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 78
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The services of this regiment were so conspienous as to attract the notice of the Corps Commander, Gen. Davis, and he manifested his commendation of it in special orders. At the close of the war our bero returned to Oakland County and bought a farm lying in Brandon and Oxford Townships, which he managed until 1885, when he moved to Oxford. Ile still owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1887, and still retains that position. He is No- tary Public, and does considerable conveyancing.
October 16. 1876, Capt. Losey was joined in marriage with Marietta Howser. Two living chil- dren, Philip Henry and Dana, bless their home. One son, Luther Willard, died at the age of eight years. Our subject is a member of the Masonic or- der, both Blue Lodge and Chapter, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he is
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a Commander. He is a Republican in polities, and as it is said "everybody knows it that knows him." Ile is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is active in all movements to promote the best interests of the town. In a word, he is an excel- lent citizen, and one who is honored by all.
C LARK VALENTINE, a prominent farmer of Rose Township, was born in Troy, Oak- land County, this State, October 20, 1838, and is a son of John and Amanda (Fay ) Valentinc. The grandfather, John Valentine, was born in New York, and pursued the calling of a farmer. He reared to maturity four sons and four daughters. The sons were named-John, James, Cornelius and William. Ile died in Cleveland, Ohio. The fam- ily is of Dutch origin. His son John was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., and was reared to follow the calling of a farmer. Ile served in the War of 1812, and coming to Michigan about 1830, settled in Troy Township, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres and proceeded to improve it. In his later years he retired from active work and made his home in Birmingham, Oakland County, where he departed this life about September 24, 1867. Ile was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and was highly respected not only in his church connections but as a citizen. He was twice married.
The first wife of John Valentine, Jr., was the mother of ten children, namely-Samuel, Jerusha, Lucinda, Edmund, Bannajah, Harriet, Ramsdell, Clark, Cordelia and Charles. All except the last named have established homes of their own. Their mother was a native of New York, and she passed away from earth, August 18, 1859.
Our worthy subjeet had only the advantages of the common school, and the faithful training in farm duties which his excellent parents gave him. At twenty-one he began working a farm on shares. He also took contracts in grading streets and graded many of the streets of Saginaw. For five years he was engaged in the hotel business at Flint, after which he entered the grocery business
in East Saginaw, which he carried on successfully for three years. In 1864 lie moved on to a farmi, and in 1866 he purchased the farm near Fenton, which he ten years later exchanged for the one hundred and twenty acres where he now resides. This farm is in excellent condition, and has fine improvements upon it. His political views are embodied in the platform of the Republican party.
The marriage of our subject December 4, 1864, with Flora S. G. Everts, led np to a life of more than usual domestic happiness. This lady is a daughter of James and Rebecca (Beach) Everts, who were born in New York, and Oakland County, respectively. She is one of a family of three daughters, her sisters being Celestine E., and Lucy R. Her father died March 17, 1882, and his wife is still living. She was born February 17, 1823, in the town of Troy, Oakland County, and is said to have been the first white child born in the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Valentine have one child, Flora R. They are considered by their neighbors and friends to be among the best citizens and most de- lightful neighbors in the township. Their home is ever hospitably opened to welcome their friends.
UCY A. (ROOD) NARRIN, is one of three original settlers of Groveland Township, still remaining in the township. She is a lady of genial nature and a delightful talker, and is the widow of De Witt Clinton Narrin. She was born in Washington County, N. Y. March 14, 1820. Iler father, Asher Rood, a native of Massa- chusetts, moved onto a farm in New York State when quite young, and ended his days in Miehi- gan at an advanced age. His wife, Lydia Gray, a native of Connecticut, lived to see her nine chil- dren all grow to maturity. Mrs. Narrin was the youngest of the flock. The mother passed from life in New York State when more than sixty years old. Her daughter Lucy was educated in the dis- trict schools, and was married in Ontario County, N. Y., coming here in the spring of 1838 by canal and Lake Erie, and teaming it from Detroit. They settled in this township, when there was not an-
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other settler within three miles. Here they resided in a log house (which they had erected) with deer and wolves as neighbors. Their family provisions had to come from Pontiac at first.
Our subject's marriage with Mr. Narrin took place September 10, 1837. The latter was born in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1818. He was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. lle came to Michigan in 1837, and took up one hun- dred and sixty acres from the Government, and built the log house before bringing his bride to the new country. Here was established a happy home, although hardships were much more plentiful than dollars. Many a jolly time did the neighbors have together in those old days. After the day's work was over Mr. Narrin used to hitch up the ox team and he and his good wife would drive off five or six miles to spend the evening with a neighbor.
The neat frame house now occupied by Mrs. Narrin was erected in 1867. She was bereaved of her husband September 25, 1881. He was a man of importance in the township, and held the office of Treasurer for eight years in succession. Other offices were also given to him, and he helped to lay out some of the roads here in an early day. Ile had an honorable war record, as he served for three years in the Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry.
Mrs. Narrin has been the mother of seven chil- dren, five of whom were daughters, namely: Eliza, deceased; Althea, Mrs. Swift; Delana, Mrs. Hart- well; Minnie, Mrs. Campbell, and Nettie, Mrs. Frick. The mother lives all alone, but her dangh- ter Althea, whose husband, Eugene Swift, farms the home place of one hundred and sixty acres, re- sides near her.
0 LIVER II. P. GREEN. A prominent rank among the younger residents of Orion Town- ship is by general consent accorded to Mr. Green, who owns and occupies two hundred and twenty acres of choice land and raises all kinds of stock as well as good erops of various kinds. He has business sagacity and shrewdness of a high order, as is demonstrated in the work he has ac-
complished since his early launching in business for himself. He and his brother Elmer L. formed a partnership and took up the business of lumber- ing where their deceased father had left it. They repaired the old mill and manufactured lumber, cutting nearly half a million feet per annum for. seven years. They also purchased three hundred and eighty acres of farm land, in addition to what they already owned, and for seven years were associated in these extensive business interests. They then dissolved partnership and each has gone on with his own work, still showing the ability that made them so successful when together.
The father of our subject was Joshua D. Green, of whom mention has been made in the sketch of Elmer L. Green on another page. Ile was a fine business man, and his son comes honestly by his ability in financial matters. The mother of Oliver Green was Martha (Shirts) Green, whose parents were early settlers in this State. After the death of Mt. Green she became the wife of Isaae Lyons, who breathed his last in 1882; she is still living on a farm adjoining that of her son. Oliver was but nineteen months old when his father died. He grew to manhood on the farm, but hegan business for himself at the early age of sixteen years. He re- ceived a good district-school education and with natural cleverness has added much valuable infor- mation to the knowledge gained in the schoolroom. lle has his farm in fine condition and has a good assortment of buildings upon it.
March 10, 1886, Mr. Green was married to Jose- phine A. Hart, who was born in Orica Township, August 25, 1865. She is a granddaughter of William llart. who was born in New Jersey in 1808 and brought his family here in 1837. Hle took a large tract of Government land in Orion Township and passed through the usual pioneer experiences while clearing and improving it. He retired from active life about 1870 and made his home in Pontiac for a time, then went to Oxford, but soon returned to Pontiac. Ile died there March 17. 1891, at the age of ninety-three years. His wife, formerly Mar- garet Hibbler, a native of New Jersey, died in April, 1888, when seventy-eight years old. The father of Mrs. Green is Abram Hart, who was born in Sussex, N. J., September 15, 1835, and who.
Post. Brown
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having come to this county when scarcely more than an infant, grew up amid pioneer scenes. He bought land in Orion Township in 1865, four years after he left home. In 1880 he purchased the farm he now occupies, which consists of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 5. He was married June 1, 1861, to Theodosia Beardslee, who was born in this State in 1840. Besides the wife of our subject, his family includes Maggie, now the wife of Will- iam Colts, a farmer in Oxford Township.
Our subject and his estimable wife are the par- ents of a daughter, Gracie, whose increasing intelli- gence and bright ways add to the charm of their home. Mr. Green is a Republican, has served as a delegate to county conventious and has been a candidate for important local offices, but as the party is decidedly in the minority in the township he has not been elected. IIe belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees.
R OBERT BROWN, a retired farmer, residing at Pontiac, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, March, 1820. He is the fifth of twelve children, six of them being sons and six daughters. Ilis parents, Robert and Sarah (Kyle) Brown, emigrated to the United States in 1836, landing in New York, and thence coming im- mediately to Oakland County, this State. They lo- cated on a farm in West Bloomfield, where they carried on general farming. Here the father died in September, 1848, in the eighty-second year of his age, and the mother was called from earth, De- cember 13, 1860, in her eightieth year. Of the twelve children, only three now survive.
The early school days of our subject were passed by him in his native county. In 1832, he with an older brother, Joseph, came to the United States, landing in Philadelphia, where they found work and continued for three years. Robert next re- moved to Detroit, Mich., where he worked for three years. In 1840 he came to Oakland County, locating in West Bloomfield Township, and here he began farming. He bought one hundred and sixty aeres of land, which he partly cleared, and engaged
in general farming and stock-raising. By econ- omy and industrious habits he made a success of life, and became the owner of one of the best farms in the neighborhood. He placed good buildings on it and continued working and improving it un- til 1865, when he sold it and moved to Pontiac Township, where he bought a farm. In 1875 he moved to Pontiac City; this removal being called for by the failing health of his wife. He purchased a comfortable home, loaned out his money, and has lived a quiet, retired life since that time. In 1873 he was elected Supervisor of Pontiac Township, which position he has held continuously by re-elec- tion since that date. He is a Democrat in his pol- itics, and is a member of the Pontiac Lodge No. 21, F. & A. M., also of the Chapter No. 5, R. A. M.
This sketch would be incomplete without more reference to the faithful wife who has accompanied Mr. Brown on the journey of life. Before her mar- riage she was Miss Lucretia Carhart, of West Bloomfield, this county, and was united with our subject in the happy bond of wedlock, April 3, 1844. Maryland is the State of her nativity, and she was born March 12, 1815. She was brought up mostly in New York State, and after she had grown to womanhood she came with her parents to Michigan. IIer father was Robert and her mother Mary (Braekman) Carhart. No children have been granted to the home of Robert Brown.
A lithographie portrait of Mr. Brown appears on another page of this volume.
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MOS BENTLEY, one of the representative farmers of Novi Township, is a son of Benjamin Bentley, a farmer who was born in New York, March 16, 1814. His wife, whose maiden name was Christena Stringer, was a Canadian by birth, her natal year being 1820. Their marriage took place in Canada and they re- sided there until 1842, when they made their home in Novi Township, this county, and worked land on shares for a few years. He then bought eighty acres of roughly improved land and built a plain house, where they made their permanent home. He
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afterwards added to h wwsil he had three hundred aeres. Here he lived for thirty years passing away in 1872. Ilis wife survived until 1890. Two chil- dren blessed their home, our subject and Mrs. Clayton McKenney. The father took a great in- terest in politics and was a Whig in his early days and later a Republican.
The subject of this sketch was born April 12, 1839, in Canada. He was three years old when he came to Michigan, and he received his schooling in the district schools of this township, and his practi- cal training upon the farm. He stayed at home until he was twenty-live years okl.
The marriage of Amos Bentley and Ellen Bloss was solemnized April 12. 1865. The lady is a daughter of John and Maria ( Moyer) Bloss, both natives of Sharon, N. Y., where Mr. Bloss was born November 16, 1811, and his wife July 12, 1809. Their marriage took place March 22. 1832, and they resided in New York until 1839, when they made their new home in the unbroken forests of Novi Township, taking up land from the Gov- ernment. Here they built a log house and under- took to redeem the forest for the purposes of agriculture. Indians and wild animals were much more numerous than white neighbors. Mr. Bloss was a poor man and underwent hardships in this new country. Ile died September 29. 1815, and Mrs. Bloss married Edward Hazen. Her death oc- curred November 10, 1883. The sister of Mrs. Bentley married Edwin Hazen.
Mrs. Bentley was born September 21, 1840, on the old homestead in Novi Township. After at- tending the district school in the township she went for one term to Northville to school and then taught at home. After her marriage with Mr. Bentley they settled on their present farm, which was an improved one of ninety-six acres. He now has three hundred and sixty-live aeres mostly in cultivation and carries on general farming. Ile has some fine registered Merino sheep which he takes great pride in. Mr. Bentley and his able wife, by the exercise of industry and perseverance have improved both the land and buildings of their present home.
Our subjeet is the father of eight children, namely : Dora J., born July 23, 1866, now the wife
of George Nichols; they reside in Novi Township. Benjamin, born July 17, 1870, who resides at home ; Edith E. born April 27, 1872, the wife of Delbert Smith, a resident of Lyon Township; John J. born June 11, 1874; George B., March 26, 1876; Cora B., November 5, 1878; Mary M., April 28, 1880. and Daniel L., March 25, 1882. The last five named are all beneath the parental roof, and the parents have given to all their children excellent school advantages.
Mr. Bentley is a member of the Patrons of In- dustry at Walled Lake and also member of the local School Board, which position he has held for thirteen years. He is a Republican and takes an active interest in local politics, lle has been for two terms Supervisor of Novi Township, and is now a member of the Board of Review. Mrs. Bentley's youngest brother, Lewis J. Bloss, was a member of the regular army and took part in the Civil War. He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg and lay in the hospital for'a year. He was then discharged on account of his wound and went to Minnesota. He died there while his home was in Dakota, leaving a wife to mourn his loss.
C LARKSON S. LINABURY, a successful farmer of Oxford Township, who has made his own fortune from an humble though worthy beginning, was born in Warren County, N. J .. September 10, 1835. Ilis father, Joseph L., was also a native of New Jersey, where he was born in 1805. ile owned and operated a gristmill at Long Bridge, N. J., and came to Michigan in 1835. lle carried on the same business here, operating two mills at Pontiac several years. lle then en - tered from the Government a farm in Independence Township, and building a house located his family in it. Even after settling on the farm he contin- ued to carry on milling in Pontiac, going to and from home on foot, and on Saturday night carry- ing home the week's supply of flour upon his back. In these tramps he followed an Indian trail, as there were no roads cut through. The grim determina- tion to succeed and unlimited hard work made him
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a prosperous man and he is still living in Pontiac enjoying a hale old age ..
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Elsie Shotwell. She was a native of New Jer- sey and died in 1850, having been the mother of eight children. She was a brave woman who did not shrink from the lonely life in the woods, where she cared for her children while her husband was doing milling in Pontiac, although the wolves howled about and the Indian camp was near. In- (leed she made use of her Indian neighbors by secur- ing their help in harvest time. Our subject learned to be an excellent huntsman in those early days and still loves the sport and makes a practice of going north every fall to hunt. The father re- married and had five children by the second wife.
Clarkson Linabury was only an infant when his parents came to Michigan, and his schooling was obtained at the winter sessions of the district schools. He also went five miles to Clarkston to school for some time. His early efforts to obtain an education impressed upon him the importance of such advantages, and now that he is a father he has taken great pains to obtain for his children the best advantages. He taught his first term the year he was seventeen years old and for several winters occupied the teacher's desk. His first salary as a teacher was $18 per month. His summer work upon the farm secured him wages from 88 to $12. IIe continued in this way for several years, teach- ing and farming on wages until 1860, when he began farming for himself in Oakland Township. IIe subsequently purchased a farm in Independence Township, which he carried on for several years. HIe now lives on section 3, Oxford Township, to which he removed in 1879.
The marriage of Mr. Linabury had taken place several years before his removal to his present home, as he was married in 1861 to Mary Earing, who was born in Fabius, N. Y., and is a daughter of Michael and Mary Earing, both of Connectient, who came to Michigan in 1857 and remained here through the remainder of their lives. Of the four children who were born to our subject and his wife, the two eldest, Jennic and Freddie, have passed away from earth. The son Charles is a graduate of the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, of the
class of 1887, and is now principal of the public schools at Dansville, Mich. The daughter Lillie, a bright, intellectual girl, is a teacher in this county.
Mr. Linabury is a Democrat in his political con- victions and is frequently a delegate to county conventions. lle has served the citizens of his township frequently in the office of Supervisor, Col- lector and Justice of the Peace. He has also filled the office of Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Harger. These offices were held while our subject was living in Independence Township, this county. He has been identified with the Masonic Order for thirty years and belongs also to the Patrons of Industry. Besides managing the three hundred and seventy- four acres which he has, he spent two years in a store at Dryden Plains, this county.
6 HOMAS CHALKLEY SEVERANCE, a farmer in Commerce Township, is the son of a Vermont farmer and shoemaker, Charles Severance, and Martha Lamb, a native of New York. The maternal grandfather, Rev. Nehemiah Lamb, was one of the first settlers in Farmington Township, coming here as a missionary. The parents of our subject married in New York State and came to Northville, Mich., in 1835. They then removed to this farm where the son now resides, when it was in a perfectly wild condition. They built a log house and often accommodated travelers. Upon one occasion sixteen strangers stayed with them over night. He was a poor man when he came, but accumulated considerable property. His first farm was eighty aeres and he added to it until he has three hundred and twenty. He was born December 21, 1805, and died July 21, 1887. The mother, who was born March 9, 1812, died December 4, 1872. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Severance in early life affiliated with the Demo- crats, but afterward became an Abolitionist and later a Republican. He and his wife were the par- ents of eight children, seven of whom are now living.
The subject of this sketch was born December 18, 1835, in Northville, Mich. He acquired his edu-
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cation in the log schoolhouse and upon the farm. beginning work for himself when twenty years old. He then removed to the place just north of his present farm, and was married in June, 1858. to Martha, daughter of Clarke MeCall of New York, in which State she was born and educated, and where Mr. Severance went to bring her. a bride, to the home farm. She was an earnest and consistent member of the Baptist Church and was the mother of nine children, eight of whom are now living, namely: Martha, Thomas C .. Mary (deceased). Lewis, Irene. Ira. George, Howard and Mabel. The oldest son is a teacher in Minnesota. and the oldest daughter keeps house for her father. since the death of her mother, January 8, 1884. Lewis, a student at Ann Arbor University, has already been admitted to the bar at Pontiac. bra is a graduate of the High School at Ann Arbor and Irene is attending the Pontiac High School. The three younger children are at home.
The Baptist Church at Walled Lake, finds in Mr. Severance one of its active members. He serves there as Treasurer and ('lerk and is a Deacon. He has been a member of the Grange and also of the School Board, having held on the latter the posi- tions of Director, Assessor and Moderator. He is a Republican and takes an interest in politics. and is strictly temperate in his babits. lle is the residuary legatee of the old homestead, which com - prises two hundred and eighty acres with good im- provements.
ILLIAM H. OSMUN, JR., manufacturer of brick, tile and hard wood lumber, at Pon- tiac, was born in Brandon Township, this county, October 27, 1841. 1le is the eldest son of William H. and Mary ( Linderman) Osmun. both of whom are natives of New York, who came to Oakland County in 1836. For further particulars. see the family sketch in another part of this work. The subject of this sketeh is the oldest of six chil- dren. He was educated in the common schools of his neighborhood and afterward at Groton, N. Y.
llere they remained until he reached his twenty- fourth year, when the young man returned to Oak- land County, and was soon after united in marriage with Frances Chaffee, daughter of Stephen and Melle-Tiah ( Leonard> Chaffee. They were among the early settlers of Oakland County, and their daughter was born here. After marriage the young couple returned to New York and spent two years there.
Mr. Osmun then returned to Oakland County and purchased the old homestaad of one hundred and sixty acres, which had belonged to his wife's father. Ilere in Pontiac Township he engaged in general farming, in which he was successful. In 1866 he bought the brick works and operated them for a number of years. He took the contract for making the brick for the Eastern Michigan Asylum for the Insane, and made sixteen millions of brick, the greater number going into the main buildings, le afterward furnished brick for the adjacent buildings and carried on this brick man- ufacturing business until 1877. About this time he added to his works machinery of the latest im- proved pattern for the manufacture of tile, in which branch of business he built up a large trade.
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