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 95
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ILLIAM M. HALL. One of the prosper- ous farmers of Troy Township is the gen- tleman above named, whose home is on section 33. although his property includes two hon- dred and ten aeres on section 32. The home place consists of one hundred and fifty-eight acres and the entire estate is under improvement. The resi-
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM M HALL, SEC. 33., TROY TP., OAKLAND CO., MICH.
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RESIDENCE OF THOMAS W. MORRISON, SEC. 29., OXFORD TP, OAKLAND CO., MICH .
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dence, a view of which is shown on another' page, is one that would attract the attention of any passerby, as its very appearance indicates prosper- ity and a desire for comfort. The barns, granaries, sheds, etc., are numerous and complete in their appointments, as befits a farm on which extensive work is done. Mr. Hall handles much stock. has from two hundred to five hundred sheep on the farm and other animals in proportionate numbers.
Mr. Hall was born in Ontario County, N. Y., June 24, 1839, and accompanied his parents to this State when eight years old. The reader is referred to the sketch of Horaee Hall. on another page, for facts regarding the history of his parents. Ile is their only son and there is but one other member of the family, a sister. The first schooling ob- tained by our subject was in his native place and he continued his studies in the log schoolhouse of the home district in Macomb County. IIe aided his father on the farm until he was of age, and from the time he was old enough to transact the business was engaged in stock buying. For about twelve years his attention was chiefly given to the business of a drover, and for six years he made his home in the village of Royal Oak. this county, whither he came after his marriage. Ile then lo- caled on section 32, Troy Township. remaining there eleven years and then coming to his present location.
The wedding of Mr. Hall and Miss Rebecca A. Rose was solemnized at the bride's hoine, December 31, 1867. She was born in Brandon Township, this county. October 31. 1840. and is the fourth of six children compri. ing the family of Joseph L. and Charlotte ( Baliley ) Rose. Her father was born in New York and her mother in Pennsylvania and they settled in this county about 1835. Mr. Rose died here in 1855 but Mrs. Rose is still living and her home is in Royal Oak Township. The daugh ter who became the wife of our subject is a well- informed and energetic lady who takes pride in making her home attractive and enjoys dispensing . hospitality to her friends. She performs many kind deeds and is a good neighbor. She has had two children-a son Frank who died at the age of thirteen months, and a daughter, Lottie B., who is attending school in Birmingham,
Mr. Hall is a Mason and his name is on the roster of a lodge in Detroit. Ilis political allegiance is given to the Democratic party and he is the first Democrat that has been elected Supervisor in Troy Township for forty years. As a citizen he is pub- lic-spirited and reliable, and his associations with his neighbors and acquaintances are cordial and friendly.
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ILLIAM C. AXFORD. Among the most highly-esteemed and useful citizens of Orion, we may well name Mr. and Mrs. William C. Axford. Every visitor to the city is attracted by the beautiful home which they have established, and stop to admire the handsome brick structure which shelters their household. Mr. Axford was born in Warren County, N. J., April 14, 1827. Ilis father was Abram, who came to Michigan in 1830, and entered a tract of Govern- ment land in Oakland Township, Oakland County. If'e was a New Jersey man and was among the very first settlers in the county. Hle purchased eighty aeres of partly improved land upon whieb their was a log honse in which he made his home. In- dians were his near neighbors and often camped just across the road from his house. Ile retired from active life some years after the war closed and settled in Pontiae. lIe finally removed to Orion where he died in 1885, having rounded out his four-score years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a successful man in every way. Ilis wife was Penninah Swayze and was born in Warren County, N. J. She is still living at the age of eighty-three years and is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of their seven children, six sons are still living.
William Axford remained at home, helping in clearing and improving his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He then bonght eighty aeres from his father, on which he located and lived for three years.
Mr. Axford's marriage took place in 1849. His bride was Mary Plummerfelt, born in Warren County, N. J., in 1824. Her parents were William
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and Esther Plummerfelt. Her father came from New Jersey to Michigan about 1833. and located in Oakland Township. Here he died in 1884 at the age of four-score years and four. Her mother had died in New Jersey, in 1832. The second Mrs. Plummerfelt still survives. Of Mr. Plummer- felt's twelve children, eleven are still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Axford were blessed with five child- ren. but they have been greatly afflicted as every one bas been removed by death and they are now childless. Their eldest chill Zenas lived to be twenty-four years old. He received a good com- mon-school education and then attended Romeo High School and took a course in the commercial college at Detroit. After keeping books for a few years he began the study of law at Lapeer, where he took sick and after being brought home he died. lle was the only one who outlived early childhood.
The subject of this sketch finds his political sympathies with the Republican party and he is looked up to by the men of his party as one of their natural leaders, being often made a delegate to conventions. Socially Mr. Axford is a member of the Grange, and in all ways helps to promote the interests of farmers. He owns three hundred and thirty acres of land, mostly in Oakland Town- . ship and has made all that he has. He is one of the successful and prominent men of Orion. Mrs. Axford is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ALLAS WARREN, M. D., is a well-known physician and druggist of Milford, who is now paying more attention to the drug trade than to his practice. He represents an old New York family, and his grandfather, Joel Warren, was a cousin of Gen. Warren of Revolu- tionary fame. The grandfather was a farmer in Delaware County, N. Y., until Michigan began to be settled, when he came West and identitied him- self with the pioneers of Washtenaw County. lle opened up a farm there and made it his home until his decease. His son,lliram G., father of the Doc- tor, also came West, and was engaged in agrienlt-
ural pursuits in Washtenaw County until he retired from active life. He then made his home in South Lyon, this county, and died there in the fall of 1889 at the age of sixty-nine years. He was financially prosperous. In politics he wasa Demo- crat.
In the maternal line Dr. Warren is descended from New Jersey families. llis grandfather, Nathan Nailer, was born in that State and joined the band that was opening up the forests of Michi- gan, making his home in Northfield, Washtenaw County, where he eventually died. His danghter, Sarah A., who became the wife of Hiram Warren, was born in New Jersey and is now living in South Lyon, this county. She belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. She has five children living, the eldest but one of whom is the subject of these paragraphs.
The natal day of Dr. Warren was February 1, 1850, and his birthplace Northfield Township, Washtenaw Connty. He was reared on a farm, the most of his youthful years being spent in Salem Township. He had the district school advantages prior to his seventeenth year, when he entered the high school at Ann Arbor. He studied there three years, then worked on the homestead for some time. Having a desire to study medicine. he turned his attention in that direction. and in 1876 entered the medical department of the I'ni- versity of Michigan, from which he was graduated after three years' study. He took the three years' course and he also graduated in the first class that graduated in the nine months' course, and when the degree of Doctor of Medicine was obtained he located at llighland, this county. Ile practiced there until 1881, then located in Milford, where he has continued to work at his chosen pro- fession. In 1883 he started in the drug business as one of the firm of Warren & Babcock, and in July, 1887, bought out his partner. He has a well- equipped drug store, in a good location and in addition to drugs and medicine has a book and stationery department. He also owns his resi- dence, which is substantial and well furnished.
In Ann Arbor in 1870 Dr. Warren was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Vandawarker. The bride was born in Ann Arbor, where her father,
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Jacob Vandawarker, was a boot and shoe dealer, and is a native of the Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. Warren have two children-Grace and May -neither of whom have yet flown from the home nest.
Dr. Warren was President of Milford in 1883, and has been a member of the School Board for six years. He is Treasurer in the Blue Lodge, and has the degree of a Royal Areh Mason also. He is Medi- cal Examiner in the Knights of the Maccabees and the Tonti, and is Health Officer of both village and township. He belongs to the Oakland County Academy of Medicine, a society whose members consult together and investigate matters pertaining to medieal seienee and thus add to their practical value as professional men. Dr. Warren belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church and holds the office of Steward. Politically he is a Democrat. Personally he is cordial and agreeable, and his friends are many.
OSEPH BAILEY has an elegant farm, a handsome residence and well-equipped barns on seetion 4, Commerce Township. His father, William Bailey, was a native of County Monaghan, Ireland. His mother, a native of the same place, bore the maiden name of Isabella Graham. Both are now deceased. The father was a yeoman farmer and he and his good wife were the parents of ten children, six of whom are now living.
The subject of this sketch was born seventy-two years ago, in the county where his parents first saw the light. There he grew to manhood and began his life as a farmer. He received his education in the schools of his native town and was married in 1846 to Isabella Bailey, who was a second cousin. They married in the old country and resided there till 1849, when they left the Emerald Isle, and coming to America, landed in New York. Their faces were turned westward and they came directly on to Michigan and bought a farm of forty acres on section 5, Commerce Township. It was already somewhat improved and had a log house on it,
Here they made their happy home for four years. They then bought one hundred aeres where they now live. Here they have continued to reside from that day to this. Mr. Bailey has added to his acreage until he now has two hundred acres, most of it improved. In 1865 he erected a frame bouse. This was burned in 1888 and he rebuilt, putting up the house in which he now resides. He was afflicted by the death of his wife in 1882. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Is- abella, Mary Ann, Hannah, Samuel, Eliza Jane, Sarah M. (deceased), Susan, Wallace, Joseph and William A.
The second marriage of Mr. Bailey took place in 1890. lle was then united with Mrs. Susan Trump, an old settler here, whose maiden name was Cox. She was the mother of three children by her former marriage, and is an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is greatly interested in public affairs, especially in the progress of the Republican party, which counts upon his vote and influence. He is a man of strictly temperate habits and in this respect sets an example worthy the emulation of his children. llis early opportunities for acquiring a handsome property would have seemed small indeed to a prophetic eye, but he has conquered difficulties and by dint of perseverance, hard work and enterprise has cleared the debt on his land and placed him- self in the front rank of prosperous farmers of this township. Seven of his children are married and have homes of their own and he is the happy grandfather of eighteen children.
E UGENE MACK, a stirring farmer of Addi- son Township, who has spent his entire life in the home where he was born January 3, 1845, is a man of popularity and of broad and strong influence in the community where he resides. Ilis father, Lewis, was born in Georgetown, Madi- son County, N. Y., in 1821. The grandfather, Arnold Mack came to Michigan in 1832 and loea. ted in Bruce Township, Macomb County, where he entered Government land, He was one of the first
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settlers in that region and there was no other white man within a number of miles. The country was a wilderness and wild game was plentiful. Indians camped near and often passed through the coun- try. He continued to reside here until about 1850 when he made a tour to Texas and Mexico and on the way home died of the cholera at Xenia, Ohio.
The Mack family trace their ancestry back to Scotland. Lewis was the eldest of four children. all of whom are now deceased. Ile was twelve years old when his father came to Michigan. When he reached his majority he built a good frame house for himself just across the line in Bruce Township, Macomb County. Hle owned at one time about four hundred acres on both sides of the county line, much of which he cleared and cultivated. Ile was Supervisor of Addison Township, and Justice of the Peace. Both he and his good wife, who bore the maiden name of Vivala Middleditch were members of the Free Will Baptist Church. They were a couple of more than ordinary congeniality, and died in 1861 within five days of each other. He was a hard worker and a successful man. The only brother of our subjeet is Dr. George J. Mack, now of Waterloo. lowa.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the two sons and was reared on the farm where he still resides. He received such education as the district schools of the early days afforded and assisted his parents on the farm until he was nineteen years of age. After the death of his parents he assumed entire charge of the farm. His marriage took place February 6. 1865, and he then took to wife Frances Hlosner. who was born in Bruce Township, Macomb County, Mich. She was the mother of one child. Charles, from whom she was removed by death in 1870. The second marriage of our subject occurred in 1880. lle was then united with Ella Jones, who was born in Bruce Township, Macomb County. One daughter, Lena. is the result of this union.
Although Mr. Mack was reared a Democrat he joined the Republican party in 1872. The town- ship in which he resides generally goes Democratic by from fifty to one hundred votes, but the popu- larity of this man has several times given him a handsome majority over any Democratic opponent, and he is now serving bis fifth term as Supervisor
and has held the offices of Highway Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. His excellent and in- telligent wife is a member of the Protestant Meth- odist Church.
Two hundred and twenty-five acres are com- prised in the home farm and Mr. Mack owns in all some six hundred acres, part of which is in Lapeer County. Ile raises all kinds of stock. In 1883 he patented the Mack door-hanger which is now used in nearly every State in the Union. He manu- factured them himself for some time at Romeo. Mich., but in 1891 he sold his right to a firm in Dubuque, Iowa. Ile has been a successful farmer as well as inventor and is highly esteemed by his neighbors.
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UDSON LEWIS, resides in his native town- ship, Addison, in Oakland County, Mich., where he was born September 12, 1861. llis father, Joseph Lewis, a New Jersey man, came here at an early day and bought land upon which had been placed some slight improvements. Ile was a worthy and respected member of the Baptist Church and died in 1888 at the age of sixty-five years.
The mother of our subject hore the maiden name of Diana Fisher. She was born in Ohio and is still living. Like her husband she was long connected with the Baptist Church and in it has found a life- long field of usefulness. She had a family of four children, all of whom are living. Her son. Judson, was born and reared upon the farm where he now lives.
This son received a good district school educa- tion and remained at home assisting his father upon the farm until the death of that parent. He and his twin brother George afterward purchased the old farm and they managed it in partnership. The business has been carried on with a great degree of harmony and success, as the brothers are united in their views and plans.
An event of great importance in the life of the subject of this biographical sketch was solemnized in 1888, It was his marriage with Miss Daisy
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LELAND GREEN
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Bowers, who, like himself is a native of Addison Township. Her parents are Whit and Melinda Bowers both of whom are natives of the State in which their daughter resides. The subject of this sketch is a Democrat in his political convictions, but being one of the younger men in his township has not made himself at all prominent even in local politics. The two brothers own two hundred acres of fine arable land, which they are cultivating and upon which they will no doubt attain the success which their industry, enterprise and push entitle them to.
ELAND GREEN. Among the retired busi- ness men of character and standing in the community who honor the county in which they did the hard work of their mature years by spending their last days in it, we find the gentle- man whose name heads this sketch and whose por- trait appears on the opposite page. He was for many years one of the largest stock dealers and drovers in the county, sending cattle to Detroit and Buffalo and other large markets. He is now ninety years old, having been born in Schoharie County, N. Y., June 4, 1801.
James Green, father of our subject, was a native of Rhode Island, where he first saw the light in 1764. Hle was a farmer by occupation and had a brother in the Revolutionary War. When a young man he went to Schoharie County, and in 1810 removed thence to Ontario County, N. Y., where he was engaged in farming. Ife came to Oakland County, Mich., in 1823, making his home in a log house in Troy Township; be died there in 1826. He was a Democrat in his political views. His wife, Hopy Short, was a native of Massachusetts, where she was born in 1768. The marriage was solem- nized by Elder Leland, a very notable Baptist min- ister of Massachusetts, for whom they named their son. Twelve children were sent to this worthy couple, and although there are only two now sur- viving all lived to matnrity.
Until our subject was nine years old he lived in Schoharie County, after which he resided in Ontario County until 1823, when he came to Troy Township,
this county, where he bought land. After working it one year he bought another piece in Farm- ington Township, where he built a log house. He then purchased eighty acres in another part of the township and erected a frame house, where he re- sided until 1884, when he sold it. Ile lived upon this farm sixty years and has owned it sixty-eight years. He was in the township of Farmington when there was not a man there but himself; be bought his land of the Government and his deed bears the name of James Monroe.
Mr. Green continued farming until he reached the age of fifty years, when he began buying stock, driving them to Detroit and shipping them to New York City and Albany. On one trip he lost $500. lle bought cattle all over the country and made a very extensive business of it. llis first marriage took place in Novi Township, this county, in 1830. His wife was Naney Willmarth, a native of New York. To her were born five children : Dexter W., living in Nebraska; Mary A. and Mira (twins), the latter deceased; Wesley A., who was First Lieu- tenant in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry during the war, and Thomas, who was also a soldier in the Civil War, but now deceased. The mother passed away in 1837.
The second marriage of Mr. Green took place in 1839. Ile was then united with Ruth Haines, from the State of New Jersey. She died in 1885. In his third marriage our subject took to wife Mary (Lapham) Blanchard, widow of Worthy Blanchard, of Erie County, N. Y., where she was born May 27, 1820. She was the eldest daughter of Asa Lapham and Sarah Allen. Mrs. Green was eleven years of age when she came to Michigan with her parents, and she attended school in the log schoolhouse in Farmington Township. Her mother died in 1849 and her father ten years later. They are buried side by side in Wayne County. James Monroe was the first President for whom Mr. Green cast a ballot. lIe was first a Whig and after- ward a Republican, to the principles of which party he and his brother, Chauncy Green of Pontiac, have always adhered.
Our subject was for nine years the Assessor of the township; for one year Commissioner of High- ways and for two years Supervisor. With these
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exceptions he has always declined office. as his business responsibilities have been so heavy as to preclude his attending to official business: he has, however, held school offices in the township of Farmington, his interest in educational matters having led him to make an exception in their favor. He is a strong believer in the exercise of justice to every individual, and is always active in pro- moting its practice toward all. The Friends have formed a social organization, of which Mr. Green is President. He is an ardent patriot, and during the late war contributed $100 for the purpose of raising a company in the Fourth Michigan Cav- alry.
ORTIMER A. LEGGETT. Waterford Township contains no better example of quiet, efficient pursuit of an agricultural calling than that afforded by our subject. Early in life he determined to become a farmer, and devoting all his strength of mind to obtain proficiency in his chosen calling, he has succeeded well, having an estate of one hundred forty acres, which produces abundantly the various erops in their season. It is embellished with such improve- ments as to make it a place of most attractive ap- pearance and indicate the thrifty character of the owner.
With the public life of the community Mr. Leg- get is also closely identified, and is deeply inter- ested in the progress of education, all benevolent work and everything which will increase the material prosperity of the county. Ifis private cha- racter is upright, his disposition genial, and man- ners courteous, and he is therefore highly respected by those who know him. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party and served as a delegate to the Republican Convention at Detroit, where delegates were selected for the convention in Chi- cago at the time Gen. Grant was last nominated for the Presidency. For thirty consecutive years Mr. Leggett has been Treasurer of his school dis- triet, and has served as Supervisor and Census En- umerator.
Mr. Leggett comes of substantial parentage and
is the son of Augustus W. and Eliza (Seaman) Leggett, The father was born in New York in 1816 and was well educated by private tutors. His ancestors came from England to America in 1661. His wife was born in the city of New York in 1815, and traces her ancestry to English fore- fathers, who emigrated to America in 1660. Mrs. Leggett received an excellent High-School educa- tion and became the wife of Augustus W. Leggett in 1836. Her father. Dr. Valentine Seaman was the first to introduce vaccination in the State of New York, and vaccinated his son, at which the people became so indignant that they threatened him with punishment. lle was a man of much mental culture, practical knowledge and profes- sional skill.
For several years Mr. Leggett was engaged in mercantile pursuits in the city of New York, and for two years he was editor of a paper. On account of failing health he changed his occupa- tion to farming. During the early days of the his- tory of Michigan he came thither in 1852 and for one year sojourned in Pontiac. He next purchased a farm and mill on sections 1, 2 and 11 in Water- ford Township. where he resided until 1865. In the meantime he accumulated a competeney for his declining years, and retiring from the more active duties of life, located in Detroit, where he died in 1886. The mother is still living and makes her home with our subject. At the age of seventy-six years she is a well-preserved lady, of amiable disposition and intelligent mind.
The parents of our subject had a family of eleven children. seven of whom are living, and all excepting Mortimer A. are residents of Detroit. The father and mother gave them excellent educa- tional advantages and thus prepared them for the responsible positions in life which they now hokl. One of the children, Percival S. was killed in the late war, and at the time was serving on Gen. Kilpa- trick's staff. The subject of this sketch was born in New York City, October 18, 1837, and was the re- cepient of a good education in youth. At the age of twenty he began to work for himself, although he soon found a helpful co-laborer in Miss Jennie M. Whitehead, with whom he was united in mar- riage in 1858. The bride is the daughter of Alme-
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