years. The grandfather of Mrs. Simonson was Clark Bailey, who was born in New York and his father's name was also Clark Bailey. The elder Bailey was from Rhode Island,
Mr. and Mrs. Simonson are the happy parents of five children. They are named, Jay F., who was born Angust 15, 1862; Lucy A., February 19, 186.1 ; Bertha B., May 20, 1865; Earle W., February 1, 1868; and William B., June 25, 1870. Bertha is now the wife of Ernest Wild and resides in Pon-
tiac. She has one son-Jay, who was married April 13, 1889, to Mary Lambkin. They have one child, William B., who died January 10, 1891.
After Mr. Simonson's return from Pike's Peak he purchased the farm where he now resides. He has eighty acres, all improved, and upon it is doing a general farming business, breeding Clydesdale horses and carrying on the sorghum manufactory. lle was a Whig first and a Republican later in his life. His first Presidential ballot was cast for Fre- mont and his last for Harrison. Both Mr. Simon- son and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Birmingham.
EROME B. TRIM, of Springfield Township, was born March 18, 1828, in Oswego County, N. Y. His father, Hiram, and his grand- father, John, were both natives of New York. His great-grandfather with his family and the nurse of his children were taken captives by the Indians. The wife and family were roasted to death and he was obliged to run the gauntlet, which he accomplished. They pulled out half his hair and painted his head red and named him Trim thus originating the family name.
The grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. In 1830 he came to Hillsdale County, Mich., and spent the remainder of his years there. He was the father of six sons. The father of our subject was a farmer and black- smith. He came here in 1835 and bought eighty acres in Springfield Township. In May, 1836, he sent for his family. He paid $36 for the transpor- tation of one load of goods hanled out from De- troit. He built a small frame house and opened the first blacksmith shop in this township. To this shop came the settlers for many miles around. He carried it on for thirty years and then retired to his farm. He died in September, 1882, at Suntield, Eaton County, Mich., where he had removed some years before his death. He was a Whig and later a Democrat and was Road Commissioner and Jus- tice of the Peace for many years.
Patience Ures, the mother of our subject, was
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born near Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1803. She came to America with her parents when young and settled in Utica, N. Y. ITer father was a great brewer in Utica where he died in middle life. Mrs. Trim reared ten children, namely : Perry, Jerome, Pembrook, Ilomer, Mortimer, Ira, Delia A., Au- rellia, Nora and Sarah J. Their mother died in 1874. Both she and their father were earnest and efficient members of the Methodist Church.
Jerome B. Trim came to Michigan in his ninth year. When old enough he worked out by the month, receiving for his first wages $4 per month. When twenty-one years old he bought forty acres and farmed for a few years. lle afterward lived in Ionia County and in Shiawassee County. In May, 1847. he enlisted in the First Michigan Infantry and served in the Mexican War. Ilis company went to Lake Superior to guard money with which to pay the Indians off. Ile was in the service one and one half years but never saw Mexico. He lived in Shiawassee County twenty years and re- moved from there after the close of the War of the Rebellion.
Mr. Trim enlisted in Company H, Fifth Michi- gan Infantry in August, 1861. and took part in the Peninsular Campaign. He was present at the fol- lowing battles and engagements: Bull Run, Fred- ericksburg, Siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg. Fair Oaks and seven days retreat with continued fight- ing to Harrison's Landing. He then went to Ar- lington Heights where he was taken siek. Dropsy developing, his discharge was obtained and he came home for a year after having spent some time in hospital.
Our brave soldier re-enlisted in November, 1863, in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, Company E, join- ing the regiment at Stephensburg, Va. He did winter pieketing on the Rapidan, and then went on a twenty-one-days raid to Richmond, Va., then through North Carolina and again through Vir- ginia. They embarked for Alexandria and were in all the battles of the Wilderness. They rode down to Beaver Dam Station and captured a lot of prisoners. They were in the battles of Cold Harbor, Yellow Tavern, Old Church and Trevil- ian Station. The cavalry then did picket duty along the line of the Potomac River and took part
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