The following is a list of township officers elected in Green Oak since its organization:

RELIGIOUS
FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH

     The only church edifice in the town of Green Oak is located near the southern boundary line, on section 35, and the society that it represents is of the Baptist denomination. It was organized March 22, 1845, by Elders S. S. Lanning and J. Tyler, the first deacon being M. Thomson. The number of members that formed the first church organization was 17, which number during the years that followed was greatly augmented, until the total number from its beginning reached 124. In 1850 the necessity for building a house of worship became apparent, and ground was purchased for the purpose. With the degree of interest manifested in the new enterprise it required but little time to complete the edifice, which was built in a plain but substantial manner, and soon after dedicated. It has been used since that time, but the growing congregation, finding its capacity limited for their wants, have arranged to remodel and enlarge it, and under the supervision of Mr. Linus Clark work will soon be begun.

     In 1848, Rev. William R. Norton was installed as pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. James Bignall, who remained in charge of the church until 1859, when Rev. S. A. Currier became his successor, and two years later Rev. D. Winton filled the pastoral relation. Rev. H. A. Barker was next called to minister to the people, and later Rev. E. G. Chaddock became pastor. Rev E. J. Howes was next installed, and remained until Rev. L. J. Whitcomb filled his place. Rev. A. W. Ensign was the pastor after this until, in 1870, Rev. H. A. Barker was called for a second time to fill the pulpit, which he did. with much acceptance for seven years, when the present pastor, Rev. J. Rodgers, was installed. The deacons are Squire Loomis, Isaac Burhaus and Linus Clark. 332.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

HON. KINSLEY S. BINGHAM

     was born in Camillus, N.Y., in December, 1808. His father was a farmer, and his own early life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. He received an academical education, and studied law with Gen. James R. Lawrence, at Syracuse, N.Y. In 1833 he married an estimable lady of Scotch parentage, and soon thereafter emigrated to Michigan, settling on and clearing a farm in the town of Green Oak.

     He early embarked in local politics, being first chosen to the office of Justice of the peace; was then appointed postmaster; was the first Judge of Probate of his county, and in 1836 was chosen a member of the Legislature, and served four terms. He was speaker of the House of Representatives of 1838 and 1839.

     In 1846 he was chosen, as a Democrat, to Congress, and was the only practical farmer in that body. In 1848 be was re-elected to Congress, where he strongly opposed the extension of slavery into the Territories and voted for the Wilmot proviso. He was also a member of the Committee on Commerce. His Congressional service continued until 1851. In 1854, in consequence of his anti-slavery course in Congress, Mr. Bingham was given the first distinctively Republican nomination for Governor, and was re-elected in 1856. He was known as the "farmer-governor of Michigan." He was a highly popular chief magistrate, and was genial and affable in his disposition. He was instrumental in establishing the Agricultural College.

     He was chosen to the United States Senate in 1859, and in 1860 took an active part in that memorable campaign in behalf of the election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency. He witnessed the commencement of the civil war during his brief Senatorial career, and actively espoused the cause of the Union, dying of apoplexy at his residence in Green Oak, Oct. 5, 1861, much lamented, in the fifty-third year of his age.

HANNIBAL LEE

     The progenitor of the present Lee family was Stephen Lee, who was born in Rensselaer Co., N.Y., and married Lydia Emmons aunt of the late Judge Emmons, of Detroit. To them were born the following children: Eliza, Hannibal, Solomon, Sarah, Hannah, Catharine, Lucy, Charles, and Elizabeth. 

     Mr. Lee, with his wife and children, emigrated to Michigan in September, 1835, and chose the township of Green Oak, in Livingston County, as his abode. Here he broke the first soil in the township, and encouraged by his generous aid and hospitality the efforts of later pioneers.

     His son, Hannibal Lee, was born in Half-Moon, Saratoga Co., N.Y., in 1812, and accompanied his father in 1830 to Green Oak, assisting him in the improvement of his possessions until he was twenty-one. Being ambitious to secure a home of his own, he purchased the farm adjacent to the lands of his father, and upon which he still resides. He was married, Feb. 19, 1834, to Miss Mary Hubbard, the occasion being a memorable one from the double wedding that occurred, Mr. Lee's sister also marrying a brother of Miss Hubbard.

     Mr. Lee enjoys the distinction of being one of the first anti-slavery voters in the township, and although actively interested in politics was never an office-seeker. He is a man of strong religious convictions, uncompromising in his defense of the right, and possessing the courage to maintain his opinions.

     He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has for years been one of its leading officers.

     His son, Giles, was born at the home of his father, Feb. 23, 1837. He acquired an academical education, but having a decided taste for farming pursuits, he joined his father in the cultivation of his estate. He was married, March 9, 1859, to Lucy W. Briggs, and some years later erected opposite the paternal abode a spacious residence, which he now occupies.

     He manifests a keen interest in public affairs, is regarded as possessing sound judgment, and has been honored by his constituents as their favored candidate for supervisor, to which office he has been elected for a period of thirteen successive years.

CORNELIUS CORSON

     was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born about twenty miles from Philadelphia, in the year 1793. When a young man he went to Canandaigua, N.Y., where he married Sarah Whittaker, a woman of much energy, and possessed of many excellent qualities. Here he remained several years, working at his trade,--that of a shoemaker. In 1834 the family emigrated to Michigan, and settled upon the farm now owned by his son, William D., which originally consisted of eighty acres, and upon which he resided until his (cont. on page 333.) 332a. 

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Almon Maltby

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Mrs. Almon Maltby

     Almon Maltby, son of Grove and Cynthia (Inglesby) Maltby, was born in the town of Henrietta, Monroe Co., N.Y., Dec. 27, 1814. Up to the age of eighteen years his life, like that of most farmers' boys, was one of unceasing toil in summer, with a respite of a few months at the district school in winter. At the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to the trade of carpenter and joiner, which occupation he followed until he came to Michigan.

     In the spring of 1832, in company with, his brother Maynard, he came to Livingston County, and settled in what is now Brighton. The next summer they cleared and fenced six acres, which they sowed to wheat, and in the fall of that year returned to New York. During the winter they taught school. The following spring they returned, and since that time Mr. Maltby has been prominently identified with Brighton and Green Oak. In 1835 he purchased sixty acres of land in Genoa which was the first purchase in that town. He, however, lived with his brother Maynard until 1837, when he was married to Miss Eliza J. Hawley, of Geneva, N.Y. Shortly after his marriage he removed to the farm he now occupies, which originally consisted of one hundred and eighty acres.

     Mr. Maltby's life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, in which he has been eminently successful. He now owns a beautiful farm of four hundred and fifty-three acres, under a high state of cultivation. He has been married twice. His first wife died in 1842, and he was again married, in 1843, to Esther Moore. Mrs. Maltby, as well as her husband, occupies a prominent position among the pioneers, having emigrated with her father's family in 1833. 332b.

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John Hooper

     son of Clement and Catherine (Voorhies) Hooper, was born in the town of Woodbridge, Middlesex Co., N.J., Dec. 20, 1799. He is descended from Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, James Hooper, having served as a cavalry officer in the struggle for independence. The parents of Mr. Hooper were farmers, and in 1817 removed to the town of Cato, Cayuga Co., N.Y., where the elder Hooper resided until his death, which occurred in 1837. He reared a family of ten children, eight boys and two girls. He was a man of steady habits, and led a quiet and uneventful life. Being in limited circumstances, his children received slight advantages, and their education was obtained from the bitter school of experience rather than from books.

     John lived at home until his eighteenth year, when he started in life as a farm laborer. In April, 1827, he was married, in the town of Lee, Oneida Co., to Miss Electa Washburne. She was born Dec. 28, 1805. Her parents, Martin and Martha Washburne, were natives of Massachusetts, and emigrated to Oneida County in an early day, where Mrs. Hooper was born.

     After their marriage they engaged in farming for several years. Michigan was at this time considered to be the Eldorado of the West, and Mr. Hooper, foreseeing the advantages of cheap land and a fertile soil, resolved to come West and make a home and a fortune. Accordingly, in June, 1835, he started for Michigan, in company with four other families. Arriving in Detroit, they made a selection of land on Bean Creek, Lenawee Co., six miles West of Adrian. The location, however, was an unfortunate one for Mr. Hooper. The land being heavily timbered, and his health failing him after a short residence, he decided to better himself by the purchase of land more easily improved. He accordingly purchased from the government one hundred and twenty acres of land, on section 35, in the town of Green Oak, much against the wishes of his friends, who were greatly averse to the loss of a valuable neighbor and friend. Here he has since resided, and to his original purchase he has added eighty acres.

     Mr. Hooper has been quite prominently identified with Green Oak. He has held various positions of trust and influence, the duties of which he has performed with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow-townsmen. He was one of the early Justices, and for a number of terms represented the town upon the Board of Supervisors.

     Politically he is a Democrat of the Jacksonian type, and has remained true to his early political convictions. He has led an active life, and in his chosen calling has acquired a competency, the result of industry and thrift coupled with good business ability. Mr. and Mrs. Hooper have been blessed with six children, four of whom are living, two sons and two daughters. 

333.  death, which occurred in 1859. The elder Corson was an ambitious, hard-working man, and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was a successful farmer and a worthy citizen. William D. Corson was born in Canandaigua, N.Y., Feb. 9, 1828. Upon 

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GEORGE GREADY

     George Gready, one of the early settlers of Green Oak, was born in Bristol, England, June 7, 1811. His father, Thomas Gready, was a market gardener, an industrious and successful man, who reared a family of seven children (four sons and three daughters), George being the fourth child. On attaining his majority he decided to emigrate to America. Accordingly, in July, 1832, he, in company with his brother James, sailed for the United States. In September following they settled on the county-line between Lyon and Green Oak. Their land was purchased from government, and Mr. Gready has in his possession the original deed, bearing the signature of Andrew Jackson. His land was a mile and a half from the road, and he was obliged to cut his way to it. For the first few years he endured many hardships and privations. Wolves were numerous, and they howled about his dwelling, making night hideous; bears were also frequent visitors. They lived in a very primitive way, the log house being supplied with a floor made of split logs, and the furniture (if it could be dignified by that name), made by himself, was of the rudest kind, One of the greatest discomforts they had to contend with was the mosquitoes, which were so numerous and aggressive that life was almost unendurable; in fact, they the death of his father he succeeded to the estate, to which he has added two hundred and forty acres. In 1856 he was. married to Miss Cynthia Borden, of Green Oak, by whom he has had eight children.

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MRS. GEORGE GREADY

     were a greater pest than the rattlesnakes, which would frequently crawl into the house and secrete themselves underneath the beds, revealing their location by their odor and rattle. Gradually, as the country became cleared, they were relieved of these pests. In about three years they began to raise crops, and life became much more endurable. Oct. 2, 1837, Mr. Gready was married to Miss Sophia, daughter of Wright and Mary Gage, of Green Oak. She was born in Ontario township, Wayne Co., N.Y., March 26,1820, and came with her parents to this State in 1834, settling in the town of Lyon, Oakland Co. Mr. and Mrs. Gready are fast approaching the evening of their lives; they have witnessed the transition of a wilderness into a highly productive region, and have in a measure been compensated for the hardships and trials of their early life. Industrious, thrifty, and economical, they have secured a competency, and are surrounded by the comforts and conveniences which they have so well earned. They have been blessed with ten children, seven of whom are living. The life of Mr. Gready has, been devoted to the cares of his farm and family. For integrity, industry, and honorable dealing he has acquired an enviable reputation, and is regarded as a thrifty farmer and a valuable citizen. 333a.

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Wm. D. Corson Residence,
Green Oak, Michigan