My Genealogy Hound

Jacob L. Lomis, one of the representative farmers of Brandon township, Oakland County, who owns a fine, well improved farm of 200 acres, was born in the town of Chili, New York, in 1828. He is a son of Thomas N. and Julia (Deland) Lomis, who settled in Oakland County, December 1, 1836.

Thomas N. Lomis was born in 1807 in Hamilton, Madison County, New York, and was a son of Jacob L. and Nancy (Noble) Lomis, who were pioneer settlers in New York from Massachusetts. At the age of 20 years Thomas N. Lomis was married and he resided in his native State until he removed to Michigan. He was a progressive man and fine farmer and became also a valued township official. Upon retiring from active work, he removed to the village of Oakwood, Oakland County, where he resided until his death which occurred February 22, 1879. At one time Mr. Lomis owned 400 acres of land in Brandon township and was always reckoned with the leading and substantial men. The mother of our subject, who was also a native of New York, died at the age of 46 years, in 1855. Our subject was the eldest born in his parents’ family, the others being: Mary C., who is the wife of Almon Frost, of Orion township, Oakland County; Franklin L., who resides with his brother Oscar in Brandon township, Oakland County; Nancy, who is the wife of Porter Butler of Orion township, Oakland County, these four being among the first children born in the township; Emily, who is the wife of Marshall Frost of Orion township, Oakland County; Oscar D., who is a farmer on the old homestead farm in Brandon township, Oakland County; Agnes, who is the wife of Gleason Perry, of Pontiac; and Josephine, who is deceased.

Our subject was eight years old when his parents settled in Michigan, and he was given what school advantages the time and locality afforded. His present fine farm is a part of the land formerly owned by his father. It is finely improved and ranks with the most productive and valuable in his part of the county. Like his father, Mr. Lomis has taken an active part in township affairs, and, as a man of substance and reputation, has been entrusted with a number of the local offices.

On March 24, 1853, Mr. Lomis was married to Esther E. Cole, who was born in 1825 in New York, and is a daughter of Elijah and Mary (Hillman) Cole, the latter of whom died when Mrs. Lomis was an infant. The Cole family moved to Michigan in 1849. Mr. Cole was a blacksmith and followed his trade at Ortonville, Brandon township, Oakland County, dying some 47 years ago. Volney Cole, a son, died in Springfield township, Oakland County, in January, 1893, leaving a widow.

Mr. and Mrs. Lomis have three children, viz: Frank L., a farmer, whose first wife, Mary Abeal, died in 1885, leaving two children, Louis, of Oregon, and Carrie, of Andersonville, Oakland County, by his second wife, Lena Matteen, he has had two children, Lizzie, deceased, and May; Delos P., residing on a part of the home farm, who married Carrie Jones and has one son, Jay O., one child having died in infancy; and Florence, who married James Van Wagoner of Pontiac, who is in the insurance business, and has three children, — Jacob, Esther and Murray. Mr. Lomis has been a Mason since the age of 25 years and is affiliated with Oakwood Lodge. He is one of the directors of the Oakwood Cemetery Board. Religiously, the family is connected with the Congregational Church.