My Genealogy Hound

Herman A. Wyckoff, the popular postmaster of Pontiac, Michigan, and a public spirited and representative citizen, was born in Seneca County, New York, June 17, 1838, and is a son of John P. and Mary Ann Wyckoff, both old residents of Oakland County, now deceased.

John P. Wyckoff left the state of New York and journeyed by wagon with his family into the wilds of Michigan in 1845. He was a man of intelligence and excellent education for the time and one of his first acts was to pay for the newspaper which was issued at Pontiac, and which is now the Gazette of that city. He successfully engaged in farming in Oakland County, where he reared and educated his family. He was always a stanch Republican and actively supported the measures of that party. His death occurred on his farm, two and a half miles west of Pontiac, in 1886, at the age of 72 years, his widow surviving him until 1895.

Our subject was educated in the district schools and the Pontiac Union School, and until he removed to Pontiac, some 21 years ago, was mainly engaged in agricultural pursuits. At the time of his marriage he located in White Lake township, in the western part of the county; upon his removal to the city, he sold his farm. He has invested largely in city real estate and is considered one of the substantial citizens. Like his father, a stanch Republican, he has served in many positions in the gift of his party. For a considerable period he was alderman and during the incumbency of Dr. Galbraith as mayor, he served as chairman of the street committee. For eight years he served as the able chairman of the Republican County Committee and has always been in the confidence of the leaders of the party. On June 29, 1900, he was appointed postmaster of Pontiac by the late lamented President McKinley, and his administration has been so eminently satisfactory that probably no change will soon be made. The business has increased materially, there being now seven rural carriers, seven city carriers and two substitutes, five postal clerks from the Pontiac, Oxford & Northern and the Michigan Air Line railroads, and five clerks including the assistant postmaster, and a sub-clerk. This means a large amount of daily business and the necessity for a firm, guiding spirit at the head. Mr. Wyckoff has had a number of improvements introduced in the office, including some modern canceling machines and others designed to make the service of the public more expeditious.

In 1861 Mr. Wyckoff was united in marriage with Mary C. Pinkerton, who was born in Novi township, Oakland County, and is a daughter of the late Thomas Pinkerton, who took up land in Novi township in 1825. He was one of the most highly esteemed residents of the county, at his death, at the age of 86 years.

Fraternally Mr. Wycoff is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to Pontiac Commandery, No. 2. In religious views he is a Presbyterian, having united with this church in his youth.