Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 89

Author:
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman bros.
Number of Pages: 980

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Jours July Alongo Sibley

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specialty of raising sheep, and breeds the Merino sheep. His flock generally numbers from one hundred to one hundred and fifty. He built the home in which he now resides in 1880, and his largest barn was erected in 1865.

LONZO SIBLEY, one of the prominent and wealthy citizens of this county, re- sides on an attractive and productive farm in Commerce Township. IJe is one of the local leaders in the Republican party and has been identified with that political body since 1856. His father was Elias Sibley, a native of New IJamp. shire, and his grandfather was Ebenezer Sibley, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The mother of our subject, Ruth A Chase, was a native of Con- necticut. On both sides the family is descended from the Pilgrims.

After marriage Elias Sibley and wife moved to Preston, Chenango County, N. Y., where they set- tled ou a new farm. In 1826 they moved to Wayne County, N. Y., and there they resided until 1834, when they came to Michigan and settled on a new farm in Bloomfield Township, this county. Mr. Sibley died about thirty-five years ago and his widow survived him but two years. They were active and devoted members of the Presbyterian Church. Of their family of seven children our subject is the only one now living.

'Squire Sibley was born July 14, 1810, in Pres- ton, Chenango County, N. Y. He went to the district schools in the days when English grammar began to be taught and he remembers how the local school board met in special session and resolved that those who wanted to study grammar should attend private schools. He began work for himself at sixteen years and when eighteen years old his father gave him his time. He worked on farms for others by the month until he came to Michigan. IIe landed at Detroit May 10, 1831, from the little steamer "Sheldon Thompson," one of the two steamers then plying on the lakes. Ile was eight days making the passage. Michigan was at that

time very sparsely settled, but Indians and wild animals abounded.

The young man went prospecting through the State and soon selected his present farm; he bought eighty acres from the Government, the deed for which was signed by President Andrew Jackson. It was timbered openings interspersed with small plains. In the fall of 1831 he returned home and spent the winter. In the spring he came West again, built a log house here, began clearing off the land and putting in erops, and also fenced in a few acres. In the fall of 1832 he returned home and in the following April was married to Mary Heath, who was born in 1813 in Monroe County, N. Y. The young couple proceeded directly to Michigan and made their home on the farm. Mrs. Sibley became the mother of one child who died in infancy, and she was called from earth in 1836.

The second marriage of our subjeet occurred in 1837. He was then united with Sarah Ann Heath, a sister of his former wife. She died in 1873, leaving seven children, three of whom are now living, namely : Mary Jane, wife of James Pratt, living near Traverse City; Watson A., who mar- ried Maggie Hubble and lives at Muskegon; and .Judson L., who married Lucia Banks and is a prom- inent merchant at Wixom. . Mrs. Pratt is the mother of three children; Watson is the father of four children and Judson also has four.

The present Mrs. Sibley was Adeline, daughter of William and Lucy ( Dennis) Colby, and she was united in marriage with our subjeet November 26, 1875. Her parents were New Englanders who came from Maine in the early days and settled in Wayne County. N. Y. Mr. Colby was a Minute Man in the War of 1812. He died in 1836 at the age of forty-five years. She afterwards married again and came to Michigan in 1855. Her second husband was the Rev. Samuel Wire, a minister of the Free Will Baptist Church. They settled at Sibley's Corners, where he preached in the school- house and afterwards in the church which was erected. Ile carried on his ministry for about twelve years and died June 6, 1870. His wife fol- lowed him to the grave September 18, 1871.

Mrs. Sibley is one of ten children of her parents, and was born June 10, 1817, in Wayne County,

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N. Y., where she received her schooling. She came to Michigan with her mother and step-father and kept house for them. Mr. Sibley has three hun- dred and fifty aeres of land on his farm, two hun- dred of which are under cultivation. Ilis barn was built in 1836 and his residence fifty years ago. when it was considered a fine house, and altogether the best in that section. He has had this farm under cultivation for sixty years, and is now the only person living who resided here the year he came. He keeps three hundred line wool sheep, besides other stock. He joined himself with the Free Will Baptists when the church was organized here fifty-three years ago. For tifty years he has served as Deacon and has been one of the Trustees of this chrreb which he helped to organize. Hle is a liberal giver to its benevolent work.

'Squire Sibley is a member of the School Board and has held three scholarships in Hillsdale College where his son Judson was graduated in the scien- tific course. This son also took a business course in Detroit. Ilis eldest son, Watson, served in the Twenty-second Michigan Infantry for a term of three years and took part in many battles. acting also as Hospital Steward. Our subject was a Dem- oerat until 1856 when he became a Republican, in which party he has held allegiance ever since. Ile has been a delegate to many county, Congressional and State conventions. He has been Assessor and Highway Commissioner, and was Justice of the Peace for twelve years. Ile is strictly temperate and a grand old gentleman. His many friends will be pleased to notice his portrait on another page.

UGUSTUS C. TIBBILS, a farmer of Bloom- field Township, was born in Lapeer County, Mich., September 10, 1836. Ilis parents, John and Clarissa H. (Brown) Tibbils, came from New York State to Michigan in the pioneer days and settled in Avon, Oakland County. The father was a carpenter by trade and did a great deal of work in Pontiac. He used to travel back and forth from Flint to Saginaw when the only road was an Indian trail and there were but

two houses in Flint. He never accumulated prop- erty, as he was very liberal and somewhat careless about collecting. He was in his political views first a Whig and later a Republican. Both he and his wife died in Flint at the home of our subject.

Augustus Tibbils was one of the younger chil- dren of a family of sixteen. Ilis early days were spent in Pontiac Township; when nine years old he removed to the vicinity of llolly, and when fourteen years old he went to Flushing, Genesee County, and remained there until 1861, when he removed to Flint.

On November 15 of that year the young man whose name heads this sketch enlisted as a private in Company D. Thirteenth Michigan Infantry. After serving almost two years with the army of the Cumberland he was discharged July 16, 1863, at Nashville, Tenn., on account of disability from a gunshot wound in the thigh received at the battle of Stone River. Ile took part in the battles of Shiloh, Stevenson, Ala., Perry ville, Ky., and Stone River.

After he was discharged this young hero returned to Flint and remained there until 1872, when he moved to Big Rapids, where he lived for ten years. lle then returned to Oakland County, and bought his present farm. He has never had health since he left the service of the Government, and received a pension at first of $6 per month, which at differ- ent times was increased until now he receives $16 per month. He owns some mining land in the Black Hills. IJe is a Republican in his political views, and socially he is a Free and Accepted Ma- son of the Royal Arch degree.

The marriage of Mr. Tibbils and Miss Mary Graham, of Flint, Mich., was solemnized October 18, 1868. This lady is a daughter of Alexander and Clarissa (Rounds) Graham, of Canada, where their daughter was born. This marriage resulted in the birth of seven children, three living, namely : Willie Elmo, Bird Alexander, and Harry Augustus. The mother of these children was snatched away from them by death March 13, 1880, at the age of forty years.

The second marriage of our subject took place May 31, 1883, when he was united with Emma M. Wilcox, of Farmington, this county. Mrs. Tibbils

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was born in Livonia, Wayne County, Mich., No- vember 11, 1857. She is a daughter of George and Ellen (Bunn) Wileox, natives of England, who came to Michigan in 1850, and settled in Farming- ton, this county. Mr. Wilcox died at his home stead and his wife still survives.

The parents of our subject were very poor and unable to give him an education. He was thrown upon his own resources when but a mere boy and had not only to support himself but to care for his parents. This family has a grand record of pa- triotie service to the country during the Civil War. Our subject's brother Edgar served for almost three years, in Company F, Second Michigan Infantry, and had his lower jaw shot off. John H., a younger brother, was a member of the same company and served until the close of the war, passing the last year and a half of that service in Libby Prison. The eldest brother, Charles F., served as wagon- master until the close of the war in Company C, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry. Henry, another brother, enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry and served until the close of the war, being one of the party who captured Jefferson Davis. All of these heroes are still living, constituting five mem- bers of the same family in the service and being all the sons of that family who were then alive.

The subject of this sketch left Kalamazoo in 1862 and from there went to Jeffersonville, Ind. From that point he was marched down the river for five miles and went on board a boat to Salt Creek. The regiment there went into camp and afterwards marched to Bowling Green, Ky., and there was brigaded with the Sixty-fourth and Sixty- fifth Ohio, and Fifty-first Indiana regiments under Gen. James A. Garfield. They were marched to Nashville and from there to Shiloh with Buell. They then went on to Decatur, Ala., and took the cars thenee to Stevenson, Ala., where they built the fort and took part in an engagement.

On Angust 31, 1862, this regiment began a forced march to Nashville, Tenn., arriving there the 8th of September. On September 10, they marched through Nashville to a place ten miles north, where they drew rations and were put again upon a forced march. At one o'clock that night they went into camp near Gallatin, Tenn. They remained there

for two weeks and were then again put upon a forced march to Bowling Green, Ky., making thirty-nine miles in one day. After two weeks rest they went to Cave City, Ky. They then went on to Salt Creek and into camp eight miles below Louisville. During the trip from Cave City to the last named place they drew no rations except raw flour. But the same night at 8 o'clock they were again put on the road and were marched into Louisville, being in that vicinity when Gen. Nelson was shot. They were sent into Eastern Kentucky. and took part in the Perryville fight, and from there were sent on to Nashville.

At the time they reached that city the regiment had marched over fourteen hundred miles from the time they joined the service, December 26, 1862. They went on to Stone River and took part in that engagement, being on the extreme right flank of the army and belonging to Gen. Harker's brigade. Here our hero was wounded on the see- ond day of the fight and lay in the hospital at Murfreesboro for about two months. He was then transferred to the hospital at Nashville, until he regained his health sufficiently to come home, when he was given an honorable discharge.

ARVEL A. WHITE, a resident of Farming- ton, was born in Worcester County, Mass., April 1, 1821. His father, Alpheus White, a farmer and blacksmith, was born in the same county in 1762, and ended his days there in 1827. Ilis ancestors were of the Puritan stock of Plymouth Rock. The mother of our subject, Lydia Taft, was born in 1764 and died in 1847. Her days were spent in Massachusetts. They were the parents of ten children, four daughters and six sons, only two of whom are now living, our subject and his youngest sister. Ile learned the black- smith's trade with his older brother in his native place, and worked at it until his removal to Canan- daigua, Ontario County, N. Y. Here he engaged as a Steward in a female seminary and filled this position for six months.

The marriage of Mr. White took place May 4,

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1846. His bride was Sarah A. Rogers, who was born in June. 1824, in Bloomfield. N. Y. Imme- diately after marriage the young couple came to Novi Corners, Oakland County, and Mr. White operated a blacksmith shop there for seven years. He then removed his business and his family to Farmington. He had a prosperous run of business and kept three or four men in his employ. Ile and his estimable wife became the parents of six chil- dren, namely-Anna. Mrs. Louis Philbrick, of Farmington; J. Iliram, who resides in Bancroft Shiawassee County; Alpheus, who died in infancy : Lydia, Mrs. Eugene Edwards, of Farmington; Frank, of Farmington. and Jennie, who resides at home with her parents. Mr. White was the Town- ship Clerk of Novi for four years, and has filled the same position in Farmington for twenty-six years. About thirteen years ago he gave up black- smithing and has devoted his time and strength to farming. He is a Mason and belongs to Farming- ton Lodge, No. 151. Both Mr. and Mrs. White are earnest and efficient members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. in which they find an abundant field for usefulness.

G ARDUROU'S WEBSTER. a retired farmer and harness-maker who resides in Farming- ton, was born in Clarence. Erie County. N. Y., April 21, 1813. His father. Justice Web- ster, was born in Whitestown. Oneida County. N. Y., in 1781. He was a farmer and a chairmaker. His wife, Eliza Doney, was a native of Clarenee, Erie County. Iler father was a Revolutionary sol- dier under La Fayette.

The parents of our subject were married in New York, and to them were given ten children. They had the happiness of seeing all this large family. with the exception of one, grow to manhood and womanhood, and establish homes of their own. When their little flock numbered only seven, they removed to Canada. The father was not prosper- ous, and the boys early had to take hold and help support the family. Young Gardurous worked out by the month, and turned in his wages to the

family purse until 1832, when he went to Detroit, Mich., and there learned the harness and trunk trade. ITe served as an apprentice for three years, and then worked as journeyman for the same man until he had earned 8100. lle then went to Bata- via. N. Y., where he earned another $100. Ile then visited his home and afforded some substan- tial help to the family. Ile returned to Detroit and worked at his trade until he had reimbursed himself for what he had spent in traveling and in assisting his people. In 1837 he came to Oakland County and bought a farm of eighty acres in Farm- ington Township as a home for his parents. This land was very little improved, but had a log house upon it. Ile paid down $200 and was to pay $50 more in two months, and the remainder in two an- nual installments of $100 each. This money he must needs make by working at his trade. He made the first supplementary payment of $50 when it fell dne. He then went to Ohio and spent some years there working at Columbus, Springfield, U'r- bana, and at different places. Ile was industrious and frugal, and when the year rolled around he had the $100 to make the next payment. This was in June, 1839. lle returned to Detroit for a short time and then went to New York State and worked hard to complete the payment of his farm, in which he was successful.

Mr. Webster then went to Canada in June of 1840 and worked at his trade, after which he returned to Michigan and went to work to clear up the farm which he had bought. His marriage took place in 1841. Ile was then united with Lorinda Sandrough, of New York. She lived only three years after marriage, and his second marriage took place in 1846, his present wife having borne the maiden name of Lueinda Green. They are the parents of six children : Charles Loren, Wilmitt Ilale, Maria Louisa (died in infancy), James Judson, Emma Dell (wife of Rev. C. II. Morgan, minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church at West Bay City), Jennie Maria (wife of Edward E. Grace, a merchant at Farmington).

After the loss of his first wife, April 1, 1845, our subject left his farm and came to Farmington and started a harness-shop. Ile carried on this business until 1871, when he sold out and retired from ac-

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tive life. He has about fifteen acres of land sur- rounding his residence in the village, Ile is a Re- publiean in politics, and cast his first vote for Ilarrison in 1840, and his last vote for Benjamin Ilarrison. He has acted as Street Commissioner, and has been Treasurer of the village of Farming- ton for fifteen years. He is professedly a Christian man, and his belief is in accord with that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but he is not con- nected with any local organization,

S AMUEL S. LAWRENCE, a farmer on sec- tion 10, Highland Township, is a son of John Lawrence, son of John, a native of Connec- tient, who went to Vermont when a young man, and locating his farm, returned to Connecticut and was married, llis father, Jonathan, was a native of Holland, of English parentage. When a child his parents returned to England. The father of Mrs. Lawrence disinherited her, and she with her hus- band and child sailed for America, where young Jonathan was reared in Worcester, Mass. This emigration of John and Mary (Townsley ) Lawrence, took place in 1714. They had been married in 1693, and both died in 1743.

Their son Jonathan, who was the great-grandfa- ther of our subject, married Elizabeth Buttrick, who died in 1735. His second marriage, in 1738, was with Hannah Robins, Unto them were born six children-Jonathan, Mary, Nathaniel, Abigail, John (the grandfather of our subject), and Will- iam. The children by the first wife were-Experi- ence,Samuel, Jacob and Josiah. Jonathan Lawrence spent his latter days in Connecticut, where he died in 1769. The grandfather of our subject was born in 1746, in Connecticut, and married in 1769, Mary Cleveland, who was born in 1748, This couple died, he in 1825 and she in 1836.

The children of the grandfather of our subject were: Ruth, Pitt, John (deceased), Sarah (de- ceased), Lydia, Sarah, Mary, John (the father of our subject), Samuel (deceased), and Alice. This John Lawrence was a farmer and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, He was a Minute Man in the

battle of Bennington. John Lawrence, Jr., was born January 7, 1786, in Bennington, Vt. In the same place he was married to Susan Stanton in 1806. After a few years they removed to New York, and settled in Spafford, Onondaga County. Here they lived about twelve years, and then re- moved to Cortland County, and after a few years came to Michigan, where they arrived in 1835. Their children were: Ilannah N., Phoebe S., John C., Russel J., Pitt, Minerva, Alanson T., Porter J., Samuel S. and Luman N., who all lived to ma- turity.

When John Lawrence first eame to Michigan, he purchased one hundred and fifty acres in Wash- ington Township, Macomb County. He afterward added forty acres, and then sold his farm and went to Oxford Township, Oakland County, where he resided until his death, August 2, 1855. His faith- ful wife survived him until May 23, 1866. They were both earnest and consistent members of the Baptist Church. He was a Democrat, and was for nine years Justice of the Peace in Macomb County. Ile was a school teacher in an early day, and for some years he kept tavern in connection with farm- ing.

Samuel S. Lawrence was born April 23, 1824, in Onondago County, N. Y. At the age of eleven years he came West with his parents. January, 1846, saw his marriage with Laura L. Alma, a na- tive of New York, where she was born January 28, 1831. Their wedding took place in Oakland County. Their wedded life lasted only the short period of six years, when the wife was called to her heavenly home August 30, 1852. In 1848 Mr. Lawrence left the farm of his father, and settled in Oxford on a farm of fifty acres, which he ultimately increased to one hundred and fifty broad and fer- tile acres, lle traveled for an insurance company for about two years, and in 1864 came to Highland Township, where he has since resided. Here he owns two hundred and forty acres upon which he has erected good buildings.

The second marriage of our subject took place March 26, 1855, in Oxford Township, Oakland County. His wife, Almeda Tindall, is a daughter of Joseph and Patience R. (Freeman) Tindall, na- tives of New York. To this couple were born the

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following children, who are all living: Francis, Carrie, Fred, Will, Ina and Ed. Mr. Lawrence is a breeder of Shropshire sheep, and a general farmer. Not only he and his excellent wife, but most of his family are members of the Congregational Church. He and three of his sons are earnest Prohibitionists, and he has worked and voted for Prohibition for nineteen years, previous to which he was a Demo- crat. Ile was educated with more than ordinary care in his youth, and has been a teacher during some portions of his life.

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P ETER GREEN. This gentleman is one of the native-born citizens who has found no better place in which to live and carry on business than this county, and that part of it in which his eyes opened to the light. The most of the time since his youth has been spent by him in the village of Clarkston, and for some years past he has been engaged in the livery business here. Ile keeps a good line of teams and buggies, and is also the owner of the bus line that carries passengers between the village and the railroad station, two miles distant. For about ten years he has had charge of the American Express delivery and for fourteen years he has carried the United States mail. The last fact alone is sufficient to prove his promptness and reliability in that which lie undertakes.

Mr. Green was born in Independence Township, August 9, 1844. His parents, John and Elinor (Addis) Green, were natives of Sussex County, N. J. The father died when the subject of this sketeh was but four years old and the mother passed away in 1885. They had ten children, eight of whom are now living. l'eter grew to the age of sixteen years on a farm, pursuing the usual studies in the neighboring school, and learning much regarding the care of horses that he has found useful in later years. When he started ont in life for himself his first occupation was driving a bus for N. E. Dun- ell, for whom he worked five years.

Our subject then became a clerk in the store of V. Green at Holly, but after a twelvemonth he de-

cided that he could not stand the confinement necessary in that occupation, and returning to Clarkston, be resumed his former employment. In 1879 he started the draying and delivery business on a small scale, but as success was hiis, hie soon afterward embarked in the livery business. Un- doubtedly the chief reason for the success with which he has met is to be found in the striet atten- tion he pays to his engagements and the care with which he meets them. Ile has a pleasant home, located on Main Street, nearly opposite his stable.

The marriage of Mr. Green and Miss Emma Net- ting, daughter of George Netting of Detroit, was solemnized October 8, 1880, and has been followed by mutual happiness. Mr. and Mrs. Green have one child, a daughter. Lella M., who was born Jan- uary 17, 1884. Mr. Green has been Constable of Independence Township six years and Marshal of Clarkston five years. Politically he is a Democrat and one of the kind who votes a straight ticket. lle belongs to Tent No. 35, K. O. T. M.

n ORMAN J. ELLIS, a remarkably successful farmer and stock-raiser and a business man of unusual ability, resides on section 14, Springfield Township. He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., June 18, 1844. He is the son of Benjamin, the son of Eleser, both natives of New York State. The grandfather is of Scotch descent and was a physician in Ontario County, where he died at eighty-six years of age. He was a Whig in politics. The father of our subject came to this county in 1864 and located on one hundred and fifty acres of land on section 13, Springfield Town. ship. Ile was a Republican in politics and died at sixty-four years of age. ITis wife, Naney Frost, was a native of the same county as himself and was born there in 1818. Her three children all grew to manbood : Theron, George and Norman J. Their mother did not live to old age, but died when only forty years old.

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Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 89

Author: Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman bros. Number of Pages: 980

Author:
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman bros.
Number of Pages: 980