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 77
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
Having received a common-school education and being thoroughly trained in the practical work of a farmer, Hartwell Green remained upon the pater- nal farm until he was in his twenty-third year. Ile came to Oakland County in 1852 and settling upon a farm in West Bloomfield, pursued agriculture until December, 1888, when he removed to Orchard Lake and bought one of the finest residences in the township. Ile now owns a well-improved farm of one hundred and forty seres and his residence is situated on the bank of Pine Lake, directly oppo site the Inter-Laken Club House and near the Mili- tary Academy. There is not a more beautiful place in Michigan for a home than that which Mr. Green has chosen. Ile has been a successful farmer and has his means invested in various places. He has some bank stock and is one-fourth owner in the Pontiac & Orchard Lake Gravel Road. Hle is a Republican in his political views.
October 20, 1852 Mr. Green was happily united in marriage with Mary J. Annett who was then residing at Corunna, Mich. The lady was a native of West Bloomfield Township, where she first saw the light, February 28, 1829. Her parents were William and Sarah W. (Capen) Annett, the father a native of Ireland and the mother of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Annett came to Michigan at an early date and took up land from the Government in 1825. They made their home in West Bloomfield Township until they died. This place is now owned by our subject and the old log house, which was first built upon the farm and where Mrs. Green and all her children were born, is still standing.
Four children have blessed the home of our sub- ject, namely, Ada C., II. Will, Myrtie F. and Albro E. The daughter Ada is now the widow of Mil- ton L. Hinkley; she lives with her father and has one child who bears his father's name. Mr. Ilink- ley's daughter, Emma M., by a former marriage, also makes her home with them. Will is a farmer
1
4.04
VIEW OF PINE LAKE FROM THE LAWN.
LOOKING EAST.
KAMU
PINE LAKE.
ORCHARD LAKE IN THE DISTANCE.
RESIDENCE OF HARTWELL GREEN, BETWEEN PINE AND ORCHARD LAKES, SEC.11., WEST BLOOMFIELD TP.,OAKLAND CO.MICH.
677
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
in this township and with his wife, Dora New- man Green, and his three children, Mark, Howard end Ernest, has established a happy home not far from his father. Myrtie F. is a stenographer in Chicago. The youngest son married Bell Dodge and is farming on the old homesteud.
ANIEL RUSSELL, who resides on section 15, Sonthfield Township, was born on Long Island, N. Y., March 29, 1823. Ilis father, Stephen, was born in 1797, and grew up on Long Island to become a farmer and fisherman. He came to Southfield Township in 1854, when it was all woods. There was a log house on the place. Ile cleared the farm and in 1870 went to Adrian and bought a farm of forty acres two miles from the city. IIere he lived for two years, and then sold the property and moved into Adrian. After four years' residence there he removed to Detroit, where he died in 1886. Ilis father, Daniel, was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, At the age of seventy-five years he made a visit to Michigan and walked from Detroit to Southfield. He was also a farmer and a fisherman, and was the son of an Englishman.
The mother of our subject, Sarah Raynor, the daughter of Jotham Raynor, a Revolutionary sol- dier, was born in 1803, and reared upon Long Island. She was the mother of ten children, all of whom grew to maturity, and seven of them still survive: Emeline, deceased; Daniel, our subject; James and Jerusha, deceased; Anna, Mrs. John Cornelius, Stephen, Sarab, Mary F., William II .; and Phoebe, Mrs. Joseph Staford. Sarah Russell has taught school since she was fourteen years old, and she now resides in Chicago, as does also her sis- ter, Mary F .; William is a lawyer and President of a bank in Omalıa.
Daniel Russell came to Michigan with his par- ents when he was nine years old. Ile commenced going to school on Long Island when he was three years of age, and after coming to Michigan went on with his education in the log schoolhouses
of the day. lle remained at home until he was married, in 1851, to Phobe Stephens, a daughter of Capt. Edward Stephens. She was born on Long Island in 1821, and was the fifth of six brothers and sisters.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of six children. Two died in infancy. Those living are named: Jennie V., the wife of Ed Casson; Harry M., who resides in Birmingham; Wilmina, Mrs. James Mckinley ; and Jerry H., who married Mamie Young. The Cassons have three children. Ilarry is the father of four little ones, and the MeKinleys have two daughters. Mr. Russell is well known in the county as an earnest Repub- lican, and yet in local matters he votes for the best man for the place regardless of politics. lle is an active and efficient member of the Presby- terian Church, in which he acts as Deacon. His good wife. who was also a member of this church, was snatched away by death in 1887.
Mr. Russell at one time owned two hundred acres of land, but has sold all except eighty acres. Ile does little work now, but relegates most of his active duties to his son, Jerry. He is deeply inter- ested in all plans to promote the welfare of the community and is a generous giver to all good causes.
ILLIAM S. YOUNG. Among the most noteworthy and honorable British-Ameri- can citizens of Southfield Township, we may well mention the name of William S. Young, who was born April 14. 1837, in Ayrshire, Scot- land, within two miles of London Castle. Ilis father, Francis Young, was a farmer and died in the old country. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Jane Woodburn, came to America with her fam- ily in 1852, and located in Southfield Township. She was the mother of four sons and four daugh- ters, of whom our subject is the seventh child and youngest son.
William Young's early education was received in Scotland and he completed his schooling in Milford, He was fourteen years old when he came
678
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
to this country and fifteen when he started out for himself to work at $9 per month in the summers, going to school in the winters. When nineteen years old he entered the employ of Mrs. James Gamble, at Milford. Ile remained with her for five years and then came to Southfield Township and rented a farm where his mother kept house for him until his marriage. Ann J. Rodgers, who became the wife of our subject in 1862, was born in Commerce Township in 1840, ber natal day being April 26. She is the eldest daughter of Dr. James Rodgers.
The first home of the young married couple was in Southfield Township. In 1880 they went to Troy Township, where they lived for four years and then located where they now reside. Five children bave blessed their union, namely : Ada J., the wife of Harry Russell, residing in Birmingham ; Nettie A., who resides at home; Mary A .. the wife of Jerry Russell; Margaret C., teaching school in Royal Oak Township, and James F. The mother of these children passed away from earth April 1, 1891, and is buried in Southfield Township. She was an earnest worker in her church, the Church of the Covenanters, where ber husband is also a leading member. He bas belonged to this church for thirty-five years and has taught in its Sunday- school for twenty years. The whole family are efficient and active members of the same. Ilis departed wife was a very devoted Christian and her loss is felt serionsly by all who know her. Mr. Young has a farm of eighty aeres, all under culti- vation with the exception of twenty acres. Ile is doing a general farming business, and aiding in every way in the development of his township and county. He is a Republican in politics and in all things desires to forward the prosperity of the community in which he resides.
LMERON WHITEHEAD. Few men as young as Mr. Whitehead can look back over a business career so successful as his. He has been established in business in Birmingham little more than a decade and is al- ready one of the most solid men of the place. Ile
is carrying on the sale of drugs and groceries as a member of the firm of Whitehead & Mitchell and also has an interest in the Exchange Bank and in the Birmingham "Eccentrie," which he and his partner founded. Mr. Whitehead was born in Waterford, October 29, 1851, being a son of Aline- ron and Ann ( Mais) Whitehead, natives of New York, the one born in Newburg and the other in the metropolis. They came to this State in the' 30s and settled in Waterford, where Mrs. Whitehead died. Mr. Whitehead breathed his last in Birmingham. He was a farmer most of his life, but in his early man- hood spent a short time in clerking. He had a good farm and was in easy circumstances. For several years he served in the offices of Township Super- visor and Superintendent of the Poor. Politically, he was a Republican.
The subject of this notice is the youngest in a family of nine children, eight of whom grew to maturity. Ile was reared on the farm in Waterford Township and received his education in the district schools, and High School at Pontiac. He left the farm at the age of twenty-two years, and coming to Birmingham entered the employ of J. A. Bige- low as a clerk, at 8100 per year. He remained with that gentleman four years, then went on the road for the Detroit Paper Company, but after a twelvemonth of travel returned to Birmingham and formed a partnership with Mr. Bigelow. The connection lasted three years, after which Mr. Whitehead and George II. Mitchell associated themselves together and engaged in the sale of drugs and groceries. They added to the extent of their business interests and have finally become the proprietors of the bank and newspaper before men- tioned.
The lady who presides over the home of Mr. Whitehead, and whose intelligence and refinement tends to draw toward it a pleasant circle, was known in her maidenhood as Miss Emma Bodine. She is a daughter of John and Sarab Bodine, residents of Birmingham, in which place she has lived for a number of years. She has borne her husband one son, who is called Raynale A.
After due consideration of political questions, Mr. Whitehead decided in favor of the Republican party which he aids by his vote and personal influence.
679
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Hle is a Mason, belonging to Birmingham Chapter No. 93, R. A. M., and is also connected with the Knights of the Maccabees. Although not a church member he believes in religious societies and con- tributes to their support. He has been Township Clerk for eleven years. He started out in the world without means and his success in business is there- fore the more creditable to him. He is a young man of quiet ways, but a shrewdness of mind and mental vigor that make their mark on every project into which he enters.
LEXANDER P. PARKS is one of the well-known business men of Birmingham, being a member of the firm of Parks & Hannah, who have a large and well equipped meat market. Mr. Parks buys and sells stock in considerable numbers and gives elose attention to his business affairs. It is by this means that he has succeeded in gaining a compe- tenee, as he had to begin life at the foot of the financial ladder. He was born in County Downs, Ireland, March 15, 1842, and emigrated with his father when eleven years old. His father was poor and the lad was compelled to make his own way from an early period in his existence. Ile began by working on farms, and his monthly wages the first summer were $3. His educational privileges were very meager, and in place of book knowledge he has made use of the information acquired by practical experience and keen observation. His mother-wit has stood him in good stead, and given him an understanding of business methods and principles, and a fair share of general knowledge.
After saving his money for some years, practic- ing close economy and being careful regarding every expenditure, Mr. Parks bought a farm in Troy Township, this county, upon which he lived and labored until 1883. He then removed to Bir- mingham, and a year later became one of the part- uers in the meat market. His home since March 14, 1866, has been under the charge of a lady who was previously known as Miss Anna Robison. She is a daughter of Austin R. and Polly (Stanley)
Robison, who were among the first settlers in this county, and spent their last years here. She was born in Troy Township, obtained her education in the common school, and has much knowledge of domestic arts. The marriage has been blest by the birth of three children, all living, named respec- tively-Austin R., Polly and Edgar A. Mr. and Mrs. Parks belong to the Presbyterian Church, and he votes the Republican ticket. Hle stands well in the community both as a business man and a citizen.
The parents of our subject, Joseph and Eliza (Herbison) Parks, were born in the Emerald Isle, and the latter died there. The former, with four children, came to America in 1853 and located in Royal Oak Township, this county. He was com- pelled to go to work by the month, but after some time he was able to buy a farm in that township. After a few years spent thereon he sold it, and bought in Troy Township, where he lived many years. He. finally sold out there and made his home in Birmingham, where he is living in quiet retirement. He has never accumulated much prop- erty, but is an honest, upright man. He was a weaver in Ireland, but in America he has always been engaged in farming. He votes the Republi- can ticket and belongs to the Presbyterian Church. He lost a son, Thomas, before he came to America, and the children who accompanied him across the water are-Eliza, William, Alexander P., and Mar- garet J.
G ARRETT TRUAX, one of the oldest resi- dents now living in Brandon Township, makes his home on section 16. He was born in Madison County, N. Y., March 26, 1824. Ilis father, Isaac, was born at Mohawk, N. Y., and his grandfather was a pioneer and famous hunter in western New York. He used to spend several months at a time in the woods in the pursuit of game. The father of our subject was a glass blower and a farmer, and owned eighty acres of land in the Mohawk Valley. He moved to Oak- land County, Mich., in 1835, making the journey
680
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
down the Eri. Canal to Buffalo and by steamer across the lake to Detroit and thence by team to Brandon Township, this county. Ile took up eighty acres of the farm now occupied by our sub- ject, the deed to which was signed by Andrew Jackson. Ile built a log cabin and covered it with elin bark for shelter.
Here the young man made a home for his wife and six children, and endured great hardships that he might give to them prosperity in the future. Ile had to go to Detroit and Pontiac to trade, and carried corn meal home from Pontiae on his back for food for his family. This was a distance of twenty miles. Ile wore buckskin clothes and In- dian moccasins. He improved his eighty aeres and died at the age of eiglity-seven years, bearing the reputation among his neighbors, of an honest, hard- working man.
The mother of our subject was Anna Jelika, a native of New York. She was a grand good mother, and bore many hardships in those pioneer days. She lived to the advanced age of eighty-five years, and saw twelve of her thirteen children arrive at maturity and make their mark as honest and self- respecting citizens. She and her worthy husband are laid to rest in the Eaton burial ground in Bran- don Township.
The subject of this sketeh eame here with his parents at eleven years of age. He has vivid rec- ollections of the journey, especially of the walk from Detroit to the new home, where he arrived after dark. Brandon Township was then a vast wilderness inhabited by Indians, wolves, deer and bears. The first money earned by the family was obtained by catching wolves and claiming the bounty then offered on them. The father of our subject caught a she wolf in a trap and kept hier a few days in a pen, when she gave birth to a lot of young ones. Hle thus got bounty on the whole of them instead of on one only, and bought a cow with the money thus earned. Besides helping his father on the farm, Young Garrett worked out for other farmers.
Before the death of Isaac Truax he deeded his farm to his son Garrett, who had been his faithful helper in subdning and cultivating the land. Pros- perity has been granted to our subject, and he now
owns two hundred acres of ground, half of which is cleared. He pays considerable attention to fruit and raises stock and grain. Hle married in 1866 Catherine Orton, who was born in New Jersey. She is still living and is a lady of unusual ability and intelligence. They have five children-Jen- nie, William, Cora, John and Ezra. Mr. Truax is a Democrat but not particularly active in politi- cal matters. Ile is an excellent neighbor and is well thought of in the community.
AMES B. TUTTLE is one of the leading men of Commerce Township. Ile is an old settler here and a man of earnest character and excellent judgment. and has attained to a strong financial basis. His father, Joseph B. Tuttle, was a native of Luzerne County, Pa. : where he was born in 1798. His father. the senior Joseph B. Tuttle, a native of New Jersey, was a farmer and miller. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Frances Jenkins. She was born in 1804 in the same county as her hus- band. She was the daughter of Thomas and Eleanor (Shaunse) Jenkins. Her grandfather Jen- kins' family passed through the scenes of the Wy- oming massaere. and one of her uneles was killed there.
Joseph B. Tuttle and wife eame to Michi- gan in 1833 and settled north of Walled Lake on section 27 of Commerce Township. One house then stood on the shores of the lake and that was occupied by Jesse Tuttle, a brother of Joseph. There were plenty of Indians and wild animals and but few settlers. They had but limited means and built a small log house on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres of Government land, the deed to which was signed by President JJackson. Soon after, they sold out and bought eighty aeres where their sou James now lives. Here they built what they called in those days a post and beam house. Mrs. Tuttle taught the first school established in this township. It was in a log schoolhouse at Walled Lake. Joseph B. Tuttle added forty more acres to his farm and cleared it all up. IIe helped organize
Yours truly
-
683
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
this township and was a member of the local school board. He took a lively interest in politics, being a strong Jacksonian Democrat. He died October 14, 1877, but his good wife survives at the age of eighty-seven years, with faculties bright and en- ergy unabated. She is a delightful talker and is full of old-time lore. She has been for fifty-six years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was one of the charter members of that church at Walled Lake, which had for its first pastor the Rev. Elijah Pilcher. The Rev. Oscar F. North or- ganized this church in 1844.
James B. Tuttle, our subject, is the only surviv- ing child of the five children of his parents. Ile first saw the light in Tunkhannock, Luzerne County, Pa., now Wyoming County. He attended the log schoolhouse after coming to Michigan and was at school in Pontiae for three months. ITe has always been a farmer, but taught school for one term in the home township. Ile also worked for two summers at the carpenter's trade. Ile remained at home with his parents until his marriage, Septem- ber 13, 1855. Ilis bride was Eliza J. Randolph, daughter of Chester and Sarah (Serviss) Randolph, natives of New York, who came to Farmington Township in an early day. This lady was born September 25, 1836. After marriage the young couple lived on the homestead until 1865 and then removed to the farm on section 26, near Walled Lake, where they resided two and one-half years. Mrs. Tuttle died December 14, 1867, having been the mother of eight children, six of whom are now living. They are named as follows: Mary L., born Angust 23, 1856, has been a cripple since she was four years old; Ilattie and Herbert (twins), born July 16, 1858; James R. and Helen Grace (twins), October 5, 1861; Emma Jane, July 4, 1863; an in- fant, deceased, born May 13, 1866; William S. December 10, 1867, lives in California. Herbert married Alice E. Ryel and lives at Walled Lake. He is the father of one child. 1Ielen Grace died Aug- ust 28, 1862.
Mr. Tuttle has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Walled Lake for over thirty years. Ile fills the offices there of Trustee and Steward and has been Secretary and Libarian in the Sunday-school. Years ago he was a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been a member of the School Board and has taken an active interest in politics, voting the Democratic ticket. He was at one time Treasurer of Com - merce Township. ITis son Herbert was Supervisor one year. Ile has been a member of the Good Templars and also of the Loyal Legion, as well as of the State Temperance Alliance. One hundred of his one hundred and forty broad and productive acres are under cultivation. He gives his attention wholly to his farm and carries on general farming. In the days of the war he furnished a substitute to go into the army for him.
n ATIIAN BILLINGS COLVIN, M. D., of Pontiac, was born in Waterford Township, Oakland County, February 19, 1857, and is the second son of Levi B. and Keziah E. (Hodge) Colvin, The father was born in Middleport, N. Y., in 1822, and is the son of Nathan R. Colvin. The latter was a native of Rutland, Vt., and died in 1873, in . his eighty-second year, on the home- stead which he located in 1832. Levi B. was but ten years of age when he came to Michigan, and still resides upon land settled by his father. He has been engaged in general farming and stock- raising, making a specialty of merino sheep. The family is of Scotch-English descent.
Eight children were born to this pioncer, of whom seven are living. Nathan B. passed his youth on the farm and attended the district school. After taking a select course at Pontiac High School, he taught school four winters and studied medicine at intervals while teaching. In 1879 he went to New York City and entered the medical depart- ment of the University of the city of New York, graduating with two hundred and twelve others in 1882, at this time taking special courses in Bellevue Hospital in operative surgery and physical diagno- sis, for which he received certificates of proficiency. He then began practice at Rolla, Mo., devoting con- siderable time to diseases of the eye which are preva- lent in that climate. After five years there, he returned to Michigan and located in Pontiac, where
681
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
he is now recognized as one of the able and suc- cessful physicians of the county. He enjoys a large practice, a portion consisting of the special diseases for which his previous study and practical experi- ence eminently fitted him.
Socially Dr. Colvin is a member of the 1. O. O. F .. No. 3. of Pontiac, the Rolla District Medi- cal Society, Michigan State Medical Society, and the American Medical Society. lle was married in October, 1884, to Miss Emma E. Emory, the accom- plished daughter of Judge Azro Emory, of St. James, Mo. Dr. and Mrs Colvin are members of the Pontiac Methodist Episcopal Church. have the best social advantages, are the happy parents of two children, Della and Levi B., and live pleasantly at No. 70 Asylum Avenue.
ORNELIUS LOSEY belongs to a New Eng- land family of English and German descent and Puritan stock. Many members of this family have proven themselves worthy of their lineage by the excellent pioneer service which they have done in various parts of the West. Our sub- ject was born in Orion Township, Oakland County, Mich., February 4, 18.10. Ile is the son of Philip and Mahala ( Predmore) Losey, natives of New Jersey, whence they came to Michigan in 1836, and located in Oxford, this county, where their son now resides. Philip was a farmer; he died in Oxford, in August, 1884, aged seventy-six years. His wife had preceded him to the better world in July, 1859. To them eight children were given. Several repre- sentatives of this family live in this part of the State.
The subject of our sketch was brought up to farming pursuits. These be followed until be en- tered the service of his country, enlisting in Com- pany I, Fourteenth Regiment, Michigan Infantry, November 21, 1861. Hle entered the service as a private, but was promoted to the office of Second Sergeant before leaving the State. The regiment was attached to the Western Army and participated in the fight at Pittsburg Landing. They took part in the battle at Farmington. Miss., May 9, 1862,
and participated in the siege of Corinth. Capt. Losey was never away from his command until he was wounded at Bentonville, N. C., March 20, 1865. This was the last battle in which his com - pany engaged, and it was during the last half hour of the battle that he was laid aside by a gun-shot wound through the left thigh. At that time he was captain of a company, having been so commissioned February 13, 1865. He had been previously raised to the rank of First Lieutenant, his commission bearing date August 10, 1864, and being granted because of special and favorable notice in action by his commanding officers. Capt. Losey was dis- charged May 15, 1865, on account of disability re- sulting from wounds received in the service. The following is a partial list of engagements in which he took part: Farmington, Miss., May 9, 1862; siege of Corinth, May 10 to 31, 1862; Lavergne, Tenn .. November 1 ; Nashville, November 5, Brent- wood, Tenn., December 8; Stone River, January 3, 1863; Weems Springs, July 27, the same year; Laurenceburg, November 4; Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., January 22, 1864; Chattahoochee, July 5 and 6: the siege of Atlanta, JJuly 22 to August 25; the battle of Atlanta, August 7; Jonesboro, Sep- tember 1; Florence, Ala., October 10; Savannah, Ga., December 17 to 21; Fayetteville, N. C., March 12, 1865; Averysboro, N. C., March 16, and Ben- tonville. N. C., March 19 and 20.
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.