Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 57

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

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in the battle of Winchester, September, 1864. They were in the engagement at Ft. Republic, W. Va., and skirmished all the way back, returning in time to take part in the battle of the Shenandoah Valley. They raided and picketed all the follow- ing winter and the spring of 1865. They took capture Gen. Early's entire army and destroyed the canal to Lynchburg. They camped at City Point one week and then marehed to Harshes. They had an engagement at Dinwiddie Court-house and many skirmishes with Lee's soldiers.

At the battle of Five Forks Mr. Trim's horse was shot and fell upon him, giving him severe in- juries. Ile was taken to the hospital at West Philadelphia where he remained until discharged July 21, 1865. lle is an invalid and has never been able to do any work since that time. Besides the injuries to his knee and hips he is so deaf as to be obliged to use a trumpet. The Government grants him a pension of $24 per month.

The marriage of our subject took place Novem- ber 11. 1849. Flis wife, Elizabeth Husted, was born in New York April 6, 1826. Their two ehil- dren are living, Charles F. in California and Erwin 1. in St. Clair County, this State. Both Mr. and Mrs. Trim are members of the Presbyterian Church in which he is a Trustee. Ile is a strong Republi- can and a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 115, at Corunna. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Charter Oak Lodge, No. 56. Ile has eighty eight acres of land which he rents out, and a fine large residence, and excellent barns and outbuildings. Ile is universally esteemed both for his excellent character and his war record.

AMES LAIDLAW. A traveler through the farming lands of Oakland County will be pleased to observe the large number of well- improved farms and the numerous evidences of prosperity. In Oxford Township an estate of one hundred aeres, which is admirably adapted for both farming and stoek-raising, is owned and oe- cupied by the gentleman above mentioned. A visitor here will see everything that is necessary in

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the way of farm buildings, machinery, and all the modern appliances of agriculture. The life of Mr. Laidlaw affords an example worthy of emulation, for he began for himself a poor boy and has risen unaided to prosperity.

Mr. Laidlaw was born in Northumberland County, England, March 15, 1824. His father, Adamı Laidlaw, was a native of Scotland and a shepherd, but during the early part of his life he removed to England, whence, in 1842, he came to America with his family. After a tedious voyage they landed at Quebec, and proceeding directly to Hamilton, loca- ted on a farm near that city. There the father passed away in 1864, at the age of sixty-four years. Prior to his emigration he served in the Second British Cavalry and participated in the French Wars, serving under Gen. Wellington, famous as the hero of Waterloo.

The year following the death of the father, the mother, Margaret (Allen) Laidlaw, also a native of England, departed this life at the age of forty- eight years. The parents were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and were highly respected among their circle of acquaintances. Our subject is one of six children born to his parents, only two of whom are now living-Adam and James, of this sketch. The latter grew to man- hood in England, and had attained the age of eighteen years when he accompanied his parents to Canada. He remained under the parental roof about eight years in Hamilton, whence he came to Wisconsin in 1847 and for three years was vari- ously employed in Beloit. We next find him back in Canada and until 1853 he worked his father's farm on shares, carefully saving his earnings until he was able to buy a farm of his own.

Mr. Laidlaw located permanently in this State in the spring of 1854, when he came to Lapeer County and purchased a farm in Metamora Township. Dur- ing his residence there of nine years he effected many improvements upon the estate, clearing the land of the forest growth npon it, erecting sub- stantial farm buildings and fertilizing the soil by a proper rotation of crops. His energy bought him financial success, while his social qualities made him popular. In 1863 he sold this farm, and bought another just across the county line on sec-

tion 2, Oxford Township. When he came here wild game was still plentiful and other evidences of pioneer life were abundant. He cleared the land and gradually brought it to its present state of de- velopment. Ile still owns one hundred and eighty acres and has given to each of his sons one hun- dred acres.

In 1852 occurred an important event in the life of Mr. Laidlaw, when he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Piton, who was born in Canada in 1829. Ten children were born to them of whom two died in infancy. The others are named as fol- lows: Adam, William, Elizabeth, Mary, James, Ella, French and Alice. Mrs. Laidlaw has a cul- tured mind, a sympathizing heart and she adds thereto the housewifely knowledge which is neces- sary for all who make their homes attractive and comfortable. In politics Mr. Laidlaw is a firm Republican. A man of steady habits and high principles, he does as he would be done by in the various relations that he sustains towards others and his life record in all things is unblemished and worthy of emulation.

ILLIAM M. HADLEY, a representative farmer of the township of Rose, was born upon the farm where he now resides, September 27, 1837, and is a son of John and Sophia (Finck) Hadley. Ilis father was born near New Castle, England, in 1810, and ten years later emigrated to this country with his parents, John and Margery (Fenwick) Hadley. They made their first home in Wayne County, N. Y., and the grand- father came to Michigan in 1831 and entered lands in Groveland. Later in life he spent some years in Holly and there his life closed. Ile was an earnest and efficient member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile and his excellent wife reared to man's and woman's estate six sons and two daughters, all of whom married and established families of their own. He was twice married but had no children by his second wife.

The father of our subject came to Michigan in 1836 and entered one hundred and sixty acres in

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the locality where his son now resides. The fol- lowing year he removed his family to the new home and proceeded to clear away the forest and cultivate the land. The last eight years of his life were spent in Ilolly, where he aided in establishing a Presbyterian Church. He was bereaved of his wife in 1874 and he passed away June 13, 1876. Their children were named: Margery, William M., Eunice, Thomas, Elizabeth, Charles, Joseph, Mary and Martha. Besides these they had one son, Jeremish, who died when yonng. Charles, who was a soldier in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, was for a long time a prisoner at Andersonville and died at Annapolis on his way home. The father was a Justice of the Peace and represented the Democrats of his county in the Legislature of 1860. He was active and wide-awake on all politi- cal questions, and was a liberal and warm-hearted Christian and an Elder in the church. His wife was the daughter of Jeremish Finch, of Wayne County, N. Y. Her mother's maiden name was King.

Besides receiving practical training upon the farm and a district school education, the son Will- iam attended an academy, and taught school for five terms, beginning when twenty-one years old. With his teaching he mingled farming, renting land for a few years and then purchasing one-half interest in the home farm. Somewhat later his brother Thomas bought the other half and they still own it in partnership. Our subject continued cultivating this land until the spring of 1881 when he removed to a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Livingston County. In 1883 he removed to Fenton, where he owns a nice home. Ile has practiced living in town in the winter and on the farm in the summer. He has served the cause of education by filling admirably the position of Superintendent of Schools.

One of the great events in the life of Mr. IIadley was his marriage on June 7, 1876, to Elizabeth Denton, who was born in Fenton, August 12, 1841. Her parents, De Witt and Eliza (Hurd) Denton wore natives of Orange County, N. Y., and lived near Greycourt. The father came West in 1836 and took up land in Livingston County. In 1841 he moved his family to the new home and made

his first clearing. He was a Republican in politics and served as Supervisor, dying in December 1874 at the age of sixty-six years. His wife tarried ten years longer and died when seventy-five years old. They reared to maturity five of their eight children, namely : Elizabeth, Augustus, Seeley R., Anna, and Benjamin.

Mr. and Mrs. William M. Hadley have had four children. Two of them have passed away, Anna living to be seven years old; the two daughters who survive are Alice and Edith. These children are being carefully educated by their parents and arc taking their schooling for the present at Holly. They are reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church of which their father has been a member since he was sixteen years old.

A lithographic portrait of Mr. Hadley is shown in connection with this brief review of his per- sonal career.

ETH A. PADDOCK, one of the old settlers in Commerce Township, has a fine farm on section 2, which is in a good condition and well stocked. His father was George Paddock, a native of Connecticut and a shoemaker and farmer. The wife of George Paddock hore the maiden name of Mary Wetmore. After their marriage in Connecticut they removed to Herki- mer County, N. Y., where they lived on a farm until his death in 1834. She then removed to the home of a daughter in Erie County, where she passed away in 1838. They were the parents of fourteen children, but only two of this large fam- ily survive.

The subject of this sketch was born July 25, 1813, in Herkimer County, N. Y. After attending the district school he went for awhile to an academy in Genesee County. He remained at home for two years after the death of his father, working on the home farm. When his mother broke up house- keeping in 1837 he came to Michigan and settled on his present farm in a little board shanty back of his present baru. His brother Henry was here in 1836 and bought this farm of Mr. Walton, who was

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the first settler in this township. It was then com- pletely unbroken. Our subject bought the land of his brother a short time after his coming here.

Before coming West Mr. Paddock was married to Maria Calhoun, a daughter of Sheldon Calhoun, a Connecticut farmer. He was married in Herki- mer County, N. Y., December 17, 1835. Mrs. Pad- doek was born Oetoher 1, 1813, in that county. Her grandfather Bacon was a soldier in the Rev- olutionary War. This good lady died November 10, 1881, having been the mother of three children. The eldest child born before their coming West was Sarah M., who died before she completed her second year. Their second child Frederick J., was born May 22, 1842, and died October 15, 1867. Their only surviving child is Alfred H., born April 11, 1845. He married Elizabeth Wood and lives in this township on a farm. Two children have blessed this union.

When the father of these children came to Mich- igan he was barely able to pay for his land. Hle began clearing off the place and continued at this work until he brought it from its wild rough state to its present highly-cultivated condition. The village of Commerce was hardly in existence at that day. Ile moved from his board shanty into a better house, which he afterward sold and moved off the farm, going into the house which he now occupies, which was built by his brother. The barns and other outbuildings he has put up him - self. Ile has lived on this farm for fifty-four years, with the exception of a year and a half when he made a trip East. He drove from here to his old home in New York in a buggy and then went on and made a visit to Connecticut. By this journey he effectually broke up the fever and ague which was afflicting bim and after this he returned home. Ile now has one hundred and ninety acres of land most of it under the plow. He has a man and wife to keep house for him but still carries on actively the work of the farm. He has a flock of about two hundred and fifty fine wool sheep. He was one of the first members of the Grange at Commeree Village. 1Ie has always been deeply interested in politics and votes the Democratic ticket. Ile was long a member of the School Board, was Super- visor of this township for two terms and Ilighway

Commissioner for ten years. Under his supervision a large number of the ro ids of the township have been opened up. He has always been a strong and healthy man and a hard worker, and now in his seventy-ninth year is hale and hearty and enjoying a green old age. IIis reputation among his neigh- bors is one which is eminent for its liberality and kindness.

HRISTIAN SIICK, a farmer living on sec- tion 1, Orion Township, has demonstrated his ability as an agriculturist and business manager. He came to this State in 1845 without means, but he now has a solid footing as a land- owner, owning one hundred and seventy acres, which is well improved and valuable. He looks back to the time when wild game was plentiful and recalls with pleasure the deer stalking of those early days. Ile comes of the old Dutch stock, but his grandfather, whose name he bears, was probably born in Pennsylvania. That State was the home of the family for many years and Joseph Shick, the father of our subject, was born there. He removed to Richland County, Ohio, about 1850 and died in 1870. lle served for a short time in the War of 1812. The wife of Joseph Shick was Susan Lau- back, a native of Pennsylvania who died about 1882. She and her husband belonged to the Lutli- eran Church. They had nine children, six of whom are now living.

The subject of this notice was born in Northamp- ton County, l'a., May 30, 1820, and reared on a farm. When he began attending school he went to the old log schoolhouse of historic fame and conned his lessons in the few text books that were then use.l. He obtained a good amount of practi- cal knowledge in school and at home. He re- mained with his parents until he was twenty-five years old, then hired out on a farm for one year at $140. lle worked thus four years, then farmed on shares three years. In 1845 he established him- self in Macomb County, this State, but after a so- journ of four years came to this county. He bought eighty acres of land which be cleared and

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improved, building upon it a good house, barns, ete. In 1860 he sold it and bought that he now occupies. This he has greatly improved, building a substantial residence and barn, and adding to the number and value of the other farm buildings.

In 1857 Mr. Shick was married to Miss Peggy A. Miller, a native of Pennsylvania. and one of those excellent housekeepers and devoted mothers whom that State furnishes. The marriage has been blest by the birth of eight children, of whom we note the following: Elizabeth is the wife of Bert Seely of West Bay City; Catherine is deceased; Alice is the wife of Rufus Tripp of Bay City, a conduetor on the Detroit & Saginaw division of the Michigan Central Railroad: Sabina is deceased; Maggie and Jacob are with their parents; Luke is operating the home place; and John is at home.

Mr. Shiek is a believer in Democratic principles and casts his vote with that party. Sturdy and industrious, he has won success as a general farmer, and has a good name among the people.

OHN FULTON. Although this gentleman is not a resident of Oakland County he is well known to many of her citizens and has such property interests within her bounds as to make him a fit subject for representation in an ALBUM which contains information regarding her people and resources. The home of Mr. Fulton is in Greenfield Township, Wayne County. across the line from section 35, Royal Oak Township, this county. His estate consists of ninety- five acres in Wayne and ten acres in Oakland County. He has a fine house, which was put up in 1879 in accord- ance with modern ideas of comfort and furnished in a manner suitable to the means and tastes of the occupants. Conveniently disposed on the estate are good barns and other outhouses and especial care has been taken to afford adequate shelter for the stock raised and kept here. Mr. Fulton is engaged in the milk business and has nineteen cows.

William Fulton. father of our subject, was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, September 7, 1810, and

was the elder of two sons. His father died about 1812 and his mother subsequently married James Tait. In 1834 he turned his baek upon his native land and crossed to Canada where he made his home three years. He then came to this State, spent a few years in Wayne County, and then established himself in this county. In after years be bought different pieces of land until he owned two hun- dred and twenty acres. He lived until May 9, 1889. and died full of years and honor. He was married in 1840 to Jane Brown, who survived him a few months, breathing her last February 1, 1890. She was a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Spence) Brown, who were natives of England and whose family included one daughter and two sons younger than she. Mr. and Mrs. William Fulton were the parents of five children, three daughters and two sons, and John is the third on the family roll and the elder son. The natal day of John Fulton was November 5, 1845, and his birthplace the home farm in Royal Oak Township, this county. He attended the common school and made such use of the privileges afforded that he became abundantly capable of transacting business affairs and laid a solid foundation for the store of knowledge which can only be gained in later years. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-six years old, then married and set up his own home.

The wife of Mr. Fulton bore the maiden of Xerfa J. Merritt. She was born November 21, 1851, in Dearborn, Wayne County, and was the only child of Adna and Lucretia J. (Downer) Mer- ritt. Her father died when she was only about two years old and some four years later her mother married Sanford H. Wilber, of this county, to whom she has borne two children. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Fulton has the following record : Merritt W., born September 4, 1872; Sanford H., September 7. 1874; Maggie, November 26, 1876; Adna J., November 24, 1882; Ross E., December 1, 1886; Ethel J., October 25, 1889.

Mr. and Mrs. Fulton are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Greenfield, Wayne County, and have good standing among the mem- bership. The husband is a Trustee in the church and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is a Republican whose first vote was cast for Gen. U. S.

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Grant and who has supported every Presidential candidate placed before the people by the party of his choice from that day. He and his wife are well informed, painstaking and energetic in the affairs of life, and hospitable and kindly in their associa- tions with others.

LANSON PARTRIDGE. The only busi- ness affairs in which Mr. Partridge is now engaged are the looking after collections, and the settlement of estates. He is ad- ministrator for several and has already made satis- factory settlement of others which were given into his hands in former years. Mr. Partridge has lived in Birmingham for a long time, and is well known in and abont that place. With an established repu- tation as a business man and a sound public officer, he has also good standing in soeial circles.

The paternal grandparents of our subject were Alanson and Eunice (Mynard) Partridge, natives of Old Canaan and New London, Conn., respec- tively, who came to this State in 1844, and died in Royal Oak at the advanced ages of eighty-four and ninety years. The grandfather traced his ancestry to Scotland, and the grandmother to England, and the early members of both families settled in New England in Colonial days. The maternal grand- parents of Alanson Partridge were Joshua and Michel (Johnson) Chase, natives of Rhode Island, who died in Albany County, N. Y. Both were of English extraction, and the husband belonged to the well-known Chase family of Rhode Island; he was a Revolutionary soldier.

The parents of our subject were Lemuel M. and Nancy (Chase) Partridge, each of whom was born and reared in Albany County N. Y. They were married in the town of Knox and later took up their residence in Cato, Cayuga County, where they lived until 1833. They then removed to this county and located in Bloomfield, but soon afterward re- moved to Commerce Township near Walled Lake. The mother died there in 1839. The father re- mained there several years longer, then went to what is now Corunna, where he died in 1845. Ile

was a farmer and also an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his early life was mostly devoted to ministerial work. After he came West he was only a local minister, and his attention was largely given to farming. Ile was in easy financial circumstances, was quite active in the public affairs of his township and county, and for many years was Justice of the Peace and Super- visor of Commerce Township. He was a Demo- erat and a member of the Masonic order.

The parental family consisted of eight sons and daughters, and the present survivors are Adelia, wife of John M. Frazier, of Saginaw County ; Sally L., widow of Prentis Morell, of Texas; Alanson, our subject; and Nancy J., widow of Thomas Bed- dow, of Southfield. Alanson Partridge was born in Cato, Cayuga County, N. Y., January 8, 1827, but reared in this State, having come to this county with his parents when six years old. His educa- tion was limited and obtained in the common schools, which was held in the old-fashioned log house of historic fame. At the age of seventeen years he left home and began working for himself. He went to live with his brother-in-law and worked on his farm in the summer months and attended school winters. He next found employment with Mason I. James, a farmer in Troy Township, but after a season on his farm, entered upon an appren- ticeship at the trade of a wagon and carriage maker. He served in Birmingham two years, then spent about a twelvemonth working at his trade in Pon- tiac and Detroit. Ile next opened a shop of his own in Birmingham and carried it on until about 1874, when he sold out and gave his attention to the various official positions which he held.

In 1876 Mr. Partridge was elected County Treas- urer on the Democratie ticket, and was re-elected in 1878. Prior to this he had been Justice of the Peace, and is now holding the same office, having filled it off and on for twenty years. For several years the duties of that office received all his at- tention. He is a Mason of the Knights Templar degree, and has been Master of Birmingham Lodge, No. 44, for a quarter of a century, and in 1882 was Grand Master of the State. Ile is also an Odd Fellow. He casts a Democratie ballot.

September 26, 1849, Mr. Partridge was married

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to Miss Julia M. Sherman, a resident of Birming- ham, and a native of New Lebanon Springs, Col- umbia County, N. Y. She was born October 11, 1826, and had just entered her teens when her par- ents. Samuel and Esther (Gray ) Sherman, came to this State. They settled in Birmingham, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Both were born in the same town as their daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Partridge have had but one child, a daughter, Emma D , who is now deceased. She was the wife of Charles F. Sibley, of Bloomfield, and had one child, Anna D., who is now living with her grand- parents, our subject and his wife. She is a well edneated young lady. and is a teacher in the Birm- ingham schools. Mrs. Partridge shares with her husband in the esteem of their acquaintances, and has many friends in the community of which she has long been a useful member.

E WITT CLINTON WADE, M. D., a resi- dent of Holly, Mich., was born in Chau- tauqua County, N. Y., November 3, 1839. His parents were the Rev. Isaac M. and Catherine (Saekett) Wade, both natives of New York State. The father followed the ministry through life, and coming to Michigan in 1854, lo- eated at Clinton . and later at Ann Arbor. His

Dr. Wade, when a youth attended the high school at Phelps, N. Y., and later the select school at Clinton, Mich. Ile commeneed reading medi- eine at seventeen years of age and taught some in connection with his medical studies. Ile was a fel- low-student with Galbraith and LeBaron when they were students at the University of Michigan. These gentlemen are now practitioners at Pontiac, this State. He graduated a month after his twenty- |

first birthday, the youngest in his class. He took his medical course partly at the I'niversity of Michigan and partly at the Albany Medical Col- lege.

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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 57

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

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