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 60
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The following winter our young man taught school, and in the spring of 1884 he came to Ilolly, and began his present business with a small capital and a small stock. His enterprise and industry have given him suceess, and he has now a large and attractive stock of goods. He is already a man of influence in the town, and has held for four years the
olhee of Township Clerk. He was once appointed Village Treasurer to fill out the term, He served as the administrator of a large estate in Saginaw. lle is a Democrat in principle and votes with that party. His marriage November 6, 1890, united him with Miss Ada, daughter of Benjamin C. Scott, of Holly.
DRIAN A. GIBBS is engaged in farming on section 27, Troy Township. He owns a well-improved tract of land which is large enough to afford him opportunity for raising good crops of various kinds. It com- prises sixty acres that has been well improved, both by good tillage and the placing upon it of useful buildings. Mr. Gibbs was born in Southfield Town- ship, July 12, 1847, but was still a child when his parents came to Troy Township and located where he is now living. There his youth was spent and his schooling was obtained in the neighborhood, while under his father's guidance he learned to carry on farm work.
Almeron Gibbs, father of our subject, was born in New York, August 11, 1817, and was nine years old when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Gibbs, removed to this State. This was in 1826 and they were among the first settlers in this county. Sep- tember 1. 1846, he was married to Rebecca Brown, a native of Vermont, born April 1, 1815. She had accompanied her parents hither in 1843. After their marriage the parents of our subject located in Southfield Township, but remained only a short time, then established their home on the farin their son now operates. There was a log house on the tract but little else in the way of improvements. They remained there as long as they lived. Mrs. Gibbs died February 14, 1884, and her husband October 23, 1886. They had two children, a son and daughter.
Adrian A. Gibbs was married December 10, 1876, to Miss E. Revell, daughter of Dr. Samuel and Mary (Cooper) Revell. The bride was the oldest of the four children comprising the family of Samuel and Mary (Cooper) Revell. Her par-
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ents are natives of England and are now living in Roscommon, this State, where her father carries on a drug store. Mr. Gibbs brought his wife to the old home and after the death of his parents re- mained on the farm. He and his wife have never hact children of their own but they are rearing a little girl whom they call G. Hazel.
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Politically Mr. Gibbs is a Republican. He was elected Township Clerk in 1890 and is also Moder- ator of his school district which he has already served as Director. As a farmer he is enterprising and industrious, well informed regarding things connected with his work and ranking well among his fellows. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a liberal contributor and an active worker, and is now filling the offices of Steward, Trustee and Recording Steward as well as Assistant Superintendent in the Sunday-school.
OSEPHU'S GOODENOUGHI, M. D., is a de- scendant of one of the pioneer families of this county and his earliest recollections are of the primitive scenes in West Bloomfield Township. Although reared on a farm he took up the study of medicine in his early manhood and after due preparation began practice. In June, 1872, he opened an office in Clarkston where he remained giving his earnest attention to profes- sional duties and taking no part in public affairs other than that which is the duty of every good citizen. Ile is a member of the National Medical Association and also of the State Medical Society, and takes much interest in the progress of the cur- ative science, in the investigations that are being made and the discoveries that are given to the pro- fession from time to time.
Dr. Goodenough was born in New York Novem- ber 18, 1830, and is the son of James and Mary (Hiller) Goodenough. His father was born in Ver- mont March 13, 1798, and died in this county Oc- tober 23, 1854. He was of English descent. lis marriage occurred in 1826 and his bride was a daughter of John Hiller who was born in Holland. The Goodenough family arrived in this county
May 10, 1831, when our subject was less than a year old. The husband and father built a log shanty on the banks of Straight's Lake, where the family endured all the hardships and discomforts of pioneer life, as this section was then a vast wilder .
. ness with but here and there a small clearing, where the sounds of busy life were heard. Jose- phus had very limited opportunities for acquiring knowledge of books and his first schooling was ob- tained in what had been an old stable and was fitted up for a schoolroom.
The young man worked for his father until he was eighteen years of age, bearing a part in all the toil to which the pioneers were subjected. 1Ie then went to live with an unele in Macomb County and attended the village school two years, thien en- tered the office of Dr. Bostick in Almont, where he read medicine about four years. Young Good- enough then entered the Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, and still later took medical lectures at Ann Arbor one term. This was in the winter of 1857-58 and in the spring following he located at Armada and entered upon the practice of his profession. Ile remained there seven years and thence removed to Waterford where he prac- ticed until 1872. Ile is a careful practitioner and having accepted the eclectic theory, that nature is the best restorer, he endeavors to aid her by plac- ing his patients in proper condition, without unduly weakening them.
In the year 1853 Dr. Goodenough was married to Eleanor Walton. of Almont, with whom he lived happily until April 15, 1869, when the angel of death removed her. The union was blessed by the birth of one son. Eugene, whose natal day was April 15. 1861. He is married and has a family of two children and is now located in Chicago, Ill., working in the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad Company. In June, 1872, Dr. Good- enough was married to his present wife whose maiden name was Emma Ackerson. A daughter, Eleanor J., born May 21, 1879, has come to bless this union. Although but twelve years old she is attending the High School in Clarkston.
The family of which Dr. Goodenough is one, consists of seven children but the only survivors are Sarah Jane, wife of Levi L. Sutton and Will-
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iam, who married Ettie Hall. both living in Adams County, Wash. Mrs. Sutton was born August 28. 1836, and William Goodenough March 28, 1842. The Doctor has a good farm near the village of Clarkston and an attractive and well-kept home on Main Street. He is a Master Mason, belonging to Cedar Lodge No. 60, and is enrolled in Lodge No. 85, K. O. T. M. In polities he was a Democrat.
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G EORGE REEVES. The Reeves homestead on section 22, Pontiac Township, is one of the landmarks of this locality, having been entered from the Government in 1822 by Judge Stephen Reeves, who settled upon it the next year. It is now held by the subject of this biographical sketch, who is the eldest of the paternal family and has made his home in this country since his infancy. He was born in Palmyra, Wayne County, N. Y., June 3. 1823, and received his primary education in the primitive log school-house which the early settlers in this county prepared for their children's use. He subsequently attended an academy two years and still further cultivated the powers of his mind. He has always been a farmer and until he was twenty-four years of age, he made his home under the paternal roof, and during his father's of- ficial career he managed the estate. He is a man of means, well able to surround himself with all the comforts heart can wish and take a prominent part in those public enterprises where money is needed to advance the wheels of progress.
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Judge Reeves was born in the Empire State in 1795 and was a son of James Reeves, who spent his entire life in that State. The family is of English extraction. Judge Reeves married Mary White. who was born on Long Island in 1797. They made their journey to this State in a wagon, and reaching their destination put up a log cabin in which they made themselves as comfortable as cir- cumstances would permit. The county around them was wild, game abounded and Indians were numerous, but friendly ; Detroit was the only mar- ket and depot of supplies, and neighbors were few and far between. Mr. Reeves improved and culti-
vated his farm as his means permittted, and his son has continued the work, bringing the two hundred aeres to a high state of development. While Mich- igan was still a Territory Mr. Reeves was ap- pointed Probate Judge by the Territorial Gov- ernor, and after it was admitted to the Union he was elected to the same position. He served alto- gether about fourteen years. He also held various township offices. During the War of 1812 he was in the service as a Lieutenant. He and his wife died in the same year-1868-cheered by re- ligious faith, both having been connected with the Presbyterian church from early life. There were none of the early settlers of this township or county who were better known or more highly es- teemed than .Judge Reeves and bis wife.
In 1848 the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs was married to Helen Phelps, an intelligent and efficient lady who was born in Massachusetts in 1823. The union has heen blessed by the birth of five children, but Clara, the first-born is deceased. Stephen is married and car- rying on a farm adjoining the homestead. Fred is in business in Pontiac and he, too, is married. Frank and George, Jr., still make their home under the paternal roof. All received good educational privileges and careful home training.
Mr. Reeves has been a delegate to various con- ventions and has been prominent in the Democratic ranks of the county. For some forty years he has been connected with the order of Masonry. He has been Commissioner and School Inspector sev- eral years and takes an intelligent interest in the prosperity of this section. Mr. Reeves belongs to the Presbyterian Church.
ICHOLAS PEACOCK. For more than half a century the late Nicholas Peacock made his home in Pontiac Township and for much of that time he was engaged in agricultural work. He was born in Macedon. Wayne County, N. Y., January 21. 1811, and died from injuries received by falling from a ladder June Ist, 1890. His father, James Peacock, was born in England,
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emigrated when seventeen years old and carried on farming in New York. The son followed in his father's footsteps and became thoroughily conver- sant with agricultural work. He came to this State in 1835, lived in Farmington two years and then bought land in Pontiac Township which he proceeded to clear and improve. He had limited means when he came hither, but he secured a good home and was able to give his children a fair start in life.
In 1834 Mr. Peacock married Miss Eliza A. Bark- man, who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., April 17, 1817, and who was descended from a long line of New England ancestors. She was a zealous mein- ber of the Baptist Church, and had the domestic qualities and knowledge that are so characteristic of the Yankees. She died in 1881, full of years and honors. She had been an invalid for two years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Peacock were nine in number, but Jane, Esther and Amelia have crossed the river of death. George, the first-born, is a farmer and fruit-grower in Selma, Cal .; llenry is married and living in Saginaw. He was a member of the First Ohio Artillery during the Rebellion; Charles is in California; Elizabeth is the wife of James Haddrill, a farmer in Orion Township; Mary and Clara A. occupy the home- stead.
Mr. Peacock was an enthusiastic Republican and did all that he could to promulgate the principles of the party and advance its interests, but never sought office. He came of the old Quaker stock and to the latest day of his life endeavored to carry out the Golden Rule. For many years his membership was in the Free-Will Baptist Church, but in many respects he showed the Quaker train- ing. After the war he spent some years engaged in the lumber business in the North Woods, but even then his home was in this county and his in- terests centered here. He willed the homestead, which consists of eighty acres of well-improved land, to his daughters, Mary and Clara, who con- tinue to occupy the pleasant dwelling there. They are ladies of intelligence, who take a deep interest in the welfare of those about them and the progress of humanity the world over, but whose lives are spent in the quiet discharge of the duties nearest
to their hand and an enjoyment of home pleasures and social intercourse. Their sympathy reaches ont beyond their own neighborhood and their in- fluence extends farther than they know.
PRESTON TERRY. Among the men who have won a competence through their efforts as tillers of the soil in Pontiac Township is the gentleman above named, who occupies the Terry homestead. He operates two hundred and forty acres of well-cultivated land. and raises good grades of stock as well as good crops that are A No. 1. He was born in the village of Terry- town, Bradford County, Pa., March 14, 1824. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Wayne County. N. Y., and then he accompanied his par- ents to this State in 1835. The entire journey was made in a wagon and the family had some trying experiences, particularly while crossing the Black Swamp iu Ohio. A location was made in Commerce Township, this county, but in 1841 the father changed his location to Pontiac Township. Here he died about 1852 after having accumulated considerable property.
The Terry family is of French extraction, but several generations of the ancestors of our subject have lived in America. Grandfather Terry, whose given name was Jonathan, made his home in Brad- ford County, Pa., and during the Wyoming massa- ere bis family took refuge in a fort. Nathan G. Terry, the father of our subject, was born in the Keystone State in 1790 and married Belinda Pres - ton, who was born there in 1796. They removed to New York and thence to the West and Mrs. Terry lived until July 22, 1879. She was a life- long member of the Baptist Church. She bore her husband five children, three of whom are now living.
The first schooling of our subject was in a log shanty with a slab roof and an open fireplace in which the logs cut by the scholars in the surround- ing woods, were consumed. Mr. Terry has a vivid recollection of the pioneer times in this State and recalls the plenteousness of wild game, by which
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the table was often -oppbred. although he himself was not much of a hunrep. When he was ready to start out in life and do a man's work. his father gave him fifteen sheep, a sow and a yoke of steers. He has always been a farmer and since he lived in this county has worked on the homestead.
In 1862 Mr. Terry was married to Miss Maggie Buckbee, a native of New York. She crossed the river of death June 17, 1880, at the age of thirty- nine years leaving one son, Joseph P. She was a conscientious member of the Episcopal Church. In 1882 Mr. Terry brought to his lonely home, a second wife, formerly Miss Mary Bryant, whose parents were early settlers in this county, of which she is a native. She is an agreeable lady and has many friends.
Mr. Terry has been a Democrat since he became a voter until the question of Prohibition became a party one, and during the past five years his vote has generally been given to the new organization. In private life he is an ardent advocate of tem- peranee. Taking great interest in that which has a bearing upon the prosperity of farmers, he has united with the Patrons of Industry and the Farmer's Alliance.
OSEPH F. PROUD is a fine specimen of what Western life makes out of a Vermont Yankee. His life, as we shall sketch it, is a good example, worthy of the study and emu- lation of young men. His father was William Proud, a native of Rhode Island and a tailor by trade. Ilis mother was Sarah Gardner, a native of Bennington County, Vt. The father lived and died in Vermont, his death occurring in 1822. The mother spent her last days with her brother, Capt. Sol Gardner, in Detroit, where she breathed her last in 1869, having attained to the limit of three-score years and ten. Our subject, who is the only one remaining of their two children, makes his home in Commerce Township.
.Joseph F. Proud was born December. 20. 1819. in Bennington County, Pownell Township, Vt. Ile was three years of age when his father died and
he grew to manhood in his native State beginning work for himself when quite young. When still a small boy he worked at $3.50 a month and in one season saved 815 out of his wages. That was the beginning of his present fortune. For several years he worked on a farm in summer and went to school in the winter. He worked night and day to get an education and had to pay his way all through his school days. Ile began teaching in his own township when nineteen years old, re- ceiving about $15 a month and boarding around. Hle followed this course for ten years.
The young man then took his savings and bought three acres of land. Later he sold it and invested in live stock and rented a farm. After ten years he owned a good farm of ninety acres and had a flock of about three hundred sheep. In 1865 be sold in the East and came to Michigan. The land he purchased had on it a poor log house and a mis- erable set of outbuildings. lle rented the farm to Abel Smitherman for the space of two years and went to Marine City, St. Clair County, and bought a hay farm of one hundred twenty acres, paying $6.000 for it. Hle cut one hundred tons of hay eael year for two years and realized $16 a ton. lle sold out his hay farm at a profit of $500 besides his profit on the hay. He now came home and began improve- ments. Of his two hundred fifty acres he now has one hundred fifty-five under the plow and the rest in woodland and pasture land. He build his residence in 1870 at a cost of $1.600, and remod- elled and made additions to a large barn. Ilis large double corn house will hold two thousand bushels of corn. Upon the farm are other build- ings of more than usual capacity and convenience including a good wagon house, ice house, sheep barns and wind-mill. With this last is connected an excellent well sixty feet deep. Ile has five acres of orchard set out apart by himself. He and his son carry on the farm together and he handles excellent grades of stock.
The marriage of Mr. Proud took place in 1840. Ilis wife was Luana M. daughter of Justin and Perlina (Taylor) Osgood, both of Vermont, where they were dairy farmers and used to send butter and milk into Boston. Mrs. Proud was born in the year 1820. She received an excellent education
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and for a number of years pursued the profession of teacher. She became the mother of three chil- dren, two of whom are now living, namely: Charles W., who married Marian Shuler, and now lives on this farm and Ella A., wife of Harvey Allen, who lives in Hartland Township. The son has three children and the daughter two. This family are all members, in good and regular standing, of the Regular Baptist Church to which the father joined himself when only fourteen years old, and in which he has ever been active. Ile is a Sunday-school man and has been a teacher most of his life. He still keeps up his interest in this work and fills va- cancies when a teacher is lacking in the Bible class. He is diligent in his attendance at the church ser- vices and has served on pulpit committees.
Previous to the Civil War his political affilia- tions were with the Democracy, but his sympathies with the Union cause led to his becoming a Republi- can, and he has been a hearty advocate of the prin- ciples of that party from that day to this. His son Charles is a prominent citizen of the township. lle owns eighty acres adjoining the home farm and he and bis father operate the two places together. Ile has been a School Director and Highway Com- missioner and has interested himself in giving bis children an excellent education.
Mabel, the daughter of Charles, is the wife of Charles Hagan, who lives at Owosso. She is an excellent scholar and a fine musician. This father and son are nota- ble throughout the township as men of strictly temperate habits and sound and judicious business qualities.
C HARLES LEONARD. The late Mr. Leon- ard, who was well known in this county, having been for some years engaged in farming and stock-dealing, made a success of that which he chose as his life-work. Beginning at the lowest round of the financial ladder, he mounted step by step. Always active and energetic, hie possessed good financiering ability, which made his efforts available where some would have failed. The accumulation of wealth did not make him any
the less humble and retiring, but he was always a man of quiet manners and simple courtesy, who never sought to push himself before the people. IIis education was received in the common school, but he read and thought, and was on all general topics very well informed.
The natal day of Mr. Leonard was October 2, 1828, and his birthplace Chenango County, N. Y. His parents were Seth and Hannah ( Allison) Leon- ard. His father eame to this State and bought a farm in Troy Township, this county, three miles east of Birmingham, but went back to New York and died there a year later. The widow, with her family of nine children, came West in . 1833 and took possession of the farm. Mrs. Leon- ard died here at the venerable age of ninety-two years. The son of whom we write was reared in Troy Township from early childhood and his sur- roundings were such as to give him considerable knowledge of agriculture before he set out in life for himself. When old enough to exercise the right of suffrage he decided to cast his ballot with the Republicans and he never swerved in his alle- giance to the party. He died in 1880.
August 26, 1854. Mr. Leonard was married to Miss Esther M. Starr, who was a resident of Royal Oak. She was born in Norwalk, Huron County, Ohio, whence her parents came to this county in 1832. They were Orson and Rhoda P. (Gibbs) Starr, both natives of New York. They spent their later years near Royal Oak, the one dying at the age of sixty-nine and the other fifty-eight years. Mr. Starr was a manufacturer of bells and was the only man in this line in the State. Ile acquired a competence, and his daughter, now Mrs. Leonard, with the other members of the family, had good advantages in early life. Mrs. Leonard grew to womanhood in Royal Oak Township and pursued her literary studies in the common school.
To Mr. and Mrs. Leonard there has been born one son, Mason N., who is a farmer and stockman in Troy Township. He married Miss Maggie E. Bingham of this township and they have five sons. a lively group consisting of Charles M .. Stewart I., Harry, Burt and Ray.
Mrs. Leonard has not been content to stop with the mental culture she obtained in her early life
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nor with the accomplishments she possessed in her maidenhood. She has been able to gratify her tastes and has devoted considerable time to paint- ing and other means of recreation, sneh as come under the head of accomplishments, and to reading of various kinds, such as belit a lady of natural ability and good judgment. She has an attractive home.
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AMES IIADDEN. A reputable place among the farmers of Oakland Township is filled by Mr. Hadden, who owns and occupies one hundred and sixty acres of land on section It is well improved, and much of the aereage is under the plow, although a part is given up to the growth of timber and to pasturage. The out- buildings include two large barns and such grana- ries and sheds as afford shelter for the stock and such farm produce as is kept on hand. Mr. Had- den was born in Cayuga County. N. Y., September 26, 1835, and was brought to Michigan when less than a year old. A home was made in Oakland Township, and he has continued to reside here. He staid with his father until he was of age. then started out in life for himself. Ilis father gave him a horse and 81,000, and he bought the farm he now lives on, which was a partially improved tract.
Mr. Hadden was married January 30. 1864, to Liddie Beckwith, who is the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. John Beckwith. Her father was born in New York and came to this State in 1846, settling in Macomb County. He died about ten years since. a score of years after Mrs. Hadden's mother had passed away. The Beckwith family consisted of two daughters and six sons, two of the latter are deceased. Mrs. Hadden was but a child when her parents came West, and she grew up amid the scenes attending the early development of this State. She has borne her husband one daughter. Hattie May, who is still a member of the parental house- hold.
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