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 58
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108
On May 12, 1862, our young Doctor was united in marriage with Mary A. Gibson, and thus began a domestie life of more than usual happiness. lle commenced practice in Holly, in February, 1861, and has made that his residence continually. He is connected with the following medical societies. The Oakland County Academy of Medieme, the Saginaw Valley Medical Club, Honorary member of the Washtenaw County Medieal Society, Chair- man of the section of Practice of Medicine of the Michigan State Medical Society, Permanent mem- ber of the American Medical Association and mem- ber of the Ninth International Medical Congress. His practice has been an "all around" one and is not limited to any specialty, although for many years he has not ridden in the county, and his time is largely absorbed by gynecological and surgical work. He contributes valuable articles to medieal literature.
Dr. Wade is surgeon for the Detroit, Grand Ilaven & Milwaukee Railroad. He is greatly in- terested in building up Holly and promoting its best interests. He has himself put up some fine buildings in town and organized the movement for establishing the vinegar works there. When the High School building was put up in Holly in 1866, health was poor and he took a trip to Minnesota, . he was Chairman of the building committee and where he died in 1870. His wife died in 1858 in Brooklyn, Mich. The family is of English deseent and the Rev. Isaac was a cousin to the late Ben Wade. The three children of this elergyman were our subject, Mrs. Warner of Albion, Mich., and Mrs. Elwood of the same place, who died in Sep- tember, 1888. laid out the grounds. He was also Chairman of the construction committee for the water works of the place. He was United States Examining Sur- geon from 1868 to 1882. He is in addition to his membership in many medical societies also con- nected with the order of Masonry and the Knights of Honor, and is an active and earnest Republican. llis only son, Linley G. Wade is an accountant in the First National Bank at Holly. Our subject is one of the most notable surgeons in this part of Michigan and is often called away to take charge of difficult cases or as counsel with other physi- cians. His surgical cases come from all over the State.
We append the following concise description of the Doctor; "150 pounds was his weight when he
521
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
grasped his "sheepskin," it is 200 now; height, five feet nine inches; health, good; eyes are dark; hair was black, but what there is left of it is getting mixed ; formerly he smoked cigars, but three and a half years ago he reformed; spectacles were taken up six or seven years ago; his contributions to medical literature are partly as follows : "Hydro- bromic Acid," "Displacements of the Uterus," "Diseases of Women," "Chloric Acid," "New For- mula for the Production of Hydrobromic Acid," "A New Antiseptic," "Puerperal Fever," "Ether" "The Ptomaines and lodine," "Perinoplasty," "Iodoform."
TKINSON WHITE. This prominent farmer of West Bloomfield Township owns a fine farm of one hundred and forty-five acres on seetions 18 and 19, and his pres- ent dwelling is within ha'f a mile of the place where he was born, June 3, 1838. He is a son of James and Eliza ( Miller) White, natives of Ireland, who emigrated in their youth and were married in New York, where they lived a few years after their wed- ding. Mr. White was there engaged in buying and selling rags, old iron, etc. Early in the '30s he came to this State, and took up a tract of Govern- meut land, consisting of three hundred acres in West Bloomfield Township, a portion of which is now owned by the son Atkinson. He cleared the land and followed farming until his death, which occurred while he was still a comparatively young man. His wife survived him several years. They had seven children, all still living. Their names are Atkinson, Mary J., David, John, Sarah A., James and Elizabeth. Mr. White was a Democrat and he and his wife were active members of the Presbyterian Church.
On the old homestead Atkinson White spent his boyhood days, performing such light tasks as were suited to his strength and pursuing his studies in the district school. As he grew older he took a greater part in the work of the farm, and he has continued to follow the vocation to which he was reared. About 1863 he settled where he is now living. He has a fine two-story frame house. such
barns and other outbuildings as are generally to be seen in the rural districts, and his front yard is full of evergreens that are kept trimmed in different designs, and form a striking feature in the land- scape. Mr. White gives his attention to his private affairs and social pleasures, and pays little attention to politics, although he is always ready to vote a Democratic ticket. He and his wife are members in good standing of the United Presbyterian Church at Commerce.
Mrs. White bore the maiden name of Martha Murray, and became the wife of our subject April 17, 1862. Prior to that interesting event her home was in Commerce Township, where she was born February 12, 1844, her parents being David and Martha (Carr) Murray. Mr. and Mrs. White have had seven children, named respectively, Albert J., Marshal B., Orson C., Guy M., Ada B., Ruth E. and Ray. Ruth died in infancy; Marshal mar- ried Miss Nellie Morris, of Utica, this State, and Ada is the wife of William Walls, Jr., a farmer in Commerce Township.
ILLIAM H. BRUMMITT. This name will be recognized by many readers as that of a photographer in Pontiac, whose gallery is supplied with the latest and best appliances known to photographic art and is patronized by large numbers of people. Mr. Brummitt established himself in Pontiac in 1870 and with the exception of a short time has continued to make his home here; the exception was a period spent at Wichita, Kan., where he had made investments in real estate upon which he realized handsomely. He sold ont his business in Pontiac to remove West, but on his return bought back the gallery.
The birthplace of Mr. Brummitt was Notting- ham, England, and his natal day February 13, 1837. His father, William Brummitt, was a gunmaker and his mother, formerly Sarah Paulson, was the daughter of George Paulson and a native of Eng- land. Both parents remained in their native land and their surviving children, with the exception of our subject, still live there. They had five sons
522
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
and three daughters, but only three now living. William H. was the youngest but one in the paren- tal family. His school days were passed in his na- tive county until he was eleven years old when he became page to Lady Harriett Benedick, daughter of the Duke of Portland. He spent three years in the service of that lady and eighteen months in that of the Duke of Newcastle, and he then traveled with the Rothehilds in different parts of Europe, consuming about three years in visits to the large and notable cities.
In the fall of 1855 Mr. Brummitt sailed for the United States, landing in New York, where he spent three years. He then visited Toronto, Canada. con- suming about six months in the trip and next go- ing to Philadelphia, Pa. He had condneted an art gallery in New York and in the metropolis of Pennsylvania he carried on the same business until 1867, when selling ont he removed to Detroit and after following his work there two years came to Pontiac. In Philadelphia he formed the acquaint- anee of Miss Paulina Delleiter, whom he won for his wife. She was of French descent and Prussian birth, being the daughter of Gen. Delleiter of the Prussian army. She died in Philadelphia in 1865, and in 1872 Mr. Brummitt was married to Miss Ella R. Woodard, daughter of Hosea Woodard, of Pon- tiae.
Mr. Brummitt was a member of the Common Council in 1890. Politically, he is a Democrat and socially a Knight of Pythias. He is Vice President of the Cass Lake Aquatic Association and takes great pleasure in drawing members of the finny tribe from cool waters. His dwelling is comfort- able, attractive, and is situated in a pleasant part of the city.
D AVID B. SWAYZE, of Orion, was born in Oakland Township, Oakland County, June 12, 1837. Ilis father. Sanford, of New Jersey was born in 1795, whence he came to Oak- land County in 1832. Ile entered land in Oakland Township, and received a deed signed by President Jackson. He built a nice farmhouse and began
to cultivate the land. The Indians planted corn for him and one of the squaws worked for his mother. Detroit was his nearest market to which he went by ox-team. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and died in 1855, at the age of sixty years. Ile commenced with lim- ited means and was more than ordinarily successful. The grandfather of our subject, Christopher Swayze, was a resident of New Jersey and was of English descent. The mother of our subject, Experience Brands, of New Jersey, died in 1879 at the age of seventy-six years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was the mother of seven children, six of whom are still living.
Mr. Swayze was reared on a farm and educated in the log schoolhouse, where he attended during the winter, but had to work in the summer time. When he was twenty-one be began farming on shares. He followed threshing for some time and then rented a farm for six years. He purchased his first farm in Oakland Township in 1866, but sold it soon and purchased one in Independence Township. The following spring he purchased one in Orion Township, and some land in Oakland.
He has made substantial improvements on his property and now has one of the finest and most productive farms in the county. This place is represented by a view on another page. His pres- ent home is presided over by Mrs. Swayze, a lady of culture and intelligence, to whom he was mar- ried in 1860. She was Phæbe A., daughter of James and Margaret ( Moore) Cheney, New Eng- land people, who came to Macomb County, Mich., in 1832. Mrs. Swayze was born in Shelby, Ma- comb County. in March, 1839. Her parents were married in 1835, and had seven children, all of whom are living. Mr. Cheney passed away from earth in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Swayze have had two children-Clara, deceased, and George. Both parents are earnest and useful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Swayze is a member of the Grange and is a Republican in his political preferences. He has five hundred acres of excellent arable land, upon which he raises all kinds of erops and also has various kinds of stock, all of good grades. He began twenty-eight years ago to raise rutabagas
F
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES V. BABCOCK, SEC.28., SOUTHFIELD TP., OAKLAND CO., MICH.
RESIDENCE OF DAVID B. SWAYZE, SEC. 12., ORION TP., OAKLAND CO., MICH.
525
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
and one year he marketed as high as sixteen thou- sand bushels. He has also raised as much as six thousand, five hundred bushels of potatoes. He formerly devoted much time to wheat and has raised as much as three thousand, two hundred bushels at a season. He turns off a good flock of sheep every season and fattens lambs for the Buf- falo market. He started at twenty-one years of age with $180 and now is the possessor of three farms.
ON. CHARLES V. BABCOCK. This gen- tleman resides on section 28, Southfield Township, where he settled more than sixty years ago. He has been closely con- nected with the political affairs of this part of the State, has held various offices of more or less im- portance and has earned a reputation that is widely known. lle was born in Rutland, Vt., June 4, 1823, but reared in this county, to which his par- ents came in 1829. His paternal grandfather was born in Massachusetts, but his father, Henry S. Babcock, was a native of Vermont and was reared in that State. lle married Jane White, who was born in the same State, but whose father, Ruloph White, was a native of New York and came of the old Knickerbocker stock.
When the Babcocks came West they located in Southfield Township, of which the husband was the first Supervisor under the Territorial law of 1831. Ile was appointed Justice of the Peace by Gov. George B. Porter in 1834, and after the ad- mission of the State to the Union was elected to the same office by the people. He also served them as Representative in 1841. Ele was killed by the kick of a horse October 26, 1842, when of middle age, having been born August 23, 1798. Mrs. Babcock, who was born September 11, 1796, died January 18, 1872.
1
The parental family included five daughters and one son, and the son is the second member. He was six years old when he came hither and his first schooling was obtained in a little log school- house on section 21. At the age of eighteen years
he attended a private school in Troy three months, and the following winter taught in the home township. lle continued pedagogical work for fifteen years and during that time was a student in the Ypsilanti Seminary three terms. Immedi- ately after his marriage he settled on the place he still makes his home.
Mr. Babcock was married October 24, 1848, to Rosanna T., danghter of George and Therina (Hyde) Tibbits, who was born in this county April 9, 1826. She is an intelligent, courteous lady who understands the art of making her home attractive, and who sympathizes in her husband's aspirations and theories so as to be a pleasant com - panion and helpful friend. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock have no children but have reared an adopted child whom they took in its infancy. The child was named Minna E. and is now the wife of Robert S. Gamble and the mother of a daughter, Florence.
The first oflice filled by Mr. Babcock after he became a man was that of School Inspector. In 1851 he was elected Township Supervisor and for more than twenty years officiated in that capacity. Ile was Chairman of the Board from 1861 to 1866 inclusive, and during that time was greatly interested in raising funds for the benefit of sol- (lier's families. He was instrumental in securing $127,900 for that purpose and in raising $235,300 for bounty money. In 1859-60 Mr. Babcock was County Clerk ; in 1884 he was elected Justice of the Peace to fill a vacancy, and in 1891 for a full term. The office in which he became most widely known, and in which he worked for the largest constituency was that of State Senator, which he held in 1863- 64 and 1875-76. llis record is one of which no man need feel ashamed, but to which he and his friends can point with justifiable gratification as that of an honest legislator.
Mr. Babcock has been called upon to give ad- dresses on various occasions and those who are interested in the history of the State and especi- ally of this county, would do well to hear or to read remarks made by him at meetings of pioneer societies. On the occasion of the meeting of the Oakland Society, February 21, 1885, he gave quite an exhaustive review of matters of special interest to the citizens of this county, and we re-
52G
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
gret that space forbids reprinting the address in connection with these brief paragraphs. It is need- less to say that the lon. Mr. Babcock is well read. as it would seareely be expected that an old teacher would give up the pursuit of knowledge. His general intelligence and cordial manner prepossess strangers in his favor and a better acquaintance adds to the regard in which he is held.
The Hon. Mr. Babcock has a pleasant home, a view of which is presented on another page of this volume.
TT ::
AMES HOUSTON, General Superintendent of the Pontiac. Oxford & Northern Rail- road. is a native of Maryland, born in the city of Baltimore December 21, 1812. lle is the second son of William and Mary Ann ( Fra- ser) Houston. His parents were natives of Ireland who emigrated to the United States when quite young, and were married and settled in the city of Baltimore, where they became the parents of three children.
The father of our subject died when James was only two years old and five years later his mother married again. Of the three children by the first marriage James was the second son. Ilis school days were passed in Baltimore and he remained under his mother's roof until he was nineteen years old. Hle commeneed his career by railroading in the employ of the Baltimore and Ohio Road in the city of Baltimore and subsequently went to Oak- land in the same State. He there became connected with the mercantile business, serving three years as eleik and three years as partner. In 1870 he resumed railroading in Kansas, entering the employ of the Kansas Pacific Railroad. and aiding in its con- struetion through the States of Kansas and Colo- rado to Denver. For ten years he was connected with the railroads in Kansas. occupying various positions from station agent to superintendent and receiver of the Kansas City, Burlington & Santa Fe Railroad. From Kansas he went to Louisiana and there superintended the construction of the Natchez, Red River & Texas Railroad.
In 1883 Mr, Houston came to Pontiac, this State,
and took charge of the Pontiac, Oxford & North- ern Railroad, taking the position of General Super- intendent. This road was formerly called the Pontiac, Oxford & Pt. Austin Railroad, of which Mr. Houston was appointed receiver at the time that its affairs became complicated. After settling up the business of this corporation in 1868 he took charge of the road for the new company and still holds the responsible position then assumed.
While residing in Kansas City our subject was married to Miss Mary F. Stouch, residing at Gar- net, Kan. She is a native of Ohio and a daughter of William R. Stouch, her parents being natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Kansas. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Houston took place No- vember 25, 1875. Four children have blessed the home of this couple, namely : Mary F., William O., Charles K. and Ruth E. Our subject and his wife are earnest and devoted members of the Presbyterian Church in which Mr. Houston for the past five years has served as Eller. Ilis polit- ical affiliations are with the Prohibitionists and he is ever awake to the necessity of regulations for the moral and physical well being of Pontiac. Ilis residence is the pleasant home at No. 146, North Saginaw Street.
R OSEKRANS DIVINE, one of the most in- fluential and prominent farmers of Holly Township, was born in Fishkill, Dutchess County, N. Y., on the banks of the beauti- ful Hudson River. His father, Abram A .. was born in New York State. October 5, 1784. Ilis grandfather came from Holland and settled in the Empire State. The father was a carpenter and farmer, and removed from Ulster County, N. Y., to Macedon, and thence to Michigan in 1848. He settled in Eureka Township, Montcalm County, and died there February 25, 1864. He was a Re- publican in politics.
Our subject's mother, Sarah Divine, was also a native of New York, where she was born January 17, 1789. Six of her eight children grew to ma- turity, but Rosekrans is the only one now living.
527
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
She was a devout and earnest Presbyterian in her religious faith. She lived to the advanced age of eighty-four years. Her father, John Rosekrans. was a native of New York, where he owned a large farm on the Hudson River, which was valued at 8300 per acre. He was of German descent and a connection of Gen. Rosecrans, notable in the Civil War. He lived to be between eighty and ninety years of age.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and educated in the district schools under the rate bill system. When ten years of age he went to live with his grandfather Rosekrans, and thereafter worked for himself. He came to Montcalm County, Mich., in September, 1843, and bought State land four miles south of Greenville. He built the first house in that county, and his son, J. A., was the first white child born in the county. Mr. Di- vine was elected, in 1855, to serve as Representa- tive of Montcalm County, and served in this capacity for one year. Ile afterward served as en- rolling clerk in the House at Lansing. He held nearly all the offices in the gift of the citizens of Eureka Township, and was Superintendent of the county poor for a number of years. He was also Revenue Officer and Draft Commissioner under Gov. Blair.
Mr. Divine offered his services to his country in the War of the Rebellion in 1861, but was rejected on account of ill health. In April, 1865, he traded his farm for the one where he now resides. He built his handsome frame house in 1881, and his large red barn the same year. Ile has raised con- siderable stock and grain and made a specialty of sheep. His married life began May 16, 1843. His wife, Phoebe Boice, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., July 7, 1819. She died December 21, 1873, having been the mother of three children. Two grew to maturity, John A .; and Jennie, who be- came Mrs. Morris. Their mother was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church.
The second marriage of our subject took place June 28, 1876. The present Mrs. Divine bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Hadley, and was born in Michigan, December 31, 1810. They are both lifetime members of the Presbyterian Church, and our subject has been an Elder in that church for
about twenty years. lle remembers a pleasant and notable incident of his boyhood, when in 1836 he was one of three boys to carry a banner and cscort Martin Van Buren to Poughkeepsie during that Presidential campaign. He joined the Republican party in 1856, and has ever since been a faithful adherent to its principles.
Mr. Divine is a member of the Chosen Friends, in which he is joined by his wife. He is also a member of the Grange and of the Patrons of In- dustry. He is identified with a farmer's club named Olive Branch, at Holly, of which he is Vice President.
ILLIAM A. ALLEN, the largest dealer in wood and coal in Pontiac, carries also a large stock of buggies. carriages, light and heavy wagons, lime, cement, pelts and hides. Ile was born in Genesee County, Mich., August 20. 1850, and is the son of James and Hannah (Gran- ger) Allen, both of whom were natives of New York State, and were carly emigrants to Michigan. They came to Oakland County about fifty years ago, living for several years in this county, and then removing to St. Johns, Clinton County, where Mr. Allen still resides in his seventy-fifth year. The grandfather of our subject, James Allen, came to this county at the same time his son James did, but located in Waterford, where he resided on his farm until death. Hannah Granger. the mother of William Allen, died October 12, 1874, in . Pontiac Township, Oakland County. She was the mother of six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living.
The subject, of this sketch passed his early school days in his native county. When sixteen years of age he went to Macomb County, where he spent six years, and then came to Oakland County. Ile attended school in Independence and Waterford Townships and was trained in farm work. He con- tinued on a farm until he reached his twenty-fifth year, when he removed to Pontiac, and after team- ing for a while, decided to start in business for him! self. In 1883 he started a wood yard, and soon
528
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
afterward added coal to bis business. Ile managed this yard until 1889. when he purchased the bosi- ness of L. . R. Lumby, and continued business also at the old stand No. 13 Laurence Street.
The marriage of Mr. Allen occurred December 26, 1875, at the home of the bride, Miss Fannie A. Rowley, of Macomb County. She is the daughter of Philander and Betsey Rowley, both natives of New York State, from which they removed to Michigan before the birth of their daughter, who was born and reared in Macomb County. One daughter has brightened the home of Mr and Mrs. Allen, Maud A., who is still a school girl. Mr. Allen is conservative in his politics, and while in- terested in the government of city and State, de- voted his attention principally to business. He is a member of Pontiac Lodge, F. & A. M.
ACOB J. MOORE, a prosperous farmer of Commerce Township and the head of a no- table family, is the son of Joseph B., a na- tive of New Jersey, born March 20, 1790. llis brother was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and died in Sandy Hook, N. Y., a victim of the measles. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Phæbe Brands. She was born January 8, 1793, in New Jersey. Her father, Ja- cob Brands, a soldier in the War of 1812 was sta- tioned at Detroit.
The parents of our subject married in New Jersey, July 28, 1814 and resided there until 1833, when they came to Macomb County, Mich., and settled in Sheldon Township, on an unimproved farm. Mr. Moore took his land from the Government with a deed signed by Gen. Jackson. They were pioneers there and made it their permanent home. Ile was drowned in Clinton River, April 14, 1835. llis wife made a second marriage with Elial Cramp- ton, a native of Indiana. He died in 1860, and she survived until 1864, when she departed at the age of seventy-one years, ten months and fourteen days. The parents of our subject were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which the father was an exhorter. IIe helped to build the
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.