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Below is a family biography included in Biographical Record of Oakland County, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1903.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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David Kyle, deceased, who for many years was one of the most prominent residents of West Bloomfield township, Oakland County, was engaged in farming on the old Kyle homestead in section 26, where Mrs. Kyle now resides. He was born upon this farm April 25, 1834, and died there February 11, 1890.

David Kyle was a son of David and Jane (Jagger) Kyle, who were pioneers of this county. David Kyle, Sr., was born in the north of Ireland, December 28, 1793, and in 1814 came to America, locating in West Bloomfield township, Oakland County, Michigan. In June, 1831, he settled upon the farm in section 26, which is now owned by our subject’s widow. He married Jane Jagger, of Orange County, New York, and they became the parents of 11 children, seven of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Sarah J., who first married Charles H. Murray, and after his death on August 24, 1883, married Pickering Nicholson, of Detroit; James H., born January 29, 1833, who died in September, 1864, leaving one son, — Don; Robert and David (twins), who lived to almost the same age, Robert dying in March, 1891, and about one year after his brother; William John, born April 17, 1837, who died January 20, 1857; Mary A., born May 20, 1840, who married Thomas Brown, lives in Ionia County, Michigan, also has three children, — Charles, Edward and Minnie; and Charles, born September 27, 1843, who died June 10, 1892.

David Kyle, subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of West Bloomfield township, and in his boyhood worked upon the homestead farm. After his father’s death he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the home farm and carried on farming until his death.

David Kyle was joined in marriage with Jennie Smart, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Clegg) Smart, both natives of Newburg, Yorkshire, England. Her father was born September 15, 1809, and was married to Elizabeth Clegg in 1832. In 1834 they came to America and in 1835 located in Waukesha township, Wisconsin. In 1836 Mr. Smart took up government land at the time when there were few white settlers and the Pottawattamie Indians were threatening trouble, Gen. Winfield Scott being stationed in the locality to protect the residents. Mrs. Smart did the mending for this distinguished soldier. Mr. Smart was the earliest settler in Waukesha township, and Jennie Smart, now Mrs. Kyle, was the first white child born in this section. The Smart home was thronged with Indians on the occasion of Mrs. Kyle’s birth, their curiosity being excited to see a white baby, and the chief of the Pottawattamies, with some of his tribe brought $1,500 which he offered to Mr. Smart for the purchase of the child. Mrs. Jennie S. Kyle was born September 21, 1836, in the little log house which her father first built. In 1840 he built the first frame house erected on the prairie, and throughout his life was one of the most progressive spirits of this section. Mrs. Kyle is one of six children, four of whom are living, namely: Jennie; Benjamin, born in 1838, who lives on the old home farm; Mary, born in 1840, who lives four miles from the old home farm; and Maria A., born in 1856, who married Robert Boyd, and is now living in Waukesha, Wisconsin. At the time of his death Mr. Smart owned 396 acres of land in the city of Waukesha, the noted Fountain Hotel, with accommodations for 800 guests, being built on his property.

Mrs. Jennie Kyle was educated at the Milwaukee Institute and in 1853 was married to Mr. Kyle, by whom she had one son, George H. The latter was born July 25, 1860, and married Susan Newton, a daughter of Loomis and Sarah Newton, of Pontiac, Michigan. George H. Kyle and his wife have two children, Grace and Lola. Mrs. Jennie S. Kyle was christened in the Protestant Episcopal Church but became a member of the Methodist Church, to which her husband’s family belonged.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Record of Oakland County, Michigan published in 1903. 

View additional Oakland County, Michigan family biographies here: Oakland County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Oakland County, Michigan here: Oakland County Michigan Map

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