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 90
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The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, and when twenty-one years of age came to Oakland County, and took a farm to work on
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shares. Hle continned thus until 1872, when he purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of his present farm of four hundred and twenty aeres. now known as the Ingomar Stock Farm. An im- portant event for him took place March 7, 1867, when he was joined in marriage to Esther A. Swayze, a native of New Jersey, where she was born May 30, 1844, and a daughter of Anthony J. and Hannah ( Wamsley) Swayze, both born in New Jersey, the former in 1812 and the latter in 1816. Mr. Swayze was a miller in New Jersey, but eom- ing to Oakland County in 1854 he bought eighty acres of land adjoining the Anderson settlement, in Springfield Township. He was a good farmer and at his death in 1871 he owned two hundred and twenty-five acres of land. Ile was a man of in- telligence and a remarkable memory, and served for many years as Justice of the Peace. He was a member in good and regular standing of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. His wife, who reared a family of ten children, now resides with her son, John P. Swayze. Eight of her children are still living.
The grandfather of Mrs. Ellis, Israel Swayze, owned a large flour mill in New Jersey. Ile came to Oakland County in 1854 and bought three linn- dred and twenty acres of land, adjoining what was then Springfield village, on the old Detroit and Saginaw turnpike, where our subject now lives. Ile died there at an advanced age. The Swayze family in America originated with two brothers who came from Scotland in Colonial days.
Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have no children of their own, but have an adopted son, Glenn N., whom they found on their doorstep a forsaken babe. Mr. Ellis has five farms, comprising in all four hundred and twenty acres, three hundred of which is under cultivation. A portion of his land he has rented. He raised twenty-three hundred bushels of potatoes the last year and raises grain of all kinds. He is a breeder of blooded Percheron horses. He recently sold off sixteen head but has still a number of fine horses on the farm. Ile has three fine Percheron stallions, namely: "Ingomar," No. 1320 and "Pattachon," No. 5001 and 6473 imported from France by W. L. Elwood; and "Carnot." The latter was sired by "Ingomar,"
and bred on the Ingomar Stock Farm, owned by our subjeet. Mr. Ellis has bought and shipped stock to Buffalo and Albany for the past twenty- two years.
In 1883 the subject of this sketch built a fine large residence which was soon after destroyed by fire. In 1884 he built the beautiful and palatial home, which is the pride of the township. His horse barns are excellently arranged on the inside although not as fine in appearance as one would expeet on so excellent a farm. Our subject antiei- pates in the near future to build a more commo- dious and suitable stock barn.
C ORNELIU'S SELFRIDGE, a prominent and influential farmer of Addison Township, was born in Washington County, N. Y., October 30, 1820. His father was Isaac Selfridge, a blacksmith by trade, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and came near meeting his death by drowning in erossing Lake Champlain during his period of service. He was connected with the Presbyterian Church for many years, and died in Western New York in 1857.
The mother of our subjeet bore the maiden name of Mary McGathron. She was also a New Yorker, and actively interested in the religious life of her church home, being a member of the Presbyterian Church. She died in 1888, having reached the good old age of eighty-four years. Of her nine children, five are living.
Our subjeet is the eldest of nine children, and in consequence of the necessities of the family he received but a very limited district school educa- tion. Ile began work at the forge with his father, when quite a small boy, so small indeed, that the father had to build a platform for him to stand on while he worked the bellows. He worked with his father until he was twenty-five years old, and also engaged in farming by the month for neighbors. He worked out in a shop at $20 a month until he had accumulated $100, the first sum of money he ever possessed. He put this into a shop, going in with his father in the business, and the shop
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took fire and burned down. He then begin again with undaunted courage. In 1853 Mr. Selfridge came to Michigan and located on section 12. Addli- son Township, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of partly improved land, valued at 83,000. Ile paid $1,000 down and by dint of plnek, push and perseverance he was enabled to meet the payments as they came duc and to bi- prove and cultivate the farm. He Ins replacco the old log house with a burge and han Isome frame structure.
The subject of this sketch was married io Leroy. N. Y .. in 1850, to Adelai le Kendall. of Massa keu- setts. Three children came to brighten their for. Frank ; William G., who is mangel aml lives on the farm. and Addie. To all have bero given excel- Ient, school advantages. Mr. Selfridge is a thor- ough and stanch Republican in his political views. Hle has one hundred and eighty acres of lan land has given to his son some one hundred and sixty acres in another farm. He raises all kinds of live stock and may justly congratulate himself upon his handsome buildings, his finely cultivated farm and his general success in life.
LIVER P. LEONARD, a young and enter- prising farmer. is living on section 14. High- land Township. on the old homestead that was his birthplace. The farm was taken from the Government by his grandfather, Jonathan Leonard. of whom mention is made in the biographical sketch of Jonathan C. Leonard. on another' page. There our subject was born March 20. 1860, Cie property being at that time in the possession of his parents- Jason and Elizabeth ( Wardlow) Leonard. This land has been in the possession of the Leonard family more than half a century, de- seending from father to son. It is one of the landmarks in Highland Towiship and is a com- fortable home, having upon it orchords, shade trees, and small fruits, as well as good buildings and sub- stantial fences. A view of this old homestead ap- pears on another page.
Jason Leonard, father of our subject, was born
'n Parma, N. Y., May 9, 1819, and lived there un- til he was of age. Ile then came to this State and settled on one hundred and sixty acres given him by his father, in Highland Township. He also had fifty acres of timber land in White Lake and High- land Townships, which was bestowed upon him by his parent. He was married in Milford Township to Rachel .A. Atwood, who died leaving two sons, Theodore and William. The first-born died at the age of fifteen years and William is now living in Bay City. January 27, 1852, Jason Leonard was again married, his bride being a daughter of James · nd Elizabeth Wardlow, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. This union resulted in the birth of four sons and two daughters, namnely, Arm. Mrs. Charles St. John, whose home is in Highland Station; Mrs. Louisa C. E. Stiff, who lives at Clyde; Oliver, subject of this sketch; Joseph W., whose home is at Highland Station; Elmer J .. who resides in Saginaw and works on a milroad; Irvin ( .. who is studying telegraphy in Highland Station, The father was a lifelong far er and never aspired to public office but was always ready to vote and cast a Republican ballot; he died July 1. 1873.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs was thirteen years old when his father was called hence, and he remained with his mother and sided her in the care of the family until he was of age. lle has since purchased the old home- stead and now owns one hundred and fifty-three abres in Highland and twenty-eight acres in White Lake Township. Ile is a breeder of Short-horn cattle and is becoming quite well known to dealers. Ile is a Master Mason, belonging to Milford Lodge, No. 165. Politically, he follows in his father's footsteps as a sturdy Republican. His mother is a devout Methodist and he attends that church. lle is an honest, straightforward young man, pro- gressive in his ideas, well informed and energetic.
Mr. Leonard was married February 18, 1885, in Highland Township, to Emma Shoebridge, oldest daughter and third child of George and Jane (Smead) Shoebridge. The other members of the family are Henry, George, Ella, Albert. Belle, Benjamin and Lilly, living, and Mary deceased. Mr. Shoebridge is a native of England, whence he
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RESIDENCE OF OLIVER P. LEONARD, SEC. 14., HIGHLAND TP., OAKLAND CO., MICH .
I
CRAIG AUTOMATIC ROLLER MILLS.
ELECTRIC LIGHT
DEP'T.
WAREHOUSE 10,000,66/51
M.C.RR 11537.
CRAIG WHEAT CLEANER COMPANY'S MILLS, ( 300 bbls.) OXFORD., MICH.
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came to America when a young man, settling in New York. There he was married and lived until 1878, when he came to this State, making his first ltome in Walled Lake, Commerce Township, this county. From that point he came to Ilighland Township, where he spent the remnant of his days, dying November 11, 1887. Ilis wife died in 1874 in New York. Mrs. Leonard was well reared and is an intelligent and kindly lady.
6 HOMAS B. FOX, senior editor of the Roches- ter Era, was born in Manchester, Dearborn County, Ind., July 2, 1829. He is the son of Dr. D. A. B. C. Fox (known in early days as Alphabet Fox) and Wealthy (Willey ) Fox, natives respectively of New Hampshire and Vermont. The Fox family came originally from Wales. Abram, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and the father of Mrs. Fox, Ely Willey, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Wealthy Fox, the mother of our subject, was a teacher in the South as early as 1818. She was married to Dr. Fox in 1822, and died at Holly, November 19, 1886.
When a small lad our subject went to Jamestown, N. Y., and resided there five years. Ilis father then removed to Monroe, Ohio, whence after a sojourn of a few months, he removed to Milford, Oakland County, Mich., in 1838. Dr. Fox en- dured all the hardships incidental to life in a new country and after ceaseless toil for the weal of others, succumbed to the diseases of the country and died in 1840. Ile left a wife and eight chil- dren to mourn his loss. The widow bravely fought the battle of life. and kept her little brood together until some were able to care for them- selves. Thomas B., being thus early in life thrown upon his own resources, struggled along as best he could and engaged in any kind of honorable busi ness in order to gain a livelihood. During this trying period he learned many of life's hard and bitter lessons, and also learned to be self-reliant.
In 1852 Mr. Fox went to Saginaw City. About this time East Saginaw was platted and a little town
sprung up. There Mr. Fox remained until the tiny village had grown to be a large city. Ile spent about three years in Midland City, during which time he studied law and was admitted to the bar of that county. lle then returned to East Saginaw, and relinquishing the law, engaged in journalistic pursuits. Ile was employed as city editor on the Saginaw Daily Enterprise, also on the Courier, and became well known in connection with the printing and journalistie business. Dur- ing his residence in Saginaw he was appointed Chief of Police, being the first chief ever appointed there. Ile also published in pamphlet form in 1857 the first history of the Saginaw Valley ever published, and furnished in tabular form the Sag- inaw Valley salt and lumber statistics, the first likewise ever published. This was done in the '50s for the Detroit Tribune. A few years later he published another pamphlet on the business of the Saginaw Valley and in 1868 revised his first his- tory. Not getting his work copyrighted he was the victim of "sharks," who repeatedly stole from his work for their benefit.
In 1871 Mr. Fox embarked in the newspaper business at Milford, this county, starting the Mil- ford Era. After having sojourned there less than two years he received "a call" to come to Roches- ter, his present residence, and hither he removed his press and household effects in 1873. He re- sumed the same work here and established the Rochester Era, now a permanent institution, hav- ing existed eighteen years. Several different newspapers have been started in Rochester since the advent of the Era and several grass-grown mounds now decorate a lonely spot set apart for a newspaper graveyard. Will A. Fox, son of our subject, is associated with him as publisher and assistant editor. Occasionally Mr. Fox does a little writing outside the columns of his own paper and once captured a 850 prize for a short humorous article.
During the year 1838 Mr. Fox was married to Miss Sarah M. Beeman at Mason, Mich., and she has ever since been his faithful wife and adviser. Four children have been born to them, namely: Willoughby A., born October 21, 1859, at East Sag- inaw; Blanche Rita, born June 2, 1861, at Midland
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City, died September 19, 1862; Ethel Bertha, born December 15, 1863, at East Saginaw, died April 17, 1875; Pearl, born November 30, 1877, at Rochester, Mich., died January 25, 1878. Mr. Fox is a member of the Order of the Chosen Friends and his political affiliations are with the Republican party. lle and his wife were teachers in early life and are highly cultured and refined.
ILLIAM BLACKWOOD. There are many beautiful bomes in Lyon Township but none more attractive or pleasantly located than that of Mr. Blackwood. His dwelling stands on section 10, and is a well-built and handsome structure, a fit home for a family of refined tastes and comfortable means. The land to the cultiva- tion of which Mr. Blackwood gives his attention consists of two hundred aud twenty acres. one hun- dred and twenty in the home farm, twenty on section 14, and eighty in Novi Township. Mr. Blackwood keeps good stock of all kinds, but his cattle are the most noticeable, and they are regis- tered Short-horns.
Going back two generations in the Blackwood family we come to Samuel, who was born in Ire- land and came to America when nineteen years old. He established his home in New York. buying a farın on which he lived until about 1832. He then came to this State and purchased two hundred aeres in Farmington Township, this county, living there- on until the death of his wife, after which he re- moved to Novi to be with his son. lle reared seven sons, the third of whom was Samuel. Jr., the father of our subject. The second Samuel was born in Seneca County, N. Y., in 1802, and adopted his father's occupation-farming. He had a tract of land in his native county, which he operated a few years, selling it in 1829 when he decided to come to this State. He selected Novi Township, this county, as his future place of residence and bought two hundred and ninety aeres on section 29. He remained there permanently, dying in May, 1888.
In 1828 Samuel Blackwood, Jr., was married to
Jane, daughter of David and Mary ( Lowrie) El- liott, natives of Virginia. She was born in Orange County, N. Y .. about 1810, and was the eldest daughter and third child of her parents. She died in 1846. She had borne six sons and two daugh- ters, four of whom are now living. In 1848 Mr. Blackwood married Mary J. Ewing, daughter of John Ewing. of Commerce Township. This union was blest by the birth of five sons and three daugh- ters, and five of the number survive. Mrs. Mary Black wood died soon after her husband.
William Blackwood, the subject of this sketch, was born in Novi Township, this county, April 8, 1835, and is the third child of his mother. His educational privileges did not differ materially from those of other farmers' sons, and his time was spent quite largely in farm work. When of age he started on the farm he now occupies, from which he removed the forest growth and on which he broke the sod. In 1867 he was married to Miss Sarah L. Fawcett, who was born November 10, 1835, and is the eldest of five children comprising the family of George and Ann Eliza ( Plowman) Fawcett. Her parents came to this State from New York.
Mr. Blackwood is a member of the Board of Review of Lyon Township. lle came of age in time to vote for John C. Fremont, the first candi- date of the Republican party, and he has stead- fastly adhered to the principles which he then decided were best for the governmental policy of the Nation. He is a genial, well-informed gentle- man, with cordial, kindly manners, and his wife is equally courteous and intelligent. Their beautiful home is often invaded by their friends, as they are the center of a large social circle.
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$ AMUEL JONES, a resident of Farmington Township. Oakland County, was born in Manchester Township, near Clifton Springs, Ontario County, N. Y .. November 20, 1818. llis father. who bore the same name, was a native of Orange County, N. Y., and was born January 20, 1789. When he came to Michigan in 1831 he
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located first at Novi and afterward in Farmington Township, where he bought land of the Govern- ment. He had served his country in the War of 1812. His father, Nathan Jones, was a shoemaker by trade and also managed a farm and a sawmill in New York State. His natal day was June 29, 1757. The mother of our subject, Barbara Ilill, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., August 24, 1795. The maternal grandmother of our subject was the daughter of a man who went with his four sons into the Revolutionary army, in which conflict three of them died for their country.
The marriage of the father and mother of our subject took place September 14, 1813, in the township of Manchester, Ontario County, N. Y. Elder Lamb, a noteworthy preacher of those days, performed the ceremony. They remained on the farm where they made their first home until they removed to Michigan in 1831, where they contin- ued to reside until death claimed them, the father dying November 9, 1864, and the mother surviving for twenty years, expiring at the age of eighty-nine in 1884. They were the parents of eleven children. nine of whom are now living, the youngest hav- ing reached the age of sixty years.
The subject of this sketeli was but twelve years old when he came to the new home in the West. He supplemented the schooling which he had re- eeived in his native place by attendance upon the district school in the little old log schoolhouse. He assisted his father on the home farm, helping to clear up the place and cultivate the land until he reached the age of thirty years. In the meanwile he had entered into a matrimonial alliance with Elizabeth M., the youngest daughter of Joshua and Phoebe (Wells) Lapham who was born April 9, 1822, in Hancock Township, Berkshire County, Mass. Mr. Lapham was born November 18, 1778, and the mother was born April 9, 1779. The mar- riage of their daughter with the subject of this sketchi was solemnized December 16, 1842. Mrs. Jones belongs to a family of distinguished connec- tions, Senator Edmonds, of Vermont, being her cousin, as is also Miss Susan B. Anthony.
In 1847 Mr. Jones removed to Wayne County, where for a year he managed an hotel and then re- moved to Novi village, where he carried on the
same business. Ile finally concluded to sell out that property and purchase a place where he now resides, which he went onto in 1857. Three of their six children are now living. They are : Ilam- ilton II., born June 23, 1844, now residing in Farm- ington Township; Mary, born July 21, 1857, the wife of Alpheus Angel and the mother of two chil- dren ; Estella, born May 17, 1863, now Mrs. Milton West, of Farmington Township. Mary's two chil- dren are named Clyde and Estella, and Estella's daughter bears the name of Irma E.
This country was all wilderness when our subject came to it and his father owned the second wagon that was brought into the neighborhood. There were all kinds of wild animals in the woods then, for he is the oldest inhabitant of the township. He has ever been a stanch and sturdy Democrat. The marriage of Hamilton S., the son of our sub- ject, with Isabel Pettibone, a native of Michigan, occurred January 3, 1866. Two only of their five children are living-Judson S. and Clara B., who both reside with their grandparents.
RANK E. LOCKWOOD. Among the younger men who are gaining a maintenance by tilling a portion of the soil of this coun- ty, Mr. Lockwood is deserving of mention. He is located on section 5, Highland Township, and operates one hundred and twelve acres of fertile land, whereon may be seen a good residence and the necessary outbuildings. He is the son of Charles II. Lockwood, a well-known native of High- land Township, and his grandfather was Edmond Lockwood, a native of New York. The latter was married in his native State to Sabrina Lockwood, and in 1836 established his home in this county. His wife died here in 1860 and he was subsequently married to Mary Patten, who is still living in Highland Township. Grandfather Lockwood passed away in 1878. Ile was a member of the Baptist Church and to that denomination his widow belongs.
Charles H. Lockwood was the oldest son of his parents, and under their roof he remained until he
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was of age. Ile was married February 25. 1861. to Betsey Cole, third child of Orm and Tamer Cole. The bride was born in Highland Township, whither her father had come from the Empire State in quite an early day. He bought eighty acres of land, half of which he has given to his only son, Hiram Cole. lle was Justice of the Peace for a number of years and also served as Township Treasurer. Ile belongs to the Baptist Church, in which his wife held mem- bership. She passed away in 1883, at the ripe age of eighty-three years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Charles HI. Lockwood there were born five children, named respectively : Luella. Loren E., Frank E., Rozelle and Edith A. Mr. Lockwood was engaged in farming from his early years. Ile owned a tract in Hartland Township for six years and then bought what was known as the John Morse farm of one hundred and seven y-two acres in Ilighland Township, which he owned at death. Ile died September 4. 1871, strong in the faith of the Free-Will Baptist Church. He had the full sympathy of his wife in his religious belief. she too belonging to the Baptist society. She now makes her home with her son Frank.
The subject of this sketch was born in Hartland Township, this county, June 25. 1861. lle was but ten years old when he was bereft of a father's care and he has grown to manhood under the guid- ance of his mother, from whom he has searedly been separated except while pursuing his advanced studies. From his boyhood he carried on the farm. going to school during the winter until he was of age. Ile then attended the Fenton Normal School at Fenton for five terms and taught nine months. After that period he returned to the farm which he has since been occupying and operating.
close of the war. Ile is a member of Fenton Post, G. A. R., and he and his wife belong to the Meth- odist Church.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Lockwood is brightened by the presence of two interesting children, who are named Charles A. and Ida 1. Mr. Lockwood was School Inspector two years and received the nomination of his party for the same office in the spring of 1891. He is a Republican in polities, He is a respected member of society, with a good reputation as an intelligent farmer, a relia- ble citizen and a man of social, kindly impulses.
ONROE G. DUNLAP is a native of On- ondaga County, N. Y., where he was born July 7. 1816, and is the son of David G. and Betsey E. (Comstock) Dunlap. The parents of our subject were natives of the Empire State, and the father is of Irish and Scotch descent, his father having come from Ireland. The grand- father followed the occupation of a tiller of the soil all his life. There were born to David Dan- lap and his worthy wife seven children, four of whom are living. The eldest. Ruth, is the wife of Henry Venton. of Oxford. The second, Jefferson A .. resides in Tacoma, Wash .; Jude E. is a lawyer and makes his home in the south; the youngest living is our subject. Mrs. Dunlap died in May, 1873. and Mr. Dunlap passed away in April, 1886. The family emigrated to Michigan in 1851 and made their home in Oxford, so that Monroe G. was brought to this town and here received his education and his training upon the farm.
In Tyrone, this State, in 1888, Frank Lockwood The marriage of our subject took place February 11, 1874. He was then united with Louise Roberts, She became the mother of two children, Olin J. and Lula Blanche, both of whom died in infancy, and Mrs. Dunlap was herself called away from earth February 22. 1878. The second marriage of our subject united him with Alpha Barnes. This union was solemnized October 29, 1885. Three children have been given to them. Verna M. has been called to the spirit land, and Monroe G., received the Christmas gift of a wife, formerly Miss Minnie E. Andrews. This estimable and well- educated lady is the second child of Adam F. and Elizabeth ( Hleblethwaite) Andrews. natives of Can- ada, whose other children are John, Ida, Edward F., Fanny, Frank, Grace and Edna. Mr. Andrews is a farmer and fruit-grower near Fenton. Hle ame to this State about 1861 and enlisted in Company. F. One Hundred and Eighty eighth New York In- fantry, and fought for the Union cause until the . Jr., and Olin J., are both at home. Mr. Dunlap is
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