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 72
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108
635
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
and active enterprise. He handles a great deal of stock of a high grade.
Elizabeth JJ. Kerr, of Vaughn, York County, On- tario, became the wife of our subjeet, June 6, 1866. She was born in Glasgow, Scotland, March 7, 1841, and is a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth ( Wilson) Kerr, who came to America in 1844 and settled in Toronto, Canada. Later they removed to Vaughn, where they still reside.
Six children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, namely : Robert E., who died at the age of seventeen years, Thomas W., Elizabeth M., George W., Ilarry C. and John L. Our subject votes the Democratic ticket but has never dabbled in politics. He and his wife and daughter are act- ive members of the Presbyterian Church at Pontiac.
ENRY H. PENNINGTON. It has been but a few years since this gentleman estab- lished himself on a farm in Avon Town- ship, but he is known to other settlers in that vicinity as a first-class farmer and has an ex- cellent reputation in other parts of the country. lle is one of the veterans of the Civil War, to whom honor is due for toilsome and hazardous enterprise in the country's behalf, and who receive the grateful plaudits of all loyal hearts. lle comes of old Virginia stock in the paternal line and his mother was a native of the Buckeye State and of German ancestry. His father, Henry 11. Pennington, Sr., removed from Virginia to Ohio about 1828, locating in Wyandot County, while Grandfather Pennington, whose given name was Jacob, crossed the Ohio at the same time and es- tablished his home in Seneca County. Eight children were born to Henry H. and Mary ( Miller) Pennington, but he of whom we write is the only survivor. Two of the sons gave up their lives for their country-Levi having been killed in Georgia and Jacob having contracted a disease, from which he died.
The subject of this biographical notice was born in Wyandot County, September 25, 1840, and reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he was
engaged when the Civil War began. He enlisted August 22, 1862, in the One Hundred and Twenty- third Ohio Infantry, and was mustered in as a private in Company D, but was promoted to the rank of Corporal before he reached the front. The command was sent into West Virginia, where it did considerable service before the winter set in, when the regiment went into eamp at Petersburg on New Creek. There Mr. Pennington contracted a disease which necessitated his going to the hospi- tal at Cumberland, remaining there until March, 1863. He was then sent to the convalescent hos- pital eight miles distant, and in April rejoined his regiment at Winchester and took part in the cam- paign of that name under Gen. Milroy. Mr. Pen- nington served as a provost guard when his Cap- tain was Provost Marshal, and with other members of the regiment guarded prisoners during the battle of Gettysburg and conveyed them to Bloody Run, and thence to Hagerstown and Har- per's Ferry.
Mr. Pennington took part in the engagement at Snicker's Gap, where the regiment lost quite a number of men and was repulsed and driven aeross the river. lle was one of the band that guarded the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad until the middle of May, 1864, when he was pronounced unfit for field duty and made clerk of an ordnance train. At Charleston, on the Kanawha River, he was re- lieved and returned to his company, with which he remained until after the battle of Winchester, where he fought under Gen. Crook. Early in July he became afflicted with rheumatism and was carried to Harper's Ferry, but he subsequently was able to fight at Opequan. near Winchester, and while actively engaged was wounded in the right thigh. He was carried to the rear and sent to Philadelphia, Pa., to enter a hospital there, Sep- tember 19, 1864.
March 26. 1865, Mr. Pennington rejoined his company near City Point, whence he went to Hatchie's Run and followed Grant until the sur- render of Lee. His command then went to Lynch- burg to recover some Government property, then to Richmond and on to Camp Chase, Ohio, where be was mustered out June 19, 1865. Mr. Penning- ton made his home with a cousin and resumed
636
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
farm work, doing what a worn-out soldier was able to do, and gradually arriving at a better physical condition. He was married December 24, 1867, to Almeda, daughter of George R. and Eliza- beth A. (Blair) Corwin. After his marriage Mr. Pennington farmed in Sencea County, Ohio, six years, then spent four years in Hancock County and one in Wyandot. He next came to this State and for two years resided in Charlotte, and at the expiration of that period bought one hundred and twenty acres that have since been his place of abode.
Few men are more interested in political issues than Mr. Pennington, who is to be found at the polls on every election day and takes an active, though not an office-seeking, part in the work of the party. lle is a pronounced Republican and no one can long be uncertain as to his political faith or its reasons. lle and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are respected members of society and do their part toward advancing the interest of the section in which they have made their home by promoting social life and culture.
OIIN DECKER is an old settler in Com- merce Township, whom prosperity has not spoiled, neither have the hardships of pio- neer life embittered his nature. He is the son of John Deeker, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born February 13, 1787, and who was a cap- tain in the War of 1812. Ilis grandfather, John, was a Pennsylvania farmer, and the family is of Pennsylvania Dutel stock. The mother of our subject was Phobe Mather, who was born Angust 29, 1793, in Connecticut. They were married in Lima, Livingston County, N. Y., where they made their permanent home on a farm in the unbroken woods. He lived until June 2, 1863, having lost his wife April 10, 1857. Six of their twelve chil- dren are now living. They were attendants at the services of the Universalist Church, and Mr. Decker's political views were of the Whig order, and later Republican. He was a successful farmer,
Our subject received a district school education, and grew to manhood upon the homestead where he first saw the light, April 17, 1820. Ile remained at home helping his father until he was twenty- four years of age. About that time he was mar- ried to Harriet Moore, a daughter of Cyrus and Sallie (Bowman) Moore, natives of New Hamp- shire, members of the best families of that State. They early removed to Livingston County, N. Y. and remained there until their death, hers occur- ring in 1837 and his in 1840. They were the par- ents of six children, three of whom are now living.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Decker took place October 15, 1814. Mrs. Decker was born June 29, 1817, in Clermont Township, N. H. The young couple settled on part of Mr. Decker's father's farm. In 1846 they came to Michigan and rented farms, first in Commerce Township and then in Water- ford Township. They then bought forty aeres in the latter township, nearly all unbroken, and after living upon it three years and putting in some im- provements, sold it and bought one hundred acres on section 23, Commerce Township. Ile now has two hundred and fifty-five acres, two hundred of which is under cultivation.
Five children of the six granted to Mr. and Mrs. Decker are now living: John Albert, born March 14, 1846, married Esther Smith, by whom be has had two children. They live in this town- ship. Ella E., born January 25, 1848, is the wife of Charles D. Woodman and the mother of two children, and lives in Northville. Marcus II., born October 28, 1849, and married to Hattie Green, lives on section 23, and has seven children. Matie A., born January 16, 1854, makes her home at Walled Lake. The youngest is Emma J .. born October 13, 1856.
Mrs. Decker has been for many years an active and efficient member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She takes a great interest in temperance movements, and is a woman of intelligence and character. Mr. Decker has been a Director of local schools and is always interested in the political sit- uation, especially in the movements of the Repub- lican party. to which he is attached. He has been Road Overseer. The children of this family have been granted excellent opportunities for education,
637
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Miss Matie is now a student at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, where she is taking a supple- mentary course, after having taught for many terms. The other two daughters also hold certifi- cates to teach. The home of this family is one of more than ordinary happiness and intelligence, the parents being always ready to lead the younger members of the family in happy rennions and jolly times. The father has given away to his sons two farms of eighty acres each, and still has a fine tract of land left for himself.
G EORGE GERMAN, a retired farmer who has resided on the farm where he now lives since 1837, and who owns two hundred and sixty acres of as fine land as Oakland County af- fords, was born in Devonshire, England, Septem- ber 9, 1814. Ilis parents, Jolin and Grace ( Essary) German, came to America in 1837, and settled on the farm where their son now lives. They spent the remainder of their days in this county. The father was a lifelong farmer and owned a farmu in England, just outside of Biddeford. He was in comfortable circumstances at the time of his decease. Ile paid $1 per acre for his land in 1837, purchas- ing at that time two hundred acres, which he pro- ceeded to clear up and cultivate.
John German and his estimable wife were de- vout members of the Episcopal Church, in which they were brought up in the old country. He was an intelligent citizen and attached himself to the Whig party and joined the Republican party after its formation, but he never took an active part in polities. He had eight children, namely : Richard, Ann, John, George, Mary, Betsey Jane, William, and Grace.
The subject of this sketch was reared in England and received a common-school education in Bidde- ford. Ile has followed farming all his life and has upon his fine farm a pleasant home and excellent farm buildings. He has now retired from active labor, yet his interest still centers in his farm, upon which he concentrates all his financial and personal efforts. He is a Republican in his politics
and has been Supervisor of his township four times, and has held almost all of the other town offices. lle is a Director of the Monitor Insurance Com- pany of Oakland County. Ile is liberal in his support of churches but is not connected with any denomination.
The marriage of Mr. German took place Sep- tember 9, 1843. Ilis good lady bore the maiden name of Henrietta Pins. She was a resident of Farmington, this county, but was born in Alost, Belgium, August 5, 1823. She is a daughter of Peter J. and Ellenor (Debeer) Pins, who came to America in 1840 and settled in Farmington; they are both now deceased, Mr. Pins dying at Balti- more, Mich., and his wife at Detroit.
The eight children of Mr. and Mrs. German are as follows: Emma, deceased ; Matilda, wife of Will- iam Adams, a farmer in Southfield Township, who has six children-Willie, Cora, Frankie, Archie, Georgie and Ross; George II., a farmer on the old home, who with his wife, Carrie Durkee, has three children-Frankie, Leon and Amy ; Henry E., a farmer also on the home farm, married Lucy Simmons, of Pontiac, and has had five little ones -Harry, Gertie, Allie, Wellington and Howard; Minnie is the wife of Mark Armstrong, of North Farmington; and Allie, Mrs. Clarence Seeley, of Farmington, has one child-Clayton; Alfred and and Edwin are deceased. In the society of their beloved children and beautiful grandchildren Mr. and Mrs. German are preparing to spend their latter days in happiness.
E UGENE B. WILHELM is the Superintend- ent and Manager of the Ilighland Vinegar and Pickle Factory, in which he has a third interest, The establishment furnishies employment to an average foree of forty hands and the sales amount to $100,000, yearly. Mr. Wilhelm is also a lumber dealer, and is engaged in the mercantile business, having a general store in which well- selected stock is to be found. The fact that he is succeeding while handling so many business affairs is a proof of his ability and good judgment. That
638
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
he is stirring and energetic no one can doubt who sees him in any of the establishments in which he is interested.
The paternal line of descent is traced back to one John Wilhelm, who was killed in the battle of Ft. Erie. Following him was George. who was born in New Jersey, went to Milo, N. Y., with his pa- rents, and there married and reared a family of seven sons and three daughters. One of his sons was John, who was born at Milo and lived with his father until he was twenty-two years of age. The family had removed to Livingston County some years before John Wilhelm became a man, and there he married Leora Humphrey, daughter of Ozias and Parnal Humphrey, who were natives of Simsbury, Conn. For two years after his marriage John Wilhelm made his home in Springwater, and he then bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in the town of Conesus, N. Y., on which he now lives. Ile has increased his landed estate to two hundred and eighty-five acres. llc is one of the stock-holders and Vice President of the Milford State Bank in this county. Ilis family consisted of the following children : Emily A., Sidney S., Elsie J., Solon II., Eugene B., Martin (deceased) and Martha.
The subject of this biographical notice was born in Conesus, Livingston County, N. Y., February 12, 1856. Ile remained with his parents until after be had become of age. pursning such studies as are usual and learning much of the work in which his father was engaged. When he attained his ma- jority he formed a partnership with his father, car- rying on farming and stock-dealing. and the con- nection continued four years. Previous to this period he had taken up the higher branches of study at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y. In 1883 he came to Milford, this county, and the next year established himself in llighland, buy- ing a one-fourth interest in the vinegar and pickle factory, which he is now so satisfactorily managing.
In Steuben County, N. Y., December 27, 1882. Mr. Wilhelm was united in marriage with Miss Carrie E. Patchen, daughter of Ira and Elizabeth (Ellis) Patchen. Her parents were born in the Empire State and had two children, a son, Sprague, and the daughter mentioned. To Mr. and Mrs.
Wilhelm there have come two children-Eugene B., Jr. and Philip-bright little lads who are rap- idly advancing in knowledge.
Mr. Wilhelm is a Knight Templar and is enrolled in Genesee Valley Commandery, No. 15, at Flint. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, as after investigation of its principles, he became firmly convinced that it was founded upon the truest theories of government. Ile has been Super- visor of Highland Township three consecutive years, and this fact alone is sufficient to indicate his stand . ing in the community. An incident of consider- able interest connected with his ancestry is the fact that during the War of 1812 his grandfather. Ozias Humphrey, beat the alarm at New London, Conn., when the British attacked that place.
B ENJAMIN F. DAVISON owns and occu- pies a good farm in Highland Township, comprising one hundred and seventy acres on section 21. Mr. Davison formerly owned a much larger tract, but has given away one hundred and twenty acres, reducing his own estate to the acreage mentioned. He finds suffi- cient occupation with that which he now possesses, as he is ambitious to have it in as perfect condi- tion as possible, and he is advancing in years, so that he does not have the physical strength to do as lic once did, although by no means incapacitated from the oversight of affairs, or from the share in the labor necessary to reap good results from the farm.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Paul Davison, a native of Connecticut, who in an early day went to Pennsylvania, and thence to Livingston County, N. Y., in 1788. He and three others were the first to settle in that county, and in making their way there followed an Indian trail. They built a cabin, and the next year Mr. Davison re- turned to Pennsylvania for his family. They made their journey to the new home in an ox cart, cutting logs and building bridges on the way. The first crop of turnips and oats gathered in Lima Township was harvested by Mr. Davison.
639
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL ALBUM.
The corn used in the home was ground with a stump and mortar. Mr. Davison died in 1804. at the age of forty-one years; his wife survived him forty years, reaching the age of fourscore. Ile had been in the Colonial army during the Rev. olution, and fought in Sullivan's forces in subdu- ing the Indians in Western New York; he held the commission of Captain. Ilis family consisted of three sons and four daughters, namely: Norman, Marlin, Jonathan, Lavina, Olive, Betsey and Fanny-the last named being the first white female child born west of Geneva. She married Amos Otis.
Norman Davison was born in Connecticut and accompanied his parents to New York when an in- fant. At the age of twenty years he married Huldah Brown, a native of Albany, N. Y., and to them were born the following named children: Saralı, Paul G., Olive P., Sylva, De Witt C., Ben- jamin F., Jane A. and Marietta. In 1831 Mr. Davison removed to Genesee County, this State, locating twelve miles from Flint, and being one of the first settlers in that locality. There he died ten years after his arrival. The patent for the first land he entered was signed by Andrew Jack- son. He was a delegate to the convention at De- troit, in 1835, which framed the first constitution of the State, and he was a delegate to the conven- tion held at Ann Arbor to settle the difficulties between Indiana, Ohio and Michigan regarding the boundary. He was Postmaster and Justice of the Peace for years.
The subject of this notice was born in Avon, Livingston County, N. Y., April 12, 1821, and was ten years old when he accompanied his parents to this State. Ile worked on his father's farm after his school days were ended, until 1842, when he came to this county and established himself in Highland Township. He has carried on general farming with good results, and has secured a good standing as an agriculturist and a citizen. Ile has served as Township Treasurer a year and Super- visor four years. He exercises the right of suffrage in behalf of Democratic principles and the candi- dates who are pledged to support them. He is connected with the social order of the Grange.
In 1847 Mr. Davison was married to Miss Hul-
dah N. Gue, who bore him four children, named respectively, Ann, Ella, Norman and Frank. The wife and mother exchanged time for eternity in 1866, and January 1, 1867, Mr. Davison made a second marriage. His bride was Sarah S. Wells, daughter of Philip and Sophia (Fuller) Wells, who were natives of Rhode Island and Massachusetts respectively. Mr. Wells came to Michigan in 1842, and settled in Milford, where he died in 1853. The year of his birth was 1799. Mrs. Wells died September 16. 1867, at the age of sixty-six years, having been born in 1801. Mr. Wells owned and operated a foundry. Ile served as Justice of the Peace, was a Mason and Odd Fellow, and, with his wife, bad good standing in the Presbyterian Church. The children of Mr. Davison and his present wife are still residing with their parents, although both are engaged in teach- ing. Their names are Bertha and Margaret S. Mrs. Davison is a consistent member of the Pres- byterian Church.
-5
E DWIN PIIELPS. The farm of this gentle- man may certainly be called A, No. 1, on ac- count of the fertility of the soil, the careful tillage it receives, the order of its arrangements and the number and worth of the farm buildings. It consists of one hundred and eighty acres on sec- tion 23, Pontiac Township, and bears a good line of outbuildings, while the dwelling is a handsome brick, shaded by fine trees which also lend their cooling influence to other parts of the farm. Mr. Phelps is one of the prominent cattlemen of South- eastern Michigan, and is the pioneer breeder of Herefords in the State. He has made two impor- tations from Holland, of Ilolstein Friesian cattle, and belongs to the lIereford Association of Amer- ica and the State and National Holstein Friesian Associations.
Elnathan Phelps, the father of our subject, was born in Massachusetts in 1799 and was the son of Benjamin Phelps, a native of Pittsfield and a sol- dier both in the Revolution and the War of 1812. The ancestry in the Phelps line is traced back to
640
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Wales. In 1833 Elnathan Phelps came to this county. removing via the canal to Buffalo, steamer to Detroit, and across the country by teams to Pon- tiae Township. He took possession of a partly- improved farm where the woods were full of "In- juns," bear, wolves and smaller animals. While in Massachusetts he belonged to a military company. He belonged to the Presbyterian Church for many years and was a worthy and highly-respected man. He died in 1870. The mother of our subject was Clara Colt. a native of the Bay State, who died in 1832. She had but two children-our subject and a sister, who are twins. She was a member of the Baptist Church.
Edwin Phelps was born at Pittsfield, Mass., April 7, 1828, and reared to farm Ffe. He pursued his studies in the old-fashioned log house with slab seats, and before he was ten years old walked with his sister two miles along an Indian trail to the schoolhouse. During his boyhood he associated with Indians more than with whites. He often heard wolves howl and catamounts seream in the forest near his father's dwelling. For a short time he attended a select school in Rochester. then un- der the charge of R. C. Kedzie. now Professor of Chemistry in the Michigan Agricultural College.
When of age Mr. Phelps started out for himself, and in the spring of 1850 crossed the plains to Cal- ifornia, being four months and a half on the way. Ile returned home in the fall of 1831, via Nica- raugna, after a more successful experience as a miner than was often the case. He bought the homestead, paying for it in gold, and he has since carried on farm work. He has not only surrounded himself with the conveniences of the modern ag- rieulturist and stockman, but he has furnished his dwelling with substantial and tasteful appointments, and made many arrangements for the comfort of his family. He has also catered to their tastes, and given them opportunities for mental culture and enjoyment such as are not often found in the rural districts. He has a good library where standard literature and periodicals of the day await the perusal of family and friends.
In 1858 Mr. Phelps was married to Mary Irish, a native of this county, born in 1838. Her parents Merwin and Sarab ( Biglow) Irish. were born in the
Empire State and were early settlers here. Mr. Irish died in 1857 but Mrs. Irish is still living. Mrs. Mary P'helps became the mother of two daugh- ters-Mary and .Jessie. She was called from time to eternity in 1870, leaving a sorrowing household. After having lived a widower until 1875 Mr. Phelps brought to his home a second wife, formerly Miss Adelia Kimball. This estimable lady is a native of this county and is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. Their union has been blest by the birth of three children-Clara, Ella and Edwin. All the sons and daughters have received and are receiving good advantages, and the family as a whole ranks high in the scale of intelligence and culture.
Mr. Phelps has served as Justice of the Peace twenty years, and this fact establishes his standing in the community, lle has been prominent in . local political circles and has served as a delegate to State and other conventions. Politically he is a Democrat. He founded the Grange in this county and is a member also of the State and National or- ganizations. For many years he has been connected with the Knights of Pythias. Ile was recently ap- pointed by the Governor a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and no man in this vicinity possesses better qualifications for such a position, as he is keen in his judgment, well informed by observation and experience, and deeply interested in the prosperity of the class to which he belongs.
E DWARD BROMLEY, one of the industrious farmers of Avon Township, was born in Clinton County, N. Y., March 31, 1829, and is a son of Bethuel and Eliza ( Brand) Brom- ley. The Bromley family originated in England, and three brothers of the name emigrated from that country to America in the early Colonial days, the branch to. which our subject belongs making New England their home for several generations. Edward Bromley traces his lineage backward through Bethuel, who was born in Rutland County, Vt .; Barton, who was also a native of the Green Mountain State; and Bethuel who was born in Con-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.