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 83
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At the age of twenty-one years yonng MeDon- ald began to farm the homestead, and remained there several years. The farm he now owns was bought by him in November, 1871, a short time after his marriage to Miss Hannab L. Kemp. Their wedding day was January 5. 1871, and the honey- moon was passed in Chicago. The bride was born
yours Truly Elliot Pilloox
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in England May 2, 1845, and came across the ocean with her parents, John and Henrietta (Mepham) Kemp, in 1849. Her parents resided in Pontiac Township and her father now lives in Owosso. Her mother died in 1865. In the nine- teen years which have passed since her marriage, Mrs. MeDonald has sold twelve thousand five hundred pounds of butter, for which she has re- ceived $2,300.
The family of our subject and his good wife eon- sists of three bright children, named respectively. 11elen A., Lulu C. and George L. Mr. MeDonald is a Democrat and is quite influential in the politi- cal affairs of the county. lle is a man of temper- anee principles, has been a Mason twenty-five years and has served his fellow-citizens in publie ofliees. For many years he aeted as Constable and also as School Director. He has been Treasurer five years and he has two years yet to serve as Justice of the Peace. a capacity in which he has already acted seven years. It will thus be seen that he is under- stood to possess sturdy principles and keen intelli- genee.
ON. ELLIOT R. WILLCOX. Among the members of the bar who are located at Pontiac and are well established in prae- tiee is Mr. Willcox, whose work often in- volves large interests and important issues. 11e practices in local, State and federal courts, and his reputation is widespread as a good pleader, a wise counselor and an able exponent of the principles and precedents on which the laws of the land are based. He made his preparation for legal work in one of the best schools in the land, and has ex- ereised his ability in business affairs where his knowledge of law has been of great value to him- self and organizations with whch he was associated. For some years he has given his attention exclu- sively to his legal work, and he has been retained as counsel in some of the most notable eases eon- dueted in the State, where large property interests were involved.
Mr. Willeox was born in Rochester, Oakland County, February 24, 1838, and was the third of
six children making up the family of Lyman J. and Sarah (Somers) Willcox. The father was born in New York and was a son of Sethulah Willeox, a lative of Connecticut and a descendant of English ancestors. The mother was born in New Jersey and was a daughter of David Somers, her ances- tors being English and German. Lyman J. Willcox removed from Rome, N. Y., to Rochester, this State, in 1823, and engaged in milling and manufactur- ing, and at the same time carried on farming quite extensively. lle was a prominent factor in the early history of the county ; he lived to a good old age, dying in July, 1885. Ilis wife had departed this life in 1875, in her sixtieth year. Of their family three only are living-Lyman. Theresa A., wife of Archy MeMillan, and Elliot R.
Our subject spent his early years in the place of his nativity, and after acquiring a fundamental education prepared for college in the Rochester Academy. He then entered the State University at Ann Arbor and pursued his studies until his graduation in the Literary Department, after which he became Principal of the Union School at Roch- ester. He subsequently taught school at Almont, Lapeer County, his pedagogical work extending over a period of four years. He then took up the study of law, going to Detroit, where he entered the office of Willcox & Gray, the former being his brother L. G. He attended the Law Department of the University of Michigan one year and was admitted to the bar in Oakland County in 1869.
. Mr. Willeox at once began practice, but having a desire for business relations he purchased and operated a large farm and also engaged in manu- facturing. The latter not proving remunerative, he let the work rest for a time. In 1871, with a company of friends, he organized the Detroit & Bay City Railroad Company with a capital of 82,000,000, and besides this raised $400,000 by local subseription. He also secured the right of way and let the contract for the building of the road, and the work was completed within two years from the organization. Mr. Willcox was made Secretary, Attorney and Director of the road. In 1873 he built and equipped a paper mill at a cost of $25,000, which is now in successful operation at Rochester and affords bim a good rental.
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In 1869 Mr. Willeox was elected a member of the House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket and took an active part in the discussion of different measures brought before that body. He introduced the resolution for the admission of ladies to the State University, which after being amended became a law and opened one of the best schools in the country to that class. On the gnes- tion of the legality of taxing townships and mu- nicipalities for the purpose of building railroads, Mr. Willeox took a strong stand against such a course. In 1877 he was elected State Senator, and while in the legislative halls he was a member of the Judiciary and other important committees and took an active part in the proceedings and leading debates of the session. At the expiration of his senatorial term he returned to Pontiac and resumed his practice with renewed ardor.
In the year 1879 Senator Willcox was married to Miss M. Eleanor Price, granddaughter of Daniel Duncan, of Rochester, in whose family she made her home. She was educated at Rochester and De- troit, and received careful instruction and guidance under the roof of her grandparents, and has the charm of manner that makes her a desirable ac- quaintance and a popular member of society. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox have no children. Their home is in a desirable neighborhood, with tasteful surround- ings, and is one of the most attractive dwellings in the city. The circle that frequently gathers there is a cultured and relined one and many enjoyable con- versations take place under its roof. Mr. Willeox was four years a member of the Democratic State Central Committee and is recognized as one of the leaders of the party.
In every campaign since he became a voter he has been active in the ranks and on the rostrum for the political principles of his adoption, yet he is superior to party prejudice and allows it to have no weight in his social and professional relations. Ilis varied business and professional experience has long ago taught him to accord to others the same enjoyment of opinion he demands for himself. Ile is studious in his profession and has made it a life habit to do thorough and systematic reading, both professional and miscellaneous. Ile has a good privase library, and from that and other sources has
kept himself abreast with the times upon all current topies, especially those pertaining to economic, social and political welfare. lle is an able and en- tertaining speaker, and upon every general subject is as ready to hold forth as to talk law to a court or facts to a jury.
A lithographie portrait of the Hon. Mr. Willeox appears on another page of this volume.
EWIS C. D. HAMMOND, M. D., who has a prominent place among the medical prac- titioners of this county, is living in the vil- lage of Clarkston, which is the center of his practice, and where he is also associated with his brother in the drug business. Ile is the son of Nathan G. and Sally A. (Baldwin) Hammond, and is a native of this county, born March 18, 1855. Prior to his twentieth year he lived upon a farm, but he was fortunate in having good educational privileges, not only studying in the district school, but attend- ing a high school. . He taught one term in Orion Township. In the fall of 1880 he went to Detroit and entered the office of Dr. Book, to take up the study of medicine.
After sufficient preliminary reading young Iam- mond attended medical lectures in the Michigan College of Medicine three years, and was thus fit- ted to pass the re quisite examination and receive his diploma. He selected the village of Clarkston as a good field for his efforts, and here he has built up a fine practice. He is possessed of much prac- tical ability and so is able to apply his theoretical knowledge to good advantage, to make careful diag- noses and follow them by well-selected remedies. In 1887 he was happily married to Miss Ida L. Cross of Clarkston, and the union has been blessed by the birth of a son, Glenn S., whose natal day was Oct- ober 7, 1889. Mrs. Hammond is an intelligent, re- fined lady, who understands how to make her home attractive, and whose social qualities and fine char- aeter win friends.
In politics Dr. Hammond is a Democrat and he takes quite an interest in the principles and policy of his party. Ile is a member of Cedar Lodge
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No. 60, F. & A. M., and of Allen-Tent No. 85, K. O. T. M., and in the latter is medical examiner. He is one of a family of seven children, and his father was born in Sussex County, N. J., February 26, 1813.
C ALVIN A. PARKER was for more than thirty years located in Avon Township, and died on his farm there May 11, 1888, at the age of sixty. eight years. He was born in Monroe County, N. Y., June 6, 1820, and was reared to farm life, and when he was ready to begin his personal career it was natural that he should adopt the calling which he thoroughly understood. Ilis parents were Junius and Betsey (Boyington) Parker and the former died during the boyhood of our sub- ject. Young Calvin then went to live with an uncle, a Mr. Pettengill, near Rochester, N. Y., but in 1834 accompanied his mother to this State and lived with a brother-in-law until he had attained his majority. He bought property in Shelby Township, this county, and occupied the same for a little more than twelve months after his marrirge. Mr. Parker then bought one hundred twenty acres in Avon Town- ship, removed thereto, and made it his residence seven years, after which he bought near Rochester. The farm is now ocenpied by his widow. It eon- sists of three hundred acres under excellent tillage, the buildings being ample for every need. Forests and fruit trees lend their beauty to the attractive- ness of the scene, and add to the value of the prop- erty, and well-fed stock of good grades may be seen in the fields. Machinery of improved models is in use, and many arrangments have been made for the proper carrying on of the farm work and the comfort of those who reside there.
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Mr. Parker was married Angust 21, 1845, to Maria Lockwood. daughter of Jeremiah and Han- nalı (Arnold) Lockwood, She was born September 8, 1820, in the same county as her husband, but from the age of three years lived in this State. Iler father brought his family hither, and located in Washington, Macomb County, and there passed the remainder of his life. He died December 11, 1855, a number of years after the mother of Mrs.
Parker was called hence, her death having taken place March 8. 1836. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker there came five children, two of whom awaited their father on the other shore. Eliza died in 1864, at the age of seventeen years and a half; Franklin lived to be thirty-two years old, and then died in 1881. The living children are Betsey, wife of William Bishop, who, with her two children-Parker and Alice- lives with her widowed mother; Hannah, wife of Charles Adams of Detroit; and Cyrenius, who is a resident of Avon Township.
Mr. Parker was a good citizen, carrying on his af- fairs without interfering with those around him, and discharging the duties that pertain to all who are interested in the general welfare in the same un- assuming and reliable way. As a husband and par- ent he was kind and indulgent, and by the general- ity of the citizens of the county in which he had become so well known he was respected according to his merits.
OSEPH P. COON. Among the men who have reaped so good a reward for their in- dustrious and well-directed efforts in the line of agricultural work as to enable them to retire with a competence, is the gentleman above named, who has a pleasant home in the beautiful little town of Orion. He retired thither after hav- ing spent twenty-seven years on a farm on seetion 25, Orion Township. Hle still retains the deed to his estate, which consists of one hundred and twelve acres of good land, well improved and fitted for habitation, as beseems this section of country.
Mr. Coon is a grandson of Joseph Coon, a native of Old Virginia, who was a Revolutionary soldier and endured the privation of the winter at Valley Forge with Gen. Washington. He was a partici- pant in the battles of Brandy wine and Trenton and was wounded during the latter. The Coons are of German descent, and the patronymie now borne by the family is an Americanized rendering of the original name, which was spelled Kulin. The fam- ily was established in this country in 1680.
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Isaac D. Coon, father of our subject, was born in New York in 1807, and died in this county in 1881. He came hither in 1833. driving an ox- team from Detroit, and made his home in Inde- pendence Township, buying land on which stood a partly completed log bouse. He finished the building and occupied it ten years. He added to the land be purchased, bringing up his farm to the extent of two hundred and forty acres, partly en- tered from the Government. He had but limited means when he came here, but was quite successful in life. He held various township offices. His wife. who was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., in 18H, bore the maiden name of Susan Voorhees. She died October 19. 1841. She bore him three children, two of whom are now living.
The subject of this biographical notice was born in Monroe County, N. Y., November 14. 1832, and his earliest recollections are of the woods of Mich . igan, to which he was brought when an infant. Indians camped near his father's house and game abounded in the woods. When old enough to at- tend school the lad studied in the old log school- house of the traditional type, and as soon as he was able began helping his father to clear and otherwise improve the farm. Ile worked at home until the spring of 1858, when he bought the farm land he now owns and took up his work thereon. He had been married two years before to Miss Susan E. Roe, who was born in Sussex County. N. J., August 24, 1836, and accompanied her parents to this county in 1852. She is one of a family of nine children born to Joseph and Emeline ( Bishop) Roe, live of whom survive. Her parents were natives of Orange County, N. Y., and after coming West made their home in Independence Township, this county. Mr. Roe died February 17, 1886, at the age of four-seore and two years, and Mrs. Roe breathed her last October 10. 1890. at the age of eighty-eight years.
Mr. Coon is quite prominent in Democratic circles in Orion Township. He has been Supervisor, Treas- urer, Highway Commissioner, School Inspector and Constable, and is now President of the Common Council of Orion. Since 1876 he has been a Direc. tor in the Island Park Association of Orion, which bas made this place popular as a summer resort,
and for six years he has been President. Socially, he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a sound man, financially and morally, and is held in high esteem by the best citizens.
LEXANDER SOLTS, a retired farmer and a well-known and highly respected citizen, residing in Royal Oak Township, was born June 6. 1822, in County Down, Ireland. llis father. Alexander, was born there about. 1790, and engaged in farming and the manufacture of linen. Coming to America in 1850, he emigrated at once to Royal Oak Township, Oakland County, and bought a farm of eighty acres on seetion 2. llis wife, Ann McBride, was born in 1800, in the same county as her husband, and was the daughter of Joseph and Agnes (Ellison ) MeBride. The parents of our subjeet were married in their native . home in 1819. To them twelve children were born, namely: Margaret, deceased; Alexander, Agnes, Joseph; Ellen and Margaret, deceased; William, Eliza J .. deceased; Samuel; Mary Ann, deceased; Robert, and Eliza J., deceased.
The subject of this sketch attended school for several years in County Down, Ireland, and in 1839 he came to Philadelphia, and remaining there two years in the employ of his uncle Robert, made his first beginning in the new world. He spent one year in New Orleans and then returning to Phila- delphia for a year, decided to go South again. His second stay in New Orleans lasted for five years. While there he had the yellow fever and was for some time in Stone Hospital. Mr. Solts returned to Philadelphia in the summer of 1845 and arranged for his wedding, which took place October 12 of that year. His bride was Sarah E. Carey, daugh- ter of Robert Carey, of Easton, Pa. The young couple remained in Philadelphia for a number of years and to them were born two sons and two daughters, namely: Robert A., who was born Sep- tember 12, 1846, and now resides in Genesee County, Mich .; Wilfield S., born April 1, 1851, who resides in lowa; Jane E. (deceased ), born April 4, 1857; Mary J., born April 26, 1859, now the wife
Yours truly
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of Alonzo S. Merrill, and residing on Bagley Ave- nue, Detroit.
The gentleman of whom we write came to Mich- igan in 1852 and took land which was partially im- proved, in Royal Oak Township. His good wife died in 1882, and in October, 1885, his second marriage took place with Mrs. Mary E. Battie. This lady was born June 4, 1832, in Redford, Wayne County, Mich., and is the daughter of David and Maria (Harmon) Lowe, natives of New York. She had been the mother of two children by her first mar- riage, one of whom is living-James Battie, of Venice, Mich.
Mr. Solts' politieal sympathies are with the Re- publiean party. He was originally a Whig and cast bis first Presidential vote in the year 1844. His last ballot was for Benjamin Harrison. IIe has been Supervisor and Treasurer of his township a number of times. He has been for many years a Trustee of the United Presbyterian Church, of which he and his intelligent and worthy wife are prominent members. Mr. Solts has one hundred and sixty acres of land under excellent cultivation and his home is an unusually pleasant one.
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ELVIN D. SLY, of Pontiac, was born in the township of Bloomfield, April 27, 1853, and is the oldest son of John B. Sly. The latter was born in Elmira, Chemung County, N. Y., May 13, 1823, and was the son of Jacob and Susan (Bennett) Sly, of Dutch descont. The mother of our subject was Almira D. Drake, born March 20, 1833, in Southfield Township, Oakland County. She is a daughter of Melvin Drake, a native of Massachusetts, who came to Oakland County, October 11, 1830, and ended his days here.
Jolin B. Sly, the father of our subject, eame to Oakland County in 1823, and engaged in general farming. He and his wife are both living, hale and hearty, and reside in Pontiac. Of their three chil- dren, only two now survive: Charles B. and Melvin D., our subject, who spent his school days in his native county and for a while attended school in
Birmingham. Later he went to Kingston, Pa., where he entered Wyoming Seminary and studied for one year. Ile next returned to the farm and remained under the parental roof until he reached the age of twenty years, when he entered the pine- ries and was engaged there for a while. Returning to this county and purchasing a farm in 1878, he continued in this line of work until 1889, when he was elected Registrar of Deeds and served in this capacity for two years. Retiring from his office be devoted himself to his private business affairs.
Our subjeet was married October 16, 1879, to Miss Fannie, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Picker- ing, natives of England. Mrs. Sly was born in Southfield Township, this county. Her parents came to this country from their native land some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Sly have one daughter, Bessie E. Mr. Sly is a member of the Birmingham lodge No. 44, F. & A. M .; the Birmingham Chapter No. 93, R. A. M. ; the Pontiae Commandery No. 2; and Council No. 3, R. S. & M. He is also identi- fied with the Moslem Temple N. M. S. at Detroit. and the Pontiac Lodge No. 3, I. O. O. F. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is a member of the Cass Lake Aquatic Club. Ile has a fine farm of one hundred and three acres in Southfield Township, well improved and in a highly culti- vated state, besides two other smaller farms in the county. He is a member of the firm of .J. S. Stockwell & Co., prominent dry goods merehants of Pontiac. At his pleasant residence No. 369 North Saginaw Street, he and his estimable wife dispense hospital- ity to their friends. Politically he is a staneh Republican.
The attention of the reader is invited to the lithographie portrait of Mr. Sly presented on another page.
LMON STARR, manufacturer of brick and tile, is located on section 8. Royal Oak Township. He started his brick yard and tile factory here in 1866, and in connec- tion with the business property he has one hundred acres of well-improved land on which he resides. His dwelling, which is constructed from brick
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burned by himself, was built in 1868, and cost about 85,000. It is connected by telephone with that of his son, who is his partner in business, and who has a tasteful brick residence which cost $2,000. About ten thousand rods of tile is manu- factured annually by the Messrs. Starr, and brick in proportion.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Vine Starr, a native of Connecticut and one of the earliest settlers in Rochester, this State, where he carried on the manufacture of cow-bells. llis son, Orson, father of Almon, was born in New York in 1803, and followed the same business as himself. Orson Starr married Rhoda Gibbs. a native of New York, whose father, Benjamin Gibbs, was born in Connecticut and was a farmer. The marriage was solemnized in 1827. and in 1831 the worthy couple removed to this State, locating on seetion 9, Royal Oak Township. Mr. Starr built a log house, cut- ting the logs and doing all the work himself. Ile lived with his family in a little old shop until the house was finished, and he then used the shop for its legitimate purpose, his manufacturing business. He breathed his last April 23, 1873, nearly a decade after his wife had been borne to the tomb, the date of her death being September 8, 1863. Their fam- ily consisted of four daughters and six sons, and our subject is the first-born.
Almon Starr was three years old when he came to this State, having been born in Richmond, On- itario County, N. Y., September 10, 1828. Ile went to school in a primitive log building in Royal Oak Township, and the teacher who guided his early studies is still living, Mrs. Blant, an aged lady well known in this locality. He learned to make cow bells, and was taken into partnership with his father when he was twenty-one years old. He worked at the business until 1866, but in 1853 es- tablished his home on section 4, and started in his present business at his present location.
February 22, 1853, Mr. Starr was married to Miss Naney Quick, second of three children born to Dennis H. and Nancy M. (Perrin) Quick. Iler father came to this State in 1825, and died here at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Her mother, who was a native of New York, died when fifty years old. Mrs. Starr was born in Royal Oak
Township, September 1, 1831. They have had four children-Edwin, Eva, Rhoda and Lydia. The last named died in infancy, and Rhoda, who was born in 1861, breathed her last February 1, 1884: Eva was born in 1857 and died in September, 1887 ; she was the wife of George B. Walter, of Clarkston, and left a little child, Sidney, who is being reared by his maternal grandparents. Edwin Starr, the only son of our subject, was born April 30, 1854. He was married May 7, 1873, to Mary Salisbury, a native of England, who was born in 1853, and was three years old when she came to this State. They have an interesting family of eight children, named respectively : Minnie, George, John, William, Clara, Rhoda, Arthur and Allen.
Our subject has firm faith in the underlying principles of Republicanism, and supports the party with his voice and vote. He was at one time Treasurer of Royal Oak Township, but is not given to public service. Ile belongs to Birmingham Lodge, No. I. F. & A. M. Ile is devoted to the interests of his family, stanchi in his friendships, and honorable in his dealings, and he is justly es- teemed by his acquaintances.
ATIIAN A. CLAPP. This name is familiar to many of our readers, particularly those who are interested in agriculture and stock- breeding, as he who bears it has for a number of years been one of the prominent workers in these lines in Lyon Township. His home is on seetion 13, where he has two hundred acres of land, one hundred and thirty of which are under good im. provement. Ile keeps thoroughbred stock for sale, all being registered. For eighteen years he has been raising Short-horn cattle and Berkshire hogs, and during the past few years he has also bred Shropshire sheep; the sheep are not registered. He has much of the spirit of progress and the unflag- ging energy which are moving principles among the Americans of to-day, and his work is being pushed forward systematically.
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