My Genealogy Hound

FRED A. TICHENOR. A noble class of men has built up the agricultural interest of Niles Township, and have made it a garden spot in the great commonwealth of Michigan. Among those who were active and efficient in the work was George E. Tichenor, the father of our subject. He was a native of the Empire State, born in Oswego County March 1, 1828, and the son of Joseph M. Tichenor, who was a native of New Jersey. The latter’s mother was supposed to have been the first white woman who set foot on Jersey shores. She was of English descent.

Joseph M. Tichenor married Miss Mary H. Ackerson, a native of New York, but who traced her ancestors back to sturdy German stock. This marriage resulted in the birth of seven children, George E. being fifth in order of birth. The latter came with his parents to Ohio at an early day, but later settled with them in Michigan. After growing up he became a school teacher and followed this in connection with farming for some time. On the 16th of October, 1861, he was married, and later moved onto an old farm in Berrien County, remaining on the same until 1872, when he moved where his son now lives, and there died in 1874. He was a Democrat in politics, was Supervisor of the township and held other local offices. A member of the Presbyterian Church, he was Superintendent of the Sunday-school at Buchanan, and was Elder in the church for years, He was an active worker in the same and contributed liberally of his means to its support. He was well known and very popular in the community. His widow, whose maiden name was Anna Blake, was born in Indiana, February 24, 1839.

Her father, John Blake, was a native of Virginia, and a farmer by occupation. The grandfather, William Blake, was also born in Virginia, but the great-grandfather, Thomas Blake, was a native of England, who came to America when a young man. Mrs. Tichenor’s mother, Araminta Hague, was born in Ohio and reared in that State. Her father, John Hague, was supposed to have been of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Blake were married near South Bend, Ind., and subsequently located in St. Joseph County, on a farm. Later they moved to Wisconsin, but shortly afterwards returned to Michigan, where they passed the closing scenes of their lives. They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to mature years except one. Mrs. Tichenor was the third in order of birth of these children, and was reared and educated in Berrien County from the age of eight years. After reaching womanhood she taught school in Berrien County.

By her marriage to Mr. Tichenor she became the mother of seven children, as follows: May the wife of Ellis Roe, who is engaged in the hardware business in Buchanan; Fredrick A., our subject; John B., at home; Georgia, now in San Francisco, Cal., engaged as a stenographer and typewriter; Joseph M., at home; and Charles E., at home. William, the eldest child, died at the age of seventeen years. Since the death of Mr. Tichenor, Mrs. Tichenor has had charge of all her husband’s interests, and displays excellent judgment and much sound sense in her management of the same. She has four hundred and seventy-one acres where she now lives and the fine residence on it makes it a very attractive place. This is one of the finest farms in the State and is kept in admirable condition by Mrs. Tichenor, who superintends everything. She is a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church, and, like her husband, contributes liberally to its support.

Fredrick A. Tichenor, her son, and the present Supervisor of Niles Township, is residing on section 7, of that township, and is a wide-awake, thorough-going young agriculturist. He was born in Berrien County, Niles Township, Mich., May 10, 1867, and was the second in order of birth of the children born to his parents. He attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and later entered the High School at Buchanan, from which he was graduated some time later. He is one of the promising young farmers of the county, has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and in the management of it has displaced much good sense. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Buchanan Lodge No. 68, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, Niles Lodge No. 100. In 1893, he was elected Supervisor of the township; in 1888, when but twenty-one years of age, was made Township Clerk. He takes a deep interest in all worthy enterprises and is public-spirited and energetic.