Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Oakland County, Michigan - 1891

Elwood, Hiram

Hiram Elwood, who has a fine farm in Royal Oak Township, is the son of Benjamin elwood, a farmer and contractor of Otsego County, New York, who came to Michigan in July, 1832. He left his family in Detroit while locating his farm, and brought them on when he made some preparation for them. The grandfather, also Benjamin Elwood, was a native of England, who came to America in boyhood and worked at blacksmithing. He made the first fanning mill which was used at Montgomery county, New York. He also took part in the Revolutionary War on the side of his adopted country. The mother of our subject, Rachel (Sanders) Elwood, was born in New York, being the daughter of Henry Sanders. She married Benjamin Elwood in New York, and became the mother of three sons and three daughters, only one of whom, our subject, is still living. The son was born in New York, Oct 28, 1832. His few years of schooling were obtained in New York. Phoebe (Hall) Elwood, the wife of our subject, was born in Bleinheim, Schoharie County, New York, Dec 15, 1824. Her father, Daniel H. Hall, a farmer, was born in Catskill, New York, May 15, 1799, and came to Michigan in the Territorial days and located in Royal Oak Township. Her grandfather, Nathaniel Hall, was a native of Connecticut and a drum major during the Revolutionary War, and afterwards a sea captain. He was a son of Nathaniel Hall of Puritan stock. The mother of Mrs. Elwood, was Lettia (Partridge) Hall, who was born in Schoharie County, New York, Sep 18, 1801. Her parents, Alanson and Eunice Partridge, had eight children. Daniel Hall and Lettia (Partridge) Hall were married in 1822. Of their nine children, Phoebe is the second child and oldest daughter. Hiram Elwood and Phoebe (Hall) Elwood were married in 1847. Their children are Rachel P., born Apr 26, 1848; Amanda J., born Jan 6, 1854; James H., born Apr 26, 1860; William H., born Jul 19, 1866. In addition to their own children, they adopted two; George Stanley and J. R. Kinney. George went with the boys in blue and never returned. His loss was a great on to the parents. J. R. Kinney is now in business at Royal Oak. The eldest daughter, Rachel, is the wife of Wright Bartlett of Sand Beach, Michigan. Amanda is Mrs. John Heath of Southfield, this county, James died at the age of nine years. William is living on the old farm and in December of 1886, he was united in marriage with Mary Lewless, by whom he has two children, Florence E. and Gracie M., the latter died March 15,1891. When Benjamin Elwood came to Michigan, the country was in a wild state. The only roads were footpaths, marked by blaze trees. Many a time he was chased by wolves. Hid first house was of logs and its dimensions were 12x14 feet. It had a shake roof and a stick chimney, with a floor of split logs. In this commodious abode a family of five made their home. Our subject and his brother slept on the floor but afterwards they made bunks against the wall. This was more comfortable and pleasant, as snakes sometimes crept into the house. The name of Andrew Jackson is signed to the deeds which to Mr. Elwood's possession of his land. The house in which our subject now lives was erected in 1845. Of his one hundred and fifty four acres about one hundred is in an improved condition. The first President for whom he voted for, was William Henry Harrison and the last was Benjamin Harrison. He played the drum during William Henry Harrison's campaign. He was a member of the Union League. Mr. and Mrs Elwood are earnest and efficient members of the Congregational Church in which he has been a Deacon and Trustee for many years. Mr Elwood began life with nothing but his muscles and grit and he has carved out for himself and his family a handsome competence. As a illustration of the determination and perseverance that he showed during the early days, we will tell how he obtained his first harness. He caught coons at night and took the skins to Detroit and sold them for a harness. He also bought a saddle in the same way and an overcoat for his adopted son George Stanley. When a boy he was one day sent several miles from home and had to travel a long distance after dark and for mile he was followed by wolves. He killed many wild turkey and deer and kept his father's family in meat many times in this way. Mr. Elwood's father died at the age of eighty-two and his mother when she had reached her eighty-fourth year. They lie side by side in their long sleep in Royal Oak Cemetery. The brother and sister are also buried there.