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 88
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A first cousin of our subject is W. J. McConnell, at present United States Senator from Idaho. He was boru in Commerce Township and received his early education here and resided here until he was twelve years old. Ile is now a resident of Moscow.
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Idaho. Senator McConnell is a self- made man. having risen to his present eminence by means of industry, perseverance and the employment of his native talent. Ile has large business interests in Moscow, and in Pullman, Wash., and is connected with the First National Bank at Moscow.
Joseph Coulter, the brother of our subject, was born November 23, 1843, and died October 4, 1889. He married, February 2, 1870, Miss Addie Simpson, a daughter of Robert and Ellen( Wallace) Simpson. Her parents were born, the mother in New York and the father in the North of Ireland. They had been residents of Bloomfield Township since 1830 and cleared up a farm there. Mr. Simp- son died in 1878, aged seventy five years. Mrs. Simpson still survives and lives at Pontiac, Mich., having reached the age of seventy-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Coulter were the parents of two children-Harry M., born February 17, 1877, and Bertha E., born March 9, 1883. Our subject has the deserved esteem of his neighbors, who respect his character and enjoy his good social qualities.
OSEPH P. FISHER, one of the prominent citizens of White Lake Township, carries on a farm on section 6. His father was Joseph P., the son of Timothy Fisher, a native of Massachusetts. The grandfather went at an early day from Massachusetts to New Hampshire. Here he reared his family upon a farm and brought them up in the faith of the Congregational Church, and here he died. Ilis son, Joseph P., was born in Ded- ham, Mass., in 1800. When a small boy he went to New Hampshire with his father. Here he grew to manhood and married Sylvia Gould. To them were born four sons and six daughters: Joseph P' .. our subject; Milton E .; John S .; Alonzo; Alvira M .; Adeline ; Philanda; Nancy ; Jane; and Orvilla D.
The father of the subject of this sketchi came to Michigan in 1834. and settled in White Lake Town- ship. When seventy-five years of age he removed to Allegan County, where he remained with his daughter, Mrs. Jane Moore, until he was called away from earth, lle at one time owned one hun-
dred and sixty aeres. Deer and Indians were his frequent callers during the early years of his life in this State, and bears and wildcats were numerous. Ile was a hard-working man and opened up a great deal of land. At one time he threshed out five acres of wheat with a flail, with a crutch under each arm. His widow died in Allegan County. about two years after the decease of her husband. At different times during his life he was a member of different churches, but was in the communion of the Seventh Day Baptists at the time of his death.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born February 7, 1820, at Crown Point, N. Y., ou the shores of Lake Champlain. When sixteen years old he came to Michigan with his parents. He be- gan working on a farm for wages when twenty years old, and received $10 per month, the high- est wages paid. He paid one month's wages for a barrel of flour and $2 for a team to draw it home. In 1848 he returned East to bring his wife to the new home. He was married October 4, 1848, in Buffalo, N. Y., to Mrs. Ann E. (Nixon) Noyes, a daughter of Edward Nixon, a native of Ireland, where he died in 1839. In 1842 his widow, Eliz- abeth Nixon, came to America and settled at Ft. Gratiot, St. Clair County, this State, where she lived until her death in 1844. Their daughter Ann was born February 21, 1824, in County Cavan, Ireland, and was therefore seventeen years of age when she came to Michigan. Her first marriage occurred in 1844, when she became the wife of Sergeant George Noyes of the Fifth Infantry. United States Army. To them two children were born: Emma (deceased), and George N., who re- sides in Terra Ilaute, Ind., and is express messen- ger for the Chicago and Eastern Railway.
Seven children have blessed the home of Mr. Fisher and wife. They are as follows : Florence P., Edward A., Sylva P., Franklin P., Edward A .. Abraham L. and Albert S. Mr. Fisher has always followed farming. Before his marriage he had ac- quired by his own efforts, one hundred and twenty acres in Springfield Township, and at present he owns one hundred and forty-three acres. He has been a hard-working man and has cleared much land. In 1863 he purchased the hotel building at White Lake for the express purpose of driving the
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demoralizing trade of strong drink out of his neigh- borhood. He moved into the hotel. April 3, and this enraged the people who had rented the place for the sale of liquor, and they raised almost a riot. They were determined that Mr. Fisher should have no peace while he was in the hotel. They thrust one man through the window, breaking the whole window. They broke locks and knocked off plas- tering and did all the damage they could. This excitement occurred while the township meeting was being held at the hotel, and many of the men were under the influence of liquor, but Mr. Fisher kept cool and carried himself quietly through the turmoil and came out victorious. He is not a party man and always strives to vote conscientiously for the best candidate.
ORRIS WHEELER. a farmer residing on section 3, Highland Township, is a son of Cyrus Wheeler, a son of Benjamin, who was born in Massachusetts and married there. At an early day he went to Ontario County, N. Y., where he ended his days. His wife was a Miss Short of Massachusetts. He served for seven years in the War of the Revolution, and received a pension for his services. He owned considerable land in New York which he farmed. Ile was also a distiller and a drover. He gave his children each a farm.
Cyrus Wheeler was born in East Bloomfield. Ontario County, N. Y. Here he married his wife, Sarah Colt, and here inis son, our subject, was born. Cyrus died at the early age of twenty-one years. Ilis wife married a second time to a Dr. Andrew Wood, and by him she became the mother of seven children-Jane, Lavina. Nancy, Elizabeth, Andrew, Alva and Madison. The mother of our subject died in 1881 in Niagara County, N. Y.
Morris Wheeler was born in Ontario County, N. Y, in 1817. Here he lived in his native town, Bristol. until twenty-four years of age, when he removed to Ilighland Township, Oakland County, Mich., which he has made his permanent home.
Previous to his removal to Michigan he married in 1835, in Ontario County, Mary Whitemore, a daughter of Jonas Whitemore, a native of Massa- chusetts. To Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have been born the following children: Adeline, now Mrs. Downs residing at Milford: Cyrus V., residing in Highland Township; Jonas, living in Cheboygan County. Mich .; Alice, now Mrs. Bridgman, who resides in Milford Township; Charles and Ulysses, deceased : Frank, who is now Mrs. Watson and re- sides in Nebraska; Hattie, who is at home; Harry, who lives in Detroit, and is in business with a paper dealer, and Eliza, who is at home with her parents. The two oldest children were born in New York and the others in Highland Township.
In 1841, when Mr. Wheeler came to Michigan, the country was new and wild animals abounded. Hle often heard wolves howling near his home. Hle bought one hundred and twenty acres of land which he now owns, and erected on it buildings which now adorn it. His wife is an efficient and active member of the Presbyterian Church. Ilis political affiliations are with the Republican party, but he has never sought office at the hands of his fellow-citizens. In 1883 Mr. Wheeler purchased a stock of goods and started a grocery and queens- ware business in Cheboygan County, Mich. This business is carried on for him by his son Jonas.
OSEPH JOSSMAN, a merchant of Ox- ford, was born in Detroit, Mich., September 11, 1861. 1Ie is of German parentage, be- ing the son of Esidore and Sarah ( Lehman ) Jossman. His father came to this country in 1844 and his mother in 1845. Joseph Jossman located at Goodrich, Lapeer County, Mich., where he en- gaged in mercantile business. Later he removed to Clarkston, where he still resides, engaged in the same line of business. Mr. and Mrs. Jossman be- came the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living, and all are in Clarkston except Josephi.
lle of whom we write this life history was brought up to mercantile pursuits. Ile says lie can hardly remember when he first sold goods. In
Phlean Hammer
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1883 he began in business for himself in Oxford and opened up a general store, buying and selling produce, wool, etc. He has had excellent success in business and carries a general line to the value of about $10,000.
Mr. Jossman was united in marriage April 5, 1882, with Clara, daughter of Dr. C. G. Robertson. One son, Willie R., has been given to them. Mr. Jossman is a member of the Masonic Oder, of botb Chapter and Blue Lodge, also of the Knights of Pythias of uniform rank. He is a Knight of the Maccabees and a member of the Independent order of Foresters. In religion he is an adherent of the Jewish faith, and in politics, of the Democratic party.
ON. PASCAL D'ANGELIS WARNER, of Farmington Township, the youngest of three brothers who constituted the family of Seth A. L. and Sally (Wixom) Warner, was born August 12, 1822, in the town of Hector, then Tompkins County, but now Schuyler County, N. Y. In April, 1825, the father left the State of New York with his family, and coming to the Territory of Michigan, located in what is now Farmington, where he resided until his death, in 1846. The disadvantages, privations and suffer- ings incident to pioneer life in those early days were experienced by him and his family, but were borne with cheerfulness, patience and Christian fortitude.
The father being in straitened circumstances and feeble health, the children were early thrown upon their own resources, and thus became the architects of their own fortunes. The youngest, having en- joyed very limited educational advantages, was per- mitted to leave home at the age of fourteen, and engaged as clerk in a country store. For the suc- ceeding nine years bis principal business was clerk- ing, being employed the last year in the city of Detroit. During the first five years of this time he was usually allowed to attend school some por- tion of the winter months. Nearly the whole of the sixth year was spent at a private school in
Northville, where he completed a fair English edu- cation. On the occasion of his going to reside at Detroit he assumed the name of Dean in place of his second Christian name, for the purpose of rid- ding himself of an undesirable nickname, which had adhered to him from his earliest chidhood. Ever afterward he was known only as P. Dean Warner. Returning to Farmington in 1845, he engaged in merchandising, and continued in the trade until 1863, when he retired from business, and has since devoted himself to the management of his estate and the discharge of various public trusts.
His first political associations were with the Democratic party. In 1845 he received the ap- pointment of Deputy Postmaster at Farmington, and retaine'l the position until the inauguration of President Taylor, in 1849, when he resigned the office. In 1846, 1858 and 1859 he was Clerk of his township, and discharged the duties of that office efficiently during those years. In November, 1850, he was elected one of the six Representatives from the County of Oakland, and served as a member of the House during the regular and extra sessions of the Legislature in 1851.
Mr. Warner always held radical views in regard to the question of slavery, but saw no way under the Constitution by which the nation could be ex- tricated from its complicity with that institution. Ile was therefore willing to abide by what was termed " The Compromises of the Constitution," but when it was proposed in the XXXIIId Con- gress (on providing Territorial governments for Kansas and Nebraska) to repeal the legislation of 1820. by which, after the admission of Missouri, all the then remaining territory of the United States was forever dedicated to freedom, he zeal- ously opposed the proposition. Ile believed that the measure was not only unjust in principle, but a breach of National faith. He thus lost the favor of many of his political associates, and soon found himself outside of any political organization, and he therefore identified himself with the Republican movement then being inaugurated.
In April, 1855, our subject was elected Justice of the Peace, and re-elected in 1859, 1867, 1871, 1881 and 1885. In 1862 he was elected Supervisor of
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his township, and continued in this office for five years. In 1864 he was again chosen a member of the Ilouse from the Fifth District of Oakland County, and became somewhat conspicuous for his knowledge of parliamentary law, and for his active advocacy of the right to their seats of those mem- bers who had been elected by the aid of soldiers' votes. In November, 1866, he was again re- elected to the House, and on the convening of the Legislature he was chosen Speaker. Ile discharged the duties of that position with such promptness and acceptability that no ruling of his was called in question by any member during a protracted and laborious session. At its close the following resolution was offered by a member of opposing polities and unanimously adopted :
WHEREAS, The Hon. P. Dean Warner has, by his eminent abilities, uniform kindness and impar- tiality in the discharge of the responsible and onerous duties of the Chair, won the friendship and esteem of the members of this House, regard- less of political distinction; therefore,
Resolved, That our sincere regards and well- wishes will ever attend him in all the relations of life. and we most cordially extend to him the thanks of the House.
In April, 1867, Mr. Warner was elected one of the four delegates to represent the County of Oak- land in a Constitutional Convention authorized to be held during that year. Owing to indisposition he was illy prepared for the arduous duties de- volving upon him during the sittings of this con- vention. In the fall of 1868 he was elected Senator from the Fifth Senatorial District. Ile served his constituents during the regular session of 1869 and the extra session of 1870. Besides this he has held a Notarial commission for most of the time during the past forty years, In meeting the obligations and discharging the duties of all these official positions he was ever governed by an honest purpose and a wise discretion. Ile has re- lied more upon the merits of his case, his genial disposition and courteous manner for success, than upon the strength of his oratory or the clearness of his argument. In June, 1866, he was selected to represent the interests of his county before the State Board of Equalization, and the fidelity with which he performed the duties
of that appointment was illustrated in the reduc- tion of over $11,000 on the tax apportionment of his county.
Senator Warner was married November 8, 1815, to Miss Rhoda E. Botsford, the third daughter of Lemuel and Lucy (Smith) Botsford, a lovely and amiable lady, with whom he has lived happily to the present time. Ilaving no children of their own, they adopted a son and daughter. On the break- ing out of the War of the Rebellion he labored earnestly to inspire confidence and patriotic devo- tion among the people. It need only be said that the Government had no more zealous and faithful
supporter of all the measures adopted for the sup- pression of the Rebellion than it found in him. Ilis religious views coincide with those of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a prom- inent member for many years, In 1878, in com- pany with his son, he visited the Paris Exposition and took quite an extended trip through various portions of Europe.
A lithographie portrait of the lon. Mr. Warner is presented in connection with this biographical notice.
G RIFFIN CARPENTER owns and occupies a farm located in Lyon and Novi Town- ships, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of thoroughly developed land. Mr. Carpen- ter has owned three hundred and fifteen acres at one time, but has reduced his possessions, as he assisted his children to make a start in the world. llaving known what it was to begin the battle of life unaided and to toil and struggle in order to get a footing, he has been desirous of doing for his own offspring more than circumstances made it possible for his father to do for him. Ile started in life for himself by clearing land at $10 per acre and boarding himself, and little by little he saved the wherewithal to secure and improve a farm. Industry and good management brought added prosperity, and he now has a good home and pleas- ant surroundings.
Mr. Carpenter was reared to farm life, his father
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having been engaged in agricultural pursuits. The latter, William Carpenter, was born in New York in 1792 and obtained a common-school education. He lived with his brother-in-law until he was eigh- teen years old, doing farm work in the summer, and teaching in the winter as soon as his age would allow of his getting a school. Ile was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1817 he married Mary Taylor, a native of New York, born in 1799, and buying eighty aeres of land in Niagara County, he re- mained in his native State until 1836. Ile then sold out and came to this State, via Buffalo. Soon after leaving that port the vessel was injured in a storm and the captain put in at Cleveland, Ohio, where Mr. Carpenter embarked on another boat. The second vessel was wreeked, but the passengers were landed at Port Huron, Ohio, whence they came by land to this county. Mr. Carpenter bought eighty acres in Novi Township and subse- quently eighty acres in Lyon Township. He built a house on the latter tract and lived there until his death, in 1878. Ile was an honest, upright man, with good standing in religious circles, being a Deaeon in the Baptist Church. In polities he was a Republican. To him and his wife there came five daughters and five sons, and Griffin is the sec- ond son and third child.
The natal day of Griffin Carpenter was April 2, 1821, and his birthplace Niagara County, N. Y. He was a youth in his teens when he accompanied his parents hither, and he did much hard work on the new land on which they made their home. Ilis education was obtained in the common schools, and in mature years he has read and observed so as to keep himself well-informed regarding passing events. Ile is a sound Republican and has been since the Whig party was disorganized and a new one rose in its place. His first vote had been east for William Henry Harrison. Ile has often been solieited to fill official positions, but steadfastly re- fuses to do so. Ile does not belong to any religious organization but contributes to the support of the Protestant Methodist Church, as his bias of opinion is toward its tenets.
In 1816 Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Bet- sey Jones, third ehild of Thomas and Nabbie (Bird) Jones. Iler parents were natives of New York and
had two sons and nine daughters. Mrs. Carpenter was born May 29, 1828, and is the mother of five children-Willis F., whose home is in Lyon ; Mary N., wife of Joseph Paris of Grand Rapids; John F., who lives in Lyon ; Hiram, a resident of Cedar Springs, twenty miles north of Grand Rapids ; and Fred, who makes his home under the parental roof. For the past five years Mrs. Carpenter has been a great sufferer from neuralgia, which has so affected her system as greatly to impair her bodily activity.
ENRY TINKEN. This county is dotted over with fine farms where the land is brought to the highest possible productive- ness, rich crops are garnered and notable stoek raised, and every appointment that belongs to well-regulated estates is to be seen. The farm- houses of this section of the commonwealth are substantial and attractive buildings, and many of them would compare favorably in design and finish with those in the large towns. A number of such estates and dwellings beautify Avon Township and one of the finest is owned by the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs. The estate comprises two hundred and forty fertile acres, every rod of which is made useful or beautiful by careful management and judicious oversight. The farm-house is one of the best in the county, and is by many considered the model, par excellence.
Mr. Tinken is one of those German-American citizens to whom eredit must be given for much of the prosperity which depends upon the develop- ment of the material resourees of certain parts of the United States. Ile was born in Hanover, March 12, 1835, and is one of the seven children compris- ing the family of John and Catherine Tinken. His parents lived and died in the Fatherland, and he and a sister, Mrs. Anna Seebeck, living in Brook- lyn, N. Y., are the only survivors of their family. In 1855 Henry Tinken erossed the Atlantic and established himself in New York where he was em- ployed as clerk in a grocery store. In 1860 be turned his footsteps westward, and reaching this
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county turned his attention to farming, of which he has made a decided success.
The lady who presides over the household econ- omy at Mr. Tinken's home became his wife in January, 1859. She bore the maiden name of Margaret Lubitz, is descended from an old and re- spectable German family, and is a careful house- keeper, a devoted mother and a companion who is in sympathy with her husband's desires and beliefs. To Mr. and Mrs. Tinken there have been born six children, named respectively . Anna, Ettie, John, Henry, William and George. Anna is now the wife of A. L. Ross, and Ettie of W. J. Lomason ; William lives in Detroit, but the other sons are at home.
The political allegiance of Mr. Tinken is given to Democratie principles and policies. in the justice of which he has firm faith. He has served as Town Commissioner a year and has done well in his otli- cial capacity. lle is interested in the cause of education and other elevating movemeats, and shows a keen desire to give his children liberal schooling. He keeps them at their studies, encour- ages them in every way possible and sets before them the benefits of therough knowl lge. In his personal affairs he displays great clergy and in whatever he undertakes he is full of life and vigor.
0 LIVER D. DRAPER, a resident of Brandon Township, was born 'n tatja gryns County, N. Y., Angust 10. 1> 15. Ile is the son of Barrett, the son of Oliver, both natives of New York State and of German descent. Oliver Drager. Sr., came here in October, 1836, and took up from the Government three hundred and twenty acres of land. Here he laborol for twenty years and died when seventy two years old. He was a Why in politics, and an active member of the Baptist Church, having aided in organizng that church here Ile and his good wife, Polly Bennett, reared a large family of children. Her family was of Irish (lescent.
The father of our subject came here a few years after his marriage. in October, 1836, by boat and
ox-team. Ile was given eighty aeres by his father and erected a log house. The Indians were friendly with him and were frequent visitors. lle saw hard times and worked in harvest near Roches- ter for six shillings a day and took it in provisions which he carried home on his back. He gained a handsome property and at one time owned two hundred acres of land and had large crops of wheat. After living a short time in Ortonville, he removed to Tuscola County, where he died in 1878, having nearly reached his seventieth year. Ile was a Whig and a Republican, and filled the office of Justice of the Peace and Notary Public.
The mother of our subject hore the maiden name of-llarriet Bowen. She had only two children, Almira and Oliver D. She was called from earth when only thirty-nine years old. The second mar- riage of Barrett Draper was with Adeline Water. bury. This union resulted in the birth of four children, and their mother is still living. The ma- ternal grandfather of our subject was Darius Bowen, of English descent. He was a native of Connecticut but migrated to New York State when quite young and died there at the age of seventy years.
Oliver D. Draper was in his second year when he came to Michigan with his parents. Ile saw more Indians than whites in his early years and fre- quently visited their camps. Ile began to work for himself at twenty-three years of age, and when twenty-four settled on the farm which he now oc- cupies, upon land given him by his father. Forty acres of it were cleared and fenced but there was no house. Ile built a small frame house and es- tablished his home here with his bride. Her maiden name was Jane Smith, and she was born in Scho- harie County, N. Y., March 14, 1811. She had five children, namely. Major A .. who married Martha Perry and farms in this township; Warren, who married Alice Green, is a farmer in Washing- ington: Tillee, who married Lydia Mitchell, farms in this township; Burt and Orrin are at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Draper are Baptists in religious faith. Mr. Draper's polities are Republican with strong Prohibition proclivities. Ile isa Patron of Industry. lle has one hundred and twenty acres, one hundred of which are cleared. He makes a
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