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 63
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The parents of our subject were united in mar- riage April 27, 1838. The mother was a native of
England where she was born August 6, 1813, her death occurring April 3, 1891. Eight children blessed their union : Catherine, who died in Pontiae ; Charles M., died in 1876; Walter T., who died in infancy ; William, deceased; Eliza J., who died at the age of seventeen years; Robert K .; Annie, de- ceased ; and James, who married Nellie Adams of Pontiae. Charles C'allow served one term as Al- derman of the third ward. He is a stanch Demo- crat in his political views and he cast his first Pres- idential vote for Gen. Jackson, and his last for Grover Cleveland.
The subject of this sketeh was reared and edu- cated in Pontiac, receiving his education in the city schools. At the age of sixteen be entered the store of John Pound and Alexander Collins, He remained with them as clerk for one year and then clerked in the grocery store of Thomas Turk. After several years in this store he went to Grand Rapids for a portion of a year, being in the employ there of .I. E. Maroney. Returning to Pontiac he clerked for M. Moutier for a year. In September, 1883, he entered the employ of Bird & Hamlin, dealers in clothing and gents' furnishing goods, with whom he still continues. His marriage took place in March, 1872. Ile was then united with Libby M., daughter of Francis and Margaret (Usher) Locklin, of Pontiac. Mr. and Mrs. Cal- low have six children-Annie, Gny, Irene, Robert, Daisy and Lela. Mr. Callow is rather conservative in polities but generally votes the Democratic ticket. Ile is a member of Oakland County Lodge No. 183, I. O. O. F. and the National Union. He has also served two terms as Alderman from the Fourth ward.
FIT
6 RUMAN B. FOX, the senior editor of the Rochester Era, was born in Manchester, Dearborn County, Ind., July 2, 1828. He is the son of Dr. D. A. B. C. Fox, (known in an early day as Alphabet Fox) and Wealthy ( Willey) Fox, natives of New Hampshire and Vermont, re- speetively. The Fox family came originally from Wales. Abram, the grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and the
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father of Mrs. Fox, Ely Willey, was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Mrs. Wealthy Fox, the mother of our subject, was a teacher in the South as early as 1818. She was married to Dr. Fox in 1822, and died at lolly, November 19, 1886. Our subject was married No- vember 10, 1858, to Sarah M. Beeman, at Mason, Mich. Four children have been born to them, namely: Willoughby A., born October 21, 1859, at East Saginaw; Blanche Rita, born June 2, 1861, at Midland City, died September 19, 1862; Ethel Bertha, born December 15, 1863, at East Saginaw, died April 17, 1875; Pearl, born November 30, 1877, at Rochester, Mich., died January 25, 1878.
Mr. Fox was admitted to the bar in 1860, at Midland. He is now actively engaged in the news- paper business. He is a member of the Order of the Chosen Friends, and his political affiliations are with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are highly intelligent and cultivated, and both were teachers in early life.
G EORGE W. FAST has been a citizen of Oakland County since 1885 and is engaged in managing a business in llolly for the sale of pumps of all kinds and windmills. Although he is on the road the most of the time he is well- known in the village and commands the esteem of his neighbors. Ilis place of business is situated on Broad Street, south of the llolly flouring mills. Ile is a native of Ashland County, Ohio, and was born in Ruggles Township, of that county, April 2, 1816. Ile is the son of Martin M. and Harriet ( Hartman) Fast, natives of Pennsylvania. His father came to Ohio when a boy and became one of the most progressive farmers and one of the wealthy men of his section. He was the son of Jacob, the son of Christian, who came when a boy to the Western Reserve in Ohio, at a time when the country was greatly troubled with Indians.
Young Christian Fast was out one day with other boys hunting, when the Indians came up and were about to take them prisoners. Christian ran and threw himself into the Vermillion River and
swam more than half way across, when the Indians fired on and wounded him. They then ordered him to return, which he did. They were about to scalp him, but after a little parley they took him to camp and asked him to dance. He thought this an impossibility at first, as he was wounded in the leg, but with true Yankee grit he decided to dance on his hands which pleased the Indians greatly ; so they kept him as a sort of a pet and he lived with them for two years. At last he determined to escape and one night he asked the comrade who was sleeping by him, to go down to the creek and get him a drink of water. The Indian said "No, go yourself if you want water." The boy took a brass kettle and started for the creek. On arriving there he hung the kettle on a limb and crossed the stream by hanging to the limbs of a tree. lle now started for home, running all night and the next two days. More than once the Indians were in sight but he kept hid behind the trees. He at last reached home and told his mother who he was. He was dressed and painted as an Indian and she could not recognize him, but upon examination found marks by which she identified him. She eagerly embraced him, and then fearing the Indians who were in hot pursuit would claim him secreted him in a dug-out. She had him only a few min- utes when the Indians came, and as they found no one went away, but came again and again for sev- eral days and finally gave up the hunt. Ile spent his life in farming and died in Ashland County on the farm adjoining the Savannah Lake, where his descendants gather each year to the number of some seven to eight hundred for a family reunion.
Of the children of Martin M. Fast the following are living: Malinda, David, Jacob, Melissa, George W. and Andrew J. (twins.) One girl, Jennie, died in early childhood. One son lives in Eaton County, this State, and two in Ohio. The maternal grand- parents of our subject were David and Mary Hart- man, natives of Pennsylvania. He was a boot and shoe maker and after his removal to Ashland County, Ohio, remained there until his death. On both sides of the family they were of religious training and education, and most of them mem- bers of churches.
The subject of this sketch chose for his life
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partner Lonisa, daughter of Lemuel and Henrietta (Davis) Rounds, natives of Massachusetts and Ohio respectively. The marriage took place in 1886. Mr. Rounds removed to New York State and engaged in farming in Cattaraugus County, three miles from Sandusky village where Mrs. Fast was born. Ilere the father died and his widow and children removed to Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Mich. She is now living in Eaton County, the same State. Of their five children four are now living-Daniel, Mrs. Fast, Emma and Alfred. One son, Chester, was a soldier in the Union army and died of pneumonia. Previous to her marriage Mrs. Fast carried on a dressmaking business in Eaton and Oakland Counties.
Prior to leaving Ohio Mr. Fast was engaged in farming but entered the pump business before coming to Oakland County. He purchased a prop- erty of fifteen acres In Holly in 1888. With this he bought a fine house and built a barn in 1890. He is an earnest and intelligent Republican and be- longs to the orders of the Odd Fellows and the Maccabees. They are both earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mrs. Fast is an active worker in the Missionary and Ladies Aid Societies. She is also a Good Templar and one of the Lady Maccabees' and a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. Mr. Fast has one daughter, Josie A., by a former marriage. Mrs. Fast has three children by a former marriage, as follows: William, Myrom and Isola. All are married. Our subject has an adopted son, known formerly as Freddie Corkins.
ACOB SNYDER, one of the most worthy and esteemed citizens of Addison Town- ship, was born September 18, 1820, in Warren County, N. J. His father. Dennis, was a native of the same county, and was born February 7, 1788. His wife, Sarah Gulick, was born February 14, 1813, and died May 30, 1829. Of their seven children four are living. Dennis
Snyder's second marriage took place in August, 1830. He then married Mary A. Hulick, who died March 30, 1861, leaving no children.
The father of our subject started to Michigan May 30, 1833. He came by the lake to Detroit on the steamer "Commodore Perry," and traveled three days with an ox-team from Detroit to his destination. He was the third settler in the town- ship, and his farm was four miles distant from any other home. He entered land from the Govern- ment and built him a log cabin, and being active and energetic was able to secure a good property. Ile assisted the organization of this township and held varions local offices. He was Highway Com- missioner and assisted in laying out nearly every road in the township. He was always kind to the needy and was never willing to benefit by the mis- fortunes of others. Ilis death, September 8, 1872, was deeply mourned by his neighbors.
The family is of German ancestry, the grand- father coming to America when a lad, and on arriving at New York being sold to pay his pass- age money. His mother accompanied him to New York where he remained until he gained his freedom. On the breaking out of the Whisky In- surrection he enlisted, and while in service con- tracted a cold from which he died, leaving his family in destitute circumstances. The mother was compelled to bind out her sons until they arrived at age on condition that each receive a horse and saddle and $100 as their freedom gift. The mother died in New Jersey.
The subject of this sketch is the fourth of seven children.and was thirteen years old when his parents came to Michigan. He attended district school some in the East, but it was some years after com- ing West before a school was organized near the new home. He attended a school three miles from home for some time. His remembrance of the early days is clear and strong. Detroit was the only market and to this town a trip with ox-team consumed two or three days. Deer and other wild game abounded and an Indian encampment was lo- cated within a mile and a half of the Snyder home. The red men often visited the family and were glad to exchange game for flour and provisions.
Mr. Snyder's purchase of his present farm was
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made in 1847. It was all new land with no improve- ments and after building a log house, he began cultivating it. He first bought one hundred and twenty acres-but has added to it from time to time. Mary E. Dodder, whom he made his wife in 1848, was born January 13, 1828, in . Sussex County, N. J. Her parents, Peter and Margaret (Struble) Dodder, both of that State, came to Oak- land County in 1837. Mr. Dodder saw his last days in Kansas where he had gone in 1874. His good wife is still living and has completed four- score and four years. Their ten children are all living.
Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had seven children, two of these, llenry H, and Sarah E., have passed away. Those who are still living to cheer the hearts of their parents are Margaret A., Oscar, George E., Elmira and Ella M. Mr. Snyder joined the Republican party at its inception, and has ever since been a stanch supporter of that organization, although he has not taken any active part in poli- tics, and never has held any office. This is not from any lack of popularity with his neighbors, for he is beloved and respected by every one who knows him. He has been very successful and has becu and always is liberal with his children, He has al. ready distributed among them over $20,000. Ile owns three hundred and twenty acres of land all in one body. Ile has always been a hard-working man and an excellent manager, and a finer man never lived,
W ILLIAM T. LEWIS. Conspicuous among the well-developed farms in Pontiac Town- ship is one on seetions 16 and 17, that is owned by Mr. Lewis. It consists of two hundred acres of land on which various improvements have been made, including a complete line of substantial buildings, and a large, handsome frame house sur- rounded by evergreens and other suitable adorn- ments. A glance over the estate would convince even the most careless observer that Mr. Lewis makes of his vocation both an art and a science, and it is equally evident that a lady of good judg-
ment and refined tastes is in charge of the house- hold affairs.
Michael Lewis, father of our subject, was born in New Jersey, December 1, 1779, and married Betsey E. Spooner, a Vermont lady, whose natal day was August 27, 1783. Mr. Lewis was a farmer and for some years his home was in Erie County, N. Y. Thence he came to this county in 1836, setting up his home in Auburn, Pontiac Township, where he died September 9, 1849. He was a modest, unassuming man, who pursued his own industries in a quietly energetic way. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His widow survived until 1875 and died in the ninety-first year of her age. Her father, William Spooner, was born in England, came to the Colonies when quite young and fought for freedom during the Revolution. To Michael Lewis and his wife seven children came, four of whom are now living and our subjeet the only son.
William T. Lewis was born in Erie County, N. Y., March 6, 1821, and was twelve years old when he came West. Ilis education was obtained in the district schools and his studies were generally pursued in a log building. He assisted his parents until of age, then bargained for eighty acres of land on section 17, Pontiac Township. It was new and unbroken, but was valued at 87 per acre. The young man earned the money with which to make a $50 payment, and then devoted the summers to the development of the property and for three winters worked in the Northern pineries in order to meet his payments. He was hard-working and persistent in his efforts, and rose step by step to wealth and independence. When he bought his farm, herds of deer fed on it and other game abounded.
December 21, 1850, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Lyda T. Durkee, a native of Ohio, whose wedded life was short. She died August 26, 185 1, leaving one daughter, Gertrude. March 8, 1856, Mr. Lewis was again married, wedding Miss Mary J. Powell, daughter of John and Eliza (Clark) Powell. They were early settlers in this county, having come here in 1837 from New York, their native State. They reared a family of ten children, who are still living. Mr. Powell died in 1852 and
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his widow survived him twenty-one years. Their daughter Mary was born in Cortland County, N. Y., in 1835. Her union with Mr. Lewis has been blest by the birth of two children-Lavina and Wilbur, both now established in their own homes. Lavina is the wife of George Giddings, a prosper- ons farmer in Pontiac Township, and has one child, Albert L. Wilbur married Anna Harf of Detroit, and has one son, Frank.
Mr. Lewis is a man of intelligence, not only in agricultural matters, but regarding other subjects of interest. Politically, he is a stanch Republican. In the spring of 1891 he was elected on the Board of Review of Pontiac Township. A self-made man in finances, his wealth has not been gained at the expense of others but he has lived in such a man- ner as to stand well with the people.
G EORGE N. WINDIATE is one of the younger men who are successfully carrying on farming in this county, and his property on sections 5 and 6, Bloomfield Township, is one of the finest in this part of the State. The estate comprises three hundred and forty acres and the residence is about a mile south of Pontiac. It is therefore convenient of access and enables its owner to enjoy many privileges of city life from which most farmers are debarred. Mr. Windiate was born in Bloomfield Township, this county, March 24, 1852. and reared amid the surroundings of rural life and made familiar with farming in his early years. He received a practical education in the common schools and is qualified to transact all business which comes in his way and to keep a place among the well-informed men of the neigh- borhood. He is raising a high grade of sheep and cattle and crops that in quality and quantity equal any taken to the Pontiac market.
The parents of our subject were llenry H. and Hannah (Windiate) Windiate, natives of Sher- bourne. Hampshire, England, and were born April 23, 1813, and January 24, 1812, respectively. They came to America in 1836 and were married in this county in 1838. Mr. Windiate was a poor man
when he came to the State, but he accumulated a large amount of property and when he died owned a large tract of land in Bloomfield Township. He first, settled in Independence Township, but later removed to Bloomfield and then to Pontiac, and about 1866 located where he died, in Bloomfield ' Township. The date of his decease was December 16, 1873. llis widow still survives. They had. eight children, namely: Richard, Cornelia J., Sarah A., Henry W., Winifred M., Charlotte E., George N., and Alexa M.
The son of whom we write is next to the young- est member of the family and is unmarried. After due consideration be decided in favor of the prin- ciples of the Republican party and never fails to east his vote in its interest. lle is a member of the Episcopal Church at Pontiac and conscientiously endeavors to shape bis life in accordance with Christian principles. He has inherited the stead- fastness of purpose which belongs to the English character, and is energetic and enterprising. He has good standing among his fellow-men and is looked upon as one of the rising young farmers of this locality.
On another page of this volume appears a view of the pleasant homestead of Mr. Windiate.
OHN ERWIN, a prominent citizen of South- field Township and a valuable member of society, has his farm on section 14. He was born near Newtou, County Derry, Ireland, in March, 1825. His father, Mathew Erwin, came to America in 1837 and made his home for six years in New York City. In 1842 he came to Michigan and settled on section 23, Southfield Township, Oakland County. Here he made his home in a log house and improved the farm. The mother of our subject is a native of Ireland, where she was united in marriage to Mathew Erwin, and became the mother of fourteen children. Of this large family our subject is the youngest.
John Erwin was twelve years old when he came with his parents to America. He worked at the blacksmith's trade with his brother James of New
OLD HOME.
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE N. WINDIATE, SEC.4., BLOOMFIELD TP., OAKLAND CO. MICH.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN ERWIN , SEC. 14. SOUTHFIELD TP., OAKLAND CO. MICH.
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York City, and after coming to Michigan in 1842 he continned at this trade for ten years. In 1850 he took a very important step in taking to himself a wife, Sarah A. Beardsley, a native of New Jersey. The young couple made their new home on the farm where they now reside, and after a little moved into a small frame house. The farm com- prised at first eighty acres.
Four children bave blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Erwin, namely: Virginia G., the wife of James Beattie, residing in Shiawassee County; George M. L., residing at Duluth, Minn .; William Ira, residing in Groton, S. Dak., and Mary A., who is still at home. The home farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land upon which general farming is carried on. Mr. Erwin is a Republican in his political views, and religiously is connected with the I'nited Presby- terian Church in which he is a Trustee and where he has been an active member for forty years. He is a Sunday-school worker as is also his wife, and he superintended the school for more than twelve years. Ile came a poor boy to Michigan and by honesty and frugality has acquired a handsome property, and at the same time his honorable deal- ings with all men win for him the universal esteem of his fellow-citizens.
Among the finest homesteads of Southfield Township is that of Mr. Erwin and we are pleased to present a view of this place to the readers of this volume.
RUMAN S. TIBBALS. A traveler over this county could scarcely enter Avon Township without hearing mention of "Oak Grove," a farm that has long been known by that name, because of the giants of the forest that stand near the house. It is a beautiful tract of land of one hundred and forty acres on seetion 35. This valuable farm is owned and occupied by the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs, and to whose life history we purpose to call the attention of our readers. Ile makes quite a specialty of raising fine stoek, but does not neglect other agricultural interests, and his labors
bave been rewarded by financial prosperity and a first-class reputation as a farmer.
Mr. Tibbals is a son of Lewis and Betsey (King) Tibbals, who were natives of Monroe County, N. Y., and Suffield, Conn., respectively, and estab- lished their home in this State as early as 1826. They crossed the lake on the steamer "Walk-on- the- Water," landed at Detroit, and came at once into this county, locating three and three-fourth miles west of Rochester. Mr. Tibbals had at first but a "squatters" right, but after the survey was made he entered one hundred and sixty-six aeres of land under the Homestead Act. Mr. Tibbals was a farmer by occupation and when he came here also followed milling. 1Te belonged to a Ver- mont family and his remote ancestors were Eng- lish. He died May 4, 1876, at the venerable age of eighty-nine years and one month. Ilis wife passed away July 8, 1868. when seventy-six years old. To thiem had been born ten children, eight of whom grew to mature years. Four of these are now deceased, namely : Bradford; Benjamin, who was drowned in Lake Ontario in 1846; Mrs. Norton, who died July 4, 1848; and Benoni, who was killed by a threshing-machine. The living are Barnabas, whose home is in Riverside, Cal .; Mrs. Berthania Elderkin, whose home is in De- troit; Thomas, who lives in Bay City: and Tru- man S., our subject.
The gentleman of whom we write was born in Avon Township November 8, 1834, and was edu- cated in the common schools. As he grew up he did more and more farm work until he became proficient in every detail of the pursuit in which his father was engaged and capable of managing an estate for himself. Ile was married October 19, 1865. to Miss Rosira Koch, daughter of Jacob and Lucinda ( Hurlburt) Koch. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and Connecticut respec- tively and never lived in the West. The daugh- ter came to this State to teach school and for nearly four years was thus engaged, with knowl- edge and tact, by which she made her mark in ber profession. The dwelling over which she has charge is a beautiful one, in and about it may be seen the evidences of her good taste and house- wifely ability.
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Mr. Til bals has never Held public office nor de- sired it, as his taste is decidedly for the quietude of home life and the pleasures of a congenial social circle. He takes considerable interest in politics, attending every caucus, and is a stanch Democrat, who has voted for every candidate of his party since the days of James Buchanan.
G FORGE E. DAINES is engaged in the busi- ness of an undertaker and furniture dealer in Birmingham and is also proprietor of the National llotel. Ile was born at Bloomfield Cen- ter, October 30, 1850, and is a son of John and Alice A. (Watkins) Daines. That couple were born in New York and came hither about 1840. Mr. Daines was a potter and carried on a pottery at Bloomfield Center a few years, then engaged in the manufacture of tile. lle was the second man in the United States to manufacture drain tile, in which business he continued until the fall of 1865. Owing to poor health he abandoned the work and took up his residence in Birmingham, buying the National Hotel property and carrying on business there seventeen months. Ile then traded for a farm in Bloomfield, lived on it two years, and then bought the hotel back again and returned to the village. He carried on the hotel until his death May 16, 1873, at the age of fifty years. lle was in good circumstances, worth perhaps $10,000 when he died. lle was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. Ile never held any but town offices, but took an active part in party work and was a stanch Democrat. Ilis widow survives and is now sixty-seven years old. Their children are Florence, Rosetta, George E., Minnie and Addie.
The gentleman whose name introduces these par- agraphs was reared in Bloomfield and received a common-school education. Ile began clerking in a drug store in Birmingham when quite young, and when his father died he took charge of the hotel for his mother and carried it on for her about ten years. Ile then bought the house which he is still managing. In the business of undertaking he is in partnership with J. O. Beattie. He abounds in
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