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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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Henry Gulick, one of the leading farmers of Independence township, Oakland County, where he owns a fine farm of 190 acres in section 28, was born June 4, 1829, in Harbourton, New Jersey, and is a son of Henry J. and Martha (Pettty) Gulick, and a grandson of Henry Gulick, all of New Jersey.

In 1834 news of the fertile lands and agricultural opportunities to be had in the then Territory of Michigan, found its way to the New Jersey town where lived Henry J. Gulick and his rapidly growing family. In the hope of bettering his condition and providing for his children, he decided to migrate to the West and was joined by four other families. The whole trip was made by team, and all possible household belongings were brought along. Mr. Gulick’s family then consisted of five children, the number being later increased by nine more. Each man of the party took part in the building of a log house and all four families lived together in its one room until other houses could be built. Fortunately game was plentiful and there was no danger of starvation for the little colony, but times were very hard for a number of years.

With the aid of his boys Mr. Gulick cleared off his 190 acres of land and put it under cultivation. He was a good manager and discovered that his land was best adapted to raising grain and his son, now the owner, has continued to concentrate his efforts in getting the best results from his grain crops. Mr. Gulick was one of the founders of the Methodist Church in the locality. In politics he was a Democrat. He died in 1861. The three survivors of his large family are: Henry; Mrs. Louisa Miller, of Texas; and Axford, a farmer of this State.

In 1854 Henry Gulick, our subject, was united in marriage with Almeda Hammond, who was born November 28, 1835, in Sussex County, New Jersey, and is a daughter of Joel and Eliza (McCann) Hammond, the former of whom was of Dutch ancestry, while the latter was of Scotch and English. Mrs. Gulick came to Michigan when four years of age with her parents, who settled in Independence township, Oakland County, in 1839.

Mr. and Mrs. Gulick have had six children born to them, all of whom are still spared to comfort their declining years, with the exception of the second, Mrs. Ada Lawler, who died in August, 1894, leaving one daughter. The others are as follows: Mrs. Nettie Crosby, of Owosso, Michigan, who has two daughters, — Mrs. Nora Wetzell, with four children, and Allie; Jacob, who is living on the old farm in Independence township, Oakland County, and has one son, Fred H.; Joseph, who is living at home; William, who is also living at home and has one son, Le Grand; and Lemon J., also living at home.

Mr. Gulick continued to superintend the operations of his farm until 1889, when he removed to Clarkston, where he lives somewhat retired, in the enjoyment of large means and a wide circle of friends. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He belongs to the Baptist Church.

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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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