Daniel Brooks

2 June 1850 — ?

Bio

The following is an excerpt from a book published by Chapman Brothers, 1884.

Daniel A. Brooks, farmer, section 18, Flynn Township, was born June 2, 1850, in Elgin Co., Ont., and is the son of Daniel and Mary (Chase) Brooks, both of whom are still living. He was an inmate of the paternal household until he was 22 years of age. On leaving home to make his first effort toward independent existence, he engaged as a farm assistant, in which employ he remained until his marriage to Olive L. Bates, May 25, 1872. She was born in Ontario, Aug. 10, 1851, and is the daughter of George A. and Rose (Muncill) Bates. Her parents were natives respectively of New York and Ontario and of New England ancestry on both sides. They now reside in Elgin County and belong to the agricultural class. Their respective ages are 67 and 62 years. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Brooks includes three children—Benj. L., Charlotte E. and Earl William. Ettie, third child in order of birth is deceased.

They remained in Ontario until November 1880 when they removed to Sanilac County and settled on the place on which they have since resided. Mr. Brooks purchased 160 acres of land and has improved 70 acres, built a large barn, 40 x 68 feet in dimensions and supplied the place with other good and suitable farm fixtures. He is a Republican in political sentiment.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Sanilac County; Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Citizens of the County. Chicago, Chapman Brothers, 1884.

Thomas Mahaffy

26 July 1850 — 1921 (aged 70–71)

Bio

The following is an excerpt from a book published by Chapman Brothers, 1884.

Thomas H. Mahaffy, farmer, section 9, Flynn Township, was born July 26, 1850, or 1851, in County Armagh, Ireland. His parents, William and M.A. Mahaffy, were also natives of the “Green Isle,” where they passed their entire lives. When he was 23 years of age he came to America and at first located in Ontario, Dominion of Canada. He went thence to Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., where he entered the employ of E.W. Giddings, a banker of that place. He came to Sanilac County in the fall of 1879 and purchased the property where he has since resided and operated as a farmer on 160 acres of land. He has cleared and improved about 20 acres.

Mr. Mahaffy was married May 17, 1882, in Marlette to Rebecca Murphy. She was born in Ireland, March 12, 1864, and came to this country when she was 16 years old. Arthur is the name of the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Mahaffy. The parents are members of the M.E. Church, and Mr. Mahaffy is a Democrat in political belief.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Sanilac County; Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Citizens of the County. Chicago, Chapman Brothers, 1884.

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Thomas Welch

24 Feb 1819 — ?

Bio

The following is an excerpt from a book published by Chapman Brothers, 1884.

Thomas Welch, farmer, section 19, Flynn Township, was born Feb. 24, 1819, on Grand River, in Chatham, Province of Lower Canada, and is the son of William and Mary Welch. His parents moved to Upper Canada when he was 12 years old, and at the age of 17 he came to Chicago and Galena, Ill., where he spent 12 years. He was employed about 14 years in the lead mines at the latter place, afterward returning to Canada. He was married at Malahide, Ont., Oct. 20, 1850, to Mary Brooks, a native of that place, where she was born Jan. 6, 1829. Eleven children have been born of her marriage, four of whom are deceased. They were named Mary G., Charles, Daniel, Walter, Alma, Catherine E., Levi, Junius, Andrew, Ellen, and Laura. The four last named are deceased. Mr. Welch was a resident of Elgin Co., Can., after his marriage about 20 years, and operated as a farmer on 100 acres of land of which he was the proprietor. He removed thence to Lambton County, where he remained until 1882. He owned 70 acres of land and at the date named disposed of his property by sale and came to Flynn Township, where he purchased 80 acres of land situated on sections 18 and 19 and where he has since been vigorously and successfully engaged in improving his farm. He is a Republican in political sentiment.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Sanilac County; Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Citizens of the County. Chicago, Chapman Brothers, 1884.

Morris Rockwell

13 Nov 1830 — 15 Feb 1914 (aged 83)

Bio

The following is an excerpt from a book published by Chapman Brothers, 1884.

Morris Rockwell, farmer, section 19, Flynn Township, was born Nov. 13, 1830, in Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., Conn. His parents, Charles and Sarah A. (Brotherton) Rockwell, were also natives of the same section of the “land of steady habits,” Yankees by birth but of a line of descent which originated in the “land of the shamrock.” The father was a farmer in his native State, and in 1849 removed with his family to Oakland Co., Mich., where the parents resided the remaining portion of their lives; the demise of the father occurred June 9, 1851, that of the mother, Oct. 1, 1882. Their family comprised ten children, all of whom are still living, and eight of them are residents of the Peninsular State.

Mr. Rockwell is the eldest son and second child of his parents. He was reared to the vocation of farming and obtained a reasonably fair education in the common school. He was 19 years of age when his parents became residents of Michigan, and he remained under their control until the period of his majority. He then entered upon the contest of life on his own behalf, engaging at first as a common laborer on a farm. He continued to operate in that manner until his marriage, Dec. 10, 1862, in Washtenaw Co., Mich., to Eunice Eaton. She was born in that county and was the daughter of Hosea Eaton. She died in her native county May 29, 1865. Mr. Rockwell was again married Jan. 1, 1868, in Oakland Co., Mich., to Mary E. Beaumont, daughter of Francis and Maria (Rosebone) Beaumont. Her parents were natives of England and New York and of English and German descent. They are still living in Oakland County, and are actively engaged in farming. They are aged 74 and 70 years. Mrs. Rockwell is the eldest daughter of her parents, whose family included nine children. She is the fourth in the order of birth and was born in Highland, Oakland County, Aug. 26, 1845. She was reared and educated in her native county. Five children are now included in the household of Mr. Rockwell, who were born as follows: Charles G., April 7, 1870; Walter L., Sept. 16, 1872; Elsie, June 28, 1874; Elmer A., Jan. 24, 1880; Harry H., June 25, 1883.

After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell remained two years on a farm in Oakland County, and in December 1875, they removed to Sanilac County and entered a claim of 142 acres of land on section 19 of Flynn Township. To this, they have added 40 acres by later purchase. The place is now in prosperous condition, with 40 acres under the plow and a fine young orchard. It is supplied with a good house and suitable farm buildings. In social standing the family rank with the community of which they are members, and they are an influential element in the local matters of the township. Mr. Rockwell is a Republican and has been Justice of the Peace eight years.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Sanilac County; Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Citizens of the County. Chicago, Chapman Brothers, 1884.

Morris Rockwell on FindAGrave