My Genealogy Hound

Hon. Byron G. Stout. The late Byron G. Stout was one of the most eminent citizens not only of Pontiac, but of Michigan, one who will be recalled with pride and gratitude for generations to come. He was born in Richmond, Ontario County, New York, January 12, 1829, and died June 19, 1896. He was a son of Jesse Lee and Olivia P. Stout, who came to Oakland County, Michigan, in 1831, locating on a farm; the father died in 1874 and the mother on February 10, 1890.

The subject of this sketch was reared near and in Pontiac and it was in Oakland County that he was so highly honored during many years of public life. When but 25 years of age he was elected a Representative to the State Legislature, in 1854 and was re-elected in 1856, and in 1860 he was elected to the State Senate from the eastern district of Oakland County, and served with great eclat during that term, as chairman on State affairs and as a member of the committee on finance and education. In that year he was engaged in a private banking business in Pontiac, in which he continued until 1868.

In 1862 Mr. Stout was nominated by the Union party for Governor and he was endorsed by the Democratic party. He demanded a vigorous prosecution of the war for the Union, but favored the suggestion that when armed resistance should cease, the States should regain their former status with unimpaired rights. The south having been recognized as belligerent, he maintained that there should be no attainder for treason. In this position Mr. Stout antagonized the Republican party, but he lived to see his position sustained by the highest tribunals of the land. In 1868 he received the Democratic nomination for Congress, from the Sixth Congressional District, and in 1870 was re-nominated. In 1883 he was nominated by the Fusion party in the Legislature for United States Senator, and received 51 votes, lacking but 15 votes of the number necessary. He was a delegate to the Democratic conventions of 1868, 1880 and 1883. In 1890 he was elected to the House of Representatives and during his honorable term of office as a member of Congress never failed to advocate all those measures which his political convictions made right to his mind. His public career attracted interest and attention and at all times reflected the best energies of his mind. The acrimony which always attends a political career of prominence, has passed away and his fellow-citizens recall him with the deepest respect and are full of appreciation for the gifts of his intellect and the goodness of his heart.

Mr. Stout was twice married. His son Walter, of his first marriage, died in 1878, at the age of 14 years. His second marriage was to Hannah C. Farnham, a daughter of Colonel Farnham, of Addison, Steuben County, New York, who died while he was serving his congressional term at Washington. Mr. Stout left a large property and one of the bequests which was disclosed by his will, was that the sum of $8,000 be used for the erection of a library building at Pontiac, to be donated to the Ladies’ Library of the city, a literary organization founded by Mrs. Stout. This structure was erected in the year, following his death by his brothers, William H. and Wilbur F., and it was dedicated in 1898 and stands a beautiful memorial on the corner of Williams and Lawrence streets. This is the only library building in the county.

Mr. Stout is survived by two brothers. William H. Stout is a resident of Kansas, in which State he has been very prominent politically and has served as mayor of Font Scott and in other positions. He is engaged in a loan business there. He still retains “Evergreen Farm”, a valuable property near Cass Lake. He left Oakland County in 1889. His family consists of a wife and son.

Wilbur F. Stout was born in Troy township, April 3, 1845, and has made his home, with the exception of 10 years at Wichita, Kansas, at Pontiac all his life. He is a man of business energy, conducts a large hardware business in Pontiac and a wholesale coal business in the West and at various times has been connected with other enterprises in this city. He has about retired from activity.

Mr. Stout married a daughter of the late De Witt C. Holden of Oakland County, and they have five children, namely: Jesse D., who is in a carriage business at Valdosta, Georgia; Byron G., who is located at Pontiac, with the Spring & Wagon Company; Fred, who has been engaged in the banking business; and Kathleen and Harry, who are at home. The family spend the summer months at Cass Lake, having a handsome winter residence on one of Pontiac’s broad boulevards.

Politically Mr. Stout is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to all the Masonic bodies.