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 64
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physical energy and activity, has good eapacity for affairs and possesses the geniality that makes a good host. Notwithstanding the demands upon him by his business interests. he finds time to discharge the duties of a member of the Village Board, in which he has aeted for fifteen years. He votes the Dem- ocratic ticket.
March 27, 1874, Mr. Daines was married to Miss Harriet lloffman, who died after a few years of wedded life. The date of her demise was May 31, 1890, and her age thirty-nine years. She was born in Mt. Clemens and was a daughter of Vincent and Harriet (High) Hoffman. At the time of her mar- riage her home was in Birmingham. She had but one child, a daughter, Winifred, who is now twelve years of age and as bright a little lass as one can wish to see.
AMES HI. HAINS. Among the citizens of this county few have shown more enter- prise than Mr. Hains, whose pleasant farm is located on section 1. Oxford Township, and comprises one hundred and sixty acres of good land. Beginning with limited means, he has surrounded his family with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, has wisely used his ineome in aiding public enterprises, and is now devoting his land to general agriculture and stock- raising. Ile stands high socially, as well as in business circles, and is identified with the Patrons of Industry, the Grange and the Masonic frater- nity. His excellent citizenship and the upright- ness of his life make him a valued member of the community, in which he wields a decided influence.
Mr. Hains is a native of the Empire State, born in Monroe County July 6, 1828. In that State his father, Benjamin Hains, was also born, and thenee he removed in May, 1832, to Michigan, accompanied by his family. The land which he purchased had just been taken up from the Gov- ernment and was located in Washington Township, Macomb County. It was then wild land, on which a small log house had been built, and he endured all the hardships to which the pioneers were
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subjected during the early history of Michigan. HIe was the first settler in that locality and for many years was busily. employed in elearing and improving his farm, and transforming it into a habitable abode. Wild game was then plentiful, and upon it the family depended for their prin- cipal means of subsistence.
After years of patient effort the father of our subject became well-to-do, and as he began with no other capital than brain and muscle, the suc- cess which he achieved was remarkable. He served in the War of 1812. In the Baptist Church, to which he belonged from boyhood, he served as Deacon during the greater portion of his life. At the ripe old age of seventy-two years he died in 1860, mourned by a large circle of friends, who truthfully said of him "that he was as good a man as ever lived," His wife, Elizabeth (Jersey ) Hains, a native of New York, died a few years after the demise of her husband. She also was a member of the Baptist Church, and was a woman possess- ing many graces of character and mind.
In the pioneer home of Benjamin Hains and his good wife were thirteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity, but only two are now living- Mrs. Mary Fessler, of Shelby, Macomb County; and James, of this sketch. The latter was the eleventh child in order of birth and was four years old when his parents removed to Michigan, where the most of his active life has been passed. lle was reared on a farm and had limited oppor- tunities for an education, the school which he at tended being held in a log house two miles from his home. Like many others under similar cir- eumstances he built the foundation of his educa- tion in the schoolroom and reared the superstruct- ure of knowledge during later years.
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growth of forest trees and shrubs, only four or five acres having been cleared, and no other im- provements had been made. Ile has met with marked success in his business as a farmer and has accumulated a valuable property by persistent industry and good management. The fine condi- tion of the estate to-day has not been brought about without hard work, but the owner, in look- ing baek over the past years, is satisfied with the result.
For many years Mr. Ilains has had the active co-operation and loving help of his wife, with whom he was united in marriage in 1849. Mrs. Hains bore the maiden name of Rosina Arnold and was born in Michigan in 1831. Six children have been born to them, viz: Levi, Flora (de- ceased), Mary, Helen. Eugene and Fred Grant. All the children received excellent educations and Mary and Helen have followed the profession of teachers. Politically Mr. Hains supported the Re- publican party until about 1880, when he became independent and now supports the man whom be thinks best qualified for the office, no matter to what party he belongs. In connection with till- ing the soil he raises all kind of stock, and in that department of agriculture has also been uni- formly successful.
E DMOND CROTTY is one of the Irish- American citizens to whom Michigan is in- debted for much good agricultural work and excellent citizenship. He owns and operates a farm of comfortable size on section 26, White Lake Township, which he reclaimed from its primi- tive condition of forest wildness. replacing the dense woods with broad fields of waving grain and fruitful orchards. The estate consists of sixty- six acres, on which he has made his home several decades. The father of our subject bore the same name as himself and the grandfather was Timothy Crotty, who reared a family of four sons.
During his youth Mr. Hains had many acquain- tances among the Indians, who still lingered in the sparsely settled localities. He early developed a fondness for hunting and has killed a great amount of wild game. Until he was of age he remained under the parental roof, assisting in the work on the home farm. When ready to start out in life for himself be removed to Oxford Town- Edmond Crotty, Sr., spent his entire life in the Emerald Isle, breathing his last when sixty six ship and settled on the farm where he still lives on section I. The land was covered with a thick | years old. He had married Mary Pendergast and
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the union was blessed by the birth of six sons and six daughters. The children were named respec- tively: Timothy, John. James, Thomas, Edmond, Morris, Margaret. Mary, Bridget, Joanna. C'ather- ine and Eliza. Edmond was born in the year 1819, and remained in the land of his birth until he was thirty years of age. He gained as good an education as circumstances would admit of, and learned many lessons of life that have been useful to him in his new home.
When Mr. Crotty emigrated to America he made his first sojourn in New Jersey, where he worked six months. Thence he cam to this State and at once identified himself with the farmers of White Lake Township. He was married to Mary Doolan who was removed from him by death in 1875. To them had been born six children-Ed- ward, Timothy. John. Mary, Margaret and Cath- erine. Mr. Crotty made a second marriage. wed- ding Miss Mary Walls, who died in 1887. In his religious faith Mr. Crotty is a Roman Catho- lic. He has always been interested in political issues and is an unfailing supporter of the Demo- cratic ticket.
OSEPH S. STOCKWELL, the leading dry- 1 goods man of Pontiac, was born in Redford, Wayne County, Mich .. May 16, 1843. IIe is the youngest son of Alva and Mary (Hewitt ) Stockwell, both natives of New York. They removed after marriage to Michigan. taking up a farm in Redford. Wayne County. in 1825. Mr. Stockwell was elected JJustice of the Peace, on office which he held continuously. Ile married over sixty couples.
About the year 1855, the family removed to the village of Birmingham in Oakland County and from there went to the town of Highland, where he died in his seventy-fourth year. His father, Ebenezer Stockwell. was a sollier in the War of 1812, and his grandfather a Revolutionary sol- dier. was killed at the surrender of Gen. Bnr- goyne's army. llis ancestors were from England. The mother of our subject was Mary Hewitt. She was a native of New York State and died m
her forty-third year at Redford. Nine of her ten children attained maturity, and eight are still liv- ing. Four brothers reside in the State of Kansas, and the three sisters live in Michigan.
Joseph S. Stockwell passed his early boyhood and schoollays in Redford and afterward attended school at Farmington and later at Birmingham this county. Ile then began his mercantile experience in a store at Birmingham, where he remained for four and one-half years in the employ of O. W. Peck. In 1869 he began in business for himself at Highland. Ile bought a general stock of mer- chandise and took his father as partner under the firmi name of Stockwell & Son. After three years he removed to Birmingham and formed a partner- ship with Engene Brown under the firm name of Stockwell & Brown. This lasted for three years when A. M. Knight bought ont the interest of Mr. Brown. Two years after Mr. Knight purchased the stock and removed to Pontiac and Mr. Stockwell engaged in business at Birmingham where he re- mained until 1881. Mr. Stockwell then removed to Pontine and became a partner in a firm with Lovett W. Stanton and Homer J. Axford, under the firm name of Axford. Stockwell & Co. This firm continued business for three years when Mr. Stockwell purebased the interest of both his part- ners and now carries on the business at the old stand. llis store measures 22x145 feet and he uses both floors. Ile carries a large and well selected stock and has a large share of the trade of the city and surrounding country.
The marriage of our subject took place in 1866. Ile then united his fortunes for life with those of Mary E., daughter of Adam and Susan Wiley. Mr. Wiley was a native of Scotland and his wife a na- tive of Vermont. The marriage took place in Birmingham, this county. Four children have blessed the union of our subject and his wife, namely: Fred B., clerk in the store of Strong, Lee & Co., Detroit; Jay S .; Alva Ross; and Glenn Wiley. In politics Mr. Stockwell is Republican and was Justice of the Peace at Ilighland. He also fille I the office of Town Treasurer at the same place. He is at present and has been for the past six years Superintendent of the Poor. Ile is a member of Pontiac Lodge No. 21 F. A. M .; of
yours Truly In W Bloomberg.
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Oakland Chapter No 5, R. A. M .; and of Pontiac Commandery No. 2, of which he is Treasurer, a position which he has held since becoming a mem- ber, He and his good wife are members of the Baptist Church where he superintends the Sun- day-school. He is also member of the Sunday- school Association. Their cozy and delightful home is located at No. 20 Wayne Street.
ARTIN W. BLOOMBERG. The portrait on the opposite page will be recognized by many readers as that of the efficient Sher- iff of Oakland County. He was first elected to the office in 1888 after having served two years as Deputy Sheriff under Colonel Matthews. As a Deputy he had displayed qualities that insured his efficiency and so well did he discharge the duties that devolved upon him that he was re-elected in 1890, He is a man of determined spirit, firm and unyielding in the line of duty, and has the pride in making the county a law-abiding one, which is felt hy every native-born citizen and by the better class who come here from other sections.
Mr. Bloomburg was born in Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, January 4, 1841, and is a son of George and Mary J. (Jordan) Bloomburg who were born in New York. His grandfather, Michael Bloomburg, came to this State in 1830, and spent the remainder of his life on a farm in Oakland County. His family consisted of seven children and all the sons became carpenters, George built inany of the large mills and dwellings in this sec. tion in which their home was, and also aided in putting up large crushing mills in the Lake Supe- rior mining region, and mills and other structures in Birmingham, Oakland County. Ile died in 1878. two years after his wife was borne to the tomb.
Martin W. Bloomburg, who is the third in the parental family, conned his lessons in the Royal Oak district school, and during the summer months worked on his father's farm. After attaining to manhood he carried on general farming until 1880, when he moved to Pontiac and soon after engaged in the sale of agricultural implements. He con-
tinued that business until he was elected Sheriff. He was earnest and enterprising in business life, is possessed of good social qualities, and has con- nected himself with Birmingham Lodge, No. 44, F. & A. M., Pontiac Lodge, No. 183, I. O. O. F., and the Knights of the Maecabees. He is a stanch and active member of the Republican party, and on its ticket was elected to office. The fact of the county being Democratic attests his popularity be- fore the people.
On March 31, 1870, Mr. Bloomburg was married to Miss Phebe Ellenwood. This capable and intell- igent lady was born in Oakland County and is a daughter of John and Sarah Ellenwood, who came hither from the Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. Bloomburg have one son, Robert Irving, who is now a student at the High School and is being well educated.
NDREW J. STOWELL. A visitor to the home of this gentleman, on section 26, Orion Township, Oakland County, will find many arrangements made for the proper carrying on of agricultural work and for the comfort of the family. The farm consists of one hundred and seven acres of fine land, the possession of which is very commendable to Mr. Stowell, for he began life unequipped financially speaking. Chief among the buildings on the farm is a large house of good design, where the evi- dences of the presence of a refined woman are to be seen. Substantial fences, a good orchard and garden, and suitable adornments in the grounds near the house, add to the attractiveness and real value of the property.
The Stowell family originated in England and was established in this country four generations ago, when a home was made in New Hampshire by an emigrant of that name. In the same State Isaac Stowell, father of our subject, was born in 1788 and thence he went to Monroe County, N. Y. Some years later he came to this State and located in Avon Township. He had made a location in Monroe County some six years before, but after a
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short sojourn had returned to New York. He lived in Avon Township until 1815, then removed to Pontiac Township, where he died a decade later, in his sixty-eighth year. Ile was a soldier in the War of 1812, with the rank of Orderly Sergeant. The religious home of himself and wife was in the Baptist Church. Mrs. Stowell bore the maiden name of Lydia Reed and was born in Vermont in 1800; she died in 1883. They had seven children, three of whom survive to this writing.
The subject of this biographical notice was born in Clarkston, Monroe County, N. Y., November 13, 1829. Ilis education was obtained in the district school under the roof of a log schoolhouse, and when but thirteen years old he began working out, receiving $7 s mouth for some time. When seven- teen he could follow the men all day, with the cradle or seythe, so vigorous and expert was he. In 1854 he began farming in Pontiac Township, where he bought seventy-two aeres of land, on which he made lus home about eight years. Soon after leaving it he located on land included in his present estate, where about forty acres was cleared and a log house stood. Mr. Stowell continued the work of development and in the course of time replaced the rude dwelling with one of greater beauty and better adapted to a modern farmer's circumstances.
The wife of Mr. Stowell was known in her maidenhood as Miss Elmira Bigler. She was born in Avon Township in 1840 and is a daughter of Charles and Hannah (Chapman) Bigler, natives of New York, each of whom came to this State in an early day in company with their parents. Mr. Bigler died in 1882, but his widow is still living. The marriage of our subject and his good wife took place in July, 1863. and has been blest to them by the birth of seven children. The surviving mem- bers of the family are Ellen E., Elmer E .. Emma J., Milly A., Birte and Melvin E. Two have been taken away by death-Jenny and Melvin E. Ellen is married to Horace Collins, a farmer in Oakland Township, and Milly is the wife of Thomas Holt, another agriculturist there.
The early recollections of Mr. Stowell include the sight of numerous Indians who made this sec- tion of country their haunt, and of chases after
wild game which abounded in the forest and often afforded a mark for his rifle. He was fond of hunt- ing and many a game bird or larger prey fell to his share of the spoils of an excursion. He is identi- fied with the Odd Fellows fraternity and the Dem- ocratie party. He makes no boast of that which he has accomplished, but in his modest, unassuming way, pursues the course he has marked out, doing his duty as a citizen but choosing the pleasures of home rather than the excitement of public life. Mrs. Stowell is a woman of more than ordinary intelligence, who has not allowed the cares of house- keeping to consume all her thought, but who has enlivened her working hours by having her mind filled with general faets or the bright ideas of others, Husband and wife stand well in society and take a proper degree of interest in the progress of this section.
ALTER WINDIATE. "Merrie England" was the birthplace of a number of men who have risen to competence and even wealth, as tillers of the soil in this county. In Pontiac Township there are several such men and one of them is the subject of this biographical notice. He owns and occupies one hundred and sixty acres of fine land upon which first-class im- provements have been made, including a full line of farm buildings, a large and comfortable dwell- ing and the minor appointments of a well-regu- lated farm. Mr. Windiate was born in Hampshire, England, January 29, 1821, and is a son of Richard and Charlotte (Hobbs) Windiate. His father was a farmer who decided to try his fortune in America in 1836.
The Windiate family were six weeks and three days in crossing the ocean, and after landing on American soil, eame at once to this county. The country was slightly opened up for settlement, wild game was plentiful and vast traets of land were new and unbroken. Mr. Windiate secured prop- erty in Pontiac Township and carried on his work until 1841, when he died at the age of sixty-four years; he was a member of the Episcopal Church.
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His widow lived until March, 1890, and reached the one hundredth year of her age. She was a good woman, devoted to her family and kind to all about her. She was the mother of fourteen chil- dren, eight of whom are still living.
Our subject received but a limited education, as the opportunities afforded in his native land were but little better than those of the frontier regions of America. He began farming for himself when of age, having previously worked with and for his father. He has cleared and improved the property that he occupies and has met with the success that he deserves. He was married in 1852 to Sarah A. Miller, daughter of Barney and Sarah A. (Swegle) Miller. The bride was born in this State on Janu- ary 20, 1835, and her parents are numbered among the early settlers who came hither from New Jersey. Mrs. Windiate has ably seconded her husband's efforts to improve their circumstances and supply their children with good advantages. They have lost two daughters-Jenuy and Belle, and have two daughters and a son living. Kittie is the wife of William Brewster and lives in Pontiac; Frank is married and living on the home farm ; May gladdens her parents by her presenee under their roof.
Mr. Windiate votes the Republican ticket. With a vigorous constitution, industrious habits and a faculty for hard work, he has spent years in toil- ing, but has reached a position where he can enjoy all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. In character he is honest and upright.
OSES K. TABER. The career of this gentleman is one upon which a young man may reflect with profit. lle began pad- dling his own canoe at an carly stage in his existence, and after pulling up stream for a season finally found himself in smooth waters, and his course has since been one of uniform prosperity. He chose agriculture for his lifework and followed it for a term of years, accumulating a competence, and then wisely retired from active labor. We now find him the occupant of a handsome home in Birmingham where every comfort that heart can
wish surrounds him. Ile owes much of his suc- eess to his faithful wife and readily accords her the credit she well deserves.
The parents of our subject were Abram and Eliza (Jones) Taber, natives of Erie County, N.Y. They came to this State in October, 1838, and settled in Kalamazoo County, where Mr. Taber died in January, 1857. He was a farmer, and while not a highly educated man, he was well read, his mind fortified with a store of nseful knowl- edge, and an hour eould always be spent in a pleasant and profitable manner with him. He held numerous official positions in New York and was quite a prominent figure in local polities. Ile was a Whig, later an Abolitionist and then a Democrat. Ile was a man of decided piety and from his youth was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, as
was also his wife. She was an adopted daughter of President Fillmore and was a lady of marked intelleet and one who will long be remembered by her acquaintances. She was reared and educated in Aurora, N. Y., and spent her last days in Toledo, Ohio, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James Mosher.
The Taber family is descended from German ancestors. The grandfather of our subject was Earl Taber, a native of Massachusetts and a Revo- lutionary soldier. In 1799 he removed to Erie County, N. Y., and subsequently died there. The parental household consisted of fourteen children, namely : Fanny, Charles, Helim, John, Lorinda, Helen, Hugh, Hiram, Leonard, Moses K., Winfield, Miles, Louisa and Mary.
Moses K. Taber was born in Prairie Rounds, Kalamazoo County, December 20, 1839, and his boyhood was passed on the farm and did not differ materially from that of other boys of that period and locality. Ile was trained to habits of industry and usefulness and became imhued with those sen- timents of honor and high moral principles which have made him what he is to-day among his fellow- men. After his father's death and before he was fourteen years old he was thrown on his own re- sources and went among strangers. He found a home with John Jones, a well-to-do farmer of this county and remained with him until twenty-eight years old. He then married and located in Royal
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Oak Township, buying a farm upon which he lived until the death of los wife four years later. He then sold out and went elsewhere. He subsequently married Miss Mary E. Jones, his foster father's adopted daughter, and in December, 1880, they took up their abode in Birmingham. Mr. Taber owns one of the finest farms in that section of the county, consisting of one hundred and ten acres, lying in Troy and Bloomfield Townships. It is all well improved and the greater part is in a high state of cultivation. His time is now occupied looking after his farm, and money-loaning.
The first marriage of Mr. Taber occurred De- cember 20, 1865, and his bride was Mrs. Orissa S. Hickey, at that time living in Royal Oak, this county. She was the widow of John Hickey and daughter of Orson and Rhoda (Gibbs) Starr. The latter were natives of New York, but among the first settlers of this county. Mrs. Taber had one son by her first husband-John O. Hickey-who was drowned in a mill pond at Birmingham in 1882 at the age of seventeen years. To Mr. Taber she bore one child-William J .- who is now a book-keeper in Detroit; he was married in 1890 to Miss Della May Chamberlain, of Van Buren County. Mrs. Taber died in Royal Oak, December 25, 1870, at the age of thirty-one years.
The second marriage of our subject was solemn- ized January 10, 1872. His present wife was born in Novi, December 3, 1842, and is a danghter of Myron and Sarah (Courter) Benjamin, natives of New Jersey, who came hither at an carly date. Their home was in this county, where Mrs. Benja- min died when her daughter was but thirteen months old. The child was adopted by John and Mary A. ( Wright) .Jones, and eared for as though she were their own. Her foster parents also showed their kindness of heart in furnishing a home for Mr. Taher when he was thrown upon his own re- sources. The union of our subject and his present wife has been blest to them by the birth of one daughter -- Mamie A.
In addition to having been a thorough and skill- ful farmer Mr. Taber has distinguished himself as a business man of more than ordinary capabilities and one of striet integrity in all his dealings. Al- though meddling very little in politics he keeps
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