My Genealogy Hound

William Dandison, a prominent and representative farmer of Oakland County, the owner, of a fine farm of 80 acres in section 16, West Bloomfield township, was born in Oakland County, Michigan, in 1845, and comes of English ancestry. His parents were Joseph and Susanna (Graves) Dandison.

Joseph Dandison was born May 25, 1816, in Cumberworth, Lincolnshire, England, and was a son of Thomas and Susanna (Wellerton) Dandison, the former of whom died in 1832, and the latter some seven years later, leaving 10 children, of which family Joseph was the sixth. The latter first came to America and to Oakland County, Michigan, in 1837, and in the following year returned to England, where he married Susanna Graves, and with her returned to Oakland County. He first purchased a small farm in Pontiac township, but four years later sold it to his brother Robert, and in the following year purchased a farm in West Bloomfield township, on which he lived until 1880, engaged in farming. He then bought a comfortable residence in Pontiac, and resided there until his death. Our subject’s mother died in 1856, and left six children. Two years later, Mr. Dandison married the widow of his brother Robert, who had died three years previously. The early pioneer life of these old settlers of the county was filled with privation and danger, but Mr. Dandison lived to see the results of his industry and to enjoy the rewards of his years of toil. For more than a half century he was a member of the Methodist Church, and his walk and conversation were those of a good Christian.

Our subject was afforded the best schooling possible at the time in West Bloomfield township, attending the school sessions in a building directly opposite his present farm. He continued to cultivate his father’s land until about 36 years of age, and was then known as one of the most careful, practical and successful farmers of the neighborhood. On May 14, 1884, he was married to Eliza Cornwell, who was born in England, and is a daughter of Charles and Eliza (Crickmore) Cornwell, who were born in England, came to America in 1865, and lived some 10 or 12 years in Detroit, after which they removed to Kansas. Charles Cornwell, who is a shoemaker by trade, now lives in Rosedale, Kansas. Mrs. Cornwell died in Kansas, October 28, 1887.

In 1888 Mr. Dandison bought a part of his present farm, which is located in sections 9 and 16, West Bloomfield township, and aggregates 80 acres. Here the family has a pleasant, comfortable home, a well improved farm, and all the advantages of a healthful rural life. Mr. Dandison engages in general farming and the raising of fine stock. Mr. and Mrs. Dandison have one son, Forest, born August 8, 1886, who assists his father. In politics Mr. Dandison supports the principles and candidates of the Democratic party. He has a standing in his community as a man of honor and integrity, and as one of the first class agriculturists of the township.