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 74
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The two young men succeeded in getting a rocker of the miners but their gold find did not prove a success, as they got only seventy-five cents worth of gold, which they carried around in a goose quill. They found it a place where there was nothing to eat and nothing to do. The horse was traded off for fifty pounds of flour and fifty pounds of beans. They lived on this and after having spent four days together, one night his comrade said "I have my bridle and my saddle and I am going after my horse," and that was the last he saw of this man who had accompanied him so far.
The subject of our sketch now fell in with two Iowa men who had come to dig gold and who had a horse and cart. They started for Ft. Union to seek work. Their provision was soon gone and for three days their only food was the game they could kill. When they arrived at Ft. Union they found that the department had just receive l word to stop work and discharge the men. Our friend had in his pocket a recommendation from Capt. Clark, whom he had served at Camp Floyd, so he applied to the Government commissary de- partment for food and received two weeks rations of flour, sugar and coffee. lle fell in with a man by the name of Kitchen, who took the job of shearing six hundred sheep that were being driven to California. He was to have their wool for doing the shearing and he gave employment to these
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three seekers for work at $1 per day. Mr. Calkins gave such good satisfaction that Mr. Kitchen offered him a permanent position to drive a team from there to the Missouri River. When he reached Kansas City he was entirely destitute, and Mr. Kitchen gave him clothes and money. Here he remained for three months looking after Mr. Kitchen's mules, which were grazing. After this he worked on a farm through the summer and winter, and in the spring of 1860 went with one of the neighbors to drive a team to Colorado, where he engaged in mining until the fall of 1863.
Nr. Calkins took the stage now for Salt Lake City and from there to Virginia City, Mont., where he engaged in mining and freighting from Virginia to Salt Lake, and remained there until 1866. He now returned home on a visit and remained until spring, when he returned to Montana, sold out and settled up his business and returned home. He now engaged in the grocery business at Holly. Ilere he has been very successful, adding to his stock each year until he employs four clerks and a delivery boy. His store is of brick 22x128 feet. He has also a fine home in the village. He was married in 1870. to Mrs. Mary Cornell of this village. He is a member of the Masonic Order and an ardent Republican, and as his history shows, a man of almost incredible enterprise and persever- ance,
ALLACE BAILEY. This name will be recognized by many readers as that of a farmer and stock-raiser located in Oriou Township, where he and his brother own four hun- dred acres of fine land. Mr. Bailey devotes his time entirely to agricultural affairs and, having been reared on a farm and had much to do with its management when he was quite young, he is a master of his calling. IIe has a fine large dwelling with attractive surroundings and a full supply of farm buildings, so that he is well equipped for the carrying on of his work and lives in much com- fort. He is a native of this county, born in Inde- pendence Township, June 3, 1842, and all his interests have centered here.
In Tioga County, Pa., in 1816, Wilson Bailey, the father of our subject, was born. He came to this State about 1831, when the country was full of wild game, and the part in which he settled showed scarce a vestige of improvement. He was one of the first to locate land in Independence Township, and the deed signed by Gen. Jackson is still in the possession of Mrs. Bailey. He walked from Detroit to his destination, there being no railroads or stage lines. The customary log house was built, a clear- ing made and some simple improvements, and after a few years Mr. Bailey returned to the Keystone State for his parents, having located eighty acres of land for them. As time passed he placed his farm in good condition and in 1856 bought six hundred acres on section 19, Orion Township. which has since become known as the Steam Mill Farm. He entered into partnership with F. C. Myrick, for the manufacture of pine lumber, but the partnership was soon dissolved. A mill had been built by Mr. Myrick which run seven saws, and a large amount of lumber was made. Mr. Bailey was a thorough business man and at the time of his demise was engaged in various enterprises. He had limited means when he came West but was successful in accumulating property. He was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the faith of which he died May 26. 1862.
The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Miss Rachel Riker. She was born in Chemung County, N. Y., in 1817, and is still living ; she has belonged to the Methodist Epis- copal Church for many years and her character is one that reflects credit upon her Christian profes- sion. She is the mother of six children, but one has crossed the river of death. Wallace is the eldest of the family and was born in a log house built by his father in Independence Township. He attended the district school, which was held in the primitive building with homemade furniture, and became well versed in such branches as were then taught. After his father's death the management of the estate largely devolved upon him and he remained at the old home until his marriage. The property was kept together until the youngest brother became of age.
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In 1865 Mr. Bailey was married to Sarah C. Case, a native of Sussex County, N. J., born in 1847. Her parents came to this State about 1855, and she completed her studies and youthful train- ing here. To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey three children have been born, named respectively, Cora C., Mamie E. and Gracie M. They have had good privileges and careful home training and the first- born is now successfully engaged in teaching. In 1868 Mr. Bailey removed to Orion Township where he has since lived. Ile votes the Republican ticket and has been a Mason nearly thirty years. Ile and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which they have good standing, as they have throughout the community.
ILLIAM J. CLAY. One of the most beau- tiful farms in Highland Township is rep- resented by a view on another page, and is the Clay estate. The farm consists of one hundred and twenty aeres on section 10, and was taken possession of by the present owner on the 20th of October, 1851. At that time nearly forty acres had been fenced in, on which two crops of wheat had been raised several years before. There was an unfinished log house on the place, which Mr. Clay made habitable by putting in floors and a shingle roof. This he occupied for his residence until the fall of 1883. The remainder of the estate was in its primitive condition, covered with woods and having no improvements whatever. By dint of industrious and well-directed efforts Mr. Clay has brought the entire tract under cultivation, and has made various improvements, including a resi- dence that was put up at a cost of $2,000. The dwelling is of pleasing architectural design, is con- veniently arranged and well furnished, and is alto- gether a pleasant and comfortable abode.
The grandfather of our subject, Christian Clay, was born in 1725, near Berlin, Germany, and en- tered the service of his Prince at the age of eighteen years, serving seven years. The principality in which he lived became subject to Prussia, and he entered the service of Frederick the Great, who
was on the throne of that country. After serving five years he returned to his old home to find that the family was gone, no one knew whither. He then came to America, landing in New York some- time before the breaking out of the French War. After living in the city of New York for a time he went to Philadelphia on business, and while stop- ping at a tavern he became acquainted with a man by the name of Clay, who lived in Virginia and said he came from Germany. He bore the same name as one of the brothers of Christian Clay, while the names of their father, mother, brothers and sisters were also alike. They coneluded there- fore that they must be brothers, and made an agree- ment whereby Christian was to return to New York, dispose of his interests there and come to Virginia to his supposed brother.
llowever, when Christian ('lay was almost ready to start to the Old Dominion he was one evening walking along the street en route to his boarding house when he was seized by a company of British soldiers and pressed into the service. The morn- ing following his seizure the fleet sailed out of the harbor, carrying him with others. After serving for a time in the British navy he was put in the ranks and fought at the battle of Louisburg. With his regiment he was sent with Gen. Wolfe to cap- ture the city of Quebec, scaling the heights of Abraham during the night and in the morning helping to fight the battle that defeated the French, deprived them of Gen. Montcalm, and gave the city to the British though at the cost of the death of Gen. Wolfe and many of his heroic followers.
Two days after that memorable event the In- dians, who were in the surrounding woods firing upon the soldiers, shot ('hristian Clay, the wound penetrating the knee and disabling him for life. Ile was taken to a hospital and soon discharged, after serving in the British army and navy five years. When able he commenced to work, and hoarded sufficient money to take him back to New York. In that city he met a woman whose first name was Mary, and who had just come over from the Father- land. He paid her passage, married her, and they removed to Essex County, N. J., and later to Sus- sex County, the same State, where they reared a large family, comprising two daughters and six
1
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HIGHLAND OR UPPER PETTIBONE LAKE. SEC'S. 10. & 15. FROM THE NORTH. FROM THE NORTH.
PENINSULA LAKE. SEC. 10.
"WANTAGE PLACE" RESIDENCE OF CLAY BROTHERS, SEC.10., HIGHLAND TP., OAKLAND CO., MICHIGAN.
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sons. They were members of the First Presbyte- rian Church in Sparta as early as 1780. Grand- father Clay departed this life in 1820, at the age of ninety-five years, while his wife survived him sev- eral years.
Of the children of Christian and Mary Clay the following is recorded : John passed his entire life in Sussex County, N. J., and his children were Abram. Noah, Maria and Sarah; William died in Ohio; Christopher, in Sangamon County, Ill., at the age of eighty-eight years; Thomas, near Cleve- land, Ohio; James removed to Kentucky and there enlisted in the service of his country in 1812. fight- ing under Gen. Ilarrison at the battle of Tippeca- noe, and in the battle of the Thames. Two days after the latter engagement he was taken ill and died in Canada.
The father of our subject, Henry Clay, was born in Hardyston, Sussex County, N. J., September 25, 1783, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. In his native State he was married to Catherine Rorick, who was born March 5, 1785, and shared his fortunes until 1845, when she elosed her eyes in death. Her parents, Gosper and Elizabeth ( Massaker) Rorick, lived in Sussex County, N. J., the father being a farmer. Of the children born to Henry Clay and his good wife we note the following: Almeda, born October 18, 1803, married Norris Wickham, and later became the wife of J. Owen, and died April 6, 1885, aged eighty-one years; William J., of this sketch, was the eldest son; Gosper R., born January 9, 1808, married, and died April 22, 1835, when twenty-seven years old; Christopher C., born February 20, 1811, married Margaret Havens, and resides in Sussex County, N. J .; Mahlon, born Au- gust 24, 1814, died August 20, 1819, when less than five years old; Lucretia, born September 28, 1817, died July 22, 1819; Elizabeth, born Decem- ber 4, 1820, married Philo Wilber and resides in Tuscola County, Miel .; Alanson, born December 11, 1823, resides in Orange County, N. Y .; Han- nalı, born April 12, 1826, married Eliakim Bross and lives in Montague, N. Y .; Amzy, born Octo- ber 17, 1828, married and now resides in Tuscola County, Mich.
In the spring of 1852 Ilenry Clay, with his daughter Elizabeth and his son Amzy, came to
Michigan and settled in Fairgrove, Tuscola County, where he died July 6, 1871, aged cighty-seven years, nine months and eleven days. His wife died near Deckertown, N. J., September 26, 1845, aged sixty years. six months and twenty-one days. The father was a farmer during his entire life. Politically he was a Democrat, and religiously a Baptist.
The gentleman whose name introduces these par- agraphs was born in Hardyston, Sussex County, N. J., November 29, 1805. and remained in his na- tive State until 1848. Ile then went to Orange County, N. Y., made his home in Port Jervis four years and then came to this county. He was married in his native State to Hannah Demorest, who died in this county in 1862. Their children are: Emily II., born February 22, 1829; Henry D., born Au- gust 24, 1830, married Elizabethi Rhodes, and died September 30, 1870; Marcus D. L .; Gilliam D., born December 10, 1833, died August 5, 1857; Cornelius ; Mahlon B. S., born October 26, 1839, and died October 18, 1884. Mr. Clay has always been a staneli believer in Democratic principles. lle is now in his old age enjoying the comforts to which years of industry and honorable conduct fairly entitle him, and the association with children and friends who surround him.
The wife of our subjeet was born April 22, 1801, in Warwick, Orange County, N. Y. Her father, David Demorest, was born in 1761 and died in 1825; her mother, Margaret Demorest, who was born in 1765, died in 1812. In an early day they removed from Orange County to Sussex. Of their children we note the following: Peter, born in 1790, died in 1825; Catherine, horn in 1791, died in 1825; Mary who was born in 1793, married Paulus Ackerson, and died in 1850; Henry, born in 1802, died in 1836; Nicholas married and died many years ago; John married Eliza Coss; Samuel who married Betsey Crane, removed to Niagara County, N. Y .; James located in Tompkins County, N. Y .; Margaret married Peter Lantz ; Cornelius was was united in marriage with Abigail Demorest; Gilliam, who married Catherine Sharp, removed with his family to Franklin County, Kan., in the fall of 1866, and died there in 1873, at the age of sixty-seven years.
Cornelius D. Clay, son of our subject, was born
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in New Jersey, October 7, 1836, and accompanied his father to this State. He worked by the month for three years, then came to live with his father and has since been at home. Ile and his brother Marcus now own two hundred acres of land in Highland Township, besides having an interest in the homestead. Mr. Clay began his life-work without means and has made this property by well- directed and persevering efforts. In his political beliefs and practices he follows the custom of the family and is a Democrat.
Marcus D. L. Clay, second son of our subject. was born in Newton, Sussex County, N. J., Feb ruary 14, 1832. Ile went from his native place to Port Jarvis, N. Y., where he lived about four years, working at the painter's trade three years. In October, 1851, he came to this county and per- manently settled in the town of Highland, where he became a farmer. In 1865 he served seven months in Company F, Fifteenth Michigan Infan- try ; he was first sent to llart's Island, New York Harbor, thonee to Morehead City, N. C .. later to Goldsboro, Alexandria, Washington, Louis- ville and Little Rock in turn. While at the last- named place he was taken sick and was sent to the hospital at Cairo, III., where he remained forty-two days. Thence he was sent to Harper Hospital, Detroit, and twenty-five days later came home in a feeble condition. lle bas never regained his former health.
RSON II. SMITH, a prominent farmer of Commerce Township, is the son of John G. W. Smith of Connecticut, who was born at Waterford, May 2, 1796. He was the son of Sam- uel Smith, a native of Connecticut. The family genealogy is traced back to England some two hun- dred and fifty years, the first comers having arrived in this country in 1638, settling near New London, Conn. The mother of our subjeet, Desire (Downer) Smith, was born in Connecticut, October 3, 1797. She married the father of our subject, September 16, 1817, and they made their permanent home in Orangeville, Wyoming County, N. Y. She was
bereft of her husband, November 21, 1839, and she survived until September 6, 1871. They were active members of the Baptist Church and Mr. Smith was a very prominent man, a Whig in politics and a man of temperate habits. Hle was Constable for nine years and filled the office of Assessor .. Ile always took an active interest in schools and pro- moted their well-being in every way possible.
The subject of this sketch was born in Orange- ville, N. Y., December 13, 1824. Here he grew to manhood and received an excellent education, and here he entered upon the work of a teacher. lle began working for himself when he reached his majority and has always been a farmer. lle re- mained on the home farm until his marriage. This important event took place May 17, 1848. His wife was Jennett, a daughter of Gurden and Rachael (Lee) Armstrong, both of New London County, Conn., but who moved to Wyoming County, N. Y., at an early date. They remained there until about 1855, making their home with their children. Mr Armstrong died in 1865 and his wife made her home with our subject until her death which oc- curred in 1875. Adison Armstrong is the only one of their children who now survives. He resides in New York State, Mrs. Smith was born August 31, 1821, and received an excellent education and taught school for fourteen terms. Mr. Armstrong was a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church to which he and his wife belonged.
After marriage Orson H. Smith made his home at Orangeville N. Y. until 1855, when he came to Michigan and settled on his present farm. He bought one hundred acres of improved land and has added to it until he now has one hundred and forty-seven acres, most of it under cultivation. He erected his handsome residence in 1865 at a cost of $1,000 and has put up all the buildings on his farm. He carries on actively his farm work and raises grain and stock. He was bereaved of his wife, February 26, 1888. They were the parents of two children: George W. born March 27, 1850, married Ida J. Donnelson ; they have three children. Ile is a graduate of Hillsdale College and of the law de- partment of State University and is at present the Prosecuting Attorney of Oakland County. The second child, Frances D., born June 30, 1853, is the
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wife of Ilerbert D. Armstrong, to whom she was married December 19, 1879. He is passenger agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and makes his home at Jackson, Mich. They have four boys.
Mr. Smith has lived in this township for thirty-six years. He and his good wife were members of the Free Will Baptist Church where he is still a Deacon. This offlee he has held for many years in the church at Wixom. He is also interested in Sunday-school work. having been both teacher and Superintendent for the past thirty years. For many years he has been an officer of the School Board. His ballot has been cast with the Republican party ever since its organization. Previous to that time he was a Whig. He has held the office of Justice of Peace for twelve vears and as Highway Commissioner for three years. Ile has been Treasurer of the Oakland County, Free Will Baptist Quarterly Meeting for sixteen years. He is thoroughly imbued with temperance princi- ples and was a member of the Washingtonian Soei- ety many years ago. His sympathies were very strongly on the union side during the Civil War and in a word his record has been that of a useful and patriotic citizen.
HOMAS McGEE, one of our worthy British- American citizens and a resident of Farm- ington, was born in Scotland about three miles from the city of Glasgow, June 20, 1830. His father, John McGee, a weaver by trade, was born in Ireland, near Belfast. When a young man, he went from Ireland to Scotland and resided there until he came to Canada, and located near l't. Stanley, where he resided for many years. He spent his last days in County Eckford, Canada.
The mother of our subjeet, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Donigan, a native of Ireland, left her son, Thomas, an orphan at the age of twenty months. She was the mother of three children. Our subjeet was thirteen years old when he came to Canada in 1843. Ile worked for his father until he was twenty-two years old. Ile came to Miehi- gan in the fall of 1856 and remained for three
years at Greenfield, Wayne County. After this he eame to Farmington. He had married while in Canada, his bride being Abigail McQuade, a native of Ireland. The marriage was celebrated in Lon- don, Canada. in 1854.
Mr. and Mrs. McGee were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are now living, namely: Margaret A., George. John, Lillie A., Thomas H., Lizzie, James, Clyde and Clint. The last two named are twins. Mr. McGee carries on a fine farm near Farmington, and has fifty acres of excellent arable land. Ile is an active and efficient member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he su- perintends the Sunday-school and acts as Trustee and Steward. fle is a Prohibitionist in his politi- cal views and is very active in forwarding all meas ures for temperance and morality.
LEXANDER L. MEANS. a farmer and citizen of excellent repute in Southfield Township, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, April 20, 1826. His father, Joseph Means, a native of Butler County, Pa., was born in 1787. He was a carpenter and cabinetmaker, and during the War of 1812 furnished provisions to the army. The wife of Joseph Means was Martha Lorimor, who was born in 1789 in Ireland, and came to America when seven years old and made her home in Pennsylvania.
The subject of this sketch is the fourth in a fam- ily of six children. He was about three years old when he went to Pennsylvania, where he remained until he reached his twenty-fifth year and where he learned the carpenter's and millwright's trade. At the age above named he emigrated to Riehland County, Ohio, where he followed farming. Hle re- mained there for nineteen years and there married, and established a home of his own. The lady to whom he was united in 1854 was Clarissa C., daughter of William Church, a native of New York, who was in the War of 1812, being in De- troit at that time. His commanding oflieer was John Garrison. Mr. Church came to Ohio when a young man, and making his home there, remained
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in that State until his death. Mrs. Means was born in Ohio in 1829. She was an earnest worker in the United Presbyterian Church. She died September 2. 1879, and was buried in the South- field Cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Means were the parents of six children. Two died in infancy, and William died at eleven years of age. The surviving children are Eva A., the wife of Frank J. Young; John M. and M. Jennie. These last two reside with their father. Mr. Means came to Michigan in 1871 and made his home in Southfield Township, where he now resides. He has ninety-one acres of well-im- proved land, all under cultivation except ten acres of timber. He is doing a general farming business. In politics he is a Republican. His religions home is with the United Presbyterian Church, where he has been both Trustee and Treasurer. Ile is a faithful and active worker in his church and Sunday-school and was Superintendent of the latter for about ten years. He is a liberal contributor to worthy objects, especially in the line of church work.
HARLES RENSHAW. To the lands across the sea this county is indebted for many of her best citizens and most active and enterprising agriculturalists. In Avon Town- ship is living a gentleman who is an excellent representative of the English character, manifest- ing in the various relations in life the spirit of en- terprise and persistence by means of which the kingdom in which he was born has extended her empire into every habitable part of the globe. This gentleman is Charles Renshaw, who owns and occupies a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in the township named and has also fifty acres of valuable land in Troy Township. Ile is a first-class farmer and a useful member of the community.
Mr. Renshaw was born in Warwickshire. Eng land, February 24, 1827. and is a son of Thomas O. and Maria ( Hall) Renshaw. His father was a basket- maker and farmer, and the son followed the same
pursuits until he emigrated to America. He crossed the Atlantic about 1852 and for two years lived in Buffalo, N. Y., working for a Mr. Mulligan, He then came to this State and to the township in which he is now living, and was soon thoroughly identified with its affairs and interests. He bought the farm on which he lives about 1880.
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