My Genealogy Hound

Orson Valentine, who owns a fine farm of 82 1/2 acres of most excellent land in Oxford township, in the vicinity of the village of Oxford, Oakland County, is one of the prominent and substantial men of his locality. He was born January 7, 1832, in Shelby, Macomb County, Michigan, and is a son of John and Esther (Sheffield) Valentine, both now deceased.

John Valentine was born in the State of New York, whence he removed to Oakland County, Michigan, where he died in 1844, aged 64 years. His wife, Esther Sheffield, died in 1885, aged 80 years. Her father, Nathan Sheffield, was a pensioner of the Revolutionary War. Mr. and Mrs. Valentine had a family of 11 children born to them, our subject and two brothers being the survivors. James lives in Oxford township and Henry L., a veteran of the Civil War. lives in Oxford village.

Until he was 11 years of age, Orson Valentine resided near Rochester, having come with his parents to Oakland County when five years old. His life since the age of 11 years has been spent in Oxford township and has mainly been devoted to farming. Since he was 12 years of age, he has cared for himself, his success and his possessions being the results of his own energy and industry. The farm he now occupies he purchased a half century ago and some 30 years ago he bought a farm in Lapeer County for his children. The clearing of the land and the fine improvements on his home place, as well as its excellent cultivation, are the results of his own well directed efforts. In every sense of the word, Mr. Valentine is a self made man and well deserves the high esteem in which he is universally held.

Mr. Valentine was married in Oxford to Clarissa L. Applegate, who was born in Oxford township, Oakland County, in 1835, and is a daughter of David and Louisa (Potter) Applegate, who came to Oakland County 70 years ago. Mr. Applegate died in 1887, and his wife survived until 1896. Mrs. Valentine has one sister, Mrs. Mary E. Stark, a widow, who resides near Oxford village. Four sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Valentine, namely: C. M., a retired farmer who rents his land and lives in Lapeer, Michigan, and has three children, — Clara E., Gillett W. and Milton A.; David A., a retired farmer living at Deford, Tuscola County, who has two children, — Louise and Orson; Arthur C., who resides two miles west of his father on his grandfather’s old farm, and has one daughter, Bessie May; and Orrin D., who with his wife resides on the homestead with our subject.

Mr. Valentine owns valuable town property, but does not care to occupy any of it, preferring to reside among the familiar old associations of the farm, near enough to Oxford for all conveniences. His farm is on the Oxford Rural Delivery Route, No. 2.

Politically Mr. Valentine is a Democrat and has served very efficiently in the office of highway commissioner. For the past 40 years he has been a member of the Oxford Masonic Lodge. He is liberal in his religious views, but always supports all moral movements in his neighborhood, irrespective of the churches from which they emanate. In every relation of life, he is a most worthy citizen and honest man.