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I GRi^TIOT COUNTY, MICH,

I^OI^TI^AIT^S AND BlOGI^APHIGAL Sl^EiTGHES
piiorT]inKnt and I^eprfe^eritatiVe Citizer]^ of tf]e Countif,

TOC.ETHEIl Wl I II roli/UA/IS .iX/> Uli ><,h'M'l//ES OF ALL lUE (U)V EEXOIIS (iE M/i I/It; I .\ \
AXO OE THE EEESIPEXTS Oh THE rXlTEl) STATES.

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E HAVE completed our labors in writing and compiling the Portrait and Biograph-
c iCAL Album of (Jratiot County, and wish, in presenting it to its patrons, tospeak
briefly of the importance of local works of this nature. It is certainly the duty
of the present to commemorate the past, to perpetuate the names of the pioneers,
to furnish a record of their early settlement, and to relate the story of their progress.
The civilization of our day, the enlightenment of the age, and this solemn duty which
'■ S V) men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their ixjsterity
demand that a record of tlieir lives and deeds should be made. In local history is found a power
to instruct man by precedent, to enliven the mental faculties, and to waft down the river of time a safe
vessel in which the names and actions of the people who contributed to raise this region from its
primitive state may be jireserved. Surely and rapidly the noble men who in their prime entered
the wild forests of Gratiot and claimed the virgin soil as their heritage, are passing to
their graves. The number remaining who can relate the history of the first days of settlement is
becoming small indeed, so that an actual necessity exists for the collection and preservation of his-
torical matter without delay, before the settlers of the wilderness are cut down by time. Not only
is it of the greatest imjwrtance to render history of pioneer times full and accurate, but it is also essen
tial that the history of the county, from its settlement to the present day, should be treated through its various-
phases, so that a record, complete and impartial, may be handed down to the future. The present the age
of progress, is reviewed, standing out in bold relief over the quiet, unostentatious olden times; it is abrilliant
record, which is destined to live in the future; the good works of men, their magnificent enterprises, their
lives, whether commercial or military, do not sink into oblivion, but, on the contrary, grow brighter with age,
and contribute to build up a record which carries with it precedents and principles that will be advanced and
observed when the acts of soulless men will be forgotten, and their very names hidden in obscurity.

In the preparation of the personal sketches contained in this volume, unusual care and pains were
taken to have then accurate, even in the smallest detail. Indeed, nothing was passed lightly over or treated
indifferently, and we flatter ourselves that it is one of the most accurate works of its nature ever published.
As one of the most interesting features of this work, we present the [wrtraits of numerous representa-
tive citizens. It has been our aim to have the prominent men of to-day, as well as the pioneers, represented
in this department; and we congratulate ourselves on the uniformly high character of the gentlemen whose
(xjrtraits we prc-sent. They are in the strictest sense representative men, and are selected from all the call-
ings and professions worthy to be represented. There are others, it is true, who claim equal i)rominence with
those presented, but of course it was im|X)ssible for us to give jxjrtraits of all the leading men and pioneers
of the county. While we are under great obligation to many of the noble and generous people of Gratiot
County for kindly and material assistance in the 'preparation of this .Mbum, we feel under sjiecial obligation
to the following persons, who, from the beginning till the close of our labors, manifestetl unusual interest in
the enterprise and gave us every assistance |]X)ssible : Gen. Nathan Church, Rob't Smith, Judge \Vm. E.
VVinion, Judge \Vm. Paddock, Hon. A. B. Darragh, Hon. Wilbur Nelson, Rev. Francis Nelson, Parmer K.
Phillips, John Swigart, S. S. Hastings, Dr. John k. Cheesman, James Gargett, Mrs. Klias Smith and W. W.
Comstock.

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Feb. 22, 1732. His parents
were Augustine and Mary
(Ball) Washington. The family
to which he belonged has not
been satisfactorily traced in
England. His greai-grand-
father, John Washington, em-
igrated to Virginia about 1657,
and became a prosperous
planter. He had two sons,
Lawrence and John. The
fomier married Mildred Warner
and had three children, John,
.Augustine and Mildred. Augus-
tine, the father of George, first
married Jane Hutler, who bore
liim four children, two of whom,
I ..iwrence and Augustine, reached
maturity. Of six children by his
second marriage, Oeorge was the
eldest, the others beinu Betty,
Samuel, Joiin .\ugustine, Charles
and Mildred.
.-Vugiistine Washington, the father of George, died
m 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his
eldest stdi, Lawrence, he beipieathed an estate on
the I'atomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon,
and to George he lel't the parental residence. (leorge
received only such education as the neighborhood
schiiols afforded, save for a short time after he left
jcIukiI, when ho received private instruction in
mathematics. I lis s|>clling was rather defective.

Remarkable stories are told of his great physical
strength and development at an early age. He was
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair-
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life.

When George was 1 4 years old he had a desire to go to
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him,
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was
abandoned. Two years later he was ap|X)inled
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very
essential to him. In 175 r, though only 19 years of
age, he was a[)pointed adjutant with the rank of
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for
active service against the French and Indians. Soon
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter
who did not long survive him. On her demise the
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George.

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten-
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili-
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac-
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro-
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North-
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed
was I)elwcen 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at h.ind,
and the journey was to be made witho\it military
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The

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GEORGE WASHINGTON.

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trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com-
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was
then begun against the French and Indians, in which
Washington took a most important part. In the
memorable event of July 9, T755, known as Brad-
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock
were disabled early in the action, and Washington
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter
to his brother he says : " I had four bullets through
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped
unhurt, though death was levelin", my companions
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit
him.

After having Ijeen five years in the military service.
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he
took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio,
to resign his commission. Soon after he entered the
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he look an
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy
widow of John Parke Custis.

When the British Parliament had closed the port
of Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all."
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con-
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila-
delphia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties,
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash-
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con-
cord and Lexington had been fought. .Among the
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com-
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and
responsible office was conferred upon Washington,
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account
of expenses and e.xpect Congress 10 pay them and
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country
were so long confided. The war was conducted by
him under every possible disadvantage, and while his
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in
a parting address of surpassing l.ieauty, resigned his

commission as commander-in-chief of the army to
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all
connection with public life.

In February, 1789, Washington was unanimously
elected President. In his presidential career he was
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part
of other governments ; trials from want of harmony
between the different sections of our own country;
trials from the impoverished condition of the country,
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the
beginnings of parly strife. He was no partisan. His
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and
while perhaps this alone kept our government from
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and
very annoying.

At the expiration of his first term he was unani-
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March,
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi-
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there
his few remaining years free from the annoyances of
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France.
-\t the prospect of such a war he was again urged to
take command of the armies. He chose his sub-
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat-
ters in the field, which he superintended from his
home. In accepting the command he made the
reservation that he was not to be in the field until
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations
his life was suddenly cut off. December 1 2, he took
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh-
teenth his body was borne with military honors to its
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at
Mount Vernon.

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad-
miration. The more we see of the operations of
our government, and the more deeply we feel the
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest,
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal-
ent and character, which have been able to challenge
the reverence of all parlies, and principles, and na-
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will
lie as lasting as the existence of man.

The person of Washington was unusally tall, erect
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry.
He commanded respect without any appearance of
liaughtiness, and ever serious without being dull.

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SECOND PRESIDENT.

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JDIIPJ ADAMS.

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OHN ADAMS, the second
'^' President and the first Vice-
President of the United States,
was born in Braintree ( now
Quincy),Mass., and about ten
miles from Boston, (Jet. 19,
'fi 1735- His great-grandfather, Henry
Adams, emigrated from England
about 1640, with a family of eight
sons, and settled at Braintree. The
parents of John were John and
Susannah (Boylston) .Adams. His
father was a farmer of limited
means, to which he added the bus-
iness of shoemaking. He gave his
eldest son, John, a classical educa-
tion at Harvard t'ollege. John
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a
"school of jflfliction," from which he endeavored to
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the
study of law. I'or this i)uri)Ose he placed himself
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He
hafl thought seriously of the clerical profession
but seems to have been tiirned from this by what he
termed "the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun-
cils, of dialwlical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,''
of the operations of which he had been a witness in
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal
profession, i)<>ssessing a clear, sonorous voice, being
ready and fluent of s|)eech, and having quick percej)-
tive iiowcrs. He gradually gaine<l practice, and in
1764 married .Vbigail Smith, a daughter of a minister,
anil a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his
marriage, (1765), the attemjit of Parliameniar)' taxa-
tion turned him from law to |x)litics. He took initial
steps towartl holding a town nieeting, and the resolu-

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tions he offered on the subject became very jxapular
throughout the Province, and were adopted word for
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos-
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous
and prominent advocatesof the jxjpular cause, and
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg-
lislature) in 1770.

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress,
which rr.et in 1774. Here he distinguished himself
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad-
vocated the movement for independence against the
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies
should assume liie duties of self-government. He
was a prominent member of the committee of five
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde-
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but
on Adams devolved the task of battling it tlirough
Congress in a three days debate.

On the day after the Declaration of Independence
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife,
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated
liy the si)irit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the
greatest question was decided that ever was debated
in .Nnierica; and greater, perhaps, never was or will
be decided among men. .\ resolution was passed
without one dis^nting colony, ' that these L'nited
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde-
])endent states.' The day is passed. The fourih of
July, i77'>. will be a memorable epoch in the histor)-
of America. I am apt to believe it will Ik; celebrated
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversar>
festival. It ought to be commemoratetl as the day of
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to .Almighty
(lOtl. It ought to be solemnized wiih i«>ini'. shows.

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JOHN ADAMS.

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the means; and that posterity
ih you and I maj- rue, which 1

games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations
from one end of the continent to the other, from this
time forward for ever. You will think me transported
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to
maintain this declaration, and support and defend
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can seethe
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end
Worth more than all
will triumph, although you
hope we shall not."

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a
delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money
from the French Government. This was a severe trial
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home,
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex-
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis-
ers, wlio were seeking him. He left France June 17,
1779. In September of the same year he was again
ciiosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi-
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet
might be found willing to listen to such pvoposels. He
sailed for France in November, from there he went to
Holland, where he negotiated imiJOrtant loans and
formed important commercial treaties

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed
Jan. 2 1, t783. The re-action from the excitement,
toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con-
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he
was advised to go to England to drink the waters of
Bath. While in England, stilUlroopinganddesiiond-
ing, he received dispatches from his own government
urging the necessity of his going to .Amsterdam to
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was
delicate, yet he inunediately set out, and through
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made the trip.

February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. Adams
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face
to face the King of England, who had so long re-
garded him as a traitor. As England did not
condescend to appoint a minister to the United
States, and as Mr. .\dams felt that he was accom-
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to
his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788.

When Washington was first chosen President, John
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. .A.gain
at the second election of Washington as President,
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash-
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was
elected President, though not without much opposition.
Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics.

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great

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French Revolution shook the continent of Europe,
and it was upon this point which he was at issue with
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson.
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the V^
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it.
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or-
iginated the alienation between these distinguished
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ-
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies
were with England and Jefferson led the other in
sympathy with France.

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till
after death. No one could look upon his venerable
form, and think of what he had done and suffered,
and how he had given up all the prime and strength
of his life to the public good, without the deepest
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar
good fortune to witness the complete success of the
institution which he had been so active in creating and
supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest
station in the gift of the people.

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is
well known, on that day two of these finished their
earthly pilgrimsge, a coincidence so remarkable as
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr.
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from
his bed. On lieing requested to name a toast for the
customary celebration of the day,- he exclaimed " In-
dependence FOREVER." When the day was ushered
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons,
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew
what day it was? He replied, "O yes ; it is the glor-
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all."
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and
glorious day." The last words he uttered were,
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re-
signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. (^

The personal appearance and manners of Mr.
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face,
as his jiortrait manifests.was intellectual ard expres-
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous.
He had neither the lofty dignity of W'ashington, nor
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked
the manners and address of Jefferson.

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^tJfiLIC LIBRARY

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THIRD PRESIDENT.

1 Irii oil as" JE :ppe E s D :^ ,

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HOMAS JEFFERSON was

Vpril 2, 1743, :it Sliad-
!|^well, Alliermarle county, Va.

His parents were Peter and
Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson,
the former a native of Wales,
and the latter horn in Lon-
don. To them were horn six
daughters and two sons, of
whom 'i'homas was the elder.
When 14 years of age his
father died. He received a
most liberal education, hav-
ing been kept diligently at school
from the time he was five years of
age. In 1760 he entered William
and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat
of the (Colonial C'ourt, and it was the obodeof fashion
a.id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he
was earnestly devoted lo his studies, and irre|>roacha-
able in his morals. It "is strange, however, under
such inf1uences,that he was not ruined. In the set -
ond year of his college course, moved by some un-
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses,
sr)ciely, and even his favorite violin, to which he had
|)reviou:*ly given mu( h lime. He often devoted fitteen
hours a day to h.iid Nluily, ailuwing himself for ex-
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out
of the city and b.ic:k again. He thus attained very
high iniellcctual ruliure, alike excellence in phil>>su-
phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and
(ireck authors he read with facility. A more finished
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and

-:W^

there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man.

Immediately upon leaving college he began the
study of law. For the short time he continued in the
' practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin-
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a
lawyer. But the times called for greater action.
The [Xjlicy of England had awakened the spirit of
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In
1772 he married .Mrs. .Martha .Skeltou, a very beauti-
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow.

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at .Shadwell, there
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected lor his new
home; and here he reared a m.msion of modest yet
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon,
became the most distinguished resort in our land.

In 1775 he was sent lo the Ctlonial Congress,
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he
was placed ujjon a number of im|X)rtant committees,
and was chairman of the one apixjinted for ihe draw-
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com-
miltee consisted of Thomas Jefferson. John .\dams,
Benjamin Franklin, Roger .Sherman and Robert R.
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, w.is ap|)oin(cd
lo draw u|) the paper. Franklin and .\dams suggested
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con-
gress. On June jS, a few slight changes were made
in it by Congress, .md it was p.issed and signed July
4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of thai

(

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THOMAS JEFFERSON.

man — what the emotions that swelled his breast —
who was chargi;d with the preparation of that Dec-
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of
America, was also to publish her to the world, free,
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re-
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort
of the nrind of its author exist, that alone would be
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality.

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to
Patrick Henry, c.s Governor of Virginia. At one time
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to
Monlicello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five
minutes elapsed after tiie hurried escape of Mr. Jef-
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses-
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never
very good, was much injured by tliis excitement, and
in the summer of 1782 she died.

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783.
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo-
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State
m Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned
Jan. I, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi-
dent, and four years later was elected President over
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity,
and George Clinton, Vice President.

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra-
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the
tranquility and peace of the Lhiion; this was the con-
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there
a new republic. This has been generally supposed
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been
generally known what his real plans were, there is no
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous
character.

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly
forty years, he had been continually before the pub-
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of
the greatest trust and responsil)ility. Having thus de-
voted the best part of his life to the service of his
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his
declining years required, and upon the organization of
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare-
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticelio.

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole
families came in their coaches with their horses, —
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and
nurses, — and remained three and even six months.
Life at Monticelio, for years, resembled that at a
fashionable watering-place.

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver-

sary of the Declaration
great preparations were

^«^#

,£^

of American Independence,
made in every part of the
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer,
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara-
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill-
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and
had been continually increasing, compelled liim to
decline the invitation.

On the second of July, the disease under which
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced
state that his medical attendants, entertained no
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly
sensible that his last hour was at Jiand. On the next
d:iy, which was Monday, he asked of those around
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish that
he might be permitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land,
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for-
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble
life ! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- -
tlie day which his own name and his own act had
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him,
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings,
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life.

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin-
dred sjiirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors.
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of
freedom; hand in hand, during the dark and desper-
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a
century they had labored together for the good of
the country; and now hand in hand they dejiart.
In their lives they had been united in the same great
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not
divided.

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as
well as personal courage ; and his command of tem-
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends
never recollected to have seen him in a passion.
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un-
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver-
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is
discernable the care with which he formed his style
upon the best models of antiquity.

*S?

THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LBNOX AND

TILD&H F9UMDAT10N3

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FOURTH PR I' SI DENT.

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P1I]ES n|:HDISOI].^t,,

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\ of tlie Constitution," and fourth
]>f President of the United States,
Y w.is l)orn March i6, 1757, and
■; died at his liome in Virginia,
'-^' June >8, 1836. The name of
James Madison is inseparably con-
nected with most of the im|>ortant
events in that heroic period of our
country during which the foimda-
tions of this great republic were
laid. He was the last of the founders
ijf the Constitution of the L^nited
States to be called to his eternal
reward.

The Madison family were among
the early emigrants to the New World,
landing u[xjn the shores of the Chesa-
|K:ake but 15 years after the settle-
ment of Jamestown. The father of
James Madison was an opulent
|)lanter, residing uiwn a very fine es-
tate called "Montiwlier," Orange Co.,
Va. The mansion was situated in
(aj* the njidst of scenery highly pictur-
j esque and romantic, on the west side
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of
Hlue Ridge. It. was but 25 miles from the home of
Jefferson .it .Monticello. The closest [lersonal anil
|iol)tical attachment existed between these illustrious
men, from their early youth until death.

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of
|K he was sent to Princeton (College, in New Jersey.
Il.r. he applied himsch tu study with the most im-

prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor
of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subse-
quent career.

Returning to Virginia, he commenced tlie study of
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading.
This educational course, the spirit of the times in
which he lived, and the society with which he asso-
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong
love of lilierly, and to train him for his life-work of
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that
his life was not lo be long, he directed esjiccial atten-
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind
singularly free from passion and i»rejudice, and with
almo!:t unecpialled jx)wers of reasoning, he weighed
all the arguments for and against revealed religion,
until his faith became so established as never to
be shaken.

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he
Was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to
frame the constitution of the State. The next year
{1777), he was a candidate for the General .Assembly.
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, .ind
conse(|ucntly lost his election ; but those who had
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the
mo<lest young man, enlistetl themselves in his l>ehalf,
and he was .ipiNiiiued to the KnccuIivc Council.

IJoth Patrick Henry and Ihomas Jefferson were
( 'lovernors of Virginia while Mr. M.ndison remained
member ••< '!■■• Cmmcil ; and their appreciation of his

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/AMES MADISON.

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intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of
the most conspicuous positions among them.

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con-
gress, one of its most active and influential members.
In the year 17S4, his term having expired, he was
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature.

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na-
tional government, with no power to form treaties
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in
the declaration, that an efficient national government
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of
Virginia, inviting the other States to ajipoint commis-
sioners to meet in convention at Annapohs to discuss
this suliject. Five States only were re[)resented. The
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up
by Mr. Madison, urgnig all the States to send their
delegates to Piiiladelphia, in May, 1787, to draft
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at
the time apjwinted. Every State but Rhode Island
was represented. George Washington was chosen
president of the convention; and the present Consti-
tution of the United States was then and there formed.
There was, perha[)s, no mind and no pen more ac-
tive in framing this immortal document tlian the mind
and the pen of James Madison.

The Constitution, adopted bv a vote 81 to 79, was
to be presented to the several States for acceptance.
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent
States, with but little power at home and little respect
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven-
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution,
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and
went into effect in 1789.

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre-
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a
young widow of remarkable power of fascination,
whom he married. .She was in person and character
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occu|)ied
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society
which has constituted our republican co\irt as .Mrs.
Madison.

Mr. Madison served as Secretary ot State under
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration
was chosen President. At this time the encroach-
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war.

British orders in council destroyed our commerce, and
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring
in his disi)osition, war had no charms for him. But the
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood
boil, even now, to think of an .\merican ship brought
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser.
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal-
ance he selects any number whom he may please to
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun-
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the
battles of England. This right of search and im-
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce
the British cabinet to relinquish.

On the i8th of June, 181 2, President Madison gave
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter
hostility of the Federal party to tlie war, the country
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th
of March, 1813, was re-elected by a large majority,
and entered upon his second term of office. This is
not the place to describe the various adventures of
this war on the land and on the water. Our infant
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap-
pling with the most formidable power which ever
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February,
1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole
coast of the llnited States under Iilockade.

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me
ditator. .America accepted ; England refused. A Brit-
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks
of thePatuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa-
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens-
burg, upon Washington.

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city.
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White
House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed,
and he could not go back without danger of being
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in
Washington were in flames.

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on
Feb. 13, 1S15, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent.

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau-
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re-
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi-
son died July 12, 1849.

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THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND

TIL.OEN FOUNDATIONS

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FFFTH PRESIDENT.

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7 AMi:s Monroe, iiie t'luh

, ^^I'rcsidcnton'he United States,

^■J- '■■■' (^T/J^lV/ ;A was liorii ill NN'estmorelandCo.,
i Va., April 2.S. 175.S. His early
fif life was passed at the place of
^','>;"; ^ )!/**' nativity. His ancestors IkuI fur
' '■'■" ' c) many years resided in the prov-
i 1 ince ill which he was l)orn. When.

I at 17 years of at;e, in llie process
S of completing iiis education at
William and Mary College, the Co-
lonial CoTigress assembled at Phila-
delphia to deliberate iiiion the un-
just and manifold oppressions of
dreat Hritian, declared the separa-
tion of the Colonies, and promul-
gated the Declaration of Indej)en-
dcnce. Had he been lM^)rn ten years before it is highly
probable that he would have been one of the signers
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left
school and enlisted among the patriots.

He joined the army when everything looked hoi>e-
less and gloomy. The nvnnber of deserters increased
fronj day to ilay. The inv.-iding armies came iKJuring
in; and the tories not only favored the cause of the
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits,
who were sutliciently terrified at the i)rospect of con-
tending with an enemy whom they had Inrcn taught
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through
difficulty and danger, the Cnited States owe their
|)ulilical emancipation. The young cadet joined the
ranks, and esiiou-.e<l the cause of his injured country,
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife

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for liberty. I'irmly yet sadly he shared in the mel-
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots
had been beaten in seven battles. M the battle of
T-renton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg-
ing u[K)n the enemy he received a wound in the left
shoulder.

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was )iro-
moted a captain of infantry ; and, having recovered
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however,
recedeil from the line of promotion, by becoming an
officer in the staff of Ix)rd Sterling. During the cam-
paigns of 1777 and 177S, in the actions of Urandy-
wine, Ciermantown and Monmouth, he continued
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his
|)osition in the army, he exerted himself to collet t .i
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed
owing to the exhausted condition of the Stale. l'i>on
this failure he entered the office of .Mr. Jefferson, at
that jK'iiod Covernor, and pursued, with considerable
ardor, the study of common law. He ilid not, however,
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag;
but on the invasions of the enemy, sen'ed as a volun-
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits.

In 17S2, he was elected from King (k-orge county,
a memlier of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that
liody he was elevated to a seat in the Executive
Council. He was thus honored with the lonfulciite
of his fellow citi/cns at 3j years of age ; and having
at this e.irly i>criod displayed some of that ability
.md aptitude for legislation, which were aficrw.iril»
employed with unremitting energy for the public gowl,

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O V\.-'- M H ^> H M : • V
JAMES MONROE.

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he was in the succeeding year chosen a menibev of
the Congress of the United States.

Deeplyas Mr. Monroefell the imperl'ec tionsof theold
C'onfederacy, he was o[)[)osed to the new Constitution,
thinking, with many others of tlie Kepuiilican party,
that it gave too niucli power to the Central Government,
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re-
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm
sujjporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member
of the United States Senate; which office he held for
four years. Kvery month the line of distinction be-
tween the two great |)ariies which divided the nation,
the Kederal and the Republican, was growing more
distinct. The two i)roniinent ideas which now sep-
arated them were, that the Reiiublican party was in
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the
Central (lovernment as little power, and the State
Governments as much iwwer, as theC'onslitution would
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England,
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con-
stitution, which would give as much power to the
Central (lovernment as that document could possibly
authorize.

The leading Federalists and Republicans were
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In
building up this majestic nation, which is destined
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com-
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the
tight ecpiilibrium. .*\nd yet each in his day was de-
nounced as almost a demon.

Washington was then President. England had es-
poused tlie cause of the Bourbons against the princi-
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away.
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be-
tween these contending powers. France had helped
us in the struggle for our liljerties. .-Ml the despotisms
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse
thatt that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous
and noble nature. He violently ojiposed the Pres-
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in
magnanimity.

Washington, who could appreciate such a character,
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness,
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de-
nouncing the jioliry of the Government, as the minister
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr.
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention
i 1 France with the most entlnisi.Tstic demonstrations.

Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon-
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the
office for three years. He was again sent to France to
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining
the vast territory then known as the Province of
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob-
tained from Spain. Tlieir united efforts were suc-
cessful. F"or the comparatively small sum of fifteen
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and
district of Louisiana were added to the United States.
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate
which was ever made in all the history of the world.
From F" ranee Mr. Monroe went to England to ob-
tain from that country some recognition of our
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng-
land was unrelenting. He agam returned to Eng-
land on the same mission, but could receive no
redress. He returned to his home and was again
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned
to accept the position of Secretary of State under
Madison. While in this office war with England was
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during
these trying times, the duties of the War Department
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor-
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con-
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex-
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec-
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had
been chosen President with but little opposition, and
upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years
later he was elected for a second term.

Among the important measures of his Presidency
were the cession of Florida to the United States; the
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'*
This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that
time the United States had recognized the independ-
ence of the South American states, and did not wish
to have Euroijean powers longer attempting to sub-
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt
on the part of European powers to extend their sys-
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing
or controlling American governments or provinces in
any other light than as a manifestation by European
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course
of foreign governments, and has become the approved
sentiment of the United States.

At the end of his f econd term Mr. Monroe retired
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830,
when he went to New York to live with his son-in-
law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831.

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PUBLIC LIBRARY

ABTOR, LBNOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

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? OIIN (^UINCV ADAMS, thc
"^ ^i\lli I'rcsidcnt of the United
'States, was born in the rural
iicjine of his honored father,
John Adams, in (juincy, Mass.,
on tlie I ith of July, 1767. His
mother, a woman of exalted
orth, watched over his childhood
liring the almost constant alj-
1 ■iJ'>^'S//i ^'■■'"-'^ ^^ '^'* father. When hut
rsSt^^L '-■'ii'^' years of age, he stood with
« JiJJji « his mollicr on an eminence, listen-
ing to the hooniing of the great bat-
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on
w\*3\\ the smoke and tiames billow-
ing up from the conflagration of
Charlestown.

When but eleven years old he
took a tearful adieu of his mother,
to sail with his fatner for Furope,
through a fleet o( hostile British cruisers. The liright,
animated boy silent a year and a half in I'.itis, where
his f.ither was associated with Franklin and l.ee as
minister pleni|wtentiary. His intelligence attracted
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received
from them flattering marks of attention.

.Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. .Again
John ()uincy ai companied his father. At I'aris he
.ipplied himself with great diligence, for six months,
to study; then acc<impained his father to Hcjll.ind,
where he entered, first a scIumjI in .Amsterdam, then
the I'niversily at I.eyden. .AUtut a year from this
lime, in 1781, when the manly boy w.is but fourteen
yc.irs of age, he was selected i>y Mr. Dana, our min-
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary.

In this •!( hdol of incessant lal)Or and of enobling
culture he s|ient fourteen months, and then returned
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, H.imburg and
Bremen. This long jfmrney he took alone, in the
winter, when in his sixteenth year. .Again he resumed
his studirs, unilcr i privity tulcir. it H igue. Then. <•,

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in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to
I'aris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance
with the most distinguished men on the Continent;
e.xamining architectural remains, galleries of paintings,
and all renowned works of art. .At hiris he again
became associated with the most illustrious men of
all lands in the contem|)lations of the loftiest temporal
themes which can engross the human mind. .After
a short visit to F.ngland he returned to l'aii>, and
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785,
when he returned to .America. To a brilliant young
man of eighteen, who iiad seen much of the world,
and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a
residence with his father in London, under such . ir-
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive;
but witli judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre-
ferred to return to .America to complete his education
in an .American college. He wished then to study
law, that with an honorable profession, he might lie
able to obtain an inde|>endent sup|K>rt.

U|X)n leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty,
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be-
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap-
|Kiinted by Washington, resident minister at the
Netherlands. .Sailing from lioston in July, he reached
London in October, where he was immediately admit-
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and I'inckney.
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with
Great Britian. .After thus s|)ending a fortnight in
London, he proceeded to the Hague.

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portiical ns
minister pleni[X)tentiary . On his way to I
ujnin arriving in IjDiidon. he met with «U
directing him to the court of Berlin, but re<nioling
him to remain in London until he should receive his
instructions. While waiting he was mairicd to an
American lady to whom he had l«cen previously en-
gaged,- Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, dnughler
of Mr. Joshua Johnstjn, .American consul in London;
a lady cndownd with that licautv .ind ih<i*c nctom-
plishment which cmiiieiilK fir ■■ in ihc

clevaleil sphere for wlii. li -.lu .-

\.y.

S.X

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JOHN QU/NCY ABA MS.

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He reached Berlin with lu^, wile in November, 1797 ;
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful-
filled all the purixases of his mission, he solicited his
recall.

Soon after iiis return, in 1802, he was chosen to
the Senate of Massacluisetts, from Boston, and then
was elected Senator of the United States for six years,
from tiie 4lii of March, 1804. His reputation, his
ability and his experience, placed him immediately
among the most prominent and influential members
ofthatlwdy. Esi)ecially did he svistain the (lovern-
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach-
ments of Kngland, destroying our commerce and in-
sulting our Hag. Tliere was no man in America more
fimiliar with tlie arrogance of the Ikitisii court upon
these ixjints, and no one more resolved to jiresent
a firm resistance.

In 1S09, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres-
idential chair, and lie immediately nominated John
(Juincy .\dams minister to St. Petersl)urg. Resign-
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked
at Boston, in August, 1809.

Wliile in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu-
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the
European system of weiglits, measures, and coins ; to
the climate and astronomical observations; while he
ke|)t up a familiar acquaintance with the (ireek and
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found.
.\11 through life the Bible constituted an imjxjrtant
l>art of his studies. It was his rule to read live
chapters every day.

On the 4th of March, 1S17. Mr. Monroe took the
Presidential chair, and immediately ap]iointed Mr.
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num-
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he
sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the
iSth of August, he again crossed the threshold of his
home in (^uincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon-
roe's administration, Mr. .\dams continued Secretary
of State.

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second
term of office, new candidates began to be presented
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. .\dams brought
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign.
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and
sixty electoral votes were cast, .\ndrew Jackson re-
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy .Xdams, eighty-four;
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry ("lay, thirty-
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the
(piestion went to the House of Representatives. Mr.
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and
he was elected.

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now
combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon
Mr. .\dams. There is nothing more disgraceful in
the past history of our country than the abuse which

was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was
an administration more pure in principles, more con-
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun-
try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per-
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu-
lously and outrageously assailed.

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab-
stemious and temperate in his habits; always risiiig
early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in
Quincy, he lias been known to walk, before breakfast,
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said
that he was the first man up in the city, ligliting his
own fire and applying himself to work in his library
often long before dawn.

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew-
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi-
dent. The slavery (piestion now began to assume
lX)rtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un-
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted lo re-

main in retirement. In November, 1830, lie was
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen
years, until his death, he occu[nedthe post as repre-
sentative, towering aliove all his peers, ever ready to
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of
"the old man eloquent." Uiion taking his seat in
the House, he announced that he should hold him-
self bound to no party. Probal>ly there never was a
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against
the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime
in Us moral daring and heroism. For persisting in
presenting petitions for the aliolition of slavery, he
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury,
with expulsion from the House, with assassination;
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final
triumph was complete.

It has been said of President Adams, tliat when his
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little
child, he was accustomed to repeat everv night, before
he slept, the pra\er which his mother taught him in
his infant years.

On the 2istof Feliruary, 184S, lie rose on the tloor
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly-
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him.
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious-
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and
said " T/n's is the emi of earth .-"then after a moment's
pause he added, ^^ I am content" These were the
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent."

tgr..

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A8TOR. LENOX AND

TILDEN KuUNDATlUNS

R L

m^r^ "i^^^'^-

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y^:—r

SEVENTH PRESIDENT.

43^

-»eiccr?^ss««OJ

A ^' p i< p^ u^ J A ( ; I V S ( ) X .

L;y

[

Nl)Ri:u JACKSON, the
seventh IVesident of ilic
United States, was horn in
W'axliaw settlement, N. (.'.,
March 15, 1767, a few days
after his father's death. His
parents were |)00r emigrants
from Irehmd, and took u|)
their alwxle in Waxhaw set-
tlement, where they lived in
deeiiest (wverty.
Andrew, or Andy, as he was
universally called, grew up a very
rouj;h, rude, turliulent hoy. His
features were coarse, his form un-
gainly; and there was hut very
little in his character, made visii>lc. which was al-
trai:tive.

When oidy thirteen years old he joined the volun-
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In
17X1, he and his brother Robert were captured and
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer
'irdered him to hrush his mud-spattered Inxits. " I am
I prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of
I he dauntless iKiy.

The hrute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate
hlow at the head of the helpless young j)risoner.
.\ndrcw raised his hand, .ind thus receiveil two fear-
ful gashes,— one on the hand and the other iii>on the
head. The officer then turned to his brother Kol>crt
with the >ame dem.md. He also refused, and re-
reived a hlow from the keen-edged sabre, which ipiile
ilitabled him, and which probably soon after caused
his death. They suffered muchother ill-tre.itment,and
were finally stricken with the small-|<ox. Their
mother w.is sucrpssful in ohi.iining their cxch.ingc.

and took her sick l)oys home, .\fter a long illness
.\n(lrcw recovered, and the death of his mother -;<ion
left him entirely friendless.

.\ndrew supiwrled himself in various ways, such as
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and
clerking in a general store, until 17S4, when he
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however,
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the
times than to his studies. In 17 88, he was ap|)ointed
solicitcr for the western district of North Carolina, of
which Tennessee was tlien a part. This involved
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of
every kind, but .Andrew Jackson never knew fear,
and the Indians had no desire to rejKMt a skirmish
witn the Sharp Knife.

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who
supiKjsed herself divorced from her former husband,
(ireat was the surpri>e of lK)th parties, two years later,
to find that the conditionsof the divorce had just l>ecn
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage
ceremony was iHirfonned a second time, but the occur-
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr.
Jackson into disfavor.

During these years he worked hard .it his profes-
sion, and freipientlv had one or more duels on hand,
one of which, when he killed I )i< kenson, was es|>cc-
ially disgraceful.

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants ili<^
|>eople met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con-
stitution. Kive were sent from each of the eleven
< (lunties. .Vndrew J.ii kson was one of the delcgatc»
The new Stale was entitled to but one tneml'.cr in
the National House of Keprc<ientalives. Andrew J-iik-
son was chosen that memlicr. Mounting his hor»c he
rode to I'hiledelphi.i, where I'ongrcs^ then held il<

(
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' N

ANDRE IV JACKSON.

sessions, — a dislance of about eight liundred miles.

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo-
cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired
Bonaparte, loved France and hated JMigland. As Mr.
Jai:kson took his seat, (Icn. Washington, whose
second term of office was then expiring, delivered his
last speech to Congress. .\ commitlee drew up a
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson
did not approve of the address, and was one of the
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to
say that Clen. Wasliington's adminstration liad been
" wise, fnm and patriotic."

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United .States
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home.
Soon after he was chosen Judge of tlie Supreme Court
of his Slate, which position he lield for si.v years.

When the war of iSu with (ireat liritian com-
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair.
Aaron Hurr sent word to the President that there was
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who
would do credit to a commission if one were con-
ferred u|ion him. Just at that time Cen. Jackson
offeted his services and those of twenty-live hundred
volunteers. His offer was accepteil, and the tnjops
were assembled at Nasliville.

As the British were hourly expected to make an at-
tack r.pon New Orleans, where Cen. Wilkinson was
in command, he was' ordered to descend the river
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The
expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev-
eral weeks there, witliout accomplishing anything,
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the
energy (\t\\. Jackson had disijlayed, and his entire
devotion to the comrtort of his soldiers, won him
golden oijinions; and he became the most pofjular
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his
toughness gave him the nickname of " ( )ld Hickory."

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col.
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged,
he received two severe |>istol wounds. While he was
lingering \\\nm a bed of suffering news came that the
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set-
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De-
cisive action became necessary. Cen. Jackson, with
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis-
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama.

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on
one of the bendsof the Tallapoosa River, nearthe cen-
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother.
With an army of two thousand men. Cen. Jackson
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. \^\.\. The bend

of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow-
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast-
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors,
with an ample ^uplyof arms were assembled.

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des-
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en-
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn-
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was
awful and revolting. .Some threw themselves into the
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as
tiiey swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war-
rios were killeil A few proliably, in the night, swam
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The
[lower of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold
plunge into the wilderness, with itsterriffic slaughter,
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants
of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace.

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con-
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will
than (len. Jackson could have conducted this Indian
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he
was apjiointed major-general.

Late in August, with an army of two thousand
men, on a rushing march, Cen. Jackson came to
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed
a force u|)on tlie Jieach, anchored near the little fort,
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious
assault. The battle was long and doubtful. At length
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired.

Carrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans,
.And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued,
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won
for Cen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his
troops, which numbered about four thousand men,
won a signal victory over the British army of about
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the
loss of the British was two thousand six liundred.

The name of Cen. Jackson soon began to be men-
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in T824,
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however,
successfid in the election of 1828, and was re-elected
for a second term in 1S32. In 1S29, just before he
assumed the reins of the government, he met with
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of
her death he never recovered.

His administration was one of the most memorable
in the annals of our country; applauded by one party,
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter
enemies or warmer friends. .\t the expiration of his
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where
he died |une 8, 7845. The last years of Mr. Jack-
son's life were that of a devoted CHiristian man. ,

/-J

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TIUOEN FOUNDATIONS

^7 ^ T^-tyc^ i^^/3 UiL^^i^t^

wS^'

— -^<^tla>:tlIl^:>r—
J£yG//7// PRESIDENT.

^^^'^^^K!^m^Lh':^^-i^.^^^\2Mr^J^^yi^^

'^•^

,k-

ARTIN VAN BURKN, the
'ighlli President of the
' I nited States, was horn at
hiiiderhcx)k, N. V., Dec. 5,
17S2. He died at the same
l>l,i< c. July 24, 1862. His
body rests in the cemetery
at Kinderhook. Above it is
a plain granite shaft fit'teen feet
hit;h, hearing a simple inscription
,il>oiit hall way up on one face.
The lot is unfenced. unbordered
or unbounded by slirub or flower.

There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in
IX)litical and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those
incidents which give zest to biography. His an-
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin,
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer,
residing in the old town of Kinilerhook. His mother,
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel-
ligence and exemplary piety.

He was decidedly a precocious lx)y, developing un-
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. .At the
age of fourteen, he had finished his aiademic studies
in his native village, and commenced the study of
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven
years of study in a law-office were required of him
l>efore he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with
a lofiy ambition, and conscious of his jKjwers, he pur-
sued his studies with imlcfatigable industry. After
landing six years in an office in his native village,

he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his
studies for the seventli year.

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of
age, commenced the [)ractice of law in his native vil-
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. \'an
Buren was from the lieginning a [olitician. He had,
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the
many discussions which had been carried on in his
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with
Jefferson, and earnestly and elo<iuently esfioused the
cause of State Rights; though at that time the Fed-
eral party held the supremacy both in his town
and State.

His success and increasing ruputation led him,
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, the
county seat of his <:ounly. Here he spent seven years,
constantly gaining strength by contending in the
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned
the bar of his State.

Just before leaving Kinderhtxik for Hudson, Mr.
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for
beauty and accomplishments. .After twelve short
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consumi>-
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The re«ord
of those years is barren in items of public interest.
In 181 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to
the Slate -Senate, and uave his strenuous sup|iort to
Mr. .Madison'-^ adininstration. In 1S15, he was a|>-
|ir)inte<l .\liorney-(ieneral, an«l the next year movcil
to Albany, the ca|)ital of the State.

While he was acknowledged ns one of the most
ptoinincnt le.iders of the Democratic party, he had

-K'na:::DD^>^

r-T*^

MARTIN VAN BUREN.

till.- nuM.il (oiirugc to avow llial true democracy did
nol reciiiire tlial " universal suffrage" whicli admits
llie vile, tlie degraded, the ignorant, to the right of
governing the State. In true consistency with his
democratic princii)les, he contended that, while the
path leading to the privilege of voting shoidd be open
to every man without tlistinction, no one should l)e
invested with that sacred i)rerogative, unless he were
in some degree fiualitled for it by intelligence, virtue
and some property interests in the welfare of the
State.

lu 1.S21 he was elected a member of the L'nited
Slates Senate; and in the same year, he took a seal
in tlie convention to revise the constitution of his
native State. His ct)urse in this convention secured
the approval of men of all jxirties. No one could
doubt the singleness of iiis endeavors to promote the
interests of all classes in the connnunity. In the
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a
conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator.

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the
Presidential chair, Mr. \"an Buren was re-elected to
the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de-
termined opposer of the .Vdministration, adopting the
"State Rights " view in opposition to what was
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. .\danis.

Soon after this, in i<S28, he was chosen (lovernorof
the State of New ^'ork, and accordingly resigned his
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q.
Adams from Ihe Presidential chair, and placing in it
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether
entitled to the re[)utation or not, he certainly was re-
garded throughout the United States as one of the
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians.
It was siipiKJsed that no one knew so well as he how
to touch the secret springs of action; how to pull all
the wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to
organize a jwlitical army which would, secretly and
stealthily accomplish tlie most gigantic results. P>y
these |X)wers it is said that he outv.'itted Mr. Adams,
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which
lew thought then could be accomplished.

When .Vndrew Jackson was elected President he
apiK/inted Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately
apiwinted Minister to England, where he went the
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met

home, ai)i)arently untroubled ; was nominated Vice
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election
of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and
frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that
Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination
as ambassador.

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor-
ite; and this, [irobably more than any other cause,
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu-
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re-
ceived the 1 )emocratic nomination to succeed Gen.
Jackson as President of the United States. He was
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van
Puiren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen.
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred
upon him the power to appoint a successor."

His administration was filled with exciting events.
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in-
volve this country in war with England, the agitation
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer-
cial panic which spread over the country, all were
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at-
tril)uted to the management of the Democratic party,
and brought the President into such disfavor that he
failed of re-election.

AV'ith the exception of being nDniinated tor the
Presidency by the " Free Soil" Democrats, in 184S,
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until
his death.

He had ever "been a prudent man, of frugal habits,
and living within his income, had now fortunately a
competence for his declining years. His unblcmislied
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he
had occupied in the government of our country, se-
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald,
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics
of the country. From this time until his death, on
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old
;ige, probably far more happiness than he had before

refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 1 experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life

(

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nt NEW YORK
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AStoh. LBNOX AND
TiLbEN FOUNDATIONS

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^■-srj;-*

---7<^IlIl^I]D>>r-

NINTH PRESIDENT.

-^'S^'k'^^--^)

:oi

\yiLLIAM HEXKV HARRIS()>^,

■^^

>§-,

y.i ii,i,i.\M iii:\R\ iiAKRi-

.y^.,, SON, iho nintli I'resitlenl ul

'■■' the L'nited States, was l>orii
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773.
Mis lather, Henjainin Harri-
son, was in comparatively op-
ulent circumstances, and was
one of the must distinguished
men of Ills day. He was an
intimate friend of George
\V'ashinglon, w as early elected
a member of the Continental
t'ongress, and was consijicuous
.imong the patriots of Virginia in
resisting the emroaihmentsof the
I'.ritish crown. In the celebrated
Congress of 1775, Henjamin Har-
rison and John Hamoik were
lx>ih candidates for the office of
speaker.

Mr Harrison was subsei|uenily
chosen (iovernor of Virginia, and
was twice re-elected. His son,
William Henry, of <;ourse enjoyed
in childhood dl the advantages which wealth and
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav-
ing received a thorough (onmiou-school education, he
entered Hamixlen Sidney College, where he graduated
with honor soon after the de.ith of his father. He
then repaired to Philadelphia tostudy medi.ine under
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of
Roliert Morris, l>()th of whom were, with his father,
siuners of the Declaration of Indeiiendeiic e.

'Ijion the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not-
withsianding the remonstrances of his friends, he
.ib.indoned his medical studies and entered the army,
having obtained a cominission of Ensign from Prcsi-

• ^.

dent Washington. He was then but nj years old.
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank
until he became aid to (leneral Wayne, after whose
death he resigned his commission. He was then a[>-
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This
Territory *as then entitled to but one member in
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that
|iosition.

In the spring of iSoo the North-western Territory
was divided by Congress into two |X)rlions. The
eastern [xirtion, comprising the region now embraced
in the State of Ohio, was called "The Territory
north-west of the Ohio." The western jwrtion, which
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil-
liam Henr)' Harrison, then 27 years of age, was aj)-
IKjinted by John .-Vdams, Ciovemor of the Indiana
Territory, and immediately after, also Ciovernor of
Upper Ix)uisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as
extensive a realm as any sovereign uixjn the globe. He
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in-
vested with [lowers nearly dictatorial over the now
rapidly increasing white iKjpulation. The ability and
fidelity with which he discharged these rcs()onsiblc
duties may be inferred from the fact that he wa-. four
times apix)inted to this office— first by Johi\ .Xdams,
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi-
dent Madison.

When he began his adminstration there were but
three white settlementsin that almost lioundless region,
11.3W crowded with i ities and lesounding with all the
tumult of wealth and tr.iftic. < )ne of these settlements
was on the Ohio, nearly opiwsitc Ixjuisville; one at
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the ihitd .1 French
settlement.

The vast wilderness over which tiov. H.irTiv>n
reigned was filled with many irilicsof Indiana Al*>'»r

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WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

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tlie year 1806, two extraordinary nicr, twin l)rothers,
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of
these was called Tecnniseli, or " The Crouching
Panther;" the other, OUiwacheca, or " The Prophet."
Tecnmseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man
of great sagacity, far-reaching forcsiglU and indomit-
able perseverance in any enterprise m which he might
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm,
and had long regarded with dread and with haired
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting-
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was
anorator, who could sway the feelings oflhe untutored
Indian as the gale tossed tlie tree-tops beneath which
they dwelt.

But the Prophet was nol merely .ni orator; he was,
in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went
from tribe to tribe, assuming that lie was specially sent
by the Great .Spirit.

Gov. Harrison made many .ittempts to conciliate
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Ti|)|)e-
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter.
October 28, 18 12, his army began its march. When
near the Prophet's town lliree Indians of rank made
tlieir appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was
api>roaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet-
ing the next day, to agree uiton terms of peace.

But Gov. Harrison was too well aci|uainted with
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes-
tations. .Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en-
campment, he took every [)recaution against surprise.
His troops were posted in a liollow square, and slept
upon their arms.

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for
rest; but every man had liis accourtrements on, his
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa-
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi-
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all
tlie desperation which superstition and passion most
highly inflamed could give, upon tlie left flank of the
little army. The savages had been amply provided
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets.

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide-
ous yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubtir.g a
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thinij be-
fore them, and coiniiUi.-K- toiiiim the foe.

:.^.v^Vi^^^>-

Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can-
adas, were of themselves a very formidal)le force ; but
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves Irom the
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn-
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier
was plunged into a state of consternation which even
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive.
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra-
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit.
Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison
was appointed by President Madison commander-in-
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers.

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but
(ieneral Harrison was found equal to the position,
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re-
sponsibilities.

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers,
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle.
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted
before the fire, without bread or salt.

In 18 [6, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of
the National House of Representatives, to represent
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested
the attention of all the members.

In 181 g, Harrison was elected to the Senate of
(Jhio; and in t824, as one of the presidential electors
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate.

In 1836, the friends of (ien. Harrison brought him
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against
Van Buren, but he was defeated. .•\t the close of
Mr. Van Buren 's term, he was re-nominated by his
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated
by the Whigs, with John Tyler iorthe Vice Presidency.
The contest was very animated. Gen. Jackson gave
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election; but
his triumph was signal.

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most
brilliant with which any President had ever been
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin-
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and
joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was seized by a
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick-
ness, died on the 4th of April ; just one month after
his inauguration as President of the United States.

(

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THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LiBRARY

ABTOR. LKNOX AND
llLUiiN F9UMOAT10NS

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TENTH PRESIDENT.

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JJ01I?sTTlEB.

:{ OHN I'VLKR, ihc tentli
Jj.j, I'residentofthe United Stales.
He was born in Charles-city
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He
was the favored child of af-
fluence and high social ]X)-
silion. .\t the early age of
twelve, John entered William
and Mary College and grad-
uated with much honor when
hut seventeen years old. After
graduating, he devoted him-
self with great assiduity to the
study of law, partly with his
f.ithcr and jurtly with I'^dmund
Randolph, one of the most distin-
guished lawyers of V'irginia.

At nineteen years of age, ne
commenced the practice of law.
His success was rapid and aston-
ishing It is said that three
months had not elapsed ere there
was scarcely a case on the dock-
et of the court in which he was
r.ot retained. When hut twerUy-one vears of age, he
w.is almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo-
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of
JcfTerson and Madison. For five successive years he
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the
unanimous vote or his county.

When ImiI twenty-six years of age, he was elected
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and
ably with the democratic party, op|x)sing a national
bank, internal im|>rovemenls by the General Govern-

}

-K

ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con-
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress
were so arduous that before the close of his second
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He,
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful
in promoting public works of great utility. With a
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen
by a very large majority of votes, Governor of his
native State. His administration was signally a suc-
cessful one. His [xjpularity secured his re-election.

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the
United States. \ |X)rtion of the I)cmo<:ratic party
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's way waid course,
and brought forward John Tyler as his op|x>nenl,
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of
Roanoke- Mr. Tyler was the victor.

In accordance with his professions, u|)on taking his
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi-
tion. He op[)osed the tariff; he s|ioke against and
voted against the bank as unconstitutional; he stren-
uously op|)osed all restrictions u|)on slavery, resist-
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen-
eral Ciovernment, and avowed his sympathy with Mr.
Calhoun's view of nullit'ication ; he declared that Gen.
Jackson, by his op|iosiiion to the nullitiers, hail
.ibandoned the principles of the Democratic jvarty,
.Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a rccoid
in |)crfcct accordance with the principles which he
had always avowed.

Returning to Virginia, he resumed thr practice of
his prufession. There w.i> \ »pl:l in ilic IVrniix r.iiii

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yOIfJV TYLER.

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party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jel-
fersoiiian, gave him a dinner, and showered conipU-
ments upon him. He liad now attained the age of
forty-six. His career liad been very bnUiant. In con-
se(|uence of his devotion to pubHc business, his pri-
vate affairs liad fallen into some disorder; audit was
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice
of law, and devoted liimself to the culture of his plan-
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg,
for the better education of his children ; and he again
took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia.

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in
1839. The majoritv of votes were given to Gen. Har-
rison, a genuine W hig, much to the disappointment ol
tiie South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili-
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres-
ident. It was well known tliat he was not in sympa-
thy with the Whig party in the Notth: but the Vice
President has but very little power in the Govern-
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre-
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap-
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a
Democratic Vice President were chosen.

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi-
dent of the United States. In one short month from
that time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler
thus found liimself, to his own surprise and that of
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the
unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri-
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of
.\pril was inaugurated to the high and responsible
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding
delicacy and difficulty. All his longlife he had been
opposed to the main principles of the party which had
brought him into power. He had ever been a con-
sistent, honest man, with an unlilemished record,
(ien. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun-
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or,
on the other hand, should he turn against the party
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har-
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub-
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in-
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had
selected to retain their seats. He reccommjnded a
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and
bless us.

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States.
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with
his veto. He suggested, however, that he would

^\i^m^

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ajjprove of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval.
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back
with his veto. Here coiiimenced the open rupture,
his said that Mr. Tyler was jirovoked to this meas- v&
ure by a published letter fioni the Hon. John M.
Dotts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely
touched the pride of the President.

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi-
dent into their arms. The party which elected him
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his
cabinet, e.Kcepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a
meeting and issued an address to the people of the
United States, proclaiming that all jjolitical alliance
between the VVhigs and President Tyler were at
an end.

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party
men. Mr. \\'ebster soon found it necessary to resign,
.forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra-
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The
land was filled witli murmurs and vituperation. Whigs
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more,
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his
old friends, the Democrats, until atthe close of his term,
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr.
Polk, the Deniocratie candidate for his successor.

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the
harassments of office, to the regret of neitherparty, and
probably to his own unspeakable telief. His first wife.
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842;
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married,
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young ladvof
many personal and intellectual accomplishments.'

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly
in retirement at his beautiful home,— Sherwood For-
est, Charies-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in
his manners, richly furnished with information from
bonks and experience in the world, and possessing
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was
the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the
storms of civil war which his own principles and
policy had helped to introduce.

_ When the great Rebellion rose, which the State-
nghts and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal-
houn had inaugurated. President Tyler renounced his
allegiance to the United Slates, and joined the Confed-
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress;
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by
force of arms, the Government over which he had
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died.

THB NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ABTOR, LINOX AND

TOiDBN F«UM04T10NS

(I (■

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-r-r<^i]ii>:iins>v

ELEVENTH PRESIDENT.

^ )^ AM KS R. l'( )I,K, the eleventh
;\i!, I 'resident of the United States,
f\ was Iwrn in Mecklenljurg Co.,
/J N. C, Nov. 2, 1795. His par-
?' ents were Samuel and Jane
(Knox) Polk, the former a son
^ of Col. Thomas I'olk, wlio located
at the above place, as one of the
first pioneers, in 1735.

In the year 1S06, with iiis wife
.iiid children, and soon after fol-
lowed hy most of the meniliers of
the I'olk famly, Samuel I'olk emi-
grated some two or tiiree hundred
miles farther west, to ilic rich valley
of the Diiik River. Here in the
i\ midst of the wilderness, in a region
which was suhsccpiently called Mau-
ry Co., they reared their loi; lulls,
and established their homes. In the
hard toil of a new farm in the wil-
ilerness, James K. I'olk spent the
early years of his childhood and
youth. His father, adding the pur-
suit of .1 surveyor to thatof a farmer,
gradually increased in wealth until
lie liecame one of the leading men of the region. His
mother was a sujierior woman, of strong common
sense and earnest piety.

Very early in life, James devclo|>cd a taste for
rc.iding and c.xpressed the strongest desire to obtain
.1 liber.d educ.itinn. His mother's training had made
him methodical in his habits, h.id t.iught him punct-
uality and industry, .mil h.id inspired him with lolty
principles of morality. His he.dth was frail ; and his
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a

sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits.

This was to James a bitter disap|iointmenl. He
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this
uncongenial occupation but a (ew weeks, when at his
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. .Soon
after he sent him to Murfreeslioro .Academy. \\'ilh
ardor which could scarcely be sur[)assed, he pressed
forward in his studies, and in less than twoandahalf
years, in the autumn of 1S15, entered the sophomore
class in the University of North Carolina, at C"hapel
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing
himself to be absent from .i recitation or a religious
service.

He graduated in 1818, with the highest honois,l>e-
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, lioth in
mathenuitics and the classii s. He was then twenty-
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of
rela.xation he went to Nashville, anil entered the
office of Feli.x (Irundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk
renewed his aopiaintance with .Andrew Jackson, who
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few
miles from Nashville. They had probably l>een
slightly acipiainted bel'ore.

.Mr. Polk's f.ither was .1 Jeffersonian Republican,
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same poliii-
ral faith. He was a |inpular public s|>caker, aiul was
constantly called u|«)n to aildress the meetiii|;s of his
imriy friends. Hi^ skill .i'< .1 sjicikcr wa^ such ih.ii
he was |H)pula[ly calleil the Napoleon of th<- -'""■•■
He wa« a man of unblemished murak, gc:

• ^ ■

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JAMES K. POLK.

I to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here
strong influence towards the election o
Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the U

courteous in his bearing, and wiih that sympathetic
'i^ nature in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave
!*• him troops of friends. In 1825, Mr. I'olk was elected

he gave his
of his friend,
United States.
In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah
Childress, of Rutherford Co., 'I'cnn. His bride was
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul-
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a
member of ("ongress. The satisfaction which he gave
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that
for fourteen successive years, vnitil iS_^9, he was con-
tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew,
only that he might accept the Ciubernatorial chair
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious
member, a fretpient and a popular speaker. He was
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever
he spoke it was always to the [loint, and without any
J ambitious rhetorical display.

;» During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was
^^ Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused,
S and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per-
*-<)5 formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac-
^E tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was
w'^ passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of
S March, 1839.

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a
candidate for Governor, canvassed the .State. He was
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo-
ber, 1839, took the Oath of office at Nashville. In 1841,
his term of office expired, and he was again the can-
didate of the Democratic party, l)ut was defeated.

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur-
ated President of the United States. The verdict of
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig-
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister,
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation
to be an act hostile to Mexico.

In his first message. President Polk urged that

Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re-

, ; ceived into the Union on the s.ame footing with tlie

N^ other States. In the meantime. Gen. Taylor was sent

m!\!^^^^

with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande,
where he erected batteries which commanded the
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on
the western banks.

The anticipated collision soon took place, and war
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first
called one of "observation," then of "occupation,"
then of "invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused.
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration
that the war was brought on.

'Tdthe victors belong the spoils." Mexico was
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands.
We now consented to peace upon the condition that
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas,
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal-
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the
size of New \'ork. Thus slavery was securing eighteen
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were
some Americans who thought it all right ; there were
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico.

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from
office, having served one term. The next day was
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the
same carriage with ("len. Taylor; and the same even-
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to
Tennessee. He was then Init fifty-four years of age.
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits,
and his health was good. With an ample fortune,
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties
of the deare.st nature, it seemed as though long years
of traufiuility and hapijiness were before him. But the
cholera — that fearful scourge— was then sweeping up
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted,
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen.

• >.
1=1

(

THE NEW yOlK

PUBLIC libra:^,';

A8TOR, LENOX ANU ^
TILDEM F*UNOATIUNS

-*«S»*!«^**^-

■:fef'

■^rr,rr--Sr

TIVELFTIJ PRESIDENT.

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» j^AC^MAKV TAVLOK. ~1

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1

? ACHARV TAYLOR, iwdlili
->) I'rcsident of the Unitud States,
,;,5 was born on the 24th of Nov.,
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His
o father. Colonel Taylor, was
a \'irginian of note, and a dis-
;\ tinguished i)atriot and soldier of
the Revolution. When Zachary
was an infant, his father with his
jS'?)]] wife and two children, emigrated
~ to Kentucky, where he settled in
^- the pathless wilderness, a few
miles from Louisville. In this front-
?/if? ier home, away from civilization and
I all its refinements, young Zachary
could enjoy but few social and educational advan-
tages. When six years of age he attended a common
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy,
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char-
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and
manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his
childhood on his father's large but lonely [ilantation.
In iSoS, his father succeeded in obtaining for him
the commission of lieutenant in the United States
army ; and he joined the tr<x>|>s which were stationed
at .New Orleans under (len. Wilkinson. .Soon after
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady
from one of the first families of Maryland.

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng-
land, in 1S12, Ca|)t. Taylor (for he had then been
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort
Harrison, on the Wabash, alxjut fifty miles al)Ove
Vincer>nes. This fort had been built in the wilder-
ness by Gen. |{,irris<in,on his m.irih to rip|>ecanoe.
It was one of the first |xjints of attack by the Indians,
led by Tc«:iimseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken

>r^ HW:

lompanyof infantry numbering fifty men, many of
whom were sick.

Karly in the autumn of iSu, the Indians, stealthily,
and in large numbers, moved u|xjn the fort. Their
approach was first indicated by the murder of two
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor
made every jxjssible preparation to meet the antici-
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort,
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk
with him. It was evident that their object was merely
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt.
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept
them at a distance.

The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before
midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips
in tile forest around, followed by the discharge of
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick
and well, sprang to his ixjst. Every man knew that
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cai>-
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor-
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can
conceive the scenes which ensued. 'The savages suc-
ceeded in setting f:re to one of the block-houses-
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict
continued. 'I'he s.ivages tiien, baffled .it every [loint,
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capl.
'Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the
rank of major by brevet.

Until the close of the war, .Major Taylor was placed
in su<:h situations that he s.iw but little more of active
service. He was sent far away into the depihsof the
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which
empties into Cireen May. Here there w.is but little
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours asone
best could. There were no lxx>ks, no society, no in-

:nii->:

^•'lixiri.

•--r<^DD>?^BDr>r

-«|^^(<S)

ZACHARY TAYLOR.

>7S

tellectiuil stimulus. Thus wiih hiin the uneventful
years rolled on (Gradually he rose to the rank of
colonel. In the 151ack-Hawk war, which resulted in
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor
took a subordinate but a brave and efhcienl part.

I'or twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in
the ilefence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in
cniploynients so obscure, that his name was unknown
beyond the limits of his own immediate acipiaintance.
In the year 1S56, liewas sent to Florida to compel
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re-
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty,
had promised they should do. The services rendered
here secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of
the (iovernment ; and as a reward, he was elevated
to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon
after, in May, 1838, was a|)pointed to the chief com-
mand of the United -States troops in Florida.

.\fter two years of such wearisome employment
amidst the everglades of the peninsula. Gen. Taylor
obtained, at his own request, a change of command,
and was stationed over the Department of the South-
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi,
.\labama and Ceorgia. Kstablishing his headquarters
at F'ort Jessup, in Louisiana, lie removed his family
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue.
Here he remained for live years, buried, as it were,
from tiie world, but faithfully discharging every duty
imixjsed upon him.

In 1S46, (ien. Taylor was sent to guard the land
between the Nueces and Rio (Irande, the latter river
being the boundary of Texas, whicli was then claimed
by the United States. Soon the war with Me.xico
was Ijrought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the
Me.xicans. The rank of major-general by brevet
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and
Hnena Vista in which he won signal victories over
forces much larger than he commanded.

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected
simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops,
\\\t siybru/iii't of "Old Rough and Ready.'

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista
spread the wildest enthusiasm over the- country. The
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The
Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder-
ful popularity in bringing forward the unjiolished, un-
lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an-
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de-
claring that he was not at all qualified for such an
office. So little interest had he taken in politics that,
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen
who had been long years in the public service found
their claims set aside in behalf of one wliose name

.v^.^^^>.

'".v-'''.Te^.

-^H

had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re-
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made."

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre-
pared such few communications as it was needful
should be presented to the public. Thepoi)ularity of
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri-
umijhantly elected over two opposing candidates, —
Gen. Cass and Ex-Presidenl Martin Van Buren.
Tliougli he selected an excellent cabinet, the good
old man found himself in a very uncongenial jxisition,
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed.
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party
was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi-
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or
Indians.

In the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor,
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of
but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850.
His last woids were, " I am not afraid to die. I am
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un-
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterlv la-
mented his death.

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful
description of his character: — " With a good store of
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en-
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse-
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had
been his home. Hence he was cpiite ignorant for his
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim-
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju-
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable,
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat
a little on one side of his head ; or an officer to leave
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out-
side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the
offender to be a co.vcomb (perhaps something worse),
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase,
' touch with a pair of tongs.'

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Di
worth's spelling-hook, on the part of one wearing a
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short,
few men have ever had a more comfortable, labor-
saving contempt for learning of every kind."

THB NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

A8TOR, L«N01t *ND

^*w.^

'•7

'^^/^(DJf^rf—

TIirRTEENTH PRESIDEX7

— ^^

'#*'?>:'^<fr-^/!S^r^/ .r wh X !\r*yT:!'r*J»r;'!^r'»^

^'MILLftRn FILLMnRE.^^

''t^i!?^::^

/i(!fe.

Vs.

ILLARD FILLMORE, thir-
teenth President of the United
States, was liorn at Summer
^ '] Hill, ("ayuga Co., N. Y ., on
-~ii^ the yth of Januar) , iSoo. His
/ ^ father was a farmer, and ow-
« ing to misfortune, in humble cir-
cumstances. Of his mother, the
daughter of Dr. AVjiathar Millard,
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been
said that she jjossessed an intellect
of very high order, united witli much
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis-
[X)sition, graceful manners and ex-
quisite sensibilities. She died in
1831 ; having lived to see her son a
young man of distinguished prom-
ise, though she was not permitted to witmss the liigh
dignity which he finally attained.

In conseiiuence of the secludcfl home aiid limited
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad-
vantages for education in his early years. The com-
mon schools, tvhic h he occasionally aticndeil were
very imperfect mslilutions; and l)ooks were scarce
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char-
;u ler to indicate the brilliant career u|X)n which he
was .dKjut to enter. He was a plain faruier's l)oy ;
intelligent, good-loolcing, kind-hearted. The sacred
influenres of home had taught liim to revere the Bible,
and had laid the foundations of an upright character.
When fourteen years of age, his f.iihcr sent him
•Mtme hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier.
Nca>' the mill there was a small villiage, where some

enterprising man had commenced the collection of a
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read-
ing. .Soon every leisure moment was occupied with
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate :
and the selections which he made were continually
more elevating and instructive. He read history,
biography, oratory, and thus gr.idually there was en-
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more
than a mere worker with his hands; and lie was be-
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed,
educated man.

The young clothier had now attained the age of
nineteen years, and was of fine i)ersonal appearance
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so hapi^ened that
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample
Ijecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter
Wood, — who was struck with the preiossessing a;*-
pcarance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint-
ance, and was so much im[iressed with his ability ami
attainments that he advised him to abandon his
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The
young man replied, that he h.id no means of hi* own,
I ' friends to help him and that his previous educa-
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered fo
take him into his own office, and to loan hiin such
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generou*
offer was accepted.

There is in many mind* a strange delusion about
a collegiate education. .\ young man is supposed to
lie liberally educated if he has gt.idiiated at some col-
lege. But many a boy loiters through univeraity lulK
and then enters a law office, who it by no means tt

-~ V-

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-?^&^

1
I

t
I

.UriL.lJ?!? FILLMORE.

well iMcparcd to prosecute his legal stuiiies as was
Millard Fillmore when lie graduated at the clulliing-
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during
whieh evtry leisure moment had been ilevoted to in-
tense mental culture.

Ill 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he v/as
admitted to the Court of ("o'.nmon I'leas. lie then
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the
practice of law. In this secluded, peacefid region,
his practice of course w.is limited, antl there was no
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame.
I lere, in the year i<S26, he married a lady of great
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers.

His elevation of character, his untiring industry,
his legal acipiirements, and his skill as an advocate,
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to
enter into partnership under highly advantageous
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1S29,
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the
State of New York, as a representative from Erie
County, riiough he had never taken a very active
part in politics, his vote and his syin|)athies were with
the Whig party. 'I'he .State was then Democratic,
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties,
that his courtesy, al)ility and integrity, won, to a very
unusual degree the respect of his associates.

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in
the United States Congress. He entered that troubled
arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our
national history. The great conflict respecting the
national bank and the remov.-il of the deposits, was
then raging.

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep-
utation and success. .After a lapse of two years
he again became a candidate for Congress ; Vas re-
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past e.xpe-
rience as a representative gave hini strength and
confidence. The lirst term of service in Congress to
any man can be but little more than an introduction.
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener-
gies were brought to bear ujwn the public good. Every
measure received his impress.

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847,
he was elected Comptroller of the State.

Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven
years. His lalwrs at the bar, in the Legislature, in
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con-
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi-
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the
waters of the Rio Crande, there was a rough old
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be
proclaimed in tiuin[)et-tones all over the land. But
it was necessary to associate with him on the same
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman.

Ll^nder the influence of these considerations, the
namesofZachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became
the rallyiiig-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849,
Cen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States.

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but
about one year and four months after his inaugura-
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con-
stitution, Vice-President F'illmore thus became Presi-
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State.

Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contend
with, since the opposition had a majority in both
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate
the South ; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt
the inadequacy of all ineasuresof transient conciliation.
The population of the free States was so rapidly in-
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in-
evitable that the power of the Government should
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr.
Fillnicre's adminstration, and the Japan Exjjedition
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill-
more, having served one term, retired.

In 1856, Mr. F'illmore was nominated for the Pres-
idency by the " Know Nothing " jxirty, but was beaten
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war,
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that
his sympathies were rather with those who were en-
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other.
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe
old age, and died in Buffalo. N

ca:

r^:

^h\^^J^

Y., March 8, 1874.

THE NEW YORK
PUBUC U:^'Z\T{

A8T0R, LBNOX ANO

FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT.

X-" ' 1" —

■ ^ -

■ * •

" V. 1^^^ ^.FRANKLIN PIERCE.'^ ^ ^

£=:-*-• .^«'iu'».-.'>? g

/i^^ RAMKLIN PIERCl':, ilic
gf) lourleeiuh President of the
■ L'nited States, was born in
Ilillslwrough, N. H., Nov.
23, 1804. His fatlier was a
Revoiiitionarj' soldier, who,
with liis own strong ami,
hewed out a home in the
wilderness. He was a man
of inflexil)le integrity; of
strong, though uncuhivaled
mind, and an uncompromis-
ing Democrat. Tlie mother of
Franklin Pierce was all that a son
could desire, — an intelligent, i)ru-
dent, affectionate. Christian wom-
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight cliildren.

Franklin was a very bright and liandsomel)oy, gen-
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the
love of old and young. The lioys on the play grouml
loved him. His leathers loved him. The neighl)ors
looked uiMjn him with pride and affection. He was
by instintt a gentleman; always sjieaking kind words,
doing kind deeds, with a |x:ctdiar unstiulied tact
whii h taught him what was agreeable. Without de-
veloping any preco<:ily of genius, or any unnatural
devotion to books, he was a gorxl scholar; in Uxly,
in mind, in affections, a finely-develo|K;d Iwy.

When sixteen years of age, in the year iSjo, he
entered H<iwdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was
one of the most |)opular yoimg men in the <ollegc.
The purity of his nuiral character, the imvarying
courtesy of hi« deme.tnor, his rank as .1 scholar, and

^v:v^ K'l:

genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite.
There was something ver)' |)eculiarly winning in his
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de-
gree studied : it was the simjile outgushing of his
own magnanimous and loving nature.

LJ|Xjn graduating, in the year 1S24, Franklin Fierce
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge
Woodbury, one of tlie most distinguished lawyers of
the State, and a man of great private worth. The
eminent social ipialities of the young lawyer, his
father's |>rominence as a public man, and the brilliant
l>olitical career into which Judge Woodbury was en-
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci-
nating yet perilous path of |M)litical life. With .ill
the ardor of his nature he es|(oused the cause of Cen.
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the
practice of law in HillslK>rough, and was soon elected
to represent the town in the State legislature. Here
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was
chosen s|)eaker of the house by a very large vote.

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected
a member of Congress. Without taking an active
part in debates, he was fiithful and lalwrious induty,
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom
he was associat.id.

In 1837, iKjing then but thirty-three years of age,
he was elected to the Senate of the United Slates;
taking his seat just as Mr. V'.m Huron conunenced
his adiniiiistr.ilion. He w.is the youngest memlierin
the Senate. In the year 1834. he marricil Miss Jam-
Means .\ppletoii, a Lady of rare lieauiy and accom-
plishments, and one admirably filled lo adorn cver\
station with which her husband wa^ honoie«l. (W ihc

■ >.

■"•

$«^<i-

__^xx^^

^ ^n n >: D ni^T-^r-? — :ii^^^^

FRANKLIN PIERCE.

three sons who were born lo thcni, all now slee]! with
their parents in the grave.

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up iiis
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire.
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States ; but
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous
professional engagements at home, and the precarinos
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the
same time declined the nomination for governor by the
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr.
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion ot his
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847.
He look an important part in this war, proving him-
self a brave and true soldier.

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo-
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo-
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession,
very frequently taking an active part in political ques-
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise
measures met cordially with his approval; and he
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa-
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin-
guished as a " Northern man with Southerji principles.''
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse-
quently regarded him as a man whom they could
safely trust in office to carry out their plans.

On the I 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven-
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the
Presidency. For four days they continued in session,
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation
brought forward his name. There were fourteen
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constandy
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was
the Whig candidate, (len. Pierce was chosen with
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, .Mas-
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin ■ Pierce
was therefore inaugurated President of the United
States on the 4th of .March, 1853.

:^>^^

<^U

His adrninistration proved one of the most stormy our
country had ever e.xperienced. The controversy be-
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its
culminating point. It became evident that there was
an "irrepressible conflict " between them, and that
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad-
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution
of the Union were borne to the North on every South-
ern breeze.

Such was the condition of affairs when President
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien-
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all
the intellectual ability and social worth of President
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad-
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also,
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo-
cated those measures of Government which they ap-
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had
rendered himself so unpoinilar as no longer to be
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him.

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re-
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two
had died, and his only surviving child had been
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his
wife, one of the most estimal)le and accomplished of
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left
alone in the world, without wife or child.

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di-
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr.
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov-
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until
the time of his death, which occurred in October,
1869. He was one of the most genial and social of
men, an honored communicant ol the I^piscopal
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen-
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al-
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns-
people were often gladened by his material bounty.

«r^.

^^^^^

—^

THE NEW YO^^K
PUBLIC LIBRARY

A8TOR, LKNOX AND
TIUJBN FSUNOATIONS

'7 .

^2^7/2^^ O-

<P7.^U<^Y^

.'jy

^'■r._--j

■7<m':^.m^ \ ^ ^ ^^

FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT.

u<.

^tK

)))»

I AMES BUCHANAN, the fi
*]~tccnth President of the Unite

.■v*'

fif-
ed
States, was lx)rn in a small
frontier town, at the foot of the
^^ eastern ridge of the Allegha-
/ nies, in F'ranklin Co., I'enn.,on

^ the 23d of April, 1791. The ; lace
I where the humble cabin of his
I lather stood was called Stony
'' I5atter. It was a wild and ro-
mantic s|)ot in a gorj^eof the moun-
tains, with towering summits rising
grandly uU around. His father
was a native of the nortii of Ireland ;
a poor man, who had emigrated in
1783, with little property save his
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he nuirried
fClizabelh Spear, the daughter of a resiH;ctal)le farmer,
and, witl) his young bride, plunged into the wiKler-
ness, slaked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened .1
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per-
form his ol>siure p.irt in the drama of life. In this se-
cluded home, where James was born, he remained
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual
advantages. Wlien James was eight years of age, his
father removed lo the village of .Mercersburg, where
his son was placed at school, and commenced a
course of study in Knglish, l.aiin and Creek His
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he
entered Dickinson College, at Catlisle. Here he de
velo|)ed rem.irkable talent, and look his stand among
the first scholars in the institution. His application
to study wan intense, and yet his native powers en-

^vy^

■<

abled him to master the most abstruse subjects wilh
facility.

In tlie year 1S09, he graduated with the highest
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of
athletic s|X)rt, an unerring shot, and enlivened wilh
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster,
and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand
with the ablest law\ers of the State. When but
twenty-si.\ years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc-
cessfully defended before the Stale .Senate one of the
judges of the State, who was tried ujjon articles of
impeacimienl. .\t the age of thirty it was generally
admitted that he blood at the head of the bar; and
there was no lawyer in the State who hail .1 more lu-
irrative practice.

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for
ten years he remained a meml>eri>f the Lower House.
I>uring the vacations of I'ongress, he occasionall)
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac-
ipiired an ample fortune.

Cien. Jackson, u|ion hiselev.ilion lu the I're^ideni),
a|i|x>inted Mr. Kuchanan minister to Kussi.i. The
duties of his niissii>n he |>erfonneil with ability, which
gave satisfaction to all jurties. l'|ii>n his return, in
1833, he was elected to a seal in the UnilctI Stales
Senate. He there met, .is his associates, Webster,
Oay, Wright and ('allu)uii II , •

ure» pruiJUsed by President J.n. >.

i^>i ^'rr-

-' 76

<:tiii^i]n^i>^

JAMES BUCHANAN.

>:•

sals against France, to enforce the payment of our
claims against thatcoiuUry; and defended the course
of the I'residenl in his unprecedented and wholesale
removal from office of those who were not the su|)-
porters of iiis administration. Upon this question lie
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay.
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging
from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure
against (len. Jackson for removing the deposits.
Ivirnestly lie opposed tlie aholilion of slavery in tlie
District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the
circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United
States mails.

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo-
cated that they should be respectfully received; and
that the reply should be returned, tliat Congress had
no ixjwer to legislate upon the subje<'t. " Congress,"
said he, "might as well undertake to interfere with
slavery under a foreign go\ernnient as in any of the
States where it now exists."

Upon Mr. I'olk's accession to the Presidency, Mr.
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such,
took liis share of the resixjiisibility in the conduct of
the Me.xi<-an War. Mr. I'olk assumed that crossing
the Nueces by the .'\uierican troo|)S into the disputed
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross
the Rio Crande into that territory was a declaration
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the
account of the course our ("lovernment pursued in that
movement

Mr. Huchanan identilk-il himself thoroughly with
the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1S50,-
which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce,
upon his election to tlie Presidency, honored Mr.
Buchanan with the mission to h'ngland.

In the year 1S56, a national Democratic conven-
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The
political conflict was one of the most severe in which
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re-
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre-
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re-
ceived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received
174, and was elected. 'I'lie |)opular vote stood
1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for I'.uchanan. On
March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated.

Mr. Huclianan was far advanced in life. Only four
years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been
allied in political principles and action for years, were
seeking the destruction of the (Government, that they
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery.
Ill this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was ho|)e!essly be-
■wildered. He could not, with his long-avowed prin-

ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in
their assum|)tions. As President of the United States,
bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws,
he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind,
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub-
lic. He therefore did nothing.

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration
noniinaied Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer
in tlie next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con-
trol of the (lovernment were thus taken from their
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of
the-United States.

.Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery
party was such, that he had been willing to ofl"er them
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the
South had professed to ask of the North was non-
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu-
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co-
operation of the (lOvernment to defend and extend
the institution.

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow-
ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of
the most [litiable exhibitions of governmental im-
becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He
declared that Congress had no power to enforce its
laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with
his lianil upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed, "The
Union must and shall be preserved!"

.South Carolina seceded in December, iSfio; nearly
three months before the inauguration of President
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair.
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston • F"ort Sampler
was besieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals
were seized ; our dejiots of military stores were plun-
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were
appropriated by the rebels.

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away,
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak-
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver-
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the
scepter.

The administration of President Buchanan was
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex-
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with
jileasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame,
that in that dreadfid conflict which rolled its billows
of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came
from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's
banner should triuni|ih over the flag of the rebellion.
He died at his Wlieatland retreal, June i, 1868.

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fUBLlC LIBRARY

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SIXTEENTH PliliSIDENT.

ABRAHAM )>

^ LINCOLN,

J i;k.\ham LI

;,J sixteenth I'resi

INCULN,

sident of
United Stales, was born

the

tlie

ll.irdin Co., Ky., Feb. 12,
1.S09. About tlie year 171S0, a
man by the name ot Abraham
Ijncobi left Virginia witli his
family and moved into the then
wildsof Kentncky. < )nly two years
after this emigration, still a young
man, while working one day in a
' field, was stealthily approached by
an Indian and shot dead. His widow
was left in e.xtreme [loverty with five
little children, three l)oys and two
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the
boys, was four years of age at his
father's death. This Tiiomas was
the father of .\brahain Lincoln, the
President of the United States
whose name must henceforth forever be enrolled
with tiie most i)rominent in the annals of our worW.
Of course no record has been kept of the life
of one so lowly as Phomas I.inccjln. He was among
the |xx>rest of the \*-m\. His home was a wretched
log-cabin; his footl the coarsest and the meanest.
Kducation he had none; he could never either read
or write. .\s soon as he was able to do anything for
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his
starving mother, and [hisIi out into the world, a friend-
less, wandering l)oy, seeking work. He hireil him-
self out, .iiid thus spent the whole of his youth as a
l.iborer in the fields of others.

When twenty-eight ye.irs of age he biiill a log-
< .ibiii iif his own, ami married Nancy H.mks, the
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi-
grants, who had also 1 ome from \'irginia. Their
second child was .\brah.ini Linniln, the subject of
this sketch. I'lie mother of Abr.ihani was a noble
woman, gentle, loving, |)ensive, created to adorn
.1 palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel.
".Ml ihat I am, or ho|K.' to Iw," exclaims the grate-
ful son " I owe to my ani;cl-uu)ther.

When he was eight yeans of age, his father sold his

: ^ ■*
■ *>>

k. A

cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana. Wlieic
two years later his mother ilied.

.Abraham soon be< ame the sciibe (A the uiiedui ated
community .irouiul him. He could not have had a
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts
into words. He also became an eager re.ider. 'I'he
books he could obtain were lew ; but these he read
and re-read until they were almost committed 10
memory.

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family
was the usual lot of humanity. Tlu-re were joys and
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar-
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and
scxjn died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr.
Thomas Liiicobi sold out his sipiatter's claim in 1S30,
and emigrated to Macon Co., III.

.Abraham Lincoln w.is then twenty-one years of age.
With vigorous hands he aided his lather in rearing
another log-cabin. .Abraham worked diligently at this
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when
he announced to his father his intention to leave
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for-
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril-
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of
education, and was intensely earnest to improve his
mind to the utmost of his |)uwer. He saw the luin
which ardent spirits were causing, and became
strictly lem|ierate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi-
cating licpior to pass his lips. .And he had read in
Ciod's word, " Thou sh.ilt not take the name of the
Ixjrd thy (lod in vain;" and a profane expression he
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminaled by a
single vice.

N'oung Abraham woiked for a lime as a hired lalotcr
.imong the fanners. Then he went to Springfield,
where he was employed in luiilding a large t1at-lio;it.
In this he took .1 herd of swine, tlo.ited ihem down
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and ihence by the Mi*-
sissippi to New Dileans. Whatever Abrah.>in IJn-
coln undertook, he |<rfoni , . , .•

great satisfaction to his ci

^(^^

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ABRAHAM

LINCOLN.

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ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon
his return tiiey placed a store and mill under his care.

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He
returned to Sangamon County, and aUhough only 23
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but
was defeated. He soon after received from .Andrew
Jackson the appointmentof Postmaster of New Salem,
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he
received he carried there ready to deliver to those
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr.
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried thein back and
began his legal studies. When, the Legislature as-
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re-
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law.
His success with the jury was so great that he was
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit.

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr.
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery cjuestion.
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois,
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con-
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most
notable part of his history. The issue was on the
slavery question, and he took the broad ground of
the Declaration of Independence, that all men are
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con-
test, but won a far higher prize.

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago
on the i6th of June, i860. The delegates and
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty-
five thousand. An immense building called "The
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven-
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most
prominent. It was generally supposed he would be
the nominee, .\brahani Lincoln, however, received
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed" him:
and aslittle did he dream that he was to render services
to his countr)', which would fix upon him the eyes of
the whole civilized world, and which would give him
aplaceinthe affections of his countrymen, second
only, if second, to that of Washington.

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received iSo
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore,
constitutionally elected President of the United States.
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good

and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this
high position. In February, 1861. Mr. Lincoln started
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his
way making speeches. The wiiole journey was frought
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti-
more had arranged, upon his arrival to "get up a row,"
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with
revolvers and hand-grenades, A detective unravelled
the plot, A secret and special train was provided to
take him from Harrisl_'urg, through Baltimore, at an
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at
half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi-
cation on the part ot the -Secessionists with their Con-
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated,
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people.

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave
to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other
prominent opponents before the convention he gave
important positions.

During no other .idministration have the duties
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his
trials, bo'h personal and national. Contrary to his
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the
most courageous of men. He went directly into the
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving,
with no guard but a few ailors. From the time he
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had been
made for his assassination, uid he at last fell a victim
to one of them, .-^pril 14, (865, he, with Gen. Grant,
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It
was announced that they would be present. Gen.
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel-
ing, witli his characteristic kindliness of heart, that
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them,
very rel ctantly consented ,0 go. While listening to
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth
entered the box where the President and family were
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the
next morning at seven o'cloi k.

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation
plunged into such deep gnefby the death of its ruler.
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a
inodel. His name as the savior of his country will
live with that of Washington's, its father; his country-
men being unable to decide which is the greater.

;-^Aa2L.

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THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR. LBNOX AND

TILOEN FOUNDATIONS

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.•A V EX TEEN J H PRESIDE XT.

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C*7 tcentli I'resider

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INMjN, seven-

„ .^ ^ -. ___ ^, ^ ^- •-- —ident of the United

"^^yv|/^^%'i^^ States. The early life of
Andrew Johnson contains but
the record of poverty, destitu-
.'■/ tion and friendlessncss. He
'/ was Iwrn December 29, 1808,
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents,
belonging to the class of the
"[xxjf whites " of the South, were
in such circumstances, that they
could not confer even the slight-
est advantages of education ufxjn
their child. When Andrew was five
years of age, his father accidentally
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a
friend froni drowning. Until ten years of age, .\ndrew
was a ragged boy about the streets, supijorted by the
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with
her own hands.

He then, having never attended a school one day,
and being unable either to read or write, was a|)-
prenticcd to a tailor in hi* native town. .V gentleman
was in the habit of going to the tailor's sliop occasion-
ally, and reading to the Iwjys at work there. He often
read from the sjiceches of distinguished British states-
men. Andrew, who was endowed with :i mind of more
than ordinary native ability, became nuich interested
in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he
w.is inspired with a strong deuire to learn to read.

I le accordingly applied hinjself to the alphalwt, and
with the assistance of some of his fcllow-workmcn, ,
learned his letters. He then called u|ion the gentle-
man to Uirrow the book of speeches. I'he owner, 1

^- -^ — -^-K-nO;

pleased with his ieal, not only gave him the Uok,
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters
into words. Under such difficulties he jjressed on-
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours
at work in the sho^), and then robbing himself of rest
and recreation to devote such time as he could to
reading.

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos-
sessed some education. Under her instructions he
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent
in the village debating society, and a favorite with
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or-
ganized a working man's party, which elected him
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which
position he held three years.

He now began to lake a lively interest in political
affairs; identifying himself with the wotking-classc,
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elect.-d .1
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes-
see. He was tiien just twenty-seven years of age.
He became a very active member of the legislature,
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in
1840 "stumi)cd the State," advocating Martin Van
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in op|X)sition to those
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased
his reputation.

In 1841, he was elected Stale .Senator; in 1843. he
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive
elections, held that innwrtanl post for ten years. In
1853, he was elected Governor of Tenne**ee, and
W.1S re-elected in 1855. In all these rcsi>onsible jiosi-
lions, he discharged his duties wiihdistinguiihed »bil

•M^Y-

ANDRE W JOHNSON.

■liv

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)

ity, and proved hiinscll llic waiiii Irieiid of ihc work-
ing classes. In 1S57, Mr. Johnson was i-lccled
United States Senator.

Years before, in 1S45, be bad warnil) advocated
tbe annexation of Texas, slatiny however, as his
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob-
ably prove " to be the gateway ont of which the s.dile
sons of .\frica are to pass from bondage to Ireedoni,
and become merged in a population congenial to
themselves." In i<S5o, he also sui)ported the com-
promise measures, the two essential features ot which
were, tliat the white people of the Territories should
be i)erniitted to decide for themselves whether they
would enslave the colorctl peoiile or not, and that
the free States of the North should return to the
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery.

Mr.-Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin:
on the contrary, he often took piide in avowing that
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir,
said he on the lloor of the Senate, " I do not forget
that I am a mechanic; neither do I forget that Adam
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav-
ior was the son of a carpenter."

In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of i860, he
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the
Presidency. In 186 1, when the purpose of the South-
ern Democracy became apparent, lie took a decided
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap-
])ointed him Military Governor of the State, and he
established the most stringent military rule. His
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15,

1865, became President. In a speech two days later
he said, " The American people must be taught, if
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and
must be punished ; that the Government will not
always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people
must imderstand that it (treason) is the blackest of
crimes, and will surely be ptinished." Yet his whole
administration, the history of which is so well known,
was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent

ojiposition to, the principles laid down in that speech.

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general
amnesty, he was ojiposed by ("ongress ; and he char-
acterized ("ongress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In
the beginning of 1 868, on account of "high crimes
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten-
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre-
ferred against bun, and the trial began March 23.

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three
months. A test article of the impeachment was at
length submitted to the court for its action. It was
certain that as the court voted upon that article so
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces-
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac-
cpntted, notwithstanding tlie great majority against
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty
side would have sustained the impeachment.

The President, for the remainder of his term, was
Init little regarded. He continued, though impotently,
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi-
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar-
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name
of Gen. Grant. .Andrew Johnson was forgotten.
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im-
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home
in GreewviUe, Tenn., taking no very active part in
politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten-
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con-
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of
March. On the 27th of July, 1S75, the e.x-President
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- /^
ing the residence of his child the following day, was f
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. ,J,.
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at (®
2 .\.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- ^
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, (^
with every demonstration of respect. 'j

(

<-^D!i>:iitis>M>

4^5««1

tMff NRW YORK
|*UBLIC LIBRARY

XSTOft, t-tNOX AND
1 TTLbtN F«UN0A.T10NS

•"«*

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(Z-t^tyC^

-r<^nn^nDr>r

EIGHTEENTH ERESWRJVT.

^^ I.VSSES S. CRANT, ihc
^ ,^1 eighteenth President of the
"•* United States, was lK)rii on
the 29lh of April, 1S22, of
, llhristian parents, in a Innnljle
home, at Point Pleasant, on the
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after
his father nuived to (ieorge-
lown, Brown Co., f). In this re-
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses
received a common-school edii-
1 cation. At the age of seven-

^''ifS li-'en, in the year 1.S39, he entered
'^' the Military .\cademy at West
I I'liint. Here he was regarded as a
soliil, sensible >oinig man r)f fair abilities, and of
sturdy, honest charai ter. He t»x)k respectable rank
as a scholar. In June, 1S43. he graduated, alwnt the
middle in his class, and was sent .is lieutenant of in-
fintry to one of the distant military jiosts in the Mis-
souri Territory. Two years lie past in these dreary
s<^ihtudes, watching the vagaliond and exasperating
Indians.

The War with .Mexico came, l.ieut. tlrant was
sent with his regiment to Corpus ("hristi. His first
battle was at Palo .Mlo. There was no chance here
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at
Kesa<'a(le la I'alm.i, his second battle. .At the battle
of .Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that
he jierformed a signal service of daring and skillful
hoisemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am-
iiiiinilion. \ messenger must l>c sent for more, along
a route ex|iosed to the bullets of the foe. Licill.
(Jrant, adopting an ex|>edienl learned of the Indians,
gras|)c<l the mane of hi* horse, .md hanging n|ion(me
side of the animal, ran the gauntlet in cntir.

From Nbinterey he was sent, with the fourth infantr)-,
to aid tien. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cru/.. In
])reparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he
was ap|)ointed (|uartermaster of his regiment. .\t the
battle of Molino del Key, he was promoted to a
first lieutenancy, and was l)revetted captain at Cha-
pulte|)ec.

At the close of the Mexican War, Capl. (Irant re-
turued with his regiment to New York, and was again
sent to one of tlie military |K)sts on the frontier. The
discover)- of gold in California causing an immense
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt.
(irant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the ini-
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt.
Cirant resigned his commission and returned to the
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva-
tion of a small fann near St. Ixjuis, Mo. He had but
little skill as a farmer Finding his toil not re-
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into
the leather business, with a younger brother, at (la-
lena. 111. This was in the year i860. .\s the tidings
of the rebels firing on Fort Snmpter reached the ears
of Capt. (Jrant in his counting-room, he said, —
•'Uncle Sam has etlucated me for the army; though
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to.!
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle ut, .
and see Uncle Sam through this war tixi

He went into the streets, raised a ion
unleers, and led them as their captain t.
the I apilal of the State, where their services were
offered to (Wiv. Nates. The Ciovernor, impresscil \\
the zeal and siraightforw.iril executive ability of C.n.i
(Irani gave ' ' ^k in his oflit c, to assist in the

volunteer 01. that was l>eing formed in the

'c in iK-'h.ili of the Ciovcrumcnl. < >n the 15th of

N-y

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ULYSSES S. GRANT.

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June, i86i, Capt. Grant received a commission as
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol-
unteers. His merits as a West Point' graduate, who
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier-
General and was )jlaced in command at Cairo. The
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap-
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and
stripes were ui.furled in its ste.ad.

He entered the service with great determination
and immediately began active duty. This was the be-
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur-
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was
immediately made a M.njor-General, and the military
district of Tennessee was assigned to him.

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how
to secure the results of victory. He immediately
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can-
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered,
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf.
Gen. Grant was ne.xt ordered to co-operate with
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro-
ceeded to New Orieans, where he was thrown from
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and
by a wonderful series of strategic' and tactical meas-
ures put the Union army in fighting condition. Then
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels
were routed with great loss. This won for him un-
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru-
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant-
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant.
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials
and enter upon the duties of his !iew office.

Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 5^-
tlie army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de-
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as-
sembled l"rom all quarters for its defence. The whole
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field.
•Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en-
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur-
render of Lee, April 9, 1865.

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen.
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal-
vation. 'I'he eminent services he had thus rendered
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair.

.At the Republican Convention held at Chicago,
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294
electoral votes.

The National Convention of the Republican party
whichmet at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872,
placed (ren. Grant in nomination for a second term
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati-
cally indorsed ]jy the people five months later, 292
electoral votes being cast for him.

Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. Grant
started upon his famous trip around the worid. He
visited almost every country of the civilized world,
and was everywhere received with such ovations
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private
as well as public and official, as were never before
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. It
IS not too much to say that his modest, courteous, and
dignified demeanor in the presence of the most dis-
tinguished men in the difi'erent nations in the worid,
reflected honor upon the Republic which he so long /^
and so faithfully served. The country felt a great f
pride in his reception. Upon his arrival in San Fran- J);,..
CISCO, Sept. 20, 1879, tlie city authorities gave him a m
fine reception. After lingering in the Golden State ^
for a while, he began his tour through the States, ^
which extended North and South, everywhere mark- ^
ed by great acclamation and splendid ovations. X

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NINETEENTH PRESIDENT.

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su RUTHERJE-QRO B, HAYES.

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lIl'.RIOKh U. HAYES,
he nineteenth I'residciit of

tihe United States, was burn in
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al-
most tliree months after the
death of his father, Rutherford
Hayes. His ancestry on Ixath
the paternal and maternal sides,
was of the most honorable char-
acter. It can be traced, it is said,
as farbarkas riSo, when Hayes and
Rutherford were two Scottish chief-
tains, fighting side by side with
fBaliol, William Wallace and Rolicrt
Bruce. Both families belonged toilie
nobility, owned extensive estates,
' and had a large following. Misfor-
tune overtaking the family, (ieorge Hayes left Scot-
land in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son
(Ic-orge was lx)rn in VVindsor, and remained there
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar-
ried Sarah I.ee, aiid lived from the time of his m.ir-
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. K/.ekiel,
son of Daniel, was l)orn in 1724. an<l was a mantifac-
turerof scythes at Bt.ulford, Coim. kutherford Hayes,
son of F./ekiel and grandfather of President 1 l.iyes, was
Uirn in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a fanner,
bl.ii ksmith and tavern-kee|H;r. He emigrated to
\'ermonl at an unknown date, settling in Itrattlelioro,
where he •■«(al)lished a hotel. Here his son Ruth-
erford Hayes, the father nf President Hayes, was

born. He was married, in September, 1813, to Sophia
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi-
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been
among the wealthiest and best fanilies of Norwich.
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers
in the Revolutionar)' War.

The father of President Hayes was an industrious,
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me.
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock-
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con-
ducted his business on Christian principles .After
the close of the war of 1812, for reasons ine.\plicable
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio.

The journey from N'ermont to Ohio in that day,
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways,
was a very serious affair. .\ tour of insjiection was
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayis deter-
mined to move to Delaw.ire, where the family arrivetl
in 1817. He »lied July 22, 1822, a victim of malaiial
fever, lejis than three months before the birth of the
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sorcl>e-
reavement, found the sup])ort she so much needed in
her brother Sardis, who had l)een a meml>er of the
household from the <lay of its ileparture from Ver-
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adoplcxl
some time before as an act of charity.

Mrs. Hayes at this |H?riod was very weak, ami the

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RUTIIEJiFORD B. HAYES.

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subject of this sketch was so feeble at birtli that he
was not expected to live beyond a niontli or two at
most. As the monllis went by he grew weaker and
weaker, so that the neighliors were in tlie haliit of in-
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of
him, said in a bantering way, " Tliat's right ! Stick to
liini. Vou iiave got him along so far, and 1 shouldn't
wonder if he would really come to something yet."

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "Vou
wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him
I'rciident of the United ."States yet." The boy lived,
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy
death; and when, in 1S25, his older brother was
drowned, he became, if possililc, still dearer to his
mother.

The boy was seven years old before he went to
school. His education, however, was not neglected.
He probably learned as much from his mother and
sister as he would have done at school. His sports
Were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being
his sister and her associates. 'I'hese circumstances
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo-
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings
of others, which are marked traits of his character.

His uncle .Sardis Piirchard took the deepest interest
in his education ; and as the buy's health had im-
proved, and he was making good progress in his
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre-
paration commenced with a tutor at home; bit he
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en-
tered Kenyi)n College in 1838, at the age of sixteen,
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842.

Immediately after his graduation he began the
study of law in the office cf Thomas Sparrow, Esq.,
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re-
mained two vears.

In 1S45, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was
.idmitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law
with Ralph V. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re-
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice,
and ap[)arently unamliitious of distinction in his jiro-
fession.

In I S49 he moved to Cincmnati, where his ambi-
tion foimd a new stinndus. I'^or several years, how-
ever, his progress w.is slow. Two events, occurring at
this period, had a i)owerful influence u|)on his subse-
quent life. One of these was his marrage willi Miss
Lucy Ware Welib, daughter of Dr. James \Vebb, of
Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin-
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its
members such men asChief Justire Salmon P. Chase,

Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many
others hardly less distinguished in afterlife. The
marriage was a fortunate one in every resi)ect, as
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did
more than she to reflect honor upon American woman-
hood. The Literary Club brought Mr. Hayes into
constant association with young men of high char-
acter and nol)le aims, and lured him to dis[)lay the
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and
modesty.

In 1S56 he was nominated to the oftice of Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac-
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of
city solicitor l)ecoming vacant, the City Council
elected him for the unexpired term.

In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at
the zenith of his jirofessional life. His rank at the
bar was among the the first. But the news of the
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take up
arms for the defense of his country.

His military record was bright ard illustrious. In
Octol>er, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and
in August, 1862, i)romoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude
that won adniiration t"rom all.

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and [jlaced
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division,
.ind for gallant and meritorious sei vices in the battles
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill antl Cedar Creek, he was
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted
Maj.jr-General,"fort:aliant and distil guished services
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In
the course of his arduous services, four horses were
shot from tmder him, and he was wounded four times.

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from
the Second Ohio District, wliich had long been Dem-
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign,
and after his election was inqiortuned to resign his
commission in the army; but he finally declared, " 1
shall never come to Washington until I can come b\-
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1S66.

In 1S67, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio,
over Hon. .\llen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat.
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton.
He was elected Governor for the third term in 187 s.

In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub-
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his
full term, not, h.wever, with satisfaction to his party,
but his ndministr.ition was an average one

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THE NEW YORK
PUBUC LIBRARY

j^BTOR, L«NOX AND
TU-DEN F»UNDATlONS

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rWENTIETIl PRESIDENT.

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^f JAMES 4, (iAKFIEED. y^4^

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? AMIvS A l..\Rl'lh;i.l), iwcn-
% titfth President of the United
S|'^ States, was '■"■■" ^"•' ■"
,] 1S31, in tlie \

born Nov. 1 9,
woods of Orange,
(.Aiyahoga Co., O His par-
ents were Abrain and Kii/„i
q (Ballon) Ciarfield, both of New
• l",ngland ancestry and from fami-
lies well known in the early hi^-
'. tory of that section of our coun-
irv, bill had moved to the Western
Iveserve, in Ohio, early in its settle-
ment.

riic house in wliich James A. was
born was not unlike the houses of
[Hxjr Ohio farmers of that day. It
w.i>al)oui 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be-
tween the logs filled with « lay. His father was a
hard working farmer, and he soon had his fields
ileared, an orchard planletl, and a log barn built.
The household comprised the father and mother and
their four < hildren — Mehetabel, 'I'liomas, Mary and
James. In .May, 1X33, the father, from a told con-
tracted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. Al
tliis time James was about eighteen months old, and
Thomas about ten years fjld. No one, |)erhaps, can
tell how inu< h James was indel.ied to his biother's
toil and self sacrifice during the twenty years suc-
ceeding his father's death, but uniloubtedly very
muih. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis-
ters live in Solon, O , near their birthplace.

The c.irly educational advantages young (larficid
enjoyed were veiy limited, yet he made the most of
them. He laliored at f.'.rm work for ot!:ers, did car-
I)enter work, chopped wood, or ilid anything that
would bring in a few dollars ft, aid his widowed
mother in her struggles to keep the little fan.ily to-

— Hm

-ether. Nor was Gen. (larfield ever ashamed of his
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug-
ghng cliildhood, youth and manhixxl, neither did the)
ever forget him. When in the highest seatsof honor,
tlie humblest fiiend of his liuyhood was as kindly
greeted as ever. The iMHjrest l.iborer w.is sureof the
sympathy of one who h.id known all the bitterness
of wa;U and the sweetness of bread earned by the
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain,
modest gentleman.

The highest ambition of young Oarfield until he
was about si.xteen years old was to be a capi.iin of
a vessel on Lake Kiie. He was anxious to go aU)ard
a vessel, wliich his mother strongly op|x)sed. She
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the
understanding, however, that he should try to obtain
some other kind of employment. He walked all the
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the tity.
.After making many applications for work, and trying
to get aljoard a lake vessel, and not meeting with
success, he engagetl as a driver for his cousin, .Amos
Letcher, on the Ohio iV Pennsylvania Canal. Here-
mained at this work but a short tiuie when he went
home, and attended the seminar;- at Chester for
about three \ears, when he entered Hiram and the
Kcleclic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in
the meantime, and doing other work. This school
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1S50, of
which church he was then a member. He became
janitor and bell-ringer in order to hel|> pay his way
He then became both teacher ami pupil. He soon
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the
fall of 185^, heenleted Williams College, fiont whii h
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon-
ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram
College as its I'resident. .As alwve slated, he early
imite<I with the Christian or Diciples Church at
Hiram, .iiul was ever after .i dcvoteil, rc.dous mem-
l)Cr, often preaching in its pulpit and ■; '
he hapi)encd to l>c. Pr. Noah Porter, i
Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion :

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JAMES A. GARFIELD.

" President Garfield was more than a man of
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to
man and to God, and devotion to t'lirist and life and
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent
sympatliy which he ever showed in their Christian
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to
the less stately and cultured Christian communions
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true
that as they step upward in social and political sig-
nificance they ste]) ujiward from one degree to
another in some of the many types of fashionable
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the
cluirch of his mother, tlie church in which he was
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec-
tarian charity for all 'wlio loveourLord in sincerity.'"

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss
I-ucretia Rudolph, Nov. 1 1, 1858, who proved herself
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of
whom are still living, four boys and one girl.

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856,
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and tliree
years later he began to speak at county mass-ineet-
ings, and became the favorite speaker w'herever he
was. During this year lie was elected to the Ohio
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland,
and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The great
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year,
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re-
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty-
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug.
14,1861. He was immediately i)ut into active ser-
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in ac'ion,
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry'
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the
work of driving out of his native State the officer
(Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed-
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres-
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years
before, so now he was the youngest General in the
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh,
in its operations around Corinth and its march through
.•Mabama. He was then detailed as a member of the
General Court-Mnrtial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose-
crans, and was assigned to the " Chief of Staff."

The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with

^?5;!^ -^-^ ^D (1

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his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won
the stars 01 the Major-General.

Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio
liad been represented in Congress for sixty years
mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en-
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that
liody. There he remained by successive re-
elections until he was elected President in 1880.
( )f his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since
the year 1864 you cannot think of a ([uestion which
has been debated in Congress, or discussed betore a
tribunel of the American people, in regard to which
you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu-
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by
Mr. Garfield."

Uix)n Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his
party for President at the great Chicago Convention.
He was elected in the following November, and on
.March 4, 188 1, was inaugurated. Probably no ad-
ministration ever opened its e.xistence under brighter
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every
day it grew in favo; with the peo])le, and by the first
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre-
liminary work of his administration and was prepar-
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com-
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back.
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the
left coat sleeve of his victim, but in.licting no farther
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc-
< urred which so nearly froze the blood of the people
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit-
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and
was at the summit of his power and hope. Foreighty
days, all during the hot months of July and .\ugust,
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent
bearing was teaching the country and the world the
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass-
ingly great in death. He passed serenely awavSept.
19, 1S83, at Elberon, N. J , on the very bank of the
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it.
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe-
cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed.

THE NEW vv.-.'
PUBUCL

A8TOR, LlNOX a:
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^I'ifr^Ml HESTER A. ARTHUR,
'm x'^7 '~ ''■ twentv-first President of the
/ '"United States, was liom in

'~'^ '(^V^B^^(C)\j''j Fr-i"klin County, Vermont, on
°'I- -"J-'';^^|3« the fil'thof October, 1830, andis
'V the oldest of a family of two
--' ' sons and five daughters. His
father was the Rev. Dr. William
Arthur, a Bajitist clergyman, who
emigrated to this counlr) from
\jii (L the county Antrim, Ireland, in
,>i his iSth year, and died in 1.S75, in
'JVi^ Newtonville, near Albany, after a
'^^i long and successful ministry,
w^' Young Arthur was educated at
\Ml Union College, Schenectady, where
IyJ' '^^' excelled in all his studies. .\f-
[' ter his graduation he taught school
i'l] in N'erinont for two years, and at
J^ the e.xpiration of that time came to
W New ^'ork, with S500 in his ix>cket,
and entered the office of ex-Judge
E. n. Culver as student. After
I being admitted to the bar he formed
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate,
Menry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing
ill the West, and fur three months they roamed alwut
in the Western States in search of an eligible site,
but in the end returned to New York, where they
hung out their shingle, and entered uiwn a success-
ful career almost from the start, deneral Arthur
«X)n afterward married the daughter of Lieutenant

Hemdon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa-
sion. Mrs. .Arthur died shortly before Mr. .Arthurs
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two
children.

Cen. .Vrthur obtained considerable legal celebrity
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit,
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Sufx:rior
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon-
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided
that they could not be held by the owner under the
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the
.■\ttorney Oeneral of that State to assist in an apjwal.
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester \. .\rthur were employed
to rejnesent the People, and they won their case,
which then went to the Sujjreme Court of the United
States. Charles ()'Conor here csjxjused the cause
of the slave-holders, but he too was l>eaten by Messrs.
Evarts and .\rthur, and a long step was taken toward
the emancipation of the black race.

Another great service was rendered by General
.\rthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings,
a res|)ect.ible colored woman, was put off a Fourth
.Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare.
General .Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a
verdict of §500 damages. The next day the compa-
ny issueil an order to admit colored i)crNons to ride
on their cars, and the other r.ir lonui.mies ipiiiklv

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CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

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followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave-
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per-
sons and the otiicr lines refused to let them ride at all.

General Anliur was a delegate to the Convention
at Saratoga th.il toiindL-d the Ke])ul)lican party.
Previous to the war lie was Judge-Advocate ot the
Second Brigade of the State of New \oik, and Gov-
ernor Morgan, of tliat State, api)oiiUed him Engineei-
in-Chief of his staff In iS6i, he was made Inspec-
tor General, ami soon .ifterwani became (hiartermas-
ter-Creneral. in eacli of these ottices he rendered
great service to the Government during tlie war. Al
the end of (Governor Morgan's term he resumed tlie
practice of tlie law, forming a jiartnership with Mr.
Ransom, and then Mr. I'helps, the District Attorney
of New Yoik, was added to the firm. The legal prac-
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra-
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if
not indeed one of national extent.

He always took a leading part in State and city
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc-
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July,
20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt.

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It
was comjxjsed of the leading politicians of the Re-
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their
respective candidates that were before the conven-
tion for the nomination. Finally (ien. Garfield re-
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed
was one of the most animated known in the history of
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and liis
party made a valiant fight for his election.

Finally the election came and the country's choice
was Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated
March 4, 18S1, as President and Vice-President.
A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then
canie terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civiUzed na-

tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re-
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark-
able |)alience that he manifested during those hours
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf-
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God-
like. During all this period of deeiiest anxiety Mr.
Arthur's every move was watched, and lie it said to his
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest
desire tliat the suffering Garfield might recover, to
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi-
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested
in deed or look of this'man, even though the most
honored i>osition in the world was at any moment
likely to fall to him.

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar-
field from further suffering, and the world, as never
before in its history over the death of any other
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of
the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of
the high office, and he took the oath in New York,
Sept. 20, 1 88 1. The position was an embarrassing
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do,
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se-
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been
greatly neglected during the President's long illness,
and many important measures were to be immediately
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he
became President, and knew the feelings of many on
this point, finder these trying circumstances President
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own
hands; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of
affairs, he has happily surprised the Nation, acting so
justly, so wisely, so well, that but few have criticised
his administration. Should he continue during the
remainder of his term to pursue the wise policy he
has followed thus far, we believe President Arthur's
administration will go down in history as one of the
wisest and most satisfactory our country has ever
enjoyed. His highest ambition seems to be to do his
duty to the whole Nation, even to the sacrifice of his
warmest personal friends. With the good of the
people at heart, and guided by the wisdom already
displayed, he will surprise his opponents, gratify his
friends, and bless the American Republic, during
the years he occupies the Presidential chair.

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.29,^35^

THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LKNOX AND
TILD&M rSUMOAXIClNS

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GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.

^1 STEPHEN T. MASON, ^^^

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TKPHEN T. MASON, the
W first (■iovi;rnorof Michigan, was
a son of C'icn. John T. Mason,
of Kentucky, but was Iwrn in
' Virjiinia, in 1812. At the a^ie
^ of 19 he was apiwinted Secre-
\ tar)' of Michigan Territory, and
served in that capacity iluring the
administration of C'lov. tleorge B.
i^' Porter. Upon the death of Gov.
I'orter, which occurred on the 6th of
July, 1834, Mr. Mason became .\ct-
ing {Governor. In October, 1S35, he
was elected Governor under the State
organization, and immediately en-
tered iiixjn the performance of the
' duties of the office, although the
Stale was not yet admitted into the Union, .\fter
the State was admitted into the Union, Governor
Mason was re-elected to the |xjsition, and served with
credit to himself and to the advantage of the State.
I le died Jan. 4, 1H43. The i)rinci|)al event daring
Ciovernor Mason's official career, was that arising from
the disputed southern boundary of the State.

Mil higan claimed for her southern lioundary aline
running east across the peninsula from the extreme
southern point of Lake Michigan, extending through
Lake Kric, to the Pennsylvania line. This she
claimed as a vested right — a right accruing to her by
compact. This compact was the ordinance of 1787,
the parties to which were the original 13 Stales, and
the territory northwest of the Ohio; and, by the suc-
cession of panics under statutory amendments to the
ordinance and laws of Congress — the United .States on
the one part, and each Territory northwest of the
Ohio, as far as affected by their provisions, on the

ulher. Michigan, therefore, claimed it under the jirior
;.;rant, or assignation of loundar)'.

Ohio, on the other hand, claimed that the ordinance
hid been suiierseded by the Constitution of the
United States, and that Congress had a right to regu-
late the iKJundary. It was also claimed that the
Constitution of the State of Ohio having described a
liifTerenl line, and Congress having admitted the State
under that Constitution, without mentioning the sul.-
ject of the line in dispute. Congress had thereby given
its consent to the line as laid down by the Constitu-
tion of Ohio. Tills claim was urged by Ohio at
some [Hjriods of the controversy, but at others she ajv
l)eared to regard the question unsettled, by the fact
that she insisted ujion Congress taking action in re-
gard to the lioundary. .Xccordingly, we find that, in
1812, Congress authorized the Surveyor-General to
survey a line, agreeably to the act, to enable the i>cople
of Ohio to form a Constitution and Stale government.
Owing to Indian hostilities, however, the line was not
run till 181S. In 1820, the (juestion in dispute
imderwent a rigid e.xamination by the Committee on
Public Lands. The claim of ( )hio was strenuously
urged by her delegation, and as ably opposed by Mr.
Wooilbridge, the then delegate from Michigan. The
result was that the committee deiided unanimously
in favor of Michigan; but, in the hurry of business,
no action was taken by Congress, and the ((uestiou
remained o(x:n till Michigan organizeil her ~^i.it.- p>v-
crnment.

The Territory in dispute is alout live iinie> li.
width at the west end, and alwut eight miles in width
at the cast end, and extends along the whole north-
ern line of Ohio, west of Lake F.rie. The line claimed
by Michig.in was known as the " Fulton line," and
that claimed by Uhio was known as the" Harris line,"

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STEPHEN T. MASON.

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from the n.uncs of the surveyors. Tlie territory was
valuable for its rich agricultural landi?; but the chief
value consisted in the fact that the harbor on the
Mauniee River, where now stands the nourishing city
of Toledo, was included within its limits The town
originally bore the name of Swan Creek, afterwards
Port Lawrence, then \'estula, and then Toledo.

In February, 1X35, the Legislature of Ohio passed
an act extending the jurisdiction of the State over
the territory in ijuestion; erected townships and
directed them to hold election* in April following. It
.dso directed (iovernor Lucus to appoint three com-
missioners to survey and re-mark the Harris line ; and
named the first of April as the day to commence the
survey. Acting (iovernor Mason, however, anticipated
this action on the part of the Ohio Legislature, sent
a special message to the Legislative Council, appris-
ing it of Governor Lucas' message, and advised imme-
diate action by that l>ody to anticipate and counteract
the proceedings of Ohio. .Accordingly, on the 12th
of February, the council passed an act making it a
crimmal offence, punishable by a heavy fine, or im-
prisonment, for any one to attempt to exercise any
otificial functions, or accept any office within the juris-
diction of Michigan, under or liy virture of any au-
thority not derived from the Territory, or the United
States. On the 9th of March, Governor Mason wrote
General Brown, then in command of the Michigan
militia, directing him to hold himself in readiness to
meet the enemy in the field in case any attempt vi^as
made on the part of Ohio to carry out the provisions
of that act of the Legislature. On the 31st of March,
Governor Lucus, with his commissioners, arrived at
Perrysburgh, on their way to commence re-surveying
the Harris line. He was accom])anied by General
Bell and staff, of the Ohio Militia, who proceeded to
muster a volunteer force of about 600 men. This
was soon accomplished, and the force fully armed and
equipped. The force then went into camp at Fort
Miami, to await the Governor's orders.

In the meantime, Governor Mason, with General
Brown and staff, had raised a force 800 to 1200
strong, and were in possession of Toledo. General
Brown's Staff consisted of Captain Henry Smith, of
Monroe, Inspector; Major J. J. Ullman, of Con-
stantine, Quartermaster; William E. Broadman, of
Detroit, and Alpheus Felch,of Monroe, Aids-de-
camp. When Governor Lucas observed the deter-
mined bearing of the Michigan braves, and took note

of their number, he found it convenient to content ^!f
himself for a time with " watching over the border." v','
Several days were passed in this exhilarating employ- il'-.
ment, and just as Governor Lucas had made up his
mind to do something rash, two commissioners ar-
rived from Washington on a mission of peace. They
remonstrated with Gov. Lucus, and reminded him of
the consequences to himself and his State if he per-
sisted in his attempt to gain possession of the disputed
territory by force. After several conferences with
1)01 h governors, the commissioners submitted proposi-
tions for their consideration.

(iovernor I^ucas at once accepted the propositions,
and disbanded his forces. Governor Mason, on the
other hand, refused to accede to the arrangement, and
declined to compromise the rights of his people by a
surrender of possession and jurisdiction. When Gov-
ernor Lucus disbanded his forces, however, Governor
Mason partially followed suit, but still held himself
in readiness to meet any emergency that might arise.

(iovernor Lucus now supposed that his way was "^
clear, and that he could re-mark the Harris line with- .'i'.
out being molested, and ordered the commissioners d
to proceed with their work. 5^

In the meantime, Governor Mason kept a watch- 1=3
ful eye upon the proceedings. General Brown sent %J^
scouts through the woods to watch their movements, ^
and report when operations were commenced. When (
the surveying party got within the county of Lena-
wee, the under-sheriff of that county, armed with a
warrant, and accompanied by a ix)sse, suddenly made
his appearance, and succeeded in arresting a portion
of the party. The rest, including the commissioners,
took to their heels, and were soon beyond the dis- V

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puted territory. They reached Perrysburgh the fol- ^j-
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lowing day in a highly demoralized condition, and ^

reported they had been attacked by an overwhelm-
ing force of Michigan malitia, under command of
(^reneral Brown.

This summary breaking up of the surveying party
produced the most tremendous excitement throughout
Ohio. Governor Lucas called an extra session of the f>.
Legislature. But little remains to be said in reference f
to the "war." The question continued for sometime |,
to agitate the minds of the opposing parties ; and the ^:,'
action of Coneress was impatiently awaited. Michigan <^j^
was admitted into the Union on the condition that ^
she give to Ohio the disputed territory, and accept ^^
in return the Northern Peninsula, which she did

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SI.COND GOVERNOR OF M/CHIGAS.

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^-(OlLLIAM ^OODBI-^IDGB.

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ILi.lAM \S()()I)BR1I)(,K,
isecond (lovernorof Michigan,
was lx)rn at Norwich, Conn.,
Aug. 20, 1780, and died at
Detroit Oct. 20, 1861. He
was of a family of three brothers
and two sisters. His father,
I )iidley W'oodbridge, removed to
Marietta, Ohio, alioiit 1790. The
life of Wm. \V'oodl)ridgc, by Chas.
I.aiiman, from which this sketch
is largely compiled, mentions noth-
ing concerning his early education
beyond the fact that it was such as
was afforded by the average school
of the time, except a year with the
French rotonists at Gallii«tis,
where he acijuircd a knowledge of
the French language. It should
be lx)me in mind, however, that
home education at that time was
an indis|H:nsable feature in the
training of the young. To this and
and to a few studies well mastered,
is due that strong mental discipline which has served
as a basis for many of the grand intellects that have
adorned and licl|)ed to make our .National history.
.Mr. W'oodbridge stvidied law at .Marietta, having:
as a fellow student an intimate personal friend, a
young Mian subse'|uently distinguished, but known
at th.it time simply as Lewis (!ass. He gradua'ed at
the l.iw school in Connecticut, after a course there of
nearly three years, and began to practice at Marietta
in 1806. In June, 1806, he married, at Hartford, ("on-
nccticut, Julcanna, daughter of John Trunil»ell, a
distinguished author and judge ; and author of the

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peom McFingal, which, during a dark period of the
Revolution, wrought such a magic change Ufx>n the
spirits of the colonists. He was happy in his domes
tic relations until the death of Mrs. \V., Feb. 2, 19, i860.

< )ur written biographies necessarily speak more
fully of men, because of their active participation in
public affairs, but human actions are stamped u|jon
the page of time and when the scroll shall be unrolled
the influence of good women u|ion the history of the
world will l)e read side by side with the deeds of men.
How much success and renown in life many men owe
to their wives is probably little known. .Mrs. W. en-
joyed the best means of early education that the
country afforded, and her intellectual genius enabled ^
her to improve her advantages. During her life, side
by side with the highest tyiK- of domestic and social
graces, she manifested a keen intellectirality that
formed the crown of a faultless chatacter. JShe wa>
a natural [wct, and wrote quite a large numlier of fine
verses, some of which are preserved in a printed
memorial essay written upon the occasion of her
death. In this essay, it is said of her "to conlributc
even in matters of minor importance, to elevate the
reputation and add to the well being of her husband
in the various starions he was called ujion to fill, gave
her the highest satisfaction " She was an invalid
during the latter |«rtion of her life, but was patient
and cheerful to the end.

In 1807, Mr. W. was chosen a representative to the
deneral .\sscmbly of Ohio, and in 1809 was elected to f •
the Senate, continuing a meml)cr by re-electiorv unitl f
his removal from the State. He also held, by aiv |
pomtmcnt, during the time the offitc of Prosecuiing •♦
.\itomcy for his county. He took a leading part in «/
the Legislature, and in i8i2 drew upadeclarationand ft^
rcMilutioiiH, «hu:li p.issed the iwohou»c*unainiiK)u*ly 'j

©rs-'*

WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE.

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and attracted great attention, endorsing, in strongest
and most emplialie terms, the war measures of Presi-
dent Mailison. During tiie period from 1804 to 1814
llie two law students, Woodl)ridge and Cass, liad lie-
come widely se[Kirated. Tiie latter was Governor of
the Territory of Michigan underthe historic "(Governor
and Judges" [)lan, with the indispensable re(|uisite of a
Secretary of the 'I'erritorry. 'I'l'.is latter position was,
in 1S14, without solicitation on his [jart, tendered to
Mr. W. He accepted the \)osition with some hesita-
tion, and entered upon its duties as soon as he could
make the necessary arrangements for leaving Ohio.
The office of Secretary involved also the duties of
coUectorof customsat the [wrt of Detroit, and during
the frequent absences of the Governor, the dischargeof
of his duties, also including those of Superintendent
of Indian Affairs. Mr. W. officiated as (^lovernor for
about two years out of the eight years that he held the
office of Secretary Under the administration of'Gov-
ernor and Judges," which the people of the Territory
preferred for economical reasons, to continue some time
after their numbers entitled them to a more popular
representative system, they were allowed no delegate
in Congress. Mr. \V., as a sort of informal agent of
the i)eople, by correspondence and also by a visit to
the National capital, so clearly set forth the demand
for representation by a delegate, that an act was
passedin Congress in iSigauthorizingone tobe chosen.
Under this act Mr. W. was elected by the concurrence
of all parties. Hisfirst action in Congress was to secure
the jmssage of a bill recognizing and confirming the
old French land titles in the Territory according to
the terms of the treaty of peace with Great Britain
at the close of the Revolution ; and another for the
construction of a Government road through the "black
swamps" from the Miami River to Detroit, thus o|)en-
ing a means of land transit between Ohio and Mich-
igan. He was influential in securing the passage of
bills for the construction of Government roads from
Detroit to Chicago, and Detroit to Fort Gratiot, and
for the improvement of La Plaisance Bay. The ex-
pedition for the exploration of the country around
Lake Superior and in the valley of the Upper Mis-
sissippi, projected by Governor Cas.s, was set on foot
by means of representations made to the head of the
department by Mr. W. While in Congress he stren-
uously maintained the right of Michigan to the strip
of territory now forming the northern boundary of
Ohio, which formed the subject of such grave dispute
between Ohio and Michigan at the time of the ad-
mission of the latter into the Union. He served
but one term as delegate to Congress, de-
clining further service on account of personal and
family considerations. Mr. W. continued to discharge
the duties of Secretary of the Territoiy up to the time
its Government passed into the "second grade."

In 1824, he was appointed one of a board of
commissioners for adjusting private land claims in

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the Territory, and was engaged also in the practice of
his profession, having the best law library in the Ter-
ritory. In 1828, upon the recommendation of the
Governor, Judges and others, he was appointed by the
President, J. (^. Adams, to succeed Hon. James With-
erell, who had resigned as a Judge of what is conven-
tionally called the "Supreme Court" of the Territory.
This court was a[jparently a continuation of the Terri-
torial Court, under the "first grade" or "Governor and
Judges" system. Althougli it was supreme in its ju-
dicial functions within the Territory, its powers and
duties were of a very general character.

In 1832, the term of his appointment as Judge ex-
piring, T'resident Jackson appointed a successor, it is
sujiposed on political grounds, much to the disappoint-
ment of the public and the bar of the Territory. The
partisan feeling of the time extended into the Terri-
tory, and its people began to think of assuming the
dignity of a State government. Party lines becom-
ing very sharply drawn, he identified himself with
the Whigs and was elected a member of the Conven-
tion of 1835, which formed the first State Constitution.
In 1S37 he was elected a member of the Slate Senate.

This sketch has purposely dealt somewhat in detail
with what may be called Judge W's. earlier career,
because it is closely identified with the early his-
tory of the State, and the development of its politi-
cal system. Since the organization of the State Gov-
ernment the history of Michigan is more familiar, and
hence no review of Judge W's career as (lovernor
and Senator will be attempted. He was elected Gov-
ernor in 1839, under a popular impression that tlie
affairs of the State had not been prudently adminis-
tered by the Democrats. He served as Governor but
little more than a year, when he was elected to the
Senate of the United States.

His term in the Senate iiractically closed his polit-
ical life, although he was strongly urged by many
prominent men for the Whig nomination for Vice
President in 1S4S.

Soon after his appointment as Judge in 1828, Gov-
ernor W. took up his residence on a tract of land
which he owned in the township of Spring Wells, a
short distance below what was then the corporate lim-
its of Detroit, where he resided during the remainder
of his life. Both in his public papers and private
communications. Governor W. shows himself a mas-
ter of language; he is fruitful in simile and illustra-
tion, logical in arrangement, happy in the choice and
treatment of topics, and terse and vigorous in expres-
sion. Judge W. was a Congregationalist. His opinions
on all subjects were decided; he was earnest and
energetic, courteous and dignified, and at times ex-
hibited a vein of fine humor that was the more at-
tractive because not too often allowed to come to the
surface. His letters and addresses show a deep and
earnest affection not only for his ancestral home, but
the home of his adoptiui and for friends and family.

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A8TOH, LENOX AND
TLLOKM FVUNOAllONS

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GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.

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xJOHN S. BARRY ^^

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I OHX STEWARD HARRV,
^^('lovcrnor u( Michigan from
;j Jan. 3, 1S4J, to Jan. 5, 1846,
1 ,niil from Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan.
' I, 1 85 2, was Iwrn at .Vmherst,
N. H., Jan. 29, 1802. His par-
,^ inis, John and Kllen (Steward)
IJarry, early removed to Rocking-
ham, Vt., where he remained until
*W he l)ecanie of age, working on his
father's farm, and pursuing his
studies at the same time. He mar-
ried Mary Kidder, of Orafton, Vt.,
and in 1824 went to (leorgia, Vt.,
(§^ where he had charge of an academy
for two years, meanwhile stuilying
law. He afterward practiced law in
th.it State. While he was in Georgia he was for some
time a member of the Ciovemor's stafT, with the title
of < '.overnor's ,\id, and at a somewhat earlier inrnod
wa.H Captain of a company of State militia. In 1831
he removed to Michigan, and settled at White Pigeon,
where he engaged in mercantile Inisincss with 1. W.
Willard.

Four years after, 1834, Mr. Marry removed to Con-

stanline and continued his mercantile pursuits. He
became Justice of the Peace at White Pigeon, Mich.,
in 1831, and held the office i.ntil the year 1835.
Mr. Harry's first public office was that of a men)l>er
of the first constitutional convention, which assembled
and flamed the constitution uixin which Michigan
was admitted into the Union. He took an im|x>rtant
antl prominent part in the proceedings of that l)ody,
and showed himself to be a man of far more than
ordinary ability.

l'|X)n .Michigan l>eing admitted into the Union,
Mr. Barry was chosen State Senator, and so favorably
were his associates impressed with his abilities at the
first session of the Legislature that iliey looked to him
as a party leader, and that he should head the State
ticket at the following election. Accordingly he re-
ceived the nomination for ("lovemor at the hands
of his party assentbled in convention. He w.is
elected, and so |X)pular was his adnunistration that, in
1S42, he was again elected. IHiring these years
Michigan was emb.irrassed by great financi.il diffi-
culties, and it was through his wisdom and sound judg-
ment that the State was finally pKiced ujxjn a solid
fin.'inciat basis.

|)utiiig the first year of ("lov. Harry's firit term, the
University at .Ann Arl>or waso()cnctl for the rccejrtion

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JOHN STEWARD BARRY.

of students. The Michigan Central and Michigan
Southern railroads were beuig rapidly constructed, and
general progress was everywhere noticeable. In i<S42,
the number of pupils reported as attending the public
schools was nearly hfty-eight thousand. In 1S43, a
State land office was established at Marshall, which
was invested with the charge and disposition of all
the lands belonging to the State. In 1844, the tax-
able property t)f the State was found to be over
twenty-eight millions of dollars, the tax being at the
rate of two mills on the dollar. The expenses of the
State were only seventy thousand dollars, while the
income from the railroads was nearly three hundred
thousand dollars. At this time the University of
Michigan had become so prosperous that its income
was ample to pay the interest on the University debt ;
and the amount of money which the State was able
to loan the several progressing railroads was one
hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Efforts were
made to increase the efficiency of the common schools
with good results In 1845, when Gov. Barry's sec-
ond term expired, the population of the State was
more than three hundred thousand.

The constitution of the State forbade more than two
consecutive terms, but he was called upon to fill the
position again in 1850 — the only instance of the kind
in the history of the State. He was a member of the
Territorial Legislature, of the Constitutional Conven-
tion, and afterward of the State House of Represent-
atives.

During Mr. Barry's tliird term as Governor the Nor-
mal School was established at Ypsilanti, which was
endowed with lands and placed in charge of a board
of education consisting of six persons. A new con-
stitution for the government of the State was also
adopted and the "Great Railway Conspiracy Case "
was tried. This grew out of a series of lawless acts
which had been committed upon the property of the
Michigan Central Railroad Company, along the line
of their road, and finally the burning of the de[X3t
at Detroit, in 1850.

At a setting of the grand jury of Wayne County,
.\pril 24, 1 85 1, 37 men of the 50 under arrest for this
crime were indicted. May 20, following, the accused
parties appeared at the Circuit Court of Wayne, of
which Warner Wing was resident judge. The Rail-
road Company employed ten eminent lawyers, in-
cluding David Stuart, John Van Arman, James A.
Van Dyke, Jacob M. Howard, Alex. D. Fraser, Dan-
(^ iel Goodwin and William Gray. Tlie defendants were
1 represented by six members of the State bar, led by
William H. Seward, of New York. The trial occupied
four months, during which time the plaintiffs exam-

fined 246 witnesses in 27 days, and_ the defendants
249 in 40 days. Mr. Van Dyke addressed the jury
for the prosecution ; William H. Seward for the
\>^ defense.
C The great lawyer was convinced of tlie innocence

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of his clients, nor did the verdict of that jury and the
sentence of that judge remove his firm belief that his
clients were the victims of purchased treachery,
rather than so many sacrifices to justice.

The verdict of " guilty " was rendered at 9 o'clock
V. M., Sept. 25, 1851. On the 26th the prisoners were
put forward to receive sentence, when many of them
protested their entire innocence, after which the pre-
siding judge condemned 12 of the number to the fol-
lowing terms of imprisonment, with hard labor, within
the State's prison, situate in their county : Ammi
Filley, ten years; Orlando L. Williams, ten years;
.^aron Mount, eight years; Andrew J. Freeland, eight
years; Eben Farnham, eight years; William Corvin,
eight years; Richard Price, eight years; Evan Price,
eight years; Lyman Champlin, five years; Willard
\S . Champlin, five years; Erastus Champlin, five
years; Erastus Smith, five years.

In 1840, Gov. Barry became deeply interested in
the cultivation of the sugar l)eet, and visited Europe
to obtain information in reference to its culture.

He was twice Presidential Elector, and his last
public service was that of a delegate to the National
Democratic Convention held in Chicago in 1864.

He was a man who, throughout life, maintained a
high character for integrity and fidelity to the trusts
bestowed upon him, whether of a public or a private
nature, and he is acknowledged by all to have been
one of the most efficient and popular Governors the
Slate has ever had.

Gov. Barry was a man of incorruptible integrity.
His opinions, which he reached by tlie most thorough
investigation, he held tenaciously. His strong con-
victions and outspoken honesty made it impossible for
him to take an undefined position when a princi[)le
was involved. His attachments and prejudices were
strong, yet he was never accused of favoritism in his
administration of public affairs. As a speaker he was
not remarkable. Solidity, rather than brilliancy, char-
acterized his oratory, which is described as argument-
ative and instructive, but cold, hard, and entirely
wanting in rhetorical ornament. He was never elo-
ipient, seldom humorous or sarcastic, and in manner
rather awkward.

.Although Mr. Barry's educational advantages were
so limited, he was a life-long student. He mastered
both ancient and modern languages, and acquired a
thorough knowledge of histoiy. No man owed less
to political intrigue as a means of gaining posi-
tion. He was a true statesman, and gained public es-
teem by his solid worth. His political connections
were always with the Democratic party, and his opin-
ions were usually extreme.

Mr. Barry retired to private life after the beginning
of the ascendency of the Republican party, and car-
ried on his mercantile business at Constantine. He
died Jan. 14, 1870, his wife's death having occurred a
year previous, March 30, 1869. They left no children.

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GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN.

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vJ I.PHEUS KELCH, the third
•'1 (lovcrnor of Micliigaii, was
J horn ill Limerick, Maine, Sep-
^A tenil)cr 28, 1806. Hisgrand-
o father, Ahijali Kelch, was a sol-
"^ dier in the Revolution ; and
.- when a young nnin, having with
others obtained a grant of land lie-
tween iheGreat and Little Ossipee
', Rivers, in Maine, moved to that re-
j^ion when it was yet a wilderness.
The father of Mr. Felch embarked in
mercantile life at Limerick. He was
the first to engage in that business in
that section, and continued it until
his death. The death of the father,
' followed within a year by the death of
the mother, left the subject of this sketch, then three
years old, to the care of relatives, and he found a
home with his paternal grandfather, where he re-
mained until his death. Mr Felch received his early
education in the district school and a neighl>oring
academy. In 1821 he became a student at I'hillips
I'.xter .\cademy, anil, subsei|uently, entered lUjwdoin
College, gradiuileil with the class of 1827. He at
once began the study of law and was admitted to
|pr.ictice at Hangor, Me., in 1830.

He began the practice of his profession at Houlton,
Me., where he remained until 1833. The severity
iif the clini.ile imp.iired his health, never very giHMl,
anil he found it necessary to seek .l changeof climate.
He dis|iosed of his library and started tu seek
a new home. His intention w.is to join his friend.

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Sargent S. Prentiss, at Vicksburg, Miss., but on his
arrival at Cincinnati, Mr. Felch was attacked by
cholera, and when he had recovered sufficiently to
permit of his traveling, found that the danger of the
disease was too great to permit a journey down the
river. He therefore determined to come to Michi-
gan. Hi; first began to practice in this State at Mon-
roe, where he continued until 1843, when lie removed
to .Ann .\il>or. He was elected to the State Legisla-
ture in T835, and continued a member of that Inxly
during the years 1836 and 1837. While he held ihi?
office, the general banking law of the Stale was enact-
ed, and went into operation. .After mature delibera-
tion, he became convinced that the pro|X)sed system
of banking could not prove beneficial to the public
interests ; and that, instead of relieving the jHMple
from the pecuniary difficulties under which they were
lal)oring, it would result in still further embarrass-
ment. He, therefore, opposed the bill, and |)ointed
out to the House the disasters which, in his opinion,
were sure to follow its passage. The public mind,
however, was so favorably imi)ressed by the measure
that no other member, in either branch of the Legisla-
ture, raised a dissenting voice, and but two votetl with
him in op|>osition to the bill. Early in 1S38, he was
ap\x)inted one fif the H.ink Commissioners of the
St lie, and held that office for moie th.m a year. I )ur-
ing this time, the new banking l.iw had given birth lo
that ninnciuus progeny known as "wild-tat" banks.
Almo-.t every village h.ul its b.mk. The countr\- w.is
flooded with ilejiressed "wild-cit" money, 'flic ex-
aminations of the Itank (^ntmissioncri bmiighl to
liliht fraud-, at every i>«>inl, which were fearlessly re-

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ALPHEUS FELCH.

M^ ported to the Legislature, and were followed by crim-
inal prosecutions of the guilty parties, and the closing
of many of their instil utions. i'he duties of the of-
fice were most laborious, and in 1839 Mr. Felch re-

^ signed. The chartered right of almost every bank
had, in the meantime, been declared forfeited and
the law repealed, it was subsequently decided to
be constitutional by the Supreirie Court of the State.
In the year 1842 (rovernor Felch was appointed
to the office of .Auditor Ccneral of the State; but
after holding the office only a few weeks, was coni-
\ missioned by tlie Crovernor as one of the Judges of the
Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resig-
nation of judge Fletcher. In January, 1S43, he was
elected to the United States Senate for an unexpired
term. In 1S45 he was elected Ciovernor of Michigan,
and entered upon his duties at the commencement of
the ne.xt year. In 1847 he was elected a Senator

A>. in Congress for six years; and at once retired from
the office of Governor, liy resignation, which took
effect March 4, 1847, when his Senatorial term com-
menced. W'liile a member of the Senate he acted on
the Committee on Public Lands, and for four years

'( -N was its Chairman. He filled the honorable position
of Senator with becoming dignity, and with great
credit to the State of Michigan.

During Covernor P'elch's administration the two
railroads belonging to the State were sold to private
corporations, — the Central for $2,000,000, and the
Southern for $500,000. The exports of the State
amounted in 1846 to ,'j;4,647,6o8. The total capacity
of vessels enrolled in the collection district at Detroit
was 26,928 tons, the steam vessels having 8,400 and
the sailing vessels 18,528 tons, the whole giving em-
ployment to 18,000 seamen In 1847, there were 39
counties in the State, containing 435 townships ; and
275 of these townships were supplied with good libra-
ries, containing an aggregate of 37,000 volumes.

.\t the close of his Senatorial term, in March, 1853,
Mr. Felch was appointed, Ijy President Pierce, one of
the Commissioners to adjust and settle the Spanish

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and Mexican land claims in California, under the
treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, and an act of Congress
passed for that purpose. He went to California in
May, 1853, and was made President of the Commis-
sion. The duties of this office were of the most im-
portant and delicate character. The interest of the
new .State, and the fortunes of many of its citizens,
both the native Mexican population and the recent
.American immigration ; the right of the Pueblos to
their common lands, and of the Catholic Church to
the lands of the Missions, — the most valuable of the
State, — wereinvolved in the adjudicationsof this Com-
mission. In March, 1856, their labors were broug:ht
to a close by the final disposition of all the claims
which were presented. The record of their proceed-
ings, — the testimony which was given in each case,
and the decision of the Commissioners thereon, —
consisting of some forty large volumes, was deposited
in the Department of the Interior at A\'ashington.

In June of that year, Governor Felch returned to
,\nn .\rbor, where he has since been engaged piinci-
]3ally in legal business. Since his return he has
been nominated for Governor and also for U. S. Sen-
ator, and twice for Judge of the Supreme Court. But
the Democratic party, to which he has always been
attached, being in the minority, he failed of an elec-
tion. Ill 1873 he withdrew from the active practice
of law, and, with the exce|)tion uf a tour in Europe,
in 1875 has since led a life of retirement at his home
in Ann Arbor. In 1877 the University of Michigan
conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. For
many years he was one of the Regents of Michigan
University, and in the spring of 1879 was appointed
Tappan Professor of Law in the same. Mr. Felch is
the oldest surviving member of the Legislature from
Monroe Co., the oldest and only surviving Bank Com-
missioner of the State, the oldest surviving .Auditor
General of the State, the oldest survivingGovernorof
the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme
Court of Michigan, and the oldest surviving United
States Senator from the State of Michigan.

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THE NEW YO''^K
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A8TOR, LENOX AND
TU-DEN FOUNDATIONS
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GO VERNORS.

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I.LIAM I.. GREENLN
(iuvernur of Micluj;an for the
year 1S47, was liorn al Hamil-
ton, Madisoii Co., N. Y., Sept.
.■"j? 18,1813. He graduated at Un-
';=i,£ajaf-,' i'J" College, Schenectady, in
;/>K(:|, 1S31, studied law and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1S34. In
1 836, having removed to Michi-
^ gan, he settled in .\drian, where
he has since resided. The year
f(jllowing his arrival in Michigan
he was elected State Senator and
/ Il<?i"M served in that capacity until 1839.

In 1845 he was elected Lieut. Cov-
^ rfl'l'^rli ernor and became acting Governor

by the resignation of Gov. Fekh,
who was elected to the I'nitcd
States Senate.

The war with Mexico was brought
to a successful termination during Gov. Greenly 's
administration. Wo regret to say thai there are only
few records extant of the action of MiiJiigan troops
in the Mexican war. That many went there and
fought well arc [joints conceded ; but their names and
nativity arc hidden away in United States archives

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and where it is almost im]x>ssible to find them.

The soldiers of this Stale deserve much of the
< redit of the memorable achievements of Co. K, 3d
Dragoons, and Cos. A, K, and G of the C S. Inf.
The two former of these companies, recruited in this
State, were reduced to one-third their original num-
ber.

In May, 1S46, the Governor of Michigan was noti-
fied by the War Department of tiie United Slates to
enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be held in readi-
ness for service whenever demanded. .At his sum-
mons 13 indei>endent volunteer companies, 1 1 of
infantry and two of cavalry, at once fell into line. Of
the infantry four companies were from Detroit, l>ear-
ing the honored names of Montgomcr)-, Lafayette,
Scott and Hrady uiwn their banners. Df the re-
mainder Monroe tendered two, Lenawee County three,
St. Clair, Berrien and Hillsdale each one, and Wayne
CouTity an additional lompany. Of these alone the
veteran liradys were accepted and ordered into ser-
vice. In addition to them ten companies, making the
First Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, springing
from various parts of ihe St.ite, but emlKxlying to a
great degree the material of which the tirst volunteers
was formed, were not called for until Octol)cr follow-
ing. This regiment was soon in rcidincss and pro-
ceeded by orders from Government to the scat of war.

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K lloM. EPAPHKODI-

TUS RANSOM, the Seventh

; ..) Governor of Michigan, was a

' ?3 native of Massachusetts. In

.-, that State he received a col-

'', legiate education, studied law,

and was admitted to tlie bar.

Removing to Michigan about

the time of its admission to the

1^ Union, he took up his residence

at Kalamazoo.

Mr. Ransom served with marked
ability for a number of years in the
State Legislature, and in 1837 he was apjiointed As-
sociate Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1843 he
was ])rouioted to Chief Justice, which office he re-
tained until 1845, when he resigned.

Shortly ?.fterwards he became deeply interested in
the building of plank roads in the western portion of
the State, and in this business lost the greater [>ortion
of the property which he had accumulated by years
nf toil and industry.

Mr. Ransom became (lovernor of the State of
Michigan in the fall of 1847, and served during one
term, i>erforniing the duties of the office in a truly
statesmanlike manner. He subseiiucntly became
President of the Michigan Agricultural Society, in
which |iosition he displayed the same ability that

^yy^ — '-^^m-.'

^lione forth so prominently in his acts as Governor.
He held the office of Regent of the Michigan Univer-
sity several times, and ever advocated a liberal policy
in its management.

Subsecjuently he was apiwinted receiver of the
land office in one of the districts in Kansas, by Pres-
ident Buchanan, to which State he had removed, and
where he died before the expiration of his term of
office.

We sum up the events and affairs of the State un-
der Gov. Ransom's administration as follows: The
Asylum for the Insane was establined, as also the
Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Both of
these institutes were liberally endowed with lands,
and each of them jilaced in charge of a board of five
trustees. The appropriation in 1S49 for the deaf and
dumb and blind amounted to §81,500. On the first
of March, 1848, the first telegraph line was com-
l)leted from New York to Detroit, and the first dis-
patch transmitted on that day. The following figures
show the progress in agriculture: The land reijortcd
as under cultivation in 1S48 was 1,437,460 acres; of
wheat there were produce<l 4,749,300 bushels; other
grains, 8,197,767 bushels; wool, 1,645,756 pounds;
maple sugar, 1,774,369 |H>unds; horses, 52.305 ; cat-
tle, 210,268; swine, 152,541; sheep, 610.534; while
the flour mills numbered 228, and the lumber mills
amounted to 730. 1S47, an act was passed removing
the Legislature from Detroit to Lansing, and lemix"*-
lary buildings for the use of the Legislature were im-
mediately erected, at a cost of §12,450.

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-^^T^^I^I ObEKT McCl.KLLAMi,
■'^(lovernor of Michigan from
l\^ Jan. I, 1852,10 March 8, 1853,
^ ,/J was born at ( Ircencastle, Krank-
"vj^ lin Co., Pemi., Aug. 1, 1S07.
' Among his ancestors were several
' officers of rank in the kevolution-
ar)' war, and sunieof his family con-
1^ nections were distingnished in the
war of iSi 2, and lh.it wilh Mexico.
His fatlicr was an eminent physician
and surgeon who studied under I )r.
Uenj Rush, of F'hiladelphia, and
practiced iiis profession successluily
until six months liefore his death, at
: the age of S4 years. .\lt hough Mr.
McC'ieilaiid's family had heeii in good circum-
stances, when he was 17 years old ho was thrown
u|>oii his own resources. After taking the usual pre-
limin.iry studies, and teaching school to olitain the
means, he entered Dickinson (College, at C^arlisle,
I'enn., from which he graduated among the first in
his class, in 1829. He then resumed teaching, and
having completed the course of study for the legal
profession, was admitied lo the l>ar at {'hamliershurg,
Pcnn., in i8ji. ScK)n afierw.ird he removed to the
city of I'ittshurgh, where he praiticcd for almost a
year.

In i.Hvt. Mr. MrClcllanfl rcniovcd lo MonrtH-, in

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the Territory of Michigan, where, after a severe ex-
amination, he became a member of the bar of Michi-
gan, and engaged in pra':tice with bright prospect of
success. In 1S35, a convention was called to frame
a constitution for the projosed State of Michigan, of
which Mr. .McClelland was elected a member. He
took a ))rominent part in its deliberations and ranked
among its ablest debaters. He was ap[<>inted the
first Bank Commissioner of the State, by Ckiv. .Mason,
and received an offer of the Attorney Generalship, but
declined both fif these offices in order to attend to his
professional ilulies.

In 1S38, Mr. .McClelland was elected to the State
lATgislature, in which he soon became distinguished
as the head of several iin|iortant committees. Speaker
pro tempore, and as an active, zealous and efficient
member. In 1S40, Gen. Harris'in, as a candidatefor
the Presidency, swept the countr\ with an overwhelm-
ing majority, and at the same time the State of .Michi-
gan was carried by the Whigs under the |x>pular cry
of " WiKxIbritlge and refonii " against the Democratic
|)arty. .\t this time Mr. Mit'lelland stood among the
.icknowledged le.iders of the latter organization ; was
elecletl a member of the .State House of Reprcscnt.»-
tives, and with others adopted .1 plan to regain .1 lost
.iiithonly .ind prestige.

This party soon came again into |X)wer in the Stale,
and h.iving lieen retiinietl to the State Legislature Mr.
.VfcClelland's Icidcrship was a<knowledgcd b) hi»
eletriion as S|>cakcr of the Hou«e of Kepinenijiive*

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in 1843. Down to this time Miciiigan had consti-
tuted one congressional district. 'I'lie late Hon. Jacob
M. Howard had been elected against Hon. Alpheus
Kclch by a strong majority ; bnt, in 1 843, so thoroughly
lad the Democratic party recovered from its defeat
of 1840 that Mr., McCleUand, as a candidate for Con-
gress, carrietl Detroit district l)y a majority of about
2,500. IVIr, McClelland soon took a prominent posi-
tion in Congress among the veterans of that body
During his first term he was placed on Committee on
Commerce, and organized and carried through what
were known as the " Harbor bills." The continued
confidence of his constituency was manifested in his
election to the 29th Congress. At the opening of this
session he had acquired a National reputation, and so
favorably was he known as a parlimentarian that his
name was mentioned for Speaker of the HouseofRe|)-
resentatives. He declined the offer in favor of J. W.
Davis, of Indiana, who was elected. During this term
he became Chairman of Committee on Commerce, in
which position his reports and advocacy of imix)rtant
measures at once attracted public attention. The
members of this committee, as an evidence of the es-
teem in which they held his services and of their
personal regard for him, presented him with a cane
which he retains as a souvenir of the donors, and of
his labors in Congress,

In 1847, Mr. McClelland was re-elected to Con-
gress, and at the opening of the 30th Congress be-
came a member of the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions. While acting in this capacity, what was known
as the "French Spoliation Bill "came under his spe-
cial charge, and his management of the same was such
as to command universal approbation. While in
Congress, Mr, McClelland was an advocate of the
right of petition as maintained by John Q, Adams,
when the petition, was clothed in decorous language
and presented in the proper manner. This he re-
garded as the citizens'constitutional right which should
not be impaired by any doctrines of tem[iorary e.xpe-
diency. He also voted for the adoption of Mr. Gid-
dings's bill for the abolishing of slaverv in the District
of Columbia. Mr. McClelland was one of the few
Democrats associated with David Wilmot, of Penn-
sylvania, in bringing forward the celebrated "Wilmot
Proviso,' with a view to prevent further extension of
slavery in new territory which might be acquired by
the United States. He and Mr. Wilmot were to-
gether at the time in Washington, and on intimate
and confidential terms. Mr. McClelland was in sev
eral National conventions and in the Baltimore ccjn-
vention, which nominated Gen. Cass for President,
in 1848, doing valiant service that year for the elec-
tion of that distinguished statesman. On leaving
Congress, in 1848, Mr. McClelland returned to the
practice of his profession at Monroe. In 1850 a
convention of the State of Michigan was called to
revise the State constitution. He was elected a

member and was regarded therein as among the ablest
and most experienced leaders. His clear judgment
and wise moderation were conspicuous, both in the
committee room and on the floor, in debate. In 1850,
he was President of the Democratic State convention
which adopted resolutions in sup]X)rt of Henry Clay's
famous compromise measures, of which Mr AlcClel-
land was a strong advocate He was a member of
the Democratic National convention in 1852, and in
that year, in company with Gen Cass and Governor
Felch he made a thorough canvass of the State.
He continued earnestly to advocate the Clay com-
promise measures, and took an active part in the
canvass which resulted in the election of Gen Pierce
to the Presidency.

In 185 r, the new Stat; constitution took effect and
it was necessary that a Governor should be elected
for one year in order to prevent an interregnum, and
to bring the State Government into operation under
the new constitution, Mr McClelland was elected
(lOvernor, and m the fall of 1852 was re-elected for
a term of two years, from Jan, i, 1853. His admin-
istration was regarded as wise, prudent and concilia-
tory, and was as popular as could be expected at a
time when party sijirit ran high. There was really
no opposition, and when he resigned, in March, 1853,
the State Treasury was well filled, and the State
otherwise prosperous, So widely and favorably had
Mr. McClelland become known as a statesman that on
the organization of thecabinet by President Pierce, in
March, 1853, he was made Secretary of the Interior, in
which capacity he served most creditably during four ^
years of the Pierce administration. He thoroughly
re-organized his department and reduced the expend-
itures. He adopted a course with the Indians which
relieved them from the impositions and annoyances
of the traders, and produced harmony and civilization
among them. During his administration there was
neither complaint from the tribes nor corruption among
agents, and he left the department in perfect order
and system In 1867, Michigan again called a con-
vention to revise the State constitution, Mr. McClel-
land was a member and here again his long experi-
ence made him conspicuous as a prudent adviser, a
sagacious parliamentary leader. As a lawyer he was
terse and pointed in argument, clear, candid and im-
pressive in his addresses to the jury. His sincerity
and earnestness, with which was occasionally mingled
a pleasant humor, made him an al)le and effective
advocate. In speaking before the people on political
subjects he was especially forcible and happy. In
1870 he made the tour of Europe, which, through his
extensive personal acquaintance with European dip-
lomates, he was enabled to enjoy much more than
most travelers,

Mr. McClelland married, in 1837, Miss Sarah
E. Sabin, of Williamstown, Mass. They have had
six children, two of whom now survive.

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-^Y{V w^'n YORK
PUBLIC LIBBA^"^

TU.D EN FOUNDS

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GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAJV.

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ANDREW

I^Vr^PT,:cT^

\ \|)Ri;\\ I'ARSONS, (lover-

I of Micliigan from Marcli

... y-' •• 'S53 to Jan. 3, 1855, was

^/ lK)rn in the town of Hoosick,

■fo County of Rensselaer, and

'^ Slate of New York, on the 22A

^ day of July, 1817, and died June

, 6, 1855, at the early age of 38

^ ■ years. He was the son of John

, Parsons, horn at Newbury [xirt,

', .' ,' Mass., ()(t. 2, 1782, and who was the

\ ' / ^<inof .Xndrew I'arsons.a Revolutionary

'ildier, v,\u> was the son of Phineas

f Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons,
a descendant of Walter I'arsons, lM)rn
I ill Ireland in 1290.
(Jf this name and family, some one hundretl and
thirty years ago. Bishop (lilson remarked in his edi-
tion of Camden's Britannia: "The honorable family
of Parsons have been advanced to the dignity of
Viscoimts and more lately Karls of Ross."

The following are descendants of these families :
Sir John Par>ons, born 1481, was Mayor of Hereford;
Robert Parsons, Ixirn in i54^>, lived near ISridgewater,
Kiigland. He was educateil at Pallial College, ( >x
ford, and was .i mited wriler ami defender of the
Komish faith. He establi^hed an l-°,iiglisli College at
Rome and another at Valladolia. Frances Parsons,
li<>ri\ in ij^'i, w.is Vicar of Rolhwell, in N'otingham;
H.irtholomew ParNons, born in lOiS, was another
noted member of (he family. In 1634, Thomas Paptuns
was knighted by Charles 1. Joseph and Benjamin, | ho ntibly jterformed, lor the ^ilid .in«l sure ftnnul.ition
briiihers, were liorn in (ireat I'orrington, Kngland, which (hey laid uf a great Cuminunwcatrh.

and accompanied their father and others to New
Kngland about 1630. Samuel Parsons, bom at Salis-
bury, Mass., in 1707, graduated at Harvard College in
1730, ordained at Rye, .\. H., Nov. 3, 1736, marrietl (]
Mary Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Boston,
Oct. 9, 1739, died Jan. 4, 1789, at the age of 82, in
the 53rd year of his ministry. The grandfatherof Maty
Jones was Capt. John .Adams, of Boston, grandson
of Henry, of Brainiree, who was among the first set-
tlers of Massachusetts, and from whom a numerous
race of the name are descended, in<bulir.g two Presi-
dents of the United States. The I'arsons have Ik.*-
come very numerous and are found throughout New
England, and many of the descedanis are scattered
in all ))arls of the United States, and esjiecially in
I lie Middle and Western .States. (Governor Andrew
I'arsons came to Michigan in 1835, at the age of 17
years, and s|)ent the first summer at l.»)Wer Ann
.\rl)or, where for a few months he taught school which
he was compelled to abandon from ill health

He was one of the large number of men of ^:erling
worth, who came from the Kast to Michigan when it
was an infant State, or, even |)rior to iis assinning
the dignity of a State, and who, by their wisilom,
enterprise and energy, have develo|>cd its wonderful
natural resources, untd to-day it ranks with the proud-
est .States i»f the Union. These brave men came to
Michigan with nothing to aid them in the compicst
of the wilderness save courageous hearts and strong
and willing hanils. They gloriously conipicred, how-
ever, and to them is due all Itonor for llic lalmi't

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<^Iin^Illl>>r

AN DREW PARSONS

In the fall of 1835,116 expluiotl tlic (Irand River
Valley in a frail canoe, llic whole lengtli of the river,
from Jackson to Lake Michigan, and spent the following
winter as clerk in a store at Prairie Creek, in Ionia,

(S/ County, and in the spring went to Marshall, where he
resided witli liis brother, tiie Hon. Luke H. Parsons,
also now deceased, until tall, when he went to Shia-
wasseCoanty,thcn with Clinton County, andan almost
unbroken wilderness and constituting one organized
/ townsliip. In 1837 this territory was organized into

y ^ a county and, at the age of only 19 years, lie (An-
\ drew) was elected County Clerk. In 1840, he was
elected Register of Deeds, re-elected in 1842, and
also in 1844. In 1846, he was elected to the State
Senate, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney in 1848,
and elected Regent of tlie L'niversity in 1851, and
) Lieutenant Covernor, and became acting Governor,
/• in 1853, elected again to the Legislature in 1854, and,

.^. overcome by debilitated health, hard labor and the
responsibilities of his office and cares of his business,
retired to his farm, where he died soon after.

He was a fluent and persuasive speaker and well
•^ calculated to make friends of his acquantances. He

^( \ was always true to his trust, and the whole world
could not persuade nor drive him to do what he con-
ceived to be wrong. When Governor, a most power-
ful railroad influence was brought to bear upon him,
to induce him to call an e.\tra session of the Legisla-
ture. Meetings were held in all parts of the State
for that purpose. In some sections the resolutions
were of a laudatory nature, intending to make him do
their bidding by resort to frien<lly and flattering words.
In other places the resolutions were of a demanding
nature, while in others they were threatening beyond
measure. Fearing that all these influences might
fail to induce him to call the extra session, a large
sum of money was sent him, and liberal offers ten-
dered him if he would gratify the railroad interest of
the State and call the extra session, but, immovable,
he returned the money and refused to receive

■g) any favois, whether from any party who would at-
tempt to corrupt him by laudations, liberal ofl"ers, or

1=3

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by threats, and in a short letter to the people, after
giving overwhelming reasons that no sensible man
could dispute, showing the circumstances were not
"extraordinary," he refused to call the extra session.
This brought down the wrath of various parties upon
his head, but they were soon forced to acknowledge
the wisdom and the justice of his course. One of
his greatest enemies said, after a long acquaintance :
"though not always coinciding with his views I never
doubted his honesty of purpose. He at all times
sought to perlorm his duties in strict accordance,
with the dictates of his conscience, and the behests
of his oath." The following eulogium from a politcalop-
|)onent is just in its conception and creditaljle to its
author: "Gov. Parsons was a politician of the Dem-
ocratic school, a man of pure moral character, fixed
and exemplary habits, and entirely blameless in every
public and private relation of life. As a politician he
was candid, frank and free from bitterness, as an ex-
ecutive officer firm, constant and reliable." The
highest commendations we can pay the deceased is
to give his just record, — that of being an honest man.
In the spring of 1854, during the administration of
Governor Parsons, the Republican party, at least
as a State organization, was first formed in the United
States " under the oaks " at Jackson, by anti-slavery
men of both the old parties. Great excitement pre-
vailed at this time, occasioned by the settling of
Kansas, and the issue thereby brought up, whether
slavery should exist there. For the jiurposeof permit-
ting slaverj' there, the " Missouri compromise " (which
limited slavery to the south of 36" 30') was re-
repealed, under the leadership of Stephen A, Douglas.
This was repealed by a bill admitting Kansas and
Nebraska into the Union, as Territories, and those who
were opposed to this repeal measure were in short
called "anti-Nebraska" men. The epithets, "Ne-
braska" and "anti-Nebraska," were temporally em-
ployed to designate the slavery and anti-slavery
parties, pending the desolution of the old Democratic
and Whig parties and the organization of the new
Democratic and Republican parties of the present.

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fUBLiC Li3RART

AOTOR, LiNOX AND

GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.

'37

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Wi KiNSLRV S. BlNQHAM. W

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WM^^^

I\S1,K\' > 1;IN(1H.\M.
(jovernor of Michigan from
1855 to 1859, and United
States Senator, was l)orn in
Camilhis, Onondaga County,
N. ^■., Der. 16, 1S08. His
father was a fanner, and liis own
early life was conse<iiiently de-
voted to agricultural imrsuits, but
notwithstanding the disadvan-
tages related tf) the acnuisition
f knowledge in the life of a farmer
rHfei he managed to secure a good aca-
/^fc\ demic education in his native State
'>S-^{ '""^ studied law in the office of
'^f'fi ^'"-■"- Jaf"«^s R. Lawrence, now of
MJ\' Syracuse, N. Y. In the spring of
1 833, he Muirried an estimable Kniy
wlio had recently arrived from Scot-
land, an<l obeying the impulse of a
naturally enterprising dis|)osition,
he emigrated to Michigan and
purchased .1 new farm in company
' with his brother-in-law, Mr. Robert
Worden, in Cireen Oak, Livingston County. Here, on
the lK)rder of civili/.ation, buried in the primeval for-
est, our late student commenced the arduous ta.sk of
preparing a future home, clearing and fencing, put-
ting up buildings, etc., at such a rate thai the land

chosen was soon reduced to a high state of cultivation.

Heconiing deservedly prominent, Mr. Bingham was
elected to the office of Justice of the Peace and Post-
master under the Territorial govemmer.t, and was the
first Probate Judge in the county. In the year 1S36,
when Michigan lecame a State, he was elected to the
first Legislature. He was four times re-elected, and
S|jeaker of the House of Representatives three years.
In 1846 he was elected on the Democratic ticket, Re|v
resentative to Congress, and was the only practical
farmer in that Iwdy. He was never forgetful of the
interest of agriculture, and was in particular opjosed
to the intrtxbu tion of "Wood's Patent Cast lion
Plow " which he completely prevented. He was re-
elected to Congress in 1S48, during which time he
strongly opposed the extension of slavery in the
territory of the Uniied Stales and was committed to
.md voted for the Wilmot Proviso.

In 1854, at the first organization of the Republican
party, in conseipience of his record in Congress as a
Free Soil Democrat, Mr. Ringham was nominated
and elected (lovernor of the State, and re-elected in
1856. Still f.iithful to the memory of his own former
i>( cupation, he did not forget the fanners during his
administration, and among other profits of his zeal in
their beh.df, he became mainly instrumental in the
establishment of the Agricultural College at I.ansing.

In 1 85 9, Ciovernor Bingham was elected Senator in
Congress and took an active part in the stormy cam-
paign in the election of Abraham Lincoln. He wit-

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KINSLEY S. BINGHAM.

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nessed the commencement of the civil war while a
member of the United States Senate. After a com-
paratively sliort life of remarkable promise and pub-
lic activity he was attacked with appopiexy and died
suddenly at his residence, in Green Oak, Oct. 5, 1861.

The most noticable event in Governor Bingham's
first term was the completion of the ship canal, at the
Falls of St. Mary. In JS52, Angust 26, an act of
Congress was ap()roved, granting to the State of Mich-
igan seven hundred and fifty thousand acres of land
for the purpose of constructing a ship canal between
Lakes Huron and Superior. In 1S53, ttie Legislature
accepted the grant, and provided tor the appointment
of commissioners to select the donated lands, and to
arrange tor building the canal. A company of enter-
prising men was formed, and a contract was entered
into by which it was arranged that the canal should
be finished in two years, and the work was puslied
rapidly forward. Every article of consumption, ma-
chinery, working implements and materials, timber
for the gates, stones for the locks, as well as men and
supplies, had to be transported to the site of the canal
from Detroit, Cleveland, and other lake ports. The
rajjids which had to be surmounted have a fall of
seventeen feet and are about one mile long. The
length of the canal is less than one mile, its width one
hundred feet, depth twelve feet and it has two locks
of solid masonary. In May, 1S55, the work was com-
pleted, accepted liy the commissioners, and formally
delivered to the State authorities.

The disbursements on account of the construction
of the canal and selecting the lands amounted to one
million of dollars; while the lands which were as-
signed to the company, and selected through the
agency at the Sault, as well as certain lands in the
Upper and Lower Peninsulas, filled to an acre the
Government grant. The opening of the canal was
an important event in the history of the improvement
of the State. It was a valuable link in the chain of
lake commerce, and particularly important to the
interests of the Upper Peninsula.

There were several educational, charitable and re-
formatory institutions inaugurated and opened during
Gov. Bingham's administrations. The Michigan Ag-
ricultural College owes its establishment to a provision
of the State Constitution of 1850. Article 13 says,
" The Legislature shall, as soon as practicable, i^ro-
vide for the establishment of an agricultural school."
For the purpose of carying into practice this provision,
legislation was commenced in 1855, and the act re-
quired that the school should be within ten miles of
Lansing, and that not more than $15 an acre should
be paid for the farm and college grounds. The col-
lege was opened to students in May, 1857, the first of
existing argricultural colleges in the LInited States
Until the spring of 1861, it was under the control
of the State Board of Education; since that time it
has been under the management of the State Board

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of Agriculture, which was created for that purpose.

In its essential features, of combining study and
labor, and of uniting general and professional studies
in its course, the college has remained virtually un-
changed from the first. It has a steady growth in
number of students, in means of illustration and
efficiency of instruction.

The Agricultural College is three miles east of
Lansing, comprising several fine buildings; and there
are also very beautiful, substantial residences lor the
professors. There are also an extensive, well-filled
green-house, a very large and well-equipped chemical
laboratory, one of the most scientific apiaries in the
United States, a general inuseuni, a meseum of me-
chanical inventions, another of vegetable products,
extensive barns, piggeries, etc., etc., in fine trim for
the purposes designed. The farm consists of 676
acres, of which about 300 are under cultivation in a
systematic rotation of crops,

.\drian College was established by the Wesleyan
Methodists in 1S59, now under the control of the
Methodist Church. The grounds contain about 20
acres: There are four buildings, capable of accom-
modating about 225 students. Attendance in 1875
was 179; total number of graduates for previous year,
121 ; ten professors and teachers are employed. Ex-
clusive of the endowment fund ($80,000), the assets
of the institution, including grounds, buildings, furni-
ture, apparatus, musical instruments, outlying lands,
etc., amount to more than $137,000.

Hillsdale College was established in 1855 by the
Free Baptists. The Michigan Central College, at
Spring Arbor, was incorporated in 1S45 It was kept
in operation until it was merged into the present
Hillsdale College. The site comprises 25 acres,
beautifully situated on an eminence in the western
part of the city of Hillsdale. The large and impos-
ing building first erected was nearly destroyed by fire
in 1874, and in its place five buildings of a more
modern style have been erected. They are of brick,
three stories with basement, arranged on three sides
of a quadrangle. The size is, respectively, 80 by 80,
48 by 7 2, 48 by 72, 80 by 60, 52 by 72, and they con-
tain one-half more room than the original building.
The State Reform School. This was established
at Lansing in 1855, in the northeastern (KDrtion of the
city, as the House of Correction for Juvenile Of-
fenders, having about it many of the features of a
prison. In 1859 the name was changed to the State
Reform School. The government and dicipline, have
undergone many and radical changes, until all the
prison features have been removed except those that
remain in the walls of the original structure, and
which remain only as monuments of instructive his-
tory. No bolts, bars or guards are employed. The
inmates are necessarily kept under the surveillance of
officers, but the attempts at escape are much fewer
than under the more rigid regime of former days.

THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LBNOX AND
TU.OCN F«UNaATlQN8

:<llli^>-r- —

GOVERX^ORS OF MICHIGAN.

:<o

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MosKs \visxp:k

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f OSES WISNKR. Governor of
•''Michij;aii from 185910 1861,
■J was l)()rn in Spring|X)rt, Cayil-
{ ga Co., N v., June 3, 1815.
His early education was only
what could be obtained at a
coniniun school. Agricultural lalwr
and frugality of his parents gave
him .1 physical constitution of unus-
15 ual strength and endurance, which
was ever preserved l>y temperate h.ib-
s. In 1.S37 he emigrated to Michi-
gan and purchased a farm in I.apeer
County It was new land and lie at
once set to woilc to clear it and plant
crops. He lalxjred diligently at his
task for two years, when he gave up
the idea of Deing a farmer, and removed to Pontiac,
Oakland Co. Here he commenced the study of law
in the office of his brother, Ceorge W. Wisner, and
Rufus Hosnier In 1841 he was admitted to the bar
and esi.dilished himself in his new vocation at the
village of I.apeer. While there he was app|iointed
by (lov. U'wMlbridge Prosecuting .Attorney foi that
county, in which cajiacity he acipiitted himself well
and gave promise of that eminence he afterward at-
tained in the profession. He remained at I.a|>eerbut
a short time, removing to I'ontiac, where he became
.1 mcmtier of a firm and entered fully ujxjn the
pr.irticc.

In jwlitics he was like lii> talented brother, a Whig
of the H'Miry Clay stamp, but with a decided anti-
slavery bi.is. Mis practice l)ecoining extensive, he

took little part in politics until after the election of
Mr. Pierce to the Presidency in 1852, when he took an
active part against slavery. As a lawyer he was a
man of great ability, but relied less ujKjn mere lKX)k
learning than upon his native goofl sense. Liberal
and courteous, was he yet devoted to the interest of
his client, and no facts escai«d his attention or hi-,
memory which bore u|)on the case. He was no friend
of trickery or artifice in conducting a case As an ad-
vocate he had few equals. When fully aroused by the
merits of his subject his elo<|uence was at once grace-
ful and [xiwerfiil His fancies supplied the most
original, the most |xjinted illustrations, and his logic
became a battling giant under whose heavy blows the
•idversary shrank and withered. Nature had Ik:-
stowed upon him rare qualities, and his jicwers as a
|)Opular orator were of a high order.

On the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of
1854, repealing the Missouri compromise andoi)ening
the Territories to slavery, he was among the foremost
in Michigan to denounce the shamful scheme. He
actively participated in organi/ing and consolidating
the elemcnis opjiosed to it in that State, and wis a
member of the [xipular gathering at Jarkson, in July,
1 8^4, which was the first formal Republican Conven-
tion held in the United States. At this meeting the
name " Republican " was adopted as a dcsignaii-
the new party consisting of .Anti-slaver)', V\
Liberty men. Free Soil Democrats and all others o|>-
(losed to the extension of slavery and f.ivorable to its
expulsion fiom the 'rcrritories and the Oistiitt of
Columbia. .\t this convention Mr. W. was urged lo
accept the nomination for Attorney General of the

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MOSF.S WISNKR.

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State, hiii declined. An L'ntiix- State ticket was nom-
inated and at tlic annual election in November was
elected U)' an average majority of nearly ro,ooo.
Mr. W. w.is enlliusiastic in the cause and brouglit to
its support all his personal influence and talents. In
his views he was bold and radical. He believed from
the beginning that the political [lower of the slave-
holders would have to be overthrown before quiet
could be secured to the country. In the Presidential
canvass of 1.S56 he supported the Fremont, or Re-
publican, ticket. At the session of the Legislature of
1857 he was a candidate for L'nited States Senator,
and as such received a ver\' handsome support.

In 1858, he was nominated for Governor of the
State by the Republican convention that met at De-
troit, and at the subsequent November election was
chosen by a very large majority. Before the day of
the election he had addressed the people of almost
A every county and his majority was greater even than
that of his popular predecessor, Hon. K. S. Bingham.
A He served as Governor two years, from Jan. i, 1859,
to Jan. I, 1861. His first message to the Legislature
was an able and statesman-like production, and was
read with usual favor. It showed that he was awake
to all the interests of the State and set forth an en-
lightened State policy, that had its view of the rapid
settlement of our uncultivated lands and the devel-
opment of our immense agricultinat and mineral re-
sources. It was a document that reflected the highest
credit ujwn the author.

His term having expired Jan. i, 1861, he returned
to his home in Pontiac, and to the practice of his
profession. There were those in the State who
counselled the sending of delegates to the peace con-
ference at Washington, but Mr. W. was opposed to all
such temporizing expedients. His counsel was to
send no delegate, but to prepare to fight.

After Congress had met and passed the necessary
legislation he resolved to take part in the war. In
the spring and summer of 1862 he set to work to
raise a regiment of infantry, chiefiv in Oakland
County, where he resided. His regiment, the 22d
.Michigan, was armed and equipped and ready to
march in Septeml.ier, a regiment whose solid quali-
ties were afterwards proven on many a bloody field.
Col. Ws. commission bore the date of Se])!. 8, 1 862.
^ Before parting with his family he made his will. His
^ regiment was sent to Kentucky and quartered at

)

Camp Wallace. He had at the breaking out of the
war turned his attention to military studies and be-
came proficient in the ordinary rules and discipline.
His entire attention was now devoted to his duties.
Mis treatment of his men was kind, though his disci-
l)line was rigid. He possessed in an eminent degree
the spirit of command, and had he li\ ed he would
no tloubt have distinguislied himself as a good
otirtcer. He was impatient of delay and chafed at
being kept in Kentucky where there was so little
[irospect of getting at the enemy. But life in camp,
so different from the one he had been leading, and
liis incessant labors, coupled with that impatience
which was so natural and so general among the vol-
unteers in the eariy part of the war, soon made their
influence felt upon his health. He was seized with
ty|ihoid fever and removed to a private house near
Lexington. Every care which medical skill or the
hand of friendship could bestow was rendered him.
In the delirious wanderings of his mind he was dis-
c iplining his men and urging them to be prepared for
an encounter with the enemy, enlarging upon the jus-
tice of- their cause and the necessity of their crush-
ing the Rebellion. But the source of his most poig-
nant gnet was the prospect of not being able to come
to a hand-to-hand encounter with the "chivalry."
He was proud of his regiment, and fell that if it could
find the enemy it would cover itself withglory, — a
distinction it afterward obtained, but not until Col W.
was no more. The malady liafl^ed all medical treat-
ment, and on the 5th day of Jan., 1863, he breathed
his last. His remains were removed to Michigan and
interred in the cemetery at Pontiac, where they rest
by the side of the brave Gen. Richardson, who re-
ceived his mortal wound at the battle of Antietam.
Col. W. was no adventurer, although he was doubtless
ambitious of military renown and would have striven
for it with characteristic energy. He went to the war
to defend and uphold the principles he had so much
at heart. Few men were more familiar than he with
the causes and the underlying principles that led to
the contest. He left a wife, who was a daughter of
(;en. C. C. Hascall, of Flint, and four children to
mourn his loss. Toward them he ever showed the
tenderest regard. Next to his duty their love and
welfare engrossed his thoughts. He was kind, gen-
erous and brave, and like thousands of others he
sleeps the sleep of the martyr for his country.

\i)

4^^^,

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-7<>^^^>:Illl^>v

GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.

jojta^fcj '":*^—

'45 ">.

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V^^T--;*'!^/!;- TTV TTT-n* ••^••^■•■iH- •4?'i"*V

m^ iLUSTIN BLAIR,

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^ USTIN HLAIK, (lovcrnor
tf of Michigan from Jan. 2,
.;? r.S6i, to Jan. 4, 1S65, and
M kiiwn as ihc War (lovcrnor, is
and illustralion of tlie bcnifi-
cent inlliicnce of republican in-
stitutions, having inherited neith-
er lortune nor fame, lie was horn
in a log cabin at Caroline, Tomp-
kins Co., N. v., Feb. 8, 1818.
His ancestors came from Scot-
land in the time of George I, and
lor many generatit)ns followed the
pU.rsiiit of agriculture. His father,
George Blair, settled in Tompkins
County in 1809, and felled the trees and erected the
first cabin in the < Dimly. The last 60 of the liiur-
siore years of his life were spent on that s|H)|. He I
married Kho<la Heackman, who now sleeps with hint
in the soil of the old homestead. The first 17 years
uf Mr. HIair's life were sjwnl there, rendering his
f.ither what aid he coidd u|K)n the farm. He then
-<|>cnt a year and a half in Cazenuvia Seminar)' pre-
p.iring for college; entered Hamilton College, in I
Clinton, prosecuted his studies until the middle of I
the junior year, when, attracted by the fame of I )r. 1
Nott, he < iianged to Union College, fiom which he
gr.-iiliiated ii. the class of 1839. l'ix)n leaving col-
lege Mr. Ulair read law two years in the office of Sweet
Sc Havis, f)swego, N V., and was admitted to|>racticc
in 1 84 1, and the ^ame year moved to Michigan, locnt-

ing in Jackson. During a temjorary residence in
Eaton Rapids, in 1S42, he was elected Clerk of Eaton
County. .\t the close of the official term he returned to
Jackson, anil as a Whig, zealously esi«uscd the cause
of Henry Clay in the campaign of 1S44. He was chosen
Represeniativc to the Legislature in 1S45, at which
session, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, he
rendered valuable service in the revision of the gen-
eral statutes ; also made an able supiwrt in favor of
al)olishing the color distin< tion in relation to the elec-
tive franchise, and at the same session was active in
securing the abolition of capital punishment. In 1848
Mr. Blair refused longer to affiliate with the \V'hig
party, because of its refusial to endorse in convention
any anti-slavery sentiment. He joined the Free-soil
movement, and was a delegate to their convention
which nominated Van Buren for President ih.it ye.u
Ujion the birth of the Republican party at Jackson,
in 1S54, by the coalition of the Whig and Free-soil
elements, Mr. Blair was in full sympathy with the
movement, and acted as a member of the Committee
on I'Litlorm. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney
of Jackson County in 1852; was chosen .State Senator
two years Liter, taking his seat with the incoming Re-
publican administration of 1855, and holding the
|X)sition of parliamentary le-ider in (he Senate. He
was a delegate to the National Convention which
nominated .Abraham Lincoln in i860. Mr. Blair
was elected (iovemor of Michigan in i860, and re-
elected in 1863, faithfully and honorably discharging
•' ■ ■• ' I...;. -,f the iitVicc during 1h.1t most nK>-

'^<^

146

AUSTIN BLAIR.

-|^^^C(®V^:

(hf

mentous and stormy period of the Nation's life. Gov.
Blair possessed a clear comprehension of the perilous
situation from the inception of the RebelHon, and his
inaugural address foreshadowed the prompt executive
policy and the administrative ability which charac-
terized liis j;ubernatorial career.

Never perhai)s in the history of a nation has a
brighter example been laid down, or a greater sacri-
fice been made, than that which distinguished Mich-
igan during tlie civil war. All, from the " War Gov-
ernor " down tn the jioorest citizen of the State, were
animated with a patriotic ardor at once magnificiently
sublime and wisely directed.

Very early in 1861 the coming struggle cast its
shadow over tlie Nation. Governor Blair, in his mes-
sage to the Legislature in January of that year, dwelt
very forcibly u[)on the sad prospects of civil war; and
A. as forcibly pledged the State to support the principles
of the Republic. After a review of the conditions
of the State, he passed on to a consideration of the
relations between the free and slave Stales of the
Republic, saying: " While we are citizens of the State
of Michigan, and as such deeply devoted to her in-
terests and honor, we have a still prouder title. We
are also citizeas of the United States of America. By
this title we are known among the nations of the earth.
In remote quarters of the globe, where the names of
the States are unknown, the flag of the great Republic,
the banner of the stars and stripes, honor and protect
her citizens. In whatever concerns the honor, the
prosperity and the perpetuity of this great Govern-
ment, we are deeply interested. The people of Mich-
igan are loyal to that Government — faithful to its con-
stitution and its laws. Under it they have had peace
and prosperity; and under it they mean to abide to
the end. Feeling a just pride in the glorious history
of the past, they will not renounce the equally glo-
rious hopes of the future. But they will rally around
the standards of llie Nation and defend its integrity
and its constitution, with fidelity." The final para-
(^ graph being :
^^ " I recommend you \\\ an early day to make maiii-

fest to the gentlemen who represent this State in the
two Houses of Congress, and to the country, that
Michigan is loyal to the Union, the Constitution, and
the laws and will defend them to the uttermost; and
to proffer to the President of the United States, the
whole military power of the State for that [)urpose.
Oh, for the firm, steady hand of a Washington, or a
Jackson, to guide the ship of .State in this perilous
storm ! Let us hope that we will find him on the 4th
of March. Meantime, let us abide in the faith of our
fathers — ' Liberty and Union, one and inseparable,
now and forever.

How this stirring appeal was responded to by the
people of Michigan will be seen by the statement
that the State furnished 88,1 1 1 men during the war.
Money, men, clothing and food were freely and abun-
dantly supplied by this State during all these years of ^ M

darkness and blood shed. No State won a brighter

•<\-

record for lier devotion to our country than the Pen- •"^■
insula State, and to Gov. Blair, more than to any
other individual is due the credit for its untiring zeal
and labors in the Nation's behalf, and for the heroism
manifested in its defense.

Gov. Blair was elected Representative to the
Fortieth Congress, and twice re-elected, to the Forty-
first and Forty-second Congress, from the Third Dis-
trict of Michigan. While a member of that body he
was a strong supporter of reconstruction measures,
and sternly opposed every form of repudiation. His
speech upon the national finances, delivered on the
floor of the House March 21, 1868, was a clear and
convincing argument. Since his retirement from Con-
gress, Mr. Blair has been busily occupied with his ex-
tensive law practice. Mr. Blair married Sarah L.
Ford, of Seneca County N. Y., in February, 1849.
Their family consists of 4 sons — George H., a law A:
jiartner of A. J. Gould ; Charles A., a law partner with
hir father, and Fred. J. and Austin T. Blair, at home.
Governor Blair's religion is of the broad type, and
centers in the "Golden Rule." In 1883, Gov. Blair
was nominated for Justice of the Supreme Court
of the State by the Republican party, hut was defeated.

^"^^^^

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GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN.

"m.

V
V

HENRY H. CRAPO,

ENRY HOWLAND CRAPO,

^^ Ciovcriior of Michigan from

V'- . - 'fl l-r^,^-T-l t, T---" I v;^|j j,j 1869, was liorn May

■ /) 24. 1S04, at Dartmouth, bris-
tol Co., Mass., and died at
^■•'■■J , "^ Flint, Mich., July 22, 1869.
i"^ He was the eldest son of Jesse
and Phfche (Howland) Crapo.
His father was of French descent
and was very (xjor, sustaining his
•^family hy llie cultivation of a farm in
Dartmouth townshij), which yielded
nothing heyond a mere liveliliood.
His early life wasconseijuently one
f5i3 of toil and devoid of advantages for
; intellectual culture, but his desire for
an education seemetl In know no lH)unds. The in-
cessant toil fur a mere subsistence uixm a compara-
tively sterile farm, had no charm for him ; and, longing
lor greater usefulness and better things, he looked for
lliem in an eilucation. His struggles to secure this
end necessitated sacrifices and harilshi|>s that would
have discouraged any but the most courageous and
|iersevering. He became an ardent student and
worker from his lioyhcmd, though the means of carry-
ing on his studies were exceedingly limited. He
sorely felt the need of a dictionar>'; and, neither h.iving
money wherewith to purchase it, nor being able to
priH'.urc one in his neighU)rho<Ml, he set out to<ompile
one for jiiniself. In order to .u:<|uire a knowledge of
the Knglish language, he copied into a l><)ok every
word whose meaning he <lid nf)t comprehend, anil
U|K>i' meeting the same wonl ag.iinin the ncwspajjers
and iKioks, which c.ime into his hands, from the

context, would then record the definition. Whenever
unable otherwise to obtain the signification of a word
in which he had become interested he would walk
from Dartmoutli to New Bedford for that piirjiose
alone, and alter referring to the Ixxjks at the libr.iry
and satisfymg himself thoroughly as to itsdennition,
would walk back, a distance of about seven miles,
the same night. This was no unusual circumstance.
Under such difficulties and in this manner he com-
piled (|uite an extensive dictionar)' in manuscript
which is believed to be still in existence.

Ever in pursuit of knowledge, he obtained jiosses-
sif)n of a l)Ook uj^n surveying, and applying himself
diligently to its study Itecame familiar with this art,
which he soon had an op|K>rtunity to practice. The
services of a land surveyor were wanted, and he was
calletl uiKjii, but had no comp.iss .md no money with
which to purchase one. K comp.iss, however, he
must and would have, and going to .1 blacksmith shop
near at hand, \\\i^m the forge, with siuh tools as he
could find in the shop, while the smith was at dinner,
he constriu;te<l the compass and commenced life as a
surveyor. Still continuing his studies, he fitted him-
self for teaching, and took charge of the vil^.ige school
•It Dartmouth. When, in the course of time and un-
der the pressure of law, a high school was to l>e
o|>cned, he passed a successful examination for it-.
)>rincipalship and received the apiwintnicni. To ilo
this was no small task. The l.iw recpiired a rigid
examination in various subjects, which nccc5»ilaled
d.iys ami nights of study. One evening, .ifler con-
cluding his day's laUir of teaching, he ir.ivelcd on foot
to New Beilford, some seven or eight miles, lulletl
U(ii)n the prccejitor of Fricnjl's .Vcjdcmy anil )MSSctl

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W-7V!

HENRY ROWLAND CRAPO.

-^^

a severe examination. Receiving a certificate that
he was quahfied, he walked back to his home the
same night, liiglily elated in being jjossessed of the
acciuircments and rci|uirenients of a master of the
high school.

In 1832, at the age of 2<S years, he left his native
town and went to reside at New Bedford, where he
followed the occupation of land surveyor, and oc-
casionally acted as an auctioneer Soon after becom-
ing a citizen of this place, he was elected Town Clerk,
Treasurer, and Collector of taxes, which office he held
until the munici|)al aovernment was changed, — about
fifteen years, — when, upon tlie inauguration of the city
government, he was elected 'I'reasurer and Collector
of taxes, a position which he held two or three years.
He was also Justice of the Peace for many years.
He was elected Alderman of New Bedford ; was
Chairman of Council Committee on Education, and
as such prepared a report u[ion wiiich was based the
order for the establishment of the free Public Library
of New Bedford. On its organization, Mr. Crapo was
chosen a member of the Board of Trustees. This
was the first free public library iu Massachusetts, if
not in the world. The Boston Free Library' w;is es-
tablished, however, soon afterwards. While a resident
in New Bedford, he was much interested in horticul-
ture, and to obtain the land necessary for canying out
his ideas he drained and reclaimed several acres of
rocky and swampy land adjoining his garden. Here
he started a nursery, which lie filled with almost every
description of fruit and ornamental trees, shrulis,
flowers, etc. In this he was very successful and took
great pride. He was a regular contributorto the New
England Horticultural Journal, a position he filled
as long as he lived in Massachusetts. As an indica-
tion of the wide reputation he acquired in that field
of labor, it may be mentioned that after his death an
affecting eulogy to his memory was pronounced by the
President of the National Horticultural Soc-jety at its
meeting in Philadelpliia, in iS6y. During his resi-
dence in New Bedford, Ah. Craiio was also engaged
in the whaling business. .\ fine barc[ue built at Dart-
mouth, of which he was part owner, was named the
"H. H. Crapo" in compliment to him.

Mr. C. also took part in the State Militia, and for
several years held a commission as Colonel of one of
the regiments. He was President of the Bristol
County Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and Secretary of
the Bedford Commercial Insurance Company in New
Bedford; and while an officer of the municipal gov-
ernment he com piled and published, between the years
1S36 and 1845, ^^'^ numbers of the New Bedford
Directory, the first work of the kind ever published
there.

Mr. C. removed to Michigan in 1S56, having been
induced to do so by investments made principally in
pine lands, first iu 1837 and subsequently in 18^6.
He took up his residence in the citv of Flint, and en-

gaged largely in the manufacture and sale of lumber
at Flint, Fentonville, Holly and Detroit, becoming
one of the largest and most successful business men
of the State. He was mainly instrumental in the
construction of the Flint & Holly R. R., and was
President of that corporation until its consolidation
with the Flint tS: Pere Marquette R. R. Company.
He was elected Mayor of that city after he had been
a resident of the place only five cr six years. In
1862 he was elected State Senator. In the fall of
1864 he received the nomination on the Republican
ticket for Governor of the State, and was elected by a
large majority. He was re-elected in 1866, holding
the office two terms, and retiring in January, i86g,
having given the greatest satisfaction to all jiarties.

While serving his last term he was attacked with a
disease which terminated his life within one year
afterwards. During much of this time he was an in-
tense sufferer, yet often while in great pain gave his
attention to public matters. A few weeks previous
to his death a successful surgical operation was per-
formed which seemed rapidly to restore him, but he
overestimated his strength, and by too much exertion
in business matters and State affairs suffered a relapse
from which there was no rebound, and he died July

In the earU part of his life, (iov. Crapo affiliated
with the Whig jjarty in politics, but became an active
member of the Republican party after its organization.
He was a member of the Christian (sometimes called
the Disciples') Church, and took great interest in its
welfare and prosperity.

Mr. C. married, June 9, 1825, Mar)' A. Slocum,
of Dartmouth. His marriage took place soon after
he had attained his majority, and before his struggles
with fortime had been rewarded with any great meas-
ure of success. But his wife was a woman of great
strength of character and possessed of courage, hope-
fulness and devotion, qualities which sustained and
encouraged l;er husband in the various jjursuits of
his early years. For several years after his marriage
he was engaged in teaching school, his wife living
with her parents at the time, at whose home his 'two
older children were born. While thus situated he
was accustomed to walk home on Saturday to see
his family, returning on Sunday in order to be readv
for school Monday morning. As the walk for a good
part of the time was 20 miles eacli way, it is evident
that at that period of his life no common obstacles
deterred him from i)erforining what he regarded
as a duty. His wife was none the less consci-
entious in her sphere, and with added responsibilities
and increasing requirements she lal:)ored faithfully
in the ])erfo'-mance of all her duties. They had
ten children, one son and nine daughters. His son,
Hon. Wm. W. Crapo, of New Bedford, is now an
honored Representative to Congress from the First
Congressional District of Massachusetts.

Vs-

(

=<^nD^(iD^>

PUBLIC UBRA^^

^^^-^^J^ ^ c^C^^.^:^

W-r^^^^-

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GO VIUiNGRS OF MfCHIGAN.

«53

J KNKV 1'. liAI.DUIN, Oov-

'-/i cnior 111 Micliii;aii Irom Jan.
4, i.Sdi;, ti) Jan. i, 1S73, is a

lineal descendant of Nathan-
iel Baldwin, a I'uritan, of Muck-
inghanishirc, England, who set-
tled at Milford, t'onn., in 1 'ijg.
His father was John Baldwin,
a graduate of Dartmouth Col-
lege. He died at North l^rovi-
dence, R. 1., in 1S26. His
paternal grandfather was Rev.
Moses Baldwin, a graduate of
Princeton College, in 1757, and the
first who received collegiate hon-
ors at that ancient and honored institution. Hedied
at Parma, Mass., in 1813, where for more th.iii 50
years he had l:een pastor of the I'resl))terian Church.
< )n his mother's side Ciovernor U. is descended from
Roheri Williams, also a I'uritan, who settled in Ro.x-
liury, Mass., about I'i.^S. I lis mother was a daughter
of Rev. Neheniiah Williams, a graduate of Harvard
("ollege, who died at Brinifield, Mass., in 1796, where
lor 21 years he was pastor of the Congregationalist
Church. The suhject of this sketch was liorn at
Coventry, R. 1., Feli. 22, 1814. He received a .New
England common-school education until the age of
12 ye.irs, when, Ixith his parents having died, he l>e-
camc a clerk in a mi^rcantile estalilishment. He re-
mained there, employing his leisiitc hours in study,
until 20 years r)f age.

At this eady |)eriod Mr. I!, engaged in business on
his own account. He made a visit to the West, in
1 8,17, which resulted in his removal trj Detroit in the
spring of i8.v8. Here he estahlished a mercantile
house which has l>ecn successfully conducted until
the present time. Although he successfully conducted

a large business, he has ever taken a deep interest in
all things adecting the pros|)erity of the city and
St.iie of his adoption. He was for several years a
Director and President of the Detroit Voung Men's
Society, an institution with a large library designed
lor the benefit of young men and citizens generally.
An Episcopalian in religious belief, he has been
prominent in home matters connected with that de-
nomination. The large and llourishing parish of St.
John, Detroit, originated with Covernor Baldwin, who
gave the lot on which the jiarish edifice stands, and
also contributed the larger share of the cost of their
erection. Ciovernor B. was one of the foremost m
the establishment of .Si. Luke's Hospital, and has
always been a liberal contributor to moral and relig-
ious enterprises whether connected with his own
Church or not. TIkm-c have been, in fact, but few
public and social nnprovements of Detroit during the
past 40 years with which Covernor B.'s name is not
in some way connected. He was a director in the
Michigan State Bank until the expiration of its char-
ter, and has been President of the Second National
Bank since its organi/atit)n.

In 1S60, Mr. Baldwin was elected to the State
Senate, of Michigan ; during the years of iS6i-'2 la-
was made Chairman of the Finance Committee, a
member of C'ommittee on Banks and Incor|)oration-.,
Chairman of the Select Joint Committee of the i«u
Houses for the investigation of the Treasury Depart-
ment and the official acts of the Treasurer, and of
the letting of the contract for the improvcniein ..f
.Sauli St. Marie Ship Canal. He was tirst elc. led
Covernor in 1868 and was re-elected in 1870, servini;
fron> 1S69 to 1872, inclusive It is no undcservrd
eulogy to say that tlovernor B.'s happy faculty of in-
timaling the necessary me.ms to .in end -the knowni^;
of how much effort or attention to Itesiow ujion the
thing in hand, has been the secret of the unifomi

-^•DD::cnD^>^

vC^OD^IiDr>r

154

HENRY P. BALDWIN.

success that has attended his efforts in all relations
of life. The same industry and accuracy that dis-
tinguished him i)rior to this term as Governor was
manifest in liis career as the chief magistrate of the
State, and while his inlluence appears in all tilings
witli wliich he lias li.id to do, it is more noticeable in
the most prominent position to which he was called.
With rare exccjitions tiie important commendations
of C.overnor H. received the sanction of the Legislat-
ure. During his administration marked improve-
ments were made in the charitable, penal and reforma-
tory institutions of the .State. The State Public .School
for dependent children was founded and a permanent
commission for the suiiervision of the several State
institutions. The initiatory steps toward building the
Eastern Asylum iur the Insane, tlie State House of
Correction, and the establishment of the State Board
of Health were recommended by Governor IS. in his
message of 1873. The new State Gapitol also owes
its origen to him. The appropriation for its erection
was made upon his recommendation, and the contract
for the entire work let under this administration.
Governor B. also appointed the commissioners under
whose faithful supervision the building was erected in
a manner most satisfactory to the people of the State.
He advised and earnestly urged at different times
such amendments of the constitution as would jier-
mit a more equitable compensation to State oflicers
and judges. Thelaw of 1869, and jirior also, permitting
municipalities to vote aid toward the construc-
tion of railroads was, in 1870, declared unconstitu-
tional by the Supreme Court. Many of the munici-
palities having in the meantime issued and sold their
bonds in good faith. Governor B. felt that the honor
and credit of the State were in jeopardy. His sense
of justice impelled him to call an extra session of the
Legislature to propose the submission to the people a
constitutional amendment, authorizing the payment
of such bonds as were already in the hands of Iwna-
yf^/^ holders. In his special message he says : "The
credit of no State stands higher than that of Michigan,
and the people can not afford, and I trust will not
consent, to have her good name tarnished by the repu-
diation of either legal or moral obligations." A spe-
cial session was called in March, 1872, principally for
the division of the State into congressional districts.
A number of other important suggestions were made,
however, and as an evidence of the Governor's la-
borious and thoughtful care for the financial condition

of the State, a series of tables was prepared and sub- ^>
mitted by him sliowing, in detail, estimates of receipts, (|i,
e-xpenditures and ap[)ropriations for the years 1S72 to «*■■•
1 87 8, inclusive. Memorable of Governor B.'s admin- T
istration were the de\astating fires wliich swept over \^
many portions of the Northwest in the fall of 187 i.
.\ large i)art of the city of Chicago having been re-
duced to ashes, CJovernor B. [jromptly issued a proc-
lamation calling upon the i)eople of Michigan for
liberal aid in behalf of the afflicted city. Scarcely had
this been issued when several counties in his State
were laid waste by the same destroying element.
A second call was made asking assistance for the suf-
fering people of Michigan. The contributions for
these objects were prompt and most liberal, more than
11700,000 having been received in money and supplies
for the relief of Michigan alone. So ample were
these contributions during the short period of about
3 months, that the (lovernor issued a proclamation ( ^
expressing in behalf of the people of the State grate-
ful acknowldgment, and announcing that further yL
aid was imnecessary. j^

Governor B. has tr.iveled e.xtensiveh' in his own ^?
country and has also made several visits to Europe ^2,
and other portions of the Old World. He was a pas- ?^
senger on tlie .Steamer Arill, which was captured and \r
bonded in the Carribean Sea, in December, 1862, by
Capt. Semmes, and wrote a full and interesting ac- C i
count of the transaction. The following estimate of
(lovernor 1!. on his retirement from office, by a leading
newspaper, is not overdrawn: "The retiring message
oftiovernor B., will be read with interest. It is
a characteristic document and possesses the lucid
statement, strong, and clear practical sense, which
have been marked features of all preceding documents
from the same source. Governor B. retired to private
life after four years of unusually successful adminis-
tration amid plaudits that are universal throughout the
State. For many years eminent and capable men
have filled the executive chair of this State, but in
painstaking vigilance, in stern good sense, in genuine
public spirit, in thorough integrity and in practical (o^
capacity, Henry P. Baldwin has shown himself to be
the peer of any or all of them. The State has been un-
usually prosperous during his two terms, and the State f^'
administration has fully kejit pace with the needs of
the times. The retiring Governor has fully earned
the public gratitude and confidence which he to-day
possesses to such remarkable degree."

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GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN.

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? OHN JUDSON BAdLEY,
'■') (l.)vernor of Michigan from
■ '■1 1X73 to 1877, was born in
{ NUdina, Orleans Co., N. Y.,
i^.. III!) •;;4, t832. His father, John
I'laglcy, was a native of New
■ Hampshire, liis niotlier. Mar)' M.
Bagiey, of Connectif ut. He at-
, tended the district school of Ixjck-
• jxjrt, N. Y., until he was eight years
old, at which time his father moved
. Constantinc, Mich., and he at-
I -nded the common schools of that
village. His early cxi)erience was
like that of n\any country l>oyswiiosc
parents removed from Kasiern States
to the newer jortioii of the \\'esl.
His father being in very jKXJr rircum-
I stances, Mr. B. was obliged to work
as soon as he was able to <li> so.
Leaving school when 13 years of age
he entered a country store in Constan-
tinc as clerk. His father then re-
moved tot )wosso, Mich., and he again
engaged as clerk in a store From
early youth Mr. B. was extravagantly fond of reading
and devoted every leisure moment to the perus.il of
such books, papers and. perio<licals as came within
his reach. In 1847, he removed to Detroit, where he
secured employment in a lob.icco manufactory and
remained in this jtosilion for alwut five years.

In 1853, he began business for himself in the man-
ufacturing of tobacco. His establishment has become

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one of the largest of the kind in the West. .Mr. B.
has also been greatly interested in other manufactur-
ing enterprises, as well as in mining, banking and in-
surance cor[)orations. He was President of the
Detroit Safe Company for several years. He was one
of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insur-
ance Company of Detroit, and was its President from
1867 to 1872. He was a director of the 'Amer-
ican National Bank for many years, and a stock-
holder and director in various other corporations.
Mr. B. was a member of the Board of Education two
years, and of the Detroit Common Council the same
length of time. In 1S65 he was apiwintcd by Gover-
nor Cra|)o one of the first commissioners of the
Metropolitian ]X)licc force of the city of Detroit, serv-
ing six years. In November, 1872, he was elected
Governor of Micliigan, and two years later was re-
elected to the same office, retiring in January, 1877.
He was an active worker in the Republican party, and
for many years was Chairman of the Republican
State Central conmiittee.

Governor Bagiey was quite liberal in his religious
views and was an attendant of the Unitarian Church.
He aimed to be able to hear and consider any new
thought, from whatever source it may come, but was not
Intund by any religious creed or formula. He held
in respect all religious opinions, lielieving that nootie
can be injured by a firm adherence to a faith or de-
nomination. He was married at Dubui|uc, Iowa, Jan.
16, i8|;5, to Frances E. Newberry, daughter of Rev.
Samuel S'cwberr)', a pioneer mission. >ry ^ '
who took an ai live part in the early ciiii'
ten of the State and in the establishment of its ex-
cellent system of education. It wa* principally

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JOHN J. BAG LEY.

through his exertions that the State University was
founded. Mr. B.'s family consists of seven children.

As Governor his administration was charac-
terized by several important features, chief among
which were his efforts to improve and make popular
the educational agencies of the State by increasing
the faculty of the University for more thorough in-
struction in technical studies,by strengthening the hold
of the Agricultural College upon the public good will
and making the general change which has manifested
itself in many scattered ]irimary districts. Among
others were an almost complete revolution in the
management of the penal and charitable institutions
of the State; the passage of the liipior-ta.x law, taking
the place of the dead letter of prohibition; the estab-
lishing of the system of dealing with juvenile offend-
ers through county agents, which has proved of great
good in turning the young l)ack from crime and plac-
ing the State in the attitude of a moral agent ; in se-
curing for the militia the first time in the history of
Michigan a systematized organization upon a service-
able footing. It was upon the suggestion of Gov. B.
in the earlier part of his administration that the law
creating the State Board of Health, and also the law
creating a fish commission in the inland waters of the
State, were passed, both of which have proved of great
benefit to the State. The successful representation
of Michigan at the Centennial Exhibition is also an
honorable part of the record of Gov. B.'s adminis-
tration.

As Governor, he felt that he represented the State
— not in a narrow, egotistical way, but in the same
sense that a faithful, trusted, confidential agent rep-
resents his employer, and as the Executive of the
State he was her " attorney in fact." And his intelli-
gent, thoughtful care will long continue the pride of
the people he so much loved. He was ambitious —
ambitious for place and power, as every noble mind
is ambitious, because these give opportunity. How-
ever strong the mind and powerful the will, if there
be no ambition, life is a failure. He was not blind to
the fact that the more we have the more is required
of us. He accepted it in its fullest meaning. He
had great hopes for his State and his country. He had
his ideas of what they should be. With a heart as
broad as humanity itself; with an intelligent, able and
cultured brain, the will and the power to do, he
asked his fellow citizen to give him the opportunity to
labor for tliem. Self entered not into the calculation.

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His whole life was a battle for others; and he entered
the conflict eagerly and hopefully.

His State papers were models of compact, busi-
ness-like statements, bold, original, and brimful of
practical suggestions, and his administrations will long v$;i
be considered as among the ablest in this or any
other State.

His noble, generous nature made his innumerable
benefactions a source of continuous pleasure. Liter-
ally, to him it was " more blessed to give than to
receive."

His greatest enjoyment was in witnessing the com-
fort and hapjuness of others. Not a tithe of his char-
ities were known to his most intimate friends, or even
to his family. Many a needy one has been the recipi-
ent of aid at an opportune moment, who never knew
tlie hand that gave.

At one time a friend had witnessed his ready re-
sponse to some charitable request, and said to him :
"Governor, you give away a large sum of money ; about
how much does your charities amount to in a year.'"
He turned at once and said: " I do not know, sir; I
do not allow myself to know. I hope 1 gave more
this year than I did last, and hope I shall give more
next year than 1 have this." This expressed his idea
of charity, tha:t the giving should at all times be free '^
and spontaneous. "^ .^

During liis leasure hours from early life, and espe- ( y
cially during the last few years, he devoted much time
to becoming acquainted with the best authors. Biog-
raphy was his delight; the last he read was the "Life
and Work of John Adams," in ten volumes.

In all questions of business or public affairs he
seemed to have the power of getting at the kernel of ^
tlie nut in the least possible tiine. In reading he
would spend scarcely more time with a volume than
most persons would devote to a chapter. After what
seemed a cursor) glance, he would have all of value
the book contained. Rarely do we see a business
man so familiar with the best English authors. He
was a generous and intelligent patron of the arts, and
his elegant home was a study and a pleasure (^
to his many friends, who always found there a
hearty welcome. At Christmas time he would spend
days doing the work of Santa Claus. Every Christmas
eve he gathered his children about him and, taking
I he youngest on his lap, told some Christmas story,
closing the entertainment with "The Night Before
Christmas," or Dickens's "Christmas Carol."

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HARLES M. CROSWEI.L,
Governor of Michigan from
Jan. 3, 1877 to Jan. t, 1881,
was born at Newburg, Orange
County, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1825.
He is the only son of John and
Sallie (Hicks) Croswell. His
father, who was of Scotch-Irish
extraction, was a |)a|)er-niaker,
and carried on business in New
i(«w<i (L York Cfly. His ancestors on
''^■y his mother's side were of Knicker-
bocker descent. The Croswell
family may be found connected
)^-^t:> with prominent events, in New York
.^'jlji and Connecticut, in the early exis-
tence of the Republic. Harry Cros-
well, during the administration of
\\\\ President Jefferson, published a pa-
• ' •^- i)er called the Kitlaiict-, and was
, /^ prosecuted lor libeling the President
Mi under the obno.xious Sedition Law.
^S He w.is defended by the celebrated
I Alexander Hamilton, and the decis-
ion of the case establised the imi»rtant ruling that
the truth might be. shown in cases of libel. .Another
member of the family was Kdwii\ Croswell, the fam-
ous editor of the Albany Argm ; also. Rev. William
Croswell, noted as a divine and |ioet.

When Charles M. Croswell was seven years of age,
his father wa.H accidentally drowned in the Hudson
River, at Newburff ; and, within three months preced-
ing thai event, his mother and only sister had died, —
thus leaving him the sole surviving member of the
family, without fortimc or incan<i. Ujion the death

of his father he went to live with an uncle, who, in
1837, emigrated with him to Adrain, .Michigan. \\
sixteen years of age, he commenced to learn the car-
penter's trade, and worked at it very diligently for
four years, maintaining himself, and devoting his spare
lime to reading and the aopiirement of knowledge.
In 1846, he began the study of law, and was ap-
pointed Deputy Clerk of Lenawee County. The du-
ties of this office he |)erfoni)ed four years, when he
was elected Register of Deeds, and was re-elected
in 1852. In 1854, he took part in the first movements
for the formation of the Republican party, and was a
member and Secretary of the convetion held at Jack-
son in that year, which put in the field the first Re-
publican State ticket in Michigan. In 1855, he
fonned a law partnership with the present Chief-Jus-
tice Cooley, which continued until the remov.il of
Judge Cooley to .\nn .Arbor.

In 1862, Mr. Croswell was appointed City Attorney
of .Adrian. He was also elected Mayor of the city
in the spring of the same year; and in the fall was
chosen to represent Lenawee County in the State
Senate. He was reelected to the Senate in 1864,
and again in i866, during each tenn filling the |>osi-
tions al)ove mentioned. .Among various reports made
by him, one adverse to the re-establishment of the
death |)enalty, and another against a pro|)osition to
pay the salaries of State officers and judges in coin,
which then comm.uuled a ver)- large premium, may
be mentioned. He also drafted the act ratifying the
Thirteenth .Amendment to the Fctlcral Constitution,
for the al)oIishment of slavery, it l>eing the first
amendment to the instrument ratified by Michigan.
In iH6j, from his seat in the State Senate, he de-
liveied an clalioiatc s|>eech in favot of the Piuclama-

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CHARLES M. CRO SWELL.

^ tion of Emancipation issued by President Lincoln,

and of liis ^ener.d policy in the prosecution of tlie
war. 'I'his, at the retiuest of his Re|iul)lican associ-
ates, was afterwards puMished. In 1867, he was
elected a member of the Constitutional Convention,
and chosen its |jresiding officer. This convention
was composed of an able body of men ; and though,
in the general distrust of constitutional changes
which for some years had been taking possession of
the [jeople, their labors were not accepted by the pop-
ular vote, it was always conceded that the constitu-
tion they proposed had been prepared with great care
and skill.

In 1868, Mr. Croswell was chosen an Elector on
the Republican Presidential ticket; in 1872, was
elected a Representative to the State Legislature
from Lenawee County, and was chosen Speaker of

Governor Groswell has always prepared his ad- ^

dresses with care; and, as his diction is terse, clear,
and strong, without excess of ornament, and his de-
livery impressive, he is a popular speaker; and many
of his speeches have attracted favorable comment in
the [lublic prints, and have a permanent value. He
has always manifested a deep interest in educational
matters, and was for years a member and Secretary of
the Board of Education of Adrain. At the formal
opening of the Central School liuilding in that city,
on the 24tli day of April, 1869, he gave, in a public
address, an " Historical Sketch of the Adrian Public
Schools."

\\\ his private life, Covernor Croswell has been as
exemiilary as in his public career he has been suc-

(■!

cessful and useful. In February, 1852, he was mar
ried to a daughter of Morton Eddy, Lucy M. Eddy, C
the House of Re[)resentatives. At the close of the 1 a lady of many amiable and sunny qualities. She *^
session of that body his abilities as a parliamentarian, I suddenly died, March 19, 1868, leaving two daugh- W'-
and the fairness of his rulings were freely and form

MIS?

ally acknowledged by his associates ; and he was pre-
sented with a superb collection of their portraits
handsomely framed. He was, also, for several years.
Secretary of the State Board for the general supervis-
ion of the charitable and penal institutions of Michi-
gan ; in which position, his propositions for tlie amel-
ioration of the condition of the unfortunate, and the
reformation of the criminal classes, signalize the be-
nevolence of his nature, and the practical character
of his mind.

\\\ 1876, the general voice of the Republicans of
the State indicted Mr. Croswell as their choice for
Governor; and, at the State Convention of the party
in August of the same year, he was put in nomination
by acclamation, without the formality of a ballot. At
the election in November following, he was chosen to
the high position for which he had been nominated,
by a very large majority over all opposing candidates.
His inaugural message was received with general
favor; and his career as Governor was marked with
the same qualities of head and heart that have ever
distinguished iiim, both as a citizen and statesman.

ters and a son. Governor Croswell is not a member ^
of any religious body, but generally attends the Pres- e=

jyterian Church. He pursues the profession of law.

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but of late has been occupied mainly in the care of his •
own interests, and the quiet duties of advice in (^
business difficulties, for which his unfailing pru-
dence and sound judgment eminently fit him. Gov-
ernor Croswell is truly popular, not only with those of
like political faith with himsell, but with those who
differ from him in this regard.

During Gov. Crosvvell's administration the public
debt was greatly reduced ; a policy ado]:)ted requiring
the State institutions to keep within the limit of ap-
propriations; laws enacted to provide more effectually
for the punishment of corruption and liribrery in elec-
tions; the State House of Correction at Ionia and the
Eastern Asylum for the Insane at Pontiac were opened, ^ -
and the new capital at Lansing was completed and f
occupied. The first act of his second term was to pre- ,/>
side at the dedication of this building The great riot ®
at Jackson occured during his administration, and it »i5
was only bv his promptness that great distruction of (t^
both life and properly '. - ; u vented at tha" time. ^

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oJp!jT^?^f :; \ I ' A \- 1 1) H . J E RO M E, ( -.ovLT
■^^r !ll^/;l" i-»i ,,,r„, from Jan. i, 1881, to
Jan. 1, 1883, was born at De-
troit, Mich., Nov. 17, 1829.
His jiarents emigrated to
.Miiliigan from Trumanslnirg,
'['(jiiipkins Co., N. Y., in 1S28,
jiating at Detroit. His father
ilieil March 30, 1831, leaving
nine children. He had been
twice married, and four of the
children living at the time of his
death were grown up sons, the off-
spring of his first union. Of the
five children by his second marriage, I )avid H. was
the youngest. Shortly after Mr. Jerome's de.uh, his
widow moved bai :k to New Vork and settled in
< )nondaga County near Syracuse, where they remained
until the fall of 1S34, the four sons by the first wife
continuing their residence in Michigan. In the fall
of 1834, Mrs. Jerome came once more to Michigan,
locating on a farm in St. Clair County. Here the
Ciovernor formeil those habits of industry and ster-
ling integrity that have been so characteristic of the
man in the active duties of life. He was sent to the
district school, and in the aci|uisiiioii of the funda-
mental branches of learning he displayed a precocity
and an application which won for him the admiration
of his leat:heis, anil always placed him at the he.id
of his classes. In the meantime he did chores on
the f.inn, antl was always ready with a cheerful heart
anil willing hand to assist his widowed mother. The
heavy lalKir of the farm was carried on l.y his Iwu

older brothers, Timothy and (ieorge, and when 13
years of age David received his mothers pennission to
attend school at the St. Clair .Academy. While attend-
ing there he lived with Marcus H. Miles, now de-
ceased, doing cliores for his Ijoard, and the following
winter i)erformed the same service for James Dgden,
also deceased. The next summer Mrs. Jerome
moved into the village of St. Clair, for the purixweof
continuing her son in school. While attending said
academy one of his associate students was .Sena-
tor Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, a rival candidate
before the gubernatorial convention in 1880. He
completed his education in the fall of his 16th year,
and the following winter assisted his brother Timothy
in hauling logs in the pine woods. The next summer
he rafted logs down the St. Clair River to Algonac.

In 1847, M. H. Miles beingClerk in St. Clair Coun-
ty, anrl V'olney ,\. Ripley Register of Deeds. David
H. Jerome was a;-|>ointed Deputy to each, lemaining
as such during 1848-49, and receiving much praise
from his employers and the (leople in general for the
ability displayed in the discharge of his duties. He
spent his summer v.ication at clerical work on loard
the lake vessels.

In 1849-50, he abandoned office work, and for the
proiH-T development of his physical system s|K:nt
several months hauling logs. In the spring of 1850,
his brother "Tiff" and himself chartered the steamer
"Chaulauc|ua,''and "S'oung Dave" became her mas-
ter. .V |x>rtion of the season the Imal was engaged
in the passenger and freight traffic l>ctween Port
Huron and Detroit, but during the latter part was
used as .1 tow Uiat. At th.it lime there was a serious
obstruction to navigation, known as the "St. Clait
Flats," lictween l..akcs Humn and F.rie, over which

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DA VI D H. JEROME.

vessels could carry only about 10,000 bushels of grain.
Mr. Jerome conceived the idea of towing vessels
from one lake to the other, and put his plan into
operation. Tiirough the inlluence of practical men, —
among them the subject of this sketch, — Congress
removed the obstruction above referred to, and now
vessels can pass them laden with 60,000 or 80,000
bushels of grain.

During the season, the two brothers succeeded
in making a neat little sum of money by the sum-
mer's work, but subsequently lost it all on a contract
to raise tlie "(len. Scott," a vessel that had sunk in
Lake St. Clair. David H. came out free from debt,
but possessed of hardly a dollar of capital. In the
spring of 185 i, he was clerk and acting master of the
steamers "Franklin Moore" and "Ruby," plying be-
tween Detroit and Port Huron and Goderich. The
following year he was clerk of the propeller "Prince-
ton." running between Detroit and Buffalo.

In January, 1853, Mr. Jerome went to California,
by way of the Isthmus, and enjoyed e.xtraordinary
success in selling goods in a new place of his selec-
tion, among the mountains near Marysville He re-
mained there during the summer, and located the
Live Yankee Tunnel Mine, which has since yielded
millions to its owners, and is still a paying investment.
He planned and put a tunnel 600 feet into the mine,
but when the water supply began to fail with the drv
season, sold out his interest. He left in the fall of
1853, and in December sailed from San Francisco for
New York, arriving at his home in St. Clair County,
about a year after his departure. During his absence
his brother "Tiff" had located at Saginaw, and in
1854 Mr. Jerome joined him in his lumber operations
in the valley. In 1855 the brothers bought Black-
iner & Eaton's hardware and general supply stores,
at Saginaw, and David H. assumed the management
of the business. From 1855 to 1S73 he was also e.x-
tensively engaged in lumbering operations.

Soon after locating at Saginaw he was nominated
for Alderman against Stewart B. Williams, a rising
young man, of strong Democratic principles. The
ward was largely Democratic, but Mr. Jerome was
elected by a handsome majority. When the Repul)-
iican party was born at Jackson, Mich., David H.
Jerome was, though not a delegate to the convention,
one of its "charter members.' In 1862, he was com-
missioned l)y Gov. Austin Blair to raise one of the

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six regnnents apportioned to the State of Michigan.
Mr. Jerome immediately went to work and held
meetings at various points. The zeal and enthusiasm
displayed liy this advocate of the Union awakened a
feeling of patriotic interest in the breasts of many
brave men, and in a short space of time the 23d
Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Infantrj' was placed
in the field, and subsecjuently gained for itself a bril-
liant record.

In the fall of 1862, Mr. Jerome was nominated by
the Republican party for State Senator from the 26th
district, Appleton Stevens, of Bay City, being his op-
ponent. The contest was very ■exciting, and resulted
in the triumphant election of Mr. Jerome. He was
twice renominated and elected both times by in-
creased majorities, defeating George Lord, of Bay
City, and Dr. Cheseman, of Gratiot County. On tak-
ing his seat in the Senate, he was appointed Chair-
man of the Committee on State Affairs, and was ac-
tive in raising means and troops to carry on the war.
He held the same position during his three terms of
service, and introduced the bill creating the Soldiers'
Home at Harper Hospital, Detroit.

He was selected l>y (iov. Crapo as a military aid,
and in 1865 was appointed a member of the State
Military Board, and served as its President for eight
runsecutive years. In 1873, he was appointed by
(iov. Bagley a member of the convention- to prepare
a new State Constitution, and was Chairman of the
Committee on Finance.

In 1875, Mr. Jerome was appointed a member of
the Board of Indian Commissioners. In I876 he was
Chairman of a commission to visit Chief Joseph, the
Nez Perce Indian, to arrange an amicable settlement
of all existing difficulties. The commission went to
Portland, Oregon, thence to the Blue Hills, in Idaho,
a distance of 600 miles up the Columbia River.

At the Republican State Convention, convened at
Jackson in August, 1880, Mr. Jerome was placed in
the field for nomination, and on the sth day of the
month received the highest honor the convention
could confer on any one. His opponent was Freder-
ick M. Holloway, of Hillsdale County, who was sup-
ported by the Democratic and Greenback parties.
The State was thoroughly canvassed Iiy both parties,
and when the polls were closed on the evening of
election day, it was found that David H. Jerome had
been selected by the voters of the Wolverine State to
occupy the highest position within their gift.

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7 OSIAH W. I'.KClol.C, the
"^j,! 'resent (1SS3), Ciovcrnor of
i^ Michigan was born in Living-
4 ston, ('ounty, X. \ ., j.in. 20,
1815. His ancestors were of
Frencii descent, and settled at
\\\ earl) periutl in the Slate of
Maiyland. Hisgrandfatlier.Clapt.
BoUes, of that State, was an offi-
cer in the American army during
|l the war of the Revolution. Aliout
H\*Kl the beginning of the present <:ent-
f\'*^\ ury both his grandparents, having
•jiKm become dissatisfied with the insti-

pjs—s lution of sUvery, although slave-
'/:*}}[ holders themselves, emigrated to
Livingston County, N. N'., then
a new cotmtry. taking with them a
• jy number of their former slaves, who
volunteered to accompany them.
His father was an officer in the
American army, and served during
; the war of 181 2.
Mr. U. received his early education in a log --chiiol-
liousc, and subsequently attended the Temple Hill
Academy, at Ocnesco, N. V. Being the eldest of 1
family of ten children, whose i>arent9 were in moder-
ate though comfortable circumstances, he was early
taught habits of industry, and when i\ years of age,
being ambiiioiiH to l)Ctter his condition in life, he re-
wilveil tn seek hi* fortune in the far Wc*t, as it was
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then called. In August, 1S36, he left the parental
roof to seek a home in the Territory of Michigan,
then an almost unbroken wilderness. He settled in
(lenesee County, and aided with his own hands in
building sonic of the early residences in what is now
known as the city of Flint. There were but four or
live houses where this flourishing city now stands
wlien he selected it as his home.
. Ill the spring of 1S39 he married Miss Harriet .V.
Miles. The marri.-ige proved a most fortunate one,
and tu the faithful wife of his youth, who lives to en-
joy with him the comforls of an honestly earned com-
petence, Mr. liegole ascribes largely his success in
life. Imniediaii-ly after his marriage he commenced
work on an unimproved farm, where, by his [lerse-
vcrance and energy, he soon established a good home,
and at the end uf eighteen years was the owner of a
well improved farm of five hundred acres.

Mr. Uegole being an anti-slavery man, became a
member of the Republican party at its organization.
He served his to>vnsnien in various offices, and w.i>_
in 1S56, ele«:t'ed County Treasurer, which office he
held for eight years.

.\t the breaking out of the Rel>ellion he did not
carry a musket to the front, hut his many friends will
Iwar witness th.it he tcK>k an active part in recruit
and furnishing tupiilics for the army, and in look
after the interests of soldiers' families at home. The
death of his eldest vin near .\tlauta, <ia., by aConfctl-
ratc bullet, in i8(>4, was the greatest sorrow uf his life.
When a few years l.-»ter he was a member in (^nftmt

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JOSIAH W. BEGOLE.

Gov. Begole voted and worked for the soldiers'
bounty equalization liill, an act doing justice to the
soldier who bore the burden and heat of the day, and
who should fare equally with him who rame in at the
eleventh hour. That bill was defeated in the House
on account of the large appropriation that would be
re(iuired to pay the same.

In 1S70, Gov. Begole was nominated by acclama-
tion for the office of State Senator, and elected by a
large majority. In that body he served on the Com-
mittees of Finance and Railroads, and was Chairman
of the Committee on the Institute for the Deaf and
Dumb and Blind. He took a liberal and public-
spirited view of the importance of a new capitol
building worthy of the .State, and was an active mem-
ber of the Committee tliat drafted the bill for the
same He was a delegate to the National Republi-
can Convention held at Philadelphia in 1872, and
was the chosen member of that delegation to go to
Washington and inform Gen. Grant and Senator
Wilson of their nominations. It was while at that
convention that, by the exi>ress wish of his many
friends, he was induced to offer himself a can-
didate for the nomination of member to the 43d Con-
gress, in which he was successful, after competing for
the nomination with several of the most worthy, abje
and experienced men in tlie Sixth Congressional Dis-
trict, and was elected by a very large majority. In
Congress, he was a member of the Committee on
Agricultural and Public Expenditures. Being one of
the 17 farmers in that Congress, he took an active
part in the Committee of .Agriculture, and was ap-
pointed by that committee to draft the most impor-
tant report made by that committee, and upon the
only subject recommended by the President in his
message, which he did and the report was printed in
records of Congress ; lie took an efficient though an
unobtrusive part in all its proceedings.

He voted tor the currency bill, remonetization of
silver, and other financial measures, many of which,
though defeated then, have since become the settled
policy of the country. Owing to the position which
Mr. Begole occupied on these questions, he became a
"Greenbacker."

In the Gubernatorial election of 1882, Mr. Begole
was the candidate of both the Greenback and Dem-
ocratic parties, and was elected by a vote of 154,269,
the Republican candidate, Hon. David H. Jerome,

receiving 149,697 votes. Mr. Begole, in entering
upon his duties as Governor, has manifested a spirit
that has already won him many friends, and bids fair
to make his administration both successful and pop-
ular.

The very best indications of what a man is, is what
his own townsmen think of him. We give the fol-
lowing extract from the Flint Globe, the leading Re-
publican pa[)er in Gov. Begole's own county, and it,
too, written during the heat of a political campaign,
which certainly is a flattering testimonial of his ster-
ling worth :

" So far, however, as Mr. Begole, the head of the
ticket, is concerned, there is nothing detrimental to
his character that can be alleged against him. He
has sometimes changed his mind in politics, but for
sincerity of his beliefs and the earnestness of his pur-
pose nobody who knows him entertains a doubt. He
is incapable of bearing malice, even against his bit-
terest [X)litical enemies. He has a warm, generous
nature, and a larger, kinder heart does not beat in
the bosom of any man in Michigan. He is not much
given to making speeches, but deeds are more signif-
icant of a man's character than words There are
many scores of men in all parts of the State where
Mr. Begole is acquainted, who have had practical
demonstrations of these facts, and who are liable to
step outside of party lines to show that they do not
forget his kindness, and who, no doubt, wish that he
was a leader in what would not necessarily prove a
forlorn hope. But the Republican party in Michigan
is too strong to be beaten by a combination of Demo-
crats and Greenbackers, even if it is marshaled by so
good a man as Mr. Begole."

This sketch would be imperfect without referring
to the action of Mr. B. at the time of the great calamity
that in 1881 overtook the people of Northeastern
Michigan, in a few hours desolating whole counties
by fire and destroying the results and accumulations
of such hard work as only falls to the lot of pioneers.
While the Port Huron and Detroit committees were
quarreling over the distribution of funds, Mr. Begole
wrote to an agent in the "]bumt district " a letter, from
which we make an extract of but a single sentence:
"Until the differences between the two committees
are adjusted and you receive your regular supplies
from them, draw on me. Let no man suffer while I
have money." This displays his true character.

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

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INTRODU CTORY.

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'•90%^T-lk ^"i^ '^ THE strength of the his
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lies the biographical rec-
ord of its settlers and later
residents. The annals of
the one class delineate its
pioneer period ; those of the
other represent its progress and the
■»,— S status of tlie generation whose exjierien-
/^(^Jll^ ces constitute the period closed by the
era of its collated records. Gratiot
County is fortunate in its day. Its won-
^^■^ derful pioneer era laps on its present
'*" period and the registration is complete.

Many of those whose efforts gave the
c<junty its earliest impetus may still be
seen in its thoroughfares. Many of the
( haraeters in the day of its first things are still on
the stage and watch with keen-eyed alertness the
manipulating of the present, still jealous for the
repute of dratiol, and c.igerly solicitous for her sub-
stantial and permanent progress.

The projectors of these records strive to establish
bit one claim for its biographical integrity. It is
prepared from the stand-jwint of no man's i>rcjudice
or biased opinion. To demonstrate the exact rela-
tion of every indiviilu.d rejiresented to the genera-

tions of the ])ast and present is its full scope in
personal record.

Succeeding ages sweep away the iiebris of human
errors and perpetuate the real greatness of a com-
munity. Character stands out statuesque and events
cluster about individuals forming the grandest and
truest historical structure of which any age is capa-
ble. Only biography can fitly represent the founda-
tion, progress and ultimitlum of local history and
l)oriray with perfect justice the precise attitude and
relation of men to events and to circumstances.

Ciratiot County is justly proud of her pioneer
record, and, so far as [xjssible, the compilers of the
biographical sketches have striven to honor the rep-
resentatives of that period as well as those of to-day.
Labor and struggle, [lerformed in the light of ho|)e
and the earnestness of honest endeavor, established
the I ounty on a permanent basis, and is rounding up
a period of glorious completeness. Mer villages are
creditable and her agricultural community is com-
l>osed of the best grades of humanity.

In the following sketches but one purpose has l>ccn
kept in view — to collect floating threads of i>crsonal
record, through which the enterprise of decades to
I'ollow may complete a |K'rfect and continuous histor-
ical line from the earliest settlement of the county.

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KN. NATHAN CHUHCH,
senior iiiL-iiil)cr of the bank-
ing house of Church, Bills &
("o., Ithaca, was horn in
Ionia Co., Mich., Nov. 22^
1840. He is of English an-
V *" cestry, and is the son of
Lafayette and Sophronia ( Benjamin )
Church. His father was born July
5,1816, in Niagara Co., N. Y., near
the shore of Lake Ontario, and was the
youngest of nine children — seven sons
and two daughters. Four of the sons
and one daughter are yet living, their
ages ranging from 84 to 68, and the
average age heing 74.

The name of Church is quite a prominent one.
Some of the family have rendered service to the dov-
eriimcnt, to literature, theology or science, in almost
every decade of the liistory of this country. The
father of Lafayette, Willard Church, was a soldier of
the Revolutionary war, serving gallantly under " Mad
Anthony " Wayne, and was one of the few survivors
of the hardships endured by the prisoners of war on
the prison ship Jersey. He was a near relative of
C^l, licnpmin Church, famous in the King I'hilip
war. Four of the seven sons al)OVc referred to be-
came ministers in the Haplist Church, and Pharccllus
Church, D. D., now living at Tarrytown, N. Y., is

well-known in theological circles as the author of a
number of able and useful religious works. He was
for a number of years editor of the New York Chron-
icle, whicii was afterwards merged with the Exam-
iner, and became The Examiner anil Chronicle. Two
of his sons founded the Galaxy (since Iwught out by
the Century), and now publish the Army anil Navy
Journal. Leroy Church, another of the seven broth-
ers, was for some years editor and publisher of the
Chicago Standard, a Baptist newspaper well-known
throughout the West.

Lafayette Church (who has a more detailed sketch
elsewhere in this work) came to Michigan in 1836,
and was one of the pioneers of Ionia County. In
1847, he removed to Wheatland Township, Hillsdale
County, and in 1854 he made his final location in
Arcada Township, this county, uj(On land purchased
of the Government, where he resides, being one
of the earliest pioneers of the county. While
engaged in agriculture, he was also a worker
for Christianity, having been ordained a minister in
the Baptist C'hurch. He was thus doubly occupied
until the fall of 1862, when his patriotic impulses led
him to iiffcr his services to the Government, receiv-
ing authority from the Governor of the State. He,
with his son Nathan, and Mr. Turck, of Alma, raised
a company of volunteers from among the best (k-i.
in the count), and this was made Co. I), j6th .M •
Vol. Inf., of which he was cummissiuned Captain.

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

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The regiment rendezvoused at Jackson, Mich., where
it was the recipient of much attention from the pat-
riotic citizens and press. (Before leaving for the
front, it was presented by the ladies of Jackson with
a beautiful blue silk banner, which was carried into
many a hard-fought engagement during the war. The
blood-stained remnant is now preserved among the
battle-flags in the State Military Museum at Lan-
sing.) On reaching Washington, the regiment was
assigned to provost duty at Alexandria, and it was
thus engaged until the following spring, when it was
ordered to Suffolk to aid in resisting the advance of
Gen. Longstreet. lis signally gallant services in the
field from that time until the close of the war — no-
tably from the Wilderness to Appomattox — made it
one of the best-known organizations in the service,
being particularly famous as " skirmishers." Capt.
Church served with his company until April 2, 1864,
when he was appointed Chaplain of the regiment,
and held that position until the close of the war.
Since his muster-out, he has led a quiet life at his
home in Arcada Township.

The subject of this biography, Nathan Church, at-
tended the common schools of Hillsdale and Gratiot
Counties until he was 16 years old, when he entered
Kalamazoo College. After a partial course of study
in that institution, he became assistant in the office
of his father (who had been elected County Treas-
urer), and for some time had entire charge of the
business of that office. After three years with his
father, he taught school for a time at Ithaca and St.
Louis, one term in each village. He was also for a
short time clerk in the store of John Jeffrey, one of
the earliest in the county, in which was also located
the village postofifice.

It was, however, in the late civil war that he found
the opportunities for which he was most naturally
fitted. An eager, amljitious youth, the series of events
before the firing on Sumter had deeply interested his
ardent mind, and three months before he was of age
he was enrolled in the volunteer army. Aug. 12
1861, he enlisted in Co. C, 8th Mich. Vol. Inf., and
when the organization of the company was perfected
he was made Sergeant. He served in that company
until Jan. 17, 1862, when, suffering terribly from
rheumatism, he was discharged for disability at Beau-
fort, S. C, coming home upon crutches. The next
summer, having partially recovered his health, he,

his father and William S. Turck raised a company
by their joint efforts, which was mustered in as Co.
D, 26th Mich. Vol. Inf, and of this company Lafay-
ette Church was, as above mentioned, commissioned
Captain, Nathan Church First Lieutenant, and Wm.
S. Turck Second Lieutenant. Lieut. Church's com-
mission was dated Sept. i, 1862. On the arrival of
the regiment at the seat of war, it was assigned to
provost duty at Alexandria, Va., and soon after Lieut.
Church was detailed as Aid-de-camp upon the staff
of Gen. Slough, Military Governor of Alexandria,
which position he held until his regiment was ordered
to Suffolk. April 15, 1863, he was promoted Adju-
tant of his regiment, and one year from that date was
commissioned Captain. He served with his regiment
at the siege of Suffolk, Va., in the Blackwater expedi-
tions, the second campaign on the Peninsula in 1863,
and in the Second Army Corps (Hancock's) through
the memorable campaigns of 1864 and 1865.

In the great battle of Spottsylvania Court-House,
Va , May 12, 1864, in which 4,500 prisoners, 25 flags
and 22 pieces of artillery were captured, his regiment
was in the front line in the assault, and was the first
to reach the enemy's works — at the deadly " angle" —
which were carried after a desperate hand-to-hand
fight. Adjutant Church (not having yet been mus-
tered in as Captain) was with two or three non-com-
n. issioned officers, the first to scale the works. His
regiment lost about one-third of its men in this bat-
tle, seven of the nine color-guards being killed or
wounded. His conduct on this occasion attracted the
attention of Gen. N. A. Miles, then comuianding the
I St Brigade, ist Division, 2d Corps, who detailed
him at once upon his staff. He served upon this
gallant General's staff until the close of the war,
except some portions of the time when in command
of his regiment, holding successively the j)ositions
of Aid-de-camp, Brigade Inspector, Division Inspec-
tor, Engineer Officer ist Division, and Adjutant
General of the Military District of Fortress Monroe.

He was appointed to the rank of Major Sept. 12,
1864, having previously been brevetted as Majorof
United States Volunteers " for gallant services before
Petersburg, Va. ;" and Lieutenant-Colonel, March 7,
r865, for "conspicuous gallantry and meritorious
services " in the campaign terminating in Lee's sur-
render at Appomattox. The 26th, under his com-
mand, occupiedintrenchments before Petersburg, and,

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GRATIOT COUIVTY

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during the closing months of 1864 and the early part
of 1865, was engaged in almost daily fighting, except
while in winter quarters. It was in the skirmish line
on the 9th of April, when Lee surrendered, and
through its lines, Gen. Grant, with a flag of truce,
carried out part of the important ceremony. His
regiment was mustered out June 4, 1865, but he was
retained in the service of the United States by spe-
cial order of the War Department, and assigned to
duty as Assistant Adjutant General of the Military
District of Fortress Monroe. This positon he held
until Nov. 7, 1865, when he was relieved, at his own
request. While here, his duties brought him frequent-
ly in contact with Jefferson Davis, at that time a pris-
oner in that fortress.

Gen. Church was not only a brilliant officer of un-
usually (piick perce|)tions and commanding presence,
but was distinguished for being reckless of his per-
sonal safety.

A newsi)aper account l>y an eye witness states that
at Sailor's Creek, (!ol. Church, mounted u|)on a white
horse, led two regiments, his own and the 140th Pa.
Vol., ill an assault u|K)n entrenchments occupied by a
superior force of the enemy, and that, being the only
mounted officer, he reached the works several yards
in advance of his men. The prisoners ca|)tured in
the works outnumbered the attacking party. His
gallant conduct in this affair elicited much comment.

On the suggestion of Gen. Miles, he was appointed
a Captain in the regular army at the close of the war,
but this commission he declined.

Returning to the employments of peace. Gen.
Church formed a partnership with Wilbur Nelson,
and the two opened a general merchandise store at
Ithaca. This connection was prosperous and lasted
until 1872, when, having become interested in lum-
liering and real-estate speculations, he sold his inter-
est in ihe store to Gilbert C. Smith. In 1866, soon
after entering mercantile life, he founded the Gratiot
Journal, of which for one year he was editor, and
joint proprietor with Daniel Taylor. In December of
1872, he purchased a saw-mill in .Arcada Town-
ship, four miles north of Ithaca, 'fhis is still owned
l>y him, together with 1,200 acres of limberedl .ind in
that vicinity anri a large amount of other land through-
out the county. He employs at present ^o men, in
sawtng, planing and manufacturing lumber, shingles,
h<x>|i« and staves. The banking house of Church,

Bills & Co. was organized in 1877, the first of the
two firms doing a banking business at Ithaca. Gen.
Church still deals largely in real estate, and this,
with his other interests, make him one of the busiest
men in the community.

He has been an earnest sup|X)rter of the various
railroads projected for Gratiot County. He has de-
voted both time and money to bring Ithaca into rail
communication with the outer world, and his friends
truly say that without his efforts Gratiot's county-scat
would to-day be without a railroad. He held the
[xjsition of Postmaster at Ithaca for seven years, and
County Clerk two terms, or four years. He was
largely instrumental in organizing the Gratiot County
Agricultural Society, and was its first President.

Dec. 25, 1866, at Tecumseh, Lenawee County, he
was united in marriage to Miss Mary H., daughter of
Hon. Perley and Caroline (Brown) Bills. She was
lx>rn May 17, 1848, in that village, ar»d graduated at
the State Normal School, at Ypsilanri, in the class of
1866. To this marriage five children have been
fiorn: Carrie Helen, Jan. 5, 1868; Leroy B., July 20.
1869; Clarence N. and Gaylord P. (twins), Aug. 12,
187 I ; and Edgar N., .Aug. 1, 1874. Gaylord P. died
when about a year old.

Gen. Church is [toliiicaily a Republican, but while
he is influential in his party, he is in no sense a wire-
puller or office-seeker. His title as General is given
him by reason of his being ap|)ointed Quartermaster
General on the staff of Governor Jerome, in 18S1,
which rank he held for two years. He is a remarka-
bly active, clear-headed andsuccessful business man,
a public-spirited citizen, and has worked effectively
for the welfare of Ithaca and Gratiot County. His
many good qualities are so universally esteemed
that all will be pleased to see his portrait, given
opposite the beginning of this sketch.

ohn L. Richard, farmer, section 33, New.

ark Township, was born July 7. 1844. in

Pennsylvania. He is a son of John and

Kachel (Fiy) Richaid, l)otli of whom were

.itivcs of the Keystone St.-ite,were there mar-

t :>cd and resided 14 years. In 1846 they

I removed 10 Ohio, and there belonged to the farming

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class. In the spring of 187 i they came to Gratiot
County and settled in the township of Newark, where
they still reside.

Mr. Richard was a child of two years when his
parents located in the Buckeye State, where he grew
to the age of 18 years, engaged in assisting on the
farm, and acquiring a fair education in the common
schools. Roused to a sense of the necessity pressing
upon the authorities of the United States Government
under the stringencies of civil war, he yielded to his
^ convictions of duty and enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, in the
I nth Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf, and served his country
under that enrollment three years. He was in the
battle of Hough's Ferry, Tenn., and, while on picket
guard at Lenoir Station, he, with 5 1 of his comrades,
was captured by the rebels, and conducted to
Atlanta, Ga., where they were held two weeks, and
then removed to Per.iberton Castle, Richmond, and
a month later were incarcerated at Belle Isle. They
became inmates of the latter place on the first day
of January, 1S64, and there remained until March 12,
when they were transferred to the stockade prison at
Andersonville, where their sufferings were in no sense
or degree less than those of the myriads who suc-
cumbed to the horrors of the place, or of those whose
endurance proved equal to such frightful experiences
as cannot be equaled on the recorded pages of
human suffering. The very name of Andersonville
must cause a shudder while time endures! After
seven months of horror they were sent to Savannah,
and later to Milan, whence, after a month, they
were ordered to be transferred to Blackshear, Ga.
While on their way thither the train was intercepted,
and 250 starved, ragged, forlorn human creatures, of
whom Mr. Richard was one, were paroled and sent
to the camp at Annapolis. Two weeks later they
were furloughed, and Mr. Richard returned to his
home in Ohio. In six weeks he was exchanged and
rejoined his regiment. His health was too much im-
paired for active service, and he was on detached
duty until the close of the war. On the expiration of
his term of enrollment he was discharged, at Cleve-
land, Ohio, whence he returned home.

Mr. Richard 'was married Dec. 28, 1865, to Sarah
.p., youngest daughter of Asa and Jane (Staples)
Richardson. The father was a native of Vermont,
the mother of Maine. Of this marriage, four chil-
dren have been born : Earl C, .Mice I., Tacie A.,
and Laura M.

After his becoming a family man, Mr. Richard
continued to reside in Ohio until 1870. In that year,
he removed his family and interests to Gratiot Co.,
Mich., and bought 40 acres of land in Newark Town-
ship. On this he has already cleared and placed 35
acres under creditable cultivation. He is a Repub-
lican of unmistakable type, and has served his town-
ship in several official positions to which he has been
elected. He received an appointment in 1880 to fill
a vacancy as Township Clerk, and has been since
twice elected to the same incumbency, which he how
holds. A branch of the body known as the Union
Prisoners of War Association, designated the Carrip
of Gratiot County, has been established therein, of
which Mr. Richard is President. Himself and wife
are members of the United Brethren Church

'JtsiSS^M'^r'

^^^^|i^--^5Wi^yz*-

|i|f§l^Umoii Townsend, farmer, section 31, North
%^^MM, Shade Township, is a son of Josiah and
:c'!v=|f Dolly (Parker) Townsend, natives of Mas-
-?•;'?'* sachusetts and Connecticut respectively. They
both died in the State of New York, the father
in Wayne and the mother in Jefferson County.

Almon was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Jan. 7,
1804, and remained under the parental care until he
was 2 1 years of age, when he bought 200 acres of
land in his native county. He improved 160 acres
of this land, and there made his home for a period
of 28 years, when he sold it and moved to Wayne
County, same State. There he remained, farming
and stock-raising, for five years, until 1865, when he
again sold out and came to Hubbardston, Ionia
County, this State, and lived for about one year.
From this point he moved to Clinton County, this
State, and entered upon the arduous task of clearing
and improving a new farm, which he successfully ac-
complished, and erected a house and barn thereon,
at a cost of some $2,000.

Mr. Townsend was united in marriage to Miss
Chloe, daughter of Gad and Sally Chapin, residents
of Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 28, 1828. The father
and mother died in their native county at an early
day, and the wife passed away from earth in Aug-
ust, 1880.

-%.^

<^D!i^iinv>i^

GRATIOT COUNTY.

^^^^

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/:.'

In 1881, Mr. Townsend removed from Clinti':
this county and settled on 80 acres of Government
land on section 31, on which he is now residing.

Mr. Townsend was again married, his second wife
being Mrs. Emma S. Myers, daughter of John and
Lorinda (Wales) Rohbins, natives of Massachusetts
and New York respectively.

The father has constantly followed the occupation
of farming, and is at present living in Clinton County,
tiiis State. The mother died in Jefferson Co., N. Y.,
in 1845. Mrs. Emma Townsend, the wife of our
subject, was born in Lewis Co., N. Y., April 17, 1834,
and is the mother of four children, namely, Ardella
I., Dempster E., Jerome VV. and Orrin A. The hus-
band and wife are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal and Christian Churches, respectively.

Mr. Townsend is a man of iron constitution, hale,
hearty and enjoying life at 80 years of age. In po-
litical opinion and belief he is a staunch Republican.

^4=fE=*-

|<.ohn Lewis, farmer and stock-raiser, section
|j|j' 9, Sumner Township, was born in Salem
Township, Washtenaw Co., Mich., Feb. 21,
. .^ ''"^iS" '1"'^ 's probably one of the oldest natives
TIL of Michigan now living in Gratiot County. His
\ parents, John and Jane (Lewis) Lewis, were
natives of Steuben Co., N. Y., and of Dutch ancestry.
'I'hey followed farming, and coming to Michigan in
1828, were among the first settlers in Washtenaw
County. Ann Arbor and Ypsilanii were then small
villages. The first newspaj)er, the Emigrant, was
started a year after their arrival. Indians were nu-
merous. J'jhn was a strong young fellow, and as he
grew up he helped fell the timber and clear their farm
of 160 aires. It is likely thai these pioneer experi-
ences have had their effect on his after lite, in mak-
ing him better able to face the cold world.

Ix>sing his father when he was 16 years old, he was
obliged to look out for himself; and he worked out by
the nuintli in the wooiis and among the neighUtring
farniers. Jan. 1, 1855, in his native county, he mar-
ried MissThcda M. Noble, born in Wayne Co., Mich.,
Sept. 15, 1837 She was reared and educated in
W.i .liiiri.iiN Counlv.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis then settled >
which he had purchased when 22 years old. He af-
terward jiurchased a larger fami, which he had to
give up in the hard times that existed about the open-
ing year of the war. In 1863, he moved to Living-
ston County, where he rented a farm for three years;
and in February, 1866, he settled on 60 acres on
section 9, Sumner Township, which he had purchased
the previous fall. To this farm he has added 60
acres, and more than half of his farm is well improved
and cultivated. He has also a suitable residence and
barns.

Mr. Lewis has been in every sense an active man.
For 14 seasons he ran a threshing-machine; and he
purchased the first machine ever brought into his
native township. He has also lumbered extensively,
putting in 1,000,000 feet one winter. He has held
various offices in his school district, and [X)lilically
is a Republican. His wife has for 20 years been an
active member of the United Brethren Church. .Mr.
and Mrs. L. are the parents of two children: Her-
bert H., born Feb. 21, i860; Cora M., born March
2, 1S67.

R ames T. Hall, resident at St. Louis, was a
£'• son of .Abraham and Hannah (Jones) Hall.
■'•' ~ The parents were both of pure English ex-
traction, and emi|rated to the New World aliout
1832 or '■>,},. They first located in Herkimer
Co., N. Y., and from there moved to Oneida
County, same -State, where ti.e father followed the
occupation of a farmer until his death in 1856. The
mother died in the same county in 1841.

James T. Hall, the subject of our biographical
notice, was l)orn in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Feb. 8,
1836. When one year of age he was taken by his
parents to Oneida County, same State. He resided
in thai county, working on his fathers I'ann and at-
tending the common schools, until 1868, when his
p.irents had lioth deceased, and he came lo this coun-
ty and located at Alma. Oh his arrival at Alma he
associated himself with a Messrs Pierce and Ward,
under the firm name of Pierce, Hall & Ward, in the
III The firm '

.M i mill, .luil \\\\\

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I

<-n!i:::ira->^

V<>llll^lllli^

GRATIOT COUNTY.

latter to Saginaw. They were also engaged in the
purchase of tracts of timber land on Pine River.
The partnership lasted until 1875, when it was mutu-
ally dissolved.

Politically, Mr. Hall is a Democrat. In the fall
of 1874 he was elected (bounty Register of Deeds,
'running against Joseph H. Seaver, of Ithaca, and, al-
though the county was conceded to be 800 Republi-
can, Mr. Hall was elected by a majority of 104 votes.
In 1876 he again ran for the same i)osition, Init was
defeated.

After his retirement from office, Mr. Hall engaged
with the Chicago, Saginaw & Canada Railroad as
conductor, and followed that occupation until 1880,
when he became Superintendent of the road. He
served in that capacity from June, 1880, to June,
1883, when the road was sold to the Detroit, Lan-
sing & Northern Railroad. After quitting the above
business he commenced the manufacture of patent
hoops, at Ahna. His machine was one of three in
the United States, and cut the hoops from the solid
log, at the rate of 100 per minute. They sliip to
Chicago, New York city, St. Louis (Mo.), and Sagi-
naw City, and are meeting with signal success in the
business.

Mr. Hall was united in marriage, June 6, 1867, at
Holland Patent, Oneida Co., N. Y., to Miss Catherine
L. Hamlin (daughter of Joseph and Delia Hamlin),
born in Holland Patent, .April i, 1841. Their union
has been blessed with two children : Jessie VV., born
at Alma, March 10, 1S70; and Nina A., born at
Alma, in October, 1S71.

Mr. Hall held the position of Supervisor of Ar-
cada Township fourterms — 187 1-72-74-77. Socially
he is a member of the Order of Masonry, Knights
Templar, A. O. U. U'., and K. of H., and has been
Trustee of the village of St. Louis one term — 187 1-2.

'SI

,i illiam J. Marshall, farmer, section t,},^
.!' North Star Township, was born in the
IP* county oi Livingston, State of New York
?J^ March 30, 1833, He is a son of William and
Elizabeth (Chase) Marshall, natives of the
Empire State. They moved to Allegany Co., same
State, in 1841, and after remaining there two years,
in 1843, and when our subject was but ten years old.

came to this Slate and settled in Ingham County.
Here William remained attending the common
schools, assisting his father in the support of the
family and developing into manhood. In 1856,
when 23 years of age, Mr. Marshall left the parental
home in Ingham County and came to this county.
He first settled on section 9, North Star Township,
and now owns 100 acres of good agricultural land on
section ;^2, Nov. 26, of this year, he was unitedin
marriage to Sarah, daughter of Abijah L. and Phebe
(Driggs) Clark. The father is deceased, and the
mother is still living in Bunker Hill, Ingham County,
this State. Mrs. M. was born in Batavia, Genesee
Co., N. Y. She received a good education in the
common schools of her native county and attending
Michigan Central College, then located at Spring
Arbor and now being at Hillsdale, Mich. Her desire
and aim was to become proficient as a teacher, and
so studiously did she apply herself to the accom-
plishment of that end that, while but 14 years of
age, her knowledge was considered sufficient to
enable her to enter upon her labors of imparting .\i:.
knowledge to the young, which occupation she has =
successfully followed for a number of years, receiving ^,
numerous encomiums upon her competency, pro- x^i
ficiency and the success of her work. She has ^y
taught in Genesee Co., N. Y. ; Jackson, Ingham and ^ ,
Gratiot Counties, this State. She taught eight terms (
in District No. 5, North Star Township, this county,
the last term being in the winter of 1881-2.

When the cloud of rebellion arose and threatened
the Nation with dissolution, and when every loyal
heart beat with a throb of sorrow at the injustice of
their brothers in dishonoring the " Flag of our Fa-
thers " by their attack on Sumter, our subject joined
the ranks of the defenders of the Nation's honor and
enlisted in Co. D, 26th Mich. Vol. Inf.,.\ug. 9, 1862.
He was on detail service most all the time during his
term of enlistment and was discharged June 5, 1865,
after serving almost three years.

Mr. Marshall has cleared for himself and others
over 150 acres of land. When he began in this /^
county he had no team and he had to work two days f
tor the use of an ox team one day. He finally got k
possession of a yoke of calves and soon had a team A^
of his own. He went to Maple Rapids to purchase »'
flour, a distance of 20 miles, and his conveyance was to^,
a two-wheeled cart with a wood-rack on it; he ^

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M^Nvir'^

GRATIOT COUNTY.

,8s

walked all the way, and two-thirds of the way he was
compelled to go on logs to keep out of the water; and
the money he paid for the flour he earned by chop-
ping a road four rods wide and clearing two and a
half rods wide, at six cents a rod, through a lieavy
timlier. In fact, Mr. M. experienced all the trials so
Well kiicnvh to the old pioneers of the county.

Mr. and Mrs. M. have one child living and one
dead. Phebe E. (.Mrs. George fielding, of North
Star Township) is the living child, and William I,.
died at five yearsof age. They also have an adopted
son, Benjamin J. Mr. M. is a member of the Ma-
sonic Order.

[homas R. Payne, farmer, section 28, Fulton
Township, is a son of Arnold and Loana
(Parker) Payne, natives of Rhode Island
and New York State. They first settled after
marriage in New York, and afterwards came
to Michigan, locating at Green Oak, Living-
ston County. They afterwards removed to Ingham
County, and several years later, in 1846, they came
to Fulton Townshi)), this county. She died in 1850,
and he followed Nov. 23, 1879.

Their family was com|X>sed of eight sons and five
daughters. 'Phomas R., the youngest, was born in
Ingham Co., Mich., Jan. 14, 1S45, and was one year
old when his parents removed to f Jratiot County.
He remained at home attending the common schools
and working on the parental farm until 21 years old,
except a year and a half spent in the service of his
I ountry. He enlisted, in December, 1863, in tlie 4th
.Mich. Vol. Cav., and served till July, 1865. May
iS, 1S64, in a fight at Kingston, Ga., he was wounded
id the abdomen. In conse<iuence of this he was
transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, where he
Nerved until his discharge.

Returning from the army he worked his father's
farm on shares until the hitter's death. He has
owned .11 (lifferenl time^ various tracts of land and
in 1879 he l)Ought 80 acres on section 28, Fulton,
where he now rcsiilcs. He now owns qo acres of land,
;o of which are nicely cultivated. He has built a
Mioilern residence and barn, whii'h will compare
favorably with any in Fulton Township.

He was first married in Fulton Township, Oct. 23.

1865, to Maggie, daughter of John and Sarah (Covert)
Potes, natives of Pennsylvania and New York State.
Mrs. Payne was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., Feb. 5,
1844, and died .\ug. 22, 1874, leaving three children :
Newton B., Frank J. and Maggie M. Mr. P. was
again married, in Lenawee Co., Mich., Dec. 31, 1874,
to Sarah J. Potes, youngest sister of his first wife.
She was born in Lyons, Fulton Co., Ohio, Dec. 10,
1856, and is now the mother of one daughter, Myrtie
.A. -Mr. and .Mrs. P. are members of the Christian
Cluirch. Politically, he is a Republican.

obert Smith, editor and proprietor of the
Giiiliol Joiinutl, publislied at Ithaca, was
•'i\ '*'^'" .VlJril 13, 1841. At the age of 14
X^ years he entered a printing oftice, with a pur-
y ix>se to master a knowledge of the "art pre-
servative of all arts." He has worked in
every sphere known to that business, and is thoroughly
versed in all its various details. In i860 he removed
from his home in Syracuse, N. Y., to New York city,
where he passed six months as a journeyman printer.
He then returned to Syracuse and after a brief stay
there proceedetl to Rochester, in the same State,
where he remained till the winter of 1863. He then
came to Lansing, Mich., and obtained employment
in the State printing oftice. In the summer of 1864
he and H. S. Hilton went to St. John's and pur-
chased the Clinlon Republican. They continued the
publication of that journal till 1S69. During this
period .Messrs. Hilton iS: Smith, in company with C.
F. Smith, established the Flint Globe, the latter and
Mr. Hilton managing ilie Globf, while Robert Smith
remained at St. John's and controlled the destiny ol
the Republican, making it one of the handsomest and
best weeklies in Michigan.

In 1S69, as aU)ve stated, these gentlemen dis|ioscd
of both journals, H. S. Hilton and Robert Smith
subseipicntly going to J.ickson, Mich., where they
purchased a two-thirds interest in the Daily Citizfn.
They remained there some eight months, when they
severed their ronncction with that joumnl. Mr.
Smith then returned to St. John's again, where hi-
tem|x)rarily established his home. The rollowin.
winter he was induced to take the nianagenf'<> ■■' '' ■
job department of the Lansing State A

■^

^^f"

i86

-m^

office. He continued in this capacity till the next
spring, when his health failed in conseqvience of a
too close application to his duties. He then deter-
mined to remove to Minnesota and engage in other
business.

He therefore located at Taylor's Falls, in that
State, where he purchased a hardware store, and con-
tinued its operation for some 15 months, with satis-
factory results.

Ill the fall of 1872, ill compliance with the
solicitations of friends, he visited Ithaca and pur-
chased the Gratiot Journal^ since which he has con-
trolled its columns.

In September, 1879, while absent at Detroit, the
building in which his business was established was
destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $5,000, with an
insurance of $3,200. Looking over tlie situation
calmly, lie determined to proceed with his business,
and before he left Detroit he purchased a new office
equipment, and so expedited his movements that he
issued his paper without the loss to his patrons of a
single copy. He bought the ground property where
he is now located, on which a building was in pro-
cess of erection, the lower story being well nigh com-
pleted, and re-established himself in his business,
which he has continued to conduct, with success.
He manages a heavy job-printing business. The list
of subscribers to his paper numbers upwards of 1,700.

Mr. .Smith was married Oct. 5, 1869, at St. John's,
Mich., to Miss H. Carrie Scattergood. She is a native
of Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., where she was born
Feb. 8, 1846, and is the daughter of Joshua and
Caroline (Barker) Scattergood. To Mr. and Mr.
Smith three children have been born: Robert, Jr., at
St. John's, Oct. 18, 1870; Maud, at Mankato, Minn.,
Aug. 15, 1 87 2, and Harr)' M., at Ithaca, Oct. 17,1876.

-^(3,

T~r^

>-H=^

;{^^M

illiam H Sibley, farmer, section 18, Se-
a iiaig ville Township, was born June 9, 1833, in
jfe^ Columbia Co., N. Y. His parents, Will-
_||S> iam and Ruth (Vincent) Sibley, were natives
4:)n of the same county where their son was
born. The father engaged in farming in his
native State for a number of years, and in 1839 he
removed his family to Jackson Co., Mich. They
went later to Calhoun County, where, in 1864, the

father died, and the demise of the mother occurred
in 1872.

Mr. Sibley was 11 years old when he came to
Michigan. He commenced to work by the month as
a farm laborer at 14 years old, at fij per month, and
worked for various parties from that time on. He
was employed for $20 a month for about two years
in Branch County. He then went to Calhoun Coun-
ty, where he remained the same length of time, re-
turning thence to Branch County. He went again,
four years later, to Calhoun County, where he re-
mained four years, and then in Branch County again
until 1876, when he came to Gratiot County and lo-
cated again as stated, and has since been engaged
in farming.

Mr. Sibley was married, in 1856, to Laura M.,
daughter of Solomon and Lydia (Warner) White.
She was born June 4, 1838, in Branch Co., Mich.,
and is the second of a family of two daughters and
one son. Her parents were farmers, and her father
died in 1849 in Branch County. Her mother lives
in the city of Coldwater. Mr. and Mrs. Sibley are
the [xarents of three children : Eva M., George J. and
Clara L. Mrs. Sibley is a member of the Baptist
Church. Mr. Sibley is a Republican in political con-
nection, and has held the school offices of the district
where he resides.

^<^^.4m^■IkS>l^

9
A

liomas T. Newtou, farmer on section 31,
Fulton Township, is a son of Harris and

tjft?'-''"'^ Kliza A. (Perrin) Newton, natives of Ver-

Sf' mont and New York.

Eliza A. Perrin first
married (ieorge Chipman. .After her second
marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Newton settled in Oak-
land Co., Mich., where they lived until Mr. N.'s
death, Sept. 18, 1863. Mrs. N. then removed to
Lebanon, Clinton County, where she now lives.
Their family numbered nine — five sons and four
daughters.

The second son was Thomas T., born in Oakland
County, Jan. i, 1842. Educated in the common
schools, he remained at home until 21 years old, and
then went to Whitewater, Wis., and lived six months.
He then removed to Michigan. March 20, 1865, he
enlisted in the 22d Mich. Vol. Inf., being afterwards
transferred to the 29ih. He was honorably dis-
charged Aug. 20, 1865. In December of tlie same

W-a^^^^

GRATIOT COUNTY.

187

6)
A

•)

year, lie came to Clinton County and lived until
1868, when he again went to Wisconsin, and also to
Iowa. After an absence of eight months, he bought
120 acres of wild land in Clinton County, and built a
log house. Two years later he sold, and for three
ye^rs he managed his mother's farm. In September,
1874, he purchased 200 acres, partly improved, on
section 34, North Shade, which he worked for five
years. Selling thi.s place, he then Itoughl 160 acres
in Fulton Township, on section 31. He also owns
80 acres on section 36, North Shade, and has alto-
gether iSo acres improved.

March 17, 1870, in Lebanon, Clinton Co., Mich.,
he married Miss Martha, daughter of Benjamin and
Mary (I'ostle) (iraham. She was born in Oakland
County Dec. 26, 1842. This marriage has been
blessed with two children : Maidie, born March 15,
1871, and (ieorgiana, June 29, 1873.

Mr. Newton has been Justice of the Peace for three
years. He was elected Supervisor of North Shade
in the spring of 1879, and resigned after serving
three months. He is a member of the K. O. U. VV.,
and is politically a Republican. He and wife are
members of the Christian Church, and of Essex
Orange, I', of H.

"fcr'fcf* |;;

tt^-T-^

Ibridge G. Truver, of the firm of E. VV.
Tr.iver & Co., manufacturers of, and deal-
ers in, coopers' supplies at .Si. Louis, was
Iwrn in Columbia Co., N. Y., Nov. 16, 1833.
V His parents, John J. and Catherine (Coons)
( I'raver, removed to Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1S37,
where his father l)Ought two farms— one of 56 acres,
situated partly within the village coriwration ; the
other, lo<ated near by, consisted of 80 .icres. His
father's wxupation was that of a remover of build-
ings in wbich business the son was for several years
engaged.

Mr. Travcr went to Tyrone, Livingston {!o., Mich.,
in 1867, and |>asscd the suiceeding four years in
farming He removed to Fenton, Ccnesee County,
from there, and engaged in the manufacture of round
hoops. He was thus employed till November, i88i,
when, in company with his son, E. W. Travcr, he re-
moved to St. Ix>uis. Continuing in the round-hoop
trade till the following spring, he and his son, 9.S the

firm of 1;. W I ,v Co., purchased of Wm. Rose

the Shook mill, known as the " St. Louis Coo]>erage."
They completely refitted and equipped the buildings
with new machinery, and in the winter of 1883-4
further increased their facilities for manufacturing by
setting up a saw mill of large capacity. They man-
ufacture each year millions of patent coiled hoops ;
each month they turn out hundreds of thousands of
round hoops; and another im|x:>rtant branch of their
business is the manufacture of soft and hard wood
staves. They handle yearly hundreds of thousands
of racked hoops; keep constantly on hand barrels
and kegs of all sizes and descriptions, and solicit cor-
res|)ondence for all kinds of slack and light cof)i>er-
age. They employ U|nvards of a hundred men the
year round. The capacity of their mill and auxiliar)-
shops is ab(jut 20,000 patent coiled hoops, 10,000
round hoops and 5,000 sawed staves each day. They
have recently improved, as well as increased the
capacity of, their mill by putting in round-hoop ma-
chinery. They are steadily increasing their trade,
taking advantage of the aid of each new invention in
the way of labor-saving machinery, and may reason-
ably expect, at no distant day, to be one of the lead-
ing firms of Gratiot County.

K. G Traver, the subject of this sketch, was mar-
ried at Ann Arbor Jan. 3, 1856,10 Minerva, daughter
of Jacob and Naix y Snapp. .She was Iwrn June 8,
1832, in the Slate of New York. Of their union, two
sons were born : PMgar W., Nov. 24, 1*56, and Will-
iam H., June 19, 1863.

-}--'^/Wi

Egtggoa ^

.dward Lake, f.irmcr, Hethany Township,
ot( upies the southeast ijuarterof the south-
west ipiarter of section 20, and owns also
the 30 acres adjoining on the east. Mr. I.;ikc
was Ijorn in Charlotte, Chittenden Co., Vi.,
Sept. 24, 1823, and grew up as a farmer's son.
When six years of age his parents, Heman and Bet-
sey (Morgan) Lake, moved to Hamburg Township.
Livingston C!o., Mich., lo<:ating. in agricultur.il pur-
suits, ujion a farm of 160 .acres. When 22 years of
age he went to Iowa, with no capital, .ind followed
teaniing, etc., there alxuit two ycirs; next, he fol-
lowed lumbering a year at the mouth ol the .Mams-
tec River, in this Stale; next, in 1847, the family

-K-DO:-:ilo«>^

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^<aAiv!rVi^

GRA 'HOT CO VNTY.

-J^^^^

moved to Bengal Township, Clinton Co., Mich.,
bought a t'arni and for alxuit two years engaged in
the manuracture of brooms.

At the last mentioned place, Dec. 7, 1851, Mr.
Lake married Miss Harriet, a daughter of Kbenezer
and Mary A. (Sanford) Bliss, who was born in Broome
Co., N. Y., Aug. 28, 1830. Tliey have one daughter,
Ellen, who was born in Arcada Township, this county,
March 5, 1859, and is now the wife of Allen H.
Reed, a farmer in Bethany Townshiii. and they also
have one daughter, Ciertie, who was born in that
township, March 29, 18S2.

Mr, Lake remained in CHnton County about two
years after his marriage, then moved into Arcada
Township and pre-empted a ipiarter of section 25,
but soon sold it and bought 80 acres of timlier land
adjoining, one mile north of Ithaca. Of this he
cleared about 30 acres and made other improvements.
Aug. 28, 1866, lie moved to his present farm, where
he purchased 120 acres, mostly timber. Of this he
has cleared 70 acres and sold 40. His son-in-law
has 40 acres adjoining on the north.

Mr. L. has built a nice residence here, besides
barns, etc., and has a good orchard. He is a pro-
gressive and prosperous agriculturist. When he first
settled in Arcada his nearest neighbor was a Mr.
Climer, eight miles distant, near St. Louis. He
erected a log house, and himself and family endured
the privations and trials incident to pioneer life.

Li this family is an adopted son, Willie H., born
Dec. 14, 1856, in Indiana, who was taken into this
family when 14 months of age.

VTi f ; illiam Greaser, farmer on section 17, Ful-

ton Township, is a son of William and
}fefi«'>> " Emily (Leerett) Creaser, natives respect-
Bj^j^- ively of England and Canada. They set-
^ tied in the latter country after marriage, and
in the spring of 1868 came to Michigan. A
year later they came to Fulton Township, this county,
where the father died, Sept. 17, 1873, and the mother
March ri, i88[. Their family comprised 13 chil-
dren.

The second son, William, was born in Canada
East, Aug. 24, 1827. In his early life he attended
the common schools, and worked for his father. On

gaining his legal freedom, at the age of 21, he worked
out by the month for one year, and then went to Ver-
mont for a year. Returning to the Dominion, he
bought a farm of about 50 acres, which he worked
a year and a half, and then sold. A year later he
removed to Canada West, where he purchased a farm
and lived for 16 years. In October, 187 i, he sold
out, and, coming to Gratiot County, bought half a
section. Having since disposed of a portion of his
land, he now has 150 acres, of which i 10 are well
improved. In 1880, he built his fine residence.

Jan. 22, 1850, in Canada East, he married Miss
Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth
(Brooks) McCombs, natives of Ireland. They emi-
grated to Canada, where the father died, March 12,
1863, and tlie mother, in June, 186S. Their daugh-
ter Elizabeth was born in Canada East, Aug. 12,
1828. Mr. and Mrs. Creaser have had 10 children,
eight of whom survive; Thomas W. B., Emily E.,
Susan S., Philip W., George A., Lucy A. J., Wilhelm-
ina E. and Violet A. Sophia and John R. are de-
ceased.

Mr. C. has held the offices of School Treasurer
and Inspector, and is politically a Democrat. He
and wife are members of tlie Methodist Episcopal
Church.

Ivolin Church, farmer, section 23, Arcada
^ Township, was born in Wheatland Town-
^ ship, Hillsdale Co., Mich., Dec. 22, 1853, and
is a son of I>afayette and Sophronia (Benja-
min) Church (see sketch). When one year
old he was brought by his parents to Gratiot
County. They settled on section 11, Arcada Town-
ship, and here the subject of this biographical notice
was reared and educated, working on his father's
farm until 17 years old. He then devoted one year
to the acquisition of some of the more advanced
branches of learning, attending the college at Fen-
ton ville, Genesee County. When 19 years of age
he left home, and for two years traveled through the
Scuth and West. Returning home, he remained with
his father until 24 years old.

Dec. 9, 1877, he was married to Miss Carrie,
daughter of Francis and Hattie (Hurd) Nelson, na-
tives of Michigan. Carrie was born in Lenawee
I Co., Mich., and died in Arcada Township, this

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THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LBNOX AND
TILUEN F«UNDATI0N8

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GRATJOT COUiVTY.

191

county, Aug. 2, 1879, leaving a wide circle of friends
to sympathize with her husband. Nov. 22, 1880, lie
was again married, at St. Louis, lo Miss Julia, daugli-
ter of Patrick and Bridget (Rhyne) Fitzgerald, na-
tives of the Emerald Isle. They follow farming,'and
now reside in Arcada Township, aged respectively
76 and 5-1. Their daughter Julia was born in Roch-
ester, N. Y., July 5, 1859, and was there reared and
educated.

Shortly after marriage, Mr. and Mrs, ("hurch set-
tled on 80 acres of wild land on section 23, Arcada,
which he had purchased the previous year. He has
since added 60 acres to his farm, making 140, of
which 80 acres are under cultivarion. Mr. and Mrs.
C!. have one son. Maxwell, born Oct. 5, 1881. Mr.
C. is an enterprising and genial young man, and
commands the respect of all who know him. In
jxjlitics he is a Republican.

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3; on. Archibald Bard Darragb, Representa-
tive from (Iraiiot Gjunty, resident at St.
Louis, was born Dec. 23, 1 840, in La Salle
TfT Township, Monroe Co., Mich. He is a son of
T Henjamin F. and Catherine B. l)arra|h. The
1 family legends preserve the patronymic through
its descent and trace it unmistakably to its fountain
head, which was that of one of the Scottish clans.
it is immortalized by the pen of Sir Waller Scott in
one of his historical romances.

The progenitors of the Darragh families of this
connection and generation, founded by inter-marriage a
line of Scotch-Irish descendants, — a race signally dis-
tinguished for meritorious trails, inherently honest,
inlelligcnt and |xjssessing the most valuable charac-
teristics incident to humanity. The line of Mr.
Darragh's descent on the paternal side is obscure,
Irom the fact patent in the nature of the race origin.
It is well known that a |K;culiar feature of one class
of. Scotch is its utter contempt for, and abnegation of,
precedents and types. .A man is what he makes
himself, is the canon of its existence; and tradi-
tionary observances and recollections are only "auM
wives' fables." The present generation is traceable
only to its immediate ancestors, who inhabited the
•• istern and southeasterly .-.fi;.,i., of Pennsylvania.

^m\

with whose interest and affairs they were promi-
nently identified. Henry and Ann (Jamison) Darragh,
great-grandparents, were natives of the N'ortii of
Ireland, and emigrated to .America prior to the
Revolutionary war, settling in that part of Pennsyl-
vania now known as Bucks County. Henry Darragh
becaivie a Captain in the Continental Army, and died
in Bucks County in 1782, at the age of 45 years.
His wife died in Bedford Co., Penn., aged 73 years.
Their family compiised seven children. George W.
Darruh, their youngest son (grandfather of Mr.
Darragh), was born July 12, 1778, in Bucks Co.,
Penn. He married Rebekah More Jan. 7. 1803, and
removed with his family from Fulton Co., Penn., to
Michigan, in 1834. The children were, Lewis, Benj.
F., Mary A., Geo. W., James, John and Martha.
The pa-ternal grand-parents of the subject of
this sketch were residents of Fulton County in the
Keystone State, and came to Michigan in 1834,
where they passed the remainder of their lives.

The name of George W. Darrah (who found
it expedient to drop the letter that forms the
distinguishing link in the name), is indissolubly con-
ne<:ted with the history of the Peninsula State, from
the fact that he was an officer in the 2d Regiment
Infantry, organized and called out by Gov. Mason,
to resist the attempted jurisdiction of Ohio over
Michigan territory. He died in Monroe Co., Mich.,
in 1839, aged 61 years.

Benjamin F. Darragh was born in Fullon Co., Pa.,
in 1808, and was martied to Catherine Bard, Dec.
4, 1834. She was born Nov. 12, 1804, near Mcrccrs-
burg. Pa., and died in .April, 1863. In the ma-
ternal line the descent of Mr. Darragh of this sketch
is traceable for several generations, as his mother
came of a race just as signally distinguished for firm,
sturdy traits of character as that of her husband,
though of a lyi)e widely at variance. On the 29th
of October, 1830, Archibald Bard, her father, re-
corded his genealogy in this wise: ".Archibald Hard,
who is the son of Richard Bard, who was the son of
.Archibald Bard, the son of William Bard, the son of
John Bard, Richard Hard married Catherine Poc,
Dec. 22, 1756. Art hibalil Hard, the \oungcr, m.ir-
ried Kli/al>eth Be.ilty, who had children . Ri« h
Maria, Willi.im Uealty, Calheiine, Margaret, I'
bcth, .Arthibald. Kli/a Jane in-l \l -rth i Ol.
The rci oril is m.ide in the fii
Kx|>04ili">n, " now in Mr D.i

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GRATIOT COU.VTY.

containing explicit and full records of the births,
deaths and marriages of the generation to whic h his
grandfather belonged. John Bard came from Ireland
in the early part of the 17th century and settled in
(hj Maryland, whence his descendants dispersed. Rich-
ard Bard, great-grandfather of Mr. Darragh and third
in descent from John Bard, was born near Philadel-
phia, Dec. 26, 1726, and settled in that part of York
County wliich was afterwards set off and named
Adams County, in the State of Pennsylvania. In
1744, the war between England and France termi-
nated tiie historic peace established by the Quakers
between the colonists and Indians, and Braddock's
campaign, with its disastrous results, seemed to let
loose upon the borders many of the possibilities of
savage warfare. Assaults on the frontier settlements
were frequent and resulted in murder of the whites,
or what was in most instances worse, — capture.
These hostilities grew less frequent as time j, re-
gressed, but did not wholly cease until 1759.

In 1758, the Indians sent their marauding parties
into York County, and killed and abducted the fron-
tiersmen and their families. On the i,^th of April,
in that year, 19 " Delawares " invested the home of
Richard Bard. Tlie inmates were Mr. Bard, his
wife, Lieut. Potter (brother of Gen. Potter), a babe
of six months, and a bound boy. The Indians made
an entry into the house and were repulsed. But
they were too numerous to be successfully resisted,
and capitulation was determined on by the whites.
They surrendered on promise of their lives being
spared; the house was rifled of all valuables and the
other buildings fired. Lieut. Potter was murdered
soon after they had taken up their line of march, and
not long after the infant child shared the same fate.
On the fifth day Mr. Bard resolved to escape, as the
brutality of his captors and the hardships he en-
countered were fast disabling him and incapacitating
him from travel. He was sent to a spring for water,
but a short time after his resolution was formed and
communicated to his wife; he took advantage of the
opportunity his errand afforded, 10 make his escape.
The character of the wife may be inferred from the
fact that she not only approved of his determination,
but diverted the attention of the Indians until her
fleeing liusband was beyond the reach of their ven-
geance. Can the women of this period adequately
picture to their understandings the qualities of a

woman who could deliberately choose to be left to^'
such chances as lay before Mrs. Bard, isolated anci^^
alone in the power of the most implacable of savages^'
— the Delawares, This volume is lionored in record-?
ing her name and perpetuating the fame of her actS)
of self-sacrificing, womanly devotion. It is probable
that her native strength of character and sui>erioriiy
inspired her savage captors with respect, for her life
was spared and she was subjected to no indignities
beyond the hardships of the march and its incidental
privations. She was formally adopted by the tribei
but refused to learn or use their language, as she
would have been obliged, in that event, by their cus-|
toms, to choose or accept a husband.. She was in
captivity two years and five months, and was ran-
somed by the payment of $200 by her husband, who
never ceased his efforts to find her after he attained
his own freedom. The story of his escape would
grace the pages of romance. His sufferings rivaled^
tliose of the Lbiionists who came " out of the Jaws
of death " in making their escape from the stockad^
[jrison at Andersonville. He subsisted on buds ancr^
raw rattlesnakes, and finally reached Fort Pitt (Pitts-Jr^
burg) where he l)egan his search and negotiations foP^
his wife. After tlieir re-union, they settled in Frank-^=
lin Co., Pa., where they reared their family. Th^t/
foregoing account is abstracted from the detailecf- s
record written by Archiliald, the second son, and( i)
compiled in a volume now in the possession of Mr.
Dairagh, entitled " Mirror of Olden-Time Border
Life." Richard Bard died Feb. 22,1799. 'Phe de-
mise of his wife occurred Aug. 30, 181 1.

Archibald Bard (2d) was born June 27, 1765, near
Green ("astle. Pa. He engaged extensively in agril
culture and officiated for a number of years as Judg^
of the County Court of Franklin Co., Pa. He wa^
prominent in public life and gained some notoriety
in literary circles through his biographical writings
and essays on religious topics. He was married to
Elizabeth Beatty, July 2, 1799, and died Oct. 18,
1832. His wife was born Jan. 17, 1774, and died in
January, 1852. (W)

Mr. Darragh is the second child and elder son ofl
his parents, to whom were born five children, thre^^
of whom survive : Maria E. is the wife of Willianfy
S. McDowell, a farmer of Du Page Co., 111.; Jame^
C. is Secretary and Treasurer of the Stockwell 8@]
Darragh Furniture Company of Grand Rapids. UntrtC^

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xVhe was 12 years old Mr. Darragh was a pupil in the
fiVcommoii schools of his native county. In 1852, his
'♦-jxirents removed to the city of Monroe, where he had
i the advantage of the academy there located, and lie
V prepared for a collegiate course under the instruction
~^f Hon. Edwin Willits, then at the head of a select
school at Monroe. In the fall of 1857, Mr. Darragh
entered tlie Classical Department of the University
of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he remained two
years. Through the medium of a friend, William E.
frame, he obtained a position as private tutor in
Claiborne Co., Miss. He was in one of the most
'disloyal sections of the seditious South when the key
^lote of the Rebellion transfi.'ced the civilized world.
The loyal blood in his veins, and the sturdy patriotism
lie inherited from the races to which he belongs, as-
sorted themselves too strongly for him to remain
quiescent, even if he had not been already marked
as a Yankee school-master ; but when he took the
initiatory toward a speedy retreat to the North, his
tleparturc was made possible only through the inter-
^'^ention of the friend through whose instrumentality
^lie went South. The latter, though true to his
'-•^heart's instincts, was [)rominent in his own disloyalty
^to his country's flng; but, with cocked revolver, lie
V/jirotected his friend until the train, which he boarded
■•with difficulty, bore him away toward safety. The
route was made under harassing perplexities, and
only by strategy and justifiable misleading did Mr.
Darragh elude the rebel officials and escape deten-
tion, and more probably death. Mc reached home
and again entered the University of .Michigan, where
he remained a year, and was graduated in the
(Classical I )epartmeiit, receiving the degree of .\. U.
. in 1868, after the close of the war

The influences that were abroad permeated every

clement and involved every class in Michigan. The

inmates of her educational institutions, pupils and

professors, one by one, laid aside their Ixxjks and their

duties and enrolled in the defense of the Union

ll.ig. Students, approaching the _//«(;/(• <)f their edu-

".^1 ational career, grew impatient over the slow march

' of the succeeding days and received the credentials

? of their scholarship without a vestige of the pride

.ind gratification which had seemed the only thing

GKA no T CO UNTY.

'93

/worth living for when they began their curriculum of

\ stuily. But one thought ruled the hour,— men were
nccilcd at the front Their vcar^ of effort were vain

and their futures of promise only pulseless, tideless
seas of baffled hopes, ambitions and energies, if the
nation died in the throes of inortal agony that were
nearing its vitals. The tide of Northern student life
that surged toward the vorte.x of battle through the
succeeding years of the war, was one of the sublim-
est spectacles the world ever saw, and bore a weight
of significance worthy the consideration of kings and
prime ministers.

A double incentive actuated Mr. Darragh in his
views of the situation and his relation to the duties
of his manhood. The same impulses that swayed
others held mastery over him and the memory of the
indignities to which he had been subjected, from the
simple fact that accident, so to speak, gave him being
under a Northern sky, brought home to him with a
sharp significance the realities of the case. On the
14th of .August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co.
H, i8th Mich. Vol. Inf. The regiment joined the
United States forces opi>osing the command of Kirl»y
Smith on the fifth of .■\i)ril. On the 2Sth of the
same month, private Darragh, with 62 others belong-
ing to his regiment and to the " Tenth Kentucky "
and " Fourth Indiana Cavalry," were ca|)tured while
on picket duty near Walton, Boone Co., K.y., in a
sudden charge of rebel cavalry, under John Morgan.
The prisoners were marched on the double ((uick to
Falmouth, Ky., and on the day following their arrival
they were paroled by Major Dick Morgan, a nephew
of the celebrated guerrilla chief. The notice of ex-
change of paroled prisoners was issued early in Jan-
uary, 1863, and private D.irragh immediately joined
Co. D, Ninth Mich. Cav., having received a commis-
sion as Second Lieutenant. His regiment achieved
its first triumph in the spring of 1863, in the rout
and capture of Everett's guerrillas, a (»rtion of Buck-
ner's command at Triplett's Briilge, Ky. It took a
prominent part in the pursuit and capture of Mor-
gan, the celebrated '" raider," making first aci|uaint
ance with the devastating rebel hordes under his
connn.ind, on the fifth of July, when a detachment
from its organization cut off and captured Col. Rol>crt
.Mston, Morgan's Chief of Staff, with 5 1 prisoners.
The regiment was in the atlvance when Morgan ».!•<
brought to bay on the Ininks of the Ohio, at BulT^
ton's Uland, and made the atl.uk with a \
SCI iired tlie capture iif Cv\. Basil Dukeai».
I hiti immediate command While Duke ^iniKglcd If

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

hold the field, Morgan fled north with liis main body
of troops.

A detachment from the regiment participated in
the engagement of Jnly ::oth, which resiUted in the
capture of the command of Morgan with the excep-
tion of the rebel chief and about 500 men, who were
taken prisoners with Morgan himself six days later
by Cos. D, I. C, H and E, of the " Ninth," under
command of Major W. B. Way, who reported offi-
cially to Gen. Burnside, from Salineville, Ohio, under
date of July 26, 186.^ : "After a forced march yes-
terday and last night, with almost continued skir-
mishing, we succeeded this morning, at eight o'clock,
in pressing Morgan to an engagement about half a
mile from this town. After more than an hour of
severe fighting, we scattered his forces in all direc-
tions. The following is the result of our engage-
ment; from 20 to 30 killed ; al)out 50 wounded ; 255
prisoners. Our loss slight. My command is 250
strong." Within a month, Lieut. Darragh marched
with his regiment, under Burnside, over the moun-
tains into East Tennessee. The " Ninth " did good
service at Loudon Bridge, Knoxville, Cumberland
Gap, and aided in driving the enemy through Straw-
berry Plains, Morristown, Russellville, Blue Springs,
Greenville, Tonesborough and Wautaga, to the very
gates of the Old Dominion. It had watered its
horses in every stream from the Cumberland range
to the Blue Ridge. The campaign of the winter of
'63-4, in the mountains of East Tennessee, is with-
out precedent in the annals of the war. The cold
was extreme, and supplies, which at first were insuf-
ficient, were at last wholly cut off. The soldiers
were in rags; East Tennessee, so often traversed by
both armies, was destitute of provisions and forage,
and the effort to keep the cavalry forces mounted
was a failure. The line of daily march was marked
by dead horses and abandoned equipments, and the
situation well nigh rivaled the bitter recitals of Val-
ley Forge. The me'n's feet were, many of them, des-
titute of covering, save the swathings of pieces of
blankets and cloth,- in which they were enveloped.
By the middle of February, there were but 50 service
able horses in the entire command, and on the 25th
of that month, Lieut. Darragh, in charge of 50 picked
men, was ordered to report direct to Gen. Garrard,
Brigade Commander, and until March 25th was en-
gaged in scouting and reconnoitering expeditions ;

and the command was frequently involved in skir-
mishes with detachments of Confederate cavalry.
In April the regiment was ordered to Kentucky to
remount, and in June was a prominent factor in
routing Morgan at Cynthiana and driving him from
the State. It was in the advance and was deployed
on the right of the Union line opposed to Morgan's
left. The day was won by a brilliant sabre charge,
which made a complete rout. The official report of
the commanding General Burbridge claimed 1,100
rebels killed, wounded and captured. During the
month of July, the regiment marched through Ken-
tucky and Tennessee, into Georgia, joining Sherman's
conquering legions at Marietta in their advance on
Atlanta. The cavalry was engaged in protecting the
flanks, keeping open communications, in scouting, re-
connoiteringand raiding, till after the fall of Atlanta.

Ii participated in the successful raid around At-
lanta, under Kilpatrick. ( )n the 14th day of Novem-
ber, 1864, the " General" was sounded, the regiment
marched out of its camp near Atlanta and took its
position in Sherman's grand army in the first day's
" March to the Sea." The progress through Georgia
was one continuous skirmish with the rebel cavalry,
under Gen. Wheeler. The regiment distinguished
ifself at Lovejoy's .Station, at Macon, at Waynesboro,
and at Cypress Swamp, and won the following special
mention t'rom (jen. Kilpatrick, in his official report
to Gen. Sherman : " It has at all times behaved most
handsomely and attracted my special attention." It
was the escort of Gen. Sherman in the investment of
Savannah, and made a gallant charge at Aiken, S. C,
and was in hot action at Averysboro and at Benton-
ville.

The Ninth was the only Michigan cavalry regi-
ment that marched with Sherman to the ocean, and
it fired the last volley at the rebels, in behalf of the
National standard, prior to the surrender of Gen.
Johnston's army. The commission of Mr. Darragh
as First Lieutenant was dated Feb. 12, 1864; that of
Captain was conferred June 9, 1865. He was mus-
tered out of service July 21, 1865, and was honor-
ably discharged at Jackson.

After leaving the military service, Mr. Darragh re-
solved to fit himself for the legal profession, and,
with that intent, went to Jackson to engage in the
proper course of study under the direction of Gov.
Blair. But the experiences of the years which had

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

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s^ intervened since his student days, had made havoc

' ■' with his mental habits, and he found it difficult to

•'-J concentrate his attention sufficiently to render his

* readings profitable. He obtained a position in the

\Vest-Side union school at Jackson, and had charge

of the Grammar Department two years. In 1867 he

was elected the first Su[)erintendent of Jackson

County, and discharged tlie duties of ilie office two

years.

.Mr. Darragh came tn Graliot County in 1870, anil
soon after established his banking business at St.
Louis, where lie has since proMccuted the matters
( omnion to such institutions. He has lieen inti-
mately connected with the prominent interests of the
village since he became a resident, and has officiated
continuously as a member of the Village Board of
Kducation. The perfect organization of the union
school i.i largely due to his efToits and views, made
practical by his own experience as an educator. He
is a Pe|)ublican to ihe core, and has been active in
local [lolitics. In 1872, he was elected County
Treasurer, and in 1882 was nominated and elected
1=3 Kcpresentative of Gratiot Comity, receiving 62 ma-
.v; jority on the popular vole over the Fusion candidate.
E=i The canvass was spirited and the entire Fusion
K^y ticket was elcjted with the exception of Kepresenta-
N tive and Circuit Court Commissioner. Both caiidi-
|i dates are residents at St. I.ouis, and Mr. Darragh's
majority in his home township (Pine River) was 36.
Mr. Darragh was active in his capacity of Assem-
blyman. He served as Chairman of Committee on
Private Cor|)orations, a jwsition for which lie "as pe-
culiarly fitted, and he also acted on Committees on
Stale Affairs and on State University.

The character of Mr. Darragh needs no elal>ora-
tion at the hands of the biographer. From the sim
pie recital of the successive events of his career the
future generations who may be interested in tracing
his innueiicc and |K>silion in Gratiot County, will be
at no loss to form a just estimate of his deserts.
Hi^ |K)rtrait api)ears on page 190, and will prove a
satisfaction to his friends, as it is une of the most
valuable of the large <:ollectioii in this volume.

He was married June 8, 1875, to .Annie I'. Cul-
bcflson, of Monongahcla City, I'a She was Iwrn
May i.(, iS. (H,. It .Allegheny ( iiy, Pa., and is a daugh-
ter of .Albert and Kmily (Urnwn) Culbertson. M.nv.
^ only child, was born Sept. 15, 1879, a( St. I/)ui»

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^IB4i» atrick Brewer, farmer on section 15, Emer-
2 ^Mii 5Qn 'I'ownship, was born in Witklow Co.,
•■!,;i> Ireland, Jan. i, 1S25, and is the son of
jjj( Richard and .Ann (Kenney) Brewer, natives
-^- of the Emerald Isle, where they were small
farmers. In 1850 they emigrated to Canada, settling
near Kingston, Ont., and farmed there. Patrick, at
the age of 27, left his parents and worked in San-
dusky Co, Ohio, ui.til the summer of 1S56. He
then came to this State and county, and settled on
his present farm in Finerson Township.

In this coimty, March 31, 1867, he was united in
marriage to Mrs. Ruth Decker {.nee Con vis), daughter
of John D. and Submitte (Graves) Convis, natives of
Rhode Island and Vermont, respectively. They
were married in the State of New York, and after a
number of years removed to Emerson Township,
this county, where they died, the father in 1867, and
the mother in 1861. Ruth was lx>rn in Ontario,
Wayne Co., N. Y., March 22, 1835 ; came at the age
of nine to Shiawassee Co., Mich., and .later to Gra-
tiot County, where she was married.

Mr. and Mrs. Brewer have had four children, two
of whom are living: Richard S.liorn Nov. 21, 1870;
Emma I,., born Dec. 17. 1874; Mittie .A.,l)orn Sept.
3, 1868, and died Oct. 3, 1868 ; Joseph .A., liorn Scjt.
16, 1869, and died Sept. 30, 1869. Mr. Brewer is
(Kjlilically a faithful Republican. He has held the
offices of < Iverseer of Highways and School Di-
re<;tor.

ji ohii S. Parker, farmer, section 8, Newark
,:)£^j|j Township, was born March 25, 1841, in
Wayne Co., Mich. His father, John Par-
ker, was a native of Vermont, and numed
Berry, who was Ixjrn in the Slate of New
where they settled for a time. They
afterwards removed to Ohio, and later to Michigan,
which was then in its pioneer jiciiod, locating in
Wayne County. In 1854 they settled in Newark,
(jraliot Counly. Their f.itnily lonsisied of eight
sons and three •

Mr. Patkcr is ' >i son, and aC(|uircd hi* cdu-

ition in the common iichools At 16 he became

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

"-^fl'/^'ltS^r-

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V^naster of his own forlunes, and has spent all his

fWlife thus far in the Peninsula State, with the ex(:e[)-

'ihtion of two months, whicli were mostly iiassed in

♦ Missouri. In March, 1873, he bought 120 acres of

r land, under partial imi)rovements, and erected there-

^on suitable and convenient faim buildings. He now

owns 160 acres in Newark Townshij), of which 120

acres are under good cultivation, and 90 acres in

Fulton Township, 55 of which are im]>roved.

Mr. Parker was married Dec. 24, 1873, to Mary,
(third daughter of. John and Nancy (1 )ravenstot)
_,(ireer, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Parker was
,*1jorn in Clinton County, Sept. 19, 1S54. Her parents
were natives of Ohio. Two children are now in-
cluded in the household: Jane A., born April 23, 1876,
and Roscoe B., born July 14, 1879.

In political matters Mr. Parker votes independ-
ently. He is a member of the Order of Masonry.

)

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=E*-

=i^H^li^oseph A. Guthrie, physician and farmer.

tJi^^L on section

15, Emerson Township, was
^p'' ' iiorn in Chenango Co., N. Y., Dec. 12, 1815,
and is the son of Nathan and Abbie (Ricliard-
son) Guthrie, natives of New England, and of
r Scotch and English extraction. The Guthries
for several generations back have been physicians
and surgeons. Nathan Guthrie practiced in Genesee
Co., N. Y., when that county was very new, and he
had to contend with most of the hardships of pio-
neer life. He deserves the credit of bei)ig one of
the foremost in developing that now rich country,
and his children were tlie fust white children horn
there.

The subject of this sketch was scarcely one year

old when he lost his mother, and he was taken care

of by his aunt and uncle. He lost his father by

death four years later, and was then left entirely to

his relatives. They treated him kindly, and enabled

him to obtain a practical education in the common

'schools. At the age of 19 he began teaching in the

common schools, and by si)ending his earnings in

•better informing himself, he progressed rapidly. He

^■^ studied in select schools, and then gave himself to

the art of medicine, under Dr. L. Tucker, of Earl-

ville, Madison Co., N. Y. He remained with that

>. gentleman four years, and attended a course of lee-

tures at Geneva, N. Y. In the spring of r842, he
secured his diploma, and he has since acquired, by a
long and successful practice, the reputation of a very
skillful physician.

July rfi, 1844, at Sandy Hill, Washington Co.,
N. \'., he was married to Eunice Town, a native of
Washington Co., N. Y. She died in Shiawassee Co.,
Mich., in September, r846, and March 16, 1847, in
Shiawassee County, he was again married, to Emma
M. Convis, daughter of John D. and Suhmitte
(Graves) Convis, natives of Vermont. She was born
in Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., N. Y., April 29, 1829, and
when a year and a half old went with her parents to
Wayne County, that State, where she received a
common-school education. At the age of 16 she
came to Shiawassee County, this State, and taught
for a short time previous to her marriage. In 1857,
Dr. and Mrs. Guthrie came to this county and set-
tled on (2o acres, 80 on section 15 and 40 on sec-
tion 14, to which he has since added 80 acres, and
he now tbllows farming in connection with the prac-
tice of his profession. Their first e.xperiences here
were such as most pioneer families undergo, though
peiliaus they were even more severe. The Doctor
was tlie first regular medical graduate to practice in
Gratiot County.

Tlie Dr. and Mrs. Guthrie have a family of three:
Justus N., born May 21, 1848; Jesse L., born Sept.
9, 1850; iind Ella C, born March 26, i860. They
are members of the Baptist Church. He was one of
the first four Jiistices of the Peace chosen in Emer-
son Township, and he has held- that office 12 years.
He was also for some time Assistant Revenue As-
sessor. Politically he is an active Republican.

■Wrif-

^|JW:|jliarles S. Harmon, general farmer, section
^j|p^j# 28, New Haven Township, is a son of
iJl^'-';^ Walter Harmon, a native of Connecticut and
^j'j a farmer by occupation, who came to this
''^ State in 1844, and located in Ionia County,
as one of the first settlers in Sebewa Town-
ship. He subsequently moved into Clinton County,
and died November, 1861, aged about 6^. His
wife, Mary, «<•,■ Dicks, was also a native of Connecti-
cut, and died in this county Dec. 22, 1858, aged 59.
C Shades S., the subject of this sketch, worked with

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GRA TIO T CO UiVI V.

197*

his father on the farm in Ionia County until 19 years
of age, when he returned to his native State, New
York, where he was born, Sept. 16, 1831, in Chautaii-
([ua County. Residing in Genesee County, that
State, for three years, he returned to Clinton County,
where he remained with his parents until his mar-
riage, Oct. 15, 1S54, to Miss Frances Z. White, daugli-
ter of Moses H. and I^Iiranda (Wheelock) White.
(See sketch.) She was born in Jackson Co., Mich.,
March 13, 1839, moving afterward to Ingham County,
and ne.xt to Clinton County, where she lived till her
marriage. She is the mother of live children, three
of whom are dead, namely : Phebe R. and Florence
M., living; and Worth H., Mary M.aud Effie J., de-
ceased.

A year after marriage, Mr. H. bought 40 acres of
land in Waterlown Township, Clinton County, which
he afterward sold and bought another " 40 " in the
same township, where he followed agriculture for
eight years. Both these places he found in a state
of wild nature. On leaving the latter })lace he went
to Lansing, Mich., and followed teaming nearly a
year. In 1864 he came to this county and lived the
first year with his father-in-law ; he then purchased
a 40-acre piece of land, where he now dwells, mov-
ing upon it three years after the purchase. To this
tract he has added 40 acres more, and of the total
80 acres he has 75 acres in fine cultivation.

Mr. Harmon has held the school otfices of his dis-
tiict, and in political affairs he is a Republican.

l-t ohn M. Everden, farmer and teaclrer, section

30, Emerson Township, was born in Ingham

'' Co., Mich., Oct. 5, 1852, and is a son of O.

A. and Harriet Jane (Phelps) Everden, natives

of Pennsylvania and New York, respectively.

They were married in the latter State, and two
years after came to Michigan, They located on a
farm in Ingham County, where their son John was
born. He came with his parents to this county in
the spring of 1854, and has since lived in Emerson
Township, section -jo. Being the eldest of three
children, it early came to his lot to be a sort of fore-
man around the farm; but, in spite of hard work and
limited advantages, he found time to obtain a fair
education in the common schools of his time, so that
by perseverance he qualified himself for teaching.

97*^

At the age of 20, he began teaching, and has since^
taught in the winters, and farms in the summers. (jfT)
Of the 80 acres, 50 are well cultivated- He is con-''..-
sidered a skillful farmer and a competent teacher. '(

He still resides on the old homestead, with his^
mother, a woman of sterling worth.

Ai)ril 19, 1883, in Saginaw City, he was united in
the bonds of matrimony to Jennie, daughter of Ira
and 1). A. (Westcoit) Van Buskirk, natives of New
York. She was born in Syracuse, N. Y., Sept. 20,
1862, and came to this county in her childhood.V
He is connected with the Baptist Church, of Ithaca/?\
and she, with the M. E. Church, at the same,.'
place.

Mr. Everden is a member of Ithaca Lodge, No.
123, F. & A. M., and now holds the office of J. W.,
in that lodge. He has held ihe township offices of
Sui)erintendent of Schools, Supervisor and School
Inspector. Politically, he is a strong supporter of^
Republican principles.

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Uiam N. Rogers, farmer on section -^-^ .p
l> Pine River Township, is a son of Willianv.' ■

mtKm^m

,'ll^p T. and Lydia M. (Beckwith) Rogers, natives*-
".fy^ of New York State. They married and set-j'
tied in that .State, afterwards removing to
Medina Co., Ohio, where they resided until
their death. William N., the subject of this bio-
graphical narrative, was born in New York State,
Sept. 16, 1820. He was two years old when his par-
ents removed to Ohio, and in that State he was edu-'
cated and grew to manhood. At the age of 18, he
was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade for three^
years at Ashland, Ohio. This business he followed'^
most of the time until 1877.

He came to this county in October, 1854, and set-
tled on the farm which he had entered the June pre-
vious, on section 33, Pine River Township. He built
the first blacksmith shop in Grat'ot County, on his
farm. He and four others, among them Col. Ely, 5-^
Mr. Porter and J. H. Clark, cut through the woods |
what was known as the " middle trail." He built a^
log house 28 X r6, and afterwards sold his whole^r^
farm, trading 40 acres for the place on which he now^x
resides, one yoke of steers, one cow and one barrel®]
of pork. His present farm is all nicely under culti-^

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198

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GRAriOT COUNTY.

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vation. He has at different times owned various
farms in Arcada and Pine Kiver 'I'ovvnsliips.

April iS, 1S43, in Homer Townshii), Medina Co.,
Ohio, he was married to Lydia, daiigiiter of Peter
and Hannah (Taylor) Clark. They first settled in
New Jersey, and afterwards removed to New York
State. Thence they went to Ohio, and lived there
14 years; and in 1854 they came to Ionia Co.. Mich.,
where they died. Their daughter Lydia was born in
Tioga Co., N.. Y., Aug. 2, 1S22.

Mr. Rogers enlisted in the 8th Mich. Vol. Inf.,
and served in the Union army 16 months. He was
honorably discharged May 24, 1S65, at Detroit.
Daring the first part of his service, he was em-
ployed as blacksmith; and when Ralph Ely was
promoted Colonel, he was detailed as cook for that
popular leader.

Mr. and Mrs. R. have had five children; Han-
nah S., Roxana E., Mary C, Phebe U. R. and Will-
iam H. Hannah S. was married to Henry Adams,
and died .April 28, 1876. Roxana E. was married
to George M. Simonson, of Saginaw, and died Feb.
20, 1867. Mr. Rogers has held the various school
offices, and has been a Trustee of Alma village for
six years. In political sentiment, he is a Democrat.

?>^*^

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ddison G. Fraker, farmer, section 8, Wash-

., _ ^^^ ington Township, is a son of Napoleon B.

%i^M' ^"^ Rebecca (Merrills) Fraker, natives of New

They followed farming, and in

'•jiif York State.
'p 1861 came to Gratiot County, locating on 160
acres on section 8, Washington Township.
Mr. Fraker afterwards added 20 acres, and brought
125 acres to a good state of improvement. He lived
on this farm until i<S79, when he removed to his
present home in Ithaca.

The subject of this sketch was born July 18, 1847,
in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and at the age of 23 he
was married to .Amelia Campbell, the daughter of
Cornelius and Pamelia (.\niadon) (Campbell, who
live on a farm in Washington Township. She was
born Oct. 9, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Fraker lived first
one year on section 7, Washington Township, then
on their present place four years, then on another
farm on the same section for four years, then set-
tling permanently on their present farm. Mr. Fraker

has 260 acres of land, and is extensively engaged in
stock-raising, as well as farming. They have five
children, named: Jennie R., Howard C, Ernest R.
(died June 20, 1879), N. B. and Kittie (twins).

Mr. Fraker was chosen Township Treasurer in
1 88 1, and again in 1882. He has been School Di-
rector, and is at present Assessor of fractional school
district No. 3, Washington and Fulton Townships.

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; hilip P. Allen, farmer, section 29, Emerson
\ 'Township, was born in Delaware Co., N. Y.,

Elsie (Peck) Allen, natives of New York, and
descendants of the Puritan fathers. They
followed farming, and died in this State, some years
ago.

Philip, when quite young, moved with his father
to Seneca County and afterwards to Steuben County.
In these two counties he received a pretty fair
education, and at the age of 19 he engaged in teach-
ing in the district schools of Steuben County. This
he followed until his marriage in that county, July
22, 1850, to Mary A., daughter of Richard Sawtell, a
native of New England. ' Mary A. was born in New
York, July 2, 1830.

Five years after their marriage they came to this
county and settled on section 29, Emerson Township.
Here his wife died, Jan. 8, 1855, leaving two children
to comfort her husband: Ozema F., born Nov. 14,
■1852, and George H., born Feb. 4, 1855. He was
again married, .Vpril 17, 1865, to Emma G., daughter
of Raliih and Jane (Terry) Bellows, natives of New
York and Michigan, respectively, and of English and f
Scotch extraction. They resided most of their lives
in this State, and died here, the father Feb. 11, 1863,
and the mother March 2, 1869. Emma G. Bellows
was born in Marshall, Mich., Jan. 25, 1846, and
remained with her parents till her marriage, coining
with them to Gratiot County, in 1861.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen have a family of four children, ]
as follows : Leiand W., born Feb. 5, i866, Cecil W., A
Oct. I, 1870, Tessie M., June 2, 1877, and Rexford (§
E., Oct. 6, 1882. They are members of the Baptist ^
Advent Church. ~

Mr. Allen is a man who is respected by all who

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PUBLIC LIBRARY?

ASTOR, LENOX At'D
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know him. He has held the office of Township
Treasurer for a number of years, and has also been
Township Clerk. He is now Moderator of his school
district. Politically he is a Democrat.

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ion. Charles H. Morse, farmer, stock-raiser

^^ and real-estate dealer, residing on section

29, New Haven Township, and one of the

representative and energetic business men of

the county, is a native of Orangeville, Wyoming

Co., N. Y., where he was born Jan. 27, 1838.

The parents of Mr. Morse were Harvey and

Lydia (Watkins) Morse, and natives of Green and

Madison Counties, N. Y.

From a " History of the Morse family," owned by
the Buffalo Historical Society, we learn that the fam-
ily history is of very ancient origin. It is quite
clearly traced to a little town in Nonvay, south of
Christiana. This town was named Moss, because it
was a mossy country. The family took the name of
Moss, and in course of succeeding generations and
centuries, as in almost all names which come down
to us through centuries, it has changed in form and
orthography, appearing as Moss, Morss and Morse,
and some lesser variations.

It is quite clear that the family accompanied Will-
iam the Conqueror when he subdued England, or
came soon after, as the name appears in England,
and is more easily traced from about that date. The
first official account is in the time of Edward HI,
A. D. r327, when the records show an official ap-
pointment dated 1358. This probably accounts for
the fact that they had a crest or semblance of a coat-
of-arms. This consisted of an open shield, sur-
mounted by two battle axes, crossed, and one ax and
three pellets in the body of the shield. The motto
in Latin, /// Deo^ non armis, fido, — " In God I trust,
not in arms."

The Morse family in America descended from seven
families, who came from England about 1635, the
heads of these families named Samuel, Joseph, An-
thony and William Morse, all settling in Massachu-
setts. Later, Robert Morse landed in New Jersey,
Joshua, " somewhere in New England," and " John
Moss," in New Haven, Conn. It seems to be a his-

torical fact that these are the seven families whence j.^

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the Morses in early days sprang. Samuel Morse
the progenitor of the branch of the family to which /';
Charles H. Morse belongs, was born in 1585, in Eng- |
land, probably at Ipswich, came to Massachusetts
with his wife Elizabeth and son John, in the ship
" Increase," in the year 1635, and settled " south of
Charles River," near Boston, and named the place
Dedham. He, with twelve others, owned a large
tract of land, built the first " meeting-liouse " and
school-house. The "compact " drawn up by himself
and his 12 associates, under which they were to live,
is marked by all that severe piety and intolerance
that characterized the "Blue Laws "of Connecticut.
The whole history of the family indicates that they
have generally been men of sterling integrity and
noted for puritanism. Some have been minis-
ters in the Episcopal Church, but generally they have
been Presbyterians. They fought in the Revolution
and in every war since to the Rebellion. Some were
eccentric. John Morse, born in 17 12, built his
chimney in the hall of his house. He shut himself
in his room and resolved to fast 40 days, but after
trying it three or four days came out, saying the
Lord had excused him from the other days ! He
also chiseled his own tombstone, and asked to be
buried with his head to the north.

The genealogy of the family, from Samuel Morse
to the subject of the sketch, Chades H. Morse, is as
follows: Samuel Morse, born 1585, came to
America 1635, died 1654; son John, born 161 1,
came to America with his father 1635, died 1657;
John's son Ezra, born 1643, died r697 ; Ezra's son
Seth, born 1686, died 1783; he settled in Connecti-
cut; Seth's son John, born in T712, date of death
unknown; John's son David, born about 1755, died
about 1830; David's son Simeon, born Oct. 4, r78i,
died August, 1867 ; Simeon's son Harvey, born June
22, 1802, died May i, 1878; and Harvey's son
diaries H., born Jan. 27, 1838.

Mr. Morse had three brothers and three sisters,
viz: Evaline, born Dec. 24, 1826, and married to Ay
H. H. Beers ; Electa, born Sept. 28, 1828, and mar- f
ried to Lafayette Winchester; Catharine, born July S
4, 1831, and married to Horace Briggs; Lucius, born ^^-
Oct. T3, 1833, married Rose Cutter and died May e^>
15, r875 ; John, born April 26, r835, married Sarah <rv
Holly, murdered .'^ug. r, 1867 ; Myron, born Feli. "'
20, T840, married to Elizabeth Chittle.

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The parents of the suljjccl of this biography
were hani-workiiig, industrious and energetic people,
and Charles H. was edu<rated in the school of labor,
on the farm, necessity preventing his developm-int
into manhood in idleness or wealth. He labored on
the farms in tlie neighborhood, contributing his earn-
ings to the support of the family, and attending the
common schools as opportunity would permit until he
attained the age of 17 years. Possessing a determi-
nation to succeed in the battles of the world, he de-
voted his idle moments to his books ; and at the age
of 16 he was thoroughly capable of entering on the
profession of a teacher, which he did with credit.

Jn 1855, Mr. Morse accompanied his parents to this
State, where they located in Orleans Township, Ionia
County. He then engaged in teaching during the
winter months, and assisted the father on the farm
during the summer. Here his father and mother
-^^ died, the former May i, 187S, at the advanced age
\; -^ of 76 years; and his mother Dec. 3, 18S1, at the
home of our subject, aged 73 years. Tiiey were iden-
tified with this State since 1855.

When tlie nation was aroused from her peacelul
slumber of years by the flashing of the terrible news
1^ alonu the wires from State to State that Sumter had
\J fallen, and our martyr President had called for strong

arms and lirave hearts to battle for the perpetuity of

) our flag and (government, our subject halted not to
consider, but was among the first to offer bis services.

He enlisted Sept. 14, 1861, as a private in Co. D,
3d Mich. Vol. Cav., and on the organization of the
ct)nipany was appointed Sergeant. He served with
the company as Sergeant until Dec. 15, 1862, when
he was promoted to Commissary Sergeant of the
regiment, and he always had personal charge of the
subsistence of the regiment during the time he held
the office.

During his service with the regiment, he was pres-
ent at the siege and capture of New Madrid and
Island No. 10. W. New Madrid, under Gen. Pope,
he first "smelled powder burned in anger."

Soon after the battle of Pittsburg Landing, his
regiment was ordered to Tennessee, and participated
in the siege of Corinth, Miss., and after the evacua-
tion did hard service all through the summer of 1862,
in Northern Mississippi and .'Vlabama, and West
\W Tennessee, participating in the battles of luka, Sept.
^ 19, 1862, and (Corinth, Oct. 3 and 4, 1862, — two as

severely contested and decisive engagements, consid-
ering number engaged, as were fought during the
war.

In November, 1862, he accompanied his regiment
in advance of Gen. Grant's army, which moved
nearly down to Grenada, Miss., engaged daily with
the enemy in severe skirmishing, particularly at Cof-
feeville, where the cavalry advance were confronted
by the entire rebel army of Northern Mississippi.

This campaign of Gen. Grant's was apparently
broken up by Van Dorn's raid on his communications
and the destruction of his supplies. Van Dorn
struck Gen. Grant's communication at Holly Springs,
Miss., Dec. 20, 1862, destroyed a large amount of
army sui^plies of all kinds and raided north into
Tennessee, destroying the railroad as he moved.

Mr. Morse was taken prisoner at Holly Springs, by
Van Dorn's forces, while absent from his regiment
after sup[)lies. He was paroled the same day and as
a result was sent North until exchanged, which took
place in ."Vpril, 1863. During the remainder of his
service with the regiment he participated with it in
all its arduous service, scouting in West Tennessee
and Northern Mississippi. Their battles, though
termed skirmishes, were numbered by scores. Few
cavalry regiments saw harder service than his and
few indeed were the inarches it made when Mr.
Morse was not witli it.

After re-enlistment, i\Ir. M. was ordered to report
to (ien. ^V. A. Pile, at Benton Barracks, St. Louis,
Mo., who was charged with the organization of regi-
ments of colored troops at that place. He remained
on duty with Gen. Pile until August, 1864, when he
was commissioned Cajitain in the 117th LI. S. Col-
ored Infantry, and ordered to report at Covington,
Ky., where his regiment was then organizing. He
was the senior Captain in the regiment, taking rank
from Aug. t6, 1864. During August and September
he assisted in recruiting and organizing his regiment
to its maximum number, and in October it was or-
dered to Virginia, and assigned to the ist Brigade,
I St Division, 25th Army Corps, Gen. Godfrey Weit-
zel commanding. The 24th and 25th Army Corps
constituted the Army of the James.

When Richmond was evacuated, Mr. Morse's
company led the advance of the 25th Corps, and his
regiment was probably the first infantry that entered
the capital of the Southern Confederacy.

'Am<^>^. — ^*«s*^

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

»f^^5f

\i*

Remaining at Richmond and Petersburg until
June 2, 1865, he was, with the 25th Corps, ordered to
the Mexican border, to aid in enforcing the famous
" Monroe Doctrine." Louis Napoleon saw the " hand-
writing on the wall," and called the French troops
home from Mexico, leaving Maximilian to his sad
fate.

In the fall of 1S65, the mustering-out of troops
began. The 1 17th Regiment, to which Mr. M. still
belonged, was occupied in garrison duty on the bor-
der, and in October of the same year Mr. M., then
Captain, assumed command of the regiment, which
he retained most of the time until the end of its
service.

Jan. 12, 1866, Mr. M. was promoted from Captain
to Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment. Subsequently,
owing to the muster-out of otiier regiments, the 117th
was the only infantry on the border, and was scat-
^) tared from Galveston to Fort Mcintosh, 500 miles
up the Rio Grande. Mr. Morse conmianded the
l)Osts of Brazos de Santiago, Fort Brown and Ringgold
Barracks. While at the latter post his jurisdiction ex-
tended over 300 miles of the border. Here he had
a chance to observe much of Mexican life, and pro-
nounces them (save a small educated class), the
most degraded human beings in the world making a
claim to civilization.

In June, 1867, Mr. Morse was brevetted Colonel
of U. S. Volunteers, to date from March 13, 1865,
■' for faithful and meritorious conduct during the war;"
his commission being signed by President Andrew
Johnson and Secretary Edwin M. Stanton.

The 117th was the last volunteer regiment in the
service, and their " three years, or during the war,"
was neady completed July r, 1867. They were or-
dered to assemble in New Orleans for muster-out,
and on the 23d day of August Mr. Morse was mus-
tered out of the military service of the United States,
after a continuous service of 5 years, 1 1 months and
g days.

Soon after Mr. M. received his discharge, he came

to this county and purchased 320 acres of lieavily

timbered land, located on sections 20 and 29, New

'"ii^ Haven Township. There was at the time 40 acres

t under improvement. The farm was originally owned
by Richard Crispel. After making this purchase,
\^ Mr. M. at once entered on the task of improving his
land, at times engaged in lumbering and in real

«1^

mM^^

estate, and now owns 400 acres, 270 acres of which are
well improved, supplied with good stock and adorned
with handsome and complete farm buildings, and is
considered the most valuable farm in the township.
Mr. Morse was united in marriage, Feb. 14, 1864,
to Miss Julia, daughter of Nathaniel and Chloe
(Thompson) Sessions, late of Ionia County. The
father was born Aug. 20, 1790, and died March 15,
1880, age nearly 90. The mother was born in 1798,
and died in 1879, aged 81. They were natives of
Connecticut and New York, respectively ; and came
to this State in 1837, since which time they have
been identified with the prosperity of Ionia County
from its earliest settlement, always living in the vi-
cinity of Matherton. It was there Julia was born,
Dec. 13, 1838. She was reared and educated under
the watchful care of fond and loving parents. Pos-
sessing a mind capable of rai)id cultivation and a
large amount of energy and determination, she soon
attained a point in her studies which thoroughly
qualified her to enter upon the duties of a» teacher,
which she performed with great credit. After a few
years of successful teaching she gave up the school
room for the home and entered on the duty of wife
and mother. She has had five children, four of
whom are living, namely : John C, born March 8,
1870; Mark C, born Oct. 27, 1872; Noel M., born
Jan. 10, 1874, and Katie M., born July 18, 1878.
One child died in infancy.

Mrs. Morse is a dutiful and loving wife, a kind
mother and a generous and esteemed neighbor, al-
ways working for the social and intellectual improve-
ment of the community in which she may be found.
She was a twin daughter in a family of 15 chil-
dren, 10 of whom are living. Her membership and
identity with the M. E. Church extends over a long
period of time, and her religious zeal ranks her among
the Christian workers of the county.

The official record of Mr. Morse in the County
and Congressional District in which he lives has
been an honorable and creditable one. He has held
the office of Supervisor eight terms, since 1870, and
also other township and school offices in the gift of
the people of the township.

He was elected Representative on the Republican
ticket in 1872, and the interest he manifested in the
welfare of his constituency procured him a speedy
return in 1S74. These two terms spent in the Leg-

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GRATIOT COUN-TY.

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islature extended his reputation as a man of ability
and integrity, and at the close of his last term he was
put forth as the nominee of the Republican iKUty ior
Senator from the 28th Distric t.

His record had been marked with such manly ac-
tion, ability and integrity that the people rallied
around him even as he had rallied around the old
flag in its time of peril, and elected him by a hand-
some majority.

Mr. Morse has been closely allied with the inter-
ests of the Republican party in this State, and as a
representative of the party stands forth unaccused,
without a blemish.

Mr. Morse is an Officer of the Day in the Post of
the Grand Army of the Republic at Carson City. As
a representative man of the State and county, and
one in every way worthy the conlidence and esteem
of the jjeople, we take great pleasure m presenting
the ix)rtraitof Mr. Morse, together with that of his
most estimable lady, in this work.

:-4

tjioseph B. Davidson, farmer, section 48, Elba
- Township, is a son of John and Mary R.

nia and Maryland

(5^.>'^'^ (Marriott) Davidson, natives of Pennsylva-

Mr. Davidson, Sr., was a
'%r farmer, and his home was in Ohio until his
y death, in the autumn of 1872. Joseph was
born May, 2, 1841, in Licking Co., Ohio. At the age
of 28 he married Lilly Kneeland, who was born in
Howell, Livingston County, May 28, 1852, the
daughter of John B. and Lucena S. (Sickles) Knee-
land. Mr. Kneeland was a native of 'I'ompkins
Co., N. Y., and followed farming.

Mr. and Mrs. Davidson settled at their present
residence on 65 acres of section 28.

They are the parents of two children : John \V.
and Frank K.

Mr. Davidson enlisted in the serviceof his country
at Cleveland, Ohio, in Co. I), 41st Ohio \'ol. Inf. He
was in the battle of Stone Hiver; was wounded at
Chickamauga, and at Missionary Ridge : was wound-
ed both in the hips and in the wrist. On account of
these honorable wounds he was discharged from tlie
army.

He was Highway Commissioner of his township
for one term, and School Superintendent two terms.

He has also held the office of Moderator of his
school district for a number of years. He is a
thorough Republican in his political views. He is a
member of Elsie Lodge, No. 238, F. & A. M., and
also of the G. A. R.

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Ifred Finch, farmer, section 24, Arcada
g Township, was born in Odeans Co., N. Y.^
Sept. 26, 1852, and is the son of Linas Finch,
a native of New York, and of English de-
scent. The father was by occupation a ma-
chinist; and, enlisting in the service of his
country, fell a victim to some rebel bullet. Alfred's
mother died in Odeans Co., N. Y'., in March, 1861,
and at the age of nine Alfred found himself under
the care of a Mr. Hall, of Orleans County. Two
years later they all came to Eaton Co., Mich., where
Alfred lived, working summers and attending school
in the winters, until 16 years old. He then went to
live with Levi Bartlow, in Clinton County, remaining
with him till 21 years old. For the next five years
he was variously engaged.

Aug. 6, 1878, at St. Johns, he was united in the
bonds of matrimony to Nancy, daughter of Erastus
and Jimima (Packard) Farrington, natives of New
England and of English descent. Mr. Farrington's
occupation has been a shoemaker, and he is now a
farmer. Nancy was born June 11, 1857, in Emerson
Township; was there educated, and there lived
until her marriage. One year after marriage, Mr. and
Mrs. Finch settled on 40 acres in Arcada Township,
He now has 15 acres under cultivation. They have
a family of three children, as follows : Alice, born
March 5, 1879; Bertha, June 27, 1880; and Charles,
Oct. 20, 1883. In politics, Mr. Finch is a Republican.

Si/

: I ^(l' ohnT. Botsford, farmer, section 15, New
i Li^^iiL , Haven Township, is a son of Reuben and
^^^' Martha (Lambson) Botsford (see sketch),
and was born in Whitby Township, Ontario,
Feb. 27, 1849. On leaving his native hoine,
when seven years of age, he came with his par-
ents to Michigan, settling in the village of Reuby,
Clyde Township, St. Clair County, for four years;

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

was then four years with his father on a farm near
that village, attending school during the winter sea-
sons. In the fall of 1865 they moved to this county,
where John T. remained, working in agricultural
) pursuits and attending school until his marriage.
His wife, Sarah, is a daughter of George and Alice
(Fisher) Cross, natives of England, who came to
America early in life, ultimately settling in Newark
Township, this county. Mrs. B. was born July 7,
1857, one of the first white children born in that
township. Here she was reared and educated. Mr.
and Mrs. B. have one child, Ettie E., who was born
Dec. I, 1884. Tiiey are members of the Baptist
Church, and in politics he is a Republican.

%.ri?^«£C

illiam J. Courter, farmer, section 7, Ar-
cada Township, was born in Orleans
Township, Ionia County, Sept. 25, 185 1.
His parents are natives of New York State,
moved to this county in 1854, and are now
living on a farm in Arcada Township. Coming
with his parents to an unsettled country, William had
no school advantages during his early youth, but he
was endowed with a desire to learn, and as he be-
came older he developed quite a tastq for books.
When 16 years old, he commenced earning his own
livelihood, going for a time to the lumber woods of
Mecosta County. Returning home, he passed 13
years in working at farming in the summers and in
the woods winters. The last four years of that
period he was in the employ of Bradley Hayes, of
Ionia County, an e.xtensive farmer and lumberman.
During these four years he lost i)ut 13 days' time,
and so highly were his services appreciated that he
was paid for that lost time.

On leaving Mr. Hayes' employ he was married to
Jeannette, daughter of Ira and Ann (Mcintosh) Bar-
low, natives of New York State and of English and
Scotch ancestry. They followed farming, and re-
moved from New York State to the vicinity of Detroit,
Mich., and thence to Sydney Township, Montcalm
County, where they now reside. Jeannette was born
in that county, Nov. 11, 1857, where she was edu-
cated in the district schools, and lived until her mar-
riage. Mr. and Mrs. Courter came to this county
and located on 80 acres of his father's homestead.

He has now 60 ai:reh nicely impuivcil, and good farm
buildings. They have two children : Ira Albert, born
Aug. 22, 1878, and Fred S., born Nov. 15, 1882.
Politically, he is a Democrat. He has been Overseer
of Roads for some time.

*«H^*<S=

^(S3.|:liarles W. Bayley, farmer, section 25, Elba
i f^dS 'I'owiiship, is a son of W. H. and Jane
(Wilson) Bayley, natives of England, and
residents of ("anada. He was born near To-
ronto, Canada, July 7, 1849. On setting out
to make his own way in the world, he went
to Lorain Co., Ohio, where he was engaged in farm-
ing until 1879. Sept. 23, 1879, he was united in
marriage to Catharine Eschtruth, the eldest daughter
of John and Sophia (KeicTi) Eschtruth. They were
natives of Germany, and emigrated to the Great Re-
public in 1847, settling in Lorain C"o., Ohio. Mr.
Eschtruth is there engaged in farming and operating
a stone tpiarry. Mrs. Bayley was born in Lorain
County, Dec. 28, 1852. Politically, he votes with
the Republican party. In Elyria, Ohio, he was
an active worker in the temperance union, and he is
still interested in that cause.

ewis B. Wolford, farmer, section 29, New
Haven Township, is a son of David and
Laverna (Conger) Wolford, natives of New
York. He was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y.,
Nov. II, 1837 ; when six years old he was taken
to Huntington Co., Ind., and two years later to
his native county ; in 1858 he came and settled on
section 21, New Haven Township, this county; in
1867 he moved into Sumner Township, where lie
lived for si.x years, during which time he followed
lumbering in Montcalm County. In the spring of
1876 he moved into New Haven Township.

Jan. 14, 1881, Mr. Wolford married Mrs. Ellen M.
Wiles, daughter of Peter D. and Mary (Babcock)
Pendell. Mr. P. was a native of Saratoga, N. Y., of
German-English descent, came to Michigan in 1847,
and to this county in 1858; he was a farmer. He
and his wife both died in New Haven Township.
Mrs. W. was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., July 14,

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

1845. When two years old she came to this State,
since which time she has been a resident of Ionia
and Gratiot Counties. She was first married in 1862,
to (ieorge Bennett, a native of Michigan, who died
Tune 20, 1S70. She afterward married David Wiles,
wlio was born Jan. 22, 1832, in Ohio, and died April
20, 1877. By another wife he had lieen the father
of seven children, and she, by her former marriage,
had two children. By the jircscnt union there has
been one child, Mary L., born Aug. 1 2, 1S82. Mrs.
\V. has a farm of 80 acres, most of which is well im-
proved. Mr. W., a Republican, has been honored
with office in his school district.

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ifffW' ^^^^^^ *-'• Wooley, fanner, section :^^, Elba

""^ISi'li Towiiship, is a son of Jolm K. and Fanny

,.;J^'\^''^ (("rose) Wooley, natives of New Jersey.

^' Mrs. Wooley was the first white settler of

Ellia Township, locating on section 34 Jan. 4,
1S55. In March of the same year, she re-
moved across the line into ("linton County, where
she still resides. William C. was born June 14,
1840, in Kalamazoo Co., Mich., and left home at the
v)i age of 14 to care for himself. He worked on a farm
S until 1867. when he married Martha Harrison,
It ■) daughter of John S. and Louisa (Baker) Harrison,
natives of Ohio, where they followed farming. Mr.
and Mrs. Wooley have a family of three children:
John H., Claude D. and Cora P.

Mr. Wooley first purchased 80 acres in Elba Town-
ship, but has added 160 acres to his nucleus. Of
liis whole farm, 180 acres are well improved. In
1873 he built his large Ijarn. His was the first fam-
ily to settle permanently in the townshi|), and when
he came he found a dense wilderness.

He enlisted in (\). H, 25111 Mich. Inf, Aug. 27,
1862, and served his country faitlifully during the
remainder of the war. His company was engaged
under Col. Moore at Green River Bridge July 4,
JL 1S63, with the notorious John Morgan's command,
V and killed more men than there were in the company
engaged. He was mustered out at Salisbury, N. C,
-f- and finally discharged at Ja'-.kson, Mich.
,^ Mr. Wooley is a member of Elsie Lodge, No. 2 :;8,
^ F. & A. M. He was Deputy Sheriff under George
\^ Patch. He is one of the representative citizens of
r Gratiot County.

. ooc

, : ii f:;^, rank Manecke, farmer, section 22, New
yji kE'iii L' Haven Township, was born in Mecklen-
"l^^'in burg, Germany, in 1830. His mother died
rJ^ when he was three years old, and then until he
4v^ was eight he lived with his grandmother. His
{ father having married again he returned to him,
who was then superintendent of large land tenants
ill that country. He was carefully educated, and
before he left his native land at the age of 15 he was
well versed in French as well as in his native tongue.
At the age mentioned he came to the United States
with his father, settling in Wood Co., Ohio, near
Fostoda. Here the father bought a farm and pro-
ceeded to teach his only two children, Frank and
Frederick, in the art of agriculture.

On attaining legal age, Frank began as a common
laborer for farmers in Seneca Co., Ohio, and two
years later he came to Michigan, locating, in Novem-
ber, 1854, 120 acres of wild forest land, on sections
21 and 22, New Haven Township, under the Grad-
uation Act. In the spring following he set about
improving this place, spending the winters for sev-
eral years in this work, while the summers he worked
in East Plains, Ionia County. In 1860 he settled on
this farm, where he has since made a comfortable
home.

Under the last call for recruits in 1864, Mr. Man-
ecke was drafted, and placed in Co. E, 15th Mich.
Inf His regiment was with Sherman in North Car-
olina, but before it w'as called into action the war
closed, and Mr. M. returned home without participa-
ting in any engagement. Resuming work on his
farm, he has prospered until he has reduced 100 acres
under the plow and added by purchase 40 acres
more. It is one of the most productive farms in the
township. He has produced per acre as high as 38
bushels of wheat, 80 bushels of corn and 6 bushels
ot clover seed. His residence, recently built, is a
beautiful and convenient structure, and his farm
Ijuildings are first-class. Mr. M. has held the school
office of his township, and in political issues he is a
Republican.

Mr. Manecke was first married April 27, i860, to
Miss Adaline Burt; she was born in New York,
about 1831, and died at her home in New Haven
Township, Oct. 28, 1863, leaving one child, Burt

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

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207

She was a member of the Regular Baptist Church.
Mr. M. was again married Jan. 15, 1864, in Newark
,-^ Township, this county, to Mrs. Susanna Ridenour,
^** nee Munson, who was born in Medina Co., Ohio,
I Aug. 22, 1830, where she resided until her first Blar-
es riage, in April, 185 r. Since that time she has lived
in this State, and, ejtcept three years, in Clinton
County. The children of Mrs. M., Iiy her former
husband, were : I'oUy S. and Aminda J., both mar-
ried, in this and Ionia Counties; and George, who
died in inf;tncy.

jtenry K. Retan, senior proprietor of the
S Retan House, Ithaca, was born in Susse.x

^k-^" Co., N. J-, Aug. 27, 1817, and is a son o

(' 1

tw John and Margaret (Smith) Retan, natives of
Nova Scotia and New Jersey, and of Dutch and
New England descent. The father was a far-
mer, and died in Waterford, Oakland Co., Mich., in
1843. The mother died in Owosso, Mich., in 1867.

When the subject of this sketch was seven years
old, his father removed to Oakland County, this State,
and settled on a farm near Pontiac. Henry here
worked on the farm, occasionally attending school,
and developed into manhood. At the age of 26 he
left home, and started a store at Commerce, Oakland
County. He was in mercantile life about 15 years,
and then went into the hotel business. He was first
at Owosso one year, then at Ovid 12 years, and then
lived at Ovid three years without other occupation
than caring for his wife, who was then an invalid.
In May, 1883, he came to Ithaca, and started the
Retan House in company with his son-in-law, Dennis
T. Covert. This hotel has a very large patronage, and
has acquired an enviable reput:.tion as a home-like,
well managed house.

Nov. 17, 1842, at Pontiac, he formed a life partner-
ship with Miss Catharine Voorheis, daughter of Jacob
and Rachel (Powelson) Voorheis, natives of New
Jersey, and of Dutch and English descent. She was
born at Peapack, Somerset Co., N. J., Sept. 20, 1820,
and came to Michigan with her parents when 1 3
years old, living in Oakland County until her mar-
riage.

Mr. and Mrs. Retan have had a family of eight,
four surviving: Harrison L., Harriet E. (Mrs. D. T.

Covert), Jay V. aiul Addie. The two first are in
Ithaca, the two last at Ovid. The deceased are
(ieorge, Margaret, Frank and Lily. Mr. Retan is
politically a Democrat.

lexander T. Rice, farmer, section 32, Elba
Township, is a son of ('lavk and Sarah A.
^(|^"~°* (C'oonley) Rice, natives of Massachusetts
S)ja "'id New York respectively. They emigrated
to Michigan in 1S40, and settled on a farm.
Alexander was born Dec. 10, 1834, in Jasper,
Steuben Co., N. Y. At the age of 25, he was mar-
ried to Clara J. Armstrong, daughter of Elias and
Eunice (Hewitt) Armstrong, natives of Connecticut.
She was born May 20, 1835, in Wheatland, Monroe
Co., N. Y. Mr. Armstrong came to Livingston Co.,
Mich., and lived there until his death, Sept. 19,
1863. Mrs. Armstrong died Feb. 17, 1872, at Eaton
Rapids, Mich.

In 1 87 6, Mr. Rice located on 100 acres on sections
29 and T^i, Elba Township, and he has creditably
improved 60 acres of this farm, besides erecting a
neat farm house, barn and granaries. In 1876, he
was elected School Superintendent of his township,
and the following year he was elected Supervisor.
This latter office he filled continuously until the
spring of 1883, except the year i88t. He is a mem-
ber of St. John's Lodge, No. 105, F. & A. M. Po-
litically, he has always been a Democrat. He is one
of the truly representative men of the county, and
stands highly with all parties.

^rancis J. Corey, farmer on section 2, New-
ark Township, was born in Nankin Town-
ship, Wayne Co., Mich., Dec. 18, 1836,
S^ and is the son of John D. and Roxie (Fergu-
■^(\^ son) Corey, natives of Rhode Island and Ver-
|. mont. They have followed farming, and now
reside on section 29, Arcada Township. Francis
lived with his parents and worked on their farm
until of age, moving with them when 18 years old to
Ingham Co., Mich.

Jan. I, 1858, at Lansing, he was married to
Rachel, daughter of George and Eliza (Carter)
Brown, natives of New York and of English and

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German ancestry. The father died in Ingliam
County in i<S64, aged 55. The mother still lives in
this county. Rachel was horn in \Villianis Co., Ohio,
May 26, 1839, and came to Michigan when 17 years
old. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Corey lived in
Ingham County until the winter of 1866, when they
came to this county and purchased So acres on sec-
tion 32, .\rcada Township. While living on that
place, they improved 44 acres. Selling out Dec. 7,
iS.^ \, they have just become well settled on their new
home of 40 acres of well-improved land near Ithaca,
formerly owned by William Hutchins.

Mr. and Mrs. Corey have a family of four, as fol-
lows: I-orada K., born Jan. 21, 1S60; Ellsworth D.,
Aug. 14, 1S61 ; Lorena F., Feb. ,3, i<S64; and Eliza
J., Nov. 3, I S6S.

Oct. 28, 1863, he enlisted in Co. H,4th Mich. Vol.
Cav., and served in the Army of the ('umberlaiid
under Gen. Minty. He fought at Kingston, T.ook-
out Mountain, Stone Mountain and Cottonwood
Creek, and in many skirmishes, such as cavalrymen
always meet with. He was in Kilpatrick's raid
through Georgia in 1864, and in Wilson's raid from
Eastport, Miss., to Macon, C.a., the same year. He
was honorably discharged Aug 1^,1865, after 23
months of active service. In civil life, Mr. Corey
has been a worker in the ranks of the Democratic
party. He has been Constable for two terms.

2;!K^[i srael W. Hause, farmer on section 15, Ful-
ton Towiishiji, is the son of Simon and
Sally (Coats) Hause, natives of the .State of
(51^" New York. They resided first in Chemung
Co., N. Y., then in Steuben Co., Mich., and
in 1853 they removed to Clinton Co., Mich.
They came to Gratiot County in March, 1858, and
returned to Clinton County in May, ICS70. Here he
died, June 11, 1877. She survives him, and resides
in St. John's. Their family comprised two sons and
live daughters.

The subject of this notice, the elder son, was born
in Steuben Co., N. Y., Sept. 21, 1841, and was 12
years old when his parents removed to Michigan.
He received a common-school education, and made
his home with his parents undl he attained his ma-
jority. He came to Gratiot County with his ])arents

and bought 40 acres of partly improved land on
section 15, Fulton Townshi[); and in January follow-
ing he settled with his family there. He has built a
comfortable residence and barns, and has 30 acres
under cultivation.

Dec. 2, 1862, in Fulton Township, he married Miss
Harriet A., daughter of \Villiam J. and Sarah A.
(Sornljerger) Carr, natives of New York. They came
to Fulton Township, Gratiot County, in i860. Mrs.
Carr died here May 13, 1S63. Mr. Carr survives.
Their daughter Harriet was born in Madison Co., N.
Y., March 31, 1843. She is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Hause is a
Republican.

illiam Aipaiigh, tanner on section 5, Ful-
ton Township, is a son of Philip and Eva /J"

Alpaugh, natives of the State of New

(

York. In 1846, they left that State and /\y
(ame to Hillsdale Co., Mich., where they r=i
died, he Oct. 10, 1S74, and she Dec. 16, :88o.
The subject of this sketch was born in Montgomery
Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1830, and received a fair com-
mon-school education. x\t the age of 16 he came
with his parents to Michigan.

At the age of 22, he started out to make his own
way in life. He learned the trade of carpenter and
joiner, w^hich he followed much of the time until
18S2. He came to this county in January, r865,
and bought 40 acres on section 2, North Shade
Township. Here he lived about seven years, when
he sold and bought 40 acres on section 5, Fulton
Township, his present home. He has since added
40 acres, and has about one-half of his farm under
cultivation.

Sept. 3, 1862, he married Mary E., daughter of
Joseph H. and Margaret (Clement) Salisbury, natives
of Montgomery Co., N. Y. Mrs. Alpaugh was born
in Pittsford, Hillsdale Co., Mich., Sept. 22, r84i.
This marriage has been blessed with two children :
Evie A. and Edwin G. The latter died when two
years old. Mr. \. is a member of the Masonic Order,
and, with his wife, of the Christian Church. In
politics he is a Republican. He is a strong tem-
perance man, and takes a deep interest in all temper-
ance movements.

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PUBLIC ""■ '-Y

ASTOR, LBNOX AND

TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

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ASTOR. L "vnt AND
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GRATIOT COUNTY.

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illiam Sickels, one of the leading business

men of Sickels, and representative men of

^p the county, and whose portrait we are pleased

V}8^ to present in this work as a meritorious rep-

N3J rescntation of one of Gratiot's self-made men,
was born in Palmyra, Wayne Co., N. Y., May
30, 1S24, and is a son of John F. Sickels, native of
the same State, whose Holland ancestors settled on
the Mohawk River over 200 years ago. Mr. Sickels
attended the common schools of his native State
until he attained the age of 12 years, when, in com-
pany with the family, he came to Wayne County, this
State, where they arrived in 1836. Here William
attended the Northville Academy, assisting on the
farm at times until the father's death in 1839, when
he assumed control of the farm and successfully cul-
tivated it for one year. He then resumed his studies
at Northville Academy and completed his education.
After the completion of that arduous though pleas-
ant task, he went back on the farm and remained
until 1S49, when he moved to Howell Tov/nship,
Livingston County, this State, and occupied his time
in farming until 1854, then went to what is now
Wyandotte, Wayne County, built the first store and
dwelling house in the village proper and estal>lished
the first postoffice there. In 1856 he removed to
what is now Elsie, Clinton County, and also estab-
lished the first postoffice in that village, and was
Deputy Postmaster. He remained at Elsie until
186 1, when he removed to St. Johns, same county,
and there held the position of Register of Deeds
until 1863, and Deputy Register from 1863 to 1865;
was also Judge of Probate from 1865 to 1869. From
1869 to 1 88 1 he held a position in the Postoffice
Department at Washington, D. C. In May, 1881,
Mr. S. resigned his position at Washington and
joined his family at Sickels, this county, whither he
had removed them in September, 1873.

In 1883 Mr. Sickels built a large steam flouring
mill at Sickels and thoroughly equipped it with the
best and most modern improved machinery, with
boilers 4;,^ x 12 feet and a 40-horse-power engine,
which is recognized as one of the best flour-produc-
ing mills in the county. His residence is undoubt-
edly the finest in Hamilton Township ; and, remarka-

ble as it may appear, it is nevertheless true, the
structure is composed mostly of native wood which
grew on his own farm. The building is supplied
with hot and cold water throughout, and is elegantly
furnished. The library, of which he is justly proud,
reipiired an outlay of over $2,000 in its selection and
l)urchase, and comfort, happiness and plenty sur-
round the family hearthstone.

Mr. Sickels was married Nov. 8, 1846, to Isabel P.,
daughter of Dennis Kingsley (deceased), a native of
Vermont, and one of the early pioneers of Wayne
County. She was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., March
13, 1828. Four children 'have been born to their
Dennis K., Annie I., Hettie E. and

union, viz.
William C.

Dennis is living in Washington, D. C, and was
married to Alice M. Hugely. Annie I. married John
H. Winton, of Ithaca, this county. Hattie E. was
married to Warren Abbott, who died in 1880, leaving
two children to the care of the mother, who lives
with them at home. William C. is unmarried and
living with the family in their pleasant abode.

The credit of their prosperity, of their happy home ^P-
and the fine appearance of their large farm of 640 '•'•
acres, is not all claimed by the father ; each one =
nobly did his part ; and of the mother, for her untir- SV
ing labors, all unite in highest praise. That "the
school of adversity graduates the ablest pupils, and
the hill of difficulty is one of the strongest ' consti-
tutionals ' for strengthening the financial backbone of
a struggling family," was, undoubtedly, fully corrob-
orated in her energetic labors. Slie superintended
the clearing of the land (Mr. S. being in Washington
a great portion of the time attending to his duties in
the Postoffice Department), and the building of their
fine residence and barn, with the assistance of her
daughter Annie as architect, and also the clearing of
another farm of 100 acres, which they own; and to
her good judgment and fine management their pros-
perity in a great measure is indebted. Truly we
may say, she is one of those women who are too
often ignored and too little appreciated by biograph-
ical writers of the day.

Mr. S. owns the store building in Sickels, besides
considerable other village property. He was a soldier
in the late civil war, enlisting in Co. E, 23d Mich.
Vol. Inf. ; was appointed First Lieutenant and had
command of the company most of the time for about
six months, when, contracting typhoid pneumonia, he

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was compelled to resign. The Captain of the com-
pany was O. T.. Spaulding.

In addition to hisotlier business, Mr. S. is at pres-
ent devoting considerable time to tlic propaga-
tion of fine stock, and is handling, with good success,
a species of the Shortliorn breed of cattle known as
the " Rose of Sharon." He has one two-year old
from the herd of H. M. Vale, of Independence,
Mo., which is considered one of the finest and most
celebrated herds in the United States.

Mr Sickels and his entire family, with the excep-
tion of his youngest son, are members of the Method-
ist Episcopal (Church. He is a meml)er of the
Masonic Order and the I. O. O. F.

(Sf »_, c?^%.

(55 ^-^ v-a^'i

-?Kv( «N-&harles H. Webster, superintendent of
Jfie^'S^ Church's mill, and residing on section 7^
Emerson Township, was born at Wellington,
Lorain Co., Ohio, May 28, 1844, and is the

< son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Magraugh)
Webster, natives of Pennsylvania and Connecticut,
respectively, and of Dutch and Irish extraction.
The father was by trade a tailor, and died April 2,
1S45, before Charles H. was a year old. The latter
lived until 12 years of age with his mother and a
step-father, whom she married in 1854.

While but a mere boy he responded to his country's
call for volunteers, and enlisted Aug. 25, 1861, in
Co. H, 2d Ohio Vol. Cav. He served first under
Gen. Blunt, then under Gen. Burnsides, and finally
under Gen. G. A. Custer. He was engaged in all
l)attles in which his company was involved, among
them being the battles of the Wilderness, Peters-
burg and Kichmond, at the close of the war. He
was often detailed for special and important duties,
and was made a Corporal towards the close of the
war. Being wounded in the knee and thereby dis-
abled, June 28, 1864, he was cai)tured the following
day at Reams' Station, near Petersburg. He was
taken to Libby prison and confined for four weeks in
that iniciuitous pen. Being then paroled, he found
his way to his comi:)any and remained with it until
he was honorably discharged, Sept. 18, 1865. He
served four years and 25 days, and his arduous and
interesting experiences would fill a volume-.

Mr. Webster has a copy of the congratulatory order
issued by Gen. Custer to his division, on Lee's sur-
render.

Returning home he shortly started for Michigan,
arriving at Ithaca Oct. 22, 1865. He purchased of
the State 200 acres of land in Emerson Township.
For about three years longer he was a Ijachelor, im-
proving his farm summers, and in the winters acting
as clerk, at first in the dry-goods store of Nelson &
Church, and later in Jeffery's store. Dec. 28, 1868,
he was married to Marie E. Church, daughter of
Lafayette and Sophronia (Benjamin) Church (see
sketch), who was born in Hillsdale Co., Mich., Oct.
g, r85 I. She came to this county when three years
old, and was here educated, and here lived until her
marriage. Some months after that event Mr. and
Mrs. Webster moved from Ithaca to section 27, Emer-
son Township. They afterwards moved to section
28, and in 1874 they settled on section 7. Here he
owns 80 acres, and has the management of Church's
mill.

They have had five children, only two of whom,
Addie E. and Albert H., survive. Arthur, Alta and
a baby are dead. They are members of the Baptist
Church. Mr. Webster has been Township Clerk

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two years; has been chosen Justice of the Peace %/

twice, but did not
Republican.

[ualify. Politically he is a stanch

if eorge J. Butcher, cabinet-maker, furniture
^ de?.Ier and undertaker. Elm Hall, was born
^ near Norwich, Eng., June 8, 1833, and is

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% of English descent. His father was a gardener,
I and came to the United States when George
I was four years old, locating first at Buffalo, N.
Y. Eight years later they removed to Chippewa,
Ont., where Mr. Butcher followed his trade as
gardener. Afterwards, removing to Elgin Co., Ont.,
he secured a tract of 200 acres of wild land.

On this farm the subject of this narrative lived and
worked under his father's guidance, until 18 years old.
He was then ajiprenticed for three years to a Mr.
Maxwell Hamilton, of Simcoe, Ont., to learn carpen-
try. After serving out his time, he worked for the
same gentleman one year as a journeyman carpenter
He then planned an extended tour to California and

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GRAriOT COUNTY

the West Indies; but, laying, off for a period at
Dubuque, Iowa, he became homesick, and returned
to work once more for Mr. Hamilton.

Jan. 14, 1856, he was united in mariiage to Miss
Frances E. Webb, born in Canada, July 14, 1S40.
Working at his trade in that country for three years
more, Mr. and Mrs. B. then came to this State and
county, and located with her uncle, Nathaniel Strayer,
of Seville Township. Mr. B. here built a house four
miles away, making two trips daily. He worked 103
days at $3 per day, and lost no time whatever. The
following summer, with the money thus earned, he
erected the first frame building in the township,
which he ran as a hotel until 1S69. He then
resumed his trade, and, after following that for three
years, he started his present cabinet shop. He now
has a stock worth $1,000, and his annual business
is $3,000.

July 17, 187 1, in Canada, his second marriage
occurred, he taking this time as the partner of his
sorrows and joys Miss Alice Haywaid, a native of
Ontario, where she was born, July 2, 1850.

Mrs. B. is a member of good standing in the M. E.
Church. Mr. Butcher has held the office of Constable
for several years. He is a member of North Star
Lodge No. 306, I. O. O. F., has passed all the chairs,
and is now D. D. G. M. of the order. Politically, he
is a Democrat.

heron Finney, farmer, section 19, Emerson
Township, was born in Essex Co., N. Y.,
March 24, 1807, and was the son of Scotch
and Welsh parents. They were natives of
Connecticut, and were farmers by occupation.
Most of their lives they resided in Esse.x
County, where they died many years ago. Theron
remained on his father's farm until 19 years of age,
when he began to battle for himself. When 28 years
old, he came to Hillsdale Co., Mich., and was there
married to Harriet Butler, daughter of Zebina and
Polly (Porter) Butler, and born July 20,1817. Mr.
and Mrs. Finney resided on a farm in Hillsdale
County until 1859, when they came to Gratiot County
and entered 320 acres of unimproved land on section
19, Emerson Township. Mr. Finney has improved

jld all but 60 acres.

a considerable acrea,.; ,
upon which he now lives.

They have had a family of nine children : Melvina
R., Mary L., Josephine D., WilmerT., Dora A., Butler
J., Frank L., Ramson P. and Arza .-\. The last four
named are dead. Mr. Finney has held the offices of
School Inspector and Township Treasurer for several
years. In political faith, he is a Republican.

eorge H. Oliver, druggist and groceryman.
Elm Hall, was born in DeWitt, Clinton
Co., Mich., Jan. 3, 1845. His parents were
York, of English and Scotch
When

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^ /^ natives of New
"^ descent, and his father was a carpenter

I he was four years old, his parents removed to
where the village of Grand Ledge now stands, in
Eaton County. It was then an unbroken forest, and
his father built one of the first houses there. The
first school-house was also raised by his father and
a few neighbors. Here our subject lived, grew up
and was educated.

In February, 1865, at the age of 20, he enlisted
in Co. C, 1 2th Mich. Vol. Inf., and was assigned to
the Army of the West. He was in no active engage-
ments, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865.
His health failed him ; and on arriving home he was
confined to his bed until September. He then went
to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and took a course in East-
man's Business College, graduating in March, 1866.
Returning to Grand Ledge, he was for a time engaged
in book-keeping. For the ensuing four years he was
learning the painter's trade. Then assuming control of
a good business in that line, he associated with him-
self a Mr. Deering. This partnership lasted until the
spring of 1871, when he left Grand Ledge and came
to Gratiot County, to join his father in the grocery
business. His health not being the best, he has not
resumed his trade, but has continued in the drug and
grocery business at Elm Hall. In October, 1881, he
became sole proprietor of the business. He has a
stock worth about $1,000, and a growing trade now
amounting to $3,000 annually.

March 4, 1874, in Montcalm County, he was
married to Miss Laura A. Van Leuvan, who was born
in Sumner Township, July 30, 1856. She lived for

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some time in Salem, Washtenaw County, and then
came to Montcahii County, where she was married.
She is the mother of two cliildren : Inez E. and
Floyd E. Mr. and Mrs. O. are members of the M.
E. Cinirch. He has held the office of Constable, and
politically is a Republican.

^:^|^klilas Hill, farmer, section 3, Hamilton Tovvn-
"" ■■ iC siiip, is a son of Stephen Hill (deceased), a

i,r^. '''' native of Vermont, and who emigrated

[ijv, from that State to Otsego Co., N. Y., where the
subject of our sketch was born, July 6, 1830.
Three years after the birth of Silas, in 1833,
the family removed to Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, where
they lived for four years, until 1837, when they
moved to Erie County, the same State. Here young
Hill remained, attending the common schools of the
county and developing into manhood. In 1856 he
went to Bureau C"o., 111., and after remaining there
some six months, during which time he was variously
employed, he came to Eaton Co., Mich., where he
arrived in the spring of 1857.

Mr. Hill purchased the farm on which he is now
living in Noveniljer, 1873, and located upon it in
January following,and has constantly resided thereon.
The farm consists of 80 acres, and is under a good
state of cultivation. He was married March iS,
1857, to Lucy, daughter of Edward Bracy, of Eaton
Co., Mich., and three children have been born to
their union, two of whom, George F. and Edwin, are
living, and one is deceased.

Mr. Hill has held the offices of Highway Commis-
sioner and Supervisor and is at present Treasurer of
Hamilton Township.

l^dward Y. Kelley, merchant at Bridgeville,
Washington Township, is a son of Joseph
and Esther C. (Hockens) Kelley. The

former was an employe of the Government,
being engaged on Indian affairs and also fol-
lowed farming. He died in the State of New-
York, in the spring of 1834. Mrs. Kelley died in the
same State, in 1867. Edward was born Jan. 14, 1832,
at Danville, Caledonia Co., Vt. On the death of his

lather, he was taken by an old acquaintance of the
family and kept for three years. He was then kept
by another family until he was 13, since which time
he has made his own way in life, working at the
blacksmith's trade and at other employments. In
the autumn of 1866 he purchased 30 acres on sec-
tion 20, Washington Township, and engaged in farm-
ing. He is now in mercantile life at Bridgeville;
has a full line of drugs, groceries had hardware, and
a large trade. In i860 he was married to Betsy C.
Woodcock, daughter of Asa and Mary (Ryan) Wood-
cock, residents of New York State. She was born in
1828, and died in Gratiot County, in 1868, leaving
five children, — Mary F., Edna J., Eddie J., Esther
A. and Henry L. Mr. Kelley was subsequently mar-
ried to Eliza Woodcock, a sister of his first wife.
This marriage has been blessed with two children —
Cora B. and Floyd. Mr. Kelley is a member of the
Masonic Order and of the I. O. O. F. Politically
he votes with the Republican party.

-^-.K-44^..^>.-5-

|jharles C. Gilmore, editor and proprietor

:i' IfeJij pf ^\-^^ Conur Local, Elm Hall, was born

%iW in Old Town, Maine, Apnl 15, 1850; and is

yi^ the son of Solomon and Abigail E. (Stewart)

'K Gilmore, natives of Maine and of Scotch

descent. Solomon Gilmore was a lumberman

in his native State until 32 years of age, when he

went to Pennsylvania. Here he lived until death,

about 1862, aged ^2. His wife died in the same

State a year previous, at the age ot 51.

The subject of this biography left his native State
when very young, and went with his parents to Penn-
sylvania, where they lived in the lumber regions of
the mountains. Owing to their peculiar surroundings,
his opportunities for education were very limited, and
he had but one year schooling. His desire for learn-
ing was however such that he would, after working
hard all day, spend hours by himself over his book.
In this manner he mastered Davies' Algebra, and the
rudiments of other branches taught in the high
schools. At the age of 19, he set out to earn his own
living. By accident he got to using the tools in the
camp, and soon found that he was a natural black-
smith. He was therefore employed by the proprietor
to do all such work as came along in that line. He

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

215 "*N

^ was thus employed until the spring of 1874, when he

':'• came to Saginaw, this State. Six months later, he

> came to Gratiot County, and located at Elm Hall.

Soon he built a stumping machine, and pulled stumps

1 in the summer, following his trade in the winter.

Since coming to the county, he has been a regular
correspondent of the Gratiot Journal, and has thus
secured a good idea of newspaper writing. From
1 8S0 to the close of 1883, his occupation has, how-
ever, been well-driving, in prosecuting which he has
used appliances of his own invention. Nov. 17,
1883, he purchased and assumed control of the
Corner Local, and his first issue appeared Nov. 24.
He has a growing circulation, already reaching 350,
and his paper has constantly improved.

Dec. 3, 1878, at Elm Hall, he was united in
marriage to Miss Lizzie Fox, born at Leslie, Ingham
Co., Mich., in 1855. She came to Gratiot in 1877.
She is the mother of two children : Edna and
Frederick. She is a member of the M. E. Church.

^v Mr. G. is a member of Elm Hall Lodge No. 257, F.

;-l; & A. M., Elm Hall, and has for some time held the
office of Secretary of the lodge. He has held the
office of Justice of the Peace for three years, and in
politics is a Republican.

ym^s^

dwin Meacham, farmer, section 35, Elba
^B K Tp., is a son of Almon and Polly (Kel-
fs^' ly) Meacham, natives of Massachusetts and

°.|& New York, respectively. They emigrated to
I Ohio in an early day, and resided in Cuya-
j hoga County until their death, in 1852. Edwin
was born Nov. 30, 1845, in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and
at the tender age of seven was left an orphan by the
death of both his parents. He was cared for by his
uncle and aunt, with whom he lived until he was 21.
With some money which they gave to him, he came
to Gratiot Co., Mich., ard purchased 80 acres of land
on section 35, in the township of Elba. He has now
improved 50 acres of his farm.

March 21, 1870, he was married to Alice A.
Crego, the only daughter of Lorin M. and Eliza O.
(Stone) Crego, natives of New York. This marriage
has been blessed with two children, — Jessie A. and
Jennie A.

Mr. Meacham is one of the most respected citizens

•)-V®^^#-

of his township, and has held various local offices.
In 1 87 1 he was elected Township Clerk, and to that
office he was re-elected in 1872 and 1873. He was
elected Supervisor in 1881 and 1883, and now repre-
sents Elba Township in the Board of Supervisors.
He has also been School Director for the past 12
years. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and
of the I. 0.0. F. Politically he is a strong Re-
publican.

^O' : — ^JisHJHi^;^

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SBi^savid Muffly, farmer, section 3, Hamilton

Town

was librn in Washington Town-
20,

ship, Westmoreland Co., Pa., Dec. 20, 18

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^"»( The family removed to Stark Co., Ohio, while
David was quite young, and there he resided on
^ the parental farm, attending the common schools
aid developing into manhood.

In 1850, when 20 years of age, Mr. Muffly left the
parental home to fight life's battles alone, and went
to Seneca Co., Ohio. He remained in that county
five years, until 1855, when, desiring a home for him-
self and family, having in the meantime married, he
came to this State andsettled in Hamilton Township,
this county. His experiences were those of many
others of Michigan's pioneer settlers. Hardship,
deprivation and want were his to battle with, and
successfully did he wage the war against and van-
quish them. He built his log cabin in the woods,
and in the erection of the same used only one single
sawed board, and that for the door. Here he lived and
amid the howling of wolves, the crying of panthers,
and with "prowling Indians for neighbors " he en-
tered on the task of clearing his land. Although he
had many trials and difficulties to overcome, he ex-
perienced some of the joys and pleasures of those
pioneer days. He was at the first township election,
when almost every man in the township was elected
to office.

Mr. Muffly, like many others when the flag
of our country was dishonored by the rebel shot at
Fort Sumter, went forth to meet the enemy and
battle for its maintenance. He enlisted in Co. F,
2gth Mich. Vol. Inf. He was in the battle of De-
catur (Ala.) and Murfreesboro ; and shortly after the
last-named battle, while packing and preparing for a

2l6

GRA no T CO UNT V.

forced iii.a> h, lie was accidentally precii)itatcd into
a railroad ditch, and, striking his breast upon the iron
which happened to be piled there, so lacerated it
and crippled him he was transferred to the hospital.
Here his wounds were unprofessionally treated, and
he finally received his discliavi^e on account of disa-
bility and returned to his family.

Mr. Muffly was married Jan. it, 1854, to Miss
Delilah Street. Seven children have been born to
the union, namely : Rufus S., Martha J., James C,
Vilda, Arniinia, David S. and Francis M. The father
and mother are both members of the Christian
Church.

Dec. 3, 1837, and is the son of Lewis and
Hannah (Hoyer) Griffith, natives of New York
State. The father is now a resident of Lenawee
Co., Mich., and the mother died in New York
Slate in 1839, when James was only two years old.
Two years after that event he came with his father
to Michigan and settled in Lenawee County. Being
among the early settlers of that part of the State,
they had to perform the toilsome work of clearing
and improving a netv farm, and James passed many
more days at work than at school. At 19 years of
age, obtaining his father's permission to look out for
himself, he commenced as a common laborer. In
1S60 he came to Gratiot County and located 120
acres of wild land on section 5, Emerson Township.
Aug. 17, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. G,
5th Mich. Vol. Cav., and went to the Army of the
Potomac, where he served under Gen. Phil. Sheri-
dan. He was an eye-witness of the famous ride to
Winchester by that commander. He fought at Cold
Harbor, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and numerous
lesser engageiiients. He was honorably discharged
in June, 1865, having served in the field nearly three
years. Returning home to his farm he kept bache-
lor's hall for seven and a half years. March 6, 1873,
he formed a life partnership with Emeline Decker,
born in Ontario Co., N. Y., May 16, 1844. This
union has been blessed with four children, — Sarah
P., Lewis, Mand and James K. Mr. (rriftith has im-

proved 70 acres of his farm, and has a fine dwelling
and barn. He is considered a skillful farmer, and
as a citizen is very popular. He has been Assessor
for 12 years, and has also been Overseer of High-
ways. Politically he is a Republican.

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Hwi^'.avid Reichard, farmer, section 6, Ithaca

l^^i Township, was born in Ashland Co., Ohio,
•'iiri^^ "^ Nov. 28, 1847, 3-nd is a son of John A.
'f^ Reichard, deceased, a native of Pennsylvania.
^ There our subject lived, assisted his father on
i the farm, attended the common schools and de-
veloped into manhood.

In 1865 Mr. R. left the parental home, to battle
against the trials of life single-handed and alone, and
came to this county, where he arrived in the springof
that year, and where he has ever since resided. He
first settled in Fulton Township, where he remained
1 1 years, and then went to Ithaca Township, where
he is now living, the occupier and owner of 115
acres of fine land.

Mr. Reichard was married March 9, 1869, to Miss
Mary, daughter of Edward Waggoner, of Ithaca, and
two children have been born to their union, namely :
John E. and Orill.

Mrs. Reichard was born in Springfield, Jefferson
Co., Ohio.

-I — ^\/w;

■ orman L. Higbie, M. D., physician and
jl^ farmer, section 35, Elba Township, is a son
^\ of Oliver H. and Esther (Randall) Higbie,
natives of New York. They lived in that
State, on a farm, till the end of their lives, which
came for Mr. Higbie in 1848, and his wife in
1S5S. Norman L. was born in Delaware Co., N. Y.,
Feb. 16, 1832. At the age of 18 he left home, and
for the ensuing eight years he was engaged in teach-
ing school, with the exception of two years, during
which he attended at Rondout Seminary, Ulster Co.,
N. Y., and two years at New York Conference Sem-
inary, at Charlotteville, Schoharie Co., N. Y. During
this time, too, he was studying the profession of
medicine. In May, 1854, he came to Ann Arbor,

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

217

Mich., and afterwards he went to Iowa ; then returned
to Ann Arbor. Thence he went to Plymouth, Wayne
County, and practiced medicine for two years. In
the practice of his profession, he also spent one year
at Jackson and one year at Howell. He then spent
two years in the South for his health. Returning to
Michigan, he practiced medicine in Jackson County
from 1861 to 1874. His health tiien failed him, and
he was compelled to retire from active practice. Jan.
12, 1875, he arrived in Gratiot County, and located
on the southeast quarterof section 35, Elba Township.
He has since added 40 acres to his farm.

In 1856, he was united in marriage to Jane Hor-
toii, who was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., May 31,
1832. She was the daughter of Joseph and Elmira
(Marks) Horton. Mr. Horton was born in New Leb-
anon, Columbia Co., N. Y., April 7, 1807 ; and Mrs.
Horton was born July 13, 1808. Dr. and Mrs. Hig-
bie are the parents of six children, — George L.,
Joseph E., Alice J., William H., Myra A. and Alfred.

They are active members of the M. E. Church.
Dr. Higbie was chosen Superintendent of Schools
in his township in 1875, and again in 1877, and he
is now the health officer- of his township. In poli-
tics he is a Republican.

^*-^|i-»?

p llig^ J .1 ington

Martin, farmer, section 13, Wash-
Township, is a son of Henry and
-) Sarah (Bugg) Martin, who were of English
descent, and who came to America in 1835.
They landed at New York July 3, and came
O direct to Washtenaw Co., Mich. They located
on 80 acres in Dexter Township, where Mr. Martin
died Nov. 26, 1844; and Mrs. Martin in December,
1859. At the age of 21, William Martjn commenced
to make his own way in life, and engaged in farming.
The same year, he was married to Fanny, daughter
of Michael and Fanny McCabe, natives of Ireland.
They came to America at an early day, and are now
both dead.

Mr. Martin came to Gratiot County in 1856, and
settled on 32 acres on section 13, Washington Town-
ship. He married for his second wife Harriet Miles.
By his first marriage he has four children, and by his
■second, 11. In his township Mr. Martin has been

Constable five terms. Justice of the Peace two terms,
and School Assessor three terms. Politically, he has
always been a supporter of the Democratic party.

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•^7.

i illiam D. Letts, farmer, section 35, Elba
., Township, is a son of Edward and Mary
(Galligan) Letts, natives of New York
and Michigan. They were married in Clin-
^ ton County in 1851. In 1856 they located
\j on 80 acres on section 35, Elba Township, tlien
in its primitive wildness. They now have 70 acres
well improved. During their first years here, almost
their only companions were the wolf, the wild-cat,
and other denizens of the forest. They often built
fires to keep the bears away from their calves and
pigs, and occasionally they would take the dinner
horn and call the wolves to their door. Mrs. Letts
was the first white person to go from her neighbor-
hood to Chesaning, making the trip of 18 miles
through the wilderness alone.

The subject of this sketch was married at the age
of 24, to Vora Dunlap, the eldest daughter of Andrew
and Mary (Coryell) Dunlap, and who was born
April 4, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Letts are the parents
of two children, — Leroy D., born Nov. 16, 1880, and
Floyd L., born Aug. 2, 1883. Mr. Letts is politically
a Republican. He has held the office of School In-
spector for a number of terms, and is one of the en-
ergetic young men of the county.

\\} York.

maker while in New York State.

•t ob C. Wolford, farmer on section ^iZi
Sumner Township, is a son of David and
Laverna (Conger) Wolford, natives of New
The father was a mason and shoe-
After moving
to Michigan in April, 1858, he engaged in
farming, which he followed until his death in 1S67.
His wife is still living in this county.

Job C, the subject of this biography, was born in
Cayuga Co , N. Y., Sept. 19, 1843. When he was 12
years old, the family moved to Indiana, and two
years later returned to Cayuga County. After an-
other year, they came to this county and settled in
New Haven Township. Here Jo!) worked for his

yi^

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218

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'-<s<ii"''^

GRATIOT COUNTY.

As,

father until the spring of 1864. March 24 of that
year, he enlisted in Co. K, 21st Mich. Vol. Inf He
served as a private in the Army of the C'umberland
under Gen. Sherman, for 14 months, and fought at
Chattanooga, Bentonville and Goldsljorough. At the
last named place, March 29, 1S65, he was wounded,
while on a charge, by a l)all wliicli i^cnetrated his
right thigh. By this he was not [jcrnianently injured.
He was honorably discharged May 23, 1865.

Returning home, he purchased So acres on section
33, Sumner Township, heavily timbered, and set
about making himself a home. March 25, 1866, in
North Shade Township, he was married to Miss
ICmily A. Dean, daughter of Amos and Betsy (Grant)
Dean. She was born Aug. 1, 1S43, ■''' Yates Co.,
N. Y. Her father was a farmer and died June 26,
1858. Her mother resides with her daughter, enjoy-
ing good health and being quite active, although 76
years old. Mr. and Mrs. Wolford have a family of
three: Judson E , born Oct. 28, 1867: Jessie E.,
April 3, 1S74; Cora V., Nov. 26, 1877.

Mr. W. has nicely improved 60 acres of his
original 80, and has added 40 acres, also improved.
He is a member of Elm Hall Lodge No. 257, F. &
A. M. He has held the office of School Director,
and in political sentiment is a Republican.

[:^rin J Sprague, merchant at Martin's Cor-
ners, Washington Township, is a son of
Beriah and Maria (Sweet) Sprague. Beriah
ti]^' Sprague was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.,

in 181 5, and died in this county, Dec. 9, 1S83.

Maria (Sweet) Sprague was born in Jefferson
Co., N. Y., in 18 19, and is still living, in Gratiot
County.

The subject of tliis sketch was born in St. Law-
rence Co.. N. Y., July 12, 1841, and remained with
his parents until 21 years old' He then taught, and
worked on a farm for a time. He taught altogether
10 terms of school, six of which were in Gratiot
County. Nov. 27, 1867, he was married to Emeline
\. Noble, daughter of James and Isabella (Laid-
low) Noble, of Scotch descent. 'I'hey came to Amer-
ica and located in St. Lawrence Co , N. Y., where
they followed farming, and where their daughter
Emeline was liorn Aug. 5, 1845. In 1869, Mr.

Sprague came to Gratiot County and purchased 40
acres on section 16, Washington Township. This
farm he afterwards sold, and for one year he was out
of employment. Li iS8r, he started the store he
now has, at Martin's Corners. He has been School
Superintendent for five years, and in 1882-3 was
Supervisor of his township. Politically, he is a zeal-
ous Republican.

Frederick L. Coss, mert:hant at North Star,
(9 and resident on section 15, North Star

Township, was born in Delaware Co., N.
He is a son of Peter Coss

|}-^ Y., Aug. 27, 1842
7K~~s of North Star Township, who came here with
i his family in 1867.

Mr. Coss came to this county the same year as his
father, but located at Pompei, where he was engaged
in the mercantile business until 1869, when he moved
to Ithaca, where he lived 11 years; thence to North
Star, and established himself in the same business.
He carries on a general mercantile business, has a
stock sufficient to meet the requirements of the
neighborhood and is having a good trade.

Mr. Coss enlisted in the late civil war, enrolling in
Co. A, 56th Pa. Vol. Lif , and partici|)ated in the bat-
tles of second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam,
Fredericksburg (both battles), Chancellorsville, Get-
tysburg and others.

Mr. Coss has been united in marriage twice. He
was first married Feb. 14, 1867, to Mrs. Louisa
Swift, of North Star Township, who had by her first
husband two children, Emma J. and Adelaide (Sav-
age), deceased. He was again married July 4, 1883,
to Alice J. Craun, of North Star. Politically, Mr.
Coss is a staunch Republican.

l^^aniel Gower, farmer, section

30,

Elba

._ _^^ Township, is a son of John and Polly

'•h^T ('jowker) Grower, natives of Pennsyl-

"jjiv vania and New York. They are residents of

^ Tompkins Co., N. Y., where Mr. Gower is a

5 farmer. Daniel was born Sept. i, 1843, in

Tompkins County. Leaving home in the second

year of the war, he enlisted Sept. i, 1862, in Co. K,

<-^iia>:i

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v<:DII>:DO>>v

GRATIOT COUNTY.

a)
A

Third New York Artillery, and was first sent to New-
bern, N. C. He then served in South Carolina for
three months, and then returned to Newbern. In
March, 1864, he came home on a furlough, after
which he reported again at Newbern. He was in the
battle at Ross' Mill, N. C, Nov. 2, 1862; Kingston,
Dec. 14, 1862; White Hall, Dec. t6, 1862. In the
latter engagement he was wounded in the chest by a
shell. He was mustered out at Richmond, June 1,
1865, and finally discharged at Syracuse, N. Y.
After leaving the service he worked on a farm iiy the
month, and also by the year.

In 1868, he was united in marriage to Mary A.,
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Chester) Allen,
natives of Steuben County, and Cayuga Co., N. Y.,
respectively. Mr. .Vllen is a farmer and resides in
Illinois. Mrs. Allen lives in New York State. Mr.
and Mrs. Gower tame to Ingham County, this State,
immediately after marriage, and a year later they
moved to this county, locating on section 30, Elba
Township. After seven months they went into the
pine woods of Hamilton, where they lived three
years. They then lived four years in New York
State and one year in Cook Co., 111., when they re-,
turned to their farm in this county. They have a
family of three children : Edward W., Henry A. ar.d
Bertha I. Mr. Gower has held the office of Drain
Commissioner, Assessor and Director. Politically he
is bound to no party, but votes for the best man.

A«iie£7©^^

^4— ^^^W^Tiw-

g^lisha C. Cook, farmer, section 31, North

Township, was born in Steuben Co.,

N. Y., March 3, 181 8. His parents were Na-

Pl ■^'--

:s^-.i

than and Chloe (Cobb) Cook, natives also of that
State. The latter dying in 1824, the bereft hus-
band came to Michigan, settling in Livingston
County, and afterward in Gratiot County, where he
made his home with his son Elisha until his death, in
the former county, while on a visit there, at the age of
88 years. While residing in this county he hewed the
timber for the Presbyterian church which now stands
on section 31.

In his early life Mr. Cook, the subject of this
sketch, attended school, one year of the time the

Groton Academy, in Tompkins Co., N. Y. He ac-
(piired the trade of carpentry, mostly by working
with his father, who was a millwright. Mr. C. fol-
lowed his trade for 20 years. At the age of about
23 he left home and pursued his vocation a number
of years in Clinton Co., Mich. In 1852 he went
overland to California, where he remained three
years, with great benefit to his health, though not
meeting with the pecuniary success which he had
expected. Returning to Clinton Co., Mich., he
followed his occupation several years, teaching
school during the winter seasons.

In the spring of 1858, he came with his family —
which then comprised a wife and one child — to
Gratiot County, and purchased 100 acres of wild
land, on section 31, North Star Township, where he
now resides. He has since added 80 acres to his
estate, and now has too acres in a good state of cul-
tivation. On his arrival here he built a rough board
house, whicli the family occupied until January, 187 i^
when they moved into their present fine residence.
Mr. C. has also a fine equipment of barns, etc., upon
his farm, and his present circumstances give evidence
of industry, economy and prosperity.

Mr. Cook was married July 19, 1855, in Clinton
Co., Mich., to i\Iiss Margaret, second daughter of
Peter and Elizabeth (Berdan) Lott, natives of New
York State wlio settled in Wayne County, this State,
in an early day, and three years afterward moved to
Clinton County, where they resided the remainder of
their life. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have had five chileren,
three of whom survive, as follows: Fremont H.,
born April 19, 1856; Harriet L., Feb. 4, 1867; and
Carrie V., July 22, 1870. Milan, born Aug. 4, 1862,
died Feb. 24, 1863; and Ida E., born Jan. 8, 1S60,
died March 13, 1883.

Politically, Mr. C. is a Republican ; and he lias
held the offices of Sheriff, 1868-72, Supervisor of
North Star Township, one year, and Township Clerk,
and takes considerable interest in school affairs.
He is a member of the M. E. Church and of the
Masonic Order.

We take pleasure in giving Mr. Cook's portrait on
a preceding page, as he is not only a representative
man and worthy citizen of the county o