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 86
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To Ichabod and Serua Russel were given ten
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children, equally divided between sons and daugh- ters. While Ichabod was clearing his farm in Chan- tanqua County, N. Y., he was called out as one of the minute men and was present at the burning of Buffalo in 1813, having at that time the rank of a Corporal. He was a thorough pioneer and delighted in that work, and has the record of having cleared five farms in New York.
Young Reuben had the advantage of the acad- emy at Westfield, N. Y. He was a hard student and fitted himself for surveying and civil engineer- ing. At the age of twenty-two he secured an ap- pointment under the Government, and in company with William Ives, surveyed Isle Royal in Lake Superior. He came to Michigan in 1846, and in 1850 celebrated the Fourth of July by taking to himself a wife. His bride was Margaret J., daugh- ter of Henry and Elizabeth (Shoudy ) Perry. They were natives of New York and had a family of five children.
The village of Royal Oak became the abode of the newly-married couple, and in 1858 they made their home where they now reside. In due time five little ones clustered about their hearthstone. They are Reuben A., born July 20, 1853; Henry A., August 16, 1856; Edwin W., March 25, 1859; Elmer E. E., January 31, 1863; and Lettie A., May 27, 1864. The oldest son lives in Royal Oak and Henry at Boyne City, this State. Edwin was killed by the bursting of a fly-wheel, December 21, 1884. Elmer lives in Chicago and is the em- ploye as station agent of the Chicago and Grand Trunk Railroad. The only daughter, Lettie, was married in 1886, to Henry E. Phelps, and lived in lonia till March 19, 1891. At that time her hus- band was snatched from her side by death, and she has now returned to her father's home. She has one child, Iva M. M., who was born November 18, 1888.
Mr. Russel has a fine estate of seven acres in the village of Royal Oak. He takes an active part in home politics and has more than once been a delegate to Republican county conventions. He served for several years as Township Clerk, has been School Inspector some fifteen years, and Jus- tice of the Peace for thirty-five years. 1le has been an earnest and active member of the Baptist Church
since 1843, and his wife has been connected with the same organization since the year 1875. He has been a member of the Birmingham Lodge, No. 44, F. & A. M., since 1867, and has served the county four terms as Surveyor.
AMES COX, a prominent farmer on section 6, Southfield Township, was born near Bris- tol, England, September 27, 1836. He is a brother of Dr. II. S. Cox, whose biographi- cal sketch appears elsewhere in these pages. He was reared in England until 1852, when he came to Michigan and at first made his home in the new country in Southfield Township. His first monthly wages were 85.50. Ile continued at this rate for a year. He then worked for Mr. Comstock, who was afterward his brother-in-law, on the place where he now resides. He continued to work by the month for four years for different men, receiving the last year $12 per month. IJe then rented a farm and hired his board for nine years.
The marriage of James Cox with Martha C. Comstock was solemnized January 13, 1864. This lady is a native of the township in which she makes her home, and was born in the house which is now her home July 25, 1840. After their marriage the young couple located one mile north of the village of Franklin on a rented farm. They then bought sixty acres in Farmington Township, but after a year sold it and bought what is known as the old Comstock homestead.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cox have been born eight chil- dren, one son and seven daughters: Charles II., born in 1864, resides at home; Eveline is deceased ; Florence at home; 1mogene C., Christobel, (twins) deceased; Martha W. and Clara May at home; Mary, deceased. Mr. Cox has a farm of one hun- dred and fifty acres which is in a fine condition and upon which he is doing a general farming business. He is a Republican in his political views, and his church membership is with the Protestant Methodist denomination, with whom he is a Stew- ard in the church at Franklin. The last conference of that church was held at Franklin and he sat in
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it as a delegate. For three years he has served the educational interests of his district as School Di- rector, and he is ever ready to take hold of any good work for the benefit of the community.
OIIN HARMON, a noteworthy farmer on section 28, Southfield Township, was born in Orange County, N. Y., December 18, 1816. Ilis father, David, was born in Con- necticut, March 17, 1773, and there he remained until his majority, when he went to New York State. He was a farmer by occupation and a de- vout member of the Dutch Reformed Church. His father was also named David. He was of English descent and took part in the Revolutionary War on the side of the patriots.
The mother of our subject. Sarah Elliott, was of Irish birth, being born in County Derry, Decem- ber 20, 1777. She came to this country with her parents, when a young lady of sixteen years, and made her home in Orange County. Here she met and married young David Harmon. To them were born three sons and two daughters, of whom but two are now living, our subject and his sister Rachel, now Mrs. Willets.
Mr. Ilarmon is the youngest child of the family and was but twelve years old when they went to Michigan. Ifis first schooling was in his native plaec and he completed it in a log schoolhouse in Southfield Township, on section 21. His father located on the very farm where our subject now resides, and proceeded to clear and improve it. A great affliction befell the family in 1849 in the death of the father by accident. Ile was killed by fall- ing from a load of grain, on his way to Detroit. The mother survived until 1855, when she also passed away. They lie side by side in the come- tery in Southfield Township.
John remained at home assisting the family on the farm and was married April 18, 1819, to Mary J. MeCleland, a native of Orange County, N. Y., who was born January 3, 1823. To them were given five children, as follows: David John, born February 18, 1850, now in Colorado; George, born
September 4. 1851, living in Shiawassee County ; James, born December 23, 1852, living in South- field Township; Robert, born January 31, 1855, living in Shiawassee County ; and Mary Jane, the wife of William McCarroll, living in West Bloom- field Township. The mother of these children passed away from earth November 22, 1857.
The second marriage of Mr. Harmon was sol- emnized in 1859. Ile was then united with Jen- nette Young, the oldest daughter of Francis and Jane ( Woodman) Young. This lady came to Mich- igan with her mother after she had attained to womanhood. To her five children have been given, three sons and two daughters: Frank, born Novem- ber 8, 1862; Rachael, November 25, 1863 ; William 1., August 19, 1865; Nettie (deceased), born May 1, 1867; and Hugh, October 7, 1870. All of the four living children are at home with their pa- rents.
This fine farm of two hundred and twenty-five aeres is mostly under cultivation, and upon it is carried on a general farming business. Mr. Har- mon belongs to the Republican party. He is a man of liberal and genial nature, a delightful talker and one who encourages sociability in the farmning community.
G EORGE FILMORE COON. Among the names of the old settlers of Oakland County, none are more favorably recognized than that of Mr. Coon. The subject of this sketch is the son of Isaac and Rebecca ( Rodenbough) Coon, and was born on the farm on which he now resides in Independence Township. His natal day was No- vember 28, 1848. He has always resided on this farm except during a very short period. Hle had very limited opportunities of obtaining an educa- tion. as his father was poor, and George Filmore was compelled to work on a farm, and assisted his father until he was twenty-one years of age.
On Christmas day, 1869, our subject was mar- ried to Hattie A., daughter of Orson Avery, an early settler of Lapeer County, Mich. She was born February 27. 1850. After his marriage he rented his father's farm, which he operated until
JOHN COOPER.
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1879, and then engaged in selling agricultural ma- elinery for Altman & Co., of Canton, Ohio. He worked for them four years, until the death of his father in 1881, when he decided to buy the farm which he now owns, a fine tract of two hundred and forty acres.
The marriage of our subjeet has been blessed with three children : Avilla May, born September 1, 1872, and died January 30, 1884; Linsley I., born June 24, 1880; and Avery B., September 11, 1884. Mr. Coon's father was born near Rochester. in the State of New York, September 11, 1807, and came to the Territory of Michigan July 3, 1832, when our beautiful State was still a Territory. 1Ie took up Government land, and by his industry and honesty accumulated a good share of property. He suffered many privations and afflictions incident to pioneer life. One terrible affliction marked those early days, which was the accidental burning of his first log house, in which his beloved mother and one sister lost their lives. Mrs. Rebecca Coon is still living and resides with our subject, and re- eeives from her affectionate son and his estimable wife the kind eare which the feebleness of eighty- one years requires. In polities Mr. Coon is a Dem- ocrat, and he is a member of Tent No. 85, K. O. T. M .; also a prominent member of the Patrons of Industry, and is the present Chairman of their Pur- chasing Committee.
OHN COOPER. The estate which this gentleman has accumulated is a monument to his ability as an agriculturalist, and a conclusive proof that persistent effort will be rewarded. It comprises sixty-four aeres on sec- tion 22, Southfield Township, Oakland County, and it needs but a glance to assure the passer-by that here comfort abounds; while thrift is seen in every detail of the work which is carried on. The estate is thoroughly improved, the buildings being especially noticeable for their size, number and convenience. The residence, which is an unusually elegant rural home, was erected in 1871 at a cost of $2,500.
The parents of our subject were John and
llannah (Jaggar) Cooper, natives of Long Island. The father, who was born June 18, 1788. died in his eighty-fourth year at the home of his son John. The mother, whose natal day was May 2, 1791, died in 1838 in early womanhood. At a very early day they came to this State in 1833, settling in Wayne County, where the mother died. The fa- ther afterward married again and remained in Wayne County until a short time prior to his demise when he came to this county. He was in early life identified with the temperance cause, as a firm and practical temperance man, and was always remarkable for industry, economy and in- tegrity.
Concerning this honored pioneer of Michigan we glean the following from one of the county papers: "A firm and consistent Christian, he was identified with the Presbyterian Church of South- field, from its beginning, as a faithful member and liberal supporter. His habits of industry were kept up to the very last. He worked all day in the corn field on Saturday, until between 4 and 5 o'clock, returned to his house, ate his supper as usual, in the evening read in the Bible for awhile, as was his custom, attended family worship, and re- tired to bed apparently as well as usual, and went quietly to sleep never more to waken on earth. He was found in the morning entirely cold and dead, having passed away so quietly as to have made no noise, nor moved a limb.
"His first day in heaven was the Sabbath, and as he had always loved and worshipped God in the sanctuary here on that holy day, how blessed to him to have that sweet worship made pure and perfect and eternal." The features of this good man are perpetuated for this and coming genera- tions by his portrait, which appears on another page of this volume.
Our subject is the youngest brother of Thomas and Stephen Cooper, whose biographies will be found elsewhere in this ALBUM. When about eight years old he came to Michigan with his parents, and has witnessed the development of the county from a primeval condition to one of unsurpassed fertility. He received the rudiments of his edu- cation in Long Island, and later attended school in Wayne County, this State. The temple of learn-
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ing was two and one-half miles from his father's home, and this distance he walked through woods in which wild animals roamed. He was called a good shot, and has killed many deer, wild turkey's, and two bears with his rifle.
Politically Mr. Cooper is a Republican and uniformly casts his ballot in the interests of that party. He has served efficiently as School in- spector and Pathmaster, and was offered nomina- tion as Justice of the Peace but declined. For many years he was a member of the Presbyterian Church and has served as Elder for twenty years. He has been exceedingly useful in the Sunday- school, having the influential position of a Bible- class teacher. It has been his custom to give $40 a year to the support of the ministry. Ile is a strong temperance man in all things, having never used tobacco in any shape or form and being very much opposed to drink. Hle hopes to see "the good time coming" when temperance shall prevail. Ile has never married but carries on his home with the aid of his youngest sister.
OSHUA W. BIRD. Among the business establishments that reflect credit upon the city of Pontiac is one where a full stock of clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods are found, and merchant tailoring is done under the capable oversight of Mr. Bird. It is favorably located in a building 30xt l0 feet, and the stock is complete and well assorted. In addition to the goods mentioned Mr. Bird deals in trunks and valises. The tailoring department is carried on by a force of competent workmen and an expert cut- ter, and is patronized very liberally.
Mr. Bird was born in Spaulding, Lincolnshire, England, April 30, 1843. ITis parents were Charles and Martha ( Morris) Bird. The father was a lime- burner for many years. In 1850 he emigrated with his family, which consisted of his wife and five children, and landing in New York came direct to this county. Ile went to work for a few weeks near Pontiac, then entered the employ of II. W. Lord, produce dealer, where he remained eight
years. About 1859 he removed to Springfield Township, where he bought three tracts, which made a total of two hundred acres. This he improved and operated for a period of twenty years. Ile then sold the property and removed to Pontiac, but after living in the city four years bought forty acres in Waterford Township, three miles from the county-seat, and established his home there. Ile finally returned to Pontiac, where he is now living retired from active labor, and, with his wife, enjoy- ing the comforts they carned by industrious efforts. Husband and wife are in good health although advanced in years, both having passed their sev- enty-second birthday. Their children are George M., who is engaged in farming; Joshua W .; Mary, wife of William Cheal, of Waterford Township; Anna, who married W. Conklin, of Roscommon County ; Alfred E., a farmer now living on the old homestead, and Alice, who is teaching in the Pon- tiac schools.
The subject of this sketch was seven years old when he came to Pontiac, and his education was received in the old Union School building. He began his mercantile experience as a clerk in the store of James T. Allen, in 1856, and when John ('. Ilall succeeded to the business a twelvemonth later he was retained on the force, and remained in the establishment six years longer. He then bought a third interest in the business, but when ten months had elapsed sold out and went West. At C'entral City, Col., he engaged in mining, but. after a year's experience returned to Pontiac. He next entered the employ of Charles E. Adams, who was engaged in the hat and fur trade, and clerked for him until he sold out in 1869 to P. A. Hitchcock, and then worked for the latter gentleman two years.
In 1871 Mr. Bird again went to Colorado and stopped at Brownville, where he was employed in the Terrible mine one year. He then returned again to Pontiac and re entered the employ of Mr. Ilitch- cock as a clerk for about six years . In 1878 he em- barked in the grocery business, but after a short experience sold out to Frank Church and took a clerkship in the store of C. R. Mabley two years. Ile then joined with Mr. Mabley and W. II. Ham- lin under the firm name of C. R. Mabley & Co., and opened a clothing store. Fourteen months
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later he and Mr. Hamlin bought out their associ- ate, and the firm was changed to Bird & Hamlin. This style was used six years. when the junior part- ner sold out and Mr. Bird continued the business alone.
In 1865 Mr. Bird was married to Miss Lydia Leech, the ceremony taking place at the bride's home in Kirksville, Mo .; she was born in Michigan and was a daughter of the Rev. Joshua Leech, of the Protestant Methodist Church. She died in 1870, leaving one daughter-Clara Agnes. The second marriage of Mr. Bird was solemnized in Springfield, this county, and his bride was Miss Ilelen A. Clough. This lady is a native of New York and is a daughter of John Clough. The union has been blessed by the birth of two children, named respectively Lena M. and George Lester.
Mr. Bird is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of which he has been Secretary since its organization ten years ago; the Knights of the Maccabees, of which he has been record keeper two years; Na- tional I'nion, and Good Templars. He represented the Fifth Ward in the Common Council two years. He is conservative in his political beliefs, and pays little attention to the excitements of a campaign, though he generally votes with the Republicans. Ile has a good reputation among business men, and is regarded as strictly honorable in his dealings, while in social life he and his wife move in good society. Mr. Bird and his entire family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bird has been a member of the Official Board for eight years and Secretary thereof for about four years.
D ETER II. HAGLE, a farmer of Bloom- field Township, was born in Oxford, Ontario, April 30, 1825. His parents, Peter and Sarah (Harris) Hagle, were natives of New Jersey and Connecticut respectively. They were married in Canada and spent there the remainder of their lives. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and were hard-working people who attained a handsome competency. Both the father and the
grandfather, Henry Hagle, were in the War of 1812. The maternal grandfather was Eli Harris, a native of Connecticut.
The parents of our subject had eleven children, namely: Lois, Luke, Mark, Lydia, Miles, Peter HI., Henry, Mary, Hannah, Sarah and Maria. Our sub- ject was reared upon his father's farm, which place has been for many years known as lagle's Corners. lle gave his parents the benefit of his labors until he reached his majority, and then began farming on his own account. In 1875 he removed to a new farm in Berlin, St. Clair County, Mich. It was an unimproved farm which he had owned for several years. He cleared and improved it, and a few years later removed to his present farm in this county, where he purchased two hundred and fourteen aeres, and made his residence on the banks of Square Lake. He had one of the finest farms in the county and has been a hard-working man all his life, having cleared and improved four different farms. He has been an extensive stock-dealer all his life, but has made a specialty of horses, having always given more or less attention to the breed- ing and developing of thoroughbred running horses. He has now the finest lot of horses of this description in Oakland County.
Mr. Hagle votes with the Republican party but never dabbles in polities. Ile and his excellent wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been a remarkably fortunate man in all his undertakings, being energetic and a shrewd trader, and having always been blessed with good health.
Mr. Hlagle was united in marriage April 30, 1846, to Chastina A. Cook, of Oxford County, Ontario, where she was born in 1824. She is a daughter of Joseph W. and Clarissa ( White) Cook, natives of Rhode Island. Seven children have crowned this union, namely: Susan A., deceased. who was the wife of Robert Wright of Forest, Canada. She left two children, Wesley and Lillian, to mourn her loss. Frederick S., a teacher in the old Union school of Pontiac, who married Miss Nora Campbell, of In- gersoll, Canada. He has two children, Edgar and Frederick. Andrew II., a farmer in Newaygo County, who married Ella Reynolds of Canada, and has two children, Louise and Florence. Anna M.,
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who remains single, and carries on a millinery business in Chicago. Miles E., of Detroit, who married Miss Maggie Hollar, of Homestead, Mich .; Agnes II., the wife of James Old, who lives with her father, our subject. She has one child, Joseph W. Peter W. is unmarried and makes his home with his father.
HOMAS GIBSON. The late Thomas Gib- son, whose widow is a well-known and highly-respected resident of Troy Town- ship, was born in England, March 13, 1809. He emigrated with his parents when about ten years old, and for eight years his home was in Canada. The family then came to this county and located in Troy Township. The young man worked by the month as a farm hand until 1831, when he bought land on section 13. There were no improvements upon the property and he at once built a small log house and began to clear and develop the land. He carried on his work energetically and industriously. and as time passed was able to look out upon a well-regulated property. lle was well known, not only as a good farmer, but as a liberal-minded and generous-hearted man, an excellent neighbor and an earnest Christian, Ile belonged to the Metho- dist Church and held the office of Class-Leader. Politically, he was a Democrat. He died September 25, 1876, leaving a widow and four children, together with many friends. to mourn his departure from the scenes of time.
Mrs. Gibson bore the maiden name of Hannah Walker and was born in Maine. Angust 21. 1809. She is the sixth of the eleven children of Richard and Rhoda (Danford) Walker, with whom she went to New York when seven years old. In the Empire State she grew to womanhood and acquired the knowledge and built up the character which make her a useful and honored member of society. She came to this State in her early womanhood, and in 1832 was married to Mr. Gibson. They brought to the home in what was almost a wilderness, a small stock of household goods consisting of a few
chairs, a bedstead and some necessary articles of kitchen use. As time passed on they were able to increase their store of household goods and make their dwelling more attractive and their labor easier.
After the death of her husband Mrs. Gibson had full control of the estate, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and takes an abiding interest in the work carried on hy that religious body and in all schemes which promise to benefit society. Cyrus Gibson, the eldest son of our subject and his wife, lives in Troy Township, and Franklin is a livery man in Romeo; Elizabeth, the second ebild and elder daughter, is the wife of Oscar Carres and lives in Ironwood; Cora is the wife of George Harris and her home also is in Tronwood. She has but one child, a son, but Mrs. Carres has two children.
OSES GOODALE. This gentleman has been identified with the interests of this county for half a century and as boy and man has done much to promote its wel- fare. Ile has been engaged in agricultural work and is still carrying on general farming, owning and operating ninety six aeres of land on section 34. Troy Township. Nearly all of that acreage is under cultivation. Mrs. Goodale has seventy- seven aeres on section 27, all under cultivation but ten acres of timber, and occupied by a married daughter. In his early years Mr. Goodale had much work to do of a pioneer nature and he knows well how people lived when this country was being developed.
Moses Goodale. father of our subjeet, was born in Vermont in 1796, and adopted the occupation of farming, although his father, Isaac Goodale, was a carpenter. Grandfather Goodale was born in Massachusetts in 1755. Moses Goodale married Patty Beckwith, who was born in New Hampshire December 6, 1800, and whose father, Abel, was a soldier in the War of 1812. The marriage took place March 29, 1827, and they came to this State the
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