My Genealogy Hound

John F. Pickering. Among the magnificent farms of Oakland County, Michigan, is that owned and occupied by John F. Pickering, consisting of 308 acres, located in sections 11, 12 and 14, Avon township. Few estates can compare with it in this locality, in cultivation, productiveness or value. Mr. Pickering was born near Rochester, in Bloomfield township, Oakland County, June 2, 1865, and lost his father one year later. He is a son of the late William and Elizabeth (Forman) Pickering, both of whom were born in Lincolnshire, England. They had two children, Ida, deceased, and John F.

William Pickering was 30 years old when he came to America and settled in Bloomfield township, Oakland County, Michigan, in 1860. Until his death in 1866 he followed farming. His widow later married her brother-in-law, John Pickering, and is now deceased; her second marriage resulted in six children: Joseph C.; George W.; Cornelia; Elizabeth; Minnie and Jennie, deceased.

John F. Pickering was reared in Bloomfield township, and was educated in the common schools. He continued to reside with his mother until he was 20 years of age and then he began farming on his own account and operated a farm in Orion township two years and one in Oakland township the same length of time. In 1893 he moved to Avon township and purchased his present fine farm of 308 acres. This large extent of fertile land he devotes to general farming and to dairy purposes, conducting a very successful milk business in Rochester. The success which attends Mr. Pickering’s agricultural operations and their extensive character make him an authority in the neighborhood, and the methods he pursues and the machinery he uses are justly considered to be of the best. He is very enterprising and progressive and wields a wide influence all through his vicinity.

On February 22, 1888, Mr. Pickering married Mary E. Andrews of Orion township, and they have three children, namely: Lulu, Lester and Carmen, all of whom are living at home. Mrs. Pickering’s parents were George and Mary (Bromley) Andrews, natives of England and Oakland County, Michigan, respectively. They are both deceased. They had four children: Clara J., deceased; Mary E.; George W. and William.

In politics Mr. Pickering is a Democrat; he has been called upon by his party to serve in a number of local offices. He is at present the very efficient highway commissioner and since he has taken charge a very notable improvement has been shown in the public roads while little demand has been made upon the tax payers. He is fraternally connected with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Foresters, taking a lively interest in both organizations. He is considered one of the most substantial men of the township.