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 75
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In England in June, 1847, Mr. Renshaw was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Castleman, an efficient, intelligent woman, who has been de- voted to the interests of her family and shown neighborly kindness to those among whom her lot in life has been cast. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Renshaw we make the following mention: Maria is the widow of Charles Wilson and lives in Clinton County; George died on the ocean while the family was en route to America; Charles lives in this county; Mary is the wife of Louis Benson and their home is in Grayling; William lives in this county : Harriet is with her parents; Albert died April 25, 1887; Carrie is the wife of William HI. Snale, of this county ; James C. assists his father on the home farm. Three chil- dren died in infancy.
Mr. Renshaw is a man of intelligence and aims to keep himself well posted regarding the issues of the day and matters that are transpiring in the world. He is a believer in Republican principles and aids the party by his vote and his personal influence. Ile has been School Treasurer six years but is not otherwise in public life. His religious home is in the Baptist Church and he is one of the foremost members of the congregation in his activity in all that pertains to her growth.
ILLIAM HOLCOMB, one of the old set- tlers of this county, has lived on his pres- ent estate almost sixty years. He was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., February 23, 1823, but accompanied his parents hither in1831. at which time his father located the homestead in Independ- ence Township. Our subject was reared upon this farm, in the cultivation of which he assisted his father until he was of age, when, he being the
yours Truly Alfred Phlox
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youngest child, the estate was divided and the homestead fell to his share. He has made many improvements and has fine farm buildings and pleasant grounds around the attractive residence. The farm consists of three hundred and sixty acres, twenty of which are devoted to an orchard. Since 1852 Mr. Holcomb has been engaged in breeding Spanish-Merino sheep, and he now has a fine flock of one hundred and thirty bead that will shear at least ten pounds per head.
Butler Holcomb, father of our subject, was born in the city of Hartford, Conn., in November, 1768. His first wife, Temperance Cossett, was born in Herkimer County, N. Y .. in March, 1771. There were five children by this marriage, only one of whom is now living, Elam, who was born August 26, 1804, and is living in Watertown, N. Y. Hav- ing been bereft of his first wife by death Mr. Hol- comb was married to Mary L. Knight, July 20, 1806, and of this marriage our subject is the youngest and only living representative. Butler Holcomb is remembered with gratitude among the pioneers who developed the Territory of Michigan and fitted it for Statehood.
December 28, 1851, William Holcomb, of whom we write, was married to Avilla Vliet, who shared his fortunes until October 17, 1866, when she closed her eyes in death. The children born of this union are seven in number and the following facts re- garding them may be mentioned: Allison, born March 20, 1853, married Mary Scott and lives in S. Dak .; Williard, born September 5, 1854, married Asbula Barros, and lives in S. Dak. ; James B., born August 1, 1856, married Ella Clark and resides at Whitehall, this State; Celia, born April 21, 1858, became the wife of Allen Carrel and lives in Clark- ston; Charles H., born May 3, 1861, lives on the homestead with his father; Flora, born December 20, 1862, is the wife of Frederick Nettie, and their home is in Clarkston; Frederick, born August 15. 1864, resides at Oxford.
September 20, 1871, Mr. Holcomb made a second matrimonial alliance, his bride being Miss Lucy L., daughter of Orson and Melissa Hitchcock, of In- dependence Township. She was born November 21, 1844. This marriage has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Lillian B., whose natal day
was Angust 2, 1873, and who remains with her par- ents. In politics Mr. Holcomb is a Democrat. He is interested in the social orders, belongs to Cedar Lodge No. 60, A. F. & A. M .; Lodge No. 85, K. O. T. M., and Independence Lodge No. 275, I'. of I. Ile has an extended acquaintance and 2n excellent reputation as a man and a citizen, while as an agriculturist he is understood to be thorough and energetic.
LFRED F. WILCOX, a leading lawyer of "Detroit. is well known in Royal Oak Town- ship as the owner of one of the finest stock farms within its bounds, and as a man of mental ability and culture, intense patriotism and genuine public spirit. ile is descended from an hon- orabie line, and on his mother's side traces his line- age directly to the renowned Gen. Putnam, whose exploits are familiar to every youth in the land. His parents were Freeman and Philena (Putnam) Wil- cox, natives of New York, who died in Milan, Monroe County, this State, in 1865 and 1888 re- spectively.
The father was born near Rochester in 1813, and came to this State with his parents early in the '30s. Ile returned East for his bride, and after bis mar- riage located on an eighty-acre farm in Monroe County, and subsequently added to it by purchase. lle had four children. and. Alfred F. is the third on the family roll. William H., the first-born died at Cairo, Ill., during the yellow fever scourge; Mary is the wife of Joshua Hanson, of Milan, this State; Julia, who died in 1864, resided there, and was the wife of Anson Fuller. Grandfather Wilcox, whose given nanie was Benjamin, was born in New York about 1780, and died near Milan, this State, where he located land in the early days.
The natal day of Alfred F. Wilcox, was January 9. 1839. and his birthplace bis father's farm in Mon- roe County. He attended school in a log school- house during his early years, and when he was ap- proaching manhood spent two years in study in the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. Ilis peaceful pursuits were broken in upon by the firing upon
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Ft. Sumter and the excitement that swept like a tidal wave over the North. He was too ardent a lover of his country to remain at home when she was in need of strong arms and brave hearts, and he therefore entered the army, as a member of the "Normal Company," composed mostly of stu- dents of that institution. Ere long he was taking part in the terrible scenes enacted on Southern battlefields.
The first engagements in which Mr. Wilcox par- tieipated were at South Mountain and Antietam, where he was wounded by a bursting shell. Ile was carried by a sergeant to the rear of the con- testing armies, and was later taken to an old log house. After being detained there two weeks he was conveyed to Sharpsburg, and for about two months was kept in an old church. Thence he was sent to Philadelphia, and being discharged on ac- count of disability, returned home. Upon re- covering from the effects of his wound he again went to the front as First Lieutenant of Company K. Eleventh Michigan Infantry upon its reorgani. zation in February, 1865, and was in command of that company most of the time until October, 1865, when his regiment was mustered out of the service at the close of the war. During this time he was frequently detailed for special services of an im- portant character about Chattanooga, Knoxville and Charleston. at the latter place being selected to command the force sent to quell a riot which threatened the life of Gen. Keegan and his staff.
After the close of the war he entered the U'niver- sity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was grad- uated in 1868 in the law department. After grad- uating, he took a special course in the literary department, upon the completion of which he com- meneed the practice of law at Detroit. flere he has since remained, gaining an enviable reputation as an attorney and accumulating a handsome fortune.
An event of special importance to Mr. Wilcox and Miss Mary Millington occurred April 18. 1871, it being their union in matrimonial bonds. The bride is the only child of Cicero and Mary (Camp) Millington, and was born May 11, 1846. She is a granddaughter of Dr. Abel Millington, who was widely known in connection with the early Terri- torial history of Michigan as an able physician and
meritorious, efficient citizen. Ile was Mayor of Ypsilanti at the time of the cholera plague in that city.
The attention of the reader is invited to a lithio- graphie portrait of Mr. Wilcox, which is presented in connection with this biographical notice.
ILLIAM H. BARNES. One of the promi- nent manufacturing interests of Rochester is the paper mill owned and operated by the gentleman above named. Mr. Barnes has met with some misfortunes since he bought the site and plant, but has not been deterred from the proseeu- tion of the work for which he was fitted by train- ing and in which he believed he could do better than in most fields of labor. The last catastrophe that befell him was a fire, in 1875, by which his mill was destroyed, but a new edifice soon reared its walls aloft and work was resumed with better facilities than before. Mr. Barnes has the faculty of managing men which is necessary in carrying on any business where numbers are employed, and the products he sends ont are well regarded by dealers.
The Barnes family is of English extraction, and from the mother country the grandfather of our subject emigrated to America. The direct progen- itor of him of whom we write was Dimond Barnes, who was born in Connecticut and carried on farm- ing there until about 1831. He then removed to Greene County, N. Y., where he passed the remain- der of his life. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Ann E. Blakesley and she too was born in Con- necticut; her death occurred in 1875. To them had been born eight children, the living being Laura A., wife of William Il. Drace; William H .; Cyrus B., of Detroit; Charles O .. of Ypsilanti; Edward, living in Greene County, N. Y .; Mary, wife of George Cartwright; and George, of Ypsi- lanti; Lambert A. is deceased.
The subject of this biographical notice was born at Cheshire, Conn., May 5, 1829, and pursued the usual studies during his early years. In 1847 he entered a paper mill at West Springfield, Mass.,
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where he remained three years, and from which he went to a similar establishment in Sutlield, Conn. After four years' sojourn there he removed to Erie, Pa., and two years later returned to West Spring- field, Mass. In 1863 he came to this State and opened a paper warehouse in Detroit, but the next year he bought the mill in Rochester. In 1865 he rebuilt it, and again after the destruction by fire a deeade later.
The ceremony that united the lives and fortunes of Mr. Barnes and Miss Jemima Parmelee took place Angust 31, 1854. The bride was born in Connecticut and has shown her capability as a housekeeper and her affection and prudence as a wife and mother, during the years of her wedded life. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have five children liv- ing, all in Rochester. They are Anna E., wife of S. C. Goodison ; May E., Gertrude L., Edith L., a music teacher, and Clayton C. A daughter, Cath- erine E., who was the wife of Prof. A. W. Tate, died in Collinsville, Ala., December 17, 1890, at the age of nearly twenty-seven years.
C HARLES HALLSTED is one of the men born in Orion Township who are pursuing the calling of a farmer there. Ile owns and occupies a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of as fine land as can be found in the county, and ca- pable of producing erops equal in quality and quantity to the best. Considerable attention is paid to stock raising and all kinds are sent to the market. The buildings upon Mr. Hallsted's farm are substantial, and include everything that is nec- essary for his purpose. Mr. Hallsted is one of the oldest native-born residents of this section, his na- tal day having been August 23, 1837. He was born in the log house built by his father on the farm he now occupies, and in a similar structure he pursued his early studies. He remained at home, helping to clear and improve the property until he was of age, when he began working the homestead on shares. He carried on that operation three years, and in 1861 bought the place.
Our subject is a grandson of Richard HIallsted, who was born in Pennsylvania and was of Ger-
man aneestry. Ile served in the Revolution. The immediate progenitors of Charles Hallsted were Martin and Sophia (Dickinson ) Hallsted, natives of Pennsylvania and New York respectively. The mother died in the year 1846, leaving five children, three of whom still live. Mr. Ilallsted accompanied his parents to New York when but five years old, and there he grew to manhood and acquired the trade of a cooper. He came to this section in 1834 and entered one hundred and sixty acres in Orion Township. In October, 1836, he came out and took possession of the property, on which he built a log house which was one of the first put up in the township. So sparsely settled was this region that he had to go to Detroit for supplies and carry home on his back that which he needed. lle lived to see a great change, although he did not survive to note all that was accom- plished in half a century; he died in 1858 in his sixty-third year.
The wife of our subject bore the maiden name of Julia E. Hunt and was a native of Pontiac Township. Her marriage to Mr. Hallsted was solemnized November 16, 1878, and to them three children have been born, namely : Martin, Addie and Elmer. Mr. Hallsted was a widower when married to Miss Hunt, having lost his first wife .June 17, 1873. She, too, was a native of Pontiac Township, and her maiden name was Addie Had- sell. She was the mother of four children, named respectively, Sarah, William. Martin (deceased), and Lena. Mr. Hallsted is a supporter of the prin- ciples of the Democratic party. He and his wife are well known and are respected for their sterling qualities.
D AVID W. RANDALL. An honorable place among the agriculturists of Avon Township is occupied by Mr. Randallwho has shown himself to be possessed of good judgment, perseverance and untiring zeal. His industrious habits and uprightness of life have se- cured to him what is better than silver or gold, a good name, and his well-directed efforts in
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worldly affairs have resulted in the possession of a fine farm of one hundred and seven aeres. The estate is neat and orderly in every part, supplied with a full line of substantial and well-arranged buildings, and is adorned by an orchard and gar- den, as every well-regulated farm must be.
The parents of our subject were Carlisle and Anna (Cross) Randall, natives of Vermont and New York respectively, who came from the Empire State to Michigan in 1836. They first made their home in Troy, this county, hnt afterward bought land in West Bloomfield Township, and spent the remnant of their days there. Mrs. Randall passed away in May, 1856, and Mr. Randall survived until February 1, 1871, and reached the venerable age of eighty-eight years. To them were born four children, David W. being the eldest; Andrew is now deceased; Joseph lives in Eaton County; Alfred is a resident of North Farmington, tbis county.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs, was born in Broome County, N. Y., December 26, 1822, and received the education and training of his boyhood in the land of bis birth. He was fourteen years of age when his parents came West, making the journey through Ohio, and in a covered wagon. When the lad was sixteen years old he began working out on a farm. March 2. 1848, he was married to Mary, daughter of Ezra and Comfort (Morrill) Newman, an estimable young lady who was born in Oakland Township, this county, February 4, 1830. Her parents were natives of New York and Vermont respectively ; they were married in New York, whence they came to Mich- igan in 1826, being among the first settlers in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Randall have six children, three of whom are now inmates of the parental home. The family consists of Edward, a resident of Tuscola County ; Roy, whose home is in Troy ; Myra, widow of Charles Martin, who has returned to her father's roof ; DeForest and Livvie, who are with their parents, and Thomas, who lives in Roch- ester.
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Both Mr. and Mrs. Randall belong to the Sev- enth Day Adventist Church, and they have been connected with that denomination for thirty years. They were charter members of the congregation
that was organized in Oakland Township and after- ward changed its place of meeting to Rochester. Mr. Randall has been Deacon and Elder, and is one of the Board of Trustees. In politics he is a Repub- lican, firm and unswerving. He is a good citizen, a consistent Christian, and in social and domestic life is kindly and considerate.
OHN SIMPSON. Less than a half century ago there was born in the humble home of a pioneer family of Oakland County, a son, who grew to a sturdy manhood amid the scenes of the primeval forests and wild prairies of this State. His social and educational advantages were of the primitive order and he had to begin the battle of life for himself early. He was well forti- fied for the struggle, however, as the privations and sacrifices of the people in a newly settled country had strengthened him for the conflict. Not only did these early experiences fit him for the work he had to do, but they have enabled him to attain a high position among the substantial farmers and citizens of Waterford Township.
Mr. Simpson comes of Irish parentage, his father, Andrew Simpson, having been born in Ireland, where he followed the trade of a weaver. In early manhood he came to America, locating in the State of New York and sojourning there for several years. Ile came to Michigan and purchased eighty acres in West Bloomfield Township, this county. Ile became well known and highly respected for his honesty and integrity in business, and possessed the confidence of his neighbors. Ile attended school only a few months, but the somewhat mea- ger information gleaned from books was added to by constant observation and close study of the principal issues of the day until he became a well- informed man.
The mother of our subject, Margaret (Brown) Simpson, was likewise a native of Ireland, whence she emigrated to America in company with her hus- band. Six children were born to them, but only five survive. By a later marriage Andrew Simp- son had five children, two of whom are living.
Very Truly yours John L Campbell M.G.
Yours Truly Josephine 2. Campbell
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Opr subject was born in West Bloomfield Town- ship, this county, July 5, 1842, and passed his youth quietly on the home farm, where he early learned the lessons of industry and perseverance that aided him in later life. At the age of twenty years he began to work for himself and for three years was employed by the month on a farm, then worked at home for a share in the proceeds of the farm. In 1869 he purchased a farm in West Bloom- field Township, where he resided twelve years.
Mr. Simpson was married June 26, 1872, to Miss Mary Johnson, a native of Buffalo, N. Y., whose parents were born in Norway. Of this happy union one child has been born, May 16, 1873, Nettie L., now eighteen years of age. She is an accomplished and refined young lady, and possesses a most esti- mable character and rare mental endowments. Af- ter improving his farm in West Bloomfield Town- ship, Mr. Simpson was enabled to sell it at a fair profit, and immediately afterward he bought his present homestead of one hundred and twenty acres. This is one of the most beautiful and com- fortable homes in Waterford Township, while the genial host and hostess are noted for their free- hearted hospitality. Mr. Simpson cares little for official honors, but is a strong Democrat and casts his votes for the candidates of that party. He is justly held in high consideration throughont the community where he resides, as he possesses in a full degree those qualities which mark him as a publie-spirited citizen and a man of high principles and unswerving integrity.
OHN L. CAMPBELL, M. D. Among the professional men located in Birmingham, not one probably had a harder time in se- curing the education he desired than Mr. Campbell. He worked his way through school and had to battle against discouragement, as his father and the family disapproved of his decision to study medicine aud gave him no sympathy in his course. The young man was determined, however, to enter the profession, and in due time received his diploma and was ready to practice. He has been located in
Birmingham since 1883, wlien he bought out Dr. James A. Post. He has a large and lucrative prac- tice, giving him all the work he can well attend to, and his reputation is firmly established.
Welcome Campbell, father of our subject, was born in Paris, Oneida County, N. Y., July 20, 1810, to Roswell and Abigail Campbell. That good couple were born in New York and the husband was descended from an old Connecticut family of Scotch extraction. He eventually came to Michi- gan and died in Oakwood, this county. His wife had breathed her last in New York. Welcome Campbell was reared in his native State and lived there until 1834, when he came to this county and bought land in Oxford Township. The place was known for many years as Campbell Corners but the name was finally changed to Oakwood. While he lived there he followed lumbering, merchandis- ing, coopering and farming. In 1859 he traded the property for farm land in Royal Oak Town- ship, where he lived many years. When ready to retire from active life he turned his farm over to his sons and removed to the village of Royal Oak, where he died November 11, 1888.
When Welcome Campbell cime to this State he was very poor, and his capital when he reached this county was 85 in cash. He was active, energetic and ambitious, and made a success of his life here, both in acquiring means and in elevating the con- dition of the community. He gave his children considerable property. At one time he owned eight hundred acres of land in this county. IIe was a Whig and a strong abolitionist, and later a Republican, favoring temperance legislation. In early life he united with the Congregational Church, but while at Royal Oak he joined the Methodist Episcopal Society. Of decided piety, he took an active part in church work and always labored for right and justice. He was married June 9, 1839, to Mary J., daughter of Warren and Lucy (Pelton) Cheeney. She was born in Penfield. N. Y., May 14, 1824. She became the mother of ten children, namely : Mary J., Harvey J., Martha A., David L., Lucinda S., Lurinda M., Andrew C., Lois Esther, Albert W. and John L.
The youngest member of this family was born in Oakwood, May 20, 1857, and reared on the farm
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in Royal Oak Township. In the district schools he obtained an understanding of the common-school branchies. He remained with his father until he was twenty years old, then went to Ann Arbor and began the study of medicine in the l'niversity of Michigan. After attending three years he was graduated in July, 1880, and he was soon located in Wabash, Mercer County, Ohio. There be prae- ticed about eighteen months, but then by reason of the sickness of his wife came back to Royal Oak, and carried on his work there about a year and a half. When that time had elapsed he went to Goodrich, Genesee County, but remained only a year and then came to Birmingham.
The wife of Dr. Campbell bore the maiden name of Josephine V. Gully, and their marriage rites were solemnized November 25, 1880. Mrs. Camp- bell was born in Royal Oak, this county, and is a daughter of Alexander and Caroline (Schilling) Gully. Her father was born in Molo. Province of Alsace, France, August 20, 1808, and was married to Caroline Schilling November 20, 1813. They came to America about 1845 and made their home in Rhode Island about two years ; then came to this State and county and established themselves in Royal Oak. They became the parents of six ebil- dren, viz: Caroline, Albert C., Emily, Clemenca, Harriet and Josephine V. The youngest member of the family was reared and received her educa- tion in Royal Oak and Davisburg. She made use of her excellent education as a teacher, and for three years followed that profession in different places until her failing health compelled her to cease. Full of ambition and energy, she was a sue- cessful teacher and advanced the standard of learn- ing wherever she was employed. Her mother, Mrs. Gully, is now seventy years old and still lives ou the old homestead in Royal Oak Township, where the father died in 1860, aged fifty-two years.
Alexander Gully belonged to a distinguished family and finished his education in Lyons, France. Ile possessed a great intellect, was an artist of more than ordinary ability and a linguist who was able to converse in five different languages. While naturally a man of studious habits, his progress was somewhat retarded by the loss of his hearing in early life. He had been a man of abundant
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