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 76
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means, but going into business with which he was unacquainted, he lost a large portion of his money. Afterward he came to this county and located on a farm where he died, leaving his family an unin- cumbered estate of one hundred and sixty acres.
Dr. Campbell is a member of the United States Board of Pension Examiners for his district and is examining surgeon for various insurance companies and local fraternal orders. He has been a Village Trustee and has held other village offices, both civil and educational. He is a member of the Republican party, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are the parents of two children who have been named respectively, Carrie M. and Lloyd G.
The reader's attention is invited to the litho- graphic portraits of the Doctor and his estimable wife, presented in connection with this biographi- ical notice.
IRAM G. SAXTON, a successful farmer and worthy citizen of Farmington Town- ship, was born in Newpultz Township, UI- ster County. N. Y., August 1, 1816. The father, Justus, was born in the same place as his son, May 12, 1792. Both in New York and Mich- igan, to which he eame in 1837, he followed the trade of a shoemaker, mingling with it the duties of the farm, upon which he lived in Farmington Township, and where he died May 15, 1857. Ilis religious belief was in accordance with the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was a Democrat in politics. His wife, Rebecca Seaman, was born in Ulster County, N. Y., in 1796, and died in 1858. They were the parents of six ehil- dren, three daughters and three sons, four of whom are now living.
The subject of this sketch was two years old when he removed with his parents to Ontario County, N. Y .. where he remained until he reached his majority, when he removed with his parents to Michigan. His marriage took place August 16, 1846, and his wife was Julia E., daughter of
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Levi and Huldah (Straight) Pettibone. Mrs. Sax- ton is a Vermonter, being born June 26, 1820, in Manchester, Bennington County. There she grew to womanhood and remained until she came to Michigan with her parents in 1841.
The first home of the young wedded couple was in Commerce Township, Oakland County. Here Mr. Saxton carried on a farm for eighteen years, after which he sold the property and removed to Farmington Village, where for nine years he fol- lowed the business of carpentry. Ile then took up farming again in Farmington Township, and at the age of seventeen years he traded this prop- erty for that where he now resides, the old home of Mrs. Saxton's father. It was his first home in the State. He owns sixty-eight acres of excellent land in fine condition.
This worthy couple were never blessed with any children of their own, but their warm hearts would not allow them to dwell in comfort while there were homeless children. They therefore adopted and brought up one child, Julia Adell, who was taken from them by death June 28, 1886. Mr. Saxton is a Democrat in his political views, and has filled the office of Town Clerk for one year. He is also identified with the Masonic fra- ternity, belonging to Lodge No. 151, at Farming- ton, in which he was Secretary for some years. He is a man whose liberality and integrity are con- ceded by all who know him, and from all he re- ceives the respect and good-will which every right- minded man desires from his neighbors.
SCAR DONALDSON, one of the best and most careful farmers in Commerce Township, and a man universally esteemed by his neigh- bors for his sound sense and neighborly kindness, is the son of Samuel Donaldson, who was a car- penter and farmer in Dutchess County, N. Y. His mother was Nancy Messenger, who was born near Brighton, N. Y. His father had been previously married and was the parent of one child, who is now deceased. After their marriage, which occurred in 1836, the parents of our subject came directly
to Michigan. The father had visited the State be- fore, having come here in 1832, and worked at his trade in Romeo for several years. Ile then took up a farm of unbroken timber in Bruce Township, Macomb County. Ile sold his farm just men- tioned and bought in Lyon Township, this county, renting out the place until after his second mar- riage, when he moved onto it. He resided in his log cabin until 1868, and cleared up all the land. Ile then built a good house and removed to the farm where he now resides. He passed away from earth at the age of sixty-six years, in 1870. Ilis widow, now eighty-three years old, makes her home with our subject. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her husband was actively interested in politics, being formerly a Democrat, and later a Republican. lle was a meni- ber of the School Board and was an earnest pro- moter of educational measures.
Three of the five children of Samuel Donald- son and wife are now living. Oscar was born No- vember 28, 1812, at the old homestead in Lyon Township, where his father was one of the first settlers. IIe attended the district schools and helped his father on the farm. He remained at home and turned in his labor for the general good of the family until he was twenty- five years old, when this young man took charge of the farm and his father retired from active life. Since the death of the father he has continued to manage the farm and has greatly improved it. Ninety-five of his one hundred and eighteen acres are under cultivation.
Mr. Donaldson was married in 1873 to Eliza- beth Hays, a daughter of Alexander Hays, who removed from Ohio to Commerce Township. in the year 1857. Mrs. Donaldson was born in 1856, at Cleveland, Ohio, and was granted an excellent education. Three children blessed this union, viz : Roy M., Ada R. and Kate. Their mother was ealled away from earth in December, 1884. Our subject is a member of the Masonic order at Com- merce, with which he has been identified for twenty-one years. He is also a member of the Patrons of Industry at Walled Lake, and has for four years been a Director of Schools. He takes an active interest in political issues and votes the
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Republican ticket. Ile is a very busy man and car- ries on his farm actively himself and at the same time cares tenderly and judiciously for his mother- less children, in which work of love he is ably see- onded by his mother, who makes her home with him. Ilis earnest life and the high esteem in which he is held by his neighbors make him a marked man in the community.
R ICHARD BARTLETT, of Pontiac, is a farmer and dairyman, and is the President of the Pontiac Creamery Company. Ile was born in Erie County, N. Y., November 28, 1829. His father, Smith Bartlett, was born in Rhode Island and when quite young removed to Vermont with his parents, Abel and Drueilla Bart- lett. Here their son remained with them until he reached his majority, when he went to Erie County, N. Y., having married while living in Vermont Sarah Allen, a daughter of Zoheth Allen, a Ver- monter, of Scotch descent, who had emigrated some years before to New York.
The Bartletts are of English descent. Smith Bartlett, the father of our subject, was by trade a tanner and shoemaker. This work he followed for many years but later in life turned his attention to farming. He died in Erie County, N. Y., in 1860, in his seventieth year, and his wife passed away two years later in her sixty-eighth year. They were the parents of nine children, four sons and five daughters, our subject being the youngest son.
Richard Bartlett's education was obtained in Erie County, N. Y., in the common schools. Upon leaving school he went to work in his brother's tannery, and there spent five years. fle then worked on the farm until 1865, when he moved to Oakland County, Mich., and located upon what is his present farm, situated on the Pontiac and Au- burn road near the toll gate. This farm, which was formerly known as the Waldron farm, com- prises one hundred and eighty-seven acres of choice land. Here he carried on general farming but after a while decided to push the dairy business. He therefore built a large barn, 102x44 feet, the
basement being stalled off for the accommodation of his cows. He milks from forty to sixty cows and at present furnishes the supply for the Eastern Michigan Asylum for the Insane, as well as sup- plying many citizens of Pontiac. He has largely increased his acreage, so that his large farm now embraces five hundred acres. Ilis two sons are an invaluable aid to him in carrying on his busi- ness.
In 1880 Mr. Bartlett helped organize the Pontiac Creamery, of which he was made President. At the same time he turned his attention to the breed- ing of fine cattle, especially Jersey. His marriage took place Jannary 15, 1851. Ilis wife was Phoebe, daughter of Augustus and Elizabeth ( White) Smith. She was born and reared in Erie County, N. Y. The two sons of this family are Charles S., and Augustus S. Both sons are members of the firm of Richard Bartlett & Sons. Charles S. mar- ried Carrie Osmun, who is a daughter of William II. and Mary A. Osmun. She is the mother of two children-Lena and Beulah. Augustus mar- ried Miss Louisa Carr, of Utica, Macomb County, a native of Germany. They have two children- Lolu and Phoebe. Mr. Bartlett's political affilia- tions are with the Republican party, and he is in- terested not only in the local movements of the party, but in its National success. In religious belief he and his family are Spiritualists.
B ERT W. JACKSON, editor of the Milford Times, is one of the youngest, if not the youngest, of the owners of business estab- lishments in the city. He was born here October 12, 1870, and from his childhood has been connected with a printing office. His father, Isaac P. Jackson, established the Times in February, 1871, and Bert and his sister Carrie, when mere children, learned to set type, and gained an under- standing of everything connected with the business After the death of their father, in 1886, they took charge of the office and carried it on together until June, 1889, when our subject bought all the inter- ests. Ile has since been conducting the business
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alone. The paper is a weekly six-column quarto, with a good circulation and a satisfactory job- printing patronage. Mr. Jackson is the youngest editor in the county, but is not too young to dis- play qualities which indicate that he will rise in journalistic circles.
The father of our subject was Isaac P. Jackson, who was born April 25, 1824, at Rochester, Mon- roe County, N. Y. The town at that time was a mere hamlet, and his parents were among its first settlers. His father died when he was too young to have any recollection of the sad event, and his mother was left with five small children to support. flis boyhood was passed near Walworth, working on a farm, with a short term at the district school in winter. In 1846 he went to live with his ma- ternal uncle, Luther Kelly, of Geneva, and he studied one year in a preparatory school there. Hle then entered Hobart College, but at the con- efusion of two years was obliged to give up his hope of a collegiate education on account of a severe fit of sickness which seriously affected his lungs. He soon embarked in the drug business at Painted Post, N. Y., and afterward removed to Detroit, Mich., where he carried on the same busi- ness until 1867. Hle opened a drug store in Mil- ford at that time, but soon afterward began the publication of the Times. The paper was a suc- eess. Mr. Jackson was a prominent and active Royal Arch Mason, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died August 22, 1886, deeply regretted by the citizens, who es- teemed and loved him.
In Geneva, N. Y., June 19, 1851, Isaac P. Jack- son and Ann G. Simpson were united in marriage. The wife was born in Spauldingtown, Yorkshire, England, January 25, 1830, and accompanied her parents to America when six years old. Her girl- hood was spent in Geneva, and for several years she occupied the position of teacher in both private and public schools there. In Milford Mrs. Jackson was very active in Chureli and Missionary work. She died October 30, 1888, after four weeks' ill- ness. She was the mother of five children: Amelia, now Mrs. S. L. Rowe, of Milford; Anna, wife of Alvin Crawford, living in Milford Township; (ar- rie, Bert W. and Mabel, who reside in Milford.
At the bride's home, December 14, 1890, the subject of this biographical notice was married to Miss Ida M. Wilson. This lady was born in St. Clair, and is a daughter of the Rev. George and Eliza Wilson. She was carefully reared, had good educational advantages, and is an unusually intelli- gent and pleasing lady.
In April, this year, Mr. Jackson purchased the Book, Stationery, Wall Paper and Fancy Goods business of Messrs. W. and M. Crawford, who have conducted the business for many years, and have built up a large and profitable business.
EROME F. ARNOLD was born on the farm where he now resides, August 10, 1844. His father, Robert Arnokl, was born near Rochester, N. Y., September 9, 1814, and came to Michigan with his parents about 1823, and settled in Washington Township, Macomb County, where they were among the very first set- tlers. The grandfather of our subject, Christopher Arnold, was born in Massachusetts, of English ex- traction, and after coming West resided in Macomb County until his death.
In that county Robert Arnold was reared, and there he married. His wife, Amy Stitt, was born in New York, June 4, 1817, and is the daughter of Andrew and Rhoda A. Stitt, both of New York, who came to Macomb County when it was all wild land, and cleared and improved a farm. Their coming was in March, 1825. Mrs. Stitt died in Macomb County and her husband in Oakland County. Mrs. Arnold's grandmother Stitt was captured by the Indians during the Revolutionary War, and was in their hands for ninety days. Mrs. Arnold has been a member of the Protestant Methodist Church for many years, and is the mother of eight children, four of whom are living.
Robert Arnold took his farm on section 20, Addison Township, and settled on it soon after his marriage. Ile built a log house, and proceeded to clear and improve his farm. He was a Justice of the Peace, and held other local offices within the option of his fellow-citizens. lle was an earnest
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and efficient member of the Free Will Baptist Church, and was much relied upon in Church mat- ters in those early days.
Jerome Arnold has always lived on the old homestead. In his school days he had to go two and a half miles to reach the log schoolhouse where he studied. When only sixteen years old he took charge of the farm, and when he was twenty-one he worked out by the month for three years. Ilis marriage took place in September, 1868. He was then united with Margaret A. Snyder, by whom he had four children-Nora, Bruce, Eda and Je- rome. He is a Republican in his political views, and is proud to say that he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. Ile often represents his party at county conventions, and is looked upon by his neighbors as a man of sound convictions and good judgment. Both he and his excellent wife are active members of the Protestant Methodist Church. Ile has one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, which is under cultivation and in good con- dition.
G AD CHAMBERLIN, an energetic young farmer of Addison Township. was born October 31, 1842, near the spot where he now lives. Ilis father, John M. Chamberlin, was a native of Springfield, Mass., where he was born in 1809. He was reared in New York, and coming to Michigan in 1828, entered a troet of land in Addison Township. He milled at Lake- ville when white folks were less plentiful than In- dians, and was one of the first settlers in the township, when Indians and wild game of all kinds were to be seen in abundance. lle proceeded to clear and improve a farm and put it in fine condi- tion before his death, which occurred in February, 1862.
The father of our subject was a man of popu- larity in his community, and was placed in vari- ons offices of trust by his fellow-citizens. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Nancy Smith. She was born in New York, but met her husband in this State, and they were married here. She lived to be seventy-three years old, passing away from
earth in 1883. They were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are now living.
The subject of this sketeh was reared upon the farm where he now lives, and took training in farm duties under a wise and kind father. Ile also attended school in the log schoolhouses and sat upon the slab seats which were then the main furnishing of the schoolhouse. He always lived at home and was relied upon for the care of the family, as his elder brothers went to the war, and as everyone knows in those days the younger chil- dren had to come to the front to support home in- dustries. After his father's death he took entire charge of the family and home place.
Mr. Chamberlin was united in marriage, in 1872, with Annie Durnberger. She was a native of New Jersey. Six children blessed this home, only one of whom, Charles, has been called away by death. The five who are living to be a com- fort and joy to their parents are: Milton G., Clara, Claude, Lou and Bessie. The political affiliations of this gentleman are with the Demo- eratie party, and he is quite a leading man among the adherents to that party, being made a delegate to county conventions, and being looked to for counsel and strength during campaigns. Ile is also prommently identified with the Masonie order. lle has one hundred and twenty acres of good land, on which he has just erected a handsome residence and fine barn. Ile is a clever man and one who does not let the grass grow under his feet.
RANCIS E. CULVER, a prominent resident on section 3, Farmington Township, was born in this township on the 22d of De- cember. 1848. His father, Orange Culver, was born in Wayne County, N. Y., in 1802, and both in New York and in Michigan, to which he came in 1825, he carried on the work of a farmer. He located on section 10, in Farmington Town- ship, when it was all an unbroken forest, and built a log house when the nearest neighbors north were at .Pontiac. He proceeded to elear his place and to cultivate the land. After residing there ten
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years he sold this land and bought the place where our subject now resides, upon which there were at that time no improvements except a frame house. Ilere he remained until his death, which took place in 1877. He was a strong Republican and was well known throughout the county as an honora- ble and hard-working man.
The grandfather of our subjeet, George Culver, was a cooper hy trade and served his country in the War of 1812 as Captain of a company of mili- tia. Ile was a Whig in his political views and lived to a good old age. The mother of our sub- ject was Mary Dixon, a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born in 1804. She lived to the age of seventy-seven years. Her father was a miller in Luzerne County.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of a family of ten children, only three of whom are now living. He was reared and received his schooling in his native town, having distriet-school advan. tages, and attended the Oakland Institute at Farm- ington. His marriage took place Jannary 10, 1872, and he was then united with Benlah, the eldest daughter of Baldwin L. and Rosamond (Spencer) lleliker. This lady was born in Oakland County, Mich., August 31, 1851. One child has blessed this union-Grace, now deceased. They located after marriage upon the old Culver homestead, which is still the family home. Mr. Culver has a farm of ninety-three acres, all under cultivation, in a fine condition. For five years past he has worked at the carpenter's trade and rented out his farm. Ile is a Republican and is well known throughout the county. He owns a part only of the old home- stead, which is a fine tract of one hundred and forty acres.
G EORGE B. FENWICK, one of the old set- tlers of Rose Township, was born August 20, 1820, in the township of Galen, Wayne County, N. Y. Ile is a son of John and Jane ( Breckens) Fenwick, who were born, reared and married in Northumberland County, England. Mr. Fenwick left his English farm and came to the United States in June, 1819, and settled in Wayne
County, N. Y., where he purchased fifty acres which he farmed until June, 1836. He then came to Michigan and made his new home in Rose Town- ship, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land. This he improved and cultivated and made his home upon until his death in 1863, at the age of seventy-five years. Ten years before that he had been bereaved of his wife by death. Six sons and six daughters have been theirs, ten of whom they reared to man's and woman's estate. They were named, Joseph, Anna, George B., Mary, Jane, John, William, Margaret, Margery and Charles.
The father of our subject was a soldier in the English army and both he and his good wife were pioneer Presbyterians in Oakland County. The grandfather, Joseph Fenwick, was also a farmer in England. The maternal grandfather, George Breckens, was also a member of an English fam- ily. After receiving a common-school education, George came with his parents to Michigan and assisted his father in clearing the farm. When twenty-one years of age he began for himself, working out by the month. When twenty-three years of age he purchased eighty aeres on sec- tion 20, Rose Township. This he cleared and improved and later added forty acres more. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres, which he has in splendid condition and well supplied with excellent buildings. Ile, himself, struck the first blow with the ax and effected the first clearing of the timber which covered this land.
Mr. Fenwick was happily married June 7, 1854, to Orpha M. Knight, a native of Hanover, C'hau- tanqna County, N. Y. This lady is a daughter of Jeremiah and Rhoda (Fisk) Knight, both natives of Rhode Island, who came from New York to Lake County, Ohio, in 1836, and from there to Michigan in 1853. Here they settled in Spring- field Township and after a few years went to Shia-
wassee Connty, where they both died. In his early days he had fonght in the War of 1812. Ile was a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which both he and his wife were leading members. Their five children were Wesley, Eliza, Job R., Orpha M. and Rhoda F. This family is of Scotch-Irish deseent.
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Our subject and his intelligent wife have had two children granted unto them, but both died in infancy, leaving the parents sorely bereaved. They have reared two children-Charles E. Jacobs and May M. Hurd, both of whom are married. Mr. Jacobs is now farming the home place, and May M. Jives near St. Louis, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Fen- wiek have turned their activities to account for others, and have been very active in church work. being members of the Presbyterian Church. They have lived in the home where they now reside ever since their marriage.
ARTWELL GREEN. For many years this gentleman resided upon a fine farm in West Bloomfield Township, and this land through his energetic management was converted into one of the most pleasant estates in the town- ship. Hle dates his arrival in this county from 1852, since which time he has gradually built up a finely-improved farm and accumulated a fair share of this world's goods. In 1888 he removed to Orchard Lake and bought his present home of ten acres, a view of which appears on another page of this volume. Here, surrounded by the comforts which he has gained by unceasing toil, he is living retired from the arduous labors which filled his earlier years. llis intelligence, uprightness and industry are recognized by his large circle of ac- quaintances who accord him their highest esteem.
A native of Green, Chenango County, N. Y. Mr. Green was born June 6, 1830. His parents, Hor- ace and Polly (Hartwell) Green, were natives of the Empire State, and came to Perry, Shiawassee County, Mich., in 1837. There they bought a tract of land and spent the most of their days. The land upon which the village of Perry is built was located by llorace Green. His last days were spent with his daughter, Mrs. William Wal- lace, in the town of Ada, Kent County, Mich., where his wife still makes her home. The father of our subject was a hatter in his early days but after coming to Michigan he engaged in farming. Ile was at one time the owner of a good estate but
lost much of his property and was poor when he came to Michigan. His political convictions were embodied in the platform of the Republican party but he concerned himself little with polities. Seven children constituted his household, namely : Norman, Julia, Jane, Hartwell, Cornelia, Cornelia A. and Elnora R.
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