My Genealogy Hound

George Bingham, postmaster and general merchant, at Franklin, Southfield township, Oakland County, was born in Bloomfield township, in 1865. He is a son of David and Eliza (Forman) Bingham, both of whom were born in Lincolnshire, England.

David Bingham was 17 years of age when he came to. Michigan, and spent practically his whole life as a farmer. After living seven years in West Bloomfield township, he removed in 1880 to Southfield, where his death took place in 1899, at the age of 61 years. In political sentiment, he was a Democrat. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow. The mother of our subject died in 1869, at the early age of 25 years. She was a daughter of William Forman, who is a resident of Bloomfield, and who came to Michigan about 1850. Mr. Bingham married, secondly, Mary E. Simpson. The children born to the first marriage were the following: William, deceased; Lorenzo D., who lives in Southfield township; George, of this sketch; Addie, who is the wife of Ezra C. Bristol of Southfield township; and Ida, deceased. The children of the second marriage were: Charles and Floy.

Our subject’s boyhood was spent in attending school and in assisting on the farm, where he remained until he was 23 years of age. His tastes not being in the direction of farming, he then removed to Franklin, entered the employ of A. A. Rust, a local merchant, and five years later bought a one-half interest in the business, the partnership continuing until 1899, when Mr. Bingham obtained full control. He now operates a large general store, stocked with goods to meet the demands of the trade in his section. Mr. Bingham is also the postmaster at Franklin and is serving his fifth term as supervisor of the township. He was first elected to this position on the Democratic ticket in 1894; he had previously held the office of township treasurer, during 1891 and 1892, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. He has proved himself an efficient and faithful official and is popular with both parties.

Mr. Bingham was married first to Alice Rust, who was born in Southfield township in 1866, and died in 1901; she was a daughter of A. A. and Elizabeth (German) Rust. In 1903, Mr. Bingham was married to Clara M. Cox, who was born in Southfield township in 1878, and is a daughter of James and Martha (Comstock) Cox.

Fraternally, Mr. Bingham is a Mason and Knight Templar; and is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of the Maccabees. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which he is a trustee and secretary, and in which he has been Sunday-school superintendent. Mr. Bingham has many warm friends who enjoy his business success and his social and political prominence.