Full text of "Portrait and biographical album of Clinton and Shiawassee counties, Mich., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state"

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OF PROMINENT^ REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 

OF THE COUNTY 

TOGETHER- Wl TH ■ POFfTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES- OF- ALL - THE 

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CHICAGO: 

CHAPMAN BROS. 

1891. 



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JHE grSatest of, English historians, Macaulay, and one of the most brilliant writi-rs of 
the present cenlnry, has said : "The history of a country is best told in a record of the 
lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Poktijait and Bioguai-iiicai. 
Album of this county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and 
talcing tiierefrom dry statistical matter tiiat can be appreciated by but few, our 
corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their 
enteri)rise and industry, brought the county to a rank second to none among tliose 
comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life 
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the 
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by 
industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an 
influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men wlio 
have risen from the lower wallcs of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and 
records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of manj', very 
many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," content 
to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "they have done what 
tlHiy could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the 
anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace 
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from tlie fact 
that it contains so much that would never find its waj' into public records, and whicii would otherwise be 
inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunitv possible 
given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers Hatter them- 
selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biograph- 
ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the 
publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to five the 
information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasional!}' some member of 
the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested 
one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never bo found, though repeated calls were made 
at their residence or place of business. 

^ e . , ,Q,>, CHAPMAN niiOS. 

CniCAOo, .September, 18!)1. 




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I HE Father of our Country was 

'■j'l horn in Westmorland Co., Va., 
r.M% _ ' ' 

^ Feb. 22, 1732. His parents 
i] were Augustine and Mary 
-^ (Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
and became a prosperous 
planter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
him four children, two of whom, 
I^awrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of six children by his 
second marriage, George was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
and Mildred. 
Augustine Washington, tiie father of George, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George lie left tiie parental residence. George 
received only such education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
school, when he received private instruction in 
tnathemat'cs. His spellinii was rather <iefectiv« 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physica: 
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 appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which aftenvards proved very 
essential to him. In 175 i, though only 19 years of 
age, he was apix)inted 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 liis 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 ilie 
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 between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
and the journey was to be made without military 
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



irip was a perilous one, and several times he came near 
losing his life, yet he retarned in safety and famished 
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 inijMrtant part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Wasliington 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 : " 1 had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was leveling 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 been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought i)romotion in the royal army, he 
look advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
CO resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took 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 
if 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- 
del[)hia,Se|)t. 5, r774, to secure their common liberties, 
peaceably if iwssible. 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 ])lainly 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 expect Congress to 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 ever)' 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, r783, Washington, in 
a patting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 



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

lit February, 17S9, 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 impoverislied condition of the country, 
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party 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 expiiaton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, lioping 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. 
At 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 superinter.ded 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 i 2, he took 
a seveie 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 wiih 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 parties, and princijjles, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetrv. 
He commanded respect without any appearance ol 
haughtiness, and ever serious without V^iogduU. 



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TiVElVTIETH PRESlLiENT. 




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AMES A. (GARFIELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was born Nov. 19, 
1S31, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
""' ents were Abram and Eliza 
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
^9 tory of that section of our coun- 
try, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
born was not unlike tiie houses of 
J poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
.dc about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces bc- 
.vsen the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
lard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
.:lea!ed, an orchard planted, and a lug barn liuilt. 
I'lie household com[)rised the father and mother and 
heir four children — Mchetai)el, 'I'liomas, Mary and 
'ames. In May, 1825, tiie father, from a cold con- 
./acted in helping to ])ut out a forest fire, died. At 
'his time James was about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perliaps, can 
tell how much James was indebted to his biother's 
ceil and self-sacrifice during tiie twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
itrs live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
iiiem. He 1 ibored at farm work for others, did car- 
penter «ork, (Ivii'pid wood, or <.lid anytliing that 
woulil Ipfinn in a few ilollars to aid liis widowed 
mother in lie- ■ i-':>,>;^lcs to keep the little f.m ily to- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling cliildhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seatsof honor 
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. 'I'he [loorest laborer was sure of the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want 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 Garfield until hi 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain 0/ 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, wliich his mother strongly opposed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtair 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city 
After making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on tlie Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
mained at this work but a short time when he wen' 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Listitute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. 'I'his school 
was started by the Disciijles of Christ in 1S50, of 
which churcli he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way 
He then became both teacher ami ]Hipil. He soon 
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from whi' h 
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon- 
ors of his class. He afterwards returned lo Hiram 
College as its President. As above stated, he early 
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
ber, often [)rf;aching in ils pulpit and i)l3ces where 
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, Presidirt of 
Vale College, says of him in reference to liisrclipion: 



o«. 



JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



a man of 
His whole 



" President Garfield was more than 
strong moral and religious convictions, 
history, from boyhood to the last, sliovvs that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my JLidgmeiu 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 
sympathy 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 comniunions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
;hurch of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most "nsec- 
Urian charity for all ' who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 
Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia 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, 
jn Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During tliis year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in i86i 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 put into active ser- 
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in acUon, 
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 Mirshall) 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 (leneral in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in its operations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the 
General Coutt-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to rei)ort to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the " Chief of Staff" 
The military h'story of Gen. Garfield closed with 



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

Without an effort on his part Gew Garfield was 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congress for si.\ty 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 lime he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
body. Thert; he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Sinct 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question whici. 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before t. 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to whicL 
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, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
day it grew in favo; with the people, 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 deixit, in com- 
pany with Secretary ISlaine, a man stepped behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his liack. 
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.licling no further 
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 hnd anything oc- 
curred 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 August, 
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 away Sept. 
19, 1883, at Ellieron, N. J , on the very b.ank of the 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly jirevious. 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 -.nid exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committed the fou; deed. 



TWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT. 



99 





HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

twenty-first Presi'^.^iii of the 
United States was born in 
Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 
thefifthofOdobcr, 1830, and is 
the oldest of a family of two 
sons and five daughters. His 
father was the Rev. Dr. William 
Arthur, a Baptist d.rgyman, who 
emigrated to tb.s country fro:n 
the county Ant.im, Ireland, in 
his i8th year, and died in 1S75, in 
9J y}i Newtonville, neai Albany, after a 
"^ long and successful ministry. 
j>^j^j Young Arthur was educated at 
Ig M Union College, S( henectady, where 
J ]\ he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
»j ter his graduation he taught school 
R] in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration of that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his iwcket, 
and e.Uered the office of ex-Judgc 
^W E. D. Culver as student. After 
being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry 1). Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
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 upon a success- 
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
soon afterward niaj-r'^d 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. Arthur's 
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur 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 Superior 
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 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here esjxjused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was jjut off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of S500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 



100 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



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

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hmi Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, 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, 
?o, 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, 1 880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
was composed of the 'sading 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 Gen. 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 his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
■vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
March 4, 1881, 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 
came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
anxious suspense, when the liearts of all civilized na 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience 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 certainlv God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that 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 ]x>sition in the world ivas 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 ;.ssume the responsibilities of 
the high office, and he took the oath in New York. 
Sept. 20, iSSr. The iX)sition 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. Under these trying circumstances President 
Arthur took tlie reins of the Government in his own 
hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
wisely that but few criticised his administration. 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1S85, and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rj'ing with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to thcni and with credit to himself. 




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S>EC0ND PHESIDENT. 



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OHN ADAMS, the second 
, President and the first Vice- 
President of the United States, 
t was born in Braintree ( now 
t-ys, Quincy),Mass., and about ten 
''^' miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
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 shoeniaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
'school of affliction," from which Ivj endeavored to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For tiiis purjxDse he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had thought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been ti^rned from this by what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic goodnature,'' 
of the operations of which he had been a witness in 
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
tive lowers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1764 married Aijigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, (i7f'5), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
Mon turned him from law to politics. He took initial 
steps toward holdin^, :v town meeting, and the resolu- 



tions he offered on the subject became very jwpulai 
throughout the Provmce, 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 popular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegate.s 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himseU 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against tlii 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. He 
was a prominent member of the conunittee of nve 
apjxjinted June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on ."Xdams devolved the task of battling it througl\ 
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 
by the spirit of projjhecy. "Yesterday," he says, "t'ac 
greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
in America ; and greater, i)erhaps, never was or wil 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these L'nited 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde. 
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotirm to /Mmighty 
God. It ought to be solemnized with [wniii, shows. 



24 



JOHN ADAMS. 



games, S|)orts, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
fioui one end of the continent to the other, from this 
time forward for ever. You will think me trans}X)rted 
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 see the 
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
worth more than all the means; and that posterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
hope we shall not. " 

In Noveml)er, 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 ^nd 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- 
jxjsed him to great peril of capture jjy the British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was again 
clioseii to go to Paris, and tliere 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 pvoix)sels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
Holland, where he negotiated important loans and 
formed important commercial treaties 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. 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 goto England to drink the waters of 
Bath. \Vhile in England, still drooping anddesjiond- 
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 immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,hemade 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 aiiixaint a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. .Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to 
nis 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, .\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 mucho'piKisition. 
Serving in this office four vears,he was succeeded by 
-Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 



French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
and it was upon this point which he was atisSuewith 
the majority of his countr)men 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 
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. 
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French peo[)le. Hence or- 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two jxjwerful parties were thus soon organ- 
ised, 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 
ajjpreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look uixsn 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 
supjwrting. 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 ujx)n the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
earthly jiilgrimage, 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 l)eing requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
DF.PKNDENCE 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 maimers of Mr. 
Adams were not particularly ])re]X)ssessing. His face, 
as his ])ortrait manifests,was intellectual ard expres- 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his 
manners were frequently abrupt and imcourteous. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Jefferson. 



THIRD PRESIDENT. 



27 




m^?=r.-^ 



THOMAS iTEFiFEISSOM 













HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
born April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
l^well, Albermarle county, Va. 
His parents were I'eler and 
Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
thet'ormcr a native of Wales, 
and tlie latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
fatlier 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 lie entered William 
end Mary College. \Villiamsburg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashion 
a.id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat e)i[)ensively, kecinng fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
was earnestly devoted lo his studies, and irreproai ha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
siiiii influences, that he was not ruined. In tiie sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
exi)lained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
liouis a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
of tlie city and back again. He thus attained very 
high ;;;tellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. 'Die most difficult Latin and 
Greek authors he read witii facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone fortli from college halls: and 



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

Immediately ujjon leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in tlie 
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. 
Tlie policy of England iiad awakened the spirit of 
resistance of tlie American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views whicli Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active political life. In 1769 he was choser 
a inember of the Virginia House of Burgesses. !n 
1772 lie married Mrs. Martha .Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow 

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, thare 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, wliich 
commanded a pros|)ect of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest ye^ 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon 
became the most distinguisiied resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Cdonial Congress. 
where, though a .silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon iiecome known, and he 
was placed ui)on a number of important committees, 
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Rolierl R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was api)ointed 
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
ill it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
4, 1776, What must have been the feelings of that 



28 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
Vvho was charged 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 mind 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, as Governor of Virginia. At one time 
the Britisli officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Moniicello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after the 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 this excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two yeirs later he was apiK)inted Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. r, 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 Union ; 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 (xslitical 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 responsibility. 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 ujxjn the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 

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

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



sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
great preparations were made in every part of tin.' 
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 tlie 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 him 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 nc 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was jjerfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the ne.xt 
diiy, 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 tha'. 
he might be permitted to breathe the airof the fiftieth 
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture thiougli 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,- - 
the 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 uf) the record his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit 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 depart. 
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 ix)ssessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage; and ?.is 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. 







/ cZA^'^ '■ ' .^yOC 



g,j^M^^-( c'-'^ 



FOURTH PRESIDENT. 



1WW> npDisoi|. 





AMES MADISON, "Father 
" the Constitution," and fourth 
^'"'President of the United States, 
was born March i6, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
June 28, 1836. The name of 
James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the important 
events in that lieroic jieriod of our 
country during which the founda- 
tions of tliis great repubUc were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of tiie Constitution of tlic United 
States to be called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
lauding upon tile shores of the Chesa- 
pealce but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing uiwn a very fine es- 
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
esipie and romantic, on the west side 
of Soutli-west Moinitain, at the foot of 
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monlicello. The closest jjersonal and 
jKjlitical 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 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 



prudent zeal ; allowing himself, for months, but tliree 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 1771, with a feeble 
body, witli a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and riclily stored with learning 
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subst' 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the 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 wiiich he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work ol 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
liis life was not to l)e long, he diiected esi>ecial atten- 
tion to theological studies. FMidowed with a inuid 
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
almost unequalled ix)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 
('777)1 he was a candidate for the General Assembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and 
conse(iuently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed tiie talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was appointed to the Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Ciovernors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 



32 



JAMES MADISON. 



nitellectual, 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 1784, 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 
tlie 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 appoint commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
by .Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelphia, 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 appointed. 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. 
'I'here was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted i)y 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 jMwer at home and little I'espect 
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 opjxisition 
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 tlie 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 jXDWer of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in person and character 
queenly, and probalily no lady has thus far occupied 
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Midison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of 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 destioyed our commerce, and 
our flag was exixjsed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 
in his disposition, war had no charms for Iiim. But the 
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, to think of an American 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 conqiulsion, 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 1 8th of June, 18 12, President Madison gave 
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th 
of March, 1813, was re-elected by a large majority, 
and entered ui^on his second term of office. This is 
not the place to describe tlie various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infan'- 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
pling with the most fonnidalile power which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in Febniaiy, 
18 13, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of the United States under blockade. 

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 the Patuxet 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 tlie 
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the doer 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, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 

On the 4th of March, 18 17, his second tenn 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. 




i^- 



^^^i^^^i^ 7 /^z 



-?-^y^_ 



FIFTH PRESIDENT. 



35 





AMKS MONROK. Uio ntili 
. I'rcsidcntof 'I'hc United States, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Va., April 2.S, 1758. His early 
life was jjassed at the place of 
nativity. Hi.5 ancestors had lur 
9 many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which he was born. When, 
at 17 years of ai;e, in the process 
',' of completing his education at 
William and Mary C'ollege, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at I'hila- 
del|)hia to deliberate u[)on the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
(ireal Britian, declared the seiKira- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been born 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 hope- 
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring 
in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the [jrospect of con- 
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
difficulty and danger, the United .States owe their 
(wlitical emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and Wbitfj 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it flee' 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four month,' 
alter the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoukler. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was i)ro- 
moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of l.ord Sterling. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and 177S, in the actions of Brandy 
wine, Ciermanlown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and jjursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 1782, he was elected from King George county. 
• a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by tha*. 
body he was elevated to a seat in the Kxecuiive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
at this early perioti disiilayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legislation, whii h were afterwards 
employed with unremitting energy for the public good, 



36 



JAMES MONROE. 



he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
ilie Congress of the United States. 
DeeplyasMr. Monroefelt the imperfections of the old 
Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
ihinking, with many others of "ihe Republican parly, 
that it gave too much 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 
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 17S9, he became a member 
of the United States Senate; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sej)- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the 
Central Government as little jxjwer, and the State 
Governments as much [X)wer, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much jjower to tlie 
Central Government as tiiat 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 
light eipiilibrium. .\nd yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Wasiiington was then President. England had es- 
poused the 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 liberties. All the despotisms 
of Earoi)e were now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we sliould help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently o[)posed 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 ]X)licy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to the Repuljlic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 



Shortly after his return to this countrv, Mr. Moi- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three yeais. 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 Sjxiin. Their united efforts were sue 
cessful. For 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 France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that country some recognition of oui' 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again 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. Wliile 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 o( 
peace he resigned the Deixirtment of War, but con- 
tinued in tlie 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 o[)position, and 
upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four year? 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the im|iortant measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of Florida to the United States; the 
Missouri Conii)roniise, 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 European powers longer attempting to sub- 
due [)orti(jns of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt 
on the part of F>uropean 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 interjiosition for the jiurijose of ojipressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any other light than as a manifestation by European 
l)owcrs of an unfriendly disiwsition toward the United 
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
sentiment of the LInited States. 

At the end of his second 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 




^l"** 

M'^- 



3. S, At 



<L/nvJ 



SIXTH PRESIDENT. 



39 




^ .^/C/QvAK^^a. 








OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 

sixth President of the United 
'States, was born in the rural 
home of his honored fatlier, 
John Adams, in Qnincy, Mass., 
on the I ith cf July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exalted 
worth, watched over his childhood 
during tlie almost constant ab- 
sence of liis father. When but 
eight years of age, lie stood with 
his niotlier on an eminence, listen- 
ing to the liooining of the great l)at- 
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames 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 father for Europe, 
through a fleet ot hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
animated boy spent a year and a half in Pan's, where 
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
minister pleni]X)tentiary. 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 
(ohn Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
applied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
to .'.tudy; then accompained his father to Holland, 
where he entered, first a school in .\msterdam, then 
the ITniversity at Leyden. About a year from this 
time, in t78i, when the manly hoy was but fourteen 
yea's of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 

In this school of incessant later and of enobling 
rulture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



in the spring of 17S2, he accompanied his father i; 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintanct 
with tlie most distinguished men on the Continent 
examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he agair. 
became associated with the most illustrious men o( 
all lands in the conten)])lations of the loftiest temi)oral 
themes which can engross the human mind. Aftj' 
a short visit to P^ngland he returned to Paris, ana 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 17S5, 
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
man of eighteen, v. lio jiad seen much of the world, 
and who was familiar with the etiipiette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attra(tive 
but with 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 be 
able to obtain an independent supixjrt. 

Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twcntj' 
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
jiointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
Gieat Britian. After thus spending a fortnight i. 
London, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
minister pleni]X)tentiary. On his way to Portugal 
upon arriving in London, he met with ilespatches 
directing him to the court of Bei'iin, but rei|uesiirg 
him to remain in London ur.til he should receive his 
instructions. While w::iting he was niairicd to a; 
American lady to whom he had been iireviously en- 
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughtt' 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in I ondon: 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those nccom- 
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in t'i{ 
elevated sphere for which she w« ^j>*fined 



lO 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
wlicre he remained until July, 1799, when, havingful- 
tilled all the piir^wses of his mission, lie soUcited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
I he Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
'was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
among the most prominent and influential members 
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1S09, Madison succeeded JelTerson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he inmiediately nominated John 
Qnincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While 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 weights, measures, and coins ; to 
the climate and astronomical observations ; while he 
kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an importart 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately apirainted Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Euroiie, he 
sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the 
1 8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr, Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

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

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
;ombined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
*V><", 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 coim- 
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 rising 
early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in 
Quincy, he has 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, lighting his 
own fire and applying hims(;lf 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 question now began to assume 
ixjrtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Prolxibly there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his [)lace in the morning, and the last to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be Ijrought forward and escape his scrutiny. The 
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
lire proslavery jiarty in the Government, was sublime 
in Its moral daiing and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting jjelitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jur)', 
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, that 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 every night, before 
he slept, the prajer which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

On the 2istof February, 1848, he rose on the floor 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken l.>y ]iaraly- 
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 " This is the end of earth /"then after a moment's 
pause he added, '^\I am content" These were the 
last words of the grand " Old Man Eloquent." 



SE VENTH rHESIUENT. 



«*3 




•'^vmOM^r'^i^t&s??. •M^Mf^ ^-:^i 




ajs.aa.5»*©fSW!Wrav. 



#.|ir©ji^j^v^ ^k^%%%^%. 




NDREW JACKSON, the 
seventh PresideTit of tlic 
United States, was horn in 
Waxhaw settlement, N. (;., 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were jxwr emigrants 
from Ireland, and took \\y 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest poverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
tractive. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
1781, he and his lirother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
dIow at the head of the helpless young jirisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other ujxjn the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-jxjx. Their 
mother was successful ir> i)btaining their exchange, 



and took her sick boys home. After a long illness 
Andrew recovered, and tiie death of his mother soon 
left him entirely friendless. 

.Vndrew supported himself in various ways,sichas 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, 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 1788, he was apjwinted 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
which Tennessee was then 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 repeat a skirnush 
with the Sharj) Knife. 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
Creat was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed 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 at his profes- 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven 
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. 
The new State was entitled to but one member in 
the National House of Representatives. Andrew JackA 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 



44 



ANDRE W JACKSON. 



iessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose 
second term of office was then expiiing, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. A committee 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 Gen. Washington's adminstralion had been 
" wise, firm 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 the Supreme Court 
of his State, which position he held f^jr six years. 

When the war of 1812 with Great Britian com- 
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Burr 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|X)n him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
jffeied his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accejjted, and the troops 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack r.jjon New Orleans, where Gen Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troojis to aid Wilkinson. The 
expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden opinions; and he became the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of "Old 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 pistol wounds. While he was 
iingering ii|X)n 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. Gen. 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 bends of tlic Tallapoosa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, aliout fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
With an army of two tiio'isand men, Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He reached their fort, called TolK>]K-ka or 
Horse-shoe, on tl^-' 27lh of March. 1814. 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 suplyof 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 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed K few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
jxawer of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic 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 uix>n the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was appointed major-general. 

Late in August, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force ujxDn the beach, 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 uji and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
And the battle of New Orleans w hich soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for Gen. 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 hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, 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 o\ir country'; applauded by one party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 




/ J ^^d^rr ^L^J 



7 



EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 



47 





ARTIN VAN BUREN, ihe 
eighth President of the 
United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1 7 82. He died at the same 
place, July 24, i<S62. His 
body rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a [ilain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
about half 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 
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventfid 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 Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutcli lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and exemplary piety. 

,fe was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
ill his native village, and comiiienced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-office were reijuired of him 
Vjefore he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with 
J. lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- 
sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After 
spending six years in an office in his native village. 



he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his 

studies for the seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years ot 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Buren was from the beginning a iwlitician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in iiis 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloiiueiitly espoused Ihe 
cause of State Rights; though at llial 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, ih. 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years 
constantly gaining strength by contending in tin- 
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomiilishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consumi>. 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep ovet 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In iSi 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the Slate Senate, and i^ave his strenuous supjiort to 
Mr. Madison's adniinstiation. In 1815, he was ajv 
pointed y\ttorney-(^ieneral, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the capital of the State. 

While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
p. ominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 



48 



MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that " universal suffrage" which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
governing the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic i)rinciples, he contended that, while tlie 
path leading to the privilege of voting should be open 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
and some property interests in tlie welfare of tlie 
State. 

In 182 1 he was elected a member of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. 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. Van Buren was re-elected to 
che Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
.■ermined opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
'State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
Andrew Jackson, as tlid Martin Van Huron. ^Vhether 
entitled to the rei)utation or not, lie certainly was re- 
garded ihroLigiiout the United States as one of the 
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
It was sujiposed tliat 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 political army which would, secretly and 
ste.'^Uhily accomplish the most gigantic results. liy 
these powers it is said that he outv/itted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
few thought then could be accomplished. 

When Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
api)ointed Mr. Van Hiiren Secretary of State. This 
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
apix)inted Minister to England, wliere he went the 
same autuinn. Tlio Senate, however, when it met, 
refused to r.itif)' the nomination, .ind he lelurned 



home, apparently 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, probably 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 Democratic 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 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though tlie Constitution had conferred 
upon him the jiower 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 (juestion, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re-election. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within liis income, had now fortunately a 
competence for liis declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
patriotism, and the distinguished positions whicli he 
had occuiiied 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 
.\\\\ of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the [iresidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald 
he still exerted a powerful infiuence \\\to\\ 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 
age, ])robably far more happiness than he had before 
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. 



v%^. 



'"^r,. 




/(J-. //r^^G^iA^ 



■n.^^ 



NINTH PRESIDENT. 



S« 












^'(^^^':; 




ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
the United States, was horn 
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively o\t- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, w as early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was conspicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of tlie 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the office of 
speaker. 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
i William Henry, of course enjoyed 

in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough common-school education, he 
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor sooi. r.fter the death of his father. He 
then te[)aired to Philadelphia tostudy medicine imder 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianshi|) of 
i'obert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

Jjwu the ouilircak of ilic Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the 'cnions'.tances of his friends, he 
ahando'^ed liis medical studies and entered the army, 
■laving obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- 



dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old. 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
death he resigned his commission. He was then aiv 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
lX)sition. 

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two jwrtions. The 
eastern [wrtion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- 
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ai>. 
[Xjinted by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign \\\*i\\ the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with i)owers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white i>opulation. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
duties may be inferretl from tiie fact that he was four 
limes apjiointed to this office — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas JefTerson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When he began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlements in that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. Oneof thesesettlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly opixjsite Louisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabasii, and the tliird a P'rench 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrisoi. 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indian.s. Aboi" 



5 = 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



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

liut the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was, 
i 1 the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
with the suiierhuman 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 he was specially sent 
by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
t)ctober 28, 1812, his army began its inarch. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
sliort conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

ikit Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
upon their arms. 

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
rest; but every man had his 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 diiz/.ling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and j':st then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
the desperation which superstition and passion most 
liighly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of tlie 
little army. The savages had been amply provided 
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of l)ullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
cus yells, the Indian bands ruslied on, not doublir.ga 
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 thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing thp foe. 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending t'roni the Can- 
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with llieir savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, i)lu,idering, scalpi.ig, 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 l)y 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 
General 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 ofificers, 
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 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to re[iresent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
active member; and whenever he s[>oke, it was with 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In 18 1 9, Harrison was elected to the Senate ol 
Ghio; and in 1824, 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 Gen. Harrison Ijrought him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At 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 for the Vice Presidency. 
The contest was very animated. Gen. Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election; but 
his triumph was signal. 

'I"he cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webstei 
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 liopes 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. 



ll 





'"hO^ 




TENTH PRESIDENT. 



*>i 




JDIHK TYILlISo 




OHN TYLER, the tenth 
, Presidentof the United States. 
He was born in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
was the favored child of af- 
fluence and high social po- 
sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and partly with Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and a.ston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
I et of the court in which he was 

hOt retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
Was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably with the Democratic party, opiX)sing a national 
bank, internal improvements by the General <«jvern. 



ment, a protective tariff, and advocatmg 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 jxjwerful 
in promoting jjublic works of great utility. With a 
rei)utation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes, C.overnor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, thtn represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. A [wrtion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his op|X)nent, 
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, ujxjn taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined ihc ranks of tiie opjjosi- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his oi)i)Osilion to the nuliifiers, had 
abandoned the i)iinciples of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the princii)les which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he rosumcd the practice of 
!iis profession. There was a :i'I:i i 1 the Democraiu 



JOHN TYLER. 



/arty. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
lersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; audit was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself 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 
7839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
the 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 that he was not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice 
President lias l)ut very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duly 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 -:und himself, 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 
une.xpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
Ajril -itas inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was (ilaced in a position of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
opposed to tl:e main principles of the party which had 
brought him into jiower. He had ever been a con- 
•istent, hoiie;t man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
sjUors 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- 
n.ony with himself, and which would op[)ose all those 
I'iews which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
i-elected to retain their seats. He reccomm-.Mided a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for tlie 
incor]X)ration of a fiscal hank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it wiih 
nis veto. Y{ff (iuiigested, however, that he would 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
projjosed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
It -.vas passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who si verely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now e.\ultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
cabinet, excepting 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 political alliance 
between the Whigs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabmet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster 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 with 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 su|)port of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and 
probably to his own unspeakable lelief. 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 lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with information from 
books and experience in the world, and possessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unusual attractions. \\\(\\ sufficient 
means for the exercise of a generous ho?|)itality, 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 
ixjlicy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State., 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Ca\- 
hoiin had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, 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. 



ELEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



59 









-I 



.^'^' 



\''<S-i 




AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 
I'rcsideiU of the United States, 
was born in Mecklenburg Co., 
N. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 
ents were Samuel and Jane 
(Knox) Polk, the former a son 
of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 
at the above place, as one of the 
first pioneers, in 1735. 

In tiie year i3o6, with his wife 
and children, and soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
the Polk famly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared their log huts, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk spent the 
early years of his childiiood and 
youth. His father, adding the pur- 
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
gradually increased in wealth imtil 
he became one of the leading men of the region. I lis 
mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest i)iety. 

Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
principles of morality. His health 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 disapi>ointment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few 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 Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplaiy of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in iSicS, with the highest honors, be- 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's heaUh was at this 
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had probably beer 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same \>o\\\\- 
cal faith. He was a i)oi)ular public speaker, anil was 
constantly called ujwn to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was [jopularly called the Najwleon of the stump. 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 



6o 



/AMES K. POLK. 



courterus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
, Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of liini, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinuec^ in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
of I'^nnessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a fre(]aent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
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 1 4th 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, but 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 annexationof 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 jirovinces, 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 same footing with the 
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



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 yiearly 
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 wai 
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. 

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace ujxjn 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 York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be addied 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 Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but 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 dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
of tranquility and iiappiness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up 
the Valley of the Mississijjpi. This he contracted, 
and died on the isth of June, 1849, in the fiftv-fourth 
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 




^.C^oc^A-^yi^y^y/^f^ 



jy' y^P(^^ 



TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 



<^i 




^i\f\.^V:tS^.T\. \.^^\si 









'k ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth 
m rrcsident of tlic United States, 
a was horii on the 24lh of Nov., 
¥ 1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
■0 fatlicr, t'olonel Taylor, was 
■^.j^^.^^'' '' \'irginian of note, and a dis- 
i^iifc"",)^^ tinyiiishcd [latriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When ZaLJuiry 
was an infant, iiis father with liis 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, wliere he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. In tliisfront- 
?/iiR ier home, away from civilization and 
I all its refinements, yjung Zachar)' 
could enjoy init few social and educational advan- 
tages. When si.x years of age he attended a common 
school, and was then regardi'd as a bright, active boy, 
father remarkable for bhmtness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
<iianifesled 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 i)lantation. 
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Orleans under (ien. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
(rom one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after tlie declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 1S12, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the ^V'abash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison,on his march to Tippecanoe. 
It was one of the first iwints of attack by the Indians, 
icd iiy Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 



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

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved ujxjn the fort. Their 
ai)proach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible prei)aration 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 disai)peared. the 
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war whooi) burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest arountl, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his iwst. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No jien can describe, 1.0 immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting Cire (o one of the block-houses- 
Until si.\ o'clock in the morning, this awfid conflict 
continued. The savages tiien, baflled at every ix)int, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this galiant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by brevet. 

Untii the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depthsof (he 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, wliich 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 



64 



ZACHARY TAYLOR 



tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
iiac'' promised they should do. The services rendered 
he';e secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
tc .he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
mand of '.he United States troops in Florida. 

After 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, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
imposed upon him. 

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war witii Me.xico 
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Mexicans. 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 Mnnterey and 
Buena 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, 
the sobriquet of " Old Rough and Ready.' 

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
jpread tlie 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 po|)ularity in livinging forward the unpolished, un- 

■ 'Ted, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
I'residency. (Jen. 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 
'l.iir claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 



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 liis haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent sjjeaker 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. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
Gen. Cass and E.x-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
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 Culnx ; 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 occuined the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the Qlh of July, 1850. 
His last words 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 bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and trutliful 
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. Tiie frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite 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 coxcomb (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 Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In shorf 
few men have ever had a more comforta;.''-":, >->>■>'-«. 
saving contempt for le3rnir.| of every kind,' 





~^x^ 



u 



V 



-ocnx) 



THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



6? 




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^-r 



i ^MILLflRn FILLMnHE.^ % 

iji 



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4-9- 





jI ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
teenth President ot'the United 
States, was born at Summer 
Hill, t'ayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
the 71I1 of January, 1800. His 
~^ father was a farmer, and ow- 
ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
(umstances. Of his mother, the 
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
of I'iitsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she [wssessed an intellect 
ofvery iiigh order, united with much 
])ersonal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
position, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
I S3 1 ; having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished prom- 
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career u[X)n which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Near the mill there was a small villiage, when* some 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
to young Fillmore. His evenings were s[)ent 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 gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to l)e something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he 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 personal appearance 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened tha'. 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
jK'cuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
Wood, — who was struck with the pre[x>ssessing ap- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made hisacquaint- 
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
r.o 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 to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion alxiut 
a collegiate education. A young man is sup;K)sed to 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
lege. But many a boy loiters through university hal" \ 
ind then enters a law office, who is by no means sis 



t;6 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he v/as 
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or hi fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might l)e called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention ; and lie was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
Iiuffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of tlie 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had never taken a very active 
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The 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, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degri e the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
Ihe 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 removal of the deposits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two yeai^s closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, which he pursued with increasing re|)- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past ex[)e- 
rience as a representative gave hmi stiength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now jjrepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear upon 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 labors 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 Grande, 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 liumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
namesofZachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-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 Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He ap|)oinled 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 
tiie South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
the inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The iJOjiulation 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 Exp.edition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, 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 supixjsed 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 iiy both. He lived to a ripe 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874. 





'^/^y/A>4 




FOURT&ENTH PRESIDENT. 



T 



|feaiCfta»^ ■'^^ 




_ .^««SW,!^ f 



oSfe|#^ ^1. FRANKLIN PIERCE.'^ ^^, 

- ■.t..t..t..t.44..t..t. -t«^t.»t^t«AiA-tA..t^t«.t«.t 









i 



RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
fourteenth Presidetit of the 
)?■ United States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revohitionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inde.vible intej^rity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate, Christian woni- 
Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 
Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. Tlie neighbors 
looked uiwn him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always siieakingkind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most ])opular young men in the college. 
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 



an. 



genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied: it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a public man, and tiie brilliant 
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet i)erilous path of [wlitical life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he es[X)used the cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to rejjresent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker 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 
l)art in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Huren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest meini)erin 
the Senate. In the year 1834. he married Miss Jane 
Means Ap[)leton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with which her husband was honoied. Of the 



7« 



bRANKLIN PIERCE. 



three sons who were bom to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
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 precariuos 
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 of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an imj^rtant 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 supjxDrt to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his a|)proval ; 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 Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
•afely 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, 
snd 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 constantly 
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. Gen. 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. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy be 
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its 
culminating (xsint. 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' tenii 
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 unpopular 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 estimable 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 of the Episcoi)al 
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. 





tL^7z^J (2^^U^-/l^^y7l-S6-<?7/^ 



I'IFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



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AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the AUegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., l'enn.,on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The j'lace 
where the humble cabin of his 
father stuod was called Stony 
Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic spot in a gorge of the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a [xjor man, who had emigrated in 
783, with little property save his 
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in liie d-rama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remaineil 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantagis. When James was eight years of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
jirogress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
to study was intense, and yet his native |X)wers en- 



abled him to master the most abstruse subjects wi "• 
facility. 

In the year 1809, he graduated with the highest 
honors of his clasi. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
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 181 2, 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 lawyers of the State. When 1ml 
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate 01 e of the 
judges of the State, who was tried uixan articles of 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House. 
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some imixjrtant case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
quired an ample fortune. 

(Jen. Jackson, \\\>on his elevation to the Presidency, 
ap]K)inted Mr. Buchanan minister to- Russia. The 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster. 
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas- 
ures ])roposedby President Jackson, of miiring repri- 



76 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that country ; and defended the course 
of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removal from office of those who were not the sup- 
porters of his adiiiinistration. Upon this question he 
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging 
from tlie journal of the Senate the vote of censure 
against Gen. Jackson for removing the de[)osits. 
Earnestly he opixjsed the abolition of slavery in the 
District of Columbia, and urged tlie 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, that Congress had 
no [xjwer to legislate upon the subject. " Congress," 
said he, " might as well undertake to interfere with 
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
States where it now exists." 

Ujwn Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the resix)nsibility in the conduct of 
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed 
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross 
the Rio (irande into that territory was a declaration 
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
account of the course our Covernment pursued in that 
movement 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the pi^rpetuation and extension 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear against the W'ilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1S50, 
which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, 
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
Buchanan with the mission to England. 

In the year 1856, 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 al>ohtion, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
'.eived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
174, and was elected. The i>0|)ular vote stood 
1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On 
March 4th. 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
vears were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
ten. His own friends, those with wliom he had been 
allied in political principles and action for years, were 
su<;king 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. 
In this einergeni'v, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- 
wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 



ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in 
their assumptions. 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 
nominaied Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery 
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- 
trol of the Government 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 
tlie United States. 

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slaverj' 
party was such, that he had been willing to ofiferthem 
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. Bii^ 
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
operation of the Government 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 pitiable 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 hand upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed, "The 
Union must and shall be preserved!" 

South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston: Fort Sumpter 
was besieged; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals 
were seized ; our depots of military stores were plun- 
dered ; and our custom-houses and iX)st-offices were 
api)ropriated 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 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
that in that dreadful conflict whii h rolled its billows 
of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came 
from his lips to intlicate his wish that our country's 
banner should lriuni]ih over the flag of the rebellior, 
Hf" died at his Wheatland retreat, Jane i, i863. 




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<9-f iZ--i^-v^ 



e//^fe^^^T^ 



SIXTEENTH PRES/DENT. 



79 








i^5-.. 



„i^^ir^. 



RRAHAM LINCOLN, the 

sixteenth President of tlie 
,JUnited States, was horn in 
f? Hardin Co., Ky., Feh. 12, 
W 1809. Ahout tlie year 1780, a 
man hy the name of Abraham 
^"^ Lincohi left Virginia with his 
t.imily and moved into t)ie then 
wildsof Kentucky, (^nly two years 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while working one day in a 
field, was stealthily a])pro::ched hy 
an Indian andshot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five 
little children, three 1)0)S and two 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's deatli. This Thomas was 
the father of .\braham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
whone name must henceforth foi-ever be enrolled 
wiih the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of coarse no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the ix)orest of the [xjor. His home was a wretched 
log-cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and inish out into the world, a friend- 
less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thus spent the whole oi his youth as a 
*/iborer in the fields C)f others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he built a log- 
cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
"All that I am, or hojje to be," exclaims the grate- 
ful son " I owe to my angel-mother. 

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



cabin and small farin, and moved to Indiana Where 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
community around him. He could not have had a 
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few ; but these he read 
and re-read until they were almost committed to 
memory. 

As tlie years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family 
was the usual lot of humanity. There 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 
soon died. Tlie family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830, 
and emigrated to ALacon Co., 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. .'Miraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
small lot of enclosed prairie [ilanted 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 power. He saw the ruin 
which ardent spirits were causing, and liecame 
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating li(|uor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
God's word, "Thou shall not take the name of the 
Lord thy (Jod in vain ;" and a |)rofane expression he 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminatcd by a 
single vice. 

Young Abraham woiked for a lime as a hired laliorer 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, 
where he was employed in building a large flat-lwat. 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
sissi|ii)i to New Orleans, ^\'hat^.•ver Abraham Lin- 
coln undertcxik, he performed so faithfully as to give 
great satisfacticn to his employers. In this adven- 



8o 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



ture his employers were so well pleased, that uix)n 
his return they 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 although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson the appointment of 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 them 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 question. 
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 
ilavery cjuestion, and lie took the broad ground of 
.he 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 
orominent. It was generally supi)osed he would be 
the nominee. Abraham 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 aslittledid he dream that he was to render services 
to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
only, if second, to that of Washington. 

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that vas [Xjured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
high ix)sition. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his 
way making speeches. The whole 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 ujj 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 theirCon- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached W'ashinglon in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people. 

In tlie selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opixDnents before the convention he gave 
important ix)sitions. 

During no other administration have the duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the resixjnsibilities 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, lie 
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, 
witli no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans Iiad been 
made for his assassination.and he at last fell a victim 
to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would Le present. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the city. .President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, witli his characteiistic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disapiwintment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the i)lay an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth 
entered the 1k3x where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief l)y the death of its ruler. 
Strong men met in the streets and wei)t 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 
model. His name as the savior of his country ■"'ill 
live with that of Washington's, its father; his country- 
men being unable to decide which is tl^e greater. 





"/"'^dh^^.^'C^A^^ 




'^^^:^^:i^:Zt:j2>t^ 



SEVENTEENTH PREHIUEA/T. 



»1 




^SSBSf^ 













^? NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
•>) tceiith President of the United 
States. The early life of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
^ the record of poverty, destitu- 
tion and friendlessness. He 
was horn December 29, 180S, 
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
belonging to the class oi' the 
"poor whites " of the South, vere 
in such circumstances, that they 
could not confer even the slight- 
est advantages of education upon 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boy about the streets, supix)ried 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 ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these s[)eeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow-workmen, 
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of s|)eeches. The owner. 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the l)Oo!c 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under such tlifficulties he pressed ou 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hous^ 
at work in the sho]), and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreatio," to devote such time as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located a' 
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 tlected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in jxjlitical 
affairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which lie belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active member of the legislature 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and :n 
1840 "stumjied the State," advocating Martin Van 
Huren's claims to the Presidency, in opjMasition to thos^ 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign heac()uired niucli 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

\\\ 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important jiost for ten years. In 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these resi^nsible jwsi- 
lions, ht; discharged his duties with distinguished abi.- 



84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1S45, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
and become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the ''ree States of the Nortli should return to the 
Souih persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was neverashamedof his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," 
said he on the floor 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 iSuo, he 
ivas the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of the South- 
ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
must be lield 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- 
pointed 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, hut to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter ioi;onsistency with, and the most violent 



opiX)sition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress; and he char- 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everything pwssible, to the utmost. In 
the beginning of 1868, 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 him, 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- 
quitted, notwithstanding the 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 ten'.i, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotent';-, 
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 Greenville, 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 sth of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-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 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasionally, but fin.illy passed away at 
2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral W.1S attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
with every demonstration of respect. 





/^ l2 



^-C^C^ 



EIGHTEENTH FRESIDENT. 



87 





^ LYSSES S. GRANT, the 
^ eighteenth President of the 
^r United States, was born on 
the 29th of April, 1822, of 
Christian parents, in a liumble 
home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Milii'ary .\':ademy at West 
Point. Here he was regarded as a 
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military [xjsts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
Indians. 

The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resacade la I'alma, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one 
side of the anin^al, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Mcrtino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
tlie leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, HI. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though 
1 have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
1 have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a company uf vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the State, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Caj)t. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government, On the 15 th of 



88 



UL YSSES S. GRA NT. 



June, 1 86 1, 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 placed in command at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared ill the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

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 Major-General, and the military 
iistrict 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 uj) the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Cirant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed tc the aid 
of Gens. Rosecrans and Tliomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical 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 
,;nd enter upon th'» duties of his new office 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
the army toconcentrate 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 from 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. The 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 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by 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 world. 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. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Republican National Convention in 18S0 for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of 
the illustrious General. 



ii 




cyi^^^^ej^^Ac' 



yr 



NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 



9» 












UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 
the nineteenth Presidc-nt of 
the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three months after the 
death of his father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
cane ovfcffaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
land in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George was. born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his li/e. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
ried Sarah L;e, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezckiel, 
son of Daniel, was born in 17 24, and was amanufac- 
turerof scythe;; at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
sonof Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an uiiknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he cstablislied a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the fatiicr of 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 famlies 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 Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious 
frugal and opened-hearted man. 1 le 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 C'hurch, active 
in all the benevolent enteriirises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
tlie close of the war of r8i2, for reasons ine.vplicable 
to his neighbors, lie resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day 
when there were no canals, steamers, not railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in lier sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 



V* 



HUTHUJiFORD B. HAYES^ 



subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he 
was not expected tj live beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaicer and 
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
quiring from time to lime " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
f.imiliar terins with the family, after alluding to tlie 
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
aim, said in a bantering way, '" That's right! Stick to 
him. Yoa liave got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if lie wo.ild really come to something yet." 

"You reed not lauyh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You 
wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
Pre.-.ident of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
djath; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he w<:nt to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
iister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These 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 Bircliard took the deepest interest 
in his education ; and as the boy'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 
\Vesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of si.xteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in t842. 

Innnediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of 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 years. 

In 1 845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, aciiuiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitinns of distinction in his pro- 
fession. 

In 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a jiowerful influence upon his subse- 
quent 'ife. One of these was his niarrage with Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicothe; the othev was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
members such men as '"hief Justice 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 respect, 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 Cluu brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the 
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulne.s and 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judga of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- 
cept tlie nomination. Two years later, the office of 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Co-mcil 
elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 1S61, when the Rebellion iiroke out, he was ai 
the zenith of his professional lii.. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take "in 
arms for the defense of his country. 

His military record was bright ar.d illustrious. In 
October, 186 1, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, t862, promoted 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 Soutli Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
Major-General, "for gallant and distinguished services 
during the campaigns of 1864, in AV'est ^'irginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present dnring the campaign, 
and after his election was im]X)rtuned to resign his 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, "1 
shall never come to Washington until I can come by 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. 

Ir. 1S67, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
over Hon. ,\llen G. Thunnan, a populai Democrat. 
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor *br the third term in 1875. 

Jn 1876 he was the standard le.iier of the Repub- 
lican P.irty in the Presidential contest, and after a 
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
aumirated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
full term, not, h, wever, with satisfaction to his party, 
but his administration was an average 0!\.? 



II 



TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 



«°3 




■»v'f7 




K-:^^: 












, orx? 



' oOo 



TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, the twenty- second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
born in 1837, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
half-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the " good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-supporting by the quickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and iii two years he 
liad earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to letain him for an in- 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, wiiere he !iad an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
N. Y. At this i)lace his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his 



104 



S. GROVE R CLEVELANn. 



calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
there was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
»sk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not 
speak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply, "Good gracious!" remarked 
the old gentleman ; " do you, indeed .' What ever put 
that into your head? How much money have you 
got."" '"Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
anjr." 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
year, while he could "look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told ^hem what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
ne was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
liave the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
Dut indue time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for e.xecutiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
t" was practically hii motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
eiected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated ; and in such capacity it fell 
to his duty to inflict capital pp.Ishment upon two 
caiminals. In i88i he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buff'alo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about ceriain reforms 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- 
tous street-cleaning contract : " This is a time for 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the peoplr; and to worsa 
than squander the people's money," The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
II, 18S4, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F, 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and lie 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief Executive of the United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected 
the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, 
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the 
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary 
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; 
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New 
York; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of 
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, 
of Wisconsin; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of 
Arkansas. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy be- 
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of 
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. 
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his 
inauguration. 




^&^ 




d^C.^^r^-'A'H^^^^'i^'--^^ 



TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDEfTT. 




•.o*o.@^<^..o»o» 




;ENJAMIN HARRISON, llic 
Iwcnty-tbii'd President, is 
tlio descendant of one of the 
iiistorical families of tliis 
country. The head of tiie 
r^i°^^ family was a l\Iaior(!eneral 
iJ^'l.Jfa Harrison, one of Oliver 
Cromwell's trusted follow- 
ers and figiiters. In the zoniih of Crom- 
well's power it became the duty of this 
Harrison to participate in the trial of 
Charles I, and afterward to sign the 
death warrant of the king. He subse- 
quently paid for this with his life, being 
hung Oct. 13, ICGO. His descendants 
came to America, and the next of the 
family that appears in history is Benja- 
rr.in 'larrison, of Virginia, great-grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, and 
after whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison 
was a member of tlie Continental Congress during 
the years i774-5-G, and was one of tiie original 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
was three times elected Governor of Virginia. 
Gen. William Henry Harrison, the son of the 



distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suc- 
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, 
and with -a clean record as Governor of the North- 
western Territorj', was elected President of the 
United States in 1840. His career was cut short 
by death within one month after his inauguration. 
President Harrison war, born at .Nort.h Bend, 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. -^0, lS;j3. His life upto 
tiic time of his graduation liy the Miami University, 
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
try lad of a family of small means. His fathor was 
able to give him a good education, and nothing 
more. He- became engaged while at college to tho 
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female schoo 
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en- 
ter upon the study of the law. He went Ui Cin 
cinnati and then read law^ for two years. At tht 
expiration of that time young Harrison receiv. d tb . 
only inheritance v( his life; his aunt dying left him 
a lot valued at ^800. He regarded this legac}' as i 
fortune, and decided to get married at once, ♦aka 
this money and go to some Eastern town an ". 'i.>e- 
gin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and with 
the monej' in his pocket, he started out witii his 
young wife to fight ft«r a place 'ii the world, ile 



108 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



deciiled to go to Indianapolis, which was even at 

tli.'it time a town of promise. He met with sliglit 
iiicouragement at first, making scarcely anything 
llie first year. He workoil rliligently, applying him- 
self closely to his calling, built up an extensive 
practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- 
I'ession. He is the father of two children. 

In 1860 Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and tlien be- 
gan his experience as a stump speaker He can- 
vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a 
handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 17th 
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His 
regiment was composed of the rawest of material, 
out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
mastering military tactics and drilling his men, 
when he therefore carae to move toward the East 
with Sherman his regiment was one of the best 
'Irilled and organized in the array. At Resaca he 
especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
rt Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen- 
'ral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
•jomplimentar}' terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field 

he Supreme Court declared the olHce uf the Su- 
preme Court Reporter vacant, and another person 
was elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
ing Indiana with his regiment until the fall of 1864 
he had taken no leave of absence, but having been 
nominated that year for the same office, he got a 
thirty-day leave of absence, and during tliat time 
made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected 
for another terra. He then started to rejoin Sher- 
man, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet 
_ever, and after a most trying siege made his way 
to the front in time to participate in the closing 
'.ccidents of the war. 

In ISGSGen. Harrison declined re-election as 
.«porter, and resumed the practice of law. In 1876 
£e was a candidate for Governor. Although de- 

eated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him 
a National reputation, and he w^as much sought, es- 
pecia].y in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, 
js usual, he took an active part in the campaign, 
und wii^ elected to the United States Senate. Here 
he served six years, and 7/.as known as one or the 
ibiest men, best lawyer"- ^nd strongest debaters in 



that body. With the expiration of his Scnaioi.i 
term he returned to the practice of his profession, 
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms ia 
the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
most raeraorable in the history of our country. The 
convention which asserabled in Chicago in June and 
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer 
of the Republican party, was great in every partic- 
ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as- 
sumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief 
among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly 
after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. 
TJarrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move- 
ment became popular, and from all sections of the 
country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed 
thither to pay their respects to the distinguisheil 
statesman. The popularity of these was greatly 
increased on account of the remarkable speeches 
made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through 
the summer and autumn to these visiting delega- 
tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
his speeches that they at once placed him in the 
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen. 

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and his 
power as a debater, he was called upon at an un- 
commonly' early age to take part in the discussion 
of the great questions that tlien began to agitate 
the country. He was an uncomprtmiising ant: 
slavery man, and was matched against some of . '.e 
n-.ost eminent Democratic speakers of his State. 
No man who felt the touch of his blade de: ired u 
be pitted with him again. AVith all his eloq-'ence 
as an orator he never spoke for oratoricai effect, 
but his words always went like bullets to the mark 
He is purely American in his ideas and is a spier 
did type of the American statesman. Gifted witl. 
(juick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue, 
he is one of the most distinguished imi)romi)tu 
speakers in the Nation. Many of these speeches 
sparkled witli tlie rarest of eloquence and contained 
arguments of greatest weiglit. IMany of liis terse 
statements have already become aphorisms. Origi- 
nal in thought, precise in logic, terse m statement, 
yet withal faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as 
the sound statesman and brill iau^ orator o- tac day 



^'A^^J^-i 




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lem,^/ 








GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



'OS 









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I 



TEPHEN T. MASON, the 
first Governorof Michigan, was 
a sou of Gen. John T. Mason, 
of Kentucky, but was born in 
Virginia, in 1812. At the age 
of 19 he was appointed Secre- 
tary of Michigan Territory, and 
served in that capacity during the 
administration of Gov. George B. 
Porter. Upon the death of Gov. 
Porter, which occurred on the 6th of 
July, 1834, Mr. Mason became Act- 
ing Governor. In October, 1835, he 
was elected Governor under the Slate 
organization, and immediately en- 
tered upon the performance of the 
' duties of the office, although the 
State was not yet admitted into the Union. After 
the State was admitted into the Union, Governor 
Mason was re-elected to the jwsition, and served with 
credit to himself and to the advantage of the State. 
He died Jan. 4, 1843. The principal event during 
Governor Mason's officFal career, was that arising from 
the disputed southern boundary of the State. 
• Michigan claimed for her southern boundary aline 
running east across the peninsula from the extreme 
southern jwint of Lake Michigan, extending through 
Lake Erie, 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 wiiich were the original 13 States, and 
the territory northwest of the Ohio; and, by the suc- 
cession of parties under statutory amendments to the 
ordinance and laws of ("ongress — the United .States on 
the one part, and each Territory northwest of the 
Ohio, as far as afTectcd by their provisions, on tlic 



other. Michigan, therefore, claimed it under the prior 
grant, or assignation of boundary. 

Ohio, on the other hand, claimed that the ordinance 
had been superseded by the Constitution of the 
United States, and that Congress had a right to regu- 
late the boundary. It was also claimed that the 
Constitution of the State of Ohio having described a 
different line, and Congress having admitted the State 
under that Constitution, without mentioning the sub- 
ject of the line in dispute, Congress had thereby given 
its consent to the line as laid down by the Constitu- 
tion of Ohio. This claim was urged by Ohio at 
some periods of the controversy, but at others she aj)- 
peared to regard the question unsettled, by the fact 
that she insisted upon Congress taking action in re- 
gard to the boundary. Accordingly, we find that, in 
18 1 2, Congress authorized the Surveyor-General to 
survey a line, agreeably to the act, to enable the jjcople 
of Ohio to form a Constitution and State government. 
Owing to Indian hostilities, however, the line was not 
run till 1 81 8. In 1820, the question in dispute 
underwent a rigid examination by the Committee on 
Public Lands. The claim of Ohio was strenuously 
urged by her delegation, and as ably opjwsed by Mr. 
VVoodbridge, the then delegate from Michigan. The 
result was that the committee decided unanimously 
in favor of Michigan; but, in the hurry of business, 
no action was taken by Congress, and the question 
remained open till Michigan organized her State gov- 
ernment. 

The Territory in dispute is about five miles iu 
width at the west end, and about eight miles in width 
at the east end, and extends along the whole )iorih- 
ern line of Oliio, west of Lake Eric. The lino claimed 
by Michigan was known as the " Fulton line," and 
that claimed by Ohio was known as the " Harris line," 



r06 



STEPHEN T. MASON. 



from the names of the surveyors. The territory was 
valuable for its rich agricultural lands; but the chief 
value consisted in the fact that the harbor on the 
Maumee River, where now stands the flourishing city 
of Toledo, was included within its limits The town 
originally bore the name of Swan Creek, afterwards 
Port Lawrence, then Vestula, and then Toledo. 

In February, 1835, the Legislature of Ohio passed 
an act extending the jurisdiction of the State over 
the territory in question; erected townships and 
directed them to hold elections in April following. It 
also directed Governor Lucus to apix)int 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 Governor 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 body 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 
official functions, or accept any office within the juris- 
diction of Michigan, under or by 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 was 
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 accompanied 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 5iote 



of their number, he found it convenient to content 
himself for a time with " watching over the border." 
Several days were passed in this exhilarating employ- 
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 
both governors, the commissioners submitted proposi- 
tions for their consideration. 

Governor Lucas 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 jxsssession 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. 

Governor Lucus now supposed that his way was 
clear, and that he could re-mark the Harris line with- 
out being molested, and ordered the commissioners 
to proceed with their work. 

In the meantime, Governor Mason kept a watch- 
ful eye upon the proceedings. General Brown sent 
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 posse, 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- 
puted territory. They reached Perrysburgh the fol- 
lowing day in a highly demoralized condition, and 
reported they had been attacked by an overwhelm- 
ing force of Michigan malitia, under command of 
General Brown. 

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



* 



SECOND GO VERNOR OF M/CH/GAiY. 



109 





#fcfe 



^ ljs,j>».»>»®|SK2'W>\/- 









ILLIAM WOODBRIDGE, 
isecond Governor of Michigan, 
was born 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, 
Dudley Woodbridge, removed to 
Marietta, Ohio, about 1790. The 
life of Wm. Woodbridge, by Chas. 
Lauman, from whicli this sketch 
is largely com piled, 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 colonists at GalliixDlis, 
where he acquired a knowledge of 
• ) 3 the French language. It should 
be borne in mind, however, that 
home education at that time was 
an indispensable feature in the 
training of the young. To this and 
and to a few studies well mastered, 
is due that strong mental disci[>line which has served 
as a basis for many of the grand intellects that have 
adorned and helped to make our National history. 
Mr. Woodbridge studied law at Marietta, having 
as a fellow student an intimate personal friend, a 
young man subsequently distinguished, but known 
at that time simply as Lewis Cass. He graduated at 
the law 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, Con- 
necticut, Juleanna, d. milliter of Jolin Truinbell, a 
distinguished auiiior and judge ; and author of the 



peom McFingal, which, during a dark period of the 
Revolution, wrought such a magic change ujx)n the 
spirits of the colonists. He was happy in his domes ■ 
ticrelations until the death of Mrs. W., Feb. 2, ig, i860. 

Our written biographies necessarily speak more 
fully of men, because of their active participation in 
public affairs, but human actions are stamped upon 
the page of time and when the scroll shall be unrolled 
the influence of good women ufxan the history of the 
world will bo 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 type of domestic and social 
graces, she manifested a keen intellectuality that 
formed the crown of a faultless character. She was 
a natural poet, and wrote quite a large number 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 contribute 
even in matters of minor importance, to elevate the 
reputation and add to the well being of her husband 
in the various stations he was called ujwn to fill, gave 
her the highest satisfaction " She was an invalid 
during the latter jwrtion of her life, but was patient 
and cheerful to the end. 

In 1807, Mr. W. was chosen a representative to the 
General Assembly of Ohio, and in 1809 was elected to 
the Senate, continuing a member by re-election until 
his removal from the State. He also held, by a]>- 
|)ointment, during the time the office of Prosecuting 
Attorney for his county. He tcxjk a leading part in 
the Legislature, and in 181 2 drew u|) a declaration and 
resolutions, which passed the two houses unamiuously 



lO 



WILL/ AM WOODBRIDGE. 



and attracted great attention, endorsing, in strongest 
a.id most emphatic terms, the war measures of Presi- 
dent Madison. During the period from 1S04 to 1814 
the two law students, Woodbridge and Cass, had be- 
come widely separated. The latter was Governor of 
the Territory of Michigan under the historic "Governor 
and Judges" plan, with the indispensable requisite of a 
Secretary of the Terriiorry. This latter position was, 
in 1S14, without solicitation on his part, tendered to 
Mr. W. He accepted the position 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 
collectorof customsat the port 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 Governor 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 mure popular 
representative system, they were allowed no delegate 
in Congress. Mr. W., as a sort of informal agent of 
the iieople, 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 tobechosen. 
Under this act Mr. W. was elected by the concurrence 
of all ]wrties. His first action inCongress was to secure 
the i)assage 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 ihe "black 
swamps" from the Miami River to Detroit, thus oiien- 
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 
I-ake Superior and in the valley of the Upper Mis- 
sissippi, projected by Governor Cass, 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 Territory 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 



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. Q. 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 apparently a continuation of the Terri- 
torial Court, under the "first grade" or "Governor and 
Judges" system. Although 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, President Jackson appointed a successor, it is 
supposed on political gTounds,much to the disappoint- 
ment of the public and the bar of the Territory. The 
partisan feehngof 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 witli 
the Whigs and was elected a member of the Conven- 
tion of 1835, which formed the first State Constitution. 
In 1837 he was elected amember of tVe 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 jxaliti- 
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 Governor 
and Senator will be attempted. He was elected Gov- 
ernor in 1839, under a popular impression that the 
affairs of the State had not been prudently adminis- 
tered by the Democrats. He ser\'ed as Governor but 
little more than a year, when he was elected to the 
Senate of the United States. 

His term in the Senate practically closed his polit- 
ical life, although he was strongly urged by many 
prominent men for the Whig nomination for Vice 
President in 1848. 

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 aCongregationalist. 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 liie more at- 
tractive because not too often allowed to come to the 
surface. His letters and addresses show a deep and 
earnest affeclion not only for his ancestral home, but 
the home of his adoption and for friends and family. 



GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



"3 




<«« 



■+-• 




-»*- 



xJOHN S. BARRY R' 



^^^^^^M^^:^^^^^^^M<^^<i^&i::2£^^LJi£-i£dili^^^^^^^^^^' 



««c 



->-• 




-^J»- 





OHN STEWARD BARRY, 
.Governor of Michigan from 
fan. 3, 1842, to Jan. 5, 1846, 
and from Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan. 
I, 1852, was born at Amherst, 
N. H., Jan. 29, 1802. His par- 
ents, John and Ellen (Steward) 
Barry, early removed to Rocking- 
ham, Vt., where he remained until 
he became of age, working on his 
father's fami, and pursuing his 
studies at the same time. He mar- 
ried Mary Kidder, of Grafton, Vt., 
and in 1824 went to Georgia, Vt., 
where he hid charge of an academy 
for iwo years, meanwliile studying 
law. He afterward practiced law in 
that State. While he was in Georgia he was for some 
time a member of the Governor's staff, with the title 
of Governor's Aid, and at a somewhat earlier period 
was Captain of a comiiany of State militia. In 1831 
he removed to Michigan, and settled at White Pigeon, 
where he engaged in mercantile business with I. W. 
Willard. 
Four years after, 1834, Mr. Barry removed to Con- 



I 



stantine and continued his mercantile pursuits. He 
became Justice of the Peace at White Pigeon, Mich, 
in 1831, and held the office until the year 1835 
Mr. Barry's first public office was that of a member 
of the first constitutional convention, which assembled 
and flamed the constitution upon which Michigan 
was admitted into the Union. He took an important 
and prominent part in the proceedings of that body, 
and showed himself to be a man of far more than 
ordinary ability. 

Uixjn Michigan being admitted into the Union, 
Mr. Barry was ciiosen State Senator, and so favorably 
were his associates impressed with his abilities at the 
first session of the Legislature that they 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 Governor at the hands 
of his party assembled in convention. He was 
elected, and so ix)pular was his administration that, in 
1842, he was again elected. During these years 
Michigan was embarrassed by great financial diffi- 
culties, and it was through his wisdom and sound judg- 
ment that the State was finally placed upon a solid 
financial basis. 

During the first year of Gov. Barr)''s first term, the 
University at Ann Arbor was opened for the reception 



114 



JOHN STEWARD BARRY. 



of students. The Michigan Central and Michigan 
Southern railroads were being rapidly constructed, and 
general progress was everywhere noticeable. In 1842, 
the number of pupils reported as attending the public 
schools was nearly fifty-eight thousand. In 1843, a 
State land office was established at Marshall, which 
was invested witli the charge and disposition of all 
the lands belonging to the State. In 1844, the tax- 
able property of 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 tlie railroads was nearly tliree 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 third 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 tlie burning of tlie de|X)t 
at Detroit, in 1850. 

At a setting of the grand jury of AVayne County, 
April 24, 185 I, 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 em|)loyed ten eminent lawyers, in- 
cluding David Stuart, John Van Arman, James A. 
Van Dyke, Jacob M. Howard, Alex. D. Phraser, Dan- 
iel Goodwin and William Gray. Tlie defendants wore 
represented by six members of the State bar, led liy 
William H. Seward, of New York. The trial occupied 
four months, during vvliich time the plaintiffs exam- 
ined 246 witnesses in 27 days, and tlie defendants 
249 in 40 days. Mr. Van Dyke addressed the jury 
for the prosecution; William H. Seward for tlie 
defense. 

The great lawyer was convinced of the innocence 



of his clients, nor did the verdict of that jury and the 
sentence of that judge remove his firm belief thai 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 
I'. .M., Sept. 25, 185 I. 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 ; 
Aaron 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 
W. Champlin, five years; Erastus Champlin, five 
years; Erastus Smith, five years. 

In 1840, Gov. Barry became deeply interested in 
the cultivation of the sugar beet, 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 cf incorruptible integrity. 
His opinions, which he reached by the most thorough 
investigation, he held tenaciously. His strong con- 
victions and outspoken honesty made it impossible for 
him to take an undefined position wlien a principle 
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. SoHdity, 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- 
quent, 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 
tliorough 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 tlie beginning 
of the ascendency of the Republican party, and car- 
ried on his mercantile inisiness at Constantine. He 
died Jan. 14, 1870, liis wife's deatli having occurred a 
year previous, March 30, 1869. They left no children. 




^y^^^^ci 



GOVEJiiXORS OF MICHIGAN. 





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LPHEUS FELCH, the third 
Governor of Michigan, was 
born in Limerick, Maine, Sep- 
tember 28, 1806. His grand- 
father, Abijah Felch, was a sol- 
'^ dier in the Revolution ; and 
when a young man, having with 
others obtained a grant of land be- 
tween the Great and Little Ossipee 
Rivers, in Maine, moved to that re- 
gion 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 neighboring 
academy. In 182 1 he became a student at Phillips 
Exter Academy, and, subsequently, entered Bowdoin 
College, graduated with the class of 1827. He at 
once began the study of law and was admitted to 
practice at Bangor, Me., in 1830. 

He began the practice of his profession at Houlton, 
Me., where he remained until 1833. The severity 
of the climate impaired his health, never very good, 
and he found it necessary to seek a change of climate. 
He disfX)sed of his library and started to seek 
a new home. His intentior^ w^s to join his friend, 



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 pemiit a journey down the 
river. He therefore determined to come to Michi- 
gan. He first began to practice in this State at Mon- 
roe, where he continued until 1843, when he removed 
to Ann Atbor. He was elected to the State Legisla- 
ture in 1835, and continued a member of that body 
during the years 1836 and 1837. While he held this 
office, the general banking law of the Stale was enact- 
ed, and went into o[)eration. After mature delibera 
tion, he became convinced that the proposed system 
of banking could not prove beneficial to the public 
interests ; and that, instead of relieving the people 
from the pecuniary difficulties under which they were 
laboring, it would result in still further embarrass- 
ment. He, therefore, opposed the bill, and pointed 
out to the House the disasters which, in his opinion, 
were sure to follow its passage. The public mind, 
however, was so favorably impressed by the measure 
that no other member, in either branch of the Legisla- 
ture, raised a dissenting voice, and but two voted with 
him in opposition to the bill. Early in 1838, he was 
appointed one of the Bank Commissioners of the 
State, and held that office for more than a year. Dur- 
ing this time, the new banking law had given birth to 
that numerous progeny known as "wild-cat" banks. 
Almost every village had its bank. The country was 
flooded with depressed "wild-cat" money. The ex- 
aminations of the Bank Commissioners brought to 
light frauds at every point, which were fearlessly re- 



ii8 



ALPHEUS FELCH. 



ported to the Legislature, and were followed by crim- 
inal prosecutions of the guilty parties, and the closing 
of many of their institutions. The 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 Supreme Court of the State. 
In the year 1842 Governor Felch was appointed 
to the office of Auditor General of the State; but 
after holding the office only a few weeks, was com- 
missioned by the Governor as one of the Judges of the 
Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resig- 
nation of Judge Fletcher. In January, 1843, he was 
elected to the United States Senate for an unexpired 
term. In 1845 he was elected Governor of Michigan, 
and entered upon his duties at the commencement of 
the next year. In 1847 he was elected a Senator 
in Congress for six years ; and at once retired from 
the office of Governor, by resignation, which took 
effect March 4, 1847, when his Senatorial term com- 
menced. While a member of the Senate he acted on 
the Committee on Public Lands, and for four years 
was its Chairman. He filled the honorable iX)sition 
of Senator with becoming dignity, and with great 
credit to the State of Michigan. 

During Governor Felch'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 $4,647,608. 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 witli good libra- 
ries, containing an aggregate of 37,000 volumes. 

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



and Mexican land claims in California, under the 

treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, and an act of Congress 
passed for that purix)se. 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- 
[wrtant 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 brought 
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 Washington. 

In June of that year. Governor Felch returned to 
Ann Arbor, where he has since been engaged piinci- 
pally 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. In 1873 he withdrew from the active practice 
of law, and, with the exception of 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 
confened 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 surviving Governor of 
the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme 
Court of Michigan, and the oldest surviving United 
States Senator from the State of Michigan. 



GO VERNORS. 



121 







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ILLIAM L. GREENLY 
(lovernor of Michigan for the 
year 1847, was born at Hamil- 
ton, Madison Co., N. Y., Sejit. 
18,1813. He graduated at Un- 
■1/ ion College, Schenectady, in 
1 83 1, studied law and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1834. In 
1836, having removed to Michi- 
gan, he settled in Adrian, where 
he has since resided. Tlie year 
following his arrival in Michigan 
he was elected State Senator and 
served in that capacity until 1839. 
In 1845 he was elected Lieut. Gov- 
ernor and became acting Governor 
by the resignation of Gov. Felch, 
who was elected to the United 
States Senate. 
The war with Mexico was brouglit 
to a successful termination during Gov. Greenly 's 
administration. We regret to say that there are only 
few records extant of the action of Michigan troops 
in the Mexican war. That many went there and 
fought well are points conceded ; but their names and 
nativity are hidden away in United States archives 



and where it is almost imjxjssible to find them. 

The soldiers of this State deserve much of the 
credit of the memorable achievements of Co. K; 3d 
Dragoons, and Cos. A, E, and G of the U. S. Inf. 
The two former of these companies, recruited in this 
State, were reduced to one-third their original num- 
l)er. 

In May, 1846, the Governor of Michigan was noti- 
fied by the War Department of the United States to 
enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be held in readi- 
ness for service whenever demanded. At his sum- 
mons 13 independent volunteer companies, 1 1 of 
infantry and two of cavalry, at once fell into line. Of 
the infantry four companies were from Detroit, bear- 
ing the honored names of Montgomery, Lafayette, 
Scott and Brady upon their banners. Of the re- 
mainder Monroe tendered two, Lenawee County three, 
St. Clair, Berrien and Hillsdale each one, and Wayne 
County an additional company. Of these alone the 
veteran Bradys 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 tlie State, but embodying to a 
great degree themateri.al of which the first volunteers 
was formed, were not called for until October follow- 
ing. This regiment was soon in readiness and pro- 
ceeded by orders from Government to the seat of war. 



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HE HON. EPAPHRODI- 
TUS RANSOM, the Seventh 
Governor of Michigan, was a 
native of Massachusetts. In 
that State he received a col- 
legiate education, studied law, 
and was admitted to the bar. 
Removing to Michigan about 
the time of its admission to the 
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 apjxiinted As- 
sociate Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1843 he 
was promoted to Chief Justice, which office he re- 
tained until 1845, when he resigned. 

Shortly afterwards he became deeply interested in 
the building of plank roads in the western pwrtion of 
the State, and in this business lost the greater portion 
of the property which he had accumulated by years 
of toil and industry. 

Mr. Ransom became Governor of the State of 
Michigan in the fall of 1847, and served during one 
term, performing the duties of the office in a truly 
statesmanlike manner. He subsequently became 
President of the Michigan Agricultural Society, in 
which position he displayed the same ability that 



shone 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. 

Subsequently he was appointed 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 exjiiration 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 establised, as also the 
Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Both of 
these institutes were liberally endowed with lands, 
and each of them placed in charge of a board of five 
trustees. The appropriation in 1849 for the deaf and 
dumb and blind amounted to $81,500. On the first 
of March, 1848, the first telegraph line was com- 
pleted from New York to Detroit, and the first dis- 
patch transmitted on that day. The following figures 
show the progress in agriculture : The land reixirtcd 
as under cultivation in 1848 was 1,437,460 acres; of 
wheat there were produced 4,749,300 bushels; other 
grains, 8,197,767 busiiels; wool, 1,645,756 pounds; 
maple sugar, 1,774,369 pounds ; horses, 52,305 ; cat- 
tle, 210,268; swine, 152,541; sheep, 6to,534; while 
the flour mills numbered 228, and the lumber mills 
amounted to 730. 1847, an act was passed removing 
the Legislature from Detroit to Lansing, and tem|X)- 
rary buildings for the use of the Legislature were im- 
mediately erected, at a cost of $12,450. 



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GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



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OBERT McCLELLyVND, 
LCiovernor of Michigan from 
Jan. I, 1852,10 March 8, 1853, 
was born at Greencastle, Frank- 
^^J lin Co., Penn., Aug. i, 1S07. 
Among his ancestofs were several 
officers of rank in the Revolution- 
ary war, and some of his family con- 
B\\^ nections were distinguished in tlie 
war of 1812, and that with Mexico. 
His father was an eminent physician 
and surgeon who studied under Dr. 
Benj. Rush, of Philadelphia, and 
practiced his profession successfully 
until six months before his dcatli, at 
the age of 84 years, .'\lthough Mr. 
McClelland's family had been in good circum- 
stances, when he was 17 years old he was thrown 
ujxjn his own resources. After taking the usual i)rc- 
liminary studies, and teaching school to obtain tlie 
means, he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, 
Penn., 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 admitted to the bar at Chambersburg, 
Penn., in 1831. Soon afterward he removed to the 
city of Pittsburgh, where he practiced for almost a 
year. 

In 1833, Mr. McClelland removed to Monroe, in 




the Territory of Michigan, where, after a severe ex- 
amination, he became a member of the bar of Michi- 
gan, and engaged in practice with bright prospect of 
success. In 1835, a convention was called to frame 
a constitution for the proposed State of Michigan, of 
which Mr. McClelland was elected a member. He 
took a prominent part in its deliberations and ranked 
among its ablest debatl;rs. He was apfXiinted the 
first Bank Commissioner of the State, by Gov. Mason, 
and received an offer of the Attorney Generalshii), but 
declined both of these offices in order to attend to his 
professional duties. 

In 1S38, Mr. McClelland was elected to the State 
Legislature, in which he soon became distinguished 
as the head of several imixsrtant committees, Speaker 
pro tempore, and as an active, zealous and efficient 
member. In 1840, Gen. Harrison, as a candidate for 
the Presidency, swept the country with an overwhelm- 
ing majority, and at the same time the State of Michi- 
gan was carried by the Whigs under the fwpular cry 
of " Woodbridge and reform " against the Democratic 
party. At this time Mr. McClelland stood among the 
acknowledged leaders of the latter organization ; was 
elected a member of the State House of Representa- 
tives, and with others adopted a plan to regain a lost 
authority and prestige. 

This party soon came again into jxjwer in the State, 
and having been returned to the State Legislature M.'. 
McClelland's leadership was acknowledged by his 
election as Si)eaker of the House of Representatives 



1^0 



ROBERT McClelland. 



in 1843. Down to this time Micliigan liad consti- 
tuted one congressional district. Tiie late Hon. Jacob 
M. Howard had been elected against Hon. Alpheus 
Felch by a strong majority ; but, in 1 843, so thoroughly 
had the Democratic party recovered from its defeat 
of 1840 that Mr. McClelland, as a candidate for Con- 
gress, carried Detroit district by a majority of about 
2,500. Mr. McClelland soon toc'c a prominent po-:i 
tion in Congress among the veterans of that body. 
During his first term he was placed on Committee on 
Corrmerce, 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 
feTorably was he known as a parlimentarian that his 
name was mentioned for Speaker of the House of Rep- 
iesentatives. He declined tie offer in favor of J. W. 
Davis, of Indiana, who was elected. During this ternr 
he became Chairman of Committee on Commerce, in 
which position his reports and advocacy ofimportant 
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 
'vhich he retains as a souvenir of the donors, and of 
his labors in Congress. 

In 1847, Mr, McClelland was re-elected to Con- 
fess, and at the opening of the 3olh 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 
nght 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'coustitutional right which should 
not be impaired by any doctrines of temporary expe- 
diency. He also voted for the adoption of Mr. Gid- 
dings's bill for the abolisliing of slavery in the District 
of Columbia Mr. McClelland was one of tlie 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 iii new territory which might be acquired by 
ihe 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 con- 
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. McClel 
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 Governoi 
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 [, the new Stat2 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 operatic '^ under 
the new constitution. Mr. McClelland was elected 
Governor, and in 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 spirit ran high. There was really 
no opiMsition, and when he resigned, in March, 1853, 
the State Treasury was well filled, and the State 
otherwise prosperous. So widely and favorably ha& 
Mr. McClelland become known as a statesman that o?: 
the organizatien of thecabinet by Pn sident 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 ordei 
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 able 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 
R. Sabin, of Williamstown, Mass. They have had 
six children, two of whom now survive. 



GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



'33 




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'o| NDREW PARSONS, Gover- 

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nor of Micliigan from March 
8, 1853 to Jan. 3, 185s, was 
born in the town of Hoosick, 
County of Rensselaer, and 
State of New York, on the 22d 
■ - day of July, 1817, and died June 
6, 1855, at the early age of 38 
years. He was the son of John 
Parsons, born at Newburyport, 
(Mass., Oct. 2, 1782, and who was the 
sonof Andrew Parsons, a Revolutionary 
soldier, who was the son of Phiiieas 
Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons, 
a descendant of Walter Parsons, born 
ill Ireland in 1290. 
Of this name and family, some one hundred and 
thirty years ago, Bishop Gilson remarked in his edi- 
tion of Camden's Britannia: "The honorable family 
of Parsons have been advanced to tlie dignity of 
Viscounts and more lately Earls of Ross." 

The following are descendants of these f.imilies : 
Sir John Parsons, born 1 481, was Mayor of Hereford; 
Robert Parsons, born in 1546, lived near Bridgewater, 
England. He was educated at Ballial College, Ox- 
ford, and was a noted writer and defender of the 
Romish faith. He established an English College at 
Rome and another at Valladolia. Frances Parsons, 
born in 1556, was Vicar of Rothwell, in Notingham; 
Bartholomew Parsons, born in 1618, was another 
noted memiier of the family. In 1634, Thomas Parsons 
was knighted by Ciiarles i. Joseph and Benjamin, 
brothers, were l)orii in Great Torrington, ICngland, 



and accompanied their father and others to New 
England about 1630. Samuel Parsons, born at Salis- 
bury, Mass., in 1707, graduated at Harvard College in 
1730, ordained at Rye, N. H.,Nov. 3, 1736, married 
Mary Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Boston, 
Oct. 9, 1739, died Jan. 4, 17S9, at the age of 82, in 
the 53rd year of his ministry. The grandfather of Mary 
Jones was Capt. John Adams, of Boston, grandson 
of Henry, of Braintree, who was among the first set- 
tlers of Massachusetts, and from whom a numerous 
race of the name are descended, including two Presi- 
dents of the United States. The Parsons have be- 
come very numerous and are found throughout New 
England, and many of the descedants are scattered 
in all parts of the United States, and especially in 
the Middle and Western States. Governor Andrew 
Parsons came to Michigan in 1835, at the age of 17 
years, and spent the first summer at Lower Ann 
Arbor, 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 sterling 
worth, who came from the East to Michigan when it 
was an infant State, or, even prior to its assuming 
the dignity of a State, and who, by their wisdom, 
enterprise and energy, have developed its wonderful 
natural resources, until to-day it ranks with the proud- 
est States of the Union. These brave men came to 
Michigan with nothing to aid them in the conquest 
of the wilderness save courageous hearts and strong 
and willing hands. They gloriously conquered, how- 
ever, and to them is due all honor for the labors 
so nobly performed, for the solid and sure foundation 
which they laid of a great Commonwealth. 



»34 



ANDREW F ARSONS 



In the fall of 1835, he explored the Grand River 
Valley in a frail canoe, the whole length of the river, 
from Jackson to Lake Michigan, and spent the following 
winter as clerk in a store at Prairie Creek, in Ionia, 
County, and in the spring went to Marshall, where he 
resided with his brother, the Hon. Luke H. Parsons, 
also now deceased, until fall, when he went to Shia- 
wasseCounty,then with Clinton County, andan almost 
unbroken wilderness and constituting one organized 
township. In 1837 this territory was organized into 
a county and, at the age of only 19 years, he (An- 
drew) was elected County Clerk. In 1840, he was 
elected Register of Deeds, re-elected in 1S42, and 
also in 1844. In 1846, he was elected to tiie Stale 
Senate, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney in 1848, 
and elected Regent of the University in 1851, and 
Lieutenant Governor, and became acting Governor, 
in 1853, elected again to the Legislature in 1854, and, 
overcome by debilitated healtli, 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 extra session of the Legisla- 
ture. Meetings were held in all parts of the .State 
for tliat purpose. In some sections the resolutions 
were of a laudatory nature, intending to make him do 
their bidding by resort to friendly 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 
/ail 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 
any favois, whether from any jiarty who would at- 
tempt to corru'-t '>ini by buidalioiis, liberal offers, or 



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 : 
"thougii not always coinciding with his views I never 
doubted his honesty of purpose. He at all times 
sought to perform his duties in strict accordance, 
witii the dictates of his conscience, and the behests 
ofhisoath." The following eulogium from a jxjlitcal op- 
ponent is just in its conception and creditable to its 
author: "Gov. Parsons was a jwlitician 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 jx)litician 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 uj), whether 
slavery should exist there. For the jiurposeof permit- 
ting slavery there, the " Missouri compromise " (whic'i 
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 ;ind the organization of the new 
Democratic and Republican parties of the jiresent. 




#"- 




00 VeRNORS of MICHIGAN. 



'37 




-^«. 








W^ 



m KiNSLRY S. BiNQHAM. 

"s 









INSLEY S. BINGHAM, 
^.j^'Overnor of Michigan from 
1855 fo 1859, and United 
States Senator, was born in 
CamilU'.s, Onondaga County, 
N. Y., Dec. 16, 1808. His 
father was a farmer, and his own 
early life was consequently de- 
voted to agricultural pursuits, but 
notwithstanding the disadvan- 
tages related to the acquisition 
of knowledge in the life of a farmer 
Wm '^"^ ™;inaged to secure a good aca- 
•^^^ demic education in his native State 
and studied law in the office of 
Cicn. James R. Lawrence, now of 
Syracuse, N. Y. In the spring of 
1833, he married an estimable lady 
who had recently arrived from Scot- 
land, and obeying the impulse of a 
naturally enterprising disposition, 
he emigrated to Michigan and 
purchased a new farm in company 
with his brother-in-law, Mr. Robert 
Worden, in Green Oak, Livingston County. Here, on 
the border of civilizalion, buried in the primeval for- 
est, our late student commenced the ardi:ous task of 
preparing a future home, clearing and fencing, put- 
ting up buildings, etc., at su.h :, rate that the land 



chosen was soon reduced to a high state of cultivation. 
Becoming deservedly prominent, Mr. Bingham was 
elected to the office of Justice of the Peace and Post- 
master under the Territorial government, and was the 
first Probate Judge in the county. In the year 1836, 
when Michiga:i 1 ecame a State, he was elected to the' 
first Legislature. He was four times re-elected, and 
Speaker of the House of Representatives three years. 
In 1 846 he was elected on the Democratic ticket, Re[)- 
resentative to Congress, and was the only practical 
farmer in that body. He was never forgetful of the 
interest of agriculture, and was in particular opi^osed 
to the introduction of " Wood s Patent Cast Iron 
Plow " which he completely prevented. He was re- 
elected to Congress in 1848, during which time he 
strongly opposed the extension of slavery in the 
territory of the United Stales and was committed to 
and voted for the Wilmot Proviso. 

In 1854, at the first organization of the Republican 
party, in consequence of his record in Congress as a 
Free Soil Democrat, Mr. Bingham was nominated 
and elected Governor of the State, and re-elected in 
1856. Still faithful to the memory of his own former 
occupation, he did not forget the farmers during his 
administration, and among other profits of his zeal in 
their behalf, he became mainly instrumental in the 
establishment of the Agricultural College at Lansing. 
In 1859, Governor Bingham was elected Senator in 
Congress and took an active part in the stormy <am- 
paign in the election of Abraliaiu Lincoln Hi. wit- 



'38 



KINSLEY S. BINGHAM. 



nessed the commencement of the civil war while a 
member of the United States Senate. After a com- 
paratively short life of remarkable promise and pub- 
lic activity he was attacked with appoplexy 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 1852, Angust 26, an act of 
Congress was approved, 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 1853, the Legislature 
accepted the grant, and provided for the appointment 
of commissioners to select the donated lands, and to 
arrange for 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 pushed 
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 
rapids 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, 1855, the work was com- 
pleted, accepted by 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, pro- 
vide for the establishment of an agricultural school." 
For the purpose of carying into practice this provision, 
legislation was commenced in 1855, and Ihe 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 United States 
Until the spring of i86i,it was under the control 
of the State Board of Education; since that time it 
has been under the management of the State Board 



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 tiie 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 for 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 museum, 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. 

Adrian College was established by the Wesleyan 
Methodists in 1859, 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 1845 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 arid 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 7 2, 80 by 60, 52 by 72, and they con- 
tain one-half more room than the original buildmg. 
The State Reform School. This was established 
at Lansing in 1855, in the northeastern \x)rtion 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. 




^tcr^J^^ ;W^^^--i^T>^^>^'"^-- 



GO VERXO/iS OF MICHIGAN. 



Ui 





OSES WISNER. Governor of 
|LMichigan from 1859(0 1S61, 
was born in Springport, Cayu- 
ga Co., N Y., June 3, 1815. 
_- His early education was only 
what could he obtained at a 
common sciiool. Agricultural labor 
and frugality of his parents gave 
him a physical constitution of unus- 
ual strength and endurance, which 
was ever preserved by temperate hab- 
its. In 1837 he emigrated to Michi- 
r^' gan and purchased a farm in Lapeer 
County It was new land and he at 
-"* once set to work to clear it and plant 
crops. He labored diligently at his 
task for two years, when he gave up 
the idea of being a farmer, and removed to Pontiac, 
Oakland Co. Here he commenced the study of law 
in the office of his brother, George W. Wisner, and 
Rufus Hosmer. In iS.^i he was admitted to the bar 
and establisiied liimself in his new vocation at the 
village of Lapeer. While there he was appix)inted 
by Gov. Woodbridge Prosecuting Attorney for tliat 
county, in which capacity he acquitted himself wtU 
and gave promise of that eminence he afterward at- 
tained in the profession. He remained at Lapeerbut 
a short time, removing to Pontiac, where he liecame 
a member of a firm and entered fully \\\xm tlie 
practice. 

In jxjlitics he was like his talented brother, a Whig 
of the Henry Clay stani]), but wiili a dec ided anti- 
slavery bias. His practice heromiiu; extensive, he 



took little part in politics until after the election of 
Mr. Pierce to the Presidency in 1S52, when he took an 
active part against slavery. As a lawyer he was a 
man of great ability, but relied less ujwn mere book 
learning than upon his native good sense. Liberal 
and courteous, was he yet devoted to the interest of 
his client, and no facts escaped his attention or his 
memory which bore upon 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 eloipience was at once grace- 
ful and powerful. His fancies supplied the most 
original, tlie most pointed illustrations, and his logic 
became a battling giant under whose heavy Mows the 
adversary shrank and withered. Nature had be- 
stowed \ipon him rare qualities, and his jjcwers as a 
popular orator were of a high order. 

On the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 
1854, repealing the Missouri coinpromise andoi)ening 
the Territories to slaveiy. he was among the foremost 
in Michigan to denounce the shamful scheme. He 
aciivcly participated in organi^iTig and consolidating 
the elements opposed to it in that State, and was a 
member of the |)opular gatheting at Jackson, in July, 
1854, which was the first formal Republican Conven- 
tion held in the United States. At this meeting the 
name " Re[)ublican " was adopted as a designation of 
the new |)arty consisting of Anti-slavery, Whigs, 
Liberty men, l-'ree Soil Democrats and all others op- 
posed to the extension of slavery and fivorab'e to its 
expulsion from the Territories and the District of 
Columbia. At this convention Mr. ^\'. was nrged to 
accept the nomination for Attornev Genetal «f the 



1^2 



MOSES lyiSNKH. 



Slate, but declined. An entire State ticket was nom- 
inated and at tlie annual election in November was 
elected by an average majority of nearly 10,000. 
Mr. W. was enthusiastic in the cause and brought 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 jxjwer of the slave- 
holders would have to be overthrown before quiet 
could be secured to the country. In the Presidential 
canvass of 1856 he supported the Fremont, or Re- 
publican, ticket. At the session of the Legislature of 
1857 he was a candidate for United States Senator, 
and as such received a very 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 
every county and his majority was greater even than 
that of his popular predecessor, Hon. K. S. Bingham. 
He served as Governor two years, from Jan. i, 1859, 
lo 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 jxjlicy, that had its view of the rapid 
settlement of our uncultivated lands and the devel- 
opment of our immense agricultural and mineral re- 
sources. It was a document that reflected the highest 
credit w\xii\ the author. 

His term having expired Jan. i, 186 1, he returned 
;o 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 tennwrizing expedients. His counsel was to 
send no delegate, but to prepare to fight. 

After Congress had met and passed the necessary 
.egislation he resoUed to take part in the war. In 
the spring and summer of 1862 he set to work to 
raise a regiment of infantry, chiefly in Oakland 
County, where he resided. His regiment, the 22d 
Michigan, was armed and equipped and ready to 
march in September, a regiment whose solid quali- 
ties were afterwards proven on many a bloody field. 
Col. W's. commission bore the date of Sept. 8, 1862. 
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. 
His treatment of his men was kind, though his disci- 
pline was rigid. He possessed in an eminent degree 
the spirit of command, and had he lived he would 
no doubt have distinguislied himself as a good 
officer. He was impatient of delay and chafed at 
being kept in Kentucky where there was so little 
prospect of getting at the enemy. But life in camp, 
so different from the one he had been leading, ana 
his incessant labors, coupled with that impatience 
which was so natural and so general among the vol- 
unteers in the early part of the war, soon made their 
influence felt upon his health. He was seized with 
typhoid 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- 
ciplining 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 felt that if it could 
find tlie enemy it would cover itself with glory, — a 
distinction it afterward obtained, but not until Col. W. 
was no more. The malady baffled 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. ^V. 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 
Gen. 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 otheis he 
sleeps the sleep of the martyr for his cojntry. 




"^ (L4n-^^ 






GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



'45 





^«^!i__^-««aatt^ § 












USTIN BLAIR, Governor 
of Michigan from Jan. 2, 
1 86 1, to Jan. 4, 1865, and 
kown as the War tlovcrnor, is 
and illustration of the benifi- 
cent influence of rcpubHcan in- 
stitutions, having inherited neith- 
er fortune nor fame. He was born 
in a log cabin at Caroline, Tomp- 
kins Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1818. 
His ancestors came from Scot- 
land in the time of George I, and 
for many generations followed the 
pursuit of agriculture. His father, 
George Blair, settled in Tompkins 
County in 1S09, and felled the trees and erected the 
first cabin in the county. The last 60 of the four- 
score and four years of his life were spent on that 
spot. He married RhodaBlackman, who now sleeps 
with him in the soil of theold homestead. Thefirst 
17 years of his life were spent there, rendering his 
father what aid he could upon the farm. He then 
spent a year and a half in Cazenovia Seminary ])re- 
paring for college ; entered Hamilton College, in 
Clinton, prosecuted his studies until tiie middle of 
the junior year, when, attracted by the fame of T)r. 
Noit, he changed to Union College, from whicli he 
graduated in the class of 1839. Upon leaving col- 
iege Mr. Blair read law two years in the office of Sweet 
& Davis, Owego, N Y., and was admitted to jjractice 
iB id4i, and the same year moved to Michigan, locat- 



ing in Jackson. During a lemiwrary residence in 
Eaton Rapids, in 1842, he was elected Clerk of Eaton 
County. At the close of the official term he returned '.u 
Jackson, and as a Whig, zealously esjx)used the cause 
of Henry Clay in the campaign of 1844. He was chosen 
Representative to the Legislature in 1845, 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 report in favor of 
abolishing the color distinction 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 Whig 
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 that year. 
Upon the birth of the Republican party at Jackson, 
in 1854, 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 Platform. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney 
of Jackson County in 1852; was chosen State Senator 
two years later, taking his seat with the incoming Re- 
publican administration of 1855, and holding the 
position of parliamentary leader in the Senate. He 
was a delegate to the National Convention which 
nominated Abraham Lincoln in i860. Mr. Blair 
was elected Governor of Michigan in i860, and re- 
elected in 1862, faithfully and honorably discharging 
the arduous dutias of the office during that most mo- 



146 



AUSTIN BLAIR. 



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

Never perhaps 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 the civil war. All, from the " War Gov- 
ernor," down to the poorest citizen of the State, were 
animated with a patriotic ardor at once magnificiently 
sublime and wisely directed. 

Very early in icS6i tlie coming struggle cast its 
shadow over the Nation. Governor Blaiv, in his mes- 
sage to the Legislature in January of that year, dwelt 
very forcibly upon the sad prospects of civil war; and 
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 nilly around 
the standards of the Nation and defend its integrity 
and its constitution, with fidelity." The final para- 
graph being: 
" I recommend you at 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 purpose. 
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 suijplied by this State during all these years of 
darkness and blood shed. No State won a brighter 
record for her 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, 186S, 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 postal 
clerk in the railway mail service; Charles A., partner 
with his father; Fred. J. and Austin T., at home. 

Governor Blair's religion is of the broad type, and 
centers in the "Golden Rule." In 1883, Gov. Blair 
was noinnatcd for Justice of the Suiirenie Court 
of the State by tin; Republican puty, but wns dcfeate<i: 



GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



149 









sq^£.^ 




ENRY ROWLAND CRAPO, 

Governor of Michigan from 
'1865 to 1869, was born May 
24, 1804, at Dartmouth, Bris- 
tol Co., Mass., and died at 
Flint, Mich., July 22, 1869. 
He was the eldest son of Jesse 
and Phoebe (Rowland) Crapo. 
Ris father was of French descent 
and was very poor, sustaining his 
) family by the cultivation of a farm in 
Dartmouth township, which yielded 
I nothing beyond a mere liveliiiood. 
Ris early life was consequently one 
of toil and devoid of advantages for 
intellectual culture, but his desire for 
an education seemed to know no bounds. The in- 
cessant toil for a mere subsistence upon a compara- 
tively sterile farm, had no charm for him ; and, longing 
for greater usefulness and better things, he looked for 
them in an education. Ris struggles to secure this 
end necessitated sacrifices and hardships that would 
have discouraged any but the most courageous and 
persevering. Re became an ardent student and 
worker from his boyhood, though the means of carry- 
ing on his studies were exceedingly limited. Re 
sorely felt the need of a dictionary; and, neither having 
money wherewith to i)urchase it, nor being able to 
procure one in his neighborhood, he set out to compile 
one for himself. In order to acquire a knowledge of 
the English language, he copied into a book every 
word whose meaning he did not comprehend, and 
upon meeting the same word again in the newspapers 
and bogHs, whiclj came into |iis hands, froiij 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 Dartmouth to New Bedford for that purpose 
alone, and after referring to the books at tlie library 
and satisfymg himself thoroughly as to its definition, 
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 quite an extensive dictionary in manuscrip*- 
which is believed to be still in existence. 

Ever in pursuit of knowledge, he obtained posses- 
sion of a book upon surveying, and applying himself 
diligently to its study became familiar with this art. 
which he soon had an opportunity to practice. The 
services of a land surveyor were wanted, and he was 
called upon, but had no compass and no money with 
which to purchase one. A compass, however, he 
must and would have, and going to a blacksmith shop 
near at hand, upon the forge, with such tools as he 
could find in the shop, while the smith was at dinner, 
he constructed the compass and commenced life as a 
surveyor. Still continuing his studies, he fitted him- 
self for teaching, and took charge of the village school 
at Dartmouth. When, in the course of time and un- 
der the pressure of law, a high school was to be 
opened, he passed a successful examination for its 
principalship and received the appointment. To do 
this was no small task. The law required a rigid 
examination in various subjects, which necessitated 
days and nights of study. One evening, after con- 
cluding his day's labor of teaching, he traveled on foot 
to New Bedford, some seven or eight miles, called 
upon the preceptor of Friend's Academy and passed 



«5o 



HENR Y 110 WLA NB CRAPO. 



a severe examination. Receiving a certificate that 
he was qualified, he waliied back to his home the 
same night, liighly elated in being jjossessed of the 
acquirements and re<iuirements of a master of the 
high school. 

In 1832, at the age of 28 years, he left his native 
town and went to reside at New Bedford, where he 
followed tlie occupation of land surve)or, 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 ta-\es, wliich office he held 
until the municipal government was changed, — about 
fifteen years, — when, upon the inauguration of the city 
government, he was elected Treasurer 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 upon which 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 in Massachusetts, if 
not in the world. The Boston Free Library was 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 carrying out 
his ideas he drained and reclaimed several acres of 
rocky and swampy land adjoining his garden. Here 
he started a nursery, wliich he filled with almost every 
description of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, 
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 rci)utation 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 Society at its 
meeting in Philadelphia, in 1869. During his resi- 
dence in New Bedford, Mr. Crajx) was also engaged 
ia the whaling business. A fine barque 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 Connnercial 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, five numbers of the New Bedford 
Directory the first work of the kind ever published 
there. 

Mr. C. removed to Michigan in 1856, having been 
induced to do so by investments made principally in 
pine lands, first in 1837 and subsequently in 1856. 
He took up his residence in the city of Flint, and en- 



gaged largely in the manufacture and sale of lumber 
at Flint, Kentonvilie, 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 unlil its consolidation 
with the Flint & 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 parties. 

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 wliile 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 rajjidly to restore him, but he 
overestimated his strengtli, and by too much exertion 
in business matters and State affairs suffered arelapse 
from which there was no rebound, and he died July 
i^', 1869. 

In the early jiart of his life, Gov. Crapo affiliated 
with the Whig [larty in politics, but became an active 
member of the Republican party after its organization. 
He was a member of the Christian (sometimes called 
the l)iscii)les') Church, and took great interest in its 
welfare and prosperity. 

Mr. C. married, June 9, 1825, Mary A. Slocum, 
of Dartmouth. His marriage took place soon after 
he had attained his majority, and before his struggles 
with fortune 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 her husband in the various pursuits of 
his early years. For several years after his marriage 
he was engaged in teaching school, his wife living 
with her parents at the tiine, 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 each way, it is evitleiit 
that at that period of his life no cimimon obstacles 
deterred him from performing 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 labored faithfully 
in the perfo'inance of all her duties. They had 
ten children, one son and nine daughters. His son, 
Hon. A\'m. W. Crapo, of New Bedford, is now an 
honored Representative to Congress from the First 
Congressiptial J)i5trict of Massachusetts. 







7 ?i 'M.-"^ n 




^i^S-i^t-^ Oy <^Cx^oC^>iy--h- 



goi'/-:rnors of micjiigan. 



'!).< 









ENRY P. BALDWIN, Gov- 
ernor of Michigaa from Jan. 
*4, 1869, to Jan. I, 1873, is a 
lineal descendant of Nathan- 
iel Baldwin, a Puritan, of Buck- 
inghamshire, England, who set- 
tled at Milford, Conn., in 1639. 
His father was John Baldwin, 
a graduate of Dartmouth Col- 
lege. He died at North Provi- 
dence, R. I., in 1826. 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. He died 
at Parma, Mass., in 18 13, where for more than 50 
years he had been pastor of the Presbyterian Churcli. 
On his mother's side Governor B. is descended from 
Robert Williams, also a Puritan, who settled in Ro.x- 
burj', Mass., about 1C38. His mother was a daughter 
of Rev. Nehemiah Williams, a graduate of Harvard 
College, who died at Brimfield, Mass., in 1796, where 
for 21 years he was pastor of the Congregationalist 
Church. The subject of this sketcli was born at 
Coventry, R. I., Feb. 22, 1814. He received a New 
England common-school education until tlie age of 
12 years, when, both his parents having died, he be- 
came a clerk in a mercantile establishment. He re- 
mained there, employing his leisure hours in study, 
until 20 years of age. 

At this early period Mr. B. engaged in business on 
his own account. He made a visit to the West, in 
1837, which resulted in his removal to Detroit in the 
spring of i8-?8. Here he established a mercantile 
house which has been successfully conducted until 
the present time. Although he successfully conducted 



a large business, he has ever taken a dee)) interest in 
all things affecting the prosperity of the city and 
State of his adoption. He was for several years a 
Director and President of the Detroit Young Men's 
•Society, an institution with a large library desigi-.ed 
for 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 nourishing parish of St. 
John, Detroit, originated with Governor Baldwin, who 
gave the lot on which the parish edifice stands, and 
also contributed the larger share of the cost of their 
erection. Governor B. was one of the foremost in 
tJie establishment of St. Luke's Hospital, and has 
always been a liberal contributor to moral and relig- 
ious enterprises whether connected with his own 
Church or not. There have been, in fact, but few 
public and social improvements of Detroit during the 
past 40 years with wliich Governor B.'s name is not 
in some way connected. He was a director in the 
Michigan State Bank until the ex|)iration of its char- 
ter, and has been President of the Second National 
Bank since its organization. 

In i860, Mr. Baldwin was elected to the State 
Senate, of Michigan ; during the years of i86i-'2 he 
was made Chairman of the Finance Committee, a 
member of Committee on Banks and Incorporations 
Chairman of the Select Joint Committee of the twa 
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 improvement f>f 
Sault St. Mane Ship Canal. He was first elected 
Governor in 1868 and was re-elected in 1870, serving 
from 1S69 to 1872, inclusive. It is no undeserved 
eulogy to say that Governor B.'s happy faculty of es- 
timating the necessary means to an end — the knowing 
of how mucli effort or attention to bestow \\\k>\-\ the 
thing in hand, has been tlie secret of the uniform 



IfA 



HENR Y P. BALD WIN. 



success that has attended his efforts in all relations 
of life. The same industry and accuracy that dis- 
tinguished him prior to this term as Governor was 
manifest in his career as the chief magistrate of the 
State, and while his influence appears in all things 
with which he has had to do, it is more noticeable in 
the most prominent position to which he was called. 
With rare exceptions the important commendations 
of Governor B. 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 supervision of the several State 
institutions. The initiatory steps toward building the 
Eastern Asylum for the Insane, the State House of 
Correction, and the establishment of the State Board 
of Health were recommended by Governor B. in his 
message of 1873. The new State Capitol 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 per- 
mit a more equitable compensation to State officers 
and judges. Thelawof 1869, and prior also, permitting 
municipalities to vote aid toward the construc- 
lion 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 iionor 
and credit of the State were in Jeopardy. His sense 
of justice impelled him to call an e.xtra 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 hoiia- 
fidc 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, ard as an evidence of tlie 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 showing, in detail, estimates of receipts, 
expenditures and appropriations for the years 1872 to 
1878, inclusive. Memorable of Governor B.'s admiur 
istration were the devastating fires which swept over 
many portions of the Northwest in the fall of 187: 
A large part of the city of Chicago having been re- 
duced to ashes, Governor B. promptly issued a proc- 
lamation calling upon the people 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 
§700,000 having been received in money and supplies 
for the relief of Michigan alone. So ample were 
these contributions during the short period of abou' 
3 months, that the Governor issued a proclamation 
expressing in behalf of the people of the State grate- 
ful acknowldgment, and announcing that further 
aid was unnecessary. 

Governor B. has traveled extensively in his own 
country and has also made several visits to Europe 
and other portions of the Old World. He was a pas- 
senger on the Steamer Arill, which was captured and 
bonded in the Carribean Sea, in December, 1862, by 
Capt. Semmes, and wrote a full and interesting ac- 
count of the transaction. The following estimate of 
Governor B. on his retirement from office, by a leading 
newspaper, is not overdrawn: "The retiiing message 
of Governor 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, ingeruine 
public spirit, in thorough integrity and in practical 
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 
administration has fully kept pace with the needs of 
the times. Tlie retiring Governor has fully earned 
the public gratitude and confidence which he to-day 
imssesses to such remarkable decree, ' 



GO VERNORS OF ^MICHIGAN. 



'57 




JOHN J. BAeiLEl' 







""^ife 



^ 




OHN JUDSON BAGLEY, 
II^Governor of Michigan from 
1 87 3 to 1877, was born in 
Medina, Orleans Co., N. Y., 
July 24, 1832. His father, John 
Bagley, was a native of New 
Hampshire, his mother, Mary M. 
Bagley, of Connecticut. He at- 
tended the district school of Lxjck- 
port, N. Y., until he was eight years 
old, at which time his father moved 
to Constantine, Mich., and he at- 
tended the common schools of that 
village. His early ex[)erience was 
like that of many country boys whose 
parents removed from Eastern States 
to the newer jwrtion of the West. 
.^ His father being in very jxjor circum- 
ifi'ifl Stances, Mr. B. was obliged to work 
as soon as he was able to do so. 
Leaving school when 13 years of age 
he entered a country store in Constan- 
tine as clerk. His father then re- 
moved toOwosso, 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 perusal of 
such books, papers and periodicals as came within 
his reach. In 1847, he removed to Detroit, where he 
secured employment in a tobacco manufactory and 
remained in this position for about five years. 

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



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 corporations. 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 otlier 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 1865 he was ap[)ointcd by Gover- 
nor Cra])0 one of the first commissioners of the 
Metropolitian police force of the city of Detroit, serv- 
ing six years. In November, 1872, he was elected 
Governor of Michigan, 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 tlie Republican 
State Central committee. 

Governor Bagley 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 
bound liy any religious creed or formula. He held 
in respect all religious opinions, believing that no one 
can be injured by a firm adherence to a faith or de- 
nomination. He was married at Dubuque, Iowa, Jan. 
j6, 1855, to Frances E. Newberry, daughter of Rev. 
Samuel Newberry, a pioneer missionarj' of Michigan, 
who took an active part in the early educational mat- 
ters of the State and in the establishment of its ex- 
cellent system of education, It was principally 



•S8 



JOHN J. BAGLEY. 



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 iniixirtant features, chief among 
which were his efforts to improve and make popular 
tlie educational agencies of the Slate by increasing 
the faculty of the University for more thorough in- 
struction in technical studies,by strengthening the hold 
of the Agricultural College u^xsn the public good will 
and making the general change which has manifested 
itself in many scattered primary districts. Among 
others were an almost complete revolution in the 
inanagement of the penal and charitable institutions 
of the State; the passage of the liquor-tax 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 back 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 histoi-y of 
Michigan a systematized organization upon a service- 
able footing. It was u^xju the suggestion of Gov. B. 
in the earlier part of his administration that the law 
creating the State Board of Health, and also tlie 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 opiX)rtunity. How- 
ever strong the mind and {X)werful the will, if tliere 
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 ]X)wer to do, he 
asked his fellow citizen to give him the opportunity to 
labor for them. Self entered not intg the calculation, 



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 
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 happiness 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 
the 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 ; aboul 
liow much does your charities amount to in a year.'' 
H'" turned at once and said: "I do not know, sir; I 
do not allow myself to know. I hope I gave more 
tliis year than I did last, and hope I shall give mori- 
next year than I have this." This expressed his idea 
of charity, that tlie giving should at all times be tree 
and sjontaneous. 

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

In all questions of business or public affairs he 
seemed to have the iMwer of getting at the kernel of 
the nut in the least possible time. In reading he 
would spend scarcely more. time with a volume than 
most persons would devote to a chapter. After what 
seemed a cursory 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 
the youngest on his lap, told some Christmas stor)', 
closing the cntev'ainniciit with "The Night Before 
Chrislmas," or Dickens's "Christmas Carol." 




f^>-<-->) 







GOVERNORS OF MJCIIIGAN. 



161 







i -vcj2£i2/®^«s"*""*<f ' '-' <r<^i^' 




^:|e^c«»*^»>'^^w^^i/3W)*v~a^itf» ' 




HARLES M. CROSWELI., 
3} Governor of Michigan from 
" Jan. 3, 1877 to Jan. i, 1881, 
was l)orn 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 
e.xtraction, was a [laper-nuiker, 
and carried on liiisiness in New 
York City. His ancestors on 
his mother's side were of Knicker- 
bocker descent. The Croswell 
family may be found connected 
with prominent events, in New York 
and Connecticut, in the eaity exis- 
tence of the RepuDlic. Harry Oos- 
well, during the administration of 
President Jefferson, published a pa- 
per called tiic lialaiue, and was 
prosecuted for libeling the President 
under the obnoxious Sedition Law. 
He was defended by the celebrated 
Alexander Hamilton, and the decis- 
is, jf the case establised the important ruling that 
tht trutii niiglit be shown in cases of libel. Another 
member of the family was Kdwin Croswell, the fam- 
ous editor of the Albany Ari;us ; also. Rev. William 
Croswell, noted as a divine and ixiet. 

When Charles M. Croswell was seven years of age, 
his father was accidentally drowned in the Hudson 
River, at Newburg ; and, within three months preced- 
ing that event, his mother and only sister had died, — 
thus leaving him the sole surviving member of the 
family, without fortune or means. Upon the death 



of his father he went to live with an uncle, who, in 
1837, emigrated with him to Adrain, Michigan. At 
si,\teen 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 si)are 
lime to reading and tiie ac(iuirement of knowledge. 
In 1846, he began the study of law, and was ai)- 
pointed Deputj Clerk of Lenawee County. The du- 
ties of this office he performed four years, when he 
was elected Register of Deeds, and was re-elected 
in 1852. In 1854, hetook part in the first movements 
tor the formation of tlie 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 
tcirnied a law partnersiiip with the present Chief-Jus- 
tice Cooley, which continued until the removal of 
Judge Cooley to Ann 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 reijresent Lenawee County in the State 
Senate. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1864, 
anil again in 1866, during each term filling the i)osi- 
tions above mentioned. Among various rejiorts made 
by him, one adverse to the re-establishment of the 
death penalty, and another against a proinasition to 
pay the salaries of State officers and judges in coin, 
which then commanded a very large premium, may 
be mentioned. He also drafted the act ratifying the 
Thirteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution, 
for the abolishment of slavery, it being the first 
amendment to the instrument ratified by Michigan. 
In 1863, from his seat in the State Senate, he de- 
livered an elaborate speech in favor of the Proclama- 



CHARLES M. CRO SWELL 



tion of Emancipation issued by President Lincoln, 
and of his general policy in the prosecution of the 
war. This, at the request of his Republican associ- 
ates, was afterwards puljlished. In 1867, lie was 
elected a member of the Constitutional Convention, 
and chosen its presiding officer. This convention 
was composed of an aljle body of men ; and though, 
in the general distrust of constitutional changes 
wliich for some years had been taking possession of 
the people, 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 
the House of Representatives. At the close of the 
session of that body his abilities as a parliamentarian, 
and the fairness of his rulings were freely and form- 
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 the 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. 

In 1876, the general voice of the Republicans of 
the State indicted Mr. Croswell as their choice for 
Gove/nor; and, at the State Convention of the party 
in August of the same year, he was put in nomination 
by acrlamation, 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 hiive ever 
distinguished him, both as a citizen and statesman. 



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 public 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 building in that city, 
on the 24th day of April, 1869, he gave, in a public 
address, an " Historical Sketch of the Adrian Public 
Schools." 

In his private life. Governor Croswell has been as 
exemplary 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, 
a lady of many amiable and sunny qualities. She 
suddenly died, March 19, i868, leaving two daugh- 
ters and a son. Governor Croswell is not a member 
of any religious body, but generally attends the Pres- 
byterian Church. He pursues the profession of law, 
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 ix)pular, not only with those of 
like political faith with himself, but with those who 
differ from him in this regard. 

During Gov. Croswell's administration the public 
debt was greatly reduced; a policy adopted requiring 
the State institutions to keep within the limit of ap*- 
propriations; laws enacted to provide more effectually 
for the punishment of corruption and bribrery 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 
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 
was only bv his promptness that great distruclion of 
both life and property was prevented at that time. 



GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 



'65 




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DAVID H. JEROME, Gover- 
^,>nor of from Jan. i, 1881, to 
Jan. I, 1883, was born at De- 
troit, Mich., Nov. !7, 1829. 
His parents emigrated to 
Michigan from Trumansburg, 
Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1828, 
locating at Detroit. His father 
died March 30, 183 1, 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, David H. was 
the youngest. Shortly after Mr. Jerome's death, his 
widow moved back to New York and settled in 
Onondaga County near Syracuse, where they remained 
until the fall of 1834, 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 tlie 
Governor formed 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 acquisition of tlie funda- 
mental branches of learning he displayed a precocity 
and an application which won for him the admiration 
of his teachers, and always placed him at the head 
of his classes. In the meantime he did chores on 
the farm, and was always ready with a cheerful heart 
and willing hand to assist his widowed mother. The 
heavy labor of the farm was carried on by his two 



older brothers, Timothy and George, and when 13 
years of age David received his mother's permission to 
attend school at the St. Clair Academy. While attend- 
ing there he lived with Marcus H. Miles, now de- 
ceased, doing chores for his board, and the following 
winter performed the same service for James Ogden, 
also deceased. The next summer Mrs. Jerome 
moved into the village of St. Clair, for the purix)se of 
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 
com[)leted his education in the fall of his i6th year, 
and the following winter assisted his brotiier Timothy 
m hauling logs in the pine woods. The next summer 
he rafted logs down the St. Clair River to Algonac. 

In 1847, M. H. Miles beingClerkinSt. Clair Coun- 
ty, and Volney A. Ripley Register of Deeds, David 
H. Jerome was appointed Deputy to each, remaining 
as such during i848-'49, and receiving much praise 
from his employers and the people in general for the 
ability displayed in the discharge of iiis duties. He 
spent his summer vacation at clerical work on board 
the lake vessels. 

In i849-'5o, he abandoned office work, and for the 
proper development of his physical system spent 
several months hauling logs. In the spring of 1850, 
his brother "Tiff" and himself chartered the steamer 
"Chautauqua," and "Young Dave" became her mas- 
ter, k portion of the season the boat was engaged 
in the passenger and freight traffic between Port 
Huron and Detroit, but during the latter part was 
used as a tow boat. At that time there was a serious 
obstruction to navigation, known as the "St. Clair 
Flats," between Lakes Huron and Erie, over which 



1 66 



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 tlie other, and put his plan into 
ojjeratioii. Tluoagh the intluence of practical men, — 
among tliem tlie subject of this sketch, — Congress 
removed tlie obstruction above referred to, and now 
vessels can jiass 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 the "Gen. Scott," a ves'sel 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 lie was clerk of tlio propeller "Prince- 
ton." running between Detroit and Buflalo. 

In January, 1853, Mr. Jerome went to California, 
oy way of the Isthmus, and enjoyed extraordinary 
success in selling goods in a new place of his selec- 
tion, among the mountains near Marysville He re- 
mained there during tlie summer, and located the 
Live Yankee Tunnel Mine, which has since yielded 
millions to its owners, and is still a paying investment. 
He i)lanned and put a tunnel 600 feet into the mine, 
but when the water supply began to fail with the dry 
season, sold out his interest. He left in the fall of 
1S53, and in December sailed from San Francisco for 
New York, arriving at his home in St. C'lair County, 
about a year after his departure. During his absence 
his brother "Tiff" had located at Saginaw, ana in 
1854 Mr. Jerome joined him in his lumber o[ierations 
in the valley. In 1S55 the brothers bought Black- 
mer & Eaton's hardware and general supply stores, 
at Saginaw, and David H. assumed the management 
of the business. From 1855 to 1873 he was also ex- 
tensively engaged in lumbering operations. 

Soon after locating at Saginaw he was nominated 
for Alderman against Stewart \\. 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 Repub- 
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 by Gov. Austin Blair to raise oive of the 



six regiments apportioned to the State of Michigan. 
Mr. Jerome immediately went to work and held 
meetings at various points. The zeal and enthusiasm 
displayed by this advocate of the Union awakened a 
feeling of ])atriotic interest in the breasts of many 
brave men, and in a short space of time the 23d 
Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Infantry was placed 
in the field, and subsequently 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. Tlie contest was very exciting, and resulted 
in tlie 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 apix)inted 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 by Gov. Crapo as a military aid, 
and in 1865 was ap[X)inted a member of the State 
Military Board, and served as its President for eight 
consecutive years. In 1873, he was apiK)intcd by 
Gov. Bagley a member of the convention to prejiare 
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 5 th day of the 
month received the highest honor the convention 
could confer on any one. His opiwnent was Freder- 
ick M. Hollow.av of Hillsdale County, who was sui>- 
jwrted by the Democratic and Greenback parties. 
The State was thoroughly canvassed by both parties, 
and when the jiolls were closed on the evening of 
election day, it was found that Daviil H. Jerome had 
been selected by the voters of tlie Wolverine State to 
occupy the highest jxDsition within their gift. 







Q^cTL-io^ 9ir i 




COVERXORS OF MICHIGAN 



169 





JOSIAH W. BEGfEi 



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^ ■ i.T^Tffll OSIAH W. BEGOLE, the 
• m^liresent (1883), Ciovernor of 
I?) Michigan was born in Living- 
ston, County, N. Y., Jan. 20, 
1815. His ancestors were of 
French descent, and settled at 
-^ an early period in the State of 
Maryland. His grandfather, Capt. 
Bolles, of that State, was an offi- 
cer in the American army during 
il the warof the RevoUition. .\bout 
the beginning of the present cent- 
ury both his grandparents, having 
)ecome dissatisfied with the insti- 
tution of slavery, although slave- 
holders themselves, emigrated to 
Livingston County, N. Y., then 
a new country, taking with them a 
number of their fomier slaves, who 
volunteered to accompany them. 
His father was an officer in l!ie 
American army, and served during 
the war of 18 12. 
Mr. B. received his early education in a log school- 
house, and subsequently attended the Temple Hill 
Academy, at Gencseo, N. Y. Being the eldest of a 
family of ten children, whose parents were in moder- 
ate though comfortable circumstances, he was early 
taught haljits of iudus'ry, and when 21 years of age, 
being ambitious to better liis condition in life, he re- 
solved to seek his fortune i;i the far West, as it was 



then called. In August, 1836, he left the parental 
roof to seek a home in the Territory of Michigan 
then an almost unl)roken wilderness. He settled in 
Genesee County, and aided with his own hands iu 
building some of the early residences in what is now 
known as the city of Flint. There were but four or 
five houses where this flourishing city now stands 
when he selected it as his home. 

In the spring of 1839 he married Miss Harriet A. 
Miles. The marriage proved a most fortunate one, 
and to the faitliful wife of his youth, who lives to en- 
joy with him the comforts of an honestly earned com- 
petence, Mr. Begole ascribes largely his success in 
life. Immediately after his marriage he commenced 
work on an unimproved farm, where, by his jjerse- 
verance and energy, he soon established a good home, 
and at the end of eigliteen years was the owner of a 
well improved farm of five hundred acres. 

Mr. Begole being an anti-slavery man, became a 
member of the Re[)ublican party at its organization. 
He served his townsmen in various offices, and was 
in 1856, elected County Treasurer, which office he 
held for eight years. 

At the breaking out of the Rebellion he did not 
carry a musket to the front, but his many friends will 
bear witness that he took an active part iu recruiting 
and furnishing sujiplies for the army, and in looking 
after the interests of soldiers' funilies at home. The 
death of his eldest son near .'\llanta, Ga., by .1 Confed- 
rate bullet, in 1864, was the greatest sorrow of his life. 
When a few years Liter lie was a member in Congress 



170 



JOSIAH W. BEGOLE, 



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

In 1870, 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 that 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 express 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, able 
and experienced men in the 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 ; he took an efficient though an 
unobtrusive part in all its proceedings. 

He voted for 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 (jubernatorial 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 paper m 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 hispur^ 
pose nobody who knows him entertains a doubt. He 
is incapable of bearing malice, even against his bit- 
terest political 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 
aiven 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 
lo 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 "ibumt 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. 




/l6<..4.^-£^6^^?Wz^-'Z^ 



GOVEKNOItS OF MICHIGAN. 



173 





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" USSELL A.ALGER,Govenior 
of Michigan for the term com- 
mencing Jan. 1, 1885, was 
bom in Lafaj'ette Township, 
Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 27, 
^y 1836. Having lived a tem- 
'cT' perate life, he is a comparative 
young man in appearance, and pos- 
sesses those mental faculties that are 
the distinguishing characteristics of 
roliust, mature and educated maii- 
iiood. When 1 1 j'ears of age both 
his parents died, leaving him Tvitha 
3'ounger brother and sister to sup- 
port and without any of the substan- 
tial means of existence. Lacking the opportunity of 
Ijctter employ nicut, he worked on a farm in Richfield, 
Ohio, for the greater part of each of the succeeding 
seven years, saving money enougli to defray his ex- 
penses at Richfield Academy during the winter 
terms. He obtained a very good English education, 
and was enabled to teach school for several subse- 
quent winters. Ill 1857 he commenced the study of 
law in the offices of Wolcott & Upson at Akron, re- 
maining until March, 18.59, when he was admitted 
to the bar by the Ohio Supreme Court. He then 
removed to Cleveland, and entered the law office of 
Otis & Coffinbury, where he remained several 
montiis. Here he continued his studies with in- 
creased zeal, and did nuuli general reading. Hard 
study and close connnenicnt t(j office work, however, 
began to tell on liis constitution, and failing health 
warned liim that he must seek other occupation. 



He therefore reluctantly abandoned the law and re- 
moved to Graml Rapids, Mich., to cng.age in the 
lumber business. 

When Micliigan was called upon to furnish troops 
for the war, Mr. Alger enlisted in the Second Mich. 
Cav. and was mustered into the service of the 
United States as Captain of Co. C. His record as 
a cavalry officer w^as brilliant and honorable to 
himself and his companj\ He participated in some 
of the fiercest contests of the rebellion and way 
twice wounded. His first injury was received ir 
the battle of Booneville, Miss., July 2, 18G2. 
His conduct in this engagement was so distin- 
guished that he was promoted to the rank oi 
Major. On the same occasion his Colonel, the 
gallant Phil. Sheridan, was advanced to the rank 
of Brigadier General. A few months later, on the 
ICtU of October, Major Alger became Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the Sixth Mich. Cav., and was ordered 
with his regiment to the Army of the Potomac. 
After marked service in the early campaign of 1 8()3, 
he was again advanced, and on June 2 received his 
commission as Colonel of the Fifth Slicii. Cav. His 
regiment at this time was in Custer's famous Michi- 
gan cavalry brigade. On the Gth of Jul}' occurred 
the battle of Boonesltoro, Md. In this conflict he 
was again wounded. His health received a more 
than temporary impairment, and in October, 18G I, 
he was obliged to retire from the service. His 
career as a soldier included man}' of tlie most cele- 
brated contests of the war. He w:is an .active charac- 
ter in all the battles fought by the Army of the 



174 



RUSSELL A. ALGER. 



Potomac, from the time of the invasion of Mary- 
lanrt \>y Gen. Lee in 1803, up to the date of his 
retirement, with the excei^tion of those engagements 
which occurred while he was absent from dutj- on 
account of wounds. In all he took part in C6 bat- 
tles and skirmishes. At the close he was breveted 
Brigadier General and Major General for "gallant 
and meritorious services in the field." 

Aside from regular dutj', Gen. Alger was on 
private service during tiie winter of 18G3-4, receiv- 
ing orders personally from President Lincoln and 
visiting nearly all the armies in the field. 

Gen. Alger came to Detroit in 18G5, and since 
that time has been extensively engaged in the pine 
timber business and in dealing in pine lands. He 
was a member of the well-known firm of ]Moore <fe 
Alger until its dissolution, when he became head of 
the firm of R. A. Alger ik Co., the most extensive 
pine timber operators in the West. Gen. Alger is 
now president of the corporation of Alger, Smith & 
Co., which succeeded R. A. Alger it Co. He is also 
president of the Manistique Lumbering Company 
and president of the Detroit, Bay City & Alpena 
Railroad Companj', besides being a stockholder and 
director of the Detroit National Bank, (he Peninsu- 
lar Car Company and several other large corpor- 
ations. 

AVhile always an active and influential Republi- 
can, Gen. Alger has never sought nor held a sal- 
aried office. He was a delegate from the First Dis- 
trict to the last Republican National Convention, 
but aside from this his connection with politics has 
not extended beyond the duties of ever}' good cit- 
izen to his party and his country'. 

Gen. Alger is now forty-nine years of age, an 
active, handsome gentleman six feet tall, living 
the life of a busj- man of affairs. His military 
bearing at once indicates his army life, and although 
slenderly built, his square shoulders and erect 
carriage give the casual observer the impression 
that his weight is fully 180 pounds. He is a firm, 
yet a most decidedly pleasant-appearing man, with 
a fine forehead, rather a prominent nose, an iron- 
gitiy moustache and chin whiskers and a full head 
of black hair sprinkled with gray. He is usually 
attired in the prevailing style of business suits. His 
fjivorite di'ess has been a high buttoned cutaway 



frock coat, with the predominating cut of vest and 
trousers, made of firm gr.aj' suiting. A high collar, 
sm.all cravat, easy shoes and white plug hat com- 
plete his personal apparel. He is very particular 
as to his appearance, and alwaj's wears neat clothes 
of the best goods, but slums any display of jewelr}' 
or extravagant embellishment. He is one of the 
most approachable men imaginable. No matter 
how busy he may be, he always leaves his desk to 
extend a cordial welcome to every visitor, be he of 
high or low situation. His affable manners delight 
his guests, while his pleasing face and bright, dark 
eyes ahv.a^-s animate his he.arers. 

Gen. Alger is a hard worker. He is always at his 
office proraptlj^ in the morning and stays as long as 
anything remains that demands his attention. In 
business matters he is alwaj's decided, and is never 
shaken or disturbed bj' any reverses. He has the 
confidence of his associates to a high degree, and al. 
his business relations are tempered with those little 
kindnesses that relieve the tedium of routine office 
life. Although deeply engrossed i:i various busi- 
ness pursuits. Gen. Alger has yet found time for 
general culture. He owns a large libr.ary and his 
stock of general information is as complete as it is 
reliable. His collection of paintings has been se- 
lected with rare good taste, and contains some of 
the finest jiroductions of modern artists. His team 
of bays are perhaps the handsomest that grace the 
roads of Detroit, and usually lead the other outfits 
when their owner holds the reins. 

Gen. Alger has an interesting family. His wife 
was Annette H. Henry, the daughter of W. G. 
Henr}', of Grand Rapids, to whom he was married 
April 2, 18G1. She is a slender woman of fair com- 
plexion, bright and attractive, and a charming host- 
ess. She is gifted with many accomplishments and 
appears quite young. There are six children. Fay. 
a lively brunette, and Caroline A., who is rather tall 
and resembles her mothei', have completed r, course 
at an Eastern seminar}', and during the past year 
traveled in Europe. The remaining members of 
the family are Frances, aged 13; Russell A., Jr., 
aged 1 1 ; Fred, aged 9, and Allan, aged 3. All are 
lirlgiit and promising children. Gen. Alger makes 
his home at his handsome and large new residence on 
Fort street, at the corner of P'irst street, Detroit, 





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/'^^^d.^^i^^-eyC^^^^- 





GOVERNORS OF MICIIIOAN. 



77 








VRUS GRAY LUCK, the 
present Governor of Michi- 
gan, combines in his ciianic- 
ter the substantial traits of 
the New England ancestry 
of his father, and the chival- 
rous and hospitable elements 
peculiar to the Southerners, which 
came to him fmm his mother's side of 
the liouse. Tlie New Englanders, act- 
ive in the cause of American libertj', 
after this desired result was accom- 
plished, turned their attention to the 
growth and development of tiie 
country which their noble daring had 
constituten independent of foreign rule. Tlie pri- 
vations they endured and the struggles from which 
they had achieved victory built up in them those 
qualities which in the very nature of events could 
not be otherwise than transmitted to their posterity', 
and this jrosterity comjjrises a large number of the 
men who to-day, lilvc the sul)jcct of tliis history, 
are making a record of wliich their descendants will 
be equally proud. 

Gov. l^ucc was born in Windsor, Ashtabula Co., 
Ohio, July 2, 1824. His father was a native of 
Tolland, Conn., served as a soldier in the War of 
1812, and soon after its close emigrated from New 
England and settled on the Western Reserve in 
Northern Ohio. His mother, who in her girlhood 
was Miss Mary Gray, was born in Winchester, A'a. 
Her faliicr, tinctured with Abolitionism, found his 
home in the Old Dominion l)ecoming unconifoiLa- 
ble as an abiding-|jlace at that time, and accord- 
ingly, with ills wife and family of young children, 



he also migrated, in 181,"), to the wilds of Northern 
Ohio. There the parents of our subject, in 181!), 
were united in marriage, and continued residents of 
Ashtaliuia County until 18;5G. Tiiere also were 
born to them six sons, Cj'rus G. of this sketch being 
the second. 

The incidents in the early life of Gov. Luce were 
not materially different from those of other boys 
living on the farms in that new country. lie was 
taught to work at anything necessary for him to do 
and to make himself useful around the pioneer 
homestead. When twelve j-ears of age his parents 
removed further West, this time locating in Steu- 
ben County, Ind. This section of country was still 
newer and more thinly settled, and without recount- 
ing the particular hardships and privations which the 
family experienced, it is suflicient to say that but few 
enjoyed or suffered a greater varietj'. Markets were 
distant and difficult of access, the comforts of life 
scarce, and sickness universal. Young Luce, in com- 
mon witii other boys, attended school winters in the 
stereotypcMl log school-house, and in summer as- 
sisted in clearing away the forests, fencing the 
fields and raising crops after the land was improved. 
He attended three terms an academy located at On- 
tario, Ind., and his habit of reading and oliservation 
added essentially to his limited school privileges. 

When seventeen years of age the father of our 
subject erected a cloth-dressing and wool-carding 
estaljiisiiment, where Cyrus (i. acquired a full 
knowledge of this business and subsequently hud 
charge of the factory for a period of seven ycais. 
In the meantime he had become interested in local 
politics, in which he displayed rare judgment and 
sound conunon sense, and on account of whii'h, in 
1818, he was nominated by the Whigs in a di.strict 
composed of the counties of DcKaib and Steuben 
for Representative in the State Legislature. IW' 
made a vigorous canvass but was defeated by eleven 
majority. This incident was but a transient bub- 
ble on the stream of bis life, and that same year 



178 



CYRUS GRAY LUCE. 



Mr. Luce purchased eighty acres of wild land near 
Gilead, Branch Co., Mich., the improvement of 
which he at once entered upon, clearing away the 
trees and otherwise making arrangements for the 
establishment of a homestead. In August, 1849, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Diclcinson, 
of Gilead, and the 3'oung jicople immediately' com- 
menced housekeeping in a modest dwelling on tlie 
new farm. Here they resided until the death of the 
wife, which took place in August, 1882. Mrs. 
Luce was the daughter of Obed and Experience 
Dickinson, well-to-do and higlilj' respected residents 
of Gilead. Of her union with our subject there 
were born five children, one now deceased. 

In Novv^mbcr, 1883, Gov. Luce contracted a sec- 
ond marriage, with Mrs. IMaiy Tliompson, of Bron- 
son, this State. He continued on the same farm, 
which, however, by subsequent purchase had been 
considerably extended, until after his election to the 
offlce of which he is now the incumbent. In the 
meantime lie has iiad a wide and varied experience 
in public life. In 1 8 j2 he was elected to represent his 
township in the County Board of Supervisors, and 
two years later, in 18.54, wasclected Representative to 
the first Republican Legislature convened in the State 
of Michigan. He served his township altogether 
eleven j'cars as a member of the Board of Supervisors. 
In 18.58 he was elected County Treasurer of Branch 
County and re-elected in 18G0. In 1864 he w5s 
given a seat in the State Senate and re-elected in 
186G. In the spring of 1867 he was made a member of 
the Constitutional Convention to revise the Consti- 
tution of the State of Michigan, and in all of the 
positions to which he has been called has evidenced 
a realization of the sober responsibilities committed 
to his care. To the duties of e.ach he gave the most 
conscientious care, and lias great reason to feel pride 
and satisfaction in the fact that during his service 
in both Houses of the Legislature his name appears 
upon every roll-call, he never having been absent 
from his jiost a day. 

In .Till}-, 1879, Mr. Luce was appointed State Oil 
Inspector by Gov. Cros well, and rc-appointcd by 
Gov. Jerome in 1881, serving in this capacity three 
and one-half j'cars. In the management of the 
duties of this odlcc he is entitled to great credit. 
The office was not sought by hira, but the Governor 



urged him to accept it, claiming that the otfice was 
the most difficult he hail to fill, and was one which 
required first-class executive ability. He organized 
the State into districts, appointed an adequate force 
of deputies and no more, secured a reduction of the 
fees by nearly one-half, and in ever}' way managed 
the affairs of the office so efficiently and satisfac- 
torily that above all expenses he was enabled to 
pay into the State Treasury during his management 
$32,000.49. 

In August of the year 1886 Mr. Luce was nom- 
inated by the Republicans in convention assembled 
at Grand Rapids, for the office c>f Governor of 
Michigan by acclamation, and on the 2d of Novem- 
ber following was elected by a m.ajority of 7,432 
over his chief competitor, George L. Yaple. In 
1874 he became an active member of the farm- 
ers' organization known as the Grange. Believing 
as he dues that agriculture furnishes the basis of 
National prosperity, he was anxious to contribute to 
the education and elevation of the farming com- 
munity, and thus availed himself of the opportuni- 
ties offered by this organization to aid in accom- 
plishing this result. For a period of .seven years he 
was Master of the State Gr.ange but resigned the 
position last November. Fidelity to convictions, 
close application to business, whether agricultural or 
affairs of State, coupled with untiring industry', are 
his chief characteristics. As a farmer, legislator 
executive officer, and manager of county as well as 
State affairs, as a private as well as a public citizen, 
his career has all along been marked with success 
No one can point to a spot reflecting discredit ir 
his public career or private life. He is a m.an of 
the people, and self-made in the strictest sense. His 
wliole life has been among the people, in full sym- 
pathy with them, and in their special confidence and 
esteem. 

Personally. Gov. C.yrus G. Luce is high-minded, 
intellectual and affable, the object of nianj' 
and warm friendships, and a man in all respects 
above reproach. To the duties of his high position 
he has brought a fitting dignitj', and in all the re- 
lations of life that conscientious regard to duty of 
which we often read but which is too seldom seen, 
especiall}' among those having within their hands 
the interests of State and Nation. 





''ot-Hyv^x^ /a /T^P-r^a^n^^^ 



GOVERNORii OF MICHIGAN. 



lit 





2=s«— ■ 









-♦■^-1- 



EDWIN B. WINANS, 
ho began his duties as 
iovernor of Michigan, 
January 1, 1891, is a sou 
j«!;3E^ .^!=5»i!Ksr-j^w»vi-t jf the Empire State, of 
y^^^ ^^*^ ^ which his parents also were 
' ~- .^^ natives. From German ancestry on 
.^^ the father's side, he derives tiie in- 
€ f y2>'£? stincts of frujTality and careful con- 
sideration of ways and means, and 
tiiese are strengthened by the sub- 
stantial traits of the Puritan fore- 
fathers of his mother. Both lines 
have transmitted to him the love 
of country and home that has led 
thousands into untrodden wilds where they might 
secure that which would be for the future good of 
tliemselves and posterity. 

John and Eliza (Way) Winans removed from 
New York to this State in 18.31, and settled on a 
farm in Livingston County, where the boyhood of 
Gov. Winans was passed. He was about eight 
years old at the time of the removal, having been 
born at Avon, Livingston County, N. Y., May IG, 
182G. Up to the age of eighteen years lie attended 
the district school, and he then entered Albion 
College, from which he was graduated in 18;)0. 
The excitement attendant upon the discovery of 




gold in California had not died out, and youjig 
Winans felt a strong desire to visit the coast and 
try his fortune in the mines. He decided in favor 
of the overland route, crossed the plains in safet}'. 
and spent the ensuing eight years in seeking the 
precious metal — a quest that was fairly successful. 

Returning to Livingston Countj-, this State, Mr. 
Winans bought land and eng.^gcd in general farm- 
ing. He has retained the farm as his home through 
all the changes various official positions have 
brought him, and joyfully returned to it whenever 
his faithful disciiarge of public dut}' would allow. 
His estate now includes four hundred acres of land 
under a high state of cultivation and improved 
with buildings of the best construction and modern 
design. In connection with general farming Gov. 
Winans has given considerable attention to raising 
stock of high grades, and his understanding of 
agriculture in its various departments is broad and 
deep. He believes that his success in political life 
is largely due to his thorough identiBcatioii with 
the agricultural interests of the State and no doubt 
he is right. 

The public career of Gov. Winans began in 1860, 
when he was elected to represent his county in the 
State Legislature. lie served two consecutive 
terms, covering the period from 18C0 to 18G5. In 
18G7 he w.as a member of the Constitutional Con- 



J2 



EDWIN B WINANS. 



vention of the State, and in 1876 be was elected 
Probate Judge of Livingston County for a term 
of four years. The nest important position occu- 
pied hy Gov. Winans was that of Congressman dur- 
ing the Forty-eighth and Fort3'-ninth Congresses, 
representing the Sixth District. It was always his 
lot to be nominated for office when the Democratic 
party was decidedly in the minority, but such were 
his personal characteristics and his reputation as 
one interested in the welfare of that great class, 
the farmers, that in every case he made a successful 
race. When he was put up for Congress the oppo- 
sition had a majority in the district of three thou- 
sand votes, but he was elected by a plurality of 
thirty. While in Congress he took an active part 
in all measures tending to the public good and 
served on the Committees on Agriculture and Pen- 
sions. In the fall of 1891 his name headed the 
Democratic ticket and he was elected Governor of 
the State. 

In his private life Gov. Winans has been as ex- 
emplary as in his public career he has been useful 
and influential. He is a consistent member of the 
Episcopal Church and in his religious faith and 
practice has the close sympathy of his wife, who 
belongs to the same society. His marriage was 
solemnized in Hamburg, Livingston Count}', in 
1855, his bride being Miss Elizabeth Galloway, who 



was born and reared on the farm she still calls home, 
as it was bought of her father by Gov. Winans. 
She is a daughter of George and Susan (Haight) 
Galloway, who are numbered among the early 
settlers of Livingston County, whither they came 
from New York. She is an educated, refined woman, 
whose mental attainments and social qualities fit 
her for the position which she occupies as hostess 
of tlie Gubernatorial mansion. Governor and Mrs. 
Winans have two sons, George G , who is now act- 
ing as his father's private secretary, and Edwin B., 
Jr., a graduate of West Point. 

Gov. Winans has in former years shown himself 
capable of close application to the duties which lay 
before him, and his judicious decisions and wise 
course when attempting to bring about a worthy 
object, are well known to those who are acquainted 
with the history of the State. Although it is often 
said that it is scarcelj' safe to judge of a man until 
his career is closed, yet Gov. Winans has acted his 
part so well thus far in life that he is confidently 
expected to add to the credit that already belongs 
to the great commonwealth of Michigan, and which 
to a certain extent lies in the hands of those who 
have been and are its chief executives. Among his 
personal characteristics are those of a love of truth, 
justice and progress, and a cordial, kind!}' spirit 
which makes warm friends and stanch adherents. 












®1 




Clinton and Shiawassee Counties, 



MICHIGAN. 







pii^^^^ 








8l, 








int:"roduqt"ory.» 





^«4^^»s>^ 




^'J^'^3 

-^k"^^ 



]HE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people of this county to per- 
petuate the names of their 
pioneers, to furnish a record 
of their early settlement, 
and relate the story of their 
progress. The civilization of our 
day, the enlightenment of the age 
and the duly that men of the pres- 
ent time owe to their ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives 
and deeds should be made. In bio- 
graphical 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 whicli the names and actions of the 
{">eopie who contriljuted to raise this country from its 
|)riniitive state may be preserved. Surely and ra|)idly 
the great and aged men, who ni tlieir |)riine entered 
the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to their graves. The mnnber re- 
maining wlio can relate the incidents of the first days 
)f settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
actual necessity e.\ists for the collection and preser- 
vation of events without delay, before all the early 
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

'!"o be forgotten lias been tiie great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enougli, 
in spite of liieir iiest works and the most earnest 
elTorts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
their live-;. Tiie ine.ins employed to prevent oblivion 
and to ])er|)etuate their memory has been in propor- 
tion to the .unount of intelligence they possessed. 
'I'h : pyranii'ls of Kgv pt were luiilt to perpetuate the 
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- 
mations m.ide by the archeologists of Egy|)t from 
buried Menphis indicate a desire of those people 



to perpetuate the memory of their achievements. 
The erection of the great obelisks were for the same 
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the 
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their 
great achievements and carry them down the ages. 
It ii also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling 
up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea — 
to leave something to show that they had lived. All 
these works, though many of them costly in the ex- 
treme, give but a faint idea of tlie lives and charac- 
ters of those whose memory they were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of 
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
a full history — immutaijle in that it is almost un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action; and 
this is tiirougli the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. By this system every man, though 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical man is left. The monument which his chil- 
d.cn or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme- 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to 
wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
tliem are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to 
i)ul)lish to the world the history of those whose livei" 
are unworthy of public record. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



191 




-♦ ^»*<^ 



lOBERT M. STEEL. The very name of 
Robert M. Steel inspires the people of 
iii \y Clinton County with admiration at Ills suc- 
^P eess. He is the most extensive property 
owner and the wealthiest man of the county, and 
the present l)usiness prosperity of St. .John's is due 
to liim more largely tlian to any other man who 
has lived iiere. He iias large interests on the 
Pacilic Coast and his name is known in many 
parts of tiie United States, as he lias had large con- 
tracts in raih'oad and bridge-buiiding work and has 
won many a bloodless victory over opposing ele- 
ments and material forces. It lias been well said 
tliat •' peace lias its victories as well as war " and 
Mr. Steel, when affairs are viewed in this light, is 
fully as deserving of praise as those who have led 
hosts to victory on bloody battle-lields. 

Mr. Steel, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, 
is of Scotch parentage, his direct progenitors havi-ig 
come to America in 1830. Tiicy settled in \vr- 
mont, where the father, William Steel, was engaged 
in contracting and building. In Craftsbury, tiiat 
.State, he of whom we write was born October "21, 
1833. He received an academic education in his 
native State and after having olHaincd u thorough 
training as a carpenter and joiner fmm his father, 
he went to Toronto when of age and was employed 
ns time-keeper on the Grand Trunk Riiilroad, 



After t\vo months he was appointed foreman on 
the road that was building between Toronto and 
Sarnia and held the [jo-'^ition fifteen months. He 
then entered into partnership with his (Mnployers — 
Messrs. Hayden & Ross, who had taken a contract 
to lay the superstructure on the Detroit & Mil- 
waui<ee Road. In 1856 he removed to St. .lolin's, 
as the most convenient point from which to carr^' 
on his work. The contract was completed in tiie 
fall of 1858 and the next year be took one to Ia3' 
the superstruclion on the Grand Trunk from 
Detroit to Port Huron. At the same time he was 
interested with W. A. Stearn it Co., in building a 
road from Three Rivers, Canada, to Arlhaska, a 
distance of thirty-eight miles. Both contracts 
were completed in December, 1859. 

In September, 18(;2. Mr. .Steel with his former 
partner, Mr. Ross, entered into a contract under 
the firm name of Ross, Steel it Co., to build the 
Kansas Pacilic Railroad of three hundred and sixty 
miles. The firm had one hundred miles located and 
twenty-five miles giaded when the company dis- 
posed of their franchise to Mr. Samuel llallct and .1. 
C. Fremont. Mr. Steel then entered into parlncr- 
shi[) with I'^llithorpe it Adams, under Ihelirni name 
of Ellithor()c, A<lams it Steel, and engaged in build- 
ing stone bridges, etc., for the city of Leavenworth. 
He subsequently rebuilt the Hannibal it St. ,Ioe 



192 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Railioad, in whk-li work lie was engaged until 
December, 1869. In 1867 be made an individual 
contract with James F. .lu^- to build tlie accretions 
for tiie Union Depot for the Burlington & Missouri 
River and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- 
ro.ads in Burlington, Iowa. This contract was com- 
pleted in the fall of 1868, by working niglit and 
day. In 1870, Mr. Steel contracted to build ninety 
miles of the St. Louis & Southeastern Railroad, 
which was completed in November, 1871. The 
next January he took a contract to build the Cairo & 
Vincennes Road through two counties — a distance 
of one hundred and sixty-eight miles, with the cul- 
verts and bridges, and within the twelvemonlli the 
work was finished. 

In 1873, Mr. Steel contracted to build the super- 
sti-uctiou of forty miles on the Paducah i& Mem- 
phis Railroad and completed it in thirty-five days. 
In May, 187.5, Mr. George Masson of Toronto, 
Canada, made a contract to build seventy miles of 
railwaj' between the Great Western of Canada on 
the south and the AV^ellingion, Grey & Bruce on 
tke north, to be open for traffic, the following 
January. Mr. Steel became sub-contractor for 
thirty-five miles of this line, with fencing for the 
whole, this necessitating a post and board fence one 
hundred and forty miles long. He completed his 
contract and it was declared satisfactory in every 
particular and he was congratulated by Mr. Masson, 
the chief engineer. Besides his extensive railroad 
contracts, Mr. Steel was connected with the Govern- 
ment work at Chicago, Calumet, Ludington, Man- 
istee and Frankfort. 

Mr. Steel was the originator of the St. John's 
Manufacturing Comjiany, is the principal stock- 
holder and President. He is a Director and holds 
the largest individual interest in both the St. John's 
National and Clinton County Savings Banks of St. 
John. He is President of the Whijiple Harrow 
Company of St. John, the St. John's Evaporator it 
Produce Companj', Electric Light, Heat &■ Power 
Company, an<l Mutual Gas Company of St. John. 
He is a partner in the retail furniture establishment 
of R. M. Steel & Co., of which D. G. Steel, repre- 
sented in this work, is manager. He also has an 
interest in the hardware firm of Nixon & Co. and 
in the millinery firm of J. T, Cole (Sj Co. He is 



Piesident of the St. John's Mercantile Company. 
In 1887 he ouilt the Steel Hotel in St. John's at a 
cost of *0.5,000. which is not only a credit to the 
city but is one of the finest hotel biiil;tings in the 
State. He h.as valuable real estate interests here, 
owning about one-sixth of the town site and a valu- 
able improved farm of three hundred acres within 
the corporate limits. He also has farm lands in 
different parts of the county and State. 

Mr. Steel has still larger interests in the West 
than here. In 1879 he began contracting on the 
coast and thus became interested in different enter- 
prises. He owns a stock ranch in Oregon where 
he has from eight hundred to one thousand head 
of horses, imported and graded, and on the coast 
the half circle A brand is well known. He has also 
an individual lialf of the town site at Huntington, 
Ore., and with his son George is largely interested 
in the Island City jMevcanlile and Milling Comi)an}' 
and has a controlling interest in four or five stores 
and two tlouring mills there. They also own the 
town site of Uillguard and have stores there. Mr_ 
Steel also owns a one-fourth interest in six valu- 
able co))i)er mines, several ()lacer mines (gold) and 
a large mining ditch in Idaho. He is a stock- 
holder in the Merchants' National Bank in Port- 
land and is interested in other banks in the State, 
being President of the First National in Island 
City, the Wallona National of Enterprise and the 
La Grande National of La Grande, and Vice-Presi 
dent of the First National of Union. 

Three thousand acres of land in Gratiot County' 
and an equal amount in Isabella County are in- 
cluded in the real-estate holdings of Mr. Steel. 
He is President of the First National Banks of 
Ovid, Mt. Pleasant, St. Louis and Itlmca, and of the 
Mt. Pleasant Manufacturing Comi)any and Ithaca 
Milling Company. Notwithstanding his extensive 
business interests, which to an ordinary individual 
would be more than sufficient to occupy every 
moment, ho finds time to enjoy the intercourse of 
one of the most prominent social orders and is a 
Knight Templar of St. John's Commander}'. He 
also keeps well informed regarding the events that 
are transpiring, the discoveries that are being 
made and the improvements that are taking place 
in science and art, and studies the political question 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



i;t3 



tliorougblj'. He votes tbe Kepul)lican ticket. In 
1848 he spent a year abroad, visiting England, 
Ireland and Scotland. He was married Mart'li 13, 
1860, to Miss Carrie A. Hyatt, daughter of James 
M. Hyatt of New York, and lias three children. 



■<rM^'^:- 



1^^ US. HANNAH MARSHALL, a venerable 
/// \\\ and esteemed resident of Greenbush Town- 
I 1ft ship, Clinton County, is a native of Huron 
*' County, Ohio, and was born November 7. 

1829. She is a daughter of William W. and Nancy 
(Strong) Watros. Her parents were natives of 
New York, and her father served as a soldier in 
the War of 1812. Of their children the following 
survive: .Joseph who resides in Norwalk, Ohio; 
Franklin a resident of New London, Ohio; Mary, 
Mrs. Hi.iraan, now a widow of Huron County, 
Ohio; Washington, in Norwalk, Ohio; Mrs. Mar- 
shall; Wealthy, in Eaton Count}'; Hester A., wife 
of J. Reynolds of Huron County, Ohio. 

Mrs. Marshall's early home and training were in 
Huron County, Ohio, and there after taking her 
education in the district schools, she prepared for 
teaching, which work she carried on for some three 
(erms. She was then married October 7, 18.52, to 
Henr}' S. Marshall, who was born in Westchester 
County, N. Y., in 1827. This gentleman was a son 
of Seth and Phijcbe Marshall, and he emigrated lo 
Ohio when a young man and was there married. 
His childhood and youth received the benefit of 
the usual advantages which were tlien offered to 
the young, but the greater part of his education 
has been what he has acquired himself. 

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall lliore 
were born six children, five of whom are living. 
namely: George, Frank, Lewie, Almira M. (a teacher 
in Clinton County) and Denton. The parents of 
this household emigrated to Clinton County, this 
State in 18G0, and coming to Greenbush Townsiili), 
Gnally settled upon ihe farm where the widow now 
resides. Mr. Marshall was a hard working and in- 
dustrious man, and by his own efforts, aided by his 
boys, he made his farm what it is to-day. lie 



started in life empty handed and accuuuilatcd a 
handsome property, all the result of his life work. 
He was n kind and affectionate husband and father 
and his death was an irreparable loss to his house 
hold. His fellow-citizens also felt the blow, as by 
his death they lost a jniblic spirited and enterpiis- 
ing man from their midst. He was one who en- 
joyed the universal confidence and esteem of h's 
fellow-men. He was a Rei)ul)lican in politics and 
deeply' interested in all movements which look to 
the [)rogre8sof the county in either social or public 
ways and was well known for his honesty and in- 
tegrity, being esteemed ''a man among men." He 
died February 14, 1880. 

Mrs. Marshall still resides on the home farm and 
owns one-third interest in the estate of eighty 
acres. Her husband was a soldier in the Civil War 
and received his honorable discharge before the 
date of expiration of his service, on account of a 
wound which he received in the Battle of the 
Wilderness. Mrs. Marsiiall is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Chun-ii and iier naturally fine 
qualities and Christian character command the 
esteem of all who know licr. 



OHN A. W^ATSON. Prominent among in- 
telligent and prosperous stock-raisers and 
well known in political circles of Clinton 
County, is the gentlemen whose name ap- 
pears at the head of this sketch. Ills beautiful 
farm with its elegant improvements forms one of 
the most attractive features of Duplain Township, 
and the fine grades of stock which he raises, at- 
tract the attention of every intelligent visitor. He 
was born in the township where he now presides, 
July 21, 1844. His parents, William B. and ll;ir- 
riet F. (Faxon) Watson, were born, the foiiiu^r in 
Bucks County, Pa., and the latter in Batavia. (ii'iic- 
see County, N. Y. His superior parentagt? :ind 
home training were of intestimable value lo the 
youth, who was thus given a preparation in life 
superior to that of most of his comrades In the 
West. 

The father of our subject was by piofession a 



194 



rORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



physician and a graduate of the University of 
Pennsylvania, who came to Michigan in the fall of 
183y and located on the place where his son now 
resides near the center of Duplain Townshi(). A 
select school education was given the boy as well as 
good practical business training. His mother was 
a graduate of Le Roy Seminary, at Le Roy, N. Y. 
and she gave him careful instruction in his early 
life, for which she was well adapted, as she had 
been a teacher before her marriage. His early life 
was [)assed on the old liome^tead and when his 
father died, August 20, 1871, he took charge of 
the estate and properly and carried it on suc- 
cessfully. 

Having now reached the years of maturity, Mr. 
Watson sought a companion togovvith him through 
life and on April 19, 187G, he entered into the 
matrimonial slate with Lizzie Webb of Walerbury, 
Conn. Her father William Webb is the well-known 
manufacturer of brass goods, the head of the 
business known as the American Cap and Flask 
Company. One child, a son^William B.^ — who 
was born .lanuarj' 19, 1883, is the fruit of this 
union. He is at home with his parents at whose 
hands he is receiving the education suited to his 
years, and his future is one of the great promise. 

Mr. Watson has a place of four hundred acres, 
mostly under cultivation, upon which he and his 
father made the clearing and placed the improve- 
ments. Three hundred acres of this is under the 
plow and the houses and barns are both handsome 
and spacious, and show the hand of a thorough and 
systematic farmer. Besides cultivating a large 
share of his land he is a large breeder of sheep, 
making a specialtj' of fine wool sheep. He breeds 
Clydesdale horses and Short- horn cattle and also 
raises large crops of wheal. He has a sugar camp of 
about one thousand hard maples from which he 
makes a great quantity of maple sugar and more 
largely manufactures maple syrup. 

The |)olitical atHliations of this gentleman are 
Willi the Republican party and he has always been 
actively engaged in forwarding its interests. He is 
generally conspicuous as a delegate at the various 
county and Stale conventions where his opinion 
has great weight and his judgment is respected. 
He is a member of the Stock and Wool Growers 



Association and is identified with the Masonic 
order. lie is a man of broad experience and has 
not been contented to sit down at his own fireside 
and know lillle or nothing of what is going on in 
the world about him. He has spent a good deal 
of time in traveling and has visited many parts of 
our country being familiar with the prominent 
cities and points of interest both in the East and 
the West. In his earl}' days in Clinton County he 
was familiar wilh the Indians and found among 
them the playmates of his childhood. He looks 
back with interest to those ])ioneer days and feels 
that that experience was one of the many which 
have enriched his life. 



• ' *3- 



E^ 




s^\ ELDEN S. MINER, one of the most 
|)opuIar citizens of Corunna City, and the 
prosecuting attorney for Shiawassee 
County, was born in Osceola, Livingston 
County, this .Stale. His father, Ezra, was a native 
of Steuben County, N. Y., and his father's father, 
also Ezra by name, was born in Connecticut, and 
took i)nrt in the War of 1812. He was a sailor on 
the high seas for twenty years and then settled on 
a farm in New York which he improved and culti- 
vated. He came to Michigan in his later days, to 
spend them willi his son at Osceola and died at the 
age of eighty years. The father of this aged 
gentleman was Seth Miner, a native of Connecticut 
and a Revolutionary soldier who was taken prisoner 
early in the War and was in prison six years. 
Being thus lost to his famil}' for so long thej* be- 
lieved him dead and his brothers took possession 
of his propert}'. 

The father of our subject was a farmer, who 
came to Michigan in 183G when he was twenty-one 
years old and located in Ilarlland Township, 
Livingston County, where he bought unimproved 
land and devoted himself to his cultivation. At 
different times he resided in Cohocta and Conway 
and now lives in Handy, Livingston County. He 
has been a large landowner and is a public-spirited 
man. His wife bore the maiden name of Annie 
M, Skidmore. She was born near Springwater, 



PORTRAIT AND 15IOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



195 



Livingston Coiintj-. N. Y., and is the daughter of 
Benjamin Skidmore, a faimor in that county, and 
afterward an early settler in Lapeer Coiintv, to 
ivhich lie came in 1836. lie followed farming 
there and afterward in Livingston County, and 
died at the very advanced of ninety-two years, lie 
was a soldier in the War of 1812. 

Of the seven children of the parental family our 
suliject is the lifth, being born June 5. 1851. His 
mother who is still living at the age of sixty-live 
i'ears is a devout member of the Church of the 
United Brethren. This son grew n|) in Coliocla 
and Conwa}" Townships, in Livingston Count^^, till 
he reached the age of seventeen j'ears, having had 
the advantages of the common district schools. 
When seventeen years old he came to Corunna 
with his parents and entered the high school, where 
he graduated in 1875 after which he engaged in 
teaching for three terms. He began the study of 
law under a preceptor and in the fall of 1876, 
entered the Department of Law of the University 
of Michigan, taking work also under Judge Kinney 
of Ann Arbor. In 1878 he took examination be- 
fore the Michigan Supreme Court at Lansing and 
was admitted to the bar of the State. 

The young lawyer now began practice, May 3, 
1878, at Corunna, where he has continued ever 
since, with the exception of the j'ear which he 
spent at Flushing. At the time he went to that 
citj' he resigned his offlce of Circuit Court Com- 
missioner and in the fall of 1880 he was re-elected 
to that position for two years. In 1888 he re- 
ceived twelve hundred majority over his opponent 
in the contest for the ollice of Prosecuting Attornej' 
for .Shiawassee County-, and was re-elected to the 
same office in 1890, by a large majority, even con- 
sidering the famous land slide of Republican votes 
to the Democratic ticket. Besides his profes- 
sional and official duties be has had some con- 
siderable dealings in real estate. 

June 5, 1879, was the wedding day of Selden S. 
Jliner and Kilie Junes, the daughter of Charles 
Jones, a teacher and a native of Wjishtena Count3', 
who was doubly ori)haned while still a little child. 
The marriage took place at Bancroft, Shiawassee 
County. Four children have resulted from this 
union, namely: Wilman, Maude, Harold and Leon. 



Mr. Miner has served the city of Corunna as 
Mayor one term and Supervisor of the Second 
Ward for three terms and is President of the 
Sciiool Board. He is identified with several of the 
social orders, is a Mason — having attained the de- 
gree of Royal Arch Mason, and a member of tlu; 
Knights of the Maccabees. His enterprise and 
public spirit make him a prominent man in Re- 
publican circles, and lie is always a delegate to the 
county Conventions and generally to those of the 
Slate. 




ON. ROWLAND S. VAN SCOV, deceased, 
a pioneer and an honored citizen of Clin- 
ton County for more than fifty years, was 
^; born in the town of Kent, Dulcliess County, 
N. Y., November 22, 1811. Ilia father, Rowland 
Van Scoy, was probably a native of New York and 
served in the War of 1812 and died of camp fever 
soon after the expiration of his service, at the age 
of twenty four years. The grandfather of our 
subject was a wealthy farmer in the Km[)ire State, 
whose ancestors were from Holland. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Rachael Drew, a native of New York and a rel- 
ative of the late Daniel Drew, who became many 
times a millionaire through his speculations on 
Wall Street. By her first husband she was the 
mother of two sons and a daughter, onl3' one of 
whom, Isaac Van Sco}', of Cayuga Countj', N. Y., 
survives. She re-nnrried and had nine children by 
her second husband. Her death occurred a few 
years ago at the ripe old age of ninety-one years. 

Mr. Van Scoy was born three months after his 
father's death, at the home of his grandfather, with 
whom he lived until old enough to look out for 
himself. His education was obtained in the com- 
mon district schools of his day. He was an apt 
pupil and an industrious student and gained sulli- 
cienl knowledge to enable him to teach school. 
His efforts in this direction weie successful and he 
found no trouble in getting employment as a 
teacher. He taught six terms in all. Wlien In; 
was thirteen years old he hired out for nine months, 
at $3 a month, to work on a farm. He fulfilled the 



196 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



contract to the letter and saved every cent of the 
|t27 thus earned. He coiitiiuied tu work out dur- 
ing summers and atlendod scbool during winters 
until he was aljle to teach. 

Mr. Van Scoy was united in maniagc Septem- 
ber I'J, 183!). witii Miss Ruth liisseli, wlio was a 
native of New York State and born in 1814. In 
April, 1839, soon after his marriage, he came West 
and pushed into tiie wild forests of Michigan, lo- 
cating in De Witt Township, Clinton County, 
where he purchased eighty acres of land from the 
Government. He was the first to locate in that 
part of the county and ids neighbors for a time were 
few and far between. He located not far from 
where Lansing, the then unthought of capital of 
the State, now stands. For three years after his 
settlement there he had purchased all iiis groceries 
and necessaries of life in Detroit. lie cut his way 
through the forest to where he located and built a 
small shanty whicli he afterward replaced with a 
comfortable log house. 

This young man had just enough mone}- to pay for 
the land he purchased at aljout ^3 an acre. His team 
consisted of a 3oke of oxen which he bought in De- 
troit and he made most of his household furniture. 
The forests abounded in wihl game but he found 
no time for hunting. His mind was occupied with 
matters that were destined to largely- determine his 
future. Our subject aimed to clear ten acres of 
land each year in addition to what he sometimes 
hired done. His cows pastured in the great forest 
surrounding his home and many a time, wlule huni- 
ing for them in the evening, he lost his way and 
on one occasion he failed to find his way and was 
obliged to sleep in the woods over night. He pur- 
chased more land as soon as his means would per- 
mit, as be always made it a rule not to purchase 
land until he was able to pay half the purchase 
money in cash. His specialty was raising wheat, 
which he sold to make payments on his land, and 
by adding to his possessions from time to time, he 
l)ecame the possessor of four hundred acres, which 
he cleared and brought to a high state of cultiva- 
tion. 

Mrs. Van .Scoy died February 9. 18.')-2. She was 
a woman of strong religious convictions and a 
member of the Baptist Church. The union resulted 



in the birth of two children, namely : Rachael, now 
Mrs. McPherson and the mother of two sons, who 
was born June 29, 1840, and is living ne.ir her 
father, and Caroline, born September 23. 1M2. 
She is the wife of William Heck, a wealthy and 
prominent farmer of Essex Township. Mr. \nn 
Scoy contracted a second marriage with Angeline 
Bisscll, which was celebrated Ma}' 6, 1852. She 
survives him and lives in a bea\iliful home left I)}' 
her husband. 

In the spring of 1854 Rowland S. Van 8003' dis- 
posed of his farm in De Witt Township and re- 
moved to Essex Township, where he purchased one 
hundred acres on section 9, being a part of what 
was known as Benedict's Plains. During the fall 
he made another inirciiase and the following year 
another, and so on from time to time until he 
owned one of the finest and most productive tracts 
of land to Ite found anywhere in this or any other 
section of the State. This magnificent estate com- 
prises nearly nineteen hundred acres of land, 
equipped with all the modern improvements. His 
late residence is one of the most attractive and im- 
posing in the count\ . His barns and other out- 
buildings are 01 a substantial character and always 
kept in the best repair. 

Mr. Van Scoy died October 14, 1890. in the sev- 
enty' -sixth year of his age. He was during his en- 
tire life an active, energetic man. Early in life he 
united with the Presbyterian Church, but later, 
there being no church of his first choice, he at- 
tended all churches and gave liberally of his means 
toward the su|)port of the Gospel. He was also a 
cheerful and liberal giver to all benevolent causes 
of worthy character and he was especially kind to 
the poor. He was truh' a just man and did what 
he believed to be right at all times and under all 
circumstances. Politically he was a Republican 
an<l held various oflices of responsibility' and trust. 
He was Supervisor of lOssex Township many years 
and also of De Witt Township while a resident 
there. He served as Justice of the Peace and filled 
other local odices with entire satisfaction. 

Mr. \'an Scoy represented his district in the 
State Legislature from 1871 to 1875, being re- 
elected in 1873. During his terras as Representa- 
tive he was always found in his seat in the legisla- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAniJCAL ALBUM. 



197 



live halls, ready for the business uf llie hour. 
One of his rules of life was (jrotuptness uiid he w:is 
never known to shirk a (lul3'. Socially he was a 
momher of the Masonic and (Jranuje fraternities 
lie took an active inleresl in the success of the lat 
ter and lectured frequently for the order. He 
was Sl.aster of the local Granuje for ten years con- 
tinuously and was recruiting ollicer at the time of 
his death. lie was a self-made man, a great reader^ 
and possessed a broad knowledge of the leading is- 
sues of the day. 

About ten years ago this gentleman purchaseil 
the bank at Maple Rapids and conducted that in- 
stitution upon a safe and sound l)asis until his 
death. IIi' was truly a farmer by occu|ialiou but 
he was an able linaneier as well and was regarded 
with the utmost confidence and esteem by all who 
knew him. lie was a man of the strictest integ- 
rity and always m.adt- liis word as good as his bond. 
Mr. Van Scoy's estate is valued at about |il;)0,On(). 
the result of iiis life's labors. He accumulated it 
slowly by honest toil. He was strictly lem|ierate 
in all things and regular in his hal)ils <jf life. His 
success was due to his sound morals and close ap- 
plication lo business and as an e\aiiii)le is well 
worthy of emulation. 



H, 



W;^ILLIAM .lOHN MURl'HY. The gentle- 
man of whom we write and who was born, 
^ „ August 27, 1857, in Oakland County, this 
State owns a very fine farm on section IG, Owosso 
Township. He is the third child in a family of 
five. His father, John Murphj'. deceased, was born 
August 15, 182G, at The Spring, County Wexford, 
Ireland, and was married at Templeton, the same 
county, Febru.ary 8, 1852, to Miss Mary Breen, who 
survives him and who was also born in County 
Wexford August 31, 1827. She was the d.-iugliter 
of Morris and Marj* (Lcary) Breen. 

The spring of 1852 was a severe one in Ireland, 
the crops having failed the previous year and many 
people really suffering for the barest necessities of 
life. Thousands emigrated from the Hmerald Isle 
to a land that promised them both freedom and 



plenty and among the many came the (.arents of 
our subject. They settled in Oakland County, this 
State, near Orchard Lake where the father earned 
his living as a laborer for four years when the 
family removed to Shiawassee County, securing the 
land which afterward became their home. In the 
spring of 1856 our subject's father bouglit cighly 
acres in company wiih his wife's brother, James 
Breen and soon after bought the entire amount. 
Her brother was killed at Detroit, where he had 
been an engineer for the I'nion Kerry Company 
from Detroit to Windsor; he was killed instantlj-. 
Kighly and one-half acres have since been added 
to the number of acres first purchased. 

In his earlier days our subject's father spent 
much of the time on liie water as a coaster and 
fisheimau, their home in County Wexford l)eing 
directly (>n the coast. After a sickness covering 
about three years Mr. Murphy died Novend)er 1, 
1887. He was highly resi)eeled and deei)ly lamented. 
He was a iKiiil-working man and made a most at- 
tractive lionie for his family with first class im- 
provements. He left quite a family whose names 
are as follows: James, who died at the .age of 
twenty-seven of consumption, worked at home on 
the farm until tlie List; .Mary Kllen, William John, 
Julia Ann and Katie who died in infancy. Mar}' 
Ellen married Lawrence Terrill and died at An- 
trim, Shiawassee County, this State, February 20, 
1891. Julia married Patrick Rurns of Sciota 
Township, Shiawassee County and died Mav 17, 
1889, only two weeks after her marriage, while on 
her wedding journey. Our subject has had charge 
of the farm on which he lives for a number of 
years. His father's sickness incapacitated him 
from all care for three years before liis death. 

Jlr. Murjjhy w-as married April 24, 1888, lo 
Miss Maii;gie Maroney, daughter of Edward and 
Joana Maroney. One little child, a bright boy of 
two years of age, named John, gladdens their 
household. William Murphy- as well :is his father, 
is an ardent Democrat. They are members of the 
Catholic Church. .'\Ir. Mur()h}' is a pushing, vigor- 
ous farmer and stands high in the community as a 
man of intelligence and abilitj'. His mother bears 
the loss of nearly all her family with resignation 
and is one of the class of noble women who have 



198 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



done so much, enduring hardships and privations 
incident to early settlement without a murmur and 
who deserves great credit and praise for her devo- 
tion and attention. 



-•j:^- 



<;fjOHN E. JAYNE, druggist at DeWitt, Clin- 
ton County, and proprietor of the Universal 
Heave Remedj', was born in Jackson Count}', 
this State, June 15, 1840. Henry Jayne, 
the father of this gentleman, was born in New York 
State in 180G and the grandfatlier, Samuel, of 
Scot';h-Irish descent was born in New Jersey. He 
was a farmer and a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War and our subject has in his possession the gun 
which this ancestor carried through the period of 
conflict. He removed to New York State about 
tlie year 1800 and died there at the age of ninety 
si.K years. The father of our subject was reared 
upon this New York farm and came to Michigan 
in 1836, traveling by water to Detroit, where he 
bouglit a yoke of oxen and followed the Indian 
trails to Jackson County. 

Here Mr. J.a3-ne was one of the first pioneers, 
and took a farm of one hundred and forty acres 
from the Government. He built a log cabin and 
cleared up the farm and after living on it for twenty- 
five years, sold it and established a general store 
and afterward a drug store at Grass Lake. He 
came to DeWitt in 1866 and established a grocery 
store, but devoted himself a part of the time to 
farming. He also was in business in Lansing for 
some time and now having retired from active 
life, lives with his daughter, Mrs. Lawrence. He 
is a Democrat in his political views. 

Mrs. Jayne bore the maiden name of .Sarah John- 
son and she w.as born in Yates Count}-, N. Y., in 
I.SIO. Of her five children three grew to matur- 
ity, namely: Elizabeth, (Mrs. Halbert) ; John, and 
Ella, (Mrs. Lawrence). .She has ever taken an 
active interest in church matters, having been a 
member of the Congregational Church for forty- 
five years. Her father, born in New Jersey, re- 
moved to a farm in New York in early life, and 
came to Washtenaw County in 1836. He took up 



a farm there of two hundred and forty acres and 
operated the first sawmill in the county, dying there 
at fifty-nine years of age. He had reared twelve 
children and was of (Jerman descent. 

The subject of this sketch remained upon the 
farm until he was twelve years old and attended 
the pioneer schools, which were furnished with 
slab benches having pin legs. When twelve 3'ears 
old he moved into the vilhige of Grass Lake and 
attended school the^'e and also at Lvoui. When he 
was eighteen years old he entered the telegrapli 
office and learned thai art. He worked as operator 
at different |)laces along llie Michigan Central R lil- 
waj' and also on the Alton and St. Louis Railway 
and on the Illinois Central. 

When the war broke out young Ja3ne hired him- 
self to the Government as operator under Capt. 
Bruch, and was sent to Stanford. Kj'., and then 
sent out on a raiding party lo take the dispatches 
sent Ijy the rebels. He tapped the rebel telegraph 
lines, took their messages and goini; to Knoxville, 
Tenn., became detacliecl from his nic!i liy Uie rebels 
in an encounter, and had to walk nil the way back 
lo Kentucky, traveling entirely liy niglit. He had 
only two and one-half biscuits as rations for four 
days and three nights, and the journey lasted for 
eigliteon days, during which he saw other hard 
times and came near starving. After this experi- 
ence he was laid up with the tj'phoid fever for six 
weeks and he was taken home by his father and 
wife. After recovering his health he returned to 
Lebanon Junction, Ky., and remained there for 
two years in the (iovcrnnient employ. 

During his service in Kentucky Jlr. .laync had 
some hair-ljreadth cscajies. At one time while his 
wife was spending some time with him the tele- 
graph otHce was attacked b}' a force of guerrillas. 
He hastily secreted himself in the attic and [luUed 
up the ladder after hira. The guerrillas could not 
find him, but finding his wife ordered her to reveal 
his whereabouts, drawing revolvers upon her where 
she stood. She told them that he had lle<l. 'i'hcy 
fired many shots into the attic, but he protected 
himself behind a brick cliimnry. Another episode 
was when he was riding a mule and he jumped 
from its back and ran into the woods and escaped 
the rebels who were after him. At another lime at 



UORTEAIT AND BIOC-RAPHICAL ALBUM. 



199 




Knosville he had his horse sliot from under him | 
and ran for two miles under fire but was not 
touched. 

After the war Mr. Jaync farmed in DeWitt 
Township for several 3'ears and carried on dealings 
in real-estate, after which he came to the village 
and ran a general merchandise store for three years, 
and then bought out his father's drug store. Ilis 
patent horse medicine called the Universal Heave 
Remedy is a remarkable remedial agency which is 
good for man and beast. It is a comiiound from 
sixteen ingredients and he has sold and is now 
selling great quantities of it. 

The marriage of our subject on Christmas Daj', 
1861, united him with Elizabeth M. Parks, who 
was born in LooniTownship, .Tackson County, Mich., 
May 4. 1830. Their two children, Lottie K. and 
Gertie B. are botli at home. He is a Democrat in 
his political views anil for four years tilled the 
ollice of Dei)uty .Sjioiiff un<ler Mr. Collins. He is 
a member of the Masonic order having joined it 
at Eii/.ibcthtown, Ky., dining the war. and also 
belongs to the Chapter and Conuuander^- at Lansing. 
He was one of tiie organizers of the Lodge here 
and helped to build the iiall wliicli belongs to the 
order. He owns his frame store and owes no man 
a dollar. He has eight}' acres of land in Dakota, 
and eighty-four acres in Cheboygan County, Mich. 



'iRCHIBALD C. COOPEK. The original 
(@SI of this sketch w.as born March 12, 1809, in 
l4i Wa.shington County-, N. Y. His parents 
were George and Susan(Hamilton) Cooper. 
The former was from Ireland and the latter of 
Scotch birth and parent.age. Both were brought to 
America when children. Jane Serepta Castle, the 
wife of our subject, was born near Rochester. Mon- 
roe County, N. Y., May 24, 1820, and was married 
to Archibald Cooper, May 12, 1842, in Benning- 
ton Township. JNIr. Cooper came to Shiawassee 
County in 1840, having come from Waterford, 
Oakland County. He had lived in Michigan one 
year before. He w:is a carpenter by trade and 
worked at that in connection with his farm. He 



owned new land on section 1, Bennington Town- 
ship, having purchased two hundred and twenty- 
nine acres of Mr. Hunt, of Pontiac. His family 
have ever since lived on the farm. The death of 
the original of this sketch occurred August 10, 
1876. 

Mr. Cooper and wife made welcome to their home 
a large family. The eldest of these, Lemuel C, 
who lives in Bennington; Duane, in Caledonia; 
George Archibald who makes his home on the 
homestead; .lennj', who married Edwin O. Place, 
lives near Owosso; Delia, who is now Mrs. Pres- 
ton Reynolds and who resides in Shiawassee Town- 
ship; John who is still at the old homestead; Sabina 
who married William Lewis and resides in Shia- 
wassee Town9hii>; William, who is in Caledonia 
Township, and Mar}' Susan, now Mrs. C. .S. Wat- 
son, of Bancroft. The eldest of the family, Lem- 
uel C. Cooper, who owns a farm on section 2. 
Bennington Township, was born on the honiesttad 
on section 1, August 3, 18-13. Ilis parents, Arclii 
bald C. and Jane (Castle) Cooper, settled in Ben- 
nington, coining there from Pontiac. His mother 
is still living with her son John on the old home- 
stead. His father had previously married at the 
age of twenty-one a Miss Jane Conger who liied in 
Oakland County, leaving two children. They are 
Hamilton, who lives in Russell County, Kan., and 
Harriet, who is the widow of R. Holman, of 
Owosso. The second wife presented him with nine 
children, the elflest of whom was married April 
24, 1874, to Miss Sarah Beers, daughter of -Vbcl 
and Catherine (Banks) Beers. She was born Feb- 
ruary, 1818, in Connecticut. Mr. Cooper was a 
teacher, having taught from 1863 to 1871. l\lr. 
Cooper began to improve his present farm in 1867. 
Tlie original purchase was eighty acres, luit he has 
added to it from time to time until it now contains 
one hundred and thirty-three acres. Lemuel C, 
the present proprietor of the farm, is now engaged 
in breeding Short-horn cattle. His flock of sheep 
is also noted for being a very fine one. He also 
has many hogs. 

Mr. L. C. Cooper was Supervisor for a perit)d of 
nine years. He has held nearly all the oflices in 
the township during the past twenty-two years and 
is an iniportant factor in the community. He with 



200 



PORTRAIT AND BJOGRAFHICAL ALBUM. 



his wife Iiave a family of tbrec children — Frank L. 
who is sixteen yeavs of age, Katie M., fifteen and 
Gracie B., seven. In polilics Sir. Cooper is a Re- 
publican. Mrs. Cooper is a member of tlie Epis- 
copal Church. His farm is a very beautiful place, 
having upon it good buildings with all modern 
improvements. He is an intelligent man, inherit- 
ing tlie best qualities from a good old family. 




fc^lLLlAM WELHUSEN. Among the Ger- 
man-American citizens who are doing 
good work in Clinton County is the above 
named, who owns and operates a farm of 120 acres 
in Bingham Townsliii). The property lias been his 
home since his early childhood, when his parents 
emigrated from the Fatherland and took up tlieir 
residence here. He was reared to farm life, in 
which his father spent his days, and is one of the 
most intelligent and successful agriculturists in the 
vicinity. He seems to possess all the qualities 
necessary to secure prosperity in this line of work, 
being industrious, thrifty and observing, noting 
every change in the condition of the soil and in 
climatic influences, and quick to take advantage of 
e.ach. 

John Welhusen, father of our subject, crossed 
the Atlantic in 1862 and for four years made his 
home in Lockport, N. Y., working out by the 
month, lie then came to this State and became a 
permanent resident of Clinton County. For nine 
months after his arrival he worked for J. R. Hale, 
then bought a tract of unimproved land on section 
22, Bingham Township. He cut the first stick 
of timber from tlie forest that covered tlie land, 
and after iiuilding a log house continued the work 
of improvement. At the time of his decease, 
which occurred in 1878, when he was but forty- 
eight years old, he was the possessor of 120 acres 
and had his affairs on a sound Bnancial basis. He 
was a member of the Luliicran Cliurch, >/ith which 
his widow is connected. She bore the maiden 
name of Sophie Luver, and she also was born in 
the Fatherland. She has been devoted to her 



home and the inteiests of her family, and by her 
economy and prudence has done much toward ad- 
vancing their worldly affairs. She has two children 
William and Fredricka, the latter now the wife of 
John Luther. 

The subject of this biographical sketch was 
born in the northern part of Prussia, January 30, 
1860, aid was but two years old when his parents 
came to America. When old enough to begin his 
school life he entered the district school and con- 
tinued his studies until he was fourteen 3'ears old 
when he was laid up with a broken leg, caused by 
the kick of a horse. For several weeks he was 
confined to the house and when he recovered be 
was put to work on the farm. Since his father's 
death he has had charge of the estate, a part of 
which lias come into his possession. He was mar- 
ried November 19, 1884, to Bessie Sclineiderwind. 
formerly' of Wisconsin. His wife is an excellent 
housekeeper and an intelligent, kindly lady, who 
has many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Welliusen have 
two children — Elsie and Jessie, whose charming 
ways brighten the home. 

Although Mr. Welliusen had not a liberal school- 
ing, he has made such use of the avenues of infor- 
mation that are open to all progressive men that 
he is well informed on general topics, and particu- 
larly so on those in which he takes sjiecial interest 
by reason of the bent of his mind or their connec- 
tion with his work. In politics he is a sound Re- 
publican. He has been chosen Drain Commissioner 
of Bingham Township and is discharging the du- 
ties which belong to that office in a manner in- 
dicative of his desire for the improvement of the 
county and the increased prosperity of tiie cora- 
nmuitj'. 



%i 



INFIELD SAMUEL CARSON. The fine 
^/#/ farm on section 11, Owosso Township, 
^^p^ Shiawassee County, is owned and con- 
ducted by Mr. Carson, who was born May 16, 
1847, in Seneca County, Ohio. His parents were 
Henry and Agnes Rachel (Hamilton) Carson. The 
younger of their two sons, James Filson, died 
February 11, 1886. Our subject's father was a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



201 



native of Harrison County, Ohio, where he was 
born January 9, 1822. His i)arents were Col. 
Samuel and Elizabeth ( Willoutjhby) Carson and 
his fatiicr, great-grand father of our subject, was 
John Carson, a Revolutionary soldier. Col. Samuel 
Caison eomraaiided a regiment of riflemen from 
Ohio iu the War of 1812. About the j'ear 1S2C 
he moved to Seneca County, Ohio, then a frontier 
count}-, where he reared a family, of which our 
subject's father was the third child. The children 
are as follows: Robert, J. W., Hurrison H., Ann 
who (lied in Wisconsin, Oeorge who lives in 
SagMiaw County, Samuel, T. B., Hannah, Sarah 
and Margaret. Of these five are still living. 

The father of the gentleman whose name heads 
this sketch was married to Agnes Rachel Hamilton 
May 21, 1846, and in October, 1850 the family 
came to Michigan. They were married in Hardin 
Count}-, Ohio, where she h.ad been a seamstress. 
He was then in charge of a gang of men on the 
railwa}', supplying material and building trestles 
for bridges and overseeing the woodwork. In 
1850 lie purchased the land where his family now 
lives, three miles northwest of Owosso, and devoted 
much time to selling land. He showed great skill 
iu tracing the titles and original ownership of 
Government land, being a natural surveyor and 
woodman. Land-buyers estimated highly his 
knowledge of woodcraft and consulted him in re- 
gard to the amount of timber that could l)o taken 
off a tract of land. 

The childhood home of our subject was the 
headquarters for all new comers. Ills father was 
hospitable in the extreme, an almost necessary 
quality in those days when hotels were so few and 
far between. The old gentleman was formerly a 
Democrat but after the war he became a Repub- 
lican. At the very outset of the war he enlisted as 
Corporal In Company G, Third Michigan Cavalry, 
and was frequently given detailed service. On 
one occasion when the advance guard w.as about to 
be cut off from the main body of troops he volu- 
nteered to notify them to return, the command 
having taken a detour. After a hard ride of si.\ 
hours he succeeded in bringing them in but at the 
expense of killing his horse and injuring himself to 
such an extent that he never fully recovered, hav- 



ing suffered thereby partial paralysis of the hip. 
That he had stamina is proven by the fact that al- 
though he w.as suffering intensely, he did not leave 
the command for hospital attention. A pension 
was awarded him after his death. He served until 
June 9, 1865, when he was honorably discharged 
by general order. He participated in the battle at 
Corinth and was one of the regiment of scouts 
under Col. J. K. Misner under whom T. \'. Quack- 
enbush w.is Captain. 

After the war Mr. Carson took an active [)art in 
political campaigns and was frequently called upon 
to make stump speeches which were always effec- 
tive because of his originality and gift of language. 
He was a member of the Methodist Church of 
which body he was an ordained Elder. At an earl}' 
period after coming to the State he was licensed to 
exhort and conducted services at the log meeting 
houses that dotted the countryside. He was a 
zealous worker in ever thing relating to the Church. 
The honor was paid him of being made Chaplain 
of the Grand Army Post, and he enjoyed the plea- 
sure of attending the Post on February 23, 1887, 
at meeting of the G. A. R. which was held in 
Owosso at which time a tremendous storm burst 
over the cit}' terrifying and bewildering the many 
people who had convened to be present at the Post 
meeting. On his way home the road being w.ashed 
by the river which had overflowed, Mr. Carson's 
horse went over the bank almost in front of his 
own house. His wife being alarmed by his non- 
a))i)earance, sent her son to seek for him, but his 
body was not found until eight days after the storm 
when the ice vvas broken by dynamite and a short 
distance below the house the horse and bugg)' 
were found,and the body about sevent}' rods farth- 
er down under a block of Ice that had been over- 
looked. His obsequies were conducted b}' (^\iack- 
enbush Post of Owosso and be wf.s buried at Oak 
Grove cemetery. 

Our subject was married December K?, 1868 to 
Miss Emily Owen, who was born in l^icking County, 
Ohio. Her i)arents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Night- 
sir) Owen were both from New Jersey. They 
originally settled in Clinton County in 1856 and 
18G3 came to Owosso Township where her jiareuts 
died within two weeks of each other at quite an 



202 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Carson have a very 
interesting family. Their names are Inez L., who 
is twenty-one years of age; Wilbur H., nineteen; 
Lena Agnes fifteen; Libby Edna, thirteen. Inez 
was graduated with honors at tlie Owosso High 
Scliool where all the children are students. Mr. 
Carson has had entire charge of the f.arm which he 
own.'i for sixteen years. It consists of one hundred 
twenty acres of good, arable land, the greater part 
of it under a high state of cultivation. 

Our subject has been prominently connected 
with educational matters in his vicinity, having 
been three j'ears elected to the Board of Education. 
Although a Republican in politics, Mr. Carson is 
strongl}' in sympath}' with the Prohibitionists. He 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
His great interest in educational matters and his 
effects to secure better facilities for the district 
schools in the county are evinced by the many 
papers which he has written on the subject and 
which are widely current in this State. 




home 
Mich. 



f/:._^ ON. SAMUEL S. WALKEH, the organizer 
*^ and Chairman of the Michigan Mortgage 
Company, and one of the keenest men, in- 
tellectually, in Clinton County, makes his 
at Old Mission, Grand Traverse County, 
He was born in Fredonia, Chautauqua 
County, N. \'., .lune 11, 1841. His father, Hon. 
Alva H. Walker, was born in Foster, R. I., Feb- 
ruary 15, 1802. He was the son of -lohn Walker, 
of Rhode Island, who was in the War of 1812. 

His grandfather early removed to Western 
New York and settled near Fredonia in 1805. The 
father of our subject became identiScd as a mer- 
chant with the business of that village and re- 
mained one of its leading citizens until his re- 
moval to Michigan in 1855. He was early identi- 
lii'd with the educational interests of his home and 
for many years was a Trustee and Treasurer of the 
celebrated academy at Fredonia, which has re- 
cently been absorbed by the State Normal School 
there. He was deeply interested in public affairs, 
and w.as elected to the Senate of New York in 1853, 



receiving the almost unanimous vote of the District 
and serving in the Senate for two sessions. His 
first Michigan home was in Detroit, but in 1861 
he removed his family to St. John's and entered 
into business with the late Mr. Teachout. He 
was a member of the Constitutional Convention 
of Michigan, which met in Lansing in 1867, and 
was President of the village of St. John's for a 
number of years. He was a consistent member of 
the Presbyterian Church while in New York and of 
the Congregational Church at St. John's, contrib- 
uting by his means, counsel, and influence to its 
many good works. He died in St. John's, April 
3, 1891. 

The Walker famil}' descended from the North 
of England, the earliest member of it known in 
this countrjr, William Walker, being a sailor and 
private during the Revolutionary War, sailing 
with the celebrated John Paul Jones. The mother 
of our subject was Minerva Snow, daughter of 
Dr. Samuel Snow, of Booneville, Oneida Countj', 
N. Y. Dr. .Snow w.as born in Connecticut and 
there became a practicing physician. He after- 
ward removed to Sackett's Harbor, and after liv- 
ing at Booneville, spent his last days in Fredonia. 
Minerva (Snow) Walker still survives at the age 
of eighty-one years. 

The subject of this sketch had his education 
lirst in the district schools and then in the famous 
Fredonia Academy'. After coming to Detroit in 
1855, he continued his preparation for college. 
In 1857 he entered the literar}- department of the 
University of Michigan and after four 3ears took 
his diploma in the spring of 1861 with the degree 
of Bachelor of Science. He returned to St. John's 
and engaged with his father in merchandising, but 
in .January, 1865, opened a private bank which 
was changed that same fall to the First National 
Bank at St. John's. He continued as Cashier of 
this institution and as a dealer in real estate for 
about twelve years. In 1877 he sold his interest 
in the bank and turned his attention more entirely 
to real-estate loans and mortgages. In 1888 he 
organized tlic Michigan Mortgage Company, in 
which he is Chairman of the Board and Business 
manager. He is a born financier and has a thous- 
and and one schemes for the promotion of business 





C/l f-y^yuy 




^J^M..<:,A^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



205 



in which he is remarkably successful. His fine resi- 
dence is .in orn.iment to tlie city ami he is well- 
liked by those who have dealings with hiin. He 
has a beautiful summer home and productive farm 
on Grand Traverse Hay, at Old Mission. He has 
four hundred acres of fine lan<l and the place is 
known as "Water's Edge." He also has a fine 
farm here. 

Mr. W.ilker is a stock-holder in the State Bank 
and was one of its organizers. He is also Vice- 
president of the .State Hank at Carson Cit^' aud a 
Director in the Charlevoix Savings Bank. He 
also helped to organize the St. Louis aud Ovid 
Banks, and was eng.igeil in the spoke factor}' 
while it was in existence. He is also interested in the 
Durand Land Compan}' and w.as its first President. 
He also has mining interests in Colorado. Por 
twelve j-ears he was a member of the School Board 
and he is wide-awake to the educational needs of 
the cit}'. He was Trustee and President of tlie 
village of St. John's as long as he was willing to 
add these responsibilities to his heavy business 
cares. In 1874, he w.is elected to repres(:nt this 
county in the Michigan Legisl.ature, being the only 
Republican elected in the county that year. He 
served on various committees as Chairman and 
member, and is considered a leader among Repub- 
licans in that vicinity. He and his family are at- 
tached to the Eijiscop.al Cluirch where they find 
their religious home. From 1876 till 1882 he was 
a member of the Hoard of Regents of the Univer- 
sity of Michigan and is now Treasurer of the So- 
ciety of the Alumni of that institution. Alto- 
gether he is one of the most interesting cliaracters 
of this thriving city, and one to whom every one 
looks for help in any enterprise whi<'li is designed 
for its prosperity. 

Mr. Walker's marriage in 1864 to Miss Mary M. 
Chapin, daughter of Volney Chapin, a well-known 
manufacturer of Ann Arbor, united him with a 
prominent family and added .still more to his in- 
fluence in the community. His wife was born in 
Ann Arbor aud educated there. For further de- 
tails in regard to the hislor^- of this family the 
reader will refer to the biography of Volney A. 
Chapin, the ne|)hew of this lady. 

Three children have blessed this home, all of 



whom are being liberally educated. The two old- 
est, Susie and Louie, have both attended the Uni- 
versitj' at Ann Arbor, while Minnie w.os sent Fast 
to take advantage of the (Inc educational advan- 
tages which are afforded at Houghton Seminary, 
Clinton, N. Y. 



<^ LBFUT T. NICHOLS, Cashier of the 
i gg/ZJI I First National Hank of Corunna, is one of 

'/I II) the well-known financiers of Shiawassee 
(^ County, and his portrait presented on the 
opposite page shows the lineaments of a gentleman 
very ]irominent in his section of country. He 
was horn in Farmington Township, Oakland 
County, August 30, IS.S'i. and comes of ohl East- 
ern stock, whose blue blood is shown in the nat- 
ural courtes}' and ease of manner of the descend- 
ants. His paternal grandfather was Nathan 
Nichols, a native of Berkshire County, M.ass., and 
one of the early settlers in Ogden, N. Y. He 
cleared a farm there, on which his son Truman, 
father of our subject, was born and reared. In 
1836 Grandfather Nichols came to this State and 
the remnant of his days were spent in Oakland 
County; he was a solilier in the War of 1812. 
Truman Nichols w.as married in Monroe County, 
N. Y., in September, 1831, and with his bride joined 
the tide of emigration to the wilds of Michigan. 
They traveled on a canal-boat to Buffalo, crossed 
on the ''Henr^' Clay" to Detroit, and hireil a team 
to lake them to Oakland Count}^ 

Mr. Nichols lioughl eighty acres of land pay- 
ing the Government price of ^1.2,") per acre, and 
had i?10 left, with whicU he bought a heifer. He 
began chopping and clearing, putting up a log 
shanty in which to shelter his family. He threshed 
wheat for other settlers with a Hail, receiving for 
his labor one-tenth of the grain. Tlie country 
was full of Indians, and .it the time of the Black 
Hawk outbreak the neighbors went to Detroit for 
safety. Mr. Nichols remained on his farm, treat- 
ing the savages kindl}', and was not molested by 
them. He hewed out two farms from the wilder- 
ness an<l finally had three hundrt<l ami twenty 



206 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



acres of land well fitted for habitation. In tlie 
early days he went to Detroit for sup|)lies, and 
bought of Zach Chandler, aftenvard Michigan's 
famous Senator. He was one of the originators 
of tiic Baptist Cburcli in Farmington, which was 
the third organized in the State. His wife, who 
v/as a native of Brockport, N. Y., bore the maiden 
name of Hannah M. Allen. She is still living in 
F'arraington, which has been her home for aixty 
years, and she is now seventy-eight years old. 
She belongs to the same family from which Ethan 
Allen, the famous Green Mountain boy, sprang. 

The family of which our subject is the eldest 
comprises four sons and one daughter. As he 
was born on the old farm which was then |tartl.y 
cleared, his earliest recollections are of a wild 
region still tiie haunt of deer and wolves. When 
old enough to attend school he had two miles to 
go and hril nothing better than slab benches on 
whicli to sit. As the country became belter set- 
tled, the schools were improved, and before he 
was twenty years old he had .acquired a very good 
education. He then began teaching and a part of 
his work was done in the district where he liim- 
self had been a pupil. Ere long he attended the 
Normal school in Ypsilanti about a twelvemonth, 
but in two different terms, and he then returned 
to tiie liomestead and bought ninety acres of tlie 
old farm. He put u)) a building and engaged in 
the sale of general merchandise in liie village of 
Farmington, at the same time operating his farm, 
and in the course of time he became the owner of 
one hundred and forty acres. During the war he 
was enrolling ollicer and otherwise worked for the 
Union cause. 

In 18G5, when the First National liank of Cor- 
unna was organized, Mr. Nichols beanie a stock- 
holder and Director and in 1S71 he was elected 
Cashier. He then disposed of his interests in 
Farmington and removed to Corunna, and has 
been in constant discharge of the duties of his 
bank oHice except during six months when he was 
incapacitated by illness. No other Cashier in Shi- 
wassee County has had so long a term of service 
in that capacity. Mr. Nichols is interested in real 
estate and in agricultural work in and near the 
county seat. For twenty j-ears he has been Notary 



Public, and for eighteen years has been a member 
of the School Board and is now Treasurer. He 
has been one of the Board of Aldermen, serving 
more than fifteen years, and in 1889-90, was 
Mayor of the city. For two jears he was Treas- 
urer of the Shiwassee Count}- Mutual Fire Insur- 
ance Compan}-. In every position to which he 
has been called, whether of a financial nature or 
municipal relation, he has been honest and faith- 
ful and his reputation is firmly established. 

In Farmington, Oakland Count}', in 1855, Mr. 
Nichols was married to Miss Angeline E. Mills, a 
native of that place, who has been as faithful to 
the duties whicli lay before her as her husband 
has been to his. They have two children, Ella 
M. and Harr}- G., both at home. Mr. Nichols is 
Pa.st Eminent Commander of the Knights Temp- 
lar, belonging to Corunna Cnmmandery, No. 21. 

He has been a fervid Republican since the party 
was organized, and has frequently been a delegate 
to county and State conventions. He attended 
the National Convention in Chicago as an alter- 
nate, when Gen. Garfield was nominated for the 
Presidency. On account of his parents' faith he 
has special interest in the Baptist church, and be- 
cause his wife is an Episcopalian he regards that 
denomination with considerable favor. He there- 
fore attends and supports both churches and he 
has contributed to the building fund of other 
societies. He is a courteous, accommodating and 
affable gentleman, and is greatly liked by those 
who enjoy his ac(juaintance. 



-^ 



^^T^ 







GEORGE 11. .HDD, merchant tailor at St. 
John's, Clinton Countj', has been established 
in business longer than any other man of 
this class in the place, and is by all odds the most 
[irominent. He keeps fine goods always on band, 
carrying even more than his trade will warrant, 
and employs on!}' first-class workmen, to whom he 
pays city prices. He is himself a practical work- 
man, and is, tlierefore quick to observe any slack- 
ness on the part of his cmplo^'es, and it is his 
ambition to keep up the reputation of his establish- 



1>0RTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



207 



ment, and ever3'thiiig turned out from the shop 
must be first-class in material and workmansliip. 
The reputation of Mr. .Tudd is that of having the 
finest merchant tailoring establishment in Clinton 
County, and it is doubtful if any similar place in 
the central part of the State excels his. 

The parents of our subject, Richard and Mary 
A. (Gayton) Judd, were born in Devonshire, Eng- 
land, and sailed from their native land the day 
after their marriage. They came at once to tliis 
State and made their home in Blint, where Mr. 
Judd engaged in such honorable emplojnient as he 
could. He soon bought a suburban lot and built 
a residence in the midst of a seven-acre tract, and 
he still lives in that locality. He is one of the 
oldest settlers of Flint now living. Mrs. Judd 
entered into rest in October, 1889. She was an 
Episcopalian and a devout church member. The 
children born to her were George II., Tliurza and 
Eliso. The older daughter is now Mrs. King, of 
Los Angeles, Cal., and the younger is the wife of 
T. A. Willctt, of Flint. 

The subject of tliis biographical sketch was born 
in Flint, November 18, 1852, and saw that city 
grow from a small village to a ph^ee of import- 
ance. He was educated there and [lursucd his 
studies until he was within a year of grml nation 
from the High School. He then began to acquire 
his trade, learning to sew with one man at Clio, 
and then taking up the regular trade of tailoring 
with C. J. Haas in Flint. He remained with that 
gentleman some years, becoming a practical cutter 
and fitter, and for a j-ear and a half he had charge 
of the cutting work. He spent two years as clerk 
in a general dry goods store in Flint, but then re- 
sumed his trade. In 1877 he came to St. John 'sand 
began in a moderate way. It was not long ere he 
had a good run of custom, as soon as he became 
known as a reliable workman, and his business has 
increased, compelling him to hire more and more 
assistance. He has accumulated properly, has some 
valuable real estate here, and occupies a residence 
that he built for his own use. 

The home of Mr. Judd is presided over by a 
lady who is a first-class housekeeper and an esti- 
mable woman. She bore the maiden name of Adah 
Bailey, was boru in Grand Rapids, and was married 



to our subject in St. John's, December 1, 1879. 
They have five children, who are named respect- 
ivel3', Thurza M., AVilliam H., George E., Ethel 
and Gayton. Mr. Judd was confirmed in the Epis- 
copal Churcii at Flint, and the family attend and 
support it. He casts his vote with the Demo- 
cratic party, but takes no greater interest in |joli- 
tics than is the duty of ever}' good citizen. 



^/RANK I. GODDARD is the owner of a fine 




farm, which attests to the success he has 
met with in prosecuting the labors of life. 
He combines with the cultivation of the soil con- 
siderable work as a stock-raiser, and has an honor- 
able place among those similarly employed in 
Clinton County. His lK>me is on section 30, 
{Jreenbush Township, and tiie estate he owns 
there consists of ninety-five and one-half acres of 
land. It is under thorough cultivation and is sup- 
plied with numerous and commodious farm build- 
ings, including a dwelling which is frequently in- 
vaded by the friends of himself and wife, whose 
social qualities and interest in those about them is 
recognized by all. 

Mr. (ioddaril is a Knickerbocker, having been 
born in Erie County, N. Y., .luly 4,1847. His 
parents were Riverus and Susan (I)illcr) Gt>ddard, 
natives of Connecticut and I'ennsylvania, respect- 
ively, and he has a brother and sister living, 
namely: Uriah (Joddard, whose home is in Mont- 
calm County, and Harriet, wife of Judson Ban- 
croft, of Greenbush Township. The father 
emigrated to Clinton County in the fall of 18G5 
and settled on a partially' cleared tract of land that 
is now owned by our subject. He continued the 
work that had been begun upon the place, im|)rov- 
ing its condition from 3 car to year, and lived upon 
it until his earthly life was ended, February 5, 
1878. His wife survived him but a few weeks, 
passing away April 1, of the same ^ear. She was 
a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Goddard 
voted with the Repulilican party and acled with 
the public-spirited and industrious classes. 



208 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Frank I. Goddartl has been engaged in farming 
from liis youth up. He was educated in the com- 
mon schools and in Ids mature j-ears lias gleaned 
knowledge from various sources, prineii)al!y from 
the public prints which are so accessible in these 
later decades. He was married in 1872 'o Adeline 
Allen, daughter of John and Rebecca Allen, now 
deceased, who were early settlers in Clinton 
County. Mr. floddard follows his father's exam- 
ple in voting the Rei)ul)lican ticket and in taking 
an interest in that which promises to be of general 
bonefit. lie is carrying on his farm work in an 
able manner and receives a satisfactory income as 
a reward for his efforts. 



/^EORGE II. BEDFORD. In scanning the 
{/[ __, record of the lives and enterprises of citi- 
^^[f zens of Shiawassee County it is pleasant to 
note the exercise of ability in every walk of life. 
Talent may be shown in many a calling which is 
considered by superficial obseivcrs to be merely 
mechanical. True artistic merit and talent may 
be discerned in the work of Mr. Uedford, a sign 
painter of Owosso. He is frequently called upon 
10 paint designs which require ability and during 
political campaigns, especially during the Presiden- 
tial canvass, he has a great run of business in paint- 
ino- banners and portraits of the candidates, as he 
has skill in attaining a likeness and gives unusual 
satisfaction in his work. 

Our subject was born in North Newburg, Shia- 
wassee County, February 9, 1850. He is the only 
son of Joseph H. and Mildred (Ilubbert) Bedford, 
both natives of England and early settlers of Shia- 
wasse County. The father emigrated to the United 
States when a single man and coming to this eount3' 
took up Government land and then returned to 
England for some eigiit years. During this time 
he was married, after which he returned to the 
United States and spent some time on his new farm 
and then built a store, one of the first at Newbcrg, 
and engaged in carrying on 'a general store, and 
merchant tailor business, having le.irncd the tailor's 
trade in the old country. When on a business trip 



to New York to purchase goods he was taken sick 
and died there in June, 1856, when our subject was 
a mere lad. His wife is still living and is now in 
her sixty-sixth year and makes her home with our 
subject. 

George H. Bedford is the eldest of the two chil- 
dren of his parents, his only sister being Ada M., 
the wife of Jerome E. Turner. This son attended 
school at Newberg. In settling up the father's 
estate much of the property was lost, thus throw- 
ing the boy u[)on his own resources at a tender 
age. He worked for four 3'cars upon a farm and 
then clerked in a store at Newberg and afterward 
joined a surveying party. 

Our subject now took up painting, learning to 
paint carriages, and followed this for about eight- 
een years, most of that time carrying on an inde- 
pendent business at Owosso. He then turniMl his 
attention to sign painting and finally made that his 
specialty, and during the campaign of 1888 painted 
many campaign banners and flags which were sent 
out all over the State. Ho is trul}' artistic and ex- 
tremely accurate, being able to dispense with the 
measurements usuall}' made by sign-painters. His 
shop is at No. 210 Exchange Street over the gas 
company's office. 

A neat and handsome residence on Ball Street 
was erected by Mr. Bedford in 188.3. Here he re- 
sides with his mother wlio has charge of his bacli- 
elor home. He is a highly respected and industri- 
ous citizen and bear a high reputation for integ- 
rity. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and has 
served one term .as Alderman in his ward. He is a 
member of Owosso Lodge No. 81, F. & A. M.,and 
also of Owosso Chapter No. 89, R. A. M. 



^ 



E^ 



ARRIE r E. CASTLE. The lady whose name 
heads this sketch is at present a resident of 
Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz County, C'al. 
She was born on the home farm in Oakland 
County, this State, February 7, 1824. She en- 
joyed the educational advantages common to the 
children of that day and in 1875 she declared her 
independence of conventionality by going to Call- 






l^L4A.-:f 



^u 




/ti^O-^hyit^ --<<yL£'Lyl/-cV't.i 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



211 



fornifi anil pre-cmptinc: n claim of one hundred and 
sixty acres, located twelve miles east of Santa Cruz. 
Here she has made her home ever since. 

Perfect climate and scenery, Miss C'asUe feels, 
are in a measure a recompense for the host of 
friends and relatives she left in licr native State. 
From hir piazza siie lias a line view of the bay. 
Miss Castle is warmly attached to a niece who 
spends much time with her. Tliis lady, Miss Ida 
D. Hcnfcy, is a professiopal cloiiitionist and a 
fjraduatc of the California Tnlversity at Herklcy. 
She is the only living daughter of Louis and Delia 
(Castle) IJenfej'. The public readings which she 
gives are characterized by a careful analysis of the 
subject considered, and a most sympathetic ren- 
dering of the dramatic clement. It is said by 
those who have listened to Miss IJenfey's iMiU'rtain- 
ments that she is a lady of rare vocal culture and 
a thorough student. She is twenty-one years of 
age and has a fine address, possessing great beauty 
and talent. 



SDlJ-^B^TlC^ai" 



f 



rOHN STEWART, of the linn of Dewey & 
Stewart, proprietors of the Owosso Mills, 
has been successful in the accumulation of 
^^/> properly but is in manner unostentatious 
and unassuming, his character and his friendly 
kindness making him resi)ected and esteemed by 
all who know him. He was born in Seneca County', 
N. Y., in the village of Romulus, March 15, 182;"). 
His parents, David and Charlotte (Lyon) Stewart, 
reared their family in Seneca County. T^vo of 
their little ones died in infancy. 

The Western fever ins|)ired the father of this 
family to remove to Washtenaw County, Mich., in 
the Territorial days. Me located in Ypsilanti, in 
1825, and there for twenty-five years carried on 
farming operations. Later in life he removed to 
Owosso, where he lived with his sons and led a 
retired life. He was born in 1798 and died in 
Owosso, in 18C;5. His faithful companion, who 
survived him some seven i'ears, was born in 1795 
and |)assed away February 25, 187L (Jf their six 



children only two are living, four having been 
c:illed to pass over the dark i-iver. M. L. Stewart, 
a banker in Owosso, is the only surviving brother 
of our subject. 

The schooldays of our subject, were passed in 
Washtenaw County, Mich., until he moved to 
Owosso with his ])arents. In 1850 he formed a 
partnership with T. D. Dewey, a business union 
which is still in existence and has proved both con- 
genial and lucrative. These gentlemen erected 
what is known as the Owosso Flouring Mill, which, 
after operating for quite a time according to the 
old burr system, they remotleled in 1884 and 
changed to the roller system. Mr. Stewart still 
retains his interest in the Owosso Mills, but owing 
to poor licallli and asthmatic troulilc, he is seldom 
found about the; mills hut busies himself in look- 
ing after his farm and line hor.ses. He is |)art 
owner of "Louis Nni)()leon" and was also part 
owner of ".lerome Kddy," llie last named horse 
having brought $25,000 the last time he changed 
owners. Mr. Stewart still pays considerable atten- 
tion to the breeding of thoroughbred trotters. 

The gentleman whose sketch we here present was 
married January IG, 185.'i, at Owosso, Mich., to 
Mary X. Thomas, a native of Oakland County, 
Mich., and a daughter of Avery and Hariiet 
(Goodhue) Thomas, who were formerly of New 
York and came to Michigan as p'oneers in 18.31. 
Mrs. Stewart was born October 20, 1832, and is 
the only surviving child of her parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have two children living: 
Alice L., the older daughter, takes great delight 
in handling the reins and driving a good horse. 
She is interested in breeding and caring for fine an- 
imals and is at home among the horses and colts; 
Carrie .1., who is also under the parental roof, is 
accomplished in the musical line. 

Mr. Stewart is the owner of three good farms, 
one comprising live hundred and ninety- live acres, 
another one hundred and sixty and the third half 
that size. The last two are within tlie corporate 
limits of the city of Owosso. This property is all 
well improved and unusually valuable, and the res- 
idence of Mr. Stewart, at the c<jrner of Oliver and 
Water Streets, is both commodious and attractive. 
Our subject has served as Constable and some 



212 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



years ago was Alderman from the First Ward at 
Owosso. Politically he has always been a stanch 
Republican. 

A lithographic portrait of Mr. Stewart is pre- 
sented |in connection with liis biograpiiical notice. 



-i- 



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-5- 




^LI COOPER and his brother Lester arc 
among the leading and prosperous business 
firms of LainiTsbiirg, Mich., having been 



connected witli its public intciests for sixteen 
years. He is the proprietor of the fiii"st, liovcl in 
the place, also carries on nicrclianiiising and is 
engaged quite extensively in slock dealing. His 
excellent business ability-, enterprise and progress- 
ive siiirit have won liim success in life and as he is 
so widely and favorably known throughout the 
community we feel assured that a record of his 
life work will be receiveil with interest by man}' 
of our readers. 

Mr. Cooper was born in Crawford County, P;i., 
October 26, 1843, and is a son of Tliomas and 
Malinda (Courtwright) Cooper. His parents were 
natives of New York and there resided until after 
their marriage, when they removed to Crawford 
County, Pa., making their home in that counly 
until 1846, which year witnessed their arrival in 
Michigan. The}' settled near Franklin, Oakland 
County, where Mr. Cooper died some years later. 
His widow afterward became the wife of A. Smith 
of Little's Corners, Crawford County, Pa., where 
slie lived until after the death of her second lius- 
band whe» she returned to Michigan and has since 
made her home in Laingsburg with her children. 
She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and a most estimable lady. The family to 
wiiich our subject belongs numbered eight chil- 
dren as follows: Matilda, Polly A., Lavica, Aldon 
G., Thomas, Eli, Maria and Lester. 

Eli Cooper, whose name heads this sketcli was 
reared to manhood upon a farm in the vicinity 
of Franklin, Oakland C/'ounty, Mich., and near 
Plymouth, Wayne County, Mich. His boyhood 
days were spent mid play and work in the 
usual manner of farmer lads and like thousands of 



others he acquired his education in the schools of 
the neighborhood. Having resided in Oakland 
and Wa3'ne Counties until twenty-two years of age, 
he then went to Clinton County, where he pur- 
chased land near St. John's, and cleared and im- 
proved a farm. Having devoted his energies to 
agricultural pursuits until 1875, he then came to 
Laingsburg and built the Cooper House, which is 
a three storj- brick hotel. It is the best block in 
town and the hotel is furnished with all modern 
conveniences and is first class in every particular. 
As before stated, Mr. Cooper also engages in tlie 
mercantile business and is a stock-dealer. The lat- 
ter branch of business he has carried on for about 
sixteen years and nearly all of the stock shipped 
from Laingsburg passes through his hands. 

In political sentiment, Mr. Cooper is a Republi- 
can and while he keeps himself well informed on 
the issues of the day, is no politician in the sense 
of office seeking for he desires rather to devote his 
entire time and attention to his business interests, 
and carrying out this wish he has met with .signal 
success. He is still the owner of his excellent 
farm of one hundred acres near St. John's, and 
although he began life with no ca|)ital he has now 
a handsome competence. He is not only enter- 
prising but is sagacious and far-sighted as well and 
possesses those characteristics which are always 
essential to success, perseverance and thrift. 



-^1= 



^ IVILLIAM CALL, a well-known farmer and 
\fj/i stock-raiser, residing on section 5, Fair- 
\j^yi field Township, Shawassee County, was born 
in Onondaga County, N. Y., Jnly 4, 1832. He is 
a son of Sherman and .Susan (Randall) Call. The 
father was a native of Ogdensburg, N. Y., where 
lie was born April 1, 1813. The grandfather, Jesse 
Call, was a native of Vermont, of Scotch descent, 
and removed to New York when his son Sherman 
was a boy. Sherman removed to W.iyne County, 
Mich., when his son William was onl}- about fifleeii 
years old. After remaining two years the father 
returned to New York. William went on the Erie 
Canal, where he followed lowing for some seven 



POUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AL15UM. 



213 



summers, and after llint, touk service as a sailor on 
Lnltrs Krie and Cbiiuiplain for some two jeiirs. 
During this time ho liiul inarle his vvny so tliat lie 
was now in command of a boat. 

William Call was happily married to Sarah A. 
Ciirlis. .hnie 10, l«5.'i. 'I'liis couple had lieen ac- 
quainted with each other Uvm their earliest child- 
hood, having been horn within a mile of each other. 
The lady is a daughter of Bradley B. and J.,ydia 
(Ahha) Curtis. His wife aecomi)anied him on his 
boat for about a year, but thinking it was lietter 
to make his home upon tiie land, Mr. Call decided 
to settle in iMiehigan, and in December, 185G, 
removed to Gratiot County. 

Soon after coming to Micdiigan this gi'utlcmau 
gained by his frank cordiality anil honorable deal- 
ings the good will of his fellow-citizens and he was 
shortly selected Township Treasurer, which otiiee 
he tilled for seven j-ears. He was .lustice of the 
Peace for eight years and Highway Commissioner 
for six years. He worked in the lumber woods in 
the winter and speculated in tax lands, doing well 
in both of these lines of business. 

The largest farm of Mr. Call comprised eighty 
acres on section 4. which he i)urchased twent^'-one 
years ago. and the tract of twenty -seven acres, sur- 
rounding his beautiful residence he purchased later 
and presented to his w'ife, so that she might be pro 
vidi'd for if anything should happen to him or his 
fortunes. In addition to this lie owns twenty acres 
in aTiother part of the township, besides a house 
and lot in Ashley. 

'I'he political views of our subject have led him 
to ally himself with the Republican party until the 
time of the last election, when he voted the I'rolii- 
hilion tickrt. lie has 'ravck'd considerably and is 
a man of broad informalion and considerable intel- 
ligence, lioth he and his worthy wife havi; been 
members of the I{a|)tist CIum( h for some twenty- 
three 3ears. His live children are: Ada, born 
April 4. 1«58, now Mrs. Charles Emmert, living in 
Gratiot County' ; Charles H., born July 21, IStM. 
living in Chai)in, this State; Edward, born .Maridi 1 H, 
1808, also living at Chapin ; and Nettie, born April 
4, 1872, who lives at home; the youngest child, 
Mabel, born .Inly 20, 1879, is still a school-girl. 
Our subject did uot have good opportunities foi 



e<Iucat!on in his youth, but this made him more and 
n)ore resolute in his design of giving his children 
fi better chance than he had himself. His eldest 
daughter taught school some nine terms before her 
marriage and the daughter Nettie is prepared for 
teaching, but prefers to be at home, as she is the 
mainstay and comfort of her parents and her love- 
liness of character and dutiful devotion lead them 
to lean ui)on her in many ways. This famdy is, 
perhaps, more than ordinary families united in 
their lives and syinjjathies and are helpful to each 
other. 



<« I»1LLIAM JOPLING, V. 8. The citizensof 
\^/l ^■'"•"^'^'^ "'l'*^ hi^vG emigrated to the States 
^'^ and have there established themselves .as 
permanent resi<Ients are almost invariably men of 
clijiracter and ability, who are gladly welcome to 
the privileges and opportunities which are ours. 
Among those who have thus added their mite of 
character and inlkience to the great .aggregate of 
integrity and business ability in the State of 
Michigan, we are pleased to mention William .lop- 
ling, who was born in the Dominion of Canada, in 
the province of Ontario, December 7, 1856. 

Our subject is a son of Sarah (Wade) .Topling, 
natives of Canada, and they gave to their son a 
thorough and comprehensive education. He passed 
his early school days in his native town, and after- 
wards attended school at Peterboro and later en- 
tered the Collegiate Institute, pursuing his stu<lies 
there for two years and making good progress in 
his classes. On leaving that institution he entered 
the ( )iitario Agricultural College, and upon com- 
pleting his couis(! there he commenced the stud}- 
of velcrinar}' surgery in the Ontario \'eterinary 
College, from wliicli he gra<luated in April, 1883. 
After graduation h(' spent the session of 1 88.'i-84 
in the college as Assist;int Demonstrator of Ana- 
tomy, remaining there about live months. 

Dr. Jopling was now pr(^pMre<l for independent 
practice, and in April, 1K84, he came to Owosso, 
Shiawassee County, and commenced his practice as 
a veterinary surgeon, to which profession he has 
devoted his whole time. He has a good horse barn 



214 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and all necessary appliances in liis business, and 
lias built up a good local practice as well as a large 
country trade in SLiawassee and adjoining coun- 
ties. 

In August, 1885, lie married Miss Jewel Pake, 
a native of Canada, born in Bellville, Ontario. Slie 
is a daughter of the late Atnos Pake, and tiieir 
union lias resulted in the birtii of two daughters — 
Hazel I. and Myrtle W. whose companionship and 
affection make bright the lives of their parents. 
Dr. iTopling is a member of llie Independent Order 
of Foresters, and is the commander of the lodge 
of the Maccabees with which he is ickntitied. Po- 
litically he is a Democrat. 




AMUEL W. GREEN. In the career of this 
enterprising farmer may be found an illus- 
tration of the worth of good princi|)les and 
habits of industry. He had not the inher- 
ited wealth that falls to some men, but instead had 
his own way to make, with only the weapons be- 
stowed upon him by beneficent nature and the ac- 
quirements of boyhood. He struggled along dur- 
ing youth and early manhood, and in 1854 came 
to Dallas Township, Clinton County, and set up a 
permanent home. He had then but little more tlian 
the money necessary to secure a tiact of Govern- 
ment land and jirovisions to last during the win- 
ter. Determination, frugality, and persistent in- 
dustry were brought to l)ear, and resulted in secur- 
ing a good home and the comforts of modern life. 
The family that Mr. Green represents was estab- 
lished in America during Colonial times by his 
grandfather, Russell Green, who emigrated from 
England when nineteen years old. When the Rev- 
olution took place he enlisted against the Mother 
Country, and fought bravely on the side of free- 
dom. After the war he settled in Massachusetts 
and married Maiy Hazard, a native of that State 
and the descendant of English colonists who came 
to Plymouth in 1G20. They reared four sons and 
three daughters and si)eut their lives on a farm. 
One of their family was Willitti. the direct progen- 
itor of our subject. That gentleman married Mary 



Eldridge, daughter of Amos Eldridge, of the Bay 
State and of honorable stock. After living in 
Erie County, N. Y., for some years, Mr. Green 
came to this State in 1840, and located in Oakland 
County. Ten years later he came to Clinton 
County and for thirty years was a resident of Dal- 
las Township, dying there in 1880 at the age of 
eighty years. His faithiul wife passed away two 
years before, aged seventy -eight. The meirbers of 
their family are Samuel, George, Willit, Alniira, 
Polly, Betsey, Philena, Nancy, Emily, Eliza and 
Matilda. 

The subject of this biographical notice was born 
in Erie County, N. Y., February 23, 1826, and at the 
age of fourteen years began the battle of life by 
working on a farm by the month. He pursued 
that course and was a Qsherman on the Lakes un- 
til 1853, when he took up his abode in Oakland 
County, this Stale, for three years. At llie expi- 
ration of that period he sitent two years in Flint 
;ind then vvent on the Lakes for Ave yeais. He 
next bought eighty acres of Government land, 
where he now lives and kept bachelor's hall for six 
months. He was quite a hunter and had O|)portu- 
nilies to exercise his skill, as deer were numerous 
and bears too frequently encountered for comfort. 
He once had a hand-to-hand contest with one and 
a narrow escape from serious consequences. While 
on the way home from the harvest field, he found 
a bear killing a hog and set upon her with a club, 
regardless of the fact that her cubs were with her 
and she would be even more ferocious than usually 
is the case. He succeeded in driving her away, 
although she turned on him and did battle with 
her paws. 

In Dallas Township, in 1855, Mr. Green was 
married to Miss Julia Duttou, whose father, George 
Dutton, was one of the earliest settlers in Clinton 
County, to which he came from New York. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Green there came four children, all 
now iu California, except George, the third child. 
He marriedjLena Harier, daughter of James Harter, 
a resident of Gratiot County and a native of New 
York. The young couple were joined in wedlock 
March G, 1889, and have an infant son, James S. 
The children of our subject who are iu the West, 
are Elleu, Edmond and Mary. The lady who now 



7iS«^.xs 




^^ 



■I' 







Qi 









PORTRAIT AND HIOCRAI'IIICAL ALHUINI. 



•2\: 



presides over the home of Mr. Green was known 
in her intiidenhood as Miss Catlierine Dorn. Her 
fatlior is Aniasa Doin, a well known resident of 
Dallas Township. Mr. and Mrs. fTreen belong lo 
the United Brethren Church and are generally 
respected for the earnestness of their lives and llie 
use they make of their lioie. Mr. Green has al- 
ways voted the Republicau ticket. 



X 



mBKRT G. MORRISON, M. I)., a surgeon 
y and physician of the Kclectic and Botanic 
iSi '^ school, but belter known, perluqis, as Col. 
Morrison, makes his home in St. John's, 
Clinton County. He was born in Wlieelock Hol- 
low, Caledonia County, Vt., at the foot of the 
Green Mountains, .Januaiy 6, 1«;38. His father, 
Jonathan, and his grandfather, Gillain, were both 
Vermontcrs and farmers. The latter was a dealer 
in and a lover of horses, and was accustomed to 
drive to Boston and back for a pleasant trip. He 
served in the Revolutionary War. Tlic family was 
of English and Scotch extraction. 

The father was also a noted horse dealer and a 
good judge of th.at fine animal. He was a liberal 
man in helping his neigh bois and lost a fortune by 
signing notes for a friend. In 1841 he removed 
to Indiana wheie he cultivated a farm in Hunting- 
ton County till his death. ])uring his residence 
there he was active in overseeing the introduction 
of water works in his city. The mother of our 
subject bore the maiden nanie of Betsey Brown, 
and was a resident of Caledonia County, Vt. Her 
father was in the War of 1812, and, removing to 
Indiana, died in IMuffton, Wells County, that State. 
He was of Knglisli parentage. The wife of Jona- 
than Morrison died in Midland City, Mich., and 
was buried in the cemetery with her two sons and 
one daughter. The parents were both earnest and 
.active members of the Free Will Baptist Chipch, 
anil had a family of eleven children. 

The subject of this brief biography came to In- 
diana when six years old. There he was reared 
and attended the district school in Huntington 
County, after which he took some sehooliug in the 



Ft. Wayne High School. When sixteen years old 
he began the study of medicine with Doctors Rich- 
ard and Davenpfut, and when only nineteen, began 
practicing, having (juile a country ride. When 
twenty years old he established an independent 
practice. After two gears' practice in the country 
he removed to Peoria County, HI., and ;ifler 
spending some lime there, returned to Indiana. 

The young Doctor enlisted when oidy twenty- 
three years old, September 10, ISCl. In one day 
and a half he raised a company of one hundred 
men, with whom he was mustered into the army as 
Captain at Anderson, Ind. Their regiment was 
lirsl placed in Gen. Sherman's command. The 
gallant conduct of the young soldier speedily 
raised liiui from one rank to another. He received 
his commission as Major, September 2, 1HG2; as 
liiiuteiiant-Colonel, December 17, 180;!; and .as 
Colonel, March 21, 18G5. He was linally mustered 
out of service at Brownsville, Texas, February 3, 
isoo. 

Tlie Colonel took part in the following engage- 
ments: New Madrid, Riddles Point, Mo., Ft. Pil- 
low, Grand Prairie, Ark., Yazoo Pass, Miss., Port 
Gibson, Champion Hills, Siege of \'icksburg, .lack- 
son, Caniro Crow Bayou, La., Grand Choctaw, 
Grand Gulf, Miss., Palo Alto, Tex., and other 
lesser lights and skirmishes. At the battle of Mag- 
nolia Hill, Miss., he received a slight wound in his 
left shin bone from a cannister shot, but it w.is 
not severe enough to comj/el him to be off duty. 
He had command of his regiment for two and one- 
half years. 

Before Col. Morrison enlisted as a private in the 
army (iov. Morton sent him a commissioli as sur- 
geon, which he refused. While in the army, not a 
day p.assed but he visited the hospital and did all 
in his power for the comfort and relief of the suf- 
ferers under his command. The last live and one- 
half months of his army life he was in command 
of a separate brigade by special order of Major 
General Steel; Brigadier General James Slack 
having been relieved of the command liy reason of 
being mustered out of the service, this brigaile was 
composed of all the white troops in the Rio Grande 
district at that time. 

At the close of the war the young Colonel lo- 



218 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



cated at Roanoke, Iiid.. eanyiiif; on liis professional 
piaclicc in connection with the dry -goods business 
for two and onc-lialf years, after wliicli lie spent a 
sliort lime in Vl. Wayne. He tried Wisconsin as 
a place of residence, seeking health which iiad 
been considerably impaired by his army expe- 
rience, but returned to Indiana. In 1877 he came 
to Michigan and located in Allegan for some eight- 
een years, after which he lived in Midland for 
avvliile. 

October 12, 1886, Col. Morrison made his home 
in St. .lohn's, where he has built up a line practice, 
being the only Kclcctic and Botanic physician in 
the city. Here he has built a pleasant home. Ills 
marriage in Allegan in 1.S81 united him with Miss 
Lima K. Selleck, a native of New York. He is one 
of the examining physicians for the branch otiicc 
of the United Stales Pension Department, and is 
Treasurer. He is ideulitied with the Masonic 
order in the Llue Lodge and also belongs to the 
County Me<lical Society. Politically, he is a 
strong Republican, an<l, as might naturally be ex- 
pected, is an inlluential member of IheGrisson Post, 
(L A. R. 

A lilhogiaphic portrait of Col. Morrison is i>re- 
senlcd elsewhere in this volume. 



^^ 



aHARLKS I-:. RIGLKV, is a potent factor in 
the work of the Estey Manufacturing Com- 
' l)any, of Owosso, and is considered one of 
the best linanciers in the city. He has various 
business inten.^ts here, but that in which he is ac- 
tively engage<l is the one above mentioned, in which 
he has the |)(>silion of Secretary and Trea.surer. He 
docs nil the biiving and manages the finances, thor- 
oughly un<lcrslanding the details of the business, 
aiul displaying great shrewdness in securing need- 
tul material, etc. 

Mr. Rigley is a son of the Green Mountain Slate, 
iK.rn in Norlhfield, September 27, 1818. His par- 
ents were Kdward and Christina (Butler) Rigley, 
both natives of lands acri)ss the sea. The father 
was born in Lancashire, Kngland, and was a spin- 
jier by trade. When he came to America he be- 



came connected with woolen mills, and the most of 
his active life was spent at his trade. The mother 
was born in Kdinburg, Scotland, and was scvdi- 
teen j'ears old when she accompanied her parcnis 
to the United States. The son of whom we wiiic, 
spent his early boyhood in Slockbridge, Beikshire 
County, Mass., dividing his time between sUidy 
and such light work as he was able to perform. In 
1M07 he came to Detroit, and for some time spent llie 
days in painting or doing any other work by which 
he could earn an honest dollar. The evenings were 
spent in sehcol, principally IJryant A- Stratlon's 
Commercial College, wiierc he took a full business 
course. At its completion he entered the employ 
of the Estey & Tooley Company, wiiii which he 
remained in Detroit until 1875. That year the 
firm established themselves in Owosso, an<l Mr. 
Rigley came hither as one of their trusted em- 
ployes. 

Soon after the removal the? Estey Manufacturing 
Company was organized, and Mr. Rigley was made 
Vice President and Secretary. In 1885 Julius 
Estey succeeded him as Vice President., and he as- 
sumed the ollice of Treasurer, still retaining the 
duties of Secretaryship. His i)lace is one of great 
responsibility, calling for the display of the strict- 
est honesty, good clerical ability and tact of a high 
order. That Mr. Rigley has not been found want- 
ing is demonstrated by the feeling with which ho 
is regarded by those who have been his associates 
in thecom|)an3- or with whom he has business deal- 
ings. 

On November 14. 1873, he was married to Miss 
Sarah Landon, of Iirockville, Canada. Siie was IIil 
daughler of James Landon. She has borne her hus- 
band three children whose respective names are: 
Charles E., Lois E. and James (!. The interesting 
family brightens the pleasant residence, which, with 
its tastefully adorned grounds, is one of the at- 
tractive features of the city. Mrs. Rigley died 
January IG, 1883. 

JNIr. Rigley is a stock-holder and Director of the 
Owosso Savings Uank, and of the .Shiaw.issce .'sav- 
ings Society. He is a member of the Ancient Or- 
der of United Workmen, a Director of the Young 
Men's Christian Association, and a Trustee in the 
Baptist Chinch. The religious society named has 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGIIAIMIICAI. ALBUM. 



219 



no more active member or liberal contributor than 

lie. Ill every project which promises lo iiiil the 
cili/.i IIS of the town nnd coiiiity to !i iiinlier life 
iiiid menler iirosperily, Mr. Kij;ley is round lendinj; 
a iiand. In politics lie is ;i Republican. Intelli- 
gent, social and well-liied, he is a favorite in so- 
ciety. 



^^1 



W,ILL1AM N. III'SON, who is nunibeied 
ainonfif the industrious fainicrs of C'linlon 
County, is located on section i, Dallas 
'l'owiislii|i. 1 le h;is seveiily iicics of fertilt^ l.iiid, 
with ^ood buildings upon it, and his perseverance 
and earnestness are rewarded by the securiii^j of a 
good inaiiilt'iiaiiee from his liehls and Mocks. Il(^ 
bej^aii his Labors tipun this liael when it was in its 
primitive condition of forest wildriess, ami deer 
were numerous in the locality, lie clearecl .•mil 
liroke the farm, .and from year to year made such 
inipiovements in the way of orchai'ds and buildiiif^s 
as seemed to him littinj,', unlll he had a comfin'l- 
:ible home. 

.Siimmd I ' psoii, grandfather of our sulije<'t, was 
born, re.'iied and married in Conma'ticul, but spent 
his last )ears in Ohio, lo which State lie went din- 
ing its early settlement. His wife also died in that 
Stale, in Medina County. They reared a family of 
live sons and one daughter. 'I'heir son Archibald, 
father of our subject, went from his native State, 
Connecticut, to New York, in his early life, and 
made his home in Delaware County. He married 
Nancy Newlaiid, daughter of William Newluml, 
who was a native of Vermont ami an hotel keepc- 
most of his life. 'J'he only child born of the union 
was William N., who was about five ^'ears of age 
when bis father died. His mother subsequently 
married Reynolds Sweet, and with her second hus- 
band came to this State, both dying in Calhoun 
Counl3'. Their children are Newland W., Sophro- 
nia A., James L., Klijali, Margaret and Joel. 

The subject of this notice was born in Dclawai'e 
County, N. Y., December 21, 1820, and remained 
at home until be was of age. He then began work- 
ing by the month on a farm, having been reared to 
agricultural work. After bis marriage he ceased 



working by the month, and entered upon a regular 
farmer's life. In 1852 he came to Michigan, and 
for three years his home was in IJattle Creek. He 
then bought and took possessioii of lifty-live acres 
of the property he now owns. In course ol lime 
be added to the trad, and by degrees liKiughl it to 
its present excellent condition. 

In New York, December 22, ISlf), Mr. I pson was 
married to Miss l>;iinor R. Williams, who shared 
his fortunes, and was his cherished companion un- 
til Apiil I, 187"), when she breathed her last. Her 
father, Nathaniel Willi.ams, a native of the iMiipire 
State, came lo C'linldii C'oiiiity when lifty-live years 
old and died In re at I lie age of seventy-two. He 
was a shoeinaUer by trade, .and followed the same 
on the faiiii occu[)ied by Mr. llpson. To our sub- 
ject anil his wife one eiiild w;is liiirii, Id;i I., now 
Airs. I''reenian, and the mother of tliri'e children, 
named respectively, Orplia, William and Myrtle. 
Mr. I'pson has held all the township odices except 
Constable, and be was retained as Township Ch-rk 
a number of 3ears. He liasalw.ays voteij a Demo- 
cratic ticket. He is a menilier of the Baptist Church 
and his deceased wife was identilied wilh the same 
religions body. A (jiiiet, unassuming man and a 
good citizen, he is respected by his acipminlanees, 
and numbered among those who arc worthy of re- 
gard. 



Vl/OHN M. SHAFT, dealer in hardware, paints 
oils and groceries at Shaftbnrg, Shiawassee 
(.'ounty, was born in Lenox 'I'ownship, Mad- 
ison County, N. Y., .lune 18, 18;{7. .lolin 
1'. Shaft, his father, was a native of New York 
Stale and it was after him that the village of .Shaft- 
burg was named. The grandfather I'eter Shaft was 
also a native of New York and was of (Jernnin and 
Holland descent. l'(!ter Shaft came to Michigan 
about the year 1840, having been a soldier in the 
War of 1812. He wiis a Whig in (lolitics and after 
his coming W^est made his home with his son, .lohn 
P. in which home he died after having completed 
more than four-score and ten years. 

The father of our subject owned an cighly-acro 
farm in Madison County, N. Y., and was llicic 



220 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



marriorl and came to tlic AVcst in 1839. He luade 
his journey Ihrough Canada in piaiiie scliocners, 
camping out in tlio wagon at niglil. He located in 
t'lC townsiiip of Pen-y, Shiawassee County and 
there bought two hundred and forty acres of hind 
upon whicli there were no improvements. Tlie 
nearest house to them was six miles awny. In the 
summers the Indians were frequent callers as he was 
situated upon their trail and he used to trade with 
tlicni and buy venison of them, although he hunted 
some and partially su|)plied his family with veni- 
son and l)ear steaks. 

This pioneer used to market grain in Detroit and 
it took six days to make the trip as there were no 
regular roads this side of Howell. He cleared up 
a farm and at one time owned eighteen hundred 
acres. He was a hard worker and a very persever- 
ing man. He came to Michigan with a small oaiii- 
tal of S700 or ^SOO and was quite successful in his 
operations. He was first a Whig and then a Re- 
publican in politics, and was earnest in his Chris- 
tian belief, being an active member of the Methodist 
Church. Ho passed away from earth November 16, 
1890. 

Christian (Olsaver) Shaft, the mother of our sub- 
ject was born in Madison County, N. Y., in 180G. 
Her eight children all grew to man's and woman's 
estate, bearing the names of Orville, Elizabeth, 
.lane, JMaitlia, John M., Anna, Eliza and Henry. 
The mother who died in 18-15 was of German and 
Holland (lescent and her parents were Martin and 
Anna (Williams) Olsaver. The name was origin- 
ally spelt Ulsheffer. Both of this worthy couple 
lived to comi)lete their fourscore years. 

I'lie subject of this sketch was a little fellow of 
two and one-half years when he made his memor- 
able jouiney by wagon to Canada and he renicin- 
beri; still seeing the red coated soldiers of the 
Canadian Army. He was educated in the log 
schoolhou.se under the rate bill system, amid the 
surroundings of a pioneer school and had more 
neighbors who wore the blanket than those who 
wore the garments of civilization. While still a 
boy at home he used to haul wheat to Detroit and 
hunted not only deer I)ul coons. 

His father u;ive the young man eighty acres of 
wild l.md upon which lie settled ami [)roeeeded to 



improve it. He built a frame house, to which he 
has since made additions and carried on farming 
exclusiveli' until thirteen years ago. At th?t lime 
he saw a good opening in the mercantile line in 
Shaftburg and erecting the first store building in 
that village, began business there in 1877, with a 
stock of groceries. He opened a stock of hardware 
in 1884 and was the first man to engage in nu'i- 
chandise of any sort at that point. He erected the 
fine double brick store in 1889 and there hecariies 
on business with a general line of goods, including 
hardware, oils, paints and groceries, in fact almost 
everything to be found in a "country store" with 
the exception of dry goods. 

Elizabeth I'inkney became the wife of .lohn M. 
Shaft in 1858. She was born in Livingston County, 
Mich., and is the mother of eight children: Cash, 
Lillian, James, Elizabeth, Ella, Peter, Ray and Roe. 
Mr. Shaft's political alHliations are with the Dem- 
ocratic [larty and he has held a number of township 
otlices having been Township Treasurer six or eight 
terms. He is identified with tlu^ Masonic order at 
Laingsburg being a member of Lodge No. 230. 



ylLLlAM R. SHAW is one of the enter- 
prising and painstaking business men of 
Ovid, Clinton County, engaged in dealing; 
in all kinds of |)roduce and grain. He was for some 
time manager of the elevator which was owned by 
the H0II3' Milling Company, but in 1890 purchased 
the entire interest and has been carrying on the 
business for his own emolument. Mr. Shaw has 
shown good business ability so far in life, and being 
a young man who is well informed a.m\ quick to 
apprehend the turns in the tide, his career is likely 
to continue a prosperous one, and his business be- 
come one of the important enterprises of this 
county. 

Mr. Shaw was b >rn in Livonia, Wayne County, 
August II, 1S59, and (lassed his early life on a 
farm, as his father was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. John Shaw, the |),-ireiil, was born in Not- 
tingham, KiiLland, but has lived in America many 
years and become thoroughly in sympathy with 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



221 



American institutions and ideas. Tlie molhtr of 
our subject is a native of this State and bore the 
maiden name of Mary A. Madcn. The son looked 
forward to talvinj" a collegiate course and pursued 
his preparatory work in the Ann Arbor High 
School, but on account of poor health was obliged 
to change his plans. When nineteen yeais old he 
began to teach and for a year gave his attention 
to [irofessional work in Wayne County. Finding 
that he was likely to enter upon n business life 
rather than that of a student, lie then went to 
Detroit and became cashier in the wholesale store 
of Hammond, Standish & Co. For eight years he 
was thus engaged, then came to Ovid and began 
the management of the elevator, from which em- 
ployment has grown his present occupation. 

On February 13, 1884, Mr. Shaw was niarrinl to 
Miss P^lla S. Partridge, an educated, refined lady, 
daughter of George W. Partridge, of Detroit. The 
children who have come to bless the union are 
John C. born August 24, 1885; Carrie L., August 
15, 1888; and Robert D., June 30, 1890. Mr. and 
Mrs. Shaw are agreeable and friendly, and with their 
general intelligence and good manners are becom- 
ing popular in the society' which they frequent. Mr. 
Shaw is a Rei)ublican, but has never held ollico. 
Instead he pursues the even tenor of his way, at- 
tending thoroughly to business matters and enjoy- 
ing domestic and social life as befits one of his 
quiet tastes. 



-^N-B- 



J^ OHN J. PATCHEL. The gentleman who 
owns the line farm on section 10, in \'eriuin 
Township, Shiawassee County, was born in 
Essex County, N. J., in the town of Bloom- 
field, June 1 7, 1839. His father was Samuel Patcliel, 
a native of New York, born in Schoharie Count}-, 
October 7, 1809. He spent the early jjart of his 
life in his native place, from which he went to New 
Jersey and then came to Michigan in 1848, at wliicli 
time he located in Shiawassee Counly, X'enion 
Township, on section 9. There were no improve- 
ments whatever on the farm and tliei'' lirsl^ dwell- 
ing was a little log house which he himself erected. 



At the time of his death, which occurred March 
18, 1891, his farm was one of the most highly im- 
proved m the county. He was a firm adherent of 
the Democratic i)arty. 

Our subject's family on the paternal side of the 
house were of Irish origin. His grandfather, Sam- 
uel Patchel, came to America at the age of twelve 
years and located in New York where he remained 
until his death. Our subject's mother was also 
from Ireland. Her mai<len name was Bridget Gar- 
rity. She came to this country when only eighteen 
years of age and is still living, having attained to 
the ripe old age of three-score and twelve. The 
gculleinan of whom we write is one of five chil- 
dren, one having died in infancy. The children 
are as follows: our subject, John J.; William; Peter; 
Mary E., and Richard T. 

The original of our sketch, John J. Patchel, was 
brought to Michigan l»y his parents when but nine 
years of age and experienced all the delights that 
a boy can feel in primitive and pioneer settlement. 
Only think of the fox hunts, deer, bear and wild 
turkey that could be had for the killing! The woods 
were full of the riclicsl and sweetest nuts and the 
holiday in which these sports could be enjoyed to 
the fullest extent was well worth several days' work 
hoL'ing in the corn-field or chopping wood in the 
forest. His first school life was passed in his na- 
tive i)lace. lie finished his school days in Vernon. 
Ho remained with his father, helping him with the 
manifold work that is necessary on a farm until he 
reacln'il his twenty-second year, when he started 
out f()r himself, working on a farm in the summer 
and teaching in tlie winter. This course he pur- 
sued for four years. 

December 13, 18G6, Mr. Patchel was married to 
Mar}- E., daughter of Chandler B. and Phebe 
(Sickles) Clialker, a sketch of whose family will I)e 
found on another page of this Ai.ni si. Mrs. 
Patchel was born in Shiawassee County, Vernon 
Township, August 21, 1838, and was reare<] in her 
native place. Three daughters and three sons are 
now living of this family: Samuel C, who was 
born October 9, 18()7, took to wife Adella Kcnyon 
and resides on the same farm with our subject. 
The second child is Ellen, who was liurn Januavj- 
13, 1871, and died November (!, 1873; then came 



222 



PORTKAIT AMD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Edith M., born May 15, 1872, and died August 15 
of the same year; tiieii Helen J., who was liorn 
Alnrch 24, 1874; Mary E.. June i;3, 1875; John R., 
June 23, 1878; Emma B., August 2G, 1880, and 
Ralph J., September 11, 1882. These children first 
saw the light of day on the home farm where our 
suhject now lives. 

Mr. Patdicl after his marriage at on(ie settled on 
the place where he now resides, first building a log 
liouse, 16x25 feet in dimensions. Eight acres of 
the farm were cleared when the farm was purchased. 
He kept gradually cutting the timber and con- 
stantly adding more to the original acreage in the 
place. He now has one hundred and twenty acres, 
ninet3'-five of which are under cultivation. He is 
a general farmer, although he devotes much time to 
breeding improved slock. He built his present 
residence in 1889 at a cost of $2,500. II is a two- 
story brick dwelling, built in tlie modern style and 
containing eleven rooms with closets and other 
conveniences and nicely finished in red oak. It is 
indeed a pleasant home. 

In politics Mr. Patchel is a Re|>ulilican. He has 
been Supervisor of the township. School Inspector 
and has held various other local odices. His posi- 
tion as Supervisor extended over four years. He 
is a member of the Congregational Church of Ver- 
non, as are all his family dovvn to the smallest. He 
is a Doacon in this body and also Trustee, and de- 
votes himself ardently to cliurch work and also to 
the Sunday-school. 



-> 






ml 



'if;UDGE CURTIS J. GALE. Few indeed are 
the men who retain an official position for as 
great a length of time as that in which Mr. 
Gale has been Justice of the Peace. He was 
first elected to this |)osillon in 185!) and has held it 
continuously, and has lieen absent from his field of 
l:il)of lull six nionlhs during the more than thirty 
years of his incunil)eiicy. His name is ver3' famil- 
iar in Shiawassee County, as he is one of the old set- 
tlers, as well as one of the most busy lawyers. He 
was admitted to the bar the year that he became 
Justice of the Peace and for some time no ten men 



did as much business as he. He has done other 
official work besides that belonging to the office of 
Justice, nearly all connected in some wise with 
legal forms and practices. He is now retiring from 
professional work and devoting his time to farm- 
ing and breeding fine horses. The latter may be 
said to be a hobby with Judge Gale, and he is tak- 
ing great pains to prepare his land for the work in 
which be is so interested, by arranging suitable 
shelter and training tracks. 

The Gales are an old Jiastern family and presum- 
ably of English descent. The grandfather of our 
subject was Joseph, a native of the Empire Slate 
and a farmer in Westchester County, five miles from 
Peekskill, among the foothills of the Catskill range. 
The farm he lived upon is now operated as a sum- 
mer resort by another member of the family-. It 
is principally covered with slate, and those who 
have lived there in former years have made their 
support by raising poultry and garden truck, for 
sale at West Point. Joseph Gale, father of our 
subject, was reared as a farmer but left the home- 
stead and located in New York City. For about 
twenty years be was engaged in the cartage and 
dairy business, and for about the same length of 
time was a night-watchman, becoming captain of 
the night watch of the metropolis. In the j-ears 
1837 — 38 — 39, he came to this State and located 
lands at different points in Jackson, Ingham and 
Shiawassee Counties. In 1840 he made a fourth 
trip and bought property in Ingham County upon 
which he established his home. He settled in the 
woods and made from the forest land a fruitful 
estate, clearing and breaking and putting up good 
buildings. He died there in 1872, at which time 
his hohling of real estate was eleven hundred acres, 
all improved. He was Supervisor several years 
and was a well respected citizen. 

The wife of Capt. Joseph Gale anti mother of 
our subject w.as born in New York and bore the 
name of Marj' Sutton. She was descended from a 
Mohawk Dutch family. She died in Ingham County, 
this Stale in 1848, leaving five children, three of 
whom arc now living in that county. They are 
Charles, John C and Mrs. Elizabeth Pierson. 
The youngest member of the family is Mrs. Ann 
Correll, whose home is in Eaton Count}- and the 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAPHJCAL ALBUM. 



223 



third is the subject of this notice. This gentleman 
was born in New Yorlv City, in April 1829, and ' 
attended school there until 1810. The family were 
twelve days in making the journey 'o their Michi- 
gan home, traveling on the Hudson River, Erie 
Canal and Ijake, aid from Detroit to Ann Arbor 
by rail. From that point to Ingham County they 
went in a wagon and father and sons carried guns, 
as their journey was through a wild country and 
they did not know what animals they would en- 
counter. Our subject was early put to work break- 
ing lanil, there being some |iarts of the properly 
not covered with tinilier. lie had coniinori-scliool 
advantages and when about twenty years old at- 
tended Spring Arbor College. He acquired an 
excellent etlucalion, being privileged to continue 
his studies several years. 

Mr. dale went to .Tackson and learncrl the paint- 
er's trade, then spent a ^'car vvilli his father and in 
the winter of 1856 came to Coniiini. He took u|) 
the business of lumbering in the north woods on 
the Tilavassee River, but tired of the business with- 
in a year and abandoned it to begin reading 
law under S. 1'. Parson. He says this was tlie mis- 
take of his life, for fortunes were then to be made 
in the pineries. After he w.is a Imitted to the bar 
he was in active practice until his health failed, 
when he began to draw out on legal work and pay 
more attention to other nutters. He was Circuit 
Court Commissioner eight years, was Postmaster of 
Corunna four years under the .administration of 
Gen. Grant, and for some time Supervisor of the 
First Ward. He also held the Ma^-or's olliee one 
year, was City Clerk several years and while Super- 
visor was Chairman of the County Hoard three 
years. He has also been a member of the School 
Board for a protracted period anil for several years 
was Secretary of that body. The mention of these 
positions gives but a fnint idea of the amount of 
business transacted by Judge (ide during the ib;- 
cades that Corunna has been his home. 

Mr. Gale has twenty acres of land within the 
corporation and a two hundred and forty-acre farm 
in Hazelton Townshij). For twelve or thirteen 
years he h.as been carrying on the small tr.act, em- 
I'loying from twelve to fifteen hands during the 
spring and summer. He made a specialty of rais- 



ing onions and made a financial success of the pro- 
ject. He built an onion cellar witli a granite wall 
in which he could store three thousand bushels, 
designing the structure for the purjjose. He was 
for a long time the heaviest dealer in that vegetable 
in the .Slate, but he finally gave np growing them 
on account of the condition of tiie land. Mr. (lale 
put up a line brick residence which is set off by a 
handsome lawn, his home being known as "West 
Side Lawn." In 1888 he built a driving track less 
than half a mile in circuit, and in the fall of IHi)0 
enlarged it, and now the West .Si(ie Driving P.-irk 
iias the best half-mile track in the county. 

The special purpose of Mr. Gale in making the 
track was to have a place for the training of Gov. 
Tod, which is considiM'ed the best colt in Michigan. 
It is a three-year-old lia^- stallion, sixteen hands 
high, and shows trotting action sehlom exhibited 
in a colt of its years. It is by Louis Napoleon, 
(lam Kit (Javin and grand-dam Scott's Hiatoga. 
Its grandsire has strains of the MesscTiger, Hain- 
bletonian and Abdallah blood and the record made 
by other horses of the same stock is very low. Mr. 
(Jalc has a couple of fine driving teams with a gait 
of less than three minutes, and he has carried off 
the blue ribbon from the State fairs for gentlemen's 
driving horses. He has also some line fillies and 
his stud is one of the largest and best in the count}'. 
The stable in which his steeds are sheltered is one 
of the best appointed in the State. Mr. (iale owns 
city lots and has excellent improvements on his 
large farm, which he superintends. 

At Kalon Rapids, Eaton County, in 18f),5, Mr. 
Gale was married to Miss .lulia Preston, a native 
of Jackson County. She was an accomplished 
musician and prior to her marriage was a music 
teacher; she died in Pontiac leaving one child, 
Frank, who is now book-keeper for the Corunna 
Coal Company. A second marriage was made by 
Mr. Gale, the ceremony being performed in Shia- 
wassee Township and the bride being .Miss S.aman- 
tha Parnienter. She is a daughter of Joseph Par- 
menler, one of the first i)ioneers of the county. 
This marriage has been blest by the birth of one 
child — Joseph, who lives with his parents. Mrs. 
CJale is a member of the Baptist Church. Judge 
Gale is a Knight Templar and for years has been 



224 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Captain General of the Commaudery i" Corunna. 
He has been identified with the Repuljliean party 
since its organization and is recognized as one of 
its influential members in this part of the State. 



^j^^ELSOM SCOTT, a representative farmer anil 
I jjj stock-raiser of Greenbush Township, Clin- 
jtit^ ton County, nialving liis home on section 
15, is a native of Morrow County, Ohio, and was 
born August 15, 1850. His parents William and 
Olive Scott are botli natives of tiie lUickej-e State, 
and the father emigrated to Clinton County, this 
State in 1855, making a settlement on section 10, 
Greenbush Township. Here in the dense woods 
he made a home for his family, and became a pio- 
neer and permanent settler, as he remained upon 
tlie same tract of land until his death in 1872. He 
was married a second time and was the fatiicr of 
four children, three of whom are living: Chins- 
worth, who resides in Elsie, Mich. : Nelson; and 
Alice who lives in Toledo, Ohio. 

Mr. Scott was ever deeply interested in local 
matters, especially in regard to educational affairs 
and has served as one of the School Directors. He 
was always looked to as one of the men who would 
earnestly promote all movements looking toward 
the prosperity of the township, and the elevation 
of its people. His political views led iiim to alflli- 
ate himself with the Republican party. He was 
a public-spirited man and in his death the com- 
munity lost one of its best members and a pioneer 
who had endured hardship as a good soldier. 

Nelson Scott was reared to manhood in Clinton 
County, and amid the trying yet stirring scenes of 
pioneoi life, and has been a part himself of the 
wonderful progress which this countr3' has seen 
since it was a wilderness. He received his educa- 
tion in tiie district schools of the township, which 
weic not in his days as tliorough and systematic as 
might be desired although they did a noble work 
in their way, and reached as higli a degree of ex- 
cellence as could be expected. He has in his life 
long career as a farmer ever striven to improve 
himself by reading the journals of the day and has 



thus gained much which was denied him in his 
early days. The marriage of our subject, Decem- 
ber 2G, 1878, united him with Matilda C. McQuis- 
tion, who is a native of Indiana. By their union 
there was born one son. Henry O., who came to 
them November 29, 1880. 

Mr. Scott settled on his present farm in the 
spring of 188G. He now owns sixty acres of ara- 
ble land, well improved and fitted up with excel- 
lent farm buildings. His political sympathies bring 
him into connection with the Republican party, 
and he is dpc|)l\- interested in the progress of that 
organization. Both he and his amiable wife are 
faithful and earnest members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and active members of society. 
Mrs. Scott is actively identified with the Woman's 
Foreign Missionary .Society connected with her 
church, and is an intelligent lady of refinement 
and sterling qualities, and the^- are both highly es- 
teemed members of societj'. 

i^^ AMUEL E. PEARL is perhaps as well- 
known as any man in the town of Ovid, 
Clinton County, as he has l)een engaged in 
business here for some years and carries 
a thiiving trade. His business is that of a 
dealer in clothing and is run under the firm name 
of Cowen & I'earl, and in the pleasant store a well 
selected stock may always be seen, and at prices 
that defy competition. At present Mr. Pearl is 
giving his personal attention to completing the 
work on hand at the works of the Schofield Buggy 
Company, for which he was appointed receiver in 
September, 1890. When that corporation failed 
tiie court placed their affairs in the hands of Mr. 
Pearl and he has opened the factory, and is trying 
to complete all their contracts. 

Clinton County is that in which Mr. Pearl was 
born, and his early home was in Duplain Township, 
where his eyes opened to the light October 14, 
1859. His p.arcnls are Orsamus M. and Ann II. 
(Faxon) Pearl, the former a merchant of rei)ute. 
The educational privileges of our subject were such 
as the common schools afford, supplemented by a 




on 







u(ji^<2^M>Z^j^^ "^n 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



227 



three years' course at Hillsdale College. He de- 
cided upon the liter.iry course as the hest for him 
and most likely to be useful in his future life, and 
applied himself diligently thereto. When Ihe ra(^e 
was run he embarked in business and still operates, 
as before mentioned. 

Already, in the short period of ten years, Mr. 
Pearl has risen to prominence among the business 
men of Ovid, and become known as a man of strict 
integrity, close applie.ition and financial penetra- 
tion, and his reputation in social circles is tliat 
which his mental culture and gentlemanly bearing 
entitle him to. Politically he is a Republican and 
a stanch supporter of the pnrt3', although not an 
aspirant for public favors. 



ON. DAVID M. ESTEY. The best me- 

\ niorial that can be given this gentleman 

is the plain account of the work he has 

^ accomplished and mention of the exten- 
sive enterprises in which he is interested. Less 
than thirty years ago he stood at the bottom of 
the linancial ladder — to-day no man in Owosso, 
Shiawassee County, has a higher posilio-.i in busi- 
ness circles or is at the head of larger interests. 
He is President of the Estey Manufacturing Com- 
pany and the Owosso Savings Bank, and half- 
owner of the (^ucon Cart Company and the Estey- 
Calkins Lumber Company. All arc located at 
Owosso except the last named, tiie headquarters 
of which is at Pinconning, Hay Count3'. The 
lumber company owns twelve thousand acres of 
timber land in Gladwin County and as the trees 
are removed farms are o|)ened up and sold to set- 
tlers. 'J'he company has platted a town on their 
land. 

The subject of this life history is descended from 
Isaac Estey, who was one of the (Irst settlers of 
Royalston, Mass., and was of .Scotch and Irish ex- 
traction, tlie paternal line having sprung from 
Scotland and the maternal from Ireland. Follow- 
ing Isaac Estey in the direct line was Israel B., 
who was born in the Hay State and carried on 
farming and lumbering in New Hampshire and 



Massachusetts for many j'ears. Later he made his 
home at West Dummerston, Vt., and his death 
occurred in Owosso while on a visit to his son, 
July 8, 1891, at the age of eighty years. He mar- 
ried L. Permelia Boyington, a noble woman, who 
who was born in Paxton, Mass., and wa.s the 
daughter of Daniel Boyington, of that State, 
whose ancestors emigrated from England. The 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Israel B. Estey were six 
in number, and David IM. was the second born, 
llis birth look place in Hinsdale, Cheshire County, 
N. II., February 9, 1812, and he passed his early 
years principally in Vermont. He received a 
common-school education, and when a mere boy 
went into the woods and chopped and cleared off 
ten acres of heav3' timber land. 

Young Estey began the manufacture of lumber 
in a small way, cutting down the timber with his 
own ax, hauling it to the mill with ox-teams, and 
sawing the logs on one of the old-fashioned New 
England Gate sawmills. The lumber was dried 
and maile up into bedsteads of a simple pattern, 
which were sold in New England. In 186;') Mr. 
Estey transferred his business operations to this 
State, locating at West Haven, si.x miles from 
Owosso, where he had good water power. He 
became known as one who furnished reliable fur- 
niture, and the business incrcascil and compelled 
him to remove to a place where he would have 
better railroad communication with other points. 
He therefore removeil to Owosso in 187.'>, and es- 
tablished what has become a mammoth industry. 
Mr. Estey formerly introduced his own wares, 
spending much of his time on the road, but since 
he has built up a large business he has employed 
a good force and devotes himself to tlie general 
oversight of affairs. 

The small frame building in which Mr. Estey 
began the manufacture of furniture in Owosso 
stands opposite the immense works now used, .-ind 
affords a striking contrast of the past with the pres- 
ent. The building now used contains one hundred 
and seventy thousand feet of flooring and the 
power is furnished by a Corliss engine of two 
hundred and fifty horse-power. The output is 
about iji.'JOO.OOO yearly, consisting of twenty styles 
of chamber suits, twelve of sideboards and eight 



228 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of cliiffoniers. The goods have a world-wide repu- 
tation, the marltet including every State and Ter- 
ritory in the Union, and tiie company having also 
quite an export trade, notably' to Japan, where 
they have made large shipments. The Estey 
Manufacturing Compan}' uses some special im- 
provements, one of which is the Clapp patent 
case, bj' which drawers are prevented from be- 
coming boun<l by swelling or loose b}' shrinking, 
so that they always move easil}' and are secure 
against dust, moths or insects. The company em- 
ploys a large force of competent workmen and 
carries constantly in its yards 4,.'>00,000 to 6,000,- 
000 feet of lumber, which is cut on its own land 
and prejiared in its own mills. Goods can thus 
be placed on the market at prices that defy com- 
petition for equally good work, and so great is the 
demand that they have been obliged to put u|) a 
second large factory, of which Mr. D. M. Estey 
was the projector. 

This new ))uilding occupies one of tiie most 
available sites in the citj', on wiiicii an immense 
three-story and basement factor}' was completed 
within less tlian six days. The building pio|ier 
contains six hundred tliousand feet of lumber, four 
tons of nails and bolts, and one carload of glass. 
The power is supplied by tlie latest improved 
Compound Corliss engine (manufactured by C. & 
G. Cooper & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio) and the dry- 
house has a capacity of two hundred and fifty 
thousand feet. The furniture made is constructc<l 
so as to retain the standard of merit for which the 
Estey furniture has become noted, although placed 
upon the market at low pri(!es. Tlie company 
operating tliis second factory, which is known as 
the D. M. Estey Furniture Company, includes the 
members of the Estey Manufacturing Company, 
l)ut is a distinct corporation with a capital of 
$100,000. The city of Owosso gave a bonus of 
^S.OOO toward its establishment in this place, 
knowing that it would attract hither a good class 
of working people and add to the circulation of 
mone}' in otlier lines of trade. 

The home of Mr. Estej' is in a residence sur 
rounded by extensive grounds that arc beautified 
by shade trees and blooming plants, the whole in 
one of the best localities in the city. The estab- 



lishment is presided over by a lady who was for- 
merly known as Miss Mary J. Norcross, but who 
became the wife of our subject August 10, 1862. 
She was born in the (ireen Mountain State and is 
the daughter of Orson Norcross, who was of Eng- 
lish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Estey have two chil- 
dren — Orson B. and Dora. The son, who is a skilled 
carver, has charge of that department in the fur- 
niture factory. 

Mr. Estey has represented his ward in the City 
Council and has served as Mayor of Owosso one 
term. He took an active part in the establishment 
of the water works and is now a member of the 
Board of Water Commissioners. He was elected 
Treasurer of the Board for a term of three years, 
but at the expiration of a twelvemonth resigned. 
Politicallj- he is a stanch Republican. Mr. Estey 
also aided in organizing the Owosso Savings Bank, 
and in other less conspicuous projects has ad- 
vanced the interests of the community. Mrs. 
Estey is a member of the Baptist Church and Mr. 
Estey is one of the Trustees of that organization. 
It is needless to say that he is one of the most 
valued residents of Owosso and his soundness of 
judgment and keen perception of business details 
is recognized by all with whom he comes in con- 
tact, and that as President of the corporations 
mentioned his name and reputation have been sent 
broadcast over the land. 

A lithographic portrait of Mr. Este}' accom- 
panies this sketch. 

^^E0R(;E ARCHIBALD COOPER. The 
\\l (Sf, owner of the farm located on section 1, 
^5^J! Bennington Township, Shiawassee County, 
was born December 25, 1847, on the old homestead. 
He was reared at home and during childhood at- 
tended the district school. He worked on the 
farm until his father's death, when, having pur- 
chased eighty acres adjoining the homestead on 
the west, he turned his attention to the cultivation 
of that, his brother .Tohn assisting him, and they 
worked together until 1885, when our subject un- 
dertook the charge of the County Farm of which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



22i) 



he was overseer for three years. He worked on a 
sal.ary, liaving from twcnt3'-five to thirty inmates. 

Mr. Cooper h.as a fine farm comprising one liun- 
drc(i and twenty acres, upon wiiicli is some well- 
bred stock. He keeps an English draft horse that 
was bred by McCann Bros. Our subject was mar- 
ried June 18, 1880, to Miss Harriet K. Bemiss, who 
was born in Bennington Township. She was the 
daughter of Alva and Eunice Bemiss. She made 
her home in the family of J. H. Hartwcll for twelve 
years prior to her marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have two children: Lillian, 
who was born February-, 9, 188,'j, and Walter A., 
July 9, 1890. The original of this sketch has fine 
buildings U|)on his place and a great many of the 
latest inventions in agricultural implements. He 
has a large barn, 36x82 feet and eighteen feet in 
height that cost him $1,000 Jo erect. Mr. Cooper 
is a Republican in politics. He h.os a vivid recol- 
lection of seven hard years spent in the lumber 
woods. Mrs. Cooper's parents settled in Shiawassee 
County, this State, at an early d.iy, the father com- 
ing from New York. Mrs. Cooper was born Feb- 
ruary 12, 1858, in Bennington Townshi(). Her 
father died October 16, 1876, at the .age of fifty- 
four years. Her mother died several years pre- 
vious. One brother still lives in Pittsburg, Mich. 



^1^ ETEK E. WALSWORTH. This genlle- 
I Jp man is Cashier of St. John's National 
I ^ Bank anti Treasurer of the Clinton County 
\\ Savings Bank, and is a stockholder and di- 
rector in each institution. He is a (^'anadian by 
birth, but in the |)aternal line is descended from 
Eastern families, and several of his ancestral con- 
eections fought against the Mother Countiy dur- 
ing the Revolution. In the maternal line he traces 
his lineage !)ack to the Emerald Isle, whence his 
mother came to America when quite small. Her 
maiden name was Ellen Lewis and her father was 
William Lewis, a farmer who establisherl himself 
near Kingston, Canada, and died there. The 
father of our subject is Edmund Walsvvorlli, 
whose parents were natives of New York but who 



was himself born in Ontario, Canada. He is a 
mechanic and was engaged in contracting and 
I building in ^'illa Nova and then at Park Hill, On- 
tario. In 18G6, he removed to St. John's where he 
worked at his trade for a time but is now living 
retirecL 

The parental family consists of three children 
and Peter E. is the youngest. He was born at Villa 
Nova, Can.ada, January 29, 1853, and was ten 
years old when his parents removed from that 
place to Park Hill. He pursued his studies in the 
common schools, finishing his education after the 
family came to St. John's. He inherited manual 
dexterity and was handy with tools from his bo}-- 
hood. He learned the trade of a carpenter and 
then began studying architecture and building, 
working in Bay City with a large company and 
becoming a practical and skillful architect. In 
1878 he turned his attention toother work and be- 
came book-kee|)er for what is now .St. John's Na- 
tional Bank, but was the First National. lie 
worked his way up, becoming in turn. Teller, As- 
sistant Cashier and Cashier, and in the meantime 
the charter expired and the new corporation suc- 
ceeded with a capital of i? 100,000. In December, 
1889, the Clinton County Savings Bank was organ- 
ized in the same building with a cajiital of $35,000. 
and Mr. AValsworth became its Treasurer — a posi- 
tion similar to that of Cashier in other banks. 
The Savings Bank is a solid concern and has al- 
ready on deposit over $120,000, and continually 
increasing. 

At the bride's home in Muir, Ionia County, in 
1878, Mr. Walsworlh was married to Mi.ss Victo- 
ria El}'. The father of the bride is .h prominent 
farmer of Ionia County and the name of Oliver 
Ely is familiar to many people of this section of 
the State. Mrs. Walsworth is a lady of more than 
ordinary intelligence and tact, which she lias dis- 
l)layed in the schoolroom, she having been a 
teacher prior to her marriage. She is the mother 
of one child, a son named Harry E 

Since 1881 Mr. Walsworth has been Treasurer 
of St. John's, and he was a member of the Build- 
ing Committee when the present schoolhouse was 
erected. He is connected with the Masonic order, 
enrolled in the Blue Lodge here. He gives his 



230 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



political support to the Republican party and is as 
stanch a member as can be foiiiid. He belongs to 
the First Congregational Cluiich and is one of the 
Board of Trustees. His business ability is recog- 
nized by all with whom he comes in contact and 
he is considered one of the most trustworthy of fi- 
nanciers. 



J'^ NDREW SILVERNAIL. Tlie fertile soil 
(@ZlJJ| of Clinton County is made the scource of 
la good income by many thorough farmers, 
whose homos are models of good taste and 
comfort. A farm which attracts the attention of 
the passers-by by the manner in vvhicli it lias bfien 
improved and ihe general appearance of prosperity 
whicli it bears, is that on section 27, (treenbush 
Township, owned and occupied by Mr. Silvernail. 
The distinguishing feature among tiie buildings 
here is a flue briclv farmhouse, wiiich was put u|) a 
few years since, forming a decided contrast with 
the little log cal)in in which Mr. and Mrs. Silver- 
nail made their lirst iiome in this township. 

From his early boyhood our suljject has been 
engaged in farming, the only exception being the 
years which he gave to the service of his country, 
when he and thousands of other were struggling 
to maintain the Republic. During that trying 
time his wife was left with the care of the farm 
upon her shoulders and had also to look after two 
small children. She chopped her own wood, and 
many a time walked to St;. .John's by a circuitous 
route, where the roads were poor and swamps had 
in some places to be crossed, in order to procure 
Indian meal from which to m.ake bre.a<l, or get a 
small supply of other necessaries. 

Mr. Silvernail was born in Chenango County, 
N. Y.,Juiy 9, 1833, being a son of Abram and 
Betsey (Sitts) Silvernail. His parents trace tiieir 
ancestry back to Holland. Our subject was the 
second son in the parental family and was about 
entering his teens when a removal was made to Ing- 
ham Count}', this State. The family w.as numbered 
among the early settlers there, and Andrew grew to 
manhood amid the surroundings of life in a par- 



tially developed and sparsely settled country. He 
attended school during the short sessions of the 
time, and gained an insight into practical branches 
and laid the foundation for his present fund of 
knowledge. There were no unusual incidents con- 
nected with his youth, and when he was married 
he and his wife spent a short time in the county 
that had been their home for some years previous- 
ly. They then made Eaton County their place of 
residence for a short time, but in 1801 settled on 
their present farm. 

August 8, 18C-2, Mr. Silvernail enlisted in Com- 
pany D,'Twenty-sixth Michigan Infantry. He w.as 
soon detailed as a drummer and as such and Drum 
Major he went through the war. He was with the 
Army of the Potomac a part of the time, but to- 
ward the close of the struggle was with the A'ete- 
ran Reserve Corps. .He was honorably discharged 
July 8, 18C5, and returning lo Clinton County re- 
sumed his agricultural work. He had set uj) his 
home on land covered with forest and had to pass 
tlirougli the usual hours of toil in bringing it under 
cultivation. Not only during his absence, but 
wiule he was at home, his wife did much to aid in 
bringing about the good result and they are now 
enjoying the fruits of industrious and well-spent 
years. 

Mrs. Silvernail bore the maiden name of Mary 
H. Sitts, and became the wife of our subject March 
27, 185G. She is a native of Montgomery County, 
N. Y., where she was born February 5, 1835. Her 
])arents were James and Nancy Sitts, natives of the 
Empire State, and the other members of their fam- 
ily are: Edward A.; Alice, wife of Lewis Albers; 
Emily, wife of Cornelius Weatherby, and Lydia C, 
wife of Chauncy Stevens. Her Grandfather Sitts 
was a Revolutionary soldier, and so too was the 
paternal grandfather of Mr. Silvernail. The lat- 
ter has a Colonial relic in the shape of a powder- 
horn which was used by his ancestor during the 
struggle for independence. Mr. and Mrs. Silver- 
nail have two sons whose respective names ate 
LaFa^'ette and Washington. LaFaj'ctte married 
Dora M. Crooks, and they have two children: 
Edith and Guy. Washington married Nola Keifer, 
they have two children: Ral|)ii and Bertha. 

Having always been a lover of reading, Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



233 



Silvernail is more than ordinarily well-informed 
regarding topics beyond the particular line of life 
whifli lie lias been following. In questions of poli- 
ties, finance and religion he is read^- to give a good 
reason for his stand, and he is an entertaining com- 
panion. He votes the Republican ticket, and is of 
course identified with tlie Grand Army of the Re- 
public, his name being enrolled in a post at Eureka. 
Mrs. Silvernail is a member of tiie Woman's Relief 
Corps, and she is also active in the Ladies' Aid 
Society by which good is done iu the neighbor- 
hood. Husband and wife belong to the Christian 
Church and take an active part in the work carried 
on by that religious society. They have the respect 
and goodwill of a large circle of acquaintances, 
and man}' friends rejoice in their prosperit}'. 



^1 ABEZ PERKINS, M. D.,one of the leading 
physicians in this part of the Slate, would 
also be one of the wealthiest if it were not 
for his generous nature, and his inability to 
urgently demand what is due him from patients 
who seem reluctant or unable to pay. lie was born 
in Defiance, Ohio, October 26, 1820. Ills father, 
John Pi rkins, .1 native of Penns3'lvania, removed 
to Lexington, Ky., when but two years old, with 
his father, Richard, who was a nat've of England. 
The inotlier, Abigail Jones, a native of Virginia, 
was a daughter of David Jones. of Welsli extraction. 
After twenty years residence in Kentucky the fam- 
reraoved to Ross County, an<l after living there for 
some time removed to Defiance County, where he 
made his home during a brief period, then sold out 
and settled on a jilace about two miles from De- 
fiance, on a tributary of the Miami River. There 
he built a Hour and saw mill and also operated a 
farm. Subsequently he removed to llie vicinity 
of Bryan, Williams County, where he owned and 
managed a llouring-raill and sawmill, and where 
he died. 

He of whom we write spent his boyhood days in 
and near Defiance, Oliio, until lie reached the .age 
of fourteen years, when he went to Williams 
County, Ohio, and there grew to manhood assist- 



ing in a mill and on the farm. He entered the 
Wcsleyan University of Ohio at the age of eigh- 
teen, where he pursued his studies for tsvo years, and 
then commenced the study of medicine with Dr. 
John Paul. He took the first three courses of lec- 
lines iu the medical department of the Western 
Reserve College, at Cleveland. 

The Doctor commenced his practice at Spring- 
ville, Mich., and in 18,0'.) took a course of lectures 
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New 
York City. After leaving college he made a 
trip through the South, and u|)on his return in 
18G0 i-esiimed his priiclice. In July, 1862, he was 
appointed Surgeon of the Tenth Kentucky Regi- 
ment, and soon after was i)ronioted to the oltice of 
Medical Director of the Twentieth Army Corps, 
which position he held until October of the follow, 
ing year, when he was commissioned Surgeon of 
\'olunteers. He remained in this position until 
October, 1865, and during the time w.as a member 
of Gen. Elliott's staff and had charge of Hospital 
No. 19, at N.ashville, Tenn. He was retained in 
the employ of the Government until October, 1865, 
and made trips to different cities in its interest. 

After being released from his army position the 
Doctor returned to New York City and spent eight 
months at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
and then came to Owosso, Shiawassee County, and 
engaged in a general practice to which he has since 
(]i>v<itc'd his time and energies. He has built u[) a 
ri'imtation not only as a medical practilluncr but 
al.M) .IS a surgeon, and few in this part of the State 
stand higher than lie. His partner, Dr. A. M. 
Hiune is a good physician, and the two logi'ilur 
make a strong linn, and have built up a large pi;\e- 
tice. Dr. Perkins Is frecpu'iilly called to distant 
p;iils of the Stale as cdiiiisi'l. 

Dr. Perkins w\as united In marriage with Eva I. 
Di.aiie May 24, 1870. This lady was born In 
Or.'inge County, N. Y., and is a liaughter of Gil- 
bcri, T. Doane. While living In Lewanee County, 
Mirli., In 1858 Dr. Perkins was elected to the Leg- 
islaUire. where he served one term greatly to the 
satisfaction and prolil of his consUtuents, and to 
the credit of the Republican party nhieh iihiced 
him in this honorable posllion. lie Is a nu'inbcr 
of the Owosso Lodge, No. 21, F. k A. M., ihe 



234 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Owosso Chapter, No. 89, R. A. M., and Corunna 
Commandery, K. T. The Doctor is a kind-hearletl 
and benevolent man, and does much for the un- 
fortunate and need^', being ever ready to respond 
to the appeal of the distressed. 

A portrait of Dr. Perkins is presented in connec- 
tion with this biographical sketch. 



^TNDREW I). SHERMAN is numbered 
(^Oi among the early settlers of Shiawassee 

]\\vk County of 1854, and has resided u|)on his 
<^ present faim on section 1, in tin town of 

Sciota for the long perioil of thirty years. In the 
years which have come and gone he has watched 
the upbuilding of the county and aided in its 
development and progress, especially has he been 
prominently identified with the agricultural in- 
terests of the community. To the early settlers is 
due all honor, for it was they who laid the founda- 
tion for the county's prosperity and thus made it 
what it is to-day. 

Mr. Sherman, who well deserves representation 
in this volume as one of the early settlers, was 
born on his father's farm in Shawangunk Township, 
Dutchess County, N. Y., March 1, 1836, and is a 
son of Almeron and Jane A. (Donnelly) Sherman, 
who were also natives of the Empire State. They 
removed to Madison County, N. Y. when our sub- 
ject wa.s a year old and there resided until Nov- 
ember, 1852, when they emigrated westward to 
Michigan, settling on the same section where our 
subject now resides. Upon the farm which Mr. 
Sherman developed they spent the remainder of 
their lives. He bought the whole of section 1, the 
purchase price being 12.50 per acre and the wild 
land which was covered with a heavy growth of 
timber he cleared and improved, making it an ex- 
cellent farm. His first house was a log cabin, 
30 X 37 feet. It is still standing, one of the few 
landmarks of pioneer days yet remaning and is 
owned by Andrew G. Barry. Almeron Sherman 
was a very successful farmer. By trade he was a 
tanner and currier but on his removal to Madison 
County, N. Y., he turned his attention to agricult- 



ural pursuits, which he followed during the re- 
mainder of his life. Although when he started out 
in business for himself he had no capital, he be- 
came well-to-do. He was a valued citizen, res- 
pected by all who knew him and was honored with 
several local oflices of trust. In Madison County, 
N. Y., he served for seventeen years as Justice of 
the Peace and after coming West again held the 
same oflice for about twelve years, a fact which in- 
dicates his etticiency and fidelity to duty. In 
politics he was a Democrat but afterwards became 
a Republican and both he and his wife belonged to 
the Methodist Church of which they were faithful 
and consistent members. Their family numbered 
eight chihiren — -Evelina, Mary, Andrew D., Jane, 
Anna pj., John, Albert and Almeron. 

Our subject w.is the third in order of birth and 
tiie eldest son. He received a limited education in 
the common schools of Madison CounL}-, N. Y., 
where the days of his boyhood and youth were 
passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. He 
accompanied his parents to Michigan and remained 
at home until thirty years of age in order to care 
for his i)arents. On attaining his majority he 
took charge of the home farm, thus relieving his 
father from all business care. On the 1st of March, 
1860, he married Miss Harriet M. Cross, who was 
born in this county. May 15, 1839, and is a repres- 
entative of one of the first pioneer families. Her 
parents, Gideon M. and Elizabeth (Hall) Cross, 
were natives of New York, and iu 1833, followed 
the course of human emigration which was steadily 
drifting westward, until they arrived in Michigan. 
They first settled in Livingston County, after- 
wards removed to Vernon, and a year later took 
up their residence in Sciota, Shiawassee County. 
In the fall of 1836, they settled upon a fnrm in 
Sciota Township where the mother died. The 
father's death occurred in Ovid Township. Their 
eldest son, Rev. Charles Cross, a Methodist min- 
ister, was the first white child born in Sciota Town- 
ship, his birth taking [dace in March, 1837. 

Mr. Sherman secured a deed to one hundred and 
twenty acres of land, his present farm, upon which 
he has resided since 1861. The many improve- 
ments found thereon are all the work of his hands 
and many of those upon the old homestead also 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



235 



stand as nionuments to his thrift and industry. As 
he was the eldest son he worked upon the farm 
while the younger children attended school. He 
MOW has one hundred acres of his land under a 
high state of cultivation and his farm is improved 
with good buildings, including a large hiru and a 
commodious two story frame residence, which was 
ereeted in 1884. The stock which he raises is of 
the best grades. He has led a busy and useful life, 
characterized by fair dealing and is truly a self- 
made man. In politics he is a Republican and 
while he keeps himself well informed concerning 
the issues of the day has never sought or desired 
the honors of emoluments of public office. He and 
his wife hold membership with the Methodist 
Churcii. 

This worthy couple have a family of four ciiild- 
ren, of whom they maj' well be proud — Henrietta, 
the eldest daughter, is now the wife of D. E. 
Tobias who is in the railway tnail service and re- 
sides in Grand Rapids, Mich. One child gr.aces 
their union, Maxwell. Jennie, Gertrude and Mary; 
the younger daughters are well educated young 
ladies, having received the advantages of the best 
sciiolastic training in the State and Jennie and 
Gertie are now teachers of recognized ability. 
Mrs. Tobias also engaged in teaching prior to her 
marriage as also did Mrs. Sherman before her 
marriage. 

S3i?^. 




HILANDER W. OSRORN. It is undoubt- 
edly a great satisfaction to a man or 
^ woman who has reached j-ears when liiey 
can look back over a long life spent in 
hardsiiips and a struggle to give one's family 
every advantage possible as well as to do one's 
dut\ by one's fellowinen, to have tiic efforts recog- 
nized by loving children and kind friends wilh 
the assurance that one h.as m:i<lu the most of Ufv 
and that the worlil is better for their having liveil 
in it. 

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch 
and who lives on section 1, Fairfield Township, 
Sliiawassee County, is a general farmer here and 
was born In what was originally Portage County 



but is now known as .Summit County, Ohio. He 
is the sou of Klias and Jerusha (Adams) Osborn, 
the father a native of Osbornville, Conn. Our 
subject's grandfatiier, Isa.ac Osborn, removed to 
Northampton Townshiii, Summit County, Ohio, 
while his son was a boy. He built the first flour- 
ing mill erected on Mud Brook in Northampton 
Township. The walls were of niggerhead stone and 
the work was done in the main by himself. He 
was one of the first settlers tiiere iuid did a business 
both as a millwright and miller an<l w.'is also en- 
gaged in distilling. 

Our subject is the eldest in a famil3' of four, 
only one of whom beside himself is still living, 
this being a half-lirolher who resides in Summit 
County, Ohio, and vifhose name is Henry Monroe. 
Pliihuiiler received a limited education, having less 
tiiaii a year's schooling, but he early acquired a 
love for reading and study and utilized the uufjer- 
taiii light given out by the liickory (lie that blazed 
on the broad heartlisloue to become :icqu:iinled 
with the i)opular authors as well as such sciences 
as physiology, geology, philoso|)liy, uiineralogy 
and astronomy. He th us gained a fair education 
by iiis own efforts. 

Mr. Osborn grew to m;uilioo(l in Xoithaiiiplon. 
His father having died while he was yet young he 
was thrown on his own resources and obliged to 
look to himself for his living. When sixteen years 
of age he took n trip South, traveling through all 
the Southern States to New Orleans. November 
2, 1849, he was married to Merilla Antels, a daugh- 
ter of John and Agnes (Sweronger) Antels. The 
lidy was born in Akron, Ohio, but her father was 
a native of Wayne County, same State. 

The gentleman of whom we write came to Mich- 
igan July 5, 1873, and purchased eight}- acres of ■ 
land. He has since given forty acres of this to his 
sou. He is the father of three children : the eld- 
est child and son is Oliver (). wlio is a physician 
ami druggist and lives in Fenwick, Montcalm 
County; he has two children. The second child is 
Nancy who married Francis Emmert, whose sketch 
appears on another i>agc in this ALnUM. The third 
child is Jessie M. who lives at Hitlie Creek, tliis 
State, and is unmarried. 

Our subject votes the RepubliiMu tii-kct 'lud hiis 



236 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



been a popular man in tbe county; lie is not an 
otliee-seeker and has ever refused to be a nominee. 
He lias served on tiie Board of Review. He, wilii 
his wife, is a member of tbe United Brethren 
Church, in which they tliey have been for over 
forty years. Mr. Osborn's maternal grandfather, 
Philander Adams, was a commissioned officer in 
both the Revolutionary War and tlie War of 1812. 
He was a business man of unusual ability and ac- 
quired a verj' comfortable fortune. A native of 
New York State, he settled in Kandolpli Townsliii), 
Portage County, Ohio, where for many years he 
was the proprietor of a large farm. 

(A felLLIAM E. WARREN, an intelligent and 
\rJ// prominent farmer and one of the leading 
W^ stock raisers of Sciota Township, Shiawas- 
see County, residing on section 4, has the honor of 
being a native-born citizen of this county. His 
birth occurred March 21, 1853, in Middlobury 
Township, on a ffirm wiihiii a half mile of where 
he now lives. His parents, David L. and Mary 
(IngersoU) Warren, natives of New York, came to 
Michigan in the pioneer days, settling tirsl in Oak- 
land County and thence removing to Shiawassee 
County. The}' took up their resi<lence on section 
33, in the town of Middlebury, whore they re- 
sided until 1888. They then removed to the vil- 
lage of Ovid, which is still their home. 

Farming has been the life work of David War- 
ren, and in that pursuit he acquired a handsome 
competence. He came to Michigan in its pioneer 
days a poor man, but has now considerable means, 
owning one hundred and ninety-five acres of land, 
besides property in Ovid. Then, too, he has aided 
his children to start in life. Mr. Warren has been 
twice married, his first union being wiih Miss In- 
gersoU, by whom he had four children — Maria, 
William E., Adelia, and Edna (deceased). After 
the death of his first wife he wedded Mrs. Jane 
Graham, of Lenawee County, Mich. In religious 
belief Mr. Warren is a .Metlujdist, and tiie mother 
(if our subject was also a member of the same 
(.■liurch. He supports the Republican party, and by 



bis fellow-townsmen has been honored with a num- 
ber of local offices. 

Our subject was reared to manhood upon his 
father's farm, and no event of special importance 
marked his boyliood, which was passed in the usual 
manner of firmer lads. During the winter season 
he attendcii the district schools of the neighbor- 
hood, and throughout the remainder of the year 
aided his father. The occupation to which he was 
reared he has made his life work. On the 27th of 
December, 1877, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Enmia B. House, of Williamston, Livingston 
Connt}', Mich. She was born in Clinton County, 
and is a daughter of Jacob and Emma (Gates) 
House. The young couple began their domestic 
life upon their present farm, and their home has 
been brightene<l by the presence of two interesting 
children, both of whom are living — Cliffie D., 
aged eight j-ears, and Cliarlie W., four years of 
age. 

Mr. Warren is the owner of one of the finest 
farms in Sciota Townshi)). His landed possessions 
aggregate one hundred and fort^-five acres, of 
which one hundred and twenty acres have been 
placed under the plow and are yielding to him a 
ready return for the care and cultivation he be- 
stows u|)on them. Not onl^' is he engaged in gen- 
eral farming, but, as before stated, he is an exten- 
sive stock-raiser, making a specialty of Holsteiu 
cattle, lie has thirteen head of thoroughbreds on 
his farm and also high grades of horses and sheep. 
Large barns furnish ample shelter for his stock 
from the storms of winter and are in themselves 
models of convenience. 

The home of the family, however, far surpasses 
in excellence every other improvement upon the 
place. On another page of this volume appears a 
view of his commodious two storj- brick residence, 
which was erected in 1877 and is neatly ami taste- 
fully furnished. From the door extends a beauti- 
ful and well-kept lawn, and shade trees add to the 
loveliness of the scene. The passers-by at a glance 
will learn the fact that iudustr}-, neatness and en- 
terprise are charicteristics of the owner. In 
politics Mr. Warren is a Prohibitionist, and both 
he and his wife are faithful memliers of the Middle- 
bury and Sciota Jlethodist Church of Middlebury. 




X 

o 



o 



X 
CO 



a; 

< 

f- 
o 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AMJUM. 



23!) 



This worthy couple have long resided in the com- 
munity and are widely and favorably known, hav- 
in«: a large circle of friends and acquaintances who 
esteem them higl'ly for their slerlinjj; worth. 



~->''r4f-^^ — 



aHARLES HAGAN. One of the pioneer 
, seitlers in this State who has helped to in- 
' troduee measures tliat have given it position 
among the States is he whose name heads our 
sketch. He is a native of Ireland, having been 
born in County Down in 1827. His parents were 
Arthur and Martha ( Mullen) Hagan. The mother 
died when Charles was nine months old and his 
father when the bo}' was twelve years old. Left tiuis 
early to battle with tlie world all his native wit 
and shrewdness was developed by necessity. His 
elder brother, .Tame?, now living in Bennington 
Township, Shiawassee County, came from Ireland 
to Canada in 1845. Our subject, who had come 
with iiiin, picked up the trade of a mr.son and 
managed to support himself by it in the town in 
which he settled, which was that of Henehenburg, 
Canada. 

Charles Hagan located on the new farm with liis 
brother James, going eight miles away from any 
settlement. Hero he lived for twent3--flve years 
and in November, 18G9, he sold out his farm and 
came to Shiawassee County, where his brother had 
l)efore settled. On first coming here he secured 
eighty acres of land, afterward adding to it thirty- 
five acres more. He at once began the erection of 
a log house in the woods, which was a solid forest 
for three or four miles. His energy is vouched for 
in the fact that of this hundred and fifteen acres 
of perfectly wild land he has now m.ade a finely- 
improved farm, nine acres only being unimproved. 
He devotes himself to general farming. 

In Canada Mr. Hagan took contracts for cutting 
pine logs, from two thousand to five thousand logs 
being considered a season's work. He was a mason 
by trade and worked at that as lime and circum- 
stances allowed. His present home is an attractive 
frame house, containing eight rooms and iiaving a 



handsome interior finish of hard wood. Under the 
house is a spacious cellar, large enough to gladden 
the heart of any thrifty housekeeper. There is a 
fine barn upon the place, and taking it all in all it 
is one of the most comfortable, tastj* and attractive 
places in the townsliip. The house was erected at 
a cost of 81.51)0. 

Mr. Hagan was married in June, 1848, to Miss 
Hannah Leve';k, born in Camden, Canada. ( )ctober 
13, I>S30. A large family has grown up under the 
eyes of the |)arents. The eldest, John, lives at 
Bennington; Mary is at home; James is in Ben- 
nington; Justine; Elizabeth and Sarah (twins); 
Thomas, residing in Owosso; Charlotte; Charles, a 
cleik in Ovvosso; Joanna Loretta, Joseph, and 
Teresa. Justice is Mrs. Jolin Donovan, of (J rand 
Rapids. Elizabeth is Mrs. Al Barr, of Detroit; 
Saraii married .lohn Stratch and resides in Wash- 
ington; Charlotte who married Frank Stengel, re- 
sides in Owosso; Joanna is a natural artist and 
without training has executed some excellent work 
in cuUir and design; she also has some musical tal- 
ent and is a fine-looking and very attractive woman. 
Teresa is Mis. Charles Hammel. Our subject has 
always been a Democrat but recently has become a 
member of the Patrons of Industry. The family 
are members of the Catholic Church of Owosso. 

,p^ AMUEL LAMFROM, a retired dealer in 
clothing and the Alderman of the Second 
Ward of Owosso, was born in the King- 
dom of Wittenburg, Germany, in the vil- 
l.age of Oberdorf, December 9, 1838. He is the 
second son of Leonard and Sarah (Mendel) Lam- 
from, the father being a butcher by trade. Three 
of this family were daughters and five were sons, 
and four of them are still living. The school days 
of this son were passed in his native village and at 
the age of eleven he entered the seminary at Es- 
lingen and there studied for two years. 

The mercantile experience of our subject was in- 
itiated by clerking for eighteen months in a dry 
goods store at F^slingen. He now deciiied that he 
would emigrate to the New World and in August, 



240 



PORTRAIT AND DIOGRAPMICAL ALBUM. 



1854, he sailed for America, landing in New York 
City with ninety-four cents in his pocket. lie went 
to Elmira, N. Y., and clerked in a store for a year 
and then at Ou;denslnirg, and took charge of a 
branch store for the same parties. He Ihen went 
to Rome, N. Y., and soon after to Syracuse. At 
Auburn he served Mr. Jacob Silverlnug and con- 
tinued clerking for him until his employer moved 
his stock of goods to (Irand Rapids, this State, 
when he accompanied him and continued for four 
3-ears in his service. 

In 1861 the young man enlisted in Company K, 
Tenth ]\Iicliigan Infantry, Col. Lum commanding 
the regiment. This rcjiment was assigned to the 
western department of the army and its first bat- 
tle was at Pittsburg Landing. He particii)ated in 
severe battles at Corinth, Murfreesboro, Atlanta 
and Cape May, and joined the march to the sea. 
He then returned to Hilton Head, thence to New 
York City, and on to Detroit, Mich., where he re- 
ceived his final discharge. He was a tifer all 
through his term of service, which lasted three 
years and two months. 

fioing to .Tonesville, this State, the young vet- 
eran clerked there in a store for eighteen montlis 
and in 18G6 started in business of his own, and 
leaving Hillsdale County, went to Burr Oak, 
St. Joseph County. He purchased a good stock of 
gentlemen's furnishing goods and clothing and con- 
tinued in this line for fifteen months. In Septem- 
ber, 1867, he decided that. Owosso wa< a better cen- 
ter of trade and removing his stock thither set up 
liis business house here, which he carried on until 
his health failed in 1878, when he sold out his 
stock and retired from active work. But an active 
business man finds it hard to sit styi and see the 
busy world go on, and having to some extent re- 
covered his health, Mr. Lamfrom, in 1882, again 
started in business with an entirely new stock in 
the same line as before. In this he continued until 
September, 1890, when he again sold out his busi- 
ness and renting his store permanently retired 
from active life. 

The ladj' who presides so graciousl}' over the 
home of our subject became his wife March 24, 
1867. Her maiden name was Mary Mendelsohn 
and her home before marriage was in Detroit, 



Mich. Three sons have blessed this home, namely: 

Moses H., who is a merchant in Balina, Ohio; 
Henrj', who is at home; and Rudolph, who is clerk- 
ing for his elder brother. The election of Mr. 
Lamfrom to the position of Alderman of llie 
Second Ward took place in the si>ring of 18!»l. 
He is the Secretary of the Business Men's Associa- 
tion and has occupied that position since llie 
organization of the societ}' in 1887. He is a mem- 
ber, demilted, of the Owosso Lodge. His [)oliti(:il 
preferences h.-i.vc led him to ally himself with the 
Republican party, in which he is an aotive worker. 
His residence at No. 40.3 Oliver Street, is in a 
pleasant neighborhood and with attractive sur- 
roundings. The (^uackenbush Post, No. 205, G .A. 
R., claims him as one of its most active raembeis 
and he w-as its first (Quartermaster. His life in 
Owosso has made him well known throughout the 
county as a man of enterprise, strict integrity and 
pleasant social qualities. 



OiSo" 



LONZO A. AUSTIN, who has long been a 
resident of Ovid, was born in Wi'oming 

/// ill County, Atica Townshij), N. Y., O';tober 
vjj 13, 1820. He was a son of Augustus and 

Phoebe (Conger) Austin, both of Connecticut, who 
moved into New York in the j-ear 1814. His 
father was b^- trade a car|)enter, but pursued agri- 
culture through most of his life. His son's advan- 
tages for education were very meager, as he at- 
tended only the common district schools of the 
country and was never allowed by circumstances 
to attend the town sclioOi. His mother died when 
he was a child of onl}' eleven and he remained with 
his father until he reached the age of twenty-three 
years. 

The young man then began life by farming in 
the county where he was born. His marriage took 
place October 10, 1844. The lady who then No- 
came his wife was known in her maidenhood by the 
name of Elisabeth Root. She w.as a native of Ni- 
agara County, N. Y. Her tinec children have nil 
lived to establish homes of their own, in which 
they are an honor to their parents and a l)cnelil to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOCaiAPUIt'AL ALIiUiM. 



241 



the community. The eldest. R. Delia, was born 
July 14, 1845. She is now Mrs. (icorge Shuman 
anil lives in Laingsburg, Shi.iwassec Couiily; .James 
A., born December 29, 1850, married Francelia 
Cornell and now lives in Miildlebury Township, 
the same county; Emma, who was born June 29, 
1858, is the wife of O. V. Gambee and resides in 
Ovid. Tiie mother of these children was called 
from earth October 29, 1859. 

Mr. Austin continued to farm in New York un- 
til February. 1875. when he came West and made 
his first settlement at Laingsburg, l)ut the follow- 
ing spring came to Ovid Township, this -county, 
and l)ought a farm of eighty acres, where he has 
continued to live most of the time since, although 
he spends a gof)d deal of time in the village with 
his daughter, Mrs. Gambee, making his home witii 
her most oi the time since 1887. He has his place 
operated b}- hired help and visits it frequently to 
superintend tlie work. When he took this farm it 
was in a very ])oor con<lition and he has improved its 
qualJLy and placed upon it many improvements. 

Our subject lias always taken a deep interest in 
educational matters and did more toward building 
the sclioolhouse near his farm than any other man. 
He was formerly connected with the Methodist- 
Episcopal Church, but of late years has joined the 
United Brethren and has taken an active part in 
the church work. He has tilled the ofiices of Mag- 
istrate and Highway Commissioner in Ovid and is 
a Prohibitionist in his political views. He says 
that he can mark great changes and improvements 
in this section since he came here in 1 875. 

-J^^ 



^?=!5 OTTLOB RUESS, the owner of a farm 
on section 18, Bennington Township, was 



G 



^^^li born in Wittenburg, Germany, .Tune 0,1842. 
His parents were .lohn and Barbara (Alber) Ruess. 
He is the ehlest of a family of ten children si.x of 
whom aie now living. In 1852 our subject with 
other members of his family, braved the dangers of 
the ocean and came to America settling near Cleve- 
land. His father and mother accompanied him 
hither, also his grandfather Michael and his grand- 



mother Catherine Rucsscamc overat tlusaine lime. 
They have both since dieil in the town of Indepen- 
dence, Ohio, at the age of seventy years. Our sub- 
ject operated a stone quarrry at Independence, 
Ohio, for some time, remaining there from 1852 to 
1856. 

Attracted b^' the advantages that the West of- 
fered to strength and industry, Mr. Ruess came 
hither and located in Bennington Township in Au- 
gust, 18(17, where he and his father engaged in 
farming. Tlie father was thrown out of a wagon 
by a stampede of horses and was injured so that he 
did not long survivc,dying at the age of fifty three. 
His widow still lives willi her son,(iottlob and has 
attained to the age of seventy-two years. 

In 1862 our subject enlisted in the war, joining 
('on)|)any A, One Hundred Twenty-fourth Ohio 
Infantry. He served until the close of tlie war un- 
der llie command of Thomas. He was in all the 
great battles except that of Kenesaw Mountain, 
when he was in the hosiiital. His regiment was 
suriounded at Chickaraauga whore our subject was 
wounded by a musket ball striking his elbow. He 
was discharged at Nashville under general order, 
in July, 18i)5. .Since his enlistment he had not 
asked for a furlough and consequently on his dis- 
charge was eager to see his family at home. He 
bought his present faim in 1867, about forty-five 
acres of the place ivere then iinpioved, but there 
was only a |)0(jr lug iiouse upon the place in which 
he lived one year. 

With German thrift .Mr. Ruess immediately Degan 
improvements upon his newly acquired place and 
during the time which he has owned it he has 
expended i!3,000 upon his buildings. His farm 
boasts of some fine stock. He has three head of 
Short-horn cattle, one male of which is registered. 
He also has eighty acres one mile south of the pl.ace 
on which he at present resides.* 

April 1.'5, 1867, the original of our sketch was 
married at Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss Christine Herr, 
who was born in Pennsylvania, December 25, 1844. 
ftlr. and Mrs. Ruess have been blest with a large 
famil}', four of whom died in infancy. All the liv- 
ing children are at home. The eldest is John, fol- 
lowed by Elizabeth, Josephine, Ella, Lilly, Anna 
and Frank. Ella, who has learned the trade of 



242 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



dressmaking, is quite a fine musician, having spent 
some time in study of this beautiful art in which 
her natural niililude is so great as to promise 
well for her being a brilliant performer. Mr. 
Ruess' family belongs to the Evangelical Associa- 
tion. He casts his vote for the Republican ticket 
and is an ardent advocate of that party. Mr. Ruess 
has a fine farm and by hard work and constant 
application to his business has amassed a compe- 
tency. His farm is furnislied with all modern im- 
plements. He has the Woleott patent wind engine 
which supplies water to his two barns and owns a 
fine feed cutter, corn sheller and feed mill where 
he grinds all his own feed for stock. Our subject 
has one brother, Jacob, who lives in Bennington 
Township on section 20, also one sister, Paulina, 
who is the wife of John Segrist and resides on sec 
tion 20, of the same township. 



JOHN CHRISTOPHKR SCHROEDER, who 
resides on section 19, Owosso Township, 
Shiawassee County, was born in Saxo 
Coburg, Germany, December 17, 1820. 
His worthy and intelligent parents were Zach- 
ariah and Elizabeth (Pressy) .Schroeder, of whose 
children our subject is the only survivor. 
A twin sister of John died in infancy and 
the father was also called from life when this 
son was but twenty-two weeks old. His mother 
livi'd to train and educate this son until he reached 
his sixteenth year and in this task she had the 
kindly help of his stepfather, Adam Luetz, with 
whom the boy remained at home after his mother's 
death until he reached his majority. 

The young man |)ursucd tiie life of a laborer for 
three years, and when lie was twenty-four years 
old look to himself a wife, celebrating his marriage 
with Fredericka Petckee in May, 1841. In the 
mon'.li of June the young wedded couple started 
for Iheir future home in the New World, passing 
four weeks in Bremen harbor awaiting the day of 
soiling, and six weeks upon the ocean. After a 
rough voyage during which the vessel at one time 



was grounded upon a reef our emigrants landed in 
New York City, and made their way to the 
Western country reaching Detroit August 3. 

Mr. Schroedtr purchased forty acres of land on 
the jMt. Clemens Road eleven miles north of 
Detroit, and made his home there for six years. 
Here he was bereaved of his wife by consumption 
as she died October 12, 1850, leaving four chil- 
dren, the youngest being six weeks old. These 
little ones have grown to maturity with the excep- 
tion of Matilda who died the j'ear after her mother 
passed away. George is now in California, whither 
Carrie has also gone. Emma became the wife of 
Edward Reed and died six years ago in Owosso 
Township, Shiawassee County. 

After the bereavement of Mr. Schroeder he rented 
out his farm and worked out at flftj' cents a day in 
haying and harvesting seasons, sometimes receiving 
instead of money one bushel of wheat a day as 
wages. He struggled nobly to care for his chil- 
dren and keep them together and for five years 
worked in that vicinity and in Detroit. Upon 
June 18, 185G, he made a second matrimonial al- 
liance taking to wife Mrs. Margaret Finster, the 
widow of George Finster who died of cholera 
Her maiden name was Holstein. 

The subject of this sketch made his home in 
Detroit, after his second marriage, until May, 1861, 
when he removed to Pontiac, having sold his lirst 
farm and bought a tract two miles east of Pontiac. 
He lived there for six years and in 18G7 came to 
this county, buying one hundred twenty acrcj 
which were mostly unbroken. He now has one 
hundred and five acres upon which he has placed 
im[)rovements, which cost him over ^;3,000 and 
where he has been breeding Durham cattle. 

The death of Mrs. Schroeder, which occurred 
September 4, 1890, when she had reached the ago 
of sixty-two years was terribly sudden and unex- 
pected. She had gone to Detroit during the 
exijosition, ananging her programme so as to visit 
a sister and other friends and return home on the 
following Friday. She was stricken with sickness 
on the exposition grounds on Wednesday, and al- 
though every attention was given her she survived 
but a day, and on Friday came home in her collin. 
Much blame is attached to the telephone companies 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



243 



for negligence in regard to sending corarauiiica- 
tions. Mr. Scliroeder was anxiously wailing fur 
news after repealcflly spmiing messages, wlii(.'li the 
company failed to transmit. He became almost 
frantic with distress before being able to receive 
definite news, and llien only learned tliat his 
partner in life's trials and joys had departed. 
She was laid in the Dewey cemetery after 
services held at her sisters's home in Detroit. 
The Rev. Dr. Canova of the Episcopal Church, 
of which she was a member, conducted mem- 
orial services on the following Sunday. Slic 
left three children to mourn her loss, Charles, wlio 
married Miss Delia Vourrggone and lives in Owosso 
Township, Shiawassee County; William who lives 
in Witchita County, Kan., where he took up a 
homestead some six years ago and Ileiiry aged 
twenty-six who lives at home and manages the 
farm for his father. 

Mr. Schrocder is an earnest and devout member 
of the Lutheran Evangelical Church. His politi- 
cal views attach liim to the Republican party, in the 
movements of w-hich he takes a great interest, 
but in local elections votes for the best man. He 
cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. The 
home of tliis gentleman is a delightt'ul one and lacks 
only the presence of the lamented wife and mother. 
Mr. .Schroeder has been a hard worki:)g man having 
passed through many didlculties and trying 
periods in the early days. His earnest struggles to 
keel) '"'s little family from want after the death of 
his first wife were indeed heroic. His family is one 
of the most prominent among the German people 
of the county. 



'KRDINAM) II. GELLER. Among the 

) men to wiiom the village of Kovvler, Clin- 
ton County, owes its prosperity as a center 
of business is Mr. Gellcr. who has for some years 
been engaged in mercantile pursuits here. He 
Cp.me to the village in 18C9, and for fifteen years 
followed hotel keeping, and then with iiis tnother 
Frank, embarked in the sale of merchandise. This 



business has been continued, and at the same time 
Mr. Geller has been interested in the real estate 
business in partnership with .lohn Eedewa and has 
carried on general farming. He has a large amount 
of land which has been acquired b^' his own efforts, 
as has his other property. His farm lands consist 
of two hundred and thirty acres in D.n,Ilas and 
eight}' acres in Essex Township, and good improve- 
ments have been made and the valuation of the 
entire tract largely increased. 

The parents of our subject were born in Prussia, 
the birthplace of John .1. Geller having been Arli- 
wailer in the Province of Prussia, and his natal day 
Sei)tember 12, 1812. His union with Catherine Lin- 
gen was blest by the birth of six children, before he 
emigrated to America, of whom three are deceased: 
Kate, Ferdinand, John, Nicholas, Joseph and Mag- 
gie, two sons, Peter and Frank were born after the 
family came to this country. The Gellers crossed 
the Atlantic in IB.')!, and came direct to Clinton 
County and made their home on a forty-acre farm 
in Dallas Township. Mr. Geller hail l)een a team- 
ster in the old count.'y but here he followed farm- 
ing. He added to iiis farm, and when he died, in 
18110, held the title to eighty acres, most of wliich 
he had eleaied and broken. In accordance with 
the custom in the Fatherland he h;id done military 
service three years. He was seventy-eight years 
old when called from time to eternity, and his 
widow is now living in P'owlcr at the age of sev- 
enty-four. Siie is a communicant of the Roman 
Catholic Church, wilii which her husband was con- 
nected. 

Our subject was born in Prussia, July 27, 181.3, 
and was eleven years old when he came to this 
Stale with his parents. He worked for them until 
he vvas twenty-live years olil, and then established 
a home of his own in Fowler. He was married in 
1869 to Lizzie F"'edewa, daughter of Morris Fedcwa, 
to whose biography the reader is referred for facts 
regarding her progenitors. The ceremony took 
place at the liride's home in Dallas Township, and 
the union was blest by the birtli of a son Nicholas, 
Mrs. Lizzie Geller died .lanuary 21, 187.5, in Fow- 
ler, and the same year Mr. Geller was married to 
Caroline Fedewa, a sister of his first wife. Six 
children have been born to this lady: Ferdinand, 



244 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



who died when four months old; Norah, who 
breathed her last May 16, 1890; Katie and Bertha, 
who are yet hriglitening their parent's home; Aure- 
lia, who (lied in 1890; and Eva who is piirsiiing her 
studies from under the home roof. Mr. Geller has 
alw.ays been a Democrat. He and his wife are 
communicants of the Roman Catholic Church. 



^ 



E^ 



J^JOHN T. WALSH, one of the most prosper- 
ous young merchants of Owosso, Shiawassee 
County, who has worked out his own for- 
/ tunes and demonstrated his ability and en- 
leiqjrise bj' the success which he has made of his 
bnsiness at Owosso, was born in Troy Township, 
Oakland County, July 25, 1851. He is a son of 
John Walsh, Esq., a native of Ireland, who emi- 
grated to this country when a young man, and has 
always followed farming as an occupation. 

Miss Elizabeth T'odd tlie lady who became the 
mother of our subject was also a native of the 
Emerald Isle, and came when a young girl to this 
country. After tiieir marriage this couple made 
their home in Oakland County, where they carried 
on general farming in tlie township of Troy. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Walsh removed from Oak- 
land County to Shiawassee County, in 1865, mak- 
ing their new home on a farm in Bennington 
Township. There they still reside and are among 
the most highly esteemed and |)rosperous residents 
in that section. Two children only have been 
granted to this estimable couple. Our subject is 
the oldest son, and his brother William is a farmer 
in Bennington Township. 

Jolin T. Walsh passed his school days in the 
counties of Oakland and Shiawassee and took his 
practical training on the farm until he reached the 
age of nineteen years. He then worked at house 
painting for seven years, after which lie began his 
nurcaniile experience as a clerk in Howell, Mich., 
where he spent six months. In 1877 he bought a 
stock of goods in Bennington and entered into 
general merchandising, and two years after began 
buying grain at Bennington, which he still con- 
tinues. In this line he has shown great judgment 



and discrimination, giving great satisfaction to his 
customers b}' his courteous treatment and kind at- 
tention to their needs, and by his judgment in a 
choice of goods which will satisfj' their demands. 
He has the entire confidence of the community and 
all rejoice in his prosperity and are glad to give 
him a good word and a generous patronage. 

Mr. Walsh added to his Imsiness in June, 1891, 
by purchasing the grocery stock of F. E. Brooks &. 
Co., of AVest Owosso and carries on this business 
at the old stand as well as his other store in Ben- 
nington. The new store is well slocked with all 
kinds of first class goods in his line. His union in 
marriage January 10, 1883, with Miss M^-ra Pond 
of Bennington, gave him a helpmate who h.as 
proved and will prove a prominent factor in his 
career. Tiiis lady is a native of Shiawassee County, 
and a daughter of Rolland Pond whose sketch ap- 
pears in another place in this Albu.m. To this 
happy home one son has come, Hariy who is now a 
little lad of seven years. Mr. Walsh and family 
have recently moved to Owosso. He has served 
as Treasurer of Bennington Township for three 
terms and is alre.Tdy a well-known man in Repub- 
lican circles. He is a member of the Laingsburg 
Lodge, No. 230, F. & A. M., and is consitlered one 
of its prominent men. 



I 



m^J 



OIIN R. BUSH. The gentleman wiiose 
name heads this sketch was born March 25, 
1819, in Ontario County, Seneca Township^ 
N. Y., near Geneva. His father, Thomas 
Bush, wtis a native of New Jersey and his mother, 
Jane (Roberts) Bush, who died when her son was 
only ten years of age, was born in Ireland. The 
Bush family w.as originally from Prussia and a 
family record is preserved which covers its history 
for two hundred and fifty 3'ears. This has been 
carefully prepared by the Rev. John L. Bush, one 
of the members of the family. 

Mr. Bush began for himself at tlie early age of 
thirteen years by wielding the ax for his living. 
When only fourteen he boasted that he could put 
up two cords of wood in a day and at eighteen 



PORTRAIT A^D BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



245 



learning the carpenter's trade, he caine to Mich- 
igan in 1850. He settled in Ingiiam Count}' on 
eiglily acres of land wliich he cleared. He also 
cleared another farm in Huron County-, Ohio. In 
1859 he came to Owossoand improved three farms, 
two of which were in Rush Township and one on 
section 1, Owosso Township wliicli contains seventy 
acres. In November, 1878, he united his life for 
better or worse witli that of Rliss .lane Robertson. 
SluMlied in 18G3. Only one of the family of six 
children that slie left long survived her. This 
daughter, Ksther, who became Mrs. Scliuster, re- 
sides in Rusii Township. In 1875 Mr. Rush mar- 
ried for liis second wife Victoria Ricthell, a native 
of (lermany. Their union was blest bj' three chil- 
dren — Emma Ma^', who is fourteen years of .ago; 
Nellie .Tanc, twelve years and John R. .Ir., eight 
years, 

Mr. Bush is a typical rustler. He has never been 
happy without an ax in his hand. It is as natural for 
him to chop as for most boys to play and even 
now at seventy-two years of age he can chop down 
more timber than most men of half the age. It is 
music to his soul to hear the giants of the forest 
crushing to earth under the blows of his ax. As 
soon as he liaii one farm cleared with nothing left 
for him to chop, he would sell and seizing his ax 
jump over the fence and I'ommence his old pursuit, 
and was never satisfied until everything in sight 
was felled and split into rails or slashed iiito cord 
wood. For some un.accountable reason he has left 
a beautiful natural grove of towering pine trees 
about his house, but it is e.'cpected that they will 
succumb to his passion and that he will attack them 
some night while dreaming. 

Mr. Bush is a very methodical man. Every- 
thing must be done with matheiaatical nicety and 
every rail cut to a certain length and laid up in the 
fence with perfect exactness that would do credit 
to a mechanical engineer. Our subject shows this 
characteristic in his personal appearance, tiiough 
carrying many years, he is !U> straight and slender 
as one of his saplings he dearlj' loves to demolish. 
He is as "thin" i\s a sa[)ling and nearly as tall, with 
a mind as keen, active and vigorous .as Ills own ax 
h.as ever been. He bo.asts of having voted for 
William Ilcnrj' Harrison in 1840 and also for his 



grandson, Benjamin F. Harrison. It will not be 
surprising to those who are opposed to the use of 
stimulants to read of Mr. Bush's perfect physi<jue 
and health at so great an age, when it is recorded 
that he has never taken stimulants in liquid form 
of any nature, neither h.is he smoked or chewed 
tobacco. 



^^ 



lEORGE O. BRANDS, who resides on his 
l|i g=p farm on section 26, Caledonia Township, 
'^^jj was born June 2, 1858, in Shiaw.assee 
County, this Slate. His father w.as John Brands, 
a native of New Jersey and a farmer by occupa- 
tion. His mother w.as Elvira (Martin) Brands, u 
native of New York State. John Brands, the 
father, came to Michigan in 1845, at the age of 
eighteen. The mother came when a young woman 
and made her home with her uncle, Samuel Martin. 
She was a teacher by profession and conducted the 
district school in Venice and Caledonia Townships. 
John Brand returned to New York State, where he 
remained for three years, coming back to this State 
in 1850, when he settled uiion the farm which he 
occupies at this time. 

David Brands, our subject's grandfather, and 
family came to Michigan in 1845, he working in 
the saw-mill in Corunna for a time and about 1847 
he settled upon section 25, Caledonia Township, 
whore he died. The parents of our subject were 
here married and made a permanent home, the 
father settling upon ninety acres of timber land. 
He was in straightened circumstances and obliged 
to resort to many methods in order to clear his 
farm and at the same lime support his family. He 
finally got the farm into a good stale of cultivation 
a.nd afterward purchased eighty acres of land, half 
of which was improved. He .added to its improve- 
ment and finally died. May 15, 1887. Tiie mother 
still survives at the age of sixty years, making her 
home here. Our subject is one of four children, 
two of whom only are living, himself and brother 
William. The father was a member of the Masonic 
order and a Democrat in politics. . He served .as 
Justice of the Peace for three terms. 

The gentleman of whom we write received a <lis- 



246 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



trict school education. He has always been a far- 
mer, having been reared on the farm where he at 
present resides. In December, 1887, he was united 
in marriage to Miss Abbie Aemes, a daughter of 
William and Amanda (Moore) Aemes, residents of 
Fairfield Township. The father was a native of 
New York and came to Michigan at an early day. 
He was married in this county and moved to Hazel- 
ton, tlien to Corunna and later to Fairfield. The 
mother is deceased, the father still survives. By 
that marriage Mr. Aemes is the father of two chil- 
dren, both of whom are living. Mi's. Brands was 
born November 5, 1863, in Ilazelton Township. 
She received a good education and has spent much 
time as a teacher. She and her husband are the 
l)arents of one child, Ivan E., who was born Sep- 
tember 28, 1888. 

Mr. Brands is a member of the Knights of the 
Maccabees. He has been elected member of the 
School Board and takes an active interest in local 
politics. lie is an adherent of the Democratic 
party and has been Road Overseer. He is now 
serving his third term as Township Clerk. He 
lives on the old homestead, where he carries on 
eeneral farming. 



{, — , .(::M'^. '&:■:,. . — .i 



ANIEL W. MOREHOUSE, a noteworthy resi- 
dent of Ovid, was born in Litchfield, Hills- 
dale County, Mich., on October 23, 1844. 
He is a son of Gabriel and Harriet (Winans) More- 
house, his mother being a sister of Hon. Edwin A. 
Winans, now Governor of Michigan. His parents 
were brought up in Steuben Count}', N. Y., and 
came to Michigan when the father of our subject 
was still very young. Michigan was then only a 
wilderness and they made their home in the wild 
forest. His father was by occupation both a farmer 
and contractor, and when in this work he put in all 
the culverts on the railroad between Ann Arbor 
and Michigan City, this being the second time they 
were |)ut in. He was also engaged in similar work 
on the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Rail- 



way, but through i-everses was compelled to return 
to the farm. 

The subject of this sketch had few educational 
advantages for when he came to Clinton County 
there were no schools for him to attend and when 
he grew older lie had to work h.ard and could not 
be spared from tlie farm to go to school. His 
father c?me to Siiiawassee County in 1854 and set- 
tling in Miildlebury Township, began his work on 
the railroad and the farm. 

The father of our subject enlisted in the Union 
Army and the son also enlisted in the fall of 1863, 
in Company F, Tenth Michigan Cavalr}' under Col. 
Foote and was sent South to join the Arm}' of the 
Tennessee. Being on detached duty he was one of 
those who chased Morgan and Gen. Price and was 
at the battle of Saltsville, Va. He was there dis- 
abled and sent to the hospital at Camp Nelson, Ky. 
After recovery he was sent to Camp Douglas, Chi- 
cago, and acted there as guard to the prisoners till 
the war was over, taking his discharge in the f.all 
of 1865. The father was wounded in the battle of 
Murfreesboro and died in the hospital at Louis- 
ville, Ky., in the fall of 1863. The mother lived 
until the spring of 1886 and was buried atOwosso. 

Upon the close of the war Mr. Morehouse began 
farming in Middlebury Township, Shiawassee 
County, and remained upon that place until about 
six years ago when he sold out and went on a trip 
to Kansas, Iowa and Illinois. He then returned to 
farming and after one year came to make his home 
in the town and engaged in business. He now 
owns and has in operation, by the aid of hired help, 
a farm of sixty acres. 

The marriage, July 4, 1867 of Daniel Morehouse 
and Laura M anger, was the union of a congenial 
and happy pair. Miss Munger was from Munger- 
ville, which was named for her father, but is now 
known as Burton. She is the daughter of A lander 
Munger of Shiawassee County, and is the mother 
of five children, George, Myrtle, Claude, Nellie 
and Willie. The last two died in infancy. 

The ))olitical views of the subject of this sketch 
are represented in the declarations of the Republi- 
can party, and he has held the offices of Treasurer 
of the townships of both Middlebury and t)vid, 
and has been Superintendent of the water works 



dTf :;;r^ .. 










iJ 









PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



251 



of Ovid since they were begun. He still holds this 
responsible position and lias filled all the school 
offices since he came into the townshii). He lakes 
a more than ordinary interest in school matters as 
well as in all affairs of public weal. 



^ 



^ 



AVID L. WARREN was burn .June 9, 
1825, in the town of ^Yalworth, Ontario 
County, N. Y., an<l is the son of William 
and Mary (Horn) Warren. The father, who was 
by occupation a farmer, moved to the State of 
Michigan when his boy was onl^' six 3'ears old and 
died soon after their arrival here in December, 
1831. They made their home in Oakland County 
about five miles north-east of Pontiac. Upon thus 
being sadly orphaned our subject and one sister 
went to live with Thomas J. Diake, an attorney, 
who resided on a farm. After remaining there 
about seven years he lived at Flint and afterward 
at Detroit with his mother who then had married 
Joseph Hathaway, and afterwards lived with her 
in Washtenaw County. At the age of fourteen 
years he began life for himself, working out for 
*6 per month. He never had the opijorlunity of 
gaining a thorough education and although his 
foster mother taught him a good deal, he never at- 
tended a public school until he went to live with 
his mother again when he was fourteen years old. 
He then decided to attend school and pay his own 
tuition, working nights and mornings and during 
vacations. This he continued until he was twenty 
years old. 

When he was twenty-two years old our subject 
came to Shiawassee County, and in 1817 settled on 
section 33, Middlehury Township. He lived there 
several months, erecting a log house and making 
some clearing. The season before he cliojjped and 
split two thousand rails, hiring a man to lielp liini 
and paying $1 for making six hundred lails. He 
was married April 27, 1848, to Mary Ingersoll of 
Oakland County, who was reared in New York 
State. 

After marriage he started from Washtenaw 
County, May 2, 1848, bringing his wife on lop of 



the wagon of household goods and he himself ac- 
companying her on foot, driving the cattle, which 
consisted of an ox team and a cow. Their cabin 
home had neither doors nor windows as we count 
doors and windows now-a-days. He planted corn 
and potatoes on land wliich he rented from a 
neighbor, and worked out to earn money to pur- 
chase fift}' bushels of wheat. This gave him seed 
for the twenty acres of land wiiich he h.ad by this 
lime cleared, as well as for the maintenance of 
their table. He had been presented by his mother 
with an eighty-acre tract and soon had it cleared 
and planted. Later he purchased two hundred and 
forty acres at |4 an acre and afterward sold part 
of it for |G. At one time when he had set his 
heart upon a certain tract of land and had to get 
to Flint to secure it in advance of another man 
who also had his eye upon it, he drove a two-year 
old colt forty miles without slopping to feed it 
and reached Flint in advance of his rival, thus se- 
curing the land. He still holds one hundred and 
fifteen acres of a tract of one hundred and twenty- 
five which he bought just across the road from 
where his first land is located. 

To him and his first wife were granted four chil- 
dren: Maria M. born April 2C, 1850; Edna E. 
August 20, 1851 ; William E. March 21, 1853, and 
Frances A. August 26, 1855; Maria married Hor- 
ace G. Suiith, a farmer, and resides at Laingsburg; 
Edna died July 26, 1853; William E. married 
Emma B. House, of Ovid and is a farmer; Frances 
married Edson Swarlhout and resides near the 
father's farm. The motlier of these children died 
April 2, 1881. 

Mr. Warren was married a secomi time on May 
30, 1882, to Jane B. Graham of Lenawee Countj', 
this State, whost portrait together with that of 
Mr. Warren appears elsewhere in this volume. He 
has made all the improvements on his various 
farms and bnill all the houses and barns u|)on 
them. His political views are in accord with the 
platform of the Republican party and he has held 
the ollices of Townsliip Treasurer, Justice of the 
Peace, School Commi.ssioner and other school 
offices. He has for many years belonged to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and in this respect he 
and his family are closely united, as their sympa- 



252 



rORTKAIT AND BIOGRAFHICAL ALBUM. 



thies are one and they labor together in church 
work. He takes an earnest and intelligent inter- 
est in all matters of education. He has given to 
his children excellent educations in the graded 
schools of Corunna and Ovid, and desires for the 
young people of his neighboiliood ever^' opportun- 
itj' to gain a hroad foundation for future usefulness. 
He gives lilierally to any cause wliich he deems to 
be for the good of humanitj-. He removed to 
Ovid in 1888 and has continued to reside here, 
but still conducts the affairs upon his farm and 
manages everything in connection with them. 
The attention of the reader is invited to a litho- 
graphic view of the fine homestead of Mr. Warren, 
presented on another page. 



3^=-- 






/p^EORGE R. WARREN. SlasUstics show 
III (^— . that the English people arc the richest 
^^j) nation on earth and as a people they are 
credited witli extraordinary shrewdness and fore- 
sight in making investments that will bring the 
largest returns, but they have allowed one of their 
richest treasures to slip awaj' from them in that so 
many of their bright young men have emigrated 
to the New World. Our subject, George R. War- 
ren, is proud of the fact that he is of English birtli 
and parentage, having been born in Surrey, Eng- 
land, December 15, 18.31. His fatiier was Henry 
Warren and his mother, Harriet (Ridgebridgcr) 
Warren. 

In 1847, when all parts of the world were con- 
vulsed by commercial and social changes, the War- 
ren family emigrated to America, coming to 
Rochester, N. Y., where they lived for seven years. 
In 1854 they came to Owosso and in the fall of that 
year located on their farm. Our subject worked 
by the month for neighboring farmers until he had 
saved a sura of !f700 or |800. This he used in 
the purchase of one hundred acres of land on sec- 
tion 19, Bennington Township, Shiawassee County. 
Mr. Warren has exceptionally good taste and judg- 
ment which is shown in every part of his farm. 
The buildings are tastefully and conveniently ar- 
ranged, his dwelling being a model of comfort and 



elegance. He has a fine barn upon which he has 
expended a large sum of money. Mr. Warren 
took to wife, December 11, 1861, at St. John's, 
Margaret Warren, a daughter of Seth and Catherine 
(Johnson) Warren of Owosso, to which place they 
had come in 1856. The lady's parents died in this 
county, t'le father March 17. 1859, and the mother 
November 16. 1878. Thej' were natives of New 
York. 

(51eorge R. Warren, our subject, is the eldest of 
ten children. Mrs. Warren was born in Saratoga 
County, N. Y., January 11, 1838. Her mother's 
father was William Johnson, a Revolutionary 
soldier, having been attached to the commissary 
department. He was married at the close of the 
Revolutionary War. At the time of his death he 
was ninety-three years and eleven months old; the 
mother was ninet3'-four years old. 

The gentleman of whom we write has a family 
of bright children. His eldest son, Fred, was born 
March 14, 1863; Ella, June 24, 1866; she married 
Mr. Charles Shadbolt and resides at Bennington; 
Fred is at home although he has shown his native 
acquisitive faculty by already having secured sixty 
acres of land adjoining his father's farm. Mr. 
Warren and his son vote the straight Republican 
ticket. 

The familj' of our subject is one that all are at- 
tracted to by their geniality and warmth of heart. 
Mrs. Warren is a woman possessing rare business 
qualities and in these daj-s of progress among wo- 
men the possibilities for arising to prominent posi- 
tions are many. 



<* j^ILLlA.M A. WOODARD, senior member 
\/\j// of the firm of Woodard & North, is one of 
\y^' the well-known business men of Owosso 
Shiawassee Count}-. He has been located there since 
the suTnmer of 1866 and his name is perhaps as 
well known as that of any dealer or manufacturer 
in this localit}-. The firm of which he is a member 
carries on a wholesale and retail furniture trade, 
and their slock is large and con)plete. The}' 
occupy all the floors of a brick block 22 x 100 feet 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



253 



and three stories high, situated on the corner of 
Wasliington ami JNIain Streets, and also occupy 
two stories in a building fronting on Main street. 
Mr. Woodard is thoroughly' acquainted with every 
department of the business and possesses a large 
degree of the tact which is necessarj' in carrying 
on an establishment where a number of persons are 
employed, as well as the courtesy and honor that 
win the good will of patrons. 

Mr. Woodard was born in Steuben County, N. 
Y., in the town of South Danville, May 14, 184G. 
His father, William A. Woodard. was born in 
Steuben County, N. Y., and was a farmer by oc- 
cupation ; his mother, Miranda (Wing) Woodard, 
was born in Cohocton, her father having been L. 
Mason Wing. The parental family consists of four 
sons and one daughter, and AVilliani A. was the 
youngest son. He was educated in the common 
schools of his native place and later attended the 
Rogersville Seminary. He then prepared for a 
business life by a course of study in liastman 
Commercial College in Rochester. In 18G6 he 
came to Owosso in company with two brothers and 
bought what is generally known as White's plan- 
ing-mill. The sons were followed to this State by 
their parents in 1870. After carrying on the 
planing-mill some months our subject bought the 
furniture stock of C. W. Hastings and carried on 
business at the same stand. About two years later 
he began manufacturing furniture in company with 
his brothers, and sold their products at wholesale 
and retail, at the same lime continuing the running 
of the mill. 

In 1870 Mr. Woodard built the brick store he 
now occupies, where he has carried on business but 
with various changes in the firm. In 1875 a 
partnership was formed with his brothers Henry 
and Warren, the firm name l)eing Woodard Hros., 
and the three manufactured furniture until 1883 
when the partnershii) was dissolved by mutual con- 
sent. Heiir^' Woodaril continued in the retail 
furniture business and W. A. held an interest in 
the Owosso Casket Factor^' eighteen months, when 
that partnershii) was dissolved and he bought an 
interest in the furniture factory. This business 
was carried on by L. E. Warren and W. A. Wood- 
ard, the other brother, Henry, having an interest 



in the store with William A. When Henry died 
our subject took G. V. North into the business and 
at that time sold his own interest in the manu- 
factory and gave his attention entirely to his other 
affairs. 

Mr. Woodard w.as married in 18G8 to Miss Kliza 
Pierce of Cohocton, Steuben Countj', N. Y., who 
was carefully reared by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. 
Jere Pierce. Mr. and Mrs. Woodard have three 
children, named respectively, Inez E., Alfred A. 
and Josiali B. Mr. Woodard has served one term 
as ALayor of Owosso and he was appointed Inspect- 
or of the Southern Michigan Prison at Jackson, 
by Gov. Begole, for a term of six j^ears. He is a 
member of Owosso Lodge, No. 81, F. and A. M. 
Politically he is a stanch Democrat. Besides his 
extensive business, of which an account has already 
been given. He is a stockholder and Director in 
the Owosso Savings Bank. In social and domestic 
life be is considerate and courteous, in business 
dealings honorable and straightforward, and his 
reputation is excellent. 



-^ 



fi^-^ ON. FRANK II. WAT.SON, of the law 
j) Drm of Watson & Chapman of Owosso, 
was born in Shiawassee County, November 
14, 1857. He is a son of Stephen and 
Hannah (Kenyon) Watson. The father was a na- 
tive of England and was brought up in Canada to 
which count: y his parents had migrated when he 
was an infant. The mother of our subject is a na- 
tive of Connecticut, a dnughter of John Kenyon 
and of English ancestry'. In 1 851 Stei)lien Watson 
and family moved to Shiawassee County and lo- 
cated on a farm in Shiawassee Township where he 
still resides, carrying on general farming and 
stock-raising, and being one of the most successful 
agriculturists in his district. Frank H. Watson is 
next to the youngest in a family of six children. 
His youtli and early school days were passed on 
the farm and in the district school, after which he 
entered Corunna High ScIk^oI and aftei complet- 
ing his course there l;iught in the country for 
some three years. He then took ui) the study of 



254 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



law, reading in the office of Judge McCurdy of 
C'oiunna, and afterwards read witli Judge A. R. 
McBride of the same place. He was admitted to 
the bar at Coriinna in 1881. 

The young lawyer commenced his practice in 
Corunna in 1883, forming a partnership with 
Odell Chapman, which still continues. In 1883 
he removed to Owosso, continuing however the 
same connection. The firm is well and favorably 
known throughout the county, and these legal gen- 
tlemen have a wide acquaintance among the peo- 
[)Ie. They practice in all the courts, looal, State 
and Federal. 

Mr. Watson was married in 1887 to Miss Ella P. 
Westfall, of Corunna, a daughter of Lewis West- 
fall and a native of Michigan. Her parents were 
formerly from Port Jarvis, N. Y., a beautiful place 
on the Hudson River. Two lovely daughters 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson, Donna 
M. and Helen P. Mr. Watson was elected Circuit 
Court Commissioner of Shiawassee County in 
1884. He vvas elected to represent the second 
district of Shiawassee County in the State Legisli- 
ture serving during the session of 1887. He was 
also appointed United States Commissioner for 
the Eastern District of Michigan. He is a mem- 
ber of Owosso Lodge, No. 81, F. A A. M., and is 
considered one of its most prominent members. 
He is regarded as a lawyer of more than ordinary- 
judgment and legal acumen. He is a clear, forci- 
ble and logical speaker and presents his cases with 
ability to both court and jury. Politically he is 
recognized as one of the strong and influential Re- 
publicans in this part ()f the state. 



\fOIIN M. BEARDSLEE. The name which 
heads this sketch is that of one of the early 
pioneers who braved the dillicullies of early 
1^^// settlement and who has helped to make the 
State stand so high in the Union. Henry Boards- 
lee came to Bennington Township, Shiawassee Coun- 
ty, June, 1839, and located on the south half of 
section 31. He had taken u)) the land from the 
Government in the year 18.'!',). The years that 



followed between that time and his death, which 
occurred November 7, 1 860, were fraught with hard 
work. His wife followed him to the better land 
May 24, 188C. She was born July 27, 1801. 

Our subject was born in New Jersey. In com- 
ing to Miciiigan in the early days the route that 
was followed was very obscure. Leaving the 
Grand River Road at the Nichols' farm they went 
to where a family by the name of Johnson were 
living, but now a Mr. Cook lives there. Thence 
the}' went to Moses Pitts, thence to Samuel Pitts 
and came to the end of the trail. They proceeded 
a mile and a half farther, being guided by the 
stars. It had become known that a new family had 
come into the neighborhood and all the poopic 
kin<lly offered to assist at the raising of the home 
roof and sure enough, on the momentous day when 
the house was to be given form, the neighbors as- 
sembled from twenty miles distant and before the 
night a safe and comfortable, if not elegant, habi- 
tation was reared. 

On the farm Mr. Beardslee reared a family of 
eight children, whose names are as follows: Madi- 
son S., who lives in Sciota Township; Drusilla, 
now Mrs. William Claucherty, deceased; John M.; 
Alanson, who lives in Whitmore, Iosco County, 
this State; Peter S., who lives at the old home- 
stead; Henry T., at Laingsburg; Emeline, de- 
ceased, and Martha, who is now Mrs. C. L. Dean. 
J. M. Beardslee was born June 3, 1830, at Hards- 
ton, Sussex County, N. J. When he attained man- 
hood he was married in 1854 to Miss Angelina 
Ladue. He had purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres which he began to improve. He now has 
two hundred and twenty acres, sixty acres of which 
are exceptionally well improved. 

Mr. Beardslee lost his wife fourteen montlis after 
marriage. He was again married January 7, 1857, 
to Jane E. Dean, a sister of C. L. Dean. She also 
died April 28, 1888, and he was united a third time 
iu marriage to a lady who was the widow of A. W. 
Bugbee. He has a family of six children: The 
eldest boy, Charles Henry, is in California; May 
A., who was Mrs. Jacob Boyd, is deceased; Eva Jane, 
who became Mrs. George Kenny, of Sciota Town- 
ship; Emma, who married El vert Place and lives 
in Los Gatos, C;d.; Lanson Guy, who lives in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



257 



Sciola Township, and Fred, who died June 5, 1890, 
at tlie age of seventeen. Tlie only people in Ben- 
ninjitoii Towiisliii) when tlie Beardslee fiiniily came 
to this .State were tlic Nicliols, Te«'sl)eiry, lliitcli- 
ins, Joe Skinner, Jennison, Jim Bugbee, Lem Colin, 
l);!vi(l Perry, Moses and Samuel Pitts, the Howard 
brotluMS and -Samuel Kellogg. Our sul>ject is a 
Democrat in politics. He has a One home and holils 
a high position in the community. 



■•«"-'t^-*«#^?- 



<« li.ELLS B. FOX, M. D. It is both pleasant 
\/\j/j and instructive to trace the history of a 
\/y^ man who has by native ability and force 
of character made his mark in any of the learned 
professions. It is especiall3- interesting to study 
the career of one who has m.ade surgery his 
chosen calling, .Tiid who is awake to the wonderful 
improvements which have been made within a few 
years in that noble branch of medical science and 
who is in this respect in the front rank of his pro- 
fession. It is of such an one we now write and his 
portrait is also presented to our readers. 

Dr. Wells B. Fox was born in Buffalo, N. Y., 
September 1, 1823. His parents, Augustus C. and 
Esther (Pratt) Fox, were born in Westminster, 
Vt., and both came with their parents to Buffalo 
in the same year, 1803. Augustus C. Fox was an 
attorney and one of the first in Buffalo, being 
County- Attorney of Erie County for some years, 
and enjoyint; an extensive practice. He passed his 
life in that county, and died in 1854. He and 
his worthy wife reared six sons, namely: Charles 
James, Augustus C, Wells B., Samuel Russell, 
Benjamin F., and Elias William. The eldest son 
is in the hardware business in Council Bluffs, la.; 
Augustus lives at Deerfield, Ivivingston County, 
Mich.; Samuel is a partner in the St. Louis Novelty 
Works in St. Louis, Mo.; Benjamin F. has been 
for tliirt)'-fivc years a hardware merchant at Spring- 
field, III. and the youngest son was for many years 
with Pratt, Fox & Co., in the same line of business 
at St. Louis, Mo., but ten years ago he bought the 
Washington liepublican and published that paper 



until bis death in the early part of the present 
year (1891). 

The early history' of Dr. Fox is very interesting. 
When a child of eight years iie was injured and 
was placed for surgical treatment in the care of 
Dr. Cyrenas Chapin, of Buffalo, one of the most 
eminent surgeons of the Kmi)iie State. The old 
Doctor had no sons ami kept the child with him. 
lie early imbibed the idea of studying medicine 
and from the time he was fourteen ^cars old com- 
pounded all Dr. Cha|)in's medicines and traveled 
witli him all over that part of the country. Dr. 
Cha|iin was a noted surgeon and taught the boy 
to tie blood vessels and he was soon known as 
the "artery boy." The 3'oung student studied in 
Buffalo, and took his medical course first in Union 
College at Sehenctady, N. Y., graduating there in 
1843, and then in the medical department of the 
I'liiversit^' of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia. 

After graduation, the young Doctor was a|)- 
poinled under Dr. John Trowbridge medical 
attendant of the County Farm and Hospital of 
Erie County, N. Y. He took up bis residence 
near Buffalo and for two ^ears had full charge of 
this work. In 184'J he came to Livingston County, 
Mich., where his brother, A. C. Fox was living. 
He came expecting to return East, but was induced 
to remain, and soon began a general practice, such 
as is incident to a frontier region in Hartland, that 
county. He continued there until 1862, when he 
eniered the army as a surgeon. 

Gov. Wisner, who raised the Twenty-Second 
Michigan Infantry, ai)pointed Dr. Fox Assistant 
Surgeon in August, 18G2, Dr. A. R. McConnell, 
now of Ludington, this State, being Surgeon. In 
this capacity' he served until July, 18G3, when he 
was made Surgeon of the Eiglith Michigan Infan- 
try until the close of the war. While in the 
Twenty-Second Regiment, after Morgan's raid in 
Kentucky, he organized the lios[)itals at Lexington, 
Ky., being detailed for this purpose until January, 
18G3. He then went to Nashville, Tenn., where 
he was detailed as Surgeon in charge of the Trans- 
fer Hospital, then located at the /ollicoffer Hotel. 
He then joined the Eighth Regiment in front 
of Vicksburg, Miss., during the siege. In August 
he crossed the Cuinberlaiui Mountains to East Ten- 



258 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



nessee, and was present at tlie siege of Knoxville, 
and at the various battles in East Tennessee, being 
detailed at Knoxville, as Surgeon in charge of the 
Court House Hospital. He remained here until 
Gen. Burnside was relieved of the command of the 
Ninth Army Corps, when the Eighth Regiment 
veteranized and on the 8lb of Jauuarj- started 
home to fill up their ranks. 

The regiment I elurned to the Army of the Po- 
tomac in the spring of I8G4, in time to take part 
in the battle of the Wilderness, and Dr. Fox was 
placed on the 0|)eraLing staff. First Division Ninth 
Army Corps, and was placed in charge of the Field 
Hospital. In September, 18G4, he was made Sur- 
geon-in-Chief of the Field Hospital in front of 
Potersliuig and continued in this position until he 
was discharged, July 20, 1865. He was at Appo- 
mattox with his hospital, and was, by invitation ' 
of Gen. Sheridan, a witness of the making of the 
terms of peace between Grant and Lee. He did a 
large amount of personal work in surgical opera- 
tions during his railitai^' service. 

At the close of the Civil War Dr. Fox returned 
to Michigan and located at Ilartland, but in 18(;7 
settled in Byron, this county, buying five hundred 
acres of land near Bancroft, and moving on the 
farm. In 1877 he came into the village of Ban- 
croft and took an interest in its improvement, 
erecting quite a number of houses which were a 
material benefit to the village. He still owns his 
farm but carries on an extensive practice. He is 
widely' known as a surgeon and devotes most of 
his attention to that branch of the healing art, often 
being called to far distant points on account of 
his skill in surgerj'. He is considered one of 
of the leading members of the State Medical 
Association. 

The marriage of Dr. Fox and Miss Triphena 
Skinner took place in Deerlield, Livingston County, 
January 8, 1853. She died August 31, 1888. The 
present Mrs. Fox who was united in marriage with 
the Doctor, April 7, 1889, was born in Washtenaw 
County. January 26, 1837. her maiden name being 
Orcclia .Melvin. Her parents, L^-ninn and Sarah Ann 
(Arnett) Melvin, were natives of New York, who 
cauie to Michigan in 1836. In February of the 
following year they settled in Antrim Township, 



Shiawassee County-, on land adjoining the first 
home of Allen Beard, who was a brother in-law of 
Mr. Melvin. 

By his first marriage the Doctor had two daugh- 
ters — Addie Elizabeth, who now lives at Bancroft 
and is the widow of Esck Olney: and Lillian Belle, 
who is Mrs. Dr. Harvey. The Doctor has never 
been on office seeking politician, but is one of the 
leaders of the Republican parly which he helped 
to organize under the trees at Jackson, Mich. He 
has been an Odd Fellow since 1848 and is now 
Noble Grand of Bancroft Lodge No. 112, and a 
member of Brj'on Encampment, where he has filled 
all the chairs repeatedly. 

Dr. Fox has a conii)lete surgical record (taken 
on the field) of all Jlichigan Regiments in the 
Ninth Army Corps. This is of much value to the 
families of all old soldiers and it shows in details 
the facts relative to each wounded soldier, with 
character of wouml, treatment and disposition of 
the case. He stands high not only in the councils 
of the Grand Army of the Republic, but also in 
Ins profession, and his reputjition as a surgeon is 
national in its character. 



^ 




<^T/LVIN EVANS, a well-known citizen of 
/ull Owosso, Shiawassee County, engaged in in- 
specting Government lands for private 
parties, is a native of New York where he 
was born near Rochester in 1830. His parents 
were Lester and Abigail Evans. After their mar- 
riage at her home they removed to Michigan, and 
made theii home in Lenawee County, in the town- 
ship of Rome, near Adrian where they spent the 
remainder of their days. They had seven children, 
three sons and four daughters, and four of this 
circle are now living. The district schools of 
Rome Township, supplied the training of this boy 
and he remained on the farm until he reached his 
nineteenth year. The young man now went into 
the woods and engaged in lumbering and also spent 
some time in trapping and dressing furs. He was 
in the woods altogether some nine years. For a 
short time he engaged in the mercantile business 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



259 



but did not find that it agreed with his health and 
he sold out. lie then entered the employ of the 
(ii'.ind Rapids A Indiana Railroad Companj- in 
locating their lands and also in oilier parts of Mich- 
igan. 

For the past five years Mr. Evans has been en- 
gaged in locating for a private company in the 
West and also in the South traveling in Missis- 
sippi, Louisiana, Texas and other Southern States. 
He is much of the time in the employ of Robins 
it Lacy of Grand Rapids. He is not at home much 
of the time but is employed by individuals in mak- 
ing estimates of the value of land and timber in 
which he is considered an expert. Parlies wlio 
know him generally decline to luirchase u.itil lie 
has given an estimate or expressed an opinion. 

Mr. Evans' marriage with Miss Sarah A. Wal- 
lace, which took place Decemlier 18, 1802, at West 
Haven, this count}-, was an event of supreme im- 
portance in his life. This lad}' is a native of Wash- 
tenaw County, Mich., where she was bora in 1844, 
and she is one of eleven children in her parental 
home. Ten of this circle have grown to man's and 
woman's estate. The parents were George and 
Abigail (Branch) Wallace, the mother being born 
in Benson, Mass., March 28, 1807, and the father 
in Tuwnsend, Mass., Se|)tember .'), 1808. Their 
marriage took place in Lenox, May 30, 1827. They 
removed to Michigan in 1838, settling in Washte- 
naw County, and in 18;").') removed to Sliiavvassee 
County, locating on a farm in Shiawassee Town- 
ship, where they passed the remainder of their 
days. The father filled a number of ollicial posi- 
tions in the tovvnship, and died Sepleniber 24, 
1878. He bad been bereaved of his faithful wife 
on May 8, 1874. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been born four 
children, George T., who died al four years of age; 
Wallace A. died about four years of age; Albert 
B., N'erner A. L. Their beautiful farm of one 
hundred and sixty-five acres lies one mile north of 
the city limits, anil they have another fine farm 
six miles north of the city, which conii)rises one 
hundred and seventy-five acres of timbei land, hard 
wood. They also have a handsome residence al 
No. 1114 North Mulberry Street. They are both ac- 
tive members of the First Baptist Church, and lib- 



eral contributors to church work and other benev- 
olent enterprises. They are intelligent and inter- 
ested in public affairs, Mr. Evans being a stanch 
Democrat, and Mrs. Evans a Prohibitionist. 



""^^^" 



IpxEWTON BALDWIN, the well-known Jus- 
I J/J ^'^'^' ^^ '^''^ Peace at (Jwusso, Shiawassee 
/1\^ County, is a native of the Wolverine State 
and was born in Oakland Township, Oakland 
County. October 22, 183.5. His parents Benedict 
and Perinelia (Potter) Baldwin were both natives 
of Comu'clicut. After marriage the father bought 
a farm near Rochester, N. Y., at which cit}- they 
were married. Mrs. Baldwin was a daughter of 
Daniel Poller, of English descent. 

In 1824 this couple came to Michigan and set- 
tled in Oakland County on an unbroken farm, and 
continued there until their death, the father pass- 
ing away in 1886, and the m'.'ther in 1863. Of 
their nine children, eight are now living: Newton 
is the youngest of the family, and he [lassed his 
earl}' school days in Oakland County. He then 
attended the High School at (!rand Rapids for 
some two years. 

The young man now began teaching, pursuing 
this calling in Oakland County for six terms, and 
in 18.5.') going to Iowa vhere he taught for three 
terms. In 1860 Mr. Baldwin returned to Michi- 
g;ui and undertook general merchandising in 
Owosso. This he carried on for twenty years, as- 
sociating with him during a part of the lime his 
brother Charles A. Baldwin, and at another time 
.Mr. Charles C. Shattuck. For a year or two he 
was out of business and then engaged for a second 
timeinOwossoin the mercantile line. He finally sold 
ouL and entered the i)olitical arena, and beingacan- 
<lidale for County Clerk on the IJomocralic ticket 
was elected. He served in this office for two years 
and also held Ih'; olllce of City Clerk and City 
Treasurer for six years. He was candiilate for the 
olHce of Judge of the Probate Court on the Dem- 
ocratic ticket, and was defeated by a small major- 
ity of one hundred, Ihe county ticket in generxl 
going sixteen hundred majority for the Republican 



260 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



candidates. He tlien became bcok-keeper for Ar- 
thur McHardy, and was afterward employed by 
M. L. Stewart, the banker, as Collector and Cashier, 
and with him he remained for four years. In April, 
1887, he was elected Justice of the Peace for a term 
of four j-ears and in the spring of 1891 was re- 
elected to the same office. 

The marriage of our subject in January, 1857, 
united him with Miss Mary (). Bromley, of Oak- 
land County, Mich., of which she is a native. Ilur 
parents are Bethuel and Eliza Bromley who were 
early settlers in Michigan. One of Mr. and Mrs. 
Baldwin's children has been calleil to the belter 
world. The other a daughter, Maude, remains to 
cheer and comfort her parents. 

Mr. Baldwin is a prominent member of Owosso 
Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M., and also of Owosso 
Chapter No. 8!», II. A. M., and of Corunna Com- 
manilery. He was elected Circuit Court Commis- 
sioner in the fall of 1890. After serving two 
years as County Clerk he was admitted to the bar 
of Shiawassee County. His beautiful home is at 
the corner of Hickory and Williams Streets. 



^^ONSTANTINE GRULER. The thriving 
(l\ n ^'^''^'^ "^ Fowler is the scat of some flouiish- 
^^^ ing business establishments, among which 
the store of Mr. G ruler is quite noticeable. A 
carefully-selected stock, valued at about 18,000, is 
displayed in the new building that was put U|) in 
1889 by its present occupant and is the best edifice 
in tlie place. Mr. G ruler has been engaged in busi- 
ness here for some years, beginning his work when 
the prospect for a town seemed very poor, as the 
country was covered with forest, with only here 
and tlie:e a cleared farm in that part now occupied 
by Fowler and the surrounding cultivated fields. 
Mr. Gruler has carried on a good trade in grain 
and produce and in an earlier day speculated in 
real estate quite extensively. He has a pleasant 
home, his resilience being one of the most tasteful 
in the village. 

Philip Gruler, father of our subject, was born in 
Wnrtemburg, Germany, in 1805, and came to 



America in 1851. He located in New York Citj', 
but after living there five years came out to Clin- 
ton County and settled on a farm of fifty acres 
which belonged to his son, our subject. He was a 
builder and furniture-maker in his own country 
and in New York was foreman of a piano f.actory. 
He was married in Rottweil, AVurtemberg, to Mary 
A. Kustor and to them were born the following chil- 
dren: Constantine. Louisa, and Romaine. Louisa is 
now living in Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Gruler died 
in Bengal Township in 1858 at the age of fift^-- 
three years; his wife [lassed away in 18G5, while on 
a visit to her d.-iughter in Brooklyn. 

Constantine Gruler was born in Rottweil, Wurt- 
temberg. May 19, 1832, and came to this country 
with his parents. In his native land he had pur- 
sued the usual educational work and home life un- 
til fifteen years old, when ho h.nd become an 
apprentice, serving three years in a store and pay- 
ing $180 to the merchant for the [irivilege of 
learning the business. After the family came to 
America he worked in a bakery and in a molding 
shoi), doing gilding in the latter. In 1857 he came 
to Clinton County and settled on his farm, and 
here he was married to Caroline Schemer, a native 
of Geiniany who came to America about 1856, 
and lived with his stepson, Frederick Schemer, in 
Clinton County. To Mr. and Mrs. Gruler nine 
children were born, namely-: Louisa, now Mrs. 
Cook of Fowler; Annie, Mrs. Whittaker of Pew- 
amo; Frank, a grain dealer in Fowler; Emma, who 
is at the head of her father's store; Fann}', who 
also clerks in the store; Alfred, Amelia, Rosa and 
Ernest. 

About 1857 Mr. Gruler traded his Bengal Town- 
ship [iroperty for eighty acres in Dallas Township 
and on the latter he made his home for ten years. 
He then traded for eightj' acres in Westphalia 
Township and lived thereon until 1868, when he 
sold it and went to Missouri, prospecting for a new 
home. After a visit of two months he returned to 
Michigan, satisfied to remain here, and in partner- 
ship with her brother-in-law, Frederick Schemer, he 
started a mercantile enterprise where Fowler has 
been built up. The partnership continued about 
six years and the business has been continued by 
Mr. Gruler. He has deprived of the companion- 





-n^ 



J^^ l?^/6 



A-fx. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



263 



(Cr 



ship of his faithful wife in 1883, when slie closcil 
her eyes in death, breathing her last in Fowler. 
She was born in UIra, Germany, in the year 1 84 L 
Mr. G ruler is a Master Mason, belonging to St. 
John's Lodge, No. 10.5, and is also connected with 
the Ancient Order of United AVorkmen of Fowler. 
lie has alwaj's been a Democrat. He has served in 
the official capacities of Township Supervisor and 
Treasurer, Highwa)' Commissioner and Justice of 
the peace, and at present is President of the 
village of Fowler. That he has been a useful mem- 
ber of society and that his fellow-citizens think 
well of him is conclusively proven by the ofHciul 
positions to which he has been called. 



'ifOHN M. FITCH, of the firm of J. .M. Fitch 
<fe Son, of Corunna, is engaged in ojjcr- 
ating A planing niilljand manufactures lum- 
ber, doors, sash and blinds. He is one of 
the first half-dozen settlers in Shiaw.issee County, 
and is a most delightful companion, pleasantly en- 
tertaining friends with reminiscences of the olden 
times. He was born in Bedford, JLiss., July 8, 
1811. His ancestors came to America from the Isle 
of Man about the year 160.0. His father and 
grandfather both bore the name of Moses, and were 
farmers in Bedford. The grandfather was wounded 
in the Revolutionary War, and died from this 
cause. His father bore the name of Jeremiah. The 
father of our subject died of an accident in Bedford 
in 1824. The mother was known in maidenhood 
as Polly Brown, and was a daughter of Daniel B. 
Brown, a citizen of Lunenburg, Mass., and a sol- 
dier in the Revolutionary War. Our subject is tlic 
only child of his mother, and she remained with 
him uiilil her death in 1880, when she was nearing 
the ninety-ninth anniversary of her birth. 

Young Fitch attended the common schools and 
followed farming in Bedford. In 1833 he sold his 
property, and at that time executed the first deeil 
ever made of the farm, as it had been in the family 
for generations. He removed to Meredith, N. H.. 
now known as Laconia, and took an interest in a 
cotton manufactory. After three years he came 



West, and in the fall of 183G located in Ann Ar- 
bor for one winter, coming in the si)ring to Shia- 
wassee Township, Shiawassee County. He kept 
public house that summer in the building that w.as 
formerly- occupied by A. L. Williams, the old In- 
dian trader. This, the first hotel in Shiawassee 
County, was known as the Shiawassee Exchange, 
and all the count3' business was done there. 

Mr. Filch bought eighty acres of wild land, upon 
which he built a log house and began clearing the 
tinilior. Wild anim.als were plentiful, as were also 
the Chippewa Indians, with whom he learned to 
talk, his house being only a mile from the Reserva- 
tion Ketchermaudaugeninick, of three thousand 
acres. As his health failed, he went East in June, 
1840, and after spending some time in New York 
anil Philadelphia, went to the Isle of Cuba. Health 
being restored, he returned to Michigan, farming 
on rented land for five years, until he became 
Sheriff in 18y3, when he removed to Corunna for 
four years. After renting land in Caledonia fur 
twelve years, he bought a farm in Hazclton in 
18G7, and mad.e his home on it until 187."). He 
ceased farming operations and engaged in ISSO in 
a sawmill. He next built a planing mill at .ludd's 
Corners, and in 1890 bought the mill of McLaugh- 
lin Bros., and during that year moved to Corunna. 
When he gets both mills well consolidated, as he 
is now planning, he will have the largest planing 
mill in Shiawassee County, and a coin|)lete set 
of macliinerj- for manufacturing anything in his 
line. 

The year 1833 was the date which marked Mr. 
Fitch's change from single to married life, and he 
was then wedded in Bedford, Mass., to Miss Cathe- 
rine Bacon, of that place. Of their three chil- 
dren the eldest, George B., was a fine mechanic, 
who went South and has not been heard from since 
11S72; John A. is in partnership with \\\% father; 
and Abbie is the wife of Mr. .lolin Andrews, who 
is in the hardware business at Ovid. Our subject 
has boon for nine years Supervisor of the town- 
ship in which he resides, and was Justice of the 
Peace for some years. Pie has filled all the town- 
ship ollices and for years served in the t)fliceof the 
Registrar of Deeds. He is a demitted member of 
the Free and Accepted Masons, and belongs to the 



•264 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Sons of Temperance. He lias always voted with 
the Democratic part^', and for years has beeu an 
influential member of the party. lie and his wife 
have been married almost sixty years. Both are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, and higliiy 
esteemed in social circles. The lithographic por- 
trait of Mr. Fitch accompanies this sketch. 



■ff^OHN BROWN, one of the official citizens 
of St. John's, was born in County Antrim, 
Ireland, December 4, 1834. His father, 
Francis Brown, was a native of Ireland and 
a weaver by trade. He was born in 1807, and 
came to America in 1842, locating in Essex County, 
N. J. In 1850 he came to Oakland County, Mich., 
and two years later removed to Clinton County, 
v/here he died in 1855. He belonged to the Pres- 
byterian Church in his native land. 

The mother of our subject, Susannah Brown, 
was born in Antrim, Ireland, and is still living to 
bless her children at the age of eighty-four years. 
Of her ten children, our subject is the eldest, and 
lie was but seven years old when his parents came 
to America. He came to Michigan with his par- 
ents in 1852 when the country in these parts was 
still a wilderness and very little clearing had been 
done. After he had reached the age of nine or 
peihni)S ten years he had an opportunity of attend- 
ing the district school, but most of his education 
was procured at home. While attending school he 
chopped wood nights and jnornings. In those 
days deer were abundant and other game was plen- 
tiful and his father often killed a deer and thus 
supplied the family with fresh meat which was 
very rare in those days. Tiie Indians were fre- 
quent callers and friendly neighbors. 

The boy began to work out for neighboiiug 
farmers as soon as he was old enough, and he was 
thus able to earn money to pay for the first eighty 
acres that his father owned in the Western home. 
He also earned in this way the means to buy for 
himself a farm. In 1857 he purchased his present 
farm on section 27, Bengal Township, Clinton 
County. This land was then an unbroken forest 



I 



and not an ax had been swung against its trees nor 
a spade set in its virgin soil. He cut the first s*ick 
and built the first house upon it and made his lininc 
tliere about the j-ear 18(30. 

The marriage of John Brown in 1858 with Sarah 
J. Teneick was an event of great importance in tlic 
life of the young mau. His intelligent and amia- 
ble bride was born in Canada, near Toronto, and 
had been living in Michigan for some five years, 
her parents being early settlers in Bengal Town- 
ship. Three children have come to bless this home, 
William II., George A., and James E. The subject 
of this brief sket'h is an earnest Republican and 
is proud to say that he cast his first vote for John 
C. Fremont. He is often solicited to fill positions 
of trust and responsibility in the townsldp and has 
been Supervisor for eight years. He has also acted 
as Treasurer for three ^ears, and for two years has 
filled the position of Drainage Commissioner. He 
frequently sits as a delegate in various conven- 
tions, including the Republican State Convention. 
He is an earnest member of the Grange and is ever 
alive to movements which will favor the best inter- 
ests of the farming coraraunit}'. Both he and his 
good wife are members of the United Brethi-en 
Church, which organization has made him a Trustee 
of church and parsonage. He began life on the 
bottom round of the ladder and has climbed to 
where he can see prosperity and an excellent de- 
gree of success. His farm comprises one hundred 
.and sixty acres and the excellent buildings which 
he has placed upon it are an ornament to the 
township. 




farm located on section 7, Vernon Town- 
siiip, was born in Orleans County, Murray 
Township, N. Y., February 27, 1848. His father 
was Joseph W. Paine, a native of New York and 
born in Herkimer County, in 1803, where he was 
reared until he reached manhood. He acquired 
the trade of a carriage-maker, which be followed a 
large part of his life, although ho bought and sold 
grain and owned a large warehouse in Hinsburg, 



PORTRAIT ANU BlOGRAl'lliCAL ALliLM. 



265 



N. Y., on the Erie Canal. When he came to Mieli- 
igan, in 1857, he located tlirectl^' in Vernon Town- 
ship, on section 7. 

A little log house was on the farm when Mr. 
Paine ceme there and the place was partially im- 
proved, lie remained in the house that was on 
the place when he first came until his death, al the 
age of eight3-five years. Polilicall}-, Mr. Paine 
was a Republican. Religiously, he was a member 
of the Universalist Church, and socially he identi- 
fied liimself at one time with the Odd Fellows. 
The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Eliza Flill. She was a native of New York and 
was born in Parma, Monroe County, in 1815. 
She is still living and resides with W. D. Garrison. 
She is a member of tlie Congregational Church. 
She and her husband were married in Monroe 
County and they became parents of two children, 
a son and a daughter. The lady spoken of was 
the second wife, Mr. Paine's first wife having lived 
onl}' a few years and leaving to him but one 
daughter — Imogene — who is now the widow of 
Z. IJ. St. John. The widow of Mr. I'aine has as 
above stated, two childien — Jeanetle, the wife of 
W. D. (iarrison, whose sketch will be found on an- 
other page in this Albtm, and our subject. 

Our subject is the first and only son and was ten 
years old when he came to Michigan with his pa- 
rents. His early school days were passed in his 
native place and after he came to this State he at- 
tended school in a log house on section 8. He fin- 
ished his schooling in the house that stands on the 
corner of section 18, District No. 2. lie remained 
with his father until he became of age and then 
worked for him by the month until ho was mar- 
ried, which event was celebrated in 1873. The 
maiden name of his wife was Mary Clark. She 
was an only daughter of William and Delia Clark 
and was born in Detroit in 1853. 

After Mr. Paine's marriage he lived with his 
p.'ircnts for a period of about three years, then 
located where he now resides. He is the proud 
father of three children — two daughters and one 
son. They are, Katie Belle, Mabel and Charles. 
Mr. Paine may well be proud of his farm, which 
comprises two hundred thirty-seven acres of well- 
improved land, one hundred fifty acres of this 



being under the plow; thirty-five acres is in 
heavy timber, the rest is in pasture. He raises 
many sheep, having at present three hundred and 
thirty head of sheep and lambs. He also keeps a 
fine stock of horses, now having eight head. He 
is a general farmer and stock-raiser, making a 
specialty of sliccp-raising. Last year his lambs ag- 
gregated one hundred and thirty-nine. He handles 
more sheep tliiui an}' other man in the county, 
having an average of one hundred lambs per year 
fur the last four ^ears. 

In politics Mr. Paine is a Republican and hp.s 
held many positions under his l)avty. He is at 
present Postmaster in which office he does 
efficient duty. He has one of the finest 
farms in the county and as his ingenuity and 
sense of order know no end, he is con- 
stantly making improvements which add greatly 
to the value as well as the comfort and conven- 
ience of the place. 

— ^ ^^ ^— 

THAMES N. McBRlDE, of the firm of Dewey 
& Mc Bride, publishers of the Owosso 
'Times is one of the influential citizens of 
Owosso. The paper was established in 1881 
b}' Hon. George M. Dewey, whose biographical 
sketch is found elsewhere in this volume. That 
gentleman continued in the management of the 
paper until 1890, at which time Mr. McBride pur- 
chased a half interest in the oflice with Mr. E. O. 
Dewey. 

The Owosso Times is the accredited organ of 
the Republican party in Shiawassee County, and is 
a fine appearing sheet, quarto in size, with a seven 
column page and is issued ever}- Friday. It is a 
newsy sheet and its typographical excellence is a 
credit to its publishers. The two large cylinder 
presses and the two job presses of this office are 
supplied with power by a gas engine. This estab- 
lishment is also supplied with a large Bascom 
folder and a thirtj'-two inch paper cutter. This 
firm does the printing for the Shiwassee licjiurtir 
besides carrying on a large job business. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of Mercer 



266 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



County, Pa., and a son of James S., and Marj' 
(Offutt) McBiide. He was born December 12, 1864, 
and his parents now reside in Shiawassee County. 
For furtlier matters in regard to the family history 
we are pleased to refer our readers to the sketch of 
James 8. McBride to be found upon anoUier page 
of this album. 

James N. McBride graduated from the Owosso 
High School in 1884, and entered the universitj- of 
Michigan at Ann Arbor, taking the literary' coui'se 
wliere he took his dijiloma in 1888, being awarded 
also the second prize which was offered by the 
American Protective Tariff League for an essay 
on the subject of tariff. One of the judges, Rob- 
ert P. Porter, Superintendent of eleventh Census 
of the United States, was so pleased with the young 
man as to offer him a position on his force. lie 
appointed Mr. McBride Supervisor of tlie 'I'hird 
Census District of Michigan. 

Tiie young man's intelligence and interest in 
education brought him before the public and two 
years after his graduation he was elected .Superin- 
tendent of Schools of Shiawassee County, w here he 
served successfullj- for two years. He also became 
a candidate for the nomination in the Republican 
State Convention for the otiicc of Slate Superin 
tendent of Public Instruction, and received a large 
vote in the convention, standing second to the man 
who was finallj' nominated. Since he took charge 
of tiie Owosso Times it has plainly shown the man- 
agement of a man who understands tiie newspaper 
))usiness and who is pushing to the front among 
the newspaper fraternity of Michigan. 



LBERT T. PARRIsn is a i)r.aclicing piiy- 



(@^J|1 sieian and druggist at B^'ron, .Shiawassee 
ili County, and was born in Bedford, Wayne 
County, this State, September 27, 1859. 
He Is a son of Othniel T. and Cordelia C. (Tay- 
lor) Parrish, natives of New York State. They 
were married in Wa3^ne County-, this State. The 
mother of the family w.as taken away at Ovid. 
The father now resides in Clevelnnd, Ohio. Until 
the present time he has followed farming as his 




vocation. He is a man in comfortable circum- 
stances, a Republican in politics and a member 
of the Masonic order. 

The parents of our subject had three children, 
of which the one of whom we write is the only 
survivor. In childhood he lived in the town of 
Redford, Wayne County-. When fourteen, his par- 
ents removed to Ovid, where he remained until 
reaching his majority. Tlie schools of this county 
are e.Kccptionall^' good and our subject made the 
most of his advantages, so that when he reached 
twenty years of age he was well prepared to enter 
the medical department of the University of Mich- 
igan at Ann Arbor. In 1881 he was graduaeed 
from this institution with high honors. 

The entrance of a young man upon his pro- 
fessional career is a momentous occasion, and es- 
pecially in the profession of medicine where there 
there is so much co'upetition and so many circum- 
stanees to be taken into consideration, it is neces- 
sary for a 3'oung man to balance and weigh well 
all advantages and disadvantages before deter- 
mining where he will i)ractice. It is said that a 
prophet is without honor in his own country, so 
comparalivelj' few v^oung men begin their prac- 
tice where the^- have grown up, and where all 
their youthful escapades may serve to undervalue 
their real professional ability. Dr. Parrish w.as 
not an exception to the rule, and after much stutly 
of the matter he located at Evart, Mich., and 
there practiced until Maj-, 1884, when he went to 
JNIarcellus, remaining there until October, 1887, 
when he came to Byron, where he still v.onlinues 
to practice. Dr. Parrish also had a large and flour- 
ishing drug business, in which he was also en- 
gaged at Marcellus. He is eminently a self-made 
man, for he began without any material help what- 
ever and entirely without means, with indefatig- 
able energy he pursued his favorite idea. He 
worked himself through college and with unswerv- 
ing energy bent his will to securing the line and 
lucrative practice which he now has. 

The original of our sketch is a Mason, in which 
body he lias attained to a Master degree. He 
also belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees. He 
is an ardent liepublican, believing fully iu that 
platform with all the tenets that it implies. Sep- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



267 



tember 15, 1880, Dr. Pairisli induced Miss Maria 
Hathaway to cliango lier name for timl of Parrisli. 
The laily is from Middlebury, Shiawassee Countj", 
where she was born. She is a daughter of William 
and Mary (Bearce) Hathaway. Two little ciiildrcn 
are at once tlie joy and care of their fond and 
proud parents. Our subject and his estimable 
lady dispense a liberal and charming hospitality 
from their pleasant home in Byron. 



y~ILLlAM L. PAYNE, a well-known busi- 
ness man of Owosso, Shiawassee County, 
who is respected alike for his thorough 
business qualities and his quiet, unassuming, yet 
honorable character, was born in Niagara County, 
N. Y., Marcli 4, 1832. His parents, Daniel and 
Cliarlolte (Harger) Payne, were of Eastern birth, 
tiie father being born in Massachusetts and the 
mother near Saratoga, N. Y., where she first 
saw the ligiit Jul}' 13, 1811. Her parents, Eber 
and Mary Harger, were of English ancestry. 

Our subject came West in 183G, removing witli 
liis parents to Genesee County, lliis State, where 
i)e became interested in lumbering and shingle 
making. Daniel Payne died in 18 17, and liis wife 
passed away, in Owosso, in 1881. Slie was llie 
motiier of four cliildren, of wliom our sul)jrct is 
the oldest, llie others being Eliza E., Edward II. 
and Chanc}' .1. William L. received onlv a very 
limited education in the common sciiools. lie 
assisted his fatiier up to the time of the death of 
that parent, which occurred when William was 
but fifteen years old, and from that time he was 
thrown wholly upon his own resources, working 
at lumbering and mining. 

The Western fever so seriously affected this 
young man as to lead him, in 185'J, to cross the 
continent by the overland route in company with 
others, some going on horseback and o'hers with 
o.\ teams, and some with horse teams. Upon reach- 
ing Salt Lake City both of Mr. Payne's horses were 
stolen by the Mormons, lie loadecl his effects on the 
w.agons of some of his friends :uid made the rest of 
the journey to California on fool. He m.ade a 



halt at Placerville, where he began working in the 
Pl.acer Mines, and there spent thirteen months. He 
spent six 3ears at Coloma, Cal., where he met 
witli fair success. 

Mr. P.ayne returned to Michigan in 186.5, and 
in the following spring came to Owosso. where he 
went to work at harness-making with a j'ounger 
brother, Chancy' J. Payne. Having spent twelve 
months with him, he started in business on his 
own account, and Las ever since followed the line 
of harness-making and repairing. In company 
with George Carpenter, he has erected a fine 
brick building on West Main Street, which accom- 
raoilatcs one store. He has also put up a brick 
house adjoining on his own account on the same 
street, and he has a pleasant residence on South 
Ball Street. 

Mr. Payne was married December 22, 1890, to 
iMary E. Baker, of Fenton, Mich. This lady is a 
native of Michigan. Mr. Payne is a Republican in 
his political views, but not in any sense a politician. 
He has been successful in business and has acquired 
a comfortable competency. 



-■■M-^-W-^' 



'i^jORSUCH & WELCH are editors of the Co- 

nmna. Jour II a I, n weekly five-column quarto, 
J^\ that was established in 1S81 l)y .I.NMngersol. 
The Journal oflice has good appliances for carrying 
on jot) work and a fine business is conducted in 
this dc[)artnient. The Journal is a reputable sheet, 
carefully edited, neatly printed, and having a 
good circulation in and near the county seat. Mr. 
(iorsucli is a practical printer and all-round news- 
paper man, and Ijolh editors are keen, quick-witted 
anil oberving, and have the command of language 
which makes their utterances re;;dable and instruc- 
tive. 

The senior member of the journalistic firm is a 
grandson of Maj. Benjamin Gorsucli, wlio was 
born in Maryland and died on his farm there. His 
title came from his position during the War of 
1812. The next in the direct line was D. H. (Jor- 
such, a native of Maryland, who learned the trade 



268 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of a tanner and currier. He traveled agreat deal, 
but in 1865, made a permanent location in St. 
John's, Clinton County, where he was for some 
time engaged in the harness and leatlier business, 
but IS now handling produce. His wife was Ann 
M. Gorsuch, daughter of Jacob Gorsuch, and a na- 
tive of Maryland. She died in St. John's in 1867, 
leaving six children. 

Elmer U. Gorsuch was the youngest of his pa- 
rents' family and was born in Stryker, Ohio, March 
12, 1864. He was but an infant when his parents 
came from that place to Michigan and he grew to 
maturity in St. John's. He was an apt scholar, and 
in 1881 received his diploma, after having comi>le- 
ted ihe higli school studies. lie taught a year, then 
entered the office of the Clinton Counij' Independ- 
ent and worked on that pajjer in various capacities 
until 1887, when he bought the Corunna JtnirnaJ. 
A year later E. J. Peacock was taken in as partner 
but in 1890 that gentleman was bought out by F. 
E. Welch and the present firm formed. Mr. Gor- 
such votes the Republican ticket. 

Mr. Frank Welch is the fourth of five sons born 
to Benjamin and Lovina (Toby) Welch. His pa- 
rents were natives of the Empire State, the fallier 
born in Steuben County in 1813. He was a farmer 
in his native Stale. until 1832, when he came to 
Michigan and located at Troy Corners, Oakland 
County. In 1837 he entered land in Burns Town- 
ship, in Siiiawassee Countj-, but did not lake pos- 
session of it until 1840. From that time until 1860 
he was engaged in improving and operating it, and 
then sold and made his home in Byron, where he 
died in 1867. His wife had breathed her last on 
the farm in 18.')2. Mr. Welch was one of the thir- 
teen men in Burns Township wlio first advocated 
the principles of abolition. 

Mr. Frank Welch who is now engaged in edito- 
rial work, was born May 10, 1848, and reared to the 
age of fourteen on the home farm. During his boy- 
hood lie attended the district school and the graded 
school in P)yron. Wiien fourteen years old he 
began clerking, and was engaged in trade until he 
assumed the duties of County Clerk. Mr. Welch 
was first elected to that position in the fall of 1880 
ami was subsequently re-elected three times, hold- 
ing the oflice continuously until January, 1889. 



In the fall preceding he had refused to again be- 
come a candidate, as the confinement was telling 
upon his health. In 1888 he had been admitted to 
the Michigan bar, but he has not practiced. While 
living in Byron he was City Recorder, Assessor 
and Trustee. He is a well-informed, energetic man 
and he and his partner have good standing in so- 
cial and business circles. 



^5^E0RGE F. JANES. Although this gentle- 
'f[ ,— n man is not actively engaged in fa.'ming, yet 
^^ifjl his sym[jathies are with the agriculturists, 
as he formerly gave his attention to the same work 
and now has farm land that he rents out. For some 
time past his liome has been in the village of Ovid, 
and he is known and honored there. He has been 
engaged in breeding fine horses, and has one ani- 
mal tiiat is one of the finest bred in the county — 
'•Col. Lewis," a handsome equine. For about a 
twelvemonth Mr. Janes lived in Detroit where he 
carried on the Park Dining Hall, on AVoodward 
Avenue, but most of his mature years have been 
spent in pursuance f>f the calling of a farmer. 

The <lirect progenitors of our subject were How- 
ell W. and Lucy B. (Hall) Janes, natives of New 
York, and the father a farmer. The early years 
of the son were therefore passed upon a farm, and 
from his childhood he found work to do on the 
place. His birtli occurred in Genesee County, 
N. Y., April 5, 1835, and when ohl enougli he at- 
tended school in the winter. As his parents lived 
about three miles from tiie schoolhouse, the walk 
was a long one, and the lad worked for his board 
in a familj' near the school, while pursuing his 
studies. His parents had removed to this State 
when he was ten years old and settled in Duplain 
Township, Clinton Count3^ He recalls scenes of 
wildness, when few and remote were the dwellings 
of tiie settlers, there was no railroad nearer than 
Pontiac, and the train made such poor time that a 
man could run and overtake it almost anywhere. 

Mr. Janes did not leave the parental roof until 
he was twenty-four years old, and then set up a 
home of his own, having won the consent of Miss 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



269 



Maiy E. Kingsle3' to aid liim in that purpose. The 
young couple were united in marriage November 
7, 1858, at the iiome of the bride's faliier, Dennis 
Kingslc^-, in Waj'ne Count}', near Northville. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Janes there came five children, but 
tiiree were taken from them in infanc}- — Willie, 
Preddieand Frank. There were left to cheer them 
Alma Isabel, who was born October 8, 1862, and is 
now the wife of James Crook, a f.irmer in (iratiot 
County, and Orrin K., whose natal day was March 
3, 1867, and who is married to Minnie I,aing of 
Cass City, Tuscola County, and is Cashier of the 
Cass Cit3' Bank. The mother died on the farm 
Augusts!, 1873, and on May 3, 1881, Mr. Janes 
wedded Mrs. Mary E. Case, nee Misner, of Ovid. 

When Mr. Janes was married lie established his 
home on land in Duplain Township, Clinton Coun- 
ty, .'Mid there he remained until I886,h.iving in the 
meantime brought it up to par in point of culti- 
vation and improvement. The forest growlli was 
removed by himself and other work done such as 
is needed in developing new tracts. When he 
left the place he went to Detroit. and in a short time 
was located in the vilhge of Ovid, where he has 
continued to reside. In polilics he is a Republi- 
can, but his interest in affairs of a p.'irty nature is 
limited to a knowledge of what is transpiring and 
a [)roper disposition of his vole, and never leads 
him to seek office. lie is a Mason and for the past 
three 3-ears has filled the .Secretary's Chair in the 
Ovid Lodge. He did his best to educate his children 
and fit them for useful careers, and when projects 
are advanced for the jiublic good lie is re.ady to 
respond. 



-#-*-B-- 




^^ AMUEL G. ATHERTON. The farmers 
of Clinton Count\' number in their ranks 
few, if any, men of wider inlellucluai cul- 
ture and broader general knowledge than 
.Mr. .\thcrton, whose home is in Ovid Township. 
He was for a number of jears engaged in teaching 
and began liis professional work while still in liis 
Iceiis. lie finally began It) pay sunie attention to 
farming and at length gave it his whole time as a 



business. He came to Michigan in 1883 and at 
once located where he is now living — on an im- 
proved farm of ninety* .acres, upon which he has 
since done considerable toward making it what it 
is to-day. Like others of his class, he can always 
see where some improvement can be made either 
in repairing, enlarging or refitting the buildings, 
and bringing the property under more thorough 
cultivation. His estate is a well-regulated one 
and from it good and abundant crops .are har- 
vested. 

Mr. Atlierlon is of New England i)arentage, his 
father having been a native of New Hampshire 
and his mother of Boston, Mass. His maternal 
giandrather fought in the War of 1812. The 
names of his i)arents were Alonzo D. and Sarah 
(Goodrich) Alhcrton and they were living in 
Cheshire County, N. H., when he was born, 
January 2, 1837. His earlj- years were spent up- 
on a farm but he had very good school privileges, 
first attending in the neighboring district and 
la*,er going to a good academy, where he fitted 
himself for civil engineering wliicii he h.is followe<l 
several years before coming to this state. In iiis 
eighteenth year he left home and began teaching 
in Orleans County and afterward went to Conada. 
For four years he taught near Hamilton, for two 
years near Paris and then in Watford two or three 
years. These points are in the I'roviuce of On- 
tario. Until he was thirty years old Mr. Atherton 
did little but professional work, and he then re- 
turned to Orleans County, N Y., and began to farm. 
From that time he taught only occasionally, giv- 
ing his attention mainly to agricultural work. He 
finally decided to make Michigan his home as be- 
fore mentioned. In the Province of Ontario, Can- 
ada, March 29, 1862, Mr. Atherton was married to 
Miss Sarah, daughter of Stephen Barrow, of Bin- 
brook. While they were still living in Canada 
Mr. and Mrs. Atherton rejoiced in the birth of a 
daughter — Clara A. — who came to their home 
January 19, 186S. She died in New York Sep- 
tember 24, 1870. They have now two children 
who are being well ('diicate<l, t)ne being almost 
ready for graduation from the Ovid High School 
and the other having already received Ids diploma. 
Their names are Fred B. and Lewis O. anil the}' 



270 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



were born June 22, 1869, and August 31, 1873, 
respectively. 

Mr. Atlierton takes considerable interest in po- 
litical issues and party events and is liimself a Re- 
publican. While living in New York he held 
several township and count3' offices, but in this 
State he has not allowed his name to go before the 
people as a candidate. He and his family are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
as people of more than ordinarj' intelligence and 
interest in the higher things of life, Mr. and Mrs. 
Atlierton are well regarded. 



"^~*^''^'" 



■ii; AY M. TERBUSII. A mingling of honest 
British and German blood often forms a 
strain of sturdy cliaracteristics wiiich makes 
the best practical business men and most 
thorough and progressive citizens. In this class 
we may appropriately rank Mr. Terbush,a member 
of the firm of Murray & Terljush, dealers in clotli- 
ing, gentlemen's furnishing goods, iiats, caps, boots 
and shoes, one of the best known firms in Owosso. 

Mr. Terbush was born in Oakland County, Mich., 
in the town of II0II3', December 29, 1859. He is 
the only son living by the second marriage of his 
father, George W. Terbush, with Sarah Middlcs- 
wortli. rhe fatlier was a farmer by occupation 
and a native of New York State, and of English 
descent, and the latter was born in New Jersey, of 
Geraian descent. The son sijent his early boy- 
hood in Fenton, Genessee County, first attending 
the common school and afterwards attending tlie 
B!ii)tist Seminary where he was graduated in 1875. 

This young man's mercantile experience began 
by his clerking in a clotliing store at Fenton, for 
tiie firm whieli was tlien known as Thurbor ife Mur- 
ray. Here he served for one year and was then 
employed by W. D. Murray, after wliich lie formed 
a ])artnershii) witli Mr. Murray and in the capacity 
of a member of tlie firm continued in business at 
Fenton. 

In 1884 Mr. Terbush came to Owosso and start- 
ed the present store. He first opened a clothing 
house, and finding liimself successful, added fur- 



nishing goods and continued in this line until 1888, 
after which lie supplemented his business by intro- 
ducing a line of boots and shoes. His old partner, 
Jlr. Murray, came to Owosso in May, 1889, and 
joined him in this business. His large double 
store, which is centrallj' located at the corner of 
Washington and Main Streets, lias a large business, 
and the store virtually has four fronts or places of 
entrance. It is literall3' packed with goods of ex- 
cellent quality, selected with taste and disciimina- 
tion, and the firm is able to fit out a man or boy 
from top to toe, in first class style. 

In March, 1888 Mr. Terbush married Miss Car- 
rie A., daughter of A. J. Patterson, proprietor of 
the National Hotel at Owosso. The birth of two 
cliildrcn, Ja}' M. Jr. and Rizpah Mae, are the fruits 
of this union. Mr. Terbush is a member of Owos- 
so Lodge, No. 81, F. and A. M., and of Owosso 
Chapter, No. 89, R. A. M., and of Corunna 
Comraandery, K. T. and is also one of the Kniglits 
of Pythias of the Subordinate Uniform rank. In 
his pleasant residence on Water Street, he and his 
amiable wife are the centre of a pleasant social life 
around which their neighbors gatlier and where all 
enjoy a genuine hosi)itality. Politically he is a 
Kepublican. 



ENRY C. CASE, a well-known farmer and 
^) blacksmith of Eureka, Clinton County, is a 
native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., and 
was born October 4, 1843. He is a son of 
Samuel and Maria (Penharlow) Case. The father 
was a native of New York and the mother of Con- 
necticut. Until he was fourteen years old the boy 
grew up in his native home and at that time mi- 
grated with his parents to Clinton County, this 
State, making their new home in Greenbush Town- 
ship. His father was thus one of tlie early settlers 
in the township and was highly honored and res- 
pected by all who knew him, until his death in 
September, 1889. 

The brothers and sisters of our subject were 
Maria, now Mrs. John Conant; Jane, the wife of 
M. Sevy; Charlotte, Henry, and Ransford, who has 







'.2^i^*^^^<^ ^y^. 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



273 



di.'cL When sixteen years old, Henry Case began 
to learn the trade of a blaeksinitli, taking bis ap- 
prenticeship with his fatlier wlio was also a niechaiiic. 
He has fol lowed his trade throiiuji life and has a 
fine repntation as a thorough workman, iiaving a 
large trade, not only in Eureka but also among the 
farmers through all that part of the township. 

The marriage of Mr. Case in 1861 united him 
with Martha Coe, of New York, where the marriage 
ceremony was performed. This lady became the 
mother of three children, two of whom, Frank and 
Mamie, arc living. This wife was called away from 
earth, and the second marriage of our subject took 
place in 1883. The present Mrs. Case bore the 
maiden name of Libby Jeffries. She and her husband 
each own forty acres of finely cultivated land, upon 
which- they are raising splendid crops. Mr. Case 
is a public-spirited and enterprising man and an 
earnest [iromoler of ever}' movement tending to 
the improvement of the county and the elevation 
of society. He is a Republican in his politics, but 
is not in any sense an oflice seeker, but conscien- 
tiously casts bis vote for those principles and men 
in whom his juda:ment confides. He is nnl only a 
superior mechanic but is possessed of the confidence 
of his neighbors and his word is considered as good 
as his bond. Both he and his good wife are res- 
pected members of society and everj' one rejoices 
in their success. 




HARLK8 HOLMAN. The i)ortrait on the 
opposite page represents the lineaments of 
a gentleman well-known in Shiawassee; 
County. Mr. Hoi man has l)een a resident here 
since the spring of 1857 and has held oflice longer 
than any other official the count}- has known. He 
was Register of Deeds from January, 18G7, till 
Januarj', 1881, having been re-elected six times. 
He has been interested in business projects ami has 
from his earliest residence here manifested an car- 
nest zeal for the improvement of this section and 
its advance in all that is best in modern civiliza- 
tion. Financially speaking, he has succeeded in 



the affairs of life, and in his declining years he is 
unharrassed by the anxiety as to the wherewithal to 
supply his needs. Better than all else, his charac- 
ter as a man is one which can be spoken of as a 
model for younger men to copy, and in religious 
work he is one of the most active and eflBcient men 
in Corunna. 

The Holmans came originally from England but 
the Granite State w.as the home of the family for 
several generations. In Marlboro, N. H., Sullivan 
Holman, father of Charles, was born in January, 
1801. After he grew to manhood he went to New 
York, where he was engaged in school teaching and 
where he married Harriet Hall, a native of Phelps- 
town and daughter of .losepli Hall, who was a Cap- 
tain in the Colonial Army during the Revolution. 
In 1833 Mr. Holman removed to this State and for 
a time made his home in Birmingham, then went 
to Clinton, Lenawee County. He was ong.aged in 
the manufacture of fanning mills, but when old 
age overtook him he gave up his work. He is now 
living with our subject and is ninety years old. 
He is a Presbyterian, devout and earnest. Mrs. 
Holman died at the home of her son Charles when 
seventy years old. Our subject is the first born in 
the parental familvand has one sister living — Mrs. 
Harriet Weston, whose home is in Alma. There 
were two other children — Henry and Edward — but 
the}' died young. 

In Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., April 1 1, 1830, 
Charles Holman was born. He has no recollection 
of a home outside this Stale, to which he was 
brought in a wagon, via Canada, when scarcely 
more than an infant. His boyhood was spent in 
what was a sparsely settled district of Le;iawce 
County and his home was a log house with a shop 
in the same yard. His father was one of the first 
to establish a home in that locality and the scenes 
to which Mr. Holman looks back as the first that 
he can recall, were of quite a primitive nature. 
He attended the district school and l.-itcr spent a 
year in Romeo Academy. The surnmiT.s were 
given up to work on the farm, from the titnr he 
was strong enough to be of service, and during the 
winter he worked diligently with his books. 

When eighteen years old Mr. Holman began 
teaching and two winters were given to professional 



274 



rOKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



work. Grand Rapids was then a small place and 
the only mode of travel thither was by stage and a 
boat on the Grand Rivev. Tlie young man went 
there and spent a summer working at the carpen- 
ter's trade. In the fall he returned to Lenawee 
County and for three years was a cleriv in the 
store of B. J. Bid well. He then went to Macomb 
County an<i for three years operated a rented farm 
near Romeo. He next came to Shiawassee (Jouuty , 
and making his iiome in Owosso in the spring of 
1857, be began teaming, drawing lumber between 
St. Cliarles and Owosso. He teamed two j'cars 
and then took a position with Fowler & Esselstyn, 
wlio carried on what was known as the West India 
stave business. Their establishment was the prin- 
cipal one for such a [)urpose in this locality, and 
Mr. Ilolman remained with them seven years. In 
the fall of 186G he was elected Register of Deeds 
on the Republican ticket and qualified for his office 
in January following. While attending faithfully 
to the duties of his position he carried on a real- 
estate business, handling property in Corunna and 
llie outlying districts of the county. In 1881 he 
retired to private life, but the next year he was 
elected Justice of the Peace and served as such 
until 1890. Mr. Holroan has for several years 
been one of the Superintendents of the poor of 
the county. 

The home of Mr. Holman is one in which the 
refining influence of woman is very apparent. It 
is presided over b}' an educated lady who became 
his wife in Romeo, Macomb County, in 1853. She 
was previously Miss Cynthia F. Holman, being a 
daughter of Asa Holman, nn early settler and 
prominent fanner of Macomb County. She was 
educated in a ladies' seminary in Detroit and 
under the lionie roof received careful instruction 
in matters of domestic economy, 'i'lie iiappy 
union lias been blessed by tlie birth of six children, 
three of whom are still at homo. These are Net- 
tie who is an invalid; Helen, a high-school girl 
belonging to the class of 'a3, and Charles, Jr. The 
eldest of the famil3' is Waldo, whusc home is in 
Owosso and who is a traveling salesman for tiie 
granite-ware firm of Maiming, Bowing >fc Co., of 
New York. The second child is Farraiid, who is 
cnifaii-ed in tlie jewelry business iu Owosso, and 



the third is Mrs. Josephine Haney, wife of H. H. 
Haney, a traveling salesman. 

When Ihe Republican parly was organized Mr. 
Holman identified himself with that body and has 
been an unfailing supporter of its principles from 
that day to this. He has been a delegate to county 
and State conventions and was Chairman of the 
County Republican Committee some four years. 
He has long been connected with the School Board 
of Corunna and is now holding the position of 
Secretary, and for four years he has been Secretary 
of the Pioneer Society. Following the example 
antl teaching of his honored father, he is identified 
with the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an 
Elder. He has been Sunday-school Superintendent 
and was a member of the building committee when 
the present house of worship w.os put up. 

<if]ACOB E. LUDWICK. The qualities that 
win success have been displayed by the gen- 
tleman above named, who began his battle 
with life when he was just entering his teens, 
and has made his way, step by step, to competence. 
He is numbered among the most enterprising farm- 
ers of Clinton County, and is pleasantly located on 
section 29, Lebanon Township. He located here in 
1868, settling on eighty acres of land, but adding 
to the property in later years until his estate now 
corai)rises one hundred and ninety acres. Here he 
carries on general farming, and enjoys the com- 
forts which belong to modern farm life. In addi- 
tion to his |)roperty here he is the proprietor of a 
steam laundry at Beliiing, and at one time be ovvned 
an elevator in Pewamo. 

The i)arents of our subject were Jacob and Cath- 
erine (Keller) Ludwick, natives of Pennsylvania, 
who went from that State to New York, and after 
some years returned to the Keystone State, where 
Mr. Ludwick died in 1839. Their children were 
Josei)li. John, Betsey, George, Margaret, Jacob, 
Polly and Sarah. The motlier married Mr. Mc- 
Ninch, and bore him three children — Marvin, Ben- 
jamin F. and Patrick H. Her second husbaiui died 
and she was again married, wedding a Mr. Fisher. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



275 



Her last dajs were spent in Barry Countj', this 
State, where she died in 1881. 

The subject of this notice was born in Genesee 
County, N. v., May 28, 1834. He was eleven 
years old when he left his native State and went to 
Oliio to remain a j"ear, after which he came to 
Miciiigan with his mother. A home was made in 
Eaton County, and the lad remained wilii iiis 
motiier a year, then started in life for himself. He 
found work on a farm and remained in the emplo}" 
of the same man five years, then went to Kalamazoo 
County and worked by the month. He made his 
home in that county until 1868, when he removed 
to the farm he is now occupying. During the in- 
tervening time he bought seventy acres in Kala- 
mazoo County-, cleared a part of it, then sold it and 
bought other land, and ere long was the owner of 
one hundred and twenty acres that he had cleared 
and broken. Since he came to Clinton County he 
has continued his former habits of life, working 
industriously and making his well-directed efforts 
count in the progress of his worldly affairs. 

The N'atioual birthdaj' in 1856 was celebrated b}- 
Mr. Ludwick in an especial manner, he being on 
that day united in marriage with Miss Jemima 
Henion. The wedding ceremony took place in 
Marshall, Calhoun Count}'. The bride was born in 
Orleans County, N. Y., March 20, 1839, and was 
the fourth child in a family of twelve. Her par- 
ents, John and Ruth (Harr}') Henion, were born 
in New Jersey and New York respectively, anil 
their marriage took place in the latter .State. They 
lived there until 18o4, then came to Michigan, and 
for thirteen years were residents of Kal.imazoo 
County. They then removed to Oceana Count}', 
where the wife died in September, 1886. She was 
at that time a member of the United Brethren 
Church, although for years she and her husband 
were Methodists. Mr. Henion is a carpenter, and 
has always followed his trade, combining farm 
work therewith during much of the time. His 
present home is in Hart Township, Oceana County. 
Our subject and his estimable wife are the par- 
ents of three children, named respectively, Fred J., 
Edward and Francis E. Although Mr. Ludwick 
had the opportunity of attending school less than a 
year, he has much ready intelligence and has always 



aimed to keep well informed and increase his knowl- 
edge by those means which are available by all who 
desire. He has been able to serve his fellow-men 
most eflieiently as Supervisor, an office to which he 
was first elected in 1875. He held the office two 
years, was again elected in 1881, and with the ex- 
ception of 1887, has been Supervisor to the present 
time. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a Mas- 
ter Mason, belonging to Hubbardston Lodge. No. 
178, and is connected with Pewamo Lodge, No. 
296, L O. O. F. 



ORACE C. JMAIN, a much respected and 
jij enterprising citizen of Owosso is the incum- 
bent of the position of County Surve^'or of 
Shiwassee County. This gentleman is the 
worthy son of Theodore and Amanda (Putnam) 
Main, both natives of New York State, and who 
were the honored parents of four children, three of 
whom are now living. He was born in Orleans 
County, N. Y., in the town of Clarendon, Septem- 
ber 28, 1834. His father was born near Rome, N. 
Y., in 1803, and was the son of Thomas T. Main, 
who was a native of the same locality, and of 
Scotch birth. 

Hor.-ice being the oldest iu his father's family 
was much relied upon for assistance in work. His 
school days were ))assed first in the distiict school, 
and afterward at Brockport, where i;o attended the 
college under the care of the Baptist Church, which 
is now the State Normal .School. After leaving 
h it institution he taught for some time and fanned 
during vacations. He came to Shiawassee County, 
Mich., in his twenty-first year, and located on the 
farm in MIddlcbur}' Township, surveying mostly 
during the winter. He placed substantial improve- 
ments upon his farm and made sale for it, and re- 
moved to Owosso in 1881, where he has since made 
his home, devoting himself mainly to surveying. 
He h.as been City Survoj'or since 1881. lie also 
owned another farm in Fairfield Township, a fine 
tract of one hundred acres, but never lived on that 
farm. The depot at Carland is on his land. 

On June 18, 1854, he was united for life with 



276 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Miss Diantha Howe, daughter of George and Hul- 
dali (FuUar) Howe, of Oswego County, N. Y. No 
children have crowned this union, but this worthy 
couple were not content to enjoy life alone without 
doing good to sonne little one who had no parents, 
and adopted a daughter, Lydia, who is now the 
wife of Fred Hartshorn. Mrs. Main is an earnest 
and devoted member of the Baptist C^inreh. and a 
liberal contributor also to other benevolent pur- 
poses. 

Mr. Main has for some time filled tlie officer of 
Supervisor of the First District of Owosso City, 
having twice been elected to this position. He has 
several times been elected to the office of County 
Surveyor, and was Drainage Commissioner for some 
six years. He is a member of the Owosso Lodge, 
No. 81. F. <fe A. M., and of Owosso Chapter, No. 
89, R. A. M. His political affiliations are with the 
Republican party, and he is a prominent man in 
the circles of that party. Although he resides in 
Owosso, and has a handsome home there, he still 
owns his farm, and takes a personal interest in its 
manajjement. 



" >*'• (^ y><^^-°*<'- 



G 



lEORGE H. WARRP:N, a prominent citizen 
(|| f==j of Middleburj', Shiawassee County, was 
*^^|i born in Ontario County, N. Y., December 
21, 1827. He isa son of Willinin and Mary (Horn) 
Warren. His parents were born and brought u|) in 
New Jersey and moved to the vicinity of Little 
Egg Harbor. His father was by occui)alion a 
farmer but died when this son was but live years 
old. He had previous to this sad event removed to 
the State of Michigan in 1830 and settled on a new 
farm three miles northeast of Ponli.ac. 

After two years of widowhood Mrs. Warren 
married Mr. .Joseph HMlhaway, a resident of Wash- 
tenaw County, and with him young George lived 
until he reached his sixteenth year. Up to that 
lime he attended school most of the time, both 
winter and summer, and after this .age was reached 
he attended during the winter terms. Atthistime 
he began life for himself, working out for farmers 
from whom he received about i!7 a month. These 



wages he received in the summer, and during the 
winter he chored for his board and attended school, 
for he was resolved to have as good an education 
as lay within his grasp. 

The 3'oung man came to Shiaw.ossee County in 
the fall of 1847 and located where he now lives. 
He had received for his services not exceeding ^11 
a month all the time that he was working for others. 
He and his brother, David L., came to this county 
and worked together at clearing their land, of 
which they each had eighty acres. They cleared 
ten acres on each place during the first year and 
planted it in wheat. It was indeed a proud and 
happj- day for them when they harvested their first 
crop, fifteen bushels to the acre, and had it threshed 
by a machine from Pontiac. After having it 
threshed they loaded twenty bushels into a wagon 
and the roads were so bad that it took three yokes 
of oxen to haul this lo.ad three miles, to the point 
wliere they struck a respectable road. They now 
took this wheat to Owosso and sold it at the rate 
of forty-five cents a bushel. This was the first 
money nialized on the farm. 

The house which these young men erected for 
their home was made of oak logs and as they could 
get no men to help them at that time they emploj'- 
ed an ox-team to roll the logs into their places 
upon the building. The site of that first home is a 
short distance in front of where Mr. Warren's pres 
ent delighful residence noT? stands. Previous to 
linilding this cabin onS' subject had returned to 
Oakland County, and spent one summer working 
at 813 per month, and on his return brought with 
him a flock of slieep, ever3' one of which were killed 
b}- the wolves during tiie following spring. 

Mr. Warren had not been very long in his new 
home before he felt the need of a woman's hand and 
the cheer of a woman's presence to brighten the 
dullness of the log cabin, and he was married March 
17, 1851, to Almira Tha3er of L^'on Township, 
Oakland Count\-. He tells the stor^' of his trip 
after his wife. He w.alked to Oakland County to 
his wedding and walked back again, driving a cow^ 
and was keeping house in his log cabin just one 
week after his marriage. The wife was brought to 
her new home in a lumber wagon by her father. 

Six children came to bless and cheer this home, 












A 





\&-^7^ {rp^/r^^l^ ^^if; 



PORTRAIT A.ND BIOGRArHICAL ALBUM. 



279 



namely Amanda F., born December 22, 1852; 
Alice, Ajjril 15, 1855; Horace A., I\Ia3' 1, 1856; 
Klraer E., Novembtr 26, 1861 ; Emory D., May 16, 
1869; Georsfe F., May 5, 1874. Amanda died 
April 1, 1860, and Alice, May 8, 1855. Horace 
Albert married for his first wife Jennie U. Welch 
ami for his second, Sarah Thompson; Elmer iDji.rried 
Anna Collins, of Shiavrassee County and lives in 
this county; Emory D. and George arc at home 
xvilh iheir parents. 

Immediately after harvesting his first crop Jilr. 
Warren proceeded to clear the entire eighty acres 
and added to it also from time to lime until he now 
has a tine place of two hundred and forty acres all 
highly cultivated, lie buil'^ his new residence in 
1863 and has erected several barns, adding some- 
thing every year to the excellent buildings upon 
his place. He has now an excellent carriage house 
as well a commodious barn and his orchard is one 
of the finest in the county. When he first came 
here he had to go several miles to church service 
at a schoolhouse and had to clear the road through 
the woods to better enable him to attend these 
services. He used often to carry his plow on his 
shoulder sis miles to get it sharpened, and had to 
work out for neighbors to raise the money to buy 
what nicessaries the family could not do without. 

During the first year this pioneer and his brother 
David L. made 1107 by days' work besides what 
they did on the farm. His wife underwent severe 
hardships and often had to remain in the woods 
alone while he went to the village, and sometimes 
had to stay alone all night with wolves howling 
about and wild bears and Indians roaming near 
her. She used to spin and knit her woolen gra- 
raents. Her father went to Idaho and was killed 
by the Indians. 

Mr. Warren's political sympathies have been 
with the Republican party until within the last few 
years when he became a Prohibitionist. He has 
held the ofike of the Justice of Peace, Commis- 
sioner of Highways and Sciiool Inspector. Ho and 
his good wife are both respected and useful mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in con- 
nection with which he has been .Steward, Trustee 
and Superintendent of Sunday-school. He person- 
ally superintended the construction of the church 



and gave largely to the biiiiiiing fund. He takes 
a great interest in sciiool and church matters and 
has always given liberally lo all the churches. 



-^ - l^^ . t^. 



l^R. J. LORENZO SMITH, who is engaged in 
)) the practice of medicine in Vernon Shi- 
awassee Count}', and whose portrait is shown 
on the op[)Osile page, was born in Coshocton, 
Ohio, April 17, 1845. On the maternal side he is 
of Irish line.age, while on the paternal side he is 
descended from one of the old Virginia families. 
His grandfather, George Smith, was burn in \'ir- 
ginia, and owned a plantation and a number of 
slaves. He was a great lover of Que horses, studied 
veterinary surgery to enable him to properly care 
tor them, and always had several thoroughbreds 
u[)on his farm. His love of horses won him the 
title of Jockey Smith. He emigrated lo Ohio in 
1840 and became prominent in the conimunily in 
which he made his home. When ninety-four 
years of age he took a thirty-mile ride on horse- 
back and losing his way wandered ar<jund for two 
days before he reache(i home again. During this 
time he partially lost his mind and never fully 
recovered the entire use of his mental faculties. 
He died at the age of ninety-six years. The ma- 
ternal grandfather of our subject, John Thomp- 
son, WIS a native of Ireland, and emigrated lo 
America about 1803, locating in Pennsylvania. 
By trade he was a glovemaker and he followed 
liiat occupation until his deatii, which occurred in 
18l'0. 

.I'lcob Smith, the Doctor's father, was l)orn in 
11S02, in Virginia, and upon the old homestead in 
tli;it State was reared to manhood. At the age of 
twenty he went to Washington County, Pa., 
wliire he met and married Miss Mary Thompson, 
who was born in that county in 180J. They 
tliirc began their domestic life, removing after 
fourteen years to Coshocton County, Ohio, where 
the death of Mr. Smith occurred on the home 
farm, Febiuary 9, 1845. He lived an excm])hny 
life and w.as one of nature's noblemen. The Pres 
bylerian Church found in him a most etricient and 



280 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



faithful member and worker and many had reason 
to bless him for kindness and aid received at his 
hand. He was a total abstainer from all intoxi- 
cants and was never addicted to the use of tobacco. 

Like her husband, Mrs. Smith was a consistent 
member of tlie Presbyterian Church and delighted 
in doing good. The poor and needy found in her 
a true friend and the lessons which she instilled 
into the minds of her children in youth did much 
to make them honorable men and women. After 
her husband's death she took upon herself the en- 
tire management of their farm of ninety acres and 
educated and eared for her children. She was 
called to the home beyond in 18(11*. In the 
family were five children — four sons and a daugh 
ter, of whom two sons and the daughter are now 
living. George B. is a farmer of Bowdle, S. D.; 
Mary E. is the wife of Samuel K. Sayer, also of 
Bowdle; Daniel T. was captain of Company I, 
One Hundred Indiana Regiment, duiiug the 
late war, and suffered many wounds. He re- 
ceived a bayonet thrust in his chest, lost his left 
arm, .1 bullet lodged in liis left siioulder-blado and 
another pierced his right hand. He died from 
the effects of these wounds in Millersburg, Ohio, 
in 1870. John died at the age of twelve years. 

The fifth and j'oungest of the family is Dr. 
Smith. His father died before ho was born. In 
liis native State he was reared and attended the 
common schools until sixteen years of age, when 
he went to Hopedale, Harrison County, where he 
pursued a two-years' course of study in a Normal 
school. He then went uo Pittsburgh, Pa., and 
was graduated from the Iron City Commercial 
College, after which he went to Nashville, Tenn., 
where he engaged in clerking for fourteen 
months. Then returning to the place of his na- 
tivity he taught school for two years and at the 
expiration of that period began reading medicine 
with Prof. Joel Pomerenc, of Millersburg, Holmes 
Count}'. He was also a student for three years 
in the Cleveland Medical College, now called the 
Western Reserve University, and after his gradu- 
ation, in 1869, opened an office in Strasburg, 
Ohio, ami entered upon the practice of his pro- 
fession, which he has made his life work. Since 
November, 1875, he has practiced continuously in 



Vernon, Mich., with the exception of one year 
spent in Cedar Rapids, low.a, and two years in Lib- 
erty. In 1885, howcve/, he returned to Vernon, 
and at once built up a good practice, to which his 
skill and ability justly entitles him. 

On the 17th of March, 1870, in Strasburg, Ohio, 
Dr. Smith led to the marriage altar Miss Jennie 
Patterson, who was born at that place in 1847. 
She died July 20, 1880, leaving two children, ason 
and daughter, Lillian May, who was born in 1871, 
and Hudson O., born in 1873. The latter gradu- 
ated from the Vernon schools in the spring of 
1891. On the 8th of May, 1887, the Doctor was 
united in marriage with Florence Willhide, who 
was born in 1848, in Hagarstown, Md., where their 
wedding was celebrated. 

Dr. Smith is a member of the Shiawassee Medi- 
cal Association and of the Alumni of the Western 
Reserve Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio. He 
takes considerable interest in civic societies, is a 
member of the Masonic Lodge of Cedar Ra[)ids, 
Iowa, the Independent Order of Foresters, and is 
Commander of Vernon Lodge, No. 337, K. O. T. M. 
In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and has served 
as President of the Village Board. In his religious 
views he is a Methodist, belonging to the church 
of that denomination in Vernon. The Doctor is 
a leading citizen of his community and among 
his professional brethren ranks high. His liberal 
patronage attests his worth and his many friends 
accord him their warm regard and confidence. 

—•> «> ^ - c|> V- 



,ZI B. SEVY. AVe are pleased to present to 
the readers of this volume the worthy sub- 
ject of this sketch and his good wife who 
are among the most notewoithy of the venerable 
and honored pioneers of Central Michigan. Ozi B. 
Sevj' who resides on section 22, Gi-eenbush Town- 
ship, Clinton County, is a native of Genesee 
County, N. Y. and was born September 18, 1824. 
He is a son of David and Rhoda (Baker) Sevy. 
His i)aternal ancestrj^ is said to have been English. 
The subject of this sketch is the ohlest in a fami- 
ly of six children born to his parents, of whom 



PORTRAIT AND BJOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



281 



four survive, namely: Ozi B., Kdinund, who lives 
in Dakota; ■loannette, who is the wife of W. F. 
Davies in Greeiibush Township; and Linda, llie 
wife of John Coverstone of Chicago, III. AVIicn 
but fourteen years old our subject came with his 
parents to Clinton County, this State, and in 1839 
they made their liorae on section 23, of Ureenbusli 
Township. Here thcj' settled in the woods and 
David Sevy, the father of our subject, built a log 
c.ibin without a single foot of sawed lumber, and 
within this rude abode they set up a happy iionie 
and cheerfulh' endured the hardships which abound 
in pioneer life. The father died at tlie home of 
our subject where he had made his home for 
thirteen years, on February 28, 1880, and iti liis 
death the county lost one of the bravest of her 
early [lioneers, and a representative man. lie iiad 
faithfully served his township as Supervisor, Just- 
ice of the Peace and Ilighw.ay Commissioner, and 
was a public-spirited and liberal man. His political 
affiliations were with the Republican part\', in the 
progress of which he felt a keen interest. 

The sul)ject of this sketch was born in New York 
but reared to manhood in this county amid scenes 
of pioneer life, and was early inured to the priva- 
tions which must come to the children of tlie early 
settlers. He also suffered the deprivations in re- 
gar<l to education and social privileges wiiicli were 
the lot of Jlichigan's earliest citizens. 

A noteworthy event in the life of Mr. Sevy was 
his marriage upon Christmas Day, 181H. His bride, 
Klvira A., daughter of Kiifusand Louisa Dinsmore, 
was born July 7, 1830. Her [larents were natives 
of Massachusetts, and the little girl came West 
with them when in her si.\th year, to Ionia County, 
where they became early settlers. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Sev3' have been born four child- 
ren; one, Linda, has passed into the other world 
and the others have grown up to take their places 
in the world where they are a credit to tlioir 
parents and an ornament to the societ}' in which 
they move. Alta A. resides in Clinton County; 
Lillian A., is the wife of James Reavies and resides 
at Battle Creek, where Hepry J. also makes his 
home being engage<l in the jewelry business. 

Our subject made a perniaticnt settlement upon 
the spot where he now lives in 1853 apd has re- 



sided here continuously from that d.ay to this. He 
is largely a self-made man, and in the accumula- 
tion of his property he has been ably assisted by 
his wise and noble wife, who h.as been his efficient 
helpmate and counselor through all their wedded 
life. When he came to this region St. John's was 
unknown and as a boy he played the drum in the 
streets of this city at its first Fourth of July celebr.a- 
tion in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Sevy are honored and 
useful members of the Church of the Seventh D.ay 
Adveutists and they are highly rcs|)ccted members 
of society. He is ever active in all movements for 
the promotion of education for the young, and lias 
served .as School Inspector for the township. That 
he is public-spirited and acts for the good of others 
his neighbors will warmly testify, and that he is an 
enterprising, industrious and systematic farmer the 
excellent condition of his buildings, his attractive 
home and his well- tilled farm attests. 



I 



\f?OHN ANDKRSON. Among the foremost 
agriculturists of Clinton County is Mr. An- 
derson, with whose name a visitor would 
not long be unfamiliar. For a number of 
3'ears he has been carrying on his work in Essex 
Township, on section 2, where he has now a fine 
farm of two hundred acres bearing modern im- 
provements of a substantial nature. When he 
look up his residence here, he found a tract of tim- 
ber land from which he had to remove trees and 
sluujps, and then prepare the soil for planting b}- 
liroaking the tovigh soil and cutting deep furrows 
in the "lap of Motlier Karlii." That this required 
an expenditure of lime and strengtii is well under- 
stood by all who till the soil and such can appre- 
ciate his conduct as it deserves, and congratulate 
liim on arriving at prosperity. 

As the patronymic indicates the ancestors of 
Anderson were Scotch, and he, himself, was born 
in Ayrshire, the date of his advent being August 
12, 1821. His parents were (iabriel and Sarah 
(White) Anderson, both of whom were born in llie 
land of Bruce and Wallace. There the son grew 
to manhood and received a fair education, to which 



282 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



he has [addec) general culture by reading and ob- 
servation. He is fond of books and thinks over 
their contents until they become a part of his mind. 
He has four brothers in America: Jauies and 
Gabriel in Essex Township, Thtjmas in Van Buren 
County, and Robert in another part of Clinton 
County. He came. to this country in 1851, taking 
passage at Glasgow on a sailing vessel that reached 
New York forty-six days after leaving the Scotch 
port. He came at once to this State and for awhile 
lived in Northfield, Wayne County, following his 
trade of blacksmitliing. In 1856 he came to Clin- 
on County, and settled where lie still lives, grad- 
ually bringing his property to its present fine 
condition. 

Mr. Anderson was accompanied to America by 
his wife and one child, the former a native of 
Scotland and known in her maidenhood as Mar- 
garet Stevens. She survived their emigration but 
a few years, dying in Wayne County in 1855. Of 
the four children she bore the living are John S., 
.Sarah .J., wife of David Surline, and Margaret, all 
living in Nebraska. To his present wife Mr. An- 
derson was married October 1), 1857, the ceremony 
being performed at her home in Uwosso, .Shiawassee 
County. Her maiden name was Cornelia Britlon 
and she was born in Washtenaw County, tiiis State, 
October 16, 1839. Her parents were Jacob and 
F"inettu Britton, early settlers in Clinton Count3', 
and well known to many of our readers. Of the 
twelve children comprising their family the fol- 
lowing survive: Ivichard; Mrs. Anderson; Mary 
K.. wife of Benjamin Stevens, living in Missouri; 
James, whose home is in Gratiot Count}'; Liberty, 
who lives in Chicago; Ann, wife of Jeremiah Saw- 
yer, in Gratiot County ; John who resides in Durand, 
this State. The children of Mr. Anderson and his 
present wife are: Edith, wife of W^illiam Soule; 
William; Lillian, wife of W. Hicks, and Nellie B. 

Not only is Mr. Anderson a reliable farmer but 
in all business transactions he is to be de|)eiided 
upon to do the light thing ami when a man of 
public spirit is looked for his name is at once sug- 
gested, ill his political views he is a Rei)ublican, 
and the religious home of himself and wife is in 
the Christian Church in Mai'le Rapids. He has 
curved as Township Supervisor several terms and 



has also been School Director of his district. In 
official life he is the same honest, upright man that 
he is in private life, and his efforts are alwa\'s di- 
rected toward achieving the best possible results. 
He and his wife are active members of society and 
no where will there be found a couple more highly 
respected and inthiential in their circle. 



^^ IIARLES D. RICE, a representative farmer 
and stock-raiser residing on section 12, Es- 
sex Township, Clinton County-, was born 
November 27, 1830, in Oneida County, N. Y. He 
is the son of Harlow and Catherine (Devotle) Rice. 
Mr. Rice was a native of Connecticut and Mrs. 
Rice of New York State. The Rice famil}- in this 
country is traced back as far as the year 1600, 
when the ancestors of this branch came from Wales. 
The ancestors on the maternal side arc of French 
blood. 

In 1837 the subject of this sketch emigrated with 
his parents to Macomb County, this State, becom- 
ing pioneers there. The mother died in that county 
and the father after their removal to Clinton 
.County, which, hovvevcr, was not until after Charles 
reached the years of maturity. His early educa- 
tion was acquired in the pioneer district schools 
and upon the jiioneer farm and he had to make up 
in earnestness and devotion to his studies what was 
lacking in advantages. 

ill 1861 Charles Rice was united in marriage in 
Macomb County with Nancy J. Davison, a sister 
of James K. Davison, of Essex Township, this 
county, of whom a sketch appears in this Aijju.m. 
Seven cliildren have come to bless the home of Mr. 
and ]Mis. Rice. They are IJerber',, George, Mar- 
tin, Fr.'ink, I'red, Ray and (Jtto. The last named 
only has been called away from this world, it was 
in 1865 when Sir. Rice came to Clinton County 
and decided to settle on the land which he now 
occupies. It was all woods here and he had to en- 
counter genuine pioneer experiences and do genu- 
ine pioneer work. Since coming to Clinton County 
he has broken about three hundred acres of new 
uround for other farmers besides all that he has 



.'---■'•^, 





/^L/Ia/Vo 



'^ 







PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



285 



done upon his own farm. His land consists of 
eigiity acres, all of wbicU lie has gained by his own 
jiush. pluck and perseverance. 

Mr. Rice has served one year as Commissioner 
of Highways for Essex Township, and has served 
both as School Director and Moderator. When the 
schoolhousc was erected he was placed upon the 
building committee in which capacity he was un- 
usually eftieient and gave great satisfaction to the 
district. He is a Republican in his political views 
and a man of public spirit and activity in regard 
to all movements for the elevation of societj'. His 
wife is an earnest and conscientious member of the 
Christian Church. Besides general farming he has 
taken much interest in raising graded Merino 
sheep and a fine grade of horses for general pur- 
poses. 

-S^^ 




' NDREW J. WIGGINS, M. D. This gentle- 
man was foi some years known as the 
ii leading physician of St. John and indeeil 
of the county, but as he is now on the 
shady side of the hill of time he has given up his 
work to a great extent, although he still visits 
various parts of the State where he is called in con- 
sultation. He has not allowed his knowledge to 
decline, but has always kept well posted and still 
peruses the latest medical journals and otherwise 
keeps abreast of the da}' in his knowledge of the 
work in which he has so long and successfully been 
engaged. He has paid considerable attention to 
the packing and sale of articles of medicinal value, 
and some years ago built a factory for the prepar- 
ation of elm bark and shipped thousands of barrels. 
He gave up the work only when the supply in this 
section was exhausted. He also packed roots of 
Tarious kinds, placing on the market staples of 
freshness and strength. 

Dr. Wiggins is a son of Jacob and Charlotte 
(Briggs) Wiggins, both of whom were born in the 
Empire State. His father's birthplace was in 
Oneida County and he was descended from an old 
Eastern family. He served in the War of 1812 as a 
teamster, although he was but a boy. and hauled 
canuoQ balls and smaller ammunition. He after- 



ward became a farmer and o[)erated one hundred 
and three acres near Rome until 1836. He then 
removed to Wyoming County and continued his 
occupation there. He became known far and near 
as '-Uncle Jake" and was one of the most influential 
men in the locality. He was frequently called 
upon to act as administrator of estates and guardian 
of minors and was always true to the trust reposed 
to him. He died at the age of fifty-four years. 
His political association was with the Democratic 
party. His wife was a daughter of Joseph Briggs, 
a native of New England, but for years a farmer 
near Rome, N. Y., where she was born. She died 
at the home of a daughter In Batavia when seventy- 
six years old. 

The family in which Dr. Wiggins was the first- 
born consi^d of nine children, five of whom grew 
to maturity but three only now survive. He was 
born in Rome, Oneida County, N. Y. June 17, 
1828, and was eight years old when he removed 
with his parents to the western part of the State. 
The journey of one hundred and fifty miles was 
made in the primitive fashion with a team and 
wagon. The lad learned fa-mingand attended the 
district school and also pursued his studies for 
three winters in the Warsaw Seminary. He then 
spent one year at Lima College, where his father 
had a scholarship. He had always desired to stud}' 
medicine and so well known was his taste that he 
was called "Doc" from boyhood. He read medi- 
cine at intervals from an earl}' dale, but did not 
take up the study very thoroughly until he was of 
age. His first preceptor was Dr. Peter Kaner, of 
Warsaw, with whom he read over a year. Later 
he studied under Dr. H. P. Woodward at Burns, 
and in the fall of 1850 came to this Stsite and spent 
the ensuing two winters in the medical department 
of the University of Michigan. In August, 1852, 
he returned to New York and entered Geneva 
Medical College, from which he received his degree 
the following spring. 

The young physician located six miles from 
Cohunbia City, Ind., where he practiced four years, 
then opened an office in (ioshen. For a time he 
was in partnership with a Dr. Wickham. Thence 
he came to Jlichigan and for a little more than a 
year he practiced at Chelsea, Washtenaw County, 



286 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



then foiir\ears at Danville, Ingliam County. In 
1861 he located at St. John anrl is now the oldest 
physician here or in the county. His practice lias 
extended over a large circuit of country and dur- 
ing his j'ounger da3's he had all that he could do 
to answer the demands made upon him. He was 
for a time engaged in the drug business, in partner- 
ship with a Mr. Boyd, but gave it up to attend en- 
tirely to his profession. At one time he was 
engaged iu the manufacture of children's sleds and 
wagons, but the most impartmt work to which he 
has given his attention, aside from his practice, has 
been the preparation of drugs before mentioned. 

In August, 1852, Dr. Wiggins w.as married to 
Miss Irene Betts, the ceremony taking place at 
Blissfield, Lenawee County, iSIich., and the wedding 
journey being their return to New Yorlv", Mrs. Wig- 
gins having been born in Palmyra, that State. It 
was while living in Goshen, Ind., that he was bereft 
of his companion and for more than a decade he 
lived a widower. His second marriage was folemn- 
ized in St. John's, in 1 872, his bride being Miss 
Ilattie Mead, who was born in Lenawee County, 
Mich., and is the daughter of Peter Mead, an earl}- 
settler in Clinton County. The Doctor's first union 
was childless, but of the second there have been 
born two children — Celia M. and George F. The 
dwelling in which the happy family enjo}' the 
pleasures of life is one of the most expensive in the 
county seat and cost more than ^10,000. It is the 
onlj- house in town that is heated by steam and the 
furnishing is the acme of good taste and comfort. 

Dr. Wiggins has been a member of the Village 
Board of Trustees and Health Officer and was 
County Coroner two terms— 1882-83 and 1884-85. 
When Horace Greeley was a candidate for the 
Presidency, Dr. Wiggins was nominated for the 
State Legislature on the Democratic ticket, without 
his knowledge. He did not desire the place and 
had not the time to attend to its duties, as he was 
then the leading medical practitioner of the county. 
It is currently reported that he would readily Irive 
been elected had he not defeated the aim of his 
friends by his own efforts in opposition. He is in- 
terested in the social orders,belonging to the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen and Knights of Honor, 
is a Knight Templar and an Odd Fellow while in 




New York. He is also connected with the Clinton 
County Medical Society'. He carries $15,500 insur- 
ance in the Western Masonic A.ssociation of Gmnd 
Ra[)ids and other companies. Politically, he is a 
strong Democrat. Personally he is one of those 
who has ever tried to act the part of a true man and 
has been successful in that aim as in professional 
and financial matters. 

A lithographic portrait of Dr. Wiggins accom- 
panies this sketcii. 

ILLS TUTTLK, M. D., a sturdy old gen- 
ii tleman of active habits and an iron consti- 
^^ tution, still carries on his professional 
business at Corunna, Shiawasse County. 
He is of the Eclectic and Botanic school, and h.as 
practiced in Corunna since 1855 and is the oldesi 
physician there. He was born in Hartford, Conn., 
May 27, 1819. His father. Ransom Tuttle was a 
native of Connecticut and his grandfather was a 
Revolutionary soldier, fighting under "Old Put." 
The family was of English descent. 

The father of our subject was a farmer, and in 
1826 he located in Canton Township, .St. Lawrence 
Count}', N. Y.,, where he carried on farming and 
dairying, and remained there through the term of 
bis natural life. He was a Whig in his political 
views, and later a Republican. He w.as an Elder 
in one Presbyterian Church for fort\'-two consecu- 
tive j'ears and lived to be ninety-four years old. 
The mother, who bore the maiden name of Sallie 
Brooks, was a native of Connecticut, and lived to 
complete eighty-two years. Of their eleven child- 
ren, .seven sons and four daughters, all grew to 
maturity. 

Young Mills was reared in St. Lawrence County, 
and took his schooling in the log schoolhouse, 
which in severe winter weather was so cold that 
the bo}- used to cover with snow] the johnn}' cake 
he took for lunch lest it should freeze. He was 
earl}' set to work and wiicn sixteen learned the 
trade of a carpenter and j.)inai'. .Vfter four j'ears 
of apprenticeship he began the business of con- 
tracting and building, but did not continue in it 



PORTUAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



2«7 



long as his health was not robust. He now begun 
the stud^- of medicine with l)rs. Ciaili and Baicer 
as preceptors, ami practiced medicine tiiere until 
1855, when he came to Corunna, wlicrc he soon 
built ui)an extensive practice, whicli lias extended 
over nearly every county in this State, and he has 
patients from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and 
Ohio. He is a specialist in all chronic diseases and 
one of the oldest [)hysicians in Southern Michigan. 
He uses the Electropathic treatment with great 
success, and compounds his own medicines from 
botanic sources. He pays all his attention to his 
profession, and has the largest practice of any man 
in the county, and a remarkable practice outside, 
having a record of two thousand cases in Saginaw. 
The marriage of Dr. Tuttle and Mary Fish, of 
Madrid, took place in St. Lawrence Count}', N. Y. 
Seven children crowned the union of this couple, 
three deceased. Those living arc, the eldest. 
George R., who resides here. He is a carpenter and 
joiner and has become a master mechanic, llaltie, 
now Mrs. Oaks, resides in Muskegon; Emma, the 
wife of Mr. Bramun, lives in Flint, and Lewis is a 
cigar manufacturer in Detroit,. The Doctor was 
for four years County Coroner and at one time a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and is a true-blue Republican in his political views. 



-^ggi"- 




AVID S. FRENCH, Secretary of the St. 
.lohn's Manufacturing Company, has as 
prominent a pl.ace in business circles as 
any man in the city. He has had con- 
siderable to do with civic affairs here and is inllu- 
ential in social orders that are among the most 
prominent in the country-. In ousiness affairs he 
is one of the chief olHcers as well as shareholder 
and Director in the largest enterprise of its kind 
in the United States, and lias the influence which 
accrues from the firm foundation on which the 
Manufacturing Comijan}- stands. Add to this the 
resi)ectdue him as a Tnion soldier, and it is plain 
to be seen why he is a conspicuous member of 
society and a popular citizen. 

Tracing the paternal line of descent we find that 



the Frenches came from Wales to this country 
several generations ago. The grandfather of our 
subject was Asa French, a native of Berks County, 
Pa., and an early settler in ftHami County, Ohio, 
where he carried on farming. He was a S(>ldier in 
the War of l!^12. The next in the direct line was 
Lewis French, who was born and reared in Miami 
Count}- and wiis graduated from the department of 
law in Dennison University. He practiced his pro- 
fession in Cincinnati during the greater part of his 
life, and his death occurred in St. .Johns while on 
visit to his son David in September, 1885, when he 
was seventy-two years old. He w.as a member of 
the Episcopal Church. His wife bore the maiden 
name of ISIaria Sargent, was born in Cincinnati, 
and alsn died there. Her father, David Sarirent. a 
native of Pieston County, West Va., was one of 
the old settlers in Cincinnati and was a prominent 
manufacturer of lumber. To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis 
French three cliiltiren were born, but David S. is 
the only one who grew to manhood. 

The birtiiplace of David S. French was Lawrence- 
burg, Iiid., and his natal day April 4, 1.S44. He 
was reared in Cincinnati from the age of six 
months and pursued his studies in the city schools, 
being in the last 3-ear of the high school work when 
he laid down his books to enter the arm}-. •• The 
shot heard round the world " had scarcely ceased 
to echo, and the enlistment of the defenders of the 
Union had just begun when young French, then a 
Lad of seventeen years, became a member of Com- 
pany A, Second Ohio Infantry. He entered the 
service in April under the three months' call and 
was mustered tml during the summer, having in 
the ineanliino taken part in the disastrous liatlle of 
Bull Run. In the spring of 1862 he re-enlisted 
and was mustered in at Piqua as a private in Com- 
pany A, One Hundred Tenth Ohio Infantry. With 
this regiment he took part in thirty-two battles, 
and displ.aj'ed an equal patriotism and devotion to 
his country in the experiences of camp and cam- 
paign. He was mustered out .Inly 1, 1.S65, at 
Columbus, Ohio, having the rank of First Lieu- 
tenant. 

For three years following the war Mr. French 
was engaged in the sale of merchandise at Brook- 
ston, Ind., and he then found employment in a 



288 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



manufacliiring compan}' in Piqua, Ohio. Tbis 
company, which was engaged in the manufacture 
of lumber was in business in Piqua until January, 
1871, when its headquarters was removed to St. 
John's. Mr. French came hither as Secretary of 
what has since been known as the St. Joiin's Manu- 
facturing Company and has held that position 
conlinuously. , To his ability in looking aftei that 
part of the work which comes within his province 
and his accurate records of the transactions of the 
corporation, much of its prosperity' is undoubtedly 
due. 

Mr. French has a pleasant home, made attractive 
b}' the housewifely skill, intelligence and amiabil- 
ity of the lady who became his wife May 24, 186(). 
Her maiden name was Cornelia 5L Mitchell and 
she is a daughter of Joseph Mitcliell, a farmer 
living in Piqua. Ohio, in which city her marriage 
took place. Mr. Fjench has at different times been 
Village Trustee and he has also been President 
four terms. lie is a Knight Temi)lar, belonging 
to a Commaiidery in St. Joiin's, and is identified 
with a Consistory in Detroit. The high degree 
whicli he has taken, has made his name conspicu- 
ous in Masonic circles and he is equally prominent 
among Grand Army men. He has at vari nis times 
been Commander of Charlies E. Grisson Post and 
takes an active part in the movements with which 
his comrades are identified, wiiether commemora- 
tive or calculated to promote future welfare. 
Politically he is an enthusiastic Republican. 



■^flOHN H. GORMLEV. Among the agricul- 
tural anil business men of Rush Township, 
we are pleased to mention the name which 

')J) appears at the head of this sketch. His 
record also as a devoted and loyal patriot gives 
him a claim upon every one who loves his coun- 
try. Ills home on section 14, is a pleasant and at- 
tractive one. His birth took place in Jefferson 
County, N. Y., upon Christmas day, in 1830. His 
jiarenis Anna and James Gormley, were born in 
County Longford, Ireland, the father in 1805, and 
the mother in 180y. They were united in marriage 



in 1827 and came at once to America, and located 
in Northern New York. They bought a farm and 
continued there until 1840, when they sold out 
and went to Canada, making their home not far 
from Kingston, and were there until the death tif 
James Gormle}' in 1862. He was a Roman Catho- 
lic in his religious views. 

Starting out at the age of fifteen to fight the bat- 
tles of life, John Gormley learned the trade of a 
carriage maker in Rochester, N. Y. He was there 
five 3ears as an ai)prentice and nearly two years as 
a journeyman and then spent several years in Niag- 
ara Count}'. Coming to Michigan in 1882 he 
bought forty-five acres of land where he now lives. 
He had in 1855 been united in marriage with Jane 
E. Ilosraer, daughter of Prentice and Ellen (Brown J 
Ho&mer. The Ilosmer's were a Connecticut family 
and there were ten children in the household to 
which Jane belonged. She was born in September, 
1831. 

Mr. Gormley is a Republican in his political 
views and cast his first vote for President Franklin 
Pierce and his last for Harrison, and he has been 
an earnest worker for the interests of his part}'. 
While living in New York he filled the offices of 
Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace for twelve 
j'ears, and was also Treasurer and Highway Com- 
missioner for quite a term, and served as delegate 
to many conventions. Since coming to Michigan 
he has also filled the responsible office of Justice 
and is now on his third term in that position. He 
is active in local politics and acts as delegate in 
conventions. 

At the first call of the Governor of New York 
our subject enlisted in September, 1861, and helped 
to raise one of the first companies of light artillery 
in the State. He was made Sergeant in Company 
M, First New York Light Artillery, and in Decem- 
ber of the same year was promoted to the office of 
First Sergeant of the battery. They went from 
Rochester to Albau}', and from there to Washing- 
ton, and during the winter were sent to Frederick 
City, Md., and shortly after went down the Poto- 
mac to Point of Ri.cks below Hirper's Ferry. 

In F'ebruary, Sergeant Gormley was with his 
battery on Maryland Heights to i)rotect men who 
were making pontoon bridges ami also to guard 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



289 



the army while It crossed into Virginia. The bat- 
tery followe'l in tiie rear and was at Winchester in 
the first battle and in several conflicts in Mie Shen- 
andoah Valle3', going as far as Scranton. In May, 
1862, he was in Bank's retreat, took part in the 
second battle at Wincheslcr, and going to Williams- 
port, Md., was there for a short time before return- 
ing into the Shenandoah and Loudoun Valley. 
They operated with the armj' until the battle of 
Cedar Mountain, August 9 and 10, 1862, where 
this division of our armj' was so badly cut up. The 
battery w.ns reduced to one Second Lieutenant in 
command at Cedar Mountain. The next battle in 
which they took part was at. the fords of the Rap- 
pahannock and thej- were in the heat of battle at 
the second Bull Run. and in all the conflicts until 
South Mountain and Anteitam. At the last named 
place the drivers were taken from the teams to help 
man the guns. Here our subject w.as struck by a 
piece of a shell and for a time was rendered insen- 
sible but rallied and continued with the l)attery 
through the conflict. 

Until the battle of Gettj'sburg our young sol- 
dier continued with the army of the Potomac, but ; 
in August, 1863, his batterj' and other bodies of 
troops were sent to the .Southv/estern Army with 
"fighting .loe Hooker." He was present at Wau- 
hatchie Valley, Lookout Mountain and Missionary 
Ridge, and when Sherman look coraraind in the 
Southwest he was under him in all the battles in 
that campaign until the capture of Atlanta. The 
Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps which had 
come from the Potomac under Joe Hooker were 
united during the winter previous to the Atlanta 
Campaign and formed the Twentielh Corps under 
Hooker's command until the capture of Atlanta. 
They were then put under tlie command of (Jen. 
Slocuiii, and this was the corps which entered At- 
lanta and held it. They went with Sherman to the 
sea and were the first to occupy Savannah. 

A promotion to .Second Lieutenant was given to 
Mr. Gormley in May, 1863. I^eaving Savannah, 
the Twentieth Corps went to South Carolina and 
assisted in the capture of Charleston, and were at 
Benton ville in March, 1865, and took part in that 
battle. After the surrender of .lohnslon the army 
went to Richmond and from there on to Washing- 



ton, being present at the Grand Review. There 
the army was disbanded and Lieut. Gormley was 
mustered out of service in .June. 1865, at Roches- 
ter. 

— m^- — 



^ AMKS D. KSTES, editor of the St. John's 
I News was born in Bingham Town.slii|), Clin. 



1 

I ton County, February 19, 1818. His father. 
(^J^/ George W. Estes, was a Vermonter and his 
grandathor, Nathan, of New Hampshire, was a far- 
mer on the shores of Lake Champlain and served 
his country in the War of 1812. His father, the 
great-grandfather of our subject, served in the 
Revolutionary War. Later he located in Niagara 
County, where he cultivated a farm for the re- 
mainder of his days. The family is of l""rcnch 
descent. 

The father came to New York when a boy and 
was reared there as a farmer. He was married to 
Susan Smith in Niagara Coun'.y, and in 1845 came 
to Clinton County this State traveling with a team 
from Detroit. He was one of the first settlers in 
Bingham Township and after clearing part of the 
farm there located in St. John's. He had charge 
of the first Post -office in Bingham Township and 
was Supervisor for seven consecutive years. He 
was a practical veterinary surgeon and made him- 
self very useful in those early d.ays by his know- 
ledge of the proper treatment of that noble animal, 
the horse. During his residence in the town he 
has engaged in the insurance business and is 
County Coroner. 

James Estes is Mie second in a famil3- of eight 
children all but two of whom are living. He was 
reared in St. John's, e<lucaled in the Union School 
and when thirteen he was apprenticed as a printer 
in the otlice of the St. John's Union, a Democratic 
paper. Along with his work he was allowed to 
lake some schooling. Iii 1869 he went to Flint, 
tills State, and took the position of foreman on the 
Flint Ohibe. The next year he returned to this 
city and became a partner with George S. Corbit 
on the Independent. After continuing with him 
for twelve years he bought Mr. Corbil's interest 
and was proprietor and editor of the Independent 



290 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



for six years, until in 1888 he re-sold this paper to 
his forme'' partner. 

In 1889 the ]!^eirs was started by the .SI. John's 
News Comp.'.ny and lie became its editor. This is 
a five column quarto paper. ind('[)endent in politics 
and has in connection with it an excellent job 
olllce. Besides liis newspaper work, Mr. Kstcs is 
Secretary and Treasurer of the Cooper, Boiler and 
Engine Company of this cit}-. His marriage took 
place in Flint in 1870. His bride, Miss Anna E. 
Coonley, a native of Bloomfiold, Oakland County, 
this State, is a daughter of George and Mary (Win- 
slow) Coonley of New York, who were early 
settlers in Oakland County. 

The subject of this sketch is an ollicia! member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for twelve 
3ears h.is been Superintendent of their Sunday- 
school. He is well-known in the Michigan State 
Press Association and is a I'roliibilionist. Besides 
his other branches of business he handles real es- 
tate to some extent. In former years he was a 
Democrat and at one time was nominated by that 
|)arty for the Legislature. 

^. : )g^J#iUg< : I 

StI OHN D. EVENS. The history of pioneers 
is always fraught with interest to the old 
and young, not only to those of their own 
locality but to everyone who takes an in- 
terest in the experiences of humanity. To the old 
it is of interest because it brings up reminiscences 
of like experiences in which the shades of differ- 
ence are the spicy feature. To the young it is al- 
ways a source of wonder how the men and women 
of the past have struggled, endured and overcome. 
They rend of hardships that seem perfectly nn- 
surniounlable to them, forgetting tiuit occasion 
develops latent powers and qualities hitherto 
unsuspected. 

John D. Evens is one of the pioneers of Michi- 
gan, having been born in Royal Oak, Oakland 
Ct)unty, .lunc -1, 1835. He is the second son and 
third child of John 1). and Mary (Barton) Evens, 
and is now well known as the genial owner of the 
largest livery and sale stable in Owosso, Mich. 



w 



Our subject's mother was a native of Ireland and 
born in the cit}' of Belfast. She was brought to 
the United States when only five years of age. The 
father was a native of Wales and emigrated to the 
United Slates when quite young. The young peo- 
ple met and married in Oakland County, Mich., and 
afterward settled on a farm where they passed the 
remainder of their days. 

The gentleman of whom we write enjoyed the 
advantages of the public schools in his native 
county until he was fourteen years of age, when, 
like Tom Sawyer, he determined to see something 
of the world for himself. He made his living for 
a time by fishing and boating. This idyllic em- 
|)loyment does not prove, however, that he was 
without energy and seeking onl^' to cater to his 
own enjoyment, for he was much of the time en- 
gaged in the vigorous work of rafting on Lake 
Huron and afterward on the Wisconsin and Missis- 
sippi Rivers. Those who have been in the lumber 
districts of the North know the quickness of per- 
ception and the vigor of muscle that is needed in 
this employment. He varied his work of rafting 
with that of fishing, which business he followed 
successfully for a period of sixteen years which he 
spent chiefly on the waters of Lake Huron. After 
this he spent two years in Birmingham, Oakland 
County, this State. 

The business of dealing in livestock, cattle and 
sheep was then beginning to assume an importance 
in the Central Slates which promised to be highly 
lucrative and one in which Mr. Evens felt that he 
could engage with great advantage to himself. 
The purchases that he made in livestock were 
shipped to the Eastern markets where they were 
in great demand and he soon found that he had 
built up a successful and paying business. In 1868 
he removed to Owosso and purchased the liver}' 
stock of Sanford D. Wiley, where he continued 
the business at the same stand from 1868 to 1871. 
During the latter year he built the fine brick barn, 
24x77 feet which he still occupies, also a frame 
barn, 20x47 feet. Mr. Evens takes a pride in con- 
stantly keeping on hand a fine supjily of carriages, 
hacks and buggies, using for his trade from ten to 
fifteen horses. 

In 186;? our subject was married to Miss Susan 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



291 



A. Wiley. The lady is a native of Vermont, and 
is a daugiiter of Ada™ Wile}'. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kveiis are the parents of two cliildren, a son and 
daugliU'r: Barton G., llio son, who is in the United 
States mail service and llattie I., who lives at borne. 
Mr. Evens is a member of Owosso Lodge, No. 81, 
F. it A. M., also uf Owosso Cliapter, No. 81), R. A. 
M., and Corunna Commandery, No. 21, K. T. He 
is also Treasurer of the National Union at Owosso. 
As is usu.ally the case with men wiio love liorses, 
Mr. Evens is a genial good fellow — liale fellow well 
met with the whole comnuinit}'. He witli bis 
pleasing family reside in a neat and substantial 
brlek residence on Water and William .Streets. Tlio 
surroundings of the home are as pleasant and at- 
tractive .as money and a love for the beautiful can 
make it. Politically he is a Democrat. He is now 
filling the ollice of Deputy Sheriff, previous to 
whieb he has served as Under Sheriff. 



, ONRAD FRIKGKL, who lives on section 17, 
Benuington Townsiiip, Shiawassee County, 

iJ/J was born in Wurtemberg, Konigreich, Ger- 
many. ISLircii 28, 18,34. His i)arcnls were .loharn 
and .lulia (Ilerringer) Kriegfl. Voung Friegcl 
came to tiie United States in 1853 when only nine- 
teen years of age. He had tiie advantage of a 
trade which wiis all tiial lie brougiit with him from 
home excepting a good constitution and a deter- 
mination to make a success of life in America. 
After coming to Detroit be worked in a brick-yard 
for live years and then moved to Dearborn where 
he was ur.ited in marriage to Miss Mary Johnson. 
Immediately after marrisige he began farming at 
Dearborn, renting the place which he 0|)erated for 
five years. In October, 186."), he came to Benning- 
ton Township and bought eighty acres of land, 
thirty-five of which were improved. 

Longing for a sight of the old home .and familiar 
faces in tlie Fatherlaml, in 18G8, our subject went 
back to Germany and when he returned brought 
Ills mother with him. She failed, however, to see 
the attractions of America and after suffering for 
some time with that mal.ady known to Germans as 



"heimweh," she died six months after her arrival 
here, at the age of sixty-two years. Soon after 
this be lost his wife. The following year he was 
married December 12, to Elizabetii Bender, who 
was born in Hesse-Coburg, September 12, 1841. 

l\Ir. Fricgel has added to his farm until he now 
possesses one hundred and sixty acres of linely- 
improved land. For a |)eriod of three years he 
was a dealer in grain, but losing money in tliis l)usi- 
ness, he gave it up and devoted himself to his 
farming. He was elected Highway Commissioner 
and held the position for two years. Our subject 
is a Republican in politics having voted the straight 
ticket for a good many years. By bis first wife he 
had four children: Julia, now Mrs. Godfrey Haber, 
oi New Haven Township; William; Mary, who 
married George Hiedt, and resides in De Witt, this 
Slate; and John, who works for himself .assisting 
the farmers in the iieighboriiood. His children by 
his second wife areGustav; Lizzie, who is at home; 
Fred, attending school in Lansing; David, wlio is 
at home, and Laura also at home. Gustav is study- 
ing law at Corunna witli A. L. Chandler, having 
taken the complete course in tiie high school of 
Pcrr}'. William was for three years in California. 
He also is a Republican in politics. Mr. Friegcl 
has a well-arranged and attractive ten-room house 
which is always merry with the fun and badinage 
of bis happy family. 

UILLIAM K. BROOKS. The men who 
served in the late War, putting their lives 
'^m in bal.'ince with the chances of warfare 
and often, if lliey survived, bearing home with 
them souvenirs that will last as long as they live, 
deserve always in every work that is meant to com- 
memorate the achievements in .\nierlcan life most 
honorable mention, and their trials must elicit the 
sympathy of every American who is loyal to his 
couiitiy. Our subject long served in the late War 
as a soldier and now enjo^'s the serenity of civil 
life on bis farm that is located on section 35, V^enice 
Township, Shiawassee Count}-. 

Mr. Brooks is of English parentage, his father 



292 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



being John Brooks, a native of England and his 
mother Ann (('roff) Brooiis, also a native of Eng- 
land, where they were married and afterward came 
to America in 1832. At first thej' settled in New 
York, but about 1836 they came to Michigan and 
settled in Lapeer County on a new farm where 
they remained for two years. They then returned 
to New York where the father followed his trade, 
wl)ich was that of a weaver. He lived in that 
State until 1843 and there fully improved llirec 
farms. He then moved to Macomb County, this 
State, and improved a farm of eighty acres. He 
ailded thirty acres to this and made some improve- 
ments, finally selling it. lie then retired to the 
village of New Haven, where he built a tine brick 
residence. This he traded for a good farm in 
Washington Townshii), Macond) County, where he 
moved and remained until his death, which occur- 
red in 18815. His wife died in 1857 and he again 
married, his second wife surviving him; she was 
the mother of three children, all of wlioin are liv- 
ing. By his first marriage he was the father of 
eleven children, ten of whom arc living. Four 
sons served in the Civil War; one as a member of 
Conijiauy h\ Tenth Michigan Infantr}', and died 
at Jcffersonville, Ind., after serving over two and 
one-half years. 

The parents f)f the subject were members of tlic 
Free-Will Baptist Cliurcli but later the father 
united with tlie Methodist Episcopal Cliiuch in 
which body he has held various oHicos. He gave 
his children good educational advantages. 'l"he 
youngest of these is thirty five years of age; the 
eblest sixty. Personally our subject's fatlier was 
short, of sto\it build, having a strong constitution 
and a sunny, genial temperament that endeared 
him to all with whom he came in contact. He was 
a manly man. 

Our subject was born April 27, 1811, on the 
homestead in Lapeer ('ounty. He grew to man- 
hood among the pioneers of that count}'. He saw 
more Indians than white men and wild animals skul- 
ked on the outskirts of the clearing. Deer, bear, wild 
turkeys and smaller game abounded. At eighteen 
years of age he went to Howell, Livingston County 
to learn the blacksmith's trade. There he woiked 
for a year and in the fall of 18G;$ he responded to 



the call for volunteers made by the Federal Govern- 
ment and joined Company A, Fifth Miciiigan In- 
fantry. 

Mr. Brooks' regiment was detailed to the Army 
of the Potomac. He joined the regiment in 
Detroit. In the winter of 1864 he went to Wash- 
ington, was equipped and sent to Brandy Station 
where his regiment was attached to the Red Dia- 
mond Division and belonged to the Second Army 
Corps under Gen. Hancock. They remained at 
Brandy Station during the entire terra of service. 
Mr. Brooks was also in Grant's campaign through 
the Wilderness and was with the army at Peters- 
l)urg, Va., also during the siege of that place and 
at the celebrated mine explosion. His regiment 
then followed Cen. Lee's army at Appomattox and 
was present at the surrender. Tlioy then went to 
Washington and camped at Arlington Heights, 
taking part in the Grand Review. From this place 
they went to JiOuisville, Ky., for the rest of the 
term; from there they went to Detroit and were 
muslorcd out of service. 

Our subject look an active part in many of the 
princii)al battles of the War. He was at the battle 
of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, 
Petersburg anil Hatchie's Run. Dining the time 
of his service he never absented himself from his 
regiment for a single day. The hardest d.w of his 
whole service was April 6, 1865, when he was 
engaged in marching and fighting Gen. Lee's forces 
wlu) were retreating. During the engagement he 
was struck ou the head by a spent ball and seri- 
ously wounded. At Hatchie's Run he was captured 
1)3' the rebels, hut by making a desperate run for 
his life, escaped. He was discharged from service 
July 18, IHC), when he returned to his home on 
the farm in Lapeer County. 

The original of our sketch continued in Lapeer 
County until 1869, when he came to Shiawassee 
County and ))urchased eighty' acres on sect- 
ion 34, ^'enice Township. About half of this 
was improved. He made his home with a 
neighboring f.amily and began the work of improve- 
ment on his farm. He soon purchased another 
eight}' acres, part of which w.as cultivated. 

By this time Mr. Brooks was tired of single l)lcs- 
sedness and attracted by the charms of Miss Julia 




(2^ JP^L^ 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



297 



Curtis, persuaded licr to become his wife, which she 
(lid in 1873. She was a (Jaugliter of Lewis and 
L3'dia Curtis, natives of New York State and set- 
tlers in Macomb Couiit3' at an early da}' where the 
father died. Her decease, however, look place in 
Tuscola Count}'. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis were the 
parents of live children, four of whom are still 
living. Two sons served in the army. Mrs. 
Hrooks was born January 8, 1845, in Macomb 
County. 

Our subject aud his wife are the parents of six 
children, all of whom are living and the splendid 
inheritance of perfect health is proved b}' the fact 
that none of them have ever been sick. The family 
are Fred. 15., Raymond P., William E., Margie A., 
Joseph C, Lewis C. They have received every 
advantage in an educational way that the vicinity 
affords. Both our subject and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which 
body he is a Trustee, Steward and Class-Leader. 
They both take an active part in the Sunday-scliool, 
tlie gentleman having been Superintendent of the 
same for several j'ears; he now lias charge of the 
Bible class and Mrs. Brooks does efficient work .as a 
teacher. 

Mr. Brooks is a Director on the School Board. 
He takes an active interest in politics, Jilliliating 
with the Republican party, although he is now a 
Prohibitionist. He has two hundred and fort}- acres 
of fine land, two hundred fifteen being under the 
plow. In 1880 he erected a residence that is a model 
of comfort and convenience. It cost him ^1,.')00 
without counting his own labor, the board of his 
employes, etc. Upon his place are three fine barns, 
the dimensions of one being 34xfiC with a good 
basement, another is .■51x4() and the third 30x10 
feet. These barns, as well as a fine granary, 20x28 
feet in dimensions were all constructed by him.self. 

Mr. Brooks has an orchanl which covers three 
acres of land, .'iiid four miles of under drainage has 
been put in. He actively superintends everything 
pertaining to his farm and devotes himself to gcn- 
enil farming. He has some fine-wool sliee|), also 
thorough-bred Shropshires, the whole number of 
his sheep being two hundred and thirty. His cattle 
and horses are of a fine breed. He has also some 
fine Poland-China and Berkshire ho^s. Mr. Brooks 



had the advantage of many farmers in this locality, 
for he brought into the county with him ^2,000 
and a team of horses ; however, he has greatly in- 
creased his worldly possessions by judicious in- 
vestments and constant industry. 



E^^ 



ylLLIAM F. SPALDING, a prominent 
farmer residing on section 35, Rush Town- 
„ ., shi)), Shiawassee County, and a man whose 
services in the Union armj' entitle him to the re- 
spect of every patriot, was born June 3, 1840, 
in Niagara County, N. Y. His father, Jcdediah 
Spalding, a farmer, was born in New York about 
1804 and was married in 1831 to Tamerson C. 
lloUcnbeck. 'I'lie mother of our subject was a 
daughter of Silas HoUenbeck, a native of New 
York and the father of two sons and five daughters 
Tamerson, who was born about 1814, being the 
eldest. 

Jedediah and Tamerson Spalding became the 
parents of five sons and two daughters, of whom 
our subject is the third son and fifth child. When 
only thirteen years old William started out to 
work upon a farm, studying in the winters and 
working during the summer. Having attained a 
comforlnlile independence as well as a fair degree 
of education in this way, he decided to establish a 
home of his own, and was married .\pril 27, 1865. 
ALary A. LymaM, who l;ec.'iinc his wife, was a 
daughter of Alandas and Mary (Kwjng) Lyman, 
New England people, who were the parents of four 
daughters and one son. Mary, the second in order 
of birth, was born January 21, 1841, and at an 
early age acquired those graces of character which 
endear her to a large circle of acquaintances. 

William F. Spalding and his accomplished wife 
have hail four children; Addie and Jessie are twins, 
the former being the wife of Charles R. Duncan, 
of Middle|)ort, N. Y., and the mother of one son, 
and Jessie being Mrs. Frank W. Stiles, of Rush 
Townshii); the third daughter. Bertha, is deceased; 
the son, Charles i)., is at home. It w,as in 1861) 
when our subject came to Michigan and purchased 
eighty acres in Rush Townslii[> where he now lives. 



298 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



It was all woods then but is now well cleared and 
in a fine stale of cultivation. In 1884 he built a 
handsome brick residence which is an ornament to 
the township. 

The war record of Mr. Spalding is a source of 
jnst pride to his family. He enlisted Jul}- 2G, 1862, 
in Company D, One Hundred Twentj'-ninth New 
York Infantr\', and in December of that year the 
regiment was transferred to the Eighth Heavy Ar- 
tillery and stationed at Ft. Federal Hill, Baltimore. 
He did garrison duty until May, 1864, when they 
wire ordered to the field at Spottsylvania and 
North Anna. After that he was in all the engage- 
ments of tlie war in which the Army of the Poto- 
mac took part. At Petersburg he was sliot twice 
with minie balls, one passing through the left 
groin and another striking the left arm and i)assing 
through the right side, injuring his lung and lodg- 
ing in his spinal column. From this injury- he has 
never" entirely recovered. He was sent to Annai)- 
olis into the hospital and from tliere went home on 
a furlough and was in the hos|)ital at Buffalo until 
1865. As a partial comjjensation for his injuries 
he receives a pension of ^16 per month. Mr. .Spal- 
- ding is a strong Prohibitionist in his political 
views and the leader of that party in Rush Town- 
ship and vicinity. 

We are pleased to present elsewhere in ihis vol- 
ume lithogra|)hic |)ortrails of Mr. Spalding and 
his estimable wife. 




ON. WILLIAM H. ROSE, a prominent 
farmer and a man of great energy and push, 
prominent in county politics and well liked 
by all who know him, was born in Bath 
Township, Clinton County, where he now resides, 
July 25, 1844. His father, Silas W. Rose, a native 
of Steuben Count}', N. Y., w.as born April 27, 
1802, and his grandfather, also S. W. Rose, now 
deceased, was a German farmei-. The father of our 
subject was a mcrcliant at Bath, N. Y., and came 
to Michigan in 18:!6, making the journej' first by 
canal boat to Buffalo, then by boat to Detroit and 



thence b}' ox-team to W.ishtenaw County, Mich., 
where he kept an hotel on the road between Detroit 
and Chicago for two years. 

Seth W. Rose came to Clinton County in 1836 
and entered about six hundred acres of land from 
the Government, when there were but five families 
in the two townships of DeWitt and Bath, which 
were all one then. He named this township for 
his old hr)me in New York. He erected a log shanty 
and being a great hunter was able to furnish veni- 
son in plent}'. The howling of wolves could be 
heard about his cabin at night and the friendly 
Indians made frequent visits to his home. He had 
to go to l^ontiac for his milling and tr.-uling and it 
took just a week to make the trii), having to ford 
streams and travel almost impassable roads. He 
was a i)rominent man and a useful one, and laid 
out man}- roads in the neighborhood. He was cut 
off in the prime of lite, dying at the age of forty- 
two years. In his political views he was a Demo- 
crat. 

riie widow of Silas Rose, Margaret (Murtle) 
Rose, who was born in Steuben County, N. Y., 
December 17, 1802, is still living and in good 
health, and makes her home with our subject. She 
has reared to maturity nine children, namely: 
Robert, Louisa, Selvina, Susan, Marilda, Silas. An- 
geline, Caroline and William H. She is of German 
descent. Our subject used to play with the Indian 
chileireu and as he grew larger went on hunting 
expeditions with them. When he could he attended 
tlie log schoolhouse with open fireplace and slab 
benches with pin legs, under the rate bill system. 
He also received instruction from a private tutor, 
John M. Easton, now residing in this township. 
He has never had an}' other home than this and 
has managed the home farm since he was sixteen 
years old, as the older sons had gone out into 
the world to seek their fortunes. He finally bought 
out their shares in the homestead and made it all 
his own. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Harriet 
Gardner occurred October 22, 1866. This lady 
was born in Steuben County, N. Y., in 1845 and 
she has become the mother of one child — Nettie, 
a beautiful little girl of eight years. The home 
farm consists of three hundred acres of arable soil 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



299 



in a fine state of cultivation. His beautiful house 
was liuilt in 1877 and his latge barn erected in 
1885. Here he carries on mixed farming, making 
grain his principal croj), employing from one to 
ten men on the farm. Being earnestly solicitous 
of the welfare of the farming community he is .ic- 
tive in the Grange. He is also a member of the 
hunting club at Bath and goes North every fall to 
hunt deer. He is identified with the Masonic order 
at Lansing and has taken twelve degrees. He was 
elected Representative of Clinton Count}- on the 
Republican ticket in the fall of 1880 and served 
two terras, and was efficient in general and local 
legislation. He has held nearly ever}' township 
oflfice, including that of Jiupervisor. 

For fourteen years Mr. Rose followed lumbering 
in Saginaw Count}' and is still interested in that 
trade as he now buys timber and works it up into 
lumber. He has been a successful man and attrib- 
utes his success to strict attention to business and 
economy. He claims there is plenty of money in 
farming for any one who pays close attention to 
his farm and manages it with wisdom and discre- 
tion. While in the lumbc business in Saginaw 
County he accumulated considerable pro|)erty. 



LMOND PARTLOW. Tiiis name is fa- 
'W i ^i''"'' t*^ many of our readers and to a 
i> large number of commercial travelers who 
^(1 had occasion to visit the town of Eagle, 

Clinton County, within the past few years. Mr. 
Partlow moved into the village in September, 
1889, buying the Eagle Hotel, where he and his 
etlicient wife are conducting a house of entertain- 
ment that possesses many homelike features, duly 
appreciated by those who sojourn under its roof. 
Mr. Partlow has lived in E.agle Township half a 
century and has seen this section of Michigan re- 
deemed from a wilderness into an improved [)or- 
tioii as fine as any in the State. In the work tliat 
has been necessary to bring about this good result 
he has borne a share from his early boyhood, and 
he feels a just pride in his connection therewith. 
Our subject is a son of Palmer and Eliza (San- 



ders) Partlow, natives of Franklin County, Vt., 
and the Province of Quebec respectively. They 
were living in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., when 
their son was born, August 5, 1837, and thence 
they came to Michigan in 1841. The father took 
up twenty acres of wild land in Eagle Township, 
and by industry and economy accumulated a fair 
share of this world's goods, so that his last years 
were spent in comfort. Mr. Partlow lived to the 
age of seventy -six years, dying in 1885, and two 
years later his widow passed aw.ay, aged seventy- 
five. They were estimable people, highly respected 
by their neighbors, and imbued with the spirit of 
brotherly kindness and hospitality so notably 
shown in early days. 

Almond Partlow has but slight recollection of 
any home outside the bounds of this State. As 
his father was poor when he came hither, the lad 
had but limited opportunities for obtainiug an 
education, his only attendance being in the com- 
mon school. He had his part to bear in clearing 
the laud his father had secured, and habits of in- 
dustry and prudence were developed in him at an 
early age. His labors were for the general good 
of the family until he was twenty-three years old, 
when he felt justified in establishing a home of 
his own and secured as his companion Miss Mary- 
Blake, with whom he was united in marriage in 
1860. In 1879 his happy home was entered bv 
the angel of death ami the wife removed there- 
from, the day of her decease being November .SO, 
1879. 

The children tliiis left motherless are Edward 
P., Henry W., Franklin .V. and Alice E. The first- 
named was born in 1862, and is now living in 
Laingsburg, Sjiiaw.assee County, and engaged in 
the drug business. His wife was formerly Miss 
Laura Medcalfe. The second child was born in 
1864, married Nellie Slatterly and lives in the vil- 
lage of Eagle, where he has a dru;,' store ami is 
now Postmaster. Franklin A., who was bom in 
1866, is in the employ of th" Chicago <t Norih- 
western Railway Company and living nt Superior 
Junction, Wis.; he married Miss Delia Summers. 
The only daughter of oursuliject was born in 1869. 
is unmarried and still briyhtcns her father's home 
by her presence there. Some lime after the death 



300 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of liis first wife Mr. Partlow made a second mat- 
rimonial jilliance, tlie date of the event being 
April 19, 1882, and the bride Faun}', daughter of 
Simon Campbell. This excellent lady was born 
in the city of Detroit and possesses many fine 
qualities of mind and heart. 

In politics Mr. Partlow is a Republican, con- 
vinced that the principles laid down by that party 
are best calculated to build up the welfare of the 
Republic, and ready to give an intelligent reason 
for his faith whenever party matters are the topic 
of conversation. Socially he belongs to Clinton 
Lodge, No. 65, I. O. O. F. The religious home of 
the family is in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 




IIAUNCET S. WOLCOTT, a venerable 
and time-honored septuagenarian and rep- 
resentative pioneer of Clinton Count>', re- 
siding on section 36, Essex Township, is a native 
of Genesee County, N. Y., and was born February 
15, 1820. He is a son of Chauncey D. and 
Lydia A. (Stiles) Woleott, both natives of Con- 
necticut. Oliver Woleott, a relative of his father, 
was one of our Revolutionary heroes. Our subject 
resided in his native county until 1829, when, 
with his parents, he emigrated to Miciiigan, set- 
tling in Oakland Count}'. This was in the days 
when Michigan was a Territory, and his parents 
were among the earlier pioneers. They made 
that county their permanent iiome, and remained 
there the rest of their days. 

The subject of this sketch attended the pioneer 
schools of his native county, and there received 
the grounding in the rudiments of an education 
which tended to make him what he is to-day — a 
self-educated man. His father was formerly a 
school teacher, and the instruction he received at 
home ably supplemented the schooling which he 
received in the log cabin. He came to Clinton 
County in 18-13, and in the following year settled 
upon the farm where he now resides in Essex 
Township. He had been married March 7, 1841, 
and now brought his wife to his new home. Her 
maiden name was Alvertinc E. Friiik, and she was 



was born in New York State May 30, 1857. Her 
parents were Joshua and Martha (Jones) Frink, 
the father being a native of Connecticut and the 
mother of Rhode Island. Mr. Frink was a soldier 
in the War of 1812, and came to Essex Township, 
Clinton County, with his family about the year 
1840. Mrs. Woleott has two brothers and two 
sisters residing in Clinton Count}', namely: Miner 
R. ; Josiah F. ; Amy, Mrs. Coomer, now a widow; 
and Albina D., Mrs. Reuben Becker. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Woleott have been born six 
children, of whom the following are now living: 
Joe] S., Dewey, John A. and Mary E., wife of C. 
T. Luck. Mr. Woleott has served as Highway Com- 
missioner of Essex Township for .several years and 
also as Justice of the Peace for some time and No- 
tary Public. He is a public-spirited citizen, and 
he and his wife are looked ujjon as leading pioneers 
of Clinton County. He can recall many scenes of 
pioneer life and has seen great improvements in 
this section. Both Mr. and Mrs. Woleott are es- 
teemed and active members of society. He is a 
Republican in political views and intelligently in- 
terested in the success of his party. 




RS. SY'LVIA (DUTCHER) JUBB was 
born May 5, 1844, in Burns Township^ 
Shiawassee County, Mich. She lived at 
home until her nia.iriage which took place 
October 9, 1863. She was then united with Wil- 
liam J. Jubb who was born in Cohocta, Livings- 
ton County, Mich. June 29, 1836. His father, 
Edward H. the son of an Englishman settled in 
Michigan in the early Territorial days having come 
from New York thither. Mr. Jubb's mother was 
Maria Countryman, and belonged to an old Revo- 
lutionary family. 

Mr. Jubb learned the carpenter's trade when a 
boy. After marri.age he lived for one year at Ben- 
nington and then moved out on a new farm in Mid- 
dlebury Township, where he remained about five 
years. He engaged in merchandising in Benning- 
ton in 1869, and three years later went onto a 
farm which he carried on until he went to Otsego 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



301 



County ill the fall of 1878. There they settled 
upon .111 unbroken farm five miles northwest of 
O.iyiord which has since continued to be their home. 
Mr. ,)ubb had been a soldier previous to his marri- 
njje iiaving enlisted in Conipau}' A, Third Michi- 
Inf.antry in 18G1. He served until 1863 being 
attached to the Army of the Potomac, and was 
finally discharged for disability. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. .Iul)b;irc: Elliott II., 
now twenty-seven j-ears old; Amanda J., whudicd 
Maj' 14, 188.5, a victim of consumption at the age 
of nineteen; Seth, aged twenty-three, who is n)ar- 
ried and settled near home; Dora S. twenty-one 
years old and Garfield W. a boy of si.\ years. Mr. 
Jubb's political views are in accordance with the 
doctrines of the Republican party. Mrs. Mary 
(Dtitcher) Punches, the sister of our subject who 
was born October 7, 1826, in Monroe County, N. Y. 
has onlj' one son, Fayette P., who lives with his 
mother at Bennington, where slie has devoted the 
last ten years to the care of her mother, as she has 
herself been a widow jince 18GC. 



OSHUA RAPALKE. Among the venerable 
residents of Ovid Township, Clinton 
County, we are pleased to present the name 
which appears at the head of this sketcli. 
This gentleman has long been a resident of the 
place which be still calls home, for he came here 
when there was no such place as Ovid and not even 
a building in St. John's. He was born in Yates 
County, N. Y., Milo Township. July 12, J821. 
His father, Ezra Rapalee, was a native of that 
county, and his mother, who bore the maiden 
of Marjorie Longcor, was born in Orange County. 
He lived at home with his father, who carried 
on a farm, until he reached his majority, after 
which he began life for himself bj' working a 
part of his father's place. This he carried on for 
a number of years before coming to Michigan. 

Mr. Rapalee contracts', a union for life with a 
lady of his native county, Hannah Lewis, of Star- 
key, a daughter of Joseph C. Lewis, a farmer 
and blacksmith of considerable repute in Yates 



County. Their wedding day w.is October 1, 
1842. Two children onl}' came to bless their 
home — Viola Ma3', who was born May G, 1851, 
and Rinda, May 26, 1853. Both of these ladies 
have established homes of their own in Clinton 
County. \'iola is now the wife of Emmet Bur- 
gess, who follows different occupations, and Rinda 
married J. V. Fulkerson, who is a trader. 

The migration of the family to IMii'higan look 
place in 1855, and they made their home at once 
upon the land in Ovid Township which is still 
their home. This section was in p, wild condi- 
tion and Mr. Rapalee can tell wonderful stories 
of his encounters with wild game, especially with 
deer. He often shot them, and at times had great 
ditliculty in getting home witli his booty, as the 
wolves would surround him and fight for the 
venison which he w.as carrying lujme to his famil}-. 
He sliDt almost every kind of game. an<l was a 
great huntsman and fisher and has kept up his prac- 
tice in these customs dear to the pioneer's heart. 
He tells of the pigeons being so thick as to darken 
the sun, and of the gieat abuntlance of wild elk, 
moose, deer, bears and turkeys, which hist were as 
plentiful as domestic fowls are now in Southern 
Michigan. He has often caught as many as from 
three hundred to nine hundred pigeons in one net. 
When Mr. Rapalee came to Michigan he settled on 
the land where he now resides, and clearing otT 
eighty acres set out fruit trees and planted crops. 
He has on his place an apple tree which he planted 
that vrar, which now measures more than a foot in 
diameter, although it was a mere switch when 
planle<l. He lived in .'in old board house, which 
he has still on one i)art of his farm, and has re- 
sided on this place about twenty-five years. He 
did his marketing and trading in Detroit, having 
to travel to and from that point, which was one 
hundred miles distant, and having to haul his 
wheit to that city. The sinok}' period is a time 
which is within his remembrance, when the woods 
at the North were on lire, and for si.v days he 
could not see the sun nor the light of day and 
could not distinguish a man at the distance of 
five feet. 

Our subject has been farming ever since be 
■ came to this State, but of late years he only su- 



302 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



perintends the work and liires otlieis to do the 
heav}' labor. He still h&s the first eighty acres 
whicli he took when lie came here. He is a re- 
markalilc man in one respect among the restless 
multitudes of our American people, as he lias 
never moved but twice in his life. He fully 
illustrates the old adage that " a rolling stone 
gathers no moss," for his prosperity has steadily 
increased with the lapse of years since he made 
his beautiful homo in this spot. 



I 



' ■ ' °^ 



-^ 



■li^^ ATHANIEL LAPHAM is one of tiiose men 
I I/I ^''Oi having worked hard in tiie earlier 
[1\ .i^ \'ears now enjoy ease and prosperity in 
good homes, unharrased by turmoils and cares of 
active life. He was for some years engaged in ag- 
ricultural pursuits and since 1867 his home has 
been in Clinton County, and since 1888 he has 
been living in St. John's. When he came to the 
county he located in the woods, buying eighty acres 
of forest land on section 1, Bingham Township. 
He began his work in pioneer style, removed the 
forest growth, broke the soil and brought the place 
up to par, and added to the properly until the 
farm embraced one hundred and ten acres. He 
has also a farm of one hundred and ten acres in 
IMarshall, N. Y., and in St. John's he has three lots 
and two houses. Abundant worldly goods are his, 
gained bj' close application to the work he hail in 
hand and good judgment in expenditures and in- 
vestments. 

Going back in the ancestral line a few genera- 
tions we find that Mr. Lapliam's paternal ancestors 
came from Wales. His great-grandfather. John, 
wae born in Rhode Island and died in New York. 
The next in the direct line was Nathaniel, a native 
of Rhode Island, who settled in Oneida County, 
N. Y., as earlj' as 1804. He was a soldier in tlie 
War of 1812. His son Joseph was born on the 
New York f.arm and became a farmer and stock- 
buyer in his native county. He was a very suc- 
cessful man and owned from three hundred to four 
hundred acres at one time. He is still living, aged 
eighty -seven years. Politically he is a Republican, 



His wife was Mary Mix, a native of the same sec- 
tion as himself and daughter of Daniel Mix, a 
farmer and stockman who was numbered among the 
early settlers in that county. She died when 
seventy-flve years old, leaving two children, of 
whom our subject is the fifth in order of birtli. 
She belonged to the Universalist Church. 

Mr. Lapham of this sketch was born in Oneida 
County, N. Y., in 183'J, and remained there until 
he was seventeen 3'ears old. During bis boyhood 
and youth he studied in the common schools and 
attended Deansville Academ3- two winters. lu 
1856 he went to Wisconsin and for one season wa.s 
engaged in a mill in the pineries. He then went 
back to his native State and remained two years, 
and early in the 'tJOs made a trip to California. 
He took the ocean loute, sailing on the '•Baltic" to 
Panama and on the "Golden Age" up the Pa- 
cific Coast. He made his way to and for three 
months worked in the silver mines. The Indians 
in that locality became troublesome and life was 
too dangerous there for those who had any regard 
for themselves, so Mr. Lapham returned to Cali- 
foinia. He found employment on a ranch two 
rniles from Sacramento and worked tliere about 
two 3 ears, after which lie returned home via Pan- 
ama. 

In 1864 Mr. Lapham made a second trip to Cali- 
fornia and rented a ranch near Sacramento, on the 
river of that name. He carried it on a year, and 
then, being debilitated by chills and fever, he was 
obliged to give up his work, and he returned East 
via Cape Horn on the clipper ship "Hornet" in 
command of Capt. Mitchell, of New York. He 
bought land near his birthplace and engaged in 
farming, but a few years later removed to this 
State and took up his work here. For some time 
before he retired from active life he was the largest 
cultivator of hops in Clinton Countj-, and he de- 
voted four acres and a half of ground to the vines. 
Altogether his work in hop- raising extended 
over a period of fourteen jears. When he was in 
a countr}- infested by Indians he got along well 
with the red men and was never molested b^' them. 

In Paris, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1860, Mr. 
Lapham was married to Miss Gertrude E. Austin, a 
native of Winfield. Otsego County. Mutual hap- 



rORTRAlT AND BIOGRAinilCAL ALBUM. 



303 



piness has followed in the train of llie woddins; cer- 
eraoiiy anil the joys of Mr. and Mrs. Lai)liaui have 
been enchanced by the presence in tlieir home of 
four children. The fiist-born, George E., occupies 
the homestead; Frank K. is liviny; in iNew York; 
Mary J., formerly a teacher and now the wife of 
W. Williams, lives in liingham Township; Flora 
E. remains with her parents. Mr. Lai)ham is a 
famous hunter and each year visits the north woods 
where for thirty-two seasons he has bagged much 
game. During his hunting trips he has sometimes 
had close conflicts with wild animals and ho has 
killetl six bears. He is of a jovial, pleasant dispo- 
sition — one of those whom to know is to like — 
and few men prove more companionable and en- 
tertaining than he. He has a wide fund of observ- 
ation and experience from which to draw interest- 
ing stories and instructive incidents, and be is also 
respected for the energy he has displayed in the 
work of life and for his good citizenship. Politi- 
cally he is a Republican. 



-mm 

J^.ILLIAM H. McLEOD is the proi)rielor of a 
thriving business establishment in Ovid, 
where dry goods, notions, shoes ;ind ba- 
zaar goods arc sold and in which a flourishing 
trade is carried on. Mr. McLeod has been en- 
gaged in mercantile pursuits for some time i)ast, 
sometimes with a partner and again alone, and in 
diffeicnt towns in this pari of Michigan, lie has 
an interest in farm lauds and has become e.Ktensivoly 
engaged in fruiL culluro. Mr. INIcLcod and wife 
have two farms in Ovid Township which Ihcy have 
been operating for some years; they own a nice 
property in .Shei)ardsville and our suljject owns the 
atore in vvhich he does buijiness. He has one farm 
of eighty acres which he himself cleared a.iil upon 
which he made all the improvements. 

Lenawee County claims Mr. McLeod as one of 
her sons, as he was born in Tecumseli April 17. 
1853. His father, Jnmes McLeod, emigrated to 
America from Edinburg, Scotland. He was a Baj)- 
tist minister and a farmer. His wife, mother of 




our subject, was Emeline Whittemore, a native of 
N'ew York City. When our subject was in his 
third year they removed to Laingsburg, Shiawas- 
see County, and since that time he of whom we 
write has made his home in Shiawassee and Clinton 
Counties. Young McLeod had liut limited advan- 
tages for gaining an education, his attendance be- 
ing confined to the district schools during the 
winter months and even this being given up when 
he was seventeen. 

Young McLeod b«gan his career in life at the 
age of twelve years as a vender of pop-corn on the 
train and five years later he became clerk for E. 
G. Bement, at Laingsburg. At the age of twenty 
he and P. C. Hassett entered upon the sale of gen- 
eral merchandise at Shepardsville and the Arm cini- 
tinued in business al)out six years, during which 
time they opened a branch store at Duplain. In 
the spring of 1880 the partucrsliip was dissolved, 
J\lr. McLeod taking the stock at Shepardsville, 
where he carried on the business alone some six 
years. He then took in as a partner Mr. .John 
Walker, but in 1887 bought out that gentleman. 

He and a brother had previously opened a store 
at Laingsburg and he now moved the stock to Ovid 
and also bought out C. IL Hunter and continued 
the business at the same stand. Close attention to 
the affairs he had in hand, careful consideration of 
the wants of the people, combined with courtesy 
and square dealing have resulted in placing Mr. 
.McLeod in good circumstances and giving him an 
ixiellent standing as a business man. 

.Mr. McLeod has a pleasant residence where crea- 
ture comforts arc provided under the oversight of 
llie lady who became his wife November 8, 
1S77. Slie is a native of Macomb and bore the 
maiden name of Cele.stia llaiie. Aiound the fam- 
ily fireside there gathers a bright ami interesting 
gioup, consisting of the f*)ur children boni to .Mr. 
Mild Mrs. McLeod. They are Alton ]).. born No- 
vember 4, 1879; George E., September 1. KhhI; 
Lena E.. December 21, 1884; and Fhueiice, ■lanii- 
ary 8, 18«7. 

Mr. McLeod takes .an intelligent interest in poli- 
tical issues and public movements, but h.'is never 
sought official honors, preferring to give his ntteii- 
lion wholly to his business affairs and his family 



304 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



He votes the Republican ticket. He is a man of 
domestic tastes, actively interested in the mental 
progress of his children and giving them everj' en- 
couragement to develop tlic powers of their minds. 
He lias the close sympathy of their mother and 
both parents are careful to guide their little family 
in courteous ways and good principles. 

■vTOEL BENSINGER. Among the residents 
of Michigan who came here from other 
States, we find none who are better [ireparcd 
to develop the country on sound business 
principles and practical lines than the emigrants 
from Ohio. They are almost without excepti(ui 
representatives of families of intelligence and ster- 
ling worth and bring to their new homes elements 
of success. Among them we are pleased to name 
the prosperous farmer, stock-raiser and lumber 
dealer whose name heads this paragraph. He was 
born in Medina County, Ohio, August 17, 1855, 
and is the son of William an<l Mary (Bensinger) 
Bensinger, natives of Schuylkill County, Pa. The 
father was born September 9, IHIH, and the 
mother's natal day was December 12, 1831. On 
the mother's side the ancestry was of German blood 
and the father was of English decent. 

The lirst of the family who ever came to America 
was George Bensinger, who emigrated to the New 
World in 1710, locating in Schuylkill County, Pa., 
where the family made its home for generations. 
His son George was the father of Moses Bensinger, 
the grandfather of our subject. Moses removed 
to Medina County, Ohio, at a very early date. 

The War of the Rebellion deeply interested the 
family as, like a large proportion of the citizens of 
Ohio, they were strongly loyal to the old flag. 
The fallier of our subject served for one year in 
the One Hundred and Eighty -seventh Ohio In- 
fantry and the Government has recognized his 
claims to remembrance by granting him a pension 
of 18 per month. His eldest son, Edward, served 
llirough the entire war, being in the army for six 
3'cars. After his enlistment he responded to the 
roll-call without a failure during the first three 



months, but was then taken prisoner and languislied 
in Southern prisons for more than a year. As soon 
as he was free and once more able to control his 
movements he re-enlisted. He was only fourteen 
years old when he first entered the army and was 
in every Southern State and was much in the West, 
going as far as Pike's Peak. It was 1866 before 
he returned home to his family. 

William Bensinger was the first of his family to 
locate in Michigan, as he came to Allegan County 
in 1858, but did not remain there long, returning 
to Ohio in 1861. After the war he again moved 
to Michigan, locating permanently in 1866 on sec- 
tion 25, in Dnplain Township, wjiere he still owns 
lift}- acres of land adjoining the farm of his son 
Joel. All of liis five children are living in Michi- 
gan and he feels that this is indeed the [)hice for 
him to spend his declining years. 

Our subject received but a limited education, as 
the nearest school was two and a half miles from 
his home. He began doing for liimself when he 
was about nineteen years of age. He has traveled 
considerably and spent five j'ears in the pineries, 
where he obtained his thorough knowledge of saw- 
ing. Mr. Estey, the manufacturer at Owosso, says 
that Mr. Bensinger cuts the best lumber of any 
sawyer in Onio, Indiana or Michigan. This gen- 
tleman is in a position to know, as he is buying 
continually from all parts of these States, and he 
willingly pays Mr. Bensinger from $5 to 18 more 
per thousand than he does other millers. 

The marriage of our subject to Miss Lizzie Dynes 
took place September 28, 1882. Her parents, Oli- 
ver and Elizabeth (Waring) Dynes, are natives of 
County Down, Ireland, and both have now passed 
from earth. They came to Michigan when she 
was a little girl and throughout her youth they en- 
deavored to give her the best possible advantages 
and she is now a well-educated and accomplished 
woman. Five children have come to share the af- 
fection and solicitude of Mr. and Mrs. Bensinger; 
namely: Edward, born May 14, 1883; William Ol- 
iver, June 7, 1884; Joel Emerson, January 14, 
1886; Orrin Lee, October 12, 1887; Gertie L., Octo- 
ber 13, 1889. Our subject owns one hundred acres 
of land, all of which he has gained by his own 
efforts. Eighty acres are in (^iratiot County and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHJCAL ALBUM. 



307 



twenty acres constitute the home farm, upon which 
he lias good huihlings. He is an earnest Republi- 
can in liis political views, but has steadfastly de- 
clined all offers of public office, as he desires to 
devote himself entirolv to liis agricultural pursuits. 
A view of Mr. Bensinger's homestead accompan- 
ies this sketch. 



DSON SWAUTIIOUT, an extensive slock- 

1—1 raiser, is the owner of the finest farm in 

Sciota To<vnshlp, his home being situated 



on section 5. He was born in Victor Township, 
Clinton County, Mich.. .lanuary 20, 1857, and is 
a son of Thomas L. and Mary (Parker) Swarthout. 
His pnreut-s were both natives of Ovid, N. Y., and 
witli their respective families came to Michigan in 
1837, settling in Victor Township, Clinton County. 
The paternal grandparents removed to Ovid Town- 
siiip, that county, a few years later and named the 
village and town of Ovid. They were among the 
first settlers in that section, where the}' spent the 
remainder of their lives. The maternal grand- 
father resided in Victor, Clinton County, until his 
death, but his wife still survives him. 

The parents of our subject are now making 
their home in Victor Township, Clinton County. 
Thomas L. Swarthout has made farming his life 
o':cu|)!ition and in the legitimate channels of busi- 
ness has acquired a good property. In politics he 
is a supporter of the Republican party and has held 
a number of town ollices. Both he and his wife 
have been members of the Methodist Church since 
childhood and are earnest, consistent Christian 
people who iiave the respect of all who know 
them. In their family arc only two children — 
Edson and Nora, the latter the wife of C. K. 
AVarner, of Falkton, S. Dak. 

In the usual manner of farmer lads Edson 
Swarthout was reared to manhood. His boyhood 
days were spent amid play and work, and his 
early education acquired in the district schools 
was supplemented by study in the schools of 
Ovid. He remained under the parental roof until 
twenty-three ye.irs of age, when he left home and 
began life for himself. As a helpmate on life's 



journe}' he chose Miss Frances Adell W.irren, 
and their wedding was celebrated on the 9Lh of 
November, 1879, in Middlebury, the native town 
of Mrs. Swarthout. Her parents were David and 
Mary (Ingersol) Warren. 

The young couple began their domestic life 
upon the farm where thej' still reside, and which 
was the property of Mr. Swarthout a year or two 
previous to his marri.age. A view of this estate 
will be found elsewhere in this volume, and, as 
before stated, no liner farm can be found in Sciota 
Toivnship. It comprises two hundred acres of 
valuable land, and with the exception of about 
twenty- five acres the entire amount is under a high 
state of cultivation. The home is a fine two-story 
frame residence with a lawn in front, and beauti- 
ful shade trees protect it from the heat of sum- 
mer. Ample shelter is provitled for the stock in 
three large barns, the dimensions of whirh :uc 
36x70, 24xG4 and 35x74 feet. 

Mr. Swarthout raises excellent grades of stock, 
making a specialty of sheep, of whicii he has a line 
herd. His pleasant home, good buildings, the 
the latest improved machinery and the well-tilled 
fields all indicate the owner to be a man of prac- 
tical and progressive ideas who thoroughly- under- 
stands his business, and is therefore meeting with 
excellent success. The enterprise and perseverance 
which has characteiizod liis life have won him 
prosperity, and his fair dealing lias secured him 
the confidence of all. l'oliticall3' he is a Repub- 
lican, but has never taken any prominent part in 
pul)lic affairs. He and his wife are mcnil)crs of 
the Methodist Church, give liberal)^- lo its sup- 
port and in the social circles of the community 
tliej- rank high. 



-M- 



-5- — 



ORON A. DAYTON, one of the young 
farmers who are doing so much to still 
^ further heighten the standard of agricult- 
ural work in Clinton Count}', is located on section 
28, Watertown Township. He owns ninety- 
six acres of fine land and also operates fortj' 
acres belonging to his mother. Mr. Dayton is a 



308 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



native of this county having been born in 1864 
and his life lias been spent Liere amid scenes with 
which he is familiar. His grandfather, Sumuel 
Dayton, came hitlicr from Ohio in the territorial 
days and built the fine large dwelling on the turn- 
pike in Watertown Township that is now occupied 
by the mother of our subject. 

The parents of Loron Dayton were born in Ohio, 
but came to this Slate 3'e vrs ago. The father, Otis, 
died in 17G7, leaving his son fatherless when but 
three years old. The widow, Eosanna (Sheets) 
Dayton, married Horace Wixon, who is now de- 
ceased and she is living on the Dayton homestead. 
Loron lived with his mother and stepfather until 
he was of age and at their hands received good 
training and a district school education. Deciding 
to follow the occupation of a farmer, he soon began 
to find his place among men and he has a firm 
financial standing. 

In March, 1888, an event of unusual interest to 
Mr. Dayton took place, it being the ceremony by 
which he gained the hand of Miss E.sther Chaplin- 
This lady is the daughter of William Chaplin who 
resides in Watertown Township, and she is a well- 
informed, capable woman, fitted to bear a part in 
the affairs of life as wife, mother and friend. She 
has one son born April 9, 1889. Mr. Dayton be- 
lieves m the |)rinciples of Democracy and supports 
the policy of that party by his vote whenever the 
ballot box is open. He does not push himself for- 
ward as a candidate having sufficient to employ his 
talents in the work he has undertaken, and the 
pleasures of domestic and social life affording him 
relief from his toil. 



I ARL STINSO^' II ALL. The history of the 
family of Hall, which is of English origin, is 
as old as that of the State of Vermont, to 
wliich they were Colonists in the earliest |)eriod of 
its settlement. Benjamin Hall, who was the grand- 
father of Earl S. Hall, was born February 20, 1770, 
and died at AVayland, Steuben County, N. Y., in 
1851. He settled at Rochester, N. Y., wl'.en his 
son William, the father of our subject, was about 



ten years old. William married Malinda Stinson 
b}' whom he became the father of six children — 
George L., of Owosso Township; Edward M., of 
Grand Rapids; P>arl S., our subject; William M., 
who was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, 
May 5, 18G4, 4it the age of twenty -six years; Caro- 
line who became the wife of Charles Stinson, and 
died at Owosso, at the age of twenty-four years; 
and Angeline A., who married Ira Rush, of Owosso 
Township, ami died in 1888, at the age of sixty- 
three. William Hall died at Rochester in 1838, 
j and in 1842 the widow and family removed to Shi- 
awassee Count}', where her brother, Ira Stinson, 
then resided he having settled here four ^-ears pre- 
viously. 

When he of whom we write was a lad of liut six- 
teen years of age he with his mother removed from 
their farm, three or four miles west of Owosso, and 
went to make their home with his sister, Mrs. Rush. 
The lad began to feel that the responsibilities of the 
family rested upon his shoulders and that he must 
begin to be a provider for the wants of his mother, 
so he began work by the month, earning 14, but 
kept at it faithfull}' until he became a man grown, 
and even until his twenty-sixth year was reached 
when he became the owner of sixty-five acres of 
land. This was the nucleus of his present large and 
finely improved farm. He at once began to cut 
out the timber and erect a house on the spot where 
his present commodious dwelling stands. 

The energetic young man was soon joine<l in 
wedlock, October 1, 1857, to Miss Angelina S. Fox, 
a daughter of Crawford and Samantha (Dawson) 
Fox, of Bennington Township. Mrs. Hall's father 
was a native of an old historic town of New York, 
his father being Nathaniel Fox. Mrs. Hall's mother 
is still living and for seven years has made her 
home with her daughter. She was born at Utica, 
N. Y., her father being John Dawson, a native of 
Connecticut. Her mother's maiden name was 
Thankful Warren, who was born in Boston, Mass. 
After the marriage of Mrs. Hall's parents they set- 
tled at Redfor<l, Midi., fifty-four years ago, and a 
few years later removed to Livingston County, - 
where tlie husband died in 1855. The widow sub- 
sequently mairied Peter Vroman of Middlebury 
Township, who died August 19, 18.s5. The widow 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



309 



is a hiile and vigorous lady who, altiiouj;ii four- 
score years of age yet has an acute mind and tena- 
cious niemor}-. coupled with a strong constitution. 
She has fair prospects of still having a long lease 
upon life. 

Our subject. Earl Stinson Hall, responded to the 
call of his country when it was in need of men with 
strong and liravc hearts to defend the cause of lib- 
erty and right. He enlisted October, 1863, in 
Company B, Eleventh Michigan Cavalry' and was 
soon made Sergeant, in which ca|)acit3' he distin- 
guished himself in the struggle through Kentucky, 
Tennessee, N'irginia, North and South Carolina. He 
was always with Ids rommand and ever ready for 
service, eager to be at the front and yet magnani- 
mous to tlie foe. 

'riic com|)any in which oui sul)ject enlisted did 
not [larlicipale in an^' of the desperate battles of 
that period, but were engaged in a large number of 
skirmisiies and muior engagements, frequently suf- 
fering severe loss of men. Toward the close of 
hostilities the company was consolidated with the 
Kightii Michigan Cavahy and from this he was 
mustered out in October, 1805. Since Mr. Hall 
left the army he has pursued farming which has 
occupied his entire time and attention. Jvo one 
can boast of a more desirable home. It is sur- 
rounded with all the comforts of life, and he is 
ha|)p3- in the con]panj' of a most estimal)le wife, 
conscious of a lifework honestly done and duly 
faithfully performed. The farm boasts many fine 
improvements, not less than $.3,000 having been 
expended on it. 

Mr. Hall is an example to the community, in 
liiat his life presents no blemish or spot that need 
to have a veil cast over it. The husband and wife 
whose lives have been so congenial within them- 
selves are [iroud of an interesting family-. Tbey 
are 'Willie E., Lewis C, these two composing the 
firm of Hall Bros., grocers; Bertie C. a teacher of 
some years' experience, and one considered as 
standing at the head of his profession. He is also 
the present efticient Township Clerk, besides being 
active in church and educational work. One daugh- 
ter, Myrtle, the mother's darling, is an amiable 
and sweet girl of sixteen 3'ears, now a student at 
the High School of Owosso. She is also so profi- 



cient in music as to call forth the i)raisc of the 
lovers of music in the community. 

Mr. Hall is a Republican in politics though rec- 
ognizing merit in other parties, and believing it 
fight to support the best men irresi)ective of |)nrty 
in local matters. He is considered by his towns- 
people as a level-headed man on all subjects, and 
is frequently honored bj' res|)onsible positions of 
trust. Me is liberal in his religious ideas while 
Mrs. Hall belongs to the Methodist persuasion. 







=7 •El 



HARLES SKICKLE, M. I). One of the en- 
ergetic young physicians of Bancroft wiio 
' has already attained some pronunence. is the 
gentleman whose name heads our sketch. Dr. 
Shickle was born in I'lymouth, Waj'ne County, this 
State, February 1, 1.SC5. His parents were Wi|li:im 
and Mary A. (Thomas) Shickle. The family are old 
residents of Wayne County, his father having died 
April 20, 1890. He was the owner of a farm of 
two hundred and forty acres which he hail made 
a model of its kind. He was a n.ative of Norfolk, 
England, and had been self sustaining from the age 
of five jears. He came to the United States about 
1860. He w.as married in Greenwich, Kent Coun- 
ty, England. The gold fever early attracted him 
to Australia where he worked as a miner for some 
years and then engaged in market gardening near 
Melbourne. Ho came to Shiawassee County in 
1867, where he lived a retired life in Fairfield 
Township until last year when his deaih occurred. 
Dr. Shickle was two years old when his parents 
came to Shiawassee County and remained there 
until be was twent^'-two. During his childhood 
he attended school at Ovid, after which be entered 
the olBce with Doctor J. II. Travis of Elsie. In 
1887 he entered Ann Arbor medical department 
and was graduated with his class, June 27, 1890. 
He was one of a class of ninety-four young men and 
women who started out to alleviate the pain an<l suf- 
fering of mankind. Immediately after his gradua- 
tion he began to practice at Bancroft where he has 
since been. Dr. Shickle is still a single man. Po- 
litically he is a Democrat. 



310 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



For so young a man, he has a complete profession- 
al libraiy. He boasts a fine microscope anfl has a 
large number of good pathological specimens and 
nearly ever}^ specimen of the normal tissues of the 
body. The Doctor has already displayed so much 
energy in the pursuit of his profession for which 
he has an ardent love that his friends predict for 
him a brilliant future. Certainly there is no pro- 
fession in wliicli a man has a wider scope than in 
tlmt of medicine and in these days where every 
man is a specialist, there are chances of attaining 
fame never before offered. 



^ 



E^^ 




ENRY M. BURNES is a farmer and resides 
on section 19, Riley Townshii), where he 
has one hundred and sixtj' acres of fine 
land, all improved and with excellent build- 
ings upon it. He is a son of James M. and Nancy 
(Smith) Burnes. The father was a native of Mon- 
roe County, N. Y., and the mother was born in 
Pennsylvania. The parents of Mr. Burnes came 
to Michigan before their marriage, and after that 
interesting event, located in Ingham County, where 
the subject of this sketch was born. His natal day 
was November 3, 1847. 

Henry Burnes was rcare<l u|)on a farn, and at- 
tended the district schools of his townshi[), work- 
ing for his father until August, 1864, when, 
although being less than seventeen jears of age, he 
decided to enter the arm}', and enlisted in Com- 
pany F, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry. He 
joined the regiment at Atlanta, Ga., and after the 
siege of that city the regiment was sent to join the 
force of Gen. Thomas at Nashville, Tenn. In the 
spring of 186.5 the regiment was transferred to 
Washington D. C , was then sent by boat to New- 
bern, N. C, thence to Raleigh, and there joined 
Gen. Sherman's array on its march through llie 
Carolinas. It was placed on detached duty at 
Salisbury, N. C, where the regiment was finally 
discharged. 

Our young liero was sick in the iiospital at the 
time of the discharge of his regiment, but was fin- 
ally mustered out and discharged at Detroit in Sep- 



tember, 1865. After his return to Michigan he 
worked on the farm until November 25, 1 866, when 
he received in marriage the hand of Miss Mary 
Stone, a daughter of Solomon B. Stone, who was a 
native of New York, but had removed to Lake 
County. Ohio, previous to her birth July 29, 1847. 
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Burnes has been 
blessed with three children: Rosetta was born Octo- 
ber 13, 1867; she is married to Frank Henson, and 
they reside with her parents. Burton was born 
August 21, 1869; and Adelbert, September 12, 
1873. The last two are single and make their home 
with their parents. The father of Mrs. Burnes is 
still living in Riley Township. Mr. Burnes is a 
member of the Josei)h Mason Post, G. A. R., of 
Wacousta, ami is a raeml)erof the Grange, No. 456, 
at South Riley, and is a Democrat in politics, tak- 
ing an active interest in political questions. He 
has filled the olFice of Highway Commissioner and 
some other township offices of minor importance. 



G 



,^^EORGE BIGFORD. Among those who 
became pioneers of Michigan in their very 
early years is the thorough and prosperous 
farmer and stock-raiser whose name we have given 
in this column. He resides on section 36, Duplain 
Townsiiip, Clinton County, and has his post-office 
address at Ovid. He was born in Genesee 
County, N. Y., his natal daj' having been June 18, 
1853. He was also of New York parentage, his 
father, John, and his mother, Amrelt (Stevens) 
Bigford, being born in that State, where the father 
died when George was still a little boj'. 

The widow of John Bigford came to Michigan 
with her sons when George was only four years old, 
and made her home in Owosso. Near here the boy 
was raised upon a farm and received a fair common- 
school education. He had one brother, Edgar, who 
lives in Lansing. Having grown to manhood and 
having now attained a mastery of the work of 
life upon which he had resolved to enter, the young 
man decided to establish a home of liis own, and 
chose for himself a life partner. 'Jhe wedding 



PORTRAI'l AND BlOGliAPHlCAL ALBLM. 



311 



day of George Bigford aud Melissa Woodworth 
was Christmas Day, 1874. This lady is a native of 
Michigan, having been born in Owosso Township, 
Shiawassee County, May 11, 1855. Iler [jarcnts, 
William and Silvia A. (Audrus) Woodwortii, were 
born in New York, and had removed to Michigan 
some years previous to the birth of their daughter. 
After living in Washtenaw County for about eight 
years the young married couple removed to their 
present home, where Mr. Bigford purch.asod eighty 
acres of rich and fertile soil, which was valued at 
*63 per acre. 

Three bright and interesting chikhcn were sent 
to share the parental love and solicituile of Mr. 
and Mrs. Bigford. The oldest, Wilbur, was born 
while the}' were living in Washtenaw County, 
January 30, 1876. Frank, tlie second, came to 
thera October 15, 1877, and Maggie on March 28, 
1880. Mr. Bigford is deeply interested in political 
movements, but takes no active part exceiit to cast 
his vote for the Republican candidates. His sturdy 
character, strict integrity and untiring industry he 
no doubt received from his Scottish ancestiy, as 
his father was born in that land. 



1^%^-^ 



'S^LIJAII FLESHMAN, a prosperous and 
|fe) influential farmer residing on section 1, 
/*' — ^ Essex Township, Clinton County, is a 
native of Stark County, Ohio, where he was born 
February 2, 1838. His parents, Peter and Mary 
(Wolf) Fleshman, were natives of Pennsylvania 
and he is their eldest son. With his parents he 
journeyed West in his eighth year and came to 
Michigan, thus becoming one of the pioneers of 
Macomb County. There he was reared to man- 
hood upon a farm and in the district schools, hav- 
ing scanty op|)ortunities for education but tho- 
roughly improving his advantages and being stim- 
ulated therein by the desire of both parents and 
teacher that he should become an intelligent man. 
Mr. Fleshman was married in Detroit, Mich., to 
Bridget Mc(Jraw, a native of Ireland. He came 
to Clinton County in the spring of 186G and first 
located near Maple Rapids, where he settled in tlie 



woods and cleared ui) sixty acres of ^n eiglity-acre 
farm. It was in 1878 when he removed to the 
farm where he now resides, and which has been his 
home from that day to this. His fine property is 
all the result of his unaided efforts and he had no 
one to start him in life. 

Our subject is earnestly desirous for the uplift- 
ing of the agricultural community, both socially 
and industrially, and is identified with the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. In his political views 
he is a Democrat and is worthy of and receives the 
respect of all who know iiim. Both lie and his 
wife are honored in social life and liave a large 
circle of friends. 



"if]OHN NOURSE. Among the farmers of 
Watertown Township, Clinton Countj% none 
are more worthy of representation in a work 
of this kind than the gentleman whose name 
heads 1 his sketch. lie resides on section 21, of 
Watertown Township, where he has eighty acres in 
that section and forty acres on section 27. When 
we consider this large tract of fine land and learn 
that he started out in life without a dollar in the 
world, we can but give great credit to his indus- 
try', economy ard enterprise. He is the son of 
Thomas and Hannah (Ta3lor) Nourse, natives of 
Norfolk, England, where he was born June 20, 
1828. He worked for his father until he was six- 
teen years old, and then for himself until -of age, 
and b}' this time had saved money enough to pay 
his passage to America. In company with his 
young friend, George Gall, he came to this coun- 
try. They went directly to Lockport, N. Y., and 
when they reached there he had not a cent left, but 
his friend Gall had one dime, and tlie latter gen- 
erously decided to share this small sum with his 
friend over a social mug of beer, and thus to start 
together on the sami! level. 

The young man now hired out on a dair^- farm, 
and worked at various places for four years. He 
then had l)y his economy saved enough money to 
invest in a small tract of land, and he and his friend 
came to MichiKan together in 1810. While living 



312 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



at Lock port. N. Y., he had fonnerl an acquaintance 
with the father of Josh Billings, who was also an 
Knglisliinan, and who befriended hira at different 
times. After he came to Michigan he placed $300 
in the hands of Willard King to invest for him. In 
1853 he was united in marriage with Hannah Gall, 
the sister of his early friend. She lived onl)- two 
years after their marriage. In 1856 he was happily 
married to his present wife, Mary Loomis, a daugh- 
ter of J. A. Loomis, a native of New York State 
who came to Michigan in 1843, and is now living 
in Watertown Township at the advanced age of 
seventy-nine years. Mrs. Nourse was born in New 
York State, November 16, 1838. 

The union of John Nourse and Mary Loomis has 
resulted in a family of four children: Cornelia D., 
born Ma^^ 30, 1856, is now married to Samuel Day- 
ton, and lives at Delta; George T., born Septem- 
ber 1, 1857, married Cora B. Felton, and resides on 
section 27 of this township; AVilliam E., born Feb- 
ruary 6, 1866, is single, and is at home with his 
parents; Kttie, born September 20, 1873, is also at 
home. Mr. Nourse has assisted his children nobly 
and when starting out in life for himself, he has en- 
abled tliem each to get a farm. Besides all that he 
has given them, he has accumulated one hundred 
and twenty acres, and has given to his children sev- 
eral thousand dollars. This prosperity is indeed 
marvelous when one takes into consideration that 
lie can neither read nor write. His political belief 
is in accord with the utterances of the Democratic 
party, and he cast his vote in its favor. 



LNEY P. DeWITT. The city of St. John's 
is the seat of many important business 
enterprises and thriving establishments 
where the st^aples are sold. The gentleman above 
named is the proprietor of one of the large grocery 
stores here and is interested in u wholesale house 
in Grand Rapids and other enterprises in St. 
Jolin's. He carries a full line of staple and fancy 
groceries and provisions and does a flourishing 
trade, which is the more creditable as he began his 
work with a small capital. The house in Grand 



Rapids with which he is connected, was organized 
in 1890 and incorporated under the laws of the 
State under the title of the Lemon & Wheeler 
Companj', for the wholesaling of groceries. Mr. 
DeWitt is a stockholder in the St. John's National 
Bank and Clinton County Savings Bank and is the 
owner of some vnluable real-estate. 

The Empire Slate claims Mr. DeWitt as one of 
her sons, although from an early age he has lived 
in Michigan. His paternal grandfather, William 
DeWitt, was born in New York, on the Hudson 
River and married a New Jersey lady. He was a 
blacksmith by trade. He made an early settle- 
ment in Wayne County, N. Y., and in 1866 came 
to Clinton County, this State, and died in DeWitt 
Township when sixty-nine years old. His son 
John M., who was born in Wayne County, N. Y., 
grew to manhood there and removed thence to 
Onondaga County. He was a saddler and harness- 
maker and carried on a harness shop and for some 
time had the stage route to S3'racuse. In 1863 he 
came to this State and for a year carried on the 
harness business in Oakland County, at Davisburg. 
He then came to DeWitt Township, Clinton Countj', 
and after working at his trade for a time turned 
his attention to farming. He owned five tracts of 
land. He is now living in St. John's and has given 
up active work. His wife, whose maiden name 
w'.iS Eliza J. Griffin, was born in Onondaga Count}', 
N. Y., near Amber. She is the daughter of Ileman 
Griffin, an Eastern man who fought in the War of 
1812. Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt have three children, 
O. P. being the eldest. The second is Ada, now 
Mrs. M. B. Pincomb, of Big Rapids, and the third 
is William, a jeweler in Hammond, Ind. 

The subject of this notice was born January 24, 
1858, in Navarino, Onondaga County, N. Y., and 
was about si-v yeai's old when his parents came 
West. He attended the common and high schools 
in DeWitt, Clinton County, and when he was 
eighteen years old began teaching. Between terms 
he attended the Commercial College inLausing and 
completed the business course and received a 
diploma. He then became clerk in the general 
mercantile establishment in the capital and wltliin 
three years had worked his way to a forcmanship. 
In May, 1881, he came to St. John's and started in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



313 



tlie grocery trade as a member of the firm of 
DeWitt & Pineorab. The connection was contin- 
uc(l eigliteen months when the business was closed 
up and llie partnersliip diss(ilve<l. Six months 
later Mr. DeWilt bought the slock of Nelson (iris- 
wold .111(1 re-eng.iged in business, carrying on his 
work alone. The clerks whom he employs are 
obliging and trustworthy .and in every respect 
his place of business is worthy the visits of the 
people. 

In Riley, Clinton County, November 18,1880, 
Mr. DeWitt was married to Miss Hattie E. Jones, 
a native of that place and daughter of Nathan 
Jones, one of the early settlers of the county. 
That gentleman w.as formerly' engaged in farming 
but is now living in the county seat. 

Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt are the happy i)arenls of 
•one child — Lee A. Mr. DeWitt is one of the 
Board of Trustees of St. John's. lie is a Knight 
Temi)lar, identified with the home commander}-. 
He has no church connections but conlriljutcs to 
the support of the different societies, having a gen- 
eral belief in their good effect upon society'. lie has 
no political aspirations and no party connection, 
being strictly independent in the use of the elective 
franchise. The character an<l ability of the man 
outweighs in his mind an^- question of party 
polic}'. In social and domestic life Mr. DeWill is 
considerate and agreeable and in business affairs he 
is honorable and trustworthy. 



ZKKIEL J. COOK. One of the men who 
has dared and done so much in the interest 
of the County of Shiawassee is the gentle- 
man whose name heads this sketch and who at 
present lives on section 7, Owosso Township, lie 
was born on the ohl homestead on section 1, Ben- 
nington Township, October 13, 183!). His parents 
were Ezekiel and Barbara Ann (Hodge; Cook, the 
former a native of Rhode Island. His grandfather 
was Seth Cook, also of Rhode Island. Mr. Cook's 
mother was horn in Pennsylvania and married in 
Oakland County. 

Our subject's father came from Oakland t'ounly 




in the fall of 1837, when lie secured a qua.ter- 
section of land upon which he lived until his wife's 
death, January 20, 1874. Her natal day w.as 
November 28, 1808. Our subject's father died 
March 12, 1881, his birth having t.aken place De- 
cember 1 G, 1 71)8. Previous to his marriage willi 
the Lady aliovo named I\Ir. Cook was united Nt)veni- 
ber 14, 1822, to Drusilla Castle, who was born 
November 16, 1801, and died September 9, 1833, 
in Oakland Count}-. His marriage with our sub- 
ject's mother took place February 20, 1834, in 
Oakland County. He had settled in this county 
just before his first marriage, coming hither from 
Rochester, N. Y. 

I\Ir. Cook had several children by his first wife. 
The}' are Chancy C. who died in Saginaw Count}', in 
1888; Elizabeth D., married Edward Curliss and 
lived in Owosso, having departed this life in A|iril, 
1889; Drusilla, widow of Walter (Jammon of 
Sacramento County, C.al. The second family of 
children are as follows: Seth is a citizen of the 
township; Anna, who became Mrs. Hugh Cooper, 
at present resides in Riley County, Kan.; Ezekiel; 
Albert J. is a professor of entomology, at the State 
Agricultural College of Lansing. 

The gentleman of whom we write liveil on the 
farm until his wife's death and there continued 
with Ezekiel, Jr., until his own death. In politics 
Mr. Cook was a follower of the Republican \)\at- 
form. He was connected with the Baptist Church 
of which he had been a leader for many years, 
having assisted in the organization of the Majilc 
River Baptist Church. For j'ears he took a prom- 
inent position in the locality in which he lived and 
was recognized by all as a man to be depended 
upon in any case of emergency. He was progres- 
sive in all things and st)ught to introduce into his 
agricultural life any feature that would lead lo im- 
provement. He was the first man to introduce 
Durham stock into the county and he only bred the 
finest bloodeil animals. He took an active part in 
the Agricultural Association and encouraged hia 
fellow farmers lo ever strive for a better display. 
At the lime of his death he owned four hundred 
acres of land. 

t)ur subject's son and namesake, Ezekiel, re 
mained at home until he became of age. He attended 



314 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



the Agricultural College for two years, having 
taught at the age of twent}' and after his majority 
having continued in educational work for five con- 
secutive winters, working on Ihe farm in the sum- 
mer. By popular vote he was made County 
Superintendent of Schools and as such has ilis- 
charged the duties incident to the position most 
satisfactorily for three years. He resigned, how- 
ever, before the expiration of his term on account 
of his mother's death. He has since lived on the 
farm. On June 14, 1866, he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Anna Benjamin, who was born in 
Oakland County February 10, 1843. Her parents 
were Miles and Anna (Norman) Benjamin, the 
former a native of Syracuse, N. Y., the latter of 
Connecticut. Ezekiel Cook, Jr., is the father of a 
fine family: Charles B., born June 17, 1867; Clay- 
ton T., born April 1 1,1871 ; will graduate in the class 
of 1891 at the Agricultural College at Lansing, 
Eddy J., born May 20, 1874, died at the age of 
four months. The eldest son was graduated in the 
class of 1888 at the Agricultural College and be- 
came an assistant in the department of entomology. 






-g^'. 

-S)^^ 



s/y 



■^OHN W. OUTCALT, the present Supervisor 
of Olive Township, Clinton County, owns 
and occupies a tract of two hundred and 
forty acres. He was born in LaGrange 
County, Ind., February 2, 1840, and is the eldest 
of three children born to William and Mary A. 
(Richard) Outcalt. His father was born in Portage 
County, Ohio, April 10, 1813, and in 1836 went to 
Indiana, where he had previously bought land. The 
country in which he located was sparseh' settled 
and much of the land was undeveloped. He cleared 
and improved a farm, living upon it until 1854, 
when he came to Clinton County and bought a 
partly improved tract in Olive Township. Here 
lie died in 1869. He was Highway Commissioner 
of Olive Township nine years. The patronymic 
indicates the German extraction of the family aud 
in the Eastern States the first American home was 
made. Mrs. Outcalt died in tiie Buckeye State. 
Our subject had but limited educational privi- 



leges, his attendance being confined to the district 
school and mostly prior to entering his teens. The 
time that he spent in the schoolroom after that age 
was used to good advantage, as after being at work 
for a time he better appreciated educational priv- 
ileges. When about thirteen j'ears old he became 
a driver for a dealer in Wolcottville, hauling grain 
from that place to Ft. Wayne and bringing goods 
back. He was about fourteen when his father 
came to this State, and after the family was settled 
he spent some farther time in school here. He be- 
gan the battle of life for himself in 1866, when he 
purchased eighty acres of wild land in Fairfield 
Township, Shiawassee County. He built a log 
house in the woods and made that his home three 
years, while laboring hard to improve his property. 
The ill-health of the father caused him to return 
to the homestead, the care of which was relinquished * 
to him. Here he has remained, carr}'ing ou his 
work with zeal and energy. 

In the fall of 1863 Mr. Outcalt became a sol- 
dier, enlisting in Compan}' I, Twenty-seventh 
Michigan Infanlr}'. Under the command of Col. 
A. B. Wood, he took up the duties of a defender 
of the Union. The heaviest engagements in which 
he took part were the battles of the Wilderness, 
Cold Harbor, Grove Church and the fight on the 
Weldon Railroad south of Petersbuig, but on 
many other fields he displayed equal devotion to 
his country. At Weldon Railroad he was struck 
by a rifle ball which shattered one of the bones in 
his right leg below the knee, so that several pieces 
were taken out. He lay in Ilarwood Hospital at 
Washington for some time. His wound was re- 
ceived June 18, 1864, at which time he held the 
rank of Corporal but was acting as Lieutenant. 
He was discharged April 18, 1865, and resumed 
the peaceful occupation of farming. 

In 1866 Mr. Outcalt was married to Miss Betsej' 
Gage, with whom he lived happily until 1884, when 
she was called from time to etcrnit3'. She was a 
native of Rose Township, Oakland Count}'. In 
1886 Mr. Outcalt contracted a second matrimonial 
alliance, wedding Miss Roxie Merrihew, a native 
of the township in wiiich they are now living, and 
a well-respected, capable lady. She is a member 
in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal 



"f^ 



1 





C t 




nj 



£^a^ 



V, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



317 



Church. Mr. Outcalt has been Highway Commis- 
sioner six years and Township Treasurer one year. 
In both capacities he acted for the good of those 
wlio gave him tlieir suffrages, and as Supervisor 
he is now disciiarging his otlicial duties in a crcil- 
itablc manlier. 



,,.., LLEN BEARD, a prominent and wealthy 
3/ul i farmer whose fine farm and elegant resi- 




lli dcnce are an ornanienl to the comnuuiity, 
was the first settler in Antrim Township, 
Shiawassee County. A native of Ontario County, 
N. Y., he was born January- 11, 1810. His father, 
Joshua, was born February 8, 178C, near llagers- 
town, Md., and when fifteen years old removed 
from that State to New York with his parents. He 
lived and died in Yates County, completing his 
life work March 21, 1864. He was a prominent 
man and connected with the Baptist Church, being 
a liberal contributor and an earnest worker in the 
same, as was also his wife, Martha (Blake) Beard, 
who was born in August, 1700, in Saratoga, X. Y., 
and died in 1852. Nine of Mieir eleven children 
grew to maturity, and five are now living. The 
grandfather of our subject, Adam Beard, was of 
German descent and came from Baltimore soon 
after the Revolutionary War. 

Our subject, wlio was the eldest of the family, 
was reared upon the farm and educated in the dis- 
trict schools, after which he took two terms in an 
academj' at Penn Yan, the count}' seat of Y'ates 
County, which was formed from parts of Ontario 
and Steuben Counties, N. Y. In the 3earl832, 
being then in his twenty-second year, ho took a 
trip down the Alleghany River to Pittsburg, and 
thence down the Ohio to Cincinnati, visiting friends 
in Ohio and prospecting through the country. He 
returned home by w.iy of Lake Erie. In 1833 he 
rented a farm for one year and in November, 
1834, he started with a team of horses for Ohio, 
and arriving in what is now Willoughby, re- 
mained until April, 183G, when he set out for 
Michigan. 

Arriving in the Wolverine State, our subject 



left his family at Lodi, in Washtenaw Count}', 
while he came on prospecting into Shiawassee 
County. He linally selected his present farm, and 
going to the land oflice in Detroit, filed his appli- 
cation, and in time received his deeds, signed by 
President Xan Buren. Building his log shautj' 
and bringing on his faniil\-, he became the lone 
white settler of Antrim Township, and the only 
one for miles aiound. He had to cut his way 
through the woods, felling trees and wading or 
bridging good-sized streams. Deer, bears, wolves, 
and other wild animals abounded. Indians were 
abundant and used often to come to him to ex- 
change venison for tlour. He was familiarly ac- 
quainted with many of the red men. He cleared 
a small spot and turned the first furrow in the 
townsiiip, which he afterward helped to oi'ganize, 
for other families soon followed him and it became 
necessary to have an organization. As soon .as he 
had raised products from his new farm, he went to 
Detroit to market what he did not need for the 
faTuily. He has cleared and improved some three 
hundred acres of land. 

Hannah Arnot was the maiden name of the lady 
who became Mrs. Beard in 1H32. She was born in 
Ontario Count}', N. Y., September 2, 1810, and 
died August 26, 1843. Four children graced this 
marriage: Martha, the wife of (leorge 'I'ylei', who 
lives in Morris; Byron, a prominent farmer in the 
township; Charles F., who was a member of the 
Twenty-third Michigan Infantry and was killed in 
the engagement at Camjibeirs Station during the 
late war; and Mary E., who is also deceased. The 
second marri.agc of Jlr. Beard occurred in 1848, 
when he was united with Charlotte Thompson, of 
New York, who is still living. She became the 
mother of eight children, namely: Allen, deceased; 
.loshua, Walter, Elnora; .lohn, a fanner in the vi- 
cinity; Abraham L., who is the jiresent incumbent 
of the ollice of County Clerk; Sarepta, the wife 
of George Honniker; and George, a farmer. 

Mr. Heard cast his first Presidential vote for 
Andrew Jackson and when Lincoln was a candi- 
date he voted for him, but he has since cast his 
ballot with the Democratic party. He has filled 
for a series of years the offices of Postmaster and 
.lustice of the Pe.ace. He had at one time a tract 



318 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of land comprising about nine hundred acres, but 
having made generous provision for liis children, 
he has now about three or four huiulied acres left. 
This is all the result of his undaunted industry 
and enterprise, as wiieu he came to Michigan he 
had only his Icaui and wagon. He has raised Dur- 
ham cattle and takes an interest in line wool sheep 
and has dealt considerably in lands, having owned 
in all probability three thousand acres. He is one 
of the original members of the Pioneer Society, 
and although now on the shady side of life is the 
active raaiiager of his own farm. 

The many friends of Air. Beard will be pleased 
to notice his portrait on anoiher page. 



— 5-+#=^^=i-!-l— 



VwJ OHN W. POLLARD, M. D. The publish- 
I ers of this Aluum would fail in their pur- 
j pose of representing the notable members 
I of the various comnuitiities, were they to 
omit mention of Dr. Pollard, who is one of the 
most prominent medical men of St. John's, Clinton 
Conty. For one so young he has .acquired a repu- 
tation extremely creditable to his ability as shown 
in the practical work which he has done, particu- 
larly in those departments of which he makes a 
specialty. While versed in general medical knowl- 
edge, he pays particular attention to diseases of 
women and children and to those of the eye, nose 
and throat. It was his desire from boyhood to 
become a physician and surgeon, and he made 
excellent preparation, first grounding himself well 
in Knglish branches such as are useful to every 
man, and then entering one of the best medical 
schools in the country .and taking a Ihorongh 
course of training there. 

Before giving the principal facts in tlic life of 
Dr. I'oUard it may be well to speak of those from 
whom he derived his being, as by so doing we will 
I'ain an insight into his natural abilities. His pa- 
ternal grandfather was born in Kngland and after 
emigrating settled in North Carolina, where he 
followed an agricultural life. He was a soldier in 
the War of 1812. George Pollard, father of the 
Doctor, was born and reared in North Carolina and 



when a young man went to Kentucky and married 
there. His wife was Eliza Hoanl, who was born 
near the Mammoth Cave and was a daughter of 
Stillman Hoard, a A'irginian, who after living in 
Kentucky some 3'ears went to Missouri and died 
there. Mr. Pollard removed to Illinois and was 
one of the early settlers in Douglas County, loca- 
ting on new land and finally becoming the owner of 
two hundred a)id eighty acres in Oakland Town- 
ship. In his boyhood he had become a millwright 
and worked at his trade for some years after his 
removal to the Mississippi Valley-. He was a first- 
class mechanic and had a great deal of work to do. 
He was a prominent and oHicial member of the 
Christian Church and was one of the most highly 
respected citizens. He died in 1881. 

Tlie family of the couple above mentioned con- 
sisted of seven children ami .lohn W. is next to 
the youngest. He was born .July 8, 1S60, in Illinois, 
and reared on the farm, spending what time he 
couM in study and when nineteen years old begin- 
ning to leauli. He was a graduate of the Tuscola 
High School and immediately after finishing the 
course there began professional work, and for three 
years and a half was a Principal, first in Hines- 
borough and next in Ogden. At the same time he 
took up the study of medicine under the guidance 
of Dr. J. P. McOeeof Tuscola, and in 1883 he en- 
tered l\ush Medical College in Chicago. He worked 
his own wa3' through school, and two years after 
going to Rush was graduated with the degree of 
Doctor of Medicine. He opened an office in Nor- 
wich, Kan., and remained thereuntil 1888, when he 
came to St. John's and married Mrs. Athelia Nel- 
son, daughter of J. Stitt and widow of C. C. Nelson 
a merchant here. This lad}' was born in Canada. 
Her wedded life was brief, as she died of la grippe, 
January 14, 1890. 

The fall after his marriage Dr. Pollard entered 
the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery 
and the next year left that institution, having had 
the same degree which he had gained at Rush 
conferred upon him. He at once began practice 
in St. John's where he has a constantly increasing 
number of calls and already the demands upon his 
time are greater than is usually the case after so 
short a residence. He has a thorough understand- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



319 



ing of his profession, and is one of those ambitious 
young men, who are not content without frequent 
and earnest efforts to keep up wilb the limes and 
advance in mental growtli. In 1891 lie took a 
polyclinical degree in Chicago, iiaving investigated 
different lines of surgical work and better fitted 
himself for carrying on business its an oculist, 
aurist and laryngolocist, etc. While he was living 
in Kansas ho was surgeon on the Santa Fc Railroad. 

On March 29, 1891, Dr. Pollard contracted a 
second matrimonial alliance, the ceremony taking 
place in St. John's. The bride was Miss Elinor 
Caldwell, daughter of the late Roland Caldwell, 
who was born in Canada near Hamilton and is a 
graduate of Hamilton University. She is a lady of 
unusual culture and refinement, with fine tastes and 
an intense love for tiie beautiful. Her home is or- 
derly and tastefully- adorned, and her social quali- 
ties and noble character secure the warm friendship 
of those who become acquainted with her; she is a 
member of the Episcopal Church. 

Dr. Pollard is interested in social orders and is 
identified with several lodges in'St. John's — those of 
the Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor and United 
Workmen. He is a member of the Clinton County 
and State Medical Societies and makes good use of 
the current periodicals devoted to physics and 
surgery, as well as ever^' opportunity which comes 
in his way of consultation with other practitioners. 
His political support is given to the Democratic 
party. The attention of the reader is invited to a 
lilliogra|)hic portrait of the Doctor presented on 
another page of tlii.s volume. 

IRAM DAVIS, deceased, a well-to-do far- 
mer of Rush Township, Shiawassee County, 
whose furm is on section 14, was born in 
_ Delaware County, N. Y., November 9, 1813. 
He was the son of a New York farmer, Samuel Davis 
who was born in 1780, and who married, in 1802, 
Sarah ISerry, a native of New York, born 'n Feb- 
ruary 1786. Samuel Davis had a common school 
education and purchased a farm in Delaware Coun- 
ty his native Slate. Five daughlurs and .seven sons 




constitute the family which came to bless him and his 
good wife. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 
and in 1856 he came to Miciiigan and located in 
Shiawassee County. Less than a decade cumprised 
the life of himself and wife in the new home as he 
was bereaved of that companion Decembers, 1863 
and he followed her lo their eternal home, January 
19, of the next year. They were both earnest and 
devoted members of the Presbjterian Church. 

Iliram Davis upon reaching his majority began 
life ill the good old fashioned way b}- taking to 
himself a helpmate in the person of Elizabeth M. 
Harder, a daughter of Nicholas P. anil Margaret 
(Snyder) Harder. Dr. and Mrs. Harder were na- 
tives of Columbia County, N.Y., and llie parents of 
six children, three sons and three daughters, of 
whom Elizabeth is the eldest, being born August 1, 
1814. In 1S37 the Davis family came by way of 
Buffalo to Detroit and thence to Shiawassee Coun- 
ty, Mich., and settled on eighty acres of land, one 
linlf mile west of what is now Bennington Station. 
Mr. Davis was the first man to drive a team from 
Benningum to Owosso, having to cut a road upon 
which to travel. The trip from Pontiac to Ben- 
nington at that time t^iok five days. 

Mr. and Mrs. Davis lived in Bennington till 1843 
when they removed to Vernon and in 1850 made 
their home in St. Charles, Saginaw County, but re- 
turned to Shiawassee Countj' in 1854 and in 187G 
came from Shiawassee Township to Rush Township, 
and bought one hundred and seventy-five acres of 
land on section 14. It was then nearlj' all wild 
land but is now wcll-imprnvcd and in fine condi- 
tion. 

Mr. Davis died here in 1882. He was a Repub- 
lican in his [)olitical views and was Township Treas- 
urer in Clieseiiing, Saginaw County. Nine children 
were born lo him and his good wife, two sons and 
seven daughters, namely: Sarah, who became the 
wife of Freeman Lylle of St. Charles; .laneC, wife 
of Fordyce Potter of Durand, Mich.; Samuel A. I., 
who died June 11, 1855; Delia M. wife of Stephen 
Nonon and lives on the old farm in Rush Townshii) 
with her husband and one son Marcus \'.; Mary A., 
wife of Edwin Ilosmer of Brady, .Saginaw Count}-; 
Janett, wife of Ilarver Johnson of Ingersoll. Mid- 
land County; Emily E., wife of L. P. Smedle}' of 



320 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Durand; Nicholas, who is married and living in 
Spottsylvania County, Va., and Luella, wife of Ira 
Johnson of Rush Township. Mrs. Davis lives on 
the farm and has one hundred and sixty aeres of 
fine land. She is a devoted and useful memher of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Henderson. 



I 



'LLIOTT Y. SMITH, the local freight and 

passenger agent at Owosso, Shiawassee 

I County for the Micliigan Central llailroail, 

is a native of New York, being horn July 5, 1844, 
in Walerlown, Jefferson County. Ho is tiie fourth 
in a family of seven children of Martin and Mi- 
nerva (Spaulding) Smith, the father being a native 
of New York, born near Lake Champlain, and a 
son of Jonathan Smith, a native of ScoUand who 
came to the Ignited States when a young man, mak- 
ing his home in Saratoga County, N. Y. The 
mother of our subject is the daughter of Jared 
Spaulding who was a cloth dyer by trade. His 
death occurred in the State of New York at the age 
of fifty-eight years. Martin Smith was a carriage- 
maker by trade and later in life followed farming, 
spending a inunljer of years in Genesee County, 
Mich., and dying in 1872 in his fifty-fifth year 
from injuries received by being thrown in front of 
a reaper and being badly cut. His wife is still liv- 
ing in Littleton, Iowa. 

The school days of our subject passed in New 
York State, and he also attended the Pleasant 
Grove Seminary in Iowa. In 1802 lie responded 
to the call for more troops and enlisted in Com- 
pany C, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, where he 
was then living, as his father removed to that 
Slate when tlie boy was about twelve years old. 
His Colonel was James I. Gilbert. The regiment 
was sent to Minnesota to quell the Indian troubles, 
after which they were ordered to Tennessee and t.lie 
far South and took part in the battles of Corinth, 
luka, Chickamauga, Vicksburg, Meridian, Pleasant 
Hill, Tupelo, Old Tower Creek, Old Lake, and 
other conflicts. He was wounded at Pleasant Hill 
and also at Nashville, and was mustered out of 
service in August, 18G5 having serve<l three years. 



Returning to Iowa, Mr. Smith engaged in farm- 
ing and continued thus employed until 1870, when 
he went to work in the lumbering industry for two 
years in the North Woods. After this he came to 
Owosso, Mich., in 1872, and began railroading, 
being first employed as baggageman for the Michi- 
gan Central Railroad in Owosso. In a short time 
he was assigned to the station at Owosso Junction 
as joint agent in charge of the offices of the Mich- 
igan Central and Detroit (irand Haven and Mil- 
waukee Railroads. In November 1888, he took 
charge of tiic i)assenger and freight business in 
Owosso for the Michigan Central Railroad. 

The marriage of Elliott Smith and Miss Hattie 
Sliatto of Flushing, Mich., took |)lace in Septem- 
ber, 1872. Mrs. Smith is a native of Ohio and her 
birthplace was Youngstown. She is a daugiiter of 
John Shatto who dicil in the service of his country 
during the Civil War. Mr. Smith has for four 
years been the Alderman from the Fourth AVard. 
He is a Representative member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, and is Post Commander of 
Quackenbush Post, No. 205. He is a member of 
the Board of Education and acts as its Secretary. 
At his pleasant residence at No. 52.5 West Main 
Street, a wliole hearted hospitality is extended by 
Mr. Smitli and las amiable wife. 

LBERT PIERSON, a well-known citizen 
of Eureka, Clinton County, is a native of 

I (B Essex County N. J., where he was born 
1^ October 13, 1817. His parents, Silas and 

Phebe (Davis) Pierson, were natives of New Jer- 
sey^ of which State the Pierson family is one of the 
old and well known families. The maternal grand- 
father, Joseph Davis, was a soldier^in the Revolu- 
tionary War and did effective service through that 
period of contlict. 

Of seven children born to Silas and Phebe Pier- 
son, the following have lived to manliood: Oliver, 
Albert, Harriet, Silas, Walter, and Charlotte. 
These boys grew ui) in their native county, and 
their father being a carpenter and joiner, tiicy 
learned much is his line of work. When about 





w - 





PORTRAFT A-SD BJOGRAIMIICAL ALBUM. 



323 



oijjlite<'ii years old, Albert bcsjan learninji; the li.ir- 
ness-niaking Iraile and served an apprentieesliii) at 
this for nearly three years. After having reached 
his majority he removed with his parents to the re- 
gion whieh is now included in Morrow County, 
Ohio, and resided there for several years. 

It was in Ohio that the yonng man met and mar- 
ried his lirst wife, Lucy .1. Linseott, who became 
Mrs. I'ierson in 1841, and and died in 1888. His 
m.arriage with his present wife took i>iace December 
19, 1890. Before her marriage with him she was 
the widow of John Fesler, late of Eaton County, 
Jlich. This lady who bore the maiden name of 
Ellen (iale, is a native of Canada, being born near 
London, Ontario, January 13, 1844. Her father 
was Captain Charles Gale who sailed on the Great 
Lakes. He is a native of Chicago, III., r.nd is said 
to be the oldest white man now living, who was 
born in that great city. He now lives in Ontario. 
Her mother was a native of Pennsylvania of Ger- 
man descent. When two years old Mrs. Pierson 
moved with her parents to Cleveland, Ohio, and 
there grew to womanhood. She married John Fes- 
ler in Gratiot County, this State, November 30, 
185!). and by him became llie mother of eight 
children, six of whom are now living, namely: 
Charles, Lena, Ida, Nellie, Gussie and Etta. 

Mr. Pierson came to Michigan in 1833, and lo- 
cated in Gratiot County, in Washington Township, 
in the unl)roki'n woods. Ho busied himself in clear- 
ing t!u' land I'ud cultivating it. He was one of the 
first settlers and built the second log iiouse in his 
towushi|i. He look his land from the (iovernnient 
paying ^1.25 per acre, lie Miiilerwe'it the usual 
hardships of pioneer life and heliied to turn tiu; 
wilderness into a prosperous farming community, 
lie moved lo luireka in March, 1886, and has since 
resided in that village. Hesidcs what he (jwns 
here he has eighty acres of lan<l in (iratiot County. 

l'>olh iMr. and Mrs. Pierson are earnest and etlic- 
ient nuimbeis of the Christian Church and are ac- 
tive factors in all social ent"ri)rises. He is public- 
spirited and enterprising, and interested in botli 
national and local political movements, being a 
Uepid)lican in his views formerly but now works 
and acts with tiie Prohibition party, having lost all 
faith in the old parties. The parents of Mrs. Pier- 



son reared a family of nine children and no death 
occurred in the family, until September, 1889, when 
one of the sons died. Of their six daughters all 
but one married men by the Christian name of 
John and four of them are now widows. The fa- 
ther is now seventy-four years old and the mother 
sixt^'-six and tlu'y celebrated their Golden Wedd 
ing April 7, 1891. 



i^-V- 



^^ 




ON. GEORGE M. DEWEY. Among the 
men who have helped to mold |)ublic opin- 
ion, both as educators an<l through the pub- 
'(^' lie press, we are pleased lo present the 
])<jr(rait and give a sketch of the life of the gentle- 
man whose name introduces these paragraphs. 
This citizen of Owosso and former editor of the 
Owosso Times, was liorn in Lebanon, Grafton 
County, N. H., Febnuiry 11, 1832, and is a son of 
Granville and Harriet B. (Freeman) Dewey, both 
natives of the same phici', where their son Grst saw 
the light. The mother was born in the same room 
which afterward was the birthplace of her son. 
The grandfather of our subject was .Martin Dewey 
and the great-grandfatlier Elijah Dewey, who set- 
tled in Lebanon ai a very early day, was of Eng- 
lish i)arentage. 

The mother of George M. Dewey was a direct 
descendant of the Plymouth Pilgrims and in the 
direct line of that branch of the Standish family 
which settled in Connecticut. (irauviile, the 
father of our subject, was a soldier In the War <i( 
1812 and was a farmer by occupation, residing on 
the old homestead which had been handed down 
for generations, from father to son. His dc.itli oc- 
curred January 27, 1840. 

The subject of this sketch puisued his earl\ 
studies with great assiduity and when still quite 
young went to Lowi II. Mass., for further educa- 
tional advantages and was graduatcti from llie 
high school there in IHK;. After this he was era- 
ployed by CliarU's E. Smith im an astronomic d 
ex|)edition in South America, wiiich consumed 
about eighteen months. Returning to Lowill he 
undertook teaching, which profession he pursui'd 



324 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



for over three years in the East, after which he 
came West in 1852 and taught for some time. 

Tlic f»-ood repoits made by travelers of tlie fer- 
tile land and fine cJimate of Michigan attracted Mr. 
Dewey hither in 1854, and coming to Berrien 
County, he taught for a year. Here he made so 
enviable a reputation among instructors as to re- 
ceive the appointment of Deputy Superintendent 
of Public Instruction at Lansing. Tliis position 
he filled for eighteen montlis and then tendered his 
resignation, having decided to enter ujion a differ- 
ent branch of work. 

The newspaper business [jroved attractive to the 
young man and he undertook the management of 
the Niles EiKjuin^r, which he carried on for nine 
years successfully. Afterward lie purchased tlie 
Hep lib lien II Bdiincr at Ilnslings, liarry County, and 
edited it for fifteen years. In 1881 he came to 
Owosso and bought the Owosso Times, which he 
afterward incorijorated as a slock company and 
held iiis connection with this paper until l.SilO. 

Mr. Dewey has been connected witii |nil)lic af- 
fairs to a considerable extent ever since coming 
into Uie State and through Ihe medium of the press 
exerted a wide political influence. He 1ms also un- 
usual ability as a stump si)eak(!rand has often taken 
the stump lioth in Micliigan and other Stales for 
the causes of temperance and the Rei)ublican i>arty. 
EIc slumped the States of New York, New Hamp- 
shire, Illinois and New Jersey, making speeches for 
temperance and in defense of Republican princi- 
ples. He has made from one to two thousand 
speeches during his public career. He was Grand 
Master of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of 
Micliigan in 1888-89. In 1886 he became a mem- 
ber of the Grand Council of the Royal Templars 
of Temperance. In 187-2 the Sixteenth District 
of Michigan honored itself by electing this gentle- 
man Stale Senator and he served in the sesnons of 
1873-74. He was one of the delegates who or- 
ganized the Republican party "un<ler the oaks" at 
Jackson, Mich., July C, 1854. 

Mr. Dewey's marriage. May 28, 1857, with Miss 
Emma Bingham, of Niles, was a union which has 
resulted in a life of great domestic happiness. 
This lady is a native of Ohio, born in Malioning 
County, that Stale, and a daughter of the late 



Judge Lemuel Bingham, of Niles, who was a native 
of Connecticut. To Mr. and INIrs. Dewey have 
been granted six children, all but one of whom 
have grown to years which are proving their inher- 
itance of the bright intellectual traits and admira- 
ble social qualities of their parents: Hattie, the 
eldest, is deceased; Edmund O. is now one of the 
editors of the Shiawassee Times, the leading Re- 
publican paper of this section; Henry B. is a grad- 
uate of the Stale University and now Superintend- 
ent of the Schools of Shiawassee Count}'; Emma 
G. is Assistant Principal in the Owosso High 
School and was a student in Wellesley College, 
Mass.; George M., Jr., is a cadet in the United 
Stales ftlilitary Academy at West Point; while 
Mary Hannah is still a student in the Owosso pub- 
lic schools. The |ile.isanl family residence on Park 
and Oliver Streets is a center of true social life and 
hospitality. 

— -i^m — 

AUTIN D. COMSTOCK. So niaiiy of 
New York's sons are found in the Western 
Slates who have made a success in mercan. 
tile life that its representatives are always 
expected to be men of prominence and position. 
Tiie gentleman of whom we write was lien at On- 
ondaga County, N. Y., September IG, 1845. He 
is a son of Orange and Rhoda (Dunlap) Comstock. 
who were natives of the same Slate and county 
that our subject was born in. 

Our subject's father died in the county in which 
he lived for so many years in New York in the 
spring of 1858. He had been a farmer all his life 
and his efforts in agriculture bad been rewarded, 
so that at the time of his decease lie left his family 
in verj' comfortable circumstances. Although he 
was quite a prominent Whig, he had no ambition, 
whatever, to hold office. He was a son of Jude 
and Patty Comstock, natives of New York and as 
the name would indicate, they were of Scotch- 
Irish extraction. Our subject's mother married for 
her second husband John Lowry, who was then 
living at Lodi Plains, Washtenaw County, this 
Stale. They moved to Shiawassee County, Mich., 
in 1826 and settled in Burns Township, where 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALP.U.Ai 



325 



Mr. Lowry died. Mrs. Lowry was again mar- 
ried, this time to Porter Sbernuui of Livingston 
Coimly. wIk) is also deceased. Slic now resides in 
HancToft, tliis Slate at tiie age of I'ixty-uiglit ^ears, 
is t!ie only surviving parent of six children, viz: 
ftLirtin, George, Martha, Maitin I)., Eugene ami 
Adella. The lady had no children \>y her seconi) 
and t' ird marriages. 

Our suhject was reared in his native town and 
county on his fatlier's farm and received the ad- 
vantages of a good common-school education. In 
the si)ring of 18(51 he came to Loili Plains, Wash- 
tenaw County, this .State, and there lived until 
September, 18G2, when he joined the army as Cor- 
poral in Company IL Twentieth Michigan Iiifan- 
try\ then commanded by Colonel Williams, of Lans- 
ing. His regiment joined the Ninth Army Curp:; 
under General Buriiside and their first engagement 
was at South Mountain. The next conflict in which 
Mr. Coinstock particii)ated was at Antielam, fol- 
lowed by that of Warrenton -Junction, after which 
time they continued lighting and skirmishing along 
the line until they readied Fredericksburg, where 
they were in time for the engagement. Prom 
Fredericksburg they went to Fortress Monroe and 
from there came back to 'I'ennessee and joined the 
Army of the Tennessee. 

The siege of Vicksburg and that of Knoxville 
under the presiding genius of the immortal (Jrant, 
was an experience that our subject had in conini'.ni 
with many of the brave men who dared to (int 
their lives in balance with the chances of war. He 
W!i8 also in tlie battle of the Wilderness and from 
that time on his company was engaged in lighting 
and skirmishing until Lee's surrender, in A|)ril, 
18G'). The war record of our subject is a long one 
and a most honorable one, in that he was engaged 
in some of tin; most decisive battles of llu" late wa;. 
He was mustered out and received his final (lis 
charge at .lackson, Mich., in June, 18(j.^. Duiing 
the three years in which he served in the Army he 
was never wounded or taken prisoner. 

After the war Mr. Comstock came to IJurns 
Township, Shiawassee County, where he purdiased 
one hundred and sixty acres of wdd land on sec- 
tion 25. It bad no improvements, whatever, and 
the work of chiaring, building, planting aiiil reap- 



ing were before him, but with energy he set about 
accomplishing the hard task of making the wiUler- 
ness bloom and blossom as the rose and now owns 
one of the Quest farms in the county. 

He lived on this farm until the spring of 1883, 
when lie came to Hyron and lived about eighteen 
mouths. He then moved to Bancroft, where he 
lived until 1885, but finding the bold of old asso- 
ciations and friends strong upon him, he returned 
to liyroii where he has since resided. He followed 
the stock business, buying and selling for the mct- 
roi)olitan market for about fifteen years. He also 
engaged in the hardware business in Hyron in the 
fall of 1887. His beautiful farm in the near neigli- 
liorhood claims much of his time and attention. 

Like most of our successful business men .Mr. 
Comstock had small pio[)erty to begin life on, but 
this was rioubtless not a disadvantage to him. He 
is a Ui'publican in polities, but has never held of- 
fice. Like most of the old soldiers, he is a Grand 
Army man and belongs to I). G. Koyce Post, No. 
117, at Byron. In the fall of 186G Miss Helen 
Runyan of Vernon Township, Shiawassee County, 
became Mrs. Martin Comstock. Her native Slate 
is New York, Oneida County, and she is a daughter 
of John and Margaret (Van Lou) Runyan. Three 
children came to bless the home of our sub- 
ject and his wife. Tliej- are Lilly, Orange and Guy 
E., of whom Guy K.. is the only surviving child. 



^-IK^- 



mi 



^w'EROME W. TlKNKR.a prominent attorpey 
of Owosso, is a native of the (ireen Moun- 
tain Slate, ii.xviiig been born in Sheldon, 
/ FranUlir County, .lanuary 25, 183G. He is 
the only son of the Hon. .losiah Turner, an emi- 
nent lawyer of Alichigau. ami was for over a ipiar- 
ter of a century Judge of i.his Judicial Circuit. 
As a leading Repiihlicin he has always been pidiii- 
incnt in the ranks (if his parly. He is now I'liitcd 
Slates Consul at Amherslburg, Canada. He was 
born in X'ermoiit in 1811 and was a grandson of 
Josiah Turner, whose ancestors were of English de- 
scent. The mother, Eveline Ellsworth, also a 
native of the same State and of Enylish de.scinl, 



326 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



was born iu 1817 and was a daughter of Dr. Wil- 
liam Ellsworth. 

Jerome W. Turner removed with his [wrents 
from Vermont to Howell, Livingston County, Mich., 
when a little child of three years and grew to 
manhood in this State, taking his early education 
in the village schools and later attending Nortii- 
ville Academy in Wayne County. He took a 
course also at the academy of Lodi, Mich., and then 
entered the State University in 1853, graduating in 
the literary department in 1857. He read law with 
Judge F. C. Whipple in 1857 and was admitted to 
the bar before the close of that 3 ear. Mr. Turner 
associated himself with Judge Wlii[iple but some- 
what later removed to Sliiawassec County and in 
1860 located at Owosso, which lie has made his 
permanent home. 

In 1857 our subject was united in marriage with 
Martha F. Gregory, of Howell, Mich., a daughter 
of the Rev. E. E. ( iregory. Mrs. Turner is a native 
of Michigan, born in Saline, Washtenaw Count}' 
and a lady of rich and varied accomplishments. To 
their seven sons and one daughter these parents 
have given a superior education and three of the 
sons have followed the father in entering the pro- 
fession of law. They are named as follows: Jerome 
E., Willard J., Charles G., Edward E., Horace B., 
Ellsworth P., Milo P., Eveline J., wife of W. E. 
Decker. 

Mr. Turner was elected State Senator for the 
district composed of the counties of Shiawassee and 
Livingston and was re-elected by a good majorit}-. 
He was <lelegate to the Democratic National Con- 
vention at Cincinnati which nominated Hancock, 
and also to tlie one at Chicago when Cleveland was 
nominated. He was Post Office Inspector during 
Cleveland's Administration for the Sixth Inspection 
District, headcpiarters at Chicago. The district 
comiirised six States with Illinois about the center. 
He was elected Ma^-or of the city of Owosso in 
187'J. He was also appointed, in 1864, First As- 
sistant Paymaster in the United States Army, for 
two years, with headquarters at Louisville, Ky. 
Both he and his wife are members of the Congre- 
gational Church, lu 1863 he was appointed Adju- 
tant of the Thirtieth Michigan Infantry, which was 
stationed on the Canadian borders, at Ft. Gr.atiot, 



Mich. The services which this distinguished gen- 
tleman has rendered in his official life entitle him 
to the admiration and honor which he receives and 
makes him what he must ever remain, one of the 
most highly respected members of society in 
Owosso. 




UGUSTUS BAIN. Among the intelligent 
fanners of Shiawassee County this gentle- 
man has a place which he has gained by 
industrious, intelligent efforts and an up- 
life. His home is on section 35, Owosso 
Township, and he and his estimable wife are realiz- 
ing as great enjo^'ment as often falls to the lot of 
humanity. They have an abundance of worldly 
goods, and are not harrassed by pecuniar}' vexa- 
tions, but are able to enjoj' every reasonable [ileas- 
sure, and rejoice in the association of family anil 
friends. 

Mr. Bain was born in Cohnnbia County, N. Y., 
March 17, 18^7, and is the seventh child of Peter 
P. and Mary (Millei) Bain. His father was the 
son of Peter McBain, a Scotchman, whose succes- 
sors droi)pcd the prefix and retained onl}' the final 
syllable of their patronymic. Both parents were 
born in the Empire State, and when Augustus was 
ten years old removed from their earlier home to 
Yates County, whe''e they spent the remainder of 
their lives. Their .lOme was on a farm until less 
than a decade before the husb.and died, after which 
date he was established in the grocer}' trade in Penn 
Yan. Our subject, when in his twenty-first year, 
was married to Miss Elizabeth Freeman, a native 
of Y'ates County, who shared his fortunes until 
Ma}' 8, 1887, when she closed her eyes in death. 
In Laingsburg, this State, July 28, 1889, Mr. Bain 
contracted a second matrimonial alliance, wedding 
IMrs. Laura Mack, whose maiden name was Laura 
M. Place. She was born in Steuben County, N.Y., 
September 7, 1832, her parents being Joseph and 
Mary (Freeman) Place, natives of New York, but 
of English descent. Mr. Place was born in the 
metropolis in 1799, and his father, who was a 
native of Elngland, was interested in ocean vessels. 
Joseph was a teacher and was following his profes- 



:gSii=aa^ife*J:;^^«5a*aStflaga*ii!Wi^ 




RESIDCNGE OF THOMAS M ARVlt^l j 5EC. 9.,M IDDLEBURY TP. , SH I AWA5SEE C0.,M1CH. 




RESIDEMCE or AUGUSTUS B Al N , 5EC. 35. ,0 WOS50 TR,5HIAWAS5£f. CU.,MICH, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUiM. 



:}2;t 



sion ill Sleuhen County, when he married Mary 
Freeman, who was a sister of .lohn Freeman, faliier 
of the first Mrs. Bain. He became the father of 
twelve children, of whom Laura was the fourth iu 
order of birth. Two others of the family are now 
living — Carrie, wife of Charles Lackton of Detroit, 
and Mary Ellen, wife of the Rev. Robert Siuiftoe, 
of Paw Paw, 111. In April, 1853, the Places came 
to this .State, locating in Bennington Township, 
Shiawassee County. There Mrs. Place died. 
March 22, 1879. Mr. Place survive<l until No- 
vember 8, 1883, when he passed away in his eighty- 
third year. For seven years prior to his decease he 
had been blind. 

The daughter, Laura, was married iu Steuben 
County, N. Y., to Albert (Jillett, a native of the 
same county, and lived in the Kmpire Slate until 
18(j'.); when they settled neai- lu'r father in Shia- 
wassee County. Ml-. Gillett was a merchant, 
but as his wife preferred country life, he gave up 
iiis business and turned his attention lo farming. 
His health failed in 1870, he having ovcr-cxerted 
himself at the Centennial K.\i)osilion, and in 1881 
111! removed to Owosso, where lie died November 
27, 1883. His children arc Kniina, who died in 
1879, and who was tlic wife of .hidsun Uowd; 
Flora Dell, wife of Washington Bush, living in 
Perry, this Slate; Mary I)., who married Ruscoe 
Challin and lives in Bennington Township; Henr}' 
A., a resident of Illinois; Carrie E., who died in 
infancy; Minnie, now Mrs. .ludson Smith, occupy- 
ing the homestead in Benningloi! Township; 
Laura E., an attractive and intelligent young 
lady living with her mother, and engaged in teach- 
ing music. 

June 22, 1885, the widow was married in San 
.Jose, Cal., whither she had gone with her daLigliter, 
to Peter W. Mack, wlio was born in Canm'a, .Sep- 
tember 19, 1832. He had settled on a farm in 
Shiawassee Count}-, in 1861, and lost his first wife, 
Jane McRea, in (Jctober, 1883. After their mar- 
riage, Mr. and Mrs. Mack lived in Owosso for ii 
short time, but soon went to California, intending 
to remain there, but in August, 1886, they re- 
turned to Michigan and bouglit the pleasant home 
now owned by tiie survivor. Iti October of the 
same j'ear Jlr. Mack bought the farm upon which 



she is now living, and resided upon it until death 
again severed the conjugal tie, and January 28, 
1888, Mr. Mack breathed his last. Mr. Mack had 
three children by his first wife — lames, Frank and 
Georgie (Mrs. Wilbur Pier[)ont), ail living in 
Owosso Township — and when his estate was settled 
his widow did not claim her dowci-, feeling that, as 
she had been his comiianion for but a few years, 
she would be depriving his children of their rights 
b}' so doing. Instead she bought the interest of 
each child and so retained possession of the estate 
upon which she is now living with iier third hus- 
band, Mr. Bain. 

ISfr. Bain votes the Democratic ticket, but is not 
pronounced in his political views. He is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church, p.nd Mrs. Bain is a 
Baptist. They are whole-souled, genial people, 
fairl>- representing the more intelligent class of 
rural residents, and in their later years arc realiz- 
ing as much enjoyment as life can furnish to con- 
genial spirits who minister to each. other's ha|)piuess 
and together dis()ense hospitality to their friends 
and acquaintances. Mr. Bain fraternizes with the 
brethren of the s^-mbolic square and compass, and 
has traveled the Ijuruing sands w-hen it became 
necessary to shade his eyes from the eastern bril- 
liancy' of the sun. 

The attention of the reader is invited to a view 
of the pleasant homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Buin. 

-'-> -o^-^v^vl^-ofo <*•»- 

sillOMAS MAUVlN,a well-known farmer of 
Middlel)ury Township, Shiawassee County. 
^^p^ was born in Oakland Township, Oakland 
County, Mich., March 29, 1847. His parents, 
Abraui and Margaret IL (Bolsbj') Marvin, were 
natives of New York and New .Fersey respect- 
ively, and his father's occupation was that of a 
farmer. I'pon the farm of Lis parents our subject 
passed his early life in Oakland County, till he ar- 
rived at the age of twenty. He had two sisters 
and two brothers; his brother (ieorge now resides 
in Ovid Township, and his brother William in the 
township of Fail-field, Shiawassee County. 

The advantages olTered Thom.as Marvin for an 



330 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



education were moderately good, and be attended 
the best common sclmols in the county during tlie 
winters until he reached the age of twenty years. 
On May 10, 18G7, he came to Shiawassee County 
and located with his father on section 9, clearing a 
po'tion of that land. 

lll)on reaciiing the age of twenty-one the young 
man worked out for one summer, and then worked 
for ills broUier George. During the next year his 
fatiicr died, and he and his brother William took 
the home [ilace, and carried it on for several years, 
after which they divided it and Thomas took sixty 
acres of the homestead, to which lie has since added 
until now he has a line farm of eighty acres. Wiien 
he took this land it was all cleared of timber, but 
all other improvements he has himself placed upon 
it. An event of great importance in the life of Mr. 
Mravin took place March 14, 1872. This was bis 
marriage to Lydia Bell, of Addison Township, 
Oakland County. One child, liddie E., was born in 
November, 1S7G. 

Mr. Marvin devotes liimself entirely to farming 
and raises only ordinary grades of stock. He 
makes his princijial crop in wheat and raises it ex- 
tensively. In politics he is a Republican, and he 
has held the oflices of Constable and Path master. 
lie is now engaged \v putting np windmills, i)umps 
and all kinds of apparatus in connection with 
windmills. He is earnestly interested in educa- 
tional movements and desires the best schools for 
the youth of the township. He aims 'o give his 
own son a broad and liberal education. 

On anotiier page of this volume appears a view 
of the rural abode of Mr. Marvin, which is one of 
the most pleasant homes in the townshii). 



^:^E0RC4E SCHUYLER CORBIT, editor and 

ill (— - proprietor of the Clinton Independent^ of 
\^y5( St. Johns, was i)orn in Pekin, Niagara 
County', N. Y., August 2i3, 1839. A full account 
of his anceslr}' is given in the biography of his 
l)rotiier, .lohn II. Corbit, which will be found else- 
where in this book. He is the youngest of six 
children of the parental family and was reared in 



his native town until he reached the age of thir- 
teen 3'ears, being but seven years old when his 
mother died. He had onl}' limited school advan- 
tages on account of poor health. At the age of 
thirteen he went to Tonawanda, N. \'.,and viihout 
any money or assistance started out for liimself. 
His first work was in packing shingles. Later he 
went to live with a Mr. J. C. Gibson, of Iluffalo, 
who was in the commission business, but who lived 
in Tonawanda. He then apprenticed himself to a 
printer, the proprietor of the Niagara River I'l'lnt, 
which was published at Tonawamla. This was ed- 
ited by Mr. S. S. Packard, who was connected with 
Bryant & Stratton's chain of commercial colleges, 
and later [jublisher of Packard's Afunthly. in New 
York. After remaining there four or five years 
he went to Buffalo and attended Bryant & Strat- 
ton's Commercial College for one winter. 

In the spring of 1857 this young man came to 
St. John's, and began clerking for his brother and 
also working on the paper, the North Side Demo- 
crat. A year later he went to Owasso and helped 
to establish the Owasso American, at Owasso, with 
Mr. John N. Ligersol, who had purchased the 
plant. In 1859 he went to Princeton, HI., to work 
on a paper. The next year he assisted in taking 
the I'liited States Census in Bureau County, that 
State, and in 18C0 he visited Chicago and worked 
on the Daily Herald and on the Home and School 
Journal. Li the fall of 1861 he returned to St. 
John's and clerked for his brother in a hardware 
store. He may be properly styled one of the early 
and successful pioneers of St. John's. 

Mr. Corbit was not prepared to i)urcliase a paper 
of his own and with J. H. Stephenson, purchased 
the Independent. But this gentleman did not re- 
main long with him a\id soon sold out his interest 
to our .subject who managed it alone. He began 
with a six-column folio and has improved H every 
year while he has owned it. lie has coiiliniied to 
edit his pa()er from 18GG to the present date with 
the exceiition of six years, during which he was 
traveling as a representative of the Detroit Free 
Press, in Michigan and in tlu^ Western and Sontli- 
crn States, spending much of his time in the laller 
with "M. Quad," the world-renowned huraoiist, 
who is now employeil on the New York World at 



FOitTKAIT AND BIOGKAPHICAL ALBUM. 



.■531 



1200 per wcuk. Wlicn lie iindertouk lliat work hu 
disposed, as he sujiposcd, of iLc Independent, but 
as it fell back into his hands he once more gave it 
new life and restored it to its former part}' useful- 
ness. 

The Independent is now ;i six-column qiiufto and 
is outspoken in its declarations of Democratic 
principles. It is the oflicial county paper and has 
in connection with it a good job ofiice. It occupies 
a fine brick building which belongs to Mr. Corbit, 
and which is known iu the city as the ''Independent 
Block. ' 

Mr. Corbit built for his own residence a ccm- 
modions and attractive brick dwelling, at the head 
of u principal avenue and in a most delightful part 
of the city, where he and his wife reside. His 
marriage took place in Shcplicrdsville and his bride 
bore the maiden name of Cynthia A. Shepherd. She 
is the eldest daughter of H. M. Shepherd and was 
born and educated in Ohio. Mr. Corbit is well 
known throughout the State, and is often iilaced 
upon the district and county Democratic commit- 
tee, where he is now serving as Secretary. His wife 
is an earnest :'nd ellicient member of the F^piscopal 
Church. Our subject may well feel a justifiable 
pride in his success in following the plans of his 
early life. He has been energetic, faithful, hence 
successful in his every business undertaking. 



%s> ON. STEARNS F. SMIl'll, Mayor of the 
|l City of Owosso, was born near Cleveland, 
Ohio, .September 18, 1835. In 1853 he 
came with his [)arents, F^lijah T. and Caro- 
line Smith, to Perry, Shiawassee County, Mich. In 
1855 he returned to Oliio, where he remained until 
the spring of 1859, when he emigrated to the Pa- 
cific Coast where he remained until December, 
1866, and then returned to Perry, resiiling there, 
at Saginaw, and in Willinmston, Ingham County, 
until 1878 when he removed to Owosso. 

Mr. Smith was married to Ellen F. Scofield, 
daugliter of Stephen and Louisa .Scofield, of l>ocke, 
Ingham County, in 1867. Thej' have two children 
— Mrs. Fred Edwards, of Owosso, and Grace, un- 



married. Mr. Smith is a |>rominent lawyer, act- 
ively engaged in the practice of his profession. 
During his residence in Owosso he has held the 
office of Supervisor, City Attorney and .Mnyor of 
Owosso; also the ollice of Prosecuting Attorney of 
Shiawassee. 




lUAM A.\F01iD. A cons(ncuous poaiiion 
among the business men of Owosso is held 
by the gentleman whose name appears at 
the head of this paragraph, who by years of 
well-directed cflFort both in commercial pursuits 
and in agriculture has earned a well deserved lep- 
utation as a thorough and progressive man. 

Mr. Axford is a dealer in dry good.s, groceries 
and provisions, and also handles baled iiay, wood 
and carries on a meat market. He was born in 
the Dominion of Canada February 1, I8J5, and is 
the third son of William and Sarah (Giflford) Ax- 
ford. The father was a native of New Jersey and 
the mother of Canada and she was snatched from 
her home by death when this son was a. prattling 
boy of four ^-ears old. The father was a ftirmer 
and pursued this business until 1864 when he re- 
moved to Owosso, where he resided until his death 
in 1886. Hiram passed his early scin^ol days in 
Canada and aflerwarti in .Micliigai', but w.as not 
long in school as he soon went to work on the 
farm. 

After coming to Owosso, our subject was vari- 
ously engaged for two years. He then operated a 
meat market in West Owosso, liaving for his |)art- 
ner, John Turnbell. Two years later he sold out 
his interest, but soon decided to resume that woik 
and bought out Mr. Turnbell, continuing in the 
business at the old stand. In 1887 he put in .a 
stock of groceries in an adjoining room, and suii- 
sequentl}' added a stock of dry goods. He was so 
successful in his business that he decided to still 
further enlarge it, as he found that he had that rare 
quality of a 3'oung business man, which enable<! 
him to divide his allcntion among varied forms of 
trade. He therefore opened up a wood^'ard. while 
at the same time lie continued with both his meat 



332 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



market aud store. Over this business he lias had 
personal supervision a-id at the same time i\arries 
on his neat htlle farm of forty acres. 

The marriage of our sul)ject with Miss Marj- 
J. Necdhani of Owosso, took place in 1872. This 
lady was born in Ontario, Canada, and came to 
Micliigan with her father, Tliomas Necdliam, when 
she was an infant. Three sons and two daughters 
come to cheer the home of this intelligent and ami- 
able couple. They are, William C, Gertie died 
when ten months old, Freddie T., John N., .Tulia 
iM. and Kiltie Bell. 

Various ofUces of local responsibility liave been 
assigned to Mr. Axford by his fellow-citizens. He 
has been Alderman for the Fourth Ward and mcm- 
bor of liie Water Hoard. He has been a conserva- 
tive in politics, lie is identified with the Owosso 
Lodge No. SI, F. A A. M., also of Owosso Chapter, 
No. 89, R. A. M. His plensant home on Main 
Street West, .adjoins his three store buildings; all 
his hanilsomo proiieily has been gained by his own 
efiorts, as he began with little more than his own 
push, iiluck aud perseverance. 

HAULKS S. WILLIA.MS. Among the many 
pri>s[)erous agriculturists who are making 

i^' Clinton County the seat of their labors 
none .are more deserving of representation in a bi- 
ogiaphical album than the one aljove named. The 
fact that he is the owner of a line tract of land on 
section l,l>ingham Township, is but one of the 
reasons, the most important being found in his hav- 
ing begun the battle of life empty-handed and 
having reached his present substantial and honor- 
able place by persevering industry, good manage- 
ment and honorable dealing. His farm comprises 
two Imudreil and ten acres, nearly all of which 
was pl.aced under imiirovemenl by himself, and it 
sl;inds as one of the well-regulated pieces of prop- 
ert)- in this neighborhood. 

The direct progenitors of Mr. Williams were 
.lohu and Mary (Le Ban) Williams, natives of 
Pennsylvania who removed to Niagara County, 
N. Y.,inl811. There the mi>ther died in 184G 



and the father in 1881, the latter aged seventy-six 
years. He was a farmer from his boj'hood and 
was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. His family consisted of four chihlren, 
three of whom survive to this writing (!>!!) 1 ). 
Charles was born in Northampton County, l*:i., 
March 19, 1833, and was some eight 3'ears <^ld 
when taken to New York. He was reared on a 
farm and first attended the district schools; lie 
then gave a few terms to study in the Loc!<i)oit 
(N. V.) High School and later spent several terms 
at Wilson Academy'. He alwa3's stood at the head 
of his cl.asscs and in the acadcm}- his progress w.as 
very rapid. 

Ikfore he completed his higher studies, young 
Williams had begun teaching and bad given sev- 
eral terms to pedagogical work at from ^16 to ¥22 
per montli. He did not take up farming as his 
business in life until 1860 and five years later he came 
West and located in the township that is now Ids 
home. He bought some land on section 1, and 
began his work here in the woods. Improvements 
were made as circumstances would allow, and the 
estate increased byjudicit)us investments until it 
became the fair and fruitful expanse now to be 
seen. In 18G1 Mr. Williams decided that his duty 
lay amid the smoke of battle, and enlisting, lie 
was assigned to the Twenty-sixlli New York Bat- 
tery. At Scanish Fort he was under fire for four- 
teen days and at Ft. ]?l:ikely he stood a long siege 
of similar liazard. lie was discharged in July, 
18G.'), and relumed home vvitli his health impaired 
by exposure and hardship. He has recently been 
awarded a small pension. 

At the bride's home in Pekin, Niagara County, 
N. Y., September 21, 1860, Mr. Williams was 
united in marriage with Miss Marj- J. Kelsie. The 
marriage has been blest by the birth of three clilld- 
ren, but only one is now living. This is William 
A., a prosperous young farmer who is located on a 
l)art of the homestead and who formerly taught 
school. Mr. Williams held local oflices in his 
native State, but has not tidieu part in public af- 
fairs here. He was but twenty one years old when 
he was elided Township Sclioul Sujierintendonl, 
and the honor conferred upon him at that e.arly age 
"rave conclusive evidence of the interest he was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL ALBUM. 



.•?:^:? 



understood to have in educational affairs and his 
mental ability and strengtii of cliaractir. He lias 
ever manifested a desire for the pulilic weal, 
whether in the line of material matters or those of 
the higher nature. In politics he is a Democrat. 
He anil his cstimaljlc wife are the center of a pleas- 
ant and intelligent circle by which they are re- 
garded highly. 



LCrrr R. WAUNOIJ, one of the most 
prominent men in Fairfield Township, Shia- 
wassee Count}-, and a citizen who has been 
active!}' interested in the development of the com- 
munity in every line of progress, resides on section 
15, where he has fift}' acres of rich and arable land 
which he has finely improv/>d. Here he catries on 
general farming and stock-raising, in which he was 
very successful. He was born in Herkimer County, 
N. v., M.ay 20, 1828, and is the son of Oliver and 
Avis (Warren) Warner, both natives of the Empire 
State. 

Ill 18;!S, two J ears before removing to Michigan, 
our subject's father came to \'an Huren County, and 
entered land upon which he afterward lived. The 
subject of tills sketch is the oldest in a family of 
four who lived to years of maturity, two only of 
whom arc still living. One brother, Delos, died 
September, 1879, leaving one ciiild. The sister 
Catherine married Mr. Richmond and makes her 
home in Van Huren Count}-, this State, while Oliver 
the youngest brother was a soldier in the Third 
Michigan Cavalry and belonged to the company 
commanded by Capt. iNIencher. He was killed in 
the siege of Atlanta and left a wife and one child. 

Mr. Warnor has been three times married; his 
first wife w.as I.ucinda Carr anil she was the mother 
of three children: Orlie, who married Loren Austin, 
a printer at Klsie; Ava, who married Mr. Haker 
and lives in Vnn Huren County; and Arthur, who 
is married and also lives in Van Huren County. His 
second marriage united him with Harriet Gifford 
and she also had three children. The eldest, Oli- 
ver, lives in Texas; Ina makes her home in Oakland 
County. Mich.; and Hcrnice lives at Grand Rapids. 



The present Mrs. Warnor, whose maiden name \v:is 
Rebecca L. Scott, was born .Inly Ifi, 18:i9 and was 
unileil with Mr. Warnor in iinrriagc April 1 I, IcS.sO. 
No children have crowned this marriage. 

When our subject first came to Michigan in 
1867 he bought fifty acres of fine land, which he 
has ()laced uiuler cullivation and has made it liy 
undaunted industry and perseverance, one of the 
best farms in the county. He has had to work hard 
for all he owns but is proud to s.ay that he owes no 
man a dollar. His early education was limited but 
by a thorough course of reading he has made him- 
self a man of intelligence. His political views 
have attached him to the Democratic party and he 
cast his first Presidential vote for Franklin Pierce. 
He has served one term as Highway Commissioner 
.•unl is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding 
his membership in Elsie and having been connected 
with tiic order for some eighteen years. 

— •^■ > •>N^- <■ '• — 




LEASON J. YOUNG.S. The fine farm of 
two hundred and three acres, located on sec- 
^^^i|l tions i and .T, Venice Township, Shiawas- 
see County, is owned by one of the early pioneers 
of the State. His early years were fraught with 
anxiety and a struggle for the commonest necessi- 
ties of life, brt he has attained a flattering degree 
of success in the face of many discour.agements. 
His [larents were natives of New York State. His 
father, David Youngs, was born in 1801. His 
mother was Harriet (Gleason) Youngs. They w-crc 
married in their native State. David Youngs was 
a blacksmith by trade, altlK)Ugli he later became a 
farmer. 

In 1834 the family of Mr. Youngs came to this 
State and settled in Washtenaw County, wliere tliey 
remained for one year. They then went to Hart- 
lanil Township, Livingston County, and located 
u[)on eighty acres of new lanil. Had their time 
not been occupied with the routine duties of fann- 
ing, they must have found it unbearably lonesome, 
for their second nearest neighbor lived ata distance 
of four miles. Tlicir first dwelling w.as a log 
shanty, and llierc was but little time to beautify it. 



334 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



The oiil}' flowers that blossomed about the place 
were those that sprang naturally from the sod, but 
these with their sunny little faces cheered many 
lonely hours of the wife. David Youngs died in 
1865, and the mother died iu 1885, at the age of 
seventy-seven years; they were members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, which body the^' had 
helped to organize in the township. In politics 
Mr. Youngs was a Democrat, and he iiold several 
local positions under his party, having been Asses- 
sor for a number of years. He also discharged 
satisfactorily' the duties of Highway Commissioner. 

David Youngs and his wife were the parents of 
seven children, four of whom are now living, our 
subject being the only one now in Shiawassee 
Count}'. He was the second one of the family, and 
born in Niagara County, N. Y., May 26, 1828. He 
attended the pioneer school in the county, and was 
early taught vigilance in his dealings with the In- 
dians. Tl)erc were many wild animals in the woods 
and when powder and shot were plentiful, better 
sport could not be desired than the hunting there 
found. 

The original of this sketch started out in life for 
himself at the age of nineteen years. He was 
l)rought u\> as a farmer and has ever continued in 
that calling. When he began work for himself he 
had nothing. He worked out by the month, re- 
maining fiye years in one place. In 1852 he came 
to Shiawassee County, and worked in the Valley' 
sawn)ills for three j'ears, after which heseltled upon 
one hundred and sixtj' acres of land where he now 
lives. It was then all wild land and the work of 
clearing and improving must have seemed to him 
a tremendous task. 

In 185C. Mr. Youngs was united in marriage to 
Miss Laura Priest, a daughter of George W. and 
•Judith Ann (Luther) Priest, for whose history see 
sketch of (ieorge W. Priest in this Ai-itUM. Mrs. 
Youngs was born October 4, 1840, in Washtenaw 
Counly, this State, and was only three months of 
age when her family removed to ^'enice Township. 
Here slic attended the district school, went to sing- 
ing-school, and was the belle of many a corn-husk- 
ing and a|)ple roasting. 

The young couple settled upon tlie farn) where 
they now live, and were the proud possessors of 



the onl}- frame house between Lytle's Corners and 
Flushing. They have since added to the house, 
and now it is a commodious and comfortable place, 
charmingly located, and having many natural ad- 
vantages. The farm has also been added to until 
it now comprises two hundred and three acres, one 
hundred and forty of which are under cultivation. 
Mr. Youngs has ever been the active proprietor, 
and all the improvements now to be found on the 
place have been made by himself. 

After marriage our subject had but ^100 in 
mone^', and the comfortable fortune which he now 
enjoys be has earned by his own efforts, with the 
exception of ^500. The}- are the parents of two 
children, Frances A. and Bertha E. Frances is the 
wife of Edward Carr, and lives in Coruuna; Bertha 
married Charles Crowe, and lives at Judd's Cor- 
ners. Our subject and his wife have reared three 
children besiiles their own. The first, Mary Emery, 
lived with Mrs. Youngs for fourteen j-ears, when 
she married Charles W. Shipman; they are the par- 
ents of four children. The second adopted child, 
Ethan Frederick Youngs, lived with them nineteen 
years; he took to wife Frances Baird, and now 
lives in Shiawassee Townsliip. The third child was 
George W. Maj-o. and he was one of the family for 
nine years. All of these children received a good 
education. In tenderly' caring for these homeless 
children, Mr. and Mrs. Youngs have fulfilled the 
Divine command, and will surel}"^ rea[) a blessing. 

Our subject has been a member of the School 
Board in this district for a number of jears. He 
has always taken an interest in politics, casting his 
vote with the Democratic party. For two years he 
was Townsliip Treasurer, and has held the office of 
Justice of the Peace for twelve 3-eai's. He dis- 
charged satisfactorily for six years the duties of 
Highway- Commissioner. He is a temperate man 
in his habits, and the confidence that is reposed in 
him by his neighbors and intimate friends, is shown 
by his having been appointed several times as ex- 
ecutor of estates for others. 

During the Civil War Mr. Youngs was the first 
man drafted in Shiawassee Counly, but feeling that 
the responsibilities of home would not permit his 
leaving, he furnished two men as substitutes, one 
for nine months and the other serving three years. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



335 



These substitutes cost liim 1730. He carries on 
geueial fanning, feeling secure tliat if one crop 
fails another will bring up the sliortage. He has 
some fuU-blooil Merino slieep, and owns some fine 
Jersey cows. 



♦S^^' 



l|.=7r'UEDKRICK A. STOW. This gentleman 
^ '-' is numbered among the substantial farmers 




of Clinton County, !;aving by dint of en- 
ergy and prudent management become the pos- 
sessor of a fine tra'^t of land numbering two hun- 
dred and eighty- acres. The comfortable farmhouse 
in which he abides is situated on section 10, Dallas 
Townshiji, where Mr. Stow first bought one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land. He Game hither in 
March, 1H70, an<l since that time has been carry- 
ing on his enterprise with increasing success He 
cleared and broke one hundred and sixty acres 
of the himl lie now owns, and has made various 
improvements, so that the place is now well regu- 
lated in every respect, with a line of substantial 
buildings, good fences, thriving orchards and adorn- 
ments suited to '.he suiroundings. 

The Stow f:'.mily is traced back to the old Bay 
State, wlience the grandfatlier of our subject re- 
moved to New York many ^ears ago. He after- 
ward came to this State and was among the pio- 
neers of Washtenaw County, where he died of 
cholera during the '30s. His son, Aianson, who is 
next in the direct line, was born in New York 
October 12, 1803, and lived in lliat Stale until 
1835. He then came to IMicliigan and settled on 
a farm in Washtenaw County, liut later removed 
to Jackson County, where he died June 2, 1851. 
He endured the privatiojis of [)ioneer life in Wash- 
tenaw County, where the liowling of wolves was 
often heaul and deer frequently seen l)y those 
who stood in the vanguard of civilization. lie 
cleared and broke mueii land and necessarily lab- 
ored long and hard. He always voted the Demo- 
cratic ticket. an<l he and his wife belonged to the 
Methodist Cliurch. Mrs. Stow, whose maiden name 
was Catherine F. Bennett, w.as born in Seneca 
County, N. Y. Her father, James Bennett, was born 
in Dublin, Iielind, but her motlier was a native of 



Pennsylvania. Mrs. Stow died August 14, 1850. 
They were the parents of four sons ami two 
ilaughters, as follows: James B., onr subject, .Sarah 
E., Henrietta, George and Aslifield, only two of 
whom are now living. George resides in Colorado. 

Frederick Stow, tlic sul)ject of this notice, was 
born in Seneca County, N. Y., April 13, 1832, 
and w.as a child of about three years old when he 
caim to Michigan. His school privileges were 
limited by circumstances to a short attendance 
each year in the pioneer schools, but he had a 
good home training, and like many another born 
and reared in that day and age, developed a 
read}' intelligence that counterbalaneed the de- 
ficiencies in schooling. He remained at liome 
until he h.ad arrived at man's estate, and then 
for about two years worked bj- the month at farm- 
ing. He tiien went to Grand Rapids, where he 
was living wiien tlie war began, and he felt that 
his duly as a patriot called ui)on him to lake his 
place in the array. 

In 18G1 Mr. Stow enlisted and was mustered in 
as a |)rivale in Compauv B, Third Michigan In- 
fantry. June 10 he rose to the rank of Second 
Lieutenant, January 1 following was commis- 
sioned First LiculenanI, au<l October 25 became 
Captain. He served until March 28. 1863. when 
he was lionor.abl}' discharged. Among the fields 
on which lie fought were Blackburn's Ford, Bull 
Hun, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Savage Station, 
(Jreend.ile, White Oak Swamp. Malvern Hill, the 
second Bull Run, Chanlilly and l''redericksbnrg. 
As all old soldieis and liislorians remember, these 
contlicis followed closely' one upon another and 
liie intervals were fre(iuentl\' spent in hard marches 
and little rest was afforded l\w troops who took 
part. Besides the battles mculioned, Capt. Stow 
was jiresenl during the siege of Yorklown in 18(;2. 

January 2G, 1803, Capt. Stow was tnnrried to 
Henrietta, daughter of P'ranklin and .Mruia (Welch) 
Chubb. Her father, a native of Massaeliusetls, 
came to this Slate early in the '30s, and in 1831 
established a home in Ionia County. He was mar- 
ried in Ann Arbor, his wife being a native of 
New York, anil their daughter, Antoinette, was 
the (irst while female child born in Ionia County. 
Their other cliildren are Hector, Henry, lleiiii- 



336 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ettn, James .iiid Lorettc. IMr. Chubb was aa old- 
line Whig. He W.1S .Justice of the Peace a number 
of years and when he died, in 1859, Ionia County 
lost one of lier principal and honored i>ioneers. 
Mr. Stow and iiis wife have two sons — George F. 
and Artliur F. Tlic cider was graduated from 
tlie Agricultural College in Lansing, in 1888, and 
llie younger is now studying there. 

After his discharge from tlic army Mr. Stow 
engaged in the sale of merchandise in Grand 
Rapids and followed a commercial life until 18G9. 
He then made liis home in Lj'ons Township, Ionia 
County, a year, after wiiicli he came to Clinton 
County and has remained on his farm. Being in- 
terested in the advancement of agriculturists, both 
materially and mentally, he is connected witli the 
Grange. lie belongs to R. G. Hutchison Post, 
No. 129, G. A. R., in Fowler. He is convinced 
that the Rei)iiblican platfoi'm embo<lies tlie truest 
political principles, and lie votes to support it. 
His religious liome is in tlie Presbyterian Cliurch, 
and he is a well-rcspcctcd member of society. 



> . ^^*^c-i ■?»*?<«^"^>>v«- — 



v 



ILLIAM DETWILER. To any one who 
is interested in the commercial prosperity 
of Henderson, Shiawassee County, a sketch 
of its prominent business men will be of value. 
Tlie gentleman of whom we write is the principal 
merchant and grain dealer of this village and his 
career is full of instruction, especially to the j'oung 
who would learn how to attain success in life. He 
is a Pennsylvanian liy birth, being born in Bucks 
County, June 18, 1819. His father, John Dctwilei, 
w.as a well-known farmer in Montgomery County, 
that Slate. He received the education which was 
then available for all young Pennsylvanians, and 
upon reacliing his majority took to himself a wife 
in the person of Anna Detwiler. 

Jacob and Elizabeth ( Hoinsickcr) Detwiler, ilie 
parents of Mrs. John Detwiler, had a family of 
four children, and their daiigliter Anna became the 
mother of sixteen children, which were equally 



divided between sons and daugliters. She and her 
worMi3' husband passed their last years in Bucks 
County, Pa., wliere they lie side by side in their 
last rest. 

A common-school education was ?dl tliat was 
granted to tlie subject of tliis sketch but he gained 
practical knowledge upon the farm where he 
worked until he was eighteen j'ears old, and there 
also learned economy, perseverance and industry, 
which have lioen golden lessons to liim. When he 
left the farm he learned the trade of a miller and 
worked at it for four years in Pennsylvania and 
followed that business for ten years in Wayne 
County, Ohio. Wlien lie had reached a point wliere 
he felt liiuiself independent and able to support a 
family lie took to liiinsclf a wife, being married in 
184G to Elizabeth Wellhouse, daugliler of George 
and Elizabeth (Nyswanger) Wellhouse. Her fa- 
ther was a German and her mother a native of 
Maryland and she was one of a family of ten chil- 
dren. 

The first home of the young couple was in 
Wayne County, Ohio, where Mr. Detwiler w.as in 
the milling business for ten 3'ears and on a farm 
for twenty years, having two hundred and four- 
teen acres in Chippewa Township. In 1874 Ihc^- 
came to Rush Township, buying one hundred and 
twenty acres on section 14. Later he sold that 
and bought land in tlie village, and in 1888 pur- 
chased one hundred and thirteen acres on section 
24. Seven bright and interesting children have 
blessed this liome, namely: Caroline, who became 
tlie wife of G. D. Palmer, of Medina County, Oliio, 
and passed from earth in Henderson, Mich., July 
31,1881. Ella, who became the wife of Hugo 
Prycr, of Cleveland, Ohio, and died in May, 1874; 
Leota who became the wife of Dr. J. II. Bare, of 
Saginaw, Midi. ; George who lives in Henderson; 
John, Harvey and Walter who have all passed 
awiiy from earlli. 

The Methodist E|)iscopal Church is the lield of 
the religious labors of Mr. and Mrs. Detwiler, and 
the latter is especially useful in church work, being 
a teacher in the Sunday-school and active in every 
good work. They are liberal contributors to 
church puriioses and helpful in many waj's. Mr. 
Detwiler allies himself with the Republican party 




'^^.o^') J^^iy^^-e^^^d #^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



339 



and is pleased to rerauinber that his first vote for a 
President was for William Henry Harrison and his 
last vote for the illustrious grandson of that in- 
cumbent of the Presidential chair. George Det- 
wiler is in business with his father and tiiey arc 
handling grain of all kinds as well as farm produce, 
tlicir store being the laigest and most important 
in the village. 



<il IfelLLIAM HAVENS, M. D. The Havens 
\/jJ// family is one of those in which an exccp- 
\!/¥j tionally close sympathy exists between 
husband and wife, extending even into business 
relations, both being students of the same profes- 
sion and successful practitioners. The firm, which 
is composed of Dr. William Havens and his esti- 
mable wife, is one that is well known in and about 
St. John's, as that city has been their home for a 
score of years. They are doing a fine business, 
and both arc looked up to with admiring respect 
liy those whose friends they have brought back 
from the gates of death or to whom pcisonally 
they have lu'ought relief from pain and a rcnc^wcd 
lease of life. 

Dr. Havens was born in Hetliany, Genesee 
County, N. V., January 1, Its;? I, and is the eldest 
and only surviving child in a faniilj' of seven. He 
was a wc.'ik, puny child until he was about nine 
years old, when he began to gain in strength, and 
when fourteen he was as rugged as most boys of 
his years. I'p to that age his home was in Beth- 
any, and he first studied in the district school, 
and then in the seminary. He also aided in the 
ilry-goods store which his father was carrying on. 
In 1845 his parents came to Lansing, and within a 
few weeks were located on a farm, which the father 
developed from its primitive condition to one of 
fair appearance and great productiveness. The lad 
aided in the efforts which were necessary to accom- 
plish this purpose, ami made his home under the 
parental roof until he was twenty-four years old. 
He had previously studied medicine, lieginning when 
nineteen with Di-. McClure, of Lansing, who was 



his preceptor for more than a year. He then at- 
tended medical school there, luit did not enter 
upon the practice of liis chosen profession until 
some years later. 

In Lansing in 1855 Mr. Havens was married to 
Miss Mary P. Baker, a native of Ohio, and they 
established their home in Tomjjkins Township, 
.lackson County on a farm. For a year our sub- 
iect operated a tract of two hundred and twenty- 
five acres, of which he was the owner, but lie could 
not be satisfied with farm life, and so he resunied 
the stud}' of therapeutics. He pursued his work 
in Lansing with Drs. Baily <t Olds, and in 18G8 
entered Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, 
from which he was graduated in 1871 with the de- 
gree of Doctor of Medicine. The next year he 
received the same degree from the Michigan State 
Homeopathic ISIedical College, and in the cai)ital 
he began his medical work. He practiced some 
before he com|)lctcd the course of study, as is often 
the case with those who wish to make practical ap- 
plication of their in.struction in order to better 
l)rep3re themselves for the finishing courses of lec- 
tures. 

In 1871 Dr. Havens located in St. John's imme- 
diately after his graduation from the Chicago Col- 
lege, and his work has only been interrupted by his 
.additional course in Lansing and the visits he has 
paid to other parts of the country-. He h.as made 
a specialty of heart disease. Mrs. Havens is also a 
graduate of the Michigan State Homeopathic Medi- 
cal College, and her own special calls are numer- 
ous. They have three chihlren — Mary E., George 
C. and Lillian 1)., and the son is also a physician. 
He was graduated from Hahnemann College in 
Chicago, and the Commercial College at Lansing, 
and is ))racticing in Fowler, this Slate. 

Dr. Havens has real estate in Lansing and a 
pleasant residence property in St. John's. He is 
also interested in Colorado lands, iiarticularly at 
Aspen, and is quite in love with ihe CciUennial 
State. He visited that section in 1890. He is a 
Mason, connected with l)oth the lilue Lodge and 
the Chapter, and belongs to the State Homeopathic 
Medical Society. Politically, he is a Democrat. 
Mrs. Havens is an Episcopalian. The fine charac- 
ters and abounding intelligence of both give them 



340 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



an added hold upon the people, and their names 
are among those of the most honored residents in 
the city. A lithographic portrait of Dr. Havens 
appears on another page. 



<iY/OHN N. HARDER is the son of Nicholas P. 
Harder, M. D., deceased. The latter, one of 
the early physicians of Shiaw.issee County, 
leftas an inheritance to his family a reputa- 
tion of which his progeny' maj' well be proud. He 
was famed far and near for e.'icelleut judgment, pro- 
fessional skill an.l progressive and practical ideas. 
Dr. Fox testifies that he preferred to pr.actice with 
Dr. Harder rather than with any other of the early 
physicians. He was a brainy man, a great student 
and was active in looking up new methods of dress- 
ing wounds and treating disease. He was a student 
of Kinderhook Institute anil received his license to 
practice from the -State of New York. He was 
considered a man of advanced ideas for his oppor 
tunities. 

Nicholas P. Harder, the first Doctor in this county, 
settled in the township of Siiiawassee in 1837, arriv- 
ing here October 11, from Sullivan County, N. Y., 
whence he had been one month on the way coming 
by wagon. He traveled tiirough Canada with his 
family which consisted of his wife and her baby, 
Nicholas P. Jr., then two or three years old, his 
wife's two sons by a previous marriage, Moses P. 
and Jose[)h L. Gardner, then lads of seventeen and 
fourteen years respectively and his own four child- 
ren by his first marriage, .John Nelson, aged seven- 
teen, Henry, aged fourteen; Hannah, aged fifteen 
and Adeline a girl of ten years. 

Dr. N. P. Hardcr's first wife was Margaret 
Snyder, who had died when our subject was 
fourteen years old. The second wife bore the 
m liden name of Sallie Purvis and at the time of her 
marriage with Dr. Harder, was tiie widow of Jos- 
eph Gardner. One child was born after the re- 
moval of the family to Michigan, Norman A. who 
lives on the old homestead. Tlie Harders are of 
Holland descent and belong to one of Uk; old 
Knickerbocker families of New York. The old 



Doctor died December 8, 186.'5, at the age of 
seventy-seven j-ears. His wife survived him some 
twenty-three years, and passed away at the age of 
eighty-seven in 1887. 

The father of our subject began to practice medi- 
cine when he was about twenty-three years old, 
and he had a broad palrQnage and was the famil}' 
physician of manj- of the first families of this and 
adjoining countries. He accumulated a line es- 
tate of three hundred and eighty-five acres in one 
body. He was a man of fine physique and stood 
six feet in his stockings, weighing one hundred and 
eigiit>- [Mjunds. He was Supervisor for fifteen years 
in New York and also in Shiaw.assee County, where 
he was County Treasurer for a number of years. 
While in this otflce he resided in Corunna but 
afterward returned to his farm. He had an ex- 
tensive ride and often slept on his horse and many 
times iiad to find his way through the woods by 
blazed trees. Politically he was an old-line Whig 
and then a Republican and attended to his practice 
up to almost the da}' of his death which was occa- 
sioned by an attack of pneumonia. 

The subject of this sketch was born June 17, 
1^20, in Columbia County, N. Y., and was 
seven years old when the family removed to Sulli- 
van County and seventeen 3'ears old when they 
emigrated to Michigan. In 1853 he went to Cali- 
I fornia, starting January 24 and crossing the Isth- 
I mus, ijeing gone two years and seven months. He 
had a true love for agricultural pursuits and has car- 
ried on farming all his life. He wiis not married 
until about thirty years old, his first marriage tsk- 
1 ing place June 9, 1850, when he was united with 
j Miss Martha L. Seymour, who died December IG, 
' 1863, just after he had been bereaved of his 
father. 

The second marriage of John N. Harder oc- 
curred February 21, 1865, his bride being Eliza 
A. Austin who died March 22, of the next 
year. On February 13, 1868, John N. Harder was 
united in marriage with Julia Loomis, of Shiawas- 
see Township, the widow of T. C. Loomis. His 
children are: Sidney, who died when two years old, 
was the eldest; Addie, Mrs. I. W. Loomis, of Oceana 
County and Eva, who died at the age of seven years, 
twins; Grace, Mrs. Edward Banner, of Shiawassee; 



POUTIiAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



341 



John N., who lives at Durand, and Kate, Mrs. .7. 
E. Gundeman, who lives in Sliiw:is.ssee Town- 
ship, are twins; Fred IL, who died in infane3'. 
Tliese are all the children of his first wife. The 
second wife had one daughter, Kliza M. who died 
when three years old, and the third wife left an 
infant Frank M. who is now Iwent^'-one years old. 
and a carpenter b}- trade. He was .assist.int teacher 
in the High School at Bancroft in 1890 and 1891. 

Mr. Harder is a prominent member of the Order 
of Odd Fellows, and has passe<l all the chairs and 
is highly honored Ijj' his comrades. The maiden 
name of Mrs. Harder was Julia A. Card and she 
was a daughter of Joseph and Electa ( Wilminiiton) 
Card, who came from Madison Counly, N. Y. to 
Michigan in 184C, when this daughter was twelve 
jearsold. Her father w.as a shoemaker bj' trade 
and died when Julia was fifteen years old, and his 
wife passed awa)' in 187G. Julia was born in 1834, 
on September 16 and when seventeen j'cars old 
married Trumbull C. Loorais. She had three chil- 
dren by this marriage, Ida, Mrs. Frank Rcmer of 
Oceana County; Will.who lives in Jackson County; 
and Fred who died in infancy. 

Our subject is a strong adherent of tlic Repub- 
lican principles and doctrine. 



^ 



E^ 




EV. R. D. STEARNS. This name is a fa- 
miliar one in St. John's, Clinton County, 
as the figure of him who bears it is fre- 
^'^' Qiiently met going about in pursuance of 
the high and holy duties devolving upon a servant 
of the Lord and a shepherd over one of His flocks. 
Mr. Stearns is the Rector of the Episcopal Churcli 
and devotes himself zealously to the work in which 
he is deeply interested, giving all his time to the 
promotion of the interests of the Church. Not 
only does he enter with his whole heart into those 
matters which add to the attractiveness and power 
of the church services, but he is equally zealous 
regarding the societies and other avenues by which 
the cause of Christianity can be promoted. He is 
a fluent speaker, ple.asing in his a<ldress u|)on all 
occasions, and is a scholarly and studious man. 



In the veins of Mr. Stearns there flows a double 
strain of Revolutionary blood, t)oth his grandfath- 
ers having fought for release from British op- 
pression. His paternal gran<lfatlier, wlio was the 
son of an emigrant from Scotland, died in Massa- 
chusetts. In I'ittsfield, that State, Isaac H. Stearns, 
father of the lector, was born, but after growing 
to manhood lie located in Pawlet, \t. He subse- 
quently removed to New York, making his home 
in Otsego anil then in Oswego County. He was 
engaged 'n the manufacture of woolen goods and 
on three occasions had his bu-iiness establishment 
destroyed by fire. He. however, lecovered from 
the effects of these calamities, acquired a compe- 
tence and retired from active life during middle 
age. He inherited the s|iirit of his father and 
fought in the War of 1812. He died in Oswego, 
in Oswego County, N. Y., during the '60s, when 
sixt3'-four years old. He was a consistent mem- 
ber of the I'.aplist Church, and his wife, who also 
died in the Empire State, was a Methodist. Mrs. 
Stearns bore the maiden name of Lois Doaiie and 
was born in Powlct, Vt. The parental family con- 
sisted of nine sons and daughters and the name of 
R. D. was f<iurtii oii tiie faniil\' roll. 

The Rev. Mr Stearns was born in Edmonston, 
Otsego County, N. Y., February 18, 1821, and 
was but six months old when his parents removed 
to Pulaski, Oswego County. He attended the 
common schools and then took a preparatory 
course in Mexico and Belleville. When nineteen 
years old he became a stuticnt in Union Col- 
lege at Schenectady, matriculating in the jun- 
ior class of the classical course. He was grad- 
uated two years later and spent the ensuing 
three years in an Episcopal Theological Sem- 
inary in New York. At the conclusion of his 
course of study there he was ordained by Bishop 
De Lancy, the ordination services taking place at 
Grace Church, New York City, in 1841. The 
first parish over which Mr. Stearns had charge was 
that of St. John's Church in Sackett's Harbor, 
where he was rector four years. Two thirds of 
his congregation belonged to the arnij' and navy 
and among them were such men as Gens. Grant 
and. Hunt, and Capt. Sawyer, of the navy. With 
Grant he was on (luite intimate terms, and he re- 



342 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



calls many an occasion on -which thej- were togeth- 
er enjoj'ing a delightful time. 

From Sackett's Harbor the Rev. Mr. Stearns 
went to Medhia, Orleans County, where he was 
rector of St. John's Cluirch for nineteen years. 
Thence he removed to Boonton, N. J., where he 
labored five years, during which period the parson- 
age was l)uilt. He ne.\t spent eight years in White 
AVater Wis., following which he was the rector in 
St. Louis, this State. Here he was located four 
j'cars and brouglit to completion, a !iilO,000 church, 
lie rcxt came to St. .lolin's, Jlich., in 1885 and 
here he has continued the record of former years, 
bringing up liie standard of ciiurch membership and 
work, and increasing tiie value of church property 
by good iniiirovements. The rectory which lie has 
l)ut up is an ornament to the [ilace and the church 
property is well located and valuable. In fact it 
is the finest in the county seat and one in which 
people, whetiier members of tiie society or not, take 
pleasnre and pride. 

In his aims and labors the Rev. Mr. Stearns has 
tlie wise and hiving sympathy of liis wife, who dis- 
plays an eqnnl activity witli himself in religious 
work. She lias been organist and an active mem- 
ber in the ladies' societies, ami active in every so- 
cial effort in whi'h tlie churcli can take a part. 
She was known in iier maidenhood as Miss Eliza- 
beth Cooke, and became Mrs. Sterns at Water- 
town, N. Y., September 23, 1850. She was born 
at the r>rooklyn Navy Yard, N. Y., her father be- 
ing a suigeon in tlie United States Navy. Dr. An- 
drew B. Cooke went through the war of 1812, and 
was Fleet Surgeon on the Mediterranean when 
taken sick and bro'igiit home to die. He had 
sailed around the world three times. Mrs. Stearns 
was educated at Mrs. Willard's Seminary in Troy, 
N. Y., and acquired a degree of culture that in- 
cluded the best qualities of her nature in its force, 
and gave iier especial Illness for the jjosition to 
whieli she was called v;lien she became a wife. 

Of children horn to her four passed the age of 
chililliood, but one only now survives. William 
R. dieil in Medina, N. Y., and Emily B., in Boon- 
ton, N. .1., when fifteen years old. Charles W. 
breathed his last in Elgin, 111., in ISSI), when twen- 
ty six 3'c:us of age; lie was then engaged with tiie 



Elgin Watch Company. Edward A., the third 
child, is a resident of South Omaha, Neb., and be- 
longs to the reportorial staff of the Stockyards 
Journal. The Rev. Mr. Stearns was connected 
with a Masonic lodge at Boonton, N. J. and is 
still identified with the Royal Arcanum, He exer- 
cises the right of suffrage with the Republican Re- 
pul)lican i)arty and is as firm a believer in its prin- 
ciples as one could hope to see. His efficiency as 
a minister is due to some extent to iiis personal 
qualities, which gain the friendship of those to 
whom he becomes known and attract to his servi- 
ces those who otherwise might not enter the 
ciiurch. 



TIS L. RICE, a well-known farmer and 
stock-raiser of Essex Township, Clinton 
County, and a native of Macomb County, 
this State, was born August 22, 1839. He is a son 
of llarlow and Catherine Rice, the former being a 
native of Connecticut and the latter of New York 
State arid botii early settlers in Macomb County, to 
vvliicli they came in the '30s. Our subject was 
reared to manhood in iiis native county and has 
been a life long farmer. He received the advan- 
tages of a common-school education and enjoyed 
the instruction of earnest and <levoted teachers, 
whose inlluence made him an extensive reader and 
stimulated him to self improvement through life, 
but the curriculum of those |)ioiieer schools was 
not broad and his course was cutshort I)}' the neces- 
sary demands of a pioneer life. 

Mr. Rice was in 1871, united in marriage with 
Mary Sligiit, who is a daughter of George and 
Helen Slight, natives of England. They came to 
this State in the year 1853, and live in Travis 
City. Mrs. Rice was born September 2, 1848 and 
became the mother of four children, namely: 
Lewis, Clayton, Mabel and Ethel. It was in 1865 
when he icmoved with his family from Macomb 
County, to Clinton County, and finally settled on 
the farm where he now resides. He m.ade his home 
in the unbroken forest, building a log cabin, meas- 
uring some 14x2() feet, before bringing on his fam- 
ily. They lived in this rude dwelling for many 














JIJUA^ 



rORTRAlT AND BIOGRAl'llICAL ALBUM. 



345 



years until in 1888 lie erected the liaiulsomc resi- 
dence whicli is llie crowning beauty of liis farm. 

Mr. Rice owns sixty acres of laml and lias il all 
under good cultivation. His prosperity i.s tlic re- 
sult of his own industry and enterprise, coupled 
with sterling integrity and worth, lie lias done 
much pioneer work here and has received many 
hard knocks in his struggle with the rude forces of 
nature. He earnestly desires the promotion of all 
efforts for the elevation of the social and industrial 
(condition of the farming coranuinity. lie h.as 
served as Assessor in his district for three years, 
and is a Republican in his iiolitical views. Hotli he 
and his worthy wife are earnest and active mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church, in whici'. he 
has served as Treasurer, and is now Trustee, lie 
enjoys the confidence of the business community- 
and is regarded as one of the most trustworthy 
citizens in his township. 



-m- 




)ENJAMIN M. SHEl'ARD, an enterprising 
and prosperous farmer of Clinton County, 

V^)]tl ''■''° ^ good piece of land in Ovid Townslii|ii 
where many conveniences may be seen. 
He was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., Novem- 
ber 24, 1816, and in both lines of descent is of old 
families of the Empire State. His i)areiits were 
Samuel and Eunice (l)akc) She|)ard. who gave 
their sons and daughters as good an education as 
opportunity permitted and taught them many 
tilings not found in text books but necessai-}- U> 
prosperity and happiness. Our sul)ject remained 
on the paternal acres until after he was of age, and 
learned how to carr3' on a farm and develop the 
resources of the land. 

When he had attained to his niajorit\ young 
Sliepard began tiie work of an agriculturist in his 
own behalf, his location being in Erie County, Pa. 
He was about tweiUy five years old when he went 
to Ohio, and established himself in Seneca County 
in whica he owned his first farm. There he re- 
sided ten years, cariying on his chosen work and 
also speculating some. When the period mentioned 
had elapsed, he returned to I'ennsyivania and 



bought his father's homestead, .ind from that time 
uiilil nigh a score of years had passed he made 
the old place his home. He tliou soM out and 
came to this State, choosing Clinton County as 
Ihe seat of his future laliors. He settled uiion a 
partially improved farm iii Oviil Township and 
finished the work of placing the quarter section 
under cultivation. Fioni I8(!l to 1880 he lived 
111)011 that land, then removeil to the tract he now 
occupies. 

During more than thirty years the cares and 
hopes of Mr. Shepard were shared by a trne-hearted 
companion and she bore lier part in the toils and 
pleasures as well. She had borne the name of 
Matilda Stilwcll, was a native of the Keystone 
State and b.'came his wife .laiiuary 1, 18:38. Her 
death occurred at She()ardville, August 17, 1871, 
and she left eight children, whose record is as fol- 
lows: Ijenjainiii E., born September 18, 1839; 
Cyntha A.. November 17, 1811; Samuel C., De- 
cember 5, 1844; Matilda, October 13. 1846; Helen, 
October 11, 1848; Barton, August 30, 1851;.Ianics 
B., March 12, 1851; and Ida .lane, October 31, 
1800. Two of these — Samuel and .lames are now 
engaged in business in Denver, Col., and Benja- 
min died in Lincoln, Nebraska, in February, 188P. 

The piesent wife of Mr. Shepard was united to 
liiiii ill marriage January 6, 1878, at which time 
she was known as Mrs. Elizabeth (Jates. Her for- 
mer home was in the same townshii) in which she 
resides. She is an estimable woman and is cai)ably 
managing the domestic machinery of her home 
anil surrounding her family and friends with good 
cheer. 

William Shepard, brother of our subject, came 
to Clinton County before the latter and around 
his farm a little town sprang u|) that is called 
Shepardsville. lie of whom we write has never 
sought ollice, caring littl'? for the plaudits of the 
crowd and feeling that Hie respo'isililities would 
far outweigh the pleasures. He keeps himself in- 
formed regarding political and other issues, V(iti s 
the Democratic ticket and takes special interest in 
educational matters. He has held some school 
offices, and gives his support to the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he ami !iis wife are 
Ijienibers. He is a lirni believer in the power ot 



346 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGR-APHICAL ALBUM. 



Christian principles and thinks the good of the 
people is subserved by religious souietics even 
though they are not of liis denomination. 

A litliogr.aphic portrait of Mr. Shepard a|)iiear3 
on another page of this volume. 

■^ AMES GOFF is a farmer, residing at Byron, 
Mich. He was born in Argentine, Genesee 
County, this St.ate, February ;!. 1847, and 
is a son of George and Azuba (Stevens) 
Goff. The former was l)orn in East Broomfield, 
Mass., in 1810, where he remained willi liis parents 
until ten or twelve years of age when tlie family 
removed to Caiiandaigua, Ontario County, N. V., 
at which place our subject lived until early in the 
'30s, when lie took up land from the Government 
in Argentine Township, Genesee County. Here he 
lived uutil 1872, when he removed to Byron, tliis 
State, and there he resided for the remainder of liis 
life; he died May 7, 18'JO. He was a farmer, and 
when in early life he came to Michigan, the coun- 
try was a wilderness. There were few roads even 
to point out the path of civilization. He took ui) 
a large tract of land originally, but retained only 
two hundred and forty acres wliicli he cleaied ami 
improved. Like most of the emigrants from tlie 
East, Mr. Goff came to Michigan with only limited 
means and made here what he had. At his deatli 
he had attained a very comfortable competency. 

The father of our subject was a strong Republi- 
can in politics, although he was an ardent upliolder 
of his party, he never held any office. He was a 
consistent and conscientious member of the Chris- 
tian Cliurch. The paternal grandparents of our 
subject were James and Martha (Case) Goff, who 
were natives of New England. They died in On- 
tario County, N. Y. Our subject's motlier was 
born in Chemung Township, Chemung County, N. 
Y., March 5, 1821, and was the daughter of Brins- 
ley and P^lizabetii (Hunt) Stevens, both of wliom 
were natives of New York. They removed to On- 
tario County, N. Y.. and in 1837 came to Mieiii- 
o-an settling in Argentine, (ienesee County, where 
tliey spent the remainder of their lives. The fatlier 



was a soldier in the War of 1812; he was also a 
farmer all his life. 

Our subject's parents have had six children, 
namel}' : Marvin, Martha E., James, George, Cora 
and Isabelle. The eldest and youngest are de- 
ceased. James Goff was raised in Argentine Town- 
ship, Genesee County, on his father's farm and re- 
ceived his education from the district scliools in 
the neighborhood, finishing at Fenlon, Midi. Af- 
terward he attended school at Ovid and at Byron. 
His life thus far was spent on the farm and until the 
fall of 1889 he was content to remain where he was 
brouglit up until he removed to the village of By- 
ron, where he is iiow living witii ids mother. 

Mr. Goff's farm comprises eight}' acres on section 
18, Argentine Tovvnsliip, and on it he takes great 
delight in raising a very high grade of slock. Like 
so many others in Michigan, in 1861 when tliere 
was a call for volunteers, Mr. Goff was among the 
first to respond. He joined the army as a private 
in ComfiMny I, Eighth Michigan Cavalry, and 
served willi the Army of tlic Cumberland until tlie 
close of tlie war. He was mustered out at Nash- 
ville, Tenn., in September, 1865, and received his 
final disciiarge at Jackson, Mich., in Octolier, 1865. 
In July, 1864, he was promoted to First Duty Ser- 
geant, and served in tiiat capacity uutil the close 
of the war. He was in tlie battles of Burnside's 
campaign in East Tennessee, and his regiment 
joined Sherman's arm^- immediatel}' after the Re- 
saca (Ga.) fight. They remained in the Georgia 
campaign, and proceede<l down the State as far as 
Atlanta, participating in the battles of Kenesaw 
Mountain and in the siege of Atlanta and the 
Stoneinan raid. After the battle of Atlanta his 
regiment was sent back to Tennessee, where it 
joined tlie army under Gen. Thomas, and partici- 
pated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. 
During his service in the arm}- he did not miss 
dut)' for a single day, and never sought to be ex- 
cused. He escaped the hardships of a prisoner's 
life, but was at one time five days and nights in the 
woods getting aw.ay from the rebels. 

Mv. Goff is an ardent Republican in politics, and 
although he has served his party well, he has never 
sought emolument in the w.ay of appointment to 
office. He is a Grand Army man, belonging to liie 



I'OKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



347 



D.G. Royce Post, No. 117 at Byion^and is a mem- 
ber of tlie I'liion \'eteran's I'liiuu. He believes in 
llie proU'i-tlon of the farmer, and Is a stroiifj ineiii- 
ber of Uie Fanners' Alliance. October \G. 1872, 
Mr. OolT married Miss Fanny Monroe, of liyron. 
She v.as a native of New York .Stale, born October 
2, 1817, and was a dan<rhler of Henry and Eliza- 
beth (Palley) Monroe. The gentleman whose name 
lieads our list, and his wife, have had two children 
whose names are Howard and Daisy. Their ages 
are respectively (ifteen and nine years. Mrs. (ioff 
died March 10, 1891. She was for many years a 
member in good standing of the Methodist Church. 



ylLLIAM C. PATRICK. This gentlemai 
is the fortunate owner of a line farm con 
sisting of two hundred and thirty one acre 



gentleman 

uon- 

rty one acres 

on sections 5 and 8, Eagle Township, and among the 
agriculturists of Clinton County he occupies an 
honorable position both by reason of his ability 
and character. He has done well in life (inancially 
speaking and has been useful in his day and gener- 
ntion by setting a good example and by the exer- 
cise of valor as a defender of the I'nion. He spent 
several of the best^ears of his earl^' manhood in the 
Fnion Army and no duty was too hard and no 
danger too hazardous for him to endure i.i his 
country's behalf. The farm he now occupies he 
has called home since his boyhood and he has Iht re- 
fore become widelj' known in this part of the State. 
The parents of our suijjeet, Jolin and Eliza (Cole- 
man) Patrick, as well as their son, were born in 
N<irlhami)lon, England, and came to America hi 
1853. They settled in Livingston County,, N. Y., 
but after living there four years came to this Stale 
and took possession of land now included in the 
son's farm. William was liorn January 17, 18 11, 
and received i)ut a common-school e(iMealion,s|)enil- 
ing the intervals of study in work for his father. 
He was twenty years old when he determined to 
enter the army and give the strengtii of his j'oung 
manhood to the I'nion cause. lb' enlisted in Sep- 
tember, 18GI, in Company E, One Hundred and 



Fourth New York Infantry, and was sent to the 
Army of the Potomac. When the troops were 
organized into corps he was attached to the First 
Arm3- Corps. The first engagement iii which the 
regiment took part was at Cedar Mountain, Va., in 
the summer of 1862. This w:is followed by a light 
at Rappahannock Station and this in turn by one at 
Thoroughfare Gap, where they were sent to inter- 
cept Lee. Here the [hn\)n troops were repulsed 
and not long afterward tliey took part on the famed 
field of Bull Run. 

In September, 18t;2, Mr. Patrick and his com- 
rades fought at Autietam, where the regiment lost 
heavily. After the victory there they went south 
to the Rappahannock and took |)art in Burnside's 
campaign, fighting at Fredericksburg and elsewhere. 
They al.so fought under Gen. Hooker at Chancel- 
lors ville in the siiring of 18(i3, arriving there in 
time to sui)port the Eleventh Corps, that h.ad been 
stampeded. They were detailed on picket duty and 
covererl the retreat next d.ay. When Lee invaded 
Maryland and Pennsylvania in June, 18C3, their 
corps was in the advance following him, and reached 
Gettysburg in time to make the first attack. 
Among the killed at that point was the gallant 
Gen. Reynolds and but thirty-five of the regiment 
were left to answer roll call, all the others being 
killed, wounded or missing. Mr. I'atrick was badly 
wounded in the hip during the first day's fight and 
being in a serious condition was left on the field, 
while others who were but slightly wounded were 
carried along by the rebels in their .etreat. After 
the soldiers had passed he was taken to a field hos- 
l)ital where he remained three months and was then 
sent to Philadelphia. In that city he remained 
nine months, when he w.as discharged on account 
of wounds received while in the service. For over 
four years he carried the ball in his bod}'. From 
the date of his discharge he drew a pension of 18 
per month and this has recently been increased to 

After his discharge Mr. Patrick returned to his 
old home and located on section 8, of the same 
township. In the course of time he returner! to the 
section on which he had spent his youth and where 
he has continued to make his home, .\mong the 
members of his household is his agerl father, nnw 



348 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



seventy-five years o!rl. In charge of the domestic 
affairs is liis devoted wife to whom lie was marrieil 
November 28, 1868. She bore the maiden name of 
Rebecca Morris and is a daiigiiter of William Mor- 
ris, a native of England, where she also was born 
June 12, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick are the happy 
parents of five living children and they sorrow for 
the death of a son Meade, who died vvlien three and 
a half years old. Their surviving children are John 
J., AVilliam, Charles, Henry C. and Rose May. 

In his use of the elective franciiisc Mr. Patrick 
supports candidates named on the Republican 
ticket, as he firmly believes the priiicii)les they are 
pledged to support are best calculated for the needs 
of the nation. He and his wife belong to the 
United Brethren Church in Portland and earnesti}' 
endeavor to carry the jjrinciples of Christianity 
into the actions of every day life. 



UTHER RYON, who is engaged in general 

farming and stock-raising on section 4, 8ci- 

^ ota Townslii|), Shiawassee County, was born 



in Kendall, Orleans County, N. Y., April 1, 183;), 
and is a representative of one of the early families 
of this count}'. His parents, Daniel and Mahala 
(Stanhoi)e) Ryon, came to Michigan in 1845, and 
settled in Calhoun County, where they made their 
home until 1856. In that year, they took up their 
residence upon section 34, in the town of Middle- 
bury, where they are still living. In his 3'ouuger 
j'ears, Mr. Ryon learned the cooper's tr.ade, which 
he followed in the East, but on coming to Michi- 
gan, he embarked in farming, which he has since 
made his life work. At tlie time of his arrival here, 
the land was all wild, not a furrow having been 
turned. He built a log cabin, 16x20 feel after 
clearing a small patch of timl)er away and wiien 
his family were established therein, he turned his 
attention to the development of the land, making 
an excellent farm. In |)olitics, Mr. Ryon is a Dem- 
ocrat. In the family are seven children, all of 
whom are living — Willard W., Luther, Sarah L., 
John J., Austin, Nancy D., and Charles. 

Since his seventh year, Luther Ryon has been a 



citizen of Michigan. He was reared in Calhoun 
County, and received a ver}' limited education as 
his famil}' was then in poor circumstances, and his 
services were needed at home vipon the farm. He 
remained under the parental roof until twenty 
J'ears of age, when lie left home and began to work 
by the month as a farm hand. He came to this 
county with his parents in 1855, and after working 
for others for a yenv or more, he and his brother 
Willard purchased eighty acres of land, the farm on 
which he now makes his home, then a wild and un- 
improved tract. After a time he bought out his 
brother's interest and bj' hard labor, untiring en- 
ergy and perseverance has developed one of the 
best farms in this locality. His outbuildings are 
models of convenience, his machinery is of the lat- 
est imjiroved styles, and his well-tilled fields pre- 
sent a most pleasing appearance. la connection 
with general farming, he engages quite extensivelj' 
in stock-raising, and has some fine specimens of 
blooded thoroughbred cattle, including Short-horns 
and other breeds. He also has a fine imported 
horse, Duke of Hamilton, valued at 12,000. 

On the Oth of October, 1863, Mr. Ryon was 
united in marriage with Miss Cornelia A. Balcom, 
of Sciota Township, who was born in New York, 
September 5, 1841, and was a daughter of Charles 
and Caroline (Hills) Balcom. By their union one 
child was born, a daughter. Bertha A. The death 
of Mrs. Ryon occurred May 5, 1890, and was deeply 
regretted by man}' warm friends. She was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church, as is also the daugh- 
ter. 

In politics, Mr. Ryon is independent, having 
allied himself with no party, but holding himself 
free to support whoever he pleases regardless of 
party alliliatioiis. He has held a number of town- 
ship ollices, the duties of which he discharged with 
promptness and fidelity, and is a member of the 
Patrons of Industry. He also holds membership 
with the Methodist Church, and is an active 
workei- in its interests. To every enterprise or 
movement calculated to upbuild or benefit the 
community lie gives his support and is accounted 
one of the leading and valued citizens of the town- 
ship. He owns one of the finest farms and most 
beautiful homes in the vicinity which is the result 



PORTRAIT AND BJOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



^:,\ 



of his own efforts, and lie may trnlj' be called a 
sclf-inadc man. 

Tlie allenlion of tlic reader is invited to a view 
of the fine homestead of Mr. Ryon and also to his 
portrait presented in uonneeliun with this brief 
biographical notice. 



<| felLLIAM F. HALL. In Ovid Township, 
\rJ// Clinton County, is a pleasant far n of 
^(^ eighty-five acres, owned and occu|)icd by 
the gentleni.in above named. Wlieu Sir. Hall 
came hither in the fall of 1864 he found the tract 
covered witli iieavy limber, and in clearing and 
devcloi)iiig his pro|)erty ho did nuich pioneer work'. 
He removed the trees from forty acres and made 
all the imi)rovements now to be seen upon his 
estate. He has a good house, barn and sheds and 
a small but thrifty orchard, and his fields are in a 
high state of cultivation. 

Mr. Hall was born in Wayne County, N. Y., 
September 1, 1832, his parents being .lacob K. :\nd 
Huldah (Wood) Hall. They removed to Michigan 
in 1835, settling in Macomb County, where the 
father cut a way into the woods and cleared up a 
large farm, hewing out his home from the foi'est. 
He had two hundred and twenty* acres, a [larl of 
which he placed under cultivation before his 
decease, wliich occurred when his son William was 
about twelve years old. The mother of our sub- 
ject had breathed her last some six years before, 
leaving seven children, of wiiom lie was the 
youngest. 

The lad received such an education as farmers 
generally give their sons, but after the deatii of iiis 
father he had his own career to carve out. He 
worked in Macomb County until he w.as of age, 
then went to Oakland County and for some time 
worked in the store of his brotiier, John C, in I'on 
tiac. In that city he began his wedded life and 
he remained there some two years after his tnar- 
riage. He then came to the farm he now occu- 
pies, where he and his wife have gathered about 
them many comforts and conveniences. During 
the year made famous by the great Chicago (ire 



and the destruction of forests in the Northwest, he 
had to light against the devouring clement which 
occasioned the farmers in this section much anxiety. 
April 5, 1861, Mr. Hall and Miss Ruth Wood- 
ard of Macomb County were united in marriage. 
They have had three children, whose record is as 
follows: Jenny K., who was born March 18, 1802. 
married George 1'. Casler, a farmer of Middlebur}' 
Township; Hattie, born January 19, 18G6, is the 
wife of George \'incent and their home is in Oviil; 
(ieorge J., who was born October 25, 1868, mar- 
ried Kdith Allen and resides with his parents. Mr. 
Hall has never held oflice except one connected with 
eJucational affairs, in which he has ever been much 
interested. For about nine years he has been a 
School Director and his interest in good schools is 
well known to his neighbors and ac(|uaiiilances. 
He is one of those who believe that llie regu- 
lation, or rallier the proljil>ition of the manulacture 
and sale of liquor, is aii act for which all lovers of 
their country should work and he li:is enlercl the 
ranks of the rroliiliitiou part}'. He is a well res- 
pected member of the community, carries on his 
farm intelligently anil with earnestness, and in 
social and domestic life, is kindly and considerate. 



^p^EORGK EASLEU. We are alw.ays ghul to 
*[ (— , welrome to Ameiica natives of (Jermany, 
^^^^ for they represent one of the best classes C)f 
people that have so greatly helped to develop the 
resources of our country, (ieorge Easier, the 
owner of the farm located on section 17, \'ernon 
Township, was born in Elsus, Germany, June 18, 
1830. His father was Frederick Easier, also a 
native of Germany, and was a grain and fruit buyer 
in that country. He came to America about 1838, 
going direct to Sullield Township, I'ortage County, 
Ohio, and located on a twenty- live acre faun. 
Here he bent his energies to work out the Herman 
idea of agricultural improvement, which means t<) 
make land produce three times as much to the acre 
as does the ordinary American. 

The father died in Ohio at the age of about sixty- 
two years. He was a member of the Lutheran 



352 



PORTRAIT AND BJOGRAFHICAL ALBUM. 



Chiucli. Oar subject's motliei's maiden name was 
Lena Wagner, also a native of Germany. She 
lived to be about fifty years of age and was also a 
strict member of the Lutheran Cluircli. Our sub- 
ject was tlie second child of tlie family and about 
eight years old when he canio to America with his 
parents. He started out in life for himself at the 
age of fourteen years, working by the mouth on 
adjoining farms. He then went to Aitron/Ohio, 
where he entered a hotel in order to learn the trade 
of a pastrj' cook. He worked there for one month 
for $i, tiience went to Pittsburg, Pa., where he 
learned to make rope. He remained with the 
master for six years, having bound himself for that 
length of time. At the expiration of this time he 
went to Louisville, Ky., where he remained one 
summer, working at his trade, that of rope making. 
A visit to his home was made about this time and 
then he returned to Pittsburg, Pa., where he staid 
for one month. Thence in the spring of 1851 he 
went to St. Louis, Mo., there working at his trade 
for one sumuKr. He removed to Lexington, Mo., 
and remained one winter and then, attracted by the 
gold iraze in California, he took his way Westward. 
He was one of one imndred and sixteen men wlio 
drove sixteen hundred and sixtyQve head of cattle 
and two hundred head of mules across the plains. 
Arrived in California, he took up mining •-vhicli he 
followed for two years, during which time he was 
more fortunate than man3-, in that he was able to 
take away willi him -i!;5.000. With this he i)urchased 
a farm in Summit County, Ohio. The i)lace com- 
prised one iiundred acres and was well improved. 
Having acquired a home, Mr. Easier needed a 
wife to brighten and make homelike the |)lace and 
he was united in marriage to a lady whose maiden 
name was Catherine Henr}-. She was a native of 
(icrmany. Mr. an<l jNlrs. Easier became the parents 
of three children, one daughter and two sons. 
Sarah A., the daughter, is book-keeper in a dry- 
goods store at Jsorth l>r;uich, Lapeer County, 
Mich.; George W., resides on the farm with his 
father and manages the [jlace; Edward resides in 
Vernon Township, his farm immediately joining 
that of our subject on the soutii. In 18G9 our 
sulijcct lost his first wife and his second union was 
with Martha Ewell, a native of Port.agc, Ohio; she 



was born May 22, 1841, and was the sixth child of 
Lorenzo Ewell. She has presented her husband 
with one child — Fred L., who resides at home. 

In 1875 the original of our sketch sohl out his 
farm in Ohio and came directly to ^'erIlon Town- 
ship, Shiawassee County, this Slate, and purchased 
the place where he now lives. He owns one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of well-improved land and has 
a dwelling, pleasant and comfortable, which cost 
him ¥5,000. It is a two-story frame wiih a |)leas- 
ant outlook and beautifully tinishcd inside in hard- 
wood. Mr. Easier prides himself that his house is 
exceptionally well built and that there is not a 
board in it which has a knothole as large as a 
silver quarter. He pai<l ftjr his farm and suili im- 
provements as it has upon it at that time, ¥10,000 
and has since refused ^yo per acre for ihe [)lace. 
He has expended $1,000 in laying tile on the farm 
and each year adds to the perfection of the drain- 
age. He is a Democrat in principle, allliough he 
is indei)endent in that he votes for whom he 
considers the best man. Mr. Easier is a self-made 
man, is modest and un.assuming and thoroughly 
well liked in the community-. He has made of his 
farm in ^'ernon Township one of the finest in the 
count}' and it is a place of which indeed the Slate 
may be proud. 



-^^ 



W 



ILLIAM SIMPSON is a furniture dealer 
and undertaker of Laingsburg. Of the 
'"^ many worthy citizens which New York has 
furnished to Shiawassee County none are more 
deserving of representalion in this volume than the 
gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was 
born in Diana, .Teft'erson County, of the Empire 
Slate, .luly 10, 1814, and is a son of George W. and 
Susan (Coats) Sim[ison. The father was a native 
of New Hampshire and when a young man removcil 
to New York, where he met and married M\ss 
Coats. He was a man of some means who follo"' d 
farming as his chosen oecuiwtion, but his last d:ixs 
were spent in .Mexandria, X. Y'. In poliiic<lu' 
was a su|>porler of the Whig party and in religious 
belief was a member of the Methodist Church, 



PORTllAir AND HIOGUAPHICAL ALBUM. 



353 



while Iiis wife held membership with the B-iptist 
Church. In their family were seven chililren: 
George W., Mary J., William, Irvin, Priiclla and 
two who died in infancy'. Irvin was a member of 
the Eighteenth New Yorlv Cavalry and died of 
sickness at Brazier City, La. 

In the usual manner of farmer lads the subject 
of this sketch was reared to nianliood and in the 
district schools of his native Stale he acquired his 
education. He began life for himself at the age of 
sixteen years, at which time he went to Clinton 
County, Mich., where he worked as a farm hand by 
the month for two years. At the expiration of 
that time he once more returneii to his old home in 
the State of his nativity and on the 2yth of Decem- 
ber, 1861, offered his services to his country and 
joined the boys in blue of Comi)any E, Xinely- 
foui'th New York Infantry. He served willi the 
Army of the Potomac for three years and partici- 
pated in a number of important engagements, in- 
cluding the battles of Bull Uiin, Antietam, Freder- 
icksburg, Getty sl)urg, the battles of the Wilderness 
and many others of less importance. lie was very 
fortunate in that he was never woiuiiled, but at the 
battle of Gettysbuig he was taken |)risoner. How- 
ever, he was soon (Kiroled ami with his regiment 
continued until the tiiree years of his enhstment 
had expired, when at City Point he received his 
discharge, December 29, 180)1. 

After being mustered out of the service, Mr. 
Sinii)son returned to New York and remained at 
home upon liis father's farm until October, 180.5, 
when again he took up his residence in Clinton 
County, Mich. He purchased a farm in \'ictor 
Townsliip, but after a few months sold his land and 
began working by the month, conliuuing that 
course of action until tlie s))ringof 1871. He then 
came to Laingsburg and started his present busi- 
ness. The following year he was united in mar- 
riage witii Miss Frances Le Bar, daughter of Dan- 
iel anrl Mary (Lewis) Le Bar, and a native of 
Mason, Ingham County, Mich. Tlieir union was 
graced by one child, Zella. The motlier departed 
this life in 187 I and on the 20th of May, 1875, Mr. 
Simpson was united in marriage with Miss Georgie 
Teachout, of Laingsbnrg. She was born in Massa- 
chusetts and her i)arenls, John and Lydia (Springer) 



Teachout, were also natives of the Bay State. 
Three children have been born of the second mar- 
riage: Ray E., Roy P. and Herbert L., all of whom 
are still at home with their parents. 

On coming to Laingsburg Mr. Simpson em- 
barked in mercantile pursuits and has since carried 
on the furniture and undertaking business. His 
store is one of the llRCst and most conii)lele in the 
town and from llie beginning his trade has con- 
stantly increased until now he has an excellent pat- 
ronage. Thereby he has gained a handsome com- 
petence, and in addition to that which he has in his 
business he has money loaned. On attaining his 
majority INIr. Simpson identified himself with the 
Republican party but is now a Prohibitionist. So- 
cially he is a Master Mason, has taken the Scarlet 
Degree of the Odd Fellows and is also a member 
of Henry Deming Post, No. 192, (i. A. U., of 
Laingsburg. He is not oidy ■! npresenlative busi- 
ness man but is also a valued citizen of the com- 
munity who niaiiit'esls a commendable interest in 
all that pertains to the upbuilding and welfare of 
the town and county. 



^^HAULES E. PHELPS, Supervisor of liath 
[11 ^1 Townsliii), Shiawassee Count}', was liorn 
^^/February 15, 1841. His father, EdwinL. ^ 
Phelps, a native of X'ermont, worked in a furnace 
in'lus'iiative Slate, and alto after coining to Michi- 
gan during the early da3's of the '30s. After 
operating a furnace at Birmingham, Oakland 
County, Mich., for a few years, he came in 1838 to 
Clinton County, giving up his furnace business on 
account of his health. He and his brother, both 
single men, kept "bachelors' iiall" for three or four 
years. He assisted in surveying out the site for 
the State Capitol at Lansing. He never hunted 
much, but was on friendly terms willi the Indians, 
but his brother Ozias was a great huntsman. There 
were onlj' three or four settlers there anywhere 
near their home. 

After improving the eighty acres in wliicli he 
and his brother held joint ownership, our subject 
bought eighty acres where he now resides. At one 



354 



PORTRAIT AMD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



lime he owned one Irundrert and twenty acres of 
land. He used to so to Dexter, Waslitenaw 
County, to trade, and later to Cuninna. He was a 
Kepiiblican in politics, and for .some time the High- 
way Commissioner, and helped to lay out many of 
the roads in tliis township. His death occurred 
when lie was about sixty years old, in 1873. 

The motlier of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Susan Rose. She was a native of New 
York, and became the mother of eight children, 
four of whom grew to maturit}', namely: Charles 
E., Eraeline, who died at eighteen, Ozias and 
Amos. Tne mother of these children was a con- 
sistent member of the Free Will Baptist Cliurch, 
and died in 1863. 

The childhood of our subject was spent in the 
woods playing with the Indian children, going to 
school in tlie log sclioolhouse, and helping upon 
the farm. Many a drove of deer has he seen brows- 
ing in the woods near his father's home. He be- 
gan for himself when only twenty-two years of age, 
although he had left home somewhat earlier, as he 
enlisted in the army, February 15, 1863, becoming 
a private in the Fifteenth Michigan Infantry, Com- 
pany K. He participated in the siege of Vicks" 
burg and the batile at Jackson, Miss. He was also 
present at Lookout Mountain, but did not engage 
in the lighting. He was mustered out of service 
at Detroit in February, 18G4, after which lie en- 
gaged in farming. 

The futlier of our subject gave his son forty 
acres of line farming land, and to this he has 
added so that he now has eighty-eight acres. 
Having a home, he now bethought himself of tak- 
ing a wife, and on April 26, 186C, he married Anna 
Markham, a native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., 
where she was born July 6, 1848. Her parents, 
Seth and Nancy (Briggs) Markham, both natives of 
New York State, and farmers, settled in Lorain 
County, Ohio, where they carried on a farm for 
ten years, and in 1861 came to .Shiawassee County, 
and settled in Woodhnll Township. He died in 
1868, and she in 1881. Eight of their eleven 
children grew to maturity. Both of them were 
earnest and active members of the United l?rethren 
Church. 

To Mr. .anil Mrs. Phelps have been born four 



children, who are by name, Minnie Adelaide, Rob- 
ert Seth, Alton J. and Roscoe C. Both parents are 
identified with tlie Free Baptist Church, uliich is 
situated one-half mile south of their residciu-c. 
Mr. Phel|)s is a man very generally known 
throughout this section of Shiawassee County, .ind 
being well liked and much above the aver:im: in 
intelligence, has been (ilaced in such oflices of trust 
as he was willing to undertake. He has lici'n 
.Justice of the Peace for one term, Towi ship 
Treasurer for four years, and is now serving a 
second term as .Supervisor. As a Republican and 
an old soldier, he is an ardent member of the 
Grand Army of the Hepulilic, and being earnestly 
desirous of the welfare of the farming comiiiiinilv, 
he is an active member of the Farmers' Alliani;e. 
He h.as also been a delegate to the count}' conven- 
tion of tlie Republican [larty, and is a memljcr of 
Lodge No. 121, I. O. 0. F. at Bath. His wife, who 
is a true heliiniatc in every cajiaeit}- of life, is most 
highly esteemed and admired by those who have 
known her longest. 



ON. KDWIN A. TODD. This honored cit- 
\ zen of Owosso is one of the comparatively 
few men now living who are thoroughly 
conversant, by actual e.xiierience, with the 
scenes through which this section of the country 
has passed since it was an almost untrodden wihkr- 
ness. He was born in Poutiac, Oakland County, 
Mich., on the 16th of January, 1828, and dur- 
ing his infancy his parents removed to Flint, where 
they were the first white settlers. There the son 
spent his boyhood and youth, his chief playmates 
being Indian boys and girls. When old enough lo 
wield an ax and guide a plow he begin lo lake his 
part in the work of development and crossed the 
country vvitli articles in which his father was carry- 
ing on trade, t'.. us becoming thoroughly aequainted 
with the scenery and sible to note every change in 
the appearance of the hands uf Central Michigan. 

In order lo belter undersland the traits devel- 
oped in ou\ subject, we will make a brief mention 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



355 



of the career of his parents. His father, John 
Todd, was born in Batavia, N. Y., and came to 
what was then a vast territor}' in 1817. He made his 
home in Pontiac, Mich., liicn a smell village, where 
he wooed and married Miss P0II3' M. Smith. This 
lady was born in Fleming County, N. Y., near Au- 
burn, and was a dauu^hter of Abram Smith and of 
Kuijlish ancestry. The Todds tra^e their lineage 
to Scotland. After some years Mr. Todd settled 
on a farm in Oakland County, but in 18;50 removed 
to Flint. That jilace was only a trading post and 
Mr. Todd laid out the first wagon road or trail to 
Saginaw and built the first bridge across the Cass 
River. He was an Indian trader, exchanging vari- 
ous articles for furs, pelts and such other things as 
tiio red men had to dispose of. He had manj' 
thrilling adventures with tiic Indians, butgenerally 
got along with them peaceably. He remained at 
Flint until late in life, then rcTnoved to Owosso, 
whcio In; died at the venerable age of ninety years. 
Mrs. Todd al.so died Irmv, her age being sixty-nine 
years. She was a woman of great force of charac- 
ter and will-powor, as she had need to bo to spend 
her lime <m tiic frontier and make a true home in 
the midst of untoward sunoundings. 

Besides llie subject of tiiis biograiiliical sketch 
the cliildrcii of .lolin and Polly Todd were May L., 
Juli.''. I. und Albert S., all living except Julia. He 
of whom we write went onto a farm in (Jencsee 
County when seventeen years old and remained 
there until he was of age. He then joined the 
great army that was beginning to head for the Pa- 
cific Coast, where gold lia<l been discovered a short 
time licforo, and starling from the States in IfSll), 
he reached California the following year, via the 
Isthmus of Panama. IJe engaged in mining, in 
which he proved successful and during the five 
years spent on the Coast am.'issed considerriblc 
wealth. During the latter part of the lime he was 
interi'i-ted in water-works connecled with placer- 
mining. When the five years had elapsed Mr. 
Todd returned to Michigan and invested his money 
in various ways. In 1 !S')o he came to Owosso and 
built the second sawmill and the first run by steam, 
being in partnership with David Oould, his brother- 
in-law. The old mill is still standing and lia.s re- 
cently bfcn occupied as monument works by Rollin 



Pond. Mr. Todd retained his interest in the mill 
about three years, after which he sold out, having 
other a£fairs to which he preferred to give his at- 
tention. 

From the beginning of the construction of the 
Amboy, Lansing & Traverse Bay, now the Jack- 
son, Lansing it .Southern Railroad, until 187.'5 Mr. 
Todd was connected with that cnteri)rise. That 
year he formed one of the firm of Nason Gould ife 
Co., whose headquarters were in Chcssening, Sag- 
inaw Countj-, and the connection continued about 
four years, when it was dissolved, as the timber on 
lands held by it was exhausted. In 1878 Mr. 
Todd entered upon another |ieriod of mining, go- 
ing to Leadvillo, Colo., where he remained about 
three years, operating very successfully-. In 1886 
ho visited Mexico and invested in silver mining 
property, his first venture being iji Zacatecas. 
Thence he went to the .State of .lelisso on the Pa- 
cific Co.ast, where .again he became [irolitably inter- 
ested in silver mining. From that point he went 
to Aguaeallientes and again engigcd in mining 
He returned to Owosso afler an absence of about 
two j'ears and has not since been actively engaged 
in business save in looking after his investments 
and in work connected wllh the Tolclo & Ann Ar- 
bor Railroad, of wlii('h he is a Director. He has 
considerable city propei'ty, including tlii'ee substan- 
tial dwellings, from which he receives a good rental. 

In March, 1855, Mr. Todd was married to Miss 
Martha Johnson, a native of New York, who came 
to this Slate with her [):ireuts when a young lady of 
eighteen years. Her agreeable manners, refine- 
ment and line ch.aracter have ende;ued her to many, 
and in her own home she is respected and belove<l 
bj' those to whom she has been devoted for years. 
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Todd arc four in num- 
ber: William A., the eldest, is engaged in the 
insurance business in Tennessee; Kdwin A., Jr., 
has charge of the Claini.s Departmcrit for the To- 
ledo, Ann Arbor it Northern Railway; Fred A. is' 
assistant physician at Toledo, Ohio, in the asylum 
for the insane; Frances K. is the wife of James H. 
Wheeler, cashier of the Oklahoma City Bank, in 
Oklahoma Territory. 

The first connection of Mr. Todd with the muni- 
cipal aft'airs of Owosso began in 1871, when he was 



356 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



elected Mayor. He was again chosen to take his 
place at the head of the government in 18'J0 and 
once more did what he could in an official capacity 
to promote the interests of the town in wliich he 
had chosen to reside. The first Presidential vote 
of Mr. Todd was cast for Franklin Pierce anfl he 
has always been a Democrat. During the war he 
was numbered with the class known as War Demo- 
crats, taking a strong stand on the side of the 
Union. He joined the Masonic lodge at Flint and 
is a raemljer of the Odd Fellows lodge of this citj', 
and one of tlie oldest Odd Fellows in the State; 
and his religious home is in the Episcopal Church, 
of wl)ich liis wife is also a member. Mr. Todd lias 
been a Vestryman for many years. He is genial 
and entertaining and stands higli as a citizen and a 
in;\n. 

,:^g g' - — SH F^ „ . , ^ ^=-, 

'fw^OHN KING, a well-known and [trosperous 
resilient of section 13, Ilazclton Township, 
Sliiawassee County, is tlie son of John King, 
; a native of County Longford, Ireland, of 
which county his raotlier also (whose maiden name 
was liridget Murtaugh) was a native. They were 
married at llieir old home and came to America 
in 1846, landing at New York Citj". Here they 
remained for three j'ears, and in 1849 came to 
Michigan anil scetlled in Flint Township, Genesee 
Count}', on an unbroken farm covered willi oak 
openings. Upon this they remained for four years 
and cleared some twenty-five acres of the land. 

Selling tlieir first Western farm, the parents of 
our subject removed to Hazleton Township in 
1853, and settled on section 13, which was all 
wild land. Before reaching their home they were 
obliged to cut the road through the woods for a 
mile and a half. Here they finally acquired a 
handsome property of four hundred and eighty 
acres. They encountered many hardsiiips in tiieir 
early life in the West as they were unused to 
sucii experiences. It was so solid a forest that it 
was with difficulty that they found their way from 
jjoint to [loint, even by the help of blazed trees. 
Thcrt were but few families then in the town- 
ship and only nine voters were registered that 



spring. The farm was greatlj' improved during 
the lifetime of the father, who passed away in 
1871, at the age of sixty -six. His worthy com- 
panion outlived him ten j'ears and attained the 
age of eighty-one. They were the parents of six 
children, who grew to maturity. 

Joseph King, one of the sons of these parents, 
was a soldier in the Twentj'-third Michigan Infan- 
try during the War of the Rebellion, and being 
taken i)ri.soncr at Knoxville, underwent the hard- 
ships at Andeisouville for eighteen months, but he 
lived through them and with eleven other com- 
rades escaped and returned to the Union army. 
He was relegated to his own regiment and returned 
to Detroit, waiting to be mustered out. He was 
taken sick the night after reaching Detroit, and 
died there. He was a man of great populariuy, 
not only among his comrades in arms, but also 
with the citizens of Flint, where he made his 
home. 

The subject of this sketch was born upon the 
Green Isle of Erin April 17, 1836, in the Parish 
of Cloonglish, County Longford, and was nearly 
eleven years old when he came to America. He 
was well educated in his native countj', and at- 
tended the Grammar School in New York City. 
He was fourteen j'ears old when he came to Mich- 
igan and almost eighteen when he made his home 
in Shiawassee County. Until after he was twenty- 
two years old he remained at home helping his 
parents upon the farm, and he then worked out 
by the month for a few years. His father had 
been unfortunate in contracting debts and he as- 
sisted him in lifting them. His father gave him 
a one-tiiiid interest in the undivided three hun- 
dred acres which constituted the farm, and when 
they were finallj- divided he received the one 
hundred acres lying west of the remainder of the 
tract. 

In 1860 John King had some chopping done 
upon his land and built a little frame house, 16x24 
feet, and November 17 of the same j'ear he be- 
gan keeping bachelor's hall in this new home. A 
yoke of oxen was the team with which he assisted 
himself in his arduous labors. The young man 
found that man was not made to live alone and 
November 19, 1861, betook unto himself a wife 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



357 



in tlic person of Bridget E., a daughter of Pat- 
riciv Trainor. an old settler in Flint. Slie was 
born November 1, 1814, in Ireland, and lived 
only five years after marriage, dying December 
(!, 18GG. .Siie was the mother of two diildren, 
both of whom were snatched from her arms by 
death: .loseijh Patrick was born October 15, 1862, 
an<l died September 1, 18GC; and Annie, born 
July 21, 18(5 1, died December 28, 186.5. The 
mother and both children died within twelve 
months of each other. This left the little home 
indeed indeed desolate. 

The second marriage of .John King took place 
August 5, 18G7, his bride being Briilget Dele- 
liaiily, daughter of Patrick and Bridget (McNa- 
mara) Delehanty, natives of County Claie, Ireland. 
Mr. and Mrs. Delehanty camo to .\merica in 1850, 
and after s|iending a year in New York City came 
West, spending four years at Cleveland. In 185(1 
he came to Michigan, settling in (Saines Town- 
shii), denesee Count}", upon a farm. Mr. Dele- 
hanty was a man of intelligence and woith, and 
for some time was section foreman on the railroad, 
lie died March IS, 1801, having reached the age 
of seventy-eight years, and his widow, who is 
now eighty-four, still survives him. They were 
the parents of ten cliildren, six of whom arc now 
living. 

Mrs. King was born Sei)teml)er 5, I8IG, in 
County Clare, Ireland, ami she has become tiie 
mother of fourteen childr(!n, eleven of whom are 
now living. I'hej- are named: .losei)hine, born 
April 30, 18G8; Francis J, born June 17, 1869; 
Hannah, .lanuary, 20, 1871 (deceased); Mary, born 
January 2, 1873 (deceased); Ambrose, born March 
11, 1874; Cecilia, October 17, 1875; Ellen, .Inly 
1, 1877; an infant unnamed (deceased); John Al- 
bin, born January 3, 1880; Ann Lilly, May 25, 
1882; Elizabeth, November 7, 1883; Agnes, De- 
cember 12. 1885; Esther, July 13, 18H7; and 
Stephen A., March 7, 181)0. 

The farm has been greatly improved since Mr. 
King went upon it. and now he has one hundred 
and twenty acres. The original one hundred Is 
the finest farm and assessed the highest in the 
town.slii|). In 18H5 he built his resilience at a cost 
of over ^1,000, liesides his own labor and haul- 



ing. The front part is 18x28 feet and nineteen 
feet high, and is built of brick with a cellar wall 
under the whole house. This wall is seven and 
one-half feet higli and two feet thick. The cellar 
has a cemented floor and is thoroughly under- 
drained. The front wing has the dimensions of 
18x28 feet and the rear wing of 18x30 feet. 11 is 
the handsomest house in the township and is as 
well built and attr.active as any in the county, 
being finished in graining. It contains thirteen 
rooms, convenienti}' iirranged and lighted, with all 
improvements. Mr. King does not enjoy good 
health as he has suffered with si)asmodic astlim.i 
ever since 1863. Both he and his wife; are devout 
members of the Catholic Church. 

To his cliildren Mr. King has granted a good 
education and the younger ones are many of them 
attending school. Josephine h.as held a teacher's 
eertificate since she reached the age of sixteen 
jears. She is a graduate of the Fenton Normal 
School and lias taught for five years, being con- 
siilered a very successful young woman in her 
profession. Our subject is active in school mat- 
ters and a member of the School Board. He is a 
Democrat in his [)ollti'jal views, but is indepen<l- 
ent to a considerable degree, and in local elections 
votes for the man rather than for the party. He 
has been Higliw.ay Commissioner for three years 
and for five years in succession lillcd the ollice of 
Township Treasurer, and filled it well. He re- 
ceived the unqualifioil support of his fellow-citi- 
zens although this is a strongly- Kepuhlican Town- 
ship. He also serves as Clerk of township elections 
and is a member of the Board of Review. 



. «. gJ9- 
■ r-^'a- 



^^ 



■SjOHN H. CLEMENTS. The subject of this 
! sketch, living in De Witt Tf)wnship, ( linton 
County, belongs to a well-known famil}', 
(|2^/ which has for many j'ears been noteworthy 
for its intelligence, Christian char.acter and patriot- 
ism. He himself is a man of unusual business 
ability which he has proved by his success in life. 
He was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., September 
4, 1821, and his father, Henry Clements, of Cerman 



358 



rORTKAIT AJSiD BIOGRArHICAL ALBUM. 



descent, was boin in New York Slate in 1801 and 
carried on farming in Dutcliess and Cliaiitaiiqua 
Counties in tlial State. He came to White Oak 
Townsliip, Ingiiam County, Mieli., June 1, 1836, 
traveling iiy lake to Detroit, and thence by team. 
He took up from the (iovernment seven hundred 
and twenty acres of land and was among the first 
to penetrate the forests of White Oak Township, 
where he estahlished his new home. He was three 
miles from his nearest neighbor, twenty-five miles 
from n grist mill, eleven miles from a sawmill, six 
miles from a tavern and four miles from a religious 
meeting which was held in a log scboolhouse. 
Wheal w.'is then v.'orlh nine shillings per bushel, 
corn sevenly-livc cents and (lour ^7 pei- barrel. 

riic Indians were very numerous tlien and Henry 
Clements was on friendly terms with lliem. The 
country also was full of deer and game. He was 
an unusually hard worker and altcnded closely lo 
business anil thus developed a great [jortion of his 
large faini. At his death in ISIil he had reached 
the age of sixly-lhree years. He was a AN'liig lirst 
and then aUcpubliean in politics and was an active 
member of the Methodist Church and a man of 
many good (pialilies of mind and heart. 

'I'he wife of Henry Clements was Catheiine Da- 
mon, a native of New York State, of Holland de- 
scent. She was a kin.d, Christian mother and reared 
with great care and wisdom her ten children, live 
sons and live danghleis. Four of her sons served 
in the army during the war of the rebellion and 
one of them mn'er returned as he died in service. 
She was a consistent and earnest member of the 
Metliddist, Church and died at the age of firty-nine 
years. 

The subject of this sketch was but fourteen years 
old w'len he came to Michigan with his parents in 
1H;?(!. Up lo lids time he had received his educa- 
tion in the district schools of Chantauciua County, 
N. Y. lie bad an unusually strong liking for 
hunting and he spent much of his time until he 
reache(l maturity in hunting deer ajid other wild 
game. I'robably f<'w young uicn at that lime 
killed as many deer as he. He bellied lo curry 
the chain to survc}- the present site of the city of 
Lansing. 

In 1MI« Mr. Clements took up his lesidence in 



Lansing and engaged in the general merchandise 
business. Here we must record the only financial 
failure of his life, as he did not succeed here, and 
had to close his business in 1850 at a great loss. In 
December of that j-ear he went to California by 
water and there engaged in mining. He was suffi- 
ciently successful to be able to send money home 
to his wife from time to lime with which she hon- 
orably i)aid the debts which liis misfortune had 
brought u|ioii him. 

He returned October 2, 18.'')2 and resided in 
Lansing until l.SOG when he bought the farm where 
he now lives which then comprised two humlred 
and forty acres of the finest land iu Clinton C'ounly. 
He has since parteil with a part of this land lo his 
children. It is safe to say that there is not another 
two hundred and forty acres of land in the county 
so well situated, so level and so rich as this tract, 
lying as il (Iocs between the swamp land and the 
upland. At the time of purchase the |)roperty was 
much run down, but he has itn|)roved il and built 
a large fianic barn and a frame residence. This 
however he has now supplanted with a palatial 
white lirick residence which he erected in 1883. 1 1 
is siluate(l upon a well shaded lawn and is one of 
the finest places in the township. 

This gentleman o.vns an extensive holel at the 
sumnu'r resort of Iniliau River in CHieboygan 
County, Mich., where he and his good wife spend 
the summers, while they wintnr on the farm. He 
is independent in politics. The lady who became 
his wife in 1813 was known in her maidenhood as 
Mary Nenell and is one <.)f the finest of wonjen. 
She was born at Morrisonville, Madison Count}', 
N. v., .luue 20, 1S22. Her father, Aaron Newell, 
was a native of Connecticut and oiierated a mill in 
New York State. He came lo Michigan in 1843 
and settled on a farm in Ingham County, an<l died 
the following year. His wile, Mary (Tidd) Newell, 
was born in Massachuset,ts. .She was a Irne-hcarted 
and kindly woman, a member of the Presbyterian 
Church and of iMiglish descent. One of the six 
children whom she reared to maturity died in the 
service of his country during Ilia War of the Re- 
bellion. She i)assed away from ea'-lh in 1864. 

Mr. and Mrs. Clements have had six children, 
namely: Mclvina, who died iu her fifth year; Helen, 










'/^^iiyy^^i^- 




^^^2>?'-^&<z^. 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



361 



Mrs. Church ; Newell; Dora, who died wlieii twenty- 
nine years oltl; DeLoss, who (lied ivlien two years 
old and Charles. This family both in the past 
generation and tiie present stands among the most 
hii;;lily esteemed and most popular in the county 
and they have helped in a thousand ways to make 
the neighborhood in which they live what it is con- 
sidered to-da_v, one of the most intelligent and 
cultured countrj- districis in Southern Michigan. 



•■J-#" 



FATHER HENRY C. KOENIG. This gen- 




I 



^1 tleman is a well-known figure on the streets 
of St. .Tolin's and in the neighboring town 
of Portland, and to him is due to a large degree 
tiie present condition of St. Josepli's Calholic 
Church ill St. John's. lie took up his work when 
the affairs of the church were in a bad condition, 
ttie congregation having run down in number and 
finances, and a debt hanging over it that it seemed 
scarcely possible to lift. He was worked his way 
gaining tiic confidence of his people, and encour- 
aging tiiem in their efforts, and li.is succeeded in 
clearing the charge of indebtedness, improving the 
church and parsonage and placing the affairs on a 
basis that promises well for the future. In the 
twenty-three years that have elapsed since the 
church was established, thirteen men have labored 
here and no one has staid so long as Father 
Koenig. 

Tiie father of our subject was Adam Koenig, a 
farmer and garde-ier in Saxony. He came to 
America in 1873 and located in Detroit, where he 
still lives retired from active life. He is a son of 
Lawrence Koenig, who also a farmer and was quite 
wealthy. The mother of our subject bore the 
maiden name of Catherine Kuhn, and she too is a 
native of Saxony, where her father, (Jeorge Kulin, 
was engaged as a tailor and a farmer. Her chil- 
dren were seven in number, six sons and one daugh- 
ter, as follows: Nicholas L., Henry C, (the second 
in order of birth) Barnard J., Theresa M., Charles, 
William and August W. Our subject was born in 
Saxony (Jctober 11, 1858, reared in the village of 



Pfaffschwende, and attended the parochial school. 
He accompanied his parents to America, sailing 
from Bremen and after a storm3' voyage of seven- 
teen d.ays landed in New York. Soon after the 
family was settled in Detroit he fcjund employment 
and for two years was variously occupied, and 
during the time took up the studj- of languages. 
His father in the meantime spent some months on 
a farm in Macomb County, and while making his 
home there the lad combined work and stud}-. 

When nineteen years old young Koenig entered 
St. Jerome's College, at Berlin, Ontario, and re- 
mained there until he had completed a four years' 
classical course. He was graduated June 2y, 1882, 
and received a valuable modal for his jiroficiency 
in mental philosophy, in which he had the best 
record of any student in the institution for many 
years. At the wish of Bishop Borgess he then en- 
tered Sandwich College, and continued his studies 
there a twelvemonth. He next went to St. Mary's 
Theological Seminar3', at Baltimore. Md., but was 
not able to remain there for the entire course, as 
the climate did not agree with him, and the con- 
finement of such protracted studies also aflfetted his 
health. He was oblige<l to give up his studies after 
a gear's attendance and came home nearer dead 
than alive. When able to resume his work he did so 
and his theological training was coui|)leted in St. 
Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, from which he was 
graduated in 1886. 

The riles of ordination wore held by Bishop C. 
H. Borgess at Sandwich, Canada, June 16,1886, 
and after a vacation of two weeks Father Koenig 
was at his post in St. John's. The outlook was 
very discouraging and so little did he seem able to 
accomplish I hat he was ready to abandon his work, 
and went to Detroit hoping to be given a different 
field or to receive some encouragement regarding 
his work. A visit with the Bishop cleared his men- 
tal sky, and having the support and counsel of that 
gentleman, he entereil upon his labors with renewed 
zeal, and at length saw the result. In addition to 
the charge in St. John's he has been the i)astor of 
'^t. Patrick's Church in Portland. He believes in 
honest}' in politics and religion, and in his work 
for the young, advocates giving each child a fair 
education, and at the same time teaching iiim in 



362 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



early life to help his parents, and so St himself for 
work in future years. Fatlier Koenig, with his lib- 
eral education and genial nature, is a royally enter- 
taining companion and he has many warm friends, 
while bj' his people he is looked up to as one from 
whom they receive the best of counsel and care. 

In connection with his biographical notice, a 
lithographic portrait of Father Koenig is presented 
to our readers. 



-^^ 
"^^=^1^ 






^SSn HARLES L. moon, son of an early settler 
j^(^-^.^ in Clinton County, who resides just south 
^i^' of the village of DeWilt, was born in DeWitt 
Township, August 22, 1841. His father, Henry 
Moon, was born about forty miles from London, 
England, in 180C, and came to America with two 
of his brothers when he was about twenty years 
old. He staid for a short time in Canada with two 
other brothers who had |)reviously come over, and 
then came on to Michigan, making his home in Sa- 
lem Township,Washtenaw County, in 1833. There 
he worked by the month for four3'ears, and in 1837 
came to this county, and took one hundred and 
sixty acres from the Government in the south part 
of the township. He built a log cabin with pun- 
cheon ll'jor in the midst of the dense woods, and 
had to cut a track througli tiie forest in order to 
get his ox-team to the new home. He was obliged 
to go to Detroit to get any milling done, and his 
most numerous neighbors and most frequent call- 
ers were Indians, deer, bears and wolves. He was 
on friendly terms with the red men, and as he 
lived on an Indian trail saw much of them. They 
would come to DeWitt to get whiskey, and on 
their way home at night, wildly intoxicated, would 
keep him awake for many hours by their war whoops 
and shrieks. 

In the spring of 1850, Mr. Henry Muun went to 
California by the overland route, being four 
months on the way. He engaged in raining, and 
was gone some three and a half years, and accumu- 
lated some money while there. After his return to 
Michigan he lived here until his death at the age 
of seventy-nine years. He was a Democrat in his 



political views and cast his vote for that party. 
He married Susan Frazier, of Washtenaw County, 
who lived to the age of sixty-nine years. She was 
a member of the Baptist Church, and reared to 
maturity six of her seven children. 

Tiie log schoolhouse where our subject attended 
school was of a very rude |)attern. It had no 
chimney and the fire was built in a corner of the 
room, and a hole was left in the roof for the escape 
of the smoke. He remained at home until he 
reached the age of twenty-seven years, and bought 
a small place of eighteen acres. He has been 
School Inspector of the township, and is a Prohi- 
bitionist in his political views, believing thereb}' 
he will advance the cause of temperance and 
morality. Mr. Moon was married to Miss Mary 
Vincent, March 8, 1871. Four children have been 
born to them — Flory, Harr^-, Bertie and Ro^' — all 
livinof. 



•^^^ 



E^ 




ELVIN W. DRAKE. Brave and patri- 
otic service in defence of our Nation's 
(lag, has set the seal of nobility upon many 
a man who is now a quiet agriculturist of 
Rush Townsliii), Shiawassee County. Among them 
we find iMr. Drake, who resides on section 20, and 
is a native of this State having been born in Oak- 
land County, F'ebruary 9, 1844. 

Walter Drake who became the father of our sul)- 
ject, was a native of the old Bay State, and born 
May 20, 1808. Twenty years after he made 
a beginning in life for himself by working on 
the farm, and in 1829 he went to work on the 
Ohio and Chesapeake Canal in ^'irginia, but re- 
turned to New England and in 1830 came West. 
He was engaged in fishing and sailing in Detroit 
until 1831, when he went to Oakland County, and 
purchased a farm of one hundred anil twenty acres 
in Southlield Township. 

The famil}- of Elisha and lluldah (West) Hunter 
came from Rhode Island to Oakland County about 
the year 1820, bringing with them three sons and 
three daughters. Their daughter, Adeline, the 
youngest, born December 27, 1808, became in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



36S 



1831 the wife of Walter Drake, and in time the 
mother of our subject. Mr. Drake resided in 
Oakland until 1844, when he was appointed by the 
Government to go to Grand Traverse as instructor 
to the Indians in farming. Three years later he re- 
turned to Oakland and remained there until l^tSO, 
when he spent five j'ears in Genesee Count}- and 
five years in Owosso and then came to Rush Town- 
ship and bought one hundred and sixty acres on 
sections 20 and 28. 

Our subject is the youngest of two sons and two 
daughters. His mother died in 1881, and his 
father, who was a sturdy old Jaukson Democrat, 
still lives with him. M. W. Drake has a good 
common-school education. His marriage took 
place upon Christmas Da^-, 1875. The lady who 
thus celebrated with him this sacred holiday bore 
the maiden name. of Ada L. bleaker. Her parents 
were Joshua and Marj' (Nelson) Meaker, who had 
three children. Her father had had three children 
by a previous marri.age, and came to Michigan in 
1838. He was the son of Eli Meaker, of New 
York, and his father also bore the name of Joshua. 
The family lived near Binglianipton, N. Y. The 
grandfather of our subject, on his father's side, was 
Larnard Drake, a farmer and stonemason of Mas- 
sachusetts, whose nativity was about June 5, 178.'!. 
He was married in 1802 to Susannah Phillips, who 
was born September 5, 1783. They were the 
worthy parents of nine children, and removed to 
Michigan where Larnard Drake died in Oakland 
County, March 21, 18G3. 

Mrs. Drake was born October 15, 1817, and she 
became the mother of six children: Kva J., Ir- 
ving L., Lula E., Mary A., Walter J. and Herbert 
E. During the Civil War Mr. Drake had been a 
soldier in the Union army, having enlisted in Com- 
pany C, Twent3'-tliird Michigan Infantry, in Au- 
gust, 1862. He was ordered from .Saginaw to 
Louisville, Ky., and from there went on to Frank- 
fort, New Market and Bowling Green, and finally 
wintered in that place. In 18G2 he was in the hos- 
pital when his regiment left Bowling Green, but 
joined them at Cave City, K}'., when they were in 
pursuit of John Morgan's band of raiders. They 
reached Paris, Ky., in time to save the railroad 
bridge from the Confederates, and thence went 



to East Tennessee over the mountain range. They 
were in that portion of the State from October, 
1803, until the beginning of the Georgia cam- 
|)aign. They marched "with Sherman to a point 
below Atlanta, and then returned and were engaged 
with Hood's army for some time. They followed 
him to Clifton, Tenn., and then marched to Wash- 
ington. The}' were stationed for awhile at Smith- 
land, near Ft. Fisher, and afterward at Wilmington 
and Raleigh, and were in all the conflicts of that 
campaign, being in twenty-seven battles in all dur- 
ing their time of service. 

Air. Drake is a prominent and popular Prohibi- 
tionist and was a candidate for Sheriff at a time 
when he ran two hundred votes ahead of his ticket. 
He is County President of the Patrons of Industry 
and has filled that office ever since its organization 
in the county. With his wife and two eldest chil- 
dren he is an earnest and devout member of the 
Methodist F;piscoi)al f/hurch, where they find a 
broad field of labor and influence. 



'Sr^i EV. HENRY KIN(i, JR., who resides in 
|L<*I Henderson, is an Englishman b}' birth, 
Jm\i being born in Loudon, September 13, 
^^; 1834. His father, Henry King, Sr., was a 
wholesale tobacconist who was born in 1811. His 
educ.'ition was that of an ordinarj' Englishman and 
in 1818 he came to Canada and made his home 
there, settling in Kingsville. Ontario. His good 
wife, Susannah W. Smith, was also a Londoner and 
some two years younger than himself. They were 
the parents of four daughters and two sons, and 
lived together in great hap|)iness until 1877, when 
the wife passed from earth. They wore promi- 
nently identified with the Wesleyan Church, in 
which Mr. King was a leader and an active worker. 
He has ever been deeply interested in Canadian 
politics and was a stanch and loyal supporter of 
Sir John McDonald. 

Upon reaching his majoritj' j'oung Henry King 
undertook the profession of a teacher and some 
four years later removed to the United States, 
making his home at Memphis, Mich. Here he took 



364 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, 



up the work of the ininistiy, taking charge of the 
Baptist Churc'li in tLiat place for some two years. 
Previous to i;is coming to tlic States he hail taken 
to himself a wife in the person of the second 
(laughter of Henry and Rachel (Wilkinson) Ful- 
mer, who was born in March. 1837. The wedding 
day of Henry King and Jane Fulmer was August 
31, 1856. i\Ir. Fulmer was born in 1812 and his 
wife in 1813 and they were both natives of Ontario, 
Canada, and became the parents of a large family 
numbering seven sons and six daughters. He 
liassod from earth in 1870 but his good wife makes 
her home with her daughter .lane. 

After preaching for some time in connection 
with the Baptist t'hurch tlie Ucv. Jlr. King felt 
drawn to connect himself with tlie Methodist 
Kpiscopal body which he did in 1884 and four 
years later he became the pastor of that chnrcli at 
Henderson. To Mr. and Mrs. King has been 
granted a fine family of ten childien, all but one of 
whom arc still living and a numl)cr of them arc 
already' filling positions of usefulness and respon- 
sibllit}'. They arc namely: Amelia R., wife of S. 
ConUlin, of Oakland County; Kmil_y S., wife of 
Albert Grow, of Saginaw, Mich.; Theodosia; 
Fannie; Hattie, Mrs. Kdnin IMorris; Aurelius: 
Jennie; Hcnr}- A., died August 28, 1871; Addie, 
and Ellsworth. 

The suliject of this sketch was a Republican in 
bis political views and vote until 1888 when he be- 
came a Prohibitionist and he has ever been a 
worker for the i>olitical principles which he has 
espoused. lie has been idcntilied with tin- order 
of Odd Fellows for some twenty-live ^ears and has 
held the (jllice of Vice Grand and Noble (irand in 
the Lodge at Rochester, Mich. He was also Repre- 
sentative of the Grand Lodge in ISSO and was 
Chaplain of that body in 1887. 

The story of Ihelifc of the Rev. Mr. King would 
be quite incomplete were we to omit therefrom a 
record of his military service. In 1801 he enlisted 
in Company G, Third Michigan Infantry and was 
First Sergeant therein. The regiment was at once 
ordered to Decatur, Ala., and their (irst engagement 
was at Murfreesboro. He was at ()ne time quite ill 
and had to be in the hospital for three months. He 
remained in the service until the dose of the war. 



and has ever felt an earnest interest in the Grand 
Armj^ of the Re|)ublic, being commander of the 
T. C. Crane Post, No. 128, of Henderson, a position 
which he h.as filled for three j'ears, and is now 
Aide-de-Camp on the National Staff with the rank 
of Colonel by appointment of the Commander-in- 
Chief. 



-^^ 



-h 




F. BREWER. This progressive townsman 
v^) and energetic farmer living on section 15, 
Hazelton Township, Shiawassee County, is 
the son of one of the pioneer settlers of the .State 
and himself knows what it is to clear as well as cul- 
tivate a new farm. His parents were Archibald 
C. and Parthena (Pettit) Brewer, natives of New 
York State. The father was a i)ainter b^- trade, 
although he later became a farmer. Thej- were 
married in New York State and there resided 
until they came to Michig.an in 1846. They landed 
at Detroit and first settled in Genesee County on 
a farm which the father had partially improved a 
year previous. 

The first home of the Brewer famil\- after mov- 
ing to this State was a little log house, and after 
th(y had paid for moving their goods and the 
erecting of their home thej' had exactly seventj'- 
livc cents in money and a team of horses with 
which they had come to their new home from 
Detroit. The country- about was thinly settled. 
Mr. Brewer, Sr. bent his energies to improving 
this farm and then trailed it for eighty acres of 
wild laud in Flint Ttuvnship, same county. He 
divided the farm and gave the sul)ject of this 
sketch forty acres and together they began improv- 
ing and cultivating. Our sid)ject's mother died 
Maj' ;?, 1866, having attained the age of sixty-six 
3ears. The father, who was born April 25, 1801, 
departed this life in 1880. They were the [jarenta 
of seven children, four of whom are now living. 
They were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and in politics Mr. Brewer w.as a strong 
Rei)ublicau. 

He of whom we write was born September 21, 
1831, in Livingston County, N. Y., and w.as fifteen 
years of age when his parents came to Michigan. 




M . L . K 1 h4 G 



PORTRArr AND BIOGRAl'HICAl. ALBUM. 



367 



Previous to tliis time he hfid received h good com- 
mon school ediie.itlon an<l afterward it was tlioiight 
that ho was old eiioiigh and r-npaljle of takiriir his 
l)art in the development of the new farm, for wliich 
lie proved himself to liave siilliciont business capa- 
city, for he conducted his father's liusincss and 
managed the work of the farm until he was twenty- 
one j-ears of age. He has alw.ays been a farmer 
and has alw.ays studied to nialce his farm yield as 
much as nature will allow. 

Being provided with a home, he invited Miss 
INIary Jane Palmer to preside over the domestic 
realm. She was a daughter of Amos and Lydia 
(Curtis) Palmer, who were both natives of New 
York, being there married, after which they 
removed to Wyoming Couiity, Pa., living on a 
farm. Her father died in 1813, after settlin;; in 
Genessee County, this State, in 1842. He ha<l 
located on a raw farm and was the fathe" of seven 
children, three of whom are now living. Mrs. 
Brewer's parents were members of the Free Will 
Baptist Church. She was born September 5, 1837, 
in Wyoming County. Pa., and was only five years 
of age when her i)arents came to Michigan. Hei-e 
she received a district school education. 

After marriage our subject settled on liis forty 
acres in 1860, after which thc}^ removed lo his 
present farm of eighty acres, about twenly-five 
acres of wiiich at the lime was under cultivation. 
There was originally a small log house and a log 
barn upon the place. Tlie farm now coinpri.ees 
eighty acres, sixty-live of it being under culti- 
vation. 

Our subject and his estimable wife .are the 
parents of six children, four of whom are nc.w 
living. They arc: Elva P., Alice .)., Arlliui- .1. 
and Herman A. Those deeeased aie Knima ].. and 
Oscar F. The eldest child was born Febrnary 3, 
1855; Emma L. was liorii October 27, l.s;')i!. and 
became the wife of .lolin WaUvoith; she was the 
mother of four children and died January 23, 
1889. Alice J. was born October II, IH.'iH; she 
became the wife of Alexander Frasier; sIk; has 
four children and her home is in this township. 
Oscar was born March 2, 18G2. and died the same 
month. Arthur .1. was born June 22. 1803; he 
wa-s married to -Sarah A. Porterfield and lives at 



Sevart's Creek; he is the father of thie^- children. 
Herman A. was born .September 12, 18()a,and lives 
at home. The family are members and efficient 
workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
wliich denomination Mr. Brewer h.as been Superin- 
tendent of the Sund.ay -school. He is a member of 
the Masonic order and has been a member of the 
School Board and Poslni'ister of Hazellon Post- 
office eight years. Politically he prefers the 
Republican partj% under which he has been elected 
Township Clerk and Treasurer. He serve<l for 
seven]] j'ears"as Township Supervisor. He is an 
advocate of temperance and is much interested in 
the Pi'oliibition movement. His delicate health 
has always been a di.iwback to him in the work 
that lie has planned. 

jk/i ARCUS L. KING. The owner of llic f;iiin 
III Iv '"'^"'■^*^ ^" sectKjn 27. Venice Townslii|), 
i' w Shiawassee County, is thegeu'leman whose 
* name is seen at the he.ad of this sketch, and 

whose portrait appears on the opposite page. He is 
of good parentage, his father being Ansel King, a 
native of New York, a fainier by calling and a 
soldier in the War of 1812. His mothe: was 
Pha-be (Willis) King, also a native of New York 
where she was married and resided until their com- 
ing to Michigan, in 1827. 

On lirst coming into the State Ansel King settle<l 
with his family on a farm in Macomb Counly 
where they were pioneers. He [uirchased the land 
directly from tlie (iovernment and it was as wild 
as it could wi'll be. The human beinirs lli:it llu^y 
most frequently saw were the Indians, and wild 
animals prowled around their very door. On lo- 
cating their tract Ihey were obliged to tear (ii)wn 
four Indian wigwams to get a site for their lo" 
cabin. They weie in very straightened circum- 
stances when they came to this State; the lather 
supported his family by plying his trade, which 
was that of a shoemaker, and went about the lo- 
cality to "whip the cat." 

The farm was elearerl an<l many improvements 
were made before the death i>f our subject's father, 



368 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



which occurred in 1846, tlic mother following liim 
in 1854. They were tlie parents of eight cliildren, 
two of the ciglit now surviving. In religious 
matters they held the view of the optomistic Uni- 
versalists. In polities the father was a Democrat, 
and was appointed to fill several local iiosilions, 
being a member of the School Board, Highway 
Commissioner and Supervisor. IIo gave his chil- 
dren as good educational advantages as circum- 
stances would penult. In his day he was a very 
hard-working man and wiiat he ac()uircd was accu- 
mulated by unrtagging effort. 

Our sidijecl's father had a hical ri'putation of 
being the greatest ciiopper in tiic region of Seneca 
Lake, N. Y. He accomplished Herculean tasks in 
felling the nionarclis of the forest, but his cham- 
pionship was declared iu a contest, which took 
place at one time. The prize offered was $"25, and 
Ansel King won the money by felling more trees 
than his opponent. 

Mr. King was born March 25, 1827, in Seneca 
County, N. \'., and was only six months of age 
when his parents brought him to this State. He 
grew np in the wilderness and his intimates were 
the squirrels, rabbits and i)li(is, which in later yoai's 
he declared his power over by killing anil pieparing 
for the larder. He at first had no schooling and 
there were but few advantages in that direction 
during his early life. He began for himself at the 
age of sixteen j'cars since which time he has alwa3s 
been a farmer. 

When Mr. King first started out in life he hired 
out by the day ov month on a farm. Thus he con- 
tinued for a few years and then worked his nu)ther's 
farm after the death of his father. In 1850 he 
persuaded Sarah Ellen Ilerrick, a native of New 
York, to unite her fate with his. Her natal year 
was 1835. He continued to work for other pei^ple 
until he came to Shiawasse County, in 18G.'i, when 
he settled upon the farm which he at [Hesent occu- 
pies. At that time it bore but few imitrovements 
and their home was for some time a log house, but 
gradually he erected all necessary and conveident 
buildings anil added other improvements. He now 
has eighty acres, seventy of these being under cul- 
tivation, and he carries on the work of his farm 
himself. Mrs. King passed away from this life De- 



cember 6, 1890. She was a most excellent woman 
and possessed of all the virtues that belong to the 
model wife, mother and neighbor. She was a de- 
scendant of a good family and was a worthy repre- 
sentative. Although she is passed away her good 
works yet live in the memory of those who knew 
her and we might justly say of her in the words 
of Ilerrick, "None knew her but to love her; none 
name<t her but to praise." 

Mr. King and his wife were the parents of five 
children, three of whom are still living: Laura, 
the wife of Samuel Shumaker, lives in Grand 
Rapids, this State, and is the mother of three 
bright children; Ansel took to wife Nettie lUonnt, 
and lives at Flint, thej' have two children; Cora 
May is the only one of the children at home. 

In 1862 Mr. King responded to the call of his 
country for volunteers and enlisted in Company 15, 
Twenty -second Michigan Infantry. He went to 
Kentucky under (Jen. Rosecrans and was taken 
sick at Lexington. There he was left in the hos- 
pital where he nearly died. He was then sent to 
Louisville, Ky., for a time, thence to Detroit where 
he was honorablj' discharged in June, 1863, on ac- 
count of disability. He has never fully recovered 
from the eff<!Cts of the sickness contracted in the 
army anci is drawing a pension from the Tnited 
States Government. Our subject believes in per- 
fect justice to his fellow-men first of all and tries 
to live in accordance with the Golden Rule. He 
takes an interest in politics, casting his vote with 
the Democratic parly. He is a temperate man and 
always has been, advocating temperance principles 
among the youth of the community where he 
lives. 



v|? OHN BROOKS, among the business men of 
! Owosso, is notable as a sterling and ener- 
getic man who well deserves especial notice. 
He is the manager of the ficni of K. M. 
Brooks, dealer in coal, lime, cement, and seeds. 
They also handle grain of various kinds and also 
farm produce. Mr. Brooks is a native of Michi- 
gan, having been born in Oakland County, near 
Pontiac, August 31, 1836. His worthy parents. 






PORTRAIT ANO HfOilRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



361) 



Daniel and Kliza ( Harris) IJrooks. wore botii liorn 
near Ovid in Seneca County, N. Y.. nmi llieii- 
natal year is tiie same — 1807. They were married 
in Seneca County in 1831, tliey locatcil in Oak- 
land Count}', Mich., whence after a shurt sojourn 
they returned to New York liul after reniaii;in>j 
there a short time removed West again, making 
their home in Sangamon County, 111. 

Miehiiran again claimed the attention of Daniel 
and Kliza IJrooks, who returned to Oakland Coun- 
ty and subsequently located in Shiawassee County, 
half a mile west of the city of Owosso, where they 
remained until about the time of the death of the 
father, which occurred in 188.0. His wife is 
still living and is the daughter of Geoi'ge Harris 
of German descent. As the IJrooks faniil}- is of 
Scotch-Irish descent our subject combines the sterl- 
ing <]ualities of those three hardy and industrious 
nations. 

John Brooks took his common-school education 
in Oakland County, and began his career upon a 
farm quite early, continuing to follow his agrlcuh 
al pursuits untd he reaclie<l his twenty-fifth year. 
In 18()1 he enliste<I in the service of his country 
in Company I), First Miciiigan Cavalry, under the 
command of Col. Broadlio.ad. This body of troops 
was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and was 
detiiiled for duty in that part of the countr}'. Mr. 
Brooks w.as discharged on a surgeon's certificate 
on account of wounds an<l disability, in Octcjber, 
18G2, having served for fourteen months. 

Returning to Owosso, Mich., he entered u[)on 
the business of handling stock and keeping a nn-at 
market, which he carried on for some tliree years. 
In 1865 he embarked in the mercantile business 
in Bay Cit}', and remaining there for four years. 
He then sold out and returned to Owosso ami 
slarteil in the grocery and [)roduce business whnh 
he has followed up U> the present time. The lirm 
handles all kinds of grain and h.-us erected an ele 
vator on the track of the Michigan Central 
Railroad, whose capacity is about live thousand 
bushels. They also run a woodyard in connection 
with the other business and haii<lle tile and ground 
feed, also all kinds of coal. 

Miss Electa M. Burnett of Bay City, became the 
wife of John Brooks, May 14, 1807. This lady is 



a native of Maine, and a daughter of Albert Bur- 
nett. Her eldest child, Frank K., is already a part- 
ner with his father in the business and Alice B.. 
who is at home with her mother, is the congenial 
companion and delight of her parents. She with 
iier mother has made the beautiful home on Cedar 
Street a pleasant social resort for all their neigh- 
bors and friends. Mr. Brooks is the owner of two 
good brick business houses which are a credit to 
the town. His jjolitical views lead him to afliliate 
with the Republican party and his public spirit and 
enterprise make him a friend to every movement 
which will redoun<l to the credit of the city. This 
family is pleased to point with honor to one of 
their ancestors, (ien. David Brooks, whose histori- 
cal record is a subject of just pride. 



^RANK F. IIOYKR, I). D. S., a popular 
llr^J» ''cntisl of Owosso, Shiawassee County, 
Ij^ Mich., is like many of the best citizens of 

tills section, a native of the iOmpirn State, being 
born in Royalton, Niagara County, N. Y., April 
15, 1857. His parents, Benjamin and Malinda 
(Dyseninger) lloyei-. were for 3-ears residents of 
New York and tiie mother was a native of that 
State, iier mother being a native of Pennsylvania 
and her father of Germany. Tlie father of our 
subject was also of German birtii and came to lliis 
country many years ago. He followed tiu' calling 
of agriculture throughout life and is still living ami 
with his worthy wife now resides at Shclliy. Orleans 
County, X. V. 

Of the live cliihlren of l!iis intelligent foiiple 
four are sons and one a daughter and the Dicior 
is the third in order of birth. He prep.ared for 
college at Medina, N. Y. and llien eiitend the 
riiiversity of MichlgJin at Ann .\rbor, taking his 
diploma in the? dcp.artment of dentistry in !««(). 
He then opened an olHce and coininenecd his 
practice at Corunn.a. In 1888 he movecl to Owosso 
where he established hi-jiself in business, having 
his olllce supplied with all the latest and best ap- 
pliances known to the profession. 

The young dentist in 18!I0 took a step of gn'ai 



370 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL ALBUM. 



importance to his happiness and future prosperity. 
It was his union in marriage witli Mallie Mitchell 
tlie accomplished daughter of the late James 
Mitchell of Ann Arbor. Dr. Hover is a member 
of Corunua Lodge F. A A. M. and of Corunna 
Chapter R. A. M. and also of Corunna Com- 
mander}', No. 21 K. T. Me is an ardent Re- 
publican in his political views and is deeply interest- 
ed in tlie prosperity of his party. The happy home 
of this pleasant young couple is at 4.'3.5 East Oliver 
Street. 



■«-s- 



^^UGUST H. AMO.S, JR., a farmer residing 
(©yLlI on section 13, Rush Township, Shiawassee 

/// 14) County, was born in Germany, Marcli 27, 
<^ 1853. His father, who bore the same 

name, was born in 1810 and was a farmer in Macni- 
sheim, Wurtemberg, German^'. He was ediaated 
in the common schools of that Empire and started 
out for himself when he reached the age of twenty- 
one. About the year 1838 he married Louise 
Seiglow, who was born in 1812, in the same place 
as himself. Thcj- came to America in 18.)3 and 
after passing one year in Buffalo came to (ienesec 
County, Mich., remaining there until 1860 at which 
time they came to New Haven Township, Shiawas- 
see County and from there to Rush Township, 
where they bought forty acres on section 34. He 
remained there until his death. He was an earnest 
andetticient member of the Methodist Church. 

Our subject had the usual common school edu- 
cation and started out for himself when only 
thirteen years old. He worked on farms for about 
two years and then went into the lumber woods 
where he labored for seven years. In 1872 he 
bought one hundred and twenty acres, going into 
this enterprise in connection with two brothers. 
In 1874 they built a house upon their farm and 
two years later one of the brothers sold out his 
interest to the other two. 

The marriage of August Amos, Jr., to Emma 
Horn, was solemnized in 1876. Mrs. Amos is a 
daughter of Solomon and Mary Jane (Bowers) 
Horn. Mr. and Mrs. Horn were from Ashland 
County, Ohio and had nine children, four sons and 



five daugliters, of whom Emma is the fifth child 
and third daughter, having been born January 20, 
1830. 

The house where Mr. and Mrs. Amos now make 
their home was built by them in 1882 and in 1884 
the}' removed to Owosso, where Mr. Amos was in 
the employ of D. M. Estey. in the furniture busi- 
ness. Two and one-half years later he returned to 
the farm, but still owns some property in Owosso. 
The home farm contains sevent} -five acres and it 
is all in fine shape. Mrs. Amos is an earnest and 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and her husband is a supporter of it though not a 
member. He is earnestly interested in the welfare 
of the farming community and belongs to the 
Patrons of Industry. He is a Democrat in his 
political views and has been unusually successful 
in business. 

The attention of the render is invited to a view 
of the ])leasant homestead of Mr. Amos, presented 
in connection with this biographical notice. The 
cosy residence and commodious barn are among the 
finest in the community, while the many improve- 
ments apparent on the place make it an ornament 
to the township. 



Gi 



,^^^EORGE E. KITTLE. One of the most 
pleasant rural homes in Clinton County, 
is pleasantly situated on section 26, Water- 
town Township, and comprises one hundred and 
sixty acres of fertile land. I'nder the skilled man- 
agement of Mr. Kittle the earth is made to yield 
bountiful harvests, and thrift is apparent in every 
detail of the farm work. The place is the property 
of Alexander B. Kittle, father of our subject, who 
resides with him. The various cereals are raised 
here, while a large barn, one of the best in the 
neighborhood, is used to store the products of the 
estate. The family residence is a two-story frame 
structure, with neat porticoes, and a large lawn. On 
one side a neat driveway leads past the dwelling, 
while on the other, beautiful trees throw a pleasant 
shadow on the green gr.ass. 

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Kittle were 



&>atA.a - cMt.. r . 



^■■M^^^ 




RLSIulNCL ur bEORoL E . KITTLE, SEC. 2S., WAT EK TOWN TR , CLl NTON CO ,MICH , 




RESIDENCE OF AUGUST H . AMOS , SEC. I3.,RU5H TR , SHIAWASSEE CU.,MlCH. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



373 



Dow and Mary (Becker) Kittle, natives <if tlie Slate 
of New York. The former who was a iiiiller by 
trade, was drDwiicd, and his son. Alexander U., was 
thus left fatherless and early thrown upon his own 
resources. When ten years old lie was liireil out 
at farm work, and after working on a farm three 
years, learned the trade of a tailor, at which he 
served an apprenticeship of seven years. lie then 
started out in life for himself, and for nearly forty 
years worked at his trade. His birth occurred 
September 26, 1812, and he was accordingly in his 
early manhood when he was ninrrie<L Octolier 8, 
1835, to Mary Ann Barringer. This estimable 
lady was born December 10, 1813, in Dutchess 
Count}^, N. Y., and was the daughter of .I.acob W. 
Barringer. 

Six chililren were born to the iiaronts of our 
subject, and the following is a brief record of 
them: William Dow was born May G, 1828, mar- 
ried Nora McC'ollough, and now lives in ludianai)0- 
lis, Ind.; Mary Jane, who was born April 20, 1840, 
married E. L. Wright, and to them were born two 
children: William IL, who is married and has a 
daughter, Nellie N.; Nellie M.; Sarah C'., born 
August 31, 1843, is the wife of William Warner 
and resides in Cleveland, Ohio; Julia V.. lioru 
March 20, 184C, married Artemus Baldwin, who 
served as a Captain in the Civil War and was acci- 
dentally killed through the discharge of a gun. To 
them was born a daughter, Jessie; Eleanor, born 
April 12, 1849, is the wife of ('apt. Stephen Chil- 
ton, resides in Lansing, and is the mother of two 
children Georgie K., and Ilattic D. 

in 1-853 the father of this family came to Michi- 
gan, and after making some pre|)aralions for the 
reception of his family, sent for his wife and chil- 
dren, who made the journey in safety. The trip 
was a tedious and dillicull one, .as the}' were com- 
pelled to cross the Detroit River on the ice aud 
endure other hardships incident to travel in those 
earlier years, (leorge E., the subject of this sketch 
is the 3'oungest in his father's household, and was 
born July 22, 1851. He passed the days of his 
boyhood and youth in aiding his father at home, 
and gaining such an education as was possible in 
the common schools of the district. 

Upon reaching man's estate our subject estab- 



lished domestic ties of liis own, and was married 
to FAxza. Barber, a native of Ihe Buckeye Slate. 
The union was blest by the liirth of three children, 
viz: (;erty, born October 28, 1«81; Robert I)., 
December 13, 1883, and Alexander 1'... July 31, 
188S. Mr. Killle is a [)i-ouiiiienl member of the 
Farmers' Alliance and his good wife is a C()nsisle!it 
member of tiie Methodist Episcopal C'liurch. Al- 
fred Mosher, who helped to cle.ir the present f:irm 
of the heavy timber and inii)rove the same, still 
remains a member of the family circle. 

A view of Mr. Kit'-lc's homestead appears on an- 
other page of this volume. 



-o»o-^;>><\J^-o«o~ 



<^NDREW J. PATTERSON was i)orn at 
S^/i-M Ladd's Corners, Monroe County, N. Y., 
11 May 31, 1833. His father, Robert Patter- 
son, was a native of Pennsylvai'iH. having 
been born in Little York and died in 188.J at the 
age of seventy -eight. F'or manj' years he conducted 
a popular hotel. Our sulijcct's mother was Ann 
Eddy; she was also born at Little York, Pa., from 
which she removed to Monroe County, N. Y., 
where for many years her i)aients kept an hotel al 
Ladd's Corners, on the Ridge Road. In 1844 Mr. 
Patterson's father removed to the West with his 
family and located at Lapeer, this Staie, where he 
kept an hotel for a year. He also owned two farms 
on one of which his decease took place. He filled 
the office of Township Treasurer, also Comity 
Treasurer. 

Of the seven children that were llu^ result of the 
union of our subject's parents Andrew ,1. was the 
sixth. He was eleven years of age when his par- 
ents came to the West and twenty-three when they 
removed to Lapeer. His childhood years until he 
reached the age of fourteen were occupied in the 
usual devotion to his studies, when he entered a 
printing office in order to learn that business. He 
worked up in the trade until he became partner 
of the firm which published the Lapeer Democrat. 
After selling out his share in the i)aper he went to 
Saginaw where he was employed on the Saginaw 
Enterprise. Continuing there but a short time he 



374 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



returned to Lapeer where he remained a twelve- 
month and in the spring of 1855 he went to Brocl<- 
port, N. Y. Here he remained one summer, dur- 
ing which he took the important step of uniting 
himself in marriage to Miss Nancy A. Grcswold, 
of ]5rockport. 

Returning to Lapeer with his liride Mr. Patterson 
spent the following winter and spring in work on 
the local paper, when an opening was found in To- 
ledo, Ohio, for his talent. Here he did most accept- 
able work on the Toledo Blade So many young 
men are attracted to Chicago that it is not surpris- 
ing that our subject should hope to find a good 
field in whicii to work and he was successful in 
getting on the Chicago Times under Storey. He 
remained on this paper until August, 1856, wiieii 
he returned to Saginaw and resumed work on the 
Enterprise. He returned to that place at the re- 
quest of the proprietor of tliat paper in order to 
set up in type llie tax list of four counties for that 
journal. 

On the completion of this undertaking our sub- 
ject came to Owasso, Siiiawassee County, in tliefall 
of 1856. He was employed by E. Gould who was 
publishing the Owasso American where he remained 
for two years. .Tune 19, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany H, Fiftii Michigan Infantry, Col. Terry com- 
manciing the regiment, which was assigned to duty 
on the Potomac. He was discharged in 1862 on 
account of disabilities. Returning to Owosso he 
began the publication of wlmt was known as tiie 
Corunna Journal, which he continued until its 
sale to Mr. Ingersoll. He remained in Owosso 
until llie fall of the year 1863, when he went 
to work in tlie ofUco of Lyon Hanchott on the 
Owosso Press, and was foreman of the paper until 
June, 1864. At this time he was commissioned 
Captain of Company E, of tlie Twenty-ninth In- 
fantry and was assigned to tlie Army of the Cum- 
berland, remaining with the regiment until it was 
mustered out in September, 1865, when he re- 
turned home after the war and cng.iged in general 
merchandising for six years. In April, 1871, he 
became proprietor of the National Hotel. Shortly 
after he purchased the property, rebuilding and 
adding to the original house until it is hardl}' 
recognizable. He carried on the hoti'l unlil Maj', 



1891, when he leased the property. Everything that 
he has undertaken has been successful. He has 
built three good brick business houses for which 
he finds a ready rent. He still owns the ciiiire 
property. He has four children, three so;is :ind 
one daughter. His eldest sou is Charles . I. ; Lhe 
next is Arthur D; the daughter, Carrie A ,is now 
the wife of J. Turbush, a merchant of Owosso; 
Frederick R. is still at home. 

Mr. Patterson was City Clerk for eleven years 
in Owosso and Alderman for the Fourth Ward for 
two years, Marshal one year and Mayor one year. 
He is a member of Owosso Lodge No. 81, F. A A. M., 
Charter member of Lodge No. 89, R. A. .M., also 
First Commander of (Juackenbusk Post No. 205, 
G. A. R. Politically, he has always been a Dora- 
ocrat. 



-W^' 




!t/_^ ON. JAMES M.GOODELL is well known 
) even outside of his public position as a prom- 
inent attorney and old settler of Corunna. 
He is a man of delightful social qualities 
and broad and liberal public spirit, and is most high- 
ly respected by the communitj'. He was born al Le- 
Roj', N. Y., and is the son of George W. Goodell, 
who was born June 10, 1815, in Sudbury, Rutland 
Count3', Vt. The grandfather. .Tacob, was a native 
of Massachusetts who came with his paients to 
Vermont when a young man. His father was also 
named Jacob, and lie took part in the Revolution- 
ary War from beginning to end, from Bunker Hill 
to the Siege of Yorktown, being most of the time 
an aid to Gen. W.ashington. He was in almost 
everj' prominent engagement and lived till 1828, 
when his days ended in Vermont. The (iuoclell 
family is of Fjiiglish descent and the name was 
formerly spelled Goodail. 

The grandfather of our subject was a iiu'rclianl, 
farmer and manufacturer of lumber before the VV:ir 
of 1812. He and several others invested their all 
in lunilier, which they rafted to Quebec just bcfo:e 
the dc'hiration of war. It was seized by the Ivig- 
lish Goveriuueut and these unfortunate specu!.ilo:s 
were thus leduced to [loverty. Mr. Goodell then fil- 
tered the army and look part in the battle of Plaits- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



37 



burg. He remained in Vermont until his death in 
1820. When George Goodell was eighteen years old 
he left Rutland County, Vt., and came to Hochester, 
N. Y., where he engaged in farming and mechani- 
cal work. He then went to Le R03' and engaged 
in collecting and work in that line. He studied 
medicine at Bergen and became a physician but did 
not practice. In 1855 lie came to Michigan an.l 
made his home in Corunna. 

About a 3'ear and a half after coming to Corunna, 
Mr. George Goodell was elected Register of Deeds of 
.Shiawassee Count}'. For two 3'ears, beginning in 
1856, he was in the drug business, from which he re- 
tired and busietl himself in the insurance and real-es- 
tate business. He died in 1885 December ID. He was 
in his political views, first a Whig then a Repub- 
lican and in 1878 became a Grecnbacker. His wife 
Celinda D. Chase, was born in Addison County, 
Vt., and married the father of our subject in Troy, 
N. Y., October 1, 1839. Her father, Abner Cli.ase, 
was a C^uaker farmer of ^'ermont. This estimable 
and intelligent lady died in Corunna, December 20, 
1882. She was highly esteemed in her church re- 
lations, being a member of the Baptist Church, and 
was mourned alike by her associates and her family- 
Four of her children lived to years of m.'iturit}-, 
the oldest one being our subject who was born 
October 1, 1841. 

When thirteen j-ears of age, James Goodell came 
to Michigan traveling by rail to I'ontiac, and 
thence by stage to Corunna. Attending school in 
that village for some time he took a clerkship vvilh 
his father in the Register's r.flice. .luly 8, 18G1, 
being then in his twentieth 3'ear, he began the study 
of law with McCurd}' & Raynale, and was admitted 
to the bar of Michigan at Corunna, September 8, 
1863, and began the practice of law right here 
where he has made his record from that day to 
this. In the fall of 1861 both he and his preceptor 
Mr. Ra^'nale, were nominated for the oflice of 
County Prosecuting Attorney and Mr. Goodell was 
elected. He held the office for two years and after 
an interim of two years he was re-elected to another 
term. This second time, curiously enough, he was 
oppose<l to and defeated his other olii preceptor. 
Judge McCurdy. 

In 1866, Mr. Raynale and the young lawyer 



were again candidates for office; this time for Cir- 
cuit Court Commissioner,and, .again Mr. Goodell led 
the van. In 1872 Mr. Goodell was nominated for 
the State Senate in the Eighteenth District, which 
comprises Shiawassee and Livingston Counties. 
He was duly elected on the Ri'i)ublican ticket and 
served during the session of 1873 and the extra 
session of 1871, which was called togetlier to con- 
sider proposed amendments to Ihe Constitution. 
He w.as at that time the youngest member of the 
Senate. He made a good record in his senatorial 
oflice and nx-eived the deserved confidence of his 
fellow-senators, being placed on several $|)ccial 
committees and serving .as Chairman of one. 

Mr. (ioddell was for eight years consecutively 
the Supervisor of the Third Ward in Corunna, and 
occupied this ollice for ten years and all without 
once soliciting the position. He was appointed by 
the board of Supervisors on the committee which 
was to investigate ami assist the [)roseculing at- 
torney in the matter of the county in<k'btedness, 
which amounted to *10,()00. Thoy reduced this 
amount some |!15,000. During tiie |)rogress of 
this case Mr. tSoodell raised the ([uestion of com- 
pound interest and carric<1 it to the Supreme Court. 
This question has never before been raised between 
the county and State. He was Mayor of Corunna 
for one term. 

James M. Goodell and Helen F. Hosmer were 
married in Corunna, Septembers, 1865. This lady 
w.as a native of Watertown, Wis., and a daughter 
of George S. Hosmer, a farmer near tliDt city. 
They have six eliildrpii living, in wiioni they take 
a justifiable pride. Tlie eldest daughter, Gertrude 
K.,i8 studying vocal music at the Detroit (.'onserv- 
atory of Music. She h.as remarkable vocal powers 
and her professor esteems her voice as one of the 
finest in the State. She married William Ihibbell, 
of Ypsilanti, June 25, 18!)1. The next daughter, 
Kate C, is an artist here and n member of the firm 
of Rhodes & Goodell. George A., was an artist in 
the best gallery in Detroit. He died August 
4, 1891. He was also a student of music. The 
four younger children, EU>isa F., (ienevieve A., 
Maud C, and James M., Jr. arc all members of the 
High .School in Corunna and all musically inclined, 
wiiU'h talent thev inliorit from their mother. Mr. 



I 



376 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Goodell is klentified with the Indcpenrlent Order 
of Odd Kellows and the Royal Arch Masons, al- 
though not actively engaged in the work of the 
lodge. He is a charter member of the Ancient Or- 
der of United Workmen. He is interested in pul)- 
lic affairs bnt not identilicd with either political 
party. His wife is an honored raembei of the Epis- 
copal Church of Corunna. 



"^OHN I'AINTER, whose home is situated on 
section 34, Venice Township, Shiawassee 
County, is a son of John and Sallie (Charl- 
ton) Painter, the former a native of West- 
moreland County, Pa., and the latter a Virginian. 
They were married in Pennsylvania and made 
their home there until their death. They were 
the parents of twelve children, six of whom are 
now living. The mother dieil in 1872 and the 
father in 1881. 

Our subject had his birth in Stark County, Ohio, 
June 24, 1824, and grew to manhood in Pennsyl- 
vania. During his 3'outh and carl^' manhood he 
helped his father on the farm, and did not begin 
work for himself until his marriage which occurred 
September 11, 18G0. His wife bore the maiden 
name of Sarah Anna Tompkins and is a daughter 
of Gridley and Lydia (Harding) Tompkins. Mr. 
Gridley was a native of New York and his wife 
was born in Pennsylvania. They were married 
in his native State, but after a residence of a few 
years there they removed to Pennsylvania, where 
he died in 1857. She then came to Michigan and 
is now the wife of John B. Baxter and lives in this 
township, being now seventy-six years of age. 
Mrs. Painter is the onl}' one of her two children 
by the first marriage now living, and was born 
September 21, 1840, in New York State. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Painter settled on 
a farm of their own in Pennsylvania and migrated 
in 1869 to the Wolverine State, settling upon 
eightj' acres of land where thej- now live. It was 
then in heavy timber and entirely unbroken but 
had upon it a log house. Sixty acres of this has 
now been cleared and it was done by the patient 



work of Mr. Painter and his sons. All the im- 
[trovements which now appear they have put upon 
the farm. Last 3'ear they finished the resilience at 
a cost of $1,000 and carrj' on mixed farming. 

Five children of this household have been called 
hence and the four now living are James M. D., 
born January 9, 18G7; Jesse F., December 22, 
1869; Elisha Elton, May 15, 1879; Lydia, born 
January 13, 1862, now the wife of Eugene Simp- 
son and the mother of three children, residing 
at Clayton, Mich. To all of them have been given 
a good district school education and they are earn- 
est and active nsembers of the Methodist Episco|)al 
Church. Tlie father is a Democrat in politics but 
the sons are Republican. The3' were in poor cir- 
cumstances when thoy began life, but have brought 
themselves a comfortable fortune by hard work 
and econoni)'. They have been hardworking peo- 
l)le and are not now in robust health, but have a 
good farm, well cleared, ami it is all the result of 
their own labor. Four of Mr. Painter's hrothers 
served in the army during the Civil War. 



-S»!^>*^laS» 



>tf*«f->»^«^ 



CS.\ HARLES S. GRACE, a man prominent both 
^^ in agricultural and iiolitical circles, who re 
y^J sides on section 18, Rush Township, Sliia. 
wassee County, had his nativity in Albany', N. Y., 
May 31,1831. His father, William Grace, a na- 
tive of Newfoundland, born about the year 1769, 
went into the Revolutionary Army when a bo3' of 
twelve years. He was a dealer in stone, and later 
in life took part in the War of 1812. Lucy Far- 
querson became his bride in 1816. This lad^' was 
a member of a noble family of Seotlnnd, being a 
daughter of Lord Lewis Farnuerson. 

William .and Lucy Grace had eleven children, 
nine daughters and two sons, of whom our subject 
is the youngest. William was largely engaged in 
sending stone, wood and building material to 
Albany by way of F^rle Canal. His wife had 
property left her by her father, Lord F'arquers<in 
who had become a wholesale tobacconist at Schen- 
ectady, N. Y., after coming to this country. Lord 
Farquerson returned to Scotland before his death, 






PORTRAIT AND lilOGRAPUlCAL ALBUM, 



377 



and Mrs. Grace employed Capt. Walton, Squire 
Cole and Squire Bogart to look after the property 
in Schenectady. At the time of her death, in 1832, 
she left directions for the disposition of her prop- 
erly. She gave papers showing her ownership of 
the property to Charles Smith, a Catholic priest of 
Alban\-, N. Y. B3' neglect in some way the prop- 
erty was never turned over to the heirs, and no ac- 
count was made of it. Our subject was then a 
balic, and was placed in an orphan asylum, but was 
taken from that institution by his aunt, J-ucy 
Fitzgerald, of New York. 

Charles Grace, when but a small boy, was sent to 
Sandusk}', Ohio, to live with his sister, Margaret 
(Grace) MeCarly. lie remained tiiere until 1847, 
when he started out for himself, and in IHai; came 
to Saginaw, Mich., and bought eiglity acres llierc. 
After making a trip to Chicago and Wisconsin he 
returned tf) Ohio and in ISCl enlisted in Company 
D, Kifty-fourth Ohio Zouaves. 

Our N'oung soklier went lii.sl to Caini) Dennison, 
Ohio, then lo Paducah, Ky., and on to Kt. Don- 
elson and Sliiloii. On May G, 18C2, lie was shot 
in the right thigh, and was sent to Cairo, 111., and 
then to Cincinnati, Ohio, to the hospital. In 18G3 
he rejoined the regiment at Mem[)liis, and went on 
to Vicksbiirg, but returning lo Memphis was sent 
to Tuscumbia, ^ la. Being unable lo |)roceed with 
Sherman in his march to the sea he w.as sent back 
to Cincinnati, Ohio, and was discharged in IHfit 
at Columbus, Oiiio. 

Ueturning to Michigan Mr. Giace traded his 
farm in Saginaw County for a farm of one hundred 
acres in Rush Township, .Shiawassee County, and has 
since bought and sold farms in Shiawassee County, 
and at one time owned twelve hundred acres. In 
1871 he married Mary K. Curtis, of Hush Township, 
a daughter of William and Eliza (Slocum) Curtis. 
Thty had four .sous and tliree daughters, of whom 
Mary E. is the second child and oldest daughter, 
being born in 18.52. 

Into the delightful home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Grace have come six children, their offspring being 
equally divided between sons and daughters. The 
daughters are: Anna, Carrie E. and Eliza, and the 
sons, Charles A., Lewis W. and Frank I,. Mr. 
Grace is a consistent and earnest member of the 



Christian Church and is a prominent member of 
the Grand Army of the Republic, being the 
Speaker of the T. C. Crane Post, No. 128, of Hen- 
derson. His political views have led him to 
alliliate with the R('iiul)lican parly, in which he is 
an earnest worker and often appears as delegate at 
countj' conventions. 




NSLEY A. HUNT. In every town and in 
every neighborhood there arc one or more 
I* men who aie looked upon as leaders in the 
community and whose Inllucnce, both 
strong and broail, carries weight in every enter- 
[)rise and in every movement. Happy is it for a 
coiiimtiuity when these leaders are wise, and regard 
r:ilher the good of Iheir feilow-mcn tlian their own 
augrandi/.ement. Among such leaders we lind the 
subject of this sketch. He is a farmer, residing on 
section 1;') of Walertown Tt)wnsliip, Clinton 
County, where he has eighty-three acres of One 
land. His farm is stocked with a choice selection 
of horses and cattle, also a Hock of as fine registered 
Merino sheep and as well-bred as any in the State 
of Michigan, and uimui it may be found an attiact- 
ive ancl commodious farm house and excellent 
farm buildings, such as are needed for the success- 
ful carrying on of agriculture. 

Our subject is the son of Nelson and Mary (Con- 
rad) Hunt, both natives of New York, who came 
to Oakland County, Mich., in 183C. There the 
subject of this sketch was born, his natal day hav- 
ing been June 3, 183!l. He received his practical 
training on the home farm and received a district 
school education to which was added one term at 
ihe DeWitt High School. He worked for his 
father until twenty-two years of age, and was of 
great assistance upon the farm. 

The event in his life which had most inlluence in 
securing his happiness and his prosperity .as well, 
was his marriage, August 21, 1861, to Plnube O. 
Cronkile. This lad}- is a daughter of Samuel W. 
and Berthier Cronkite, natives of New York, who 
came to Michigan at an early d.'iy. This marriage 
has been a very happy one and has been crowned 



378 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



by the birth of three chil(ken, Lettie E., who is 
married to Walter Saxton and makes her liome in 
Watertown Township, and M. L. and F. A., who 
are botli single and reside at home. 

In political matters Mr. Hunt is a Republican 
and has been honored by his party by being placed 
in a number of official positions. He has been 
Township Clerk for three years and is at present 
the Supervisor of Watertown Township, which 
office he has iield for five terms. He is a meniber 
of Waeousta Lodge, No. 259, A. F. & A. M., in 
which he has served as Senior Deacou and is now 
Junior AVarden. He is also a member of the Pa- 
trons of Husbandry and is ever alive to the inter- 
ests of the farming comnuinily. The father of our 
subject is of German extraction. He resides on 
section 15, where he has a fine farm, but is not 
able to be verj- active in its cultivation, as he is in 
feeble health. 



-^-*.- 



ESSE E. STONE, who began life for him- 
self with no capital except twenty-five 
cents and his own enterprise, earnestness 
and energy, has won for himself a |)lace in 
the respect of his fellow citizens of Duplain Town- 
shi|), Clinton County, as vveil as a rei)utation as 
one of the brave veterans of the late Civil War. He 
was born in the townshij) where he now resides, 
July 13, 1842, and is a son of Elijah .1. and Laura 
A. ( Watkins) Stone. His father was born at Corn- 
well, Vt., and his mother first saw the light in 
Batavia, N. Y. 

The early home was ui)on a farm and the boy 
was faithfully instructed in the duties of farm life 
by his father. The famil}' removed to INIichigan, 
making the new home in Calhoun County in 1835, 
but came to Clinton County in February, 1841. 
Here Ihe father lived until June 21), 18iS7 when he 
was called from earih. His son cherishes as a 
worthy memento of this parent the commission as 
second Lieutenant of Infantry which was given his 
father 1)\ the Governor of Michigan in 1839. 

The subject of this brief sketch had few advant- 
ages for education and was able to attend even the | 



common schools only a part of the year. He went 
to school in the winter but assisted upon the farm 
during the summer, and our subject attended two 
term of select school. He remained with his 
parents till he reached his majority but made his 
own living from the time he was seventeen years 
old. He began life with twenty-five cents and the 
suit of clothes which his parents had provided for 
him and went to Livingston County where he 
worked out upon a farm, receiving in exchange 
for his labor the small wages which were then paid 
to a farm hand. 

A patriotic desire to serve the countrj' of his 
birth led him into the army, and he enlisted in the 
fall of 1863 in Company I, Tenth Michigan 
Cavalry, Col. Thaddeus Foote, commanding. This 
regiment was sent to Lexington, K^'. and became 
a part of the Arm}' of the Cumberland. They 
took part in no famous battles but saw smoke many 
times in skirmishes and their most severe experi- 
ence as soldiers was in the hardships which attend- 
ed their manner of life. Our young hero served 
in the army until the close of the War and was 
mustered out of service at Memphis, Tenn., on 
November 11, 1865. 

Returning to Clinton County, Mich., Mr. Stone 
resumed farm labor. His marriage took place 
about a year later as he was united with Nettie 
E. A'antine of Corunna, Mich., November 29, 1866. 
Three children crowned this union, namely, Nellie 
E. born May 4, 1869, Marcus E., April 30, 1873, 
(died in infancy), and Frank E., born March 12, 
1876. Both his children are at home with their 
parents. Mr. Stone began at the Colony work- 

ing land on shares. The Colon}' was founded by 
a company of men from Rochester, N. Y. He 
lived there for two years an<l then went to Olive 
Township, where he bought a farm and carried it on 
for two years. He then found a purchaser for that' 
property and in November, 1870, made his home in 
Duplain Township, where he has since resided. 

The fine place of one hundred and twenty acres 
where our subject now lives has about one hundred 
acres under cultivation. A fine orchard marks the 
enterprise of this gentleman as do other substan- 
tial iin[)rovemcnts, including a large barn and other 
buildings which mark the hand of a prosperous and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



379 



systematic farmer. In politics he is a Republican 
but has never sought office any kind, preferring the 
quiet avocations of farm life U> tlie public arena. 
He is a breeder of I'oland-Cliiiia hogs and Merino 
sheep, of which he has an excellent flock, and in 
which he lakes a great interest. He gives his til- 
tentiou largely- to raising wheat, oats and corn, and 
has a good trade in celery during the season when 
that vegetable is in the market. He is deeply in- 
terested in the promotion of good r.chools as well 
as other movements for the best welfare of the 
community. 



— *!4^^- 




ON. NEWTON H. BAKER, who was born 
in Wayne County, N. Y., on the 25lh of 
July, 1833, is a prominent and honored 
citizen of St. John's. His father came 
from New York to Michigan early in tiie '50s but 
his family did not remove West until after the war. 
He made his home in Detroit most of the time and 
spent a season in Minnesota. He was a member of 
the Baptist Ciiurch for many years and died in 
1888 at Lansing. While living in New York he 
tilled various offices of trust and while there fol- 
lowed farming as his avocation and also owned at 
one time four sawmills, two being run by steam and 
two being watcrmills. He was quite an extensive 
manufacturer of lumber. His wife, I'luebe Foster, 
a native of New York, is still living at the very 
ailvanced age of four-score years and six. fShc has 
been a communicant in the Baptist Church for 
many years and trained her eight children in the 
faith and practice of the Christian religion. Only 
six of them are now living. 

Mr. Baker, our subject, was brought up on a 
farm, and attended the district school when a child. 
When a little older he had the privilege of attend- 
ing during the winter and was busy upon the farm 
during the farming season. He remaineil at homo 
several years after becoming of age and fulktwcd 
the nursery' business a number of years before 
coming to Michigan. It was in 1RC7 when he made 
his home iii Bengal Townshi)), Clinton County, 



Mich., where he purchased laud on section 21. 
This was all an unbroken forest and he had a heavy 
task before him of subduing the wilderness and 
putting the land into a condition for agriculture. 
After making a clearing he built a frame house 
and established his home. 

In 1803 Mr. Baker took to himself a wife in the 
person of Miss Emily Carlton, of New York. Two 
children have rosulle<l from this union: Belle mar- 
ried William Kearney who was killed by a train of 
cars in Battle Creek, November 22, 1890; they 
have one child — Ralph N. Minnie is still at home. 
Mr. Baker is fully identified with the Democratic 
party in his political views and is a representative 
man among the members of that part}-. The first 
offices which he was called to fill were those of Su- 
pervisor and Justice of the Peace. He was sent as 
a Representative to the Michigan iState Legislature, 
serving from 1877 to 1879. While there he was 
placed upon the Committees of Horticulture, Agri- 
culture, and Religious and Benevolent Societies. 
He has been identified with the Masonic order since 
1863 and is a useful member of the Ancient Order 
of I'nited Workman, an<l was a charter member of 
the Bengal Grange. His one hundred acres of arable 
land has been put out in its present fine condition 
by his own hand. He started with limited means 
and has been prospered to an unusual degree and 
his elegant home and fine barn, and the orderly 
and systematic condition of everything upon his 
farm attest to his good management and excellence 
as a farmer. 



OIIN J. REISER. Among the prominent 
citizens of Clinton Count}' v/lio are to be 
represented in this Album is Mr. Reiser^ 
'M formerly County Clerk. In his public ca- 
pacity he discharged his duties in an ellicient man- 
ner and gave general satisfaction, and as a private 
citizen he is well known and poiudar, particularly 
among farmers and old soldiers, as his life has 
brought him in close contact with them. He is the 
owner and occupant of a well-improved farm on 
section 10, Greenbush Township, consisting of one 



380 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



bundled and ninety acres of land which under his 
management is the source of an excellent income. 
This farm has been his iiome since 1872, at which 
lime he came from the State of Ohio. He is a na- 
tive of the Buckeye State, having been born in 
Tuscarawas Count}', October 24, 1841. 

Mr. Keisor, as his name indicates, is of German 
ancestry and it is found upon inquiry that his 
great-grandparents in both lines were emigrants 
from the Fatherland. His direct progenitors were 
Joseph and Susannah (llarman) Keiser, the one a 
native of Stark and the other of Harrison County, 
Oliio. They reared a faniilj- of six children, John 
J. being the eldest son; there is one daughter older 
than he. His brothers and sisters are: Lydia, wife 
of J. J. Strouso, living in Greenbush Township; 
Noah, a resident of Fulton County, Ohio; S.amuel, 
whose home is Gratiot County, tliis Stale; Jacob, a 
resilient of Greenbush Township, anil Susannah,wife 
of F'innklin (!ontor, living in Tuscarawas County, 
Ohio. John was reared to manhood in his county 
and from his boyhood lias been eng.aged in farm- 
ing, llis education w.as obtained in the public 
schools and he added to tlie advantages they af- 
forded by reading and (icrsonal observation, thus 
keeping well up with tlie times in his knowledge 
of general topics. 

August 14, 1802, Mr. Keisor enlisted in Com- 
pany E. One Hundred and 'J'wenty -sixth Ohio In- 
anlry, and became an integral part of the Army of 
the Potomac. He served under different generals 
and look part in a nuinbcr of the most important 
battle.'--, of ilie war, together with a large number of 
skirmishes and the usual marches and camp duties. 
In the list of battles are Martinsburg, Harper's 
Ferry, Locust Grove, the Wilderness, Spottsylva- 
nia. Cold Harbor, Wincliester, Fisher's Hill and 
Cedar Creek. At tlie last named Mr. Keiser was 
wounded, but not seriously. He was lionorably 
disrliaiged July 2, ISC'), as Orderly Sergeant and 
relurning to his native Stale laid aside the arms 
and aceoiitreinents of a soldier and took up again 
the implements of a farmer. 

During the month of October, 1866, ISIr. Keiaer 
was married to Miss Sarah A. Biddlc, daughter of 
George and Mahalah Biddle, both of whom are 
deceased. Tlie children born of this union are: 



Edward, a graduate of Tpsilanti Normal School 
and now engaged in teaching; Clara, wife of 
Charles Houk, living in Mason County; Addison 
A., who is reading law with Messrs. Norton ife 
Brunson, attorneys in St. John's; and Almeda and 
Elda who are at home. 

In politics Mr. Keiser is a Republican. Besides 
serving as Count}' Clerk two years, 1881-82, he 
has been Township Supervisor four terras. Justice 
of the Peace seven years and Township School 
Inspector several years. He resigned his position 
as Justice to accejit the county clerkship. He is 
connected with the Masonic order at Eureka and is 
a member of .1. Wagner Post, No. 217, G. A. R., 
in the same town. His religious home is in the 
Evangelical Association in that village, and he is 
found taking a part in various enterprises which 
will benefit the community and adil to the pros- 
perity of the people of this section. He hiis a 
beautiful home and the worldly goods he has accu- 
mulated by inthistry and economy suttice to place 
him far a!)ovo want. 



.§!.- 



C-*-]^ 



^1 rSTIN E. RICHARDS, a prominent law- 
yer who was recently elected to the jiosi- 
i lion of Circuit Court Commissioner of 
Shiawassee County, is a native of that 
county, having been born in New Haven Town- 
ship, April 14, 1801, just about the the time when 
the first gun was fired at Ft. Sumter. His father, 
William, was born in Nottinghamshire, F^nglan-' 

; and came with his parents to America when a lit. 

! lad of six years, making the journey in 1832. The 
family loc.ited on a farm in Saline, Washtenaw 

I County, Mich., and engaged in farming. The 
grandfather had been a jeweler and watch-makei 
in England and tlic father had learned the cooper's 
tr.-ide. He s|h'1iI some time in Saginaw County, 
and then located in Maple Grove and resided there 

I for a couple of years before coming to New Haven 
Township in Shiawassee County. Here he bought 
uncultivated land and proceeded to improve it. In 
1865 he removed to Burns Township and pur- 
chased au improved farm of four hundred acres. 




EMORY B. VOORHEES 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



383 



He was a prosperous man and carried on a l>arrcl 
factory in Washtenaw County and at the same 
time speculated in lands. He lived to be only fortj'- 
five years old, iiis death taking place in 1871. He 
was a pillar in tlie church, being active as Class- 
Leader in the Methodist Episcopal connection. His 
|)olitical affiliations wore first with the Whigs and 
afterward with the Republicans. 

The mother of our subject w.as Maria, daughter 
of Abraliam Sraitli, both natives of Livingston 
County, N. Y. The grandfather was an early set- 
tler in Washtenaw County, where he carried on 
farming, although lie had been a wagon-maker in 
New York. He died in .S.aginaw County where he 
iiad been living for some years. His wife also died 
in that county. The brother and sister of our 
subject are Frank, a farmer in Burns Township, 
this county, and Klma, now Mrs. C. K. Brewster, 
of Grand Traverse Count}-. 

After attending the district schools in Burns 
Township young Richards studied in the Byron 
graded schools and then attended the Corunna High 
School. When eighteen years old he took charge 
of the lioine farm and operated three hundred 
.acres, one liuudred of whicli were his own. He had 
an earnest desire to study law and before he was 
twenty-one years old began its stud}' evenings, 
making good progress, allhough he was working 
hard tlirough the da}'. He took instruction frou) 
Judge McCurdy, and in 1884 rented out his farm 
and locating in the village of Byron began the 
practice of law, being admitted to the Michigan 
bar at Corunna in December, 1887. The fall of 
18!)0 saw him raised by the votes of his fellow- 
citizens to the position of Circuit Court Commis- 
sioner and on New Year's Day 1891, he took 
charge of the duties of that ofBce, in connection 
with which he also carries on a general [)ractice. 

Our subject was married at Byron, May 24, 1888, 
to Miss Inez Gibbs, a native of Cahokia, III., who 
had spent her girlhood in Michigan. One child 
has blessed this union — Hugh McCurdy. In 1885 
Mr. Richards had become Supervisor of the town- 
ship, and in 1890 he w.as made Chairman of the 
CouHty Board, and was Justice of the Peace there- 
for four years, being elected to that oflice when only 
twenty-one years old. He is greatly interested in 



the question of an old debt, a State claim, which 
has been for years hanging over the township. He 
is identified with the Masonic order, having at- 
tained the degree of Knight Templar. He is not a 
|)art} man but is inde|icndent in his political ideas. 
Iiis wife holds an honored and responsible position 
as an active member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 



E 



MOKV B. VOOUHKKS, now engaged in bus 
iness in Ovid, is the only Democratic can. 
didate for the State Legislature who has 
ever seemed tiio siiffr.ages of tlie people of this dis- 
trict. He was sent to the ca[)ital in 1885 and made 
a good record as a law-maker, thus adding to the 
reputation he .-ilieady enjoyed as one who was ca- 
pable of working well for the puljlic. In various 
minor offices he has demonstrated his ability and 
good judgment ami in business circles he is sjioken 
of as a man of honor and tact. In August, 1889, 
he removed to the village near which he had pre- 
viously l>een carrying on a farm and opened up in 
tr.ade as a dealer in furniture, musical instruments 
and undertaker's goods. Wliile giving close atten- 
tion to his business, he oversees the farm and de- 
rives a satisfactory income from his land, while his 
latter enterprise is growing in a most pleasing way. 
Mr. ^'oorhees belongs tfi a family well known in 
Clinton County, liis parents having located iiere in 
1840. His father, John \'oorhces, was born in New 
York and married Caroline Jennings, a native of 
Connecticut. He located in Washtenaw County, 
this .State, during its early settlement and came 
thence to Clinton County and made his home in 
Ovid Township. Here our subject was born, Octo- 
\h:v 22. 1853. He was reared on the homestead, 
which is located three miles south of the town of 
Ovid, and his educational advantages were limited 
to the common schools, his studies being completed 
ill the high school of the town in which he now 
lives. When of age he began his life work on the 
homestead and remained there, as before stated, 
until quite recently. He still carries on there the 
breeding of Hainbletonian horses and keeps a good 



384 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL ALBUM. 



stock of cattle, sheep and hogs. The highest price 
that ii:is been paid in this county for a home-bred 
horse was prohablj received liy iiim for a Harable- 
tonlan three-year-old, which brouglit $1,000. 
During- the year 1889 he sold $2,200 worth of 
horses bred on his estate. 

For the comforts with which his home is abund- 
antly supplied and the happiness of his domestic 
life Mr. Yoorhccs is indebted to a lady of fine char- 
acter, intelligence and skill wlio was formerl}' 
known as Miss S. Ella Slocura. She became his 
wife October 22, 1879, and their home is bright- 
ened by the presence of four children: Mabel E., 
born November 19, 1880; ]\Iary C, February 26, 
1886; Grace D., February 28, 1888; and Ruth S., 
May 19, 1801. The little girls are being carefully 
instructed, not only in matters of the intellect but 
in graces of character .and bearing, and their in- 
cre.a.se in knowledge and true politeness gratifies 
their parents greatly. Mrs. Voorhees is a daugh- 
ter of Oeorge W. Slocum, a farmer of Middlebur^- 
Township, Shiawassee County. 

In 1884 Mr. Voorhees was Supervisor of Ovid 
Township and at various times he occupied other 
stations. He was President of the village one 
term anti has aided in advancing the cause of edu- 
cation by his connection with school offices. For 
ten years he was Secretary of the Ovid Union Fair 
Association, during which period it prospered and 
the Fairs proved a success. Husband and wife be- 
long to the INIethodist-Episcopal Church and are 
highly esteemed for their fine characters, cultured 
minds and social natures. 

In connection witli this brief biographical notice 
a lithographic portrait of Mr. Voorhees is presented 
to our readers. 



ARVEYW. CARRINGTON, a prominent 
and progressive citizen of Greenbiish Town- 
ship, Clinton County, and one of the brave 
(^) veterans of the Civil War, is a native of 
Medina County. Ohio, where he was born Septem- 
ber 10, 1H38. lie is a son of Elisha and Charlotte 
Carringlon and his grandfather, Fletcher, on his 




mother's side, was a soldier in the War of 1812. 
When only seven years old he was sadly bereaved 
by the death of both his parents, and thus he was 
early thrown upon his own resources. He then went 
to live with his grandfather, Fletcher, where he re- 
mained until the death of that old gentleman when 
our subject was about fifteen years old, and he was 
thus indeed thrown upon the world. His educa- 
tional advantages were naturallj' quite limited and 
he has had to educate himself by reading, since he 
attained to manhood. After the death of his 
grandfather he beg.an to learn the blacksmith's 
trade and after following it a j'^ar and a half took 
ui) the business of a traveling salesman for awhile. 

The needs of our country in her time of distress 
appealed strongly to this homeless j'oung man who 
indeed had no one to leave behind him, and he en- 
listed in May, 1861, in Corapanj' C, Twenty-third 
Ohio Infantry-, under Colonel, afterward Presi- 
dent Hayes and under the generalship of Rose- 
crnns. He was also at one time in Gen. McClel- 
land's command. He fought in the battles of 
South Mountain, Md., and at Antietam and in 
other minor engagements. His honorable discharge 
was granted him -Inly 3, 1864, after which he re- 
turneil to Ohio, making his headquarters at Berea 
and going out as salesman for a wooden ware and 
grindstone company and worked for them a num- 
ber of years. 

It was 1866 when Mr. Carrington came to Mich- 
igan and made his home in St. John's and while 
there was on and oflf the road at various times. He 
was married in ISef) to Mary (i. Becbe. She be- 
came the mother of two children and both mother 
and children have passed from earth. His second 
marriage was contracted with Rose B. Sharpneck 
and to her were given three children, Mabel R., 
Minnie A. and Paul. 

For several j'ears our subject eng.aged in the 
mercantile business at St. John's, handling dry 
goods almost exdusivel}'. The firm bore the 
title of W. P.iindy it Co. He removed to his 
farm in (iriH'iibnsh Township in the sjjring of 
1886 and here he owns eighty acres of 
land. He sympathizes with the Republican 
party in its views of public policy and casts 
his vote in its interest. He is public spirited and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHJCAL ALBUM. 



385 



wide-awake to promote the interests of the town- 
ship. Wiiile living at St. John's he served two 
terms as a nieiiiberof the Town Council. He is a 
member of the Masonic order and is connected 
with man}' social movements which look to the 
betterment of society. 

■— ». ♦ :|3 " C§> V— 




OL. GEORGE COLT, one of the prominent 
businessmen of Owosso, Siiiawasscc C'onnt)', 
I' Mich., is a native of Piltsficld, Berksl)ire 
County, Mass., where he was born May, 10, 1807. 
His father, James D., was also a native of Mass- 
achusetts and lived to the ripe old ase of ninetj-- 
four years. His father, James 1). Colt was of En- 
glish descent. The mother of our subject, Sarah 
(Root) Colt, a native of Massachusetts, was a 
daughter of Ezekiel Root and died on the farm on 
which she was born. 

Our subject is one of seven children in his 
parental honii^ and liis boyhood was p.issed in I'itts- 
field, Mass. After attending a course of instruc- 
tion in the Pittsfield Academj' he went South in 
1828 and hecanio a planter in Florida and later 
went to Cuba in the winter of 183C where he pur- 
chased a coffee plantation which be managed suc- 
cessfully for seven years. Returning to Florida he 
engaged in cutting timber for the Government for 
shipbuilding after which he went to New York City 
and took up the manuf.-icture of chcniicals. 

Five years later in September, 185.3, Mr. Colt 
removed to Jlichigan and located for a time in 
Shiawassee Township, where he carried on a flour- 
ing-niill and a sawmill, until his llouring-niill 
burned. After this disaster he rebuilt antj after a 
short time sold out this business and removed to 
Owosso in 1875 where he has lived a somewhat re- 
tired life, although he gives himself partial occupa- 
tion by conducting afire insurance business. 

Col. Colt has been twice married. His first 
matrimonial alliance was solemnized in 1834. By 
this marriage with Leonora, daughter of Judge 
Phillip Fatio, of Florida, he had I5ve children, four 
of whom are living, namely, Fatio an attorney at 
Bay Citj"; Leonora widow of Rev. .1. W. Capen, of 



Binghamton, N. Y. Julia F., the wife of Oliver 
Bronson, of New York and Louisa who is unmar- 
ried. His second wife was Elizabeth S. Kimball a 
native of Ohio and daughter of Moses Kimball 
Esq., of Normal, Ohio. By tliis marriage there are 
two children, Georgia and Henry Dutlon. 

The subject of this sketch has held the office of 
City Treasurer and City Clerk. He is a stanch 
Democrat, easting his first Presidential vote for 
Gen. Jackson, and w.as appointed Collector of the 
Port at St. Marks by Van Buren, but refused to 
accept the position. Both he and his excellent wife 
are devout members of the Ei)iscopal Church. 
They have a beautiful residence on Water Street 
where they dispense hospitality to their numerous 
friends. >Vhile in the South he engaged in the 
Seminole War and was in command of a force 
of soldiers. Wiiile living in the South he received 
the title of Colonel whicli friends still enjoy 
bestowing upon him. 



-^-^-^- 



j^RSON G. SUGDEN who owns the farm 
on section 21, Sliiawasscu Township, Shia- 
V.\ Jll ^^•{,ssec County, w.as born in Commerce, Oak- 
land County, this State, August 22, 1848. His 
parents were George and Anna (Reeves) Sudden. 
The former was born in Hartford, Conn, and the 
latter in New York and died when her son was but 
four 3-ears old. The parents were married in Oak- 
land County, this State. In 1856 George Sugdcn, 
the father of our subject, settled in Siiiawassee 
County and took for his second wife Mary A. Price, 
who died two months before him. His death oc- 
curring in March, 18G5. Of the two cliildrpii 
which came to this family- our subject is the elder. 
t'l):ules died in December, 1877. Before his death 
he lived on the old homestead. He left a widow 
who married again, her name now being Mrs. Al- 
fred Jackson. The father settled on the farm 
which his son at present occupies, in 1850. 

It then comprised eighty acres of hnd, forty of 
which were improved. The father was Supervisor 
of the township for several terms and filled this 
position at the time of his death. Our subject and 



386 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



>c 



his lirother lived on the farm from the time of their 
f.itlier's death until that of Charles occurred. For 
a time our subject's grandfather. Thomas Sugden, 
made his home witli Orson's famil}'. for two or 
three years. 

The original of our sketch w.ns married at the age 
of twenty-one 3'ears to Miss Cornelia Aber, of Sciota 
Townsliip. Her death occurred February 15, 1882. 
He was married a second time, October 10, 1883, 
to Miss Lena D. Hendee, a sister of Mrs. W. II. 
Phelps. She was born in Vernon, Shiawassee 
Couuty, February 22, 1862. Two cliildren grace 
the liome of our subject. Tiie}' are Claude AV. 
wlio w.as horn ,Jul>- 27, 1877, and Edward Er.al, 
born October 1, 1881). 

Our suliject is a Kepublican in politics. He 
served for two years as Township Treasurer, his 
term closing April, 1801. His farm comprises one 
hundred acres upon whicii are Iniildings in very 
good condition. His dwelling is comfortal)le and 
commodious and i)ears many evidences of taste 
and culture. He lias one barn upon liis i)!ace the 
dimensions of wiiich are 38xG0 feet and another 
18x64 feet. His farm is well irrigated and drained. 
His barn and slock sheds arc su|)i)lied with water 
from a reservoir which is fllled by a wind engine. 
Tlie attention tliat Mr. Sugden has paid to the sur- 
roundings of liis house show tliat he is a lover of 
order and progress and that he also appreciates the 
value whicli appearances lend to a home. 

^^ NSON B. CIHPMAN, one of the first act- 
' Wl I ""' settlers of Owosso, Shiawassee Count3', 
I It and tlie oldest living settler now in the 
<^ city, was born in Addison County-, Vt., at 

the foot of the Green Mountains December 27, 
1812. His father, William Chipman, a native of 
Vermont, was a son of Jesse Cliipifian, a soldier in 
the Revolutionary War, who was with Gen. Mont- 
gomery at the fall of (Quebec. The ancestors of 
this family were of English stock. 

The motlier of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Ada Miner, and was a daughter of Richard 
Miner; they were both natives of Connecticut, and 



descendants of the old Puritan stock. They were 
tlie parents of a large family of cliililren, only two 
of whom arc now living: Isaac A., and our subject. 
Anson B. Chipman passed his boyhood and spent 
his j'outh with his father at Malone, N. Y. He 
attended school mostly in Malone, and worked 
also with his fatlier in making spinning wlieels. In 
1 832 he came to M ichigan and spent the summer, and 
in the fall returned home. In the spring of 1833, 
he returned with a team to Michigan and towed a 
boat through the Welland Canal. 

In 1837 Anson B. Cliii)man removed to Shiawas- 
see County, this State, locating in the woods. Here 
he started a shop and set up a lathe turning a few 
years after assisted by his father. In 1838 he en- 
tered into the iiotcl business which was the first in 
Owosso, located on the corner of Washington and 
Main Streets; it was subsequently burned and was 
on tlie site of Saulbury's block. He kept no liquors 
and carried on the business for three years. In 
1847 he removed to his present farm which com- 
[Hises some hundred and twenty acres, a jiart of 
which was covered with hcavj' timber of the best 
maple and oak trees. He now turned his aUention 
to farming, and after thoroughly clearing his farm 
platted a portion of it which was adjacent to the 
city and south of the countj- road, and sold out teu 
acres of his land in lots, which at the present time 
are well covered with liomes. 

Mr. Chipman has been twice married. Ills first 
wife to whom he was wedded in 1835, was Miss 
Mary Shattuck, near Ypsilanti. She died in 1839. 
His second marriage took place in 1841, when he 
was united with Miss Mary Pratt of Yi)silanti. She 
was a iiativc of Oneida Countj', N. Y., and is the 
fourth child of Samuel and Lucy (Hitchcock) 
Pratt. Five children have been granted to this 
worthy coujile, Adah and George deceased; Rich- 
ard E.; Linuic, deceased, and Emma the wife of 
John S. Iloyt. Politically our subject is a stanch 
Democrat, and he cast his first Presidential vote for 
Andrew Jackson. In 1848 he was County Judge, 
and has filled a number of offices, Mayor of the city 
and Supervisor of the townsliij), also Town Clerk 
and Township Treasurer, being now Superinten- 
dent of the Poor which responsible otlico he has 
held for thirty-seven years. He h.as also been Jus- 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL ALUUM. 



:?S7 



tice of the Peace for fourteen yenrs. lias been No- 
tary l*ul)lic' forty years, was iMaji)r in the Mililia. 
Itotli lie and liis noble wife arc earnest and etiicient 
members of the Congregational Church. lie is a 
nienibor of Owosso Lodge, No. HI, V. & A. M., 
also of the Owosso Chapter No. 89, U. A. M.. in 
whicli ho held the oflico of High Priest, and was for 
many years a prominent memher of tiie Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd Pellows, and in this orgrvniza- 
tion passed all of the cliaiis. His pleasant home 
stands at the corner of West Main and Cliipman 
Streets, which latter avenue is named for lliis hon- 
ored citizen. 



S^^- 

<Sl Ik^ALTKK K. SKV.MOI R, deceased. This 
\r\j// worth}' man, a former resident of New 
V^Y' Haven Township, Shiawiissee County, was 
born in New York, February 17, 1813. lie took 
advantage of a com raon -school education and be- 
gan at an early age to support liimself and liefore 
he reache<l liis majority came west to try iiis for- 
tunes in a new country. He came to Livingston 
Count\' in 1832, and after working there for a few 
years reniove<l about 183G to Shiawassee County, 
buying a farm of eighty acres, some three miles 
n(utli of Corunna. lie cleared twenty acres and 
was tlicre rdioul f(jur years. 

In 1837 Mr. Seymour was joined in marriage 
with Nanc;y Ann Finley, a daughter of Lewis and 
Luc}- (Rice) Finley, natives of New York, wlio 
carae to Michigan in 1835, and settled wliere 
Owosso now stands, building the (irst house upon 
that section. He bouj^ht one hundred and sixty 
acres and lived there for several 3'ears, but after- 
ward iiurchased the whole of section 18, in New 
Haven Township, and removed to New Haven 
about the year 18M and remained there until his 
death which occurred four >ears later. 

Mr. and Mrs, Finley were (he parents of eleven 
children, of whom Nancy Ann was the second in 
order of birth, her natal day being .Inly 6, 1817. 
The first shelter which Mr. Finley erected for him- 
self upon his n<'w iiomc was a very unique and 
primitive structure. He drove stakes into the 
ground, and taking to pieces a wagon box he cov- 



ered this enclosure and hung blankets around the 
sides and here he lived for a week, while he built 
his log house on the banks of the Shiawassee River, 
on the land which is now known as the Ingersol 
farm. This log house wliich was the lirsl built in 
that section, had the roof of bark from the bass- 
wood, and the lloor was of split logs. A trip of 
sixty miles to Pontiac w;is necessary to reach a 
mill or a market. Mrs. Finley who was an earnest 
and conscientious incniher of the Kaptist Church, 
died in New Haven in 1877. Her husband held 
some local ollices and was an earnest and active 
Democrat. 

Mr. and Mrs. Seymour settled on their farm on 
secfion 18, New Haven Township on a tract of 
eighty acres which hail been given to the lad}' by 
her father. I'hey luid a little log house 18x20 feet 
with just enough cleared for the house :"nd yard, 
ami their nearest neighbors were two miles distant. 
They cleared off the timber and cultivated the 
land, and in 1850 added to it by [lurchasing tw«'n- 
ty-four acres cm the same section, Mr. Seymour 
was an adherent of the Democratic party, and fen- 
several years tilled the olKce of Highway Commis- 
sioner. Seven children were granted to them, 
namely: Aaron Lewis who is in California; Lucy 
L.; ]Mary L. ; Edward L., and George Richard, 
deceased; William Walter, and Sophia A. Mr. 
Seymour died in the prime of life in 18G5. flis 
widow lives in a modest home upon a sightly hill 
overlooking the Shiaw.assee River and ihe village 
of West Haven, and she is alike beloved and re- 
s|)ected b}' a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances. 



OHAULKS M, MKIJKILL, of the law lirm <.f 
Fedewa & Merrill, is one of the most prom- 
inent attorneys in Ihe county. He was 

born in Chatham, Medina County, Ohio, and is a 
son of Floyd Merrill, a native of St, Fiawrenee 
County, N, Y, The grandfatber, Hichard, was a 
New Hampshire man of no little iu)te. being a class 
mate of Daniel Webster at Dartmouth College and 
a civil engineer and land surveyor of ability. 
While in business at New Yoik Cil v he was sent l>v 



388 



PORTRAIT AND BJOGRAFHICAL ALBUM. 



a syndicate to St. Louis to survey lands. He made 
his home later in St. Lawrence (Jonnt^', N. Y. 
where he was a successful farmer and owned a fine 
jjropertj' about twenty- miles from the city of Og- 
densburg. 

The father of our subject was reared in New 
York and was there married. In 1814 he removed 
to Oliio where he was successful in managing a fine 
farm. In 1867 he sold tliis property and journeyed 
to Clinton County, this State l)^' team. He pur- 
chased a farm adjoining the village of St. John's 
and made his home witliin tlie village, while he 
carried on the farm. He had eighty acres of im- 
proved land which is now owned b^' his son. He 
was a strong Republican in his political views and 
in (^hio filled the position of Township Trustee. 
His wife, Margaret Campbell, a native of New 
York City, was a daughter of James Cam[)bell, 
whose father was a Scotchman and became an 
Orangeman. He was closely' allied to the noble 
family whicli represents the Campbell clan. He 
spent his days in New York City after coming to 
this country and his son the grandfather of our 
subject came West and located in Michigan. 

Of the four children of the parental family' our 
subject was the third, being born January 25, 185'i. 
His early training was given him in the district 
schools and on the farm in Medina Count}-, Ohio. 
It was in 18G7 when he came to this count}'. He 
attended the Union School at St. John's until com- 
pelled by necessity to suspend his studies. When 
eighteen years old he went to Lenawee County and 
engaged in surveying on the railroad for the 
Chicago and Canada Southern Railroad. 

In 1874 the 3'oung surveyor adopted the law as 
his chosen profession and entered that department 
of the University of Jlichigan. After a two years 
course he graduated in 1876 in the Centennial Class 
with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He located 
at St. John's nnd practiced for a short time with O. 
L. Spaulding. He then went in with Anthony 
Cook for two years. After practicing alone for 
awhile he entered into p.artnership with Mr. Fed- 
ewa, January 1, 18'J1. In 1880 he served as 
Supervisor of the township for two years, and has 
acted as Justice of tlic Peace for eight years. Being 
elected Prosecuting Attorney he entered upon his 



duties January 1, 1887, and being re-elected the 
following year he continued in that office till the 
beginning of 1891. He has a most excellent law 
practice in this city and is also somewhat interested 
in real-estate, owning about eighty acres in Bing- 
ham Township 

This gentleman took upon himself the responsi- 
bilities of married life in 1880, being then united 
at St. John's with Aliss Laura J. Joslen, a native of 
Stueben County, Ind., and daughter of Dr. O. C. 
Joslen, a prominent physician and early settler 
there. Dr. Joslen died in St. John's in 1886. Five 
beautiful children have come to bless this hai)p3' 
and congenial union, namely: Oliver; Charles M., 
Jr.; Robert J.; Margaret J. and Treva. Mr. Mer- 
rill was for two years Village Trustee. He is a 
true blue Republican and is often made a delegate 
to count}' and State conventions. He is identified 
with several of the social orders, being a Knight 
Temjilar, and Odd Fellow, a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, of which he is a charter 
member here. He is the local re[)rescntative of 
the Odd Fellows in the Grand Lodge. The firm 
of Fedewa & Merrill is as well-known through the 
county as any firm of attorneys, and our subject 
conipares well in character, culture and refinement 
with any of the citizens of Clinton County. 



GEORGE WARNER, JR., a well-known and 
respected farmer, residing on section 19, 
^^jjl New Haven Township, was born in Witten- 
berg, Germany, in May, 1843. His father, George 
Warner, Sr., received the usual education of a 
German boy, and pursued the avocation of a 
farmer. He was also a native of Wittenberg, and 
was born in 1801. In 1823 he was joined in mar- 
riage with Frcdericka Rummel, who was born in 
the same place in 1807. Our subject is the fifth 
child in their little group of three daughters and 
three sons. 

George Warner, Sr., came to America in 1845, 
and settled in Auglaize County, Ohio, where he 
bought a farm of forty acres, upon which he re- 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGKArillCAL ALBUM. 



ssu 



niained until his dealh in 18r)2. His wife survived 
iiiiii for several years and passed away in 1804. 
He was a Democrat in his political belief, um\ ho 
and his worthy companion were devout Lutherans 
in relij^ion. Very meager opportunities of educa- 
tion were furnished Ut their sou (icorge. as it was 
early necessary for him to undertake Ids own sup- 
port. 

The young man purchased some tov.u property 
in Wapakoneta, Oliio, in 1802. He had learned 
the trade of cal»inet,-making, and purciiased a half 
interest in a shop at Purrysburg. In 1870 lie came 
to New Haven, Micii., and worked for about two 
years, and then going to Saginaw became eniplo3'('d 
in the car shops there, aud later came to where he 
now lives and bought one hundred and twi'uty acres 
on section lU. 

The lady whom Mr. Warner chose for nis com- 
panion tlirough life was Clara Hart, a daughter of 
Lewis and Cordelia (Seymour) Hart, who were 
among the very earliest settlers of New Haven 
and ranked high among the pioneers of Shiaw."ssec 
County. Lewis Hart was born in 1810, and C'or- 
delia Seymour in 1821. They were both natives 
of New York and came to Michigan when they 
were children, reaching the Wolverine Slate about 
the year 1S30. To both of them was given a 
good common school education, and they were 
united in marriage February 21, 1841. They had 
nine children, four sons and live daughters, and 
tlu-ir famdy became one of the most inllueutial in 
Shiawassee Count}'. Their daughter Clara was 
born September 17, 1854, and became the wife of 
George Warner in 1874. Mis. Warner's father 
was alternately- Supervisor and Treasurer of Niw 
Haven Township for a number of years. Her 
father died Ai)ril .'), 1808, but her mother sm - 
vivcd until November 1, 1880. When they lirst 
came to New Haven their nearest neighbor "as 
three miles distant. They lia<l to go to I'ontiac to 
mill, and on one occasion their ox-teani became so 
badly mired that they were obliged to leave one 
ox ill the mud until the next morning when they 
returneil to extricate it. In those days the bears 
would come to the pen and carr}- off their hogs. 

To Mr, anil .Mis. Warner have been granted six 
oright and promising children. They are by name 




Clayton, Kittle, Walliiita, Dora, Iva aud Donald. 
The ()arents are b(jili members of the order of the 
Patrons of Lutustry, and Mrs. Warner has been 
the President of that society at West Haven. She 
is a woman of more than ordinary ability, having 
a fine mind and a coninianding presence. Mr. 
Warner is a Democrat in his political views, but 
does not care for odice, preferring to confine his 
activities to the culture of his farm, in which he is 
tiul}' successful. 



ARON HUFF. The sons of pioneers take 
■I an earnest and just pride in recalling the 
li) ex()eriences of their parents when they 
,^^ first came to the new West. The hard- 

ships and trials then patienll}' and bravely encount- 
ered, the dillicullies overcame and the grand suc- 
cess achieved helped to mold, not only the character 
of the parents but to stamp upon the children an 
iiiHiress wliic^h can never wear away. Tiiey are 
more earnest, more true-hearteil and more per- 
serving because of what theii- [larents have under- 
gone. 

The father of .\aroii Huff, was one of these pion- 
eers. His name was .lohn iM. HulT and he was 
born in Seneca County, N. Y. in the Township of 
Ovid in 171)4. He took part in the War of 1812 
,as a fifer and came to iMichigan in 188;), locating 
iilion section t\vent3'-thrce, ^'ernoll Township, Sliia- 
wasaee County, not far fiom where his son now 
lives. There were no iin[)rovemeiits at all on the 
place and he cut logs to make his own home, and 
put the pl.ace in good condition for agriculture. 

This earnest pioneer was a Whig in politics, and 
held the ollice of Justice of the Peace for four 
years. He was a constant and active member of 
the Presbyterian Church and acted :is Deacon In 
that bod}' while living in New ^'oik. His fathei, 
Nichols HulT a native of New .Ii'rsey, is al.so a 
patriot and bore to his last days a wound received 
in the right knee during the Revolutionary War. 
He lived to be over ninety years of age. The 
family is originally from Holland. 

Tile mother of our subject bore the inaiilen name 



390 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of Sarah Sutplien and was born in New Jersey. June 
15,1790. She lived until July 8, 1858. She was 
married to the father of onr subject in Seneca 
County, N. Y.. July 9, 1812. They were the par- 
ents of ten children, four of whom still survive. 
Aaron Huff was boir. in Ovid Township, Seneca 
Count}' N. Y., March 6, 1821, and there remained 
until he reached the age of eighteen years, taking 
his schooling in his new home. He assisted his 
f.ather on tlie farm and came at tlie age of eighteen 
with his parents to Michigan and did genuine 
yeoman work in clearing tlic forest and subduing 
the soil. 

The first marriage of Aaron Huff took place 
September (J, 1848, his wife being Phcebe Wyckoff, 
whose mother died when Pli(L'l)e was two years 
old. She was a native of the same township as him- 
self where slie was born in January, 1828. One 
daugliter blessed this union, Marion Elizabctli, who 
is married to .Samuel Say re and lives in Alcona 
County. Mrs. Huff herself died April 24, 1851, at 
the age of twenty-three years. Our subject mar- 
ried a second time February 8, 1852, taking to wife 
Elizabeth Cole, a. native of Pennsylvania, who was 
born in Ilari-ison Townshii), Potter Count}', this 
State, August 2;i, 1832. She came vvilh her par- 
ents, Joseph and Elizaheth (Wickes) Cole to 
Michigan when an infant of only one year. Mr. 
and Mrs. Cole were natives of New York who came 
to Michigan in the old Territorial d.'iys and made 
their first home in Kensington Township, Oakland 
County, thence removing to Livingston County, 
where the mother now resides, having reached the 
age of eiglit3'-five years. The father died at the 
age of seventy-eight. 

Mr. and Mrs. Huff are the parents of five chil- 
dren, three daughters and two sons, namely: 
Phojbe M., the wife of Thomas Peck; Charlie 
married llattie B. Dell; Minnie, the wife of Alex- 
ander Peck; Alida, the wife of Leander Peck; and 
Rolla. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Peck have three 
daughters — Cora, Hazel and Nellie.. Charlie Huff 
has one daugliter Merlie. Mr. and Mis. Alexander 
Peck have one son and one daughter ; Roy and 
Lclah. Mr. and Mrs. Leander Peck have one son 
and one daughter — Eddie .S. and Ivah. 

The subject of this sketch located where he now 



resides when he first came to Michigan and found 
upon the place a log house. He at once went to 
work to clear away the forest trees and set out or- 
chards, putting up fences and necessary outbuild- 
ings. He had at one time one hundred and ten 
acres but has sold about thirty acres of this and 
has his farm mostlj' under cultivation. He has 
always been a Republican in his views but now 
votes the Prohibition ticket. Mrs. Huff belonged 
to a family of eight children, four sons and four 
daughters, all but one of whom are still living. 
Mr. Huff has retired mostly from active work and 
allows his son Rolla who resides with him to carry 
on the farm. 



I Si^^.ORMAN COWLES, a representative agri- 

I /// ci'lt-f'st of Essex Township, Clinton Coun- 

\)^,jlL) t}', was born February 10, 1835, in Macomb 

County, Mich. He is the son of Chester and Eliza 

(Curliss) Cowles, both of whom were natives of 

New York. His paternal great-grandfather was one 

1 of the Revolutionarj' heroes in whose record his 

I descendants take great pride. Chester Cowles was 

an early settler of Macomb County, this State, to 

which jjlace he came in the territorial daj's, taking 

up land from the (iovernment in 1832. 

Our subject received iiis early education in the 
district schools of the pioneer times, which, 
although they did not offer great advantages, may 
yet be favorably compared with the schools of to- 
day in the earnestness of both teacher and pupils. 
He has l)eeu a life long reader and has given him- 
self a supplementary education, which fitted him 
for usefulness and enabled him to attain a position 
of influence in the community. 

In 1853 j'oung Cowles made a trip to California, 
going by way of Nicaragua and being thirtj'-onc 
days in reaching his destination. There he en- 
gaged in gold mining and was fairly successful. 
After one year and a half in the mines, he returned 
to Michigan, m.aking tiie trip by w.ay of Panama. 
Since his return he has devoted himself entirely to 
farming. His marriage with Emily Rice took place 
April 18, 18G0. This intelligent and amiable ladj' 
was born in Macomb County, this State, April 28, 



rORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



■di)d 



1834, and is a daiiglilcr of Jolin and Mar^' Robin- 
son Rice, natives of Maine. Her parents emi- 
grated to Macomb County, this State, in the old 
Territorial days, settling in the woods and buying 
land from the Government in 1833, during Jack- 
son's administration. There they resided during 
the remainder of their days. 

To Mr. and Mrs Cowles have been bo'ii five 
beautiful and interesting children, wlio have all 
lived to years of maturity. The}' are: Carrie, 
(Mrs. Joseph Bleraaster) Charles, Burt, Austin and 
Ralph. In the spring of 1882 our subject removed 
with his family from Macomb County to Clinton 
County, making his new home in Essex Township 
where he now resides. He owns a fine farm of two 
hundred and fifteen acres of excellent land, well im- 
proveil and liigidy cultivated, and in a word, one 
of the best farms in Clinton. lie is a public spir- 
ited citizen and actively promotes all efforts for the 
elevation of the social and industrial condition of 
the farming community. His judgment endorses 
the principles of the Re[)ublican pari}' and he is a 
member of the Farmers' Cliib of Essex County, 
which he now is serving as President. He is prom- 
inently identified witli the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen at Maj)le Rapids, and Mrs. Covvks is nn 
active and ellicient member of the Congregational 
Church. Both are honored members of society 
and do much to elcvat« its standard and enccnirage 
all good works. On another page of this volume 
appears a lithographic view of the comfortable res- 
idence of Mr. Cowles, with its rural surroundings. 

ORRIS OSBURN. Prominent in commer- 
and well known among business 
ight financier and a thorough 
* manager, is the gentleman whose name 

heads this paragraph. He is a man of rpiiet man- 
ner and considerable reserve, but a clear thinker 
and prompt to act. He has accumulated an excel- 
lent property, and is a thorongli business man. He 
was born in Meadville, Pa., on January 31, 1838, 
and is the eldest son of John and Jane (Morris) 
OsDurn. He passed his school days in his native 




liome, attending first the ward schools and after- 
ward the academy. He then entered his father's 
store, thus gaining useful exi)eriencc in mercantile 
affairs. 

In 1850 the subject vi this sketch came to Pon- 
tiac, Mich., and spent the winter, after which he 
came to Owosso, and, buying a small store, put in 
a stock of goods. Soon after his coming here his 
father joined him, and he went into company with 
him and a younger brother. They also took an 
interest in pine timber lands in Saginaw County 
running three sawmills under the firm name of 
Gould, Osburn & Co. The firm did a large busi- 
ness in the wa^- of manufacturing lumber and con- 
tinued ;n existence until 1877, when the Osburns 
sold out their interest lo other [)arties and made 
Owosso their permanent home, .nt the same time re- 
taining their interest in the mercantile establisii- 
ment at that place. 

Mr. Morris Osburn helped to organize the First 
National Bank at Owosso, and was made Vice-Presi- 
dent, a position which he held for twculy years, 
after which the charter of tiie institution ran out 
and it was changed to a i)rivale bank. He was 
also one of the principal men in incorporating the 
Owosso Woolen Mills, and also the Secretary of 
the company of French, Osburn & Knill, which 
continued in existence until the mills burned. 
They were, however, immediately rebuilt, but 
burned a second time, and were again rebuilt, but 
the business w.as closed up in 1871. 

Mr. Osburn continued to hold his interest in tiie 
firm of Osburn & Sons until 1884, when he sold 
out and turned his attention to general farming 
and stock-raising. His fine farm of two lumdred 
and forty acres is well improved and Hnel\ stocked 
with sheep and cattle and a good grade of draft 
horses. 

The great event of Mr. Osburn's life was his 
marriage, in 18G0, to Miss Mary Gould, a daughter 
of the late Hon. Amos Gould. This lady was born 
in New York State, near Auburn, and her union 
with our subject h.as been blessed by the birth of 
three sons — Harr}- G., who is a resident of Ciiicago, 
.and Morris and Joe, who are still at home. Mr. 
Osburn has been Sui)er visor at large in Shiawassee 
County, and is now strving his second term in that 



394 



rORTKAlT AJSD BIOGRAi'lilCAL ALBUM. 



office, lie is also Rccretai'y of the Water Board, 
and his political conviclions are in accordance with 
the Republican party. His attractive and hand- 
some residence at No. 418 Oliver Street is pleas- 
antly situated and is the center of a genial social 
life. 



"lIlOSEl'H IIANKKY, a prominent farmer and 
stock raiser, residing on section 3, Green- 
bush Township, Clinton County, is a native 
of Bavaria, German}', where he was born 
Sei)tember 22, 1834. John and Pauline Ilankey, 
his parents, gave him a fair education in his native 
language and in the branches which arc taught in 
the Goverment schools of that country. In his 
early manhood he spent some time in a blacksmith 
and machine shop. 

The young man emigrated to America in 1851, 
taking passage at Havre, France, in a sail vessel, 
which, after an ocean voyage of forty-two days, 
landed him in New York City. He went on at 
once to Rochester in that State, and there worked 
in a blacksmith and machine shop for about two 
years, and then came to Wayne County, N. Y., 
where he engaged as a farm hand for a number of 
years. While living there he was married to Caro- 
line Spat, a native of Germany. 

Nine children have been granted to Mr. and Mrs. 
Kankey. They are: Mary, now the wife of 
David Gilson; Catherine, William, ,Iohn, Eliza- 
beth, Charles, Franklin, Edward and Anna. Mr. 
Ilankey came to Clinton, Mich., in the fall of 1859, 
and settled on his present farm in Greenbush 
Township. He has one hundred and sixty acres in 
his home farm, besides one hundreil and twenty in 
another tract iu CJratiot County. He has greatly 
improved his land, having done a vast amount of 
pioneer work upon it, and has brought to its pres- 
ent high state of cultivation. He began with ver^' 
little, and has by his own exi'rtions attained to his 
present state of prosperity. 

Mr. Ilankey is fairly well informed in the Eng- 
lish language, and matters of public interest, hav- 
ing exerted himself to this end ever since coming 



to this country, and, being public spirited, he has 
desired to understand oui national institutions, 
and has allied himself politically with the Rei)ub- 
lican party. He is an active promoter of all move- 
ments looking to the welfare of the community 
and general [)rosperity. lie is one of the leading 
and representative tierman-Anierican ciiizeris in 
Greenbush Township, and his excellent character 
and success in life give him a strong influence 
with his fellow-countrymen. He has given consid- 
erable attention to the laising of fine stock, having 
upon his farm some fine specimens of llolstein 
cattle and horses of fine breeds. His beautiful 
home and broad and fertile farm with its well-kept 
barns and outbuildings attest not only to his pros- 
perity, but also to his industry and good manage- 
ment. He is well and favorably known for his 
honesty and industrious habits, and commands the 
confidence of the business community. 




GEORGE H. SOWLE. It is a pleasure to 



record the successes of those who have ap- 
plied themselves diligently to an honorable 
calling, and this pleasure is increased when the sub- 
ject represents a family worthy of respect and use- 
ful in its part of the world. For these reasons we 
are glad to be able to present to our readers some 
account of the scenes that have transpired in the 
life of the gentleman whose name introduces these 
paragrai)hs, and who is now :i thriving farmer of 
Essex Townshii), Clinton County. Although for 
some years (last the years have been gliding by un- 
marked 1)3' any strange event, he has not been 
without a share in the (hmgcrous and thrilling ex- 
periences of which human existence' is capable. 

Our subject is the son of a ()ioneer of 1831, his 
father having located in Clinton County at I hat 
time and having been one of the first to secuie 
Government land in Esse.x Township. He came 
here on foot from Lenawee County, and selected u 
location in a part that was the home of ui.-iny 
Indians .-nid the haunt of deer, wolves and luar;^. 
It was in the center of the township, although no 
organiz'ili'in had yet been made and uo roads laid 



POIITUAIT AND UIOGUArUlCAL ALBUM. 



395 



out. Prior lu coining liere Jiinios Sowli' li.i'.l been 
workinjj in Lenawee and oilier coiinlies in tlie 
viciuilv of Detroit, and he hail put up the lirst 
flouring mill in the City of the Straits, one run by 
water power. He was born in Dutcliess County, N. 
Y., in 180G, and cainc to Detroit a few months be- 
fore lie became of age. I'litil he came to Clinton 
he worked at bis trade, that of a carpenter, but 
after selecting a location here he cleared and im- 
proved a farm and devoted himself i)rincip:illy to 
agricultural work. In 1884 he removed to section 
L5, where he spent the few years that remained to 
him of earth life. He died in KSiS.S in his eighty- 
third year. 

James Sowle belonged to a mililary companj' 
and was a regular attendant at the exercises of 
training day. He was the first Highway Commis- 
sioner elected in Essex Township and laid out the 
first roads. He served at various times as Super- 
visor, Treasurer and Clerk, and stood high in the 
eslimalion of everyone vviio know hi(n. He was a 
counselor and friend of the red men, who often 
called upon him for advice in the settlement of 
tlieir diflicullies. His home was open to all tiavel- 
ers or ihose who intended to settle in this or neigh- 
boring counties, and all were made welcome under 
his roof. He was a member of the Iiai)tist Church, 
and for many years held the oUice of Dcaoon. His 
first wife, the mother of onr subject, bore the 
maiden name of J^ucy Nestle, was born in New 
York and was the mother of nine children, but two 
of whom survive. She breathed her last in 1848 
and Mr. Sowle subsequently made a second mar- 
riage, which was blessed by the l)irlh of live chil- 
dren. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the town- 
ship that is now his home, December 25, 184 1, and 
was reared on the old Sowle homestead. His first 
attendance at school was in a lijg shanty si.v miles 
from home, on the site of what is now known as 
Uichard D. Caruss Corners. His second school 
was in a part of his father's dwelling, and after a 
time a district was organized and a log schoolhouse 
built. There were but four or five white children 
in the district, the others being Lulians. Like 
other lads in farm settlements, he could attend 
school only in the winter months, the other seasons 



being given up to work on the farm. When the 
Civil War broke out young .Sowle had not passed 
through his teens, but he was desirous of taking up 
arras and aiding in the maintenance of the Repub- 
lic, and in August, 18G2, carried out his wish and 
enlisted in the Fifth Michigan Cavalr3', Col. 
Copeland commanding. During the next few 
months he participated in many skirmishes, being 
present in every engagement in which his regiment 
took i)art. He had the fortune to be i)resent at 
several of the most noted battles of the war, in- 
cluding Winchester, Cedar Creek, Petersburg, 
Trevilian Station and the three days' fight at 
Gettysburg. He was one of seventy -one men de- 
tailed as escort to Gen. Hooker on his way to An- 
tietara. 

At Ilartwood Church, in Virginia, July -I'.K 18G3, 
Mr. Sowle was taken prisoner, being captured by 
Stuart's Cavalry, while out foraging. He was 
taken to Fitz Hugh Lee's headquarters, at Freder- 
icksburg, thence sent to Libliy |)rison, and three 
weeks later removed to IJelle Isle, where he was 
paroled December 27. After being duly exclianged 
he rejoined his regiment at City Point, and sul)se- 
quenlly, while engageii in the Shenandoah Valley, 
was again captured by the rebels, this time being 
one of twenty-two prisoners secured by Mosby's 
guerrillas. Not long after, the twenty-two prison- 
ors were drawn up in line under Ihe direction of 
the notorious guerrilla chieftain, and slips of paper 
having been placed in -.i liat, they were obliged to 
draw therefrom, those wht) secured pieces marked 
with a cross being doomed to death. Seven were 
to be hung in retaliation for the hanging of rebels, 
and this was the means taken to determine which 
should have that fate. Mr. Sowle was the first to 
draw and his ticket had the fatal cross upon it. 

When the drawing was completed the seven 
doomed men were plafxnl in single file, with a r(>i)e 
tied to the left arm of each and fastened to the 
saddle of one of the seventeen mounted rebels 
who accompanied ihein to a point sevenleen miles 
distant, where they were to meet their fale. Col. 
Mosby had decide<l to go as near Winclieslcr as 
possible and leave the haiu'ed men where the 
Union forces would lind llieiii and read the notice 
which would slate his reasons for the deed. At 



396 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



stated intervfils during tlie march a bait was made 
for a slight rest and scouts would Ije sent for- 
ward to see if the wa}- was clear. During these 
brief periods the doomed men could communi- 
cate with each other in a wliispcr and the more 
daring ones endeavored to i)hui an escape. Some 
of the part3' were so excited and bewildered that 
they were unable to muster ccnirago to make an 
attempt, but Mr. Sowlc, who was at the head of 
the little column, was quite cool, and determined 
not to be hung, pieferring to be shot if he must 
die. 

As the doomed party was approaching a strii) 
of woods and he felt sure that the execution 
would not long be delayed, they were ordered to 
turn to the right and as they did so passed into 
a deep gully, tlie bottom of which was covered 
with dry leaves. Mr. Sowle had iscertained that 
the rope could easily be loosened from Ids arm 
and in the noise made b^- the rustling of the 
leaves his slight movement in freeing Ids arm 
was unnoted and he droijped down on the ground. 
He was unobserved even by his less fortunate 
comrades, and lay Hat on the ground while the 
guerrillas passed by. The last hor.senian had 
scarcely passed when the Lieutenant ordered a 
halt and sent his scouts out to find a suitable 
place in which to carr}' out his fiendish purpose. 
Mr. Sowle dared not move, but lay, with his heart 
beating fast, during a period that seemed an age, 
before the order was given to march. The scouts 
returned and reported everything in readiness, 
and as the parly moved forward he moved in the 
opposite direction. It was quite dark, the moon 
having disappeared behind a cloud, and in his 
flight he ran against a stone wall and was 
knocked almost senseless. He lay for a moment 
in the bunch of briars and heard the order given 
to halt and the oaths uttered by the rebels when 
they discovered that the seventh man was nussing. 

In a moment Mr. Sowle had run farther back 
and climbing a tree he remained concealed in the 
branches until nearly noon the next day, when 
he made his way safely into the Union lines. 
Three of his unfortunate comrades were hung and 
the other three decided to stand up and be shot. 
As liie revolvers were drawn upon them one of 



the doomed men struck his foe and made a bold 
attempt to csca[)e. Several shots were fired after 
him, but none took effect. The other twci were 
shot and left for dead, but one recovered. 

Having i<assed tiirough this experience in safety, 
Mr. Sowle continued his valiant service until llie 
close of the war and parlicii)ated in the Grand 
Review at Washington, after whicli he was dis- 
charged and returned home. In the peaceful call- 
ing of a farmi^r he has been very successful and he 
now has a fine esJate of two hundred acres, bearing 
good improvements and furnishing large crops, A 
No. 1 in quality. The possession of this estate is 
the more creditable to Mr. Sowle as he had but 
limited means with which to liegin his life woik, 
and he has risen to a position among the i)rosi>er- 
ous dwellers in the township by tlie exercise of 
sterling qualities and careful habits. His home is 
made cozy and attractive by the taste and skill of 
the lady who became his wife on June 1, 18G6. 
She bore the maiden name of Alice Bentley, and 
is a native of New York. Tlipy have three children, 
named, respectively, I.yron M., Cortie IJ. and Or- 
ville D. 

Mr. Sowle is a Democrat in politics, and, socially, 
is connected with the Masonic order. Grange, Pa- 
trons of Industry, Ancient C)rder of United Work- 
men and Grand Army of the Republic. He has 
served as Highway Commissioner several years and 
has been an acceptable public servant. He and 
his wife are esteemed as among the useful and 
agreeable members of society and their prosperity 
is rejoiced in by their friends. 



^ 



E^^ 



MBROSE AUSTIN, who is widely known 
'g/Lil l :is a successful farmer and l)i'idge builder, 
(i resides on section 7 of Ilazelton Township, 
Shiawassee County', Mich., and is a native 
of Tompkins County, N. Y., his natal day being 
February 12, 1821. His father Sylvester Austin 
was a farmer and also a tanner and currier, and 
was born in the old Bay Slate, M.ay 18, 1785. lie 
received the rudiments of a common school educa- 
tion and after he had learned trade of a tanner and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



307 



eiirrier worked at that until the year 1816, when 
he purchased one hundred acres in Tompiiins 
County, N. Y., seventy acres of wiiidi was wild 
land. He cleared forty-five acres of it and lived 
upon it until iiis demise in July, 1852. 

The mollier of our subject, who was united in 
marriage witli Sylvester Austin in 1809, was Sarah 
North, a daughter of Orcsimus and Jane (Mary- 
hugii) North, natives of New York and i)arents of 
eight children, of whom Sarah was second in order 
of birth, her natal day being .lanuary 6, 1791. 
Sylvester and Sarah Austin made their first home 
in Ulster County, N. Y. Nine daughters and one 
son came to cheer their home, of whom Ambrose 
is the fifth in order of birtli. Tlie parents were 
earnest and consistent members of the ]5ai)tist 
Churcii and Mr. Austin voted the Democratic 
ticket but had no aspirations for office. Mrs. 
Austin was called from earth in 1851 and her be- 
reaved husband followed her in July the ensuing 
year. 

Ambrose Austin received the ordinary advant- 
ages of the common school and grew up to man- 
hood upon the farm. At the age of twenty-four 
he bought a farm of eighty acres in Tioga County, 
N. Y.. and having cleared some of tlio land pro- 
ceede<l to improve it, and lived upcin it upun 1849 
when he bought eighty acres nmre ."ind devoted 
himself to getting out large quanlilies of wood, 
furnishing ties for the Delaware, LacNawaniia and 
Western Railro.ad. Mr. Austin remembers that 
road when it was a strap-railroad and employed 
horses .is its motive power. Tliis was in the year 
1833 and the first steam engine was put u[)()n thi.s 
road aliout the year 1840. 

In 1852 our subject sold his farm of one hund- 
red ami si.\ty acres and removing to Tompkins 
County, pnrclia.sed his father's old honu'stcad of 
hundred acres, lie had been happi