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 97
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Truly Morning Thomas Invito
Sincerely yours Mrs. Thomas Jurk
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malarial influences of the large city he removed to Orion, where he conducts a large cancer in- firmary. His methods of treatment is purely medi- cinal and the only method by which large blood- vessels can be severed without loss of blood to the patient. His patients come from all parts of the United States.
The lady who presides over the home of Dr. DeCou was Miss Frances Pfluger, of Germany. She came to America when a child and they were married in 1862. One son has blessed this union, Charles A. DeCou, M. D., who is a graduate of the Michigan College of Medicine. Dr. Jacob DeCou is a leading member of the Knights of Honor and is a public-spirited citizen.
IIOMAS TURK, son of William and Rebecca (lunt) Turk, was born at Gotsell Farm in the parish of Bremhill, County of Wilts, England, December 4, 1820. He is now a retired merchant at Pontiac. When sixteen years old he emigrated to the United States, taking passage in a sailing vessel which was six weeks on the ocean. He came to Pontiac in 1837 and hired ont to work on a farm for William Beasley at the rate of $50 per year, but remained with this man only a few months. The same year he went to work for Gil- bert Jones of Wayne County, but being taken sick with the ague, was not able to accomplish much that year. Hle assisted in laying the first plank sidewalk from the Grand Circus to the City Ilall in Detroit, in December, 1838. That was a proud day for Detroit, but the walk would not be thought much of now in that beautiful city, as it was only one plank in width.'
In the spring of 1839 the young man hired out to a company of land surveyors, who had a con- tract from the Government for subdividing a large tract of country around Grand Traverse Bay. While engaged in this work, the surveying party assisted a company of missionaries to erect the first log house built between Mackinaw and Manistee at Elk Rapids. The house was afterward removed to the Peninsula, and is now known as the Old Mission.
These Missionaries had come from Mackinaw in a bateau, with some French-Canadians. The sur- veyors completed their work and crossed from Sleeping Bear to Manitou Islands, and returned to Detroit about the 1st of July.
In the spring of 1840, Mr. Turk accompanied another surveying party to the region of Thunder Bay and Alpena. Leaving Detroit about March 12, they went overland by way of Pontiae to Sag- inaw, where they were obliged to encamp and wait for the ice to leave the river and bay before pro. ceeding on their way by water. They left Saginaw about the last of March, in the small schooner, called "Democrat," Capt. Olmsted, and landed at the An Sable River, where they did some work, and thence went by land to Devil's River and Alpena. They remained here until August, when they returned to Detroit. In those days there were no settlements in all that vast region and no white men except the few fishermen on Thunder Bay Island.
In the fall of the same year, our subject in com- pany with others nnder Sylvester Sibley, a surveyor, went to Presque Isle and returned in November. The following winter and summer he spent in Can. ada. In 1842 be spent the winter in New York near Rochester and in the fall of 1843 he made a visit to England. He was married March 31, 1814, to Miss Maria, only daughter of Thomas Gregory, the wedding taking place in the Parish Church of his native place.
Upon his return from England, Mr. Turk located in Pontiac and began the grocery business on a small seale. He started with $300 worth of stock, but by thorough attention to business and wise con- sideration for the needs of his customers he built up an excellent business and increased his stock from year to year. This business he managed for thirty. odd years and in 1875 turned it over to his sons who still carry it on. Ile is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the Royal Arch De- gree for forty years past.
Mr. and Mrs. Turk made a visit in 1869 to their native land, and he took his daughter across the sea in 1874 to visit her ancestral home. Of his seven children, six are now living, namely : Elizabeth M., wife of Jolin Pound; Thomas A., a merchant at
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Pontiac; William G., of the firm of Turk Bros .; Gregory H., a clothing merchant; Mabel H., Mrs. Edwin Starker; and Ada E., wife of Edward Mose- man, who is with a wholesale house in Chicago. Mr. Turk has done much to improve the city of Pontiac. IIe has built some thirty dwelling-houses and ten brick business-houses, which he rents out. He has had success in all his business operations and has accumulated a large property, the founda- tion of which is his own industry and integrity. IIe has served for one year on the city council of Pontiac, and politically is a Democrat.
In connection with this biographical notice are presented portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Turk.
D AVID TAYLOR. Although he has passed the age of fourscore, this aged man is still in possession of such a degree of physical vigor as enables him to participate in the work on his farm. His home is on section 11, Lyon Township, where he has one hundred and fifteen acres of val- uable land, well improved and well stocked. Mr. Taylor took up his residence here in 1850. His first purchase was a forty-acre tract, which he added to by purchases at various times and in dif- ferent localities until his landed estate consisted of three hundred and ninety-five acres. Besides the original tract, this was divided into forty acres on section 14, eighty on 'section 15, seventy-five on section 11, and one hundred and sixty in Milford Township. Ilis mainstay in carrying on the work of his present farm is his youngest son, a very agreeable and intelligent gentlemen who, with his wife, lives on the old home.
Mr. Taylor was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., July 9, 1809, and is the son of John and Ruth (Knapp) Taylor. The father was born in New Jersey about 1770 and went to Connecticut when a young man. There he mar- ried the daughter of Nehemiah Knapp, who was born in that State about 1774. They removed to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and afterward to Niagara County, and Mr. Taylor died in Lewiston in 1831. He had eleven children, four daughters
and seven sons. Hle left a farm of one hundred acres, which was given to one of the older sons. The subject of this notice was the eighth member of the family circle and the youngest son. He started in life when twenty years old by driving a team and it was ten years later that he came to this State. In 1839 he became a resident in Shiawassee County, where he remained seven years, having a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres. This he sold when he removed to this county.
In 1843 David Taylor was married to Mary Gil- lett, who shared his fortunes until 1854, then closed her eyes in death. She was the fourth child of Absalom and Susan Gillett, who were formerly of New York. She was the mother of one daugh- ter and four sons. In 1855 Mr. Taylor made a second marriage, wedding Jane Smith, a native of Ireland. This union has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Avis C., who was born in 1856 and who was the wife of Saxon Cheesbrough, of Carey, Ohio.
In religious opinions Mr. Taylor classes himself among the Free Thinkers, but he attends and sup- ports the Methodist church. Since the Republican party was formed Mr. Taylor has supported it, and prior to that time he was a Whig. Ile is held in good repute by those who enjoy his acquaintance, as one whose days have been spent in meritorious labors and who has been a trustworthy citizen.
OIIN H. O'BRIEN, a farmer on section 10, Bloomfield Township, was born in Troy. N. Y., August 9, 1838. His parents, James and Alice (Oberyn ) O'Brien, natives of Ire- land, both came to this country when young. Af- ter their marriage in Troy, N. Y., they came in 1854 to Michigan and settled on a farm on the op- posite side of the turnpike from where our subject now lives. Later they moved on to that place. where they spent the remainder of their days, pass- ing away in 1878, having each reached the age of seventy-five years. The father was a tradesman in his early life, but after 1854 he devoted himself entirely to agriculture. Both he and his wife were
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members of the Catholic church. Ilis political views were with the Democratic party, but he was never active in political matters. He came to America with small means and made all that he had by his own efforts. He had five children: John II., James M., Mary A., Alice and James.
John, the eldest son of this family, was educated in Troy, N. Y., where he gave special attention to the study of musie. In 1854 he came to Michigan with his parents and has devoted most of his atten- tion to agriculture. He was organist in the Cath- olie church at Pontiac until 1870. IIe has a farm of ninety-two acres two and one-half miles south- east of Pontiac, on the Pontiac & Birmingham gravel road, upon which he has placed good im- provements. He has paid considerable attention to raising Jersey cattle. He is an Independent in politics and votes for the man whom his judgment approves. He is a member of the Catholic church at Pontiac.
The marriage of our subject was solemnized Oc- tober 5, 1866. His wife bore the maiden name of Annie Cruise and lived at Orchard Lake, this connty, where she was born Angust 4, 1840. She was a daughter of Peter and Bridget (Dillon) Cruise, natives of Ireland and early settlers in Or- chard Lake, where they lived and died. Mrs. Cruise was a daughter of Capt. John Dillon, of the English army. Mrs. O'Brien died December 17, 1887. She was a member of the Catholic church and left five children to mourn her loss, namely : James, Agnes, May S., Alice and Charlotte, who are all residing with their father at home.
D ARWIN O. WHITE. The late Mr. White was one of those upright, kindly men, whose loss is felt by scores beyond the circle of their immediate friends and relatives. He was a liberal contributor to all good causes, was honest in all his dealings, and had such good judgment and energy of spirit as to secure the admiration and friendship of all who knew him. He represented this county in the Legislature, to which he was elected on the Democratic ticket in 1869 and
again in 1871. Ilis occupation was farming and he left a good property, which has been and is car - ried on by his wife, who has shown herself thor- oughly capable of guiding her hired help.
The parents of our subject were George and Ilannah (Bronson) White, both of whom were born in Vermont. Ile was the youngest of seven sons and three daughters, and was born in South- field Township, this county, September 8, 1835. The major part of his education was obtained here, but he studied three months in a Detroit commer- cial college at the conclusion of his school life. At the age of seventeen years he went to work in a lawyer's office in that eity, but remained only a short time and then found employment with Theo- dore Ilinchman, a wholesale groceryman and ship chandler. With him he remained about three years, then, having married, he located in Conway Township, Livingston County, where he resided three years and a half. He next returned to South-' field Township, this county, where he had been married, and where he remained until he was called hence, July 8, 1885, when in the fiftieth year of his age.
Mr. White was, at one time, connected with the Masonic order. He was Township Clerk in 1861-62 and Treasurer in 1863; was Supervisor three years, 1867-68 and '70, and School Inspector a number of years. In these positions, as in the more promin- ent one of a Representative, he was faithful to the trust reposed in him, and did all that in him lay to promote the welfare and best interests of his con- stituents. His political allegiance was always given to Democratie principles, and he had firm faith in the policy of the party.
Mrs. White bore the maiden name of Electa Irish and became the wife of our subject August 12, 1856. She is the eldest daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Biglow) Irish, natives of New York. who came to Michigan in 1825 and at once estab- lished their home in West Bloomfield Township, this county. Her father died there September 5, 1855. Her mother is now eighty-one years old and makes her home with the daughter. Mrs. White was born in West Bloomfield Township, October 29, 1835. She has five children, but three only are living: Marion was born November 4,
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1859, and is a resident of Southfield Township; Hamilton died when twenty-three months old; Mary and Myra, twins, who were born August, 26, 1871, are with their mother; Josephine died at the age of _eight months. The surviving danghters have much musical talent and sing and play well. They are intelligent and pleasant yonng ladies, and with their accomplishments make the home very attractive. Mrs. White is a lady of very agreeable manners, is intelligent and well read, and has the reputation of a good neighbor and firm friend.
ILLIAM DOILANY, a farmer on section 30, Southfield Township, was born in Farmington Township, November 7, 1837. His father, William, was a native of County Queens, Ireland, where he was born in 1798. Hle was a book-keeper in the old country and a man of considerable ability. When he came to New York in 1825 he took the position of overseer in the public works of Jersey City, having about one hundred men under him. He came to Michigan in 1837 and located in Farmington Township, and upon a place very little improved; he found a log house there, into which he moved his family and where he remained until the end of his days, Janu- ary 31, 1876. The home place is now owned by onr subject and is represented by a view on an other page. The wife of William Dohany, Sr., was Catherine Burk, a native of County Kings, Ireland, where she was born in 1805. She departed this life August 16, 1881. They lie side by side in the cemetery in Greenfield, Wayne County.
William and Catherine Dohany were the parents of six children, namely: Michael, who was killed in the mines in California in 1860; Sarah, Mrs. Grace, who resides in Ann Arbor; John, who mar- ried Mary A. Fayne and resides in Farmington Township; William, our subjeet ; Mary A., wife of John Stanley, residing in Detroit, and C. Matilda, the widow of E. J. Beaty, of Detroit. The first schooling of our subject was on section 24, of his native township. Ile remained with his father until
he was thirty years old and assisted him on the farm. The lady whom he made his wife Septem- ber 12, 1866, was by name Bridget Egan. She was born in Southfield Township, December 23, 1844, and was the second danghter of James and Penel- ope ( MeDermott) Egan, natives of Ireland. The mother was born in County Queens and the father in County Kings. They came to Michigan in 1846 and located in Southfield Township, where they still reside, having both reached the advanced age of seventy-seven years.
Immediately after marriage the subject of this sketch located on the place where he now resides. There little improvement had been made upon this land, only about twelve acres of it having been cleared. Hle and his good wife became the parents of ten children, namely: John S., a teacher in Red- ford, Wayne County; Emmett E.,a teacher in Franklin; William E., a traveling man located in Detroit; M. Teresa, Francis II., Charles E., J. Am- brose, Clara P., Casper G. and Harry L. The last named died in infancy, being the seventh child.
Mr. Dohany has two hundred and eighty aeres of excellent land, most of it under good cultiva- tion, upon which he is doing a general farming business. lle is also interested in stock-raising and has one hundred and fifty sheep, eighteen head of cattle and eight horses on his place. Ile is a Deni- ocrat in his politics and is an adherent of the Catholic Church, in which faith all his family have been brought np.
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AMES VANTINE, one of the most success- ful farmers and popular citizens of Brandon Township, was born in Clarence Township, Erie County, N. Y., September 4, 1833. Ile is the son of Albert, who is the son of Mathew, of Ilolland descent. Mathew was a farmer and a soldier in the Revolutionary War and lived to more than reach a century of honest and upright living. The father followed the patriotic example of his parent and took part in the War of 1812. In 1840 he journeyed hy ox-team to Buffalo, by lake to Detroit and then by ox-team again to Gen-
HOUSE ON SEC. 9.
RESIDENCE OF JAMES VANTINE, SEC. 8., BRANDON TP., OAKLAND CO., MICH.
OLD. HOMESTEAD SEC 25. FARMINGTON TP.
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM DOHANY, SEC.30., SOUTHFIELD TP., OAKLAND CO., MICH.
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esee County, Mich. Ile took up land from the Government when the country was very sparsely settled. He first came out in 1837 and spent two winters in chopping before bringing out his house- hold. He then erected a log house to shelter his wife and four children. He improved one hundred and forty acres. Deer was plentiful and the wolves killed a fine yearling heifer for him one night. He was a hard worker and died at the age of sixty- three years in 1865. Ile was first a Whig, then a strong Abolitionist, and later a Republican.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Betsey Uptograff. She was a native of Erie County, N. Y., and seven of her eight chil- dren grew to maturity. They were named as follows: Mary ; Ambrose, deceased; Ellen, Matilda, Eliza- beth, Charity and James. She died at the age of seventy-four years. and her beautiful Christian life is the heritage of her children. She was a member of the Congregational Church. Our subject was only six years old when he came to Michigan, but he recollects vividly the incidents of the journey. Ile stayed over night in a log cabin in Detroit. Ile saw many more Indians than whites. The log schoolhouse which he attended was one and one- fourth miles from home.
James Vantine began life for himself at the age of twenty-six, having spent the years after his majority in labor for his father. In return for this his father deeded him forty acres of land. Ile worked out some in the winters, receiving wages at the rate of $10 per month. He built a frame house on his forty acres and made his home there for twelve years, and purchased twenty-six acres in addition. He removed to his present farm in 1874. Ilis marriage to Ellen Truax took place in 1850. She was a native of Michigan and lived only eight years after her marriage, leaving one child, Oscar, now married and employed in the white lead works at Detroit.
The second marriage of our subject occurred in 1865. The bride was Mary J. Harvey, a native of New York. Her two children are Hattie and Charles. Mr. Vantine enlisted in December, 1864, in Company I, Thirtieth Michigan Infantry. IIe was mustered in at Detroit but was never sent to the seat of war on account of Lee's surrender.
He was discharged in June, 1865. He has always been an ardent Republican. He has two hundred and sixty acres here in two farms, most of it under cultivation. Here he carries on mixed farming in which he is very successful, as he is an excellent manager and has pursued an industrious and la- borious life. A view of his residence and the rural surroundings appears on another page of this vol- ume.
6 RUMAN NICHOLS, a former resident of Farmington, died October 7, 1877, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. He was a na- tive of Ogden, Monroe County, N. Y., and was born November 30, 1811. Ile was married Aug- ust 23, 1831. to Miss Hannah Allen, of Sweden, Monroe County, and two weeks later started for the Territory of Michigan, with only his young wife, good health, and a fixed determination that he wouldl achieve success. This he did by the practice of industry, frugality and strict integrity. The parents of his wife were Reuben and Hannah (Way) Allen. The young couple settled in the township of Farmington, where they at first ob- tained temporary accommodations, with three other families, in the log house of Philip Marlatt. Ilis wife was a well educated young lady, who finished her schooling at Brockport, N. Y., and she has been an earnest and efficient member of the Bap- vist Church since she was fifteen years old.
During the more than forty-five years that Mr. Nichols resided in Farmington he owned and oc- cupied three different farms, but each transfer and purchase but showed the correctness of his judg- ment in the improved condition of his affairs. Mr. Nichols was a man possessing great determina- tion yet easily excited under provocation, but, notwithstanding, he had a heart full of sympathy and endeavored to govern his life by the princi- ples of moral rectitude. He was ever ready to ac- knowledge and repair an injury whenever he was convinced that he had done a wrong.
In the fall of 1831 Mr. Nichols united with the Baptist Church at Farmington and remained until his death, not only a consistent but an efficient and
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helpful member. Ile was a kind husband, an in- dulgent father, an accommodating neighbor and an esteemed citizen, and was ever active in pro- moting the social. moral and material interests of the town. In politics he uniformly supported Republican principles and candidates. Ile left a widow, who was the companion of his youth, and three sons: Albert T., who is a cashier of the First National Bank at Corunna; Hiram, a suc- eessful and wealthy farmer of the town of Brigli- ton, and Gilbert C., who retains the old homestead in Farmington. The widow, who resides on the old homestead, is a lady of unusual intelligence and is bright and pleasing in conversation. She is most highly esteemed in the community, and is still efficient in the management of her household duties.
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E LI WOODMAN, M. D., who keeps a drug store at Farmington, Mich., was born in Vermont, in Wilton, Orleans County, Au- gust 28. 1826. llis father was born in New Hamp- shire in 1797. The mother of our subject was Lois Fuller. She was born in New Hampshire in 1805, and was united in marriage with Mr. Wood- man in her native State. They resided there for a short time, and then came to New York, and pro- ceeded to Michigan in 1833. They located on what is known as the Sanford farm in Novi Town- ship, Oakland County. They did not live long in the new country as the mother was snatched away by death ir. 1836, and the father departed in 1848. They left behind them two sons and one daughter.
The subject of our sketch was six years old when be migrated to the West. Ile bad commenced to go to school in the East, and the year after his re- moval to this part of the country, he attended the old log schoolhouse at Walled Lake. In 1835 he went to school in Novi Township. In very early manhood he began to teach school, teaching win- ters and working or going to school in the summer. Ile completed his school days at a private school at Northville.
In 1850 the young man came to Farmington and began the study of medicine with Dr. W. H. Haze.
He remained with him for three years, and in 1853 went to Grand Ledge and began his practice. After remaining there a year he opened an office at Berlin, Ottawa County. In 1859 he returned to Farmington where he proceeded to build up a prac- tice. Ile was ambitious to excel in his chosen profession, and eager to avail himself of all op- portunities of improvement. Hle therefore de . cided to supplement his private studies by a course in the medical department of the University at Ann Arbor. Ile took his diploma in 1868. In addi- tion to his professional duties he has added the business of a drug store, carrying an extensive stock of drugs and medicines, oils, paints, etc.
An event of great importance in the life of our subject took place in 1856. He was then united in life with Mary A. Brinkerhoff, a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., where she was born February 15. 1821. Dr. Woodman is identified with the order of Masonry at Farmington, being a member of Lodge No. 151. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, and he is wide-awake to all matters of public interest. Our subject held the office of Postmaster, under dames Buchanan, in Ottawa, Mich., and also in Farmington in 1860, and also held the same office under Cleveland's admin- istration.
ARK II. FURMAN, a representative farm- er of Novi Township, is a son of Benjamin Furman a native of Rockland County, N. Y., who was not only a blacksmith and a farmer but a soldier in the War of 1812. He was born in the year 1790. His wife, Jane Beardsley, was a native of the same county as her husband. There they were married and resided until 1834 and then removed to Monroe County, N. Y., where they made their home on a partly improved farm. IIe died in 1874 and his good wife followed him four years later. Five of their seven children still sur- vive. Their father was of Quaker birth and train- ing and a Whig in politics, later becoming a Re- publican.
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