Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 59

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

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schoolhouse in bis neighborhood and held the first religious services in it. He was both Steward and Class-Leader. His political connections were with the Whig party. Ile and his good wife were the parents of ten children, five of whom are living.

Jacob J. Moore was born May 16, 1815, in New Jersey. Ile was eighteen years of age when he came to Michigan. lle attended the district school in New Jersey, and learned the blacksmith's trade. He began for himself at twenty-one years of age. After he came to Macomb County, Mich., he worked at the carpenter's business. He moved to Lapeer Connty in 1838. His marriage took place on New Year's Day 1837, his bride being llepsabeth, a daughter of Benjamin and Asenath (Grimes) Gil- lett, both natives of Greene County, N. Y., who came to Michigan in 1834 and made a home for themselves in Macomb County. He improved his farm well before his death and passed away Septem- ber 28, 1838, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, who was born October 22, 1787, died November 3, 1864. They were the parents of four children, two of whom are now living.

Mrs. Moore was born August 9, 1821, in Monroe County, N. Y. She received a good district school education and began teaching when only fourteen years old. After marriage they made their home first in Macomb County and then lived in Lapeer County for six years. In 1844 they moved to Oakland County, and settled in the village of Com- meree until 1858, when they moved to the present farm. While in Commerce Mr. Moore was in the furniture business. When he moved liere he began operating a steam sawmill and carried it on for twenty-five years in connection with his farm. Ile has seventy-nine acres nearly all improved.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the parents of ten chil- dren, eight of whom are now living. Their eldest son, the Rev. Levi G. Moore was born August 18, 1838; be married Alice Banks and with her and his four children resides in Grand Rapids. Oel B., born May 3, 1810. married Agnes Nesbitt, and with her and his five children lives near Birming- ham; he was a soldier in the Civil War. Phobe A., born January 16, 1812, is the wife of James A. Ilaskins, and lives in Newaygo County. Hler husband was a soldier in a Pennsylvania regiment,

William Leland

PLEASANT LAKE - LOOKING WEST FROM HOME PASTURE.

"PLEASANT LAKE FARM". RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM LELAND, SEC. 30. WATERFORD TP., OAKLAND CO., MICH.

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They have two children. Benjamin C., born Septem- ber 28, 1843, and married to Angy Goff, lives in Newago County; they have seven children. Ile was a soldier in the Twenty-second Michigan In- fantry. Judge James B., born November 3, 1845, married Ella Bentley, and lives in Lapeer City. Gazena A., born May 18, 1848, wife of Edmund Clark, also lives in Newaygo County; she is the mother of two children. Theodore, born May 16, 1850, married Elizabeth Clark; they have one child and live in Midland. Ella B., born March 2, 1859, and wife of Horace E. Johns, lives in Commerce Township; she is the mother of two children. Levi, the eldest son was a student at Albion College. Oel B. was also a student there. Joseph B. attended Hillsdale College and is a grad- nate of the law department of Ann Arbor Univer- sity. At present he is the Judge of the Sixth Ju- dieial District. He now has an appointment from President Harrison as one of the Committee to settle Indian difficulties in California. Both Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is the Senior Trustee of this church having been in this position for forty years. He has been both local and district Steward and also Class-Leader. He has been Superintendent for a number of years in the Sunday-school and also teacher in the same as has also been his good wife. His first vote was cast for William Henry Harrison, and he is a Republican to this day. Mrs. Moore is a member of the Women's Christian Tem- perance Union at Walled Lake. Mr. Moore is to a great extent an invalid and not able to be active in his duties.

ILLIAM LELAND. It would be hard to find, at least within the limits of Water- ford Township, a gentleman more highly respected than the one above named, whose por- trait is shown on the opposite page, and who has been prominently identified with the agricultural and public labors of this community for many years. He possesses sonnd judgment, ripe intelli- gence and an accommodating spirit, which quali-

ties have made him useful to his fellow-men and secured for him a competeney. Among the pleas- ant homesteads of the township the traveler in- variably notices that of Mr. Leland, which com- prises one hundred and sixty aeres of fine land on section 30, and a view of which appears on another page. He also owns forty aeres in White Lake Township.

Many native-born citizens of England have sought homes in America, and among the emi- grants of 1840 was David Leland, who immedi- ately after landing proceeded to Michigan. He had few educational advantages in the old coun- try and but little means when he sought a home in the United States. But he possessed courage and energy, and was not slow in acquiring that inde- pendence so dear to every human heart. In 1845 he returned East to New York, where he married in Monroe County Miss Getty Stottle, the cere- mony being performed August 20. The bride was born in Seneca County, N. Y., November 2, 1805, and was of German and Irish descent.

After their marriage the young couple returned to Milford, whence the ensuing winter they re- moved to Waterford Township. By industry and economy they accumulated considerable property, and their latter years were passed amid the com- forts for which they toiled so assidnously in youth. The father died April 5, 1886, his wife having preceded him in death several years, passing from earth May 15. 1881. There were two children in the family-Sarah and our subject. The sister married George Corwin, a farmer living on the old homestead. The memory of David Leland is held saered not only in the hearts of his children, but by those who remember that to the sturdy pioneers of the earlier portion of this century is due our present proud position as a farming and business community.

William Leland was born in Milford Town- ship, this county, June 26, 1845, and remembers well when settlers were few, wild game plentiful and the frontiersman had need of much persist- ence to encourage him in his efforts. He grew to a stalwart manhood and assisted his father on the home farm, continning thus employed for a num- ber of years after he had attained his majority.

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Later he worked the farm on shares and accumu- lated considerable money, which he loaned on real-estate security, taking a mortgage on the farm which he now owns. In order to get his money out of it he was compelled to buy the estate, which since his purchase has been improved into one of the finest farms in the vicinity.

In 1883 Mr. Leland was united in marriage with Miss ITelen, daughter of John and Mary ( Buff) Jackson, natives of England. The father erossed the broad Atlantic in 1830, and settled in New York; a little later the mother came with ber par- ents and located at Akron, Ohio. Mr. Jackson, after sojourning for a brief period in the Empire State, went to Akron, Ohio, where he worked in a powder mill until his marriage, in 1835. Twelve children were born of their union, of whom four are now living. Two brothers gave their lives in defence of the Union, one being killed in the battle of Brandy Station and the other dying in Ander- sonville prison. The congenial union of our sub- jeet and his estimable wife has been blest to them by the birth of two children-Grace Ethel, who was born April 13, 1885; and Elmer C., who was born May 7, 1887, and died August 2, 1888.

OIIN R. TAYLOR, a farmer and dairyman, whose property is within the corporate lim- its of Pontiac, was born in Northampton County, Pa., December 4, 1847. His father, Conrad Taylor, was a native of Warren County, N. J., born January 5, 1823, and was the fifth son of Benjamin and Mary (Van Kirk) Taylor, who bad sixteen children. The mother of our subject was Susan Rosenberg, a Pennsylvanian, born in 1825. Her father, Jobn Rosenberg, was of German ancestry, and the maternal family was noted for longevity. The grandmother died in her ninety - eighth year. Mrs. Susan Taylor died when her son John R. was but two years old and some time afterward a second marriage was made by the wid- ower. Ilis wife was Miss Rebecca Jones, of Oak- land Township, but a native of New Jersey, and

their union was blest by the birth of a daughter, Alice M., who married Albert Brewster, and now lives in Denver, Col. The children of the first marriage were John R., Mary E. and Irving. The last named is a farmer in Avon Township, and Mary is deceased.

In 1849 the father of our subject came to this county and located on farm lands in Addison Township. He was a general farmer, and put good improvements on his land. In 1865 he re- moved to Pontiac and ran a meat market four years, after which he bought one hundred and eighty acres in Avon Township, and removed there- to. Several years later he took up his residence in the village of Rochester, where he is still living re- ' tired. Politically he is a Democrat. Years ago he and his wife became members of the Presbyter- ian Church. ITis son, onr subject, was educated in the schools of Pontiac. In the fall of 1861 he en- tered the Union army as a member of Company B. Thirtieth Michigan Infantry, Col. Warner com- manding. His army experience was principally gained at posts that were being guarded by the command to which he belonged. He was honor- ably discharged June 24, 1865.

Mr. Taylor returned to Pontiac, and was soon engaged in farming in Troy Township, where he made his home five years. He then sold out and bought sixty-five acres within the city limits, and since that time has given his chief attention to the dairy business. milking twenty-five cows and sell- ing the milk in the city. He has two first-class cattle barns and other substantial farm buildings, and also a good residence, comfortably furnished and neatly ordered. The affairs of the household are in charge of an amiable and energetie woman, who became his wife in 1868. Her maiden name was Mary Stowell, and she was born in this county in 1819, being a daughter of Simon and Harriet Stowell. They have one son, Irving S., who is still at home.

Mr. Taylor is an energetic man, an intelligent and law-abiding citizen, and one who in social and domestic life is considerate and agreeable. Ile is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of Dick Richard Post, No. 147, G. A. R. He has repre- sented the Third Ward as Alderman during the

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past nine years, and in the meetings of the Council shows an interest in the lasting good of the city. Politically he is a Democrat, and he and his wife have their religious home in the Presbyterian Church.

G UY M. TROWBRIDGE makes his home in Pontiac, Mich., and was born in the town- ship of Troy, Oakland County, January 31, 1834. He is the son of Stephen V. R. and Eliza- beth (Conklin) Trowbridge. The father was a native of Albany N. Y .. where he was born July 4, 1794. The mother was born at Horseheads, near Elmira, N. Y., May 22, 1797. The Trowbridge family were early settlers of Central New York. The parents of our subject were married January 25, 1815, and made their home at Horsebeads for about six years.

It was in 1821, that Stephen Trowbridge and his wife established their new home in Troy Township, Oakland County, Mich. Stephen had come in the previous fall and walked all the way from Horse- heads through Canada to Detroit. Mich. Here he had hoped to find a brother, C. C. Trowbridge, who had made his home here in 1818, but on reaching Detroit, he found that his brother had gone East on horseback through Canada and they had missed one another on the way. He came out to Oakland County and looked about and bought eighty aeres of land from the Government. He then returned East and transported his family to Buffalo where they took passage on a vessel, which was called "Walking in the Water." On this they made their voyage to Detroit and thence to Oakland by ox- team. The first twelve miles out of Detroit passed through a black swamp. The load was heavy and the teams stuck in the mud. Mrs. Trowbridge descended from the wagon and with her baby boy in her arms walked for eight miles. At one time while the teams stuck fast in the mire a stranger came along and found Mrs. Trowbridge sitting by the roadside with a baby in her arms and a little one at her knee. The stranger asked, "are you not discouraged? She said, "Oh. no, not much, I think we will get through all right." The family found

on their farm a log honse 14x14 feet. Here they were sheltered until a more comfortable home could be erected.

Surrounded by Indians and with but few white neighbors Mr. Trowbridge went to work to clear the little farm. He improved it and added to it until be had two hundred and ninety acres in a fine con- dition. Besides general farming he carried on stock-raising, as the range for cattle was at that time extensive and the Indians kept the under- brush well burned off. Game was plentiful and the family was well supplied with wild meat. Wild turkey abounded and fishing was good. Mr. Trow- bridge died in March, 1859, and his wife survived until 1873. They were the parents of eleven chil- dren, all of whom lived to establish families of their own.

Stephen V. R. Trowbridge was an adherent to the Whig party and yet a particular friend of Gov. Cass. He was Supervisor for a number of years and was a member of the Territorial Legislature. He was appointed by Gov. Cass to handle the annual payments which were made to the Indians. President Taylor appointed him Mineral Agent of the Lake Superior Mines, which position he occu- pied for three years. He and his wife were mem- bers of the first Presbyterian Church organized in this county, in which he was for many years an Elder. The names of his eleven children are: Julia C., Mrs. Charles Hastings ; Charles A., de. ceased, was a merchant in New York City; Eliza- beth, Mrs. Caleb Hammil; Roland E., deceased ; Kate, widow of Rev. Edwin Goodell-they were missionaries to Turkey ; Edmund, deceased; Will- iam P., Professor of Mathematics in Columbia Col- lege; Tillman C., deceased, was a missionary to Turkey ; Guy M. ; Luther S., an attorney at Detroit; and Augusta S., wife of William S. Albertson, a merchant at Duluth, Minn.

Guy M. Trowbridge remained under the parental roof until he reached his majority. He then settled upon a farin in Troy, which he managed for about four years, and then removed to the old homestead of his father after the latter's death and continued farming there for twenty-one years. His marriage took place October 16, 1855. Ife was then united with Miss Emily Ostrander, daughter of Simeon

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and Hannah ( Fellows) Ostrander, whose home was in New York State on the banks of the Hudson. Mrs. Trowbridge was born in Columbia County, N. Y. In 1885 Mr. Trowbridge sold the farm in Troy and removed to Pontiac, and purchased his present farm of one hundred and seventeen acres, situated within the corporate limits of the city. Here he has a good brick residence and excellent outbuildings, all desirably situated.

Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge, namely: Carrie C., who is the wife of Gordon Benedict ; Louis O., a salesman for a marble works: and Emily P., still a school girl. Mr. Trowbridge served as Supervisor of Troy Township for several years. He was appointed Deputy United States Collector of Internal Reve- nue for the First District of Michigan with head- quarters at Pontiac. During the time his brother was Collector. Politically, he is a stanch Republi- can. casting his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont and his last for Benjamin Harrison. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1860, and Elder in the same and serves as Superintendent in the Sunday-school.

8 OLOMON EAGLE is numbered among the pioneers of this county, and has lived on section 20, West Bloomfield Township since he came hither in 1835. Ile took Government land and set about reclaiming it and making it a fit place of abode for intelligent human beings. The work he has accomplished was of the nature with which the younger generation is famil- iar by hearsay, and the older by experience, inter- esting to relate, but oft times bitter to realize. The farm now owned by Mr. Eagle consists of two hun- dred and forty acres, which he cleared, as when he came hither it was covered with a dense forest growth. It has very good improvements upon it, and is the source of a good income, being now rented out. Mr. Eagle is quite advanced in years. and does not enjoy very good health. The family of which he is an honored descendant, owned land near Dublin, Ireland, which for three hundred and

seventeen years passed by inheritance from one gen- eration to another.

The parents of our subject were Edward and Le- titia A. (Bolton) Eagle, natives of the Emerald Isle, in which the husband died, while the wife breathed her last in North Wales. The parental family included Solomon, Arabella, Letitia, Anna, Edward, Mary, Jane and T. Chester. The eldest was born in Dublin, February 20, 1808, and reared near that city on a farm. He remained in his na- tive land until after he had passed his majority when he sailed for America, leaving port March 7. 1830, and landing in New York City, May I. He spent abont four years in the American metropolis, and then came West and took up the land on which he has since lived.

On March 7, 1830, Mr. Eagle was married to Miss Sarah Lee of Coot Hill, Ireland, with whom he at once embarked for America. She was a little older than he. She died in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1832, and in 1834 Mr. Eagle was married to Miss Isabella Gregory, of New York City. She died in this county, and our subject was again married, his bride being Mrs. Eliza Brown, of West Bloomfield, who was born in Ireland. This union was blest by the birth of four children, viz: Edward J., Sarah L., Eliza J. and George R. The mother of these children died some years ago, and Mr. Eagle was afterward married to Miss Cornelia Cychester. Ilis present wife was formerly Mary J. Eagle, and is a daughter of Solomon G. and Ellen (Chew) Eagle. Hler parents were born in Ireland, and came to America when she was a child, settling at Turtle Lake, this county, but the last twenty-five years of their lives were spent in Waterford Township, where her marriage ceremony took place. ller mother died April 20, 1877, at the age of sixty-two years, and her father April 29, 1890, aged seventy- five. Their other children are Ann C., Charlotte A .. Ellen M .. Solomon G., Letitia A., George R., John S. and Edward E.

Mı. Eagle has never taken any great interest in polities, but is well-informed regarding the issues of the day, and votes the Democratic ticket. His father was an attorney-at-law in Ireland, and his parents adhered to the faith of the Church of Eng- land, under whose tenets he was reared. He has,

VM. H. PHELPS.

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however, become a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and not only endeavors to live in accordance with religious principles, but takes an active part in church work.

ILLIAM H. PHELPS. For several dec- ades the late Mr. Phelps was identified with the agricultural interests of this county and for many years he was located on section 34, Troy Township. He took possession of property there immediately after his marriage, and his widow is now occupying the fine farm of one hundred fifteen acres. where the various appointments indi- cate the prosperity attained and the good judgment displayed by her deceased husband. The residence is a substantial brick house and the farm buildings are well built. Mr. Phelps was not only well known as a first-class farmer, but he had a high reputation as a man of irreproachable character, earnest and public spirited, and cordial in his associations with his fellow-men. His portrait is presented in con- nection with the following brief account of his life:

Mr. Phelps was a son of Eli and Lucy (Downer) Phelps, who were born in New York and Vermont respectively. The natal day of the father was June 27, 1783, and that of the mother June 16, 1788. They were married in the Empire State March 29, 1815, and came to this State in 1832. They lo- cated on raw land in Troy Township, near the site of Troy Corners, but after a residence of three years removed to section 34. which was their per- manent abiding place. There Mr. Phelps died January 31, 1860, and his widow, April 25, 1877. They had three sons and two daughters and William II. was third on the family roll. He was born in Whitestown, Onedia County, N. Y., June 16, 1820, and began his course in schooling at his native place. He was twelve years old when the family came West and he completed his studies in this county. He learned the trade of a cooper and fol- lowed it for a few years, making his home with his parents until he was of age.

December 30, 1847, our subject was married to Minerva M., daughter of William II. and Eliza |

(Starks) Smith. The bride's parents were born in New York and her own birthplace was in Wayne County, this State, and her natal day August 25, 1827. She was the second of twelve children-four daughters and eight sons. She grew to womanhood in the county in which she was born, pursuing the course of study in its schools, and under the par- ental roof learning many lessons which were found useful when she had grown to maturity. Her union with Mr. Phelps was blest by the birth of four children, namely: Warren H., who died in his fifth year; Frank W., who was born April 21, 1851. and is living in Troy Township; Fred S., born December 20, 1855, residing with his mother on the homestead; and Anna E., born January 7, 1863, and now the wife of Charles Flinn, who was born in this county December 6, 1852.

For thirty-five years Mr. Phelps held the office of Justice of the Peace and his wise decisions and earnest efforts to promote peace and harmony were recognized ou all sides. He was Highway Com- missioner, Drain Commissioner and School Director, and at various times filled each of the other school offices. At the time of his decease he was the in- cumbent of the Moderatorship. Politically he was a Republican. His religious home was ir the Methodist Episcopal Church and he was a faithful worker, acting in an official capacity for many years. He held the various offices, including those of Trustee and Class-Leader, and was an efficient teacher in the Sunday-school. He passed the al- lotted age of man and entered into rest December 12, 1890.

D. HADDON. Among the prominent busi- ness men of Holly, we find the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Ile has a fine store on Saginaw Street, where he carries an excellent line of cloth- ing, hats and caps, boots and shoes. lle is a native of Michigan, having been born in East Saginaw, April 7, 1862. Hle is the son of Robert R. and Mary A. (Minock) Haddon. His mother was born

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in Holly, and his father lo heland. from which he came with his parents when eleven years old. They settled in New York State and brought up their large family of children.

Robert R .. one of the children of this family, and the father of our subjeel! came West and settled in East Saginaw. about the year 1845. Ile built the first wagon ever made in that city and helped to build the first sidewalks. He came to Holly in 1871, and has made this his permanent home, pur- chasing land a little west of the village where he now lives. He was married in 1860 in Holly, and has reared a family of two daughters and eight sons of whom our subject is the eldest. The parents of Mrs. R. Haddon came from Ireland in their youth. and emigrated to Michigan in the Territorial days. Mr. Minock has cleared up and cultivated several farms, and is the owner of one of the very best in Holly Township. He is one of the wealthiest men in his part of the county. and owns considerable city property. He erected the first brick building in Holly.

The subject of this sketch lived in Saginaw until nine years of age. and then lived on a farm three miles west of Holly, where he attended the district school. Later he attended the Fenton High School in Genesee County, where he was graduated in the Class of '80. He now engaged in teaching for three years in Genesee and Oakland Counties. He then spent one year with Government surveyors in the eastern part of l'tah. The camping-out life he enjoyed hugely and became very strong and hearty. The party spent a short time at Salt Lake City. He then returned with R. J. Mershon, the Government Surveyor to Omaha, and from there came home. He says that the lack of good drink- ing water was the greatest hardship he experienced and that at one time he would have bartered all he ever had for a good drink of water while on the plains.

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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 59

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

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