Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 91

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

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 91

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Tu No, Collinwor b

By Ellenwood

793

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL ALBUM.

a stanch Democrat in his political views and a popular man in his party. In April, 1885, he was elected Supervisor of the township, and has held the office continuously since that time, being re- elected for the last time, April 3, 1891. He is identified with the Masonic order, being a member of the Blue Chapter and Commandery. lle is at present Master of the Blue Lodge and has been for three successive terms, and has held nearly all of the offices of said lodge.

8 AMUEL H. ELLINWOOD, one of the leading farmers and stock breeders of Rose Township, was born in Rose, Wayne County, N. Y., April 9, 1831. He is a son of Lucius and Lucy (Allen) Ellinwood. His grandfather, Jonathan, removed from Vermont to Rose, N. Y., in 1816, and there reared a family of five sons and two daughters. They were named Adolphus, Chester, Lucius, William, Thomas, Polly and Betsey. Thomas was drowned in the Erie Canal at Macedon Lock, N. Y. The father was a sturdy Democrat. Lueius Ellinwood was an early settler in Wayne County, N. Y., and assisted in constructing the Erie Canal and afterward had charge of a boat upon it. In this way he raised the money to purchase and pay for an excellent farm. He was born May 2, 1803, and died February 27, 1884. By his first wife he had two sons: Thomas Il. and Samuel H. Their mother, who was a de- vout Christian and a member of the Baptist Church, died December 20, 1838. His second wife was Mahalah Davis, of Fulton, N. Y., with whom he was united in 1858. Iler son, Delmer D., grew to maturity. She died about the close of the Civil War.

The mother of our subject was born September 17, 1804, in Rose, Wayne County, N. Y. She was the daughter of Ezra Allen, who was the father of two sons and five daughters. Ilis life ended in New York where he had always made his home. Samuel H. Ellinwood was brought up on the farm and availed himself of such schooling as the district schools afforded. When twenty years old he began

life for himself, assuming the management of his father's farm. Ile spent about ten seasons on the Erie Canal and at twenty-two purchased his first forty acres in Wayne County, N. Y.

In the fall of 1855 our subject came to Michigan and bought one hundred and sixty-three aeres in Tyrone, Livingston County, where he resided for ten years. In 1873 he bought and located upon an eighty-acre farm in Rose Township where he has since resided. lle now owns an A No. 1 farm of one hundred acres. For the past ten years he has been engaged in breeding Short-horn cattle, and usually has a herd of twenty or twenty-five. He is a man who is honored and respected, and has been given by his fellow-citizens various town offices.

The marriage of our subject took place January 6, 1851, his bride being Marina A. Fuller, who was born in Rose, Wayne County, N. Y., and is a daughter of Ralph and Barbara ( Hendricks ) Fuller. But one child has blest this union, Charles II., who was born in Rose, N. Y., January 8, 1852, and re- ceived an excellent common-school education. His vocation is that of a carpenter. He married Jose- phine W. Paseo, a native of New York City and a daughter of Henry and Catherine ( Wright) Pasco. One child blesses this union, a bright, sweet girl named Luella M., whose portrait, together with that of Mr. Ellinwood, is presented in connection with this sketch. Our subject and his wife are stanch Free-Thinkers.

AMES WILEDEN is a prominent . farmer who resides on section 30, Oxford Town- ship. Ilis father William was a native of England, and when he came to this country made his home in Michigan for one year. lIe afterwards returned to New York State, where he died some thirty years ago. The lady who be- came the mother of our subject, bore the maiden name of Ann Elliott, and died in Waukesha County, Wis.

The subject of this sketch is English by birth and first opened his eyes to the light April 9, 1828,

794

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL ALBUM.

in the Parish of Head C'orn, Kent, England. and was nineteen years old when he came to America, making the journey in the "Switzerland." Ile landed in New York and made his first home in Orleans County, that State. There he remained until he came to the Wolverine State abont thirty- five years ago. He worked out by the month on a farm and engaged in various branches of work. among which was well-digging.

The marriage of Mr. Wileden and Sarah Ann Ilollister, nee Banta, took place when he was about thirty-one years of age. After that he worked about four years for others and gained means with which to purchase land. Three children came to this happy home: Peter II., Elsie A., and Iluldal M. Mrs. Wileden had two children by a previous marriage, Penolton K. and William II. The mother of these cluldren died September 22, 1890. Mr. Wileden has improved his farm, setting out part of the orchard which adorns the place. lle has also completed the house, which was not in first- class order when he took it. lle is a Democrat in his political views and has filled the offices of School Moderator, Pathmaster, and other positions of trust. Ilis good wife was an earnest and con- sistent member of the Methodist Church and her loss is deeply felt, not only by her family but by those who were united with her in church connection and by the entire community.

OIIN D. OGDEN, an old resident and prom- inent farmer in Springfield Township, was born in the Township of Groveland, Sep- tember 11, 1845. He is the son of Gabriel S., a son of Joseph, the son of Gabriel. The great-great-grandfather came with three brothers from England and settled in New Jersey. They remained together but a short time and soon lost trace of each other. The great-grandfather of our subject was a farmer and a local preacher in the Baptist Church. The grandfather was a wealthy farmer in Sussex County, N. J. Ile married Sarah Shaw, and to them were given nine children, six of whom lived to maturity. His wife died at the

age of forty years and he lived to be eighty years old. Ile brought up his children in the Baptist faith.

The father of our subject attended school until twenty-one years of age and completed a collegiate course at Goshen, N. Y. He made a special study of surveying and civil engineering, and had a set of instruments and practiced surveying to some extent. Ile came to Oakland County, Mich., in May, 1837, journeying on the Erie Canal to Buf- falo, thence across the lake to Detroit, and teaming it to this county, his team being a yoke of oxen which he purchased at Detroit. His young bride came with him on this journey.

Mr. Ogden bonght two hundred and forty acres in Groveland Township, at the rate of $3 per acre. Ile built a log cabin and began his domestic life. There was but one roadway in the vicinity and that was the old turnpike. Travelers had to find their way by means of blazed trees. The Indians often visited his cabin and loved to slip in behind the stove. Three hundred at one time encamped near his cabin. Wolves howled about them at night and herds of deer were often in sight. Ile was a hard-working man and cleared his farm up in good shape. Ile drove his ox-team and wagon to Detroit for provisions, being gone two nights and a day. Ile was an earnest member of the Methodist Church and was the means of organiz- ing the church in his neighborhood, beginning by holding meetings in the houses, and then at the log meeting house. He was a man of rare intelli- gence and a Whig in politics, and although he died at the age of thirty-eight years he had held nearly all the township offices.

The parents of our subject were married in Mt. Bethel, N. J. The mother's maiden name was Sarah E. Egbert. She was born in 1810 in Warren County, N. J. All but one of her six children ar- rived at maturity. They were: Mary, Mrs. Austin; Rachael, deceased; Lucy, Mrs. Molby ; Sarah, Mrs. Buzzard: J. Durbin, and Ilnlda, Mrs. Bird. Their mother died at the age of sixty-two years, and both she and her good husband lie in the Mt. Bethel cemetery. Her father was a large farmer and stock-raiser in New Jersey, a man of wealth and an active member of the Methodist Church.

795

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

John D. Ogden attended the distriet school and early learned the practical work on a farm. He began for himself early in life, as he was bereft of his father in his sixth year. He remained at home with his mother and was the mainstay of the fam- ily. Ile farmed the home place until after his mother's death.

The married life of our subjeet began April 4, 1872, when he was joined in the bonds of matri- mony with Mary A. Bird, of Groveland Township, where she was born May 18, 1851. They have had five children, namely -- Israel S., Guy W. (de- ceased); Durand; Lizzie F., and J. D. One hun- dred and forty acres of land forms the home farm. It is all under cultivation with the exception of fifteen acres. Percheron and Hambletonian horses are Mr. Ogden's specialty, but he raises other stock, and farms grain of various kinds. His beautiful home is situated on an eminence, and the house was erected in 1878. The large red barn was built in 1889, and the other one the year before. The farm is in an excellent condition and massive stone walls mark the boundaries.

Mr. Ogden's political affiliations are with the Democracy, and he has held some minor offices in Groveland Township. He is identified with the Masonie order at Clarkston, Cedar Lodge No. 60, and belongs to the Royal Areh Masons, Chapter and Knights Templar, No. 14, of Fenton,

E DMUND ELY owns and manages the larg- est general store at Davisburg, and is an extremely popular man. Ile was born in Gainesville, Wyoming County, N. Y., January 7, 1836. His father and grandfather both bore the name of Jabez. The first of the family to come to America was Richard, who came from the Isle of Wight early in the seventeenth century. The grandfather was a pensioner, having served in the Revolutionary War. He was a farmer and re- moved from Connecticut in middle life to Hamil- ton, Madison County, N. Y. After a few years there he removed to Gainesville, Wyoming County, and taking up a farm from the Government, spent

the remainder of his days there. He reared a fam- ily of nine children and died at the age of seventy- six years. The father was drafted in the War of 1812 and started for the place of conflict during the time of the engagement at Black Rock, but the company was soon disbanded. He died in Gaines- ville in the fall of 1859 at sixty-three years of age. He was in his early life a Methodist, but later be- came a Universalist. Ile belonged successively to the Whig party and to the Republican party.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Cornelia Patterson, She was born at Manlius, near Syracuse, N. Y. She became the mother of nine children, namely: Dennison J., Laura L., Mrs. Fisher; William P., Mary E. Mrs. Brown; James, Edmund, Ralph, Martha C. Mrs. Green; and Elizabeth A. The mother of these children lived to be seventy-nine years old and died in April, 1888. She was a very devout mem- ber of the Methodist Church. Her father was a farmer in Wyoming County, N. Y., and was of Irish descent.

The subject of this biographical sketch was edu- cated in the district school and on the farm. When seventeen years old he began elerking for a brother in Vienna, Canada West. After clerking for three years he engaged in the nursery business in El- mira, N. Y. After three years experience here he entered the employ of W. and T. Smith, of Geneva, N. Y., one of the largest nursery firms in the United States. He remained with them two years.

During the Civil War onr subject felt it his duty to go to the defense of his country. He en- listed September 9, 1864, in the Eighteenth New York Light Artillery. He was transferred at Baton Ronge, to the Twenty-fifth New York Light Ar- tillery Independent Battery, and finally received his discharge July 31, 1865. While in the Army of the Gulf he was located at Brashier City and did garrison duty most of the time. He returned to the employ of the Smiths and continued in the nursery for two years. He then farmed four years and again returned to the nursery business where he remained until 1884.

The subject of this sketch came to Springfield Township June 1,1876,and was in the nursery bns- iness for the Smiths until 1884. The following year

.96

PORTKAIP AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

be established a store of general matelas live and in 1889 bought the building in which he how eur. ries on business. It is a fine two-story brick store in which he handles an excellent stock of dry goods. boots and shoes, clothing, gent's furnishing goods and groceries.

The first marriage of our subject occurred in June, 1860. His wife was Maria L. Quigley. a native of Northampton, Mass. They have one child, Alton A., who died in Denver. Col .. April 29. 1886. The mother of this son died February 22, 1864. Mr. Ely's second marriage took place June 14. 1866. Hle was then united with Helen F. Granger, who was born at Vernon, Oneida County, N. Y . November 27, 1840. Two chil- dren blessed this union-Francis G. and Eva MI .. both of whom reside at home. Mr. Lly is a Re- publican in his political views, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Charter Oak Lodge, No. 56, at Davisburg. Ile is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Holly.

P ATRICK GORDON. a successful farmer in Rose Township, is a man who deserves great credit for the position to which he has at. tained, as he began life without capital, and has gained his property by sturdy industry and sterling intelligence. He was born in County An- trim, Ireland, January 29, 1830. Ilis father was James, the son of Nathaniel. Both father and grandfather were farmers. and the grandfather also worked at the blacksmith's trade. James came to this country in 1847. and settled in Long Island. whence he came in 1852. to Oakland County. and settled in Rose Township. He bought one hundred and twenty acres of land. flis health was poor, and he died February 16, 1869. His religion was in accord with the faith of the Presbyterian Church. and he was a Democrat in politics.

James Gordon married Jennie MeCurdy, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland. She reared to maturity, ten of her children, namely: Margaret, Nathaniel, Patrick, James, Elizabeth. Thomas, John, Anna, Rebecca and William R. She reared

her children in the Presbyterian faith, and died March 12, 1867.

The subject of this sketch came to America in his seventeenth year. Ile hired out to work on Long Island for a time, and came to Oakland County in 1852. lle worked by the month until the time of his marriage, when he took a farm on shares. In 1859 he bought the farm which he now owns. It then comprised eighty aeres, thirty or forty of which had been cleared off, and had upon it an old house and barn.

The marriage of Patrick Gordon took place in 1855. Hle was then united to Sarah Sutton, born in November. 1837, in New York State. Five chil- dren were born to them: James P'. died at the age of twenty-three years; Nathaniel J. married Ella Highfield, and farms in this township; William S. married Jane Stone, and keeps a general merchan- dise store at Chase : Willis B. married Mary Yor- ton. and lives in this township; Eliza Jane, still at home.

Mr. Gordon is a Republican although his father was a Democrat. He has three years held the office of Township Treasurer, and filled one term as Jus- tice of the Peace. He has also been School Director of this district. All but fifteen of his one hundred and fifty-nine aeres are cleared and under cultiva- tion. Ile built his large and commodious house in 1875. and erected his large frame barn in 1881. The smaller barn was built in 1867. He raises stock and grain, and keeps Short-horn cattle and Merino and fine wool sheep. Ile began with noth- ing but his own brawn and brain. and has made a marked success of life.

ANIEL S. RODGERS, one of the residents of Novi Township. has a splendid farm which he carries on with energy, economy and enterprise. His father. Samuel Rod- gers, was a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer, ard his mother, Jane Sayre, a native of Seneca County. N. Y. They were married in New York in 1833, and came to the Wolverine State in the same year, settling in Novi Township. Mr. Rodgers came

A . SNYDER .

MRS. A. A.SNYDER.

801

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

to Michigan prior to marriage, in 1830. They took unbroken, uncleared land from the Government, built a log house and lived in it about a year. They then purchased the farm which is now owned by our subject. This land was first bought by the grandfather of our subject, James Rodgers, who came here in 1830, and died soon after. Samuel then bought out the interest of the other heirs and made the old homestead his home. He elcared up most of the farm and built a frame house and two barns. His wife died in 1854, and his second mar- riage was with Martha Chapin, who now, at the age of sixty years, makes her home with her son, liav- ing been bereaved of her husband in 1875.

Samuel Rodgers and his wife were faithful and active members of the Baptist Church at North- ville, of which he was a Trustee. He also served as a teacher in the Sunday-school. He was much employed in settling up estates, as his judgment was highly respected, and his integrity undoubted. He was a Whig in his earlier political views, and in his later years voted the Republican ticket. For many years he was one of the Supervisors of Novi Township, and was also Director of the school dis- trict. He was a strictly temperate man in his hab- its and belief. When he began life in the West he was very poor, but before his death had acquired a handsome property. But one child blessed his home.

The subject of this sketch first saw the light April 26, 1834, on section 8, Novi Township. Here he received a good common-school education, and remained on the farm, making occasional trips West. He carried on the farm for his father until the death of the latter, when he came into posses- sion of the property. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of excellent land, one hundred and fifty of which is under cultivation. He carries on mixed farming and keeps some Jersey stock. He has added to the residence and repaired and im- proved the barns, and erected additional buildings. lle has also done not a little underdraining.

The marriage of Mr. Rodgers, in February, 1890, was a surprise to all his friends, as they had made up their minds that he was going to live and die an old bachelor. The lady who broke the spell of single blessedness and brought him to choose the

marriage state, is Fannie, daughter of Harman and Lucy Chapin, who were New York people, now re- siding in Nebraska. Mrs. Rodgers was born in Mareh, 1853, in New York State, and there received a good common-school education. Mr. Rodgers is a Republican in his politics, and temperate in his habits. He has a handsome property, and is in all respects a man esteemed by his neighbors, and to be commended in his manner of life.

BRAM A. SNYDER, who was a very suc- cessful farmer and stock-raiser in Addison Township, was highly respected by all who knew him, having achieved success in his efforts and being public spirited and of value in the community. A native of Warren County, N. .J., he first saw the light December 9, 1824. He accompanied his parents to Michigan in 1832. His father cut his way to this place through the woods when there were only two families in the township, and the county was otherwise uninhabited except by wild game and Indians.

A log house was built in which the Snyder fam- ily took up their residence. Our subject was then only eight years old, and bis schooling was limited to the advantages obtained in a log schoolhouse situated four miles from home, and which he could be spared from farm work to attend only during the winter. He always lived on the old homestead as he assisted his father until he became of age and after that assumed the responsibility and took care of his parents.

The father, Dennis, who was also a native of New Jersey, came to Michigan when he was forty- four years old with some $900, At the time of his death he was worth $60,000. He entered a large tract of land and was a very successful man- ager and financier. At the death of his father Abram purchased the old homestead comprising three hun- dred and twenty acres from the other heirs and proceeded to improve the farm, adding fine, large and substantial buildings and otherwise embellish- ing the estate. The father died October 23, 1886, at the age of eighty-four years, and was greatly

802

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

mourned not only by his family, but by all who knew his worth and esteemed his character.

Abram Snyder was thrice married. His first wife, Anna M. Bowers, died April 7, 1848, and left no children. The second marriage was contraeted with Mary A. Iluliek who died August 2, 1882. She left four children, three daughters and one son, only one of whom, Miss Laura L., a young lady of unusual refinement and attractiveness, is now liv- ing and she resides with her father's widow at the old homestead. The others have passed away. The third marriage took place May 20, 1886. The lady who then became the wife of Mr. Snyder bore the maiden name of Emma May Tribe. She was born in Elgin County, Canada, and is a daughter of Prof. John A. Tribe, who was born in London, November 7, 1807.

This gentleman of learning and distinction was educated in the capital of Great Britain, where he received his diploma. He came to Canada in 1829 at the age of twenty two years and became prinei- pal of the High School in London, Canada. For fourteen years he filled this position with lasting benefit to his pupils and distinction to himself. Ile was familiar with various languages, in which de- partment of learning he took especial interest. He also taught in Aylmer and Port Huron, and for several years in Lapeer. He was connected with the Baptist Church for forty-five years and was highly esteemed in his church connections. The mother of Mrs. Snyder was Eunice M., daughter of Thomas Ward who emigrated to Canada from Massachusetts and was esteemed as a worthy and prominent man. His daughter Eunice, died Janu- ary 10, 1881. Of her eight children only two re- main, both daughters, the sister of Mrs. Snyder be- ing Mrs. Jacob Benner, of Alymer, Ontario.

Mr. Snyder always affiliated with the Democratic party, and was a Methodist in his religious views. He served for some time as Justice of the Peace. Besides his farm of three hundred and fifty acres of good land he fitted up a roller mill at Lakeville. and while engaged in this contracted a severe cold which brought on his last illness. He was known as one of the most systematie, energetic and pros- perous farmers in all this section, and as one whose heart and hand were ever ready to respond to the

call of the needy or to contribute to any public enterprise. He engaged largely in raising fine horses and sheep. He never kept inferior stock and took great pride in the welfare of his flocks and herds. He was a very successful financier as well as a farmer and at his death his estate was valued at from $75,000 to $80,000.

Mrs. Snyder is a lady of refined taste, intelligence and capability. She was born at Aylmer, Ontario, on the 15th of March, 1850, and was married May 20, 1886. She was reared and educated in Lapeer ('ity, being but eight years old when her parents removed to Michigan. She twice received a teacher's certificate but never followed teaching. Her home is a most delightful one. as the large frame house is surrounded by fine evergreen and deciduous shade trees. The lawn is covered with rare plants and flowers in which she takes great de- light. The large red barns and other commodious farm buildings form a practical background to the beauties of the home.

Elsewhere in this volume appear lithographie portraits of Mrs. Snyder and the late Mr. Snyder.

OHN W. CANNON, editor of the Oxford Globe, Oxford, Oakland County, was born in Royal Oak Township, this county, January 17, 1836. He is the son of the Rev. John and Sallie (Cook) Cannon, natives of New York and Vermont, respectively. The Rev. John Cannon, or Elder Cannon as he was known, was a pioneer minister of the Christian Church who came to Michigan in 1831, and located first at Lodi Plains near Ypsilanti. From that time on and until after 1836 this good minister traveled about, preaching in the homes of the settlers and in the schoolhouses as soon as they were erected. His efforts for the spiritual instruction of his widely scattered flock were crowned with success and his name is ever spoken with gratitude, as belonging to a self-denying and noble man; he is still living in Macomb County. He was born September 21, 1808. To himself and his good wife were given seven children, three sons and four daughters, who

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of Oakland County, Michigan, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 91

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

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