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Robert Attridge

6 Nov 1853 — 31 Aug 1913 (aged 59)

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

Robert Attridge, teacher and farmer, section 20, Flynn Township, was born Nov. 6, 185[3], in Perth Co., Can., and is the son of Michael and Catherine (Dunklin) Attridge. His parents were natives of Ireland. In 1844 they emigrated to America and located in the Province of Ontario. They engaged in farming in Perth County, where the mother is still living. The father died there in October, 1876.

Mr. Attridge obtained a good common-school education, and when he was 19 years of age he began to teach, and pursued that vocation most of the time until he reached the age of 21 years, when he set his face westward. He arrived in California in 1874, where he remained until 1877, chiefly engaged in mining. He returned to Ontario in the fall of the year named, and established himself in the business of hotel-keeper at Milford, Perth County, where he operated two years. He came to Sanilac County in the spring of 1880, and located 80 acres of land where he has since resided. He has placed 40 acres of the tract in good cultivation, and has the repute of being one of the most skillful and successful farmers of the township. He devotes the agricultural season to his farming interests and follows his profession of teaching, in which he ranks among the leaders, during the winters.

He was married Dec. 11, 1878, in Clinton, Huron Co., Mich., to Anna Ramsey, a native of Perth Co., Can., and descended from Canadian parentage. Her mother, Elizabeth A. (Clendenning) Ramsey, died March 31, 1881, in Lapeer Co., Mich. Her father, James Ramsey, is living in Flynn Township, aged 54 years. Mr. Attridge is in sympathy with the Republican party in political sentiment.

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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John McKellar

13 April 1823 — 18 Feb 1885 (aged 61)

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Bio

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

John McKellar, farmer, section 25, Flynn Township, was born April 13, 1823, in Elgin Co., Ont. When he was four years of age, his parents removed to Middlesex Co., in the Dominion, where he was reared to the profession of farming. He remained with them until their deaths—that of the father occurring in July 1854, when he was 77 years old. The mother died in May 1854, aged 73 years. After they died the son became the owner of the homestead, and he continued its management until April 1879, when he came to Michigan and purchased 280 acres of land on sections 24 and 25, which was under partial improvement. He has purchased 160 acres additional since and has 60 acres improved. A considerable portion of his estate is divided among his sons. He has erected a good farmhouse and other farm buildings.

He was married April 5, 1855, in Middlesex Co., Ont., to Catherine McNeil, who was born in 1833, in that county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McKellar are named Dugald, Christie, Henrietta, Peter, Alexander, Anna, Kate, John, Maggie, Mary, Flora and Donald.

Mr. [Mc]Kellar is a farmer of more than ordinary abilities and ranks fairly among agriculturalists of Sanilac County. He is a Democrat in political views. He and his wife are members of the Disciples’s Church. His parents were natives of Scotland.

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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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William Henry Shrier

6 Aug 1849 — 1936 (aged 86–87)

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Bio

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

William [Henry] Shrier, farmer, section 35, Flynn Township, was born Aug. 6, [1849], in Middlesex Co., Ont. He is the son of Jacob and Mary (Motter) Shrier, natives of Germany. Mr. Shrier remained at home until he was 26 years old, during the last six years of which he was engaged as a grist-mill assistant with his brother-in-law. He was married Feb. 11, 1875, to Sarah Foster, a native of Middlesex County, where she was born Dec. 28, 1856. After his marriage, he was employed for five years in a grist-mill in his native county. In 1879 he came to Michigan and purchased 80 acres of land on section [thirty-]five, Flynn Township. The place was under partial improvement, and he has increased his estate by an additional purchase of 120 acres. Of this, he has placed 70 acres under cultivation. In political faith and action, he is a Republican. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Shrier are named Delman, Cephas and Mary O.

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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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Hugh Mahaffy

29 Aug 1853 — 1931 (aged 77–78)

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Bio

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

Hugh Mahaffy, farmer, section 9, Flynn Township, was born Aug. 29, 1853, or 1852, in Ireland and is the son of William and Mary Ann Mahaffy. He emigrated to America when he was 23 years of age. He made his first location at Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., where he lived some years. He was married there March 9, 1875, to Anna E. Murphy. She was born May 31, 1854, in Ireland and in 1869 she went to England where she lived until 1875. In that year she emigrated to the United States and stopped in the city of Detroit where she was soon after married. Three years after that event, Mr. Mahaffy came to Sanilac County and purchased 80 acres of land on section 18 of this township.

In 1880 he sold that place and purchased 160 acres where he has since operated with vigor and good management until he has placed 40 acres under creditable cultivation. Mr. Mahaffy is a Democrat and has held the minor local offices of the township. He and his wife are members of the M.E. Church. They have three children—John A., Rebecca, and William A.K., who at present is a Class-leader in his Church.

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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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Albert Beals

13 Nov 1842 — 1924 (aged 81–82)

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Bio

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

Albert Beals, farmer, section 25, Flynn Township, was born Nov. 13, 1842, in Ontario, Can. His parents, Samuel and Sarah Beals were natives of New Brunswick of English descent. They were members of the agricultural community all their lives. In May 1859 they came to Michigan and settled in this township in the fall of 1860 with their family. Both parents died in Flynn Township.

Mr. Beals is the eldest son and fifth in order of birth of ten children. He was married Sept. 19, 1867, in this township to Sarah J., daughter of William and Margaret (Pomeroy) Dimond. The former died in 1853 in Pine River, Mich. The latter is now a resident of this township. The daughter was born July 8, 1850, in Ontario and came with her parents to Michigan when she was four years old. They were among the earliest settlers in the township. Nine children have been born of her marriage, as follows: Warren F., June 7, 1869; Samuel H., Nov. 17, 1870; Mercy J., Aug. 30, 1872; Amos R., Sept. 10, 1874; George E., Sept. 14, 1876; William W., Feb. 22, 1878; Gracie, Feb. 2, 1880; Maggie, July 11, 1881; Robert, June 10, 1883.

After marriage, they settled on 80 acres of land which Mr. Beals had purchased some years previously. It was wholly unimproved, and he has placed about three-fourths of the tract in creditable cultivation besides having erected farm buildings of a first-class order. He is a Republican of decided type and has held the offices of Treasurer and Road Commissioner several years. Mrs. Beals is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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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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Daniel Brooks

2 June 1850 — ?

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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.

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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 Mahaffy

26 July 1850 — 1921 (aged 70–71)

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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 — ?

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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.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Morris Rockwell

13 Nov 1830 — 15 Feb 1914 (aged 83)

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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.

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