My Genealogy Hound

Frederick G. Brendel, one of the substantial farmers and self made men of White Lake township, Oakland County, who owns a fine farm of 185 acres in sections 16, 17 and 21, with his residence in section 17, was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1845.

The father of our subject came to America in 1855 and after spending two months in Detroit, settled in White Lake township, Oakland County, where he lived 25 years engaged in farming. He passed his last years at Pontiac, where he died in 1893. His wife died in Germany in 1848, having been the mother of seven children, namely: Harriet, now deceased, who was the wife of Jacob Sick; Rickie, wife of Herman Edy; Christina, wife of Charles Lose; John, of White Lake township, Oakland County; Henrietta, who married John Bachman, and died in 1902; Ernestine, wife of John Drolman, of Tyrone, Michigan; and Frederick G. Both parents were consistent members of the Lutheran Church.

Frederick G. Brendel was but a lad of tender years when he was deprived by death of the loving care of his mother. In 1855 he accompanied his father to America, and his boyhood and youth were mainly spent in endeavors to care for his material wants. He had no educational chances, but through association with the world he has become fairly well educated and on more than one occasion has been selected, on account of his reliable character, to perform the duties in township offices. He worked industriously and honestly at anything that he was able to secure, at a livery stable, in a butcher’s shop and on farms, gaining a reputation for integrity which his after life has well sustained. Since 1873 he has resided in section 17, White Lake township, and has become one of the leading citizens of the neighborhood.

In 1874 Mr. Brendel was married to Jennie Harford, who was born in 1850 in the city of New York, and is a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Roach) Harford, the former of whom was born in England, and the latter in Ireland. A family of children has been born to this marriage, as follows: Elma; Millie, wife of Alfred Howland of White Lake township, Oakland County; Charles; Henrietta, wife of John Ingomar; Frederick; Mary, deceased; Chester; Christopher and Forrest.

In politics Mr. Brendel is identified with the Republican party. He has been a hard worker, a provident saver and a good manager and is worthy of the respect and esteem in which he is held in White Lake township. His successful career very clearly shows what may be accomplished by energy, industry and thrift.