My Genealogy Hound

Hon. Theron Andrew Flower, deceased, was one of the stalwart business men of Oakland County, Michigan, and for many years prior to his death resided in Pontiac. He was largely interested in this county and had large real estate holdings in various States in the Union and in Lower California, Mexico. He was possessed of superior ability and the success he attained in business was the result of his own energy and enterprise.

Mr. Flower’s ancestry was Welsh. Of three brothers, named Flower, who came from Wales to America, one brother settled in New York, one in Massachusetts and the third in Pennsylvania or Ohio. Ex-Governor Roswell P. Flower, of New York, was a descendant from the New York family, and Theron Andrew Flower’s great-great-grandfather, Theron Flower, was from the Massachusetts branch. Theron Flower was married to the daughter of Captain Reeves of the Colonial Army, who fought in the War of Independence at Fort Ticonderoga, New York. Mr. Flower’s grandfather, Theron A. Flower, also served honorably as an officer during the American Revolution. He married Jeanett Buchanan, daughter of Patrick Buchanan of Glasgow, Scotland. The Buchanan Castle, in which they lived, still stands in Stirlingshire and is now in the possession of the Duke of Montrose. Lady Buchanan still lives. Ex-President James Buchanan belonged to this family.

Mr. Flower’s father, Andrew Flower, was a native of Massachusetts and was married to Mary Hogle from Shoreham, Vermont. They lived in Cornwall, Addison County, Vermont, where Theron Andrew Flower was born October 17, 1814. His parents moved to St. Lawrence County, New York, and two years later moved to Ohio where they remained until 1826. They next returned to New York State, locating in Monroe County and subsequently resided in various other counties in the State. In 1835 they came to Michigan from Albany County, New York.

Theron Andrew Flower was educated in the public schools and at the age of 19, having taught school for a short period, became a surveyor. He accompanied his parents to Michigan and on May 22, 1835, arrived in Detroit where he was engaged as a surveyor with John Farmer, who was making a map of Michigan during 1836-37. In 1842 he removed to Birmingham, Oakland County, where he engaged in trade until the fall of 1850, in which year he was elected register of deeds for Oakland County and in February, 1852, took up his residence in Pontiac. He was engaged in business at Detroit from 1859 to 1861, but in February of the latter year he returned to Pontiac. In 1866 he became interested with others in the purchase of pine land in Montcalm County, Michigan, and was identified with the lumbering business for some years. In 1868, his son-in-law, Hon. John Dudley Norton, became associated with him in lumbering. In 1871 he was associated with his son-in-law, Charles B. Pittman, in the mercantile business. He was also one of the founders of both the First and Second National Banks of Pontiac and for a time served as president of each. In 1873 he purchased a valuable ranch of 18,000 acres in Lower California, Mexico, called the “Guadalupe Ranch,” which is situated just beyond the United States boundary line. This fine and valuable ranch is owned by the Flower estate. In addition to these extensive holdings, he owned valuable tracts in Oakland County at various times.

In politics, Mr. Flower was an enthusiastic Democrat and was frequently called upon to serve in an official capacity. In 1844 he was appointed postmaster of Birmingham by President Tyler, filling that office until 1849. He was elected mayor of Pontiac three different times — in 1863, 1875 and 1876.

Theron Andrew Flower was right eminent past grand commander in Masonic circles, where he bore a conspicuous part and was the man to whom the Pontiac Commandery is indebted for its organization and success during the early years of its existence, as a dispensation was granted March 25, 1852, empowering him to form and open a commandery in Pontiac. In 1852, he became eminent commander of Pontiac Commandery, No. 2, K. T., which he held for many years. In 1856 he was a delegate to the Conclave of Grand Encampment of the United States at Hartford, Connecticut. He was elected deputy grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Michigan in 1868 and in 1869 was elected right eminent grand commander. He was a delegate from the Grand Commandery of Michigan to the Triennial Conclave of the United States at St. Louis, Missouri, also, in 1883, he attended the encampment at San Francisco. Besides these he was master of Pontiac Council, No. 3, R. & S. M.

Mr. Flower was married to Sylvia Carter Morris, who was born October 17, 1825, at Bloomfield, Oakland County, and is a daughter of William Morris. She is a direct descendant of Capt. Edward Morris of Revolutionary fame, also a connection of Commodore Charles Morris of the United States Navy, whose daughter Louise married William Wilson Corcoran of Washington, D. C. It has been said that the last named was one of the greatest benefactors to his race to which America has given birth. Another connection is Prof. Samuel F. B. Morse, the inventor of the electric telegraph.

Five children were born to Mr. Flower and his wife. The three living are: Elizabeth Conklin, widow of Hon. John Dudley Norton; Mary Louise, wife of Charles B. Pittman; and Theron Morris, who resides on the ranch in Lower California, Mexico. The Flower family have always attended the Zion Protestant Episcopal Church, of which they are members.

Mr. Flower died March 21, 1901, at his home, Ex Mission Guadalupe Rancho, Lower California, Mexico, at the age of 87 years.