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 62
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After the war our subjeet bought a farm in Ox- ford Township, but sold it ant rented land for a few years. His present place was purchased in 1873. One child only has been granted to our subject and his wife-a daughter. Minnie. a bright and attractive young lady who is the delight of her parents and much beloved by her associates, Mr. C'asamer is a Republican in his politics and has :
taken an active part in local affairs. He is a mem- ber of the Grand Army Post No. 187, of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Grange. Both he and his amiable and accomplished wife are val- ued members of the Congregational Church. He has one hundred and twenty acres of fine land which have been obtained through industry. energy and enterprise, as he began life for himself empty handed.
0 LIVER EVANS, known familiarly as Esquire Evans, is a man who stands foremost among the citizens of the village of Walled Lake, He is quiet and reserved in his manner, but is a suc- cessful man and has hosts of friends. His father, who has recently died, was a native of Lima, N. Y., and was born March 19, 1811. He was a batter and a farmer by vocation. His mother, Lucina Evans. a native of Erie County, N. Y., was born November 23. 1810. She was a daughter of David Parsons, a native of Massachusetts, who was born there February 16, 1776. He was a carpenter by trade and came to Michigan in 1844. where he set- tled in Commerce Township and died there Febru- ary 4, 1863.
The parents of our subject were married in New York, January 14. 1835. They resided there until they came to Michigan in the fall of 1844, when they purchased an improved farm in Commerce Township, and erected buildings upon it. Here they lived for about twenty-five years. Mr. Evans then soll his one hundred and twenty acres and retiring from active business moved into Walled Lake. He bought the farm adjoining the village on section 34, and resided there till his death, April 26, 1891. His widow still survives. Our subject has one sis- ter, Minerva E., born December 1, 1846; she is the wife of Jerome Tompkins, of Commerce Township, and is the mother of four children. The parents of our subjeet were both earnest and efficient mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. The father was a Whig and later a Republican and was invariably temperate in his habits.
Oliver Evans was born December 19, 1835, in
.
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Ontario County, N. Y. Ile was about nine years old when he came to Michigan. He received a common-school education and upon reaching bis majority began life for himself as a farmer. He has always lived at home with his parents and has worked a farm under the supervision of his father. He had a grocery and commission business in De- troit for five years. His marriage was celebrated December 27, 1860, bis bride being Sarah F., a daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Townsend) Stitt, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Michigan and settled ncar Romeo as early as the '40s. Mr. Stitt is deceased. Ile was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Mr. Evans is a member of the Masonic order in which he is now Senior Deacon of his lodge. He has been Master for eight years. He is also a mem- ber of Union Chapter, No. 55, A. F. & A. M., and of the Northville Commandery, No. 39, K. T. He has taken an interest in schools and is always wide-awake in regard to politics, voting the Repub- lican ticket. He was Clerk of the township for four or five years and bas filled the office of Just- ice of the Peace.
G EORGE BLAKESLEE is one of the flourish- ing dealers of Birmingham and has been engaged in the mercantile business there for twenty years. He began life with no means and has made money by the exercise of prudence, careful oversight of his affairs, and judicious econ- . omy, combined with wise expenditure. He was born in the town he still makes his home, Decem- ber 26, 1828, being a son of Scriva and Thankful (Caswell) Blakeslee, natives of New England who came from New York to Michigan about 1826. They took up a tract of Government land in what is now Bloomfield Township and here they spent the remainder of their lives. The father owned two hundred acres of land and was in good circum- stanees before his death. He was a Demoerat and held some minor offices. The family comprised seven children, three of whom lived to maturity,
namely: George, Eli and Emily. The last named is now deceased: Eli is a farmer in Commerce Township.
The subject of this notice was deprived of his mother's love und care when he was but a child. He remained with his father on the farm until he was fourteen years old and then went to Detroit and spent a summer as cabin-boy on the steamer "Illinois."' When the season was over he entered upon an apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner at Detroit, and served four years. He then began working at his trade and taking contracts in De- troit and Birmingham, and after a time embarked in merchandising also. In 1890 he was Superinten- dent of the construction of the Water Works in Birmingham. He has owned a sawmill and has farmed some and dealt in real estate. At one time he visited the Pennsylvania oil country and made some little investment there. Ile owns thirty acres of land inside the corporation, and has a pleasant dwelling wherein creature comforts abound ..
January, 1848, was the date of the marriage of Mr. Blakeslee and Miss Ann W. Benedict, at that time a resident of Detroit. The bride was born in Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and was a daughter of Eri and Delia Benedict, who were likewise natives of the Empire State. She died February 2, 1889, at the age of sixty-two years. The children born to her were seven in number and their respective names were Frank, Arthur, Arthur 2d, Lena, Georgie, Carrie and Eva. Mr. Blakeslee was inar- ried a second time January 17, 1891. Ilis bride on this occasion was Mrs. Elizabeth M. Payne. of Washington, D. C., in which place she was born and bas spent her life.
Various offices of more or less importance have been held by Mr. Blakeslee and the fact that he has so often been chosen to serve his fellow eiti- zens, gives conclusive evidence of his having many friends and admirers. While living in Detroit he was City Assessor of the First, Second and Eighth Wards and for two or three years was Fire Warden. In Bloomfield Township he has served as Super- visor two terms and he has acted in several official capacities in the village and township. In 1861- 62 he was a member of the legislature, representing Oakland County. The work he did for bis con-
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stitueney is inscribed on the records of the legisla- tive body and the memories of those whom he served. lle was elected to the position by the Re- publican party which he has supported since its organization; prior to that time he was a Demo- crat. He is a man of undoubted public spirit and is held in respect for the good qualities he posses- ses. Socially, he is a Master Mason.
F ALMER SHERMAN, a retired farmer of Farmington Township, makes his home on section 21. He was born in Lyons Town- ship, Wayne County, N. Y., April 7, 1827. His father, Abrin, a native of Massachusetts was a farmer and a private soldier of the War of 1812. He married in Massachusetts and resided there for a number of years before removing to Wayne County, N. Y. The name of his wife before mar- riage was Nancy Paul. She came to Michigan after the death of her husband and settled in South- field Township, Oakland County, in 1832. llere she spent the remainder of her days.
William B. Sherman, the grandfather of our sub- jeet, was born in England and came to Massachu- setts when only a young man. He was a great business man and owned mills, stores and farms all over the country in which he lived, Hle was a man of great wealth and gave to one of his sons, $100, 000, and at his death willed him another $100,000. Ile was a Whig and was greatly interested in the welfare of the country. Mr. Sherman's father and mother were the parents of seven children, six sons and one daughter. Ile is the youngest child and the only one now living. Three of his brothers were subjects of sudden death and none of them had more than six days illness before death.
As Palmer Sherman was but five years old when he emigrated to Michigan be found his first school- ing in Southfield Township. He completed his school days in Northville, attending school in the winter, and working by the month in the sum- mer. He began working for bimself at the age of fourteen at $5 per month. llis first $100 was earned by working for .James Sanford, of Novi Township.
He put this money out at interest and continued working by the month until he was twenty years old.
Mr. Sherman married in 1850 Loretta Ward, who was born in Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y., in 1831. Her parents, Isaiah B. and Josephine (Case) Ward, were natives of Vermont, and York State respectively. The young couple located on a farm in Southfield Township. After two years they went to Lansing and bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild land. Here they remained for three years when they sold out and came back to Farm- ington Township, and bought the place where they now reside. Only a few acres of it were cleared and there were no buildings upon the land. He has one of the finest farms in the county. It com- prises one hundred and one acres well improved and has on it a brick house and good barns. llis fruit is a source of justifiable pride, and be bas him- self set out all the trees in his three orchards.
Nine children have come to this happy home. They are named: Ward, lludson, Bion, Abram, Phæbe (Mrs. David Ross, ) Josephine ( Mrs. John Taylor,) Lora ( Mrs. J. C. Blindbury.) and Rhoda and Grace who make their home with their parents. Mr. Sherman's first Presidential ballot was east for Franklin Pierce. 1Je is a Republican in principle and has always been. He is a well-read man and excellently well informed on political questions. Ile never has been willing to accept any office. For the past twelve years he has rented out his farm and having retired from active work is enjoying a well-earned rest.
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ILLIAM E. GARRISON. Among the well-to-do farmers in Pontiac Township mention should be made of Mr. Garrison as one of those who have attained to good cireum- stances by their own efforts. When he came to this State in 1849, his cash capital consisted of $5 but he bad an abundant supply of energy, determi- nation and shrewd common sense He has met with some misfortunes in the shape of losses by fire, etc., but has recovered from them. llis
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landed estate now consists of three hundred acres of choice land, on which are two fine dwellings and all other needful and convenient buildings. For the past ten years he has raised standard-bred horses and he has several fine specimens in which he takes great and justifiable pride. A lover of horses would find especial enjoyment in conversa- tion with him and in a visit to his beautiful home.
The grandfather of our subject was James Gar- rison, and the father was John, who was born in New Jersey in 1786 and who died in 1851. The mother was Martha ( Everett) Garrison, a native of New Jersey who died in 1867. The parental fam- ily consisted of six sons and daughters, and five are now living. William was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., December 12, 1827, and reared on a farm. Ile received a fair practical education in the district schools and when he became of age learned the trade of a carpenter. le came to this State in the spring of 1849, worked in Rochester for a short time, and then spent two years in car- penter's work at Oxford. lle next bought a lot in Pontiac, built a house upon it and soon traded it for a piece of ground in the township. His first farm land was a tract of eighty aeres, on which he began his agrienltural work, although he did not entirely abandon his trade. In 1875 he built a very nice frame house, which was destroyed by fire four years later. IIe rebuilt, and added another residence to the buildings that already adorned the estate.
Mr. Garrison and Miss Sarah Stanley were united in marriage in 1853. The bride was born in Pontiac Township October 28, 1834, and is one of the six children making up the family of Mat- thew and Ellen (Terry) Stanley. Iler parents were natives of Vermont and New York respec- tively and each came hither in an e arly day with their respective parents. Mr. Stanley died in 1856 and Mrs. Stanley in 1887. Both belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their daughter Sarah was carefully reared and was well qualified to discharge the duties that fell to her lot after she grew to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Garrison have three children-Charles, Mattie and .James, all are single and at home. They have been well educated and given a good equipment for the battle of life.
Mr. Garrison votes the Democratie ticket. Ile and his wife move in good society and enjoy the respeet of their associates.
BEDIAII KEMP. The career of this re- spected resident of Pontiae Township is one that furnishes a worthy example of those who begin the battle of life without means. Such was his condition, and when he bargained for his first real estate he was obliged to borrow money to make the initial payment. Ile worked hard and managed well and was aided in his efforts by a careful and capable wife, to whom much of the credit of their good fortune belongs. Mr. Kemp freed himself from debt and became the owner of about two hundred acres of good farm land, which he has reduced by giving to his son a goodly traet. The home farm now consists of eighty acres, on which modern and substantial improvements have been made, including an attractive frame house built in 1879.
Mr. Kemp is an Englishman and traces his an- cestry back through long lines in the mother coun- try. Ilis father, John Kemp, was born in 1784, and was engaged in farming during his active life. lle came to America in 1850 and made his home with his children. He died twenty years later in the eighty-sixth year of his age. lle had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church more than half a century. The mother of our subject was born in England in 1784 and bore the maiden name of Dorothy Milliom. She was a zealous Methodist and an active and intelligent woman who retained her faculties to an extraordinary de- gree and lived to the age of almost one hundred years, dying in 1884. She was the mother of twelve children, nine of whom are now living.
The subject of this notice was born in County Sussex, England, July 22, 1821, and reared on the farm with but limited school privileges. As soon as he was old enough to do so he began to work with his father and when but a boy he worked out considerably, his wages being from sixpence to two shillings a day and the latter only reached when he
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was able to do a man's work. On attaining to his majority he determined to seek a home in America and he reached its shores after a rough voyage of eight weeks in the year 1849. 1Te landed at Que- bee and made his way to this county, where for two or three years he worked by the day or month. Ile then made a bargain for forty acres of land where he is now living, which was then but partially improved, and his first building there was a small frame house.
In 1850 Mr. Kemp was married to Miss Sabina Selms, who was born in Sussexshire, England. in 1824, and who was one of his youthful companions. She bade her people good-by and crossed the ocean to fulfill her engagement, and nobly has she borne herself as a wife. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp have two children-William HE., a prosperous farmer on land adjoining his father's and Fanny B. who married Frederick Danderson and they own a farm in l'on- tiac Township. If industry, integrity and kindly feeling toward others entitle men and women to respect and consideration, then are Mr. and Mrs. Kemp well worthy of esteem and representation in this BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM,
The many friends of this honored pioneer will be pleased to notice his portrait in connection with his biographical notice.
HARLES W. SOULBY. Among the resi- dents in the town of Milford none are bet- ter deserving of representation in this vol- nme than the one above named, who was born here October 31, 1845. His grandfather and father bore the same given name, Charles B., and were natives of Lincolnshire, England. The latter was born in August, 1815, and when old enough to learn the trade became a blacksmith. Some time after his marriage he emigrated to America and established his home in Milford, where he first carried on black- smithing, and later became a farmer in the vicin- ity. He owned one hundred and twenty acres which he operated successfully until 1874, when he returned to town and gave up active life. He'is a Republican, and an earnest, devoted member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The faithful wife was removed from him by death in 1853, and bore the maiden name of Eleanor Burrell, and their chil- dren are Alfred, Charles W., Mary A., Harriet and Ann. The eldest son served three years during the Civil War as a member of the Twenty-second Michigan Infantry. Mary is now Mrs. Bridge- man, Ann is Mrs. Allen, of Milford, and Harriet is Mrs. Fisher. of Flint.
The first four years of the life of Mr. Soulby were spent in Milford, and he then lived on the farm until he had become a youth of nineteen or twenty years. He studied in the district school until just before he completed his teens, then at- tended the New Hudson High School a year, and the Milford Ilill School about the same length of time. He next engaged in teaching in the Milford school, thus paying his own way and making a slight provision for future expenses. Iu 1870 he entered the Cornell University at Ithaca, N. Y., where he studied industriously four years, work- ing his way through the institution by his own efforts. He was graduated in 1874 with the degree of Bachelor of Science, and again took up pedagog- ical work. He was Principal of the graded schools in Grand Blane, Genesee County, this State, one year, Goodrich one year, and Vernon, Shiawassee County, one year.
On July 29, 1877, at the bride's home in Mil- ford, Mr. Soulby was married to Miss Emma Steph- ens, daughter of Willis and Fanny M. (Taylor) Stephens. The bride was born in Milford, Feb- ruary 3, 1853, educated in its schools, and at the early age of sixteen years became a teacher. She taught fifteen terms in this county, and for three years was one of the corps in the Milford Union school. She is a lady of unusual intelligence, and has fully retained her interest in mental culture and the higher pleasures of life. She belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and whenever she can do so without neglecting her home, is found ready to aid in neighborly projects, particularly in caring for the sick, and other deeds that promise to result in good.
The father of Mrs. Soulby was born in Ireland, and her grandfather, Michael Stephens, spent his entire life there. Her father was fifteen years old
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when he came to America, and he soon established himself in this county. He was one of those ener- getie, persevering and honest men who are likely to make their way in the world, and be proved sue- cessful in worldly affairs. Ile improved a farm of one hundred and twenty-two acres in Milford Town- ship, and became the owner of three tracts. He re- tired from farm life in 1870, and made his home in Milford until his death in June, 1887, when sev- enty-four years of age. He voted the Democratic ticket, and took quite an interest in politics. His widow, who was one of the first and is still one of the most faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, is still living in Milford. She too was born in Ireland where her father, John Taylor, lived and died.
After his marriage Mr. Soulby located in Milford Township on a farm, feeling that his health would be benefited by outdoor work. He bought one hun- dred and twenty acres on section 27, which he man- aged and worked, teaching during the winter months and in the summer laboring on the farm. For eight winters he was in charge of the school in the home district, and never had to apply for it, and three winters he taught in an adjoining district. As an agriculturist he has been successful, harvesting wheat and other crops of good quality and raising stock of good grades. Since 1889 he has been liv- ing in Milford, having rented his farm and bought a home in the village. In 1879 Mr. Soulby was elected Township Superintendent of Schools, which office he filled until 1881, when he was elected School Inspector for four years.
In 1885 Mr. Soulby became a member of the County Board of Sebool Examiners, and in 1887 a change in the plan of work and the duties and trusts reposed in him, obliged him to give up teach- ing. That year he began visiting schools, and in 1888 he was elected County Secretary of the Ex- amining Board for two years. In 1890 be was elected County School Examiner for two years. He now devotes his entire attention, as a matter of business in the supervision of schools, attending county institutions as an instructor, and otherwise working in the educational field. He makes a spee- ialty in his institute work of civil government, orthography and school management. He has a
great love for the natural sciences, observes closely, reads carefully and thinks deeply, and is constantly adding to his own store of knowledge.
In politics Mr. Soulby is a staneh Republican, and he has served on the Township Central Com- mittee, and is a delegate to county conventions. Ile is very active in religious work, particularly in matters connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he belongs. He has been Super- intendent and Assistant Superintendent of the Sun- day- school, and has led the choir for fifteen years. His liberal education, his courteous and manly spirit, and his fine character, alike entitle him to respeet, and he has sueb a social and kindly nature that esteem is touched with a much warmer feeling.
0 SCAR J. SNYDER, one of the enterprising young farmers of Addison Township, Oak- land County, was born in the township where he now resides, February 10, 1855. He is a son of Jacob Snyder, of whom a sketch appears in this ALBUM. After attending the district school this son remained at home and assisted on the farm until he reached the age of twenty-five years. In 1880 he began working the farm on which he now lives. Hle has since replaced the old log house in which he onee lived with a large and handsome frame building and has erected a fine barn and other farm buildings.
Our subjeet was married in 1879 to Frances Braid, who was born in Canada in 1858. She is a daughter of John Braid who was born on the Isle- of-Man, and whose biographical sketch appears elsewhere in this work. One child, Mabel, has crowned this union. The political views of Mr. Snyder are embodied in the platform of the Re- publiean party. He is interested in local politics and has often been sent by his fellow-citizens of this party to represent them in county conventions. He has also been Ilighway Commissioner. Both he and his good wife are earnest and conscientious members of the Protestant Methodist Church.
When Mr. Snyder took the one hundred and sixty acres of land which forms his farm, he found
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it mostly in an improved condition. He has made a specialty of raising Short-horn cattle. For several years he has dealt in wheat, buying large quantities at Shoup Station near his home. For about two years he served as Postmaster of Shoup. Hle raises and feeds large numbers of stock, and is considered quite successful in that line.
Mr. Snyder is not content to go on in old fash- ioned ways simply because such were the manners of his forefathers, but is wide-awake to the neces- sity of and call for improvements in modern methods and has himself invented and patented a tongue attachment to sulky plows. It is a very advantageous arrangement and is pronounced by experts to promise great usefulness. The fine farm and handsome buildings of this gentleman are an ornament to the township.
R OBERT CALLOW, a popular salesman of Pontiac, was born in the city of Pontiac, April 30, 1818. His parents were Charles and Elizabeth (Moth) Callow, the father being a retired blacksmith and farmer. He was born in the parish of Cape Pine, Isle of Man, June 4, 1808, and is the seventh of ten children of John and Catherine (Cormode) Callow. The grand- father of our subject was a merebant.
Charles C'allow received a limited education and learned the blacksmith's trade in his native place. He removed to Newburg, N. Y., and then to Buf- falo, where he worked at his trade. From the latter place he went to Elyria, Ohio, where he carried on blacksmithing on his own account for four years. In the spring of 1830, he came to Pontiac, Mich., and after awhile started a blacksmith shop which he carried on a term of years. He bought eighty acres of land, from which he chopped off the timber at the same time that he carried on bis blacksmith- ing and farming. He erected a good house and barn and furnished his farm abundantly with out- buildings. lle resides just within the east limit of the city.
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