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 92
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108
803
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
are all living to be a comfort to their father in his old age. Stephen B., lives on the old homestead in Macomb County; Sarah M., is the wife of S. G. Cole, at Marquette, Mich .; John W., is our subject; Hannah M. is the wife of W. W. Watkins of Rochester; Ellery C., lives in Evart, Osceola County, a member of the Legislature; Mary L. re- sides on the homestead; Theda A., is the wife of Horace Perkins, of New Baltimore, Mich.
The subject of this sketch was educated at what is known as Dickinson Institute at Romeo, and also at Disco Academy. He taught school a number of terms and during the war took charge of the farm of a brother who entered the army as a soldier. After the close of the war he engaged in merchan- dising which he followed for sixteen or seventeen years. Ile was Postmaster at Disco, Macomb County, from 1877 to 1879. While holding this otlice he came to Oxford and established the Ox- ford Globe. This necessitated his resignation as Postmaster of Disco. The Globe has continued since through much tribulation and opposition. Seven other papers have started since its coming here and have succumbed to the inevitable, while the Globe continues on its independent course.
The marriage of our subject May 25, 1876, with Juliette E., daughter of Jacob and Sarah A. John- son, pioneers in this section of the county took place at Addison, this county. Mr. Cannon is a Republican. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln and has been faithful to the party ever since. lle is a member of the Masonic fraternity both Lodge and Chapter and also the Knights of Maccabees.
LBERT A. RUST, Postmaster at Franklin, has been carrying on a store in this vil- lage since August, 1861. He at that time bought out Jolin A. Biglow, whose stock was invoiced at $50, and he has continued the sale of general merchandise, drugs, etc. He also has a farm of one hundred and ten acres on sections 5 and 6, which he carries on in connection with his other business. By close attention to business,
honorable dealing and good judgment, he has se- cured a steadily increasing run of custom and he has prospered accordingly. His dwelling is one of the handsomest in the county, being a brick house which cost 85,000. Ile has held the Postmaster- ship since 1869, and his continuance year after year shows that he is popular with the people, and that they are not anxious for a change.
Mr. Rust is descended from families of New Eng- land, and his parents, James P. and Lydia (Pratt) Rust, were born in Orwell, Vt., July 29, 1810, and April 2, 1814, respectively. They were married in Southfield Township, this county, to which the bride had come with her parents in 1834. They lived in that township all their lives, but changed their place of residence, and went to another farm in 1840, where the father died in 1857. The widow is still living and makes her home with her elder living child, Albert A. The family included James Edgar, who died when seven years old, and John B., who is living in Oakland, Cal. The latter is a merchandise broker, repre- senting about thirty firms, among them George C. Weatherby & Co., of Detroit. Mr. Rust was a member of the Whig party and of the Methodist Protestant Church, in which he was active and efficient. Ilis father, Clement Rust, spent the most of his life in Orwell, Vt., where he died.
The natal day of Albert A. Rust, was September 9, 1840, and he was born on the farm in Southfield Township, that was the home of his parents for a number of years. He began his studies in the district school and completed them in Birmingham in 1860. A few months later he was established in business in Franklin, with the interests of which place he has been closely identified in an official capacity, and as a citizen of irreproachable charac- ter and business ability. He was married in 1862, to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of John German, who was born in this county in 1840. They have had two daughters: Ada M., who was born March 11, 1865, and died April 12, 1878, and Alice G., whose natal day was November 10, 1867, and who is still with her parents.
The first official position held by Mr. Rust was that of Township Treasurer in which he served in 1881, 1883-84. Ile was Supervisor in 1889 and
804
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
1890. He has been a Mason since 1863, and is enrolled in Birmingham Lodge, No. 44. Politi- eally he is a steadfast Republican. He is a very prominent member of the United Presbyterian Church, and has held all the offices in the society, and has been a delegate to the annual conference fifteen different years but not consecutively. In 1872 he was elected to the general conference at Pittsburg, Pa., and in 1876 to that held at Balti- more, Md. He is now one of the Trustees in the annual conference, and Treasurer of the annual conference boards.
P HINEAS LYON, one of the oldest settlers in Milford Township, is probably as well known as any resident in this locality. For more than half a century he has lived on section 5. and he now owns a fine farm with a sub- stantial house, barns and other buildings, where every comfort is to be found. In the operation of this estate Mr. Lyon is aided by his son. By his personal efforts one hundred and forty-five aeres were denuded of timber and placed under cultiva- tion, and few can honestly claim a better record for industry and perseverance. Father Lyon, as he is commonly called, was born in Middlesex County, Conn., May 7, 1808, but grew to manhood in New York. He received a common-school edu - cation, and early learned how to carry on a farm. He worked out for others before he was of age, and then took the management of his father's business.
Early in 1837 Mr. Lyon came to this State. hav- ing left his home to find some land in the West. He made a short stop in Romeo, and in 1838 bought one hundred and sixty acres in Highland Town- ship, this county, adjoining his present farm. It was raw land of the kind known as oak openings. Mr. Lyon lived in a rented house for a short time, while building a small frame. Ile afterward bought one hundred and five acres where he is now living. He had charge of the farm, and during the first year cleared thirty-two acres and broke the soil ready for planting. He made a trip to New York to settle up business affairs there.
Phineas Lyon, Sr., father of our subject, was born in Connectient in 1770, and was a shoemaker and tanner by trade, and later in life a farmer. He married Sarah Stevens, who was born in Connecti- cut in 1777. The marriage ceremony took place in Oneida County, N. Y .; from there they removed to Otsego, where they remained until 1837. They then came West and took possession of the land selected by the son, and here they remained until death. Mrs. Lyon died in 1843, and Mr. Lyon April 5, 1859. They had six children, but our subject is the only one now living. The father was a Democrat in politics, and a Quaker in his relig. ious faitlı.
In June, 1846, Phineas Lyon, Jr., was married to Miss Adeline Phelps, of Dexter, this State, sis- ter of N. A. Phelps, a well-known resident of that place. She proved her worth as a wife and mother during a quarter of a century of wedded life. She died March 18, 1872, at the age of fifty-two years and three months. She was an humble Christian and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The marriage was blest by the birth of four children -Alfred P., Sarah and Mary (twins) and Sanford R. Alfred was born July 27, 1847, married Lillie Arms, and has one child; he now lives in Bay City, where he is practicing law. The twins were born September 15, 1848. Sarah is the wife of Levi Crawford; and Mary married Alonzo Kimberly; the one lives in Milford Township, and the other in Pleasant Valley, and each has one child. The younger son was born in February, 1857, and is car- rying on the home farm. On November 1, 1877, Mr. Lyon was married to Mrs. Eliza (Walker) Me- Dermand, the daughter of William and Sarah (Fansher) Walker, and the widow of Franklin Me- Dermand.
Mr. Lyon has always voted a Democratic ticket. Ile has been Highway Commissioner, Assessor and School Director, and in the last named office has served for many years. From his youth he has taken a deep interest in whatever would tend to elevate the status of society and add to the pros- perity of the nation. His faith is that of the So- ciety of Friends, and he possesses the peaceful, happy nature which is so characteristic of that class and which has a beneficial effect upon all whom
RESIDENCE OF PETER REID, SEC4., ROYAL OAK TP., OAKLAND CO., MICH.
RESIDENCE OF PHINEAS LYON, SEC. 5., MILFORD TP., OAKLAND CO., MICH.
807
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
they meet. He is beloved by everyone who knows him, and it affords his friends satisfaction to know that he is well supplied with the good things of life. Mr. Lyon has met with many accidents. His collar bone was once broken, and other serious injuries received while he was threshing, the accident being occasioned by a fractious team which broke the coupling irons and knocked him down. While hauling hay to Milford, a team ran away with him and he was thrown upon the frozen ground, caus- ing a fracture of the skull five inches long. Other catastrophes have befallen him, but he makes the best of every misfortune.
Elsewhere in this volume appears a view of the pleasant home of Mr. Lyon.
P ETER REID. Royal Oak Township is not without her share of fine farms that are no- ticeable features in this county and stamp it as one of the most flourishing agricultural districts of the State. One of these attractive pieces of property consists of two hundred and six acres on section 4, and is owned and operated by Mr. Reid. Almost the entire acreage is under cul- tivation and the owner keeps nineteen head of cows and other stock in proportionate numbers. The land is well tilled and various crops are raised, the amount per acre being generally satisfactory and the quality A No. 1. The buildings that have been put up are substantial, conveniently arranged, and sufficient to answer every need. A view of the residence and pleasant surroundings appears on another page. The prosperous condition in which Mr. Reid now finds himself is due to his baving worked hard and given his close attention to his business affairs and when necessary exercising fru- gality and self-denial.
The birthplace of Mr. Reid was County Antrim, Ireland, and his natal day November 20, 1820. The reader is referred to the sketch of his brother, Adam Reid, for facts regarding the parents. Peter was the eldest child in the parental family and was reared and educated in the land of his birth. He engaged in farming and carried on his vocation in
the Emerald Isle until 1846, when he emigrated, believing that in America he would find a broader field in which to exercise his ability. His first so- journ was made in New Jersey, where he worked on the farm by the month, remaining there until 1861. He then came to this State and located in South- field Township, this county, but in 1875 changed his place of abode to that which is now his home. He is fortunate in having won for his wife a lady of good judgment, housewifery skill and fine char- acter, whose maiden name was Jane Howe. She was born in Ireland and their marriage took place in New Jersey in 1846.
Mr. and Mrs. Reid have four children, of whom we note the following: Samuel and Adam, the eld- est and youngest, reside with their parents; Eliza is the wife of Albert Todd and resides in Troy Township; Molly A. married Benjamin Hartrick and their home is in Detroit. Parents and children belong to the United Presbyterian Church, and all being good singers have been members of the choir for a long time. Mr. Reid is an Elder in the church and a teacher in the Sunday-school and has always taken an active interest in promoting the cause of religion. In politics he is a Republi- can. The family has high standing in the com- munity and its members count their friends by the score.
C HESTER M. WYCKOFF is one of the class known as retired farmers, several of whom are enjoying the ease and pleasure of town life in Pontiac. He is the representative of one of the old families of this county, his parents having come hither in 1832, and he is himself a native of the county, born in the town of Oakland May 2, 1835. His father, William Wyckoff, was born in Warren County, N. J., in 1809, and is the son of John Wyckoff, whose ancestors came from Holland. The mother of our subject was Hannah Perry, who was born in New Jersey in 1805, and was a daugh- ter of Jacob and Sarah (Grundyke) Perry, who were of Dutch stock.
Soon after their marriage William Wyckoff and his wife came West and located in Oakland, but
808
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
three years later they sold out there and removed to Independence Township, where they made a permanent home. They had a farm of two hun- dred and forty aeres, a portion of which was heav- ily timbered when they took possession. In those carly days Indians were numerous in the locality and when the men were away from home would often frighten the women and children from the house and go in and help themselves to whatever they could find. Having gotten enough to eat they would have a grand carousal and then leave. They were, however, generally of friendly dispo- sition and did no special damage, other than to keep the timid in a state of unrest. Mr. Wyckoff helped to organize the township and was its first Justice of the Peace, lle was a stanch Democrat and for years prior to his death was a regular at- tendant at the Presbyterian Church, in the faith of which he died. The date of Ins demise was Septem- ber 30, 1860, and that of his wife September 13. 1875. They reared one son and four daughters, the latter being Catherine, now deceased, who was the wife of Joshua Predmore; Sarah, wife of Na- thaniel Hart, living in Orion Township; Nancy, wife of William Beardslee, living in Cole Station ; and Mary, who married George Walters and lives in Independence Township.
Our subject attended school in Orion Township and in the summer drove oxen and otherwise aided his father on the farm. Ile did not leave the homestead. hut even after he grew to maturity continued to work there, and on the death of his father took charge of the farm. lle has carried on general farming and stock-raising and taken quite an interest in fine wool sheep and short-horn cattle. The landed estate to which he hol Is the deed consists of one hundred and eighty-two acres which he now rents out, having himself lived in Pontiac since March, 1878. The farm is well im- proved in every respect and is the source of a very good income.
April 24. 1862. was the wedding day of Mr. Wyckoff and Miss Rebecca J. Van Syekle, of Orion Township. The parents of the bride were Morris Green and Sarah Ann (Swayze) Van Syckle. na- tives of Warren County. N. J. They lived in Pike County, Pa,; a short time and there their daughter .
was born April 16, 1842. When the child was nine years old they removed to Bradford County, Pa. While on a visit to relatives in this county she be- came acquainted with the gentleman to whom she gave her hand. The union has been blest by the birth of one son. William Morris, telegraph opera- tor and station agent at Dryden, Lapeer County.
For years Mr. Wyckoff has been numbered among the Democrats and he is a staneh advocate of the principles of the party. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church and have given it liberal support during the long years of their connection therewith. They have endeavored to be useful in their day and genera- tion, and no one who knows them questions their snecess. Mr. Wyckoff is strictly honest and con- scientious and is held in high esteem wherever he is known.
..
C ASSIT'S C. STEVENS. Among the younger members of the farming community of this county mention should certainly be made of Mr. Stevens, of Oxford Township. He has attained a high position among his fellow-men, not only for his knowledge of all that pertains to the develop- ment of the soil, but also because of his good judg- ment and excellent understanding of the general affairs of life. An intelligent, well-informed man, he thinks for himself and his good judgment has enabled him to meet with marked success both as a farmer and stock-raiser. In addition to agricul- ture. he devotes considerable attention to work not usually found among men of his calling. A natu- ral mechanic. it is fitly said of him that "he can turn his hand to do almost anything." Although he never learned the trade of a mechanic, he is skilled in the art. and has recently built a carriage fine enough for anyone to ride in. At the forge he is as much at home as behind the plow. and his versatile genius is displayed in many other ways.
The grandfather of Mr. Stevens, Daniel Stevens by name. was a native of Connecticut, whence he removed to Genesee County, N. Y., and there he followed farming many years. At the time of his
809
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
removal to New York his son, Riley, the father of our subject, was only one year old and hence his earliest recollections are of scenes of the Empire State. In his youth he learned the trade of a car- penter, which he followed several years in New York, and until his removal to Michigan, where he located in Romeo, Macomb County. There he also engaged at his trade for three years, and afterward spent three years on a farm near Romeo. We next find him in Oxford Township, Oakland County, where he purchased a farm on section 2.
At the time of his removal to this county. Riley Stevens found the country much of a wilderness in appearance. Wild game was plentiful and deer frequently appeared within sight of the house. Mr. Stevens was a wide awake man and lost no time in clearing and improving his land, which repaid his industrious efforts by bountiful harvests of golden grain. For several years his team consisted of a yoke of oxen with which he made many a trip to Pontiac to market produce and to bring back building material, etc. He lived until 1883, becom- ing one of the venerable pioneers of this county, and as such the present and coming generations will hold him in reverence.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Charity H. Cowley, and was born in 1808 in Cayuga County, N. Y. Iler parents were Eastern people, her father a native of New York and her mother of Connecticut. Both died in the Empire State. Mrs. Stevens is still living and makes her home with our subject. She has always enjoyed good health, and is a woman of culture and marked traits of character. Our subject is the only sur- vivor of a family of four children born to his pa- rents and his birth occurred in Romeo, Mich .. June 23, 1850. When he was three years old he was taken by his parents to the farm where he still resides and he has always remained at home. Ilis parents gave him the advantages of as good an ed- neation as could be obtained in the district schools of that day and he began at an early age to assist in the farm work. For several years prior to his father's death he conducted the farm work and in his youth received a thorough practical training in his chosen calling.
-
Mr, Stevens undoubtedly owes much of his hap-
piness and prosperity to the devoted wife, with whom he was united in marriage November 1, 1874. She is a notable housewife, understanding well not only how to make her home comfortable but also attractive, and she is greatly esteemed for her kind- liness and cheerful hospitality. Mrs. Stevens was formerly Miss Annie Haines and was born in Bruce Township, Macomb County, Mich., in 1859. Her parents, Milo B. and Emily Haines, natives of New York, are now living in Almont, Lapeer County. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have a family of bright and intelligent children, who are named as follows: Fred F., Mark E., Harmon R., Cassius H. and larry (twins), deceased, Marvin and Mahlon (twins). Politically Mr. Stevens is a stanch Repub- lica, and socially belongs to the order of Macea- bees. His residence is a large and handsome frame house, and in the rear are noticeable numerous sub- stantial buildings, such as are needed for the stor- age of grain and shelter of stock. The farm com- prises one hundred and forty acres and is one of the best improved in the community.
RED M. CLARK. The subject of this brief notice was born in Lapeer County, this State, August 8, 1858. He is a son of Robert and Laura (Pemberton) Clark, natives of England and Pennsylvania respectively. The fa- ther sailed from England in 1848 and settled in Lapcer County, where he worked for awhile at his trade, that of a baker. He then began farming in Elba, Lapeer County, which he considered more remunerative. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark, who are named as follows: Leslie, a farmer in Lapeer County ; Eva. widow of the late Melvin Inman; Fred M., Arthur D., is a farmer in Lapeer County, Flora, the wife of IT. Green, residing in Chicago; and Lorin, a drug- gist at Oxford; besides Bertha and Carrie who re- main at home. The father of this family passed away May 25, 1891.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood on the farm and received his education in the district schools. In 1882 he entered upon the work of
810
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
manufacturing, and started a small factory for the making of bedsprings. Success crowned his efforts and his business grew to a large and wide spread wholesale trade through various counties in the State. In 1887 be came to the thriving little city of Oxford and in connection with his brother, A. D., built the Union llotel, which under his management soon became the leading hotel of that city and indeed was counted equal to any public house in towns of the size of Oxford in this part of the State. He had the management of the Union about a year when he sold it. Ile then erected the present hotel, the Oakland, which has all the modern improvements and is elegantly furnished from attic to basement. The building and furniture cost $12,000. This house is known throughout the State by travelers and is universally named as the leading hotel of its size in Michigan. Mr. Clark has recently sold his hotel business and is now erecting a business block adjoining the Oak. land Hotel on the south in which he expects to es- tablish a first-class restaurant.
Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sullivan, December 24, 1879. She is also a native of Lapeer County. One child, Jobn L., has been granted to them. Our subject is a member in good standing of the following organizations: The Knights of Pythias, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Independent Order of Foresters at Oxford, and is an active member of the Democratic party.
n EHEMIAN SMITH is one of the old set- tlers of Holly Township, of whom Oakland County people may well feel proud. HEis life of industry and enterprise has led to success, and his strict integrity and resolve to keep out of debt, have made him universally trusted in finan. cial cireles. He was born in Ulster County, N. Y., January 29, 1827. His father was Moses, and his grandfather Jonathan Smith, both natives of New York.
Jonathan Smith was a farmer, and a soldier in the War of 1812. The father came from U'Ister
County, N. Y., to Oakland County, Mich., in the fall of 1834. Ile made his journey by Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence by steamer to Detroit, and teamed it to this county. He settled near Olive Branch and took up one hundred and sixty acres from the Government. Ile was a good shot, and game was in plenty. Ile came here poor, and finally was the owner of five hundred aeres of splendid land. Ile helped to lay out many of the roads in this county. He used to travel to Detroit by ox- team to do trading. Ilis milling was done at Pon- tiac in the very early days, and later at Clarkston. He died near Olive Branch in 1884. His religious home was with the Methodist Church. Hle was originally a Jacksonian Democrat, but he joined the Republican party in 1856. He married Cath- erine Coon, the mother of our subjeet, who was born in l'Ister County, N. Y. She reared six of ber eight children to maturity, namely : Lneinda, Nehemiah, Mathew, Dennis, Frank, Lott and Sarah, The mother was a member of the Methodist Epis- eopal Church, and lived to the good old age of eighty-five years.
The subject of this sketch came to this county with his parents when he was eight years old. Ile had vivid remembrance of the trip and of his early life in the log cabin in the woods. lle attended the school in the log schoolhouses. and sat upon the slab benches. The rate bill system was then in vogue. This youth worked in clearing the forest and went barefooted about his work, and often found himself walking over snakes and reptiles of various kinds. lle began to work for himself at twenty years of age. For seven years he worked out by the month at teaming in Detroit. Ile bought the present farm in 1851, only two acres of which were cleared, and the old log house was the only improvement placed upon it. He helped to clear seven farms before coming here. Ile has one hun- dred and sixty acres, all but thirty of which is cleared, and he raises stoek and grain. Ilis present fine residenee was erected in 1872, and his barns were built in 1866 and 1877.
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.