My Genealogy Hound

Robert A. Quatermass, who has a valuable farm of 130 acres in sections 25 and 36, Pontiac township, Oakland County, is now enjoying life at the advanced age of 89 years. He has had a very active business career, and has been a resident of the county for more than 68 years.

Mr. Quatermass was born in Caledonia, Livingston County, New York, September 26, 1814, and is a son of Richard and Thankful (Williams) Quatermass. His father was born in Massachusetts, and followed the trade of a mechanic in that State and later in New York. He died when our subject was a small boy. Mrs. Quatermass was born in Vermont and died at the home of our subject at the age of 100 years, four months and 10 days. They were parents of the following children: James, Martin, William, Robert A., Lucy Hall, and Anna Jane.

Robert A. Quatermass worked in the farm during the summer months and attended school in. the winters until he reached the age of 19 years, and then learned the trade of wagon-maker. He assisted his step-father, Seth Hall, in the construction of the first grain cradle ever made, cutting the material from trees. They resided near LeRoy, New York, at the time. In 1835, Mr. Quatermass came to Oakland County, Michigan, and worked at his trade in the employ of Charles Postal for one year, and then purchased a shop which he successfully conducted for about 30 years. He also engaged in moving buildings for 30 years, moving more than 3,000 buildings in that time. In the meantime he ran a sawmill for 18 years, and also followed the trade of millwright. He now has a farm of 130 acres in sections 25 and 36, Pontiac township, which is devoted to general farming purposes.

On August 26, 1838, at Amy, Oakland County, Mr. Quatermass was joined in marriage with Eunice Culver, who was born at Spring Water, Livingston County, New York, January 1, 1819. Both are active and in full possession of all their physical and mental faculties. The following children were born to them: George Washington, deceased; William Martin, of New Baltimore, Michigan, who has four children; Helen (Miller), of California, who has one child, Maude (Smith); Sarah (Durrant), of Amy, Oakland County; Charles, deceased; Harriet (Lovell), of Amy, Oakland County; Emma, who is at home; Florence (Smith), of Pontiac; and Augustus, who is at home. Our subject and his wife have seven grandchildren, namely: Charles Quatermass, Albert Quatermass, Wilbur Quatermass, Walter Quatermass, Mrs. Maude (Miller) Smith, Charles Durrant, and Leon Durrant. They have 12 great-grandchildren, as follows: Kate Quatermass, Robert Quatermass, Emma Quatermass, Russell Quatermass, Howard Quatermass, Ralph Quatermass, Velma Quatermass, William Quatermass, Bessie Smith, Helen Smith, Frank Smith, and Josephine Durrant.

Robert A. Quatermass is a Democrat in politics, and for a period of 30 years was highway commissioner for Pontiac township, and was overseer of a great many of the bridges built through his locality. He is a man of estimable character and pleasing personality, and has many friends throughout the county.